Chapter 37: Chapter 37

In the streets of Luochuan County, famous for its night streets since ancient times, all sorts of people gathered and engaged in boisterous conversations.

Waiters and women engaged in soliciting.

Prostitutes seducing from the brothels.

And even those bewitched by it all.

The night streets of Luochuan County were brighter than midday, and it was so lively that it was hard to compare with other counties.

“I should go see Hyang-i today.”

“Hey, are you thinking of going to see Hyang-i again. Don’t do that and let’s go to Wind Blossom Pavilion today.”

“Wind Blossom Pavilion? Is that place good?”

“Are words needed! Follow me!”

The faces of those conversing were flushed. Originally, the two should have already left Luochuan County for the sake of the trade they were doing.

However, having experienced these night streets, they couldn’t bring themselves to leave.

A seductive and fatal night street.

Perhaps it was because it was too stimulating for them, who were merchants, but they were already completely captivated by the night streets, and even swallowed up entirely.

It was not just them.

The majority of those who stayed here for a long time were of the same sort as the two.

“Sir, come here.”

“There is a delicious meal here.”

The brothels and inns on the street were soliciting customers, and even those who came for the first time melted into the night streets.

The vitality and lust of the people burning while pushing away the deeply descending darkness.

Soon, Luochuan County was filled with vitality.

However, even in such streets, there was a strangely quiet and chilly place.

And it was right in the center of the street.

In Luochuan County, there existed a castle that was larger and vaster than any other buildings.

However, even though the castle was in the center of the bustling street, it was quiet, and not a single light shone from within it.

A thoroughly heterogeneous sight.

But no one felt awkward or mentioned the castle.

No, they deliberately pretended not to know.

In fact, let alone those living in Luochuan County, anyone who even briefly visited this vicinity knew about that castle.

The only martial arts sect in Luochuan County.

And it was because it was the place that created and ruled the current Luochuan County.

Most of the people currently staying in Luochuan County would say this.

That the White Ghost, who was no different from the emperor of Luochuan County, resided in that castle.

* * *

Inside a huge room splendidly decorated with gold-painted pillars and walls.

Thud.

A man knelt on one knee.

Sama Beon-jeong, the military strategist of White Ghost Castle and separately called the White Ghost Assisting Strategist in the martial arts world, looked up at the splendid throne located on a high place.

The throne, consisting of a golden dragon, showed a splendid majesty that would not fall behind even compared to what was in the imperial family.

And on that throne, a man was sitting comfortably leaning his back.

The man’s appearance was mysterious.

It made sense as he was completely pure white.

His hair, his beard, and even his clothes.

It was an attire and appearance that would make anyone say the word White Ghost the moment they saw him.

At that time, Sama Beon-jeong opened his mouth.

“Castle Lord.”

At those words, the man’s identity was revealed.

There was only one person in the world whom Sama Beon-jeong would call Castle Lord.

The White Ghost Castle Lord, called the White Ghost by some.

The one called the White Reaper in the martial arts world was precisely the man sitting on the throne.

The White Reaper glanced sideways and spoke.

“What is the matter, Military Strategist.”

Unlike his appearance, the White Reaper’s voice was deep and quite low, like an echo spreading in a deep cave.

“Wasn’t it too excessive of an action to send the entire Soul Slaying Troop to the Hidden Wind Merchant Guild?”

“Excessive? What do you mean by excessive?”

“The combat power of the Soul Slaying Troop is enough to easily wipe out a small to medium-sized sect. Of course, the Cold-faced Blade Ghost’s plan failed, but they are just a merchant guild.”

“So you meant the combat power was excessive.”

“That is correct. Of course, Plum Blossom Swordsmen are visiting and protecting that place, but borrowing the words of the Silver Hand Slayer, they were all greenhorns.”

As if he ran out of breath while speaking, Sama Beon-jeong paused for a beat and added words.

“Of course, the culprit who destroyed the Supreme King Sect bothers me a little, but the Silver Hand Slayer said that the culprit was a master of the Unorthodox Faction. That means the Hidden Wind Merchant Guild and the culprit are unrelated, so…”

“Military Strategist.”

The White Reaper cut off his words.

“How much have we suffered all this time? The combat power and reputation of our castle, which had almost reached the top seat of the Six Imperial Sects, fell endlessly since that day, and because of that, we had to stay holed up quietly in this Luochuan County for several years as if we had sealed our gates… Is that all? Military Strategist.”

Sama Beon-jeong raised his chin.

He realized that the White Reaper’s call was demanding him to speak.

“The other Six Imperial Sects started to look down on us, and the trivial bastards who couldn’t even make eye contact with us in the past have been vigilantly aiming for our castle’s position.”

“The plan we set up to annihilate the Mount Hua Sect, which wouldn’t be enough even if we chewed them up and ate them, and to silence those who ignored our castle is…”

“The Mount Hua Annihilation Plan.”

Sama Beon-jeong received the White Reaper’s words.

The White Reaper, who watched that sight with a satisfied look, revealed his pure white teeth.

“Despite knowing very well how important the Mount Hua Annihilation Plan is, Military Strategist.”

The White Reaper rested his chin on his hand and continued speaking.

“Originally, the start of the Mount Hua Annihilation Plan was not now, but we inevitably had to move the plan forward. And you should know very well why we did so, Military Strategist.”

Sama Beon-jeong nodded his head with difficulty.

The Mount Hua Annihilation Plan, which they had put effort into for over ten years since the disaster of that day, was originally scheduled to be executed next year or the year after.

However, they had no choice but to move it forward because of what recently happened at the Hidden Wind Merchant Guild.

It was reasonable, as the Hidden Wind Merchant Guild, which they had only thought of as bait to lure out the Mount Hua Sect, showed amazing skill and struck a deal with the North Sea.

It would have been fortunate if it was only that.

They were even attempting to connect with the government using the trade with the North Sea.

If left alone, they would have to face the government’s intervention without even being able to unfold the Mount Hua Annihilation Plan.

The White Reaper withdrew his glaring gaze.

“But you failed from the very beginning.”

“However, if we send the entirety of the Soul Slaying Troop just because of that, there will be a setback in the later plans…”

“However?”

The White Reaper cut off Sama Beon-jeong’s words.

The White Reaper, who spoke coldly, took his back off the backrest and leaned his upper body forward.

Sama Beon-jeong’s figure was captured and shook in his two blazing pupils.

Thump…

In an instant, the air in the room became heavy.

“We just failed to lay the foundation for the Mount Hua Annihilation Plan, yet you said ‘however’?”

“…”

Sama Beon-jeong shut his mouth.

The momentum directed at him right now was one thing, but there was no room to refute those words.

In the silence, the White Reaper opened his mouth.

“It seems the Military Strategist is mistaken since I waited for thirteen years…”

His eyes grew endlessly cold.

“I have less patience than you think.”

Sama Beon-jeong’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

Soon, he spoke cautiously.

“If we destroy the Hidden Wind Merchant Guild in a situation where the Supreme King Sect is gone, it could be exposed that our castle intervened.”

“It doesn’t matter if we are caught now. Since it was a set procedure for our castle’s true identity to be revealed anyway, it shouldn’t matter if we move it forward.”

The White Reaper answered calmly.

Although it had deviated a little from the original Mount Hua Annihilation Plan, it was already an arrow that had left his hand.

“…I understand. Then I will modify the Mount Hua Annihilation Plan accordingly.”

Sama Beon-jeong stepped back.

He was the Military Strategist, and the White Reaper was the Castle Lord.

All decision-making authority lied with the White Reaper.

Swish…

Soon, when Sama Beon-jeong turned his body and was about to leave the room, the White Reaper called out.

“Military Strategist.”

“Did you call?”

“I have told the Military Strategist time and time again since the past, but the Mount Hua Annihilation Plan is only the beginning. Do not forget that our castle’s true purpose truly begins after annihilating Mount Hua and Zhongnan and grasping Shaanxi in these hands.”

“…I know. Castle Lord.”

Sama Beon-jeong answered in a low voice.

Just like those words, after grasping Shaanxi was the true beginning and the grand plan.

That was why he, the sole survivor of the Sama Clan, went under the White Reaper.

The two reached a dramatic compromise.

However, they did not know right now.

Just how complacently they thought about the things happening in Xianyang County right now.

It was a few days from now when they realized the seriousness of the situation.

* * *

“To tell me to withdraw since it was a mutual destruction between Unorthodox Factions… You really do not know the seriousness of the culprit at all.”

Ha U-jin wore a complicated expression as he read the reply that came from the Zhongnan Sect.

He felt that the traces of the culprit who destroyed the Supreme King Sect that he saw were too intense to just pass over, but the Zhongnan Sect did not know the danger at all right now.

Of course, he understood.

‘The culprit has hidden his tracks since that day, so perhaps it is a matter of course…’

A bitter smile was kept on his lips.

No, he thought he would have thought the same if he had not seen it for himself.

Who could believe it.

That the Supreme King Sect, which was making a name for itself in Shaanxi recently even if it was a newly rising sect, was destroyed by one person.

And without any traces of martial arts at that.

‘Perhaps the elders are thinking that I failed to find the traces because I do not know the martial arts of the Unorthodox Faction well.’

Ha U-jin put the letter in his bosom.

The moment he read this reply, he felt that the Zhongnan Sect had already withdrawn their interest.

‘Still, the Beggars’ Sect is paying attention.’

He recalled the Beggars’ Sect disciples who secretly came and went from the Supreme King Sect a few days ago, then shook his head and hurried on his way.

Now that he knew they had even withdrawn their interest let alone getting support from the Zhongnan Sect, he had to gather information alone from now on.

Step… Step…

The place his footsteps were heading as he advanced like that was a place related to the culprit.

Hidden Wind Merchant Guild.

It was the place the Supreme King Sect had attacked the day before they were annihilated, and it was the place most suspected of being closely related to the culprit as of now.

Especially seeing the steep growth trend of the Hidden Wind Merchant Guild recently after the Supreme King Sect collapsed, his suspicion could not help but grow.

At that time, the Hidden Wind Merchant Guild staggered after suffering great losses due to the Supreme King Sect’s attack, but the situation was reversed now.

As soon as the Supreme King Sect was annihilated, the Hidden Wind Merchant Guild absorbed the interests and various commercial supremacy they had possessed as if they had been waiting.

‘Are people in the world saying they have now gotten closer to being Shaanxi’s Number One Merchant Guild.’

He recalled the recent days.

Xianyang County was in an agonizing hell for a few days.

Fights aiming for the interests the Supreme King Sect possessed broke out continuously, and because of that, the commoners could not help but tremble in anxiety.

The ones who moved at that time were the Hidden Wind Merchant Guild.

Originally, since they were a merchant guild and not a martial arts sect, they were in a position to be ignored, but didn’t he mention it earlier.

That Plum Blossom Swordsmen were staying there.

‘Even if the Mount Hua Sect has weakened, the only places in Shaanxi that can compare to them are our sect and White Ghost Castle.’

The victor was a set procedure.

The Hidden Wind Merchant Guild quickly absorbed the commercial supremacy, and they divided the things that were difficult to handle by trading with the heads of each sect.

Suspicion arose in a situation where the heavens were only smiling at the Hidden Wind Merchant Guild as days went by, but.

‘There is no way that is true.’

He concluded that they had no relation to the culprit.

The Hidden Wind Merchant Guild was a merchant guild, not a sect.

There was no way that the absolute master who single-handedly destroyed the Supreme King Sect would be under them.

Was that all.

Since ancient times, the Hidden Wind Merchant Guild had been under the patronage of the Mount Hua Sect, so having a master of the Unorthodox Faction was no different from being illogical.

Nevertheless, there was a reason he wanted to visit the Hidden Wind Merchant Guild.

‘Because the Supreme King Sect attacking the Hidden Wind Merchant Guild could also be related to the culprit.’

It was a thought of just in case.

However, in the current situation where there were no traces at all, that was at least a big piece of evidence.

Soon, his footsteps quickened, and around the time he arrived at the main gate of the Hidden Wind Merchant Guild, the sound of a scuffle knocked on his ears.

“S-so you are saying that you are a Taoist of the Mount Hua Sect right now?”

“That is right.”

The gatekeepers were looking up at the man with a grand physique wearing a red and white Taoist robe, trembling finely.

The man’s impression was quite fierce.

Hair untied as if to say whatever happens, happens, and a faint scar crossing his cheek.

And his fully raised outer corners of the eyes and thick sword-like eyebrows made even those who prided themselves on being fearless bow their heads naturally.

‘That is a Taoist?’

The gatekeepers turned their heads and made eye contact at the same time, then shook them back and forth.

Although he was wearing a Taoist robe, he looked as if a bandit had picked up and put on a Taoist robe.

“…How will you prove that?”

The gatekeeper on the left asked cautiously towards the man.

At that, the man frowned.

“Is proof even necessary?”

The moment even the scar on his cheek distorted, the gatekeeper spoke while being terrified.

“W-we cannot let you inside carelessly.”

Only then did the man realize that the gatekeepers were scared, as he loosened his distorted expression and showed a look of difficulty.

However, that was the man’s mistake.

That expression instead made the man’s face fierce, and the gatekeepers urgently drew their swords.

“A-are you trying to attack our Hidden Wind Merchant Guild right now?”

“No, didn’t I just say I am a Taoist.”

The man pounded his chest in frustration.

Then, as if he suddenly recalled something, his eyes sparkled and his mouth moved.

“If so, by any chance is the Merchant Guild Leader inside? Or you can call the Plum Blossom Swordsmen or Cheon-hwi. If it’s them, they will…”

The man seemed to list those who would confirm his identity, but that rather made the gatekeepers freak out.

“Y-you came confidently even knowing that the Plum Blossom Swordsmen are here?!”

“…My head hurts.”

Around the time the man placed his hand on his forehead as if his head throbbed.

‘That face is…’

Ha U-jin, who had been watching that entire situation from behind, opened his eyes wide.

The man’s face was quite familiar.

A few strands of his hair had grayed, and his wrinkles had deepened compared to the past, but the scar on his cheek and his fierce impression were exactly the same as before.

“Senior Daoist Hyeon-do…?”

Enjoyed the chapter?

If you like our work, consider supporting us on Ko-fi. This site solely runs on donations. Every donation helps us keep translating!

Support on Ko-fi