Chapter 133: Chapter 133
The Eastern Ocean warriors wore astonished expressions. Because they were people who had truly crossed over from the Eastern Ocean, they did not know the language of the Central Plains.
However, the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean whom they feared and revered had struck off the head of the subordinate he always kept by his side, and was speaking something while forcing a smile at the mysterious master who had appeared out of nowhere.
Even if they could not understand the words, they could comprehend the turning situation in an instant.
The Ghost of the Eastern Ocean, who feared nothing, was catering to that young master.
Thereupon, the martial artists who had merely waited for the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean’s return while being slaughtered by Cheon Woo-jin threw down their weapons one by one.
They were already in a state of having completely lost their will to fight.
Looking at that sight, Cheon Woo-jin asked the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean:
“Are they your subordinates?”
“N-No. I merely stayed here for a while, and since words do not even properly communicate with them, how could I call them subordinates?”
“You seemed to understand what the fellow you killed earlier was muttering, though.”
The corners of the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean’s eyes trembled slightly.
It was true that he had understood the subordinate, who was like his right hand, bragging about killing Black Elder’s disciple.
However, Cheon Woo-jin slightly raised the Crescent Moon Staff as if it did not matter much. Soon, dark, clotted Dark Heavens Qi coiled around the Crescent Moon Staff, vibrating the surrounding air.
“Take up your saber again.”
The Ghost of the Eastern Ocean had long since thrown away the saber he held the moment he saw Cheon Woo-jin.
Startled out of his wits, the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean poured out words:
“W-Why would I fight you? I truly respected Senior Brother Black Elder. Furthermore, Senior Brother also cherished me greatly. He hated all of the Dark Emperor’s disciples, but he truly cherished only me.”
Waving his hands in the air, the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean revealed his will that he had no intention of fighting as much as possible.
Did his sincerity get through?
Cheon Woo-jin’s steps halted for a moment.
“Is that true?”
“T-That is so! At any rate, with your realm, couldn’t you strike me dead at any time? What would I gain by telling you lies on such an isolated island?”
“Hmm.”
Cheon Woo-jin fell into thought for a moment while tapping the Crescent Moon Staff.
Not only the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean, but the warriors of the Eastern Ocean also waited with tense faces.
How much time had passed within that atmosphere where frost seemed to have settled?
When Cheon Woo-jin moved slightly, everyone flinched.
However, after putting away the Crescent Moon Staff, Cheon Woo-jin cupped his fists in salute.
“Cheon Woo-jin, disciple of Black Elder. I pay my respects to my martial uncle of the same sect.”
At that sight, the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean let out a sigh of relief with a ‘phew.’ He had been so nervous that sweat drenched his back.
The Ghost of the Eastern Ocean watched Cheon Woo-jin’s mood for a moment, then changed the subject to turn the atmosphere:
“Have you ever tried food of the Eastern Ocean? On this island, there is also a skilled cook brought over from the Eastern Ocean.”
“Is that so?”
Cheon Woo-jin nodded casually.
Then, as if to give him no opening, the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean immediately continued speaking:
“Come, let us go. The disciple of Senior Brother Black Elder, whom I respect most under heaven, has come, so as his martial uncle, I should treat him to a meal. By any chance, do you drink liquor as well? Otherwise, there is also fragrant tea.”
Saying so, he naturally guided Cheon Woo-jin to his quarters. Passing through a courtyard so neatly arranged that it was hard to imagine it was built on an isolated island, a pavilion that was plain yet reflected the beauty of the Eastern Ocean appeared.
“Has Martial Uncle been in the Eastern Ocean all this time? My master said that the martial arts there are nothing special.”
“Senior Brother’s words were correct. That was why I went. In truth, aren’t our martial brothers somewhat fierce? After Senior Brother Black Elder, who cherished me, passed away, unable to bear the pressure from my martial brothers, I fled to the Eastern Ocean. Even so, I am the king in this martial world.”
“I heard you are not a king, but a ghost.”
“Hahaha…”
The Ghost of the Eastern Ocean let out a rather awkward laugh. Although his martial nephew was far younger than himself, he could not help but walk on eggshells around him.
Whenever he looked at that Crescent Moon Staff, he repeatedly felt as though it might be drawn at any moment to smash his head to pieces.
The Ghost of the Eastern Ocean did his best. As if Black Elder had visited in person, he urged the people of the Eastern Ocean to bring out the finest food, liquor, and tea.
While fully enjoying the unique food, liquor, and tea, Cheon Woo-jin suddenly spoke like this:
“This is troublesome.”
“What is?”
The Ghost of the Eastern Ocean shuddered. Even while cautiously watching his expression, under the table he was preparing to strike at any moment.
Even though Cheon Woo-jin noticed this clearly, he did not deliberately show it and continued in a calm tone:
“Actually, the one who sent me here is Patriarch Peng.”
“Wh-What…!”
The Ghost of the Eastern Ocean’s eyes widened like lanterns.
Patriarch Peng and the Great General were those conducting business together with him. Yet why had they sent such a monster to him?
“He told me to kill Martial Uncle Ghost of the Eastern Ocean. Saying you have outlived your usefulness. That if they embezzle any more military expenses, there is a risk of being discovered by the emperor, so they must slowly tidy things up.”
It was merely words uttered to probe the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean.
The statement that Patriarch Peng had sent him was a lie, and the words regarding military expenses were a conjecture.
If he took the bait, it was good, and if he didn’t, killing him would suffice.
‘Master Black Elder cherished him?’
It was the most laughable thing he had heard this year.
Master Black Elder had constantly told him to smash their skulls whenever he encountered a disciple of the Dark Emperor.
– Even so, they are your martial brothers, so was there truly not a single one you cherished?
At such a question from Cheon Woo-jin, Black Elder had burst into hearty laughter:
– None. Naturally there were none. If there is a bastard who babbles such words, smash that bastard’s skull twice, no, three times.
– A person has only one head, so how…
– Hey, just catch my drift roughly.
– Yes.
Recalling the conversation with his master, Cheon Woo-jin tried hard to suppress his hand from repeatedly reaching for the Crescent Moon Staff.
Unaware of such circumstances, the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean sprang up from his seat.
“What! Did that bastard betray me!”
“Hmm, as someone belonging to the Martial Alliance, it is awkward to refuse Patriarch Peng’s request. But it is also somewhat awkward to blow open the head of the martial uncle whom Master cherished.”
Cheon Woo-jin wore a pondering expression for a moment, then delivered the clincher:
“What would Master Black Elder have done?”
At that innocent question, deathly paleness washed over the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean’s face.
What would Senior Brother Black Elder have done?
There was no need to even deliberate.
‘How dare a mere creature like you try to use me?’
‘How dare a mere creature like you stand before me?’
Cleanly, both would be dead.
Even so, the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean forced that thought away and spoke:
“I-If it were Senior Brother, saying how dare he try to drive a wedge between him and his cherished junior brother, he would have beaten Patriarch Peng to death.”
“That would indeed be the case. For blood is thicker than water.”
“T-That’s right! Because Senior Brother Black Elder and I were practically like real brothers. By the way, I am truly furious. Rather than the fact that he betrayed me, I cannot bear that he dared try to alienate me from my martial nephew. Where is that bastard Patriarch Peng?”
The Ghost of the Eastern Ocean’s gaze chilled sharply for the first time.
Seeing this, Cheon Woo-jin could tell. All that talk about being a martial nephew was a lie, but his desire to kill Patriarch Peng was genuine.
Indeed, if one endured even after being betrayed, they would not be a disciple of the Dark Emperor.
Of course, the betrayal itself was a lie as well.
“I will assist a bit. In truth, with Martial Uncle present, would there be any need for me to step forward, though?”
“Heh, your modesty is excessive! I know that the Shura Demon Lord, the Lust Demon, and the Demon Physician died by my martial nephew’s hand. Unlike Senior Brother Black Elder, they were all like worms. With my martial nephew’s skill, you can easily assist me and kill that fellow Saber Wanderer.”
Cheon Woo-jin merely bowed his head lightly, feigning humility.
Soon, packing a bottle of liquor, the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean gave various orders to his subordinates in fluent Eastern Ocean language. Seeing the warriors of the Eastern Ocean board the ship holding well-honed blades, it seemed to be an order to set out for battle.
‘Didn’t he say he didn’t know the language of the Eastern Ocean?’
Apparently, the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean seemed to be a fellow with a rather poor brain.
* * *
News arrived that the ship of the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean had appeared on the eastern coast. Greatly alarmed, the Great General and Patriarch Peng personally led horses and rode to the coast.
“Did that fellow perhaps kill the Heartless Wanderer?”
The Great General spoke so. If that were the case, he was even willing to bestow a small amount of gold as a reward for eliminating the worry.
However, Patriarch Peng did not answer. Although the ship was still far, he was also a member of the Realm Beyond the Heavens called the Saber Wanderer.
Channeling internal energy to enhance his eyesight, the face of the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean standing proudly at the stern was completely visible. That fellow was exceedingly enraged. Furthermore, that rage was directed toward himself.
‘Just what in the world did that bastard Heartless Wanderer do…’
It was at that moment.
The Ghost of the Eastern Ocean burst into a chuckle, then lightly kicked off the deck and soared into midair.
Soon, that fellow’s figure approached at tremendous speed.
Truly tearing through midair, he held a sharp straight saber aimed, the kind Eastern Ocean warriors would use.
“Th-That crazy bastard…!”
Startled out of his wits, Patriarch Peng raised his great saber.
At the same time, the straight saber of the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean, which had leaped close before long, roughly struck his great saber.
Boooom!
At the strike infused with the flying speed and the shoulder power of the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean, Patriarch Peng slid backward.
Merely from the aftermath of that, the martial artists in the surroundings vomited blood from their mouths and noses and retreated backward.
The Ghost of the Eastern Ocean unleashed his specialty, the quick saber.
Cl-cl-cl-clang!
With his thin straight saber, he could not cut Patriarch Peng’s thick great saber. Therefore, attacking as rapidly as possible, he had no choice but to thrust the straight saber through the sluggish great saber.
Frowning, Patriarch Peng swung the great saber repeatedly. Only slower than the straight saber of the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean, befitting the reputation of the Saber Wanderer, the massive saber moved swiftly.
Without any conversation worth mentioning, over a hundred exchanges passed in an instant.
Naturally, the outcome of the match between the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean, who belonged to the lower ranks among the Dark Emperor’s disciples, and the Saber Wanderer, who had reached the Realm Beyond the Heavens, was predetermined.
Gradually regaining his composure against the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean, Patriarch Peng spoke as if chewing and spitting out each word. Meanwhile, he subtly spread a qi barrier to prevent the sound from spreading to the surroundings.
“Dark Blood Saber Lord, have you truly gone mad? Why on earth are you suddenly pulling such dog-like antics!”
The true moniker of the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean was the Dark Blood Saber Lord.
Wanting to be compared to the Sword Demon, who belonged to the highest rank among the registered disciples, he had wished to obtain the moniker Saber Demon, but failed to do so. For the reason that compared to the Sword Demon’s sword, his saber art was like child’s play.
“Crazy bastard. I am no longer the Dark Blood Saber Lord, but the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean.”
“Whether Saber Lord or Ghost of the Eastern Ocean! I am asking why on earth you are doing this! Do you truly wish to die on this spot?”
Patriarch Peng’s momentum flared in earnest. It was an energy the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean could not handle at all.
Even so, he did not back down. Since Black Elder’s disciple was aboard that ship, what would he fear?
“I heard everything. You dared try to kill me, didn’t you?”
“What? Coming here after hearing such wild nonsense… Don’t tell me the Heartless Wanderer said so?”
Patriarch Peng wore a dumbfounded expression.
From that appearance, the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean was also slowly guessing that something had gone wrong.
Soon, Patriarch Peng’s eyes flashed fiercely like a tiger on a hunt.
In other words, did this foolish bastard dance to the Heartless Wanderer’s tricks and expose all their past actions?
Patriarch Peng looked at the Great General standing in the distance.
The situation was truly bad.
The worst was being dragged to the Imperial Palace on treason charges and beheaded, and the second worst was being dragged to the Great General for ruining the affair and beheaded.
‘Damn it all.’
Patriarch Peng’s mind raced busily. He desperately wanted to split that foolish Ghost of the Eastern Ocean in half and kill him right away.
However, the only way to resolve this situation was to silence the Heartless Wanderer by killing him. How could he kill that monster-like fellow alone?
In the end, he had no choice but to join forces with the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean and pressure the Heartless Wanderer.
“You foo…”
Looking at the blinking face of the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean, Patriarch Peng barely swallowed the curses that almost burst out.
Soon, exerting extreme patience, he let out a long breath:
“Haa, listen carefully. You were tricked. Thanks to that, we ended up only exposing the deeds we committed. Then what do you think will happen?”
The Ghost of the Eastern Ocean was also foolish, but he was not brainless.
If so, it meant Black Elder’s disciple had been acting.
At the thought that he had eaten a meal together with someone acting to kill him, a chill ran down his spine in an instant.
“Move your blade. Pretend to fight me. Then when that fellow appears, we attack together in an instant. Just as he tricked us, we will trick him.”
Having said so, Patriarch Peng prepared to fight once again.
The Ghost of the Eastern Ocean also instinctively realized that he had to do as he said.
Soon, the sabers of the two men intertwined in midair once again.
Patriarch Peng lowered his voice and asked:
“Where is that fellow?”
Thereupon, the Ghost of the Eastern Ocean spread his sensory perception widely. He had thought he would still be on the ship, but he was not caught in his perception at all.
The same was true for Patriarch Peng.
In the end, the two scanned the surroundings with sideways glances.
“No, just where in the world is…”
It was at that moment.
“Here.”
A young man dropped down between the two men with a thud.
At the same time, as if they had been waiting, two sabers, thin and thick, swung toward Cheon Woo-jin.
Saber Wanderer, a master of the Realm Beyond the Heavens; Ghost of the Eastern Ocean, disciple of the Dark Emperor.
Saber strikes befitting the reputations of the two men tore through midair.
It was speed and power that ordinary martial artists could not even follow with their eyes, but…
Cheon Woo-jin’s Crescent Moon Staff merely fell calmly between the two sabers.
Crash!