Chapter 56

The interior of the Geumjoo Pavilion was extremely simple.

Other than the golden pillars standing here and there, it was no different from any other hall.

The security inside was lax, with not even a single person on guard. It was clear that since the external security was so thorough, they hadn’t bothered with the interior.

Pyo Wol stood in the center of the Geumjoo Pavilion and heightened his senses.

Within the rather spacious hall, only a single breath could be heard.

The sound of breathing, flowing through the darkness, told Pyo Wol the exact location.

Pyo Wol walked toward the source of the breathing.

It was the most lavish room in the Geumjoo Pavilion.

Furniture, clearly made by a master craftsman, filled the room. And in the center, a man sat cross-legged.

The man, with his handsome features and a balanced yet sturdy build, was none other than Nam Hosan, the young master of the Thunder Clan.

Except for the corners of his eyes, which were turned up in an irritable manner, he was nearly flawless.

Unaware that an assassin had snuck in, he was completely absorbed in his Qi Circulation.

With each breath, the color of his face changed.

At times it turned red, then blue. Then it would change to a golden hue.

It was truly a Strange Art that defied common sense.

The Mind Methods of the Orthodox Faction prioritize stability. Martial Arts like this, where the foundation changes so drastically in an instant, are usually excluded from the very beginning.

The fact that he was learning such a Strange Art meant that the Thunder Clan was not a traditional sect.

Pyo Wol’s eyes, as he looked at Nam Hosan, held no emotion whatsoever.

He used his Serpentine Steps to approach Nam Hosan.

Even though Pyo Wol had come within arm’s reach, Nam Hosan remained completely oblivious, focused only on his Qi Circulation.

Shing!

Pyo Wol drew his sword with a sound.

At that moment, Nam Hosan’s eyes flew open.

A look of urgency appeared on his face at the sight of the unfamiliar man standing before him with a drawn sword.

The Mind Method he was circulating was the Five Elements Heavenly Soft Art from the Small Thunder Sound Temple. It was a Strange Art that trained by maximizing the Qi of the five elements, and upon Complete mastery, one could unleash a Special Technique called the Five Elements Vajra Hand.

The Five Elements Vajra Hand was a Special Technique capable of turning a house-sized boulder into dust in a single blow.

His Qi Circulation was at a crucial juncture, so he couldn’t stop. Forcibly stopping it would cause his qi and blood to flow in reverse, resulting in severe internal injuries.

Knowing this, Pyo Wol did not rush.

He thrust his sword toward Nam Hosan’s heart.

In that instant, Nam Hosan forcibly stopped his Qi Circulation and threw his body backward.

Puhwak!

Fresh Blood burst from his mouth.

The backlash from forcibly halting his Internal Energy circulation had shaken his qi and blood to their very core.

Knowing that if he let his qi and blood remain shaken, he would suffer from Qi Deviation, Nam Hosan clamped his mouth shut and forcibly controlled his rampaging Internal Energy.

Pyo Wol moved, chasing after the retreating Nam Hosan.

Like a shadow, Pyo Wol stuck to Nam Hosan.

Shwish!

A wave-like series of sword strikes continuously stormed him.

“Keuk!”

Nam Hosan clenched his lips and unleashed a Special Technique of the Thunder Clan. But because his qi and blood were in disarray, the Martial Arts he performed failed to display its original power.

His complexion turned deathly pale from forcibly executing the Martial Arts, and all the blood vessels in his eyes burst.

If he could, he wanted to ask for the man’s identity right away. But because of his rampaging Internal Energy, he couldn’t open his mouth.

His Footwork was immediately tangled, and his movements were a mess.

Shit! Shiiit!

Pyo Wol left ferocious wounds on Nam Hosan’s body.

Flesh and bone were severed at once, and Fresh Blood splattered in all directions.

In an instant, Nam Hosan became a Blood Human.

“Gurgle! You… bastard! Who are you?”

Nam Hosan asked Pyo Wol, squeezing out his last bit of strength.

He was genuinely curious.

About his opponent’s identity.

About the reason he had to die.

He didn’t want to die without knowing why.

That would be a dog’s death, truly.

Puk!

At that moment, Pyo Wol’s sword pierced his neck.

Nam Hosan’s eyes shot open in extreme pain.

That was the end of Nam Hosan.

Until the moment he died, he was unable to ask Pyo Wol for the reason.

Pyo Wol silently watched Nam Hosan’s body crumble like a sandcastle.

On Nam Hosan’s corpse, the countless wounds he had inflicted remained vivid.

Just then, he sensed a presence outside.

The Martial Artists who had heard the sounds of Pyo Wol and Nam Hosan fighting were rushing over.

Pyo Wol slipped out of the room before they arrived.

“Young Master, are you alright?”

“Is something wrong?”

The Martial Artists who arrived in front of the room asked after Nam Hosan’s well-being.

When there was no answer no matter how many times they called, the Martial Artists who had mustered their courage opened the door and entered.

“Young Master!”

“This can’t be! The Young Master has been assassinated.”

The Martial Artists shouted in shock.

Piiik! Pik!

An emergency whistle echoed throughout the Thunder Clan.

Martial Artists who had been sound asleep rushed out and searched the Thunder Clan and the surrounding area. But by the time they moved, Pyo Wol had already left the Golden Hall.

The Thunder Clan mobilized all its Martial Artists to catch the unidentified Assassin. As if that wasn’t enough, they requested cooperation from the nearby martial arts academies.

Every Martial Artist in the Golden Hall moved. But nowhere could the Assassin who killed Nam Hosan be found.

Let alone the Assassin’s identity, not a single person had even seen his face.

Like a ghost, the Assassin had vanished from the Golden Hall.

“Hmph!”

Tae Yeonho, the Sect Leader of the Thunder Clan, clenched his fists and stared at Nam Hosan’s body lying before him.

His eyes were bloodshot, the capillaries having burst.

The death of his only Disciple had enraged him.

“Hosan.”

He approached Nam Hosan’s body.

The state of the corpse was gruesome.

Countless sword wounds were carved into Nam Hosan’s body.

Like a brand.

Tae Yeonho examined Nam Hosan’s wounds in detail.

The Martial Artists of the Thunder Clan held their breath and watched Tae Yeonho.

After examining the body for a long time, Tae Yeonho muttered.

“Qingcheng Sect! How dare these bastards kill my Disciple?”

“What do you mean? The Qingcheng Sect?”

“The sword wounds carved into Hosan’s body are ones that only appear when struck by the Seventy-Two Cutting Waves, a Special Technique of the Qingcheng Sect.”

“That can’t be!”

“The unique sword wounds that appear when struck by the Seventy-Two Cutting Waves are so distinctive that no other sect can possibly imitate them.”

Tae Yeonho’s body trembled.

His eyes were filled with Poison Qi.

Within Sichuan Province, the Thunder Clan could be called a powerhouse. But they could not afford to ignore the traditional powerhouses, the Qingcheng Sect and the Emei Sect. That was why they had no choice but to pay special attention to the Martial Arts of the Two Sects.

“Perhaps someone else imitated the Seventy-Two Cutting Waves?”

“The Seventy-Two Cutting Waves is a peerless technique that only proven disciples within the Qingcheng Sect learn. The probability of it being leaked to the outside is extremely low. Even if someone from the outside learned it, it’s absolutely impossible to master it to this level on one’s own.”

“Is it really the Qingcheng Sect?”

“They noticed we were trying to support the Emei Sect through marriage with the Hundred Flowers Room, so the Qingcheng Sect must have made the first move.”

Tae Yeonho had already concluded that the Qingcheng Sect was the culprit, while his Subordinates urged caution.

“Even so, to conclude that the Qingcheng Sect is the culprit is…”

“No, it’s definitely the Qingcheng Sect. They have always considered our Thunder Clan a thorn in their side. Just for the reason that we are a branch that split off from the Small Thunder Sound Temple. Of course, we have a close connection with the Small Thunder Sound Temple, but it’s not right to be treated like this for that reason.”

“Hmm!”

“Take care of Hosan’s body. We will ascend Mount Qingcheng at once.”

“Sect Leader?”

“I will show the Qingcheng Sect Hosan’s body and demand an answer. Why was your Special Technique found on Hosan’s body?”

Everyone held their breath.

No one in the Thunder Clan dared to stop the enraged Tae Yeonho. They knew that stepping in at a time like this would surely lead to bloodshed.

Above all, they too were furious about Nam Hosan’s death.

Regardless of his past conduct, Nam Hosan was the young master of the Thunder Clan. He was not someone who should have died so meaninglessly.

＊＊＊

“How arrogant! Asking for the Outer Regions trading rights? Do you think that makes any sense?”

“If the Emei Sect becomes the hegemon of Sichuan Province, I believe that much should be entirely possible, shouldn’t it?”

“If you’re a Wanderer, you should act like one and accept payment in gold. You’re too greedy.”

“I don’t think I’m being greedy at all.”

KWANG!*

At Jang Muryang’s reply, Jeong Hwa slammed her palm on the table.

The table, made of thick rosewood, instantly split in two and fell to either side.

If her hand had struck Jang Muryang’s head instead of the table, his skull would have shattered, and he would have died instantly.

Of course, Jang Muryang had no intention of taking it lying down. But if the confrontation escalated, it would be a great loss not only for the Emei Sect but also for the Black Cloud Corps.

He had to take a step back here.

“Very well. We will concede the Outer Regions trading rights. We won’t take the five hundred thousand Nyang either. Instead, please help us establish a base near the western highlands.”

“Was that what you were truly after? To gain a place to settle?”

“As you know, we are a group of Wanderers. No sect wants us to settle nearby.”

“That is true for our sect as well.”

“That’s why we plan to settle near the western highlands, far from the Emei Sect. Surely you can tolerate that much?”

“Hmph!”

Jeong Hwa crossed her arms and looked at Jang Muryang.

Jang Muryang met her gaze without avoiding it.

The Outer Regions trading rights were, literally, the right to trade with the Outer Regions.

Large sects like the Qingcheng Sect or the Emei Sect had relationships with numerous trading companies. Among them, they would secretly back the trading companies with which they had close ties, allowing them to trade with forces in the Outer Regions. This was called the Outer Regions trading rights.

The money earned by a Trading Company with Outer Regions trading rights was immense. That money served as the lifeblood of the Qingcheng Sect and the Emei Sect, so it could never be given to others.

Jang Muryang knew this as well.

From the beginning, he had no great desire for the Outer Regions trading rights. The reason he brought it up was to obtain a region where the Black Cloud Corps could settle.

No sect in Jianghu wanted a group of Wanderers to settle near them. That was how unfavorably the people of Jianghu viewed Wanderers.

Jeong Hwa had no choice but to ponder for a long time.

Normally, she would never have listened to Jang Muryang’s words, but the situation was not good right now. At a time when every bit of strength was precious, a force like the Black Cloud Corps would be a great help.

The problem was that if she accepted them, they would be useful for now, but they would surely become a great burden in the future.

Just as the Thunder Clan, which had subtly established itself in Sichuan, had become, the Black Cloud Corps would surely become a similar burden.

‘If it becomes a problem, I’ll solve it then. For now, if I use them as a shield, their power will be greatly diminished. Giving a place to settle to the few who remain won’t be a big problem.’

Jeong Hwa finished all her calculations in an instant.

“Fine! I will accept your proposal.”

“Then the negotiation is complete.”

“It is. I will promise on the honor of the Emei Sect.”

“That is enough.”

A smile appeared on Jang Muryang’s lips.

Once they could settle in a region, earning a huge amount of money would be a piece of cake. Jang Muryang had already made preparations for it.

‘This is good! If I had made a deal with the Qingcheng Sect, I wouldn’t have been able to negotiate this easily.’

The Qingcheng Sect was not as desperate as the Emei Sect. Their strength was superior to Emei’s. Therefore, they would not have easily agreed to the conditions Jang Muryang wanted.

In fact, there was still no word from Yang Woo-jeong, who had been sent to the Qingcheng Sect. This meant that the negotiations were dragging on.

‘Now that the negotiation with the Emei Sect is complete, I should call Yang Woo-jeong back.’

From now on, the Qingcheng Sect was no longer a party for negotiation.

They were an enemy to be defeated by joining forces with the Emei Sect.

Jang Muryang’s gaze turned to Yong Seol Lan, who was beside Jeong Hwa.

Yong Seol Lan had not said a single word since entering the room.

She maintained an indifferent attitude, as if the negotiations Jeong Hwa was conducting had nothing to do with her. But Jeong Hwa didn’t particularly blame Yong Seol Lan for that.

Yong Seol Lan was famous within the Emei Sect for having no interest in the affairs of her Martial Sect.

The only thing she was interested in was training in Martial Arts.

Her tenacity in learning Martial Arts, practically living in the training hall, was famous even within the Emei Sect.

The only person who knew the true extent of Yong Seol Lan’s achievements was her Master, Elder Nun Guhwa.

Jang Muryang was curious about Yong Seol Lan’s achievements.

No, he was very interested in the woman named Yong Seol Lan herself.

Yong Seol Lan’s beauty was so great that it moved the heart of Jang Muryang, who had not even felt much for Heo Ranju.

Despite the considerable age difference, he could feel his heart pound just by looking at her.

Although she must have felt Jang Muryang’s gaze, Yong Seol Lan didn’t even spare him a glance.

Jang Muryang painstakingly hid his disappointment and asked.

“Will you two be returning to the Emei Sect right away? If you stay for a day, we can offer you one of our rooms.”

“We will be staying at the Hundred Flowers Room.”

“The Hundred Flowers Room?”

“It is practically a Lay Family of our sect. The young Boss there is my worldly niece.”

“Ah! I see.”

Jang Muryang made a disappointed face.

Just as Jeong Hwa scoffed and rose from her seat.

“Unit Leader! Urgent news.”

Heo Ranju’s urgent voice came from outside.

She rushed into the room without Jang Muryang’s permission.

Jang Muryang frowned and reprimanded her.

“Don’t you know you shouldn’t enter like this, no matter how urgent the matter? What on earth are you…”

“The young master of the Thunder Clan has been assassinated.”

“What?”

Jang Muryang stopped his reprimand and stood up in surprise.

It was the same for Jeong Hwa and Yong Seol Lan.

“How? No, was the assassin caught?”

“No! But the Thunder Clan seems convinced that this is the work of the Qingcheng Sect. They say they’re heading to the Qingcheng Sect now with the young master’s body.”

At Heo Ranju’s answer, Jang Muryang looked at Jeong Hwa and Yong Seol Lan.

The two of them were the most flustered by the series of events. It was so much so that even Yong Seol Lan was showing emotion.

“An assassin?”

Flames ignited in Jeong Hwa’s single eye.