Chapter 76

The beautiful appearance of the Hundred Flowers Room was nowhere to be found. More than half of it had been destroyed in the war with the Qingcheng Sect.

In this battle, Jeong Hwa, the great disciple of the Emei Sect, and Geum Haryeon, the Boss of the Hundred Flowers Room, lost their lives.

It was Yong Seol Lan who rallied the martial artists of the Emei Sect and the Hundred Flowers Room, who had lost their focal point. If she had not stepped up in time, the Hundred Flowers Room would have been completely ruined in Chengdu.

Yong Seol Lan commanded the disciples of the Emei Sect and the Hundred Flowers Room to restore the broken battle lines and re-establish the security network. She also sent people to the Emei Sect’s lay family martial arts academies and other friendly sects to request their cooperation.

Thanks to her swift actions, the Hundred Flowers Room was able to escape the worst-case scenario.

Jang Muryang, who was watching, admired her.

“She’s a truly remarkable woman. It’s strange that such a talent has remained unknown until now.”

“From what I’ve gathered, she is said to possess the greatest talent in the Emei Sect in a hundred years. But she is naturally quiet, and the checks from the great disciple, Jeong Hwa, were considerable, so it seems she lived without revealing herself.”

At Daoshi Go’s answer, Jang Muryang let out a smirk.

“Now that Jeong Hwa is dead, she will be able to pour out her talents to her heart’s content.”

“I suppose so. Just watching her handle the situation now, can’t you see how outstanding her talent is? Her skill in deploying people to the right place at the right time is exceptional. If she becomes the Sect Master, the Emei Sect will be able to take another leap forward.”

“Hmm! The one who possesses her could become the true master of the Emei Sect.”

“Why, are you getting greedy?”

“Huhu!”

Instead of answering, Jang Muryang gave a meaningful laugh.

Daoshi Go also smiled.

“If the Unit Leader can embrace her, she will be a truly great prize. You will be able to approach your goal with ease.”

“That’s why I’m concerned. The walls around her heart seem quite sturdy.”

“The more splendid the rose, the sharper the thorns it hides. You can never break it without being prepared to be wounded to some extent.”

“Daoshi Go, you always tell me things I like to hear.”

“Have I not always been on your side?”

“I hope that heart never changes. And please pay attention to Ranju.”

“Ranju? Why?”

“The atmosphere around her seems unusual. Don’t we know all too well what will happen if that child runs wild?”

“I understand. Isn’t Ranju my specialty?”

As if pleased with Daoshi Go’s answer, Jang Muryang nodded.

It was then.

Thwung!

Suddenly, a powerful Qi Wave was felt from outside.

The complexions of the two men changed instantly.

“This is?”

“An Expert.”

The owner of the Qi Wave, intense enough to give both men goosebumps simultaneously, was easily on the level of a sect leader.

At that moment, the gate opened, and hundreds of martial artists poured into the Hundred Flowers Room.

At their center was an old woman reminiscent of a carrion crow.

An indescribable, bizarre aura flowed from her entire body as she entered, striking the ground with her Bludgeon Palm.

The owner of the intense Qi Wave the two men had felt was none other than the old woman.

Jang Muryang and Daoshi Go recognized the old woman’s identity at a glance.

“It seems Guhwa Satae has come in person.”

“Hmm! The true master of the Emei Sect has graced us with her presence.”

As if to prove their words, the disciples of the Emei Sect and the Hundred Flowers Room rushed out to greet Guhwa Satae.

“The disciples greet the Sect Master.”

“We sincerely welcome the Sect Master’s visit.”

The disciples of the two sects, without needing to be told, knelt on one knee to greet Guhwa Satae.

It was a scene that showed the extent of Guhwa Satae’s authority.

At her appearance, the entire Hundred Flowers Room froze.

Not only the disciples of the Hundred Flowers Room, but even the Emei Sect disciples who were already there, could not even breathe loudly.

Guhwa Satae was not just the absolute ruler of the Emei Sect, but a person of power who wielded immense influence throughout Sichuan Province.

If that were all, the disciples of the two sects would not be holding their breath like this.

Everyone knew.

They knew how cruel Guhwa Satae’s disposition was. And what would happen if one fell out of her favor.

Guhwa Satae was not a simple ruler, but a tyrannical absolute monarch.

At least in the places where the Emei Sect’s influence reached, there was no one who would dare to displease her.

“A disciple greets her Master.”

“Useonha of the Hundred Flowers Room sincerely welcomes the Sect Master’s visit.”

Finally, Yong Seol Lan and Useonha greeted Guhwa Satae. But Guhwa Satae looked at them with a cold expression.

At her inscrutable, indifferent gaze, Useonha’s body trembled.

‘What kind of gaze is that….’

She was not used to a gaze that seemed to see right through her innermost thoughts.

The feeling of standing naked before Guhwa Satae made her shudder.

It was a long while before Guhwa Satae opened her mouth.

“Let’s all go inside.”

She walked into the great hall without hesitation, as if she had come to her own home.

Yong Seol Lan and Useonha followed behind her, and the other high-ranking disciples entered the great hall.

As Jang Muryang and Daoshi Go were wondering what to do, a strange voice reached their ears.

—You two, come inside as well.

It was Guhwa Satae’s Telepathy.

Jang Muryang and Daoshi Go looked at each other’s faces.

“It seems we must attend, don’t you think?”

“I don’t want to be part of such a gathering, but it seems we have no choice.”

“Daoshi Go, you first.”

“You always push this old man to the front at times like this.”

“Huhu! I, who am a little younger, should live longer.”

“Be sure to live long and lead the Black Cloud Corps well.”

The two exchanged idle jokes and entered the great hall.

Guhwa Satae was sitting on the most splendid grand chair in the hall. To her left and right, the disciples of the Emei Sect and the Hundred Flowers Room were lined up.

Although there were many people in the large hall, not a single one could even breathe loudly, only watching Guhwa Satae’s expression.

Jang Muryang and Daoshi Go discreetly found a spot in the back.

They did not want to step forward and incur Guhwa Satae’s wrath when the atmosphere was this bad.

Guhwa Satae crossed her legs and looked at Yong Seol Lan.

“You, tell me. What happened…”

Although she already knew the full story from the letter Yong Seol Lan had sent, Guhwa Satae demanded another explanation in front of everyone.

Knowing how persistent her Master’s nature was, Yong Seol Lan recounted everything she knew from beginning to end.

Guhwa Satae closed her eyes and listened to Yong Seol Lan’s voice. At her attitude, as if she would not miss a single word, the Emei Sect disciples once again wore tense expressions.

However, Yong Seol Lan, who was reporting directly, did not show a single change in her expression.

Jang Muryang once again admired her calm demeanor as she spoke without tension, whether because she was naturally bold or because she did not fear her Master.

He already had a desire to possess Yong Seol Lan, but seeing her like this made him even greedier.

“…and that is what happened.”

After a long time, Yong Seol Lan’s words finally came to an end.

Even then, Guhwa Satae did not open her closed eyes.

Yong Seol Lan quietly watched her Master.

Now, her part was done. All that remained was Guhwa Satae’s judgment and the decision that would follow.

It was a moment later that Guhwa Satae opened her mouth.

“So, this all began when Nam Hosan, the young master of the Thunder Clan, was killed by an assassin. And that assassin had mastered the Qingcheng Sect’s Seventy-Two Cutting Waves?”

“That is correct.”

“And that assassin is definitely the same one who caused that incident seven years ago?”

“From what we have gathered so far, yes.”

“It seems you were thoroughly played by a single assassin. Did he say his name was Pyo Wol?”

“That is what he revealed.”

“Pyo Wol, Pyo… Wol!”

Guhwa Satae repeated Pyo Wol’s name.

Her mouth felt gritty, as if she were chewing on sand.

At that moment, Guhwa Satae’s eyes glinted sharply.

She had caught the change in Useonha’s complexion the moment Pyo Wol’s name was mentioned.

Useonha tried hard to maintain a composed expression, but she had already been noticed by Guhwa Satae.

“Seonha!”

“Yes? Y-yes!”

At Guhwa Satae’s sudden call, Useonha answered hastily.

Guhwa Satae stared directly at Useonha.

“Is there something you have to say to me?”

“Pardon? What?”

Faced with Guhwa Satae’s gaze that seemed to see right through her, Useonha revealed a flustered expression.

Guhwa Satae did not miss Useonha’s reaction.

“Pyo Wol!”

“Yes?”

“What is your relationship?”

“W-what do you mean? A relationship with P-Pyo Wol?”

“Seonha.”

Guhwa Satae called Useonha’s name and rose from her seat. Then she approached Useonha.

Thump! Thump!

The sound of her Bludgeon Palm striking the floor sounded unusually loud. Useonha’s heart pounded just as hard.

Finally arriving in front of Useonha, Guhwa Satae spoke.

“Look me straight in the eye.”

“S-Sect Master! I, I…”

Useonha was visibly flustered.

The others, seeing her like this, also thought she was hiding something.

Useonha could not look Guhwa Satae straight in the eye. Her gaze was terrifying, and she had something to hide.

Grasp!

At that moment, Guhwa Satae reached out and grabbed Useonha’s chin. She forced her to meet her eyes.

“Hk!”

Unable to withstand the pressure, Useonha let out a ragged breath.

Guhwa Satae glared at her and continued.

“I do not like it when people associated with me lie. What is your relationship with Pyo Wol? Why were you so agitated the moment his name was mentioned?”

“Th-that is…”

Useonha could no longer bear the pressure.

She was a renowned talent in Sichuan Province and a beauty so great she had stolen the hearts of countless men, but her will was not strong enough to withstand Guhwa Satae’s pressure.

In the end, Useonha burst into tears and opened her mouth.

“The truth is…”

She confessed everything that had happened with Pyo Wol.

Her first meeting with Pyo Wol, their relationship, and even her request for the assassination of Nam Hosan, the young master of the Thunder Clan.

“I’m sorry. I really didn’t know things would turn out like this.”

Useonha’s face was stained with tears.

One of the most beautiful women in Chengdu was crying, but not a single person stepped forward to comfort her.

It was clear that anyone who stepped up to protect Useonha would bear the full brunt of Guhwa Satae’s anger.

Useonha was trembling like an aspen leaf.

She truly had no idea that the man she had tried to use would be the culprit behind this entire situation.

Because of him, Jeong Hwa, her aunt and the great disciple of the Emei Sect, had died, and even her master, Geum Haryeon, had lost her life.

Although Useonha was not directly responsible for their deaths, she could not avoid the blame for bringing Pyo Wol into the picture.

Useonha knelt and said.

“I will resolve this whole situation. If you just give me a few subordinates, I will capture him. He trusts me, so he will walk right into a trap.”

“What on earth have you been listening to? Do you think he will fall for your trap? That viper-like man…”

Guhwa Satae clicked her tongue.

If he were someone who could be captured by Useonha, he would not have been able to play the Emei and Qingcheng sects so thoroughly seven years ago and escape.

Because of that one man, the Emei and Qingcheng sects had become mortal enemies, and their conflict had continued to this day.

There was no way such a Pyo Wol would fall for a mere trap set by Useonha.

To Pyo Wol, Useonha was nothing more than a tool to be used. An assassin would never give his heart to a woman.

Guhwa Satae reached out and stroked Useonha’s head.

“Seonha! You foolish thing.”

“Sect… Master!”

“Who told you to kill the young master of the Thunder Clan?”

“But he threatened me. He said if I didn’t marry him, he would side with the Qingcheng Sect. So I had no choice… Whatever the result, I did it purely for the sake of the Emei Sect and the Hundred Flowers Room.”

“You should have done as you always do. Spreading your scent and seducing men. That was the role given to you.”

“What?”

“It’s not even a difficult task. You just had to do as you always did.”

“P-please forgive me.”

Sensing the ominous atmosphere, Useonha knelt. But Guhwa Satae’s eyes as she looked at her were as cold as ice.

Yong Seol Lan, who was beside Useonha, also sensed the unusual atmosphere and was about to step forward.

“Master! She is…”

Splat!

At that moment, a fountain of blood erupted from the crown of Useonha’s head.

Guhwa Satae had struck Useonha’s fontanelle with her palm. Useonha’s skull was shattered, and her brain was crushed like tofu.

Useonha looked at Guhwa Satae with an expression of disbelief.

“I…”

She could not finish her words and collapsed.

It was the empty death of Useonha, who was called the greatest beauty of Chengdu.

Guhwa Satae flicked the blood from her palm and muttered.

“You shouldn’t have thought at all.”

The atmosphere in the hall froze in an instant.