Chapter 15 – Tomb of the Sword God (3)

Curiosity flickered across everyone’s faces at Namgung Hwa-rin’s words. They couldn’t help but be intrigued by a man praised so highly by the very woman who had shattered the limbs of countless young men.

After speaking, Namgung Hwa-rin headed back upstairs. Then Paeng Won-jun, who always sought a fight with the strong, asked.

“Is this Kang Yu-jin person really as skilled in martial arts as Hwa-rin says? No matter how inaccurate public opinion may be, there must be some basis for it.”

“Would you believe me if I said he fought me to a draw in a duel?”

At Namgung Hwi’s words, astonishment dawned on the faces of the three young men and two young women.

Although they were both peak masters, Namgung Hwi and Kang Yong-hoon were on different levels among the Seven Dragons. To fight such a man to a draw, even in a duel, was an incredible feat.

“To be able to draw with Brother Namgung, he must be a monster.”

Namgung Hwi showed no reaction to the comment.

Back at the True Dragon Sword Clan, while Yu-jin was diligently making love to other women, Namgung Hwi had crossed swords with Kang Yong-hoon.

He still hadn’t forgotten what Kang Yong-hoon had said back then.

-Among the brothers, you are the strongest. For some reason, you hide your true self, but those who need to know, know.

‘I’m looking forward to seeing what he’ll show us on Mount Huang.’

In a place this dangerous, he wouldn’t be able to hide his skills completely. Namgung Hwi was eager to see if Kang Yu-jin would display the incredible prowess Kang Yong-hoon had described.

* * *

“It’s truly difficult to meet members of the Seven Dragons and Five Phoenixes. So, would you like to meet them, Young Master?”

When Namgung Hwa-rin asked cautiously, Yu-jin nodded. He would have to meet them eventually anyway, so there was no harm in seeing them now. Of course, his interest didn’t lie with the Seven Dragons.

‘The Seven Dragons and the Five Phoenixes. I couldn’t care less about the men of the Seven Dragons, but I should meet the members of the Five Phoenixes.’

“If Hwa-rin insists, I suppose meeting them wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

As Yu-jin readily agreed and stood up, Hwa-rin ran to his side and linked her arm with his.

“You all wait here.”

At Yu-jin’s command, the four handmaidens nodded. After giving his instructions, Yu-jin left the room with Namgung Hwa-rin and soon saw the three young men and two young women downstairs.

‘They certainly are beautiful.’

Yu-jin smiled faintly as he looked at the two beautiful women. But since he didn’t let it show, Namgung Hwa-rin had no idea what he was thinking.

As he descended, Yu-jin slowly released his aura to prevent them from underestimating him. Finally, he came face to face with the three young men from the Seven Dragons and the two young women from the Five Phoenixes.

“I am Kang Yu-jin. I am too insignificant to have a title.”

The group was surprised by Kang Yu-jin’s unexpectedly handsome appearance, but what astonished them more was the aura flowing from his entire body.

Feeling that aura, they understood that, just as Namgung Hwi had said, Yu-jin was completely different from his public reputation.

‘Just as Brother Namgung said, he is not someone to be taken lightly. If he were to reveal his true self, it would only be a matter of time before the Seven Dragons become the Eight Dragons.’

Mo Yong-jin thought to himself as he watched Kang Yu-jin. Paeng Won-jun and Dang Geon-woo shared the same thought.

And all three men felt a competitive spirit toward Yu-jin. They were curious about the martial skill of a man who had fought Namgung Hwi on equal footing, even if it was just a duel.

[I know what you’re thinking. But save your strength for what lies ahead.]

At Namgung Hwi’s telepathic message, the three young men reined in their competitive spirit. The women, however, felt curiosity rather than competitiveness and approached Yu-jin, bombarding him with questions.

“Hwa-rin’s reputation is quite famous. Weren’t you afraid?”

“How did you manage to tame Hwa-rin’s terrifying personality and make her like this?”

The questions from Je-gal Min and Dang Ga-hee put Yu-jin in an awkward position.

How could he possibly say, ‘I just overpowered her’? It was Namgung Hwa-rin who resolved the awkward situation.

“Hoho. What is everyone talking about?”

Namgung Hwa-rin spoke with a smile, but the formidable spirit emanating from her was so intense that it flustered Dang Ga-hee and Je-gal Min, and the two fell silent.

Yu-jin looked at the two of them and spoke.

“Perhaps it was a bond bestowed by the heavens, but we fell in love.”

Namgung Hwa-rin immediately blushed and lowered her head, while Je-gal Min and Dang Ga-hee watched the couple with faces full of envy.

“Brother Namgung, since we’re all heading to Mount Huang anyway, would it be alright if we joined you?”

“I don’t mind. What do you think, Master Kang?”

After replying to Mo Yong-jin, Namgung Hwi looked at Yu-jin, who also nodded readily in agreement. There was no reason to refuse when he was gaining people who would do the hard work for him.

“I don’t mind either.”

With Yu-jin’s approval, three of the Seven Dragons and two of the Five Phoenixes joined their party. The next day, the rain stopped as if by a lie, and the group set off for Mount Huang once more.

* * *

Meanwhile, the King of Assassins, Eun Seol-rin, had gone ahead to Mount Huang for Yu-jin. Though she had sent countless people to meet the God of Death, she frowned at the horrific carnage before her.

It was a continuous cycle of killing and being killed.

“Keke, what a beautiful wench. Offer that body of yours to me!”

As the hairy man with a large axe on his back shouted, Eun Seol-rin flicked her arm.

“Gah!”

A silver thread had already wrapped around the man’s neck. Eun Seol-rin clenched her fist, and the hairy man’s head separated from his body, tumbling to the ground.

“All sorts of characters have gathered here.”

The situation was truly dire, with people showing up not for the Sword God’s manual, but to prey on those who had gathered.

Eun Seol-rin muttered in a cold tone and moved even more stealthily.

The person currently holding the treasure map was a master named Yeon Il of the Underworld Saber. But no matter how skilled he was, it was impossible to fight against hundreds, perhaps even more, of people.

Although he had barely managed to shake off his pursuers, Yeon Il was already exhausted.

“I thought this would be difficult, but it seems easier than expected. What a relief.”

“Wh-who are you!”

Yeon Il gasped in shock, aiming his saber at Eun Seol-rin.

“The one who will take the treasure map from you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! I have no intention of handing the treasure map over to a wench like you!”

With those words, Yeon Il formed a crimson aura on his saber and swung it at Eun Seol-rin. But by the time he swung, she was no longer there.

“Running away like a little girl is… Gak!”

Yeon Il couldn’t finish his sentence and collapsed. A small dagger was embedded in his neck. Eun Seol-rin pulled the treasure map from Yeon Il’s corpse and planted a fake one in its place.

“Everything is for my master.”

The King of Assassins, Eun Seol-rin—she was already Yu-jin’s faithful slave.

* * *

Yu-jin and the rest of the party finally reached the entrance of Mount Huang. They frowned at the stench of blood in the air. Already, quite a few corpses had come into view.

“The situation seems far more serious than I thought. Everyone should be careful.”

Everyone nodded at Namgung Hwi’s words. Though young, as members of the Seven Dragons and Five Phoenixes, they were already stronger than most seasoned masters in the martial world, yet even they couldn’t help but feel tense.

‘It’s been decades since chaos like this erupted, hasn’t it?’

Yu-jin recalled the situation on Mount Huang with a blank expression. There were those who wanted the Sword God’s manual to become more famous masters or to break through their own barriers.

Then there were the jackals, rushing in to see if they could snatch something from them.

And the forces of the Martial Alliance and other righteous sects, dispatched to prevent chaos from spreading through the martial world.

And behind it all, the shadowy force that orchestrated this entire conspiracy.

‘It’s been a while since so many martial artists gathered in one place. This could have become a nuisance, but thankfully, I have others to do the fighting for me.’

Traveling with these people, who were desperate to enhance their own fame, meant they would surely handle the dirty work, like dealing with any martial artists who tried to pick a fight.

For a while, it would be troublesome if they didn’t. With that thought, Yu-jin glanced at the members of the Seven Dragons and Five Phoenixes. Just then, he sensed a familiar presence approaching.

[Master, I have successfully obtained the treasure map.]

At Eun Seol-rin’s telepathic message, Yu-jin smiled inwardly. No matter how much of a den of demons this place was, Eun Seol-rin was a Transformation Realm master ranked within the top twenty among the countless martial artists of the world.

When she set her mind to something, no one could stop her unless another Transformation Realm master appeared.

[I’ll take it from you later. There are watching eyes right now. Get some rest.]

[Yes, Master.]

Yu-jin felt Eun Seol-rin’s presence disappear again and continued onward with the group.

But their easy progress was no longer permitted. A middle-aged man with a powerful saber aura emerged from the bushes.

The giant saber on his back was an impressive sight. But right now, he was directing clear hostility toward the party.

“To see a bunch of pampered brats who were raised in luxury swarm here without knowing their place… It’s utterly disgusting.”

Ronin like this man generally despised the scions of great clans.

Since their starting lines were completely different, it was only natural for them to feel jealousy and resentment, but this man seemed particularly extreme.

Not wanting things to get complicated from the start, Namgung Hwi stepped forward and asked.

“Who might you be, senior? This junior is Namgung Hwi, the Azure Sky Dragon.”

Namgung Hwi’s words were intended to intimidate the man with his name. However, it only served to further enrage him.

“What? The Seven Dragons and Five Phoenixes? Aren’t you just a bunch of hothouse flowers worshiped by others? If you don’t want to die, then get lost. Otherwise, I, Yu Hong-rip the Mad Thunder Saber, will gladly take your lives.”

Yu Hong-rip, the Mad Thunder Saber.

For the past ten years, he had been a famous peak master swordsman from the Zhejiang region. But Namgung Hwi’s expression remained indifferent as he looked at Yu Hong-rip.

He wasn’t the only one. The rest of the party also showed no fear at the name Yu Hong-rip. In their own clans, there were many masters who could easily defeat him, so they had no reason to be afraid.

“This junior must pass through here. But since you are blocking the way, senior, I have no choice but to draw my sword.”

Yu Hong-rip looked dumbfounded at Namgung Hwi’s words. This was a young man who hadn’t even lived half as long as he had.

To hear such words from a brat like him—the already hot-tempered Yu Hong-rip erupted in fury.

“Fine! Today, I’ll teach you ignorant fools who grew up in luxury just how terrifying the martial world can be!”

Yu Hong-rip shouted and drew the Mad Thunder Saber—both his title and his unique weapon—swinging it toward Namgung Hwi.

But Yu Hong-rip’s attack never reached Namgung Hwi. Paeng Won-jun, the Northern Saber Hegemon Dragon, had already drawn his own saber and blocked the attack.