Chapter 228

Pyo Wol descended Mount Tianzhong. A man who had lost consciousness was on his back.

It was Oh Ju-gang.

Oh Ju-gang had drunk the remaining two bottles of liquor and become dead drunk.

Unable to leave him behind, unconscious and immobile, Pyo Wol carried him on his back down Mount Tianzhong.

Carrying an unconscious man down a rough mountain path was by no means an easy task. However, Pyo Wol descended the mountain lightly, as if he felt no weight at all.

By the time he arrived at the Jin Clan, it was long after the sun had set.

When Pyo Wol returned to the Jin Clan with Oh Ju-gang on his back, Namgung Wol greeted him.

“I was just looking for this friend. Where did he get so dead drunk?”

“The summit of Mount Tianzhong.”

“Ha! You mean he climbed all the way up there while drunk? He’s out of his mind.”

Namgung Wol sighed and said to Pyo Wol.

“Hand that friend over to me.”

Pyo Wol obediently handed Oh Ju-gang over to Namgung Wol.

“Get a hold of yourself. Just how much did you drink?”

Even in Namgung Wol’s arms, Oh Ju-gang did not regain consciousness.

In the end, Namgung Wol had to call people to take Oh Ju-gang to his quarters.

Once the two were alone, Namgung Wol began by apologizing to Pyo Wol.

“I’ve caused you trouble. I’m sorry to have burdened you.”

“It’s not something you need to apologize for.”

“That friend was truly fond of Geum-woo. He used to say he would even give his life for him. That’s why he was more distressed and saddened than anyone when he learned of Geum-woo’s death. He cried all night and fainted several times.”

“Is there a special reason?”

“I don’t know the details of what was between them. I can only guess that Geum-woo must have helped Ju-gang in some way.”

Jin Geum-woo was a man of few words.

Even if he helped someone, he would never go around bragging about it to others.

It was so much so that a rumor circulated that things went into his ears, but nothing ever came out of his mouth.

That was how much deep trust Jin Geum-woo had earned from many people.

Pyo Wol asked Namgung Wol.

“Did you say you came here in a personal capacity, unrelated to the Thousand Water Society?”

“That is correct.”

“Why is that? If you represented the Thousand Water Society, you could end the conflict here much more efficiently.”

“Because it could inadvertently become the spark for a Great War of All Under Heaven.”

“A Great War of All Under Heaven?”

“The Great Blood War left a great scar on All Under Heaven. Countless people shed blood, and the landscape of All Under Heaven changed. The Thousand Water Society itself almost disappeared into history. In fact, the Divine Demon Association, which started the Great Blood War, vanished without a single foundation stone left. Because of such a painful memory, the Thousand Water Society refrains from intervening in most matters.”

It wasn’t just the Thousand Water Society.

Traditional powers of the Jianghu like the Shaolin Temple, the Wudang Sect, and the Mount Hua Sect did not readily get involved in worldly affairs because they could not predict what kind of trouble their movements might cause.

In the past, when the Nine Great Sects were intact, they could balance All Under Heaven with their strength alone, but this was no longer that era.

Numerous new powers had grown in size, and their strength was not to be taken lightly.

Various interests were entangled like a spider’s web, so even they themselves could not know how far the cause and effect would reach. Because of this, a cautious atmosphere was maintained among most of the major sects.

That was why Namgung Wol had also come to the Jin Clan as a friend of Jin Geum-woo, not as a member of the Thousand Water Society.

“It’s probably not just me; many others feel the same. Not only the Thousand Water Society, but many sects hope that the fight between Snow Blade Sword Manor and the Jin Clan will end as a local conflict. They are wary of it escalating into a Great War of All Under Heaven.”

“Complicated.”

“The Jianghu has been this complicated for quite some time. People often say that martial artists pursue freedom, but they are far more calculating and selfish than ordinary people. The terrifying memory of the Great Blood War made them that way.”

The Great Blood War was a major event that changed the history of the Jianghu. Experiencing the Great Blood War brought about many changes in the perception of martial artists, and because of that, the Jianghu became much more complex, with many more calculations involved.

“Now, I would like to hear Great Hero Pyo’s story.”

“Great Hero?”

“Don’t you have more than enough right to be called Great Hero?”

Namgung Wol was looking straight at Pyo Wol’s face.

When he was introduced by Jin Si-woo, he hadn’t been able to recall who Pyo Wol was. But the beautiful face and the two-character name, Pyo Wol, made him remember a report he had read at the Thousand Water Society.

The report had been sent by a merchant who had a contract with the Thousand Water Society.

He had traveled through Sichuan Province to Tibet on a trade mission, and the report he sent was filled with information he had gathered in Chengdu.

The report was full of stories so absurd they seemed preposterous.

The leadership of the Thousand Water Society couldn’t help but be astonished by the content that a single assassin had forced both the Emei Sect and the Qingcheng Sect to become closed-off.

They wanted to dismiss it as false information, but the merchant who sent the report was a man more level-headed than anyone; he was more likely to under-report than to exaggerate.

The name that appeared in his report was Pyo Wol. And it said he had a face more beautiful than a woman’s.

He had forgotten about it because the story was so unrealistic, but seeing Pyo Wol brought back the memory of that time.

‘The Reaper, Pyo Wol. Is that what they called him in Chengdu?’

He couldn’t know the true extent of Pyo Wol’s martial power. But if even half of the rumors were true, he was more than qualified to be called that.

Pyo Wol asked.

“You seem to know about me?”

“I’ve heard a fair amount. Not just me, but most major sects have probably received some information about Great Hero Pyo.”

“What are you curious about?”

“Your purpose for coming here.”

Namgung Wol answered immediately, without even taking a breath.

“It’s because of my connection with Geum-woo.”

“Is that really all?”

“That’s my only business with the Jin Clan.”

“Then that means you have business elsewhere. May I ask what it is?”

“Why should I tell you that?”

“Wouldn’t it be better if we didn’t misunderstand each other?”

“What misunderstanding?”

“You’re an assassin, aren’t you?”

Namgung Wol’s eyes glinted sharply.

The single word ‘assassin’ explained a lot.

Assassins had long been shunned by many.

In everyone’s mind, an assassin was branded as a cowardly and unsociable kind. The appearance of an assassin meant that someone would suffer an unfortunate death, and if a figure of Pyo Wol’s stature was on the move, the target would be no ordinary person. If the target was one of the major figures who moved the Jianghu, the repercussions would by no means be confined to a single region.

Pyo Wol looked into Namgung Wol’s eyes for a moment.

Most people, when they met Pyo Wol’s gaze, would feel a sense of unease and unconsciously turn their heads away. But Namgung Wol did not avoid Pyo Wol’s gaze at all.

On the contrary, he was kindling his fighting spirit.

Pyo Wol didn’t dislike Namgung Wol’s gaze. So he spoke honestly.

“I haven’t received any separate requests yet.”

“Is that true?”

“I have no reason to lie to you.”

“Then what is your other business?”

“It’s a personal matter.”

“That is…”

“That’s as far as it goes. Don’t cross the line any further.”

“……”

“I answered because of my connection with Geum-woo, but I have no reason to tell you my circumstances.”

“I understand. I seem to have been a bit sensitive. I apologize.”

Namgung Wol apologized meekly.

There were still suspicious parts, but as Pyo Wol said, he had to respect the line.

With the matter of Snow Blade Sword Manor still unresolved, he couldn’t afford to clash with Pyo Wol over a trivial issue.

It was then.

Suddenly, the area near the entrance of the Jin Clan became noisy.

For some reason, people were flocking there.

Pyo Wol and Namgung Wol also made their way in that direction.

There was a man covered in blood.

The man said.

“Th-those bastards from Snow Blade Sword Manor…”

＊＊＊

Im Seo-jin learned martial arts at a small martial arts academy in Zhengyang, about a hundred li south of Runan.

The martial arts academy in Zhengyang had no connection to either the Jin Clan or Snow Blade Sword Manor. Nevertheless, Im Seo-jin willingly decided to side with the Jin Clan.

Although there were some older people who missed Snow Blade Sword Manor, young martial artists like Im Seo-jin didn’t even know of Snow Blade Sword Manor until this incident occurred.

It wasn’t as if the Jin Clan had done anything to lose people’s trust either. Naturally, their hearts couldn’t help but lean toward the Jin Clan. So, he willingly decided to side with the Jin Clan and fight against Snow Blade Sword Manor.

There were many young martial artists like Im Seo-jin in Henan Province.

The circumstances of the era also played a part in them making such a choice.

While the older martial artists, having experienced the Great Blood War long ago, shuddered at the thought of war, the young martial artists of the current era had never had such an experience.

The martial artists who had experienced the Great Blood War tried to control the Jianghu to prevent such a great war from ever happening again. Because of that, the Jianghu was enjoying what could be called a golden age of peace. But the young martial artists had many complaints.

They wanted to build a reputation by achieving military merit in an era of war, but since the Jianghu was too peaceful, they couldn’t.

That was why when the conflict between Snow Blade Sword Manor and the Jin Clan intensified, they secretly cheered. They thought that an opportunity to finally gain merit and make a name for themselves had arrived.

Among his peers from the same Daoist Temple, some chose Snow Blade Sword Manor. It was for a variety of complex reasons. Some had parents with ties to Snow Blade Sword Manor, and others chose it for the simple reason that they were more drawn to that side.

Thus, even within the same martial arts academy, sides were divided, and Henan Province was entering a state of chaos.

Im Seo-jin gathered colleagues who shared his intentions and headed for the Jin Clan.

To enter the Jin Clan, one inevitably had to pass through Runan.

In the past few days, the number of people carrying weapons in Runan had increased noticeably.

This was because many martial artists from outside, having heard the rumors of the confrontation between the Jin Clan and Snow Blade Sword Manor, had come in. They were staying in Runan, weighing which side had the advantage.

Im Seo-jin and his friends did not go directly to the Jin Clan after entering Runan, but instead settled in an inn and drank all night.

They drank all night, their voices growing louder.

“The Jin Clan will win this fight.”

“What’s the big deal about Snow Blade Sword Manor, who was forgotten long ago?”

“Hehe! Let’s crush the likes of Snow Blade Sword Manor in one go.”

It was the kind of talk men could commonly have.

As more of them gathered, they lost their fear, and their voices naturally grew louder.

The problem was that there were people who sided with Snow Blade Sword Manor in the inn where they were staying.

“What did you just say? That Snow Blade Sword Manor is no big deal?”

“What’s so great about the failing Jin Clan?”

The martial artists who sided with Snow Blade Sword Manor stood up in a huff.

No matter how hurt their feelings were, they wouldn’t just draw their swords while sober. But the story changes when alcohol is involved.

Chwaaang!

“What? The dregs of Snow Blade Sword Manor were here?”

Im Seo-jin and his friends immediately drew the sabers from their waists. Then, the martial artists on Snow Blade Sword Manor’s side also drew their weapons.

“Oh my! My lords. Why are you doing this here?”

The innkeeper, pale with fright, tried to intervene, but the atmosphere in the room had already spiraled out of control.

“A fight.”

“If you’ve drawn a sword, you might as well cut a radish. Surely you won’t just put it away, right?”

Martial artists who were on neither the Jin Clan’s nor Snow Blade Sword Manor’s side instigated a clash between the two groups.

“Kill them!”

“Yaaah!”

Without anyone starting first, the martial artists from both sides rushed at each other.

They used ruthless killing techniques on each other as if they had met their mortal enemies.

“Keuk!”

“Gack!”

Blood splattered everywhere with screams.

Blood stained the bodies of those who had been instigating the fight from the sidelines, and the blood incited madness.

Eventually, all the martial artists inside the inn were swept up in the fight.

The furniture inside the inn was shattered, and many fell with serious injuries.

Among them, some with deep wounds escaped outside the inn.

They ran desperately to where their comrades were.

“We were ambushed by the Jin Clan bastards. We have to help the others quickly.”

“What did you say?”

“Those sons of bitches.”

Those angered by their comrades’ injuries rushed over, turning the already Asura Field-like inn into a living hell.

News of their clash spread throughout Runan, and martial artists rushed from all over to help them.

“Kill them all!”

“Waaagh!”

Countless martial artists got entangled in a brawl, and their fight thoroughly destroyed the inn and the streets.

The precariously maintained peace vanished, and a vision of hell unfolded in Runan.

People knew instinctively.

They knew that they could never return to those peaceful days again.