Chapter 235

The Hao Clan’s Henan headquarters was located in Zhengzhou.

The Henan headquarters, as its name suggested, was responsible for overseeing all the Hao Clan organizations scattered throughout Henan Province.

Countless events occurring in Henan Province were gathered at the headquarters through various branches. The headquarters would then analyze this information to grasp the state of affairs in Henan.

The most notable recent event in Henan Province was, of course, the clash between Snow Blade Sword Manor and Jin Clan in Runan.

Originally, the fight between Jin Clan and Snow Blade Sword Manor was not something that would have drawn much attention. This was because everyone naturally expected Jin Clan to win. However, contrary to the Hao Clan’s predictions, the situation flowed in a way that had Snow Blade Sword Manor overwhelming Jin Clan.

Although it later turned into a balanced fight when Jin Clan belatedly opened its doors and accepted others, the overall situation had deviated from the Hao Clan’s expectations.

Because of this, the Hao Clan was on high alert.

“It is reported that over a hundred new people joined Jin Clan yesterday.”

“A large group of unidentified individuals has appeared in Xinyang. It seems their destination is Runan.”

“A large number of martial artists have also appeared in Yongcheng. According to the courtesans, they seem to be heading to Runan.”

Carrier pigeons sent from various branches and sub-branches flew in with urgent news.

A significant number of the Hao Clan’s personnel skilled in information analysis had been dispatched to Zhengzhou. That was how closely the Hao Clan was monitoring the fight between Snow Blade Sword Manor and Jin Clan.

The headquarters chief, Yi Gwi-yang, looked at the young man sitting before him with a tense expression.

The young man’s name was Hong Yushin, the Surveillance Chief of the Hao Clan.

No matter how much absolute power Yi Gwi-yang wielded in Henan Province, he could not disregard Hong Yushin.

Hong Yushin was the only one with the authority to audit the Hao Clan’s headquarters and branches. He was also the person all of the Hao Clan’s leaders were most reluctant to face.

The fact that Hong Yushin had appeared in Zhengzhou was proof of how seriously the main clan viewed the fight between Jin Clan and Snow Blade Sword Manor.

Hong Yushin stared at the paper placed before him with a grave expression.

Written on the paper was the content of a request recently received by the Hao Clan.

The Hao Clan was a place commonly used by Jianghu sects when they wanted to obtain information. This was because they could easily acquire high-quality information at a low cost.

By analyzing the contents of the requests coming into the Hao Clan, one could tell what was happening in All Under Heaven.

What perplexed Hong Yushin was that several of the requests on the document overlapped.

“Pyo Wol!”

The name that had driven Hong Yushin to his Inner Demon was written there.

The clients were requesting information about Pyo Wol from the Hao Clan.

It was proof that the name Pyo Wol had risen to the surface.

Most requests were made anonymously. Of course, that didn’t mean the Hao Clan was unaware of the client’s identity. They simply pretended not to know.

A request form that came in under the name Yi Gwang-mun. In truth, it was a request from Snow Blade Sword Manor.

Snow Blade Sword Manor was trying to obtain information on Pyo Wol by putting forth the fictional identity of Yi Gwang-mun.

Snow Blade Sword Manor was not the only one trying to get information on Pyo Wol. The Righteous Sword Manor had also submitted a request to obtain information on Pyo Wol.

Hong Yushin stared at the two characters of the name Pyo Wol, his brow deeply furrowed. Just facing that name made his hair stand on end and a shiver run down his spine.

Because of this, his expression instinctively hardened, and his gaze sank, heavier than ever before.

Yi Gwi-yang, unable to understand Hong Yushin’s reaction, wore a puzzled expression. It was a side of Hong Yushin he had never seen before.

Hong Yushin’s greatest strength was that he never lost his composure, no matter when or where. But now, there was no trace of that in him.

“It was only a short while ago that he appeared on Mount Wudang and turned it upside down, and now he’s already getting the attention of Snow Blade Sword Manor and the Righteous Sword Manor?”

One of the people in All Under Heaven who knew the most about Pyo Wol was none other than Hong Yushin. Having watched Pyo Wol’s movements from his side, he knew all too well what a terrifying being he was.

Wherever Pyo Wol appeared, death always overflowed.

His actions truly befitted his alias, the Reaper.

“Are you saying this man has now appeared in Runan?”

“That’s right. To be precise, it seems he has entered Jin Clan, but we have not yet figured out the reason.”

Yi Gwi-yang had also been closely monitoring Pyo Wol’s movements.

“Why Jin Clan? If it was just about money, it would have been better to join Snow Blade Sword Manor’s side. Why Jin Clan of all places?”

“Could it be some kind of personal connection?”

“Jin Geum-woo!”

“Hm?”

“Jin Geum-woo once stayed in Sichuan Province for a while. It’s clear they formed a friendship at that time.”

“Isn’t Jin Geum-woo already dead?”

“Yes! But for some reason, his death was downplayed, and the circumstances surrounding it were not revealed at all.”

“Indeed! Even our main clan tried to find out but failed.”

Yi Gwi-yang nodded with a serious expression.

There were many aspects of Jin Geum-woo’s death that were difficult to understand. The Hao Clan had tried several times to uncover the truth about his death, but all attempts had failed.

“In any case, if he came because of his friendship with Jin Geum-woo, he would naturally side with Jin Clan.”

“That is correct.”

“This must be a disaster for Snow Blade Sword Manor. It seems that’s why they’re trying to gather information on him in advance.”

“I think I’ll have to go there myself.”

“You’re going to make a move yourself?”

“Since I have a connection with him, it will be easier for me to approach him.”

“But…”

Yi Gwi-yang’s voice trailed off.

Hong Yushin was a very important figure within the Hao Clan. He was worried now that Hong Yushin said he would go himself.

“If we send others, they won’t even be able to get close to him. I have the best chance.”

“I understand. If that is your firm intention. But you must be especially careful.”

“Don’t worry. I didn’t become the Surveillance Chief through sheer luck.”

“I’ll trust you.”

Yi Gwi-yang looked at Hong Yushin with eyes full of trust.

It was then.

“Ah!”

Suddenly, a cry of alarm echoed through the room.

It was the sound made by a disciple who was sorting information received by carrier pigeon.

“What’s with all the fuss?”

Yi Gwi-yang glared at the disciple who had cried out. The disciple then hurriedly handed a letter to Yi Gwi-yang and answered.

“The, the Shaolin has made a move.”

“What?”

“The information says that the Shaolin Temple has sent down warrior monks.”

“What, why the Shaolin Temple? No, where did they send the warrior monks?”

“Their destination hasn’t been clearly identified yet, but at this point in time, there is only one place they would dispatch warrior monks to.”

“Hmm! Runan.”

“That is correct.”

Yi Gwi-yang looked at Hong Yushin’s face.

“It seems the Shaolin intends to intervene.”

“It means they view the situation that seriously.”

“The Shaolin Temple has every right to intervene.”

No matter what anyone said, the leader of the Henan Murim was the Shaolin Temple.

Although its light seemed to have faded, overshadowed by the Two Powerhouses of All Under Heaven, it was nevertheless a traditional powerhouse that had reigned at the top of Jianghu for over a thousand years.

The battle between Snow Blade Sword Manor and Jin Clan in Runan was like a bottomless pit, drawing in countless martial artists. It was clear they were dispatching warrior monks out of concern that if left unchecked, the entire Henan Province would descend into chaos.

“A timely measure. If they know the Shaolin Temple has intervened, the two sects will exercise a little more restraint.”

“Do you really think so?”

“It seems you think differently.”

“It’s just that I have a bad feeling about this.”

Hong Yushin could not relax his stiff expression.

He should have been happy that the Shaolin Temple had intervened, but for some reason, he felt strange this time.

“I think you’re being overly sensitive.”

“I will head to Runan first. Then I will know for sure.”

“Do so. I will also inform the Runan branch chief that you are coming.”

“Thank you.”

Hong Yushin rose from his seat.

‘The Shaolin has made a move? That slow-to-act giant…’

＊＊＊

Pyo Wol woke up early in the morning.

He was not one to sleep much in the first place, and with so many people chattering outside, he couldn’t fall into a deep sleep.

Pyo Wol quietly left his quarters.

Just then, he ran into Oh Ju-gang, who was coming from the opposite direction.

“Ah! Did you sleep well?”

“No!”

“Me neither. They were so noisy all night…”

“You should have had a drink.”

“Tsk! I have nothing to say to that. I showed you an unsightly side of me.”

Oh Ju-gang gave an awkward smile.

Pyo Wol had carried him on his back after he passed out drunk at the summit of Mount Tianjung, so he was too ashamed to face him.

Oh Ju-gang changed the subject.

“Let’s go have a meal together.”

“Alright.”

The two men walked shoulder to shoulder toward the dining hall.

As more people entered Jin Clan, they had built a separate dining hall. The building, hastily constructed from wood, was so crude it could barely offer shelter from the wind and rain.

Inside the dining hall were dozens of tables, most of which were empty. It was still early, so people hadn’t arrived yet.

When the food came out, Oh Ju-gang took out a liquor bottle he had been carrying at his side.

“Drinking so early in the morning?”

“Hehe! I just don’t have an appetite without this little guy.”

“You could die early doing that.”

“I don’t care. Hehe!”

Oh Ju-gang let out a pessimistic laugh.

Thinking he must have his reasons, Pyo Wol said no more about it.

He himself hated being interfered with by others, so it felt hypocritical to interfere in someone else’s actions.

He was a grown adult.

An age where one should know how to take responsibility for one’s own actions.

Pyo Wol paid no more attention to Oh Ju-gang’s drinking and focused on his meal.

Oh Ju-gang drank in between bites of his food.

“Kuh! This is good. Morning liquor really is the best.”

He kept letting out exclamations of admiration.

Although Oh Ju-gang’s behavior got on his nerves, Pyo Wol said nothing.

Oh Ju-gang suddenly looked at Pyo Wol and spoke.

“Brother Pyo, you are a truly strange person.”

“How so?”

“I pride myself on having quite a bit of experience in Jianghu. I’ve met that many people, but you’re the first person I’ve seen with eyes like yours at your age.”

“What are my eyes like?”

“The eyes of someone who has already lived through the whole world. Like an old man on the verge of death who has reached enlightenment. I think of myself as a pretty unfortunate guy, but looking into your eyes, Brother Pyo, makes me feel like I’m just being a spoiled brat blessed with good fortune.”

“Go be a spoiled brat somewhere else. I don’t know how Geum-woo put up with you, but I have no intention of doing so.”

“Hehe! So cold. I get it. I look before I leap. So don’t you worry too much.”

“Then I’m glad.”

As the two were exchanging such meaningless conversation.

“Waaaah!”

Suddenly, a huge roar erupted from the entrance of Jin Clan.

Oh Ju-gang frowned.

“Looks like a big shot has arrived this morning.”

“A big shot?”

“Isn’t the reaction of martial artists obvious? A roar like that erupts when they see a martial artist who is hard to see in Jianghu.”

Thud!

He set down his liquor bottle and stood up from his seat.

“Won’t you go see too, Brother Pyo? For a roar of this magnitude to erupt, it must be an incredible big shot who has come.”

Pyo Wol also nodded and rose from his seat.

One of the things he considered most important was information about people.

While he had a rough grasp of the state of All Under Heaven and the information of sects through various documents, he still lacked information about people.

Especially in the case of martial artists known as big shots in Jianghu, they could not be judged by a few words written on a piece of paper.

What he saw and judged with his own eyes was the most accurate.

The two men walked shoulder to shoulder toward the place where the roar was coming from.

A human barrier had already formed at the entrance of Jin Clan, with many people gathered.

Pyo Wol and Oh Ju-gang pushed through the people and went to the front.

“……”

Pyo Wol’s face hardened even before he saw the visitor’s face, as he was still pushing through the crowd.

He felt a blade-like Qi Wave.

A terrifyingly quiet and static air was pressing down on the area.

It was a very strange sight.

For the air to be so quiet when people were cheering so enthusiastically.

It was as if things that could never mix, like water and oil, were coexisting in one place.

However, most of the martial artists did not feel this and were just shouting.

It felt like watching a well-staged play.

Pyo Wol finally managed to break through the crowd and reach the very front. And he saw him.

A middle-aged man holding a sword to his chest.

He was emitting a presence as sharp as a sword. Yet, most people did not feel it.

He was emitting an aura that only those who had reached the Ever-Victorious Realm could feel.

The people were ecstatic.

“The Sword Venerable is here.”

“Great Hero Han has come to help Jin Clan.”

“Waaaah!”

Only then did Pyo Wol realize the identity of the middle-aged man.

The Sword Venerable, Han Yu-cheon.

He was a great Sword Hero who was said to have reached an unrivaled realm in the art of the sword.