Chapter 292

“I heard there was a big fight, but it looks more intact than I thought.”

“The Jin Clan must have put all their effort into restoring it.”

“You think so?”

“It must be.”

Two young martial artists conversed as they looked around Runan.

Both were handsome and exuded an extraordinary aura.

They were not the only ones.

An unusual number of young martial artists were entering Runan one after another.

Some came in groups of three or five, while others entered alone.

The time they entered Runan and the places they departed from were all different, but their destination was the same.

Celestial Origin Tower.

It was one of the largest inns in Runan. It was also the most high-grade.

For that reason, before the fight between Snow Blade Sword Manor and the Jin Clan, it was mainly used by the influential figures of Runan. However, as the two sects fought, customers stopped coming, and its doors were shut for a while.

The sight of the Celestial Origin Tower, now with its doors wide open and accepting young martial artists, drew the attention of many.

“What’s this?”

“Why are so many martial artists gathering at the Celestial Origin Tower?”

People were worried that an incident like the clash between Snow Blade Sword Manor and the Jin Clan would happen again.

The very fact that young martial artists were gathering at such a time made them afraid.

Among them, the one who reacted most sensitively was none other than the hegemon of Runan, the Jin Clan.

It was a natural reaction for the Jin Clan.

They had only just begun to recover from the damage, and they couldn’t be pleased with the situation where many martial artists were entering without any notice to the Jin Clan.

At this, Jin Si-woo moved personally.

Jin Si-woo left the Jin Clan alone and headed for the Celestial Origin Tower.

Just then, a familiar face came into Jin Si-woo’s view.

“Hyung-nim!”

Jin Si-woo recognized him at once and ran over.

The man who stood out even from a distance was none other than Pyo Wol.

Pyo Wol had now fully recovered his physical condition.

As the color returned to his complexion, his already beautiful face looked even more bewitching.

‘Hyung-nim seems to be getting more beautiful.’

Jin Si-woo clicked his tongue.

It now felt as if a cursed energy was emanating from Pyo Wol’s face.

It seemed anyone would be captivated before a face like Pyo Wol’s. Still, he greeted Pyo Wol cheerfully.

“You haven’t left Runan yet.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to the Celestial Origin Tower.”

“The Celestial Origin Tower?”

“Yes!”

“It’s because of the martial artists entering Runan.”

“That’s right. How did you know?”

“Because I’m on my way there too.”

“What? You too, Hyung-nim?”

At the unexpected words, Jin Si-woo’s eyes widened.

Pyo Wol continued speaking as he walked.

“I was invited.”

“Invited?”

“By a woman named Eom So-so, who travels with Dokgo Hwang.”

“Wait, if you mean Dokgo Hwang? The Dragon Fang Sword of the Swordless Union?”

“You didn’t know he had entered?”

“No! This is the first I’m hearing of it from you, Hyung-nim.”

Jin Si-woo’s face had already hardened.

Dokgo Hwang was a big shot.

Although he was young, he was already confirmed as the next leader of the Swordless Union. For such a big shot to enter without any notice was a clear act of disrespect towards the Jin Clan.

“What is that man thinking…”

“We’ll know when we get there. Let’s go together.”

“Yes!”

The two men walked shoulder to shoulder towards the Celestial Origin Tower.

Jin Si-woo looked reassured just by the fact that Pyo Wol was going with him.

The two soon arrived at the Celestial Origin Tower.

Three martial artists stood guard at the entrance of the Celestial Origin Tower.

Pyo Wol instantly recognized their identities.

They were Dokgo Hwang’s trusted subordinates, the Three Swords of the Southern Sea.

The Three Swords of the Southern Sea were checking the identities of the young martial artists trying to enter the Celestial Origin Tower one by one.

When Pyo Wol and Jin Si-woo arrived, the Three Swords of the Southern Sea raised a hand to stop them.

“Stop. Do you have an invitation?”

“An invitation?”

“Yes! Those without an invitation cannot enter.”

“Are you telling me to show an invitation? Here in Runan…”

Jin Si-woo wore a dumbfounded expression.

Only then did the Three Swords of the Southern Sea sense that something was wrong.

This was the first time they had seen Jin Si-woo. That was why they had not recognized his identity.

Just then, Pyo Wol, who was behind Jin Si-woo, stepped forward.

“Ah!”

The Three Swords of the Southern Sea recognized Pyo Wol and let out a gasp.

“You’d better just let us in. If you want today’s meeting to even begin.”

“What?”

“This friend’s name is Jin Si-woo. He is the one who practically leads the Jin Clan.”

“Umm!”

In that moment, the eyes of the Three Swords of the Southern Sea wavered.

Although they didn’t recognize his face, they knew the name Jin Si-woo.

The Three Swords of the Southern Sea looked at each other’s faces.

A look of bewilderment was evident on their faces.

They knew well how nonsensical it was to hold an event in Runan while ignoring Jin Si-woo.

Il-geom, the eldest of the Three Swords of the Southern Sea, spoke on their behalf.

“We apologize for not recognizing you sooner. Both of you, please go inside.”

Pyo Wol was Dokgo Hwang’s guest, and there was no justification to stop Jin Si-woo. For him, it was an unavoidable choice.

Pyo Wol and Jin Si-woo entered the Celestial Origin Tower.

Inside the Celestial Origin Tower, many people had already gathered.

Most were around Pyo Wol and Jin Si-woo’s age, and there were also many who looked much younger.

Most of the martial artists were men, with a small number of women visible.

They sat in groups of three or five, occupying tables and chatting.

The moment he confirmed their faces, Jin Si-woo’s expression hardened.

“The Golden… Sky Society.”

Jin Si-woo had attended the Golden Sky Society’s gatherings a few times with his older brother, Jin Geum-woo. So he recognized that a significant number of the martial artists present here belonged to the Golden Sky Society.

“How can this be?”

These were the people who hadn’t shown their faces even when the Society Leader of the Golden Sky Society, Jin Geum-woo, lost his life.

Of course, Namgung Wol and a few other martial artists had rushed from afar to support the Jin Clan, honoring their loyalty to Jin Geum-woo. But among the martial artists gathered in the Celestial Origin Tower now, not a single one had visited the Jin Clan.

They laughed and chatted merrily, unaware that Jin Si-woo had arrived. Seeing them, Jin Si-woo felt a great sense of betrayal.

Jin Si-woo’s eyes were already bloodshot.

He clenched his teeth to suppress his anger.

Pyo Wol silently watched Jin Si-woo.

He couldn’t even begin to guess how great the sense of betrayal Jin Si-woo must be feeling. Pyo Wol knew that rash words of comfort would only make Jin Si-woo more miserable.

‘Is the heart of the Jianghu so fleeting? How could they do this to Hyung-nim?’

It was Jin Geum-woo who had sought out and persuaded the prodigies of All Under Heaven to create the Golden Sky Society. Considering their connection to Jin Geum-woo, they should never have acted this way.

It was then.

Thud!

Heavy footsteps were heard from the stairs.

The gazes of the martial artists, who had been chatting amongst themselves, focused on the stairs.

Three people were descending the stairs.

Jang Mu-guk, Dokgo Hwang, and finally, an unexpected person was with them.

It was Jang Ho-yeon, who had come all the way to Runan in pursuit of the Gongpo Sword.

All eyes were on the three as they appeared.

The moment Jang Mu-guk and Dokgo Hwang appeared, the atmosphere in the hall grew heavy. The martial artists were crushed by the formidable aura they emitted.

Jang Mu-guk stopped midway down the stairs and spoke.

“I would like to express my gratitude to all of you who have rushed to Runan at this one’s invitation. The reason I have invited you all here is none other than the matter of the Golden Sky Society. After the death of the Society Leader, Young Hero Jin, the Golden Sky Society lost its focal point and has not been able to fulfill its role.”

Jang Mu-guk’s voice had a power that made people focus.

The young martial artists found themselves concentrating on Jang Mu-guk without realizing it.

“I believe that if the Golden Sky Society had been intact, the situation in Runan would not have deteriorated to this extent. Therefore, I propose to you all. That we solidify the unity of the Golden Sky Society so that such an incident never happens again. And that we elect a second Society Leader to actively respond to such matters.”

“Hear, hear!”

“I agree with Young Hero Jang’s words.”

“Waaah!”

The people cheered at Jang Mu-guk’s words.

Pyo Wol watched Jang Mu-guk with narrowed eyes.

In a way, it was an incredibly shameless act.

Jang Mu-guk had proposed electing a second Society Leader, but to Pyo Wol’s ears, it sounded like he was declaring his own intention to ascend to the position of the second Society Leader. And many people shouted in agreement with Jang Mu-guk’s statement.

“Please take on the role of Society Leader, Young Hero Jang.”

“If it’s Young Hero Jang, you will be able to lead the Golden Sky Society splendidly, following in the footsteps of Young Hero Jin.”

“Young Hero Jang for Society Leader…”

“Waaah!”

The people burst into cheers.

To an onlooker, it was a sight that could only be described as frenzied.

“Hk!”

Jin Si-woo glared at Jang Mu-guk with clenched fists.

Whether he was aware of Jin Si-woo’s hostile gaze or not, Jang Mu-guk moved diligently among the young prodigies.

The events that followed proceeded swiftly.

Jang Mu-guk naturally became the second Society Leader of the Golden Sky Society.

The series of events was so natural that it felt like watching a well-scripted play.

Jin Si-woo felt a great sense of betrayal.

He couldn’t understand how they could do this.

He wondered if his brother, Jin Geum-woo, even remained in their memories.

It was then.

Jang Mu-guk, Dokgo Hwang, and the others approached Jin Si-woo.

“Huh?”

“That person is…”

Only then did the martial artists notice Jin Si-woo and wear troubled expressions.

It was a situation where even the most thick-skinned individuals couldn’t help but feel ashamed. However, Jang Mu-guk, who had orchestrated all of this, looked remarkably composed.

He was the first to acknowledge Jin Si-woo.

“It’s been a while.”

“Indeed.”

Jin Si-woo stared straight at Jang Mu-guk.

The two had met once before. At that time, Jin Geum-woo had been with them.

“I didn’t know you would come.”

“I didn’t know you would come either, Hyung-nim. If you came to Runan, why didn’t you contact me? What were you so guilty about that you didn’t send a single message? Even though you came to my front yard.”

“You’re misunderstanding.”

“What misunderstanding? I’ve seen it with my own eyes like this.”

“I thought you were busy, so I was going to contact you after the meeting.”

“Do you think that makes sense?”

“I am sorry that I couldn’t actively help when the Jin Clan was in crisis. But you know better than anyone that I couldn’t, don’t you?”

“Is it because you are the young master of the Heavenly Martial Fortress, Hyung-nim?”

“That’s right. My decision is also the decision of the Heavenly Martial Fortress. If the Heavenly Martial Fortress makes a move, it won’t end as just a war for hegemony in Runan.”

The Heavenly Martial Fortress was, in name and reality, one of the Two Powerhouses of All Under Heaven.

Even the Shaolin Temple, a traditional powerhouse of the Jianghu and a titan, was considered a step below the Heavenly Martial Fortress.

In the current Jianghu, the only place that could keep them in check was the Radiant Martial Gate. No other sect dared to possess power comparable to the Heavenly Martial Fortress.

All the sects of All Under Heaven were on high alert regarding the movements of the Heavenly Martial Fortress. In such a situation, if the Heavenly Martial Fortress were to make a move, all the sects would surely react sensitively.

Especially if they intervened in the affairs of Runan, the Shaolin Temple would have been the first to react.

Jang Mu-guk’s words were theoretically correct. But it was questionable whether he had to convene the Golden Sky Society and ascend to the position of the second Society Leader at this particular time, and in Runan of all places.

As if reading Jin Si-woo’s mind, Jang Mu-guk said with a smile.

“As it happens, I was planning to lead everyone to visit the Jin Clan as soon as today’s meeting was over. Now that the fight with Snow Blade Sword Manor is over, no one will be able to find fault with it.”

“And you expect me to believe that now?”

“I can’t help it if you don’t believe me. But my words are true. There’s no reason for me to lie to you, is there?”

Jang Mu-guk’s gaze towards Jin Si-woo was cold. Jin Si-woo could not dare to withstand his gaze.

“Keuk!”

Jin Si-woo’s face contorted unpleasantly.

Jang Mu-guk looked at him for a moment before turning his gaze to Pyo Wol.

“You came too.”

“If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have come.”

“I suppose so. I didn’t know she had invited you either. In any case, since you’re here, have a meal before you go. The food here is quite good.”

“Did you come to Runan with this purpose from the beginning?”

“This purpose?”

“The purpose of monopolizing Jin Geum-woo’s legacy.”

“If not for me, the Golden Sky Society would scatter to the winds. In that case, it would be better for me to become the focal point and be of help to the Jianghu. That would be the only way to honor Jin Geum-woo’s will.”

“I wonder if Jin Geum-woo would think so.”

“What thoughts can a dead man have? All decisions and actions are the share of the living. Since it has come to this, how about you join the Golden Sky Society as well?”

Jang Mu-guk’s smile towards Pyo Wol was cold.