Chapter 337

Swoooosh!

It had been pouring refreshingly since morning.

The rain created countless ripples on the water’s surface.

Usually, boats would be out fishing from early morning, but not a single one was in sight.

They were taking the day off, as going out to fish rashly on a day like this could capsize their boats.

Thanks to this, the restaurants and taverns by the Great Lake were filled with people who had the day off. Unable to fish, they intended to kill time by drinking.

Taihu’s Finest Hall, where Pyo Wol was staying, was quite expensive, so it was less crowded, but the shabbier taverns were screaming with joy as people flocked in.

Pyo Wol stood with his arms crossed, gazing out the window.

The islands, usually clearly visible, had vanished due to the fierce downpour.

Pyo Wol had been standing in this position, motionless, since dawn.

It was because of the ominous feeling he had felt during the night.

That strange sensation, felt for a fleeting moment like a falling star, had made Pyo Wol’s hair stand on end.

Pyo Wol was not the type to fear things or be easily frightened. For him to be on edge like this showed just how alien and ominous the Qi he had felt last night was.

Pyo Wol tried to find the source of the ominous feeling from the night before, but the torrential rain, pouring down as if it had gone mad, was disrupting his senses.

Pyo Wol clicked his tongue and uncrossed his arms.

He felt it was unnecessary to waste any more mental energy on this.

Pyo Wol went down to the first-floor dining hall.

“You’ve come down.”

The Waiter greeted him with a welcoming face.

“Bring me a meal.”

“Yes! Please have a seat and I’ll bring it to you.”

“Mm!”

Pyo Wol nodded and sat at an empty table.

As he appeared, many people glanced at him furtively.

The fact that Pyo Wol was staying at Taihu’s Finest Hall was already widely known. Because of this, quite a few people had come specifically to see Pyo Wol’s face.

“Is that the Reaper? He’s so pretty.”

“Don’t be fooled by his face. I heard countless people were deceived by that face and never returned.”

“He’s really damn handsome. Look at the women. They’re completely mesmerized.”

Indeed, there were many women in the Inn, and they were stealing glances at Pyo Wol’s face, their own faces flushed red.

It was then.

Creeak!

The Inn’s door opened, and a scholar who appeared to be in his late forties entered.

His fiercely shining eyes and firmly set lips gave him a strong impression.

Dozens of Martial Artists followed the scholar inside.

They held their breath and watched the scholar’s movements.

After looking around for a moment, the scholar walked straight to the table where Pyo Wol was sitting.

The scholar performed a Fist-Palm Salute to Pyo Wol and spoke.

“I am Ji Gun-seong, the master of the Muyoungru in Kunshan. I came because I wish to speak with Great Hero Pyo Wol. Would you permit me to join you?”

Pyo Wol raised his head and looked at Ji Gun-seong.

“Muyoungru?”

“Great Hero Pyo probably doesn’t know of it. It is not a well-known place.”

“Why has the Muyoungru come looking for me?”

“May I sit down and explain first?”

“Sit!”

“Thank you.”

Ji Gun-seong sat opposite Pyo Wol.

He stared at Pyo Wol’s face for a long time.

“You are truly handsome. When I heard the rumors, I thought they were exaggerated, but it seems the rumors don’t do you justice.”

“If you came just to spout nonsense, get up.”

“Ah, my apologies.”

“So, what is your business?”

“Actually, I came to ask for Great Hero Pyo’s help, and also to make a proposal.”

Pyo Wol stared intently at Ji Gun-seong. Ji Gun-seong then quickly continued.

“In truth, our Muyoungru is not a normal Sect. It is a Sect formed by those who have suffered at the hands of places like the Cheolsan Manor, the Sword Flower Pavilion, and the Namgyeongjo family.”

“And?”

“We heard the news that Great Hero Pyo recently brought down the Sword Flower Pavilion. To us, that news was as sweet as rain after a long drought. Thanks to Great Hero Pyo, the grudges of those who suffered at the hands of the Sword Flower Pavilion have been settled. And didn’t you also dismantle the Cheolsan Manor?”

“Cheolsan Manor?”

“Who other than Great Hero Pyo could bring down the Cheolsan Manor so quickly? We already know everything. So you don’t need to deny it.”

“……”

“Our Muyoungru was truly impressed by Great Hero Pyo’s actions. We also offer our strong support.”

“Support…”

“I believe someone like Great Hero Pyo should lead the Murim of Jiangsu Province. Great Hero Pyo’s Martial Arts have already been proven, and your character is also excellent, so I believe you are more than qualified to become the Alliance Leader of a region.”

“So what is it you want to say?”

“Please just bring down the Namgyeongjo family and the Janggang Stronghold. If you do, our Muyoungru will devote everything to make Great Hero Pyo the Alliance Leader of Jiangsu Province.”

Thud!

Ji Gun-seong suddenly stood up and slammed his head on the floor.

His forehead split open and blood flowed, but Ji Gun-seong paid it no mind.

Everyone’s attention was focused on Ji Gun-seong’s sudden action. But Ji Gun-seong, unconcerned, kept his head bowed and waited only for Pyo Wol’s answer.

He thought Pyo Wol would accept his proposal.

As a Martial Artist, it was impossible not to have ambition.

Especially for a Martial Artist as strong as Pyo Wol.

History had proven it time and again.

The more powerful a Martial Artist, the greater their desire to achieve great deeds.

As he had said, the Muyoungru was a group formed by Martial Artists who had been harmed by existing powers like the Namgyeongjo family.

The Muyoungru was created to oppose the existing powers, protect their own rights, and seek revenge. But as time passed, the initial righteousness faded, and now they too desired to seize hegemony over Jiangsu Province. However, the existing power was so firmly established that they didn’t dare to try.

Then, news of Pyo Wol arrived.

The moment Ji Gun-seong heard that the Sword Flower Pavilion had fallen at Pyo Wol’s hands, he sensed that the opportunity he had so longed for had come.

‘If we put him at the forefront, we can take control of Jiangsu Province. With such a powerful Martial Artist, who would dare to oppose us?’

After discussion, Ji Gun-seong and his confidants decided to install Pyo Wol as the new master of Muyoungru.

Ji Gun-seong thought that the position of master didn’t matter at all. He intended to keep the real power for himself anyway.

His ultimate goal was to set Pyo Wol up as a puppet master and become the real power by pulling the strings from the shadows.

Given the martial prowess Pyo Wol had shown so far, taking control of Jiangsu Province would not be a difficult task.

“We will serve you with utmost loyalty, so please lead us.”

“Please lead us, Great Hero Pyo!”

At that moment, the Muyoungru Martial Artists who had come with him all prostrated themselves and shouted in unison.

At their overwhelming display, the other customers in the Inn swallowed dryly.

They held their breath and watched Pyo Wol and the Muyoungru Martial Artists.

‘If Great Hero Pyo accepts their proposal, the Muyoungru will seize control of Jiangsu Province.’

‘Crazy! Great Hero Pyo is becoming the master of Muyoungru?’

The mere thought was dizzying.

Ji Gun-seong shouted once more.

“Please lead us on the right path, Great Hero Pyo!”

“Lead us on the right path.”

“We will follow you with loyalty.”

The Martial Artists’ voices echoed thunderously inside the Inn.

People thought Pyo Wol would naturally accept their proposal. That was how sweet the Muyoungru’s offer was.

Since the Muyoungru’s foundation was a gathering of people harmed by the existing powers, the justification was also sufficient.

The faces of the Muyoungru Martial Artists looking at Pyo Wol were filled with intense desire. Their gazes were so fierce that anyone would feel burdened. But Pyo Wol’s expression, as he met their gazes, showed no sign of wavering.

He silently stared at Ji Gun-seong.

At that, it was Ji Gun-seong who felt a strong pressure.

The emotionless eyes seemed to see right through his inner thoughts.

‘He’s still not swayed?’

Ji Gun-seong gritted his teeth.

One of the weaknesses of a young Martial Artist was that they were easily excited.

If those around them praised them even a little, they would often get caught up in the atmosphere and be unable to make a proper judgment. What Ji Gun-seong had been aiming for was for Pyo Wol to become just that arrogant. But the moment he saw Pyo Wol’s eyes, he knew his thinking was wrong.

Pyo Wol’s eyes were by no means those of a young Martial Artist.

Even an old Jianghu veteran who had been through thick and thin could not hide his emotions so perfectly.

Just by looking at Pyo Wol’s eyes, it was impossible to read his thoughts or feelings. Rather, the more he looked into his eyes, the more it felt like his own inner thoughts were being laid bare.

His face flushed red with shame.

‘Hurry up and say something.’

He waited for Pyo Wol to open his mouth. Only when the other party spoke could he grasp their intentions and respond. But no matter how long he waited, Pyo Wol did not speak.

In the end, Ji Gun-seong spoke first.

“Please, become our Liege.”

“Was the position of a Sect’s leader so trivial? Or did I look that ridiculous?”

Pyo Wol finally spoke.

In that instant, Ji Gun-seong felt the blood in his entire body run cold.

The dry, emotionless voice sent shivers down his spine.

Ji Gun-seong desperately protested.

“Great Hero Pyo, I think you’re misunderstanding. We are speaking with loyalty. We will handle all the cumbersome matters…”

“So you’re telling me to be a puppet.”

“That’s not it…”

Thwack!

At that moment, Pyo Wol’s foot kicked the chest of the prostrating Ji Gun-seong.

Ji Gun-seong flew back and hit a wall.

“Master!”

“How dare you!”

“That bastard…”

Seeing this, the Muyoungru Martial Artists became enraged and rushed forward.

Pyo Wol’s gaze grew even heavier.

Seeing his gaze, Ji Gun-seong quickly shouted.

“N-No!”

But by then, his Subordinates had already reached Pyo Wol’s immediate vicinity.

They had lost their reason and charged forward at the sight of Ji Gun-seong being kicked and sent tumbling. Weapons were already in their hands.

Pyo Wol muttered.

“You’d rush to kill over something like this? To the very person you want to serve as your Liege?”

He could see how lightly they had regarded him.

With this, their intentions were clearly revealed.

He had no intention of accepting their proposal in the first place, but he also had no intention of forgiving them for so openly trying to scorn him.

Bang!

Pyo Wol slammed the table. The chopsticks in a container on the table all shot up into the air.

The Soul Restraining Thread wrapped around the chopsticks and scattered them toward the Muyoungru Martial Artists.

Swiiish!

“Kuaargh!”

“Gack!”

The chopsticks became Hidden Weapons, embedding themselves like Flying Daggers into the bodies of the Muyoungru Martial Artists.

The front rank collapsed.

The Martial Artists charging from behind were startled, their eyes widening.

Psh-psh-psh-psh!

The Soul Restraining Thread pierced through their bodies.

“Ack!”

“Ugh!”

Seeing the Martial Artists in the rear scream and fall, Ji Gun-seong’s face contorted.

‘A miscalculation. I misjudged him.’

Now he knew for sure.

Pyo Wol was far too smart to be anyone’s puppet. He was not so weak-willed as to be swayed by others’ words.

It was impossible to control such a person as he wished. If he had known that fact earlier, he would never have approached him so clumsily.

“Kuaaack!”

“Aack!”

The Muyoungru Martial Artists were screaming and falling.

Pyo Wol did not move from his spot, yet his Subordinates collapsed helplessly like rotten straw bales.

Fortunately, Pyo Wol seemed to have held back, as no one was dead, but everyone had suffered serious injuries and was rolling on the floor. The Inn was soon filled with their screams.

The faces of the Martial Artists who were still standing, unharmed by Pyo Wol’s attack, were filled with terror.

They didn’t dare to attack Pyo Wol and instead shuffled backward.

Pyo Wol didn’t even glance at them and approached Ji Gun-seong.

Ji Gun-seong pleaded with Pyo Wol.

“I-I was wrong. But was there a need to be so harsh? If you had just said you were displeased, we would have backed off on our own.”

“You have no will to solve problems yourself, nor the courage. All that’s in your head is how to use others, and the only thing that moves properly is that tongue of yours. How many people have you deceived with that tongue?”

“D-Don’t insult me. No matter how strong you are, you have no right to criticize me without reason like this.”

“No matter how I look at it, the most useless part of your body seems to be that tongue.”

“What…”

In that instant, Ji Gun-seong felt an excruciating pain in his tongue.