Chapter 369

Grrrind!

As the pulley turned with great effort, a huge basket slowly descended to the bottom of the vertical cave.

Hwang Ak-chu and his Subordinates raised their heads and looked up.

Piercing through the deep darkness where not a speck of light could be seen, a huge box revealed itself.

Inside the box, about twenty Martial Artists were riding.

The capacity was ten people, but they had exceeded it.

Hwang Ak-chu furrowed his brow.

‘Crazy bastards! What will they do if the rope snaps from that?’

That rope was the only means of getting out of this place.

If the rope snapped, they would have to wait indefinitely until another rope was lowered from above. A single misstep could mean being stuck here forever, so Hwang Ak-chu couldn’t help but react with sensitivity.

However, Hwang Ak-chu forced himself to hide his expression.

To be allowed inside meant the visitors were clearly not of ordinary status.

Most people would have been blocked at the entrance of the Thousand Severing Phantom Formation.

‘Who are they?’

Thud!

At last, the huge box landed on the floor. And the twenty or so Martial Artists disembarked one by one.

At the lead was a man in tattered clothes with three spears strapped to his back. Unusually, he was barefoot, wearing no shoes.

The man’s appearance was reminiscent of a blood-starved wolf.

Hwang Ak-chu recognized the man’s identity and was aghast.

“Huk! Blood-Chasing Wolf, Lee Ho-gwan? Why are you here?”

“Hwang Ak-chu! You were here?”

Lee Ho-gwan smiled upon recognizing Hwang Ak-chu.

At his eerie smile, Hwang Ak-chu trembled slightly.

Lee Ho-gwan was a master whose skills were in no way inferior to Gu Ja-hwang, the warden of the Jade of No Regret.

If Gu Ja-hwang had made his name with his ferocious fist techniques, Lee Ho-gwan had earned his infamy with three spears.

Lee Ho-gwan was a hunter.

He was notorious for hunting any target, as long as he was paid in Gold Taels.

The Subordinates who accompanied him were all masters of tracking and hunting. When it came to hunting humans, no one was more skilled than them.

Lee Ho-gwan’s main territory was the Outer Regions.

He was not someone to be seen here.

“How are you here? No, when did you enter the Jianghu?”

“You don’t seem happy to see me.”

“That’s not it…”

“Haha! It’s a joke. No need to be so tense.”

Lee Ho-gwan laughed and patted Hwang Ak-chu’s shoulder.

“Keuk!”

Each time Lee Ho-gwan’s palm struck his shoulder, a shock like being hit with a sledgehammer coursed through him.

“Looks like your body’s gotten weak from not seeing the sun for so long. Crying out from just that.”

“Not at all, sir.”

“I heard the environment in the Jade of No Regret isn’t good. Seeing it in person, it’s truly wretched. To think they throw criminals into a place like this.”

“That is correct.”

“Then throw this one in too.”

At Lee Ho-gwan’s nod, the Subordinates behind him dragged a man forward by both arms.

“Huuuh!”

The man held by the Subordinates couldn’t regain his senses and was only breathing in ragged gasps.

“Who is he?”

“The Nine Hells Yin Demon.”

“Heo!”

Hwang Ak-chu let out an involuntary gasp.

The Nine Hells Yin Demon was a Lecherous Demon who had spread infamy in the south of Yunnan Province.

He had learned a special Demonic art and needed to periodically replenish his yin energy from women. For that reason, he would kidnap women from ordinary homes, satisfy his lust, and then brutally kill them.

His evil deeds came to light when he kidnapped and killed the youngest daughter of the Dan clan, one of the influential families in Yunnan.

The youngest daughter of the Dan clan was beloved by all for her beautiful appearance and kind heart. Her disappearance spurred the Dan clan into action, and they eventually discovered that the Nine Hells Yin Demon had kidnapped her.

The enraged Dan clan pursued the Nine Hells Yin Demon.

Sensing the danger, the Nine Hells Yin Demon cunningly made his Escape to the Outer Regions, leaving the Dan clan like a dog that had been chasing a chicken. But they did not give up.

They put up a massive bounty and commissioned the Sects and Wanderers active in the Outer Regions.

Countless Sects and Wanderers rushed in, but none could catch the Nine Hells Yin Demon.

The Nine Hells Yin Demon was not only skilled in Martial Arts but also in the Disguise Technique, changing his appearance at will. He mocked his pursuers while continuing his evil deeds.

“Is this man really the Nine Hells Yin Demon? Why didn’t you kill him…”

“The Dan clan wished it. Instead of an easy death, they wanted him to suffer a hellish agony for as long as possible. That’s why I brought him here.”

“Hmm!”

Hwang Ak-chu nodded his head.

If that was the reason, he could understand why Lee Ho-gwan had personally made the long journey here.

Moreover, Lee Ho-gwan and Gu Ja-hwang knew each other.

If Gu Ja-hwang hadn’t become the warden, Lee Ho-gwan might have become the warden instead.

“Where is Ja-hwang?”

“He is inside.”

“Lead the way! Ah, first, throw this bastard into the Thunder Prison.”

“Understood.”

Hwang Ak-chu took custody of the Nine Hells Yin Demon from Lee Ho-gwan’s Subordinates.

The moment he got a closer look at the Nine Hells Yin Demon’s state, Hwang Ak-chu couldn’t help but frown. His condition was just too gruesome.

His face was mangled beyond recognition, and the tendons in his limbs had been severed, leaving them dangling uselessly.

But what was most gruesome was his lower body.

His member, which had once violated so many women, had been brutally cut off at the root. Because of it, his trousers were completely soaked in blood.

“Tsk!”

Hwang Ak-chu clicked his tongue.

The Nine Hells Yin Demon’s crimes were unforgivable, but having his lower half cut off meant the end of his life as a man.

To prevent him from committing suicide, even the root of his tongue had been cut, and Hemostasis had been performed.

Now, the Nine Hells Yin Demon was in a state worse than death, destined to spend eternity in this place.

Hwang Ak-chu spoke to his Subordinates.

“Lock him in the Thunder Prison.”

“Yes, sir!”

With a reply, the Subordinates dragged the Nine Hells Yin Demon away.

Watching the Nine Hells Yin Demon being dragged away like a piece of luggage, Lee Ho-gwan said to Hwang Ak-chu.

“Lead me to Gu Ja-hwang.”

“Please follow me.”

Hwang Ak-chu guided Lee Ho-gwan and his Subordinates to the underground cavern where the barracks were located.

Lee Ho-gwan whistled as he looked around at the interior scenery.

“Whew! This is incredible. A Thunder Prison in a place like this. It’s beyond imagination.”

“I was also very surprised when I first came here.”

“The Jade of No Regret, huh? A well-named place indeed. If you’re locked up here, seeing the outside world again would be impossible.”

“There’s only one entrance. If that’s blocked, no one can get out.”

“Hmm! Should I quit being a hunter and move in here? It seems like it would be pretty fun. Are there any female prisoners?”

“There were.”

“Were? Sounds like there aren’t any now.”

“Would any woman survive? Even men engage in sodomy frequently here.”

“True… If a woman came into a place like this, she wouldn’t last.”

Lee Ho-gwan was convinced.

Countless men were trapped in this isolated environment. Moreover, they were all Martial Artists brimming with Blood Qi. It wouldn’t be strange at all, no matter what happened.

Lee Ho-gwan smirked and continued walking.

As he arrived in front of the barracks, he saw a man with a massive build standing there. Upon seeing the man, who resembled a giant iron tower, Lee Ho-gwan’s face hardened.

“Gu Ja-hwang!”

“I thought it was noisy near the entrance. So it was because you came.”

“Hehe! Still, since I came all this way, I should at least see what the inside looks like before I go.”

“Why, are you interested in this place?”

“I was, but I’ve changed my mind. I prefer places with women.”

“It’s because you’re so fond of women that your Martial Arts have stagnated.”

“What?”

“Am I wrong?”

“Don’t speak so carelessly just because you have a mouth, Gu Ja-hwang!”

“Why? Did I hit a nerve?”

“You’re all talk for someone who’s been pushed out of active duty to guard a Thunder Prison.”

Kwa-kwa-kwa!

The air in the area roiled menacingly at the confrontation between the two men.

Even when Gu Ja-hwang was active in the Outer Regions, they had been rivals. They acknowledged each other’s strength, but their values were too different.

Gu Ja-hwang was the type to carry out any mission without complaint, whereas Lee Ho-gwan only took on jobs that suited his taste.

Because of that, they often fought when they worked together.

Of course, that didn’t mean they ever tried to take each other’s lives.

It was Lee Ho-gwan who first withdrew his aura.

“Your foul temper is the same as ever.”

At his grumbling, Gu Ja-hwang also calmed his aura.

“Phew!”

Only then did Hwang Ak-chu let out a sigh of relief.

He hadn’t really thought they would fight, but watching them in such a fierce confrontation had made his heart clench on its own.

Gu Ja-hwang asked.

“When are you leaving?”

“Why don’t you just tell me to get out?”

“Get out.”

“What? Really?”

“The longer outsiders stay, the more the troops become unsettled.”

“Still as stubborn as ever.”

Lee Ho-gwan grumbled. But his expression had softened compared to a moment ago. He understood what Gu Ja-hwang meant.

For the sake of secrecy, those who guarded the Jade of No Regret were strictly forbidden from entering or leaving. For those living in such a closed environment, contact with outsiders had a high probability of planting foolish ideas in their heads.

Personally, he didn’t like it, but he understood.

“Fine! Then I’ll just take a quick look around and leave. That much is possible, right?”

“If it’s just looking around, then fine.”

Once Gu Ja-hwang’s permission was granted, Lee Ho-gwan began to explore every corner of the underground cavern.

Gu Ja-hwang and Hwang Ak-chu watched with displeased expressions as Lee Ho-gwan roamed about as he pleased.

“I never thought I’d see that hunting dog again.”

“It’s a relief he’ll be leaving soon, at least.”

It was then.

“Hey, you there!”

Suddenly, Lee Ho-gwan gestured at them.

Gu Ja-hwang furrowed his brow and muttered.

“What trick is he up to now?”

“Still, shouldn’t we go and see?”

“Hmph!”

At Hwang Ak-chu’s words, Gu Ja-hwang started walking.

Though they growled at each other like rivals whenever they met due to their different dispositions, he knew Lee Ho-gwan wasn’t a man to cause trouble for no reason.

Though reluctant, he approached the spot where Lee Ho-gwan was.

It was the very place where the Cave that had imprisoned Hong Yushin was located.

Lee Ho-gwan was standing in front of a large iron door.

“Why did you call me?”

“This place is strange. Is it normally like this?”

“What are you talking about?”

“This lock. There are signs it was forced open.”

“What?”

In that instant, Gu Ja-hwang felt the blood in his entire body run cold.

He recalled the uneasy feeling he had just a moment ago.

He hurriedly examined the lock Lee Ho-gwan was pointing at.

There were indeed scratch marks around the keyhole.

Marks that hadn’t been there yesterday.

Gu Ja-hwang let out a lion’s roar.

“Intruder.”

Instantly, Martial Artists rushed out from the barracks.

Gu Ja-hwang said to them.

“From now on, form teams and conduct a thorough search of the interior.”

“As you command!”

The Martial Artists scattered with a reply.

There were no questions, no doubts.

It was a measure of how much they trusted Gu Ja-hwang.

Crack!

Gu Ja-hwang twisted the lock. The lock, as thick as an adult’s torso, snapped like a reed.

The two men stepped into the Cave.

They soon arrived in front of the room where Hong Yushin had been imprisoned.

When they opened the iron door, an empty space greeted them.

Grind!

As his suspicion was confirmed, Gu Ja-hwang ground his teeth.

Lee Ho-gwan asked.

“Have anyone in mind?”

“No!”

“To think someone secretly snuck into a place like this. This is no ordinary fellow.”

“Even so, he’s just a rat in a trap. There’s no way he’ll escape this place.”

“Hmm! Want some help?”

At the unexpected words, Gu Ja-hwang looked at Lee Ho-gwan.

Lee Ho-gwan’s usually playful expression was serious.

Though they always fought like rivals, Gu Ja-hwang knew better than anyone how formidable Lee Ho-gwan’s skills were.

“I’d appreciate it.”

“Good! It’s been a while since I’ve had a fun hunt. You guys just guard the outside so he can’t escape.”