Chapter 436

Ma Seowon walked the streets of Chengdu.

A man of average build followed her quietly. A single saber hung from his waist.

He was Jwa Sekyeong, her escort and an Escort Chief of the Silver River Escort Agency.

Jwa Sekyeong was an Expert ranked among the top three in the Silver River Escort Agency.

He followed Ma Seowon at a suitable distance, careful not to bother her.

Ma Seowon’s face was slightly contorted.

It was because things were not going as she had planned.

Just a moment ago, she had visited the Chengdu branch of the Hao Clan.

Her plan was to first gather information about Pyo Wol through the Hao Clan. However, the Chengdu branch refused to provide her with any information.

Their excuse was that providing information about Pyo Wol in Chengdu was to hasten one’s own death.

Since childhood, Ma Seowon had traveled all over Jianghu with her father. It was her job to gather information on his behalf.

Thanks to that, she had a lot of experience with this kind of work. But never before had she hit a wall right from the start like this.

It wasn’t just the Hao Clan.

Everyone she met to gather information refused to provide it.

There were no exceptions, whether they were strong in Martial Arts, incredibly wealthy, or hardened individuals who had clawed their way up from the bottom.

The moment the name Pyo Wol was mentioned, they would look around and tremble in fear.

It was the first time she had seen such terrified expressions just from hearing a name.

Ma Seowon did not know.

The weight of the terror that the name Pyo Wol carried in Chengdu.

Pyo Wol had not simply forced the Emei Sect and the Qingcheng Sect to become Closed-off.

To catch that one man, the Celestial Net had been spread.

It was a Celestial Net in which all the so-called prominent Martial Artists in Chengdu and Sichuan Province had participated.

Once the Celestial Net was activated, it was difficult for any Martial Artist to withstand it. There was no one who could stand against the countless Martial Artists who swarmed like a pack of wild dogs. But Pyo Wol was different.

Pyo Wol toyed with the Celestial Net, killing numerous Martial Artists without a sound.

The Celestial Net collapsed, and the Martial Artists who had tried to hunt him were, in turn, killed by Pyo Wol.

A considerable number of Chengdu’s Martial Artists had witnessed that scene.

Even now, if they just closed their eyes, the scene from that time was vivid.

The sight of their comrades, who had been right beside them, turning into corpses in an instant.

They never even saw Pyo Wol.

All they saw were the bodies of their comrades, whose breath had already ceased and whose body heat was growing cold.

They never knew when or at what moment Pyo Wol’s Flying Dagger would slit their throats.

The memory of that time was so intense that some Martial Artists couldn’t sleep properly for over a year.

Among the Martial Artists of Chengdu, mentioning what happened back then was as good as a tacit taboo.

They were afraid that if they happened to talk about Pyo Wol, he might pay them a visit.

Unaware of such facts, Ma Seowon kept prying about Pyo Wol, so it was only natural that they kept their mouths shut.

Ma Seowon muttered.

“It seems impossible to get information about him through ordinary means.”

Ma Seowon gave up cleanly.

It might be different elsewhere, but it didn’t seem like she could get any information about Pyo Wol by digging any further in Chengdu.

Of course, if she pushed it, she might be able to gather some useful information. But it didn’t seem like information worth finding out by taking such a risk.

‘I was really curious about what kind of person he is.’

She also wanted to see with her own eyes if he was as beautiful as the rumors said. But she didn’t want to expose her own side’s information by digging any further.

Ma Seowon returned to the Nine Storehouse Inn.

As if to prove that the Silver River Escort Agency had rented the entire place, the Nine Storehouse Inn was filled with people from the Silver River Escort Agency.

In the center of them was Ma Wonik.

“Father!”

“Did you have a good trip?”

Ma Wonik raised his head and looked at Ma Seowon.

Ma Seowon noticed that Ma Wonik’s mood was different from usual.

“Did something happen?”

“The Steward from Snow Cloud Stronghold was here.”

“It seems you couldn’t reach an agreement.”

“He spoke circuitously, but it was as good as rejecting our proposal.”

“It’s not easy.”

“Did you have any success?”

“None at all.”

“Just as I thought.”

“The people of Chengdu fear him more than we think. They have a fit just at the mention of his name.”

“Is it that bad?”

“It’s even more intense in person. If you saw it for yourself, Father, you wouldn’t be able to ask any more questions.”

“Hmm!”

Ma Wonik let out a low groan.

He had thought it wouldn’t be easy, but he hadn’t expected the obstacle to be this high from the very beginning.

Ma Wonik said cautiously.

“We may have to resort to our last measure.”

“Is that Original Buddhist Scripture worth that much? If something goes wrong, we could suffer great damage.”

“The higher-ups will compensate for any damage we incur. You don’t need to worry at all.”

“Yes!”

“Don’t worry about the damage, just focus on securing the Original Buddhist Scripture.”

“My thinking was short-sighted. You are right, Father.”

“That’s my daughter.”

Ma Wonik smiled.

Ma Seowon also smiled and looked around.

Suddenly, a look of puzzlement appeared on her face.

“I don’t see Seok Pyodu and a few others? Didn’t you order a strict ban on anyone leaving?”

“Mindless fools exist everywhere.”

“So?”

“Isn’t it obvious? They must have gone looking for a Brothel or a gambling den.”

“Are you just going to let them be?”

“Trash has its role to play as trash. I’ll take care of it, so don’t you worry about it.”

“I understand.”

Ma Seowon nodded her head.

She knew better than anyone how meticulous Ma Wonik was in handling matters. Interfering any further would be the same as disrespecting her father.

“Then, what about the timing?”

At Ma Seowon’s question, Ma Wonik gave a slight smile.

“The sooner, the easier it is to catch them off guard.”

＊＊＊

“Orabeoni! You’re back.”

As soon as she heard from Go Chonggwan that Pyo Wol had entered Red Pine Manor, Eun-yo came running.

Eun-yo’s face was full of delight.

She already knew that Pyo Wol was staying at the Myriad Flower Pavilion. It was she who had instructed the owner of the Myriad Flower Pavilion to treat Pyo Wol with the utmost care.

“Thanks to you, I rested comfortably.”

“I’m glad.”

Pyo Wol’s gaze turned to Do Yeon-san, who was beside Eun-yo.

“How is life in Chengdu?”

“It’s great.”

“Is it?”

“It couldn’t be better.”

“So it seems.”

At Pyo Wol’s words, Do Yeon-san looked up at the empty air as if he felt needlessly guilty.

Eun-yo naturally joined their conversation.

“I’m glad to see you looking well, Orabeoni.”

“Thank you.”

“Let’s all have a meal together today, it’s been a while.”

“Let’s do that.”

“I’ll ask Go Chonggwan to prepare it.”

“Alright!”

“Then please rest, Orabeoni.”

Eun-yo left the pavilion with a smiling face.

As if it were the most natural thing, Do Yeon-san followed behind her.

The way he blushed while glancing at Pyo Wol was quite cute.

‘So this is how fates can be connected.’

Even Pyo Wol hadn’t known that Do Yeon-san would take a liking to Eun-yo, and that Eun-yo would, in turn, accept his feelings.

Pyo Wol thought it was for the best.

He himself had no intention of settling down with anyone, nor were his circumstances suitable, but they were different.

They weren’t exposed to Jianghu like he was, so if they continued to live as they were now, they could live an ordinary life like other people.

“I should start tightening up, too.”

Since returning to Red Pine Manor, he had been living a relaxed life.

To give his exhausted body a rest, he had completely stepped away from Martial Arts. But other than death, there was no such thing as eternal rest.

If one is alive, and especially if one lives in Jianghu, one must always hone their Martial Arts.

Martial Arts were such that if you let go for a day, you had to train for two days just to get your original feel back.

Now that his rest was over, he had to start Training to regain his feel.

Pyo Wol headed to the Training Ground.

The floor of the Training Ground, surrounded by high walls, was paved with hard bluestone.

Pyo Wol stood in the middle of the Training Ground and closed his eyes.

“Hoo!”

First, he took a deep breath.

Exhaling the breath that filled his lungs, he twisted his body this way and that.

He was first loosening his stiffened body.

After loosening his body for a while, Pyo Wol began to move in earnest.

Shwaaak!

He began to move across the Training Ground.

He performed his Footwork, gliding like a snake.

He was executing the Serpentine Steps.

When he first learned the Serpentine Steps, the movements were monotonous. Although it was fast, there were no particular variations other than the gliding movement. But now it was different.

Its ever-changing nature was like dozens of snakes scattering and then gathering again.

The greatest feature of the Serpentine Steps was that it made no sound.

Not only were there no footsteps, but not even the sound of cutting through the air was produced.

The Serpentine Steps were thoroughly imbued with the insights Pyo Wol had gained over time.

The identity of one’s Martial Arts is contained within their Footwork.

The characteristics of the Serpentine Steps were the very characteristics of the Hungry Ghost Path.

Stealthy, slippery as a snake, and never missing a weakness.

After the Serpentine Steps came Black Lightning.

When he unleashed Black Lightning, the Lightning power stimulated his nerves.

His body’s reaction speed became several times faster, making it possible to Strike Second and Win First.

After Black Lightning came Jade Destruction.

Pow!

The empty air where he threw his fist ruptured.

The air burst continuously.

After warming up his body with Jade Destruction, Pyo Wol drew out the Soul Restraining Thread.

Ten strands of Soul Restraining Thread followed his ten fingers.

Sssiiit!

Ten strands of Soul Restraining Thread crisscrossed the air chaotically.

Now, it wasn’t so difficult to maintain ten strands of Soul Restraining Thread. In his current physical state, it felt like he could maintain it all day long.

Pyo Wol retracted all but one strand. Then he focused his Internal Energy on that single strand. The faint Soul Restraining Thread then became distinct.

He had moved from Soul Restraining Thread to Silken Serpent Strong Energy.

Sssiiit!

Pyo Wol performed the Serpentine Steps while brandishing the Silken Serpent Strong Energy.

The darkness was torn to shreds by the Silken Serpent Strong Energy.

Pyo Wol was not satisfied with that.

Crackle!

Lightning power was imbued into the Silken Serpent Strong Energy.

The Black Lightning Silk Serpent Force was being unleashed.

The faint Thunder and Lightning that tinged the Silken Serpent Strong Energy illuminated the darkness.

The Black Lightning Silk Serpent Force that Pyo Wol unleashed was dazzlingly beautiful.

To an unknowing person, it was so fluid they would say they had seen a mystical dance. But its power was lethal.

As Pyo Wol unleashed the Black Lightning Silk Serpent Force, he drew a picture in his mind.

Devil’s Hell.

It was Pyo Wol’s unique combat style of gradually exposing weaknesses to make the enemy delude themselves into thinking they could win if they just got a little closer.

Pyo Wol strove to harmonize the Devil’s Hell and the Black Lightning Silk Serpent Force.

There was no enemy, and no sparring partner.

But in Pyo Wol’s mind, an opponent existed clearly.

The powerful foes he had fought until now came back to life in his mind and attacked him.

Pyo Wol unleashed his Martial Arts against them.

To others, it would have looked like nothing more than him dancing alone, but in Pyo Wol’s eyes, the attacking enemies were clearly visible.

He mixed in the Devil Shadow Illusion Guard, and even spread the Spider Silver Net.

In this way, Pyo Wol unleashed all the Special Techniques he had learned and mastered.

Pyo Wol forgot everything and immersed himself only in his Martial Arts.

He forgot the flow of time, his current location, and even the fact that he was performing Martial Arts.

Drip, drop!

It was the droplets hitting his skin that brought him to his senses.

The cold sensation broke his immersion and brought him back to his right mind.

It was pouring rain.

The rain, which had been falling one or two drops at a time, soon became as thick as poles.

Pyo Wol stood in the middle of the rear courtyard, getting drenched by the pouring rain.

A thick steam rose from his head and shoulders.

Although the rain had broken his immersion, he felt incredibly good.

It was because it felt as if the Special Techniques that had been separate until now had merged into one.

It felt like beads that had each shone on their own had finally been strung together on a single thread to complete a necklace.

“Hoo!”

It was when Pyo Wol exhaled the breath he had been holding.

“Hyung!”

Do Yeon-san called to him with an urgent expression.