Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 28: To the Yikyang So Family (3)

Win the rising stars' martial discussion at the Grand Martial Assembly and obtain the Blood Demon Sword.

At first glance, the plan sounded simple, but nothing about it was easy.

The very first condition—winning—was the ultimate hurdle.

—Those guys probably don't know, right?

There was no way they could.

He was a monster the Martial Alliance had kept strictly veiled from the world.

—If he's that strong, doesn't that mean he's not a rising star anymore?

A rising star was still a rising star. The problem was that his starting point was fundamentally different from everyone else's.

Furthermore, the official notice on the bulletin board hadn't been posted for long, so they likely hadn't even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠identified who would be participating yet.

"I expect my sister's side to target the Grand Martial Assembly as well."

Baek Ryeonha meant that Baek Hye-hyang would also be dispatching someone to the martial discussion.

'Hmm.'

I was deeply concerned. This mission had its flaws and was extremely dangerous. Even a quick thought brought several variables to mind—was this really going to be okay?

Seeing my expression, Baek Ryeonha asked curiously, "You look like you have something to say."

I hesitated for a moment before speaking. If this was a mission I had to undertake anyway, it was better to speak up.

"…Are there definitive safeguards in place for this mission?"

It wasn't her who answered my question. Escort Unit Leader Jang Mun-woong spoke up instead.

"A great deal is at stake for this mission—it is a matter of life and death. We did not draft this plan carelessly. You need not worry about that."

Jang Mun-woong showed great confidence. I had heard that he was the one who strategized the plan to deceive even their own allies during the escape from Six Blood Valley. It was because of such abilities that Bizarre Hae Ak-cheon employed him.

Baek Ryeonha said to me, "If something is bothering you, please feel free to speak candidly. I would like to hear your insight, Young Master."

Haeakcheon also nodded as if it were fine. Since the person at the very top gave the okay, I figured I could speak.

"Regardless of winning, will the Martial Alliance truly allow the Blood Demon Sword to be given as a prize?"

This was one of my primary concerns. Other weapons aside, the Blood Demon Sword was a trophy from the Great Orthodox-Evil War. It was doubtful the Martial Alliance would just hand it over so submissively.

—We'd be lucky if we didn't just get suspected immediately, right?

As the Lesser Conversation Sword said, there was a very high probability of being suspected as someone associated with the Blood Cult.

At my words, Haeakcheon let out his characteristic laugh.

"Hehe. You think they'd just give it away nicely?"

Huh? Did that mean they had already accounted for this?

Jang Mun-woong suddenly stood up and brought something over. It was a wooden box, long enough to hold a sword.

Click!

When he opened the box, there were indeed several swords inside. Moreover, they were all identical in shape, length, and pattern.

"These are?"

As I looked on in confusion, Jang Mun-woong took out one sword and showed me something bizarre.

Clack, clack!

The blade bent and folded in several stages. Song Jwa-baek and I were left speechless at the sight.

Jang Mun-woong grinned and asked, "Is this enough of an answer?"

'Ha!'

So the reason the Escort Unit Leader had been going off somewhere lately was to have these manufactured. The outline of what the leadership was planning finally began to take shape in my mind. I'd have to hear the details to be sure, though.

"No, wait. What are you supposed to do with these?"

Of course, just because I understood didn't mean Song Jwa-baek did. This guy was a pure combat type and could be surprisingly simple-minded. It was only after Jang Mun-woong gave a brief explanation that he finally understood.

"Over the past ten years, our Cult has made countless attempts to reclaim the Divine Object. As failures accumulated, we were able to gather a corresponding amount of information regarding the Martial Alliance's armory. This Grand Martial Assembly is the only opportunity where that armory will be opened."

Accumulated information and a rare opportunity. Perhaps it really was possible.

"Do you have any other concerns?"

That was when Song Jwa-baek spoke up cautiously.

"But Unit Leader… isn't the martial discussion at the Grand Martial Assembly a tournament only for the rising stars of the Orthodox Faction?"

—Wow, look at our Jwa-baek using his brain.

The Lesser Conversation Sword teased him, probably because he usually acted so simple. However, it was a natural question to have. After all, our current identity was that of Blood Cultists.

Jang Mun-woong smiled and answered his question.

"Fortunately, no one in the Orthodox Faction knows that you young masters are loyal members of our Cult. Not even your own families."

It was as I expected. That was the reason the three of us had been summoned. The Song twins and I were all from prestigious martial families of the Orthodox Faction.

Song Jwa-baek's expression turned complicated.

—He looks grumpy.

Like me, these guys didn't have a very good standing within their family. While they were probably better off than I was—having been treated like trash and discarded—I knew they had essentially run away from home for some reason.

I hadn't expected to get entangled with the family again like this. It was a strange situation. Returning to the family as a member of the Blood Cult.

—Come to think of it, didn't you say you'd end that family with your own hands?

The Lesser Conversation Sword reminded me of what I had said in the past.

Right. I did. But things had turned out quite coincidentally.

"…Don't tell me we have to become the representative rising ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stars of our families to participate in the martial discussion?"

"That is correct. That is the basic qualification."

I knew it. The first task was already decided. To participate in the martial discussion of the Grand Martial Assembly, we had to earn the qualification of being our families' representative rising stars.

—Instead of ending the family, you have to become its representative.

I felt unsettled. Did I really have to see those people again?

Then, Haeakcheon looked at me, Song Jwa-baek, and Song Woo-hyeon in turn.

"Hmph! Surely those who call themselves my disciples won't be pathetic enough to fail at seizing a mere representative spot in some piddling martial family?"

It was a comment very much like him. However, calling the Yikyang So Family "piddling" was an overstatement; they were a prestigious martial family. Their scale was among the top in Hunan Province, and they were even compared to the Five Great Families.

Of course, from the perspective of the Blood Cult, the Yikyang So Family might be nothing more than a local provincial power.

'…I have to push those guys aside and take the spot of representative?'

Faces filled with contempt flashed through my mind. Just thinking about them caused the anger I had suppressed for so long to slowly crawl back up.

'Is this an opportunity?'

Actually, this was for the better. I had wanted to settle things eventually, even while tied to the Blood Cult. It just came sooner than expected.

I was different now. The version of me that was discarded as worthless after my dantian was destroyed was gone.

"Catch."

"Yes?"

Suddenly, Haeakcheon threw the teacup that was on the table.

Swish!

He didn't just throw it; he infused it with internal energy. Despite the suddenness, I channeled my internal energy and gently cupped the flying teacup with my palm. If I didn't kill the momentum properly, the cup would shatter from the internal energy.

Whir!

I rotated the cup in my hand to neutralize the force. The teacup spun rapidly like a top on my palm before finally coming to a halt.

The corners of Haeakcheon's mouth curled up.

"Your internal energy has grown."

Raging Demon Lord Seo Gal-ma commented as if impressed. Beside him, Blood Hand Witch Han Baek-ha spoke with a faint smile.

"He has absorbed almost all of the spirit medicine."

"Spirit medicine? Did the Sixth Blood Star give him spirit medicine?"

"Yes."

To be precise, it was spirit medicine given under Baek Ryeonha's orders. After arriving in Ganggu County, Baek Ryeonha said she would fulfill her previous promise. I had requested spirit medicine to supplement the lacking internal energy in my lower dantian, and thanks to diligently absorbing that energy for a fortnight, I now possessed internal energy befitting a master of the Supreme Peak Realm.

"Hehe, with that much, those bratty rising stars won't even be able to touch your shadow."

Haeakcheon spoke in a satisfied voice. As he said, considering that the rising stars of my age were generally first-rate masters, I could be considered among the top tier. Of course, that was based on my lower dantian alone.

"How much time did you say was needed?"

At Haeakcheon's question, Jang Mun-woong looked at us and said, "The Grand Martial Assembly is about two months away. Considering the time it takes for the two young masters to travel to Hunan Province, the matter must be concluded within fifteen days at the latest."

"You heard him, right? Do not disappoint me."

Fifteen days. A fortnight was incredibly tight. Within that time, I had to overturn my reputation as a piece of trash.

Snap!

Song Jwa-baek suddenly performed a fist-and-palm salute and spoke with a voice full of motivation.

"I will not let you down. I will become the representative, win the martial discussion, and present the Blood Demon Sword to the Young Lady."

At his ambition, Jang Mun-woong scratched his head. He then spoke as if in a difficult position.

"Um… Young Master. Your role in this operation is not to win."

"What?"

"Your mission is to eliminate as many potential winners as possible and assist Young Master So Woon-hwi in reclaiming the Blood Demon Sword."

At Jang Mun-woong's words, Song Jwa-baek's face crumpled. He had thought he was being given a monumental task, but finding out he was essentially support seemed to have wounded his pride.

Sensing his resentment, Jang Mun-woong added more to smooth things over.

"It is not because your martial prowess is lacking, but because this mission requires obtaining a sword, and Young Master So's role is vital as he has mastered the sword technique of the Namcheon Sword Guest. Please do not misunderstand…"

Hearing Jang Mun-woong's soothing words, I understood why I was the lead. I had learned the sword technique of the Namcheon Sword Guest, who was famous in the Orthodox Faction. On the other hand, the twins had learned Haeakcheon's secret techniques; it would be impossible for them to display their full strength against rising stars using only basic fist-and-kick arts.

Then, Song Woo-hyeon, who had been staring blankly ahead, spoke up.

"…Please give… my brother and me… a chance as well."

His speech was slow, but his intent was clear. Was he speaking up on behalf of his brother?

"You?"

Song Jwa-baek also looked at Song Woo-hyeon with a surprised expression.

"That won't—"

Jang Mun-woong tried to cut him off and settle the matter, but Haeakcheon intervened.

"Are you confident?"

"Elder!"

Jang Mun-woong tried to stop him. However, Song Jwa-baek's fighting spirit and motivation had already been revived by Haeakcheon's words. He took a few steps back and immediately performed a fist technique following a brief stance.

Bam, bam, bam!

It wasn't Haeakcheon's signature martial art, the Profound Iron True Fist. While the Profound Iron True Fist was a destructive style with an overbearing momentum, the fist technique he was displaying now contained a certain softness.

'Sea Origin Bright Wheel Fist.'

—Isn't that the fist technique from the Myeongnyun Divine Art?

It was. It was a technique from the Myeongnyun Divine Art. I had also been practicing it lately, feeling the need for fist-and-kick arts. However, looking at his smooth and unhindered movements, his achievement was incomparable to mine.

—He was hiding that.

Seeing as he hadn't shown himself practicing it until now, he must have been honing it as a trump card. He certainly was a natural martial talent.

When I looked at Jang Mun-woong, his expression had changed. With this level of achievement, no one would suspect him of being a martial artist from the Evil Faction.

Haeakcheon chuckled and looked to his side.

"What do you think?"

Baek Ryeonha, who had been watching Song Jwa-baek's technique, smiled and spoke with her cherry-red lips.

"The more cards we have, the better."

*

Eight days later.

North of Yulrang County, Hunan Province.

A vast manor spanning thousands of pyeong boasted its grandeur. On the plaque above the magnificent main gate, the entrance to the manor, it was written:

益阳昭家 (Yikyang So Family)

This was the manor of the Yikyang So Family, the pride ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of Yulrang County. As expected of a prestigious family representing Hunan Province, even the guards protecting the gate boasted a gallant appearance.

Though they were mere gatekeepers, they were second-rate masters. They took great pride in being members of the Yikyang So Family.

However, even they couldn't help but falter before the sweltering heat.

"Ugh, it's so hot."

"I can't even step out of the shadow of the gatehouse."

It was so hot they were fanning themselves with their hands. But it wasn't enough to cool their sweat. The summer noon was heating the earth so intensely that heat haze shimmered before their eyes.

"How much longer until the shift change?"

"It's noon, so there's still half a shijin left… Huh?"

"What is it?"

"Someone's coming."

The guards' gazes turned forward. Through the shimmering heat haze, they saw three men wearing bamboo hats walking toward them.

The one in the lead carried an iron sword wrapped in old cloth on his back. Of the two following him, one wore an outfit a scholar might wear, with a sword strapped horizontally across his lower back.

The last one, who was empty-handed, had no weapons but possessed a sturdy build that allowed the guards to tell at a glance that they were martial artists.

"They're martial artists."

"Stand up straight."

Rustle!

They corrected their posture, which had been slumped from the heat. Since they hadn't received notice of any guests, they didn't know who these people were.

Clack!

The guards placed their hands on the hilts of the swords at their waists. As the unidentified martial artists reached the gate, the senior guard performed a fist-and-palm salute and asked politely.

"This is the manor of the Yikyang So Family. If you have business, please identify yourselves."

The man in the bamboo hat at the front spoke.

"Do I really need to give my name?"

The senior guard found it absurd. Who did this guy think he was, trying to pass through the entrance of the Great Yikyang So Family without identifying himself?

"Ha! You're ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠speaking nonsense. If you cannot reveal your identity, you cannot pass through the gate—"

"Yikyang So Family."

'Huh?'

The man slightly lifted his bamboo hat and spoke.

"Third Son, So Woon-hwi. I wish to enter the family home."

"!!!"

The guards' eyes widened at the face of the young man visible beneath the hat.

The mysterious martial artist requesting entry was So Woon-hwi, the third son of the Yikyang So Family, who had gone missing over a year ago.