Chapter 38 - An Unexpected Incident
The torrential downpour came to an abrupt halt. As if it had never happened, the sun pushed the clouds aside and revealed itself, and the once-deserted market street began to bustle with people.
"Let's head there."
Yeon-hoo pointed to an inn ahead.
"I'll go secure us some seats!"
Jin Mu, the Flying Dragon Unit leader, dashed forward first.
Clank. Clank.
Yeon-hoo let his warhorse carry him along as he surveyed the surroundings. Even though this city was in the southwesternmost part of Northern Murim, the closest point to Northwest Murim, the streets brimmed with vibrant energy. It was an utterly surreal sight, considering the bloody battles that had raged just a short distance away for years, claiming countless lives.
Is this a war only for martial artists?
Yeon-hoo turned to Yun Hoe and asked, "The city's atmosphere feels distinctly different."
"This is a sort of free zone where merchants from Northwest Murim come and go freely. The commander minimized troop deployments to promote trade. It does lead to quite a few incidents, but it's been maintained without major issues."
"So it's to our advantage."
"The taxes collected here are substantial, from what I know."
"And these incidents—are they related to Northwest Murim?"
"Most of them, yes, but nothing worth worrying about."
Yeon-hoo nodded silently and proceeded toward the northern end of the market street. The forces following him consisted solely of the Flying Dragon Unit and ten unfamiliar faces. The rest of the troops had departed for the Iron Blood Family a day earlier.
Once we settle in, reorganization starts here.
Yeon-hoo scanned the city, envisioning its future under his complete rule.
Not everyone regarded him with favor. There were those eyeing him with clear displeasure—young men in their mid-to-late twenties, dressed in splendid martial robes that exuded nobility. They were the heirs of the five great clans, effectively hostages under the pretext of attending the Martial Academy.
Yeon-hoo had ordered their joining before leaving the Jo Clan Manor, leaving the clan heads no choice but to send their precious successors.
Accompanying them were their martial arts instructors. They weren't called masters due to the contractual nature of their employment, but all five were renowned experts in the Central Plains.
They had joined not so much on Yeon-hoo's command, but at the insistence of the clan heads for the heirs' safety.
One of them glared at Yeon-hoo's back and snorted derisively.
"Hmph! I'm curious how he'll react if the instructors at that so-called Martial Academy turn out inferior to us."
"Exactly. They could train on their own just fine, but he insists on gathering them in one place... What else could it mean but taking the young masters hostage?"
"I don't get our clan head. He knows full well it's a hostage situation and still sends the young master?"
Poke. Poke.
A middle-aged man prodded the complainer's side and shot him a warning glance. A few Flying Dragon Unit members moving nearby were glaring back with irritation.
Twitch.
"Hmph! Bunch of small-time punks not worth a fist."
"Enough."
It was then.
Boom! Crash!
Suddenly, an explosion erupted from the inn ahead, and one wall collapsed as people burst out from within.
"Argh!"
A piercing death cry echoed through the thick dust cloud, drawing everyone's eyes to the scene.
Yun Hoe raised a hand, halting the advance. Yeon-hoo reined in his horse and stared intently.
That's when it happened.
A streak of light hurtled toward him. But Yun Hoe swung his sword first, batting it away.
Thud! With a metallic clang, one of the split projectiles flew toward Jo Yeong, the Jo Clan's eldest son.
Snatch!
Jo Yeong casually caught the incoming flash.
Zing.
"...!"
Jo Yeong furrowed his brow at the shock transmitted through his palm and examined the object. It was the sharpened, barbed head of an arrow.
An arrow like this...
He couldn't hide his inner surprise. The arrow's power was no joke. And it had been deflected by Yun Hoe's sword, which should have diminished its force.
Jo Yeong looked up at the scene.
That's when it happened.
Three figures leaped through the dust cloud. Their leap spanned over ten zhang, astounding everyone, when another flash gleamed—and the one who had soared into the air screamed and plummeted.
"Argh!"
Jo Yeong was shocked again. The flash was an arrow.
Lightness skill at that level marks a considerable expert, yet taken down by a single arrow...
Having felt the arrow's power firsthand, he saw the situation differently from the others.
Then, into Jo Yeong's view flew black-robed figures—like swallows—heading straight toward them. They fled desperately, not even glancing back.
Jo Yeong's eyes naturally shifted to Yeon-hoo, who stood directly in their path.
"Out of the way!"
One black-robe lunged at Yeon-hoo, swinging his sword wildly. The speed was astonishingly fast, while Yeon-hoo's reaction seemed sluggish. He merely sat quietly on his horse until the blade was nearly upon him.
Instead, Yun Hoe blocked the path.
Ridiculous. Dreaming of lordship with such meager skill.
Jo Yeong wasn't alone in that thought. Everyone shared it, some even wearing incredulous expressions.
Flash!
Yun Hoe's sword cleaved the air.
Boom!
The clash of blades unleashed an explosion. Whether flung by the impact or using it deliberately, the black-robe soared over Yeon-hoo and Yun Hoe, hurtling toward the Flying Dragon Unit and Jo Yeong's group.
Clang!
Jo Yeong drew his sword first.
I'll show them the Martial Academy is unnecessary.
Reacting faster than anyone, Jo Yeong leaped at the black-robe.
Whoosh!
Even in midair, he twisted his body and thrust with perfect trajectory—his technique flawless enough to draw gasps.
The black-robe, path blocked, charged at Jo Yeong.
Clang!
In the blink of an eye, two exchanges unfolded. Blood sprayed from the black-robe's mouth.
"Hmph! Die already!"
"Raaagh!"
Cornered, the black-robe roared and lunged. But wounded by Yun Hoe's strike and exhausted from clashing with Jo Yeong, he couldn't last another move.
Thud!
"Guh!"
With a final cry, the black-robe crumpled. Jo Yeong landed lightly beside him, smug with triumph.
That's when it happened.
"Duck."
"...!"
At the sudden voice, Jo Yeong reflexively crouched. A chilling energy grazed overhead, severed hairs fluttering down.
"Kuh!"
A groan erupted from behind. Jo Yeong leaped back and turned.
In his sight: a head tumbling with spurting blood, and a man's back etched like a dagger.
It was Cheol-u.
As he turned, their eyes met. For an instant, Jo Yeong blinked repeatedly, feeling as if a blade pierced his pupil.
"Did you want to strut that badly?"
"...!"
"Fool."
Cheol-u spat coldly and walked past Jo Yeong toward Yeon-hoo.
Twitch.
What did he say?
As Jo Yeong's brows twisted in fury, a figure descended like the wind from ahead.
"My lord."
In one hand, Seobaek held a longbow the size of a full-grown man; in the other, a gleaming sword two chi long.
* * *
"On your way back?"
Yeon-hoo smiled broadly at the approaching Seobaek, peering behind him. Noegeom walked with a young woman. Their eyes met, but Noegeom awkwardly bowed his head slightly.
Yeon-hoo glanced at the woman with Noegeom, then frowned at Seobaek.
"They tracked you all the way here?"
"I did my best to cover our tracks, but these guys specialize in this direction, so they caught up."
"Looks like you've been slacking on training. Want to do some hellish sessions together when we get back?"
"...N-no, my lord. You're busy—I'll train hard on my own!"
Yeon-hoo added to the flinching Seobaek, "Reflect on it on the way back."
"...Yes, my lord."
Yeon-hoo turned to Yun Hoe.
"Give those two a couple of horses."
"Understood."
Seobaek's eyes widened.
"My lord, I..."
"You walk."
"... "
* * *
Even as he ate, Jo Yeong's gaze never left Cheol-u and Seobaek.
What are those guys?
Cheol-u's overwhelming display lingered vividly in his mind like a carving. Seobaek's archery was the same. He hadn't seen him draw the bow himself, but that single arrow piercing the black-robe's head—he'd witnessed it clearly.
Jo Yeong sent a sound transmission to his martial instructor across the table.
[Higher... you mean up to Super Peak?]
Jo Yeong nodded silently, his eyes hardening. They looked about his age, yet at least Peak level.
Fine. Martial cultivation thrives on rivals. Once I fully assimilate that spirit pill from before, you lot are nothing. Heh heh heh.
Jo Yeong resumed eating. Then, absentmindedly glancing at Noegeom's young female companion, his eyes lit up.
Oh ho, she didn't seem that special at first glance, but up close, she's a rare beauty. Slender figure, ample chest—right up my alley...