Chapter 274: Snow Wind
Chapter 274: Snow Wind
"Since things have turned out this way, let us go to Jiangsu Province first."
It was what Seonwoo Jin said to his group after emerging from the Sword Emperor's dwelling located on Antang Mountain.
At that, Seol Pung asked.
"Can we just leave without meeting the Sword Emperor Elder? Didn't you say it was a very important matter for you?"
"Since it doesn't seem to be the right time now anyway. Fortunately, Jiangsu Province is directly north of Zhejiang Province, so let us look for an opportunity when we return."
Seonwoo Jin, who said that with a faint smile, surveyed his surroundings with his Mind's Eye and thought.
'And at that time, I think I'll have to enter hidden, not exposed like this.'
Seonwoo Jin slightly frowned at the presence of someone detected with his Mind's Eye.
Ever since they had emerged from the Sword Emperor's dwelling, someone had been tailing them in concealment.
Judging from the level of his stealth technique, he seemed to be at least a top-grade assassin.
Seonwoo Jin observed his every move with his Mind's Eye and thought.
'It's probably the doing of the Sword Emperor's second son, Ban Daeha.'
Considering the situation and timing, it could not be anyone else's doing.
And the reason for it could not be a good one either.
Seonwoo Jin sighed and said to Mukrang.
'I see there is no law that just because the father is a hero, the son is also a hero. A regrettable thing.'
At that, Mukrang replied.
- We still cannot know whether that father remains a hero either. Do not trust him too much.
At Mukrang's words, Seonwoo Jin's expression instantly grew serious.
Because Mukrang's words meant that the Blood Wolf Sword Emperor, the current strongest in the martial world, might no longer be a hero.
At his warning, Seonwoo Jin asked.
'...Even though he is the person you chose, Elder?'
At that, Mukrang answered again in a heavy voice.
- Are people not beings who can change at any time? And the direction of change is always far easier toward the worse side than the better.
'.......'
At his words, Seonwoo Jin fell into contemplation.
If the Blood Wolf Sword Emperor, the current strongest in the martial world, had truly ceased to be a hero, or even if not to that extent, if he intended to monopolize the Sword God's legacy for himself, that could only be a serious problem.
Because the task of breaking through his obstruction to find the Sword God's legacy would become an immensely arduous one.
'If that truly happens, would I end up with an enemy even more fearsome than the Blood Demon?'
The mere thought of it was horrifying.
But Seonwoo Jin soon shook his head and cleared away the thought.
No matter how much he agonized over it now, no answer would come.
Right now, he had to first sort out the things he could do in the present.
Seonwoo Jin inwardly sent his will to the Six Harmony Swordsmen who were following him while in concealment nearby.
It was a will to capture the pursuers Ban Daeha had sent.
***
Two days later, Seonwoo Jin's group was able to set foot in Jiangsu Province, located north of Zhejiang Province.
It was none other than Jiangsu Province where the Four Kings Alliance, one of the Three Great Powers of the martial world alongside the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Murim Alliance, was located.
The group briefly halted their steps as they gazed at the city walls of Soju, the city located at the southernmost tip of Jiangsu Province, far in the distance.
They had arrived at Soju, the most prosperous pleasure district under heaven, with the beautiful scenery of Tai Lake to boot.
Among the group, Seol Pung abruptly gazed at that place and let out a deep sigh.
"Huuuu."
At that, Seonwoo Jin subtly gauged his reaction and asked.
"Are your feelings a bit complicated, hyung-nim?"
At his question, Seol Pung chuckled wryly.
"Honestly, yes. After having boasted that I had steeled my resolve... I'm a bit embarrassed for you to see me like this."
At his words, which felt slightly bitter, Seonwoo Jin smiled warmly and shook his head.
"There is no need for that. Because I know you will get through it well."
They were not merely empty words meant to comfort him.
Because he had heard through rumor in his past life that Seol Pung had also gone to Jiangsu Province, and that even though he had been alone at the time, he had been splendidly acknowledged.
So now, with those who would help him together with him, there was absolutely no way he would fail.
At that moment, Hawondalgi Yeon Taejin, who had been listening beside them, sharply furrowed her brow and interjected.
"I've kept quiet all this time since it was Pung's personal matter, you know. But since we've come this far, how about you tell me now? A secret that only the two of you know about, I'm getting jealous, you know? Moreover, coming all the way to Jiangsu Province of all places for a matter related to Pung, don't tell me Pung had some connection to the Four Kings Alliance?"
At her words, the others also glanced at Seol Pung.
They had all merely refrained from asking; they were equally curious about Seol Pung's story.
Seonwoo Jin gave no answer and simply watched Seol Pung's profile in silence.
Seonwoo Jin also did not know all of Seol Pung's circumstances, but if Seol Pung did not broach the subject first, he did not wish to press him.
At that moment, Seol Pung, who had been vacantly gazing at the beautiful scenery of Tai Lake for a while, slowly opened his mouth and began to speak.
And at the calm first words he uttered, everyone's eyes bulged as if they would pop out, greatly widening.
Because the truth he confessed was far too shocking to all of them.
"I am... a descendant of the first Four Kings, Gwae Jaun. I am also the grandson of the previous Four Kings, Seol Mosu."
"!"
"!"
Four Kings.
It was the term for the alliance leader of the Four Kings Alliance, one of the Three Great Powers of the world alongside the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Murim Alliance, and the one counted among the Two Kings of the World alongside the Cooperative King among the fifteen Absolute Beings.
Moreover, since the current Cooperative King Mo Yonggeom's skills were in an overestimated state, it was safe to say that in substance, the current Four Kings Goegalhyeon was the Second Under Heaven, second only to the Sword Emperor. Seol Pung was now saying that he was of the bloodline of such a Four Kings.
"Eeek?! Seol my boy is of the Four Kings bloodline?!"
"I knew it! I knew you were unorthodox like me! Not just any unorthodox, but practically nobility among the unorthodox?!"
"Wow! The Four Kings, so that is why Seol Gongja was so strong?!"
These were the reactions of Jeung Chil, Yeon Taejin, and Jin Soeun in turn.
Seol Pung smiled bitterly at their reactions and continued speaking.
"It is certainly true that I am of the Four Kings bloodline. Except that I am of a bloodline that was purged...."
In the past, the first Four Kings Gwae Jaun, a contemporary of the Sword God and Thunder God, had given his first son the surname 'Gwae', the same as his own, and had his second son take the surname 'Seol', his wife's surname.
It was due to the stubbornness of the Four Kings, who had been famous even throughout the martial world at the time for being a devoted husband.
Afterward, the Four Kings passed the position of alliance leader of the Four Kings Alliance to the second son, whose martial arts were stronger between the two, and left a will that henceforth, regardless of whether one was of the Gwae or Seol line, the one with stronger martial arts should inherit the position of alliance leader.
These were the words that created the tradition of the Four Kings Alliance that had lasted for a hundred years.
His will had been well observed, in its own way.
Originally of one bloodline, the Gwae and Seol clans did not antagonize each other but honed themselves through friendly competition, and they would hand over the position of alliance leader without lingering attachment to the stronger one among the descendants of both sides.
At least, that was the case until about twenty-odd years ago.
Seol Pung continued speaking with a slightly pained look in his eyes.
"My... father, Seol Cheonhu, a descendant of the Seol clan, was said to possess martial prowess superior to that of his competitor at the time, Goegalhyeon, a descendant of the Gwae clan. So everyone believed that he would naturally become the next Four Kings."
At his words, the group couldn't help but swallow dryly.
Goegalhyeon.
For that name belonged to the current Four Kings — the sitting alliance leader of the Four Kings Union.
Seol Cheonhu, the descendant of the Seol family, who had been superior to Goegalhyeon.
Yet the one who now sat as the Four Kings was Goegalhyeon, the descendant of the Gwae family.
What had transpired between them was something they felt they could guess without needing to hear it spoken.
And what followed in Seol Pung's story fell exactly as everyone had expected.
"One day, when my father... had been designated as the next alliance leader of the Four Kings Union and was soon to inherit the position, Goegalhyeon led his followers and attacked our family. Both of my parents died that day. I was led to escape by my maternal grandfather's hand. After that, I lived in the mountains learning martial arts from him."
Seol Pung concluded his story with a tone far too composed and simple.
But a life spent hiding after losing one's parents could not possibly have been as simple as those words made it sound.
Jeung Chil, eyes glistening with tears, seized Seol Pung's hand tightly.
"Brother Seol! To think my brother carried such painful history! This elder brother of yours had no idea... Forgive me, Brother Seol! Forgive this thoughtless elder brother of yours!"
Yeon Taejin's eyes glistened with tears as well.
"How pitiful! Pung was truly a tragic hero, just like the ones from ancient legends! Don't be lonely anymore! I'll stay with you from now on!"
At that, Jin So-eun, who had been about to tear up as well, shot a dumbfounded look at Yeon Taejin over her words — half consolation, half confession — and put some distance between herself and the woman.
And unlike the rest of the group, Seonwoo Jin simply gazed at Seol Pung in silence.
Having known in his past life that Seol Pung had become one of the candidates for the next Four Kings, he had already guessed that Seol Pung would be a blood descendant of the Four Kings. But even for Seonwoo Jin, the story he was hearing now was the first time.
Yet even now that he had heard the facts, Seonwoo Jin could still tell that there was more Seol Pung had left unsaid.
Because what he had just learned alone could not explain how Seol Pung had become one of the successors to the Four Kings.
And he was not the only one in the group who had noticed this.
Yeon Taejin, who had sidled up subtly like Jeung Chil to embrace Seol Pung only to be rejected, clicked her tongue in regret before suddenly opening her mouth as a thought struck her.
"Tch, failure. Hm? But isn't something strange? If Pung's story is true, shouldn't we not be going to the Four Kings Union? He can't let Goegalhyeon learn of his existence, right? Unless we're all planning to take revenge on the Four Kings with just us here... Wait, is that 'unless' actually the case?"
Yeon Taejin stared at Seol Pung with a horrified expression at the thought that had just occurred to her.
Seeking revenge against the Four Kings, the second-strongest under heaven, and in his home territory of Jiangsu Province no less — even for someone as bold as Yeon Taejin, that was a reckless act she could never find the nerve to attempt.
At that, Seol Pung smiled faintly, his eyes looking somehow lonely, and answered.
"You may rest easy, Miss Yeon. I have no intention of doing anything so reckless."
Yeon Taejin let out a sigh of relief at his answer.
"Phew, of course not, right? You startled me. But... then why did we come to Jiangsu?"
Seol Pung gazed toward the northern sky, where the headquarters of the Four Kings Union lay, his eyes still lonely, and answered.
"In order to become a candidate for the next alliance leader of the Four Kings Union."
At that answer, Yeon Taejin furrowed her brow again.
"Huh? You'll become a candidate for the next Four Kings?"
"A candidate for the Four Kings — how do you mean?"
The group, save for Seonwoo Jin, simply could not understand Seol Pung's words.
Go to the Four Kings Union, led by his parents' murderer Sawang Goe Gal-hyeon, and become a candidate for the next alliance leader?
Frankly, saying he wanted to take revenge on the man felt like it would have been easier to grasp.
At that, Seol Pung smiled faintly at the group and said,
"He will not oppose my becoming a candidate for the next alliance leader of the Four Kings Union. On that point at least, you may trust me. And... please, I would ask that you do not press me for the reason. I would rather not divulge it if possible."
Hearing his words, the group could not bring themselves to ask further.
Because the eyes of Seol Pung, smiling faintly as he spoke, looked far too bitter.
A short while later, the group began moving once more toward Suzhou, the city of pleasures.
The scenery of Tai Lake was as beautiful as ever, but the group found themselves unable to speak, weighed down by the heavy atmosphere surrounding Seol Pung.
At that moment, Mukrang suddenly spoke to Seonwoo Jin.
- Jin, do you perhaps know the full story behind his circumstances?
It seemed Mukrang, too, had been equally curious about Seol Pung's past.
But Seonwoo Jin also knew no more than what had been told.
'I don't know much either. Only...'
- Only?
'Could it be related to the remorse he once mentioned — about his mother?'
- Hmm.
Though he had spoken without certainty, Seonwoo Jin had already concluded in his heart that this was the truth.
Given the severe fear of women Seol Pung had suffered from not long ago, the matter was undoubtedly tied deeply to Seol Pung's mother.
Mukrang murmured as if lamenting.
- I had suspected as much from the moment I saw that child on the frontlines instead of in the Four Kings Union... but it seems Brother Gwae's descendants did not live in peace either. That couple had shared such deep affection for each other. They must be grieving even in the afterlife.
At his words, Seonwoo Jin suddenly asked.
'Did you already know our brother was a descendant of the Four Kings?'
Mukrang chuckled in reply.
- Of course. A young man of the Seol clan who wields the Red Eye Glowing Blood Art and the Wild Beast Fist — I could not have failed to recognize it if I tried. The first Four Kings, Brother Gwae, was a close friend of my elder brother. It was, in truth, thanks to my elder brother that Brother Gwae was able to marry Lady Seol. And so the two children... they were once cherished like nephews to us.
At that, Mukrang said no more.
A tragic secret history, in which the descendants of the Gwae and Seol families — whom he remembered as beloved young nephews — had shed each other's blood.
His feelings could not help but be deeply conflicted.
Seonwoo Jin did not speak to Mukrang further, instead turning his thoughts to the tasks that lay ahead.
In his past life, the news Seonwoo Jin had heard ended with Seol Pung becoming a candidate for the next leader of the Four Kings Union.
But at that time, there had been five candidates for the alliance leader's seat in total.
Even if, as Seol Pung had confidently claimed, becoming a candidate might not be difficult, winning the competition among those five and taking the position of alliance leader of the Four Kings was another matter entirely.
Seonwoo Jin's eyes flashed sharply as he thought.
'But! In this life, I've come here with him, and I've brought reliable reinforcements. I can't be satisfied with just making him a candidate this time. This time, I will absolutely make him the next alliance leader of the Four Kings Union.'
This was the plan Seonwoo Jin had been forming for a long time.
And for this plan, he had been gathering intelligence on the Four Kings Union intermittently ever since.
For Seonwoo Jin, who had built deep relationships with the Hao Gates of Guizhou and Guangxi, it had not been a particularly difficult task.
Seonwoo Jin suddenly clenched his fist, imagining the day Seol Pung would become the alliance leader of the Four Kings Union, leading its forces as he returned to the frontlines.
'If it comes to that, no matter how powerful the forces of the Blood Cult and the Murim Alliance might be...'
Imagining a future where their might could be overwhelmed, Seonwoo Jin felt his heart suddenly swell with emotion.