Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Section 6. When the Blood Star Shines, All Hold Their Breath (1)
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The first to pass through the Ten Directions Labyrinth Formation was, unexpectedly, a young warrior named Jo Kyung-ui. He had received the Azure Moon Sword from Yi Sin-pung and was overjoyed beyond measure.
“Thank you, Great Hero Yi. To think you’d bestow such a precious treasure upon me.”
“A treasure has found its rightful owner. Cherish the Azure Moon Sword well.”
“Of course. I’ll treat it like my own body.”
“I appreciate that.”
Yi Sin-pung lightly patted Jo Kyung-ui’s shoulder with his thick hand. Jo Kyung-ui looked up at him with an even more moved expression.
“To think I’ve forged a connection with such an outstanding warrior as yourself—I’m truly delighted.”
“The honor is all mine, Great Hero Yi, to wield your sword. Should you ever need my strength, call upon me anytime. The Unyang Martial Hall and I stand ready to serve you.”
“Haha! Just hearing that makes me feel secure.”
Yi Sin-pung let out a hearty laugh.
Jo Kyung-ui was the current hall master of the Unyang Martial Hall.
He had shown exceptional talent in martial arts from a young age and had ascended to the position of hall master before turning thirty.
He was particularly skilled with the sword, but had long struggled to find a blade that suited him. Acquiring a supreme sword like the Azure Moon Sword filled him with joy as if he could soar into the heavens.
Yi Sin-pung smiled in satisfaction.
The Unyang Martial Hall was one of the largest martial schools in Nanzhou. For its hall master to pledge loyalty to him was as good as having secured an oath of allegiance.
It was a profitable deal, having gained such a vow in exchange for a single sword—one he had no use for anyway.
Countless onlookers gazed at him with envious eyes. They were the ones who had lost to Jo Kyung-ui in the competition.
Yi Sin-pung addressed them.
“This was merely a bit of entertainment, yet it seems I’ve left too many of you disappointed.”
“No, Great Hero Yi. It was a splendid event.”
“Indeed.”
The crowd protested, but they couldn’t fully hide their regret. Yi Sin-pung read their hearts.
“Then let it be this: Next year, on my birthday, I shall host a martial tournament. The victor will receive a supreme sword second only to the Azure Moon Sword as prize.”
“Woooah!”
Cheers erupted before Yi Sin-pung could even finish speaking. The crowd chanted his name in excitement.
Watching the scene from the platform, Nam Hak’s expression hardened like a stone.
‘That fox…’
This sixtieth birthday celebration had featured the Azure Moon Sword, and next year’s would feature another supreme blade.
It was an event that would inevitably draw the attention of all warriors.
This would undoubtedly expand the influence of the Red Rock Villa throughout Gansu Province.
The growth of Red Rock Villa was far from welcome news for the Kunlun Sect. One dominant force in Gansu—the Kunlun Sect—was more than enough.
As Nam Hak glared coldly at Yi Sin-pung, one of the Kunlun disciples hurried over.
“Senior Brother.”
“What is it?”
“Well…”
The disciple whispered into Nam Hak’s ear. Nam Hak’s expression changed instantly.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. A physician is tending to him now.”
At that moment, as Nam Hak’s eyes sharpened.
Below the platform, someone was rushing toward Jo Kyung-ui. It was Mo Jung-hyun, Jo Kyung-ui’s junior brother and the chief instructor of the Unyang Martial Hall.
Whatever Mo Jung-hyun whispered made Jo Kyung-ui’s face turn icy. He excused himself from Yi Sin-pung and left the area.
Nam Hak rose from his seat as well.
“Let’s go. Where is he?”
“I’ll lead the way.”
The disciple hurried ahead. Their destination was a annex of the Red Rock Villa.
Entering the annex, they saw a man lying on a sickbed. Nam Hak recognized the face.
“Sang-han.”
“S-Senior Brother?”
Spotting Nam Hak, the man tried to sit up in haste. But with his right arm broken and mangled, he could only flail helplessly.
“Lie still, Sang-han.”
“Senior Brother.”
The man was Yoon Sang-han, a secular disciple of the Kunlun Sect.
“What happened?”
“I have no face to show.”
Nam Hak’s eyes gleamed coldly. Yoon Sang-han’s face paled.
Nam Hak was the warrior Yoon Sang-han respected most in the Kunlun Sect. He feared Nam Hak more than the other elders—and thus revered him all the more.
Yoon Sang-han was a recognized prodigy in his own right, but compared to Nam Hak, he was but a drop in the ocean.
He had chosen not to become a temple disciple precisely because he had realized early on that surpassing the towering wall that was Nam Hak was impossible.
Nam Hak’s gaze shifted to Yoon Sang-han’s right arm.
The twisted, broken limb was swollen and discolored black.
“Who did this?”
“Senior Brother.”
“Who made you like this?”
“It’s my own failing. I don’t wish to make an issue of it.”
“Sang-han.”
“I’m sorry.”
Yoon Sang-han closed his eyes.
Nam Hak bit his lip at the sight.
Yoon Sang-han had always been like this—stubborn to a fault, unwavering once he’d made up his mind.
Even in the Kunlun Sect, it was the same. Everyone had praised his talent and urged him to become a temple disciple, but he had stubbornly followed his own path.
Nam Hak admired that about him. Though divided as temple and secular disciples, he had never forgotten Yoon Sang-han.
“Even if you don’t tell me, I’ll find out. I won’t let the one who did this to your arm go unpunished.”
“Senior Brother.”
“When I say I will, I do.”
“Please. This is my personal matter. I don’t want it escalated further.”
“Is that truly how you feel?”
“Yes.”
As Yoon Sang-han’s resolve held firm, Nam Hak let out a quiet sigh. He realized there was no convincing him further.
“Very well. I’ll honor your wish. But tell me who did this.”
“Senior Brother.”
“You may be secular, but your skills rival the top temple disciples. Speak. What happened?”
“Hoo… The truth is…”
Yoon Sang-han’s lips parted with a sigh.
“Brother, you’re late.”
Bang Jin-bo, sitting on the bench in front of the guesthouse, greeted Dam Ho.
Bang Jin-bo’s body reeked of oil. He had spent the whole day cooking in the kitchen, and the smell had seeped into his skin.
Mixed with sweat, it should have been unpleasant, but Dam Ho didn’t so much as frown. It was proof of how hard Bang Jin-bo had worked.
“How was the work?”
“Finished a while ago. Just until tomorrow, they said. Hehe!”
Even without Dam Ho asking, Bang Jin-bo launched into a detailed account of his kitchen adventures.
“The head chef is amazing. How does he know so many secret recipes? I was so busy peeking and learning. Today we made beef dumplings and…”
Dam Ho listened silently. Emboldened, Bang Jin-bo chattered on.
It was then, as Bang Jin-bo was in full swing.
“The one inside, come out.”
A cold voice rang out from beyond the door. Startled, Bang Jin-bo looked to Dam Ho.
“Brother?”
“Let’s go.”
Dam Ho showed no surprise.
He opened the door and stepped out, revealing dozens of warriors arrayed in the guesthouse courtyard. Among them were familiar faces.
Jang Hak-kyung and Mo Jung-hyun stood at the forefront, with Jo Kyung-ui and Yi Sin-pung behind them.
As Dam Ho emerged, Mo Jung-hyun shouted.
“That’s him! He crippled Senior Brother Jwa!”
Mo Jung-hyun’s finger pointed squarely at Dam Ho. Jo Kyung-ui stepped forward.
The Azure Moon Sword hung at Jo Kyung-ui’s waist. Perhaps because of it, his face brimmed with confidence.
Dam Ho’s gaze turned to Jo Kyung-ui. Their eyes met, and Jo Kyung-ui flinched. The emotionless glint in Dam Ho’s eyes sent chills down his spine.
But Jo Kyung-ui squared his shoulders.
This was Red Rock Villa. Behind him stood its master, Yi Sin-pung. There was no reason to feel intimidated.
Jo Kyung-ui steeled his gaze.
“Why do that? It could have been settled with words.”
“Did I strike first?”
Dam Ho asked.
Jang Hak-kyung, standing beside Mo Jung-hyun, answered.
“Didn’t you attack Senior Brother Jwa without provocation? You’re not denying it, are you?”
Veins bulged in Jang Hak-kyung’s neck.
Jwa Sang-cheon’s crippling wasn’t a great loss. Their bond hadn’t been that deep, leaving no lingering regrets.
But letting Dam Ho walk away unscathed would tarnish their pride.
Jang Hak-kyung was the young head of a massive merchant guild, and Mo Jung-hyun the chief instructor of the Unyang Martial Hall—both accustomed to admiration.
When had they ever suffered such humiliation? They had considered letting it go, but couldn’t stomach it.
They needed to salvage their shattered pride to sleep soundly again.
That’s when they thought to involve Jo Kyung-ui, who had just forged a close bond with Yi Sin-pung.
Bringing in Jo Kyung-ui naturally drew Yi Sin-pung as well. For Jang Hak-kyung and Mo Jung-hyun, it was the best outcome they could hope for.
They knew Dam Ho was strong, but didn’t believe he could disregard Jo Kyung-ui and Yi Sin-pung.
Mo Jung-hyun yelled.
“He’s surely a demonic fiend from the unorthodox paths. Look at the killing intent in his eyes!”
“Exactly. He’s cultivated demonic arts. His brutal handiwork proves it.”
Jang Hak-kyung chimed in agreement.
Jo Kyung-ui didn’t fully believe them. Jang Hak-kyung might be clueless, but Mo Jung-hyun knew better than anyone.
Mo Jung-hyun cared more for personal gain than Buddhist precepts. He had surely provoked the incident. Still, Jo Kyung-ui couldn’t outright dismiss his words.
For all his faults, Mo Jung-hyun was the chief instructor of the Unyang Martial Hall—Jo Kyung-ui’s right-hand man. He needed to preserve his face appropriately.
Jo Kyung-ui asked Dam Ho once more.
“Have you cultivated demonic arts?”
“…”
“Senior Brother Jwa’s lower body bones are shattered. No orthodox art would wreak such cruelty. You must explain yourself clearly.”
“Why should I explain?”
“Refuse, and you admit to being a fiend. You know how fiends are treated in the martial world, don’t you?”
A smug gleam lit Jo Kyung-ui’s face. He glanced around briefly, then lowered his voice.
“Truthfully, it doesn’t matter if you are or aren’t. I’ll brand you one regardless.”
Merely possessing the Azure Moon Sword wasn’t enough for true fame.
Having forged a hard-won bond with Yi Sin-pung, he needed greater renown.
Fame came from great deeds.
Slaying a notorious fiend with the Azure Moon Sword would grant him that in spades.
Crowds perched atop the guesthouse walls, watching intently. They were warriors who had attended Yi Sin-pung’s birthday and followed the commotion here.
They watched with thrilled expressions, no one showing concern or doubt. To them, this was prime entertainment.
Truth be damned—they’d enjoy the show. They lounged comfortably on the walls, eyes fixed on the unfolding drama. Standing out before them would make Jo Kyung-ui’s name famous.
Jo Kyung-ui whispered.
“So surrender quietly. Unless you want to suffer.”
But Dam Ho offered no reply.
“Brother!”
Bang Jin-bo, behind Dam Ho, looked around anxiously.
Countless eyes focused on Dam Ho. Bang Jin-bo couldn’t fathom why this was happening.
Yet he trusted Dam Ho.
Dam Ho’s strikes were fierce, but he had never provoked anyone first.
This time would be no different. Bang Jin-bo believed it firmly.
As time dragged on with no response from Dam Ho, Jo Kyung-ui’s face hardened.
“Are you ignoring me now?”
“No need to react to every barking dog.”
“What did you say?”
Jo Kyung-ui’s brows shot up, but Dam Ho paid him no mind.
His gaze shifted to Jang Hak-kyung and Mo Jung-hyun.
“Friends indeed.”
“What?”
“Willing to risk your lives for a friend.”
“You?”
Sensing the ominous air, Mo Jung-hyun and Jang Hak-kyung edged backward.
“But in the martial world, empty words draw blood.”
Dam Ho’s chilling voice echoed through the courtyard.
KABOOM!
“Aaack!”
Thunder roared, and a scream tore through the night sky.