Chapter 30
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: The Two Fiends of Mount Hua
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It was a finger wind.
Someone had flicked their finger, striking away the saber of the No clan warrior flying toward Jin Seolhwa's leg.
Jin Seolhwa landed safely on the ground, but she couldn't help her legs trembling.
Yang Dongs a shot to his feet and glared toward the shop entrance.
The So clan warrior drew his sword as well.
A goateed elder stood there before they knew it, with a young man and a boy behind him.
The No clan warrior slowly picked up his fallen saber from the floor.
There was a hole pierced right in the center of the blade.
And the edges around the hole had turned pitch black.
He had never heard or seen such exquisite finger skill.
"Which esteemed senior are you, interfering with our house's affairs?"
Relying on the prestige of the Heungyang Merchant House, Yang Dongs a blocked the three newcomers with an overbearing stance.
But the three who had just entered stood silently without a word.
Yang Dongs a asked again.
"I wish to know your honorable name and great title. I am Yang Dongs a, sub-branch manager of the Heungyang Merchant House and disciple of the Great Mount Hua Sect. I ask your intentions."
It was a clear demand to identify themselves and leave.
"Hmph. You've grown bold enough to let your guts hang out."
The reply came from outside the door. Then Jin Ichang stepped in.
He had been delayed hearing the full story from the Gold La Hall clerks.
At the sight of him, Yang Dongs a's face grew grave.
'The branch leader himself has come out. This is trouble.'
Yang Dongs a clasped his hands in perfunctory greeting to Jin Ichang, but Jin Ichang's stern expression didn't change.
"Sister, are you hurt anywhere?"
Ignoring Yang Dongs a's greeting, Jin Ichang had already approached Jin Seolhwa and was examining her complexion.
Jin Seolhwa just shook her head without a word.
Confirming no harm had come to his sister, Jin Ichang turned toward Yang Dongs a.
"You dare draw blades in the territory of the Shenzhou Merchant House... How do you intend to handle the consequences?"
At that moment, the So clan warrior stepped forward.
"Isn't the way of the jianghu to settle such matters with an exchange of blows? I've heard plenty about the mighty reputation of the Shenzhou Divine Fist. But the jianghu is full of empty reputations, so you can't tell truth from bluff until you've traded fists directly. Heh heh heh..."
Jin Ichang burst into loud, hearty laughter at the So warrior's provocation.
"Ha ha ha... I heard a rumor recently, and it turns out it's true. Long ago, two fiends chased from Mount Hua for their wicked fame had been taken in as guests by the Heungyang Merchant House..."
No Deuk, who had sheathed his saber, stepped forward.
"In my youth, I heard much about you from my junior brother Tanghwa."
"Then you must be the former Plum Wind Blade Guest of the No clan, and this one the former Drunk Plum Swordsman So Myeongcho."
"It's been twenty years since we left the Mount Hua Sect. We've long abandoned the plum blossom scents and such nicknames."
"Fine enough. We're not here to rekindle old friendships anyway."
"Indeed. You're a warrior before you're a merchant. This isn't a matter for words."
The former Plum Wind Blade Guest No Deuk was the senior brother of Jin Ichang's close friend, the Plum Shadow Swordsman Tanghwa, and once a representative warrior of the Mount Hua Sect.
He was famous among Mount Hua disciples for his unusual saber arts over sword, but he and the Drunk Plum Swordsman So Myeongcho had made their names in the jianghu for their ugly scandals.
In martial sects where men lived by the blade, it was hardly unusual for senior brothers to leave this world early.
The issue was the widows and children they left behind.
Most great sects considered it a given to care for the families of disciples who had passed first.
Of course, monk or Daoist sects like Shaolin, Emei, or Wudang were exceptions, but Mount Hua was ambiguous.
Though the Mount Hua Sect had started as a Daoist sect, lay disciples had long taken center stage, making it natural to support those families.
In the past, No Deuk and So Myeongcho had held positions in the Mount Hua Sect responsible for just that—caring for those families.
Every month, visiting the scattered families at the foot of Mount Hua to deliver money, grain, and cloth, tending to the widows and children.
It was a warm, beautiful duty. But the world doesn't stay beautiful forever.
Among the lone widows were many of outstanding beauty, too young to spend their prime in solitude.
The bachelor No Deuk and So Myeongcho, visiting house to house, would share meals with those widows, occasionally a drink or two. And then it happened.
Scandals erupted between the two men and several widows. Rumors spread quietly, until one woman took her own life.
The Mount Hua Sect investigated and expelled the pair.
It wasn't forced assault, and the women kept silent, so it ended there.
For the sect, burying the filthy rumor tied to their name was paramount—natural, in a way.
Afterward, the two vanished from the jianghu.
Yet after twenty-odd years, here they were in Xi'an, right under Mount Hua's nose.
The Two Fiends of Mount Hua.
"Is this matter today approved by your father as well? I must confirm."
Jin Ichang directed the question at Yang Dongs a.
Instead of words, Yang Dongs a silently nodded.
It wasn't a clear answer, but the meaning was.
"Hmm... Even so, trusting decades of friendship, but the world doesn't bend to our will."
"How long will you keep hiding behind words? We're guests who have to earn our keep."
No Deuk took another step forward.
Jin Ichang nodded.
"Of course. This isn't for words. Time to exchange blows."
But No Deuk raised his saber. The black-rimmed hole was plain to see.
"By the way, was this your handiwork, Branch Leader Jin?"
"Well... it wasn't me..."
Jin Ichang glanced at Seonwoyong, then focused on Elder Jang.
Just then, Seonwoyong's transmission reached Elder Jang's ear.
[Elder Jang. Handle this with your skill.]
[I'm lacking, but I'll follow the order.]
No Deuk followed Jin Ichang's gaze and stared piercingly at Elder Jang.
Elder Jang stepped forward.
"This nameless nobody tried his meager skill. The lady there seemed in such dire straits..."
"Who might you be? Another of the Shenzhou Merchant House?"
"No, nothing like that. We just came to buy some silk through the Shenzhou Merchant House..."
At Elder Jang's words, Yang Dongs a brightened and stepped up.
"Elder, please wait just a moment. Once this is sorted, our Heungyang Merchant House will offer you silk on excellent terms. I guarantee no regrets."
Elder Jang nodded at Yang Dongs a's persuasion.
"There's a saying: even father must pay for rice cakes. We'll just watch and enjoy some cakes, then."
With Elder Jang taking this stance, Yang Dongs a's group beamed.
If a presumed enemy high master stayed neutral, victory was assured.
But one person alone.
Jin Seolhwa's gaze was not on Elder Jang, but Seonwoyong.
Only she had seen Seonwoyong flick his finger as he entered the door.
A desperate crisis. The blade flying at her—the flick that deflected it.
A fleeting moment, but one she'd never forget in her life.
Unlike Jin Seolhwa, the late-arriving Jin Ichang was clueless, finding Elder Jang's words only irksome.
"Hmph. The more talk, the less the fun. Which of you two will step up first? If you like, this Jin can take you both at once."
Offended, Jin Ichang finally rolled up his sleeves and advanced.
The moment the true face of the Shenzhou Divine Fist—strongest among Shaolin's lay disciples—revealed itself.
But No Deuk's response was seasoned and sly.
Everyone assumed etiquette and face demanded one-on-one if Jin Ichang stepped up that way, but no.
"Heh heh... The Shenzhou Divine Fist's prestige is imposing indeed. We two have long abandoned Mount Hua arts, so we dare not face you alone. Shamelessly, we'll combine forces to test your divine fist. Please go easy on us."
Jin Ichang's face darkened.
In the past, the Plum Shadow Swordsman Tanghwa's skill matched his own.
Add the Drunk Plum Swordsman So Myeongcho, another plum blossom swordsman, and the fame-making Plum Wind Blade Guest No Deuk—victory wasn't guaranteed.
Then the hitherto silent Seonwoyong spoke up.
"Would that even be fair? This isn't some street thugs' dogfight."
"What are you, butting in? If you're here for silk, shut up, wait, and take it."
So Myeongcho snapped back at Seonwoyong.
"Isn't that right? It's rare for Shaolin and Mount Hua disciples to gather like this for a martial exchange..."
"So what do you propose?"
"What else? I'll humbly request instruction from one of you two. Please go easy. Ha ha..."
No Deuk closely examined Seonwoyong's face.
No trace of martial training.
No inner energy aura, and his fair, delicate white hands were those of a noble-born youth.
But he was a veteran of the jianghu.
"Aren't you with that elder? Didn't he say you'd just watch and eat cakes...?"
"Well, yes, but I separate public and private. Publicly, sure—watch the fight, buy silk cheap. But privately, I'm sworn brothers with Branch Leader Jin here, so I can't just stand by."
Seonwoyong had reason to step in.
Secretly probing No Deuk and So Myeongcho's auras, he'd sensed something off.
Outwardly, the pure energy of the righteous famed Mount Hua Sect flowed clearly, but somewhere a阴森 evil qi lurked.
Moreover, that evil qi was familiar to Seonwoyong.
Plus, their auras were in no way inferior to Jin Ichang's.
One-on-one, Jin Ichang could handle them, but both together? Not easy, by Seonwoyong's judgment.
Also, Seonwoyong had his own agenda.
He too was a warrior.
Since losing his lower dantian, he'd had few chances to experience pure, free-flowing qi-based bare-hand combat.
No Deuk and So Myeongcho were peak masters rarely met in the martial world.
Exchanging blows with such warriors was just what Seonwoyong needed now.
"Fine then, play with me a bit. Don't disappoint too much. Heh heh..."
The hot-tempered So Myeongcho advanced on Seonwoyong, long sword in hand.
Planning to quickly dispatch the young punk and join No Deuk.
Seonwoyong smiled and drew a folding fan from his sleeve.
"Let's. We'll take it slow."