Chapter 178
Chapter 178
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 178
Chapter Title: 화산천마 (178)화
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 178
Chapter Title: Sword Flower Blossoms
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Cheonhwi looked down below.
Ko Gaeyoung, the leader of the Biwind Merchant Group, who had parted the curtain and entered the inn, was conversing amiably with Chief Steward O.
"It's been a long time. Chief Steward O."
"Indeed it has. Chief Steward Ko. Oh right! I suppose I should call you Leader of the Biwind Merchant Group now."
"Haha, being called Leader by you, Chief Steward O, is a bit embarrassing."
"How long has it been?"
"It was around the time we took the Ten Thousand Commerce Emblem, so it's been nearly ten years since we last met."
"Has it been that long? No, looking at the wrinkles around your eyes, it must have been about that much time."
Chief Steward O teased playfully, and Ko Gaeyoung shot back without missing a beat.
"You're one to talk, Chief Steward O. You've got half your hair turned white."
"Oh dear, is that so? I guess I need to take better care of my hair."
Chief Steward O pretended to be startled, stroking his hair before bursting into laughter.
"But your complexion looks good. I remember you always looked half-dead when you were at the merchant group."
"Hahaha, I still feel half-dead now. Trying to feed all the dependents is breaking my back."
The Biwind Merchant Group leader mimed patting his back before chuckling softly.
"You, on the other hand, Chief Steward O, look much brighter than before."
"Hmm, do I?"
Chief Steward O narrowed his eyes.
"But didn't you just call me half-white-haired?"
"Are you taking that to heart?"
"You'll understand when you reach my age. Remarks like that get under your skin."
"Man, getting old is scary."
Ko Gaeyoung, smiling as they bantered, subtly scanned the interior of the inn and smacked his lips.
"So why are you here? Did you leave the Ten Thousand Commerce Group?"
Chief Steward O waved his hand dismissively.
"As if."
Ko Gaeyoung's eyes darkened upon hearing the response.
'He's not the type to just run an inn.'
Chief Steward O was an ambitious man.
The kind who wouldn't hesitate at any means to claim the leadership position.
For such a person to leave his branch and be in a place like this inn naturally raised suspicions.
"How long do you plan to stay a branch chief? A real man draws his sword, so he must cut through the thickets, right?"
Chief Steward O said calmly.
But unlike his tone, his eyes were sunken, pitch-black like the abyss.
Meeting his gaze, Ko Gaeyoung finally realized this inn was no ordinary place and quickly surveyed the surroundings.
The bustling crowd.
Even those buying silk floss and eating at the tables.
"Then, this Azure Plum Silk that's supposedly received Mount Hua Sect's recognition... could it be...?"
Chief Steward O smiled softly.
Ko Gaeyoung pieced it together from that smile alone and let out a gasp of admiration.
'Whoever thought of it, I was impressed by the business savvy...'
When he first heard about the Azure Plum Silk, he had been awestruck as a merchant.
Who would have imagined it?
Selling goods endorsed by one of the Nine Great Sects in collaboration with them!
Even he, who had deep ties with Mount Hua Sect, hadn't thought of it.
And the mastermind was none other than Chief Steward O.
As Ko Gaeyoung clicked his tongue in wonder...
'Were they that close?'
Cheonhwi gazed down intently at the two chatting amiably with haha and hoho laughter.
He had known from their first meeting that Chief Steward O and Ko Gaeyoung were somewhat acquainted, but they seemed even closer than expected.
After all, smiles never left their faces as they talked.
At that moment, Cheonhwi sent a transmission.
『What brings you here?』
Ko Gaeyoung, who had been whispering with Chief Steward O, startled at the sudden transmission, looked around.
His eyes met Cheonhwi's, who was looking down from the upper floor.
"Benefactor...!"
His eyes sparkled.
Forgetting his conversation with Chief Steward O, he immediately turned and rushed up the stairs.
Panting as he arrived on the upper floor, Ko Gaeyoung grinned widely.
"It's been a long time, Benefactor!"
"It has."
"I was on my way to Mount Hua Sect and never dreamed I'd run into you here. You've been hard to see lately since you're not often at the sect..."
Ko Gaeyoung met Cheonhwi's eyes.
"But here we are."
"You've been visiting Mount Hua Sect frequently."
"Whenever Mount Hua Sect requests supplies, I've been delivering them on their behalf."
'No wonder the supplies have been coming steadily lately. They were borrowing the Biwind Merchant Group's power.'
Cheonhwi stroked his chin.
"So you have some requested supplies this time too?"
Ko Gaeyoung shook his head.
"No. This time..."
Ko Gaeyoung trailed off.
He quickly scanned the surroundings and then whispered very cautiously.
"I heard Mount Hua Sect suffered a major blow from a failed operation, so I brought some supplies to help even a little."
The Biwind Merchant Group leader flicked his eyes.
Beyond the curtain at the end of his gaze was a large carriage that seemed to be the one he had arrived in.
"Food and a bit of money."
"Oh ho, really?"
Cheonhwi grinned.
Though Ko Gaeyoung called it "a bit," Cheonhwi vaguely sensed it was more substantial than that.
"That's perfect. Hyeonryeo was just stressing over money issues from the recent incident."
Cheonhwi recalled Hyeonryeo worrying about the sudden formation of three armed units.
'Now the money problem is solved too.'
A satisfied smile formed.
The issues hindering the armed units' creation were resolving one by one.
'Just one thing left now.'
As Cheonhwi pondered, he addressed Ko Gaeyoung.
"I want to make iron balls weighing thirty geun each and solid iron swords up to fifty geun. Know any good places?"
Ko Gaeyoung tilted his head.
He couldn't fathom the intent behind it.
But swallowing his curiosity, he answered.
"Ordinary blacksmiths couldn't handle that. If you need skilled ones, the Ironworks Pavilion would be best."
"Hmm, Ironworks Pavilion?"
Cheonhwi stroked his chin.
Even he, who only remembered major things, had heard of the Ironworks Pavilion.
'It's in Shandong, where all famous blacksmiths train at least once. They'd definitely have the skill, but it's quite far.'
As if reading Cheonhwi's dilemma, Ko Gaeyoung spoke up.
"If it's urgent, I can send a messenger bird to the Ironworks Pavilion separately."
"Good."
As Cheonhwi nodded...
"Are you ignoring me?!"
Cheon Ig-ae bellowed as he approached.
Ko Gaeyoung was startled by the sudden ragged old beggar but soon widened his eyes.
"Hero Cheon Ig-ae...?"
"Hm? You know me?"
As Cheon Ig-ae furrowed his brow, Ko Gaeyoung hurriedly clasped his hands in salute.
"Greetings, Hero Cheon Ig-ae. I saw you from afar once in Yunnan when you were chasing down the Lustful Demon."
"Lustful Demon? Ah! That vile ghost who only targeted nuns."
Ko Gaeyoung nodded.
"Mm, mm. I did put in some effort then. If not for this body of mine, that Lustful Demon would still be rampaging."
Cheon Ig-ae puffed up with pride and glanced at Cheonhwi, but...
'This wrinkled bastard!'
Cheonhwi seemed utterly uninterested.
Confirming this, Cheon Ig-ae scowled fiercely and opened his mouth.
"So, who are you?"
"Ah!"
Ko Gaeyoung bowed his head.
"This one is Ko Gaeyoung, leader of the Biwind Merchant Group."
"Biwind Merchant Group? The one that was attacked by White Ghost Castle before. I heard you've been keeping distance from the outsiders lately."
Cheon Ig-ae rattled off smoothly.
"Here to repay the favor to Mount Hua Sect that helped you, I suppose."
Ko Gaeyoung's eyes widened slightly before quickly returning to normal.
"Haha, yes."
Cheon Ig-ae's eyes deepened.
He had pretended not to know and asked Ko Gaeyoung's identity, but in truth, he had overheard their entire conversation earlier.
Even that the owner of this Plum Blossom Inn was Chief Steward O of the Ten Thousand Commerce Group.
He glanced at Cheonhwi.
'Tied up with the rising Biwind Merchant Group and even Chief Steward O of the Ten Thousand Commerce Group. Good thing I followed this guy.'
A smile crept onto his lips.
He had trusted his instincts, set aside everything else, and tailed Cheonhwi.
A gamble of a choice.
But it had been the right one.
'Now I need to pull this guy to our side...'
A headache suddenly struck.
'Will this guy obediently listen?'
Winning over that stubborn fellow would undoubtedly be the hardest task.
'In that case...'
Cheon Ig-ae's eyes narrowed slyly.
He quickly sidled up close to Cheonhwi, who was talking with Ko Gaeyoung.
"Hold on. Let's talk."
"Nothing to say."
Cheon Ig-ae frowned at Cheonhwi's response without even looking, but forced a smile and added.
"Don't you need information on the jianghu?"
Only then did Cheonhwi look at Cheon Ig-ae.
Seeing Cheonhwi's interest, Cheon Ig-ae smiled and spoke.
"I'll help you. Despite appearances, I'm famous in the jianghu as an information broker."
"......"
As Cheonhwi stared blankly...
"Aigoo! I'll head to Mount Hua Sect first then."
Ko Gaeyoung tactfully withdrew.
As he moved away, Cheonhwi met Cheon Ig-ae's eyes and spoke.
"What is it?"
"How about joining hands with me?"
"Team up?"
"A very simple partnership."
Cheon Ig-ae explained briefly.
"I'll pass you jianghu rumors and info. In return, if the Beggars' Sect or I are in danger, help us just once."
It wasn't a bad deal.
After all, Mount Hua Sect and the Beggars' Sect were now allied.
They were in a relationship where they'd have to help each other if danger struck.
"Hm. Sure."
A broad smile spread across Cheon Ig-ae's face before slowly fading.
"Good. Then whenever you need info, just tell me. I'll fetch it quick..."
"Divine Province Death Squad."
Cheonhwi cut in before Cheon Ig-ae could finish.
"Gather info on them."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Leaving the Plum Blossom Inn, Cheonhwi unleashed his movement technique in one breath and arrived at Falling Goose Peak.
He should have gone to Peach Grove Plain originally.
But there was one person he absolutely had to see first.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The sound of cutting through the wind reached him.
There, Dam Mok-rin was swinging her sword with all her might. Her training robes were soaked with sweat, and her hands were slightly bloodied, no telling how long she had been at it.
It must sting.
Yet she didn't stop.
Instead, she gripped harder, focused her mind, and swung her sword even more fiercely.
It was reverent and solemn.
'I like it.'
As a smile tugged at Cheonhwi's lips...
"Senior Brother!"
Dam Mok-rin, wiping sweat from her forehead with her sleeve, ran over.
"Where have you been?"
"Outside."
"I see?"
Even at Cheonhwi's curt reply, Dam Mok-rin kept smiling and continued chatting.
"Oh right! I finally bloomed the sword flower!"
"Really? Show me."
"Yes!"
She responded energetically and raised her sword.
Assuming the upper stance, a cold light unlike her usual shone in her eyes.
As if in actual combat.
In that instant.
Swoooosh—
Dam Mok-rin slowly drew her sword downward.
It was the starting form of the Three Immortals Sword, the first technique every disciple entering Mount Hua Sect learned.
A very simple and clear stroke from above to below.
Yet Dam Mok-rin's starting form was clean and perfect.
'Her talent is the best, after all.'
Cheonhwi nodded.
Having overcome her Lunar Yin Lowly Body, her aptitude was unparalleled, and her physical condition was hard to match.
On top of that, she was a daughter of the Dam Mok Clan.
Talent, physical attributes, experience.
Everything favored her.
And the result of it all was now manifesting before his eyes.
Srrrrk—
A very small plum blossom bloomed.
That wasn't all.
A faint plum fragrance wafted from her sword, tickling the nose.
It wasn't vivid or clear.
Almost transparent.
But that alone was astonishing.
'Sword flower in less than a year. Others would faint from shock.'
Sword flower was the essence of Mount Hua Sect.
Normally, even devoting oneself solely to Mount Hua's sword arts took at least five years to bloom it.
Yet Dam Mok-rin had done it in just one year?
No, even less.
There was likely no such figure in Mount Hua Sect's history.
'Except for me.'
As Cheonhwi watched her...
The tip of her descending sword touched the ground.
A light 'tok' sound rang out.
But unlike the light sound, Dam Mok-rin's breathing was ragged.
A short starting form.
Yet she had poured everything into it.
Her scant internal energy and mental focus.
And her will as well.
Thanks to that, despite her shortcomings, she had bloomed the sword flower, Mount Hua Sect's essence.
"Haa, haa. How was it?"
She asked with expectant eyes.
"Not bad."
"Really?"
Dam Mok-rin's face lit up.
Having felt her deficiencies through spars with Cheonhwi, she had focused on training.
In the way Cheonhwi taught her.
A thousand swings a day in starting form.
Horse stance for one shichen.
And occasional spars with Cheonhwi.
All of it accelerated her growth, blooming her talent in short order.
"But you're still lacking."
Cheonhwi slung his scabbard over his shoulder.
She needed to grow stronger.
That was why he had her train separately instead of joining an armed unit.
Cheonhwi flicked his scabbard and said.
"I'll spar with you. Come on."
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