Chapter 325
Chapter 325
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 325
Chapter Title: Melody and Pursuit
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Ding—
Blossom Heaven Tower Lord Juwolhyang gently closed her eyes at the melody drifting up from below.
It had been three days since the mysterious young expert had begun staying there.
During that time, he had played the seven-stringed zither at exactly this hour every day.
And each time, she had been filled with admiration.
Clearly, on the first day, there had been slight imperfections in his playing.
Mistakes like wrong notes or off-beat rhythms.
But now, it was nearly perfect.
And over those three days, not only had people started coming to Blossom Heaven Tower specifically to hear this performance, but others had even sought her out to learn the identity of the performer.
It was an unprecedented influx of customers.
"Who on earth could he be?"
Juwolhyang whispered softly as she savored the melody so clear it felt like it was being played right by her ear, finally opening her eyes.
During those three days, she had assigned Cheonghwa and Honghwa to try to uncover his identity.
But she hadn't been able to figure it out at all.
Most martial artists in the jianghu lived for fame and reputation.
Thus, they typically made sure everyone knew their affiliation or identity.
Like the crimson robes of Shaolin or the plum blossom emblem of Mount Hua—leaving some kind of clue.
Yet there was nothing about the young man that hinted at his sect or origins.
His clothes changed daily, making them impossible to pinpoint, and he wore no accessories like jade badges from the start.
The only notable thing was the two swords at his waist.
'Two swords bring the Plum Blossom Sword Expert to mind first...'
She thought of the young expert currently shaking the jianghu like a storm, then shook her head firmly.
'Impossible.'
Of course, it was possible.
If he was after Fengli and the Black Ghost Squad, the Murim Alliance would be the first suspect.
But according to recent intel, the Alliance's special unit he supposedly belonged to had headed to Mansu Gate.
His Extermination Squad was small, so he might have split off alone.
Even considering that possibility, though, she was certain the youth was not the Plum Blossom Sword Expert.
For the young expert currently playing was enjoying meat and wine.
If he were Mount Hua Sect's Daoist Plum Blossom Sword Expert, that would be utterly impossible.
'He's utterly unpredictable.'
As Juwolhyang let out a soft sigh.
"Tower Lord."
A thick voice came from beyond the paper door, accompanied by a large shadow.
It was Wieokyang.
"What is it?"
"I've gathered the information you requested."
Juwolhyang's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Come in."
Creak—
The paper door slid open, and Wieokyang entered, clutching a stack of papers.
Step—step—
He approached Juwolhyang and carefully set the papers down as he spoke.
"This is the list of everyone who entered Bloodless City three days ago and hasn't left yet."
Juwolhyang nodded.
"You may go."
With her curt reply, Wieokyang bowed and withdrew.
Once the door closed.
Swish—
Juwolhyang's gaze fell on the papers.
If the youth had come to deal with Fengli and the Black Ghost Squad, he surely wouldn't have come alone.
"If that young man is from the Murim Alliance, one of these must be his companions..."
As she began reading through the papers one by one.
Ting—
Cheonhwi continued plucking the strings while meticulously circulating his Plum Blossom Divine Art's qi.
The qi flowed from the shoulder's Jianyu acupoint down the elbow's Chize, gathering at his fingertips.
At that moment, he plucked the string, infusing the outgoing melody with qi.
The low, heavy tone amplified, resonating in all directions.
'Getting natural now.'
Meanwhile, Cheonghwa and Honghwa sat opposite him, lost in a daze, entranced by the music.
The melody tickled their ears, clear as if played right beside them.
They stared blankly at Cheonhwi.
Each pluck made the lantern light sway, scattering soft hues.
Blended with the scene of him playing, it was as if a mountain spirit had descended.
Ding—
Suddenly, Cheonhwi's hand stopped.
"Ah."
A soft sigh echoed simultaneously.
Those listening in Blossom Heaven Tower had unwittingly voiced their regret.
'I wanted to hear just a bit more...'
Cheonghwa quickly shook off the thought.
For three days, he had started like this, played exactly one piece, then stopped without lingering.
Soon, she stood.
She approached Cheonhwi closely and took the seven-stringed zither instead, while Honghwa, who had come with her, spoke.
"Young master. Allow me to pour you a drink."
As Cheonghwa tidied the zither, Honghwa swiftly poured wine into an empty cup.
It was quick work.
Over the three days serving him, they had tried many things to build rapport.
Flirting, seduction.
But none worked on him.
If anything, it only widened the distance.
Not that he was ever rude, but his demeanor drew a clear line.
So afterward, they stopped all that and simply served him drinks and food.
That was when it happened.
"Hm?"
The youth suddenly looked up, staring intently at the ceiling before speaking.
"Finally showed up."
"Young master?"
"What do you mean..."
Cheonghwa and Honghwa gave puzzled looks at Cheonhwi's out-of-nowhere words and followed his gaze upward.
At that moment.
Boom!
The ceiling shuddered violently.
A wave rippled from the center, like surging waves.
And then, in an instant.
Kaboom!
The ceiling collapsed.
"Kyaaak!"
"Eek!"
Cheonghwa and Honghwa clutched their heads against the falling debris.
Bracing for the impact.
But strangely, even as time passed, no shock hit their heads.
The two cautiously opened their eyes.
And at the sight before them, their eyes widened round.
Cheonhwi stood in front of them.
Centering on him, wooden fragments swirled around everywhere except where he and they stood.
"Did young master save us?"
"Young master..."
As they realized he had protected them and spoke with moved gazes.
"Over there, huh?"
Cheonhwi ignored their words entirely, staring in another direction as he muttered.
It was the trace of the one who had just fled.
That was when.
"Great hero!"
"What happened?!"
People rushed in from outside.
Juwolhyang and Blossom Heaven Tower's attendants, startled by the sudden noise.
Upon entering the room, they froze, swallowing hard.
The moment they met the gaze of Cheonhwi, who eyed them half-lidded, their minds went blank.
Cheonhwi glanced at the slack-jawed group belatedly, closed and opened his eyes.
In an instant, his piercing gaze vanished.
At the same time, he looked at them casually and said.
"Just catching a rat."
"A rat...?"
Juwolhyang's expression hardened instantly.
"Rat" was a euphemism.
"Wieokyang."
She swiftly called.
"Find out who the rat is."
"Understood."
Wieokyang hurried out, and Juwolhyang approached Cheonhwi, immediately bowing her head.
"My apologies. If we had watched more carefully..."
"No. It's fine."
Cheonhwi waved it off.
"Even if you had been thorough, you wouldn't have caught it anyway."
"..."
Juwolhyang bit her lip.
It stung, but it was true.
No one had noticed anything before the incident, not even on the way here.
Cheonhwi looked down at Juwolhyang's furrowed brow and murmured.
"More importantly, any other rooms available?"
Juwolhyang turned immediately.
"Guide this guest to another room."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Huff, huff!"
Sungwoong bolted out of Blossom Heaven Tower without looking back, running frantically ahead.
He was a martial artist of the Black Ghost Squad.
The Black Ghost Squad had long specialized in assassination missions, excelling at concealing their presence.
He was no exception.
Even an Extreme Realm master would struggle to detect his stealthy movements.
Thus, three days ago, tasked with investigating the mysterious young expert who appeared in Bloodless City, he infiltrated the tower.
He hadn't worried much about the routine mission and had sneaked in with utmost care, yet he was spotted immediately.
'Gotta tell the squad leader quick.'
His heart pounded fiercely.
He had hidden since entering the city, so even if spotted, there was no need to flee like this.
But he hurried anyway.
Because of that chilling gaze he had met in the fleeting moment before escaping.
'A monster!'
Meanwhile, someone was secretly tailing him from a distance.
"Not in the city, but outside?"
A youth in neat martial robes.
Hogwanggae.
"It went as the captain said, but is this really okay?"
He scratched his head, then moved.
His trouser hem fluttered slightly as his figure shot forward in an instant.
Ten Thousand Li Chasing Wind Body Technique.
The Beggar Clan's fastest movement skill unfolded.
"Tch, just follow orders."
Their mission was simple.
Those seeking Cheonhwi's identity amid the attention would appear, so track them and locate their base.
"Hope we find it quick."
How long had he followed?
"Hm?"
Hogwanggae swiftly suppressed his presence.
The fleeing man had stopped.
"A manor out here?"
Hogwanggae's eyes narrowed.
The man who fled Blossom Heaven Tower had entered what looked like an abandoned manor.
Seeing that, his eyes curved slyly.
"Found you."
As he clenched his fists.
"Found what, exactly?"
A chilling voice tickled his back.
"Gasp!"
Startled, Hogwanggae pivoted on his left foot, whipping out a kick.
Spinning Kick.
Whoosh!
Hundred Knots Art's qi surged into his shin and thigh, whipping up a fierce gale.
A strike that would shatter bones for most martial artists.
However.
Thud.
His foot stopped dead midway with a 'thud'.
"What...!"
Panicked, Hogwanggae turned his head.
A dirty hand, caked in grime, gripped his ankle with brute force.
The moment he confirmed it visually.
Swoosh!
Hogwanggae's vision flipped upside down.
No sooner had he felt the immense power from the gripping hand than his whole body was lifted.
"Urk!"
Hanging inverted, Hogwanggae swallowed his shock and craned his neck to look up.
A raggedly dressed man clutched his ankle, glaring down.
Muttering murderous words.
"Who the hell are you?"