Chapter 64
Chapter 64
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Visit to the Nangong Family
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"...So you're saying the Black Arrow Demon was just lying dead on the road?"
"Hard to believe, but yes."
At Hyeonjin's words, the handsome young-looking Seolgeom sitting across from him pressed his throbbing forehead.
>
The mission they had been assigned was to eliminate the demon who had massacred an entire village.
>
But the current situation was strange.
>
The fiend they had thought was just some random demon turned out to be a great demonic head who had once brought a storm of blood to the Nangong Family and An Hui Province.
>
"Was that corpse definitely the Black Arrow Demon?"
>
"No doubt. He had deployed the Blood Qi Art."
>
"...Then it must be."
>
Seolgeom had no choice but to accept it.
>
The Blood Qi Art was unknown in the martial world.
>
Those who knew of it were limited to the Black Arrow Demon himself, the Nangong Family, and a few in the Murim Alliance.
>
"Was there really no one else around?"
>
Hyeonjin nodded up and down.
>
After discovering the Black Arrow Demon's corpse, they had searched Tong Mountain thoroughly, but found no one else besides themselves.
>
"This is quite the tricky situation."
>
Seolgeom spoke with a troubled expression, then picked up his brush. He soon wrote the report in elegant calligraphy on the paper before him.
>
"Killing a great demon like the Black Arrow Demon is good news for our Alliance, but since we don't know who did it..."
>
Whispering to himself, Seolgeom set down his brush with a clack.
>
"You've done well for now."
>
"What will you do about the mission?"
>
"I'll report it as handled by the great hero's efforts."
>
"...But isn't that a lie?"
>
"No choice."
>
Seolgeom spoke with cold eyes.
>
"If I report that some unknown person already took care of it instead of the great hero, what will others think?"
>
"Well..."
>
"Lately, there have been more people wary of the Immortal and Mount Hua Sect, haven't there? Wouldn't it be better to use this as a stepping stone?"
>
Hyeonjin bit his lip.
>
His conscience pricked at the lie, but as Seolgeom said, it was a good opportunity.
>
The fame of defeating a great demon like the Black Arrow Demon was not easily gained.
>
"It will be good for the great hero and Mount Hua. It will add wings to Mount Hua Sect's already soaring reputation."
>
"...Understood."
>
After Hyeonjin left a moment later, Seolgeom, now alone in the room, picked up his brush again and wrote on a new sheet of paper.
>
—High master appeared at Tong Mountain. Need information.
>
After writing the message for the Beggars' Sect Leader, Seolgeom tucked the paper into his sleeve and stood.
>
"The Black Arrow Demon... an unexpected event."
>
Seolgeom tapped the table with his index finger.
>
"I've brought the corpse separately, so should I push a deal with the Nangong Family? If so, it would be best to entrust it to Hyeonjin after this mission."
>
At that very moment, when a new mission directive for Mount Hua Sect was about to be issued by Seolgeom...
>
'I didn't expect to see Blood Cult martial arts.'
>
Having finished his meditation and qi circulation, Cheonhwi recalled the old man who had mastered the Blood Cult's martial arts.
>
'And so brazenly announcing it.'
>
It was absurd enough to make him click his tongue.
>
What kind of place was the Blood Cult?
>
It was a secretive religious group of a small number.
>
Only the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Great Thunderclap Temple, which had been at odds with them for ages, knew of their existence.
>
One might think, 'Then can't I just learn Blood Cult martial arts?' but that would be a huge mistake.
>
It was because of the Great Thunderclap Temple.
>
If Blood Cult martial arts appeared in the world, the Great Thunderclap Temple would move immediately.
>
For some reason, whenever the Blood Cult stirred, those esoteric Buddhists charged like mad dogs.
>
Like long-time enemies.
>
'Thanks to them, it was convenient.'
>
He recalled the mad monks of the Great Thunderclap Temple who had rampaged alongside them when they crushed the Blood Cult that once provoked his Divine Cult.
>
It wasn't for nothing they were called the mysterious esoteric sect; their martial arts were unique.
>
From body-stretching yoga qi arts to martial arts close to demonic arts.
>
Especially, having known of the Blood Cult's martial arts for a long time, they were unaffected by their unique energy.
>
But that's strange.
>
Those guys didn't show up until the one who learned Blood Cult martial arts earned a nickname?
>
It was something they should have stepped in for, knowing he had mastered the Blood Qi Art.
>
Doubts naturally arose.
>
'Or has the Great Thunderclap Temple changed too?'
>
That was somewhat convincing.
>
No matter how long they had been enemies with the Blood Cult, three hundred years had passed since its destruction.
>
It might have been forgotten by now.
>
'Doesn't matter either way.'
>
He put aside his thoughts.
>
What did it matter, Blood Cult or Great Thunderclap Temple.
>
There was no need to worry so much about events in the distant western regions, far from the Central Plains.
>
'I'm no longer the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.'
>
At that moment, the door burst open, and Cheonyu appeared, calling to Cheonhwi sitting on the bed.
>
"Junior brother! A new mission came up. Want to come along?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
>
About an hour later, as they exited the building and reached the courtyard, carriages greeted Cheonhwi.
>
Cheonyu waved his hand vigorously.
>
"Junior brother, over here."
>
Cheonyu, who had run over out of breath, saw Cheonhwi's simple luggage and smiled awkwardly.
>
"I wanted to relax with you and have a drinking contest..."
>
Whispering carefully into his ear, Cheonyu glanced back and added,
>
"We'll do it next time."
>
Then Hyeonjin approached.
>
"What are you doing? Get on quickly."
>
"Yes."
>
Cheonyu nodded and led Cheonhwi to the last carriage.
>
There was already a passenger inside.
>
"Eldest senior brother! Hwi junior brother is here too."
>
Gu Gyeomwi welcomed them with a smile.
>
His massive build, larger than most strong men, made the carriage feel cramped, yet he wore a bright smile.
>
Then the front curtain was lifted.
>
"We're departing now."
>
At the coachman's words, Cheonyu and Cheonhwi sat down. At that instant, a whip crack sounded, the horse neighed, and the carriage set off.
>
"By the way, what's the destination?"
>
Only then did Cheonhwi ask about the situation.
>
Gu Gyeomwi and Cheonyu looked flustered.
>
"Eldest senior brother?"
>
"Didn't I tell you?"
>
Cheonyu, thinking for a moment as if he had forgotten, added,
>
"We're heading to the Nangong Family."
>
"Nangong Family...?"
>
Cheonhwi tilted his head.
>
The Nangong Family was famous.
>
Recognized by all as the leader of the Eight Great Families and a pillar supporting the Bi Tian Society.
>
Their history and prestige were renowned not just in the martial world but throughout the land.
>
And Cheonhwi knew the Nangong Family very well.
>
'In his previous life, it was the Nangong Family that served as the head of the so-called Five Great Families.'
>
Of course, things were different then and now.
>
But the essence was the same.
>
'Their history has deepened even more.'
>
The Nangong Family's history was profound.
>
Over eight hundred years, comparable to Shaolin and Wudang in the martial world.
>
Yet it was puzzling.
>
The current Nangong Family was part of the Bi Tian Society, at odds with the Murim Alliance.
>
And a key pillar of the Eight Great Families at that.
>
"Aren't we on bad terms with the Nangong Family?"
>
"We're delivering the Black Arrow Demon's corpse."
>
Gu Gyeomwi answered the question, and Cheonyu followed up.
>
"There's deep enmity between the Nangong Family and the Black Arrow Demon."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
>
It took a fortnight after leaving the Murim Alliance to arrive at An Hui Province.
>
"Eldest senior brother, we've arrived in An Hui."
>
Gu Gyeomwi pressed his face to the window. He gazed at An Hui's streets with sparkling eyes, full of curiosity.
>
Cheonhwi's gaze also turned to the window.
>
More precisely, to the massive wall and signboard visible even from outside.
>
'Righteous Spirit Reaches the Heavens?'
>
He looked at the boldly inscribed words: Righteous Spirit Reaches the Heavens, Nangong Family.
>
The rough calligraphy held the skill of a considerable master, whoever wrote it.
>
'Hm. Quite impressive. At least peak Heavenly Martial Realm swordsman.'
>
As he felt the fierce intent embedded in the flung strokes...
>
Clang—
>
Hyeonjin opened the carriage door.
>
"Come out."
>
Following his words, they stepped out to find all the Plum Blossom Sword Guards already assembled.
>
"...What business does Mount Hua Sect have visiting our house?"
>
The Nangong Family's gate guard, exuding killing intent and standing rigidly, spoke.
>
"We have something to deliver."
>
"What is it?"
>
He stood tall without flinching, even with the others around.
>
"The Black Arrow Demon's corpse."
>
"...!"
>
The gate guard's eyes widened.
>
With an incredulous face, he looked at Hyeonjin and opened his mouth.
>
"...Are you certain?"
>
Hyeonjin nodded firmly.
>
"Yes."
>
Seeing this, the gate guard furrowed his brow and bowed politely.
>
"Please wait a moment."
>
"Alright."
>
The gate guard immediately went inside.
>
Thus, the group ended up standing blankly before the Nangong Family's grand gate.
>
"...This might take a while."
>
As the Plum Blossom Sword Guards felt awkward...
>
Creeeak—
>
The closed gate opened.
>
"The Family Head grants an audience."
>
The gate guard emerged.
>
"Thank you."
>
As Hyeonjin stepped inside, and the group followed...
>
Step—
>
The gate guard blocked the way.
>
"Only one is permitted by the Family Head."
>
At the gate guard's ironclad words, Hyeonjin asked with a troubled expression.
>
"Can't we all enter together?"
>
"No."
>
"But we need to move the corpse."
>
"We'll provide manpower from our house..."
>
"You intend to keep the guests waiting?"
>
A deep voice came from afar.
>
The owner was an elderly man with a kindly face, sweeping the courtyard with a broom.
>
"Eh, Elder?"
>
The gate guard, seeing the sweeping elder, startled and bowed his head.
>
"Have you been well..."
>
"Enough greetings."
>
With those words, the elder stopped sweeping.
>
Standing with hands behind his back, the elder looked at the Taoist priests standing awkwardly before the gate and spoke.
>
"More importantly, how long do you plan to leave the Taoist gentlemen standing outside?"
>
"...It's the Family Head's order."
>
"The Family Head's order?"
>
Wrinkle formed on the elder's forehead.
>
"Yes."
>
The gate guard's once confident voice shrank like a crawling insect.
>
The elder shook his head slowly.
>
"Let them in."
>
"But if I do..."
>
"I'll take responsibility for this."
>
"Eh, you, Elder?"
>
As the gate guard flinched...
>
"So let them in."
>
"...Understood."
>
The gate guard turned sharply.
>
"Everyone, come in."
>
Cheonhwi glanced at the elder.
>
'Who is he? In a family, the Family Head's authority is near absolute.'
>
He was no ordinary figure.
>
'And his martial prowess is extraordinary.'
>
Then the elder approached.
>
"Sorry for the wait."
>
The elder politely cupped his hands and met eyes with Hyeonjin and each of the Taoists.
>
His gaze was gentle.
>
But Cheonhwi glimpsed the sharp, intense thunder hidden within that gaze.
>
'He's quite strong.'
>
Then the elder stared at Cheonhwi.
>
Gazing longer than at the others, the elder stepped back slightly.
>
"Amitabha."
>
Hyeonjin quietly recited his Buddhist title.
>
"Thank you."
>
The retreating elder smiled wordlessly.
>
A fleeting smile like an illusion.
>
A moment later, as the elder walked away with hands behind his back, the gate guard watched with a complicated expression before turning.
>
"Follow me."
