Chapter 79
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Dang So-hye (2)
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Three days passed.
Cheon Muryang found himself face to face with the Sword King, who had arrived unexpectedly.
“Greetings, Sword King.”
“Namgung Sang-hyeok has disappeared.”
“…”
It was as he had expected.
The Sword King must have expected it as well.
There was nothing surprising about it.
However, the Sword King's next words went beyond his expectations.
“Namgung Seo-hui has also disappeared.”
“…Damn.”
“I've come to ask you for a favor.”
It was obvious what that would be.
Cheon Muryang waited for the Sword King to continue.
“Seo-hui… I'm entrusting her to you.”
“And what about you, Sword King?”
“I intend to leave the family for a while.”
“I see. I understand.”
The Sword King supported Namgung Seo-hui.
But that was the most he could do for her.
He couldn't intervene any further.
It would split the family in two.
That was why the Sword King couldn't return to the Namgung Family.
“I'm placing a great burden on you.”
“Not at all.”
*Pfft.*
Cheon Muryang chuckled.
“You've already asked me once before.”
The first time they met.
Even then, the Sword King had entrusted Namgung Seo-hui to Cheon Muryang.
“And I've already been compensated.”
That day, Namgung San had shown him his sword as a reward.
Having already received something, how could he refuse?
“Think of it as a transaction.”
“A transaction…”
The Sword King let out a small laugh.
“A good transaction indeed.”
“Yes, it is. So, don't worry. As you know, she is strong.”
“…”
Namgung San fell silent.
He was once again impressed by Cheon Muryang, who could have easily demanded something more from him but chose not to.
“I learn much from you.”
“It's an honor.”
“Child of the Cheon Family.”
“Yes.”
“Let's meet again someday.”
The Sword King rose from his seat.
In response, Cheon Muryang also stood up.
“Are you leaving?”
“Yes. I plan to wander the world for a while.”
“In that case, you must visit West Lake.”
“West Lake? Would it be much different from this lake?”
“Yes. I'm sure you'll be quite pleased if you see West Lake as it is now.”
“…”
Seeing Cheon Muryang's confidence, Namgung San nodded.
He hadn't decided on a destination anyway, so going to West Lake didn't seem like a bad idea.
“Very well. I shall remember that.”
“Then, travel safely.”
“I'm counting on you for Seo-hui.”
“Yes.”
And so, the Sword King departed.
The Wandering King, who had exchanged a nod with the Sword King as he left the pavilion, sidled up to him.
“Planning on becoming a nanny?”
The Wandering King's sarcastic remark.
He was mocking Cheon Muryang for not seizing the opportunity to gain something.
Cheon Muryang retorted as if asking what he was talking about.
“A debt from the Sword King.”
“What?”
Though he had called it a transaction, the Sword King would likely see it as a debt.
“In the Namgung Family, what could be better than having the Sword King in your debt?”
“Hmm…”
It was a strangely valid point, and the Wandering King couldn't bring himself to argue.
“Well then, let's get moving.”
“Right. Let's.”
The Wandering King was already grinning wickedly at the thought of tormenting the others, who were probably exhausted and passed out by now.
“By the way, where could she have gone?”
Cheon Muryang needed information.
Just then, someone who dealt in such information entered the pavilion.
“Speak of the devil.”
“Didn't the Sword King just come and go?”
It was the Successor Beggar.
His timing was perfect.
“Yes. You've come at a good time.”
“Don't tell me Young Lady Namgung Seo-hui has disappeared or something?”
It seemed the Successor Beggar had already grasped the entire situation.
“Just tell me what you know.”
“Hehehe. Well, well, it seems I came at the right time.”
“Hurry up. We don't have time.”
“Ah, yes.”
The Successor Beggar's story began with a member of the Beggars' Sect who, while relieving himself at dawn, happened to witness Namgung Seo-hui leaving the lake.
“Hmm.”
“So, as a result of our own investigation…”
The Successor Beggar paused for dramatic effect.
Just as Cheon Muryang was about to get angry.
*Fwip!*
The Successor Beggar unfurled a map of Hefei that he had prepared from somewhere.
Then, he pointed to a spot.
“Mount Han.”
“…”
A place not too far from here.
A mountain near the lake.
“It's here.”
“Hmm… Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
The Successor Beggar's expression darkened.
“Because everyone we sent to other places returned… but those who went to Mount Han did not.”
*Swoosh…*
The air grew heavy.
Beneath his cheerful smile.
The Successor Beggar had been suppressing his rage.
“I see.”
“Will you be getting involved?”
“Of course.”
“Then, please go to Mount Han.”
“Aren't you coming with us?”
“They're pulling some strings behind the scenes.”
Cheon Muryang shrugged.
He knew nothing about the covert operations unfolding in the shadows.
“So, I must ask this of you.”
“Ah, of course.”
“According to our intelligence… there are also signs that the Tang Clan has made a move.”
“That's to be expected.”
“Please be careful.”
“The ones who need to be careful aren't me, but those bastards from the Tang Clan.”
Who would know?
That by cutting down the Tang Clan's poison, he had already achieved immunity to all venoms.
“When will you depart?”
“Right now.”
Someone came down from the stairs.
Led by the Wandering King, Neung Ryeoun, Cha Myeonghak, and Woryeong appeared.
“…!”
They were still yawning as if not fully awake, but a strange light entered the Successor Beggar's eyes as he faced them.
“A-astonishing.”
He had certainly seen them a few days ago, but they had become incomparably stronger since then.
Their very auras were different.
“I suppose this is what they mean when they say to look at someone with new eyes.”
“Well, they still have a long way to go.”
“How far are you looking?”
“The best in the world.”
“…!”
“They're meant to lead the martial forces of the world's greatest family, so of course they have a long way to go.”
The Successor Beggar smiled.
“I see.”
“The Taoist from Wudang, Cheongjin, was it?”
“Yes. Master Cheongjin.”
“Has he left?”
“Yes. He left with a very satisfied smile.”
“I see.”
“He said he hopes to see you again someday.”
“Ah, me too.”
Cheon Muryang rose from his seat.
Every moment was precious.
There was no time to waste.
“See you later.”
“Yes, Young Lord Cheon.”
The Successor Beggar gave a small bow.
Seen off by him, Cheon Muryang left the pavilion and briefly explained the situation to those standing behind him.
“So it would be best to be fully prepared.”
However, no one wavered.
From the start of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly until its end, and through the three days that followed, they had experienced countless real battles.
On top of that, they had endured the Wandering King's harsh training every day.
“We will never hold you back, my lord.”
“Don't worry, Young Lord. My body is itching for a fight.”
They were actually eager to fight.
It felt as if fighting had become a part of their lives.
“That's a relief.”
The fighting spirit emanating from the three of them resembled that of the Wandering King.
Cheon Muryang nodded and headed for Mount Han, the place the Successor Beggar had mentioned.
“…”
Fortunately, it wasn't too far.
However, as Cheon Muryang approached the place called Mount Han, he felt a strange sense of unease.
The aftermath of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly lingered, and the main road was still crowded, yet not a single person was heading towards Mount Han.
“It seems they've set something up.”
“Looks like it.”
It seemed a formation had been cast.
Without conscious effort, the existence of Mount Han appeared hazy.
“Let's go.”
They must already know that we would come here.
There was no need to delay, was there?
With Cheon Muryang in the lead, they began to ascend the entrance of Mount Han.
“They've certainly prepared quite a bit.”
It was an isolation formation.
Past a certain point, it was as if a different space had unfolded.
“Should I say their execution is impressive?”
Cheon Muryang was genuinely impressed by their preparedness, having set all this up in such a short time.
Even though they were enemies, he believed in learning from what was worth learning.
*Clang, claaang!*
The sound of clashing weapons rang out.
It seemed to be Namgung Seo-hui.
“Looks like it's over there.”
The Wandering King surged ahead.
Hearing the clash of steel seemed to have fired him up.
It was likely because the Wandering King hadn't been able to move his body for the past few days.
“Something's strange.”
However, Cheon Muryang was suspicious.
His suspicion was singular.
‘I can't sense anyone's presence.’
He didn't think Namgung Seo-hui was at the source of the clashing sounds.
‘It's a deception.’
The moment he thought that.
“Huh?”
It was then.
That the Wandering King, who was ahead, stopped in his tracks.
*Thump!*
This was because the ground had caved in without any external force.
“…?”
The ground, sunken up to his ankles.
As if on cue, the ground began to crack.
*Crack, craaack!*
Gray smoke rose from the fissures in the earth.
“Don't tell me…”
The smell was gunpowder.
In other words, beneath that cracking ground lay enough explosives to blow the entire area away.
*Ruuuumble!*
The starting point was where the Wandering King had stepped.
The ground trembled violently, as if an earthquake had struck.
“Damn it!”
So, the Wandering King hastily tried to get away.
*Thwip!*
But a hand shot out from the ground and grabbed him.
The same pattern as last time.
“These, these bastards, again?”
The Wandering King cursed and swung his greatsword.
*Swish!*
He sliced off the hand gripping his ankle, but the ground was already collapsing.
There was no foothold anywhere to push off from.
“Dammit.”
The pit was so deep that as he fell, the Wandering King's eyes met Cheon Muryang's.
In response, Cheon Muryang called out to the falling Wandering King as if to say, "don't worry."
“Let's survive on our own.”
“You rotten bastard.”
With a curse, the Wandering King fell into the seemingly bottomless abyss.
“I'd better hurry.”
It would be fortunate if Namgung Seo-hui had held out until now, but there was also a chance she hadn't.
But there was no time to think.
Because Cheon Muryang could feel an explosion under his own feet.
“Tsk.”
*Kra-ka-ka-boom!*
The earth collapsed.
A bottomless pit appeared.
This must be the core of the formation.
Their scheme was clear.
‘It's obvious.’
Separate and destroy.
A trap designed for the Wandering King.
‘And they want me to fall as well?’
So, he pondered.
‘Should I retreat for now?’
Just as he was contemplating.
He heard shouts calling out to him.
“My lord!”
“Ah.”
The gazes directed at him.
It seemed he had momentarily forgotten that he was not Nameless, the shadow, but Cheon Muryang, the Great Young Lord of the Cheon Family, who had to lead them from the front.
‘Since when did I start hesitating?’
A trap could simply be broken.
He would move just as they wanted.
He had to find Namgung Seo-hui anyway, and to do that, they had to split up.
“We'll split up and find her.”
“Understood.”
“You three search the mountain.”
“Yes.”
“What about you, Young Lord?”
“I'm going down.”
“…”
That bottomless pit.
If there was some scheme, it was highly likely to be down there.
They wanted to stop him, but the urgent situation didn't allow for such leisure.
*Kra-ka-ka-boom!*
A series of explosions.
Cheon Muryang's group scattered in different directions at once.
“Well then, shall we?”
Cheon Muryang was left alone.
After briefly gazing into the mouth of the abyss surging up from below, Cheon Muryang headed down into it.
*Whoosh.*
An unfamiliar space.
“A formation, as expected.”
He couldn't help but be surprised again by their capability to secretly set up a formation of this scale.
“Whether it's the Namgung Family, the Tang Clan, or the Demonic Cult.”
Cheon Muryang walked silently through the formation that was still trying to deceive his senses.
‘Where are you?’
Beneath the darkness.
Cheon Muryang's calm eyes pierced through the formation, seeing what lay beyond.