Chapter 243
Chapter 243
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: To Fujian Province (3)
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“Why didn't you reveal the truth? If they knew that my lord slew the Brutal Death Troops, they surely would have cooperated.”
Myo Gwang wore an expression of utter incomprehension.
It was certainly as he said.
'If I'd shown even a fraction of my power, gaining their cooperation would have been easy.'
But he had no desire to do so.
It wasn't just the problem of their eyes, soaked in disappointment and defeat.
“Do you think those gnawed by defeat have forgotten their passion?”
“What do you mean...?”
“Your questions will unravel naturally once you crush the worms.”
In any case, they were now in a situation where they had rejected the Hao Sect's aid.
Tedious as it was, he needed to grasp the situation in Fujian Province himself.
“Myo Gwang, investigate Il-sang, I-ryong, and the Death Net Sect alongside the assassins.”
“Understood.”
“Dan-ya, you need to find someone for me.”
Dan-ya's bandages sagged limply, clearly showing his disappointment.
“What, some boring errand?”
“It won't be boring.”
Chu Un-hwi's lips twitched as he declared it firmly.
“Isn't it about time you shed the 'little brother' label?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The one you're to find is the new Shadow Soul Black Wind Killer.”
Tremble.
The bandages wriggling on the floor all stood upright at once.
Setting out alone, Chu Un-hwi wandered through Fujian Province, exploring every corner.
“Something's definitely off.”
Chu Un-hwi muttered to himself.
“Argh! Boss! How can you do this?”
“Why? Where's the boss!”
In broad daylight, ruffians strutted through the market streets everywhere.
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
“Guh! Keheuk!”
“Heh heh. This punk's pissing himself.”
“Why didn't you pay the tribute and make us look like the bad guys?”
In the back alleys, merciless beatings continued unabated.
“Even unorthodox sects follow the law of the jungle, but this is excessive.”
This was land ruled by unorthodox powers, but it was still a world where people lived.
One could overlook clashes between martial artists, but it was rare for them to unleash indiscriminate violence on ordinary folk.
The same held true around Lake Dongting.
Numerous sects kept each other in check, locked in tense standoffs, yet those ignorant of martial arts lived their lives undisturbed.
“In contrast, this place seems to disregard the laws of the world entirely.”
As he assessed the situation, one question led to another.
“How does this system persist?”
Righteous sects refrained from oppressive tactics not out of benevolence.
Excessive tyranny could tarnish their reputation, or provoke enemy factions, making it hard to sustain the sect.
Yet strangely, the people of Fujian Province didn't seem overtly hostile toward the Twin Dragon Sect.
'They even appear somewhat favorable.'
Intrigued, Chu Un-hwi continued roaming Fujian Province.
From the port village by the sea to the Twin Dragon Sect nestled against the mountains.
Only after a full day of observation could he roughly piece together the picture.
“Clever. They've schemed shrewdly.”
The third-rate warriors rampaging in the city belonged to various small gangs and nameless groups.
'Is the Death Net Sect manipulating these third-rate gangs from the shadows?'
The western groups were under Verdant Net Sect, the eastern under White Net Sect, and the north and south divided between Yellow Net Sect and Purple Net Sect.
“Blood Dragon Sect and Shadow Dragon Sect hold the leashes of these four serpent beasts.”
They avoided direct involvement and thus public resentment, while occasionally pitting Shadow Dragon and Blood Dragon against each other to curb their growth.
Sometimes, they crushed minor unorthodox gangs to flaunt their power.
- Perfect hierarchy of violence.
That was how the Twin Dragon Sect ruled Fujian Province.
“No wonder the Hao Sect balked.”
In Fujian Province, the Twin Dragon Sect wasn't merely a martial sect; they were kings manipulating great and small affairs from the shadows.
“Kings reigning over a fabricated world? The old worm's put in quite the effort.”
Muttering to himself, Chu Un-hwi headed to his next destination.
The next stop was the shopping district on the outskirts of Fujian Province.
Recalling the way from memory, Chu Un-hwi wandered uncertainly before coming to a halt.
“It was around here, I think.”
Finding the place wasn't easy.
'Guess I'll check elsewhere.'
As he turned to leave, a familiar voice came from the side of the alley.
“What brings you here?”
It was the one-armed old man.
He blinked in surprise, standing there frozen.
A glance at his burden revealed rare white charcoal packed in a bamboo tube.
“You handled iron once?”
“In my day. Now I just run these errands.”
Unlike his frantic pleas days ago to spare the branch from harm, he now blended into daily life at the Hao Sect branch with a simple demeanor.
As he adjusted his load, he asked,
“This is where failed iron smithies gather. I wouldn't think someone with discerning eyes like yours would find anything here.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
The one-armed elder groaned and bowed his head at the vague reply.
“Sorry about before.”
“Forget it. Water under the bridge.”
“You have no idea how grateful I am that you backed off quietly. Defying a high-up from headquarters like the uproarious branch leader would have cost lives.”
“Is that so?”
His tone softening further, the elder continued.
“It's hardly proper repayment, but if you're looking for something, I can help. I've lived here my whole life. I can be a fine guide for a first-timer.”
At the subtle offer, Chu Un-hwi replied,
“I hear Fujian Province has fine silverwork.”
“Silver ornaments?”
“Yeah. Know any skilled silversmiths?”
“A gift for a lady?”
The elder clicked his tongue as Chu Un-hwi nodded.
“Tsk tsk. Martial experts live well. Pink romance even in these times.”
It wasn't mocking.
He turned as if to lead the way to a good spot, but Chu Un-hwi called him back.
“One more thing. Can I get a sword?”
“A sword... you say?”
The elder's body tensed slightly.
When Chu Un-hwi unfastened and offered his side sword, the fear finally faded from the elder's face.
“What kind of abuse turns a sword into this?”
As the elder pointed out, the sword's state was beyond a joke.
“Blade's half-broken, guard's smashed flat. Did you throw it in a forge? This is way past overuse.”
“You know your stuff.”
The elder held the sword horizontally before his cloudy eyes.
Though blurred, his sharp gaze scanned the blade's marks, and his expression changed.
“You're more of an expert than I thought.”
“Why's that?”
“Hardly any clash marks. Unless you slice through flesh and bone in one stroke...”
“......”
Click. Sheathing the sword with a sigh, the elder said,
“I know a few sword forges, but they might not meet your standards.”
“As long as it's sturdy.”
“A master doesn't discriminate brushes? Fitting for a true artisan.”
“Nah.”
Chu Un-hwi quipped back in jest.
“Masters don't discriminate brushes, but every master I know has a fine one. I just lack the coin.”
“Heh heh. Follow me.”
The place the elder led him to was a shop with a rather lavish exterior.
“Elder!”
A cheerful voice called from inside, and a boy came running out.
“The sun must be rising in the west today. What brings you here?”
He was right between boy and youth, about sixteen.
His lively face scanned the one-armed elder up and down repeatedly.
“Kid I taught ironwork to once. Now he makes silver ornaments.”
They seemed quite close, as expected.
“What brings you today?”
“Well, you see...”
As the elder began, a grumpy voice echoed from within.
“Hmph. Come here, Yong-ah.”
The boy, who had glanced back and forth, timidly retreated, and a burly man in work clothes appeared.
“What brings old man Ga here?”
The tone was openly displeased, but the elder replied nonchalantly.
“Not here on my own business. Just brought a customer.”
“Customer?”
The eyes that had ignored the elder moments ago lit up brightly.
Glancing sidelong at the elder stepping back, Chu Un-hwi asked,
“I'd like a silver hairpin.”
He hadn't given even small gifts in his past life. He wouldn't repeat that in this one.
“Silver hairpin? My silversmithy has plenty. Any particular style you prefer?”
“Style... Of course.”
Impressively, he always asked courtesans what trinkets they wanted.
He knew their tastes well enough.
- I like things that fit neatly in one hand over flashy ones.
“Not too flashy...”
- Easy to stab into the heart on a whim.
“...Hold on.”
- I like butterfly accessories too.
“With butterfly decorations...”
- Poison darts? Sichuan Dang's hidden weapons were killer. Oh, those Heavenly Net bastards.
“......”
- At least coat the tip with poison. Something like Formless Toxin.
Staring into space briefly, Chu Un-hwi answered.
“Can you show me what you have first?”
After examining hundreds of hairpins, Chu Un-hwi finally made his discerning choice.
“This one.”
“What keen eyesight!”
The silversmithy owner fawned, but it wasn't particularly expensive.
'Picked one sturdy enough to use as a weapon.'
Just right for coating in poison and plunging into a heart if needed.
Nor was it plain; aside from the hand-fitting grip, the intricate relief carving was quite beautiful.
'Not perfect, but she wouldn't like anything too pricey anyway.'
As he took the silk-wrapped pouch, the one-armed elder chuckled beside him.
“Heh heh. That girl will love it. She prefers neat things despite appearances.”
“That girl...?”
“Even a brothel lady can have simple tastes, no?”
His hand froze mid-pocket as he stowed the hairpin.
Swish swish.
Calmly tucking it deep into his bosom, Chu Un-hwi turned to the shopkeeper.
“Show me other accessories too.”
Looks like he'd buy a bit more.
Unlike procuring silverwork, finding a sword proved difficult.
“Sword... you say?”
The owner expressed reluctance and answered straightforwardly.
“This is the best I can offer.”
He examined the proffered swords, but they were all shoddy, utterly unusable.
'Worse than the mass-produced ones from the academy?'
Sensing his dissatisfaction, the owner bowed deeply.
“My apologies. This is all I have.”
“It's fine. I'll look elsewhere.”
He was content with the silver accessories he'd bought.
As he turned to leave, the one-armed elder, who had been chatting with the boy, followed.
Behind him, the boy's voice rang out.
“Grandpa, I could help too, you know.”
“Forget the Hao Sect.”
“Come on, kid. Lots of work here.”
The elder shook his head as the boy was dragged inside by the ear.
'Something's there.'
Seemed like quite the backstory.