Chapter 247
Chapter 247
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Breaking the White Sword (3)
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Nang couldn't hold back his shock at the successive reports flooding in.
"Ch-Chief, the White Sword too, after the Heavenly Sword?"
"The White Sword isn't the issue. The Dark Lord has declared war on the Net Sect!"
"On those bastards!"
Fujian Province was already in chaos, like a hornet's nest stirred up.
The sword lords were all experts sworn to absolute loyalty to the Four Armies.
Each one was formidable in skill, but more than that, they were untouchable under the protection of the Twin Dragon Sect.
And now, a direct declaration of war against them.
The Hao Gate branch members were naturally in an uproar.
"Dark Lord! What the hell is that guy doing!"
"Even if he's from headquarters, he's crossed the line!"
"What does he plan to do, incurring the Twin Dragons' wrath in Fujian?"
"Not only the branch, but everything we've built up until now will crumble."
In the midst of the pandemonium, even Nang struggled to regain his composure. It was all too unexpected.
The first to snap out of it was the deputy branch master, the one-armed elder.
"Branch Master. Shouldn't we warn the Dark Lord right now?"
"……."
A disciple listening from the side raised an objection.
"Old Master. Stopping the Dark Lord won't solve this."
"Is there another way?"
"If we distance ourselves and claim no involvement in this incident…."
"You're saying we abandon a distinguished guest sent from headquarters to die?"
"……."
"And if the Dark Lord dies, do you think they'll stop there? We're in the same boat."
As the room fell silent, the one-armed elder shouted toward Branch Master Nang.
"Branch Master. I'll go meet the Dark Lord."
"…Meeting him now might just give them leverage against us."
"From what I've observed, the Dark Lord doesn't strike me as someone who acts without thought. There must be a reason. We need to find out and respond accordingly."
"…That would be ideal, but…."
"We're on the brink of disaster. If the Dark Lord falls like this, their rage won't stop with us—it'll spill over to innocents."
The Twin Dragon Sect had a history of venting on hapless commoners whenever unrest stirred.
They wouldn't end it mildly upon learning of the challenge.
"Our priority is to keep this from escalating further."
The branch had spent decades preparing to defy the Twin Dragons' reign.
They couldn't let it all go to waste now.
"Very well. I entrust the Dark Lord to you…."
Nang, having made up his mind, turned to the assembly to declare his intent—
"Branch Master! Disaster! The Dark Lord has gone to the Net Sect himself!"
'It's over.'
Hope vanished from everyone's eyes.
At that moment.
Chu Un-hwi was in a Hao Gate hideout not far from the Net Sect.
"Feeling alive now?"
Regaining his senses, Yahul Cheok stared in bewilderment.
"You waited for me?"
"Of course. Couldn't leave behind the man who vowed revenge together."
"…I appreciate it, but."
As he rose, Yahul Cheok seemed startled by the energy surging through his body. His usually stoic face twisted in surprise.
"What did you feed me?"
"Great Replenishing Pill."
"Great Replenishing Pill?"
"Perfect for recovery, right?"
"The one I know?"
"If you mean the elixir made by Shaolin monks, yes."
"…Really?"
"Real deal. I gave it to you myself."
"That was a scare."
Even as Dan Ya shot out from the shadows, Yahul Cheok grumbled without changing expression.
"The power surging through me is even greater than before. Can't deny it."
Struggling to adapt to the overwhelming strength, he flexed several times before gruffly asking.
"What do you want from me? Feeding me something as precious as a Great Replenishing Pill—starting to worry now."
"Haha."
At the rare display of emotion—uncommon even across his past and present lives—Chu Un-hwi chuckled softly.
"I told you. Need someone to lead the sect when I found one."
"That insane talk of a two-man sect was serious?"
Meeting his steady gaze, Yahul Cheok muttered.
"…It was."
"You know this place well, so you know its problems."
"Fujian's people are crushed by fear. Trapped under the Twin Dragons' system and their laws, they live in muffled agony."
"I know that pain too."
"They cry only when it's safe, with no promise of tomorrow, so they submit without dreaming of the future. My benefactor was the same."
"Tie an elephant to a stake as a calf, and even grown with immense strength, it won't pull free. It limits itself to the radius the rope allows."
"Why the sudden elephant story…."
"My job is to pull out the stake."
"?"
And yours is—
"To tell them they can advance freely."
"!"
"Shackles belong on the necks of beasts that harm people, not the ankles of tame elephants."
With a flutter.
Black robes billowing, he pushed up his bamboo hat and added.
"Time to teach those fools who don't know."
"Dark Lord, huh…."
The Net Sect leader scoffed at the report.
He'd been quite startled at first.
The prowess on display before the crowds ranked him among the strong in the jianghu.
But subsequent news eased his mind.
"Declaring war on the main sect? Arrogant fool relying on meager martial arts."
With time on his side, victory was assured.
"One hand can't fend off many."
Surveying the thousand-plus disciples arrayed in the training grounds, he smiled.
Enough to wipe out a mid-sized sect in an hour.
And that wasn't all.
"Heavenly Sword leads a hundred. White Sword's master has five."
Glancing at the grim-faced group nearby, he was pleased.
Even mocked and scorned by the White Swords, they sent elites when needed.
"Costs a bit, though. Damn. How to recoup."
With worries of the Dark Lord gone, next came the tribute owed for the Dragon's aid.
"Heavy expenditure. But compared to future gains…."
As he pondered plans, a guarding disciple rushed in.
"Sect Leader! It's the Dark Lord! He's heading here!"
"Alone?"
"Two of them. No others in sight."
"Slippery bastard. No word of hideouts."
Tsking thoughtfully.
'Heard shady folks scheming lately. Must have allies now.'
"Time to clean house all at once."
Turning to his side, the White Swords receiving his gaze rattled their scabbards.
"Thanks to Sect Leader, time to flex some muscle."
"White Sword tasting blood again—delightful."
Amid their battle lust, an elder with hands in sleeves smiled faintly.
"Don't worry, Sect Leader. He's a dead man today."
The leader laughed at the confident reply.
Fujian's Sole Calamity, Ah Jin-geol.
The White Swords were all peak experts, but this elder was a legend from the previous generation.
'Ranked in the top thirty, no less.'
Among Fujian's famed White Blades elites, he was top-tier.
"I trust Great Master Ah."
Greatly relieved, the Net Sect leader bellowed.
"Open the gates! Welcome the guest properly—hospitality on his final road!"
Hahahaha.
Laughter echoed.
Beyond the wide-open gates, two shadows loomed.
Fujian's Sole Calamity, Ah Jin-geol.
He recalled the recent order from the Dragon.
- Kill the Dark Lord.
He knew the name buzzing in the city, but a direct command puzzled him.
- Tied to the Hao Gate branch.
That explained it.
'Time to tidy up.'
Though reduced to scraps, the Hao Gate's backing was unsettling.
If the Dragon moved, it meant a chance for total purge.
'Needs some fresh air too.'
The Twin Dragons' rule seemed harsh even to him. Rebellious groups popped up occasionally, quelled with pretexts.
This was no different.
Just using Hao Gate to root out subversives.
'Chance for merit too.'
Especially after days without bloodshed; he was bored.
Snapping from reverie, he eyed the two entering the main gate.
One odd figure in black bamboo hat, a gaunt man beside.
'That the Dark Lord?'
Unlike tales of boldness and prowess, the appearance disappointed.
'Not as impressive as rumored.'
No standout aura.
'Perhaps Return to Simplicity?'
Return to Simplicity (返璞歸眞).
The realm where ultimate mastery appears mundane.
'Hah. Unlikely.'
Return to Simplicity was rare even in Transcendent Human or Divine Myth realms.
To his knowledge, only Murim Alliance Leader Yi Jun-ho or Iron Chain Lord Cheol Mu-hun.
'Maybe a unique art concealing aura.'
Impressive either way.
Such concealing techniques were rare and tricky in combat, evading senses.
As he gauged, the Net Sect leader on the platform slapped his armrest and rose.
"Are you the Dark Lord?"
The advancing man halted.
"Yes."
"Short on words. They say you don't know Fujian's customs."
"Never been one for laws and rules."
Even surrounded by hundreds, his demeanor was relaxed.
'Has something to rely on.'
Ah Jin-geol's hand on his White Sword trembled faintly.
Thrill of a worthy foe stirred killing intent.
"Also, I'll need your cooperation for what comes next."
"Cooperation? You said cooperation?"
"Yes. In exchange for hospitality, a fine offer."
Pushing up his hat benevolently, the Dark Lord spoke.
"I plan to found a sect."
"Found a sect? Dark Lord, even a master—do you think Fujian has followers for you?"
"No worries. Planning a two-man sect."
"Ha. A two-man sect. How's that a sect?"
Hahahaha. Hahaha.
Kekekeke. Kekeke.
Sneers erupted among the stern ranks.
The leader, smirking, guffawed.
"A sect, a martial lineage—isn't opened by arts alone. Needs full granaries, many disciples, recognition from others. Power too."
"I think differently."
"A nothing two-man sect. Guffaw. Quite the prankster, unlike your looks."
His face hardened mid-laugh, roaring.
"Enough games, Dark Lord. Want a painless death? Speak one thing."
"What do you want to know?"
"About the Hao Gate branch. Then I'll make it quick."
"What nonsense."
"Tsk tsk. Heard your answer well. Countless Hao Gate scum disrupting Fujian? Good excuse."
"Didn't even plan to listen."
"Heh. Just needed pretext. Thanks—you've given reason to squeeze them awhile."
"……."
Shring.
Instead of reply, the Dark Lord tilted his vermilion scabbard and gripped the hilt.
Then declared.
"My sect's foundation shall be corpses, its pillar named fear."
Sect's foundation and pillar.
"Take it well."
Flash.
At the blinding vermilion blade, watching Ah Jin-geol thundered.
"Dodge!"
Boom---!
Encircling Net Sect disciples were swept by the sword light, flung aside.