99
Chapter 99
The Cloud Bridge of the Cheonryu Merchant Group
The leader of the merchant group and his twelve children walked in a line, heading to the banquet at the watchtower.
Crash!
A loud noise shattered the tranquil atmosphere of the pond, drawing everyone’s attention.
The Sect Leader of the Extreme Heaven Sect had fallen from the watchtower.
The sight of him flipping midair and landing on a rock in the pond was clearly visible to the merchant group leader and his children.
Whoosh!
A fierce wind swept through the area, causing the merchant leader’s robes to flutter violently.
"Behold. This is the gap between you and me."
Hearing Mu Hwi’s voice from across the pond, the merchant leader burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
He turned to his eldest son, who stood frozen in shock.
"It seems the outcome you wanted didn’t come to pass."
"Father..."
The merchant leader wore a calm smile, but his eyes were cold.
"I did find it strange that you suddenly had urgent business to report, delaying me."
Originally, the merchant leader had planned to host a banquet with his children and their sponsored guests together.
But due to his eldest son’s sudden report, only the sponsored guests had attended the banquet first.
"I let it slide because I knew. After all, the consequences of your actions are yours alone to bear. But it seems the losses were far greater than you expected."
The merchant leader never interfered with his children’s methods—he only made sure they took responsibility for their own schemes.
"I apologize, Father."
"No need. I suffered no losses. Even if I had, you would have resolved them."
His voice dry and indifferent, the merchant leader resumed walking.
"Damn it..."
Watching his father’s retreating back, the eldest son clenched his trembling fists.
The eldest son’s plan to suppress Im Su-ryeon and the Extreme Heaven Sect Leader’s scheme to target Mu Hwi had aligned, leading to today’s events—but the result was unexpected.
‘No matter how much… He’s a rising star lately, but a Sect Leader of the Seven Evil Heavens? To be humiliated like this—was he careless?’
Furious, the eldest son glared at his third sister, Im Su-ryeon. She ignored him and followed the merchant leader.
‘As expected of Mu Hwi.’
At the Heavenly Martial Competition, he had single-handedly blocked the fifth son’s interference, and now he had crushed the eldest son’s scheme head-on.
Of course, Mu Hwi didn’t know the details—he had simply dealt with the opponent in front of him. But that was only possible because of his overwhelming strength.
Thanks to the eldest son’s blunder and Mu Hwi’s intervention, Im Su-ryeon could feel her standing rising.
This banquet was not just a gathering—it was also a test where the merchant leader would evaluate the guests his children had sponsored.
"Ah, with so many heroes gathered, the atmosphere is already heating up."
As the merchant leader appeared at the banquet, the guests rose from their seats.
He greeted each of them with a cupped fist.
"As you’ve all heard, urgent business delayed our meeting. My apologies to all the esteemed guests."
The eldest son stepped forward, as if trying to mitigate the fallout of his failed scheme, and bowed to the gathered guests.
Since the chief steward had already apologized on behalf of the merchant group, the guests simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Meanwhile, the Sect Leader of the Extreme Heaven Sect leaped back onto the watchtower.
[Today’s humiliation will be repaid tenfold.]
Ignoring the Sect Leader’s whispered threat, Mu Hwi casually stroked the hilt of his Plum Blossom Sword.
[If we’d met elsewhere, your head would already be rolling. Know your place.]
"What?!"
Mu Hwi’s mocking reply twisted the Sect Leader’s already contorted expression further.
"Sect Leader, please calm down."
The eldest son hurriedly whispered to him, and the Sect Leader let out a long sigh.
‘Fine. Let’s see whose head rolls when we meet elsewhere.’
Glaring at Mu Hwi with murderous eyes, the Sect Leader finally took his seat beside Im Su-ryeon.
Once everyone was seated, the merchant leader raised his wine cup.
"Given the diverse backgrounds of those gathered here, it seems there have been some minor clashes."
His gaze shifted between Mu Hwi and the Sect Leader.
"But in business, there is no distinction between orthodox and unorthodox—only the path of commerce. I hope you can set aside your differences and enjoy this gathering."
As the merchant leader drank, the others followed suit.
‘As expected…’
‘Who will he show interest in first?’
The children pretended not to care, but they were all watching their father’s reactions closely.
The first guest he spoke to would determine their standing in his evaluation.
"Hoho. How’s the food? Our chef is the best in Henan when it comes to stewed noodles."
Mu Hwi nodded in approval after tasting the stewed noodles.
The rich white broth, made with pork and mutton, was filled with wide noodles and generous portions of vegetables—refreshing yet deeply flavorful.
It was the kind of taste that could soothe even the urge to beat up the annoying Sect Leader from earlier.
"Does it suit your taste?"
"Indeed. It’s another testament to the Cheonryu Merchant Group’s prowess."
Im Su-ryeon’s question was met with a satisfied nod from Mu Hwi.
He had tried the stewed noodles at many inns since arriving in Henan, but none matched this level of quality.
The merchant leader’s claim of being the best in Henan seemed justified.
Noticing their quiet conversation, the merchant leader suddenly addressed Mu Hwi.
"Young Hero Mu Hwi. Lately, tales of the Hwasan Sword Devil have reached my ears daily. It’s an honor to meet you in person."
The other children’s expressions soured slightly, while Im Su-ryeon calmly set down her chopsticks.
"I’ve merely been fortunate to ride the winds of opportunity. I appreciate your kind words."
Mu Hwi’s lighthearted response made the merchant leader smile.
Unlike typical rising stars who feigned excessive humility, Mu Hwi’s composed acknowledgment was more to his liking.
The merchant leader glanced between Mu Hwi and Im Su-ryeon before asking casually,
"The Hwasan Sect isn’t bound by worldly affairs, is it? Do you have any thoughts on marriage, Young Hero?"
Im Su-ryeon’s eyelashes trembled slightly—she knew exactly what her father was implying.
Unlike her subtle reaction, Mu Hwi remained unfazed.
"I haven’t given it much thought. I’ve been too busy with other matters."
"Haha. Of course—achieving such fame in the martial arts world requires relentless effort."
The merchant leader glanced at Im Su-ryeon, who was quietly lowering her head.
‘A snake clutching a pearl, was it?’
He recalled her earlier assessment of Mu Hwi and shook his head.
No—this wasn’t a snake preparing to ascend to the heavens. This was already a divine dragon soaring through the skies.
‘The other sponsored guests are exceptional, but compared to the Hwasan Sword Devil, they pale in comparison.’
The Sect Leader of the Extreme Heaven Sect, the Young Leader of the Paewangseong, and others were present, but none stirred his interest as much as Mu Hwi.
For the first time in a long while, the merchant leader felt genuine excitement.
Since childhood, he had engaged in countless trades and investments, but the greatest profits had always come from people.
Recognizing those destined to rise, and supporting them without reservation—that was the foundation of true business.
"Hmm."
Stroking his beard, the merchant leader addressed the gathered guests.
"Looking at all of you, it’s clear that beyond sponsorship, each of you is an outstanding talent in the martial arts world. As such, I’d like to offer each of you a personal gift."
Then, his gaze settled on Mu Hwi.
"Young Hero Mu Hwi. Is there anything you desire?"
Im Su-ryeon’s lips curled slightly as she watched her father’s focused attention.
‘Father has taken a liking to Mu Hwi.’
Gifts for sponsored guests were unheard of—this was clearly an excuse to favor Mu Hwi without arousing suspicion among the other children.
"Nothing comes to mind at the moment."
The Cheonjam Sa (Heavenly Silkworm Thread) was already being prepared by Im Su-ryeon, and he had already obtained the Frost Sound Demon King’s elixir and the Great Rejuvenation Pill.
After tapping the table in thought, the merchant leader finally spoke.
"How about hancheol (Cold Iron)?"
Mu Hwi and the others turned to look at him in surprise.
"Hancheol?"
"The legendary iron found only in the Northern Seas?"
Hancheol (寒鐵) was a rare metal with a deep blue hue, mined exclusively in the Northern Seas.
And it's only comparable to uncheol (隕鐵), it was one of the most coveted materials for forging divine weapons.
Most legendary weapons in the martial arts world contained at least one of the two metals.
"Through our recent dealings with the Northern Sea Ice Palace, we obtained a small amount."
"Father! That hancheol is—"
The eldest son tried to intervene, but a sharp glance silenced him.
"Hancheol… The metal that even money can’t buy easily. And you’re offering it as a gift?"
"Hehe… Indeed. Consider it a bribe—a request to take good care of my daughter."
After a brief pause, Mu Hwi grinned and cupped his fists.
"I’ll accept it gratefully. The Plum Blossom Sword is already a fine blade, but reforging it with hancheol would increase my disciples’ chances of survival in the martial arts world."
"Hmm… True. For martial artists, weapons are as important as martial arts."
The merchant leader sighed inwardly.
He had intended to give only a small amount, but Mu Hwi’s mention of his disciples made it sound like he expected a generous portion.
"My disciples will remember the Cheonryu Merchant Group every time they wield their new swords."
Seeing Mu Hwi’s sly smile, the merchant leader realized his words had been deliberate.
‘For a Taoist, he’s quite shrewd. But that’s not a bad thing.’
Since he had already decided to be generous, he might as well go all the way.
"I’ll have the hancheol delivered to the Fireforge Armory soon. Consider any additional materials needed for reforging as complimentary."
"I’ll relay this news to my Sect Leader."
"Hoho. Conversations with you are always refreshing, Young Hero."
The merchant leader raised his cup to the guests.
"Now, the rest of you—your gifts will be prepared with equal care. Please look forward to them."
As the banquet continued, no one received a treasure as rare as hancheol.
Not even the Sect Leader of the Extreme Heaven Sect.
Humiliated from the start, the Sect Leader seethed at the clear favoritism shown to Mu Hwi.
‘Hancheol… I wonder if he’ll live long enough to wield that sword.’
Watching Mu Hwi and Im Su-ryeon chatting amiably, the Sect Leader twisted his lips into a sinister smile.
"Young Hero Mu Hwi, try this as well."
Im Su-ryeon carefully placed a piece of meat on Mu Hwi’s plate.
"Thank you."
Her heart fluttered slightly at his polite response, and she let out a quiet sigh of relief.
***
After parting ways with Im Su-ryeon, Mu Hwi and Xian Zhu headed west through Henan.
They were returning to Shaanxi—Mu Hwi to Hwasan and Xian Zhu to Jongnam Sect.
The two traversed a steep gorge.
Sanmenxia (Three Gates Gorge).
A treacherous terrain with cliffs like fortress walls, named for the way the river split into three branches around protruding islands.
They planned to cross the gorge and take a boat to Shaanxi.
As they walked, Mu Hwi suddenly asked Xian Zhu,
"I heard you’ve killed many villains during your travels."
"Yes. That’s how I earned the title Golden River Sword."
"Today, it feels like we might kill more than all those villains combined."
"Such is the life of a martial artist. The blood never dries on your sword, does it?"
Ahead of them, countless martial artists emerged from the shadows.
The disciples of Hwasan and Jongnam gripped their swords in unison.
< The blood never dries on your sword, does it? > End.
< It’s exhausting traveling together. Really. >