Chapter 160: Tomb of the Ming King (5)
Chapter 160: Tomb of the Ming King (5)
Kang Yeo-hee was a woman who considered herself exceptionally wise, even among the thirteen branch masters of the Hao Clan. At the same time, she was immensely ambitious and believed she possessed more than enough capability to realize those ambitions.
She was the fourth disciple of the Hao Clan Leader. Excluding her eldest sister, who was the Hao Clan’s secret weapon; her second sister, who served as the acting leader of the Black Forest July Society; and her third brother, who was in charge of the Martial Alliance and the Orthodox factions in general, she was the most senior.
This meant that, excluding those three, she had studied the Hao Clan Leader’s ultimate techniques for the longest time. To her, a woman who had long since lost interest in terrifying life-and-death battles, the Hao Clan Leader had emphasized only one thing.
“Yeo-hee. Your role is only one thing: to survive.”
“Pardon...?”
“There are others who can risk their lives to fight for our persecuted members. But to let those ‘others’ know that our people are being oppressed, someone must stay alive to tell the tale, must they not?”
“Well... I suppose so?”
“Therefore, inherit my martial arts for the sole purpose of survival. I shall ask nothing more of you.”
“May I ask... why you are telling me this now?”
“Take charge of the Jiangnan branch.”
“Whaaat?!”
To penetrate the heart of the Orthodox faction. Members of the Hao Clan existed everywhere under heaven, and they could not be abandoned just because they resided within the territory of the Righteous sects. As the parent of all Hao Clan members across the Central Plains, the Hao Clan Leader had a duty to protect them as well.
However, in that region, overwhelming martial power often became a target for challenge. There were countless Orthodox sects gathered in Jiangnan, including the Zhuge and Namgung Families—even excluding the Sang-gwan Family, the Duanmu Family, the Mount Mao Sect, and the Putuo Sect.
Even if one achieved the Harmony Realm in such a place, complete safety could not be guaranteed. Thus, it was better to forgo safety entirely.
Simply survive.
And leave a warning that when you return, you will have your revenge in the name of the Hao Clan.
That alone was enough. This was the reason a high-ranking disciple like the fourth disciple was stationed there. In a sense, her role was even heavier than that of Baek Seo-ui, who was in charge of the Martial Alliance.
And now, ten years after Kang Yeo-hee took over the Jiangnan branch.
In this chaotic Martial World where the regular reporting lines had been cut, rumors of the Hao Clan Leader’s disappearance were rampant, the Blood Cult was running amok in Yunnan, and the Chongqing Ten Thousand Ghosts Alliance had utterly collapsed.
“Pardon...? The Tomb of the Ming King has been discovered...?”
“Ho-ho, indeed it has, Branch Master Kang.”
“And why would you give me such precious information...?”
“Spread this news far and wide throughout Jiangnan. I won’t ask you to keep it a secret from the Hao Clan’s information network, but... think about it.”
Zhuge Yeon-seon smiled brightly as he spoke.
“Now that the Hao Clan Leader has vanished, who can possibly guarantee the safety of you and your disciples?”
“Are you... threatening me right now?”
“I am saying that I will guarantee that safety. Spread the rumors of the Tomb of the Ming King throughout Jiangnan. It will be enough if the Hao Clan finds out ‘a little late.’”
The intent behind those words was crystal clear. Zhuge Yeon-seon was planning to swallow the Jiangnan Baeklim Society whole by inciting a massive upheaval that would leave the Namgung Family in a dire predicament.
Her brilliant mind began to race even faster as she glanced at a corner of a map.
There had been a bloody incident in Yunnan.
Zhuge Yeon-seon was serving as the Chief Strategist of the Martial Alliance.
The Namgung Family was currently debating whether to gather the warriors of the Baeklim Society to prevent the Yunnan situation from spreading further.
In such a situation, why would he paralyze the Baeklim Society?
Was it because Zhuge Yeon-seon himself had orchestrated the events in Yunnan?
If so, could she—someone who had only learned how to see, hear, and run away—survive a man capable of such schemes?
The answer was ‘no.’ It took her only a single breath to reach this conclusion.
And then.
“Since the Great Hero Zhuge is so generously providing an opportunity for our fellow brothers of the Martial World to share in the legacy of the Ming King with such broad ambition, I must certainly assist.”
It took another half-breath to press the ‘survival’ button.
And then, once more.
After a satisfied Zhuge Yeon-seon left Jiangnan, it took her only two days to melt the heart of the Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Sea Military Camp—with whom she had already established ties—by introducing him to the most exquisite courtesan of her brothel.
Two days after that, it took another three days to get her hands on the Heaven-Shaking Thunder.
Recalling the Commander-in-Chief’s boast that it could sink any great ship with a single blast, she very carefully and affectionately stroked her ‘life-saving ultimate technique.’
Indeed, a life-saving technique referred to a move one cherished until the very end, only to unleash it for the sake of survival. Something precious, something that couldn't be used often, and something that couldn't guarantee survival if discovered.
Why did it have to be a martial art? Sufficient firepower was a perfectly fine substitute for sufficient martial prowess.
There was no better tool to ruin Zhuge Yeon-seon’s plans, pit the Namgung Family against the Zhuge Family, watch the spectacle from the sidelines while picking up the scraps, and observe safely from a distance.
“Hehehe.”
Kang Yeo-hee had entered the Tomb of the Ming King with a giddy laugh, the Heaven-Shaking Thunder tucked into her robes.
She had spent a week trapped in the grand formation, sobbing.
And now, at this moment.
Watching her youngest brother get hit by a fireball and sent flying to crash somewhere, she thought:
‘Maybe I should have just run away...?’
Would running away have given her a chance? Since that Taoist fellow had said he wouldn't kill Zhuge Yeong, her plan had been to hide somewhere, sneakily rescue Zhuge Yeong, and use his power to break through the formation.
But looking at the current situation, it didn't seem like the Taoist was in a merciful mood. The battle was too fierce, and he seemed utterly enraged, perhaps because the Heaven-Shaking Thunder had been more painful than expected.
Seeing him fire attacks that were clearly meant to kill toward Zhuge Yeong’s direction...
‘Should I intervene...?’
Just as she was growing anxious, wondering if she should finally do something.
The body of Peng Hyeon-hwi, who had been blown far away, suddenly vanished.
That was the only way to describe it—
Clang!!
When he reappeared, he was already striking down at the Protection Aura of the Huto Palace Master.
*
Now, let’s review my—Peng Hyeon-hwi’s—master plan to screw over Zhuge Yeon-seon.
As Sun Tzu widely taught, military strategy depends not on how much profit I gain, but on how much loss the opponent suffers.
In other words, I never intended to gain anything here from the start. I just came to throw a wrench in whatever Zhuge Yeon-seon had worked so hard to prepare.
If that was the case, my plan was straightforward.
Up to point number two, there had been no issues. Nothing changed even after I belatedly realized that the Huto Palace Master of the Mount Mao Sect—an elder-level sorcerer proficient in formations—was the Zhuge Family Head’s confidant.
I had overlooked the fact that he was a sorcerer (a formation expert) who had complete control over the grand formation, but my ultimate goal wasn't to kill him anyway.
All I had to do was recover Zhuge Yeong, destroy whatever Han Lin’er’s tomb was, and escape safely. Even if I let that guy live, the Mount Mao Sect would deal with him themselves; it was none of my business after that.
That is, if Zhuge Yeong wasn't on the verge of being killed by him.
Why am I thinking this?
That’s a sharp question. It’s because I’m currently flying through the air.
“Urgh!”
With a thud, my head spun for a moment from the impact. Bits of dry, early-spring wood clung to my body. As I brushed them off and stood up, I saw the Huto Palace Master in the distance.
I’d been blown back quite a way.
“My sense of distance is a bit off.”
It felt like I could see it if I looked just a bit closer, but it was still a bit overwhelming.
Or perhaps, choosing to use something I’d only just begun to realize in actual combat was an excessively arrogant choice.
“No, that’s not it.”
Who knew when I’d get another opportunity like this?
I raised my hand and pressed firmly between my eyebrows. I massaged my stiff eye sockets and immediately flowed my True Qi to strike the acupoints around my eyes. From Fengchi to Jingming, Canshu, Chengqi, and Sibai. Finally, passing through Tongziliao and back to Fengchi.
Click. I felt something unlock. It was as if a crooked constellation was burning deep within my eyes.
The name of this constellation was the Jeo-oh-jeong Heart Method. It was a secret technique of the Hao Clan Leader, Wiji Cheon-yeong—
Whoosh.
From the moment one reached the Peak Realm and could utilize Astral Energy, the function of the Jeo-oh-jeong Heart Method, unlike ordinary eye techniques, did not stop at ‘tracking the opponent’s movements more quickly.’
Even when performed at a level below the Peak Realm, this eye technique alone allowed one to faintly perceive strikes from a Peak Realm master. If I utilized those same meridians but shoved Astral Energy through them instead of internal energy, my vision would become far more multifaceted.
Blue, red, yellow—meaningless hues distorted like a broken screen.
Like sunlight reflecting off the surface of oil. Like a halo of light flowing along the facets of glass.
The essence, the energy, and the spirit possessed by all things under heaven were captured in my sight.
Along with it, a terrible pain surged as if my eyeballs were being pierced. The nerves of the eye were not designed to withstand the Astral Energy of a Peak master.
Indeed, this was likely not the kind of martial art a fledgling who had just reached the Peak Realm should perform. No matter how easy the introduction was, was it not one of the techniques of the Fifteen Lords of the World?
Perhaps the minimum requirement to be granted this vision was the realm where one could force harmony upon the internal phenomena of a Super Peak body. A vision granted only when one had achieved the state of ‘stillness within motion’ and finally possessed the minimum qualifications to challenge the Upper Dantian.
Let’s just say I’m borrowing it in advance.
Grit.
Ignoring the burning pain in my eyes, I moved forward.
The opponent was perfect, wasn't he? Of all things, he was a sorcerer. While every strike aimed at my life was extraordinary, if he had been the kind of master who tried to take my head with a blade, I wouldn't have been able to test my martial arts so leisurely.
I loosened my arms, gripped my gauntlets again, and rested my saber on my shoulder.
“When are you coming, you bastard! I’m... I’m going to die!”
“Good grief, and you call yourself a grown man.”
I flashed a smile at Zhuge Yeong, who was screaming in the distance, and leaped forward again, using my footwork.
If you asked why I chose to test this at such a difficult time, well...
Whether it was when I saw the fight between Eon Do-cheon and Old Man Peng Hyeon-cheon at the Jinju Eon Family...
Or when I saw the fight between the Ghost Gate Meridian Lord and the Pavilion Master of the Assassination Pavilion in Paxian...
Or even when I personally cut down the man who was an Outer Gate Elder of the Blood Cult...
Somehow, I felt that if I just tried a little harder, I could see more.
I suppose I just didn't have the mental leeway to waste effort solely on ‘seeing’ while risking my life.
Unlike now.
Yes, unlike then, I was now in a situation where I was confident in ‘evading,’ ‘surviving,’ and ‘landing a blow’ even while dedicating part of my focus to seeing.
“I’ve seen enough now, Yeong.”
I had taken quite a bit of damage while adjusting to the world I saw through the Jeo-oh-jeong Heart Method.
The damage was significant even until I confirmed how the sorcery he used ‘appeared.’
But now, I had seen it all.
And by nature, I have never once forgotten something I have seen.
I am clearly capable of clashing blades with that fellow now.
*
Huto Palace Master Yeo Heung was one of the top masters of the Mount Mao Sect. If you asked what ‘top’ meant, it would be accurate to say he was among the few elders of the Inner Hall.
Even as the lowest-ranking elder of the Inner Hall, his seniority in the Martial World was by no means low. That was the very definition of an elder.
This remained true even considering that sorcerers were vulnerable in close-quarters life-and-death battles, and that the Huto Palace originally belonged to a lineage of practitioners who produced geomancers rather than combatants.
The ‘Huto’ in Huto Palace referred to those who followed the Great Goddess of the Earth, one of the Four Sovereigns of Taoism.
Since the Great Goddess symbolized Earth among the Five Elements, they trained in producing geomancers and managing earth meridians to employ formations.
Thus, Huto Palace Master Yeo Heung could only lament and feel indignant about the current situation.
“You brats! How dare you youngsters whose hair hasn't even dried yet!!”
All the miraculous energy of this land was under his control. Heavenly principles, natural laws, and human logic were all smiling upon him. Even the constellations in the sky were auspicious in this situation—
Yet, three vermin of far lower seniority were constantly annoying him, which was bound to be frustrating.
Rumble!!
When he waved his hand to call down lightning, the Zhuge family brat would somehow brandish a half-broken fan and swing it wildly. Aiming for the moment the lightning’s direction was slightly skewed, the middle-aged man from the Jang Merchant Guild would rush in and swing his sword.
Clang!!
After blocking the strike and stumbling back, his pride wounded, he would reach out to tear the man’s soul apart—
“Peek-a-boo.”
Toward his neck, a heavy strike that he absolutely could not ignore was thrust. That damn Peng family brat, who kept rushing in as if he were fine no matter how many times he was thrown back!
“You! I must kill you first!!”
“Give it a try, then.”
A thin smile played on Peng Hyeon-hwi’s lips. The moment he saw it, Yeo Heung felt as if a blood vessel in his forehead had snapped. His face flushed red as he reached out.
Once he dealt with this one, the rest would be nothing. His Protection Aura was not so weak that it could be pierced by mere low-level Peak Realm warriors. Especially not inside this grand formation.
Therefore, the only one who could inflict meaningful damage on him was this one boy.
A vermin who unleashed a single-strike technique that should never have been reached at that level.
The speed of a single exchange, the profundity of his martial arts, and the level of Astral Energy he released were all below what one would call the mid-stage of the Peak Realm. Yet, strangely, because of that bizarre attack that sliced through his Protection Aura like tofu...
‘The secret legacy of the Hebei Peng Family...’
Huto Palace Master Yeo Heung’s knowledge was not that broad. He was a Taoist who had spent his entire life looking at the earth on the slopes of Mount Mao. He did not know what kind of martial arts the Black Path sects of the distant North possessed.
The Jiangnan Baeklim Society had never directly fought against the Hebei Peng Family, so it was even more so.
Therefore, this unknown attack must surely be the famous secret legacy of the Peng Family. It was not much different from the public reputation of being powerful, heavy, explosive, and foolish.
So, he would use the profundity of his techniques to gain the upper hand and—
Clang!!
“What...?!”
“You idiot.”
Peng Hyeon-hwi laughed, glancing at Yeo Heung’s strike that had sliced through empty air.
“If you repeat the same technique three times, even a fool will read your move.”
As he spoke, his clenched fist...
“You built up your realm to that level without a single life-and-death duel, didn't you?”
Thump. It was suddenly buried in the center of Yeo Heung’s chest.
Crackle. His voice continued amidst the noise of lightning sparking within the gauntlet.
“I built my realm only through life-and-death duels.”
BOOM!! The thunder beneath his fist instantly tore through the Huto Palace Master’s Protection Aura.
Thunderbolt City-Destroying Cannon. It was the name of the first meaningful attack to directly hit Huto Palace Master Yeo Heung inside this grand formation.