Chapter 63
Chapter 63
Translator: Penny
Chapter 63
Asura Radiant King (2)
It wasn't until they returned to his office that Sama Cheon finally revealed his thoughts.
"Baek Pyo... he turned out exactly as I expected."
Jo Byeok carefully responded, "You mean you don't believe he received the sword from Gal Saryang?"
"At first, that's what I thought. But..." Sama Cheon paused, then murmured, "When I suddenly questioned him at the end, he was far too composed. Of course, as the long-time leader of the Alliance Guard Corps, he's bound to be composed in any situation. But this calmness... it felt different. Like he'd been practicing for such a moment, a rehearsed serenity."
"Your insight is as sharp as ever."
Yet Sama Cheon immediately tilted his head in confusion.
"Strange... if he's hiding such a precious sword, why is he still lingering around the Martial Arts Alliance? Why hasn't he fled far away?"
Sama Cheon would never understand Baek Pyo's heart—how his longing for Cheon Hajin had forced him to leave the Alliance Guard Corps, and why he couldn't bring himself to stray far from the Martial Arts Alliance.
"There must be an ulterior motive."
Jo Byeok had been the first to suspect Baek Pyo. After investigating Gal Saryang and finding nothing, he naturally hoped the sword was with Baek Pyo. Only then could he prove he hadn't bungled the initial investigation.
"We should look into this."
"I'll handle it myself."
"How?"
Jo Byeok believed conventional methods would never uncover the sword. They were dealing with the former Head of the Alliance Guard Corps, and the object they sought was the Asura Radiant King Sword.
"It's better you don't know how."
This meant he would handle it personally and take full responsibility if anything went wrong.
"You're aware, aren't you, that he was the Martial Arts Alliance's foremost Guard?"
"Of course."
Only after issuing this warning did Sama Cheon entrust him with the task.
"Good. I'll leave this matter in your hands."
After Jo Byeok left, Sama Cheon walked to the window.
Just then, Gal Saryang was approaching from afar, carrying stacks of books and documents. Even at this late hour, he was still working diligently.
Sama Cheon stared at him expressionlessly.
At that moment, Gal Saryang glanced over and offered a respectful bow.
"Still awake?"
Sama Cheon's expression instantly softened, transforming into the gracious demeanor of an actor on stage.
"You're working so hard even at this late hour."
Knowing full well that Gal Saryang's exhaustion was due to the excessive workload Sama Cheon had assigned him, Sama Cheon wore a brazen smile.
"I must be getting old. My efficiency is declining. Go get some rest."
Gal Saryang bowed once more and resumed his journey.
He felt a cold gaze pierce him from behind.
Though his back was turned, Gal Saryang didn't even allow a faint smirk to cross his lips. He knew he was being watched.
Now was the time for caution, so he played the part of a complete loser. He understood that Sama Cheon still didn't trust him.
But one day, he would. At that moment, Sama Cheon would believe he had truly subdued him.
That was when the counterattack would begin.
So was he merely biding his time, waiting passively for that day? Not at all. He had already activated his Secret Network. After a lifetime spent serving the Martial Arts Alliance, including many years as Chief Strategist, he had long since established his own clandestine network.
Many subordinates were willing to lay down their lives for him, not for the orders of the Martial Arts Alliance, but for his own commands. Most of them were spies, infiltrated in key positions throughout the Martial Arts Alliance and various organizations across the Central Plains. They would be instrumental in achieving his goals.
His true target wasn't Sama Cheon.
It was Ma Bonggi behind him, and the even greater mastermind lurking behind Ma Bonggi.
Since Ma Bonggi's inauguration as Alliance Leader, he had secretly observed and investigated him. The conclusion he reached was this: there was another power pulling the strings. The Alliance Leader's actions clearly indicated that he wasn't acting on his own initiative.
I don't know how you killed the Alliance Leader, but I will uncover the truth and avenge him, even if it takes ten or twenty years.
For that day, he would do anything.
I rented a room at an inn not far from Baek Pyo's tavern.
My first priority was to figure out what Sama Cheon was looking for. If Baek Pyo had it, he was in grave danger.
Earlier, Sama Cheon had asked if Gal Saryang had entrusted me with anything.
Was he looking for Gal Saryang's possessions? Or mine?
Sama Cheon's personal involvement suggested it was no ordinary object. What could be so crucial? Since I couldn't know about Gal Saryang's belongings, I started by recalling my own.
I'd never been one for collecting or embellishing, so I didn't possess anything particularly valuable. I had no Night-Shining Pearls or other gemstones, nor any rare elixirs or precious garments.
Hadn't I relied on a single sword my entire life?
The next moment, a sudden thought about one particular object startled me.
Could it be...?
Without realizing it, I leapt to my feet.
The Asura Radiant King Sword?
Suddenly, a conversation I'd had with Gal Saryang long ago resurfaced in my memory—it must have been over a decade ago.
"Alliance Leader, you've always used only the Asura Radiant King Sword. The Alliance Headquarters has reported numerous Treasure Swords, but after trying them for a few months, you always return them."
"Did I do that?"
"The fact that you're not even aware of it shows how deeply you cherish the Asura Radiant King Sword."
"Having carried it for so long, it feels like an extension of my very being. If I were to die, make sure this sword is entrusted to someone worthy of wielding it."
"Even as a joke, don't say such things. It's something that will happen decades from now."
"Ha ha! My dear friend, I'm already over sixty."
Ah, perhaps he really did smuggle the Asura Radiant King Sword away. If that were the case, Sama Cheon wouldn't give up so easily.
The next moment, another scene naturally flashed into my mind:
The sword and shield decorations hanging on the wall of Pung Tavern.
Good heavens!
When I first saw them, I assumed they were just for decorating the tavern.
But in my previous life, I had never once seen Baek Pyo carving anything, nor had I ever heard him mention having any such hobby.
Could he have hidden the Asura Radiant King Sword inside those decorations?
The next day, after retrieving the Ten Thousand Taels from the battlefield, I visited an information broker.
Wuhan, home to the Martial Arts Alliance Headquarters, housed numerous intelligence organizations. Unlike the clandestine operations of old, these groups now competed openly and legally, their signboards visible throughout the market streets.
I headed to the Heavenly Net Society Wuhan Branch.
The teahouse Bulu, where I had previously sought Gal Saryang, was run by the Heavenly Net Society Head himself. Naturally, the Society Head's residence was elsewhere, while the Wuhan Branch operated from a separate location.
The information I requested concerned the man accompanying Sama Cheon. Based on my impression from yesterday, he was no ordinary guard.
Sama Cheon had arrived at the Pung Tavern with only this single companion.
In other words, he was the trusted individual Sama Cheon brought along on his secret missions. I anticipated that Sama Cheon would task him with handling this matter.
Even if that wasn't the case, it would still be a worthwhile investment. Knowing the kind of person who served as the right-hand man of Sama Cheon, the Chief Strategist of the Martial Arts Alliance, couldn't hurt.
Investigating Sama Cheon directly would require extreme caution, but investigating his subordinate posed no particular risk. Various factions within the Martial Arts Alliance routinely gathered intelligence on rival organizations to maintain checks and balances.
The information on this man cost three thousand taels—a substantial sum for a mere martial artist. The exorbitant price was undoubtedly due to his position as the Chief Strategist's subordinate.
After commissioning the information broker, I headed straight to Pung Tavern.
Baek Pyo was just opening the door when I arrived.
"You really came back!"
"Oh, have I come too early?"
"Not at all. I was just about to open. Please come in."
"Forgive me. I couldn't sleep, unable to forget the wind-flavored wine here."
"Haha! I've never heard our wine described as wind-flavored before."
How could wine taste like wind? But looking at Baek Pyo feels like standing in a vast plain, facing the wind head-on.
"Come in, then."
Just then, I noticed Baek Pyo discreetly moving a palm-sized container hanging by the door. I pretended not to see it, but I knew what it was.
It was a Night Cry Bug, commonly used by the Alliance Guard Corps. This nocturnal insect only awakens at night and cries out when someone approaches, making it an excellent method for nighttime surveillance and preventing midnight intrusions.
I entered the room and settled into my usual seat.
"I've just opened up for the day, so things are a bit chaotic," Baek Pyo said.
"On the contrary, I should apologize for the inconvenience."
"If I had more clients like you, Young Master, I'd be rich in no time."
"Then I suppose I should come every day and help you become wealthy."
"Hahaha!"
Baek Pyo laughed heartily.
"Please sit and relax for a while."
"Don't mind me. I'll just sit here and enjoy the scenery for a bit."
"As you wish."
The view truly was magnificent.
Beyond the reeds swaying in the wind, the river shimmered in the setting sun.
It was the kind of place that naturally made you want to live there. Perhaps Baek Pyo had dreamed of running a tavern like this someday while enduring his arduous and dangerous guard duties. If so, this place must be Baek Pyo's "Future Haven."
"Where is your family?" I asked.
Baek Pyo replied, "There's a house attached to the tavern right behind us. My wife can't help with the work yet because our child is still young."
"Ah, I see."
Truth be told, I wasn't too worried about Baek Pyo.
I was one of the few people who truly knew his capabilities. Most people underestimated just how formidable he really was.
There's an old saying in the Martial Arts World: If you want to live long, never reveal your full strength. Keep it hidden.
The guards are probably the best at following this advice. By nature, they despise standing out. Baek Pyo was one such individual.
In the past, he had withstood a joint assault by the Seven Sorceresses of the Black Heaven Palace. Hearing "Seven Sorceresses," one might imagine seven wicked villains from some Unorthodox Faction, but they were far more sinister. These women wielded a terrifying array of dark arts and illusions, embodying the very essence of "sorcery."
Countless Orthodox Faction masters had fallen to their hands. Yet Baek Pyo had withstood their combined onslaught for over seven hundred exchanges.
Of course, after finishing another battle, I immediately intervened and annihilated the Seven Sorceresses myself. But Baek Pyo had endured their combined assault for over seven hundred exchanges, holding his ground against their relentless assault.
What worries me most is his family. The stronger Baek Pyo becomes, the more those bastards will try to exploit his weaknesses.
Despicable people always stoop to unspeakable acts without hesitation. Their tactics are predictable and repetitive.
My gaze naturally drifted to the decorative ornament hanging on the wall.
In my past life, I had established a profound connection with the Asura Radiant King Sword.
After centuries of shared history, a Famous Sword comes to recognize its Master. Of course, this doesn't mean the sword develops emotions; rather, it simply recognizes me and understands my feelings. Whether I was enraged, and if so, to what extent. In response, the sword would resonate with my fury, amplifying its power. When our emotions aligned perfectly, our attacks unleashed even greater destructive force.
In the past, channeling my qi into the Asura Radiant King Sword would instantly elicit a response from the blade.
However, with my body now transformed into that of Byeok Ridan, I couldn't be certain if the sword would still recognize my qi. Since my Cheonmu Hoshim Gyeol technique remained intact, it seemed likely, but certainty would require a test.
When Baek Pyo briefly went out to the back courtyard to throw away trash, I swiftly approached the decorations.
I extended my hand and channeled qi into the wooden sword—just a tiny wisp.
The next instant, the wooden sword vibrated minutely in response. I knew it.
This was indeed the Asura Radiant King Sword!
The Asura Radiant King Sword was hidden within this wooden replica.
I'd never imagined it.
The sheer absurdity and ridiculousness of the situation made me burst out laughing.
How could Baek Pyo possibly think to hide this sword in such an obvious place?
Then again, part of me understood.
He likely valued it more than his own life. Entrusting it to someone else or burying it somewhere would have worried him. He probably decided it was safer to keep it where he could watch it all day long.
The enemy was formidable.
Baek Pyo would defend the sword with his life.
How am I going to resolve this?