Chapter 198
Chapter 198
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Guest (5)
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Fifteen days after the Revolving Heaven Daoist Golden Needle Grand Technique was completed.
Lord Cheong Chu-san of the Cheong Family and his entourage were busy from early in the morning.
“My lord, we have finished our preparations.”
“Thank you.”
Lord Cheong smiled faintly and looked around.
Thirty people.
They were all retainers of the Cheong Family, and every one of them was close to him.
“How was Hanzhong for everyone?”
“Thanks to you, big brother, we got to spend money to our hearts’ content. How could it not be good?”
The eldest of the group, the Blood War Iron Saber Acheon, answered his question.
He was a retainer of the Cheong Family and a sworn brother to the lord, serving as the head of the Cheongmu Squad, which was responsible for Cheong Chu-san’s protection.
“You’re right. I’ve learned a lot this time as well.”
“What did you learn, my lord?”
“I learned that money is good. I think I finally understand why people in this world work so hard to earn it.”
“What?”
“Hahahaha!”
Everyone burst into laughter at Cheong Chu-san’s words.
“By the way, where is Cho-a?”
“I am here, my lord.”
A slender beauty walked out from among the group.
It was Yang So-cho, who had previously had a happy reunion with Yuk Hak.
“I told you to call me uncle.”
“But…”
“Hmph, are you rebelling now that you’re older?”
“…Uncle Cheong.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Cheong Chu-san took a small envelope from his sleeve and handed it to her.
“What is this?”
“It’s money I set aside for your wedding. I promised Yang Chung I would marry you into a good family, and I’m sorry I couldn’t keep that promise.”
“I have no intention of getting married.”
“Then you can stay by So-so’s side until you feel like it. There seemed to be many good men around Master Jin.”
“I will follow you, Uncle…”
*Nod.*
At Cheong Chu-san’s nod, Acheon’s hand moved like lightning and struck Yang So-cho’s vital point.
*Thud.*
As she collapsed, a retainer caught her and carried her to a room.
Watching this, Acheon asked with a worried expression.
“Do you think this will be alright?”
“You taught her yourself, don’t you know? She’s a child who can take care of herself.”
“Ahem, I’m not talking about her. I’m talking about So-so.”
Hearing Cheong So-so’s name, Cheong Chu-san’s expression darkened.
“…It’s fine. If I saw her for a final farewell, So-so might sense something is wrong.”
“That is true, but…”
“It’s about time. Let’s get going.”
“Yes.”
A moment later.
As he left Hanzhong with his entourage, Cheong Chu-san looked back.
The towering view of the War King Sect came into sight.
‘Farewell.’
After bidding a silent goodbye to his daughter, he recalled a vexing face.
‘Going on a journey just to show off his horse. What a crazy bastard.’
Cheong Chu-san slightly regretted entrusting Cheong So-so to him.
* * *
“…The father and daughter are both crazy.”
Even after reading the intelligence report from Yang Ryeong more than five times, my opinion hadn’t changed.
It was only natural.
“To think he didn’t come to see his daughter, but to find a place to die…”
The purpose of Lord Cheong’s visit to Hanzhong was just that shocking.
As Yang Ryeong had said, the contents of the report were as heavy as the province of Hunan itself.
It was the news that the Lion Alliance was advancing into Hunan.
Lord Cheong couldn’t just stand by and watch.
Although the Cheong Family was not a martial family, it was considered the leader of Hunan.
Moreover, a significant number of the retainers belonging to the Cheong Family were martial artists from Hunan province.
Most importantly, Lord Cheong utterly despised the Lion Alliance’s brutal methods of governance.
If Hunan were to fall into the hands of the Lion Alliance, the lives of countless people would surely be thrown into ruin.
He had mobilized every connection the Cheong Family had built up to request help, and even sent letters to the Nine Dragons Fortress, the Righteous Path Alliance, and the Martial Emperor Fortress.
However, Lord Cheong’s efforts were in vain.
Warriors who were coming from all over the world to help the Cheong Family were found dead, intercepted by the Lion Alliance.
And just then, with the Ten Demon Alliance stirring and the clouds of war gathering in the north, no replies came to the letters Cheong Chu-san had sent.
But Lord Cheong did not yield.
He decided to throw himself away to protect the people of Hunan.
Death.
He, the Medicine King of his generation and the Lord of the Cheong Family, intended to use his own death to stir up public opinion and check the Lion Alliance.
If things unfolded that way, the Nine Dragons Fortress and the Righteous Path Alliance would have no choice but to act.
It was a reckless and drastic method, but also a sure one.
In the end, he succeeded in secretly leaving the Cheong Family estate.
At the same time, he gathered the scattered Cheongmu Squad and headed for Hanzhong.
Upon arriving, he did not hide himself.
On the contrary, he spent extravagantly, announcing his presence in Hanzhong to all corners of the land.
That way, the Lion Alliance would surely notice his location.
And all of this was so he could die in the heart of the Central Plains.
*Fwoosh.*
“Damn it.”
I pondered as I burned the intelligence report.
If I saved Lord Cheong, I would be going against his wishes. But if I just stood by and watched, he was Cheong So-so’s father.
It was driving me mad.
“Ah, to hell with it.”
Finally, after much deliberation, I made a decision.
I would act.
The first place I visited was the Nine Dragons Fortress.
My goal was to persuade the Grand Chancellor.
Of course, with a great enemy like the Ten Demon Alliance before them, it wouldn’t be easy for the Nine Dragons Fortress to decide to dispatch forces.
Therefore, I decided to use the strength of the Duke of Loyalty’s faction.
This was possible because, before departing, I had secured the cooperation of the leaders of various sects based on Yu So-pyeong’s advice.
“Taemo Mountain Fortress, the Hainan Sword Sect, and the Eun family will provide three hundred warriors. The Nine Dragons Fortress can simply add their name to the effort and avoid the criticism of having abandoned Hunan.”
At my proposal, the Grand Chancellor had no choice but to nod. As I said, it was a matter of simply adding their name.
“You intend to use our participation as leverage to persuade the Righteous Path Alliance and the Martial Emperor Fortress.”
“Precisely.”
“Why are you going to such lengths?”
“…Because he’s my friend’s father?”
“Is that all?”
“What else could there be?”
“Very well. I will accept your proposal.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as I had the Grand Chancellor’s permission, I rode north on Captain Halls Whitey.
*Dudududu.*
“Damn that old man!”
There was nothing more I could do.
I had to trust the legs of my invincible black-turned-white horse.
* * *
Three days after leaving Hanzhong.
In that time, Lord Cheong’s party had traveled well over a thousand li.
It was an incredibly fast pace, but Cheong Chu-san felt only urgency.
“Increase the pace.”
“Will you be alright, my lord? You already look exhausted.”
As Acheon said, Cheong Chu-san’s condition was dire.
The forced march, with almost no sleep and constant movement, was grueling even for martial artists who had mastered considerable skills.
Having neglected martial arts his entire life to master the secret arts of the Cheong Family, Cheong Chu-san’s stamina had been depleted long ago.
*Smirk.*
However, Cheong Chu-san smiled with composure.
“Is this not the moment that will be the grand finale of my life? This is nothing.”
Acheon, too, respected his sworn brother’s will and urged the group on.
“Pick up the pace!”
Half a day passed like that, and as the sun began to set.
Just as they crossed the border between Shanxi and Hubei.
*Swish. Swish.*
Iron arrows, cutting through the air with a piercing sound, began to rain down.
“Defend!”
Acheon, who could be called the greatest expert among the group, shouted a loud warning and kicked off his horse’s back, soaring into the air.
*Shwaak!*
He swung his long saber, swatting down most of the menacingly flying iron arrows.
“Hoo.”
Meanwhile, Cheong Chu-san, watching the scene, calmed his heart.
It wasn’t because he was scared.
It was because he had been waiting for this very moment.
He met the gazes of each member of his entourage in turn and nodded.
“It was an honor to serve you, my lord.”
“We will not forget the grace you have shown us, even in the afterlife.”
“Do not worry that we might have regrets. We have no regrets, as we die throwing filth on the plans of those beast-like bastards.”
Watching his companions, none of whom feared death, a smile formed on Cheong Chu-san’s lips.
I have thirty people willing to die for me.
By this measure, have I not lived a successful life?
*Thud.*
Acheon, having blocked the enemy’s initial attack, landed beside Cheong Chu-san.
“It’s a bit late to say this, but living with you was truly tedious, big brother.”
“The feeling is mutual, you brat.”
*Smirk.*
“Cheongmu Squad!”
Acheon, a smile on his lips, looked around and shouted.
“We can’t just die gracefully, can we!”
“Isn’t that obvious?!”
“Who said anything about dying? I won’t die until I’ve killed every last one of the bastards who’ve shown up here.”
The thirty members of the Cheongmu Squad blocked Cheong Chu-san’s path and formed a line.
Before them, fifty men in blue robes approached.
“Hand over Lord Cheong, and we will spare your lives.”
“What a load of horseshit.”
“I knew you’d say that.”
*Shing.*
Watching them draw their swords, Acheon smiled bitterly.
The Lion Alliance’s Heavenly Killing First Squad.
They were opponents the Cheongmu Squad had no hope of defeating.
But that didn’t mean they could just stand by.
Just as the entire Cheongmu Squad drew their weapons to face them.
*Dudududu!*
The thunderous sound of horse hooves came from somewhere.
A man fell from the sky, landing on the ground on one knee.
*KWANG!*
“Superhero landing.”
* * *
My appearance made Lord Cheong’s eyes go wide.
“W-what in the world are you doing here…”
“Why? Did I interrupt your attempt to become a hero?”
“Leave this place at once…”
*Tsk.*
I raised a hand to cut him off.
“I’m busy, so I’ll make this quick.”
*Hee-Hee-Hing—*
Whitey, who had caught up, let out a cry.
“No one needs to die.”
“What do you mean…?”
“Three hundred warriors from Taemo Mountain Fortress, the Hainan Sword Sect, and the Eun family are on their way to Hunan province. The Nine Dragons Fortress will also be dispatching one hundred warriors soon.”
“What did you say?!”
The atmosphere instantly froze.
At the same time, an ominous aura began to emanate from the men in blue robes standing before us.
“Lord, you take responsibility for securing the cooperation of the Martial Emperor Fortress and the Righteous Path Alliance. That is the way to help the people of Hunan, and…”
I raised my War King Ki.
“…the way to be a good father to Miss Cheong. What kind of father dies without even seeing his daughter get married?”
As I finished speaking, the man who appeared to be the leader of the blue-robed men took a step forward.
“Are you done with your nonsense?”
“Do you know who I am?”
“Obviously. A grunt from the Cheong Family.”
“I am Jin Mujeon.”
“…The Fighting Dragon?”
“Still calling me the Fighting Dragon? The Lion Alliance’s intelligence network is nothing special.”
It had been a month since the Blood Killing Hegemon died, after all.
‘I need to do another round of viral marketing.’
This time, I planned to push the moniker ‘One-Fist Heavenly Conqueror.’
My master was the Ten-Hand Heavenly Conqueror, so I wanted something that sounded a little stronger.
*Shing.*
“You will pay for the crime of insulting the Lion Alliance with your life.”
“You were going to kill me even if I said nothing, so cut the crap… What’s your name? No, never mind. You’re going to die anyway, so what’s the point in knowing?”
*Kwoong.*
Using the War King Ki I had raised, I unleashed the Chain Ring Force.
*Fwoooosh.*
The force that filled my entire body spread out into the surroundings.
“Form up!”
Sensing that something was amiss, the man shouted.
“Cheongmu Squad, prepare!”
A shout to prepare for battle also came from our side.
A brief standoff.
*Bwoong!*
Breaking the tense balance, a Battle Lord Arrow flew, tearing through space.
“Hmph!”
Sword energy erupted from the sword of the man in front.
Seeing it flow smoothly like taffy, it seemed a considerable amount of time had passed since he reached the Transcendent Realm.
But.
“What!”
My target was never him to begin with.
*KWAAAAANG!*
It was the grunts standing behind him.
“Aaaargh!”
Isn’t it the rule that when fighting a large group, you should always take out the weak ones first?
*Fwoong!*
As a deep blue sword aura flew toward me, the bloody battle began.