Chapter 117
Chapter 117
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
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Lee Gwang first organized the disciples starting the next day.
"The Azure Dragon Martial Hall is disbanded."
He used his own savings to provide travel money for the disciples' return trips, and wrote recommendation letters for veteran trainees above second-line status to join other sects. The third-line trainees, mostly beginners or those not seriously committed to martial arts, were simply dismissed.
The instructors Yun Gwang and Ji Pyeong decided to follow Lee Gwang. Though their skills were modest, they had undeniably mastered the Thunder God Style, making them talents too valuable to release to other sects. With another decade or so of training, they were sure to make a name in the martial world.
Instead, Lee Gwang said,
"Always carry this medicine with you."
"What is it?"
"It's a poison that allows you to end your life without pain."
Yun Gwang and Ji Pyeong looked shocked but silently accepted the vial. They understood from his words that capture meant torture worse than death. Their quiet resolve to follow even with death as collateral showed their true loyalty to the Thunder God Style.
With the Thunder God Style group now complete, Lee Gwang declared,
"Our first destination is Spring Scenery Pavilion."
"Spring Scenery Pavilion? Isn't that a brothel?"
I asked in disbelief, and Lee Gwang gave a wry smile.
"Indeed. The largest in the Guanzhong region."
"......?"
Spring Scenery Pavilion was the grandest brothel in Guanzhong, filled with beauties, right in the heart of the nightlife district. For a warrior of Lee Gwang's noble stature, it seemed utterly mismatched. Yet without further questions, he led us straight there.
Upon arrival, Lee Gwang spoke to a courtesan at the entrance.
"Where is Halberd Tiger?"
"Ah! Brother Halberd Tiger's..."
She seemed to know him and hesitated before saying,
"Brother Halberd Tiger is in his room."
"Good."
Lee Gwang strode inside without waiting. The courtesan tried to block him in surprise, but it was futile. He carved through the brothel like a fearsome spear blade, ascending to the third floor and stopping before a door. Then he called out,
"Halberd Tiger. Get out here now."
Clunk.
A playboy immediately flung open the door. He had the pretty face of a courtesan’s companion, slightly older than Jin So-cheong—mid-thirties, the pillar of the brothel.
Halberd Tiger smirked.
"Oh dear, what brings the hall master to a mere gigolo like me?"
"Enough with the disguise. A major incident has occurred. Resume your true duties for the Thunder God Style."
That was the moment.
Swoosh.
The courtesan’s companion Halberd Tiger's eyes turned sharp. His slovenly aura transformed into that of a peak expert. He was unmistakably a master of the Thunder God Style. A chilling voice escaped his lips.
"An enemy?"
"Yes. Starting today, we move to Luoyang."
"Understood."
"I'll give you one incense stick's time to pack."
"I'll follow shortly."
That ended the conversation. We waited for Halberd Tiger on the first floor. Puzzled, I asked,
"Master. Who exactly is this Halberd Tiger...?"
Lee Gwang glanced at me and replied,
"Halberd Tiger was the number one disciple of another Thunder God Style branch, just like you. He came to me after his master was killed by Wind God Style."
"......!!"
"But he chose to be a sentry. In exchange for occasional guidance in martial arts from me, he gathers intelligence on threats to the Thunder God Style in Guanzhong. That's his way of surviving."
I was stunned.
'No wonder Lee Gwang didn't mind me mentioning another Thunder God Style.'
Another of its disciples had already sought him out, like me. Still confused, I said,
"Wouldn't it be better for him to train at the Azure Dragon Martial Hall to build his skills?"
In my eyes, Halberd Tiger's prowess was extraordinary. He could rival or surpass elders of the Nine Great Sects right now. Considering his age, he was a top-tier late bloomer.
"Don't pry too much. If you're that curious, ask him yourself."
Swoosh.
"Right, kid. Don't poke around."
Halberd Tiger had finished packing and leaped down from the third floor, landing lightly before us. His lightness skill was incredibly swift and lively; I even recognized the final three-step variation as the secret technique Heaven's Net of Thunder Shadow Step. He was undoubtedly a master worthy of the Thunder God Style license.
Halberd Tiger chuckled and flicked my forehead.
"No worries. I'm an easy guy to get along with."
"Not particularly interested."
"Who said otherwise~"
With our group now at seven, we mounted horses and headed for Luoyang.
Clop clop.
Lee Gwang explained that the current Four Divine Beasts Guard White Tiger Commander was gravely injured, and over half their forces depleted, so they lacked the intelligence network for close surveillance. Any watchers weren't tracking specialists anyway—Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong spotted and eliminated them immediately.
Thud.
After smashing a spy's skull, Lee Gwang muttered,
"We'll be a bit short."
"What do you mean?"
I asked while wiping blood from my sword—I'd just killed two Imperial Guards in this ambush. Lee Gwang said quietly,
"Once in Luoyang, we need an organization for eyes and ears, plus at least a dozen experts. Only then can we breach the Great Thunder Prison."
"Is the Great Thunder Prison that dangerous?"
"Founded by the Ming Taizu after the dynasty's establishment, no one has ever escaped it. Guarded by formations, sorcery, and elite imperial experts—it's no joke."
I'd never seen Lee Gwang this cautious, so I let out a groan. His martial prowess seemed world-shattering, guardian deity level. It made me curious about the Great Thunder Prison.
Then an idea struck me, and I said to Lee Gwang,
"I think we can get help from my friend."
"Your friend?"
Lee Gwang eyed the approaching girl with displeasure.
"That kid?"
"......"
I had nothing to say about Miho. After the third-line trainees were dismissed, she'd thrown a tantrum and clung to the group. Her act as an orphaned, pitiful girl with sobs won out—Lee Gwang relented and let her join.
With a wry smile, I said,
"No, he'll definitely be helpful."
"Who is he?"
"A righteous man of exceptional wisdom and strategy."
"Hmm..."
I thought of Mang Ryang.
'Mang Ryang said he was already active in Luoyang around this time.'
In my tenth reincarnation, Mang Ryang who visited Goryeo had told me everything. Eager to form his group quickly, he'd taken my elixir and funds, descended the mountain, and headed to Luoyang. By now, well past my reincarnation point, he'd surely laid the Anti-Heaven Alliance's foundations.
And I already knew the contact method.
Days later, upon reaching Luoyang, I led Lee Gwang, Jin So-cheong, and Halberd Tiger to Wind and Rain Inn. A quiet, small place with few patrons. I whispered to the owner,
[I shall defy the heavens and uphold justice.]
The dozing innkeeper slyly opened his eyes, scanned us, and said,
"Follow me."
The Anti-Heaven Alliance was indeed formed.
He opened a small back door leading to a mountain cave maze. After twists and turns, another door appeared. Beyond it, he led to a wooden building in an unknown area.
After repeating this two or three times, we reached a weapon shop—utterly ordinary. But following him to the empty lot behind, a vast space opened up.
Whoosh.
"......!!"
The [space larger inside than out] I'd seen at the Twelve Laws meeting. Only advanced sorcery could create it. A vast grassy plain stretched before us, stunning the Thunder God Style group.
A familiar voice rang out.
"What, Baek Woong? It's you? Long time no see, and you bring a horde of experts~"
A scholar in ink-black scholar robes approached across the grass, his cheerful, cheeky tone unmistakable. I cried out gladly,
"Mang Ryang!!"
"Ahem, call me Anti-Heaven Alliance Leader."
"Right."
His fake cough embarrassed me.
I got to the point.
"We need your help."
"Hmm, help..."
Mang Ryang looked around, his gaze fixing on one person.
"As rumored, an extraordinary aura. Elder Lee Gwang of the Four Divine Beasts Guard Azure Dragon."
"You know me?"
"The Anti-Heaven Alliance gathers all sorts of information. We know about the major incident at Water Soldier Valley and the White Tiger Commander's visit to Azure Dragon Martial Hall."
Lee Gwang's eyebrow twitched.
"Amusing fellow."
Mang Ryang grinned.
"Your friend, Anti-Heaven Alliance Leader."
"Good, Alliance Leader. I know your information network's prowess. But can I trust you?"
"Does having a common enemy in the Imperial Guards not suffice?"
"I don't trust intelligence groups by default. We just use each other as needed."
Mang Ryang laughed heartily.
"Hahaha!! Then let's use each other—what's to worry? We can deliver the info you need swiftly, without Open Faction or Dark Faction interference. A fair trade, yes?"
He added,
"Plus, you're probably more desperate."
"......"
Lee Gwang stared silently, but Mang Ryang merely flinched briefly at the aura before holding firm.
Finally, Lee Gwang spoke.
"Alliance Leader... impressive fortitude. I like it."
Mang Ryang wiped sweat from his brow.
"Haha, then we're agreed."
"Indeed."
An alliance between Anti-Heaven Alliance and Thunder God Style formed on the spot.
Watching, I was struck anew by Mang Ryang's brilliance. Negotiating face-to-face with the martial god Lee Gwang. His ability to withstand the gaze owed to the inner power from the black-and-white lotus root I'd given, but Lee Gwang's "fortitude" encompassed mind, body, and will.
Mang Ryang was a genius among Central Plains geniuses.
He led us to a reception room. Seated, he said,
"No time to waste—straight to business. I assume Elder Lee Gwang and Thunder God Style disciples aim to rescue General Hwang Yeon from the Great Thunder Prison. Correct?"
"Right. You've already guessed it all."
"Just calculated from the info."
Rustle.
Mang Ryang unrolled a map, pointing with a baton.
"This is the Great Thunder Prison's deep layout I obtained beforehand. General Hwang Yeon is likely here."
"How can you be sure? Proof it's genuine?"
"I have an imperial ally. If this map's wrong, every Anti-Heaven member loses their head. Please trust it."
"Hmm..."
"Here's my proposal."
Mang Ryang's eyes gleamed.
"First, mobilize Pure Stream Faction members. The chaos should weaken Great Thunder Prison defenses."
Lee Gwang looked stunned, then sighed.
"Truly a demon of a man. You see right through me."
"We obtained info that Elder Azure Dragon is sworn brothers with Pure Stream leader Elder Deng Guo. Surely you can move him."
"Good."
"And stay in our safehouses for now. We can't shake tails entirely—apologies there."
"No worries. We can handle those small fry."
Mang Ryang summoned subordinates to guide us, bowing.
"We have preparations to make. See you in three days."
"Understood."
It wrapped up like lightning.
I stayed with more to discuss. To Mang Ryang, I asked,
"How did you know all that?"
"Just pieced it together."
"......"
He grinned, extending a hand.
"The great undertaking comes sooner than thought. Best of luck, Baek Woong."
I gripped it firmly.
"You too."
The day my built connections met—the alliance of Anti-Heaven Alliance and Thunder God Style sealed.