Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Brocade Guards
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The location of the Jo Family, one of Guanzhong's Six Great Families, was the Jo Family Money House in the northwest. It was only natural for a clan that made its living from the money trade. I dashed there at full speed, covering about seven li in no time. Seeing the signboard for the Jo Family Money House, I thought it wasn't as far as I'd imagined. After all, seven li was a quick ride on horseback.
Four guard warriors stood before the Jo Family Money House. When they spotted me appearing out of nowhere with swift lightness skill, they immediately raised their spear tips. They seemed trained in martial arts as well.
"Who are you?"
A mischievous impulse bubbled up for a moment, but I held it back. No need to stir up trouble and complicate things. Instead, I politely cupped my fists and said,
"I am Baek Woong, a disciple of the Azure Dragon Martial Hall. I heard that Chief Instructor Jin So-cheong of the Azure Dragon Martial Hall—my senior brother—had visited the Jo Family Money House, so I've come with a message for him."
"Hmm..."
They exchanged glances for a moment.
"Wait here."
"Sure."
"Do you have anything to prove your identity? No one of uncertain background is allowed inside the Jo Family Money House."
"This is the instructor's badge of the Azure Dragon Martial Hall."
At the guard's words, I pulled the instructor's badge from my bosom. It featured a relief of an ascending azure dragon, crafted from high-quality bronze. It was given to me by Triple Excellence Lee Gwang to verify my status. They let out exclamations upon seeing it.
"Ooh... An instructor of the Azure Dragon Martial Hall at your age?"
"Impressive!"
"Please wait a moment."
One of them switched to polite speech and dashed inside, while the other three lowered their spear tips slightly and said,
"Baek Woong, was it? A new star has risen in Guanzhong's martial world."
"How old are you?"
"......"
I was dumbfounded by the guards who turned friendly the instant I showed the badge, acting like they'd never even consider it might be fake.
Of course, mine was genuine, but it also showed just how peaceful Guanzhong's martial world was, free from major upheavals. At the same time, it proved the immense prestige and honor of the Azure Dragon Martial Hall in Guanzhong. Like the twin great temples of Luoyang, the Azure Dragon Martial Hall wielded influence in Guanzhong rivaling that of a major sect.
"Ah... excuse me... I have urgent business seeing my senior brother."
I mumbled a vague response. But the guards nodded understandingly and chuckled heartily.
"Haha. Just wait a bit."
It was about one ke later.
The guard who had gone inside returned with a troubled expression.
"Uh... sorry, Young Hero Baek Woong. You'll have to wait a little longer."
"What's the matter?"
"......"
He clamped his mouth shut without a word. From his demeanor, I sensed something was happening inside. Likely, either he'd been told not to see me, or Jin So-cheong wasn't there at all.
I spoke curtly.
"I'm carrying out my master's orders. Master's command was to fetch senior brother without delay. Do you intend to leave me standing out here without reason?"
My irritation made the guards flinch. My words were impatient but correct. The guard who'd gone inside hurriedly explained,
"Chief Instructor Jin So-cheong is currently in an important discussion with the head of the Jo Family. If you're from the Azure Dragon Martial Hall, you should understand that much."
"Of course I do. As long as you can take responsibility for blocking me."
"......!!"
At the word "responsibility," the guards' faces paled slightly. It was the most terrifying word for guards like them. They quickly calculated how the blame would fall, then urged the guard inside.
"Tak! Go ask one more time!"
"It's not that urgent anyway. Just check again."
The guard called Tak snapped,
"Damn it! Am I your errand boy? Why's it always me?"
"You're the one on watch duty."
"Ugh..."
He seemed to swallow his curses with effort. Then, resigned, he said to me,
"Earlier, I couldn't get word directly from your senior brother or the head. This time, I'll confirm for sure."
"What do you mean? Did someone tell you to send me away?"
"Ah, well... the chief steward ordered no one to approach the guest quarters. No worries this time."
With that, Guard Tak bolted inside like he was fleeing. The remaining guards muttered "hey," "tch," "idiot," gossiping behind his back, but I ignored it. Instead, I racked my brains furiously to assess the situation.
'The Jo Family head and senior brother discussing something important? Wasn't senior brother supposed to meet his friend, the Soaring Heavens Sword Dragon Nangong Hwan, at the Jo Family Money House today? Was this place more than just a meeting spot?'
It seemed there were more complications to senior brother meeting Nangong Hwan and Moyong Yeon than I'd thought. I briefly wondered if the Jo Family head had imprisoned or threatened him, but even one of Guanzhong's Six Great Families wouldn't dare. Senior brother's skills were beyond their ability to capture, and the Azure Dragon Martial Hall's power alone outmatched two or three of them combined. I dismissed the absurd notion.
I asked the guards if Soaring Heavens Sword Dragon Nangong Hwan and his fiancée Moyong Yeon had come here. Their response was guarded.
"Why do you ask?"
"I heard rumors in the marketplace that they were heading to the Jo Family Money House."
"That's none of our concern."
They denied it, but that only confirmed to me that Nangong Hwan and Moyong Yeon had indeed visited. If they truly didn't know, they wouldn't react so hostilely. The guards weren't adept at deception and had slipped up.
'Should I just barge in?'
Standing here felt like a waste of time. But I clenched my fist and held back once more. I'd died plenty from acting rashly, so experience taught me that enduring as long as possible led to better outcomes. Overturning the Jo Family Money House would be easy, but the aftermath would be unmanageable.
I waited another half shichen like that. Finally, Guard Tak emerged alongside a middle-aged man.
"Greetings, Young Hero Baek Woong. Sorry to keep you waiting so long."
"Who are you?"
"I am Ha Jun, chief steward of the Jo Family Money House."
Knowing I was an instructor of the Azure Dragon Martial Hall, he addressed me as an equal despite my childlike appearance—not condescendingly. He treated me strictly as a fellow martial artist. The middle-aged man who identified himself as Chief Steward Ha Jun continued apologetically,
"Chief Instructor Jin finished speaking with the head but couldn't reach an agreement, so he'll stay longer. He said he'll return to the Azure Dragon Martial Hall later, so head back without worry."
"...What exactly were they discussing?"
"That concerns the internal secrets of this house. If you're so eager, ask your senior brother later."
I bared my teeth in a grin. It was unmistakably laced with killing intent.
"You take me for a fool? Make me wait like this, then tell me to wait longer? When exactly is 'later'? I haven't even glimpsed senior brother's face—how am I supposed to trust you?"
"Ah, no..."
Chief Steward Ha Jun looked flustered.
Kuuuung
My words were barbed, and the aura I unconsciously emanated pressed down on him, cowed. The Jo Family Money House was a martial force, and Ha Jun practiced martial arts, but facing my internal energy head-on made him shrink back, his arms trembling visibly.
Even the four guards beside him recoiled a step, their faces drained of color, already intimidated by my energy. I warned Ha Jun,
"Let me make this clear: if you don't let me meet senior brother face-to-face or at least explain the situation, I'll handle this my way."
"You're his junior brother—do you intend to besmirch your senior brother's face? Threatening the Jo Family Money House as a mere instructor of the Azure Dragon Martial Hall?"
Ha Jun's sharp retort showed he had backbone. Despite the pressure of my energy, he held firm and spoke his mind. I smirked and replied logically,
"Does this sound like a threat? I received master's order to 'bring back senior brother.' That's an absolute command even for him. Don't use senior brother as an excuse. Disobeying this order is his responsibility."
"......"
"In a martial sect, which takes precedence: a senior brother's will or a master's command? I'm simply speaking reason."
"Umm..."
I drove the nail home with a stern face.
"Whatever you and senior brother are discussing is his personal affair. To me and the Azure Dragon Martial Hall, master's command comes first!"
Ha Jun looked troubled.
He'd grasped the subtext: [Even if Baek Woong tears through the Jo Family Money House searching for his senior brother, no righteous outrage in the martial world.] As chief steward, he had the brains for it. Indeed, if I used that justification to beat down the steward and guards and force my way in, only the Jo Family Money House would suffer afterward.
Of course, I had no intention of actually doing it. That would put me at great risk too. But by radiating killing intent and issuing warnings, I imprinted the fact that [I could do it], establishing the 'threat.' The possibility of crazed action if things went south was immensely intimidating.
In the end, the steward glanced back at the Jo Family Money House and sighed.
"No helping it. I'll tell you Chief Instructor Jin's whereabouts."
"His whereabouts? He's not inside the Jo Family Money House?"
"He left this place half a shichen ago."
"......!!"
My intuition had been spot on. Earlier, the steward had blocked the guard and made excuses to send him back to hide that Jin So-cheong wasn't here. I confirmed my gut feeling was right, but there was nothing to be done. I could only choose the best path without loss after weighing justification and circumstances.
I said to the steward,
"Why did you hide Chief Instructor Jin's whereabouts?"
"Because he asked the head of the Jo Family to do so."
"What...?"
"I can't say more. But we merely honored the request, so even the Azure Dragon Martial Hall master can't intimidate us over this. Remember that."
Ha Jun's words cut like a razor, laced with irritation at my meddling in their affairs. I refrained from provoking him further. It seemed Chief Instructor Jin So-cheong had, for some reason, asked the Jo Family head to conceal his movements until tomorrow. The steward had simply bought him time as requested.
But why?
Soon, Ha Jun spoke.
"He's headed to Hangu Pass. He went on horseback, so hurry if you want to catch his trail."
"You're doing your utmost to cover your tracks."
Telling me his whereabouts so dutifully was to prepare an answer for later accusations of hiding senior brother. Ha Jun frowned.
"Don't mock me. We don't like meddling in others' affairs either."
"Hmm."
"No escort for you. Be on your way, young hero."
Moments later, Ha Jun ordered the guards to close the gates and vanished inside. With a bang, the doors shut, and the guards looked embarrassed but soon lit the torch wicks and resumed their duties. The sun had set, and darkness was falling—if I didn't hurry, I'd lose the trail.
Paat
I knew where Hangu Pass was. Having lived in Guanzhong for three years, I had a rough grasp of the geography. Hangu Pass was the gateway from the Central Plains in the east to Guanzhong in the west, right up against the Lingbao area on the southern bank of the Yellow River. I'd never been there myself, but as a historically famous fortress, following the official road should lead me there.
'There's a relay station nearby. I'll borrow a horse there.'
Riding at night was risky, but holding a torch in one hand would suffice for visibility. My horsemanship wasn't great, so I'd have to moderate the speed. I could run, but I wanted to conserve energy if possible.
Hihihng
Fire towers with spaced torches lined the official road. It wasn't pitch black, so I slowly urged the horse forward.
According to the relay station master, Hangu Pass was visible after crossing one mountain and traveling another five li. That put the actual distance at about 25 li from here. Quite a way—I was glad I'd gotten the horse.
As the horse's hooves clopped rhythmically, I pondered.
'No doubt about it. Senior Brother Jin So-cheong met Nangong Hwan and Moyong Yeon at the Jo Family Money House, and now they're heading to Hangu Pass together.'
There was one clear purpose.
Escort!
From midday, ruffians and even first-class experts had prowled the streets seeking Nangong Hwan and Moyong Yeon. Nangong Hwan couldn't be unaware, so he'd taken his fiancée to the Jo Family Money House for refuge and asked his friend Jin So-cheong for help. Senior brother had told Lee Gwang he was meeting a friend, then joined them as their escort.
Shoooaa
I pressed flat against the horse's back, dodging branches, and muttered,
"This is getting annoying."
No mistake.
Following senior brother toward Hangu Pass like this, I'd likely run into that gang of first-class experts. They were obsessed with Moyong Yeon, and experts of that caliber wouldn't fail to track Nangong Hwan. They hadn't dared act at the Jo Family Money House but would strike now, in the dark of night.
My prediction proved correct soon enough.
As I crossed the mountainside on horseback and slowly descended the official road by torchlight, my senses flared sharply. It was a massive ripple—like powerful techniques clashing. A faint sound inaudible to ordinary ears pricked like a needle, unmistakably signaling a clash of experts.
"Tch... hope I'm not too late."
I clicked my tongue and spurred the horse faster. The downhill was dangerous, but no choice.
"Get a move on, you beast."
I placed a hand on the horse's neck and slowly infused it with energy. The exhausted horse perked up and galloped quicker. At the same time, I synced with its senses to keep it steady.
Hihihng—
Ordinary experts couldn't channel energy like this. Infusing internal energy into another being was wildly inefficient; usually, one memorized the Eight Extraordinary Meridians and injected limited energy into specific acupoints to minimize waste. But with my overflowing internal energy, I could skip the points and just pour in qi—inefficient, but effective enough.
My haste paid off; I reached the confrontation site in just half a ke.
Shooooaaa—
Emerging from grassy areas into a wide plain dotted with large trees. In the distance, Hangu Pass loomed on the mountain. In the plain's center, torches were planted like a training ground, and over a dozen figures stood frozen there.
I dismounted and shouted,
"Chief Instructor Jin So-cheong! Are you alright?"
Chaeng chaeng
Jin So-cheong, wielding his spear against two experts, glanced my way mid-swing. Astonishingly, he handled both without retreating an inch, even dominating them, moving the spear like an extension of his body.
Ttaang!
"Urk."
Thudung—as Jin So-cheong thrust up with the spear shaft, one sword-wielding expert cried out and flew back. Simultaneously, using Thunder Spirit Eight Forms, he spun the spear tip, generating a bizarre shockwave that shredded the other's glove and tore into his shoulder.
Having dispatched the two experts in an instant, Jin So-cheong looked at me in astonishment.
"Who are you? Why do I sense the aura of Thunder Spirit from you?"
He'd detected the thunder qi emanating from me. Even so, discerning the Thunder Spirit realm at a glance showed that Jin So-cheong at this time was even greater than I'd thought.
The experts' gazes turned to me.
I bowed with cupped fists to my senior brother and said,
"I am Baek Woong, newly entered disciple of the Azure Dragon Martial Hall, granted the instructor rank. By the hall master's order, I serve you as senior brother, Chief Instructor."
"Instructor...? Senior brother?"
"I also learned Triple Excellence arts due to personal circumstances before formally entering."
Jin So-cheong, piecing it together, laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! I see! Pleased to meet you, Junior Brother Baek Woong!"
"Yes."
He'd instantly inferred I hailed from another Thunder God Style branch and was a disciple of its master, Triple Excellence Lee Gwang. He'd even caught that "Triple Excellence" alluded covertly to Thunder God Style. Truly a prodigy of the era, excelling in both mind and martial prowess.
'Well, he's one of the future Ten Great Experts of the world...'
Behind Jin So-cheong stood one man and one woman.
The man was strikingly handsome. Jin So-cheong was dashing enough, but this man's looks evoked a dragon—flawlessly chiseled like carved jade, without a single imperfection. A mere smile from him could sway countless maidens' hearts.
Beside the handsome man stood a peerless beauty. Among those I'd seen, she rivaled Sa Gong-rin, impossible to declare superior. If anything, Sa Gong-rin was fresh and pure, while this woman was alluringly seductive. Either way, she was a beauty any man would risk his life for.
They greeted me.
"Pleased to meet you, young hero. I am Soaring Heavens Sword Dragon Nangong Hwan of the Nangong Family."
"I am Moyong Yeon, daughter of the Moyong Family."
"Yes. Pleased to meet you."
I'd already guessed their identities, so I returned the greeting plainly. My suspicions were confirmed.
Then.
A black-clad man stepped forward, sneering at Jin So-cheong and me.
"Putting on a show, eh? One more brat won't save you tonight, Jin So-cheong, Soaring Heavens Sword Dragon!"
Seven or eight experts stood with him, each gripping unique signature weapons. Among them, I sensed the four first-class experts from midday. At the rear was a youth with a wooden sword—the War Blade Ghost Wi Jong, whom I'd repelled earlier.
Sure enough, Wi Jong gasped upon spotting me.
"Ah! You're that Beggar Clan boy from earlier!"
I snapped curtly,
"Beggar Clan? I'm a disciple of the Azure Dragon Martial Hall."
"Don't make me laugh, you crow-like runt drooling rice gruel!"
"Shut your crap, you bastard."
Comparing me to beggars for lack of better analogies?
That was an insult.
Irritated, I launched forward. Time to teach them a lesson.
"Crazy bastard!"
The first-class experts sneered like I was a mayfly charging head-on, then hurled ferocious weapons to slay me. But I halted just outside their attack range, twisted sharply mid-air, and summoned all my internal energy to stomp the ground.
'Taste this.'
Kukwangkwakwakwa kwang—!!!!
Cataclysm!
A thunderous explosion roared. Like detonating dozens of barrels of gunpowder, a massive dust cloud erupted up to the mountainside.
As if a wall of darkness rose, heaven and earth shook with the blast. Invisible shockwaves tore through the air with whistling shrieks. The stomp's depth collapsed the earth endlessly. Nearby trees lost branches to the shock.
Human bodies were no exception.
"Aaaaagh!!"
"W-what the hell?!?!"
"Th-this madman?! H-heuk!!"
Screams rang out as the clustered first-class experts flailed, forcibly hurled backward. Some stabbed weapons into the ground or stabilized mid-air with lightness skill, but none held within five zhang. The weakest flew over ten zhang, coughing blood from his mouth.
I'd simply channeled all my internal energy into a ground stomp.
Yet this result shocked even me.
Did I really do that?
What level had my internal energy reached?
Then, Senior Brother Jin So-cheong grinned and said,
"Well done, Junior Brother Baek Woong! Get Moyong Yeon on that horse and let's flee."
"Yes? Flee?"
"Those guys are no pushovers. A head-on fight isn't wise."
Hwik
The lady Moyong Yeon mounted my horse. Nangong Hwan said to her, gripping the reins,
"Hurry to Hangu Pass. Don't worry about us."
"Got it. Go!"
Clop clop
As Moyong Yeon's horse galloped off, Jin So-cheong, Nangong Hwan, and I followed. All three of us could outpace the horse, but to conserve stamina and energy, we kept just within sight of its rear.
Mid-run, Nangong Hwan glanced at me and said,
"To think a young expert like you was in Guanzhong... The world's balance will shift from now on."
"Ahaha..."
I gave an awkward laugh. Knowing he'd later be one of the Ten Great Experts and the Nangong Family's Sword King made the praise from this future luminary embarrassing.
Then, Jin So-cheong sent me a transmission.
[You inherited the Thunder God Style?]
I wasn't adept at sound transmission. Instead, I muttered lowly,
'Yes. My previous master passed, so I came to the hall master.'
[Huhu. Training will be fun from now on. Count on you today.]
Surprisingly, Jin So-cheong showed no suspicion or jealousy. Even for a branch of the same style, a sudden newcomer should provoke doubt or anger. Feeling his sincerity without pretense or hypocrisy weighed on my heart.
Jin So-cheong was a natural genius!
'If only he'd been petty, I'd feel better.'
I wondered if I could surpass Triple Excellence Lee Gwang's acknowledged prodigy successor.
============================ Author's Note ============================
Fixed some errors. Whew, got startled eating a chocolate cream bun on the bus.