Chapter 545
Chapter 545
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 545
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
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Yeon Jeong-hong slowly reached out and fiddled with the phoenix fragment. After examining it for a long while, he spoke.
"It seems familiar."
At that moment, I was inwardly so thrilled I nearly jumped for joy.
I'd thought I'd have to scour the entire Central Plains, but a lead had already appeared!
Yeon Jeong-hong took a sip of his tea before continuing.
"I think I saw something like it in my family's old books when I was young... Yes, as I recall, it was a carving depicting the phoenix of Danhyeol Mountain. And it wasn't just one piece, but two."
He knows about the fragment!
Yeon Jong-hwi looked surprised.
"That's strange. I think I've seen a book like that too. Could it be a story passed down through generations?"
"Hmm... I pored over that book closely in my youth. And the reason we both saw it is probably because it was a treasure once owned by the Yeon royal family. That book itself was a record of treasures owned by successive kings."
"Ah..."
"Though the bloodline scattered, books containing vital information were passed down in each family."
"Do you still have that book by any chance?"
"I do. I'll give it to you if you want."
It felt like a key piece of the puzzle had fallen into place. Yeon Jeong-hong took another sip of tea and said,
"I don't know where you got that phoenix fragment, but I believe it was once treated as a national treasure. There must be records of it, and its owner surely knows its value."
"So that means."
"You might find it if you search diligently, but the owner won't hand it over easily. Keep that in mind as you look."
Feeling like I'd gleaned some information on the phoenix fragment, I said to Yeon Jeong-hong,
"I have a question. I know your swordsmanship is particularly renowned even among the leaders of the Nine Great Sects. Is it because you've mastered the Mount Zhongnan Sect's sword arts to the utmost purity?"
He flinched.
Yeon Jeong-hong's expression hardened. He replied to my words in a somewhat fierce tone.
"It seems you want a specific answer. Are you hoping to hear that I mixed in the Yeon royal family's swordsmanship?"
For a moment, I realized my mistake.
"That's not what I meant."
"You seemed like a return-to-youth master, so I respected you inwardly, but your questioning is crude."
Yeon Jeong-hong seemed somewhat angry. Contempt even mixed into his expression.
Seeing the situation turn sour, I hurriedly bowed my head and made excuses.
"I'm sorry. Lately, I've been immersed in perfecting my swordsmanship, pouring all my focus into it, so I've become greatly interested in other schools' arts as well. I apologize if I was rude."
"Very well, I accept your apology."
Yeon Jeong-hong sighed and continued.
"...I mastered the Yeon royal family's swordsmanship in my youth. Later, at age twelve, I entered the Mount Zhongnan Sect, and it's true that my prior martial arts aided my progress."
"So you did fuse sword styles?"
"No. The Mount Zhongnan Sect's basic forms and ultimate techniques are purely essential... If I'd mixed in other schools' arts, the elders would have noticed long ago and never elevated me to sect leader."
He cracked his knuckles.
"I believe the Mount Zhongnan Sect's arts are more refined and powerful than the royal family's. Some say our sect falls short of sword schools like Mount Hua or Wudang, but I disagree. It's merely a difference in talent and resources—we can become the world's foremost sword sect at any time."
"......"
Hearing Yeon Jeong-hong's confident answer, I realized he had fully embraced the life of a Mount Zhongnan Sect disciple.
'He'll be the Mount Zhongnan Sect leader until his dying day.'
Had Yeon Jong-hwi not come looking, he probably would have lived out his life without ever telling anyone of his Yeon royal bloodline.
With a faint hope, I said to Yeon Jeong-hong,
"Please keep our questions about the phoenix fragment confidential. I ask you."
"Naturally... If there's nothing more, please leave."
As he said this, Yeon Jeong-hong took a small book from a corner of his hut and handed it over. It seemed to be the secret record listing treasures owned by the Yeon royal family, including the silver phoenix fragment. The fact that he gave it away so freely showed he truly had no interest in treasures.
"Understood."
Whoosh
We parted from Yeon Jong-hwi and returned to Jangryeong Valley. When we told Zhuge Sa about the silver phoenix fragment, he pondered deeply before saying,
"It's not without gain. The Yeon royal family is an ancient dynasty, while Balhae is a later kingdom. The fact that the Yeon owned a phoenix fragment means at least the silver one wasn't made in Balhae."
"So it's an ancient relic?"
"Balhae was founded eight hundred years ago, but this seems even older. And there's something else intriguing I didn't mention last time."
"What?"
"This silver phoenix fragment... It looks like it's made of silver at a glance, but it's an entirely different metal. Extremely resilient to impacts and flexible. It's too advanced to be a product of ancient metallurgy."
Zhuge Sa took the book from Yeon Jeong-hong and said,
"This is enough. Using <Bori> and this book as references, we'll search for the remaining phoenix fragments as best we can. You go back to training."
"Got it."
I went to Yi Cheong-un. He was waiting in the training ground and said,
"Baek Woong. Your next move will likely come after finding the phoenix fragment."
"I think so too."
"You've obtained Sword Thunder, but the road ahead is still long. Let's spar to gauge your level."
Clang!
Clang!
We exchanged about five hundred exchanges in a spar to match levels again. Just as I wondered why it was lasting so long for just gauging, Yi Cheong-un set down his spear. After a moment's thought, he said,
"There's no clear solution... It's true you've advanced another layer as a swordsman, but that's not enough to pass on the Thunder God Spirit Fusion essentials yet."
"Not enough?"
"It's not due to any resentment toward you. As you know, Thunder God Spirit Fusion condenses dozens of advanced insights—imparting it prematurely would only lead you into inner demons."
"Hmm, I see."
"I think your path forward will be gradual cultivation rather than sudden enlightenment. I've considered teaching you more fist, spear, or grappling arts, but it's still too soon..."
"It's fine."
I said confidently.
"Training the subtleties of the wondrous realm will make it work somehow."
"Good. Let's start training from today."
Just as before obtaining Sword Thunder, I began training under Yi Cheong-un in linking and applying all the Thunder God Style techniques. Strangely, before going to Dugoseong, it felt like twisting my body forcibly, but after mastering Sword Thunder, my understanding of the forms surged.
Curious about my rapid progress, I asked Yi Cheong-un, and he readily explained.
"Of course. Mastering Sword Thunder isn't just about emitting lightning from your sword. You've become one of the greatest sword prodigies in Thunder God Style history, so naturally, your sword enlightenment makes applications and links easier to grasp, right?"
"I see!"
"The flow is good. Let's build your prowess until you can aim for the next realm."
Screeech
Clang!
Had it been about a year of such training?
I felt myself sinking into an even more profound realm in the Thunder God Style martial arts. It was odd—not so much a refinement of realm, but more like everything I'd learned so far gained weight, naturally pulling me deeper. My martial links became smoother, and activations faster.
Occasionally, Zhuge Sa showed signs of deep contemplation. When I asked what was wrong, he said,
"That <Bori> you gave me... It seems to hold greater meaning than expected. I'm debating whether to delve into it."
"Don't hesitate—just do it."
"Heh. I'll consult with Mang-ryang first."
After that day, Zhuge Sa never mentioned <Bori> again. He only said that after discussing with Mang-ryang, they'd focus more on the phoenix fragments for now.
Another three months passed.
Around then, word came from Mang-ryang.
"Baek Woong. We've finally found the remaining silver phoenix fragment!"
"Really!"
"One of the Semi-Heaven Alliance's informants spread across the jianghu tracked down the owner. Thanks to the book from Yeon Jeong-hong, we pinpointed the location."
I felt things were progressing smoothly. Unable to suppress my excitement, I said,
"Then we can open the door now."
"Well..."
Mang-ryang hesitated before saying,
"...We're short on funds."
"......?"
"The owner is a rather special figure... It requires a lot of money. Uncle Zhuge Sa and I are pondering it now."
What was this about?
Bewildered, I said,
"We have the pirate treasures we looted... There's a massive amount, isn't there?"
"True. Baek Woong, you've amassed a fortune through your reincarnations. We've used it to run Jangryeong Valley and Jinrang Valley, employ jianghu intelligence networks, and grow the Semi-Heaven Alliance. But... Even that might not be enough to buy the silver phoenix fragment."
"What are you saying?"
Mang-ryang let out a deep sigh and said,
"Lima Dou's merchant group holds it. That's the problem."
"Lima Dou?"
"Lima Dou is the name he uses in the Central Plains, but he's actually a Westerner."
"Huh? A Westerner?"
As I responded in astonishment, Mang-ryang continued.
"Matteo Ricci. He's extended his influence to Guangdong City and the Dadu Kingdom, forming a massive merchant group. He can also command the Dutch and their fleet at will, making him untouchable."
"......!!"
I was shocked upon hearing that.
"That guy's the one who appeared when we stormed the imperial palace before..."
"Exactly. In that reincarnation where a god descended and killed the White Lotus Cult Leader, the Westerner who appeared before you and Lee Gwang. We've seen him once."
Mang-ryang sat in a chair and said,
"The more I investigated Matteo Ricci, the more impressive he proved. He's proselytizing his Western religion near Guangdong while building a merchant group that dominates trade in Guangdong and the Dadu Kingdom. If he wanted, he could incite the Guangdong governor and princes to rebel against the Great Ming Empire."
"Dadu Kingdom?"
"Ah, you wouldn't know, Baek Woong. It's quite remote."
He cleared his throat and explained.
"Near the South Sea, east of Guangdong, lies a massive island. Island though it is, it's as large as a proper nation. Civilization from the Central Plains barely reached it, so natives lived there, developing their own culture independently. Lately, Westerners have seized it. That's the Dadu Kingdom."
"First time hearing of it."
"The Ming Empire avoids mentioning them. Nominally under Ming, but the governor's control barely reaches. Few know of it."
I understood the situation. Crossing my arms in thought, I said,
"Hmm. So a Western priest who's also a merchant?"
"He has good relations with the current emperor, even receiving support. The emperor seems to want exchanges with the West through him."
Mang-ryang said in a heavy voice.
"The issue is, our informant says he knows the phoenix fragment's value. He might try taking it back to his homeland."
"......"
If the phoenix fragment went West, it would be a disaster. Knowing its value, he wouldn't sell or yield easily. And the price he'd demand would be astronomical, explaining Mang-ryang's dilemma.
I suggested,
"Then let's find Matteo Ricci's base and steal it secretly."
"We considered that. But we only know he owns it—we don't know where the fragment is."
"Kidnap and torture Matteo Ricci then..."
"That's a murderer's mindset. What crime has he committed?"
"......"
I had nothing to say. Having kidnapped and tortured so often, my thinking defaulted there. Mang-ryang gave a wry smile and said,
"Uncle Zhuge Sa suggested it first, naturally. But the more I think, the worse the fallout from touching such a figure. We could smash his forces or kidnap and torture him to get the fragment, but the world would change drastically, exposing our faction to all. Touching him is like provoking the Dadu Kingdom and Western nations."
"So better to just buy it through trade?"
"Precisely. Minimal repercussions, and it buys you training time."
Mang-ryang nodded and said.
"We need money. At least dozens of nyang of gold! You'll have to step up for that, Baek Woong."
"Got it!"
I grinned and stood.
"That much? I can earn it in no time."