Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Subduing Demon Hall
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I decided to head to Luoyang for a few days to identify any weaknesses in my martial arts. It was the largest city in the world, teeming with all sorts of martial sects, and a place where money could open countless doors. With no enmities weighing me down at the moment, I figured I could live quietly and uneventfully there as long as I avoided trouble.
Above all, I had no clear sense of what to do next. Rather than wandering through remote villages, I thought I'd stay in Luoyang, sort out my thoughts, and seek out my next steps. And if things didn't pan out, I could always challenge the Luoyang Twin Temples again to hone my skills.
'My fear of sparring has mostly faded now.'
The trauma from dying at the Iron Blood Sect had left me somewhat withdrawn. But thanks to Jin So-cheong taking me along to smash the Zhongnan Sect, I'd healed much of that mental scar and regained my confidence. I wasn't making any standout progress in my martial arts right now, but my motivation was at an all-time high.
Once in Luoyang, I resolved to buy a house. I wanted a secluded base where I could train and reflect alone. So I started seeking out real estate brokers, who were mostly low-ranking officials.
They seemed to believe that granting private citizens full trading rights would disrupt Luoyang's order. Even these tenth-rank officials took the lead, though they typically partnered with private merchants for the details. For major deals, they'd report up the chain, ultimately to the ministers of the Six Ministries.
The official I approached was seated pompously at his desk in the government office, looking like an eighth-rank bureaucrat.
"Hmm... Baek Woong, was it? You want a house like that? It'll cost at least five hundred taels of silver."
He eyed me skeptically, doubting I could afford it given my young age. Still, wealthy young heirs from prominent families often made big purchases in Luoyang, so he didn't dismiss me outright.
"Will this suffice?"
"......!!"
When I placed a gold ingot on the table, his eyes bulged. The ingot was worth several times five hundred taels of silver, so it was no surprise.
"No need for change. Just keep it quiet."
"Y-Yes..."
He hastily concealed the ingot with his sleeve, glancing around to check if anyone had seen. Then he spoke.
"Of course! More than enough. Leave it to me—no worries. Any preferred location?"
"I'd like something near the Luoyang Twin Temples."
"The Twin Temples? Let me see..."
He pulled out a map of Luoyang, slyly tucking the ingot into his robe. After studying the large map for a moment, he pointed to a spot.
"Here! A fine place fifty paces from the Seo Family Clan. A parvenu bought it for speculation but can't sell, so it's half on the market. Great view, no defects—perfect for you."
"Why can't he sell?"
"Don't misunderstand. He overpriced it, scaring off buyers. If I handle it, no rumors, and it'll be yours. Trust me."
"Got it."
"Three days should do. Come back then for the deed and seal transfer."
I casually asked him a question.
"While you're at it, who's the richest person in Luoyang?"
"Heh... Sounds like you've got ambitions."
Assuming I aimed to rise through bribes, he twisted his catfish whiskers with a grin. After checking for eavesdroppers, he whispered.
"Everyone hushes it, but the Han Family Clan is Luoyang's wealthiest. They own twenty estates across the continent, five escort agencies, and outposts in Shandong. They keep low to avoid offending officials, but their wealth rivals a kingdom's. Only insiders know, since they hide it well."
News to me. I'd never heard this from the fortune teller back when digging for Luoyang intel. Surprised, I pressed.
"Isn't the Han Family Clan one of Iron Blood Sword Sovereign Zhang Shi Yi Han's Twin Temples? How does a mere martial clan amass such fortune...?"
"Not sure on details, but they're an ancient house, predating the last dynasty. That legacy built their wealth, I suppose. High officials often borrow from them."
"......"
"If you're thinking of cozying up, I recommend becoming a Han Family guest. The current patriarch loves recruiting talented folk as retainers. Get lucky, and you might get close."
Unexpected intel.
I thanked him and stepped out, pondering.
'The Han Family Clan, Luoyang's top tycoons?'
I had nine gold ingots left. Two to Mang Ryang, one just now. Enough to become filthy rich overnight, but now I was curious about the Hans. Even for a top clan, how did they accumulate such wealth?
With no real goals anyway, investigating their secrets seemed worthwhile.
'Everything's connected.'
A lesson from my past life. The world's events might seem unrelated, but they're all intertwined. Even trivial info could prove crucial later.
I set my Luoyang goal: infiltrate the Han Family as a key guest. The house could wait; I'd visit the Hans, become a retainer, and uncover their mysteries.
I roughly knew their location. Luoyang was vast, but I'd memorized the Twin Temples' spots. After half a shichen of wandering, I arrived. Unlike their reputed wealth, the estate was modestly sized, smaller than other Twin Temples, with no guards at the gate.
'What? No guards?'
Puzzled, I approached the main gate to knock.
That's when it happened.
"Strange kid. What are you up to?"
A presence and voice hit simultaneously. I whipped right—mere one zhang away stood a figure like a goblin. A burly man in black robes wrapped tight, massive blade over his shoulder, fierce glaring eyes. But I couldn't focus on looks.
'First-Class Expert! Nearing Peak...'
His lightness skill was blindingly fast, barely caught by my senses. As the saying goes, feet reveal the hands—even in that cumbersome garb, he moved silently. His internal energy felt profound too.
Scanning around, I said.
"I heard the Han patriarch welcomes talents as guests. Here to show my skills."
"Hmm... Aspiring retainer. Name?"
"Baek Woong."
"Brothers, your thoughts?"
Whoosh!
Swish.
Martial artists appeared from all sides, matching the blade-man's prowess. A red-robed one crossed arms.
"Impeccable skill. Terrifying internal energy."
"But at that age? Suspicious."
"Stay cautious. Little bro, inform the Young House Lord first."
"Got it."
Flash.
The blade-man was the youngest; he nodded and vanished inside. The encircling experts from the three talents positions stayed vigilant. Their stance revealed my headache.
'This is the problem... My energy's too vast to fully conceal. Even average foes sense my level instantly.'
Being ignored for seeming weak was bad, but this scrutiny was worse. To first-class senses or above, I'd feel like a raging qi storm. I could detect their level too, but constant suspicion wherever I went wasn't ideal.
To ease it, I spoke.
"I'm no suspicious character. Just here to have the Han Family recognize my skills for the world."
The red-robed man snapped gruffly.
"Ever seen a shady guy admit it?"
"Hmm."
"You're suspiciously strong, Baek Woong. Even all three of us might not match a fraction of your energy—truly monstrous. Never heard of a teen martial artist overwhelming the Xuan Yuan Four Blades."
"......"
Xuan Yuan Four Blades!
I didn't know them well, but they were a notorious group, likely four blade wielders roaming together with fame in the jianghu.
Yet I couldn't believe elites like these were content as retainers for a minor clan. Higher-level experts grew arrogant, shunning merchants' employ for pride's sake. Escort agencies threw money at first-class talents but rarely succeeded. For Xuan Yuan Four Blades caliber, they could roam freely—why settle as guests in a Twin Temple?
Soon, the youngest returned with a dozen experts, all matching their level. A leading scholar stroked his beard.
"Young House Lord, I've never seen his like. Even geniuses from the Nine Great Sects and Eight Schools, trained fifty years in supreme arts, couldn't match a tenth of this boy's energy. A once-in-a-lifetime prodigy of transcendent arts."
The black-haired pretty boy called Young House Lord nodded. Stunningly handsome, about my age.
"If Base Dragon Divine Lord says so, it must be."
The middle-aged scholar, Base Dragon Divine Lord, asked gravely.
"Your name Baek Woong, right? Who's your master?"
"Can't disclose."
"Why not?"
"My master forbade it. Probing origins isn't martial etiquette."
Unfazed, I replied. He hummed thoughtfully.
"With your skill, you could make a name in the jianghu without us. Why join?"
"Where I go is my choice. I prefer quiet over wandering."
"For wealth?"
"Not really. Just curious about the famed Han Family."
My answer furrowed brows among the retainers, including Base Dragon.
"Arrogant!"
But the Young House Lord differed. Propping his chin thoughtfully, he said.
"Baek Woong, come meet the patriarch with me. He'll decide."
"Too much fuss?"
"Haha. We won't skimp welcoming a young hero."
His radiant smile was painting-like. First since Nangong Hwan I'd seen such beauty; my eyes widened. My own pathetic looks—worse than dirt under his nails—stung with self-loathing. No amount of internal energy fixed that.
I followed him inside, a dozen wary retainers shadowing like guards, ready to strike.
'Fresh feeling.'
Around Lee Gwang or Jin So-cheong, I hadn't grasped my strength. Here, amid these experts, it hit: my cultivated power's might. But I didn't want a brawl with peak experts, so I quietly trailed.
Soon, a serene compound appeared. The Young House Lord addressed the followers.
"You all withdraw."
"But..."
"The patriarch isn't so frail he needs your worry, right?"
The retainers bowed fist-to-palm, convinced, and retreated.
"We'll wait outside."
Watching them ebb like tide, my eyes gleamed. They trusted the patriarch's martial might absolutely. Entering the compound with the Young House Lord, I saw a pond with a small wooden bridge, a girl gazing at it.
'Who?'
She was peerlessly beautiful. Early twenties? Youthful and innocent, with glossy black hair, fine robes, porcelain skin in harmony. Unlike Sa Gong-rin or Moyong Yeon, hers was doll-like perfection.
She glanced our way.
"You're Baek Woong?"
Boom.
An immense qi wave crashed over me. My breath caught—not from beauty, but her invisible aura's overwhelming force. A power I'd felt only once before.
I blurted.
"Formless Qi...!!"
Her eyes lit.
"You know Formless Qi? Not rejuvenated, yet taught by a grandmaster. Rare in the world—who's your sect?"
"W-Who are you...?"
She laughed softly. That laugh revealed her: a rejuvenated transcendent expert. Her mere presence crushed my spirit.
"I'm Han Baek Ryeong, patriarch of the Han Family Clan."
"......!!"
"Now, shall we uncover your origins?"
Flash.
Light palm force erupted from her hand. I countered with Thunder Cloud Palm; my raw power edged hers slightly. But her white palm layered threefold, gaining force—I staggered back two steps, shoulder aching like shattered.
Thud!
Post-clash, she levitated a pebble via void grasp, flicking it at me.
Clang!
"Urk..."
I whipped out my sword lightning-fast to deflect, but Heavenly Thunder Edge nearly snapped. The pebble's guided force was vicious. Any other expert's blade would've broken, heart pierced. As I faltered, Han Baek Ryeong spoke.
"So, you're Azure Dragon's disciple. He's long left the Four Divine Guards—why send you to stir trouble in Luoyang?"
Her voice held faint anger.
"I... don't know him. My master is someone else."
"Someone else?"
"Yes. I trained in seclusion and just descended. Heard the Han Family recruits talents, so I came."
"Hmm..."
I sensed admitting Lee Gwang's discipleship here meant death. Han Baek Ryeong matched his transcendent level, her feelings toward him hostile. She glared suspiciously, then said.
"Fine. Even if true, your arts mirror his too closely. Explain."
"My lineage is multi-branch. Same art, different masters—plenty possible."
"Hah? Wait..."
She pondered, struck by realization. Then:
"...I believe you. Your heart thread didn't waver. No evil in you."
"Thanks."
Arms crossed, she asked.
"What do you seek from the Han Family? Be honest."
"A worthy sparring partner to refine my arts. As a retainer, I'd encounter them."
Sincere words. Unexpected turns, but perfecting Heaven Ruler Killer and Heavenly Thunder Edge needed combat experience fast. My plan to progress swiftly.
Han Baek Ryeong chuckled low.
"Is that so? Perfect timing. You'll get what you want."
I didn't know then.
What she meant by "perfect timing."