Chapter 71 - The Power of the Four Emperors
The incantation passed down from Dan Ri-ye of Poison Dragon Valley: Point Soul.
Unlike acupoint strikes that subdue the body by sealing meridians, this supreme technique dominates the opponent's soul.
Though it has the limitation of being ineffective against those with exceptionally strong mental fortitude, its miraculous nature is undeniable—capable of subduing multiple foes simultaneously without direct contact.
And what Dan Ri-ye had imparted this time in the underground gathering was Divide Soul.
A supreme art that splits one's own soul, this was the secret behind Dan Ri-ye leaving a lingering obsession in the blood prison.
However, its drawback was that it couldn't be used frequently, as it divided the soul itself.
Jin Muhon had used Divide Soul to feed a fragment of his soul to Haomenju Yi Yeonhwa.
A supreme technique that seeps into the opponent's soul vein, compelling them to align unwittingly.
It was undoubtedly several levels above Point Soul in wonder.
"Mm..."
Yi Yeonhwa furrowed her brow and urgently examined her meridians.
Something foul had brushed past briefly, yet no alien energy was detected.
"Gate Leader!"
"Are you alright?!"
Shocked cries erupted from her escorts behind her.
Yi Yeonhwa raised a hand to calm her four guards.
What was that? Just the alcohol after all?
She narrowed her eyes at the empty cup.
No matter how she thought about it, the Sword Demon wouldn't show baseless goodwill.
She couldn't grasp what had just happened.
It was then.
Ak Manho and Kwak Woong groaned simultaneously.
"Huh? Gate Leader?!"
"His eyes!"
Yi Yeonhwa's eyes widened as she stared at Ak Manho.
His dark pupils had flashed blood-red for an instant before returning to normal.
"What? My eyes? What's wrong with them?"
"Uh... must've been seeing things. Thought something got in your eye..."
"......"
Yi Yeonhwa narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing them both, but they soon averted their gazes as if it were nothing.
The Jin family head did something! Play dumb! We have to play dumb!
Did he poison her? What a terrifying man.
Ak Manho and Kwak Woong exchanged glances, forcing calm expressions.
Whatever the change in their gate leader meant, the clear fact was it happened after drinking the alcohol from Jin Muhon.
Instinct told them to pretend ignorance.
"You must have a grasp on which sects the Demonic Cult's envoys visited, yes?"
At that moment, Jin Muhon's low, oppressive voice crushed the group.
Yi Yeonhwa bowed her head.
"Yes. Excluding those who attended last night's gathering, all have sided with the Demonic Cult. Even parts of the four great sects from the old Four Emperors Alliance."
"What? Is that true?"
"Tch! Those arrogant bastards calling themselves great sects. But Gate Leader, who flipped? We didn't hear about that."
"......"
Kwak Woong and Ak Manho, hearing this for the first time, shot Yi Yeonhwa looks of shock and displeasure.
Yi Yeonhwa was just as flustered.
Why did I say that...?
Influenced by Divide Soul, Yi Yeonhwa naturally adopted a cooperative stance toward Jin Muhon.
Unaware of this, she plunged into momentary confusion, but Jin Muhon gave her no time to think.
"Continue."
"...Yes. The sects that sided with the Demonic Cult are the Green Forest Bandits. Beihai Ice Palace flatly rejected the Demonic Cult's threats, and Black Wind Flag... killed their envoy."
Ak Manho slapped his thigh with a smack.
"Kuh! As expected of those bandit scum! Out of their minds, I tell you! Killed the envoy? Hahaha! Impressive!"
"And what of South Barbarian Beast Palace?"
As Ak Manho guffawed, Kwak Woong inquired about the remaining sect.
Among the many sects of the old Four Emperors Alliance, these four had been the strongest.
Their power rivaled the Nine Great Sects of the orthodox factions, so their choices would reshape the murim landscape.
"South Barbarian Beast Palace... appears to have been wiped out."
"What?!"
"Say that again!"
Ak Manho and Kwak Woong shot to their feet.
As the two burly men rose, their chairs toppled with a crash, plunging the inn into stunned silence.
Jin Muhon spoke.
"Sit."
"Ah, yes!"
"Sorry, family head!"
Like obedient dogs, they plopped back down.
The customers sneaking glances flinched and turned away as the fierce-looking bandits and ronin scowled.
Ak Manho lowered his voice, pressing Yi Yeonhwa.
"Gate Leader! Is that true?!"
"Yes."
"Who wiped out those beast bastards?!"
"Isn't it obvious? Only one sect in the current murim has both the motive and the power."
"No way! The Demonic Cult? Why didn't you tell us?!"
"......"
Yi Yeonhwa clamped her mouth shut, face stiff.
Fear spreads like wildfire. Most unorthodox sects had already knelt to the Demonic Cult's terror without even considering resistance.
If word spread that South Barbarian Beast Palace—one of the top four unorthodox powers—had been annihilated?
The outcome was predictable.
That's why Yi Yeonhwa had taken the gamble to recruit Jin Muhon.
Fear must be countered with greater fear.
With the Sword Demon at their side, some of the terrified unorthodox rabble might pick up their blades again.
"Haomenju."
"Yes, family head."
Yi Yeonhwa bowed politely at Jin Muhon's call.
"Establish a branch in Unbong County. Report all important intelligence henceforth."
"Yes! Consider it done!"
Yi Yeonhwa had always brimmed with confidence despite her youth.
Yet now she treated Jin Muhon like a lord before his vassal, leaving her four escorts—and even Ak Manho and Kwak Woong—bewildered as they watched from behind.
"Ak Manho. Kwak Woong."
"Ah! Yes!"
"Yes! Four Emperors!"
Ak Manho and Kwak Woong straightened under Jin Muhon's gaze.
"The Four Emperors Alliance crumbled long ago. I have no interest in lording over ruins."
"Ah... yes."
"I... see."
Ak Manho and Kwak Woong's faces darkened at Jin Muhon's declaration.
Yi Yeonhwa, however, remained composed—somehow feeling Jin Muhon's intent resonate in her chest.
"I am the head of the Unbong Jin family. If you need my power, the answer is simple."
"H-how so?"
Ak Manho's eyes lit up eagerly.
Jin Muhon lifted his cup.
"Join under the Unbong Jin family banner."
"...Ah."
Ak Manho's fingertips trembled.
***
Ten days had passed since they'd spilled blood in Wuhan.
With no rush, Jin Muhon's group had toured leisurely, finally arriving in Anhui.
"Yaaawn! Even playing around's getting old. How much farther?"
Muheo yawned hugely inside the carriage, peering out the window.
Though the warm southlands beckoned, the springless landscape carried a chill desolation.
"Uncle, the family's growing by the day, isn't it?"
"So it seems."
"Heehee! Before you came, Uncle, it was just me and old man Baek. Now we're over a hundred strong."
A shadow crossed Jin Hayeon's face, moments after her cheerful smile.
Wondering at this, Jin Muhon asked.
"Something troubling you?"
"Well... thanks to you, Uncle, the family's fortunes are improving, but I'm worried if we can feed them all properly. They all look like big eaters."
Jin Muhon chuckled softly.
"Don't worry. They'll fend for themselves."
"Aw, still! If they're family, we should take care of them. Can't just work them without meals."
"Planning to put them to work, then?"
"Of course! Everyone's got to pull their weight!"
At Jin Muhon's proposal, Kwak Woong and the ronin had pledged allegiance to the Jin family without hesitation.
They were unbound ronin anyway.
Moreover, Jin Muhon permitted them to take personal commissions, leaving no reason to refuse.
Kwak Woong immediately sent word to his Bawangbang ronin to head to Unbong County, then departed ahead himself—housing had to be prepared for hundreds.
Ak Manho, however, found it tougher.
Unlike Bawangbang, the Long River Bandits were proper bandits.
Their lives revolved around plundering the Yangtze.
Could they abandon it? Even if they did, wouldn't their notoriety tarnish Jin Muhon?
Yet Jin Muhon accepted it nonchalantly.
Being Jin family didn't mean living in Unbong County.
Live your lives, but keep your hearts in Unbong—that made a true clan.
Just gotta collect dues regularly, though.
No such thing as a free ride, after all.
"Still, Jin family head, you've swallowed Bawangbang and Long River Bandits—nearly a thousand with retainers. Not Five Great Families anymore; it's the Six Great Families now!"
Muheo stuck out his tongue, eyeing Jin Muhon.
Jin Muhon shook his head lightly.
"Not all will join the main house. Even so, their ties to us differ from other clans."
"Well, you're on another level. Even all Five Great Families' heads together couldn't touch you."
"......"
Muheo half-jokingly, half-seriously praised him.
But unlike usual, Jin Muhon fell silent.
Taking it as affirmation, Muheo felt a strange heaviness in his chest.
Of course he wouldn't fall to some Five Families alliance. At minimum, it'd take the Nine Great Sects and Five Families' top experts united. The Sword Demon wasn't always this strong... how does he grow so fast...?
Jin Muhon, meanwhile, wasn't focused on Muheo.
His mind was elsewhere.
Wudang's sect leader is coming.
Reading Yi Yeonhwa's thoughts earlier.
Not intentional, but Divide Soul let him glimpse her mind—even from afar.
This is the power of the Four Emperors.
When he first encountered Dan Ri-ye's lingering obsession, he'd underestimated them somewhat.
But crafting such astonishing arts...
Worthy of those even the Heavenly Demon feared.
Neiiigh—!
Suddenly, the carriage jolted to a halt.
"Eek!"
"Whoa!"
Jin Hayeon, lounging comfortably, tumbled forward.
Muheo and Jin Muhon reached out simultaneously.
Whoosh—
"......!"
Muheo's eyes bulged.
He'd been closer, no doubt.
Jin Muhon had even seemed lost in thought.
Yet Jin Muhon had grabbed Jin Hayeon's arm first, pulling her to his side.
Damn him! How's he so fast?!
Ignoring Muheo, Jin Muhon addressed the driver's seat.
"What happened?"
Clack!
The wooden panel behind the driver's seat slid open, revealing Oepari's flustered face.
"Sorry, family head! Everyone alright?"
"Fine."
"Someone suddenly blocked the road ahead. Give us a moment; we'll clear it."
"No need."
Jin Muhon released Jin Hayeon's wrist and stepped out.
He hadn't properly sensed the blocker either, as Oepari said.
Expert, or some special lightness skill.
"Who's there? Blocking the road—huh?"
Curious, Jin Hayeon followed and blinked wide.
Two women in white robes and veils stood before the carriage.
"Uncle, who are they?"
"No idea."
Even as he answered, Jin Muhon's gaze fixed on the distance.
"Hm?"
Something approached at blinding speed.
Astonishing lightness skill, visible yet ethereal.
Wondering who, Jin Muhon stepped forward.
"Wait for me, Uncle!"
Jin Hayeon scampered after, curiosity piqued.
Swish—
One veiled woman thrust her sword at Jin Hayeon.
"Kyaa!"
Jin Hayeon yelped in surprise.
As Jin Muhon frowned to intervene—
Clang—!
Muheo, now there, parried the veiled woman's blade and grinned at Jin Muhon.
"Beat you this time, eh? Heh!"
"......"
Ignoring Muheo again, Jin Muhon peered past his shoulder.
"Who dares block this palace lord's path? That ugly back looks familiar."
A beautiful, ethereal voice echoed around them.
Muheo's face hardened at the sound.
He slowly turned, grinding his teeth.
"You... bitch... perfect timing!"
Thud—!
Muheo kicked off, sword unfolding toward the woman.