Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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"Please, I beg of you. Give up now and join us, Divine Maiden Sect Leader."
The middle-aged man with a goat-like beard pleaded with Hwa Wol Young, the Nine Heavens Fairy Maiden, his voice dripping with desperation.
Inside a private room at Qinghua Tea House—the largest and most renowned tea house in Chengdu—the two conversed.
The prolonged discussion had left the tea in their cups cold, and Hwa Wol Young's expression was visibly uncomfortable.
She stared at the middle-aged man—no, Mo Ming-hwan, the acting leader of the Northern Sky Merchant Group, one of the four great merchant groups of the Central Plains—and finally spoke.
"Impossible. Have I not told you repeatedly? The agreed-upon deadline with the Tang Family Head has not yet passed."
"Sect Leader, you've already fulfilled your duty to the Tang Family more than enough. The sun will set soon."
"......"
"Honestly, does it make any sense to travel to the Southern Barbarian Lands, resolve matters, and return within half a month? Even if that envoy made bold claims, you shouldn't take them at face value."
Mo Ming-hwan was desperately trying to persuade Hwa Wol Young.
She had been staying at the Sichuan Tang Family's guest quarters while waiting for Se-woon, and he had sent countless messages daily, eventually dragging her to this meeting. His face was etched with urgency.
"An agreement is still an agreement."
"It's obvious he's failed. Please, abandon this hopeless endeavor and save us!"
Sigh, this is truly troublesome.
The usual Hwa Wol Young would have coldly dismissed him.
But the late former leader of the Northern Sky Merchant Group had done much for her, and the man before her was in too dire a situation to be so harsh.
'The river transporting their goods froze over like an iceberg? What kind of freak occurrence is that?'
That was why Mo Ming-hwan had come running barefoot, bowing his head repeatedly.
Recently, the Northern Sky Merchant Group had been pushed to the brink, their position as one of the Four Great Merchant Groups of the Central Plains threatened by the Yi Family Merchant Group, who had openly allied with the Gongdong Faction and recklessly expanded their influence.
In a desperate gamble to overcome this crisis, the new leader had organized an ambitious trade expedition—one that would stagger the group if it failed.
But now, the most crucial waterway had frozen solid, leaving their cargo ships completely immobilized.
With each passing moment, the losses mounted astronomically, and there was no telling when the river would thaw. It was the worst possible scenario.
And the only person in the martial world who could resolve this was the Nine Heavens Fairy Maiden—hence his frantic pleas.
Yet she kept refusing, citing her promise to wait for Tang Se-woon.
'Half a month to travel to the Southern Barbarian Lands and back? That's absurd! He's probably been captured by those savages of the Beast Palace and is suffering humiliation!'
Mo Ming-hwan's frustration was boiling over.
Hwa Wol Young sighed again.
"I sympathize with your plight, but there's nothing I can do. Once tomorrow's matter is settled, I'll depart as quickly as possible. Please endure a little longer."
"That's impossible, Sect Leader! We're in dire straits! If there's something else you desire, just name it! We'll give you anything!"
"......!"
How dare—
For the first time, Hwa Wol Young's brow furrowed.
She disliked being bribed.
It seemed her bond with the former leader had reached its limit.
"You—"
Just as she was about to speak, her icy gaze sharpening—
"Aaaah!"
"Ugh!"
"!!"
"?!"
A sudden, piercing scream erupted from outside the tea house.
This wasn't normal!
The panicked footsteps of fleeing civilians reached her ears, and Hwa Wol Young immediately stood.
"S-Sect Leader!"
Whoosh!
Without hesitation, she leaped through the second-floor window and landed gracefully on the ground.
Then, she swiftly scanned her surroundings.
'......!!'
What in the—
Her face twisted in shock at the unexpected sight filling her vision.
Grrrrrl.
Two massive white tigers, each the size of a small mountain, glared at her with glowing yellow eyes.
'These aren't ordinary beasts! At the very least, they're spiritual creatures!'
Sssss—
As she slowly gathered her spiritual energy—
"Ack, what if you suddenly—Gyaaah!!"
Mo Ming-hwan, who had followed her down, collapsed to the ground with a shriek upon seeing the tigers blocking the tea house entrance.
Just as one of the tigers licked its lips at the sight of him—
"Now, now, Nari. Down, down. You'll get sick if you eat something dirty."
"......!"
A familiar voice reached Hwa Wol Young's ears from behind the towering tigers.
As Mo Ming-hwan foamed at the mouth and collapsed backward, a man stepped forward.
Purrr.
The tigers affectionately rubbed their faces against their master like oversized house cats.
Hwa Wol Young blinked rapidly at the absurd sight.
"It's been a while, Sect Leader."
"You..."
"I've returned to fulfill my promise."
Tang Se-woon, back from his journey to the Southern Barbarian Lands, greeted her with a bright smile.
Shortly after.
After Mo Ming-hwan was carried away (still unconscious), the two headed back to the Sichuan Tang Family estate.
Due to the urgency of the matter, Se-woon skipped formal greetings with Tang Mu-yeol and went straight to discussing with Hwa Wol Young in the guest quarters.
But they weren't alone.
Hwa Wol Young was accompanied by her disciple, Seo Su-rin, while Se-woon had Mu-myeong and Umun Tak by his side.
Mu-myeong was disguised as an ordinary Beast Palace warrior, and Umun Tak kept curiously glancing around.
Then, Se-woon spoke.
"Would you like some tea?"
"I've had enough tea. Just pour me a drink."
Taken aback by her urgency, Se-woon absentmindedly filled a teacup with wine. Hwa Wol Young downed it in one gulp.
This was the first time he'd seen her act so brashly.
"Whew, now I can finally breathe. Alright, explain. What exactly happened?"
"Well, first, I should introduce these two."
Se-woon glanced behind him.
At his signal, Umun Tak snapped to attention and addressed Hwa Wol Young.
"Ah, greetings. I am Umun Tak, a warrior of the Beast Palace."
"Pleasure to meet you. I am Pataming, also a warrior of the Beast Palace."
"Likewise. I am Hwa Wol Young, leader of the Divine Maiden Sect."
Honestly, how long does he plan to keep up this identity cover-up act?
Of course, "Pataming" was Mu-myeong.
Though she had guessed from their attire, hearing the words "Beast Palace" from their mouths made Hwa Wol Young's eyes gleam with interest.
Then, Seo Su-rin spoke to Mu-myeong in a voice dripping with anger.
"Excuse me, how dare you speak so informally to my master? What kind of rudeness is this?"
"Hmph. Beast Palace warriors don't know honorifics."
"That one over there is using them just fine!"
"That one's just weird. We don't know honorifics."
"What kind of—!"
Su-rin tried to retort, incensed by Mu-myeong's blatant disregard, but—
"Enough. The customs of the Central Plains may differ greatly from theirs."
"B-But, Master!"
"Did I not say enough?!"
"I-I'm sorry."
Scolded harshly, a sullen Su-rin retreated.
Then, she glared at Mu-myeong with resentful eyes.
Grin.
"?!"
Mu-myeong smirked subtly in response.
Su-rin trembled with rage.
Watching this, Se-woon clicked his tongue inwardly.
'Honestly, even before the regression, these two were like this. Some rivalries are just destined, I guess.'
Soon, he turned back to Hwa Wol Young.
"This is Umun Tak, younger brother of the Beast Heavenly King, Umun Gol."
"......The Beast Heavenly King?!"
Hwa Wol Young was stunned.
She never expected the diminutive man before her to be the sibling of the Beast Palace's ruler.
"And Umun Tak has agreed to assist in completing the Mystical Forge."
"!!"
She was shocked again.
As she knew, Se-woon had gone to the Beast Palace to obtain a divine artifact capable of producing Spirit Flames.
Yet, it seemed Umun Tak possessed that very power.
Under everyone's expectant gazes, Umun Tak himself looked bewildered.
'M-Me?!'
But at Se-woon's pointed look—as if to say, "Didn't we agree?"—he nodded hesitantly.
"Alright, Umun Tak. Try slowly channeling that power."
"B-But if I unleash my energy here..."
The Jiangshi we brought in the carriage might wake up...
Though that was likely his concern, Se-woon shook his head slightly.
"Don't worry about the rest. Sect Leader Hwa will help regulate the energy."
"Indeed, Young Master Umun. There's no need for concern."
"O-Okay, then..."
Reassured, Umun Tak slowly rose with a determined expression.
He closed his eyes and pressed his palms together reverently.
Then, he began awakening the dormant Wildfire within him.
Sssss—
Whoosh!
In an instant, his body erupted with life force, blazing like its namesake.
'What is this?!'
The dim room was instantly flooded with radiant light and scorching heat.
The overwhelmingly spiritual energy left Hwa Wol Young momentarily stunned, but she quickly regained her composure and placed a hand on Umun Tak's shoulder alongside Se-woon, helping him stabilize the energy.
With their assistance, Umun Tak gradually reined in the power.
Se-woon then addressed the dazed Hwa Wol Young.
"What do you think, Sect Leader? Isn't this flame more than sufficient?"
"......More than sufficient? It's overflowing. No, with this power..."
Her mind raced with possibilities.
Now was the time to speak.
"From what I know, the founding Divine Maiden Sect Leader, the Mountain Spirit Maiden, broke through the barrier of sorcery during her collaboration with the White Night Iron Forge."
"......!"
"This time, I believe we'll achieve similarly remarkable results."
Indeed. Her excitement wasn't just about completing the forge.
The Mystical Forge's creation involved countless intertwined spells and rituals.
But in analyzing and utilizing this unprecedented power, she felt an inexplicable certainty—that her own spiritual energy could ascend to new heights.
And her lifelong goal—
'For the first time, I can surpass Master...!'
To surpass even one achievement of her master, the Mountain Spirit Maiden, was her deepest desire.
By creating something even greater than the Mystical Forge the Mountain Spirit Maiden had forged with the White Night Iron Forge.
She wanted to begin immediately.
Her body thrumming with anticipation, Hwa Wol Young spoke to Se-woon.
"If... if you're willing."
"Of course. Shall we begin the work right away?"
"!!"
At his prompt reply—delivered like sweet honey—
The Divine Maiden Sect Leader nodded vigorously, like an excited puppy.