Chapter 103
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Friend's Sword
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"You've changed so much, I almost don't recognize you."
Umun Hye looked slightly surprised, though her expression carried a hint of displeasure. Sitting before her was Jo Seol-yeon, wearing a faint smile.
"Is that so? I thought I was the same as always."
"No, you've really changed a lot."
Jo Seol-yeon gazed at Umun Hye as she said this, her smile unwavering. Come to think of it, they had rarely ever had a proper conversation like this. They had always been together, but there had never been time to truly get close.
Umun Hye had eyes only for Dan Hyeong-u, and Jo Seol-yeon had lacked the leisure to spare. But things were different now.
Umun Hye had begun taking an interest in Jo Seol-yeon, who had changed so dramatically in the time they'd been apart, and Jo Seol-yeon finally had some breathing room now that the Escort Bureau was fully established.
"More importantly, why did you call us here?"
Umun Hye cut straight to the point. This gathering had been arranged by Jo Seol-yeon herself, summoning all the women residing at the Escort Bureau.
In truth, there was no special reason. She simply wanted to get closer to them. And the others felt the same way. That's why everyone had gathered so readily.
Jo Seol-yeon glanced at Jegal Rin and Dang Moon-yeong, who sat a little distance away from Umun Hye. Yeom Hye-mi was pressed close to Jegal Rin's side, which forced her to sit nearer to Umun Hye as well, inevitably inviting comparisons to her stunning beauty.
Yeom Hye-mi paid little mind to such things. Her interests were solely focused on the celestial threads. Swinging them to temper her body, practicing martial arts, and her curiosity toward Dan Hyeong-u who had given them to her, and Jegal Rin who was studying them.
"I'd like us to meet like this from time to time and just talk. Even if it's nothing important..."
Umun Hye nodded without hesitation at Jo Seol-yeon's words. It was exactly what she had hoped for. To her, observing and studying Jo Seol-yeon was a way to draw even a little closer to Dan Hyeong-u.
"Not a bad idea."
The others agreed readily as well. They didn't dislike gatherings like this. Just being able to chat occasionally would bring them considerable joy, and that joy would grant them some peace of mind, which would be a great source of strength.
The initial awkwardness faded bit by bit. The torrent of words from the five women was quite impressive.
As the awkwardness lifted and familiarity grew, their shared interest naturally became the topic of conversation.
"By the way, just how strong do you think our Young Master Dan is?"
As Umun Hye spoke with sparkling eyes, everyone's gazes lit up. In their minds, calling Dan Hyeong-u the world's greatest expert was no exaggeration. No, he might not even be human.
They could believe he had reached the realm of immortals. After all, he had flown from Changsa to Heochang in a single bound, with a whole entourage in tow.
But such unbelievable sorcery-like feats didn't define true strength. Actual martial prowess was a different matter.
"Comparable to the Martial Emperor or the Heavenly Demon, perhaps?"
Dang Moon-yeong and Umun Hye tossed out a few guesses, but it was beyond their judgment. They had never met the Martial Emperor, making it hard to gauge. Of course, none of them thought Dan Hyeong-u was weaker than him. The impression he had left on them was far too profound.
"At any rate, it's certain he could easily rank among the Ten Great Experts, right?"
No one raised any objections. It was only natural. Who else could claim a spot if the man who defeated the Sword King with a single strike couldn't?
Umun Hye flashed a playful smile as she said this.
"Hmm, shall we spread some rumors? A little whisper, and he'd be recognized as one of the Ten Great Experts in an instant."
Everyone's eyes sparkled at Umun Hye's suggestion. It sounded more fun than expected. But amid the excitement, Jegal Rin quietly shook her head.
"It's best not to."
Jegal Rin, who had remained silent until now, directly contradicted Umun Hye, causing her to furrow her brows slightly.
"Why? I don't see any problem. It doesn't make sense for someone as remarkable as Young Master Dan to remain buried like this."
Even against Umun Hye's reasonable point, Jegal Rin continued shaking her head.
"It'll spread on its own without us doing anything."
A faint unease lingered on Jegal Rin's face. Feeling the eyes on her, she slowly spoke.
"Young Master Dan's power defies human common sense. People will emerge to exploit it one way or another. It's far easier to deal with things when he's not known."
Not everyone could fully agree with Jegal Rin, but they decided to shelve the plan.
"It's a shame, but I'll back down. Then you give your opinion. How strong do you think our Young Master Dan is?"
Umun Hye pressed Jegal Rin for an answer, her eyes gleaming. No matter what anyone said, Jegal Rin was a woman hailed as the White Phoenix. Even in the Jegal family, famed for gathering the sharpest minds, she was said to be the best. Her insight into people and ability to assess them had to be unmatched.
The four women's gazes turned to Jegal Rin, brimming with curiosity. Jegal Rin looked somewhat troubled but soon steeled herself and spoke.
"Even if all the Ten Great Experts attacked at once, they wouldn't stand a chance."
A chill swept through the room at Jegal Rin's response. No one had expected her to rate him so highly.
"No, even if they brought every force they command, they might still not match him."
Her follow-up words left them even more dumbfounded. If that were true, could they even call him human?
Among the Ten Great Experts, there were lone wolves like the Sword King who stood unrivaled, but also many like the Martial Emperor who commanded vast forces. Cheon Yeong, the newest addition, led the Jeongcheon Alliance, after all.
If Jegal Rin was right, not even the combined might of the Jeongcheon Alliance, the Martial Emperor's stronghold, the Heavenly Demon Citadel, Shaolin, and Wudang could oppose Dan Hyeong-u.
"Wh-what an absurd joke, said with a straight face."
Umun Hye recovered first and shot back. But even she couldn't shake the nagging thought that it might be true.
What if Dan Hyeong-u really was that strong? And if someone cunning tried to exploit that power, what chaos would ensue?
The women in the room, Umun Hye included, shuddered involuntarily. Unwanted scenarios flooded their minds. They could faintly understand now why Jegal Rin had looked so uneasy.
But they couldn't simply accept her opinion. It was too outrageous.
Of course, Jegal Rin herself had exaggerated a bit. She had to, to instill even a sliver of vigilance in the others.
In any case, her words drastically shifted the mood, and it didn't seem likely to revert anytime soon.
While the women conversed, rumors about Dan Hyeong-u were already beginning to spread, little by little.
The Blood Demon Society had suppressed the growth of his name. Otherwise, it would have shaken the world by now.
Dan Hyeong-u had subdued the Sword King, Sword Demon, and Tyrant Dragon. Defeating three of the Ten Great Experts single-handedly—it was impossible for his name not to rise.
Moreover, countless witnesses had seen his deeds in Sichuan. He had toppled the Black Killer Network alone and crushed the Red Pavilion Lake forces wielding Divine Heavenly Thunder. Rumors were inevitable.
But the Blood Demon Society's power was formidable. They had blocked all those rumors in advance. No, the Blood Demon wanted Dan Hyeong-u to vanish quietly. At the same time, he desired more information on him.
Shadowless knelt before the curtain, awaiting the Blood Demon's command. A considerable time had passed since he prostrated himself, yet the Blood Demon remained silent.
"Did the Bird-Rat Squad truly conclude this?"
At the sound of the Blood Demon's voice, Shadowless's eyes came alive. He slightly raised his head and replied.
"Yes."
" Astonishing. All one hundred geniuses nurtured by the Heavenly Qi Master's arrangements are dead?"
The Blood Demon found it hard to believe, but he knew better than anyone that Jo Yeong and Seo Yeong never jumped to conclusions lightly.
"Then that bastard roamed the world as if it were his own backyard?"
"It may be hard to believe, but it's confirmed he moved from Changsa to Heochang in a single day. This time, with companions, so verification was thorough."
"What in the world is that guy's true nature? Surely he hasn't become an immortal?"
"Not that, but he definitely knows some bizarre sorcery. Otherwise, no one could withstand the combined assault of Sword Shadow and Demon Shadow alone."
The Blood Demon nodded at this. He recalled how Sword Shadow, Demon Shadow, their Sword Shadow Unit, and Demon Shadow Unit had crumbled before Dan Hyeong-u. It was a minor regret, nothing more.
They were expendable for the Blood Demon's future plans. The Society's power had grown that vast.
"First priority is uncovering that sorcery of his."
"I'll instruct the Bird-Rat Party accordingly."
Shadowless answered immediately. The Blood Demon gazed down at him silently. The curtain blocked the view, but it couldn't shield from his eyes.
"Cheonjung Mountain?"
"Excavation is underway."
Shadowless trembled as he replied. The matter of Cheonjung Mountain had shown him the Blood Demon's true caliber.
He still couldn't forget the scene from days ago—the Blood Demon tossing him a Formation-Breaking Chart capable of piercing the vast formation array over Cheonjung Mountain.
"Hurry it up."
What the Blood Demon sought there were the Blood Shadow Sword, the Heavenly Qi Master's tome, and a single bow.
With a way to breach the formation, unearthing them was only a matter of time.
Shadowless felt hollow at the thought of the Heavenly Qi Master's tome slipping from his grasp, but it was beyond his control. The Blood Demon's abilities were too superior for any schemes.
"As you command."
With that, Shadowless vanished like smoke.
The Blood Demon stared at the spot where he had been, then let out a smirk. His expression mocked a bug fluttering helplessly in his palm.
Dan Hyeong-u strolled leisurely through the markets of Heochang today as well. It was his usual routine, nothing novel, but it held considerable meaning for him.
The vibrant heat of life emanating from the crowds always stirred his heart.
As he walked, savoring that essence of living, a long-forgotten fragment of memory suddenly resurfaced. It was so old he had only vaguely remembered its existence, yet here it was.
Dan Hyeong-u looked down at the sword hanging at his waist. Though sheathed, its keen edge tickled his thigh. Upon closer inspection, the scabbard was badly worn.
The blade had never touched it, but the sheer sharpness was enough to damage the scabbard. It was that keen and extraordinary a sword.
He recalled the friend who had given it to him—and the favor that friend had asked.
"Guess I should go find him."
Hyeong Pyo came to mind. Hadn't he located the Ak Family Manor, house of the vicious Ak family, in one go? He'd surely find this friend's home too.
Dan Hyeong-u turned his steps back toward the Henan Escort Bureau.
Hyeong Pyo, swamped beyond measure, still made time for Dan Hyeong-u. The Escort Bureau now revolved around him, as Jo Seol-yeon had intentionally stepped back.
In fact, she planned to hand the Escort Bureau over to Hyeong Pyo entirely and revive the Jo Family Manor. Of course, how it would play out remained uncertain.
Regardless, Hyeong Pyo was far busier than when founding the bureau. He oversaw everything from one to ten.
He was planning a major expansion of escort leaders and escorts, which kept him tremendously occupied, yet he couldn't refuse Dan Hyeong-u's request.
To Hyeong Pyo, Dan Hyeong-u was the Escort Bureau's foundation. It existed because of him, and could grow further. Unknown by name, but in skill, Hyeong Pyo firmly believed him the world's greatest expert.
"This one's pretty specific, at least."
Hyeong Pyo chuckled lightly. The previous search for the Ak Family Manor had been like grasping at clouds. Finding it so quickly had been largely luck. But not this time.
"A blacksmith, huh..."
A concrete target: a blacksmith. Countless existed in the world, but Dan Hyeong-u's clues didn't end there.
"Won't be easy, so give me a few days."
Dan Hyeong-u nodded. There was no rush. It had come to mind suddenly, so he mentioned it. If he didn't now, he might forget again. Hyeong Pyo would remember reliably.
Jegal Rin closely examined the celestial threads before her. Today, more lines had appeared on them. The harder Yeom Hye-mi trained, the more lines surfaced visibly.
"Truly remarkable."
Admiration escaped her lips. The formation the Heavenly Qi Master had woven into the celestial threads pierced to the core of all things. Only someone of Jegal Rin's caliber could even glimpse it; others would be baffled.
Studying the threads had exponentially deepened her understanding and knowledge of formations.