Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Chapter 3: North Hebei Paeng Clan
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Jegal Jung-cheon wore a troubled expression. But at the same time, he felt a swell of pride.
"Well, anyone would covet a talent like our Lin."
The letter from the Taewon Sect proposed a marriage between Ha Won-hu and Jegal Lin. The one from the Righteous Heaven Alliance stated that its leader desired Jegal Lin.
Jegal Jung-cheon was once again reminded of just how exceptional his daughter was. He had only met the Righteous Heaven Alliance Leader for a fleeting moment. Yet the impression she left must have been profound enough to inspire such fervent longing.
"It's almost like they won't take no for an answer—like they'd kidnap her if we don't agree to the marriage. Ha ha ha."
Jegal Jung-cheon chuckled happily. Of course, neither letter explicitly threatened abduction. But the tone conveyed that intensity all the same.
"What to do about this? Ha ha ha."
Allying with either would be immensely beneficial. Ha Won-hu was the frontrunner to become the next Martial Alliance Leader. The Righteous Heaven Alliance Leader, though older, was a remarkable figure—one who even impressed Jegal Jung-cheon.
Securing Ha Won-hu would allow greater influence within the Martial Alliance, bolstering the Jegal family's power.
Pairing with the Righteous Heaven Alliance Leader could forge an alliance with the Martial Alliance itself, potentially restoring its former glory.
Jegal Jung-cheon sank into a delightful dilemma.
Three figures stood atop the carriage roof. Since Dan Hyeong-u refused to sit, the Sword King and Sword Demon followed suit.
"Traveling with you taciturn types is suffocating."
The Sword King grumbled incessantly. He wasn't particularly talkative himself—in fact, the world knew him as a man of few words. But meeting Dan Hyeong-u had lightened his demeanor, and curing Yeom Hye-mi had transformed his personality entirely.
Still, he wasn't chatty or frivolous. Compared to him, though, Dan Hyeong-u and the Sword Demon were utterly silent.
"It's stifling—say something. Where are we headed?"
The coachman, Jong Chil, answered the Sword King's question.
"To Liaoning."
"Liaoning? Why there all of a sudden? Something with the Moyong family? Don't tell me we're going for a wedding."
"A wedding? No, nothing like that."
The Sword King's hand flicked lightly at Jong Chil's impudent reply.
Thwack!
"Gahk!"
Jong Chil's skull rattled violently, shaking the carriage. He barely clung to consciousness, soothing the horses as the vehicle steadied.
"That's too much!"
Jong Chil shouted fearlessly. The Sword King merely smiled and flicked his hand again.
Thwack!
"Gahk!"
Jong Chil held on once more and finally shut his mouth. He realized yelling would only hurt him in this situation.
'Damn it. Should I just abandon the carriage and run?'
The thought crossed his mind briefly, but he shook it off. Where could he even go? These weren't mere experts—they were among the Ten Great Masters. No amount of cunning would help; he'd be trapped in their palm.
Besides, he had to escort Dan Hyeong-u to their destination. That much was non-negotiable.
"Why are we going there?"
The Sword King pressed. Jong Chil tilted his head. Come to think of it, he didn't know the reason. He'd only been told to head to Shenyang. The details would be with Dan Hyeong-u or Jo Seol-yeon.
Sensing nothing more from Jong Chil, the Sword King turned to Dan Hyeong-u.
Dan Hyeong-u met his gaze briefly before lowering his eyes to his sword.
"What's that? Something to do with the sword?"
Dan Hyeong-u nodded faintly. Curiosity sparked in the Sword King's eyes, mirrored in the Sword Demon's.
To both sword masters, Dan Hyeong-u's blade was an extraordinary sword. Its craftsmanship was masterful, but the materials were rarer still. They didn't know what they were, but the quality was undeniable.
"Hold on... I vaguely recall hearing once that a friend gave it to you..."
The Sword King dredged up a distant memory. Dan Hyeong-u said nothing, but his eyes seemed to confirm it.
"Hmm. So we're off to meet that friend?"
Just imagining Dan Hyeong-u's friend set hearts racing. What kind of person could befriend someone of his caliber?
And what prowess must the original owner of such a magnificent sword possess?
A bitter smile tugged at Dan Hyeong-u's lips.
"He's dead."
The Sword King fell silent. The mood plummeted instantly.
But as time passed, the curiosity gnawing at the Sword King and Sword Demon only grew.
Dan Hyeong-u glanced at them sidelong. He had no desire to discuss his friend. Those days were too brutal to revisit. Hellish times with comrades, yes—but hell nonetheless.
Yet memories don't fade just because you will them away. Especially when they resurfaced so vividly, dominating the mind and blotting out the present.
Dan Hyeong-u recalled his friend's words.
<It suits you perfectly. Truth be told, it was too good for me.>
That was when fifteen comrades still lived—all the strongest survivors. There had been some respite then, and their presence warded off loneliness.
Looking back, those were the happiest days. Amid that hell.
Dan Hyeong-u shook his head unconsciously. He wanted no more of it. But the memory clung stubbornly.
"Would you tell us about that sword?"
The Sword King asked gently. The question pulled Dan Hyeong-u from his reverie.
He stared wordlessly at the Sword King. Time stretched on.
The Sword King waited patiently. It didn't matter if Dan Hyeong-u spoke or not—he just wanted to shift the atmosphere.
Before long, the carriage entered a large village.
Dan Hyeong-u turned to survey it. The air reeked of iron. A massive forge must be nearby. The scent stirred his memories further.
His friend's family had been smiths.
In that hell where Dan Hyeong-u had fallen, countless demonic beasts roamed. Their varieties were endless—towering like mountains, tiny like insects.
When all comrades but fifteen perished, they encountered their first humanoid demonic beast.
It resembled a man but was unmistakably a beast.
Shrieking unintelligible cries, it charged. Shockingly, it surpassed every beast they'd faced before.
The humanoid wielded a sword, flames erupting along its arcs. A breathtaking sight.
Stronger than any single comrade, but alone. They numbered fifteen.
Two comrades died, one lost an arm—but they slew it. And claimed its sword.
The owner was decided swiftly.
"Can I really have this sword?"
Cheol Mu-han, chosen wielder, gazed at it entranced upon receiving it. The remaining comrades nodded as one.
Cheol Mu-han obsessed over the blade. Despite his crippled arm diminishing his prowess, the sword compensated somewhat.
The others had transcended weapons entirely. Any famed sword felt no different from their rusted irons.
They knew why Cheol Mu-han fixated so.
"I still can't figure out what metal this sword's made from."
One day, Cheol Mu-han confided in Dan Hyeong-u. He admired him greatly. Dan Hyeong-u listened quietly.
"It's no metal from this world. Impossible to forge by any means. Hell, not even metal—I've never seen anything like it."
Dan Hyeong-u had brushed it off then. Swords and metals held no interest for him, unlike Cheol Mu-han.
Days later, Cheol Mu-han died.
Another humanoid beast appeared. They were all stronger by then, but so was it—far more than the first.
Cheol Mu-han couldn't keep pace. The beast targeted him relentlessly.
Dan Hyeong-u wanted to protect him. No more losses. But Cheol Mu-han's choice was not survival.
He merged with the charging beast, its claws foremost, creating an opening for Dan Hyeong-u's strike.
By the time Dan Hyeong-u felled it, Cheol Mu-han was shredded. Expressionless, he placed the sword in Dan Hyeong-u's hand.
<It suits you perfectly. Truth be told, it was too good for me.>
From then, the sword was Dan Hyeong-u's. And he lost yet another expression.
Cheol Mu-han's dying words echoed still.
Dan Hyeong-u closed his eyes, burying the memory deep.
Cheol Mu-han had dreamed of smithing. Crafting superb swords was his goal; he'd rejoiced at obtaining ideal material. That material was now Dan Hyeong-u's sword.
Dan Hyeong-u drew the blade. To his eyes, it looked fine—but he couldn't judge truly. Back then, Cheol Mu-han had called it unrefined, merely exceptional material.
"Fine sword."
Dan Hyeong-u looked up at the Sword Demon, who admired it openly.
Sharp energy enveloped the entire blade. No mere smith could produce such a thing.
Dan Hyeong-u turned to the Sword King.
Their eyes met; the Sword King nodded.
"Excellent sword. Though not something we'd covet at our level."
To Sword King or Demon, weapons mattered little. A branch became a deadly weapon; a finger, a razor edge.
Dan Hyeong-u gazed at the sword again. Their acclaim confirmed its worth. The Hechang smith had praised it too.
He sheathed it. The scabbard was frayed from the blade's aura. He saw no need to replace it.
Soon, it would no longer be his. And perhaps he'd learn the meaning of Cheol Mu-han's words.
Dan Hyeong-u closed his eyes once more.
The carriage rattled along the official road.
From Heavenly Demon Castle, the Heavenly Demon was accompanied by Blood Blade Guest, Illusion Demon, and Demon Bow.
He'd never intended a large retinue. Numbers would only alert the Martial Alliance. Even for him, their mobilization spelled trouble—especially still recovering from Golden Demon Art.
Thus, these three volunteers were ideal. Top-tier experts within the castle.
Perfect for stealthy travel. Each wielded great influence among demons beyond the castle.
The Heavenly Demon hurried. The Sword Demon's movements were unpredictable—he might cause trouble and vanish. They needed to meet soon.
His route: from Xinjiang through Gansu, Shaanxi, into Henan.
Eight thousand li cross-country. He pressed his lightness skill relentlessly. His followers had no respite.
But as castle elites, they endured. Their inner energy was vast.
The Heavenly Demon wasn't foolish; he paced himself optimally.
Once in the Central Plains from Xinjiang, dangers lurked everywhere. Vigilance was essential.
Even the Heavenly Demon, top among Ten Greats, risked peril from endless foes while strained.
Thus, they left Xinjiang for Gansu. Astonishing speed.