Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Paeng Family Invitation
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The Martial Emperor Choi Geuk scowled at the subordinates crowding around him. This was not part of his plan.
Whether the Heavenly Demon moved or not had nothing to do with him. There was no need for him to step forward and fight. Yet now, against his own will, he was heading into battle.
'Cunning fox.'
Choi Geuk saw through it—the Martial Alliance was behind this. It had to be Jegal Jung-cheon pulling the strings. And Jegal Jung-cheon was no pushover.
Rumors had spread like wildfire through the Martial Emperor Castle that the Heavenly Demon was leading his demonic forces straight for them. The warriors there, already in a subtle rivalry with the Heavenly Demon Fortress, rose up like a swarm of bees.
The fighters gathered at the Martial Emperor Castle belonged to it in name only. They weren't paid by the castle, nor did they learn their martial arts there. They stayed purely out of admiration for the Martial Emperor's unparalleled prowess.
In other words, they could mobilize at any moment if they chose to. Jegal Jung-cheon had exploited that very vulnerability.
Conquering the Martial Emperor Castle by force would be nearly impossible. The number of experts assembled there was staggering—untouchable by any single faction.
But vulnerabilities like this one existed all the same.
'How many did the Heavenly Demon bring from his fortress? If there are too many, this could get tricky...'
Some thirty warriors had followed Choi Geuk, who had no choice but to move. More had wanted to come, but they couldn't leave the castle undefended.
Besides, fewer numbers meant the fight wouldn't escalate too far.
The Heavenly Demon couldn't have brought a large force. If all the demons from his fortress mobilized at once, even the Martial Alliance or the Orthodox Alliance would have to respond. Secrecy would be lost.
At most, five to ten—that was the limit. But it was just Choi Geuk's guess, so unease gnawed at him.
Even his intelligence network, the Shadowless Pavilion, had failed to detect the Heavenly Demon's movements this time. It was excellent, but still fell short compared to a giant like the Martial Alliance.
If Choi Geuk himself lacked such intel, the other Martial Emperor Castle warriors certainly didn't have it either. Yet they had predicted the Heavenly Demon's general movements.
Most fighters at the castle preferred action over strategy. They wouldn't have foreseen this on their own.
'Jegal Jung-cheon.'
No one else could have done it. It was clearly information leaked by the Martial Alliance Strategist. Of course, no evidence would be left behind.
Choi Geuk swallowed his regret and steeled himself once more. Spilled water couldn't be gathered. Now, he just had to clean up the mess.
'Since the fight's on, I'll win it decisively.'
He would have to clash with the Heavenly Demon eventually anyway. Determining the world's greatest martial artist was every warrior's dream. Choi Geuk was no different. At the very least, he wanted that title.
Reframed that way, this could be a golden opportunity. His forces clearly held the advantage in the current situation.
Choi Geuk picked up the pace. He and the Martial Emperor Castle warriors soon entered Gansu Province.
Around the time the Martial Emperor Choi Geuk and the Heavenly Demon entered Gansu, Dan Hyeong-u's group was crossing the border between Henan and Hebei. To reach Liaoning, they had no choice but to pass through Hebei.
Their massive carriage was impossible to miss. Even passersby couldn't help but glance at it. Such enormous vehicles were rare.
In short, their tracks were fully exposed.
Factions and organizations of any real size had already pieced together most of the intel.
The Paeng Family, hegemons of Hebei, was no exception.
Now five people rode atop the carriage. Tang Ho-gwan and the envoy had climbed up to the roof after the first day. The seats were uncomfortable, but their minds were at ease.
"We're already in Hebei? That's impressively fast."
The envoy's remark drew a nod from Tang Ho-gwan.
"With Jong Chil's driving skills, it can't be anything but."
As Tang Ho-gwan said, Jong Chil was exceptional. Handling six horses at once had elevated him another level—he now controlled them like extensions of his own limbs. The carriage raced along the official road with barely a jolt.
Tang Ho-gwan and the envoy watched Jong Chil closely. The Sword King denied it, but to them, Jong Chil was unmistakably his disciple.
Up on the roof, conversations were mostly between Tang Ho-gwan and the envoy. Since they'd climbed up, even the Sword King had grown quiet.
The Sword Demon was even more tight-lipped, and Dan Hyeong-u went without saying. Without the two of them, there'd be no one to talk to.
Some time after entering Hebei, the Sword King—who'd been sitting silently—suddenly lit up and spoke.
"Ho, looks like something interesting's about to happen."
Tang Ho-gwan and the envoy exchanged puzzled looks, while the Sword Demon faintly furrowed his brow.
"Wasted years."
The Sword King's face twisted at the Sword Demon's words.
"Is it time for a spar already?"
As subtle auras rose from the Sword King and Sword Demon, Tang Ho-gwan hurriedly intervened.
"Now, now, calm down. If you two get like this, the kids inside the carriage will get scared."
His words worked wonders. The Sword King reined in his aura. After all, his precious Yeom Hye-mi was inside.
"Grr, I should hold my tongue."
"You know it."
The Sword King's eyes flashed fiercely once more, but he soon turned away and suppressed his energy.
Having separated the two, Tang Ho-gwan focused his inner power into his eyes and scanned ahead. If the Sword King sensed something fun, someone was surely approaching.
After peering for a while, even Tang Ho-gwan's eyes gleamed. A group of warriors was coming into view. Their attire marked them unmistakably as Paeng Family members.
"Ho, the Paeng Family's come to greet us. But weren't we headed somewhere else?"
Tang Ho-gwan knew their destination well. His words implied intrigue at their sudden appearance. Showing up right after entering Hebei meant they were tracking the group's movements.
Tang Ho-gwan's eyes sparkled with curiosity. Who in the group had caught their interest?
"Hmm, probably the Jegal young lady and the two from the Ten Great Experts. Well, our Mun Yeong's no slouch either."
Tang Ho-gwan nodded, guessing as much. Among the current group, those three were the likeliest to draw Paeng Family attention.
And Umun Hye, the Flower Among Flowers recently making waves, was another candidate.
While Tang Ho-gwan pondered, the group reached the Paeng warriors, who had lined up across the road, forcing the carriage to stop.
"Damn it."
Jong Chil muttered under his breath as he halted the horses. A similar experience from before resurfaced—blood had sprayed everywhere back then. Dan Hyeong-u's presence had kept it safe, but it wasn't a fond memory.
His voice was tiny, inaudible even up close to ordinary ears. But the people nearby were far from ordinary. The Paeng Family elites ahead heard it crystal clear. Their faces soured instantly, though none stepped forward. After all, they were here to invite the group.
One Paeng warrior stepped out and clasped his hands in salute toward the carriage roof.
"I am Paeng Man-ho. I've come at the family head's order to invite you all."
Paeng Man-ho was one of the Paeng Family's top experts. Though only in his thirties, rumors swirled that he surpassed even the family head in strength.
With two of the Ten Great Experts aboard, sending someone of Paeng Man-ho's caliber was appropriate—at least in the Paeng Family's view.
The Sword King and Sword Demon, who had watched his polite salute impassively, both turned to Tang Ho-gwan.
Receiving their gazes, Tang Ho-gwan sighed inwardly and stood.
"Even for the Paeng Family, blocking the road out of nowhere for an invitation is a bit much, don't you think?"
As Tang Ho-gwan stepped forward, Paeng Man-ho's eyes sharpened. He could tell at a glance that Tang Ho-gwan was no ordinary expert—easily his equal.
Goosebumps prickled his arms. Deep-buried battle lust stirred.
But this wasn't the time to show hostility. Paeng Man-ho quickly composed himself, thinking of his nephew who so desperately wanted Jo Seol-yeon.
He saluted Tang Ho-gwan again, more courteously.
"My apologies. We were so eager to escort you... In any case, please accept. We'll take full responsibility for the rest of your journey if you wish."
With Paeng Man-ho taking such a humble stance, Tang Ho-gwan had little choice. He glanced at the Sword King, Sword Demon, and Dan Hyeong-u—the ones he judged capable of deciding.
The Sword King and Sword Demon looked to Dan Hyeong-u. It seemed the final call fell to him.
Dan Hyeong-u pondered briefly. There was no rush. Stopping by the Paeng Family wouldn't hurt. But he felt no strong urge either. It was fine either way.
About to defer to the Sword King, he suddenly thought of Jo Seol-yeon. This was better left to her.
The five women inside grew puzzled when the carriage stopped abruptly. But they soon grasped the situation from the voices outside.
"What's the Paeng Family doing here?"
Curiosity lit up Tang Mun-yeong's face. The others showed hints of interest too.
As one of the Five Great Families, the Paeng Family wielded immense power. It was only natural to wonder.
Jegal Rin thought for a moment, then shook her head. Even she couldn't guess their intent.
She couldn't fathom the Paeng Family's actions. They weren't after the Sword King or Sword Demon's power—nor did they need to be. Aligning with the Sword Demon could even backfire.
'And with the Heavenly Demon Fortress stirring...'
Jegal Rin tapped her family's intelligence network regularly. She knew of the movements at the Heavenly Demon Fortress and Martial Emperor Castle. For the Paeng Family to approach the Sword Demon now was unwise.
Jo Seol-yeon was curious too. Then Dan Hyeong-u's will echoed directly in her mind.
『You decide.』
Jo Seol-yeon startled. It wasn't telepathy. His intent pierced straight into her consciousness—pure will, feeling like spoken words without sound.
It was unmistakably Dan Hyeong-u's.
'How long must I keep being surprised by him?'
Being with Dan Hyeong-u meant constant shocks. Peel back one layer, and he'd reveal another astonishing realm—beyond ordinary imagination.
Jo Seol-yeon rose quietly. Ignoring the surprised stares, she opened the door and stepped lightly outside.
The Paeng warriors stirred at her sudden appearance, especially Paeng Man-ho, whose eyes widened dramatically.
Jo Seol-yeon walked calmly toward him, meeting his stunned gaze.
"What's the reason?"
Paeng Man-ho closed his gaping mouth. He thought quickly. He couldn't just say it was for her.
"The family head wishes to build ties with the Henan Escort Bureau."
Tang Ho-gwan and the envoy frowned slightly at his tone from the roof, but Jo Seol-yeon ignored it. She met Paeng Man-ho's eyes calmly and nodded.
"Very well. Since we're passing by, we'll stop in."
Paeng Man-ho's face brightened instantly.
"An excellent choice. Please, board your carriage. We'll provide the escort."
His tone was warm, like family.
The carriage soon departed again, now trailed by the Paeng warriors. Toward the Paeng Family estate near Peking.
Thanks to the Paeng warriors' escort, the carriage reached the Paeng Family without incident. The main gate stood wide open for it—a courtesy extended because of their guides.
The women descending from the carriage were mildly shocked by the estate's grandeur.
"Impressive. I figured it was just another great family, but this exceeds expectations."
Everyone nodded at Umun Hye's admiration. Her surprise meant the Paeng Family outscaled even the Umun Family.
Considering the Umuns' supremacy in wealth, that was saying something.
Jegal Rin was stunned inwardly too. Her perspective differed—she focused on building layouts and hidden mechanisms rather than sheer size.
"The formations are no joke. Three arrays interwoven—masterfully done."
Jegal Rin couldn't hide her awe.