Chapter 75
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Heavenly Flash Confrontation
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While everyone was engrossed in their meals, each harboring their own thoughts, several people entered the inn.
They scanned the room for seats, but upon spotting Dan Hyeong-u, they all froze in place like statues.
"Young Master Dan!"
A woman among them cried out and rushed toward Dan Hyeong-u as if flying. Dan Hyeong-u continued focusing on his food.
"Hah."
The woman came to a halt right beside Dan Hyeong-u. It was as if an invisible wall blocked her path, preventing her from taking even a single step further. Only then did she look at him properly eating and let out a sigh of relief.
"Haa, you're in the middle of a meal."
She knew full well not to disturb Dan Hyeong-u while he was eating. She was Umun Hye.
The moment Umun Hye stepped into the inn, the atmosphere inside shifted completely. Her beauty lit up the entire room, drawing all the men's gazes to her alone.
Accompanying Umun Hye were some emissaries and people from the Tang Family. The Tang Family members were Tang Ho-gwan and Tang Mun-yeong; they too had come to attend the Righteous Heaven Alliance's founding ceremony.
They stood near Dan Hyeong-u, waiting patiently for him to finish his meal. It was something they could do because they knew exactly who he was. In the meantime, they exchanged greetings among themselves.
Tang Ho-gwan and Umun Hye were greatly surprised to learn that both the Sword Demon and Sword King were with Dan Hyeong-u.
"I had no idea even the elders had come. I knew that kid had left, but..."
In truth, Tang Ho-gwan and Umun Hye had planned to leave for the Righteous Heaven Alliance with Dan Hyeong-u. They knew he hadn't been doing much at the Henan Escort Bureau lately, so they figured they could travel together.
But by the time they arrived at the Henan Escort Bureau, Dan Hyeong-u had already departed. So, without checking who had gone with him, they hurriedly set off in pursuit. Yet they couldn't catch up.
How could they find Dan Hyeong-u, who ignored roads and headed straight south?
Moreover, Dan Hyeong-u's group moved at an astonishing speed, so even chasing straight after him wouldn't have been easy.
"The older you get, the more curious you become."
The Sword King replied, and the Sword Demon chuckled softly.
"Curious? Or is it more like competitive spirit?"
The Sword Demon's words made the Sword King's face twitch slightly. It wasn't wrong, but he didn't want it pointed out in a place like this.
"Here we go again. Want to have a go?"
The Sword Demon turned his head away at the Sword King's words.
"Not like we're kids..."
The Sword King's face flushed red. Sensing the situation turning serious, Tang Ho-gwan quickly intervened.
"Come on, now, no need for that. How about a drink instead?"
As soon as Tang Ho-gwan spoke, the waiter began bringing out liquor and appetizers. In an instant, a drinking session was underway.
And during that time, Dan Hyeong-u finally finished his long, drawn-out meal.
"Young Master, why did you come ahead without us? We wanted to go together..."
Dan Hyeong-u gave Umun Hye a slightly peculiar look at her words. Her form of address and tone felt a bit off.
"What's wrong? Have I gotten even prettier while you weren't looking?"
Umun Hye's coquettish charm made the faces of Tang Mun-yeong and Jegal Rin, sitting nearby, turn pale.
After that, Umun Hye's barrage of charm continued for a bit longer, and Tang Mun-yeong and Jegal Rin kept glancing nervously at Dan Hyeong-u's reaction.
Dan Hyeong-u wasn't used to such flirtation. He might even feel repulsed, and if so, he could explode.
The two women watched Dan Hyeong-u and Umun Hye with eyes tinged with faint expectation. But disappointingly, Dan Hyeong-u showed almost no reaction.
In fact, coquetry like this toward Dan Hyeong-u was akin to inviting death.
The temptations of beauties had led many of his comrades to their graves. Because of that, Dan Hyeong-u disliked beautiful women and coquetry alike.
But for now, he endured it. This wasn't hell; it was the world. This was training for living in the world.
Unaware of Dan Hyeong-u's thoughts, Umun Hye kept changing her expressions, trying to melt his heart with her words.
The inn wasn't occupied solely by Dan Hyeong-u's group.
Most of the patrons were men, and nearly all were martial artists. They were representatives from various sects attending the event, so they had strong pride and high skills.
From the moment Umun Hye appeared, they couldn't tear their eyes away. Among all the women they'd seen in their lives, she was undoubtedly the most stunning.
Even those who had merely glanced at Jegal Rin's beauty earlier stared intently at Umun Hye.
But the more they watched, the more irritation bubbled up. It was because of Dan Hyeong-u sitting next to her.
Three women sat beside Dan Hyeong-u, showing clear interest in him.
Two of them were the White Phoenix and Flying Phoenix of the Three Phoenixes and Two Flowers, though no one there knew that. What mattered was that beautiful women were sitting next to Dan Hyeong-u, gazing at him with evident interest.
No matter how Umun Hye twisted her expressions to draw his attention, or how the beautiful women looked at him fondly, Dan Hyeong-u showed no response whatsoever.
The onlookers grew a little annoyed at the sight.
'What the hell makes him so great?'
But at a glance, there was nothing impressive about him. He didn't seem to have any martial prowess, his demeanor was unremarkable, and he didn't look rich either.
The crowd's attention now shifted to Dan Hyeong-u. What was it about him that attracted such women?
As their focus darted wildly between Dan Hyeong-u and the three women, a group burst into the inn.
There were fully twenty men, all dressed in matching blue martial robes.
A domineering aura poured from their bodies in waves, silencing the inn like a graveyard.
They were warriors of the Tyrant Sword Sect.
The Tyrant Sword Sect was the strongest sect in Hunan. It also played a major role in the newly founding Righteous Heaven Alliance.
Originally part of the Martial Alliance, they had switched sides this time.
True to its name, the Tyrant Sword Sect was renowned for its overbearing swordsmanship. Each warrior was strong enough to rival the sect leaders of lesser mid-sized sects, and people would nod in agreement.
Though their numbers were few, their elite quality made them more fearsome than larger groups.
Upon entering, they swept their gazes over the room and headed straight for Dan Hyeong-u.
Without concealing their domineering presence, they surrounded Dan Hyeong-u. But their eyes weren't on him—they were fixed on the blade, Heavenly Flash, strapped to his back.
Dan Hyeong-u had sensed their presence even before they entered. He also knew their arrival was connected to those who had been tailing him all along.
The same energy mingled in both groups.
"Is that blade Heavenly Flash?"
The man exuding the most domineering aura among the twenty spoke up.
Dan Hyeong-u turned his head slightly to look at him. He was quite manly-looking, with thick eyebrows and piercing eyes.
The man's name was Pae Yeop, the young sect leader of the Tyrant Sword Sect.
Power infused Pae Yeop's words, sending ripples through the inn.
"Heavenly Flash?"
"The one made by the Heavenly Qi Master?"
Murmurs erupted here and there. Heavenly Flash was the legendary treasure crafted by the Heavenly Qi Master.
A supreme artifact said to guide its wielder to a new realm of martial arts. And now, its bearer had appeared.
In truth, the existence of Heavenly Flash was an open secret among those in the know.
How many had died when the Heavenly Qi Master's secret vault appeared and vanished? Yet it hadn't caused much stir because of Heavenly Flash.
—Heavenly Flash was taken by the Henan Escort Bureau. And not even by their chief, but handed to some punk named Jang Ja-su.
Such rumors had quietly circulated. Only sect leaders and key figures knew, but it was practically public knowledge by now.
"Are you deaf?"
The man's voice, laced with intense inner energy, shook the inn. Silence fell once more.
The aura from the twenty Tyrant Sword Sect warriors intensified. Some patrons couldn't withstand it and fled the inn.
"Heh heh. Goodness, why can't these young pups control their power?"
Pae Yeop whipped his head toward the sudden voice. It came from one of the two old men he had dismissed as insignificant upon arrival.
"Was that directed at me?"
Pae Yeop's eyebrow twitched. But the elder, the Sword King, chuckled and nodded.
"Heh heh heh. Who else here is a young pup? Not just young in years, but childish in speech too."
The Sword King's words turned Pae Yeop's face crimson in an instant. Rage boiled over.
Who in Hunan would dare speak to the Tyrant Sword Sect's young sect leader like this? It implied his head was empty.
"I'll assume you can back those words."
Kwaaaa!
Uncontainable domineering energy exploded from Pae Yeop's body, directed straight at the Sword King.
But who was the Sword King? One of the world's Ten Great Experts, counted among the top five.
Moreover, thanks to Dan Hyeong-u recently, he was at the supreme pinnacle, ready to ascend to new heights.
The Sword King naturally absorbed the aura. Not deflecting it, but fully taking it on—that was far more difficult.
"Who knows if I can. Just going by the name Yeom Cheol-gun."
At the Sword King's words, Pae Yeop suddenly felt a chill course through his body. Cold sweat ran down his spine. He knew exactly who Yeom Cheol-gun was.
"Th-the Sword... King!"
The Sword King rose slowly from his seat and turned toward Pae Yeop.
Huwak!
Fierce energy surged like wind toward Pae Yeop. He involuntarily stepped back. Not just him—the other Tyrant Sword Sect warriors retreated a step too. The Sword King's presence was that overwhelming.
"Well? Am I worthy of accountability now?"
Pae Yeop swallowed hard at the Sword King's question. To them, the Sword King was terrifying. But if they all attacked together, they might manage.
The Sword King was one of the Ten Great Experts, but the Tyrant Sword Sect's sect leader, Pae Jang-cheon, was also among them.
Failing to recognize him was a blunder, but they didn't need to back down. The allure of Heavenly Flash was worth risking even the Sword King.
"It changes nothing. Heavenly Flash will go to the Tyrant Sword Sect. We'll pay a fair price, of course."
Pae Yeop pretended to yield a step. The Sword King glanced back at Dan Hyeong-u.
Dan Hyeong-u had no attachment to Heavenly Flash anymore. He considered their bond severed. But handing it to Pae Yeop? No.
"No."
Pae Yeop's eyebrow twitched violently at Dan Hyeong-u's flat refusal.
"You should accept my offer."
Dan Hyeong-u glanced at him briefly, then turned away as if he wasn't worth another look.
Sparks flew from Pae Yeop's eyes. He signaled his men. One warrior had already gone to contact the sect, and reinforcements were nearly there.
"It's about time to start. Even the Sword King would find it hard to predict victory against my father."
The Sword King nodded at Pae Yeop's words.
"The Tyrant Dragon has the right to say that."
The Tyrant Sword Sect's leader, Pae Jang-cheon, was called the Tyrant Dragon for his overwhelming power. It was said to be the greatest among the Ten Great Experts.
And that Tyrant Dragon was rushing toward the inn.
"So, what now?"
The Sword Demon rose with a chuckle matching the Sword King's smile.
Swaaaa!
The moment the Sword Demon stood, the inn filled with chilling demonic energy. Pae Yeop jolted in shock, circulating his inner energy. Getting caught in demonic qi could disrupt his power mid-fight.
Pae Yeop stared at the Sword Demon in stunned silence.
The Sword Demon stared back wordlessly.
Pae Yeop wondered who this man was. Jegal Rin, sitting beside Dan Hyeong-u, provided the answer.
"I don't know his name, but his title is very famous."
Pae Yeop's gaze shifted to Jegal Rin. Only then did he notice the three beauties there. His eyes widened. But they grew even wider, nearly popping out, at her next words.
"His title is Sword Demon."
A chilling frost swept the inn the instant Jegal Rin spoke. Demonic qi, cold air, hostility, and killing intent intertwined, swirling wildly. The inn began to tremble.
It felt like one touch would set everything off, the tension inflating the room to bursting.
At that moment, the Tyrant Dragon entered the inn.