Chapter 83: Two Dragons, One Tiger (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 83: Two Dragons, One Tiger (1)
Two beggars walked side by side along the banks of a quietly flowing stream.
Normally, beggars would be expected to skulk in the shadows or look around warily, but these two walked with their backs straight and their chests out.
"It is here."
One beggar stepped ahead of Wang Gae and hurriedly led the way.
Wang Gae’s expression was grim, and Yeong Gae, standing beside him, looked equally troubled. It had been an hour since they received a report they initially dismissed as trivial. However, less than an hour later, a second report arrived, and its contents were far more serious. The fact that Yeong Gae had not returned to headquarters and had instead come to the scene personally with Wang Gae spoke volumes.
"The corpse is over there."
They soon arrived before a body. It was a shriveled, desiccated husk.
"Who did you say this was?" Wang Gae asked, knitting his brows. He had a habit of frowning whenever his nerves were on edge.
A beggar with two knots tied around his waist stepped forward to explain.
"His name is Gok Un-seong, and he was active in the Nanyang branch. He was a renowned master of fist arts. In the martial world, those who lead groups are often called 'Factions,' like the Fourteen Factions, and those who act alone are called 'Sovereigns,' like the Five or Seven Sovereigns. He was one of those mentioned as a Sovereign."
"Just get to the point. I’m asking about his level of martial prowess."
When Wang Gae glared at the man for his lack of tact, the reporter bowed his head and continued.
"He was known to be above the Peak Level. They say he was approaching the Super-peak Level..."
"What?"
Wang Gae looked back and forth between the corpse and the Two-Knot Disciple in bewilderment.
"He was killed in a single blow."
Yeong Gae, who had been examining the body, spoke up abruptly. He was staring intently at the man’s remains, which were so withered that only skin and bone remained.
Wang Gae asked in disbelief, "In a single blow? How could someone kill a master of that caliber in one strike...?"
"It’s possible if the opponent was far superior," Yeong Gae continued. "Look at his neck."
Everyone’s gaze shifted to the neck of the desiccated corpse. The flesh had withered so much that the bone was visible, and the vertebrae near the throat were clearly misaligned.
"Is it a Demonic Energy Absorption Art?"
Energy Absorption—a diabolical martial art practiced by the most dangerous individuals among the Unorthodox Faction. The scene before them bore the violent marks of a predator tearing into living flesh.
"I don't know. There isn't just one or two known Energy Absorption Arts in the world. The most common are those that harvest Yin to supplement Yang, or vice versa. But those usually leave behind traces of lewdness or debauchery. This, however..."
Wang Gae shook his head, his expression darkening. "How... how could this happen? How could someone who has fallen into Qi Deviation act with such rationality...?"
"There are only two possibilities," Yeong Gae said, meeting Wang Gae’s eyes. "Either he still retains his reason despite the Qi Deviation, or he has deceived us into thinking he's lost it."
"...Deceived us?"
Yeong Gae didn't answer Wang Gae’s question immediately. He turned his attention back to the corpse.
"Hm?"
Yeong Gae blinked as he scrutinized the body. He sensed a change in the skeletal remains.
Crackle.
'Discoloration?'
The bones were changing color. It wasn't the fading of old age or decay; the color itself was turning a dull, murky hue.
That should have been impossible. It would be one thing if the bones were crumbling into dust, but for them to change color like this was unheard of—except for one specific martial art.
"Wang Gae!"
At the sudden shout, Wang Gae quickly dropped to one knee. "Yes, Party Leader!"
"Send word to all the Rising Stars who received the initial notice. Tell them this is no ordinary Giant Demon. Tell them under no circumstances are they to engage!"
"Understood!"
"And..." Yeong Gae bit his lip before continuing. "Inform the Martial Alliance immediately. Tell them to deploy the Jin-yong Squad at once."
"The Martial Alliance... did you say the Jin-yong Squad?!"
The Jin-yong Squad was the representative martial force of the Martial Alliance. Composed entirely of Peak Level masters, they were the elite warriors who spearheaded the Alliance's operations.
"We misjudged this. This thing is no ordinary foe! Use any means necessary! Even if you have to use the Beggar Sect's name, make sure the Jin-yong Squad moves!"
Dash!
At the repeated command, Wang Gae began to move. His Body Lightness Law was far faster than any of the other beggars.
Once Wang Gae had left, Yeong Gae groaned as he looked around. His face wasn't just stiff; it was twitching with a slight tremor.
'Judging by how even the bones are being pulverized, this is a Demonic Energy Absorption Art. And one practiced by a Super-peak master at that.'
Why now? How did such a person appear? Yeong Gae’s eyes narrowed.
'Could it be that the thing we feared has finally happened?'
Though the weather was clear, Yeong Gae felt as if he could see dark clouds gathering in the distance. He had a premonition that once those clouds arrived, the Central Plains would never know peace again.
*
"Senior Brother Seok Myeong, I think it's around here."
Hyeok-jin, who had been comparing the map to the surrounding terrain, looked up and spoke.
Following the northern ridge where the hill grew steeper led to a plateau with a wide-open view, exactly like the one they were standing on. Furthermore, a small stream flowed down from above, and the clear line of sight below made it an ideal location for a battle.
"Give it here."
Before Seok Myeong could speak, Cheol So-yeon snatched the map and double-checked it. She fell silent for a moment before nodding.
"Looks like you found it."
Seok Myeong wiped his sweat and looked around. Perhaps because of the dense foliage, he couldn't feel much of a breeze despite being on a mountain.
Just as Seok Myeong turned his gaze elsewhere, Hyeok-jin’s grumbling voice erupted toward Cheol So-yeon.
"You don't trust me?"
"Why should I trust you?"
"You clearly don't know me yet. I might be lacking in other things, but I'm confident in my map-reading skills."
"Instead of bragging, spend that time honing your martial arts. I won't help you next time, even if you beg."
"Hmph! Even a stranger would be more helpful than you."
"What?"
"Haha..."
If Seok Myeong didn't keep an eye on them for even a second, they were back to bickering.
"Shh."
Seok Myeong suddenly stepped between them and placed a finger to his lips. He scanned the surroundings and spoke aloud.
"If you are there, please show yourselves. I know it is not polite to hide and watch."
As if responding to Seok Myeong’s words...
Rustle. Rustle.
Several men stepped out from the thicket.
"I didn't expect anyone to have such sharp ears."
A young man in the center of the group began to sneer from his very first word. He had a gaunt face and strikingly sharp, slanted eyes. With a neck as thin as a chicken's and long limbs, he looked more like a straw scarecrow than a human being.
"How did you get in here?"
"Hyeok Ryeon-mo?"
"Oh? You know me?"
When the pretty woman called out his name, he looked at her with a strange glint in his eyes—a mix of pride at being recognized and curiosity. Of course, because of his narrow eyes, Seok Myeong’s party didn't perceive it that way.
"Hyeok Ryeon-mo... the rising master of the Hyeokryeon Family, known as one of the Three Tigers..." Hyeok-jin muttered, as if the name had finally clicked.
He wasn't yet knowledgeable enough about the state of the Jianghu to identify people by sight alone, but he knew the names and characteristics of most prominent masters.
In truth, the Three Tigers were quite famous. While the Five Dragons were considered the top tier of the younger generation, everyone acknowledged the Three Tigers as the next in line. In a sense, the Three Tigers were the gateway one had to pass through before reaching the level of the Five Dragons.
Hyeok Ryeon-mo had a record of taking down an Unorthodox master from Guangdong who was once known as one of the Three Evils. That feat had earned him his spot among the Three Tigers.
"Hmph. If you know who I am, this will be quick. Now, why don't you tell me who you are?"
At those words, Seok Myeong stepped forward first.
"I am Seok Myeong, a disciple of the Qingcheng Sect."
Even Seok Myeong, who had the least experience in the martial world, knew of the Hyeokryeon Family. While they weren't part of the Five Great Families, they were always included when the list was expanded to the Eight Great Families.
"The Qingcheng Sect?"
Hyeok Ryeon-mo’s eyebrows shot up. A look of surprise flashed in his eyes as he scanned Seok Myeong from head to toe. He had traveled the Jianghu quite extensively for his age, but he had never once encountered a disciple of the Qingcheng Sect.
"My apologies. I didn't realize you were a disciple of Qingcheng."
Once the name of Qingcheng was mentioned, he showed proper courtesy. No matter how much fame he had as one of the Three Tigers, he was not in a position to act arrogantly before a disciple of a great sect like Qingcheng.
"Did you just say the Qingcheng Sect?"
Just as he was showing his respect, an unexpected figure approached the clearing. It was a young man accompanied by two bodyguards and an old man. He was a beautiful prince with sharp features and a clear, resonant voice.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were going to Anhui Province?" Hyeok Ryeon-mo snapped, recognizing the newcomer.
"I received information as well," the young man said with a smile. He then turned his gaze toward Seok Myeong.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Namgung Jin of the Namgung Family. I have heard much of your fame, Great Hero."
Seok Myeong was bewildered by the polite greeting. He was caught off guard by a stranger—and a scion of the prestigious Namgung Family at that—treating him with such high regard.
"Ah, there must be some misunderstanding. 'Great Hero' and 'fame' are far too much. This is my first time traveling the Jianghu."
"Haha. You are far too modest. Word has already spread through the markets that you faced and defeated Cheol Gun, one of the Five Dragons."
"Who said anything about him being defeated?!"
At that moment, Cheol So-yeon interjected sharply. Naturally, everyone’s eyes turned toward her.
"And who might this young lady be?"