Chapter 90: The Formation that Protects (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 90: The Formation that Protects (3)
“Are you alright?”
A group of people huddled together, looking down at him.
As their faces came into focus, Seok Myeong realized he had briefly lost consciousness.
“What happened?” Seok Myeong asked, trying to get his bearings.
“We took him down,” Namgung Ju said with a smile.
Standing beside him, Peng Ri-gon added his thoughts, his eyes filled with genuine admiration.
“It was truly remarkable. I’m still amazed at how you managed to accept and overcome that much internal energy. It’s quite a mystery.”
Seok Myeong hurriedly stood up and offered a formal fist-and-palm salute.
“It was a group effort.”
At those words, Peng Ri-gon continued, “And you’re thoughtful, too. Unlike a certain someone.”
He glanced toward the path behind them—the direction in which Hyeok Ryeon-mo had practically flown off in a fit of excitement.
“Anyway, I wonder how the Beggar Sect will handle this corpse.”
The man known as the Giant Demon lay sprawled on the ground.
His body was exhibiting strange symptoms. As if consumed by an internal fire, almost no flesh remained, and his very form was gradually vanishing into ash.
“Well, now that we’ve seen the Qingcheng Taoist wake up, it’s time for us to head out.”
Peng Ri-gon, who had been sitting on a stone wall, stood up. His face and chest were sallow, looking as though he might collapse at any moment, but he refused to let it show. It was a moment where one could truly feel the legendary resilience of the Peng family.
“We’ve made some good memories,” he remarked casually to Seok Myeong.
“Not at all, Elder. The honor was mine.”
As Seok Myeong bowed in respect, Peng Seo-ju approached to speak.
“We must leave first due to other matters, but I’m sure we’ll meet again. I’d like to have a proper duel with you then.”
“I look forward to it. I hope to learn from you when that time comes.”
Seok Myeong showed his respect. Peng Seo-ju returned the gesture before turning his gaze elsewhere.
It was toward Cheol So-yeon.
“That was impressive internal energy for such a young woman. Let us meet again if fate allows.”
“I suppose,” Cheol So-yeon replied with a slight nod. At her curt response, he gave a short chuckle and walked back toward Peng Ri-gon.
Meanwhile, Peng Seol-yeon, who had been watching the situation from behind, walked up to Hyeok-jin.
“Thank you. I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you.”
“Ah, it was nothing, really.”
“If you ever have the chance, please visit the Peng family. I truly want to repay you. And this…”
She handed him the bracelet she had been wearing.
“This is an item passed down only to blood relatives of the main house. If you ever find yourself in a difficult situation while traveling the Jianghu, and there are members of the Peng family nearby, show them this.”
“Haha, I’ll accept it gladly.”
Hyeok-jin scratched his head. He let out a boisterous laugh, wondering if this was what it felt like to be favored by a beautiful lady.
Just then, a displeased voice shot at him from the side.
“Look at you, grinning from ear to ear. Can’t you tone it down? You look cheap.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake…”
He glared at Cheol So-yeon. He wondered why she had to ruin such a good mood.
“We will take our leave now. I hope to see you all again in the future,” said Peng Seo-ju, who was supporting Peng Ri-gon. He was using superhuman willpower to keep himself from collapsing on the spot.
“I shall also look forward to our next meeting,” Namgung Ju said his farewells and began to walk away. Namgung Jin hesitated as if he wanted to say something, but then turned around.
Perhaps he was embarrassed by his previous arrogant behavior. Or perhaps he was envious of Seok Myeong, whose skills had been recognized by two great veterans.
As Namgung Jin caught up from behind, Namgung Ju lowered his voice.
“The claim that he is an equal match for Cheol Gun is a lie.”
“Pardon?”
“With that level of skill, even you wouldn't be a match for him. It makes no sense unless he purposely held back from defeating him.”
Namgung Jin remained silent. Even to him, the martial prowess Seok Myeong had displayed was shocking. However, perhaps because he had been singled out, his face flushed with shame.
At this, Namgung Ju let out a benevolent smile. “I’m telling you this so you don't neglect your cultivation. He is someone you must surpass one day.”
At those words, Namgung Jin’s eyes turned sharp.
“I will definitely surpass him.”
Namgung Ju nodded.
“You must. The name of the Namgung Family is at stake.”
With steps heavier and more determined than usual, they moved further away from Seok Myeong.
*
A man dressed in martial attire was walking into a building.
With a face that showed years of experience and eyes that flashed with keen light, he was clearly someone far above an ordinary warrior. Walking boldly down the hallway, he paused for a moment in front of a door.
He adjusted his clothes and carefully opened it. Despite his confident gaze, his movements were more reverent and cautious than anyone else's.
The room was large enough to be reminiscent of a grand hall. At the far end of the inner wall sat a single bed, but the interior was hidden by white cloth draped around it like a shroud. In front of it were two steps, and a red carpet ran down the center.
The man walked forward and knelt on the carpet.
“I heard you have some interesting news?”
The man’s eyebrows twitched at the melodious, sweet voice flowing from behind the bed curtains. He knew all too well what she meant by "interesting news." It was either something purely intriguing, or something so "interesting" that it incited murderous intent.
“I apologize,” the man said, bowing his head to confess his failure.
“What fault could the City Lord have? It was the subordinates who handled things poorly.”
“No. If I had paid more attention, if I had moved even a day sooner, we wouldn't have been defeated so easily.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
“Indeed. It is my fault.”
The man called the City Lord, Jeok Seong, prostrated himself again.
After a moment of silence, the woman’s voice drifted out once more.
“I suppose that’s possible. But I don't think the result would have changed.”
“…”
“Even if you had stepped in, there was no guarantee you could have defeated the Gale Swordsman.”
Twitch.
Jeok Seong’s cheek quivered. The urge to argue that he could have crushed the opponent with one fist rose to his throat, but he could not show his inner thoughts. He knew this was her way of indirectly placing the responsibility for the incident on him.
“I was just teasing. You’re getting so angry that I’m starting to feel embarrassed.”
“N-no. How could a lowly person like me dare to be angry with the Faction Leader? You misunderstand.”
Even as he spoke, Jeok Seong blamed himself for momentarily letting his guard down. He hadn't noticed while speaking, but he now felt a very faint killing intent brushing against his skin. He realized belatedly that showing emotion in front of her was a mistake that could mean death.
Faction Leader Hwang Yeo-rin.
She was a woman famous for decapitating the old scholar Hwang Gi-il in a single stroke simply because he had interrupted her. She possessed a manic personality, capable of slaughtering three or four people the moment she drew her blade.
However, she also possessed a bold side, delegating major tasks entirely to trusted subordinates—and the greatest beneficiary of that trust was the man currently prostrating himself before her. Of course, he was now bearing all the responsibility for this particular incident.
“I’m glad you see it that way.” She continued, her voice sounding innocent. “I assume the cleanup was thorough?”
“Yes. We set fire to the site to completely destroy any evidence. However…”
“However?”
“It seems the Beggar Sect caught a scent. They were seen lingering around the Black Snake Union warehouse with their dogs.”
“Hehe. That’s fine. No matter how much they poke around, they won't find any clues. They’ll just leave empty-handed.”
She dismissed it as trivial, confident that they wouldn't be able to find anything.
“And… there is one more thing.”
When Jeok Seong reported with slight hesitation, she replied, “Speak.”
“This was discovered while examining the corpses…”
“…”
“A dagger that appears to be a Yeon-ga-gi was found in one of the bodies.”
“A Yeon-ga-gi? Isn't that an item from the Yeon-un Villa in Yunnan?”
“It is.”
“So, why was it there?”
“There were about thirty Orthodox members who fought against the Black Snake Union this time. Initially, it was reported that there was one woman among them, but she was not a member of the Azure Lake Gate. That would mean she is a woman connected to the Yeon-un Villa. As you know, the Yeon-un Villa does not lend the Yeon-ga-gi to just anyone. Furthermore, the method used—piercing a vital point—was vicious. It resembles the techniques of the Unorthodox Faction.”
“Oh?”
The woman expressed her interest with a thin, nasal hum. Relieved that he might have saved himself, Jeok Seong continued.
“A woman of the Unorthodox Faction using the rare Yeon-ga-gi of the Yeon-un Villa, and associating with a Qingcheng Taoist… Combining these circumstances, one organization comes to mind.”
“The Golden Martial Association.”
“Precisely.”
“Hohoho. How interesting. The Qingcheng Sect and the Golden Martial Association.”
The woman laughed heartily, showing her amusement. She was a woman who expressed her emotions directly. After a moment, her laughter ceased, and she changed the subject.
“That aside, you said Il-ho is dead?”
“Yes.”
“It wasn't time for him to die yet. How did he die? I heard you successfully lured out the men from the Namgung, Peng, and Hyeokryeon families as planned?”
It hadn't been a coincidence. Releasing the Giant Demon had been intended to gather and kill them all at once.
“Namgung Ju and Peng Ri-gon were also there.”
“Il-ho wouldn't die from just that.”
The woman spoke with certainty. Even if the experimental subject called Il-ho was incomplete, he was not someone who could be suppressed by warriors of that level. She was convinced that no one could stop him unless they were among the Ten Great Masters.
Jeok Seong agreed.
“I find it puzzling as well. His internal energy was a full Five Cycles. Il-ho was strong enough to be considered a success.”
“Well, he was just an experiment anyway, and we’re in the middle of making another one. Just find out what happened for now.”
The woman continued dismissively.
“Understood.”
Jeok Seong rose from his seat. Just as he was turning to leave, something seemed to bother him, and he prostrated himself once more.
“But, Faction Leader.”
“Do you still have something to say?”
“I haven't investigated yet, so I’m not certain, but…”
“Yes.”
“I heard that the Qingcheng Taoist named Seok Myeong was there.”
“What?”
The woman sat up abruptly, the sound of the bed frame creaking.
“Why was he there?”
“The place Il-ho went was close to the Azure Lake Gate. It seems he joined them by chance.”
“…”
“So, I was thinking that perhaps he noticed something. Or maybe the Qingcheng Sect has picked up on something.”
Then, she let out an exclamation.
“Now that I think about it, you said the place where the Demonic Energy Absorption Art was discovered was near Mount Qingcheng, right?”
“Yes.”
“Could there have been another one nearby?”
“Pardon?”
“No, it’s possible. The Demonic Energy Absorption Art we found wasn't perfect to begin with. If something wasn't missing, there’s no way we wouldn't have been able to master that martial art by now.”
“…”
She fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. Jeok Seong quietly waited for her response.
“Should I go meet him myself?”
“Faction Leader?” Jeok Seong asked back in surprise.
“Yes.”
“A-ah, no. Is there a need for that? We could send subordinates to look into it further, or simply dispose of him…”
“I’m just curious.”
“…?”
“The rumors lately have all been so surprising that I’m getting curious. I want to know if it really was just a series of coincidences.”
She spoke as if she were certain.
“Or… if he’s been interfering with our work on purpose.”
As she finished speaking, the white cloth draped like a curtain was pulled aside, and the woman’s slender legs emerged. Soon, a woman of breathtaking beauty stood before Jeok Seong.
“I might as well take a trip through the Central Plains.”