Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: The Blood Shadow Sword Appears
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“So that’s what it was. That’s why the Illusion Demon said we’d know it if we experienced it ourselves.”
The Blood Path Guest muttered to himself as he felt the pure demonic qi surging into his dantian, spreading through his entire body.
Dan Hyeong-u stared at them impassively for a moment, then turned away.
“Go back.”
With that, Dan Hyeong-u’s figure vanished completely.
The Blood Path Guest and the Demon Bow marveled at the sight, clicking their tongues in awe. They were experts on par with the Ten Great Masters themselves. They had just sensed that Dan Hyeong-u’s presence had utterly disappeared. This was on an entirely different level from mere speed—it was a feat they couldn’t even imitate.
“Could he really be a god...?”
The Demon Bow murmured unconsciously. Then again, compared to what he had witnessed before, this was nothing.
All the demons present heard the Demon Bow’s words, but none could refute them. From their perspective, Dan Hyeong-u was no different from a true deity.
Blood Shadow meticulously reviewed the intelligence passed to him from the Bird-Rat Party. He was currently in a small village near Heochang.
“What a mess... There’s not a single new piece of information here.”
After finishing the reports from the Bird-Rat Party, Blood Shadow burned them all.
“Sa-yeong, what do you think?”
The room was empty, but a response to Blood Shadow’s question drifted in from somewhere.
“Make the judgment yourself. I’ll just carry it out.”
Blood Shadow frowned at Sa-yeong’s reply. It was utterly useless right now. Sa-yeong would only be helpful later on. And he needed to return Sa-yeong to the Blood Demon as quickly as possible—after all, Sa-yeong was the Blood Demon’s personal bodyguard, responsible for his safety.
“Hmm, we still haven’t figured out the secret behind that lightning-fast movement. That’s what bothers me most. If it weren’t for that, even if things went wrong, it wouldn’t be a big deal.”
His analysis of the Bird-Rat Party’s intelligence had led to one conclusion: Dan Hyeong-u was stronger than Blood Shadow. He didn’t want to admit it, but if the Bird-Rat Party’s information was accurate, it was undeniable.
The real problem is Sa-yeong.
Sa-yeong’s strength couldn’t be judged by martial arts alone. In covert battles, no one could defeat him. The question was whether Sa-yeong’s stealth would work on Dan Hyeong-u.
It will. It has to.
Blood Shadow reached that conclusion. Even he had no idea where Sa-yeong was hiding or what he was doing right now. If Sa-yeong attacked him directly in this state, it would be different—but for something more subtle, it would surely work.
He just needs to draw his sword. That should be enough.
As long as Dan Hyeong-u didn’t carry the Blood Shadow Sword on him, success was guaranteed.
“Alright. Let’s proceed.”
Blood Shadow finally steeled his resolve. The power of the Blood Shadow Sword was too tempting to walk away from.
“Now, time to devise the plan.”
Blood Shadow’s mind raced with schemes.
The Henan Escort Bureau was divided into an outer and inner compound. There hadn’t always been such a distinction, but as Hyeong Pyo expanded the bureau, it had naturally formed. The inner compound housed the bureau’s key figures, while the outer handled day-to-day operations.
Among those residing in the inner compound, the most important was Jo Seol-yeon. Her quarters were located in the deepest part of the inner compound.
Several women had gathered there, chatting idly.
“Have you heard the latest rumors circulating in Heochang?”
Umun Hye’s eyes lit up at Jo Seol-yeon’s question.
“Oh, you mean about the Blood Shadow Sword?”
Jo Seol-yeon nodded and glanced at Jegal-lin. Jegal-lin gave a wry smile and shook her head.
“I’m hearing it for the first time.”
In truth, Jegal-lin knew far more about intelligence across the Central Plains outside Heochang. She was aware of most major events in Heochang too, but she hadn’t heard this rumor about the Blood Shadow Sword yet. Her informants must have dismissed it as idle gossip.
“Isn’t the Blood Shadow Sword one of the Heavenly Qi Master’s treasures?”
“That’s right. It’s said to possess incredible power among his treasures—rumors have been flying about it for ages.”
“When I think of the Blood Shadow Sword, the Sword Demon comes to mind first.”
Umun Hye nodded in agreement with Jo Seol-yeon.
“I think it was to obtain the Blood Shadow Sword that he entered the Heavenly Qi Master’s secret chamber, right?”
“Exactly. Though it vanished when the chamber collapsed.”
Jegal-lin’s expression turned regretful as memories resurfaced at Jo Seol-yeon and Umun Hye’s words.
“I really wanted to see the Heavenly Mechanism Array said to be there. What a shame.”
After a brief reminiscence, Jegal-lin lightened the mood and spoke up.
“But rumors about the Blood Shadow Sword—what’s that about?”
“Word is, the Blood Shadow Sword has appeared in Heochang.”
“The Blood Shadow Sword?”
Jegal-lin couldn’t comprehend it. Back then, the sword had been buried in Mount Hyeong. Moreover, it was protected by the Heavenly Qi Master’s formations, making excavation impossible. Unless a formation master surpassing the Heavenly Qi Master appeared to dismantle them, it was out of the question.
“That’s hard to believe.”
“I know. But it doesn’t seem like just a rumor.”
Jegal-lin’s face grew serious at Jo Seol-yeon’s words.
“If the rumor’s true, would the Sword Demon just sit idly by?”
Umun Hye and Jo Seol-yeon’s expressions hardened at Jegal-lin’s question.
“Heochang might get quite chaotic.”
The two women nodded at Jo Seol-yeon’s remark.
As Jo Seol-yeon predicted, Heochang was in turmoil. But not because of the Sword Demon. In fact, he had heard the rumors about the Blood Shadow Sword and continued his routine unfazed.
The real reason for the chaos was the flood of martial artists drawn by the rumors.
With so many gathered, fights broke out frequently, ensuring no peaceful days. Even now, skirmishes large and small erupted everywhere in Heochang. And at the center of every brawl was always the Blood Shadow Sword.
“Have you heard? The Blood Shadow Sword has appeared.”
The Sword King asked, and the Sword Demon nodded slightly. He had certainly heard the rumors.
“They say its owner came here to claim it. Don’t you want to check it out?”
The Sword Demon chuckled softly at the Sword King’s words.
“No need.”
The Sword King tilted his head at the Sword Demon’s nonchalant response.
“They seemed pretty desperate to find it. Don’t you need it anymore? I could help if you want.”
The Sword Demon shook his head.
“I said it’s fine. I don’t need that sword anymore.”
As the Sword King looked puzzled, the Sword Demon elaborated.
“I wanted it to struggle free from the Golden Demon Art. I’d heard vague rumors it had that power. It wasn’t even confirmed, but back then, I was desperate enough to chase even baseless gossip.”
Only then did the Sword King nod in understanding.
“That’s why it felt off. You, of all people, know a sword doesn’t make the master.”
The Sword Demon turned to look at Jong Chil as the Sword King spoke. Jong Chil lay sprawled in the corner, battered and broken.
“Lately, I’ve gained many new insights. Teaching that fool showed me that training isn’t the only way to grow stronger. Guiding someone else is another path to breaking through new barriers.”
The Sword King nodded in agreement. This was his first time seriously teaching anyone too. He’d given casual advice before, but intensive instruction like this was only for Jong Chil.
And through it, the Sword King had gained new realizations, just like the Sword Demon.
“Since he’s done us such a favor, we should teach him even harder.”
The Sword King muttered as he stood. The Sword Demon nodded in agreement and rose as well. Both men fixed their blazing gazes on Jong Chil.
Jong Chil inwardly sighed under their intense stares.
Damn it. If you’re grateful, let me rest!
While everyone at the Henan Escort Bureau showed little interest in the Blood Shadow Sword, one man couldn’t stay still: Hyeong Pyo.
“At this rate, Heochang will be turned into a wasteland.”
The recent disorder had severely impacted the bureau’s business. People’s movements had ground to a halt. Merchants avoided travel, and even those with urgent business stayed put as much as possible.
Naturally, the bureau’s clients dwindled, squeezing its finances. Even without jobs, basic expenses piled up—and with the bureau’s large scale, maintenance costs were substantial.
In the short term, it wasn’t a crisis. Business never vanished entirely, and dangerous times like these meant big payouts for successful escorts.
But looking longer-term, Heochang itself was crumbling. In time, the Henan Escort Bureau would face serious trouble.
Hyeong Pyo was confident he could navigate the crisis and expand further—he had the skill and the drive.
The issue was Heochang’s other residents: the merchant guilds, small escort bureaus, and minor martial sects. As the Henan Escort Bureau rose, it had naturally taken a leadership role over them.
With this crisis hitting them hard, their representatives had come to Hyeong Pyo, politely begging him to resolve it.
“What do they expect me to do about it?”
Hyeong Pyo racked his brains. Since everyone in Heochang was bowing and pleading, he had to find a way. Solving this would let the bureau lead not just Heochang, but all of Henan.
But dealing with hordes of martial artists was impossible for the bureau alone. Even with the Sword King and Sword Demon, the gathered experts were no pushovers.
Rumors swirled of experts rivaling the Ten Great Masters, and even confirmed sightings of some.
No matter how much the bureau had grown, it couldn’t handle something this massive.
“If we could get our hands on the Blood Shadow Sword, maybe...”
As Hyeong Pyo pondered, an escort approached.
“Bureau Chief, a guest has arrived.”
“A guest? From where?”
“From the Golden Prosperity Merchant Guild.”
“Golden Prosperity?”
Hyeong Pyo searched his memory, but the name was unfamiliar.
“And they asked for me specifically?”
Bureaus of their size rarely had the chief handle deals personally. Requesting him directly meant a major transaction.
The escort replied promptly.
“They said they have a very important item.”
Hyeong Pyo nodded curiously.
“Alright, let’s meet. No—bring them here.”
He decided to receive the guest in his office. For a valuable item, a secure spot near the training grounds was safer than a reception room.
Soon after the escort bowed and left, he returned with one man.
“I’ve brought them.”
Hyeong Pyo stepped out to greet the guest.
“I’m Hyeong Pyo.”
With a courteous fist salute, the man returned it.
“I’m Ha Beok.”
After the greeting, Ha Beok added,
“I run a modest operation called the Golden Prosperity Merchant Guild.”
“Ah, I’ve heard so much about you. Please, come in.”
Hyeong Pyo ushered Ha Beok inside. Once the escort withdrew, he spoke cautiously.
“I hear you have an important item to entrust.”
Without hesitation, Ha Beok offered the long box beside him—it resembled a sword case.
“This is...”
Hyeong Pyo took it and cracked open the lid.
“The Blood Shadow Sword.”
Hyeong Pyo nearly dropped the box at Ha Beok’s words.
“Th-the Blood Shadow Sword?”
“It’s the star of those rumors stirring up Heochang lately.”
Hyeong Pyo swallowed hard and fully opened the box. Inside lay a sheatheless blade, its entire length glowing with a blood-red hue—perfectly matching its name.
“Is this truly the real Blood Shadow Sword?”
“It’s genuine.”
Hyeong Pyo examined it closely. He had no way to verify it himself. Well, one way: call the Sword Demon, who had coveted it so badly. Or ask Dan Hyeong-u—he’d mastered the Heavenly Qi Master’s arts and might recognize his treasure.
Either way, Hyeong Pyo’s mind swirled with thoughts.
“What do you intend to do with it?”
Transporting something as dangerous as the Blood Shadow Sword was no small task. But the Henan Escort Bureau could manage—with Dan Hyeong-u on their side.
“Just store it for ten days.”
Hyeong Pyo’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“This is extremely dangerous.”
“I know. That’s why I brought it here. The compensation will satisfy you.”
Hyeong Pyo eyed Ha Beok. Meeting his gaze steadily, Ha Beok spoke calmly.
“The fee is the Blood Shadow Sword itself.”