Chapter 125
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: A Fiery Welcome
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The Martial Alliance headquarters, located in Wuhan.
A group of people poured out from the wide-open main gate.
Taoist masters in flowing robes, monks in their vestments, and even secular martial artists in their uniforms—they were the renowned figures of the Nine Sects One Gang who had decided to part ways with the Martial Alliance.
Among them were I Rip and Hong Jeok-mun.
I Rip suddenly stopped and looked up at the magnificent plaque engraved above the Martial Alliance's main gate.
"And so, our ties with the Martial Alliance are finally severed."
His tone was a mixture of relief and regret.
The process of leaving the Martial Alliance had been surprisingly simple and straightforward.
Regardless of his merits and faults, the man who had supported the Martial Alliance until now was, without a doubt, Namgung Baek. After Namgung Baek stepped down as leader and returned to his hometown, most of the influential figures left the Alliance.
The resulting power vacuum directly impacted the Martial Alliance's influence.
In this situation, they had neither the justification nor the power to hold onto the Nine Sects One Gang.
Perhaps because their departure from the Martial Alliance had gone more smoothly than expected, their expressions were light.
"Why the long face?"
Hong Jeok-mun asked cautiously, conscious of the eyes around them.
"It's nothing. Just something weighing on my mind."
"...?"
"Jegal Yeon. I wonder if handing the position of Alliance Leader over to her was the right thing to do."
"Aren't you worrying for nothing?"
He had a point.
With the Namgung Family, their followers, and the Nine Sects One Gang gone, the Martial Alliance's strength was a pale shadow of its former self.
It had been reduced to a mere figurehead, an organization in name only.
"She's not the type of woman to hold a position with no real power for no reason. She must be plotting something."
"I think you might be overly concerned."
"I hope so, but..."
"For now, let's head to Yunnan. We'll have to hurry if we want to join Physician Dan's party."
The two exchanged farewells with the masters of the Nine Sects One Gang and approached one person in particular.
An elderly man who resembled a sharp, treasured sword.
It was Sagong Myeong, the Flourishing Beard Saber Master, one of the elders of the Diancang Sect.
His beard, which stuck out like thorns, was streaked with white, but his gaze was as sharp and cold as ice.
"It will be a long journey to Yunnan. How about we travel together and keep each other company?"
As I Rip displayed his characteristic affability, Sagong Myeong's stern gaze softened slightly.
"Haha. If you would, this old man would be grateful. How could a country bumpkin like me refuse the chance to witness the famed eloquence of the Dragon's Head, the greatest in the Central Plains?"
Although he called himself a country bumpkin, I Rip held him in very high regard.
The Sun-Shooting Sword and the Sun-Setting Saber, the symbols of Diancang.
For he was a master of the blade, ranked among the top five under heaven for his mastery of the Sun-Setting Saber.
"I've also received word from the Sect Leader."
The Beggar's Sect and the Diancang Sect had already reached an agreement beforehand.
"As long as there are no special issues, the Sect Leader will not refuse to sign the joint petition."
At Sagong Myeong's words, I Rip let out a hearty laugh.
"Haha, what problems could there be? I'm sure you'll take a liking to the boy as well, Elder Sagong. Who knows? You might even have an unexpected fortunate encounter."
"A fortunate encounter? What do you mean?"
"The terrible neuralgia that had plagued me for over a decade disappeared after I met him."
At those words, a strange light gleamed in Sagong Myeong's eyes.
"Haha. That is certainly something to look forward to. Having dragged this old body around on the front lines, there's hardly a part of me that doesn't ache."
Hong Jeok-mun, who had been waiting for a chance to greet him, seized the opportunity and cupped his fist.
"This junior from the Beggar's Sect, Hong, greets the great senior of Diancang."
"Oh! To think I would meet the Swift Hand As You Wish here!"
"It is merely an embarrassing, unearned title."
Hong Jeok-mun's face flushed slightly.
Sagong Myeong took it as a sign of humility, but at that moment, Hong Jeok-mun was genuinely embarrassed.
He had already seen Cho Ak-ryang up close.
If he had his way, he would find the fool who grouped him with Cho Ak-ryang as one of the Three Great Fists and give that idiot's mouth a sound thrashing.
"Well then, shall we be on our way?"
I Rip stepped to one side of the road, yielding the lead position.
"Let's."
Sagong Myeong also smiled readily and nodded.
And so, they began their journey to Yunnan in a friendly atmosphere.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the same time, in Wuchuan, Guangdong Province.
Braving the harsh sea breeze, Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi arrived at the port.
Before them, an archipelago of bizarrely shaped rocks and islands of all sizes stretched across the vast sea.
Cho Ak-ryang took a deep breath.
'It's been a while.'
Even the salty sea breeze, which he had once found tiresome, was a welcome sensation. Beom Gye-wi, too, had a smile on his face as he looked out at the sea.
"Are you happy to see the sea? Or the person you're about to meet?"
"I'm just in a good mood thinking about how happy Physician Dan will be."
"Nothing to worry about?"
"Worry? What's there to worry about? It's just a little awkward."
"Just a little?"
"A little more than a little."
Cho Ak-ryang was inwardly dumbfounded by his reaction.
He had planned to tease him if he showed any signs of nervousness, but Beom Gye-wi didn't seem fazed in the slightest.
In truth, he wasn't in a position to tease Beom Gye-wi right now.
He was facing an equally awkward situation.
As he was lost in such thoughts.
*Screeeech!*
A sharp sound that tore through the air pierced his ears.
Turning his head toward the sound, he spotted a large arrow cutting through the distant sky.
A great whistling arrow.
Also known as a signal arrow, it had a large whistle attached instead of a tip, designed to make a sound.
"How did they know we were here?"
At Beom Gye-wi's question, Cho Ak-ryang, who was scanning the area, gave a wry smile. A few people were glancing their way.
They must have been the ones who sent the message.
"That damn bird never seems to get old and die."
Following Cho Ak-ryang's gaze, Beom Gye-wi looked up and saw a falcon circling high in the sky above them.
It was a gyrfalcon.
The creature always identified the target before its master arrived.
Sure enough.
Not long after the whistling arrow sounded, a ship appeared from behind a large island in the distance.
With its sails fully unfurled, catching the wind perfectly, the ship sped toward the port. It was a massive warship, far exceeding the size of a reconnaissance vessel.
The symbol of the Hainan Sect was clearly emblazoned on the ship's tallest mast.
"She's here already."
Beom Gye-wi spotted a person standing proudly on the ship's bow.
Just then, the falcon circling in the sky flew swiftly toward the bow.
The falcon dove like a beam of light, landing gently on the outstretched arm of the woman standing on the bow.
She looked to be in her mid-thirties.
A radiant, irrepressible smile graced her face as her ebony hair fluttered in the wind.
"She doesn't age, either."
Cho Ak-ryang nodded in agreement with Beom Gye-wi's remark.
Though she was actually over forty, the woman on the bow had maintained much of her youthful appearance.
Her sharp eyes were perhaps her only flaw, if one could call it that.
Her eyes sparkled like black pearls. A high nose and vivid red lips created a striking contrast with her sun-kissed brown skin, making her an exceptionally beautiful woman.
Byeok Hwa-ryeong, the Vice Sect Leader of the Hainan Sword Sect.
She raised a hand to stroke the falcon's back, and the bird let out a pleased cry, rubbing its beak against the back of her hand affectionately.
*Thud.*
The moment the ship reached the port, Byeok Hwa-ryeong leaped off.
She landed gracefully in front of Beom Gye-wi.
"You're finally here."
Byeok Hwa-ryeong gave Beom Gye-wi a brilliant smile.
It was a smile so beautiful it could make any man's heart pound.
"You're very late... but since you're here, I'll forgive you."
Beom Gye-wi laughed awkwardly.
"Right. Thanks for forgiving me."
Smiling, Byeok Hwa-ryeong nodded and turned her head toward Cho Ak-ryang.
"Brother Cho, you've been well, I hope?"
"Thanks to you. Sister Byeok, you haven't changed a bit."
"Really? That's a relief. But Brother Cho, did something happen to you? Why do you look so old?"
"Well... I've been through a lot."
Cho Ak-ryang answered vaguely.
He could never get used to her blunt way of speaking, even after all these years.
But it was hard to remain unfazed by her next words.
"While our dear Master Beom is as handsome as ever."
"*Cough!* How old is that guy? Why are you still calling him 'Master'..."
"In my eyes, he's still as charming as ever."
Her gaze, fixed on Beom Gye-wi, was so full of unconcealed affection it was as if honey were dripping from her eyes.
"Well then, come aboard. We can talk more on the way."
Cho Ak-ryang and Beom Gye-wi nodded and boarded the ship.
At the same time, about fifty disciples of the Hainan Sect, who were lined up on the deck, bowed their heads in unison toward Beom Gye-wi.
"We greet the Vice Sect Leader's beloved!"
Their unified voices, clearly well-practiced, echoed thunderously across the port.
"B-Beloved?"
Beom Gye-wi was flustered by the respectful attitude of the Hainan Sect martial artists. Just as he was about to say something, Cho Ak-ryang nudged him in the ribs.
—Just play along until we get what we came for.
Beom Gye-wi's face fell at Cho Ak-ryang's telepathic message.
—Don't you know her temper? We could both end up in a terrible situation.
—Why 'we'? You mean 'you'.
Beom Gye-wi's face twisted into a scowl.
—You're going to be cheap like this?
Cho Ak-ryang gave an awkward laugh and looked away, feigning ignorance.
Beom Gye-wi glared at him for a moment before letting out a sigh. Then he turned directly to Byeok Hwa-ryeong and spoke.
"I didn't come here to get married. I came because I need something."
Cho Ak-ryang was horrified that, despite his warning, Beom Gye-wi had just blurted out the main point.
Byeok Hwa-ryeong stood stunned for a moment, then asked in a low, sinking voice.
"Need something?"
"I heard the Hainan Sect has something called Flame-Forged Iron."
"And if we do?"
"Give it to me."
Byeok Hwa-ryeong smiled quietly. But her eyes were chillingly cold.
"So you didn't come for me?"
As Beom Gye-wi swallowed dryly instead of answering, Byeok Hwa-ryeong smiled brilliantly once more.
"I'll give you one more chance. So this time, say it right. Say you came to take me with you."
"...But I didn't?"
"Then what about our promise?"
Beom Gye-wi shot Cho Ak-ryang a desperate look, pleading for help.
But Cho Ak-ryang was just as helpless.
"Is that so?"
Byeok Hwa-ryeong strode toward Beom Gye-wi. For every step she took forward, he took one back.
"I see."
With those words, Byeok Hwa-ryeong continued to press him.
The subtle standoff continued until Beom Gye-wi was backed up precariously against the ship's railing.
It was then that Byeok Hwa-ryeong spoke.
"Don't avoid it."
"Huh?"
In response to his question, Byeok Hwa-ryeong's eyes hardened as she repeated.
"I said it clearly. Don't avoid it."
The moment she finished speaking, Byeok Hwa-ryeong shot out her hands, grabbed Beom Gye-wi by the collar, and pulled him in, her alluring red lips puckering for a kiss.
Just before their lips touched.
Beom Gye-wi raised a hand and blocked her lips.
"I told you, that's not why I came!"
"...!"
In that instant, the flames of fury erupted in Byeok Hwa-ryeong's eyes.
*Boom!*
With an explosion that shook the ship, Beom Gye-wi's body was launched into the air. Byeok Hwa-ryeong had slammed a palm strike into his chest without warning.
Thanks to his protective energy, he wasn't seriously injured, but with no foothold, Beom Gye-wi plunged into the sea. He tapped the water's surface, using the rebound to launch himself back into the air, and roared.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
"This."
Beom Gye-wi couldn't say another word.
A massive, heavy chunk of metal was flying straight at him.
*Clang!*
He swung his hand with all his might, batting away the anchor that had been thrown with terrifying force, but his body fell back into the sea.
*Splash.*
Submerged in the water, Beom Gye-wi looked up at the ship's railing with a dumbfounded expression.
A cold voice rained down on him.
"You come back after ten years and this is what you have to say?"
"Huh?"
A look of bewilderment crossed Beom Gye-wi's face.
*Creeaak.*
Byeok Hwa-ryeong was dragging something toward him.
It was a giant cannon.