Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Third-Rate Martial Family Becomes World's Best
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This happened a few years ago.
"Young hero. We've found traces of Sword Immortal Yeo Dong-bin."
"Is that true?!"
Previously, Yang-hui had informed Yin Hou about the spirit pill and residual energy left by Yeo Dong-bin.
Yin Hou had promised to look into it, and now he had actually tracked down some leads.
"To be precise, it's not traces of Yeo Dong-bin himself, but of his disciple."
"Sword Immortal had a disciple?!"
The lineage of the Sword Immortal was continuing?
If it was the swordsmanship of Sword Immortal Yeo Dong-bin, it could rightfully be called the best in the world.
But if it had continued, rumors would have spread long ago, wouldn't they?
The next moment, upon hearing Yin Hou's following words, Yang-hui froze in place.
"Young hero. Do you know about the Sword King Tomb Blood Massacre?"
Sword King Tomb Blood Massacre. It was impossible not to know about it.
After all, Yeo Un-jeok—no, Yeo Un-hyeok, who had become part of the main family as Fake Deer for Horse—was one of the causes behind it.
He replied, feeling inexplicably tense.
"......I know of it. It was the bloodbath sparked by the false wanted posters spread by the Blood Slaughter Union, wasn't it?"
"Correct."
"Why bring up the Sword King Tomb Blood Massacre all of a sudden...... Ah, don't tell me."
"Your guess is right. Sword King. He was Sword Immortal's disciple."
Sword King. Throughout the long history of the martial world, many had borne the title of Sword King.
However, only one had been called simply Sword King, without any additional modifiers.
"Sword King Jin Cheon-hwi. You're saying he was Sword Immortal's disciple?"
"That's what the records say."
"But that doesn't make sense. Considering their active periods, there should be at least a few hundred years' difference."
Yin Hou nodded.
"You're right, young hero. But according to the records, Sword King was indeed Sword Immortal's disciple, transcending time and space to appear in the mortal world."
"Could you explain in more detail?"
"Do you know why he was called Sword King?"
"Of course. He saved the world from the demonic forces who called themselves Myriad Demon Saints, didn't he?"
"Since you know, that makes it easier to explain."
To summarize Yin Hou's explanation:
Sword King Jin Cheon-hwi had inherited Sword Immortal's will to save the world from chaos.
Thus, he rescued the world from the waves of myriad demons, and in his later years, sought to raise a disciple to carry on Sword Immortal's will and martial arts.
However, he failed to find such a disciple, so instead, Sword King gathered all his possessions to create a tomb for future generations.
"Sword King Tomb. Sword Immortal's traces must remain there without a doubt."
"I think so too."
Suddenly, Yin Hou looked apologetic.
"Unlike what I promised, I couldn't uncover solid information. My apologies."
"No, Master. This is more than enough."
"Is it? All I found was that Sword Immortal's lineage connects to the Sword King Tomb, whose location is unknown."
That was precisely why the information Yin Hou brought was so valuable.
For Sword Immortal's traces to remain in none other than the Sword King Tomb.
'This could kill multiple birds with one stone—maybe even three.'
At present, the Sword King Tomb was nothing but a legend.
Due to the Blood Massacre orchestrated by the Blood Slaughter Union, it was dismissed as worthless rumor.
But.
'The future is different.'
Dozens of years after the Sword King Tomb Blood Massacre from his past life.
The name Sword King would once again set the martial world ablaze.
The reason was simple.
The Namgung Clan had publicly announced that they had obtained the legacy of the Sword King Tomb.
'Those bastards, proudly proclaiming they robbed someone else's grave.'
He could understand it.
They wanted to flaunt their power by excavating the Sword King Tomb and boasting about their gains.
In fact, the Namgung Clan had grown even stronger based on what they obtained from there.
'Thanks, you little shits. In this life, I'll take it all for myself.'
He now had a lead on the spirit energy traces.
And in the process, he could snatch away the profits the Namgung bastards would claim?
How could he resist?
'They said he got the clue about the Sword King Tomb while helping a merchant in distress.'
That was the trigger for Yang-hui to start searching for the merchant heading toward Lake Shadow Tower via An-hwi.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Tell me, Brother Hui. Why must Yeon and I join the escort mission with you?"
Snapping out of his thoughts, Yang-hui answered immediately.
"Yin Hou's orders."
"Mm!"
Dang Gun and Dang Yeon's eyes widened.
The Baek and Dang families had built deep bonds over years together, beyond mere friendship.
The Dang siblings knew that Yang-hui was a disciple of Breaking Sky Yin Hou, one of the Heavenly Martial Ten Lords.
"Yin Hou's orders?!"
"Orders from Yin Hou himself?"
He couldn't mention Sword Immortal, Sword King Tomb, or past-life memories.
Instead, Yin Hou was the perfect excuse.
Because.
"I can't say more due to Yin Hou's orders."
"Mm. Fair enough."
"If it's Yin Hou's command, it can't be anything nefarious."
This way, he could brush it all off with one sentence.
So what if it wasn't the full truth?
As long as the plan worked, it would all become reality anyway.
"You need our siblings' help to carry out Yin Hou's orders."
"If that's the case, we'll help however we can!"
Thus, he successfully reeled in the Dang siblings.
"Brother Gu. You must come too."
"Mm? How long is the journey?"
From here to Lake Shadow Tower would take a generous month, but factoring everything in, about three months.
"Three months."
"Not going."
"Pardon? Why not?"
"Three months away from Rang-rang and Hwa-hwa? Let me ask you instead—why should I go?"
"Because the Baek heir commands it?"
"I don't listen to third-rate riffraff."
"......?"
This guy. Was he asking for a beating?
As Yang-hui's expression soured, Gu-ak immediately pulled out his shield.
The shield was none other than Gu Hwa-hwa, who had somehow ended up in his arms.
"Host pwupu! Daddy go faw away?"
"......That's cheating, Brother Gu."
"Heng! Jealous? Then you have a kid too, little brother!"
The situation had turned awkward.
'Hm. To handle any potential dangers, it'd be wise to bring along a Peak Realm expert.'
But he couldn't ask the clan leader—his father—to act as an escort.
......No choice.
Time to deploy the ultimate Gu-naming technique.
"Hwa-hwa."
"Ung! Host pu!"
"Don't you want a little brother?"
"Ding shibling......?"
Gu Hwa-hwa's face lit up, while Gu-ak's darkened.
"Ding shibling! Hwa-hwa want shibling!"
"See?"
Grinning widely, he looked at Gu-ak, who was now sweating profusely.
"That's what she says, Brother Gu?"
"Ahem. Since our Hwa-hwa wants a sibling, I definitely can't leave."
"No, it won't do. Do you think your absence for a few years doing 'family duties' at home would go unnoticed?"
"......"
"From what Rang-rang told me...... it's not going well......"
"Stop! Right there!"
Rang-rang told you that much? Really?
Yang-hui smirked and transmitted back.
"Sister Rang has no secrets from me. Heh heh heh."
Please use transmission! Transmission only!
The bowed head of the man Gu-ak, pleading pitifully.
He considered teasing more but decided against it—man to man, it wasn't right.
Taoist bedchamber secrets. Don't you want them?
Gu-ak's ears perked up instantly.
Taoist bedchamber secrets? How do you know of them, little brother?
Heh heh heh. I know everything. Join this escort, and I'll gladly share.
In his past life, to elevate the clan to great sect status, Yang-hui had done all sorts of things.
One was inventing and selling qi cultivation techniques, including bedchamber arts.
'Hardly a true secret—just a tweak of that guy's third-rate bedchamber technique. But the effects were quite potent.'
It was so lucrative that his biggest earner had been those bedchamber secrets!
Early after regression, he couldn't use it due to questions about how he knew, but now things were different.
Time had passed, his position was secure—it was time to release his past life's accumulations.
Bow-headed man Gu-ak! Lift your head!
......Swear it's all true, little brother.
Of course. When have I ever lied to you, Brother Gu?
He hadn't lied!
The problem was he'd tricked without lying too many times!
This time too, dragging him along felt suspicious.
A mere escort, yet surely grueling.
But...... Taoist bedchamber secrets.
'With that...... I could be Rang-rang's upright husband day and night......!'
"Ahem. Fine. Even with my busy schedule, for you, little brother, I can make time."
"Daddy! Go faw away?"
"Hwa-hwa, Daddy will bring back a sibling."
"Shibling!"
And with that, Gu-ak was reeled in.
"Brother Dang. And Sister Dang. You'll come too, right?"
"If my little brother needs this big brother's help, of course."
"Sounds fun, so I'll tag along."
Thus, the five-man escort team was complete.
"We'll depart for the escort tomorrow. Everyone, prepare thoroughly today."
The Dang siblings left their quarters, and Gu-ak followed with Gu Hwa-hwa on his shoulder.
As Chui-dal moved to follow, Yang-hui grabbed his collar.
"Chui-dal, stay a moment."
Chui-dal looked puzzled and spoke.
"Why, hyungnim?"
"Got something else for you."
"Something annoying?"
"You talk too much."
He sat Chui-dal down and pondered briefly.
'Should I consult Elder Yeo or not?'
Chui-dal's master, Yeo Un-hyeok, was the one who forged the fabricated wanted posters for the Sword King Tomb Blood Massacre decades ago.
Even if fabricated, they had fooled countless martial artists, so they must touch on some truth.
'It'll reopen old wounds, but everyone's safety comes first.'
"Chui-dal. There's a message for Elder Yeo."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next morning.
Yang-hui stood at the main gate of the manor with the Dang siblings, Gu-ak, and Chui-dal.
"Everyone prepared?"
"All set."
"Got everything."
"Me too."
Their bulging bundles and travel bags suggested solid preparations.
'This should suffice.'
He turned to Jin Geum-bo, who was atop the carriage prepared by Heaven-Covering Escort Agency, mouth agape.
"Young Master Baek. Y-You're saying all these people—no, these heroes—are joining the escort?"
The condition had been only the Baek heir Yang-hui, yet the lineup was excessively illustrious.
"Young Hero Dang Gun, Lady Dang Yeon. And even Great Hero Gu-ak......!"
Dang Gun and Dang Yeon had earned the monikers Dark Dragon and Venom Flower from recent martial exploits.
Though known mainly in Szechuan and Jiangxi regions, it meant they were unparalleled famed young talents here.
And Day Hero Gu-ak, no less.
"The two Dangs I can understand—for experience—but why Great Hero Gu......?"
Gu-ak's shoulders rose immediately.
"Ahem. Merchant Jin thinks highly of this Gu."
"How could I not? One of Baek Manor’s two Peak Realm experts! The one with the highest righteous fame in this region is none other than Great Hero Gu!"
"Ahem. Ahehem!"
"Even with tenfold the fee, to have Great Hero Gu join! This Jin is deeply honored!"
Gu-ak, shoulders sky-high, coughed arrogantly and glanced at Yang-hui.
His eyes screamed, Look at me.
'Ugh. Makes my stomach turn.'
"Impressive as that may be, at night he bows his head, mmp! Mmph!"
Gu-ak swiftly clamped Yang-hui's mouth and shouted.
"Everyone, board! Time is short—depart now!"
The Heaven-Covering Escort Agency carriage began swiftly exiting the manor.
"As discussed, we'll use waterways from northern Jiangxi to head to An-hwi."
"Understood, Young Master Baek."
To do so, they had to travel overland to Gukang, the northernmost point in Jiangxi.
Waterways from there would shorten the route most.
'Even the fastest, it'll take seven days just to leave Muju.'
Not one or two days, but a full seven confined in a cramped space—even the most laid-back person would grow bored.
Chui-dal was the first to get antsy.
"Hyungnim. Are escorts always this boring?"
"What're you on about?"
"Stuck in a carriage all day with nothing but chatter. From what that guy said, escorts have bandits, adventures—real excitement."
This kid spouts stuff that'd rile ronin or escorts.
When safety is paramount, wishing for bandits out of boredom.
Due to past-life memories, he sometimes forgot Chui-dal was still young.
"Most journeys are boring and dull. If you can't stand it, circulate your qi."
"If I get qi deviation circulating in a bumpy carriage, you taking responsibility?"
"If you've got life left in you, it won't happen."
"......"
After a silent pause, Chui-dal continued.
"Should've brought some reading material if I knew."
That was why in his past life as a ronin, he always carried books.
And why he could sell novels as One Stroke Writer.
"Want me to write one?"
At that, Dang Gun's eyes lit up as he interjected.
"Oho, Brother Hui. A new story? I'm curious too."
Dang Gun had shown great interest in his One Stroke Writer activities since releasing Dang Mun-jeon.
Yang-hui scratched his head briefly, then shrugged.
"You seem bored too, Brother Dang. Shall we unpack some tales on the way?"
He had a bundle of rumors and stories from his past life.
Enough to fill the seven days solid.
"Heard this when I was begging years ago......"
Not just the group, but Jin Geum-bo and the coachman leaned in for Yang-hui's tale.
It was that captivating.
"And that's how it went."
"Such a knight!"
"Haha, the martial world is vast indeed."
"Little brother, got the sequel?"
"I'm curious too, Hui."
Shrugging once more, Yang-hui looked ahead.
A bustling city in the distance.
Gyeongyang County, at Muju's edge.
"Stories are fine, but how about an inn instead of the carriage? Better to stay here tonight."
All agreed, and the coachman steered toward an inn.
"Waiter! Customers!"
"Welcome, sirs!"
Under the waiter's guidance, they unpacked and took seats on the first floor.
"A round of thin noodles and dumplings per person, and three of your best appetizers."
"Right away! What about drinks?"
As he scanned the group to finish ordering.
Sudden noise erupted from the door.
"Hm?"
Two or three youths in expensive silk robes.
Yang-hui noticed excitement in Chui-dal's eyes.
'What’s this kid expecting?'
Chui-dal transmitted immediately.
Hyungnim, this situation feels familiar.
Hm. Common trope in traveler tales.
Now if they pick a fight, instant novel material, right?
Kid, novels and reality differ. What reason would they have to......
"Well, if it isn't this. Could it be Sword Demon Young Hero?"
Wow. Picking a fight it was.
Yang-hui's brow furrowed with an angry cross upon hearing the youth.
"Sword Demon? Sword what?"