Chapter 30

As Danwooseong and Murongbin conversed, the sound of rain continued. Then came thunder, followed by heavy raindrops pounding the roof and eaves.

As Dan Woo-seong looked outside, Murong Bin spoke.

“If you’re not leaving immediately, why not join us for a meal?”

Since we’d been marching relentlessly on just one meal a day, it wasn’t a bad suggestion.

Danwooseong said.

“I eat a lot.”

Moyongbin burst out laughing at the bold request for more rice and replied.

“I’ll prepare plenty.”

After ordering his attendant to prepare the meal, the two men locked eyes again.

Dan Woosung spoke.

“Have you heard any news about Father clashing with the Demon Path or anything like that?”

Murong Bin replied.

“Neither the Black Path nor the Demon Path… I hear it’s been over twenty years since they’ve been quiet. If the Demon Path had risen, it wouldn’t be this peaceful. It’s also strange that they specifically targeted only our father. There’s no particular instance where our family suffered harm either.”

Dan Woo-sung nodded.

He had no personal grudge against the King of Power either. It wasn’t a fight born of hatred; rather, he sensed they were individuals seeking out the strong.

Moyong Bin, who had been speaking, tilted his head slightly and looked at Dan Wooseong with a somewhat serious expression.

“I heard the Sword God entered seclusion for training half a year ago. I wondered what martial arts a senior belonging to the Heaven Beyond Heaven sect could possibly need to refine further to warrant such seclusion… In any case, there’s been no news since.”

Dan Wuxing also secluded himself at the Silver River Trading Company, focusing solely on cultivation. Hearing the latest martial world news through the mouth of the Murong Clan’s head was more important than bringing back Gu Yangsheng. After all, it was difficult to get detailed information about the top masters of the martial world near the trading company.

Dan Woo-seong asked as if he wanted to hear more information.

“Tell me about the other top masters’ current affairs.”

Murong Bin replied.

“I saw the Blade Emperor in good health not long ago.”

The Blade Emperor was the head of the Namgung Clan and the leader of the Imperial Council. He was known by the somewhat cringe-worthy nickname, ‘The Clan’s Premier Master’.

“Actually, Senior Gu Yangsheng yelled at us for laughing, but strictly speaking, it was the Master who laughed heartily. The rest of us just made awkward expressions because the atmosphere was so stiff. The Gu Yang family head probably took offense. But the Master isn’t the type to care about such things. He tends to completely ignore anyone he dislikes.”

Dan Woo-sung nodded. That was the kind of man the Master was.

Murong Bin continued.

“Senior Sword Emperor doesn’t have a fixed residence. He occasionally drops by juniors’ homes, stays for a few days, then suddenly leaves. It’s impossible to know his whereabouts to begin with. The last time he visited, Father was already missing. He just acknowledged it and vanished without a trace.”

Now, Murong Bin’s expression also turned grave.

“The Sword King has semi-retired. He’s training disciples, but he said that to inherit the title ‘Sword King,’ anyone must come to him personally. He mentioned that the duel to pass on the title is still pending. And as for the Fist King…”

Dan Woo-sung’s expression stiffened.

Murong Bin continued.

“He’s always been a man of fiery temperament, and even my father, despite being his senior in the martial world, found him extremely difficult to deal with. I have no idea what he’s up to these days. He’s probably roaming the land seeking disciples. Or perhaps he’s out destroying some black-clan faction somewhere. He’s not someone you easily become close to.”

Murong Bin’s words were true.

It was the time when the Kwonwang should have been seeking disciples.

But with this unexpected rebirth, that became a distant dream once more.

Danwooseong felt utterly conflicted as he listened to his own story. The pouring rain and the thunder claps booming loudly only made it worse.

Amidst this, as the servants placed the food on the table, Murong Bin spoke.

“I’m not sure if it will suit your taste.”

While eating, Dan Woo-seong casually inquired.

“What kind of personality does His Excellency the Minister have that makes it so difficult to become close to him?”

Was he listening to reflect on himself?

Truthfully, he was curious because it was about himself. People often remain unaware of their own blind spots.

Moyong Bin smiled and replied to Dan Wooseong’s question.

“You often beat your junior in the White Path for being insolent, you give your senior in the Black Path a thorough thrashing, and you kill every Samadui you encounter. Martial arts alliance members get beaten for acting cocky, and more than a few young masters from prominent families have been slapped. Since Your Highness seems to have ambitions in the martial world, you’d do well to be careful.”

“Hmm…”

Dan Wuseong felt as if a thorn had lodged in his throat while eating. There was no thorn in any of the side dishes. Murong Bin was outright assuming the Kungwang was still alive. It was only natural, given the fight had occurred deep in the remote mountains.

Murong Bin continued.

“······On the other hand, his words and actions were clear. He kept his promises, and I’ve heard stories of him boldly challenging other emperors or senior martial artists like the Sword Emperor to duels. It gave me the impression he was simply a born warrior. From what I’ve heard, he seemed like a rather lonely man.”

Dan Woo-sung made a disapproving sound.

‘Well, he wasn’t that lonely.’

Dan Woosung gathered information and organized his thoughts while exchanging various conversations with Murong Bin.

Danwooseong doesn’t know the name of the group he fought against in the end, nor the name of the man who thrust his sword into his own ship. All he remembers is that there were many attackers, all using the same sword technique, and only the man commanding them wielded a black sword—black even to the hilt.

Judging by this group’s strength…

He could not recall even ten individuals in the martial world capable of standing against them.

Moreover, apart from this black-sword group, a man clad in a purple-gray robe stood watching from a distance.

Even amidst the fighting, his presence was palpable. If the man clad in purple robes had joined them, it seemed only the Three Gods and One Sage—known as the Heaven Beyond Heaven—could withstand their combined might. These four were revered by martial artists as the heavens beyond the heavens.

They were veteran masters standing above even the sovereigns, the very ones who had uprooted the demonic path.

And that was precisely why the Martial King never ceased his training.

He wanted to defeat the Three Gods and One Sage and become the strongest under heaven.

Dan Woo-sung had this thought.

If those shadowy figures of unknown origin aren’t connected to the Three Gods, they might eventually target the Three Gods.

It was a prediction born of both reasoning and premonition.

Truthfully, if the Three Divine Stars fell, it would be tantamount to the beginning of the Demon Realm’s rise. After all, twenty years ago, the Demon Realm had been thwarted by the Three Divine Stars and had vanished into thin air.

Murong Bin, who had finished his meal earlier, looked at Dan Wuseong with a startled expression.

“Your Highness, would you like more?”

“I’m fine.”

The food on the table had vanished as if scorched, leaving only the bowls behind.

Murong Bin asked, looking somewhat regretful.

“Your Highness, I know it’s inconvenient staying in someone else’s home, but how about staying for a day or so?”

Dan Woo-seong replied while gazing outside.

“I appreciate the kindness, but I must depart. The caravan is in disarray, and leaving my post is inconvenient. I entrust the handling of the Gu Yang family head to you. Also, those three assassins identified themselves as belonging to the Gold-Silver Assassins Guild. Since it’s an assassination group, I’d appreciate it if the Imperial Guild could investigate. However, if their headquarters or the guild leader’s identity is uncovered, I will contribute whatever meager strength I have. Contact the Eunha Trading Company.”

“Hmm. It pains me to send you away in such a downpour.”

Dan Woo-sung gave a sly smile.

Murong Bin was a rather likable junior from the White Path. Even had they met during his days as the so-called ‘King of Swords,’ he was the sort of man who wouldn’t have deserved a slap.

Dan Woo-seong spoke his true mind.

“Truth be told, I came prepared for a showdown with the Murong clan. But the clan leader has discerned the situation with such clarity that I can return with a clear conscience.”

Dan Woosung bowed respectfully to his junior.

“I will not forget your kindness.”

Murong Bin was pleased to receive the praise, but he was quite surprised by his own confidence in coming here to face the Murong clan. Come to think of it, Gu Yangsheng was also a formidable master, and he was puzzled as to how the young master of the merchant guild had managed to handle him. Since he showed no signs of his cultivation level, it was difficult to gauge his exact martial arts prowess.

How could he possibly stop a guest who wished to leave?

Murong Bin snapped his fingers once and said.

“Present the Crown Prince with an umbrella.”

Murong Bin smiled as he looked at Dan Wuxing.

“Though we can’t compare to the top tier, we too need to make ends meet, so we craft various goods. They may be called ‘famous products,’ but I feel embarrassed every time I say it—just be kind enough to overlook them.”

Dan Woosung was surprised. Truthfully, when peace endures, martial arts clans often end up living off their accumulated wealth. That’s precisely why scoundrels like Gu Yangsheng emerge. The Murong Clan seemed to have developed various self-preservation strategies of their own.

Shi Bi emerged holding a single umbrella that looked remarkably sturdy and handed it to Dan Woosung.

Murong Bin said.

“The shaft and ribs were deliberately made of black iron.”

Danwooseong examined the umbrella and couldn’t help but laugh. Even if it weren’t meant for sheltering from rain, it would serve perfectly well as a weapon.

“Why use such expensive materials?”

Murong Bin also burst out laughing.

“That way we can sell it for a higher price, don’t you think? Since it’s mainly sold to martial artists, I deliberately made it extravagant. It’s a gift.”

“I’ll use it gratefully.”

“Take a look. Open the door.”

As the attendants opened the main hall doors, the sound of the rain grew louder. Dan Woo-sung exchanged a glance with Murong Bin before turning and stepping out through the main hall doors. Unfolding the umbrella given by the Murong family head, the sound of raindrops hitting it rang out cheerfully.

In fact, Danwooseong had never used an umbrella.

When it rained, he simply stood in it.

Now that he held one in his hand, he simply unfolded it and used it. The horses he had brought were exhausted, so the Murong family’s coachmen were tending to them. Taking the carriage along would have been cumbersome, so he informed them he would send people later to retrieve it and left the Murong residence.

Above all, traveling by lightness skill was now faster.

However, Dan Wooseong didn’t immediately deploy his lightness skill after leaving the Murong family estate. He was simply fascinated by the umbrella he’d never used before, occasionally glancing up at its inside.

The rain fell so hard that holding the umbrella felt quite satisfying.

I walked for a long time in the rain, thinking about my past life. Once, I was almost like a wanderer roaming freely through remote mountain valleys, but now, many people came to mind.

People I didn’t know in my past life.

Family and my good-for-nothing friends came to mind first, and secretly, even the youngest of the Ganghoong clan often popped into my thoughts on rainy days.

A thunderclap roared somewhere in the distance…

Danwooseong looked up at the sky. The torrential rain and the intermittent thunderclaps felt like they were peering into his own heart.

Dan Woo-sung walked through the rain, feeling as if the rain and thunder were comforting him.

ⓒ Eugene Sung

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