Chapter 229 The Restless South-2

Chapter 229: The Restless South-2

Hengshan, Hunan Province.

Among the countless mountains under heaven, this splendid peak known to people as Namak was home to the mighty Xingshan Sect, which dominated all of Hunan Province.

The growth of the Xingshan Sect was astonishing.

What had once been merely a local sect influencing only the vicinity of Namak within Hunan Province had, in just over a decade, not only become one of the Eight Great Sects but had also risen to become the ruler of all Hunan Province.

People said:

Ten years ago, the Xingshan Sect occupied the lowest rank among the Nine Great Sects, but in another ten years, it might very well become the leader of the Nine Great Sects.

And the period when the Hyeongsan Sect began to grow like this was undoubtedly after the current headmaster, the Honam’s Finest Sword, Wi Jeong-guk, ascended to the position of headmaster.

He was known among people these days as

The greatest leader in the history of the Hyeongsan Sect.

That Wei Zhengguo was currently seated in his office, receiving a report from Zuo Gajun, the head of the Outer Hall.

“…After that, that man, In Parang, is actually moving towards the southern region.”

Wei Zhengguo, listening with an expressionless, cold face, suddenly asked Zuo Gajun abruptly.

“What is Ma Jing’s reaction?”

Then Jaga Gyun avoided his gaze and answered with difficulty.

“There’s been no response whatsoever. But given the lack of any further reaction to our proposal… I suspect it means he’ll agree to meet if he comes.”

Upon hearing this, a faint, bitter smile briefly touched the cold, stern face of Wei Zhengguo.

He said.

“For a whale trapped on an island, growing old… How presumptuous.”

Jaga-gyun cautiously asked.

“What shall we do? Should we abandon the alliance with him?”

Wei Jung-guk maintained that bitter smile and slowly shook his head.

That’s out of the question. How could we let this golden opportunity to pit the Holy Maiden against the Demon Realm slip away? Did he say he’d consider an alliance if we took care of the Fukengyong Clan first? Let’s play along with his words for now. We’ll strike at the Fukengyong Clan first. And we’ll also deal with that Inparang fellow. Since Jin Taedo seems to be whining anyway, it’s better to eliminate him early.”

Having said that, Wei Zhengguo asked Zuo Jiagun with a sharp gaze.

“Are all the Six Harmonies Sword Masters ready?”

Zhuo Jiayun bowed his head with precision in response to his question.

“All units are ready. Three Pacheon Squadrons and ten Pasan Squadrons are prepared for deployment at any moment.”

“What about their skill?”

“As the Grandmaster personally tested, a single Facheon Squad can take down one master of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Realms, and a single Pasanjou Squad can take down two or more supreme masters. Preparations are complete.”

The Six Harmonies Sword Corps were the secret military force of the Xingshan Sect, prepared by Wei Zhengguo since seven or eight years prior.

In his youth, Wei Zhengguo, unable to contain his jealousy, had murdered his elder brother, who was the leading candidate to succeed him as the next Grand Master.

After realizing his mistake and fleeing, he stumbled upon a hidden cave where he discovered the ancestral sword techniques.

It contained various martial arts manuals, including the legendary Oro Sword Technique, the strongest sword art of the Xingshan Sect that had been lost to history.

By returning all the techniques except the Oro Sword Technique to the sect at that time, Wei Zhengguo was able to be forgiven for the crime of killing his master.

Later, by mastering the Five Elements Sword Technique alone, he ultimately ascended to the position of the Xingshan Sect’s supreme master.

After that, Wei Zhengguo, who eventually became the Grandmaster of the Xingshan Sect, focused his attention on a sword formation he had discovered among those techniques: the Demon-Slaying Sixfold Sword Formation.

It was a terrifying sword technique that allowed six sword masters to defeat even masters far above their level by sharing a single mental image.

Wei Zhengguo smiled like a greedy beast and said.

“Finally. It took a long time.”

Then he gave the order.

“Deploy them. Let’s test their strength first. Move both the Pacheonjo and Pasanjo to Baekunbang. Two Pasanjo units are to target that bastard Inparang, while three units are to deal with the Banhyunghoe scum first!”

Baekunbang was a puppet sect of the Hyeongsanpa, located in Jiangxi Province, east of Hunan Province.

To reach Fujian Province, where the Fu family estate was located, one had to pass through Jiangxi Province first, so the order was to move there first.

But Zuo Gajun, the head of the outer hall, suddenly countered his order.

“Does that Inparang fellow really need two entire battalions? With that kind of firepower, he should be able to handle three or four top-tier masters.”

At this, Wei Zhengguo merely turned his eyes to look at him and replied.

“I prefer certainty, Outer Chamber Chief. If you underestimate the enemy and we lose even one of our precious Six Harmonies Sword Masters, will you take responsibility?”

Under his cold gaze, Zuo Jiagyun hastily bowed his head and begged forgiveness.

“Ah, no! I’m sorry, Jang Mun-in! I’ll do as you say!”

Wei Zhengguo stared coldly at Zuo Jiagun, who was bowing his head.

He was deeply displeased that his subordinate had dared to question his orders.

He had appointed this man as head of the outer court based solely on loyalty, despite his lack of ability. Lately, he wondered if he had nurtured him too much.

Just then.

A faint presence was sensed outside the office door.

It was a faint presence only a master of Wei Jung-guk’s caliber could detect.

“Hm?”

Just as he turned toward the door, about to take action…

Suddenly, the door slid open, and a woman walked in slowly from outside.

She was a beautiful woman in a flowing white robe, barefoot.

She entered as silently as flowing mist and spoke in a moist voice.

“Is it taking long? I grew tired of waiting and came to see.”

She was a woman as mysterious as the dawn mist, exuding an aura as pure and delicate as a single iris.

The moment she spoke, it felt as though the scent of flowers filled the room.

Seeing her, Wi Jeong-guk instantly forgot his earlier bad mood, smiling warmly as he replied.

“It’s all over, Woohee. I’ll be leaving soon.”

She looked at him for a moment, then turned and walked out, saying,

“I’ll be waiting in the garden. Don’t keep me waiting too long.”

Even after she left, the scent of flowers seemed to linger in the room.

In that mysterious atmosphere, Wi Jeong-guk stared blankly at the door she had left through for a moment.

Then he glanced back at Jwa Ga-gyun.

Jwa Ga-gyun had initially stared blankly at her alongside Wei Zhengguo, but had suddenly snapped back to his senses midway and was now keeping his head bowed low.

Because he knew full well that Wi Jeong-guk would never tolerate another man giving her a second glance.

And though he couldn’t have known it, that very fact saved his life.

Satisfied with her appearance, Wei Zhengguo abandoned the murderous intent he had harbored toward him earlier and returned to discussing business.

“What’s the latest on the Banhyung Association’s movements? Have you pinpointed their base?”

“Ah, they’ve been…”

Wunanxue, one of the Five Beauties of Sapa, whose barefoot movements were as ethereal as mist, was called the Divine Dancer of Wu, as her graceful beauty was said to be the reincarnation of the legendary dancer of the Chu state. She paused her steps outside the office of the Wei Zhengguo, not proceeding directly to the garden.

She pressed her hand against the wall, concentrating on the vibrations within.

After a moment, she began moving toward the garden again. Her movements were subtle and silent, like mist flowing by.

Arriving in the garden, she slowly strolled around the pond tucked away in a corner of the flower garden.

Simply walking made it seem as if a mysterious mist were drifting through the garden.

At that picturesque sight, the Hyeongsanpa warriors, who had been keeping watch, had to try their hardest not to look at her.

But because they deliberately averted their eyes, they could not see.

A single reed by the pond where Wunanseol was strolling quietly sank beneath the water.

And that through a hole in the inner part of the pond, a person swam out beyond the Hyeongsan Sect’s perimeter.

***

Beep!

A clear sky, a brown hawk glided leisurely through the air.

The hawk moved its head back and forth as if searching for prey while flying at high speed.

Then, in an instant, as if it had spotted something, the hawk began a sudden, steep dive.

Whoosh!

It was an incredible speed.

If it had plunged toward a rabbit unaware of its presence, the swiftness of the dive would have easily severed the rabbit’s head clean off.

But its target wasn’t the rabbit.

It was a person—a well-built-looking old man.

Thud!

The creature, which had been diving toward the old man, suddenly flapped its wings and slowed its descent.

Without even glancing at the hawk, the old man, who had been gulping down liquor from a flask, slowly raised one arm.

The next moment, the hawk landed on his arm.

Thud! Thump!

The hawk’s composed demeanor as it plunged like an arrow and landed gracefully on the arm, and the old man’s appearance as he drank with one hand, not even looking at the hawk, while catching it with the other—it couldn’t have looked more impressive.

Jin So-eun, the woman with short hair who witnessed this, exclaimed with an admiring expression.

“Wow! That’s so cool, Master Son!”

Then, the imposing old man, the wandering scholar Son Daesu, skillfully untied the letter tied to the hawk’s leg and said with a hearty laugh.

“Heh heh heh! What’s the fuss over something like this?”

Seeing this, his granddaughter, Son I-rang, stuck out her tongue playfully and teased.

“So Grandpa’s showing off with the falcon he raised?”

At her words, Grandfather Son cleared his throat and began reading the letter.

“Hmm, hmm, when did I ever show off?”

But his playful expression gradually stiffened as he read the letter.

Then, he cautiously addressed Seon Woo-jin, who had been silently watching him.

“Master In, it seems there is something you should know.”

Seon Woo-jin silently nodded at his words.

Then Son Dae-su spoke.

“The Hyeongsan Sect has made a move. It seems they’ve sent their secret military force to the Young Master.”

Seon Woo-jin stared at him silently for a moment before slowly opening his mouth.

“Shouldn’t you provide me with a more detailed explanation?”

Seon Woo-jin had already sensed that Son Dae-su was not merely a wandering swordsman fond of drink, as the common folk claimed.

But now that I think about it, he probably had a status beyond my wildest imagination.

After all, relaying internal affairs of the Hyeongsanpa faction was something even Hao Mun, an intelligence organization, couldn’t possibly manage.

Son Daesu sighed deeply and spoke.

“I suppose so. This might take a while, so why don’t you sit down for a moment?”

The group gathered and sat down on the grassy clearing in the forest.

Son Daesu, and of course his granddaughter Son Ilang, wore expressions far more serious than usual. Jin So-eun, clueless about their expressions, was at a loss.

Son Daesu finally spoke.

“First, I must apologize for approaching you, Young Master In, while concealing our true identity. I am actually a member of an organization called the Ban Hyeong-hoe. Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Son Dae-su, the Twelfth Leader of the Ban Hyeong-hoe, greeting you, Young Master In.”

At this, Jin So-eun’s eyes widened as she asked.

“Ban Hyeong-hoe?”

Her expression was one of utter bewilderment.

The name Ban Hyeong-hoe was one Jin So-eun had never heard of before.

But that was extremely strange.

There’s no way the organization Son Daesu, a master at the peak of his craft, belongs to would be some third-rate group I’ve never even heard of.

Jin So-eun tilted her head, pondering that fact.

At that moment, Seon Woo-jin slowly opened his mouth.

“I suppose it means a gathering of those opposed to the Hyeongsanpa. It must be a secret society.”

Son Dae-soo nodded in silent admiration at his words.

“That’s right. We are a group of people who have lost family, friends, or our sect to the Hyeongsanpa, or who oppose their ruthless and violent expansion.”

Then, as if in admiration, Mokrang spoke within Seon Woo-jin’s mind.

– You’ve truly appeared. Just as you planned.

Originally, when Seonwoojin first intended to act as Inparang, he explained it this way to Seolpung and Jeungchil.

He reasoned that if he acted against Jin Taedo and the Hyeongsan faction under the name Inparang, forces opposing Jin Taedo from the Haenam faction and those resisting the Hyeongsan faction would surely make contact.

And just as he had predicted, the opposing forces of the Hyeongsan Sect had now revealed themselves before his eyes.

And this happened even before he had properly entangled himself with the Hyeongsan Sect.

Even considering it was Seonwoo Jin’s prediction, the accuracy was astonishing.

Yet, despite his prediction proving exact, Seon Woo-jin answered in an awkward tone.

‘Not necessarily. I was certain that those opposed to the Haenam faction would appear on Jintaedo, but I honestly thought the odds of a faction opposing the Hyeongsan faction emerging were fifty-fifty. I never imagined they’d show up before the Haenam faction, though.’

That was exactly the case.

I certainly never imagined we’d make contact with them before the Hyeongsan faction even moved.

Wasn’t the reason we only spread the truth about Jintaedo, not the Hyeongsan faction, when we attacked Baekgyobang this time precisely to deal with Jintaedo first?

But these people had attached themselves to him even before he had a chance to strike that Baekgyobang—there must have been a reason for that.

And Seon Woo-jin felt he could guess the reason to some extent.

He said to Son Dae-su.

“It seems the Ban Hyeong-hoe has infiltrated a spy within the Hyeongsanpa, and likely at a fairly high level. That’s how they learned about this incident and the fact that the Hapsanpa is their puppet. Wasn’t you, Master Son, lying in wait at the Hapsanpa to find that evidence?”

A look of horror flashed across Son Dae-su’s face.

Seon Woo-jin had deduced the most crucial secret of the Half-Brotherhood—the existence of a spy planted within the Hyeongsan Sect—with astonishing precision based on just a few facts.

While it was well known that he possessed extraordinary martial arts talent, to possess such insight as well made him a truly formidable talent.

‘Huh. If he can survive the next ten or twenty years unscathed, then the position of one of the Thirty-Six Masters of the World… no. Perhaps even the seat of the absolute ruler among the Fifteen Masters might be in jeopardy.’

Son Daesu, inwardly conceding complete defeat to his opponent, nodded with a hollow laugh.

“Heh heh heh, Master In is truly a formidable man. You saw it clearly. Did you perhaps know from the start that I was a member of the Ban Hyeong Association?”

At his question, Sun Woo-jin silently shook his head.

“No. This is the first I’ve heard of the Banxing Society, just now from you. But… I did think that somewhere, people opposed to the Xingshan Sect must exist, and that I might encounter them in my struggle against the sect. Of course, even so, I thought it would be later, after more time had passed.”

Son Daesu nodded with a heavy expression and spoke again.

“Indeed. Huh. Just as Confucius said. If we hadn’t met by chance in the Hapsan faction, I wouldn’t have known of Confucius’s existence for quite some time. This must be fate, or perhaps even heaven’s blessing.”

At those words, Seon Woo-jin smiled faintly and said.

“I wish that were the case. Now, would you mind telling me about the Hyeongsan Sect?”

Son Daesu nodded and began his explanation with a serious expression.

“Very well. It is said that over the past seven or eight years, the Hyeongsanpa has been secretly training individuals known as the Six Harmonies Sword Masters.”

Seon Woo-jin frowned slightly, repeating his words.

“Six Harmonies Sword Masters.”

That was a bit of a strange thing to say.

Just hearing the name “Six Harmonies Sword Master” implies someone skilled in the Six Harmonies Sword Technique, but isn’t that technique just a third-rate sword art you can buy at any bookstall in the marketplace?

Therefore, it was undoubtedly very strange that the Hyeongsan Sect had secretly trained practitioners of such a Six Harmonies Sword Technique for seven or eight years.

Sun Wujin waited for Sun Daesu’s next words.

Then he began explaining the true identity of the Six-Combination Sword Masters.

“The Six Harmonies Sword Masters refer to those who have mastered the Guimyeol Six Harmonies Sword Formation, a lost secret technique of the Hyeongsan Sect.”

“The Guimyeol Yukhap Sword Formation?”

“Indeed. That sword technique is said to be a fearsome one, where six sword masters wield it in perfect unison. It’s said that if a first-rate martial artist wields it, they can defeat a peak master, and if a peak master wields it, they can defeat a supreme master.”

It was nothing short of astonishing.

The difference between first-rate and peak was like that between a wildcat and a tiger; the gap between peak and supreme peak was as vast as that between a cat and a tiger.

But a sword technique that could make six cats defeat a tiger? It was truly an incredible secret art.

Seon Woo-jin recalled something and muttered to himself.

“Six top-tier practitioners at their peak can defeat six peak practitioners at their absolute peak… Remarkable. There must be a reason such astonishing effects are possible. Perhaps that reason is also why that sword technique must be learned in secret.”

Seon Woo-jin spoke with a sharp gaze, and Son Dae-su let out a hollow laugh.

“Heh heh, truly… You’re right, Master. I’ve heard that technique requires entrusting the wills of all six to one person, so they can move as one heart and one mind.”

“The wills of six entrusted to one person… Surely not?”

Seon Woo-jin asked with a startled expression, and Son Dae-soo nodded solemnly.

“Yes. He said we must eradicate the humanity of the other five members, except for the one leading the inspection.”

Hearing this, Seon Woo-jin let out a hollow laugh.

The dark cloud within Seon Woo-jin felt the same.

“Ha!”

– Huh, those so-called righteous factions… They do such things?

Eradicating human nature for superior combat power.

It was nothing short of the kind of thinking only those Blood Cult bastards would have.

What’s the difference between the Blood Cult, who turn people into mines to use as weapons of war, and the Hyeongsan Sect, who annihilate humanity to turn people into accessories for their swords?

Seon Woo-jin suppressed his surging rage and asked Son Dae-su.

“Has the Hyeongsan Sect always operated this way?”

Son Dae-su silently nodded.

Though he said nothing, the complex emotions tangled in his gaze conveyed a stronger affirmation than words could ever express.

Seon Woo-jin let his anger settle for a moment before slowly opening his mouth.

“So those Six Harmonies Sword Masters are coming for me, huh?”

“That’s right. The Six-Combination Sword Squads, composed of peak martial artists, are called the Pacheon Squad, while those formed from the pinnacle martial artists are called the Pasan Squad. I heard they dispatched two Pasan Squads to deal with the Confucian faction and three Pasan Squads to handle our Banhyunghwe faction.”

Upon hearing this, Seon Woo-jin chuckled softly and said.

“So they’ve rated me as at least two supreme masters. I suppose I should offer my thanks.”

Though sarcastic, Son Dae-su didn’t respond to his joke.

Instead, he asked him with a dark expression.

“What do you intend to do now, Master? Even you…”

Son Dae-su seemed to have already judged that they were too much for Seon Woo-jin to handle.

But Seonwoo Jin cut him off with a faint smile.

“It’s fine. Our forces should be more than capable of handling that level of threat. My concern, however, is that they likely aren’t the only ones who’ve targeted us.”

At that, Son Dae-su asked with a puzzled look.

“If they aren’t the only ones who’ve made their move?”

Then Seon Woo-jin suddenly smiled faintly toward the southern sky and replied.

“The Haenam Demon Sword, Jin Taedo. I suspect his blade will reach us first. He might even be close already.”

Following Seon Woo-jin’s gaze toward the southern sky, the entire group turned their eyes in that direction.

Their eyes were filled with deep concern.