Chapter 83 Jin Zhu Yan Family (1)

Chapter 83 Jin Zhu Yan Family (1)

“What kind of nonsense is that? If you know, you know. If you don’t, you don’t.”

“A brief diversion. You may dismiss it as mere wordplay.”

“……What?”

Cheolpunggae frowned at the utterly incomprehensible words.

Truthfully, the very assumption that Gu Yangjeok already knew what he was about to say was terrifying.

To know in advance the murderer of the Jinju Clan, who was just about to make their move? How could that possibly be true?

And it made sense. Gu Yangji was tied down by the Martial Alliance. For him to be monitoring the Jinju Clan’s movements was nonsensical.

‘Unless he’s some immortal with six eyes and divine vision…’

But considering what he’d seen of Gu Yangji so far, it didn’t seem entirely wrong.

Cheolpunggae chuckled and said.

“It’d be nice if you knew beforehand. Makes explaining things easier, doesn’t it?”

“Is that so?”

Gu Yangji gave a cryptic smile and gestured toward one of the guest rooms.

-This doesn’t seem like a place to discuss it. We should move somewhere else.

Coincidentally, that location was the Fentia, which served as the Gaebang’s information hub.

It wasn’t a place so crucial it required strict secrecy, but neither was it somewhere just anyone could know about.

Was this guy born a martial artist? Cheolpunggae muttered to himself as he followed Gu Yangjeok.

He, who had always outwitted others, found himself being led around by Gu Yangji.

‘Well, it’s not like I’m losing out entirely.’

Cheolpunggae sat down and ordered some simple vegetable dishes.

Then Gu Yangji asked.

“About two months ago, the item we retrieved in Chang’an—is it still with you?”

“……Huh? What item?”

Cheolpunggae genuinely tilted his head in confusion, prompting Gu Yangjeok to flash a playful expression.

“Pretending not to know, or have you forgotten?”

“No, I genuinely don’t remember… Ah! That thing!”

Cheolpunggae belatedly recalled the item and instinctively slapped his knee. But then worry washed over him.

“But you plan to use it? No, more importantly, you haven’t even said what Jin Zhu Yue is up to yet?“

”Given that you, who rose to become the Prefect of Shaanxi, chased all the way here barefoot, it’s obvious, isn’t it?“

Gu Yang Jie said in a disinterested tone.

”It’s plain to see that Jin Zhu Yue is making unusual moves. And dangerous enough for you to rush over breathlessly.”

“……”

It was almost embarrassing how accurate he was. He probably knew everything without needing to say more.

Cheolpunggae’s voice carried a hint of disappointment.

“If you just spill it all like that, doesn’t it make my trip seem pointless? Ugh, tsk.”

“Not really.”

Gu Yangjie smiled bitterly. If Cheolpunggae hadn’t come, he wouldn’t have known about the circumstances of Jinju Eon’s movement.

Since it hadn’t happened in his previous life, he couldn’t help but feel a bit flustered.

But it wasn’t entirely unexpected. Gu Yangjie unconsciously stroked his chin.

‘I did suspect some sects might gradually start watching the Huashan Sect… but this is a bit early.’

After organizing his thoughts, Gu Yangjie looked at Cheolpunggae.

“As you know, I’m the sort who won’t hesitate to get my hands dirty if necessary. So choose. Either lend a hand in this matter, or pretend you know nothing.”

At those words, Cheolpunggae toyed with his chopsticks for a moment, deep in thought.

For a very long time.

This matter held the fate of two sects in the balance.

Intervening rashly could lead to being discarded like a used rag by the sect, no—it could mean having one’s meridians severed completely and being expelled.

What would become of Cheolpunggae himself then?

‘Is he truly a vagrant, or an unregistered rogue?’

Failure meant the end. He would become someone incapable of even attempting a comeback.

Cheolpunggae leaned back, his eyes fixed calmly on Guyangjeok’s. It was as if he were gazing into the depths of a lake.

Almost absentmindedly, he nearly asked if he had confidence.

Cheolpunggae furrowed his brows and shook his head. A futile question. The answer from that man was obvious.

He acts because he has it, Gu Yangjeok’s eyes said just that.

‘If you use that thing… it’s possible.’

But could he really handle something that powerful without any trouble?

As Cheolpunggae’s deliberation dragged on, more and more people from the gang were watching them from the inn.

Especially the Guangdong beggar and the Guizhou beggar, who stubbornly followed Cheolpunggae, gradually revealed themselves.

“……”

“……”

Only when the soju had grown stiff and cold did Cheolpunggae finally make his decision.

“What the hell, it can’t be that hard.”

” “I’ve been waiting for you to say that.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Gu Yangji raised his wine cup. Cheolpunggae frowned, looking utterly flabbergasted.

“Whoever sees this might think we’re having a celebratory banquet?”

“We’re doing it in advance.”

“……?”

Gu Yangji grinned.

“It’s ridiculous to be nervous about a fight you’re bound to win.”

“Damn it. Some people agonized over it for over an hour, and you’re the only one at ease.”

Cheolpunggae immediately spat out the curse.

* * *

Just a few days prior, on the day Gu Yangji entered the Martial Alliance.

Splash, splash, splash……

Thick raindrops pounded the roof, slid down the bricks, and fell to the ground.

In the dim twilight, only the moon cast its lonely light.

Anping, Hebei.

Yongyang Jun, the de facto master of the Zhenzhou Yan family, sat face-to-face with a man.

Crack!

The lamp illuminating the room flickered dangerously, as if it might go out at any moment.

After a moment, Lord Eonyang’s lips parted thinly.

“…Didn’t you say preparations were going well? Ma Yi Cheonryong.”

Cheonryong answered in a cold voice.

“From my perspective, it’s hard to trust you blindly.”

At those words, Lord Eonyang let out a hollow laugh. A small sneer was mixed in.

“Why? Worried I’ll just stand around like the Black Dragon Sect and get killed? Or that I might stab you in the back?”

“……”

“You needn’t worry about such things. For someone like Ma-ui, you sure have a lot of worries.”

As Unyang-gun sneered, eyes tinged with purple, or perhaps amber, flashed.

The Heavenly Dragon’s eyes were truly demonic, deserving of the name.

Indeed, the aura he emitted was sharper and more chilling than any other master’s.

Yeyanggun recalled that he had once been called the Heavenly Thief of Eyes and held his tongue.

“Wasn’t the Huashan Sect said to have become insignificant after Jin Muyu?”

“It’s become harder to underestimate them.”

“……?”

Yongyangjun’s expression stiffened. He had never heard the demonic Cheonryong speak with such uncertainty before.

“Truthfully, the Black Dragon Sect shouldn’t have ended there. As you know, it was meant to dominate the black market in Hogang Province and keep the Four Sages in check… but it exited the stage far too soon.”

“Well, that’s how our Jinju Clan seized the opportunity.”

Yongyanggun let out a bitter chuckle.

“And it became the catalyst for our Demon Lord Heavenly Dragon to lose a bit of trust. They even branded him a traitor, didn’t they?”

“That’s why it had to be cut off there.”

Heavenly Dragon continued calmly.

“The Heavenly Qi feels off lately. It’s as if something unexpected has intruded.”

“You’re being rather ridiculous. Since when did martial artists ever believe in such things as celestial omens… Tsk!”

CRACK!

Merely clenching his fist extinguished the candle. The air currents flowing through the room instantly converged into a single point.

Then, he retracted his fist.

POW!

The compressed energy wave erupted, causing Cheonryong’s collar to flutter.

Cheonryong uttered his observation with an emotionless expression.

“So you say you’ve been in seclusion training for years. Seems you’ve already reached the pinnacle of the Eternal Sky Fist.”

“Is that all?”

Despite Unyanggun’s subtle hint of expectation, Cheonryong responded calmly.

“There’s no need to say more. At the very least, you should take a step onto the path of the Heavenly Path.”

“……Still such a boring fellow. Would it hurt to show even a hint of admiration?”

“My business here is done. I’ll be going.”

Watching Cheonryong speak thus, Unyang-gun was overcome with a complex mix of emotions.

The move he’d just displayed wasn’t merely a fluttering gesture—it was a strike meant to tear his collar.

And yet, he’d blocked it so easily.

A heavy sigh escaped the corner of Unyang-gun’s mouth.

‘That monstrous bastard… I thought I was finally catching up to him, but apparently not?’

The realization that the gap between them still existed gnawed at Unyang-gun’s gut.

But if he could bring down the Huashan Sect, things would change.

‘If only this mission succeeds…!’

If he could break through the Huashan Sect’s martial arts and absorb them into the Jin Zhu Yan, wouldn’t he be closer to becoming the best under heaven?

Moreover, Huashan was now called the top martial arts sect in Shaanxi. With just a few allies, he could even covet that power.

Watching the celestial dragon climb over the wall, Yanyang Jun shouted to his men outside.

“Hey there! Escort the guests in!”

“Yes, sir!”

A moment later.

As the subordinate opened the door, two Taoist masters entered the room.

The shorter one seemed already intoxicated, appearing somewhat dazed, while the other had a sharp, well-honed appearance like a finely sharpened blade.

Unnyang-gun greeted the two distinctly different Taoists.

“You are Sangwon-gyeol, the master of the Zhongwan Gate in Shaanxi, and Sanghyeon-geom, the hero who slew Jikho-gwi! I am Unnyang-gun. Pleased to meet you.”

Having just heard about the situation, Sangwon-gyeol widened his eyes and bowed to Unnyang-gun.

“It is an honor to meet the renowned Unnyang-gun!”

“……”

Yet Sanghyeon-geom offered no greeting whatsoever, silently glaring at both Unyang-gun and Sangwon-gyeol.

As if feeling betrayed, he seemed poised to draw his sword at any moment.

A particularly murderous intent radiated toward Sangwon-gyeol beside him.

“Lord Jungwanmun, have you lost your mind?”

“Huh?”

“Isn’t Jungwanmun in a position where it has formed a bond with the Huashan Sect to study the Way together? How could you…!”

At those words, Sangwon Gyeol choked with rage and exploded.

“If that bastard Gu Yangjeok hadn’t only brought me shame, this wouldn’t have happened!”

“You petty little man!”

Sanghyeon-geom turned his head away, seemingly unwilling to engage in further conversation. Even if he did launch a surprise attack, Sanghyeon-geom wasn’t the type to just stand there and take it.

His gaze then shifted to Eonyang-gun.

“And you call yourself a righteous faction? You dare claim to be one of the pillars of the Martial Alliance?!”

At those words, Eonyang-gun let out a dismissive smirk.

“If possible, it would have been amusing to burn the Huashan Sect right before your eyes.”

“You, you! I, Sanghyeon-geom, will punish you!”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”

Whoosh.

Unyang-gun’s fist swung out instantly. It was fast. Sanghyeon-geom couldn’t even perceive its trajectory.

Thud!

“After all, I have to return your corpse to the Hwasan Sect.”

“……?!”

“Farewell, hero who felled the Red Demon.”

At those words, Sanghyeon-geom chuckled. It seemed he intended to attack Hwasan under the pretense of returning his own corpse.

‘Wrong, so very wrong… you fools.’

Outside, they’d say he’d defeated the Red Demon, but the truth was different.

That all the strategy had come from one mind.

The Eonyang Army would realize it too late.

Knowing this, Sanghyun-geom could laugh without regret.

Even if he was dying now, it was only a pity he couldn’t see it himself.

Thud.

Watching Sanghyeon-geom sink deeper into the blood, Unyang-gun wore a smile brimming with greed.

“Hwasan… is mine now!”

* * *

Three or four days later.

Upon receiving a letter, Guyangjeok immediately moved from Hogwang to Sanseo.