Chapter 633

“Master!”

Upon hearing the sudden commotion, Nam Shin-woo and Hong Ye-seol quickly went to the Sea Sword Pond and looked on in surprise.

He was surprised because Wind Saint, whom he had longed to see, was right before him.

He fell into Wind Saint’s arms.

“My boy!”

Wind Saint smiled, gently patting Nam Shin-woo’s head.

He hadn’t realized how worried he had been about Nam Shin-woo being left alone, but with Pyo Wol by his side, he was sure that everything would be okay, and now that he was actually safe, his eyes filled with tears.

Wind Saint then turned to Pyo Wol.

“Thank you for looking after Shin-woo in my absence.”

“The boy is smart and hardly needs to be looked after.”

“That he is.”

Wind Saint grinned as if he himself had been complimented.

“What happened?”

“Whew! Let’s go inside first. This isn’t the place for our conversation.”

At Wind Saint’s words, Pyo Wol looked at the Taoists of the Wudang Sect.

After listening to the conversation, the Taoists realized that the visitor was Wind Saint.

Although the Wudang Sect was in seclusion, Wind Saint certainly had the right to enter.

“Please come in.”

The Taoists opened the gate, welcoming Wind Saint inside.

News of Wind Saint’s arrival soon reached the upper echelons of Wudang Sect.

Cheongjin and the elders were waiting for them in the Upper Palace Hall. Soon after, Pyo Wol, Wind Saint, and the others arrived.

“Welcome, Wind Saint!”

“It’s been a while, Chief Cheongjin.”

“I wished we could meet under better circumstances…”

“Indeed. I regret bringing such distressing news.”

“How distressing is it?”

“Very…”

“Hmm.”

“Given the gravity of the matter, let’s sit first.”

Upon Wind Saint’s suggestion, Chief Cheongjin and the elders took their seats.

Pyo Wol and Hong Ye-seol also found their places.

Wind Saint began to speak.

“Only Pyo Wol and my disciple here know my real name. This is the first time I’m revealing it in an official meeting. My real name is Jang Cheon-sa.

“Jang Cheon-sa?”

Chief Cheongjin frowned as he repeated Wind Saint’s name. It was similar to the name of someone he knew.

As if to dispel Chief Cheongjin’s doubt, Wind Saint replied.

“My elder brother is the leader of the Heavenly Martial Sect, Jang Cheon-hwa.”

“Good heavens!”

“Hmm!”

“Wind Saint is the brother of the Heavenly Martial Sect’s master?”

The elders’ faces were stunned.

Regardless of everyone’s reaction, Wind Saint spoke calmly.

“My brother and I were taken in by the Celestial Demon Troupe’s master, Go Geom Wol. My exceptionally gifted brother became Go Geom Wol’s disciple, while I was sent elsewhere”.

The unimaginably shocking words made the elders of the Wudang Sect gasp.

The Lord of the Heavenly Martial Sect, Jang Cheon-hwa, was famous for ending the life of the leader of the Celestial Demon Troupe, Go Geom Wol. His merit in doing so paved the way for the Heavenly Martial Sect to establish its current influence.

“Perhaps Grandmaster Go Geom Wol foresaw that he might lose his duel with Lee Gwak. So he gave my brother a task. If he were to be defeated, my brother would be the one to end his life.”

“How could he give such an order?”

“Knowing the world’s fascination with heroes, he believed that if my brother were to kill him and become a hero, people wouldn’t pay much attention to the origins of Heavenly Martial Sect. And his prediction was spot on.”

People cheered the young hero who defeated the great Go Geom Wol, and the Heavenly Martial Sect rose to prominence at a rapid pace.

Jang Cheon-hwa discreetly recruited the defeated warriors of the Celestial Demon Troupe into the Heavenly Martial Sect, concealing their identities. But no one noticed.

Except for one – Lee Gwak of Mad Martial Sect.

Even though Lee Gwak knew everything, he tolerated Heavenly Martial Sect.

Thanks to his forbearance, the Heavenly Martial Sect flourished.

“Why did Lee Gwak?”

“How could mere mortals like us fathom his reasons? As the years passed, my brother’s martial arts reached an unprecedented level. But out of respect for Lee Gwak, he curbed his ambitions. However, as Lee Gwak retired and his confidence in his martial arts grew, he finally took action. It started with Il geom Jin.

“Wait! Are you saying that Jang Cheon-hwa killed Il Geom Sasuk?”

“Exactly!”

“My goodness! How could…”

“Not just Il Geom Jin. He also killed Namgung Yugeom of the Thousand Kingdom School.”

“…….”

The news was so shocking that everyone was speechless.

Namgung Yugeom was a renowned expert, considered one of the top five martial artists in the world. The fact that even he was killed by Jang Cheon-hwa was horrifying.

But the most terrifying news was yet to come.

Wind Saint, with closed eyes, added,

He also took the life of Lee Cheong, the grandmaster of Mad Martial Gate.”

“It can’t be…”

“By the heavens!”

“Oh, Amitabha Buha!”

The elders couldn’t help but let out gasps of horror.

Lee Cheong was considered a peerless martial artist.

The fact that even he fell into the hands of Jang Cheon-hwa caused deep fear.

“Is that… really true? Did Grandmaster Lee Cheong truly meet his end at Jang Cheon-hwa’s hands?”

“I witnessed their duel with my own eyes.”

“Hmm! You just stood by and watched Grandmaster Lee Cheong die?”

“Jang Cheon-hwa is my elder brother. No matter how much I despise his actions, I can’t harm him.”

“Hmm.”

Cheongjin sighed.

He understood Wind Saint’s dilemma.

No matter how heinous the act, Jang Cheon-hwa was his blood brother. It wouldn’t be easy to draw a sword against him.

“Even if I had intervened, the situation might not have changed.”

“You mean he would still have an advantage against two absolute masters?”

“Possibly even more.”

“My goodness!”

The elder who posed the question was left speechless.

Wind Saint then looked at Pyo Wol.

Pyo Wol remained silent, head bowed, so it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

Wind Saint cautiously spoke,

“Someone needs to stop my brother.”

“…….”.

“Pyo Wol! It has to be you. You’re the only one who can put an end to my brother’s rampage.”

“…….”

The eyes of Wind Saint and Pyo Wol met.

After briefly gazing into Wind Saint’s face, Pyo Wol stood up.

“I need some time alone.”

He stepped out of the Upper Palace Hall.

As the sun set, the air rapidly cooled.

Perhaps it was the altitude, but the temperature drop felt even more pronounced.

Walking silently across the Wudang Sect’s grounds.

At his side was Hong Ye-seol.

Hong Ye-seol remained silent, not wanting to disturb Pyo Wol’s thoughts.

‘Lee Cheong! Did it end this way?’

He couldn’t forget their encounter.

Perhaps Lee Cheong had foreseen his own fate, and that’s why he said those words to Pyo Wol.

“Sigh!”

A deep sigh escaped his lips.

＊＊＊

Jang Mugak picked up his glass.

Jang Hoyeon was sitting opposite him.

A cup was also placed in front of Jang Hoyeon, but he didn’t touch it.

An odd silence hovered between them.

Breaking the silence, Jang Hoyeon spoke first.

“So, you’re saying that Lee Cheong, the Sword King of the Mad Martial Sect, has passed?”

“Yes.”

“Who could’ve… Surely not?”

“Yes. My father made his move.”

“Hmm!”

Upon hearing Jang Mugak’s answer, Jang Hoyeon muttered in disbelief.

His face was marked with shock.

While the battle between the Golden Heavenly Hall and the Silver Lotus Hall was being called a great war, an unspoken agreement existed.

The established martial arts sects would not participate.

That was the special thing about this great war.

The leaders and participants were mostly younger martial artists.

Of course, there were some older martial arts sects that broke this unspoken rule, but they only participated in secret. The most active participants were the young martial artists.

Young leaders like Jang Mugak and Lee Geom-han were at the forefront of the war.

Jang Hoyeon was proud that the war was being waged by young martial artists.

Since the young martial artists were fighting for the supremacy of the next generation,. Only those with thick skin could participate openly.

This pride was immense.

No one took more pride than Jang Mugak and Jang Hoyeon.

Even though they were the successors of the Heavenly Martial Sect and the Rain Mountain Manor, they prided themselves on fighting with almost no help from their main sect. Even if they received secret support, it wasn’t obvious, which fed their pride.

But with Jang Cheon-hwa’s direct involvement, their pride shattered.

Only a few knew for now, but soon the entire Kangho would know.

That Jang Cheon-hwa had killed Lee Cheong.

In that moment, everything Jang Mugak and Jang Hoyeon built would crumble, and order would be re-established around Jang Cheon-hwa.

This was not what either of them wanted.

“shit!”

Bang!

Jang Hoyeon, unable to contain his anger, slammed the table with his fist.

He glared at Jang Mugak.

“Do you plan to just stand by?”

“What can we do if we don’t?”

“If things stay like this, all the glory will go to your father. Are you fine with that?”

“We have to stand by.”

“Mugak!”

“You don’t understand him. That’s why you can say that.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s not someone who acts without deep consideration, but once he acts, he won’t stop until everything is under his control. Now that he’s acted, there’s no chance for us.

“What?”

It was because he detected the subtle note of fear in Jang Mugak’s calm voice.

To him, Jang Mugak was the strongest martial artist he knew. The fact that Jang Mugak was wary and even afraid of his own father, Jang Cheon-hwa, was unbelievable.

“We should have ended this war before my father made his move…”

Jang Mugak clenched his fists tightly.

His veins bulged, threatening to burst from the back of his hands.

Now that Jang Cheon-hwa had stepped in, the reins of control had been handed over to him.

Jang Hoyeon asked,

“So you plan to just follow his lead?”

“For the time being… But rest assured, I will regain all power and control.”

He could not swallow his pride and merely bow to Jang Cheon-hwa just because he was his son.

“Are you implying you’re willing to endure hardships for your goal?”

“If it means gaining power over Kangho, I can endure any adversity.”

“I understand. If that’s what you believe, then I trust and will follow you.”

“Thank you.”

Jang Mugak gave a nod and lifted his drink.

Jang Hoyeon too raised his glass, and they clinked them together.

Clink!

The two downed their drinks in one go.

Just then, an interrupting voice was heard.

“Prince!”

Swish!

Like a ghost, a man appeared

He was a middle-aged man dressed in a red robe.

His expressionless face combined with his ruthless eyes emitted a menacing aura.

Jang Hoyeon jumped up, shouting,

“Who are you?”

He was ready to slay this unfamiliar face that had entered their dwelling without permission.

But Jang Mugak raised his hand to restrain him,

“He’s here for me.”

“For you?”

“Jeok-hon, what brings you here?”

Jang Mugak shot a sharp glance at the man.

He was Jeok-hon, the leader of the Red Annihilation Army, a close-knit organization under Jang Cheon-hwa.

With a slight bow of his head, Jeok-hon replied,

“I am here on Lord Jang’s orders.”

“My father?”

“Yes! He has ordered you to take down the Silver Lotus Hall right away and has promised you full support.”

“Immediately?”

“Yes, right now.”