Invincible with Twin Swords

Chapter 40

"That mountain is Wudang Mountain!"

Deoksam and Dam Sook stuck their heads out of the carriage side by side at my voice.

After leaving the mountain path and following the main road, Wudang Mountain, located within the territory of Jun County, Hubei Province, came into view in the distance.

Seeing the appearance of Wudang Mountain, which is shrouded in fog all year round, the Martial Alliance was not far away.

The influence of the Martial Alliance in the current martial world was absolute.

And since the head of Wudang, the Taiji Divine Sword, Master Qinghua, was the current leader of the Martial Alliance, the momentum of Wudang seemed to pierce the sky.

Jin Myeong of the Forest of Swords must have walked this path when he left Wudang.

The time will come soon when he will walk this path again.

"When you come to Hubei, you must stop by Huatianlou."

We parted ways with Mak Bulchu, who had driven the carriage, in front of Huatianlou.

I even waved my hand, telling him to meet his second or third daughter well.

First of all, the information he brings is the priority.

I have to know exactly what the situation is before I enter the Martial Alliance.

Hubei was called the 'thoroughfare of nine provinces' because it was a place where nine provinces connected from long ago. Thanks to that, various ingredients were brought in from the surrounding areas, and there were many various dishes, but there were many opinions that Hubei had no unique characteristics.

But that's a story for people who don't know Huatianlou!

Huatianlou is not the most famous inn in Hubei, but if you taste the Four Seasons Beauty Soup Dumplings here, you will never be able to forget this place for the rest of your life.

It is a kind of meat dumpling made by putting meat filling in a thin skin that is transparent, and the inside is so full of broth that it is soggy.

When you take a bite, the bursting meat juice leaks out, and its savory taste is amazing.

"Oh! This taste is amazing!"

"Parip hyungnim, is this your first time at Huatianlou?"

He was a man who had traveled all over the Central Plains for revenge.

"I came, but I just ate somen and left."

Deoksam and Dam Sook, at the next table, were emptying their dumpling bowls without a care in the world.

Deoksam, who couldn't even compete with somen, was eating at a similar speed now that his main dish, a dish, had come out. Of course, it seemed that Dam Sook was eating a little more.

"Just tasting this dish makes it worth coming to Hubei."

It seems it's delicious to Na Yeryeong's taste too.

I feel proud for some reason when I introduce a good restaurant and it receives high praise.

"Miss Na and Miss Dam are also now members of the prestigious Flying Heaven Sect of Guizhou. It will be easier to be active that way."

This is Hubei, where the Martial Alliance is.

Deoksam is from the greenwood, and Parip hyungnim was the top assassin of the Hidden Killing Curtain.

And now, they are also both guests of the Blood Dragon Sect, an underworld sect.

You shouldn't even mention such an identity.

"Where is the Flying Heaven Sect? I've never heard of it, is it a prestigious sect?"

"No? You don't know the Flying Heaven Sect of Guizhou? Didn't the young sect leader there erase the name of the Tyrant Heaven Sect by himself not long ago? I heard that his skills are skills, but he has the nickname Jade-Faced Divine Dragon because of his handsome and beautiful appearance."

- Pfft, pfft!

Deoksam and Parip hyungnim spat out the dumplings they were chewing at the same time.

It seems the two of them choked at the same time.

No matter how delicious it is, please eat a little slower.

"Hmm... I've never heard of it. But is it okay to use the name of such a prestigious righteous sect so carelessly?"

Na Yeryeong asked, putting the last remaining dumpling in her mouth.

"It's okay. Because the young sect leader of the Flying Heaven Sect is me, Jin Danyeong! Haha."

She also choked and spat out the dumpling.

It seems there was a little too much pepper in the dumpling filling today.

* * *

The next day, Mak Bulchu came to Huatianlou.

In his hand was the information on the two people I had requested.

"I have something to say before I hand it over."

"Speak."

"She asks how about a cup of tea."

The Heavenly Conduit Sect leader wants to meet me.

The face of the Heavenly Conduit Sect leader in my memory came to mind.

I had a lot of entanglements with her.

There were good things, and there were bad things.

If the Heavenly Demon hadn't appeared then, perhaps...

"I'll stop by after I finish a few things."

And I added a word.

"Tell her one more thing!"

Mak Bulchu, who was turning around, stopped.

"A flower does not rush its splendor!"

The Heavenly Conduit Sect leader will understand.

Because she is quick-witted.

Everything must be done secretly until a certain outline is formed.

I read the information on Jong Ilmyeong first in the private room on the second floor.

Jong Ilmyeong's past, from the rumors known to the public to the secrets that were not known, was meticulously organized.

This is why I always used Heavenly Conduit Sect.

There is no incident that happens without a reason.

What I have to find is that reason.

Jong Ilmyeong was called the greatest genius in the Central Plains of his time.

But he learned a sinister secret manual that he had obtained by chance without any suspicion.

And he went berserk and killed his beloved wife with his own hands.

The body was unrecognizable due to the traces of demonic arts, and he does not remember anything due to the aftereffects of the rampage.

It would be a lie if this wasn't strange.

The connection of this story is flimsy.

But the way to piece together the story is not 'how'.

As always, the most important thing is 'why'.

And I read the information on the second person I had requested.

As expected, his past and actions were as I had expected.

He must be the spy of the Demonic Cult.

Now the remaining task is how to find out.

Who would obediently admit that they are a spy of the Demonic Cult?

I went down to the first floor of the inn.

I was lost in thought while drinking a cup of warm tea.

Now I just have to go to the alliance, meet Jong Ilmyeong, and find the spy.

But how do I get in? Should I use the Saber Emperor's name?

The Yeon'gojaengtu has not yet been held, so the Saber Emperor will not be in the alliance.

Moreover, just entering the alliance is not enough.

There is also the homework of meeting a person who is imprisoned in the thunder prison after entering.

As I was racking my brain, the door of Huatianlou was violently opened.

"Is the Great Hero Walking Corpse, Jin Danyeong, here?"

A giant who was about the size of Deoksam, but whose whole body was lumpy, as if it were covered in muscles, shouted.

He had a large saber on his waist, and the character 'Changtian' was embroidered on the chest of his white martial arts uniform.

A person who walks around in such attire in Hubei must be a member of the Martial Alliance.

Behind him, about ten martial artists wearing the same martial arts uniform were standing.

"I think they're looking for Great Hero Jin."

Na Yeryeong asked.

"Ah! No. The name is the same, but the nickname Walking Corpse is not me. How could such a ridiculous nickname be mine? It must be a different person with the same name."

My nickname is the Jade-Faced Divine Dragon, no matter what anyone says.

"The person you're looking for is our sect leader, but what business do you have?"

The clueless Parip hyungnim stepped forward and asked.

Why are you like this too, hyungnim? I'm not the Walking Corpse.

"There was an order from the Martial Alliance to bring the Great Hero Walking Corpse, Jin Danyeong. Hehe! No, but is this nickname really right? I'm sorry for laughing, but I can't help it. Haha!"

Why is he bursting into laughter while carrying out an official order?

The martial artists lined up behind were also holding back their laughter.

I felt bad for some reason. Of course, since the Walking Corpse is not my nickname, it doesn't matter.

Na Yeryeong was also laughing.

A man should be able to make a woman laugh. But this way is not good.

By the way, why is the Martial Alliance looking for me?

I stood up from my seat and said with the most solemn expression possible.

"I am the sect leader of the Flying Heaven Sect, Jin Danyeong. I have never heard of the nickname Walking Corpse."

"Ah! It's a pleasure to meet you. Then what nickname should I call you?"

"My nickname is Jade-Faced..."

Na Yeryeong, who was sitting at the table over there, frowned and shook her head vigorously from side to side.

She had an expression as if she would run out of this place, unable to overcome the shame, if I uttered the words Jade-Faced Divine Dragon in this moment.

Parip hyungnim and Deoksam were also in an awkward posture, about to get up and leave the scene.

No, why? Isn't it a good thing for the disciples if the sect leader is handsome?

"What's so important about a damn nickname? A martial artist just answers with his martial prowess!"

"That is a correct statement. In that case, may I ask you a personal favor before I escort you to the Martial Alliance?"

"What favor?"

"I am Peng Tianwei of the Hebei Peng family. I am serving as the deputy commander of the Martial Alliance's Changtian Sword Unit."

The Changtian Sword Unit?

According to Mak Bulchu's information, the person I suspect of being a spy is currently the commander of the Changtian Sword Unit.

Coincidentally, the person who has come to find me now is the deputy commander of the Changtian Sword Unit.

If I do well, I can probably solve this.

I looked at the bear-like guy in front of me again.

If Deoksam is a wild bear born in the mountains and raised by the forest, this person had the feeling of a bear trapped in a cage, raised through thorough breeding.

Ah! So this is Peng Tianwei. He looked like this when he was young.

Peng Tianwei was a textbook example of the strong and ignorant Hebei Peng family.

He later took on the position of a certain sword unit's commander, and his actions always preceded his thoughts, often putting the sword unit in danger.

The Azure Blade Unit I led had saved him from danger several times.

He's strong and ignorant, but he's a good kid.

"I have been undeservedly ranked at the bottom of the List of Nameless Martial Artists."

The List of Nameless Martial Artists? What was the List of Nameless Martial Artists?

Ah! The martial artist ranking list that Heavenly Conduit Sect makes?

Well, I think there was something like that. Though I didn't really care about such rankings.

At that age, it's important to know where you stand in the Central Plains.

It's not necessarily a bad thing for a martial artist to have a fighting spirit or a competitive spirit.

It's only natural to be curious about what level you've reached after swinging a sword every day.

It's amazing that he's already on the List of Nameless Martial Artists at a young age.

But why are you boasting about it to me?

"I heard that you, Great Hero Jin, no, Sect Leader Jin, have been ranked at the top of the List of Nameless Martial Artists. It seems the saying that there are many strange people in the Central Plains is true. So I wish to receive your guidance before I escort you to the alliance."

I'm already on the List of Nameless Martial Artists? And at the top?

Heavenly Conduit Sect, which had been watching me, must have put my name on the List of Nameless Martial Artists, and that information must have flowed to the Martial Alliance.

It doesn't matter whether my name is on that damn ranking list or not, but it's not good to attract attention.

I thought my name would be known someday as I went about my business, since there are no secrets.

But it's too fast than I expected.

"I don't know where you heard that, but the List of Nameless Martial Artists is not always accurate, so my ranking is probably wrong. So I'm probably not at a level where I can give you guidance, Great Hero Peng."

Peng Tianwei had a disappointed expression.

I don't have time to play sword fighting with you. I have to hurry to the Martial Alliance and go to the thunder prison...

Huh?

The List of Nameless Martial Artists is made by Heavenly Conduit Sect.

Mak Bulchu must have reported the things that happened on the way to the Forest of Swords before.

Then it hasn't been long since my name was put on the List of Nameless Martial Artists.

I heard that the List of Nameless Martial Artists made by Heavenly Conduit Sect is reported to the Martial Alliance and is also referred to in the alliance. But the List of Nameless Martial Artists is an unofficial ranking.

It means that the List of Nameless Martial Artists is a confidential document in the public organization, the Martial Alliance.

What does it mean that a mere deputy commander of a sword unit already knows such hot information? It means that someone in the alliance has secretly shown it to him.

"Can I know who ordered you to bring me to the alliance?"

"It is the order of the Righteous Law Hall's hall master of the Martial Alliance."

The Righteous Law Hall!

The Righteous Law Hall is the place that oversees both the Patrol Unit and the Law Enforcement Unit.

The thunder prison I have to go to is under the jurisdiction of the Law Enforcement Unit.

The current hall master of the Righteous Law Hall is probably the Frowning-Faced Scholar, Gwak Yohong.

The expression of Gwak Yohong, who was always frowning with an angry face, came to mind.

He is a calm and composed person. Though there were times when he was a problem because he valued discipline too much.

Still, he was a reliable person who had tried to protect the alliance until the very end.

What is the reason why Gwak Yohong sent the quick-tempered and competitive Peng Tianwei to me?

While he, who always keeps the rules of the alliance like the law, even secretly showed him the ranking of the List of Nameless Martial Artists.

Gwak Yohong's purpose must be twofold.

The first is to gauge my skills.

The second is to know the reason why I am looking for the Martial Alliance.

The biggest purpose of my visit to the Martial Alliance is to get Jong Ilmyeong out of the thunder prison and take him with me.

Only then can I glimpse the revelation of the Demonic Cult that has already been sent down and get a clue to find the Heavenly Demon.

But Jong Ilmyeong's situation is not easy right now. I have to unravel the conspiracy that is entangled with him.

The original plan was to approach secretly.

But the alliance is watching me first.

Since it has come to this, a secret handling of the matter is impossible, so I have to change the plan.

I have to make a scene as loudly as possible.

If I expand the stage and make it public, those who are related to Jong Ilmyeong's case will appear.

I also have to put the Changtian Sword Unit on the stage to find the spy.

If I can't help it, I'll have to use them first.

If you want to catch a fish, you have to sprinkle the bait first.

"Great Hero Peng!"

"Yes?"

"The duel you mentioned earlier! Let's do it!"

Peng Tianwei's face brightened.

"Haha. You've thought well! Seeing that you are leading a sect at a young age, wouldn't a duel between young martial artists like us be a good experience for each other?"

"But I also have a favor to ask!"

"What is it? If it's possible with my ability."

"Although it can't be compared to the Hebei Peng family, I am also in the position of a sect leader leading a small sect. My disciples have also come here with me."

"So?"

"It's not often that a small rural sect can come to the alliance, so wouldn't it be good to spread the name of our Flying Heaven Sect while we're here?"

"Haha! If you, the sect leader, have a duel with me, the name of the Flying Heaven Sect will probably spread far and wide."

"That's not what I mean. How about the Flying Heaven Sect and the Martial Alliance have a go at it, not just us?"

"Yes? What do you mean?"

Since it has come to this, I have to make a big scene.

"A martial arts gathering!"

(End of Chapter)