novelraw Chapter 138 : Return
Chapter 138 : Return
Chapter 138: Return
“Please, I beg you. Give up already and join our side, Shrine Maiden Sect Leader.”
A middle-aged man with a goatee pleaded earnestly to Hwa Wolyung, the Nine Heavens Immortal Maiden.
Inside a room of Cheonghwa Tea House—the largest and most famous teahouse in Chengdu—the two of them were conversing.
The tea in their cups had long gone cold from the drawn-out conversation, and Hwa Wolyung’s expression showed clear discomfort.
She looked at the middle-aged man before her.
No, at Mo Myeonghwan, the acting head of the Northern Heaven Trading Company, one of the Four Great Trading Companies of the Central Plains.
“That is not possible. I have told you many times already—my promise with the Tang Clan Head still has time left.”
“Leader, you’ve already shown more than enough sincerity to the Tang Clan. The sun will set soon.”
“……”
“I mean, resolving an issue in the Southern Barbarian Region and returning within half a month? Even if the Four Absolutes String Gentleman boasted about it, it’s not something you should take literally.”
Mo Myeonghwan was desperately trying to persuade Hwa Wolyung.
He had been sending her countless messages every day while she stayed as a guest at the Sichuan Tang Clan, waiting for Sewoon’s return, and his desperation was now written all over his face.
“Still, a promise is a promise.”
“It’s obviously a hopeless case! Please, give up on that fruitless matter and save us instead!”
Haa… this is troublesome.
Had it been the usual Hwa Wolyung, she would have coldly brushed him aside.
However, the former head of the Northern Heaven Trading Company—now deceased—had once done her many favors, and it was difficult to treat his successor so heartlessly, especially given his dire circumstances.
“The river used for transporting goods froze solid like an iceberg? What kind of strange phenomenon is that?”
That was the reason Mo Myeonghwan had rushed over and bowed to her repeatedly.
Lately, the Northern Heaven Trading Company had been pushed to the brink by the Iga Trading Company, which had openly joined hands with the Kongtong Sect to expand its influence.
So the new company head had taken a reckless gamble to reverse the crisis in one stroke—but now that very gamble had backfired.
The river at the key trade route had suddenly frozen solid, and the ships carrying their goods could no longer move an inch.
As time passed, the losses grew exponentially, and with no way to tell when the river would thaw, the situation had become a disaster.
The only one in the martial world capable of resolving this was Hwa Wolyung, the Nine Heavens Immortal Maiden—hence his urgent visit.
But she had repeatedly refused, citing her promise with Tang Sewoon.
“Half a month to and from the Southern Barbarians? Impossible. He’s surely captured and suffering at the hands of those Beast Palace savages by now!”
No wonder Mo Myeonghwan’s insides were boiling with frustration.
Letting out a sigh, Hwa Wolyung spoke again.
“Your situation is pitiable, but there’s nothing I can do for now. Once the matter is settled tomorrow, I’ll depart as soon as possible, so please wait a bit longer.”
“That won’t do, Sect Leader! It’s truly an emergency! It seems you have some conditions—just name them! I’ll do anything!”
“……!”
How dare he.
For the first time, Hwa Wolyung frowned.
She disliked being bribed or coaxed with money.
It seemed her ties with the late former company head would end here.
“You there.”
Just as her eyes glinted like frost—
“Kyaaah!”
“Uwaaah!”
“!!”
“?!”
Suddenly, screams erupted outside the teahouse.
This isn’t normal!
Hearing the panicked footsteps of fleeing civilians, Hwa Wolyung immediately stood.
“L-Leader!”
Whish!
Without hesitation, she leapt out the second-floor window and landed on the ground.
She quickly surveyed the surroundings.
‘……!!’
What is this?!
Her expression turned bewildered at the sight before her.
Grrr…
Two enormous white tigers the size of small hills were glaring at her, their yellow eyes gleaming.
‘These aren’t ordinary beasts! At least spiritual beasts!’
Ssshh…
Just as she began to draw upon her sorcery power—
“Wait, you can’t just rush off like tha—aaagh!!”
Mo Myeonghwan, who had followed her down, screamed at the top of his lungs upon seeing the white tigers blocking the entrance, collapsing to the ground.
The moment one of the tigers licked its lips at him—
“Hey now, Nabi, shoo shoo. You’ll get an upset stomach if you eat something dirty.”
“……!”
A familiar voice reached Hwa Wolyung’s ears from behind the massive beasts.
Just as Mo Myeonghwan foamed at the mouth and fainted, a man stepped forward.
Grrr…
The white tigers affectionately rubbed their heads against him like kittens greeting their master.
Even Hwa Wolyung blinked in disbelief at the surreal scene.
“It’s been a while, Sect Leader.”
“You…”
“I’ve returned to keep my promise.”
Before her stood Tang Sewoon, smiling brightly after completing his journey to the Southern Barbarian Region.
A little later.
After setting aside the unconscious Mo Myeonghwan, the two moved to the Sichuan Tang Clan.
As the matter was urgent, Sewoon skipped formal greetings with Tang Muyeol and went straight into discussion with Hwa Wolyung in the guest quarters.
However, it wasn’t a private meeting.
Beside Hwa Wolyung sat her disciple, Seo Surin, while Sewoon was accompanied by Moomyeong and Umun Tak.
Moomyeong was disguised as an ordinary warrior of the Beast Palace, and Umun Tak was curiously looking around the place.
Then Sewoon spoke.
“Would you like some tea?”
“I’ve had enough tea. Pour me some wine instead.”
Caught off guard by her urgency, Sewoon poured wine into her teacup, and Hwa Wolyung downed it in a single gulp.
It was the first time Sewoon had seen her so unrestrained.
“Phew, now that’s better. All right, tell me—what on earth happened?”
“Well, before that, I should introduce these people first.”
Sewoon said as he turned slightly to glance behind him.
When he gave a subtle nod, Umun Tak snapped out of his daze and spoke to Hwa Wolyung.
“Ah, hello. I’m Umun Tak, a warrior of the Beast Palace.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Pata Myeong, warrior of the Beast Palace.”
“Yes, it’s a pleasure. I’m Hwa Wolyung, Sect Leader of the Shrine Maiden Sect.”
Good grief, how long did that man plan to keep playing this identity game?
Naturally, “Pata Myeong” was none other than Moomyeong.
Judging by his attire, she had already suspected as much, but hearing the words “Beast Palace” come from both of their mouths made a flicker of surprise flash in Hwa Wolyung’s eyes.
At that moment, Seo Surin spoke in a sharp voice filled with irritation toward Moomyeong.
“Excuse me, but how dare you speak so casually to my Master? That’s incredibly rude!”
“Hmph, warriors of the Beast Palace don’t use honorifics.”
“Then how come that person does?”
“That one’s just strange. We don’t know honorifics.”
“What nonsense is that—!”
Seo Surin tried to continue, anger flaring at Moomyeong’s dismissive tone and snorting, but—
“Enough. The laws of the Central Plains may differ greatly from theirs.”
“B-but, Master—”
“I said enough!”
“I-I apologize.”
After being sharply scolded by Hwa Wolyung, a sulky Surin stepped back.
Then, as Seo Surin glared at Moomyeong with an indignant expression—
He smirked.
“?!”
Moomyeong curled his lips mischievously at her.
Seo Surin trembled with fury.
Watching that, Sewoon silently clicked his tongue.
‘Good grief, even before my regression those two couldn’t get along. Some things never change.’
Sewoon then turned to Hwa Wolyung and spoke.
“This here is Umun Tak, younger brother of Umun Geol, the Beast King.”
“……The Beast King!”
Hwa Wolyung was astonished.
She never imagined the small, unassuming man before her was the brother of the Beast Palace Lord.
“And Sir Umun Tak has agreed to help us complete the Celestial Flame Furnace.”
“!!”
Hwa Wolyung was shocked once again.
As she knew, Sewoon’s trip to the Beast Palace had been to acquire an extremely yang-type Divine Relic capable of producing the Spiritual Flame.
But to think that power resided within Umun Tak himself!
As everyone’s gaze turned toward him, Umun Tak’s expression seemed to say—
‘M-me?’
—but under Sewoon’s steady gaze, he quickly nodded as though nothing was amiss.
“Now then, Sir Umun Tak. Please, slowly draw out that power.”
“B-but if I release my power here…”
…the Jiangshi loaded in the carriage might awaken.
That was clearly what Umun Tak wanted to say, but Sewoon shook his head slightly in reassurance.
“You don’t need to worry about that. The Shrine Maiden Sect Leader here will sense your energy and help you regulate it.”
“That’s right, Young Master U. There’s no need to be concerned.”
“Y-yes, then…”
Reassured by their words, Umun Tak slowly rose to his feet.
Then, he gently pressed his palms together and closed his eyes.
He began awakening the dormant Wildfire within him.
Ssshhh!
Fwoooosh!!
In that instant, life force surged from his body like a living blaze—true to the name “Wildfire.”
‘What is this?!’
Brilliant light and scorching heat filled the once-dim room in an instant.
The overwhelming yang energy left Hwa Wolyung stunned, but she quickly regained focus and, alongside Sewoon, placed her hand on Umun Tak’s shoulder to help him stabilize the flow.
With their assistance, Umun Tak slowly reined in his energy.
Then Sewoon spoke to the dazed Hwa Wolyung.
“Well, Shrine Maiden Sect Leader, would this flame be sufficient?”
“…Sufficient? It’s overflowing. No—if this power is what I think it is…”
Even at a glance, Hwa Wolyung’s mind seemed to be racing.
It was time to bring it up.
“As I recall, the first Shrine Maiden Sect Leader, the Divine Nun of Mount Mu, broke through the wall of sorcery while working with Baekya Steel Workshop.”
“……!”
“I have a feeling we’ll see another fine result this time.”
Indeed. Her excitement wasn’t merely because of the furnace’s completion.
The creation of the Celestial Flame Furnace required countless spell formations and layers of sorcery.
But in analyzing and harnessing that unprecedented power, she felt a deep certainty—she could ascend to an even higher realm of sorcery.
It was also the lifelong goal she had pursued.
‘For the first time… I might surpass my Master!’
To transcend even the achievements of the Divine Nun of Mount Mu, who had created the original Celestial Flame Furnace together with Baekya Steel Workshop—this would fulfill her lifelong dream.
She wanted to start immediately.
Burning with impatience, Hwa Wolyung turned to Sewoon.
“W-well then, if you don’t mind…”
“Yes, shall we head to the workshop right away?”
“!!”
Before she could even finish, Sewoon had spoken the very words she wanted to say—
And the Shrine Maiden Sect Leader nodded eagerly like an excited puppy.