novelraw Chapter 14 : Celestial Emperor Palace (1)
Chapter 14 : Celestial Emperor Palace (1)
Chapter 14: Celestial Emperor Palace (1)
---
Due to the clash between the Black Tiger Sect and the Hao Clan, more than ten people were injured or wounded, including several seriously.
Surprisingly, there were no deaths—both sides had prepared in advance, wearing bulletproof and stab-resistant gear.
The owner of Blue Mountain Club, Jo Wol, subdued Black Tiger Sect Leader Joo Giyoung with the help of Gyojin and the twin bodyguards, then cut his Achilles tendon.
“Guh!”
“You should be grateful you weren’t killed.”
Jo Wol spoke coldly.
Among martial artists, such battles usually ended only when one side died.
However, Jo Wol and Gyojin stopped at severing the Achilles tendons of Joo Giyoung and his subordinates, sparing their lives.
At this unusually merciful act, Cheon Bigang commented,
“Even if you let them go like this, they might return later plotting revenge or harboring grudges.”
“I was taught not to kill someone who has surrendered.”
Jo Wol replied firmly.
This had been the decision of both Jo Wol and Gyojin, but unlike their leniency, the Martial World was not usually so forgiving.
Betrayals, internal conflicts, crimes of passion, revenge—those were far more common.
If it had been the Branch Head of Branch 1 instead of Jo Wol, Joo Giyoung and his men would not have left alive.
Cheon Bigang said as if only half-convinced,
“So you’re the type that invites trouble.”
“It can’t be helped. That’s how I was taught.”
“In martial arts?”
“That too.”
Jo Wol shrugged, and Cheon Bigang crossed his arms.
“Fine. I said I wouldn’t interfere in this matter. But if it dragged on longer, your weakness would’ve been exposed to the Black Tiger Sect Leader.”
“….”
Jo Wol felt a jolt.
Her skills were slightly inferior to Joo Giyoung.
To compensate, she had learned a technique that explosively raised her internal energy for short bursts.
The reason she had avoided confronting him head-on at the start was to hide that fact.
But how had Cheon Bigang seen through her without even fighting her?
Lowering her voice, she whispered,
“You captured Scatter Blood, and now you’ve even exposed my weakness. Shouldn’t you at least tell me your name now… senior who has undergone Rejuvenation?”
“Quiet. More importantly, I don’t understand something.”
“What is it?”
Seeing him frown in deep thought, Jo Wol’s eyes sharpened.
What could be so important?
Cheon Bigang brushed back his messy hair and asked,
“Be honest. How old do I look?”
“…What?”
Caught off guard, Jo Wol blinked.
But he was serious.
“Thirty? Forty? Be honest. This is important.”
---
The next day.
Hotel Selena.
Private dining room.
Ring—
During a luxurious breakfast, a call came in.
“Hmm?”
A fat man sitting at the head of the table wiped his lips and answered.
Two old men sitting beside him, eating lobster, exchanged glances.
One had a ghostly pale face, the other a sickly dark complexion.
The fat man answered irritably,
“I told you not to call during meals.”
After a brief apology, the caller delivered the message.
His expression worsened.
“Oh ho. Is that so? How disappointing.”
As he set down his wine glass, the two old men stopped eating.
The pale one, Baekya, asked,
“That expression is quite something. Bad news, I presume? President Oh.”
President Oh.
The one controlling the Black Tiger Sect from the shadows.
President Oh swirled his wine.
“It seems the Black Tiger Sect lost to the Hao Clan. I gave them a chance, but that’s all they amounted to. Truly pathetic.”
At his disappointment, the dark-faced old man, Heukro, responded indifferently,
“It was a mistake to let such trash get involved in our business to begin with.”
“Well, still…”
President Oh smiled.
“The goods that came through the harbor were delivered properly by the Young Sect Leader. At least they served as bait to draw the Hao Clan’s attention.”
“Good to hear.”
“That’s reassuring.”
Despite the defeat, the objective had been achieved.
Baekya spoke,
“So it begins. Targeting the Kowloon Seven Swords.”
“Targeting? No, we are enacting justice.”
President Oh continued,
“For over ten years, Kowloon City has been ruled by the Kowloon Seven Swords. Under the excuse of order, they suppressed and expelled others.”
The Seven Swords were an alliance.
Individually, none could dominate the city.
But together—
They ruled.
Formed by the city’s elites to control martial artists.
Using poison to fight poison.
But this created resentment.
Those excluded were labeled evil and eliminated.
After the Zhengzhou Incident, and the disappearance of Thunder Light Divine Sword, cracks formed in the system.
President Oh smiled.
“When that system collapses, our opportunity comes.”
“A new order?”
“Yes. We will replace them.”
He continued,
“Many resent them. We will gather them.”
Baekya chuckled,
“Then even old men like us may stand tall again.”
“Of course. After success, I’ll prepare penthouses for you both. And maids as well.”
“Hahaha!”
“Splendid.”
Then—
Heukro frowned at the large steak.
“Where is Scatter Blood?”
“No contact last night?”
They shook their heads.
“He’s eccentric.”
“He’s probably tormenting some youths somewhere.”
“Or maybe he followed the Black Tiger Sect.”
President Oh shook his head.
“If so, we’d have heard the Blue Mountain Club was wiped out.”
“True.”
They raised their glasses.
“To your penthouses.”
“Cheers.”
Clink!
---
“How is it?”
“….”
Cheon Bigang looked at himself in the mirror.
Short hair—for the first time.
“It’s awkward.”
“Hahaha! You’re hilarious.”
“I’m serious.”
“What? Didn’t your girlfriend complain about your long hair?”
“Those who did are dead.”
“Hahaha! So your girlfriend too?”
Smack smack.
The stylist laughed, patting his shoulder.
“I’ll warn you. Those who touch my shoulder die.”
“Then spare me. I need to pick up my kid later.”
The staff whispered behind them.
“He’s so handsome.”
“Totally model vibes.”
“Should I ask for his number?”
“You’re crazy!”
Meanwhile—
Cheon Bigang stared at himself.
Mid-20s appearance.
Healthy.
But displeased.
“With this face, youngsters will treat me lightly.”
A strong man needed presence.
Now—
He looked like a part-timer.
“This won’t do. Change it back.”
“Why? It looks great!”
“No. I look like a naive scholar.”
Smack!
The stylist hit his shoulder again—
His head tilted.
At that moment—
Jo Wol entered.
“Oh my!”
“Right?”
Even she was surprised.
Only Cheon Bigang frowned.
“A mere yellow-mouthed scholar.”
---
“This way.”
Cheon Bigang followed Jo Wol underground.
Inside were VR systems, treadmills, holograms.
“You said we’re killing the Emperor?”
“Yes.”
“In a place like this?”
“Yes.”
She activated the system.
A golden-robed figure appeared.
“The Emperor.”
“And this is the Celestial Emperor Palace.”
A massive pyramid city appeared.
5km wide.
3.8km tall.
Capacity: 150,000.
She handed him a controller.
“If you clear this simulation, we can meet Shin Yawol.”
Cheon Bigang smirked.
“I’ll finish it instantly.”
Flash!
He entered the simulation.
And began advancing.
Toward revenge.