novelraw Chapter 4 : Blue Mountain (2)
Chapter 4 : Blue Mountain (2)
Chapter 4: Blue Mountain (2)
Rattle, rattle.
The trembling intensified, and a hazy vapor began to rise from Cheon Bigang’s vibrating body.
Ssssshhh!
“……!”
“Huh?”
Veins bulged across the back of his emaciated hand, and the muscles throughout his body began to swell.
Within the mist-like vapor, flesh returned to his cheeks, and his shriveled muscles awakened, expanding into solid mass.
Though obscured by the steam, it was unmistakably an abnormal metabolic speed.
Even Jo Wol, who had remained composed when a bullet grazed her hair, could not hide her shock at Cheon Bigang’s transformation.
Sssshhh…….
As the vapor dispersed, the skeletal man was gone—
in his place stood a man with a firm and imposing presence.
Cheon Bigang wiped the murderous smile from his face and turned toward Joo Hoyeop.
“So, is that the end of your threats?”
“What?”
“I don’t know what this Black Tiger Sect is, but for a so-called successor to boast while hiding behind his clan… I can already tell what kind of sect you come from.”
“What? Want me to show you?”
Joo Hoyeop drew his pistol.
At that moment—
Cheon Bigang’s hand shot forward, striking the back of his hand. The gun flew loose, and in a snake-like motion, Cheon Bigang snatched it midair.
Joo Hoyeop blinked, staring at his empty hand.
“Huh?”
“Sit.”
“…What?”
His mind failed to catch up.
Cheon Bigang examined the pistol indifferently.
“I said sit.”
“….”
Thud.
Joo Hoyeop sat down blankly.
The moment he did, Cheon Bigang extended his arm again and placed the pistol back into his hand.
Shock flickered across both Joo Hoyeop and Jo Wol’s eyes.
‘My breathing was taken!’
‘Fast.’
Both were martial artists—they could gauge skill.
Had Cheon Bigang used a blade instead, Joo Hoyeop would already be clutching his neck, dead.
The thought chilled him.
“W-What…”
His arrogance visibly faltered.
Cheon Bigang lifted his chin.
“I’ve finished eating, and I’m in a good mood. So speak plainly, brat.”
“You—!”
Joo Hoyeop’s breathing grew ragged.
For ten years, the Black Tiger Sect had dreamed of revenge.
And yet—
everything was collapsing.
His bloodshot eyes shifted to Gyojin.
‘At least I’ll kill that brat…’
Creak.
His grip tightened on the pistol.
Watching this, Cheon Bigang clicked his tongue.
‘Even after a thousand years, trash is still trash.’
Meanwhile, Jo Wol realized—
the most dangerous person here was Cheon Bigang.
Just as she was about to intervene—
two martial artists entered.
Her staff.
“Sorry, but we’re opening now. Let’s end this here.”
The newcomers signaled readiness.
Jo Wol shook her head.
“They’re leaving.”
“Understood.”
Joo Hoyeop holstered his gun.
“So, will you accept our proposal?”
Jo Wol replied calmly.
“Next time, come officially.”
“You’ll regret this.”
He left—
casting one last glare at Cheon Bigang.
Yet he said nothing.
“Ugh…”
Thunk.
Gyojin collapsed onto the table.
Maintaining composure against killing intent was too much for a 12-year-old.
Jo Wol sighed.
“A force challenging the Kowloon Seven Swords… peaceful days are over.”
---
With the intruder gone, Jo Wol welcomed Gyojin warmly.
She led them to a second-floor office through a staff-only door.
“Boss Gyo, did you come to help us?”
“Yes.”
“I heard Scatter Blood Demon went to your place. Even if he was a minor criminal, it must’ve been dangerous.”
Her gaze shifted to Cheon Bigang.
Curious.
Gyojin noticed.
“This is a martial arts instructor I invited. I’ll call him Master.”
He winked.
Cheon Bigang spoke.
“Cheon Bigang.”
“Jo Wol. Manager of Blue Mountain and Branch Chief of the Hao Clan.”
Click.
A hidden passage opened.
They entered a hologram-equipped room.
Jo Wol gestured to a sofa.
Gyojin jumped onto it.
“This is a restricted room,” she said.
“Is that so? Hao Clan… it used to be Hao Sect.”
“You speak like that was yesterday.”
“Perhaps I’m older than I look.”
“If you’re a rejuvenated master, you’re welcome.”
“Because of trouble like today?”
“That too.”
She sat across from him.
Her sharp gaze tried to read him—
but found nothing.
Cheon Bigang gestured to Gyojin.
“Branch Chief.”
“Not ‘noona’ today?”
“Today, I need a presentation.”
“About?”
“My master has a grudge with Shin Yawol and the Night Moon Society.”
“…Interesting.”
She activated the system.
A holographic Earth appeared.
“I’ll keep it brief.”
---
25 years ago—
the imperial palace was breached.
By the Night Moon Society.
2,000 martial artists.
They attacked imperial forces and pro-imperial sects.
Through suicidal assault, they reached the emperor.
Their leader—
Shin Yawol.
A man with a mechanical arm.
His martial art—
Heavenly Demon Art.
Rumors spread—
it was the only art capable of killing the emperor.
Did he succeed?
No.
The emperor survived.
The next day—
he announced the annihilation of the Night Moon Society.
But—
a low-quality video leaked.
“Hmm.”
Cheon Bigang frowned at the blurry footage.
The emperor—
and a man.
“Shin Yawol… alive.”
But younger.
Stronger.
“His martial arts advanced.”
If the footage was 20 years old—
he was even stronger now.
“Perhaps equal to my past self…”
Click.
A new video played.
High-definition.
A general stood beside the emperor.
Fully armored.
The announcer shouted—
—“The commander who crushed the Zhengzhou Incident!”
Thunderous applause.
—“Long live the emperor!”
Click.
Paused.
Cheon Bigang analyzed him instantly.
Bone structure.
Proportions.
Hatred.
“Aligned with the emperor.”
Shin Yawol.
Now—
Commander of the Imperial Army.
A cruel smile spread across Cheon Bigang’s face.
“I don’t know your scheme… but wait, Shin Yawol. I’ll make you weep in regret.”
---
Thud!
Joo Hoyeop rolled across the floor.
Inside a shabby office.
“F-Father!”
“Silence, fool.”
Black Tiger Sect Leader Joo Giyoung glared at him.
“What did you accomplish? You provoked Hao Clan and got scared by some nobody!”
“He was fast—!”
“Enough!”
Cough.
A subordinate whispered.
“The rumor is true. Thunder Light Divine Sword has been missing for a year.”
“I heard. Along with his wife.”
“Otherwise, the child wouldn’t be alone.”
“…Makes sense.”
The Kowloon Seven Swords—
symbols of order—
were weakening.
“What do we do?”
Joo Giyoung thought.
“Hire a freelancer. Clean job.”
“Yes.”
“And Scatter Blood Demon?”
“Dispose of him. He’s just bait.”
“Yes.”
Then—
the phone rang.
Joo Giyoung answered with a forced smile.
“…Yes, Boss Oh. No problem. Once the shipment arrives, it will be delivered properly.”