Swordless Demonic Path

Chapter 65

Jo-rim had a lot of things to do.

Besides Honghwaru, she had to take care of a dozen or so other brothels and taverns that Honghwaru managed, and there were also three inns.

That wasn't all. There was also a manor, and even a gambling house in the battlefield.

It didn't end with just looking at the bottom. She also had to report well to the top.

On top of that, she had to watch the Nanchang branch and the Namgung family, and she also had to watch Jin Sa-wol and Woo Jeong-bong of Wudang.

But now, even the Beggars' Sect members had come in, so she was very on edge.

'Should I just go to Zhengzhou?'

Zhengzhou, where the main headquarters of the Martial Alliance was located, was a region notorious for being the most difficult. A place that no one wanted to go to.

Still, Nanchang was better than that place.

Since support to help her would be coming soon, she had no choice but to look forward to it.

"Bring me wine."

At her words, Il-hu went outside with a man in a bamboo hat.

Thump!

As the door closed, only the torches on the wall illuminated the interior.

"To think the steward of Myeongwollu is the Red Spider Sect Master. Honestly, it took some time to find him."

"How did you know?"

"Murong Bao has been going to Myeongwollu frequently for a few days, so I was watching."

"Hmm..."

"The warriors of the Martial Alliance are returning to the main headquarters, so why is our Steward Gwak mixed in there?"

"There's nothing to get from me. So kill me quickly."

"No, you won't die. I have no intention of killing you. You are a subject of a deal."

As a smile hung on Jo-rim's face, Gwak Sang's expression hardened.

Creak!

The underground door opened, and a bright light seeped in. At the same time, the sweet smell of wine and the smell of food flew in on the wind.

"Gulp!"

Gwak Sang instinctively swallowed his dry saliva.

A large wine table came in and was placed in front of Jo-rim.

Gwak Sang was a person who had seen wine tables every day and had eaten delicacies. He usually had no greed for food.

But after starving for nearly two days, there was no way to stop his stomach from rumbling.

Jo-rim held up a well-boiled chicken leg and asked.

"Are you hungry?"

Gwak Sang couldn't even answer and just nodded.

Jo-rim poured wine into a large bowl and drank it down.

Jo-rim, who had poured wine into the bowl again, placed it in front of Gwak Sang.

Although Gwak Sang lowered his head to eat, his body did not move. Even if he stuck out his tongue, it did not reach.

"Ugh!"

Still, he did not give up and stuck out his tongue to taste the wine in the bowl.

Just as that tongue was about to touch the wine, Jo-rim snatched the bowl and drank it herself.

"Grind!"

Gwak Sang ground his teeth and glared at Jo-rim. If it were torture, he was confident he could endure it. But hunger was an instinct that could not be easily overcome.

Jo-rim, who had chuckled, asked.

"What deal did you make with the Martial Alliance?"

"Tsk."

Gwak Sang turned his head with a serious face. He believed that if he didn't put food in his eyes, he could also overcome the temptation.

But that was a wrong thought.

There was no way to block the scent that brushed past his nose. He had to breathe, and every time he breathed, the smell of wine and greasy food seeped in.

"If I ask you politely like this, it's better to answer. It's better than torture, isn't it? Don't you miss food, wine, and a comfortable bed?"

Jo-rim's voice was like a well-cooked chicken.

"I heard that if I go to the Martial Alliance and say that I tried to kill a disciple of the Wudang Sect at the request of the Namgung family, it would be fine. They said they would guarantee my safety as much as possible, so I shouldn't worry."

"The Namgung family must have made an offer too, right?"

"Although the Namgung family also guaranteed my safety, I thought the Martial Alliance was safer."

"Interesting."

"Let me ask you one thing."

"Speak."

"Where are you planning to hand me over? If you're going to make a deal, there must be a target, right?"

"I'm thinking about it."

Jo-rim showed a slight eye-smile and then put a chicken leg in Gwak Sang's mouth and stood up.

Although Gwak Sang was curious about what his fate would be, he chewed on the chicken leg first.

Carefully, so that it wouldn't fall out of his mouth.

* * *

Namgung Wi had left Sunokwon after about half an hour of coming in.

Namgung Ji, after seeing Namgung Wi off, went into her room and sat down.

Jin Sa-wol was still outside, and Woo Jeong-bong stood in front of Namgung Ji.

"What did he say?"

"He says he'll help if I'm going to catch the Ten-Sword Demon. He's also curious."

"So?"

"I said I would."

Namgung Ji stared at Woo Jeong-bong as if to say, 'Hurry up and get to the point.'

Woo Jeong-bong crossed his arms and said with a serious face.

"When does Namgung Wi practice martial arts?"

"Usually after eating breakfast. Why?"

"I'm going to have a match."

"Really?"

Namgung Ji's eyes widened as if she were surprised. It was amazing that her small eyes could get that big.

"Are you confident? My older brother is a master who is among the Ten Skills of the Universe among the later generation."

"I'm also one of the Ten Skills of the Universe."

"What?"

Namgung Ji opened her mouth wide as if she had just found out. As Woo Jeong-bong frowned, Namgung Ji hurriedly closed her mouth and avoided his sharp gaze.

"In the morning, go with me to the Sword Dance Garden. He'll be there."

"Good."

Woo Jeong-bong, as if he were in a good mood, lightly hit the table and then stood up.

"I'll smash that bastard's face."

Namgung Ji looked at Woo Jeong-bong, who was clenching his fist with a face full of fighting spirit, with a slightly worried expression.

"Young lady."

The attendants who were outside came in and called Namgung Ji.

"Why?"

"The family head is looking for you."

"Father? I understand."

Namgung Ji answered and then hurriedly stood up.

* * *

The most famous masters in the martial world are the ten great masters. Among them, the three venerables are the strongest, but since Dokgo Yang, who was called the Demonic Venerable, had retired, one of the ten great masters was currently missing.

The remaining seven masters, excluding the three venerables, were people whose superiority could not be determined, and they were also figures who would not be out of place to be called the number one in the world.

Jin Sa-wol stood at the entrance of the garden and looked at Namgung Min, who was standing on the pavilion in the distance. Namgung Ji, who was standing next to Namgung Min, did not even enter his eyes.

Heavenly Sun Sword God, Namgung Min.

He was a martial artist who had reached the pinnacle among numerous swordsmen and was one of the best masters.

Swish. Thump, thump.

Jin Sa-wol began to walk towards the pavilion where Namgung Min was. Woo Jeong-bong, who saw that, opened his eyes wide.

"Where are you going?"

Although Woo Jeong-bong called from behind, Jin Sa-wol did not answer.

* * *

Namgung Ji, who was standing next to Namgung Min, still had her head bowed.

"I have to go to the Martial Alliance. And when I go to the Martial Alliance and settle down, I will call you. So be prepared and come to the Alliance when I call. The Martial Alliance where I am will be safer than here where I am not."

"Aren't my two older brothers going?"

"The two of them have to guard this place. Only the youngest and you come."

"Yes, Father."

Namgung Ji answered with her head bowed.

As Namgung Min had said, the Martial Alliance where Namgung Min was was safer than the Namgung family where Namgung Min was not.

In the eyes of Namgung Ji, who had her head bowed, she saw the approaching Jin Sa-wol. Namgung Ji turned her head to the side and gave an order to go with just her lips moving, but Jin Sa-wol looked only at Namgung Min as if he had not seen her.

Namgung Min turned his head and looked down at Jin Sa-wol, who was standing under the pavilion. Although their eyes met, Jin Sa-wol did not bow his head.

'What? Are you crazy?'

Namgung Ji glared and shook her head again. But Jin Sa-wol ignored Namgung Ji.

"Who are you?"

When Namgung Min asked, Namgung Ji hurriedly went down, blocked Jin Sa-wol's front, and raised her head.

"He is my bodyguard. I brought him a while ago."

"So you are the outsiders you brought. Anyway, I had something to say about that, so it's a good thing. Chase them out immediately. Is there no trustworthy master in the main family?"

"That's..."

Namgung Ji lowered her head with a flustered and restless expression.

Just then, Jin Sa-wol spoke to Namgung Min.

"I, Jin Sa-wol, request a duel with the head of the Namgung family."

"Hmph!"

"Huh?"

Namgung Ji's eyes widened. Woo Jeong-bong, who was far away, ran like crazy and grabbed Jin Sa-wol's shoulder.

"Are you crazy?"

"I want to have a match. Is that okay?"

Ignoring Woo Jeong-bong's words, Jin Sa-wol looked straight at Namgung Min.

Namgung Min looked at Jin Sa-wol with a gaze that said, 'What kind of crazy bastard is this?'.

Namgung Min's gaze passed Jin Sa-wol and turned to Woo Jeong-bong.

"And who are you?"

"I am Hyun Jin of the Wudang Sect, family head."

"He's my bodyguard."

As Namgung Ji said he was a bodyguard, Namgung Min frowned. It was a look that said he didn't like the fact that he was from the Wudang Sect.

"Damn Wudang."

His right hand, whoosh! moved once towards the pond.

With a crash! sound, the water of the pond shot up nearly three zhang, then scattered water spray in all directions and fell.

Namgung Min, who had cooled his hot chest with a light palm strike, soon laughed out loud.

"Hahaha! I was bored because there were no hot-blooded later-generation members who had nothing to see in their eyes lately, so it's a good thing. Good, I'll accept."

"Thank you."

"But you have to bet your life."

"Of course."

Jin Sa-wol answered with a face that said it didn't matter if he threw away his life.

Just then, Woo Jeong-bong raised his hand with an awkward smile.

"I... I also want to have a match with the Namgung family head, who is called the Sword God."

'I can't miss this opportunity.'

Woo Jeong-bong knew well that a duel with an absolute master was a chance that could not be easily found.

"Good. You have spirit."

Namgung Min readily accepted and, while coming down from the pavilion, held a broken branch in his hand.

"Who will come first?"

At Namgung Min's words that he would do it right now, Woo Jeong-bong quickly stepped in front of Jin Sa-wol and answered.

"I will go first."

Woo Jeong-bong stepped forward first, thinking of Jin Sa-wol in his own way. It was a deep consideration to have him observe Namgung Min's forms and movements well.

Woo Jeong-bong raised his sword and held it in front of his chest.

"Then the junior will start first."

Papapat!

Woo Jeong-bong, who had kicked the ground and stepped on the Flowing Cloud Steps, approached Namgung Min in an instant and unfolded the famous Seven-Star Sword Art of the Wudang Sect.

Namgung Min took a step forward and said.

"Immortal's Finger!"

Shwaak!

The branch in Namgung Min's hand danced and drew a straight line. The Immortal's Finger was the most basic thrust, and there was no one who did not know it.

Woo Jeong-bong, thinking that this would not be the end, turned to Namgung Min's right.

In that instant, Namgung Min's foot dug into Woo Jeong-bong's side.

"...pretending to, and then a side kick."

Thwack!

"Ugh!"

"Next is the neck!"

There was no time to dodge.

As befitting one of the ten great masters, his chain attack was faster than his words.

Before his voice had even finished, Namgung Min's hand-blade struck the nape of Woo Jeong-bong, who had lowered his head after being hit in the side.

Since he had feelings for the Wudang Sect, he did not hold back his hand while dealing with Woo Jeong-bong, a disciple of the Wudang Sect.

"Ku-eok!"

Thump-thump-thump! Thump! Thud!

With the sound of a pig being slaughtered, Woo Jeong-bong rolled on the floor a few times and then stretched out.

"Don't be deceived by the enemy's words. It's basic."

Namgung Min shrugged and turned his gaze to Jin Sa-wol.

"Old man!"

Hurry-hurry!

Namgung Ji was surprised and ran to Woo Jeong-bong. But Woo Jeong-bong had already fainted and had his eyes closed.

Namgung Ji slapped Woo Jeong-bong's cheek.

Slap!

"Get a grip."

A worried and smiling expression appeared on Namgung Ji's lips as she slapped his cheek. At that moment, Namgung Ji also did not seem to be normal.

She left Woo Jeong-bong behind and stood up. Then she glared at Jin Sa-wol and steeled herself to slap his fainted cheek.

In Jin Sa-wol's sight, Dokgo Shin-wi's figure overlapped with Namgung Min's.

'It seems I've woken a sleeping tiger.'

The fierce momentum that Namgung Min had created tightened his whole body.

"Come."

Namgung Min said and flicked the branch.

Jin Sa-wol approached Namgung Min in a straight line and stabbed his sword.

Pfft!

As a sharp flash glittered, Namgung Min said.

"You're confident enough. But your side is empty."

Whoosh!

Namgung Min's branch brushed past Jin Sa-wol's sword and stabbed his left side.

But Jin Sa-wol did not stop his stabbing sword. He was prepared to inflict a fatal blow on Namgung Min even if his side were pierced.

Just then, Namgung Min's body lightly rotated and hit his right side with his left palm.

"Actually, it's the right."

(End of Chapter)