novelraw Chapter 56 : Chapter 56
Chapter 56 : Chapter 56
Chapter 56 - Let's Get Beaten Up a Bit First
“Hoo……”
A small man with a monkey-like face let out a soft sigh.
In his hand was a sword quite thin for a man to wield.
The high-quality martial arts uniform and the calluses on his palms indirectly revealed his skill and position.
The head guard of the top gisaeng house in Yiliang County and the one who had risen to the position of Third Line Leader of Syndicate of Ten Thousand Eyes.
Han Ryeong.
He currently had no way to calm his anxious heart.
“Has there been no separate message?”
“Not yet, sir.”
Ordinarily, he would not have been one to rush his servant like this.
But Han Ryeong had been checking several times a day to see if there was any separate news.
In fact, he had no choice.
His only remaining blood relative, with whom he had shared life and death after drifting from Luoyang as a child.
Because Han Hoe had gone missing.
‘Where on earth is he and what is he doing?’
He had heard the news that the Tiger-Bear Stronghold had been attacked long ago.
It was at a level where it would reach his ears on its own without having to activate a separate information network.
Because those who had fled from the Tiger-Bear Stronghold were spreading like a plague throughout Yunnan.
‘How could those Diancang Sect bastards…….’
The existence of the Diancang Sect's descendants came as a greater shock than the fact that the Tiger-Bear Stronghold had been plundered.
Where had they been and what had they been doing to suddenly appear after 15 years?
The biggest problem was that the Tiger-Bear Stronghold was originally the headquarters of the Diancang Sect.
Since bandits had occupied the space that could be called the root of the sect, they would not be satisfied even if they ground up everything in sight.
Han Hoe was a sharp fellow, so he probably wouldn't have been caught easily, but if by some chance he was captured, his life could not be guaranteed.
‘No. That won't happen.’
Han Ryeong shook his head vigorously as if to shake off the thought.
He had separately taught him hidden weapon techniques, so shaking off one or two pursuers would be no problem.
As he always did, he would contact him as soon as he arrived here in Yiliang County.
But.
If Han Hoe were to die at the hands of the Diancang Sect remnants…….
‘Then I will destroy the Diancang Sect with my own hands.’
Flames flickered in Han Ryeong's eyes.
The position of Third Line Leader of the Syndicate of Ten Thousand Eyes was not something one could obtain by sitting around and playing mahjong.
Sometimes in a place teeming with masters of the orthodox sects, sometimes in the Tibet region where one could be attacked at any moment, one had to be able to protect oneself.
Excluding the 'First Line Leader', who could be called the head of the Syndicate of Ten Thousand Eyes, there was only one rank above Han Ryeong.
Therefore, his vow to deal with the remnants of a destroyed orthodox sect could not be dismissed as arrogant.
If he had his way, he would have wanted to head to Diancang Mountain immediately, but he might cross paths with Han Hoe on the way.
Han Ryeong planned to wait just one more half-day before leaving.
Knock, knock, knock.
At the sound of knocking on the door, Han Ryeong reflexively rose to his feet.
The message he had been so eagerly awaiting had finally arrived.
“A message has arrived.”
In his haste, Han Ryeong snatched the paper and unfolded it.
[Hour of the Dog. Subyeon Inn. Come alone.]
As if to mock the time he had spent waiting so anxiously, the content was utterly simple.
The time and place to meet.
And a short addition.
Judging by the handwriting, it was clearly Han Hoe's.
The concise content was no different from usual either.
However, upon confirming the letter, a ghostly fire bloomed in Han Ryeong's eyes.
The sentence, ‘Come alone.’
Because it was a kind of signal that only the two blood relatives could recognize.
‘He's been captured……!’
The true meaning of the words ‘come alone’ was, conversely, that he should absolutely not come alone.
Although not apparent on the surface, Han Hoe was clearly sending a distress signal.
“Is anyone outside.”
“Your orders, sir.”
“I feel like meeting some friends for a change. Tell all the guys currently in Yiliang County that I want to see them.”
“I will do so.”
The servant bowed and descended the stairs with hurried steps.
As long as he knew what 'friends in Yiliang County' meant, there was not a moment to be delayed.
‘They dare to drive my brother into a corner?’
I will chew your flesh and bones to bits.
Han Ryeong vowed so and gripped his sword so tightly that the handle could break.
***
The single river that flowed through Yiliang County.
Subyeon Inn, located right in front of the Changun River, was always crowded with people.
It was not common to see a large river in the barren lands of Yunnan, and the quality of the food was also quite excellent.
Moreover, the Hour of the Dog that Han Hoe had proposed for the meeting was dinnertime, so the inn was so packed that it was hard to find a place to stand.
“You there. Have you heard that story?”
“What story?”
A man with a broad face looked around once before continuing.
It was so noisy that there was no need to whisper.
“I also heard it yesterday, but they say the Tiger-Bear Stronghold was destroyed?”
“The Tiger-Bear Stronghold? You mean the one on Diancang Mountain?”
The man across from him opened his mouth wide as if he couldn't believe it.
“You must have heard wrong. The Tiger-Bear Stronghold is the number one Green Forest stronghold in Yunnan. I heard they even expanded their influence to the Tree-Uprooting Stronghold far away not long ago.”
“I heard that news too…… but a few bandits who were living in the Tiger-Bear Stronghold flowed into Yiliang County yesterday. Most tried to hide their identities, but can that musty smell be completely concealed? In the process of capturing the bandits, I heard that the Tiger-Bear Stronghold was completely shattered.”
“Huh. How can that be. Did some well-known orthodox sect or prestigious family step in directly?”
“Don’t be surprised.”
In this moment, even the man with the broad face had to lower his voice.
“There’s a rumor that the force that destroyed the Tiger-Bear Stronghold was the Diancang Sect.”
“The Diancang…… Sect?”
“Come on, man. You know. The one that was once one of the Nine Sects One Union……”
“Ah! That Diancang Sect!”
As if he had just remembered, the man sitting opposite him clapped his hands.
“I know. Of course, I know. Wasn’t it the sect where the swordsman named Yeongbi, who was once called the World’s Fastest Sword, was from? It was also one of the Nine Sects One Union in the past.”
“That’s right.”
“But wasn’t that sect destroyed more than ten years ago? The reason the Tiger-Bear Stronghold took its place was because of that.”
“Yes. So isn’t it even more interesting? They say the remaining forces of the Diancang Sect, which was thought to be completely destroyed, shattered the Tiger-Bear Stronghold.”
“Huh. Such a thing……”
The face of the man across from him flushed slightly.
The revival of a sect that had been destroyed long ago!
It was enough to evoke a vague sense of anticipation and romance in the listener.
Especially Yeongbi, who fifteen years ago had created a crack in the body of the Heavenly Demon, known to be indestructible as vajra, during the confrontation with the Demonic Cult, was imprinted in the minds of the Jianghu people as a legendary existence.
“If what you’re saying is true, isn’t it a very significant event? It would be a tricky matter for the True Dragon Sect, which newly joined the Nine Sects One Union.”
“That’s right. But it’s still too early to jump to conclusions. They say that the swordsmen who actually invaded the Tiger-Bear Stronghold were only five or six in number. We’ll have to wait and see if they are truly the descendants of the Diancang Sect.”
“No, then. You mean the Tiger-Bear Stronghold was destroyed by just that small number? That in itself is a surprising thing.”
“Haha. In any case, it seems another interesting story has emerged in this ever-turbulent Murim.”
The two men clinked their cups with faces full of anticipation.
And right next to them, a peculiar combination of three men were seated.
One incomparably handsome boy.
One man with an impression that made you feel you should draw your sword immediately if he spoke to you.
And one man with a particularly large nose and a monkey-like impression.
The man with the rough impression spoke to the man with the striking appearance.
“It seems the rumors are starting to spread.”
“It would be better if they spread more. To the point where not just Yunnan, but the entire Murim knows.”
“What if other bastards come and pick a fight?”
“If they have any shame, they won't be able to. Because no one helped when the sect was falling apart.”
“Are you still talking about such romantic things?”
If they were guys who knew shame, shouldn't they have helped the Diancang Sect long ago?
Uma spoke with a full sneer, but Biyoung’s meaning was a little different.
“The more rotten a person is on the inside, the more they cling to outward justification. Unless the dark path warriors of the past invade again, the orthodox sects won't be able to openly persecute the Diancang Sect. If only out of fear of public finger-pointing.”
“……I see.”
Come to think of it, Biyoung’s words had a point.
Despite his appearance, it seemed there were ten serpents inside the fellow.
It was just when Uma was thinking that.
A figure appeared and spoke to them.
“There’s not enough space, would it be alright if I join your table?”
The eyes of the three men turned in one direction.
One had a gaze of extreme delight, and one raised his guard sharply.
And the gaze of the remaining one was utterly nonchalant.
“Of course. Please sit here.”
The man sat down in the empty seat with a challenging smile.
As if it were unbelievable that they had joined the table by chance, the two men sitting side by side had very similar appearances.
A monkey-like face with a particularly large, fortunate nose, and a physique smaller than that of an average adult man.
The only difference was their age, one looking to be in his forties and the other in his thirties?
Han Hoe and Han Ryeong.
It was the moment of the two brothers' dramatic reunion.
‘That martial arts uniform is…….’
Han Ryeong’s eyes, who had just sat down, shone fiercely.
A dark navy martial arts uniform and a wing-shaped embroidery on the chest.
Although a long time had passed and the inn was crowded with all sorts of people, Han Ryeong was able to recognize the identity of that uniform immediately.
‘It seems the rumors are true to some extent.’
The Diancang Sect’s martial arts uniform, as Han Ryeong vaguely remembered, was of this form.
He carefully examined the two men sitting in front of him and then asked the one with the rough impression.
Because of his age and all, this one seemed more skilled.
“There has been a rumor that has been making a stir in Yiliang County recently. Is it your doing?”
“Well. For now.”
Uma answered perfunctorily while crunching on a chicken bone.
At that sight, Han Ryeong, rather than feeling displeased, felt his heart become more at ease.
‘He’s more suited to be a loafer or a ruffian. It's absurd that guys like these are descendants of an orthodox sect.’
Either they were another force impersonating the Diancang Sect, or the number of invaders was wrong.
Han Ryeong was convinced that the rumors were wrong in some way.
“Actually, the fellow sitting next to me is my younger brother.”
“Oh. Is that so?”
Han Ryeong mentioned a fact that anyone could have guessed, and Biyoung’s eyes widened as if he had no idea.
At the sight that seemed like a scene from a play, Uma almost spat out his chicken.
“Thank you for protecting my brother. As a token of my gratitude, I would like to give you two a gift.”
It was a story that both you and I knew that it wasn't about protecting him.
But Biyoung obediently asked.
“Really? What kind of gift are you planning to give?”
“I plan to cut off both your heads and hang them in the marketplace.”
An extraordinary sharp energy emanated from Han Ryeong’s body.
Uma’s face contorted fiercely, but Biyoung’s expression did not change as he asked.
“Will that be possible?”
“……?”
For the first time, Han Ryeong felt a sense of incongruity.
Judging by his age and the aura he exuded, he had thought they were just ordinary guys.
But even when he was openly exuding killing intent like this, the green young punk was just smiling foolishly.
Either he was an idiot who knew nothing, or he was a master who could receive this level of energy without any trouble.
“Let’s go to a wider place, shall we? We’re fine, but you seem like someone who wouldn’t benefit from showing your face.”
At those words, Han Ryeong’s face hardened slightly.
Could it be that Han Hoe had revealed the existence of the Syndicate of Ten Thousand Eyes?
But even when he glared at Han Hoe, he just avoided his gaze and stared at a random spot.
That was not the only strange thing.
Why was he so anxious when he was right next to him?
Han Ryeong was the first to get up and walk ahead.
Just as Biyoung had said, behind the building, there was a wide space that looked good for a fight.
Uma looked around once and bared his teeth.
Because groups that were not visible before were gathering one by one.
“You’re not even trying to hide it now.”
“We’ve seen all there is to see of each other.”
By the time they reached the open space, masked men had already formed a wide circle around them.
Now that a fight was imminent, there was no need to hide the people planted on the streets.
“Do not worry. I brought them just in case, but these men will not have to lift a finger.”
Han Ryeong said so and drew his sword from its scabbard.
‘Ho.’
Biyoung watched Han Ryeong with an interested face.
He had felt it in the inn, but now that he held the sword, the sharp energy he had felt before seemed to have become even sharper.
At this level, he seemed to be on par with a decent master of an orthodox sect.
“Who will come out first?”
At those words, Biyoung took a step forward instead of answering.
“Are you going to fight in that state?”
Han Ryeong asked, looking at Biyoung whose sword was still in its scabbard.
“I have a lot to ask, so it would be troublesome if you died.”
At that answer, Han Ryeong let out a chuckle.
I was wondering, but he really is just a madman.
Han Ryeong did not refuse and drew his sword like a flash.
Shaaaak!
It was a sword so fast and sharp that the eyes of Uma, who was watching, widened.
A secret and persistent strike, different from the quick sword of the Diancang Sect.
It was a sword commonly seen among assassins in the dark of night.
‘I won’t let you die peacefully!’
The tip of Han Ryeong’s sword pointed towards Biyoung’s Dantian.
A martial artist whose Dantian is destroyed by a sword will writhe in endless pain and die.
It was a passage from which one could guess Han Ryeong’s anger towards the two men.
However,
Swish.
The moment he thought the sword had just touched Biyoung’s body, the young man’s body disappeared like a phantom.
“???”
For a swordsman who has drawn his sword to lose his balance is a disgrace among disgraces, but Han Ryeong had to flail his body.
It was understandable, as there was no sense of impact that should have been there.
“Huh……”
An exclamation of disbelief escaped Uma’s mouth.
Among all the people here, Uma was the only one who had even managed to follow Biyoung’s shadow.
Paak!
With a sound unbelievable for a scabbard and a body to make, Han Ryeong’s body staggered greatly once more.
This time it was not because of his sense of balance.
It was because a huge impact, like a thunderbolt striking, had lodged in the crown of his head.
“Keoheok!”
Biyoung was, in the meantime, standing behind Han Ryeong.
That was more shocking than the lightning-like pain he had felt just before.
‘In what instant……?’
It was truly a distance where if you just added one more piece of paper, the tip of the sword and the body could touch.
But Biyoung, not only having gone behind him, had delivered a blow and was nonchalantly resting his scabbard on his shoulder.
“I was originally going to end it in one blow, but I’ve changed my mind.”
Was it after exchanging a single blow?
Not only his tone but also his atmosphere seemed to have changed into that of a different person.
“Let's get beaten up a bit first.”
Simultaneously with those words, Biyoung’s form disappeared like a phantom again.