Chapter 285: Poisoned (1)

Seok Unjeong suddenly hugged Ha Cheollyeong tightly, who stood there with a puzzled look.

“Kiddo, from now on, this noona will call you Cheollyeong. Is that okay?”

“Huh? Y-yes.”

“My name is Seok Unjeong. My alias is Heavenly Center Maiden. Remember that my alias is Heavenly Center Maiden, and call me Unjeong noona, alright?”

Ha Cheollyeong looked at Seok Unjeong anew at the mention of Heavenly Center Maiden.

He didn’t sense any martial presence from Seok Unjeong.

‘Is this noona also someone who has reached an incredible realm, like Hwarin hyung?’

He had thought the same of Yong Hwarin, as he couldn’t sense the characteristic aura of a martial artist from him either.

Despite Seok Unjeong bursting in and joking around, no one stopped her. Everyone simply watched her with eyes full of affection.

Ha Cheollyeong unconsciously looked over at his grandfather.

Ha Deokgong smiled and nodded.

“U-Unjeong noona.”

Ha Cheollyeong, who spoke after a moment’s pause as if unfamiliar with the pronunciation, lowered his head.

He had no memory of a mature woman holding him so warmly like this before.

“Hohoho, from now on, you’re my little brother.”

Wi Sook said, watching Seok Unjeong with a smile.

“This is disappointing. Are you saying you didn’t enjoy playing with us all this time?”

As she joked, Seok Unjeong broke into a wide grin.

“To be honest, playing with you uncles was boring.”

“What was that? Then we won’t play with you anymore starting today.”

“That’s fine. I’ll just play with Cheollyeong. Look at him—he’s so handsome. He’s on a whole different level compared to you uncles.”

“Hahahaha, you’re right about that. The face of the First Young Master is better than all ten of ours combined.”

As even the Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect acknowledged Ha Cheollyeong as the disciple of the Small Sect Leader, Ha Deokgong felt an odd tingle at the bridge of his nose.

“Cheollyeong, you need to pay respects to your master.”

When Ha Cheollyeong hesitated for a moment, Yong Hwarin teased him with a smile.

“What’s wrong? You don’t want to be my disciple?”

“No, it’s just… it feels a little strange that hyung is now my master. I’m a bit confused.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be both your master and your brother.”

Ha Cheollyeong could understand why Yong Hwarin accepted him as his disciple.

It wasn’t to take him in as a mere child, but to make him his disciple and stand as a strong supporter for him.

“Master, please accept this disciple’s bow.”

As Ha Cheollyeong bowed deeply, pressing his forehead to the ground, Yong Hwarin looked at him with a smile.

“Today, we must hold a banquet to commemorate the Small Sect Leader taking a disciple.”

When Mu Iso spoke up, Hoi Unkyung entered the hall and added,

“There’s no way I could just sit still on such a joyous occasion. Today, the Sky Ocean Merchant Union will bring out a rare wine. Drink to your hearts’ content all night long.”

“Lady Hoi, really?”

As Mu Iso asked, delighted, Hoi Unkyung nodded.

“Of course. It’s not just any occasion—Young Master Yong taking a disciple? How could I not join in? If I’m not mistaken, the First Young Master will soon gain fame. After all, he’s become the first disciple of the Heavenly Sword Hero, Yong the Young Master.”

Her words were no mere guess; they were already becoming reality.

‘The Heavenly Sword Hero has taken a disciple!’

As word spread to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union and the Sky Ocean Escort Agency, crowds gathered in droves.

It was far too many people for a simple gathering to see who the Heavenly Sword Hero had accepted as a disciple.

Not just escorts and workers, but also figures like Deuksang and Baekseom of the Sky Ocean Escort Agency had already come to offer congratulations.

Upon seeing Baekseom, Yong Hwarin seemed to remember something and said,

“Send another letter to the main house. Tell them I found Cheollyeong and have taken him as my disciple.”

Yong Hwarin was worried that people like Pil Gye-young, who was residing in seclusion within the Heavenly Central Sect to search for Ha Cheollyeong, might act hastily.

“Understood. I’ll deliver the message.”

“Baekseom, I’m sorry to keep giving you tasks.”

“Not at all. I’m simply relieved to be of use to Young Master Yong.”

“I’m truly grateful.”

As Yong Hwarin handled affairs of the Sky Ocean Escort Agency through Baekseom, he had become one of the people closest to him.

Ha Cheollyeong, unexpectedly becoming Yong Hwarin’s disciple, was swept into a whirlwind of activity. But knowing it was all done out of care for him, he didn’t take any of it lightly.

“Truly, like master, like disciple.”

That’s what people said upon seeing the poised and thoughtful Ha Cheollyeong.

Yang Gwak smiled as he received a report from his strategist, Mak Gyo.

“If the rock is too thick, you won’t be able to pierce through it. Then the only choice is to go around it. Trying to smash a rock with your bare fists is foolish, don’t you think?”

“Indeed, my lord.”

“If we confront Yong Hwarin directly now, it’s us who’ll get hurt. That man has become a giant. If we try to deal with him with our current power, we’ll end up like this disciple. He’s not the same man he used to be.”

Mak Gyo trusted in his lord’s exceptional sense of reality.

Though there was pride as a warrior, he never ignored reality.

That gave him enough flexibility to carry out his plans without missteps.

“My lord, do you remember? The report stating that the Geum Family Head and the Jeong Family Head had headed to Shaolin Temple from the River Center Escort Agency?”

“Of course I remember. That Young Pavilion Lord of the Geum Clan was said to possess the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm, and we once tried to take it from him. But we gave up on the plan when we heard they were traveling with the Masters of the Five Swords of Mount Hua and the Four Vajras. So why bring it up now?”

“A few days ago, for some reason, we received a letter stating that the people from the Jeong Family Manor and Geum Clan have separated from the Masters of the Five Swords of Mount Hua, the Four Vajras, and the Three Tyrant Sabers.”

“Is that so?”

“Then we must resume the plan.”

“Yes. From what we’ve gathered, Yong Hwarin is in possession of the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword. And his family also holds the Vermilion Bird Blood Chalice. If we capture them as hostages, we can use them to negotiate an exchange.”

“I’ve heard they’re formidable as well. Will that be a problem?”

“We still have the elite Tenebrous Ghosts Corps, and don’t we have the two Protectors who serve as Sah Sahmae’s guards? No matter how strong they may be, they won’t stand a chance against the two Protectors.”

It was because Yong Hwarin was strong, not because the Protectors known as the Three Loyal Guards of Hua were weak.

They were masters in the Profound Realm.

“I was planning to send Sah Sahmae back to the sect, but if we’re going to use the two Protectors, we’ll have no choice but to take her along.”

Mak Gyo’s eyes lit up.

“You’re after the Azure Dragon Three Marbles that Sah Sahmae possesses.”

“That’s right. If this operation succeeds, I’ll have all the Four Great Divine Items in my hands.”

That meant he could seize the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword currently with Yong Hwarin, the Vermilion Bird Blood Chalice in the Heavenly Central Sect, the Azure Dragon Three Marbles held by Sah Sahmae, and the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm carried by Geum Yujin—all at once.

Yang Gwak curled into a twisted smile.

If all went well, he would collect the White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword from Yong Hwarin, the Vermilion Bird Blood Chalice from the Heavenly Central Sect, the Azure Dragon Three Marbles from Sah Sahmae, and the Black Silk Celestial Silkworm from Geum Yujin in a single sweep.

“You’ve put someone on their trail, I assume?”

“Of course. I assigned the best of the Dark Demon Unit to shadow them, so you needn’t worry.”

“Good. Then we’ll need Mak Strategist’s head from here on out on how best to capture them.”

Mak Gyo gave a sinister grin.

“I already gave the order for the plan we prepared in the past.”

“Well done. Once they enter Shaolin Temple, we’ll have no chance. We need to make our move before then.”

Yang Gwak briefly smiled with satisfaction before growing serious.

“By the way, any developments from the Three Demonic Heavens?”

Yang Gwak had been annoyed by the recent movements of the Three Demonic Heavens.

Mak Gyo had been closely monitoring them since receiving reports that warriors of Blood Demon Castle were frequently spotted in downtown Jeongju.

“Warriors of Blood Demon Castle have been seen multiple times in Jeongju. It seems they are pursuing someone, but we’ve yet to identify the target. Also, there is news that the Young Valley Lord of Dark Echo Valley, So Yonghwa, departed from seclusion and immediately began the Hundred Duels.”

“The Hundred Duels? Are there still people who do that?”

“It’s still the best way to gain recognition in a short time.”

“Yes, but without real skill, it’s also a fast way to get discarded by the murim.”

“Perhaps he’s confident enough to undertake the Hundred Duels.”

“Which direction is the dueling headed?”

“There are reports he is moving from Shaanxi toward Henan.”

Yang Gwak stroked his chin and contemplated Mak Gyo’s reply for a moment before speaking.

“There are many angles to consider. We should find out whether he’s trying to draw attention before the Shaolin Temple Gathering, or if he’s heading to Henan for another purpose.”

“I’m also gathering intelligence and analyzing his intentions.”

Yang Gwak asked,

“So, how many duels has he fought so far?”

“He’s won thirty matches in Shaanxi, and after entering Henan, he’s already claimed twenty victories.”

“With that many wins, why hasn’t word of him spread yet?”

It was a reasonable question—someone with that many victories in the Hundred Duels should have already become well-known.

“Actually, he is starting to make a name for himself in the murim. He’s being called the Unmatched Three Absolutes.”

“Quite a grand alias. What does ‘Three Absolutes’ mean?”

“It seems to refer to him having mastered the sword, saber, and spear arts to the level of a grandmaster.”

“He uses all three—sword, saber, and spear?”

“Yes. That’s what I’ve heard.”

For the first time, Yang Gwak found himself intrigued by someone named So Yonghwa.

To wield three different weapons without weakness in any was a sign of extraordinary attainment.

“Recently, the murim is abuzz with stories about the Heavenly Sword Hero and the Unmatched Three Absolutes. There are even people betting on who would win if they were to fight.”

“I thought the same. Isn’t it likely that So Yonghwa is entering Henan to challenge Yong Hwarin, the one who currently draws the most attention? If he defeats the Heavenly Sword Hero, there’s no reason to continue the Hundred Duels.”

“I think so as well. So Yonghwa seems to be targeting Yong Hwarin by entering Henan. But his movements are suspicious, so I’m still investigating.”

“This will be interesting. If the two really face off, it will be worth seeing. If he completed his isolated training at Dark Echo Valley, he’s no longer just human.”

“Exactly.”

Yang Gwak suddenly muttered,

“I’d like to fight him myself.”

Mak Gyo looked uneasily at his lord, whose competitive spirit had been ignited.

Everything was fine—except that once Yang Gwak’s fighting spirit flared, he was almost impossible to stop.

The ones who were happiest about Yong Hwarin taking in a disciple were Seok Unjeong and Bukri Sehee.

Because Ha Cheollyeong was bright and clever, he had drawn endless affection from them.

His pure and kind nature made them feel as if they had gained a younger brother.

Yong Hwarin had always felt guilty for not being able to stay close to Bukri Sehee, but now that Ha Cheollyeong was soothing her loneliness, it felt like an unexpected blessing.

The Ten Prodigies of the Heavenly Central Sect were no different. Since he was now the Small Sect Leader’s direct disciple, they felt he should learn the martial arts of the Heavenly Central Sect and each tried to teach him personally.

As his official disciple, Yong Hwarin had to formally train him in martial arts, but with the Ten Prodigies taking charge of that, his heart felt at ease.

He believed they understood his feelings and were guiding Ha Cheollyeong as part of their leisure.

For Ha Cheollyeong, each day felt like a dream, and sometimes he pinched his cheek to make sure it was real.

Just days ago, he had been chased by pursuers and crossing the threshold of death.

Now, he was surrounded by warmth and kindness from many people—it truly felt like a dream.

What made him happiest of all was seeing his grandfather regaining his health. He was also glad that his grandfather no longer needed to roam the mountains as a herbalist for his sake.

Though his grandfather had martial training, his strength had waned recently, and Ha Cheollyeong had constantly worried he might suffer an accident in the mountains.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep