Chapter 318: Soh Yonghwa, the Unrivaled of Three Absolutes

“Where is Young Master Dang planning to go?”

It was a question asking whether he would return to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

Dang Cheolgi shook his head.

“No. I will go to Shaolin Temple with them.”

Dang Cheolgi was already fully immersed in playing the hero.

Moreover, with Han Gwiok adoring and following him like a deity, he had grown boastful.

On top of that, even the hostages wished to go to Shaolin Temple with him, and Dang Cheolgi readily agreed.

It was to spread tales of his martial exploits alongside them.

Yong Hwarin smiled gently.

“Your Poison Blade, Young Master Dang, shall know no rival in Murim in days to come.”

Hearing that from none other than Yong Hwarin—whom he considered a rival—recognizing his Poison Blade made Dang Cheolgi feel as though he had received a great award.

“Hahaha, I must cultivate even further if I am to break through your Unity of Sword and Mind, Young Master Yong.”

Had it been the old Dang Cheolgi, he would have boasted proudly at such praise, but now, deep in his hero act, he instead complimented Yong Hwarin.

Dang Cheolgi himself was unaware of the change happening within him.

“Do so. I will take good care of Miss Dang.”

“Young Master Yong, I trust you.”

“And I will not forget the promise we made.”

“Hahaha. I, Dang Cheolgi, am a man who would stake his life to keep a promise. Worry not.”

He reminded him again of the pledge made when he handed over the Madok Petrification Leaf and asked for help.

The two shared a silent gaze into the air for a brief moment.

Yong Hwarin did not find the frivolous but pure-hearted Dang Cheolgi unpleasant.

Besides, was there not someone else by his side with a similar personality?

Dang Cheolgi and the Violent Dragon Twin Swords had similar traits, which actually made them feel familiar.

“These two are Master Gunwi and Miss Gunyeom of Mugunmun. They saved me when I was being pursued by the Heavenly Demon Sect.”

Yong Hwarin exchanged greetings with the Gunwi siblings.

“Thank you. Saving Miss Min Mae was no different from saving my own life.”

“I simply did what was right.”

Gunwi replied with calm courtesy.

“We are headed to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union. What will you do?”

“We must return to our home.”

While parting ways with them, Yong Hwarin suddenly turned his head at Dang Cheolgi’s shout.

“Who dares block our path?!”

Dang Cheolgi cried out confidently.

As a few sword-armed figures suddenly appeared to block the road, the departing Dang Cheolgi saw it as a chance to display heroic spirit and shouted.

“Are you scum from the Blood Demon Castle?!”

Three figures had appeared.

A young man, a middle-aged man, and an elder.

Yet the young man had a peculiar appearance.

He carried a sword and a blade in a cross on his back, and held a black short spear in his hand.

One of the hostages recognized him and shouted.

“Good heavens! That’s Soh Yonghwa, the Unrivaled of Three Absolutes!”

At that cry, the hostages all rushed back to where Yong Hwarin stood.

“Our Sect Leader is trapped in life-and-death crisis due to qi deviation because of you, bastard!”

Another hostage shouted at Soh Yonghwa.

He was the top disciple of Sangnyangmun, one of the five most prominent martial houses in Shanxi.

Uniquely, Sangnyangmun’s martial path was called Blade Sect, the same name as their school—Domun.

Its Sect Leader, Yeom Seok, was one of Murim’s notable figures.

With the Sangnyang Blade Art alone, he earned the alias ‘Heavenly Flame Blade’.

Shanxi was a desolate desert of Murim.

It was not a place with any notable sects or prestigious martial clans.

In Murim, it was a region of weak presence.

It was in such a place that Sangnyangmun competed for dominance, and its leader Yeom Seok was a remarkable master.

That such a man had suffered qi deviation and defeat at the hands of Soh Yonghwa, the Unrivaled of Three Absolutes, was shocking.

Now that he had suddenly appeared, the hostages couldn’t help but feel intimidated.

“Soh Yonghwa, the Unrivaled of Three Absolutes! Stand aside! Are you blocking our way for some ulterior motive?”

Dang Cheolgi, full of confidence, raised his voice even in the face of Soh Yonghwa.

As the middle-aged man behind Soh Yonghwa stepped forward, Soh Yonghwa shook his head.

The man respectfully bowed and stepped back.

“Are you Poison-Hearted Dragon?”

Soh Yonghwa had heard about Dang Cheolgi via telepathy from the middle-aged man.

“Yes, I am Dang Cheolgi.”

Soh Yonghwa stared at him with curious eyes.

“You’re the one who defeated Great Elder Lightning-Faced Madman and Protector Zhao Qiansheng?”

No matter how shameless Dang Cheolgi was, he couldn’t lie about that.

“That is not so.”

“Hmph!”

Soh Yonghwa had assumed Dang Cheolgi had defeated the elites of Blood Demon Castle since he was leading the hostages.

“Then who handled them?”

Dang Cheolgi was about to shout something but fell silent. When he first saw Soh Yonghwa, he hadn’t noticed—but now, the aura he exuded was suppressing Dang Cheolgi’s entire body.

Dang Cheolgi’s spirit was overwhelmed by Soh Yonghwa’s presence, and he felt it keenly.

If he wasn’t careful, he would suffer great humiliation.

To resist the pressure, he’d have to either kneel or retreat.

Just then, someone stepped in front of Dang Cheolgi, dispersing that pressure.

“For what reason has the Unrivaled of Three Absolutes come here?”

Soh Yonghwa turned his attention to the figure who neutralized his presence. There was no aura to be felt, yet his own was dispelled.

That meant this person had reached a realm of pure perfection.

‘Huh… was there someone our age like this?’

The middle-aged man whispered to Soh Yonghwa.

—That is the one whom Lady Sogokju so longed to meet.

—The Heavenly Sword Hero, Yong Hwarin?

—Yes, Lady Sogokju.

Soh Yonghwa looked at Yong Hwarin and grinned widely.

He was more impressive than Soh Yonghwa had imagined.

If the famed Heavenly Sword Hero Yong Hwarin hadn’t lived up to his reputation, it would have been disappointing.

But this exceeded all expectations.

“You are Yong Hwarin, the Heavenly Sword Hero?”

“I am.”

“Hahaha, I am Soh Yonghwa.”

Yong Hwarin knew of Soh Yonghwa as well.

He was a rising star whose name was now as frequently mentioned as his own in Murim.

While Yong Hwarin had become known through many real battles, Soh Yonghwa had gained fame through the Hundred Duels.

Defeating only acknowledged masters, Soh Yonghwa’s martial prowess sparked endless curiosity.

He had won over seventy public duels so far, and the world regarded his level of martial power as immeasurable.

“You are also a target of my Hundred Duels.”

As those words came from Soh Yonghwa’s mouth, the noisy crowd fell into silence.

“Are we about to witness a duel between the Unrivaled of Three Absolutes and the Heavenly Sword Hero?”

That murmur broke the silence, and the onlookers began nodding, forgetting even their own hostage status.

“Maybe we became hostages just to witness this duel. If I get to watch their duel, I won’t even resent being a hostage.”

No one argued against that sentiment.

If they truly could witness the two duel, all their hardships would become mere memories.

“It’s an honor.”

Yong Hwarin replied calmly, and Soh Yonghwa gazed at him quietly. Even after such a provocative statement, Yong Hwarin didn’t flinch, and Soh Yonghwa felt the depth of his self-discipline.

‘So he’s not just average.’

Soh Yonghwa’s interest in Yong Hwarin deepened.

Yong Hwarin casually asked,

“Then what number am I on the list?”

Soh Yonghwa smiled at the question.

It was an indirect way of saying he wouldn’t avoid the duel—proof he did not fear Soh Yonghwa.

Such refined speech was rare indeed.

“You are the final match of my Hundred Duels.”

Yong Hwarin asked again.

“If I’m the final match, that means after ninety more duels. Who else is on the list before me?”

He could even use diversionary dialogue like this.

‘They weren’t lying when they said he was a slippery one.’

However, Soh Yonghwa had no reason to avoid answering.

His ever-arrogant pride never backed away from anything.

“The ones who will close the final duel are Jeonghang of Shaolin, Unmang of Mount Wudang Sect, Cheongmong of Mount Hua Sect, Myeongok of Mount Emei Sect, the Eldest Son of Cheonma Gate, and you.”

As Soh Yonghwa smoothly listed the names of his duel targets, Yong Hwarin was struck by a sudden doubt.

‘The Eldest Son of Cheonma Gate? Wasn’t it supposed to be Yang Gwak?’

Then Yong Hwarin realized that Eumsajeok had referred to Yang Gwak as the First Young Lord, but never as the Eldest Son.

‘He did call him eldest brother, but when speaking officially, he only used the term First Young Lord. That means there is another designated Eldest Son.’

Just realizing that through Soh Yonghwa’s conversation was already a great gain.

“It’s an honor. To be named alongside them.”

“No, now that I’ve seen you, you more than deserve it.”

The hostages had expectant looks, clearly hoping the two would duel.

Because if the two most powerful of the next generation in the Murim clashed, they believed they could gain enlightenment from witnessing the duel.

Dang Cheolgi felt left out between the two.

There was no place for him in the lineup Soh Yonghwa reserved for the final duel.

Feeling hurt in his pride, Dang Cheolgi ended up saying something he shouldn’t have.

“That duel of yours might meet its end right here.”

At those words, Soh Yonghwa locked eyes with Dang Cheolgi.

“Are you saying you wish to duel me?”

Out of insecurity, Dang Cheolgi replied,

“Are you saying I’m not qualified?”

Soh Yonghwa smiled.

In some ways, Soh Yonghwa gave off a similar impression to Yong Hwarin. As the Young Lord of Am Myeonggok, one might expect a strong aura of the Demonic Path, but instead, like Yong Hwarin, he exuded the air of a scholar.

The true demonic energy came from the middle-aged man and the elder behind him.

That was what reminded others that Soh Yonghwa indeed belonged to the Demonic Path.

“Of course you are qualified. As the Young Lord of the Dang Clan, you are more than qualified to be part of my Hundred Duels.”

When Dang Cheolgi looked ready to step forward for a duel right away, Yong Hwarin quickly intervened.

‘Dang Cheolgi still can’t handle him. That man has already reached the Upper World Realm. To sublimate demonic energy into something as natural as nature’s own… that’s a clear sign. No matter how well Dang Cheolgi has learned the Poison Blade Art, it’s impossible. Unless he had fully mastered it to its ultimate level.’

Yong Hwarin, fully aware of the level of the Upper World Realm, stopped Dang Cheolgi from going through with the duel.

Dang Cheolgi was the type who only performed better with praise, but if he lost this duel, he might see it as the end of his martial life altogether.

He knew well that someone like Dang Cheolgi, when praised, could pull out even hidden talents, but when blocked by a wall, he would fall into despair.

“Lord Dang, it seems unwise to duel under the current circumstances. Shouldn’t you be leading the people here? Now is the time to act responsibly.”

“But isn’t it also the duty of a martial artist to let the world know there are many eccentric masters in the Murim?”

When Dang Cheolgi still insisted on dueling, Yong Hwarin hastily sent him a voice transmission.

–Lord Dang, what becomes of a hero who is easily provoked? Now is the time to show the demeanor of a hero with broad tolerance. That’s how people will think of you as an even greater hero.

Few in the Murim would fall for such words.

But Dang Cheolgi loved sweet words more than anyone.

After thinking briefly, he nodded.

–Brother Yong, you are right. I was too hasty.

Yong Hwarin smiled inwardly.

For the proud Dang Cheolgi to call him Brother Yong was quite a significant development.

Dang Cheolgi regained his composure and saluted Soh Yonghwa.

“It seems we’ll have to postpone our duel. I have too much to take care of to focus on a duel right now.”

Soh Yonghwa replied blandly.

“What a shame.”

He said it as if he didn’t care whether the duel happened or not.

Dang Cheolgi’s eyebrows twitched slightly again, but he showed restraint.

The hostages had hoped at least Dang Cheolgi would duel with Soh Yonghwa if not Yong Hwarin, so they looked disappointed when that, too, was canceled.

Once the atmosphere calmed, Yong Hwarin spoke.

“What brings you here?”

Soh Yonghwa answered, keeping his gaze fixed on Yong Hwarin.

“I came on an errand.”

“May I ask what kind of errand?”

“I came to find someone.”

Soh Yonghwa scanned over the hostages.

Then, one man quietly stepped out from among them.

“Young Lord Soh.”

Yong Hwarin cast a curious look at him.

‘Isn’t that the Sect Leader of Northern Ocean Sect who deliberately collapsed during the march to delay time? So then, was he stalling on purpose to meet Soh Yonghwa?’

Yong Hwarin still had lingering doubts about the Northern Ocean Sect Leader’s actions.

‘Why?’

Then suddenly, a realization struck him.

‘He was said to be connected to the Imperial family. Then? Could it be that the Muhwa Corps is pursuing Soh Yonghwa because of this man? The letter claimed that the Corps Leader of the Muhwa Corps lost a duel and came for revenge with her people, but that now feels like an excuse.’

Some doubts were resolved, but the central mystery remained unseen.

‘Why is the Muhwa Corps chasing Soh Yonghwa, and why is Soh Yonghwa searching for the Sect Leader of the Northern Ocean Sect?’

Soh Yonghwa asked Yang Hoan of the Northern Ocean Sect.

“How did you end up a hostage?”

They seemed to be on familiar terms, casually speaking even in front of others. From that, it was clear they didn’t care if others heard.

“I was on my way to meet you, Young Lord Soh, but mistook this for the Shaolin Temple Gathering. The Blood Chaos group took me hostage.”

“You should’ve mentioned me—they would’ve let you go.”

The Sect Leader of Northern Ocean Sect lowered his head.

“I told Elder Joo of Lightning-Faced Madman, but he didn’t believe me. He even beat me, thinking I was lying.”

Soh Yonghwa replied coldly.

“Hmph, no wonder you ended up like this—you’ve no wit. If you had any brains, you wouldn’t have been caught like that.”

Soh Yonghwa turned to Yong Hwarin.

“This man is one of mine. I’ll be taking him.”

Now that Yong Hwarin knew Yang Hoan was with Soh Yonghwa, he couldn’t refuse.

It was frustrating not to know why the Muhwa Corps was pursuing Soh Yonghwa. But he couldn’t just ask outright either, so it left him feeling bottled up.

He had no grounds to keep him.

“Will you go with Lord Soh, Sect Leader Yang?”

He asked Yang Hoan anyway.

“Yes, I was originally on my way to meet Young Lord Soh. Northern Ocean Sect members, come forward.”

The people of the Northern Ocean Sect came out from among the hostages.

Yong Hwarin quickly sent a voice transmission to Dang Cheolgi.

Hearing the message, Dang Cheolgi brushed past the Northern Ocean Sect members, bumping into one of them. Then, glancing at Yong Hwarin, he gave a subtle signal.

“Understood. Then I will let you go.”

Soh Yonghwa turned away.

“Let’s be on our way.”

The middle-aged man who came with Soh Yonghwa and the Sect Leader of Northern Ocean Sect turned with him, but the elder remained in place.

“Young Lord Soh, this man must speak with the Yong Clan.”

From the way he spoke so casually to Soh Yonghwa, the Young Lord of Am Myeonggok, it was clear the elder’s status was not ordinary.

“Elder Jeon, now is not the time.”

At those words, the elder replied brusquely.

“In this old man’s view, now is exactly the time. And wasn’t my departure from the mountain not to guard the Young Lord, but to meet with the Yong Clan? That was something even the Lord permitted.”

The elder carried a massive saber slung over his shoulder. His face showed signs of age, but his body was vigorous and robust like that of a seasoned warrior.

From this, it was clear his martial prowess had surpassed normal bounds.

To have transcended human limits meant his martial arts and cultivation had reached the Extreme State.

Soh Yonghwa let out a small sigh and reluctantly nodded.

“Do as you will, Elder Jeon.”

With those words, he stepped back a few paces.

The elder stared directly at Yong Hwarin.

“Do you know who this old man is?”

From the beginning, Yong Hwarin had felt the elder’s gaze, more intense and hostile than Soh Yonghwa’s. He had found it curious.

It was a face he had never seen before.

“As a mere late-stage student of the Murim, my experience is shallow and I failed to recognize my senior. May I ask your honorable name and title?”

Even in the face of hostility, Yong Hwarin asked respectfully. He tended to follow Yong Biyang’s teaching that one is not an enemy until battle begins.

“You may curse and show your intent to kill when fighting, but until then, uphold courtesy. That is the basic stance of a chivalrous warrior.”

It was what Yong Biyang always said.

“In the Murim, they call this old man the Blood Blade Iron Hawk.”

At that, Dang Cheolgi spoke in a grave tone.

“Blood Blade Iron Hawk Jeon Jung!”

Yong Hwarin realized he had a connection with this man.

“You must be Elder Jeon Jung, the founder of Iron Hawk Sect.”

“I know you killed my son and severed my disciple’s wrist.”

“Are you here for revenge?”

Jeon Jung grinned.

“Yes, revenge. My son and disciple were done in like that—how could I just stand by? That’s not the way of a martial artist, is it?”

“I didn’t kill him because I wanted to, nor did I sever the wrist because I desired it. The Sect Leader tried to kill me, and I only fought to survive. Your beloved disciple came for my wrist, and I merely avoided it. The unfortunate result came from that. How can that be entirely my fault?”

As Yong Hwarin calmly but clearly spoke, Jeon Jung’s smile deepened.

“People say your tongue is the finest in the land—it seems the rumors weren’t false.”

“You honor me with your words.”

“But I intend to settle the karma born from that result. Right here.”

Srrrng.

Jeon Jung drew his great saber.

Since the Murim elder had drawn his weapon first, there was no avoiding the duel now.

The hostages, disappointed that Yong Hwarin wouldn’t duel with Soh Yonghwa, became excited at the sudden twist—Jeon Jung attempting a revenge match.

They whispered in barely concealed excitement.

“Blood Blade Iron Hawk is one of the Six Demonic Lords. Can Young Lord Yong handle him? He might even be stronger than that Soh Yonghwa.”

“Come now, weren’t the ones the Heavenly Sword Courier defeated all top-level masters? That Three Grand Elder from Cheonma Gate was said to be on par with the Demon King himself.”

“Then this duel may be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness.”

“It might be more thrilling than the duel between Three Absolute Invincible and the Heavenly Sword Courier. Looks like a blood feud, so one of them has to die. Imagine how fierce it’ll be.”

The hostages even stepped back and cleared a space to observe.

They spread out in a wide circle.

Dang Cheolgi sneered in disbelief at their behavior.

“Murim people really will gather to watch a fight even if someone might die.”

Still, he couldn’t help feeling excited as well.

The most worried face among them was Jeong Minji.

She restlessly tapped her feet, knowing that interfering in a match born of grudge might tarnish Yong Hwarin’s reputation.

She believed in his skill, but the name of Blood Blade Iron Hawk was no small thing.

With one great saber, he had roamed the Murim unchallenged until he founded his own sect and retired.

He was known as one of the Six Demonic Lords, perhaps even more powerful.

Could Yong Hwarin have sensed her thoughts?

He turned his head toward Jeong Minji and gave her a smile.

Seeing that smile, Jeong Minji reassured herself.

‘I believe in you, my dear.’

She smiled, not wanting her anxiety to affect Yong Hwarin.

It was mysterious.

She had long harbored feelings for Yong Hwarin, but when he wasn’t her man, even when he crossed many life-and-death moments, she had never felt anxious.

She had fought by his side then.

But now, even the smallest things unsettled her.

‘Is it because my faith in him is weak?’

Jeong Minji shook her head.

‘No, it’s not that my belief is weak. It’s because I’m thinking only of myself. If something happens to Yong Hwarin, I’ll be left alone. Right now, I’m seeing him with a woman’s heart. If I viewed him as a martial artist, I wouldn’t be anxious. I know better than anyone how strong he is.’

Jeong Minji realized she had to look at Yong Hwarin not as a woman, but as a martial artist.

And from that slight shift in perspective, she gained a profound realization.

‘Ah, so this is what it means when they say all obstacles are created by oneself, not by others.’

She had long wondered why her mother had prohibited her from practicing the Vermilion Grand Flame Art.

‘Mother believed that Father fell into qi deviation because of the incomplete Vermilion Grand Flame Art. That’s why she forbade us from practicing it until it was perfected. Because she lost him so tragically. But did Father really fall into deviation because the art was incomplete?’

Jeong Minji thought not.

It was because the martial art was flawed and the cultivation was improperly practiced.

“My word… is she meditating in a time like this?”

Hwangbo Mak stared at Jeong Minji in disbelief.

The energy surrounding the meditating person felt altogether different.

It felt like a vortex was swirling around her body.

“We should at least guard Lady Jeong. Everyone, stay sharp.”

Hwangbo Jooyang kept her gaze fixed on Yong Hwarin, indifferent to Jeong Minji’s meditation. Meanwhile, Gunwi and Gunyeom spread out to either side, taking up guardian positions.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep