Chapter 331: Red-Haired Demon Empress Lee Myeongja (1)

Jeong Minji’s eyes lit up as she listened attentively to Yong Hwarin’s words.

“Ah, I understand what you mean. The White Tiger Demon-Subduing Sword, Vermilion Bird Wing Dagger, and Black Tortoise Tail Sword all came from Banryong’s body, so even if they’re lightened by the Azure Dragon Three Marbles, they still have weight. But the Azure Dragon Three Marbles are Banryong’s spiritual energy, so they have no weight at all. If you could turn that into enhanced qi and unleash Sword Control with Qi, who could possibly block it? Not even a god could stop it.”

“The problem is figuring out how to turn the Azure Dragon Three Marbles into enhanced qi. Even the Royal Consort Record doesn’t mention the method.”

“Perhaps that’s something you’d only know once Sword Control with Qi becomes possible? That’s probably why the Royal Consort Record discusses the origin of the Four Great Divine Items and the method for Sword Control with Qi.”

“That could be the case.”

Although Yong Hwarin had learned the origins of the Four Great Divine Items, he was regretful that he couldn’t discover the method to use the Azure Dragon Three Marbles.

“Min Mae, I contacted my family to have them bring the Vermilion Bird Blood Chalice from the main house. If we have that, you’ll be able to complete the Vermilion Bird Great Flame Heaven Bow.”

“Really?”

Jeong Minji suddenly wrapped her arms around Yong Hwarin’s neck and kissed him.

“Thank you, Gaga.”

Jeong Minji wasn’t originally such an assertive woman. But this recent kidnapping incident had brought about a big change in her personality.

Her passive nature had turned proactive.

Yong Hwarin took that as a good thing.

The two became so engrossed in their discussion about the Four Great Divine Items that they lost track of time.

This was because the questions they had long held about the Four Great Divine Items and the Four Great Martial Arts were finally starting to take shape.

“And I think I know why Young Master Geum’s Black Tortoise Great Yin Art attainment was so poor.”

Yong Hwarin nodded.

“The Black Tortoise Great Yin Art is a cultivation that’s based on water or cold qi. A man brimming with yang energy trying to learn it could only progress slowly. If Young Master Geum had at least learned the Cold Ice Art, it would have been different.”

At the mention of Young Master Geum, Jeong Minji’s face darkened.

Sensing her feelings, Yong Hwarin said:

“We’ll find him soon, so don’t worry too much.”

“For some reason, I feel guilty. I’m worried that he might still be pursued by the Heavenly Demon Sect.”

“I’ll help him, so don’t let your heart ache too much.”

As Jeong Minji’s heart ached, Yong Hwarin gently embraced her.

Contrary to Jeong Minji’s worries, Geum Yujin had already shaken off the Heavenly Demon Sect’s pursuit and had arrived in Jeongju.

Moreover, he was staying near the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

However, Geum Yujin couldn’t bring himself to enter the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

Even though he knew his father’s remains were there, shame over having fled while leaving his father behind made it impossible for him to face the people of Jeong Family Manor.

While wandering around near the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, Geum Yujin saw Ha Cheolryeong and his group come out and followed them quietly.

Seeing people greet Ha Cheolryeong warmly after he left the Sky Ocean Merchant Union, Geum Yujin quickly realized that Ha Cheolryeong was someone connected to Yong Hwarin.

“Oh my, Young Master Ha, is your master well?”

“Yes, he is safe and sound.”

“I haven’t seen him around lately. Has he gone out somewhere?”

“No, he hasn’t.”

Once Ha Cheolryeong disappeared from sight, the people began to chatter.

“In the future, that young man might become an even greater figure than his master, the Heavenly Sword Hero Yong Hwarin.”

“That’s right. He has a sharp gaze, and even to an ignorant person like me, he looks incredibly talented.”

“Bah! How would you even know if someone’s talented?”

“Hahaha, it’s simple. The fact that the Heavenly Sword Hero Yong Hwarin took on a disciple despite his young age means that the boy’s talent must be extraordinary.”

“Oh, when you put it like that, it makes sense.”

Since everyone along Ha Cheolryeong’s path talked about him, Geum Yujin didn’t even need to investigate to learn about him.

At first, hearing this left a bad taste in his mouth.

‘Taking a disciple at that age… his arrogance pierces the heavens.’

Usually, one would only pass on their martial arts to a disciple when they had already achieved mastery and were past the point of further growth.

That age was usually around forty at the earliest, or fifty at the latest.

Yet Yong Hwarin, only about twenty-five, already had a disciple. To Geum Yujin, it seemed like a way of flaunting his own martial prowess.

The sense that Yong Hwarin was in the heavens while he himself was at the bottom made Geum Yujin think even more negatively.

The reason he was tailing Ha Cheolryeong’s group was simple.

He wanted to hear news about the Jeong Family Manor and Geum Family Manor indirectly through them.

So whenever Ha Cheolryeong’s group stopped at an inn or a general store, he would get close and eavesdrop on their conversation.

However, they never once mentioned the Geum Family Manor or the Jeong Family Manor.

“Sigh, just look at me now.”

Geum Yujin let out a long sigh.

He thought about approaching them under the pretense of a chance encounter, but couldn’t think of a good way.

If he appeared saying, “I am Geum Yujin,” people would only mock him.

Just imagining it made him shrink back.

They would surely call him an unfilial son who abandoned his father and fled.

To wash away that disgrace, he needed some kind of favorable meeting, but no good idea came to mind, and it was driving him mad.

Geum Yujin desperately wanted to meet the Jeong Family Manor again.

The only person he felt he could lean on was Jo Gyeongmae of the Jeong Family Manor. His late father had been especially close to her, and he believed that if he asked for her help, she would not refuse.

And after his father’s death, Geum Yujin felt an even more desperate longing for Jeong Minji.

He felt the need to marry Jeong Minji and solidify the ties between the Geum Family Manor and the Jeong Family Manor.

One way or another, Geum Yujin had to enter the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.

It was then that Geum Yujin realized that someone else besides him was also tailing Ha Cheolryeong’s group.

“An old woman?”

At first, he thought the old woman’s path merely overlapped with Ha Cheolryeong’s group, but upon closer inspection, he realized that wasn’t the case.

Keeping a steady distance and observing the group—it was clear she was spying on them.

Seeing this, Geum Yujin had another thought.

‘If I catch that old woman, I can naturally create an opportunity to approach Ha Cheolryeong’s group.’

Instead of watching Ha Cheolryeong’s group, Geum Yujin began to tail the old woman.

Then, when the old woman saw Ha Cheolryeong’s group enter a general store that sold accessories, she slipped into the alley behind it.

Geum Yujin saw it as a chance to capture her and followed.

Tang Duhwa pulled Ha Cheolryeong into the accessory store.

Seeing this, the Red-Haired Demon Empress Lee Myeongja smirked.

“To think I’d run into the Yong family brat’s disciple. That Yong bastard should learn just how painful it is to have his limbs severed.”

At first, she had been ready to impulsively rush in and kill Ha Cheolryeong on the spot, but upon closer inspection, she noticed there were experts among those around him.

“There are three fairly strong ones.”

Recently, the Red-Haired Demon Empress Lee Myeongja had stopped by Wu Hak Bookstore to gather information on Yong Hwarin. Upon learning that he had a disciple, she had formed her plan.

And now, realizing someone was tailing her, she let out a faint chuckle.

“Is that one of the Yong bastard’s subordinates? I’ll deal with him first.”

She slipped into the alley behind the general store.

Sure enough, when the man followed, the Red-Haired Demon Empress Lee Myeongja’s lips curled into a sinister smile.

When the old woman turned into the alley, Geum Yujin quickly followed.

‘She noticed me. I’d better hurry before I lose her.’

Entering the alley, Geum Yujin flinched in surprise. Standing there, blocking the way, was the old woman.

And then he realized his mistake.

He hadn’t sensed it when following from a distance, but now, at less than five jang away, the old woman’s presence was anything but ordinary.

‘Damn it, she’s at a level I can’t even measure.’

The old woman spoke in an icily cold voice.

“Boy, if you answer my questions obediently, I’ll leave your corpse intact. I dislike troublesome things, so choose wisely.”

“I was just on my way home.”

“Heh, do you think such a lie will work on me?”

Geum Yujin swiftly drew his sword and attacked the Red-Haired Demon Empress Lee Myeongja.

“So, you’ve chosen a painful death.”

From the start, Geum Yujin unleashed the Black Tortoise Great Yin Art to escape from her. The Red-Haired Demon Empress found herself intrigued by the bizarre sword technique she had never seen before.

Even someone like her, who prided herself on knowing most sword arts of the jianghu, was slightly surprised.

“You wield quite an interesting sword art.”

As she advanced with an eerie footwork, Geum Yujin deployed the Black Profound Explosive Thunder.

Since he had waited for her to get close before activating it, its power was extraordinary.

Kuang!

In truth, Geum Yujin had a hidden aim in using the Black Profound Explosive Thunder.

He hoped that the sound of the explosion would draw Ha Cheolryeong’s group.

But the Red-Haired Demon Empress saw through his intent and shouted:

“Just die already!”

Her sword extended forward, stretching out like molten candy.

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