Chapter 349: Encounter and Realization (1)

“Small Sect Leader, running away really doesn’t suit me.”

Seeing Mo Biyoung shout as she attacked, Yong Hwarin shook his head.

Man Inhwa still shouted in a voice full of rage.

“Soyu! Kill him! Tear him to pieces!”

Then she blew a long whistle.

But when there was no response even after a moment, she roared.

“What are those bastards doing, not coming?!”

When Hoi Soyu attacked, Yong Hwarin entered Sword Unification.

“Let’s see just how sturdy you are.”

“Hohoho, the last guy who said that ended up like him!”

Man Inhwa pointed at Jo Heon as she spoke.

Yong Hwarin only smirked without replying.

Seeing that unpleasant smile, a sudden unease rose in Man Inhwa.

‘Ah, if the Glass Divine Maiden were complete, I wouldn’t have to fear this Yong bastard.’

Hoi Soyu detonated the Command Powder.

Knowing what it was for, Yong Hwarin held his breath.

“The Command Powder will not dissipate for half a shichen and will linger in the air. Even an immortal cannot hold their breath for that long. Unless you are an immortal, you will have no choice but to inhale it.”

“Why should I fight Hoi Soyu? Killing you is all I need to do.”

That made Man Inhwa jolt in shock.

“Soyu, protect me!”

But in that instant, Yong Hwarin closed in on her like a lightning bolt.

Man Inhwa threw a palm strike with her right hand, packed with internal energy.

Yong Hwarin dodged the strike and seized her wrist.

That left her unintentionally falling into his embrace.

Man Inhwa swung her left hand into his chest.

At the same time, Yong Hwarin raised his right hand, intent on crushing her head.

Thud!

Man Inhwa lifted her left hand to block his right.

Crack!

Under Yong Hwarin’s Palm Force, her left forearm snapped like a rotting branch.

“Aagh!”

At that moment, Hoi Soyu had already closed in behind him, her hand reaching out with Palm Force.

If he didn’t respond, his spine might be snapped like Jo Heon’s.

Using the Returning Dragon Circling Heaven technique, Yong Hwarin twisted his body and blocked Hoi Soyu’s attack.

Pow!

Both he and Hoi Soyu were blasted three zhang back at the same time.

‘The Glass Divine Art of Ihwa Palace is truly formidable. How could they make someone this strong in such a short time? Even if I fought Hoi Soyu for over a hundred seconds, the match wouldn’t be decided.’

That was the impression he had after clashing with her.

-Small Sect Leader, I think the warriors of Ihwa Palace are coming.

Mo Biyoung sent a sound transmission as she saw warriors rushing up from below the cemetery.

Man Inhwa had stationed warriors below just in case of an emergency.

It was to prepare for a possible attack by Heavenly Demon Sect warriors, and she had just signaled them with her whistle earlier.

But now that they were only arriving, she was furious.

“What were you doing to only come now?! Attack him, quickly!”

The leader of the Ihwa White Sword Unit bowed and said,

“My apologies, Young Palace Master. There were people attacking us below the cemetery, which delayed us.”

“Who were they?”

“They were from the Wudang Sect and the Jaegal Clan. I’m sorry, but we must leave here quickly. Over thirty of our unit’s warriors have been killed.”

Of the fifty-some warriors, only about fifteen remained.

At times like this, Man Inhwa did not let stubbornness blind her.

After several brushes with death at Yong Hwarin’s hands, her judgment of the situation had become swift.

“Retreat now!”

Once the order was given, the Ihwa White Sword Unit began to withdraw without hesitation.

As Yong Hwarin blankly watched Man Inhwa and the unit retreat, Mo Biyoung spoke.

“Small Sect Leader, we need to take the Azure Dragon Three Marbles. What are we doing just standing here?”

When she said that, Yong Hwarin smirked and held out his hand.

“When?”

The Azure Dragon Three Marbles sparkled in his palm.

“Ah! You took them when you held Man Inhwa earlier.”

“That’s right.”

“Then she doesn’t even know you’ve stolen them yet.”

“Judging by the lack of screaming, she probably doesn’t.”

No sooner had Yong Hwarin said that than a scream rang out across the cemetery.

“Uwaaaaaah! Yong Hwarin! I’ll tear you apart! How dare you steal my Azure Dragon Three Marbles! Uwaaaaaah! You damn bastard!”

It was such a cry of grief and fury that it sent chills down the spine.

Mo Biyoung, meanwhile, simply stared in awe at the Small Sect Leader who had secured the marbles.

“Why? Do you admire me?”

“Yes. Truly.”

“Hahaha. Never let that feeling change.”

Jo Heon let out a groan.

“Mm!”

I quickly stepped forward, took Jo Heon’s wrist, and sent the true qi of the Realm of Self-Existence into him.

“His spine is completely destroyed, so recovery will be difficult, but the internal injuries can be treated.”

He wouldn’t die, but the spinal injury was severe enough that he would have to give up the life of a martial artist.

Mo Biyoung and I stood at the unusual energy wafting up from beneath the cemetery.

There could still be remnants of Ihwa Palace left.

But when I saw the faces of those approaching, I broke into a broad smile.

“Well now? Who might this be?”

The man approaching with a smile was someone I had been eager to see.

Before I could finish speaking, the man rushed in and hugged me tightly.

“It’s been a long time.”

The man was bigger than me, and with me in his arms, I couldn’t be seen at all.

“Giyok, have you still not finished growing? It seems you’ve gotten even bigger since I last saw you.”

At my words, Pang Giyok released me from his arms and replied.

“Hahaha, where would the blood of the Pang Clan go?”

“You’ve become a fine man.”

“Compared to you?”

“That’s true.”

When I nodded, Pang Giyok slapped me hard on the back.

“You’ve gotten bolder since we last met.”

When Pang Giyok stepped aside, the people hidden behind his large frame came into view.

“Yeong Mae!”

Jegal Cheongyeong stood with a gentle smile.

“Hwarin Orabeoni, it’s been a while.”

Seeing Jegal Yeongcheon and Jegal Yohye standing next to Jegal Cheongyeong, I clasped my hands in greeting.

“It’s been a long time for both of you as well.”

Jegal Yeongcheon gazed at me quietly for a moment before returning the greeting with folded hands.

“I’ve heard much of your great reputation, Young Master Yong.”

Jegal Yohye felt annoyed that Jegal Cheongyeong was addressed as “Yeong Mae” while she was lumped together as one of “both of you.”

Still, thinking of the various entanglements between us, she found it a bit much to be so casually brushed over.

But she didn’t show it and quietly observed me.

Seeing the woman smiling faintly beside Pang Giyok, I smiled as well.

“Miss Pang, you’ve grown stronger since we last met.”

I knew that a woman like Pang Cheollyeon preferred being called strong rather than beautiful.

“You, Young Master Yong, have now reached a level beyond what I can measure.”

“You flatter me.”

Then I noticed someone behind them radiating an immense presence.

“Giyok, introduce these Taoist gentlemen to me.”

“Oh, look at my manners. I was so glad to see you that I committed a great discourtesy.”

Pang Giyok introduced the two Taoists behind him.

“Hwarin, this is Elder Unmang of the Wudang Sect.”

Looking at Unmang, Wudang’s most celebrated genius, I silently admired him.

‘As expected of Wudang’s genius. His energy is well contained, never leaking carelessly, yet he still maintains the dignity of a Taoist.’

His plain appearance was elevated by a noble bearing that defied mundane judgment.

I could see the extraordinary hidden within the ordinary.

“It is an honor to meet you.”

When I greeted him humbly, Unmang clasped his right hand with his left, concealing the right thumb, and shook it a few times.

“It is a great honor to meet the famed Heavenly Central Sword Hero, known throughout the world.”

I was pleased to see the orthodox Taoist greeting again after so long.

The left hand represented yang (陽) and the right hand yin (陰), symbolizing yin and yang joining to form the taiji — a traditional Taoist courtesy.

No one could deny that the Taoist robe suited him perfectly.

After gazing at Unmang briefly, I turned my eyes back to Pang Giyok.

“But how did you come to be here?”

“I had left my home and was traveling with Elder Unmang to Shaolin Temple. The Jegal Clan happened to join us, and since we were on the way, we planned to stop by the Sky Ocean Merchant Union to meet you. But along the way, at Myoseon Mountain, we encountered the Ihwa White Sword Unit we once fought. So, we chased them all the way here.”

If Pang Giyok’s words were true, they had arrived here purely by coincidence.

This time, he asked me a question.

“But how did you end up fighting the Ihwa Fairy here?”

I felt no need to explain the Four Great Divine Items to him.

“That injured man over there is an acquaintance of mine, and he was in danger after being attacked by Man Inhwa, so I stepped in to help.”

“You’re still as meddlesome as ever.”

“Since you’ve come for me, let’s head to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union. That man needs urgent treatment.”

“Understood.”

Just then, Pang Giyok’s gaze turned toward Mo Biyoung.

“Before that, shouldn’t you introduce this lady?”

At that, Mo Biyoung stepped forward and bowed her head.

“I am Mo Biyoung of the Heavenly Central Sect.”

Hearing this, Jegal Yeongcheon let out a gasp.

Since he had been feeling left out, he tried to make his presence known by showing he knew her.

“Ah, now I see — you must be the famed Yongjung Ilhwa. It’s an honor to meet you.”

It was a little exaggerated, but there was nothing frivolous about it.

‘It seems the Young Master of the Jegal Clan has also had no small amount of cultivation in the meantime.’

The energy flowing from Jegal Yeongcheon’s body was more refined than before.

As we were about to part after an amicable greeting, a cold voice came from behind.

“Am I invisible to you?”

Jegal Yohye, who had been left out of the greetings the entire time, spoke curtly.

“Ah, have I not greeted you? What a discourtesy. How could I possibly pretend not to see you, Miss Yohye? Our connection has continued since Mount Wudang.”

When I said this loudly, Jegal Yohye’s expression finally eased a little.

“Since there’s an injured man, we should get moving quickly.”

We couldn’t just stand here exchanging pleasantries, so I slung Jo Heon over my shoulder and dashed off using movement arts.

Seeing me run without the slightest falter while carrying a full-grown man on my shoulder, Unmang admired me inwardly.

‘Lately, his reputation in the murim has been soaring to the heavens — now I see why.’

A true master could gauge another’s level from just one action.

While running, Pang Giyok came alongside me and spoke.

“Hwarin, have you heard that the Three Swords Beyond the Heavens are going to have a sparring match?”

Unmang was startled when Pang Giyok started speaking while running with movement arts.

Frankly, Unmang hadn’t thought Pang Giyok was at that level.

‘Huh… While this Daoist was growing, I didn’t realize others were growing as well.’

I replied to Pang Giyok’s words.

“I heard. They say it will be at Jungeuk Peak on Mount Taesil. I heard there are rumors a great formation has been set up.”

“That’s right. But do you know when the match will be?”

Pang Giyok asked as if he already knew the answer.

“You know when it is?”

“Yes. That’s why I was going with Elder Unmang and the Jegal Clan. On the way, I thought we’d join you and head there together.”

“When is it?”

“I heard they notified the abbot of Shaolin Temple that it will be three days from now at the hour of Chen (辰時).”

“They’re holding the match quite early in the day.”

“If I’m not mistaken, many masters who were heading to Shaolin will gather there. From what my father told me, it seems the abbot of Shaolin was asked to have the Three Swords Beyond the Heavens match at Mount Song. I think it’s an attempt to publicize the Shaolin gathering further in the murim and to show its grandeur to the demonic path.”

“As I thought. When I heard it would be at Mount Taesil, I had the same thought.”

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