Chapter 54: Experts of the Blood Demon Castle (2)

“It’s a rabbit hunt.”

“Indeed. Since they couldn’t request aid from the Shangguan Clan, they must have forced them out in the opposite direction.”

Yong Hwarin turned to Jeomsoi and asked,

“But why did you come here?”

Jeomsoi bowed politely toward Yong Hwarin.

“I came because your companions told me to deliver a message to you, Young Master. But then this warrior was in critical condition, so I helped him here.”

The explanation was lacking in clarity, which frustrated Yong Hwarin.

It seemed Jeogal Yohye felt the same, as she added,

“It’s nothing complicated. When the warriors of the demonic faction and our clan fought at the Peaceful Inn, it appears that your companions were caught up in it. When the clan’s warriors were attacked by those demonic bastards, your escorts who had come to the clan recognized them and tried to assist.”

Yong Hwarin’s heart grew anxious.

“Then you’re saying my companions are fighting right now?”

“Judging by Jeomsoi’s words, it seems that way.”

Yong Hwarin went inside and told Nan Myeonggwak not to move and to stay put, then grabbed his sword and stepped outside.

“I think I must go to where my companions are.”

Just as he was about to set off, a group of people suddenly came rushing toward him.

“I’m coming with you.”

“Young Master Pang!”

Pang Giyok stood with the elite warriors of the Pang Clan.

“There’s no need for that.”

“This isn’t just for your sake, Young Master Yong. The Jeogal Clan isn’t a stranger to us. And don’t I have something to hear from you? If something happens to you before that, who would I even complain to? And with those demonic bastards running wild, how could I just sit here and watch? That would be a disgrace to the name of the Pang Clan. My father would probably break one of my legs.”

Yong Hwarin was quite moved.

‘This is what the martial world is about.’

Even though they’d only sparred briefly, he and Pang Giyok had confirmed a bond between men.

Affection wasn’t limited to between man and woman.

When men of passion felt a sense of kinship, it often became stronger than romantic affection.

They were even willing to risk their lives for one another because of that bond.

“I, Yong Hwarin, will carry the Pang Clan’s support deep in my heart.”

He clasped his hands in a martial salute. Pang Giyok responded with a soft smile.

“No, you’re mistaken. It’s not the Pang Clan—it’s my help, Pang Giyok’s.”

Not wanting to burden him, Pang Giyok limited it to just himself. Just then, Yong Hwarin noticed Pang Cheollyeon standing with a sword in hand.

“Young Lady Pang is joining the battle too?”

Thinking it best if women stayed out of such fights, he spoke out.

“In the Pang Clan, a woman who doesn’t fight when it’s time won’t even be considered a warrior. If I said I wouldn’t go, my brother would probably take my sword away.”

“It’s dangerous.”

Yong Hwarin didn’t believe demonic masters would show any mercy.

“The women of the Pang Clan take pride in becoming vengeful spirits if they die in battle.”

Truly, this could only be the Pang Clan.

No wonder they stood at the forefront of so many martial clans.

“I’ll consider it an honor to fight alongside the Pang Clan.”

When Yong Hwarin offered a respectful salute toward the Pang warriors, they responded with smiles.

“Let’s go quickly. My hands are itching to crush those demonic bastards.”

As one of the Pang warriors spoke, the group rushed out the gates.

Just then, Nan Myeonggwak ran up to Yong Hwarin.

“Young Master Yong, take this with you. Drink it when the time comes.”

Nan Myeonggwak handed over a porcelain bottle. Upon opening it, Yong Hwarin saw it was chicken blood boiled with a talisman.

“If you end up using your internal energy to summon spirits, there might come a time when you need this. If a spirit tries to take over your consciousness, drink this.”

From Nan Myeonggwak’s perspective, losing a valuable test subject like Yong Hwarin would be like losing a fortune.

Researching Yong Hwarin, who had unknowingly become affected by a profound technique, was extremely interesting for a sorcerer. That’s why he prepared so thoroughly.

But Yong Hwarin felt grateful for Nan Myeonggwak’s concern.

Jeogal Yohye, watching them, spoke in a somewhat somber tone to the warrior behind her.

“Tell all of the Jeogal Clan warriors stationed with the Shangguan Clan to follow them.”

“What about you, young lady?”

“I must stay here due to clan orders. No matter what, bring back Brother Byeok safely.”

Jeogal Yohye regretted deeply that she didn’t know martial arts and couldn’t fight alongside them.

Hearing the words exchanged between Yong Hwarin and Pang Giyok made her heart stir.

‘Is that what men’s bond is? The spirit of warriors? Righteousness?’

She felt oddly left out, and her mood sank.

“I should learn martial arts too. This feels a bit pathetic.”

She blamed herself for having looked down on martial arts all this time.

Pang Cheollyeon, confidently walking out with a sword, suddenly appeared strangely beautiful in her eyes.

Until now, she had thought of Pang Cheollyeon as nothing more than a strong, empty-headed woman with child-bearing hips.

But now, she realized that she herself had become a weak, intelligent woman without the courage to step forward in dangerous moments.

Nan Myeonggwak was about to return to his room after Yong Hwarin left, when he noticed Jeogal Yohye grimacing and muttering to herself like a crazy person. Thinking she might be possessed, he stared.

Jeogal Yohye snapped at him sharply.

“What are you looking at! Got something to say?”

She sounded like a feral cat in heat, and if he made the wrong move, it looked like she’d claw his face off.

Nan Myeonggwak shook his head and turned away.

Jeogal Yohye muttered to herself, realizing her composure was crumbling.

“Ugh, I really don’t like today.”

Between concerns for Jeogal Byeok’s life, worry over the elders, and the strange emotions she felt toward Pang Cheollyeon, she was experiencing an unidentifiable mix of feelings.

Yong Hwarin was too preoccupied with his companions to hear anything around him.

“Young Master Yong.”

It wasn’t until Pang Giyok called out loudly beside him that Yong Hwarin came back to himself and turned.

“Your companions will be safe. The Jeogal Clan’s elites are with them, so the danger shouldn’t be too great.”

Pang Giyok glanced behind him and continued.

“And the Shangguan Clan has also sent warriors. Since this incident happened within their territory, they couldn’t ignore it. Especially with a guest from the Jeogal Clan being harmed, they had no choice but to act. No matter how many demonic bastards there are, this should be enough.”

Looking back, Yong Hwarin saw Shangguan Joyoung leading warriors.

There were also unexpected faces.

Seomun Yuwon and Seomun Seoseol had arrived with the elite warriors of the Seomun Clan.

They joined in because it would be embarrassing if the Seomun Clan were the only ones left out.

This meant all three great sword clans had mobilized.

“But if the Jeogal Clan’s elites were overwhelmed, doesn’t that suggest these demonic bastards had something planned? Do we know who they are?”

They’d come in haste and hadn’t received proper information.

Pang Giyok replied calmly, though his tone was slightly tense.

“They’re believed to be warriors of the Three Demonic Heavens.”

If that was true, then they were from the Blood Demon Castle, the Sacred Heavens Sect, or the Dark Nether Valley—formidable opponents.

Yong Hwarin, previously unable to think beyond concern for his companions, suddenly had a realization as the events flashed through his mind.

‘Jeogal Yohye was attacked when she visited the Wudang Sect. Now Jeogal Byeok was attacked returning from Shaolin. Clearly, someone’s trying to sabotage the formation of the Alliance of Noble Clans. Why would the Three Demonic Heavens go so far to stop it?’

The question lingered in his mind.

Yong Hwarin began expanding his thoughts.

‘In the era I lived, the Alliance of Noble Clans was never formed. Only the informal blade-duel alliances among the Six Great Sword Clans existed. That means things never progressed beyond that. Which implies the sabotage worked. If the Alliance does get formed, would it shake the martial world?’

He couldn’t predict how something that hadn’t existed in the past would affect the future.

During his time as the leader of a merchant guild, the martial clans held more influence over the secular world than the Nine Great Sects.

The Nine Great Sects were mostly composed of Daoist priests and Buddhist monks, who pursued spiritual enlightenment and cared little for material gain.

On the other hand, the clans remained in the secular world and pursued profit, backed by martial strength. For that reason, they were the most troublesome groups for merchants.

Occasionally, a powerful demonic figure would rise in the outer regions, unite their forces, and attempt to dominate the martial world, temporarily suppressing the Nine Great Sects.

This happened during the Demon Demon Castle era two hundred years ago, the Iron Blood Alliance of the Martial Cloud era 150 years ago, and the Heavenly Demon Gate of the Martial Path era a century ago.

But even these forces were ultimately destroyed by the martial clans before realizing their ambitions.

Though the Nine Great Sects were only nine in number, the martial clans—centered around the Twelve Martial Clans—numbered in the dozens and had far greater scale and influence.

If they ever united, their strength could surpass even that of the Nine Great Sects.

Because they held both economic power and martial strength. Perhaps the martial clans were the true dominant power in the martial world.

They simply didn’t interfere much in martial affairs due to their focus on profit.

From a merchant’s standpoint, it was clear that the real force leading the martial world wasn’t the Nine Great Sects, but the martial clans—a fact Yong Hwarin had experienced firsthand in his past life.

‘That’s probably why the Three Demonic Heavens fear the formation of the Alliance of Noble Clans even more than the unification of the Nine Great Sects.’

If the Three Demonic Heavens were sabotaging it, this was likely the biggest reason.

‘The Wudang Sect and Shaolin Temple might not be pleased with the Alliance either, considering they have their own northern and southern alliances. But they must’ve approved it anyway, knowing the consequences of rejection would be severe. And they’ll likely demand something in return.’

Even the Nine Great Sects didn’t completely abandon profit.

Feeding and housing hundreds to thousands of disciples was impossible without financial power.

‘If even just the Three Great Sword Clans and Blade Clans form an alliance, then half the work is done.’

Terms like Twelve Martial Clans and Six Great Sword Clans were just labels coined by gossipers—there had never been a unified organization for the martial clans.

Now, the Jeogal Clan was attempting something unprecedented—uniting the martial clans.

Realizing this, Yong Hwarin saw Jeogal Yohye in a new light.

The fact that she was entrusted with such a crucial mission showed just how much the Jeogal Clan trusted her.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep