Cheon Mubaeck arrived at Pocheon Mountain Manor.

The manor was spacious, as befitting a sect that had once wielded considerable power. Beyond the wide-open view, the beautiful scenery of Mount Wudang stretched out.

“It’s a pretty good spot.”

While being near Mount Wudang, it was the center of transportation that stretched out to all parts of Hubei.

The main road stretched out, and if you went a little further, the waterway was also available. It was a good place for people and goods to come and go.

It was also easy to defend. The road to the mountain manor was narrow. The walls were like castle walls, and the gate was made of steel.

“Does it have to be here?”

Neung-heo’s face contorted strangely.

His gaze landed on the Azure Star Escort Agency’s flag fluttering on the wall.

“Where else would you find a property like this?”

“There’s no property like this. Where would there be? Everyone’s dead, who would want to buy this place?”

“That’s why I got it cheap, isn’t it?”

“Got it cheap… didn’t you just take the documents and get them stamped at the government office?”

“But why is this bastard talking back to me so much?”

When Cheon Mubaeck glared at him, Neung-heo calmly added.

“Of course, I’m slowly laying the groundwork to praise you because it seems like the best choice. To use this place as the escort agency’s manor, how did you even think of such a thing?”

“Neung-heo, when you live in the world, you have to save when you have to save.”

“…”

Neung-heo closed his mouth.

To be honest, he had never thought that he would lose a verbal fight to anyone. When he was an executive of the Black Heart Gang, how many times had he turned over the insides of some guys with just a word and had knocked them down?

But Cheon Mubaeck was a strong opponent.

‘I’m going to lose my temper.’

He had openly sneered at him, but look at how he was taking it.

And a guy who was the age of his son or nephew. As if he were giving him a life lesson…

“But still, isn’t it a little… you know. Who knows how many ghosts there will be here.”

“Do you think they’ll come out if they don’t want to die?”

“…Well, I guess so.”

Neung-heo nodded readily.

Pocheon Mountain Manor.

This place would soon be reborn as one of the Hubei branches of the Azure Star Escort Agency.

The geographical location of Pocheon Mountain Manor was the best among the manors that could be obtained in Hubei at the moment.

But the problem was that people had died here in droves.

Although the manors of the martial world were relatively less so, wasn’t it a natural principle that the price of a house would go down even if only one or two people died?

“I know the Lord is the owner of this place, but do you think those damn ghosts would come out unless they’re crazy?”

“If they want to come out, let them come out. I’ll kill them again.”

“…”

If there were ghosts here, they were all guys who had been killed by Cheon Mubaeck.

For them to come out as ghosts to take revenge, that guy would just be a crazy guy. No, a crazy ghost.

But since the people of the escort agency might feel uneasy, Cheon Mubaeck used a trick.

“Namu Amitabha…”

“Immeasurable Buddha…”

The Arhat Hall Master led the Arhat Monks and chanted a Buddhist prayer, holding a relatively reduced memorial service, and the Taoists of Wudang also came down all at once and appeased the vengeful spirits.

At Cheon Mubaeck’s request, the two great pillars of the martial world. The Northern Esteemed Shaolin and the Southern Respected Wudang had joined forces to hold a memorial service.

It was a request that would not have been granted normally.

Appeasing the vengeful spirits was something that both Wudang and Shaolin had always done, but… weren’t those vengeful spirits none other than vicious demons?

But Venerable Jincheong and the Monk Muso, upon hearing the request, slapped their knees.

‘Indeed, he is a hero who embraces the grand cause! To even ask for a memorial service for the demons he met as enemies, pitying them! Ah. And I, without knowing that, was just happy that the demons had died, what a pathetic state for someone who cultivates the Tao of Wudang!’

‘This humble monk must still not have a deep Buddhist heart. The Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero is a true Buddha.’

Although they had such an absurd misunderstanding.

In any case, the matter was resolved well. The people of the escort agency also felt less uneasy. Rather, seeing the Taoists of Wudang and the monks of Shaolin, which was a rare sight, hold a memorial service, they had impressed faces.

“Indeed, it is the young master. To produce such a result.”

At that time, Elder Jang approached.

Elder Jang, who had been going back and forth between the Zhuge Clan and the vicinity, putting his efforts into establishing a branch, had rushed here after hearing the news.

“It is the favor of Wudang.”

“Even if it is a favor, they would not have done this much. A monopoly on all the escort goods and escort missions that go through Hubei and Henan. The chief and the vice-chief, who have heard the news, will also be very happy.”

Elder Jang’s gaze, which was looking at Cheon Mubaeck, was warm, as if he were looking at a grown-up grandson.

“Elder Jang.”

“Yes.”

“No, I should call you master.”

“Master, that is not appropriate. It is because the young master has grown up on his own.”

Cheon Mubaeck smiled faintly.

‘What is it?’

Elder Jang, who saw Cheon Mubaeck’s smile, felt a sense of disharmony.

It was still a clear and warm gaze.

But the strong something beyond that felt as if it were looking into his own heart.

Elder Jang could not say anything and remained silent.

“Until Elder Jang tells me first, I will continue to trust Elder Jang and serve him as my master.”

“…!”

“Ah, and although it was very rude last time, I saw the process of you practicing the moves alone.”

Elder Jang’s face hardened. Because he had spied on the training scene, which was a taboo in the martial world? No, it wasn’t that. The ominous feeling that was rising in his heart vividly awakened the emotions of that time when he had lived, fleeing in the martial world for decades.

“Was it the third move? You have to lower the tourou a little there. It’s the feeling of thrusting from the bottom up and digging between the bones. Without that, the sword will not live.”

“What is that…”

“Please tell me when you are ready.”

Cheon Mubaeck smiled so and turned his back.

But Elder Jang could not even grab that back, no, he could not even look at it, and stood there blankly.

“What is it?”

As he walked with Elder Jang behind him, Neung-heo came running.

“Are you that curious? Is eavesdropping your hobby?”

“I’d rather go with the former.”

“You’re old enough, you should be a little more serious.”

“You’re young enough, you should respect your elders.”

Paak!

“…I will be serious.”

Cheon Mubaeck let out a laugh as he saw Neung-heo’s sulky expression.

“Do you know much about the Seven Sects of the Demonic Path?”

“I do. The seven sects of the Demonic Path that make up the Demonic Cult.”

“The Dark Sect that was born in the darkness, the Blood Sect that soared from the blood, the Poison Sect that walked out of the poison mist, the Mad Sect where only the crazy gathered, and the Demonic Path itself. The Demonic Sect.”

“…That’s six?”

“Yes. Originally, it was the Six Sects of the Demonic Path.”

“Uh… wait a minute, then, the one that’s missing is.”

“The Sword Sect where the sword-crazed gathered.”

“Somehow, I’ve never heard of it.”

Neung-heo had heard a lot about the Seven Sects of the Demonic Path from Cheon Mubaeck while gathering materials related to the Blood Demon Valley this time.

But strangely, the story about the Sword Sect was unfamiliar.

“The Sword Sect being included in the Demonic Path was a later thing. They were not guys who were of the Demonic Path from birth.”

“Speaking of the Sword Sect, Sword Sect. By any chance, the leader of that Sword Sect is that famous Heaven-Defying Sword Demon, I mean, when the world says Sword Demon, the person that comes to mind… isn’t that the place where he is the leader?”

“You’re quick-witted, aren’t you?”

“Well, isn’t it a story that people who have heard the history of the martial world at least once know? Although he was of the Demonic Path, a swordsman of the Demonic Path who was respected by the Orthodox Path. Geez, isn’t that cool?”

“The guys we are fighting with our lives on the line are the guys of the Demonic Path.”

“But doesn’t the Sword Demon also receive the reverence of the Orthodox Martial World? Although he was of the Demonic Path, he killed the Heavenly Demon.”

“…”

“Isn’t it famous? If he had killed the Heavenly Demon, he should have become the Heavenly Demon himself and invaded the Central Plains to display that power, but he disappeared without a trace, didn’t he?”

“That’s right.”

“If it’s a sect where that Sword Demon is the leader, shouldn’t it be more famous and have a larger force?”

“Since he was the one who killed the Heavenly Demon, do you think that force could maintain its power over time?”

“Ah…”

“It was thoroughly crushed and disappeared. But the performance of the Sword Sect that followed the Heaven-Defying Sword Demon at that time was so impressive that the people of the world still remember it as the Seven Sects of the Demonic Path.”

“Hmm. Is that so? But why are you suddenly talking about the Seven Sects of the Demonic Path?”

“Just, so you know. Because a moment will come soon when you have to know.”

Neung-heo’s face contorted strangely.

‘Again, again with the Zen questions.’

Ha, this bastard. The things he does, sometimes he’s just like a hundred-year-old man.

Neung-heo gave up on thinking further. Cheon Mubaeck’s words were usually so clear that it was not a problem to understand and follow his instructions.

But when such a puzzling word came out, it was impossible no matter how much he tried to understand it.

Neung-heo shook his head and just talked about the question that had suddenly come to mind. He had long since given up on the question of how Cheon Mubaeck knew all the secret stories about the Seven Sects of the Demonic Path.

“But why did the Sword Demon kill the Heavenly Demon?”

“It’s obvious. Because some outsider was showing off, saying he was good at swordsmanship. The Heavenly Demon would be jealous.”

“Eh? The Heavenly Demon? He’s the number one villain in the world, do you think he’s that narrow-minded?”

“Did you see him?”

“What?”

“That Heavenly Demon bastard pisses me off. He’s a weak bastard.”

“…?”

* * *

Cheon Mubaeck and Neung-heo immediately set out on their journey to Fujian.

Although the work in Wudang had taken quite a long time, there was enough time until the Black Assembly was held.

But since you never knew what would happen in the martial world, it was better to move as quickly as possible.

It was also important to arrive in Fujian first and check the atmosphere.

“But we have to eat while we go.”

Neung-heo smiled and called the waiter, and ordered all sorts of food.

Since all those foods were quite expensive, Cheon Mubaeck’s eyes narrowed.

“Where did you get the money?”

“I am the owner of the Lotus Pavilion. This much pocket money is nothing.”

“Why is that your money?”

“What?”

“Who is the real owner of the Lotus Pavilion?”

“…”

When Neung-heo remained silent with a hurt expression, Cheon Mubaeck let out a laugh.

“You bastard. You’re getting sulky over a little joke. Do as you please. Can’t you even spend money as you please?”

“Hehe. Our Lord, he’s so generous.”

To say he was generous over just a few dishes.

‘Neung-heo. You’ve become quite simple too.’

But he felt good, didn’t he? To be able to spend money as he pleased.

“But, it’s about time he came.”

“…”

“This man, he’s also fallen behind since he hasn’t seen our Lord in a while. He’s late for the appointment…”

“I’m not late. I was waiting.”

It was then. A man stood up abruptly from one side of the inn and approached.

A look of welcome spread on Neung-heo’s face.

“Wow. Our Im Hong branch leader! To see you here in Hubei, I’m even more pleased!”

“It’s been a long time, One-Eyed Snake. Your fame is quite widespread.”

“Hehe. Please have a seat.”

The one who had revealed himself was none other than the Shaanxi branch leader of the Hao Faction, Im Hong.

Im Hong bowed deeply to Cheon Mubaeck.

“It’s been a long time, Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero.”

“Have a seat.”

“Yes.”

There were two reasons why Cheon Mubaeck had called Im Hong all the way here.

One was the movements of the Black Path Gangs that were happening throughout the martial world.

The one most closely related to the Black Heart Gang was the Hao Faction, and to see the entire martial world, an official of at least Im Hong’s level was needed.

And the second reason was because of the verses of the Dark Truth Wisdom Sword.

Because he had promised to tell him the verses of the Dark Truth Wisdom Sword in exchange for exchanging information with the Hao Faction and cooperating.

But what appeared on Cheon Mubaeck’s face was not welcome.

“I thought I told you to come alone…”

“…!”

Im Hong’s face hardened. Cheon Mubaeck’s cold voice.

Did he hear that voice?

A middle-aged man who was sitting at another table stood up abruptly and approached.

The man said with a hearty voice.

“A pleasure to meet you, Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero. I am…”

“The Hao Faction leader, I presume.”

“…!”

Cheon Mubaeck’s cold gaze landed on the man, no, the Hao Faction leader.

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep