Chapter 104: Meeting (3)

Amidst the piercing gazes, Maeng Ye-ju leaned in slightly and whispered into Jang Woo-hyun’s ear. While there was no one here who couldn’t hear that whisper, it somehow felt like the right thing to do psychologically. After all, no one could even activate Qi Concealment right now.

“You, what are you? What’s going on? How do you know that cra… no, that man?!”

“You know Senior Tang?”

“Senior Tang? Seniorrr? You must be close?”

“I met him for the first time yesterday. How do you know him, Senior Maeng?”

“He’s famous. That cra… no, if he’s White Martial Society’s Hundred Swords Battle Maniac, then he’s someone whose name is already well-known even within the Central Heavens Martial Realm.”

“Hundred Swords Battle Maniac?”

“Yeah, he’s known to wield hundreds of swords simultaneously.”

“Ah…”

Having experienced it firsthand, Jang Woo-hyun could understand why he was given such a title. Seeing his clueless reaction, Maeng Ye-ju briefly looked at him with a ‘What the hell is this guy?’ expression, then continued speaking.

“White Martial Society’s Hundred Swords Battle Maniac, Tang Myung. Over the past few centuries, he’s been the fastest to make a name for himself within White Martial Society.”

Maeng Ye-ju leaned in even closer and whispered in a lower voice.

“He’s currently one of the nine strong figures of White Martial Society. How on earth do you know that man?”

“We’re both from the Central Plains, meaning we’re from the same Lower Realm.”

“Beast King Sect. It’s not polite to say that right in front of someone.”

When Tang Myung spoke with a smile, Maeng Ye-ju flinched and fell silent in embarrassment. Considering her usual demeanor, it was a surprisingly uncharacteristic reaction, but the name Tang Myung made her tense up.

“You said you didn’t belong anywhere, but you’re with White Martial Society?”

“I wonder if White Martial Society has picked up another troublesome one.”

“That fellow isn’t affiliated with White Martial Society yet.”

Cutting through the conversation, Tang Myung corrected Jang Woo-hyun’s affiliation.

“Then does that mean he’s unaffiliated?”

“For now, yes. Who knows what the future holds? But for now, let’s continue the conversation. I’ve heard the earlier part already.”

“You eavesdropped?”

“Not eavesdropped. I just heard it because it was audible.”

Tang Myung pulled an empty chair and sat down.

“Did you intentionally arrive late?”

Even Seol Ha-rin, who had shown no change in expression aside from when the Solar Palace appeared, now slightly furrowed her brow.

“When working, one can be late. Surely you don’t think I did it on purpose.”

Though none of the sects welcomed him, Tang Myung kept his smile as he answered.

“Hyung-nim! I told you to wait a bit, but you went off on your own… What’s going on here, why’s the mood like this? Huh? Woo-hyun, what’s with you? Are you being punished or something?”

Cheol Geuk-jin entered and, seeing Jang Woo-hyun, spoke.

“If someone’s bullying you, tell me. I’ll scold them for you.”

With those words, Cheol Geuk-jin sat beside Tang Myung.

“How do you know that guy?”

“Cheol Sect Leader, I mean, do you also know Senior Cheol?”

“He’s not as well-known as the Hundred Swords Battle Maniac, but we know each other. We’ve crossed paths a few times. White Martial Society’s Giant Iron Fist, Cheol Geuk-jin. He uses a strange martial art that makes him gigantic. Don’t tell me… he’s also from the Lower Realm?”

“Yes.”

“What, seriously…?”

Maeng Ye-ju’s eyes widened in disbelief.

There were cases where cultivators who had ascended were from the same Lower Realm. With so many Lower Realms, it was bound to happen. But for only such overwhelmingly strong individuals to ascend together was unheard of.

Even Tang Myung had quickly made a name for himself over the last century.

White Martial Society’s Hundred Swords Battle Maniac, Tang Myung.

As expected of someone from White Martial Society, he loved fighting and martial arts, wielding a unique martial art that utilized hundreds of swords.

Through continued duels and battles, he built up both his reputation and skill, eventually becoming one of the nine names representing White Martial Society.

Bi Hui, Lee Moon, Po Roe, Pye An, Do Cheol, Gong Bok, Ae Ja, Geum Ye, Cho Do.

Among them, he acquired the title of Geum Ye and was now a martial artist no longer called the Hundred Swords, but the Thousand Swords.

Thousand Swords Geum Ye (千劍金猊) Tang Myung.

Though still more widely known by the former title of Hundred Swords Battle Maniac, he was one of White Martial Society’s strongest whom none here could casually encounter.

And then there was another martial artist from White Martial Society, Cheol Geuk-jin.

Although his name wasn’t widely known due to his recent ascension, the Beast King Sect, having clashed with him a few times, was well aware of his strength.

Maeng Ye-ju hadn’t fought Cheol Geuk-jin directly. However, she had seen him a few times and heard countless accounts of his strength from others. In time, Cheol Geuk-jin was bound to make his name known as well.

And then there was Jang Woo-hyun.

‘The most important one is this bastard.’

A martial artist who might be even greater than the other two.

Not only had he mastered a unique martial art that increased his strength when cloaked in a qi armor akin to weapons transforming into hundreds of blades, but he also possessed an extraordinary pace of growth that defied expectations.

Tang Myung, Cheol Geuk-jin, Jang Woo-hyun.

For individuals from the same Lower Realm to stand out around the same time was nearly unheard of, leaving Maeng Ye-ju astonished.

‘Huh? But wait a second?’

As she mentally grouped the three together, Maeng Ye-ju noticed something.

Tang Myung, who wielded hundreds of swords. And Cheol Geuk-jin, who used a bizarre martial art that involved giant qi armor.

‘Somehow…’

It was similar.

The one whose strength increased when cloaked in a unique weapon that transformed into hundreds of blades and a qi armor-like Protective Energy.

Maeng Ye-ju’s gaze shifted to the person right beside her.

‘What the hell is he?’

Something about him felt different, but the Protective Energy used by Jang Woo-hyun and the martial art of Cheol Geuk-jin felt similar in some way. The same went for Tang Myung’s martial art.

‘Same Lower Realm origin.’

She thought perhaps Jang Woo-hyun’s martial art might be related to those two. It was entirely possible.

“Is something wrong?”

Jang Woo-hyun asked Maeng Ye-ju, who wore an expression that suggested she had realized something.

“No, it’s nothing. Let’s just wrap up the story for now.”

Gu Yeong-pung brought order to the now noisy hall, which had been stirred by Tang Myung, and soon after, Maeng Ye-ju continued.

“I mentioned three earlier, but aside from us, the other one was the Windstorm Great Saint.”

But with her statement, the hall inevitably grew noisy once more.

“Windstorm Great Saint? Are you talking about the Mihuwang of the Demonic Spirit Realm?”

The first to react was the Antlered White Mask of Radiant Light Sect.

His speech quickened from excitement, and his voice rose slightly.

“Yes, that Windstorm Great Saint, Mihuwang.”

“I don’t understand. Why would Mihuwang end up fighting alongside you?”

At the question, Maeng Ye-ju began her account.

She told of how Jang Woo-hyun had received a brand from the Windstorm Great Saint in the Lower Realm, how a Beastkin had continuously prayed using a statue of the Windstorm Great Saint, and how, when caught in Bi Ik-ryeon’s trap, Jang Woo-hyun used his brand and the statue to eventually summon the Windstorm Great Saint, who appeared and swept away Bi Ik-ryeon with his overwhelming power.

“After that, I arrived, and the three of us fought together.”

“I still don’t understand. If, as you said, that crazed monkey showed up during the fight with considerable power, then why did he fight Sa Do-woong? He could’ve taken down not just the two of you but even Sa Do-woong in one blow.”

“Well, that’s…”

“He cut off his own limbs.”

As Maeng Ye-ju hesitated, Jang Woo-hyun, the one involved, spoke up.

“The Windstorm Great Saint severed his own arms and legs to fight me. And then he challenged me to a duel. Sa Do-woong appeared during that fight, and the three of us took him down together.”

They asked a few more questions, and Jang Woo-hyun answered each one in detail.

“…That crazy monkey bastard would definitely do something like that.”

As absurd as it sounded, considering the Windstorm Great Saint’s personality and behavior, it wasn’t entirely implausible. They could roughly understand how it had unfolded, and now people began asking about other matters.

“Is it true that he branded you in the Lower Realm?”

“Yes. I fought the Windstorm Great Saint once. He struck my shoulder, and I later learned that was how he branded me.”

The expressions of those listening changed. Even Seol Ha-rin, who remained expressionless, and Cheok Hwa-hong, whose expression was hidden by black fur, revealed a shift in their eyes.

Understandably so—being branded by the Windstorm Great Saint in the Lower Realm was rare. Even in the Central Heavens Martial Realm, only a handful received the brand.

Moreover, most who were branded by him ended up dead at his hands.

Yet Jang Woo-hyun, despite being branded in the Lower Realm, was not only still alive but had met him again after Ascending and even fought alongside him. It was incomprehensible.

“I’m not sure I can believe this.”

Everyone seemed to agree with the Left Protector of the Five Elements Cult, as murmurs spread throughout. It was hard to fully trust such an unbelievable tale.

“Everything is true. Beast King Sect will vouch for it.”

Seeing their reaction, Yeom Jong-myung officially declared it in the name of Beast King Sect. With his words, it became difficult to continue doubting the story.

Most lowered their suspicious gazes. But only the Antlered White Mask continued to stare intently at Jang Woo-hyun.

“If you don’t mind, may I check it myself?”

“Check it? For what purpose?”

“It’s not a big deal, I just want to see the brand.”

Yeom Jong-myung sought permission and looked toward Jang Woo-hyun.

“If it’s just to look, I don’t mind… but there’s a bit of a problem.”

“What kind of problem?”

“Well, that monkey made it invisible, so I’m worried something might go wrong if you touch it carelessly.”

“By monkey, you mean the Windstorm Great Saint?”

“Yes, I just called him monkey.”

The heads of each sect tried not to react outwardly, but the warriors accompanying them murmured. Even the warriors of the Ice Palace, usually as cold as ice, were stirred.

The Windstorm Great Saint was a top-tier existence even in the Demonic Spirit Realm.

Comparing it to the Central Heavens Martial Realm, no one here could rival the Windstorm Great Saint. Perhaps only the Six Sovereigns, the Six Heavens, could compare.

“Hehehe.”

While everyone was silently astonished, Tang Myung and Cheol Geuk-jin were laughing for some reason.

“Of course he’s a monkey. What’s wrong with calling a monkey a monkey?”

Ignoring the chuckling duo, Jang Woo-hyun continued speaking.

“The monkey… I mean, the Windstorm Great Saint blocked the energy from leaking out of the brand. So I’m worried that if it’s touched carelessly, there might be trouble.”

“You’re saying the Windstorm Great Saint did that because you asked?”

Yeom Jong-myung looked to Maeng Ye-ju, but she had never heard this either and simply shrugged.

“Yes, I asked, and he just did it.”

Jang Woo-hyun’s response, as if he had asked a friend for a favor, brought sighs from all around.

It was a situation beyond belief. The known Windstorm Great Saint should have torn Jang Woo-hyun apart on the spot.

While everyone was still flustered by the unbelievable story—

Antlered White Mask stood up from his seat and approached Jang Woo-hyun.

“There’s no need to worry. I’m only going to check, so there should be no problem.”

“Alright then. Please go ahead and take a look.”

When Jang Woo-hyun revealed his left shoulder, Antlered White Mask leaned in.

From a distance, perhaps due to the mask’s effect, his face and eyes had not been clearly visible, but up close, they were now clear.

With eyes full of vitality, he appeared as young as his refreshing voice suggested. Though age could not be judged in the Central Heavens Martial Realm, based on Antlered White Mask’s energy and aura, Jang Woo-hyun thought he couldn’t be that old.

Antlered White Mask examined Jang Woo-hyun’s shoulder and then pulled out a talisman.

Fwoosh.

The talisman immediately caught fire and burned up. He gently blew the resulting black ash away.

“Hmm, hmm. Hmph.”

After staring at the shoulder for a while, he stepped back from Jang Woo-hyun.

“I’ve seen enough. What he says is true. There is indeed a brand from the Windstorm Great Saint, and it’s stronger than I expected.”

After explaining to the others, he locked eyes with Jang Woo-hyun once again. For some reason, his gaze had become friendly.

“Looks like you’re someone who’s caught the Windstorm Great Saint’s fancy.”

At those words, Jang Woo-hyun merely gave a bitter smile.

“So then, is that about the end of the discussion?”

“We’ve only just begun the conversation.”

Gu Yeong-pung corrected Tang Myung’s words.

“Elder Gu, with what was just said and Radiant Light Sect’s confirmation, doesn’t that make everything true? The conclusion is that those thieves from Bi Ik-ryeon caused all this.”

“That’s right. Now we need to discuss how each sect should respond moving forward.”

“That’s why I’ve come. To deliver the position of the Chairman.”

“What is the content…?”

“May I speak?”

Tang Myung remained respectful, at least toward Gu Yeong-pung.

When Gu Yeong-pung gave his permission, Tang Myung stood up and took out a rolled-up scroll from his Inner Robe.

“I will deliver the Chairman’s message to all gathered here. Let’s see…”

Tang Myung unrolled the scroll and read its contents. Then, suddenly, he burst out laughing so hard it seemed like the building might collapse.

“Puhahahaha!”

He laughed for a long while, even shedding a few tears. As people’s expressions hardened and the atmosphere turned grim, Tang Myung finally stopped laughing and spoke.

“Ah, my apologies. The Chairman wrote something too funny.”

Wiping his tears with his sleeve, Tang Myung continued.

“I’ll now deliver the Chairman’s message.”

Clearing his throat, he read aloud from the scroll in a louder voice than before.

“Greetings, Central Heavens’ Ten Sects. The Three Clans probably didn’t bother to show, right? I don’t know who’s come, but I send my words through my subordinate.”

The corners of Tang Myung’s lips curled again.

Thinking about what might unfold as he read the next part, he continued with the message.

“As for those idiots from Bi Ik-ryeon, handle them as you will. We of White Martial Society will capture the cultivators. This matter will extend beyond the Central Heavens Martial Realm and into the Cultivation Realm, where we will deal with them accordingly. Be advised. And if anyone interferes, regardless of who, we will treat them as enemies. That is all.”

He placed the scroll onto the massive table and swept his provocative gaze across the room.

And in that instant—

An overwhelming surge of energy erupted, strong enough to shake the entire building.

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