Chapter 200: Pursuit

Palace Head of Vermilion Bird Palace, Lee Ga-hang.

A connection made when Jang Woo-hyun fell to the Lower Heavens due to Jinseon’s attack.

When she met Jang Woo-hyun, she was already a master of the Absolute Realm, and eventually ascended to the Middle Heavens.

In the Lower Heavens, where Lee Ga-hang resided, most martial artists cultivated sorcery-based martial arts that manipulated the energy of the Five Elements. Thus, it was almost inevitable that after her ascension, she would join the Five Elements Cult.

After entering the Five Elements Cult, Lee Ga-hang encountered many powerful figures in a world vastly broader than the Lower Heavens.

Though she had once held the title of the world’s best in the Lower Heavens, it was ultimately meaningless. Comparing the martial world of the Lower Heavens with that of the Middle Heavens was in itself disrespectful.

The martial artists she met in the Middle Heavens were overwhelmingly stronger than her.

However—

None of them met her standards.

‘They’re weaker than Master Jang.’

‘I think Master Jang would be stronger.’

‘Master Jang would win.’

All of her standards were based on Jang Woo-hyun.

The ordinary martial artists of the Five Elements Cult couldn’t even be compared, and even the captains fell short of being compared to Jang Woo-hyun.

Even when she stood before the Five Elements Envoy, one of the most representative masters beyond the level of Hall Leader, her thoughts did not change.

‘Would Master Jang lose? But somehow, I don’t think so.’

She couldn’t fully gauge those like the Five Elements Envoy, who were far superior to her. Even so, Lee Ga-hang still believed they were lacking compared to Jang Woo-hyun.

In the Dawn Continent, the realm Jang Woo-hyun had reached was the Transcendence Realm.

The realm of the Five Elements Envoy and other strong figures in the cult was the Realm of Immeasurability.

Objectively, Jang Woo-hyun was inferior. Yet Lee Ga-hang somehow believed that if they fought, Jang Woo-hyun would win.

It was a baseless belief. She didn’t know why she judged it that way.

‘If he fights for his life, Master Jang will win them all.’

That was simply what her instincts told her.

Invincible. Unmatchable. Unpredictable. Monster. Genius.

To Lee Ga-hang, Jang Woo-hyun was all of those things.

Just when she began to doubt these thoughts that even she couldn’t understand—

She encountered Jang Woo-hyun once more in the Middle Heavens.

And she was convinced—that her instincts hadn’t been wrong.

The Jang Woo-hyun she met again had grown so powerful, it was impossible to compare him to the past.

‘As expected! Master Jang!’

As she watched him, who had suddenly appeared to save her and then left, she felt grateful—but also scared.

She knew very well that Jang Woo-hyun was not a bad person and that he had helped her greatly, yet she didn’t want to be entangled with him.

‘Too dangerous.’

It wasn’t just danger—he was beyond comprehension. Whatever he was going to do would far exceed any normal standard.

That was why, when rumors about the Annihilation Squad began to spread, Lee Ga-hang volunteered to be dispatched in the opposite direction. Because she didn’t want to get involved.

But regardless of her intentions, she had ended up involved once again.

Lee Ga-hang stood at the door, summoned by the Vermilion Bird Pavilion Head. Inside, Jang Woo-hyun—whom she wanted to avoid—would also be present.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door.

“Palace Head Lee!”

As she entered, a man in a black martial arts uniform raised his hand to greet her.

Lee Ga-hang cursed inwardly but forced a bright smile.

“Master Jang! We meet again! Have you been well?”

“……”

“Is there something on my face? You’re staring quite intently.”

At her words, Jang Woo-hyun chuckled.

“Palace Head Lee is so transparent, it’s amusing.”

“Excuse me? Me? What do you mean by that all of a sudden?”

“The corners of your mouth are twitching. I can tell you’re forcing a smile.”

“Gasp!”

At Jang Woo-hyun’s remark, Lee Ga-hang flinched and quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

Even back on the Dawn Continent, she had made similar mistakes from time to time.

“You haven’t changed.”

Even after ascending, not much had changed. Whatever she was thinking still showed on her face.

Amused by her unchanging demeanor, Jang Woo-hyun smiled and offered her a seat.

“Sit down for now.”

As Lee Ga-hang took her seat, she observed Jang Woo-hyun.

‘He’s gotten even stronger.’

It hadn’t been long since he rode in on a dragon to save her. Yet now, Jang Woo-hyun felt different again.

Though the gap in their abilities was too great for her to assess accurately, her instincts—and the intuition that had kept her alive until now—were speaking to her. The monster before her had grown even stronger.

“I heard you were looking for me.”

“Why are you stammering all of a sudden? Did you do something wrong again?”

“No! What wrong could I possibly do! I haven’t done anything!”

“Your voice is getting louder, which makes it more suspicious. Lord Woo will explain.”

Woo Il-do gave a strange look to the suddenly stiffened Lee Ga-hang and began explaining the task ahead.

“Uh… so, it’s about tracking down the traces of the former Left Protector—the traitor—together with Master Jang.”

“That’s right. You’re the right person for the job. You’re acquainted with Master Jang, and since you’ve been on various missions right after your ascension, not many people in the cult know your face. Even a slight disguise will keep you unrecognized.”

It was a perfectly reasonable explanation. For the sake of the cult, it was a task fit for Lee Ga-hang.

But she couldn’t answer easily.

Because the person she had to move with was Jang Woo-hyun.

‘Dangerous.’

The stronger Jang Woo-hyun was, the greater the danger would be. It was certain the task would not be easy.

“What, don’t want to?”

But she had no right to refuse. As Jang Woo-hyun raised an eyebrow, Lee Ga-hang smiled again.

“No, not at all. It’s an honor to be working with you again, Master Jang.”

Watching her trembling lips curl up into a forced smile, Jang Woo-hyun chuckled once more.

“It’s not much, but this should be enough to lure them out.”

Woo Il-do handed over spiritual herbs and medicines. Alongside the ones imbued with thunder energy, he had prepared various items to avoid suspicion.

“Wouldn’t more be better?”

Thunder-infused herbs and medicines seemed a bit lacking, prompting Cho-su to ask.

“There weren’t many available at the moment. And the baiting group also needs to have some goods on hand, so this is the limit for now. We are still gathering more, but please start with these.”

“Then I’ll add some of what I have. Not sure if the enemies will want it, though.”

Since the Five Elements Cult hadn’t provided much, Cho-su took out a few small beads containing thunder energy.

“I have one too. Would this be useful?”

As he watched, something seemed to occur to Jang Woo-hyun, and he pulled a small box from his storage treasure.

Inside was a herb that resembled ginseng, with a shape that looked like a bolt of lightning from its stem down to its roots.

“Raemun Byeokryeokcho?”

It was a spiritual herb Cho Ryeong had handed him from Yangjeon Army’s warehouse some time ago.

“Where do you keep getting these things every time?”

Cho-su asked in disbelief. Every time, Jang Woo-hyun would casually pull something out, and it was always something rare and hard to obtain.

“Is this a good one?”

Jang Woo-hyun only had it because Cho Ryeong had given it to him.

“Among spiritual herbs imbued with thunder energy, this is top-grade. If we add this to what we already have, those bastards won’t be able to resist.”

“Then let’s pack this up and try luring them out. Vice Pavilion Head Woo, is there anything else we need to prepare?”

“The minor things are already being handled by this Captain, so you can move right away.”

Just as the three of them were about to wrap up their conversation, someone knocked on the door from outside.

“Brother Cho, come out for a moment.”

The one visible as the door opened was Seo Ryeom, the Rat Beastkin of the Annihilation Squad.

“All of a sudden? What is it?”

Seo Ryeom glanced at Jang Woo-hyun, then, with a suspicious tone, suggested they speak outside.

Urged by him, Cho-su eventually followed him out.

“What is it?”

Seo Ryeom cast a qi barrier to block their voices.

“Brother Cho, are you really going to leave us behind?”

“What?”

“I get it with the Captain, but you shouldn’t be like that. I even gave our Floating Stronghold a name, didn’t I?”

“……”

Cho-su didn’t respond, just listened to see what this was about.

“Does it make sense to leave only us behind? We’re all in the Annihilation Squad. I may look like this, but I’m a Beastkin too, a Beastkin! I can do some tracking too, you know.”

He rambled on, but the conclusion was simple.

Take me too. Or, I want to fight.

That’s what Seo Ryeom was really trying to say.

“Sigh.”

Cho-su wondered what to do with this fool. He found it amazing how Jang Woo-hyun managed to control and lead guys like this.

‘What the hell goes on in this guy’s head.’

Probably just thoughts of fighting, strong opponents, and battle.

“Why are you telling me this? You should talk to Woo-hyun. He’s the Captain of the Annihilation Squad.”

“Hey now, of course I know that. But Brother Cho, you know what’ll happen if I talk to the Captain.”

He’d probably say, “Get off.” And that was the last thing Seo Ryeom wanted to hear.

“What about the other two?”

“They’re itching just as bad. I’m the representative.”

“What the hell am I supposed to do with you guys?”

Letting out a deep sigh, Cho-su thought for a moment.

“Just be ready. And don’t cause any trouble.”

“Oh! So what are we going to do?”

“Just be ready. I’ll call you when the time comes.”

“…What does that mean? We’re not going together?”

Seo Ryeom, who had gotten excited thinking they’d be moving together, suddenly slumped.

“Go where? What if you mess things up? This isn’t even our operation; it’s the Five Elements Cult’s.”

“I mean, we’re already all prepped. What are we supposed to do just being ready?”

“I said I’ll call you.”

“Call me? How? I mean, how?”

“Don’t you know what our fortress is like?”

“Roaring Thunder Fortress? What about it? Speak clearly, will you?”

At the name Seo Ryeom made up on his own, Cho-su’s brow slightly furrowed.

“That weird name again… Ugh, whatever. Don’t you know how the Floating Stronghold moves? I said I’ll call you.”

“What do you mean it moves… Ah!”

Seo Ryeom understood what Cho-su meant and widened his eyes. Then his face lit up.

Roaring Thunder Fortress could travel across space on its own.

And Cho-su had said he would call them when the time came.

“I’ll be perfectly ready. As expected, only Brother Cho understands me.”

“Stay quiet. Don’t cause any trouble.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll never do that. I, Seo Ryeom, have enough patience. I’ll take responsibility and make sure the others are ready too.”

With a happy face, Seo Ryeom dashed back to where the Annihilation Squad was staying.

Before Jang Woo-hyun and Cho-su made their move, the Five Elements Cult openly began searching for traces of Ha Do-gwang.

Their martial artists, carrying a few spiritual herbs and medicines imbued with thunder energy, moved separately.

Though they tried to hide their identities, Ha Do-gwang’s side wouldn’t fail to notice them.

They weren’t actually trying to track Ha Do-gwang. It was bait to create confusion and cover Jang Woo-hyun and Cho-su’s actions.

And a few days later—

The real trackers—Jang Woo-hyun, Cho-su, and Lee Ga-hang—moved.

The three arrived in a city on the outskirts of the Five Elements Cult’s territory, where spiritual herb trading was said to be active, and met with merchants.

“You’re selling all this at once?”

“Yes. Is that possible?”

“Maybe in parts, but buying all of it at once might be difficult.”

To avoid suspicion, Cho-su tried to sell not only thunder-infused spiritual herbs and medicines but other items as well. Due to the large quantity, the deal wasn’t easily struck.

“Customer, won’t you sell them separately? I’ll offer you a fair price.”

“If you’re going to buy, buy it all. Otherwise, forget it.”

“Haha, customer, you won’t easily find someone who can purchase all of this.”

“Understood. Then let’s meet another time.”

They failed at the second shop as well. Since they weren’t really trying to sell the goods, Cho-su didn’t mind.

“Looks like this place won’t work. Let’s try somewhere else.”

They went around to several cities, both large and small, but couldn’t find a buyer.

However, rumors about Cho-su began to spread.

Some small-time thieves tried to snatch the goods but were beaten down every time by Jang Woo-hyun, who was disguised as a bodyguard.

“Only worthless bastards are showing up.”

“Exactly.”

The real targets weren’t appearing—only useless ones kept coming.

Neither Cho-su nor Jang Woo-hyun could be sure how long it would take.

It could end quickly, or if things went awry, they might not encounter Ha Do-gwang’s subordinates at all.

Still, the three didn’t give up and continued to move diligently.

About ten days passed like that.

Then, they met another man who wished to buy the goods.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep