Chapter 232: Negotiation? (3)

“Young Palace Master, what on earth have you done?”

At the voice filled with reproach, Hwa Jin-myeong lowered his head.

“I am sorry, Elder. I was foolish.”

Seeing him sincerely repent his mistake, Cheok Hwa-hong swallowed the words he had been about to say as he stepped forward. At a glance, it was clear that Hwa Jin-myeong’s mindset had changed.

Straightening his body, Hwa Jin-myeong struck his own face with his fist. He hit himself so hard that the Solar Palace martial artists standing at a distance flinched in shock.

After taking a deep breath, Hwa Jin-myeong opened his mouth.

“I will resolve this myself.”

Though he had acted foolishly, he had now returned to the original bearing of the Young Palace Master.

The corner of Cheok Hwa-hong’s lips lifted slightly. Anyone could make a mistake. What mattered was how one acted afterward.

When Cheok Hwa-hong gave a small nod of permission, Hwa Jin-myeong walked forward and stopped in front of Jang Woo-hyun.

He tidied his clothes, dirtied from the earlier fight, and straightened his posture. Standing proudly, he performed a clasped hands greeting.

“I am Hwa Jin-myeong, Young Palace Master of the Solar Palace of Flame. Today, I committed a discourtesy toward the Cheonrin Sword Alliance.”

In that position, Hwa Jin-myeong bent his upper body.

“I apologize. I have spent a long time shut away in the palace training, so my insight is shallow and my knowledge lacking. I do not even know well how to deal with people. I offer my apology once more.”

At the clean and sincere apology, Seoryeom and Makya Wol, who had been watching, showed a glimmer of surprise in their eyes. At first, he had seemed like a fool, but what he showed now was entirely different.

It was the bearing befitting the successor of the great force known as the Solar Palace of Flame.

Pleased with Hwa Jin-myeong’s changed attitude, Jang Woo-hyun also smiled faintly.

“It is fine.”

As the other party approached him respectfully, Jang Woo-hyun responded differently from before.

“Thank you for accepting my apology. It may be shameless to ask, but may I request one thing?”

“What is your request?”

“Please cross hands with me once.”

At the bold request, Jang Woo-hyun’s smile deepened. Such a request was always welcome.

“Ye-ju, you’d better tense up.”

“Why am I suddenly involved?”

“That guy isn’t ordinary.”

Seoryeom gestured with his chin toward Hwa Jin-myeong, who had just crossed hands with Jang Woo-hyun.

Seoryeom had assumed in advance that Maeng Ye-ju would become the most famous among the next generation. Being with the Annihilation Squad, her growth had been astonishingly fast, even compared to his own past.

“To think there would be another one like that.”

But after seeing the Young Palace Master of the Solar Palace of Flame today, his thoughts changed.

Maeng Ye-ju, successor of the Beast King Sect, was remarkable, but Hwa Jin-myeong surpassed even her. Naturally, Seoryeom had no choice but to revise his judgment.

‘It’s not just his Martial Art that’s outstanding.’

At first, he had thought Hwa Jin-myeong was merely a reckless brat strong in Martial Art. But that was not the case.

The moment he realized his mistake, he immediately lowered his head and apologized.

Those belonging to massive sects usually had excessive pride, making such behavior rare.

Moreover, even his apology had been dignified. Recognizing one’s fault and correcting it swiftly was no easy task, yet Hwa Jin-myeong had done it without difficulty. Not only his Martial Art, but his very mindset was admirable.

‘He seems to have popularity as well.’

Judging from the expressions of the Solar Palace martial artists around him and Cheok Hwa-hong’s demeanor, it appeared he had ample support within his sect.

‘He might stand at the very front.’

He had not seen all the successors of the Ten Sects and Three Clans, so he could not easily draw a conclusion, but Seoryeom felt that Hwa Jin-myeong might be the most outstanding among them.

Once he began moving in the world, his name would quickly spread throughout the Central Heavens Martial Realm.

“Even so, it’s just fifty steps versus a hundred.”

As he was admiring Hwa Jin-myeong, Maeng Ye-ju spoke bluntly.

“Hm? What do you mean by that?”

“It’s a saying from the Lower Realm. There may be slight differences, but in the end, there isn’t a great gap.”

“Why bring that up now?”

“Can’t you see? It’s not a hundred steps. There’s someone a thousand—no, ten thousand—steps ahead.”

Seoryeom followed where Maeng Ye-ju pointed and closed his mouth. He had nothing more to say.

As she said, what did it matter if the successors of various sects claimed superiority? The truly overwhelming one stood right there.

Where Maeng Ye-ju pointed, Jang Woo-hyun stood.

Clutching the shoulder where his arm had been severed, Hwa Jin-myeong examined Jang Woo-hyun.

At a glance, he appeared almost ordinary. Yet upon crossing hands with him directly, his strength became clear.

‘To think he would be this strong.’

This time, Jang Woo-hyun had not used Five Elements Qi. As usual, he fought holding the Black Wilds Sword and Dragon King’s Scale, and to Hwa Jin-myeong, the strength he displayed with a sword in hand was incomparable to before.

Though the Martial Art Hwa Jin-myeong had cultivated specialized in offense, he found himself barely managing to block Jang Woo-hyun’s attacks.

Annihilation Squad Leader, Cheonrin Sword Alliance’s Jang Woo-hyun.

It was said that he had slain the Six Heavenly Demons of the Demonic Palace and, not long ago, defeated the former Left Protector of the Five Elements Cult, Spear of Thunder.

His name was no exaggeration. Rarely did the phrase “true to his reputation” suit someone so perfectly.

‘I am still lacking.’

Young Palace Master Hwa Jin-myeong was the hidden weapon of the Solar Palace.

Having trained in seclusion for a long time without revealing himself, he had confidence in his strength.

It was not merely a subjective judgment. Not only the Palace Master but even Cheok Hwa-hong, reputed to be the most cold and strict within the Solar Palace, had acknowledged his Martial Art.

Yet even such skill failed to reach Jang Woo-hyun.

Between them lay an enormous gap. Though both stood at the Boundless Realm, Jang Woo-hyun walked a different path.

‘If I clash with everything I have, could I go further?’

After pondering alone, Hwa Jin-myeong shook his head.

Even if he risked his life in battle, he would only narrow the gap slightly. Beyond that was impossible.

Cheonrin Sword Alliance’s Jang Woo-hyun was that outstanding.

In the end, Hwa Jin-myeong acknowledged defeat.

“I have lost. Today, I have learned much from the Sword Alliance.”

Perhaps finding it unexpected, Jang Woo-hyun’s eyes widened slightly.

“Judging by your expression, you seem surprised.”

“It is unexpected.”

“Ha ha, I must have left a terrible first impression. I am not such a fool. Nor do I intend to charge recklessly. Today, I have clearly lost.”

He emphasized the word today, and Jang Woo-hyun understood that he had not completely given up. Hwa Jin-myeong would challenge him again someday.

Unlike at the beginning, the two men now acknowledged one another as they smiled face to face.

“It seems everything is concluded. Then shall we return to the matter of why you came here?”

As the fight ended, Cheok Hwa-hong approached the two.

Jang Woo-hyun looked for the one who would answer that question. Seizing the opportunity he had been waiting for, Woo Il-do hurried over and stood beside Jang Woo-hyun.

“Five Wheel Five Elements Cult intends to wage war against the Radiant Light Sect. During that time, please halt your conflict with the Ice Palace.”

At the word war, the eyes of the Solar Palace martial artists widened. Then, as the mention of the Ice Palace immediately followed, their gazes turned sharp.

“The conflict with them is not something we can stop at will. If the Ice Palace crosses into our territory, we will have no choice but to respond.”

“You need not worry about that.”

Woo Il-do explained that Right Protector Im Gwan-hwa had already departed to persuade the Ice Palace.

“So be it.”

When the explanation ended, Hwa Jin-myeong answered readily.

“Young Palace Master?”

“Elder, as part of our apology for this matter, would it not be better if we also stepped back?”

“This is not a decision made lightly. The Palace Master’s approval will be required.”

“I understand that an Elder of your standing holds that much authority.”

“Elder.”

As their conversation seemed likely to drag on, Jang Woo-hyun stepped in.

“What is it?”

“You said last time that you owed me a favor. I will collect that debt today. Please lend your aid to the Five Wheel Five Elements Cult.”

—Do visit the Solar Palace sometime. I must repay today’s debt.

Because of words he had once spoken, Cheok Hwa-hong found it difficult to refuse Jang Woo-hyun’s request.

“You are not even affiliated with the Five Wheel Five Elements Cult. Why involve yourself in this?”

“I have unfinished business with the Radiant Light Sect.”

Cheok Hwa-hong met Jang Woo-hyun’s gaze once before looking around.

Seoryeom and Makya Wol, the martial artists of the Slaughter Ghost Corps behind them, and even the Floating Stronghold hovering in the distance.

‘The Annihilation Squad.’

Seeing that even a force not easily encountered by the Ten Sects and Three Clans had become involved, this was no minor power struggle. The Radiant Light Sect and the Five Wheel Five Elements Cult would clash with their sects’ survival on the line.

Cheok Hwa-hong closed his eyes and organized his thoughts.

When he opened them again under everyone’s watchful gaze, the answer the Five Wheel Five Elements Cult desired came from his lips.

“Very well. We shall refrain from fighting the Ice Palace for a time. But do not expect that time to be long. The Solar Palace is like flame itself.”

At the warning that they would not wait indefinitely, Jang Woo-hyun nodded. He too had no intention of prolonging the war with the Radiant Light Sect.

“Sword Alliance, I have one more request.”

“You intend to challenge me again?”

“Ha ha ha, that as well, of course—but that is not the request for now. Neung Un-bi! Yu I-geon!”

At Hwa Jin-myeong’s shout, two figures quickly approached.

“I would like you to take them with you.”

“Pardon?”

The two Solar Palace disciples, Neung Un-bi and Yu I-geon, widened their eyes in shock. It was wholly unexpected. Jang Woo-hyun was equally surprised.

“You ask me to take them when we are going to war with the Radiant Light Sect?”

“Indeed. These two are regarded as outstanding among the younger generation of our palace. I want them to see and learn everything while accompanying the Annihilation Squad. Please take them.”

“If they travel with us, they may die.”

War was no game. He could not guarantee their safety while leading them.

“They are prepared for that. And their abilities are not lacking.”

Jang Woo-hyun looked at the two. Yu I-geon, whose face was stiff, had steadier energy than when they had met years ago. Neung Un-bi, who had constantly opposed him here, was at a similar level.

They had only appeared weak because their standard of comparison was Jang Woo-hyun. In truth, their abilities were not poor.

“I wish for you two to follow the Annihilation Squad. Accompanying them will greatly aid the path you must walk in the future. What do you think?”

The two could not answer easily.

“Go. It will be a valuable experience.”

With Cheok Hwa-hong adding his encouragement, the two finally nodded reluctantly and agreed.

“We ask for your guidance, Great Hero Jang.”

Unlike years ago, Yu I-geon now bowed to Jang Woo-hyun, who had grown far beyond him.

Having witnessed the earlier fight, he had completely lost his fighting spirit. Jang Woo-hyun was no longer someone he could contend with.

“Then is everything settled?”

“Our matters are concluded. I would have liked to share tea and speak further, but there is no time for that, is there?”

This was a clash between two massive sects within the Ten Sects and Three Clans. There was no need to say that preparations would be extensive.

Neither side cared for empty formalities, and the discussion was concluded swiftly.

As Jang Woo-hyun prepared to bid farewell—

“Woo-hyun, wait a moment.”

Cho-su suddenly intervened.

“We have one request as well.”

“Speak.”

“Could you procure some Flame Jade Tree fruit?”

“Flame Jade Tree fruit? That is not something easily handled. What do you intend to do with it?”

The Flame Jade Tree was a peculiar tree mainly found within the Solar Palace’s territory. Once its fruit grew beyond a certain size, it exploded, scattering its seeds far through the blast’s force.

Trees that survived such explosions grew strong and resilient, making them useful in many ways, but the fruit itself was difficult to handle, so few sought it.

“After looking at me, you still ask that?”

When Cho-su pointed to himself, Cheok Hwa-hong and Hwa Jin-myeong quickly understood. If he was from the Nation of Mechanical Marvels, he would certainly find a method.

“We do not have much, but some have been stored. We will provide them.”

“Thank you.”

After smoothly concluding the deal, Jang Woo-hyun quietly asked as he stepped beside Cho-su,

“Cho-su, what are you planning?”

“I need to craft Mountain-Breaking Swords. I used them all last time.”

“Ah, is Flame Jade Tree fruit enough for that?”

“No. Ideally, I would obtain Calamity-Ending Flower, but that is difficult to procure. I searched when I visited the Nation of Mechanical Marvels, but the supply was limited. So I will substitute with Flame Jade Tree fruit. The power will be somewhat lower, but still usable.”

After kindly explaining, Cho-su followed Cheok Hwa-hong to receive the Flame Jade Tree fruit.

“If the opportunity arises, let us meet again.”

“Travel safely.”

“Sword Alliance, until next time.”

With brief farewells exchanged, Thunderstrike Star began to move once more, now carrying two additional passengers.

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