Chapter 24: Sword-Seizing Spar (1)

Xi’an, Huaqing Pool—

The performing troupe from Beijing put on masks and vivid makeup as they performed their play.

“At that moment, the One-Armed Blade Wielder raised his sword high with his only hand!”

The one playing the role of the announcer exclaimed in an exaggerated manner. The performer dressed as the One-Armed Blade Wielder lifted his blade. Perhaps because he was a villain, the flashy blade resembled Yi-gang’s rusty Shooting Star Fang.

“This villain! Surrender and accept the aura of our clan!”

“The Murim Alliance’s Inescapable Net is already complete. Kneel!”

Other performers dressed as members of the Murim Alliance brandished their swords, spinning around gracefully. Their movements matched the rhythm perfectly, looking quite menacing.

“The One-Armed Blade Wielder swung his sword down. It was as if lightning had struck from a clear sky.”

Whooosh-

The so-called One-Armed Blade Wielder struck down with his sword. To the martial artists, the move seemed all for show, but it was enough to amaze the common folk.

It seemed intended for dramatic effect. At the very moment the sword was swung, the members of the Murim Alliance stopped abruptly in unison.

“With just one strike, he cut down five members of the Murim Alliance.”

From the chests of the paused Murim Alliance members, red blood gushed out.

Of course, their chests were not really cut. It was just a burs of duck feathers dyed red.

However, the scattering red duck feathers looked exactly like spurting blood. Even the martial artists, who had seen real blood spurt several times, were impressed.

As the first act came to an end, the performers approached the spectators, graciously accepting coins in appreciation.

Yi-gang too handed over a few coins and applauded.

“It’s impressive. It felt so real.”

“The blade technique was completely odd, but it was cool,”

Peng Mu-ah mumbled as such. She had been in a sulky mood just that morning, but going out seemed to have lifted her spirits.

Moyong Tak also smiled brightly, speaking to Moyong Jin.

“Hmm, turning the One-Armed Blade Wielder, who was a public enemy of Murim, into a play. Truly, these Beijing performing troupes have great ideas, don’t they?”

“…Huh? Oh, yes.”

“You! Stop daydreaming. Hahaha.”

However, Moyong Jin seemed startled, as if his mind was elsewhere. Despite his professed love for performances, he was not concentrating at all.

Yi-gang quietly observed the two brothers.

Moyong Tak looked around at his group.

“Shall we slowly head to the restaurant?”

The sun was already setting. The group reluctantly began their departure.

Around the performing troupe, people still flocked. The next act was about to start, after all.

「I wish we could stay longer and watch more.」

The Immortal Divine Sword seemed even more reluctant to leave than the young Peng Mu-ah or Ha-jun.

‘Despite it being just a play, you seem to find it regretful?’

「The character of the One-Armed Blade Wielder was quite impressive, wasn’t he?」

‘He was a public enemy of Murim who was hunted down and killed.’

「A public enemy of Murim… right, tsk tsk. His skills were quite good, making it very intriguing.」

Due to the Immortal Divine Sword’s nagging, Yi-gang’s departure was delayed. As he made his way through the crowd, attempting to follow his group, there was a sudden interruption.

The Immortal Divine Sword whispered softly,

「Yi-gang.」

Even before hearing the warning, Yi-gang already felt an unsettling sensation.

As he bumped shoulders with someone, Yi-gang swiftly turned around.

Even if he could not use internal energy, it did not mean he was unfamiliar with martial arts. Using the basic grappling technique, which any child of a martial arts clan would know, he twisted the person’s wrist.

“Aaaargh!”

The one Yi-gang subdued was a young boy. He looked emaciated, almost indistinguishable from a beggar.

“Let go of me! You’re hurting someone!”

As the boy screamed, the attention of the crowd was drawn. However, Yi-gang nonchalantly checked his belongings.

“Huh, so such things still happen.”

The purse he had kept inside his pocket was missing.

“Give me back my purse. Before I hand you over to the government office and have your wrist cut off.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? I didn’t take anything!”

Yi-gang frisked the struggling boy, but the boy didn’t have the purse.

“Why are you manhandling an innocent person!”

“Innocent, you say.”

Such places are perfect for pickpockets. And those who do pickpocketing, often belong to the Low Down Sect.

Yi-gang leaned close to the ear of the sly-looking boy.

“Didn’t anyone teach you who I am? It seems Geumhwa and Jeong Gu failed in training you.”

“…!”

The previously enraged boy clamped his mouth shut. His eyes trembled in confusion.

“Don’t make things difficult. Just hand over my stuff, and I’ll let you go.”

While the boy seemed unaware of who Yi-gang was, just the name of the Xi’an Branch Manager was fearsome enough by itself.

“It’s in the ankle…”

The moment Yi-gang’s gaze shifted to the boy’s bulging ankle, a flash of a sword gleamed from somewhere, slashing at the boy’s ankle.

Swoosh-

“Ah!”

Fortunately, the sword only sliced through a hidden pocket in the ankle strap. Realizing that his ankle was unharmed, the boy was visibly shaken.

It was Moyong Tak, who had returned and swung his sword without warning.

“Smaller pickpockets often hide stolen goods in their ankle straps. Haha. It seems this technique has spread even here.”

“…”

Yi-gang quietly looked at Moyong Tak.

Moyong Tak, chuckling, picked up the purse and handed it over.

“Don’t be too upset. It’s all because of your flashy appearance. When these lowlifes see such a trendy nobleman, how could they resist?”

“Trendy?”

Yi-gang examined his attire.

A red outer garment adorned with intricate embroidery. Contrasting with it, a robe as smooth as ebony and elegant leather shoes.

Moyong Tak had long since admired Yi-gang’s attire.

Although it was not intended, the style was said to be trending in Beijing recently. On top of that, Yi-gang wore numerous rings, including one adorned with a ruby the size of a fingernail.

「I don’t want to criticize the fashion sense of the descendant, but it does seem a bit excessive. Being too flashy can quickly become gaudy.」

‘It’s stylish.’

Yi-gang’s appearance was the epitome of a nobleman. Moreover, compared to his companions, he looked significantly slender and frail. It was no wonder that the pickpocket boy targeted him.

“It feels a bit much to hand him over to the government office.”

“I’ll let him go.”

Upon hearing Yi-gang’s words, Moyong Tak grinned.

In any case, even if Moyong Tak had not intervened, Yi-gang had intended to release the young thief.

“Be more careful with your hands in the future.”

With those words, Moyong Tak extended his right hand to the boy. Was he offering a handshake?

As the boy hesitantly reached out, Moyong Tak genuinely shook his hand.

“Such a dirty, delicate hand.”

Then, veins bulged on Moyong Tak’s arm.

Grip-

With a vicious sound, the boy’s hand was crushed.

“Ah, ahhh!”

“This is your punishment. Live with repentance.”

“Ugh, ughhh!”

Moyong Tak released his grip a moment later.

The boy’s hand turned a shade beyond red, to purple. Tears streamed down his face as he shivered, holding his broken right hand.

The strength of a martial artist’s grip was unbearable for a street pickpocket.

Clutching his hand, which undoubtedly had several broken bones, the boy staggered away in escape.

“…Such ingratitude. Even when shown mercy. Haha.”

Standing up with a satisfied expression, Moyong Tak earned a glare from Yi-gang.

Even if one were from an orthodox sect aiming to become a reputable master, peel back a layer, and this was what you would find. Many among the martial artists were like this.

Not only Moyong Tak could cloak such violence in the guise of “mercy.”

“Oh! I recognized young master’s face and rushed over. Truly, it had to be you, brother!”

“To think you showed mercy to that damned scoundrel.”

Several young men appeared, clapping.

They all looked well-dressed, and weapons were fastened at their waists. They were unmistakably martial artists at a glance.

“Oh! Aren’t these our younger brothers? Didn’t expect to see you already.”

“Hahaha, we came to watch the street performers before the evening banquet.”

“I had the same idea. This is something.”

Moyong Tak warmly exchanged greetings with the martial artists, even though he had not been here for long.

It was astonishing. The appearing martial artists were all from the various sects within Xi’an.

Yi-gang, standing behind, immediately recognized the identities of the arriving martial artists.

‘Two from the Seven Lightning Blade Sect and two from the Green Field Gang.’

Those with a lightning emblem on their swords were from the Seven Lightning Blade Sect, and those with green belts were martial artists of the Green Field Gang.

In Xi’an, not only was there the Baek Clan, but various smaller sects gathered. All of them were orthodox martial artists in opposition to the Murim Alliance.

“Since it’s like this, let’s go together.”

“That would be nice, but I have my entourage.”

“Ah, the members from the Seven Stars Conference! There must be someone from Azure Forest as well. Thanks to you, brother, we have this great opportunity today.”

“Hehe, they are all good people.”

In their friendly exchange, they likely did not recall the pickpocket whose hand was broken earlier. And that was not the only thing they had forgotten.

A smirk appeared on Yi-gang’s lips.

「The attire of the descendant is surely noticeable. They engage in such childish acts, keke.」

Their eyes clearly met Yi-gang’s.

Even though Yi-gang had been away from the main house for several years, they should have recognized him. However, they treated Yi-gang as if he were air.

“I was just assisting this friend who was facing some difficulties.”

“Oh? That… friend you’re referring to?”

“Hmm, don’t you recognize him?”

When Moyong Tak mentioned Yi-gang, they finally tilted their heads, taking a closer look at him.

“Isn’t that the Young Master Baek Yi-gang? Haha. Now, he seems more like a younger brother to us.”

“Ah, it’s Young Master Yi-gang.”

They feigned recognition with a touch of theatricality.

“It’s been so long that I forgot. It’s been a while, Young Master Yi-gang.”

They lazily extended their hands for a casual handshake.

Yi-gang reciprocated the handshake.

“I’ve been away from the clan for a while.”

“I’m glad to see you looking healthy. Hehe.”

Their words were polite, but their demeanor told a different story.

For the unwell Yi-gang, that comment was clearly a sarcastic jab.

“Thanks to you all. Seven Lightning Blade Sect’s Jong Seok-oh, Yang Jeong. And Green Field Gang’s Go Hee-sam, Chu Do-young.”

“…”

The previously smug martial artists suddenly stiffened.

“You… knew our names?”

“How could I not?”

They had not even imagined that Yi-gang would know their names.

“Every time on the Clan Head’s birthday, the sect leaders would visit to offer gifts and pay respects. Didn’t you all just tail them?”

“…”

“The precious elixirs and such that the sect leaders presented to the Clan Head? I enjoyed them very much.”

Both the Seven Lightning Blade Sect and the Green Field Gang were sects that bowed their heads to the Baek Clan. They were the ones who showed loyalty by visiting annually on the Clan Head’s birthday.

Yi-gang was highlighting the difference in their positions in a roundabout way.

“I have a good memory. I recognized you just by seeing the back of your heads, as you were always bowing. But you all seem different.”

“Wha-what do you mean!”

“I mean, keep your eyes wide open when walking around.”

Thinking he spoke indirectly was a mistake, Yi-gang outright confronted them.

Seeing their faces turning crimson with anger, Moyong Tak quickly intervened.

“Haha, in just a few years, Yi-gang, you’ve grown so much. Given how much your demeanor has improved, it’s understandable that we couldn’t recognize you at first.”

He mediated skillfully.

Yi-gang had said his piece, and the martial artists did not dare to openly express their anger, so no conflict arose.

“Let’s meet later with smiles on our faces.”

With that, Yi-gang turned away without hesitation.

The martial artists from the Seven Lightning Blade Sect and the Green Field Gang could only clench their fists in suppressed rage.

As Moyong Tak followed Yi-gang, he sneakily turned his head towards the others.

“Everyone, don’t take it to heart. The gathering will surely be enjoyable. Hahaha!”

His mouth smiled, but his eyes held an oddly cold glint.

The martial artists stood still, mulling over that icy gaze.

The main gate of the Greatest Gold Tower was unusually shut tight. Moreover, there were two large, imposing gatekeepers standing guard.

However, as soon as Yi-gang and his group approached, they immediately opened the gates.

“Please, come in.”

They then showed their respect with an exaggerated gesture.

Such a gesture was expected towards the esteemed guests who had rented the entire restaurant.

Notably, a bead of cold sweat slid down the neck of one of the gatekeepers. He recognized a familiar face.

Yi-gang, looking down with a cold gaze, was now dressed in lavish attire unlike before.

However, his confident demeanor and aristocratic stride remained consistent with his past memories.

Who would have thought that the skinny boy from back then was a young master of the eminent Baek Clan? Though the injury had healed, the smack he received still seemed to sting on his lips.

Yi-gang retracted his gaze and entered the restaurant.

Shortly after, someone stopped in front of the gatekeeper.

“Hmm, can I head straight to the fourth floor?”

The bowing gatekeeper raised his head to see Moyong Tak, who unmistakably looked like a man of culture.

In terms of importance, he was no less than Yi-gang. He was the very employer of the Low Down Sect who rented the entire restaurant.

“Yes, we’ve prepared the main table for you.”

“I see.”

Moyong Tak quietly observed the gatekeeper, then turned to his companions.

“Go on ahead.”

“And you, Sir Moyong?”

Jin Ri-yeon asked, but Moyong Tak just shrugged.

“Haha, I drank too much tea during the day.”

“Oh…”

With the excuse of visiting the restroom, the group went up without suspicion.

Moyong Tak waited for them to climb the stairs before moving. The direction he took was not towards the restroom.

There was a unique spot within the Greatest Gold Tower.

The indoor garden on the first floor and the old shrine within it. Without hesitation, Moyong Tak entered the shrine.

Inside, someone was waiting for Moyong Tak.

“Young Master.”

“Ah, have you been waiting long?”

“No, sir.”

“Good, everything I instructed is prepared?”

“Yes, I’ve relayed everything to the chef.”

“Take this.”

From his belongings, Moyong Tak handed over a shimmering gold yuanbao. The man who received it unexpectedly wore a slightly shocked expression.

“There’s no need to give the final payment when the task isn’t completed yet.”

“It’s not the final payment, it’s an addition.”

To generously give 50 gold nyang as an extra fee. It was certainly not just a request for a successful banquet.

As expected, Moyong Tak handed over a powder wrapped in yellow paper from his belongings.

“Add this in the Golden Essence Liquor. And bring that bottle at the time I mentioned. There should not be a single error.”

“Young Master…”

It was a tense moment even for the worn out Low Down Sect member.

“You know what will happen if things go wrong.”

“…”

Moyong Tak merely smiled coldly, which looked all the more ruthless.

“By any chance… do you know what kind of drug this is?”

“Tsk.”

Moyong Tak’s hand moved lightning-fast to grasp the man’s throat.

“Kehk, keuk”

“Do you really want to know?”

Even as his face turned red from the strangulation, the man did not struggle or make a sound.

From Moyong Tak’s perspective, that was quite satisfactory.

“It seems you don’t need to know.”

“Kehk, heuk… Yes.”

“I hope you don’t disappoint me.”

“I will never let you down, Young Master.”

From the moment he received the first gold yuanbao, the Low Down Sect’s Xi’an Branch was as good as enslaved to Moyong Tak.

“Don’t worry. What you’re concerned about won’t happen.”

With a sly smile, Moyong Tak left, and the man massaged his sore throat.

“Whew.”

Getting involved with Moyong Tak was indeed a massive burden. To mix an unknown powder into the drink, especially at a banquet where people from Baek Clan, Peng Clan, and Azure Forest were all gathered.

What would have happened if he had not established a connection with Yi-gang?

Compared to Moyong Tak, Yi-gang might be lacking in martial skills and experience, but at this moment, he was their only hope.

“For now, I must trust him.”

Rubbing his throat, Jeong Gu muttered to himself.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep