Emperor Namgung Mu of the Thousand Years - Chapter 70

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#070

 

Sword Master Hwirong still doesn’t know my full combat capabilities when I unleash my true power.

 

The special case he mentioned without much thought was unintentionally an accurate description of me.

 

Using Pasabeolsik and internal energy circulation simultaneously to draw out explosive strikes,

 

And especially a new path to draw out the absorption ability of Bukmyeong Singong even more powerfully.

 

‘I must… no matter what price I have to pay…!’

 

I look at Sword Master Hwirong sleeping peacefully.

 

What should I do about this monster.

 

And how should I…

 

One wrong move and I might become a public enemy of the Martial Arts World – it was a gamble.

 

But not right now.

 

I put aside my thoughts and closed my eyes.

 

The five-day journey rushed toward its end like that.

 

On the last day, as twilight fell.

 

It was when we had almost reached our destination.

 

Looking at the reddening sunset, Seo Ganghyeok said.

 

“We’ll arrive this evening. The meeting point with the White Dao Alliance.”

 

He looked at me.

 

“Once we arrive there, my role as temporary master ends. You know that, right? I’m Sword Master Hwirong, and you’re the Boatman.”

 

Then he added, as if he had forgotten to mention this.

 

I immediately understood what Sword Master Hwirong wanted to say.

 

“I think the same way.”

 

“Haha, as expected.”

 

Though there could be various interpretations to that,

 

It probably meant not to have any human expectations that he would do something for me based on these five days of connection, no matter what happens in the future.

 

I like how straightforward it is.

 

I would do the same,

 

And for the goal I’m about to face, I will.

 

“Still, well.”

 

Seo Ganghyeok chuckled.

 

“It’s been a while since I taught someone who understands immediately with just a word. First time since Kunlun.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Five days.

 

A short time, if you could call it short.

 

But within that time, I definitely gained something.

 

It wasn’t just the blood vessels gradually opening through the Chugunggwa acupoint.

 

The things I had believed were natural.

 

The habits ingrained in me as an assassin.

 

For the first time, I was able to look at them from an objective perspective.

 

And.

 

It might be my imagination.

 

Strangely.

 

Very strangely.

 

I felt like Seo Ganghyeok’s frantic energy had somehow become a bit quieter on the last day.

 

A feeling that something artificial had disappeared.

 

As if he was treating me more comfortably…?

 

It must be my imagination.

 

The idea that his frantic energy would disappear when he became more comfortable – that’s not even funny.

 

If anything, he’d become even more frantic when comfortable.

 

“Remember this. There probably won’t be any major fights anyway. So you won’t need to use internal energy either.”

 

Sword Master Hwirong had said that even in Zhejiang Province, it was extremely rare for high-ranking people from the White Dao Alliance to gather in such a remote corner.

 

Therefore, he said all sorts of minor sects in this area would be in chaos, trying to help them somehow and use that as a basis to make connections.

 

“We’ll just watch from behind. Just maintaining the justification that we didn’t ignore the White Dao Alliance’s official request.”

 

“I see.”

 

“Speaking of your current physical condition, Boatman, your blood vessels have been somewhat restored through the treatment process. But it’s a temporary measure.”

 

Sword Master Hwirong said calmly.

 

“You must avoid using internal energy for two weeks and rest properly. Only then will you recover faster.”

 

“…What happens if I use internal energy?”

 

Seo Ganghyeok answered bluntly.

 

“You’ll get extremely worse, enough to overwhelm all the recovery so far.”

 

“I’ll have to be careful.”

 

When the sun passed its zenith and tilted westward.

 

Flags began to appear in the distance.

 

Over a hundred people were gathered there.

 

Seo Ganghyeok said.

 

“Well. We’ve finally arrived.”

 

In front of the main gate of the White Dao Alliance.

 

He earnestly advised me once more.

 

“The quality will be pretty bad. Especially recently, it’s gotten even worse.”

 

Seo Ganghyeok’s expression wasn’t very good.

 

“Never fall for provocations. Especially don’t cause disputes like fighting. Got it, Boatman? Those bastards may not know other things, but their connections with local influential people, wealthy merchants, and networks are real. Their skill at running their mouths in all directions is certain, so it’s better not to create gossip in the first place. If something happens, there’s no way to shut those mouths except massacring them all.”

 

“Don’t worry. I won’t fall for petty provocations.”

 

I suddenly remembered Seo Ganghyeok talking about the White Dao Alliance before.

 

…Honestly, I’m more worried about you than me?

 

I sighed quietly and looked at Seo Ganghyeok.

 

A precarious feeling.

 

Surely, when dealing with Guiryeongseuui alone is already headache-inducing, other problems won’t… arise, right?

 

In my experience, such hopes were always dashed, making me even more anxious.

 

Whether I thought that or not, Seo Ganghyeok was excited by himself.

 

“Good! How reliable. Then let’s go say hello. Still, it’s the first martial arts journey accompanied by one of the Five Great Battles of the Namgung Family, so greetings are…”

 

Seo Ganghyeok said as if he had made up his mind.

 

“Want to do it, Boatman? Like a greeting to the martial arts world, and a declaration that we’ve coldly returned to our original positions, leaving behind the temporary master-disciple relationship?”

 

There’s no reason to refuse.

 

“That’s clean. Good.”

 

I can see the martial artists standing guard.

 

Seeing us from a distance, they frowned as if annoyed.

 

“All sorts of drifters trying to show off are coming.”

 

Though we had to wash once in the middle, our clothes were a mess from the rough wilderness dust.

 

Especially the water mist and dust storms we encountered alternately as we approached Zhejiang Province were truly terrible.

 

Moreover, without attendants or any flags, we probably looked like minor sect members to them.

 

I said.

 

“Is this the White Dao Alliance?”

 

The martial artist said curtly.

 

“Are you martial artists wanting to join the White Dao Alliance?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

The huge, pot-bellied martial artist on the right took out a bundle of papers from his chest and said roughly.

 

“State your affiliation and name, and stand over there. The sect leaders are currently in a meeting.”

 

“When will the meeting end?”

 

“Who knows. Do I really need to tell you that? You’re the ones who came here needing the Baekdo Alliance, so why should we bother explaining everything in detail?”

 

The martial artist sneered and chuckled mockingly.

 

So this is what they meant.

 

I let out a small sigh.

 

I had experienced this kind of treatment frequently since my previous life.

 

After gaining power, I became even more capable of responding with composure, so there was no need to act rashly over something like this.

 

“There seems to be some misunderstanding. We had prior arrangements…”

 

“So how many are you? Wait, what? This is all?”

 

The martial artist cut off my words, looking incredulous.

 

“The martial artists who came… just two? Are you telling me that those requesting to join the Baekdo Alliance brought only two people?”

 

My brow furrowed at the blatant condescension.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

“Hehe, well if it’s just two, that’s more than enough. If ten from the Baekdo Alliance came, could you handle that?”

 

Seo Ganghyeok, who had been quietly standing by, stepped forward.

 

“I’ve been watching, and what kind of manner of speaking is that toward people who came to help? How about responding properly while I’m being nice about it?”

 

“What’s this now?”

 

The martial artist frowned.

 

He pointed to the sword strapped to his back and spoke.

 

“I’m Manwi of the Geoggyeong Faction. If you’ve heard my name, you’d better scram.”

 

Right before my eyes, he blatantly tore up the paper he was about to use.

 

“You guys aren’t even worth looking at. Get lost. We have plenty of people anyway. Hehe. Hey, isn’t that right, everyone?”

 

Four or five more martial artists from the Geoggyeong Faction came from behind.

 

They all chuckled and whispered among themselves.

 

They particularly pointed fingers at me, who was behind the dust-covered Seo Ganghyeok.

 

“…”

 

Seo Ganghyeok looked at another gatekeeper martial artist beside him as if he couldn’t believe it.

 

“What are you looking at? Got something to say?”

 

“…”

 

Ha, Seo Ganghyeok let out a short sigh and muttered quietly.

 

“I knew this would happen and didn’t want to come… How annoying.”

 

Ah, that word is a bit dangerous.

 

“What did you say?”

 

Manwi’s eyes flashed with anger.

 

“What are you? What did you just say? I don’t recognize your face – don’t you know about our Geoggyeong Faction?”

 

“Whether it’s the Geoggyeong Faction or some salt-selling bandit origin, let me just say this one thing.”

 

Under Seo Ganghyeok’s black hair, his golden eyes began to glint ominously.

 

“Are you doing this after confirming who the person in front of you is? Or are you recklessly speaking down to people before identifying their status, as if pleading that your head is bad?”

 

“What…?”

 

The atmosphere grew menacing.

 

Seo Ganghyeok didn’t stop and continued speaking.

 

“Or have you salt and herb peddlers become so blind after putting on the Baekdo hat and entering that you can’t see anything anymore?”

 

“This bastard…”

 

Manwi’s face reddened.

 

However, it didn’t lead to further action.

 

Instead, seeming to have some concern about the mention of identity verification, he quickly looked me up and down.

 

Then, looking at my face.

 

“Puha.”

 

He curled his lips with confidence.

 

“If there’s such a damn ugly bastard in a place, that sect, even if we check it, is trash-”

 

-Bang!!!

 

At that moment, Manwi’s face caved in.

 

“Guh…urk?!”

 

Manwi’s toes lifted off the ground-

 

-Crash!!!

 

“…!”

 

“…!!!”

 

Everyone’s breath stopped.

 

It was as if a massive siege ram had struck.

 

No, it might be more fitting to describe it as a fly being swatted away by an iron ladle.

 

What Sword Master Hwirong swung through the air was merely two fingers.

 

With that swing, Manwi’s entire body was instantly wrapped by two invisible whips, crushed and crumpled as he flew away.

 

“Haha, is life good these days?”

 

Seo Ganghyeok chuckled and brushed off his two fingers.

 

“A burst dead fly knows how to insult too? Isn’t that right, everyone?”

 

From behind, I quietly pressed my forehead.

 

‘…The person who told me not to use my fists.’

 

And I realized anew.

 

Why Seo Ganghyeok had said he couldn’t engage in duels.

 

“What, what, what! Manwi, Manwi is!!!!”

 

The martial artists beside him were horrified and drew their swords.

 

“Did this bastard just touch the Baekdo Alliance?! Do you know where this is, daring to lay hands?!”

 

“So did you see it?”

 

“…What?”

 

Seo Ganghyeok approached.

 

His black hair fell down.

 

Underneath, his golden eyes glinted as he looked down at the martial artist.

 

“Did you see me directly lay hands on that bastard?”

 

“Ah… ahh.”

 

The martial artist’s mouth gaped.

 

Seo Ganghyeok grabbed the opponent’s chin.

 

He forced eye contact.

 

“Did you see it?”

 

“I… I didn’t see it.”

 

“Then.”

 

Seo Ganghyeok bent his waist and whispered.

 

“What are you trying to question me about?”

 

“I was. That is… I was.”

 

Stammering, the martial artist picked up the blood-stained list that had fallen to the ground with trembling hands.

 

“I… I wanted to know your affiliation.”

 

“Our affiliation is the Namgung Family.”

 

At those words, the martial artists instantly froze.

 

“Nam…gung…?”

 

“And those ‘just two people’ you mentioned. One person’s position and name is Namgung Hwi, the Boatman of the great Namgung Family. And the second person’s name is Seo Ganghyeok. His position is Sword Master Hwirong. By the way, my name might be unfamiliar. My alias is One Mountain Eight Divine Generals.”

 

“One Mountain… Eight Divine Generals…?”

 

Several people showed shock as if realizing something.

 

“Ko, Kunlun…!”

 

“Sword Master Hwirong? That Sword Master Hwirong?!”

 

Seo Ganghyeok spoke.

 

“Let’s be clear about this. We didn’t request to join the Baekdo Alliance. The Baekdo Alliance earnestly requested us, and we responded to their call.”

 

The warriors’ eyes grew as wide as lanterns.

 

“The Namgung Family sent not just any warrior, but one of the Five Great Patriarchs and the Boatman…!”

 

The Gekyeongbang Murin cried out frantically.

 

“Pl, please wait, I’ll prepare the roster right now…!”

 

“Haha, still don’t grasp the situation?”

 

Seo Ganghyeok extended his fingers.

 

One.

 

Two.

 

He pointed them forward and spoke coldly.

 

“Clear the way. Before I consider you all cult members and kill every last one of you.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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