Heaven-Defying Hero - Chapter 22

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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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#022

The place they arrived at was the Byeolchae located in the deepest part of the Giru.

The Byeolchae, cleaned up to receive guests, had a table carved with splendid tiger patterns and chairs decorated with jade.

From decorations and paintings to teacups, everything was luxurious without exception.

“Please sit.”

“Are you ordering me?”

“Ah, no. Would you like to sit?”

In front of the splendid table in the Byeolchae, Cheon Byeong-il bowed his head once more and offered.

Ja-gang-cheon and Cheon-gu reluctantly took their seats.

“Then I’ll prepare tea…”

“Never mind. Sit down.”

Cheon Byeong-il inwardly wanted to ask ‘Are you ordering me?’ but held back and sat across from them.

“What orders did you receive from Hao-mun?”

“Just general information gathering.”

“General gathering, yet they sent a new person? You seem to have learned quite a bit of martial arts too.”

“No. I’m just…”

An enormous killing intent burst forth from Ja-gang-cheon’s body. The experienced Cheon Byeong-il was inwardly surprised as this was something he often experienced, but tried to endure it.

But something was strange.

The killing intent that burst forth attacked him like a predator that had spotted its prey.

Bang!

Feeling a crisis he had never experienced before, Cheon Byeong-il pushed his chair back and retreated.

The noise from the fallen chair echoed inside the Byeolchae.

“Did you see a ghost or something?”

Cheon Byeong-il set up the fallen chair while calming his still pounding heart.

‘He’s a much higher master than I expected.’

He had acknowledged his skills to some extent since he had dealt with the Black Immortal Sect Leader and executives in one go.

The lightness skill he saw in the Giru courtyard today also exceeded ordinary levels.

But the energy wave just now was beyond common sense.

‘Did he achieve rejuvenation or something?’

Thinking about it, his speech and behavior weren’t like an old man’s. Rather, Cheon Byeong-il was certain about this part.

“You said it was general information gathering?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Good. Then I’ll ask three questions. I’ll answer them for you.”

“Pardon?”

“Instead of monitoring me unpleasantly, ask me directly. Don’t you understand?”

Cheon Byeong-il was having many new experiences today.

“Don’t want to?”

“No!”

Cheon Byeong-il realized he had shouted urgently and felt embarrassed.

“Start.”

“What is your sect and your purpose for establishing yourself in Jiao-nan, Lord?”

As Ja-gang-cheon was about to answer, Cheon-gu beside him pointed out.

“That’s two questions.”

At those words, Ja-gang-cheon glared at Cheon Byeong-il.

“I gave you a chance and you’re playing games.”

“I apologize. I was too eager.”

Cheon Byeong-il changed his question.

“What is your sect?”

“There’s nothing grand enough to call a sect. If I had to say, since I learned Bicheon Shinbo, I’m a descendant of Sintu.”

Sintu Sajeok-ryang.

The lightness skill and footwork that Ja-gang-cheon had learned was precisely Sajeok-ryang’s Bicheon Shinbo.

He said he had no sect because Sintu had never belonged to any specific organization.

‘Hao-mun must have already figured out about Bicheon Shinbo.’

He had displayed the supreme Bicheon Shinbo at the Black Immortal Sect, and there were dozens of witnesses.

In any case, there was no lie in Ja-gang-cheon’s answer. He just didn’t tell everything and only revealed what was possible.

“Next question.”

Ja-gang-cheon answered as briefly as possible and gave no additional explanations.

“Second question. What is your reason for establishing yourself in Jiao-nan?”

“I was thinking of making a boat to go to Gwigokdo. There’s someone I need to meet.”

It was an answer without lies.

From the listener’s perspective, it had to connect with the first question.

-He’s going to Gwigokdo to search for traces of Sintu.

Cheon Byeong-il didn’t jump to conclusions hastily and attempted conversation.

“I heard that everyone who went to Gwigokdo died.”

“Are you certain?”

He couldn’t answer yes. Because no one had confirmed it. It was just that there had been no news for nineteen years, and none of those who entered Gwigokdo to find them had ever returned.

So they could only assume everyone had died.

“Now only the last question remains.”

Though Cheon Byeong-il had given up the initiative, his deliberation about the last question wasn’t long. It was information he absolutely had to find out.

“What is your relationship with the Wudang Sect?”

It was a question Ja-gang-cheon hadn’t expected. Hao-mun had found out information from even before he dealt with the Black Immortal Sect.

Ja-gang-cheon was also taken aback by their information gathering ability, which was much better than expected.

‘Avoiding it here would rather look strange.’

Since he had already come this far, Ja-gang-cheon chose a direct approach instead of making excuses.

“I went to the Wudang Sect because I had something to ask of them, but they refused. So I dislike the Wudang Sect. Does that answer it?”

Since his sincere anger was revealed as it was, Cheon Byeong-il couldn’t dare to doubt it.

‘There’s no way outsiders would know the purpose of his visit to the Wudang Sect.’

The Wudang Sect would rather try to hide it completely.

“Questions over.”

Having answered all questions, Ja-gang-cheon stood up from his seat.

“If information gathering is really the purpose, there seems to be no reason to monitor me anymore.”

Ja-gang-cheon bent his waist and watched the other’s eyes closely.

“I’ve done my part. Right?”

Cheon Byeong-il couldn’t bring himself to nod.

‘He gave me justification.’

The surveillance target had come directly and kindly provided information. Not backing down here would be no different from asking for a fight.

Seeing the other’s stern expression, Ja-gang-cheon stated his real purpose for coming here.

“Disappear from around me. Today is the last time we’ll handle this through conversation.”

Leaving a clear warning, Ja-gang-cheon left the Giru.

Left alone, Cheon Byeong-il fell into deep thought for a long time.

As Ja-gang-cheon relaxed his stern expression after leaving the Giru, Cheon-gu spoke to him.

“You did well.”

“Right?”

Ja-gang-cheon returned to an innocent face that was unimaginable for someone who had just been pressuring Cheon Byeong-il.

“When Mother fought with Father, she did it like this.”

“So you learn things like that when you have parents.”

These were things Cheon-gu had never experienced.

***

Hao-mun’s Cheon Byeong-il went to the port when the sun was at its highest.

After examining the row of boats, he boarded an ordinary fishing vessel named ‘Noknyeong’.

He made eye contact with the captain but there was no particular greeting. He simply stepped down three stairs and opened the cabin door. Then appeared a reception room that didn’t match a fishing boat at all.

From the carpet laid on the floor to the flower decorations adorning the walls, to the table and chairs carved from fragrant wood. It was a scene you’d only see in the most expensive rooms of a giru.

And in the center sat a woman dressed in white that contrasted sharply with the red surroundings.

At first glance she appeared pure and elegant, but up close her skin showed through slightly, stimulating a man’s instincts.

“I greet Dan-ju.”

Cheon Byeong-il bowed respectfully to the woman.

“Ja-gang-cheon came to find you directly?”

“Yes, Dan-ju.”

He told her everything that had happened with Ja-gang-cheon.

“Interesting.”

The woman thought for a moment then asked Cheon Byeong-il.

“Do you think he was telling the truth?”

“I only believe the certain parts. That he inherited the true teachings of Sintu Sa Jeok-ryang. That despite his age, he’s a master. That he really was trying to obtain a boat and has strong hostility toward the Wudang Sect.”

“There would be no evidence of his hostility toward the Wudang Sect.”

“This is my personal judgment. If the hostility he showed then was fake, then it’s time for me to quit this job.”

It meant he was certain.

“Things have gotten thoroughly tangled.”

The woman synthesized all the information and reached a conclusion. The process was interesting but the result was the worst.

“I apologize. I didn’t expect him to come seeking to answer questions.”

“Of course. It wasn’t in my expectations either.”

She didn’t particularly blame her subordinate for the failure. Solving the problem took priority over that.

“The black market is ownerless but we can’t take it because of one boy.”

Hao-mun’s real purpose.

It was Jiao-nan’s black market.

Jiao-nan’s black market was among the largest in scale.

The South was impossible as it was an overseas trade district managed by the Royal Court, and the North had heavy surveillance due to the many supplies entering the Royal Court.

Eventually black markets formed in between, and Jiao-nan was one of them.

Unlicensed or prohibited goods were secretly distributed, and it was also a major source of income for sailors traveling overseas.

-In the black market, you can buy anything if you have money.

That’s why Gwimyeon Ssangssal had specifically taken Jiao-nan.

“I thought it would be easy to take.”

The woman’s brow furrowed.

When the Black Immortal Sect stepped forward, there had been no problem. Like Gwimyeon Ssangssal, Hao-mun had planned to use them as pawns.

But the situation afterward took a strange turn.

The person who dealt with Gwimyeon Ssangssal cleaned up all of Jiao-nan’s Black Society, then even disbanded the Black Immortal Sect.

With such a person established in Jiao-nan, it became awkward for other groups to enter.

-No Black Society can enter Jiao-nan.

This was even proclaimed in the name of Deungmyeong Manor.

-To advance into Jiao-nan, you’d have to fight that person.

Gwimyeon Ssangssal had been burdensome enough, but now they had to overcome the one who defeated them.

With the Black Immortal Sect collapsing after underestimating their young opponent, the groups that had been secretly considering advancing into Jiao-nan had stopped in their tracks.

“If we don’t take it quickly, it’ll become a battlefield.”

The woman asked Cheon Byeong-il, who was standing quietly waiting.

“How many are currently targeting the black market?”

“After the Black Immortal Sect was dealt with, small organizations withdrew. Currently Jeokil-bang and Pajong-mun are most active. They could move at any time.”

Jeokil-bang and Pajong-mun were the most famous Demonic Sect organizations in Shandong Province. They were incomparable to the Black Immortal Sect, which had originally been at the bottom of the Demonic Sect.

“What about others?”

“Shandong Owak’s movements are unusual.”

At the mention of Shandong Owak, the woman let out a long breath.

“Only the difficult ones are left.”

With the small fry withdrawn, naturally only the big fish remained.

“It’ll be troublesome if those bastards establish themselves first.”

Hao-mun had originally operated like an information organization rather than through force. Fighting over territory occupied by major sects wasn’t their way.

“If we take it first, those bastards won’t be able to do anything either.”

For other sects too, forcibly taking Hao-mun’s market would be a decision with more losses than gains.

“In the end, it’s a fight where whoever takes it first wins.”

Jiao-nan’s black market has no owner.

This is an unprecedented opportunity for everyone.

“Negotiating with Deungmyeong Manor seems best.”

Cheon Byeong-il offered his opinion first for once. He hoped to make up for his mistake.

The woman watching such a subordinate smiled slightly.

“It seems I’ll have to step forward myself.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“No. He’s very wary of us. I alone am sufficient.”

“Be careful. He’s no pushover.”

Though it was sincere advice, the woman’s smile only deepened.

“He’s still just a teenage boy. No matter how he struggles with his shallow experience, he’s in the palm of my hand.”

The woman rose from the chair she’d been sitting in.

***

“Hup!”

When a vigorous shout was heard, Ja-gang-cheon’s view of the world went up.

“Ninety-nine!”

When a booming voice was heard, the world came back down.

“Hyung. It’s fun, but do we really have to do this?”

“Training and! Making hyung-nims happy, so it’s the best!”

Ja-gang-cheon was sitting on Pansuk’s right shoulder.

“Gangcheon. Enjoy it. Hyung wants this.”

Cheon-gu, sitting on the left shoulder with one head between them, chewed dried jerky leisurely.

Because this wasn’t the first or second time.

Pansuk was training external arts with the two sitting on his shoulders.

He wasn’t simply sitting and standing, but moving according to the footwork Ja-gang-cheon had taught him.

“Hyung. Your ankles are too stiff. Bicheon Shinbo is about flexibility, not strength.”

Pansuk was actually learning Bicheon Shinbo. Since Cheon-gu was also learning Bicheon Shinbo, he added advice.

“Hyung. It feels unstable when you just try to relax your strength, right?”

“Yes, Cheon-gu hyung-nim. I feel like I’ll fall.”

“Try with the feeling of only putting strength in your big toe.”

“Like this?”

“Right. The important thing is shifting your center.”

Following Cheon-gu’s advice, Pansuk was awkward at first but soon displayed smooth footwork.

“Oh! It works! Cheon-gu hyung-nim is the best!”

“Hey. Hyung. You said I was the best.”

“Jangju hyung-nim is the best. But Cheon-gu hyung-nim is even more the best.”

Since it was just honest Pansuk, there was no inclination to scold him.

“Good. Though hyung will mainly learn powerful external arts, base your footwork on Bicheon Shinbo. It’ll compensate for weaknesses.”

“Yes! Brother!”

Pansuk and Cheon-gu were rewarding to teach.

‘Cheon-gu is tenacious, and Pansuk is steadfast.’

Both were the same in that they kept going until they succeeded.

“Enjoy it while you do it. Martial arts is so much fun.”

“I find it fun too. It’s also fascinating.”

“Yes! Brother! I’ll learn quickly too so I can play with you brothers!”

It was when Pansuk shouted energetically.

Thud. Thud.

Someone lightly knocked on the door.

“I’ll go check!”

Pansuk carefully set Ja-gang-cheon and Cheon-gu down on the floor and ran to the main gate.

Soon after, Pansuk stood before Ja-gang-cheon with a woman.

“What brings you here?”

It was the woman they had already met in Hwangdo. Ja-gang-cheon instinctively felt the same hostility from that time rising up.

Facing Ja-gang-cheon’s blunt question, the woman smiled sweetly and offered a respectful greeting.

“Yeon-hee, the Fifth Dan-ju of Hao-mun’s Shandong Province branch, greets the Lord.”

Ja-gang-cheon didn’t know how unusual this greeting was. Hao-mun executives rarely revealed their exact identities.

“Fifth Dan-ju? What kind of position is that?”

Ja-gang-cheon was rather curious about that.

“There are five Dan-ju under the Shandong Province branch leader. I’m one of them.”

Even at first glance, it was quite a high position.

“I have nothing left to discuss with Hao-mun, so why did you come?”

“The purposes of subordinates and superiors are different.”

“So it wasn’t simple information gathering?”

“I told my subordinate that. Of course, I’m not like that. No matter how curious I am, I’m not idle enough to dispatch even my trusted aide for investigation.”

Ja-gang-cheon had found that point strange too.

No matter how suddenly he had appeared, would Hao-mun really show this much interest?

The Black Immortal Sect wasn’t that famous in the Demonic Sect, and had no direct connection to Hao-mun.

“But do I need to know Hao-mun’s purpose?”

“Please don’t be so cold. I’ve brought information that the Lord absolutely needs.”

Yeon-hee approached Ja-gang-cheon slowly with her hands clasped together in a non-threatening manner.

Coming close enough that her reflection could be seen in Ja-gang-cheon’s pupils, she spoke slowly so her breathing could be heard.

“You absolutely must hear this.”

A subtle smile and gentle voice, with an enchanting fragrance spreading with each slight movement.

Countless men had volunteered to become slaves before that smile, swearing to give up their souls if their skin touched.

What about a hot-blooded young man in his mid-teens?

“Sister. Sorry, but I like pretty women.”

Yeon-hee heard the sound of cracks forming in her soul.

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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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