The Battle for the Heavenly Sword - Chapter 97

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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97
Woo Geom-San Rules the Jianghu
“Everyone, retreat!”
“Fall back!”
The urgent cries of the Red Cloud Sect disciples echoed across the water.
Though they had approached aggressively, commanding dozens of vessels, they lost all courage upon witnessing the deaths of Qingyi Shizhe, Xueying Xinjun, and Xuanxuan Xinjun.
These were the Four Great Envoys and Ten Radiant Divine Lords who were revered like heaven within the Red Cloud Sect.
They were Transcendent Masters known to shake the entire Jianghu even if only one of them stepped forward.
Naturally, the ordinary disciples feared them so much that they barely dared to look them straight in the face.
Let alone the Four Great Envoys, there was nothing that could not be resolved if even one of the Ten Radiant Divine Lords took action.
When anyone mentioned the Ten Radiant Divine Lords of the Red Cloud Sect, everyone would yield a step.
In fact, even Leng Tianxiang had backed down under Xueying Xinjun’s threat. Yet, that young martial artist on the express vessel had killed Qingyi Shizhe, Xuanxuan Xinjun, and Xueying Xinjun all at once.
It was a terrifying display of martial arts that far surpassed their wildest imaginations.
They did not even dare to think of seeking revenge.
The only emotion they felt right now was pure terror.
No matter how fanatical the disciples were, their lives were still precious.
If there was a chance of achieving their goal by throwing away their lives, they might have rushed forward, but the gap was so vast that they did not even dare to try.
Above all, Woo Geom-san’s ruthless hands filled them with dread.
Without a single moment of hesitation or reluctance, he had taken the lives of Qingyi Shizhe, Xuanxuan Xinjun, and Xueying Xinjun.
A man with such a cruel personality would surely mow them down like stalks of straw.
Rushing forward to avenge someone against such a monster was as foolish as a moth flying into a blazing fire.
Splash!
With the sound of splashing water, three corpses fell into the river one after another.
They were the corpses of Qingyi Shizhe, Xuanxuan Xinjun, and Xueying Xinjun.
The Red Cloud Sect disciples retrieved the three bodies and pulled away from the express vessel.
Woo Geom-san stood at the gunwale, watching them recede in silence.
It was also Woo Geom-san who had thrown the three bodies into the river.
The people on board the express vessel felt a shiver run down their spines as they watched him.
The cold, ruthless heart hidden beneath his otherworldly appearance terrified them.
This was exactly what Woo Geom-san intended.
Woo Geom-san was a man warmer than anyone else to those close to him, but he did not want to look foolish or weak because of it.
When someone is too kind or appears easy, people who try to exploit them always emerge.
Therefore, he showed an even more resolute demeanor.
“You are so cold-blooded that it’s hard to believe you’re a disciple of Quanzhen.”
Even the notorious Leng Tianxiang shook her head in disbelief.
She felt a sliver of fear toward Woo Geom-san.
She was already old and had nothing left but to wither away, whereas Woo Geom-san was already strong and young, meaning his potential for growth was boundless.
‘Perhaps that man will become the greatest obstacle to rebuilding Geangeak.’
A natural malice seeped into Leng Tianxiang’s eyes as she stared at Woo Geom-san.
Just then, Im So-ryeong approached Woo Geom-san’s side.
“Thanks to you, we got through the crisis safely. Thank you.”
“Even without me, Punglim Fort’s capabilities would have carried you through well enough.”
“Honestly, we could have managed up to the Ten Radiant Divine Lords somehow, but there was no answer for Qingyi Shizhe.”
Im So-ryeong confessed honestly with a bitter smile.
With herself and Zhang Wangchu present, they could have somehow fought against Xuanxuan Xinjun and Xueying Xinjun. While she could not guarantee victory, she was confident they would not lose. However, Qingyi Shizhe was an expert far superior to the likes of Xuanxuan Xinjun.
If Qingyi Shizhe had joined the fray, the fighting force of the express vessel alone could not have handled it.
Although Leng Tianxiang, the last Sect Leader of Geangeak, was on board, no help could be expected from her.
Im So-ryeong glared at Leng Tianxiang with a look of contempt. Leng Tianxiang was staring straight back at Im So-ryeong with an expression that asked what the problem was.
“Old witch.”
Im So-ryeong cursed in a voice so quiet that Leng Tianxiang could not hear.
Woo Geom-san smiled faintly and nodded. He also agreed with her opinion.
Im So-ryeong looked at Woo Geom-san’s face and assumed a smitten expression.
“Would you like to stay with me tonight?”
She had said it jokingly before, but this time she was entirely serious.
She felt as though she might truly fall for the man before her eyes.
It would be stranger not to fall for a martial artist who was handsome and possessed such tremendous martial arts that overwhelmed the Four Great Envoys of the Red Cloud Sect.
However, Woo Geom-san’s reply was concise yet firm.
“I am busy.”
“Tsk! It didn’t work.”
Im So-ryeong stick out her tongue playfully.
At that sight, Woo Geom-san smiled once more.
A cool river breeze blew past, gently caressing Woo Geom-san’s hair.
***
Fortunately, there were no further ambushes or interruptions.
Thanks to that, the express vessel was able to cruise smoothly.
Throughout the journey, Woo Geom-san spent most of his time inside the cabin. This was because the gazes of the people were burdensome.
Whenever he stepped onto the deck, everyone’s eyes focused entirely on him.
He was a Transcendent Master who had killed three of the Red Cloud Sect’s peak masters in an instant.
Among the young experts who had recently appeared in the Jianghu, Woo Geom-san was the first to show such a destructive track record.
Naturally, people could not help but pay attention.
Not to mention the sailors, even Leng Tianxiang and Leng Shuiyue stared at Woo Geom-san persistently.
The more they did, the more So Jin-seo’s jealousy grew, but because the gap in martial prowess was so vast, he did not dare to provoke him as before. However, he could not hide his hostile gaze.
Rather than worrying about people’s stares, it was better to shut himself in the cabin and read Bojebang thoroughly.
He had already read it several times and memorized the contents of the book completely, but Woo Geom-san still read Bojebang over and over again.
Thanks to this, he was able to accumulate medical knowledge as deep as any renowned physician in the Jianghu.
Thud!
It was just as he finished reading the second volume of Bojebang and closed it.
“Yichang is in sight!”
“Prepare to dock!”
The voices of the sailors drifted in from outside.
Woo Geom-san spoke to Ning Yunxiao.
“It seems we have finally arrived. Let us go out.”
“Yes!”
Ning Yunxiao replied as if he had been waiting.
The two packed their belongings and stepped outside. There, a bustling city could be seen in the distance.
It was Yichang, the final destination of this ship.
On the deck, sailors were running around, preparing to dock.
The people of Huajin Sect led by So Jin-seo were also moving busily, preparing to unload their luggage.
Meanwhile, the ship arrived at the Yichang wharf.
Thump!
When the express vessel finally docked at the wharf, the gangplank was lowered.
Im So-ryeong said with a look of regret.
“Are we parting ways now?”
“I have received much of your hospitality. Thank you.”
“Instead of doing that, why don’t you ride our ship to your destination?”
“Is this place not the territory of the Hongjo Bang? With the shipping rights Punglim Fort possesses, you will not be able to operate the ship any further than this, will you?”
“I knew you were suspicious. You know too much about shipping rights and the Seven Great Water Gates. By any chance, are you one of our people?”
“Think whatever you like. Well then, have a safe return.”
“Tsk! You won’t even budge. Well, it can’t be helped. I don’t have a hobby of holding onto a man who dislikes me either. Go safely, eat well, and live well.”
“Thank you. I pray that only good things happen in Miss Im’s future as well.”
“You too.”
Woo Geom-san and Im So-ryeong exchanged a cupped hand salute.
Watching that scene, Zhang Wangchu pretended to wipe away tears and spoke.
“Hah! This is a scene one cannot watch without tears. Our So-ryeong isn’t a girl who gets dumped so miserably anywhere.”
“Who said anyone got dumped?”
“Oops! Look at the malice in those eyes.”
“Uncle Zhang!”
“Alright, you girl. Young Master Woo, go safely. Let’s meet again if fate allows.”
Zhang Wangchu waved his hand vigorously.
Woo Geom-san also offered him a cupped hand salute before stepping off the express vessel.
Zhang Wangchu whispered to Im So-ryeong.
“Isn’t it a waste? What about revealing your true appearance even now? Then that upright young master would surely fall for you.”
“Forget it. Judging by his personality, he wouldn’t react much even if he saw my real face.”
“Hey! I’m telling you, he would definitely be charmed by your face.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. More importantly, did you find out anything?”
“Well, we would have had to share many conversations to find out anything.”
When Zhang Wangchu shrugged his shoulders, Im So-ryeong spoke with a voice full of certainty.
“That man is definitely one of our people.”
“The Seven Great Water Gates?”
“Yes! He spoke without any hesitation when mentioning shipping rights and the Seven Great Water Gates. That means he is that familiar with them.”
“Then?”
“Yes! I suspect the Woo Family Manor. The surname matches as well…”
“A person from the Woo Family Manor mastered the martial arts of the Quanzhen Sect? If that is true, it is something that will shock the world.”
“It’s still just a speculation. Let’s keep quiet for now until it becomes certain.”
“Understood.”
Zhang Wangchu nodded his head.
Just then, the corners of Im So-ryeong’s eyes slanted upward toward the sky.
“That foxy girl…”
In her eyes, Leng Shuiyue could be seen approaching Woo Geom-san.
Watching her approach Woo Geom-san’s side with a smile full of charm like a fox and whisper something, a raging fire erupted within Im So-ryeong’s chest.
***
Woo Geom-san looked at Leng Shuiyue, who had quietly approached, with a puzzled expression.
“Do you have something to say to me separately?”
“I wanted to have a quiet conversation.”
“My apologies. If you have something to say, please say it here.”
At Woo Geom-san’s reply, Leng Shuiyue knit her brows slightly. Her appearance doing so was incredibly beautiful and alluring.
However, there was not a single tremor in Woo Geom-san’s eyes as he looked at her.
Leng Shuiyue stared intently at Woo Geom-san’s face.
Suddenly, she beamed with a smile.
The smile spreading across her face was like a rose in full bloom.
“I am different from my master.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“My master treats you with hostility, but my thoughts are different.”
“How are they different?”
“I do not view you with hostility; rather, I harbor good feelings toward you. In my opinion, we would suit each other quite well.”
“That is bewildering.”
“It must be. I will give you time to think. Come find me even later if your mind changes. We will be staying at the Huajin Sect for the time being.”
“…”
“Then, see you again later. We will definitely meet again. I hope the atmosphere then will be better than it is now.”
Leng Shuiyue gave a knowing smile and pulled away from Woo Geom-san.
Woo Geom-san let out a faint sigh as he watched Leng Shuiyue’s receding figure.
“Her eyes are brimming with ambition.”
If she had been born a man, she would have been a crafty hero.
She knew exactly what her power was, and she also knew precisely how to exploit it.
If it had been any other man besides Woo Geom-san, he would have fallen completely for Leng Shuiyue with just the conversation a moment ago.
Just like So Jin-seo, who was currently smiling obsequiously by her side.
“She is a terrifying woman.”
Woo Geom-san shook his head.
Continuing a relationship with that kind of woman was a very exhausting affair.
Woo Geom-san did not wish to entangle himself with Leng Shuiyue any further.
Woo Geom-san spoke to Ning Yunxiao.
“We shall sleep at an inn today, and look for a ship tomorrow.”
“Are we going to keep traveling by ship?”
“Yes! Punglim Fort and Hongjo Bang have strict divisions of territory. From here on is Hongjo Bang’s territory, so we must take a ship operated by them.”
“Is it because of shipping rights?”
“Correct! The Seven Great Water Sects operate ships strictly within their own territories. If they cross the boundary carelessly, it is defined as trespassing on territory and they will attack. This is absolute, so if anyone violates it, they become the public enemy of the other six sects.”
“That sounds frightening.”
“It is frightening! But would it be only the Seven Great Water Sects that act this way? Other sects are equally sensitive about their territory.”
“One must not act recklessly just because their martial arts are strong.”
“Indeed. That is why they say the riper the rice, the lower it bows, is it not? A truly strong person respects the territory of others and observes etiquette.”
“Can I become like that too?”
“Ample opportunity awaits you!”
Woo Geom-san’s short remark shook Ning Yunxiao’s heart.

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