The God of Death and the God of War - Chapter 16

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

Evil Hegemon Martial God

Chapter 16

The worst torrential rain in ten years had finally stopped.

Though countless damages occurred from the plague brought by overflowing waterways and the year’s crops being completely ruined, what people were chattering about in inns and marketplaces was entirely different.

“N-no, is that really true? Lady Oh of the Jegal Family is dead??”

“Not just the lady! Even her son, the third son of the Jegal Family, died miserably!”

“But who on earth would kill the bloodline of Geumhwang Sangga and the Jegal Family?!”

The shocking news that Jeok-un, the second son of the Jegal Family, had killed his stepmother and stepbrother was shaking not just Hubei but the entire Central Plains.

Even if such a terrible act of unfilial conduct had occurred in a common household, it would be horrific, let alone in the Jegal Sega, one of the Seven Great Families.

How could the countless gossip-mongers of the Central Plains remain idle with such a topic?

It’s the way of the world that terrible news spreads much faster than good news about others.

“But why on earth did he commit such a horrific act?”

“I heard the dead stepmother and her son tried to assassinate the second son?”

“Oh my! So he flew into a rage and caused a massacre!”

Since there were so many people in the Main Hall when Jegal Wiyeon was beheaded, the truth of the incident spread properly.

Both the existence of the assassin and the fact that Lady Oh had tried to poison even the eldest son.

Seeing that Geumhwang Sangga, who had treasured their daughter like gold, showed no movement toward the Jegal Sega, it became an established fact.

But that didn’t mean there were more people taking Jeok-un’s side.

“Hmph! No matter what, a disciple of the Jeongpa shouldn’t carelessly kill his own blood!”

“Of course! For one who walks the path of righteousness to commit such unfilial conduct, tsk tsk.”

“The family’s state is beyond words. The Jegal Sega, supposedly one of the Seven Great Families.”

It was because the Jegal Sega was part of the ‘Jeongpa.’

The countless hypocrites of the Jeongpa, saying it wasn’t their affair, instead cursed Jeok-un who had caused the massacre.

They said he should have waited fairly and justly for the judgment of the family head and the Martial Arts Alliance.

Thus, Jeok-un was branded with the infamous title of the Jegal Prodigal Son throughout the Central Plains.

“But say, how did that Jegal Jeokun escape from the Iron Blood Judge’s pursuit?”

“Hmm, it’s still just a rumor, but I heard something…”

“Oh, do tell.”

However, in that process, one rumor was circulating.

“There’s talk that the Iron Blood Judge Jegal Tan lost to him.”

“What? The Iron Blood Judge? What kind of nonsense is that??”

“They said Jegal Jeokun’s skills weren’t even second-rate. Does it make sense for him to beat Jegal Tan, the second-in-command of the Jegal Family?”

“My friend, aren’t there occasionally things in the martial world that make such feats possible?”

“Wait, don’t tell me he obtained a divine object…!”

Jeok-un had stolen an incredible divine object while fleeing from the Jegal Sega.

The rumor spread that he had even defeated Jegal Tan with the power of that divine object.

The atmosphere changed with that rumor.

In truth, it was just a baseless rumor with very little credibility.

But in Gangho, such baseless rumors often became reality.

To those who believed the rumor, Jeok-un had become a walking pile of gold.

‘So, if we catch that Jegal Jeokun.’

‘We can deal a blow to the damn Jegal Sega while also.’

‘Getting our hands on the treasure that even defeated Jegal Tan, right?’

Even though he had left Hubei to avoid the Jegal Sega’s pursuit, the threats targeting Jeok-un were growing ever larger.

* * *

Honam Province, Changsha.

The history and value that the city called ‘Changsha’ possesses runs deep and wide.

Originally it was not Han Chinese land but Miao territory.

Or that it was land created when the Qin Dynasty, which first unified the realm, carved out territory from the Chu Kingdom.

During the Three Kingdoms period, Sun Jian established himself there, and as one of the four Jingnan commanderies, it frequently changed hands.

Thus, the city of Changsha had depths that resonated on their own, but for martial artists, the meaning was somewhat different.

Namely, Sadocheon.

Because Sadocheon, one of the two great forces that divided Sapa along with Heukpaesong, had coiled itself right here in Changsha.

Both Sadocheon and Heukpaesong shared the commonality of being Sapa, which could encompass them in a broad framework, but their actual nature was somewhat different.

Sadocheon, though Sapa, remained faithful to the essence of being martial artists.

The beginning of Sadocheon was martial artists gathering who desired true freedom from the regulations, prohibitions, and taboos that bound them.

However, Heukpaesong, positioned to the east, was a cruel and vicious organization, the very standard and model of what is commonly called Heukdo.

Acting with the sword before words, treating human lives like flies, and having not an ounce of compassion were like symbols of Heukpaesong.

Was it perhaps for such reasons?

In terms of factional strength, quite a long time had passed since Heukpaesong had surpassed Sadocheon.

But even so, this place Changsha, where Sadocheon’s main base was established, was a city full of Sadocheon’s unique charm.

Freedom that no one could stop.

The desire to live better.

These two elements always drew people to Changsha.

Just like right now.

“Here, a farewell gift. Eat it deliciously.”

A man wearing a black hat held out a jewel-like fruit skewer.

It was candied fruit coated with melted sugar.

“Wow! Thank you, mister.”

“No, I told you to call me big brother.”

“Hehe, mister. See you again next time!”

“Hmm.”

Looking at the child who smiled brightly and only said what she wanted to say, the man smiled bitterly.

“Elder, thank you for giving me a ride.”

“Hehe, giving you a ride? We just went together. Well then, I hope you have good fortune in martial arts.”

After finishing their farewells, the old man busily departed, pulling his cart.

Clatter, clatter, the cart gradually moved away.

After the sight of the child waving at the man completely disappeared.

The man, who had smiled briefly, soon turned his gaze toward the city.

The splendid and vibrant panorama of Changsha.

As the man slightly lifted his black hat, revealing his face.

“Finally returned.”

The man’s appearance was revealed to be Jeok-un.

After defeating Jegal Tan and crushing all sorts of flies that clung to him, he had finally made it here.

Emotions surged.

These were feelings he hadn’t experienced at the main family, the Jegal Sega.

Comfort and longing as if coming home, relief…

It was natural.

Before his regression, Jeok-un’s Sapajeolse had started from Sadocheon and was completed by devouring Heukpaesong.

Jeok-un’s true spiritual homeland was right here, Changsha.

Cherished memories forgotten in the midst of war came flooding back.

[Big brother, how can you sneak out of the castle during office hours to drink again! Ah, hurry and give me a cup too.]

[R-run away! My lord! The witch will be here soon, ahhh!]

[Alliance Leader! Do you want to die, really?]

[Run away!!]

From memories of drinking while looking down at Changsha city from atop that pavilion’s roof.

To glorious memories of circling Changsha’s outskirts while announcing victory.

And above all.

‘I want to see everyone quickly.’

He missed those fellows who had sometimes stood back-to-back, sometimes joined forces to break through all kinds of difficulties for over ten years.

Once again tilting a wine cup.

Wanting to laugh over a simple snack.

Wanting to seize glory and victory together.

But to do that…

[Aaahhh!]

[P-please spare me!]

There are things that must be stopped.

Jeok-un’s eyes, which had been lost in thought, sank darkly.

The day when Sapyeoleon Fortress collapsed due to the Demonic Cult.

From common people to gate guards and leaders.

Everyone in Sapyeonjeon was dying.

The day when all of Changsha burned and collapsed.

It still appears before his eyes.

‘The Demonic Cult and Cheonma.’

Changsha had fallen.

By Cheonma’s hands, under the Demonic Cult’s feet.

Though it was such a painful and piercing memory.

Jeok-un had never once forgotten this memory.

‘I won’t let it happen like that again.’

Yes, this time he would protect all of this.

The beginning was ascending to become the lord of Sadocheon.

And claiming the seat of Sapa Jeil-in.

‘I’ll definitely accomplish it.’

With that resolve, Jeok-un entered the fortress.

* * *

“Come now, you must fill your belly before going!”

“Customer, how about this item? You’re nervous? One of these pills will be enough!”

“A choice without regrets before the exam! Vitality pills!”

Changsha’s marketplace was as lively as always.

No, today was somewhat special.

Today was the day when Changsha’s gateway to success, the entrance exam, was being held.

“The competition for today’s entrance exam will be fierce again.”

“Well, it always has been.”

The entrance exam.

The only opportunity to enter Sadocheon.

If you just pass, you become not just some Sapa ruffian wandering Heukdo’s night streets, but a member of Sadocheon, one of Sapa’s two great powers.

Truly a gateway to success.

While it was truly a life-or-death day for Sapa warriors, conversely it was also a day when Changsha’s common people and merchants became spectators and spent it like a festival.

‘As expected, most came to take the second-grade entrance exam.’

Jeok-un thought this while measuring the martial energy of passing warriors.

The entrance exam is divided into the second-grade entrance exam that selects lower-level warriors and the first-grade entrance exam that selects high-level warriors.

The marketplace was full of people sizing each other up, and the majority of them were low-class warriors taking the second-grade entrance exam.

On the other hand, the line for the first-grade entrance exam had fewer people than expected.

“Hey, don’t push!”

“Who the hell said I pushed you!”

“You bastard, want to have a go right here? Huh?!”

The psychological warfare among second-grade entrance exam applicants was already quite fierce.

Whoosh.

But Jeok-un passed by the procession without paying them any mind.

He didn’t join either the second-grade entrance exam line or the first-grade entrance exam line.

Just like before his regression, Jeok-un had no intention of taking the entrance exam in this life either.

‘The entrance exam won’t do. I need to rise to Dan leader as quickly as possible.’

There was one reason he needed to become a Dan leader.

To become the master of Sadocheon, he had to challenge the current lord of Sadocheon for the master’s position.

Unlike other places, the lord of Sadocheon is determined solely by individual martial prowess.

The current lord of Sadocheon must accept any challenger’s challenge.

But since the position of Sadocheon lord isn’t something just anyone can challenge, the challenge qualification comes only once a year.

And the minimum qualification for that challenger was someone who had risen to the position of Dan leader.

‘Sadocheon’s hierarchy is Dan, Dae, Jo in order.’

If you pass the second-grade entrance exam that selects lower-level warriors, you become a Jo member, and the top scorer becomes a Jo leader.

Then what about the top scorer of the first-grade entrance exam?

A vice-Dae leader.

One might think vice-Dae leader is quite a high position, but Jeok-un’s goal was Dan leader with challenge rights.

But to rise from vice-Dae leader to Dae leader, and from Dae leader to Dan leader would take at least several years even for Jeok-un.

‘Too slow, far too slow. Sadocheon would collapse again before then.’

Though it was a fact unknown to others at present, the current Sadocheon was in a situation where it was wrapped in explosive charges that could detonate at any moment.

All sorts of schemes and plots by various forces to bring down Sadocheon were already ignited.

Before his regression, Jeok-un had become the master of Sadocheon after all those bombs had exploded and left it in tatters.

But he absolutely had no intention of letting things flow that way in this life.

‘It’ll be a bit rough, but that’s the only method after all.’

He had a plan thought out in advance.

With this method, he could obtain the position of Dae leader faster than winning the entrance exam.

And simultaneously eliminate one of the beings that had been a signal for Sadocheon’s downfall.

‘Hehe, just thinking about tearing those bastards to death already makes me laugh.’

Thinking of his enemies who would be grinning without knowing their own future.

Thud!

Jeok-un left Pafung-gwan where the entrance exam was being held without any lingering attachment.

The place Jeok-un moved to was a multi-story building not far from Pafung-gwan.

From the outside, it looked like nothing more than a simple commercial building.

It wasn’t particularly distinctive, nor was its exterior flashy.

Rather, it was a place where one could feel a somewhat gloomy atmosphere.

But there was one peculiar thing: despite looking so unremarkable, it was bustling with customers comparable to the entrance exam.

“Welcome!!”

“Yeah, I’m here.”

At Jeok-un’s response, the employee who had been soliciting customers near the main entrance rubbed his hands and smiled.

It was a strange smile that seemed both mocking and somehow enticing.

“Hehe, what have you come to enjoy at our Paejeon-bang, sir?”

“Well, let’s start with sword gambling.”

“Ah! An excellent choice, sir! Come, let me guide you!”

The employee, mistakenly thinking he had caught the scent of a sucker, showed excessive hospitality.

That’s right. The Paejeon-bang that Jeok-un had graced with his presence was the largest gambling house in Changsha.

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