Dark Sky Village
I tilted my head in confusion.
“General Hwang Yeon? Who is that?”
I knew that General Jang Gyeong-ik was aware that I was a direct disciple of Lee Kwang, so it made sense for him to send a letter to the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School. But asking Lee Kwang to rescue someone named General Hwang Yeon?
With vacant eyes, General Jang Gyeong-ik spoke.
“He is the most respected Grand Uncle in the current Military Ministry, a top general of the Great Ming, and a Holy Hero who thwarted the resurgence of the nomads and the Western Regions…”
“……!!”
Such a person existed?
I was taken aback and asked again,
“He’s that prominent, yet I’ve never heard of him? I’m still young, but I haven’t exactly picked up any rumors about Hwang Yeon in Luoyang.”
“He was a legendary figure from half a century ago… and has since retired in seclusion… However, many generals in the Military Ministry still respect and follow him…”
Ah, I see. Since he belonged to an era long past, it made sense no one spoke of him anymore.
I nodded and then asked again,
“So who imprisoned General Hwang Yeon, and why?”
“Currently… due to allegations of corruption against the Hwang Clan, all members of the clan are under house arrest and can’t leave their stronghold for more than two hundred steps… But that’s just the surface reason… It’s certain that Golden Eagle Guards and Dongchang kidnapped and imprisoned him…”
“……!!”
Golden Eagle Guards and Dongchang!
I hadn’t expected to hear those names, and I shuddered. Since both were minions of the Demon Subduing Hall, I realized I could no longer escape this matter. In fact, I needed to actively pursue more information.
I asked earnestly,
“Do Golden Eagle Guards and Dongchang have any specific reasons for imprisoning Hwang Yeon?”
“I don’t know… however, I’ve coincidentally received a distress call from the Hwang Clan, and I’ve been contemplating how to resolve this…”
“So you were planning to enlist Lee Kwang, the former Holy Hero, to rescue him?”
“Indeed…”
I could roughly piece together the situation now. General Hwang Yeon, a renowned figure from Luoyang, and his family were held captive by Golden Eagle Guards, and Jang Gyeong-ik had selected Lee Kwang as the problem-solver. And he likely intended to use me as the messenger.
“Do you think Lee Kwang would take this request without compensation?”
“Not at all… I stated in the letter that I would immediately recommend his disciple as a direct subordinate… providing a special recommendation for a captain position within a few years… I also believed that Lee Kwang would definitely take on this request…”
“Why do you think so?”
The next answer contained gold-like information.
“Lee Kwang was… close friends with General Hwang Yeon… His master was originally a bosom friend of General Hwang Yeon, and it’s known that Lee Kwang chose the path of a soldier largely due to his ties with him…”
“……!!”
So such a connection existed!
Given that, Lee Kwang would naturally respond positively to the request for rescue, regardless of the recommendation. It seemed that the additional recommendation was more of Jang Gyeong-ik‘s personal ambition; he was likely hoping to have a peak expert as his subordinate for his own gain.
‘This information could be crucial.’
If I had merely acted as a messenger, discovering this fact could have taken ages. Thanks to Miho‘s charming abilities, I had effectively cut years off my adventures. As I mentally thanked Miho, I kept asking questions.
“Where is General Hwang Yeon being held? Be specific.”
“It’s written on this map…”
As said, Jang Gyeong-ik pulled out a letter from his pocket and handed it to me, likely containing a map of the nearby geography along with the letter. I thought I had asked almost all the important questions and began asking ones that could benefit me.
“Tell me about the key figures related to you, directly or indirectly. Also, detail the current political situation and trends.”
“Understood…”
“Additionally, any financial information you think is valuable.”
“Got it.”
The importance of the information possessed by someone in such a position as Jang Gyeong-ik, who rivaled state governors, was monumental. In just half a shichen, I gained detailed insight into Luoyang‘s political landscape and key figures within the Ming military. This was not easily obtainable information and would likely be crucial throughout my next life.
When I thought there was nothing more to extract, I finally said,
“I’ve brought the pirate prisoners; take care of them to the best of your ability.”
“Understood… I will do my best…”
“And you have tasked me with delivering this letter. Oh, please return my gold bars.”
“Got it…”
I accepted two gold bars back from Jang Gyeong-ik and said,
“Miho, this is the end of it.”
As I turned to Miho, she nodded in agreement and snapped her fingers. Instantly, General Jang Gyeong-ik wore an even more foolish expression while Miho took my hand and led me outside.
“The spell will be lifted after half a shichen. At that time, the manipulated memories will manifest.”
“What a relief.”
After leaving the General’s Office, I asked Miho,
“Is there any side effect to this form of hypnotism?”
“Not really…? As long as you haven’t given a self-destructive order or commanded anything that would greatly horrify him, there shouldn’t be any mental damage. That person will just wander through his foggy memories and act according to the hypnotic command.”
“I see.”
“Baek Woong, are you planning to go to the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School to deliver the letter?”
“I can’t avoid it now. I feel like I might gain something from this.”
Miho spoke with displeasure,
“I sense a foul smell from this affair and wish to avoid it.”
“A foul smell?”
“I can’t shake the feeling that Jang Gyeong-ik is nothing but a puppet. It’s like this is the beginning of a huge conspiracy. I’m also familiar with ghostly strategies, so I have a bad premonition about this.”
“……”
Hearing warnings from Miho, the legendary nine-tailed fox who had ensnared even the emperor, left me uneasy. I pondered for a moment and answered,
“Okay, let’s drop the Miho’s passengers off at Shadowless Gate first and then think it over.”
“Hmm, that sounds better.”
I wanted to take a little time before hurrying into anything. Part of me also didn’t want to go to the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School right away.
“Oh, and by the way, Miho.”
“What is it?”
“Don’t use your alluring arts carelessly on Seo Mun-hye.”
“… Alright.”
Miho looked somewhat upset by that.
I headed to where the pirate prisoners were gathered and spoke,
“The matter of your future is resolved. You should wait in the General’s waiting room, where General Jang Gyeong-ik will take care of you. Those who wish to return home will receive significant assistance.”
“Ohhhh…!!”
“Baek Woong, long live! Thank you…!!”
The pirate prisoners were moved to tears and deeply touched. It was astonishing for them to know someone was working for their benefit, especially given how bleak their paths ahead had seemed. As I patted each of their backs one by one and sent them off, one elderly man with a single eye, tears streaming down his face, declared,
“Kind benefactor… I’ve received such a great favor that I cannot repay… thus, I want to offer my secret Lifelong Request Token as a pledge…”
I was taken aback by what that old one-eyed man said. I smiled and said it was unnecessary, but suddenly he handed me a dark wooden token and said,
“If anyone… just one person… you wish to kill… bring this token to Seven Kills Village at Mount Tai…”
“……?”
“Just one person, whoever it may be…”
I accepted the black wooden token, albeit perplexed. That old one-eyed man didn’t appear to be a martial artist. If he were, he wouldn’t have been captured and abused by pirates, to begin with. But it was odd for someone like him to be carrying such a Request Token.
‘Well, I’ll just keep it for now.’
Somehow, I felt this might lead to an important connection later.
With the handling of the prisoners nearly complete, only about ten women remained. They were women who had decided to go to Shadowless Gate for a second chance at life. I asked Seo Mun-hye,
“Where is Shadowless Gate located?”
“It’s in Henan.”
“Henan is known for Shaolin Temple. To have their headquarters there…”
“The main branch doesn’t typically engage in humble contracting work. They’re classified under the Eight Devils of Martial Daos, yet they’ve never committed any misdeeds that warranted condemnation as evil. They also maintain a nonchalant relationship with Shaolin Temple.”
Seo Mun-hye’s words conveyed a strong sense of pride. After all, I had heard of Shadowless Gate and felt a slight dignity associated with it as a Martial Dao’s leader.
They seemed to prefer protecting their territory rather than extending their influence unnecessarily. While they function more towards the middle ground rather than strictly categorized as evil, they, nonetheless, fell under the label of the Eight Devils of Martial Daos because their supreme leader, Sword Demon Seo Mun-dae-ryong, had formed an alliance with the other sects.
‘That would be about a distance of four hundred li from here.’
I calculated the distance in my mind and concluded that sending the pregnant women there would be quite an ordeal. So I approached the Lord of Great Dragon Merchant Association. Handing him one gold bar, I asked him to exchange it for transportation costs.
“So you need money to hire a carriage?”
“Correct.”
The Lord of Great Dragon Merchant Association, being a merchant dealing in massive trades, showed no signs of being overjoyed or disappointed at the sight of a single gold bar. He merely gazed at me curiously.
“Indeed, you are quite the remarkable young man. You can spend money for the sake of others…”
“Is it surprising that I have gold bars?”
“Not particularly. I’ve heard you released gold bars to Jeong Gi-tae and the Military Ministry. What’s more surprising is that you’re willing to hire a carriage for pregnant women.”
He soon chuckled and remarked,
“Don’t worry; I’ll exchange it at a fair price, betting my merchant’s integrity.”
While the phrase “merchant’s integrity” made me uneasy, the Lord of Great Dragon Merchant Association seemed to have a friendly disposition towards me and exchanged an impressive amount of money. Since it was exchanged with him, I didn’t have to worry about unnecessary complications. I used that money to hire five carriages along with several escorting warriors and set off to Henan.
Clop, clop, clop
Inside the carriage, Seo Mun-hye and Miho were riding with me. Seo Mun-hye cautiously asked,
“So, who is this person?”
Miho had transformed into an absolutely stunning beauty resembling what I had seen before. She also had quite a sizable bosom, giving me a feeling akin to being surrounded by a flower garden with both her and Seo Mun-hye. Miho giggled and said,
“Nice to meet you! I’m Miho, a distant relative of Baek Woong.”
“Relative, you say?”
I hurriedly interjected,
“Exactly.”
“I see. It’s quite a coincidence for a relative of yours… my apologies.”
“Nothing to apologize for.”
And then an awkward silence enveloped the carriage. It was definitely a rather uncomfortable stillness.
‘I can understand Seo Mun-hye, but what about Miho?’
I felt a sense of tension between the two, as they exchanged stealthy glares. Out of frustration, I cleared my throat.
“Ahem.”
“Oh, what’s wrong?”
Suddenly, Miho leaned against me with her ample bosom. I could feel the warmth against my arm, and I unconsciously swallowed hard. Her cleavage was clearly visible as well. Seeing that, Seo Mun-hye made a sharp face and remarked,
“You seem awfully close for relatives.”
Miho chuckled mischievously.
“I hear that a lot~”
“……”
What on earth was Miho thinking? After warning her against using her alluring arts on Seo Mun-hye, now it seemed she was toying with me instead. I pondered what I had done wrong towards Miho, but nothing came to mind. The more Seo Mun-hye narrowed her eyes at Miho, the more I felt a sense of guilt bubbling within me.
It took five days for us to arrive at Shadowless Gate. Thanks to spending significantly on the trip, we encountered no bandits along the way. The stable security in this region likely contributed as well. Especially as we neared Shadowless Gate, I noticed not a single martial artist in sight.
As we approached the main gate of Shadowless Gate, the gatekeepers rushed to bow down.
“Lord of the Shadows!”
“Have you returned?!”
Seo Mun-hye nodded and replied,
“Yes. Where is my father?”
“He’s currently in training.”
From Seo Mun-hye, a commanding presence and humility radiated naturally. After all, she was the daughter of the leader of the Martial Society.
“How much longer will he be?”
“Since he entered about half a shichen ago, he should emerge within around a quarter shichen…”
“Got it. Treat these ladies with utmost respect, as they are my esteemed guests. I’ll be waiting for my father in the reception room.”
“Yes, milady!”
Out of nowhere, five Shadowless Gate warriors dressed in black unexpectedly appeared. They started moving the women one by one to separate chambers. I stole a glance at their martial prowess and was astonished to find that each one was a formidable elite.
“Yikes…”
The escort warriors were clearly intimidated. Given that they hadn’t heard the destination was Shadowless Gate, it was understandable. Visiting the strongest faction in the martial world was enough to stir fear. I reassured them, stating there would be no issues, and sent them back.
Together with Seo Mun-hye and Miho, I entered and waited in the reception room until Lord of Shadowless Gate appeared.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
A robust man in his late forties walked in with a powerful voice. His first impression was that of a fierce tiger, more than just menacing; his masculinity was palpable. With his towering figure and sturdy build, he was enough to overwhelm anyone in the room. It was hard to believe someone like him had a daughter as gentle as Seo Mun-hye.
I stood up and introduced myself,
“I’m Baek Woong.”
“Hmm.”
Lord of Shadowless Gate, Sword Demon Seo Mun-dae-ryong, was known as one of the top elite among the martial factions. His eyebrows twitched slightly as he remarked,
“You are indeed remarkable for someone so young. How did you cultivate such profound strength at your age?”
I was surprised. I was currently executing the Heavenly Blood Sealing Technique to prevent any unnecessary energy from leaking. Yet he discerned my cultivation level immediately.
‘Now that I think about it, even Seo Mun-hye realized my level despite the technique…’
Perhaps Shadowless Gate utilized a unique doctrine that made it easier to sense others’ powers. Just as I was about to respond, Seo Mun-hye, who was beside me, said,
“Father, this person is the one who saved me.”
“Saved you…? Hmm.”
Seo Mun-hye recounted everything that had occurred—the participation in the Dark Realm Martial Arts Tournament, being sent to Pirate Island after losing in the fourth round, and the battles against monsters during the rescue.
After listening quietly for half a shichen, Sword Demon Seo Mun-dae-ryong nodded and said,
“I see…”
Then, his next words left me wide-eyed.
“Then you should marry her.”
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