Dark Heaven Village
Lee Kwang started organizing his disciples the very next day.
“Dissolve the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School.”
With the wealth he had accumulated, he provided his disciples with traveling expenses for their return home and wrote recommendation letters for senior apprentices beyond the Second Line to join other sects. The Third Line disciples, mainly beginners or those who hadn’t trained seriously, were simply disbanded.
The masters, Yun Guang and Ji Pyeong, decided to follow Lee Kwang. Though their skills were still lacking, it was clear that they had learned the Thunder God Sect techniques, making them invaluable talents not to be given away to other sects. A mere decade of training more, and they would undoubtedly bring fame to the Jianghu.
Instead, Lee Kwang said,
“Always keep this medicine with you.”
“What is this?”
“It’s a potion that allows you to take your own life without feeling pain.”
Yun Guang and Ji Pyeong exchanged surprised glances but silently accepted the vial. They understood from Lee Kwang’s words that if they were captured, torturous death awaited them. Even on a path that guaranteed death, their quiet acceptance signified their genuine loyalty to the Thunder God Sect.
Once the group of the Thunder God Sect was complete, Lee Kwang announced,
“Our first destination is Spring Scene Pass.”
“Spring Scene Pass? Isn’t that a brothel?”
I asked in disbelief. At that, Lee Kwang smirked.
“Yes. It’s the largest brothel in Guanzhong.”
“……?”
Spring Scene Pass was known as the biggest brothel where beautiful women awaited, right in the heart of Guanzhong’s nightlife. Considering Lee Kwang‘s noble honor as a martial artist, Spring Scene Pass seemed like an utterly out-of-place destination. However, without receiving any further questions, Lee Kwang led the group toward Spring Scene Pass.
Upon arriving, Lee Kwang addressed the courtesan at the entrance.
“Where is Guk Ho?”
“Ah! Guk Ho…”
The courtesan seemed to recognize Lee Kwang. She hesitated before responding,
“Guk Ho is in his room.”
“Good.”
Without waiting, Lee Kwang strode in purposefully. The courtesan attempted to stop him in shock, but it was pointless. Like a sharp spear, Lee Kwang pushed through the brothel, ascending to the third floor until he stopped at a door. He then proclaimed,
“Guk Ho, come out immediately.”
Clang!
At those words, a languid young man with striking features opened the door. He looked slightly older than Jin So-cheong, probably in his early to mid-twenties, standing there as a fine specimen typical of a brothel’s handsome men.
Guk Ho, with a smirk, chuckled,
“Ah, what is it, my lord?”
“The disguise is over. We have a big task ahead; now you will carry out the main duties of the Thunder God Sect.”
That moment, Guk Ho’s expression turned steely, transforming from a carefree demeanor to that of a seasoned warrior. His relaxed posture morphed into the form of a top-tier martial artist, embodying the essence of the Thunder God Sect. A chilling voice escaped his lips.
“Are we to face an enemy?”
“Yes. Starting today, we head to Luoyang.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll give you one meal’s time to gather your things.”
“I’ll join you shortly.”
With that, the conversation ended. We sat on the first floor of Spring Scene Pass, waiting for Guk Ho. Confused, I asked,
“Master, who exactly is this Guk Ho?”
Lee Kwang cast me a glance and replied,
“Guk Ho was also the number one disciple of another Thunder God Sect. His master was killed by Wind God Sect, and he came to seek my help.”
“……!!”
“However, Guk Ho took on the role of a scout. Occasionally, he would gather intelligence while I trained him in martial arts, checking if any threats to the Thunder God Sect wandered around Guanzhong. That’s just how he chose to live.”
I was taken aback.
‘So that’s why Lee Kwang wasn’t so averse to the mention of another Thunder God Sect.’
Just like me, Guk Ho had come seeking Lee Kwang‘s guidance. I was puzzled and asked,
“Isn’t it better to become a disciple of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School where cultivation can be more beneficial?”
Looking at Guk Ho, his skills were impressive. He could immediately step into the Jianghu and be compared to the elders of the Nine Great Families or even surpass them. Considering his age, one could argue he was destined for greatness.
“Don’t pry too much into it. If you want to ask, just ask him.”
Swish!
“Right, kiddo. Don’t ask too many questions.”
Just then, Guk Ho jumped down from the third floor, having finished packing. His agility was remarkable, and I even noticed his last three steps were executed using the Thunder God Sect’s secret technique, showcasing he was surely fit to receive the Thunder God Sect’s acknowledgment.
Guk Ho poked my forehead with a smirk.
“Don’t worry. I’m a friendly guy.”
“I’m not particularly eager to be friends.”
“Who asked you?”
As the party grew to seven, we mounted our horses and began heading toward Luoyang.
Clatter, clatter!
Lee Kwang informed,
Currently, with the Grand Commander of the Golden Eagle Guards severely injured and the Golden Eagle Guards losing more than half their strength, it was clear they wouldn’t have sufficient intelligence networks to closely monitor our movements. The ones surveilling us weren’t specialists in tracking, so Lee Kwang or Jin So-cheong would eliminate them on sight.
Thud!
Crushing the head of a watcher, Lee Kwang muttered,
“That’s a bit lacking.”
“What do you mean?”
I asked while wiping my bloodied sword. Since there were two members of the Golden Eagle Guards at this hiding place, I had dealt with them. Lee Kwang said quietly,
“They need to have an organization that can act as our eyes and ears once we enter Luoyang, with at least ten peak-tier masters in order to break through the Great Thunder Prison.”
“Is the Great Thunder Prison that dangerous?”
“Since the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, when the founder built the Great Thunder Prison, no one has ever escaped from it in history. Furthermore, it’s protected by a myriad of magical formations and carefully chosen powerful beings from the royal family, so it cannot be underestimated.”
Seeing Lee Kwang display such caution was a first for me. Given what I had seen of Lee Kwang’s martial prowess, I had assumed he could shatter the heavens as if he were a deity. I was genuinely curious what the Great Thunder Prison was like.
Just then, I had a good idea, so I turned to Lee Kwang and said,
“I might be able to seek out my friend’s help.”
“Your friend?”
Lee Kwang looked discontentedly at a girl approaching from a distance.
“Is that her?”
“……”
I had no words when it came to discussing Mi Ho. After the disbandment of the Third Line disciples, she had stuck to us like glue, sobbing and performing like a poor lost girl without parents, and in the end, Lee Kwang accepted her.
I forced a smile and replied,
“No, I assure you he will be helpful.”
“Who is he?”
“He’s an eminent hero with brilliant wisdom and strategy.”
“Hmm…”
I recalled Mangnyang.
‘Mangnyang had told me he was active in Luoyang around this time.’
In my tenth life, Mangnyang, who had come to Goryeo, provided me with all the developments so far. He believed it would be prudent to form a group quickly, so after receiving elixirs and funding from me, he hastily left to Luoyang. Given the time that had passed since my reincarnation, Mangnyang would have undoubtedly established the Anti-Heaven Alliance already.
I already knew how to make contact with the Anti-Heaven Alliance.
A few days later, when we arrived in Luoyang, I set off with Lee Kwang, Jin So-cheong, and Guk Ho to a place called Wind and Rain Tavern. Wind and Rain Tavern was a small place without many patrons, but I approached the owner and whispered,
[Against the heavens, I shall practice righteousness.]
The snoozing tavern keeper slowly opened his eyes. After scanning our party, he instructed,
“Follow me.”
Indeed, the Anti-Heaven Alliance had already been established.
He opened a small door at the back of the tavern, leading to a cave in the back mountain. The cave twisted and turned like a maze, and after following the path for some time, we emerged at another door. Once the door opened, the tavern keeper led us to a place with wooden structures.
After two or three repetitions of this, we finally reached a weapons shop (武器店). It looked just like an ordinary weapons store at first, but when the tavern keeper stepped behind the seemingly empty space, a wide area appeared.
Whoosh!
“……!!”
It was a [space larger inside than outside] that I had witnessed during my meeting with the Twelve Blades Lord. Such a thing could only be created with high-level sorcery. A vast, grassy plain unfolded before us, and the Thunder God Sect members following me looked astonished.
And then a familiar voice echoed.
“What’s this? Is that you, Baek Woong? How long has it been since you brought a bunch of powerful people with you~”
A jovial and playful voice echoed as a literary man in dark clothing approached from the other side of the field. I could not forget his face, so I greeted him warmly,
“Mangnyang!!”
“Ah, please call me the Leader of the Anti-Heaven Alliance.”
“Oh, right.”
As Mangnyang cleared his throat, I awkwardly became silent.
I stated my purpose.
“We need your assistance.”
“Hmm, to help?”
Mangnyang looked around and then focused his gaze on one person, saying,
“Indeed, as rumored, you have remarkable energy, Azure Dragon.”
“Do you know me?”
“The Anti-Heaven Alliance collects various pieces of information, you see. I also know about the recent major incident in Seobyeonggok and the fact that the Grand Commander of the Golden Eagle Guards visited the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School.”
Lee Kwang’s eyebrows twitched.
“He’s an interesting friend.”
Mangnyang smiled broadly.
“A friend of yours, the leader of the Anti-Heaven Alliance, I see.”
“Quite right. Your intelligence is second to none. However, I cannot trust you completely.”
“Isn’t it enough to have a common enemy, the Golden Eagle Guards?”
“I generally do not trust information organizations. We merely use each other as needed.”
At that, Mangnyang burst into a hearty laugh.
“Haha!! Then we can simply use each other, what’s there to worry about? We can provide whatever extensive information you need promptly without crossing any operational boundaries. Shouldn’t that be enough to strike a deal?”
He added casually,
“As a bonus, I believe your side may be more desperate.”
“……”
Lee Kwang observed Mangnyang in silence. However, when Mangnyang released his aura, he flinched for a moment but quickly regained his composure.
After a substantial pause, Lee Kwang finally spoke,
“Leader of the Anti-Heaven Alliance… You’re incredible. I like you.”
Mangnyang wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“Haha, then it seems we have a deal.”
“Things can be seen that way.”
Thus, an alliance between the Anti-Heaven Alliance and the Thunder God Sect was forged on the spot.
Witnessing this scene, I felt Mangnyang was indeed an incredible character. Who dares to negotiate directly with Lee Kwang, the Supreme Martial Artist? Of course, Mangnyang must have increased his martial prowess due to the Black and White Lotus roots I had given him, but Lee Kwang’s mention of prowess seemed to encompass his wisdom and insight.
Mangnyang led us to a lounge. Once we were seated, he stated,
“Let’s get straight to the point as time is of the essence. My assumption is that Lee Kwang is planning to rescue General Hwang Yeon, who’s trapped in the Great Thunder Prison, am I right?”
“Correct. You seem to have guessed everything.”
“It’s merely the result of gathering and analyzing information.”
Flutter!
Mangnyang unfurled a map. He pointed at a section with his baton and said,
“This is a depth map of the Great Thunder Prison I obtained prior. I believe General Hwang Yeon is likely somewhere around here.”
“How are you so sure? What proof is there that this is the true map of the Great Thunder Prison?”
“I have a collaborator in the royal family who helps me. If this map is wrong, it would immediately lead to an extreme penalty for all members of the Anti-Heaven Alliance, so I hope you trust me.”
“Hmm…”
“I suggest this.”
Mangnyang’s eyes sparkled.
“Please mobilize the members of the Clear Stream Faction first. If they shake the political situation, the defenses of the Great Thunder Prison will surely weaken.”
After hearing Mangnyang‘s proposal, Lee Kwang dumbfoundedly paused for a moment before sighing.
“You’re truly an insightful friend. It’s as if you read my mind.”
“I acquired information about your relationship as sworn brothers with Deng Guo, the leader of the Clear Stream Faction. I’m certain you can convince him.”
“Sounds good.”
“And for the time being, I would like you to stay at a hideout we provide. Unfortunately, I cannot assure you that I’ll disperse any tails, so I ask for your understanding.”
“Don’t worry. We can handle those kinds of creeps.”
Soon, Mangnyang summoned his subordinates to introduce them. He bowed his head slightly.
“Since we need to prepare, let’s meet in three days.”
“Understood.”
It felt like our discussion had concluded in a flash.
I had a few more things to discuss, so I remained behind. I asked Mangnyang,
“How did you know all this?”
“I just picked up bits and pieces along the way.”
“……”
Mangnyang grinned and extended his hand.
“A significant event seems to be approaching sooner than expected. Well, please take care of things, Baek Woong.”
I firmly grasped his hand.
“Leave it to me.”
The alliance between the Anti-Heaven Alliance and the Thunder God Sect was established, marking a day of convergence for the connections I had built over time.
I hurriedly posted this before going to reserve army training at 10. Heehee, happy training! Six years in, and I’m still getting trained~ ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
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