Chapter 111: Trap and Ambush (1)
“Who’s in charge here?”
The martial officer dismounted, shouting loudly.
It was obvious at a glance that he wasn't someone sent from the local government office.
The officer appeared to be of fairly high rank, and an elaborate insignia adorned his chest.
Baltong of the Sword Hilt stepped forward in response to the martial officer’s voice.
“I am the one responsible for this place.”
“I am the one in charge of the outer defense of the Southern Heavenly King’s residence.”
At the mention of the Southern Heavenly King’s residence, Baltong of the Sword Hilt fell into thought.
The Southern Heavenly King’s residence was the only royal residence located in Henan.
‘What would a martial officer from the Southern Heavenly King’s residence in Xuchang be doing here?’
Baltong worried that perhaps someone who had died here was somehow connected to this officer.
The power wielded by a low-ranking official of the local government and a martial officer of the royal residence were worlds apart.
“It is the command of the Southern Heavenly King! All martial artists involved in this recent bloodshed are to follow me.”
“What are you saying? Why is the Southern Heavenly King’s residence interfering in this case?”
He feared that the Southern Heavenly King might use this incident as a pretext to suppress the martial artists of Henan.
“Oh, there is no need for concern. His Highness wishes to reward the warriors of Henan who repelled the forces of the demonic path! As the royal residence of Henan, he wishes to personally meet the martial artists who protected the land!”
It was a troubling situation.
If a government official summoned a martial artist, they could refuse without much consequence. Because the martial world and the authorities were often wary of one another, the two sides rarely clashed directly.
“His Highness heard of the recent bloodshed and wishes to see the prodigies of Mount Hua, the Arhat monks of Shaolin, the heroic lady of the Zheng Clan Manor, and the Sword Hero of Heavenly Central Sect.”
As the martial officer’s voice was so loud, everyone came out to look at him.
The Three Killers, the four Arhat monks of Shaolin, the younger disciples of Mount Hua, Yong Hwarin, and Yong Biyang all listened closely to the exchange, deep in thought.
“This is not only an invitation but a command from His Highness.”
Since the martial officer had declared it so clearly, they had no choice but to comply.
To disobey a royal command risked being branded as a traitor.
Usually, royal residences did not interfere with affairs of the martial world.
However, the Southern Heavenly King was known to be obsessed with martial arts.
He enjoyed summoning notable figures to engage in friendly sparring matches and rewarded winners handsomely, drawing many experts to his residence.
Because of this, many martial artists stayed as guests at the royal residence.
In truth, such behavior could be viewed as treasonous by the imperial family, but since the Southern Heavenly King commanded very few troops and merely surrounded himself with martial artists, the royal court turned a blind eye.
Had he held greater military power, his ties to the martial world would have drawn far more scrutiny.
Baltong responded with a troubled expression.
“How far is Xuchang from here? Are you saying we must go there?”
Xuchang was located in central Henan.
“No. His Highness is currently staying in Seopyeong County, not far from here.”
His wife’s family was from Seopyeong County, and he had come to visit them for the first time in a while.
Upon hearing about the bloodshed, the Southern Heavenly King decided to meet the heroes involved.
He wished to see the recently famed Sword Hero of Heavenly Central Sect, Yong Hwarin, the renowned Arhat monks of Shaolin, and the prodigies of Mount Hua, and so used his royal authority to summon them.
Additionally, having heard of the great beauty of the Three Killers of the Zheng Clan Manor, he extended his invitation to them as well.
Though it was called an invitation, in truth it was hardly different from a command.
If they lived in a different region, they might be able to refuse, but to live in Henan and disobey the order of the royal residence was difficult even for martial artists.
There was no telling what consequences might follow.
On the other hand, for a martial artist obsessed with martial arts like the Southern Heavenly King to show interest could mean an opportunity to expand one’s influence, so many martial artists in Henan hoped to catch his eye.
Knowing this, the Arhat monk from Shaolin spoke up as the representative.
“It seems we have no choice but to accept the Southern Heavenly King’s invitation.”
They feared that refusing might bring unwanted pressure from the authorities upon Mount Song’s Shaolin Temple.
History had shown that such things were not unheard of, so the Arhat monk had no choice but to accept.
The martial officer nodded to the monk.
“What about the others?”
The younger disciples of Mount Hua were based in Shaanxi, but they couldn’t reject a nearby invitation from the Southern Heavenly King.
Moreover, a few years ago, he had personally visited Mount Hua to discuss martial arts, so it wasn’t as though there was no existing connection.
“This is something that Senior Brother should decide.”
When Ho Cheongun looked to Poong Imso, his gaze naturally turned to Sa Jeokwoo.
“Let our junior brother decide. As the next Sect Leader of Mount Hua, it is a matter for him.”
Sa Jeokwoo nodded.
“If it’s just meeting the Southern Heavenly King, it shouldn’t be a big issue. I believe we should accept.”
“Though the authorities and the martial world are separate, the Southern Heavenly King is himself a martial artist. I don’t believe there’s any harm in meeting him.”
When Poong Imso agreed, the others followed suit.
With even the disciples of Mount Hua accepting, the martial officer called out loudly.
“Where is the Sword Hero of Heavenly Central Sect? His Highness particularly wishes to see him!”
In a way, it was an honor.
The Southern Heavenly King liked to feast and duel with the most renowned martial artists in Henan.
Naturally, he would want to meet the recently famous Sword Hero of Heavenly Central Sect.
Especially since he was staying nearby in Seopyeong County, he likely wished to see him immediately.
Yong Hwarin looked over at Yong Biyang.
Thanks to Yong Hwarin unblocking all of his meridians, Yong Biyang’s eyes now glowed with youthful clarity that defied his age.
Yong Biyang knew that thanks to his son, he had undergone a kind of miraculous transformation.
“I’ll follow your decision.”
“You decide, Father.”
“I’ve heard the Southern Heavenly King enjoys interacting with martial artists, but doesn’t directly involve himself in the martial world. I don’t think there’s any real harm in befriending someone like that.”
Yong Hwarin looked at his father with surprise. He hadn’t expected such open-minded words from someone usually so upright.
Sensing his son’s reaction, Yong Biyang muttered.
“What can I say? Just as my body seems to have embraced a new world, my way of thinking has changed a bit too. I feel... freer, I suppose? I think it’s the confidence that I can become even stronger.”
To Yong Hwarin, his father now seemed like a new person—almost unfamiliar.
But he understood.
In his previous life, he too had lived with a completely different personality and way of thinking.
When his world changed, so did his soul.
It was likely the same for his father.
The walls that had long blocked his martial cultivation and constrained his life had finally broken down, and so his thoughts and actions had become freer.
In the past, his father would have rejected the Southern Heavenly King's invitation without hesitation.
But now, thinking of the sect’s future and considering broader matters, he was making more flexible decisions.
“I am the Sword Hero of Heavenly Central Sect, Yong Hwarin. We’ll come as well.”
“Very good.”
The martial officer nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the three sisters of the Zheng Clan Manor and asked,
“Will you come as well?”
“We will not.”
The martial officer frowned at their unexpected reply.
“Why not?”
“We have urgent matters and must return to our main house. We don’t have the leisure for outings.”
Jeong Suji replied coldly.
“I see. His Highness the Southern Heavenly King will be very disappointed.”
The three sisters of the Zheng Clan Manor didn’t seem to realize the implications of those words.
Yong Hwarin approached them and spoke.
“It would be best if you spare a moment to meet the Southern Heavenly King. There is nothing to gain by making an enemy of him.”
“Hmph, we’re not the least bit scared of that. Even the Southern Heavenly King can’t order us around.”
Jeong Suji was unyielding.
Yong Hwarin admired her boldness but felt frustrated by her rigid mindset.
“I am not accepting the Southern Heavenly King’s invitation because I want to see him. Don’t you find this strange? Stealing relics from the Zheng Clan Manor and Shaolin could be dismissed as mere thievery, but doesn’t it seem like the culprits aren’t just common thieves? Doesn’t it feel like there’s something much larger behind this?”
“Even in this incident alone, Cheol Eungmun attacked a mere martial officer. Do you think that has nothing to do with us?”
At his words, Jeong Minji looked surprised. She hadn’t thought that far.
“I believe that not just the Zheng Clan Manor, but Shaolin and your main family are being targeted by some organization. And truthfully, when it comes to uncovering such hidden powers, the government is more capable than us. They have investigative authority.”
“I intend to inform the Southern Heavenly King about this matter and seek his support.”
The three sisters exchanged glances.
In truth, while pursuing the Black Silk Toad and the Black Killing Sword, they had come to realize that these weren’t isolated incidents but threads woven into a much larger web.
Self-Revolving Blood Demon, the Demonic Master, Deung Hwaun, the assassination squad—and now even Cheol Eungmun.
They didn’t believe these were just coincidences.
“If we don’t resolve this, both the Zheng Clan Manor and we ourselves will remain exposed to constant danger.”
“Will the Southern Heavenly King really help?”
“That’s why we must make him help us. With the intelligence resources of the Zheng Clan Manor or your main house, there’s no way to uncover the true powers behind this. You won’t even know why this is happening or what they’re after. Without knowing that, you’ll never be able to prepare for when or where the next attack might come.”
Yong Hwarin’s argument left no room for refutation.
They, too, had been harboring suspicions about all of this.
“The royal residences have intelligence networks far beyond our imagination. They maintain covert intelligence agencies to keep watch on political rivals, regional princes, and the movements of the imperial army. If we can make use of such an organization, we could uncover the truth behind our suspicions with much less difficulty.”
Jeong Suji and Jeong Daji looked at their eldest sister, Jeong Minji, and the decision-maker finally spoke.
“What Master Yong says is correct. For a faction like ours, without even a single intelligence network, uncovering the truth behind all this would be hopeless. We’ll follow Master Yong’s advice.”
“There may be gain, but there will be no loss.”
At that, Jeong Suji retorted sharply.
“What are we, merchants? To speak of gains?”
Yong Hwarin scratched his head and laughed awkwardly.
“Hahaha. You’re right. Still, each action we take now must be carefully considered. This isn’t the time to follow only your heart.”
“Suji, Master Yong is right.”
Feeling somewhat cornered by Jeong Suji’s bluntness, Yong Hwarin quickly stepped away.
“Hmph, acting like he’s avoiding a pile of dung.”
Jeong Daji sneered.
“Well, when you talk like dung, it’s only natural people avoid you.”
“How dare you say I talk like dung?”
“You speak precisely, but that precision embarrasses people. Are you a needle? Words are for offering, not stabbing. Your sword is sharp enough for stabbing.”
“You’re actually saying something useful for once.”
“Big sister!”
As Jeong Suji barked back, Jeong Minji and Jeong Daji quietly backed off.
“Are you all going too?”
When Hwang Sinjik of the Dabie Sect began heading out with his escorts toward the Southern Heavenly King, Jeong Suji questioned him.
Her pointed question was met with a blunt reply.
“Didn’t His Highness summon all martial artists involved in this bloodshed? Ask the officer over there. Am I wrong?”
It sounded shameless.
He had tried to escape first, and because of his actions, the disciples couldn’t get out through the rear gate and lost their lives.
And yet now, he had the audacity to claim merit and go see the Southern Heavenly King.
In truth, Hwang Sinjik had feigned withdrawal, closing the rear gate and forcing a confrontation with the Cheol Eung Blood Demon Squad, thereby preventing the disciples from escaping.
That was part of his mission.
However, once the Arhat monks of Shaolin, Poong Imso, and Sa Jeokwoo arrived and crushed the Blood Demon Squad, breaking through the blockade, Hwang Sinjik had no choice but to pretend to fight and conceal his identity.
That unexpected turn of events cost him ten of his guards.
But Hwang Sinjik wasn’t particularly bothered; he considered them people meant to die for him.
As the others deliberately avoided going near him, Hwang Sinjik’s cheek twitched.
“Dead men walking.”
He muttered to himself, watching those who shunned him.
It was the only way to soothe the sting to his pride.
Just as they were nearing the area where the Southern Heavenly King resided, a rider in Dabie Sect uniform came galloping up in haste.
After whispering something to Hwang Sinjik, he nodded and walked up to the group.
“There is an urgent matter at our main house. I must return at once and won’t be able to meet His Highness. Please convey my regards to him.”
With that, he withdrew with his remaining escorts.
“Hmph, good riddance. I was sick of looking at him.”
Jeong Suji, who had always detested the arrogant Hwang Sinjik, scoffed as he disappeared.
‘A man so obsessed with honor turning back right in front of the Southern Heavenly King? That’s odd. No matter how urgent, he’s not the type to miss this opportunity.’
Yong Hwarin tilted his head, puzzled.
It also meant something serious had happened within the Dabie Sect.
But Yong Hwarin shook off the thought and picked up his pace.
Making a noble like the Southern Heavenly King wait could be considered a grave offense.