Chapter 76: The Heavenly Central Sword Hero (3)
"Ah, you really didn’t have to."
Chief Administrator Yu cursed internally as he watched Yong Hwarin feign modesty.
‘That dog! He snatched away all my profits. If things had gone well, I could’ve bought Chouhui’s Gold Token this time.’
Yong Hwarin had already anticipated this situation from the moment Yu handed him the pouch, all while wearing that greasy smile.
Yu, who had spent his entire life in the Upper World, couldn’t possibly deceive someone like Yong Hwarin, who had grown hardened there.
Moreover, someone like Shangguan Byeokin, who was full of arrogance, wouldn’t be the type to toss over a pouch and make a show of generosity.
Yu’s plan was to give only a handful of silver coins from the chest full of them to the innocent-looking Yong Hwarin and pocket the rest himself.
"For you to bestow such a generous gift, I must go see the Clan Head at once and pay my respects."
As Yong Hwarin turned away, Yu called out to him in a feeble voice from behind.
"Y-Young Master Yong! Please wait a moment!"
"What is it? Did you forget something again?"
"Uh… Madam instructed me to give this to you."
"Ah, how thoughtful of her."
Yong Hwarin smirked as he looked at Yu’s rotting expression.
"These are Golden Wound Pills and Internal Injury Remedies, made from rare medicinal ingredients. They are for your companions. And this… this is a gift that Madam asked me to give to you."
Yu handed over a sword with eyes full of reluctance.
"This sword was brought by Madam when she entered the Shangguan Clan. It is said to be quite the famed blade."
Surprised by the unexpected gift, Yong Hwarin drew the sword.
Srrrng!
"Ah!"
Only after pulling the sword did he understand why Yu looked so regretful.
‘So he tried to keep this for himself.’
Yong Hwarin, who had been inclined to overlook things since Yu was the administrator of another clan, found this attempt to snatch even a gift distasteful.
Suddenly, the sword’s backstory came to mind.
‘She must have prepared this sword long ago for my father. But after marrying Shangguan Byeokin, she was unable to give it to him and kept it instead. That must be why she still had it, even though she wasn’t from a martial family.’
It was a blade of a completely different caliber compared to the one he currently possessed.
Forging such a weapon would have required a significant amount of gold.
Yong Hwarin could feel the significance behind Ha Yanggyo handing him the sword.
‘This is her way of cutting ties with the past. She wants me to carry that sentiment forward.’
That was why he accepted the sword.
Had he left it behind, Ha Yanggyo would have continued thinking of Yong Biyang, and in doing so, she would have been endlessly tormented by the memories.
Understanding her heart, Yong Hwarin readily accepted Ha Yanggyo’s gift.
He also understood why she had given the gift through the Chief Administrator.
‘Her petty husband would get jealous, so she couldn’t give it directly.’
Meanwhile, Yu glared at Yong Hwarin with a look that could kill, furious that all his stashed wealth was being taken.
But when Yong Hwarin looked back at him, Yu’s waist instinctively bent in a bow.
"Safe travels, then."
"You're sure there’s nothing else you’ve forgotten?"
"Hahaha, the only thing I have left now is my regret."
Yong Hwarin gave him a cold look before walking away from Yu’s residence.
Then, he spoke toward a nearby wall.
"You must’ve seen and heard everything by now. That Yu is a man who dares to covet even gifts meant for guests. He’ll never be of any benefit to the Shangguan Clan, so he must be kept in check."
As he stepped out through the Moonlit East Gate, a voice floated from the wall.
"Not even a parting greeting?"
It was Shangguan Mijong’s voice.
"The martial art you're practicing is extremely dangerous, Lady Shangguan. If you cannot control yourself, you must not learn it."
He was referring to the Heart Sword Connection.
"But if you do succeed, I’d like to see what kind of technique it is."
At those words, Shangguan Mijong found a sliver of hope.
Among Yong Hwarin’s group, the ones not fully recovered—Mo Biyoung, Jungwook, and Jong Munhye, whose body was female—were riding in the carriage.
Yong Hwarin decided to ride on horseback, thinking he wouldn’t have time to contemplate the Tai Chi Profound Heavenly Sutra and the Dual-Mind Inner Art if he shared the carriage.
He planned to reflect on these matters on the way back to the family estate.
"To think the infamous Twin Dragons of Violence are now stuck driving a carriage."
Though he grumbled, he didn’t seem particularly displeased.
There wasn’t really anyone else to handle the reins, and with Mo Biyoung and Jungwook still injured, it made the most sense for him to drive.
"Let’s get going."
Just as he was about to speak, Nan Myeonggwak approached on horseback.
"Oh? Master Nan, where are you off to?"
Asked Namwook from the driver’s seat, to which Nan Myeonggwak replied with a grin.
"I’ve decided to follow Young Master Yong."
"What? That’s not something you can decide on your own. Our main house isn’t some kind of charity, you know."
But Yong Hwarin answered with a smile.
"The Shangguan Clan will no longer try to harm Master Nan. So you can rest easy."
"Young Master Yong saved my life, so isn’t it only right that you take responsibility for it?"
"How absurd. Save someone from drowning and now they’re demanding your bundle too."
Even as Namwook jeered, Nan Myeonggwak remained unfazed.
Yong Hwarin chuckled gently.
"Our main estate charges dearly for meals. Are you still coming?"
"I am. Even if only to eat those expensive meals."
And so, unlike when they had first set out into the martial world, Yong Hwarin’s party had grown by three more people.
They left the Shangguan Clan and rode straight toward the Heavenly Central Sect.
This time, their journey was without interference.
All the way from Jeongju to Imyeong County, a midpoint in Heavenly Central Mountain.
Throughout that time, Yong Hwarin was immersed in his own martial studies.
He worked to refine the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword and the Azure Bamboo Sword by incorporating the principles passed down by Jong Munhye and eliminating their imperfections.
However, since Mo Biyoung and the Twin Dragons of Violence were more passionate about swordsmanship, Yong Hwarin instead focused on creating the Tai Chi Dantian using the Tai Chi Profound Heavenly Sutra and the Dual-Mind Inner Art.
So engrossed was he in his training that he didn’t even realize seven days had passed.
Jong Seok kept busy as a sparring partner for the Twin Dragons, while Jong Munhye stayed close to Mo Biyoung, making the journey anything but dull.
“Finally, we’ve found a trace.”
A man bowed deeply as he reported to the middle-aged man in front of him.
“This better not be another wild goose chase. If I remember the wasted trip to Zhengzhou, even tearing you limb from limb wouldn’t be enough to calm my rage.”
The middle-aged man was dressed in blue robes that suited his sturdy physique.
Clack! Clack!
The bowing subordinate flinched at the sound of the metal ball his master played with in his right hand.
Many of his comrades had died with their heads smashed open by that very ball.
Among the subordinates, the master's iron marble was called the “Iron Ball of Life and Death”.
No one knew exactly why, but it was said he never let it go, even while sleeping.
It was only known that the object turned blue when infused with internal energy.
The master was a man who didn’t know failure.
If someone failed twice, he would kill them without hesitation—he was that cold-blooded.
“No, sir. This time, I brought the black cat from Zhejiang that can detect the scent of the Violet Lightning Fragrance. The cat has locked onto the direction and is running. It should reach them within a day.”
The Violet Lightning Technique emitted a unique scent, and the black cats from Zhejiang were known for their ability to track it.
“Is that so? Fine, your life depends on that being true. If it’s not, you’ll become that black cat’s next meal.”
“If I fail, I will feed myself to the cat, Master.”
“Good. Then move.”
When the middle-aged man stood up, a faint yet piercing scent began to spread around him.
It was the distinct scent of the Violet Lightning Devil Art.
Mo Biyoung hadn’t realized it before, but after riding together and conversing during the journey, she couldn’t help but be amazed at Jong Munhye’s vast knowledge.
The more they talked, the more she felt embarrassed by her own ignorance.
“You’re incredible. I thought I’d studied quite a bit, but compared to Miss Jong, I’m barely at the level of a page boy.”
“You flatter me. It’s just thanks to having a better memory than most. But did you know? Even someone like me finds herself shocked when talking to Brother Hwarin.”
“Really?”
Mo Biyoung had only discussed martial arts with Yong Hwarin, so she hadn’t known anything about his academic side.
“Sometimes I wonder how someone his age managed to attain such scholarly refinement.”
“It’s probably because he was sickly as a child and spent a lot of time with books. That would explain his wisdom beyond his years. He only started learning martial arts recently.”
“I’ve heard that, but I still can’t believe it. Could you tell me about what he was like as a child?”
“I don’t know much either. He lived a very secluded life. But I’ll share what I do know.”
The two continued chatting, the conversation blooming around stories of Yong Hwarin.
Then, just as they were nearing Imyeonghyeon—
Suddenly, Jong Munhye began to sweat profusely and groan, startling Mo Biyoung, who quickly brought the carriage to a halt.
“Lady Sect Leader!”
Even at that moment, Yong Hwarin’s mind was entirely occupied with the Tai Chi Dantian.
“What’s wrong?”
It wasn’t yet time for lunch, and they hadn’t entered Imyeonghyeon, so he questioned what had happened.
“Miss Jong suddenly began experiencing intense pain.”
Hearing that, Jong Seok, who was following behind, flung open the carriage door and jumped inside.
“Munhye!”
Jong Seok took out a small pouch from Jong Munhye’s waistband.
After opening it and checking inside, his face turned deathly pale.
“You’ve already used it all? Why didn’t you say anything? Why!”
Jong Munhye was on the verge of fainting and couldn’t answer.
In truth, she had run out of medicine but didn’t want to disturb Yong Hwarin, who was deeply immersed in martial arts.
She had also thought they’d be arriving at Imyeonghyeon soon, where she could get medicine from a physician. Roughly calculating the timing of her attacks, she had believed she still had another day of leeway.
But she hadn’t expected the seizure to come a day early.
‘The seizure interval is shortening…’
Even as her mind faded into a haze, Jong Munhye clenched her teeth around that thought.
But moans continued to leak out from between her lips.
“Ahhh! Uuugh! Huuu! Huuu!”
Because Yong Hwarin had delayed the journey by two days due to his martial training, they had gone beyond the expected time frame, leading to this situation.
“You idiot! Why didn’t you say anything!”
Yong Hwarin looked at Jong Seok’s grave expression and asked,
“Is this because the medicine Miss Jong mentioned before has run out?”
“Yes, Brother. I need to reach Imyeonghyeon first and prepare the medicine. I’ll take Munhye with me.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No, there’s no need. It’s just a matter of preparing the medicine. You can come at your own pace.”
If he went with them, Yong Hwarin would learn the reason for Jong Munhye’s illness. That’s why Jong Seok deliberately prevented him from coming along.
Jong Seok knew that if they delayed even by one more hour, Jong Munhye’s life would be in danger, so he hurried.
Yong Hwarin turned to Namwook.
“Escort Officer Nam, please go with them.”
He tossed his pouch to Namwook.
“They said the ingredients are expensive, so use this money.”
Namwook leapt off in the direction Jong Seok had taken.
But the three of them soon tensed up as a group suddenly blocked their path.
“Wahahahaha! So we’ve finally found you, you rat bastards!”