Chapter 47: Sichuan Tang Clan
"The Hao Sect Leader? No one knows his whereabouts. He's not someone you can meet that easily."
"And next? Next would be the ones known as the Seven Daggers Among Men. They're the ones who practically run the Hao Sect. Some of their locations are known. The closest one... would be in the provincial capital of Sichuan. Since we're headed to the Tang Clan anyway, we might as well stop there."
Jang Woo-hyun was planning to request help from the Hao Sect to find what he was looking for.
Though the Beggars' Sect, to which Hwang An belonged, was an option, he judged that the Hao Sect would be a better fit for negotiating with what he had to offer.
Because of Jang Woo-hyun’s dazed state, the party had been moving at a slower pace, but they picked up speed again and soon arrived at the provincial capital of Sichuan.
The heart of Sichuan, and its largest city.
It was also the territory of the Tang Clan.
As soon as they arrived, Hwang An moved to visit a branch of the Beggars’ Sect, and this time, unlike before, they cooperated actively.
Jang Woo-hyun’s status had changed. Initially, their lack of cooperation was due to fear of getting involved with the Asura Sword Sect, but that sect no longer existed in the Martial World.
Hwang An had asked for two things.
One was to find Ma Choong-won, a man formerly of the Demon Extermination Sect. The other was to arrange a meeting with someone from the Hao Sect for negotiations.
Less than two shichen later, a member of the Beggars’ Sect led them to a Hao Sect location.
"This way, please."
The place they were guided to was one of the most luxurious pleasure houses in the capital.
After passing through several annexes with small gardens, the group finally met their target.
In a corner of a well-kept garden—
A middle-aged man with a chiseled face was waiting for Jang Woo-hyun.
"Pleased to meet you. My name is Yang Rim."
The man who introduced himself gestured for them to follow.
When Jang Woo-hyun looked to Hwang An, the latter gave a small nod. It meant that this man was one of the Seven Daggers Among Men of the Hao Sect.
Once seated at the place Yang Rim indicated, the conversation naturally began.
"It's an honor to meet the Invincible Divine Sword, Master Jang. Ah, of course, meeting the two of you as well is equally an honor."
Yang Rim smiled as he greeted them after sitting down.
"I heard you wanted to meet me. May I ask why?"
"I'm searching for something and I need the Hao Sect’s assistance."
"And what exactly are you searching for...?"
"First, it concerns the Demonic Martial Divine Manual. Whether it’s his secret manuals or records, I want everything he left behind."
"And the other?"
"I’d like you to investigate Inner Kunlun, Blood Valley, and Forest of Hermits."
These were things ordinary martial artists would have no knowledge of, but Jang Woo-hyun had no intention of hiding them. He wanted to trace their tracks as soon as possible, by any means necessary.
"Inner Kunlun? That’s different from the Kunlun Sect, I presume? And Forest of Hermits... I’ve heard such a name used to refer to secluded places where reclusive martial artists dwell. And not just one or two places. But you’re not referring to such ordinary places, are you?"
"Correct. These aren’t normal places. You’ll understand once you begin the investigation. If you manage to find any of them, contact me."
"Just hearing about it, it doesn’t seem like any ordinary task."
Yang Rim asked a few more questions after that, but no solid information was available. There were only the names of the three places.
"How soon do you need it?"
"As soon as possible. The sooner, the better."
Yang Rim furrowed his brow at Jang Woo-hyun’s response.
It couldn’t be helped. He was being asked to find unknown places with no information, and to do it quickly.
Even for the Hao Sect, which specialized in gathering information, there were limits to what could be done.
"Master Jang, I don’t know what you're trying to find, but even if you brought a chest full of silver ingots, it wouldn’t be easy. Even just the Demonic Martial Divine Manual alone..."
Before Yang Rim could finish, Jang Woo-hyun pulled out three books from his robe and placed them on the table.
"These are the secret manuals of the Asura Sword Sect and the Demon-Crushing Fist of Destructive Evil. I’ll pay with these."
"Wh... what...?"
Yang Rim was so shocked he couldn’t even speak properly.
Six-Armed Asura Sword. Three Dantians, Three Origins Technique. Demon-Crushing Fist of Destructive Evil.
Among the three, the last was indeed a high-level martial art, but it was nothing compared to the other two.
Six-Armed Asura Sword and Three-Heads Three-Origin Technique.
Just from the names alone, it was clear.
These were the martial arts of Yeo Gun-hwi, the Asura Sword Emperor.
‘So that story was true...’
It was said that during the war between the Asura Sword Sect and the Tyrant King Sect, it wasn’t the Merciless Sword Go Jin who went after Yeo Gun-hwi. Contrary to what had been widely believed, Go Jin had been fighting alongside the disciples of the Tyrant King Sect.
Then who had fought Yeo Gun-hwi?
There was only one answer. The man who had charged deep into the heart of the Asura Sword Sect.
Jang Woo-hyun, One Sword, One Kill.
Though it wasn’t officially confirmed, rumors said that he had defeated Yeo Gun-hwi.
As Yang Rim looked at the two secret manuals Jang Woo-hyun had presented, he realized the rumor was true. Jang Woo-hyun had taken down one of the Ten Demonic Paths.
‘So this is why he wanted to meet me...’
If this was the price he was offering, there was no way a low-ranking member of the Hao Sect could handle it.
Gulp.
Nervously swallowing, Yang Rim reached out toward the manuals on the table.
‘With this...’
It could become wings for the Hao Sect.
The Hao Sect lacked high-level martial arts. But if they had the Six-Armed Asura Sword—a martial art from the Ten Demonic Paths—they could rise much higher.
"Are you giving this to us in advance?"
Jang Woo-hyun nodded.
"Because I want the results as quickly as possible."
"But if we take this and fail to deliver..."
Yang Rim locked eyes with Jang Woo-hyun and trailed off.
What was he saying?
This was the man who challenged the entire Asura Sword Sect alone. And not only that—he had destroyed it.
The Hao Sect? If it came to it, Jang Woo-hyun might just obliterate every single Hao Sect branch and outpost. He had the skill and the drive to do it.
"Apologies. I almost misspoke."
Rising from his seat and offering a respectful bow, Yang Rim accepted the task.
‘This is something I absolutely must do.’
Even if the Sect Leader didn’t step in, even if no one else helped, Yang Rim would pour everything he had into this task.
That’s how valuable the secret manuals offered as payment were.
* * *
"Brother Jang, what are those three places you mentioned earlier?"
As soon as they stepped out of the pleasure house, Hwang An, who had merely watched from the side, asked. Jin Ha-un also stood nearby, clearly curious.
"Places I have to pass through... in order to move forward."
"Move forward?"
Hwang An kept asking about the unknown things Jang Woo-hyun had mentioned, but all he got in response was, “It’s something like that.” Jang Woo-hyun offered no further explanation.
But Hwang An didn’t give up. Even as they looked for lodging, he continued to press him.
"Come on, at least let me know something. Are you really going to keep being so cold?"
"Hyung-nim."
Jin Ha-un, who had been quietly observing, tugged on Hwang An’s sleeve and shook his head. It was a signal to stop.
It was already a relief that Jang Woo-hyun had returned to normal. Agitating him might push him back into that dazed state, so they had to be cautious.
"Ahem."
Understanding the signal, Hwang An coughed and stopped talking.
The three of them chose an inn and were about to enter when a beggar ran up to them.
"Senior Brother! I found him!"
The beggar had come to report that he had found Ma Choong-won, the person Hwang An had asked about.
"Oh! Really? Where is he?"
"I’ll guide you. It's an honor to meet you, Master Jang! I’m Oh Cheol-min of the Beggars' Sect!"
Like any other beggar, Oh Cheol-min’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Jang Woo-hyun.
One Sword, One Kill.
Asura Annihilation Sword.
Invincible Divine Sword.
Anyone would react that way when meeting the young hero currently considered the most outstanding figure in the Martial World.
"Lead the way. Let’s go meet Senior Ma after such a long time… Jang hyung?"
Jang Woo-hyun had stopped walking. He had been the one who said they should meet Ma Choong-won and stop by the Tang Clan, yet now he seemed completely uninterested.
It was as if none of it mattered—as if his connection to Ma Choong-won meant nothing at all.
‘Do I really have to meet him?’
That thought even crossed his mind. He even considered simply walking away and leaving everything behind.
Feeling that everything was meaningless, Jang Woo-hyun shook his head and refocused. He refused to fall into a state of aimlessness.
Light returned to his eyes, which had started to lose their focus.
‘At this rate, I’ll turn into a tree.’
If he didn’t stay focused, he would slip back into that previous state.
"Let’s go. It’s been a while, let’s go see Senior Ma."
"Y-Yeah, let’s do that."
Hwang An took the lead, with Jang Woo-hyun and Jin Ha-un following behind.
* * *
"Wow, Senior Ma. You’ve really made it!"
At Hwang An’s polite remark, Ma Choong-won let out a hearty laugh.
He had exchanged the merit points he earned from the mission with Jang Woo-hyun for money.
Afterward, he left the Demon Extermination Sect and settled in the Sichuan capital. Just as he had once mentioned, he aimed to supply the Tang Clan with poisons or herbs.
His plan was to live quietly while doing small business, but things didn’t unfold the way he expected—just as the saying goes, no one knows what lies ahead.
In the capital, there were quite a few others like Ma Choong-won who had similar ideas of supplying poisons or herbs to the Tang Clan. At first, he thought it would be a tough competition.
But things unexpectedly went smoothly. Ma Choong-won had both connections and capital.
He brought those people together and formed a group. Thus, a union of hunters and herb gatherers was born.
Apparently, he had some business sense. Ma Choong-won’s venture went well and his name began to spread beyond the capital into the wider Sichuan region.
"It’s all thanks to Warrior Jang."
"You can speak casually now. Neither of us are members of the Demon Extermination Sect anymore."
"How could I? Warrior Jang is no different from a savior to me."
During their first mission together, Jang Woo-hyun had essentially saved his life. On their second mission, he earned merit points that he could never have amassed even if he worked his whole life in the Demon Extermination Sect.
To Ma Choong-won, Jang Woo-hyun was not only a lifesaver but also someone who had given him a new life.
That was why he welcomed Jang Woo-hyun and Hwang An with an extravagant reception. Over a lavish meal, they shared many stories. Eventually, he learned that they had another purpose.
"You said you have business with the Tang Clan?"
"Yes. I have something to deliver."
Ma Choong-won studied Jang Woo-hyun.
He was someone good at reading people, but he couldn’t even begin to grasp Jang Woo-hyun’s strength now—how strong he had become or how high he had risen.
Ma Choong-won had heard the rumors.
One-Slash-One-Kill. Said to have slain the Blood Sword King of the Asura Sword Sect with a single strike.
Invincible Divine Sword. Took on the Ten Demonic Paths alone and brought them down.
The most talked-about figure in the Martial World right now was Jang Woo-hyun.
And that wasn’t all. The Jang Woo-hyun he knew always exceeded expectations.
He was likely far beyond what people imagined or predicted.
Ma Choong-won couldn’t pinpoint his exact level, but he had a rough idea.
"Whatever it is... it’s probably not something ordinary, is it?"
He turned to Hwang An and asked.
If Jang Woo-hyun was carrying it, then it certainly wasn’t just some ordinary item. In response to Ma Choong-won’s question, Hwang An neither confirmed nor denied it.
"Can you tell me what kind of item it is? I know someone within the Tang Clan, so I could try reaching out to them. Is it poison-related? Or perhaps a hidden weapon or martial art?"
"That is…"
Just as Hwang An hesitated to answer, Jang Woo-hyun spoke from beside him.
"It’s the secret manual of the Dark Heaven Divine Sword."
"Wh-what…?"
Ma Choong-won was so shocked by the casually spoken words that he couldn’t even react properly.
He had heard of the Dark Heaven Divine Sword. He knew who it belonged to. He knew its status within the Tang Clan.
It wasn’t something related to poisons or hidden weapons that the Tang Clan was known for. But it was a matter far too significant to ignore.