Light Novel: Volume 16 Episode 17
Manhwa: N/A

“Hoo!”

Jang Hoyeon took off his top and exhaled deeply.

The flesh on his chest and sides were darkly bruised. These were the wounds that had been inflicted by Yong Hasang’s strikes. 

Had Yong Hasang’s internal energy been just slightly stronger, or had his response been just a tad slower, he would have already been a goner.

His wounds were actually quite serious. The damage he received was worse on the inside than it looked from the outside.

Yong Hasang’s blows had shaken his internal organs to the core that he would need to recuperate for at least a month.

That said, it wasn’t only him who suffered. Jang Hoyeon had also inflicted a grievous wound on Yong Hasang’s body.

If one were to compare, their fight would be considered a draw. However, Jang Hoyeon ultimately gained the upper hand.

Because he secured both moral justification and public sentiment.

He was the one who had summoned Noh Kang-hyun and also the one who assigned the assassination task to the Hundred Wraith Union.

If Jianghu were to know about his deeds, they would severely criticize him, but Jang Hoyeon wasn’t the least bit of worried. 

Because he had kept everything a meticulous secret.

He even contacted the Hundred Wraith Union himself. The fewer people who knew the secret, the better. There would be no evidence of his involvement, even if someone searched after his death.

“Hehe!”

A smile crept at the corners of his mouth.

He was greatly pleased that his risky gamble had paid off. But he couldn’t be too relaxed. That was because his physical condition was at its worst. 

Even if he had won the people’s favor and gained moral justification, he couldn’t do anything in his current condition. But Jang Hoyeon wasn’t overly worried.

He had the Rain Sword Mountain Manor’s Nine Yang Replenishing Life Pill.1 

It was a miraculous pill that could heal even the most severe internal injuries as long as the person is alive. 

However, the ingredients were extremely hard to come by. Even the Rain Sword Mountain Manor only managed to make two of them. One belonged to the sect leader, Jang Pyeongsan, and the other was with Jang Hoyeon.

After taking the Nine Yang Replenishing Life Pill, Jang Hoyeon began to circulate his internal energy. Soon, a dense mist began to emanate from his entire body.

The intense heat coming from inside his body was healing his injuries by expelling impurities and body fluids as steam. 

Jang Hoyeon continued to circulate his inner energy until the next morning.

“Phew!”

When he finally finished, all his internal and external injuries were completely healed. Moreover, his inner strength had increased by more than threefold.

Such a turn of events could truly be considered a blessing in disguise.

“Excellent!”

Jang Hoyeon expressed his satisfaction at his physical condition.

With his body in such a state, he felt he could subdue Yong Hasang in a matter of seconds if they fought again.

Jang Hoyeon washed up and changed into fresh clothes.

The crisp texture of the new clothes made him feel more comfortable.

By the time he stepped outside again, the sun had already risen in the middle of the sky.

“Are you out?”

A middle-aged martial artist greeted him with a smile. 

The martial artist, with a faint reddish gleam in his eyes, was none other than Blood-Eyed Ghost Sword, Noh Shin-pil.

Noh Shin-pil was an elder of the Rain Sword Mountain Manor.

Jang Hoyeon greeted Noh Shin-pil by bowing his head and cupping his fist. 

“Thank you for coming. Elder!”

“It’s your request, not anyone else’s, so how could I not come?”

Noh Shin-pil was the one who tutored Jang Hoyeon in martial arts when he was young.

Excluding his father, Jang Pyeongsan, Noh Shin-pil is the strongest martial artist in the Rain Sword Mountain Manor, and is like a master to Jang Hoyeon.

Naturally, there is a strong bond between them.

“How did it go?”

In response to Jang Hoyeon’s question, instead of answering, Noh Shin-pil gestured to an assistant standing next to him. The assistant held a small wooden box.

Seeing the look in Noh Shin-pil’s eyes, the assistant cautiously presented the wooden box to Jang Hoyeon.

Upon opening the box’s lid, a person’s head was revealed.

The head had been decapitated and placed in the box.

“This is  Lee Myung-hak of the Hundred Wraith Union. He is tasked with assisting the assassin who carried out the assassination.”

“Is that so? Were there any escapees?”

“I made sure to eliminate all those under his charge.”

“As expected of an Elder.”

Jang Hoyeon smiled with satisfaction.

Noh Shin-pil’s handling of the matter was so perfect that Jang Hoyeon had nothing to worry about. This was also the reason why he specifically called Noh Shin-pil from afar.

“It would’ve been better if we dealt with the assassin who killed Noh Kang-hyun.”

“We can’t help it, can we? It’s the Sword Maniac, not anyone else, who got involved. If we interfere rashly, we’ll only arouse suspicion.”

“That Sword Maniac seems to be in a tricky adversary.”

“Even the great Jang Mugeuk makes a face as if chewing on sand when mentioning him.”

“Jang Mugeuk?”

“Yes. That’s why we have to be even more careful. We may not be afraid of him, but it wouldn’t do us any good to get into trouble with him now.”

“You don’t think he’s going to find out about our connection to the assassin, do you?”

“Not likely. The assassin doesn’t know who he had been commissioned by, so how could Lee Geumhan know that fact? Furthermore, we killed all those who assisted the assassin for precaution, not because there was a risk of information leaking.”

“I see. If you say so, then it must be that way.”

Noh Shin-pil nodded his head slightly.

He was the one responsible for teaching Jang Hoyeon martial arts since he was a child, so he knew better than anyone else how meticulous the man was.

“What are you planning to do next?”

“I would first deal with a troublesome guest.”

“Guest?”

“You know, the uninvited one?”

“You mean… Pyo-wol?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Well, we might have to get our hands dirty  to deal with him.”

“There’s no need for us to get our hands dirty. There are plenty of people who see him as a thorn in their side.”

Jang Hoyeon smiled.

A stone that is too sharp is bound to be struck.

Jealousy is one of the basic human desires.

It was for this reason why many people couldn’t just watch others succeed

The atmosphere was already set.

If someone were to throw a spark, a massive fire would erupt.

There are already plenty of people ready to throw that spark.

The world is full of fools, after all.

* * *

“Noh… Kang-hyun…!”

An old man with a long beard shed tears as he looked at Noh Kang-hyun’s corpse.

The old man’s name was Gwan Musu.

His nickname was the Fervent Flame Hunter.2 He was a unique martial artist of hunter origin. 

On his back, he carried a bow larger than a child, and around his waist were axes, he had weapons used for hunting, such as axes and curved knives.

Gwan Musu shared a bond of friendship with Noh Kang-hyun as close as sworn brothers. The bond that started in their youth had continued into their sixties.

Though they lived in different places and didn’t meet often, they still made sure to meet at least once a year.

Gwan Musu’s area of activity was Baiyun Mountain, a huge mountain located a few hundred miles south of Poyang Lake.

Gwan Musu spent his later years there, hunting wild beasts. 

Before coming to Poyang Lake, Noh Kang-hyun had wrote and sent a letter to Gwan Musu. He told him that he was in Poyang Lake on business and wanted to meet him after a long time.

Upon receiving the call from his friend, Gwan Musu dropped everything and came running to this place. But instead of being welcomed by his friend’s smile, he was greeted by a cold corpse.

“Oh, my friend! What happened to you? You said we’d drink for three days and nights. So, why are you here lying down like this? Hic!”

He buried his face in Noh Kang-hyun’s arms and sobbed loudly.

Seeing Gwan Musu in this state made Noh Kang-hyun’s disciples somber.

Unable to watch any longer, Noh Kang-hyun’s chief disciple, Gong Ji-pyo, stepped forward.

“Please calm down. If you go on like this, Master won’t be able to rest in peace.”

“Who killed Noh Kang-hyun?”

“That is–”

“Did that guy really kill him? Pyo-wol?”

“I’m not certain.”

“So you’re saying it wasn’t him?”

“Well–”

Gong Ji-pyo made a difficult expression.

Everything had happened in a mere moment.

Because of the thick smoke from the Ink Thunder Bomb, they couldn’t even tell if the assassin was a man or a woman, let alone see their face.

That’s why he couldn’t answer Gwan Musu’s question.

“Very well. We’ll find out for sure once I ask him directly.”

Gwan Musu stood up.

“Are you planning to go and ask him directly?”

“Yes! The fastest way of confirming it would be to hear it straight from his mouth.” 

“But that person is the Reaper.”

“He’s just called the Reaper. Even if the Grim Reaper might be said to be immortal, that guy is not truly the god of death.”

Gwan Musu’s eyes were filled with bloodshot rage.

“Calm yourself. Even if that person really did kill our Master, you shouldn’t recklessly attack.”

“Why not? Are you asking me to be a coward?”

“It’s not that–”

“I’ve never hesitated my entire life. That’s why I could become friends with your teacher.”

Like Noh Kang-hyun, Gwan Musu was a man who would not tolerate evil. That’s why they became lifelong friends. They were so close that they would readily give up their lives for each other.

Gwan Musu looked at Noh Kang-hyun’s corpse and said,

“I’ll be back soon.”

Without looking back, he went out.

The disciples looked anxiously at Gong Ji-pyo.

“Senior brother, what should we do?”

“There’s no guarantee that the Reaper really killed our Master.”

“Let’s follow and watch him for now. The youngest one should stay and guard our Master’s body. Everyone else, come with me.”

“Yes!”

They quickly followed Gwan Musu.

Thump! Thump!

Everyone’s eyes focused on him as he walked with heavy footsteps.

With an enormous bow on his back and various weapon strapped to his waist, people could not help but not take their eyes off of him. 

Anyone could tell that he was on his way to a fight.

Among them, some even recognized Gwan Musu.

“Isn’t that old man the Fervent Flame Hunter, Master Gwan Musu?”

“Ah! That’s right! The only person in this world who would carry that many weapons would be Master Gwan Musu.”

“What on earth happened to him for him to be in such a hurry, wearing such murderous aura?”

“Didn’t you know? Noh Kang-hyun and Gwan Musu are close friends.”

People watched Gwan Musu with curious eyes.

Some of them, who couldn’t resist their curiosity, followed him. Soon, the number of people following Gwan Musu grew. 

By the time Gwan Musu arrived at the Southern Heaven Pavilion, there were nearly a hundred people behind him. Many of them were martial artists.

Bam!

Gwan Musu kicked open the door and entered the Southern Heaven Pavilion.

The guests inside the inn looked at Gwan Musu in surprise, but none of them dared to protest.

They were all overwhelmed by the aura he emitted.

Gwan Musu looked around the room for a moment before shouting,

“Pyo-wol! Come out!”

Whoooo!

The Southern Heaven Pavilion shook like it was about to collapse.

“Argh!”

“Ah!”

The guests in the inn covered their ears and cried out in pain.

Some even had blood flowing out of their eardrums. 

But Gwan Musu did not care, and once again, he let out a loud bellow.

“Pyo-wol! I have something to ask you! Come out!”

After his repeated shouts, many more fell victim.

“Keugh!”

“Heuk!”

People screamed in agony causing them to fall to the ground. Some of them even mastered martial arts, but they still couldn’t withstand Gwan Musu’s roar. 

He was a master.

Yet, even after his repeated roaring shouts, Pyo-wol didn’t show up. 

Anger crept onto Gwan Musu’s face.

“So this is how it goes?”

Muttering to himself, Gwan Musu began to gather his qi. His face turned bright red. 

He was thinking of unleashing his roaring shout with full force.

“Hiiiik!”

“Ru, Run!”

The guests, sensing the unusual atmosphere, panicked and tried to run out of the inn, but having been affected by Gwan Musu’s prior roars, they no longer have any strength in their legs.

The faces of those whose legs had gave out turned white. 

“N, No!”

“P-Please spare us!”

But their pleas fell on deaf ears.

“Pyo–!”

Just as Gwan Musu was about to unleash his roar once more,

Whoosh!

A dagger flew in.

The tiny dagger, no bigger than a child’s palm, aimed straight for Gwan Musu’s forehead.

Gwan Musu quickly stopped his roar, took out his axe, and struck the incoming dagger. 

Clang!

With a loud metallic sound, the dagger got deflected away. But he couldn’t be at ease yet. The dagger that just got swatted away, flew towarsd Gwan Musu once again, as if it possesses a life of its own.

Swoosh!


LUNACAVE

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