Light Novel: Volume 22 Episode 1
Manhwa: N/A

Zhangshu was a city located hundreds of li south of Poyang Lake.

Though less known compared to cities adjacent to Poyang Lake, Zhangshu was still a fairly large city.

Situated between Poyang Lake and Yuhua Mountain, Zhangshu boasts picturesque scenery. Coupled with its location on a major route, the city attracts numerous visitors daily.

The largest sect in Zhangshu was the Yuhua Sect.1

The Yuhua Sect was first established in Yuhua Mountain but it soon relocated its base to Zhangshu as the times changed. This move was because the Yuhua Sect, being neither a Taoist nor a Buddhist sect, found limited benefits in Yuhua Mountain.

As Zhangshu was a sizeable city, it naturally drew large crowds.

Where people gather, power and interests inevitably follow. The Yuhua Sect gradually took control of these interests, thereby seizing the hegemony of Zhangshu.

The interests in Zhangshu were by no means small.

The Yuhua Sect’s disciples had entered the escort agencies, merchant, and trade groups in Zhangshu and took control of key positions.

Naturally, the influence of the Yuhua Sect strongly permeated these establishments. 

As a result, the Yuhua Sect became the dominant power in Zhangshu.

As the leader of the Yuhua Sect, Cho Mu-yang lived a worry-free life as the supreme ruler of Zhangshu.

At least in Zhangshu, no one dared to challenge his authority, and more importantly, his ambitions were not grand.

Cho Mu-yang was content with being the ruler of Zhangshu, hence he had no interest in exerting influence beyond the region.

Not being greedy for external affairs meant he naturally encountered no problems.

The issue arose only recently.

“The Jianghu great war is the problem. That damn Jianghu great war…”

Cho Mu-yang grumbled to himself as he sat on his chair. 

The onset of the Jianghu great war was fine. After all, one could simply choose not to participate.

The real problem was the location where the Jianghu great war had erupted.

“Of all places, Poyang Lake…”

The distance from Poyang Lake to Zhangshu was merely a few hundred li. 

Moreover, the main road to Poyang Lake passed through Zhangshu.

Many who intended to participate in the Jianghu great war stopped by Zhangshu on their way to Poyang Lake.

Understandably, the martial artists staying in Zhangshu talked a lot about the great war acting as if they were about to become heroes overnight, exuding confidence and vigor.

Their presence stirred up the atmosphere in Zhangshu.

It seemed that the martial artists in Zhangshu were also getting influenced.

A significant number of these martial artists were from Yuhua Gate, and among them, a few set off to Poyang Lake, determined to make a name for themselves.

The departure of these martial artists wasn’t a major concern. 

In life, there were always some who, ignorant of the ways of the world, behaved recklessly, and such people rarely survived long.

There was no reason for Cho Mu-yang to worry about those who willingly leaped into the jaws of death.

What worried him was the invitation letters he held in his hand.

One was from the Silver Lotus Society, and the other from the Golden Heaven Society.

“What a dog.”

Cho Mu-yang grumbled, frowning.

He had always known that one day he would be forced to make a choice like this, but facing the reality made him feel quite disgusted.

The content of the invitations was predictable.

They were requests to join their side in the fight.

Joining the Golden Heaven Society would make Cho Mu-yang an enemy of the Silver Lotus Society, and allying with the Silver Lotus Society meant inevitably fighting against the Golden Heaven Society.

For Cho Mu-yang, who lacked great ambition, this was a troublesome situation.

Whichever side he chose, the peace he had enjoyed until now would be gone.

Yet, he couldn’t afford not to make a choice.

It was said that the martial sects in the vicinity had already received envoys from both sides, being forced to make a choice as well.

If the Golden Heaven Society and the Silver Lotus Society were simply an alliance of late-stage warriors, Cho Mu-yang wouldn’t have had to agonize over this decision.

The problem was that both sides were backed by some of the largest and most influential martial sects in the world.

In other words, the Golden Heaven Society and the Silver Lotus Society were proxies for a larger conflict between these giant forces.

Whatever choice Cho Mu-yang made, he was bound to incur the wrath of those on the opposing side.

It wouldn’t be just a matter of resentment— a wrong move could potentially lead to the downfall of Yuhua Gate in his generation.

“Hoo!”

The more he thought about it, the more he sighed.

He was frustrated with the Golden Heaven Society and the Silver Lotus Society for forcing such an extreme choice upon him.

With how the lives and futures of the members of Yuhua Gate hung on his decision, it made it impossible for him to decide lightly.

His head was spinning with thoughts.

Maybe a good martial arts practice would help to clear his mind.

After sweating it out, things would surely become a bit clearer.

Cho Mu-yang reached for the sword hanging on the wall.

It was a sword named Golden Emperor.2

The hilt of the sword was elegantly engraved with its name, a testament to its ancient lineage.

It was a famed sword, over a hundred years old.

Although he hadn’t possessed Golden Emperor for long, every time Cho Mu-yang held it, he felt a sense of peace.

He was just about to start his martial practice with Golden Emperor—

“That sword looks quite fine.”

When suddenly an eerie voice interrupted him. 

Startled, Cho Mu-yang turned towards the source of the voice in alarm.

This was his private residence, and even his disciples didn’t dare to disturb him at such a late hour. That’s why the sudden appearance of a stranger’s voice was shocking.

In the direction of his gaze stood an old man who resembled a wolf.

His grey hair was matted, as if never combed, reaching down to a long beard that covered his chest. His grey robes looked as if they had been worn and washed dozens of times. Strangely, he carried a sword on his back.

Though his appearance was no different from a common beggar on the street, Cho Mu-yang felt an inexplicable sense of intimidation from the old man.

Cho Mu-yang asked the old man,

“Who are you, old man? How did you enter here? There should have been guards.”

“If you’re talking about those guarding this place, I’d recommend you change them.”

“What do you mean?”

“Because they are nothing more than scarecrows. How could such men possibly guard such a precious sword?”

“The sword? You mean Golden Emperor?”

“Yes. You don’t seem worthy to possess it. Hand it over to me.”

“Ha!”

In an instant, Cho Mu-yang let out a roar like a lion.

Only then did he realize that the old man intended to take Golden Emperor.

“I don’t know where you heard about Golden Emperor, but get out of here. This sword is not something for someone like you to covet.”

“Heh! You’re saying what I ought to say. That sword is too good to be wasted on mere martial practice.”

The old man approached Cho Mu-yang.

As he drew nearer, Cho Mu-yang’s pupils quivered with uncertainty.

He tried to muster his internal energy to counter the old man’s imposing aura, but his body trembled like a leaf in the wind. 

He was overwhelmed by the pressure exerted by the old man.

‘Who exactly is this man?’

Cho Mu-yang desperately rummaged through his memories. But nothing came to mind, as if his mind was blank.

In the end, Cho Mu-yang gave up trying to think and pulled the Golden Emperor out of its sheath.

Chang!

The hidden blade of the Golden Emperor revealed itself, emitting a piercing blue light.

The old man’s eyes widened at the sight.

“Indeed, a fine sword.”

Greed shone in his eyes.

The Golden Emperor was far too good a sword for a martial artist like Cho Mu-yang to possess.

The Golden Emperor was more than just a famed sword commonly spoken of. 

If a person has never used such a sword, they wouldn’t know. But once they try it, they will understand. They would realize how valuable a good sword like this can be.

The old man had learned this through the sword he carried on his back.

He stroked the hilt of the sword on his back with his fingertips.

The old man felt the two characters for ‘Gongbu’ under his fingertips.

It was one of the three treasured swords forged by the legendary craftsman Ou Yezi. 

Along with Tai’e and Longyuan, Gongbu was known as one of the three great swords.

It was the same Gongbu that he had once snatched from a boy named Soma long ago.

Before acquiring Gongbu, the old man always carried five or six swords on his back.

He always carried spare swords because they couldn’t withstand his immense internal energy and would shatter.

But things were different now.

Gongbu was strong and sharp enough to withstand his internal energy. It allowed him to use his martial arts to their full extent without worrying about the sword breaking. But after using it for so long, he worried that Gongbu might have reached the end of its durability. 

He felt the need to prepare additional swords again.

Even if Gongbu didn’t break, having spare swords would undoubtedly provide extra reassurance.

That’s when he heard the news about Cho Mu-yang possessing a famous sword called the Golden Emperor. 

Since his location was not far from Zhangshu, he rushed over without hesitation.

The old man said,

“My name is Gu Jin-wang.”

“Are you, the Wolf King?”

That’s when Cho Mu-yang recalled the identity of the old man.

Wolf King, Gu Jin-wang. 

A member of the Eight Constellations, and a martial artist as fierce as a wolf.

He had caused many problems, but his martial arts prowess was so formidable that no one could control him.

“Are you really the Wolf King Gu Jin-wang, that great master?”

“I’m not sure about being a great master, but I am indeed the Wolf King.”

“Why would a martial artist of your caliber covet the Golden Emperor?”

“There is nothing more wasteful than a pearl necklace on a pig. Every treasure deserves an owner of equal stature.”

“Are you calling me a pig?”

“If not, prove it yourself.”

“Very well! You may be one of the Eight Constellations, but I can’t stand it when you insult me like this.”

Cho Mu-yang infused his internal energy into the Golden Emperor. The sword then emitted an even brighter light, asserting its presence.

In the face of Cho Mu-yang’s fierce demeanor, Gu Jin-wang only let out a mocking laugh.

“Heh, there was once a guy like you who didn’t know their place and dared to oppose me. At least that person was somewhat dangerous, but I’m not sure about you.”

“Enough of your noise!”

Cho Mu-yang bellowed and executed the Shadowless Demon Subduing Sword technique.3

Swoosh!

Even as the Golden Emperor came flying towards him, Gu Jin-wang did not dodge. 

There was no reason to refuse when someone was offering their sword willingly.

Cho Mu-yang clashed with Gu Jin-wang with all his might.

Boom, boom, boom!

Successive explosions rang out, and the Yuhua Sect shook as if hit by an earthquake.

“What’s happening?”

“Why this commotion?”

The martial artists who had been sleeping soundly were startled awake. They soon rushed out. 

They quickly realized that the center of the disturbance was Cho Mu-yang’s residence and hurried there. However, what they found upon arriving was a body, beaten to a pulp.

It didn’t take long for them to recognize that the body was Cho Mu-yang’s.

“No way!”

“Master!”

The disciples gathered around Cho Mu-yang’s body, crying in despair.

* * *

Flutter!

A carrier pigeon flapped its wings and landed gently on Elder Assassin’s hand.

The well-trained bird obediently folded its wings and entrusted itself to Elder Assassin.

The Elder Assassin untied a small cylinder attached to the pigeon’s leg.

Inside was a rolled-up note.

Elder Assassin frowned in concern as he read the note.

“Tsk!”

“What’s the matter?”

A man walked up to Elder Assassin’s side.

It was none other than Thunder Eye, a member of the Ten Blood Assassins.

In response to Thunder Eye’s query, the Elder Assassin wordlessly handed him a note.

After reading it, Thunder Eye snorted with a hint of derision.

“Well, it’s the same old story…”

“The problem is it’s all the same.”

“What’s that?”

“It means that the martial world is in such chaos that this kind of thing is not uncommon.”

The note detailed the occurrences around Poyang Lake.

It described how many people had died in a day, and which warriors had clashed.

The most shocking news of all, however, was that the leader of the Yuhua Gate in Zhangshu had been murdered.

Thunder Eye looked at the Elder Assassin with a chilly gaze.

“Have you developed a sense of compassion now? Why this uncharacteristic sentimentality?”

“If you start thinking your end is near, you’ll end up like me.”

“Ha! I’ll retire before I become so sentimental.”

“Retire?”

“I can’t live as an assassin forever.”

“You dream of living a normal life, too?”

“For the time being, yes.”

“Good luck with that.”

The sarcasm tinged in the Elder Assassin’s voice caused Thunder Eye’s eyebrows to twitch. But he quickly resumed speaking, maintaining a nonchalant facade.

“Well, thanks to someone, my retirement keeps getting delayed.”

“Do you feel your heart racing too?”

“Not to that extent, but I admit I feel somewhat attracted to it.”

“The unification of every assassin sect! Any assassin would find their heart racing at the thought.”

“Do you really think it’s possible?”

“Have you not already experienced it?”

“Well…”

Thunder Eye frowned.

He had much to say, but more arguing would only make him look ridiculous.

Thunder Eye looked towards the Sol Family Courtyard.

There was the man who had subdued him.

“Well, he’s disgustingly strong, that one.”


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