Light Novel: Volume 22 Episode 21
Manhwa: N/A
Rumors about Lee Geumhan were spreading beyond the shores of Poyang Lake, throughout the entire Jianghu.
Day by day, Lee Geumhan challenged the warriors of the Golden Heaven Society to duels, and the result was a series of victories.
The greatest talents and martial artists within the Golden Heaven Society bowed down to Lee Geumhan.
Up until this point, Lee Geumhan was highly regarded as a contender against Jang Mugeuk.
Although he earned the nickname “Sword Maniac” for his great obsession with the sword, he seldom revealed his skills in public.
People tend not to believe in things they haven’t seen with their own eyes. This was also the case with Lee Geumhan. Therefore, people subconsciously thought that Lee Geumhan might have been overrated.
However, his actions in Poyang Lake were enough to dispel people’s doubts.
With the Jianghu conflict at Poyang Lake reaching a stalemate, he seemed to be the only one actively fighting against the Golden Heaven Society.
People were enthralled by Lee Geumhan’s actions.
It was as if the hero who had been patient all this time had finally drawn his sword of justice because he could no longer bear the sight of the great turmoil in Jianghu.
The dramatic appearance of an unexpected hero made people cheer.
“Who will he challenge next?”
“It has to be the Frenzied Warrior Sect. Their sole heir is such a formidable swordsman?”
“At this rate, isn’t he truly the number one swordsman under the heavens?”
Whenever two or more people gathered, they would talk about Lee Geumhan.
Pyo-wol looked around and murmured to himself,
“I feel like I’m watching a well-orchestrated farce. This must be the work of Namgung Seol, right?”
Under normal circumstances, no matter how remarkable an individual’s martial prowess or how groundbreaking their actions, it wouldn’t have become such a hot topic.
It could only happen if someone was intentionally reproducing and spreading the topic.
Pyo-wol believed that Namgung Seol was the one responsible for it.
She had the ability to do it, and more importantly, she possessed the determination.
She was ready to plunge into fire and water for Lee Geumhan.
While Lee Geumhan’s actions were groundbreaking, the support of Namgung Seol, who was behind him, was also remarkable.
Those who don’t know their relationship would never be able to understand this abnormal situation.
“If So Gyeoksan were here, he would have enjoyed this and found it amusing.”
Since they parted ways, he received no news on how So Gyeoksan was doing.
Despite the lack of contact, Pyo-wol assumed that he was doing well, and hoped that he was.
Suddenly, Pyo-wol raised his head and looked around.
A vaguely familiar landscape stretched out before him.
There were rows and rows of huge mansions.
At first glance, it was a neighborhood far removed from where ordinary folk lived.
It was a district where high-ranking officials and influential figures resided.
Among them, a particular huge manor stood out.
“Xielao Manor?”
It was the name of the manor written on the signboard.
Just as Pyo-wol was about to turn back after looking at Xielao Manor for a moment—
“Why turn back after coming all this way?”
The hoarse voice of an old woman came from the distance.
Turning around, Pyo-wol saw an old woman standing there, leaning on a cane.
The old woman with a hunched back was looking at Pyo-wol with eyes oozing pus.
The old woman then walked over to Pyo-wol with difficulty.
“You are Master Pyo, aren’t you?”
“That’s right.”
“So, my eyes didn’t deceive me after all. I was a bit unsure because of the hat you pressed down so low. Hehe!”
The old woman laughed looking at Pyo-wol.
Pyo-wol, removing the hat he had pressed down on his head, asked,
“How did you recognize me?”
“Haven’t I told you before? That I have a good eye.”
“Impressive. Given your age—”
“Hehe! Actually, I was lucky. My eyes have gotten so blurry now that I can barely see, but I have the feeling it was you so I took a guess.”
The old woman was none other than Noh Tae-tae, the owner of Xielao Manor.
Noh Tae-tae couldn’t stop smiling, happy to have met Pyo-wol by chance. That was until she began coughing due to shortness of breath.
“Kuugh! Keough!”
Pyo-wol hurriedly supported Noh Tae-tae.
Noh Tae-tae coughed as if she was going to pass out at any moment. Pyo-wol gently infused some internal energy into her vital points to calm her down.
“Are you okay?”
“Thank you, I owe you again.”
“Why are you out here alone?”
“Since it’s just in front of my house, I thought it would be okay to come out just by myself.”
“Shall we go inside?”
“Would you help me?”
Upon Noh Tae-tae’s request, Pyo-wol nodded.
Pyo-wol supported Noh Tae-tae and entered Xielao Manor.
As soon as they entered, the steward hurried over. He was then quickly alarmed by Noh Tae-tae’s pale complexion.
“Are you all right?”
“Hehe! I’m fine. Master Pyo here took care of me.”
“Ah!”
Only then did the steward notice Pyo-wol and was surprised. However, he quickly composed himself and respectfully greeted,
“Thank you for taking care of Noh Tae-tae.”
“It seems her health has deteriorated a lot compared to before?”
“Yes! Her vitality has significantly decreased recently. She needs to be taken care of, but she still insists on taking walks by herself.”
Noh Tae-tae was over a hundred years old.
She was at the age where it wouldn’t be surprising if she passed away at any moment. However, she had been quite vigorous for her age she had taken good care of her health.
Noh Tae-tae’s decline in vitality occurred right before the Jianghu conflict escalated, that is, shortly after her great-grandson, Ju Seolpung, joined the Silver Lotus Society.
Since then, her vitality had noticeably weakened, causing concern among everyone in the Imperial Yuan Merchant Group.
The biggest problem is that Noh Tae-tae refuses to be taken care of.
Pyo-wol looked at Noh Tae-tae.
‘Is she preparing to face death alone?’
Among those nearing the end of their life, some instinctively push away those around them.
It’s a way to sever emotional ties early so that those left behind feel less grief.
Perhaps Noh Tae-tae was also sensing and preparing for her own death without realizing it.
Now that he thought about it, her eyes were heavily clouded with cataracts.
He could no longer perceive the vitality she had shown during their previous meeting.
Feeling Pyo-wol’s gaze, Noh Tae-tae smiled and said,
“I’m fine, they’re just making a big fuss over nothing. No need to worry. I’m still healthy.”
“Is that so?”
“Well, now that we’ve met, why don’t we have a cup of tea?”
“Let’s do that.”
“Hehe! Come this way. I’ve been feeling lonely without anyone to share tea with.”
Noh Tae-tae took Pyo-wol by the hand and led him to the garden.
The texture of her hand was rough, but the warmth was still there.
Finally arriving at the garden, Noh Tae-tae began to brew tea with a joyful expression.
The clinking sound continued for a while before Noh Tae-tae placed a cup of tea in front of Pyo-wol.
“Drink up.”
“Mm!”
Pyo-wol picked up the teacup and brought it to his lips.
The fragrant aroma stimulated his sense of smell.
“Good tea.”
“Actually, my sense of taste has declined, so I can’t really enjoy the flavor of food anymore. Tea is about the only taste I can still appreciate.”
“For someone in that condition, you’ve brewed it wonderfully.”
“Is that so? It pleases me to hear such words from the Reaper himself.”
Noh Tae-tae smiled broadly.
Her teeth were all gone now, leaving only her gums visible, but it didn’t look unpleasant.
Pyo-wol took a sip of the tea and set the cup down.
“How’s Ju Seolpung?”
“Hehe! I haven’t seen him since then.”
“You must miss him?”
“I miss him a lot. Among all my great-grandchildren, none is as affectionate as him.”
“Do you regret sending him away like that?”
“What other choice do I have? I wish I could support him, but if anything goes wrong, it could cause the entire Imperial Yuan Merchant Group to collapse. This is the best course of action. It’s right for me to arrange things from this end, to ensure that the family business goes as I wish.”
Noh Tae-tae smiled.
It was still a warm smile, but somehow, it looked lonely.
She and the Imperial Yuan Merchant Group had completely severed ties with Ju Seolpung.
If the Silver Lotus Society, which Ju Seolpung had joined, emerged victorious in the Jianghu conflict, their relationship could be restored. However, if the Silver Lotus Society loses and the Golden Heaven Society wins, they will live as strangers forever.
Some might criticize such a decision as too cold-hearted for blood relatives, but it was agreed upon by both parties.
Noh Tae-tae wanted to protect the Imperial Yuan Merchant Group, and Ju Seolpung agreed with his great-grandmother’s reasoning.
Looking up at the sky, Noh Tae-tae said,
“The Imperial Yuan Merchant Group is nothing but shackles to him, not wings. What could be more pitiful than a person with great aspirations being trapped in such a narrow cage, unable to spread their wings?”
“So, are you satisfied?”
“What’s there to be satisfied or not? Just hearing that he’s spreading his wings on his own is enough for me.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
A faint smile still lingered on Noh Tae-tae’s lips.
Pyo-wol silently lifted his teacup.
Swirl!
Though it had cooled down a bit, the tea was still delicious.
Pyo-wol then suddenly said to her,
“If you have any tea leaves to spare, could you share some with me?”
“Do you like it?”
“Ju Seolpung liked this tea, didn’t he? I’ll take it to him.”
“Mmm!”
Noh Tae-tae’s eyebrows twitched at Pyo-wol’s unexpected response.
Pyo-wol continued to drink his tea with a stoic expression.
Looking at him, Noh Tae-tae’s mouth curled into a bright smile.
“I would be grateful if you did. Just give me a moment.”
Noh Tae-tae and the Imperial Yuan Merchant Group had refrained from any contact with Ju Seolpung, conscious of the gaze of the Golden Heaven Society.
Ju Seolpung, too, had stayed away from anything related to the Imperial Yuan Merchant Group.
So even though both parties were on the shores of Poyang Lake, they acted as if they were complete strangers to each other. Because of this, even if they wanted to pass something on, they had to hold back. However, if Pyo-wol acted as the intermediary, it would become a different story.
Pyo-wol’s status in the Jianghu was truly remarkable.
Not only had he reached the pinnacle as an assassin, but he also belonged to neither the righteous nor the evil factions.
The outcome of many conflicts could be decided depending on which side he chose to support.
Pyo-wol had clearly not taken sides with anyone.
Provoking Pyo-wol carelessly could lead to serious issues if he decided to support the opposing side.
For this reason, both forces had so far refrained from making any rash approaches towards Pyo-wol.
In a way, Pyo-wol was the safest and most trustworthy person in the entire Jianghu.
Noh Tae-tae wrapped some tea leaves and a few other items in a cloth for Ju Seolpung. The crudely tied knot of the cloth seemed to carry and contain Noh Tae-tae’s warmth.
She handed the bundle to Pyo-wol.
“Then, I’ll leave it in your hands.”
“Any specific message?”
“Just that… he is doing a good job. Just tell him that.”
“I will.”
Pyo-wol responded as he received the bundle.
Noh Tae-tae looked at Pyo-wol with a smile on her face, then as if suddenly remembering something, she said,
“By the way, is there anything else you need?”
“No.”
“My son has mentioned that some useful items have come into the warehouse. Why don’t you take a look?”
“No need. I have no desire to be repaid with such things.”
“Should you ever need assistance from our merchant group, just let me know. Our doors are always open for Master Pyo.”
“I need to get going now.”
“Already?”
“I’ll stop by again later.”
“Hehe! I’ll be waiting.”
Noh Tae-tae laughed, revealing her gums with missing teeth.
Pyo-wol watched her for a moment before stepping outside.
As soon as he stepped outside, Pyo-wol pulled his hat down low over his eyes.
In Pyo-wol’s hand was the small bundle as he left Xielao Manor.
His next destination was where the Silver Lotus Society was located.
The Silver Lotus Society, like the Golden Heaven Society, utilized a large manor as its headquarters.
The grand manor had undergone numerous expansions, transforming it into a fortress.
There had never been a case in Jianghu where two forces faced off against each other, separated by a vast lake.
Despite the late hour, the street where the Silver Lotus Society’s base was located was bustling with people.
Most of the people present were martial artists.
Some of them were members belonging to the Silver Lotus Society, while others were waiting to enter.
Among them were also spies monitoring the movements of the Silver Lotus Society.
Thus, numerous people, each concealing their own desires, lingered on the same street.
Pyo-wol entered a large inn located in front of the Silver Lotus Society’s main gate.
As he took a seat by the window with a view of the Silver Lotus Society, an inn servant rushed over.
“Welcome. Would you like to order some food?”
“Bring me some simple snacks.”
“Would stir-fried pork and rice be okay?”
“Yes! And do me a favor.”
“A favor?”
The inn servant looked at him, puzzled.
Pyo-wol spoke to him,
“There’s a man named Ju Seolpung in the Silver Lotus Society. Tell him a guest has come to see him.”
“Why are you asking me to do this?”
“Because you’re from the Hao clan.”
“How did you know?”
The inn servant’s eyes wavered. He realized that Pyo-wol had realized the identity he had been trying to hide from the others.
“My name is Pyo-wol.”
“Ah! Please wait a moment. I’ll deliver the message right away.”
The name Pyo-wol alone sufficed as an explanation.
The inn servant quickly ran outside, and Pyo-wol, left alone, looked towards the Silver Lotus Society.
LUNACAVE
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