ALL NOVEL Ch 25
As Jo-hwi was about to leave the inn with Han Seol-hyun to board the celestial carriage, a flustered-looking Je-gal Un hurriedly approached Jo-hwi and whispered into his ear.
“There’s… a bit of a problem.”
“Problem? What kind?”
Je-gal Un nodded subtly behind him.
“Remember I mentioned I wanted to invest in the trading company? I contacted the main family about it… and my older brother came here in person.”
“Older brother?”
Jo-hwi turned to look in the direction Je-gal Un had pointed, and his eyes fell on a man dressed in an elegant scholar’s attire, standing in a graceful posture, fluttering his fan.
The man seemed to have sensed Jo-hwi’s gaze, as he folded his fan and bowed courteously.
“Nice to meet you. I am Je-gal Yeong, the Inner Family Master of the Je-gal clan.”
Je-gal Yeong’s first impression was intriguing. His dignified demeanor and firm resolve reflected the typical qualities of the Je-gal family, yet his handsome, Hunan-style face made it hard not to smile. Unlike Je-gal Un, he exuded a certain masculine charm, and it seemed like his martial skills were quite advanced.
But Jo-hwi quickly dismissed any favorable impressions.
He wasn’t a coward, and yet this person, hesitating over an investment of only a modest amount of gold, had sent a personal envoy to meet him. Jo-hwi didn’t need to see much more to understand the intentions of the Je-gal family head.
With an expression of mild annoyance, Jo-hwi glanced at Je-gal Yeong.
“Take him around and show him the place. I have a lot to do today.”
“Yes, understood.”
Today was the day that all the branches of the Jo-ga Trade Association were opening at once.
Although the Jo-ga Inn had already opened due to lodging arrangements for the staff, the cold tea had not yet been served. Today, the people of Po-yang-ho would finally experience the full offerings of the Jo-ga Trade Association.
“Well then…”
Just as Jo-hwi was about to board the celestial carriage, he heard Je-gal Yeong’s voice calling out.
“Jo-hwi, young hero!”
Jo-hwi turned around, his face showing some irritation.
“Apologies, but I have a lot to do today. I’ll greet you another time.”
Je-gal Yeong bowed again, his tone polite but firm.
“What I wish to see is not the trading company, but you, the chairman of the Jo-ga Trade Association.”
“…”
This was turning out to be quite an annoying encounter.
“I’m unable to spare time today. Let’s meet tomorrow instead.”
Je-gal Yeong pointed at the celestial carriage with a subtle gesture.
“I won’t cause any inconvenience. I only wish to accompany you.”
Jo-hwi let out a deep sigh, as if reluctantly conceding, and then nodded.
“Fine. Get in.”
As Je-gal Yeong boarded the celestial carriage with Jo-hwi, he looked around inside, quietly impressed.
“Impressive. And… something feels odd.”
The interior decorations, as well as various convenient features, were filled with unfamiliar inventions.
One particularly interesting detail was the folding tables at each seat. These tables seemed to have spaces for cups and dishes.
So, each seat had its own dining table? Were they really expected to eat during a bumpy carriage ride?
Unlike ordinary carriages, the chairs were individually installed, and the soft leather upholstery was quite luxurious.
There were sunshades attached to each window, flowerpots with elegant orchids, and even a small shoe rack to place one’s shoes.
It was so opulent that it was hard to distinguish whether it was the inside of a carriage or a guest room.
“Let’s go.”
Jo-hwi signaled to the coachman through the side window, and the celestial carriage slowly began to move.
“Oh?”
The astonishment that came out as a soft exclamation.
Je-gal Yeong’s eyes, which had widened in surprise, immediately turned toward Jo-hwi.
“…How is this possible?”
Although it was the main road of Po-yang-ho, a dirt path littered with pebbles and rocks, the carriage moved smoothly. Looking out the window, he could clearly see the motion, but the rattling of the carriage body was almost nonexistent.
It felt as if they were gliding through the clouds—an extremely strange sensation.
It was unlike any carriage he had ever experienced.
At that moment, Jo-hwi unfolded a foldable table and took out a ledger from his chest. He then began writing something on it with a piece of charcoal.
Je-gal Yeong stared at him, his mouth slightly open in disbelief.
To be able to conduct business in such a bumpy carriage—he had never imagined anything like this before.
“Why are you doing that?”
Je-gal Yeong, now impressed, answered with awe.
“This is no ordinary carriage.”
Jo-hwi smiled faintly.
“This is the Celestial Cloud Carriage, a creation of our An-hwi Cheolbang.”
“Celestial Cloud Carriage!”
Je-gal Yeong nodded enthusiastically, thoroughly impressed. The name was fitting for such a carriage.
He then turned his gaze to the woman sitting beside Jo-hwi, who wore a veil.
The fact that she wore a veil indicated that she did not wish to reveal her identity.
Since they had agreed not to interfere with their event, there was no need to speak to her or cause any disruption.
After about an hour of travel, the sound of the coachman’s voice came through the small window.
“We have arrived at the first destination.”
Jo-hwi closed the ledger and put it back in his coat before turning to Han Seol-hyun.
“Let’s get off.”
“Yes.”
In front of the Jo-ga Sacred Heart Hall in Po-yang-ho, it looked like complete chaos.
There was already a massive crowd, as expected.
The tremendous reputation of the Jo-ga Sacred Heart Hall in An-hwi had spread even to Po-yang-ho.
Everyone was waiting in long lines to try the world-famous Six-Layered Meat Bun and Black Clear Water, considered the best delicacies.
What surprised Je-gal Yeong even more was that even masters from the Black Heaven League were standing in line with glaring expressions.
Furthermore, noble attendants, rich individuals draped in fine silk, and figures from the government were all mingling in the crowd.
It seemed that when it came to food and indulgence, there were no distinctions between high and low, young and old.
Once Jo-hwi stepped off the carriage, he guided Han Seol-hyun inside the Jo-ga Sacred Heart Hall and then went back outside.
After a while, Han Seol-hyun came out, breathing lightly as though exhausted from the experience.
Seeing her in such a state, Jo-hwi quickly handed her some herbal medicine and tonic he had prepared in advance.
“You must take care of your health. Drink this all up.”
“…Thank you.”
Despite her outstanding ice-based martial arts skills, her internal energy was far too weak.
Jo-hwi made a firm vow to himself that he would find the Celestial Ice Spirit for Han Seol-hyun.
Looking at her, suffering from fatigue after unleashing her ice powers, he felt uneasy. No matter how good the business was, he couldn’t just exploit someone’s life for personal gain while causing them pain.
Of course, his desire to protect her was also influenced by her remarkable beauty.
Anyway, with the ice now in place, the operations of Jo-ga Sacred Heart Hall began.
Once the hall opened, a long line of people eagerly placed their orders.
“Black Clear Water! I want to taste Black Clear Water!”
“Me too, Black Clear Water!”
“Give me the Six-Layered Meat Bun and Black Clear Water!”
The hall was bustling with activity!
As the food that people had ordered started to come out, exclamations of amazement and disbelief filled the air.
“Ahh!”
“My goodness! This flavor!”
The enthusiastic reactions made Je-gal Yeong curious about the taste of the Six-Layered Meat Bun and Black Clear Water.
Just then, the owner of Jo-ga Sacred Heart Hall, holding the dishes, hurried over to Jo-hwi.
“I’ve brought it, Sir Chairman!”
The owner looked visibly nervous.
Jo-hwi was famous for being a very picky eater.
Especially since today was the first day Jo-ga Sacred Heart Hall opened in Po-yang-ho. If they didn’t pass this test, the business might be halted for some time.
Jo-hwi took a bite of the Six-Layered Meat Bun and closed his eyes to savor it.
After chewing slowly, he took a sip of the Black Clear Water.
“Mmm…”
The Sacred Heart Hall owner anxiously waited for Jo-hwi’s feedback.
Jo-hwi opened his eyes and smiled faintly in satisfaction.
“It’s good. The taste hasn’t changed.”
Although Black Clear Water still couldn’t compare to modern cola, it was still impressive for what it was.
Jo-hwi then instructed the owner to bring extra Black Clear Water and Six-Layered Meat Buns.
When the owner returned with the neatly packaged items, Jo-hwi immediately got into the carriage.
“Let’s go. We’ll have lunch on the move.”
As Je-gal Yeong got back into the carriage, he couldn’t help but show great curiosity about the food from Sacred Heart Hall.
“May I taste it first?”
Jo-hwi silently nodded and handed the dishes to Je-gal Yeong.
Je-gal Yeong took a bite of the Six-Layered Meat Bun and began to chew.
His pupils dilated suddenly!
How could something taste like this?
It was truly a culinary fantasy.
The spicy, smoky flavor that hit the tongue.
The sweet aftertaste that rolled around the mouth.
The umami-filled, insane depth of flavor.
Each of the flavors was intense, but the balance of sweet, spicy, and salty combined to create a mind-blowing harmony.
Gulp!
It felt like a “storm of flavor” had passed through his mouth!
The fantastic taste opened a new world to Je-gal Yeong.
However, the pleasure he experienced from the Black Clear Water was beyond compare.
Swoosh!
As he sucked the Black Clear Water through the slender bamboo straw, a wave of refreshing sensation rushed through his body, all the way to his scalp, delivering an intense digestive pleasure.
“Ahhh!”
This was the most refreshing burp he had ever experienced!
After savoring the Black Clear Water for some time, Je-gal Yeong suddenly realized his mistake and quickly regained his composure.
“My apologies.”
But once a person experiences such pleasure, it’s hard to forget.
As the intense pleasure subsided, Je-gal Yeong instinctively grabbed the bamboo straw again, much like Pavlov’s dog.
Swoosh!
“Kyahhh!”
Exclamations! More exclamations!
Could such a drink even exist in this world?
He simply couldn’t believe it.
Thus continued the Jo-ga Grand Tour until evening.
By the end of the day, he was shivering from the cold tea at Jo-ga Inn, and had lost himself in the spiritual effects of the Hanbing Wine from the Jo-ga Brewery. After tasting the Seolhwa Shinju (Snow Flower Spirit Wine), he was on the verge of tears!
But that wasn’t all.
The Jo-ga Express Riders, lined up in perfect formation and then scattering in every direction, left Je-gal Yeong speechless as he looked at the massive number of bicycles.
To him, seeing the delivery business—a service that brought such incredible food right to your door—felt like stepping into another world!
It was truly an awe-inspiring idea that sent shivers down his spine.
But that wasn’t the end.
That evening, as he rushed to his younger sibling’s room to express his admiration, Je-gal Yeong discovered something on the table—plans for a ten-story building.
After hearing his younger sibling’s explanation, Je-gal Yeong immediately wrote a letter.
– Father,
This is Yeong.
Please send all the available family funds at once.
No, it’s not about the investment.
This is a revolution.
This person, Jo-hwi, is truly formidable.
We must ally with him by any means necessary.
I will stay here with Un-yi for the time being and foster a relationship with him.
Please manage the family’s affairs in my absence.
From what I have seen, the Jo-ga Grand Company is, first and foremost…
Je-gal Yeong wrote in detail about all his observations in Po-yang-ho.
What he couldn’t have imagined was that this letter would make the true nature of Jo-ga Grand Company known far beyond An-hui and Jiang-xi to the martial world.
* * *
The next day.
When Jo-hwi mentioned his intention to visit the Sichuan Tang family, his companions were all taken aback.
“The Sichuan Tang family? What kind of people are they? They won’t even let you mention the Celestial Ice Spirit, let alone give you any chance to speak. They’ll just turn you away without a word!”
“That’s right. You won’t achieve anything. The cold-blooded ones there are the kind who cannot be persuaded, negotiated with, or bargained with. It’s bound to be a wasted trip.”
Je-gal Un and Namgung Jang-ho, fellow members of one of the Five Great Families, were familiar with the closed-off nature of the Sichuan Tang family.
The Tang family had no practice of inviting guests or receiving visitors unless they were specifically welcomed. Few had ever breached the Tang family’s walls.
They handled all their matters through written communication, and even a messenger from the Alliance would be turned away without notice.
After hearing their explanations, Jo-hwi furrowed his brow in confusion.
“Then why are they part of the Five Great Families? I’ve always wondered about that. How are they even considered a righteous sect? Their methods—poisons and assassination techniques—are the tactics of killers, after all.”
The Tang family’s closed-off culture, along with their use of poisons and assassins, made it hard to understand how they could be considered righteous sects under the umbrella of justice.
Je-gal Un spoke solemnly.
“They are a necessary evil.”
“A necessary evil?” Jo-hwi asked, intrigued.
Namgung Jang-ho, his expression growing serious, turned to the west.
“Yi-gi Tang Family. They are the ones holding the front lines of the righteous martial world.”
“The front lines?”
“They’ve faced off against the descendants of the Heavenly Demon for many years.”
The Heavenly Demon Fortress.
A family alone guarding the border against the Heavenly Demon Fortress.
That alone was enough to make them a righteous sect.
Jo-hwi’s cool-headed judgment was that unless the issue of ice was resolved, the Jo-ga Grand Company couldn’t operate effectively.
Han Seol-hyun’s insufficient internal power was no longer just a personal issue for her—it had become a matter of life and death for the Jo-ga Grand Company in Jiang-xi.
Celestial Ice Spirit.
Searching for the ice essence in the vast, ancient ice fields of the Northern Sea was like a mountaineer seeking ginseng in the mountains.
Among these ice essences, those that had been aged for over a thousand years became crystallized under immense pressure, and their essence absorbed spiritual energy, making them the Celestial Ice Spirit.
To the people of the Northern Sea, it was as significant as the great medicinal herbs—deemed essential for cultivating the Ice White Divine Art.
The Seol-pung Han family of the Northern Sea were nobles among nobles.
Before reaching twelve years of age, they had to cultivate their Ice Spirit body. Even in difficult times, the people of the Northern Sea would ensure that the Han family always had the Celestial Ice Spirit.
They were the protectors of the Northern Sea.
But that tradition had broken down during the generation of the Han siblings, who could no longer explore or gather the Ice Essences due to the increasingly dire situation of the Northern Sea.
The Celestial Ice Spirit, which had once been the pride of the Northern Sea, had now become a legend.
There was no longer any Celestial Ice Spirit left in the Northern Sea since Han Seol-hyun’s older brother, Han Seol-baek, had consumed the last one.
Han Seol-hyun, gazing at Jo-hwi as he carefully handled his tea, felt a mix of emotions.
The dream of the Northern Sea, the wishes of the Seol-pung Han family—this man before her claimed he would fulfill them.
“How do you identify the Celestial Ice Spirit?” Jo-hwi asked, nodding.
He pulled out the familiar ledger from his pocket and spoke again.
“Since I can’t leave Po-yang-ho because of the small ice house, I have no choice but to go to the Sichuan Tang family alone. The problem is, I don’t know what the Celestial Ice Spirit looks like. If those cunning Tang family members try to deceive me, I’ll be at their mercy.”
Han Seol-hyun looked startled. It was understandable, as she had never seen the Celestial Ice Spirit herself.
“I don’t know either. The only person who has seen it is my older brother.”
“Hmm.”
Given that every day was precious, it was impossible to return to An-hui to meet Han Seol-baek again.
At that moment, Han Seol-hyun suddenly had a realization, her face lighting up.
“Oh! I remember now! The Celestial Ice Spirit reacts to the Ice Qi (氷氣) from the Ice Power!”
“Reacts?”
“Yes!”
That was a key piece of information. Though it was basic, Jo-hwi could easily mimic the manifestation of Ice Qi.
He stood up, brushing himself off.
“For now, I’ll reduce the operation to about ten locations. I’ve already given instructions to Manager Jang, so please manage only the small ice house that Manager Jang will show you. I’ll leave everything to you while I’m gone.”
Thus began Jo-hwi’s solo journey to Sichuan, which would eventually stir up a huge wave in the martial world.
* * *
There’s an old saying in Shu (Sichuan): “A dog in Sichuan barks at the clear sky.”
The land of Pa-Shu, especially the Sichuan Mountains (Shu Mountain), is known for its unpredictable climate, often covered in thick mist and frequent rain.
The dogs in the mountain areas, who are used to the dense fog, rarely see clear skies, so when the sun shines through, they bark uncontrollably, as if they’ve seen something extraordinary.
As the clouds parted and the sun shone brightly, Jo-hwi, who had been suffering from the constant dampness and heat, finally felt a sense of relief. His face relaxed, and he exhaled deeply.
“Ugh, this is unbearable.”
For so long, it had felt as though mold was growing on his body.
For the first time, Jo-hwi realized how precious sunlight could be.
He sat down carelessly in the middle of the grassy field, quickly took off his shoes, and placed them in a sunny spot.
As the sunlight touched his swollen feet, he felt as if they were being disinfected.
Woof woof woof woof!
Suddenly, the sound of barking dogs filled the air, coming from all directions. The dogs seemed fascinated by the rising sun, barking like crazy.
The old saying turned out to be true.
After walking for over a month, Jo-hwi finally reached the entrance of Sichuan.
He desperately wanted to ride a heavenly chariot, but the narrow and treacherous mountain paths of Shu didn’t allow for such luxuries.
The road itself was so narrow that there were many places where a carriage couldn’t pass.
A narrow path, barely wide enough for a single person, was carved through the steep cliffs, showcasing the incredible skill it took to create such a road.
It was almost miraculous to think how such a path had been made with the technology of that time.
The Central Plains (Zhongyuan) are truly an enigma.
While the world is clearly far behind modern civilization in many ways, in certain aspects, it shows an almost unbelievable level of advancement.
‘Could it be the martial artists?’
If the martial experts who had mastered martial arts were the ones responsible for carving out these treacherous paths through the Shu Mountains, everything would make sense.
If they were peak-level masters who had mastered the Wall Lizard Skill that allowed them to scale cliffs, they wouldn’t need to risk their lives by hanging from ropes to carve through the cliffs.
‘Hmm? Wait a second…’
Now that he thought about it, if martial artists were employed as laborers for constructing modern high-rise apartments, wouldn’t that drastically shorten the construction timeline?
Martial masters who only consume food without doing anything useful would end up as a burden in the Black Heaven Alliance.
Mobilizing them would be no problem. Since Jo-hwi already held the power of life and death over the senior officials in the Black Heaven Alliance due to his contract cancellations, it would be easy to solve with a few threats.
If the contract with Yeom Sang-rok was cut off, the two leaders would rush in and beg for his help.
With a sinister smile, Jo-hwi felt a sense of satisfaction from his plan.
At that moment, he noticed movement at the entrance of the narrow path.
“Hmm?”
The lead rider came into view.
The fluttering flag bore the inscription “Shu Merchants”.
Following them was a group of mules.
Jo-hwi nodded appreciatively.
Indeed, the mules, a hybrid of horse and donkey, with their small size and agility, could easily pass through the narrow mountain paths of Shu.
Curious, Jo-hwi approached the merchant procession.
He greeted them politely.
“Hello.”
With a smile, Jo-hwi appeared friendly, but their reaction was cold and indifferent.
The lead rider scanned Jo-hwi up and down before speaking with an uninterested expression.
“What do you want?”
Jo-hwi responded with a courteous smile.
“This is my first time in Shu, and I was a bit lost. I happened to see your caravan passing by, so I thought I’d greet you. If it’s not too much trouble, would it be possible for me to travel with you as a guest?”
Even a stray dog knows that when it’s at home, it has an advantage. In a foreign land, receiving help from the locals could make the journey immensely easier.
A journey that would normally take hundreds of miles could be shortened by a few dozen miles with just a single word from a local.
The lead rider, seemingly unfazed by Jo-hwi’s request, continued with a curt response.
“If you want to join the caravan as a guest, it’ll cost you ten liang of silver.”
“Ten liang of silver?”
Jo-hwi was taken aback. Were there really such daylight robbers around?
He was about to respond when the rider quickly shut down any attempt to negotiate further.
“If it’s not ten liang of silver, we can’t accept you.”
“Hmm.”
Ten liang of silver was a significant amount, but not for Jo-hwi.
He quickly took a gold coin from his sleeve and handed it to the rider.
As the rider took the gold coin, a strange light flickered in his eyes.
Ordinary commoners wouldn’t carry gold coins around.
Only then did the rider notice the sword Jo-hwi had at his waist, and his expression shifted to one of wariness.
A person who boldly carried gold coins and offered them in these rugged mountains of Shu must have some confidence in their ability to protect themselves.
“You’re a martial artist, I see. My apologies. We’ll accept the gold coin and allow you to join as a guest.”
The rider then extended the gold coin back to Jo-hwi.
These merchants were clearly seasoned. As merchants, they knew it was never wise to offend martial artists.
Moreover, they were about to pass through the Iron Blood Valley.
In a place where every martial artist was precious, they had no reason to refuse someone like Jo-hwi.
“We’ll be passing through Iron Blood Valley soon. Do you think a martial artist like you could lend us a hand?”
“Iron Blood Valley? Where is that?”
“You don’t know Iron Blood Manor?”
“Iron Blood Manor?”
They called themselves Iron Blood Manor, but it was actually more like Iron Blood Stronghold (鐵血寨).
They were notorious for being a mountain stronghold right at the entrance to Shu.
Despite receiving the set toll, they wouldn’t hesitate to seize goods if they caught sight of something they liked.
They were known to abduct women or massacre entire merchant caravans at a whim—truly a fearsome group.
The leader, Yong Eung-chang, who called himself the Iron Blood Demon Blade, was said to be an unparalleled martial artist.
After hearing the rider’s explanation, Jo-hwi furrowed his brow.
“Isn’t the Shu family part of the Tang family’s forces? Didn’t you try asking them for help?”
The rider let out a bitter laugh.
“The Tang family doesn’t even deal with merchants like us.”
“Hmm? Doesn’t the Tang family engage in commerce?”
“When the Tang family buys goods, they always send agents to handle the transaction. Few have ever seen a direct member of the family.”
“Hah!”
They didn’t even interact with the people living in the same region?
Being closed off to this extent was a bit much, wasn’t it?
“Doesn’t the Tang family run any businesses? They wouldn’t be able to sustain themselves otherwise.”
“We have no way of knowing how the Tang family runs its affairs, nor do we feel the need to. If you get involved with their matters, you’ll likely disappear without a trace.”
“Disappear?”
“Most people who talk too much about the Tang family vanish. There’s no proof, but we have our suspicions.”
This was a typical characteristic of a group that ruled by fear.
It was like the absolute power of North Korea’s leaders.
The more Jo-hwi learned about the Tang family, the more disgusted and disappointed he became.
“This is truly disappointing. How can a so-called righteous family, claiming to be one of the Five Great Families, be so indifferent to the lives of common folk? How can they call themselves righteous if they won’t even help merchants in distress?”
“Ah! This person!”
“Watch your mouth!”
The merchants, startled, quickly tried to stop Jo-hwi.
What, was the Tang family Voldemort from Harry Potter?
Jo-hwi continued, undeterred.
“Am I wrong? If a so-called prominent family turns a blind eye to the hardships of local merchants just to enjoy their own comfort, they have no right to talk about righteousness. They shouldn’t even be called the righteous path.”
“Hah!”
How dare he speak so recklessly about the Tang family!
Was this the behavior of an outsider?
Such language was something unimaginable for a native of Shu.
At that moment, there was a loud, piercing sound.
*Whoosh!*
Jo-hwi smoothly caught the flying knife with his bare hand, immediately sensing its direction.
From afar, an old man, exuding the sharpness of a deadly serpent, was slowly approaching.
“So, you weren’t just all talk after all. Seems like you know how to handle yourself.”
The rider and the merchants all dropped to the ground in shock.
“T-Tang family!”
“We greet the noble of the Tang family!”
From the deep black robes adorned with dozens of poison dragons and snakes embroidered in crimson, it was clear the man was of the Tang family—his status was unimaginable.
Jo-hwi stood stunned, his mind completely taken aback.
Before departing, Jo-hwi had certainly received prior information about the Tang family from Zhuge Un.
The foreign martial artists had venomous snakes embroidered on their uniforms, one to seven depending on their rank, while the internal martial artists wore poisonous dragons, also ranging from one to seven.
The seven poisonous dragons represented the highest rank in the Tang family.
However, the old man standing before him had so many poisonous dragons embroidered on his uniform that it was difficult to even count them.
‘Is this old man a fake?’
In the martial world, there were those known as half-heroes, people who pretended to be masters based on rumors they’d overheard, but they were only minor players.
There were even cases in Heibi where people impersonated martial artists from the Nangong family, causing trouble for others.
But there was something strange about the old man before him. Jo-hwi could feel the pain in his palm.
The old man’s body was practically impervious to physical attacks—he was certainly not an easy target. Yet, the flying knife contained an incredible amount of energy and destructive power.
Moreover, the aura the old man emitted was like that of a venomous snake. The aura of a single poisonous snake was radiating from his entire body.
What Jo-hwi had heard about the typical characteristics of a Tang family martial artist matched this aura. The sharp, venomous energy was something no ordinary person could possess.
But what about the dozens of poisonous snakes and dragons embroidered on his uniform? Did that mean he held a rank higher than the Tang family’s highest authority?
Despite his growing curiosity, Jo-hwi merely narrowed his eyes, remaining alert and focused on his opponent.
After all, the person before him had just tried to kill him.
In that instant, Jo-hwi’s form blurred.
*Hiss!*
The old man let out a startled sound, feeling the sharp aura coming from Jo-hwi’s side.
*Clang!*
“Ugh!”
With a scream, the old man was sent flying, crashing into a tree some distance away.
He stared at his hand in disbelief, holding the poisoned dagger, which had been torn apart. His hand was terribly injured.
He had only blocked a single sword strike, but now his insides were in turmoil.
Then came another assault—a series of three strikes.
The three strikes appeared simple, but the old man immediately recognized the supreme mastery within the opponent’s sword.
“You brat!”
In a flash, the old man’s body slid back as if avoiding the attacks, and he spun through the air like a top, rising toward the sky.
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*
At an incredible speed, he used centrifugal force to launch sharp, poisonous projectiles in all directions.
Upon witnessing this, the Shu merchant leader shouted in astonishment.
“Everyone, hide behind the mules!”
But just then, *Boom!*
As Jo-hwi leaped forward, a violent gust of wind surged, creating a tornado-like whirlwind around him.
*Nan Gong Secret Transmission: Heavenly Wind Step.*
The second form, “Return Spirit Wind”, unleashed a tremendous vortex of wind, resembling a fierce dragon’s wind, swirling around as it rushed outward in all directions.
The Nangong family’s traditional evasion technique to confuse enemies had become a defensive move that blocked the flying blade.
Even while vigorously moving to execute his footwork, Jo-hwi did not forget to close in on his opponent’s chest.
His three strikes sliced through the old man’s body, leaving a long sword wound on his side.
Several of the poisonous dragons embroidered on the old man’s uniform were severed at the waist, blood dripping from them.
Jo-hwi withdrew his iron sword and spoke in a calm tone.
“You’re a truly wicked old man. I’m the only one who insulted the Tang family, so why try to kill everyone?”
The old man did not utter a groan despite the fact that his side was torn open and blood was pouring out. Instead, he staunched the bleeding with a venomous glare of rage in his eyes.
“To think there’s someone who dares to resist after I’ve revealed myself as a member of the Tang family. You have quite some guts.”
Jo-hwi merely watched the old man in silence.
The old man suddenly took out a signal flare, biting off the fuse, sending it shooting into the sky.
*Whistle!*
The old man calmly set aside the flare, saying, “Now I’ll tell you what’s about to happen to you. The Tang family’s Twelve Venomous Fangs will track you down, and the Venomous Dragon Pavilion will lay a trap behind to support them. The Tang family’s reach will close off all the valleys in the Sichuan mountains.”
The Tang family was notorious for their fierce revenge, repaying grudges a hundredfold.
Just then, the Sword Spirit’s voice echoed in Jo-hwi’s mind.
– He’s an outcast.
‘Huh? What do you mean?’
This man wore the Tang family’s attire as if to announce “I am Tang,” but he wasn’t a member?
Then what about his unusual black robes and the flare he just used?
– Look closely at his wrist.
Following the Sword Spirit’s advice, Jo-hwi examined the old man’s wrist.
A gruesome scar was there, as if seared by fire, on the part where the pulse is usually checked.
– If his Lieque and Jingqu acupoints were sealed by fire, it means he reached the toxic blood state. He was once close to becoming a Venomous Man.
The “Venomous Man”—a level highly coveted by those who use poison.
In the martial world, this would be a level akin to the peak of the Fiendish Realm for those in the dark arts or Ice Man level in the North Sea.
Jo-hwi then voiced his question.
“He doesn’t seem to be at that level. He seems more like Section Chief Jang or Brother Jang-ho.”
– Foolish boy. He has no internal energy whatsoever.
‘Huh? That can’t be!’
– Didn’t you notice anything strange in his movements?
Now that he thought about it, something had been odd.
The man had used footwork, but he was bouncing around like a corpse puppet.
– His toxic blood has been sealed by fire, and the tendons in his limbs have been severed. The Tang family took away his martial arts. He’s moving like this purely out of stubborn grit.
“Tendons severed?”
When Jo-hwi murmured in surprise, the old man’s face twisted with a pained expression.
“What… what does it matter to you?”
– I detected no trace of the Tang family’s martial principles in his movements. This is typical for an outcast. Erasing all the skills one has honed over a lifetime involves excruciating pain. He’s a junior of remarkable resolve and restraint. I want you to show him some compassion for his plight.
‘Master…’
– That venomous appearance is only a mask. I want to look deeper into the wounded sincerity inside him.
‘…’
Until now, the Sword Spirit had never requested anything of Jo-hwi out of his own wish. The old man’s circumstances must have truly touched him.
Sighing in resignation, Jo-hwi sheathed his sword.
“You’re an outcast from the Tang family, aren’t you?”
“You insolent…!”
The old man’s face was filled with shock.
“If the Lieque and Jingqu acupoints were sealed with fire, that means your blood is toxic. The Tang family are madmen, to expel someone close to the Venomous Man level.”
“How… how do you know that?”
Toxic blood.
If this became known in the martial world, the Tang family would be in serious trouble.
The method of continuously infusing the body with poison to turn all of one’s blood venomous was a forbidden practice.
As a group that calls itself righteous, they could not allow such a thing to be known.
This secrecy was part of why the Tang family kept such a closed-off lifestyle.
“What could you have done to make your own family sever your tendons? And why are you still protecting such a family?”
Jo-hwi suddenly pointed up at the sky.
“I heard that their signal flare color changes every three months. Isn’t this just a bluff?”
“…”
The old man’s face grew increasingly contorted at Jo-hwi’s relentless words.
“Really, if they cut off your tendons, you shouldn’t even think about them anymore. Why stay here, trapped in Sichuan, clinging to them like this?”
“Enough! Enough talking.”
“I’ve already set up an energy barrier.”
“Ha!”
The fact that he could create an energy barrier meant he had reached the Fire Realm.
At his age?
He looked no older than his mid-twenties at most.
But then again, the martial world was full of people who defied common sense.
“Let’s have a drink.”
“…Drink?”
Jo-hwi walked over, rummaged through his bag, and pulled out a bottle of Ice Wine. He then spoke to the captain of the Sichuan caravan.
“It seems I can’t go with you after all. I won’t forget your kindness.”
“A-ah, understood.”
The captain quickly clasped his hands in a salute.
Having witnessed Jo-hwi’s tremendous martial prowess firsthand, he couldn’t help but be intimidated.
Then, Jo-hwi plopped down in front of the black-robed old man.
*Whirr!*
He generated a cold, white chill in his hands and wrapped it around the Ice Wine.
“Ice arts?”
He had already experienced the relentless precision of this young man’s swordsmanship.
But to think this swordsman could also wield ice arts?
However, his surprise was far from over.
Jo-hwi, with a stern expression, handed him the bottle.
The black-robed old man, slightly dazed, took the bottle and then gulped down the liquor.
The damp weather made him yearn for a drink even more.
“Ah! Hah… Hah!”
The rich, refreshing aroma of the wine, now cooled by the chill, was unparalleled in taste.
The old man took several more sips, unable to believe the exquisite flavor.
Such a delicious and refreshing drink—he had never tasted anything like it before!
“Hey, are you planning to drink that all by yourself?”
“Oh, my apologies.”
“No, I should apologize as well. Let me take a look.”
Jo-hwi moved to inspect the old man’s wounds.
“No need. It’s nothing serious.”
Jo-hwi wasn’t the type to insist when someone refused.
“Then, at least apply some medicine. It’s quite good.”
The bag General Lee had packed for him was stocked with everything one could need.
The black-robed old man, this time without objection, accepted the gold wound medicine Jo-hwi handed him.
As he inspected his wounds, the old man spoke.
“Do you know much about the Tang family?”
Jo-hwi shook his head.
“No, not really.”
The old man tilted his head in confusion.
This boy, who even knew about the Venomous Man, a Tang family secret, claimed not to know them?
“I don’t know them well, but I do need to ask something of them.”
“…Ask them for something?”
Jo-hwi’s expression grew serious.
“Yes. I need the Heavenly Ice Pearl.”
“Heavenly Ice Pearl?”
The old man was well aware of the Heavenly Ice Pearl.
It was one of the Three Divine Artifacts of the Tang family, renowned as a key ingredient in creating Soul Extinguishing Poison.
The old man shook his head with a bitter expression.
“It would likely be impossible.”
“Why?”
The old man gazed westward, his eyes growing more complex.
“Long ago, a man dared to challenge the Poison Wall. In punishment, the Tang family severed his tendons, cut his core, and even sealed his toxic blood. That man is the grandfather of the current head of the family.”
“Hah…!”
The reasoning of reclaiming martial arts secrets might justify sealing the toxic blood and severing the tendons.
But cutting off his core?
That meant he couldn’t even spread his lineage.
The severity of this punishment made Jo-hwi instinctively curse.
“Damn, they’re absolute monsters.”
“Watch your mouth!”
Despite all he’d suffered, why did he grow so furious at any insult toward the Tang family?
“In any case, give it up. You’d have better luck visiting the North Sea directly.”
Jo-hwi pulled another bottle of Ice Wine from his bag, smiling.
“How about one more?”
“Th-thank you.”
Jo-hwi handed over the Ice Wine, and without pause, began bombarding the old man with questions.
The former prodigy of the Tang family, a candidate for the title of Absolute Venomous Man who once challenged the Poison Wall, Tang In-sang, thus found himself divulging every bit of information Jo-hwi sought.