ALL NOVEL Ch 41
The news of the fall of the Black Heaven Alliance spread with remarkable speed across the Central Plains, along with the announcement of the faction war of the Jo Family Great Association.
Martial artists had already heard rumors about the attractive prizes of the Jo Family Great Association, but they never expected that the association would rise to replace the Black Heaven Alliance as the new power in the Jiangxi region.
At first, when this news was delivered, most people scoffed, but as more rumors circulated, they were forced to quiet down and listen.
The rumor that came to them was about the alias of the president of the Jo Family Great Association.
The Little Sword God, Jo Hwi.
The appearance of a young swordsman who had engraved the legendary swordsmanship of a sword god into his own body sent shockwaves through the entire martial world.
Testimonies from those who witnessed his martial prowess revealed a flood of legendary sword techniques:
Yi Hyeong Gyeong Gang (Mind-Form Sword Energy).
Eo Geom Bi Haeng (Controlling the Sword to Fly).
I Gi Eo Geom Sul (Swordsmanship Controlled by Qi).
Neung Gong Cheon Sang Je (Ascending the Sky with the Heavenly Ladder).
If the accounts from Jiangxi were true, this was a major event in the martial world.
A young swordsman, barely in his twenties, showing such extraordinary levels of skill was unprecedented in the history of the martial arts world.
Naturally, martial artists hoped to participate in the faction war of the Jo Family Great Association.
Not just to celebrate the event, but because they wanted to witness with their own eyes the emergence of the new supreme expert, the Little Sword God.
While everyone was watching cautiously, the first to announce their participation was none other than the martial world’s leader, Mu Huang (Martial Emperor).
The news from the Martial Alliance became the catalyst.
Shaolin, Wudang, Mount Hua, Kunlun, and other major factions quickly declared their intentions to join. Likewise, the five great families and many smaller sects followed suit.
For the entire orthodox faction to rise up and declare participation in a faction war of one family was unprecedented since the founding of the Martial Alliance centuries ago.
In front of the Jo Family Great Association’s headquarters.
Among the busy crowd preparing for the faction war, Jo Hwi was shouting loudly at the workers.
“Hey! I told you not to set up fireworks there!”
A worker, dressed in red banners, quickly bowed to Jo Hwi from the roof of a pavilion.
“Sorry! Sorry, President!”
Jo Hwi furrowed his brow.
“If you set up fireworks on that roof, all the decorations could burn down!”
“I’ll say it again! No fireworks in the pavilions decorated with banners! Do you understand?”
“Yes! President!”
Since they were going to hold a faction war, Jo Hwi wanted it to be a grand event.
A faction war was, in a way, like a large gathering in the martial world.
The larger and more grand it was, the more it would enhance the atmosphere.
How the faction war was conducted would determine the image of the Jo Family Great Association. He couldn’t afford to be stingy.
As Jo Hwi continued to lead the workers, Je Gaal Un rushed over in a panic.
“Phew! Phew! Wait! Wait, President!”
Jo Hwi, who had been walking to another area, turned to look at Je Gaal Un.
“Why are you running around like this?”
Je Gaal Un, still in disbelief, pulled out a secret letter from his pocket.
“Phew… take a look at this!”
“Hm?”
On the secret letter, a clear white tiger pattern was engraved.
“White Tiger…?”
Was there a sect in the martial world that used the white tiger as a symbol?
As Jo Hwi took the letter, Je Gaal Un spoke urgently.
“The Sima Family has unsealed their gates!”
“What? What did you say?”
The Sima Family, a martial god family that had remained secluded for centuries, with no interference in the martial world.
“They are coming to join our faction war!”
Jo Hwi’s face turned pale with shock.
“The Sima Family is joining our faction war?”
When people mentioned the greatest sects in the world, they always had one condition:
“If the Sima Family doesn’t unseal their gates.”
This was the common belief among martial artists from the Great War to the present day.
The Sima Family’s reputation was comparable to that of the Demon Sect, as if they were the sky of the orthodox factions.
The martial god who ended the disastrous Great War, the great family of martial warriors.
No one knew the reason, but shortly after the Great War, they declared the sealing of their gates, and that sealing had lasted for hundreds of years.
But now, this great family was breaking the seal and announcing their return to the martial world.
“Why…?”
Jo Hwi couldn’t understand it.
Over the centuries, there had been many crises in the martial world, but they had never once intervened.
So why now, when the martial world is at peace, with the Martial Alliance as strong as ever, would they break the seal and step out?
“What do they want in this peaceful era?”
It seems it’s not just because of the attraction of the Yongok.
The calm voice of Cheon Woo Ja (Heavenly Wu Master) echoed in Jo Hwi’s mind.
The elders of the Dokgo Clan had used their immense spiritual power to break the seal placed upon them by the life-binding spell, expending considerable energy to use the powers of Honse Cheon Ok (Heavenly Purity).
However, such great spells couldn’t break the enduring faith of a family, could they?
Then what is it? Why, after breaking the seal, would they join our faction war right away?
I don’t know either.
In that moment, Jo Hwi gritted his teeth.
Up until now, all eyes in the martial world had been on the Jo Family Great Association and the Little Sword God.
But now, suddenly, the martial god family of the Sima Family breaks the seal and, coincidentally, joins the Jo Family’s faction war, showing their might for the first time in hundreds of years?
All the attention of the martial world would inevitably shift from the faction war to the Sima Family.
No matter how Jo Hwi thought about it, this felt like someone was throwing dirt on his event.
Annihilate them! Wipe them all out!
Kill them all!
That’s just the way they are!
As the ancestors of the Jo Family raged, Jo Hwi’s expression suddenly changed.
Wait, hold on!
After a moment of thought, he realized that this wasn’t as bad as it seemed.
He came up with several ways to turn the Sima Family’s tremendous reputation to his advantage.
Seeing the change in Jo Hwi’s demeanor, the ancestors were stunned.
What…! In this situation?
This madman!
As Jo Hwi’s thoughts continued, the voice of the Sword God echoed in his mind.
Why not just use force and break the pride of the Sima Family?
“No!”
They were coming to ruin his event, and Jo Hwi couldn’t afford to be that merciful. He was already determined to take action.
More importantly, the Sima Family was no ordinary family.
There was a high chance that there were warriors in the Sima Family stronger than Mu Huang (Martial Emperor) or Zaha Geom Seong (Purple Summer Sword Sage).
If Jo Hwi recklessly engaged in battle and lost, the Jo Family’s faction war would be over.
The ancestors of the Jo Family, sensing Jo Hwi’s dilemma, sighed.
Don’t you have confidence in your own abilities?
“I’m just beginning to reach the peak of martial arts,” Jo Hwi thought.
The Sword God sighed.
There are countless martial artists who have spent their whole lives in pursuit of martial arts but never even reached the threshold of true power. So don’t compare yourself to them.
Jo Hwi smiled slightly.
“Don’t compare me to regular people.”
Your current martial arts are far beyond the ordinary. You are truly in a realm where classification is meaningless, far surpassing the traditional levels of martial skill.
The sword techniques of Jo Hwi, a fusion of the Sword God and Demon God’s arts, were creating a new path in martial arts history. Even the greatest martial artists of old were amazed by his skills.
Jo Hwi chuckled.
“I understand.”
After organizing his thoughts, Jo Hwi looked at Je Gaal Un, who was still standing there.
“Even if the Sima Family participates, nothing changes. We’ll proceed as planned.”
Je Gaal Un hesitated. “But shouldn’t we first send them an invitation, now that they’ve expressed interest in participating?”
Jo Hwi shook his head firmly.
“No. We won’t send one.”
“Wha—?”
—
Zegalun asked again with a bewildered expression.
“Did you say the Sima family? The greatest family in the world! And you’re not inviting them?”
Zhou Hui gave a wry smile.
His plan started with not sending an official invitation.
“Yes. Treat it that way.”
“Ha…!”
If the Sima family wasn’t formally invited, it would surely bring enormous consequences to the Zhao Family.
“I don’t care. I’ll definitely do it according to my instructions. You can blame me later.”
“Should we get a notary involved?”
“I don’t care! I’m going!”
Zegalun, with a sinister smile, left, and Zhou Hui stared at him for a while, before lifting a steel sword into the air.
Leaping onto the sword, Zhou Hui suddenly looked toward the northern sky.
It was time to go see the people he missed.
—
Chwaaaaaaaaa!
Hundreds of water containers, full to the brim, suddenly froze with a resounding crash.
The ice spirit’s power, Jie O Jue, had reached its peak.
At that moment, Han Seolbaek stood alone in the center of a dark ice cellar, with a face filled with regret.
Still in disbelief, he checked his hands again and again.
Then, from the distant stairs, the sound of a side door opening echoed, and a familiar voice came through.
– It’s meal time.
He hadn’t even seen the food, but his throat already burned with bile.
He didn’t need to see it—he knew exactly what that cursed dish was.
Grilled dumplings, steamed dumplings, boiled dumplings, fried dumplings, stir-fried dumplings, pickled dumplings…
He had never imagined that dumplings could be made in so many ways.
At first, he thought that dumplings were the only food in the Central Plains.
But after experiencing a few special dishes that occasionally came out, he began to look forward to the special days like a starving wolf cub.
He couldn’t believe how degrading it was for a person to be so consumed by food.
Still, he couldn’t live without eating.
By the time Han Seolbaek had silently climbed the stairs and arrived near the side door, the huge stone door of the ice cellar, which seemed like it would never open, began to creak open with a great sound.
Kugugugugugugu!
As blinding rays of light streamed through the crack in the stone door, Han Seolbaek was momentarily stunned, his vision nearly paralyzed.
When the fresh air poured into the ice cellar, Han Seolbaek froze with an expression of deep emotion.
Ah, this is the smell of the living world!
It had been a long time since he had smelled the scent of the outside world.
“…Brother!”
Though his vision was still clouded, he could tell it was undoubtedly his younger sister’s voice.
“…Seolhyeon? Is it Seolhyeon?”
Han Seolhyeon, feeling around like a blind person, confirmed her older brother’s presence and immediately burst into tears.
“Ugh! Brother!”
She ran to him and hugged him tightly.
As she checked her brother’s condition, she could not hold back her sobs.
His skin was rough, his face gaunt.
His beard had grown uncontrollably, and an awful stench hung around him.
The envy of all the women in the North Sea, the proud beauty of the North Sea—how did he end up like this?
Han Seolhyeon turned with a grim expression.
“How did this happen? You never said you were going to lock him up!”
Zhou Hui asked in disbelief.
“No, it was his own will! When he wanted to train properly, he asked me to seal the entrance! He said just feed him!”
Han Seolhyeon turned to her brother.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. Everything was my decision.”
“Why! Why did you do this?”
Han Seolbaek only gave a bitter smile, remaining silent.
Han Seolhyeon wasn’t unaware of the burden her brother carried as the last descendant of the North Sea.
His obsessive devotion to the Absolute Ice Man, something she understood better than anyone having grown up by his side.
But to push himself this far…
“Hm? The energy of Ice Spirits?”
Han Seolbaek, startled by the energy of Ice Spirits emanating from his sister, realized that she also had the energy of the Divine Martial transformation.
“Ice Person? Did you reach the realm of Hua Jing?”
“Yes! Brother!”
“Eh?”
Had she reached a level comparable to his, which he had worked so hard for, through endless trials and bloodshed?
“Zhou Xiao has given you the Heavenly Ice Order!”
“Heavenly Ice Order?”
Han Seolbaek froze, his eyes wide in shock.
Not only was he surprised that Zhou Xiao had given away such a precious Heavenly Ice Order, but he also couldn’t fathom how much it had been consumed to achieve the level of an Ice Spirit so quickly.
For the people of the North Sea, the Heavenly Ice Order was an irreplaceable treasure of absolute value.
Han Seolbaek respectfully bowed toward Zhou Hui.
“My sister owes you a great debt. As her brother, I thank you on her behalf.”
Zhou Hui scratched his head and laughed.
“Haha, well, it’s all to make sure we all live well, so don’t mind it.”
“I’ve heard that the Heavenly Ice Order is a treasure that even the people of the Central Plains would search for with burning eyes. I can’t even imagine how difficult it must have been to obtain it. Truly, thank you.”
Han Seolbaek continued to express his gratitude, but Zhou Hui soon began to walk away.
“Han Sojeo, let’s catch up sometime. I’m off to Fengtai County now…”
“Thank you, Zhou Xiao.”
Han Seolbaek looked at his sister with a strange expression.
His younger sister wasn’t the type to blush or act shy like this.
Seeing her behave in a way he had never seen before, Han Seolbaek quietly murmured.
“Do you have feelings for him?”
“Brother? What suddenly! No, not at all!”
Han Seolhyeon turned bright red, flustered and embarrassed.
Han Seolbaek couldn’t help but realize that his younger sister had grown into a proper woman.
“You’ve grown up.”
“…”
He had raised her like a second parent after their parents passed away.
Perhaps because of this, he felt both proud and a bit sad to see her now know a man.
“Just seeing his face was enough. Go after him.”
“Oh, brother!”
Han Seolbaek began descending the long staircase.
As he turned around to look at Han Seolhyeon again, he said:
“I won’t leave this place until I become the Absolute Ice Man. We’ll catch up then.”
“Brother!”
“I’ll push myself even harder in training, so I won’t be ashamed in front of you.”
Although he was proud that his sister had reached the level of an Ice Spirit, it also spurred him on even more.
Now that he had secured the eternal ice energy, it was up to him to lift the North Sea’s sorrow.
To rebuild the North Sea and become the Ice Palace Master, he needed to achieve the Absolute Ice Man level.
That was his destiny.
“I won’t say it twice.”
Han Seolhyeon watched her brother disappear, her eyes full of sadness. Finally, she bit her lip and turned away.
As Zhou Hui crossed the long Guan Road and reached Fengtai County, he couldn’t help but exclaim.
“Ho!”
In less than a year, Fengtai County had expanded significantly.
Thanks to the Anhui Ironworks, the village itself was becoming a completely different place.
It was almost comparable to the scale of the past Hefei!
The Anhui Ironworks hadn’t even fully settled yet, but they were already monopolizing most of the iron products, and especially the high-value Yuncha (Cloud Car) series, which brought immense wealth to the entire Fengtai County.
Now, the county’s governor was more eager to meet with the owner of the Anhui Ironworks than the governor of Hefei, which was a clear indication of the new status of the Anhui Ironworks.
When this general moved to Jiangxi, Zhou Hui’s father, Zhou Shun, had ascended to the position of the Anhui Ironworks Master.
With this, Zhou Shun, bolstered by the prestige of the Anhui Ironworks Master and Zhou Hui’s renown in Jiangxi, became the most influential figure in Fengtai County.
Typically, when people become rich quickly, they grow arrogant and treat others poorly, but Zhou Shun was different.
He remained humble, compassionate, and generous, always willing to share.
Because of Zhou Shun’s benevolent character, people constantly flocked to him.
A sea of people.
Finally, when Zhou Hui arrived at the Anhui Ironworks, he was momentarily stunned by the countless customers holding numbered tickets.
The crowd was comparable to the throngs of people heading to Shaolin Temple.
The small ironworks had grown to such a scale that it was now overflowing with customers, and Zhou Hui couldn’t help but feel deeply moved by the rapid changes.
“Please give me some space.”
Amid the crowd, Zhou Hui’s mother, Guo Aying, who was handing out tickets, saw him and froze.
“Huya!”
She rushed over and embraced her son tightly.
Zhou Hui smiled widely, patting his mother’s back.
“Have you been well?”
Guo Aying gently touched her son’s arms, chest, and various places before looking up at him with tears in her eyes.
“How could you have gotten so thin? You must have suffered a lot.”
“Mother, come on, suffering? And I didn’t lose any weight, did I?”
Guo Aying rolled her eyes at him, scolding him.
“Look at you, every day you’re changing and getting more handsome, but I can hardly see you! I can’t even tell if you’ve lost weight or gained it! You naughty boy… huh?”
Finally, she noticed Han Seolhyeon standing behind Zhou Hui, and her eyes went wide in surprise.
“My goodness, what an outstanding beauty…”
Han Seolhyeon, who had been blushing profusely and looked awkward, greeted Guo Aying respectfully.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Seolhyeon of the Seol Family from the Seol Wind Clan.”
**Snow Wind Cold Family (Winter wind is cold.)**
For Gok Ah-yeong, this was the first time hearing about the Snow Wind Cold Family, but after tilting her head in curiosity, she quickly broke into a smile.
“Nice to meet you. Welcome! I’m the mother of Hwi-ah.”
“Yes…”
Han Seol-hyeon gazed at the kind face of his mother, Gok Ah-yeong, whose warm and affectionate demeanor made Seol-hyeon look as though she might burst into tears. She felt a deep yearning for her own late mother, and her eyes became red with unshed tears.
At that moment, a sharp voice from afar caught their attention.
“Older brother!”
It was Jo Hwi’s younger sister, Jo Yeon.
“Hwi-ah!”
Jo Hwi’s brother, Jo Hyeok, who had been guarding the front gate of the ironworks, also approached with a bright expression.
Suddenly, Jo Yeon burst into tears as she embraced Jo Hwi, and Jo Hyeok laughed loudly, gripping his sword.
“Haha! You were badmouthing Hwi-ah when he was away, but now that he’s back, you’re hugging him and crying!”
“Shut up!”
Jo Yeon glared at her older brother, but her eyes widened when she noticed Han Seol-hyeon.
“Wow! What a beautiful woman!”
“Ugh!”
The most surprised person was Jo Hwi’s brother, Jo Hyeok.
The Namgung family was always filled with beauties, as many influential young women from Hefei would frequently visit, hoping for a marriage match.
Having worked as a warrior for the Namgung family and seen many beautiful women, Jo Hyeok prided himself on his experiences, but even he was struck dumb by the stunning beauty of Seol-hyeon. He couldn’t believe such a beauty existed in real life, outside of a painting.
Jo Hyeok, with a stunned expression, looked at Jo Hwi.
“You’re unbelievable…”
This guy truly had it all—business talent, martial prowess, and now, love luck too! What was next for him?
With a slightly defeated look, Jo Hyeok bowed respectfully to Seol-hyeon.
“Hello, sister-in-law.”
“Nice to… wait?”
Sister-in-law?
Han Seol-hyeon froze.
“It’s not like that. Don’t misunderstand, older brother,” Jo Hwi quickly intervened.
“Misunderstand?”
Jo Hyeok tilted his head in confusion, continuing.
“Were you ever interested in women? You’ve never brought a woman into the house before, and now you’re saying she’s not your lover?”
“She’s not someone I brought into the house! It’s not like that. We were both here for different reasons, but our plans changed, so we ended up coming together, so stop saying weird things!”
Jo Hyeok still looked skeptical.
“I don’t know. It definitely looks like there’s something going on.”
“No, there isn’t!”
Although Han Seol-hyeon knew there was no romantic connection, Jo Hwi’s vehement denial, which seemed to almost be out of anger, left her feeling a little hurt.
“Stop arguing here. Let’s go inside quickly. You should greet father. You too, young lady,” Gok Ah-yeong interjected.
“Yes, mother.”
“Ah! Yes!”
As Jo Hwi and Han Seol-hyeon entered the ironworks with Gok Ah-yeong, Jo Yeon poked Jo Hyeok in the ribs.
“Hey! Don’t embarrass my sister-in-law like that!”
“What did I do?”
“Ugh, no wonder you can’t find a woman. Can’t you see? It’s obviously a complicated situation!”
Jo Hyeok looked bewildered.
“What are you talking about? If they like each other, they like each other. If they don’t, they don’t. What’s all this ‘complicated’ stuff?”
“Ugh, really, don’t you know? It’s the kind of relationship where they like each other, but haven’t officially confirmed it yet!”
“Huh? What’s that? If you like someone, just say you like them. Why keep it a secret?”
“Ah, yes. You just keep living alone then.”
“Little brat!”
For Jo Hyeok, a man who couldn’t understand relationships, no matter how much he thought about it, the situation made no sense.
* * *
Meanwhile, Jo Sun was frantically moving through the ironworks, sweating profusely as he gave out orders.
“Hurry up! Can’t you move any faster? Are you all eating slugs or something?”
The workers from Gisan-gak, led by Yoo So-bang, looked worn out.
“We’re already working as fast as we can, Ironworks Master! Please, stop hurrying us!”
“This bastard! What did I say?”
“How did you know about that?”
The experienced workers at Gisan-gak had been getting high wages lately, but with more money came more vices like drinking and gambling.
Jo Sun had imposed a strict no-drinking rule starting last month, except on holidays, due to several accidents caused by workers who were drunk on the job.
“How did you know?”
Yoo So-bang was in disbelief.
He had avoided the usual taverns and had secretly drunk with his friends at Jin Ga’s house.
But Jin Ga, with his head down, was at the back of the ironworks, looking guilty.
“That bastard!”
“After I forgave the idiots who should have been fired under the Ironworks Rule, they couldn’t resist and had another drinking spree?”
“Sorry, sir!”
“Get out! All of you! Gisan-gak is closed!”
“Yikes!”
Once again, the Ironworks Master would be working alone, hammering through the night.
The workers’ hearts were in their throats whenever they heard the sound of his hammer.
“Master! I’m sorry! Please forgive us just this once! You guys! Get down on your knees now!”
“Master! We were wrong!”
The workers, all kneeling and clinging to Jo Sun’s pants, begged, but he was unmoved.
“Let go of me, you idiots!”
At that moment, Jo Hwi and his family entered Gisan-gak with awkward expressions.
“Not again!”
Gok Ah-yeong rushed over to disperse the workers.
“Enough! Get back to work! Can’t we have a peaceful day for once? Why can’t we have a quiet day, you idiot!”
“Ugh, this woman again! Why does she always interfere with the men’s business?”
“What did you say? Men’s business?”
Jo Sun tried to avoid her sharp gaze, but then he noticed Jo Hwi.
“You brat!”
Although he should have been happy to see his second son after a long time, Jo Sun looked furious.
He stormed over and glared at Jo Hwi.
“What were you thinking? The orders from the trade association keep increasing, but you took all the workers to the South River! What do you want me to do now?”
Jo Hwi responded calmly.
“Just hire new workers.”
That reply caused Jo Sun’s forehead to bulge with veins.
“Is that even a reasonable suggestion? Do you know how long it takes to train a newbie to become a proper worker? I’m busy as it is, and you want me to train more people?”
“Well, the Master of the Ironworks and others are here, aren’t they?”
“Hah!”
Even the Cheolbang Daebus, who had been brought up by the seven or Po Yang-ho, could act so shamelessly!
“Oh, forget it, you little brat.”
“What, is that all you have to say to your son, whom you haven’t seen in almost a year?”
In the end, Jo Soon couldn’t hold back and exploded.
A harsh slap from his father hit Jo Hwi’s head.
“Ah!”
“Are you proud of yourself, huh? Are you planning to go around telling everyone I’m a bad father, that I’m an unfilial son now?”
Ugh, that hurt like hell!
As a craftsman who had spent his life hammering away, Jo Soon’s slap carried the strength of a martial arts master.
“…I was wrong.”
“At least you haven’t forgotten filial piety.”
“Huh? What’s that all of a sudden?”
Before he could reply, Jo Soon noticed Han Seol-hyun and flashed a warm smile.
“You must have wanted to bring a grandchild to me on behalf of your hopeless eldest son, right?”
“Ha…”
Jo Hwi sighed deeply, clearly not wanting to explain anymore.
Han Seol-hyun, taken aback by hearing something she had never imagined, was completely flustered.
“No, no, we’re not like that! Elder!”
“Eh? You’re calling me Elder now? You should be calling me Father!”
“Fa…Father?”
“That’s right! Father!”
“….”
Han Seol-hyun froze in confusion, and Jo Hwi quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, Father, do you think we can find an appropriate successor?”
“Successor? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Someone to take charge of the Cheolbang. I’d like to choose from among the Cheolbang Daebus.”
“This kid! Are you telling me to retire already? I’m still in my prime!”
“No, it’s not like that… I’m sorry, I’ve caused some trouble.”
Jo Soon, who had been in a serious mood, became even more serious.
“You’ve caused trouble? How big of a problem have you created now?”
“Well, it’s…”
Jo Hwi swallowed nervously as he spoke.
“The Jo’s Merchant Guild has become a force in the martial world. So, it’s no longer safe for our family to live apart.”
“What? What did you say?”
Jo Hwi scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
“Hehe, with more and more forces targeting me, it’s getting hard for me to guarantee the safety of our family if we stay here.”
The family of Jo Hwi was left stunned.
How could the Jo’s Merchant Guild become a force in the martial world?
Jo Soon, unable to accept the idea, was in disbelief. After all, when we speak of power, it usually refers to massive organizations like the Martial Arts Alliance, and a mere merchant guild would have nothing in common with them in terms of size.
In his mind, the Jo family was not even close to being on the same level as the famous martial clans. After all, the Jo family had ruled the area of Anhui, but they weren’t involved in martial affairs. For the longest time, Jo Soon had thought his second son was a scholar, not a martial artist.
Jo Hwi had never revealed his martial arts abilities to his family, except for his older brother.
Though the name of the Sword Saint, So Geom Shin, was known throughout the martial world, it was just a rumor among martial artists; the workers in Cheolbang knew nothing about it.
Jo Soon’s face became more serious than usual.
“They say a martial artist must be willing to sacrifice their life for righteousness and justice, that they must be merciless, even to the point of killing to protect their honor.”
Jo Soon’s gaze became piercing, as though trying to see through his second son.
“So tell me, are you a martial artist?”
In response to his father’s serious question, Jo Hwi replied firmly and without hesitation.
“Yes.”
“Yes?”
Jo Soon was once again left dumbfounded.
In his memories, his second son had been more of a scholar, always immersed in books.
Jo Soon, in surprise, looked his son up and down once more.
‘The Jo family’s Iron Sword?’ he thought.
Indeed, his second son was wearing the very sword he had personally crafted, which had been ordered by Jo Hwi. He had assumed it was to be presented to a general’s house.
“Show me.”
“Yes.”
Jo Hwi answered calmly and then lifted the sword into the air.
“Ha!”
With a light leap, Jo Hwi landed atop the sword and continued speaking in a calm voice.
“This is called the Sword Flight technique, a skill passed down by the legendary Sword Saint. Oh! You didn’t know, did you? The Sword Saint, Jo Cheon, is one of our ancestors.”
“….”
A worker dropped a hammer, and the entire Cheolbang went silent, as if they had been splashed with cold water.
Everyone stood there with their mouths hanging open, utterly stunned.
Jo Hwi soared through the air on the sword before landing back in front of his father.
“This Sword Flight technique, you see, has only been demonstrated by three people in the history of the martial world. If I were to put it into context, maybe only myself and the Zihua Sword Sage could do it.”
“You crazy bastard!”
Jo Hwi’s brother, Jo Hyuk, looked at him in disbelief.
Jo Hwi’s display of the sword flight technique was truly that of a legendary master. However, the complete lack of humility and decorum made it all the more absurd.
The legendary masters mentioned in martial stories were never like that.
They were cold and ruthless, willing to conceal their power and remain anonymous in even the most extreme situations.
But Jo Hwi’s demeanor was far from that.
This could only be explained by the fact that Jo Hwi possessed the personality and traits of a modern individual, someone who was constantly promoting their abilities and achievements to survive in the world.
Jo Hwi lightly touched the ground, retrieving the sword, and gave his father a playful smile.
“Got it? I’m a true swordsman.”
“You’re not just a swordsman, you’re a sword saint, you idiot!”
Jo Soon, utterly confused, couldn’t figure out how to process this information.
But having seen it with his own eyes, he finally relented.
“Let’s pack up.”
“Eh?”
His wife, Gok Ah-young, stood frozen in shock.
“This brat is treating us like baggage! If we don’t want to be treated as luggage, we need to go to his side.”
“Dear! Still…!”
“How could you not let go of your attachment after seeing our son fly on a sword?”
They had spent over forty years in Bongtaehyeon, their hometown. Jo Soon was well aware of the fondness that came with it, but he didn’t want to be an obstacle in his son’s path.
“My dream, and our family’s happiness, have all been achieved by this boy. I have no regrets even if I die now.”
“Dear…”
“I don’t want to be a stumbling block to my son’s progress.”
“….”
Listening to his parents’ conversation, Jo Hwi painfully realized he was an unfilial son. For his parents, Bongtaehyeon was a beloved hometown and irreplaceable memories, something they could never trade for anything. As a son who took that away from them, no matter how much he paid them back with filial piety, it would never be enough.
But it was better than being left with an irreversible regret.
Having truly stepped into the world of the martial arts world, where he was now claiming power, he couldn’t even begin to imagine how much resentment and vengeance would accumulate in the process. To protect his family from the whirlwind of grudges, he had to take them with him to his new world.
‘I’m sorry.’
That gloomy expression lasted only a moment before Jo Hwi quickly brightened up, looking at his mother eagerly.
“I’m hungry. I’ve traveled such a long way, when are you going to give me something to eat?”
“Oh, I lost my mind! You must be hungry too, right, my dear?”
“No, it’s fine.”
As Gok Ah-young hurried off, Jo Soon quietly called Jo Hwi over.
“By the way, what’s this about a legendary martial artist, a Sword Saint, being an ancestor of the Jo family? Jo Cheon, was it?”
“Father, I have pretty good luck, don’t I? If you don’t have fate, you’re not a martial artist! So here’s how it happened…”
Jo Hwi began to explain the story, skipping over the secret of the Iccheon Blood Prison and starting with the tale of the Sword Mound, which immediately caught the attention of both Jo Soon and Jo Hyuk, who leaned in with focused ears.