ALL NOVEL Ch 42
After bidding farewell to his family, Jo Hwi entered the area near Guando once again, when he heard Han Seol-hyun’s voice filled with lingering regret.
“…You have a good family.”
Han Seol-hyun had spent the night talking with Gok Ah-young, chatting freely about women’s matters. Eventually, she had become fond of Gok Ah-young and wanted to stay a few more days, but Jo Hwi, constantly urging them to move on, prevented her from doing so.
The kind face of Gok Ah-young, smiling while peeling fruits, had stayed in Han Seol-hyun’s mind, unable to fade.
“Yes. They are wonderful people.”
“….”
Han Seol-hyun’s heart ached with longing for her mother and the past, as memories flashed before her eyes, making her chest tighten. In the end, tears flowed down her cheeks and dripped below her throat.
Drip, drip.
Biting her lips tightly, Han Seol-hyun’s small sobs were enough to break any man’s heart with their sorrowful beauty.
“No, Miss Han, why…?”
Jo Hwi, flustered, watched as Han Seol-hyun turned her tear-filled eyes to the northern sky.
Stunned by the sudden emotional strike, Jo Hwi was unsure of what to do, but she only gazed longingly at the snowstorming northern sea sky.
To avoid disturbing her moment, Jo Hwi sighed faintly and stepped back a little.
He somehow understood her feeling of homesickness.
Though his memories of his own hometown weren’t very pleasant, Jo Hwi, too, longed for cold and harsh Seoul, South Korea.
“Would you like to ride the sword?”
“No, I’m fine!”
From the very beginning of their journey, Jo Hwi had suggested that Han Seol-hyun ride the sword with him to speed up their travel, but she adamantly refused.
“I wasn’t used to it at first either, but once you get used to it, riding the sword is the best when you’re feeling down.”
“….”
Jo Hwi extended his hand.
“Let’s go.”
Han Seol-hyun hesitated because of this.
While being able to experience flying on a sword as a martial artist was a huge opportunity, it also meant being physically close to him, which she wasn’t comfortable with.
“I’ll follow you using lightness skill (Qinggong) as I’ve always done.”
“Huff.”
If she followed him using Qinggong again, Jo Hwi couldn’t increase his speed.
Wanting to reach Po Yang Lake as quickly as possible, Jo Hwi grabbed her hand and soared into the sky.
“Hahahaha!”
“Ahhh!”
That was Han Seol-hyun’s first flight.
Until that moment, she never imagined she would beg Jo Hwi to ride the sword again.
The martial world operated strictly on the basis of strength, whether for individuals or sects.
This was true even for the righteous factions that valued propriety and justice, as the rules of the martial world were inherently that way.
Soon, flags symbolizing various major sects began to appear around Po Yang Lake.
The first sect to arrive was surprisingly the rare-to-see Sicheondang.
When the flag of the Five Poisons Sect (Odokgi), representing Sicheondang, passed in front of the large black guesthouse at Po Yang Lake, all the smaller factions’ flags immediately withdrew.
This was the martial world.
No matter how much justice was proclaimed, a warrior without strength and fame had no place anywhere in the world.
The proud presence of the Sicheondang masters felt somewhat arrogant.
The leaders, Amryong and Gyoryong, leading the group, proudly shouted.
“Ikidangga (One man’s Tang family)!”
Standing tall alone, Sicheondang’s masters, following their leaders, shouted in unison.
“Burmangwon (Never forget恩怨, gratitude and grudges)!”
They never forget both kindness and grudges.
At their fierce shout, everyone, whether they knew Sicheondang or not, held their breath.
Those who did not know Sicheondang were shocked by their desperate declaration, and those who knew of their poisonous hearts trembled in fear.
But even against the intimidating presence of Sicheondang, there was one flag that did not bow.
This flag bore the Taiji symbol, representing the energy of Yin and Yang, which symbolized the balance of all life.
“Namjon!”
“It’s the Wudang Sect!”
It was the flag of the Wudang Sect, also known as Namjon Wudang or Zhenwu Shengjianmen, a sect famous for Taoism.
Along with the Northern Shaolin, Wudang was one of the martial world’s two great sects, a sacred ground of Taoism that had to be mentioned when discussing the swords of Central Plains.
Even though the Wudang Sect was temporarily overshadowed by the prominence of the Mount Hua sect, its long-standing reputation couldn’t be ignored by anyone.
That was the reason they didn’t bow even in front of Sicheondang’s five poisonous flag.
Soon, from the Wudang Sect’s procession, an elder from Seongpoongdogol came forward and approached the Sicheondang procession.
“Burmangwul, this is Qingxu, the elder of Wudang. It is an honor to meet the heroes of Sichuan.”
Qingxu was the elder of Wudang, the sect founded by the legendary Qingyunjin, and a prominent figure who had cultivated the legendary Taiji wisdom sword to the seventh star, a near-mythical level.
“Immeasurable Buddha! Truly, how arrogant!”
Unlike his wildly flailing disciples, Cheong Heo Jinja was not angry. Having lived as a renowned figure in the martial world, he had never been treated in such a manner, so he only found it amusing.
“Hah.”
Taking a deep breath, Dang Mu Ho awkwardly followed Jo Hwi out.
To Jo Hwi, the Wudang sect was nothing more than a group of people who had barged in uninvited and made unreasonable demands, and he wasn’t particularly eager to be on friendly terms with them.
—
As Jo Hwi and Dang Mu Ho entered the Great Black Tavern, the owner, Yeop Ho, looked obviously flustered.
It was understandable, as the master of the main guesthouse had come to check out his rival’s establishment, rather than his own. Jo Hwi was, after all, a figure who controlled the entire area surrounding the Po Yang Lake, someone at the very core of the local power structure.
“Hmm.”
Jo Hwi calmly scanned the interior of the tavern.
It was tempting.
The Great Black Tavern (大黑客棧) had, as its name suggested, grown under the protection of the Black Heavenly Lotus sect for many years. This made it one of the most prestigious and well-positioned establishments by the Po Yang Lake. Its chefs were renowned, and it was the only tavern in the area that had successfully resisted the expansion of the Jo Gadae Merchant Guild.
For this reason, Jo Hwi had repeatedly attempted to purchase the tavern, sending his agents to entice the owner, but Yeop Ho remained adamant.
Jo Hwi set aside his greed and turned back to Dang Mu Ho.
“Did you come alone? Where are the rest of your household? It’s been a while since we last met, so let’s all sit together.”
“No need,” Dang Mu Ho replied with a faint smile. “I sent everyone back to Jo Gadae and came alone.”
Jo Hwi laughed bitterly, feeling a little frustrated.
These people from the Dang family had no sense of grandeur. Although the martial world was harsh, it seemed they had no sense of ease at all.
“By the way, aren’t you the head of the Great Wudang Sect? Do you think it’s fine to treat me like this?”
Jo Hwi chuckled lightly.
“Do Taoists not eat or drink?”
“Hmm? What do you mean by that?”
Jo Hwi’s smile grew more meaningful.
“Do you think the guild master is the type to boast or make a show of things?”
After a moment of contemplation, Dang Mu Ho had no choice but to smile wryly.
At his age, Jo Hwi had already achieved the peak of martial arts, earning the reputation of a master swordsman, while simultaneously controlling the commercial empire that spanned across Anhui and Jiangxi—he was an absolute ruler of the business world.
Any ordinary person would be arrogant about their accomplishments, but Jo Hwi was far from that type.
“Jo So Hyup is not that kind of person.”
“Then why, despite being such a person, would I go through the trouble of gathering people and starting a faction war?”
Dang Mu Ho froze for a moment as he realized Jo Hwi’s intentions. His face gradually turned into one of horror.
“Could it be…?”
“Yes. That’s right. For this faction war, I’ve covered all the Jo Gadae Guild’s places with products we proudly offer—food, drinks, fortunes, weapons… Everything. To them, these will be like new, heavenly items. What kind of reaction will they show?”
“Ha…!”
The main objective Jo Hwi was focused on for this faction war, though he might have other goals, was massive product placement. The faction war was the most grandiose event in the martial world, and Jo Hwi was determined not to miss the opportunity. He had woven an enormous advertisement campaign into the event.
“They’ll be stunned. No matter how high-minded the Wudang Taoists are, after tasting Black Clear Water, Six-Layered Noodles, Ice Wine, and Cold Tea, they won’t be able to keep their wits about them. Once they ride in our cloud-like carriages or handle our top-quality yet cheap weapons, they’ll probably grab at my pants leg, begging for a deal.”
Dang Mu Ho felt a chill run down his spine.
Jo Hwi’s face was now twisted into a terrifying grin, like that of an Asura.
It was bound to happen, just as Jo Hwi said.
Dang Mu Ho had also been caught in the web of Jo Gadae’s products. The first time he drank the Black Clear Water and Ice Wine, he felt a thrilling, almost miraculous sensation that he could never forget.
Now, he was giving all the profits from the iron ore trade with Sichuan directly to Jo Gadae.
The Black Clear Water, Ice Tea, and Ice Wine required special freezing techniques to be transported, but the Jo Gadae Guild had the means and demanded high transport costs.
Still, there was nothing to be done. Dang Mu Ho’s own people had become so dependent on Jo Gadae’s products that they could no longer survive without them.
Now Jo Hwi was declaring he would extend this reach across the entire martial world through the faction war.
Dang Mu Ho could already imagine just how massive Jo Hwi’s influence would be in just ten years.
This was more terrifying than his martial skills—it was his business acumen.
Yet, Jo Hwi had once been the benefactor who had stopped the history of conflict with the Dang family, and that was why they continued their dealings.
“By the way, there’s something I really want to ask you, Jo So Hyup.”
“Go ahead.”
“How is the Demon Sect faring? Did they really close their gates?”
At first, when Jo Hwi boasted that he had sealed the gates of the Celestial Demon Sect, Dang Mu Ho had not believed it.
What kind of sect was the Celestial Demon Sect? They were merciless and had tormented the Dang family for over four hundred years. The idea of them disappearing without a trace was impossible to comprehend.
Yet, as Jo Hwi had claimed, the sect had vanished. Their forces in Sichuan were completely withdrawn, and no activity had been detected in Qinghai or the Western Region.
“Honestly, it’s baffling. They rebranded as the Celestial Demon God Cult and haven’t moved from Xinjiang. It makes me even more uneasy.”
Jo Hwi smiled meaningfully, then dropped a bombshell.
“Actually… I am the Celestial Demon.”
“What…!?”
“I told them that if anyone leaves Xinjiang, I’d kill them all. So, they won’t leave.”
Dang Mu Ho’s face froze, his expression contorting with disbelief.
He tried to keep his cool and gritted his teeth.
“I’m not in the mood for such nonsense.”
“I’m not joking, though.”
“You…!”
**”Infinite Buddha! Truly arrogant!”**
Unlike his unruly disciples, Cheong Heo Jinja was not angry.
Having lived as a respected figure in the martial world, he had never been treated like this, so he was merely intrigued by it.
“Heh.”
Tang Muhuo, who had been sighing softly, awkwardly followed Cho Hwi as they left.
For Cho Hwi, the Wudang Sect was just a group of martial artists from the past who had shown up at the Joga Daesang meeting with unreasonable demands—people he wasn’t particularly keen on getting close to.
* * *
When Cho Hwi and Tang Muhuo entered the Daehuk Inn, the owner, Yeop Ho, looked visibly flustered.
It was understandable because the owner of the Joga Daesang meeting, who had seized control of the surrounding area, had unexpectedly chosen to visit a rival inn instead of his own.
Cho Hwi was the core figure who controlled the entire Poyang Lake region, and he was seen as a powerful force.
“Hmm.”
Cho Hwi’s gaze slowly swept over the interior of the inn.
It was tempting.
Daehuk Inn, as its name suggested, had long been protected by the Black Sky Alliance and had grown over time.
It was located in the most coveted area of Poyang Lake, and its chefs were skilled, making it the only inn in the area that had survived the encroachment of the Joga Daesang meeting.
Despite Cho Hwi sending his people to repeatedly try to buy out Daehuk Inn, the owner, Yeop Ho, remained steadfast.
Cho Hwi set aside his greedy thoughts and turned his attention back to Tang Muhuo.
“Did you come alone? What about the others? It’s been a while, so let’s all sit together.”
“There’s no need. I sent everyone to the Joga Daesang meeting, and I’m on my way back,” Tang Muhuo replied.
Cho Hwi gave a bitter laugh, feeling frustrated.
The people of the Tang family had no sense of leisure. Even though the martial world was a harsh environment, how could they be so uptight?
“By the way, is it acceptable to treat the Grand Master of the Wudang Sect this way?”
Cho Hwi smirked.
“Do Taoists not eat or drink?”
“Hmm? What do you mean by that?”
Cho Hwi’s smile became even more meaningful.
“Do you think I’m the kind of person who likes to boast or show off?”
After thinking for a moment, Tang Muhuo couldn’t help but smile wryly.
At his age, Cho Hwi had reached the pinnacle of martial arts, earning a reputation as a master of the sword. He was also the absolute ruler of the commercial world that spanned both Anhui and Jiangsu.
While someone with a more typical background might have been arrogant about their accomplishments, Cho Hwi was not that type of person.
“Cho Sohyeong is not that kind of person,” Tang Muhuo acknowledged.
“So, why do I gather people and engage in factional wars, if not for something more? What am I after?”
Tang Muhuo, suddenly realizing something, widened his eyes in shock.
“Could it be…”
“Yes. That’s right. During this faction war, we’ve decorated every corner of the Joga Daesang meeting with our goods. Things like food, drink, luck, weapons—all from the Joga Daesang meeting. To them, these are miraculous, new items. I wonder how they’ll react.”
“Ha…!”
Through this faction war, Cho Hwi had a few goals in mind, but the one he had prepared most carefully for was the enormous scale of his product placement advertisement.
The faction war was one of the grandest events in the martial world.
Naturally, Cho Hwi seized the opportunity and incorporated giant advertisements into the event.
“They’ll be stunned. No matter how high and mighty the Wudang Taoists are, once they taste Heukcheongsu and Yukgyeommyeonpo, and try Hanbingju and Naengcha, they won’t be able to keep their wits. How could they maintain composure after riding carriages that feel like walking on clouds and handling weapons that are both top quality and cheap? If they leave empty-handed, they’ll probably grab my legs and beg to do business with me.”
At that moment, Tang Muhuo shuddered.
The expression on Cho Hwi’s face was chilling, like that of an Asura.
It was certain that Cho Hwi’s words would come true.
He himself had been hooked on the products from the Joga Daesang meeting, like Heukcheongsu and Hanbingju.
The first time he had tasted them, he had felt the miraculous, cool burst of flavor shoot through his body from head to toe—something he would never forget.
Even now, when trading iron ore from Sichuan, he was sending all the profits to the Joga Daesang meeting.
Heukcheongsu and Naengcha, Hanbingju—these drinks all required special storage conditions, like freezing equipment. But transporting them from far-off Sichuan was an expensive and complicated task, and the Joga Daesang meeting demanded outrageous shipping costs.
But it was a necessity; even the Tang family’s people had become so addicted to the products that they couldn’t live without them.
In this way, the secluded Sichuan family had no choice but to give in to Cho Hwi’s grasp.
And now, Cho Hwi was making a public declaration to extend his reach across the entire martial world, using this faction war to do so.
Tang Muhuo found Cho Hwi’s ambition terrifying—not just because of his martial skills, but because of his business acumen.
If the entire martial world became addicted to the Joga Daesang meeting’s products, who could even imagine how much more powerful Cho Hwi would become in ten years?
His martial prowess was feared, but it was his business talent that was truly terrifying.
Despite this, Cho Hwi had been the benefactor who had helped the Tang family stop fighting.
That was why Tang Muhuo had continued doing business with him.
“By the way, there’s one thing I’ve been meaning to ask you.”
“Go ahead.”
“What’s going on with the Demon Sect? Are you really sealing the gates?”
When Cho Hwi had first proclaimed that the Celestial Demon Sect was effectively sealed, Tang Muhuo hadn’t believed it.
The Celestial Demon Sect had been one of the most ruthless and dangerous forces in the martial world, and now they were disappearing?
They had completely pulled out of their operations in Sichuan, and there were no signs of activity from them in Qinghai or western regions.
“We can’t make sense of it. They’ve even changed their name to Celestial Demon God Sect, but they’ve stayed inside Xinjiang. It’s even more unsettling that they haven’t moved outside of Xinjiang,” Tang Muhuo said, his face twisted with confusion.
Cho Hwi smiled meaningfully before responding bluntly.
“Well, that’s because… I am the Celestial Demon.”
“What?!”
“Yes, I’m the one who ordered them to stay within Xinjiang. I told them that if even one of them left, I’d have them all killed. So, they won’t be leaving Xinjiang.”
Tang Muhuo’s face turned pale as his jaw dropped in disbelief.
He had never imagined that the person in front of him was the very Celestial Demon he had feared.
“That’s a ridiculous joke,” Tang Muhuo muttered, trying to control his anger.
“I’m not joking.”
“Stop with these childish pranks.”
* * *
During the Grand Opening of the Sect, where one proclaims their dominance and demonstrates their influence, the martial artists from all around gathered to witness the extent of Joga Daesang’s power.
As the line of sects entered the venue, the first group to arrive was the Shaolin Sect, led by their representative, Moo Gak, who was puzzled by the large banners hanging around the venue.
The symbols on the banners were the same ones he had seen during his travels through the Poyang Lake area. The banners were as magnificent as expected.
The symbols displayed on the banners hanging throughout the headquarters of the Jo Family Business included the “Iron Horse” symbol representing the Anhui Iron-Clad Society and the hourglass-shaped symbol representing the Jo Family Brewery. Additionally, there were symbols for Jo Family Sacred Hall’s “Fortunate Pig” and the Jo Family Tavern’s “Mountain and River” motifs.
These banners, proudly representing the Jo Family’s affiliated factions, were displayed with great grandeur across various halls. Outside the halls, numerous stalls were set up, displaying their goods.
More elaborately, colorful silk banners fluttered across the sky, adorned with hundreds of oil lamps, creating a spectacle that left observers in awe.
However, as Mu Gak, the most renowned martial artist of the Nan Han Sect, continued to observe, he couldn’t shake the overwhelming sense of confusion growing within him. What he was seeing before him felt entirely different from the expected scene of a martial arts convention. In fact, it more resembled a large-scale night market than anything resembling the solemnity of a martial arts gathering.
As Mu Gak, lost in his thoughts, stood frozen, groups from the Wudang Sect, Kunlun Sect, and the Ami Sect entered the Jo Family Headquarters simultaneously.
“Amita Buddha…”
“Wow.”
Just as with Mu Gak, the other visitors were also struck by the luxurious display within.
Soon, as prominent figures from the various sects entered, cries from the merchants sprang up, trying to attract attention.
“Greetings! Come experience the ultimate driving sensation with An Hui Iron Horse’s newest model, capable of evoking the feeling of walking through clouds! Only fifty spots available for the trial ride!”
“Think all alcohol tastes the same? You haven’t tried our Jo Family’s Winter Wine! Refreshing like the northern winds and snow, come experience the new heights of our brew!”
“Do you remember the tears of our first customer when they tasted our Black Spring Soup and Six-Layered Noodle Dish? Come taste this culinary miracle, the revolution of Middle Kingdom cuisine!”
“Fellow martial artists, are you weary from your training? Have you ever wondered about the quality of life? Here is the proof of our dedication! Come see the new housing designs from Jo Family Construction!”
The Jo Family’s marketing team had been rigorously trained by Jo Hwi, their faces radiating warmth, their voices carefully pitched to charm, their eye contact steady, and their gestures just the right amount of engaging.
The elders of the various sects, who were mostly solitary cultivators, had spent their lives in remote mountains and forests. They had never witnessed such a scene and, despite their pride, were struck silent by the extravagance unfolding before them.
As they hesitated, members of the Moon Bamboo Sect, wearing vibrant colors, approached the martial artists, leading them toward various showcases.
“Hohoho! Fellow experts, come taste our ice-cold Winter Wine!”
“Hoho, have you ever ridden in our new Iron Horse?”
The ladies of the Moon Bamboo Sect naturally guided the martial artists by their sleeves, pulling them towards their respective booths.
Mu Gak, standing in the front of the Shaolin Temple’s monks, was startled by the sudden attention from the young women.
“I… I am a monk! I can’t drink!” Mu Gak protested, his eyes wide with embarrassment.
“Oops, sorry! Not wine then, how about our Black Spring Soup?”
Mu Gak, overcome by the overwhelming scent of perfume and the allure of the women, struggled to maintain control, especially given his strict monastic vows forbidding contact with women.
Unable to resist, he found himself drinking a cup of the Black Spring Soup and was immediately struck by the refreshing, sweet taste.
“Ugh!” Mu Gak could not contain his surprise, letting out an involuntary scream at how unexpectedly delightful the drink was.
Meanwhile, the Iron Horse vehicle passed by, and a familiar voice, that of a Wudang sect leader, echoed in awe, praising the smoothness of the ride.
“By activating this mechanism, you can open the roof and enjoy the fresh air!”
As the roof of the Iron Horse vehicle retracted, exposing the open sky, the martial artists could not help but be astonished at the extraordinary technology.
“Impossible!” “What is this!?”
The martial artists were witnessing unprecedented innovations, constantly marveling at the new technologies displayed by the Jo Family.
Just then, the famed Nanjun family, led by Nan Gong Zhang Huo and Zhang Yilong, appeared in the scene.
“From the Nanjun family, we greet the esteemed seniors of the martial world!”
Zhang Yilong, who was ever eager to test his skills against the martial arts masters of the world, looked around curiously at the famed monks from the Shaolin Temple.
As Zhang Yilong and Nan Gong Zhang Huo exchanged pleasantries, they noticed the martial artists from the Shaolin Temple, deep in conversation with a monk named Fa Sheng, who represented the Buddhist teachings.
“I hear the great master, Xiao Jian Shen, will be arriving soon,” the monk Fa Sheng said.
As they eagerly awaited his arrival, a new group entered the premises—the Five Poison Flags, signaling the arrival of the Tang family.
“…Amitabha.”
For the experienced masters of the martial world, encountering the true face of the Tang family was a rare occurrence. The Tang family, with its closed-off nature, had kept its activities to a minimum, and even when they did dispatch masters to events, they only sent a few.
But now, look at the Tang family and their overwhelming presence.
The head of the family, Bi Longjie, the Three Lords of the Poisonous Dragon, and the various clan leaders—along with the notorious Twelve Poisoned Hands!
The greatest experts of the Sichuan Tang family were gathered in one place, a scene that could be called a rare sight in the martial world.
Yet, with these figures entering the main entrance, there were two people who walked alongside them: Zhou Hui and Han Xuexian.
“Amitabha…”
“That youth is…!”
The masters of the Gu Pai (Nine Families) were in awe at the sight of Zhou Hui.
He wore his hero’s crown neatly, with a luxurious silken robe draped over his tall frame, truly an exemplary figure of the late martial world.
However, the admiration for Zhou Hui was brief.
“What is this!”
“Ah, such beauty!”
A pair of turquoise eyes, sparkling like starlight, seemed to pull the viewers in, as though they could fall into them at any moment.
Her hair, white as snow, was impossibly pure and mystical.
With a perfectly balanced, graceful face, a refined nose, and alluring, scarlet lips, her beauty seemed to exude an enchanting aura—something that shouldn’t exist in the world.
Could this be the legendary beauty, Xi Shi?
“Amitabha…”
But Master Fan Seng’s gaze was far from ordinary.
Her turquoise eyes and white hair reminded him of the legendary sorceress from the Central Plains, the Ice White Empress, Han Baihua, who once shook the land centuries ago.
As Fan Seng walked towards Zhou Hui’s group, the masters of the Gu Pai followed suit, one by one.
“Amitabha. May the opening of the Zhou family’s sect be blessed.”
Fan Seng was one of the few who understood the true depth of Zhou Hui’s skill.
“We truly thank everyone who has come such a long way to join us,” Zhou Hui said with great formality.
At this, the masters of the Gu Pai, who were not yet familiar with Zhou Hui, felt a sense of awe at his exceptional ability. They realized that a new force had appeared in the orthodox martial world.
“Amitabha… But, if it’s not too rude, may I ask about the identity of this young lady?” Fan Seng asked.
“….”
The turquoise eyes and snow-white hair.
Han Xuexian’s appearance resembled that of the legendary sorceress, the Ice White Empress, Han Baihua, who once painted the Central Plains with blood during the battle between the powers of the Central Plains.
Although this had been anticipated, it was something that had to be addressed sooner or later.
Zhou Hui’s eyes, as cold as the polar star, turned toward Fan Seng.
“This is awkward. This woman holds an important position within our Zhou Family,” Zhou Hui replied, his voice cold. “It’s impolite to ask about her background without any form of respect. Such actions seem unworthy of a senior monk from Shaolin.”
At Zhou Hui’s words, the room fell into an eerie silence.
Fan Seng, the head of the Shaolin Temple’s guest hall, was well known in the martial world. His age and rank had not yet been formally declared among the martial world powers.
“Amitabha, what rude words are these? If you claim to follow the orthodox path, you should be clear about your background. Do you dare teach a Shaolin high monk the ways of propriety?” Fan Seng retorted.
“Background?”
Zhou Hui laughed coldly.
“I doubt there is anyone here who could defeat me based on background alone.”
“What do you mean?” Fan Seng frowned.
“I am the direct disciple of the Sword God,” Zhou Hui declared, his voice calm yet filled with a chilling certainty.
“Wha—what?” the masters of the Gu Pai exclaimed, stunned.
Direct disciple of the Sword God? But the Sword God had long since passed away, his reputation a part of the ancient martial world’s history!
“How could the Sword God have a direct disciple?” one master said in disbelief.
Zhou Hui smiled nonchalantly. “He’s still alive.”
“Wha—what did you say!?”
The room was thrown into confusion as Zhou Hui’s bold claim shook the martial world’s old powers.
The tension was palpable when suddenly, Han Xuexian stepped forward, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Zhou Hui, enough. Stop now,” Han Xuexian said, her voice calm but firm.
Zhou Hui looked surprised. “No, step back. I’ll handle it.”
But before he could do anything further, Han Xuexian made a bombshell declaration.
“I am the seventeenth generation descendant of the Snow Wind Han family from the North Sea. My family name is Han Xuexian.”
The entire gathering froze at her words.
The masters of the Gu Pai, who had initially been stunned, now grew fearful.
Though it had been centuries since the Snow War, the shadow of the Ice White Empress still loomed over the martial world.
Before the appearance of the Martial God, the Ice White Empress was known as the invincible legend of the martial world. Her absolute ice power, which could cover entire battlefields with an unrelenting frost, was a terrifying force the likes of which had never been seen before.
Even after her death in the Snow War, the resentment of the Northern Sea’s people still weighed heavily on the hearts of the martial world’s masters.
“Amitabha… So, you are of the Snow Wind Han family,” Fan Seng said with a sigh.
Han Xuexian nodded coldly. “Who else could claim the Han family name from the North Sea?”
The winds of the North Sea began to swirl around her as she spoke, creating a chilling atmosphere.
The North Sea’s icy kingdom had been destroyed by the Central Plains, leaving little of the Han family to speak of. Only a handful of families still carried the name.
“Amitabha… From the Central Plains’ perspective, the Snow War is a deep wound, one that cannot be easily healed,” Fan Seng said quietly. “Though the conflict is old, it remains a source of hatred and sorrow for the Northern Sea people. Even if there are those who desire peace, it is clear that the name Snow Wind Han should be left behind. It’s best for you to live as an ordinary person now.”
The history of the Snow War and the tragic fate of the Northern Sea’s people remained a heavy burden.
Even though the Martial God had declared the war over, many of the Northern Sea people were still oppressed by those from the Central Plains.
“You suggest that I abandon my family name?” Han Xuexian asked, her voice icy.
“Indeed, as a descendant of the Northern Sea, you should abandon your family name,” Fan Seng replied, his voice resolute.
Han Xuexian’s eyes grew cold as the snowflakes around her intensified, filling the air with a chilling energy.
“Before the Central Plains warriors destroyed the Northern Sea, they once destroyed a cave called the Eternal Shadow Cave.”
“…”
The story was about to take a dangerous turn.
“In that cave, the disciples of the Yungum Seolga (永陰雪家), the most powerful among the Seven Great Clans of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, were hiding.”
Han Seolhyeon’s icy-blue eyes gradually darken with a sorrowful light.
“More than eighty people were trapped, but they had no food. Eventually, as one by one they began to die, they made a decision: the eldest would offer their bodies to their children.”
At Han Seolhyeon’s words, Cheong Heo Jinja’s face hardened. The masters of the Gu Clan, who had been listening to the conversation, also looked grim.
Han Seolhyeon’s voice continued, calm yet filled with sorrow.
The horrific tale of cannibalism for the sake of survival—an atrocity meant to ensure the continuation of a family—was so brutal it was almost unbearable to hear.
“Years passed, and the last surviving young member of the Yungum Seolga was rescued by the ice people of Seolpung Hangga, but by that time, he had gone mad,” Han Seolhyeon continued.
Then she went on, recounting the suffering of the Northern Sea, the tragic history that had marked their people.
As she spoke, Cheong Heo Jinja’s face grew increasingly contorted with disgust.
“Mu Ryang Su Bul, do you think we don’t have our own tragic tales to tell? Is it only your people who have suffered?”
Cheong Heo Jinja scanned the room of Gu Clan masters and fixed his gaze on Han Seolhyeon.
“All of them lost their sects due to the Ice Emperor! The invasion was clearly started by you!”
“I’m not trying to stir up old grievances.”
“…Then?”
“I am the descendant of those who died with such resentment. The ancestors of the Northern Sea have sacrificed for centuries.”
“…”
“How could I ever deny being from Seolpung Hangga, from the Northern Sea?”
For a moment, Cheong Heo Jinja fell silent, his face hollow as he opened his mouth again.
“Mu Ryang Su Bul… Is it possible that the revival of the Ice Palace is your intention?”
Han Seolhyeon bit her lip in silence.
If she acknowledged this, she knew the kind of persecution she would face.
She glanced at Jo Hwi.
His gaze was cold and unwavering, his lips tightly sealed. She could almost sense what he was thinking without him saying a word.
Yes, if it were him…
For a moment, Han Seolhyeon’s face reflected sorrow, but it quickly turned into a determined expression as she met Cheong Heo Jinja’s gaze directly.
“Yes, you are right. As a descendant of the Northern Sea, I am willing to do whatever it takes to rebuild the Ice Palace.”
“Ha…”
“Mu Ryang Su Bul…”
The masters of the Gu Clan were stunned, murmuring in disbelief. To speak of rebuilding the Ice Palace in front of so many in the Central Plains!
At that moment, a loud rumble shook the ground.
The entire foundation of the great Jo Ka Daesang Assembly trembled violently.
In Jo Hwi’s eyes, the white flames of the Skyward Sword’s divine technique flickered brightly.
The curtain of intention that had been maintained by Jo Hwi was finally torn apart, revealing his true power for all to see.
“This… this is!”
“Gasp!”
Cheong Heo Jinja, along with the masters of the Gu Clan, were now trembling in fear, struggling to suppress their internal energy as Jo Hwi’s immense pressure began to break their concentration.
The overwhelming pressure of his spiritual aura was so intense that they could hardly withstand it.
For those lower in cultivation, the overwhelming energy forced them to sit cross-legged and meditate just to survive.
As chaos filled the air, Jo Hwi’s icy voice rang out, his words clear and commanding.
“I, the head of the Jo Ka Daesang Assembly, hereby declare an absolute alliance with the Northern Sea.”
At these words, the entire assembly fell into stunned silence.
It was only then that the masters of the Gu Clan realized, with a deep sense of dread, that the rumors about the Sky Sword’s divine power were indeed true.
The white flames in Jo Hwi’s eyes were the clear sign of a transcendent level of cultivation.
His spiritual aura, which was pressing down on hundreds of the Gu Clan’s masters, was something no one had ever imagined.
The Seven Martial Thrones.
Or perhaps something even greater.
Very few had ever seen the true power of someone at the level of the Seven Thrones, and they couldn’t even begin to fathom its magnitude.
Cheong Heo Jinja, barely controlling his raging internal energy, clenched his teeth in frustration.
“Ahh! You must be aware that such words turn the entire orthodox faction against you!”
Jo Hwi let out a faint, mocking smile, not releasing his spiritual pressure.
“Do you know who I am? Have you investigated how the Black Heaven Alliance fell?”
“What?!”
“Just wondering, since you seem to be so confident in your position. After all, you’re standing in front of the person who single-handedly destroyed the Three-Peak Alliance, yet you still dare speak of enemies.”
Jo Hwi’s gaze swept over the Gu Clan’s ranks.
“Listen carefully. The Black Heaven Alliance had over sixty masters at the level of Hwa Gyeong, treated as elder-level figures in most sects. The so-called Black Heaven Death Slayer’s cultivation was immense, beyond words. Not to mention…”
Everywhere Jo Hwi’s gaze landed, masters of the Gu Clan began to writhe in agony, unable to withstand the pressure.
“With over three thousand elite-level cultivators, including the likes of Cheon Sal and Gwi Sal, the Black Heaven Alliance was no easy opponent. Their total forces, including the army and treasure vault, numbered over six thousand. And they had vast financial resources.”
And then, something catastrophic occurred.
The ground shook with a deafening roar.
Cheong Heo Jinja’s face drained of color.
Jo Hwi’s divine aura, already overwhelming, intensified into an unstoppable torrent.
The very air around them became suffocating as the overwhelming pressure of his divine intent spread like a storm, crushing everything in its path.
Even the grand flags and lanterns fluttering above them were caught in the turmoil.
A chilling voice cut through the storm.
“I am alone. The one who nearly wiped out the Black Heaven Alliance stands before you, and yet you still think I lack the right to lead?”
Then, Jo Hwi’s voice boomed like thunder.
“As the head of the Jo Ka Daesang Assembly, I declare that the Northern Sea and I are in an unbreakable alliance. How dare you speak of enemies in my presence?”
At that moment, the storm of Jo Hwi’s power dissipated, leaving a chilling silence behind.
Just as his overwhelming might as the head of the assembly was made known to all, Jo Hwi smiled lightly and turned to Cheong Heo Jinja.
“Soon, the Emperor will make a declaration, confirming that the Jo Ka Daesang Assembly is in an absolute alliance with the Martial Arts Alliance. You’ve made a big mistake. The declaration of the sect head is tantamount to denying that the Gu Clan is under the Martial Arts Alliance’s banner.”
Cheong Heo Jinja, still struggling to calm his internal energy, slowly regained his composure.
At the same time, Jo Hwi noticed the change in the atmosphere.
Most of the masters of the Gu Clan were still dazed, reeling from the aftereffects of Jo Hwi’s demonstration of power.
Now, the question was: who among them would represent the Gu Clan?
“Mu Ryang Su Bul… Is it true, the absolute alliance with the Martial Arts Alliance?”
“Soon, the head of the alliance will arrive. You can confirm it for yourself,” Jo Hwi responded calmly.
“Mm…”
The expression on Cheong Heo-jin’s face shifted to one of complex emotions.
If the leader of the Murim League had decided to ally with the Choga Daesanghoe, this was no ordinary matter.
The descendants of the North Sea had publicly declared the reconstruction of the Ice Palace.
It was easy to predict how the righteous factions would react to such news—clearly, the Murim League would have to immediately declare the descendants of the North Sea as enemies of the state and issue an extermination order.
But now, the Murim League had allied with the Choga Daesanghoe, who had declared an absolute alliance with the North Sea. This was a matter beyond even his control as the leader of the Wudang Sect.
At that moment, the Wudang Sect’s leader, Pang Ae-sa, stepped forward with his bell.
“Amitabha, it is an honor to witness the martial soul of the Little Sword God that I had only heard of in rumors. However, despite the great strength, you seem to be an uncivilized individual.”
Zhou Hui nodded.
“Uncivilized… I admit, it may seem that way.”
Pang Ae-sa rang the bell again.
“Amitabha. The righteous factions, like all forces in the martial world, revere power. But power without loyalty, righteousness, and honor is the way of evil. Right now, your image appears to be that of such an evil path.”
Zhou Hui let out a deep sigh and then gave a bitter smile.
“If I hadn’t shown my strength, do you think I would be able to protect my people, or this woman?”
At these words, Han Seol-hyun’s face turned as red as if it were burning, and her heart began to race uncontrollably.
“You are truly something else. That was a matter of hundreds of years ago. If you are going to bring up old grudges, then we might as well go back to the Great War of the Central Plains before justice and evil were clearly defined. Didn’t the ancestors of the righteous factions also fight among themselves? So why are you so friendly now? Have you forgotten the past grudges? Is that what it means to be descendants?”
“Amitabha! That was a thousand years ago!”
“Whether it was a thousand years ago or three hundred, those ancestors who accumulated their resentments are now nothing but bones, aren’t they?”
“Hmph!”
Pang Ae-sa trembled in anger, his lips tightly sealed. Who could win a verbal battle against Zhou Hui?
But then…
“Baekho-gi (White Tiger Banner)!”
“Sa, Samasegada!”
A huge White Tiger Banner was being raised at the entrance of the gathering.
It was an overwhelming display of power!
At the front of their procession, a muscular man with sharp eyes raised his fist to the sky and shouted a thunderous command.
– The Little Sword God, step forward before the Zhongtian Shoujia (Central Heaven Guardians)!
Finally, after centuries, the might of the greatest family in the world was revealed.