Chapter 229
Hengshan, Hunan Province.
Among the countless mountains across the land, this magnificent peak—known to the people as Nan’ak—was home to the mighty sect that ruled all of Hunan: the Hengshan Sect.
The rise of the Hengshan Sect was nothing short of astonishing.
Once, it was merely a minor sect influencing only the Nan’ak region of Hunan. But in just over a decade, it had not only become one of the Seven Great Sects but had also come to dominate the entire province.
People whispered that while the Hengshan Sect had been at the bottom rung of the Seven Great Sects ten years ago, in another ten years, it might well become their leader.
And there was no doubt that this meteoric rise began when the current sect leader, Wei Zhengguo—the Greatest Sword of Hunan—took the helm.
These days, everyone called him the greatest sect leader in Hengshan’s history.
Now, Wei Zhengguo sat in his office, receiving a report from Zuo Jiayun, the head of the Outer Hall.
“…After that, this In Parang fellow is reportedly moving toward the Great Southern Path,” Zuo Jiayun reported.
Wei Zhengguo’s cold, unreadable expression remained fixed as he suddenly asked, “What’s the reaction from the Demonic Realm?”
Avoiding his gaze, Zuo Jiayun answered cautiously, “There’s been no response at all. But since they haven’t replied to our proposal either… I suspect it means they’re willing to meet if he comes.”
A faint, bitter smile flickered across Wei Zhengguo’s face.
“That whale, trapped on an island and growing old… how arrogant.”
Zuo Jiayun asked carefully, “What shall we do? Should we abandon the alliance with him?”
Wei Zhengguo shook his head slowly, the bitter smile lingering.
“That’s not an option. We can’t miss this perfect chance to pit the Saintess against the Demonic Realm. Didn’t he say he’d consider an alliance if we dealt with the Fuzhou Dragon Clan first? Let’s play along with that. We’ll strike the Fuzhou Dragon Clan first—and then take care of In Parang. Jin Taedo’s been whining anyway; better to eliminate him early.”
His sharp gaze fixed on Zuo Jiayun as he asked, “Are the Six Harmonies Sword Guards ready?”
Zuo Jiayun bowed crisply. “All are prepared. The three Sky Piercing Squads and ten Mountain Piercing Squads stand ready to deploy at any moment.”
Their strength?
“As you personally tested, Sect Leader, one Sky Piercing Squad can take down a top-tier master ranked among the Thirty-Six Stars of the World, and one Mountain Piercing Squad can handle two or more ultra-elite fighters. Our preparations are flawless.”
The Six Harmonies Sword Guards were Hengshan’s secret elite force, developed by Wei Zhengguo over the past seven or eight years.
In his youth, driven by jealousy, Wei Zhengguo had murdered his senior brother—the leading candidate for the next sect leader.
Realizing his grave mistake, he fled and by chance discovered a hidden cave containing the legacy of the previous generation: the ultimate sword techniques of Hengshan, including the legendary Oro Sword Style.
By returning all the techniques except the Oro Sword Style to the sect, he was forgiven for his crime.
Later, mastering the Oro Sword Style alone, he rose to become Hengshan’s strongest warrior.
After becoming sect leader, Wei Zhengguo focused on one technique among those he found: the Demise Six Harmonies Sword Formation.
This formation allowed six swordsmen to share a single mental image, enabling them to defeat opponents far stronger than themselves.
With a predatory grin, Wei Zhengguo said, “Finally, it’s taken long enough.”
He gave his orders.
“Deploy them. Let’s test their strength briefly. Move all Sky Piercing and Mountain Piercing Squads to Baekwoon Hall. Two Mountain Piercing Squads will handle In Parang, and the other three will take care of the Ban Hyun Assembly first.”
Baekwoon Hall was Hengshan’s puppet sect located in Jiangxi Province to the east of Hunan.
Since the Fuzhou Dragon Clan was in Fujian Province, they had to pass through Jiangxi first, so the squads were to move there initially.
But Zuo Jiayun hesitated and asked, “Do we really need two Mountain Piercing Squads for In Parang? That force should be enough to handle three or four ultra-elite fighters.”
Wei Zhengguo’s eyes shifted coldly as he replied, “I prefer certainty, Zuo Jiayun. If you underestimate the enemy and lose even one precious Six Harmonies Sword Guard, will you take responsibility?”
Under that icy glare, Zuo Jiayun quickly bowed his head in apology.
“N-no, Sect Leader! I’ll follow your orders exactly!”
Wei Zhengguo stared coldly at the bowed man, displeased that he had questioned him.
Though Zuo Jiayun was appointed for his loyalty rather than skill, Wei Zhengguo was beginning to think he might have raised him too much.
At that moment, a faint presence was sensed outside the office door—so subtle only a master like Wei Zhengguo could detect it.
“Hm?”
Just as he turned toward the door, it slid open silently, and a woman stepped in.
She was beautiful, dressed in flowing white robes, barefoot, moving as quietly as drifting mist.
Her voice was soft and moist as she spoke.
“Is it taking long? I got tired of waiting and came myself.”
She exuded a mysterious aura like dawn mist, pure and fresh like a single daffodil.
As she spoke, the room seemed to fill with the scent of blooming flowers.
Seeing her, Wei Zhengguo’s earlier displeasure vanished, replaced by a warm smile.
“It’s all done, Wu He. We’ll be leaving soon.”
She glanced at him briefly, then turned to leave.
“I’ll be in the garden. Don’t keep me waiting too long.”
Even after she left, the scent of flowers lingered in the room.
Wei Zhengguo stared blankly at the door she had exited, then glanced at Zuo Jiayun.
Zuo Jiayun had also been staring at her in a daze but quickly snapped out of it and bowed deeply.
He knew well that Wei Zhengguo would never tolerate another man’s gaze lingering on her.
Though Zuo Jiayun couldn’t understand why, that very respect saved his life.
Satisfied, Wei Zhengguo dropped his earlier anger and returned to business.
“What about the Ban Hyun Assembly? Have we located their base?”
“Ah, they recently…”
Outside the office, Wu Nanxue—one of the Five Great Beauties of the Demonic Sect—paused instead of heading to the garden.
Known as the Mysterious Wu He for her barefoot, mist-like movements and pure aura reminiscent of the ancient Chu beauty, she pressed her hand against the wall, focusing on the vibrations inside.
After a moment, she resumed her silent, flowing movement toward the garden.
Once there, she strolled slowly around the pond nestled in a corner of the flower garden.
Her mere presence made the garden seem shrouded in a mystical mist.
The Hengshan warriors on guard struggled to avoid looking at her, but in doing so, they missed what happened next.
A single reed by the pond quietly slipped beneath the water’s surface.
Through a hole beneath the pond, a figure silently swam out beyond Hengshan’s territory.
Screeeeee!
Under a clear sky, a brown hawk soared gracefully.
Its head darted left and right, searching for prey.
Suddenly, it spotted something and dove sharply.
Swoosh!
The speed was incredible.
Had it targeted a rabbit unaware of its presence, the hawk’s strike would have cleanly severed its head.
But its target was not a rabbit.
It was a man—an elderly gentleman with a dignified bearing.
Flapping its wings, the hawk slowed just before reaching him.
The old man, sipping from a gourd of wine, didn’t even look at the hawk.
He casually raised one arm.
In the next instant, the hawk landed gracefully on his arm.
The elegant landing of the hawk, descending like an arrow but settling smoothly, and the old man drinking with one hand while calmly receiving the bird with the other, was a sight to behold.
A short-haired woman named Jin So-eun, watching nearby, exclaimed in admiration.
“Wow! That’s amazing, Master Son!”
The elderly man, Son Daesu, known as the Drunken Wanderer, chuckled as he untied the message tied to the hawk’s leg.
“Hahaha! What’s there to be so impressed about?”
His granddaughter, Son I-rang, stuck out her tongue playfully.
“Grandpa’s just showing off with his hawk, isn’t he?”
Clearing his throat, Son Daesu began reading the message.
“Hmm, hmm… When did I ever boast?”
But as he read, his playful expression hardened.
He then spoke cautiously to Sun Woojin, who had been silently watching.
“Master Woojin, it seems there’s something you need to know.”
Sun Woojin nodded silently.
Son Daesu continued, “The Hengshan Sect has made a move. It seems they’ve sent their secret elite force to you.”
Sun Woojin stared at him for a moment, then slowly spoke.
“Wouldn’t you owe me a more detailed explanation?”
Sun Dae-soo’s true status had already been a suspicion for Seon Woo-jin. He sensed that the wandering swordsman, known for his fondness for drink, was more than just a carefree vagabond as the others claimed.
Now, seeing him up close, it seemed Sun Dae-soo’s identity far exceeded anyone’s imagination.
To think he would reveal the inner workings of the Hyungsan Sect—such information would be impossible to obtain even for Hao Moon, the most notorious intelligence group.
Sun Dae-soo sighed deeply before speaking.
“You’re right. This will take some time. Why don’t we sit down and talk?”
The group gathered on a grassy clearing in the forest.
Even Sun Dae-soo’s granddaughter, Son Yi-rang, wore an unusually serious expression. Meanwhile, Jin So-eun, clueless about the gravity of the situation, looked around nervously.
Finally, Sun Dae-soo began.
“First, I must apologize for approaching you, Master In, while hiding our true identities. I am actually a member of a group called Banhyunhoe. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Sun Dae-soo, the Twelfth Member of Banhyunhoe, and I greet you, Master In.”
Jin So-eun’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Banhyunhoe?”
She looked puzzled. She had never heard of such a group before.
That was strange.
Surely, a top-tier martial artist like Sun Dae-soo wouldn’t belong to some obscure, third-rate sect no one had ever heard of.
Puzzled, Jin So-eun tilted her head.
At that moment, Seon Woo-jin spoke slowly.
“So, it’s a group opposed to the Hyungsan Sect. A secret society, then.”
Sun Dae-soo nodded with a hint of admiration.
“Exactly. We are those who have lost family, friends, or disciples to the Hyungsan Sect—or those who oppose their ruthless and violent expansion.”
In Seon Woo-jin’s mind, Muk-rang seemed to murmur in approval.
—They’ve truly appeared. Just as you planned.
Originally, when Seon Woo-jin intended to act under the name In Parang, he had explained to Seol Poong and Jeung Chil that if he opposed Jin Tae-do and the Hyungsan Sect under that alias, forces opposing Jin Tae-do and the Haenam faction would surely reach out.
And just as he predicted, the opposition to the Hyungsan Sect had revealed itself—before even fully entangling with the sect.
Even for Seon Woo-jin, the accuracy of his prediction was astonishing.
Still, he answered with a sheepish tone.
“Not entirely. I expected the Haenam faction opposing Jin Tae-do to appear, but I thought the chance of a group opposing the Hyungsan Sect showing up was fifty-fifty. I never imagined they’d show up before the Haenam faction.”
That was true.
He hadn’t expected to make contact with them before the Hyungsan Sect even moved.
The fact that the Hyungsan Sect had spread rumors only about Jin Tae-do during the recent attack on Baekgyo Bang was likely because they wanted to deal with Jin Tae-do first.
Yet these people had followed him even before that attack—there had to be a reason.
Seon Woo-jin had a good guess.
He said to Sun Dae-soo, “Banhyunhoe must have planted a spy deep within the Hyungsan Sect’s upper ranks. That’s how they knew about this incident and that the Hapsan faction was their puppet. You were lying in wait at Hapsan to find evidence, weren’t you?”
Sun Dae-soo’s face showed shock.
Seon Woo-jin had deduced the most critical secret of Banhyunhoe—the existence of a spy inside the Hyungsan Sect—with just a few clues.
He was already known as a prodigy in martial arts, but to possess such insight was truly terrifying.
“If he can survive another ten or twenty years, the title of ‘One of the Thirty-Six Stars of the World’—no, perhaps even the position of the ‘Fifteen Absolute Masters’—might be at risk.”
Sun Dae-soo, fully convinced, gave a hollow laugh and nodded.
“Ha ha ha, Master In, you are truly formidable. You saw it all clearly. Did you know from the start that I was part of Banhyunhoe?”
Seon Woo-jin shook his head silently.
“No. This is the first time I’ve heard of Banhyunhoe—from you. But I did suspect that there must be people opposing the Hyungsan Sect somewhere, and that I might encounter them as I resist the sect. Though I thought it would be much later.”
Sun Dae-soo nodded gravely and continued.
“Indeed. If we hadn’t met by chance at Hapsan, we might have only learned of your existence much later. Perhaps this is fate—or even divine intervention.”
Seon Woo-jin smiled faintly.
“I hope so. Now, could you tell me more about the Hyungsan Sect?”
Sun Dae-soo nodded and began his serious explanation.
“The Hyungsan Sect has been secretly training warriors called Yukhab Geomsu for the past seven or eight years.”
Seon Woo-jin frowned slightly, repeating the term.
“Yukhab Geomsu?”
It was a strange term.
On the surface, it meant swordsmen skilled in the Yukhab Sword Technique—a third-rate style you could find in any street bookstore.
So for the Hyungsan Sect to have been secretly training such swordsmen for years seemed odd.
He waited for Sun Dae-soo’s next words.
Sun Dae-soo explained further.
“Yukhab Geomsu are swordsmen who have mastered the Hyungsan Sect’s secret formation technique called the ‘Gui-myeol Yukhab Sword Formation.’”
“Gui-myeol Yukhab Sword Formation?”
“Yes. It’s a formation where six swordsmen move as one. When a first-rate warrior uses it, they can defeat a peak master; when a peak master uses it, they can overcome an ultra-peak master. It’s a terrifying technique.”
That was astonishing.
The difference between first-rate and peak masters was like a wildcat versus a tiger; between peak and ultra-peak, like a housecat versus a tiger.
And here was a formation that allowed six housecats to defeat a tiger—a truly incredible secret technique.
Seon Woo-jin muttered thoughtfully.
“Six first-rate swordsmen defeating a peak master, six peak masters defeating an ultra-peak master… There must be a reason for such an effect. Perhaps that’s why the technique must be learned in secret.”
Seon Woo-jin’s sharp gaze prompted Sun Dae-soo to chuckle bitterly.
“Ha ha, you’re absolutely right, Master In. To move as one, the six swordsmen must entrust their wills to a single leader.”
“Entrust their wills to one person… You don’t mean—?”
Seon Woo-jin’s eyes widened in shock.
Sun Dae-soo nodded solemnly.
“Yes. All but the leader must have their personalities erased.”
Hearing this, Seon Woo-jin let out a bitter laugh.
Muk-rang, inside him, echoed the sentiment.
—Hah! The righteous sects… resorting to such methods?
Erasing a person’s personality to enhance combat ability.
It was the kind of thing only the Blood Cult would do.
Whether turning people into mindless weapons like the Blood Cult, or erasing personalities to make them mere parts of a formation like the Hyungsan Sect—what’s the difference?
Seon Woo-jin suppressed his rising anger and asked Sun Dae-soo.
“Has the Hyungsan Sect always operated this way?”
Sun Dae-soo nodded silently.
Though he said nothing, his eyes conveyed a complex mix of emotions—an unspoken but firm confirmation.
Seon Woo-jin calmed himself and spoke slowly.
“So, these Yukhab Geomsu are coming after me.”
“That’s right. The ultra-peak warriors among them are called the Pacheon team; the peak warriors are the Pasan teams. They’ve sent two Pasan teams after you, and three Pasan teams to deal with our Banhyunhoe.”
Seon Woo-jin smirked.
“So they consider me at least two ultra-peak masters. I should send them a thank-you note.”
Though sarcastic, Sun Dae-soo didn’t respond to the joke.
Instead, he asked with a dark expression.
“What will you do now, Master In? Even you…”
Sun Dae-soo seemed to think Seon Woo-jin might be overwhelmed.
But Seon Woo-jin smiled faintly, cutting him off.
“I’m fine. Our forces can handle that level. What worries me is that those aren’t the only ones targeting us.”
Sun Dae-soo looked puzzled.
“Not the only ones?”
Seon Woo-jin suddenly smiled toward the southern sky.
“Haenam’s Demon Sword, Jin Tae-do. I think his blade will reach us first. Maybe he’s already nearby.”
Following Seon Woo-jin’s gaze, the group looked southward.
Their eyes filled with deep concern.