Chapter 328
“The fierce whirlwind dragon, Seol Poong, one of the Four Kings’ successors, has defeated the Hongsan Sect’s chief swordsman, the renowned Southern Sword of Honam, Wi Jeong-guk, and brought the entire Hongsan Sect to its knees.”
When this news spread, the martial world was thrown into utter shock.
No matter how much he was a successor of the Four Kings, Seol Poong was still barely in his twenties.
Yet here he was, having defeated Wi Jeong-guk—ranked among the top of the Thirty-Six Stars of the Martial World.
That alone was astonishing enough.
But it didn’t end there.
The unbelievable news that Seol Poong didn’t just defeat Wi Jeong-guk, but actually forced the entire Hongsan Sect to submit—it was a feat so extraordinary that it was nearly unprecedented in the entire history of martial arts.
The enthusiasts of the martial world, upon hearing this, went wild with excitement.
Some even compared it to the legendary event over a hundred years ago when the young Thunder God, also in his twenties, defeated the then-absolute ruler, the Martial Emperor, and his forces.
There were those who already hailed Seol Poong as one of the absolute masters surpassing the Thirty-Six Stars.
In their excitement, they argued:
“That’s not all! Back then, the young Thunder God was called the Supreme Star of the Martial World, just like Seol Poong is now! And in his twenties, he didn’t just fight the Martial Emperor and the palace warriors—he even defeated the Tongcheon Sect, one of the top powers in the world! It’s a bit strange that Seol Poong is a successor of the Four Kings’ Lotus, which inherited Tongcheon’s legacy, but his path is remarkably similar to that of the Thunder God!”
Of course, most people thought such praise was still premature.
But nearly everyone agreed on one thing: Seol Poong might very well grow into a master worthy of the title “God,” a title no one had earned in the past hundred years.
So, without hesitation, people began to replace Wi Jeong-guk’s name with Seol Poong’s among the Thirty-Six Stars.
Truly, the birth of a hero whose name would echo throughout the world.
Among the most ecstatic were the warriors of the Four Kings’ Lotus.
They were so moved by the public’s praise of Seol Poong that tears welled up in their eyes.
“To have a successor of the Four Kings’ Lotus compared to the Thunder God… Is this really reality and not a dream?”
“Of course it’s real! Seol Poong might claim the title of the world’s greatest warrior, a position no one from the Four Kings’ Lotus has ever reached! No, he might even elevate the Four Kings’ Lotus to become the supreme power in the world!”
“Yes, absolutely! Seol Poong is more than capable!”
“Ha ha ha! Let’s go! How can we celebrate such a joyous day without a drink?!”
“Ha ha ha! Sounds good!”
Meanwhile, the Four Kings’ leader, Gwe Gal-hyeon, had returned to the Four Kings’ Lotus headquarters in Taiju, Jiangsu Province.
Upon hearing the news of Seol Poong, he chuckled softly and muttered:
“If I were to become the world’s greatest, I would have done it first. This upstart is already being spoken of that way? Fifty years too soon. The enthusiasts sure do get carried away…”
Yet, despite his words, Gwe Gal-hyeon’s expression was quite pleased.
His bodyguards, noticing the softer expression compared to before, looked at their master with curious eyes.
“…He defeated Wi Jeong-guk? No, he even defeated the entire Hongsan Sect?”
Gwe Chang-gi, the second son of the Four Kings, asked with a look of disbelief.
He was still staying near the Nangong family in Anhui Province, preparing to challenge Nangong Jo, the head of the Nangong clan and the Sword Lord of Changcheon.
His subordinate replied with a weary expression:
“That’s what they say. At first, I thought it was just a rumor, but after hearing it from various sources, it seems true. He single-handedly took down nine of Hongsan’s top masters. It seems he’s made history.”
Hearing this, Gwe Chang-gi’s face mirrored his subordinate’s disbelief.
He stared blankly at the sky for a moment, sighed deeply, and then stood up.
His subordinate asked:
“Where are you going?”
Gwe Chang-gi smiled bitterly and answered:
“Let’s go home.”
“Home? Where exactly?”
“Where else? Back home.”
His men were stunned and asked in surprise:
“You’re going back? Home?”
“No! Why would you go back?! Since he defeated Wi Jeong-guk, we should hurry and take on Nangong Jo…!”
Gwe Chang-gi frowned deeply and said:
“What’s the point of defeating Nangong Jo now? To achieve a feat like forcing the Hongsan Sect to kneel, we’d have to defeat the entire Nangong clan, not just Nangong Jo. Do you think that’s possible with just us?”
His men fell silent, as if struck dumb.
Indeed, fighting the Nangong clan with their current strength was sheer madness.
Besides, a duel with Nangong Jo was one thing, but a war against the entire Nangong clan would be a fight to the death.
It would be catastrophic.
Gwe Chang-gi addressed his quieted men again:
“And… watch your words from now on. Don’t call Seol Poong ‘that guy.’ ‘That guy’?”
His men exchanged puzzled glances.
Gwe Chang-gi had never once called anyone “brother” before.
“Brother? Seol Poong?”
When his men questioned with strange looks, Gwe Chang-gi suddenly shouted:
“Didn’t I promise to call him brother if he achieved something worthy of my respect? Are you trying to make me look like a petty man who breaks promises? Shut up and start packing!”
But his face was slightly flushed—not with anger.
His men exchanged glances and quickly began packing.
Meanwhile, Sunwoo Jin and Seol Poong’s group hadn’t left the Hongsan Sect yet; they stayed there for several days.
They wanted to observe the sect’s efforts to reform and offer help if needed.
Sunwoo Jin thought the Hongsan Sect still had some unstable elements.
He didn’t distrust Cheong Gong Jin-in or Mo Dong-ju, but since they hadn’t yet fully taken control of the sect, unexpected incidents could still arise.
Moreover, there were likely still followers loyal to Wi Jeong-guk within the sect.
Sunwoo Jin explained to his companions:
“History shows us that even when a leader is morally condemned, there are always those who refuse to forget and continue to follow them. Especially in difficult times, like when a sect is about to close its gates, nostalgia for a strong past leader often surfaces.”
In other words, there could be those who refused to accept Cheong Gong Jin-in and Mo Dong-ju, still clinging to Wi Jeong-guk’s era.
Furthermore, some ultra-powerful masters who had been tied down in the south of Honam Province by the Hainan Sect and the Fukien Dragon Clan were returning, and their loyalties were unknown, making the situation even more precarious.
Therefore, Sunwoo Jin planned to bolster Cheong Gong Jin-in’s weakened forces by sending back the ultra-powerful sword masters of the Six Harmonies Sword Sect’s Heavenly Formation.
Though their memories weren’t fully restored, he thought it best to rebuild the sect together with Cheong Gong Jin-in.
Upon hearing this, Muk Rang asked:
Sunwoo Jin hesitated, then shook his head.
“I don’t plan to do that immediately. They could provide valuable intelligence on the sect’s situation, and those released from their bonds might develop different thoughts. We’ll quietly deal with them in a few years.”
Muk Rang commented:
Sunwoo Jin chuckled and asked:
“Disappointed, sir?”
He was referring to the story where Confucius answered his disciples Zilu and Yan Hui differently when they asked if one should immediately practice the Way upon hearing it.
To the impulsive Zilu, Confucius said, “How can you practice immediately when your parents and siblings are still alive?” But to the timid Yan Hui, he said, “Yes, you must practice immediately.”
The lesson was that while the principle of practicing the Way remains unchanged, the approach must be flexible depending on the person and situation.
Muk Rang used this story to support Sunwoo Jin’s decision.
He added with a smile:
“Yes, I will be careful. And… thank you, sir.”
Ignoring Muk Rang’s words, Sunwoo Jin smiled softly.
Among all he had gained in his second life, he thought the greatest was the bond he had formed with Muk Rang.
Muk Rang sensed this but pretended not to notice and changed the subject.
“Yes, that seems unavoidable.”
The Earth Formation’s peak warriors, who were the first to be recruited, had been implanted with memories unrelated to the Hongsan Sect, so sending them back was out of the question.
The bankruptcy members of Seolpung, who hadn’t yet recovered enough to think for themselves, were no different.
Meanwhile, Sun Woo-jin was climbing the mountain behind Hyeongsanpa alone, engaged in conversation with Mukrang.
He had come to clear his mind while taking in the scenery of Hyeongsan, one of the five most famous mountains in the world.
As he climbed steadily, Sun Woo-jin suddenly glanced toward the western sky.
What he saw was enough to halt his steps.
The afternoon sun was slowly descending in the west, gradually painting the sky in shades of red.
Against the backdrop of the sunset, the peaks of Hyeongsan rose like towering pillars holding up the sky, jutting sharply above the clouds.
It was a scene so mystical it was hard to believe it was real.
Sun Woo-jin couldn’t help but let out a breath of admiration at the majestic view.
“Indeed! This is a sight worthy of being called the Southern Peak among the Five Sacred Mountains.”
Mukrang echoed his awe in agreement.
“Yes, the splendor of Hyeongsan is truly something everyone should witness before they die.”
Just then, Sun Woo-jin sensed someone approaching from the forest behind them.
It was the presence of an ultra-skilled master moving with incredible speed and stealth.
Recognizing the familiar energy, Sun Woo-jin turned around and muttered, “Jin So-jeo?”
Suddenly, Jin So-eun burst out of the woods, only to freeze in surprise when she spotted Sun Woo-jin.
“Ah! M-Master Sun Woo-jin?!”
She looked utterly flustered.
Seeing her startled expression, Sun Woo-jin smiled gently and said, “You’ve gotten so used to hiding your presence lately that I didn’t notice you coming. Sorry for the surprise. But… is there something you need, So-jeo?”
Jin So-eun shook her head nervously and replied, “N-no! I just… I mean… Ah! I wanted to see the beauty of Hyeongsan! So, uh… hahaha…”
It was an excuse so obviously made up on the spot that Sun Woo-jin chuckled and asked, “You’re in quite a hurry to say that, aren’t you?”
Her face went pale, eyes wide like a frightened rabbit, as she struggled to explain.
“Y-yes?! Well, it’s just… the sun, the sun might set soon! I wanted to see it before it got dark. Haha, hahaha…”
Sun Woo-jin smiled softly, having already guessed the situation.
He hadn’t had a chance to talk with her alone these past few days, busy handling matters with others.
Knowing Jin So-eun’s personality, she probably wouldn’t have approached him boldly in front of others like Yeon Tae-jin would have, so she must have been waiting for him to be alone.
Understanding this, Sun Woo-jin smiled warmly and asked, “I was just about to enjoy the view of Hyeongsan myself. If you’re not in a rush, would you like to join me?”
Jin So-eun’s face instantly brightened.
“Yes! I’d love to…! Oh, no. I mean, shall we?”
She started to answer with a big smile but then suddenly changed her mind, looking embarrassed.
Mukrang muttered quietly, watching her lightly bop her own head in frustration.
“Looks like Yeon So-jeo told her off. Told her not to show how happy she really is.”
Sun Woo-jin smiled warmly as he watched her.
She was adorable.
Simply adorable.
For a moment, he thought it might be enough just to stay like this—like siblings.
But then he sighed quietly.
‘But… that can’t be. It shouldn’t be.’
Unless Jin So-eun wanted that, keeping things as they were would only be selfish on his part.
So the choices left were clear: either push her away or accept her.
‘No, actually, it’s not even two choices anymore.’
For Sun Woo-jin, pushing her away was no longer an option.
Jin So-eun had become someone precious to him.
No matter how he thought about it, cutting ties with someone who had shared life and death with him was unthinkable and unacceptable.
In truth, his relationship with Jin So-eun was already decided.
Of course, he still needed to get permission from Dang Ye-eun and be honest with Jin So-eun about everything.
Sun Woo-jin glanced at her.
She was gazing at the sunset-lit peaks of Hyeongsan with a radiant smile, clearly happy just to be walking beside him.
Pointing at the sunset with her finger, she exclaimed like a child.
“Wow! Look at that sunset and those peaks, Master! Don’t they look so mystical? How do those pillars stay standing like that? They look like they’d topple over with just a gust of wind… Could there really be immortals living up there?!”
Sun Woo-jin smiled at her childlike excitement and nodded.
“Indeed. A place like that could very well be home to immortals.”
She was truly a joy to be around.
Just being next to her made his heart feel pure.
He suddenly realized that the most captivating thing about Jin So-eun was her pure, kind heart that disarmed everyone around her.
With a playful grin, he asked her, “So-jeo, shall we check if there really are immortals living up there?”
“Huh?”
Jin So-eun looked puzzled, not understanding what he meant at first.
But when she saw Sun Woo-jin pointing toward the pillar-like peak, she finally caught on.
Her face lit up as she answered, “Yes! Let’s do it!”
Sun Woo-jin grinned and called out, “Then let’s go!”
“Let’s go!”
Without hesitation, the two masters took off like flying dragons, racing toward the nearest peak.
A towering pillar rising above the clouds, holding up the sky itself.
A little later, when the sun was halfway down the western horizon, they finally stood atop the peak soaring above the clouds.
The height was staggering—thousands of feet straight up—and the angle was more than vertical, but for Sun Woo-jin, it was no great challenge.
When the sun began to set, he hoisted Jin So-eun onto his back and surged upward through the clouds at an even faster pace.
Jin So-eun, initially startled, soon relaxed, having been carried like this before.
At the summit, she gasped in awe.
“Wow! Incredible!”
There were no immortals living there, of course.
But the view of the crimson sunset from the peak above the clouds was more mystical and beautiful than any immortal’s dwelling.
Sun Woo-jin and Jin So-eun stood entranced, watching the sun slowly sink below the distant horizon beyond the sea of clouds.
When the sun finally disappeared, they sighed involuntarily, gazing at the sky still glowing with red twilight.
Then Jin So-eun murmured softly, “I wish this moment could stay in my memory like a painting forever. So I could take it out and look at it whenever I want…”
Sun Woo-jin nodded.
“Me too. It’s truly a magnificent sight.”
Suddenly, Jin So-eun turned to him with a bright smile—pure and clear as if untouched by a single speck of dust.
Sun Woo-jin thought her smile was dazzling.
Maybe it was because of the lingering red glow of the sunset.
But it didn’t matter.
Even without the sunset, he already knew how radiant she was.
Without thinking, he reached out toward her face.
Moments later, beneath the grand crimson sky, their two shadows merged into one.
It felt so natural and inevitable that neither of them found it strange.
Only after a moment did Sun Woo-jin realize he was kissing Jin So-eun.
Panic flickered through him.
He had planned to ask for Dang Ye-eun’s permission first, but before he knew it, he had kissed her without saying a word.
Still, he didn’t want to pull away.
Her soft lips, her gentle body—it all felt so warm and comforting he couldn’t push her away.
Then, suddenly, a voice called out from behind.
A woman’s voice.
“Master Sun Woo-jin?”
“!”
Sun Woo-jin was startled, as if doused with cold water or struck by lightning.
It was only natural.
Here, atop this thousand-foot peak, someone had approached so close without him sensing it—even with his divine sight—and called his name.
Shocked, Sun Woo-jin shielded Jin So-eun with his body and spun around.
And then he froze like stone.
“!?”
He couldn’t believe the figure standing before him.
“How…?”
There she was.
A woman dressed in white, her bangs falling low enough to hide everything but her jawline—but even that alone hinted at her beauty.
Sun Woo-jin whispered her name.
“…Cheong… Yeon So-jeo?”