Chapter 61
The rumor that San Sword Sect had crushed the Zheng Xie faction spread like wildfire across Guizhou and Sichuan provinces.
With barely over two hundred warriors, they had routed more than five hundred Zheng Xie fighters, avenging their previous defeat—and even managed to kill the iron-fisted hero, Huang Zhangong.
When people first heard the news, they were skeptical. Then shocked. And finally, utterly amazed.
Alongside this battle, one name etched itself deeply into everyone’s memory: the Five Eagle Siblings from Zhejiang Province, known as the Doksu O family.
Among the martial artists of Guizhou, especially the ronin, stories about them were everywhere.
Those who had witnessed the battle firsthand brimmed with pride that seemed to touch the sky.
“So! When Ji Sang-im, the youngest of the Three Sword Maidens, shattered her sword into dozens of fragments, filling the air with sword shadows—at that moment, Quick Blade Miao Lang, Cheon Ju-eun, used the ‘Shadow Shift’ technique…!”
“What?! Shadow Shift?! That can’t be! I thought she was only a first-rate warrior!”
“Ah, you don’t get it! I saw it with my own eyes—it was definitely Shadow Shift! In the blink of an eye, she appeared right behind her opponent with a ‘swish!’ If that’s not Shadow Shift, then what is?!”
“Hey, cut the noise! I’m trying to listen here! Hurry up and tell us what happened next.”
“Alright, alright. So, Cheon Ju-eun appeared behind her opponent in a flash and calmly sheathed her sword. Then, blood suddenly gushed from Ji Sang-im’s back! The scene was so incredible, I nearly pissed myself from how cool it was!”
Cheon Ju-eun had earned a new nickname: Quick Blade Miao Lang.
Since Baek Jong-gwan and Cheon Ju-eun, both from the Thirteenth Generation’s Seven Clans, had decided to use their real names rather than aliases, this was the first nickname Cheon Ju-eun had ever received.
The ronin continued eagerly.
“That’s not all! Ji Sang-hwa, the eldest of the Three Sword Maidens, aimed her sword at Cheon Ju-eun, vowing to avenge her sister. But in the blink of an eye, their third sister, Yu Sword Immortal, Seo Yu, appeared before Cheon Ju-eun! Man, I thought a celestial fairy had descended from the heavens! Then she began to swing her sword—it was like watching a divine dance! Even now, thinking back, I’m left speechless!”
Seo Yu’s nickname was Yu Sword Immortal.
As the ronin recounted the tale, he suddenly gazed dreamily at the ceiling, lost in the memory.
The others around him grew impatient and urged him on.
“Hey, don’t stop there! Keep going! What happened next?”
Snapping back to attention, the ronin resumed.
“Right, right. Thinking of Seo Yu’s sword dance brings back that fantastic feeling. You really have to see it to believe it. Her swordplay was so graceful and elegant, it felt more like a performance than a fight! What’s more amazing is that Ji Sang-hwa couldn’t land a single blow and admitted defeat! Until then, I thought ‘Yuneng Jegang’—‘capable and mighty’—was just a cliché from martial novels. But seeing that moment, I finally understood what it truly meant!”
He smiled knowingly, scanning the faces around him.
“But here’s the thing. Up until then, none of us realized that no matter how bright the stars shine, their light pales before the sun. Ji Sang-im, Quick Blade Miao Lang Cheon Ju-eun, and Yu Sword Immortal Seo Yu were all stunningly beautiful—but that was only before the sun rose.”
His cryptic words made the listening ronin swallow hard.
They already knew who the ‘sun’ was.
An impatient ronin couldn’t hold back.
“You mean Yeon Hae, right?! The Celestial Beauty?!”
“Exactly! She was the true sun, the real fairy, the embodiment of beauty itself—the Celestial Beauty, Yeon Hae!”
One ronin frowned skeptically.
“Is she really that beautiful? I’ve heard people say everyone froze in place, time stopped—sounds like an exaggeration to me.”
The storyteller scoffed.
“Ha! Exaggeration? What nonsense. When Yeon Hae first appeared, we all thought we were hallucinating. I mean, is it even possible for a person to shine like that? Sorry to the other maidens, but after she showed up, the others didn’t even catch our eyes anymore! Damn! If I hadn’t been injured in that fight, I’d still be at San Sword Sect, just to see Yeon Hae.”
His regret was palpable, and the others exchanged uneasy glances.
It seemed they’d have to visit San Sword Sect themselves to see for sure.
The number of ronin applying to San Sword Sect had skyrocketed.
Day by day, more and more were flocking there, drawn by the legend of the Celestial Beauty, Yeon Hae.
Suddenly, one ronin asked.
“What about the elder brothers of the Five Eagle Siblings? I heard they’re formidable too.”
The injured ronin shuddered as if recalling something terrible.
“Ugh! Don’t even mention the eldest of the Five Eagle Siblings. That guy… he’s no human. He must be some kind of monster. Maybe one of those blood-cult demons. No doubt about it! Otherwise, how could he withstand a blow from a first-rate warrior’s axe bare-handed? Actually, he didn’t just withstand it—he shattered it! Cheolshin Meteor, Baek Jong-gwan, that guy is a terrifying beast. If you go to San Sword Sect, don’t you dare get near him!”
Fear was etched across his face, and the others swallowed nervously.
Then another ronin spoke up.
“What about the second brother? I haven’t heard any rumors about him.”
“The second? You mean the Reincarnated Dragon, Chang Hyuk? I haven’t seen him myself, but those who have say his spear skills are ghostly. In that battle, he killed even more Zheng Xie fighters than Baek Jong-gwan. No wonder he’s called the Reincarnated Dragon, even though he rarely shows himself. His spear technique and handsome looks remind people of Zhao Zilong from the Three Kingdoms.”
The ronin nodded in admiration.
“Huh, no wonder they’re from Zhejiang Province. How can people we’ve never even heard of be so extraordinary?”
“Right? And the mysterious Mountain Sword Sect from Zhejiang is said to be just as powerful.”
Over a hundred years ago, Zhejiang had produced the absolute martial masters: the God of War, the Thunder God, and the Sword God, who saved the martial world from successive crises. Since then, martial artists revered Zhejiang as a sacred land.
In fact, Haechungyeon had claimed to be from Zhejiang for that very reason.
One ronin sighed.
“Still, ‘Reincarnated Dragon’ is quite the nickname. Didn’t the eldest, Baek Jong-gwan, also get a Three Kingdoms-inspired nickname?”
“Yeah? Oh, right! That’s true. That monster was called ‘Reincarnated Xu Zhu.’ His massive build and fierce face reminded everyone of Xu Zhu from the Three Kingdoms!”
At the same time, the ronin of San Sword Sect had grown to over a hundred, standing at a distance and stealing glances at the Five Eagle Siblings’ every move.
Most of their gazes were fixed on Haechungyeon.
Seeing the Celestial Beauty Yeon Hae in person, her presence was so breathtakingly beautiful it left them speechless.
They whispered in hushed tones, afraid of being overheard.
“Look, that’s the Celestial Beauty, Yeon Hae.”
“Wow, is it really possible for such a beauty to exist? Yu Sword Immortal Seo Yu and Quick Blade Miao Lang Cheon Ju-eun are stunning, but Yeon Hae completely outshines them.”
“Sigh. If only I could get close enough to say a single word. I’d feel full even without eating.”
“You? Me? I’d work for free just to get that chance.”
Right now, the only wish these ronin had was to approach her and speak just once.
But…
Standing beside her was a hulking, muscular giant—so monstrous it was hard to tell if he was man or beast.
Cheolshin Meteor Baek Jong-gwan.
His overwhelming presence kept the ronin from daring to get close to the Celestial Beauty.
Just as much as Yeon Hae’s beauty stunned them, Baek Jong-gwan’s massive frame terrified them.
So, though they didn’t mind working without pay, none were willing to risk their lives.
Today, like every day, they remained at a distance, stealing furtive glances at the pair.
With the eyes of countless wanderers fixed upon them, the five siblings of the Eagle Clan were gathered. Their second brother, Jaerim Jaryong Changhyuk, was absent, so the eldest, Bae Jonggwan, became the center of attention. Three beautiful women surrounded him, speaking to him with gentle words.
Watching this scene, the onlooking wanderers couldn’t help but clutch their chests in envy.
“Look at that! How can that guy, Cheolsin Yuseong, keep such a cold, indifferent expression while surrounded by beauties? If it were me, I’d be grinning from ear to ear by now.”
“Are you curious about that? I’m just jealous wondering what that monster did in his past life to deserve such fortune. Hey, look at Seoyu Sojeo smiling so kindly at him. And yet, he looks so uninterested. What kind of guy is that?”
“Seoyu Sojeo isn’t the only one. Yeonhae Sojeo and Cheon Ju-eun Sojeo are also chatting with him. Did he save a few kingdoms in his past life or something? Wait, what’s this? Even with the Sojeos smiling and talking, he just gets up with a bored look?”
“Haah, is that what a true hero looks like? To win over beauties, you have to have that kind of unshakable calm?”
“Wow, so cool! I’m gonna be that kind of man from now on!”
“Yeah! Me too!”
But the reality behind the hero Bae Jonggwan, who had ignited their hearts, was a little different from what the wanderers saw from afar.
Naseoyu was comforting Bae Jonggwan, who was sitting slumped and dejected.
“Don’t worry too much, Lord Bae. People just don’t understand.”
Bae Jonggwan forced a smile and replied, “No need to worry, Lord Na. I’m fine.”
But his face, utterly drained of energy, betrayed his words.
Seeing Bae Jonggwan’s expression, Naseoyu feigned anger in an exaggerated tone.
“Ugh, how can people be so ignorant? Where in the world is there a Heojeo who wields a crescent moon blade? When you say crescent moon blade, you should think of Guan Yu! What’s this ‘Reincarnated Heojeo’ nonsense?”
The seven companions of the Eagle Clan knew well why Bae Jonggwan had trained so hard in crescent moon blade techniques and how much he admired Guan Yu from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Ever since Sunwoo Jin had handed him the crescent moon blade and told him about Guan Yu, Bae Jonggwan had been determined to earn a nickname related to Guan Yu, practicing his external martial arts as diligently as his internal.
He had been waiting for the day he could show off his crescent moon blade in front of others—and that was why he used his real name, Bae Jonggwan.
But when he finally earned a nickname for wielding the blade, it was oddly “Reincarnated Heojeo,” not Guan Yu.
Standing nearby, Cheon Ju-eun chimed in to support Naseoyu’s words.
“That’s right! He should’ve been called ‘Reincarnated Guan Yu’! Maybe it’s because Lord Bae isn’t yet a master at his peak. It might have been too much to give him a Guan Yu nickname when he’s only first-rate.”
At that, Bae Jonggwan’s eyes brightened a little. It was a convincing argument.
“Do you really think so, Lord Cheon?”
“Of course! Guan Yu was known as a god of war, right? So once Lord Bae reaches his peak, they’ll definitely call him ‘Reincarnated Guan Yu’!”
At that moment, Haechungyeon, who had been quietly listening nearby, spoke expressionlessly.
“But even among first-rank warriors, Chief Seolpung is called ‘Reincarnated Jaryong,’ isn’t he?”
“Ah, well, that’s, um, sister…”
“Ahaha, Chungyeon? Shall we step outside for a moment?”
Usually the wisest woman in the world, Haechungyeon was surprisingly oblivious when it came to social cues. Cheon Ju-eun and Naseoyu grit their teeth, trying to isolate her.
But by then, Bae Jonggwan had already lost all his spirit.
He rose weakly and said, “I’ll just go warm up for a bit.”
“Ah, Lord Bae?”
Far away, the wanderers watching the five siblings of the Eagle Clan had no idea that their heroes were having such conversations.
“Hmm, the five siblings of the Eagle Clan?”
“Yes, my lord. Wherever you go, their names come up. Especially the interest in the celestial beauty, Yeonhae Sojeo, is remarkable. I believe the Blood Sect’s leaders will also take notice, just as planned.”
“Hmph! We’ll see about that.”
Near the Golden Sands of Guizhou City, within the sphere of influence of the Yun family, two figures spoke quietly in a second-floor room of an inn: the Twelfth Grand Lord Manjongim and the Twelfth First Chief Domugon.
Separated from Sunwoo Jin and his group, Manjongim and the Twelfth First Chief had yet to achieve any notable results despite the passage of time.
They hadn’t heard it, but as Sunwoo Jin had said before, outsiders like them had almost no way to investigate the Yun family in Guizhou.
So, following Haechungyeon’s example, Domugon suggested using the Hao Sect, but Manjongim had flatly refused.
“Hmph! How can we call ourselves righteous heroes if we rely on the Hao Sect, a bunch of heretics? We’ll find them with our own strength!”
In the end, Manjongim reversed his stance and agreed to visit the Hao Sect after wasting about a week doing nothing.
But even then, nothing improved.
They had no clue where the Hao Sect branch was, having no connections.
Only after several days of inquiries among wandering warriors did they finally locate the Hao Sect branch, and they visited it just yesterday.
Domugon sighed deeply and asked Manjongim, “So, my lord, what’s the plan now? We got no information even at the Hao Sect branch. There’s nothing more we can do, right?”
Manjongim cleared his throat, displeased.
“Ahem.”
It was a frustrating but accurate observation.
At the Hao Sect branch, they had found no information about the whereabouts of Georyeokma, nor anything related to the Blood Sect.
Moreover, despite Domugon’s objections, Manjongim had directly asked if the Yun family was part of the Blood Sect.
The only response was a mocking sneer.
Recalling yesterday’s events, Manjongim ground his teeth and muttered, “I knew better than to trust those heretic lackeys. Just wait. After the Blood Sect, it’ll be your turn, heretics!”
Seeing Manjongim’s lingering shame, Domugon sighed deeply inwardly.
He secretly wished to rejoin the Thirteenth Division.
Carefully, he spoke up.
“My lord, given how things are, why don’t we just rejoin the Thirteenth Division?”
Manjongim immediately exploded.
“What are you saying? How can we join those who side with heretics and fight the righteous alliance? Can you still call yourself a righteous warrior after attacking the righteous alliance’s East Path, even if it was to find the Blood Sect’s leaders? We must hold you strictly accountable for that later! And you want to join them? Are you mad?”
Domugon had expected Manjongim to reject the idea, but the outburst was more than he anticipated. He bowed his head and sighed.
“I’m sorry, my lord. I was just frustrated. So, what do you plan to do now?”
Domugon actually suspected the righteous alliance as well, like Sunwoo Jin, but he knew it was useless to say so to Manjongim.
Manjongim relented slightly, lowering his voice.
“Hmph, hmph. Fine. I accept my mistake. But we must not repeat it.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Though no clear plan emerged, Domugon didn’t press further, knowing Manjongim would only get angry again.
Only a heavy sigh escaped him.
Then—
Whoosh! Tap!
Something suddenly flew through the window. Manjongim and Domugon swiftly stepped back, taking defensive stances.
“Who’s there?!”
But when Manjongim confirmed it was just a stone, he immediately leapt out the window.
“Who’s the bastard?”
Though he couldn’t see who threw it, he hoped it was someone connected to the Blood Sect.
The odds were slim, but he was desperate enough to grasp at straws.
And honestly, even if it wasn’t a Blood Sect member, he wanted to vent his frustration on whoever dared to pick a fight.
Still, despite rushing outside, Manjongim couldn’t find any trace of the thrower.
Only ordinary townsfolk passed by, casting curious glances.
Grinding his teeth, Manjongim returned inside.
Domugon, examining the stone, suddenly said, “My lord! There was a note tied to the stone!”
“A note?”
Startled, Manjongim snatched the note.
It read:
[If you want information about Georyeokma’s whereabouts, come to the western forest at midnight.]
Manjongim’s eyes widened beyond belief.
This was the first lead he had found since separating from the Thirteenth Division.