Chapter 14

Despite losing, he did not feel humiliated or defeated.

This was because his opponent was so far beyond him that he could not even be considered a rival.

As he composed himself and looked up at Jao Hui, a look of exhilaration appeared on Namgung Jangho's face.

The thought of living in the same era as such a great swordsman.

He knew the significance of it.

'Tianjianliu (Heavenly Sword Flow)...'

A sword that reaches the heavens!

It was an outrageous name, but it seemed fitting.

His final sword technique felt as if it did not belong to this world.

As Namgung Jangho looked at Jao Hui as if he were a woman, Jao Hui shivered.

"What are you doing? Get up quickly."

"Ah, I understand."

Suddenly, Jao Hui scanned the training ground.

The swordsmen of the family were looking at him with shock.

Having defeated the young master of the Namgung family, known as 'Little Sword Lord' and the leader of the Six Great Dragons, in just two moves, it was a natural reaction.

This was a reality that could not be compared to the insignificant life of Jao Yinghun, a perpetual civil service exam candidate.

A strange sense of intoxication.

It wasn't bad.

Jao Hui's thoughts were interrupted by Zhuge Yun, who had approached.

"I have something to say. I won't return to the alliance for now. I will go with you..."

"Wait. Just a moment."

Jao Hui's eyes, which were fixed and unshaken.

His gaze was on a young man dressed in the uniform of the Blue Dragon Corps, standing stiffly with his mouth tightly closed.

He was Jao Hui's older brother, Jao Xie.

Their eyes met, and Jao Xie walked over and stood in front of Jao Hui.

"Who are you?"

Sensing the unusual atmosphere from his brother, Jao Hui raised a barrier to block all sound waves within a three-meter radius.

Jao Xie spoke again.

"When you revived the iron chamber as Father was collapsing, and when you built various enterprises to turn Hefei into a paradise... I thought it was possible. After all, you were a very intelligent brother."

"..."

"But martial arts are different. After living together for a lifetime, how could I not know? You are not my brother."

After six years, his brother had become a dignified martial artist.

Jao Hui felt a heavy heart.

His eyes were firm.

It was a look of certainty.

Jao Hui's eyes soon became wistful as he looked at his brother.

"When I was eleven... It was a day with a beautiful sunset. You were crying for a long time under the ginkgo tree in the backyard. I just thought you were in pain from practicing your fist techniques."

"..."

"But as I grew older and thought back to that day, I couldn't understand why you were crying. Was it because of the injuries Father suffered from the bandits? Or because Mother was unconscious in the basket? Or..."

Jao Xie shook his head.

"I had a desire for revenge against the bandits who harmed our parents, but I didn't cry because of that."

"Then..."

"When we fled into the mountains for two months to avoid the bandits, our sister Yan..."

Jao Xie's clenched fists trembled.

Our already frail sister became even weaker after that bout of illness.

Now, she can't even go outside in winter. If she catches a cold, she will be bedridden for a week.

"Moreover... you...! My brother Hui..."

Jao Xie looked at his brother's stomach, which he had bitten hard.

"Isn't there a hole in your stomach?"

That damn bandit stabbed my brother's stomach with a spear as if it were a joke.

My brother was so shocked that he couldn't even scream.

He just stood there, his face pale, clutching his protruding intestines.

Thinking about how my brother vomited blood for four days and nights, I still feel my blood boiling.

"I couldn't protect my siblings. Since then, I have never stopped training my body. I... I..."

Finally, Jao Xie burst into bitter tears.

Only now did Jao Hui fully understand why his brother had been so blindly determined to become a martial arts master.

'Was it because of me...?'

Jao Hui's memories were just overlaid, but his personality was entirely Jao Yinghun's.

Therefore, he could only recall the stored memories and could not fully grasp the emotions.

What he could now confirm was that the original Jao Hui had died when he was reborn.

Otherwise, Jao Hui's soul would have existed in his consciousness.

Jao Hui, who had lived for over thirty years in a completely different world, could not feel true brotherly affection for Jao Xie.

However, Jao Hui's self had not completely disappeared.

Jao Hui smiled and revealed his stomach.

"It's all healed now. There's no trace left."

Smooth and strong abs.

"Is it really you, my brother?"

"Who else would know about your crying and whining?"

"Damn brat."

But Jao Xie still had one unresolved question, one doubt that he could not shake.

"What is that martial arts? How is it possible?"

Martial arts.

Jao Xie, who knew the arduous training and harsh trials better than anyone, was speaking.

He had trained his body for over ten years on the back mountain, priding himself on being the most diligent.

But those thoughts were shattered when he came to the Namgung family.

The people of the family were almost born to hone their martial arts.

He trained tirelessly for six years to catch up with them, but only achieved a second-class level.

Thinking about those days of intense training still brings tears to his eyes.

In his memory, his brother was a scholar who disliked exercise, let alone sword training.

Yet, he had defeated the Little Sword Lord with just two moves.

"Still don't get it?"

"What...?"

Jao Hui smiled.

"I'm a martial arts genius too."

Yes. Now, he could only bluff.

He himself could hardly believe everything that had happened, so how could he explain it to his brother?

"Damn brat."

Jao Xie instinctively felt that his brother was hiding something.

But there must be a reason for his brother's attitude.

Jao Xie decided to accept it.

"I will return to the iron chamber."

Jao Hui was puzzled.

"Suddenly? Why?"

It was hard to believe that such words could come from his brother, who was obsessed with martial arts.

"The scale of the trouble you cause is too big! Don't you feel uneasy creating so many debts?"

Jao Hui nodded.

"If you protect the family, I can rest easy."

"Conscienceless bastard."

With those words, Jao Xie turned and walked towards the outer courtyard.

Jao Hui watched his brother's retreating back and smiled.

Is he really my brother?

Soon, Jao Hui released the barrier that blocked the sound waves and approached Zhuge Yun.

"I'm sorry. Please continue."

Zhuge Yun's voice was cautious.

"Since you are now a vassal of the Namgung family, we should discuss this matter with the family head."

As if in response to Zhuge Yun's words, the family head, Namgung Shu, and the officers were walking towards the center of the training ground.

The family head, Namgung Shu, stroked his beard and spoke.

"Inspector, please speak."

"Family head."

Zhuge Yun, who had bowed deeply, replied.

"Normally, I should return to the alliance and report all the situations, but..."

Suddenly, a look of inspiration appeared in Zhuge Yun's eyes.

"After watching the sparring, I changed my mind. I will go to Jiangxi with Jao Hui. Please grant me permission."

"Is this entirely your decision? Without the alliance's orders?"

"Yes."

It means he intends to act alone without any orders from the alliance.

Such authority is only granted to those who hold positions equivalent to the law enforcers in the alliance.

"If there is no outstanding achievement, the responsibility will be heavy."

"Of course, I will take full responsibility."

The family head, Namgung Shu, stroked his beard for a long time and then his eyes sparkled.

"Entering the territory of the Black Heaven Alliance alone... That's bold. What is your purpose?"

Zhuge Yun answered without hesitation.

"Compared to the great martial arts, Jao Hui is a newcomer to the martial world. His sphere of activity is very free compared to the experts of the Namgung family."

"So?"

"The Silver Vow Order of the alliance is not an easy organization. There must be people hiding from the Black Heaven Alliance's assassins. I plan to rescue them. If we can obtain the information they have collected, it would be even better. Furthermore, I aim to rebuild the Silver Vow Order if the conditions allow."

The family head, Namgung Shu, looked at Zhuge Yun with a doubtful gaze after pondering for a moment.

"Is that really possible? That place is Nanchang."

Nanchang.

The headquarters of the Black Heaven Alliance, located in the Dragon and Tiger Blood Pool.

Zhuge Yun looked at Jao Hui with a slightly disappointed expression.

"Because he is an absolute presence unknown to the martial world."

The family head, Namgung Shu, also turned his gaze to Jao Hui.

"But even if I grant permission, it will be useless if our vassal does not agree, right?"

Suddenly, Jao Hui's face glowed like a demon.

"These are the black path factions who covet my wealth. There is no reason not to cooperate. However..."

Jao Hui's eyes became crystal clear.

"Rebuilding the alliance's Silver Vow Order? That's a damn good joke."

Jao Hui had no intention of forgiving those who coveted his possessions, whether they were the Black Heaven Alliance or the Martial World Alliance.

Jao Hui's face was infinitely cold.

Zhuge Yun, revealing his anxiety by biting his lip, spoke.

I made a mistake by rashly mentioning the alliance's threats to Jao Hui.

If I had known he was an absolute presence, I would not have uttered such a weak threat.

Zhuge Yun's mind was working furiously.

Soon, he seemed to have organized his thoughts and spoke.

"Alright. Let's say rebuilding the Silver Vow Order is the alliance's business. But obtaining the information they have collected wouldn't be bad for the Jao Family Trading Company, would it?"

"Hmm..."

As Jao Hui's face became serious and he fell into thought, Zhuge Yun added more persuasion.

"Black Heaven Alliance's agents might have already infiltrated the Jao Family Trading Company. Wouldn't it be better to have a clear view of their activities?"

The Silver Vow Order, the best intelligence organization of the Martial World Alliance, would have collected invaluable information.

"Alright. I will cooperate."

Jao Hui had no interest in being a puppet of the Martial World Alliance.

But if he could eliminate the enemies of the Jao Family Trading Company, he was determined to thoroughly use the Martial World Alliance.

Zhuge Yun bowed deeply to the family head, Namgung Shu, upon hearing Jao Hui's answer.

"Jao Hui has agreed. Now, only the family head's permission remains."

The family head, Namgung Shu, with a serious expression, suddenly looked at Namgung Jangho.

His son's passionate face.

His fiery eyes were burning like the sun.

As a father, he knew what his son wanted.