Chapter 72. Vengeance (怨讐), and Water (原水) (2)

"Sir, there's a report that Yanhaozheng has made contact with the Blue Party and is advancing south after their annihilation!"

"Is that so?"

Myeong Wusan clenched his fist.

'That's it.'

The Blue Party was no different from bait.

Given Yanhaozheng's character as reported, it seemed unlikely that he would be captured easily. If he could be escorted to the Ming family without a fight, that would be a good thing.

In the end, people would have seen Yanhaozheng's ruthless side. The moment the rumor became the truth.

Just up to this point. Myeong Wusan, who had made Yanhaozheng a major criminal with the Blue Party, did not want to waste any more troops.

"Contact the three brothers. Have them fight in a crowded place. They must capture Yanhaozheng with overwhelming force."

"Understood."

Myeong Wusan could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

'It's finally over.'

Upon reflection, it was truly absurd how things had unfolded.

Yanhaozheng was an extraordinary man. His martial arts, combat skills, and response were beyond imagination, leaving the Ming family flustered.

But upon further thought, it didn't seem that the entire Ming family was flustered solely because of Yanhaozheng. It felt like something else was gnawing at the Ming family's flesh.

He couldn't figure out what it was. An inexplicable unease kept gnawing at his mind.

'...Well, it doesn't matter now.'

Myeong Wusan would never know in his lifetime. That was his fate.

Yanhaozheng, through his own efforts and sacrifices, had made the wheels of fate turn faster. He merely wanted to destroy it with his own hands before it collapsed on its own.

Myeong Wusan, and the Ming family, did not know this.

"By the way."

After reviewing a few documents, Myeong Wusan fell into thought.

"It's too fast, isn't it?"

The rumor that Yanhaozheng was the suspect in the unsolved crimes in Jiangsu Province was spread by the Ming family.

It was a manipulation of information to gain legitimacy and justification. The Ming family had also taken measures to spread the rumor quickly.

But it was too fast.

It would take at least five days for a rumor to spread, yet the information released in Zhengzhou and Kaifeng had spread throughout Henan in just four days.

The incredible speed left Myeong Wusan flustered. Myeong Chien scolded him, asking what the problem was, but unexpected events always caused problems.

'Could it be the Kaifeng? But that's unlikely.'

If the Kaifeng had fueled the rumor, it could have made all of Henan buzz in four days.

The problem was the reason. The Kaifeng had been helping Yanhaozheng all along. If they had tried to suppress the rumor, it would make sense, but there was no reason to inflate it.

Therefore, the probability of it being the Kaifeng was low.

Then who could it be?

"...Well, as the head of the family said, let's overlook the trivial matters. That's not important right now."

He was wrong.

He should have pursued this issue to the end. He should have relentlessly investigated who had inflated the rumor and why.

Of course, by the time he found out, the situation would already be out of control.

* * *

Rumble.

As Yanhaozheng walked along the road, he thought about his martial arts.

'The Bilarjinjue has reached the eighth level (八成).'

Before leaving his family, the Bilarjinjue had been at the sixth level, but it had grown two levels since then.

He already knew everything about the Bilarjinjue. It was a process of internalizing the enlightenment he had intellectually accepted, so his progress was naturally faster than others.

Still, it was unusual to have grown two levels in such a short time. If he had only practiced the Bilarjinjue, he would have just reached the seventh level.

'Thanks to the Four Divine Techniques (四神氣).'

Baihu Qi, Xuanwu Qi.

Thanks to these two energies, the total amount of qi his body could absorb increased. At the same time, he continuously expelled impurities, maintaining his body in optimal condition.

The qi channels, which had been like a stream, widened into a river. As a result, the quantity and quality of the flowing qi increased.

A continuous positive cycle. Thanks to this, the Bilarjinjue's progress sharply increased.

Rumble. Rumble.

With each step, a pale green qi rose from his feet like smoke.

It was a mysterious sight. It was also to control the atmosphere, but at the same time, he was cultivating his martial arts.

He was using the Bilarjin Qi to increase the density of the outer wall of his dantian.

'Eight levels... but it's not enough.'

It was fast progress, but he still felt it was insufficient.

Because he didn't know what kind of expert might emerge from the Ming family. If a top expert were to appear, even the great Yanhaozheng would find it difficult to block them.

'Well, thinking about it, heading towards the Ming family doesn't make sense.'

The Ming family was truly the first family under heaven. They must have an incalculable number of experts.

'At the very least, I should have reached the ninth level (九成). It would be good if I could reach it now.'

It was impossible, at least for now.

Of course, there was one way to immediately increase the Bilarjinjue's level.

'If I can summon one more of the remaining two energies of the Four Divine Techniques (四神氣)...'

He had summoned Xuanwu and opened Baihu.

Now, he didn't need to engage in a life-or-death battle to obtain the other Divine Techniques. By balancing the Baihu Qi and Xuanwu Qi and continuously expanding their size, he would eventually be able to summon another Divine Technique.

But he lacked time.

In the end, he would have to face the end with the Bilarjinjue at the eighth level.

'If, in this battle, I can summon one of the remaining two...'

Yanhaozheng's eyes gleamed.

'Which one should I choose, Zhuque (朱雀) or Qinglong (靑龍)?'

Whichever he obtained, his body and martial arts would greatly improve.

Moreover, summoning them was not the end. Even if he had all four Divine Techniques, endless cultivation would be necessary. The Divine Techniques, like the Bilarjinjue, did not have levels and were infinitely deep.

'That is, I should complete the Bilarjinjue first and then master the other Five Great Techniques. In that case, Qinglong would be better...'

Qinglong.

If he obtained the Qinglong Qi, his body and the new techniques he was learning would undergo a complete transformation. The characteristics of the Qinglong Qi itself would cause this, and even more so because he had already obtained the Baihu, which was the opposite of Qinglong.

'Is it really possible?'

Yanhaozheng smacked his lips.

'For now, I should use what I have well.'

The Xuanwu Qi, which he summoned first, had grown significantly due to its interaction with the Bilarjinjue.

In contrast, the Baihu Qi was still far behind. Although it had been firmly established through his training and life-or-death battles, it was only at about one-fifth the level of the Xuanwu Qi.

He would start with the Baihu. That was the order.

"Great Young Master."

Yanhaozheng turned around.

It was Shinmo.

"Why?"

"Is this really okay?"

The Ming family was not far away. In half a day, they would enter the Ming family's territory.

Yanhaozheng smiled.

"Why? Are you nervous?"

"Of course."

One of Shinmo's many strengths was his honesty. He also knew when to reveal his honesty.

"They are determined to capture the Great Young Master. Yet, they sent the Blue Party... to turn the rumor into reality. They intend to confirm it in front of everyone."

"I think so too."

A cold aura emanated from Shinmo's eyes.

"They won't waste any more troops. They will send real experts to pull us into their territory."

"I think the same."

Shinmo inwardly sighed.

He knew everything. This rough and reckless yet wise Great Young Master saw through the enemy's plans clearly.

Still, heading towards the Ming family meant he had a belief. But as Shinmo, who had volunteered to protect the Great Young Master, he couldn't help but worry.

Yanhaozheng said casually.

"If you're that worried, why don't you reveal the hidden power you have?"

Shinmo's eyes widened in surprise.

"Excuse me?"

"Didn't you? It seems you have sealed away an incredible amount of internal energy."

Shinmo was shocked.

"How did you know that?"

"How did I know? I saw it."

"Did you see it?"

"I didn't feel it before. But when I saw you this time, I realized it."

Shinmo's face gradually showed admiration amidst his surprise.

"You are amazing, Great Young Master. No one has ever seen through this power before."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Yanhaozheng tilted his head.

"But that power feels very familiar. Is it a technique from your family?"

"Yes. The head of the family taught me the Longbao Shengong (龍抱神功)."

This time, Yanhaozheng's face showed surprise.

"The Longbao Shengong?"

"Yes."

The Longbao Shengong was one of the Five Great Techniques of the Yan family.

Among the Five Great Techniques, the Bilarjinjue was the most stable, the Jianjishi Qi was the most direct and sharp, and the Longbao Shengong was the most powerful in terms of explosive force.

Yanhaozheng smiled faintly.

"In the future, if anything happens, I can hide behind Master Xin."

"No, no. I was able to take the elixir due to good fortune, but if it weren't for the Longbao Shengong, I would have lost control and fallen into madness. I am still far from mastering it."

"That's why you've been hiding it. You haven't mastered it yet."

"Yes."

"Can you reveal it now?"

"For a short time, it should be fine."

Yanhaozheng nodded.

"Hide that power well. There's no need to reveal your decisive move to the enemy."

Shinmo's expression hardened.

"Understood."

The Great Young Master seemed determined to see this through.

'I can't stop him.'

Once he decided to do something, he would do it no matter what. That was how Shinmo saw Yanhaozheng.

In that case, there was no choice. He would have to protect the Great Young Master, even if it meant dying here.

Thus, Yanhaozheng and his group advanced south without hesitation.

People they encountered along the way were startled and fled. The rumor had spread much faster than their movement.

Yanhaozheng was composed. He did not react to the angry or fearful gazes of the people. He just kept walking steadily.

'The sun is setting.'

The sun began to set over the western mountains.

The red sunset illuminated the world, a warm and desolate color.

Night would soon fall.

A cold wind and stillness, a night filled with sinister killing intent.

'...'

Just before entering the Ming family's territory.

'...'

Yanhaozheng felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

Something familiar was carried in the wind. It was both a killing intent and a fighting spirit.

"Great Young Master."

"I know."

Shinmo's face showed deep tension.

"They are great experts. Three of them."

"Indeed."

Even with his focused vision, he could barely see the distant road.

Three people were walking leisurely from that direction. Behind them, three hundred soldiers exuded a powerful military aura, far surpassing the Blue Party.

Three supreme experts leading a combat unit and a martial organization.

For a moment, Yanhaozheng's eyes wavered.

'They are strong.'

The martial arts of those three were strong. Not just strong, but astonishingly strong.

In terms of martial arts alone, they were several levels above the current Yanhaozheng. Having three such experts was a formidable force.

But...

'Why do they feel so familiar?'

Yanhaozheng was not surprised by their strength. After destroying the Blue Party, it was expected that experts of this level would appear.

The problem was their aura.

As experts of the Ming family, they must have practiced the Ming family's martial arts.

Those martial arts were familiar. He had felt this aura before.

'When was it?'

Snap.

Yanhaozheng's steps stopped for the first time.

"Great Young Master?"

"..."

Rumble.

A low wind spread.

Shinmo, who had been looking at Yanhaozheng with a puzzled expression, suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

Sssss!

From the soles of his feet, the Bilarjin Qi surged.

But this qi was different from usual. The mysterious pale green Bilarjin Qi had turned into a terrifying and ominous blue aura, supporting Yanhaozheng's body.

Whoooo!

A whirlwind began to form around the low wind.

"Huh!"

"Ugh!"

The entire Changying Unit took a few steps back.

Shinmo shouted in panic.

"Great Young Master!"

Crack! Crack!

A blue aura, a white storm, and a dark coldness followed.

It was a cold and chilling northern aura. The aura of death, blowing from the end of life, the end of the world, filled Yanhaozheng's eyes.

Roar!

A roar of a tiger king echoed from somewhere in the west.

An axe, containing both Baihu Qi and Xuanwu Qi, trembled uncontrollably.

Bilarjinjue, Baihu Qi, Xuanwu Qi.

Three divine energies of different origins rose simultaneously.

"Could you have appeared a little more slowly?"

His voice trembled.

Was it fear, or joy?

"I could have held back. No, I could have held back forever."

Rumble! Rumble!

The axe vibrated fiercely, brimming with a deep killing intent, as if demanding to be wielded immediately.

"I didn't expect to meet you so soon."

His pupils, filled with a piercing blue aura, pierced through the three leading experts.

Yanhaozheng was living in the present, but his eyes were scanning the past.

'Father.'

His father, blocking the enemy's overwhelming attack with an impenetrable sword.

And the leader of the strange sword (怪劍) that had turned his father's body into a bloody mess.

'Pinge.'

His younger brother, who had chosen to flee to secure the family's future.

And the leader of the strange palm (怪掌) that had broken his younger brother's spine.

Furthermore, the massive figure leading the charge, breaking through the ancient gates of the Yan family.

Yanhaozheng's whites of the eyes gradually turned red.

A single emotion connecting the present and the past, the past and the present.

It was the heaven-shattering anger towards his archenemy.

Boom!

A step of the Baihu.

With that single step, Yanhaozheng's body vanished from the spot.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The consecutive explosions moved away at a terrifying speed.

"What, what is this?"

The towering middle-aged man leading the group was startled and looked up.

A beast, having traversed the vast distance with only the Baihu Junlinpo, soared high into the sky.

Flash!

Whether it was the sunset or the blood-red killing intent, a king of darkness, filled with flames, raised a terrifying giant weapon.

"Nice to see you, friends."

The axe descended upon the man's head.

Scream! Smash!