Chapter 97: The Inevitability Born of Coincidence (3)

Nam Gung Shin, who had gone to Mount Palgong for reconnaissance, received a piece of secret information from the丐帮 (Beggars' Gang). It was about a魔道 (demon path) sect, one that had nurtured the Anhui Blood Palace and was teeming with such individuals.

After reviewing the detailed information from the Beggars' Gang, Nam Gung Shin immediately requested reinforcements from the Nam Gung family. He knew that their military strength was on a different level from that of ordinary medium and small sects, even if he couldn't pinpoint it exactly.

Secret sects unknown to the martial world were more numerous than one might think. Just as there were countless hermits in the martial world, there were many sects that did not reveal themselves to the public.

Nam Gung In, the head of the Nam Gung family, sensed that this was no ordinary situation and sent two elders and three military units.

With that level of force, they could sweep away any ordinary medium or small sect within half an hour. This demonstrated how seriously Nam Gung In took this matter.

The reason he had no choice was that the Gold Sword Sect had been wiped out due to the Anhui Blood Palace.

The Gold Sword Sect was a sect universally praised. In northern Anhui, it was even more respected than the Nam Gung family.

Since the Gold Sword Sect had been wiped out, it was only right for the Nam Gung family, the dominant force in Anhui, to avenge them. Yet, even after five years, they hadn't seen a trace of the Anhui Blood Palace.

In the midst of this, the Beggars' Gang provided such a tempting piece of information.

He couldn't afford to let it go. Nam Gung In planned to use this opportunity to revitalize the atmosphere in Anhui and imprint the family's name across the land.

The source was the Beggars' Gang, a highly reliable and certified one, so there was no need to hesitate.

Thus, the Nam Gung forces headed for the main mountain of Guan Yiqu, Mount Tai in Shandong.

* * *

"I sealed his dantian to prevent him from causing trouble. He should be fine for transport."

"Thank you for your hard work."

The tone of the Huangfengzheng intelligence agent changed.

It was understandable. Ming Xulun was once a top expert, one of the 'Twin Dragons and Three Peaks.' Now that he had mastered demon techniques, his martial prowess was beyond description.

Lian Huozheng had subdued such an expert without a scratch. It was a remarkable display of martial strength.

"Also, I need to convey this message to Lord Murong."

"Please go ahead."

"Tell him that I received the gift he sent. And that he should look forward to my gift in return."

"Is that all?"

"That's enough."

"Understood."

"Thank you for your hard work. You can go now."

"Alright."

With that, Lian Huozheng sent Huangfengzheng away and immediately headed to the tavern.

"Hmm? You weren't sleeping?"

Mubie sat awkwardly in a corner of the room.

"I couldn't sleep..."

"You haven't slept properly for days, right? What about food?"

"..."

"You didn't eat either?"

"I wasn't thinking..."

Lian Huozheng shook his head.

"Let me ask you something."

"Yes?"

"Do you want to become a martial artist?"

This question was important.

Lian Huozheng wanted Mubie to stay with him. Apart from their past connection, her strength was desperately needed.

However, if she chose not to enter the martial world, he planned to let her go cleanly.

It was a regrettable but necessary decision. It was better to look for more promising candidates during that time than to cling to someone who had no interest.

Mubie shook her head.

"I haven't... decided yet."

"You're wrong."

"Me?"

"You need to decide this now. It's essential."

"Why, why is that?"

"Because I am a martial artist."

"..."

"You have learned martial arts, but you're not quite a martial artist yet. The reason is that you have no conflicts with any sects or martial artists in the martial world. If you wish, you could go to any village right now and live a peaceful life farming."

"..."

"But if you come with me, things will be different. I am a martial artist, and I am striving to prevent a disaster that will befall the land in the future."

The world, disaster.

It was a grand statement. If someone else had said it, he would have laughed.

But Mubie didn't mock him.

Lian Huozheng's expression was that serious. His voice carried a power and authority that no one could mock.

"I need strength. The strength to protect everyone. This is not a peace that can be achieved by me being strong alone. However, I don't intend to impose my knowledge of the future on the world. No one would believe it anyway."

"I, I..."

"If you wish to live a normal life, I will help you in every way. I have the ability to do so."

It was a choice imposed on her.

But it was the reality. If she joined hands with Lian Huozheng, she would plunge into the world of monsters that is the martial world.

A world where you never knew when or how you might die. A world where a minor dispute could spark a war between sects, where pride could cost you your life, and where you could be assassinated even without any grudges.

And yet.

A world of freedom, where you could be entangled in many things while being free from all constraints. A world of chivalry, where heroes would risk their lives for a small favor, and where even mortal enemies could be forgiven.

If she chose a normal life, she wouldn't need to stay with Lian Huozheng anymore.

But if she wanted to survive in the martial world, she needed to stay with him, at least for now.

"I know I'm forcing a difficult choice on you, someone who hasn't lived a proper life. But you have to make it. I believe this choice can be made by reflecting on the life you've lived so far."

Mubie's eyes, looking up at Lian Huozheng, trembled.

But only for a moment.

Her slightly dazed focus gradually returned, and her trembling eyes soon regained their calm.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Mubie spoke in a low voice.

"I am an archer. I have learned the basics of poetry, calligraphy, and etiquette, but I am still an archer."

"Is Guan Yiqu your enemy?"

Despite the unexpected question, Mubie's response was immediate.

"Yes, definitely."

"I won't ask why you think so. It would be prying. Let me ask again. Can you live in this world with the power your enemies have given you?"

It was the first time.

The first time Mubie showed a hint of a smile.

"Even to the point of borrowing someone else's hands to finish them off?"

Lian Huozheng smiled.

"What does it matter?"

"It's meaningless. That kind of thing."

"Ha ha."

It was a refreshing response. Lian Huozheng laughed without any ulterior motives.

"So, there's a world that suits an archer?"

"For whatever reason, my life has been about becoming the best. And the life that suits me is not one of farming and reading."

Lian Huozheng smiled and extended his hand.

"I will persuade you. I will make sure you stay with me, always by my side."

Mubie took his hand.

"But don't kill my curiosity. You don't have the ability to do that anyway."

Mubie, holding Lian Huozheng's hand, stood up.

Rumble.

"Ah..."

Mubie blushed.

Lian Huozheng clicked his tongue.

"Take care of your insides before making a choice about your life. A martial artist must always maintain the best physical condition, no matter the situation."

"I understand."

"And how long has it been since you last bathed?"

"Does it smell?"

"I thought you were a wild person."

Her face turned red up to her neck. After all, she hadn't bathed at all since leaving Mount Palgong, her mind too preoccupied.

"Eat something first, then take a thorough bath, and get a good night's sleep. You've worked hard."

"No, it's fine."

"Can you drink?"

"Drink?"

"You can't. Never mind, then. Just order some food."

"No, I'll go take a bath first."

"Alright."

Mubie, who had left the room, suddenly looked at the windows along the corridor.

The sky, without a cloud, looked incredibly refreshing. Birds flew in flocks, free from any constraints.

Mubie's eyes, which had been staring blankly at the birds, gradually turned red.

She recalled her short but intense past, a life that had been branded like a scar.

Recognized for her exceptional talent, she spent her life in near-torturous martial arts training. She never wanted to kill anyone, but she trembled in fear under the oppression of those who forced her to kill.

But that wasn't what she wanted.

She wanted freedom and a human life. She hated the elders who said they would kill her if she didn't become a palace archer, finding no reason to live otherwise.

In the end, her brothers, who had hated her, all died, and she was left alone in the world, knowing nothing.

She felt an overwhelming loneliness. She didn't want to go out into the world. She just wanted to live in the mountains, in harmony with nature.

But she couldn't.

She sensed that living that way would truly destroy her.

Even though she felt she couldn't pull herself together from frustration and loneliness, she knew that she had to move forward with a smile to see a future.

"Big brother, sisters. I'm sorry. But I will try to live my life to the fullest."

She felt guilty for surviving alone. But she wouldn't stop.

Taking a deep breath, Mubie forced a wide smile.

"I will live more splendidly than anyone. More than anyone."

At that moment, the door opened, and Lian Huozheng said,

"What are you doing? Don't spread your smell in the corridor. Go take a bath quickly."

Mubie involuntarily shouted,

"Be quiet!"

The next morning.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Good, let's get moving."

"Where are we going?"

"I was planning to go to Zhejiang to meet someone, but let's go home first."

"Home?"

"Yes, home. We'll go there, eat a hot meal, rest well, and then come back after reorganizing."

"Ah..."

"Why? Are your hands itching? Do you want to draw your bow so badly?"

"No. It's just... you said we're going home."

"Don't worry. My father is a good man, even if he doesn't talk much. My younger brother is very kind, so you'll get along well."

"Ah, I see."

"By the way..."

Lian Huozheng looked at the recurve bow on Mubie's back.

"The string seems a bit stretched."

Mubie nodded.

"My inner strength has increased significantly recently, so I couldn't control my strength."

"Hmm, is that so."

Lian Huozheng didn't ask how her inner strength had increased.

He suddenly looked at his own axe.

The blade was covered with rough scars. The edge had been dulled from the intense exchanges of destructive attacks. It was fortunate that the shaft hadn't broken.

And at the end of the shaft.

There was no ring. He would need to acquire 'that' item separately, but there might be a good one available.

"We should visit a blacksmith on the way. We really need to start preparing seriously."

There was still much to be done.

His martial arts and weapons were not yet fully equipped. The preliminary work to stop the Four Sounds Sect had not even begun.

It was time to start.

The first step to stop the疯狂三教 (Mad Three Sects) and their fanatical advance.

The Black King, who once ruled the black path, had transformed into the Hero of Mount Bì, preparing for the future. The family he never had before and the comrade he met much earlier than expected would give wings to the tiger.

The history being rewritten in a completely different way.

Lian Huozheng fervently prayed that the new history he was creating would lay the foundation for a peaceful future.