Chapter 64

64. What did you fight that guy for?

Lee So-min finally understood why her father was saying such things. The bandit's martial skills were too extraordinary for his age, making her think, "Maybe it could be true."

"How can you tell if someone has superpowers?"

"Hmm! If their internal energy is far superior to their techniques, wouldn't it be suspicious?"

"That's a bit different. He's young, but he's said to be the martial arts teacher of the Five Peaks Ten Heroes."

"You mean he's a master of martial arts, not superpowers?"

"I'm not sure about that. Ah! When I was there, I heard the bandits talking, and they said that the Heavenly Earth Merchant spent three months with him."

"You don't mean the Heavenly Earth Merchant of the Wudang Sect, do you?"

"Yes, I heard that after the Heavenly Earth Merchant lost to him, he stayed for three months."

"If it's the Heavenly Earth Merchant, I can understand. Whether it's due to superpowers or his own martial skills."

"That's right."

After a moment of thought, Yi Yeon-ik sighed.

"Ha! I want to take revenge right away, but the situation is not good, so I can't."

"No, compared to that, if Hongsegeom is such a master, what will happen now?"

"An enemy that one or two sects can't handle, so the Righteous Alliance will issue a martial notice."

At the mention of the martial notice, Lee So-min was startled but soon regained her composure.

Yi Yeon-ik looked steadily at such a Lee So-min.

If it weren't for the incident at Five Peaks Mountain, she would have begged to participate.

A martial notice is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young masters. Just showing up at the gathering of the Seven Sects and the righteous sects would be a lifetime achievement.

At that moment, a deep voice came from outside the door.

"Is anyone inside?"

It was Yi Jeong, the Grandmaster of the Yi Tian Sect.

Yi Yeon-ik and Lee So-min quickly got up from their seats.

Yi Jeong, the Grandmaster of the Yi Tian Sect and one of the Ten Great Masters, rarely left his room. He was often referred to as a hermit in his room.

That was partly true.

Yi Jeong enjoyed practicing in his own residence, not in a cave or stone room. According to his philosophy, cutting off the outside world for practice was seclusion.

Yi Jeong looked at his son's sagging sleeve and asked.

"How is your arm?"

"It's getting better little by little."

Yi Yeon-ik bowed his head, feeling ashamed.

"You were lucky. It's not easy to escape from someone using the Invincible Sword Technique."

"I know."

"I heard about it on my way. I'll take care of the Five Peaks Mountain myself."

"Really?"

Yi Yeon-ik looked up at his father, surprised.

To punish the Five Peaks Mountain in such a chaotic situation was shocking.

"That young bandit inflicted an irreparable wound on So-min. I can't forgive that bandit more than Yu Mingjiao. Anyway, the Righteous Alliance should deal with Yu Mingjiao, but it will take more than two months for the heroes to gather."

"That's true, but..."

"Deal with the bandits before the heroes gather."

"I understand your feelings, but it's a bit difficult to move the Yi Tian Sect's disciples now."

"Who said I would take the disciples? I can handle it alone. Taking the disciples would only attract the attention of curious people."

"Still, it's a bit concerning for you to go alone."

Yi Yeon-ik was worried about his father going alone. It would be different if he took some disciples, but it didn't feel right for the Grandmaster of the Yi Tian Sect to move alone.

"Ha! Are you treating me like a washed-up old man? Do you think I'll die from the bandits' swords if I go alone?"

"N-no, that's not it. I just thought you should take someone to attend to you."

"It's not necessary. I'm not some high official who needs a retinue. A sword and a horse are enough for wandering the jianghu."

"..."

Yi Yeon-ik couldn't say anything.

Honestly, if his left arm were fine, he would have rushed there first. But with one arm cut off and internal injuries, it was just a fantasy.

"Understand that."

"..."

Yi Yeon-ik answered with a dejected face.

"Grandfather, can I go with you?"

Lee So-min, who had been silent like a mouse, couldn't hold back and spoke up.

A moment of silence filled the room.

After a while, Yi Yeon-ik spoke cautiously.

"Father, then take So-min with you."

Yi Yeon-ik wanted to send his granddaughter along.

"Let's do that."

Yi Jeong, who doted on his granddaughter, didn't refuse Yi Yeon-ik's suggestion. He wanted to help her wash away the humiliation she suffered at Five Peaks Mountain.

***

East of Luoyang, Yanshi.

Walong Hall.

Walong Hall, which had been thriving, now had a graveyard-like atmosphere due to a series of misfortunes.

Walong Swordsman Yan Wubai was severely injured, and the five members of the Yan family who went with him were dead.

Two days later, Yan Shuju returned, but the news she brought was devastating.

The mistress, Bai Meizhu, immediately imposed a strict gag order on Yan Shengbai and Yan Shuju to prevent the news from reaching the Bai Shangfang, which could lead to the cancellation of their contract.

At lunchtime.

Bai Meizhu, who was having a meal with her family, suddenly asked Yan Shuju with an angry face.

"Why was that thief so eager to devour our Walong Hall?"

Yan Shuju, who hadn't even swallowed her food, hurriedly replied.

"I, I don't know."

"There must be something. We paid a thousand taels. Now he's blocking our expansion into the Shangfang? What gives him the right? He's just a thief. Why is he stopping Walong Hall from doing business? Isn't that right?"

Bai Meizhu looked at Yan Shuju with a strange expression.

"I, I don't know."

"If you don't know, who does? You were there for ten days. That's not a good excuse."

"Mom, I was trapped with the Five Heroes of Luoyang. We didn't have much time to talk to the thieves during those ten days."

Yan Shengbai chimed in.

"Mother, Shuju is right. The Five Heroes of Luoyang also said they couldn't understand that thief."

"No, there must be something. Shuju must have offended his pride. You were arguing with him all the time, right? Why did you do that? You should have just bowed to him."

Yan Shuju sighed deeply, feeling frustrated.

"Mom, I didn't say anything about what that thief did to Walong Hall. I've told you several times, it's not because we fought."

"Then you should have handled it wisely. What did you fight him for?"

Yan Shengbai tried to calm his mother but stopped.

His mother wasn't wrong.

When the thief said something strange, she should have calmed him down. If she had, they might have avoided the worst outcome. Of course, that was all hypothetical.

Yan Shuju felt like she was going to explode.

The thief had clearly targeted her and Walong Hall from the beginning. The Five Heroes of Luoyang knew this.

But her family didn't seem to believe it.

They seemed to think she had offended the thief, leading to this situation.

'I shouldn't say anything...'

Yan Shuju felt tears welling up but held them back, feeling guilty.

Yan Shengbai finally spoke up.

"Mother, that thief might have just been trying to scare us. There's no reason for him to have a grudge against our Walong Hall."

"Ha! I think so too, but there's always a chance..."

"Don't worry too much. The talk about the Henan green forest is clearly a lie. A small mountain hall that's only a year old, what power does it have?"

"Anyway, Shuju, don't even think about going out. I'll arrange your marriage this year, so be prepared."

"I don't want to get married."

"Shut up. You're almost ruining our family. I can't stand seeing you act like this. A girl should think about marriage, not wield a sword. That's why this happened."

"Mom."

"Don't even open your mouth. If you go out, I'll cut ties with you."

"..."

Yan Shengbai shook his head, looking at his dejected sister.

He wanted to support her, but she had caused too much trouble this time. Thinking about the thousand taels of debt she created, he felt like jumping out of bed.

If he was this worried, how must his mother, who led Walong Hall, feel?

***

June.

Luoyang.

The fight between Bai Shangfang and Sanzhen Shangfang for Gongxian County had entered a lull.

The reason was the sudden major blow to Walong Hall in Yuzhou.

Bai Shangfang's leader, Li Shichang, lamented, "I should have acted faster," but it was too late.

While Walong Hall was reeling, Wumen Hall, the backer of Sanzhen Shangfang, recruited ronins to strengthen their forces.

Bai Shangfang also recruited ronins to counter Wumen Hall, as relying solely on Walong Hall was no longer sufficient.

Fighting was one thing, but the Shangfangs had to do business.

Bai Shangfang resumed their caravan operations as soon as the weather became suitable for travel.

One day, Li Shichang, the leader of Bai Shangfang, met with Liu Zhishan, the leader of Jianhua Shangfang, and heard something strange.

"What? Shangfangs that use Walong Hall's protection can't travel anymore? What kind of nonsense is that? Walong Hall hasn't said anything..."

"Seems you didn't know. Of course, Walong Hall couldn't say it directly."

"Ha! Don't keep me in suspense. Just tell me."

"We have a caravan that travels between Taiyuan. Four days ago, the leader of the escort that passed through the Yellow River's Shuilong Hall heard from the hall's master that caravans using Walong Hall's protection can't pass anymore. The Green Forest's chief inspector ordered to strip them of their goods."

"Really? Four days ago?"

"Would I lie? I thought you knew... You really didn't?"

"Never heard of it. I need to check it out."

Li Shichang jumped up from his seat.

Liu Zhishan, who had risen with him, said worriedly.

"Ha! You really didn't know. It's late, but it's better to contact the caravan and tell them to take a different route. It's not guaranteed to be safe, but..."

Li Shichang didn't respond and rushed out.

Liu Zhishan clicked his tongue, watching him run off.

"Tsk! Walong Hall must have offended the Green Forest's higher-ups. They should have been more careful when they were doing well. They were a bit arrogant lately."

Li Shichang rushed back to Bai Shangfang and called for Li Yanfu, the chief manager.

Li Yanfu was equally shocked after hearing Li Shichang's story.

The two immediately got into a carriage and headed to Yanshi, where Walong Hall was located, to confirm the facts with Bai Meizhu.

The carriage arrived at Walong Hall after an hour of non-stop travel.

Li Shichang, entering the courtyard, saw Bai Meizhu rushing out and shouted.

"Listen! I heard something shocking from Liu Zhishan of Jianhua Shangfang today. You need to explain this clearly!"

"W-What are you talking about all of a sudden?"

Bai Meizhu looked at Li Shichang and Li Yanfu with wide, frightened eyes.