Chapter 78: An Unfair World

East of Luoyang, Yanshi.

Walong Hall.

Early in the morning, the sharp voice of the lady of the house, Baek Miju, echoed throughout the outer quarters.

"Seolju has left the house again?"

"When I went to look for her because she didn't have breakfast, I found a letter. It seems she left at dawn."

Yeon Seungbaek, the second son, cautiously handed over a letter.

As Baek Miju read the letter, her eyes trembled.

"This crazy... I sent a spy to Jinping last night, and she leaves the house today? What is your brother doing now?"

"He rushed to Luoyang from Baek Seosang."

"What's the matter with that Baek Seosang again?"

"Probably something happened in a brothel or gambling den last night. Lately, there have been a lot of people openly causing trouble."

"Tsk tsk! Whether it's the one who calls or the one who runs over when called..."

"Mother, once we lose, we have to give everything up quickly. We're not going for Baek Seosang, but for us. It doesn't matter who manages the Seosang. If we lose business, we'll suffer."

"So, because Seolju ran away, it's right for your brother to run errands for Baek Seosang?"

"I'll send people to look for Seolju. Don't be too hard on my brother."

Yeon Seungbaek was secretly frustrated with Baek Miju.

It was all her mother's doing, starting conflicts with Baek Seosang and borrowing money. His brother was running around frantically to clean up the mess, yet his mother was still dissatisfied. It seemed to have gotten worse since his brother got married.

"Find her quickly, before she causes another strange accident. It's too unsettling to live like this."

After grumbling for a while, Baek Miju went back into the room.

Yeon Seungbaek immediately sent the Shangseong team to search for Yeon Seolju.

However, Yeon Seolju was nowhere to be found, not only in Yanshi but also in Luoyang.

When Yeon Seungbaek asked the Five Heroes of Luoyang, they didn't know either.

Four days later.

Around midnight, five men and one woman easily climbed over the wall of Walong Hall.

As the woman, Wolha Seonja, walked across the courtyard like she was strolling, a laugh burst from her lips.

"Ha ha ha! I like this place. It can be used as a Jiaotang in Henan Province. The crimes of the Chammun Swordsman must be repaid this way. Be careful not to damage the buildings."

"Yes."

The five Ten-Headed Horsemen answered in unison.

The sound they made woke the Walong Hall warriors, who one by one rushed out.

A moment later, Walong Swordsman Yeon Mubak and Yeon Seungbaek slowly approached the uninvited guests.

Yeon Mubak, with a tense face, asked.

"Who are you?"

Instead of answering, Wolha Seonja looked around at the gathered people with a calm face and shouted.

"Get out of the way! Those not related to Yeon Mulong, scram!"

At the woman's words, Yeon Mubak's heart sank.

The only person who would mention his late father at Walong Hall was Wolha Seonja.

"Wolha Seonja?"

The name slipped out of Yeon Mubak's mouth without him realizing it.

Instantly, the Walong Hall warriors took a step back, their faces pale with shock.

Being wandering warriors with weak loyalty to Walong Hall, they were cautious.

Yeon Mubak quickly pulled Yeon Seungbaek to the back.

Meanwhile, a few Yeon elders who had come out late and hadn't grasped the situation raised their voices.

"Who are these brats?"

"Ha ha ha!"

Wolha Seonja laughed maniacally.

In an instant, Yeon Mubak ran into the inner quarters with Yeon Seungbaek.

Seeing Yeon Mubak and Yeon Seungbaek run away, the Walong Hall warriors scattered like locusts.

"Seungbaek, you take Mother and go. I'll hide with the inner people."

"Where will we meet?"

"Let's meet at Baek Seosang and discuss the next steps."

"Understood."

Yeon Mubak and Yeon Seungbaek dispersed into the darkness.

Soon, a fight broke out in the inner courtyard between the Yeon elders and the Ten-Headed Horsemen.

However, it was more of a one-sided massacre than a fight.

The Yeon elders of Walong Hall were killed by the Ten-Headed Horsemen before they could even fight properly.

The fight was over in the blink of an eye.

Except for the five elders who were now corpses, everyone had fled.

Wolha Seonja clicked her tongue in disappointment.

"Tsk tsk! Worthless worms. The Nangong family held out for quite a while, but this is ridiculous. They didn't even give us a chance to draw our swords. Rumors are unreliable, indeed."

Thinking back to the Nangong family, she had healed her internal injuries thoroughly, but they scattered like a school of fish. For a famous martial family in Henan Province, they were even worse than Haomen.

Talming Dao Gao Jinseok, representing the Ten-Headed Horsemen, cautiously asked.

"Seonja, what should we do now?"

"What else? Check if any of the Yeon family are hiding in the halls."

"Understood."

The Ten-Headed Horsemen scattered in all directions.

After about an hour, they regrouped in front of Wolha Seonja.

"Not even an ant."

Wolha Seonja sneered at Gao Jinseok's words.

"Hmph! The Yeon family is weak. As soon as it gets light, bring a few of them here. We need to find Yeon Mulong's grave."

"Understood."

Walong Hall, which had been thriving, collapsed in an instant.

Since the fall of the martial family Nangong was somewhat expected, the martial world was not surprised.

Instead, the aftermath was more of a topic of conversation.

Wolha Seonja dug up Yeon Mulong's body, crushed his bones, and scattered the pieces in the latrine.

This act led to a long-standing saying: "Don't do anything to offend Wolha Seonja."

After the fall of the Nangong family and Walong Hall, the martial sects were hesitant to oppose the Famous Sect.

Meanwhile, the Shangseong and Jaryong teams who fled from Walong Hall scattered in different directions.

The Qinglong and Baekho teams, who remained in Luoyang, were also disbanded. The reason was that Baek Seosang, wary of the Famous Sect, declared a break with Walong Hall.

The Qinglong team became wandering warriors again, wandering the martial world, while the Baekho team returned to Jeongju Baek Family Hall with Baek Miju.

The young master, Yeon Mubak, entered the Yang Family Hall in Jeongju with his brother Yeon Seungbaek, unexpectedly becoming a son-in-law.

Since the Famous Sect had no influence in Jeongju, the Yang Family Hall welcomed the two brothers. Thus, the roots of Walong Hall were transplanted from Luoyang to Jeongju.

***

Henan Province.

Fangcheng County.

Under the scorching autumn sun, an old man and a young man entered the bustling market.

Both seemed to be martial artists; the old man carried a leaf-shaped sword, and the young man a rustic sword. They were Yan Jieha and Shim Yanggak, who had left Mount Oufeng to rest properly.

Amid the bustling crowd, Yan Jieha muttered.

"Ah, it's really nice to travel light. I don't have to worry about someone causing trouble."

"It is a bit strange when martial artists gather. Unless we're going to fight."

"But why did you come along, Old Shim?"

"Hehe, if I want to repay my debt before I die, I have to follow you around."

"Are you just bored with being stuck in the mountains?"

"Partly, yes."

"Anyway, you're not an ordinary old man."

Despite this, Yan Jieha didn't seem annoyed. Since he lacked worldly experience and even direction, it was convenient to travel with Shim Yanggak.

"Master, shall we have a meal?"

"Sure."

The two entered a nearby restaurant.

Since it was a place that also provided lodging, it was bustling even though it was a bit early.

As soon as they sat in a corner, a waiter hurried over.

Shim Yanggak ordered for Yan Jieha.

The waiter glanced curiously at Yan Jieha and Shim Yanggak as he went to the kitchen.

It was quite unusual for an old man to order for a young man.

A short while later, the table was filled with dishes like whole chicken, mutton soup, steamed mutton, pork, sliced meat, egg soup, and stir-fried vegetables. It was a bit too much for two people.

Some people looked at them enviously, but for the two, who had plenty of money, this was just a normal meal.

While chatting, they had eaten about half of the food.

Suddenly, six people burst in, making a loud noise.

Judging by their appearance, they were wandering warriors.

Though they looked ragged, their eyes gleamed with a murderous intent.

The wandering warriors immediately glared at the customers sitting by the window.

Startled by their fierce gaze, the customers hurriedly got up.

With two tables empty, the wandering warriors naturally took their seats.

The owner and the waiter didn't dare to say anything and quietly took their orders.

Shim Yanggak, who had been eating enthusiastically, said.

"Master, shall we stay here for the night?"

"Sure."

Yan Jieha nodded.

Since it was already dusk, it was awkward to leave.

"Then I'll book a room after we finish eating."

"Go ahead."

As they became full, Yan Jieha drank tea.

Even though they had eaten a lot, half of the food was still left on the table.

Thinking back to the days when he had to beg with a broken bowl, he felt he had quite a successful life.

Yan Jieha chuckled to himself, reminiscing about the past.

At that moment, one of the wandering warriors said.

"Why did they order so much when they can't even finish it? The world is so unfair. Some people work their asses off and can't even afford a bun, while others have so much they throw it away."

Shim Yanggak looked up at Yan Jieha.

"Hehe, there are people who complain about the world being unfair after forcefully taking someone else's seat."

Instantly, the six wandering warriors stopped what they were doing and turned their heads.

The leader of the wandering warriors, Chuxuejian Chugong, spoke.

"Old man, were you talking about us?"

Yan Jieha immediately responded.

"Oh! Old man. Old Shim, if you keep quiet here, you might get a disease."

Shim Yanggak frowned.

He was confused whether Yan Jieha meant to keep quiet or not.

Thinking he had been ignored, Chugong continued.

"Damn, you young brat, talking back. If you want to live long, shut your mouth."

When Yan Jieha was insulted, Shim Yanggak couldn't hold back any longer.

He put down his chopsticks, slowly stood up, and turned his upper body toward the wandering warriors.

"Hehe. Daring to insult Master... You must be desperate to die."

Killer intent radiated from Shim Yanggak's body, pressing down on the six wandering warriors and choking them.

"Ugh..."

"Kuh!"

The wandering warriors pressed their heads on the table, struggling.

As foam started to bubble from their mouths, Yan Jieha said.

"Old Shim, stop. You'll kill them. It's ugly to look at. Next time, just break their arms or legs. This is not right."

"I'm sorry. I'll handle it more cleanly next time."

Shim Yanggak bowed apologetically.

The wandering warriors, who had just regained their senses, dared not look up and stared at the floor.

Yan Jieha asked Chugong.

"Hey, the uncle who insulted me, what's your name?"

"Chu, Chugong."

"Take all the leftover food to your side."

"Huh?"

Chugong didn't understand Yan Jieha's words at first.

"Move the food we left to your table. It looks like it's still edible."

"Oh, yes."

Only then did Chugong and the five wandering warriors hurriedly get up and move the food. They thought, 'After beating us up, they're now giving us food.'