Chapter 37. Sword Demon: Thunder’s Appearance

“Hmm…”

“Hah…”

Tang Segi and Shangguan Hai muttered thoughtfully as they looked at the boy in front of them—Seo Cheon-gi.

Four people were seated in the room, but Ho Yeon was nowhere to be seen.

“You’re saying you traveled alone from Heilongjiang Province all the way to Liaoning to find your friend?”

“…Yes.”

“That’s impressive. You don’t even seem to know martial arts, but your loyalty is admirable.”

Shangguan Hai nodded approvingly, but Murong Yul responded with displeasure.

“Still, stealing someone else’s spatial pouch is wrong—especially if it belongs to my brother.”

“I—I’m reflecting on my actions. I promised Narin I’d stop doing such desperate things…”

“Narin?”

“That’s my missing friend’s name.”

Tang Segi smiled mysteriously and said,

“Oh ho, so not just any friend, I see?”

“…”

“But I don’t understand—how did you know this ‘Narin’ would be here in Dandong, and specifically at the Peach Blossom Pavilion?”

To Tang Segi’s question, Seo Cheon-gi turned to Murong Yul and asked,

“Um… could you hold the cat for me?”

“Come here, Moon-Myo.”

“Nyaa?”

When Murong Yul picked up the cat Moon-Myo, who was lazing around on the floor, Seo Cheon-gi reached into his sleeve and pulled something out.

“Thanks to this little guy.”

“Hmm?”

“A rat?”

In Seo Cheon-gi’s palm was a small red rat, trembling violently.

“Chirp-chirp!”

“Nyaa-nyaa-nyaa!”

“Eek!”

As soon as the cat saw the rat, it tried to pounce, while the rat screamed and hid back inside Seo Cheon-gi’s sleeve.

“Red rats have a sharper sense of smell than dogs. Narin always carried a scent pouch made of peppermint, cinnamon, clove, and peony.”

“Ho? That’s a rare creature. Where did you get it?”

“We were living on the streets… Narin felt sorry for it and fed it a little… hngh…!”

Mid-sentence, Seo Cheon-gi began to cry, overwhelmed by emotion.

Bang!

Just then, the door opened and Ho Yeon entered.

He glanced at the crying Seo Cheon-gi and clicked his tongue.

“Click. Come on, a man shouldn’t cry like that. Tears won’t change anything.”

“Hic…”

“Ah, Namgung Sohyeop,” Shangguan Hai gently stopped Ho Yeon, signaling him to ease up.

Shrugging, Ho Yeon changed the subject as he sat down.

“The Peach Blossom Pavilion is definitely suspicious.”

“Y-You went there?”

Seo Cheon-gi asked urgently. Ho Yeon nodded and continued.

“I went, but couldn’t investigate in detail. The security’s insane.”

“Ah…”

“There were at least thirty hidden presences around the walls alone.”

Ho Yeon narrowed his eyes.

‘Any average martial artist wouldn’t even notice them. I had to use my telekinetic field to sense them clearly.’

That level of stealth meant they were elite assassins—if not top-tier, at least first-class.

“Thirty first-class assassins could wipe out a mid-tier sect overnight.”

“Ughhh…!”

Seo Cheon-gi let out a cry of despair.

Tang Segi spoke with a grim expression.

“Namgung, assassins are not like other warriors. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Yes, real assassins are relentless. They don’t even care about their own lives.”

In fact, many high-level martial deaths came from surprise attacks by assassins who were fully prepared to die.

“What do you plan to do now?”

Tang Segi asked with a curious look.

Ho Yeon turned to Shangguan Hai.

“Did you make contact?”

“Yes. I ran into Gong Woo-seon—the third son of the Gong clan—in the market.”

“Perfect.”

Ho Yeon smiled.

While he and Murong Yul had been gathering intel during the day, Shangguan Hai and Tang Segi had also done their part: making contact with Group 3.

“What is Group 3 doing now?”

“Nothing, apparently.”

“Nothing?”

Ho Yeon murmured suspiciously as he stroked his chin, and Shangguan Hai elaborated.

“Perhaps the third son knows about the connection between the Demonic Children group and the Peach Blossom Pavilion? If he received help from Baekyak Manor, it’s possible.”

“I agree. That’s very likely.”

Tang Segi nodded, and even Murong Yul agreed.

“My third brother is very calculating. If he came to Dandong, it’s definitely with a purpose.”

“You think that purpose is the Demonic Children?”

Lost in thought, Ho Yeon finally said to Shangguan Hai,

“Then tomorrow, leak some intel to this Gong Woo-seon.”

“What intel?”

“Tell him that we’ll raid the Peach Blossom Pavilion tomorrow night.”

Everyone in the room widened their eyes in surprise.

The next afternoon.

“Shangguan Sohyeop. We meet again.”

“Ah, Gong Sohyeop.”

Gong Woo-seon approached Shangguan Hai with a cheerful smile.

“Still chasing rumors? I don’t understand why you came to peaceful old Dandong.”

“Well, didn’t your group come here too? Maybe you had advance info?”

“Haha, not at all. We’re just here for a month of rest at Murong Gongja’s maternal home.”

When Gong tried to appear nonchalant, Shangguan Hai smiled and said something odd.

“Hmm… a blind man walks straight through the front door.”

“Excuse me? What does that mean?”

“Ah, it’s just an old saying.”

When Shangguan Hai clammed up, Gong Woo-seon’s eyes sparkled with interest.

Blind man walks straight through the door—a metaphor for lucky guesses.

“Do you have any information?”

“Hmm…”

“If you do, please share it. We’re all part of the Baekga Sword Corps.”

“Ha.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Shangguan Hai opened up.

“Well, I wasn’t keen on it, but we’ve got a mission tonight.”

“A… mission?”

“According to the info we received, the leader of the Demonic Children might be hiding inside the Peach Blossom Pavilion.”

“…!”

“So tonight, we plan to strike and verify the facts. That’s Namgung Ho Yeon’s idea. I opposed it—too dangerous.”

Scratching his cheek awkwardly, Shangguan Hai continued.

“Do you know why I’m telling you this, Gong Sohyeop?”

“Of course! I’ll help in any way I can.”

“Please do. Namgung Ho Yeon puts too much faith in his own strength.”

“Indeed, the guy is quite arrogant. I’ll speak to our team leader about this.”

“I’d appreciate that. Say nice things about me, too.”

“Ha, of course.”

As Gong Woo-seon hurried away, Shangguan Hai smiled.

Early evening.

“Hmm. Just one entrance? A stable here… and over here…”

Ho Yeon was sketching a rough map of the Peach Blossom Pavilion, prepping for the raid.

“Tsk, I wish I knew the internal layout.”

“…Hmph.”

Murong Yul watched him while sipping tea.

“That any good?”

“It’s okay.”

“Let me try—slurp—ugh! That’s awful!”

Ho Yeon grimaced and pushed the teacup away.

Murong Yul asked quietly,

“…Hyungnim. Isn’t this too reckless?”

“Hm?”

“Thirty first-class assassins. Even if you’re a genius… it’s too much.”

She looked at him with worried eyes.

Ho Yeon chuckled and slung his sword over his shoulder.

Clack!

“Assassins? They’re all the same. I’ll be fine. I probably know how to deal with them better than anyone.”

‘Back in my Sword Demon days, I sliced up a ton of them.’

Among those the Sword Demon had slaughtered, assassins ranked high in numbers.

Because telekinesis like Ho Yeon’s required excellent spatial awareness, his energy field could detect their movements across all directions.

“…Is it because of that boy?”

Though Ho Yeon brushed it off, Murong Yul continued in a low voice.

“Who?”

“That Seo Cheon-gi kid.”

She spoke with conviction.

‘He’s rushing because the longer they wait, the more danger that kidnapped girl—Narin—is in.’

But Ho Yeon only shrugged.

“Not really? I just think a swift strike is best. Since that kid already blabbed at Punggye Inn, there’s no time to waste.”

Murong Yul gave a slight smile.

‘Liar. You’re too kind, hyungnim. Not that I should complain—I’m one of those you saved with that kindness.’

She wanted to stop him.

If he got hurt—or worse—in this operation?

‘…I’ll kill whoever did it. No matter who they are.’

A cold aura flickered in her blue eyes.

“What the? Why the sudden killing intent?”

“N-No reason.”

“Nervous? Don’t be. You won’t need to lift a finger. I’ll end this in a flash—you’ll be shocked.”

Ho Yeon grinned reassuringly, and Murong Yul bit her lip as she stared at his smile.

‘I believe in you. Even if you use my secret against me… I’ll let you.’

Determination shone in her azure eyes.

She finally spoke.

“Hyungnim. There’s something I have to tell you.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Well, actually…”

As Murong Yul began to speak, Ho Yeon’s mouth slowly opened in surprise.

Meanwhile…

“Damn it!”

“What the hell is this?!”

“Faster! We need to arrive first and claim the credit!”

Clatter! Clatter!

About twenty martial artists dashed down the main road—Baekga Sword Corps’ Group 3.

“Murong Sohyeop! You said we didn’t need to worry! How could Namgung get ahead of us?!”

“…”

“Say something! You promised Group 3 would win this competition!”

“…”

“Yeah! We trusted you! You said the chance was coming—what’s this?!”

Voices shouted all around, but at the front, Murong Hak wore a crooked smile.

“Why are you so upset? Did you really follow me because you believed in me?”

“Hah! Of course, otherwise we’d have joined Group 1 or 2!”

“And do you think they’d have accepted you?”

“W-What?!”

At his scorn, the others froze.

“Let’s be honest. None of you would’ve been appreciated in Group 1 or 2. You’re all third sons, fourth daughters—outcasts from your clans.”

“We just didn’t want to be pawns for the top families!”

“Exactly! We trusted your word!”

“This happened because you kept everything to yourself!”

“Hahaha.”

Murong Hak laughed as if enjoying their anger.

“I controlled the intel to avoid panic. The name Salmak isn’t to be taken lightly.”

At the mention of Salmak, everyone went silent.

“Don’t worry. My grandfather has made all preparations. Nothing will go wrong.”

“Ahem.”

“And Groups 4 and 5? Just four people in total. What can they do?”

“Well… that’s true.”

“Namgung Ho Yeon’s insight is impressive, but he doesn’t have real power.”

“So we didn’t need to rush?”

Using a mix of stick and carrot, Murong Hak swayed the mood.

‘Fools. If you’d just waited, I could’ve handed you the glory.’

This competition was just theater to Murong Hak.

He already knew the truth behind the Demonic Children before it began.

‘I didn’t expect Groups 4 and 5 to get info about the Peach Blossom Pavilion. Probably thanks to that loud kid at Punggye Inn. Tsk.’

He missed his perfect timing.

This might hurt his claim to credit later.

‘Still, I’m the true star of this competition. Because…’

Just as a red gleam appeared in his eyes—

“We’re here!”

“Peach Blossom Pavilion!”

“Oho, spirit lanterns.”

Group 3 had arrived.

A red lantern bearing the word Kill hung below the sign—proof the place was under Salmak’s protection.

“You’ve finally arrived.”

“Took you long enough.”

“When did you notify them, Shangguan?”

“About an hour ago.”

And standing at the entrance were four figures.

“Hoho. Glad we’re not too late. Good to see you again. I’m Murong Hak, leader of Group 3.”

He offered a polite bow to Namgung Ho Yeon.

But Ho Yeon didn’t even meet his gaze—he just pushed Murong Yul forward.

Tap!

“I’m Murong Yul, leader of Group 4. Thank you, Group 3, for joining us in purging evil.”

“…You.”

Murong Hak frowned.

Being ignored by Namgung Ho Yeon was one thing—but having Murong Yul, who always trembled before him, look him in the eye?

‘What the hell? What got into this bastard?’

Just then—

“Everyone’s here. Let’s go.”

Ho Yeon turned and approached the main gate.

‘Let’s begin… Operation Namgung Revival.’

His goal: to show the martial world that Namgung still stood strong.

For that, he would reveal the legendary secret technique that once defined his clan’s golden era.

“Hrgh!”

Whoosh!

Ho Yeon activated the Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art and spread his palm.

His sleeve fluttered as a terrifying force surged from his palm.

Crackle—!

“Gasp!”

“T-That’s…!”

“A white… thunderbolt?!”

Heavenly Thunder Qi returned to the martial world after 300 years.

“Cha-ha!”

With a shout, Ho Yeon unleashed the first of the Three Heavenly Thunder Palms—

Heavenly Thunder Strike.

BOOOOOM!

A blinding white flash exploded.

The Peach Blossom Pavilion’s gate was utterly destroyed.

“Come on out! The Reaper’s here to collect a horse!”

Ho Yeon leapt inside, shouting joyfully,

“The steed I want is your demise, you damn kidnappers!”