A Modern Man Who Got Transmigrated Into the Murim World

The vast horizon where even the boundary with the sky seems faint.

Looking at Poyang Lake, one of the two great freshwater lakes of the central plains, along with Dongjeong Lake, one cannot help but be swept away by the wonder of it, as if gazing at the sea.

As she gazes at Poyang Lake, the pale, almost ghostly white face of Jin Gahui, known as the Poisonous Beauty, is filled with a flush.

The shimmering blues of Poyang Lake under the morning sunlight.

The fragrant smell of misty water that rises from the surface.

The beauty of it all, the refreshing feeling, lifts her spirits.

At dawn, looking at Poyang Lake.

As she brushes her long hair upward and takes in the scene, she feels…

Ho ho ho! This is the romance of the martial world.

A time she doesn’t want to be disturbed, and her small happiness doesn’t last long.

“You’re still doing that, huh? Every morning, you go up to the roof and let your hair down, trying to set the mood. It’s seriously ghostly, you know?”

Immediately, the killing intent of Jin Gahui turns toward the eaves.

A man dressed in black, with a large chain-sickle slung across his back, shaking out his legs.

He was Yeom Sang-rok , the “Young Demon Scythe”.

Chwarr…

Jin Gahui, with eyes full of venom, pulls out a blood-red whip from within her sleeve.

Her signature weapon, the Blood Iron Whip.

“Yeah, you cold-hearted bitch. You fit that image. You think I enjoy talking to you? Quit the atmosphere and get down here.”

Thwack!

Jin Gahui lands lightly with a newly learned technique, striking the ground with her whip.

Chwaak!

“Say it again.”

Yeom Sang-rok retreats hesitantly.

“Ugh… Look at that pale face, not a drop of blood. You’re like a damn ghost. Creepy as hell.”

Chwaaaak!

As Jin Gahui gathers her energy, the whip writhes like a lively snake.

“Say it again, you little bastard.”

“You creepy bitch?”

Yeom Sang-rok, with eyes full of murderous intent, pulls out his chain-sickle and lets it dangle.

There’s no way they could ever get along, not with that woman always mentioning ‘that incident’ at the most inopportune times.

“So, did some courtesan give you medicine again today? Why the hell are you bothering me so early?”

“Ha! A woman who’s never been married, yet she’s got such a dirty tongue. No wonder you’re unpopular!”

Jin Gahui withdraws the power she had infused into the whip and shoots a venomous glare.

“Enough. Just get to the point. If it’s some trivial matter, I’ll destroy the other one too.”

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“Ugh!”

Yeom Sang-rok recoils, taken aback by her sticky gaze that lands on his lower body.

She could so nonchalantly destroy his entire life, the last man in it! Her master, the Poison Whip Killer, had even distanced himself from her, and it was clear she was no ordinary woman.

Soon, Yeom Sang-rok also retracts his chain-sickle.

“A ‘Golden Ghost’ has appeared around Poyang Lake.”

“Golden Ghost?”

A Kill Ghost or Evil Ghost would be more familiar, but a Golden Ghost? She had never heard of it before.

Jin Gahui shows curiosity.

“Is it someone who’s polluting the waters?”

“I don’t know, you bitch! That’s just what they’re calling it. Anyway, this guy has been buying up land around Poyang Lake like crazy.”

“Land?”

It’s a typical foolish behavior of a rookie with a lot of money.

No matter how many lands they buy and open inns, brothels, or gambling houses, none of these businesses can operate without the permission of Heukcheollyeon, the ruler of Poyang Lake.

“They’ll all get robbed and fall apart, as usual. It’s not like these idiots are showing up for the first time, so why should we even care?”

“And that foolishness involves two million pyeong?”

“What did you say? Two million?”

Jin Gahui’s eyes widen in surprise.

Two million pyeong is one-quarter of the entire market area around Poyang Lake.

“Is he from the royal family or a government official or something?”

Occasionally, among the high-ranking government officials who wielded great power from the royal family, some tried to start businesses with the wealth they accumulated over their lifetimes.

Though it was a bit uncomfortable to deal with officials from the royal family, Heukcheollyeon was not the type to avoid a fight.

“Even the great Dan Wumyeong, who served as the head of the Ministry of Works, was completely stripped and chased out. Who would dare to come now?”

No matter how grand the business, if Heukcheollyeon directly intervenes, it can’t last.

It was well-known that people who ate at the inns run by the Ministry of Works were being watched by Heukcheollyeon. Who would be foolish enough to eat there, knowing that?

“These guys are a joke. Even if they buy two million pyeong of land, do they think they can actually do anything with it?”

“I don’t know. Anyway, they want us to meet with him.”

“Us? Why?”

Soma Gyeom, the disciple of Magyeomwang.

Dokmaehong, the disciple of Dokpyeonsalwang.

Both of them were disciples of the Heukcheollyeon’s Eight Great Masters, the Heukcheon Palwang. Their positions within Heukcheollyeon were not insignificant.

“They want to buy our land?”

“Our land?”

Jin Gahui’s eyes widen again.

As members of Heukcheollyeon, they couldn’t own land. Everything belonged to the “Union”.

“Are they trying to negotiate to buy Heukcheollyeon’s land?”

“Exactly.”

“Wow! Are they completely out of their minds?”

Yeom Sang-rok looks horrified.

“You cruel bitch. Why do you always speak like that, even when you’re talking?”

Jin Gahui pouts.

“You’re the one who’s been bursting your head way more than me.”

Given the nature of their weapons, Yeom Sang-rok, wielding a chain-sickle, was the one who spilled far more blood than Jin Gahui, who used a whip.

His scythe techniques were incredibly brutal, far more so than his usual carefree demeanor.

“Enough. Get ready quickly. They’re supposed to arrive soon.”

“Here? The first branch of Heukcheollyeon?”

“Yes, here.”

Jin Gahui is flustered.

“Wow! Let me borrow that scythe later. I want to measure the size of their guts by slicing their bellies open.”

“You cold-hearted woman.”

Jin Gahui gives a cold glare.

“Do you want to have a popularity contest to see who’s colder and more brutal between Soma Gyeom and Dokmaehong?”

Yeom Sang-rok looks genuinely horrified.

“Hey, you pale bitch! The fact that you even call that a ‘popularity contest’ already shows you’re not normal!”

“Enough. So where are those bastards coming from?”

Yeom Sang-rok’s gaze turns toward the far edge of the massive lake.

“Yeohyangru.”

* * *

The young master of the gang, Jo Hwi, and the chief manager, Jeogal Un.

Disguised as porters, Jang Il-ryong and Namgung Jang-ho, the bodyguards.

Jo Hwi and his group were all frozen with tense expressions.

Over the past two months, they had met with various powerful merchants from Jiangxi Province, but the tension they felt today was unlike any they had felt before.

This was their first time meeting with the higher-ups of Heukcheollyeon, the main branch of the organization.

The past two months had felt like a battle.

The people of Nanchang were completely different from the people of Hefei, the center of orthodox factions.

They would sell land with a big smile, only to have assassins sent to stab you in the back; they would poison your drink during negotiations; or they would blatantly draw their swords right from the start.

In the streets, knives flew around, and fights broke out. Women’s shrill screams echoed constantly, and thieves, holding stolen goods, could be seen running around like madmen.

Everyone here seemed like a lunatic.

Only the logic of power ruled here, with no room for negotiations or distinctions based on righteousness.

As expected from the Black Dao, the sinister atmosphere made both Namgung Jang-ho and Jeogal Un feel as though their minds were about to snap.

‘How could the Murim Alliance allow a place like this to exist?’ This thought dominated their minds.

However, even the Murim Alliance had no choice but to tolerate the Three-Stage Heaven.

And today, they were about to meet some of the most insane individuals of all.

It was strange if they weren’t nervous.

“I think it’s him.”

Jeogal Un’s quiet voice.

As the curtain of Yeohyangru was drawn aside, the black-clad man walked in, and everyone in the room lowered their heads and bowed in respect.

The man, wearing a huge chain sickle on his back, arrogantly surveyed the room before suddenly glancing up to the second floor.

At this, Jo Hwi stood up and lightly nodded in greeting.

The black-clad man flashed a grin, then proceeded to climb to the second floor, swinging his chain sickle wildly as he stomped over.

Crash!

The huge chain sickle slammed into the table where Jo Hwi’s group was sitting!

The force was so great that the sickle continued to shake violently, its deadly blades exposed.

“Are you the one? The one who wants to buy our land?”

Yeom Sang-rok, wearing a sinister smile, looked at Jo Hwi.

“Please, have a seat first.”

The chair scraped loudly as Jo Hwi motioned for Yeom Sang-rok to sit. Yeom Sang-rok continued to stare at him intensely, his eyes full of curiosity.

“Wow, this guy’s tough. He knows exactly who I am, yet he’s not scared at all?”

These damn bandits always try to take control from the start.

Jo Hwi had seen too many of these types, to the point where it was almost boring now.

As Yeom Sang-rok continued to examine the group with sharp eyes, Jo Hwi noticed something unusual.

“Oh? There’s a reason why you’re not afraid?”

At that moment, the bodyguard exuded a fierce aura.

The man wore a conical hat pulled low over his eyes.

His posture and presence were intimidating, and his aura was far from ordinary.

“Well, the fact that you came all the way here means you’re willing to listen to what I have to say, right?”

Yeom Sang-rok nodded, acknowledging the statement.

He then sat down, kicked his legs up onto the table, and spat on the floor.

“Go ahead, speak.”

Jeogal Un, looking somewhat perplexed, gestured toward the large chain sickle still lodged in the table.

“We need to spread out the map. Could you move this?”

Yeom Sang-rok grinned and tugged on the chain attached to the sickle.

Swish!

With a smooth, almost supernatural skill, he coiled the heavy sickle and chain, neatly wrapping it up before securing it to his back.

“Is that good?”

Jeogal Un spread a large map of Poyang Lake across the table.

Yeom Sang-rok, who had been eyeing the map, suddenly looked taken aback.

“Wait, are you seriously going to buy all this land?”

Jeogal Un nodded.

“Exactly.”

“Are you insane? You’re completely crazy!”

The area marked on the map covered more than half of the Poyang Lake trade area, including land held by Heukcheollyeon’s first branch.

“Ha ha!”

A woman’s laughter echoed from somewhere, causing Jang Il-ryong, one of the porters, to jump in surprise.

“Ah! Damn, you scared me!”

A woman was peering curiously at the map through the window frame, her pale face looking as though it could be seen through to the bone. She didn’t look human at all.

‘What… who is that woman?’

Jo Hwi was just as startled.

Her face, though certainly beautiful, gave him an uncanny feeling, like a chill running down his spine.

Her skin was so pale it almost seemed translucent, like something from a horror film, resembling the ghostly appearance of a female spirit from a school ghost story.

“Hah… did she really have to make an entrance like that? It’s enough to make your heart stop, you cold-hearted woman. Why do you like being on rooftops so much anyway?”

Swish.

Jin Ga-hee entered with light, graceful steps, then pointed her chin toward the straw-hat warrior, Namgung Jang-ho, and glanced at Yeom Sang-rok.

“If we take down that straw-hat guy, all their money is ours, right? I don’t think I can do it alone… shall we team up?”

“You wicked woman. How can you plan to kill someone right in front of them?”

Jin Ga-hee flicked the long whip wrapped around her right hand, her eyes gleaming as she grinned.

“Shut up, you little bastard. Make up your mind if we’re teaming up or not.”

*Whoosh!*

*Crack!*

With a sharp crack, the whip struck the second floor floorboards, causing Yeom Sang-rok to jump up in shock, throwing his chair aside as he steadied himself.

“You little…!”

He spat on the floor, glaring fiercely at her.

“You damn woman, why can’t you ever tell friend from foe when you use that damn whip?”

*Whoosh!*

“Can’t you aim properly!?”

Immediately, his long chain sickle shot toward Namgung Jang-ho with incredible speed.

*Ho-ho-ho-ho!*

*Whoosh!*

At the same time, Jin Ga-hee’s whip tried to coil around Namgung Jang-ho, but—

*Thud! Thud!*

Jo Hwi, using both hands, easily blocked both the whip and the chain sickle, letting out a bitter smile.

“These aren’t even human beings.”

“Now I see, there’s a real boss among you.”

Yeom Sang-rok forced a grin, trying to compose himself, but inwardly he was stunned. He had almost dropped the chain sickle.

Having lived as a member of the Black Dao, he’d seen all kinds of things, but never had he expected someone to block his *Sura Kill Demon Sickle* with one hand.

And that wasn’t all.

That cold woman’s *Evil Poison Seven Deadly Whip* was also on par with his own skills.

The person before him had blocked both at the same time.

Even if he could understand it if there had been some impact, how was it that Jo Hwi was holding his sickle like it was just a pair of chopsticks?

Moreover, looking into the chilling, translucent eyes of the woman next to him sent a cold sweat down his spine.

The immense skill they displayed was as terrifying as their gaze. They were far from ordinary people.

“Sit down, you bastard.”

“Yes.”

With quick movements, Yeom Sang-rok pulled the chair closer and sat down.

Jo Hwi, staring at him, grew even colder.

He knew that with these shallow, treacherous bastards, showing any weakness would be fatal.

Once power was revealed, it was essential to crush them thoroughly to avoid any future problems.

This had been Jo Hwi’s painful experience over the past few months.

“Throw that sickle out the window.”

“Uh, well… it’s kind of expensive, though.”

“Throw it.”

“Yes.”

*Whoosh!*

*Thud!*

Namgung Jang-ho, who had been watching, clicked his tongue.

Jo Hwi, who ordered the weapon, the lifeblood of a warrior, to be discarded like a useless item, and Yeom Sang-rok, who threw it out the window without a moment’s hesitation, were far from normal.

“Ghost girl. You sit down too.”

At Jo Hwi’s cold voice, Jin Ga-hee blushed slightly.

“Hehe! You called me a virgin!”

Did the word “ghost” after “virgin” not bother her at all?

Despite the situation, she found something positive to focus on and felt happy, showing just how unusual she was.

Soon, Jo Hwi stood up and grabbed Jin Ga-hee’s whip, snatching it away and throwing it out the window.

Whether they would recover it later didn’t matter; for now, he needed to disarm them completely.

These damn scoundrels always seemed careless, but their eyes never stopped darting around.

“You’re talking nonsense that I can hear, huh? Do you think I’ve never dealt with people like you before?”

“Shit! What do you mean?”

Yeom Sang-rok suddenly glared down at the first-floor attendant.

“Shit! What do you mean! Have I ever not compensated for things I’ve broken?”

Jo Hwi’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“Don’t try any tricks, just shut your mouth.”

“Yes, boss.”

“Brother, you little shit.”

“Yes, brother.”

With the conflict dying down, the inside of the Ohyang House became noisy again.

Finally, the attendant hurried over to take the order.

“Hehe! What would you like to order?”

Just as Jo Hwi was about to speak:

“Cooked goldfish soup, Ohyang-style roasted pork, and Eight Delicacies. For appetizers, some boiled fish and meat slices, and bring some Chilmaeju and Guwamo Taeju for the drinks.”

Thwack!

Jo Hwi sharply smacked the back of Yeom Sang-rok’s head, then coldly glared at the attendant.

“Cancel it. Two bottles of Jukyeopcheong, that’s it.”

“Ah, no way, you’re a rich guy and you’re only ordering two bottles of Jukyeopcheong?”

The man who wanted to buy half of the Poyang Lake territory was only ordering two bottles of Jukyeopcheong?

“Hey, you little shit. If you saw someone trying to kill you with a knife as soon as you met, would you buy them something expensive? And ghost girl, why are you still standing?”

“There’s no chair.”

Yeom Sang-rok rubbed the back of his head, glaring at Jin Ga-hee.

“You break everything and now you’re bragging, you cold woman. Ugh, just looking at her makes it feel like it’s freezing in the middle of summer.”

Thud!

It was the sound of Zhang Yilong slamming his hand on the table.

“That damn bastard talks too much. Boss, just hit him with a blood strike already.”

“Huh? What’s this? You’re not just a porter, huh?”

Zhang Yilong’s body slouched as his chest was revealed through his loose robes, showing impressive muscles.

He had looked like just a pig in the thick robes, but it turned out he was all muscle?

Yeom Sang-rok’s expression showed that he was now certain his opponent had trained in tremendous external martial arts.

Jo Hwi pushed his chair back and spoke to Jin Ga-hee.

“Stop drawing attention and sit down.”

Jin Ga-hee stood like a ghost, her pale, almost translucent skin making everyone in the Ohyang House shiver and glance nervously at her, checking if she was even human.

“Hoho! Thank you.”

Once the chaos settled, Jo Hwi’s question came next.

More important than the land deal at Poyang Lake, he had something else he needed to confirm.

“Where are the forces that left the Black Sky League? Where are they hiding?”

Over the past two months, while buying land, Jo Hwi’s group had been secretly tracking Eun Bong-ryeong.

But they hadn’t found any trace.

They had examined every location marked with Eun Bong-ryeong’s signature, only to find that they were all traps meant to mislead their investigation.

Of course, they hadn’t come up completely empty-handed.

By examining the supplies entering the Black Sky League, and analyzing the movements of several merchant factions, Je Galyun had accurately deduced the state of the Black Sky League’s forces.

Thus, they had quickly figured out where the forces that left the Black Sky League were hiding.

“Where are the three thousand Black Sky League soldiers hiding, you bastard?”

At that moment, Yeom Sang-rok’s eyes glowed fiercely.

“Are you guys… from the righteous faction?”

Namgung Jang-ho almost drew his sword in surprise.

At his gruff voice, everyone in the Ohyang House’s attention focused on them.

At that moment, Zhang Yilong roughly threw off his robe.

On his broad back, a large red bear tattoo became visible.

“Shit! What, do we look like we’re from the righteous faction to you?”

Namgung Jang-ho and Je Galyun sighed quietly.

Such quick thinking in an emergency!

“Chi Xiong! Ha! You’re from the Green Forest, huh?”

Only those closest to the King of the Green Forest could have such a bear tattoo.

Yeom Sang-rok now showed a wide smile of appreciation.

Zhang Yilong, watching this, had a puzzled look on his face.

The Black Sky League had been in conflict with the Green Forest for many years over the territory along the Poyang Lake and the Yangtze River. He didn’t understand why Yeom Sang-rok was showing such affection now.

Yeom Sang-rok, still smiling, tilted his head in confusion.

Something wasn’t quite adding up.

“Wait a minute. Why is the Green Forest asking about our troops? And if the water is about to rise, shouldn’t you all be leaving here? Why are you even buying our land?”

Jang Il-ryong’s face hardened.

The fact that the Green Forest was waiting for the rising summer flood meant only one thing.

When bandits (mountain bandits) become water bandits.

Which path cuts through the upper reaches of the Poyang Lake?

‘Anhui?’

Could the Green Forest be planning to attack the southern families of Anhui by riding the rising Yangtze River?

This was something that had only happened a few times in the long history of the Green Forest.

A challenge that was only possible when the Green Forest was at its strongest, during the heyday of the Black Sect.

Now, weakened by the influence of the Three-Path Alliance, it would be impossible for them.

Jang Il-ryong tried to lighten the mood.

“Well, whether it’s you or me, when the higher-ups say ‘do it,’ we just do it, right? We can’t really act on our own will.”

“That’s true. They fight and reconcile as they please… These guys are even more unpredictable than those little troublemakers.”

Reconcile?

It was his master who hated the Black Sect more than the righteous sect. It was a ridiculous thought, but Jang Il-ryong didn’t show it.

“Haha! As long as the benefits are right, we should be able to put aside personal grudges like this and work together. Isn’t that how a true man of the Black Sect should act?”

Yeom Sang-rok gave a mysterious laugh, and then, agreeing, he slammed the table with a hearty sound.

Smack!

“I see! So that’s why you’re buying the land!”

A confident face, a smile of triumph that he had finally figured it out.

“It’s understandable. You gave up the cherished Dangcheonpo to make a base and even mobilized seven thousand of Green Forest’s men. If we can also take Anhui, it’s a reasonable act of friendship from our sect leader.”

But then, Yeom Sang-rok’s face changed, his eyes filled with suspicion.

“Even so, our greedy sect leader wouldn’t give up half of Poyang Lake’s upper trade rights… And…”

The grip on Namgung Jang-ho’s sword tightened.

Thanks to Jang Il-ryong’s quick thinking and brilliant improvisation, he had finally uncovered the full picture.

At that moment, Jin Ga-hee, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

“I know you’re from Green Forest, but why did that jerk—no, that oppa—suddenly ask us about the Black Sect’s troops?”

Jo Hwi grinned.

“I just tested you. I had to make sure I could trust the fact that you’re sent by the Black Sect.”

“Ah?”

“Ah-ha?”

It seemed that Yeom Sang-rok and Jin Ga-hee both nodded, as though it made sense.

To exchange such intimate words, reconnaissance was a must, right?

***

‘This is bad!’

Zhuge Wun’s brain was working at full speed, watching all this unfold.

Green Forest’s seven thousand troops.

Black Sect’s three thousand troops.

Exactly ten thousand troops.

What if they used the rising Yangtze to invade Anhui all at once?

He shivered.

A battle that could go down in martial arts history was about to happen.

The problem was, there was no martial arts alliance army currently in Anhui.

Namgung family could only muster up to five hundred men—this was the limit of a single family.

He had to run to the alliance immediately and report this news.

“Now, since we’ve finished the reconnaissance, shall we get down to business?”

A sly smile from Jo Hwi.

There were so many questions to ask about when they planned to march, which port would be captured first, but he had to hold back.

Asking sensitive questions would inevitably raise more suspicions.

“Did you bring all the authority from the Black Sect’s main branch?”

At Jo Hwi’s question, Yeom Sang-rok showed a subtle expression and then nodded.

“The branch leader sent us directly, so it should be the case.”

Jo Hwi’s eyes grew cold.

“You must have seen the map by now. How much are you selling it for?”

“No, we weren’t told to sell it?”

“This bastard?”

Jo Hwi raised his hand, and Yeom Sang-rok flinched like a scared reptile.

“Really, though. We were just told to check who you are, but we weren’t told to sell any land.”

That made sense, as it was the disciples of the Eight Kings of the Black Sect who had been sent.

They never expected that a mere merchant could seize the initiative in negotiations.

If they had known this would happen, the branch leader would have come in person.

“You’re telling me that people who have the full authority can’t even decide whether to sell the land? Are these kids just babies or what?”

“What!”

“Heh! Babies, you say!”

Finally, Yeom Sang-rok exploded, revealing the pent-up frustrations.

“You fools! Do you think I don’t know about Green Forest’s dire situation? How dare you buy half of Poyang Lake with the little money you have!”

His eyes widened in anger, staring at Jang Il-ryong.

“Where is it, huh, you muscle-bound Green Forest bastard? You’re caught between the Martial Alliance and the Three-Path Alliance. How do you plan to feed all those Green Forest men with your shrinking territory? I know you’re already starving!”

His eyes then turned sharply toward Jo Hwi.

“Do you really think a young Green Forest guy like you can block the combined forces of two peak masters? Are you trying to say you’re some kind of extraordinary genius? What kind of nonsense is this? What are you really hiding? What is your real identity? What is it!?”

“Has this bastard gone mad?”

Just as Jo Hwi prepared to unleash his internal energy once more…

“Y-Your two bottles of Juyeopcheong are here…”

The waiter, avoiding the noise from Jo Hwi’s side, placed the two bottles of Juyeopcheong in front of Namgung Jang-ho and bowed respectfully before retreating.

“…Then have a good time.”

The hat-wearing warrior returned the bow.

“Thank you.”

The room fell into a frozen silence.

“…”

“…”

Yeom Sang-rok yelled with all his might, his eyes wide as if they were about to tear.

“D-D-Damn it, they’re from the righteous sect, aren’t they! Hey, woman! Get the hell out of here!”

***

Suddenly, Yeom Sang-rok recalled his glorious past and got heavily drunk.

“Ah… That was just amazing.”

He remembered when, at a young age, he beheaded the Battle Crazy Sword Master.

He recalled sinking dozens of ships, sending the grand fleet to the bottom of the sea.

He was the first of the Eight Kings’ disciples to be granted the title of Black Killer.

Then there was that time he foolishly challenged the Sword King and ended up losing his balls.

What was with all this?

Why was he suddenly remembering these things?

Jang Il-ryong stared at the laughing, grimacing Yeom Sang-rok, sticking out his tongue in disbelief.

“Even now, you’re laughing? You must be crazy. We have plenty of crazy people in the mountain, but I’ve never seen anyone this insane in my life.”

Yeom Sang-rok buried his head in the ground, leaving only his skull exposed.

Soon, he pointed at Jin Ga-hee, who was sitting across from him, and shouted in desperation.

“Damn it! Can’t you think positively for once? Why are you buried next to this woman? There are things humans can do and things they shouldn’t! Are you trying to freeze me to death?”

“Shut up, you little idiot. Is that your breath? Someone must think you’re cute. Ahhhhh!”

Jo Hwi clicked his tongue and began to press Jin Ga-hee with a crushing weight.

“Tch. She keeps pretending to fight, but she’s really just trying to escape. Don’t you think it’s time to give up? You still don’t know when to quit?”

The immense pressure on her shoulders made Jin Ga-hee try to make a pitiful face.

“Ahhh! I won’t do it again! Please, release the pressure!”

“Ugh, this damn ghost girl. How many times have you said that? I swear…”

“Heh! Ghost girl!”

As Zhuge Yun was seriously pondering with his phoenix-shaped golden thread, his eyes suddenly gleamed as if he had made up his mind.

“Zhou Xiaohe, there’s no choice. The rainy season is coming. We need to hurry to Meng.”

“Hmm…”

“If we delay, the Nangong family could end up handling the military forces on their own. We need to deal with these people and move quickly.”

Jang Il-ryong added his opinion.

“These bastards are said to be disciples of Heecheon Palwang. Are we sure there won’t be any consequences? What if we kill them and Heecheonryeon sends a pursuit team after us?”

Nangong Jang-ho’s deep voice could be heard.

“This is no time to be thinking about things. If we drag this out, the main family will be in great danger.”

In Anhui, it’s not just the Nangong family that is involved.

Heecheonryeon’s original goal was to target the Cho family’s great business.

The Nangong family was merely an obstacle guarding that lucrative target. This was why Cho Hui’s face grew stern.

“Wow, these bastards aren’t even human. Are you really planning to decide whether or not to kill someone right in front of their face? Just go ahead and take over the world of the sects yourselves?”

Cho Hui pulled out a document from his pocket.

“Seo Ma-gyeom, Yeom Sang-rok. At a young age, he earned the title of Heuksal (Black Kill). Heecheonryeon’s rank is around two hundred. His position is the First Division Black Heaven Secret Guard. Despite his lack of verbal skills, his character is treacherous and extremely cruel.”

After flipping through a few more pages, Cho Hui then fixed his gaze on Jin Ga-hee.

“Dokmae Hong Jin Ga-hee. Earned the title of Gwisal (Ghost Kill), Heecheonryeon’s rank is around two hundred and fifty. Position is the First Division Special Kill Commander. Personality is unknown. Hey, why is your personality omitted?”

The answer came from Yeom Sang-rok.

“Can’t you tell just by looking? She’s just a flower-headed girl. But who the hell bought her? How dare she sell information about Heecheonryeon? What a crazy bastard.”

Without replying to him, Cho Hui shifted his gaze toward Jang Il-ryong.

“They’re just people outside the top 200. Do you really think Heecheonryeon will send a separate force just to save these people?”

Jang Il-ryong shook his head.

“Even though their rank is low because of their age, their actual standing is much higher. These are disciples of the Heecheon Palwang, who are unrivaled except for the Lord of Heecheonryeon, so they will definitely try to find them.”

Cho Hui was troubled.

If they let them go, these people would spill their identities and objectives. But if they kill them, Heecheonryeon would likely send a pursuit team.

If a pursuit team from Heecheonryeon were formed in Nangang, their movements would be even more restricted.

They didn’t have much time to hesitate either.

Once the rainy season comes, the combined forces of Heecheonryeon and Noklim will ride the rising water to advance north into Anhui.

With a frustrated expression, Cho Hui glared at Nangong Jang-ho.

“Why can’t you control your greed? Why is it so hard?”

Nangong Jang-ho silently lowered his conical hat deeper, hiding his embarrassment.

“This bastard!”

Taking advantage of the brief moment, Cho Hui quickly activated his new technique and stepped on Yeom Sang-rok’s shoulders, using the Heavenly Crushing technique.

“AAAHHHH!”

The immense pressure that seemed to crush his upper body made Yeom Sang-rok dizzy. This was a completely different level of Heavenly Crushing technique!

“Ah! I get it! You… you just need to not run away, right? Aaaah!”

Jin Ga-hee, who had been grinning with amusement, suddenly looked up at Cho Hui.

“I really need to pee. Should I just go?”

“Ha…”

He couldn’t possibly let this grown woman pee herself in front of him, and this situation was truly maddening.

Reluctantly, Cho Hui spoke up.

“Fine, both of you come out.”

Whoosh!

As soon as the words were spoken, Yeom Sang-rok and Jin Ga-hee shot up from the ground.

Immediately, Cho Hui treated Yeom Sang-rok as if he were a subordinate, throwing an arm around his shoulder.

“Sang-rok, you little bastard.”

“Why?”

“You really think you can talk like that just because you’re doing well, huh?”

“Who the hell do you think I am? I’m Heecheonryeon’s Heuksal! I’m not going to use honorifics with some righteous sect bastards!”

Suddenly, Cho Hui recalled his own background, and his white robes fluttered wildly.

“Big brother.”

“Yeah.”

Yeom Sang-rok’s body shuddered.

Who was he?

He was the greatest of Heuksal, the peer of the infamous military generals and blade masters.

Since he was six, he had mastered the most renowned sword style of the underworld, the Surasalmageom (Sura Killing Blade), and had consumed two of the heavenly-grade elixirs to enhance his inner energy and eventually reached this peak.

He had survived in the bloody world of Heecheonryeon, and eventually defeated the ruthless Mookho to claim the position of Black Heaven Secret Guard.

At least among his peers, he thought no one could stand up to him.

But in front of him was this righteous sect bastard, who, despite being about the same age, wielded unimaginable martial arts.

He was confident in his movement techniques, but the result was too absurd.

Had he really been knocked out? He had barely felt a flash of movement before waking up buried in a mountain!

It was truly an unfair world.

He had spent his entire life fighting and striving to become a peak expert in the hellish world of Heecheonryeon, but he couldn’t even defeat a righteous sect man!

This was why the rich were so terrifying.

How could a simple sect foster such a terrifying monster?

“Sang-rok, I have a suggestion for you.”

“What kind of suggestion?”

Cho Hui gave a smile as if he were being generous.

“I won’t kill you… for now.”

Yeom Sang-rok’s face momentarily lit up.

“Really?”

Heh heh!

No matter how skilled those bastards were, Heecheonryeon was still formidable!

“Of course, there are conditions.”

“Conditions?”

Cho Hui nodded and pulled out a map from his sleeve.

“I want you to mark every place where Heecheonryeon’s wealth is concentrated—treasuries, medicine vaults, armories, and any place with valuable resources. Mark every one of them.”

Zhuge Yun’s mouth hung open in shock.

“You’re not seriously…”

Cho Hui quickly understood what he was trying to do.

“Yes. That’s exactly what I’m doing.”

Rear Disruption!

With the main force of Heecheonryeon still intact, this seemed like the ideal strategy.

But it made no sense.

There were still over five thousand experts in Heecheonryeon’s main force. How could they pull off a disruption with just four people?

No matter how powerful Cho Hui was, five thousand was not a number they could easily overcome.

“Those places will surely be heavily guarded. The masters defending them will be formidable.”

Jang Il-ryong fully agreed with this assessment.

“Exactly. Just the First Division will have over a thousand defending it.”

Cho Hui smiled meaningfully.

Indeed, these people were all set in their ways.

How hard could it be to think outside the box?

Why was it that everyone thought they had to break through the opponent’s army to deal a blow?

Having played countless strategic simulation games in his past life, Cho Hui knew the perfect strategy of ‘robbing the empty house.’

A single powerful strike to annihilate the enemy’s army was great, but slowly chipping away at their resources and eventually starving their main force was the key to controlling the battlefield later on.

“My target is not Heecheonryeon’s army.”

Zhuge Yun raised an eyebrow, curious.

“Then what is it?”

Cho Hui grinned.

“I’m going to destroy Heecheonryeon’s wealth, leaving their army unscathed.”

“…Huh?”

Zhuge Yun’s mind briefly froze.

Nangong Jang-ho, watching this, couldn’t contain his curiosity and spoke up.

“They must have extremely tight defenses, how can you target Heecheonryeon’s resources without dealing with their masters first?”

Cho Hui smiled meaningfully.

“Because I have the ultimate unit.”

“The ultimate unit? What do you mean?”

Cho Hui realized, in the process of learning Nangong family martial arts, just how much of an expert they were at group combat.

Nangong’s Imperial Sword Technique had incredibly powerful area-of-effect abilities.

With overwhelming pressure that crushed everything around them and shockwaves that exploded in an instant, the range of this attack was so wide it could surpass even the Heavenly Sword styles in terms of destructive capacity.

If the goal was simply to destroy things and not engage with martial artists directly, this kind of area-of-effect skill was highly efficient.

Furthermore, if he, with his own absolute mastery, used such techniques in his own style, the efficiency would increase even further.

A pleased smile appeared on Cho Hui’s face as he formed his will in the air.

A sword hovered in front of him, its motion slow but deliberate.

Watching this

, Zhuge Yun’s mind began to churn with calculations.

“…It’s possible.”

The sense of helplessness was indescribable for Jang Il-ryong, who had yet to even bloom the true martial flower, let alone reach the level of a true master.

As a swordsman, how often would he ever have the chance to witness such an exalted sword technique?

On Nangong Jang-ho’s face, there was a mix of ecstatic emotion and awe toward the unknown.

“It must have been at least three hundred paces away. Such swordsmanship! Truly extraordinary!”

Zhuge Yun was so dumbfounded that he had no strength to respond.

The meaning behind the move Cho Hui had just shown was actually quite simple.

It was a declaration to obliterate buildings from a distance, alone.

A level of mastery that made all the common sense and strategies of the martial world meaningless.

A force that rendered even the ancient wisdom of the Zhuge family utterly useless.

The realm of absolute mastery!

This was the immense power Cho Hui was effortlessly revealing.