At Hwa Sogwang’s sudden introduction, Baek Ho Ja flinched in shock, leaping up without realizing it.“Th–the Flame Emperor?”“That’s right. This here is the Green Forest Grand Emperor, and this is the Sword Queen.”As if he had been waiting for this very moment, Hwa Sogwang began introducing people.The identities that came from his mouth were staggering.Baek Ho Ja’s expression wavered as though he couldn’t tell whether to believe this or not, until Namgoong Hwan spoke with a grave face.“Everything is true. He is not only my lord, but also the master of the Namgoong Clan.”“W–what on earth are you saying? Th–the Namgoong Clan is serving someone?”“That is correct. Not just our Namgoong Clan, but all Five Great Clans serve this man as our lord.”“You’re telling me I should believe that right now?”“Whether you believe me or not, everything I say is fact.”“If… if that’s true… then what kind of existence could possibly be so that the Five Great Clans would make him their master?”“My lord is the only bloodline of Musincheonju, and the one who will succeed him as the next Master of Martial Deity Heaven.”KWA-BOOM—Like thunder crashing in his head, a shock swept over Baek Ho Ja.If that statement were true, then had he not just slandered Musincheon to the very face of Musincheonju’s bloodline?Baek Ho Ja’s pupils trembled violently.He hastily bowed his head and begged forgiveness.“M–my apologies! I swear, I had not the slightest intention of insulting Musincheon. I only spoke out of bitter grievance…”“It’s all right. I understand the Sect Leader’s heart. I know well how much suffering you have endured all this time.”“Y–young lord…”The form of address shifted—not Escort Chief, but Young Lord.“Do not worry. I give you my word—I will make Kunlun strong again, as it once was.”Should he believe this?Somehow, he felt like he could.No—he wanted to believe.Yet still, a doubt lingered in his chest—“Is it really true?”Sensing Baek Ho Ja’s unease, Yeon Woo Jin smiled and set down the bundle he had brought before him.“Grandfather told me to return this to you.”“G–grandfather, you mean?”Namgoong Hwan answered Baek Ho Ja’s question.“He who is called the Martial God and who rules over Musincheon.”What could Musincheonju possibly have told him to return?With trembling hands, Baek Ho Ja picked up the bundle that Yeon Woo Jin held out.When he unfolded it, two books appeared.Supreme Highest Divine Art .Supreme Highest Sword Dao .They were the divine arts that had once allowed Kunlun to command the Central Plains.“Th–this is…”He could hardly believe it.They were being returned?And not copies—these were the originals.As Baek Ho Ja stared with an expression of disbelief, Yeon Woo Jin bowed his head.“For what Yongho Gate has done, I apologize on behalf of Musincheon.”“N–no. When the whole world turned its back on us, only Musincheon extended a hand. The fault lies with Yongho Gate, not with Musincheon.”“Yongho Gate is still under Musincheon’s banner. Their wrongdoing is Musincheon’s wrongdoing. This will be corrected. I will see to it that they kneel before you and beg forgiveness.”“Young lord…”“And there is one more thing I must apologize for.”“What is that?”“These two martial arts… I already learned them.”“Wh–what?”“But in return, I will teach them to you exactly as they are.”“You… you learned both of these arts? These are techniques so abstruse that they are said to defy comprehension even in a lifetime of training.”“Yes. That’s why I will help you grasp their true meaning.”“You’re telling me you’ve understood the very essence of these martial arts?”Yeon Woo Jin nodded.Namgoong Hwan, excited, spoke up.“My lord has not only mastered these, but has comprehended the martial ways of every sect in the Central Plains, including the Nine Orthodox Sects and the Five Great Clans.”At his words, Baek Ho Ja’s jaw dropped open.Could that even be possible?One thing was certain.The man before him could not be measured by human standards.But then another question arose.Even if he revealed the essence of these arts, wouldn’t that take a very long time?Could it be… he was saying he would remain here until Kunlun had fully understood?Reading his expression, Yeon Woo Jin smiled and said,“These two arts are extremely abstruse, so it will take quite some time. I’ll need to stay here for about ten days.”Only ten days?Could it truly be done in that time?It sounded absurd.Impossible.Yet the others’ reactions weren’t the same as his.“What? A–a whole ten days?”“Yes. So please prepare everything properly.”Namgoong Hwan said,“Give us two days. We’ll need at least that long to prepare ten days’ worth of provisions.”“Very well. We must deal with Yongho Gate before then anyway.”“Understood. I’ll move immediately.”As Namgoong Hwan hurried out, Baek Ho Ja grabbed his arm.“Where are you going? For ten days’ worth of provisions, Kunlun has more than enough.”Namgoong Hwan shook his head.“Not ten days’ worth.”“Then what?”“We’ll need provisions for ten months.”“What are you saying?”“You’ll understand soon enough.”With those baffling words, Namgoong Hwan left in a rush, leaving Baek Ho Ja tilting his head in confusion.The remaining people didn’t look particularly cheerful either.Why were they making such grim faces over a mere ten days?“It must be truly abstruse.”“Ten days straight, he says…”“Just the thought of sparring with the lord that whole time…”The three shuddered.That too puzzled him.What was it about ten days that made them react like that?And how exactly was Yeon Woo Jin going to help them grasp the true meaning of the arts in that time?And what about Yongho Gate?Questions only piled higher in Baek Ho Ja’s mind.“I suppose I’ll soon find out.” ****The next day.Following Yeon Woo Jin’s instructions, Baek Ho Ja summoned only the high council and informed them that the Johwadan had safely arrived the previous night.Then he carefully observed each of their faces.Everyone looked pleased—except for two men, whose expressions were less than joyful.“You two—aren’t you happy?”Startled, the pair waved their hands.“What do you mean, Sect Leader? Of course we are happy.”“That’s right. We were simply stunned by the sudden news last night.”“Is that so? You looked startled, so I asked. If it isn’t so, that’s good.”“Of course we were startled. But why receive it without telling us?”“Because among us, there are vermin reporting our every move to Yongho Gate. I couldn’t risk them running off with the news again.”At those words, most of the council erupted in rage. They shouted that the traitors should be caught and executed immediately.“You two don’t seem all that angry.”Startled again, the two men quickly replied,“N–not at all! We’re angry as well. But in this situation, declaring such things without knowing who it is—that might be too hasty, we fear.”“That’s right. If we start doubting each other and misunderstanding, it could lead to division and ruin.”At their words, Baek Ho Ja nodded.“You’re right. That could happen. But those I called here are the ones I trust, so you needn’t worry.”Hearing that, the two men’s faces relaxed in relief.But seeing them, Baek Ho Ja was now certain.They were the traitors.Once they left, and Yongho Gate’s people came running, it would be ten out of ten that those two were the ones.“Now that the Johwadan is in our hands, not a whisper of this must reach Yongho Gate. Is that understood?”“Yes!”“Prepare disciples to take the pills. We must begin without delay.”“Yes, understood!”“Then go.”“Yes.”As the council left, Baek Ho Ja kept his eyes fixed on the two in particular.“You dare betray us? I will never let you go unpunished.”His glare burned with menace. ****“Hahaha! Sect Leader, I hear there’s good news. Is it true?”Of course. He had expected this.The traitors had already rushed to Yongho Gate’s Master and revealed that the Johwadan had arrived.And now they stood at his side.No longer even bothering to hide, they bowed their heads proudly beside him.When Baek Ho Ja glared at them, Du Jin Byeok, the Gate Master, patted their shoulders and said,“Ah, these two? As of today, they are members of Yongho Gate. So I’d prefer if you didn’t lay a hand on them. Touching them is touching Yongho Gate itself.”At his words, smiles crept across the traitors’ lips.With such protection, Kunlun would never dare harm them.“Now then, let’s have a look at that fine thing, shall we?”“And why does the Gate Master wish to see it?”“Why, the Johwadan I’ve heard so much about, of course. Surely it’s natural to want to see it.”“If you wish to see it, you should purchase it yourself.”“Ah, I see. Then will you sell it to me? I’ll pay one nyang of gold per pill.”“One nyang? Are you mocking me? Johwadan is worth ten nyang per pill.”“Your math is off. Nine of those nyang are payment for us protecting Kunlun. Simple arithmetic, don’t you think?”“So now you mean to seize them by force? Was this Musincheon’s command?”At last, unable to bear it, Baek Ho Ja lashed out in fury.Du Jin Byeok’s face hardened.“What did you just say? Seize by force? Anyone listening would think we’re villains.”“You are villains! You’re dragging Musincheon’s name through the mud! Do you think Musincheonju will let you live when he learns of this?”“Kekeke. Will Musincheonju side with you? Or with us, his own kin? I wonder. Don’t you?”“You ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ wretch!”“But don’t worry. There’s no chance of news reaching Musincheonju anyway.”Then he turned to his men.“This won’t do. Time to give Kunlun Sect a proper lesson.”“Yes, sir!”“Make sure they never rise again. Grind them into the dirt.”“Yes!”At his command, murderous aura erupted from every direction.The killing intent wrapped around the Kunlun Sect members.“Urgh!”The weaker Taoists groaned in pain.“Stop! You fiends!”“It’s not too late. Hand over the Johwadan, and we’ll leave quietly.”“Kh–!”“Quickly now.”“I do not have the Johwadan.”“And I’m supposed to believe that?”“It’s the truth. I haven’t yet received it.”“Ahh! Then it must be with the Guild Master.”“No. It’s with me.”A voice rang out.Du Jin Byeok’s head turned naturally toward the sound.There stood Yeon Woo Jin.“What are you? A child has no place here.”“Both a child, and in exactly the right place.”“What?”From his robe, Yeon Woo Jin pulled something out and held it up.A luminous golden pill, radiating extraordinary energy at a glance.“No… it couldn’t be.”“That’s right. This is Johwadan.”Not just one or two.At a glance, there were more than ten.“You bought that many?”“Yes.”“These people whined about hardship, yet they were hiding such wealth!”“Kunlun poured out everything it had. It’s time we began standing on our own, don’t you think?”“Kekeke. Amusing. Since when do you decide to stand on your own? Hand them over. Such treasures don’t suit pigs like these.”“How can you be so sure they don’t?”“There’s an old saying—‘pearls before swine.’ Such jewels are wasted on pigs. They belong in the hands of one fit to use them.”“You mean Yongho Gate?”“Exactly.”“Did Musincheon tell you to do this?”“It would be wiser not to bring up Musincheon. Unless you want to die.”

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