Chapter 78

Chapter 78

The Wind Sword Sect was currently the most famous sect in Yueyang.

Although it was a small-to-medium-sized sect, they possessed quite high martial arts, and because they held enough influence to seize control of the Yueyang area in an instant, no one could harm them.

Originally, the Wind Sword Sect was a sect located in Hubei.

Because Hubei could not escape the reputation and influence of Wudang and the Zhuge Family, it was difficult for small-to-medium sects to establish a firm foothold.

Thus, Hu Ja-ryeong, the sect leader of the Wind Sword Sect, decided to leave Hubei, and the place he chose was Yueyang.

Lately, many things were happening near Yueyang, and even the Martial God's secret cave had appeared on Junzi Island. Although there was no news of anything properly discovered yet, this Hunan was still a place where many secrets were hidden.

Moreover, was there not also a legend like this?

[Seal the Martial God in the deepest part of Lake Dongting.]

This story was a mere legend.

It was a saying that was completely unknown as to where and how it came down, or from whose mouth it was passed down.

However, with the discovery of the traces of the Martial God, which had been thought of as a legend until now, people were flocking, thinking that the statement about sealing the Martial God might also be the truth.

Around the time rumors began to circulate that Junzi Island had been discovered, Hu Ja-ryeong, the Wind Sword Sect Leader, quickly wrapped up his sect's affairs and came to Yueyang.

Since the legend of the Martial God had now become a situation where it could no longer be called a legend, he believed that if they could only find his traces, the Wind Sword Sect could rise to the Nine Sects and One Gang, the Eight Great Families, or even higher in an instant.

Many people had the same thought.

Therefore, sects sprang up like mushrooms after rain, and in the end, it was none other than Hu Ja-ryeong who took control of the Yueyang area.

He was full of pride regarding this.

"So, did you look into it?"

"When I asked the boatmen around here, they said this area is the deepest. Of course, it is merely a simple guess."

At his subordinate's words, Hu Ja-ryeong nodded.

The place he pointed to was a spot on the map of Lake Dongting.

The subordinate pointed out a few more spots, but they were all not far from the first point.

"Most of them are around here."

"It seems to be because this stream of water is the deepest part of Lake Dongting. Not only the boatmen but other people also mentioned this area."

With a hum, Hu Ja-ryeong nodded.

Since he had settled in this place with the intention of entering Lake Dongting from the beginning, he had already finished his preparations.

The boat was also prepared, so all that remained was to take action.

"It is quite a distance."

"Yes, it takes about two hours just to go from our sect, so it seems impossible to go back and forth from Yueyang."

Hu Ja-ryeong knew.

He was certainly not the only one trying to find the legend of the Martial God.

Since there would be those running here with similar thoughts even now, they had to move as quickly as possible.

four hours to go back and forth.

Hu Ja-ryeong felt that even that time was a waste.

"Is there any place to stay nearby?"

"There is one place, but…"

"There is one? Near here? Is it something like a boatman's house?"

"Ah, no. There is… a manor…"

"A manor?"

Hu Ja-ryeong's eyes widened.

The area around Lake Dongting was imperial land, so buying and selling it was forbidden.

Because of that, had he himself not settled in Yueyang instead of near Lake Dongting? However, hearing that there was a manor in such a place, Hu Ja-ryeong could not help but be surprised.

His subordinate spoke again.

"It seems they are someone with connections to the county magistrate."

"Did you investigate?"

"I did try, but… no information came out about who it is, and I only heard that they suddenly appeared a few months ago."

"I see…"

Hu Ja-ryeong nodded.

He thought that if they had connections with the county magistrate, this could naturally be the case. After all, the law originally tended to have beneficiaries in secret.

With a smirk, Hu Ja-ryeong turned around.

"Prepare the gear. I must go there myself."

"Understood."

"Ugh! P-please spare me."

"What are you doing? Keep going."

Dan Woo-hyun sat on the wooden veranda, reading a book.

He seemed to be spending his leisure time peacefully, but strangely, Jang Sam-tae was unable to do so.

He was working in the manor just like usual. However, the problem was that he could not stand up.

Wherever he went or whatever he did, he had to move while crouching.

But even in this situation, he could not neglect cooking meals, so he had no choice but to cook rice and do the laundry in that state.

Jang Sam-tae could crouch or crawl on the ground, but he could not stand up and walk.

Dan Woo-hyun's order.

He wondered if he could stand up if he left his sight, but even that was impossible because of Gwon Mu-jin, who followed him even when he went to the outhouse.

'At least it was a relief that he had not died.'

Jang Sam-tae broke into a cold sweat.

At first, he really thought he was going to die.

Although the appearance of the cave was not something he could control, since he had drawn the map and scattered mud inside the cave, the one who ultimately provoked Dan Woo-hyun's anger was Jang Sam-tae.

Considering Dan Woo-hyun's personality, he was at a point where he was grateful just to be alive.

'Who would have known anyone would fall for it?'

However, Jang Sam-tae also had his own excuses.

People were scattered all over the Central Plains.

There were so many people that they could be swept away, so he had not thought even in the slightest that Dan Woo-hyun of all people would fall into it.

Furthermore, judging from the fact that he went in search of treasure, was it not born from Dan Woo-hyun's own greed?

He wanted to say a lot in his defense, but he had to keep his mouth shut for fear of dying.

Just then, someone knocked on the main gate.

Jang Sam-tae glanced at Dan Woo-hyun.

There were no guests coming and going in this manor.

At most, Hong Won-chang would occasionally visit with various things and chuckle, or sometimes Dan So-mi would bring Namgung So-hye from Yueyang.

Moreover, since they did not knock on the main gate, it seemed to be the first guest visiting now.

"Excuse me… Lord of the Manor, a guest…"

"Go look."

"Th-thank you!"

Jang Sam-tae tried to stand up abruptly. Leaving aside the people in the manor, he could not remain crouched even in front of strangers.

However, the moment he tried to stand up, Dan Woo-hyun's eyes flashed fiercely. Ultimately, Jang Sam-tae, who was about to stand awkwardly, crouched down again and walked toward the main gate.

Soon, standing in front of the main gate, Jang Sam-tae looked at Gwon Mu-jin beside him.

"Um…"

"What is it?"

"My hands can't reach the door?"

"Hmph…"

Gwon Mu-jin snorted as if he had no choice and opened the door.

Since he could sense the presence of several people outside, Gwon Mu-jin unconsciously placed his hand on the sword hilt the moment he opened the door.

"Hello. Are you a person of this manor?"

Outside the main gate, about ten people were standing.

In the center of them, who wore vermilion robes, a sharp-looking man could be seen smiling while casting an unfriendly look.

Gwon Mu-jin looked at him for a moment and then nodded.

"I am. And you all are?"

"Ah, we are people of the Wind Sword Sect. I am the sect leader, Hu Ja-ryeong."

"Wind Sword Sect?"

It was a name he had never heard of in his life.

Since Gwon Mu-jin had lived thinking that unless it was the Nine Sects and One Gang or the Eight Great Families, a name was not even worth remembering, he simply thought of them as rabble.

"My introduction is done now… I would like to meet the owner of this manor."

"Wait here."

At the man's unusual expression, Gwon Mu-jin answered bluntly and turned around. He did not know for what reason they had come, but he felt displeased by the way the man was smiling.

On the other hand, although he did not show it, Hu Ja-ryeong also could not shake off a strange feeling. He had thought there would be many people since it was such a large manor, but seeing it in person, it was suspicious that there were only a few.

Even…

"…"

"…"

In front of his eyes, a man was crouching. Judging by his appearance, he seemed like a servant, but because he was sitting down and looking up at him, it made him feel displeased for no reason.

"Is there something on my face?"

"No, I looked up because I felt like my head was going to fall off from just staring at the ground, so do not mind me."

"Do… do not mind?"

"Yeah, do not mind."

Tremble-

Hu Ja-ryeong's body trembled.

An insignificant bastard was speaking informally. His expression was so obnoxious that, in his heart, he wanted to just stomp on him.

However, since now was a time when he had to make a good impression on the owner of this manor, nothing good would come from spilling blood over a trivial matter.

As he was a member of the orthodox path, and even the sect leader of the Wind Sword Sect affiliated with the Murim Alliance, Hu Ja-ryeong composed himself to act gently.

"So, you said you wanted to see me?"

Just then, a voice was heard.

Startled, Hu Ja-ryeong raised his eyes.

There was not even a sign of anyone approaching, yet he was right under his nose before he knew it. Whether the others were the same, their surprised expressions were quite obvious.

Hu Ja-ryeong quickly composed his expression and coughed.

"Ahem! I am the Wind Sword Sect's…"

"I have already heard. Speak only of your business, as briefly as possible."

For a moment, Hu Ja-ryeong wore a blank expression.

He had no memory of receiving such treatment since he was born into the world.

The man before him looked down on people with an arrogant gaze, as if the entire world belonged to him.

Grit-

He ground his teeth.

"I will get straight to the point. Will you sell this manor to me?"

Hu Ja-ryeong brought up his business and threw down a money pouch.

From the pouch that fell to the ground, countless silver coins spilled out and rolled on the dirt. At a glance, it seemed to be worth nearly two hundred taels of silver.

Dan Woo-hyun smirked as he looked at it.

Then, he lightly moved his foot and slid the money pouch back in front of Hu Ja-ryeong.

That action greatly provoked the temper of Hu Ja-ryeong's group.

"H-has this guy truly gone mad! Who does he think we are!"

The disciples of the Wind Sword Sect standing behind him raised their voices.

The Wind Sword Sect, which had seized control of Yueyang, had nothing to fear. They held such powerful authority that even the county magistrate could not block their way.

Showing this kind of behavior to them?

He was completely out of his mind.

Just as they were thinking that, Dan Woo-hyun's voice was heard.

"It is not enough."

"…How much would it take?"

"About ten million gold taels should make it worth my while."

"…You are joking too much."

"Well, does it sound like a joke to you?"

Hu Ja-ryeong realized that the words were not spoken as a joke. The man in front of him did not seem to have the slightest intention of selling the manor.

Hu Ja-ryeong smirked.

"This is really putting me in a difficult position. It cannot be helped. I will leave for today. If you change your mind, come find me."

Hu Ja-ryeong turned around all too readily.

Even though he must not have expected this in the least, he left the manor with a good-natured smile.

On the contrary, the gazes of his disciples were even sharper.

"What will you do? It does not seem like they will just let this slide…"

Dan Woo-hyun nodded.

For some unknown reason, they wanted this manor.

Since they must have fully investigated the manor before coming here, they would also know that Hong Won-chang, the county magistrate, was backing it.

If they did not, judging from Hu Ja-ryeong's behavior earlier, they would have already drawn their swords.

Dan Woo-hyun, who had thought up to that point, smiled.

"Call the old man."

"By your command!"

Gwon Mu-jin hurriedly flew toward Yueyang.