Chapter 146 : Mount Heng Sect (1)

A fierce crimson flame spread like a curtain across the surface of the Yangtze River.As Qi collided with the river water, steam billowed out in all directions, turning the air misty.

Chae-chae-chae-chaeng–!

A flurry of clashing blades rang out.

Standing on the deck, Seo Yu-gyeom immediately leapt into the mist.

“What in the world is this…?”

Bang Cheon-woo blinked uneasily, clearly rattled by the suddenness of it all.

It was only natural. He had lived a life entirely unrelated to fighting.

As the cloud of steam dispersed, a flash like a thunderbolt lit up the air again and again.

To Bang Cheon-woo, the sparks flying from every sword clash looked no different than lightning.

Martial artists dashed across the water, swinging their blades at speeds invisible to the eye.

‘So this kind of world exists after all.’

Half-dazed, Bang Cheon-woo watched in awe until he spotted Seomun Ak, who simply stood on the deck with arms crossed, staring straight ahead.

Shouldn’t he be helping?

That thought prompted a cautious question.

“Is it alright for you to just stand there?”

“I’m performing the most important role.”

Seomun Ak spoke in a haughty tone, causing Bang Cheon-woo to tilt his head curiously.

“What kind of role?”

“There might be other enemies nearby. I’m spreading my Qi sense as wide as possible to monitor the surroundings and the heavens. So if any variables arise, I can respond immediately.”

“Oh……”

“The reason those guys can fight without worry is because I, the second son of the Seomun Clan, am holding the line here.”

“Ooh…!!”

A flicker of admiration crossed Bang Cheon-woo’s eyes. Seomun Ak, catching it from the corner of his eye, gave a satisfied smirk.

Of course, it was a lie. The opponent was simply too strong for him to butt in carelessly.

‘They seem like martial artists of the Orthodox Faction...’

Even to Seomun Ak, the elders who had appeared looked formidable. While he couldn’t gauge their exact level, they seemed on par with the elders of the Seomun Clan.

Even Seo Yu-gyeom, at best, appeared to be holding off their attacks.

Shwiik–!

A longsword dropped toward Seo Yu-gyeom’s head. It was a surprise strike, and there seemed to be no way to block it.

He quickly retreated, narrowly dodging the blade.

At that very instant, the sword strike that had descended abruptly changed direction and stabbed straight forward like a thrust.

‘Mount Heng Sect?’

A sword art that pursued extreme unpredictability, the ambiance unique to Orthodox Daoist martial artists, the regional trait of Hunan Province—

Seo Yu-gyeom rapidly pieced together the clues and concluded that the opponent must be a martial artist from the Mount Heng Sect.

The problem was, he had no way to block or dodge the stabbing strike coming at him.

Even the old man wielding the sword bore a confident smile, sensing victory.

Seo Yu-gyeom sucked in a sharp breath and stomped his foot.

Splaash–!

Like a cheap trick meant to blind the opponent by throwing sand into their eyes, he kicked up water from the river toward the old man’s face.

The old man scoffed.

‘As if such a petty trick could…’

That was when it happened.

Seo Yu-gyeom didn’t block or dodge. Instead, he unleashed his Qi projection.

The old man did not back down. His confidence was clear—this level of Qi wouldn’t stop his sword.

But Seo Yu-gyeom had no intention of blocking the blade with Qi in the first place.

Jjeojeojeojeok–!

The water droplets hanging in the air instantly froze, scattering sunlight in all directions.

The old man’s brow furrowed.

‘Ice Arts?’

A rare martial art.

Especially odd, since the opponent didn’t appear to be from the Northern Sea.

In that fleeting moment, his vision blurred and his sword’s tip wavered—Seo Yu-gyeom didn’t miss the chance.

He twisted his body and deflected the attack just enough to avoid it.

At the same time, he pressed in deeper and grabbed the old man’s hand with both of his.

The elder’s face contorted in confusion. Grabbing the opponent’s hand during a duel was not common.

The confusion didn’t last long.

Seo Yu-gyeom’s gaze wasn’t fixed on the elder—but past him.

‘Damn it!’

Realizing this, the elder immediately let go of his sword and twisted his body backward, pouring Qi projection from both hands.

Kwaaaaaa–!

A massive wave of Qi burst out, flinging river water everywhere.

Reading the opponent’s aura and gaze to anticipate the flow of the battle—

A sharp and experienced response that showed the elder was well-seasoned.

Unfortunately, he picked the wrong opponent.

A flash of light pierced through the exploding Qi.

The moment he saw it, searing pain tore through the old man’s shoulder.

Pook–!

A steel sword had driven deep into his shoulder before he even realized it.

As his Qi dispersed in vain, Gakryong walked over through the mist. In his hand, he dragged his collapsed Senior Brother.

The elder, Jin Ryeong-ja of the Mount Heng Sect, was shaken to his core. Two elders of the Mount Heng Sect had fallen to mere youths.

As Jin Ryeong-ja stared blankly at Jin Seong-un—

Ppaak–!

Seo Yu-gyeom, having approached silently, smacked the back of his neck with the hilt of his sword.

A crackling pain shot through Jin Ryeong-ja’s spine, and his consciousness faded into blackness.

Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—his vital acupoints hadn’t been sealed, so he was able to speak.

“Oh, looks like you’re awake.”

Seomun Ak strolled over from the back of the boat to examine Jin Ryeong-ja. Soon, Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom, and Bang Cheon-woo followed and lined up, all staring down at him.

As Jin Ryeong-ja worked to process the situation, Seo Yu-gyeom spoke in a stern, solemn tone.

“This instructor—no, I—can become either an immortal or a demon depending on how you answer.”

“You…?”

Jin Ryeong-ja strained to turn his immobile neck as far as he could, shifting his gaze to the side.

At the edge of his vision, he saw his Senior Brother, Cheon Ryeong-ja, floating helplessly on the river, bound by ropes just like him.

Seo Yu-gyeom continued.

“I’ll ask two questions. If your answers aren’t satisfactory, I’m going to toss the rock tied to that rope into the river. And then what do you think will happen to you two?”

Naturally, they’d sink.

With their bodies sealed at every acupoint.

And since they were fully conscious, it would be a painfully slow death.

“First question: You bastards are from the Mount Heng Sect, right? The martial arts you used were exactly like those used by Hwang Eung Squad’s men. Didn’t even try to hide it, did you? That confident, huh?”

“J-just kill me instead!”

“Why would the Mount Heng Sect stoop to doing something this filthy?”

There was no reply.

It was to be expected. As an elder of a martial sect, he couldn’t just flap his mouth carelessly.

Nodding as if he understood, Seo Yu-gyeom hurled one of the rocks without the slightest hesitation.

Splash–!

The rock sank instantly, dragging Cheon Ryeong-ja’s body beneath the water.

“Mmmrgh—!”

Cheon Ryeong-ja, struggling to stay afloat, vanished beneath the surface.

With his whole body sealed, not even the Sect Leader of Mount Heng Sect could have saved him.

Seo Yu-gyeom, eyes calm and cold, looked at the now-pale Jin Ryeong-ja and spoke again.

“Your comrade just became a fish. Now, for the second question.”

“You devil! Just cut me down with a blade if you must!”

Jin Ryeong-ja screamed in a fit of rage.

But Seo Yu-gyeom continued unbothered.

“Bang Man-bok and Bang Cheon-gang.”

“……”

The moment those two names were uttered, Jin Ryeong-ja clamped his mouth shut.

Everyone noticed.

Seo Yu-gyeom lowered his voice further.

“Did the Mount Heng Sect kill them too?”

No response.

And Seo Yu-gyeom nodded again, as if he hadn’t expected one.

“Fine. I’ll go ask them directly at the Mount Heng Sect. Farewell, fish.”

With that, he casually tossed the remaining rock.

Jin Ryeong-ja braced his core and tried desperately to wriggle free—

It was useless. Every single acupoint in his body had been sealed perfectly.

Despite his struggles, he sank slowly. Seo Yu-gyeom just watched him go with calm, frosty eyes.

And just before Jin Ryeong-ja fully disappeared beneath the surface—

“There… is!”

“What did he say?”

“They…! They’re alive…! Mmmmrgh—!”

Jin Ryeong-ja vanished underwater.

Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom, Seomun Ak, and Bang Cheon-woo exchanged glances.

“This crazy bastard! Pull him up!”

Seomun Ak shouted as he hurled himself into the river.

He slashed the rope tied to the rock with his blade and dragged Jin Ryeong-ja back above water, grumbling as he surfaced.

“Damn it, I’m soaked.”

He looked around and saw the others just standing there. His brow twitched.

“Aren’t you guys going to help or what?”

Then Cheon Ryeong-ja, who had sunk first, floated back up.

Jin Seong-un used the technique of Psychokinesis to lift him, and Seo Yu-gyeom severed the rope with the Heaven-Slaying Dagger.

Seomun Ak clicked his tongue.

“…Why did I jump in again?”

“There wasn’t even time to stop you. Who knew the young master of the Seomun Clan could act so decisively?”

Unclear whether it was praise or sarcasm, Seomun Ak stayed silent.

Time passed.

The two elders of the Mount Heng Sect, who had nearly become fish, coughed up water and slowly opened their eyes.

Jin Seong-un asked,

“Is it true that those two are still alive?”

“…Yes.”

Jin Ryeong-ja forced the answer out. At this point, denying it would be pointless.

But Cheon Ryeong-ja, unaware of what had transpired, glared at him with wide eyes.

Jin Ryeong-ja let out a sigh.

“There was no choice. To save you, Senior Brother…”

“You kept silent when I was the one sinking. But when it was your turn, you spoke up.”

Seo Yu-gyeom added pointedly.

Cheon Ryeong-ja’s eyes turned sharp.

Jin Ryeong-ja gave an awkward cough.

Then Seo Yu-gyeom asked,

“So, where are they? Are they safe?”

“……”

No answer again.

Seo Yu-gyeom clicked his tongue and signaled with his eyes to Seomun Ak. With a weary sigh, Seomun Ak stood up.

“Sigh… These old men are doing it again. Why do they keep making me out to be the bad guy?”

He picked up a rope.

Fear crept into the elders’ eyes. Having just experienced the terror of death, it was only natural.

Seomun Ak began tying the rope around their waists. At that, Jin Ryeong-ja blurted out in panic.

“Mount Heng Sect! They’re at the Mount Heng Sect! They should be safe—for now.”

“For now?”

Seomun Ak tilted his head and stared into Jin Ryeong-ja’s face.

Swallowing hard, Jin Ryeong-ja responded in a less confident tone.

“…They were supposed to have been killed. But we let them live. If that causes any problems, I can’t say what might happen.”

At that moment, Jin Seong-un spoke.

“I’ll go on ahead. The rest of you bring them along and catch up slowly.”

Before anyone could stop him, Jin Seong-un launched himself into the air.

After all, knowing that Bang Cheon-gang and Bang Man-bok might still be alive, yet could die at any moment, there was no time to leisurely stay aboard the boat.

Hearing his father and brother might be alive, Bang Cheon-woo had shot up in his seat. Now, he stared at Jin Seong-un, who was already far ahead.

“…Is it really alright to send him alone like that?”

Everyone knew Gakryong was strong.

They’d heard the rumors, and just now, they’d witnessed it firsthand.

But the Mount Heng Sect was, without question, a prestigious sect of the Orthodox Faction. Though it had declined over the past few decades, that decline was only relative to the top forces of the Murim.

To Bang Cheon-woo, the Mount Heng Sect still remained a massive and powerful sect.

Seo Yu-gyeom nodded with an expression of deep concern.

“Right? He’s not seriously going to kill everyone… is he?”

“You're acting like that’s you. Like you'd go on a killing spree.”

“You didn’t see the battle in Deyang. I thought the Blood Demon had been reborn.”

Over a hundred unorthodox fighters led by Deathshroud’s Vice Leader, Sa Ryeong-geuk—when Jin Seong-un slaughtered them, even Seo Yu-gyeom of the Heaven-Slaying Star had been left speechless.

Just then, a sliver of Voice Transmission pierced Seomun Ak’s ear.

– What if Jin Seong-un arrives at Mount Heng Sect only to find the two already dead?

Seomun Ak’s jaw dropped slightly.

That would be a catastrophe. A literal disaster.

Glaring at the two elders, Seomun Ak asked,

“Why did you do something like that? Isn’t the Mount Heng Sect part of the Orthodox Faction?”

Cheon Ryeong-ja and Jin Ryeong-ja lowered their heads.

Their faces were flushed red.

It was shameful—especially after learning, through conversation, that one of these young men was from the Seomun Clan.

Displaying such disgrace in front of a junior from the Orthodox path was simply revolting.

Seo Yu-gyeom’s eyes narrowed.

“Men who know shame did something like that. Judging by your martial prowess, you’re either first-generation disciples or elders of the Mount Heng Sect. For supposed seniors like you to commit such a disgraceful act despite your shame, there are only two possible reasons. First, Bang Man-bok, the head of the escort agency, was truly an evil man…”

“There’s no way. My father is upright to a fault.”

Seo Yu-gyeom looked at Bang Cheon-woo and nodded.

“And yet you turned out like this?”

“….”

“Forget it. Who am I to judge? Anyway, the second possibility is that someone made the Mount Heng Sect an offer they couldn’t refuse. It wasn’t Bang Myeong-ho, that’s for sure. No matter how hard times may be, the Mount Heng Sect wouldn’t sell its pride over some request from a minor escort agency.”

As he spoke, Seo Yu-gyeom closely studied the two elders’ expressions. He deliberately spoke his reasoning out loud.

He had noticed earlier—elders of the Orthodox faction tended to be rather expressive.

He went on.

“Which means it must’ve been a high-ranking official, a wealthy tycoon… or a powerful Murim faction…”

Seo Yu-gyeom paused to think.

He combed through the intel he’d picked up during his time in Deathshroud.

Hunan Province was, frankly, bland. There were few major players in the area.

No major sects like the Nine Sects One Gang or the Five Great Clans. Even the unorthodox forces here were weaker than those in Sichuan or Shaanxi.

The only notable presence was the Mount Heng Sect, which had long been in decline…

Then Seo Yu-gyeom’s eyes widened.

“The Namok Trading Company?”

One of the Ten Great Trading Companies, the Namok Trading Company was based in Changsha, Hunan.

Yes, to move a force like the Mount Heng Sect, it would take someone of the Namok Trading Company’s scale.

It all clicked into place now.

At the mention of the Namok Trading Company, both Cheon Ryeong-ja and Jin Ryeong-ja’s eyes visibly flinched.

Seo Yu-gyeom, who didn’t miss the reaction, grinned.

“I suppose that’s the honesty of Taoist masters for you—such readable expressions.”

---

The Five Great Peaks of the Central Plains—Wuyue (五岳).

Among them, the Southern Peak, Mount Heng, stood at the heart of Hunan Province.

Its majestic, cloud-covered peaks radiated a mysterious, spiritual aura befitting its reputation.

It was there that the Mount Heng Sect was based. Once powerful enough to rank among the Nine Sects, it had been a prestigious sword sect of the Orthodox Faction.

“The disciples must never learn of this.”

Inside the Sect Leader’s office at the Mount Heng Sect, quiet voices were exchanged.

The Sect Leader and the elders were gathered around a round table, discussing the recent incident.

“Sect Leader, I don’t understand why we have to go this far.”

“It’s for the future.”

Sect Leader Hwang Seon-ja dismissed Elder Shin Ryeong-ja’s concerns with a firm tone.

Still, Shin Ryeong-ja voiced his worries.

“I’m honestly scared. That the sins we’ve accumulated won’t disappear even after we’re dead… and will haunt the Mount Heng Sect.”

“…Then what do you propose? Should we just stand by with folded arms and watch as our sect walks the path of ruin?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what? Do you have some brilliant method to restore our martial arts and reclaim our old glory—without help from the Namok Trading Company?”

Shin Ryeong-ja fell silent.

Of course, there was no such method.

The Sect Leader continued.

“We just have to keep our mouths shut. If the Mount Heng Sect—if the children outside—are to live honorably again, someone has to dirty their hands.”

“…”

“I’m not afraid. If dirtying my hands, if taking on this karmic burden guarantees a future for the Mount Heng Sect, I’ll go even further.”

His tone was resolute.

Aside from Shin Ryeong-ja, most of the elders nodded grimly in agreement.

Left as it was, the Mount Heng Sect would perish.

They had already abandoned their path as Taoist monks. Since things had come to this, they would now focus solely on restoring the glory of their sect.

In exchange for this deed, the Namok Trading Company had promised massive support. Once this matter was resolved, the sect would be able to focus entirely on rebuilding its martial arts.

“They should be arriving soon.”

Failure was not an option.

This was about dealing with a mere youth barely past his coming of age. And yet, they had dispatched not one but two of their best experts.

It was only proper—meant to show sincerity to the Namok Trading Company.

And then—

Urgent footsteps echoed from outside.

The Sect Leader and the elders all fell silent, as though this sort of disruption was routine.

Soon, a young disciple’s voice rang out from beyond the door. It sounded somewhat thrilled.

“Sect Leader! A guest has arrived!”

“A guest?”

Shin Ryeong-ja’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

He couldn’t even remember the last time someone had visited the sect.

“Who is it that has you so excited?”

He stood up and asked.

The elders exchanged glances—it was time to wrap up and stand as well.

Then the excited young disciple shouted,

“Gakryong! The famed Young Master Gakryong has come to our Mount Heng Sect!”

At that moment, the entire room turned to stone.

Everyone stared at each other, but not one of them seemed to grasp what was happening.