Chapter 033
Yi Jonhyo's attitude toward Baek Sugyeong was beyond Gal Yerung's comprehension. Without him having saved her life during his stay in Luoyang, there was no way someone of Yi Jonhyo's stature would be so casual with him.
Gal Yerung covered her face with her fan, correcting her slightly furrowed expression.
'I really lack information.'
She had far too little information about this man called Baek Sugyeong. Moreover, seeing how he treated Yi Jonhyo's son, Yi Jonhwi, like a child, she could naturally guess what kind of authority Baek Sugyeong must have held in the Dragon Gate Li Clan in the past. That's why she couldn't help but wonder what kind of person he had been.
Even Gal Yerung had never heard of someone receiving such a warm welcome from Yi Jonhyo in the Dragon Gate Li Clan, known as Luoyang's premier family.
'Was my investigation insufficient?'
The Hao Sect's intelligence network was considered no less effective than the Beggars' Sect's. It was commonly said that if you wanted high-quality information, you should use the Hao Sect, as they collected intelligence differently. The reason the Hao Sect held a position among the Ten Unorthodox Sects was largely due to their information gathering capabilities.
Yet there was someone who hadn't been caught in the Hao Sect's information network?
Taking a sip of tea, Gal Yerung tried to cool her burning curiosity.
'Truly, I can't see the end of this. Just how much more is he hiding?'
She had thoroughly grasped information about influential clans in the martial world, including the Dragon Gate Li Clan, but most of it was only general knowledge. The Hao Sect claimed to have the ability to track who came and went, what items passed through, but that was only because their informants were from the lower rungs of society—servants, laborers, courtesans, and others with humble occupations.
Yet despite this, she had never heard any reports about Baek Sugyeong.
'These bastards...'
The main duty of the Hao Sect's Luoyang branch was to monitor the Dragon Gate Li Clan's movements, yet they had no information on the most important person, Baek Sugyeong.
Gal Yerung's eyes flashed dangerously as she ground her teeth.
She called for the Silkworm Assassin through voice transmission.
—Silkworm Assassin.
—Yes, Commander.
—Gather everyone from the Luoyang branch. Every single one of them. I need to punish them.
—As you command.
Even as Gal Yerung was giving orders to the Silkworm Assassin, the conversation between Baek Sugyeong and Yi Jonhyo showed no signs of ending.
After laughing and chatting for a while, Yi Jonhyo said:
"Then stay in Luoyang for a while. I'll provide you with the time and space to write."
"How could I possibly do that? If you pay too much attention to me, now just a mere scholar..."
"Hahaha, who would call you a mere scholar? You're Master Sugyeong, known throughout the martial world and Central Plains!"
Though flattered by Yi Jonhyo's praise, Baek Sugyeong was honestly embarrassed.
Known throughout the martial world and Central Plains? He prayed he wasn't of that caliber. Truly.
After the incident earlier in the day, his face must have been quite red, and rumors would surely spread. The thought alone was dreadful.
Baek Sugyeong asked:
"By the way, where is your eldest son? Seeing only Young Master Ahwi, it seems he's not in Luoyang?"
"He went to Mount Hua. He kept begging to become a martial artist, so I sent him to the prestigious Mount Hua. By now, he's probably half-mad with martial arts, focusing only on his sword."
"I thought from his youth that his martial talent would lead him down that path, but Mount Hua..."
"Is there something wrong with Mount Hua?"
"Not at all. I'm planning to visit Mount Tianshan when I have time. Perhaps I'll visit Mount Hua next. That's what I'm thinking."
Yi Jonhyo smiled at Baek Sugyeong's words and stroked his beard.
"Indeed, since you've only stayed in Luoyang, traveling around and experiencing new things would be a good experience."
"Haha..."
"Until you finish writing all six volumes, you won't be able to leave, Master. I'll try to control the news of your stay in Luoyang, so just focus on your writing."
"Can I really do that?"
"Of course! Do you know how lonely I've been since you left?"
What a talkative person.
But Baek Sugyeong didn't dislike Yi Jonhyo. He was someone who had approached with deep goodwill toward a mere escort agency inspector staying in Luoyang. Even now, he was being considerate.
Baek Sugyeong bowed his head.
"Then I'll impose on you for a while, sir."
"Haha, make yourself at home. I'll arrange separate accommodations for the three behind you as well!"
Yi Jonhyo was truly a generous person.
...
Sword clashed against sword, producing a harsh metallic sound.
Would rubbing broken glass together make such a sound?
The metallic sound tore through the air savagely, echoing across the battlefield like thunder or the cawing of black crows. The sword exchanges were so fierce that the swirling sword energy made both allies and enemies retreat in fear.
"Don't enter the Sword Sovereign's sword domain! You'll be torn to pieces!!"
"Damn it, what's with that crazy Wudang guy?!"
"Fall back, fall back!"
"The sword domain is expanding!!"
The fierce battle was taking place on the Yangtze River.
More precisely, on a massive warship sailing on the Yangtze.
The Heavenly Pole True Cult—known as the Demonic Cult in the martial world—had created a puppet organization to establish a foothold, the Yangtze River's dominant force, the Huai River Gang's pride, their number one warship.
Its name: Hyeongin.
It was already surprising that someone had broken through the Huai River Gang's martial artists alone, but to jump onto the Huai River Gang's flagship Hyeongin and directly cross swords with its owner, the Broken-Sword Venerable, one of the gang's premier swordsmen?
"There are bold ones among Central Plains' martial artists."
His fluttering robes were magnificent.
Against a black background, blood-red blade patterns stood out vividly, as colorful as the clothes worn by the Japanese, an extravagant battle robe.
The man in the battle robe, the Broken-Sword Venerable, swung his sword horizontally.
With a fierce metallic sound, Jin Un's two swords that had been flying toward him were deflected, and their place was taken by Jin Un's beloved sword, Muguk.
A simple thrust forward.
That's why it was even more frightening.
The Broken-Sword Venerable swung his sword to receive Jin Un's attack.
Clang!
"Urrrgh!"
"T-this is a battle between masters!"
"The Broken-Sword Venerable is exerting his power! Fall back, fall back further!!"
The explosion became wind, and the wind became a roaring sound that devoured the night air, transforming into flames.
This was the moment when the true martial art that had earned the Broken-Sword Venerable his title appeared.
The heat from the flame-heaven demonic sword that burned the night sky forcibly extinguished Jin Un's sword energy, baring its teeth.
This was the first move of the Tyrant Heaven Blazing Wheel Sword, the Yama Barrier.
"Urgh!"
"Is this all you have? Sword Hero!"
"If you can!"
The Twin Spirit Limitless True Qi circled his body, and the Three Pure Ones Limitless Sword blazed once more.
The internal energy that had been split into two souls circled his entire body, coiling in his dantian to return to its original form.
The three swords came together to form a massive taiji symbol.
The sword energy sublimated into threads, and thousands of threads wrapped around the swords, forming astral energy as if ascending.
The astral energy that responded to his mental image manifested its form in reality.
The astral image, befitting a disciple of Wudang, was the Yin-Yang Formation.
A massive yin-yang gate pressed down on the air heavily enough to shake the body of the Huai River Gang's flagship, Hyeongin.
"Limitless Boulder!"
A storm of astral energy poured down like the collapsing rubble of a massive tower.
Seeing the essence of the Three Pure Ones Limitless Sword pouring toward him, the Broken-Sword Venerable raised his sword.
The Broken-Sword Venerable's sword was instantly covered with flame-like sword energy, and the flames rising from the Yama Armor formed the image of a three-headed, six-armed demon king.
The massive demon king swung all six flaming swords simultaneously at the pouring astral energy of the taiji pattern.
"Flame Demon Manifestation!"
The flames of the Flame Demon illuminated the night on the Yangtze River.
...
"Oh, to think you'd be this fast!"
Baek Sugyeong's working speed was crazy fast. Even though the workload for "Little Immortal's Chivalrous Journey" was only about half of what he usually wrote, he had produced both an original and a copy in just three days.
From the fact that new issues were released monthly, one could infer Baek Sugyeong's insane writing speed.
That's why Yi Jonhyo was amazed.
"I knew you had fast hands, but I never thought you'd be this quick!"
"Are you satisfied with the content?"
"Of course! I can't wait for the next volume!"
Yi Jonhyo had an excited expression.
"So when you send the copy to the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company, that's when the first edition starts being printed, Master?"
"That's right."
"With Chairman So here, we can receive it quickly! That's wonderful!"
"Ahaha..."
At Yi Jonhyo's expectant words, So Ssanga smiled awkwardly, scratching her cheek slightly as she spoke.
"Since we haven't yet opened a branch in Luoyang, it might take some time for distribution, sir."
"Oh? Isn't the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company rising like the sun these days? You should have enough to continue expanding your business."
"I'm following the advice I received from the Owner."
"Does Master Baek have expertise in commerce as well?"
In response to Yi Jonhyo's question, Baek Sugyeong, who was stretching, answered:
"I've eaten my share of meals at the escort agency, so it's just advice based on that experience."
"What advice did you give to Chairman So?"
"When a business is on the rise, sudden expansion often leads to a lack of internal stability. There's possibility that enemy spies might infiltrate a rapidly growing trading company."
Crack, crack.
Baek Sugyeong lightly stretched his neck.
"The faster the growth, the more easily it can collapse due to such internal enemies. That's why I advised against hasty business expansion."
"Master, you certainly have a knack for dropping important advice. That's why I respect you."
"I don't possess enough knowledge to deserve your respect, so please stop with such praise."
"Hehe, you're still too modest, Master."
After a long yawn, Baek Sugyeong handed the pre-made copy to So Ssanga.
"If you request the Swift Clothes Gang, it shouldn't take too long to reach Wuhan. It would be best to hire a reliable courier."
"Yes, Owner. I'll look for someone trustworthy."
"Then I'll get some rest. Working for three days straight has been killing me."
With another long yawn, Baek Sugyeong headed back to his quarters in a disheveled state.
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📚 Author's Note:
Big thanks to Dao_of_Reader for the 3 shiny Power Stones!
🐧