—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The boat, seemingly gliding endlessly along the canal, finally came to a stop.
“This is Zhenjiang. It’s a major port where the Huaiyang Canal meets the Jiangnan Canal.”
While their journey wasn’t over, and the Grand Canal stretched far beyond, this was their destination.
Their thirty-day voyage had finally come to an end.
“The areas along the Jiangnan Canal are heavily influenced by the Black Blood Alliance. Zhenjiang and Sangju are considered neutral territories, thanks to the presence of Nanjing and the Mount Mo Sect. But beyond that, it’s the Black Path’s domain.”
Peng Ha-ryeong, observing the docking procedure from the deck, proudly displayed her knowledge.
Not to be outdone, Yang Kwai, who’d picked up bits and pieces of information along the way, chimed in.
“I hear the Nine Dragons Society in Hangzhou is one of the Seven Great Sects of the Black Blood Alliance. Though I’m not sure if they can be considered a sect.”
The Nine Dragons Society, a powerful force in the unorthodox martial world, were based in Hangzhou.
It was a vast alliance formed by three merchant guilds, later incorporating six other groups. Because of its origins, it was known for its unique blend of martial arts and mercantile practices.
“Since the Grand Canal belongs to the nation, they can’t block passage. But once we disembark, it’s a different story.”
“They’ll probably try all sorts of tricks to obstruct us.”
Yang Kwai added, as if speaking from experience.
Since their destination was Nanjing, they disembarked at Zhenjiang along with the other passengers.
Instead of parting ways with their fellow travelers, they decided to stay overnight at a Peng Family trading post near the docks.
Leaving the merchants to unload the cargo, Namgung-Woo and his companions headed into Zhenjiang.
By the time they reached their lodgings after a brief exploration of the city, night had already fallen.
“That’s a shame.”
Peng Ha-ryeong, looking out the window at the night scene, spoke before they retired to their rooms.
“I heard Zhenjiang has a lot to offer. Especially the Daging Tower. Everyone told me I had to see it.”
This was her first time leaving Hebei, her first true true venture into the Jianghu. She must have had certain expectations.
But they had to reach the Nine Dragons Estate before the beginning of winter, leaving no time for leisurely sightseeing.
Under normal circumstances, they could have spared some time, but the Four Seasons Gathering was different.
Unforeseen threats and unexpected situations could arise. Even without being targeted, they could easily get caught up in some incident.
So they had to hurry. They had to move quickly to ensure they arrived on time, even if unforeseen circumstances delayed them.
Peng Ha-ryeong understood this, but she couldn’t hide her disappointment at having to leave so soon.
“Let’s visit it on our way back.”
At Namgung-Woo’s words, Peng Ha-ryeong’s eyes softened.
“Yes. Promise?”
As they chatted about their return trip, the Yang brothers, who had skipped dinner to gather information, burst into the room.
“Boss! We have some incredible news!”
“This is really important!”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Curious to hear what had them so excited, Namgung-Woo sat facing the Yang brothers. Peng Ha-ryeong naturally took the seat beside him.
The brothers looked triumphant. Yang Kwai, unable to contain his excitement, practically vibrated with anticipation.
“So? What’s this big news?”
“Boss, prepare to be amazed.”
As Yang Kwai built suspense, Yang Jeong blurted out,
“The Zhuge Family is on the move!”
“Hey! I was going to say that! Show some respect for your Peak Realm elder brother!”
“Yang Kwai, be quiet. Yang Jeong, continue.”
With Namgung-Woo’s intervention, Yang Jeong resumed his explanation.
“Normally, prestigious sects don’t travel much. They have connections with the best blacksmiths and craftsmen, or even operate their own workshops.”
“Like the Tang Family of Sichuan.”
“Exactly. They’re a prime example of self-sufficiency.”
“The Nine Sects usually prefer the former. Being monks or Taoists before martial artists, they consider traveling long distances for a famous sword too materialistic.”
While they wouldn’t refuse a gift, they wouldn’t go out of their way to acquire one. That was the unspoken rule among the Nine Sects.
“Only the more worldly Mount Hua Sect occasionally commissions outside work, but even they don’t do it often.”
“But worldly sects are different. Large organizations like the Seven Great Families have their pride… Ah, I misspoke.”
Yang Jeong bowed apologetically to Peng Ha-ryeong.
It was a sensitive topic to discuss in front of a direct descendant of the Hebei Peng Family, practically the second most powerful of the Seven Great Families.
Peng Ha-ryeong, unfazed, waved it off with a smile and continued his thought.
“As you were saying, the Seven Great Families have too much pride to travel for such matters. Unless it’s a rare material like what Oppa is looking for, they prefer to handle things internally.”
“So, the Zhuge Family being on the move means…?”
“Yes. It seems they’ve acquired something very special, just like Oppa.”
This was indeed significant news.
When a powerful force like the Zhuge Family moved, it could shift the tides of events, like gravity warping space. Some would avoid them, while others would be drawn to them.
“We don’t need to worry about them for now. Their direction is completely different from ours.”
The Zhuge Family was based in Wuhan, Hubei Province.
Unlike Namgung-Woo and his group, who were traveling from north to south, then east, the Zhuge Family would be traveling eastward along the Yangtze River from Wuhan in the west.
“But we’ll need to be mindful of them once we approach Jingzhou.”
“We should still hurry. If the Zhuge Family reaches Jingzhou unhindered, thanks to their reputation, they’ll probably secure the Nine Dragons Master’s commission first.”
“As long as we arrive before the deadline, it’s fine. The Nine Dragons Master only accepts one commission per craftsman, but it’s not strictly first-come, first-served. We just need to stick to our plan.”
Peng Ha-ryeong neatly summarized the Zhuge Family situation.
While it was something to be aware of, they didn’t need to alter their plans.
“There’s one more thing.”
Yang Kwai, who’d remained silent during the Zhuge Family discussion, spoke up.
“The Withered Hope Society is already active.”
“There’s a place called Seogeum Gate in Nanjing. I heard a promising talent from there, heading to the Four Seasons Gathering, was attacked.”
The criteria for a “promising talent” in the martial world were clear: reaching the Peak Realm before the age of thirty.
Those who met this criteria usually reached the Transcendent Realm before sixty, assuming they didn’t die prematurely.
So, for a small or medium-sized sect, producing a promising talent was a momentous occasion.
And the Withered Hope Society delighted in crushing such hopes.
A promising talent, carrying the expectations of their sect, was a prime target for the Withered Hope Society.
“Did you hear about the attacker?”
“Yes. They say it was the Blood-Blind Elder.”
At Yang Jeong’s words, Peng Ha-ryeong’s eyes widened in recognition.
“You mean Goreokgal, the Blood-Blind Elder?”
“Is he famous?”
Peng Ha-ryeong turned to Namgung-Woo.
“He’s very old. They say he was blinded while fighting the Blood Cult.”
“I also heard he learned the Blood Cult’s techniques. Is that true?”
“I’m not sure about that. But he shouldn’t be a threat to Oppa. I heard he’s only at the late-Peak Realm.”
Familiar and unfamiliar names swirled in Namgung-Woo’s mind.
The Zhuge Family, the Withered Hope Society, Goreokgal the Blood-Blind Elder, the Blood Cult, their ruthless methods…
He finally felt like he was truly stepping into the Jianghu.
The events in Beijing, with the Imperial Family’s involvement, had felt more like political intrigue than a true martial arts conflict.
“You said the attack happened a few days ago, right after he left Nanjing?”
“Yes, that’s what I heard.”
“Then he’s probably still in the area.”
Someone who killed innocent people for their own selfish desires…
He couldn’t ignore such evil, especially when he had the power to stop it.
“Let’s depart tomorrow. We could follow any promising talents we hear about in the area.”
“You’re planning to hunt down the Blood-Blind Elder?”
“If we encounter him.”
“Boss, if that’s the case, I should just flaunt my Peak Realm prowess! Give me a day, and I’ll spread the word throughout Nanjing that Yang Kwai, the Peak Realm expert, is heading to the Nine Dragons Estate!”
Yang Kwai was confident.
He had Namgung-Woo’s backing.
Namgung-Woo, who had fought alongside Guo Duan, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Peng Hou-sang, the Heaven-Sundering Saber King, and sealed the Longevity Hill Ghost Gate.
Unlike before, when he couldn’t gauge Namgung-Woo’s strength, he now knew he was roughly on par with the Twelve Sovereigns.
The only ones he feared were the other great factions with their own Twelve Sovereigns.
“That’s not a bad idea. We’ll meet again in Nanjing. Let’s act independently until then.”
“Leave it to me!”
As Yang Kwai reveled in the prospect of being called a Peak Realm expert and a promising talent, a question occurred to Yang Jeong.
“Um… While performing chivalrous deeds is admirable… aren’t we a mercenary group? Shouldn’t we be looking for clients?”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
