Chapter 56

Chapter 56 – The Hwangbo Family (4)

Desolate Sect martial uniforms have embroidered threads of the character ‘Hwang’ on both shoulders and the center of the back.

Those looking from the front had difficulty recognizing it. Unless they had considerable knowledge, that is.

“Are you the magistrate of Pingyin County?”

Jeong Yeon-shin quietly asked.

They said it was a long-standing operation. He had heard much.

Desolate Sect gathered as much information as possible before dispatching military forces under the Divine Sword Groups.

Not only the Hwangbo family’s main house but also the branch families’ members and martial art characteristics were targets for investigation.

“Can’t you tell by looking? I’m quite well-known in my own right.”

The noble man answered with a smile.

He was an impressive handsome man whose official robes looked dignified.

Even while looking at the strange warriors, he was being served wine by women, and there was such refinement in his hand extending while holding the cup.

Though he was merely a pleasure-seeking official wearing a hat, his personal quality came across differently.

The noble magistrate’s gaze passed over Jeong Yeon-shin and Baek Mi-ryeo before landing on Cheong Myeong.

“So there was someone of the same clan. Surely you’re not enjoying playing warrior together? It would be better not to. Let me advise you in advance.”

“……”

Cheong Myeong maintained a strange expression without answering.

The estate’s atmosphere was strange.

The smell of alcohol filled everywhere, yet all the people moving about looked at the magistrate with expressions of reverence.

Some even directed similar gazes at Cheong Myeong.

‘They say Han people who admire elf families are everywhere.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought. Was this what debauchery was? It was an atmosphere he had never experienced even at the Jeong Family Estate.

He slowly stepped forward and opened his mouth.

“I know the head of the Hwangbo branch in Pingyin County is your first wife. Call her out.”

“How lacking in manners. Have you never studied Confucian learning? Is this how your parents taught you?”

The noble magistrate replied with a relaxed smile.

“A magistrate who colluded with martial arts families. What respect do you seek when your conduct is unworthy of a gentleman?”

At Jeong Yeon-shin’s calm reply, the woman massaging the magistrate’s arm stood up. She seemed about thirty.

Her languid downcast eyes were striking, and she gradually revealed an energy wave matching her red light armor.

“I am Jin-lang’s principal wife. If you’re a Shandong martial artist, you must have heard of me. I am Hwangbo Mei-wei of the Deep Autumn Sword.”

It meant the magistrate’s surname was Jin. ‘Lang’ was a term referring to husband.

Noble families gained power with the founding of the Ming dynasty.

Many women held positions from lower to higher offices and key posts in various martial arts sects.

They said it was completely different from the Yuan dynasty era.

Now it was irrelevant.

“As head of the Pingyin Hwangbo family, I command you to refrain from disrespectful words and actions. No. It’s already useless. What could have ended with an arm will now end with your head.”

As the woman’s energy wave gradually grew stronger, warriors from various halls walked out.

There were over twenty. Though belittling in words, they didn’t underestimate the energy wave of the fist technique that destroyed the gate.

It was worthy of being called a renowned branch family.

Five warriors among the Pingyin Hwangbo family’s fighters began approaching first.

Though appearing suddenly, solid spirit could be felt. There was a feeling like tempered iron.

It seemed to say that even a branch was rooted in one of the Eight Great Families.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t look at them. He stared blankly at Deep Autumn Sword before slowly opening his mouth.

“Do you know Hwangbo Myeong-rin?”

“What?”

“Your talk of arms and heads is exactly the same.”

“You seem to have heard something. She’s an outstanding child worthy of attending the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. However.”

A red smile formed on Deep Autumn Sword Hwangbo Mei-wei’s lips. It looked as if she had applied rouge. She continued speaking.

“Did you think we would be lenient if you spoke as if you knew our direct bloodline? Impossible.”

‘What a degenerate age. Martial artists should just focus on training.’

Jeong Yeon-shin unconsciously recalled words that sect elders might say.

Along with that, the image of Desolate Sect’s lord naturally came to mind – she who had reached the absolute realm was beautiful through dignity alone without other adornments.

A martial artist should be beautiful through supreme martial arts.

He spoke again.

“I saw the marketplace. It seems true that you privately mobilized citizens for labor. You’ve extended your martial world authority to affect people’s lives. Aren’t you ashamed as a martial artist?”

Meanwhile, Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo had stepped back.

The blue-ranked youngest was to be given murim experience.

They had discussed earlier about not intervening unless the situation was truly dangerous, and it was impossible to measure how to repay the kindness of the Radiant Demon Wing seniors.

That’s when it happened. Everyone in the estate laughed at Jeong Yeon-shin’s words.

The magistrate and Deep Autumn Sword laughed loudly without even covering their mouths.

“Child. You’ve heard many murim rumors. Power is simply power. Distinguishing between the murim and people’s lives? How can anyone do that?”

Deep Autumn Sword said with a face full of laughter. The noble magistrate chimed in.

“Martial arts families are simply noble families. How could it be wrong to enjoy luxuries befitting our history in the place we’ve settled?”

“A noble denying imperial law. Your first wife’s head will fly today.”

Jeong Yeon-shin’s answer only drew mockery again.

This time even the warriors who were slowly walking burst into laughter.

“You don’t understand elegance. That’s how those who call themselves heroes are like that. Hey!”

The magistrate clapped lightly.

“Yes, Elder Magistrate!”

Musicians appeared rushing out from various places to take their positions.

They held instruments to be plucked and blown, including zithers and jade flutes.

It was like watching a scene from an opera.

Music began at the magistrate’s gesture.

Simultaneously, the Hwangbo branch warriors drew their swords and approached closer. They seemed to treat even martial artists’ swordplay as entertainment.

‘Incredible.’

Jeong Yeon-shin stood still.

He recalled stories he could hear because Desolate Sect gathered all matters under heaven.

They were anecdotes of some high officials who had tasted many pleasures. They said the ultimate entertainment they enjoyed was appreciating murder.

The scene before him was just like that.

He could tell at once. This wasn’t something that started yesterday or today.

“A young swordsman who can destroy the estate’s gate. Quite a regrettable talent.”

“Wouldn’t it provide suitable entertainment?”

Deep Autumn Sword, who had already sat down again, shared a laugh with the magistrate. They even shared wine cups.

‘It can be this different.’

Jeong Yeon-shin recalled when they first entered the village.

The sound of grass brushing that had welcomed their group had been pleasantly modest. This place was different. It was suffocating.

“Can’t stand it.”

He muttered unconsciously to himself.

The melody that began flowing through the estate had refinement as the magistrate said.

Even Jeong Yeon-shin, who didn’t know music, could feel it. That’s why it was even more unwelcome.

Shandong Province was vast. They said Jinan was Shandong’s center.

There must have been many local martial artists, and among them must have been heroes as they mentioned.

“Rest in peace.”

One of them said. He was raising his drawn sword.

He seemed to feel some small guilt, but the distance to Jeong Yeon-shin had already shortened to about ten steps.

“Looks familiar. I’ll have to reconsider the Eight Great Families. Aren’t they just evil sect trash?”

Jeong Yeon-shin said while gripping the Northern Light sword’s hilt.

There must have been many righteous warriors who came filled with indignation after seeing the citizens’ forced labor.

They seemed to have killed them all. The music now naturally flowing past his ears. The warriors approaching with footwork as if matching the rhythm.

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THUD! WHOOSH!

He stamped his slightly raised foot with true angle. Concentric winds blew in all directions.

The power properly raised was deeper than before.

He had been constantly operating the Moon Spirit Harmony Technique while creating new internal energy techniques.

The energy accumulation of the peerless divine technique was indeed different. Changes were already somewhat noticeable.

Everyone’s expressions changed at one true angle. Simultaneously, Jeong Yeon-shin’s body tilted forward.

As wind exploded past his ears, his field of vision rapidly expanded. The movement was instantaneous.

Waves of true qi began spreading from his hand gripping the sword hilt.

He had already reached right in front of the enemies. He circulated internal true qi following the verse.

Dazzling sunlight shimmered at the end of the Radiant Sword Style’s draw.

SWOOSH!

The moment light flashed, two heads flew off at once. They couldn’t even scream.

‘It’s not over. There are many enemies.’

Energy waves exploded from Jeong Yeon-shin’s body.

Energy waves that surged in eight directions partially reached the Northern Light sword and transformed into chilling sharpness.

Once again, with true angle, the aftermath of a horizontal sword strike scraped the ground.

The sensation of the blade cutting another one’s neck reached his grip.

SPLASH!

Now Jeong Yeon-shin’s swordsmanship had reached a realm where blood spurted a breath later.

He shouted in the gradually rising dust.

“Desolate Sect’s Radiant Demon Wing condemns you!”

It was a shout carrying inner power.

Everyone in the estate was startled as if convulsing. The phrase ‘scattered in panic’ would be fitting.

Three corpses were created in an instant. It was the time of one blink.

The music that had been flowing with lively rhythm stopped in one breath.

“Desolate Sect…! Wait, wait!”

The noble magistrate stood up abruptly and waved his hands.

Cold sweat that had appeared from who knows when made his handsome face gleam.

“I have committed a great discourtesy! Please forget what was said until now! I am from the Elf Clan! How could I dare disturb imperial order?”

His eyes moved sharply. He scanned from Jeong Yeon-shin who had shifted to reveal the character ‘Hwang’ below his shoulder.

His gaze also reached Baek Mi-ryeo and Cheong Myeong who stood indifferently.

A kind of resignation seemed to form on the magistrate’s face. He seemed to reach certainty upon seeing Cheong Myeong of the Elf Clan.

“…My wife received orders from the main family, and I as magistrate of Jinan could not go against the Hwangbo family’s authority.”

“You call that an excuse. Aren’t you even ashamed to take back your words?”

“Please show mercy. I know you cannot kill an imperial official. If the branch members and I attack together, even you would find it difficult to leave unscathed.”

Energy waves spread from the magistrate’s right hand as he finished speaking.

It was deep internal energy that could be immediately felt as having accumulated considerable training.

“You’re a threat”

“The guilty party trying to act innocent.”

Finally, Baek Mi-ryeo and Cheong Myeong stepped forward.

“If it’s Desolate Sect, you must have come knowing everything. I have no choice either, right?”

Meanwhile, the magistrate’s smile regained composure.

He lightly tapped the shoulder of his first wife, Deep Autumn Sword, who was glaring fiercely at Jeong Yeon-shin.

“Wife.”

“…Yes.”

Deep Autumn Sword Hwangbo Mei-wei snapped her fingers.

It was the moment a sound carrying internal energy spread.

Over thirty more warriors poured out from various halls.

As Jinan was a massive city, even a branch family governing a single county was equipped with martial might befitting their role.

“……”

The stillness that covered the estate in that moment didn’t come as silence. It was because the momentum of the Hwangbo family warriors filled the hall.

“Wouldn’t it be better to withdraw like this?”

The magistrate said while looking at Cheong Myeong who had somehow come to stand beside Jeong Yeon-shin.

His clothes were now fluttering as if he had raised his entire body’s internal energy. Persuasion came across as threat.

“You. You spoke of elegance.”

Jeong Yeon-shin said. He looked once around at the warriors who had begun gradually surrounding them in a circle.

“I too have recently practiced a melody.”

With his words, there was vibration rising from the Northern Light sword. It was a gradually growing resonance.

Jeong Yeon-shin glanced at Baek Mi-ryeo and Cheong Myeong while operating his entire body’s internal energy at full force. It was the moment they slightly nodded.

WHISH!

A long cry rose from the blade. In that instant, invisible waves of true qi surged and swept all directions.

“Heup!”

“Ugh…?”

It was truly a surreal sight.

Dozens fell in all directions with short groans. Dull sounds echoed everywhere.

Though the sword sound quickly faded, its aftermath did not.

The encirclement collapsed entirely. The Hwangbo branch warriors lay on the ground in various positions.

They stared blankly at the sky, having died with eyes wide open.

Only a very few including the magistrate and Deep Autumn Sword remained standing.

“Evil sect trash talking about elegance.”

Jeong Yeon-shin opened his mouth after looking slightly around.

“Seems it was quite moving for you.”

He said while sheathing the Northern Light sword.