CLS-Chapter 493

Chapter 493:

An old man.

An old man with impressive snow-white hair was waiting for them with the gates of the Tang Family wide open.

Tang Cheon-gun’s steps quickened upon spotting the old man. Though he wasn’t using light body technique to run, everyone could feel his urgency.

Tang Cheon-gun hurriedly approached the main gate and extended both hands in a formal bow.

“I never expected the renowned Heavenly Flow Sword to personally grace us with his presence.”

“Hehehehe, to receive such a warm welcome from the Tang Family Head makes this humble old man feel unworthy. This is excessive treatment for a worthless old man, so please treat me comfortably.”

Tang Cheon-gun smiled gently.

But his inner state was far from as comfortable as his expression suggested.

Of all the many disciples of Hundred Sword Castle, why did this one have to come?

Cold sweat began to seep from Tang Cheon-gun’s back.

Hundred Sword Castle.

How does the martial world evaluate Hundred Sword Castle?

There’s the Righteous Martial Alliance, and there’s the Heavenly Alliance. Though it’s difficult to speak of, there’s also the Demonic Cult, which must be called the greatest power under heaven.

Hundred Sword Castle could only put forward its name after these. But the actual power that Hundred Sword Castle possessed could be said to be greater than all of them.

Why?

Because Hundred Sword Castle is not an alliance.

Both the Righteous Martial Alliance and the Heavenly Alliance have the characteristics of confederations. Without the forces that join with them, they cannot exert power alone.

But Hundred Sword Castle stands shoulder to shoulder with the Righteous Martial Alliance as a single force. Excluding the Demonic Cult, even Shaolin or Wudang, called the greatest among single forces, or even the Namgung Family, could not dare to oppose Hundred Sword Castle.

Though overshadowed by the Righteous Martial Alliance’s reputation, many evaluated Hundred Sword Castle as the true greatest power under heaven.

The real power holder of that Hundred Sword Castle was now before his eyes.

Heavenly Flow Sword.

Tang Cheon-gun’s eyes looking at Heavenly Flow Sword couldn’t quite find their place.

He was a somewhat unique existence.

There were countless strong warriors representing Hundred Sword Castle. But Heavenly Flow Sword’s name wasn’t included among those strong warriors. He wasn’t widely known to the people of the world.

Only a few strong warriors knew of him. And those few strong warriors didn’t hesitate to include the name Heavenly Flow Sword among candidates for the greatest sword under heaven.

If he had been just a little more famous and known to the world, the term “Three Great Swordsmen Under Heaven” would never have emerged. How could they use the term Three Great Swordsmen Under Heaven when there was one person above them?

Heavenly Flow Sword was such a person.

One who could receive all the fame and respect under heaven if he so wished, but cast aside all of that and wandered the world.

One who didn’t put himself forward, satisfied to be just one sword supporting Hundred Sword Castle.

Therefore, one difficult to deal with.

Tang Cheon-gun’s mind became complicated.

Though he held the position of elder at Hundred Sword Castle, Hundred Sword Castle didn’t give real power to its elders. It was an empty position. Then he should be seen as a back-room old man, but Heavenly Flow Sword’s abilities didn’t allow for that.

One who exercised only his abilities without bearing the burden of having Hundred Sword Castle at his back. Where else could you find someone so difficult to deal with?

“If Heavenly Flow Sword calls himself worthless, then I, Dang, wouldn’t know what words to offer.”

“Tang Family Head.”

Heavenly Flow Sword quietly shook his head.

“I’ve merely come to visit, just that. So please don’t be concerned.”

Tang Cheon-gun’s gaze sharply swept over Heavenly Flow Sword.

‘Just visiting?’

That couldn’t be.

Though Heavenly Flow Sword was said to wander the world, that didn’t mean this man was idle. Wherever he existed, there were always incidents related to Hundred Sword Castle. It would be the same now.

Moreover, if this man had really come here as the individual Heavenly Flow Sword rather than as an envoy of Hundred Sword Castle, he wouldn’t have shown the White Silver Medallion.

‘So he’s come from Hundred Sword Castle, but it’s business he doesn’t want to conduct under Hundred Sword Castle’s name.’

In the end, he had no choice but to ask directly.

“Please come inside first.”

“Though I’m an uninvited guest, thank you for welcoming me so warmly.”

“Hmph.”

Tang Cheon-gun tried to improve the atmosphere, but there seemed to be someone who didn’t like the sight at all.

“A worthless fellow has rolled all the way here.”

“It’s been a long time, Heavenly Alliance Leader.”

“Heavenly Alliance Leader… I don’t think you used to call me that before?”

“When positions and circumstances are different, how can I speak the same as in the past?”

Cheok Su-gwang glared at Heavenly Flow Sword without saying a word.

It wasn’t that there was any particular bad blood between him and Heavenly Flow Sword. Heavenly Flow Sword was an unassuming man, not the type to create bad relationships with others. Nevertheless, Cheok Su-gwang couldn’t hide his competitive spirit whenever he saw Heavenly Flow Sword.

Because they were incompatible.

To him, who had lived an intensely fierce life, the existence of Heavenly Flow Sword—who enjoyed the world leisurely yet was incomparably strong—was always a thorn in his side.

“Let’s save the reunion for later.”

It was the same now.

Unlike Cheok Su-gwang, who was showing his edge, Heavenly Flow Sword was leisurely deflecting his provocation. That composure he’d never possessed from birth was irritating.

“This…”

Just as he was about to say something, Heavenly Flow Sword turned his head and passed by Cheok Su-gwang.

‘Damn it.’

He was the Heavenly Alliance Leader, after all.

Though it wasn’t a position he’d reached through ability and skill alone, he had still crawled his way up to the position of Heavenly Alliance Leader. Yet Heavenly Flow Sword seemed not to acknowledge him. The fact that his attitude toward him hadn’t changed one bit from before was scratching at Cheok Su-gwang’s insides.

“It’s been a long time.”

“Indeed it has.”

Zhuge Yeom glanced at Cheok Su-gwang and received Heavenly Flow Sword’s greeting.

‘This is awkward.’

Not Heavenly Flow Sword, but Cheok Su-gwang.

The fact that Cheok Su-gwang, who usually seemed indifferent to everything, was showing such hostility was making Zhuge Yeom uncomfortable.

“You must have a reason for traveling so far.”

“Without even exchanging pleasantries, aren’t you being too hasty?”

“My apologies. I have a somewhat direct personality…”

“Are you asking as the head of the Zhuge Family, or as a strategist of the Heavenly Alliance?”

“If I must distinguish, it would be closer to the latter.”

“I didn’t come to harm the Heavenly Alliance. I should say I was drawn here by a small connection.”

‘Connection?’

Zhuge Yeom’s eyes narrowed slightly.

If it was a connection, who had he come to find? Surely not Cheok Su-gwang…

Zhuge Yeom followed Heavenly Flow Sword’s gaze.

His gaze reached Wei Jeong-han.

“It’s been a long time.”

“This is the first time we’ve met since then.”

“Have you found your path?”

“I’m still wandering.”

“I heard that you might not need to find a path after all. Don’t you have someone walking the path for you?”

Wei Jeong-han smiled subtly and shook his head.

“I have too much to throw everything into living as a father. If I must live, I’d rather live as a swordsman than as a father.”

“That sounds like you. If you keep striving and striving, you’ll reach somewhere eventually. People say everyone must head toward one place, but there’s no need for that necessarily. Isn’t that right?”

“I thought you’d understand.”

Heavenly Flow Sword smiled and nodded.

Since both were people with wandering tendencies, they seemed to understand each other.

‘As rumored.’

Zhuge Yeom thought Heavenly Flow Sword was more difficult to deal with than known. If considering status in the martial world, Cheok Su-gwang was the one he should respect most among them. The position of Heavenly Alliance Leader was higher than his own, and even higher than Tang Cheon-gun’s.

But while Heavenly Flow Sword showed courtesy to others, he didn’t bow his head to Cheok Su-gwang alone. Strong to the strong, weak to the weak.

Or perhaps he simply moved as his mood dictated.

Either way, it was equally troublesome.

Before Zhuge Yeom’s analysis could finish, Heavenly Flow Sword looked around and let out a low sound.

Now there seemed to be no one else he particularly needed to greet.

“Tang Family Head.”

“Yes.”

“I believe I need to offer an apology.”

“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”

Heavenly Flow Sword bowed formally and said,

“Having visited the renowned Tang Family, I’m desperate to enjoy the luxury of observing the family’s heritage and having a cup of tea that the Tang Family Head would serve. However, please forgive me for having to refuse all of that, as I’ve come on a mission.”

‘Mission?’

Tang Cheon-gun’s eyes narrowed.

A mission. There was only one place that could give orders to Heavenly Flow Sword.

Hundred Sword Castle.

What orders had that place given this man?

‘Could it be bad news?’

Looking at how the situation was unfolding, it didn’t seem like he’d come for good reasons.

“Please don’t worry so much. It’s not related to the Tang Family. I’ve simply come to find one person.”

One person?

He’d come to find someone unrelated to the Tang Family.

Then there was only one person left. There weren’t many people worth Heavenly Flow Sword coming to find. Since he’d spoken with most of them, the remaining person was…

“Huh?”

Wei Yan-ho let out an exclamation.

“Old man, it’s that old man from back then!”

Wei Yan-ho even clapped as if he’d just remembered. He must have been quite frustrated not being able to recall.

“Right? You’re that old man I saw on the mountain back then, right?”

“Hehehehe, you remembered.”

Wei Yan-ho nodded repeatedly.

“Hmm, that’s right. I didn’t recognize you because you weren’t riding the cart. What about that mule from back then?”

“It’s grazing somewhere appropriate.”

“That’s good then. The mule was so old I was worried it might have died.”

“Hehe, to worry about even a mere beast, you have a kind heart. But how did you end up in such a state?”

“Ah, this?”

Wei Yan-ho looked at his hands and chuckled.

“If you come to the Tang Family, you have to try Tang Family poison.”

“You have strange hobbies.”

“Hehe, I hear that often.”

Tang Cheon-gun couldn’t stand it and interjected.

“Are you acquainted?”

“Hehe, indeed we are. Though it wasn’t a deep connection.”

“We just met while passing by.”

Met while passing by?

Tang Cheon-gun’s eyes trembled.

How could Heavenly Flow Sword be like some neighborhood mutt that you just meet while passing by? In this vast Central Plains, what were the odds of strangers meeting and becoming acquainted?

“But why did you come?”

“I came to meet you.”

“Huh? Me?”

“That’s right.”

“Why me?”

At Wei Yan-ho’s words, Heavenly Flow Sword shrugged.

“Shall I let you guess?”

Everyone’s attention focused on the two men.

‘Competitive spirit?’

‘Is he trying to recruit him to Hundred Sword Castle?’

Even Zhuge Yeom couldn’t pinpoint the exact purpose. With the information they had, they couldn’t think of any connection between the two.

But Wei Yan-ho seemed to have some idea.

“Ah, I think I know. There’s only one reason you’d have business with me, old man.”

“Hooh, you know? I thought you wouldn’t.”

“Come on, I’m not stupid. How could I not know that?”

Heavenly Flow Sword looked at Wei Yan-ho with an interested expression and said,

“What do you think my business is?”

Wei Yan-ho grinned.

“Simple. You came to kill me, right?”

“Hahahaha!”

Heavenly Flow Sword burst into loud laughter.

The people around also thought Wei Yan-ho was joking and laughed along with the atmosphere.

But the words that came from Heavenly Flow Sword’s mouth were completely different from what the crowd expected.

“How did you know?”