Chapter 320 : Muhwa Corps (1)

Chapter 320: Muhwa Corps (1)

As Soh Yonghwa and Yong Hwarin exchanged a subtle glance, Dang Cheolgi muttered in displeasure.

“They’re about to start dating at this rate.”

At those words, Soh Yonghwa turned her head away again.

The Lord of the Northern Ocean Sect followed behind her.

Soh Yonghwa’s group immediately departed the scene using movement arts.

Dang Cheolgi turned to Yong Hwarin.

“Why did you let them go?”

Dang Cheolgi’s expression showed his frustration at having allowed Soh Yonghwa’s group to leave so easily.

“I felt that now wasn’t the time to fight. If we did, it wouldn’t have ended with just a few deaths. Everyone here would’ve been in danger. That’s why I judged it better not to engage.”

Now that he thought about it, Yong Hwarin’s reasoning made sense.

Had they been caught in the aftermath of the battle, few would have survived.

At moments like this, Yong Hwarin’s consideration for the broader picture made him seem more like an older brother than a peer.

“Brother Dang, please escort these people to Shaolin Temple. They’ll soon recover their internal energy, so there shouldn’t be any danger. I’ll see you at Shaolin.”

“Understood.”

Jeong Minji exchanged farewells with the people from the Hwangbo Clan.

They, too, departed with Dang Cheolgi’s party toward Shaolin Temple.

But the siblings Gunwi and Gunyeom remained.

Jeong Minji was relieved that Yong Hwarin had avoided a clash with the demonic experts. Yet, as a martial artist, she couldn’t outwardly express that sentiment, so she remained silent.

“Sister Min, let’s return to the Sky Ocean Merchant Union.”

“Yes.”

Jeong Minji spoke to the siblings Gunyeom and Gunwi.

“You two went through so much because of me. Please stop by the Sky Ocean Merchant Union next time. I’ll repay your kindness.”

Gunyeom and Gunwi looked slightly disappointed.

“Understood. We’ll make sure to stop by. Or perhaps it’s better if we all go together to Shaolin Temple. We have to attend the Shaolin Temple Gathering as well.”

Jeong Minji smiled brightly and replied.

“In that case, I’d like that.”

Having fought alongside them against the warriors of the Blood Demon Castle, Jeong Minji had naturally grown fond of them.

Just as Yong Hwarin and Jeong Minji were about to bid farewell to the others, a group suddenly emerged from the forest.

Deuksang, who had been speaking with Yong Hwarin, sensed something strange and gave orders to the Blood Green Unit.

“All units, battle formation!”

The Blood Green Unit quickly scattered and formed a defensive array around Yong Hwarin.

The newcomers all had their faces covered with veils. Seeing the rose embroidery on those veils, Yong Hwarin immediately recognized who they were.

“Muhwa Corps!”

Jeong Minji and the Gunyeom-Gunwi siblings drew their weapons warily at the strange group.

They had never encountered anyone decent who wore masks like that.

Yong Hwarin addressed them.

“Do not be alarmed. These are people I know.”

Though they lowered their weapons at Yong Hwarin’s words, they did not fully put them away.

One who appeared to be the leader of the Muhwa Corps spoke.

“Has the Unrivaled of Three Absolutes not come this way?”

“He has.”

“Where did he go?”

“He left with the Lord of the Northern Ocean Sect, but I don’t know his destination.”

“Damn it! We were a step too late.”

The leader suddenly sighed and sharply questioned Yong Hwarin.

“Are you Yong Hwarin?”

It seemed the leader had heard his name via telepathy from someone.

“I am Yong Hwarin of the Heavenly Central Sect.”

Yong Hwarin respectfully clasped his hands in greeting, and the leader of the Muhwa Corps returned the gesture.

“Why didn’t you capture him? Why let him take the Lord of the Northern Ocean Sect?”

“Why should I have done that?”

Irritated by the rebuking tone, Yong Hwarin retorted.

“Isn’t he the Young Lord of Dark Echo Valley?”

“Perhaps one day I’ll have to fight him, but that day wasn’t today.”

“What a pity. It was something that involved you, yet you let it pass.”

“What do you mean by that?”

When Yong Hwarin asked, the leader looked around at those present and fell silent.

It seemed to be a matter that could not be spoken freely.

At that moment, a woman stepped forward and sent a telepathic message.

–Young Master Yong, it is I, Woohee.

Yong Hwarin was surprised to see that even Cho Woohee had been mobilized for this matter.

–Miss Cho? You’re here?

–Yes, it’s something important. I came under orders from the Martial Flower Lord. And as the leader said, this matter does concern you as well.

–What in the world are you talking about?

–Please follow me for a moment. I’ll explain everything.

As the veiled woman stepped into the forest, Yong Hwarin turned to Jeong Minji.

“Sister Min, wait here a bit. I need to talk with them.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Lord Deuk, I’ll leave this place to you.”

“I’ll stand guard here.”

Yong Hwarin entrusted the party to Deuksang and followed Cho Woohee into the forest.

As he passed by the members of the Muhwa Corps, he felt one of the masked individuals observing him closely. From that gaze, Yong Hwarin recognized who it was.

‘Mae Yeongyeong. You admired the martial world for so long… so you finally joined the Muhwa Corps.’

Yong Hwarin cast a brief glance at Mae Yeongyeong before heading deeper into the forest. He had no room in his mind to worry about her now, not with Cho Woohee’s words echoing in his thoughts.

As Yong Hwarin approached, Cho Woohee lifted her veil.

“It’s been a while. The Martial Flower Lord has long awaited your visit. You’re the first person she’s ever waited so patiently for.”

“I had planned to visit her soon.”

After a few polite exchanges, they got to the point.

“What do you mean it’s related to me that Soh Yonghwa took the Lord of the Northern Ocean Sect?”

“I don’t know where to begin, but I’ll explain briefly. Have you ever heard of the ‘Records of Wanghu’?”

“Records of Wanghu?”

Yong Hwarin echoed the phrase, then casually asked,

“By Wanghu, do you mean Master of Ghost Valley?”

Though not confirmed, Wanghu was often believed to be the name of Master of Ghost Valley, said to be the master of Sun Bin and Pang Juan from the Art of War legends.

“Indeed, your insight is truly remarkable.”

Cho Woohee sincerely admired how Yong Hwarin immediately connected the name to Master of Ghost Valley. Though Master of Ghost Valley’s title was widely known, few knew the name Wanghu.

“The Records of Wanghu are written in Sanskrit. But they were recently deciphered.”

“And?”

Yong Hwarin grew more and more lost the more he listened.

Soh Yonghwa and the Lord of the Northern Ocean Sect had no connection to him, and now even the out-of-nowhere mention of Master of Ghost Valley made it hard to grasp what Cho Woohee was trying to say.

“The Records of Wanghu were kept in the Scarlet Archive, a restricted section in the imperial palace library that cannot be accessed without the imperial family's permission.”

Yong Hwarin did not interrupt and allowed Cho Woohee to continue speaking.

“But it was recently stolen. The Lord of the Northern Ocean Sect, who was a close aide of the imperial family, entered the Scarlet Archive and took it.”

“Is it a martial arts manual containing powerful techniques?”

Cho Woohee shook her head.

“That book was actually meant to be a gift from the Martial Flower Lord to you, Young Master Yong.”

“To me? What kind of content does it contain?”

Master of Ghost Valley was a philosopher of the Chu State during the Warring States period, a genius known for his expertise in military strategy and geomancy during the era of the Hundred Schools of Thought.

“The Records of Wanghu speak of the Four Great Artifacts. That’s why the Martial Flower Lord wished to present that book to you—to draw you in. But when we checked the archive, it was already gone. Upon tracing it, we discovered that Lord Yang Hoan of the Northern Ocean Sect had taken it out. That’s why the Muhwa Corps was hastily organized to pursue Lord Yang. However, Lord Yang Hoan of the Northern Ocean Sect was actually a close associate of Soh Yonghwa, the Young Lord of Dark Echo Valley. So after missing Lord Yang of the Northern Ocean Sect, we have been chasing Soh Yonghwa ever since.”

Despite Cho Woohee’s long explanation, Yong Hwarin remained indifferent. Stories about the Four Great Artifacts were based on legend and often appeared in ancient texts, so it didn’t seem particularly surprising.

Seeing Yong Hwarin appear unconcerned, Cho Woohee spoke quietly.

“It is said that the Records of Wanghu, in discussing the Four Great Artifacts, give explanations about the White Tiger Tail Sword, the Azure Dragon Three Marbles, the Vermilion Winged Dagger, and the Black Tortoise Hidden Blade. The Martial Flower Lord skimmed through it after translating it, so it must be true.”

Yong Hwarin was startled.

He was surprised that the Martial Flower Lord knew the names of the Four Great Artifacts with such precision.

“Does the Lord know that I am a descendant of the Four Great Clans?”

“You underestimate the intelligence network of the imperial palace, Young Master Yong. She knows far more than just that.”

“Hmm.”

“That’s why she intended to gift you the Records of Wanghu. She believed it would be of great help to you.”

“Are you certain that the book contains explanations of the Four Great Artifacts?”

“Yes. She said it explains the origins and purposes of the Four Great Artifacts. She lamented deeply about not being able to read it in detail. That was when I realized just how much the Martial Flower Lord values you.”

“Then couldn’t we just ask the scholars who translated the Records of Wanghu?”

“Those scholars are not from the imperial palace. They were externally invited and tasked with interpreting the book by dividing it into dozens of sections. That means even they don’t know the full content, only fragments. And there were over ten scholars involved in the translation. Where could we even begin to find them again? We don’t even know their whereabouts now. So retrieving the book itself would be faster.”

“Hmm.”

Yong Hwarin let out a long hum.

As Cho Woohee said, this matter was deeply connected to him.

Even the Four Great Clans didn’t seem to know the full history behind the Four Great Artifacts.

For some unknown reason, the ancestors had not passed that knowledge down properly.

Since Master of Ghost Valley lived during the Warring States period, the Four Great Artifacts must have been incredibly ancient.

The fact that those artifacts were indeed the same Four Great Artifacts known today was astonishing.

Moreover, Yong Hwarin regretted that his clan did not retain any information about the origin or usage of the Azure Dragon Three Marbles.

However, he still did not feel the need to clash with Soh Yonghwa’s group just to retrieve it.

Certainly, while the Records of Wanghu were a necessary book explaining the history and usage of the Four Great Artifacts, they were not worth risking his life to obtain through combat with powerful enemies.

“Couldn’t the Muhwa Corps pursue them on their own?”

“We cannot do it alone. Young Master Yong must assist us. That book is said to describe not only the Four Great Artifacts but also a method to achieve Unity of Sword and Mind. Have you considered how dangerous it would be if that method fell into their hands?”

“Unity of Sword and Mind?”

“Yes, it’s a book that clearly describes the path to Unity of Sword and Mind. If that becomes known to the martial world, a great bloodstorm will break out. Soh Yonghwa stole that book precisely because of that.”

Until now, Yong Hwarin had been skeptical about Unity of Sword and Mind.

But hearing that such content was actually written in the book astonished him.

“Still, wasn’t that an era where there weren’t even martial artists capable of using inner energy? It’s fair to say there wasn’t even such a thing as martial arts. Doesn’t that make it sound like a mere fantasy?”

“It’s said that it outlines the foundation for reaching Unity of Sword and Mind.”

Since Master of Ghost Valley was also a Taoist, the idea was plausible. As a once-in-a-generation genius, he could certainly have devised a new method for achieving Unity of Sword and Mind.

Yong Hwarin sank into thought for a moment. He was weighing whether it would be right to help the Muhwa Corps recover the Records of Wanghu.

He had already requested that the Vermilion Blood Cup be brought from his clan’s vault, and he needed the Records of Wanghu to understand how to use it.

Also, the book was essential for mastering the usage of the Azure Dragon Three Marbles.

And now that it might also contain a method for achieving Unity of Sword and Mind, the desire to retrieve it grew stronger. To hear of such things and feel no desire would mean one was no martial artist at all.

“Very well. I will help you.”

Cho Woohee nodded as if she had expected that response.