Sword Fiend Go Dongjun
Murim Alliance Zhejiang Province Branch Manager, Wang Josam.
He pressed his temples firmly, trying to drive away his headache.
“So, are you saying that the great hero Go needs information about the Heaven Piercing Cult?”
This was all because of the man standing before him, Proud Sword Go Dongjun.
Go Dongjun was the deputy unit leader of the Thousand Sword Unit, the mighty martial corps of the Murim Alliance.
Though he held a position, martial prowess, and reputation befitting the title, he had a temperament that was far too fiery, which was his flaw.
If he were simply a brute who only charged head-on, he would have been easier to handle.
However, Go Dongjun was sharp-witted in a way that didn’t match his explosive nature.
“That’s right. The Thousand Sword Unit has heard that the dark elements in Hangzhou are making suspicious moves, and when I looked into it, there was some truth to it.”
Vagrants, orphans, vagrants—the disappearance of those whose absence would pass unnoticed had grown frequent.
Wang Josam was aware of it as well. But the Murim Alliance branch couldn’t spare attention for every such case.
Their jurisdiction was vast, and they were severely understaffed.
So they’d let things slide.
However, now that Go Dongjun had taken issue, he had no choice but to help him somehow.
Although being the branch manager in charge of all Zhejiang Province was no small position, compared to Go Dongjun, Wang Josam was lacking in many ways—status, martial strength, and reputation all included.
“I understand. But could you possibly wait just a little?”
With a sigh, Wang Josam pleaded with Go Dongjun.
Even as branch manager, he didn’t know everything happening in the region.
He needed time to gather and process information to report to Go Dongjun.
Go Dongjun, aware of this, nodded without fuss.
“Fine. I’ll wait here, so prepare a room for me.”
“……”
His intent not to leave until he got what he came for was clear. Wang Josam sighed again.
Sleep would elude him tonight as well, he thought.
It was just another day in the life for someone handling management duties in the great Murim Alliance.
The next day.
Go Dongjun and Wang Josam met again in the reception room.
Dark circles showed under Wang Josam’s eyes, but Go Dongjun paid them no mind.
The Black Sand Gang, one of the minor dark groups on the outskirts of Hangzhou, had been wiped out.
The identity of the perpetrator was unknown.
There were rumors that it had been a hired vagrant, but the truth was not known.
This was news shared from a nearby branch of the Beggar’s Union.
The Black Sand Gang had been one of the dark sects suspected of acting on orders from the Heaven Piercing Cult.
Now that they’d been reduced to ashes overnight, the likelihood of the Heaven Piercing Cult’s involvement had risen greatly.
Wang Josam, passing the papers, explained in detail.
“… It’s not unusual for 3rd-rate dark groups to appear and disappear, but the pattern here is disturbing. Even if you hadn’t intervened, deputy-unit leader, the branch would have soon launched an investigation. In fact, as branch manager, I ought to thank you.”
Wang Josam added calmly.
Although he only began the investigation because of Go Dongjun’s insistence, he had quickly recognized it as a serious problem.
It was pragmatic finesse like this that had landed Wang Josam the position of branch manager in the Murim Alliance.
“No, I was the one who benefited from your help.”
Go Dongjun replied, looking more cheerful than before.
“In any case, the Black Sand Gang—got it.”
His gaze sharpened as he glanced toward the far side of the branch office.
Soon after, Go Dongjun, the deputy leader of the Thousand Sword Unit of the Murim Alliance, set off for the Black Sand Gang.
Meanwhile, Seo Yeonwoo shut himself away in the Black Sand Gang’s quarters, focusing on the flow of ki.
He tended to his taxed body, stabilizing himself and adjusting to the sudden increase in his internal energy.
He simultaneously worked to expand his dantian and strengthen the energy channels throughout his body.
For ordinary martial artists, such practices carried grave risk of energy deviation, but Seo Yeonwoo was a regressor—someone who had turned back time.
The realm he once reached was on another level, allowing him to carry out such tasks.
Several days later, Seo Yeonwoo rose from his seated meditation.
He gave his sword a casual swing.
Whoosh—!
Even from the air being sliced, he could feel the explosive difference in clarity and strength.
The true ki from the Blood Demon Pill, combined with his circulation method, had dramatically upgraded his physical capabilities.
Tidying his attire, he pushed open the door of the training room and stepped toward the office.
There, he saw servants busily bustling around.
All the corpses that had been scattered everywhere had already been removed.
At his feet, a neatly folded set of black martial clothing was laid out, seemingly tailored to his size and of clearly high quality.
It was the old servant, the same one who’d previously spoken with Seo Yeonwoo, who was commanding them.
“You’ve come out?”
Even while directing the cleaning effort, the old servant kept a close eye on Seo Yeonwoo, bowing his head quickly as he spoke.
“Yes…”
Seo Yeonwoo nodded in reply.
“… Well, my knowledge is lacking, but you seem even more dignified now.”
The old servant, sizing up Seo Yeonwoo, added with genuine admiration.
And indeed, Seo Yeonwoo’s presence had grown sharper and heavier.
The old servant, who had served martial artists for many years, could sense the difference.
“It’s nothing.”
Shaking his head, Seo Yeonwoo brushed off his praise, surveying the work being done around him.
They were repairing the damaged areas and organizing the belongings of the dead.
Their actions seemed coordinated and efficient.
It appeared the old servant held some respect among the other workers.
“Old man, why did you agree to my request to clean this place up?”
Seo Yeonwoo asked, as if probing the old servant’s motivation.
Of course, who could refuse an order from the mad swordsman who slew the Black Sand Gang leader?
They would fear for their lives if they didn’t. Seo Yeonwoo understood this, but still asked.
He sensed there must be another reason, seeing the servants’ expressions.
“Heh, it was just to avoid drawing more trouble upon ourselves. If there are so many corpses lying about, the authorities or nearby Orthodox sects can’t help but investigate. To avoid getting caught up in that, we have to clear away the evidence.”
The old servant answered with a respectful bow.
Seo Yeonwoo realized that he himself could have become another of those “troubles”.
That was merely an excuse. The old man’s refusal to brag about his good deed left an impression.
“Actually, there’s something I want to tell you.”
As if reading Seo Yeonwoo’s thoughts, the old servant suddenly spoke with a determined air.
When Seo Yeonwoo nodded, he continued.
“First, thank you for your grace.”
He began with gratitude.
“The Black Sand Gang leader was always rough and cruel toward his subordinates, but he wasn’t a madman. Yet, he changed not too long ago.”
As the old servant’s story continued, a strange glint appeared in Seo Yeonwoo’s eyes.
“Some servants he dragged to his room never came back out. At other times, entire families of servants who made small mistakes simply vanished.”
To disappear without a trace—to never return—meant certain death.
But the servants could not protest. If they did, not only they but their families would suffer.
It had truly been a suffocating hell. Some tried to flee, but even those who escaped were caught and disappeared for good.
Tears welled up in the old servant’s eyes. Those who had vanished were all people he had known for many years.
To Gu Woljin, the Black Sand Gang leader, they were mere expendables, but to the old servant, they were like family.
Seo Yeonwoo understood all too well. He, too, had lost comrades to the Black Sand Gang’s schemes.
Though it was a distant past for him now, for the innkeeper or the old servant, it was a present reality.
In truth, his decades-long fight with the Heaven Piercing Cult had begun from such roots.
Human sacrifices for pills like the Blood Demon Pill, and opium experiments—the Heaven Piercing Cult always needed living subjects for their atrocities.
“So we could only tremble in fear and bow our heads.”
Who knew when or how death might come? Seo Yeonwoo thought bitterly.
Truly, the Heaven Piercing Cult sowed only evil in this world. His resolve to kill every last one of them grew yet stronger.
“But now, thanks to your grace, we’ve escaped that fate—how could we not be grateful?”
As the old man bowed deeply, Seo Yeonwoo met his gaze and spoke earnestly.
“I say it again—you endured well. You did your utmost.”
Upon this, the old servant let flow the tears of a lifetime.
Even Seo Yeonwoo, who had lived as the Sword Sovereign among the black path, felt a lump rise in his chest.
The Heaven Piercing Cult was a demonic cult with roots that ran deep—evil incarnate that had survived the ages.
Even Seo Yeonwoo, a regressor, had not been able to face them alone.
That’s why he had chosen to join the righteous Murim Alliance—to unite the strength of the Central Plains martial world.
Thus, it was no wonder the common folk like the old servant could not resist.
Those who bore swords and lived in luxury did so not only for their own sake, but to defend people like him in times such as these.
This was not just the spirit of a great hero, but simply a duty of humanity.
Seo Yeonwoo quietly watched the old servant finally release his tears.
He said nothing.
But sometimes, such silent comfort was enough—especially for grim men of few words like them.
Slowly, the old servant recovered his composure.
“That was unsightly of me.”
He bowed respectfully.
“No, everyone has the right to show weakness when they wish.”
Even one who’d never done so in his entire life. So thought Seo Yeonwoo, gently shaking his head.
“Ahem, even so, I should have kept my composure, showing such a side of myself before you…”
The old servant trailed off and then handed Seo Yeonwoo the black martial clothing.
“Now that you’re here, how about straightening your attire before you go?”
He explained that bathing and grooming arrangements had been made. His tone left no room for argument.
“Very well.”
Seo Yeonwoo laughed broadly and nodded.
After leaving the Black Sand Gang, Seo Yeonwoo strolled leisurely down the road.
His destination was the Murim Alliance’s main quarters, but he was in no hurry.
Having refreshed his appearance and recovered substantial internal power thanks to the Blood Demon Pill, he felt presentable again.
On the way, he intended to engage in some heroic deeds and build his reputation.
When he arrived at headquarters, he would make sure he was recognized as a member of the righteous martial world.
As he wandered at ease—
A suspicious aura pricked his ki sense.
‘Still far off, but closing in quickly.’
Seo Yeonwoo’s eyes sharpened.
The person approaching seemed to possess impressive mastery of lightness skill.
Moreover, the closer they came, the clearer it became—their presence was overwhelmingly powerful.
On a totally different level from the Black Sand Gang leader he’d faced earlier.
A true top expert.
Even if all the foes Seo Yeonwoo had faced since his regression joined forces, they couldn’t match this one.
‘Feels strangely familiar, but I can’t place it.’
He shook his head, still too far to know for sure. Gripping his pommel, he readied himself.
He sensed no killing intent, but in the ever-turbulent world of martial artists, that meant little.
It was never wise to let one’s guard down.
Barely a moment later—
“Greetings. I am Go Dongjun, deputy unit leader of the Murim Alliance’s Thousand Sword Unit—though among comrades on the eastern road, I’m called Proud Sword.”
Thus, Seo Yeonwoo and Go Dongjun met.
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