CRS Chapter 27
by BlossomTL“Is this perhaps another formation?”
“No…”
Despite Yi-ryang’s certainty, Surin wanted to deny the scene before her eyes.
Eunho beating up the eldest son of the Peng family.
The Fist King Peng Ji-yeol watching contentedly.
She had clearly heard he went to persuade them, so why was he beating Peng Jeo-ak?
As Surin pinched her cheek, still in disbelief, Eunho greeted her cheerfully.
“Oh, you’re here. Did you find out the Evil King’s whereabouts?”
“Yes… well…”
Is that really important right now?
Peng Jeo-ak had just smashed through three trees and crashed into the ground.
Surin glanced nervously at Peng Ji-yeol.
She had heard his temper rivaled the Evil King’s, so she wondered if it was okay to beat his son like that in front of him.
Sensing her gaze, Peng Ji-yeol turned to look at the group.
Surin flinched visibly.
Contrary to her concerns, Peng Ji-yeol didn’t seem particularly upset.
“Quite impressive for such a young age.”
His gaze was directed not at Surin or Yi-ryang, but at the Shadow Guard leader.
Meeting his eyes, the Shadow Guard leader felt his entire body’s hair stand on end.
‘So this is one of the Twenty-four Martial Arts Masters…’
Though he himself was on the verge of the Transcendent realm, facing a Transformation realm master in person was an entirely different realm.
His gaze took in the Fist King and Eunho standing behind him.
‘A realm I might never reach in my lifetime.’
The Shadow Guard leader silently bowed his head in gratitude.
It was filled with respect for an absolute being.
Thud! Crack!
At the same time, the sound of Peng Jeo-ak’s forehead splitting and ribs breaking was heard.
“…”
The three tensed at the brutal sound, but Peng Ji-yeol didn’t seem to mind at all.
“You must be Surin. So, did you confirm that the Evil King bastard is at Inwang Fortress?”
“Yes, we couldn’t approach closely due to the formation in the area, but it’s almost certain.”
Peng Ji-yeol’s thick eyebrows twitched.
“Almost? That’s troublesome. I’m busier than I look. I can’t move without certainty.”
Surin nodded.
It was natural for Peng Ji-yeol to be busy. He was a council member of the Martial Alliance General Assembly, one of the Twenty-four Martial Arts Masters, and the leader of one of the Five Great Families.
She didn’t know how Eunho had persuaded him, but it was extraordinary for such a person to move.
After pondering for a moment, Surin cautiously spoke up.
“Then, even if we risk danger, we could send our people into Inwang Fortress…”
“Fist King. Stop with the useless talk and just come along.”
“Haha, that was my intention. At your request, even my bottom can become infinitely light.”
Peng Ji-yeol scratched behind his ear and grinned sheepishly at Eunho.
It was a scene that flustered even Surin, known for her composure.
Surin looked at Eunho standing askew.
‘What kind of person is he to make others act like this…’
Ever since meeting Eunho, surprising events kept occurring one after another.
She couldn’t even begin to predict what would happen next.
The only certainty was that she had entered – no, been swept into – events that would be greatly recorded in martial arts history.
“Ah, what do you plan to do about the formation? That Green King bastard is uncharacteristically cautious, so he must have put effort into creating the formation. If you want, I can request assistance from the Zhuge family.”
A martial artist of the Fist King’s level could break through most formations by force.
But it was different for a formation created with serious effort.
Especially if there was an outstanding sorcerer among those who created the formation, it would be absolutely impossible to break through.
It was a completely different realm from martial arts.
The Zhuge family, with their deep knowledge of formations, might be able to do it, but it was impossible for the Northern Peng Clan, composed of ordinary martial artists.
“This person will solve it.”
When Surin pointed at Yi-ryang, Peng Ji-yeol’s eyes narrowed.
It was hard to believe in someone with dull fish eyes who just looked around aimlessly.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, he has deep knowledge of formations.”
“Hmm.”
Despite Surin’s addition, Peng Ji-yeol didn’t drop his suspicion and looked at Eunho.
“Don’t worry. He’s skilled.”
“Well, if you say so, it must be true.”
Peng Ji-yeol’s faith in Eunho was almost blind.
“Yi-ryang, can you do it?”
“Of course.”
Eunho asked calmly, and Yi-ryang answered as if it were obvious.
A mischievous look crossed Eunho’s face.
“When I saw it before, your formation was easily broken…”
“Ahem, that was because I deployed it suddenly without any preparation. If I had prepared properly, it would have been different.”
“Well, I’ll believe you. Is everything settled then?”
Surin nodded.
All that remained for them was one thing.
To go to Inwang Fortress and fight.
“Hahaha, I like how fast this is. Then let’s depart right away!”
Peng Ji-yeol’s boisterous laughter echoed throughout the training hall.
“Right away?”
Surin looked at Peng Jeo-ak, still unconscious.
She wondered if it was okay to leave him like that.
Sensing her gaze, Peng Ji-yeol let out another hearty laugh.
“Haha, don’t worry. My son is tougher than he looks. If we just leave him like that, he’ll get up on his own.”
At Peng Ji-yeol’s burning gaze, Surin reluctantly nodded. Though he hardly seemed in a state to get up on his own, if the father said so, well…
“Then let’s go.”
Surin and the Shadow Guard leader took the lead, followed by Eunho, Peng Ji-yeol, and Yi-ryang.
The Green King had no way of knowing.
That the strongest force in the current martial world was approaching them.
***
The Shadow Guard leader was a former top-class assassin from the Assassin Sect who owed a debt of gratitude to the previous Hao Sect leader.
He had vowed to share life and death with the Hao Sect and was a loyal figure who served by the side of Surin, the current Hao Sect leader.
During his assassin days, those who became his targets lived on borrowed time regardless of their status. After becoming the Hao Sect leader’s bodyguard, he was instrumental in expanding the Hao Sect’s sphere of influence.
Due to the Hao Sect’s nature of handling information, they often became targets of numerous masters and sects, but with the Shadow Guard leader supporting from behind, the Hao Sect leader could act more boldly.
The Shadow Guard leader, a once-in-a-generation genius who reached the Transcendent realm at a relatively young age.
He had now been reduced to a mere carriage driver.
Eunho, Surin, or the Fist King couldn’t drive the carriage, and while it would have been appropriate for the youngest, Yi-ryang, to drive, the annoying bastard didn’t know how.
To not know how to drive a carriage at his age.
He was an annoying guy with nothing to offer.
The inside of the carriage was quite chatty, mostly with Peng Ji-yeol asking questions and Eunho answering.
How did he attain such martial prowess at that age?
He clearly remembered Namgoong Cheong’s level being Transcendent, was that information wrong?
Perhaps he’d consider unifying the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic martial arts world together with the Northern Peng Clan?
Most questions were about martial arts, with occasional inquiries about how much money was piled up in the Cheonha Merchant Guild.
Eunho mostly answered with “No,” “I don’t like it,” “Just because,” “I don’t know,” and so on.
Nevertheless, Peng Ji-yeol kept nodding enthusiastically for some reason, thinking of the next question.
Eunho tried to ignore him, steadily accumulating natural energy.
Starting from this kalpa, to three kalpas, four kalpas.
He gave up counting around there.
Humans are truly weak beings with clear limitations.
It’s hard to even measure one’s own internal energy at just five kalpas.
“Ah, can I ask a question now?”
“Of course! Ask anything!”
When Eunho asked, Peng Ji-yeol nodded happily.
“Do you know anything about the Three Sovereigns?”
“The Three Sovereigns…”
Peng Ji-yeol put on an uncharacteristically serious expression.
The Three Sovereigns were three martial artists who stood at the pinnacle of the martial world before the Twenty-four Martial Arts Masters existed.
Though from different eras, they all shared the commonality of suddenly disappearing without a trace.
“I don’t know the details, but I know they were incredible masters.”
“I know that much too. Do you think they’re still alive?”
Peng Ji-yeol shook his head.
“They’re probably all dead. By nature, martial artists want to show off their prowess, so they wouldn’t stand by while their juniors, the Twenty-four Martial Arts Masters, are called the pinnacle of the martial world. I couldn’t have done that. Ah, of course, if they appeared before me now, I’m confident I could win.”
“Hmm, so the Three Sovereigns aren’t much either.”
Disappointed by the implication that they were weaker than Peng Ji-yeol, Eunho heard Surin’s urgent mental message.
-That’s just boasting. The Three Sovereigns reached the Transformation realm decades ago. If they’re still alive, they’d be far more formidable masters than they were then.
Eunho nodded.
While the passage of time didn’t necessarily equate to strength, he didn’t think a master who reached the Transformation realm decades ago would lose to Peng Ji-yeol.
Having heard Surin’s message, Eunho looked at Peng Ji-yeol with a displeased expression.
Peng Ji-yeol’s eyebrows twitched.
He could tell Surin had sent a mental message, but not knowing the content made him uneasy.
Surin simply avoided Peng Ji-yeol’s burning gaze.
“But why do you ask that?”
“I learned martial arts to become the best. To truly be the best, I need to defeat the current best in the martial world.”
That had been Eunho’s way since his past life.
“Hahaha! That’s just like you. So arrogant! But you might actually be able to do it.”
After laughing heartily, Peng Ji-yeol spoke to Eunho again.
“The Three Sovereigns are probably dead. I suppose the current pinnacle of the martial world must be the Twenty-four Martial Arts Masters.”
“Aren’t you embarrassed to say that?”
“But it’s the truth.”
Peng Ji-yeol’s words were full of pride.
“Are all the Twenty-four Martial Arts Masters about the same level?”
“Well, I haven’t competed with all of them, but as I said earlier, martial artists want to show off. If there was one overwhelmingly superior person, they certainly wouldn’t have stayed quiet.”
In fact, the wider world called the Fist King, Green King, and Evil King the bottom of the Twenty-four Martial Arts Masters, but Peng Ji-yeol tried hard to shake off that notion.
“That’s boring.”
“Still, about three of them might be able to entertain you.”
“Oh, who?”
“First, the leader of the Demonic Cult, then the Wolf King, and lastly, me.”
“Ah… I see…”
The credibility dropped sharply at the end.
“Everyone says the Alliance Leader is close to being the world’s strongest, but I disagree. The Demonic Cult Leader is probably stronger. I’ve actually seen him twice, and my whole body tingled. Just thinking about it now makes me want to go kill him immediately.”
Peng Ji-yeol clenched his fists as if his blood was boiling.
“I see… Good for you, having such vigor. I’ll cheer for you. The Demonic Cult Leader…”
Surin, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke as if she had just remembered something.
“I’ve heard the Wolf King is quite a unique character. Have you met them? I heard they’re a woman?”
“Of course I’ve met her. The Wolf King is really… whew…”
Peng Ji-yeol shook his head as if he didn’t even want to think about it.
Surin was puzzled but decided to let it go, feeling that if she asked again, the conversation might never end.
Thud.
The carriage shook violently.
“Be more careful!”
Yi-ryang protested to the driver in a shrill voice.
A vein popped on the Shadow Guard leader’s forehead.
He could understand if the other three said such things.
But hearing it from Yi-ryang was annoying.
Peng Ji-yeol let out a dry laugh and glanced at Yi-ryang.
“Boy. You’d better watch your neck. It would complicate things if he beheaded you before you even break the formation.”
“What?”
Yi-ryang was startled and quickly pulled in his neck.
“Well, that probably won’t happen, but you never know with people…”
Thud!
The carriage shook violently once more and came to a stop.
Peng Ji-yeol’s expression crumpled.
He had just stood up for the driver, and this is how he drives?
Peng Ji-yeol stuck his head out of the carriage and shouted.
“You! If you value your life, drive more care…”
Some men in wind-breaking clothes were blocking the road.
The Shadow Guard leader had already dismounted and drawn his sword.
“We don’t know anyone like that, so please let us pass.”
Despite the Shadow Guard leader’s firm attitude, the man in wind-breaking clothes stood his ground.
“We must check inside the carriage.”
The Shadow Guard leader was starting to get heated.
He was already irritated because of Yi-ryang, and now some ruffians were blocking the way and being stubborn.
“I guarantee you’ll regret it if you open this carriage.”
“I’ll be the judge of that. Driver, step aside.”
As the man in wind-breaking clothes approached the carriage, the Shadow Guard leader blocked his path.
“That’s the end of my warning. If you take one more step…”
He ignored him and approached the carriage.
The Shadow Guard leader swung his sword like lightning.
He intended to at least cut off a wrist.
However, the man in wind-breaking clothes dodged at an even faster speed.
Realizing the opponent was no ordinary person, the Shadow Guard leader raised his energy.
Watching this, Peng Ji-yeol stepped out of the carriage.
“What’s going on?”
The Shadow Guard leader smiled triumphantly.
See? I told you you’d regret it.
The men in wind-breaking clothes flinched.
Even at a glance, he was no ordinary master.
The one at the forefront stepped forward and asked.
“Who might you be, sir?”
Peng Ji-yeol was dumbfounded.
“Huh, is that what you say after suddenly blocking the road? If you want to keep that thin thread of life, bow your head in apology right now and get lost.”
He was a completely different person from when dealing with Eunho.
The Shadow Guard leader chimed in from the side.
“This is the Fist King.”
The eyes of the men in wind-breaking clothes trembled slightly.
They hadn’t expected to encounter one of the Twenty-four Martial Arts Masters in a place like this either.
Nevertheless, they didn’t back down.
“There’s a woman we’re chasing who disappeared in this direction. May we check the carriage?”
“We know nothing about it. I stake my name on it. If you still want to check the carriage, stake your lives on it.”
Yellow energy began to ripple around the Fist King’s fists.
“…Since the Fist King says so, it must be true. We were just in a hurry. We apologize for our rudeness.”
Only then did Peng Ji-yeol’s aura subside.
“Hmph.”
As Peng Ji-yeol got back into the carriage, Surin asked:
“What was the matter?”
“Nothing much. Just some red-faced rascals chasing some woman…”
Peng Ji-yeol’s expression hardened as he was speaking.
The others in the carriage looked puzzled, but Peng Ji-yeol stood up and went outside again.
“Wait a moment.”
The men in wind-breaking clothes, who were about to turn away, stopped in their tracks at Peng Ji-yeol’s weighty voice.
“What is it?”
“I’m asking just in case, but where are you from?”
“……”
There was no answer. They just glared back.
“If you value your lives, answer me. Where are you from?”
One of them stepped forward and spoke.
“We’re from the Blood Wind Cult.”
Peng Ji-yeol’s eyes narrowed.
“Blood Wind Cult? I’ve never heard of such a sect.”
“We’re a newly formed cult.”
“Is that so? Then who’s your cult leader?”
The men in wind-breaking clothes exchanged glances, then one of them answered cautiously.
“Our cult leader is Baek Dongha.”
“Baek Dongha? Never heard of him either. What’s his background?”
The men seemed increasingly uncomfortable with Peng Ji-yeol’s questioning.
“Our cult leader’s background is not something we can discuss…”
Peng Ji-yeol’s aura suddenly flared up, causing the men to stumble back a step.
“You dare to lie to me? I, Peng Ji-yeol, have never heard of your cult or leader. In the martial world, that’s impossible.”
The atmosphere grew tense. The men in wind-breaking clothes looked ready to flee at any moment.
Eunho, who had been listening from inside the carriage, finally stepped out.
“What’s going on?”
Peng Ji-yeol turned to Eunho, his expression grim.
“These men are lying. They’re not from any sect I know, and they’re chasing a woman. I suspect they might be bandits or worse.”
Eunho’s eyes flickered with interest.
“Is that so? And the woman they’re chasing?”
One of the men, seeming desperate, blurted out:
“She’s a criminal! We’re righteous pursuers!”
Eunho raised an eyebrow.
“A criminal? What crime?”
The men fell silent again, unable to answer.
Eunho sighed and turned to Peng Ji-yeol.
“It seems you’re right. They’re lying.”
Peng Ji-yeol nodded, his fists clenching.
“Shall we teach them a lesson?”
Before Eunho could answer, a woman’s scream echoed from the nearby forest.
“Help! Someone help me!”
The men in wind-breaking clothes tensed, their eyes darting towards the sound.
Eunho’s lips curved into a slight smile.
“Well, it seems we’ve found your ‘criminal’. Shall we go see?”
Without waiting for an answer, Eunho disappeared in a flash, heading towards the source of the scream. Peng Ji-yeol grinned fiercely and followed, leaving the men in wind-breaking clothes stunned and fearful.
The Shadow Guard leader stepped forward, his sword glinting in the sunlight.
“Now then, shall we have a chat while we wait for them to return?”
The men in wind-breaking clothes realized they were trapped, caught between the wrath of a member of the Twenty-four Martial Arts Masters and the sharp blade of the Shadow Guard leader. They could only hope that whatever happened in the forest would be over quickly.