Book 21 Chapter 4

The west wind rages

—Seocheon's activation

Late at night.

A figure approached the VIP room where Na Baek-cheon, the leader of the Murim Alliance and holder of the <Thunderous Wall Breaking Sword>, was staying, piercing the darkness. As if wearing cotton shoes, there was no sound of footsteps at all. The figure stopped abruptly in front of the door. The room was still bright.

Knock, knock!

The figure cautiously knocked twice.

"Come in."

A voice called from inside.

The figure looked around a few times and then cautiously entered. As he took off his straw hat, his face was revealed. It was Namgung Hyeon, the head of the Sichuan branch.

"You must have been surprised by the sudden inspection."

"Ah, no."

In fact, the Sichuan branch had been in an uproar due to the incident, and he had stayed up for several nights, but he didn't mention it.

"Don't worry! I'm not interested in your secret stash."

At those words, Namgung Hyeon's face turned pale.

"S-secret stash! That's absurd."

Na Baek-cheon responded nonchalantly to his flustered voice.

"If not, then it's a relief. I didn't come here for an inspection; I actually have another purpose."

Na Baek-cheon handed Namgung Hyeon a letter.

"Th-this is…"

Namgung Hyeon hesitated to take the letter, his hand not reaching out readily.

"Do you remember the theft that occurred at the Murim Alliance headquarters two years ago?"

"Of c-course. Wasn't that the incident where the Seventh Secret Vault was completely emptied overnight?"

At that time, he was still affiliated with headquarters. The Seventh Secret Vault was the most important secret storage of the Murim Alliance. How could he forget how the vault, protected by seven layers of security, was breached and its contents stolen?

"You wouldn't have known what was lost then."

"That's correct."

Just the fact that even someone like Namgung Hyeon didn't know was enough for him to infer how important it was.

"A strict gag order was issued, so you probably didn't. That item was…"

Na Baek-cheon lowered his voice even further, as if even the soundproofing barrier he created with his internal energy wasn't enough. As Na Baek-cheon spoke more about the item's identity and origin, Namgung Hyeon's face grew paler and more haggard.

"N-no way, could such a thing…"

After hearing the whole story, Namgung Hyeon's mouth remained agape.

"It's hard to believe. Only three of the Sams, myself, and a few guardians know about this. Yet, it vanished without a trace, causing an uproar in the Murim Alliance."

Because of this, several people were dismissed from their positions. Despite mobilizing all information networks and manpower for a thorough search, they couldn't find even a single clue.

"This letter is one the culprit left behind two years ago. Since you need to know, read it quickly."

At those words, Namgung Hyeon's eyes widened.

"The culprit left a clue back then?"

"But it was kept highly confidential. If word got out, the martial arts world would have plunged into chaos!"

Na Baek-cheon said in a grave tone. Namgung Hyeon became even more uneasy, wondering what kind of content could have been treated so severely.

"You'll know when you see it."

As if reading his mind, Na Baek-cheon replied. Namgung Hyeon carefully opened the letter left by the culprit from two years ago. The hand holding the letter began to tremble violently, shaking like an aspen leaf.

"Th-this…"

It wasn't just his hands that were trembling. Na Baek-cheon nodded with a somber expression. Namgung Hyeon reread the letter with disbelief. He reread it twice, thrice, no, five times, but the content written there remained the same.

I am taking back what was lost. Thank you for keeping it safe. See you next time.

—One who is indebted.

"But the item that was kept in the Seventh Secret Vault…"

Namgung Hyeon, perhaps out of fear, couldn't bring himself to utter the name he had just heard and expressed it indirectly.

"Yes! The 'Rage of the West Wind', one of the Four Catastrophes of Sichuan, Seocheon's unique secret weapon!"

"Then, could it be that Seocheon is still alive…?"

Namgung Hyeon looked as if he had heard news of the sky falling. Although he was around fifty years old, he was still considered young in the martial arts world. The Heavenly Cataclysm Bloodshed a hundred years ago was like a legend. He only heard stories from his grandfather, who had participated in the great war. However, even the lingering fear embedded in those stories was enough to convey the terror and dread of that era.

"Shh! Don't speak of such things so lightly. Nothing is confirmed yet."

Na Baek-cheon cautioned with a serious expression.

"I, I was too hasty."

Namgung Hyeon admitted his mistake. Na Baek-cheon's intention was clear. There was such a thing as impersonation in the world, wasn't there? The culprit could have used such a method. If he caused a fuss unnecessarily, he could have self-destructed before even starting.

"Do you now understand why I deliberately summoned you here in secret? Postpone all judgment until after the facts are confirmed."

"Yes, I will keep that in mind, Alliance Leader!"

Na Baek-cheon nodded slightly, seemingly satisfied.

"This is a letter that recently arrived secretly for me."

Na Baek-cheon handed over a second letter. Unlike the faded letter from before, this one looked brand new. This must be the culprit that made the Sichuan branch people stay up for days.

Namgung Hyeon opened the letter with stiff, tense hands. The calligraphy on the envelope, "A Personal Letter to the Alliance Leader," was exactly the same as the previous one. The content was short but by no means trivial.

The time has come. The time to repay the debt! The wind will begin to blow again from the west, crossing the western gate.

—One who is indebted.

"The gate must be referring to the Szechuan Jade Gate Pass. It's a natural fortress located at the western end of the Central Plains. The western end of the Central Plains would be right here, wouldn't it?"

"So that's why you came to Sichuan…"

"Exactly."

Sending such a letter could be a trap to lure him away from headquarters. Na Baek-cheon's reason for bringing his daughter was indeed this anxiety. He felt more at ease bringing her with him, even if it was dangerous, than leaving her at the Murim Alliance without him. In any case, he couldn't help but go out himself, trap or not. The letter was also a kind of challenge.

"This is the only clue that has appeared in two years. How can I neglect it?"

'Indeed, if it's that matter, it's not strange for the Alliance Leader himself to come out.'

He had wondered why he had traveled such a long distance to this remote place, but now he finally understood.

"What is it that I must do?"

Namgung Hyeon asked, swallowing dryly. His shoulders felt as if they were being pressed down by a thousand pounds of iron.

"First, see if there are any clues. Keep the content confidential. Maintaining secrecy is the top priority."

"That will be difficult. I don't even know where to begin."

Since he couldn't even leak information to his subordinates, the inconvenience was a given. It would render the meaning of having subordinates useless.

"Don't worry. If he is the real Seocheon, there will be clues. Evidence left behind by the past Sams."

"What is that clue?"

Na Baek-cheon's eyes gleamed sharply as he looked at Namgung Hyeon.

"A hundred years ago, that person had his right arm severed by the Heavenly Martial Sams."

"Then he's a one-armed man…"

But Na Baek-cheon shook his head.

"No! It was definitely like that two years ago, but not now!"

"What?"

Unconcerned by Namgung Hyeon's bewildered expression, Na Baek-cheon said with conviction.

"That unique weapon is his arm! So, find someone who is one-armed but not one-armed!"

* * *

"This is going to be a bit of a storm, isn't it?"

A boy standing on the mountainside muttered as he looked at the approaching dark clouds. The wind, laden with moisture, struck his small body quite fiercely.

The clouds that covered the sky in blackness were unusual. Judging by their thickness and color, they were undoubtedly full of wind and rain. It looked as if an angry dragon was writhing within the dark clouds.

"Ryu Yeon! Bring in the laundry! A storm is coming."

The voice of his master came from within the thatched cottage behind him.

"I know."

The boy, Bi Ryu Yeon, replied curtly.

"But it's not just the laundry; won't the house collapse?"

Glancing at the thatched cottage, Ryu Yeon said with concern. The cottage looked so dilapidated that it wouldn't be strange if it collapsed at any moment.

"Just endure it with grit!"

His master's advice was completely useless.

"If you only have grit, do you need no budget or plan?"

The boy protested.

"Hmph!"

His protest was immediately ignored.

* * *

Outside the room, a storm was raging. The man stared intently at what was on the table. It was a long, iron object, perhaps a pipe, or an iron box with complicated chains wrapped around it.

The wind, which squeezed through the gaps in the swaying window, fluttered the man's right sleeve limply. The man was one-armed.

"A storm… a fitting night for this fellow!"

Click! Click!

The one-armed man slowly removed the chains that bound the box in multiple layers and opened it. The box opened with a creaking sound.

"Finally…"

A sinister smile spread across the man's face as he looked inside the box.

Flash!

Lightning flashed outside the window.

Rumble! Boom!

Thunder struck the air.

"The time has come!"

The one-armed man reached into the box and pulled out the item within.

"The time for revenge!"

* * *

Stomp, stomp, stomp!

A person walked down the corridor in front of the Szechuan branch chief's office. The man's footsteps stopped abruptly outside the door.

Flash!

A bright flash of light cast a human shadow on the paper door.

"Who's there!"

Namgung Hyeon shouted, grabbing the sword from the sword rack on the table.

"…"

Rattle!

Instead of answering, the door swung open.

"What, it was you."

Upon recognizing the visitor, Namgung Hyeon placed his sword on his lap and sat back down.

"You did that on purpose! At least give me a heads-up. You startled me, Vice Commander."

Vice Commander Na Il-cheon, who received Namgung Hyeon's scolding, replied in a nonchalant tone.

"This is inside the Szechuan branch of the Murim Alliance. Who would dare to act rashly? It's not good to see the branch chief being too timid."

"I don't want to hear that from you. So, what is it?"

Na Il-cheon, his face suddenly serious, said with a grave expression.

"We have a clue about Seocheon."

"What?"

Namgung Hyeon's face instantly hardened. A being whose name he was afraid to even utter, the four confidants who guarded the Blood God, the terrifying Four Catastrophes of Sichuan. How could he not be tense upon hearing that a clue had been found about the whereabouts of the missing Seocheon? But something felt off. There was an inexplicable sense of unease.

"Yes, that's right. Solving the riddle of 'one-armed but not one-armed' helped."

Na Il-cheon's expression remained serious. Namgung Hyeon looked at his face and nodded. He was beginning to understand the source of his unease.

"Ah, I see. Yes, I see… But, you know."

"Yes?"

As Na Il-cheon stared back, eyes wide, Namgung Hyeon slowly brought his hand to his lap.

"How did you know? I never mentioned the word 'Seocheon' to you."

Flash!

Against the backdrop of the lightning piercing through the window, Na Il-cheon raised his right hand like lightning. Namgung Hyeon quickly kicked his chair back and lunged backward, and the chair shattered into pieces.

"How can you have a right hand!"

His right side, which should have been empty, had a hand. A smirk formed on Na Il-cheon's lips. His tone had also changed.

"You only noticed now? You're more foolish than I thought."

"Damn you!"

As Namgung Hyeon drew his sword, Na Il-cheon remained motionless.

"Hmph!"

The moment a smirk reappeared on his lips, Na Il-cheon's right hand shot towards Namgung Hyeon's heart.

Whoosh!

Without any prior movement, his elongated right hand, like a sharp spear, moved with lightning speed and pierced Namgung Hyeon's heart. Namgung Hyeon's sword clattered and fell to the ground powerlessly.

Thwack!

The demonic hand that pierced Namgung Hyeon's heart continued through the wall behind him, unhindered, and embedded itself there.

Namgung Hyeon was instantly impaled and hung in the air.

Slither!

With his arm extended, Na Il-cheon moved as if sliding across the ground towards Namgung Hyeon.

"Seocheon… must have been over 120 years old…"

Namgung Hyeon's eyes, looking down at Na Il-cheon, were filled with disbelief.

"Well, let's say the second generation."

"What grudge do you have against me…"

"Not much. I just dislike firstborns."

Na Il-cheon said as if spitting, watching the red blood flow from his right arm piercing Namgung Hyeon's chest.

"Just by being the firstborn, you get everything. By the way, you're holding on longer than expected?"

Normally, he should have died instantly.

"As expected, even rotten fish is still a delicacy! You twisted your body and dodged the heart. Then I'll help you a bit more!"

With a clank, thick iron needles shot out from Namgung Hyeon's body. Blood spurted like a fountain, drenching the floor.

"Farewell, Branch Chief!"

Na Il-cheon said with a joyful smile.

Swoosh!

The elongated arm slowly retracted. On the protruding demonic hand, a red heart was held. It was the very heart that had been pumping warm blood from Namgung Hyeon's chest just moments before.

Crunch!

With a little force, the heart crumbled like an apple, releasing red juice.

"Hehehe!"

A cruel yet joyous smile spread across his lips.

"Well then, shall we go meet our dear nephew now!"

Na Il-cheon muttered, licking his thin upper lip with his tongue.

Outside, the storm still raged fiercely.