Chapter 29: The Fragment
Pyo Deuk-won was not a man with time to spare.
He was the top expert of the Xuanwu Alliance. Just his name alone—and the fact that he held a position there—was enough to suppress conflict. He was someone who should not move lightly.
Spending the past few days with Jang Woo-hyun had indeed been enjoyable, but more than that, it was because he was grateful for the help given to the Shangguan Family. And today was the last day he would express that gratitude. It was time for him to return to his place.
To send him off, the father and son of the Shangguan Family, Jang Woo-hyun, Hwang An, and the Blue Star Sect’s Jin Ha-un and Pung-yu had all gathered in one place.
“Hm? Junior Jang…”
As Jang Woo-hyun entered, Pyo Deuk-won immediately noticed something different.
“Thanks to you, Senior Pyo, I think I’ve improved a bit. Thank you.”
“Hoho… ha…”
Pyo Deuk-won could only laugh in disbelief.
Something felt different again. For a person to grow this quickly—it was enough to go beyond amazement and into futility.
But even so, what Pyo Deuk-won was seeing now wasn’t the full picture. If Jang Woo-hyun had truly revealed his real abilities, Pyo Deuk-won wouldn’t have just laughed in disbelief—he would have been utterly shocked.
Jang Woo-hyun had used Secret Flowing Body Technique to hide his true strength. He knew everyone here was a good person, but just in case. Besides, at the moment, his growth was too rapid to ignore.
Just as Yang Hyo-myung had once advised him, it was best to hide his full abilities for now.
Jang Woo-hyun greeted the head of the Shangguan Family and sat down, his gaze slowly studying Pyo Deuk-won.
‘Could I give it a try?’
Before, he had seemed like a mountain too high to climb. But now, that wasn’t the case. He couldn’t be certain of victory, but it felt like it was worth attempting a match.
It wasn’t exact, but perhaps Jang Woo-hyun had already reached a level comparable to the leaders of the Ten Demonic Paths.
“Seems like you’ve had good results. Let’s talk over a meal.”
Having grown more comfortable over the past few days, the head of the Shangguan Family spoke with a smile, and with that, the meal began in a pleasant atmosphere.
“So, Junior Jang, what are your plans from here? Brother Ho and I were thinking it would be good if you stayed with us. You’re not affiliated anywhere, so how about joining us?”
If Jang Woo-hyun stayed, the prestige of the Xuanwu Alliance would rise even further. Based on the expectations of Shangguan Ho and Pyo Deuk-won, he might not be able to claim the top seat of Paecheon Sect—one of the Ten Demonic Paths—but he could easily take a position right below it. That’s how talented Jang Woo-hyun was.
“I appreciate the offer, but I plan to leave soon. I want to see more of the martial world.”
“Is that so? That’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. You did say you stopped here during your journey.”
Although regretful, Pyo Deuk-won and Shangguan Ho didn’t try to hold him back. They already owed him a great debt for what he had done at the auction house and didn’t want to burden him any further.
“If you ever need a place to settle, come back. The Shangguan Family will always welcome you.”
“Thank you.”
“But where are you planning to go?”
“For that, I actually have a favor to ask, Head of the Family.”
“To me? What kind of favor?”
“Would you be willing to share the identity of the person who tried to bid on the Demonic Monster Qi-gong?”
Jang Woo-hyun’s next objective was either the next volume of the Demonic Monster Qi-gong or something else the Demonic Monster Warrior may have left behind. That was why he was asking about the deceased.
There had been two participants in the final bidding for the Demonic Monster Qi-gong.
The monkey mask from the Demon Cult and the man who had died to him.
The monkey mask was clearly a demonic practitioner from the Demon Cult. Since it was impossible to barge into the Demon Cult now, the only lead remaining was the other.
There had to be a reason that man had been willing to pay thirty thousand nyang for the Demonic Monster Qi-gong. Perhaps he had the next volume. Or perhaps he knew something. He might be dead, but he could have family or an affiliated group. It was the only clue, so Jang Woo-hyun decided to dig there first.
“Hmmm…”
Shangguan Ho let out a low hum. The identities of auction participants were supposed to be confidential. Even if Jang Woo-hyun was a benefactor, this wasn’t something he could reveal lightly.
After a moment of thought, it seemed Shangguan Ho had made up his mind and opened his mouth.
“Technically, I shouldn’t tell you. But the man’s already dead, and those who need to know probably already do. It was a sudden death, after all. It may take time, but I think you’ll find him if you look. So I’ll tell you—it was the head of the Silver Flower Trading Company in Guangxi Province.”
“Cough! Gah!”
The moment Guangxi Province was mentioned, Hwang An, who had been eating happily, choked and coughed violently.
‘I’m doomed!’
He had deliberately turned this way to avoid going to Guangxi, but now they were back to square one.
Guangxi was under the influence of the Asura Sword Sect. If Jang Woo-hyun set his course for Guangxi, the chances of getting entangled with them would only increase.
“The head of Silver Flower Trading Company, you say?”
“That’s right. That man was known for collecting rare martial arts manuals. That’s probably why he tried to win the Demonic Monster Qi-gong.”
“He came alone without guards?”
“He was a merchant, yes, but it’s said he admired the martial world and often traveled like a martial hero. He would go around on his own and sometimes acted like a hero-for-hire. He wasn’t weak either, or so I’ve heard. Since he traveled alone, he rarely ran into serious trouble. He came to the auction alone too. But honestly, even if he had guards that day, would it have changed anything?”
He had been attacked by master- and super-master-level warriors. Even if he had held out a bit longer, once the Demon Cult had marked him, the Silver Flower Trading Company’s leader was doomed. He couldn’t have brought along a super-master as a guard.
“The Silver Flower Trading Company is a fairly large group with reach in both Guangxi and Guizhou. Why are you interested?”
“I’ve become a little curious about the Demonic Monster Qi-gong. I figured if he tried to buy it, he might know something.”
“The Demonic Monster Qi-gong… It’s certainly not easy to figure out.”
Even Pyo Deuk-won, who had seen the manual, understood what Jang Woo-hyun meant.
“Well, then I’ll write a letter of introduction for you. You killed the man who murdered their leader, so they might not exactly welcome you, but they’ll at least show some courtesy. I’ll also send a message ahead—after all, we owe them an apology as well.”
“That would be a big help. Thank you.”
“Is there anything else you need? If not, I’ll be heading back.”
The meal, filled with cheerful conversation, finally came to an end by late evening.
* * *
“Um… Brother Jang, are you really going to Guangxi?”
“What’s going on?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You were shocked for a reason. You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?”
By now, Jang Woo-hyun had spent quite a bit of time with Hwang An. He clearly saw the moment of panic during the meal.
‘It was the instant Guangxi was mentioned.’
“No, I’m not hiding anything!”
“If you’re not going to be honest, we go our separate ways.”
“That’s low, man.”
Under Jang Woo-hyun’s threat, Hwang An confessed about the Cloud Sword Sect.
The sect had been annihilated, and the Asura Sword Sect was involved. It seemed the person who had hired the Autumn Soul Assassination Sect might be the Asura Sword Sect’s rumored leader, Sang Mun-cheon, and a companion who appeared to be a former Cloud Sword Sect member.
“So that’s why you tried to stop me from going to Guangxi?”
“It’s not certain, but I wanted to avoid it if possible. It’s the Asura Sword Sect’s territory, and there’s nothing good about getting tangled up with them.”
“No wonder you kept going on and on about the Asura Sword Sect the other day.”
“…”
Having been found out so easily, Hwang An awkwardly looked away.
“Do you have any other information? Like anything about the man traveling with that sect leader?”
“Well… it’s harder for me to get info from the Beggars’ Sect now.”
“Why?”
“Because… they told me not to hang around with you anymore. Said it was too dangerous…”
“Ah.”
He immediately understood what it was about.
It was the same as when a mother tells her child not to hang out with bad friends.
‘Well, if the Beggars' Sect got tangled up with the Ten Demonic Paths, it would be a huge hassle for them.’
It was a perfectly understandable situation.
“And you still chose to follow me?”
“Of course. You think you and I have a normal relationship? And without me, would you even be able to get around the martial world properly?”
Whether they had a “normal” relationship or not, it was true that things would be inconvenient without Hwang An. There wouldn’t be anyone to ask questions to, for one.
“What are you going to do? Are you really going to Guangxi? Those guys aren't like the two from the Xuanwu Alliance. They're infamous for their ruthlessness. It won’t be easy.”
Still, he had to go. This was the only lead he had, and he had no intention of letting the ones who targeted him go.
“There’s no need to confront them right away. Let’s just visit the Silver Flower Trading Company first.”
“Ah… well… haah.”
Just as Hwang An let out a deep sigh at the firm decision—
“Brother Jang, are you in?”
Jin Ha-un and Pung-yu came looking for them.
“Young Master Jin, what brings you here?”
“We heard during the meal that you were leaving soon. If you’re okay with it… could we come along with you?”
Jin Ha-un and Pung-yu had ended up indebted to the Shangguan Family after helping out during an attack on the Xuanwu Trading Company’s cargo. They had asked the Shangguan Family to let them observe the auction, but that incident happened, and they had since been following Jang Woo-hyun.
Now that it was time to leave, they hoped to stay with Jang Woo-hyun for a little longer. They were always learning something around him.
“I wouldn’t mind, but there’s a bit of a situation.”
“A situation? What kind?”
Hwang An and Jang Woo-hyun explained their current predicament to the two.
“The Asura Sword Sect…”
Since Jin Ha-un and Pung-yu weren’t acting alone, it wasn’t an easy decision for them. Their actions could negatively impact the Blue Star Sect. The name of the Ten Demonic Paths was not something to be taken lightly. If things went wrong, it could even lead to war between the Blue Star Sect and the Asura Sword Sect.
“Pung-yu.”
“Yes, Martial Uncle?”
“Return to the mountain for now.”
“What are you talking about? Out of nowhere?”
“I’m going to go with Brother Jang. I’ll pose as a wandering warrior, so just consider it like that. Go to the mountain and tell Senior Brother. If I get caught, tell them I’ve been expelled and have nothing to do with the Blue Star Sect.”
“Martial Uncle!”
Pung-yu shouted in disbelief.
“That’s how it’ll be, so understand it.”
If he were to part ways with Jang Woo-hyun here, he knew he’d regret it for the rest of his life. Jin Ha-un had made a firm decision.
“Then I won’t go either!”
“You can’t do that. Someone has to go back and deliver the message. And besides, you’re too weak. You’d just get in the way later.”
“…”
Pung-yu had nothing to say to that.
Jin Ha-un was called a genius of the Blue Star Sect. And Jang Woo-hyun—who had surpassed even Jin Ha-un—was a monster. Hwang An was the weakest among them, but even he was stronger than Pung-yu, as seen before.
“We don’t know what could happen in Guangxi. That’s why I can’t take you.”
“So you’re sending me away because it’s dangerous?”
“No. I’m telling you to say I’ve been expelled if I get caught. If we get tangled up with the Asura Sword Sect and it turns into a fight, what then?”
At his calm attitude, Pung-yu trembled with frustration. This was a matter involving the Ten Demonic Paths. How could he be so laid-back? They might really be putting their lives on the line.
Their back-and-forth continued for about a quarter of an hour, and eventually, Pung-yu gave in.
“Fine! I’ll go back. But I’m coming back soon! I’ll return with the other senior brothers, and if Martial Uncle’s in danger, we’ll definitely come to save you. So please take care of Martial Uncle, both of you. I’m leaving now!”
Burning with frustration, Pung-yu stormed out.
“Will he be alright?”
“He’ll be fine. If he gets involved with the Asura Sword Sect, things could get far too dangerous for him.”
“Young Master Jin, are you sure about this? It could be more dangerous than you think.”
“That’s the martial world, isn’t it? Don’t worry. I can take care of myself.”
That night, Jin Ha-un officially joined the group.
* * *
Without access to information from the Beggars' Sect, Jang Woo-hyun sought other means—and they weren’t far away.
The three of them left the Shangguan estate and visited the Hao Sect branch in Changsha.
The Hao Sect. One of the Ten Demonic Paths, composed of those considered the lowest of the martial world. They may have lacked martial prowess, but they had overwhelming numbers. With those numbers, they collected and traded information.
Their clientele, of course, didn’t care whether they were from orthodox or unorthodox sects.
“You said who? The rumored leader of the Asura Sword Sect? Hey now, that’s trouble for us too. Sure, we deal in information for a living, but we can’t mess with something that big. Sorry, but this one’s impossible.”
When they asked about Sang Mun-cheon, the Hao Sect member visibly hesitated.
“Oh, come on, don’t be like that. Hear us out first. We’re not trying to kill anyone or attack anyone. We're not even asking for their whereabouts or habits. Not even their favorite food. We just want the name of the person traveling with Sang Mun-cheon. That’s it. Surely that’s not too risky for the Hao Sect?”
Hwang An handled the conversation. He was a pro at this kind of thing.
“That’s really all? Just the name and who he is? Well… I suppose that’s not too bad. But it’s going to cost you. He’s still the heir of one of the Ten Demonic Paths, after all.”
“I get it, I get it. But can’t you shave a little off the price? It’s not even dangerous or difficult info.”
“Hmmm… alright, I’ll give you a small discount. You must’ve done a lot of business with us before. You seem more like an expert than I am.”
“Haha, I’ve got some experience. So, when should we come back?”
“Come back in two days. Or tell me where you’re staying, and I’ll send someone once the info comes in.”
“Oh, even better.”
The next day, sooner than expected, they got the information about Sang Mun-cheon’s companion.
“His name is Gal Pyeong. He’s in his mid-20s. Said to be sworn brothers with Sang Mun-cheon. Apparently, he helped Sang Mun-cheon during the Asura Sword Sect’s succession battle… Brother Jang?”
As soon as he heard the name, Jang Woo-hyun laughed.
All the fragments in his mind finally came together.