Chapter 167: What Does It Mean to Be a Great Master? (3)

The next person to appear was Myojinmun Master Myo Gwang.

“It seems we’ve kept our esteemed guests waiting.”

But the most surprising figure was the smiling old man beside him.

“Wang Woo, the Elder!”

Why was the Kunlun Sect’s predecessor here?

Doubt immediately filled his mind.

Noticing his suspicion, Wang Woo softened his gaze and smiled.

“Haha, you seem quite surprised.”

“Why… why are you here…?”

“You know the rules of the Society. I had no intention of making contact.”

But there was no other way.

“It was urgent to inform about the matter of the Nameless Manor.”

Ko Il-seo quickly calmed down.

“Did you say the Nameless Manor?”

“Yes, I received a secret order from the Apostle at that time. The situation was dire, so I had to leave.”

A secret order from the Apostle?

He thought he would be highly favored once Suzhou fell into the hands of the Heavenly Destruction Society.

‘I didn’t even receive such a secret order directly.’

Feeling a bit resentful, Ko Il-seo composed himself.

‘No, it’s possible for someone like Elder Wang Woo.’

Falling behind such a prominent figure was not something to lament. Rather, it was better to feel reassured by the unexpected reinforcements.

Thinking this, Ko Il-seo subtly probed Wang Woo.

“I heard you were with Chui Geol-gae of the Beggars’ Sect.”

“That’s a fabrication. You know, if the Apostle hadn’t permitted it, how could I have survived under the sun and gone to the Murim Alliance?”

Hearing this, Ko Il-seo’s suspicion mostly dissipated.

‘He knows a lot about the Society.’

Feeling reassured, he turned his attention to Myo Gwang.

“Myojinmun Master…”

“Haha, even a rabbit digs three burrows to escape. Isn’t it natural to make one more?”

“…That’s true.”

The saying “a sly rabbit has three burrows” is often used by the Apostles.

“Moreover, wasn’t the timing of the previous Myojinmun Master’s retirement rather convenient?”

“Did the Society intervene?”

Nod.

Myo Gwang smiled confidently.

Wang Woo interjected again.

“More importantly, I came to warn you.”

“You said you were at the manor.”

“Yes. I told the Spear of Suzhou, but it seems you haven’t heard.”

The Spear of Suzhou laughed heartily beside him.

“That’s why I called the Elder here.”

His boastful demeanor was annoying, but Ko Il-seo hid his irritation and asked.

“Were you at the manor?”

“Yes. When I saw things going wrong with the Jangcheon Sect, I rushed there.”

He even knew about the relationship with the Jangcheon Sect.

As Ko Il-seo stayed silent, Wang Woo continued.

“They were quite skilled in combat. They were also adept at slaughter.”

“Do you remember anything?”

“When I arrived, the situation was already quite bad.”

But I want to tell you about the attackers.

“They were masked, so I’m not sure, but they didn’t seem to be from the righteous sects.”

“The way they erased traces was quite unique. They had Bone Dissolving Powder.”

“Bone Dissolving Powder!”

“Using a strong acidic solution to dissolve bones and flesh is not something a typical righteous sect warrior would think of.”

Bone Dissolving Powder.

A highly toxic substance that dissolves bones and flesh with strong acid.

It’s a sinister item used to erase traces, expensive and hard to obtain.

‘Indeed, it’s not something a righteous sect would use.’

“Then who were these fiends?”

“I suspected the Namgung Clan…”

Ko Il-seo thought the Namgung Clan was behind the attack.

After all, the clan leader himself was visiting.

He believed that the Azure Sky Hundred Sword Squad, who only followed the clan leader’s orders, could have done it.

But the Spear of Suzhou also had a counterargument.

“It’s not the Namgung Clan.”

“Why are you so sure?”

“Who do you think I am? As the branch head, it’s not difficult to find out the inner workings of the Namgung Clan.”

“……”

The Spear of Suzhou continued in place of the silent Ko Il-seo.

“So I suspected the Iron Thread Alliance. Then the Elder came to me.”

He had something quite interesting to say.

“Yes. During my investigation, I found something quite interesting.”

Something interesting?

“It seems the Hao Clan is behind it.”

The Hao Clan!

The two sect leaders who were listening stood up in shock.

“The Hao Clan?”

“How did they catch on?”

I don’t know.

“I can only guess that there must be a reason.”

The continuous shocks left the group speechless.

“If the Hao Clan is involved, it explains the Nameless Manor incident.”

“Are you saying the Hao Clan was behind the fall of the Jangcheon Sect?”

“Hmph. They must have hired assassins. The way they handled the bodies confirms it.”

As everyone reached a conclusion, Ko Il-seo suddenly asked something out of the blue.

“Elder Wang Woo.”

“Speak.”

“How did you obtain the martial arts of the Kunlun Sect?”

“It was the Apostle’s order. He told me to find traces of the Kunlun Sect.”

Ko Il-seo, recalling something, muttered.

“That’s strange. Wasn’t that task assigned to Wind Guest?”

Suddenly, Wang Woo’s smiling face twisted into a demonic grin.

“Only one mouth is useful.”

*Splash!*

Blood spurted from the side.

Myo Gwang, who had drawn a dagger from his sleeve, had attacked one of the bewildered sect leaders.

*Splash!*

As Wang Woo shook his sleeve, more blood splattered.

“What the…!”

The Spear of Suzhou, in a state of shock, hastily raised his black spear and shouted.

“You deceived me!”

“Good job, you fool.”

*Swish!*

The sword light flashed, but there were no more meaningless deaths.

“Take this!”

*Hum hum hum hum.*

The Spear of Suzhou, who had quickly gathered his energy, stomped the ground.

*Crack!*

The floor of the Confucius Temple cracked and sank under the force of his energy-filled foot.

*Thud!*

“Take this!”

As he swung his spear like a windmill, the energy created a sharp air blast.

*Clang!*

*Clang clang clang!*

The spear and sword collided with a loud metallic sound, sparks flying everywhere.

*Whoosh. Hum hum hum hum.*

As he spun his spear and pushed forward with his left hand, the Spear of Suzhou moved his right foot to advance and his left foot to stabilize.

With his left hand leading, he thrust his right hand like a ray of light, and Wang Woo swung his sword to deflect the spear strikes.

*Clang! Clang!*

But the precise and meticulous attacks from the Spear of Suzhou’s spear forced Wang Woo back eight steps in an instant.

*Tap tap.*

As Wang Woo, who had been moving erratically, retreated, his shoulder was slightly cut.

He had been grazed by the energy carried in the spear strike.

“Hmm.”

“You cunning old man! This will be your grave!”

Enraged, the Spear of Suzhou unleashed a flurry of spear strikes, forcing Wang Woo to quickly jump and change direction in mid-air.

It was the Supreme Void Dragon Slaying Sword Technique of the Kunlun Sect.

The graceful lightness technique caused the Spear of Suzhou to miss repeatedly, and he roared in frustration.

“Let’s see how far you can run!”

As he thrust and jabbed more fiercely, their afterimages blurred.

*Clang! Clang clang clang!*

Wang Woo skillfully blocked the strikes aimed at his head and twisted his body to block the sweeping spear strikes to his lower body.

He was precise but clearly struggling.

‘I need to join in.’

*Clang!*

Pushing back Myo Gwang, who was exchanging attacks with him, Ko Il-seo turned his body.

‘I’ll deal with that fool later.’

For now, the events here must not be leaked outside.

“Forgive me, Elder Wang Woo.”

*Hum.*

As he saw the golden light shimmering on his sword, Wang Woo smiled faintly.

“Ah, a joint attack against this old man? How merciless.”

“You brought this upon yourself, so don’t blame us.”

*Slash!*

Unleashing a blinding sword strike, Ko Il-seo dashed forward.

Bright and Righteous Sword.

The golden sword energy was the technique that earned Ko Il-seo a place among the top ten masters of Suzhou.

*Slash!*

Astonishingly, when he unleashed the technique, his hand seemed to multiply into three, creating a flurry of chaotic strikes.

Each one aimed at vital points, not just feints.

Ko Il-seo had never seen anyone survive this technique.

No matter how great a master Wang Woo was, he couldn’t withstand the joint attack of two top ten masters.

‘Two hundred years of internal energy. Do you think you can withstand it?’

It was a power gained by selling his soul as a hero. It was a bitter thing, but the thought of piercing the heart of a renowned master filled him with excitement.

‘I will surpass the Lone Flying Swordsman!’

Everything was perfect.

With Wang Woo’s attention focused on the Spear of Suzhou’s attack, and the fact that they were indoors, limiting his lightness technique.

‘I will surpass the Lone Flying Swordsman!’

As the golden light from his threefold attack was about to tear into Wang Woo’s back.

“Ugh!”

Groaning, Wang Woo muttered.

“Indeed, I’m not yet on par with my lord.”

He seemed about to unleash the Kunlun Sect’s ultimate technique.

*Swish!*

Astonishingly, Ko Il-seo, who had been attacking, flipped in mid-air, shocked by the incoming sword.

*Whoosh. Clang!*

As the sword embedded itself in the wall, Wang Woo raised his left hand to block the fierce spear strikes.

It looked like he intended to block the spear with his palm, causing the Spear of Suzhou to laugh.

“Foolish old man! I’ll pierce your palm first!”

*Whoosh.*

Seeing his laughter, Ko Il-seo felt a chill.

‘What is he planning?’

He didn’t know what Wang Woo intended, but his expression was very calm.

Wang Woo spoke.

“You’re mistaken.”

Young friend.

“Though I am the weakest among the Dark Soul Black Wind Guards, I’m not weak enough to be defeated by a young friend.”

As he muttered, a chilling scream echoed in their ears.

– Ahhhh!

The scream, like a child’s shriek, caused the Spear of Suzhou’s face to change color.

Ko Il-seo, too, gaped at the blackening palm.

“That technique!”

“Ah, you might recognize it.”

Wang Woo, with a black and red shimmering hand, smiled.

“The previous owner of this technique was quite famous.”

*Whoosh.*

As the black palm moved, the spearhead flew off with a bang.

*Crack!*

The palm, which had broken the spearhead and shaft, still had enough force to unleash a powerful energy.

“Ugh!”

Even before being hit, the energy from the palm caused the Spear of Suzhou to stagger.

The energy struck his chest without losing any speed.

*Boom!*

“Argh!”

The Spear of Suzhou, hit by the energy, flew back like he had been kicked by a horse and crashed into the wall.

*Thud!*

Even then, the force of the palm left deep marks on the wall.

“Whew.”

As Wang Woo exhaled and withdrew his hand, Ko Il-seo couldn’t close his mouth.

“That… that…”

It was astonishing that he had defeated the Spear of Suzhou with a single palm strike, but the marks on the wall were even more shocking.

The giant handprint left on the wall looked like a demon’s laughing face.

“Puh!”

Seeing the black blood spewing from the Spear of Suzhou, who was embedded in the wall, Ko Il-seo was convinced.

“Asura Black Blood Hand!”

“Ugh. Ugh.”

Seeing the blackened veins on the Spear of Suzhou’s face, Ko Il-seo trembled.

“How… how did Elder Wang Woo learn the martial arts of the Blood Cult?”

“Haha. You seem quite surprised.”

Such things happen in the Jianghu.

“Sometimes, impossible things happen.”

Wang Woo’s benevolent smile sent shivers down Ko Il-seo’s spine, and he took a step back.

“Don’t be too afraid. This too shall pass. With your death.”

“Who… who are you…?”

As Wang Woo approached, Ko Il-seo backed away, sensing someone behind him.

*Swish.*

Myo Gwang had positioned himself behind him, holding a dagger.

His escape route was blocked.

Caught between a rock and a hard place.

At that moment, the Spear of Suzhou, embedded in the wall, spat out a curse.

“Heh. Heh heh. Cunning old man. You deceived not only me but the entire world.”

“That’s an exaggeration.”

“But… there are masters of the Society here. Do you think you can escape?”

Listening to the venomous shout, Wang Woo smiled.

“Ah, are you relying on them?”

*Whoosh!*

As he shook his sleeve, the door of the Confucius Temple shattered with a bang.

And what was revealed was a chaotic hellscape.

*Step. Step.*

A figure walked straight towards them.

Wang Woo bowed his head.

“Welcome.”

It’s all settled. My lord.