Chapter v21c6

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## The West Wind Rages

– The West Heaven Stirs

Late at night.

A figure approached the VIP room where Na Baek-Cheon, the leader of the Martial Alliance, was staying, moving through the darkness with the stealth of a cat. There was no sound of footsteps. The figure stopped in front of the door. The room was still lit.

*Knock, knock!*

The figure knocked gently on the door.

“Enter.”

A voice came from inside.

The figure glanced around, then cautiously entered the room. Removing their bamboo hat, they revealed their identity. It was Namgung-Hyeon, the Branch Manager of Sichuan.

“You must be surprised by my sudden visit.”

“N-no, sir.”

He had actually been up for several nights, dealing with the chaos caused by Na Baek-Cheon’s arrival, but he didn’t mention it.

“Don’t worry! I’m not interested in your little side business.”

Namgung-Hyeon’s face paled.

“S-side business, sir?! I would never!”

Na Baek-Cheon replied casually,

“Good. I’m here for a different reason than inspection.”

He handed him a letter.

“T-this is…”

Namgung-Hyeon hesitated to take it.

“Do you remember the theft that occurred at the Martial Alliance headquarters two years ago?”

“O-of course, sir. It was the incident where the Seventh Secret Vault was completely emptied overnight, wasn’t it?”

He had still been working at headquarters at the time. The Seventh Secret Vault was where the Martial Alliance’s most important secrets were kept. How could he forget the incident where the vault’s seven layers of security were breached and its contents stolen?

“You wouldn’t have known what was stolen.”

“That’s correct, sir.”

The fact that even someone like Namgung-Hyeon hadn’t been informed showed how important the stolen item was.

“It was kept strictly confidential. The item was…”

Na Baek-Cheon lowered his voice, as if even the soundproof barrier he had created with his internal energy wasn’t enough. Namgung-Hyeon’s face grew paler as he listened to the explanation of the item’s origin and significance.

“N-no way…”

His jaw dropped as he heard the whole story.

“It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? Only the Three Saints, myself, and a few Guardians know about this. The Martial Alliance was in an uproar when it was stolen.”

Several people had been dismissed from their positions. They had used all their resources and manpower to search for the stolen item, but they hadn’t found a single clue.

“This letter was left behind by the culprit two years ago. You need to know about this, so read it quickly.”

Namgung-Hyeon’s eyes widened.

“The culprit left a clue?”

“It was kept confidential. If word got out, it would have caused chaos in the martial arts world!”

Na Baek-Cheon said, his voice grave. Namgung-Hyeon felt a sense of dread, wondering what could be so important that it had been handled with such secrecy.

“You’ll understand once you read it.”

He replied, as if reading his mind. Namgung-Hyeon cautiously opened the letter, his hand trembling.

“T-this is…”

It wasn’t just his hand that was trembling. Na Baek-Cheon nodded, his face grim. Namgung-Hyeon looked at the letter again, his face filled with disbelief. He read it twice, three times, five times, but the contents remained the same.

* * *

I’m going to retrieve the lost item. Thank you for keeping it safe for me. See you soon.

– The Debtor.

* * *

“But the item that was kept in the Seventh Secret Vault was…”

He couldn’t bring himself to utter the name he had just heard.

“Yes! The ‘West Wind’s Frenzy,’ the secret weapon of the West Heaven, one of the Four Heavenly Calamities!”

“Then, does that mean the West Heaven is still alive…?”

Namgung-Hyeon looked as if the sky had fallen. He was in his fifties, but he was still considered young in the martial arts world. The Heavenly Calamity Bloodbath of a hundred years ago was like a legend to him. He had only heard stories about it from his grandfather, who had participated in the war. But even the remnants of fear in those stories were enough to convey the terror of that time.

“Shh! Don’t say such things so carelessly. Nothing has been confirmed yet.”

Na Baek-Cheon warned him, his face cautious.

“M-my apologies, sir.”

He admitted his mistake. Na Baek-Cheon’s intention was clear. There was such a thing as impersonation. The culprit could have easily used that tactic. It was important to stay calm and avoid making rash judgments.

“Do you understand why I called you here secretly? We’ll postpone any decisions until we confirm the facts.”

“Yes, sir! I’ll keep that in mind.”

Na Baek-Cheon nodded, satisfied.

“This letter arrived secretly, addressed to me.”

He handed him another letter. Unlike the faded letter from two years ago, this one was brand new. This was the culprit behind Na Baek-Cheon’s sudden visit and the sleepless nights of the Sichuan branch members.

Namgung-Hyeon opened the letter, his hand stiff with tension. The handwriting on the envelope, which read “Personal Letter for the Leader of the Martial Alliance,” was identical to the previous letter. The contents were brief, but heavy.

* * *

The time has come. The time to settle the debt! The wind will start blowing again from the western gate, from the westernmost point.

– The Debtor.

* * *

“The gate probably refers to the Sichuan Jade Gate Pass. It’s a natural fortress located at the westernmost point of the Central Plains. And the westernmost point of the Central Plains is definitely here.”

“So that’s why you came to Sichuan…”

“Exactly.”

The purpose of sending this letter could be to lure him away from headquarters. He had brought his daughter with him because he was worried about leaving her behind. He felt safer having her with him, even if it meant facing danger. But he had no choice but to confront the situation head-on. The letter was a challenge.

“This is the only clue that has appeared in two years. I can’t ignore it.”

‘It’s understandable that you would come here personally, sir.’

He had wondered why Na Baek-Cheon had bothered to travel all the way to Sichuan, but now he understood.

“What do you want me to do, sir?”

He asked, swallowing nervously. He felt a heavy weight on his shoulders.

“First, find out if there are any clues. Keep the contents of the letter secret. Confidentiality is paramount.”

“That’ll be difficult, sir. I’m not sure where to start.”

It would be a hassle to investigate without being able to share information with his subordinates. It would defeat the purpose of having subordinates.

“Don’t worry. If he’s truly the West Heaven, there’s a clue. Evidence left behind by the Three Saints.”

“What is it, sir?”

Na Baek-Cheon’s eyes gleamed.

“He lost his right arm to the Three Saints a hundred years ago.”

“So we’re looking for a one-armed man…”

But Na Baek-Cheon shook his head.

“No! That was true two years ago, but not now!”

“Sir?”

He looked at him, confused. Na Baek-Cheon continued, his voice firm,

“His secret weapon is his arm! So find the man who is both one-armed and not one-armed!”

* * *

“This is going to be a big one.”

The boy, standing on the mountainside, muttered, looking at the approaching storm clouds. The wind, heavy with moisture, whipped at his small body.

The dark clouds that covered the sky were ominous. They were thick and dark, promising a heavy downpour. It looked like a furious dragon was writhing within the clouds.

“Ryu-Yeon! Take down the laundry! A storm is coming!”

His master’s voice came from the hut behind him.

“Yes, Master.”

The boy, Bi Ryu-Yeon, replied curtly.

“But I’m more worried about the hut collapsing than the laundry.”

He said, glancing at the rickety hut. It looked like it could crumble at any moment.

“Just endure it with guts!”

His master’s advice was useless.

“Do we not need a budget or a plan if we have guts?”

He protested.

“Yes!”

His protest was immediately dismissed.

* * *

The storm raged outside. The man stared at the object on the table. It was a long, metal cylinder, bound with chains, like a metal box.

The wind, whistling through the cracks in the window, made his right sleeve flap limply. He was a one-armed man.

“A storm… a fitting night for this!”

*Clank! Clank!*

He slowly removed the chains, layer by layer, and opened the box.

“Finally…”

He smiled, his eyes gleaming with malice, as he looked inside.

*Flash!*

Lightning flashed outside.

*Rumble! Crash!*

Thunder roared.

“The time has come!”

He reached into the box and took out the object inside.

“The time for revenge!”

* * *

*Thump, thump, thump, thump!*

A figure walked down the hallway towards the Branch Manager’s office. The figure stopped in front of the door.

*Flash!*

Lightning flashed, casting a shadow on the paper door.

“Who’s there?!”

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

“…”

*Creak!*

The door opened.

“Oh, it’s you.”

He sheathed his sword and sat down, recognizing the visitor.

“You did that on purpose! You could have at least knocked. You scared me, Vice-Commander.”

Il-Cheon, the Vice-Commander, replied nonchalantly,

“We’re inside the Martial Alliance’s Sichuan branch. Who would dare to cause trouble? You’re being too paranoid, Branch Manager.”

“I don’t want to hear that from you. What brings you here?”

Il-Cheon’s face turned serious.

“We have a lead on the West Heaven.”

“What?!”

Namgung-Hyeon’s face hardened. The West Heaven, a name that struck fear into the hearts of many, one of the Four Heavenly Calamities who had served the Blood God. He couldn’t help but feel tense, hearing that they had found a clue to his whereabouts. But something felt off. There was an unsettling feeling in the air.

“Yes, sir. Solving the riddle of ‘the man who is both one-armed and not one-armed’ helped us.”

Il-Cheon’s expression remained serious. Namgung-Hyeon stared at him, then nodded slowly. He was starting to understand the source of his unease.

“Ah, I see. I see… But…”

“Sir?”

Il-Cheon looked at him, his eyes wide with curiosity. Namgung-Hyeon slowly placed his hand on his knee.

“How did you know? I never mentioned the name ‘West Heaven’ to you.”

*Flash!*

Lightning flashed through the window, illuminating Il-Cheon’s face as he raised his right hand with lightning speed. Namgung-Hyeon jumped back, kicking his chair away. The chair shattered into pieces.

“How do you have a right hand?!”

There was a hand where there should have been an empty sleeve. Il-Cheon sneered, his voice changing.

“You’re just noticing now? You’re more foolish than I thought.”

“You bastard!”

He drew his sword, but Il-Cheon didn’t move.

“Hmph!”

He sneered again, and his right hand shot out towards Namgung-Hyeon’s heart.

*Whoosh!*

His arm, elongated like a spear, pierced Namgung-Hyeon’s heart with lightning speed. His sword clattered to the ground.

*Crack!*

His hand, still imbued with power, continued its trajectory, piercing the wall behind Namgung-Hyeon and pinning him there.

He was skewered, suspended in mid-air.

*Slide!*

Il-Cheon’s body glided across the floor, approaching him.

“T-the West Heaven should be over a hundred and twenty years old…”

Namgung-Hyeon said, his eyes filled with disbelief.

“Well, call me the second generation.”

“W-what have I done to deserve this…?”

“Nothing much. I just hate eldest sons.”

He said, watching the blood drip from his arm, which was still embedded in Namgung-Hyeon’s chest.

“You’re surprisingly resilient. You should have died instantly.”

He was more durable than expected.

“Even a rotten fish has bones! You twisted your body to avoid a fatal blow to your heart. Then let me help you!”

He pulled out a thick, metal needle from Namgung-Hyeon’s chest with a metallic clang. Blood spurted out, staining the floor.

“Farewell, Branch Manager!”

He said, smiling cheerfully.

*Slide!*

His elongated arm retracted. His hand, as it withdrew from Namgung-Hyeon’s chest, was holding a bloody heart. The heart that had been beating moments ago.

*Crunch!*

He crushed the heart in his hand, its juices splattering like a crushed apple.

“Hehehe!”

He chuckled, his smile cruel and delighted.

“Now, let’s go meet our dear nephew!”

He muttered, licking his upper lip.

The storm raged on outside.