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Chapter 55: Fighting to Save All of Humanity
East of Luoyang
Waryong Manor
Early Evening (7:00 p.m.)
As the beautiful dusk painted the world a deep red, Waryong Manor descended into chaos.
"What did you say? What happened to Seolju? What do you mean? Bring her to me immediately!"
Baek Miju's voice echoed through the grand hall.
Her eldest son, Yeon Mubaek, responded with a perplexed expression.
"Mother, according to the letter she left, she plans to wander through the Murim..."
"So what? Are you going to sit idly by while your sister is out there? Do you think she can manage on her own? Search all night in Luoyang if you have to and bring her back!"
"I don't think she's in Luoyang if she really plans to wander through the Murim."
"If she's not in Luoyang, where could she be? What can she do alone?"
Even though Yeon Seolju was twenty-one years old, Baek Miju still saw her as a child.
"She's not alone, mother."
"What do you mean? If she's not alone, who is Seolju with?"
Finally, Yeon Mubaek explained about the Five Heroes of Luoyang.
"Seolju has been constantly talking about going on adventures with the Five Heroes of Luoyang. She's probably with them now."
"Damn it!"
A curse escaped Baek Miju's mouth.
She never imagined that her daughter, whom she had raised so carefully, would run away from home to emulate the heroines of the Murim.
"And you, her brother! You knew this and still allowed her to come and go from Luoyang? How can you call yourself her brother! If you had spent half the time you spend worrying about your disciples on your sister, this wouldn't have happened!"
In a fit of anger, Baek Miju unleashed her resentment towards Yeon Mubaek.
Yeon Mubaek did not defend himself and lowered his head.
He never imagined that Yeon Seolju would run away from home. For the family, talking about venturing into the Murim was nothing more than a way to escape. Therefore, the news was a harsh blow.
"Find Seolju immediately! If the merchants of Samjin find out about this, Seolju will be in danger! What are you waiting for?!"
At Baek Miju's command, Yeon Mubaek led the disciples of the Rising Star Division towards Luoyang.
That night, it was not just Waryong Manor in turmoil.
Palseon Sect, Daeyeon Sect, Chilyang Sect, and Uicheon Sect were also in chaos. Lee Yeongan, the Uicheon Sect Leader, sent his disciples to search every inn and abandoned house in Luoyang.
However, they could not find any trace of the Five Heroes of Luoyang.
At dawn, representatives of the four clans hurried to Uicheon to discuss measures to take, though in reality, they were more interested in assessing Lee Yeongan's reaction.
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Yeoju
Around noon, five young people arrived in the city.
By their silk clothes and bright weapons, they appeared to be children of noble families.
They were the Five Heroes of Luoyang, who had left their homes defying their families' opposition.
Lee Somin pointed to a tavern across the street and said:
"How about we eat something there? It looks like a place where merchants pass by."
"Agreed."
"Good idea."
Without further discussion, the five, visibly hungry, entered the tavern.
After settling in, they ordered food.
Shortly after, their orders began to arrive.
Just as they started to eat, about twenty people entered the tavern. From their backpacks and conversation, it was clear they were merchants.
Hwang Dongyeop, after satisfying his hunger a bit, stood up and approached the merchants' table.
"Good afternoon. You seem to be part of a trading caravan, correct?"
Jung Ungwan, the Leader of Hwayang Chamber of Commerce, quickly stood up.
In front of him was clearly a young expert of the Murim.
He had been observing him carefully, waiting for this moment to arrive.
"Yes, I am Jung Ungwan, leader of Hwayang Chamber of Commerce based in Shinyanghyun."
"Nice to meet you. I am Hwang Dongyeop, the first of the Five Heroes of Luoyang and principal disciple of Palseon Sect."
Upon hearing "Palseon Sect," Jung Ungwan's face lit up.
No merchant who traveled through Luoyang was unaware of Palseon Sect. And a principal disciple meant a direct connection to the clan leader, a relationship worth cultivating.
"Oh, it's an honor to meet a member of Palseon Sect! How can I help you?"
"These are my sworn brothers," said Hwang Dongyeop, pointing to his group. "They are principal disciples of Daeyeon Sect, Chilyang Sect, Uicheon Sect, and Waryong Manor."
Jung Ungwan's eyes widened.
Though he knew Palseon Sect and Daeyeon Sect, Uicheon Sect and Waryong Manor were on another level.
Uicheon is one of the Seven Great Sects of the current Murim, famous for its influence. It was said that having a connection with any of the Seven Great Sects was enough to deter any threat.
Jung Ungwan bowed even lower, knowing how valuable these connections were.
Hwang Dongyeop continued:
"We are on a mission to eradicate the Nokrim bandits on our way to Tapha. As you know, once they hear about such a mission, the bandits hide."
"Ah!"
Jung Ungwan, being a shrewd merchant, immediately understood the situation.
Initiation missions in the Murim were a rite of passage. Disciples who successfully completed these missions received permission to travel freely outside their clans or sects.
These missions involved eliminating evil in the world, and the Nokrim bandits were common targets. However, finding these bandits was no easy task, as they hid upon hearing about such missions.
"Do you want to accompany our caravan?"
Asked Jung Ungwan, anticipating the answer.
Hwang Dongyeop nodded.
"Yes, would that be possible?"
"Yes, it's fine."
"Of course! It will be an honor! We will ensure you have no discomfort during the journey."
Thus, the inclusion of the Five Heroes of Luoyang into the Hwayang Chamber of Commerce was decided.
Jung Ungwan, the group leader, called the Divine Division Leader, Yang Mugi, also known as the Heavenly Wind, and introduced him to the Five Heroes of Luoyang.
Yang Mugi, also a disciple of Mugeuk Sect, one of the Seven Great Sects, did not feel uncomfortable with the Five Heroes of Luoyang. In fact, he was excited about the opportunity to subdue the Jeokpung Fortresses and Five Peaks Mountain.
Yang Mugi, in his thirties, and the Heroes of Luoyang, in their early twenties, quickly got along.
Two days later.
Yang Mugi pointed to a small hill in the distance.
"There's the Jeokpungchae camp. The chief is Yeomrado-bu. He has many ambitions, but his martial skills are not as good as they say."
Yang Mugi's eyes shone with determination.
Last time, the chief of security had negotiated a fee of eighty taels of silver, and it had been that way ever since. But now that he had young subordinates, he decided to renegotiate.
After the Hwayang Chamber of Commerce entered the mountain, about fifteen minutes passed.
Suddenly, about forty bandits appeared.
Yo Beom, the second-in-command of Jeokpungchae, approached, playing with his large sword.
"Oh! Where are you going so fast, Chief Yang? You must take a pause and pay."
Yang Mugi responded calmly.
"We expected to meet the Heroes of Jeokpungchae. So far, we have paid eighty taels of silver according to the previous agreement, but I think it's time to renegotiate."
The corners of Yo Beom's eyes lifted.
Although his words were polite, it was clear they wanted to fight.
From the back, the Chief Yeomrado-bu, Jang Hanwi, cursed.
"Damn bastard! Renegotiate? Eighty taels was a discount. Listen! From now on, the toll fee will be one hundred taels."
"Hahaha! Yes!"
"Understood!"
The Jeokpungchae bandits laughed loudly, waving their weapons over their heads in a show of strength.
Yang Mugi slightly raised his hand.
Fifteen warriors of the Divine Division deployed in a crane wing formation on both sides of Yang Mugi.
But Chief Jang Hanwi scoffed.
"Hmph! Do you really want to try? It seems you haven't seen enough blood these days. Guys!"
Just as he was about to give the order to attack.
Five young warriors stepped forward in front of the crane wing formation.
They were the Five Heroes of Luoyang.
The first, Hwang Dongyeop, slowly drew his sword and spoke.
"So you are Yeomrado-bu of Jeokpungchae. Today, the Five Heroes of Luoyang have come to take your head. Know that your days of murdering and robbing are over!"
"Damn it!"
Jang Hanwi's face twisted.
These young faces and their words indicated they were young warriors on their training journey.
If they won, it meant nothing; if they lost, it would be eternal humiliation, and if they seriously injured someone, the consequences would be incalculable.
"The Five Heroes of Luoyang? Who are your masters?"
Despite his fierce character, Jang Hanwi knew when to be cautious. He had to identify his opponents to adjust his approach.
"I am the principal disciple of Palseon Sect, Hwang Dongyeop."
"I am the principal disciple of Daeyeon Sect, Oh Jungsan."
"Son Sang-geuk of Chilyang Sect."
"I am Lee Somin, the principal disciple of Uicheon Sect! I have come to punish you in the name of heaven!"
"I am Yeon Seolju, the principal disciple of Waryong Manor."
Jang Hanwi and Yo Beom's faces twisted even more.
Palseon, Daeyeon, Chilyang, and Waryong Manor were acceptable. But what to do with Uicheon Sect?
With a glimmer of hope, Jang Hanwi asked Lee Somin.
"Did you say your name is Lee Somin? What's your father's name?"
"Lee Yeongan."
Being new to the Murim world, Lee Somin responded sincerely.
In other circumstances, this could have been dangerous, but not today.
"So you are the daughter of the Uicheon Sect Leader, Lee Yeongan?"
"That's right."
Lee Somin raised her chin arrogantly.
Jang Hanwi and Yo Beom's faces turned grim.
The Uicheon Sect Leader, Lee Yeongan, was formidable, but his father, the Great Master of Uicheon Sect, Lee Euijung, was terror itself. As one of the Ten Greatest Martial Artists in the World, in the Nokrim World, he was called the King Yama. If they harmed Lee Somin, Jeokpungchae would be annihilated.
"Damn it! Why? Why?"
Jang Hanwi, with his fierce face, seemed on the verge of tears.
If there were no witnesses, there would be no problem, but there were too many.
If they couldn't kill everyone and eliminate evidence, escaping was the best option.
While Jang Hanwi hesitated, Hwang Dongyeop shouted.
"Brothers! We need no more words! Let’s fight to save humanity! Attack!"
"Yes!"
"Understood!"
The Five Heroes of Luoyang responded in unison and charged.
This happened before Jang Hanwi could formulate an adequate plan.
Hwang Dongyeop's sword was the first to strike Jang Hanwi.
Jang Hanwi, surprised, barely managed to deflect the sword with his axe.
Clang.
The clear sound brought him back to reality.
He turned his head and saw Lee Somin and Yo Beom tangled in combat.
Even in a fair duel, Yo Beom couldn't beat Lee Somin.
And at this moment, he couldn't even injure her. In that brief time, Yo Beom's body was covered in blood.
"Run!"
Jang Hanwi threw his axe towards Hwang Dongyeop and ran backward.
At that moment, Yo Beom's sword broke.
Seizing the opportunity, Yo Beom also ran towards the nearby forest.
Shortly after, the warriors of the Divine Division, led by Yang Mugi, advanced with a battle cry.
The Jeokpungchae bandits were swept away like leaves in a hurricane, unable to offer any resistance.