Chronicles of the Lazy Sovereign Novel - Chapter 493

Chapter 493 – The Lazy Man Trembles (3)

**The Old Man.**

An old man with immaculate white hair waited in front of the wide-open main gate of the Tang Family.

Upon seeing him, Tang Cheongun quickened his pace. Not to the point of using light-movement techniques, but his urgency was evident to everyone.

Arriving hastily, Tang Cheongun extended both hands and performed a martial salute.

“I didn’t imagine the legendary Heavenly Flowing Sword would come in person.”

“Hahaha, Patriarch Tang honors me too much. This insignificant old man doesn’t deserve such treatment. Please, relax,” replied the old man humbly.

Tang Cheongun offered a courteous smile, but his inner self was far from calm.

*Of all the disciples of Baekgeom Fortress, why did it have to be him?*

A cold sweat ran down his back.

### Baekgeom Fortress.

How would the Central Plains describe Baekgeom Fortress?

There were the Righteous Martial Alliance, the Righteous Heavenly Alliance, and although few dared to mention it, there was also the Demon Cult, considered by some to be *”the most powerful force under the heavens”*.

Baekgeom Fortress would only appear later in conversations. But in reality, its power could rival, and even surpass, that of these factions.

Why?

Because Baekgeom Fortress was not an alliance.

Both the Righteous Martial Alliance and the Righteous Heavenly Alliance were coalitions. Without their allied factions, they could not exert their power alone.

But Baekgeom Fortress, as a single entity, stood on par with the Righteous Martial Alliance. Except for the Demon Cult, not even the Shaolin Temple, Wudang, or the Namgung Family dared to confront them directly.

Although its fame paled in comparison to that of the Righteous Martial Alliance, many considered the true *”most powerful force under the heavens”* to be Baekgeom Fortress.

And now, the true power behind that fortress was in front of him.

### The Heavenly Flowing Sword

Tang Cheongun’s gaze could not remain steady as he observed the Heavenly Flowing Sword.

He was a peculiar figure.

Among the countless experts representing Baekgeom Fortress, the name of the Heavenly Flowing Sword was not often mentioned. He was practically unknown to the world.

Only a handful of masters knew him, and those same masters did not hesitate to include him among the candidates for the title of *”Best Swordsman in the World”*.

If he had been a little more famous, the term *”Three Great Swordsmen of the World”* would never have existed. How could they limit it to three when there was someone like him?

Such was the Heavenly Flowing Sword.

A man who, if he wished, could accumulate all the fame and respect in the world, but who instead had rejected everything to wander unattached.

Someone who never sought personal glory, satisfied with simply being *”a sword that supports Baekgeom Fortress”*.

And for that very reason, he was a difficult opponent.

Tang Cheongun’s mind clouded over.

Although he held the title of *”Elder of the Fortress”*, he actually had no political authority. It was an honorary position. In theory, he should be just a useless old man… but his skill made him impossible to ignore.

A man who wielded his power without carrying the weight of representing Baekgeom Fortress. Where else would they find someone so difficult to handle?

“If the Heavenly Flowing Sword considers himself insignificant, then I don’t know what to say about myself,” replied Tang Cheongun diplomatically.

“Patriarch Tang,” the old man gently shook his head. “I only came for a visit. Nothing more. Don’t worry.”

Tang Cheongun’s gaze sharpened as he scrutinized the old man.

*”Just visiting?”*

Impossible.

Although the Heavenly Flowing Sword was a wanderer, that didn’t mean he was Lazy. Wherever he appeared, there were always events related to Baekgeom Fortress. This time would be no different.

Furthermore, if he had really come in a personal capacity and not as an emissary, he would not have shown the *”Silver Plate”* of the fortress.

*”He comes on behalf of the Fortress, but doesn’t want to act in its name… What kind of matter is this?”*

There was nothing left but to ask directly.

“Please, come inside.”

“I appreciate the hospitality, even if I am an uninvited guest.”

“*Hum*” Tang Cheongun tried to maintain a cordial atmosphere, but at least one person was clearly not happy.

“What a useless old man, dragging himself all the way here.”

“It’s been a long time, Leader of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance.”

“”Leader”? You didn’t call me that before…”

“Positions change, circumstances too. How could I speak to you as in the past?”

Cheok Soogwang stared intently at the Heavenly Flowing Sword without saying anything.

There was no bad blood between them. The old man was not the type to generate enmities. However, every time he saw him, Cheok Soogwang couldn’t help but feel competitive.

They were polar opposites.

For someone like him, who had lived a life of relentless struggle, the existence of the Heavenly Flowing Sword—a man who wandered the world with nonchalance while possessing incomparable strength—had always been a thorn in his side.

“Let’s leave the reunions for later,” said the old man, ignoring the hostile tone.

Unlike Cheok Soogwang, who sharpened his words like swords, the Heavenly Flowing Sword received his provocations with calm.

*”That serenity… that which I never had… how I hate to see it”*, thought Cheok Soogwang, irritated.

“This…!”

Just when he was about to say something else, the Heavenly Flowing Sword passed right by him.

*”Damn it.”*

He was the Leader of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance.

Although he had not reached that position solely through skill, it was still a position of great authority. And yet, the Heavenly Flowing Sword treated him the same as always, as if nothing had changed.

“It’s been a long time,” he greeted Jegal Yeom.

“Indeed,” replied the latter, glancing sideways at Cheok Soogwang’s reaction.

*”Uncomfortable.”*

Not because of the Heavenly Flowing Sword, but because of Cheok Soogwang.

Seeing him show so much animosity—something rare in someone usually indifferent—was disconcerting.

“There must be a reason for coming from so far,” said Jegal Yeom.

“So soon to get to the point, without even exchanging pleasantries?”

“Excuse me, I tend to be direct…”

“Are you asking as Patriarch of the Jegal Clan or as Strategist of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance?”

“If I have to choose… the latter.”

“I didn’t come to cause trouble for the Alliance. I only followed a small bond of fate,” replied the old man.

*”Bond?”*

Jegal Yeom frowned slightly.

Who would he come looking for? Surely not Cheok Soogwang…

He followed the gaze of the Heavenly Flowing Sword.

His sight landed on Wei Jeonghan.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”

“I think it’s the first time since back then.”

“Did you find your path?”

“I’m still lost.”

“They say that perhaps you don’t need to find it. Someone else is walking for you, isn’t it?”

Wei Jeonghan shook his head with an ambiguous smile.

“Throwing away a whole life as a father would be too much of a waste. If I must live, it will be as a swordsman, not as a progenitor.”

“That sounds like you. Persist, and someday you will reach your destination. The world says that everyone must aim for the same thing, but it is not necessary. Right?”

“I knew you would understand.”

The Heavenly Flowing Sword nodded with a smile.

Both shared that wandering spirit, that connection that few understood.

*”As the rumors say…”*

Jegal Yeom concluded that the Heavenly Flowing Sword was even more problematic than he thought. By hierarchy, he should show more respect to Cheok Soogwang—the Leader of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance outranked even Tang Cheongun.

However, while he was courteous to others, with Cheok Soogwang he refused to bow.

*”Strong with the strong, gentle with the weak…”*

Or perhaps he was simply acting according to his mood.

In any case, he was a headache.

Before Jegal Yeom finished analyzing him, the Heavenly Flowing Sword looked around and sighed.

It seemed that there was no one else left to greet.

“Patriarch Tang.”

“Yes.”

“I must apologize.”

“Apologize? Why?”

The old man performed another martial salute.

“Visiting the renowned Tang Family is an honor. I would love to admire their legacy and enjoy the tea that their patriarch would so kindly offer. But I must reject everything, for I am here on a mission. Please, forgive me.”

*”Mission?”*

Tang Cheongun’s eyes narrowed.

A mission… There was only one place that could give orders to the Heavenly Flowing Sword.

Baekgeom Fortress.

*What kind of order could they have given him?*

*”Nothing good, from what I see…”*

“Don’t worry. It’s not a matter related to the Tang Family. I only came to find one person.”

*One person?*

Someone not related to the Tang Family.

There was only one candidate left. There weren’t many who deserved a visit from the Heavenly Flowing Sword, and he had already spoken to almost everyone present…

“Huh?”

Wei Yanho shouted in surprise.

“Grandpa! It’s the grandpa from that time!”

As if he had just remembered, he even clapped enthusiastically.

“Right? It’s the grandpa we saw on the mountain, right?”

“Hahaha, so you remembered.”

Wei Yanho nodded repeatedly.

“Mmm, yes. Since he wasn’t in his cart, I didn’t recognize him. And his mule?”

“Grazing somewhere.”

“What a relief! I thought maybe it had died of old age.”

“Hahaha, worrying even about a mule… what a noble heart. But tell me, how did you end up in this state?”

“This?”

Wei Yanho looked at his hands and laughed.

“If you come to the Tang Family, you have to try their poisons!”

“What a peculiar hobby.”

“Hehe, I’m told that often.”

Tang Cheongun couldn’t help but intervene.

“Do you know each other?”

“Hahaha, yes. Although it wasn’t a significant encounter.”

“We only crossed paths once,” added Wei Yanho.

*”Crossed paths?”*

Tang Cheongun’s eyelid twitched.

Was the Heavenly Flowing Sword a stray dog to *”cross paths”* with him? In the vast Central Plains, the chances of meeting by chance were minimal.

“But, what did you come for?”

“To see you.”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

The Heavenly Flowing Sword shrugged.

“Guess?”

All eyes focused on them.

*Competitiveness?*

*Does he want to recruit him for the Fortress?*

Not even Jegal Yeom could deduce the reason. With the information they had, there was no apparent connection between them.

But Wei Yanho seemed to have an idea.

“Ah, I think I know. There’s only one reason why you would come to see me, right?”

“Ohh, you know? I thought you wouldn’t guess.”

“Come on, I’m not that dumb!”

The Heavenly Flowing Sword smiled with interest.

“And what do you think is my motive?”

Wei Yanho smiled maliciously.

“Simple. You came to kill me, right?”

“Hahahahaha!”

The old man burst out laughing.

The others laughed too, thinking it was a joke.

But the next sentence from the Heavenly Flowing Sword left them frozen.

“How did you know?”