Chapter 74 : The Visitor (2)

Chapter 74: The Visitor (2)

“Apologies for the commotion!”

After a few more hits, the ferocious beast-like Kang Yung turned into a docile puppy, bowing his head repeatedly.

If he didn’t bow deeply enough or took a slightly off posture, Maeng Ye-ju’s fists flew without mercy.

Only after Kang Yung’s long apology ended did a proper conversation begin.

“I sincerely apologize. I should have come to thank you in person for helping our sect members, but while I was stopping by the branch of the Tai Chi Sect, this guy suddenly disappeared... I apologize once again. Hey, you guys, get up now.”

At her words, the disciples of the Beast King Sect, who had been lying on the ground, stood up. They had been punished by Maeng Ye-ju for failing to stop Kang Yung from slipping away on his own.

“No matter how high-ranking Yung is, if he’s in the wrong, you should’ve stopped him. How could you just stand by and watch?”

“We’re sorry!”

“We’ll fix it!”

The martial artists, made up of both beastfolk and humans, shouted in unison, standing at sharp attention. Unlike how she had beaten Kang Yung, Maeng Ye-ju let their mistake slide.

“Hmph.”

She scolded them, but she also knew there was little they could’ve done.

Kang Yung was well-known even within the Beast King Sect for his hot temper and uncontrollable behavior. Very few people could manage him.

Normally, he wasn’t even allowed out unless it was for combat.

He had been brought along in preparation for an upcoming battle, but in the blink of an eye, he had caused trouble the moment she turned away.

“I’ll apologize once again.”

Maeng Ye-ju lowered her large upper body deeply in apology.

“It’s fine, these things happen. It’s pretty well known the beastfolk from the Beast King Sect are kind of lacking in common sense.”

“What did you just say, old man...?”

Bang!

Kang Yung flared up at Gwak Yu-chan’s words, but was immediately subdued by Maeng Ye-ju.

“This is your fault! Huh? We’re getting judged like this because of you! Can’t you get a grip?”

Unlike the beastfolk, she had a normal way of thinking. She clearly acknowledged her mistake and didn’t get riled up or retaliate at Gwak Yu-chan’s sharp comment.

“I also owe thanks to Senior Gwak and Senior Pung. And...”

Maeng Ye-ju’s gaze shifted to Jang Woo-hyun.

He stood nearly seven cheok tall, and his build was comparable to that of the beastfolk Kang Yung.

Maeng Ye-ju had such a sturdy physique that it was hard to see her as a woman at a glance.

Shoulder-length bobbed hair, bronze skin, and large, tiger-like eyes.

Rather than a martial artist, she gave off the impression of a warrior.

“...I heard you’re the one who disciplined our guy?”

Her eyes were full of curiosity. It wasn’t the look one gave to a fellow person, but rather the look of a child who had found a new toy.

Under the weight of her intense gaze, Jang Woo-hyun unconsciously took a step back. For the first time, he felt fear—of a different kind.

“You’re quite skilled, huh?”

When Maeng Ye-ju smiled, the ground beneath her feet trembled slightly.

Crackle, crumbling.

The stone floor of the martial arena broke down into powder as Maeng Ye-ju lowered her stance and raised both arms.

“Let’s spar. Just ten seconds.”

He had thought, unlike Kang Yung, she had rational thinking—but he was mistaken.

‘This sect is just a bunch of lunatics.’

There wasn’t a sane person in the Beast King Sect.

Jang Woo-hyun frowned as pain surged through his arm.

Maeng Ye-ju was strong—on a completely different level from Kang Yung.

Though Jang’s body had long surpassed that of a regular human and had remarkable healing ability, her attacks had still inflicted damage on him.

Even with the Sacred River Flowing Armor protecting his body.

‘Is she at the pinnacle of Transcendence?’

He could display strength beyond those in the same realm, yet she had still managed to injure him.

That meant she had likely reached the end of the Transcendence realm.

If the fight had continued, he couldn’t guarantee victory.

Fortunately, unlike Kang Yung, she wasn’t reckless.

After exchanging several strikes, she stepped back with a look of regret.

Jang Woo-hyun also wanted to fight more, but he knew if they continued, one of them would end up seriously hurt, so he stopped.

“Hey, you punk! Hitting a woman’s face like that—”

“Stop.”

“What do you mean stop? Even if it was just a spar—”

“Shut it.”

“Does that last attack of yours have a name?”

Maeng Ye-ju asked as she touched her chin.

Just earlier during the duel, Jang Woo-hyun had landed a solid blow on her jaw.

With Demon-Annihilating Divine Fist no less.

She was so physically durable that her face hadn’t flown off, but her jawbone had shattered on impact.

Even now, white smoke was rising from under the hand covering her chin as her body healed.

“It’s called Demon-Annihilating Single Slash.”

“Myeolak? Destroying a great mountain? You smashed that into my face?”

“This guy’s nuts. He just—put that in her face... ugh!”

Kang Yung, who tried to interject, was once again punched by Maeng Ye-ju and sent flying into a corner.

“You’re spicy, I like that. Come to think of it, I still don’t know your name. You probably heard already—I'm Maeng Ye-ju, one of the six successors of the Beast King Sect.”

“I’m Jang Woo-hyun.”

“Jang Woo-hyun, huh... Jang Woo-hyun. You ascended from the lower world, right?”

“Yes.”

As expected, she nodded knowingly.

“How long’s it been since you came up? Are you affiliated with any sect? If you're around here, maybe with the Three Purities Tai Chi Sect?”

“It hasn’t been long since I arrived. I don’t have an affiliation.”

“Is that so?”

She opened her tiger-like eyes wide and looked at Gwak Yu-chan, as if to confirm his words.

Gwak Yu-chan nodded, silently verifying that what he said was true.

“I see...”

Her eyes lit up as she stared at Jang Woo-hyun.

After thinking for a moment, Maeng Ye-ju made up her mind. The result came out of her mouth without hesitation.

“Wanna join the Beast King Sect?”

“...Excuse me?”

“There are people in our sect who use swords too. Not a lot, but they’re there. I’m sure we’ve got a sword technique to suit you.”

“Sis!”

Kang Yung tried to butt in from the corner, but quieted down the moment Maeng Ye-ju raised her fist.

“Your skills are impressive, and I like your guts. Can’t remember the last time someone turned my face like that.”

Even with a shattered jaw, she burst into laughter. People said she had the most straightforward personality among the six successors—and it was true.

She was even trying to recruit the guy who just wrecked her jaw.

“Oh! Are you perhaps Senior Gwak’s disciple?”

“No, I’m not. But I’m learning various things under him at the moment.”

“Bits and pieces? Like what?”

“That’s a secret.”

As the two spoke, Gwak Yu-chan ambled over and interrupted.

“Why are you trying to snatch someone else’s guest without permission?”

“Oh, not at all! Who would dare steal the guest of someone as distinguished as Senior Gwak? I just liked this guy, so I made a suggestion, that’s all.”

“Suggestion, huh? I can practically see the hearts in your eyes.”

“Huh? Hehehe, does it really look that way?”

Maeng Ye-ju didn’t bother to deny it.

That’s how much she liked Jang Woo-hyun.

If a transcender of this caliber joined, even her master—the Beast King Sect Leader—would be pleased.

“I don’t know what exactly you’re learning, but once you’re done or if you ever change your mind, come visit the Beast King Sect. You’ll be more than welcome.”

“Are you guys preparing for a war or something?”

“A war?”

“It’s not like you’re short on people. It’s odd that you’re so eager to recruit someone you just met. Are you running low on numbers or something?”

“Oh, no, nothing like that. He’s just exceptional, so I was drawn to him. Wait. Don’t tell me… have you already arranged something with the Three Purities Tai Chi Sect?”

“Arranged what?”

“To introduce him.”

“No, nothing like that.”

“Really?”

Maeng Ye-ju turned her gaze back to Jang Woo-hyun.

“Then I said it first. Don’t go to the Three Purities Tai Chi Sect. You have to come to the Beast King Sect first. Got it?”

“What would be the point? More guys like him will just rush you again.”

When Gwak Yu-chan motioned toward Kang Yung, Maeng Ye-ju found herself at a loss for words.

She also knew full well that some beastfolk in the Beast King Sect were brutes who acted on impulse.

“Uh... well... I’ll take care of that somehow. Even if I have to beat them down. So you, come to the Beast King Sect. You absolutely have to stop by. I’m sure even Master would like you.”

Maeng Ye-ju was one of the successors of a major sect in the Central Heaven Martial World. Her strength was excellent, and so was her discernment.

Just from exchanging a few blows, she had gauged Jang Woo-hyun’s level.

Bringing someone of that caliber in would undoubtedly benefit the sect—one way or another.

“I’ll stop by if I get the chance.”

Under her intense persistence, Jang Woo-hyun finally nodded.

“Alright, then get going if you’re done.”

“I’m not done yet. Hey, bring it over.”

Maeng Ye-ju shook her head at Gwak Yu-chan’s dismissal and called for her subordinate. But the Beast King Sect disciples just stared blankly at her.

“What are you doing? Go get it!”

“Sis.”

“What now?”

Kang Yung stepped in, and she frowned.

“You already took it yourself. Why’re you asking the others…”

“Oh, right?”

Laughing awkwardly, Maeng Ye-ju pulled a small box from her dimensional pouch and handed it to Gwak Yu-chan.

“This is a token of gratitude for helping our sect and our beastfolk. It contains one Tiger Heaven Pill and five Blue Wolf Pills.”

“The Blue Wolf Pills I understand, but you’re giving away a precious Tiger Heaven Pill too?”

Both pills were renowned medicinal elixirs produced by the Beast King Sect, famous throughout the Central Heaven Realm for their effectiveness.

Especially the Ho Cheon Dan—something not easily found, let alone given away lightly.

“Sect Leader instructed us to do so. We might be reckless and ‘lacking common sense,’ but we don’t forget our debts.”

Maeng Ye-ju playfully threw back the “lacking common sense” jab Gwak Yu-chan had made earlier, which made both Gwak Yu-chan and Pung So-bong burst into laughter.

“Guess becoming a successor of a major sect doesn’t come easy.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“But what brought you to the Tai Chi Sect anyway? Doesn’t seem like you came just to say thanks.”

The number of martial artists she brought was simply too much for just an expression of gratitude.

Not to mention, both Kang Yung and Maeng Ye-ju were Transcendent-level martial artists. Too excessive just for a courtesy call.

“We’re preparing to mobilize a large force. The reason we arrived late today is because we were seeking permission for our martial artists to enter Tai Chi Sect’s territory.”

“How many are coming? And for what?”

“We’ve discovered who’s behind those damn Twin-Winged Lotus bastards that have been running wild lately. We’ll soon be striking one of the *Twelve Camps*.”

“The Twelve Camps? So they’re involved? It wasn’t just a few rogue bandits acting alone?”

Pung So-bong, catching on quickly, nodded in understanding.

“Yes. We believe there are more involved, but for now, we’ve confirmed one of the Twelve Camps is connected.”

As the two continued their conversation, Gwak Yu-chan pulled Jang Woo-hyun aside.

“Curious about what the Twelve Camps are?”

“Yes.”

Knowing Jang Woo-hyun’s knowledge of the Central Heaven Martial World was still lacking, Gwak Yu-chan asked gently.

He and Pung So-bong had taught him the basics, but since he hadn’t been in this world long, he didn’t know everything yet.

“The Twelve Camps. More precisely, the Twelve Wings of Paired Wings—they’re the leaders of the Twin-Winged Lotus.”

Jang Woo-hyun had interpreted the Twin-Winged Lotus as essentially no different from bandit groups like the Green Forest Wayfarers or Yangtze River Marauder Camps.

The only difference was that these bandits flew through the skies rather than hiding in mountains or sailing rivers.

The Paired Wings Twelve Camps were the twelve core forces within that aerial bandit organization.

The rest of the lesser bandit groups were subordinate to one of these twelve.

The ones Jang Woo-hyun crushed at the request of the beastfolk children were the same.

“It looks like the Beast King Sect traced the source of the kidnappers targeting the beastfolk. And it turns out one of the Twelve Camps is behind it. Seems like they want to take this opportunity to wipe them out completely.”

The Beast King Sect was one of the Ten Sects and Three Clans.

It wasn’t some small sect.

The scale of sects in the Central Heaven Realm was on another level compared to those in the Central Plains. Even a mid-tier sect easily had over ten thousand members, so even partial mobilization meant a massive battle was imminent.

“So, about that, Woo-hyun.”

Looking at the suddenly beaming Gwak Yu-chan, Jang Woo-hyun felt a sudden sense of unease.

“How about coming along?”

“Pardon? Go where... you mean with the Beast King Sect?”

“Yeah. Isn’t it a good chance to gain some real combat experience? I think tagging along just for the experience wouldn’t be a bad idea. You haven’t really had a proper fight since you got here, have you?”

He had fought when rescuing the beastfolk children, but that was closer to a slaughter than a proper battle.

He hadn’t had the chance to truly show his skills, especially since he hadn’t yet mastered the speed of Transcendence or aerial movement at the time.

Now, however, he had adapted to the speed of Transcendence and learned the Hovering Steps.

Jang Woo-hyun could now be considered a full-fledged martial artist of the Central Heaven Realm.

“Gaining experience would be good, I suppose.”

“Of course it would.”

Gwak Yu-chan strongly recommended that Jang Woo-hyun join the Beast King Sect’s mission.

It made sense—he was nearly out of things to teach, so this was a perfect excuse to get Jang Woo-hyun some field experience.

“Huh? What’s this? You’re coming with us?”

Maeng Ye-ju, who had been talking with Pung So-bong not far away but also listening in on their conversation, approached with eyes shining.