Emperor’s Sword [EN]: Chapter 89

Qingxiang Road, the main thoroughfare of Luoyang, is a bustling hub where every form of commerce imaginable thrives. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that if you can’t find it here, you’re unlikely to find it anywhere else. Human desires are endless, and no matter how much they are fulfilled, they always seem to crave more. The wealthy indulge in their extravagant needs, while even the relatively poor engage in at least some level of consumption. Nearly everyone living in and around Luoyang comes to Qingxiang Road to satisfy their desires.

Though it’s almost always crowded, a short walk north along Qingxiang Road leads to a cluster of secluded, old residences, among which sits an unusually large manor. It’s not just the manor’s size that draws attention. The faded plaque above the main gate bears the marks of time.

The First Family Under Heaven

The peeling paint and dilapidated gate suggest that this place is far from grand, yet the meaning behind the name is anything but simple. What kind of place would dare to call itself the First Family Under Heaven?

*Squeak*

A strange noise accompanied the heavy gate as it creaked open, revealing an elderly man in his sixties, dressed in worn black robes. He was short, barely five feet tall, with a completely bald head. His eyes were so small it was hard to tell if they were open or closed, his nose was a crooked hawk-like shape, and his lips were thick. He stepped out with his hands behind his back and headed straight towards the bustling street, waddling like a duck. He didn’t glance around, focusing only on the path ahead. After a while, he reached the crowded area, and his small stature was quickly lost among the throng of people.

“Old Master, how have you been?” A middle-aged man in his forties, dressed in fine clothes, greeted him, having somehow spotted him in the crowd. The old man turned his head slightly towards the voice and gave a small nod.

“And how is business?”

“Excellent, thanks to your support, Old Master.”

The middle-aged man, who called him Old Master, bowed respectfully, his eyes filled with deep reverence for the unassuming old man. He wasn’t the only one. Jang Noryuk, who ran a fabric store nearby, and Wang Ilgu, who had been running the ironworks for three generations, also came out to bow deeply. The old man acknowledged each of their greetings as he quickly passed through the street. Who was this man that even the most influential merchants of Luoyang treated with such deference? It wasn’t just the merchants with prominent shops on Qingxiang Road who greeted him. Even the street vendors showed him a unique respect. Their attitude towards him was filled with genuine reverence, further fueling the mystery of his identity. The old man’s brisk pace came to a halt in front of one particular place.

Cloud Mirror Tea House

The three-story tea house was well-known throughout Luoyang. The old man entered without hesitation. As he did, a young man, seemingly an employee of the tea house, rushed over to greet him with a flurry of bows.

“Welcome, Old Master. It’s an honor to have you visit this humble place… Please, come inside.”

The old man’s thick lips offered a sincere reply.

“Have you been well? Aren’t you at the age to be married? Do you have a woman in your heart?”

“Hehe, who would marry someone like me?”

He gave a bitter smile, which made the old man click his tongue.

“Tsk, tsk. You create your own worth. If you live with such thoughts, you won’t improve even if you live for a thousand or ten thousand years. A man should have ambition… and if not, at least have some spirit. Don’t forget that.”

“Yes, Old Master.”

“Is Myeong-ah here?”

“Yes. The young master is in the bamboo room. Please, come this way.”

“Alright, lead the way.”

Unlike the first and second floors, the third floor of the Cloud Mirror Tea House was composed of private rooms. As the old man turned the corner of the stairs to the third floor, his eyes flashed. His gaze was fixed on a man in his early thirties, sitting alone by the window, drinking tea. He stared at the man intently for a long time, his gaze full of meaning. The man also turned his gaze to the old man, and their eyes met. The man also didn’t avert his gaze. After a moment that felt like an eternity, the old man finally moved on. As he disappeared from the second floor, the man turned his gaze back to the window. As he entered the bamboo room, three men quickly stood up to greet him.

“Welcome, Grandfather.”

The deep voice of the man resonated pleasantly in the room. The old man went to the innermost part of the room and sat down. As soon as he settled into his chair, he began to speak.

“Myeong-ah, what have you found out?”

His question was directed at the man in the center of the room. He had an ordinary appearance, but he resembled a crouching bear. His thick eyebrows were cut straight, making him look even more masculine.

“There’s a significant increase in forces at the Great Punishment Camp. It seems the Heavenly Emperor’s Palace is in a hurry.”

Who were these people to speak so openly about the Heavenly Emperor’s Palace, a secret known only to a select few in the martial world?

“Has there been any movement from the Blood Demon Clan?”

“No. According to the information we’ve gathered, they are likely moving together with the Heavenly Emperor’s Palace due to their alliance, but they haven’t been seen in Luoyang.”

The old man narrowed his small eyes further as he looked at his grandson. He had always trusted his only grandson, and his expectations for him were high.

“They will soon appear in Luoyang as well. The Martial Alliance doesn’t seem to know the full extent of the Great Punishment Camp, but given their obsession with controlling commerce, they will soon send more forces to the Luoyang branch. Whether we like it or not, a clash is inevitable, and we must prepare for it.”

The man called Myeong-ah nodded firmly.

“Understood. Don’t worry. Even if a full-scale war breaks out here, we will ensure there are no casualties.”

The old man picked up his teacup and emptied it in one gulp. The tea was just the right temperature.

“Did you see the man on the second floor?”

“Who are you referring to?”

He looked confused.

“Never mind.”

‘That man… his aura was unusual. If I’m not mistaken, he’s definitely a supreme master. Who could he be? Since he’s in Luoyang, is he related to the Great Punishment Camp or the Martial Alliance? I don’t know.’

He looked at his refilled teacup, lost in thought.

“Myeong-ah.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“It seems something might happen sooner than we thought. So, issue an emergency order and have the men stand by.”

“Why so suddenly?”

“Hmm… just do as I say. And don’t let your guard down regarding the Great Punishment Camp. Remember that.”

“Yes.”

★ The Mad Demon Lord’s gaze was fixed on the window. He had arrived here last night. He had already completed a preliminary investigation of the Great Punishment Camp. His eyes were heavy.

‘Can I really rescue Ja-un safely? It will be difficult. Moreover, the forces at the Great Punishment Camp are far greater than I had anticipated. It’s a dragon’s den, not what it seems. It won’t be easy to rescue Ja-un alone. It might be possible if I’m not discovered, but that would require luck. Cheonhyang’s quarters are in the deepest part, surrounded by layers of guards. Furthermore, she seems to have lost her martial arts… So, the conclusion is that I have to risk my life… Hmm, is it really possible?’

He felt his heart grow heavier. There was almost no place he couldn’t infiltrate or escape from. Given his martial arts prowess, there were only a few people in the world who could stand against him. But the problem was Cheonhyang Okbong. It wouldn’t be easy to get her out, especially since she had lost her martial arts. Even a small mistake would reveal his presence, and then all the masters in the Great Punishment Camp would swarm him. Thinking about this made his heart heavy, which was only natural.

‘I’m not afraid of death. It’s just… my life is no longer mine, so I’m afraid of causing worry and guilt to the Supreme One. I have no regrets about my actions now. Tonight, even if my life ends, I can die with a smile.’

He steeled his resolve once more. He recalled the old man he had made eye contact with earlier.

‘He was formidable. To find a master of that caliber in a place like this… unexpected. Is the world really that vast? Moreover, there are mysterious masters all over Luoyang, not from the Great Punishment Camp or the Martial Alliance. They are disguised in shabby clothes, but they can’t fool my eyes. What are their identities? And why are they in Luoyang? Are they also targeting the Great Punishment Camp? Or… I don’t know. They are not my concern anyway, so I shouldn’t bother with them.’

He savored his tea, waiting for nightfall. Would he be able to rescue Cheonhyang Okbong safely?

★ The Blood Demon Child left his room as darkness began to fall. He immediately headed to his senior brother’s quarters. Unlike during the day, his face was wrapped in bandages, with only his eyes shining darkly through the gaps. As he walked down the hallway, his sleeve fluttering, he encountered two maids. They bowed their heads, their bodies stiff with fear. Seeing this, the Blood Demon Child stopped. His sudden stop and stare made the two maids tremble, which further irritated him.

“You, you…”

*Whack*

“Eek!”

He grabbed one of the maids by the hair, lifting her up. Her face, filled with terror, was that of a young woman, barely twenty years old.

“Hehe, am I disgusting to you? Am I scary? Do you think I’m a joke? Hahaha, I guess so. I’m just a guy who lost all his subordinates and survived alone, so it’s natural that even maids like you would look down on me.”

“N-no, that’s not true.”

“How dare you talk back?”

“Eek!”

He yanked her hair as if he would pull it out, throwing her to the side. She screamed and fell to the ground. The other maid, seeing this, collapsed onto the floor, paralyzed with fear.

“Tch… damn it.”

The Blood Demon Child, feeling pathetic for taking his anger out on the innocent maids, quickly left the scene. The two maids remained frozen, still in shock.

*Bang*

The Blood Demon Child burst into the room, but it was empty, which surprised him.

“Where did he go? Is he in the training room again?”

He tried to guess where his senior brother, Choryang, might be and then left the room.