The Legend of the Northern Blade-Chapter 192: Justice is Not Always the Right Answer (2)

At the appearance of the old man in patched, ragged robes, leaning on a staff as tall as himself, Jin Mu-Won's gaze turned impossibly cold. He had already met this man twice before, once at the Black Moon's branch office, and once at the top of the Yellow Crane Tower.

He had thought the man seemed strangely familiar, especially the look in his eyes. He could not, however, find such a gaze anywhere in his memories, so he had dismissed it as a delusion.

At least, until just now. He finally remembered. Ten years ago, on that day, this man's eyes had been among the nine pairs that had stared down at him.

Jin Mu-Won scowled. "The Storm Harbinger... Neung Gun-Hwi."

"So you finally recognize me."

The Storm Harbinger, Neung Gun-Hwi, was the most powerful master of flag arts in the world. He was the master of the Wind and Cloud Banner, and a member of the Nine Skies who stood firmly at the pinnacle of Heaven's Summit and the world.

Ten years ago, he had not looked like this. With his Wind and Cloud Banner fluttering, he had looked down on Jin Kwan-Ho with the dignified air of a deity.

His appearance back then was too different from how he looks now. Why is he so shabby?

Jin Mu-Won's eyes narrowed. Even though he was accustomed to hiding his emotions, at this moment, he made no effort to hide his hostility as he looked straight at Neung Gun-Hwi.

Neung Gun-Hwi smiled bitterly. He understood why Jin Mu-Won was hostile. The boy had every right to be. He and the other Nine Skies had committed an unforgivable sin against him. "I'm sorry. That's all I can say to you right now."

"Is that paltry phrase the reason you have been trying to approach me?" Jin Mu-Won asked sharply.

Neung Gun-Hwi did not get angry. He knew better than anyone that no apology would get through to Jin Mu-Won right now.

Guilt assaulted him. Even looking at the young man face-to-face like this was an ordeal. If he were to turn away now because it was difficult, however, he might never get the chance to speak to him again.

The people nearby were looking at them with quizzical expressions, but they could not hear their conversation. Neung Gun-Hwi had already deployed a sound-blocking barrier, completely isolating them from the outside.

Like Jin Mu-Won before, no one had recognized his identity. Who would imagine that the great Storm Harbinger would be wandering among them in such a shabby state?

"I have come here to warn you," he said.

"Are you telling me to abandon all thoughts of opposing Heaven's Summit?"

"No, I am telling you to be careful." Neung Gun-Hwi glanced at the Scarlet Leaf Sage and the others sitting on the grandstand. "The world is not as simple as you think. I will not stop you if you seek revenge, as you have the right and the ability to do so. Before you act, however, I urge you to think at least thrice."

"Surely you are not also going to tell me to be careful of the Chief Steward?"

Neung Gun-Hwi's eyes widened. "Has someone already advised you?"

Jin Mu-Won furrowed his brow. First Yong Mu-Sung, and now Neung Gun-Hwi. If it were just one person, I might dismiss it, but two people wouldn't be giving me the same warning if there wasn't good reason. Gwan Dae-Seung. Who are you really?

Jin Mu-Won's greatest strengths were his patience, his cold fury, and his clear-headed logic. He never lost his reason, even when seized by anger. Despite his undisguised hatred of Neung Gun-Hwi, his mind was calmer than ever before.

"Why are you telling me these things?" he asked seriously.

"Because it would be a waste."

"A waste?"

"Yes. A waste of your youth, your martial arts, your fighting spirit. If fate had been kind, you would surely have become a great pillar of the jianghu. The current situation, however, is not so simple. Still, I want you to survive. If you choose to punish me after that, I will accept it meekly."

"If you truly mean that, then why not tell me more? Instead of speaking in riddles, explain everything to me clearly."

"I-I can't... I'm sorry. The beings that the world calls the Nine Skies have placed shackles on each other."

"Shackles?"

Neung Gun-Hwi smiled bitterly. "Yes, shackles. Those shackles are so strong that they cannot be undone by ordinary means. It requires a very powerful key, and I do not have that key."

Jin Mu-Won thought his smile looked quite lonely, but that was not enough to make him forgive this man.

"Just saying this much has already put a great strain on me. The rest, you must find out for yourself. This is as much as I can tell you. I believe that you, of all people, will be able to discover a great deal."

"......"

"I'm truly sorry, successor of the Northern Wall."

KWAANG!

Just as Jin Mu-Won was about to say something, a massive roar erupted from the duel stage, momentarily diverting his attention. The fight between Shim Won-Yi and Jo Wol had finally begun.

When he looked back to where Neung Gun-Hwi had been, however, the old man had vanished without a trace.

They've placed shackles on each other? Does that mean they don't trust one another? Or did someone else place the shackles on them? If so, then what is the key?

One question gave birth to another, and his thoughts continued in a chain.

The fierce battle unfolding on the duel stage was already outside of Jin Mu-Won's interest.

Shim Won-Yi bit his lip gently. His father, Shim Mu-Wae, the Lord of Justice Heaven, was watching.

Others might think that the position of Young Lord of Justice Heaven was a blessed and glorious one. However, Shim Mu-Wae was a ruthless man who believed that even his own flesh and blood could not succeed him if they lacked the ability.

As such, Shim Won-Yi's life was a daily torment of proving his own reason for existence to his father. Every day felt like walking on thin ice.

Nevertheless, he did his best to get into his father's good graces, until one day, he realized it was impossible to ever meet his father's standards.

The world revered him as one of the Seven Young Skies, but he still fell far short of his father's expectations. Above all, his father had no intention of meekly handing over his position. His lust for power was endless, and he had no intention of giving his authority to anyone, not even his own son.

Shim Won-Yi did not have the confidence to wait until his father grew old and died. What would he do if he only became Sect Leader as an old man? The coveted position, gained after the passion of youth had faded, held no meaning for him.

Thus, he had joined hands with Dam Soo-Cheon. He knew his own talent fell short of the man's and that he would have to be second in command. Still, he thought that by doing so, he could become the leader of Justice Heaven even a day sooner.

The thought that his father was watching made a surge of irritation well up inside him. And now, this fool Jo Wol was provoking him.

SHWIIK!

Jo Wol's heel descended from the air at a strange angle, carrying extraordinary force.

Rather than dodge, Shim Won-Yi met it with his fist, which swirled with a red energy of immense power.

BANG!

The collision of foot and fist erupted with an explosive sound. Jo Wol was thrown backward while Shim Won-Yi staggered. He quickly regained his balance, however, and rushed toward Jo Wol's falling form.

His hands began to glow red, the signature of his Demonic Claws of Scarlet Jade. This was a technique from the secret manual of Justice Heaven, possessing a destructive power that could be counted among the top ten grappling arts in the world.

The crimson demonic claws emitted a ferocious aura, seeming to roar as they threatened to tear Jo Wol's body to shreds.

Everyone, including Shim Won-Yi himself, expected Jo Wol to die. He believed Hyun Gong-Hwi had only died due to weakness. A true powerhouse would not have been killed so meaninglessly. He was certain everything in the path of his blood-red fingers would be annihilated, and that Jo Wol would be no different.

However, just as the bloody claws were about to reach him, Jo Wol's body began to spin at high speed like a top, his black cloak spreading wide.

CLANG!

A hand collided with cloth, yet it produced the sound of metal on metal as sparks flew in all directions.

A flash of pain twisted Shim Won-Yi's face, but rage quickly followed. "How dare you!"

He continuously unleashed the ultimate techniques of the Demonic Claws, sending ferocious waves of qi tearing through the air toward his opponent. Jo Wol's reaction, however, surpassed his expectations.

WHIRR!

The cloak, infused with internal energy, became harder than an iron plate. Spinning faster, it gained momentum until its shape became a blur.

The rushing wind and the sound of grinding gears sent a chill over Shim Won-Yi's skin. He could feel its terrifying power without needing to test it against his own body. Reason whispered for him to retreat, but he refused.

I will crush him.

His father was watching. The heroes of the world were watching. This was his chance to impress the world, not to retreat pathetically. He had to subdue his opponent and engrave his divine might into the minds of the crowd.

Raising his internal energy, the red light on his hands grew brighter, bursting with an intensity that could blind before suddenly condensing into a Claw Flux imbued with all of his power.

At the same moment, a change occurred in Jo Wol. A black current of energy began to swirl over his cloak, a detail missed by most, but not by absolute masters like the Scarlet Leaf Sage and Shim Mu-Wae.

The Claw Flux and the black current collided.

KRAKOOM!

A clap of thunder echoed in the clear sky. The tremendous shockwave sent red and black energy spreading in all directions, forcing those near the duel stage to stagger back.

On the stage, it was Shim Won-Yi who stumbled away with a pained groan, his eyes wide with disbelief. His right arm hung limp and dislocated, his entire body drenched in blood.

"Blegh!" He vomited a mouthful of dark, clotted blood. His internal organs were shaken and his head was ringing, making it impossible to maintain his balance or even see clearly.

A single clash had rendered him incapable of fighting.

Jo Wol launched himself toward his opponent again.

WHIRRR!

As the cloak spun, the eerie sound of grinding gears echoed out.

Shim Won-Yi barely managed to raise his head, his blurry eyes meeting Jo Wol's. For the first time, he felt the Black Fog Warrior's formidable killing intent, as pure and unfocused as a beast's.

The beast whispered to him, "Is this all you've got? The Central Plains seriously intends to take on us of the Silent Night with this level of skill?"

"Keuk! You... Don't tell me?"