Chapter 106
Chapter 106
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Those Guys Seem to Be from the Wudang Sect
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-106-
Those guys seem to be from the Wudang Sect.
Wudang Sect.
Seon Mu-ryong, a disciple of the Sword Saint, visited the Yuanjin Pavilion alongside Wudang's senior disciple. The Yuanjin Pavilion was the place where Wudang's senior disciple trained in martial arts with his junior brothers. Since the Sword Saint hailed from the Wudang Sect, both Seon Mu-ryong and the Wudang disciples brimmed with curiosity about one another.
"These are my junior brothers, but these fellows are truly the treasures of Wudang."
Wudang's senior disciple, Ok Cheong, was a man of remarkably bright disposition. He guided Seon Mu-ryong while wearing a cheerful smile from start to finish.
"I've heard that Wudang can be summed up as 'Famed for its Talented Disciples and Mighty Techniques.' Seeing Wudang's divine prodigies here, I think I grasp the meaning."
Seon Mu-ryong was a disciple of the Three Saints. Though the Sword Saint originated from Wudang, he did not adhere to their hierarchy. Thus, they needed to address each other politely.
"As a disciple of the Three Saints, we're probably not up to your standards, but these lads are outstanding enough not to bring shame anywhere."
"They look outstanding to my eyes as well."
Seon Mu-ryong smiled at the Wudang disciples, who gazed at him with eyes full of curiosity. In truth, he felt envious. While he was always alone, they had countless senior and junior brothers by their side.
"Having a good time looking around?"
The voice of the Guest Hall Master rang out. The Wudang disciples rose first and showed their respects, while Seon Mu-ryong turned and replied with a deferential bow.
"Yes. I was just beginning to understand what makes Wudang... Wudang."
"Wudang is Wudang—what's so special about it? Anyway, Ok Cheong."
"Yes."
"Can you head down the mountain for a bit?"
"Me?"
"That's right. It hasn't spread widely yet, but the Heaven-Rending Legion was slain by the Heavenly Demon. On account of that, the White Rakshasa has shown up and is stirring up trouble. Someone needs to go sort it out, but everyone's too wrapped up discussing future plans."
They were indeed discussing plans, but it wasn't as if they were overwhelmed by it. They simply had no intention of leaving the venerables' side over something as minor as the White Rakshasa.
"What if my sword proves inadequate and I end up injuring the White Rakshasa?"
"He was expelled from the Tyrant Emperor Sect, so it doesn't matter. Besides, the Three Saints have given permission for Seon Mu-ryong to accompany you, so lean on him if things get dicey. That alright?"
The final question was directed at Seon Mu-ryong, who nodded in affirmation.
"If my masters have permitted it, then so be it."
"Much obliged. Ok Cheong, select five or six of your junior brothers to bring along. It's been a while since you've descended the mountain, so feel free to enjoy the fresh air."
"Thank you."
Ok Cheong bowed his head deeply, and the Guest Hall Master smiled before taking his leave.
When Ok Cheong turned around, his junior brothers swiftly closed in, hoping to be chosen.
"Six spots. Who's coming along?"
Baekun Inn.
An ordinary roadside inn, but to the Wudang Sect disciples, it was a gateway to a new paradise of worldly delicacies.
"That's the place."
"Ah, the spot we stopped at on the way here."
"It's renowned for its clean flavors—hope it suited your palate."
"It was great. I've only lived on the mountain, so I'm not picky about food."
"We're alike in that regard."
Ok Cheong nodded as he walked along the street with Seon Mu-ryong. Trailing behind them were six Wudang disciples, swords at the ready.
Their attire screamed Wudang Sect.
How could the locals at the foot of Mount Wudang fail to recognize it? Crowds soon gathered to watch.
But when the inn was some thirty-odd zhang—about ninety meters—ahead, Seon Mu-ryong suddenly halted. Ok Cheong stopped as well.
"Isn't that the sound of fighting?"
The words had barely left Ok Cheong's lips in bewilderment.
Kwaang!
The inn burst apart. Debris shot outward in every direction. Cobalt beams of light streaked out in all directions.
"Th-that's all...!"
Shock flooded Ok Cheong's face.
"Why here of all places?"
"Buy meat, meat. Let's eat meat."
The bald youth spoke in a childlike tone as he barged straight into the inn. The seven elders trailing behind exchanged glances, sighed, and followed one by one.
Yet upon entering, the bald youth—who ought to have claimed an empty seat—was instead plopping down at a table already occupied by guests, despite the abundance of vacant spots.
"Youngest, go drag him back."
The elders let out curt sighs, found their own seats, and one hurried over.
"Thunder Dragon, what are you doing here?"
The bald youth—Thunder Dragon—offered no reply, merely alternating his gaze between the two people before him.
"Old timer, did this friend suffer a head injury?"
The young man seated calmly at the table inquired. Those encountering Thunder Dragon's demeanor for the first time tended to scoff and call him a fool. Cultivators of decent attainment would warily sense the crackling lightning aura emanating from him. Yet this youth remained utterly composed. Blood Nether Ghost—the youngest of the Seven Star Old Monsters—scrutinized him. He appeared utterly ordinary. But one couldn't judge solely by looks. He peered more closely. The youth undoubtedly practiced martial arts. Yet his level was impossible to gauge. At times he seemed devoid of any cultivation, at others like he concealed some extraordinary power.
"Who the hell are you?"
Blood Nether Ghost demanded.
Right then, Thunder Dragon thrust out a finger, pointing at one man.
"I'll draw it out for you."
"...!"
Blood Nether Ghost turned toward Thunder Dragon in confusion at the cryptic words.
Flash!
Lightning crashed down—straight toward the man.
"Argh!"
The victim shrieked as he tumbled over like he'd been struck by a bolt from the blue.
"Senior Brother!"
The woman in their group let out an ear-piercing scream.
"Hey! You lunatic! Why'd you kill the wrong damn guy?!"
Blood Nether Ghost bellowed at Thunder Dragon. But Thunder Dragon merely giggled while staring at the fallen man.
"It came out!"
"What?"
Blood Nether Ghost whipped around. He jolted in shock. The man who'd taken the lightning bolt to the chest was rising to his feet.
"Kekeke! So you're a strong one!"
His eyes were pitch black, dyed utterly.
It was Nam Myeong, overtaken by the aura of the Hell Demon Realm.
Thunder Dragon darted forward like a squirrel, planting himself before Nam Myeong.
"Whoa! You're awesome!"
He marveled at Nam Myeong's blackened eyes.
"Yeah! I'll kill you good!"
Nam Myeong erupted with murderous intent. A blackened hand cleaved through the air toward Thunder Dragon's throat.
Swish!
Merely the sound of empty air. Thunder Dragon had dodged nimbly.
"You trying to hit me?"
"No."
"Then why'd you do that?"
"Gonna kill you."
"Why?"
"'Cause you're strong."
"Gotta kill folks just for being strong?"
"All strong bastards gotta die."
As Nam Myeong answered, he shot a glance at Do Cheon. Do Cheon sat there nonchalantly, watching the spectacle like it was prime entertainment.
"Why?"
Thunder Dragon asked.
"Shut your trap! Die!"
Nam Myeong lunged.
The blackened Hell Demon Hand surged forth like a gale, hell-bent on severing Thunder Dragon's life.
Pajijik!
Lightning crashed down—right into Nam Myeong's chest.
"Urgh! My heart's tingling!"
Nam Myeong bellowed.
He showed no sign of damage whatsoever.
Thunder Dragon took offense.
"I'm gonna kill you too!"
Cobalt bolts of lightning lashed out wildly from Thunder Dragon's hands. Blood Nether Ghost leaped back in alarm. Glancing over, he saw Do Cheon and the other two still seated right where they were.
'The girl's reaction's slow, the guy's body is wrecked... but what's with that one staying so damn calm?'
Even as azure lightning crackled everywhere, Do Cheon remained seated on his chair, expression one of pure amusement.
Kwajijijik!
Furious lightning rampaged wildly through the inn. It scorched walls and gouged pillars. Everywhere it passed blackened. More bolts poured from the enraged Thunder Dragon's hands, then slammed into Nam Myeong at his gesture.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
"Keak!"
A scream erupted.
It came from Nam Myeong. He hurtled into the inn wall. But he sprang back up at once. White smoke billowed from his mouth, nose, and ears.
"Kekeke! Hot, so hot! You really are a strong one!"
Nam Myeong strode forward, trailing smoke.
"Why won't you die?"
Thunder Dragon demanded.
"Pissing me off! I'll yank that tongue out first!"
Nam Myeong charged.
The Hell Demon Hand accelerated. Savage killing intent rippled from every slashing motion.
Pwuk!
Thunder Dragon, dodging swiftly—his clothes tore.
Swish!
Skin split. Blood sprayed.
"Ow! That hurts!"
"Die and it stops hurting. Die!"
"For real?"
Thunder Dragon froze in place.
Nam Myeong's hand clamped around his throat. He poured strength in to snap the neck bones in one go.
Suddenly, Thunder Dragon's eyes bulged wide as saucers.
"It hurts!"
Kwaang!
Cobalt lightning detonated in an instant, blasting everything away.
The ruins of the inn.
Debris that had soared into the sky rained down, and just as the belated dust cloud began shrouding the area, a sudden gust whirled it all away into the void.
Ok Cheong arrived first, sprinting ahead. Seon Mu-ryong followed at a leisurely pace. The Wudang disciples trailed behind.
The inn—walls, pillars, all obliterated. Amid the wreckage stood a group of people. Seven elders clustered together, radiating extraordinary auras. A bald youth whose entire body crackled with thunder-like cobalt beams. And three figures seated on chairs: a man and two women.
A woman visibly stunned. A youth with a pallid face. And a youth lounging on his chair more comfortably than anyone.
'Even in a mess like this, he's keeping his cool?'
The moment shock and awe flickered across Ok Cheong's face simultaneously.
"Kekekeke!"
A bone-chilling fiendish cackle echoed from one side. Ok Cheong whipped around to see a youth half-buried in what remained of an inn pillar.
The fiendish laugh emanated from him.
"What in the...!"
Facing such unprecedented killing intent for the first time, Ok Cheong's eyes went wide—then the laughing youth rose. He lifted his head.
Eyes like pits of darkness.
Those eyes, brimming with sinister killing intent, locked onto the bald youth crackling with cobalt lightning all over.
"I'll kill you... for good this time!"
Nam Myeong, saturated with bloodlust, advanced on Thunder Dragon. In response, the lightning surging from Thunder Dragon's body flared even fiercer.
"Cut it out."
Do Cheon spoke.
"Stay out of it. You're next."
Nam Myeong replied. He continued his advance, glaring daggers at Thunder Dragon.
Drag!
Do Cheon shoved his chair aside and stood. Nam Myeong's feet halted against his will.
"I said stop."
Do Cheon repeated. Nam Myeong's killing intent roiled. But that was all. Do Cheon turned to Thunder Dragon.
"You too—knock it off."
Thunder Dragon raised a hand. Cobalt lightning blazed upon it. In a flash, Do Cheon lunged forward and seized the arm.
"Stop."
Do Cheon commanded.
Thunder Dragon's lightning erupted violently. Do Cheon thrust his free hand skyward.
Kwajik!
The instant the lightning struck Do Cheon, his palm smashed into Thunder Dragon's face.
Thunder Dragon's head snapped aside. Then it whipped back lightning-quick.
"Stop."
Kwajik!
Lightning crashed once more. Do Cheon's palm struck Thunder Dragon's face again.
Thunder Dragon's head turned fully. Then snapped back lightning-quick.
"I said stop."
Thunder Dragon didn't relent, and took another palm strike.
It repeated three more times.
As Do Cheon's hand rose once again.
"Ow."
"Then you'll stop?"
"Hurts a lot."
"You gonna stop?"
Nod, nod!
Thunder Dragon's head bobbed rapidly. The lightning crackling over his body vanished in an instant. Only then did Do Cheon lower his hand and release the arm.
"No pain now—feels good, right?"
Nod, nod.
"Don't go hurting other people."
Nod, nod.
"Good boy."
Do Cheon patted Thunder Dragon's shoulder, then approached the Seven Star Old Monsters, who stared in stunned silence. As Do Cheon drew away, Thunder Dragon blinked a few times before sidling backward toward Nam Myeong. Nam Myeong continued glaring murderously at Do Cheon.
"Why won't that guy die?"
Thunder Dragon wondered aloud.
Nam Myeong shifted his glare to Thunder Dragon.
"Ah, right. Why won't you die?"
In that instant, Nam Myeong's Hell Demon Hand rose smoothly into the air. Do Cheon halted mid-step and turned. Sensing the prickling tension, Nam Myeong spotted Do Cheon glaring right at him and sheepishly lowered his hand.
Do Cheon finally turned away and resumed approaching the Seven Star Old Monsters.
"So, what now?"
Do Cheon asked.
"What're you on about?"
Gwang Yuk, the leader of the Seven Star Old Monsters, shot back.
"This inn."
"What about it?"
Seeing he wasn't getting it, Do Cheon bellowed toward where the kitchen had been.
"Innkeeper!"
No answer.
"Innkeeper!"
"Please, just spare me!"
Do Cheon called louder, and the innkeeper's terrified reply came. During the inn's destruction, Do Cheon's aura had shielded the innkeeper and the staff.
"How much to rebuild this place?"
"Twenty taels of gold. Please spare me!"
The innkeeper—scared out of his wits—still reflexively calculated with precision.
"You won't have income till it's back open, right?"
"Ten taels would suffice. Please spare me!"
"So thirty taels total?"
"Y-yes! Please spare me!"
Do Cheon turned back to Gwang Yuk and extended his hand.
"Hand it over."
"Hand what?"
"Thirty taels of gold."
"Why the hell should I?"
"Didn't you see the inn get blown away?"
"So why's it my fault?"
"That kid did it, so his guardians foot the bill."
Do Cheon jabbed a thumb at Thunder Dragon.
"Why should I pay for what he did?"
Gwang Yuk hollered, having witnessed Do Cheon subdue Thunder Dragon and thus not daring to act rashly.
Blood Nether Ghost quietly interjected.
"Those two fought, so splitting it half-and-half seems fair..."
"That punk attacked my group first!"
"Like hell we owe anything!"
Do Cheon and Gwang Yuk whirled and yelled in unison. Blood Nether Ghost clamped his mouth shut. He soon cocked his head, then scowled.
'Damn it, was I wrong?'
Blood Nether Ghost bristled.
"You don't smash up an inn just 'cause someone picks a fight! We're his masters—we gotta take responsibility!"
"...!"
"...?"
Do Cheon and Gwang Yuk turned simultaneously.
"Was I wrong?"
Blood Nether Ghost glared right back, refusing to yield.
"Fine, then half it is."
"How much?"
"Fifteen taels."
Gwang Yuk glanced at Blood Nether Ghost.
"Why you?"
"I ain't got money."
Come to think of it, he never had. Not once in his youth had he carried coin. He'd even ignore gold spilling at his feet. Why? He'd never spent any. Ate wherever, drank wherever. If asked to pay, he killed. No need for cash on hand.
Blood Nether Ghost sighed, rummaged in his bosom, and produced a pouch. He fished out a cat's-eye-like gem and proffered it to Do Cheon.
"Mystic Eye Stone. Easily worth a hundred taels in gold."
"Got it. Innkeeper!"
"Y-yes?"
The innkeeper rose shakily to reply. Evidently he'd heard the name.
"Here."
Do Cheon tossed the stone. The innkeeper snatched it desperately. Blood Nether Ghost smacked his lips and thrust his hand toward Do Cheon.
"Gimme."
"Later."
"Huh?"
"Who walks around with that kinda money?"
"What?"
"We're not so cheap we'd stiff you fifteen taels."
"Fifteen?! That's eighty-five left!"
"My share's fifteen."
"It's a hundred-tael stone!"
"Then collect the seventy from the innkeeper."
"What?"
"Innkeeper!"
"Yes?"
The innkeeper, who'd been eyeing the stone, hurriedly pocketed it and looked up.
"Rebuild the inn. Whatever's left over, give back to this old man. Or there'll be hell to pay."
"Y-yes! Will do exactly that!"
"What kinda dogshit nonsense is this?! Run to the money house! Exchange it for a bill or whatever! Now!"
Blood Nether Ghost roared ferociously, sending the innkeeper scampering off in terror.
"Ah! Shoulda done that. Old folks' brains really do turn quick."
"Shut your yap before I rip it off—and fork over the fifteen taels."
Blood Nether Ghost glared with icy eyes, hand outstretched.
"Old timer."
"Trap shut..."
"Those guys seem to be from the Wudang Sect."
Do Cheon turned. Toward Ok Cheong, Seon Mu-ryong, and the Wudang disciples.