Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Golden Rule
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The Tang Clan claimed that they alone were the barrier blocking the Demonic Cult's advance into the Central Plains.
But from the Kongtong Sect's perspective, that was utter nonsense.
The province closest to the Heavenly Mountains, where the Demonic Cult resided, was not Sichuan—it was Gansu.
And Gansu had long been the Kongtong Sect's stronghold.
In other words, if the Demonic Cult aimed to push into the Central Plains, they would first have to crush the Gansu martial world and the Kongtong Sect.
In fact, the Kongtong Sect had always suffered the greatest losses from the Demonic Cult's rampages.
They had come close to annihilation several times.
Yet the people of the martial world busied themselves praising the Tang Clan instead of honoring the Kongtong Sect...
'If it weren't for our sacrifices, those fools couldn't have blunted the Demonic Cult's edge! We bear all the hardship, and they claim all the glory...!!'
The educator seethed at this reality.
He had vented his frustration to the sect leader several times, but the response was always the same—a gentle smile and these words:
'We don't remain in the Kongtong for rewards, do we? We stay because we cherish every plank of our doors, every foundation stone of our pillars. We are here solely to protect. Even if others don't recognize it, we know. So what is there to complain about?'
At such times, the educator felt his insides boiling even more.
'The sect leader is too naive about the world! How long can we survive in these chaotic times with that mindset!'
The educator revered his sect leader, who led the disciples with boundless compassion, but he often grew frustrated at his seemingly oblivious remarks.
'I can't let this slide. I have to step in—'
And so, the educator joined hands with the Nakil Dojo of the Jeomchang Sect.
The Qingcheng and Emei Sects, once called the Sichuan Three Powers alongside the Tang Clan, had long since become Tang Clan allies without a shred of resentment, leaving the major sects with no other option.
Fortunately, they weren't the only ones wary of the Tang Clan's growing power. With the Kongtong and Jeomchang Sects uniting, forming a faction seemed easy—at least on the surface.
That is, if not for the bomb dropped by the Dark Venerable.
The shocking declaration to open the gates of the newly reborn Gale Wind Corps.
The representatives of each sect fell into chaos.
"D-Does the Tang Clan Leader mean business. Even so, opening the gates—"
"It's clearly a scheme to divide us! Do they really plan to treat us without discrimination?"
"Exactly! The Tang Clan is the most insular group there is—"
"...But has the Dark Venerable ever broken his word once spoken?"
"You fool! That's the naive thinking that's dividing us!"
"No, I didn't mean—I'm just saying, what if—"
"Speaking of which, I've needed the privy since earlier. Mind if I step out briefly—"
"Ahem! I'll join you—"
The crowd spat as they debated whether the Dark Venerable would keep his promise. Some slipped away on various excuses.
The main agenda of curbing the Tang Clan's power vanished entirely.
No matter how he tried to steer things back, no one listened.
In the end, only a couple of sects remained. Even the Nakil Dojo glanced around nervously and quietly excused itself.
The educator trembled with rage at the Dark Venerable's cunning ploy to sow division, yet despaired at his powerlessness.
And now.
Watching the duel between Yunhwi and the Lion Sword King with bitter resentment only swelled the anger in his heart, like a boulder rolling down a mountainside.
The Lion Sword King's favor toward Yunhwi meant the Gui Prefecture martial world had fully fallen to Sichuan's influence.
His faint hope of finding a counterattack opportunity through this duel shattered.
The Tang Clan's might now loomed right under the Gansu martial world's nose.
The Kongtong Sect would inevitably be swallowed by the colossal Tang Clan wave.
'There's nothing likable about the Tang Clan from top to bottom!'
His grip tightened on the railing, knuckles white.
'I have to do something—'
At that moment, a secretive voice whispered in the educator's ear.
『My, my. So much pent-up fury over unresolved matters. How tragic.』
The educator's head snapped up.
Where?
Who was speaking?
But the voice continued undeterred by his wariness.
『To topple the Tang Clan, you must first topple the Dark Venerable. I have a good method—if you're willing to hear it?』
'!'
It was like the whisper of a devil.
* * *
Yi Cheolsan grew curious about this Yunhwi.
'He's the complete opposite of me.'
Yi Cheolsan's swordsmanship was upright and righteous.
Just, proper.
His honesty sometimes made his moves too predictable.
Even his senior brothers worried about it occasionally.
But Yi Cheolsan believed that was precisely the path for him as the chief disciple.
He thought chasing shortcuts for quick growth would inevitably corrupt one's character.
And in the end, he proved his belief by completing his own school of swordsmanship.
Yet Yunhwi's martial arts followed an entirely different path.
Overly practical, stubbornly efficient moves.
Even if that was the Tang Clan's style, Yunhwi went beyond, sometimes seeming downright vicious.
Yi Cheolsan even briefly suspected demonic arts.
But the depth within those moves was anything but shallow.
They contained decades, centuries, even over a millennium of martial philosophy.
Who knew it could unfold like that, be interpreted that way, combined in such fashion...
It was like a new world unfolding before him, one he had never experienced.
Yi Cheolsan watched in awe throughout.
When the duels finally ended, he smacked his lips in regret at not seeing more of this new realm.
'I want to befriend him.'
Where did this guy come from?
Intrigued and amazed, he glanced toward the Cheoksa Three Wonders—
"Yes. That's more like it."
"If he hadn't performed properly, I would've snuck into his room at night and cracked his skull open..."
"What a relief..."
"??"
The three women nodded as if it were obvious, smirking slyly.
Yi Cheolsan scratched his cheek with a finger, then turned back to Yunhwi.
Flames ignited in his eyes.
* * *
The gazes upon me burned hot.
The Lion Sword King's was the hottest among them.
I clasped my hands in a fist and bowed deeply.
"Though my meager skills were of some help, I'm honored. Yet Your Brother's favor toward this fool is as vast and deep as the Yellow River or Yangtze dividing the Central Plains—I scarcely know where to stand. I gratefully accept your kind intent, so please, withdraw your words. It's far too much for me."
I had indeed sought the Lion Sword King's favor because I needed his aid.
With him stepping up in the impending clash with the Demon Horse North Sea Sect, I could shape the board as desired.
But if his goodwill exceeded that, I had to reciprocate in kind.
I could have played along just enough to reap benefits.
But I didn't want to.
It was my master's teaching.
'Love your neighbor as yourself. Treat others as you wish to be treated, and that goodwill will return to you. That is the way of the jianghu, the last thread of humanity in this world of men.'
Of course, I didn't think it was the absolute truth.
The lords of the Nine Great Demonic Sects repaid my master's grace with betrayal.
But it wasn't entirely wrong either.
Many devotees still honored my master in the Heavenly Mountains, including me.
Thus, I had to match the Lion Sword King's fervent enthusiasm with equal fervor.
"Hahaha! You're too likable, Brother! Just accept it."
"But—"
"Whether it's too much is for this elder brother to decide. You just accept."
Kekekek!
As expected, a hearty laugh.
Fine. I've resisted enough—time to accept gracefully?
But taking it too readily might ruin the good impression, so I had to stay the good guy.
"If you insist so strongly, I understand. But I promise you this: any request from me to you will never stray from the righteous path of the jianghu."
"Of course I believe that. You're a thoughtful brother, after all."
Honey dripped from the Lion Sword King's gaze upon me.
Tang Hosan, watching from the side, shot a look of 'How the hell did you sweet-talk him like that?' but I ignored it.
"What a sight to behold!"
Just then, a shadow leaped from the spectator seats, landing lightly on the duel platform.
It was the Dark Venerable.
I immediately paid my respects.
The Lion Sword King, his equal in status, merely nodded curtly, eyes gleaming aggressively as he spoke.
"I have a request for the Tang Clan Leader."
"What? Got some new insight? Hands itching for a fight?"
The Lion Sword King shook his head calmly.
"I'd love to. But sorting this out will take time. Sparring you now would only harm me."
The Dark Venerable grinned.
A satisfied smile.
He approved of the Lion Sword King's newfound restraint.
It meant he was on the right path.
"Then?"
"It's this—"
The Lion Sword King paused, lips moving silently.
With eyes upon them, he sent a transmission.
The content must have been unexpected, as one of the Dark Venerable's eyebrows twitched upward.
"You really want that?"
"Of course. I request it."
"Your reputation could plummet overnight?"
"Hmph! When have I ever cared about that?"
"With that attitude, I'm all for it. I'll help make it happen."
"My thanks."
What request had passed between them?
As I watched quietly, the Lion Sword King winked at me.
As if I'd learn soon enough.
「Do you have any guesses, my lord?」
'None. What are they plotting? Hope it's nothing major.'
From the Dark Venerable's demeanor, it was clearly something huge.
The Dark Venerable surveyed the crowd, hands behind his back.
"With this, the duels between the Lion Sword Sect Leader and Tang Yunhwi conclude. And with all gathered, I have a major announcement."
His voice, devoid of inner energy, rang clear in the ears of every notable and spectator present, including me.
"I've hinted to the representatives, but soon I will announce the revival of the Gale Wind Corps, disbanded twenty-four years ago."
A casual tone, as if it were nothing.
But the crowd erupted in uproar.
The Nine Dragons Branch warriors' eyes blazed.
Even Tang Hosan trembled with excitement at this moment.
"However, the new Gale Wind Corps will differ vastly from before. As you've seen, the Demonic Cult has returned after ending its six-year civil war. Intelligence from my clan indicates their forces are at least twice as strong as before the war."
"!"
"T-Twice as strong?"
"Is that even possible...? After a civil war, they should be weakened—"
"I swear on my name and reputation: this is undeniable truth. The demons of the Heavenly Mountains have grown more ruthless and greedy. Even if the Central Plains unites as one, I worry if we can properly repel them. And those who've entered Sichuan are merely their vanguard."
Every face stiffened.
"I propose reviving the Gale Wind Corps solely to blunt their ambitions. But my clan alone cannot do it. Thus, to those here—and to all martial artists of Sichuan, Gansu, Yunnan, Gui Prefecture, and the jianghu beyond—I make this proposal."
The Dark Venerable's eyes blazed.
"I open wide the gates of the Gale Wind Corps. Let those with the will come to the Gale Wind Corps."
The crowd floundered, overwhelmed by the intensity.
It felt like drowning.
"I offer the experience of the old Gale Wind Corps and my clan's vision. If needed, even my secret arts."
"!"
"!"
"!"
The declaration of access to a Supreme Ten's martial arts stunned the assembly.
"Thus, the shield of righteousness born thereby shall be the bulwark guarding the Central Plains, and the sword of chivalry shall be the arrow piercing the Heavenly Mountains' heart—"
No one could speak.
"Let all who would be shield and arrow come to me."
