Chapter 151
Chapter 151
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: The Golden Basin Ceremony
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Baek-yeon continued, his expression grave.
“The fundamental reason why the fight between the Dae-ui-go-su and the Sip-ma-jeon-in began.”
“I'm not sure I understand what you mean.”
Baek-yeon paused, his gaze fixed on the distant sky.
“The Sip-ma-jeon-in and the Dae-ui-go-su. On the surface, it appears to be nothing more than a clash between young masters... but in reality, it is another power struggle between the Orthodox and Demonic factions.”
“A power struggle... you say.”
Bu Eun-seol, lost in silent thought, shook his head.
He could not agree with that idea.
“If this fight were a power struggle between the Demonic Path and the Orthodox Faction, the Demonic Sanctum should have given them ample time to deal with the Dae-ui-go-su.”
Recalling those who had died in the slaughter on Hell's Island, Bu Eun-seol bit his lip.
“But they were forced out because they were seen as an obstacle in the fight for succession. The Sip-ma-jeon-in are nothing more than disposable pawns.”
“Disposable pawns. You're right.”
Baek-yeon's gaze deepened.
“That's what makes it a power struggle.”
Baek-yeon's long, phoenix-like eyes narrowed.
“As you said, the heirs of the Ten Demonic Sects are all safe and sound. That is why the Demonic Sanctum is using the Sip-ma-jeon-in to eliminate the Dae-ui-go-su...”
He paused for a moment before continuing in a heavy tone.
“And the Orthodox Faction is doing the same.”
In that instant, Bu Eun-seol realized a terrifying truth.
The reason Seong-ryun had been so determined to kill him. Wasn't his situation identical to that of the Sip-ma-jeon-in?
“Then, are you saying the Dae-ui-go-su are in the same situation?”
“That's right.”
Baek-yeon gave a faint nod.
“To select talented individuals regardless of their sect, teach them martial arts without reservation, and mold them into the pillars of the Orthodox Faction. That was the Dae-ui-go-su plan.”
Baek-yeon paused and let out a sigh.
“And the plan seemed to be a success. But an unforeseen problem arose.”
Bu Eun-seol answered immediately.
“Just like with the Sip-ma-jeon-in, the heirs of the various Orthodox sects felt threatened.”
“Correct.”
A bitter smile formed on Baek-yeon’s lips.
“All the sects, including the Nine Sects and One Union, already had their own heirs. The emergence of these outstanding individuals known as the Dae-ui-go-su only sowed discord.”
In the larger factions, martial talent alone is not enough to become an heir.
Without the support of the powers that back each sect, it is useless.
It was true for Dang Gon, and the same for Seong-ryun.
“But aren't the Zhongnan and Kongtong sects desperately searching for the Sip-ma-jeon-in who killed their members?”
“Correct. They are searching for the Sip-ma-jeon-in. And *only* the Sip-ma-jeon-in.”
Baek-yeon smiled coldly.
“If they truly wanted revenge, they would have first found the sects that sent the Sip-ma-jeon-in and demanded retribution. That would have been far quicker.”
“I see.”
Only now did Bu Eun-seol understand everything.
The Sip-ma-jeon-in and the Dae-ui-go-su.
These individuals, who had learned the highest martial arts of the Demonic and Orthodox paths, were nothing more than pieces on a board, fighting a proxy war for the two powers.
‘So that's why the Dae-ui-go-su didn't remain in their respective sects.’
The Dae-ui-go-su, who once enjoyed brilliant fame.
But they no longer appeared in the martial world, all of them remaining in seclusion.
They had no choice but to quietly leave their sects to avoid disrupting the power structure of the heirs.
“But you are different.”
Baek-yeon looked directly into the eyes of the pensive Bu Eun-seol.
“You are the heir of Nang-ya-gak. You have been from the beginning, and you still are now.”
Taking a deep breath, Baek-yeon spoke forcefully.
“If you wish, I can free you from the shackles of the Sip-ma-jeon-in right now.”
Bu Eun-seol's gaze was fixed not on Baek-yeon, but on the empty space before him.
What he wanted was not the position of Nang-ya-gak's successor, or an heir of the Demonic Sanctum.
To become limitlessly strong.
He just wanted to grow endlessly stronger, find the villain who had twisted his fate, and take revenge.
‘I must not avoid trials.’
To become stronger, one must never avoid trials.
If you start avoiding what is dangerous and difficult, you eventually grow accustomed to it. That is no way to become a master who can look down upon the martial world.
“I...”
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath and spoke with conviction.
“I will continue to face the Dae-ui-go-su.”
At his unhesitating reply, Baek-yeon nodded.
“I knew you would say that.”
With a dry smile, Baek-yeon took an envelope from his robes.
“Read this. I cannot stay here long, so I have put all the information I have for you in here.”
Bu Eun-seol's eyes widened as he took out the letters from the envelope and read them.
“These are...”
“The decision is yours to make. Whatever you choose, I... and the Pavilion will trust you.”
“Lord.”
Smiling warmly, Baek-yeon patted Bu Eun-seol's shoulder once more.
“Take care.”
Gazing at Bu Eun-seol with warm eyes, Baek-yeon slowly turned and vanished like mist.
Staring in the direction Baek-yeon had disappeared, Bu Eun-seol clasped his hands and bowed deeply.
“More...”
Bu Eun-seol muttered under his breath and bit his lip firmly.
“I will become even stronger.”
* * *
*Whoosh.*
The thick papers were burning in the campfire he had made.
It was the envelope Baek-yeon had given him.
Bu Eun-seol's eyes were vacant as he watched the papers burn, letting off white smoke.
He seemed to be deep in thought, yet at the same time, thinking of nothing at all.
“I have to choose.”
The envelope had contained two pieces of information.
First was the movement of the Sip-ma-jeon-in who had entered the martial world.
Seok U-haeng, the Sip-ma-jeon-in from the Extreme Killing Secret Pavilion, had reportedly eliminated another Dae-ui-go-su.
And Myo Cheon-u, the Sip-ma-jeon-in from the Annihilation Palace, had belatedly slain a Dae-ui-go-su and escaped his pursuers.
‘So Myo Cheon-u survived, just like Yu Un-ryong.’
In summary, of the seven Sip-ma-jeon-in who had entered the martial world, four had survived.
The second piece of information was that the Demonic Heavenly Emperor, who had been in seclusion, would break his retreat and return to the Demonic Sanctum within a month.
This meant that in a month, the situation for the Sip-ma-jeon-in could change once again.
Baek-yeon also expected the fight between the Sip-ma-jeon-in and the Dae-ui-go-su to end.
“A candidate for the Demonic Sanctum's heir.”
Bu Eun-seol had no intention of becoming a candidate for the Demonic Sanctum's heir by killing many Dae-ui-go-su.
However, after the incident with Geol-wang, he had made one resolution.
He would cast off the shackles of the Sip-ma-jeon-in by his own power.
“If I cannot even do this, then I am not qualified to be the heir of the Pavilion.”
For the sake of the Wind and Cloud Brigade members who had sacrificed themselves for him, Bu Eun-seol had to become even stronger.
“I only have about a month left anyway.”
To do that, Bu Eun-seol had to surpass Seok U-haeng. In other words, he had to kill two Dae-ui-go-su within the month.
* * *
Longsword Manor.
A deep mountain manor built along the rugged natural terrain of Flying Dragon Mountain.
Though it could not compare to the Nine Sects and One Union or the Eight Great Families, it was a historic orthodox sword sect that had long held renown in the Zhengzhu region.
Eight years ago, when Han Seong, the young lord of Longsword Manor, was chosen as a Dae-ui-go-su, the manor's fame spread beyond Zhengzhu to resonate throughout the Henan region.
*Clang, clang, clang.*
Loud music echoed within Longsword Manor, and people were gathering like clouds.
For today was the day that Han Yeong-baek, the lord of Longsword Manor, was holding his Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony.
The Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony.
A ritual of washing one's hands in a golden basin of water, signifying the settling of all grudges gained in the Jianghu and retiring from the martial world.
And the Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony was a unique ritual that only renowned heroes of the Orthodox Faction could perform.
A blood debt must be paid in blood.
In truth, no matter if one held the ceremony a hundred or a thousand times, those with grudges would never cease their quest for revenge.
Therefore, only those who had done many good deeds in the martial world, such as chivalrous heroes or renowned masters of the Orthodox Faction, could hold such a ceremony.
A murmur.
A huge crowd had flocked to Longsword Manor to celebrate Han Yeong-baek's ceremony.
Although it was a small sword sect in Zhengzhu, various factions and local dignitaries had sent gifts out of respect for Han Seong, the Dae-ui-go-su.
Just then, with the gentle ringing of a bell, the martial artists of Longsword Manor brought out a large table.
On the table rested a gleaming golden basin filled with clear water.
“Thank you, my fellow martial artists!”
An old man dressed in silk robes then stepped out before the gathered guests.
It was Han Yeong-baek, the lord of Longsword Manor.
And beside him stood a strapping young man—the young lord of Longsword Manor and Dae-ui-go-su, Han Seong.
The martial artists, who had been gathered together eating and drinking, stopped and all turned to look as the Han father and son appeared.
“I never imagined that so many of you would come for this humble old man's Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony.”
Han Yeong-baek's voice was low, but it was laced with internal energy, carrying clearly to the ears of the more than three hundred martial artists present.
“As of today, I, Han Yeong-baek, will wash my hands and no longer interfere in the affairs of the martial world. From now on, all matters of the manor will be...”
Han Yeong-baek's words were cut short.
The water in the golden basin suddenly shot up like a firecracker.
“Father!”
Han Seong instinctively moved to block Han Yeong-baek's front.
*Hiss!*
But the splashed liquid let off a white smoke. What was in the basin was not clear water, but a deadly poison.
“Ugh.”
As Han Seong swung his sleeve to bat away the liquid,
*Sssss...*
this time, a thick smoke suddenly billowed up from beneath the table and spread in all directions.
“Aaargh!”
A sudden scream echoed from within the hall, now shrouded in murky smoke.
The scream was so harrowing, as if all the life force had been drained from the body, that it made people's hair stand on end.
“The young lord is dead!”
Someone shouted as the smoke cleared.
Wasn't the head of Han Seong, who had stood before Han Yeong-baek, now separated from his body?
“It's an assassin!”
With the Dae-ui-go-su Han Seong killed in an instant, the hall fell into chaos.
But something was strange.
Even though his only son was dead, Han Yeong-baek's face was remarkably calm.
Wasn't there even a faint, strange smile playing on his lips?
*Guuung.*
Suddenly, a dull thud echoed from the manor's entrance.
Simultaneously, with a series of sharp sounds, dozens of martial artists emerged from the rear garden and sealed the entrance with disciplined movements.
As the unexpected situation unfolded, the people in the crowd looked at one another.
—What in the world is going on?
“Calm yourselves!”
Han Yeong-baek then looked around and said in a loud voice.
“My fellow martial artists! I, Han Yeong-baek, must first offer my apologies!”
He scanned the area with a solemn expression before speaking again.
“I have heard that a group from the Demonic Path called the Sip-ma-jeon-in has recently been disturbing the Jianghu.”
At those words, a few of the quicker-witted martial artists nodded faintly.
They had realized that this Golden Basin Hand-Washing Ceremony was a trap to lure out a Sip-ma-jeon-in.
“That is correct. This ceremony was a painful stratagem to draw out a Sip-ma-jeon-in.”
He paused for a moment before speaking again.
“Of course, the ceremony will proceed as planned. However, it will be after we have dealt with the Sip-ma-jeon-in who has infiltrated this place.”
Just then, a strapping young man stepped up from behind Han Yeong-baek.
At that moment, the crowd let out a collective gasp. It was none other than Han Seong, the young lord of Longsword Manor.
Could it be that he had a twin brother?
“U-hak. I will never forget your sacrifice.”
With a pained expression, Han Seong caressed the face of the young man who looked identical to him.
As he did, a thin mask peeled away, revealing the face of a young man with sharp, glaring eyes.
—To think such a mask exists!
The martial artists who witnessed this were dumbfounded.
Human-skin masks were not particularly rare items in the martial world.
However, they were merely tools to hide one's own face; they could not perfectly replicate another's.
“I apologize for startling you all.”
As the martial artists of Longsword Manor respectfully recovered U-hak's body, Han Seong stepped forward and clasped his hands.
“After hearing that the Sip-ma-jeon-in from the Extreme Killing Secret Pavilion was targeting me, the manor made thorough preparations. And with the help of Elder Bang of the Pavilion of Deft Hands, we created a mask.”
At that, gasps of admiration erupted from the martial artists.
The master of the Pavilion of Deft Hands, Bang Hwang-hae, was a master of mechanisms and formations known as the 'Deft-Handed Son of Heaven' and an artisan said to be able to create anything.
Han Seong had asked Bang Hwang-hae to create a mask identical to his own face and had one of Longsword Manor's martial artists wear it.
Having finished his explanation, Han Seong surveyed the crowd with a triumphant smile.
“If you reveal yourself now and surrender peacefully, I will spare your life.”
Despite Han Seong's shout, the people in the crowd only looked at each other, and no one answered.
“There is no other choice.”
As Han Seong nodded, the lined-up martial artists of Longsword Manor secured the entrance.
“My apologies, but I must ask all guests who have visited our manor to please follow the guidance of our men and move for a moment.”
At this, disgruntled murmurs broke out among some of the martial artists.
“We only came to congratulate Lord Han on his ceremony!”
“We have no wish to be entangled in such a troublesome affair!”
Han Seong, who had been listening silently, spoke in a solemn voice.
“This is a necessary measure to root out the Sip-ma-jeon-in, so I ask for your generous understanding. If anyone refuses to comply...”
A sharp glint flashed in Han Seong's eyes.
“I will have no choice but to assume that person is involved.”
Befitting a Dae-ui-go-su whose name resonated throughout the land, a powerful aura that overwhelmed the crowd emanated from Han Seong's body.
A few martial artists wore displeased expressions, but they eventually began to move as if they had no other choice.
“......!”
Just as the movement of the martial artists was nearing its end, Han Seong's eyes glinted sharply.
He had met the sharp gaze of a middle-aged man who was moving sluggishly.
It was for the briefest of moments, but Han Seong did not miss that gaze.
“Wait.”
*Thwack!*
The middle-aged man, realizing he had been spotted by Han Seong, suddenly turned and began to leap over the manor's wall.
*Paaah!*
But in that instant, a spray of blood erupted in mid-air.
At the same time, the middle-aged man who had been vaulting the wall plummeted to the ground.
*Thud.*
Dozens of shadows in navy blue martial arts uniforms descended from the air in front of the fallen man.
They were the Daoists of the Kongtong Sect.