Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: The Condition
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Clack, clack.
Bu Eun-seol and Heuk-pyo were leaving the village in a carriage rented by Yu Hwa-ryeong.
On the way to their destination, Yu Hwa-ryeong shared many stories.
The Cheon-geom-hoe and Nang-ya-gak had much in common, from their pursuit of boundless martial arts to their disdain for empty formalities.
“It’s time for you to answer.”
As they finally reached Mount Geumjeong, where the Cheon-geom-hoe’s gathering was being held, Bu Eun-seol asked.
“Why exactly did the Cheon-geom-hoe send people into the Murim to find prodigies? What was the condition they were looking for?”
When Bu Eun-seol first met Yu Hwa-ryeong, he had immediately discerned that they were searching for prodigies who met a ‘specific condition’.
If the Cheon-geom-hoe were simply looking for talented individuals to pass on their sword arts to, regardless of their affiliations, they could have just spread a rumor. Countless talents would have flocked to them.
And to top it off, they even offered the unprecedented condition that affiliation with the Orthodox or Unorthodox Factions didn't matter! It was truly unbelievable.
“Very well. I'll tell you now.”
Yu Hwa-ryeong said with a sigh.
“As I mentioned before, this gathering was organized by the Second Seat, Elder Seok Song. My master, the Seventh Seat of our society, Elder U Hak, is also here.”
Seok Song and U Hak. They were both masters of the previous generation who roamed the Murim alone.
“The two of them created this sword art after much deliberation. The problem is, not only could our society's disciples not learn it, but even the two creators couldn't master it.”
Bu Eun-seol couldn't understand.
The creators of a sword art unable to learn it? That would mean they had created something that existed only in their imagination.
“Of course, it's not a fictional sword art. It's just that one condition must be met to properly unleash its power.”
“And what is that?”
Yu Hwa-ryeong gave a bitter smile at Bu Eun-seol's question.
“Killing intent.”
He took a deep breath and spoke again.
“To properly wield the sword art the two elders created, one must possess an immense, innate killing intent.”
Heuk-pyo asked with a look of confusion.
“Why did those two create such a sword art? Do they have a vendetta?”
“I don't know the reason. Only the two of them would know.”
Bu Eun-seol didn't take Yu Hwa-ryeong's words at face value.
What fool in this world would pass down a peerless martial art to just anyone? Such a thing doesn't happen.
He was certain that once he learned the whole story, there would be conditions and reasons attached.
Screech.
Just then, the carriage came to a halt.
A gently sloping mountain appeared, looking as if the sun was perched on its peak. It was Mount Geumjeong.
“You will stay here until the entire process is over.”
Yu Hwa-ryeong said to Heuk-pyo, pointing to a large building at the foot of the mountain.
“You won't be inconvenienced while you wait.”
“Understood. Ah, and…”
Heuk-pyo whispered softly, as if he had just remembered something.
“Last night, while you were away, Young Master, the Rang-ju sent a messenger. He said that everything you requested was completed as of yesterday.”
“Good.”
As Bu Eun-seol nodded, Heuk-pyo cupped his hands.
“I wish you good fortune in your martial endeavors, Young Master.”
Following Yu Hwa-ryeong again up the mountainside, he found a large iron gate.
It seemed an artificial structure had been built inside using mechanisms.
“Is this the main headquarters of the Cheon-geom-hoe?”
Yu Hwa-ryeong shook his head at Bu Eun-seol's question.
“Of course not. This is just one of the secret locations our society has prepared. It has many hidden mechanisms, making it a good place to teach the sword art.”
Judging by the depth in his eyes, it seemed Yu Hwa-ryeong had also received instruction in a sword art here.
Looking at Bu Eun-seol's expression, Yu Hwa-ryeong's eyes showed a hint of shame.
“I didn't have the aptitude to learn that sword art. In fact, most of the Cheon-geom-hoe's disciples didn't.”
He shook his head as if to clear his thoughts and said,
“I've said too much. Here, put this on before we go in.”
In his outstretched hand was a rabbit mask that would completely cover his face.
“Keep it on until we leave Mount Geumjeong. And once inside, don't reveal your name to anyone.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Cheon-geom-hoe wants to find a prodigy with exceptional aptitude, not to see talents from the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions kill each other.”
“Hmm.”
Understanding Yu Hwa-ryeong's meaning, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
Inside that building, there would be numerous masters from both factions, all brought by the disciples of the Cheon-geom-hoe.
And among them, there might be individuals who hold grudges against one another.
“Quite thorough of you.”
“Hahaha. Gathering prodigies regardless of their faction is no easy task.”
Yu Hwa-ryeong also took a rabbit mask from his robes, put it on, and said,
“Go on inside first. I'll be right in.”
Upon entering, he saw a long corridor lined with oil lamps.
Following the path, he came to a wide, open space paved with blue stone tiles, spanning about a hundred yards across.
About thirty martial artists stood there, all wearing masks. At the far end of the open space, a high altar had been set up.
‘It seems one person can bring multiple candidates.’
Among the masked martial artists, he saw groups of three or four wearing identical masks.
Since each group would have been accompanied by a single Cheon-geom-hoe disciple, it appeared that one disciple could bring several people.
‘That person is…’
As Bu Eun-seol scanned the martial artists in the open space, his eyes flashed when he saw a man in a fox mask.
He had a sturdy build, wore yellow robes, and had a leather pouch at his waist. It was Dang Gon.
“Well, now.”
The man in the fox mask, Dang Gon, also recognized Bu Eun-seol in his rabbit mask at once and let out a soft exclamation.
“So you were invited here as well.”
Dang Gon's low voice was filled with bitterness.
Not long ago, Bu Eun-seol had rejected his offer of goodwill and friendship.
—Because we might have to point our swords at each other.
Sparring is the most common method for selecting who to teach martial arts to.
Now that they were competitors to receive the Cheon-geom-hoe's martial arts, that possibility had become very real.
Kwoong.
Just then, a door opened in the wall behind the altar, and two elderly men who looked like celestial beings, dressed in white, appeared.
They were the masters of the Cheon-geom-hoe who had organized this gathering: the Second Seat, Seok Song, and the Seventh Seat, U Hak.
“Welcome. I am Seok Song, the Second Seat of this society.”
As Seok Song spoke calmly, the old man beside him added,
“And I am U Hak, the Seventh Seat.”
Seok Song and U Hak.
They were masters of a bygone era, men who had made their names by walking their own paths in the Murim.
But after joining the Cheon-geom-hoe, they had never shown themselves in the Murim. Now, they had appeared to pass on a newly created sword art.
“You must have all heard the story on your way here. We have joined forces and, after a long time, created a new sword art.”
U Hak glanced at Seok Song and said with a bitter expression,
“However, this sword art can only be learned by someone with a dense, innate killing intent. Unfortunately, none of our society's disciples possess such a disposition.”
Looking down at the thirty or so martial artists below the platform, U Hak continued.
“That is why we sent our disciples into the Murim to find prodigies who could learn this sword art. To find someone brimming with innate killing intent.”
At his words, several of the martial artists looked puzzled.
This was because, while there were figures from the demonic path, there were also quite a few who appeared to be masters of the Orthodox Faction.
“Killing intent is merely a disposition. It has nothing to do with whether one is from the Orthodox or Unorthodox Faction.”
Seok Song, having read their minds, said with a smile.
“And it would be ridiculous for our society, which stands between the Orthodox and Unorthodox, to discriminate between them.”
In that instant, the expressions of the martial artists gathered in the stone chamber brightened.
They had been skeptical of the Cheon-geom-hoe's offer on their way here. But was it really true that they would teach a supreme art regardless of one's background?
“Then can everyone gathered here learn the sword art?”
A man with twin swords on his back and wearing a bear mask asked in a loud voice.
“Of course not.”
U Hak replied flatly.
“We must confirm whether you can learn this sword art. We intend to select candidates through a test.”
“A sparring match?”
“Not at all. We are only trying to teach a sword art. The level of your martial skill is unimportant. We will pass on the art to anyone who can pass the trial we present.”
At that, the fox-masked man, Dang Gon, who had been listening silently, asked,
“Then what if everyone here passes the trial? Will you teach it to all of us?”
“That is unlikely to happen, but if it does, we will teach the sword art to everyone. However…”
After a moment of silence, U Hak spoke in a solemn voice.
“We will absolutely not pass it on to a wicked person.”
At that, Seok Song, who was standing beside him, stepped forward, his eyes flashing.
“Therefore, if any of you have ever killed an innocent person, leave this place at once.”
Perhaps because he had channeled his internal energy, Seok Song's voice was as grim as the cawing of a crow under a gray sky.
“If such a person remains here when the test begins, they will be met with death.”
For a moment, silence fell upon the stone chamber. But no one left.
“There are no villains here who have killed innocent people.”
A man in a lion mask standing at the very back spoke up. Judging by his tone, he seemed to be a disciple of the Cheon-geom-hoe.
“This task was entrusted to disciples with ample experience in the Murim. Knowing your stern character, Master, they wouldn't have brought any villains here in the first place.”
“I see.”
Just then, Seok Song suddenly executed a lightning-fast movement technique.
Fwoosh.
Seok Song's body, now a white blur, suddenly appeared standing before a man in a demon mask to Bu Eun-seol's left.
“What is it?”
“Did you not hear what I just said?”
“What are you talking about? I am no villain.”
At that, the Cheon-geom-hoe disciple, also wearing a demon mask, stepped forward and waved his hand.
“He is known as being half-righteous and half-evil, so one cannot call him clean… but he has never killed an innocent person…”
“This man slaughtered thirteen innocent people in Jinan.”
Seok Song said in a grave voice.
“However, he was meticulous in covering his tracks, always eliminating any witnesses. That is why it was never known…”
Pshat!
In that instant, the demon-masked man struck like a bolt of lightning. The attack was sudden and unpredictably fast.
Thud.
But the sword the demon-masked man thrust out stopped just before it could touch Seok Song's neck.
“…”
A brief silence filled the hall.
Seok Song looked at the demon-masked man, then abruptly turned as if nothing had happened and walked back onto the altar.
Pshaaa!
In that instant, a fountain of blood erupted from the demon-masked man's neck.
Seok Song had used a sword technique several times faster than the man's initial strike to sever his carotid artery.
With a final gurgling sound, the demon-masked man collapsed to the floor with a thud.
“I will say it again: we will not pass this sword art to a villain.”
Seok Song's words once again echoed through the chamber.
But this time, it was U Hak's eyes that flashed.
Fwoosh.
Executing a movement technique that was like a spreading ray of light, he landed directly in front of the rabbit-masked Bu Eun-seol.
“You killed a man renowned as a righteous hero for no reason, did you not?”
At that, Yu Hwa-ryeong, who had been standing behind him also wearing a rabbit mask, jumped forward.
“He wasn't an innocent civilian, was he? Besides, it happened during a legitimate duel.”
“Nonsense. According to our society's information, this man had more than enough skill to simply subdue him, yet he killed him intentionally.”
Yu Hwa-ryeong was struck speechless.
His words were true.
With the skill to kill Yang Myeong in a single move, he could have dealt with someone like Yeop Hyo-cheon with a single finger.
U Hak glared at the rabbit-masked Bu Eun-seol with a fearsome gaze.
“Killing a righteous hero who did good deeds is the same as killing an innocent civilian.”
The situation was explosive. Just as U Hak's hand moved toward his sword,
Bu Eun-seol suddenly burst into laughter, as if he could no longer hold it back.
“Hahaha!”