Chapter 105
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Master-Disciple Turmoil
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"I'm no longer concerned with such things."
Seonwoyong recalled Chae Pil's shrill shout once more.
'Is this world truly just and bright enough to be worth preserving as it is?'
Seonwoyong silently stared at his wine cup, while Son Mugi gazed at the monk's sword propped up beside him.
"Then that sword is going to waste. As a swordsman, I must say it's the most enviable blade in the world."
"A sword is best when it never sees the light of day."
"Well said... But for your words to ring true, all those who wield blades in this world would have to vanish."
Seonwoyong let out a sigh and nodded.
"You're right. But that's never going to happen. A world without anyone holding a sword? Impossible."
"Then in the end, all we need is for our own swords to be righteous, no?"
Seonwoyong let out a scoff at Son Mugi's question.
"You're still so naive. I never took you for the type. Heh heh."
Son Mugi burst into laughter, looking a bit embarrassed himself.
"Damn it all. Ah, this isn't like me at all. I've been getting too serious lately. It's a real problem. Hahaha..."
But now it was Seonwoyong who grew serious.
"It's far from easy... You know that better than anyone. The web of karma is so intricate and precise. And worse, it doesn't filter for right or wrong."
"Exactly. That's the scariest part. The web of karma knows no right or wrong."
After that, the two fell silent for a time, merely tilting their cups.
A moment later, the lantern in the shabby tavern flickered and swayed.
Thick black soot rose even denser.
The small, humble door of the tavern opened and closed.
"I searched high and low through every tavern around... never thought to look here."
In that interval, an old man had entered alone and begun his banter.
Seonwoyong gazed at him calmly and extended one hand.
The old man approached slowly, knelt before Seonwoyong, and clasped his master's hand reverently between his own two palms.
"Have you been well?"
After offering his greeting, he pressed Seonwoyong's hand to his forehead.
Seonwoyong stroked the old man's forehead and head with his hand.
"Yes. I've been well enough. And you? Have you been keeping well?"
With that, he pulled the old man to his feet by the hand.
Now standing, the old man bowed deeply from the waist and replied.
"I've handled the affairs inside and outside the cult with utmost sincerity, but I cannot say if it meets with Master's approval."
"You've done well. What does my approval matter?"
"This disciple shall now fill Master's cup."
"Yes. It's been ages since I last drank the wine you pour."
The old man respectfully lifted the wine bottle and began to pour.
He poured three cups in succession, and of course, Seonwoyong drained them one after another.
"Now, you drink from my cup in turn."
Seonwoyong extended the cup he had just emptied, and the old man took it.
Again, three cups poured in succession, and three cups emptied.
Son Mugi, watching the scene, tilted his head in puzzlement.
He had never heard that the Nine Provinces Demon Immortal U Cheonso had any disciples besides his own son, the current Ming Cult leader U Gyeongcheon.
U Gyeongcheon's martial arts had naturally come from his father, but rumors of any separate disciples had never spread through the martial world.
After this exchange of cups between master and disciple, the old man took his seat at Seonwoyong's gesture.
"Had I known you would drink, I would have preferred to escort you somewhere more comfortable..."
"No. This place suits me just fine."
"As ever, then."
Of course, the old man was none other than Dae Jongdo, the Great Cloud Bright Religion's Protector Elder and head of the Great Cloud Temple, known as the Iron Hand Hermit.
Though seated, Dae Jongdo showed not the slightest interest in Son Mugi's presence.
Seonwoyong offered no introduction or mention of him, nor did Son Mugi.
"So, I summoned you because I wished to see you."
"I apologize. As your disciple, I should have sought you out first..."
Seonwoyong merely nodded at Dae Jongdo's words.
"How could it be that simple? You have your duties and your position to consider."
"It pains me that we still cannot fully indulge in the bond between master and disciple."
"That time will come. Don't worry overmuch."
"So I've heard. That you intend to set things right now."
"Yes. The child has been informed as well."
As their conversation continued in this vein, Son Mugi suddenly stood.
"It seems I'm in the way here. I'll take my leave."
Dae Jongdo's gaze upon him was ice-cold.
"I won't go far. We'll meet again soon enough."
Seonwoyong nodded farewell without rising.
"Farewell. Ideally, we won't cross paths again, but should we, I hope you remain a good friend."
Son Mugi offered these parting words, gave a slight bow, and stepped out of the tavern.
He spared not even a glance for Dae Jongdo.
The trouble erupted outside.
The shabby tavern was already surrounded by numerous experts.
As soon as Son Mugi emerged, one of the martial artists blocked his path.
"I've orders to bar passage. Wait here quietly."
The one barring Son Mugi's way was Seong Ilchung, the Blood Banner Blade King who had previously stood against the Kunlun Sword Immortal Yuk Munin.
As one of the Seven Kings and a commander of the Great Cloud Bright Religion's Phoenix Flag, he was a supreme swordsman whose equal was rare in the martial world.
His true face remained hidden beneath the deep cowl of his dark crimson blood banner cape.
But Son Mugi had already sensed the thick killing intent radiating from him, and his own battle spirit surged involuntarily.
"Heh heh heh. You intend to bar my way? Then you'd best be prepared to lose a limb or two."
In truth, Son Mugi was born a fighter.
Since learning martial arts at Wudang, he had never once shied from a challenge that came his way.
Naturally, the Blood Banner Blade King Seong Ilchung was the same sort, and the atmosphere heated up instantly.
"Excellent. It's been ages since my blood ran hot like this."
The Blood Banner Blade King twisted his lips beneath the banner into a sinister grin.
He then drew the square, bizarre saber from his waist.
Son Mugi, however, had no blade in hand—nor anything resembling one.
"You must be the Blood Banner Blade King, one of the Seven Kings."
"Indeed. I am that Seong fellow. And you must be Son Mugi of the Wudang Seven Sages. I've been eager to meet you."
"Well, well. Talk about good fortune. In just a few days, a sword immortal and now a blade king... Heh heh..."
Son Mugi nodded and slipped his hands into and out of his sleeves.
Now each hand held a shortsword less than two inches long.
"I heard you thrashed some sword immortal from Mount Hua a few days back. The rivers and lakes are full of rumors and false reputations, so I'd been curious. This is perfect."
Seong Ilchung raised the heavy saber in his grip.
Merely lifting the blade filled the space within several paces with killing intent.
A ominous crimson saber aura flickered along the edge of Seong Ilchung's blade.
"Perfect. Just like a slaughterhouse butcher."
Son Mugi's arms hung naturally at his sides, but blue sword auras had already formed on his shortswords.
This was no sparring match for either man.
Nor was it like Son Mugi's previous clash with the Great Azure Sword Immortal Sa Cheongbo.
But that was as far as it went.
"Stand down, both of you."
At that moment, the tavern door opened, and Seonwoyong appeared.
Dae Jongdo followed hesitantly behind him.
Seonwoyong's brows furrowed deeply as he surveyed the Great Cloud Bright Religion experts lined up outside.
He was thoroughly enraged.
"Are you daring to insult this master?"
Seonwoyong's rebuke was directed at Dae Jongdo standing behind him.
But Dae Jongdo replied without great perturbation.
"What do you mean? This disciple is too dull to comprehend."
"I summoned you explicitly for master-disciple matters."
"And as your disciple, I came to see my master."
"Does a disciple visit his master surrounded by such bloodthirsty thugs?"
"Forgive me on that count. But after decades, escorting the cult's elder required every precaution I could take..."
"You insolent wretch. Enough. Every precaution?"
Seonwoyong cut off Dae Jongdo's words with a scolding, but the elder fell silent now.
"You've even forgotten this master's temperament."
Seonwoyong made no effort to hide his fury.
The reason was simple.
Not a single one of the Great Cloud Bright Religion experts surrounding them—including the man facing him—had offered him proper respects.
Dae Jongdo was the immediate problem.
By rights, he should have been the first to step forward and command respects for his master, the former Great Cloud Bright Religion Supreme Leader U Cheonso.
Instead, he merely dawdled.
Thus, the experts ringing them merely watched Dae Jongdo's cue.
An awkward silence hung over the scene.
At that moment, Son Mugi tossed a word at Seong Ilchung before him.
"So, what's it gonna be in this mood? You coming at me or not?"
Seong Ilchung offered no reply.
His interest in Son Mugi had already vanished.
Now his eyes were fixed solely on Seonwoyong.
That gaze was complex.
Doubt, fear, anger, and hatred swirled chaotically within it—a look shared by the other Great Cloud Bright Religion experts present.
And small wonder.
For none of these experts gathered here—including Seong Ilchung—had ever laid eyes on the U Cheonso of old.