Chapter 156
Chapter 156
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: Beneath the Surface
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The Martial Alliance Leader, Du Baek, took his hands off the table, crossed his arms, and spoke.
“I heard it from the leader of the Beggars' Sect, the head of the Hao Clan, and the Soul-Stealing Immortal. I've also seen some things with my own eyes.”
“…!?”
The leader of the Beggars' Sect.
The head of the Hao Clan.
The Soul-Stealing Immortal.
Every name that came from the Alliance Leader's mouth was a titan.
They were the heads of the two largest information networks in the martial world, and the man called its greatest sorcerer. But the more he listed, the deeper the questions became.
So then, why hadn't they come in person?
This time, Paeng Mu-seon, the head of the Hebei Paeng Family, spoke up.
“Then I understand even less. The Hao Clan Head isn't part of the Orthodox Sects, so we can set that aside. But where are the Beggars' Sect Leader and the Soul-Stealing Immortal? Could it be that the man in the corner wearing the Totuadae necklace is the Soul-Stealing Immortal?”
Namgung Jin, the head of the Namgung Family, and Moyong Su-yeon, the head of the Moyong Family, also chimed in to support Paeng Mu-seon's words.
“That's right. Where is the leader of the Beggars' Sect, Bi Chwi-hak? Given the gravity of this matter, we wish to hear from him directly.”
“Also, is the Soul-Stealing Immortal truly present in the Martial Alliance? I've never seen him in person, so it's hard to believe.”
The Martial Alliance Leader responded to the family heads' and sect leaders' questions with a gentle smile.
“Of course. The Beggars' Sect Leader, Bi Chwi-hak, the Soul-Stealing Immortal, and the Hao Clan Head are all here at the Martial Alliance. It won't be too late to make your decision after hearing from them directly. As for the Soul-Stealing Immortal, you will be able to meet him soon, though not in his true form.”
As the Alliance Leader finished speaking, the man with the Totuadae necklace rose from his seat, clasped his fist, and spoke.
“A pleasure to meet you all. I am the Soul-Stealing Immortal, Jang Ryang. I greet the heads of the families and sects that uphold the Orthodox martial world.”
“…!?”
“A-Are you truly the Soul-Stealing Immortal?”
“I am. Of course, this is not my true appearance. I have my reasons for being unable to greet you in my original form. For this, I ask for your gracious understanding.”
“A sorcerer's personal safety is paramount, so I understand that part. However, as you must know from what you've heard so far, we require more precise information.”
“I can provide as much information as you need. We have reached a stage where I, the Alliance Leader, and the entire martial world must cooperate. In fact, withholding information would be detrimental.”
“…!?”
The Soul-Stealing Immortal's lips curled into a smile as he spoke.
“However, I must postpone providing that information for a little while longer.”
“…!?”
“Why is that?”
“The reason is that you cannot afford to accept the information I am about to give you half-heartedly.”
This was the Soul-Stealing Immortal's concern.
He wasn't worried about the information being exposed. It was a truth that everyone would eventually learn and needed to know.
However, he had to be wary of people accepting it half-heartedly. He had to prevent a faction from emerging that would raise objections and muddy the waters regarding the crisis the Central Plains currently faced.
Just then, the Plum Blossom Sword Venerable, Jin Hong, who had remained silent the entire time, spoke.
“In that case, when will you tell us?”
Everyone present, including the Martial Alliance Leader, was slightly surprised by his remark. It was the first time he had ever expressed his opinion so commandingly.
But the Soul-Stealing Immortal, on the contrary, seemed utterly delighted by his attitude and said with a smile,
“Soon, you will all experience it with your own two feet, your own two eyes, and your own two hands. You can hear the details after that. To that end, I, the Beggars' Sect Leader, the Hao Clan Head, and the one I have waited for so long are currently in discussion.”
“The one you, the greatest sorcerer in the Central Plains, have been waiting for? Who is it?”
“He is the one who will serve as the focal point in the great war to come.”
“A focal point?”
The Soul-Stealing Immortal, Jang Ryang. In a gathering of the Orthodox Sects' leaders, he predicted a great war that would involve the entire Central Plains and declared who would be its focal point.
At this, the Plum Blossom Sword Venerable, Jin Hong, raised an eyebrow and said,
“Someone who will act as a focal point in a great war? Is it someone I know? Don't tell me it's the Taiji Sword Emperor of the Wudang Sect?”
As the Plum Blossom Sword Venerable pressed, Heo Seon, the leader of the Wudang Sect, replied.
“That is impossible. The Taiji Sword Emperor is currently in seclusion for training.”
“…”
The Soul-Stealing Immortal smiled again and said,
“He is one who has been newly born, a rising star who will pioneer a new era for the martial world. Please wait just a little longer. It will not be long.”
“…!?”
“Newly born?”
“A rising star?”
“Are you saying he is young?”
“That is correct. In terms of age, he is no older than a junior warrior.”
“What! That's absurd!”
The family heads and sect leaders spoke with indignation.
“Is it right to speak of a mere junior as if he holds the deciding vote in a matter like this?”
“Indeed! He's not even an investigator, yet he's to be the focal point of a great war? Unbelievable! The Martial Alliance Leader and the Plum Blossom Sword Venerable are here. Do you understand? This is no place for a mere junior to meddle!”
However, the Soul-Stealing Immortal paid them no mind and continued.
“He is not just any junior. He is the one who will soon become the strongest under the heavens, and he is currently more powerful than any other of his generation.”
“Hah!?”
“The strongest under the heavens?”
“Even if you are the greatest sorcerer in the Central Plains, there's a limit to how much you can disrespect us!”
“I can't tolerate this any longer!”
“Unbelievable!”
“Watch your words!”
“That's right. No matter if it comes from the Soul-Stealing Immortal himself, we cannot believe it.”
The confusion deepened, and the atmosphere grew heated.
Just then,
The Martial Alliance Leader, Du Baek, who had been listening quietly, spoke again.
“Enough! Everyone, calm down.”
“Alliance Leader!?”
The Martial Alliance Leader released a tremendous amount of energy.
The energy of one who has reached the Profound Realm.
Everyone gathered here had reached at least the Transformation Realm, but the Alliance Leader's Profound Realm energy was a powerful pressure that even they could not dare to oppose.
The only one who could stand against the Alliance Leader's aura was the Plum Blossom Sword Venerable, but he remained silent, saying nothing.
As if understanding Du Baek's intent, the atmosphere in the meeting hall gradually quieted down.
The meeting hall grew somewhat calmer. Du Baek began to speak.
“Forgive my rudeness in releasing my energy. If the esteemed individuals gathered here were to fight, it would be a loss for the entire Central Plains, so I had no choice. I ask for your understanding.”
“…”
Regardless of the Alliance Leader's recent actions, no one doubted the sincerity of his words. Thus, they all fell silent and listened to what he had to say.
“Among the things the Soul-Stealing Immortal said, I believe two points require further explanation.
First, his statement that you will soon experience these strange phenomena for yourselves. That can be discussed once we bring in the Beggars' Sect Leader and the Hao Clan Head.”
The Soul-Stealing Immortal looked directly at Du Baek and replied.
“That is correct.”
Du Baek nodded as well and continued.
“However, before that. The one who is said to be the focal point. Does he not require proof? Therefore, I would like to make a proposal.”
Du Baek put forth a proposal that all the other family heads and sect leaders could accept.
Upon hearing the proposal, the family heads, sect leaders, the Plum Blossom Sword Venerable Jin Hong, and even the Soul-Stealing Immortal were all satisfied and agreed.
“Then, after the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly concludes, let us gather the junior warriors and test him.”
“Excellent. Also, how about we inform the elders of each sect and family so they may observe?”
“An excellent idea.”
“Excellent.”
* * *
-The Soul-Stealing Immortal's Pavilion, Reception Room.
Wi Guk, representing the Hao Clan, stood up, clasped his fist, and spoke to Mu-heun.
“Divine Doctor. From this day forward, the Hao Clan will support you. Should you need anything, feel free to use my name, the Head of the Hao Clan. I will first relay this to our members, and later, I will have a golden tablet made to prove you are a guest of the Hao Clan.”
The cooperation of the Hao Clan, a golden tablet. This meant he could now obtain information from innkeepers, courtesan houses, coachmen, and blacksmiths scattered throughout the Central Plains.
Mu-heun could feel the sincerity in their attitude.
‘They are truly righteous people.’
Bi Chwi-hak also rose from his seat, clasped his fist, and spoke.
“The Beggars' Sect also promises to support the Divine Doctor. And I will give you this token. With this token, you will be able to receive information from any Beggars' Sect branch free of charge, and they will not spare any possible support.”
The cooperation of the Beggars' Sect. This also meant that Mu-heun had gained eyes and ears across the entire Central Plains. At this rate, the gains were more than plentiful.
Mu-heun also clasped his fist in return and spoke.
“I thank you great heroes for your support. From now on, I will share what I have surmised about the events currently unfolding in Hubei Province.”
Mu-heun began to share the story of his encounter with the Hyenang during the day and the information he had discovered by ordering the spirit beast, the Heavenly Fragrance Owl, to chase the Ghost Spirit.
“I followed the Hyenang I met during the day, and it led me to a Zen temple. It was a bit far from the Martial Alliance, but… the Heavenly Fragrance Owl is a flying spirit beast, so it could travel back and forth quickly.”
“Hoh…”
“In Wuhan, there is a place called Guiyuan Zen Temple, and that was the very temple where they were gathering.”
“G-Guiyuan Zen Temple? Isn't that the temple deep in the mountains? Our Beggars' Sect members don't live there, so I was unaware.”
“It's a place unfamiliar to the members of the Hao Clan as well. Besides, wasn't it destroyed in a war more than fifty years ago? I heard it's been abandoned and uninhabited ever since.”
“I don't know the details either. However, it is certain that the Hyenang entered that place. But there's a problem.”
“A problem?”
“Yes. Cheon-hyang entered Guiyuan Zen Temple to check on them, but it reported that the temple was completely empty.”
“…!?”
This time, Mu-heun combined the information he'd heard from Bi Chwi-hak and Wi Guk and spoke.
“Furthermore, considering the recent appearances of the Hwapigwi, Ogigui, and Taekgwi in the Hubei region… If my prediction is correct, it seems they have hidden their base using a special ghost art.”
“Hoho… Is there no way to find it?”
“I haven't found one yet. However, it is certain that they are moving systematically within the Hubei region.”
“Systematically?”
“Yes. Near Guiyuan Zen Temple. They might be receiving orders from something hiding there. I don't know what they are plotting, but it's clear that the more time passes, the more disadvantageous it is for us.”
“Dear me…”
The Beggars' Sect Leader, Bi Chwi-hak, stroked his beard and said.
“By disadvantageous, you mean they might be gathering something.”
“Correct.”
“For example, kidnapping people and taking them to Guiyuan Zen Temple.”
Mu-heun added another of his own hypotheses to that.
“Precisely. Also, their targets may not be ordinary people.”
“If not ordinary people, then they're targeting those who have learned martial arts? That must be why individuals who appeared to be martial artists stood out in the Hao Clan's reports.”
“The Hwapigwi wearing the skin of a martial artist. The Ogigui leading martial artists sleeping at an inn to their deaths. The Taekgwi attacking a small sect and abducting its warriors. The Hyenang gesturing to me. All of these incidents have one thing in common: the targets were martial artists.”
“It can't be a coincidence.”
Just then, Mu-heun sensed that the Soul-Stealing Immortal's consciousness had returned.