Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: An Oath of Fealty
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I called Seo-bong to my room to treat him and said.
“As I thought…”
“Is the wound severe?”
“No, aside from the shock from overexerting yourself, there's nothing else. I was talking about your blood points and energy meridians.”
“My blood points and energy meridians?”
“Yes. You may not have been training long, but with them this clogged, your martial arts will never progress.”
“Th-then… what should I do? Am I a lost cause?”
“No, it's not that there's no way.”
“…Could you perhaps tell me how?”
He wants me to tell him the method… This wasn't something he could just follow by being told, so there was only one thing to say.
“It's going to hurt, but bear with it.”
“Pardon?”
I quickly drew a healing formation. My internal energy had grown significantly, so the formation was much simpler than before.
Just as I had with Pa-sun, I began to unblock Seo-bong's blood points with needles. I started by stimulating his Cinnabar Field point, then focused on the Bubbling Spring, Labor Palace, and Hundred Convergences points, searching for and opening the blocked points throughout his body.
As I opened the points, I injected my true energy, repeatedly circulating it to find and clear the blockages.
The blood vessels that burst, unable to withstand the energy, were restored by the power of the healing formation, becoming thicker and stronger.
Of course, Seo-bong's screams filled the room, but I used my true energy to block the sound from escaping, so it wasn't a major issue.
“Kuaaaargh!”
“I told you to bear it.”
While opening Seo-bong's points, I injected a small amount of my energy. I wasn't sure if he could handle it, but at the very least, he would be able to clearly feel the flow of energy.
“It's done.”
“Wh-what did you just… do? Did you… unblock my points and help me circulate my energy?”
“That's right.”
“Fourth Young Master, just who in the world are you…?”
Seo-bong seemed unable to comprehend my indescribable martial prowess and this strange procedure. But one thing was certain.
What he had just received was a fortuitous encounter that could not be bought even with a thousand pieces of gold.
“Thank you… truly… thank you!”
“Take this.”
I handed Seo-bong a pill I had hidden in a drawer.
“Wh-what is this?”
“An elixir.”
A pill whose multicolored sheen added to its brilliance. It was clearly an elixir one would be lucky to see once in a lifetime.
It was an elixir made by mixing the Blue Essence Stone Milk I had brought from Blade Leaf Valley.
“An… an elixir, you say?”
“Eat this and begin circulating your energy. I will help you absorb it.”
“Wh-why are you giving me… something so precious…?”
“Let's just say I've taken a liking to you.”
“…”
What was an elixir? For martial artists, a high-grade elixir was more valuable than a treasure worth a thousand gold pieces. Countless bloody battles were fought to obtain them, yet the Fourth Young Master had offered it without hesitation.
Who in the world would give away such a precious, high-grade elixir simply because they'd taken a liking to someone?
“You don't want it?”
“N-no, that's not it!”
“Then stop talking and eat it.”
“Yes!”
There was no time to argue. He couldn't even ask why. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity would not wait for him. And so, Seo-bong took the elixir Mu-heun gave him and began to circulate his energy.
I helped Seo-bong circulate his energy, and after about two hours, when he was finished, I spoke.
“You haven't absorbed all of it yet. To absorb it properly, you need an internal energy technique.”
“B-but…”
“I will teach you one. From now on, after the Azure Dragon Unit's training is over, follow Un-pyo and Pa-sun to my warehouse.”
“Pardon?”
“What, are you pretending you didn't hear me?”
“I-it's just that…”
“It's late. You may go.”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
To Seo-bong, the young master before him suddenly seemed as immense as a great mountain, as high as the heavens, and as vast as the sea.
*I cannot serve two masters, but if a decisive moment comes…*
Seo-bong returned to the Azure Dragon Unit.
I watched his retreating back and thought.
*It might just be a mistake, but why does he remind me of that child I saw in the Emei Sect in my past life? The chances are slim, but I'll find out in time. Even if he isn't, this is a bond I've already meddled with. I have no choice but to take responsibility.*
Seo-bong returned to the Azure Dragon Unit, met with Cheon Ga-rak, and reported in detail everything that had happened.
Contrary to Seo-bong's expectations, Cheon Ga-rak's reaction was calm.
“Alright, I understand. Go and rest.”
“Yes. Thank you, Commander.”
Seo-bong left, and Cheon Ga-rak mulled over his report alone in his office.
*'Incredible' is an understatement.*
Cheon Ga-rak thought as he sensed the change in Seo-bong's energy.
*What is the path for the Azure Dragon Unit…*
Having seen Seo-bong's transformation with his own eyes, the Commander of the Azure Dragon Unit made his decision.
The entire Azure Dragon Unit.
A number approaching seventy men.
What was the path for the future of the Azure Dragon Unit.
***
The next morning, Cheon Ga-rak gathered the entire Azure Dragon Unit. Mu-heun, Pa-sun, and Un-pyo were not invited.
The members of the Azure Dragon Unit, not knowing the reason, simply stood in formation, their ranks aligned.
Cheon Ga-rak looked at them with an endlessly serious expression and spoke.
“Listen carefully. As of this moment, the Azure Dragon Unit will support Young Master Baek Mu-heun of the Heavenly Dance Family.”
“““…!”””
“If there are any who are dissatisfied with this or cannot follow, speak now. I will have you reassigned.”
“““….”””
“You must speak now. There will be no repercussions. I will give you fifteen minutes. Think carefully and decide.”
A brief silence fell over the Azure Dragon Unit.
None of them were ignorant of what ‘support’ meant, so they could not easily speak.
To support him meant they would fight and die for Young Master Baek Mu-heun, no matter what path he took.
Of course, Mu-heun had bestowed more than a few favors upon the Azure Dragon Unit, so they all liked him as a person.
The Jagwi Pills, blended with the Heavenly Dance Family's medicinal herbs.
Ample food every day.
Good clothing.
Their lives in the Azure Dragon Unit had improved, and their martial skills had risen.
Never before had the Heavenly Dance Family provided this level of support, so they knew it wasn't simply a request for them to defend well.
They had also heard how he had dealt with the Command Unit and knew he had constructed the defensive formation and taught them how to use it, so they couldn't help but admire the Fourth Young Master's caliber.
But… it was still not an easy decision.
The Azure Dragon Unit's mission, by order of the Cult Leader, was to protect the Heavenly Dance Family and be its strength. And that family included the Family Head, the First, Second, and Third Young Masters. To support the Fourth Young Master… it was a nearly impossible matter.
However, it was not entirely impossible.
For a situation like this to be established, the Azure Dragon Commander, Cheon Ga-rak, would have to personally seek permission from the Cult Leader to support the Fourth Young Master of the Heavenly Dance Family.
This would mean the Azure Dragon Unit would act independently as the Fourth Young Master's spear. Of course, as long as the Fourth Young Master belonged to the Heavenly Dance Family and did not betray it, their mission itself would not change significantly.
Nevertheless, the act of choosing a lord was one that couldn't be done without deliberation.
As the members deliberated, nearly fifteen minutes had passed, and Cheon Ga-rak asked one last time.
“Any objections?”
Just then, a man raised his hand high.
“Hm?”
It was Seo-bong.
“I will follow you, Commander, and support the Fourth Young Master of the Heavenly Dance Family.”
“……?”
All the other members were shocked. It was understandable, as Seo-bong was the one who had disliked Mu-heun more than anyone and had constantly sparred with him.
But what was this?
Seo-bong's eyes were filled with resolute determination.
“Through my spars with the Fourth Young Master, I have come to understand. The Fourth Young Master of the Heavenly Dance Family is not someone who will stop here. He is a man worthy of our loyalty.”
As Seo-bong spoke with a resolute attitude, the Azure Dragon Commander, Cheon Ga-rak, nodded.
Following him, two more people raised their hands.
“Squad Leader Ho-ryang, I too will support the Young Master alongside the Commander.”
“Squad Leader Jin-guk, I too will support the Young Master alongside the Commander.”
It was Flowing Water Sword Ho-ryang and Thunderstorm Electric Spear Jin-guk.
The Azure Dragon Commander, pleased with their answers, spoke.
“You see clearly. He is a man who has yet to reveal much more. And beyond that, will you not trust me?”
Seo-bong's declaration, the support of Ho-ryang and Jin-guk, and the Commander's final words finally jolted all the members to their senses. They remembered who they had followed from the beginning, and that Cheon Ga-rak had not changed.
Ho-ryang shouted loudly.
“The path our Commander takes is our path.”
Jin-guk shouted as well.
“That's right. I will stay with the Azure Dragon Unit until the end.”
Then, soon after, all the members raised their voices and shouted.
“We will support the Fourth Young Master.”
“““We will support the Fourth Young Master.”””
In the end, the entire Azure Dragon Unit was united, and Commander Cheon Ga-rak was slightly moved that not a single person had defected.
*These guys.*
Including Seo-bong, no one doubted Mu-heun's character.
*Fourth Young Master, your character is also excellent. How can I not admire you?*
The Vice-Commander, Cheon Gi-seom, had already discussed the matter with Cheon Ga-rak the previous night, so he merely watched the scene unfold from behind him. Still, it was astonishing how quickly the Azure Dragon Unit's perception of the Fourth Young Master could change.
That evening, Mu-heun visited the Azure Dragon Unit and received a pledge that the entire unit, including its Commander, would follow and support him.
Mu-heun was a little flustered by this sudden development, but after observing the expressions and gazes of the Commander and his men, he understood.
They had already made up their minds.
*Looks like I'm taking on more responsibilities.*
It wasn't intentional, but as the things he had to embrace grew, so did his thoughts.
*I suppose the Heavenly Dance Family and the Azure Dragon Unit must now be seen as one.*
Mu-heun's transformation continuously drew in and changed those around him.
To the members of the Heavenly Dance Family and the Azure Dragon Unit, the weight of the name Baek Mu-heun had become several times heavier than before, and they now vowed to make that name known throughout the world.
However, a short time later, contrary to their thoughts, Mu-heun himself made the name Baek Mu-heun known to all at the Divine Dragon Assembly.
In his own way.
***
Before long, a month had passed, and the day of the Divine Dragon Assembly's opening ceremony arrived.
The Divine Dragon Assembly, a martial arts tournament for the younger generation, was open for viewing to any member of the Divine Cult, so its fame spread throughout the entire Xinjiang region.
To watch the Divine Dragon Assembly held at the summit of the Heavenly Mountains, everyone climbed the mountain. Various merchants flocked to the area, selling food, drinks, all sorts of accessories, and books.
As countless cult members arrived one after another, the sound of a drum echoed from the summit.
*BOOM!*
With so many cult members gathered and the sound of the drum, it signaled that the opening ceremony was imminent.
At the summit of the Heavenly Mountains was a vast lake. Called the Heavenly Lake, the transparent body of water was pristine enough to reflect the sky.
The tournament stage for the Divine Dragon Assembly was floating in the center of the Heavenly Lake.
The massive stage, engraved with formation diagrams, was firmly fixed atop the lake, unmoving, and boasted a sturdiness that would not break under any ordinary impact.
Beyond the Heavenly Lake, there were tiered spectator seats built high, encircling the lake for a good view of the tournament.
Set like a jewel among the ring-shaped spectator seats was a single, magnificent pavilion.
This grand pavilion, from which one could see the lake and the tournament stage at a glance, was the Sun and Moon Hall, which served as the VIP seating.
Only the heads of each faction and their assisting executives could enter the VIP seats of the Sun and Moon Hall, making it a place dreamed of by the cult's martial artists and a symbol of power within the cult.
Situated on a high mountain peak, its grand size and height added to its magnificence, and the drifting clouds lent it an elegant atmosphere, making it seem like the Upper Realm where immortals resided.