Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: The Cloud Dragon of Kunlun
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Mu-heun's party passed through the Aksu region and entered Qinghai. However, their direction was strange.
Seol Ha-ryeong, who had been hurrying their pace without rest, sensed something was amiss. She pulled out a map, and finally voiced her question.
“Lord Dragon Demon, weren't we headed to Sichuan?”
“We are going to Kunlun first.”
“……!”
Seol Ha-ryeong and Gu Yang-baek couldn't help but be puzzled.
Of course, the Sichuan Tang Clan wasn't the only one obstructing the Cult's trade. They had heard that major sects like Kunlun, Kongtong, Emei, and Qingcheng were also involved.
However, wasn't the Sichuan Tang Clan essentially leading all of this? Furthermore, the initial official order had stated their destination was Sichuan, so they had assumed they were going there directly.
But Kunlun?
This time, upon hearing Mu-heun's reply, Gu Yang-baek couldn't hold back his question.
“……Of course, you must have your reasons, Lord Dragon Demon, but I ask because I wish to be of help in our future missions. Why are we going to Kunlun?”
“There is still plenty of time, so think about it. The same goes for you, Lady Ha-ryeong, Pa-sun, and Un-pyo. Try to guess my intentions, and if you still don't understand, I will tell you then.”
Mu-heun thought their confusion was natural.
Yet, he hadn't told them in advance not only for security reasons, but also because they needed to ponder such questions themselves to learn to think and act on their own in the future.
There was a world of difference between telling them after they had struggled with a problem and simply giving them the answer.
As if accepting Mu-heun's words, the group began to discuss it amongst themselves whenever they had a spare moment.
Seol Ha-ryeong was the first to speak.
“They say the Sichuan Tang Clan is leading this, but would major sects like Kunlun, Qingcheng, Emei, and Kongtong help them for no gain?”
Gu Yang-baek retorted.
“Why not? What reason could there be? Aren't they the types who value justice and chivalry above their own lives? The world doesn't run on such things, yet they stake their lives on them. That's why we call them the foolish Orthodox Sects.”
Hearing Gu Yang-baek, Un-pyo chimed in.
“Kunlun's reason for listening to the Sichuan Tang Clan and obstructing our Cult's trade is likely not just for justice and chivalry. They only claim to risk their lives for such ideals; in reality, they move when their interests align. Just look at what happened at Blade Leaf Valley.”
Un-pyo, who had suffered at the hands of the Sichuan Tang Clan in Blade Leaf Valley, had a different perception of the Orthodox Sects than the others.
Next, Pa-sun spoke up.
“I hadn't considered such a disgusting reason. But then, Sir Un-pyo, what do you believe is the real reason why the major Orthodox Sects, led by Kunlun, are cooperating with the Tang Clan?”
“That is……”
“If you don't have a particular thought, may I share mine?”
“““Speak.”””
Pa-sun seemed to have an inkling of something, and the other three listened intently to his words.
“It's simple. We just need to think about how the Sichuan Tang Clan trapped and used Blade Leaf Valley. Judging by the methods Golden Fang Poison Claw used back then, they don't fight directly with those of equal strength.”
“Then how do they fight?”
“They target something precious to their opponent, using it as a weakness to slowly break them down. Just as Golden Fang Poison Claw didn't fight Lord Blade Leaf Demon directly, but instead captured his granddaughter, Lady Cho-wol, to threaten him.”
“Hmm... That makes sense.”
“So, you're saying the Sichuan Tang Clan has found a weakness in the nearby major sects and is using it to make them hostile towards the Demonic Cult?”
“It's not an entirely impossible story.”
“We can't know the specific reason, so let's ask the Lord Dragon Demon.”
“Let's do that.”
Mu-heun realized he had somewhat underestimated his companions.
They had reached the answer faster than he'd expected.
After finally concluding their discussion, the group came to Mu-heun and asked. He answered readily.
“Your assumptions are correct. According to the intelligence I've gathered, the Sichuan Tang Clan is not on good terms with the other sects. For the major sects to still comply with their demands, there must be a reason.”
The group was pleased, their faces brightening at having partially solved the Lord Dragon Demon's riddle.
“What kind of weakness is it, and do you have an idea of what it is, Lord Dragon Demon?”
“Of course. We are on our way to resolve it now.”
Mu-heun seemed to know exactly what the problem was and how to solve the current situation. And he said they were going to solve it so casually.
His companions couldn't help but be impressed.
There was no hesitation in his confident reply. Moreover, Seol Ha-ryeong and Gu Yang-baek were astonished by Mu-heun's intelligence network. No one else in the Divine Cult would know this much detail about the Orthodox Sects.
In truth, it was only natural. Mu-heun's information didn't come from intelligence reports, but from the memories of Baek Jung-hyeok, one of the three great Divine Doctors of the Central Plains in his past life.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Seol Ha-ryeong asked.
“Could you tell us what weakness the Tang Clan has on Kunlun?”
“……This is top secret, so keep it among yourselves.”
“Of course.”
“Have you heard of the Cloud Dragons of Kunlun?”
“Yes. Long ago, it was said that the peerless masters of the Kunlun Sect roamed the treacherous Kunlun Mountains as if it were their own backyard, leading some to compare them to dragons above the clouds. Thus, the masters of Kunlun came to be called Cloud Dragons. I've heard that as the story was passed down, the title 'Cloud Dragon' now refers to masters of Kunlun who have reached the state of Transformation.”
“Correct.”
“I heard there are about three in this era. Is that related to the Tang Clan?”
Mu-heun was about to speak but paused, his eyes filled with a momentary sadness. He gathered his thoughts for a few seconds before continuing.
“It is. Two of the three are bedridden, and the oldest one has been secluded in his room for the past three years, no longer soaring above the clouds.”
“……!”
The group's eyes widened like rabbits' at this new information.
“Is that true? What's the reason?”
“First, the two Cloud Dragons fell ill because of the subjugation of the notorious old man from the Unorthodox Sects, the Soul-Locking Hidden Demon.”
“Soul-Locking Hidden Demon……?”
“About a year ago, the Soul-Locking Hidden Demon committed a great massacre in Qinghai and then fled to a place called Ahaptaek Mountain.”
“……”
“Two of Kunlun's Cloud Dragons, the Clear Cool Immortal Ok Cheon-woo and the Wind and Cloud Immortal Yeo Wi-cheon, went there to capture him. In the end, after a fierce battle, the two Cloud Dragons succeeded in killing the Soul-Locking Hidden Demon. However, they were afflicted by a deadly poison.”
“Ah……”
“In truth, if all three Cloud Dragons had gone, the matter could have been resolved without much damage. But the first Cloud Dragon was drunk that day and did not go with the other two. As a result, he was consumed by guilt, believing it was his fault that the two Cloud Dragons fell into a state of Qi Deviation.”
“He's in seclusion for that reason?”
“Yes. I heard he's been holed up in his room for three years now. People can sometimes be consumed by guilt over trivial things, even if it wasn't a result they intended.”
The group found it hard to adjust to Mu-heun, the youngest among them, speaking of such things. But the emotion and depth in his words felt genuine, strangely resonating with them and making them nod in agreement.
“Even an absolute master who has lived for many years is still human. As one ages, affections can grow where there were none, and judgment can become clouded. I heard the first Cloud Dragon wasn't always like that.”
“I see…”
“Ah, this information was also obtained in secret, so keep it among yourselves.”
“O-of course.”
Gu Yang-baek sighed, and Seol Ha-ryeong nodded and said.
“So, Kunlun is cooperating fully with the Sichuan Tang Clan, who are experts in poison, to detoxify those two Cloud Dragons.”
“There's that, but from the Kunlun Sect's perspective, with their greatest assets, the Clear Cool Immortal and the Wind and Cloud Immortal, out of commission, they would be defenseless against an attack from our Cult. So they're likely taking this opportunity to keep us in check.”
“……”
Seol Ha-ryeong and Gu Yang-baek were inwardly marveling, no, they were utterly astonished, but they tried not to let it show on their faces.
They could never have imagined that Mu-heun would be so well-versed in the internal affairs of the Orthodox Sects, which had nothing to do with their own Cult.
‘I knew long ago that he wasn't just a man of great martial skill. He turned the trap set by the Red Demon Pavilion Lord against him and annihilated the five organizations that had infested Gocha Prefecture.’
‘But I thought he had the cooperation of the Heavenly Dance Family Head, the Mengwu Pavilion Lord, and several Elders... Was all of this his own insight?!’
After finishing his explanation to the group, Mu-heun immediately assigned them their tasks.
“First, we will go to the Kunlun Mountains... Sir Yang-baek, there is something I need you to do.”
“Just give the word.”
“Please investigate the vicinity of the Kunlun Mountains covertly. Someone from the Tang Clan will surely visit Kunlun and hand over something they claim is an antidote. You must locate or obtain it. However, even if that doesn't happen, refrain from any rash actions and report to me first if anything comes up.”
“Understood.”
As Gu Yang-baek replied to Mu-heun, he vanished without a trace.
“Lady Ha-ryeong, I have a request for you as well.”
“Just say the word.”
“If you go to the northern side of the Kunlun Mountains, you will find something called Kunlun Snow Ginseng. Gather it along with chameleon plant, motherwort, horny goat weed, dogwood fruit, and prickly ash, then freeze them.”
“……I apologize, but I am not familiar with all of those medicinal herbs.”
“I have drawn pictures of them. Here, take this.”
Mu-heun handed over the drawings of the medicinal herbs he had prepared in advance. They were depicted in great detail, with descriptions written alongside, so the task seemed manageable.
“……Understood.”
Seol Ha-ryeong wondered how long she could keep being amazed by Mu-heun's meticulousness. Astonished, she set off to carry out her mission. After sending the two off, Mu-heun spoke to the remaining Pa-sun and Un-pyo.
“We will go directly to the first Cloud Dragon's hidden sanctuary.”
“Yes!”
***
-A valley deep within the Kunlun Mountains.
Nestled between sheer cliffs was a small hut. The place was veiled in a gentle mist, a breathtaking scene that made one think, 'If an immortal lived anywhere, it would be here.'
Mu-heun found this hut with complete ease, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and walked in as if he owned the place.
Pa-sun and Un-pyo had been on edge ever since entering the Kunlun Mountains. It was only natural. They, who were from the Demonic Cult, had set foot in Kunlun territory. However, seeing Mu-heun stride forward as if it were his own home, the two couldn't help but worry.
Finally, their anxiety getting the better of them, Pa-sun and Un-pyo spoke up.
“Um... My lord, is it alright for you to just walk in like this?”
“That's right. This is the Kunlun Sect. I understand they are on particularly bad terms with our Cult.”
Seeing their worried faces, Mu-heun thought to himself.
‘Hmm... They have a point.’
The Kunlun Sect was the major sect geographically closest to the Demonic Cult. They were a sect the Cult inevitably clashed with whenever it sought to expand its influence. For that reason, learning Demon-Subduing Arts to fight against demonic techniques was standard in Kunlun, and they were adept at sensing demonic energy.
If any Kunlun martial artists were to detect Mu-heun's demonic energy? It would mean immediate war. That was how dangerous this place was for members of the Demonic Cult.
“Do not worry. The fellow who lives here isn't that kind of person.”
“Huh?”
Pa-sun and Un-pyo couldn't understand Mu-heun's words. He had likely never left the Heavenly Dance Family his entire life, except for his time at Blade Leaf Valley, yet he spoke as if he knew this place well. It was strange.
So the two whispered to each other.
“Perhaps there was a book about Kunlun in the Heavenly Dance Family's library?”
“It's possible. Our lord is a genius, after all. But there are things about the real world you can't learn from books. Shouldn't we try to stop him now...?”
‘I can hear everything, you fools.’
Mu-heun stopped walking and said.
“I know what you're worried about. But I am not ignorant of the situation here. We are going to meet the hidden Cloud Dragon now, so trust me and follow.”
Mu-heun didn't explain in detail to the worried Pa-sun and Un-pyo as he had with Gu Yang-baek and Seol Ha-ryeong.
He simply told them to trust him and follow,
and to that one command, Un-pyo and Pa-sun replied in unison.
“Yes! My lord.”