Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: What If He's Verified?
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Mu-heun had Cheon-hyang follow the people from the Tang Clan that Yang-baek had found. She was tracking them continuously.
He already knew why they had come to Kunlun, but this was a chance to clearly reveal the Sichuan Tang Clan’s true intentions to them.
He had received a report of their approximate location; they were heading toward the Kunlun Sect, situated in the upper reaches of Mount Kunlun. They had already arrived at the mountain and were currently ascending.
“Are… are those them?”
“Yes, those are the ones from the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
Now that he had captured Eum Mu-gi and Yeok Mu-gi, it was finally time to use them. Mu-heun, along with Pae-seon, Un-pyo, and Pa-sun, went to find the group. They wore black masks, and their figures were disguised with extra layers of clothing.
The Tang Clan members reacted as expected. The sudden appearance of masked figures startled the two doctors and their escorts.
“Who—who are you!”
Mu-heun moved swiftly, striking the back of a doctor’s neck and knocking him unconscious.
“Ghk… Gak!”
It all happened in an instant. The escorts realized they hadn’t been able to react at all before the doctors hit the ground. It wasn’t that they chose not to react; there hadn’t even been an opening to do so. The difference in skill was self-evident.
Cold sweat trickled down the backs of the escort warriors.
‘All five of us escorts didn’t even perceive it?
These men are… masters!’
Pae-seon, Un-pyo, and Pa-sun appeared among the escorts.
“Well then, you all need to go to sleep too.”
“Kuaargh!”
***
When the two doctors from Sichuan awoke, a gruesome scene unfolded before their eyes.
“What… what happened…?”
Three of the five escort warriors lay dead, while the remaining two were alive, sighing in relief. They were expressing their gratitude to a certain old man.
Just then, the old man and a young man approached the doctors.
“You were ambushed. It’s a miracle you’re still alive.”
“An… an ambush, you say…”
“Indeed.”
“May I ask… who you are, sir?”
“Me? I am Gu Pae-seon of Kunlun.”
“Sir… Sir Gu Pae-seon…!”
Before leaving the Tang Clan for Kunlun, the doctors had been briefed on individuals to be wary of. One of them was the reclusive Cloud Dragon, Gu Pae-seon. They had met him before even reaching the Kunlun Sect.
However, in the doctors’ eyes, Pae-seon was their savior, a kind man who had rescued them from the attack.
At that moment, the two surviving escort warriors came over.
“Three of our warriors fell in the sudden ambush. But these gentlemen helped us. This is Sir Gu Pae-seon, the Light-Splitting Immortal, one of Kunlun’s Cloud Dragons. The two behind him are his disciples, and the one beside them is said to be a hidden disciple of the late Divine Doctor of Sichuan.”
“A… a disciple of the Divine Doctor of Sichuan?”
“Yes. Though we suffered casualties in the attack, the Light-Splitting Immortal has offered to accompany us to Kunlun, so we are safe now. Please rest assured.”
“Ye-yes…”
The two escort warriors introduced Un-pyo and Pa-sun as Pae-seon’s disciples and Mu-heun as a hidden disciple of the Divine Doctor, Baek Jung-hyeok. Then, they led the two doctors toward Kunlun.
Meanwhile, on a nearby cliffside, the five real escort warriors were tied to trees, unconscious. All their pressure points had been struck, rendering them immobile. The ones currently acting as escorts for the doctors were Eum Mu-gi and Yeok Mu-gi, using the Art of Disguise.
They had perfectly transformed their faces and bodies to match the escort warriors, changing clothes to complete the deception.
The oblivious doctors, thinking themselves fortunate, rejoiced. As they neared Kunlun, they kept glancing at Mu-heun and whispering among themselves.
“Weren’t there only three disciples of the Divine Doctor of Sichuan?”
“That’s what I heard as well. I was told they were researching some crucial formation in the heart of the Tang Clan. Who is he? I’ve never heard anything about a hidden disciple.”
“Is this really the time for us to be asking such questions? Let’s just go. Weren’t these the people who just saved us from certain death?”
The doctors recalled their near-death experience, composed themselves, and spoke.
“You’re right. I have no questions. Let’s keep walking.”
***
After walking for some time, they arrived at the main gate of the Kunlun Sect, where one of the Kunlun Elders, Un Ja-yang, came out to greet Pae-seon.
“Senior Brother, you’ve returned. And who might these people be?”
“While I was searching for Eum Mu-gi, I found these guests from the Sichuan Tang Clan being attacked on their way here. I rescued them and brought them along.”
“What! What audacious fool dared to attack guests of Kunlun? Do you know who was behind it?”
“How would I know? They were threatening our guests from Sichuan. There were five escorts in total, but three had already been killed, so I cut the attackers down in a single stroke.”
“Hmph… Spoken like my Senior Brother. I will investigate this separately. For now, please rest. I will guide them inside.”
“Very well.”
Gu Pae-seon’s junior brother, Un Ja-yang, instructed his disciples to warmly welcome the two doctors from Sichuan. He mourned the three dead escorts and promised some compensation from Kunlun as well.
His conduct was befitting of a Kunlun Elder.
“You have been through a great ordeal. I never imagined something like this would happen. The escorts provided by the Tang Clan must have been highly skilled… For this to occur, I will strengthen our investigation of the surrounding area. Once again, I offer my deepest apologies. For now, please go to your rooms and rest.”
“Not at all. Sichuan considered unforeseen circumstances and provided skilled escorts, but the attackers’ martial prowess was simply too great. Please do not trouble yourself. More importantly, if the Light-Splitting Immortal had not helped us, we would all be dead. We are truly grateful.”
“Your understanding is much appreciated. For now, please get some rest.”
“Yes.”
After bidding them farewell, Un Ja-yang returned to Pae-seon. Noticing Mu-heun, he walked over briskly.
“We meet again. It is good to see you, disciple of the Divine Doctor of Sichuan.”
“Haha! A pleasure to see you as well.”
“But, who are the two behind you?”
“My disciples.”
“Ha! Senior Brother…!”
Un Ja-yang looked at Gu Pae-seon with sparkling eyes.
“You’ve finally decided to grow up. *Sob*.”
“What did you say, you punk?”
Pae-seon scowled at Un Ja-yang, but the elder simply chuckled.
“Anyway, my disciples helped them, but they said something seemed strange.”
“Strange?”
“Yes. The dead warriors were cremated immediately, but they said their bodies had severe wounds and showed signs of a fierce struggle. However… the two who survived were only splattered with blood and didn’t have a single scratch on them.”
“Hmm… That is certainly strange. If three out of five escorts died, the two survivors should have sustained some injuries or wounds as well.”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
“Yes. I will keep that in mind. However, they are guests from Sichuan, and with them are doctors who do not know martial arts. We cannot be rash with our suspicions.”
“True. But, Junior Brother.”
“Yes, Senior Brother.”
“How are those two doing?”
“That… Let’s discuss it inside.”
Pae-seon nodded. He had Un-pyo, Pa-sun, and Mu-heun wait outside while he and Un Ja-yang went into a reception room to talk.
***
“Our senior brothers are not in good condition.”
“…How bad is it?”
“Although Sichuan has been continuously sending doctors to look after their health, their condition is only being kept from worsening; it’s not improving. But we are martial artists. If this continues, it will be difficult for our two senior brothers to ever recover as warriors.”
“…I see. What does the Sect Leader say?”
“He is merely trying to appease Sichuan. However… he is deeply saddened. He believes they could be cured if only one of the late Divine Doctor of Sichuan’s disciples were sent.”
“I think so too. Then, Ja-yang, what are your thoughts? Why do you think the Sichuan Tang Clan won’t send the Divine Doctor’s disciples?”
“In my humble opinion, I believe they are testing us. Siding against the Demonic Cult seems to be a part of it. It’s humiliating, but we have no choice but to accept everything the Tang Clan says to get our senior brothers treated. I suspect they will provide full support for their treatment once this matter is resolved.”
“Ha! The Tang Clan is testing Kunlun? Who do they think they are to test us? It seems the Sect Leader is unable to refuse Dang Baek-ho’s demands.”
“Yes. The presence of our two senior brothers was immense, both internally and externally. With them falling ill after being poisoned… it is true that Kunlun’s prestige is not what it once was.”
It was true. Pae-seon had ceased his external activities long ago, and Kunlun’s greatest strength had been the two Cloud Dragons who were to succeed him.
Their absence was seen by other sects as a decline in Kunlun’s power.
The Tang Clan had seized this opportunity to diminish Kunlun, holding them by a leash under the pretext of providing treatment to help them regain their former glory.
And so, Kunlun was being thoroughly exploited, a leash around its neck held by the Tang Clan.
“You say Kunlun’s prestige has declined.”
“Officially, we are fine. But it is an unspoken truth that our strength has suffered a great loss.”
“Tsk.”
“That is why your return is, in fact, a great source of strength, Senior Brother. If you were to step back into the world, the Sect Leader would surely breathe a sigh of relief. Please, end your seclusion.”
If Pae-seon resumed his activities, Kunlun would certainly not be disrespected. However, the fact that they were being manipulated by the Tang Clan to treat the two Cloud Dragons would not change.
Pae-seon knew this, which was why he proposed something to Un Ja-yang.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. You fool, isn’t there another way?”
“Another way?”
“Yes. Who did I bring with me? A hidden disciple of Baek Jung-hyeok, one of the three great Divine Doctors of the Central Plains.”
“Senior Brother, it’s not that I don’t trust you. But… I cannot entrust our two senior brothers to someone who is unverified.”
Pae-seon had expected this reaction. Un Ja-yang was stricter than anyone when it came to matters concerning the two Cloud Dragons. That’s why he smiled even wider.
“What if he’s verified?”
“Pardon?”
As soon as Pae-seon finished speaking, the sound of frantic footsteps echoed toward the reception room.
“El-Elder!”
“What is it? Why are you in such a panic?”
One of the Kunlun disciples rushed in and spoke to Un Ja-yang, who was in conversation with Pae-seon.
“It’s—it’s an emergency! The two escort warriors from the Sichuan Tang Clan have attacked the infirmary and are fleeing with something they stole!”
“What?”
Un Ja-yang turned to look at Pae-seon. Pae-seon just shrugged, as if to say, *Didn’t I tell you to be careful?*
“Senior Brother…”
“Let’s go see, you fool.”
“Yes!”
***
Pae-seon and Un Ja-yang hurried to the infirmary and arrived shortly after. However, by the time they got there, the two escort warriors from Sichuan were already attacking Pa-sun and Un-pyo.
“Thunderstorm Spear!”
Pa-sun was using his spear techniques to subdue the Tang Clan escort, but he seemed quite different from before, when his style was purely domineering.
His spearmanship now contained the essence of ‘illusion,’ which confused the mind by adding the principles of ‘swiftness’ and ‘change’. Pa-sun was using the martial arts he had learned from Pae-seon without reservation.
‘Hoh, he has talent…’
As Pae-seon watched Pa-sun’s transformation with satisfaction, one of the escorts was sent flying with severe wounds to his left shoulder and right leg.
“Kuaargh!”
As one fell with a scream, Un-pyo swung his saber.
“Leaf-Cutting Wind!”
*CRASH!*
Un-pyo’s saber style had also changed significantly. Fluidity had been added to his domineering saber arts centered on ‘heaviness’, yet its power remained intact. The very essence of the ‘absolute’ was now embedded in his blade.
Watching the two, the Kunlun Elder, Un Ja-yang, spoke in admiration.
“Senior Brother…! You have taught them well.”
“I told you so.”