Chapter 258
Chapter 258
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 258
Chapter Title: Murim Secret Vault
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The Military Strategist gazed at Hyeondo, whose eyes were wide open in surprise at the current situation, a faint smile playing on his lips.
'It went according to plan.'
The most crucial thing needed for the upcoming Murim Conference was none other than control.
And the key to that control lay firmly in the hands of Mount Hua Sect—no one else.
Having repelled the Green Forest and soared to unprecedented heights, they also held the perfect justification for the war against the Evil-Black Alliance.
'If we pull Mount Hua in, we can drag the Beggars' Sect along too.'
His gaze shifted to the Leader of the Beggars' Sect.
Though the man wore a reluctant expression, he would ultimately follow his words.
'He can't refuse when I've promised to root out the spies infiltrating the Alliance.'
It might chafe, but as the Leader of the Beggars' Sect, he had no choice but to accept the proposal.
'With these two—the most vital players at the Murim Conference—now secured...'
The Military Strategist rose to his feet as he regarded them both.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"Leaving already?"
At Hyeondo's question, the Military Strategist glanced outside.
"Staying longer will only draw more attention."
As he said, the people outside were in a major uproar over the Strategist's appearance.
"Why is the Military Strategist at Mount Hua Sect's quarters?"
"Are they discussing the Murim Conference?"
"Did we arrive too late...?"
The warriors of the Nine Great Sects who had approached also eyed him warily upon spotting him. Confirming this, the Military Strategist spoke.
"I'll see you at the Murim Conference."
With those words, he bowed his head and turned to leave.
"Huh? Just going like that?"
Suddenly, a languid voice cut in, forcing the Military Strategist to halt.
"Didn't you say there'd be something in it for me?"
Turning his head, he saw Cheonhwi—who had been silently listening—yawning with teary eyes fixed on him.
"That's why I endured this boring conversation and waited patiently."
Cheonhwi wiped the tears from his eyes with his index finger after a long yawn.
'I'd forgotten amid how smoothly things were going.'
Straightening up, the Military Strategist opened his mouth.
"My apologies. Our discussion with the Little Taoist can wait until—"
"Eh, what's this 'later'? Just say it now."
Cheonhwi neatly cut off his attempt to postpone.
"It can't be more important than what you just discussed, right?"
"......"
The Military Strategist's eyes darkened subtly.
Cheonhwi's demand for praise despite having overheard their critically important talk seemed utterly childish.
'Did I overrate him?'
Lowering his private assessment of Cheonhwi, he replied.
"Didn't you achieve a brilliant feat by routing the Green Forest Chief? I called you here to reward that."
"You said it was about our escort duties so far, but now it's just the Green Forest raid?"
Cheonhwi let out a scoffing laugh.
The intent behind those words was obvious enough.
The Murim Alliance hadn't aided Mount Hua Sect, so they were offering compensation.
'Just saving face. And using the reward as an excuse to summon me and probe about me.'
He could read the man's mind like an open book.
'He wasn't even trying to hide it from the start.'
Cheonhwi's lips twisted briefly as he eyed the Strategist's impassive face.
"So, you're saying this bribe makes up for not helping us this time?"
"Cheonhwi!"
"Hahaha! No mercy, huh."
Hyeondo gasped in shock while the Beggars' Sect Leader laughed.
And the Military Strategist...
"Strictly speaking, yes."
Surprisingly, he admitted it calmly.
Cheonhwi tossed out his next words as if the reaction bored him.
"So, what are you giving me?"
"I'll grant you one item from the Murim Secret Vault."
"What? The Murim Secret Vault?"
The Beggars' Sect Leader's eyes widened slightly.
"How are you even opening that place...?"
Cheonhwi turned to the feigning surprise man.
"What's so special about it?"
"It's where the Murim Alliance has stored divine weapons and artifacts collected over decades. But even the Alliance Leader can't enter without special authority."
The moment the Beggars' Sect Leader glared suspiciously at the Strategist...
"The Alliance Leader has already approved."
The Military Strategist replied as if he'd been waiting.
"The Alliance Leader...?"
The furrow in the Beggars' Sect Leader's brow deepened.
In his not-short life, the Vault had opened only a handful of times.
Opening it now meant...
'Is the Alliance Leader wary of this guy?'
Meanwhile, uninterested in the deeper motives, Cheonhwi stroked his chin recalling the words.
"A collection of divine weapons, huh?"
His eyes lit up as he murmured to himself.
Perfect timing. He'd been needing a sword anyway.
Cheonhwi nodded and stood.
"In that case, let's go right now."
"...Right now?"
"There's a saying about pulling out the horn while it's soft. Better to wrap it up quick than drag it out, right?"
The Military Strategist stared intently at Cheonhwi, who seemed utterly unconcerned.
The situation was delicate.
Yet this kid before him appeared fixated only on claiming his prize.
'Immature.'
Tsking inwardly, his mind raced.
'No, actually, this works out better. Easier to use him later.'
Who was the easiest type to manipulate in the world?
The ignorant and strong.
Judging Cheonhwi as such, the Military Strategist shot to his feet without further thought.
"Follow me."
He turned and strode out without delay.
"Military Strategist!"
"Why are you here...?"
"It's been a while."
A commotion erupted outside.
Meanwhile, Cheonhwi watched the Strategist's retreating back with a cold smile.
"I'll be back."
He bid Hyeondo farewell without waiting for a reply and stepped out.
The surroundings erupted in another wave of noise.
"...You?"
"Plum Blossom Divine Hero?"
His gaze tangled with members of the Nine Great Sects who eyed the Strategist curiously.
Most were strangers, but a few were familiar faces.
'Well, well, quite the thick skin.'
Cheonhwi deliberately picked out Chungwooja of the Zhongnan Sect and Mokyoungja of the Wudang Sect—ones he'd clashed with before—and addressed them.
"Long time no see."
"Ahem. Y-yes, long time."
"Cough. Indeed, long time no see."
The two cleared their throats repeatedly, awkwardly averting their eyes.
'At least they have some conscience.'
Smirking inwardly, Cheonhwi moved to pass them. But then, figures blocked his path.
"Amitabha."
"Infinite Blessings."
A monk in red robes and an elderly Taoist in blue daoist robes.
"Nice to—"
"The Plum Blossom Divi—"
As they tried to speak...
"Those with business, come inside."
Hyeondo's voice rang from within.
Having watched from the window, he spoke up for Cheonhwi's sake.
"Ahem."
"Pardon us."
The pair barely glanced at Cheonhwi as they prioritized their goal and entered.
'What clowns.'
Cheonhwi sneered at the ants streaming in.
Their frantic rush was comical.
'Faster than flipping a palm.'
Last time at the Murim Alliance, they'd dismissed Mount Hua Sect.
Now? They swarmed like their feet were on fire, some even using lightness skills.
And this shift? Mount Hua crushing White Ghost Castle and repelling the Green Forest raid.
"Hero, my ass. In the end, nothing beats raw power for respect in the jianghu."
Letting his true thoughts slip aloud, Cheonhwi hurried after the Military Strategist.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ It was the Murim Secret Vault for good reason.
The Military Strategist led him into the Alliance's grandest hall, passing through several doors.
Finally, the last door opened.
Beyond it stretched an endless staircase downward.
"Follow carefully."
Cheonhwi descended after the cautious Strategist, lightly digging in his ear as they went.
'Thought I'd go deaf.'
Recalling the journey here, he tsked.
The attention had been overwhelming.
But it made sense.
The Plum Blossom Divine Hero, shaking the jianghu, walking with the reclusive Military Strategist.
No attention would be weirder.
Then the Strategist asked without turning.
"Little Taoist, what do you think of the war with the Evil-Black Alliance? Would you prefer we fight, or that the truce talks fall apart?"
Cheonhwi grinned at his back.
"Why ask me?"
"I wanted the opinion of the one who felled the Green Forest Chief."
"If I have to pick, better to fight."
"That's fortunate."
The Strategist nodded meaningfully—
"We've arrived."
—as the endless stairs ended, crystalline light filling their view.
'Digging this out must've been a pain.'
Cheonhwi surveyed the surroundings.
Not a natural cave; man-made tunnel, but elegantly finished with wood, silk draping the walls.
'Feels like the Heavenly Demon Scripture Vault.'
After a brief look around...
"Hm?"
Sensing something, Cheonhwi peered ahead.
Two massive iron doors.
In the center, a chair with an elderly man—white hair aplenty—dozing off.
'Gatekeeper?'
Glancing at him, Cheonhwi asked.
"Two doors, huh?"
"The right leads to the Murim Secret Vault for you. The left is the Secret Heavenly Scripture Repository, where the Murim Alliance stores martial arts manuals."
"A stash of manuals?"
Cheonhwi's eyes flicked left.
The Murim Alliance's accumulated martial arts tomes sparked instant curiosity.
"Interested in manuals, I see."
"They catch the eye more, yeah."
Cheonhwi stared pointedly at the Strategist.
"Can't I go that way?"
"Afraid it's already decided."
"Tch, too bad."
As Cheonhwi smacked his lips regretfully, the Strategist approached the elder.
"Elder."
"Oops, dozed off."
Rubbing his eyes, the wrinkled elder met the Strategist's gaze.
"Hm? The Military Strategist?"
"Long time no see."
"Heh, indeed. What's the occasion?"
"Brought a guest."
"Heh, a guest?"
The elder rose slowly from his chair.
"Ow."
Patting his back with a groan, he smiled at Cheonhwi.
"My, such a young guest."
He looked up at the Strategist.
"Which one?"
"Murim Secret Vault."
"How many?"
"One."
"Right."
The elder nodded and approached the right door, moving his hands.
Cheonhwi's eyes flashed.
'A formation? Infusing subtle inner energy?'
As he scrutinized the glowing door, it began to open.
Rumble—
The ground and ceiling shook like an earthquake.
Soon, the doors swung wide, revealing the interior.
'Oh, impressive.'
Beyond lay a cavern neatly arrayed with all manner of weapons.
The elder entered, saying,
"Follow closely."
The moment Cheonhwi stepped in—
Rumble—
—the doors began closing. From outside, the Strategist spoke.
"I'll take my leave."
With that, the doors sealed shut.
As darkness loomed—
Fwosh!
Night pearls illuminated from all sides.
The elder swept his gaze over the weapons, then clasped hands behind his back.
"Look as you please."
"Can I touch?"
"Heh, go ahead. But handle with care. Some carry demonic qi or ghostly auras."
Cheonhwi grinned.
He knew without being told.
Sharp energies emanated from several weapons here.
'This'll be fun checking them one by one.'
A twisted smile on his lips, Cheonhwi stepped deeper in.
"Let's see what catches my eye."