Chapter 260
Chapter 260
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 260
Chapter Title: The Forgotten Sword's Joy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Cheonhwi emerged from the Murim Secret Repository after a full half day had passed.
"Has time flown by this quickly already?"
Cheonhwi murmured as he gazed up at the sky.
Guided by Yuk Mugwang, he stepped out of the building, where thick darkness greeted him.
"I stayed too long."
Yuk Mugwang offered a faint smile and a farewell to Cheonhwi, who scratched his head sheepishly.
"Take care."
"You too, Elder."
With those simple words, Cheonhwi kicked off the ground.
Srrrrk―
His figure vanished like an illusion.
Yuk Mugwang stared at the empty air, not even a lingering afterimage remaining, a smile spreading across his lips.
"...Cheonhwi of the Mount Hua Sect, was it?"
He muttered to himself, lightly patting his back and straightening his slightly hunched posture.
Then he looked up at the sky.
Gazing at the moon and stars partially obscured by clouds, he murmured with a strange glint in his eyes.
"Heh heh heh, the martial world is about to shake."
Meanwhile, Cheonhwi, employing the Sky-Soaring Steps, pierced through the darkness, speeding forward like an arrow.
'Was it that way?'
Spotting a distant building, Cheonhwi landed on the roof of a nearby structure.
Thud.
In an instant, the scenery blurred.
A chilling, icy wind followed, sharply brushing his cheek.
How many roofs did he leap across?
The distance that had felt so long on the way there was crossed in a single breath. Before long, Cheonhwi returned to the Mount Hua Sect's quarters.
Entering the building,
"You're back."
Hyeondo, seated at the table, welcomed him.
"Everyone's already gone?"
"Heh heh, the night is deep. All who were leaving have left."
Hyeondo spoke with a smile, but his eyes suddenly sharpened as he glanced at Cheonhwi's side.
"Did you obtain that sword?"
"Well, yeah."
Cheonhwi tapped the sword casually in response, then suddenly recalled something and spoke up.
"Want to take a look? It's a pretty fine famous sword."
Thinking Cheonhwi was boasting about a new prized sword, Hyeondo laughed heartily.
"Hahaha, let's see it then."
Cheonhwi immediately drew the sword.
Srrrring―
A crystalline blade emerged, emitting a faint reddish glow that softly spread outward.
Hyeondo's eyes widened at the sight.
"As you said, it's an exceptional famous sword."
Just looking at it drew forth admiration.
The blade stretched sleek and straight.
The sharp aura emanating from it was so keen that even bringing a hand near felt like it would slice instantly.
'It suits our Hwi perfectly.'
Hyeondo thought with a proud smile.
The faint reddish glow flowing from the blade harmonized with Cheonhwi's already striking features, creating an even more captivating aura.
At that moment, Cheonhwi shook the sword lightly and asked,
"Do you happen to know anything about this sword?"
"First time seeing it, but is it famous?"
"No, not particularly."
As Hyeondo's eyes sparkled with curiosity, Cheonhwi shrugged.
"I was just wondering if you knew, since it's odd for such a fine sword to have no name."
"I see."
Cheonhwi narrowed his eyes, noting Hyeondo's subtle disappointment.
He really has no idea?
Turning his gaze to the sword, Cheonhwi scratched his chin.
He had half-expected this.
If anyone knew, it wouldn't have been gathering dust in a corner of the Murim Secret Repository, abandoned.
'Mokko the Taoist would have thrown a fit if he knew.'
It wouldn't have been a mere fit.
Mokko the Taoist, former Sect Leader of Mount Hua, would have been outraged that his sword wasn't properly preserved but left neglected and unrecognized.
Recalling Mokko the Taoist, who probably would have ranted and raved, Cheonhwi shook his head and turned.
"I'll swing the sword around for a bit."
"Go ahead."
Hyeondo nodded with a knowing smile, understanding Cheonhwi's feelings.
Who wouldn't want to test a newly acquired famous sword?
Moments later, Cheonhwi arrived in the rear garden and drew his sword.
"Nice and quiet."
It was the hour when all had fallen asleep.
Thick darkness and silence enveloped him.
In that stillness, Cheonhwi slowly raised the sword upward.
The blade, reflecting the moonlight half-veiled by clouds, scattered a beautiful glow.
"Well then..."
Cheonhwi channeled the inner energy of the Plum Blossom Divine Art.
A thread-like energy infused with a faint glow flowed out, caressing the blade.
"Which sword art should I try first?"
Numerous sword arts flashed through his mind, appearing and vanishing rapidly.
But only for a moment.
'That one, I suppose?'
Recalling Mokko the Taoist, the sword's original owner, Cheonhwi moved the blade.
It was the Plum Blossom Sword Art he had prided himself on.
Hwaaaak―
Under the blue moonlight, plum blossoms bloomed.
"I felt it in my past life too, but it's truly a famous sword."
The sword was exceptional.
Smooth, and the inner energy flowed through it flawlessly.
Especially when unleashing the Plum Blossom Sword Art like now, its true worth shone.
Hwaaaak―
The sword scattered a faint glow as it began with the first form, Plum Blossom in the Snow, unfolding the Plum Blossom Sword Art's techniques one by one.
Wuuuung―
The sword let out a roar-like cry. At the sword's hum ringing in his ears, Cheonhwi unwittingly chuckled.
'A sword that cried to kill me in my past life now sings joyfully in my hand... How peculiar.'
Lost in thought, he paused briefly.
Wuuung―
The sword whined petulantly.
"Oh? Want me to swing more?"
As if responding, the sword flared with light.
A smile crept onto Cheonhwi's lips.
"Your former master would scold me if he saw."
Would he? Actually, maybe not.
Thinking about it, the situation was amusing.
In his past life, they were mortal enemies, but now he was a Taoist of Mount Hua.
Moreover, he had personally retrieved this forgotten, dust-covered sword from the Murim Secret Repository.
"Come to think of it, he should be grateful to me instead. Thanks to me, the sword you wielded has returned to Mount Hua."
Cheonhwi nodded to himself, words that would make Sangun Immortal pop a vein in fury.
"And I've basically revived the near-fallen Mount Hua Sect... Gratitude might not even suffice."
Having twisted the narrative to his satisfaction and feeling pleased, Cheonhwi chuckled.
Wuuung―
The sword, unable to hold back any longer, cried out.
Urging him with its impatient hum to swing it already, Cheonhwi gripped the sword firmer.
"Alright, got it. I'll swing it."
Soon, the Plum Blossom Sword Art unfolded once more.
Thus, under the blue moonlight, beautiful plum blossoms bloomed and faded repeatedly.
Until the sword was satisfied, all through the night.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day, early morning shrouded in thick fog.
The pillars of the Murim Alliance gathered one after another in the grand hall at the center of the castle.
'Suffocating.'
Hyeondo scanned the surroundings inwardly.
At the enormous round table in the hall, many sat scattered, each lost in thought.
All were remarkable figures.
Not only representatives from the Nine Great Sects, but also from equally prestigious Chongmu Gate and Iron Blood Sword Family.
And that wasn't all.
Two from the One Court, Two Factions, Three Groups, Four Platoons that formed the Murim Alliance, and two from the Three Great Service Offices were seated as well.
'A spy among these people.'
His mind grew complicated.
No matter how he looked, none seemed like a spy.
'Chaotic. Who could it be?'
He inwardly sighed.
'The spies want war with the Evil-Black Alliance, so those agreeing to this agenda are likely candidates.'
As Hyeondo pondered amid the formidable assembly, the Military Strategist walked to the head seat.
"Hm?"
"The head seat?"
Those lost in thought stirred, glaring at the Military Strategist.
The moment he sat at the head,
"Why is the Military Strategist sitting there?"
"Where is the Alliance Leader...?"
Voices of protest erupted immediately.
The Military Strategist gazed steadily at them, then drew a golden plaque from his bosom.
"That is..."
"He handed over the Heavenly Treasure Plaque?"
Groans spread from all sides.
The golden plaque was the sacred object embodying the Murim Alliance Leader's authority.
In the unexpected situation, all fell silent.
Then,
"The Murim Alliance Leader has delegated all authority for this conference to me."
The Military Strategist's voice echoed throughout.
Having spoken in a calm yet forceful tone, he scanned the room.
"Any objections?"
"..."
No one spoke at his composed question.
With the Heavenly Treasure Plaque presented, opposing him was tantamount to defying the Alliance Leader.
"Then, let us begin the Murim Conference..."
As the Military Strategist prepared to speak again, stowing the plaque,
"Wait a moment, Military Strategist."
An interrupting voice rang out.
All eyes turned there.
A gaudily dressed elder in crimson silk stood out strikingly.
His frail, withered appearance clashed with the ostentatious attire, bordering on indecorous, but no one here could mock him.
He was an elder of the Elder Council and the Jade Flute Divine Sword who had dominated the martial world before the Nine Provinces Three Evils era.
The Military Strategist asked politely,
"Do you have something to say?"
"Heh heh, nothing major. It seems someone hasn't arrived yet."
With that, he gestured around.
Of the thirty chairs prepared at the table, five were empty.
"They sent separate letters stating they would not attend."
The Military Strategist replied calmly.
"Not attending?"
The Jade Flute Divine Sword's eyebrow twitched.
This was a matter of the Murim Alliance's survival.
Skipping such a crucial event was unacceptable.
Reading his displeasure, the Military Strategist quickly added,
"The absentees are the Sword Pavilion, Iron Blood Platoon Leader, Left and Right Protectors, and Heavenly Fire Lord."
As he listed them, the Jade Flute Divine Sword's discomfort eased somewhat.
"Them, huh?"
They were plausible no-shows.
The Sword Pavilion was inherently reclusive and distant.
And the Iron Blood Platoon?
They all wore masks and helmets, known only by aliases.
They had never attended such public events before.
But the remaining three...
"Why didn't the Protectors and Heavenly Fire Lord come?"
"They said they would follow the Alliance's decision."
At the Military Strategist's answer, the gathered furrowed their brows.
It meant they would simply abide by the outcome.
"May we proceed now?"
At his follow-up, the Jade Flute Divine Sword nodded, leaning back.
"Yes."
The Military Strategist took a breath and spoke lowly.
"Let the Murim Conference begin."
Just one phrase.
But with it, the hall's atmosphere transformed.
A suffocating tension flowed, the air thickening oppressively.
"We will get straight to the main topic."
The Military Strategist continued without delay.
"This alliance seeks war with the Evil-Black Alliance. Any objections?"
No sooner had he finished than objectors shot up their right hands.
'Ten of them?'
The Military Strategist scanned the raised hands.
Then, among them, Deputy Military Strategist Seolgeom spoke lowly.
"If it's not rude, may I speak first?"
The Military Strategist gazed at the polite man and replied flatly.
"Speak."
Meeting the Military Strategist's eyes, Seolgeom smiled faintly.
"If this alliance clashes with the Evil-Black Alliance, the Bicheon Association will exploit the gap."
"You voice my very thoughts."
"The Deputy Strategist shares my view."
Several nodded in agreement, as if waiting.
Seolgeom inwardly smiled, confirming them.
Those aligning with him were sects close to the Bicheon Association.
'Going according to plan.'
His ambitions were grand.
He dreamed of becoming Military Strategist and controlling the Murim Alliance.
War could showcase his intellect, a fine opportunity.
But...
'First things first.'
There was an order.
And what needed addressing most now was none other than
'Toppling the Military Strategist.'
Seolgeom stared at him and said,
"Might the Military Strategist have some ulterior motive for starting this war?"
All eyes focused instantly.
Seolgeom smiled faintly at their gazes, his eyes cold.
The Military Strategist, still serene, asked,
"What do you mean?"
"You've always pursued peace, yet now push for war. It raises suspicions. Are you perhaps seeking personal gain from this conflict...?"
"Don't beat around the bush. Say what you mean."
At the Military Strategist's directness, Seolgeom spoke as if he'd been waiting.
"Isn't it a scheme to incite war between this alliance and the Evil-Black Alliance to bolster the Bicheon Association's power?"