Chapter 340
Chapter 340
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 340
Chapter Title: The Sword Saint's Warning
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Mu Hong, the sole disciple of the Jongnam Sect at the Annihilation Grounds, rubbed his eyes.
He was still dazed, unsure if it was a dream or reality.
Even though others had confirmed that the one who had just exchanged brief greetings with him was the Jongnam Sword Saint, it still felt like a dream.
"For Sword Saint Uncle Master Go Hyeon to visit in person..."
Mu Hong muttered unconsciously.
It was hard to believe.
The Jongnam Sword Saint Go Hyeon was a free spirit.
He rarely stayed at the Jongnam Sect even in normal times, believing it more valuable to wander the world and aid the powerless.
He wouldn't come even if the Sect Leader called unless it was urgent.
'This is the first time in my life I've seen Sword Saint Uncle Master move his feet personally to meet someone.'
Mu Hong swallowed dryly.
He immediately turned to the side and spoke.
"Did Deputy Leader Cheonhyang know those two were on such close terms?"
He asked out of faint hope.
They were from the same sect as fellow disciples—maybe she knew something he didn't.
There was a difference in seniority between him and the Sword Saint, but perhaps those two were quite close.
However.
"No, I didn't know either."
Her response mirrored his own ignorance.
'When did our junior brother get so close to the Sword Saint hero?'
Cheonhyang was just as shocked by the situation.
It was utterly absurd.
The Jongnam Sword Saint Go Hyeon.
Even the Mount Hua Sect, which had once vied with Jongnam for dominance in Shaanxi, acknowledged his title and name.
Because his exploits were extraordinary.
A Daoist who descended alone to wander the world, helping commoners in distress.
How could anyone not respect that?
And now, a personal connection with such a master.
'No matter where I look, more surprises keep coming.'
As Cheonhyang shook her head.
"Ah!"
Something suddenly flashed in her mind.
"Come to think of it, the Sword Saint hero did visit Mount Hua once before."
"A visit to Mount Hua..."
Mu Hong's eyes widened.
A forgotten memory resurfaced.
"During the joint operation...?"
He recalled going to Mount Hua to form an alliance to drive out Shaanxi's unorthodox factions.
"But that was only for a day."
Mu Hong muttered softly.
"What on earth happened that day to create such a relationship..."
"Exactly. I'm curious too."
The two exchanged quiet words while gazing at the hall.
Their eyes brimmed with curiosity.
And they weren't the only ones.
From the moment the Sword Saint arrived, the disciples had forgotten their training and focused on his every move, now staring blankly at the hall.
"A conversation between the Sword Saint and the Leader..."
"I'm so curious."
"I wonder what they're talking about inside."
The Annihilation Grounds buzzed quietly with the unexpected guest's arrival.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "You always show up out of nowhere."
Cheonhwi sat naturally in the chair opposite the Jongnam Sword Saint, his lips moving.
"So, what's the matter? It doesn't seem like you're here for that spar we didn't finish last time."
Cheonhwi paused midway, then finished his sentence and observed the Sword Saint.
In that instant, Cheonhwi's eyes narrowed slightly.
Suddenly, the qi of Plum Blossom Divine Art seeped into his eyes, weaving densely until it bloomed brightly.
Like a seed sprouting.
Whoosh―
His perception expanded vastly in an instant.
Everything became crystal clear.
Even the flow of qi drifting in the air.
It was the manifestation of his ocular technique.
His pitch-black and white eyes swept over the Sword Saint in a flash.
'I wasn't mistaken after all.'
Cheonhwi's gaze grew heavy.
The aura emanating from the Sword Saint was peculiar.
It was the Jongnam Sect's most unique and domineering protective art, the Galaxy Heavenly Strong Divine Art.
Yet for some reason, it looked entirely different from before.
Previously, a solid, domineering energy had stably enveloped his entire body.
Now, it seemed unstable somewhere.
As if cracked.
'For a master at the Heavenly Martial Realm to lack harmony...'
As he grasped the implication.
Thud.
The Sword Saint lightly set down his teacup on the table, a faint smile forming as he met Cheonhwi's eyes.
"Such intense eyes."
He murmured softly, his eyebrows curving gently like a crescent moon.
Then his lips moved.
"Did you see it?"
"What? Your internal injuries?"
Cheonhwi replied calmly.
Yet the content was momentous enough to stir massive waves if known to the world.
"Heh heh, it's not just the eyes that are intense."
The Sword Saint chuckled heartily.
"To pierce through my injuries at a glance."
"It's obvious when you see it. The balance of heart, qi, and body is completely shattered."
Cheonhwi's eyes narrowed as he spoke.
The Sword Saint was a Heavenly Martial Realm master.
Not only had he unified heart, qi, and body, but he had also achieved the Three Flowers Gathering at the Summit.
Everything was in harmony.
For that harmony to break and injuries to form was no small matter.
"Who did this to you?"
Cheonhwi asked.
Interest laced his voice.
It was only natural to be curious.
The Sword Saint was among the top five absolute masters Cheonhwi had seen in the current era.
Who could injure such a figure?
How could he not wonder!
As Cheonhwi's eyes gleamed, the Sword Saint's eyes widened slightly.
The atmosphere churned violently.
The space's air was reacting to Cheonhwi's emotional shift.
Emotions merging with qi...
It was Heart Manifests as Qi.
'He's grown even more.'
The Sword Saint was full of admiration.
Even before, Cheonhwi's martial prowess had reached an overwhelming realm beyond his age.
And now, further growth in just a short year.
'Is there anyone in history who can match this talent?'
He thought even Dharma of Shaolin, Jang Sam-bong of Wudang, or the Heavenly Demon who united the demons couldn't compare.
'Coming here was the right choice.'
The Sword Saint's beard twitched as he gazed at Cheonhwi with satisfaction.
It was his answer to the question.
"I don't know who he is."
"You don't know?"
The Sword Saint nodded.
"First time I'd ever seen him. Not only had I never seen his face before, but the mysterious and fluid techniques he used..."
As he spoke, he stared into the distance.
As if recalling that moment.
'He doesn't know?'
Cheonhwi's brow furrowed slightly.
'A master who could injure the Sword Saint would be known throughout the world.'
As he pondered the doubt.
"But I did learn one thing about him."
The Sword Saint said softly.
"What is it?"
"He was from the Society."
"Society...? Ah! The Non-Heaven Society? A master from one of the Eight Great Families?"
Cheonhwi naturally mentioned the Non-Heaven Society centered around the Eight Great Families.
But.
"Not that Society."
The Sword Saint shook his head.
"A different one."
His voice lowered as he spoke.
He murmured in a tiny voice, as if no one else should hear, despite already sealing the space with qi barriers.
"You'd know it too. I heard you faced him alongside the Thousand Commander."
"Faced together...? Ah!"
Retracing his thoughts, Cheonhwi immediately recalled.
"The ones who deployed the Blood Cult's Blood Shadow Illusion Array at the Blood Dragon Gate?"
"That's right."
"They were the Society?"
Cheonhwi stroked his chin.
Suddenly, the Beggars' Sect Leader and Military Strategist's words about the 'Society' flashed through his mind.
The group that had infiltrated the Murim Alliance with spies.
"Hm, different from the Society the Beggars' Sect Leader mentioned."
"So he did tell you."
The Sword Saint nodded at the musing, his face saying he'd guessed as much.
"It's them."
He confirmed it was the one Cheonhwi knew.
"Do they move with the Beggars' Sect Leader?"
"Heh heh, apparently not."
The Sword Saint smiled mischievously.
"Ask him yourself."
"Hm, is that so? Well..."
Cheonhwi trailed off indifferently.
He had no interest in their relationship.
Only one thing held his attention now.
"So, what happened to the one who injured you?"
"He was injured too and retreated."
"A draw, then."
"Indeed."
The Sword Saint nodded readily.
'The Society, huh.'
As mild interest stirred.
"What brings you here?"
"To see you, Uncle Master."
Murmurs came from outside.
At the sound, the Sword Saint and Cheonhwi paused and turned their gazes outward.
"...We'll end our talk here for today."
The Sword Saint drained the remaining tea.
As he rose from his seat.
"Ah, I almost forgot to say this."
The Sword Saint paused, muttering.
Then his lips moved faintly, infused with subtle inner power.
"Be careful." "The Society is targeting you." With that transmission piercing his ear, the Sword Saint left the room, followed by noisy voices.
"Uncle Master!"
"Why come to us without..."
"You're causing a commotion all the way to others' quarters. Be quiet."
The Sword Saint sternly led the Jongnam Sect Daoists away.
"Let's talk outside without bothering this place further."
Soon, the Sword Saint and the Jongnam Daoists left the Annihilation Grounds hall.
A strange silence settled over the hall.
Within it, Cheonhwi sank into thought.
'Targeting me?'
It was quite intriguing.
Soon, the corner of his mouth twisted upward.
"That sounds fun."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day.
Upon waking, Cheonhwi headed straight to the Non-Heavenly Scripture Depository without delay, emerging while scratching his head and swallowing his regret.
"There's so many."
This was his second visit, but grasping all the books in the Non-Heavenly Scripture Depository was still impossible.
"At least ten thousand volumes? Tsk. Won't finish in one or two visits."
As Cheonhwi muttered.
"You can come again next time, can't you?"
The gatekeeper, Yuk Mugwang, spoke up.
Perhaps because they'd met three times now.
His once dry demeanor and speech had softened with a touch of familiarity.
"If it's you, it's possible."
"True enough."
Cheonhwi shrugged and replied.
As he said, accumulate merits again and return.
'Easy to rack up merits during wartime like now.'
Cheonhwi lightly stretched his stiff neck from reading and turned.
"See you next time."
"Take care."
Leaving Yuk Mugwang's quiet farewell behind, Cheonhwi swiftly exited the hall.
Thanks to entering early morning.
The sun was still high in the sky.
Gauging the time by the sky, as Cheonhwi lowered his head, his eyes suddenly narrowed.
'Well, well?'
An intensely murderous intent emanated from the roof of the opposite hall.
A qi on the verge of exploding.
The rippling killing intent surged toward Cheonhwi, shimmering in the sunlight.
Cheonhwi stared at the roof.
Three figures stood there.
All familiar faces.
The Demon Flame Division Leader, the Alliance Guard Division Leader, and the woman directing killing intent at him—the Death God Division Leader—brightened her smile upon meeting his gaze, brighter than the sun overhead.
And then.
Whoosh―
She leaped from the roof.
Landing lightly before Cheonhwi after a graceful fall.
Remarkable lightness skill.
As her long hair sparkled and fluttered in the sunlight.
"Nice to see you, Annihilation Leader."
She lifted her head and spoke.
Maintaining her bright smile.
"You wouldn't come even when I waited, so I came to you."
As she spoke, her killing intent radiated from her entire body, pressing down on the surrounding space.
Then she unleashed her fierce gaze.
"I was itching to spar with you as soon as possible."