Chapter 121
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: Facing the Palace Lord
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The beating—no, the spar—dragged on for quite some time.
Only after all the pent-up frustration from holding back finally drained away did Yu Hyun stop his fists.
“Hoo…….”
Looking at Un-sang’s battered, limp form dangling in his grip, he felt a profound sense of relief.
As expected, you shouldn’t let anger build up. Better to vent it right away, or it becomes the root of all illnesses……
“……No, not that.”
Snapping out of his grin, Yu Hyun refocused on the scene before him.
The second-generation disciples of Spirit Grace Palace stared at him with eyes wide and mouths agape, while Nangong Seong slumped his shoulders as if to say it was all wrong……
[Was that a bit too much……?]
When Yu Hyun sent a transmission, Nangong Seong replied in a tone like he was on his last breath.
[If you call turning him into pulp “a bit,” sure…… You should’ve stopped when the wooden sword broke.]
[I kind of lost it earlier…….]
[…….]
Now that reality had sunk in, the awkwardness was beyond words. Yu Hyun furrowed his brow, lost in thought.
What now?
He’d left Wudang’s prized first-generation disciple in this state, so soon enough, someone would come yelling, “What have you done!” or something like that……
“What is the meaning of this!”
“…….”
A shout that matched his thoughts word for word rang out as an immortal-like old Taoist stormed into the training ground.
Knew it.
Yu Hyun squeezed his eyes shut and bowed his head.
If memory served, the elder approaching with bulging eyes was Cheong-sim, Lord of Spirit Grace Palace—one of the seniors he’d met at Three Purities Hall.
“Paying respects to the Palace Lord.”
“Release him at once!”
“…….”
At Cheong-sim’s bellow, his face flushed red, Yu Hyun carefully lowered Un-sang to the ground.
“Out of my way!”
“…….”
Shoving Yu Hyun aside without ceremony, Cheong-sim examined Un-sang closely and grimaced.
“You lot! What are you gawking at? Hurry and carry Un-sang to True East Palace!”
“Yes!”
At the thunderous rebuke, two second-generation disciples rushed into Spirit Grace Palace, fetched a stretcher, and loaded Un-sang onto it.
Cheong-sim glared fiercely at Yu Hyun and barked.
“How dare you leave our sect’s first-generation disciple in this state! Have you lost your mind?”
“…….”
“I won’t let this slide! I’ll notify the Righteous Martial Alliance, expose every detail of your misdeed, and hold you accountable!”
“…….”
Yu Hyun, who had been listening quietly, narrowed his eyes slightly.
Sure, he admitted going overboard.
He understood the fury at seeing his disciple like this, but shouldn’t the first step be asking what happened?
Charging in blindly like this—truly, like master, like disciple. Where else would Un-sang get that personality?
Fine. No way he’d swallow this humiliation.
Even if it meant losing Un-hyun as an ally, so be it. Was that his loss? No, it’d be their loss—missing out on the hero who’d save the martial world under Wudang’s banner in the distant future.
“……Shouldn’t you at least hear my side first?”
“What?”
“Before judging my guilt, shouldn’t you ask why this happened?”
“…….”
“I know Spirit Grace Palace enforces Wudang’s precepts. So before reprimanding, you should inquire, hear the answers, and judge objectively. Why rush to accusations without knowing the facts?”
“What? Are you trying to lecture me now?”
“…….”
At Yu Hyun’s calm protest, Cheong-sim bristled with fury, exuding a sharp, intimidating aura.
“Very well. Explain yourself. I’ll hear your esteemed wisdom.”
“…….”
A sneer curled at Yu Hyun’s lips at the attitude so like Un-sang’s.
How could every higher-up in Wudang, representatives of the righteous faction, be like this?
The master he knew, Un-hyun, had been freer than anyone……
“I’m the one who should apologize.”
“You beat a man half to death and now you say you should apologize?”
“I admit my hand was too heavy. But this was a clear spar.”
“What?”
“Un-sang challenged me first.”
“…….”
“And he committed a grave insult against me.”
“Insult? What insult?”
Suppressing his rage, Cheong-sim’s eyes gleamed as he demanded.
Listen closely.
I’ll lay out exactly whose fault was greater.
“He insulted not just me, but my clan—and the Righteous Martial Alliance that appointed me Latent Dragon Captain.”
“W-what?”
“Shall I repeat his words exactly as I heard them?”
“…….”
“A nobody with no ties to the martial world, born to a scholar’s family, unfit to stand above martial artists, a worthless wretch. He even called the Latent Dragon Squad child’s play.”
“W-what does that……?”
Every word from Yu Hyun’s calm mouth was profanity. Cheong-sim’s pupils trembled with panic.
“Who could endure hearing that? Could you, Palace Lord?”
“Ahem.”
Cheong-sim coughed dryly, his face troubled.
“Even so, leaving Un-sang like that is……”
“I did it for Wudang’s reputation.”
“…….”
“Had we not been Wudang, and I not Latent Dragon Captain, I’d have fought him to the death for insulting my origins and the Alliance.”
As Yu Hyun glared and clenched his fist, Cheong-sim murmured a low incantation.
Must be awkward.
No matter how you slice it, your disciple’s at fault.
“I held back at first. But watching him teach my juniors, I couldn’t anymore. Seeing him dismiss me with such meager skill…….”
“…….”
“So I told him his teaching was wrong—laid out the truth.”
“Wrong? What do you mean? Are you denying Wudang’s long-standing training methods?”
Seizing on the opening to escape the crisis, Cheong-sim latched onto the words.
No wonder. Taken alone, Yu Hyun’s account clearly put Wudang in the wrong—a major stain, publicized or not.
“Of course I deny them. Flawed teachings are dead. They must change the moment they’re recognized as such—if you don’t want to stagnate under the guise of history and tradition.”
“……Then tell me what was wrong.”
“He confused water with the vessel.”
“Water and vessel?”
“Exactly.”
“Go on.”
“Martial arts are water; people are vessels. Even the same art takes different shapes in different vessels. Thus, a martial artist must adapt the art to their aptitude. Yet he forced disciples into Wudang’s rigid training mold.”
“……!”
Barely suppressing a gasp at the fluent explanation, Cheong-sim stared at Yu Hyun.
Shock shone clearly in his eyes.
Such profound insight into martial principles at that young age?
“So I countered his Flowing Cloud Sword with the Three Powers Sword.”
“Th-three Powers Sword? You mean you did that to Un-sang with that basic form?”
“Though even your novices know it, it’s one of Wudang’s proud sword arts with forms and stances. It’s about execution, not dismissing the art itself as trivial.”
“……Well.”
It sounded like criticism to anyone, but there was no retort. Cheong-sim shut his mouth, words failing him.
Even Wudang considered Three Powers Sword lowly, yet here it was praised……
“Vertical cut, horizontal cut, thrust. I showed the flaws across three forms, and he got angry. When he attacked with killing intent, I defended myself. I couldn’t just sit and die.”
“…….”
In short, he’d had no choice but to strike back.
Though he’d planned to thrash him from the start, the situation could be spun accordingly.
Based on facts, heavily in his favor—no one could call foul.
“So, Palace Lord, whose fault do you think it was?”
“…….”
“I was ready to admit my excess and move on, but after your words, I can’t just endure it.”
“Uh?”
“Please report it to the Alliance. That the Latent Dragon Captain left Wudang’s first-generation disciple in that state. I’ll detail my grievances and seek fair judgment.”
“…….”
As Cheong-sim stood speechless, lips pressed tight, Yu Hyun smiled inwardly in triumph.
Got him.
Now they’d forget any offense against Wudang; instead, they’d feel indebted to him.
Momentum mine, and the righteous cause they prize most—mine.
Your move?
“Ahem, hearing you out, Un-sang does bear some blame. But how can I judge on one side’s word alone? Once he wakes, I’ll question him thoroughly and…….”
“…….”
Oh? Backpedaling? Not on my watch.
Yu Hyun narrowed his eyes.
“One side’s word?”
“…….”
“If you think it’s just mine, ask the others who watched. Exclude Nangong Clan’s young lord since he’s with me—the Spirit Grace Palace second-generation disciples all saw it clearly.”
At Yu Hyun’s confident stance, Cheong-sim glanced at the surrounding disciples.
Their troubled expressions confirmed every word.
“……L-look, calm down. It’s mealtime—let’s eat first and discuss later…….”
Averting his gaze from the growing witnesses, Cheong-sim sought an escape as Yu Hyun smiled coldly.
Let you slip away after asking?
I’ll chew it over, savor every bit.
No more throwing Wudang’s name around lightly—I’ll flatten that nose!
“Eat? How can I swallow food after baseless interrogation? I’ll head to the guest quarters, send word to the Alliance, and wait. If I’m guilty, I’ll accept punishment gladly. Of course.”
Laying down the threat, Yu Hyun turned and strode off.
Stunned by the icy demeanor, Cheong-sim could only stare at his retreating back.
What…… what to do?
Un-sang’s beating was no longer the issue.
He was the Latent Dragon Captain, appointed by the Alliance Leader’s authority.
And he’d insulted his clan too— even a dog raised in True East Palace would rule for Un-sang’s fault.
If Yu Hyun went public, it’d smear Wudang’s name as the Daoist pinnacle.
“F-first, the Sect Leader…….”
Cheong-sim bolted toward Jaso Palace with all his might.
* * *
“W-what?”
“…….”
Bursting in like a whirlwind and slamming the door open, Cheong-sim’s report drew twin roars from Sect Leader Cheong-hwa and Wonhwa Hall Lord Cheong-jin, who’d been sharing tea.
“How could you let things escalate this far, junior brother!”
“…….”
Head bowed under Cheong-hwa’s bulging-eyed tirade, Cheong-sim said nothing.
What good were ten tongues? Excuses would just earn more scolding……
“Did you apologize to the Latent Dragon Captain?”
“He wouldn’t hear it—not even out of one ear…….”
“You…….”
Cheong-hwa glared sharply, then sighed, rubbing his temples.
“As Lord of Spirit Grace Palace enforcing precepts, how could you interrogate without grasping the facts?”
“…….”
“Tsk tsk, relying on people like this as Sect Leader. Instead of lightening my load, you pile more on……!”
“My apologies.”
“Sigh, boundless mercy, boundless mercy, boundless mercy. Boundless mercy, boundless mercy.”
“…….”
It felt like curses slipped into the incantation midway, but as the guilty party, what could he say?
“Sect Leader, why else would I come running? So please apologize in person…….”
“…….”
At the dejected plea, Cheong-hwa gripped his teacup tightly.
Already vexed by Great Horn Elder teaching odd things to his promising first-generation disciple, causing double trouble.
Meat, liquor—breaking every precept wasn’t enough; recently, they’d even run a scam together!
When they blabbered shamelessly about helping poor folks groan under evil merchants, he’d unconsciously grabbed the back of his neck.
He’d wanted to snap, “Should’ve just beaten him?” but held back, scolded instead—and now?
Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, learned from Great Horn Elder?
That damned fool. Why be a Taoist then? Just be a hitman.
He’d even considered excommunication, but Great Horn Elder’s protection blocked it.
Assigning him to repair sword monuments was something, yet boiling rage kept him sleepless……
Amid that, the Alliance forming Latent Dragon Squad and requesting that pest as captain? Truly the Primordial Heavenly Worthy’s grace.
Relief like a bad tooth pulled, indigestion cleared after years, morning views suddenly beautiful!
He and the elders had rejoiced beyond measure.
That’s why he’d overlooked the captain’s slip at the sect gates.
And now, shitting where? Properly, at least?
Apologize in person?
“Argh!”
Crash!
……Even he, a Daoist pursuing fame and integrity, was human after all.