Chapter 126
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Noisy Farewell
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The arrival had been quiet, but the departure was incredibly rowdy.
No, not just rowdy—by morning, word had spread, and all of Wudang's leadership had crawled out, clutching at trouser legs and refusing to let go.
"Please, I beg you!"
"......"
Yu Hyun scowled, grabbing at his waist.
Had they all eaten spoiled food for breakfast as a group? What was this nonsense?
"Dormant Dragon Captain, I'll kneel if I must."
"......"
It wasn't just talk—some elders were already assuming the position.
This bizarre situation stemmed from Yu Hyun's Azure Cloud Sword demonstration the night before.
Yu Hyun glanced at Cheonhwa as if to say, *Do something about this*, and he nodded firmly.
"I feel the same."
"Sect Leader, you can't... No, what do you mean?"
"You heard me right. Please teach us for Wudang's sake."
"Pardon?"
"I've already discussed it with the elders."
"......"
Ah, so it had been a setup from the start, orchestrated by the Sect Leader?
"I clearly said I was leaving today, didn't I?"
"You did. How could I forget? That's why I'm planning to formally request cooperation from the Justice Alliance."
"Pardon?"
"Isn't the alliance with the Northern Bandit League something others can handle?"
Well, sure.
But why were *they* asking the Justice Alliance for permission? He was the one involved!
Yu Hyun thumped his chest in frustration.
The alliance was just an excuse, really—the trip was to recruit the Heavenly Mechanism Diviner.
After wrapping up Northern Bandit League business, he planned to enlist him into the Latent Dragon Squad, with a contract already prepared, stamped by the Grand Marshal and Alliance Leader. So why were these irrelevant fools interfering?
"That's out of the question. I already have my mission—how could I...?"
"Hey now! Is a mission more important than family? We're all one clan here!"
"That's exactly why—why bring that up *here*?"
Loose lips really sink ships.
Since when had they grown so attached?
They'd been blathering about Wudang's pride just moments ago...
"Heh heh, Dormant Dragon Captain. Staying a bit longer won't change the situation. My divinations show..."
"......"
That damn old fox—every time he opened his mouth, it was another con. Wudang had produced the murim's greatest swindler.
You think I'd fall for your Wudang-centric hogwash again?
Let's be real: his vaunted Ten Omens worked because *I* was involved, letting him film this tearful farewell. If one of the Three Dragons had been caught, they'd be holding a funeral by now.
"Dormant Dragon Captain..."
"Dormant Dragon Captain, please."
"......"
Okhyeon's wistful plea was followed by the elders' desperate entreaties.
Yu Hyun grumbled inwardly nonstop.
If you're gonna beg, at least offer something worthwhile. Kneeling? Trouser legs? And throwing in that nonsense about divinations?
What petty scheming. Were they grave robbers?
*I* risked my life to learn this stuff—*risked my life*!
They say people get bolder with age, but this...
Still, he couldn't just coldly refuse. It wasn't just about Wudang relations—seeing these white-haired elders kept reminding him of his father back in Anpyeong County.
After gnawing his lip in thought, he nodded as if resolved.
Fine, whatever. Blame my soft heart.
The old saying goes: excess and deficiency are one and the same.
But hadn't he learned from his father's rule in Anpyeong that going too far makes evaluation impossible altogether?
He, Yu Hyun, son of the Yu Clan Manor—second to none in giving generously.
When he gives, he gives *fully*, until no one dares ask for more.
But you lot—remember this clearly.
This is pro bono talent donation, got it?
I'm helping despite my packed schedule. Don't you dare forget. Clear?
"......Haa, hand it over."
"Hm?"
"Paper, ink, brush!"
"Ah!"
Yu Hyun shook his head as he extended his hand, and Okhyeon snapped out of his daze, bellowing to those around.
"Fetch the Four Treasures of the Study from the Zaso Palace!"
At his urgent shout, it was the elders—not disciples—who bolted into action.
Only after sitting at Zaso Palace's desk under everyone's gaze, meticulously recording everything he knew about the Azure Cloud Sword into a manual, could Yu Hyun finally leave Wudang...
"Um, could you take a look at some other techniques too?"
"......"
When he finished the final page of the new Azure Cloud Sword manual, Cheonhwa asked—very, extremely, exceedingly cautiously.
And that was just the start. Behind him, elders lined up clutching secret manuals, eyes gleaming.
They looked ready to cut in line if they had to.
"Sect Leader."
"Y-Yes?"
"Elders."
"W-What is it?"
"......Tone it down a bit."
"......"
At Yu Hyun's forced smile, strained with suppressed irritation, the Sect Leader and elders awkwardly scratched their heads.
What kind of Taoists were these, never knowing when to quit?
"Haa, I'll teach the rest to Unhyeon."
"Hm?"
"He's joining the Latent Dragon Squad anyway, right? So I'll pass the rest to him."
"......Y-You'll do that?"
"Yes."
Yu Hyun nodded.
Of course he would.
Unhyeon had to become Wudang's next great expert, a Sword Immortal.
"Ooooooh!"
Yu Hyun's standing in Wudang had already shifted dramatically.
They'd believe him if he said he boiled red beans to make soybean paste, or called a deer a horse.
"Unhyeon!"
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"Remember—you're a Latent Dragon Squad member now!"
"Y-Yes? Uh, yes."
"From now on, obey the Dormant Dragon Captain's words as if they were the founding ancestor's edicts—not even the Sect Leader's!"
"Pardon?"
"No rebellion or defiance allowed! Learn and relearn, practice and rep practice! If needed, wake the sleeping Captain to show your skills..."
"......"
"Don't even waste mealtime..."
"......"
"......Never forget—Wudang's future rests on your shoulders!"
"Yes!"
Damn Taoists...
Sucking him dry to the roots, and saying it outright.
In any case, only after the Sect Leader and each elder took turns earnestly entrusting him with the techniques they'd learn through Yu Hyun did the send-off conclude.
"Farewell, then!"
"Please teach Unhyeon the Taiji Radiant Sword..."
"The Yuun Sword..."
"Taecheong Mountains and Rivers."
"Seven Stars..."
"......"
Enough already, you old fogeys—stop your pathetic clinging!
A wave from the mountaintop should've sufficed—why follow all the way down with sword cases? *This* was Wudang's Way?
"Three Dragons—no, Four Dragons."
"Yes?"
"Run!"
"......?"
Unable to endure it any longer, Yu Hyun unleashed Flying Heaven Shadowless Step and shot off, the Latent Dragon Squad—now bolstered from Three to Four Dragons—scrambling after him.
"Ah, wait! Sword Tomb Thirteen Barriers..."
One elder belatedly shouted a formation name, but Yu Hyun and the squad had already vanished from sight.
"Infinite Buddhas... So many techniques left..."
As the dejected elders muttered, Okhyeon stood beside them, gazing in the direction they'd gone and murmuring his Daoist title softly.
"Heh heh, they're gone."
"Indeed."
"A strange karma. Came like the wind, left like the wind... and left such great grace for our Wudang."
"Yes."
"A great storm may brew in the murim soon. I have a feeling those kids will be at its center."
"......Pardon? A storm?"
"The heavens' will..."
"......Damn it."
Cheonhwa, looking queasy at Okhyeon chanting gravely skyward, quickly herded the elders back up the peak.
"The heavens' will... is unusually turbulent... Hm? Where'd they all go?"
The send-off site where Yu Hyun had departed.
Only the disciples guarding the gate remained, staring blankly at the bewildered Okhyeon.
* * *
Western Shaanxi Province, Cheonyang County.
Tensions between the prestigious Taibai Sword Sect—a venerable martial clan—and the righteous faction were escalating daily.
The grueling back-and-forth war, locked in stalemate, had paused only after a reconciliation proposal arrived from the Justice Alliance.
"So, we're to call it here and make peace?"
"That's right."
Huang Mu, leading the Northern Bandit League's front lines, sneered at the agreement on the table and eyed the warrior seated across from him.
A warrior urgently dispatched by the Justice Alliance to aid Taibai Sword Sect. Jeon Uk, Manifest Dragon Captain, boasted a massive frame and monstrous strength fitting the phrase "might to uproot mountains, aura to blanket the world."
"Pathetic."
"......"
"You want us to sign this scrap of paper and withdraw?"
"Precisely. I'm aware the alliance proposal has reached the Northern Bandit Lord."
"Kekeke, kahahatahaha!"
"......"
Jeon Uk furrowed his brow at Huang Mu's sudden laughter.
"True, the proposal arrived. But don't we need to hash out details here on the ground?"
"......"
"So bring someone who can actually talk sense, no?"
Huang Mu's gaze landed on the languid scholar behind Jeon Uk.
"You? The brat Zhuge Murin, who's tormented us with those dogshit tactics till now."
"......"
"You're the ranking officer, Manifest Dragon Captain, but I'd like to hear the fine print from you?"
At Huang Mu's words, Jeon Uk glanced back and nodded; Zhuge Murin stepped forward slowly.
"Zhuge Murin."
"Who wouldn't know the 'Phantom Dragon' behind those ghostly tactics? You screwed us at the Bogye battle a few days back, right?"
"Never dreamed you'd fall for it."
"Ha! Didn't dream? Your confidence pierces the heavens."
"......"
Even as Huang Mu growled irritably, Zhuge Murin's expression remained impassive.
It had to be. He'd already made them an offer they couldn't refuse.
The battlefield favored the Justice Alliance now.
What started as a minor territorial spat had flipped dramatically once Zhuge Murin joined.
He'd pushed Taibai Sword Sect's lord from defense to aggressive offense, leading them to overrun six sects under Northern Bandit League control beyond Gansu borders.
Without the Justice Alliance's proposal for reconciliation, Huang Mu wouldn't even be here.
"It won't be a loss for you either."
"What?"
"We'll return all six Gansu territories we seized in this war."
"......"
"And release every Northern Bandit League warrior we're holding."
"Oh? And why go that far?"
"The Alliance has ordered peace— they're useless now. But on one condition: release our prisoners too. Two hundred of ours for twenty of yours. We're taking the bigger hit..."
Huang Mu cut off his arrogance, twisting his lips in a sneer.
"Fine conditions for me. Can't refuse."
"So just sign..."
Zhuge Murin, smiling leisurely, froze mid-sentence.
What was that look?
He'd have shrugged off anger, but laughing? Why?
Something felt off. He replayed every detail in his mind, but nothing clicked.
The venue was deep in Justice Alliance-held Shaanxi, not the front lines—for ambush defense.
Only three inside the tent.
He'd brought ten guards, but weren't the Manifest Dragon Squad's elites securing the perimeter?
Unless it was the Northern Bandit Lord himself or one of his twelve elites, Huang Mu couldn't possibly...
"Good thing."
"......?"
"Figured a schemer like you might send a fake, so I tested. You're the real Phantom Dragon."
"What do you—"
"Manifest Dragon Captain's optional. *You* I needed."
"......?"
"Keke, your mistake was relaxing in 'your' territory."
Sensing Huang Mu's unnatural expression, Zhuge Murin widened his eyes.
*Needed? Me?*
His mind raced through possibilities.
Couldn't pinpoint it, but prepare for...
"Captain!"
Zhuge Murin shouted at a flash of insight; Jeon Uk reflexively gripped his sword.
"Kekeke, too late, kid."
"......!"
Jeon Uk whipped his head at the voice beside him; Zhuge Murin collapsed without resistance.
The attacker peeled off his face: an exquisite human-skin mask.
Jeon Uk recoiled at the wrinkled face.
"Q-Qilian Three Monsters?"
"Honored you recognize us."
"......"
Why were *they*—the strongest under the Northern Bandit Lord—here?
Had the escorts been targeting them from the start...
"You bastards!"
Jeon Uk clenched his fists desperately, but they were the Qilian Three Monsters.
Their realm outclassed his entirely.
*Thwack!*
"Grk..."
A blow to the back of his head sent Jeon Uk crumpling beside Zhuge Murin.
"Move fast. We downed the outer guards—won't be long till they notice. Grab the one next to the Zhuge kid too. More useful hostages, the better."
At eldest Yang Hua's words, second brother slung Zhuge Murin over his shoulder.
"Hey! Hold on, bro. Why do I always carry the big lug?"
"Complain, then be the eldest."
"Damn it, we're barely any years apart!"
As they bickered, Yang Hua scowled.
"Hey! Time's ticking—hurry!"
"Tch!"
Grumbling, third brother hoisted Jeon Uk. Huang Mu, watching blankly, asked:
"And me...?"
"Hm?"
Yang Hua grinned.
"Oh, did you think we'd drag a repeated loser like you along?"
"......!"
"Try surviving with your wits."
"You sons of—!"
Before the curse finished, the Three Monsters bolted; Huang Mu fled for his life.
Alarm bells rang at the sight of Zhuge Murin and Jeon Uk being hauled off, Justice Alliance warriors swarming in black.