Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: An Unknown Martial Art (1)
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A great commotion had broken out at the Emei Sect.
The lost treasure, the Bohyeon Jade Sword, had returned.
Not only that, but the remains of the missing Twelve Great Sect Leaders had come back as well.
"What's all this fuss about?"
"They're properly offering prayers at Emei Sect, I hear?"
Even amid the bustle, Hye-won made time to entertain her esteemed guest.
"We owe you an immense debt, Donor Dang."
"As I said, this is payment for the Blood Wheel Sword."
"No. No, that's not it. To us, the Blood Wheel Sword was nothing but a headache."
Guarding it had consumed both manpower and mental energy.
Since he'd taken care of it for them, they owed him for that too.
Dang Yu-wol nodded at her sincere words.
"If you see it that way, would the Emei Sect consider forming an alliance with our Tang Clan?"
'No reason to turn down what's being offered.'
To fight the Blood Cult, he needed forces.
The Emei Sect had many outstanding masters.
They would be a great help in battling the Blood Cult.
"Like with Cheongsung Sect?"
"Well, the conditions would be somewhat relaxed..."
"Do so, then."
"Without hearing the conditions?"
"Donor Dang."
Hye-won smiled gently.
"You don't strike me as someone who would wield power recklessly."
"Someone called me a slaughter ghost."
"Perhaps. But looking into your eyes, I can see what's within them."
"What is it?"
"A cold flame."
A fire that could burn any enemies.
But one that would surely protect what was his.
"According to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's great vow, 'If I do not go to hell, who will?'"
Dang Yu-wol smiled faintly.
It was because the words felt detached from reality.
"Some must swing the sword, and some must bear the karma of killing."
What mattered was in which direction that karma of killing was directed.
"A sword wielded to protect someone cannot be deemed evil."
Hye-won spoke lightly, a soft smile on her face.
"I do not think the karma of killing you undertake is inherently evil."
"You're gilding my face too much."
It was inevitable.
Dang Yu-wol was the Emei Sect's benefactor.
One couldn't very well say to their benefactor's face, 'You're a slaughter ghost.'
"I've cultivated for decades, yet I'm still lacking."
"I don't think so."
"Namo Amitabha. Thank you."
Hye-won did not erase her warm smile.
She had trusted him since he fully controlled his killing intent.
And now, having received his grace, she couldn't help but view him favorably.
"I cannot judge the intentions of Donor Dang, who has chosen the path of killing."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. That is why I wish to watch over you."
"By allying with the Tang Clan and keeping watch from nearby?"
"Yes. If you should stray into wrongful killing..."
Resolve filled her eyes.
"I would stake this wretched life to stop it."
-Not a bad proposal. Though she says that, she doesn't seem like she'd interfere.
'Having Emei Sect's support would make things easier.'
He had gained a reliable ally like the Emei Sect with just one sword.
An unexpected gain.
"Then do so. Though I doubt Abbot Hye-won will come to the Tang Clan herself..."
"I shall send my disciple."
The disciple of the Emei Sect Leader.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her the next Emei Sect Leader.
"Would you permit her to stay at the Tang Clan?"
Having an Emei monk stay at the Tang Clan meant that touching the Tang Clan would bring Emei into the fray as well.
A smile tugged at Dang Yu-wol's lips.
"Of course, I'd be delighted."
'I was wondering how to protect the clan while out collecting artifacts. Perfect.'
As he finished the discussion and stepped out, familiar faces awaited outside.
It was the Soaring Dragon Squad members, led by Namgung Seon-jae.
Namgung Seon-jae stepped forward as representative.
"What did you discuss with the Sect Leader?"
"Expecting a report from me?"
"Of course not. Just curious. More importantly... when do you plan to return to the Tang Clan?"
"Time to go now. Is the entire Soaring Dragon Squad coming along?"
Namgung Seon-jae glanced back.
They had apparently already finished talking; they looked reluctant but nodded.
"So?"
"Then sure."
'They'll be useful.'
"Escort Agency Head Proxy!!"
"Young Clan Head! We're over h... Huh?"
Dang Yu-wol, who had left alone, was returning with others.
The escorts, overjoyed, couldn't hide their confusion.
"Who are those people?"
"Their clothes look fancy..."
"Well, someone of Young Clan Head's stature can hang out with the next generation of murim."
"He's not like before."
"Talking about 'before' makes it feel like ancient history."
Unlike the murmuring escorts, Yu Hwa's expression hardened slightly.
She had realized who they were.
'Those are... the Murim Alliance's Soaring Dragon Squad.'
An organization of the Murim Alliance made up of those with strong backgrounds and skills.
Why were they with Dang Yu-wol?
'If they're targeting my lord...?'
Yu Hwa tensed, but Dang Yu-wol remained nonchalant regardless.
"They're guests. They'll be traveling back with us, so treat them well."
"Yes!!"
"Welcome!! Come on in!!"
As the escorts greeted them with smiles, the Soaring Dragon Squad members awkwardly smiled back.
They had apparently expected at least a carriage, if not a luxury one.
-Their expressions show shattered expectations.
Ye-ui's voice carried amusement.
-People of their status have never played escort before.
They were all from the Nine Great Sects or families prominent enough to be called clans in their regions.
What need would they have to move like escorts?
"Hey, Sword Dragon. Do we really have to go to the Tang Clan like this? We could just hire a carriage..."
"You all do that."
"Whoa! So we get to experience being escorts too?!"
"Hahaha!! Young Master Moyong!! Being an escort isn't half bad!"
Namgung Seon-jae, Moyong Hwa-ryeon, Jo Yang-chu.
With three volunteering to act as escorts, what could be done?
"...Let's go. No choice."
In the end, So Gyeong sighed and followed Namgung Seon-jae.
"We'll handle that."
"Just rest, heroes."
Playing escort wasn't really an issue.
The rapidly growing Sacheon Escort Agency.
But they wouldn't have the Murim Alliance's Soaring Dragon Squad do real work.
"Kahaha!! Hand over everything you've got...!!"
"Beat 'em."
"Arghhh!!"
Even in combat.
Bandits appeared along the way.
But they were lightly crushed by the escorts.
The Soaring Dragon Squad members marveled at their prowess.
'Their skills are better than expected.'
'Not like your average escort agency...'
'Second-rate to first-rate level, but they're growing.'
'Sacheon Escort Agency, huh. Heard it was nothing special. Impressive.'
A gleam entered the Soaring Dragon Squad members' eyes.
-Planning to use them to spread word of the Tang Clan and Sacheon Escort Agency?
'Yes. Need to let the world know the Tang Clan has regained its power.'
It was still too soon to announce the Tang Clan's revival to the world.
By revealing the Tang Clan's strength and the Sacheon Escort Agency's prosperity.
He planned to deter riffraff from operating in Sacheon.
-Will that be enough?
'This is just part of the plan.'
He had thought for decades.
About how to restore the clan if he returned to the past.
And how to stop the Blood Cult.
'I made thousands of plans and revised them thousands of times.'
-If things went exactly as you planned, the world wouldn't be tough.
'If it fails, switch to another plan.'
Dang Yu-wol chuckled.
'I'm not some idiot who'd trip on a rock and just bawl.'
"The Sacheon Escort Agency's escorts are stronger than I thought. I figured they were just one of many local agencies."
Namgung Seon-jae, who had naturally grown close over the past few days traveling together, remarked.
"Thanks for the high praise."
"Their joint formation is especially impressive."
Not empty words; it was genuine.
That level of joint formation could stand toe-to-toe with the Namgung family's Heavenly Sword Formation without shame.
"It's called the Five Elements Binding Chain Formation."
"A formation that binds the enemy like iron chains using the five elements... A Tang Clan formation?"
"Yes."
"I knew the Tang Clan was an old family, but I didn't expect them to have such a joint formation."
Namgung Seon-jae watched the escorts fight.
There were parts that felt off for a Tang Clan formation.
"They weren't using hidden weapons or poison, either."
"We have separate ones that use hidden weapons and poison. Strictly speaking, they're not Tang Clan warriors."
"Oh? So the Tang Clan warriors are even more impressive?"
Namgung Seon-jae's eyes lit up.
Born to a martial family, his thirst for martial arts had always driven him.
Watching the Five Elements Binding Chain Formation, as always, he sought a path through it.
"Looks like turning left there would break out through the life gate."
"But then you can't avoid the rear spears."
"Right. Hmm..."
The bandits were shattered by the Five Elements Binding Chain Formation.
Namgung Seon-jae, watching, shrugged.
'If it were me, I'd unleash Heavenly Sword Style there... Hm. Then I'd get hit by the left flank axe. In that case...?'
As he pondered, the bandits were wiped out before he knew it.
In less than a quarter hourglass, the escorts had captured them effortlessly.
"Hey, Sword Dragon. What are you thinking so deeply about?"
"Nothing."
Brushing off So Gyeong's call, he leisurely approached an escort.
"What brings the young master of the Namgung family...?"
"That joint formation. Who taught it to you?"
"Pardon? Ah, yes. Our Escort Agency Head Proxy taught us all of it."
"Huh."
'Even in the Namgung family, only elders could teach a joint formation like that.'
And even then, only among those practicing the same swordsmanship.
You had to precisely know when each martial art would be unleashed.
Only then could the formation's advantages be maximized.
But what about these guys?
'They're all practicing different martial arts.'
Swords, blades, spears, axes, and other exotic weapons.
All using their unique signature martial arts.
"No way. Is that true?"
So Gyeong, who had followed, was astonished too.
The formation just now had been a perfectly harmonious joint effort.
Performed by people with different weapons and martial arts.
Taught by a single person, no less.
'Requires exceptional understanding of martial arts otherwise impossible.'
"...Sword Dragon. Just who the hell is that guy?"
So Gyeong was serious.
He had seen the Emei monks at a loss around him.
He knew the man wasn't ordinary.
But this much?
"...Beats me. Guess we'll find out when we clash."