Those Who Depart, Those Who Stay
Jeong Gwang was truly furious.
He'd worked his ass off to save the man, so who the hell gave him permission to just up and leave!
He hadn't even tolerated enemies dying without his say-so.
Sure, he'd tormented them for ages until they became a nuisance, then killed them—but that was beside the point.
To everyone else, though, it was utterly absurd.
Un Jeok and Un Yeon pried open their slack jaws.
"...You're saying you stopped your grand-master from ascending to immortality without your permission?"
"...We must have misheard. Tell us that's right, quick."
There had to be some deep backstory.
It might be complicated, so they'd listen patiently to the end.
That was their resolve—until Jeong Gwang's response cut straight through it.
"Kunlun needs you, Grand-Master."
"Wuliang sufo..."
"Hah..."
Not just Un Jeok and Un Yeon—even Un Hu, the man who'd nearly ascended, was dumbfounded.
It wasn't wrong, but obstructing the ultimate goal of their Taoist path?
Un Hu had spent countless years on Kunlun Mountain, the sect he'd idolized since childhood.
Reading the Daojing, performing rituals, cultivating his mind. Training martial arts to temper his body.
All for righteousness and the Dao.
To uphold righteousness in life and ascend through the Dao—that had been his aim.
After losing his martial prowess, he'd let go of worldly desires, but now that ascension—so close at hand—had slipped away, anger surged within him.
He took a deep breath to calm it, but...
"...!"
A foul stench hit him.
Looking down, he saw the remnants of the Ren and Du meridians' breakthrough scattered about.
Un Hu felt like he'd been smacked over the head.
I was too angry to notice the smell before, but now that I'm calming down, there it is!
A Taoist, yet he'd been blinded by vain greed, resenting Jeong Gwang.
That twisted heart had clouded even his senses.
This isn't the end of it.
He knew full well that every Kunlun disciple had scurried about to save him.
They'd hoped for his recovery, for him to become Kunlun's pillar once healed.
Of course, they'd have rejoiced at his ascension—but what of the lingering emptiness in their hearts?
Reflecting now, his anger stemmed from thinking only of himself.
Hah. I'm still so far from enlightenment. Just an old man who's lived too long.
He'd fancied his Dao profound, yet he was just an ordinary soul.
Now fully accepting himself, he looked at Jeong Gwang.
Recalling their time together since infancy, Un Hu understood his actions.
'Who gave you permission to leave?'
Jeong Gwang must have seen through his selfish desires.
Or maybe not.
Even so, what did it matter? Thanks to Jeong Gwang, he'd gained great insight. Without him, ascension wouldn't have come knocking in the first place.
Un Hu's face slowly softened.
Far more compassionate than before.
"Come here, child."
"Huh?"
"It's been ages since I held you."
"Tickles all of a sudden."
"Hahaha. I still want to."
Jeong Gwang sighed, abandoning his firm refusal.
This was the man who'd carried him on his back and raised him, after all.
"Haaah."
Forcing his reluctant feet forward, a memory from his past life flickered.
Back when he was young leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult, while away on external affairs, his father the cult leader had sent a messenger.
'Young Leader!'
'What?'
'Rebellion! The Leader's holding them off with the Silent Shadow Corps, but he won't last! Hurry!'
'Nah.'
'I'll guide you—wait, what?'
'The old man's weak, sure, but not that weak.'
'This time's different! The cult's Eight Martial Corps and Seven Great Families have allied, sweeping through like wildfire...'
He hadn't wanted to go anyway, and now a mob? Even less so.
But damn that Heavenly Mandate.
On the way to headquarters, he'd hacked through swarms of rats until his arms ached like they'd rip off.
Finally reaching the Heavenly Demon Hall, surrounded by hordes of the vermin, a thought struck:
Should I turn back now?
If the old man dies, I'm free.
I can live as I please.
Yet his feet pressed on.
Crushing the rats lunging from all sides.
I must've been insane.
Jeong Gwang shook his head fiercely, banishing the memory.
He was already before Un Hu.
"It's been too long. Hahaha."
Un Hu embraced him, laughing heartily.
"Thanks for grabbing me. I'd forgotten I still have work to do."
"Glad you get it."
Un Hu smiled wordlessly.
Despite the cheeky words, the warmth radiating from the boy he held moved him.
You're unique, but to have such a warm body and heart. I'll ensure the world doesn't misunderstand you, that you never get hurt.
Un Hu resolved to support Jeong Gwang's flight.
The new Kunlun.
The dawn of Great Kunlun.
Un Hu bowed deeply to the assembled Taoists on the Grand Training Ground.
"Forgive me for all your troubles. I'll make this new life meaningful."
His body fully healed, his cultivation even elevated.
The Taoists erupted in joyous cheers.
Un Hu smiled faintly at Jeong Gwang. As the boy stepped forward, the cries turned to him.
"Jeong Gwang! Jeong Gwang! Jeong Gwang! Jeong Gwang!"
Louder and fiercer than the Jade Dragon Guardians' roars. The mists shrouding Kunlun scattered in the heat.
But Jeong Gwang's words chilled the air instantly.
"Training starts now."
"Jeong Gwang! Jeong... What?"
The grueling regimen began.
What they'd done before felt like mere warm-ups.
Complaining would only make it worse—they knew his temperament. They dove in silently.
And heroically collapsed.
No regrets. I gave it all...
I burned bright, no shame under heaven...
No such luck.
Before, they could've rested till they snapped out of it—but not this time.
"Get up! How can you drop at this level!"
What? This level?
"What have you been doing the past year? We pushed your basics and willpower to the brink—was that not enough!"
Malice flickered in their drained eyes.
Memories flooded: scouring Qinghai Province for rare elixir ingredients, stripping every corner bare.
"Hiyaah!"
"Kwaaaah!"
They rose with screams like battle cries.
Bodies trembling, but eyes blazing.
They focused anew.
Sweat turning to salt-white shine, yet no whimpers.
Un Hu watched, beaming proudly.
"Haha. True warriors now."
"You too, Grand-Master."
"Haha. Right, I... Huh?"
Jeong Gwang hounded Un Hu.
To master his reborn body and the vast inner energy coiled in his dantian.
He hammered in elegant, graceful, yet mighty Kunlun arts.
Time flowed.
A year later, much had changed.
Kunlun Taoists' skills soared daily; Un Hu's cultivation flew beyond.
Jeong Gwang didn't stop.
Final tempering before departure.
As all rose in desperate revolt—
"Sect Leader! Word from the Central Plains!"
"From whom?"
A Taoist brought a man.
The chief escort of Qingliu Escort Agency, representing Qinghai.
Hebei Pang Clan
Un Jeok ordered all disciples to Samcheongjeon Hall.
"Sect Leader, what's it say?"
"Hm. Time to honor the promise from four years ago."
Reading it aloud, murmurs rose.
"Murim Alliance founding. So it comes to this."
"Said three years minimum; fourth year and it's finally set."
"Sect Leader, how many to send?"
"Twenty should do."
Not too few, not too many.
Taoists nodded.
"How to compose it?"
"Not decided. Four Un generation seniors for sincerity... eight Heo, eight Jeong?"
They pondered, then spoke.
"Balance mid-tier Heo with young Jeong, one-on-one guidance."
"Jeong generation needs Central Plains experience."
"Wise, Sect Leader."
All agreed; Un Jeok continued.
"Settled then. Now, who..."
Nearly every Taoist shot up hands skyward.
Ferocious speed, as if toppling heaven.
"Sect Leader martial brother! I'll go!"
"Sect Leader martial uncle! This humble Heo Liang stands ready to give his life for rivers-and-lakes justice!"
"Sect Leader grand-martial uncle! Spreading Kunlun's name is this Jeong Hyeon's sacred duty from birth!"
Where was that mirror-still Dao honed for decades?
Fierce competition, heedless of seniority!
Inn errands boys would've bowed out in terror.
Un Jeok narrowed his eyes at the onslaught.
They can't speak due to duties, yet intimidate me?
Mood soured.
"Enough. Anyone who speaks now is off the list."
"Haha. Keen insight. Such racket from Taoists..."
"Senior Brother Un Hyeong, out."
"...Pardon? I merely..."
"Get. Out."
No help for grievance.
Sect Leader's word was absolute.
Wounded Un Hyeong staggered out.
Un Jeok declared gravely.
"I'll name the Central Plains contingent. Stand behind me when called."
Others held breath, eyes fixed on his lips.
Praying for their names.
What to do.
Un Jeok's mind whirled.
Who didn't crave testing skills in the wide world?
Choosing some over others was agonizing.
Demonic cult could rise anytime. Un Hu senior must stay; Jeong Gwang... Hm?
Jeong Gwang was gone.
Scanning, Un Jeok glanced back hopefully.
Jeong Gwang stood there.
"...Since when?"
"..."
"...I won't chase you out. Speak."
"When you said stand behind."
He was leaving soon anyway.
Chance to see the Murim Alliance? No way he'd miss it.
Un Jeok shook his head in disbelief, then eyed the others.
No complaints at Jeong Gwang's cut-in.
Makes sense.
Most stay on Kunlun. With him here? Hellish training nonstop.
Jeong Gwang had to go.
Un Jeok agreed.
Give Kunlun's present and future a shot at experience and fame.
He'd lounge in peace!
Thus, the contingent centered on Jeong Gwang.
Goers cheered.
"Wuliang sufo! Thank you!"
Stayers despaired.
"Primordial Heavenly Lord... Why..."
Small comfort: no Jeong Gwang, so rest.
Yeah. Leisurely life for once ain't bad.
Return to nothingness, one with nature—perfect chance.
Bluntly: roll around doing zilch.
But one had seen through them...
"Grand-Master. A favor?"
"What is it?"
"Guide them while I'm gone?"
Un Hu closed his eyes at the request.
Days of far fiercer agony than for others flashed by.
I endured because it was me.
Jeong Gwang's brutality would've sparked blades otherwise—even near-saintly him.
A transcendent laugh escaped.
"Hahaha."
But he'd gained immense power.
Monopolizing it felt suddenly guilty.
Un Hu opened his eyes slowly.
Mount Tai-weight resolve gleamed.
"Yes. With all I have."
Stayers' faces blackened to ash.