Chapter 121: Seok Myeong's Martial Arts (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 121: Seok Myeong's Martial Arts (3)
"Seok Myeong is... a practitioner of our sect's Azure Cloud lineage. It is possible he found an answer by combining various martial arts from other sects..."
"He might have! But he might also be mistaken about what he found! Why must we accept a dangerous, unverified, and bizarre art as something belonging to Qingcheng? The Azure Cloud lineage—absorbing the strengths of other sects. The intent is noble, I grant you. But think for a moment of how those people ended up in their final years!"
Song Ha-myeong’s voice naturally lost its strength. In contrast, Song Hak’s voice rose even higher.
"Was there even a single one among them who lived out their natural lifespan and passed away in peace? Even Song Gang, Seok Myeong’s own master, died of a mysterious, lingering illness! In the first place, do you think it is an easy task to forcibly shove and mix things that do not belong to one's sect?"
"..."
Song Hak’s words were logically sound. Though Song Ha-myeong was dissatisfied, he could not raise an objection.
"Stop the debate. That is enough."
Suddenly, Song Jeong opened his eyes and spoke.
"Confine Seok Myeong to the Gamu Cave."
"Sect Leader?"
"Sect Leader!"
Song Ha-myeong’s face brightened, while Song Hak’s turned red.
The Gamu Cave was a place created to temporarily hold those whose guilt had not yet been determined, much like a detention center for unconvicted prisoners. Compared to being held in the Heaven Pillar Prison, this was an exceptionally lenient treatment for Seok Myeong.
"Sect Leader! Please reconsider! This is—"
As Song Hak protested, the Sect Leader waved his hand.
"I have heard enough of the Elder’s words. You said the bizarre art Seok Myeong learned might be dangerous because it is rooted in demonic or heretical arts? That it could cause Qi Deviation or turn him into a Geomma?"
"That is correct!"
"Your words have merit, but how can the Elder prove it?"
Song Hak flinched. When Song Jeong countered with that question, he was at a loss for words.
"...That is..."
It was true. Creating a new divine art that unified the Orthodox and the Demonic was difficult. However, pointing out exactly what was wrong with such a divine art was even more difficult. To do so, one would have to understand the heart method even better than the person who created it.
Therefore, it was impossible for Song Hak. Though his martial realm might be higher than Seok Myeong’s, he was not a practitioner of the Azure Cloud lineage.
"It would be difficult, wouldn't it? It is the same for me. Now, let us look at the facts. First, it is true that our sect suffered a devastating surprise attack. However, that may or may not be because of Seok Myeong."
"Sect Leader, what do you mean by—"
"What guarantee is there that those who slaughtered so many of our disciples spoke only the truth to us?"
"..."
The color drained from Song Hak’s face.
The Qingcheng Sect had already fallen into a trap set by a group presumed to be the Samu Alliance. That was why the Sect Leader was pointing this out. Perhaps that Black-Clad Woman had viewed Seok Myeong as a dangerous opponent and spread rumors specifically to incite internal strife.
"Indeed. That possibility cannot be ruled out," Song Ha-myeong replied, and Song Jeong nodded.
"Let us look at Seok Myeong. First, it is a fact that he saved a significant number of Qingcheng disciples from a crisis. Regarding this, Seok Myeong claims it is a martial art of Qingcheng, belonging to the Azure Cloud lineage he studied. Elder Song Hak counters that it is not. So, let me ask you."
Tap. Tap.
Song Jeong tapped the table, summarizing only the key facts revealed so far. Then, he placed the two books written by Seok Myeong on the table.
"Who do you think knows the martial arts of our sect best in this room today?"
"..."
"..."
Song Hak’s mouth shut tight, and a bitter smile formed on Song Ha-myeong’s face. If one were to name the person who understood the martial arts of Qingcheng best within the sect, it was obviously...
"It is you, Sect Leader."
"...That is certainly true."
When Song Hak grudgingly admitted it, Song Jeong nodded.
"From what I have briefly read just now, the direction this internal energy heart method takes is no different from Qingcheng’s. It proposes somewhat overbearing and peculiar hypotheses, but I did not sense anything dangerous."
"But Sect Leader, those are just books. Furthermore, if one delves into the ultimate secrets, there might be hidden wicked elements."
"We do not know. That is why I, as the Sect Leader, intend to personally oversee the inspection and verification process. This matter certainly requires careful judgment."
Thump!
At the end of his words, like a judge, Sect Leader Song Jeong’s fist struck the armrest, which was already completely shattered.
"That the first generation disciple Seok Myeong dared to commit the sin of betraying his master and sect as a disciple of Qingcheng? It is possible. But if—just if—it is later revealed that this new martial art truly belongs to Qingcheng, just as Seok Myeong said?"
"..."
"Qingcheng would be blocking its most powerful future out of mere groundless anxiety. And that wouldn't be the end of it."
Song Jeong now looked calmly into Song Hak’s eyes and spoke.
"The foolishness of executing a righteous disciple who was faithful to his master’s teachings as a practitioner of the Azure Cloud lineage and who saved numerous members in a time of crisis... that would become the shame of Qingcheng."
"Mmm..."
Song Hak finally nodded. Seeing that the anger had completely vanished from his face, Song Jeong added:
"Elder Song Hak. Tell me. When has Qingcheng ever cared about what the people of the Jianghu think?"
"Never once has that happened."
Song Hak frowned. This frown was not because of the favorable treatment toward Seok Myeong. In the world, people openly called the Qingcheng Sect 'Arrogant Qingcheng.' Having traveled the Jianghu for a long time, there was no way he didn't know that. Rather...
"No Sword No Person. If there is no person, there is no sword; if there is no sword, there is no person. If one only follows the sword, the Dao naturally follows. There is no need for a gentleman to break his will because of the whispering of petty men. We are Qingcheng."
"Indeed. We are Qingcheng."
He took pride in the path of Qingcheng, which was so noble and stubborn that it could appear arrogant. Song Jeong, knowing his personality well, nodded.
"That is why I am exercising caution. Generally, it is easy to kill a person but difficult to save one. It is easy to regain lost honor, but it is much harder to recover collapsed pride. Elder Song Hak, do you understand?"
"I understand. If that is your will, Sect Leader, I shall simply follow."
Song Hak bowed deeply as he answered.
Sigh.
It was a scene where a long sigh of relief seemed to spread through the hall.
*
"Go on in."
At Song Ha-myeong’s touch, Seok Myeong was pushed into the cave.
"I am sorry. Because of me, the Elder..."
"Yes, you troublesome brat."
Despite his sharp words, Song Ha-myeong’s expression was soft. Seok Myeong asked cautiously.
"Elder, do you not hate me?"
"You? Why?"
"Because all of this happened because of me..."
"Because of you, Qingcheng was attacked, important books were torn, and many disciples were killed?"
"..."
Seok Myeong lowered his head, unable to say anything. He had wondered if Elder Song Ha-myeong thought that way as well.
"Hey, now. Your vanity is excessive."
Slap!
Instead, Song Ha-myeong clicked his tongue and smacked Seok Myeong on the back.
"Even if it wasn't you, this would have happened eventually."
"...Pardon?"
"That sword form you use—you said it was something the practitioners of the Azure Cloud lineage were researching, didn't you?"
"That is correct."
"Then are the martial arts of the Azure Cloud lineage part of Qingcheng, or not?"
"They belong to Qingcheng."
"Do you think you are such a special talent that you alone are rewriting the history of Qingcheng?"
"N-Not at all!"
At the last remark, Seok Myeong was startled and raised his voice.
"Right. Then it was bound to happen eventually."
Song Ha-myeong chuckled.
"You caused a bit of a stir outside, but do you think there hasn't been anyone like you in the long history of Qingcheng? The Demonic Energy Absorption Art? An attack by a strange group? What of it? The Azure Cloud lineage is a branch of Qingcheng. So, what is the problem with a disciple of Qingcheng learning the martial arts of Qingcheng?"
"..."
Seok Myeong had nothing to say.
Song Ha-myeong was not a particularly prominent elder, but he was not insignificant either. The White Cloud Pavilion was one of the institutions that handled important matters for Qingcheng. It was a place that created regulations, corrected irrationalities, and could petition the Sect Leader if necessary.
"The final martial art you unleashed against the Black-Clad Woman—was it perhaps the Heaven and Earth Sword?"
In an instant, Seok Myeong looked up with surprised eyes. A smile played on Song Ha-myeong’s face.
"As I thought. Yes, I have seen the records before. It said that when one can harmoniously move the energy of the earth and the energy of the heaven, one can generate energy wherever one desires at any time. What I saw then was, no matter what anyone says, the martial arts of Qingcheng."
"..."
"Your cultivation is not yet deep, so there are clumsy parts, but once it is completed, it will become a great sword art incomparable to any other energy. Is that not so?"
Seok Myeong’s eyes wavered slightly.
A great sword art.
Those words were not praise for him personally. It was a deep-rooted pride that no such swordsmanship could exist outside of Qingcheng’s Heaven and Earth Sword. At the same time, it was a natural sense of fellowship, showing that he did not consider Seok Myeong an outsider.
"Yes, that is correct."
Seok Myeong bowed his head. His eyes grew slightly hot at the unexpectedly touching words.
Pat, pat.
Song Ha-myeong gently patted Seok Myeong’s shoulder as if he understood his feelings.
"Do not be shaken by useless talk. You grew up in Qingcheng, learned in Qingcheng, and have lived with a heart that cares for Qingcheng. If someone like you isn't Qingcheng, then who can claim to be? Elder Song Hak only said those things because he was in a foul mood; he didn't mean them."
"Elder..."
"Martial arts ultimately stem from the heart. Even if one possesses a martial art that can overturn the world, if the heart is diseased, that sword is a diseased sword. So, from now on, steel your heart. Even if the situation worsens, you must move forward doggedly, like a slow ox. Just as your master did."
Seok Myeong looked at Song Ha-myeong. Aside from a brief meeting with his master in the past, he had never met the man separately. Yet, he was as well-disposed toward him as Song Gwan.
"I will keep that in mind."
Seok Myeong squeezed his tearful eyes shut and bowed once more.
"Seok Myeong."
As Seok Myeong was about to enter the cave, the elder called him again. When Seok Myeong looked back, the man hesitated for a moment, then chuckled and waved his hand.
"I was... proud of you."
It was as if saying such words was embarrassing, yet he felt he had to say them.
"..."
"Rest now."
Song Ha-myeong turned away. As Seok Myeong watched him go, tears he could no longer hold back welled up in his eyes.