Chapter 123: Unexpected Guests (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 123: Unexpected Guests (2)
A week had passed.
Despite the brilliant weather and the lush, vibrant mountain scenery, a heavy atmosphere hung over the faces of the Qingcheng Sect disciples.
Inside the Grand Purity Hall, the elders who held the sect's true power had gathered.
Among them were Song Ji and Song Hak, whose influence was second only to the Sect Leader; Song Yu-jin and Song Ha-myeong, who had played pivotal roles during the Unorthodox Faction's invasion; and even Elder Song Mun, who had taken his seat despite a complexion still pale from deep internal injuries.
"The Sect Leader is entering!"
Creak.
As Song Jeong entered, his Taoist robes fluttering, the seated elders rose in unison to show their respect. Song Jeong nodded solemnly and walked toward the seat of honor.
Once seated, he spoke.
"The reason I have summoned you all today is to conclude the matter of Seok Myeong’s future."
Song Jeong had given the elders a week to reflect, ensuring that the decision regarding Seok Myeong’s punishment was handled with the utmost gravity.
"We shall settle this today. Speak your thoughts freely."
"I am Elder Song Hak."
Song Hak stepped forward as if he had been waiting for this exact moment. With every eye in the hall fixed on him, he began a passionate tirade.
"Half a year ago, Seok Myeong expressed blatant dissatisfaction regarding the reduction of his rations and the restrictions placed on his access to the Azure Moon Storehouse. He defied the mandates of the Elder Council, boasted that he would challenge the title of Qingcheng Swordsman, and then, on the very day of his trial, deserted the mountain without leave."
He paused for effect before continuing.
"Since then, he has wandered the Jianghu, recklessly using the name of Qingcheng while forming ties with the Golden Martial Association—a titan of the Unorthodox Faction. While traveling with Cheol So-jin, the daughter of that association’s leader, who knows what trouble he stirred up? Immediately following his return, our sect was attacked by unidentified monsters and a Black-Clad Woman."
"Hmm." Song Jeong furrowed his brows.
Song Hak was recounting events that had actually occurred, but the Sect Leader marveled at how much an interpretation could shift depending on one's perspective.
"The Demonic Energy Absorption Art," Song Hak continued, his voice rising. "Seok Myeong, a first-generation disciple, has dabbled in the forbidden arts of the Demonic Cult. Setting aside the fact that he has tarnished the pure name of Qingcheng, he now harbors a dangerous poison within him that could transform him into a Giant Demon. Therefore, I believe we must strip Seok Myeong of his martial arts and seal all research results of the Azure Cloud Taoist, which are the very root of this evil."
A stir went through the room.
In the martial world, "stripping one of their martial arts" meant shattering the dantian and severing the tendons in the limbs. It was a fate worse than death, leaving a proud warrior a broken shell.
Song Ha-myeong raised his hand, recoiling at a proposal far more severe than he had anticipated.
"I am Elder Song Ha-myeong. Having observed that boy for a long time, I know his character well. Furthermore, I do not believe any of the techniques he employed could be considered demonic. The arts he used during the crisis were the Heaven and Earth Sword, the Azure Cloud Red Mist Sword, and the Azure Wind Sword Technique."
Because Song Hak had pushed too far, Song Ha-myeong felt compelled to defend the boy vigorously. He looked around the room and continued.
"Even if we ignore his character, Seok Myeong’s contributions were so outstanding they cannot be overlooked. He personally slew three of the monsters and held off the Black-Clad Woman until the Sect Leader returned. This is a level of martial prowess that surpasses not just a first-generation disciple or a Qingcheng Swordsman, but even an elder. Taoist Song Hak, you certainly dealt with one monster, but I hope you do not forget that the number of Qingcheng’s pillars that boy saved is at least several dozen."
"You...!"
Song Hak’s face flushed a deep crimson, whether from shame or fury. Song Ha-myeong had essentially told him: 'While you were struggling to catch a single monster, Seok Myeong took down three.'
Nevertheless, Song Hak fired back with even more vitriol.
"There is no law in this world that pardons all sins simply because one has performed a service! And in the first place, no one knows how deeply Seok Myeong was involved in this raid."
"What on earth does that mean? Are you suggesting Seok Myeong led those attackers here?" Song Ha-myeong glared in disbelief.
To his surprise, Song Hak nodded. "That is exactly how I see it."
"Hah... I assume you have evidence for such a claim?"
"First, the timing is far too coincidental. The Unorthodox Faction, who have been like cats and dogs with us until now, suddenly demanded negotiations regarding the Golden Martial Association—the very group Seok Myeong befriended. And then, while the sect's greatest powers were away, these overwhelming attackers arrived. Do you truly believe this is a mere coincidence?"
Song Ha-myeong’s shoulders stiffened. He instinctively shouted, "Elder Song Hak! You are making an absurd accusation! Are you saying Seok Myeong sold out the sect? That boy would sooner die than do such a thing!"
"Are you speaking of Seok Myeong’s character? I am well aware of it. But what difference does it make?" Song Hak snorted, brushing off the defense. "Disaster can strike even without intent. I know Seok Myeong is a gentle soul who cares for the sect. However, that also makes him a very easy child to exploit."
"..."
"The people he associated with were from the Golden Martial Association. They are strictly Unorthodox. And the place he supposedly took down was the Black Snake Union. Also Unorthodox. The elders gathered here know well how crafty and treacherous that Unorthodox rabble can be. A naive disciple loyal to his sect is nothing more than a convenient tool for them."
Mumble. Ahem.
Uncomfortable groans rippled through the elders. At first, they thought Song Hak was being excessive, but now his words carried a chilling logic.
The Qingcheng Sect was insular. They were so stubborn and independent that they rarely established diplomatic ties. In their eyes, even among the Orthodox Faction, there were many who would set traps for their own gain. How much worse would the Unorthodox Faction be?
"Seok Myeong’s heart is so pure... it is possible he could have been caught in such a scheme," Elder Song Ji murmured.
"Song Ji!" Song Ha-myeong was horrified.
"Do not misunderstand," Song Ji said, his gaunt face and large eyes reflecting caution. "I am merely saying that Elder Song Hak’s words have merit. It is a fact that Seok Myeong has not disclosed everything that happened during his time in the Jianghu."
"Mmm..."
"Hmm..."
Several elders nodded in agreement. One does not become an elder simply by growing old; they had reviewed the reports of Seok Myeong’s travels and noticed several glaring omissions.
"How exactly did he manage to move so efficiently, finding duel opponents one after another without wasting any time? This could not have happened without the cooperation of the Golden Martial Association."
"Indeed. It is no easy feat for a novice to find appropriate duel opponents. Even in my day... ahem!"
"Even if we overlook the fact that he descended the mountain without permission, many things must have happened. Especially regarding the Black Snake Union..."
"It is true that Seok Myeong is pure-hearted, but that is exactly why he might have fallen for a deception he didn't even recognize. Especially since he is the last of the Azure Cloud lineage, he might have involved himself in something reckless."
Flutter.
As the murmurs continued, Song Hak waved his sleeve dismissively.
"Above all, he must have had some inkling that an attack on the sect was coming. If he didn't know, he is foolishly naive. If he knew and hid it, that is a betrayal of his masters and the sect."
Though he spoke without proof, his words struck the core of the matter. Seok Myeong had not mentioned Su Su-rin, the woman who had touched his chest. He had hidden it simply because it was embarrassing, or because he feared being misunderstood as a Taoist of Qingcheng, but the accumulation of such omissions had given Song Hak the ammunition he needed.
"In the first place, the sword qi he used was clearly... well, perhaps not a demonic art, but it certainly wasn't the pure sword of Qingcheng. Even if he didn't learn it intentionally, it was a grave oversight not to report something so dangerous directly to the elders or the Sect Leader."
At Song Hak’s slightly softened phrasing—'perhaps not a demonic art'—many of the elders nodded.
"Do you have anything else to say?" Song Jeong asked.
"No, Sect Leader."
As Song Hak bowed, Song Ji stepped forward. "Seok Myeong is the only remaining disciple of the Azure Cloud lineage. Having observed his integrity for a long time, I believe we must also consider the boy's future."
Both Song Ha-myeong and Song Ji were feeling anxious. The atmosphere inside the Grand Purity Hall had become completely rigid. The consensus was shifting: even if Seok Myeong hadn't acted with malice, he had made critical mistakes. And while he had performed a great service during the raid, he was also likely the catalyst for it.
When judged with such prejudice, even the truth would sound like an excuse. And when the atmosphere leaned this way, even the Sect Leader would be forced toward a biased decision.
"Sect Leader. What are your thoughts after examining that 'Qingcheng Heart Method'?" Song Hak asked.
Song Jeong spoke with a troubled expression. No matter his personal pity, public and private matters had to remain separate.
"The Azure Cloud lineage was attempting something dangerous. For a long time, they had been trying to integrate a demonic art of the Demonic Cult called the Heavenly Scripture Energy Absorption Art—originally the Demonic Energy Absorption Art—into our sect."
"Heavens!"
"I knew it!"
A chilling atmosphere settled over the assembly. Amidst this, Song Hak wore an expression of triumph mixed with intense loathing.
"Seok Myeong did not lie," Song Jeong continued. "While I was attempting to understand the logic behind it, I could see that this heart method is distinctly different from the demonic arts of the Demonic Cult. However, I am still debating whether its internal energy is pure enough to be called a technique of Qingcheng."
"The roots cannot be hidden, Sect Leader! As long as one chases power alone, that heart method is—"
"It is true that Seok Myeong has committed a wrong," Song Jeong said, cutting off the rising anger in Song Hak’s voice. He looked at the elders and continued calmly. "However, considering his position as the one who inherited the dying wish of his master, Song Hye, one could say he had no choice. In truth, the greatest catalyst for this entire affair began the moment Seok Myeong left for his journey through the Jianghu."
"What do you mean, Sect Leader?"
"First, we must hear Seok Myeong’s side. And we must also hear from those around him. Just as Elder Song Hak said, we need to know exactly what happened during the battle with the Black Snake Union."
If there was a plot to destroy Qingcheng, the destruction of the Black Snake Union was surely the cause. No one was unaware that the Samu Alliance stood behind the Black Snake Union.
"We cannot trust the word of the Golden Martial Association. They are Unorthodox," Song Hak drove the point home once more. "Furthermore, Seok Myeong is the one facing punishment. He will try to hide anything disadvantageous to him, just as he has done until now."
Sect Leader Song Jeong nodded with a somewhat displeased look.
"I am taking that into full consideration. That is why I have been looking for another witness who might have seen the battle at the time..."
"Oh, wait a second. Are you looking for me?"
Just as Song Jeong was about to reach a conclusion, a man's voice drifted in through the murmurs. A man walked slowly into the center of the Grand Purity Hall, and everyone who looked at him doubted their own eyes.
He was a rare martial genius, recognized as having surpassed even the disciples of the main mountain despite being a secular disciple. He was a man who was once known to represent the very name of Qingcheng.
"Sect Leader, it has been a long time. I apologize for my long absence."
It was none other than the Swordsman of Swift Wind, Song Yeo-guk.