Chapter 141: Going to the Martial Alliance (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 141: Going to the Martial Alliance (2)
From the moment he stepped into the Great Hall, Song Gwan struggled to find a place to rest his eyes.
Sweat beaded on his forehead.
With not a single familiar face in sight, Song Gwan felt as though he had been dropped alone in the middle of a vast, desolate desert.
“Ha… this is difficult.”
As expected, this position was far too taxing for him.
Though he held the rank of an elder, he had rarely ventured outside the sect since his bout with Qi Deviation. Having spent nearly his entire life within the confines of the Qingcheng Sect, he had never been given the opportunity to participate in exchanges with other sects.
Since the Qingcheng Sect itself was not particularly active in its dealings with outsiders, he had never even had the chance to encounter visiting guests.
“Whew…”
Consequently, the number of people he had met since arriving at the Martial Alliance already exceeded the total number of people he had met in his entire life.
After a long bout of bowing and exchanging greetings, he finally caught his breath by sitting on a chair positioned against a wall.
The Inner Court was spacious, and the various landscaped areas provided enough cover that he felt he could avoid further encounters if he simply stayed put.
“Where have you come from?”
“Ah.”
A middle-aged man approached Song Gwan, who was sitting with a dazed expression, and asked in a friendly tone.
“I am from Qingcheng. My name is Song Gwan.”
Song Gwan forced a smile as he replied.
“Qingcheng? Song Gwan? Hmm… I haven’t heard that name before.”
The man tilted his head. A slight frown creased Song Gwan’s face.
A name he hadn’t heard before.
Considering Song Gwan held the status of an elder, such a comment was practically a challenge to the prestige of a great sect like Qingcheng.
“Ahem, ahem. And might I ask your own esteemed name?”
When Song Gwan offered a somewhat exaggerated compliment, the man nodded, seemingly unaware of the underlying tension.
“Ah. I am Gu Jong-myeong of Mount Hua.”
“Gu Jong-myeong… Ah! Are you not the Plum Blossom Fan?”
In the Mount Hua Sect, those who held a title featuring the "Plum Blossom" carried the same weight as the top swordsmen of Qingcheng. In fact, Mount Hua placed even greater importance on the title; those who bore it were usually the representative figures of the sect.
“Ho ho. You even know my title? I am honored. My apologies, but what did you say your name was again, Taoist friend? This old man’s knowledge is clearly lacking.”
Since the other party had revealed his identity and shown proper etiquette, Song Gwan could not remain seated. He hurriedly stood up and offered a polite bow.
“As I mentioned, I am Song Gwan.”
“Song Gwan… Song Gwan…”
Gu Jong-myeong now looked troubled. No matter how much he searched his memory, the name simply didn’t ring a bell.
“Haha, I am merely an ordinary Taoist of Qingcheng. It is only natural that the Plum Blossom Fan would not know me.”
“Ho ho, I’ve shown you an embarrassing side of myself. I consider myself quite the gossip back at Mount Hua, so I thought I knew almost everyone of note.”
Gu Jong-myeong cleared his throat and offered a fist-and-palm salute again.
“If it isn’t too rude, may I ask under which master you studied?”
“……”
Song Gwan’s expression soured. It was clear by now that this man was well-connected. If Song Gwan revealed his lineage and the man didn't recognize that either, it would only lead to further embarrassment.
“Haha. You likely won’t know them either. They were never famous, nor did they ever seek the spotlight. So, let us leave it at that…”
“No, no. That would be impolite of me. Please, if you don’t mind, do tell.”
Song Gwan wanted to shout, “I do mind!” but the man showed no sign of backing down. Finally, worn down by Gu Jong-myeong’s stubbornness, Song Gwan answered.
“My master passed away long ago, so the name will mean nothing to you. However, I had a senior brother who taught and helped me like a master. He used the characters ‘Song’ and ‘Hye.’”
“Song Hye…?”
Gu Jong-myeong searched his memory for a moment, then his eyes suddenly widened.
“Could it be… True Person Song Hye of the Azure Cloud?”
“You know of her?” Song Gwan asked, surprised.
“There is likely no one gathered here who does not know of Song Hye, the Ancient Sword of the Azure Peak. She was someone everyone expected to one day join the ranks of the Ten Great Masters.”
However, the one who answered was not Gu Jong-myeong.
Song Gwan turned around to find an old man with a relaxed expression standing there. The old man gave off an impression as clear and serene as his spotless Taoist robes. Song Gwan instinctively felt that this was no ordinary individual.
“And you are…?”
“I am called Unyang of Wudang.”
“Could it be? One of the Ten Great Masters of the current age…?”
“Ho ho, my friends in the Jianghu have seen fit to attach such a hollow title to my name.”
Song Gwan immediately showed his respect. Such an opportunity was rare—to meet one of the Ten Great Masters of the Central Plains face-to-face.
“There is no need for such formality, Taoist friend. Wudang is not a place that seeks to be served by Qingcheng.”
“No. This is not as a member of Qingcheng, but a mark of respect offered in my personal capacity.”
“Ho ho.”
Taoist Unyang laughed awkwardly. However, his expression didn't seem genuinely pleased; it looked more like a practiced, formal smile. He looked at Song Gwan and spoke.
“I heard that Qingcheng has attended this time with a Rising Star who is making quite a name for himself.”
“You must be referring to Seok Myeong.”
“Seok Myeong, yes. I’ve heard rumors that he is quite famous.”
“He is still a child who is lacking in many ways.”
Song Gwan offered the standard humble response, but Unyang seemed to take the words literally.
“Indeed. He is still a lacking child.”
‘…Huh?’
Song Gwan hadn't expected such a blunt response. To the bewildered Song Gwan, Unyang spoke again in a lecturing tone.
“It is said that what is too rigid will eventually snap. It is well and good to run wild with youthful vigor, but one must know how to exercise caution and reflect upon oneself.”
“……”
Song Gwan’s brow furrowed. Specifically, at the part about "what is too rigid will eventually snap."
One could dismiss it as mere advice, but Wudang championed softness while Qingcheng championed hardness. Depending on how one heard it, this was a claim that Qingcheng could never defeat Wudang.
‘No, it’s not just a matter of interpretation. That’s exactly what he meant.’
Song Gwan felt a bitter taste in his mouth. He had never regretted his lack of fame in the Jianghu as much as he did now. To have someone speak this way to him, the representative of Qingcheng, felt like a direct insult to the sect itself.
“Well then, I shall take my leave. I hope you enjoy the banquet.”
Taoist Unyang turned away as if he had only come to deliver that one message. It was a tense battle of nerves hidden beneath a soft exterior. Just as Unyang likely thought he had completely suppressed his opponent…
“Three hundred years ago, if you asked anyone to name the strongest sect in the Jianghu, ten out of ten would have said Mount Hua.”
Thump.
The voice from behind caught Taoist Unyang’s footsteps.
“At that time, even Wudang could not dare to compare itself to Mount Hua. Of course, later on, Wudang became the leader of the Nine Sects One Gang.”
“……”
It was Song Gwan.
“After that, it was Shaolin. Then Wudang again. The Jianghu has always been a place where the balance of power shifts in such a cycle.”
“What is it you are trying to say?” Unyang asked.
Song Gwan, whom Unyang thought he had firmly put in his place, was now glaring back with sharp, piercing eyes.
“Taoist Unyang. Can you say for certain which sect is the strongest in the Jianghu right now?”
“……”
A crack appeared in Unyang’s composed expression. Gu Jong-myeong, who was standing nearby, cleared his throat awkwardly.
Unyang wanted to say, “It is Wudang,” but he kept the thought to himself. The current Leader of the Martial Alliance was Go Ju-gang. He was from Mount Hua, and the key positions of the Alliance were dominated by the Mount Hua Sect.
Yet, he couldn't bring himself to say, “It is Mount Hua,” either. As a man of Wudang, Unyang firmly believed his own sect was the best.
“So, you are saying the next era belongs to Qingcheng? That your sect is the best among the Rising Stars?”
A thorny, sarcastic edge crept into Unyang’s voice.
And to that, Song Gwan replied.
“That is something you will have to see with your own eyes, Taoist Unyang.”
Unlike before, Song Gwan held his chin high with an air of supreme confidence and arrogance.
“Is that not the very reason for holding this Martial Demonstration Gathering in the first place?”
“……”
Unyang slightly revised his evaluation of Song Gwan. On the surface, the man had seemed soft and weak.
But in the end, it seemed Qingcheng was still Qingcheng.
*
Step, step.
In contrast to the mellow atmosphere of the Inner Court, the air in the Outer Court was freezing.
This was inevitable, as unlike the spacious Inner Court, the Rising Stars in the Outer Court had been gathered together in one area, almost as if by design.
There were fifteen people in total.
As planned, Shaolin and Wudang had sent one representative each, while Mount Hua, Diancang, and Kunlun had sent two each. Kongtong had three, and Qingcheng had one more, totaling four.
Clack. Clack.
However, the ones having the most difficulty adjusting were the Qingcheng disciples. The taciturn Seok Jun didn't even open his mouth, while Yeon-hui and Seok Jin looked awkward as they watched him.
‘This is uncomfortable.’
Seok Myeong also felt that something was off, but there was nothing he could do about it immediately. In a strange environment surrounded by unfamiliar faces, it wasn't easy to start a conversation.
“Greetings, Taoist friends.”
Just then, a man in Taoist robes and a young girl approached them, much to Seok Myeong's relief.
“They say all within the four seas are brothers, so why don’t we exchange greetings at a gathering like this? Ah, let me introduce myself first. I am Yu Yeok-gil of Wudang.”
The man in the Taoist robes had a clean-cut appearance and round eyes; he was the type of person who naturally inspired likability.
“Yes. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
Seok Myeong stood up and returned the salute. As he did, he looked at the girl beside the man.
“I am called Yu Hwa.”
She had a youthful face, but she was tall, nearly reaching the height of an adult woman. Upon closer inspection, she seemed even taller than Yeon-hui.
“Yu Yeok-gil… Yu Yeok-gil… The Mist Sword of the Five Dragons!”
After thinking for a moment, Seok Jin blurted out in admiration. The Mist Sword of Wudang. He was seeing one of the legendary Five Dragons in the flesh.
At his reaction, the girl named Yu Hwa laughed and shook her head.
“Ho ho ho. Five Dragons? That’s all an exaggeration. Our master only says that because he likes to brag. His actual skills are quite pathetic.”
At the girl’s words, Yu Yeok-gil let out a lamenting sigh.
“You brat. Calling your senior brother pathetic? What if someone hears you and actually believes it?”
“But it’s the truth. Aside from skipping classes, all you do for training is go up to the back mountain and roll around in the grass.”
“Ahem! Ahem! You’re still young, so you don’t understand. Once you reach a certain realm, you need a period of letting go and quiet contemplation. Even Cheol Gun, who is called the head of the Five Dragons, spent years just playing and eating, didn't he?”
“No, that man is a genius. You, Senior Brother, are a dullard.”
“Hey now…!”
They seemed like a cheerful and close-knit pair of disciples.
“And didn't that genius get absolutely crushed by the Noble Lord of Renown standing right here after he ran wild, trusting only in his own strength?”
The warm atmosphere turned icy in a single heartbeat.
The faces of the Qingcheng disciples hardened. At the same time, Yu Hwa’s gaze swept across the group.
‘What a sly little thing.’
Yeon-hui felt it. With that one comment, the burden of expectation on their side had suddenly become heavier than that of the Five Dragons. Being a woman herself, she had sensed it faster than any of the other Qingcheng disciples.
She stood up, fluttering her sleeves as she bowed.
“I am Yeon-hui of Qingcheng. I am attending this gathering as the daughter of the Sect Leader, and I recently lent a small hand in the affairs of the Jianghu.”
“Yeon-hui… Qingcheng… Ah. Then are you the one Yeoyeosinni mentioned? One of the Seven Peaks of Martial Women?”
Perhaps it was because she was young. Even though she had thrown a sharp jab earlier, Yu Hwa followed it up with such sudden and excessive praise that Yeon-hui was caught off guard.
“One of the Seven Peaks? That is too much for me. I am…”
“Ah! It really is her. I thought your face was far too beautiful for someone from Qingcheng. Wow, I never expected to see the Azure Star Beauty in a place like this!”
“……”
It was difficult to deal with a child who lacked a filter, especially when that child held a high status. As Yeon-hui’s face flushed red, the Mist Sword of Wudang asked.
“Do you know her?”
“You don’t? I told you before. The Seven Peaks of Martial Women. The Azure Star Beauty. The precious daughter of Qingcheng, Lady Yeon-hui!”
“Ah, I see.”
The Mist Sword nodded, and Yeon-hui waved her sleeves in a panic. Before she knew it, the gazes converging on them from all around had become intense.
“No, it’s not like that. Yeoyeosinni did say something like that back then, but the Seven Peaks…”
“She is indeed one of the Seven Peaks.”
Just then, someone spoke as they walked toward them.
With every measured stride, a calm expression, steady eyes, and perfectly controlled energy, a man who looked ordinary yet was anything but arrived before them.
“It’s been a while, Jin-cheon.”
“Mm. Have you been well?”
At Yu Yeok-gil’s greeting, every eye in the room focused on the man. Though they had heard he was coming, they hadn't known what he looked like; seeing him in person made his presence feel real.
Jin-cheon looked at Yeon-hui and spoke.
“She is indeed one of the Seven Peaks. It was reported last year that Seonu-nyeo, the leader of the Eastern Dragon Fort of the Eighteen Waterways of the Yangtze, who was one of the Seven Peaks, had died. Therefore, it is only natural for the young lady to take a place among the new Seven Peaks.”
“Haah.”
Yeon-hui couldn't find the words to respond. Whether she wanted it or not, it seemed she was now officially considered one of the Seven Peaks of Martial Women.
“I am called Seok Jin. I have not yet traveled the Jianghu, so I do not have a title.”
Seok Jin, who had been sitting silently until now, offered a fist-and-palm salute.
“A pleasure.”
Jin-cheon gave a curt nod and said nothing more. Knowing nothing about him, he simply dismissed Seok Jin as an unknown soldier.
“I am…”
Thirdly, Seok Jun stepped forward and offered a salute. His face was slightly flushed, as if he were anticipating something.
“I am called Seok Jun. During my first journey into the Jianghu, I was referred to as one of the Seven Well Heroes.”
Seok Jun announced his title even though no one had asked. In Sichuan, there was no one who didn't know of the Seven Well Heroes.
However, no one followed up with a question. The gazes of those watching were no different from how they had looked at Seok Jin.
Just as a flash of embarrassment crossed Seok Jun’s face, Jin-cheon stepped past him. He looked at Seok Myeong, who had yet to introduce himself, and asked.
“Are you Seok Myeong, the Noble Lord of Renown?”
At this, the eyes of Seok Jun, Seok Jin, and Yeon-hui all turned toward Seok Myeong.
Seok Myeong offered a polite bow with a slightly uncomfortable expression and replied.
“My Taoist name is indeed Seok Myeong. However, the title of Noble Lord of Renown is…”
Just as he was about to say it was too much, the other man narrowed his eyes, pinning him down with his gaze.
“I see. It is you. The Taoist of Qingcheng who is evaluated as the strongest among all us Rising Stars.”