Chapter 144: Provocation (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 144: Provocation (2)
Lee Gon stood as one of the preeminent rising stars of the Diancang Sect.
At the mere age of fifteen, he had perfectly mastered the Eighteen Rays Sword, earning him a reputation as a genius among geniuses.
To the uninitiated, a child being called a prodigy at that age might seem like a mere exaggeration or the result of a few clever tricks. However, such skeptics likely lacked knowledge in two key areas: they either knew nothing of the Eighteen Rays Sword, or they knew nothing of the Diancang Sect itself.
While the Diancang Sect followed the path of Taoist martial arts, their pursuit was not of traditional, flowery forms, but of practical, combat-oriented techniques.
The Eighteen Rays Sword was a pragmatic style consisting of eighteen swift strikes. To "perfectly master" it meant being able to execute all eighteen forms at the exact same speed regardless of the situation—a feat far easier said than done.
A sword is not swung in simple straight lines. Beyond mere stabbing and slashing, the style included transitional movements like angled cuts and parry-and-lifts, as well as applied techniques like diagonal upward thrusts. Perfecting the art meant executing every variation with absolute precision within the same timeframe. In other words, it signified a master who had reached the pinnacle of the Eighteen Rays Sword.
Furthermore, mastering it within the Diancang Sect meant one had been forged in the fires of real combat. "Real combat" was a euphemism for having experience in killing; it meant his sword had already tasted blood.
Lee Gon was only fifteen when he surpassed both these milestones.
He simply lacked grand titles like the "Five Dragons," the "Three Tigers," or the "Seven Well Heroes of Sichuan." In terms of raw skill, Lee Gon was a powerhouse who yielded to no one.
Sss-sh-sh-shik!
His sword whistled like a flute as he thrust toward Seok Jun. The speed was blinding—like a flickering flame dancing before the eyes—making it appear as if he were wielding dozens of blades at once.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
However, Seok Jun was no pushover. Though he had lost to Seok Myeong, he was a man who, in Seok Myeong’s absence, would have been more than worthy of the title of Qingcheng’s greatest prodigy. Moreover, his internal energy had surged recently after practicing the Latent Form Divine Art.
Reacting late, yet striking first.
Even though he responded a fraction of a second after the attack began, Seok Jun’s movements remained perfectly composed against his opponent's onslaught.
Clang-clang-clang!
Seok Jun parried the torrent of sword light that poured down like a waterfall. His face was etched with fury, suggesting he found the situation quite troublesome, yet he continued to press forward, step by step. A fierce Sword Aura remained extended from the tip of his blade.
"Hah!"
Sensing Seok Jun was about to counterattack, Lee Gon made his move first. He intended to blur his opponent's vision by applying pressure from all sides before unleashing a decisive burst of sword energy. Lee Gon closed the distance, tightening the noose.
"Th-that’s the Sun Shooting Sword Technique!"
Yeon-hui shouted as she recognized Lee Gon’s martial art. The Sun Shooting Sword Technique was one of Diancang’s signature ultimate arts. It was a style that boasted incredible speed, with forms so fast, powerful, and relentless that they were said to be capable of shooting the sun from the sky.
True to its name, streaks of light flew from every direction, closing in on Seok Jun with terrifying velocity.
So, this is it!
Unlike the onlookers who watched with bated breath, Seok Jun was fully prepared. To be precise, the moment Lee Gon began swinging his sword in all directions, Seok Jun recognized the signal for the Sun Shooting Sword Technique and unleashed his own technique in response.
It was the Lightning Cutting Sword, known as the fastest speed-sword style in Qingcheng. Remarkably, despite moving second, he managed to counter the attack perfectly.
Boom!
A massive Air-Breaking Sound erupted, the shockwave forcing everyone watching to take a step back.
"Haa..."
"Phew."
Though they had both displayed magnificent martial prowess, neither seemed satisfied. Seok Jun, whose expression looked slightly better, spoke first.
"Did you say the Sun Shooting Sword Technique is a sword that shoots the sun?"
"..."
"Then since my Lightning Cutting Sword is a sword that shoots lightning, I suppose I’m the faster one."
At those words, the corner of Lee Gon’s mouth quirked up.
"For someone claiming to be fast, you didn't seem all that impressive."
"I was faster than you."
"A man who was busy just defending himself sure has a big mouth."
Grit.
Seok Jun’s eyes turned sharp. It was true that he had been forced back by the relentless assault. The memory of it fueled his rising anger.
Sss...
A murderous intent began to cloud his gaze. Lee Gon watched his opponent's reaction with a satisfied look before suddenly tossing out a question.
"You're the one called Seok Myeong, right?"
"What?"
Seok Jun’s brow furrowed.
"Wait... are you saying you're not Seok Myeong?"
Lee Gon’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"..."
"What the... then who...?"
Lee Gon turned his head. The only other people from Qingcheng who had followed were a woman and an inexperienced-looking youth. Since he hadn't heard that Seok Myeong was a woman, he looked at the young man and asked, "Hey. Are you Seok Myeong, then?"
"Me? No, I am not."
"Then..."
"..."
"Then where is he?"
As Lee Gon continued to look around, Seok Jun snapped irritably, "This is quite the insult. Why are you looking for him now?"
"That’s because..."
The one who answered was not Lee Gon. A man dressed in black Taoist robes spoke up.
"We have something to verify with him."
*
While Lee Gon and Seok Jun were clashing in the inner court, a group of people was conversing on a hill that overlooked the building.
Leading the group were Go Ju-gang, the Leader of the Martial Alliance; Hye Seon of Shaolin; Taoist Unyang of Wudang; and Gu Jong-myeong of Mount Hua. They stood in the front row, watching the fight.
They weren't alone. Nok Gwi-bo and Gwi Cheon-neung of Diancang were there, along with Taoist Wongang of Kongtong and Pan Yu-seong of Kunlun—figures who rarely showed themselves even within the inner court.
To put it simply, every representative of the Nine Great Sects currently present was gathered here, with the sole exception of Song Gwan of the Qingcheng Sect.
"Is that boy Seok Myeong?" asked Elder Gu Jong-myeong of the Mount Hua Sect as he watched the duel.
"No. He isn't there," Ji Jung replied.
There were clearly four Qingcheng disciples in total, but only three were visible now.
"It seems he’s stepped out for a moment."
Go Ju-gang spoke to Elder Gu Jong-myeong with casual familiarity. Given his position as the Alliance Leader and his higher rank within the hierarchy of their respective sects' origins, such informal speech was natural.
"This is troublesome. We need to determine if he’s practiced demonic arts, but the boy has baited the wrong targets."
"He will be here soon."
Go Ju-gang spoke dismissively and turned his head.
"He must have heard that Air-Breaking Sound just now. If he’s a fellow disciple of the Qingcheng Sect, he’ll come."
Standing there was an old man wearing robes embroidered with the characters for 'Great' (太), 'Jade' (玉), and 'Supreme' (上) in yellow. This was Pan Yu-seong of the Kunlun Sect.
"How did the matter go?"
Even Go Ju-gang, the Alliance Leader, maintained a cautious and respectful tone toward this man.
"He inhaled the Restful Fragrance, so he will sleep soundly for a full day."
"Restful Fragrance... May I ask what that is?"
"It is a medicine that uses internal energy to relax the muscles. Since it is derived from natural herbs, it is not harmful to the body; it simply allows for a deeper sleep."
Go Ju-gang’s expression brightened at those words. He had been worried about potential complications, but it seemed those concerns were unnecessary.
"Thank you for saving us the trouble."
"Don't mention it. It is a grave matter if demonic arts have infiltrated a core sect of the Orthodox Faction. How could we take such a thing lightly?"
At that, Gu Jong-myeong added, "In any case, it’s a relief the opponent was Song Gwan of Qingcheng. If it had been Song Hak or Sect Leader Song Jeong himself, we wouldn't have been able to control them with Restful Fragrance."
Chuckles.
A light laughter spread through the group. Song Gwan, who was currently absent, was far below the other elders in terms of internal energy cultivation, to say nothing of his temperament. Had a master with higher internal energy come, the idea of putting them to sleep to plot behind their back would have been unthinkable.
"But tell me, must we go to such lengths to investigate this boy, Seok Myeong?"
Taoist Unyang frowned, clearly displeased. Drugging a sect elder and spying on the martial arts level of first-generation disciples—he was irritated that he was even involved in such a situation.
"Now, now. Did you not hear? The martial art that boy practiced is..."
As Go Ju-gang began to speak, Unyang immediately waved his hand.
"I heard. That he practiced the Demonic Energy Absorption Art."
"Then you know..."
"My point is, is this really the only way? We have nothing to hide, so why must we resort to such underhanded tactics? We could simply summon him, check his pulse, and examine his internal energy. Demonic arts are, by nature, impossible to hide even if one tries, are they not?"
As Taoist Unyang raised his voice, Go Ju-gang shook his head.
"You are right, but this case is a bit different."
"Different how?"
"According to the Beggar Sect, what Seok Myeong practiced cannot be definitively labeled as a demonic art. It is something suspected to be a demonic art, and a conclusion can only be reached after a close examination."
"Hmm."
"What if the nature of the Demonic Qi has changed, showing characteristics different from the original?"
"The Demonic Qi... changed?"
"Witnesses say the energy was ink-black. They said it seemed like a demonic art, yet also seemed like it wasn't. In such a situation, wouldn't it be difficult to tell through a simple pulse reading? And what if he senses something and tries to hide it?"
Taoist Unyang countered, "Listen here, Alliance Leader. Does that even make sense? If the nature of the Demonic Qi has changed, then it is no longer Demonic Qi. The very idea of 'tameable' Demonic Qi is an oxymoron, is it not?"
"I don't know the details either. That is why we are going through all this trouble."
Go Ju-gang nodded.
"Would I really go through all this just to falsely accuse the Qingcheng Sect? It is a matter that is both complex and sensitive. That is also why I have brought all of you here to witness his martial arts personally."
The group fell into a pensive silence at Go Ju-gang’s words. After giving them a moment, Go Ju-gang turned to one man.
"Taoist Wongang of Kongtong, what is your take? You've heard what we've been discussing."
The man was an elder who was shorter and had smaller hands than one might expect. He had a small frame like a young boy, with thinning hair and a face so heavily wrinkled that it was difficult to guess his age.
"Demonic Qi is, by its very nature, a corrupted energy."
After a long moment of contemplation, Wongang spoke, revealing his few remaining teeth.
"Therefore, the possibility of further corruption or change is not entirely non-existent."
"Then, are you saying, Master, that the boy Seok Myeong’s martial art might not be a demonic art?"
"I cannot say for certain. As I mentioned, it is extremely rare for already corrupted Demonic Qi to undergo another transformation."
Wongang paused, then added one more thought as if his explanation was incomplete.
"A demonic art is simply a demonic art. History has proven that taming or mutating Demonic Qi is an impossibility."
"Hmm."
"I see."
Everyone nodded at his words. It was an established truth that Demonic Qi was an uncontrollable energy that consumed its user. That was the orthodox view.
Thus, the rumors regarding Seok Myeong of Qingcheng were utterly incomprehensible. At the same time, it was a matter of great interest. They felt that if such a thing were possible for a mere disciple of Qingcheng, there was no reason they couldn't achieve it as well.
"In the end, we're back to square one."
Everyone nodded at Go Ju-gang’s remark. They all waited for Seok Myeong to arrive.