Chapter 177: The Conspiracy of the Samu Alliance (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 177: The Conspiracy of the Samu Alliance (2)
Late afternoon, as the shadows of dusk began to fall, Seok Myeong walked along a stone-walled path.
This path was one of six branching out from the main gate of Mount Qingcheng. At its end lay the Azure Moon Storehouse.
"Sigh..."
Seok Myeong slowed his pace for a moment and looked around.
The endless expanse of green mountain ridges and the rugged cliffs bore the marks of passing ages. The warm, familiar scenery filled his vision. Whenever he walked this path, a certain thought always crossed his mind.
What did I mean to Qingcheng?
The path of the Azure Cloud was a branch of Qingcheng, so why had it been treated with such contempt? What exactly did he have to do to make his fellow sect members recognize him, his master, and the achievements of his many grandmasters?
Back then, he had been so lonely and distressed.
But today, those memories didn't feel so bitter. The current Seok Myeong had been recognized by Qingcheng. Along with him, the path of the Azure Cloud had been vindicated as well. It was because, after countless efforts and challenges, he had finally grasped true power.
As he arrived near the Azure Moon Storehouse, lost in reflection, Seok Myeong encountered someone he hadn't expected to see.
"Elder Song Gwan?"
"Oh. What brings you here?"
The man, whom Seok Myeong had rarely seen since the incident at the Martial Alliance, greeted him in front of the Azure Moon Storehouse.
"I just... felt like stopping by. But Elder, where have you been all this time?"
"The Sect Leader had a few tasks for me. My, did you miss me that much?" Song Gwan spoke with a gentle smile.
"...A little bit."
In truth, it would be more accurate to say he hadn't had a moment to think about it. However, Song Gwan was the martial uncle who had always supported and helped him. It wasn't as if he hadn't wanted to see him.
"I heard the news. I'm told you thoroughly crushed those insolent fools from the Diancang Sect?"
"Ah, well... that's just how it turned out."
Was he being blamed for his lack of restraint? As Seok Myeong looked at him with an awkward expression, Song Gwan let out a hearty laugh instead.
"You did well. You did a fine job. It’s a shame I couldn't see it with my own eyes. You have truly upheld the pride of Qingcheng. Your master, Senior Brother Song Hye, must be rejoicing in the afterlife as well."
"...You flatter me. It was only possible because everyone helped. Especially you, Martial Uncle Song Gwan."
Seok Myeong bowed his head. To him, who had lost his master early on, Song Gwan was no different from another master. It wasn't just about martial arts, but about keeping his heart steady. During those long years when he was treated as an outsider and ostracized within Qingcheng, Song Gwan was the grateful soul who always spoke with him and anchored his wavering heart.
"...When was this building restored like this?"
Feeling a bit bashful, Seok Myeong turned his gaze away, only to startle in surprise. When he had last visited, the Azure Moon Storehouse had been nothing but a charred husk. Now, it had been restored to a surprising degree.
"I put some work into it myself. It took a few days of hard labor."
It seemed that when an elder of his stature moved personally, progress happened on a different level. Song Gwan nodded and gave Seok Myeong a light pat on the back.
"Would you like to go inside? I've put it back together for the most part... though I don't know if it'll be to your liking."
"Of course! I'll take a look right away!"
Seok Myeong nodded, his face brightening. Song Gwan smiled. In moments like this, Seok Myeong looked exactly like the young boy he used to be.
*
Creak. Creeeak.
The floor of the storehouse groaned with every step. Because the fire had burned even the foundation, every single piece of timber had to be replaced. Thanks to that, the building had the distinct feel of a brand-new pavilion.
"Phew..."
Regrettably, this clean Azure Moon Storehouse was empty. The storehouse, which served as the library of Qingcheng, had been shattered on the day of the raid, and countless books left by the grandmasters had vanished. Only the numerous newly built bookshelves remained, serving as a reminder of what the Azure Moon Storehouse once held.
"There is no need to feel regret. The books are gone, but the people remain. Though they do not follow the path of the Azure Cloud, there are many elders who possess the relevant knowledge."
"Is that true?"
"Indeed. Thanks to the feats you achieved this time, the elders who had remained neutral until now are putting all their effort into recovering the old records of the Azure Cloud. Not only that, they have begun writing works that analyze the experiences of the Jianghu and the secret techniques of other sects—their strengths and weaknesses—starting from the foundations of Qingcheng."
"Ah..."
Seok Myeong felt his eyes grow slightly warm. The old things were lost. The legacy of the ancestors had vanished. But if all the elders of Qingcheng united as one, a new Azure Moon Storehouse would be born. The records of the Azure Cloud, along with even more vast and numerous volumes, would fill the current void.
"I, too... this lacking disciple will also lend a hand."
"Haha. That goes without saying."
Song Gwan smiled proudly at those words. Then, his expression shifted slightly.
"Myeong."
"Yes, Martial Uncle."
"The way you have been until now wasn't bad. But from now on, you must change."
"Pardon?"
"Be more dignified. You have become strong, but you do not yet realize your own strength."
"I'm not sure what you mean..."
"You are the Azure Cloud Pavilion Master. Until now, you were the sole successor of the Azure Cloud lineage. But from now on, you are in a position where you must raise many more to follow that path. Do you understand what I am saying?"
"Yes..."
Seok Myeong nodded. It didn't fully sink in, but for now, it sounded like the right thing to hear.
Whoosh.
After Song Gwan left, Seok Myeong hung a lantern on one wall. He looked around the room restlessly, pondering how he would fill this space in the future. He toured the seven rooms within the storehouse one by one. Once he had a rough plan in mind, he entered a small room and slowly settled into the lotus position.
"Phew..."
How long had it been since he was able to immerse himself in meditation with such a peaceful mind?
A lot has happened.
The past events were a series of overlapping incidents that the word "eventful" couldn't even begin to describe. It started with him trying to become a Qingcheng swordsman. Then things got complicated; he left the mountain and wandered the Jianghu. He formed many bonds, faced death on several occasions, and grew despite it all. Even when he finally returned to Qingcheng, he suffered greatly due to the misunderstandings that had piled up.
But that is all in the past now.
Shaking off his stray thoughts, Seok Myeong slowly closed his eyes. He needed to refine his new martial arts. Although he had defeated the three elders of the Diancang Sect, his insights from that time were not yet complete. He recalled the memories of that duel, organized his enlightenment, and focused deeply on the fusion of his internal energy and his will.
Thump.
"...?"
His heightened senses detected a quiet presence entering the room. When he opened his eyes and looked up, he was surprised.
"Sect Leader...?"
"Oh. Have I disturbed you?"
Sect Leader Song Jeong was looking down at him with a gratified expression.
*
"Your achievement is truly great. I tried to suppress my presence as I entered... but it seems even I can no longer hide from you."
"T-That is an outrageous thing to say!"
Seok Myeong prostrated himself in shock. A disciple the Sect Leader couldn't handle? Those were words that could be seen as a grave violation of the hierarchy.
"Coming here, it finally feels real."
However, Song Jeong looked around as if such things didn't matter. There wasn't even a proper desk yet. The restoration of the Azure Moon Storehouse was only in its beginning stages. There were only empty bookshelves and walls and floors that still smelled strongly of fresh wood.
Thud.
Since there were no chairs, the Sect Leader sat down on the floor, causing Seok Myeong's face to flush. He felt as if the incomplete state of the storehouse was somehow his fault.
"Why are you like that? To think the great Seok Myeong would be so wary of me." Seeing this, the Sect Leader smiled slightly and made a joke.
"W-What do you mean by that... You are the highest authority in our sect."
As Seok Myeong bowed his head, not knowing what to do with himself, Song Jeong burst into a hearty laugh.
"Well, since you were a first-generation disciple until recently, I suppose it's only natural. But Myeong, you must no longer be so intimidated by me."
"Pardon?"
"Because we will be seeing each other often from now on. You must attend the Elder Council meetings."
"The... the Elder Council? That's impossible. Someone of my status..."
Seok Myeong waved his hands in alarm. Song Jeong seemed to find the reaction amusing and smiled again. Then, his expression turned sharp as he called out to Seok Myeong.
"Azure Cloud Pavilion Master."
"Yes!"
"Right now, you are not simply the first-generation disciple Seok Myeong. You are the new wind of Qingcheng and the last lineage of the forgotten Azure Cloud. For the sake of the master who taught you and the many grandmasters who left behind those books, you must not lower your head so easily."
"..."
"Even if the person before you is me, Song Jeong, the Sect Leader of Qingcheng."
Seok Myeong's expression became complicated. He had heard something similar from Martial Uncle Song Gwan earlier. But now, he was hearing something even more radical from Sect Leader Song Jeong. For Seok Myeong, who had always strived to show nothing but loyalty to his superiors, this was a difficult task. Even if he tried, it wasn't something that could be achieved overnight.
Since it was an uncomfortable topic, Seok Myeong slightly shifted the conversation.
"I am lacking, but I will do my best. But... what brings the Sect Leader all the way here?"
"Naturally, I came to see the Azure Cloud Pavilion Master. There is something I wish to discuss."
"Discuss?"
Song Jeong closed his eyes and remained silent for a moment. Only after a long while did he speak.
"The crisis facing Qingcheng is not yet over."
Thump!
Seok Myeong felt his heart sink. Song Jeong continued.
"First, there is the Samu Alliance. No matter how you look at it, it is clear they are targeting our sect. They have already raided us openly once. Their goal is Qingcheng—or more accurately, you, the Azure Cloud Pavilion Master."
Seok Myeong nodded gravely.
"We won't be caught off guard a second time. Furthermore, the Nine Great Sects and the Beggar Sect are aware of their existence, so won't they offer their help?"
"Help from the Nine Great Sects..."
At that, Song Jeong looked up at the ceiling with a skeptical face. Then, he let out a long sigh.
"Yes. In war, justification is usually the most important thing. That is why orthodox sects put 'Chivalry' at the forefront. As you say, if the Nine Great Sects were to unite all their strength, they could defeat the Samu Alliance or anyone else. But unfortunately, there is no possibility of that happening."
"Pardon?"
"Because we have become strong. And because we will become even stronger in the future."
"..."
Seok Myeong narrowed his eyes. What the Sect Leader was referring to was Seok Myeong himself. Like the saying about an awl in a pouch—an exceptionally sharp tool will eventually pierce through the fabric. No matter how much one tries to hide it, it cannot be hidden.
And even if they champion chivalry and justification, the Nine Great Sects each try to ensure their own interests are not encroached upon. The Diancang Sect was like that, and so was the Leader of the Martial Alliance. Therefore, they would try to keep Qingcheng in check, whether secretly or openly.
"Let me ask you one thing, Azure Cloud Pavilion Master. When the envoys came from the Martial Alliance, your martial arts were recognized as orthodox through the favor of Great Master Hye Seon. And no one could object to that."
"...Yes."
"Except for those who were being stubborn like the Diancang Sect, everyone accepted it once Shaolin brought out the Green Jade Buddha Staff. Why do you think that is?"
"Because they trust Shaolin, a name with a thousand years of history."
"No, Azure Cloud Pavilion Master." Song Jeong shook his head firmly with a serious face. "It is simply because Shaolin is strong."
"...Pardon?"
Simply because Shaolin is strong. Depending on how one heard it, those words were difficult to understand. Knowing this, Song Jeong continued.
"The Jianghu is about power, not history or justification. Of course, power alone cannot solve everything. That is the way of the Unorthodox Faction."
"...Yes."
"But justice without power is merely an empty echo. Shaolin possesses both power and justification. That is why everyone follows Shaolin's word. Because to defy them is to go to war with Shaolin."
"That is true."
Seok Myeong let out a sigh. Although it didn't reach the level of Shaolin, Qingcheng was also an orthodox sect with a long history. Nevertheless, Qingcheng's claims were not recognized, while Shaolin's were.
The reality was different from the ideal. He felt he understood why Song Jeong had been addressing him as the Azure Cloud Pavilion Master, treating him as a peer rather than a first-generation disciple.
"In a situation like this, we cannot expect cooperation from the other Nine Great Sects. In fact, we'll be lucky if they don't try to suppress us. Even so, we must fight. Under extremely unfavorable conditions."
"Then... what must we do?" Seok Myeong asked.
Song Jeong replied with a faint smile. "The answer is simple. Our sect must become as strong as Shaolin, or even stronger."
"...!"
"I came here to say this, Azure Cloud Pavilion Master. Make our sect—the Qingcheng Sect—the greatest sect under heaven. That is the only way to protect ourselves and live without being threatened anymore in this tainted Jianghu."
Thump.
A resonance stirred in Seok Myeong's chest, like a ripple on water. The greatest sect under heaven. That was the dream and ambition of every martial artist. But it was a path that was equally difficult and seemingly impossible.
"What plan does the Sect Leader have in mind...?" Seok Myeong asked. He believed the Sect Leader must have a reason for saying this.
"Of course I have one. In fact, there is a simple method that is easier than you might think." Song Jeong smiled as he answered. "Azure Cloud Pavilion Master. It is for you to become the greatest swordsman under heaven."
"...!"
Seok Myeong's heart felt as if it had stopped for a moment. At the same time, Song Jeong's demeanor changed. He continued with an expression devoid of any humor.
"To have suppressed three elders of another sect simultaneously while only being a first-generation disciple... and your reputation as a virtuous man. You already possess both power and justification. Once you stand tall, our Qingcheng will also be safe."
"..."
"Therefore, I, the Sect Leader, command you once more. First-generation disciple Seok Myeong. And Azure Cloud Pavilion Master. From this day forward..."
Song Jeong concluded his words with a voice of utmost gravity, filled with an authority as cold as frost.
"Become the Sword Emperor."
Another name for the greatest swordsman under heaven. The ultimate goal the Sect Leader desired was the Sword Emperor.