Chapter 67: The Mountain Called Qingcheng (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 67: The Mountain Called Qingcheng (2)
“How is he?”
Seok Myeong had summoned a physician immediately and now listened intently to the diagnosis.
“It is alcohol poisoning.”
“Alcohol poisoning?”
“Indeed. And a very severe case at that. Toxins from years of heavy drinking have accumulated in his body, suppressing his lungs and depleting his essence, allowing a morbid shadow to invade his entire system. In such a fragile state, he attempted to abruptly circulate his internal qi, and his body simply couldn't withstand the strain. That is why he collapsed.”
“Then his martial arts…”
“Martial arts are out of the question for a body in this condition. He won’t even be able to move for quite some time.”
The physician spoke with absolute certainty.
“His physical strength is utterly depleted, and his Innate True Qi has been heavily damaged. It’s only because the power in his Dantian is surprisingly resilient that he’s even alive; otherwise, he would have departed this world long ago.”
The physician stated there was nothing more he could do and noted it would take at least several months of recovery before taking his leave.
Seok Myeong bowed in gratitude to the old man and sat back down. Looking at the unconscious Song Yeo-guk, his heart felt heavy.
My Martial Uncle’s life has been truly tragic.
The story of his life, as told by the woman known as Aunt Yeon, was a relentless series of misfortunes. He had honed his martial arts for the sake of his family, yet the moment he returned home to finally fulfill his filial duties, catastrophe had struck.
One couldn't even say his revenge had been satisfying. How hollow must the end of that journey have been?
“Could you come outside for a moment?”
Cheol So-yeon called out to Seok Myeong, who had been nursing the patient for hours. After a brief hesitation, Seok Myeong stood up and followed her.
Cheol So-yeon stood at the end of the second-floor hallway, overlooking the street. Since the inn was located on a main road, the figures of people passing by were clearly visible.
“I think it would be best if you stayed out of this fight.”
It was an abrupt suggestion. Seok Myeong blinked, looking at her in confusion.
“Is there some reason we cannot help him?”
“The name ‘Black Snake Union’ is not unfamiliar to me.”
“Not unfamiliar? What do you mean by that?”
“If my guess is correct, there is a high probability that they are a subsidiary of a certain organization.”
Cheol So-yeon’s face was set in a grim expression. Her manner of speech had shifted from formal to a more direct, serious tone. However, Seok Myeong was too preoccupied to worry about such nuances.
“A subsidiary?”
“Yes. Which means an identical organization could spring up again in a short period.”
“Just what kind of Unorthodox faction are they…”
She paused for a moment before speaking the name.
“The Samu Alliance.”
“What?”
Hyeok-jin, who had been looking for Seok Myeong, approached and asked in disbelief. Cheol So-yeon frowned slightly at the interruption but didn't stop him.
“Did you just say the Samu Alliance?”
“I did.”
“Are you certain?”
“Most likely.”
“This is unbelievable.”
Hyeok-jin reacted with visible shock, but Seok Myeong remained merely bewildered. While he was second to none in his study of martial arts, his knowledge of the martial world’s politics was severely lacking. He couldn't understand the gravity of their reaction.
Cheol So-yeon, uncharacteristically patient, explained it to him.
“The eight largest Unorthodox factions in the martial world are called the Eight Inner Courts. You know that much, right?”
“I do.”
“Among them, our Golden Martial Association holds a position large enough to be counted among the top three. You know that as well?”
“I do.”
“But when people speak of the Samu Alliance, they don't even use such descriptions. Do you know why? Because they are the undisputed supreme power of the Unorthodox Path.”
“…!”
Seok Myeong’s eyes widened. The Golden Martial Association already held a top-tier position among the Unorthodox. Even just entering their headquarters, surrounded by layers of iron walls, had been intimidating. To think there was a power even more formidable than that—he couldn't help but be stunned.
“Brother, I think it would be wise to think carefully about getting involved in this,” Hyeok-jin advised with a serious expression.
In truth, there was no need to think carefully. This wasn't just any group; it was the Samu Alliance. If the Orthodox path had the Martial Alliance, the Samu Alliance held that same status for the Unorthodox. They were, quite literally, the strongest of the Unorthodox—an organization that couldn't be compared to others in terms of both quality and quantity. What kind of fate would await them if they became enemies?
“Sigh…”
Seok Myeong let out a heavy sigh. A sect that sounded terrifying just by its name was connected to his Martial Uncle. Even so, now that he knew they were of the same lineage, he couldn't just turn his back.
“I might be wrong, so I’ll look into it again. For now, just keep that in mind and act cautiously. I’m saying that when that man wakes up, don't go making reckless promises about chivalry or whatever.”
“…”
Seok Myeong couldn't answer. He wasn't a fool. No matter how much the Qingcheng Sect valued chivalry and loyalty, it was obvious what happened when an egg struck a rock. His mind was a mess, caught in a situation where he could neither move forward nor retreat.
*
It was the middle of the night.
Song Yeo-guk opened his eyes and began to move. His limbs refused to obey him, and he twisted his body like someone having a seizure. Eventually, he lost his balance and tumbled off the bed.
Thud! Crash!
“Urgh!”
With a groan, his head hit the floor. The impact shuddered through his stiffened body, and he continued to moan for a long while after the fall.
Scrape, scrape.
Yet, Song Yeo-guk began to move again. Only one of his arms seemed functional, and he used it to reach out and drag himself forward, inch by agonizing inch.
“Those… those bastards…”
As he crawled, saliva dripped messily from the corner of his mouth. Red veins surfaced in the whites of his eyes.
They were still alive. He thought he had finished them all, but it seemed some had survived. Then again, it was possible. Since he had killed everyone in sight, he might have left behind those who had merely held their breath and played dead.
“This time… I will kill every last one of you.”
He gritted his teeth, crawling across the floor.
“Martial Uncle, what do you think you’re doing?!”
Seok Myeong burst into the room and rushed over to support Song Yeo-guk’s body. Song Yeo-guk stared intently at him.
“Seok Myeong… send me there.”
“Where do you think you’re going in this state?”
“Where else? The Black Snake Union. I have to go wipe them out right now.”
“Not yet. You cannot fight them like this.”
“Hehehe… Don’t worry. They are the same ones I wiped out before. You just have to watch.”
Song Yeo-guk twisted his body again, but since only one arm moved properly, his progress was agonizingly slow. Seok Myeong blocked him again.
“What are you doing?!” Song Yeo-guk’s eyes flashed with a fierce, manic light as he grabbed Seok Myeong’s collar.
“Martial Uncle…”
“I told you, I have to go!”
“Please, Martial Uncle…”
“I have to go, Seok Myeong. I must go. Please, let me go!”
“…”
“Please… please… I want this so badly!”
“If you go now, only death awaits. How can you go with a body like this? You must recover first.”
“What does this body matter? There is no time! I have to go and kill them right now!”
His face turned a deep, angry red, and his eyes were bloodshot.
“Isn't it too bitter? I have lost everything, yet they are walking around as if nothing happened. Isn't it too unfair?!”
He wailed, clutching his head with both hands as if he were going mad from the agony.
“Please… help me.”
Those were his last words, spoken in a weak, broken whisper. After leaving those words behind, he immediately lost consciousness again.
“Martial Uncle…”
Seok Myeong couldn't say a word. Even as he watched the man suffer, there was nothing he could do for him.
*
After staying up the entire night, Seok Myeong stepped out of the room as morning broke. He hadn't slept a wink. Hyeok-jin was waiting for him in the hallway.
“Brother.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve obtained some information. But the thing is…”
“The thing is…”
At that moment, Cheol So-yeon approached from behind and spoke.
“It was as I expected.”
“…”
“The Samu Alliance was behind them. The Black Snake Union has been receiving full support from the Samu Alliance. That’s why even the great Beggar Sect couldn't touch them, isn't it?”
Seok Myeong listened to her words with a hardened expression.
“And just in case, I investigated the Black Snake Union. There are three masters you must not cross. I’m glad I looked into it. They are all renowned masters…”
“I intend to go.”
“…!”
Cheol So-yeon and Hyeok-jin were startled. Their eyes widened at Seok Myeong’s firm stance. She emphasized her point once more.
“Did you not hear what I just said?”
“I heard you clearly.”
“Then why?”
Seok Myeong turned his gaze toward the end of the hallway. Through the open door, the bright morning light came into view.
“I’ve been thinking, and this seems like a good opportunity to raise my reputation. If there are strong enemies, won't my fame rise even higher? Especially if it’s an Unorthodox faction that needs to be eradicated.”
“Are you actually serious right now?”
Cheol So-yeon was flabbergasted by Seok Myeong’s absurd words. After looking down at the documents she had gathered, she turned to him with an expression more serious than ever.
“‘Shadowless Whip’ Dan Ri-geon. A man who wields an iron whip, he is a Peak Master with a recent record of slaughtering thirty disciples of the Flying Shadow Gate. He has lived in the martial world for over thirty years and is the right-hand man of the Black Snake Union Leader.”
“…”
“‘Moon-Ocean Dancing Blade’ Hong Geom-baek. He uses a greatsword and was the former leader of the Black Snake Union who survived the Great Blood Calamity. His martial prowess is also at the Peak Realm. He is a man capable of holding his own anywhere in the martial world. And…”
She continued, putting even more weight behind her words.
“‘Black Heaven Lone Sword’ Jeok Ya-seong. A master known as the Sword Ghost, his martial arts are evaluated to be at the Peak Realm or even higher. Furthermore, what makes this man truly terrifying is that he is a member of the Samu Alliance. Are you really thinking about building a reputation in a situation like this?”
Cheol So-yeon thought that by now, he would surely understand—that these were masters so formidable that even thinking about fighting them was suicide, let alone worrying about fame.
But Seok Myeong completely shattered her expectations.
“That is my intention.”
“Ha! Just why…” She started to snap at him but held back, feeling as though she might lose control of her emotions.
“Brother, this isn't right,” Hyeok-jin added. “Just hearing their names, I have no idea how we could even fight them. Besides, your body isn't in top condition either…”
“Is that what your master taught you?”
“What?” Hyeok-jin was taken aback.
Seok Myeong spoke as if pressing him further. “Did he teach you to only fight battles you can win?!”
“No. But Brother, this is…”
Seok Myeong’s gaze then shifted toward Cheol So-yeon.
“Are you saying, young lady, that because my body isn't what it used to be, I should just ignore this?”
“…”
“When I see something wrong, are you telling me to just close my eyes and take the easy path?” Seok Myeong’s voice grew heated. “The first time might be difficult. You have to find reasons one by one to avoid it. But many people don't realize that that is exactly how it begins. The second time will be easier, and by the third time, you’ll start making up your own excuses.”
“If you don't have the strength, it’s not courage—it’s recklessness,” she countered. “Going when you lack the skill is nothing more than a dog’s death.”
“But if that path is righteous, people call it Chivalry.”
“Fine,” Cheol So-yeon conceded, as if she had no choice. “Let’s say, as you say, you go in to achieve Chivalry and miraculously win. What do you plan to do after you strike them down? Can you not see the Samu Alliance standing behind them?”
At that moment, Seok Myeong glared at her.
“Do you only see the Samu Alliance behind them?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Can you not see what is behind me?”
Cheol So-yeon paused. She hadn't grasped the meaning of his words.
“I have one too,” Seok Myeong continued in an even more serious tone. He squared his shoulders proudly before them, his gaze holding not a single shred of fear. “A mountain that is second to none.”
“The mountain called Qingcheng.”