Chapter 99: Warning (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 99: Warning (3)
“Is that why you’re exposing such a fatal weakness? Do you have any idea what will happen if word of this spreads?”
Seok Myeong fell silent.
Indeed, even as a mere rumor, the claim that demonic arts had infiltrated the Qingcheng Sect was enough to ruin the reputation of a prestigious orthodox sect.
Nevertheless, Seok Myeong spoke firmly.
“To be honest, I do not consider this technique to be a demonic art. Rather, I believe it is one of Qingcheng’s own.”
“Listen to yourself. What kind of wordplay is—”
“When a cow drinks water, it becomes milk; when a snake drinks it, it becomes poison. There are many types of energy in this world, and they transform according to the nature of the one who consumes them. The Demonic Cult merely converted natural energy into demonic qi; that does not mean the natural energy itself is demonic.”
“…”
His logic was sound. As Cheol So-yeon frowned, Seok Myeong continued.
“I will overcome it. I will prove it. I will absorb the strengths of the Demonic Cult’s techniques to create an even more powerful martial art, and I will center it with the spirit of Qingcheng. I will surely create such a technique.”
With that, Seok Myeong turned away.
He wasn't heading toward his lodgings, but toward the Outer Court of the Cutting Sword Gate.
Cheol So-yeon hurriedly called out to him.
“Wait! Where are you going now?”
“This is where we part. It is time for me to leave.”
“What? Even so, how can you just leave so suddenly?”
“I have already told you the most important thing. You and I can no longer meet. You know it as well as I do—staying with me will only make you a target.”
Seok Myeong turned back and resumed walking. Cheol So-yeon tried to grab him, but her lips only quivered; she couldn't find the words to stop him.
Then, Seok Myeong paused.
“Ah, please tell Hyeok-jin. Tell him something urgent came up and I had to return to Qingcheng. Tell him not to look back and to keep walking the path he believes in.”
Step, step.
He began to walk again.
Without a single backward glance, the companionship that had begun so abruptly ended just as suddenly.
“Ugh… He’s so incredibly selfish! Just saying what he wants and leaving! Then what about me? What about all the time I wasted!”
Cheol So-yeon shouted at the top of her lungs, her anger boiling over.
It was always like this.
From the moment they first met to the moment he said goodbye.
He was always so composed. It was always the people around him who ended up clinging.
“So annoying… That jerk! I hope he fails miserably!”
Cheol So-yeon turned around, stomping her feet.
Her face was flushed with agitation. Her eyes were rimmed with red, despite her efforts to suppress her emotions.
*
Crunch, crunch.
In the deep silence of the early morning, Seok Myeong passed through the Outer Court and headed toward the Triple Gate. He wanted to take one last look before leaving.
Watching the sparring grounds he had climbed so many times from a distance, he was overcome with emotion.
It was time well spent.
He had met many masters, seen many techniques, and gained vast experience.
His only regret was that he had never lost. As a martial artist, how could he not prefer victory over defeat? Yet, as a researcher of Azure Cloud Taoist’s work, he knew that more could be gained from defeat than from victory.
Just as the many martial artists of the Jianghu had received his pointers after their duels, he too wished to receive such guidance.
“But it is finally time to leave.”
He would have stayed longer if he could, but he had to return to the Qingcheng Sect.
To Seok Myeong, building a reputation to become a Qingcheng Sword Disciple was no longer the priority.
He had to return to the main sect and report everything that was happening around him, as well as the role he had played in the center of it all.
The time he had promised Song Hak was almost up, so this was the perfect opportunity to offer his explanations.
I’ll probably get an earful.
A bitter smile escaped him.
Even if he had been active in his own way for the past six months, his rival, Martial Uncle Song Hak, would surely foam at the mouth pointing out his faults.
In particular, if Song Hak found out that demonic arts had been mixed into Azure Cloud Taoist’s independent techniques, he might even demand they be abolished entirely.
However, he believed that the more dire the situation, the more he had to speak the truth.
The current state of the Jianghu was ominous. Whether he was expelled or had his martial arts stripped away, he had to confess everything and tell all he knew. Only then could Qingcheng do its part to prevent the coming darkness.
“It weighs on my heart to leave without saying goodbye to Hyeok-jin.”
But he wasn't worried.
The boy would do well.
As his master, the Flash Divine Sword, had said, he was forging a path every day that no one else had ever taken.
Crunch.
“Are you leaving?”
“…!”
Just as he was about to turn away.
“Senior.”
Hong Jun-gyeong, his upper robe loosely hanging open, asked with a smile. Perhaps because of the weather, he was dressed lightly as he gazed up at the sky.
“It looks like you’re heading out. You should at least say something to me before you go. You’ve knocked down over fifty people here, after all.”
“I apologize. Something urgent has come up.”
“Something more urgent than the Triple Gate?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. Something more urgent than building a reputation here to become a Qingcheng Sword Disciple. I wonder what it is.”
“…!”
Seok Myeong fixed his gaze on him.
“A challenger who sends a martial challenge letter, only to turn back once he’s finally qualified. How eccentric.”
“A martial challenge letter…?”
“Don’t you remember? Jin Hwi-su.”
Seok Myeong’s eyes widened.
That was the name of the last of the three people who had sent an acceptance to his challenge.
“Then, Senior, are you Jin Hwi-su?”
“Not me.”
“Then who?”
“He isn't here. He’s been away from the sect for quite some time.”
Seok Myeong was silent for a moment. Hearing that the man was gone made his motivation wilt.
“Your challenge letter originally arrived at the Cutting Sword Gate’s reception desk. It was sent out under the name Jin Hwi-su, but in reality, it was handled by the subordinates beneath him. You misunderstood.”
“Ah.”
Only then did Seok Myeong understand the situation.
Since the Triple Gate of the Cutting Sword Gate managed duels, such challenge letters were naturally treated as applications for participation, and acceptance replies were sent out automatically.
Naturally, a disciple at the reception desk had received the letter and sent a reply agreeing to the duel without much thought.
“So that’s how it happened.”
As Seok Myeong nodded and tried to pass by, Hong Jun-gyeong stopped him.
“Don’t you want to meet Senior Jin Hwi-su? Isn't that why you came here?”
“That was the case. But now, other urgent matters have arisen.”
Seok Myeong started walking again. It was then.
“Shouldn't you try using Astral Energy at least once?”
It was a question so intense that he couldn't keep walking. Seok Myeong turned back toward him.
“…!”
He glared so fiercely that his eyes turned bloodshot.
“Now you’re finally looking at me like I’m a person.”
“Your jokes are going too far.”
“A joke? Whether it’s a joke or not depends on you.”
He stood up as he answered. Only then did Seok Myeong sense it.
He looks different.
The resolute gaze, the slightly relaxed smile, and the dark skin and fine wrinkles that made it difficult to guess his age.
At times he looked like a carefree wandering martial artist, and at others, like a cautious scholar.
But now, with a very serious look in his eyes, he spoke to Seok Myeong.
“Let me ask you one thing. Why do you think fewer than ten martial artists have managed to defeat all one hundred opponents since the Cutting Sword Gate was established?”
“Isn't it because superior masters keep appearing?”
“Twenty-four duels take place every day across eight sparring halls. And this place has been standing for over twenty years. No matter how many masters appeared, enough time has passed for dozens, if not hundreds, to have passed the test.”
Seok Myeong thought for a moment and asked back.
“Then what is the reason?”
“It’s because we intervene directly. To judge whether a person has the right character to pass the Cutting Sword Gate’s test.”
Seok Myeong asked, feeling doubtful.
“Does that mean the Cutting Sword Gate is home to incredible masters?”
“No, quite the opposite.”
“Pardon?”
“The eight of us responsible for each hall aren't that skilled. There are likely very few among the hall masters who are stronger than you.”
“…?”
“But we teach them one thing. Whether they can improve further, and how they can become stronger. Once they obtain that method, they declare their own defeat and withdraw.”
He walked slowly toward Seok Myeong and stood before him.
“In this world, being a great martial artist doesn't necessarily mean you’re a good teacher. Depending on how you’ve trained over a long period, you might be better at teaching others. For example, even if my martial arts are weaker than yours, if I teach you just a little bit about Taiji Empty Heart, you can grow significantly more.”
“Taiji Empty Heart… How do you know about that?”
“Martial arts have harmony. You’ve used techniques seeking the harmony of Taiji several times in front of me. Call it a strange twist of fate, if you will. It just so happens that I am a lay disciple of Wudang.”
“…”
Seok Myeong was stunned.
While acting as a judge, the man had hardly drawn any attention to himself. To think that he knew Seok Myeong's martial arts and characteristics so thoroughly was disconcerting.
“Well, anyway. I couldn't just send away a junior who came to the Cutting Sword Gate and trained so diligently empty-handed.”
“What are you saying?”
“How about me instead of Senior Jin? Care to give it a try?”
Seok Myeong looked at Hong Jun-gyeong.
He wondered if the man was serious. He also wondered how he had figured out Taiji Empty Heart.
“I will try.”
“Haha, this is interesting. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a real bout.”
Hong Jun-gyeong looked around. Since the gates were closed, no one was around; only the small branches stretching out from the trees planted by the wall caught his eye.
He walked forward and snapped off a branch.
“This should do.”
He patted his lower back and walked toward Seok Myeong.
Then, something thudded onto the ground in front of Seok Myeong.
It was a branch about the thickness of a finger and a little over four feet long.
It was roughly the same size as the sword at his waist.
“Use this. If you use a real sword, I might die.”
“…”
Seok Myeong hesitated. He might die? Were those the words of someone offering to teach him a lesson?
“And one more thing. Do not use internal energy.”
“No internal energy?”
At Seok Myeong’s question, he replied.
“I have no internal energy.”
Seok Myeong blinked in disbelief.