Chapter 188
Chapter 188
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: What Matters Most? (1)
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News spread that the North Sea Ice Palace had set up camp at Hakbyeok and that the forces which had attacked the Shaanxi murim world were also heading toward Hakbyeok. Everyone watched the situation unfold with growing anxiety.
Still, scarcely anyone believed Shaolin Temple would fall. This was because numerous factions and heroes, led by the Huashan Sect and Wudang, had gathered to defend Shaolin—the very symbol of the Central Plains murim.
But then, an unexpected variable arose.
Just before the North Sea Ice Palace arrived at Hakbyeok and the Shaanxi attackers joined them, word came through the Beggars' Sect of the Blood Slaughter Cult's movements. The problem wasn't that a few spies had been exposed, as before. This time, their forces were considerable in scale.
The Blood Slaughter Cult, which had lain low during the past year's relentless manhunt, suddenly revealed itself as if venting pent-up rage. In Shandong, they swiftly toppled three fairly large factions.
When people first heard the news, they assumed these forces were connected to the North Sea Ice Palace. Just as those under the Ice Palace's influence had attacked Shaanxi murim, they thought Shandong murim was suffering a similar assault.
But the Beggars' Sect grew suspicious because the targeted factions were in the south, near Jiangsu Province, not the northern regions. They mobilized large numbers to track the enemy and uncovered that these were not Ice Palace affiliates, but the Blood Slaughter Cult operating in the shadows.
Another shockwave swept through the murim world.
With the Heavenly Demon Cult stirring once more, the North Sea Ice Palace laying waste to Hebei and Shaanxi while preparing to assault Shaolin Temple, no one knew how to respond to the Blood Slaughter Cult's resurgence—which might prove even more dangerous than those threats.
Shandong murim erupted into chaos. Not only Mount Tai Sect but nearly every notable faction there, which had moved to support Shaolin, now faced the Blood Slaughter Cult's attacks.
Mount Tai Sect, with fire at their feet, sprang into action.
Upon hearing of the Blood Slaughter Cult, they recalled their support troops en route to Shaolin. The many factions following Mount Tai did the same.
Many voiced concerns over this blow to Shaolin's defenses, but with Shandong left as good as leaderless and unguarded, no one could predict what the Blood Slaughter Cult might do. Understanding was inevitable.
The issue wasn't limited to Shandong murim being tied down.
With the Murim Alliance crippled by internal strife, even the Righteous Heaven Alliance—which had surpassed it in stature—couldn't act rashly.
This was because the Righteous Heaven Alliance's base by the northwestern lakeshore of Mishan Lake in northern Jiangsu was less than a day's journey from Old Tiger Manor in Shandong, which the Blood Slaughter Cult had annihilated.
The very moment Mount Tai Sect decisively turned back, heated discussions raged in the Righteous Heaven Alliance's conference hall over the Blood Slaughter Cult.
"...It seems consensus is forming to prioritize the Blood Slaughter Cult issue."
Left Wing Sage of the Azure Mountain One Immortal, now leader of the Righteous Heaven Alliance after receiving the Silver Tiger Clan's Tenfold Counsel, scanned the room as he spoke.
His face showed exhaustion from the morning-long meeting, but his eyes remained sharp, befitting the gravity of the matter.
"Wudang Sect and the Beggars' Sect have already arrived at Shaolin and are lending full support. Though Shandong has turned back due to the Blood Slaughter Cult, many more heroes outnumber them and are moving to defend Shaolin. If anything, the momentum favors Shaolin."
Neung Gok, the Heavenly Edge Scholar elder who had joined the Righteous Heaven Alliance just before Left Wing Sage was acclaimed leader, stroked his white beard over his chest and said.
"I agree with Elder Neung. We can gauge Shaolin's forces to some extent, but the North Sea Ice Palace's full strength remains hidden. We don't know if what they've shown is all they have or if they're concealing more. We can't be overly optimistic. We must resolve the Blood Slaughter Cult as quickly as possible and send reinforcements."
Neung Gok nodded vigorously at Gyobang of the Cloud Mountain Divine Fist.
"Of course. As Elder Gyobang says, we must settle it swiftly."
"What does the Silver Tiger Clan head think?"
Left Wing Sage asked Yeongho Jung, seated at the far end.
All eyes turned to Yeongho Jung, who had sat quietly without a word until now.
The Silver Tiger Clan was the prime force behind the Righteous Heaven Alliance's birth. It wouldn't be an overstatement to say its head held even greater authority than the leader himself. Yet Yeongho Jung sat at the lowest seat, citing his lack of official position. Every gaze upon him was filled with goodwill.
"Haha! You need only ask the elder over there for our clan's stance."
Yeongho Jung laughed, looking at Yeongho Pyeong, who had left the clan to become an elder in the Righteous Heaven Alliance.
"I've heard Elder Yeongho Pyeong's fervent arguments for prioritizing the Blood Slaughter Cult ad nauseam. Honestly, had the clan head not been present, I'd have mistaken Elder Yeongho Pyeong for the Silver Tiger Clan head."
A simple jest without hidden intent sparked hearty laughter throughout the room.
Yeongho Pyeong, who had raised his voice loudest throughout the meeting, blushed slightly but laughed boisterously.
"With our clan head watching so keenly, I can only give my all."
"When did I ever watch so keenly, Uncle?"
As Yeongho Jung protested with an aggrieved expression at Yeongho Pyeong's quip, laughter erupted anew.
"Come now, let's hear it. What do you think, Clan Head?"
Left Wing Sage refocused the lively atmosphere and asked again.
"Wouldn't it be right to follow the majority opinion? Both Shaolin's crisis and the Blood Slaughter Cult's are urgent. As Elder Gyobang said, resolving it quickly and aiding Shaolin is best. Of course, the final decision rests with the leader."
Pausing briefly, Yeongho Jung rose slowly from his seat. In a resolute voice, he declared,
"To that end, the Silver Tiger Clan will lend its full strength to the Righteous Heaven Alliance."
Admiration burst from all sides at Yeongho Jung's words. Some cheered and applauded in response.
Left Wing Sage, who had been lost in thought with a furrowed brow, lightly rapped the table to draw all eyes.
"We head to Shandong. I take full responsibility."
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Rough clashes echoed, shockwaves rippling outward.
Neung So Hwa and Baek Mu Heun's spar grew ever more intense and fierce as time passed.
Sima Geon and his group, along with the Sword Queen and hers, watched tensely from a short distance away.
"Whew! That old man is stronger than I thought."
Finally, admiration escaped Cheol Woo's lips, his face stern throughout the bout.
"Yeah. Above all, you can feel his wealth of experience. Not just the accumulation of years, but the sword of one who's weathered countless real battles."
Cheol Woo nodded at Sima Geon's words.
"Right. He's holding back since it's a spar, but the bloodlust occasionally leaking through is unmistakable."
"How does he compare to Elder Poison Freak?"
So Su Rin asked.
Though vastly stronger now thanks to the Immortal Poison Refinement Art, her eye for gauging opponents paled next to Sima Geon and Cheol Woo's.
"Elder Poison Freak was strong, but I'd say this old man is a cut above."
Cheol Woo stated without hesitation.
As So Su Rin retreated with a somewhat indignant look, Man Chu slyly interjected.
"And compared to Elder Sword Freak?"
"Hmm. Elder Sword Freak's skill was slightly below Elder Poison Freak's, to be honest. But considering his final moments... it's ambiguous."
Cheol Woo turned to Sima Geon, unable to decide.
"What do you think, boss?"
"Elder Sword Freak's final insight was no ordinary matter. Yet this man's martial arts match it."
"Whoa!"
Man Chu involuntarily exclaimed, recalling how Sima Geon had once rated Elder Sword Freak's final insight on par with the Heavenly Demon Progenitor, Sword Queen, and Three Swords of Dalma.
Proudest of all at Sima Geon's assessment—though pretending otherwise, ears perked—was Sima Jin.
At that moment, Baek Mu Heun surged with momentum, so Sima Jin cautiously asked,
"Big Brother, don't you think Master will win?"
Though trying to calm her excitement, her voice trembled with thrill. Sima Geon smiled faintly at her demeanor and tousled her hair as he countered,
"What do you think?"
"I'm not sure, but Master's momentum..."
Sima Geon shook his head.
"You think so?"
"Isn't it?"
Anxiety flickered in Sima Jin's eyes.
"No. Your master is pushing aggressively because he has no retreat. He seems to hold the advantage now, but give it a little time, and Lady Neung will have the absolute edge. If he keeps clashing head-on without yielding, the spar might end sooner than expected. But sparring with a master like your master is a golden opportunity. Lady Neung is using this to build her lacking experience. It's also a process of fully embodying and internalizing her recent insights."
As the excited Sima Jin deflated, Sima Geon patted her head once more.
"Jin-ah, how much of your master's arts have you mastered?"
"I'm not sure."
Sima Jin shook her head uncertainly.
Dokgo Ryong, eyes on the spar but ears tuned to Sima Jin and Sima Geon, quickly chimed in.
"Master said my attainment exceeds eighty percent."
"I asked about the youngest, not you—what nonsense,"
Cheol Woo chided, drawing an embarrassed grin from Dokgo Ryong.
"Heh heh! There's hardly any difference between Little Sister and me. Honestly, aside from experience, I don't excel over her in anything. And as you know, our inner energies aren't even comparable."
Everyone was stunned to hear Sima Jin matched Dokgo Ryong's skill. Considering how recently she'd begun serious training, it was absurd.
"And you claim to have mastered eighty percent of that old man's arts?"
Cheol Woo asked with a peculiar expression.
"Yes."
"Ho! You've got quite the talent."
Dokgo Ryong's shoulders lifted slightly.
"I've never heard anyone say I fall short."
"Oh? Impressive. Now I'm curious to see your level."
"Haha! I was just about to ask for a pointer after hearing Little Sister. Please teach me a move."
Emboldened by the mood, Dokgo Ryong boldly called out.
"Oh ho! Good. That's the spirit of a man."
Cheol Woo brightened and consented. At the same instant, Sima Jin's elbow slammed into Dokgo Ryong's side.
"Ow! Why, Little Sister?"
Dokgo Ryong doubled over in pain, groaning.
"Forgot? I said I'd kill you."
As the irritated Sima Jin glared daggers at Cheol Woo, ready to retort,
A clamor rang out. Neung So Hwa, who had been on the defensive, began meeting Baek Mu Heun's onslaught head-on, driving the spar to its climax.
Fierce exchanges left not a moment to blink.
Their movements were so swift, the flurries between so dazzling, that no one save Sima Geon and Cheol Woo could follow properly.
Kaboom!
With a clash utterly different in tone, Baek Mu Heun—who had unleashed his full swordsmanship—skidded backward.
Baek Mu Heun barely regained his balance and let his sword droop limply.
He looked straight ahead.
"Hah!"
A sigh escaped involuntarily at the sight of Neung So Hwa, roughly catching her breath, blood trickling from her mouth untended.
His final strike, squeezing out his last reserves, had failed to pierce the Sword Queen's supple barrier. He'd thought it would yield some result, at least—yet it was perfectly blocked.
Baek Mu Heun's gaze dropped.
His sword hand trembled without cease.
"Failing to breach the shield means the spear must break. No further point. This old man concedes defeat."
As Baek Mu Heun declared his loss, Neung So Hwa slowly sheathed her sword and bowed with utmost courtesy.
"Thank you for yielding. I learned much thanks to you, Senior."
"I was confident, yet feel ashamed. Still, glad it helped. An honor, too. Congratulations on your victory, Sword Queen."
The pang of defeat was fleeting.
Baek Mu Heun smiled warmly, offering unstinting congratulations to the victor.