Chapter 50
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: The Launch of the Dark Evil Union
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The Alliance Leader's Hall.
Zhuge Mun-hyeon sought out Yang Cheon-rin.
“Welcome.”
Yang Cheon-rin’s face brightened upon seeing Zhuge Mun-hyeon, and he offered him a seat.
As soon as he sat, Yang Cheon-rin spoke.
“So, what happened?”
“It’s incredible. We might just be living in the same era as the greatest genius of all time.”
“The greatest genius of all time, you say.”
A hint of doubt flickered across Yang Cheon-rin’s face.
Realizing his mistake, Zhuge Mun-hyeon decided to stick to the facts.
“The inner core of a Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Carp is difficult to ingest. Even those who have mastered extreme yang internal energy struggle greatly at first. Yet, he dissolved and absorbed the inner core in a single breath. It was so natural, as if he were demonstrating the proper way to consume it. I was astonished. That’s why I used the word ‘genius’.”
“It’s a relief his aptitude is so good. I was worried we might waste the precious inner core.”
Yang Cheon-rin cleared his throat and asked again.
“So, how much internal energy does he have now?”
“Two hundred years’ worth.”
“Two hundred years?”
At Zhuge Mun-hyeon's answer, Yang Cheon-rin let out a sharp, breathy laugh.
Currently, Yang Cheon-rin’s own internal energy amounted to one hundred and eighty years.
This meant that in terms of internal energy alone, Guyang Cheon was his superior.
While internal energy and martial skill were not directly proportional, internal energy was commonly used as a measure of martial prowess and was a source of pride for a warrior.
From the Martial Arts Alliance's perspective, the birth of an outstanding warrior was a cause for celebration, but it was also true that the emergence of the young Guyang Cheon, who now possessed more internal energy than him, made Yang Cheon-rin uncomfortable.
He suppressed his discomfort, reminding himself, ‘This is for the greater good.’
Even as the Alliance Leader, Yang Cheon-rin was still only human.
“Alliance Leader.”
“Speak.”
“Also, there is a group skilled in coordinated attacks known as the Blood Three Evils. Guyang Cheon captured one of them alive. The Deputy Head of the Information Pavilion is interrogating him now, so we should be able to obtain information on the Dark Blood Heaven Cult and other evil factions.”
“Interrogate him harshly and extract every piece of information! Not a single trivial detail can be missed!”
Yang Cheon-rin slammed his palm on the desk and gave a firm command.
The look of unease caused by Guyang Cheon had long vanished from his eyes, and he had resumed his role as the Alliance Leader.
“I will see to it. And there is one more thing.”
“Go on.”
“According to Guyang Cheon—no, Affectionate—there is a spy among the high-ranking officials of the Shanxi Province Branch.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon calmly explained based on the reports from Guyang Cheon and Pure, and Yang Cheon-rin’s expression turned to one of shock.
“Hah, I thought they were cowering in fear of Alliance Leader Hwa, hiding in the shadows. I see that wasn’t the case at all.”
Yang Cheon-rin let out a deep sigh.
“Strategist Zhuge.”
“Yes, Alliance Leader.”
“In my opinion…”
Yang Cheon-rin paused, lost in thought for a moment, before speaking again.
“I believe the Shanxi Province Branch is only a small part of it. If they’ve gone this far, they must have planted spies in many of our western branches.”
“There are many orthodox factions in the west, but as you say, Alliance Leader, that is a strong possibility.”
“Then what do you think they will do now?”
“They could go underground and hide, just as they did before.”
“Do you really think they will?”
“I do not.”
“Then?”
Feeling his throat go dry, Yang Cheon-rin gulped down his cold tea in one go.
“It is highly likely that they, who have lurked in the darkness, will now emerge into the light of day.”
“Hmph. The Dark Blood Heaven Cult, coming out into the open?”
Yang Cheon-rin let out a hollow laugh.
Although it was Zhuge Mun-hyeon’s prediction and thus could be wrong, Yang Cheon-rin felt it would become reality.
Until now, Zhuge Mun-hyeon had never made such a report without conviction.
“Then we must postpone sending warriors to investigate the suspicious branches.”
“Indeed. If they have decided to stand against the Martial Arts Alliance, any warriors we send could be killed. We lack information, so for now, let’s watch quietly and respond later. Still, isn't it fortunate that we've gained a formidable secret weapon in Guyang Cheon? As the fight against the Dark Blood Heaven Cult intensifies, his value will only shine brighter.”
“True.”
Yang Cheon-rin nodded in agreement.
He decided to trust all the branches for the time being, unless a branch openly rebelled against the Martial Arts Alliance.
“And investigate the Martial Arts Alliance discreetly. If their spies are here, we must root them out, mustn’t we?”
“Understood.”
“Sigh. What is the world coming to? If this goes wrong, how will I ever face Alliance Leader Hwa in the afterlife?”
Catching deeply embedded spies was an exceedingly difficult task.
Zhuge Mun-hyeon resolved to investigate covertly over time and took his leave from the Alliance Leader's Hall.
As he walked slowly toward the Information Pavilion, he stopped, looked up at the sky, and thought of the former Alliance Leader, Hwa Un-ryong.
“Why did you have to leave us so soon?”
Although Yang Cheon-rin was working diligently, in a crisis, he felt it was better to have a powerful warrior like Hwa Un-ryong leading the Martial Arts Alliance with strong leadership.
Zhuge Mun-hyeon shook his head with a sense of regret.
‘All I can do is my best in the current situation.’
He resumed his walk toward the Information Pavilion.
**
Evil-Repelling Sword Squad.
I summoned Deputy Squad Leader Hwang Yeop and all 41 squad members, then deliberately opened my dantian wide.
Seeing my enhanced martial prowess, the look in the members’ eyes changed.
As men who had staked their lives on martial arts, they were as pleased as if it were their own achievement to see their superior’s power rise to a new level.
“You’ve all worked hard.”
I briefly praised their efforts.
They must have been exhausted from training, yet seeing them watch me with such lively eyes made my own fatigue melt away.
“Squad Leader. All the members have been training fiercely.”
“Good. Then show me the results of your training.”
“One moment, please.”
Hwang Yeop gave me a fist-and-palm salute, then turned around, had the men spread out, and instructed them to perform the sword arts they had been practicing.
Soon, the training ground was filled with the sharp aura emanating from the tips of their swords.
I watched them with a keen eye.
After observing for about two hours, I dove into their midst, boldly correcting any flaws.
I had been constantly helping them fix their mistakes before leaving for the mission in Shanxi, but upon my return, I could once again see areas where they were lacking.
That evening.
The squad members returned, utterly exhausted.
“Are you not satisfied?”
Hwang Yeop asked cautiously.
“That’s not it.”
“Your expression is not bright.”
“How can I make the squad members stronger? I was thinking about that, which must be why. You’ve done well. The members have improved, not regressed. This is your achievement, Deputy Leader Hwang.”
“The members have worked hard. But, Squad Leader.”
“Speak.”
“Since the members are still using the martial arts they learned in their previous units, they feel a bit like a ragtag bunch. The sword arts used by each unit are different.”
“Of course, it would be ideal if I taught them a new sword art and they all performed a single style. But we don’t have time for that. Therefore, maximizing their current sword arts is the best option. Soon, the martial world will be swept up in a storm of blood.”
“We will trust and follow only you, Squad Leader.”
Hwang Yeop replied firmly.
Watching me grow ever stronger, Hwang Yeop and the other members showed me their absolute trust.
“Aside from the Blood Palace incident last year, it has been quiet for a long time. If they rise up this time, it will be a truly formidable challenge. We don't know when the order to mobilize will come, so be thoroughly prepared.”
“I will obey your command.”
After Hwang Yeop saluted and withdrew, I rose from my seat and headed to the training chamber.
*Shhhring.*
The sound of the Ghost Soul Sword being drawn was chilling, yet it gave me a strange sense of pleasure.
After steadying my breath, I unleashed the Ouyang Sword Art and the Heavenly Will Sword Art with all my might.
*Swiiish!*
*K-k-k-kang!*
*Boom! Boom!*
The training chamber shook so violently it felt as if it would collapse.
It was a good thing the walls were made of thick iron plates; any ordinary stone wall would have crumbled long ago.
“That’s a relief.”
I had unleashed every last shred of my two hundred years of internal energy.
The Ouyang Sword Art and Heavenly Will Sword Art I performed today were completely different.
The forms of the techniques hadn't changed much, but their precision, speed, and the way I imbued the sword with true energy had all advanced to a new level.
The most significant achievement was the development of a more efficient way to channel true energy into the sword.
The difference between a master and a novice lay in how well they could imbue their weapon with true energy.
That was why a willow branch in the hands of a master was sharper than a treasured sword in the hands of a novice.
I sat down on the spot and began to circulate my energy.
How much time had passed?
My empty dantian was once again full with two hundred years of internal energy.
After refilling my dantian, I took out the drawing from my robes and unfolded it.
Mok Yeong-cheong had not shown himself to me since our last meeting.
As long as he chose not to appear, I had no way of meeting him.
It was a pity.
“Nothing has changed.”
The figure in the drawing had always changed its posture, but since my meeting with him, it had remained the same.
—Let’s meet again next time.
Mok Yeong-cheong's last words came to mind.
“Right, there’s no need to be impatient. Thanks to my grandmaster, I’ve definitely reached a new level. My current state is higher than when I lived as Hwa Un-ryong.”
I was satisfied with the fact that I had advanced, not regressed.
Of course, that was only when comparing states with the same amount of internal energy. The devastating Heavenly Will Sword Art that Hwa Un-ryong had unleashed with his three hundred and sixty years of internal energy still sent shivers down my spine just thinking about it.
When would I be able to obtain that much internal energy?
“Let’s not be too hasty. Just gaining two hundred years of internal energy has been a series of fortunate events.”
That was right.
Simply consuming an elixir didn't guarantee an exponential increase in internal energy.
It was only possible because I had grasped the pinnacle of martial arts and was an expert on elixirs.
I calmed my mind and left the training chamber.
“Squad Leader.”
Seong Hwi, who had been waiting outside the training chamber, called out to me.
I was planning to look for him tomorrow anyway.
“Have you been well?”
“Yes. You look even more imposing, Squad Leader.”
“Indeed. I noticed earlier that your martial prowess has also improved considerably.”
“Can one improve so much in such a short time? I am still very lacking. I will take that as encouragement to work harder and continue to strive.”
My eyes narrowed for a moment as I looked at Seong Hwi.
After leaving the Ouyang Clan and living a structured life in the Martial Arts Alliance, Seong Hwi had definitely changed.
He seemed to have matured, especially after becoming a team leader and teaching his team members.
I was pleased that he now had the air of a true warrior.
“Don’t be swayed by other sword arts. Focus only on mastering the Ouyang Sword Art. If you do, you will achieve greatness.”
I urged him strongly, worried that he might be dazzled by the flashy sword arts of the Martial Arts Alliance.
“I will never turn my eyes to other sword arts. After seeing you perform the Ouyang Sword Art, Squad Leader, I abandoned all other thoughts long ago. I am determined to master it. I look forward to your continued guidance.”
It was a relief that Seong Hwi had such good judgment.
Since I had supplemented the weaknesses of the Ouyang Sword Art through my own training, it was now completely different from its former version.
Seong Hwi must have clearly felt that.
I believed that was why he was so dedicated to the Ouyang Sword Art.
**
Ten days later.
The Martial Arts Alliance was in an uproar.
—The Dark Evil Union has officially established its sect in Chang'an County.
If Wuhan County, where the Martial Arts Alliance was located, was the center of the Central Plains, then Chang'an County was in the northwest.
Chang'an County was a major county on par with Luoyang and Wuhan, a historic ancient capital.
The Alliance Leader's Hall.
Yang Cheon-rin had summoned Zhuge Mun-hyeon and other key figures of the Martial Arts Alliance to discuss countermeasures.
I, too, was invited to this meeting.
Having started as an enforcer for the Demon-Dispelling Pavilion, I had now earned the right to attend as a Squad Leader representing the Martial Arts Alliance.
Gazing at the Alliance Leader's Hall, I was lost in old memories.
From this very place, I had once ruled over the Martial Arts Alliance and the entire world.
The thought of those times made my blood boil.
Although it had been a continuous series of days without proper rest, dedicated to training and exterminating the forces of evil, I did not regret that life.
I slowly made my way forward.
The way people looked at me had changed.
It was a complex mix of awe, envy, and expectation.
I had experienced such situations many times in my past life, so I offered a faint smile, exchanged fist-and-palm salutes with those I met, and walked toward the Alliance Leader's Hall.