A Trivial Misunderstanding
“Tch. How can a daughter of the Dang Clan have such a foul mouth? I can see the family head's worries right before my eyes. Tch, tch, tch.”
“……”
An old Taoist in blue robes clicked his tongue and stepped forward.
As he advanced, the other Qingcheng Sect disciples all bowed their heads.
Not only was his presence extraordinary, but his status was one that couldn't be ignored—even Dang Hwa-rin's pupils trembled faintly.
“Elder, what brings you here in the middle of the night?”
Dang Hwa-rin glared at the old Taoist with a voice thick with wariness.
Tall and gaunt, his eyes gleamed with a sharpness utterly unlike a Taoist's.
An elder of one of the Nine Great Sects.
A foe who might be the strongest he'd ever face in this life stood before him with a relaxed expression.
“Miss Dang. I've heard you attacked one of our boys?”
“What are you talking about? That bastard came at me first, harassing and attacking me!”
“Tch. Be that as it may, it's a fact that Qingcheng blood was spilled. We can sort out the quarrel later—come with me for now.”
“Why should I? If you're an elder, shouldn't you correct your juniors' mistakes?”
“Tch. They say the Poison King's daughter is a real troublemaker. The rumors of the jianghu never lie.”
The Qingcheng elder turned his head slightly. At his signal, four young Taoists stepped forward. Their robes were impeccably neat, their auras far from ordinary—they were clearly elites dispatched from the main sect.
“The Azure Wind Four Guardians…”
Dang Hwa-rin trailed off, biting her lip hard. She must have realized there was no escape.
Now it was my turn to step in.
“Miss Dang. Stand back.”
“Alliance warrior?”
Dang Hwa-rin, who had been tense as a coiled spring, startled and looked at me.
I met her gaze with a reassuring smile to ease her mind.
“I'll talk it out.”
“No! This isn't something words can fix—”
“We're all from the same Murim Alliance, aren't we? Seems like a misunderstanding—should sort itself out. Besides, it wasn't you who hurt them; it was me.”
Dang Hwa-rin hesitated, her lips parting as if to argue. She probably saw me as some naive fool jumping in blind.
But the Tushin's Long Blade Manual was top secret, so she kept her mouth shut.
I gave her one more smile, then turned and strode forward.
“Pleased to meet you. I'm Jang U-gil of the Murim Alliance.”
I cupped my fists in salute and bowed slightly.
At my introduction as a Murim Alliance member, the four Taoists called the Azure Wind Four Guardians flinched and glanced back.
Finally, the old elder spoke again.
“Murim Alliance? What business does the Alliance have here?”
“On a mission, seeking the Dang Clan's cooperation.”
As I spoke, I pulled my Alliance plaque from my bosom and tossed it to one of the Azure Wind Four Guardians with a flick.
The disciple checked it and nodded to the elder.
“Hmph. Hard work. Stand aside for now. This is a minor sect quarrel—the Alliance needn't interfere.”
“Well…”
I took another step forward, my hand lightly resting on Cheolgeom's hilt.
The elder furrowed his brow.
“Planning to meddle?”
“I was here too. Just as Miss Dang said, they harassed her first. And it wasn't her who hurt them—it was me. If you're here to settle scores, do it with me.”
“Hmmm…”
The elder scowled deeply and glanced at the Song Clan thug.
The guy nodded meekly, looking utterly deflated.
In any case, the justification the Qingcheng Sect had brought was crumbling because of me.
“Ahem! There's more to this than you know. I'll say it again: stand down.”
“Well. Preventing clashes between sects seems like the Alliance's role too.”
“Insolent pup! Which division are you from?”
“Baekryongdae.”
“Baekryongdae? Even their leader wouldn't dare speak to me like that! Which lowly squad are you from? Back off now! Is your mission to guard that Dang wench?”
Those who prized authority above all tended to lose their tempers when their words fell on deaf ears.
The Qingcheng elder was a textbook case.
“Not just my mission—it's the Alliance's very purpose. Stepping up against injustice, no matter who. Isn't that the duty of us upright martial artists?”
“You bastard! Are you saying I'm the one committing injustice here?”
“Sorry to say it, but yes.”
The elder's eyes bulged in rage.
“Outrageous! No talking sense into this one! What are you waiting for? Seize those vermin and make them kneel before me!”
“Yes!”
“Understood, Elder!”
The Qingcheng elites drew their swords and closed in.
Dang Hwa-rin drew hers too and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me.
I glanced at her tense profile and stepped ahead.
“Miss Dang. Stay back.”
“But—!”
“If you join in, it'll escalate. Just watch for now.”
“If you look in danger, I'm jumping in!”
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Step. Step. Step.
The four Taoists and one man advanced toward each other, swords at the ready.
Their steps were leisurely, like a stroll, but as the distance shrank, killing intent rose from the Qingcheng swords.
“Attack!”
“Hah!”
At some unspoken signal, the Qingcheng elites kicked off the ground.
Two flanked left and right for my sides, while the front pair aimed swords at my throat and legs simultaneously.
These fuckers.
This wasn't mere subdual.
Since kidnapping a Murim Alliance lady from the Dang Clan would cause backlash, they planned to kill me and tie up loose ends.
I heightened my senses and swung Cheolgeom up and down.
Clang!
Sparks flew in the dim cliffside.
The two frontal attackers, surprised at how easily I'd blocked, widened their eyes and retreated.
Instead, the side swords thrust at my ribs.
Rather than back away, I surged forward, extending my blade.
“Gasp!”
Dodge and counter in one motion.
The Taoist my blade tip menaced groaned in shock and slashed horizontally in haste.
Kaaang!
I spun my body, loosening my grip on the hilt just a touch.
With a crisp ring, my sword spun away from his block—I caught it mid-whirl and slashed upward in the rotation's flow.
Slash!
“Kugh!”
One Taoist who'd taken my blade unexpectedly tumbled back with a scream.
“Junior Brother!”
Two sword winds howled from behind.
Instead of resisting the raging gust, I rode its flow, spinning repeatedly.
My long robes billowed, obscuring their vision.
“Not—!”
“What—!”
The two who'd charged blindly overshot me; I kicked off the ground and smashed the backs of their necks with dull thuds.
“Gurk!”
“Gah!”
The last Qingcheng Taoist bellowed and thrust.
I met him head-on from standstill, blade extended.
“Alliance warrior! Danger!”
Our swords crossed toward each other's hearts.
At this rate, his would pierce mine first.
In that instant, I softly circled my grip, drawing an arc.
Grind!
“Huh?”
His sword tangled in mine and lost power; I used the momentum to flick it upward.
Shiiiing!
His hand tore open, sword spinning into the sky.
Glimmering in the moonlight, it plunged into the earth with a thunk.
The Azure Wind Four Guardians.
Qingcheng's prized sword elites knelt in defeat after mere exchanges.
To some no-name grunt from the Murim Alliance, no less.
The old elder, the cowering Song Clan crew watching in silence, even Dang Hwa-rin—all gaped at me.
“Ugh…”
Then the first-struck Taoist groaned, rising from the dirt.
“Junior Brother! You okay?”
“Y-Yes… Senior Brother. I'm fine…”
The neck-struck pair hadn't regained consciousness yet, but they weren't gravely hurt.
I couldn't afford full disarmament without crossing lines, nor total escalation.
Thus, light wounds to subdue the elites.
Killing blows were one thing; restraining masters like this was harder.
It showed the vast gap in skill between them and me—the elder's rigid face betrayed no sign of softening.
“Jang U-gil, was it?”
As the elites helped their fallen brothers retreat, the elder addressed me.
“Yes.”
I replied politely, not a hair out of breath.
The shadow on his face darkened further.
“A sword that draws the Tai Chi. Were you from Wudang?”
Tai Chi Fist and Tai Chi Sword.
Infusing Tai Chi into martial arts was Wudang's secret, so he assumed I was their disciple.
Fair enough—I'd awakened it via Sam Bong Do, so broadly speaking.
But even a knowledgeable elder couldn't tell it wasn't plain Tai Chi Sword, but Tai Chi Insight Sword.
“Not a disciple from the main sect.”
Better to let the misunderstanding fester, so I played along.
The elder shook his head in disbelief.
“Secular disciple is still a disciple. But why stand with the Five Great Clans as a Wudang man?”
Though allied under the Murim Alliance's 'roof of righteousness,' the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans had long vied for dominance.
From economic turf wars to casual duels, even bloody skirmishes.
Without the Demonic Cult or Sahwangryeon, they'd have split into factions sword-to-sword.
Me guarding Dang Hwa-rin irked him—especially with the current Alliance Leader from the Namgung Clan.
“We're all Murim Alliance. What sides?”
But no excuse justified snatching a young woman at night.
Shameless, the elder drew his sword with a slither and advanced.
“Fine fellow. Yes, a Wudang disciple should stand firm. But I can't yield on this.”
“Is that so.”
“Do you know who I am?”
“Forgive my ignorance.”
He halted at a proper distance, stroking his long beard leisurely.
“I'm Cheongheo-ja, elder of Qingcheng.”
“An honor, Elder.”
“Hoho. Indeed, Wudang-bred—quite polite.”
“I've long heard your fame. Wanted to meet you someday, but on such terms—surprising and regrettable.”
“Hmmm… Really?”
Realizing too late he'd puffed up before me, Cheongheo-ja's face stiffened.
“Jang U-gil.”
“Yes.”
“Who was your master?”
I faltered for a beat.
Claiming Wudang ties was improv to match him—hadn't prepped a master.
But I couldn't stumble now, so I blurted the first Taoist name that surfaced.
“Seong Hak the Immortal.”
“Huh? Seong Hak? That bookworm who loves scrolls over martial arts?”
Wudang was in Hubei, so a nickname I'd heard in passing.
Never met the guy, naturally.
“…Yes.”
“Hahaha! Doesn't Seong Hak mention me? When did he take such a standout disciple? I'll ask next time.”
Of all the luck, they knew each other.
Might as well lean in.
I thickened my face further.
“Master scolds me often.”
“That's what masters do. Scolding comes from affection.”
“Yes. True.”
Their bond must run deep—Cheongheo-ja's demeanor shifted. The killing intent filling Cheonchu Gorge vanished.
Still, his gaze on Dang Hwa-rin remained sharp.
“May I speak casually? By seniority, you're like a grand-disciple.”
“Please do.”
“Hoho! Alright then, U-gil.”
“Yes.”
Cheongheo-ja fixed me with a heavy stare.
“Seong Hak's an old junior of mine, beyond sect lines. Spent life on Tai Chi—seems he bore fruit.”
“Yes. Master was thrilled.”
“Good, good. But public and private must be distinct. Even I can't overlook today.”
“I see.”
I subtly lowered my stance.
Cheongheo-ja shook his head regretfully.
“Seong Hak was stubborn like you.”
“Yes.”
“One last word, then.”
“Go ahead.”
Cheongheo-ja glanced past my shoulder.
“A man must choose his woman wisely. Beauty's fine, but heart matters more. Flashy shell's worthless if poison inside sickens all around. Don't judge by looks alone. Yet you're blinded by her face, straying from the Dao—your master would wail. Or am I wrong?”
Anyone could tell it targeted Dang Hwa-rin.
I met his eyes calmly and spoke evenly.
“Miss Dang isn't just a pretty face.”
“……”
Then.
Some indefinable energy snagged my senses.
Riding the wind, it crept down from the cliffs, seeping smoothly into everyone's noses and mouths.
Poison?!
I whipped around to Dang Hwa-rin.
Her eyes blazed like infernos.
“Right, you old fart! Stick near me, and you all croak from poison! Try it yourself!”
Shwick!
Dang Hwa-rin hurled hidden weapons at Cheongheo-ja.