Chapter 148: Mount Tai Sect (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 148: Mount Tai Sect (1)
The Mount Tai Sect.
It was a sword sect holding a seat among the Five Great Mountains Sword Sects and a great sect that, alongside the Venerable Spear Sect, claimed to be one of the two pillars of Shandong Province.
Though its influence was said to have waned recently compared to the highly active Venerable Spear Sect, the Mount Tai Sect's reputation within Shandong Province remained as towering as the mountain where they resided.
"Hmm?"
"Sahyeong. Someone is coming."
A strange light flickered in the eyes of the Mount Tai Sect disciples guarding the mountain gate.
A man had appeared at the bottom of the stone steps leading up to the gate. He climbed slowly, his posture relaxed, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His indigo sleeves fluttered elegantly, revealing four large clouds embroidered upon them.
'The Azure Heaven Association!'
'The Fourth Cloud? That's Hall Master level. But he looks so young...'
The disciples guarding the gate immediately recognized the man's identity. Anyone who paid even the slightest attention to recent rumors in the Jianghu could not fail to know him. They could not take their eyes off the approaching man. He was clearly younger than them, yet the immense presence radiating from him felt utterly disproportionate to his age.
Step.
Finally reaching the mountain gate, Namgung Jun slowly clasped his hands.
"I am Namgung Jun of the Azure Star Sword. I wish to see the Sect Master. I should have sent word to arrange an appointment, but the situation is urgent, so I must apologize for this intrusion. I hope you will understand."
After his brief introduction, Namgung Jun stated his business directly.
The Sect Master of the Mount Tai Sect was not someone just anyone could meet. However, a Fourth Cloud of the Azure Heaven Association was a different matter entirely, especially since their sects were allied through the Mount Song Gathering.
"Please, come inside first."
Swallowing nervously, the disciples immediately guided Namgung Jun inside. They treated him not as a promising Rising Star, but as a supreme expert who shouldered one of the pillars of the Azure Heaven Association.
Of course, he could not meet the Mount Tai Sect Master immediately.
Four hours later, an audience with the Sect Master was finally granted.
"Please, enter."
Nodding to the second-generation disciple who had guided him, Namgung Jun opened the door and stepped inside.
Deep within the largest pavilion of the Mount Tai Sect, an old man and a middle-aged man were already seated. The old man was Hyeongman, the Sect Master of the Mount Tai Sect, and the middle-aged man was Sanwi, a first-generation disciple chosen to be the next Sect Master.
The men responsible for the present and future of the Mount Tai Sect stared at Namgung Jun.
"Oh. To think he's reached this level..."
Sensing Namgung Jun's aura, Hyeongman let out a soft exclamation of admiration. The sight of Namgung Jun clashing swords with the Wudang Sect Master at the Mount Song Gathering was still vivid in his mind. Seeing such terrifying talent had made him truly envious, and he had lamented that the Mount Tai Sect had no such outstanding disciple.
'At this point, I almost feel jealous of the Azure Heaven Association Leader for having him.'
Seeing how magnificently Namgung Jun had grown, the image of him from the Mount Song Gathering instantly faded. The Namgung Jun of that time had left a strong impression, but it was incomparable to now. While the past Namgung Jun had the brilliant but unrefined aura of a Rising Star, the man before him now was an established expert, a fully realized martial artist charging down his own Martial Path without hesitation.
It was as if time flowed differently for him alone; his rate of growth defied all common sense in the Jianghu. The aura he radiated as a swordsman was just that potent and distinct.
Had Hyeongman known the extent of his growth, he would not have made him wait.
"Welcome, Azure Star Sword. Your growth is truly astonishing."
"I apologize for the rudeness of arriving on Mount Tai so suddenly. Thank you for making time for me."
"Not at all. For someone of your stature, it is a different matter. You are now a Hall Master responsible for one of the Azure Heaven Association's halls, are you not? I suppose I should call you Hall Master Namgung now."
At Hyeongman's nod, Sanwi, who had been silently keeping his place beside him, spoke up.
"This is our first meeting. I am Sanwi, a first-generation disciple of the Mount Tai Sect."
"I have heard much of the Heavy Luster Swordsman's reputation. I am Namgung Jun."
After exchanging names, it would have been customary to inquire about each other's well-being, but Hyeongman went straight to the point. Despite his welcoming words, he did not seem to want a long conversation.
"So, what brings you to our sect?"
"I have come regarding the Venerable Spear Sect."
"The Venerable Spear Sect..."
Even at its mention, the two showed little reaction. They merely stared at Namgung Jun with indifferent faces.
Unbothered, Namgung Jun continued. "The Venerable Spear Sect is mobilizing the unorthodox sects of Shandong Province to plunder escort agencies and merchant groups. Are you aware of this?"
Instead of speaking, Hyeongman picked up his teacup. Sanwi replied with an indifferent expression, "Is that not a common occurrence for unorthodox sects? It is hardly anything new."
"According to our association's investigation, they are targeting not only the merchant groups and escort agencies of Shandong Province, but also external ones traveling here for trade. The sole exception is those associated with the Mount Tai Sect."
Sanwi cleared his throat loudly, his expression souring. "Ahem. What are you trying to say, Hall Master Namgung?"
"Is the Mount Tai Sect going to continue to stand idle, simply because your own territory remains untouched?"
"Hall Master Namgung. Is it because you are still young? Perhaps you should first learn what can and cannot be said."
In an instant, the air in the room grew heavy. The Great Lofty Deep-Martial Qi radiating from Sanwi filled the space, its Qi Waves concentrating heavily around Namgung Jun. As expected of the man slated to be the next Sect Master of the Mount Tai Sect, it was a formidable pressure, but Namgung Jun did not react. He didn't even circulate his internal energy to counter it.
He merely stared at Hyeongman with deep, calm eyes.
"A single slip could have caused you internal injuries, yet your boldness is remarkable," Hyeongman said, slowly stroking his beard.
"I am merely minding my manners as a guest. Please pay me no mind."
Hyeongman tilted his chin. "What is it you wish to say?"
"I wish to know if the Mount Tai Sect has any intention of fulfilling its duty as a member of the Righteous Faction."
"Haha. And what do you believe is the duty of the Righteous Faction?"
Namgung Jun slowly ran his hand along the edge of the tea table, which looked expensive even at a glance. "I have no intention of forcing my beliefs, or my sense of righteousness, onto every righteous sect in the Jianghu. However..."
"However?"
"If a sect claims to be righteous, shouldn't it at least have the conviction to stand against injustice with its martial arts?"
"A righteous spirit..." The tea had gone cold, no longer emitting steam. Hyeongman's eyes, as he looked down at it, were equally dry. "The Mount Tai Sect and the Azure Heaven Association are fundamentally different."
As Hyeongman's hand moved, a faint ripple formed in the lukewarm tea.
"You seek to stand against the Sun-Moon Demonic Cult and the Eight Great Unorthodox Powers to protect the weak. But the Mount Tai Sect is content with protecting those within our own borders and preserving our sect's legacy."
"The current Jianghu is in chaos. Even great sects can be swept away by its currents, so it is understandable to prioritize one's own preservation and survival," Namgung Jun nodded calmly.
Seeing this, Hyeongman showed a look of surprise. "I expected you to keep pushing your argument or try to persuade us. This is unexpected."
"I never intended to change the Mount Tai Sect's philosophy with a few words. I was simply curious as to your true stance." Namgung Jun observed the lukewarm, almost uncomfortable expressions on Hyeongman's and Sanwi's faces. "Now, let me give you the practical reason why the Mount Tai Sect must act."
"A practical reason?"
"The Venerable Spear Sect previously targeted the Henan plains, and now they are targeting merchant groups and escort agencies. Though the methods differ, their goal is the same: to amass a massive amount of wealth."
"Does the Azure Heaven Association know why?"
Namgung Jun nodded. "We learned the truth through our own intelligence and after entering Shandong Province and crushing four of their subordinate unorthodox sects."
The eyes of Hyeongman and Sanwi, which had been indifferent until now, sharpened. Sanwi, in particular, grew anxious and urged him on.
"What is the reason? Speak quickly."
"They are cultivating a force trained in mounted martial arts."
The entirely unexpected term spilled from Namgung Jun's lips. Hyeongman and Sanwi could not react immediately, their eyes merely widening in shock.
Just as the Nanman Beast Palace of the Southern Jianghu used martial arts to train and communicate with wild beasts, the Northern Jianghu also possessed martial arts that utilized horses in battle. That was none other than mounted martial arts. As the name suggested, it was martial arts performed on horseback and was the most famous type of martial art in the Northern Jianghu.
Sanwi shook his head and muttered, "The Venerable Spear Sect obtained mounted martial arts? That can't be. Through what possible channel could they have acquired it?"
Ignoring Sanwi's muttering, Namgung Jun continued his explanation. "They are secretly raising a new force based on mounted martial arts. The reason the Venerable Spear Sect is so obsessed with wealth is that training a mounted force requires an astronomical sum."
Namgung Jun looked back and forth between Hyeongman and Sanwi, his gaze now as dry and indifferent as theirs had been at first.
"Once the Venerable Spear Sect's mounted martial arts force is complete, their first target will naturally be the Mount Tai Sect."
"Heavens. Has the Venerable Spear Sect truly..."
"With this, I believe I have fulfilled my role as an ally. Please ensure the Mount Tai Sect does its part as well. My Azure Firmament Hall and I cannot remain in Shandong Province forever."
Hyeongman could not answer immediately. The weight of the information Namgung Jun delivered was immense. Namgung Jun did not rush them, waiting for them to organize their thoughts.
Only after a long moment did Hyeongman speak, as if murmuring to himself. "This is a grave matter. We have intentionally kept our territory separate from the Venerable Spear Sect's. Perhaps because of that, our intelligence on them has grown dull."
"Sect Master. We must respond to this immediately..." Sanwi began, but stopped when he remembered Namgung Jun was still present.
Hyeongman inclined his head toward Namgung Jun in a gesture of respect. "Azure Star Sword. Although the Mount Tai Sect prefers a peaceful existence, we are not so base as to ignore our debts. We will not forget today's favor."
"I will leave the Venerable Spear Sect to the Mount Tai Sect."
Namgung Jun bowed his head and stood up. There was not a trace of hesitation in his movements. Sanwi escorted him to the mountain gate, but they exchanged only formal pleasantries, no warm conversation passing between them.
"How bitter."
Descending the stone steps, Namgung Jun turned to look back at the Mount Tai Sect's gate. He saw the plaque with the three characters 'Mount Tai Sect' written in a powerful script.
He hadn't expected a grand cause or chivalrous spirit from them. It would have been fine even if they didn't take active measures. He had merely hoped they wouldn't turn a blind eye to the many people suffering in Shandong Province. That alone would have exerted enough influence to suppress the local unorthodox sects. The Mount Tai Sect certainly possessed that level of reputation and power.
Yet, he had not expected them to so openly deny righteousness and speak only of their own peaceful contentment. If they only looked after their own interests and abandoned the responsibilities that came with their power, how were they any different from the opportunistic sects that straddled the line between the righteous and unorthodox paths?
Namgung Jun found it deeply regrettable. Should he instead consider it a relief that they at least stood on the side of the Righteous Faction, even if only in name?
'Still, now that the Mount Tai Sect has decided to intervene, the Venerable Spear Sect won't be able to run wild as they did before.'
The Venerable Spear Sect had already lost four subordinate sects and one martial force to the Azure Firmament Hall. If the Mount Tai Sect now abandoned its bystander attitude, even the Venerable Spear Sect wouldn't be able to move so recklessly.
Having moved the Mount Tai Sect like a chess piece, his mission was complete.
* * *
Descending Mount Tai, Namgung Jun rejoined the waiting members of the Azure Firmament Hall and headed toward Jinan. They planned to return to Anhui Province alongside the Yeongjun Merchant Group, who were staying in Jinan after completing their trade route.
The members of the Azure Firmament Hall, who had been moving swiftly using their lightness skills, gradually slowed to a halt.
"Hall Master."
"It seems it will be difficult to shake them off."
Stopping in the middle of the wide main road, the members of the Azure Firmament Hall looked at the group blocking the entire path. About a hundred spearmen were glaring at them, radiating sharp Qi Waves.
"Are you the Azure Star Sword?"
A middle-aged man standing in the center of the spearmen stepped forward, staring directly at Namgung Jun.
It was the Great-Dusk Spear Paragon.