Chapter 156
Chapter 156
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 156
Chapter Title: Seclusion (2)
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While Ouyang Jue was in seclusion, Bai Duanxian gave up his usual training and focused on strengthening relationships with other sects.
A harmony between Taoist and Buddhist sects, separate from the Martial Alliance.
Though they walked the path of righteousness, their methods differed, making such a thing impossible in the past.
But as the Mount Hua Sect formed friendships with the Shaolin Temple, the Zhongnan Sect, and the Wudang Sect, it became easier to grow closer to other Taoist sects as well.
In particular, Master of the Dark Clouds, and the Blue Cloud Fist Hero, Yang Ji-hyeon, who had once crossed blades with Ouyang Jue in the Great Dragon War, were particularly vocal.
“The martial world is in turmoil because of the scoundrels known as the Eight Evils, and groups that had been hiding their ambitions are now running rampant! How can we only look toward the immortal realms in a time like this?”
At first, some criticized Yang Ji-hyeon for his hot-bloodedness.
However, as the unorthodox sects succeeding the Black Dragon Gang began to prosper and joined hands with the Sichuan Tang Clan, the Sect Leader of the Kongtong Sect, Bai Hyeon-ja, spoke up.
“The Kongtong Sect did not wish to meddle in the affairs of the martial world, but we will no longer stand by and watch your lawlessness!”
Chaos in the martial world.
As the world began to divide, centering around Huguang, the Hebei Peng Clan, the Nangong Clan, and the Jegal Clan immediately joined forces.
They declared themselves a friendly faction independent of the Martial Alliance... but few actually believed them.
Only the clueless fools or the weak who could not enter the martial world—only those two groups welcomed the alliance of the three great clans.
While everyone warily watched each other, only the Beggars' Sect could remain calm amidst the martial world's division.
This was because they had connections everywhere, regardless of righteousness or evil, and had grown particularly close with the Shaolin Temple, a pillar of the martial world.
Amidst the chaos, Bai Duanxian solidified the Mount Hua Sect's position and strengthened its internal affairs.
Above all, he dedicated himself to ensuring the direct disciples could focus on their training.
*Thump! Thump!*
From repairing buildings to clearing the treacherous cliffside paths that were difficult to traverse.
Unlike the always quiet and relaxed past, the Mount Hua Sect gradually became filled with loud noises.
“Since when has the Mount Hua Sect pursued fame instead of the Tao!”
“It is lamentable that ten years have changed not the landscape, but our very spirit.”
Because of this, a few Taoists grumbled, but Ik Hyeon, who was closest, glared at them.
He approached so closely that he stepped on their shadows, even though they were of a higher generation than him.
“Senior Brother Jeong, have you forgotten the past?”
“...What?”
“The day our Senior-most Brother was carried in on his back, the day Uncle Ouyang returned with his head shaved bald!”
At Ik Hyeon's words, the grumbling Taoists' faces hardened.
The former day brought grief, and the latter, the lament that they could say nothing even when the Mount Hua Sect's most promising young talent returned with his head shaved.
*'What on earth could have happened...'*
Except for a select few, including Bai Duanxian, no one knew, so most could only guess.
Even Jo Hun, who had likely heard the reason, had said this!
“I asked Senior Brother, and he said he had to shave it due to unavoidable circumstances?”
Seeing Jo Hun smile as if it were nothing felt like his heart was being torn apart.
Ik Hyeon wiped the tears welling in his eyes with the back of his hand, wondering what kind of story would make even a young child try to dismiss it with a smile.
“So, shouldn't we also work hard? To prepare for the chaos that is to come...!”
As Ik Hyeon pleaded with an earnest voice, even the Taoists who had been inwardly dissatisfied with the changing sect lowered their heads.
What did it matter if they changed?
Wasn't it better than turning to ash and disappearing?
What could be more precious than a flower that bloomed after enduring the cold?
Ik Hyeon and the other Taoists each recalled the difficult times, mulling over the emotions they had felt back then.
Anger, depression, resentment.
There were many others, but the most agonizing feeling was something else.
*'The frustration of not being able to help at all.'*
The despair that came from being weak in martial arts had squeezed their hearts.
But what about now?
Didn't they have time, an opportunity?
As fervor gradually bloomed on the Taoists' faces, Ik Hyeon looked at his junior sister who had just arrived.
“Mo-yeon, you're here.”
“Yes, Senior Brother Ik.”
A limping gait.
Even under the cold stares of those around her, Yeong Mo-yeon straightened her shoulders.
Of course, the sin she carried was not a light one.
It was heavy.
No matter that she had followed the secret order of her master, who was like the heavens to her, the fact that she had cut down her fellow disciples could not be forgotten.
Every night, she had nightmares, and when she looked down at her hands, she saw visions of them stained with blood.
The voices in her head urged her to take her own life and whispered of hatred.
But Yeong Mo-yeon knew.
That nothing could be accomplished in death, that she had to live and breathe to repay her debt.
As Yeong Mo-yeon approached Ik Hyeon, a Taoist glared at her with hostile eyes.
“How can we consider someone who devoured her own brothers a fellow Taoist?”
Yeong Mo-yeon shuddered at the coldness she felt from those around her.
A flicker of regret passed through her, wondering if it would have been better to recover in the prison before coming out.
It was then.
*Pat.*
Ik Hyeon's calloused palm came to rest on Yeong Mo-yeon's shoulder.
“Even back then, didn't you make that choice because you believed it was the path for the Mount Hua Sect to improve?”
“...Senior Brother.”
To defend her, who had personally cut down a disciple of the sect—no matter what was said later, it couldn't be helped.
Nevertheless, Ik Hyeon stood beside Yeong Mo-yeon with an impassive face.
“It's alright.”
“...”
“You can change things.”
Ik Hyeon offered neither vague assurances that things would somehow work out, nor any cheesy words of encouragement.
“Thank you, Senior Brother.”
At his words, Yeong Mo-yeon found courage.
“...You want to help me with my work?”
Yeong Mo-yeon nodded at Song Muk's stiff tone.
“Yes. I will do anything, no matter what it is.”
“What should I trust about you? Even if it was a misunderstanding, are you not the one who cut down your own sect-mates?”
Song Muk's words were cold, but they were logical.
There were countless people who would think a blade that had tasted the blood of a comrade would turn on them again.
She must have received many glares just coming here.
*'She may have steeled her resolve, but the situation isn't helping.'*
Just as he was thinking of politely refusing, Yeong Mo-yeon made a proposal.
“I will leave the mountain.”
“...I don't know what you're trying to say.”
“I will leave the mountain and spread the word of my evil deed of cutting down my sect-mates.”
At those words, Song Muk's expression soured.
“Are you in your right mind?”
He wondered if it was a threat to tarnish the Mount Hua Sect's honor, but Yeong Mo-yeon continued speaking.
“If I am excommunicated from the Mount Hua Sect and go down the mountain, there will surely be those who approach me.”
“...”
“I will make contact with them, and the information I gather will be sent to aid the Mount Hua Sect.”
“What will you do if I can't trust you?”
Song Muk did not let go of his suspicion, his cold voice filling the room.
“It wouldn't be unfair to think this is just a hastily made excuse to leave the mountain, would it?”
“You're right. But...”
Yeong Mo-yeon closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them.
Then, without any hesitation, she plunged a dagger into her lower dantian.
*Shluk!*
A sudden burst of blood stained the floor of Song Muk's office.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Song Muk asked without so much as batting an eyelash, and Yeong Mo-yeon answered, enduring the pain.
“This way, you, Elder, and my enemies in the martial world will be able to trust me.”
“Foolish...!”
Song Muk roared.
“Do you think the Sect Leader and your senior brother defended you for this? Are you not rendering their grace meaningless!”
“Because that grace is too great, too warm... I cannot repay it without doing this.”
At Yeong Mo-yeon's smile, a mix of complex emotions, Song Muk was at a loss for words.
***
Time flows like water.
While Bai Duanxian was solidifying relationships between sects, Song Muk silently fulfilled his duties and strengthened their internal affairs.
With things being as they were, even Gwak Un-pae, who normally disliked heavy responsibilities, did his best.
Of course, it wasn't without its crises.
However, thanks to the relationships and friendships Ouyang Jue had built, and especially with the full support of the Beggars' Sect, they were able to overcome them from time to time.
The biggest factor was that rumors of the Eight Evils had spread openly throughout the martial world, restricting their actions.
People were wary and afraid because they didn't know who the Eight Evils were.
But the Mount Hua Sect knew a few important pieces of information.
Among the Eight Evils, the Black Dragon had died at the hands of Ouyang Jue and the Omniscient One.
The Buddha-Slaying Divine Demon had fought the peerless swordsman, Seo Mun-hwi, and struggled mightily, while the Heaven-Bearing Asura had lost an arm.
Each of Ouyang Jue's arduous deeds became a stepping stone, paving the way for the Mount Hua Sect.
A miracle that tied down the great evil known as the Eight Evils.
The Omniscient One looked at Ouyang Jue, once again filled with admiration.
“Just where in the world did that brat come from...”
A whole two years!
To cling to the Eight Evils for two years straight!
It was a miracle that would make Shin An-ja faint from shock if he saw it.
But Ouyang Jue was not satisfied with that and only repeated his training and sparring.
“Uncle, let's go a little easier now!”
On days he sparred with Ouyang Jue, Yeon Mu-rang always looked like he wanted to run away.
“Training with you is always new and fun, Senior Brother!”
Jo Hun charged in with fire in his eyes, as if determined to learn at least one thing.
Perhaps because of that, his Path of Zen Scripture grew sharper and more precise with each encounter.
After a year, he could no longer be treated as a mere child.
But who could have improved more than Liu Zhangming?
Ouyang Jue drew Severing Manifestation and gauged the distance between himself and Liu Zhangming.
Five or six steps at most.
Though it was a distance he could close in an instant with his footwork, Ouyang Jue couldn't easily approach Liu Zhangming.
*'If we fought like it was a real battle, I would ultimately win, but...'*
In a pure battle of forms—a contest of techniques—he could not defeat Liu Zhangming.
If not for his overwhelming internal energy and stamina, he might have been pushed back in this life as well.
Thinking that, Ouyang Jue felt that Liu Zhangming was even more incredible.
How could he have grown so much without having experienced a past life?
Liu Zhangming's talent was so admirable that a dry laugh escaped him.
“Senior Brother, were you perhaps prophesied at birth to be the reincarnation of some heavenly god?”
“That is not the case.”
Liu Zhangming shouted in a sharp voice.
“We are in the middle of sparring, focus!”
“Yes.”
Ouyang Jue curled one side of his lip.
“As you wish!”
*Klaaang, klang!*
Each time Dragon's Tear Sword and Severing Manifestation clashed, a harsh sound echoed around them, and the sparks that flew between them were fierce enough to set the trees ablaze.
If not for the barrier the Omniscient One had erected, not only the hermitage but dozens of trees would have been felled.
Ouyang Jue let out a sharp breath and charged at Liu Zhangming.
***
“Finally... finally, I'm out of Zhangjiajie!”
Nameless, having descended from Heavenly Martial Peak, looked at the panting Wi Jin-cheon with a pathetic expression.
“You find that difficult?”
“...*Gasp, gasp*. I'm not a superman like you, Master!”
“Now, now, let's get a move on!”
Nameless grinned as he looked in the direction of Mount Hua.
“My opponent is over there!”
The one who inherited the Heavenly Escape Arts, just like Ouyang Jue.
It was the day Nameless, who had mastered the Heavenly Escape Mind Arts, returned to the martial world after decades.
*Sniff, sniff!*