Chapter 164
Chapter 164
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 164
Chapter Title: Mount Wudang, Yangyang, and Chengdu
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Dang Mujin asked in return.
"Are you saying there's a problem with the swordsmanship?"
Yeongbo Zhenren shook his head.
"No. It's not that there's an issue with the swordsmanship itself. It's not one that demands profound principles, but it's sharp and effective. The problem lies in someone with your natural disposition practicing it."
"What does the nature of the swordsmanship have to do with my disposition? Swordsmanship is just the technique of wielding a sword."
When Dang Mujin asked, Yeongbo Zhenren clicked his tongue.
"Have you never seen people who train the same swordsmanship develop similar personalities? Those who learn Mad Sword go insane. Those who learn Illusion Sword are all suspiciously cunning. The Nangong family's warriors press forward unyieldingly on their path."
Dang Mujin thought of Nangong Myeong and Nangong Jincheon. Their behaviors differed, but there was clearly a similarity in their temperaments.
Nangong Jincheon, of course, and even Nangong Myeong possessed unwavering personalities. They were simply heading down somewhat peculiar paths.
Yeongbo Zhenren continued.
"Wudang Sect Daoists lack ruthlessness, while Jecheon Sect warriors live boldly without hesitation. People choose swordsmanship to learn, but swordsmanship changes the person who chose it."
"I think I understand."
When Dang Mujin replied, Yeongbo Zhenren smiled softly, his eyes crinkling.
"Yes. You have a gentle and mild disposition. If you're to learn the sword, it should be the righteous sects' sword. Qingcheng Sect, Huashan Sect, or Wudang Sect swords would suit you well."
"Does that mean the sword I've learned isn't one befitting a righteous warrior?"
"Anyone can see that. It's a sword filled only with resentment and rage— the one that suits you the least. It's to the point where even demonic arts pursuing power and dominance might be better."
It was bewildering. The sword he had tirelessly trained and honed until now didn't suit him.
Yet he couldn't dismiss Yeongbo Zhenren's advice lightly. Hadn't he come too far down this path, even if it was the wrong one?
"With more effort, achievement will follow."
"Achievement will come, sure. But great accomplishment? No. Only those with matching temperaments can achieve great mastery in swordsmanship. For you, that would mean becoming a person filled with rage and resentment to reach true mastery with the sword. And if by some chance you do achieve it, that would be an even bigger problem. Young Master Dang. What is the name of that swordsmanship?"
"It's Heart-Piercing Sword."
"A sword that pierces the heart. A physician who pierces hearts..."
Yeongbo Zhenren muttered for a moment before closing his eyes and falling into thought. Behind Hyuncheon Hall, only the chirping of insects and the mountain breeze remained.
Yeongbo Zhenren opened his eyes again and spoke.
"Young Master Dang. From now on, learn Taiji Sword instead of Heart-Piercing Sword. Become a man who comprehends the myriad phenomena and steps half a pace back from the storm. Your talent is excellent, so it won't take long to surpass your previous achievements."
"Are you saying I should become a Wudang Sect Daoist?"
"If that's what you desire, it wouldn't be bad."
It was a subtle response. It almost sounded like he would teach Taiji Sword even if he didn't become a Wudang Sect Daoist.
Teaching Wudang Sect martial arts to an outsider would be an extraordinary decision even for Yeongbo Zhenren, the sect leader of Wudang.
Knowing the weight of that offer deepened Dang Mujin's 고민.
While seeking vengeance for the Ghost Physician, Dang Mujin had felt a strange emotion. Killing Baek Chaseo had sent thrilling shivers through his entire body. But as time passed, his killing intent gradually dulled.
Of course, he still harbored deep resentment toward the assassins. But to turn that resentment into the resolve to kill required a great leap.
As time flowed on, that gap only widened. For someone with a soft nature like Dang Mujin, it was even more so.
In truth, lately it had even started to feel burdensome. Dang Mujin wasn't the type who could endlessly fuel his killing intent. He was simply carrying out vengeance because he had resolved to do so.
However, it was too late to back down. Vengeance was just one final step away. Once he caught and killed the escaped Salmakju, it would be over. The Ghost Physician wouldn't have expected more than that.
And to take that final step, he couldn't abandon Heart-Piercing Sword. Putting down Heart-Piercing Sword felt like it would mean putting down his thirst for revenge as well.
Dang Mujin looked at Yeongbo Zhenren.
"It doesn't seem like the right time now. But if a moment comes when I need your guidance, may I return?"
"Yes. Come anytime."
Yeongbo Zhenren nodded.
Yet Dang Mujin felt that he would never come to Mount Wudang seeking Taiji Sword.
*
Dang Mujin left Wudang Sect and headed for Yangyang.
It was a very short journey, but during that brief trip, Hyun-gong's attitude underwent a dramatic change.
Hyun-gong, who had subtly ignored and kept his distance from Nangong Myeong and Hong Geolgae, now acted without reservation, intimately with the two as if it had never happened.
That change stemmed entirely from one realization on Hyun-gong's part.
'What is my score right now?'
Indeed. The score deduction wasn't just for Nangong Myeong and Hong Geolgae.
With Wudang Sect's backing slightly dimmed, Hyun-gong had to re-evaluate himself.
Hyun-gong assessed himself with an objective, cold gaze.
The result: he concluded there was no great difference between himself, Nangong Myeong, and Hong Geolgae. Among the four, the failures weren't two, but three.
And Hyun-gong changed his mindset.
'No. There's no reason to think of myself as a failure.'
The standard of the world is oneself. With his score lowered, Nangong Myeong and Hong Geolgae's positions had relatively risen.
Their evaluations shifted from 'fool banished from his clan' and 'beggar with ambiguous skills' to 'promising later-generation talent with outstanding ability and aptitude' and 'prospective Beggars' Sect member who became a Five-Knot Elder at a young age.'
With the bar lowered and evaluations leveled upward, one person benefited by reflection.
In this era of chaotic re-evaluation, the sole man who received only bonus points without any deductions: Dang Mujin.
Hyun-gong became exceedingly humble before Dang Mujin.
Rubbing his hands together, Hyun-gong approached Dang Mujin.
"Mujin. What's this about something you left in Yangyang? If it's not personal or secretive, I could go ahead and fetch it for you."
"The head of the Taeui Sword Sect Leader."
"...?"
Hyun-gong glanced at Dang Mujin's eyes, checking if it was serious or a joke.
Dang Mujin replied with a nonchalant expression.
"I warned the Taeui Sword Sect Leader, but he ignored it. He even tried to capture me using Wudang Sect's power. I have to make him pay the price for ignoring my warning."
Hong Geolgae's reaction was passive.
"So you're going to kill him? You weren't hurt or even fought him."
On the other hand, Nangong Myeong seemed to find Dang Mujin's response appropriate, remaining calm.
Hyun-gong pondered.
'I need to side with Dang Mujin first.'
'Even if not, the Taeui Sword Sect Leader is done for. Without him, I wouldn't have been chased out of Wudang Sect.'
'What if killing the Taeui Sword Sect Leader causes problems?'
'If caught, it would seriously damage my reputation. But if I kill him without getting caught, that's it.'
After sharp deliberation, Hyun-gong immediately responded.
"Good. I'll go to Yangyang and bring back the Taeui Sword Sect Leader's head. It won't take long, so wait comfortably."
"No need. I wouldn't entrust such a thing to someone else."
"Of course. My thinking was shortsighted."
That day, the group arrived in Yangyang before sunset.
The four set up camp far from the Taeui Sword Sect and scouted the surroundings.
*
The group's plan was simple. They weren't there to exterminate the Taeui Sword Sect, so the moment the Taeui Sword Sect Leader appeared outside, they would kidnap him and make him pay.
However, even after waiting five days in Yangyang, the Taeui Sword Sect Leader didn't show.
Soon the sun set, and darkness fell. Another day was passing without gain.
Dang Mujin frowned and said.
"He left Mount Wudang that day, so he should have arrived in Yangyang long ago. Where the hell is he?"
"Maybe he arrived before us and is holed up inside, not coming out?"
"I'm not sure. It seems like he might be, or maybe he hasn't returned to Yangyang at all."
Nangong Myeong offered an opinion.
"We're not going to wait here for months. How about we storm the Taeui Sword Sect? We'll find him if we search thoroughly."
"That's too risky. Let's find another way."
Hyun-gong's reaction wasn't great.
Of course, it wasn't because of the risk of losing or being captured by the Taeui Sword Sect disciples. The risk was to Hyun-gong's reputation.
Nangong Myeong scoffed.
"I know what you're worried about. With this, you won't need to worry."
When Nangong Myeong flipped his backpack, several black masks and black uniforms tumbled out.
"Why carry this crap around?"
"Important things always happen in the darkness."
The four donned the black outfits and slipped over the Taeui Sword Sect's walls, hiding in the shadows.
For a sect located in the middle of the city like the Taeui Sword Sect, disciples often stayed in their own homes.
Thus, there weren't many signs of people inside the Taeui Sword Sect, and what few there were seemed mostly asleep and quiet.
"Let's end this quietly if possible. Be careful not to wake the sleepers."
Nod. The four scattered, thoroughly searching the Taeui Sword Sect interior. But nowhere was the Taeui Sword Sect Leader to be found.
"Looks like he hasn't returned to Yangyang."
When Hyun-gong spoke, Nangong Myeong nodded.
"He must have guessed we might come looking. Then again, he didn't seem like a fool."
The group's gazes focused on Dang Mujin.
"What now?"
Dang Mujin thought deeply.
No casualties so far. Ambiguous killing intent. Vengeance that felt more like duty.
And Yeongbo Zhenren's words came to mind.
In the end, Dang Mujin let out a sigh.
"What can we do about a guy who noticed and fled? We're not massacring the disciples, and we can't stay in Yangyang forever, so we have no choice but to leave. Let's go."
Just as they had entered the Taeui Sword Sect without detection, the four leaped back over the wall, leaving no trace.
*
At the same time.
Just as Dang Mujin had come to Yangyang seeking vengeance, another had raced to Chengdu with the sole intent of vengeance against Dang Mujin. Salmakju Heukjeop.
Beside Heukjeop were two more men in black. On the way to Chengdu, he had stopped at two Salmak branch offices and brought the branch leaders.
Those at first-rate level like branch leaders could handle themselves, but the lesser ones below that would just be hindrances, so he hadn't brought them.
The three climbed onto the roof of a civilian house near the Dang Family Clinic, observing it.
"That place?"
"Yes. There's no other clinic in Chengdu with the Dang surname."
Indeed, it was an ordinary clinic as described. A faint bitter herbal scent wafted in the air.
At that moment, the clinic's door opened, and a woman stepped into the courtyard.
Even in the darkness, her strikingly white skin caught the eye. She glanced around before stealthily entering the storehouse, grabbing two handfuls of dried jujubes, smoked plums, and apricots, and hiding them in her skirt hem. It seemed she was secretly stocking up snacks for the long night.
Judging by their dissimilar appearances, she wasn't siblings with that bastard Dang Mujin.
About the same age, she was likely his wife—perfect as the first target.
Heukjeop said.
"Kill the rest, but take that one separately."
"You're going to kill her anyway, right?"
"No. Killing everyone would be boring. Cripple her halfway, then give her a child or two."
The branch leaders had been a bit stirred by the woman's beauty.
Just as the three assassins moved toward the Dang Family Clinic, a man sauntered out from the house they had been on and looked up at them.
"You three on the roof—what are you doing?"
The branch leaders couldn't gauge the man's skill, but Heukjeop could. He had surpassed the peak wall.
'Our luck is rotten. Why does a master like that live in a shabby place like this?'
With Heukjeop's skill, he could subdue the man. But it would surely cause a commotion and likely botch the mission.
Before the branch leaders could charge, Heukjeop ordered.
"Scatter."
Orders were absolute for assassins. No one questioned.
The two assassins and Heukjeop kicked off the roof and leaped to different civilian house roofs.
However, as the two branch leaders were about to land, the doors of those houses opened, and two figures appeared.
The two figures leaped onto the roofs, swinging gleaming swords at the branch leaders. Blood sprayed in the darkness, and heads rolled tumbling away.
'What the hell?'
Three assassins leaped from the roof, but only Heukjeop landed safely.
To dispatch first-rate assassins with a single stroke meant at least peak realm.
In other words, three peak masters had emerged from three ordinary houses. Even for battle-hardened Heukjeop, it was utterly unexpected.
And Heukjeop knew what to do in an incomprehensible situation: flee first.
Heukjeop glanced below the house he landed on. Fortunately, no one emerged from it. Even a considerable master couldn't catch him.
As Heukjeop prepared to kick off again, a massive gray palm burst through the roof, grabbing his left ankle.
'What is this!'
Heukjeop kicked the roof with full force, but the pulling strength on his ankle far exceeded his leg power.
Heukjeop's body crashed through the roof into the house.
Crash!
As Heukjeop tumbled noisily and tried to rise, a finger as thick as a child's wrist pressed firmly against his forehead.
It was just one finger, but Heukjeop couldn't lift his body.
The gray giant asked Heukjeop.
"Who are you, climbing onto someone else's roof?"