Chapter 245
Chapter 245
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 245
Chapter Title: Wudang Mountain Conference
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After Hyun-gong finished sorting his thoughts, Dang Mujin approached and asked,
"You, what did you just do?"
The others hadn't even noticed that Hyun-gong had done something strange.
It wasn't the right time or place for showing off impressive skills, and Hyun-gong hadn't made any flashy or noisy moves.
But Dang Mujin was different. At the very least, he realized Hyun-gong had accomplished something.
Hyun-gong muttered,
"Mo Yongbu and Ak So-gun. I sent sound transmissions to both of them at the same time."
"What?"
Sound transmission.
The skill of riding inner energy on a quiet whisper to send it far away.
It seemed simple at first glance, but it was far more difficult than most people imagined.
Most martial artists who hadn't crossed the wall of peak realm couldn't use it, and even among peak realm masters, some were unfamiliar with it.
Because it was so challenging, even peak realm experts had to focus entirely on the sound transmission when using it.
Dang Mujin recalled the situation from moments ago.
Mo Yongbu and Ak So-gun had both withdrawn with satisfied expressions. They must have thought Hyun-gong had sent the transmission to them first.
It was obvious that Hyun-gong had sent sound transmissions to both of them.
The question was how.
Dang Mujin asked,
"Did you learn a technique to spread sound transmissions widely?"
Even as he spoke, Dang Mujin thought his words sounded a bit off. A sound transmission that spread openly without secrecy? That wouldn't serve much purpose.
Speaking out loud would be far more convenient.
Hyun-gong shook his head.
"No, no. I sent sound transmissions to both of them literally at the same time. No one else could hear."
"Does that even make sense?"
"I wasn't sure myself. But it worked."
Hyun-gong's voice trembled faintly. Even he was caught off guard by his accidental success.
"How did you do it?"
"I don't really know that either. I don't have the confidence to explain it yet."
Sending sound transmissions to two people at once meant, in other words, "focusing on two things simultaneously."
He wasn't even sure if that phrasing made sense, but that's how Hyun-gong described it.
Hyun-gong retraced his memories. Had he ever heard stories of the sect founder Jang Sam-bong the Daoist, or Spirit Treasure Daoist, or other Wudang Daoists mastering a similar skill?
No, never.
Wudang Sect's martial arts, the handed-down formulas and insights, the inherited knowledge and manuals. Was there anything even remotely similar among them?
Likewise, no.
Hyun-gong took it a step further, posing a fundamental question.
'Was that even a martial art?'
Even he couldn't say.
It wasn't like a famed sword technique or fist method, but closer to skills like sound transmission or grasping from afar.
Yet it wasn't a technique blending inner energy operation and martial profundities—it felt more in the realm of instinct and senses.
It was like a dormant sense suddenly awakening.
Like a man who had lived his whole life with only his right arm suddenly gaining his left, and realizing how to move it.
Unfamiliar, yet natural.
'How can I make use of this skill?'
Hyun-gong glanced at Dang Mujin.
Dang Mujin's reaction was still just pure curiosity and interest—he hadn't gone further yet.
It was natural; he hadn't considered where this skill could lead.
Even Hyun-gong couldn't think of new applications right away.
Being able to send sound transmissions to two people didn't mean he could send two different messages, since he only had one mouth.
If that were possible, he could at least use it for some trickery.
But sending the same message to two people was an extremely impractical skill.
'No, there's no need to fixate on sound transmission.'
He could think like two people and produce results as if their heads were put together. Wasn't that immense on its own?
Hyun-gong was convinced.
This was surely an achievement that would satisfy Spirit Treasure Daoist, and a clue leading to another realm.
Dang Mujin said,
"You've suddenly picked up some weird skill."
"Is that so."
But Hyun-gong's inner thoughts differed. The current situation felt sudden, but not out of nowhere.
It wasn't an achievement seized by mere luck without any training.
The path Hyun-gong had walked in life was his training.
While others viewed the world through their own eyes alone, Hyun-gong had lived considering both his own thoughts and others' perspectives simultaneously. As a young child, Hyun-gong didn't want to upset the adults and get abandoned again.
Thus, even before turning ten, Hyun-gong was adept at reading others' reactions and thoughts from their viewpoints. That was Hyun-gong's life.
As the saying goes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined.
Even a child abandoned by his parents, even a man who had to watch every moment carefully, gets at least one small opportunity.
Hyun-gong felt the world had brightened a little.
Thus, Hyun-gong resolved himself.
'From now on, I need to live more meticulously and shrewdly.'
Hyun-gong rubbed his hands together and let out a sinister chuckle.
*
While Hong Geolgae followed along practicing martial arts and Hyun-gong trained his strange skill, the Mid-Autumn Festival approached.
It was a day for outsiders to pray for abundance and happiness, but for Wudang Sect, it was the day of the conference.
Leaders of various sects and families gathered at Wudang Sect's largest building, Namhwa Pavilion.
Dang Mujin and Hong Geolgae headed there as well.
Dang Mujin was the only outsider who had seen the demonic cult's internal affairs, and Hong Geolgae had briefly witnessed clashes between demonic cult factions.
The already large crowd had swelled even more in recent days, making even the spacious Namhwa Pavilion feel cramped.
"It's more crowded than a marketplace. So many people the air feels stifling."
As Dang Mujin grimaced slightly and spoke, Hong Geolgae snickered.
"Yeah? Chase off a few easy marks then."
"You lunatic..."
Dang Mujin looked around, taking in the attendees of the conference.
Elder Un-hui's bright expression stood out particularly.
Elder Un-hui had poured every effort into this conference, but he hadn't expected it to convene so successfully.
Among the great sects and families, only three hadn't sent representatives: Zhongnan Sect, Nangong Family, and Kunlun Sect.
Zhongnan Sect's sect leader Il-seon-ja had rushed back upon hearing his clan's Yeonam Branch Sword was stolen, but planned to return once sorted.
The distance between Wudang and Zhongnan wasn't far, making it feasible.
The Nangong Family was different. No one had expected them to attend from the start.
Nangong Jin-cheon was notoriously arbitrary, and the Nangong Family rarely joined matters where they might suffer losses.
Meanwhile, Kunlun Sect had replied they would attend but hadn't arrived at Wudang. People didn't find it too strange—such things happen.
In any case, five of the Six Revered had gathered.
Had so many righteous faction martial artists ever assembled in one place?
Though it was his own effort, Elder Un-hui felt grateful to Dang Mujin and kept glancing at him with smiles. Dang Mujin found Elder Un-hui's smiles a bit burdensome.
"Now that everyone's gathered, let's begin the discussion."
With Spirit Treasure Daoist's words, the conference started.
"I assume all here know why we've gathered, but since many may not know the details, it's right to start with an explanation. Among the later generation of the current martial world, the famed Healing Dragon has grasped the demonic cult's internal situation and returned, so let's hear his account."
As Dang Mujin stood, dozens of eyes fixed on him.
There wasn't a single mediocre figure. Ordinary later generation disciples like Dang Mujin, Hong Geolgae, and Hyun-gong hadn't even entered Namhwa Pavilion.
Dang Mujin felt a bit tense. How many in the world get to speak before so many giants?
Dang Mujin began with news people vaguely suspected but hadn't confirmed.
"First, it would be proper to explain how I ended up going to the demonic cult. One day, I was captured and taken there with a request to continue research in place of the late Demon Physician."
Quite a few showed surprise at the news of Demon Physician's death.
Someone asked Dang Mujin,
"If Demon Physician is dead, the demonic cult must have tried contacting Ghost Physician instead of you. Not that I'm saying your skills are lacking, of course."
"As his sole disciple, I inherited Ghost Physician Yi Chung's achievements. However, my master passed away years ago, so the demonic cult had no way to contact him."
Eyes sparkled.
The rumors circulating were confirmed: Tang Family Head's Healing Dragon was the world's greatest physician.
Each family head racked their brains for ways to recruit Dang Mujin.
"After arriving at Tianshan, I stayed within the demonic cult for several months and witnessed what transpired there."
Dang Mujin skipped uncomfortable parts, emphasizing what needed explaining, and continued.
Turmoil within the demonic cult. The cult leader slain by Grand Protector. The Grand Protector ascending as new cult leader. People nodded occasionally, listening intently.
The content was riveting, and Dang Mujin's voice had a captivating charm.
When Dang Mujin finally finished, people let out deep sighs.
It felt as vivid as if they had gone to the demonic cult themselves.
Someone asked Dang Mujin,
"Who can prove your story is true?"
"Hong Geolgae beside me. And far away, Elder Hwa-yeon of Zhongjing will confirm."
A few uninformed murmured among themselves.
"Isn't Elder Hwa-yeon the former former Emei Sect leader? That old monster... no, elder is still alive?"
"I'd heard she hadn't died and was staying somewhere, but not in Zhongjing."
Eyes passed over Hong Geolgae to Emei Sect's Fragrant White Nun.
With Fragrant White Nun's consistently calm expression, people no longer doubted Dang Mujin's tale.
There were those who couldn't trust the young Dang Mujin, but none doubted Elder Hwa-yeon or Fragrant White Nun.
Spirit Treasure Daoist and Elder Un-hui waited for people to share opinions freely.
After a bit, the clamor naturally died down as if by agreement.
Someone cleared their throat loudly.
It was Shandong Yakga Family's family head.
"In any case, I understand the purpose of this gathering. When the demonic cult rises, Shandong Yakga will lend a hand to protect the righteous martial world, so set aside your worries."
Most others nodded in rough agreement.
Some rolled their eyes, displeased, but didn't dare speak up rashly.
That's the benefit of gathering people. Those not following the greater cause struggle to speak, swept along vaguely.
In that sense, Sword Ghost Nangong Jin-cheon's absence was a good thing.
He would have voiced disruptive opinions without hesitation.
But one person was dissatisfied with Shandong Yakga head's words.
Kunlun Sect leader Liu Yu Daoist, the righteous faction sect closest to the demonic cult.
Of course, Liu Yu Daoist wasn't saying there was no need to stop the demonic cult.
"What kind of talk is that? Wait quietly until the demonic cult acts?"
"What more do you want?"
"The righteous-demonic great war has always been at Tianshan. This one should be too. Assemble troops now and strike the demonic cult's main base!"
Liu Yu Daoist was a Daoist with a bandit's massive build and gruff voice, exuding natural intimidation.
Kunlun Sect's sect leader differs slightly from other sects' leaders.
Kunlun Sect is a collective of many Taoist temples on Kunlun Mountain sharing and exchanging martial arts; its leader merely represents them.
Liu Yu Daoist became leader not for superior martial prowess, but for being the boldest and most vocal.
And he knew why he'd been chosen.
Displeased by Liu Yu Daoist's words, Shandong's Hwangbo Family head spoke.
"No, do you know how long it takes from Shandong to Tianshan? Kunlun Sect can round-trip in two months, so it's easy talk, but from Shandong, it's at least a year. If the fight drags, even longer."
Shandong Yakga head, usually at odds with Hwangbo head, now actively agreed.
"Pausing training for a year to travel such distances isn't trivial, and moving that far requires more than a few things: food, spare weapons, baggage, manpower. Shandong Yakga is ready to rise against demonic cult or evil faction threats, but joining a plan to strike Tianshan first is realistically difficult."
Namhwa Pavilion's atmosphere sharply divided.
Those wanting to sweep the demonic cult now and sleep easy.
Represented by Kunlun Sect, closest to the demonic cult, walking on thin ice.
Qingcheng and Emei, next closest, agreed.
Jumchang Sect's Yu Jin-gwang concurred. Though far from Tianshan, they wouldn't back out first in such a situation.
Conversely, sects and families far from the demonic cult were lukewarm.
No desire to travel far and strike first. Expeditions are burdensome, and in such fights, joining late is advantageous—unlike righteous-demonic great wars, righteous-evil wars always were.
Frontline sects suffer massive losses breaking evil martial artists' momentum, while late joiners easily claim merits against weakened foes.
Frontliners can't complain; without reinforcements, even delayed, their hard-built forces might turn to ash.
Elder Un-hui thought,
'If Kunlun Sect were here, they'd surely side with us. What are those guys doing not coming yet?'
The debate dragged endlessly.
Or rather, unsure if it could be called debate.
The "assemble now and strike Tianshan" group and the "preemptive attack is unrealistic, but we'll send defensive forces later" group just repeated themselves.
Finally, Liu Yu Daoist's face flushed with rage.
"I see exactly what you're thinking. You just want to use our Kunlun Sect as a shield, right? You there, Seon U-ja! Say something!"
Huashan Sect leader Seon U-ja was suddenly called out.
But Seon U-ja responded languidly without panic.
"Eh, no need to put it so harshly. We just said we'd help as much as realistically possible..."
Huashan Sect wasn't as distant as Hwangbo or Shandong Yakga from the demonic cult, but not frontline close either.
'Looks like few sects want to attack Tianshan; no reason for Huashan to jump in rashly and take losses.'
The mood subtly tilted toward Seon U-ja.
No fire on their feet, no need to panic instead.
Liu Yu Daoist, who had been holding back anger throughout, suddenly grinned.
"Is that so? If you're this uncooperative, I have an idea too."
People awaited Liu Yu Daoist's follow-up. He crossed his arms.
"Everyone knows Kunlun Sect has the world's best movement technique, Cloud Dragon Eight Forms. Kunlun Sect's lightness skill is just as superb, infused with Cloud Dragon Eight Forms' mysteries."
Perplexed by the sudden boasting of movement and lightness skills, people puzzled as Liu Yu Daoist glared at Seon U-ja and continued.
"Keep being lukewarm like that. The moment the demonic cult acts, our Kunlun Daoists will flee without fighting. Think hard who comes after Kunlun and Zhongnan fall."
With those final words, Liu Yu Daoist hopped out of Namhwa Pavilion.
Silence briefly gripped Namhwa Pavilion, soon filled with angry voices.
'What a mess.'
Dang Mujin and Hyun-gong watched the scene and sighed deeply.
They could clearly see how it would unfold from here.