Chapter 254
Chapter 254
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 254
Chapter Title: Hyun-gong of the Upright Word
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Grotto Sect warrior Maeng Sang-ryang received an important mission and set out from the sect with one comrade.
It was an important mission, but nothing grand. They simply had to shuttle back and forth between a nearby stream and the Grotto Sect, hauling as much water as they could.
Even in these times, when orders had come down to minimize outside contact, this was something they couldn't avoid.
'Damn it.'
Water duty was one of the things Maeng Sang-ryang hated most.
Even two water jars connected by a long pole felt pretty heavy.
But once filled with water, the weight was far beyond "pretty heavy." It was much heavier than carrying an average person on your back.
What made it even worse was how the water sloshed around with every step, jerking his body side to side.
To bear that weight, he had to tense his waist and shoulders tight as he walked.
As a second-rate martial artist, Maeng Sang-ryang was much stronger than an ordinary person untrained in martial arts. Still, even he would be drenched in sweat after shuttling the jars back and forth for just one or two hours.
To make matters worse, the two assigned to afternoon water duty were both senior to Maeng Sang-ryang.
That meant it was obvious they'd dump their workload on the morning crew.
'It's just hard labor with no reward. Can't those higher-ups fetch their own damn water?'
Maeng Sang-ryang and his comrade walked in silence, without a word.
If they opened their mouths, nine times out of ten it'd be laced with complaints, likely leading to a fight.
'I wish there was a rule that anyone who dumps water duty on others gets beaten half to death.'
As he inwardly cursed the afternoon crew and made three or four trips between the stream and the sect, Maeng Sang-ryang spotted a shadowy figure emerging like mist from the dark woods.
It was a man in black robes and a mask, with only his eyes visible.
But Maeng Sang-ryang quickly sensed the man's martial prowess was extraordinary.
Unorthodox warriors had to know how to gauge an opponent's strength to survive, and masters carried a different air about them.
Ignoring him in a situation like this could get them killed, so Maeng Sang-ryang and his comrade immediately set down their jars and bowed at the waist.
"Greetings!"
The black-clad man glanced toward Maeng Sang-ryang, then glided over with a mysterious, stealthy footwork.
Maeng Sang-ryang tensed up. No matter how he looked at it, the man seemed beyond first-rate.
'Did I do something wrong?'
But the black-clad man did something Maeng Sang-ryang hadn't expected. He snatched up the dropped water jars and slung them over his own shoulder.
"Ah...!"
Maeng Sang-ryang panicked. He thought maybe the master was playing some cruel prank.
If the jars broke, he'd catch hell.
As Maeng Sang-ryang hesitated, the black-clad man spoke in a kind tone.
"I happened to have some time on my hands. Lucky you—I'll give you a hand."
"Pardon?"
"You're soaked in sweat, and your steps are heavy. Take it easy, get some breeze, and follow along."
Maeng Sang-ryang couldn't tell if he was serious or joking.
But he couldn't argue with a master's orders. Rolling his eyes, he trailed behind the black-clad man.
With his shoulders lightened and the sweat drying in the cool air, Maeng Sang-ryang's mood lifted quickly.
After walking a bit, the black-clad man asked,
"I've heard Zhongnan Sect warriors have been poking around the lower village lately. No issues there, right?"
"Uh? Oh, yeah. Word is some thief showed up, so they're out trying to catch him. Doesn't seem related to us."
"Us?"
When the black-clad man asked curtly, Maeng Sang-ryang added hastily,
"Ah, right. 'Grotto Sect' still doesn't roll off the tongue. And you know how those guys who swore to defend the sect's pride ended up. The name itself feels off now."
"Hmm."
The black-clad man nodded and set down the jars.
'Guess that's as far as he'll carry them.'
Maeng Sang-ryang rolled his now-lighter shoulders and bent to pick them up again.
But as he stooped, he caught sight of something odd at the edge of his vision. Unfamiliar feet.
The black-clad master's feet. And two more pairs from who-knows-where.
'...Who?'
It didn't end there. A strong hand clamped over Maeng Sang-ryang's mouth from behind.
Realizing something was wrong, he twisted desperately and groaned.
He glanced sideways—his comrade fetching water with him was writhing in the same bind.
"Mmph! Mmph!"
"Shut it!"
A hand from nowhere struck Maeng Sang-ryang's pressure points.
Maeng Sang-ryang and his comrade slumped unconscious.
Nangong Myeong removed his mask and said,
"Heard their talk, right? Unorthodox scum, confirmed."
"Looks that way. No doubt now."
Thanks to Nangong Myeong's performance, Dang Mujin's group had kidnapped two Grotto Sect grunts.
They'd even confirmed through clever questioning that the Grotto Sect had fallen into unorthodox hands. No holding back now.
Dang Mujin's group hauled the pair back to the forge, avoiding prying eyes.
*
The four returned to the forge and waited for time to pass.
As evening deepened and darkness fell, righteous faction warriors appeared throughout Pingliang County, as expected.
They weren't dreaming of catching the Divine Hand of rumor. They were just dispatched to track his movements.
Dang Mujin peered out from the forge, waiting for the approaching crowds.
Soon, two Zhongnan Sect Daoists appeared.
They'd spoken before, and Zhongnan wasn't a weak sect—perfect to start with.
Dang Mujin approached the two Daoists.
"Greetings."
"The forge's young sir Dang? Something the matter?"
"Yes. A very important matter."
The Zhongnan Daoists snorted. What big news could a young forge hand have?
But then Nangong Myeong, Hong Geolgae, and Hyun-gong appeared out of nowhere, draping arms over their shoulders. The Daoists paled.
"Wh-what? Who are you?"
The two Zhongnan warriors were skilled, nearing first-rate beyond second-rate.
Yet they hadn't noticed the three young men approach until arms were on their shoulders.
If there'd been hostility, they'd be dead. Sweat beaded down their backs.
It didn't end there. Dang Mujin's aura shifted completely.
He executed Golden Crow Hands, brushing off a Daoist's hand, drew his sword from the waist, lightly ran his fingers along both sides to check it, then sheathed it again.
The Daoist flailed desperately to reclaim his sword. But from draw to sheathing, he never touched the hilt.
The overwhelming skill gap left them nearly breathless in shock.
Their postures straightened politely—it was only natural.
The Zhongnan Daoists asked,
"Wh-who exactly are you?"
Dang Mujin said gravely,
"Circumstances forced us to hide our identities. But rest assured, we mean no harm."
"We asked who you are! How can someone so young have such skill...!"
"I'm Dang Mujin."
They racked their brains, then recalled the name.
"Dang Mujin... No way, the Divine Dragon!"
Masters of great skill paid little heed to street nicknames, but grunts memorized rising stars' names.
Dang Mujin replied calmly,
"Some call me that, yes."
The two Zhongnan Daoists were the type who could strut anywhere.
Not because their skills were overwhelming—decent, but the real weight was Zhongnan Sect's name.
Dang Mujin was different. A physician and warrior who'd made his mark in the Central Plains solely on merit, no backing.
Meeting a celebrity in person was thrill enough, but what nagged them more was the three surrounding them.
Stammering, one Daoist asked,
"Then... who are the other three?"
Dang Mujin pointed them out one by one.
"This one's Nangong Myeong, eldest son of Sword Ghost Nangong Jincheon, patriarch of the Nangong Clan. Next is Hyun-gong of Victorious Dragon Sword, from Wudang Sect. Last is Gui... "
Hong Geolgae glared fiercely at Dang Mujin.
Dang Mujin stepped back and reintroduced,
"This is Hong Jusam, Beggars' Sect Central Region Deputy Chief Elder and Zhongjing Branch Leader. Friends call him Hong Geolgae."
"Hong Geolgae... That's Gui-chui-gae, isn't it!"
Hong Geolgae looked crestfallen.
Reality was harsh. The bizarre nickname "Hemp Field Beggar" stuck to him like fish poop.
Fair enough—titles like Central Deputy Chief or Zhongjing Leader didn't hit hard for outsiders. Hard to remember, too.
The Zhongnan Daoists panicked. Everyone Dang Mujin named was a heavyweight.
Suddenly surrounded by young powerhouses.
The two Daoists bowed deeply before the even younger Dang Mujin.
"What brings you to us?"
Hyun-gong stepped forward in Dang Mujin's place.
"Did you hear about the meeting on Wudang Mountain a while back?"
"Mm. We did."
"We attended too. But the Grotto Sect seemed suspicious, so we stayed in Pingliang to investigate."
"Suspicious how...? No, do you need Zhongnan's help?"
Hyun-gong shook his head.
"Not quite. We're here because there's something we must tell you Zhongnan Daoists specifically. We hear you've come to Pingliang tracking the Divine Hand."
"Correct."
"Conveniently, one of us was tracking him too. This friend, Nangong Myeong."
Hyun-gong indicated Nangong Myeong, who wore an unusually serious expression. To ordinary folk unaware of his character, it looked convincing.
"While the Divine Hand stirred chaos across the Central Plains, this one shadowed him covertly to catch him. He's likely the closest witness to the Divine Hand's every move."
"Oh! Found anything?"
"More than that."
High-grade intel had dropped in their laps unbidden.
The Daoists beamed. Solving this could mean big rewards.
Rare elixirs or precious herbs, or training under a sect heavyweight. Either was a dream.
"What did you learn?"
"Nangong Myeong tailed the Divine Hand and subdued two black-clad underlings."
Hong Geolgae vanished into the forge briefly, then dragged out the pair and dumped them on the ground.
Both wore black robes and masks—suspicious as could be.
The Zhongnan Daoists nearly fainted with joy.
"Ooh! Oooh!"
Their exclamations were so loud that nearby patrolling warriors from other sects and clans edged closer, curious.
There was a Mount Hua Daoist among them, and several from unknown clans.
Hyun-gong continued smoothly, tongue oiled.
"Nangong Myeong caught these after they received items from the Divine Hand. We recovered some manuals thanks to it. Anyone here recognize them as yours?"
Hyun-gong pulled manuals from the black-clad men's bosoms and showed them. Titles were neatly written on the covers.
The crowd read and replied.
"Transforming Void Overlord Gate Gang. That's Huangbo Clan martial arts for sure. Three Battles Iron Fan Fist? No idea, but not Zhongnan."
"Not Mount Hua either."
Hyun-gong deliberately showed wrong sects' manuals, not what they sought.
Hand over the real goods, and they might leave without digging deeper.
But the righteous warriors saw even this as huge. They cheered excitedly.
"Not ours, sadly, but a massive clue. Capturing Divine Hand goons means we're at his doorstep. Did you see where he went?"
Hyun-gong darkened.
"That's the problem."
"Pardon? Why?"
"We caught them right here—in Pingliang, at Grotto Mountain."
The crowd gasped in unison.
"Does that mean... the Divine Hand is a Grotto Sect warrior?"
"I won't say for sure. Grotto Sect is a famed righteous sect, after all. But given the circumstances, we should consider all possibilities."
Hyun-gong circled vaguely. But everyone grasped the implication.
Then the sprawled masked men writhed wildly. Pressure points released.
Having overheard, they shouted,
"Fuck! Those manuals aren't ours! We didn't steal shit!"
This caught Dang Mujin's group off guard. Hong Geolgae's acupoint work was sloppy.
But Hyun-gong didn't flinch.
"Silence!"
He roared and kicked them.
"Unrepentant scum, spouting obvious lies to weasel out!"
They writhed in pain from his kicks but kept yelling.
"Bullshit! I've never seen those manuals!"
"Black robes, masks, fleeing with other sects' manuals—and caught red-handed. How dare you play innocent with such clear evidence!"
"When did we...! And who dressed us in these damn black rags?"
No need for more bickering.
At Hyun-gong's nod, Nangong Myeong and Hong Geolgae rushed in and re-sealed their points.
The two black-clad men passed out again.
But a seed of doubt sprouted in the onlookers. One parting shot stuck.
Of the pair, one was scrawny, the other fat.
The scrawny one's robes hung loose; the fat one's strained tight. Like one person's clothes forced on two.
Hyun-gong said calmly,
"No need to heed villains' words."
"..."
But the doubt lingered.
Hyun-gong sighed deeply, then smiled faintly. A serene expression.
"I'm no paragon, but I have one boast. Thanks to teachings from Wudang's headmaster, Elder Youngbo, I've never lied once in my life. That's why the sect elders call me Hyun-gong of the Upright Word. I prize that name far more than Victorious Dragon Sword."
"Hyun-gong of the Upright Word!"
Hyun-gong clamped his mouth shut, eyes wide, meeting gazes.
His eyes held no deception—like pure light piercing the dusk.
The crowd was captivated.
'Of course. A man with those eyes wouldn't lie.'
Eyes alone don't prove innocence.
But Dang Mujin, Nangong Myeong, and Hong Geolgae bolstered his words.
Alone, Hyun-gong might be dismissed as a sly liar.
But backed by three young righteous heroes of equal caliber, from different sects: Dang Clan, Nangong Clan, Beggars' Sect, Wudang.
Doubting him meant accusing four future pillars of a grand conspiracy.
It strained credulity.
A Zhongnan Daoist cleared his throat.
"Ahem! Never doubted you—put that worry aside. With two manuals here as proof, no one can question it."
The crowd nodded agreement.
Finally, the Zhongnan Daoist lowered his voice to Dang Mujin's group.
"But charging the Grotto Sect now would be rash. Give us time. We'll return to the sect, gather proper forces, and come back."
Hyun-gong nodded approvingly.
"Prepare for the unforeseen! Fitting words from Zhongnan Daoists. We'll hold here, watch the Grotto Sect. Please inform your sects too. We desperately need your aid to uphold Central Plains justice."
Zhongnan and Mount Hua Daoists, and others, steeled their faces.
They'd inserted themselves into a rare historic event. For the first time, they felt like big shots.
Thrilled to converse with young heroes, eager to report intel back.
The crowd hurried to their sects.
Meanwhile, Dang Mujin's group lounged in the forge's back room and dozed off.