Chapter 255
Chapter 255
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 255
Chapter Title: Kongtong Sect
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Not long after, people began gathering from all directions.
Including the Zhongnan Sect Leader, One Line Master, and the Huashan Sect Leader, Swordtip Scholar, there were as many as eight peak realm experts from the two sects alone. Nearly half of the core forces from both Zhongnan and Huashan had assembled here.
The Zhongnan Sect Leader, One Line Master, approached Dang Mujin and exchanged pleasantries.
"I'm grateful for the valuable information. If we hadn't found the lost item like this, I would have been branded a sinner of my sect without question."
Dang Mujin waved it off, spouting words he didn't truly mean.
"It's too early to say that. We still don't know if Zhongnan Sect can recover its lost item."
"It's fine. We were wandering aimlessly without a single clue, but thanks to you, we at least have a lead now. I can't thank you enough."
The two sect leaders then expressed their gratitude to Namgung Myeong, Hong Geolgae, and Hyeon Gong as well.
Namgung Myeong and Hong Geolgae played it cool, responding with the deference typically shown to superiors.
But Hyeon Gong was different.
He looked at One Line Master and Swordtip Scholar, raising a fundamental question in his mind.
'Are these two really my superiors?'
It was true that Swordtip Scholar and One Line Master were older than Hyeon Gong and possessed superior cultivation.
However, neither was a transcendent expert. In a direct confrontation, Hyeon Gong even had a chance of victory—the gap was that subtle.
There was also the matter of status.
Until now, Hyeon Gong had consistently humbled himself before other sects' leaders or clan heads not because their skills outmatched his, but because their positions demanded it.
But recently, Hyeon Gong had been selected as the next Wudang Sect Leader.
Of course, he wasn't the leader yet, but the tenure he could serve as leader far exceeded that of One Line Master or Swordtip Scholar.
In terms of future prospects, Hyeon Gong judged himself clearly ahead.
Hyeon Gong finished his calculations in an instant. Combining skill and background, it amounted to a mere one-point deficit out of twenty. He suppressed his lingering regret.
'It’s not time yet. But soon, I'll be their equal.'
Hyeon Gong offered a half-hearted fist salute toward the two leaders.
A subtle gesture of courtesy that precisely conveyed that one-to-two-point gap.
He had found the most insolent attitude possible without crossing the line.
To One Line Master and Swordtip Scholar, Hyeon Gong's salute seemed lacking in sincerity. Yet at the same time, it was too nuanced to call outright rude.
Pointing it out rigidly would only earn them a reputation as petty, narrow-minded old fogies. The two swallowed their faint displeasure.
'Everyone knows the young ones these days lack manners. That's not terribly disrespectful. Considering how arrogance comes easily to those who achieve greatness at a young age, Victory Dragon Sword actually shows reasonable decorum.'
The Huashan Sect Leader, Swordtip Scholar, praised Hyeon Gong with empty words.
"Hmm. Victory Dragon Sword, was it?"
"Yes. You may call me Jeong Eon."
"Is that so. Impressive achievements at such a young age. With Wudang's future pillar so steadfast, the righteous martial world has a bright future."
"You're too kind."
Those who arrived first waited for people from other sects.
Experts from mid-tier sects and clans trickled in steadily. Before long, excluding Dang Mujin's group, the number of peak realm experts gathered in Pingliang County reached ten.
However, no one from Wudang had come. Not only had nothing been stolen from Wudang, but everyone knew Elder Yeongbo's condition made travel difficult.
Yet with Hyeon Gong ready to assist in his stead, there was no ground to criticize Wudang for lacking support.
Finally, a famous figure arrived.
As far as Dang Mujin knew, the Strange Physician's sole friend, and the righteous martial artist who had always stayed closest to the Six Revered from the moment Dang Mujin began learning martial arts until now.
Even after over six years, with Yu Jinggwang ascending to the transcendent realm and Baek Yahyo emerging, this monk consistently maintained peak realm cultivation. It was Manryeokseung.
Manryeokseung approached Dang Mujin with a smile lighting up his face.
"Dang Mujin. I didn't expect to see you again right after the conference ended."
"I didn't expect Master Manryeokseung to attend either."
"I was planning to wander the world instead of returning to Shaolin on time, but I rushed over when I heard help was needed."
Dang Mujin glanced at Namgung Myeong. His eyes conveyed a silent question: Did you steal from Shaolin too?
Fortunately, Namgung Myeong shook his head.
Of course, even with Manryeokseung and the divine monk absent for the conference, infiltrating Shaolin would have been no easy feat.
Dang Mujin's group of four, the sect leaders, and Manryeokseung gathered to discuss.
"Shall we head to Kongtong Sect right away?"
In response to Hyeon Gong's question, the Zhongnan Sect Leader, One Line Master, replied.
"We must. There's no reason to wait longer, is there?"
"But Kongtong Sect's leader is a transcendent expert. Given his formidable skill, we need to proceed with caution."
To put it bluntly, it was worrisome for a group of peak realm experts to confront a transcendent one head-on. Hong Geolgae chimed in to add weight.
"Crane Immortal enjoys traveling the world, so even after the conference at Wudang Mountain, he surely hasn't returned straight to Kaifeng. If we inquire around, we can enlist his aid."
However, a small problem arose here.
Dang Mujin's group knew Kongtong Sect had been devoured by unorthodox martial artists, but the others had no inkling of the group's dark scheme.
They had come solely to reclaim their lost items.
It seemed trivial, but it created a subtle difference in attitudes between Dang Mujin's group and the rest.
The Huashan Sect Leader, Swordtip Scholar, smiled faintly.
"You young ones worry too much. No need for concern. Kongtong Sect martial artists have no intention of fighting us."
"Ah... Is that so?"
"Of course. Kongtong Sect is a proper prestigious orthodox sect, isn't it? It was just one rogue who couldn't fully shed his unorthodox roots causing trouble with sticky fingers. That doesn't represent the whole sect. If we present evidence and talk it out, Leader Baek won't complain."
As Swordtip Scholar spoke, the Zhongnan Sect Leader, One Line Master, joined in to elaborate.
"You young folk might not know since you're inexperienced, but Kongtong Sect martial artists have caused incidents before. Other sects understood the difficult path Kongtong chose, so they never condemned the entire sect for an individual's deviance. This time too, they'll root out the culprit and punish him to close the matter."
During the conference, One Line Master and Swordtip Scholar had seemed on poor terms, but with aligned interests, their words meshed perfectly. Had they been from the same sect, they would surely be close friends.
The others voiced their opinions as well.
Excluding Dang Mujin's group, all agreed in one direction.
No reason to waste time waiting for Crane Immortal, who could appear anywhere anytime—head to Kongtong Sect immediately.
The threat wasn't great enough for leisurely waiting, and they were deeply distressed over the lost manuals and divine relics. Besides, martial artists' patience wasn't renowned.
In the end, Dang Mujin's group had no choice but to accept their view.
'Well, no transcendent experts, but fifteen peak realm ones. Even if Baek Yahyo draws his sword, the two leaders and Manryeokseung can suppress him. Our remaining forces hold the advantage too.'
Dang Mujin's group headed to Kongtong Mountain with the martial artists.
*
"Halt!"
As dozens of righteous martial artists, including fifteen peak realm experts, swarmed in, the Kongtong Sect Taoists guarding the gate went from tense to terrified.
Not wanting to die on gate duty, they backed away butt-first and asked.
"Who might you all be, gathering in such numbers to come here?"
Guard tones are usually stiff and overbearing. But the Kongtong Taoists' voices brimmed with respect and deference toward the newcomers. Survival came first, after all.
Contrary to the guards' fears, One Line Master didn't draw his weapon.
"I am One Line Master, leader of Zhongnan Sect. We've only come to meet your sect leader, so no need to tense up. Is he inside?"
"What shall I announce?"
"We lost an item and came to search for it. Relay that."
"A lost item? What exactly..."
"That's no concern of yours. We're not here to fight, so relax."
The guards exchanged glances. Unsure of the full story but sensing their lives were safe, two dashed into the Kongtong Sect grounds.
Moments later, Baek Yahyo appeared. His long, slanted eyes and thin lips evoked a white snake.
Baek Yahyo scanned the group with wary eyes before addressing One Line Master at the front.
"You mentioned a lost item. What exactly are you referring to?"
One Line Master drew two manuals from his robe. Items absent from Baek Yahyo's memory, of course.
"You've heard of the God Thief appearing and stealing manuals and treasures."
"Yes."
"Despite exhaustive searches, we found no trace of the God Thief—until we discovered these two manuals near Kongtong Mountain. We came hoping for clues, so we request Kongtong Sect's cooperation."
The story was so outlandish that Baek Yahyo actually relaxed.
Instead, he pondered.
'Are they really here for actual manuals? Or just to throw their weight around?'
Baek Yahyo leaned toward the latter. The unnecessarily large crowd was surely to flaunt their power.
Moreover, knowing Kongtong martial artists' origins, he was aware righteous martial artists subtly disliked Kongtong Sect.
'Should've built some rapport lightly at the Wudang conference. Short-sighted of me.'
At any rate, it wasn't serious. Better to accommodate the bullying, let them tour the grounds, and defuse the situation than stir needless trouble. He felt foolish for tensing up.
Baek Yahyo stepped back, clearing the way, and addressed One Line Master, Swordtip Scholar, and Manryeokseung.
"Come in and look around at leisure. Leave the search to the others, and you three, this way."
"What's the matter?"
"Guests came from afar. It's only proper to offer tea."
One Line Master and Swordtip Scholar smiled contentedly at Baek Yahyo's affable demeanor. Precisely the reaction they expected.
One Line Master, Swordtip Scholar, and Manryeokseung followed Baek Yahyo to the leader's quarters.
Though not a sect leader, Manryeokseung's standing rivaled that of giant sect heads, so such settings were familiar.
The four sipped tea and chatted leisurely.
Baek Yahyo fully relaxed, seeing the three guests weren't nitpicking.
'Not here to bully, just to socialize. Should've chatted a bit at Wudang and left.'
As the four conversed amiably, they sensed footsteps approaching the leader's quarters. Baek Yahyo glanced toward the entrance and said.
"Come in."
The door opened, revealing two men.
One was a Kongtong Sect Taoist, the other a Zhongnan peak realm expert who had been searching the grounds with Dang Mujin's group. Both wore rigidly hardened expressions.
Baek Yahyo asked them.
"Well? Did you find something?"
His voice dripped with ease. Knowing nothing could be found, he had no fear or worry.
But the Zhongnan expert gave an unexpected reply.
"Yes."
"...What? What did you find?"
The Zhongnan martial artist gravely raised a sword.
"Young Master Namgung Myeong found this sword in a dry well within Kongtong Sect grounds."
The Zhongnan expert unsheathed it.
It appeared terribly worn at a glance, but the blade gleamed white as if forged yesterday—far from ordinary. It was the sword of Zhongnan's former leader, Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin.
The evidence was so blatant that even sly Baek Yahyo struggled to accept it.
'Can something happen in Kongtong grounds beyond my sight right now?'
Impossible. Since last year, he'd strictly controlled exits except for essential personnel.
The most recent oddity was two lowly disciples taking water buckets and fleeing.
"What... What do you mean? You're certain that sword was found in Kongtong Sect?"
The Zhongnan expert nodded at Baek Yahyo's question.
"I stake my neck on it. Absolutely certain."
Baek Yahyo fought dizziness, trying to play it off naturally. Escalating here gained nothing.
"Apparently someone acted out without my knowledge. At any rate, glad we can return the sword to Zhongnan. I'll take responsibility, find the culprit, and ensure he pays."
But the Zhongnan expert's expression remained rigidly set.
"...It seems more than one person's deviance."
"Hmm?"
The Zhongnan expert stepped aside slightly, revealing the Kongtong grounds.
A massive brown rectangle came into view. So much something covered the floor it resembled square flooring.
Baek Yahyo narrowed his already thin eyes further to peer at it.
Books. Over several dozen martial manuals neatly laid across Kongtong Sect's floor.
Worse, more manuals kept appearing from somewhere, steadily expanding the area.
"Wells, under floorboards, disciples' quarters... Manuals keep popping up everywhere we dig. And these are the recently missing ones!"
From behind, a Huashan Taoist beamed brightly, holding up two manuals high for his leader.
"Found them, Master! The manuals for Surging Spirit Sword Technique and Dragon Wander Art!"
"..."
Baek Yahyo's face twisted severely.
As the Zhongnan expert said, this exceeded what one deviant could bring in.
'They're digging this obvious a pitfall?'
Baek Yahyo sensed the righteous martial artists' boundless malice from the piled manuals.
This wasn't proof someone in Kongtong deviated.
It was proof they'd seen through whatever happened in Kongtong—and that numerous sects conspired on this scheme. Otherwise, how could so many manuals gather here?
Baek Yahyo's eyes narrowed further, curving like a crescent moon.
"Look, why not say from the start you knew everything? Why go through such hassle?"
"...What are you talking about?"
One Line Master responded bewildered to Baek Yahyo's sudden shift in tone, but to Baek Yahyo, it rang only as sly scheming.
Thus, Baek Yahyo reached out and gripped his sword.
"What else? This."
Baek Yahyo's sword flew toward One Line Master's throat.