Chapter 273
Chapter 273
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 273
Chapter Title: Bloodstained
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Dang Mujin hurriedly sent a transmission to Namgung Myeong.
- Hey, get down here quick!
- I'm doing this because I've thought it through.
As expected, Namgung Myeong ignored Dang Mujin's words.
Under normal circumstances, Dang Mujin would have just thought, *He's up to his usual idiot antics again,* and let it slide. But this time, the situation was different.
Namgung Myeong might look like a thief driven mad by his urges, but surprisingly, he had standards for his thieving.
The victim had to be someone he had no ties with, or it had to be something he could subtly pilfer without much fuss.
Most targets met both criteria, but occasionally only one.
However, in Dang Mujin's eyes, the current situation met neither condition.
If Namgung Myeong had been stealing a Qingcheng Sect manual, Dang Mujin might have turned a blind eye.
But insights were different. They transcended the sect's martial arts, encapsulating the personal life of Elder Youngheo. Stealing them was like a disciple pilfering snippets of his master's life.
Dang Mujin felt he had to stop Namgung Myeong right away. Yet he had no way to do it.
With so many martial artists around the Kongtong Sect, even a minor disturbance would draw a crowd like moths to a flame. If they got caught trying to restrain him, Namgung Myeong's head would roll.
- Get down here!
No response this time.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, Dang Mujin lingered nervously in a spot a little ways off, unable to return to his quarters easily.
Just then, Hong Geolgae, who had been wandering nearby, approached Dang Mujin.
"Not sleeping? What are you doing up?"
Instead of answering, Dang Mujin gestured with his eyes toward the rooftop.
Hong Geolgae looked up and spotted a figure sprawled flat on it.
He nearly stopped breathing in shock.
"That bastard... he's not seriously...?"
"That's exactly what you're thinking."
Hong Geolgae staggered as if he'd downed a barrel of liquor, though he hadn't touched a drop.
A wave of vertigo hit him hard.
"Why didn't you stop him?"
"I tried. He won't listen. Any ideas on how to drag him down?"
"...Nothing comes to mind."
Dang Mujin and Hong Geolgae paced restlessly a good distance from the roof, stealing glances at Namgung Myeong.
Whether they did or not, it took nearly half a shichen before Namgung Myeong finally slunk down from the roof.
Hong Geolgae scanned for passersby, then approached Namgung Myeong with a grave expression.
"Hey. You're not really saying that's what you...?"
But unexpectedly, Namgung Myeong responded with surprising resolve.
"I wrestled with this one plenty. And you think climbing onto that roof with martial artists swarming everywhere was an easy call? It was a tough decision for me too."
Dang Mujin recalled how Namgung Myeong had hesitated before climbing up. True, the usual Namgung Myeong wouldn't have risked it.
Still, the deed was done. Dang Mujin chimed in.
"It's not about easy or hard. And if you pondered it but came to the wrong conclusion, what was the point? Looks to me like plain greed."
"I won't deny the greed part. I need to master many arts to reach the next level. But the other half was definitely for Jin Hae."
Dang Mujin and Hong Geolgae crossed their arms in unison. Namgung Myeong's excuse rang hollow no matter how they sliced it.
Sensing the mood, Namgung Myeong pressed on emphatically.
"Just watch. Jin Hae will be sticking with us for a while, and it'll definitely help him too.
"...Sigh."
Dang Mujin let out a deep, involuntary sigh. What was done was done.
The only silver lining was that Namgung Myeong's thefts had never ended badly so far.
*I hope he's not just talking big.*
Dang Mujin shook his head.
*
For the next three days, Namgung Myeong secretly filched Elder Youngheo's insights.
Aside from those sessions, he was lost in profound thought—a rare sight, since Namgung Myeong was the last person to brood.
Piecing together the Qingcheng martial arts he'd eyeballed and the elder's insights wasn't easy.
And at last, the day of the Corporeal Transcendence Ritual arrived.
Dang Mujin's group sat with the other Qingcheng daoists a short distance from Elder Youngheo's quarters, waiting for the ritual to end.
It dragged on quite a while.
The sun dipped from midday and set, only for another to rise when the door to Elder Youngheo's quarters finally opened.
Out stepped Jin Hae.
He said nothing, merely gazing around with a distraught expression.
Everyone's hearts sank. His face carried layers of grim meaning.
If Elder Youngheo had been fine, he surely would have emerged first.
Dang Mujin's group and the Qingcheng daoists rushed to the building and peered inside. Elder Youngheo sat in lotus position, head slightly bowed.
Dang Mujin immediately checked his wrist.
No pulse. His body was cooling.
Elder Gongryeong stammered,
"Could it be...?"
Dang Mujin slowly shook his head.
No further explanation was needed to confirm Elder Youngheo's passing.
Jin Hae spoke up, voice trembling.
"The sect leader could have stopped at any time. But he pressed on with the ritual to the very end."
Following Zhongnan Sect's leader, Qingcheng had lost its own.
The orthodox world had lost its second sect head.
Hong Geolgae recalled the Great Wind Beggar's words.
A new generation rising, the old yielding their seats.
The prophecy fit eerily well, and swiftly too.
The Qingcheng daoists' faces were a storm of emotions.
Rage, regret, resolve—and too many more to count.
Elder Gongryeong addressed Jin Hae.
"Jin Hae. The future of Qingcheng rests in your hands."
"Yes. I understand."
Jin Hae nodded, face taut with tension.
Elder Gongryeong gripped his shoulders, locking eyes. Then came a heavy sigh.
"Strive diligently. Don't betray our hopes."
As Elder Gongryeong gave him a light embrace and stepped back, the other Qingcheng daoists followed suit. Eye contact, brief exhortation, gentle hug.
It was the senior daoists' way of encouraging him.
But Jin Hae's expression hardened further.
Dang Mujin recognized it.
*Pressure.*
He knew two people crushed by others' expectations: Namgung Myeong and Baek Chaseo.
Namgung Myeong had cracked under it, spiraling into eccentricities that got him exiled from his Namgung family.
Or perhaps it was escape. Afterward, his antics had let him shed some burden and reclaim his life.
But Baek Chaseo, head of the Je-yuan Baek Clan, couldn't flee.
Too frail to bear it all, yet lacking the courage to run, he'd had to swallow it whole. In the end, it twisted and broke him.
Jin Hae must now realize his burden wasn't mere opportunity or fortune.
Qingcheng's future, his master's legacy, the expectations of daoists who'd achieved more than him.
A young daoist had to shoulder it all.
Dang Mujin glanced at Namgung Myeong.
Sure enough, he gazed at Jin Hae with pity. Clearly seeing his past self in the man.
Dang Mujin thought,
*...Maybe he really wanted to help. Maybe it wasn't just an excuse.*
Three Qingcheng daoists swiftly prepared Elder Youngheo's body and returned to Sichuan.
That very afternoon, the other orthodox martial artists departed Kongtong Sect—to hunt and execute the Twin Extremes Blood Elder and Ghost King.
*
Three days after crossing the Yellow River into unorthodox territory, the group pressed north diligently.
They inquired after the enemy in every village the unorthodox might have passed, slowing their pace.
*That Jin Hae guy...*
Dang Mujin had figured he'd blend with the Qingcheng daoists or join their group.
Instead, Jin Hae trailed alone a ways back, muttering fiercely to himself.
*...Well, he'll come if he needs help.*
En route, Dang Mujin spotted a familiar village.
"Hong Geolgae. This Pyeongri Village, right?"
"Yeah."
Pyeongri Village. Where they'd ended up seeking Yu Jingwang in the north.
It held minor memories.
They'd run into the Dang Hyang Trio—some three unorthodox martial artists—here, used the youngest as a guide, then handed him over to Kongtong's 환골각.
His name was Yi Gyu, was it?
Elders Gongryeong and Seonwoo-ja told Dang Mujin,
"We'll stay here. You lot head into the village."
"Got it."
Even in orthodox lands, crowds of martial artists made common folk uneasy.
In unorthodox territory, it was worse—they'd feel outright terror of death.
To villagers, orthodox martial artists were burdensome neighbors; unorthodox ones were untamed beasts that drew swords on whims, heedless of consequences.
Thus, the orthodox group camped in a secluded spot outside Pyeongri Village.
Dang Mujin, his three friends, and Yu Jingwang—five in all—headed to the village inn.
Most didn't recognize them, but a few did and greeted them warmly. After Dang Mujin's group passed through last time, the Dang Hyang Trio's depredations had visibly lessened.
The inn held five or six patrons.
As Dang Mujin's group entered, the innkeeper's hazy features lit up.
"Oh! Long time no see! How've you been?"
"We've been fine. And you, innkeeper? No troubles?"
"Better than before, actually. Haha! What'll it be for meals?"
"We're not here to eat. Just have some questions."
"I'm not charging. Just want to treat you."
"Really, it's fine."
"Very well... What do you want to know?"
As Dang Mujin was about to ask about unorthodox movements, two men kicked the door open with a bang.
Thud—
The patrons murmured.
"It's the Dang Hyang Twin Lights!"
"Shh!"
Having lost their youngest, the trio had downgraded to duo.
The Dang Hyang Twin Lights swaggered in, scanning the room—until they spotted Dang Mujin's group before the innkeeper.
"..."
Their eyes met Dang Mujin's group's. As before, the duo smiled awkwardly and backed away.
But again, Hyun-gong subtly blocked the door.
No escape.
Their judgment was swift. They knew fighting meant death, so they rubbed their palms ingratiatingly.
"Ah! Lords! Long time no see!"
"You were just about to turn tail, weren't you?"
"No, no. Just checking if the door closed right. With diners here and all."
Dang Mujin chuckled.
Oddly, despite the sour history, seeing the duo after so long felt strangely nostalgic. Memories have a way of gilding.
The one with the scruffy goatee spoke suavely.
"I still remember you seeking the Able Light Sword. Hope it went well..."
Four gazes turned to Yu Jingwang.
The duo caught on instantly. The infamous Able Light Sword was right there in the inn. They trembled like aspen leaves.
"H-Have we... done something wrong?"
"No. We're not here for you. Just questions."
"I-Is that so."
"And seeing the innkeeper thriving, looks like you've improved a bit."
At the praise, relief flickered in their eyes.
"Whew! Naturally. How could we ignore great heroes' words? We've gotten along with the villagers. Turned over a new leaf."
"Ahem, ahem...!"
A patron coughed dryly. Clearly unconvinced.
The duo hurriedly changed tack to cut off any rebuttals.
"By the way! Were you planning to dine here?"
"No. Just info, then out."
"Then, shall we step outside? We're more plugged into rumors than the innkeeper. Plus, wouldn't want to unsettle the diners."
It seemed considerate, but they clearly feared awkward tales from the patrons.
Dang Mujin didn't mind much. If they were as vicious as before, no one would have dared chime in.
People change. The duo had mellowed, clearly.
"Sure. Let's."
Dang Mujin nodded with a light smile.
The Dang Hyang Twin Lights led them to the most deserted spot.
From inn to street, street to dim alley.
The alley had people too, so they guided them outside the village.
But beyond the village, an unexpected sight awaited.
Dozens of sword-bearing orthodox martial artists were gathered.
And not one seemed pushover.
Terrifying for the duo, who couldn't steady their shaking.
"Wh-Wh-What's this?"
Dang Mujin answered.
"Our group. No need to worry."
"Ah, y-yes..."
But the duo couldn't fully relax. It was like being surrounded by dozens of tigers.
They glanced around anxiously.
The orthodox martial artists asked Dang Mujin.
"Who are these two?"
"Local unorthodox martial artists. No need to be on guard."
Truthfully, no real threat—two against dozens?
Dang Mujin questioned the duo.
"About five days ago, did a group of unorthodox pass through nearby?"
"Yes! They did! Clothes bloodied in spots, ragged like defeated remnants, utterly spent."
They answered without hesitation, eager to wrap up and flee.
"Anyone stand out? Odd garb or leader type?"
"A monk a bit unusual-looking, with an extraordinary aura. Oh! And a one-armed elder with a short spear. Even short an arm, his presence was no joke."
Ghost King and Twin Extremes Blood Elder, plain as day. Dang Mujin inwardly cheered.
He asked a few more details, then the clincher.
"Remember which way they went?"
"West from here. Toward the Qilian Mountains. Yes."
Info gathering: clean wrap.
Jin Hae, who'd been listening from afar, approached Dang Mujin.
"Anything else to ask?"
Dang Mujin heard Jin Hae's voice for the first time in days.
"Nah. We're good."
The duo grinned sheepishly.
Surviving encirclement by dozens of orthodox daoists? Like shoving one's head in a tiger's maw and living.
Prime drinking tale for years.
But the next instant brought the unforeseen.
Jin Hae, behind the duo, struck their backs with twin palms in ambush.
Qingcheng's most devastating, brutal palm: Crushing Heart Palm.
Jin Hae had broken through peak realm days ago, absorbing Elder Youngheo's inner arts to boot. His strike packed no joke.
An utter surprise attack. First-rate fringe like the duo couldn't withstand it.
Vast inner power surged through their backs, shattering their hearts.
Crushing Heart Palm lived up to its name.
"Uh...?"
Blood streamed from the duo's mouths and noses.
Bewildered, as if lost to the moment, they stared blankly at Dang Mujin and Hong Geolgae.
Dang Mujin and Hong Geolgae were just as stunned by Jin Hae's move.
He couldn't clarify before their breaths fully ceased.
Dang Mujin yelled belatedly.
"Jin Hae! What the hell?!"
Jin Hae replied.
"Unorthodox martial artists. As a Qingcheng daoist, I won't let such villains walk."
Their eyes met.
Beastly ferocity. Yet perilously fragile too.
A fragility apart from heart demons.
The face of one resolved to live henceforth like this.