Chapter 282
Chapter 282
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 282
Chapter Title: Clear Autumn Insight
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The news that Geolseon had been murdered was so shocking that Dang Mujin had to pause for a moment to process what it meant.
A half-beat late, Dang Mujin asked again.
"Geolseon has been murdered? What do you mean by that?"
"You didn't know?"
"This is the first I've heard of it."
"I thought you knew something since you brought it up... Anyway, it's exactly as it sounds. There was an unfortunate incident while fighting against villains from the evil unorthodox sects."
Even as he listened to the explanation, Dang Mujin wondered if it could really be true, but upon reflection, it was entirely possible.
The righteous warriors of the northwest had fought well yet still lost two sect leaders. In the great war between the righteous and demonic factions where even Yeongheo the Monk had perished, there was no reason Geolseon couldn't have as well.
While Dang Mujin was lost in thought, Hyun-gong stepped forward.
A flicker of suspicion appeared in the eyes of the Beggars' Sect elder. As expected, he only guessed that Hyun-gong was a Daoist from the Wudang Sect and didn't recognize him.
"Who might you be?"
"I am the Wudang Sect's humble Daoist, Hyun-gong."
"Hyun-gong... Hyun-gong... So you're the Soaring Dragon Sword."
"It's an undeserved nickname. The people around me call me Right Speech far more often than that grandiose title."
In Dang Mujin's opinion, both Soaring Dragon Sword and Right Speech were equally undeserved for Hyun-gong.
Yet Hyun-gong steadfastly pushed the nickname Right Speech.
The title Soaring Dragon Sword was already well-known, so now it was time to spread Right Speech.
Surprisingly, Hyun-gong's strategy was working. Around Sichuan Province, he was called Right Speech more often than Soaring Dragon Sword.
Of course, the Beggars' Sect elder knew none of this backstory.
"Hmm... Young people usually crave flashy nicknames. You're humble."
"It was just burdensome, not something deserving of being called humble."
The Beggars' Sect elder looked at Hyun-gong with great satisfaction.
The gaze of a senior admiring a junior with excellent character and skill.
"...It's not easy to possess such character at a young age... Wudang's foundation is no small thing. Anyway, what brings you here?"
"There's something I must ask."
"Speak."
"If Geolseon has passed, what happens to the Beggars' Sect's sect leader position? I understood the successor position was vacant."
Hyun-gong hoped Hong Geolgae would become the Beggars' Sect leader as soon as possible.
And if the sect leader position remained vacant, Hong Geolgae might truly ascend to it overnight. The leader of the famed hundred thousand Beggars' Sect disciples.
*The next Wudang Sect leader designate on brotherly terms with the Beggars' Sect leader. Thrilling.*
However, the elder's words only half-met Hyun-gong's expectations.
"If both the sect leader and successor are vacant, the chief elder inherits the position."
"The chief elder would be...?"
"That would be the Fiery Beggar Old Man, Heo Heum. Until a new sect leader candidate appears, he's the one."
At least that was fortunate. It meant that once a candidate for the next sect leader emerged, this Heo Heum of the Fiery Beggar Old Man ilk would step down.
Hyun-gong naturally turned his gaze toward Hong Geolgae.
As if drawn by Hyun-gong's look, the unnamed Beggars' Sect elder's eyes followed to Hong Geolgae. Soon, the elder's expression grew subtle.
"...Hmm?"
Hong Geolgae simply stood there, so even to the experienced elder's eye, his level of martial prowess was hard to gauge.
But people have an aura about them.
An attitude that showed no intimidation whatsoever among luminaries like Right Speech Hyun-gong or Divine Dragon Dang Mujin, boldly asserting his presence.
*That guy's no ordinary fellow.*
Even achieving the level of Dang family head or Hyun-gong at a young age would suffice to aim for the next—or even the one after—Beggars' Sect leader position.
Moreover, the young beggar's aura went beyond mere confidence to a sense of certainty, as if he were one step ahead of everyone around him.
*No way...*
The Beggars' Sect elder approached Hong Geolgae and asked.
"I'm Seopgu. And who might you be?"
"I'm Hong Jusam."
Seopgu closed his eyes briefly in thought, then recalled a ridiculous nickname.
"I've heard that name before. The Rule Breaker Beggar Hong Jusam, right? I heard Geolseon passed down the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms to you. How far have you mastered them?"
"From the first palm to the twelfth."
Seopgu nodded. His aura alone suggested he wasn't some half-baked wanderer, and mastering twelve of the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms meant his achievements were far from lacking.
Hyun-gong subtly interjected.
"He's a friend to be proud of. He slew the Twin Extremes Blood Elder not long ago and has even stepped into the next realm."
"...He reached the absolute peak at that age?"
"I was fortunate."
Hong Geolgae cupped his fists and bowed his head slightly. Seopgu didn't notice, but Hong Geolgae's cheekbones lifted ever so slightly.
Seopgu spoke with evident excitement.
"When a star falls in turbulent times, a new one rises. With achievements like that, you could take the next sect leader position, or the one after at latest. It'd be good to seek out the elders and learn the remaining forms of the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms you haven't mastered yet. Ask the Fiery Beggar Old Man for guidance."
Long ago, it had been the Dragon Subduing Twenty-Eight Palms, not Eighteen.
But due to sect leaders dying or disappearing without passing them all on, ten forms were lost, resulting in the current Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms.
To prevent further loss in modern times—lest it dwindle to Fifteen or Twelve—the Beggars' Sect elders had divided the forms among themselves to preserve them.
*I'll seek out Fiery Beggar Old Man Heo Heum and learn the remaining forms of the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms.*
With that thought, Hong Geolgae asked Seopgu.
"I'm not yet prepared to take on such a heavy responsibility. But I have something else I'm curious about."
"What is it?"
"Is the situation in the east really that dire?"
"The east? Both the Beggars' Sect and Shaolin Temple are in bad shape. Enough that Geolseon died... Why else would we come all the way here begging for aid?"
So that's why they'd come to Mount Wudang—to request help.
Unable to contain his excitement, Seopgu said to Hong Geolgae.
"This isn't the time for hesitation. Come to headquarters with us. Countless people need you."
"Understood."
His daily routine at the Dang family estate was lounging around, but Hong Geolgae held a fairly high position among the Beggars' Sect leadership. He couldn't turn a blind eye to the sect's troubles.
Hyun-gong planned Hong Geolgae's future in his stead.
*Shine in the righteous-demonic great war, make a name before the elders and sect disciples, and while at it, learn the remaining Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms forms from Fiery Beggar Old Man and snag the sect leader seat.*
Elder Seopgu subtly broached the next topic.
"By any chance, does the Dang family head—and the young man behind him—have no desire to make a name in the Central Plains martial world?"
Hyun-gong, Hong Geolgae, even Namgung Myeong. All three turned to Dang Mujin in unison.
Whenever the four traveled together so far, the final decision had always gone to Dang Mujin. Asking his opinion had become habit without them realizing.
Dang Mujin pondered briefly.
Dang Mujin had received great help from Geolseon before.
When he'd first clashed with the Three-Eyed Buddha, hadn't Geolseon appeared alongside Namgung Jincheon to save his life? Yet he'd never repaid Geolseon or the Beggars' Sect. This was the time to do so.
The same went for Shaolin Temple. Dang Mujin and Shaolin were on very close terms. Though things were a bit delicate due to the Three-Eyed Buddha.
*Is there any chance the Dang family estate is in danger?*
Unlikely. With the Northern Guard monitoring the southern unorthodox warriors' movements, a sudden attack was improbable.
Their forces were ample too. The estate housed several absolute peak experts, the Three-Eyed Buddha, and Jang Il-nam. If the Dang estate were threatened, the Emei Sect wouldn't stand by, and even the Qingcheng Sect had returned to Sichuan first.
And most importantly, it wasn't about other sects—it was his friends' safety.
"I have no need for fame. But I won't send my friends into danger alone."
Upon reflection, perhaps everything had been decided from the start.
*
Having returned to Mount Wudang, Hyun-gong needed to visit Hyuncheon Hall and pay respects to Spirit Treasure True Man.
But instead of going straight there, Hyun-gong bided his time for the right moment.
Then, the perfect opportunity arrived.
*Now!*
Hyun-gong entered Hyuncheon Hall immediately. As expected, Spirit Treasure True Man welcomed him warmly.
Hyun-gong cupped his fists and said.
"I apologize for the delay; I took time to compose myself after the long journey."
"It's fine. Did you make any progress?"
As Spirit Treasure True Man asked, Hyun-gong's mind raced.
*What progress should I mention? Martial arts? Internal energy? Connections? Or should I subtly take credit for slaying the Twin Extremes Blood Elder myself?*
After racking his brain to the point of fever, he realized that wasn't the answer. There was no need to boast of achievements hastily like before. He'd worked hard to show off his progress to secure the position of next Wudang Sect leader.
And now, he'd already been promised that position.
Spirit Treasure True Man wouldn't flip on a whim, so the situation was stable enough.
*No need to push aggressively for points anymore. Time to avoid rashness and protect what I have.*
In other words, be humble.
Hyun-gong completed all this judgment in a single breath and replied in a solemn tone.
"I traveled the world, experienced many things, and strove to learn. But the more I did, the more profoundly I felt my own shortcomings. It was a time to realize just how foolish I am."
"Hmm. The next sect leader can't afford to be foolish..."
His heart dropped at Spirit Treasure True Man's mutter, but Hyun-gong steadied himself without flinching.
This was a feint. Speaking up hastily in self-defense would leave him open to the hidden real strike.
"I will strive harder."
At Hyun-gong's calm response, a glint appeared in Spirit Treasure True Man's eyes.
Hyun-gong's demeanor was clearly different from before.
Spirit Treasure True Man asked again.
"I heard you slew the Twin Extremes Blood Elder?"
For a moment, Hyun-gong nearly answered, "Yes."
But once more, his mind whirred.
*Bringing up the Twin Extremes Blood Elder means one of the Daoists who returned to Wudang with me reported the Gireun Mountain incident first.*
*They wouldn't have omitted Hong Geolgae's achievements or the full story we told them while mentioning Gireun Mountain and the Twin Extremes Blood Elder.*
*So this is another feint.*
*I nearly caused a huge problem by claiming I killed him. Showing humility was the right answer.*
Hyun-gong spoke calmly.
"How could that have been my doing? It was my friend Hong Jusam's achievement above all. And if naming the next greatest contributor, it wouldn't be me but Dang Mujin. He severed the Twin Extremes Blood Elder's right arm. Everyone present would agree."
"Hmm. Is that so."
Spirit Treasure True Man sounded somewhat disinterested, but Hyun-gong caught the faint satisfaction in his voice. He'd dodged all the feints.
*Now it's time for me to strike.*
Desperately managing his expression, Hyun-gong asked Spirit Treasure True Man.
"On the way here, I noticed the Wudang Sect's atmosphere wasn't normal."
"Indeed. In the east—"
At that moment, a faint presence stirred outside Hyuncheon Hall.
The door slid open.
A familiar face appeared—the Beggars' Sect elder Seopgu, with whom they'd spoken outside.
"This old beggar comes to pay respects to the Wudang Sect leader... Oh dear, you have a guest. My apologies, Right Speech."
"I'm fine. I'll step out for now; please speak first."
As Hyun-gong rose, Spirit Treasure True Man asked puzzledly.
"Right Speech?"
Seopgu burst into laughter.
"You don't know your own disciple's nickname?"
"Nickname? Isn't the boy's nickname Soaring Dragon Sword?"
"Goodness. Around where Hyun-gong stayed in Sichuan, everyone calls him Right Speech, or so I've heard."
Hyun-gong's heart pounded.
Suddenly, Dang Mujin came to mind. Like a boomerang sword Dang Mujin had flung far away secretly returning to target the enemy's back, the boomerang Hyun-gong had cast long ago was coming back too.
Spirit Treasure True Man asked.
"Hyun-gong. What is this about?"
"The Soaring Dragon Sword title felt burdensome, so I kept quiet, and the people of Sichuan gave me a new nickname. It's undeserved too, but better than one invoking dragons. Asking everyone not to call me that would feel awkward..."
Hyun-gong bowed his head slightly.
Like someone unable to overcome his shame, his ears had turned red before he knew it.
A brief silence.
Soon, Spirit Treasure True Man smiled with satisfaction.
"A nickname reveals a person's deeds. While I idled away on Mount Wudang, you shed your final flaw. Today is truly a joyous day."
A thought suddenly surfaced in Hyun-gong's mind.
Last time, was Spirit Treasure True Man's promise of the next sect leader position sincere?
It hadn't been complete fabrication.
But looking back, it had been an utterly precarious verbal agreement between two people, revocable at any moment if issues arose.
Yet in this instant, Hyun-gong felt everything had become certain.
With a trembling voice, he replied.
"You overpraise me."
"It's fine. We'll talk more shortly."
"Yes."
Hyun-gong backed out of Hyuncheon Hall slowly, head bowed.
Now, only Seopgu and Spirit Treasure True Man remained inside.
Hyun-gong glanced around. As expected, no one else.
Finally, he clenched his fists tightly and quietly cheered.
*At last!*
After long anticipation, Hyun-gong had achieved perfect victory in his contest of wits with Spirit Treasure True Man.
This too was a clear autumn insight.