Chapter 293
Chapter 293
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 293
Chapter Title: Ill Omen
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Hong Geolgae, who had been listening quietly, shared his thoughts.
"Are all unorthodox fighters idiots?"
Everyone's gazes turned to Hong Geolgae.
The old Hong Geolgae might have shrunk back a bit, but after stepping into the transcendent realm, he had grown a touch arrogant. Matching the rhythm, he tapped his striking rod against the ground—tap, tap.
"It's only natural for righteous fighters to get caught up in the Demonic Cult's schemes. They didn't know the Demonic Cult's plans, had no idea the Demonic Cult was backing the unorthodox sects, and were in the position of defending against unorthodox attacks. But why are the unorthodox fighters letting themselves get played by the Demonic Cult's schemes? Unorthodox fighters know full well that Demonic Cult warriors are using them to attack the righteous martial world."
It was an unusually sharp question from Hong Geolgae. The Ear King answered immediately.
"Simple. It's the most advantageous choice for them."
Having already lowered his stance, the Ear King decided to go all in, using honorifics even with Hong Geolgae.
Of course, with both arms shattered, acting humble in front of Hong Geolgae was the smart move for now.
The Ear King continued.
"You must know that massive sects are extremely rare in the northern and southern unorthodox martial worlds. Few sects mean it's hard to join one, and hard to join means it's tough to learn advanced martial arts. Excluding a tiny elite few, unorthodox fighters spend their lives clinging to crude techniques."
Dang Mujin thought of Jang Il-nam.
Jang Il-nam had once shown Dang Mujin the martial arts he'd learned from his old master.
It had been so crude it was like a child's game. One had to wonder if it even qualified as martial arts.
"For the vast majority of unorthodox fighters who can't learn advanced arts, there's only one way to grow stronger: life-or-death combat. Betting their lives on crude techniques as they charge toward the next realm—that's the life of an unorthodox fighter. Given that reality, their obsession with advanced martial arts surpasses your imagination."
The Ear King's voice lowered slightly.
"The real problem is that combat doesn't guarantee progress. In truth, you often fight and gain nothing. But if we... no, if we fight under the Demonic Cult's orders and survive, we definitely improve. We gain the same combat experience, plus the Demonic Cult teaches us martial arts."
Of course, fights orchestrated by the Demonic Cult would be a bit more dangerous than ordinary scraps.
But there would be plenty of unorthodox fighters willing to take that risk. Those who couldn't endure harsh lives had already set down their swords.
"Hmm."
Namgung Myeong and Hyeon-gong understood the Ear King's words but couldn't deeply empathize. Both had lived lives where the martial arts they would learn were prepared from childhood to now.
For Namgung Myeong and Hyeon-gong, martial arts were just a question of "how far can I master them?"
Catching the drift of their thoughts, Hong Geolgae snorted.
"You two grew up like precious gold and jade, so you don't know how valuable martial arts are. You think great techniques are just handed to you? You need to experience how unforgiving the world really is."
Namgung Myeong found Hong Geolgae's words grating but couldn't refute them. Hyeon-gong, however, was different.
"Hold on. Are you disparaging Elder Ma Jeon-gae's martial arts and achievements—the very first to teach you?"
"Of course that's not what I meant...!"
Hong Geolgae panicked, but Hyeon-gong didn't waver.
"No need to explain to me. We'll hear the rest later at Zhuul Village Branch, in front of Elder Ma's tomb."
"..."
Afraid more words would drag him deeper, Hong Geolgae clamped his mouth shut.
*
The group joined up with the Shaolin monks and Beggars' Sect disciples they'd left in previous villages.
"The Abbot has passed?"
"Yes."
The Shaolin monks were visibly shocked by the news of Abbot Shin-seung's death, but none showed overt emotional turmoil.
A martial artist's life dances with death, and Shaolin monks were no exception.
The tale of Shin-seung's final display at an unimaginable realm offered great comfort. In a way, wasn't it the ideal death for a martial artist?
Still, the Shaolin monks eyed the Ear King coldly. As he grew uneasy, Manryeokseung stepped in to restrain them.
"The Ear King bears great guilt, of course, but his judgment will be left to the Qingcheng, Zhongnan, and Kunlun Sects. Shaolin's goal is Gwang Yeomra and the Demonic Cult Leader."
The Shaolin monks accepted Manryeokseung's words with understanding.
If another sect captured and judged Gwang Yeomra, they would have felt slighted. Leaving the Ear King's fate to the sects with the deepest grudges against him was right.
The Ear King shuddered faintly and instinctively edged half a step toward Hyeon-gong.
Only by relying on Hyeon-gong's promised aid in front of the Qingcheng, Zhongnan, and Kunlun daoists could he save his skin.
But contrary to his hopes, Hyeon-gong had no intention of vigorously defending him before those sects. He'd already extracted all the information he needed. The Ear King was useless now.
'...No, on second thought, there's one more thing.'
Hyeon-gong walked silently nearby, not too far from the Ear King, to naturally draw him out. Sure enough, the Ear King asked.
"Righteous Hero Jeong-eon. I have a question."
"What is it?"
"If Gwang Yeomra cooperates like I did, would you spare him too?"
Hyeon-gong thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"No. Unlike you, Brother Gui, who has a good heart by nature, Gwang Yeomra shoved you aside and fled at the end. He's rotten to the core, so no need to strain ourselves forgiving him."
Hyeon-gong subtly distinguished between the Ear King and Gwang Yeomra, praising the former while condemning the latter.
A trick Dang Mujin had taught him back at Sima Manor.
Hearing you're better than someone else eases the mind.
Sure enough, the Ear King's expression brightened a little.
Just then, Seolhwa, who had been staying in the village with the Shaolin monks, approached Hyeon-gong, grabbed his sleeve, and said,
"Baekhyanga?"
Her intent was clear from the name alone. Hyeon-gong relayed it to the Ear King.
"Brother Gui. During your time in the north, have you ever heard the name Baekhyanga?"
The Ear King furrowed his brow and repeated the name.
"Baekhyanga... Baekhyanga. It rings a bell... Ah!"
"You know it?"
"Isn't she the maiden who mastered advanced yin cold internal arts?"
As expected, the Ear King knew of Baekhyanga. Dang Mujin nearby perked up his ears.
"How do you know of Baekhyanga?"
"I heard from Gwang Yeomra. He said she was an interesting woman, so he sent her to the Leader."
"Tell me everything you know about Baekhyanga. Anything at all."
"I don't know much. By some heavenly fortune, this maiden possesses immense internal energy unattainable at her young age. She also mastered an advanced yin cold art unlike any I'd seen, perfectly suited to her constitution, with impressive achievements."
Seolhwa's hand trembled on Hyeon-gong's sleeve.
Was it rage toward Baekhyanga or joy at finally finding a lead? Unclear.
But it wasn't a big issue for Hyeon-gong. It gave him the perfect chance to slyly hold her hand. As expected, it was soft.
Hyeon-gong toyed with her hand discreetly as he thought, then lowered his voice to ask the Ear King.
"Brother Gui."
"Yes."
"By any chance, do you have no intention of returning to the Demonic Cult?"
Suddenly, Hyeon-gong found the "Brother Gui" phrasing odd. It was like peeling one character from "Jeong-eon Hyeon-gong" to make "Jeong Brother." The Ear King didn't seem to mind.
The Ear King startled at the question.
"Of course not! I will reflect, atone for my sins, and live a new life in the righteous martial world! Assuming the Kunlun, Qingcheng, and Zhongnan daoists forgive me, that is..."
Sensing a trap in Hyeon-gong's words, a model answer poured from the Ear King's mouth.
It wasn't entirely insincere. His refusal to return to the Demonic Cult sounded somewhat genuine.
His mangled arms wouldn't heal neatly with months of rest.
Meaning he might live the rest of his life unable to wield martial arts. In a power-obsessed Demonic Cult, the odds of reclaiming a high position were low.
If that was the worst, he'd be lucky. Old enemies might hunt him down. He surely had many.
The Ear King spoke desperately.
"...If I have one remaining wish, it's to copy sutras for the rest of my days after my arms heal. Even Buddha would approve. I've read many sutras in Podalrap Palace, so I could be of small help to Shaolin monks."
Even Dang Mujin nearby could tell it rang hollow. The Ear King had glanced slyly at the surrounding Shaolin monks while mentioning sutras.
It looked like he was touting his value through Buddhist talk.
Yet the Shaolin monks seemed a bit intrigued.
If this continued, they might subtly advocate for him, letting him live.
Hyeon-gong waved it off.
"No, no. I didn't bring up the Demonic Cult suspecting you."
"Then why...?"
"Because if circumstances align, I think going to the Demonic Cult myself would be good."
"Pardon?"
As the Ear King jumped in surprise, Seolhwa shook Hyeon-gong's sleeve.
"What are you talking about? Tell me too!"
"I'll explain in a bit, so wait just a moment. It's important."
Hyeon-gong spoke to Seolhwa in a meaningful tone.
It was so syrupy sweet that Dang Mujin and Namgung Myeong wanted to smack the back of his head.
The Ear King lowered his voice fully.
"What reason do you have for going to the Demonic Cult?"
"As the saying goes, know yourself and your enemy, and you'll win every battle."
Hyeon-gong put on a grim expression.
"From what you've told me, Brother Gui, the Demonic Cult Leader's prowess must be extraordinary. But grasping an opponent's skill from stories alone is no easy task. I believe someone must risk infiltrating the Demonic Cult to gauge the Leader's achievements. If we can uncover weaknesses in the demonic arts he practices, even better."
Risking infiltration into the Demonic Cult to assess the Leader's power and the cult's forces.
The bold idea drew nods of admiration not just from the Ear King but from nearby Shaolin monks and Beggars' Sect disciples.
But one thing escaped their understanding.
"Know yourself and your enemy, and you'll win every battle" doesn't always hold in clashes of large forces.
If one side has overwhelming power, what does it matter if the enemy knows you?
However, in personal life, it fits perfectly. That's what Hyeon-gong was banking on.
Hyeon-gong sorted his thoughts.
'Righteous sects versus Demonic Cult. I need to accurately gauge both sides' strengths to decide firmly which to join. Infiltrating the Demonic Cult would make it perfect.'
'If I'm convinced the righteous will win, I return without hesitation. I become the hero who volunteered for the most dangerous role and uncovered the Leader's weaknesses. Plus, I can investigate Baekhyanga there. Gain honor and love.'
'If the righteous seem doomed, I settle into the Demonic Cult quietly. Impressive as their might is, no one my age can match me. I'll surely get a key position.'
'The Leader has no heir. But before the great righteous-demonic war erupts, he'll choose one. Go now, build merits, and I might narrowly become the heir. No, the odds are high. As heir, punish Baekhyanga, and win Seolhwa's love the same way.'
'Righteous hero winning love, or Demonic heir winning love. Both great. Best to defect to the Demonic Cult now. The question is how...'
Of course, the Shaolin monks and Beggars' Sect disciples couldn't read Hyeon-gong's mind. It just seemed like a young hero's anguish.
Only Dang Mujin, Hong Geolgae, and Namgung Myeong could glimpse his true intentions.
Unlike the others admiring him, the trio sank into their own thoughts.
'That guy's up to something.'
'Is he doing this to impress Maiden Seolhwa?'
'Planning to betray based on the situation? No, even Hyeon-gong wouldn't... Wait, actually, he might...'
For a moment, the surroundings felt hushed.
Hyeon-gong looked around. People glanced at him admiringly.
Manryeokseung pushed through the crowd and strode up to stand before Hyeon-gong.
From time immemorial, villains cower before eminent monks with great dharma power. Hyeon-gong couldn't fully escape that tradition and shrank back unconsciously.
And Manryeokseung wasn't just any eminent monk. He was essentially Shaolin's abbot.
But the moment their eyes met, the fear in Hyeon-gong's chest vanished cleanly.
Manryeokseung's gaze held only worry and concern.
He said,
"Jeong-eon. Think again. That's far too dangerous a choice."
Hyeon-gong shook his head.
"In war, countless arrows fly. One may pierce the enemy commander's throat, but most shatter worthless against rocks. Yet no one calls those broken arrows valueless. War is glory built on sacrifice, isn't it?"
Hyeon-gong's words flowed like clear mountain streams.
"I know well I may not be that most glorious arrow. Some must fly first and break first. Late or soon, someone must do it, and I see no reason I should be the exception."
Manryeokseung listened quietly, then let out a deep sigh.
"People naturally seek their own safety. Why volunteer for such a role?"
Hyeon-gong smiled steadfastly.
"Would an arrow fear breaking and refuse to leave the bowstring?"
Everyone except Dang Mujin, Namgung Myeong, and Hong Geolgae was deeply moved.
Cheong-bok of the Filthy Clothes Succession looked ready to weep.
"If the righteous martial world had just three heroes like you, no calamity could threaten us. Truly lamentable."
Dang Mujin's thoughts differed, of course.
Three of him would mean no illness in the central plains—a great blessing.
Three Hong Geolgaes wouldn't cause major issues.
Three Namgung Myeongs weren't the worst—just chaotic, no real harm.
But three Hyeon-gongs meant the righteous martial world's doom.
Manryeokseung shook his head slowly.
"With someone like you as the center, the righteous sects could unite. When will they ever become one? So frustrating..."
Unbeknownst to Manryeokseung, that remark slightly lowered the odds of Hyeon-gong betraying the righteous.
He realized staying could make him more than Wudang's leader.
Hyeon-gong humbly lowered his posture in response.
"Worry not overly. When the great crisis arrives, the righteous martial world will surely unite."