Chapter 195
Chapter 195
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 195
Chapter Title: Disciples of the Heavenly Martial Ten Venerables
A secluded Taoist temple perched at the highest peak of Mount Wudang.
A stern-faced Taoist elegantly sipped his tea before setting down his cup.
"So, you're saying you need the help of our Wudang Sect."
Even as the sect leader of Wudang, he couldn't use such a tone with two of the Heavenly Martial Ten Venerables sitting before him.
But.
"Sword Elder, this is for the peace of the world. Why speak of 'help' when it comes to upholding righteousness?"
The Heavenly Martial Ten Venerable Taiji Sword Elder. Wudang's greatest elder.
The people had tried to bestow upon him the title of Sword Immortal, but he humbly called himself the Sword Elder, insisting that compared to his master, he was merely an old man growing older while wielding a sword.
The Great Sea Dragon King Blade, Peng Beom, glanced at Breaking Heaven Sound Matriarch's face and made an expression that said there was no helping it.
'The Matriarch still dislikes the Sword Elder, as always. Well, their paths couldn't be more different.'
Peng Beom responded in place of the Matriarch, who showed no sign of speaking.
"Sword Elder, you know as well as I do. In terms of intelligence gathering, neither the Matriarch nor I can compare to Wudang. Will Wudang step forward?"
Ever since hearing about the Blood Cult forces that had appeared at the Sword King Tournament, the Matriarch and Peng Beom had been pursuing them.
They had achieved some success, slaying a bishop called a young upstart and over a hundred demon beasts, but that was the end of it.
"Those bastards move in perfectly organized units. And whatever sorcery they're using, it seems they've built a command structure beyond mortal reason."
"Even the Breaking Heaven Sound Matriarch, who has no faction of her own, and the Peng family's children couldn't find a single clue. What difference would it make if Wudang steps in?"
It was a refusal. Unable to hold back, the Matriarch bristled.
"You've been so focused on building up your sect in your old age that it seems you've lost your edge."
The Taiji Sword Elder was the sole disciple of Immortal Jang Sam-bong, the first to be honored as Sword Immortal since Yeo Dong-bin.
He was also the founding patriarch who had established the Wudang Sect a hundred years ago.
"Didn't you say you'd create the world's greatest sect to nurture more people and benefit the world? How laughable."
Despite the sharp words, the Sword Elder remained composed.
"There are many paths to upholding righteousness and pursuing chivalry. Wudang follows the Way."
To the Matriarch, it was an answer worth a scoff.
The Sacred Sound Jade Spirit Gate could also be considered a Taoist sect cultivating the Immortal Way, but talk of the "Way" was like something that hangs from the nose if caught there or from the ear if caught there—mere sophistry.
"You've always been like this."
It's not that he refused to help uphold righteousness. He simply wanted to do it in Wudang's way.
Though he spoke thus, the path the Sword Elder walked always led to benefits for Wudang.
That was why, even now, the world's greatest sect was within reach.
To the Matriarch, it was a path utterly incomprehensible.
"Indeed. Our paths never align. Let's go, Dragon King Blade."
"Ahem. Understood. Farewell then, Sword Elder."
As the Matriarch and the Great Sea Dragon King Blade rose to leave.
"Then why not make them align for once?"
The Sword Elder's low voice echoed softly.
"This old man intends to make this Dragon-Phoenix Tournament the stage where the world sees that righteousness stands truly upright."
"I heard Wudang is hosting the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, Sword Elder."
"Dragon King Blade. Have you found a disciple worthy of inheriting everything you have?"
It was well-known to all who knew that the Great Sea Dragon King Blade, Peng Beom, was searching for a successor to whom he would pass everything.
"Matriarch, you entered seclusion to find a disciple as well, didn't you? Seeing you wandering about like this, it seems you've found one."
The sudden talk of disciples left them puzzled as to his intent.
"Announce that your disciples will participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament. Do that, and I'll have my disciples scour for traces of the Blood Cult."
The moment word spread that disciples of the Heavenly Martial Ten Venerables were entering the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, interest in the event would explode.
That would draw the eyes of the world, making it easier to stir attention, and the freed resources would be used to track the Blood Cult.
Of course, the Matriarch rejected it outright.
"I have no desire to play the fool for Wudang's sake."
"What if it's in exchange for this Dragon King Blade's disciple? I have a child I've raised, though he may not be fully satisfactory."
The Sword Elder, who had been silently watching the Matriarch, gently stroked the sword at his side.
"Not long ago, I took a disciple. Though 'not long ago' means twenty years have already passed."
Considering their ages, it truly wasn't long.
"He's exceptionally bright. Perhaps he can achieve what this old man could not. He cares for nothing but the sword and has no desire to venture into the mundane world... but as his master, I intend to ask him to participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament."
The Dragon King Blade looked exceedingly intrigued.
"Wasn't the current Wudang sect leader your grand-disciple? That means the child's talent is extraordinary enough to make even the sect leader's grand-martial uncle take him as a disciple!"
A disciple of the Sword Elder would be of the current generation.
And the current Wudang sect leader's second-generation disciple was of the current generation.
It was a breach of generational hierarchy by a full cycle—an unprecedented break from precedent in a sect like Wudang that prized etiquette and law above all.
"Matriarch, we've never seen eye to eye. Why not settle it once and for all? See whose choice was right."
The Matriarch had no intention of indulging in such childish games.
However, the Sword Elder didn't give her time to respond.
"Just send your disciple. He can participate in the preliminaries and forfeit if he wishes. Victory is impossible anyway."
Childish games. She planned to refuse.
But.
It was provocation no martial artist could ignore.
"I hear even Shaolin's Joyful Buddha is showcasing a disciple. Wouldn't that be interesting?"
He referred to one of the Heavenly Martial Ten Venerables, Shaolin's Like-One Joyful Buddha.
In other words, two disciples of the Heavenly Martial Ten Venerables were already set to appear at the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.
"Matriarch, you never liked this old man's chosen path. The Matriarch's way versus the Sword Elder's way. Let's see which is closer to the truth. Ah, unless you're not confident..."
"Kehahaha! Sword Elder, you're as insufferable as ever, past and present!"
The Dragon King Blade burst into hearty laughter, and the Matriarch vanished like a gale.
But the Sword Elder knew his ploy had worked.
After all, he had known the Matriarch for over a hundred years.
'Matriarch, your path is like that of Yu Gong. A single man cannot move a mountain.'
However, if it were a group rather than an individual.
Impossible alone, but ten thousand Yu Gongs gathered together...
'Wudang will move the mountain.'
"This should be amusing. Though not fully satisfactory, I'll send the child this Peng Beom has invested the most in to the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament as well. Let's have some fun, Sword Elder!"
⚔ DRAGON-PHOENIX TOURNAMENT ⚔ Heavenly Martial Ten Venerable Breaking Heaven Sound Matriarch
>Sacred Sound Jade Spirit Gate Disciples: Baek Yang-hui, Jegal Seol-ha Heavenly Martial Ten Venerable Great Sea Dragon King Blade
>Hebei Peng Clan Young Leader: Peng Wang Heavenly Martial Ten Venerable Taiji Sword Elder
>Wudang Sect Disciple: Hyun-gum Heavenly Martial Ten Venerable Like-One Joyful Buddha
>Shaolin Temple Disciple: A-Du 参赛 확정 | Participation Confirmed
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Having heard the Matriarch's explanation, Baek Yang-hui barely managed to keep a straight face.
'This is ridiculous, just.'
So, a Heavenly Martial Ten Venerable had fallen for such a shallow provocation and was grinding her teeth over it?
'Still ridiculous no matter how I think about it...'
"Ugh!"
Baek Yang-hui's body was flung more than ten zhang.
He was standing on a cliff, at least a hundred zhang above the ground.
'This feels familiar. The first time we met, you tossed me straight off a cliff without warning.'
Unlike that time, he couldn't even drive his sword into the cliff face to slow his fall.
"Young hero. Tell me honestly what you were thinking, and I'll help you."
He turned his head to see the Matriarch falling at the same speed.
She had long since attained enlightenment in Void Grasping Step, so she could stop mid-air with Void Treading anytime.
"This is unfair!"
"Hm. Sounds like you're confident."
"......"
In truth, he didn't really need help.
Even a peak realm martial artist would die falling from a hundred zhang.
But with Vessel Thousand Steps and Endless Cycles.
The moment he landed, he dispersed the impact in all directions.
The principle of Flower Absorbing Wood and Four-Two-Ones-Thousand-Pounds.
His robes fluttered wildly from the erupting energy.
"Impressive lightness skill attainment. I thought at least one bone would break."
"Thank you for the praise, Master."
Satisfaction showed on the Matriarch's face.
"Depending on your progress, I'll give you intensive guidance for a few months at shortest, a year at longest. As your disciple, I'll do my utmost to meet your expectations."
"Master, I have something to say."
"I'll hear it."
"I'm sorry, but I have much to do back home."
"That's fine."
"Pardon?"
That doesn't sound fine at all?
"Just because there's much to do doesn't mean you have to handle it all yourself."
"Master, please hear me out..."
The Matriarch cut him off.
"That Baek Mu-ryang child is quite clever. Here, a letter."
Baek Yang-hui took the letter she offered and read it.
To summarize, it said this:
Preparations for the Zhao Alliance crossing were already underway. Father would handle affairs in his absence.
Focus on innovating your martial arts under your master's guidance.
'How... did he know?'
He hadn't mentioned that his decade-long goal was the Yangtze River Zhao Alliance crossing.
He had planned to discuss it upon returning with Jin Dal-bong.
"Talented people like you often fall into such traps."
Baek Yang-hui fell silent and looked at the Matriarch.
A swell of pride rose within him.
"You are right, Master. Thank you for your teachings."
He wasn't leading the Baek Clan alone.
They were advancing together.
'In a little more time, the clan might even carry me forward.'
A smile tugged at his lips unbidden.
Since it had come to this, it was time for serious training after a long while.
"Master! Your disciple is ready!"
"Good attitude. Shall we begin training right away?"
"One question first. You mentioned an opponent I could beat. May I know who?"
The Matriarch's answer was utterly unexpected.
"Wudang's Hyun-gum."
"Hyun-gum? Of Wudang?"
A name he'd never heard. The rude face from the Sword King Tournament came to mind.
Wasn't Hyun-hyun the one who became Wudang's top swordsman later?
"Hyun-hyun? Who's that?"
"I know the most outstanding of Wudang's current generation disciples is Hyun-hyun."
"Ah. A misunderstanding. He's the previous generation's."
"What?!"
Typically, disciples were taken between twenty and thirty years old, and Wudang's generations cycled every four.
"That means a hundred years ago. The Dragon-Phoenix Tournament age limit is thirty-six, as I recall. And if he's previous generation current, isn't he the same as the current Wudang sect leader's master?"
'The disciple of the sect leader's master's master—what's he doing in the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament?'
"Exactly. Disciple of Wudang's founding patriarch. You could call him the grand-disciple of the famous Jang Sam-bong."
Why hadn't such a person made a name in his previous life?
Thinking back, Hyun-hyun had seemed naive and immature for Wudang's future top swordsman.
The saying "outstanding among wanderers" wasn't for nothing. Superior to his peers, but for Wudang's top sword? A bit lacking.
"By chance, is this Hyun-gum obsessed with the sword, annoyed by worldly affairs, or something?"
"How did you know?"
'Ah, no way. Perhaps in my previous life, Hyun-hyun's fame had Hyun-gum behind it.'
That was when it happened.
-Kieeeek!
A hawk's cry echoed from afar.
Soon, a pure white hawk appeared and landed beside Baek Yang-hui.
"Won-u."
Growing bored, he had sent it hunting shortly before arriving home.
When his presence faded during the kidnapping, it had followed the spiritual bond connecting them.
But the Matriarch's reaction was strange.
"That bird... don't tell me...?"
"Master, do you know Won-u?"
Won-u was presumed to be a spirit beast raised by Sword Immortal Yeo Dong-bin.
As the leader of the Sacred Sound Jade Spirit Gate, which cultivated the Immortal Way, she might know ancient lore passed down.