Chapter 4
Fortuitous Encounter - 2
Hyeok Ryeon-woon awoke to a cold sensation on his neck. He immediately realized it was the sharp edge of a blade. Without moving a muscle, he spoke calmly.
"Who are you?"
"And who are you?"
He opened his eyes and saw a masked figure holding a sword to his throat. The stranger's voice, though quiet, was deep and powerful, carrying a chilling tone.
"I am Hyeok Ryeon-woon."
"What about the Blue Cloud Divine Sword?"
"The Blue Cloud Divine Sword? What do you mean?"
"Are you telling me you don't know Neung Bi-young?"
"Ah! Have you come to find Senior Neung Bi-young?"
"That's right."
"I have a secret technique with me, and I also have his last words."
The masked man reached into Hyeok Ryeon-woon's clothing, retrieved the secret manual, and then stepped back slightly, still keeping the sword pointed at him. Hyeok Ryeon-woon slowly began recounting everything that had happened.
After listening to the entire story, the masked figure spoke.
"It's astonishing that a master like the Blue Cloud Divine Sword could meet such a meaningless end. Did you only see him alone in the hut?"
"Yes."
"We sent five top-tier masters to investigate the Blood Sect, and only one… only one managed to get word back to us, and even that through an intermediary. I apologize for pointing my sword at you. Perhaps, if fate allows, we will meet again. But for your own safety, I suggest you keep this event to yourself. You only have one life, after all."
With those final words, the figure disappeared.
"Hoo…"
Once the stranger vanished, Hyeok Ryeon-woon let out a sigh of relief and began to think.
'He was truly a master, almost at the level of my teacher, if not more terrifying. I must inform my master of this immediately. Who would've thought I'd encounter such a remarkable fate? If I can just perfect the Blue Moon Sword Art, I too can rise to the level of an unparalleled master. But to complete the Blue Moon Sword Art, I need more internal energy… Well, time will solve that problem.'
Upon returning to his sect, he was met with a harsh reprimand from his master.
"It has been so long since I sent you on that errand, and you appear only now? This task was of great importance, which is why I entrusted it to you, but for the top disciple to show up like this... tsk, tsk."
"Don't scold him too much. Who knows what happened to him along the way?" said the master's wife.
"My apologies, Master, Madam. I have brought a letter from the head of the Taesan Sect. There is also something I must share with you both in private."
"Can't you say it here?"
"I'm afraid I cannot, Master."
"Very well, let's go to the inner room."
"Yes, Master."
Once inside, Hyeok Ryeon-woon began speaking.
"I experienced something strange on this trip. It's not just an ordinary occurrence..."
Hyeok Ryeon-woon's master listened with a grave expression until the end of the story, then responded.
"This is truly a remarkable turn of events. Information regarding the Blood Sect is incredibly valuable. And to have obtained the Blue Moon Sword Art as well… You returned the manual, but did you memorize its contents?"
"Yes, Senior Neung Bi-young allowed me to look at the contents."
"Excellent. Our sect's reputation will rise with this technique. My dear, I will go to Shaolin Temple for a while. In the meantime, stay on alert and ensure all defenses are in place."
"Understood."
"And, Ryeon-woon."
"Yes, Master?"
"Until I return, record the Blue Moon Sword Art in full detail. Since the manual from the Cheongseong Sect has been lost, we will not be in any trouble for learning it."
"Understood, Master."
"Then, I shall take my leave."
"Safe travels, Master."
When Lee Moon-hak arrived at Shaolin Temple, a monk sweeping the courtyard greeted him.
"Welcome. Have you been well?"
"I've been at peace. How about you?"
"All is well. Shall I inform Monk Seoksan of your arrival?"
"There's no need. If he is not in the middle of meditation, I will visit him directly."
"Then please, follow me. This way."
They walked for some time until they reached a door.
"Monk Seoksan, the head of the Hwangryong Sect is here to see you."
From inside the room, a voice filled with joy was heard. "Let him in."
"Yes, please enter."
"Thank you."
As Lee Moon-hak entered the room, he respectfully greeted the monk who welcomed him with a bright expression.
"How have you been, Master?"
"It's been a while."
"I've come with something urgent to discuss."
"What matter is it?"
As Lee Moon-hak explained the situation, the monk, who had been listening intently, soon realized that this was beyond his ability to handle alone.
"This isn't something I can deal with by myself. I need to consult with the head monk. Follow me."
"Yes, Master."
"Forgive the trouble, but could you repeat what you told me earlier?"
"Of course."
After listening to the explanation once more, the head monk, Grandmaster Gongji, couldn't hide his surprise.
"Amitabha... This is startling news. Sect Leader Lee, you may not know this, but we've been aware of the movements of the Blood Sect for over ten years."
"For ten years?"
"Yes. However, the reason we haven't acted against them is that we couldn't locate their main stronghold. But now this has occurred... you said the undead army is about 30% complete?"
"Yes, the report mentioned that the undead army is about 30% complete, which would mean roughly 1,500 ghouls have been created so far. And the number will only increase as time passes. The most concerning issue is the new type of ghoul. It's said to possess at least three times the strength of an ordinary one."
Grandmaster Gongji paused to collect his thoughts before speaking again.
"Amitabha... This matter is beyond what I can handle alone. I believe we must gather the Martial Alliance and consult with the leaders of the various sects. Should we move against the Blood Sect, I hope you will lend us your aid."
"Although my abilities are limited, I will do what I can to assist."
"Thank you. However, while this opportunity may seem fortuitous, it could also be a trap."
"A trap?"
"I've never heard of a person named Neung Bi-young. If this is truly a place where they are manufacturing undead on such a large scale, their defenses would surely be formidable. Isn't it strange that you managed to escape after being discovered? Even a highly skilled martial artist would find it difficult."
Listening to the words from Grandmaster Gongji, the leader of the Hwangryong Sect suddenly fell silent. The two monks, noticing the deep contemplation on his face, patiently waited for him to gather his thoughts. After a long pause, the sect leader finally spoke, though with some difficulty.
"There is one fact I have been withholding."
Grandmaster Gongji smiled kindly. "Please, speak."
"Have you heard of the Cheongwol Sword Technique?"
Grandmaster Gongji let out a soft exclamation. "The Cheongwol Sword Technique! That is the treasured martial art of the Cheongseong Sect. How could I not know of it?"
"Remarkably, he was mastering the Cheongwol Sword Technique."
"Hmm... If he had truly mastered it, escaping from that hell would not have been impossible."
"Yes, according to my disciple, his final words were, 'If it weren't for the Death Corpse Poison, I wouldn't have ended up like this.' It seems that his four comrades also succumbed to the same poison."
Monk Seoksan flinched at the mention. "Death Corpse Poison?"
"Yes, Master. It's a byproduct of the accursed Asura Blood Corpse Demon Art. While speaking with my disciple, the man constantly vomited blood and poison. Before passing away, he handed over the Cheongwol Sword Technique manual, asking that news of his comrades and himself be relayed to his friend."
Grandmaster Gongji's curiosity was piqued. "So, is the manual now in Hwangryong Sect's possession?"
"No, we returned it to his friend. However, we allowed my disciple to read it, and he has memorized the entire content. Before coming here, I had him write down everything he remembered."
"But if the Cheongseong Sect finds out, they won't stay silent," Gongji said, concerned.
"That is precisely what I've been hesitant about."
After thinking for a while, Grandmaster Gongji made a suggestion. "Why don't you create a copy and give it to the Cheongseong Sect?"
Monk Seoksan, listening from the side, nodded in agreement. "The head monk's suggestion is sound. If you give them a copy, they likely won't cause any trouble."
"I had considered that, but the manual is so renowned that my greed got the better of me... I apologize, Master. I will do as you say. However, I ask for your help in mediating this matter."
"Why not? The Cheongseong Sect will likely be pleased. They'll receive a manual they thought was lost forever, without having to exert any effort to retrieve it."
"Thank you for your guidance, Master," the sect leader replied, now visibly relieved.
The One Who Runs, The One Who Flies, and the One Who Gets Trampled
The Murim Alliance.
Though called the Murim Alliance, it is not an exceptionally powerful faction. The Alliance has one leader, and various branches of renowned sects are present within it, with masters dispatched to each branch. However, the structure remains largely formal. The Alliance Leader's term lasts 10 years, with the possibility of reappointment. A disciple from one of the renowned sects who becomes the leader uses the masters within his family to guide the Murim. However, the leader doesn't wield significant power, as he cannot even mobilize the members of a single sect on his own authority.
The Murim Alliance was created with the intention of uniting the forces of the orthodox sects to oppose the rise of the unorthodox sects. They were cautious not to concentrate too much power in the hands of one individual, fearing that it could lead to undesirable outcomes.
Inside the small conference room of the Murim Alliance, a sign above the door read "Cheongryong Chamber." Only meetings requiring confidentiality were held here, while large gatherings took place in the Baekho Chamber. In this room, seated around a large square table, were the Alliance Leader, the heads of the Nine Sects and One Clan, the leaders of the Five Great Noble Families, and the heads of the Five New Rising Sects, which had been gaining considerable power recently.
Though these were the most influential figures in the current orthodox martial world, to someone unfamiliar with their identities, they would appear no older than their late twenties to late thirties, owing to their youthful appearances. Their mastery of immense inner energy was evident in their looks.
After carefully listening to the report from Monk Seoksan, they fell into deep thought. Breaking the prolonged silence, the current Murim Alliance Leader, the "Unrivaled Sword Emperor" Ok Cheonghak, spoke up.
"We knew the Asura Blood Sect was growing rampant, but it's only now, thanks to the Shaolin Sect Leader, that we understand the scale at which they've been building their forces. Does anyone have a good plan?"
Jeogal Gi, the head of the Jeogal family, renowned for their dominant presence, known as the "Overlord Sword of Heaven," offered his opinion.
"I believe a surprise attack would be the best course of action."
But Monk Gongji shook his head.
"Amitabha, no matter how sudden the attack, if we aim to strike a well-defended enemy camp that contains 1,500 Jiangshi (zombies), we must be prepared for considerable casualties."
Gong Sugul, the leader of the Northern Beggar Clan, who attended on behalf of the divided Beggar Clan, agreed.
"That's correct. In the last confrontation with the Blood Sect, even that formidable demonic sect lost 40% of its strength. We all know it took them over 30 years to recover."
Qinghe of Mount Dian Cang spoke with a hint of resignation.
"Boundless longevity... But there's no other good method aside from launching a preemptive strike…"
Next, Li Okyeon, the Plum Blossom Sword of the Namgung family, spoke. She was a tough yet cunning woman, leading the Namgung family and her young heir after her husband's death.
"In that case, why not make use of the Demonic Sect again? We can subtly leak some information to them. Given their old grudges, they'll be eager for a life-or-death battle with the Asura Blood Sect just like before."
Then, Okhwa Mujae Maehyangok of the Shadowless Sect objected.
"That will be difficult. First, we don't have time, and the Demonic Sect, having already tasted the bitterness of fighting Jiangshi (zombies) before, knows how tough it is. Moreover, the key masters of the Demonic Sect reside only within their main stronghold, making it extremely difficult to carry out any intelligence operations."
The Beggar Clan's leader, Gong Sugul, nodded in agreement. Despite her youthful appearance of someone in their twenties, Maehyangok was an enigmatic figure whose true age was much older, causing people to secretly refer to her as the "Nine-Tailed Fox." Her words carried weight, and no one dared dismiss her opinions.
"That's correct. The Ten Thousand Mountains are an impregnable fortress. For the Demonic Sect, it would be wise to wait and let the Murim Alliance and the Asura Blood Sect clash first. They have no reason to suffer losses by provoking the Asura Blood Sect prematurely."
Suddenly, as if remembering something, the Alliance Leader turned to Maehyangok and asked, "What about the plan we discussed before? Will the Asura Blood Sect attack the Demonic Sect first? Uniting the unorthodox factions would certainly be a tempting prize for them…"
"For some reason, it seems… that the Demonic Sect is conducting a counter-operation."
"A counter-operation?"
"Yes. Information about the strengths of the various renowned sects is leaking to the Asura Blood Sect. And it's very detailed information..."
"How is that possible? The Demonic Sect has always been an organization that values only strength! Are you sure there's no mistake?"
"No, there's no mistake. After their previous clash with the Blood Sect, they seem to have realized something. They've greatly expanded their intelligence network, and now it rivals even our Shadowless Sect. They're not to be underestimated."
The Alliance Leader sighed heavily.
"Hah… In that case, provoking a clash between the Demonic Sect and the Asura Blood Sect will be difficult."
Jangmunin Okhyangja of Cheongseong, with a despondent tone, chimed in.
"Boundless longevity… This is truly a troubling situation."
Zhang Lubaek, the head of Wudang, echoed the concern.
"This is indeed a grave matter. To take on the Asura Blood Sect, we need great strength, but aside from our Alliance, who else has power equal to that of the Demonic Sect?"
Jeogal Gi, the head of the Jeogal family, sighed in worry as well.
"That's true. But if we engage, who will keep the Demonic Sect in check?"
Suddenly, as if an idea had just struck her, Plum Blossom Sword Lee Okyeon, the head of the Namgung family, exclaimed.
"There is one other group with that level of power!"
Monk Gongji, curious, asked, "Amitabha… Who could that be?"
"The Imperial Court! The Imperial Court has that power."
However, Qinghe of Mount Dian Cang was skeptical of her words.
"Boundless longevity… Your suggestion seems somewhat contradictory. The Imperial Court has never interfered in the affairs of the martial world."
However, Maehyangok, the head of the Shadowless Sect and a master of intelligence, smiled slyly and cautiously agreed with Lee Okyeon, the Plum Blossom Sword.
"Plum Blossom Sword is probably right. These days, even a passing dog knows that the Imperial Court has been luring martial artists with the promise of the Imperial Court's martial arts. But the Imperial Court's intelligence network is still quite lackluster, making it easy to manipulate them."
"But why do you say the Imperial Court is weak in intelligence? They have groups like the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who are skilled in gathering information, do they not?"
"Heh, but those groups exist to protect against rebellion and safeguard the throne. They're ignorant of the martial world's matters. Look at how they've formed the Imperial Black Wind Brigade from martial artists, and where have they deployed them? They've only been cleaning up outlaws on the borders, which proves their limited scope."
The Alliance Leader agreed with Maehyangok's assessment.
"Indeed, it's true that the Imperial Black Wind Brigade is being used for tasks far beneath their strength. But how exactly do you propose we use them?"
"While the Imperial Court does not interfere in the martial world, they will stop at nothing to protect the throne. With some bribes to gain allies within the Imperial Court, we could spread rumors that the Asura Blood Sect is targeting the royal family. Alongside this, we'll leak 'evidence' claiming that 5,000 Jiangshi are being created at Daemang Mountain to annihilate the 100,000 royal troops and capture the capital."
Jeogal Gi, impressed with the plan, expressed his admiration while also raising a concern.
"That's quite an excellent idea. The Imperial Court would certainly deploy the Imperial Black Wind Brigade to wipe them out. But wouldn't the royal family also suffer significant losses in the process?"
"There's no need to worry about that. If we provide the Imperial Black Wind Brigade with detailed information about Daemang Mountain's defenses, they won't suffer major losses."
With the conversation nearing a conclusion, Jong Liyeongwoo, the leader of the Jong Family and known as the Dominating Blade, spoke up.
"Hah… It seems this matter is now settled. Speaking of the Imperial Black Wind Brigade, there's another problem. The Imperial Court has been increasingly pressuring us to send stronger disciples. This is becoming quite troublesome. We train our disciples for the sake of our sect, not for the Imperial Court."
Jeogal Gi nodded in agreement. He and Jong Liyeongwoo were close friends, to the point where their families were even discussing marriage alliances.
"That's right. Before, they were satisfied with second-rate disciples, but now they're demanding top-tier disciples, and it's becoming a real headache."
Zhang Lubaek, the head of Wudang, added, "We need to come up with a solution soon… Does the Alliance Leader have any suggestions?"
"There's not much I can do either," sighed the Alliance Leader. "Every day, they pester us for more outstanding disciples. They've already gathered 10,000, so what more do they need…?"
As the Alliance Leader lamented, Gong Sugul of the Beggar Clan also voiced his concerns.
"That's right. At this point, the power of the Imperial Black Wind Brigade rivals that of the Demonic Sect."
But Maehyangok disagreed with Gong Sugul's statement.
"No, they haven't reached that level yet."
Feeling slighted, Gong Sugul, who prided himself on being one of the top two intelligence leaders among the orthodox sects, protested.
"And on what grounds do you say that?"
"Although they've recruited many skilled martial artists and are training them with the Imperial Court's martial arts, they still don't match the power of the Demonic Sect."
"The Huang Palace Martial Arts Collection is a place where martial arts manuals gathered by the palace guards over five hundred years are stored! If one were to master those techniques, it would be like giving wings to a tiger... No matter how strong the Demon Sect is, how can they match the One Thousand Heroes of the Imperial Black Wind Brigade?"
"The Demon Sect has been developing numerous martial arts for over a thousand years. Recently, secret information has been obtained indicating that nearly a thousand new masters have been absorbed. These masters are likely those who have been nurtured in preparation for a confrontation with the Asura Blood Sect. They are talented individuals who were taught advanced martial arts from the very beginning, so while they may not be a threat now, in about ten years, when they reveal themselves, they will be a formidable force. The Demon Sect's martial arts can cultivate masters to a level that our prestigious orthodox sects cannot even imitate."
"However, I believe that even with an additional thousand members, it will be insufficient to stop them. Moreover, they are not yet completed masters, are they?"
"Where do you think the true power of the Demon Sect lies?"
"Surely it must be with the twenty thousand masters wielding powerful dark arts?"
"No. The most powerful strength of the Demon Sect lies in the council of retired giants. The council has at least five hundred former masters affiliated with it. In fact, their strength accounts for thirty percent of the entire power of the Demon Sect."
While they were discussing this, the Elder of the Wudang Sect, Jang No-baek, interjected.
"However, the masters of the council have never roamed the martial world, have they? This is the first time I've heard of the council."
"No, there was only one instance. In the past, the Divine Sword Hero, Gu Hwi, had no desire for martial unification, but his son, Gu Cheon, stirred up bloodshed in an attempt to unify the martial world using the martial arts left by Gu Hwi and the strength of the World's No. 1 Sect. It is well-known that he, who was once so formidable, suffered a great defeat at the hands of the Demon Sect in the Demon Region and was killed. However, few know that the reason the Demon Sect was able to defeat the World's No. 1 Sect at that time was due to the powerful masters of the council. In reality, without the council, the Demon Sect could not surpass the World's No. 1 Sect."
"Oh, then if we are to face the Demon Sect head-on, we must always consider that hidden thirty percent of power."
"No, that is not necessary. They are retired masters, and they only appear when the Demon Sect is on the verge of destruction. Therefore, we need not worry about seeing them when the Demon Sect attacks."
"That is indeed fortunate."
"It is because of that council that the thousand-year history of the Demon Sect has been preserved. No other organization can boast such immense power and a history of a thousand years, except for the Demon Sect."
"Thinking about it that way, it does make sense."
After listening to their conversation for a while, the leader finally spoke.
"Enough of the chit-chat. Will the female heroes set the traps in the Huang Palace?"
"Of course."
In the room of the Demon Sect leader, three people were gathered around a table with tea, chatting casually. On the table where the tea cups were placed, there was an old book and some simple snacks. The leader turned to the vice leader and said, "You've worked hard on this matter."
"It was nothing too difficult," replied the vice leader.
"Still, your acting skills were impressive. It can be said that your entry into the martial world has made it like losing an outstanding actor from the Central Plains."
The vice leader, Wang Ja-young, who smiled slightly at the leader's praise, seemed to be enjoying the attention, and the vice leader also couldn't hide a smile.
"Haha... What a compliment in front of the leader... Seeing that fellow pleased with the manual, even though he didn't express it outwardly, that look in his eyes was quite amusing. And when I emitted a killing intent while wearing a mask, he was trembling. That guy, being so cowardly, what will he do later..."
"However, perfectly acting as if slowly dying from internal and poison damage is no easy feat to fool a master's eyes. And when he set fire outside, he had to dig a hole and hide inside the hut. That fellow is quite a skilled master, so deceiving attention and hiding underground is no ordinary task."
"Ah, haha, it seems I'm being completely praised in front of the leader."
"Thanks to you, the Martial Alliance is now like a stirred beehive. I didn't expect the effects to be this good."
The leader expressed curiosity and asked, "How is the situation?"
"I've heard that the leaders of each sect have been urgently summoned."
"Thus, a blood storm is about to unfold."
"This is the greatest masterpiece created since the establishment of the Three Immortals Sect. They don't have much time, so they can't conduct a deep investigation. We paid quite a hefty price for the information we obtained, so it won't be easy for them to investigate either. Furthermore, the fact that they have gathered this time clearly indicates they are plotting to ensnare us in a trap. If we delay in questioning whether we might fall into their snare, more ghouls will be created... No matter how much we discuss this, it will become clear that the conclusion is simply an ambush."
"You've worked hard. And you too, you've done well." As the sect leader praised the two, the vice leader humbly responded.
"It's only what I should do. Please feel free to give me more tasks in the future."
"Assuming the righteous sects launch a surprise attack, what level of damage do you think we will incur?"
"I'm not sure, but given the current ghouls created, the formations there, and the outstanding masters stationed, if we manage to infiltrate, we should prepare for considerable losses."
"Have we not discovered any more locations where ghouls are being created?"
"No, we are currently cautiously inquiring about the possibility of kidnappings involving women or martial artists throughout the Central Plains, but we haven't found any substantial leads. The five places I mentioned before have been confirmed as human trafficking organizations after sending our masters to investigate."
"What happened to those organizations?"
"We skinned them alive, salted them, and then left them there."
"Haha, that must have been quite a sight."
"Hohoho... It was a scene too good to witness alone. Also, we are continuing our investigations."
"I heard a considerable number of women have been kidnapped lately, hasn't it? Is that also a human trafficking organization?"
"Yes! Unfortunately, it turned out to be a large-scale human trafficking ring. We tortured every captured member thoroughly to see if there was a connection to the Asura Blood Sect, but they had no relation. They all suppressed blood paths and were thrown into the desert to die. Since the battle occurred in a barren place like the desert, Elder Yeojin dispatched the Heavenly Demon Blood Sword Brigade, and according to Elder Yeojin, they had a dreadful experience crossing the desert. They struggled due to a lack of water, but fortunately, a band of robbers arrived, allowing them to obtain some water."
Upon hearing this, the vice leader was astonished. "What? You deployed the Heavenly Demon Blood Sword Brigade? Are you not overestimating the enemies? With just one hundred people combined with the Heavenly Blade King, their strength is said to reach the level of breaking the heavens, and even the former 'Heavens of the Evil Faction' could not withstand them. Dispatching them for a non-direct confrontation seems excessive. They could have perished in the desert, and it is a miracle they returned safely. So, did you adequately deal with that band of robbers?"
"Yes, we skinned them all alive and left them in the middle of the desert. Even letting them go alive is generous, right? Hohoho, even if they dried up under the sun later, it would be due to their own inability, not our fault."
Then, the sect leader chimed in, "If they were part of the Asura Blood Sect, we would have needed to engage in a full-scale confrontation with the forces we had already deployed, so don't be too displeased."
"Yes."
Wang Jayeong smiled brightly and cautiously asked the sect leader, "By the way, about the traps we've set this time, isn't it a bit excessive to use such elaborate bait for this purpose? I think just giving a single credible martial arts manual would have sufficed."
"No, if a master can break through that level of defense, then it would make sense to present them with a treasure like the Cheongwol Sword Technique."
"That's true. However, later on, there will be many who learn this despotic martial art, and that will be a significant issue. The power of the Cheongwol Sword Technique is tremendous, so we must prepare countermeasures against it."
The sect leader had a relaxed expression. "The Cheongwol Sword Technique is a sword art that has undergone extensive research within our sect. We have already developed an extreme version of that sword technique, so it was given to them. Recently, I have been working with the vice leader to create the Wall Demon Mixing Yuan Skill. This martial art is the pinnacle of the Cheongwol Sword Technique, so if they master just three stages, they can block the nine stages of the Cheongwol Sword Technique, and if they master around four stages, they can block the ten stages of the Cheongwol Sword Technique. The Wall Demon Mixing Yuan Skill is indeed a rather inconsequential martial art, but if one learns six stages or more, it can also block some other martial arts, making it primarily defensive."
The sect leader took out a book from his robe and handed it to Wang Jayeong, adding, "This will be kept in the Heavenly Demon Treasure later."
Elder Wang Jayeong received the book titled Cheongwol Sword Technique. "Yes."