I Became the Genius Mage of the Martial Academy

Chapter 144 : The Best Sword in Shaanxi (4)

The lone remaining Blood Fiend struggled to the end, but it couldn't withstand the combined attack of one Transformation master and two super-peak masters.

In the end, with the last Blood Fiend falling, the situation was concluded.

‘Subjugation failed, huh.’

I clicked my tongue, looking at the Blood Fiend that had collapsed, vomiting blood.

In the midst of suppressing its blood points, the creature had committed suicide by spewing blood, so in the end, we couldn't obtain any useful information.

However, there was one gain.

“Thank you! If it weren’t for you, we would have lost the White Plum Blossom.”

It was putting the Huashan Sect’s head, Un Seong-mun, in our debt.

He, who had heard the whole story, let out a cry of admiration.

“To think you would even defy the orders of your superiors and rush over for us!”

He then held out tokens of gratitude to me and Baek Hasin.

“The Huashan Sect will always move to repay your kindness.”

A token of gratitude from the sect head, no less. It was a precious item that could be used for most requests.

If we had been just a little late, they would have lost the Huashan Sect’s divine object, the White Plum Blossom, so it was an appropriate treatment.

It was a kind of reward for us, who had stepped forward first and saved them from a crisis.

Of course, there were other ulterior motives as well.

“Master Zhuge Cheonwu and Master Baek Hasin, it feels like just yesterday that I heard about you both from Baek Cheong. I’m surprised to see how strong you’ve become in such a short time. It seems the future number one under the heavens will come from one of you two. Haha!”

It was a friendly relationship with the rising stars who would lead the martial world in the future.

In the Central Plains, a day of crisis comes to everyone at least once. The more you help each other in difficult times, the deeper the relationship becomes.

The token of gratitude serves as a major link at such times. In other words, it was a way for both sides to win.

I took the token of gratitude and asked.

“By any chance, what do you think is the reason they were after the White Plum Blossom?”

We were in a position where we had to chase Zhuge Ryu-hun now. But since we had no information, we had no choice but to guess based on his intentions.

“Well, although it is said that the understanding of our founding ancestor is contained in the White Plum Blossom, I don’t think there’s a reason for those who practice blood arts to be after it.”

“If you’ll excuse me, are there any other effects of the White Plum Blossom?”

I asked further. Un Seong-mun thought for a moment and then answered.

“Hmm, I know that it has a mysterious power that keeps evil things away.”

A superstition that a normal divine object might have. However, at the sect head’s words, a certain scheme flashed through my mind.

“To figure out Zhuge Ryu-hun’s destination, may I examine the divine object? Just a touch of the fingertips will be enough.”

“…Originally, a divine object is not something to be touched carelessly, but I will allow it if you specially become a lay disciple. I heard you are practicing the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art.”

From the Huashan Sect’s perspective, it was not a bad proposal, as they could call a super-master who had reached the super-peak level before the age of twenty a disciple of the Huashan Sect.

“I am already a disciple of the Wudang Sect’s elders Maeng Dong and Maeng Ha, as well as a disciple of the Hundred-Weapon-Demon Mi Tae-eul and the King of Insects Go Du-gyeong. Will that be alright?”

“Hmm, you have many masters. It wouldn’t be bad to have the Huashan Sect there as well.”

Fortunately, he didn't seem to mind. Since it was a disciple in name only.

“By any chance, can this guy be one too? A lay disciple?”

“Me?”

At the same time, I dragged Baek Hasin in. Since it would be good to secure a connection at a time like this if he wanted to have some power in the Baek family.

“Of course!”

The sect head nodded, and Baek Hasin paid his respects with a reluctant expression.

While things were going smoothly, I casually asked an important point.

“Then, will it be alright for us to be directly under the sect head?”

“Ahem! Then the lineage gets tangled…. Originally, martial arts should be learned from the strong. I am also strong, but if possible, it’s better to become a disciple of the strongest in the Huashan Sect, no, the best sword in Shaanxi! Isn’t that right?”

At the sect head’s words, a person I expected came to mind.

The existence closest to the title of the best sword in Shaanxi among the currently existing martial artists.

“The leader of the Plum Blossom Sword Unit, Cheong Ah-hyun, that child will be your master. What do you think? Both of you?”

Un Seong-mun said with a bright smile. For someone passing the buck to a subordinate, it was a gentle smile.

‘It’s not that bad.’

Cheong Ah-hyun was a top-tier master even among the Transformation masters. Becoming her direct disciple was extremely difficult, and there was only one in the Huashan Sect, which was overflowing with talent.

Not to mention, there had been no lay disciples until now.

For reference, her only disciple was Baek Cheong.

“I’ll do it.”

“Me too.”

And so, both Baek Hasin and I decided to become lay disciples of the Huashan Sect and examined the White Plum Blossom.

If my thoughts were correct, there should be a special function that only a divine object possessed.

“Raise your demonic qi.”

Following the instruction, Baek Hasin raised his demonic arts. As the shimmering black energy surrounded the White Plum Blossom, Un Seong-mun shot up from his seat.

“Wh-what are you doing?!”

Just then, the White Plum Blossom vibrated faintly and then emitted a white light, scattering the demonic qi.

“Huh?!”

Un Seong-mun, as if seeing such a scene for the first time, froze in his rushing posture and stared at the White Plum Blossom.

It was understandable, as who would have dared to spray demonic qi on the divine object of the Huashan Sect for the past hundreds of years?

“You said the origin of the White Plum Blossom was the founding ancestor, right?”

“That’s right.”

It was said that the White Plum Blossom was what was left after the body of the founding ancestor who had created the Zixia Sword Art had burned itself and scattered like plum blossoms when he ascended to immortality.

A kind of Buddhist sarira.

‘That much powerful energy is imbued in it. If Zhuge Ryu-hun was after that, it makes sense.’

The power to purify evil. On top of that, the appearance of the plum blossom, which looked like a horn.

“I think I know what Zhuge Ryu-hun was after.”

“What? What is it?”

At those words, Gu Ja-beom, who had been just listening until now, showed a reaction. The others also looked at me with curious expressions.

After organizing my thoughts, I slowly opened my mouth.

“He is trying to control a demonic beast.”

A demonic beast is a deformed monster that is created when a being that was originally a divine beast becomes corrupted.

It is said that its power is comparable to that of a decent Transformation master.

“Right now, the Blood Cult doesn’t have many means to increase its forces. Because they have lost both the Blood Fiend and its infrastructure.”

Above all, a demonic beast lives somewhere in the rugged mountain range of southeastern Shaanxi. A monster that has not been subjugated for hundreds of years because it is so elusive and powerful.

Although it was an existence that would lose its head even if it was a super-master if it rushed in recklessly, I had a thought that Zhuge Ryu-hun would handle the demonic beast by mobilizing some means.

‘Besides, there was a demonic beast attack during the war in the original story.’

That was why I had inferred with conviction from just the White Plum Blossom.

Come to think of it, the only existence at this point who could control a demonic beast that would not come down to a place with human traffic unless it was a decent reason was about Zhuge Ryu-hun.

“It’s not without reason.”

Gu Ja-beom thought for a moment and then answered.

If it wasn't for that reason, it was hard to explain why he had come all the way to Shaanxi and participated in the war while being chased.

“Then how will you find the demonic beast?”

Baek Hasin's question that followed. Since I had never caught a demonic beast in the original story, it was difficult to find the exact location, but I could suggest a direction.

“If Zhuge Ryu-hun can’t control the demonic beast, he’ll be eaten. Then what if he can control the demonic beast?”

“He’ll hide it for the revival of the Blood Cult later…”

“A demonic beast?”

To hide that huge body, he would have to go into hiding in a remote area together.

“Moreover, even if he can control it, he won’t be able to do it for long. Even the King of Insects only borrows the power of a spiritual beast for a while.”

Exercising a coercive force is a very difficult thing. It's difficult to cast a hallucination on a person of a low level.

Let alone subjugating a demonic beast that is comparable to a Transformation master?

Even if that was possible, it would only be for a moment, and it was impossible to command it for a long period of time.

“Then what would be the best stage to utilize the demonic beast for that short period of time?”

“…War.”

At Baek Hasin's answer, silence fell on the area.

Of course, it was a deduction that fit the content of the original story, but it was a plausible conclusion.

‘However, if this hypothesis is correct, it means Zhuge Ryu-hun had expected a war to break out between the orthodox faction alliance and the Heretic Alliance from the beginning. What is this uneasy feeling?’

As I was contemplating alone, I heard a voice from the side.

“Certainly, what we can infer now is about that much.”

With Gu Ja-beom's agreement, the discussion was concluded.

The White Plum Blossom had also purified all the surrounding demonic qi. To get rid of any possible remnants of demonic qi, I fanned the area with my mana.

Just then, my fingertips touched the White Plum Blossom.

Tuk-

At that moment, the flowers and branches of the White Plum Blossom seemed to bloom for an instant, and then an image flashed through my mind.

A scene where plum blossoms, so full that it was breathtaking, were in full bloom.

After the scene where countless patterns of patterns bloomed endlessly like a kaleidoscope and then scattered, I came out of my thoughts.

‘What was that?’

A short moment that didn't even last a few seconds. But the feeling after passing that moment was different from before.

A feeling as if I had gained an understanding beyond my subconscious.

‘Don’t tell me?’

Among the many strategies in the original story, it was said that if Baek Hasin took the Huashan Sect route instead of the demonic arts, there was a fortuitous encounter he could obtain.

‘Was that it?’

Since it was a divine object, I had asked if I could touch it, thinking there might be a buff like in a game, but it was the right answer.

It seemed to be an experience similar to a fortuitous encounter that comes to a talented person who has mastered the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art to the extreme.

“What’s wrong?”

Just then, Un Seong-mun asked from behind. It seemed he had never had such an experience.

“It’s nothing.”

I clenched and unclenched my hand for a moment, readjusted my senses, and then left the treasure vault of the Huashan Sect.

The legend that all the understanding of the Huashan Sect's martial arts was contained in the White Plum Blossom was not an exaggeration.

Because the lingering thoughts and enlightenment of the founding ancestor still remained.

***

A few days later, after taking the time to treat the injured, we left the main gate of the Huashan Sect.

“Farewell. Huashan will always welcome you.”

“Yes, Sect Head.”

Baek Hasin and I bowed to Un Seong-mun and then turned around.

In the meantime, the Huashan Sect had also stabilized by calling in its external disciples, so it was okay to leave.

And so, we parted with the Huashan Sect and moved on.

The place we were heading for was Zhongnan Mountain, located in the southern part of Shaanxi, the main base of the Zhongnan Sect.

Because the final battle between the orthodox faction alliance and the Heretic Alliance was scheduled to take place there.

It was specific information thanks to exchanging messages with the alliance via carrier pigeon for several days.

Of course, there was a possibility that Zhuge Ryu-hun would not appear, but in a situation where Shaanxi could collapse, we couldn't just be cautious.

Because this war had already grown too big to be reversed.

Shaanxi was a major region bordering Hubei. For the sake of the Martial Academy's well-being, we had to prevent the Heretic Alliance from taking control.

As we were running for a while, practicing our footwork, I suddenly saw a familiar terrain and shouted at the procession.

“Wait a minute! I’ll stop by the blacksmith’s shop here for a moment and then join you.”

“…Return quickly.”

As if he had half given up, Gu Ja-beom nodded his head, staring at the front.

With those words, I left the procession and ran at full speed.

The sword I was currently using was a sword I had bought at a decent price from a workshop here. To survive the upcoming war, I needed a slightly better sword.

And so, the place I headed for was the blacksmith's shop where Song Jin-geun was.

“I’ve come to pick up my sword!”

I immediately rushed into the workshop and opened the door.

“You’re finally here.”

Song Jin-geun greeted me with a gaunt face. Although his complexion was dark as if he had stayed up all night for the past few days, his two eyes were as sharp as those of a veteran artist.

“Wait a moment.”

He, who had gone into his safe and come out, held out a sword in a black scabbard to me.

“It’s my masterpiece. To think I could make something like this in my later years. I can only thank you.”

I took the Demon-Seeking Sword and drew it.

Sreung-

A smooth and elegant drawing sensation that was so smooth that even the senses of a super-peak level could not feel any hindrance.

At the same time, a sharp purple sword body that seemed to draw you in revealed itself.

“It’s a considerable item.”

As soon as I drew it, I felt a tremendous demonic qi. A cutting power that seemed to cut down everything that stood in its way was conveyed from its momentum.

“That’s right. Was it called the Demon-Seeking Sword? It’s an honor to be able to reproduce, no, recreate that legendary famous sword.”

“No, I am the one who is grateful.”

“But forget that name now. A sword is over the moment it is broken. Now that it has been reborn, the name of that sword is the Demon-Slaying Sword.”

A sword that took my title of Great Mage, left the ‘ma’ (demon) at the end, and attached ‘myeol’ (slay) in front.

He said he had named it the Demon-Slaying Sword because it was a sword made to slay demons.

“It’s appropriate.”

I put the Demon-Slaying Sword on my waist with an honest impression.

With this, I was about to turn around after calculating the amount that was originally estimated, but Song Jin-geun held out an additional bill.

“It’s an additional cost. Because the ten thousand year old cold iron was insufficient.”

‘Damn Shaolin Temple. Like an old geezer.’

The cost was more enormous than I thought. It was to the point where the amount I had earned here and there in the name of a bounty until now was insufficient.

“Do you also take the sword I used here?”

“Used ones don’t sell for much. Since it’s my item, I’ll give you a slightly generous price.”

“…Could you put the rest on the Zhuge family’s tab?”

“I will. Well, I don’t want to do this either, but originally, a sword is not something you just give away.”

And so, with Song Jin-geun's send-off, I headed for the battlefield with the Demon-Slaying Sword.

Although my appearance was shabby, my waist was heavy.

And so, half a day passed.

Finally, we, who had reached the basin plain terrain of the Qinling Mountains where Zhongnan Mountain belonged, faced the scene of thousands of martial artists entangled with each other and scattering blood.

A life-and-death struggle where both sides had clearly squeezed out their forces. The direction of the war surrounding Shaanxi Province would be decided here.

“We’re joining!”

With Gu Ja-beom's shout, the instructors, including me, rushed to the battlefield.

The all-out war between the orthodox faction alliance and the Heretic Alliance had begun.

(End of Chapter)