Invincible with Twin Swords

Chapter 41

Martial Alliance, Righteous Law Hall.

Gwak Yohong was receiving a report from the Patrol Unit leader with his usual frowning face.

"What happened?"

"Heavenly Conduit Sect is not handing over the information."

Although the Martial Alliance receives most of its information from Heavenly Conduit Sect, they cannot forcibly demand information that they refuse. This is a long-standing promise with Heavenly Conduit Sect.

From past experience, there were two cases where Heavenly Conduit Sect did not deliver the information requested by the Martial Alliance.

The first was when it was information that could put themselves in danger.

And the second was when they judged that it was information of enormous value in itself.

Since Jin Danyeong would not put Heavenly Conduit Sect in danger, it means it is the latter.

In the latter case, it mostly led to enormous incidents.

"You must have met Deputy Commander Peng, right? What did he say?"

"As you said, Hall Master, I leaked a little information about the Walking Corpse, Jin Danyeong, to the deputy commander of the Changtian Sword Unit, Peng Tianwei, and he immediately went to him and requested a duel."

Although he was at the bottom, Peng Tianwei was always proud of having his name on the List of Nameless Martial Artists at a young age.

And it was something to be proud of at that age.

Most martial artists could not get their name on the list even if they trained their whole lives.

Of course, it was possible because he was born into the Hebei Peng family and had received the marrow-cleansing and bone-washing from birth and had inherited the family's ultimate techniques, but honestly, there were countless martial artists who had gone through the same process and had not shown any prominence.

Peng Tianwei probably couldn't believe it even after hearing it.

To have his name on the top of the List of Nameless Martial Artists at an age similar to his own.

He must have wanted to confirm it. Whether he really possessed that level of martial prowess.

The face of Peng Tianwei, who must have run with a red face, came to mind.

"So was the duel held? How were his skills?"

"About that... Deputy Commander Peng has come to ask for your permission because of that."

"Why? What permission? He could have just had a quick clash before entering the alliance."

In fact, that's why I sent him.

"He agreed to the duel, but he made another suggestion."

"What suggestion?"

Haa! What is he thinking?

In fact, there were two reasons why I sent Peng Tianwei in advance.

The first reason was to confirm his true skills, and the second was to find out his intention for coming to the Martial Alliance.

Although he has a ridiculous nickname, according to Heavenly Conduit Sect's information, he is a person with skills that cannot be ignored. I also received a report that the people with him also did not seem ordinary.

Gwak Yohong's calculation was that he could prepare only if he could gauge what intention he had in coming to the Martial Alliance.

"About that, the Flying Heaven Sect is requesting a martial arts gathering..."

"A martial arts gathering?"

A martial arts gathering is a friendly duel between a sect and the Martial Alliance.

To be precise, it is a form where a small and medium-sized sect challenges the sword unit members of the Martial Alliance.

Small and weak sects in the countryside do not have the opportunity to have their skills verified.

If their skills are verified through a martial arts gathering, they can secure a place for their disciples in the Martial Alliance's sword unit.

Only when there are many disciples who have made contributions in the Martial Alliance can the name of the sect be known, and only then will disciples gather. It is a kind of virtuous cycle.

When the martial arts gathering was first announced twenty years ago, numerous sects from the Central Plains flocked.

In fact, among the sects cooped up in the corners of the countryside, there are many who think that they could not make a name for themselves because they did not have the opportunity.

That if they were given the opportunity, they could advance to the center of the martial world at any time.

A public opportunity was given to those who thought so.

Applications for participation poured in.

The result was different from what was expected.

There had been a total of twenty-four martial arts gatherings in twenty years, and the alliance had taken all the victories.

It was perhaps a natural thing.

Because it was always the Changtian Sword Unit that came forward in the martial arts gatherings of the Martial Alliance.

"When was the last martial arts gathering? If it is held, can Jin Danyeong participate? Is it against the rules for a sect leader to participate directly in a martial arts gathering?"

"The last one was the martial arts gathering with the Falling Star Sword Sect seven years ago. And the participation of the sect leader is not mentioned in the rules, so it is possible. In fact, there have been quite a few such cases."

After the Falling Star Sword Sect, which was called the hidden hegemon of Zhejiang, was defeated, no one applied. In fact, not many people even remember the martial arts gathering now.

"If it's a martial arts gathering, does the Changtian Sword Unit come forward?"

"It has been so until now."

Although there are several sword units in the Martial Alliance, the one with the best skills was always the Changtian Sword Unit.

Most of the Changtian Sword Unit members were from important sects or prestigious martial arts halls, and among them, there were quite a few next sect leaders of each sect.

The Changtian Sword Unit was a place they passed through to gain experience before inheriting a sect or a martial arts hall.

The reason why the Changtian Sword Unit always came forward in the martial arts gatherings was also because the influence of each sect, which wanted to show off the power of the prestigious righteous faction to the local weak sects, was at play.

"If there was some bad intention in visiting the Martial Alliance, he would have refused Deputy Commander Peng's request. Because he would have to hide his skills. But he is asking for a martial arts gathering instead..."

Gwak Yohong's face frowned even more.

He thought and thought with his deeply wrinkled brow, but he could not understand the intention.

In fact, it is a common thing for a small sect in a corner of the countryside to visit the Martial Alliance.

Although the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families held and shook the Martial Alliance, what supported its foundation were the thousands of nameless small and medium-sized sects.

The philosophy of the current alliance leader was that the meaning of the alliance's existence was to gain their trust, and Gwak Yohong was one of the people who agreed with this.

It would have been a visit he wouldn't have even cared about usually, but this person is someone Heavenly Conduit Sect is watching. It means there is something.

"I don't believe in 'gut feelings'. For people like us who have to work hard to make the alliance run well, a gut feeling is something you shouldn't believe. You must always judge only with certain information and data."

"I always keep that in mind."

"By the way. This person keeps touching my gut feeling."

"Does he look dangerous? Should I dig deeper into his background?"

"We have to keep watching, but this person doesn't feel dangerous. It's just a feeling that a big incident involving this person will break out in the future."

It also feels like my thoughts have been read.

The skills of this person and his companions have not yet been confirmed.

The intention of this sudden suggestion to request a martial arts gathering is also unknown.

Skills and intention. Both are hidden in the fog.

Then there is only one thing to do.

If you can't clear the fog, you have to make them come out of the fog.

"I'll talk to the Guest Reception Hall master in advance, so consult with him and prepare properly!"

"You mean the martial arts gathering?"

"The first martial arts gathering in seven years! With the Flying Heaven Sect leader participating directly."

If you hide your intention, I'll find it out.

I'll make a stage for you, so show me what you want!

* * *

"Will we be fighting the alliance's Changtian Sword Unit in the martial arts gathering?"

"Probably. The Changtian Sword Unit has come forward in all the martial arts gatherings so far.

"What do we get if we win?"

The person in front of me now had a troubled expression.

He seemed to be a person belonging to the Martial Alliance's Guest Reception Hall, and he had come all the way to this inn to explain that the martial arts gathering I had requested had been arranged.

But he must be dumbfounded that the side that had requested it was asking what they would get if they won.

"Ah! I heard that you were the one who requested it first."

"It's true that I requested it first, but we are also proceeding with the name of our sect on the line, so shouldn't we be careful?"

"Th-that's right. You should decide carefully. If the Flying Heaven Sect wins the martial arts gathering, you will not only get the enormous honor of the first victory in twenty years, but you will also have the opportunity to recommend your disciples to the Martial Alliance's sword unit in the future..."

"So what can the Martial Alliance give us? Not something invisible like honor or a position."

The Martial Alliance leader, the Taiji Divine Sword, Master Qinghua, spent most of his time on Wudang Mountain rather than in the alliance.

Thanks to that, the real power of the current Martial Alliance is the Righteous Law Hall's hall master, Gwak Yohong.

The fact that he sent Peng Tianwei to the inn in advance means that he is watching me.

The reason he brought up the duel is to gauge my skills.

What he is curious about are my skills and my intention for visiting the Martial Alliance. These two things.

The reason I suggested a public duel was to draw him out in front of my eyes.

So he took the bait of the martial arts gathering I suggested.

If this goes well, things might turn out well.

First of all, I have to take the initiative.

"Let's meet and talk first."

"Who?"

"The Righteous Law Hall master! And the Changtian Sword Unit commander who will be fighting us in the martial arts gathering!"

* * *

"So you're saying we're going to have a fight with the guys here? We just have to smash their heads?"

Deoksam was burning with fighting spirit, looking at the endless wall in front of the main gate of the Martial Alliance.

I need to teach Deoksam the definition of a duel again.

"Deoksam! We didn't come here to fight. No, we are going to fight, but we didn't come here to fight."

"Sometimes I don't know what you're saying, hyungnim. If we're going to fight, it's right that we came here to fight."

If he goes around spouting nonsense like that even after entering the alliance, we'll have to have an all-out war against the Martial Alliance before we fight the Demonic Cult.

I had no choice but to stick Dam Sook right next to Deoksam.

This is the only way to shut that mouth.

Because when Deoksam is with Dam Sook, he becomes a mute who has eaten honey and can't say anything.

In front of the main gate of the alliance, the martial artist from the Guest Reception Hall who had come to the inn before was waiting for us.

"I have been waiting. In fact, the Guest Reception Hall does not come out to meet everyone who comes to the alliance. Haha!"

So what?

Anyway, there are people who mistake their own ability and the authority of the place they belong to as their own.

"Anyway, I will guide you to the Guest Reception Hall first."

I didn't know I would be visiting the Martial Alliance again.

Huge buildings were located in the vast estate that seemed to have no end, and the sound of martial artists training could be heard from here and there.

It was still boasting an overwhelming majesty, just like in my memory.

Although I had been a member for a while as the commander of the Azure Blade Unit during the Azure Blade Unit days, I had no sense of belonging to the alliance even then. I had just joined with the common purpose of stopping the Demonic Cult.

In fact, even if the trash of the alliance had not betrayed me and the Azure Blade Unit then, the result would not have been much different.

Because the power of both sides was overwhelmingly tilted.

Perhaps I would have had my neck cut off heroically in some nameless place and remained as a handful of dirt.

Just because the result would have been the same doesn't mean I'm going to forgive them.

The spy of the Demonic Cult must have played a big role in the reason why the leaders of the alliance betrayed them.

Thanks to that, the Azure Blade Unit was annihilated after falling into the Demonic Cult's trap, and I also had my right arm cut off.

At that time, there were also young kids in the Azure Blade Unit who were not even twenty years old.

Fortunately, the Righteous Law Hall master, Gwak Yohong, whom I am going to meet now, is not a traitor.

Because I had heard the news that he had lost his life before my right arm was cut off.

This man probably insisted on fighting the Demonic Cult until the end and was perhaps betrayed before me.

He is a reliable person.

Although he was a stubborn person who only adhered to principles excessively, such stubbornness is not a flaw.

As always, there is no path as right as the principle.

"There are a total of twelve sword units in the Martial Alliance, and among them, the Changtian Sword Unit is the best in terms of the origin of its members and their skills. It will probably be a good experience for the disciples in the martial arts gathering that will not come again. A duel with masters is not an experience that comes often. Haha."

The person guiding us was chattering nonstop.

But no one was listening.

Deoksam and Dam Sook were busy looking at the overwhelming buildings they were seeing for the first time, and Parip hyungnim had a listless expression as if he had no interest, as always.

"Hyungnim! Have you been to the Martial Alliance?"

"I went once a few years ago. Trash is everywhere."

Well, if it's Parip hyungnim, he would have infiltrated not just the walls of the Martial Alliance but even the Heavenly Demon's quarters.

Whether it's possible is a separate matter.

Because he is a person who has to kill if there is a guy who needs to be killed.

"Miss Na, how do you feel about visiting the Martial Alliance for the first time?"

"Well. A place where people live is all the same, isn't it? By the way, I have something to ask."

"Ask me anything. I know every nook and cranny of the Martial Alliance. If you go behind the Guest Reception Hall we are going to now, there is a small pond with a great view..."

"Am I also a disciple of the Flying Heaven Sect?"

"Of course. You, Miss Na, are also visiting the Martial Alliance as a disciple of the Flying Heaven Sect. But why?"

"Then do I also get to participate in the martial arts gathering?"

A martial arts gathering? Na Yeryeong?

For the past month, Na Yeryeong has been practicing like crazy. She has been honing her swordsmanship, asking for help not only from me but also from Parip hyungnim.

She even got off the carriage and ran to follow us, saying she had to build up her stamina.

She had accumulated a certain amount of internal energy, and her natural martial talent was also on the good side, so honestly, she had grown beyond my expectations.

But that's it.

Just because she has grown quickly in a month doesn't mean she can win a duel against a martial artist who has been training for decades.

Perhaps a duel is more difficult for Na Yeryeong now than a real fight.

Because you can expect a stroke of luck in a real fight, but a duel reveals your skills as they are.

"I'll put your name on the participation list, but you'll probably be fifth, Miss Na, so you don't have to worry too much. Because we'll win everything before your turn comes. Haha."

I was thinking of using the victory of the martial arts gathering to meet Jong Ilmyeong, who is imprisoned in the thunder prison.

To do that, the conversation with Gwak Yohong, whom I will be meeting soon, has to go well.

Anyway, we have to win the martial arts gathering.

"If you can win everything anyway, please let me go first."

Huh? You wanted to go out?

I looked at Na Yeryeong's two eyes quietly.

It was not the look of a childish martial artist who was overconfident in her skills or wanted to show off.

"It's not that I can win. It's that I want to gain experience even once more. A confrontation with a master is not an experience that comes easily. That way, I won't hesitate in a real situation."

She is too engrossed in the future of herself that she has seen.

The Soul-Taking Divine Woman said that Na Yeryeong will play an important role in my future.

Na Yeryeong is worried that she will mess up that role.

"I don't know what the Soul-Taking Divine Woman has seen. But I believe that there must have been sufficient conviction in her words that you, Miss Na, have to be with me. You will play a very important role."

I don't know how much these words will relieve her burden.

But it was something I had to say someday.

"But not you alone, but all of us will be together. So I hope you don't try to carry the burden all by yourself."

Na Yeryeong looked at me without saying anything.

"When the martial arts gathering is held, I will make sure you can participate."

She smiled slightly.

"Instead, keep this in mind. That no one from our Flying Heaven Sect loses in a duel."

What's the big deal, I'll just make her win.

Since we're winning anyway, it's good to win with a clean sweep.

(End of Chapter)