novelraw Chapter 9 : Revenge of the Pitiful White Sword
Chapter 9 : Revenge of the Pitiful White Sword
Chapter 9: Revenge of the Pitiful White Sword
It was when the sun was high in the sky that I rose again. As soon as I woke up, Eungsam’s words suddenly came to mind, so I headed toward the back mountain where I had met the Trackless Divine Beggar yesterday.
I stood blankly and stared at the ground. Then, I kicked the earth for no reason, tilted my head, and spoke.
“Wow, does this make sense? Even for an expert who has reached the Profound Realm, blowing away this mountain should be impossible. Life and Death Realm? No, Natural Realm? Exactly what kind of bastards were clashing for this to happen?”
Could they really create such a strange phenomenon? As I said, it was impossible even for the Trackless Divine Beggar to create such a miracle. An expert of the Life and Death Realm?
‘What about Baek Cheon?’
Even for him, wouldn't it be impossible alone? In my previous life, Baek Cheon and I roamed the Jianghu at the edge of martial arts known as the Life and Death Realm.
Behind that, there were realms called the Natural Realm or the Mythic Realm, but in reality, they were close to wordplay. It was impossible even to confirm if those realms existed. Those said to have reached them were rare.
I scanned the craters dented here and there amidst the flat land with an eye art. Sun Moon Piercing Technique. It was a martial art linked to the Sun-Drenched Moonlight.
As I looked at the craters with the eye art, things I couldn't see before began to appear. A massive force of unleashed energy remained minutely, to the point where an ordinary martial artist wouldn't even recognize it.
Unleashing energy refers to a striking method using inner Qi. Depending on how one strikes, the power varies immensely. Ultimately, since it involves using inner Qi, traces are bound to remain.
I saw white sparks, like my Sword Qi, fluttering in the sky. That was likely the point where I clashed with Elder Hwa’s disciples. Though it had now become an empty void.
At the same time, the sight of countless black sparks and golden sparks tangling frantically across the sky was clearly etched into my eyes.
‘The energy of the Shadow Sword Technique and… hm? Shaolin’s Dragon Claw Hand?’
Wait, why is this here?
Shaolin is a Buddhist sect. They are bastards who stay cooped up in a place called Mount Song in the Henan region and rarely come out, so why was the martial arts of these monks here?
Moreover, the Dragon Claw Hand was one of the seventy two secret arts commonly called the Seventy Two Arts of Shaolin. Naturally, they are extremely reluctant to let their martial arts leak outside, even going so far as to sever the limb vessels and destroy the Lower Dantian of any disciple who leaves Shaolin.
‘Buddha’s mercy, my ass.’
Seriously, there are no normal people in this Jianghu.
In any case, collapsing a mountain was impossible even if the Abbot, the head of Shaolin, were to come. Although those often called peerless experts say they cut the sea and split mountains, it was impossible to make it completely flat land overnight like this.
In fact, the biggest problem was Baek Cheon’s trace. Ultimately, the presence of this trace meant that Baek Cheon had been around me continuously.
‘Does Baek Cheon possess the same military might from his previous life?’
Or did he have a master? However, I had never heard a story about a master from Baek Cheon. If so, I had to think it was Baek Cheon himself, but why did he follow me?
In the first place, unlike me who lost all my strength, why he maintained the military might of his previous life was also a mystery.
At any rate, it seemed I should visit Shaolin sometime later. I didn't remember if there was a predecessor expert who could match Baek Cheon, but I had to check, shouldn't I?
‘He’s likely tied to the mountain because of the supernatural beings aiming for the Shaolin Temple anyway.’
As I say over and over again, I am not suited for mental work at all.
‘If only Baek Seolhyang were here, things would have been much easier.’
Unfortunately, the Great Strategist who was active during the war, the Cult Leader of the Sun Moon Divine Cult, had no connection with the current me.
In the first place, it was true that the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, who was ostracized even by the Imperial Court, should not have a connection with me.
Recalling the red eyes stained with madness, I reflexively closed my eyes tightly.
‘It’s more comfortable not to be involved. I learned from long ago, it’s best to avoid a crazy woman. Though they are of a lower grade, there are places like the Zhuge Clan, so there’s no need to meet a pseudo cult leader or the like.’
When I opened my tightly closed eyes, I saw grizzled white hair. It was a scene of someone walking noisily with all sorts of beggars, and no matter how I looked at it from the front, back, or while doing a somersault, it was Elder Hwa.
Elder Hwa’s eyebrows twitched as he looked into my eyes reflecting the moonlight.
Since all his disciples had disappeared after going to catch me, his fury toward me must be enormous. However, though there was suspicion, there was no physical evidence. Since the mountain had become like this, the bodies themselves must have evaporated.
Elder Hwa, who slowly approached me, spoke with a smile.
“Ah, what brings Successor here? I didn't expect to see you in a place like this. Do you have some business here?”
Approaching with a smile. He must be rotting away inside, yet he’s acting even in the midst of this? I truly felt a laugh coming at Elder Hwa’s behavior, so I smiled at him, showing my teeth.
“Has it been two days? I’ve seen you often lately. I heard the neighborhood back mountain collapsed and I just couldn't contain my curiosity. I’m not the type to use petty tricks like someone I know.”
“Do you not intend to show some courtesy?”
“Courtesy? That’s all well and good. But I am an uneducated person. How much would a beggar know about propriety and laws? Let’s be the Blue Clothing Faction, beggars who follow profit and chase money? Where in the world is a beggar who hates money? If you chase money instead of giving up martial arts, what happens to the chivalry that the predecessors of the Beggar Sect shouted so loudly for. Elder Hwa, you are nothing but a merchant, not a beggar. Do you understand?”
After suddenly pouring out those words, I caught my breath for a moment. Along with the brief silence, the sound of the blowing wind brushed coldly against my ear.
The beggars stared at me blankly, and others rebuked me with gazes asking what kind of reckless remark that was. Elder Hwa’s faction was still intact.
In the desolate silence, Elder Hwa, who had been twitching his lips for a moment, finally spoke.
“Successor’s mouth opens at such unexpected moments that it even flusters this old beggar. It is as if you are suffering from madness. It seems you ought to receive treatment at the Medical Hall of this sect…”
“Quiet! I am not finished yet. You old bastard.”
I stomped on the dirt floor with a 'thud!' I felt people's gazes gathering in abundance. Actually, it was something I intended to delay a bit more, but it seemed it wouldn't matter if I executed it right now.
I was going to bring Elder Hwa down immediately. By the authority of the acting Chief I received a long time ago.
Hoping that the grace I received would be repaid even a little by this.
“By the authority of the acting Chief, I declare here at this spot. Among the nine elders of the Beggar Sect, the Dragon, Tiger, Wind, and Clouds, and the Fire, Water, Wood, Gold, and Earth, I hereby carry out the excommunication of Elder Hwa.”
No sooner had I finished my words than a roar mixed with Elder Hwa’s inner Qi was heard along with the sound of teeth grinding.
“Successor! You crazy bastard. What do you think you’re doing!”
People gathered more and more. It was actually better. The ledger I brought from the gambling house was full of Elder Hwa’s corruption. Why did a Martial God like me return to the past?
As I say again, I don't know. Do I need to know?
“Elder Hwa. Name, Hong Chosam. Title in the Jianghu, White Robed Beggar. Bribery, the private use of sect members to murder innocent people, conspiring with the Heaven Killing Sect and the Heart Poison Sky to kill the Spring Willow Swordsman… damn, why are there so many? Possessing over twenty charges including these! Does the culprit admit to this?”
As I took the ledger from my robe and waved it, I saw Hong Chosam wearing a hollow laugh. Elder Un must not have told Hong Chosam about the fact that he handed over the ledger.
I glared at the beggar among the crowd who was scratching his head while holding a club. When he met my eyes, he let out a deep sigh and spoke.
“Elder Su, the Hall Master of the Iron Law, joins the opinion of the acting Chief! Is that enough, Successor?”
Elder Su spoke like that and gave a hearty laugh. The one who coordinates the laws within the Beggar Sect and transports criminals. It wasn't something I had coordinated with him beforehand.
In the first place, the reason I caused such an incident in a place where people gathered was to centralize the elders scattered throughout Beijing.
Beggars are quick witted. There was no one here who didn't know that the figure called Hong Chosam was about to fall.
Once again, an old man wearing an old iron helmet that looked like it belonged on a battlefield raised his hand and spoke.
“An old man leading the riffraff known as the Dragon Descending Battle Army. I, Elder Yong, will actively support the opinion of the acting Chief.”
The Dragon Descending Battle Army. The number one military group in the Beggar Sect. He was also the head of the Dirty Clothes Faction. Naturally, he would be on bad terms with Elder Hwa.
I gave a small nod to express my gratitude to him and immediately stared at Hong Chosam.
Hong Chosam, who glared at me while emitting a brutal momentum from both arms. It was as if a golden dragon were roaring toward me.
‘Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms.’
The martial art exclusive to the Chief of the Beggar Sect. The Chief, realizing he was poisoned, passed it down to all the elders in case of an emergency.
To think he would use it like this? It wasn't particularly unexpected.
The pole on Hong Chosam’s back tilted slightly backward.
As soon as I blinked for a moment, he rushed toward me like a bolt of light.
Hong Chosam’s palm struck upward at my jaw.
I easily parried it with my protective Qi, regained my balance, and parried the following series of attacks from Hong Chosam by immediately drawing my sword.
A 'clang' sound hit my ears for a moment, and then the pole on Hong Chosam’s back was instantly pulled out and slammed down as if to split my head in two.
It was also at the same time that dozens of shadows unleashed by Hong Chosam’s Thousand Flower Pole Technique dizzied my eyes, but I struck Hong Chosam’s pole accurately with the Moonlight Flash of the Fast Sword Form.
Along with that, I erased Elder Hwa’s pole shadows with the Star Moon Sword Qi, the so-called starlight scattered when unleashing the sword.
Only then did Hong Chosam retreat. Then, he looked around and began to laugh like a madman, which was not a very pleasant sight.
“Heh, hahaha, don't laugh. You sons of bitches. I'll tear the limbs of anyone who laughs and give them to the dogs for food.”
“No one was laughing at you. Hong Chosam. Look straight at your surroundings.”
“Then why is the Successor smiling? The world is laughing at me. Even the sky sneers at me, so there is nowhere to rest my heart.”
I touched my lips for a moment. My expression had been stiff from start to finish. Even so, he was an elder of the Beggar Sect, and seeing him like that didn't make me feel particularly good.
The old iron sword in my palm emitted a sword cry with a 'wooom' sound. Suddenly missing the bone chilling voice of the White Sword, I began to dance while waving my sword.
“Successor, what are you doing now?”
Using Hong Chosam’s voice as an accompaniment, I performed a sword dance along with the Star Moon Sword Qi.
This was also a swordsman's faint tears sent to his beloved sword. Thinking about it, not only Hong Chosam but I too was caught in an Inner Demon.
Suddenly stopping the sword dance, I pointed my sword at Elder Hwa and spoke.
“You son of a bitch. I will get revenge for the pitiful White Sword.”