Sword God Reborn

Chapter 136 : I raised him with my heart.

Two emotions came to Jeok Wangyu's mind.

The first was a terrible tension.

'What is this...'

The moment Cheon Mubaeck's sword was half-drawn from its scabbard, he felt a suffocating pressure.

The second emotion was...

"Don't stop me, Neung-heo. I've been patient for a long time."

"Lord, your patience is growing by the day, isn't it? If I think back to when we first met, that guy's left arm would have been cut off when he kicked open the door."

"Why the left arm, specifically?"

"Hehe, you know why you're asking."

"My patience has doubled because of you."

"So there are times when I'm helpful. Lord, when living in the martial world, there's nothing more important than patience."

Jeok Wangyu's emotion was bewilderment.

He had drawn his sword as if he was about to fight at any moment, and yet he was just chatting with the old man next to him.

Moreover, the content was ridiculous.

An attitude as if he didn't care about him at all in this place.

Jeok Wangyu's face turned red, feeling ignored.

"Still, I'm proud that my patience seems to have grown thanks to you."

"Proud, my ass."

"If it weren't for me, that burly lump of muscle over there would have already crossed the Sanzu River."

Jeok Wangyu's mind was in chaos.

'Lump of muscle? Sanzu River?'

When had he ever heard such words?

In Wudang, even the great and powerful Venerable Jincheong could not treat him carelessly.

He was the sword and shield that protected Wudang, and wasn't he the third-in-command of the Red Scarf Society, the only martial force in Wudang?

And yet, it wasn't the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero, whose fame was renowned through false rumors, but the fool next to him who was mocking him.

"Are you done talking now?"

Jeok Wangyu shouted.

As if there was a reason for his confidence, the internal energy contained in his voice was unusual.

Zhuge Seola's eyebrows, who had been blankly watching the banter between Cheon Mubaeck and Neung-heo, twitched.

'Even if he fights, he won't lose, but it will be a headache if he turns him into an enemy before the investigation even begins.'

From the looks of it, the status of the Red Scarf Society within Wudang seemed to be greater than what was seen from the outside.

'The right to inspect outsiders.'

At first, she thought he was just being stubborn, but it wasn't. Venerable Jincheong, an elder, could not refute such an arrogant statement.

It must have been a last resort when Wudang had fallen 40 years ago.

The real problem was that if they had that much authority, they would have other authority as well.

'I don't know yet.'

She was not convinced that the Red Scarf Society was the culprit unless she saw it with her own two eyes.

She kept all possibilities open.

Not only to treat the Bidara, but also to track the Blood Demon Valley from the Zhuge Clan's perspective, more investigation was needed.

What if the Red Scarf Society, which had that much authority, openly continued to interfere?

Of course, she didn't like Jeok Wangyu's actions either.

But she needed to maintain her composure.

"The Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero here has come at the request of Wudang, along with the Zhuge Clan. Should I take that to mean that the Red Scarf Society suspects the Zhuge Clan?"

"...!"

At Zhuge Seola's sharp words, Jeok Wangyu was noticeably flustered.

"The proper procedures have already been followed by Venerable Jincheong here. Since he, an elder of Wudang, has verified our identities, wouldn't it be better for the Red Scarf Society to consider that their authority has not been infringed upon and that things have proceeded with flexibility?"

Since it was the right thing to say, Jeok Wangyu took a step back with an inwardly grave expression.

But his heart was complicated.

'The Taoist Faction guys have brought in not only the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero but also the Zhuge Clan?'

No matter how much he thought about it, he had no choice but to think so.

'They're determined to pin everything that happened to the former sect leader on our Red Scarf Society and really cast us out!'

Thinking so, Jeok Wangyu pondered how to overcome this situation.

"I understand well that you have come according to Wudang's opinion. But I cannot easily understand seeing the former sect leader."

Venerable Jincheong's face became grave.

"You won't even reveal the current condition of the former sect leader to the leader and vice-leader of the Red Scarf Society, yet you're letting in an outsider? Does that make sense?"

It was the right thing to say.

But it was a last resort.

'Not all of the Red Scarf Society are enemies, but at least the leader is different. That guy is truly dangerous.'

He suspected the Red Scarf Society of being the culprit behind the assassination of the former sect leader and turning him into a Bidara, so how could he allow them to approach, knowing what would happen?

What if among them, there was truly a spy from the Blood Demon Valley, and they provoked the former sect leader, who was barely being suppressed?

"Allow us to observe the process of the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero treating the Bidara. If you don't, we will not back down."

When Jeok Wangyu said so, even Zhuge Seola, who had been trying to resolve the situation peacefully, had no choice but to close her mouth.

Because that was strictly an internal matter of Wudang.

When Zhuge Seola closed her mouth, Jeok Wangyu smiled triumphantly and pressured Jincheong.

"This is an exercise of the legitimate authority of the Red Scarf Society. Venerable Jincheong, do not forget. 40 years ago, it was the seniors of the Red Scarf Society who protected Wudang. We will not tolerate it."

Jincheong retorted.

"Not tolerate it? What nonsense. Not only I, but also the sect leader will refuse the Red Scarf Society's observation."

At that, Jeok Wangyu's head tilted. A sneer appeared on his lips.

"Then the Red Scarf Society will file an objection to the matter you have planned arbitrarily this time, through the proper procedures."

"Arbitrarily! Requesting help from the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero was a matter that was concluded at the council of elders."

"Internal matters of Wudang are handled by the Wudang Sect, but matters related to the outside must be in line with the will of the Red Scarf Society. This matter cannot be seen as just an internal affair, can it?"

At that moment, Cheon Mubaeck cut in abruptly.

"Well, that's true."

In an instant, flustered gazes poured in. Even Jeok Wangyu had a dumbfounded face because he had not expected Cheon Mubaeck to cut in like that.

Cheon Mubaeck looked at Jeok Wangyu.

"If that's the authority the Red Scarf Society has, then it must be right."

"..."

"But it's a little strange."

"Strange?"

"Yes. It's strange."

Cheon Mubaeck's gaze pierced through Jeok Wangyu.

"Usually, the strong protect the weak, right? 40 years ago, the Red Scarf Society did that. But, now?"

"Now, you say? Are you saying we are weak..."

"Does the Red Scarf Society have the strength to protect Wudang?"

"..."

Jeok Wangyu's face stiffened and trembled. His bulging eyes burned. Cheon Mubaeck stared at him with a cold gaze.

The moment Cheon Mubaeck's lips slowly opened again, the atmosphere changed.

"Do you know?"

"...!"

Jeok Wangyu's pupils shook.

'What is it?'

He had changed.

If until just now, he was the hero full of justice, the young hero that the world talked about.

Now, he was not.

A mountain.

Mount Tai was in front of him.

The huge Mount Tai wriggled as if a dragon was twisting.

"Do you know why the wall of the Zixiao Palace collapsed? Do you know why the roof of the Zhenwu Hall disappeared, and why the Nanyan Palace disappeared, leaving only its site?"

Jeok Wangyu's eyelids trembled.

He just looked at Cheon Mubaeck, sweating coldly. Cheon Mubaeck was also looking at Jeok Wangyu. But the place his gaze was directed was not Jeok Wangyu.

As if, he was looking somewhere far away.

"Just to live, the common people below Mount Wudang, who knew nothing, climbed Wudang."

"...!"

Venerable Jincheong's eyes shook.

When he was a child, not even ten years old.

His mother had held him in her arms with an urgent face and had climbed Mount Wudang.

The memory of that time became clear in his head.

'How...'

But Cheon Mubaeck spoke of the scene at that time so vividly, as if he had watched it.

"The sacred hall where the successive masters of Wudang were enshrined, the most secret place, all those places were opened to accept the common people who had fled."

Zixiao Palace, Zhenwu Hall, Nanyan Palace...

Was it only those places? If you were not a disciple of Wudang, if you were not an elder of Wudang, if you were not the sect leader of Wudang.

All the places that no one could enter were opened at once.

Just as Shaolin had, Wudang had also opened its gates and embraced all the living beings who had fled.

"All the warriors of Wudang died, and the young or old Taoists who had not even learned martial arts threw away their Taoist scriptures and grabbed swords. When their swords broke, they tore down the walls of the Zixiao Palace and threw stones, tore off the roof of the Zhenwu Hall and covered the corpses, and burned the Nanyan Palace and perished together with the demons who had entered."

A toneless, emotionless, but paradoxically intense.

"It was not to protect Wudang, but to protect people."

Cheon Mubaeck's heavy resonance.

"That is Wudang."

Cheon Mubaeck's clear eyes stared at Jeok Wangyu.

"The Red Scarf Society were great heroes who protected the spirit of Wudang."

Against the will of Wudang, against the righteousness of Wudang.

To prevent the spirit of Wudang from being trampled by the dirty feet of the demons.

The warriors who had climbed, throwing away everything.

"So I will ask."

Only then did Jeok Wangyu understand Cheon Mubaeck's moniker.

Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero.

The name taken from the Heavenly Dragons and Eight Legions who saved the living beings and killed the demons.

The existence in front of him was a Heavenly Dragon.

"Whether you are the Red Scarf Society that has preserved that beautiful spirit, and whether you have the authority to pressure Wudang."

Cheon Mubaeck smiled.

"And."

The half-drawn sword emitted a deadly aura.

"I will verify whether you have the qualifications to dare to interfere with my event."

* * *

A heavy resonance enveloped the Elder's Hall.

Venerable Jincheong barely managed to calm his agitated heart, but his body trembled. The first-generation disciples of Wudang who were guarding the gate also looked at Cheon Mubaeck with bloodshot eyes.

It wasn't just Wudang.

Zhuge Seola just stared blankly at Cheon Mubaeck's face with a flushed face.

So much so that even Neung-heo looked at him with an impressed gaze.

'Ugh. At times like this, he's really a hero, just like his moniker Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero. A hero.'

Neung-heo was purely impressed.

But soon, that admiration was shattered.

"Neung-heo, take out your sword."

"What?"

"You have to verify it."

"...Me?"

"You have to be verified too. You said you would go with me with the same goal, right?"

In an instant, Neung-heo stopped.

That was right. To protect his own things like Cheon Mubaeck, he had said he would catch the Blood Demon Valley.

The same goal. So Neung-heo had come with Cheon Mubaeck.

Cheon Mubaeck was saying.

That if he wanted to walk with him with the same goal, he had to show that he had the qualifications.

Neung-heo understood that deep meaning.

'Understanding, my ass.'

No. What deep meaning could there be? He was just doing that because he had been playing around lately. Or he was sulking because he had talked back a little earlier.

When Neung-heo stared blankly, Cheon Mubaeck shrugged his shoulders.

"If I fight him, it's not a match, is it?"

"He looks higher in rank than me."

"A sword rusts if it's not used. A warrior also rusts if he sleeps."

"Are you saying he gets stronger the more he uses it?"

"They say that the beast called a lion that lives in India pushes its cub off a cliff. That's how they raise them strong."

"Is there such a crazy beast? I'm not the Lord's child."

At that, Cheon Mubaeck puffed out his chest.

"I raised him with my heart."

"Puhup!"

Zhuge Seola, who had been blankly listening to the conversation, suddenly burst into laughter.

Neung-heo let out a long sigh and jumped up from his seat.

'Damn, he doesn't look like an easy guy.'

Jeok Wangyu was a man who did not look easy.

Moreover, look at that red and blue face now.

How could he not be, after being mocked again after what had happened earlier?

"What are you trying to do now. Are you saying you want to fight me?"

"Did you not understand because I said it so long? He will verify you. Whether you have the qualifications."

"This bastard...!"

"Hey. Brother. No hard feelings. Since things have turned out like this, let's just stab each other once like men, have a drink, and make up. Since you don't seem to be a Wudang Taoist, it doesn't matter if you drink."

When Neung-heo spoke in his characteristic tone, Jeok Wangyu could no longer maintain his composure. On the other hand, he felt a sudden sense of relief.

To be honest, it was a relief that Cheon Mubaeck had not stepped in.

If he had, Jeok Wangyu would have run away from here.

Even so, it was not easy to maintain his composure in a situation where he was being told that it was not a match. Moreover, to a one-armed, one-eyed man who looked like a street ruffian.

"I am Jeok Wangyu."

"I am Neung-heo."

"Alright, I will inspect you in the name of the Red Scarf Society."

"Damn. Are we fighting with our mouths?"

Killing intent flickered in Jeok Wangyu's pupils.

'Arrogant bastard.'

It seemed he could only resolve this humiliation he had just suffered by cutting off his other arm.

Jeok Wangyu gripped his sword hilt for a moment, and then drew his sword like a thunderbolt.

It was a sword drawing art that had reached the extreme.

It was so fast that it looked like a continuous stream of light.

Neung-heo also drew his sword and stretched it out long. But his reaction was slow.

'Hmph. As expected, he's nothing special. Since the guy he's with is also like this, the moniker Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero must be an exaggeration!'

Jeok Wangyu smiled triumphantly. To be honest, he had no confidence in facing Cheon Mubaeck, but wouldn't it be enough to repay all this humiliation to that one-armed man?

"Ueok?"

But it was then.

The moment Jeok Wangyu's sword drawing was about to pierce Neung-heo's forehead.

Shweeeek!

A tearing sound of something cutting through the air fiercely pierced his ear.

'When?'

Before his own extended sword drawing could reach, Neung-heo's sword tip expanded in his retina.

An unbelievable sight.

Before the sword drawing that had reached the extreme could reach, Neung-heo's sword tip would pierce his Adam's apple.

"Ah...?"

If this continued, he would die.

In that intense sense of crisis, he withdrew the sword he had extended. For now, he had to block.

The moment he was about to strike down the stabbing sword.

The stabbing sword twisted slightly. The twisted sword coiled like a snake and struck his temple.

'Th-this, crazy...'

Teolseok.

A momentary shock transmitted to his temple. Jeok Wangyu's legs gave out and he collapsed.

Neung-heo tilted his head.

"Uh... what is it. Why is this bastard so weak?"

A scene where everyone was astonished. Even Zhuge Seola looked at Neung-heo with surprised eyes, and then looked at Cheon Mubaeck again.

Cheon Mubaeck smiled at Zhuge Seola.

"Didn't I tell you. I raised him with my heart."

A pleased smile appeared on Cheon Mubaeck's lips.

(End of Chapter)