novelraw Chapter 147 : History does not change.
Chapter 147 : History does not change.
The herb gatherer, Biryang, strode forward.
It was a rough mountain path, but for the experienced herb gatherer, the path he walked was the law.
Despite his sturdy build, his footsteps were so careful that not even the sound of stepping on a twig could be heard.
Biryang, who had hidden himself by moving secretly and quickly between the trees, crossed a peak in a single breath.
‘Hmph. He must be quite something to escape the eyes of that Dabi Old Fiend. Seeing him watching from afar, he seems to be a guy who knows the limits of his own skills…’
Biryang’s stomach suddenly twisted.
‘It took ten years for the Blood Demon Sect to gather the destroyed ones and rise again, and the Bidara was also completed only after decades of research and obtaining the Buddhist scriptures of Shaolin. Here in Wudang, we have been working in the shadows for a long time, and recently, we are seeing results. But all of this is collapsing, and is about to collapse, because of just one guy.’
The Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero, Cheon Mubaeck.
The one variable that was not in their plans.
The variable was ruining everything.
As one of the Five Stars of the Blood Demon Valley, Biryang genuinely disliked Cheon Mubaeck.
Moreover, he had personally been involved in and directed this Wudang affair.
He felt a twisted emotion towards Cheon Mubaeck, who had interfered here.
‘From the looks of it, that one-armed guy is that One-Eyed Snake guy that Cheon Mubaeck keeps by his side!’
The Blood Demon Valley had done its best to gather information on Cheon Mubaeck.
The more they did, the more questions piled up, rather than the secrets about Cheon Mubaeck being solved.
‘A lowly idler who stayed cooped up in his room playing instruments and painting could run wild like this?’
It was the same even when they dug up his past.
‘The main valley’s enemy is not the renowned masters of the Orthodox Faction, but that guy is the real one.’
At first, he had thought about destroying the Azure Star Escort Agency, but there was no substance to it.
The rumor that the Zhuge Clan had installed the Guardian Array of Wondrous Questions was widespread, and as a result of actually checking, the rumor was true.
Since it was a simplified version, it wasn't that they couldn't aim for it.
But it was clear that their side's damage would also be great, and it was questionable whether the profit would be great enough to bear that much damage.
It wasn't one of the Nine Factions and One Union, and how much profit would there be from attacking an escort agency protected by the Guardian Array of Wondrous Questions?
‘But the story changes if I catch that One-Eyed Snake guy.’
A loyal subordinate who had never left Cheon Mubaeck’s side during his journey through the martial world.
If he caught him, he would be able to get something more.
Biryang, who thought so, poked his head out from the peak.
“Huh?”
He was gone.
The shadow that had been there just a moment ago had disappeared.
The moment Biryang’s eyes narrowed, a sound of something cutting through the air split the atmosphere from behind.
Shweeeek!
Biryang spun his body around. His hand moved limply and flicked away the surface of the rushing sword.
It looked simple, but it was a high-level study that could change the path of a swift thrust in one go.
“Damn it, you bastard! You’re a master?”
Neung-heo’s face contorted grotesquely.
“Hmph. You bastard, you’re that lackey of the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero, that One-Eyed Snake guy, aren’t you?”
“What? La-la-la-lackey? Lackey? The great Neung-heo is a lackey?”
His crumpled face crumpled even more hideously.
“What do you mean, lackey! Huh? We are partners walking towards the same goal. You bastard!”
Kagagagagang!
Neung-heo’s sword danced wildly.
Biryang flicked away the sword strikes that were creating countless dots with the back of his hand. But inwardly, he clicked his tongue.
‘I heard he was just from the Black Heart Gang. But his swordsmanship is much better than the average Orthodox Faction brats!’
A swordsmanship that elicited admiration.
But for Biryang, it was just an appreciation. As not a single effective hit landed, Neung-heo’s eyes trembled.
Biryang forcefully flicked the sword away and asked,
“If it’s the same goal, what are you talking about?”
“What do you mean, what. It’s killing all you Blood Demon Valley bastards.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
“Unfortunate, my ass. Your necks will be unfortunate.”
Neung-heo was bluffing on the inside, but his heart was different. The attacks just wouldn’t land. He keenly felt the gap.
‘Damn… he told me to just watch carefully. Anyway, there’s nothing easy among the things that man orders.’
He said he was giving him an easy job for once. Well. Did he really mean for him to just watch? Neung-heo knew exactly what Cheon Mubaeck had ordered.
“You seem to know a lot about the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero, so you’ll have to come with me.”
“Come with you, where. You bastard who kidnaps kids by luring them with candy…”
Peok!
As he suddenly struck a pressure point, Neung-heo’s back straightened and he fell stiffly in a straight line.
Biryang clicked his tongue.
“When you go to the main valley, it will be painful until you spit out everything you know.”
Since he was holding the limp Neung-heo with one hand, Biryang did not see the strange glint in Neung-heo’s eyes as he lowered his head.
* * *
Seeing the sudden loud noise and the blazing red light, the crowd’s expressions hardened.
The faint sound of screams and clashing weapons.
The Great Purity True Man’s face hardened as he realized what it was.
“It’s an ambush.”
40 years ago.
Since the Wudang Sect was attacked by the Demonic Cult during the Righteous-Demonic War.
Not once had the main mountain of Wudang been attacked.
That’s how much of a major incident this was.
Everyone immediately ran towards the main mountain.
Although the distance was not short, since they were all masters who had reached a certain realm, they arrived at the main mountain in an instant by using their lightness skill.
In the main mountain, fights were breaking out everywhere.
Wudang seemed to be pushed back, flustered by the attacks of the men in black robes.
Fortunately, the Arhat Monks on one side had joined the fight, so the Wudang Sect did not seem to be collapsing rapidly.
“It’s the Blood Demon Valley.”
“Those wicked bastards, in the end, Wudang…!”
The Great Purity True Man stretched out his hand in a single breath. A powerful wave of qi poured out and killed one of the men in black who was just rushing in.
When the Great Purity True Man and Venerable Jincheong joined the fight, the men in black were noticeably pushed back.
But Cheon Mubaeck just watched the scene quietly.
Although everyone had a bewildered face at the sudden surprise attack, Cheon Mubaeck’s face rather showed a sense of relief.
A calm and bold attitude. Zhuge Seola, who had been flustered by the ambush, also felt strangely relieved.
“Since things have turned out like this, it’s clear that their plan has been overturned.”
“The plan has been overturned?”
“The Blood Demon Valley I know is, to be honest, strong enough to overturn the current Wudang with a single force.”
“…”
Zhuge Seola bit her lip. Even though the Great Purity True Man had joined the fight, the attacks of the men in black were so persistent and blatant that the disciples of Wudang were being defeated helplessly.
It was as Cheon Mubaeck had said.
If the Blood Demon Valley had put their mind to it, destroying Wudang would have been no big deal.
“But the reason they haven’t done so until now is…”
“Because if they hit Wudang now, the Orthodox Martial World will unite.”
“…!”
“They hit Shaolin to awaken the martial world, and based on that, I was able to come this far.”
“That’s right.”
“And on top of that, they attack Wudang? That’s openly telling the Orthodox Martial World to unite.”
“So the original goal was to drive a wedge between Wudang and the Red Scarf?”
“That’s right. If Wudang tries to cast out the Red Scarf, the Red Scarf won’t go out meekly. A civil war will break out, and Wudang will be eating its own flesh. It will self-destruct, and even if a major incident occurs in the martial world, it won’t be able to step in.”
Zhuge Seola nodded her head. For her, Cheon Mubaeck’s words were not difficult.
“I see. The reason they attacked now is also. You treated the former sect leader, Young Master, and the justification for Wudang to cast out the Red Scarf Society has disappeared. And since it was revealed that the culprit was neither the Red Scarf nor Wudang, it means that an external enemy has appeared.”
“When an external enemy appears, even people who were fighting each other tend to unite.”
It was the same principle as the Orthodox Factions uniting when the Demonic Cult made a move, even if there were disputes and battles among them.
Even so, it could not explain all of the current ambush.
If things went wrong, they could just retreat.
To attack like this, as Cheon Mubaeck had said, was it not just telling the Orthodox Martial World to unite? So there was something that the Blood Demon Valley wanted in Wudang.
Since things had come to this, it meant that they would destroy Wudang in the end and take what they wanted.
“Then we have to stop them.”
“I ask you, young lady.”
“…What?”
At Cheon Mubaeck’s words, Zhuge Seola’s eyes widened.
“I will go to do my work.”
Saying so, Cheon Mubaeck gripped his sword tightly.
“Could it be…”
“Since those guys have come out like this, the place where those demons were staying must be empty.”
“…!”
At Cheon Mubaeck’s words, Zhuge Seola was astonished.
“Do you know where that is?”
“Neung-heo has commendably found their base.”
“My goodness. You’re going to their base now? It’s dangerous! They may have pulled out their forces to attack Wudang, but it won’t be empty!”
“Don’t worry. I have a thought. Please help in protecting Wudang, young lady.”
“M-me?”
“Doesn’t Wudang have a trump card that you can use best, young lady?”
“…The Guardian Array of Wondrous Questions!”
“You are the person who knows the most about mechanisms and formations. Take your guard and help in stopping them by using the formation to lure only the demons.”
“I understand.”
Despite the sudden situation, Zhuge Seola nodded her head with a determined face.
But perhaps because she had realized the seriousness of the situation, her voice trembled slightly as she answered. Cheon Mubaeck smiled lightly and patted Zhuge Seola’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry. The Guardian Array of Wondrous Questions can certainly stop a master, and if you use the guard named Muyong well and lure only the demons with the formation, you will be able to stop them. And, I will come soon, not too late.”
At the last words, Zhuge Seola gained courage. With a determined face, she hurriedly moved with Muyong.
Cheon Mubaeck then called the Monk Muso, who was fighting on one side.
“Monk Muso!”
“Young Master Cheon!”
The Monk Muso crushed the enemy’s chest with a hearty palm strike.
A strange light flickered in Cheon Mubaeck’s eyes.
It was a much more outstanding skill than what he had seen at Shaolin before.
Cheon Mubaeck took out the Shaolin Exemption Medallion from his bosom to the approaching Monk Muso.
“Based on the Shaolin Exemption Medallion, I formally request the authority to command the Arhat Monks from you.”
“…!”
“Arhat Hall Master. Will you refuse the exercise of the legitimate right of the Shaolin Exemption Medallion?”
The Shaolin Exemption Medallion could request the command of the Arhat Monks.
But it was not absolute. If the Arhat Hall Master refused it, that was the end of it.
“Young Master Cheon, what are you thinking? I and my Arhat Monks will fight here until we die. We will not run away. But why are you requesting the authority?”
“The place where the Arhat Monks will fight is not here. We are going to strike the base of the Blood Demon Valley guys now.”
“…!”
The Monk Muso’s pupils widened greatly.
He looked around with a conflicted face. Although the Great Purity True Man had joined the fight, they were rather being pushed back by the attacks of the demons.
If the Arhat Monks also left here, he didn’t know how things would turn out.
To be honest, the Monk Muso thought that Cheon Mubaeck’s idea was wrong.
To strike the enemy’s base here?
And in the meantime, Wudang might collapse here?
“Please reconsider. If Young Master Cheon fights here, he will be able to defeat all the enemies.”
“It is possible even without me.”
Cheon Mubaeck said so and turned his gaze. The Monk Muso also turned his head, following Cheon Mubaeck’s gaze.
In that direction.
“Protect Wudang!”
There were the Red Scarf Society warriors with red bands on their foreheads, led by Mucheonak and Chuhonsak.
Cheon Mubaeck let out a laugh and said.
“Because history does not change.”
* * *
Biryang could not hide his dumbfounded expression.
“What? Say that again.”
“Uh, so. That guy Cheon Mubaeck is a descendant of the Azure Sky Sword God. But he’s not a disciple of the Sword Saint, it seems the Azure Sky Sword God took another disciple in his later years.”
“…Azure Sky Sword God?”
“Hey. And not only that, he also uses ice arts? It’s no joke. Last time, he just froze a river.”
“…He uses ice arts?”
“He’s also close to Shaolin. You know the Shaolin Exemption Medallion, right? The Shaolin Exemption Medallion! Seeing that, even Zhongnan was terrified. That guy Cheon Mubaeck, you see. He also has the Shaolin Exemption Medallion, so even the monks of Shaolin Temple are at his beck and call.”
“Heo…”
“Is that all? Even the sect leader and elders of Mount Hua think that guy Cheon Mubaeck is a hero. Tsk tsk tsk. The eyes of the Orthodox Faction guys are no different from knotholes. They look at him as if they are seeing the great hero of the world…”
“Wait. Wait.”
Biryang stopped Neung-heo’s endlessly and skillfully continuing words.
His head was throbbing. He pressed his temples firmly.
“So, what you’re saying is… Cheon Mubaeck is a descendant of the Azure Sky Sword God, he also uses ice arts, he has the Shaolin Exemption Medallion and can move Shaolin, and the sect leader and elders of Mount Hua also support him?”
“Ah, that’s right. And lately, his relationship with that young lady from the Zhuge Clan is strange, it seems it’s going to be soon. I heard he had some talk with the grand clan head.”
“…”
At the long story, Biryang put his hand on his head.
Weren’t they all unbelievable facts?
The influence of a single young martial artist was enormous. If this was true, the Blood Demon Valley was facing a bigger enemy than expected.
“You bastard! Where are you spouting lies. Are you telling lies to deliberately cloud my judgment?”
Neung-heo made a dumbfounded expression.
“What the hell? You’re still complaining even after I told you everything.”
“That’s what’s strange! You’re spilling everything you know so obediently without a single torture?”
“It hurts to be tortured. Torturing a person with one arm and one eye, geez.”
“Are you even saying that as a word! Am I supposed to believe everything you’re saying so obediently? What’s your scheme?”
“Scheme, what scheme…”
Neung-heo, who was tied to a chair, lowered his head halfway and then looked straight at the herb gatherer with a laugh that sounded like air escaping.
“What scheme could there be. It doesn’t matter even if you know.”
The corners of Neung-heo’s mouth slowly went up.
Kwaaang!
A loud roar coming from afar.
“Anyway, you guys are all going to die here.”
Cheon Mubaeck had come.
(End of Chapter)