novelraw Chapter 156 : Chapter 156
Chapter 156 : Chapter 156
Chapter 156 - This Shouldn't Be Happening
“Have they departed?”
Beneath his grayish-white eyebrows, a thin beard descended to his neck.
One of the eight great elders leading the True Dragon Sect, and a swordsman whose sword path was fast yet fierce, earning him the name Clean and Fierce True Sword.
Mayeon asked his disciple in a calm voice.
“Yes. They say they just crossed the mountain gate.”
The person Mayeon was asking about was another of the eight great elders, Yubeop.
Yubeop, who had encountered the Diancang Sect at the Yi Family Clan’s event, had proposed a sparring match between the two sects on the spot.
After that, Yubeop had returned like a triumphant general, shrugging his shoulders.
Saying that he had gained the opportunity to trample on the newly sprouted seedlings.
“How many were said to have gone?”
“Five.”
“Five… so more than half of the One Heart, One Path have been mobilized.”
Mayeon let out a low sigh, his feelings seemingly complicated.
At the sight, his second-generation disciple, Daebyeong, cautiously asked.
“Are you perhaps, disappointed?”
“Disappointed? What is there to be disappointed about?”
“That our disciple did not go with them.”
“……Heh heh.”
It was the moment Mayeon’s sigh turned into a wry laugh.
The second-generation disciple, Daebyeong.
This child had an honest and tenacious quality, but his ability to read the situation was lacking.
So sometimes, an explanation like this was necessary.
“What if your child,”
“Yes?”
“was forcibly dragged into a gambling den where he was certain to lose?”
Daebyeong had no particular intention of getting married, but he couldn't just ignore the elder’s question.
“Well… I would be very distraught. If I could stop it, I would want to stop it by any means necessary.”
“That is how I feel right now.”
“……?”
Daebyeong blinked his large eyes a couple of times.
Perhaps because he had gained some sense with age, Daebyeong realized Mayeon’s intention without much delay.
“Then… are you saying that the top third-generation disciples of the True Dragon Sect are going to a place where they have no chance of winning?”
“At least, that is what I think.”
Daebyeong frowned as if he couldn’t understand at all.
“With all due respect, I cannot understand. Are they not all talented individuals designated for the One Heart, One Path? Besides, not all the disciples will be facing him.”
The ‘him’ Daebyeong was referring to was, of course, Biyoung.
In the past, Mayeon and Daebyeong had met Biyoung at the Yi Family Clan and proposed that he join the True Dragon Sect.
And the result?
To Biyoung, who had suggested they compete in skill, Daebyeong had been literally crushed.
Furthermore, unlike Daebyeong who held a longsword, what Biyoung held in his hand was only a small dagger.
It took Daebyeong a very long time to overcome the sense of defeat and despair from that day.
So much so that even now that he had washed away the scars in his heart, he wanted to avoid mentioning his real name.
One Heart, One Path.
It was a cultivation method that the True Dragon Sect was putting its heart and soul into.
Each of the eight great elders selected one person to raise as their top disciple, and that top disciple, in turn, selected promising swordsmen from among the young third-generation disciples.
From the first generation to the second, and from the second to the third.
Was it said that a genius recognizes a genius?
The elites selected for the One Heart, One Path achieved a growth that stood out among the more than one hundred third-generation disciples.
Furthermore, the advanced martial arts and divine pills given only to the chosen disciples widened the gap even further.
Daebyeong was confident.
Although the total strength of the sects belonging to the Nine Sects One Union could not be gauged, the True Dragon Sect would be ahead in terms of the younger generation around the age of twenty.
The One Heart, One Path system of gathering and managing elites separately was so effective that other sects had adopted it.
Even if ‘he’ was a born prodigy, he didn’t think for a moment that the other third-generation disciples would lose to the younger generation of the Diancang Sect.
That’s why he was disappointed.
Because his own top disciple, whom he had found with great difficulty after meeting Biyoung, could not participate in this sparring match.
The reason Daebyeong had asked Mayeon if he was disappointed was actually a projection of his own feelings.
He had wanted to hear, even from afar, about the performance of the masterpiece that he and Mayeon had painstakingly raised.
But Mayeon’s thoughts were the complete opposite.
“The younger one is, the harder it is to control one’s heart. With their pride as disciples of the One Heart, One Path soaring to the sky, if they were to suffer a setback in their first sparring match with another sect, it would be difficult for them to recover their broken hearts.”
“Elder… do you think our sect will definitely lose?”
“That is correct.”
At the sharp reply, Daebyeong swallowed hard.
“I was not at the scene, but at that time, Biyoung readily accepted the sparring match with our sect. Did he seem like a mere reckless brat to you?”
Although it wasn’t a face he wanted to recall, Daebyeong brought up his memory of Biyoung.
“……No. As I thought about it more over time, I got the feeling that he was deeper than he seemed.”
“You saw correctly. That is why I say we have no chance of winning. If he accepted the sparring match without any hesitation, wouldn’t that mean he has that much confidence?”
“You’re saying he wouldn’t have accepted if he thought he would lose.”
“Yes.”
Of course, Biyoung probably hadn't seen through the True Dragon Sect’s situation completely.
But he had even offered advice as if he had grasped the True Dragon Sect’s difficulties quite well.
Would such a child accept a sparring match rashly out of some foolish bravado?
It wasn’t a picture that fit well.
“Besides, they said the Sect Leader of the Diancang Sect was also at the scene. If there was nothing to gain, the Sect Leader would have stepped in and stopped Biyoung.”
“If not only him but also the Sect Leader thought the same……”
As the conversation with Mayeon continued, Daebyeong grew increasingly anxious.
His changed expression was identical to Mayeon’s from a moment ago when he had sighed.
Of course, competition existed within the sect as well.
It would be welcome if the other One Heart, One Path disciples fell behind, but a complete defeat in a sparring match between sects would be a disgrace to the entire True Dragon Sect.
Especially since, in a little while, a martial arts tournament would be held at Shaolin.
“Wasn’t he a top disciple we acquired with great difficulty? It might be better not to have sent him to Diancang Mountain……”
Only then could Daebyeong understand Mayeon’s true intentions.
***
“My goodness. I think my breath will give out before I can even watch the sparring match.”
“What’s so great about Diancang Sect that they’re starting over on this mountain? If it were me, I wouldn’t even want to look at it.”
“Is it really true that the Young Family Head travels here every day?”
At the group’s words, Yi Gwon-su gave a bitter smile.
“I find it hard to believe myself, but that is what they say.”
“Hah! You have a son who is not only a business talent but also has extraordinary martial arts skills.”
“Won’t the number one person under heaven come from a merchant family at this rate? Hahaha!”
The people gathered around Yi Gwon-su were the heads of influential families and merchants in Yiliang County.
They were the big shots who had come out to watch the sparring match that would take place today.
When the sparring match ended, the results would spread not only throughout Yiliang County but also throughout Yunnan.
The wish for a large crowd of spectators was shared by both Yi Gwon-su and the True Dragon Sect.
If the True Dragon Sect were to crush the Diancang Sect in front of many people, Sedong’s heart would be shaken, and the younger generation disciples of the True Dragon Sect would gain immense confidence.
“By the way, have you ever visited the Diancang Sect, Family Head?”
Gyeongyeop, the most successful weapons merchant in Yiliang County, asked Yi Gwon-su.
“I haven’t visited yet……”
“I see.”
A subtle sneer bloomed above Gyeongyeop’s bushy beard.
“I’m worried. Isn’t it a sect that has already collapsed once? The pavilions and the ground must have all become a wasteland. I wonder how much has been repaired.”
At that, a merchant next to him chimed in.
“That’s right. I wonder if there will even be a place for people to watch.”
“I wonder if we’ll have to watch on the dirt ground, let alone have hot tea.”
“Hahahaha.”
It wasn’t that they were particularly looking down on the Diancang Sect, but that’s just how things worked in the world.
How could a sect that had gone completely bankrupt have the money to repair its pavilions and facilities?
Most of the people gathered here were merchants.
So they had a better estimate.
The general consensus was that the Diancang Sect would only be operating at a level where people wouldn't starve to death.
‘Damn bastards…….’
Although he had invited them himself, Yi Gwon-su was not in a good mood.
These people couldn’t be unaware that Sedong had entered the Diancang Sect.
Laughing at the Diancang Sect was no different from laughing at Sedong who had entered it, and by extension, laughing at himself.
On the surface, they seemed to be on good terms, joking and laughing, but in the end, they were also competitors to each other.
‘I was against his entry because I was afraid of seeing something like this.’
Yi Gwon-su had mixed feelings.
Of course, he didn’t like the Diancang Sect, but if they were treated like fools, Sedong would be involved.
“I don’t think that will be the case.”
At Yi Gwon-su’s words, the merchants each turned their heads.
“Oh? Is that so?”
“Do you know something, Family Head?”
Yi Gwon-su looked up at the mountain with indifferent eyes.
“At the very least, the sect will not be without money. You can confirm the details for yourselves.”
“…………?”
It didn't take long for the question marks floating above their heads to turn into exclamation points.
“Oh!”
“How can this be?”
The word ‘surprised’ was written on the faces of the merchants standing in front of the mountain gate.
Contrary to their expectation that it would be collapsing or desolate, a mountain gate that was as good as new and a sign with vigorously written characters greeted them.
“Welcome.”
In front of the mountain gate stood a man with particularly fair skin and fine, narrow eyes.
Seeing his crisp martial uniform and neat demeanor, one couldn’t help but think that he was truly from a prestigious orthodox sect.
“Are you the ones from Yiliang County?”
“That is correct. We thank you for allowing us this precious experience.”
“We are the ones who are grateful for you gracing this humble place. Refreshments and drinks are prepared inside, so please let us know at any time.”
The man with narrow eyes said so and guided the spectators.
“Ooh……!”
“When did they make the training ground like this……!”
The bluestone floor, which was clearly new, once again caught the merchants’ eyes.
Their main interest was not in the hardness of the bluestone, but in the price of the material.
To have embroidered this vast floor entirely with bluestone, a jaw-dropping amount of funds would have been necessary.
How had a sect that had once been destroyed carried out such repairs?
Even if it had been nearly a year, where did the money come from?
That wasn't the only impressive thing.
The people of the sect all had good complexions and a glow to their skin.
They looked as if they had been eating three square meals a day.
“Hmph. Hmph.”
This shouldn't be happening.
A dry cough escaped Yi Gwon-su’s mouth.
Seeing the wide-eyed look on the faces of those who had belittled the Diancang Sect, and by extension, Sedong, he unknowingly felt good.
The Diancang Sect had more money than he thought.
Yi Gwon-su had seen through that fact from the beginning.
Would people with no money to repair their sect bring a large amount of goods every time and ask him to manage them?
There was a good reason why he had said to just watch when the merchants at the foot of the mountain were sneering at the sect.
‘Damn it. Why am I…….’
Yi Gwon-su tried his best to compose himself and reminded himself of the purpose of his visit.
I didn't come here to boast about the Diancang Sect.
I came to see the Diancang Sect fall to the younger generation disciples of the True Dragon Sect……!
“Ooh! The pavilion is also very beautiful!”
“The bricks on the roof also seem to be made of high-quality materials.”
“Hmph! Heh! Hmph!”
However, with the repeated compliments from the merchants, Yi Gwon-su kept forgetting his original purpose.
The spectators’ attitude towards the Diancang Sect had changed one hundred and eighty degrees.
They had changed from an object of ridicule or pity to an object of admiration and awe.
“Hoholhol. Welcome.”
With Jeokseo at the forefront, the younger generation disciples of the Diancang Sect stood in a row and greeted the spectators.
Even those who had not learned martial arts could feel that their aura was not ordinary.
‘This…… what is going on?’
‘Is this really a sect that was once a wasteland?’
‘The momentum of the martial artists is also not ordinary…….’
‘Perhaps……?’
The sparring match that was expected to be a one-sided affair.
Just as the crowd’s thoughts began to change.
Finally.
A solemn voice was heard from the direction of the mountain gate.
“The martial artists of the True Dragon Sect have arrived!”