novelraw Chapter 63 : Chapter 63
Chapter 63 : Chapter 63
Chapter 63 Wudang is Taiji (10)
“Wonshicheonjon. Wonshicheonjon.”
The Wudang Daoists, who had bound and escorted the two old men to Wudang, constantly recited the Daoist chant in front of the large bathhouse.
The Inner Affairs Hall Master turned his head sharply away, as if he could no longer bear to look at the corpses sitting in a circle inside the giant bathhouse.
After looking away and being lost in thought for a moment, the Inner Affairs Hall Master slowly walked over to Jaun, bowed his head slightly, and spoke.
“...Thank you. Thanks to you, we were able to save the disciples and stop this atrocious act.”
At the Inner Affairs Hall Master’s words, spoken after much hesitation, Baek-myo pouted beside him, but Hyeon-dam tightly grabbed Baek-myo’s wrist.
“We just did what had to be done.”
Jaun looked at the altar, where blood had dried and stuck, with bitter eyes.
On the altar, Wudang disciples were sweating profusely, piling something up to neutralize the Blood Energy.
They had luckily stopped it here in this way, but another altar would be nearing completion somewhere else.
Jaun clenched his fist with a heavy heart.
‘Judging by the timing, the number of altars, and their completion level, it's clear that the Divine Cult was encroached upon by the Blood Cult immediately after Father left.’
The Inner Affairs Hall Master, who was watching Jaun lost in thought with clenched teeth, spoke again.
“Wudang owes you a great debt. If it weren't for you, we would have suffered great damage. I express my gratitude once again.”
At the Inner Affairs Hall Master’s sincere gratitude, Jaun put aside his complicated feelings for a moment and bowed his head slightly.
“It's fortunate that we stopped it even now.”
“Let's just tidy up this place simply and go up to Wudang together. I have things to ask and things to tell you.”
The group, having helped the Wudang disciples tidy up the surroundings, followed the Inner Affairs Hall Master’s lead and moved towards Wudang.
****
As the group approached Wudang, two old men who had been squatting in front of Wudang's main gate groaned and stood up.
The Inner Affairs Hall Master, who had been looking ahead with puzzled eyes, rubbed his eyes.
“Sect Leader! Gasp? D-Don't tell me... Elder Sword Immortal?”
The Inner Affairs Hall Master froze on the spot like a stone upon confirming the two old men who stood up.
The Inner Affairs Hall Master, who had never imagined that the two greatest elders of Wudang would come out to meet them like this, didn't know what to do and his legs trembled.
Leaving the frozen Inner Affairs Hall Master behind, Jaun stepped forward and bowed deeply with his hands clasped.
“I greet the Sect Leader of Wudang.”
“Kkeul kkeul. Please put aside excessive formalities. Oh right. I heard Senior Brother has already met that child?”
“Not only met. We even exchanged swords alone.”
The Wudang Sword Immortal smiled and walked out toward Jaun.
“Thanks to you, the Heart Demon in my mind has cleared. Thank you.”
“It's all thanks to you, Sword Immortal. Without your teachings, I would have had quite a hard time.”
At Jaun’s humble words, the Sword Immortal laughed heartily.
“It was but a dream of a single night, not even half a day. Who else here besides you could gain such understanding from such a dream? You are better than my junior brother, the Sect Leader.”
“Haha. Senior Brother, must you be like this?”
The Wudang Sect Leader, with a smile, looked at the Sword Immortal once and then approached Jaun, clasping his hands.
“Representing Wudang, I convey my gratitude once again. Thanks to you, we avoided a great disaster.”
At the endless gratitude, Jaun scratched his head, unsure of how to react.
Looking at the flustered Jaun, the Sect Leader laughed softly.
“While I briefly took my hands off worldly affairs, Wudang committed a grave mistake. We neglected the sleeping dragons without even knowing they visited Wudang. I should have met you earlier.”
The Sect Leader, looking around at Baek-myo and Hyeon-dam standing behind Jaun, nodded and said.
“I heard Wudang committed disrespectful acts toward you. I received the report belatedly. Those involved in this matter will receive appropriate punishment, so please ease your anger.”
At the Sect Leader’s words, Baek-myo’s sullen expression relaxed a little.
“Ah. And I heard you decided to stay at Manghyang Inn, but I have already paid double the price to the innkeeper and asked him to hand over the guests. Since you brought all your luggage up, how about staying here tonight?”
“...Ahem.”
Ban Cheol-hwi, who rarely intervened in conversations, came forward at the Sect Leader’s words and poked Jaun’s waist. Judging by his expression, he hadn't forgotten the taste of the wild vegetables he had tasted in the morning.
Looking at Ban Cheol-hwi, Jaun chuckled and answered.
“Thank you. Then, despite my shamelessness, I will accept your hospitality.”
At Jaun’s words, the Sword Immortal approached with satisfaction, grabbed Jaun’s wrist, and whispered.
“I brought up a few more bottles of that wine from back then. How about having a drink with your companions?”
If it was the Sword Immortal’s wine, it would be of great benefit to the group as well.
Jaun had no reason to refuse.
As Jaun nodded, the Sword Immortal’s loud laughter filled the inside of Wudang.
****
“So. This friend broke through all the formations of those wicked bastards?”
The Sword Immortal asked Jaun while looking at Ban Cheol-hwi.
“Yes. Except for the Jegal Clan, he might be the person who has studied formations the most in the Central Plains.”
At Jaun’s words, Ban Cheol-hwi, who had eaten his fill of wild vegetables and drunk plenty of the wine offered by the Sword Immortal, getting quite drunk, slapped his fan with one hand and answered.
“It is all the teachings of the predecessors. Although I am of humble ability, I pride myself on having accumulated knowledge in formations that is not shameful to show others.”
Ban Cheol-hwi’s upper body swayed left and right as he mumbled his answer.
“Kkeol kkeol. An interesting friend. Through this incident, and seeing Young Hero Ban, we also felt many things. Surely there were many paths to pursue the Dao in Wudang as well. But from some point, we leaned too much toward Martial Arts . If there is a tilt, it eventually collapses. We have decided to gather our thoughts to nurture Scholar Taoists in Wudang again.”
“Those are absolutely correct and right words. It is a task that requires a long time, but these are teachings that should never be taken lightly.”
Ban Cheol-hwi answered, slapping his fan once.
The Sword Immortal nodded once and spoke again.
“We owe you a great debt. We also decided to carefully examine the surroundings again. Starting tomorrow, the first-generation disciples will carefully investigate the nearby areas. We cannot let the remnants of the Blood Cult tread on the land of Hubei again.”
“If you do that, nothing could be better. Since we have no idea how much preparation the Blood Cult, which swallowed the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, has made over a long period... If a giant tree of the Jianghu like Wudang steps forward, other sects will also hasten their preparations.”
The Sword Immortal nodded.
“We must do so. If necessary, I am willing to send letters to other sects. Places that haven't experienced such things will have no sense of it at all. There probably aren't many left who remember the might of the Blood Cult. We must take the lead and raise awareness.”
From Jaun’s perspective, nothing could be better than the Wudang Sect stepping forward.
Jaun, who had been feeling the limits of stopping the Blood Cult's movements with his strength alone, felt as if his insides were clearing up refreshingly.
“If there is a need to ask for help again, I will contact the Murim Alliance. You are the people who can detect the Blood Cult's movements first and respond. And I will continue to inform you of trends regarding important matters.”
At the Sword Immortal’s continuing words, Jaun nodded with a glad heart.
“Please visit Wudang again anytime. We will never forget your righteousness and courage.”
As the Sect Leader added a word, Ban Cheol-hwi, who had been dozing off drunk, suddenly lifted his head and clapped his hands loudly.
“Ah! That's right. I also have one thing to give to the two of you who treated me so kindly.”
Even while constantly swaying his upper body due to intoxication, Ban Cheol-hwi took out ink and paper from his bosom and began to draw something.
It was the form of the massive formation stretching from the gateway of Divine Dragon Explores the Sea to the Golden Pavilion erected at the highest point of the Wudang Sect, along with detailed explanations.
“T-This is?”
The Wudang Sect Leader’s eyes grew round and large as he read the explanation Ban Cheol-hwi had written down.
They wouldn't be able to fully restore the formation Ban Cheol-hwi taught immediately, but it wouldn't take long for the Divine Dragon to play at Wudang's gateway again.
****
“So. You pulled off another one?”
Jegal Mu-ui welcomed Jaun gladly, brushing off the dust accumulated on his head.
“I received the letter sent from Wudang. Their attitude has changed greatly. You did a big job.”
Jaun nodded and looked at Jegal Mu-ui.
“I felt it at Wudang too, but the Blood Cult's movements are much faster than I thought. I think we need to inform all sects in the Central Plains, including the Nine Great Sects and One Beggar Clan and the Five Great Families, about this.”
“Even if you hadn't said so, I just sent out messengers. Now that we know the Blood Cult, which swallowed the Demonic Cult, is moving, we must also respond quickly.”
Jegal Mu-ui, nodding and organizing documents here and there, turned his head to look at Jaun.
“So, about that. I intend to entrust you with another task that isn't easy.”
At Jegal Mu-ui’s words, Jaun raised his head.
“Since it is certain that the Blood Cult has moved, it is a situation where not only the Murim Alliance but also the Sado Alliance must move together. Only when the two forces join hands can we prevent the repetition of the past tragedy.”
Jegal Mu-ui, gathering his thoughts for a moment, looked straight at Jaun.
“You clearly said in the prison that you would join forces not only with our Murim Alliance but also with other sides, right? So how about you convey this matter to the Sado Alliance and have them prepare? I think you are more suitable for this task than anyone else in the Murim Alliance.”
Jegal Mu-ui’s eyes shone in the darkness.
“The Sado Alliance...”
Now that the reappearance of the Blood Cult was certain, it was right to reconsider the situation of the Jianghu, which was heading towards a three-way battle between the Murim Alliance, the Sado Alliance, and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
To stop the Blood Cult, which draws abnormal power through human sacrifice, it is essential for the Murim Alliance and the Sado Alliance to join forces.
“We hinted at the information, but I'm worried because there is no particular reaction from the Sado Alliance. Since it is a situation where we must prepare even a day sooner, someone must move actively to awaken their awareness.”
“To stop the Blood Cult, the Sado Alliance, which divides the Central Plains, must naturally respond together. However, I don't know if the Sado Alliance, which hasn't reacted until now, will move just because I go.”
Jegal Mu-ui smiled and tapped Jaun’s shoulder once.
“Haha. What nonsense. You are the only one who can move them. If anyone from the Murim Alliance goes and talks, they will only avoid it, worrying if there is some scheme or other intention. Only when you, who belong to no sect and know the martial arts of the Blood Cult better than anyone, go with Miss Pan Bing-yeong, will they take it seriously.”
“With Miss Pan?”
“That's right. You are also the only person who can move Miss Pan. Isn't Miss Pan a Law Enforcer of the Sado Alliance? Since she is in a position where she can voice her opinion quite loudly, if the two of you move together, I think the Sado Alliance will also become alert.”
At those words, Jaun fell into deep thought.
Certainly, if it's the Ice Rakshasa, she would have close relationships with the high-ranking executives of the Sado Alliance.
It was a selection of personnel sufficient to convey the urgency of the matter.
Looking at the contemplating Jaun, Jegal Mu-ui continued.
“One more thing. It might be regrettable, but leave Baek-myo and Hyeon-dam, those two, at the Murim Alliance for a while. There are many things to resolve within the Murim Alliance as well.”
“Ah...”
“Except for you, those two are the only ones who have properly experienced the altar, and if you go with them who are part of the Righteous Faction, it will only cause discomfort for each other. So please move separately for a while.”
Considering the importance of the matter, it was not something to delay and ponder over.
As Jegal Mu-ui said, while other Anti-Demon Squad members checked the inside of the Murim Alliance under the support of the Strategist Office, him persuading the Sado Alliance was the way to move fastest.
‘Come to think of it, Brother Sam-sik should be at the Sado Alliance too. If I have time, it would be okay to visit him and share stories from the meantime.’
Having made a decision, Jaun nodded.
“I understand. I will do so.”
At Jaun’s answer, Jegal Mu-ui reached out and held Jaun’s hand tightly.
“I feel uncomfortable as if I'm putting another heavy burden on you, but please understand as the situation is unavoidable. Ah, I think there will be no problem taking that child, Ban Cheol-hwi.”
“Young Hero Ban also belongs to Zhongnan, so wouldn't it be a bit uncomfortable for him to operate in the Sado Alliance?”
At Jaun’s question, Jegal Mu-ui sighed slightly.
“That... I heard there was pressure from the Sado Alliance towards the Mt. Zhongnan Sect because that child Ban Cheol-hwi interfered with the business of the Rain Forest Pavilion. It seems Zhongnan endured it for a while thinking of the affection from childhood...”
With a bitter expression, Jegal Mu-ui cleared his throat.
“Perhaps thinking that they shouldn't antagonize the Sado Alliance anymore, they sent news that they are excommunicating Ban Cheol-hwi. It's news that came in this morning.”
“...Excommunication?”
“That is so. In a sense, I think it turned out well. Now that Young Hero Ban is no longer a disciple of Zhongnan, he will be able to operate comfortably in the Murim Alliance, and there will be no restrictions on operating with you. I look forward to good results from the two of you joining forces.”
Jegal Mu-ui patted Jaun’s shoulder once again.