Chapter 124: This Is Jackpot
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Chapter 124 – Taoist This Is Jackpot Cheon Mu’s gaze deepened.
To go to the forbidden zone and seek enlightenment, and moreover to guarantee success… Cheol Ryu-heun’s confidence was clearly questionable.
“Sect Master Cheol, that place wasn’t designated as a forbidden zone for no reason.”
He meant that if Cheol Ryu-heun was thinking of taking such a gamble for the revival of White Peak Sword Sect by plotting his own rapid martial growth as Sect Master despite the danger, he should reconsider.
Bravado born of impatience never helps – Taoist Cheon Mu knew that better than anyone.
Cheol Ryu-heun’s confident words weren’t entirely empty.
Because precedents of going to the forbidden zone and attaining enlightenment clearly existed over the years.
The closest example was Immortal Great Illumination, who had been Taoist Cheon Mu’s own master.
Forty years ago, he had entered that cave and stayed about half a day in seated meditation practice, and as a result, reached the threshold of a higher Taoist realm called ‘Union of Sun and Moon.’
However.
Immortal Great Illumination had achieved that result only because his natural aptitude was exceptional – for ordinary Taoists, it was practically impossible.
Unless one had accumulated enough Taoist power to at least qualify for the Sect Leader position or similar level, setting foot in that place was nothing more than reckless and immature behavior.
Much less Cheol Ryu-heun…
Taoist Cheon Mu was skeptical.
Earlier, Cheol Ryu-heun had said he defeated White Snake Head Sword Gul Ma-hun, but hadn’t explained the fighting process in detail.
So it was difficult to accurately gauge his martial level.
The person before him actually had nothing particularly special about him.
Even when he slightly raised his energy sense, nothing came across.
As if he were an ordinary person.
Naturally, a martial artist with internal energy should have their energy detected.
‘Is he hiding some power I don’t know about? But even assuming he fought evenly with White Snake Head Sword… It’s very insufficient for entering that extremely dangerous forbidden zone.’
It was a natural thought.
Even Baek Yeop, called Mount Heng Sword Hero, who was a first-generation disciple of the sect and one of Taoist Cheon Mu’s own legitimate successors, was stronger than the deceased Gul Ma-hun, yet still couldn’t even dream of going to the forbidden zone.
Taoist Cheon Mu let out a calm voice as if soothing a child.
“Sect Master Cheol, orthodox martial arts are qualitatively different from demonic arts or certain unorthodox arts that can be learned quickly. Even if growth is slow, climbing one step at a time ensures there are no aftereffects. You should know that…”
At that, Cheol Ryu-heun responded indifferently.
“I would appreciate it if you would trust me once, as if taking a chance. I will stake my position as Sect Master and take full responsibility. Whatever the outcome.”
“Hmm…”
Taoist Cheon Mu let out a quiet sound.
Behind that expressionless face showing no emotion at all, a resolute will was visible.
The hand stroking the gray beard covering his chest.
It was the reaction of someone lost in thought.
Before long, having composed his expression, he opened his mouth.
“About twenty years ago, I went into that forbidden zone. And I gained one great enlightenment. Because of that, this humble self’s Taoist name was included in the magnificent title of Five Martial Paragons.”
It was commonly said that the two who vied for the top among the Five Supreme Martial Experts of Hunan Province were one level above the other three – and one of them was Taoist Cheon Mu, known as White Cloud Sword Duke.
The timing matched.
When he entered the forbidden area beneath Sage Peak and when Taoist Cheon Mu’s martial reputation soared.
“I see.”
Cheol Ryu-heun had already guessed as much.
Taoist Cheon Mu, having taken a sip of tea, continued with a meaningful gaze.
“It was only twenty steps. I couldn’t go any deeper.”
“Yes, meaning it is that dangerous.”
“Indeed. It means the chaotic energy lurking within was quite overwhelming even for this humble Taoist. It would be the same even now at seventy-seven years of age.”
“It’s alright. I want to experience it once.”
“Hmm… Alright, your will seems firm, Sect Master Cheol, so I cannot refuse further. By the authority of the Sect Leader, I permit entry into the cave.”
“Thank you.”
“However, as someone who has experienced it, I have a few requirements – I would appreciate it if you would keep them in mind. Above all, this humble Taoist must accompany you. I will discuss the remaining details separately later.”
“Yes, gladly.”
“In any case, I must hold an internal meeting in name at least, so for now, please go rest comfortably in the guest hall.”
“Understood.”
“By the way… Are you not pleased to have gotten what you wanted?”
“I am pleased.”
Cheol Ryu-heun’s brief answer.
His face was quite the opposite of those words.
Seeing this, Taoist Cheon Mu clicked his tongue.
“It’s remarkable that you can remain expressionless the whole time. Just from the outside, I cannot understand any change in emotions at all…”
“My eyes are smiling.”
Taoist Cheon Mu quietly studied his pupils.
“……”
Ah, that’s a smiling look?
I see.
Didn’t know that.
But why does it seem disinterested to me?
Taoist My power must still be lacking.
Tsk, can’t even properly read a young person’s eyes…
* * *
An inner room in the eastern building within Mount Heng Sect.
Taoist When Cheon Mu gathered all his martial brothers and asked their opinions about Cheol Ryu-heun entering the forbidden zone, unexpected reactions followed.
“I agree.”
“Yes, so do I.”
“If Martial Brother Sect Leader will be going together… Is there much to worry about?”
“He’s a benefactor who returned our sect’s precious Command Token, so isn’t it proper to grant what he wishes?”
“Indeed, indeed.”
“Of course, I think Sect Master Cheol will fail, but experiencing it once isn’t bad.”
“That’s right. Couldn’t he use that as a foundation to grow into a better martial artist?”
“Why do I have a premonition he has far more outstanding talent than the rumors say, hoho?”
“Eight or nine times out of ten, he’s a hidden prodigy.”
“Exactly, exactly! I was quite surprised hearing that boy Gong Wol’s story earlier. My, to have subdued that arrogant Falling Star Sword with a single punch…”
“And he reportedly fooled him completely by claiming to be a lay disciple of our sect. Ohoho.”
“Yes, hearing that story, how refreshing it was.”
“Since Sect Master Cheol said to gloss it over, let’s just leave Falling Star Sword Sect to misunderstand that he’s our lay disciple.”
“Of course, of course. They were always an eyesore, constantly picking fights with our sect.”
“Of all sword techniques, he used Cloud Chasing Sword Technique – which our sect officially sells – to beat them up. Well, calling him a lay disciple isn’t entirely wrong.”
“Martial Brother Sect Leader, I sincerely support Sect Master Cheol.”
Thus, the various martial brothers including Cloud Sea Sword Elder Cheon Goeng readily expressed their consent without a single dissenting opinion.
Taoist Cheon Mu, listening, wore a bewildered expression as he spoke.
“Somehow… You all seem to be actively favoring Sect Master Cheol.”
At that, Cheon Hyeon, the Hall Master of Eunpyeong Hall who was in charge of finances, nodded while wearing a satisfied smile.
“Ha. Yes, we can’t help but favor him.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Taoist When Cheon Mu asked, Cheon Hyeon instead asked in return.
“Wait, did Sect Master Cheol not mention it?”
“What?”
“Oh my! Martial Brother Sect Leader, you really don’t know? Hoho, this makes me see Sect Master Cheol’s character in a new light. That he didn’t mention it… One would naturally expect him to boast about it.”
Before long, at Eunpyeong Hall Master Cheon Hyeon’s eye signal, another martial brother came over with a small wooden box.
“What’s that?”
As soon as Taoist Cheon Mu finished speaking, the said Taoist opened the box lid while saying.
“Look at this. It’s that precious elixir Hundred-Year Snow Ginseng – no less than ten roots.”
“Hundred-Year Snow Ginseng…! Then surely Sect Master Cheol…?”
The moment Taoist Cheon Mu’s eyes went wide, Eunpyeong Hall Master Cheon Hyeon at one side of the conference table answered in his stead.
“Yes, that’s right, Martial Brother Sect Leader. Comparing with the Martial World Elixir Catalogue, we’ve confirmed it’s an authentic article, perfect in scent as well as color and shape. According to Sect Master Cheol, he fortunately discovered a Hundred-Year Snow Ginseng colony and brought them. He says it’s a gift commemorating the restoration of relations.”
“…!”
Taoist When Cheon Mu gaped in disbelief, Cheon Hyeon threw his head back and laughed loudly.
“Gwahahaha! Sect Master Cheol is literally a jackpot, a jackpot!”
* * *
“This is… A jackpot!”
Red Cat Merchant Guild Head Hui Bu-yong burst out in a sharp voice.
In turn, the fifty-some transport crew members also let out their own voices of astonishment.
“Good heavens!”
“Wow!”
“How much is all that worth!”
Ye Woon-rang mixed in with the group had a similar reaction.
‘Ha, now that I’m seeing it with my own two eyes, it’s too amazing!’
Currently, this place was a space like a secret warehouse inside a mountain cave, and inside were some five hundred or so fairly large silver ingots.
Cheol Ryu-heun had been right.
Suddenly, the conversation he’d had with him while at White Peak Sword Sect flashed through his mind.
-Unless it’s at minimum a sword made of silver iron like yours, I don’t need it. So I plan to supply swords made of silver iron to all the disciples. It’s suitable for temporary use.
-At minimum… Temporary…?
Ye Woon-rang chuckled and muttered internally.
‘He said they’d have to make do with silver iron until they procure red crow iron, and at this rate, will he really get his hands on ten-thousand-year cold iron and diamond indestructible iron too?’
He was newly curious about what was inside Cheol Ryu-heun’s head.
Just how much information and secrets could be in there…
Meanwhile.
Hui Bu-yong, so excited her complexion had reddened, clenched her torch-holding hand tightly.
‘Ten thousand nyang, twenty thousand nyang… Thirty, forty, fifty thousand nyang… One hundred thousand nyang, ah, this is insane!’
It felt like the abacus floating in her head cracked! and countless beads went bouncing in all directions.
This was a situation where she couldn’t even begin to calculate.
Looking at it, that amount should be enough to forge at least three or four hundred swords.
Hui Bu-yong squirmed and cried out as if throwing a tantrum.
“Ah, I want to remarry! Sect Master Cheol! Can’t you take me!”
Several crew members nearby were horrified.
“Aigo, M-Mistress, please maintain your dignity…!”
“You haven’t even divorced yet, what are you…!”
She sighed and grumbled quietly.
“Ugh, my fate. This is why you need to meet a good man. Then again, if I knew such things in advance, I’d have become a fortune teller.”
Then she quickly gestured.
“Alright, alright, hurry up and load it!”
“Yes!”
“When we get to the village below, I’ll treat everyone lavishly, so get it done quickly!”
Simultaneously, the group burst into cheers and began moving the silver iron in orderly motions.
Hui Bu-yong watched the scene with satisfaction while picturing one person’s face in her mind.
‘You pig, you’re finished now!’
That was the face of Qingjian Trading Group Head Choe Tan.
The next plan was already laid out.
By Cheol Ryu-heun.
All Red Cat Merchant Guild had to do was move according to his words.
* * *
The guest hall within Mount Heng Sect.
Cheol Ryu-heun sat on the windowsill of the wide-open window, gazing blankly at the scenery outside.
In the distance, Sage Peak wrapped in a sea of clouds was visible.
His eyes, which had been fixed for a long while, let out a faint gleam.
‘Ha. Anyway, that guy Blood God made something quite useful before he left. Neither I nor that fellow could have known things would turn out this way.’
Indeed.
The origin of the forbidden zone at Sage Peak was none other than the Blood God – the Divine Martial Sword’s owner from two hundred years ago, recorded as an unparalleled ultimate demonic figure alongside the Heavenly Demon.