Chapter 191: It's Been a While

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The sound of Divine wind’s hooves, galloping madly on all fours, faded far beyond the main gate in an instant.

Seop Pyo, who had come out to the training grounds along with various people of the sect, walked away while leaving that sound behind and thought.

‘It begins now.’

Having just arrived here, he already had something to do.

Late last night, he had received a certain mission from Cheol Ryu-heun who had visited his quarters.

-You need to earn your keep, right?

Those were the last words he had casually tossed out as he left through the door…

‘Yes, I have to earn my keep. Ha.’

The moment Seop Pyo chuckled inwardly, Ye Woon-rang approached him and asked.

“Senior. When do you plan to depart?”

“And you?”

“I’ve prepared to depart at any time.”

When Ye Woon-rang answered with spirit, Seop Pyo looked satisfied.

“Good. I like that. Then let’s depart in one quarter-hour.”

“Understood. It’s an honor to share this mission with you. Becoming a Guest Retainer of White Peak Sword Sect is fortunate for a martial artist. Where else could I meet a legend of the assassin’s path?”

“Haha. That’s embarrassing. It’s the same for me. Where else would I get to meet a successor of the Dragon Martial Gate?”

Seop Pyo, following those words, glanced over Ye Woon-rang’s body.

A presence that had changed in just a few days.

The Ye Woon-rang he had seen on the first day and the current him had quite a gap between them.

“It seems it ended successfully.”

“Yes. I barely managed to obtain it last night. The achievement Sect Leader Cheol arranged… And you too have changed, Senior.”

“It’s the first time I’ve consumed that many spiritual medicines. Also that long of an Energy Circulation… Of course, I lost track of time as I fell into a state of selfless absorption. When I opened my eyes, it was night.”

“Yes. Same for me.”

Ye Woon-rang spoke while smiling, then soon asked cautiously.

“By the way, how does it compare to the Founding Patriarch?”

He meant how Seop Pyo’s martial level, having attained new enlightenment, compared to that of Ascending Heaven Sword Dragon, with whom he had previously exchanged moves.

“Comparing to the previous Senior…”

Seop Pyo briefly recalled that last meeting in his mind.

-I can’t just freeload. I’ll show you the Four Dragon Sword Styles as a sword dance. Wouldn’t that be worth at least the drinks and food? Haha.

-Um… Then may I request a duel instead of a sword dance?

-A duel?

-Yes. A final duel to commemorate our respective retirements. I want to find out one last time how much my martial prowess has developed since we exchanged moves a few years ago.

They had exchanged seventy blows with each other.

That duel had ended with him suffering internal injury from the Four Dragon Sword Styles techniques.

Moreover, his own breathing had become visibly ragged, while Ba Hun’s breathing was as peaceful as someone sleeping.

‘If it were now…’

Seop Pyo, having murmured to himself, smiled.

“Well, I don’t know.”

“Ah, I just asked out of sudden curiosity.”

“With the thought of wondering if I too could become like that.”

“That’s right. I’m embarrassed.”

“Hmm. Don’t set one person as your goal. The mindset that the only one who can surpass me is myself… Setting aside standards of strength, wouldn’t it be better to train with such a mindset?”

“Yes. I will engrave your teachings deep in my heart.”

“Haha. What teachings? It’s not enough to call it teaching.”

With those words, Seop Pyo quietly stopped walking and cast his gaze toward the other side of the training grounds.

Ye Woon-rang, having also cast his gaze in that direction, let out a quiet voice.

“Even if we leave our posts, there’s nothing to worry about, is there?”

“Of course. Those two are standing guard firmly here.”

He meant Yeop Hwon and Hyeop Mu-geuk.

Just as Seop Pyo himself and Ye Woon-rang had changed in just days, those two had also changed in their formless presence.

“They’ve become great mountains. Both of those two… The ones who should worry are those who would invade this place.”

“Yes. And there are the three changed goblins too.”

While saying this, he looked at the three Guyang brothers standing beside Yeop Hwon and Hyeop Mu-geuk.

Seop Pyo smirked and nodded.

“When will their faces change, I wonder.”

“Isn’t that practically impossible?”

“Well…”

Seop Pyo’s eyes briefly scanned Ye Woon-rang’s face.

Yes, just like you.

Oh my, how unfortunate.

Both your old-looking face and those three’s hideous faces.

Having read the hidden words in his gaze, Ye Woon-rang bristled inwardly and shouted.

GRK! Just say it outright! That would actually hurt my feelings less!

* * *

“Hall Master!”

“You’ve finally arrived!”

“You took quite a while! Everyone was waiting!”

When Mun Bin opened the main gate of Dark Hall and entered, the Squad Commander of the Dark Soul Sword Squad headed by the Nine Heavens Spring Swordsman Gwang Ryo greeted him warmly.

“Nothing else happened while I was away?”

When Mun Bin asked with a pleased smile, Gwang Ryo approached closely and answered.

“Yes, there was.”

“Pardon?”

“This…”

What Gwang Ryo held out was a single letter.

Sealed with a red official stamp symbolizing the White Peak Sword Sect Leader.

‘Sect Leader Cheol…’

The moment Mun Bin received the letter, Gwang Ryo spoke in a quiet voice again.

“By the way, have you heard the rumor? About the duel…”

At that, Mun Bin turned his head and wore a faint smile.

“Of course.”

“Ah… So you heard it there in advance.”

“Yes, Sect Leader Cheol told me. Along with something even more surprising.”

“…!”

“Haha. Let’s talk separately later. I need to wash up and change clothes first.”

“There’s one more thing to report. An unexpected person has come here.”

“An unexpected person?”

“That’s right. They’ve already been staying here for several days. They said they would wait until you came, so I arranged a room for them for now.”

“Who is it?”

“Well, that… It would be better if you went and saw for yourself.”

“Hmm. Understood. Then I’ll go right away.”

As Mun Bin hurried off, Gwang Ryo followed right behind and asked toward his back.

“Something… Has changed about you?”

“Did you sense it?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve obtained a very great fortuitous encounter.”

“…!”

“Thanks to Sect Leader Cheol.”

The moment Gwang Ryo’s eyes went wide, Mun Bin’s voice struck his ears again.

“I’ve recently obtained the true transmission of the Ghost Fire Sword God.”

“HURP!”

Gwang Ryo’s pupils expanded as much as they could.

‘My goodness, the Ghost Fire Sword God…’

The person who had last owned the Ink God Robe, one of the Ten Heavenly Weapons, and a superhuman who was among the strongest ranks of the unorthodox faction two hundred years ago.

He was one of the protagonists who had made a name during the so-called Age of the Blood God’s Reign.

Only then did Gwang Ryo realize.

That Mun Bin had reached a martial realm on a different level from before.

CLENCH.

A thick smile rose on the lips of him who had clenched his fist.

Was it an optical illusion?

Mun Bin’s back, striding forward, seemed to be wrapped in light.

As if pointing to a bright future.

Gwang Ryo was certain, again and again.

Through Mun Bin’s existence like light, the Dark Hall’s prestige would reach that lofty height.

“First Squad Commander… I ask. Will you trust and follow whatever decision I make going forward?”

At Mun Bin’s meaningful question, Gwang Ryo answered emphatically.

“Yes, I believe in you, Hall Master! And I believe in Sect Leader Cheol too! Please lead us well!”

* * *

SWISH.

Mun Bin opened the lattice door and stepped into the inner chamber, where he discovered a young man seated at the table.

“You are…”

He showed quite a surprised look.

It couldn’t be helped.

Because the person at the table was a famous swordsman from the orthodox faction, not the unorthodox.

A noble young master.

Outstanding among peers.

Though wearing ordinary martial attire that somehow didn’t suit him, he couldn’t hide the outstanding elegance lurking throughout his body.

The skin of the young man, who seemed to be the same age as Mun Bin, was so white as to rival that of a made-up woman, and his facial features were so vivid and handsome as if a master painter of the age had carefully drawn them with a brush.

“It’s been a while.”

The young man pushed his chair back, stood up, and greeted – it was none other than Azure Mark Sword Seol Pan-gyo, the senior disciple of the Azure Heaven Sword Sect.

Mun Bin, having been bewildered for a moment, soon nodded.

“Yes. It’s been a while.”

“Too sudden?”

“Ha, I’d be lying if I said no.”

Mun Bin smirked and went to sit in the chair across from him.

Seol Pan-gyo, stroking his cold teacup, asked.

“Did you hear?”

Understanding the meaning, Mun Bin quietly asked back.

“You mean the circulating rumors?”

“Yes. Tomorrow, they say. The duel between Sect Leader Cheol and Sect Leader So.”

“That’s right.”

“Why didn’t you go? Though it’s already too late because of the distance.”

“I have other things to do. But… There’s no particular need to watch.”

“…!”

Seol Pan-gyo’s gaze deepened.

Seeing that, Mun Bin wore a faint smile and said.

“I am certain. Of Sect Leader Cheol’s victory.”

“That’s surprising. No… Perhaps ‘unexpected’ is the right word.”

“By the way, I heard the story. That you along with Jade Robe Swallow Lady, Moon Gleam Sword, and Iron Brush Young Master all suffered badly. Before Sect Leader Cheol’s hand.”

“Hmm…”

Seol Pan-gyo, having colored his expression slightly, recalled the events of that time.

-Y-you… Aren’t you afraid… Of our father?

-If he’s someone who would move lightly just because of one ill-mannered brat, it would be better if I personally stripped him of his Five Martial Paragons title.

“I didn’t realize Sect Leader Cheol was that strong.”

“Yes, the previous Hall Master was the same.”

“Hm?”

“The one who was once my master – he also died at the hands of Sect Leader Cheol.”

“Th-that…!”

“It wasn’t widely spread. It wasn’t something to blab about. At that time, I barely managed to save my life with Sect Leader Cheol’s help, and as you can see, I’ve risen to the position of the new Hall Master.”

“There must be a hidden story.”

At that, Mun Bin gave a brief explanation of the whole sequence of events.

Seol Pan-gyo, having heard the story, looked shocked.

“How shocking. That someone who was supposed to be a master was actually your family’s enemy…”

“Anyway.”

Following his brief word, Mun Bin posed a meaningful question.

“Shall we hear why you came here?”

“Actually, Father…”

-You drew swords first, and Sect Leader Cheol merely repaid what should be repaid. In that case, you have nothing to feel wronged about.

-……

-My fault for having taught you wrong is also great. From now on, abandon your sense of privilege and go out into the world.

-What you mean is…

-It means not relying on my name as one who holds a seat among the Five Martial Paragons, nor on our sect’s prestige, but simply as one person, leave the sect and study the principles of the martial world.

“…So I set out on the road, and I came here first wanting to meet you. Also to compare our martial paths again.”

“Did you think there was something to learn from me?”

“I remembered our duel in the past. You were more mature than your age then. It was quite impressive. So I naturally thought of you first.”

“Good. This works out well.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re a rising powerhouse far beyond the category of ordinary martial talent, to the point where there are rumors you’ll be a candidate for the next Five Martial Paragons. You’re the perfect opponent to test my newly gained power against.”

“You’ve newly gained power?”

Hearing those words, Seol Pan-gyo had a strong premonition that a duel with a very different aspect from when he had won three years ago would unfold.

Sure enough, Mun Bin stood up and said.

“An opportunity to avenge my defeat.”

“……”

“Let’s go. To the duel arena.”

* * *

PEOPHENG-!

Simultaneously with the brisk explosion.

THUD.

Seol Pan-gyo fell face-first on the stone floor and coughed up a mouthful of blood.

“KUH… HA…”

It was the effect of internal injury from Mun Bin’s heavy sword power.

It had been overwhelming.

Throughout.

He had even displayed perfected-level internal power, but Mun Bin’s martial prowess was solid like an iron fortress.

It was shocking for Seol Pan-gyo.

That the gap in martial might had widened this much in just three years.

Even if Mun Bin had grown rapidly, he had expected it wouldn’t be beyond a level equal to his own.

“URGH… I lost.”

The moment Seol Pan-gyo spoke while struggling to wipe the blood from his mouth, Mun Bin sheathed his sword with a CLANK.

“I obtained this power of mine just a few days ago. Though it would be hard to readily believe.”

“…!”

“Moreover, I didn’t even use the divine weapon I luckily obtained.”

“You even… Have a divine weapon…”

“There’s a martial sect I’d like to recommend to you. If you go there, you’ll truly learn a lot.”

“UGH… Where is that?”

“White Peak Sword Sect.”

At the unexpected name, ripples arose in Seol Pan-gyo’s pupils.

“…!”

“They’re always recruiting Guest Retainer. How about it – will you go?”