Chapter 196: The Plot Thickens
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[ ED – Corps Commander has been changed to Squad Commander going forward]
Amid the contest of weighty aliases and names like Taoist White Cloud Sword Duke Cheon Mu of the Mount Heng Sect and Black Silken Sword Sovereign Wei Ta-gong of the Heaven-Shaking Sword Palace, the presence of Thunder Cloud Sword Duke added weight.
Everyone’s eyes sparkled.
It felt as if they were at a duel arena prepared to determine who truly held the position of supreme master between the two regions.
The murmuring quickly subsided.
TAK, TAK, TAK, TAK…
The sound of footsteps cutting through the silence.
Following Wei Ji-am’s quiet walk, the gazes of the crowd filling the road moved along.
It was an admirable formless presence.
To the point of creating an illusion that transparent cracks were spreading in all directions with every step he took with his gaze fixed forward.
Everyone was keenly feeling it.
That his dignity was no less than Wei Ta-gong’s.
Soon Wei Ji-am, having approached where Cheol Ryu-heun, Taoist Cheon Mu and others stood, paid a respectful greeting.
“Have you been well? Your face looks better day by day.”
The target was Taoist Cheon Mu.
Before being a rival and competitor with whom he had never determined superiority in martial prowess, he was a senior of the orthodox faction whom he had sincerely respected.
That was why he offered words of greeting first.
Taoist Cheon Mu answered with a benevolent smile.
“Hoho, do I look so?”
“I’m not someone who says empty words, am I?”
“Yes, thank you for saying so. It’s worthwhile to have secluded myself in the high, deep mountains and not neglected training.”
Then he immediately switched to secret voice transmission.
<Actually, it’s thanks to Sect Leader Cheol. I’ll tell you about that later.>
Having heard that and been surprised, Wei Ji-am naturally shifted his gaze toward Cheol Ryu-heun.
‘Ha… For a Senior to say such a thing…’
He had met White Gate Sword Gentleman Sagong Woon a few times in the past including in friendly duels, but this was his first time meeting his direct disciple Cheol Ryu-heun.
“This is the first time we meet, Sect Leader Cheol. I am Wei Ji-am of Thunder Lightning Sect.”
He neatly clasped both hands before his chest and even bowed his head.
A wonderful character that didn’t neglect the propriety of a formal introduction just because the other was younger, no, rather showed even more respectful gestures.
Cheol Ryu-heun also immediately clasped his hands and bowed his head in greeting.
“Yes, I’ve heard much about you.”
Wei Ji-am felt a peculiar feeling assail him before that expressionless response.
‘Hmm. He’s almost like an ordinary person. His presence is close to nothingness. Moreover, those eyes and face are like a being who has transcended the ways of the world…’
Like Hungry Wolf Blade Demon Jinjo Jeok-je had before, he too felt an inexplicable strangeness and wonder upon encountering the emotionless opponent up close.
At that moment, someone’s authoritative voice rang out from the opposite direction.
“Sect Leader Wi Ji. Did you come to liven up this gathering?”
It was Black Silken Sword Sovereign Wei Ta-gong.
Drawn by the voice, Wei Ji-am turned his head.
“Palace Lord Wei. What exactly… Do you mean by that?”
“Ha. Don’t you already know.”
Wei Ta-gong gestured with his chin toward Cheol Ryu-heun.
Not to be outdone, Tai Saber Kun Yuk Geum-gang beside him chimed in.
“As you can see, didn’t he create this chaos?”
Emboldened by that, the direct victim Hungry Wolf Blade Demon Jinjo Jeok-je opened his mouth.
“Several people including my disciple Pyeong were struck by Cheol Ryu-heun’s hand. This is not something to be resolved with words. Sect Leader Wei Ji, Sect Leader Cheon Mu. It’s fine to side with him verbally from here, but… Please refrain from needless intervention. This is a matter concerning my prestige and that of this sect.”
No sooner had the words ended than a voice with a heroic feel was heard from somewhere.
“Yes, I fully understand Sect Leader Jin Jo’s position.”
Following that, the crowd in one direction parted again, and a figure boasting a gallant presence walked out.
A man in his late thirties with a long golden spear resting on one shoulder.
Standing at seven chi tall with bear shoulders and tiger waist, he was a martial artist who exuded both sturdiness and agility.
Outstanding among peers, was it?
The man was exactly that.
Even without the martial artist’s attire, his magnificent build stood out among the people gathered like clouds.
Wearing a pristine white robe beneath a blue silk outer robe like a battlefield general, he approached with refreshing strides.
SWISH, SWISH, SWISH-
A pattern embroidered large in the center of the quietly swaying blue outer robe caught the eye.
It was the image of the legendary divine beast, the qilin.
Everyone knew well what that symbolized.
The crowd was once again swept up in excitement.
“Jade Qilin!”
“Look at that presence! A martial world hero!”
“He’s really cool.”
“Wow…”
Jade Qilin Yeo Yong-jeo.
A powerhouse of orthodox faction origin who was the youngest to add his name to the ranks of the Six Extremes of Hubei at thirty-eight years old this year.
The current Fortress Lord of Golden Spear Fortress that dominated the Yungmu Mountain area, he was a peak master who had earned a great name with spearwork – something that could be called extremely rare in this martial world of countless blades and swords.
Some evaluated him thus.
If Jade Qilin Yeo Yong-jeo had learned swordsmanship or bladework, which could display diverse wondrous techniques, rather than spearwork with its operational limitations, he would have likely risen to the top position among the Six Extremes of Hubei by now…
In other words, that meant his personal talent for having risen to become a powerhouse counted on one hand within the region before even turning forty was that outstanding.
In truth, the Golden Shadow Spear Technique that Yeo Yong-jeo had mastered at the perfected level was a transcendent martial art at a level that by no means fell behind the supreme sword and blade arts of other famous martial sects.
There was no need to prove it otherwise.
Dozens of famous swordsmen and blade practitioners of this region had already knelt before his golden spear.
Having thus continuously made a great name, he had obtained a place among the current Six Extremes of Hubei.
Yeo Yong-jeo, displaying a general’s majesty with his splendid appearance, took position beside where Jinjo Jeok-je’s group stood.
Befitting an orthodox figure, he first offered courtesy while looking at Taoist Cheon Mu and others on the opposite side.
Then, with eyes shining, he spoke clearly.
“Allow me a word. In my judgment, Sect Leader Cheol’s conduct seems excessive. A duel is already scheduled, yet to have caused such an incident… Honestly, it looks like nothing but deliberate provocation. Moreover, isn’t this not even the Hunan region?”
His intentions were finally revealed.
Yeo Yong-jeo wasn’t trying to side with the unorthodox group without reason.
That is, he meant that Cheol Ryu-heun’s sudden behavior – coming to someone else’s region and casually displaying martial moves to create a cause for conflict – was irritating.
Though they belonged to the same orthodox faction, it was unacceptable…
To put it more simply, he was just annoyed.
That’s right.
Yeo Yong-jeo hadn’t liked him from the start.
Even he, the youngest to reach the ranks of the Six Extremes of Hubei, had not yet surpassed Severing Finger Sword Venerable So Cheon-ak, yet when suddenly a much younger man of about twenty drew the world’s attention with a duel, he had been seized by competitive psychology.
A kind of jealousy and envy.
So he had deliberately made his move, taking this opportunity.
“Hoho. Well now, there are times when we receive help from him.”
At Jinjo Jeok-je’s laugh-laced voice, Yeo Yong-jeo’s expression hardened.
“Help, you say? Please refrain from such words. I merely meant that what needs to be disputed should be disputed.”
At that, Jinjo Jeok-je immediately hit the mark.
“It seems like jealousy – am I wrong? Well, it’s not bad for me.”
“What are you…!”
Just as Yeo Yong-jeo looked serious.
“That’s wrong!”
A short shout burst out.
It was Beon Sa.
Having come forward, he raised his voice and spoke again.
“Sect Leader Cheol is not someone who would act without just cause! This incident was brought on by Young Master Jong himself! Because he drew his blade first! To briefly explain the situation at that time…”
Just as his brief explanation was ending, a woman suddenly jumped in.
“I was the same! I did bad things first!”
A peerless beauty shouting while pushing through the crowd.
Mae Yak-bang, Jade Robe Swallow Lady – the beauty who had previously suffered badly at Cheol Ryu-heun’s hand along with Azure Mark Sword Seol Pan-gyo and others.
“I’m Mae Yak-bang of the Soaring Swallow Sword Sect. Sect Leader Cheol is absolutely not someone who would use force without any reason. Just looking at our case…”
When Mae Yak-bang soon glanced to the side, two people from the crowd hesitantly approached and stood.
They were Wu Yong, Moon Gleam Sword, and Wan Ryeom, Iron Brush Young Master, who had accompanied her.
‘GRK… Crazy wench, embarrassing us like this…’
‘DAMN! You’re going to apologize like this…?’
MURMUR MURMUR, MURMUR MURMUR.
When everyone’s gazes concentrated on them, Mae Yak-bang felt her face grow hot.
GRIP.
A hand gripping the side of her skirt tightly.
Only then did she realize.
That confessing one’s wrongdoing in front of so many people required courage beyond imagination.
‘I’m so embarrassed. But… I have to endure. And I have to say it. Because this is something I brought upon myself!’
Having steeled her heart like that, Mae Yak-bang revealed everything about the past and added.
“So… We ended up suffering that fate. It wasn’t something to blame anyone else for.”
Then she bowed at the waist toward Cheol Ryu-heun.
“Sect Leader Cheol, I formally apologize.”
Wu Yong and Wan Ryeom also reluctantly bowed at the waist and apologized, pretending to be remorseful.
“We’re sorry!”
“Please forgive us!”
After a brief silence, the sound of applause was heard.
The crowd was clapping and encouraging the three people who were begging forgiveness so publicly, one by one.
At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun let out an indifferent voice.
“It won’t be that bad.”
“Pardon?”
The moment Mae Yak-bang’s eyes went round, Cheol Ryu-heun’s hand lightly tapped her shoulder.
“The feeling of apologizing. And the feeling of being forgiven.”
“Ah…”
“We’ll see. Going forward.”
“Yes! Sect Leader Cheol. Something like this will never happen again! And… Thank you. For various things.”
“Since you came all this way, watch tomorrow’s duel before you go.”
Cheol Ryu-heun responded nonchalantly and stepped a few paces forward.
“Do you understand now?”
At that, Jinjo Jeok-je’s expression hardened.
‘HNG…!’
There was no plausible justification.
If he swung his blade now without backing down, he would appear as a petty person who unconditionally covers for his disciple’s faults, unworthy of the Five Martial Paragons’ name.
But then.
Black Silken Sword Sovereign Wei Ta-gong threw the question back.
“Understand?”
His eyes flashed as he spoke again.
“So… You said you have no concern for honors like Five Martial Paragons or Six Polar Stars?”
“That’s right.”
The moment Cheol Ryu-heun shrugged without changing expression, Wei Ta-gong’s pupils were dyed with thick murderous light.
“Hearing those words, I can’t just stay still.”
FLUTTER-
As Wei Ta-gong’s clothes slightly fluttered, a solemn energy began flowing along his body.
TIK, TITIK, TIK…
The stone floor beneath his feet cracked fine and cried out.
Suddenly.
STEP-
Thunder Cloud Sword Duke quietly walked forward and let out a heavy voice.
“As you know, Sect Leader Cheol has a duel to fight tomorrow. So… How about a sword dance with this body?”
Immediately after, a dominating formless energy surged around his form, delivering a suffocating pressure.
Quiet exclamations leaked out here and there.
The situation had just escalated.
They hadn’t expected that Black Silken Sword Sovereign and Thunder Cloud Sword Duke, who rivaled each other for the top position of both regions, would face off directly like this.
Though autumn was drawing to a close, this place alone was as hot as summer.
A place where orthodox and unorthodox, master and novice, fervor and fighting spirit, anticipation and anxiety coexisted.
With more than half of the crowd gathered in the vast urban area being martial artists, the intensifying atmosphere was no ordinary thing.
At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun, hands behind his back, poured oil on the fire.
“If you want to fight, I’ll give you the chance. You can all come at once.”