Chapter 301: I'm Going

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The sect personnel who had been training at the sparring grounds greeted him with brightened faces.

“Sect Master!”

“Ah, you’ve returned!”

Cheol Ryu-heun gestured as if half-listening and commanded.

“Gon. Take this fellow and give him a nice generous feeding. Ten-year-root grade or above if possible. He had no time to rest today either, going to several more places. Well, he should gorge himself as a reward.”

At that, Qidiao Gon, the head of the workers, took Divine Wind’s reins and disappeared.

At that moment, Chief Supervisor Hyeop Mu-geuk asked with a curious tone.

“But… why have you returned alone?”

Because Ximen Yue, who had departed together, was nowhere to be seen.

“That fellow had separate work to do. Everyone, stand by for a moment.”

With those words, Cheol Ryu-heun moved his steps toward the center of the sparring grounds.

“There are several things to convey, but before that…”

His gaze, now standing in the center, turned toward one spot.

“From now on, the examination will begin.”

At the unexpected words, the hall briefly stirred.

‘What suddenly…?’

Just as everyone harbored questions.

SEURURUNG-

Cheol Ryu-heun drew the Gan Jiang Sword.

The clear, blue blade sparkling in the sunlight.

Only then did Gal Jung-heon, the former Nine Demon Alliance Master who guessed the meaning, speak on behalf of everyone.

“You mean to test our martial prowess.”

Cheol Ryu-heun, having nodded slightly, received his words with an indifferent face.

“Correct. I’m planning to select personnel to carry out a mission.”

The curiosity of all the guests grew even greater at those words.

Right at that moment.

KKIIIK-

The main gate over there opened and Elder Yeop Hwon entered.

But… he wasn’t alone.

There was one more person behind him.

A young man of heroic bearing wearing a black formal robe.

It was Dark Sword Fragrance Mun Bin, owner of the Ink God Robe, one of the Ten Great Heavenly Weapons, and Hall Master of the Unorthodox faction’s Dark Hall.

The two people mixed into the group where everyone stood with rapid steps.

First, Yeop Hwon expressed polite courtesy and said.

“Sect Master, you’ve returned at an opportune time.”

Following that, Mun Bin also offered greetings with a fist salute.

“We meet again like this not long after. I visited here on business, and happened to meet Elder Yeop and came in together.”

He suddenly glanced at a young man standing to one side.

The target of his gaze was Seol Pan-gyo of the Azure Mark Sword, a guest of the sect from Azure Heaven Sword Sect.

Mun Bin smiled and spoke through Sound Transmission.

At that, Seol Pan-gyo also replied with the same Sound Transmission.

At that moment, a conversation he had with him flashed lightning-fast through his mind.

-Uuuk… I lost.

-This power of mine was obtained just a few days ago. It’s hard to readily believe, but.

-…!

-Moreover, I didn’t even use the divine weapon I was lucky enough to obtain.

-A d-divine weapon on top of that…

-There’s a martial sect I want to recommend to you. If you go there, you’ll truly learn a lot.

-Uuk… where is it?

-White Peak Sword Sect.

-…!

-They’re constantly recruiting guests. How about it, will you go?

That had completely changed his destiny.

-Go and seize the opportunity for growth. My advice ends here. The rest is your share.

-Indeed, my share.

-Here, use this to treat your internal injuries. Since Sect Master Cheol will be away because of the scheduled martial competition anyway, it seems you can stay at our hall a few more days before departing.

-No. I was planning to leave today.

-Right away?

-Yes. Even if I end up waiting a long time, going there and waiting is the right thing. If they won’t open the door… I should kneel before it and beg until they do.

-Oho… a determined attitude. I see you differently now.

-I’ve resolved myself to that extent. Since the purpose of my visit is to apologize for my wrongs. I can’t show my insides, so I have to somehow show it with my body. Only then will it be conveyed. My heart of apology.

To Mun Bin’s Sound Transmission, Seol Pan-gyo sent a wordless smile instead of an answer.

“What are you two whispering about? Did you come alone?”

At Cheol Ryu-heun’s apathetic question, Mun Bin straightened his expression.

“Ah, yes. Captain Gwang’s group came together too, but they’re all on standby at a nearby tavern.”

Captain Gwang’s group referred to Dark Ming Sword Unit First Captain Nine Springs Swordsman Gwang-ryo and his subordinate members.

Shortly after, Elder Yeop Hwon standing beside him placed a bundle on the floor.

“I visited Baizhou’s Red Cat Merchant Guild and picked up an item.”

Then he untied the knot and showed what was inside.

It was clothes made from the Blood-Eye Black Divine Python’s shed skin.

Yeop Hwon, having spread it out in his hands, immediately added.

“I heard that Sheep-Tongue Tiger Dream put special effort into making it.”

Simultaneously, everyone let out soft exclamations.

“Wow.”

“Sheep-Tongue Tiger Dream…”

“Amazing.”

The Sheep-Tongue Tiger Dream just mentioned was the foremost craftsman of Jiangnan and one of the three greatest master artisans in the Jianghu.

Also.

He was famous for not easily taking on work no matter how much advance payment and labor fees were offered.

However, Hui Bu-yong had succeeded.

Cheol Ryu-heun recalled the previous occasion and praised her capabilities.

‘Hm, impressive. She confidently guaranteed…’

-What is that?

-The shed skin of the Blood-Eye Black Divine Python.

-…!

-I can’t be bothered to explain the details so don’t ask, and make martial attire for me to wear using that.

-Martial attire… this will require the skills of this era’s greatest artisan.

-Of course.

-Yes, understood. Leave it to me.

He felt it anew.

That his eye for people hadn’t been wrong.

If Hui Bu-yong continued to display such excellent capabilities going forward, the Red Cat Merchant Guild would rise to become worthy of the continent’s greatest merchant group in name and reality.

“I like it. I’ll try it on later.”

Cheol Ryu-heun then looked at Mun Bin again.

“I know why you came. Did you hear the words that suddenly started circulating?”

“Ah… perhaps you also heard the rumor, Sect Master?”

“The day before yesterday.”

At Cheol Ryu-heun’s brief reply, Yeop Hwon added.

“Isn’t that the rumor related to the Divine Martial Sword?”

Cheol Ryu-heun nodded slightly and asked back.

“That rumor spread to Baizhou too?”

“That’s right.”

“It’s simultaneous and widespread then.”

“Oh, that means…”

“Right, I’m on my way back from investigating separately today. That it’s rapidly spreading across regions.”

Mun Bin and Yeop Hwon’s expressions slightly hardened at those words.

“…!”

On the other hand, those who still didn’t know what was what each had bewildered expressions.

Amid that, Hyeop Mu-geuk, Namgung Sang-rin and others asked softly.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Um, what do you mean it’s related to the Divine Martial Sword…?”

Yeop Hwon turned his head and informed them of the rumor’s contents.

“It’s a rumor that the legendary Divine Martial Sword exists within the Shiwan Mountains.”

Before those unexpected words, everyone was astonished.

“What?”

“My! Su-such…”

“The Divine Martial Sword is in the Shiwan Mountains…?”

At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun spoke with a bland expression.

“Don’t be surprised. No such thing exists. It’s nothing but a false rumor.”

At such an assertive attitude, everyone’s gaze focused.

“I’m planning to head to the Shiwan Mountains soon. And the purpose of the martial prowess test I mentioned earlier is to select a few people to accompany me.”

Hyeop Mu-geuk quickly grasped the meaning and asked a question.

“Is that rumor a kind of conspiracy? So you intend to investigate it personally…?”

“I was originally planning to go there. Then the rumor spread while I was at it.”

“Ah… I see.”

“So while going there, I’ll find out. What kind of fellow’s prank this is.”

No sooner had Cheol Ryu-heun’s words ended than Namgung Sang-rin recalled past events.

‘Wait…!’

The mysterious enemies they had encountered when visiting Demon Buddha Secret Pool.

At that time, Cheol Ryu-heun had spoken while retrieving an iron sword.

That it appeared ordinary at first glance but was a superior-grade sword.

It had been caught in the powerful explosion of gu poison, but only the blade was slightly bent and the overall condition was good.

He remembered the conversation about that.

-Is this a sword made of Meteor Iron?

-The color is similar, but it’s iron beyond that. I’ll have to leave it with an artisan to investigate for more details.

‘Hmm, he said it was the same iron sword as those who attacked Heon-rin. That fellow headed toward the Shiwan Mountains, and coincidentally, rumors related to the Divine Martial Sword have now spread. The common point of the Shiwan Mountains… then…’

It seemed there was somehow a connection to his younger sibling’s mission.

Of course, it was merely a vague premonition.

However, there was something worrying.

Namgung Heon-rin had promised to visit White Peak Sword Sect after successfully completing the mission.

But there had been no news since.

Had he lost that intention?

Soon, Cheol Ryu-heun’s Sound Transmission reached Namgung Sang-rin’s ears.

Having transmitted those words, Cheol Ryu-heun muttered inwardly.

‘I should have them meet each other. Since I’ve already received the request.’

Following that, he lightly waved his sword and opened his mouth.

“Then shall we begin the examination, which is essentially practical martial competition? Who’s going first?”

As if waiting for those words, Head-Severing Yama Seop Pyo raised his hand high and stepped forward.

“I’ll go first.”

But Cheol Ryu-heun answered gruffly.

“Not allowed.”

“Pardon? No, why…?”

“Old-timers are excluded. I’m going to mainly take young kids. They need to go and gain experience.”

“Su-such…”

“If you want to accompany, Rejuvenate right here.”

“…”

“It’s easier than you’d think. Give it a try.”

KEUK! Shut up! What’s easy about it! That only applies to you!

* * *

Within Wuyang’s government office, at the County Magistrate’s desk.

Ju Yu-gang, sitting with his chin propped up, suddenly let out a wry laugh.

“Hoot… what an absurd fellow…”

He meant Cheol Ryu-heun.

He had visited the office half a quarter-hour ago.

Like a thieving cat as always.

-Can’t you quit sneaking in?

-What’s the fuss about at this point.

-Ugh… forget it. I won’t bother. I was actually planning to meet you anyway, and you showed up at an opportune time.

-What, do you have something to request of me?

-Something… like that.

-If it’s a request, it’s a request – what’s “like that”? Speak clearly.

-Ahem… right… there’s something I’d like to urgently request.

-What is it?

-Would you search for some people?

-People? That’s an interesting request.

-Precisely… it’s searching for Heon-rin’s group.

-Did something go wrong?

-It’s still unclear, but I’m told contact was cut off after they headed toward the Shiwan Mountains. Actually, Heon-rin’s group’s superior is a life benefactor to me, but due to circumstances…

-I roughly understand the rest. You mean you can’t readily step forward and need help from a Jianghu person?

-Mm… that’s right.

-Understood.

-You’ll take it on?

-It’s not a difficult task. I was planning to go there anyway.

-I know of your outstanding abilities, but… don’t take the matter too lightly.

-No need to worry. I know where they’ll be.

-Wh… what?

-I told them in advance. A place to take refuge in case of emergency.

-Huh! Where is it?

-The location where Sword Emperor Buk Ga-shin’s fortune is arranged.

-…!

-Those already dead can’t be helped… but I’ll take responsibility and bring back those who took refuge there. Is there anything else you want to request?

-Ah, no… there isn’t.

-Then that’s settled.

-Ah, but what did you come for?

-To deliver a letter.

-Hm?

-A personal handwritten letter to convey to Master Gongsun. You know him well, right? Well, looking at it, it seems the person who requested the search of the Shiwan Mountains is also him.

-H-how do you know that…

-I’m a bit quick on the uptake. When you deliver the letter, also convey these words. That all personnel have moved to a safe location and are proceeding with the work. If you say that, he’ll understand everything. And this is what I’m giving as payment for the trouble.

Thinking about those words, Ju Yu-gang’s gaze rested on the desk.

There, a single book was placed…

The four-character title was this:

Sword Controlling Technique.

That was the authentic transmission of Heavenly Clear Sword God, who had been the Divine Martial Sword’s owner nine hundred years ago and the one who first created the martial art called Controlling Sword Technique.