Chapter 316: Moving Toward a New Relationship
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Eun Yi-bi and Ya Baek-ji responded with silent nods of greeting.
KKA-TTAK.
Gun Mu-ak also reacted with a light nod.
Meanwhile.
The pupils of Iron Blood Martial Alliance Leader Sword Wheel Crown Prince Gwi Je-shin and Solar Sword Saint Castle Lord Solar Sword Saint Castle Lord Beop-yeol, meeting Cheol Ryu-heun for the first time today, created transparent ripples as they wavered.
Their expressions were of wonder.
It was because of his void-like intangible aura.
To the point where one couldn’t imagine he was the protagonist of the capital’s talk…
Gwi Je-shin and Beop-yeol’s martial prowess was at the strongest tier of the Northern Unorthodox Jianghu.
Therefore, naturally, their level of energy sensing – manifested through immense internal power – was also exceptional.
It was several times superior to ordinary masters.
However.
Nothing was being detected from Cheol Ryu-heun.
How to say it – he seemed like a commoner who didn’t know internal energy cultivation.
It was puzzling.
Was that person really Cheol Ryu-heun?
The one who had overwhelmed not only Severing Finger Sword Venerable So Cheon-ak, a warrior among the Six Polar Stars of Hubei, but furthermore even the outside world’s old demon head, Sun Moon Demon Cult Leader Sun Moon Demon Saint Ahryo-nan?
In Gun Mu-ak’s case earlier, they had sensed fearsome demonic energy through his intangible aura.
Though it was in quantities that transcended even the limits of energy sensing, making it difficult to gauge the exact level.
Either way, both of them had felt it.
But this Cheol Ryu-heun’s internal energy cultivation couldn’t be read at all.
As if some barrier was completely blocking all energy sensing.
That point came as a fresh shock to Gwi Je-shin and Beop-yeol.
The moment Cheol Ryu-heun walked forward step by step.
KUNG.
A sensation like the entire space was writhing assaulted them.
Gwi Je-shin too, Beop-yeol too, and the crowd at other tables too…
It was an illusory phenomenon created by Cheol Ryu-heun’s presence.
In that instant, Gwi Je-shin and Beop-yeol were seized by a thrill.
The dark waves that had seemed to rise up to their necks were subsiding following Cheol Ryu-heun’s footsteps.
A pure white light’s martial wind sweeping away the void’s darkness.
Quietly and softly, also heavily and quickly.
The dazzling light permeated as the thick darkness thinned.
Before long, the void’s darkness that had filled the inn’s interior had been reduced to half.
Thus, Cheol Ryu-heun and Gun Mu-ak’s presences divided the space in two and quietly collided.
At that moment, Thunder Cloud Sword Duke and Azure Prodigy Sword Master saw.
No.
They saw it.
An illusion rising hugely behind Cheol Ryu-heun’s back.
A pure white, gigantic mountain range appeared as the background.
A majestic force that made his void-like intangible aura seem colorless.
It was the same for others.
The white mountain range of grand stature also embedded itself in the field of vision of Gwi Je-shin and Beop-yeol beside them.
He stopped.
When Cheol Ryu-heun halted his steps, a new illusion appeared.
A single sword boasting enormous size.
As if evoking the great sword owned by a celestial giant.
It was standing sharply upright, piercing through the center of the white mountain.
Eun Yi-bi and Ya Baek-ji were also witnessing the same illusion.
For those two, it wasn’t their first time.
They had experienced such an illusion when they faced Cheol Ryu-heun before.
But even seeing it again, it was amazing.
They knew it was an illusion that didn’t truly exist, but it still evoked an awe difficult to explain.
Moreover, they even heard auditory hallucinations.
-Kwarururu, kwarururu, kwarururu…
The white mountain exploded and collapsed.
-Deudeureuk, deudeureuk, deudeureuk…
The spreading debris soon transformed into new mountains.
Wave-like thrills running through their bodies raised goosebumps.
How could one explain that presence?
Perhaps a Martial God of light opposing a Demon God of darkness.
The giant sword connecting heaven and earth wildly emitted brilliant light.
FLASH!
All those illusions vanished cleanly.
By the indifferent voice Cheol Ryu-heun let out.
“I was on my way back from stopping by that place for a bit anyway.”
Where he stood was close to where the Heavenly Demon Cult party was seated.
Gun Mu-ak, meeting his gaze, opened his mouth expressionlessly.
“You must have seen the traces of the fight as well?”
The “that place” Cheol Ryu-heun had just mentioned referred to the mountains where the Demon Buddha Secret Pool was located.
“Of course.”
Cheol Ryu-heun gave a brief reply, then looked at Eun Yi-bi and Ya Baek-ji and spoke again.
“How was it fighting them?”
At that, the two women responded together.
“It was quite fun.”
“Thanks to the Grand Prelate’s strength, it was easy.”
The crowd each tilted their heads at the brief exchange of words.
‘They fought? Where? With whom…?’
At that moment, Wei Ji-am and Seol Hu-yong hurriedly approached nearby.
Their expressions showed they understood what the fight meant.
“Did you perhaps… encounter the enemy?”
At Wei Ji-am’s soft question, Ya Baek-ji received his words.
“Yes. It was confirmed they’re the same group as Aryun-nan’s secretive collaborators. Of course, they all perished by our hands.”
“Hmm…”
Cheol Ryu-heun, having turned his head, soon threw a question at Wei Ji-am and Seol Hu-yong.
“Did you successfully obtain it from there?”
“Yes.”
The two answered in unison and nodded.
Judging from their attitudes, it seemed they had arranged in advance to meet here.
“I knew you would succeed.”
Cheol Ryu-heun quietly spoke as he handed over something.
SEUK.
It was a small bundle he had been holding in his left hand since first entering this place.
“Please accept this.”
Wei Ji-am, receiving it on their behalf, carefully asked a question.
“Ah, is this… that?”
“Yes, that’s right. It is the lost supreme arts of Hundred Thunder Sword God and Thousand Hand Sword Saint.”
At those words, not only Eun Yi-bi and Ya Baek-ji but even Gwi Je-shin and Beop-yeol were greatly surprised inwardly.
The lost authentic transmissions of the previous generation Jianghu’s Orthodox-born hegemons, Hundred Thunder Sword God and Thousand Hand Sword Saint…
He was truly a mysterious person.
Where on earth had he obtained that?
It was the same for Gun Mu-ak.
Though it didn’t show outwardly, surprise also arose in his heart.
Hundred Thunder Sword God, who created the essence of lightning-attribute sword learning for the first time in martial history, was a figure from around seven hundred fifty years ago, and Thousand Hand Sword Saint, who first established the martial realm called Six Breaths Returning to Origin, was a figure from around six hundred sixty years ago.
The eras they were active in differed.
However, they had a commonality.
Namely that they were owners of the Divine Martial Sword.
“It’s not the original, but I’ve restored it as it was. So you can just read and learn it as is.”
“Somehow my hands are trembling. I sincerely thank you. Sect Leader Cheol.”
“I will definitely achieve mastery of Thousand Hand Sword Saint’s authentic transmission to the extreme. For that is the way to repay this grace.”
Cheol Ryu-heun, looking at the two, requested.
“While I’m away, I kindly ask you to take care of things.”
It seemed there was other promised business as well.
Wei Ji-am and Seol Hu-yong responded with expressions of understanding the hidden meaning.
“Yes.”
“Don’t worry.”
Cheol Ryu-heun’s gaze turned back to Gun Mu-ak.
“Now, I’ll ask directly. Do you also have business at the Shiwan Mountains?”
“That’s right.”
Gun Mu-ak’s frank answer.
At that, Cheol Ryu-heun recalled their previous conversation.
-Sun Moon Demon Cult has been discarded, and what’s the remaining matter?
-The punishment of heretics. A group that betrayed our Cult a few years ago.
-Where are they?
-We’re also searching.
At that time, Gun Mu-ak had said.
That he would stay quietly for a month to three months before leaving.
Cheol Ryu-heun let out another bland voice.
“You should have revealed everything from the start. That the Shiwan Mountains was your destination.”
“Well, what would change?”
“Of course it would. I’m also thinking of departing for the Shiwan Mountains.”
“…”
“What, is that unexpected?”
“Somewhat surprising. I thought you weren’t interested in such things.”
“Well, naturally I have zero interest in the Divine Martial Sword.”
“As expected… do you dismiss it as a false rumor?”
“Indeed. I believe it’s undoubtedly a conspiracy by the enemy that you and we encountered. Does your thinking differ?”
“No, I also believe it to be so.”
“And one more thing.”
“What?”
“The traitors you’re searching for probably also have a connection to the rumor about the Divine Martial Sword.”
“…”
Gun Mu-ak’s eyes wavered for the first time.
‘Heuk Ma-yung deliberately came all the way here to plot such a thing…? He should have only come to secretly grow his forces while avoiding our eyes.’
Eun Yi-bi and Ya Baek-ji beside him also seemed to harbor questions.
At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun spoke as if in warning.
“Make your stance clear here. Things could get out of hand if you’re careless.”
“You want me to prove we have no connection to that group?”
“With decision and action befitting a Grand Prelate.”
“How?”
“I said this before. Perhaps we and you might end up joining hands.”
“…”
“Think carefully. It’s a golden opportunity. You gain trust through cooperation, and we dig out the enemy’s true nature. Then it’s mutually beneficial.”
“Is this an official proposal?”
“Who knows. A recommendation and warning, perhaps.”
“Hmph, is that so.”
“I’ve already heard that story too. They say you swept away even the enemy that was trying to attack Green Forest Alliance? Well, of course it was probably discovered by chance.”
“You went all the way there?”
Cheol Ryu-heun shrugged lightly and pointed outside with a chin gesture.
“The one I always ride is rather fast. Don’t waste time and decide. Whether you’ll cooperate with us, or act independently.”
Thus their gazes quietly collided.
A moment of silence.
Before long, Gun Mu-ak let out an indifferent voice.
“Fine. There… let’s help each other.”
The Orthodox White Peak Sword Sect and the outside world’s Heavenly Demon Cult – thus an alliance transcending factions was formed.
It was a momentous event.
Even if it was only a temporary relationship.
Cheol Ryu-heun nodded lightly in response.
“A wise choice. If the group that betrayed Heavenly Demon Cult has joined hands with that mysterious organization, they’re a common enemy.”
“What’s your plan now?”
“Today I’ll stop by Mount Heng Sect, then head straight to the Shiwan Mountains.”
“Mount Heng Sect…?”
“Yes, the finest talents cultivated by the Nine Great Sects are gathered there. I’m planning to take all of them along. Our sect’s young guests will also be following.”
“An elite few.”
“Right. Numbers don’t matter. Quality matters. And…”
Cheol Ryu-heun’s gaze, having trailed off, turned to one side.
“…as you can see, there are also people sitting here. Fighting strength that will be helpful in defeating the enemy.”
Two people could be seen where his gaze rested.
The transcendent warriors of the Northern Unorthodox Jianghu, Iron Blood Martial Alliance Leader Sword Wheel Crown Prince Gwi Je-shin and Solar Sword Saint Castle Lord Solar Sword Saint Castle Lord Beop-yeol.
“I’ve heard much about you two.”
At Cheol Ryu-heun’s words, Gwi Je-shin immediately replied.
“You… recognized us?”
Cheol Ryu-heun nodded and muttered inwardly.
‘Hoo. Those things – it’s been a while since I’ve seen them.’
That referred not to the people but to the swords they possessed.
Ten Great Heavenly Weapons.
Namely the Iron Spirit Bizarre Sword and Blazing Fire Sword that Gwi Je-shin and Beop-yeol respectively owned.
Immediately after, Cheol Ryu-heun declared with his hands clasped behind his back.
“I guarantee, the Divine Martial Sword does not exist within the Shiwan Mountains. Only sinister enemies lurking to take people’s lives. If you two participate… I’ll teach you the method to perfectly achieve mastery of the divine powers latent in the Iron Spirit Bizarre Sword and Blazing Fire Sword.”