Chapter 319: Just One
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Chapter 319 – Just One Long Sword Soul
As mentioned, the outside Jianghu was located at the eastern, western, southern, and northern borders.
Commonly, the west – the origin of the demonic path Jianghu – referred to places like Xinjiang and Tibet.
And the north meant the Great Desert and North Sea, while the east referred to Haedong and Dongying.
Cheol Ryu-heun had mentioned the forces of the southern outside world.
Only then did Gwi Je-shin, Beop-yeol and others realize the identity of the reinforcements.
‘If it’s the southern outside world…!’
One name of a force quickly flashed through each of their minds.
It was none other than a place that had ruled the vast jungle region including Yunnan for hundreds of years.
It was a force renowned since ancient times, so any martial artist would naturally know of it.
Likewise, Gun Mu-ak, having discerned where that was, inwardly smiled and muttered.
‘Hoot, he’s an unpredictable fellow. He’s already reached that far…’
In the meantime, Eun Yi-bi and Ya Baek-ji exchanged conversation through intimate Sound Transmission.
Ice Heaven Divine Palace, composed of the mysterious bloodline clan Ice Vein White Clan of the northern outside world, was the supreme and strongest force of the North Sea that used extreme ice-freezing attribute demonic arts.
But.
Cheol Ryu-heun spoke as if he had overheard those two’s Sound Transmission.
“Relax. I won’t have occasion to contact that ice chunk queen.”
Simultaneously, Eun Yi-bi and Ya Baek-ji flinched.
He noticed even that?
The moment both harbored questions, Gun Mu-ak beside them asked.
“You’ve already figured it out. The fact that Ice Heaven Divine Palace has sided with us.”
At those words, Gwi Je-shin, Beop-yeol, Wei Ji-am, and Seol Hu-yong’s expressions hardened slightly.
It was quite shocking.
To think Ice Heaven Divine Palace, the force that ruled the North Sea of the outside Jianghu, had possibly joined with Heavenly Demon Cult…
Seol Hu-yong suddenly remembered a boast Gun Mu-ak had made before.
-Currently, our Cult is in the process of unifying the demonic path.
‘My goodness…!’
Not content with Asura Demon Cult and Illusion Demon Cult, he was trying to unify even Ice Heaven Divine Palace?
No, perhaps it was already all finished.
It suddenly felt like his heart was sinking coldly.
It struck him anew as frightening.
The ambition and spirit of that young man called Ultimate Heaven Demon Emperor…
At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun responded indifferently.
“Well, it’s obvious.”
“Is that so?”
“If it’s the queen of the Ice Vein White Clan, she’s sufficient to take one seat among the Four Dharma-Protecting Kings in place of the Darkness-Craving Blood Clan’s Heuk Ma-yung. Moreover, the traditional relationship between Heavenly Demon Cult and Ice Heaven Divine Palace is also close.”
“Yes… you’ve pinpointed it accurately. Above all, I was drawn by the current palace master’s absolute martial prowess level.”
“And the palace master’s true heart was probably the same. If she crossed techniques with you.”
That’s right.
She would have been drawn by the fearsome martial force of Gun Mu-ak, who dreamed of the first Cult Leader’s second coming.
“Well, it seems we’ve roughly finished talking to each other.”
Cheol Ryu-heun spoke nonchalantly and raised his body.
Following that, he rummaged through his pocket and showed something he took out.
Paper folded in several layers.
It was a rough map.
Gwi Je-shin, having received and unfolded it, looked at a separately marked location and asked.
“Is this the final assembly point before entering the Shiwan Mountains?”
Cheol Ryu-heun nodded lightly and received his words.
“That’s correct. Do you two have anyone accompanying you?”
Gwi Je-shin and Beop-yeol answered with somewhat awkward expressions.
“None. We deliberately didn’t bring anyone.”
“Yes. We thought if the two of us combined forces, we would certainly be able to obtain the Divine Martial Sword… it’s become a bit embarrassing now.”
The two had exceptional pride in their martial prowess level.
That was an entirely natural mindset.
Considering the prestige of the epithets Sword Wheel Crown Prince and Solar Sword Saint Castle Lord…
Weren’t both of them strongest-tier masters within the current Northern Unorthodox Jianghu?
They were figures fully qualified to consider that having many people accompany them to the Shiwan Mountains would only be cumbersome and bothersome.
However, the situation had subtly changed due to Cheol Ryu-heun’s appearance.
If they had known things would flow this way, they would have brought their elite masters.
Still, they felt relieved because Cheol Ryu-heun was there.
On top of that, the Heavenly Demon Cult party had also joined hands.
Also, reinforcements from the southern outside force that Cheol Ryu-heun had recruited were reportedly going to join as well.
The White Peak Sword Sect guests whose reputations had risen after the Sun Moon Demon Cult battle couldn’t be left out either.
Wouldn’t this be a trustworthy composition?
Above all, they trusted Cheol Ryu-heun’s outstanding ability and skill.
An indescribable sense of trust welled up.
That as long as Cheol Ryu-heun accompanied them, they would be able to overcome any crisis they faced…
Cheol Ryu-heun, standing expressionlessly, pointed at Gun Mu-ak with a chin gesture.
“Then you two please go there with the Grand Prelate. You’ll probably arrive around the Hour of the Rooster tomorrow.”
“Yes, we’ll drive our horses diligently.”
At that moment, Gun Mu-ak’s suggestion stimulated their competitive spirit.
“Wouldn’t it be faster to just run there? Unless it’s a divine beast that Cheol Ryu-heun rides around. After all, everyone should have deep attainments in lightness arts.”
It was a provocation, if one could call it that.
“Fine, I won’t refuse.”
When Gwi Je-shin nodded, Beop-yeol also agreed, not to be outdone.
“Yes, that would be more fun.”
Befitting the highest-tier masters of the Northern Unorthodox Jianghu, their eyes showed competitive spirit welling up.
Even though Gun Mu-ak was an object of fear, before provocation, the temperament of warriors would be triggered like that.
Seeing that, Cheol Ryu-heun inwardly scoffed and spoke.
“Our sect’s guests have already arrived and are waiting. I expect other personnel will also arrive around a similar time. Please wait there together. I’ll stop by Mount Heng Sect and depart tomorrow at noon.”
At those words, Gwi Je-shin and Beop-yeol tilted their heads.
“Other personnel, you mean who…?”
“Wait, are the Nine Great Sects’ sect leaders also joining perhaps?”
At that, Seol Hu-yong replied with a faint smile in place of Cheol Ryu-heun.
“Hoot. Nonsense, how could that be? If nine sect leaders stepped forward to the front… the public’s eyes watching them all would not be favorable. No matter how good the intentions driving them, it would only be seen as an act of greed toward the Divine Martial Sword.”
Gwi Je-shin slightly nodded in understanding.
“Hmm, you’re right. So Sect Master Cheol is only bringing the martial talents cultivated by the Nine Great Sects. Making it appear as investigating the truth of those rumors…”
“Correct. The personnel Sect Master Cheol mentioned are from your side’s camp.”
“Our side…?”
They immediately understood what it meant.
Personnel belonging to the Unorthodox faction.
Simultaneously, Cheol Ryu-heun spoke meaningfully.
“It’s the group of the strongest Unorthodox figure of the Jiangnan Jianghu.”
“Pardon?”
When Gwi Je-shin and Beop-yeol showed puzzled looks, Cheol Ryu-heun mentioned the epithet.
“He’s commonly called Dark Sword Fragrance.”
“Ah…!”
“Dark Hall Master…!”
“In my view, Mun Bin is the foremost among the entire Unorthodox faction of the Jiangnan Jianghu. And he still has room for further development too. Anyway, with him at the forefront, White Dream Demoness, Mountain Shattering Sword, Wild Wolf Saber Demon, New Kun Saber Genius, and Black Cloud Young Master will also come to the location marked on the map. They will all be of considerable help. Because I’ve separately made arrangements.”
For a moment, strong curiosity stirred in Gwi Je-shin.
“Those words… do you mean you gifted them some kind of fortune?”
“Yes. Please ask them directly about any parts you’re curious about. Then, let’s see each other later.”
The moment Cheol Ryu-heun said those words and turned around.
“Wait, let me ask just one thing before you leave.”
Gun Mu-ak’s soft voice held his steps.
“What is it?”
“In this era… does someone stronger than you exist?”
“You’re plenty strong too, what are you saying?”
“You know that’s not what I mean.”
At that, Cheol Ryu-heun cast a gaze with some subtle feeling.
Silence.
Then soon Cheol Ryu-heun’s lips opened.
“Yes. Just one.”
Suddenly everyone’s ears pricked up.
There was one person?
A superior warrior that Cheol Ryu-heun himself acknowledged…?
In the meantime, Gun Mu-ak’s question continued.
“Who is it?”
“I don’t know their identity yet. Also…”
“…”
“It’s too early to say.”
“Are they connected to that secretive mysterious organization?”
“Uncertain.”
“That wasn’t the answer I was hoping for. Have you met them?”
“You heard me. I said it’s too early to say. But one certain fact is…”
Cheol Ryu-heun trailed off, then uttered frightening words.
“Even if you and I right now joined forces, it would be difficult to defeat that bastard.”
At those words, not only Gwi Je-shin, Beop-yeol, Eun Yi-bi, Ya Baek-ji and others, but even the expressionless Gun Mu-ak’s expression wavered.
Wei Ji-am and Seol Hu-yong exchanged glances in shock.
Was that even possible?
It was utterly unbelievable.
Was there really a martial artist in the world who could withstand those two young men’s offensive?
If so, that was far beyond the level of a superhuman.
If such a person actually existed, it wouldn’t be wrong to call them not a divinity-like being but an actual god.
Soon Gun Mu-ak let his eyes sink deeply and issued a heavy voice.
“You’ve met them… though I don’t know who it is.”
“When the time comes, I’ll tell you. Well, not everything.”
“I’ll look forward to it. But… do you have a brilliant plan to oppose such a person?”
“I just need to become stronger than I am now.”
At Cheol Ryu-heun’s simple reply, Gun Mu-ak let out a wry laugh.
“Hoot… if you become even stronger than that, it’ll be somewhat troublesome for me.”
“Don’t be dramatic. You’ve already completed the Demon Extreme Sacred Body.”
“…!”
“No need to be surprised. It’s intuitive. I’m someone with rich experience for my age, so my instincts are rather good.”
“At this point, I’m quite curious where the end of the path you walk lies.”
It was Gun Mu-ak’s honest sentiment.
He was more curious about the destination of the path Cheol Ryu-heun walked than the one he himself was walking.
Because this was truly the first time in his life meeting a person who constantly gave shocks and stimulated curiosity like this.
At that moment.
Cheol Ryu-heun shrugged and spoke with an indifferent face.
“I’m curious about that too.”
Then he immediately disappeared out the inn door.
* * *
The vast sky dyed red by the sunset.
Outside Mount Heng Sect, a young disciple could be seen standing alone on a sizable watchtower.
Contemplating while appreciating the mountain scenery that had turned purple, he was Baek Lim, who had been elevated from second-rank disciple with the Taoist name Gong-wol to first-rank disciple.
‘Hmm… quite a lot of time has passed since that day.’
Having muttered that inwardly, he wore a faint smile.
Somehow the sentiment was fresh.
Because this was the place where he had received his new Taoist name, Baek Lim.
At that moment, a conversation with his master, the current Mount Heng Sect Leader White Cloud Sword Duke Taoist Cheon Mu, came to mind.
-Do you have a Taoist name in mind?
-No, I don’t.
-Good, I’ll give you a new Taoist name. Baek Lim. It means to protect our sect’s noble doctrine as one unstained like a white forest.
-Baek Lim… I like it very much. Sect Leader.
-Ho ho. From now on, formally address me as Master.
-Yes, Master!
Baek Lim made his smile even more distinct along with that thought.
‘Everything can be said to be thanks to Sect Master Cheol. Now I must repay that great grace.’
But suddenly, a light appeared in the sky over there.
A large white mass – it was a man and horse.
HWIIIIIIING-
The man and horse that had rapidly surged across the sky soon dropped onto the watchtower.
KKUGUGUING…!
The muscular horse that let out a heavy sound upon landing was Divine Wind.
Baek Lim brightened up as soon as he saw Cheol Ryu-heun’s face sitting atop it.
“Ah… Sect Master Cheol, you’ve arrived! Everyone has been waiting with bated breath!”
At that, Cheol Ryu-heun gestured with an indifferent expression.
“Don’t stand there forlornly – go tell them. Tell them to prepare to stay up all night.”
“Pardon…?”
“We’re now going to start special mental training for the young dragons of the Nine Sects. Assemble everyone.”