Chapter 320: Let's Create
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Inside Mount Heng Sect grounds, the inner room of the living quarters.
A Buddhist monk with a red precept mark inscribed in the center of his forehead was gazing out the open window.
He was a martial monk of the jianghu with strong features that stood out.
He was young.
Perhaps just around his mid-twenties.
The intangible aura ingrained in his body stood out prominently like a crane among chickens.
Enough to evoke the likes of Namgung Sang-rin, Hae Su-yeon, Ximen Yue, and Mun Bin – the rising masters of the Jianghu who were of similar age.
It was a heroic bearing that even Buddhist robes couldn’t conceal.
How many people could exude such outstanding intangible aura at such a young age?
However.
It wasn’t surprising.
Perhaps it was only natural.
Why.
The young martial monk’s identity was a martial talent directly selected and cultivated by the current Shaolin Temple Head Abbot Dharma Master Won-gong.
Twenty-six years old this year, first-rank disciple and special disciple.
His dharma name was Hyo-gak.
His personal epithet was Central Peak Morning Star.
Central Peak meant Mount Song where Shaolin Temple was located.
So he was also called Mount Song Morning Star.
He received the evaluation that he was the reincarnation of the Enlightened Master Gak-jin, the pillar of Shaolin Temple during Blood God’s reign two hundred years ago.
Those words were no different from the highest praise and glory.
At that time, Enlightened Master Gakjin had lost to Blood God Moo-wol who possessed the Divine Martial Sword, but he had amply demonstrated the power of Shaolin Temple’s Buddhist martial supreme arts.
He was the master who had competed against Blood God Moo-wol the longest.
Though he ultimately fell to his knees, his dharma name remained as a great shining light even now.
People said this:
If Blood God Mu-wol hadn’t appeared, Shaolin Temple’s Enlightened Master Gak-jin would have grasped the highest position.
Being compared to such a highly esteemed ancestral master, for Hyo-gak as a later disciple, it couldn’t help but be glorious praise.
He quietly looked up at the sky dyed in sunset colors and suddenly muttered briefly inside.
‘What kind of person might he be?’
One name flashed through his mind in passing.
Cheol Ryu-heun.
The newly appointed sect master of the current White Peak Sword Sect and a young hero who had annihilated Sun Moon Demon Cult with overwhelming martial prowess.
A few days ago, his master Dharma Master Won-gong had said:
-The protagonist who will pacify this age of chaos has been determined. White Peak Sword Sect’s Sect Master Cheol. Ho ho… after seeing his power, I realized much. So please follow him and see and learn many things. It will be very good experience. Yes, indeed.
And he had added:
-I want to see it before I grow older. That person rising to become the foremost Martial God of this era… no, perhaps the greatest throughout all ages.
For Hyo-gak, it was a fresh shock.
Because until now, Dharma Master Won-gong had never praised anyone in such a way.
So his expectations and curiosity were all the greater.
‘If I go to the Shiwan Mountains, I’ll be able to see his power directly.’
His eyes quietly burned as he gently clenched his fist.
At that moment.
TAKTAK-TAK, TAKTAK-TAK-
Footsteps were heard from afar.
They felt somehow urgent.
‘Hm?’
Before long, there was a presence outside the inner room door.
BEOLKEOK-
The lattice door parted left and right and a young man appeared.
A swordsman in his twenties standing six feet tall in pure white clothes.
He had features that were somehow gentle yet strong.
On his left chest, a vermillion pattern representing his sect and status was clearly placed.
A plum blossom embroidered with exquisite craftsmanship.
The young swordsman was Im Kang-yu, a famous talent from Mount Hua Sect.
He was the direct disciple of the current Sect Leader Mount Hua Sword Distinction Zu Won, and possessed the epithet Prosperous Flower Sword Son Im Kang-yu Son.
The plum blossoms embroidered on his chest numbered six in total.
That indicated the swordsman rank within Mount Hua Sect.
From First Plum at the bottom to Seventh Plum at the top.
In other words, Im Kang-yu was a Sixth Plum swordsman symbolizing high rank.
It was something almost impossible at his age.
Because factions had existed in Mount Hua Sect throughout the ages.
So promotion to Sixth Plum swordsman rank at a young age was an extremely difficult matter.
Because the evaluation process itself wasn’t smooth due to faction influence.
Bu Do-nam who was in Green Forest Alliance was such a case.
In the past, he had trained day and night to promote from Fourth Plum to Fifth Plum.
But regardless of his true skill, he and his master were sacrificed to faction politics every time.
If he had served a different person, he would be eyeing the Sixth Plum position by now.
Sect Leader Zu Won had in fact endeavored to break down factions after Bu Do-nam’s expulsion, and currently a series of problems had been considerably improved.
The fruit of that was none other than Im Kang-yu.
The birth of the youngest Sixth Plum swordsman – it was a major event symbolizing change and reform in Mount Hua Sect.
Also, they had eliminated Taoist names.
Thus, like secular martial sects, everyone used their birth names.
Zu Won had once said:
-Is Mount Hua not a Taoist sect without Taoist names? Superficial formalities are not important. Though plum blossoms don’t bloom on Mount Hua, everyone thinks of them as our symbol – keeping proper conduct and mindset is the true meaning of a Taoist sect. Therefore, from now on, anyone creating unnecessary factions will be firmly punished by the Sect Leader’s decree. No more arguments.
Thanks to Mount Hua Sect thus embracing change, the outstanding talent Im Kang-yu also advanced on the path of growth without hindrance.
As one of the young dragons of the proper Nine Great Sects.
That Im Kang-yu spoke in an urgent voice as soon as he appeared.
“Hey, everyone’s gathered over there! Let’s go already!”
He and Hyo-gak were close friends of the same age.
One could tell just from hearing his manner of speech.
Hyo-gak, having smirked, softly asked.
“Has another feast been prepared?”
“That’s not it – he’s finally arrived. There’s an order for everyone to gather.”
“He…?”
“The Martial God of Hunan.”
“…!”
“Yes, him. He said he plans to depart tomorrow at noon.”
Hearing those words, Hyo-gak’s heart pounded loudly.
‘Ah…! I’m finally going to meet Sect Master Cheol!’
Having shouted inwardly, he hurried to straighten his clothes and asked.
“Where?”
“The small building on the southeast side of the grounds. Come on, let’s go together. To see the face of that famous Martial God of Hunan.”
“No, you should speak properly.”
“What?”
“Not the Hunan region but the Martial God of the Jianghu.”
“What, are you already preparing to flatter him?”
“Because Master declared it. That person will rise to become the foremost Martial God of this era.”
At those words, Im Kang-yu smiled gently.
“Heh. Actually, our master too.”
* * *
An antique small building within Mount Heng Sect.
Nine people gathered in the long, rectangular spacious room.
It was the assembly of the rising talents of the Nine Great Sects called young dragons.
Their gazes, seated on left and right of a long rectangular table, were directed toward the head seat.
Right there, Cheol Ryu-heun sat expressionlessly.
The figure seated close to the head seat on the left greeted first.
“Sect Master Cheol, it is truly an honor to meet you like this.”
He was a young man in his twenties with handsome features, wearing blue martial attire.
He had an aura where gentleness and strength coexisted.
The Tai Chi pattern on his clothes told everything.
Who he was.
The young dragon of Wudang Sect, Chang-woon.
Disciple of Taoist Ten Absolute Martial Saint Mu-hyeon, the foremost master of the Hubei region’s Orthodox Jianghu, and the youngest chief swordsman of the Tai Chi Sword Squad.
His personal epithet was Three Absolutes Azure Crane.
It meant he had an elegant character like an azure crane, and his mastery of the three supreme sword studies of Wudang Sect had reached the apex.
Among those, his Nine Palace Sword Technique was at a truly unparalleled level.
Following that, Hyo-gak, seated close to the head seat on the left, also greeted respectfully.
“I am Hyo-gak of Shaolin Temple. I too feel the same way.”
Immediately after, a female swordsman in her twenties with fresh features spoke.
“Sect Master Cheol, let me give you a formal greeting. I am Myo Jeong-mun of PotalsaTemple.”
She was one of the direct disciples of Consistency Grand Nun Il-sim, the current Sect Leader of Potalsa Temple, a Buddhist sect like Shaolin and Emei.
Among the direct disciples, she was the youngest in age, but her swordsmanship skill was the most outstanding and her reputation was high.
Her Jianghu epithet was Buddha Crown Martial Flower.
Meaning a flower of the Jianghu that had bloomed on the Buddha’s crown.
As a woman combining beauty and martial force, her intangible aura was also outstanding.
Not to be outdone, Mount Hua Sect’s talent Prosperous Flower Sword Son Im Kang-yu was about to take a salute posture and greet when.
“That’s enough. Skip the introductions. I know everyone just from your clothes.”
Cheol Ryu-heun spoke in an annoyed tone and began the main talk.
“Everyone pay attention – first, I’ll explain the series of events.”
He organized and taught them about past events one by one in a simple and clear manner.
Before long, that story reached today’s matters.
The rising talents who had been quietly listening couldn’t hide their surprised eyes at the words related to Heavenly Demon Cult Grand Prelate Ultimate Heaven Demon Emperor Gun Mu-ak.
“No way, such…”
“Heavens…!”
“I-is he really going to join?”
None of them could readily believe it.
For the highest demon figure of Heavenly Demon Cult to promise cooperation and travel together…
And as if that weren’t enough, the strongest figures 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, were also reportedly joining the party.
In the meantime, a young man asked while watching others’ reactions.
“Um… can we trust him…? No matter what, he’s someone from the demonic path…”
He was Pa-pyeong, the martial talent representing Mount Huang Sect, with his sturdy physique and distinctively narrow phoenix eyes.
As the direct disciple of the current Sect Leader Heaven-Deceiving Flying Feet Taoist Man-hae, his lightness arts were the best among his peers.
People often said his nimble movements made no sound and even his shadow couldn’t be seen.
Why else would he be called by the epithet Shadowless Swift Guest in the Jianghu?
Cheol Ryu-heun nodded slightly and let out a nonchalant voice.
“You can trust him.”
“Hmm, but still…”
“What, if he betrays us, will you deal with him instead?”
“Excuse me? Ah… th-that’s not it, but…”
“I’ll handle it. So put away useless worries. There’s one thing you all need to do. Go there and kill all the enemies that need to be defeated. Simple, right?”
Hearing those words, Hyo-gak’s eyes burned.
“Yes, I will do my best. Though my strength is lacking…”
At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun replied.
“Right, you’re not up to my standards.”
At that, Hyo-gak made an embarrassed expression.
‘Yes, that’s true. By his standards, even I…’
The only person who could say such a thing to the genius of Shaolin Temple was probably Cheol Ryu-heun alone.
Others around him thought the same.
Cheol Ryu-heun paid no mind and brought out an indifferent voice.
“So, before going to the Shiwan Mountains, I intend to further improve your martial prowess. Special measures, if you will.”
He then pointed toward Baek Lim with a chin gesture.
“Did you hear from that fellow in advance? What I’m trying to do.”
Hyo-gak nodded and answered on behalf of everyone.
“Yes. Special mental training…”
“Right. We start right now. Everyone sit cross-legged on the floor.”
At that, the nine people moved in unison to one side.
Soon everyone had sat in a row and assumed their postures.
CHEOK-
The eyes of Cheol Ryu-heun, who had gone to stand before them, turned red.
He had immediately operated the divine power unique to the Divine Martial Sword.
“Look into my eyes as you listen. Now your mind’s world and my mind’s world will become connected as one. Simply put, we’ll all gather together in the same mental space.”
At the amazing words, the nine martial talents were at a loss for words.
‘What! What did he say? I-is that even possible?’
‘No, how in the world…! That’s something I’ve never heard of.’
At that moment, Cheol Ryu-heun spoke while projecting the divine power’s eye-light.
“I’ll make you into masters rivaling your respective sect leaders.”