Chapter 334: Xi'an (5)
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“……Are you truly from Wudang?”
“I am indeed a person of the Wudang Sect.”
“I have no desire to play word games right now.”
Seo Eun-han let out a sigh. That alone was no different from affirming my words.
“The Mount Hua Sect is certainly divided.”
Seo Eun-han’s words began like that.
“We have lost our bearings. Our Sect Leader is a virtuous commander, but he cannot stop Martial Uncle Gu’s rampage at present.”
“If you speak of Martial Uncle Gu, you must be referring to the Violet Mist Divine Sword, Gu Jinqing?”
“That is correct. Right now, actual power in the Mount Hua Sect has effectively passed over to Martial Uncle Gu, and he spearheads all matters and directions, so the grievances of the disciples, myself included, are no small matter.”
“Backing black-path thugs and the like was Gu Jinqing’s idea, then.”
“To be precise, it is the idea of the Palace of Heavenly Worship. Martial Uncle Gu holds so high a status that he oversees one of the pavilions even within the Palace of Heavenly Worship. Consequently, if the Palace of Heavenly Worship orders it, he executes it without a second thought. That cannot be regarded as Mount Hua’s unyielding spirit.”
I cast a subtle glance at the surroundings. The Mount Hua disciples were still standing guard without knowing what was being discussed.
“By the way, how did you know?”
“The Wudang Sect was like that as well. Whenever a new current arrives, a sect is bound to divide. If there is no one to unify them, that division grows severe. The Mount Hua Sect must be in such a state right now.”
I continued speaking.
“The idea of cooperating with the black path could never be accepted by the entire Mount Hua Sect. A division was bound to break out. If Gu Jinqing is pro-Palace of Heavenly Worship, then there must also be anti-Palace of Heavenly Worship members, including the Sect Leader.”
“Your insight is accurate. However, even so, we could not simply ask for help immediately. Historically, hasn’t inviting outside forces to resolve internal turmoil often proved to be a bad choice?”
“If you are of the anti-Palace faction, you wouldn’t consider the New Justice Association an enemy. You yourself are conversing with me without displaying much hostility, after all.”
When I spoke, Seo Eun-han nodded his head.
“You are not wrong. Several disciples, including myself and the Sect Leader, opposed Martial Uncle Gu’s unilateral decision to side with the Martial Alliance during the catastrophe of the guiyou year, and we were merely swept up in the momentum of riding a tiger. When the Sect Leader reprimanded Martial Uncle Gu, Martial Uncle Gu reportedly lost his temper instead, claiming one cannot go against the flow of the times. No matter how strong Martial Uncle Gu’s martial arts may be, he should never treat the Sect Leader this way.”
The current backing of black-path thugs by the Mount Hua Sect was probably because the two factions were divided and fighting, leaving them no leeway to look after Xi’an.
“As expected, you harbor many complaints.”
“Please oust Martial Uncle Gu. Somehow. That was what I wanted to say.”
This was welcome news. Furthermore, if instead of turning the entire Mount Hua Sect into enemies, we could absorb them as allies, it would be the best outcome the New Justice Association could not have anticipated. For the New Justice Association Leader, it was a deal impossible to refuse.
“I am a person who believes the words that you, the New Justice Association Leader and Eastern Emperor, made sacrifices. If you possess such a chivalrous heart, I trust you will aid the Mount Hua Sect, a fellow orthodox sect.”
“Of course. Fellow orthodox sects ought to help one another.”
I nodded my head. In truth, orthodox sects truly needed to unite right now. The threat of the Blood Cult was taking concrete shape, and no one knew what schemes the Imperial Palace and the Immortals’ realm harbored or what underwater operations they were conducting.
In fact, my intention to tear down the Mount Hua Sect was also linked to that. Because rapidly unifying the orthodox sects would give the New Justice Association far more courses of action.
“Then let us discuss a bit……”
It was right when I was about to discuss a plan. Judging by Seo Eun-han’s lack of reaction, it seemed I was the only one who sensed it so far.
Drawing Bright Elegance at once, I unleashed a burst of sword qi toward the sky. The gray sword qi undulated and soared into the sky alongside a gust of sand.
The sword qi I launched collided with another blade in the sky and shattered into a spray. It had flown from a point in the sky that wasn’t even visible. It showed just how high they had leapt.
I immediately took a defensive posture. In no time, a person landed to my left and right respectively.
Even though people descended at rapid speed to the ground from far away, not a single speck of sand dust rose from their feet. Seeing how lightly they landed despite descending from such a height, it was evident they were masters of tremendous lightness skill.
Seeing plum blossoms visible on the sleeves of those who descended, they were indeed people of the Mount Hua Sect. However, judging from their elegant white beards reaching down to their navels, they appeared to be of at least elder-level generational rank.
“……First-generation disciple Seo Eun-han greets the Martial Uncles.”
“What are you doing?”
One of the Mount Hua elders asked while looking at Seo Eun-han. Yet his body was facing me, so he was clearly on guard.
“What do you mean?”
“While apprehending a ruffian running rampant in Mount Hua territory, why are you unfolding a qi curtain and sharing a conversation?”
The elders spoke as they caught their breath. Faced with a sudden rebuke, Seo Eun-han might well have been flustered, but he maintained a calm expression.
“Because he is the possessor of martial arts beyond my ability to handle, I was negotiating.”
“To the point where even calling your Junior Brothers and deploying a sword formation would not suffice?”
“That is correct.”
“What was the reason for unfolding a qi curtain?”
“Because if I, with my weak martial prowess, were to make a compromise, regrettable words might emerge, so I covered the ears of my Junior Brothers. There is no reason to show Junior Brothers the sight of their Senior Brother bowing his head, is there?”
Seo Eun-han spoke like flowing water. This fellow possessed quick wits better suited for a merchant than a martial artist. I admired him inwardly.
At that moment, the Mount Hua elders turned to look at me simultaneously.
“Who are you?”
“My surname is Nameless, and my given name is Nobody.”
“Meaning you refuse to tell us.”
The Mount Hua elders twitched their eyebrows.
“However, we know who you are.”
Seo Eun-han and I exchanged glances at the same time. There was a faint hint of tension in his eyes.
Judging by how the elders were hostile toward Seo Eun-han, they were undoubtedly of Gu Jinqing’s faction. Likely, another disciple on Gu Jinqing’s side among those standing guard had sensed something unusual and informed them.
“Currently in Xi’an, other than people of the Zhongnan Sect, there is only one expert whom Mount Hua disciples could not block even with a sword formation. Furthermore, he entered just the day before yesterday.”
“I don’t know who that is, but I doubt it’s me. Not all martial artists arriving in Xi’an enter while showing their identification tablets to the Mount Hua Sect, do they?”
“Of course we cannot know everyone. However, we know a figure who definitely arrived. Coincidentally, he is someone likely to cause a commotion in Mount Hua’s district, and his age group seems to match yours as well.”
I was at a loss for words. Seo Eun-han was one thing, and the elders were another.
Was this the price of fame? I hadn’t expected them to see through my identity this quickly.
“Leader of the New Justice Association. You spy on the Mount Hua Sect in quite an unsightly manner.”
“……”
The moment they were certain, it was too late for me to deny it. Even with Seo Eun-han, hadn’t clumsily denying it only brought embarrassment?
Uncorking the gourd at my waist, I wetted my hand with water and rubbed my face. Soon, as the medicinal compound dissolved in the water, my original face was revealed.
“Try deceiving with something plausible. For someone of the New Justice Association Leader’s stature, you lack caution.”
“I originally moved around like this every day, but I suppose I shouldn’t do so from now on.”
The Mount Hua elders snorted and turned their heads back to Seo Eun-han.
“A disciple of the Mount Hua Sect unfolding a qi curtain and conversing with the head of an opposing organization. What that conduct signifies is crystal clear.”
“I merely tried to drive him away quietly.”
Seo Eun-han still made excuses, but there was no way they would work on the elders. Even if we had indeed said such things, for them it was a prime opportunity to press the opposing faction, so they would never let it slip.
“Nephew. You have just attempted to sell out the sect into the hands of an outsider. According to sect rules, anyone who colludes with external forces to inflict harm upon our sect shall have the sinews of their limbs severed and their dantian destroyed. As a first-generation disciple, you cannot possibly be unaware.”
“That is a wild conjecture.”
“Do you still seek to deceive your Martial Uncles? In national terms, this is plotting treason. Even if summary execution is carried out, you will have no right to cry grievance.”
The elders slowly approached Seo Eun-han. With a pale complexion, Seo Eun-han drew his sword.
No matter how outstanding a disciple Seo Eun-han was, he certainly could not match two elders. Leaping over the heads of the elders, I landed beside Seo Eun-han. The elders halted their steps.
“Do you still intend to claim you have not colluded?”
“Collusion? I merely took action because I thought seniors wrongfully cornering an innocent junior was contrary to justice.”
“Your talent for spinning plausible lies is truly matchless. Just as I heard.”
Just what kind of person was I in the eyes of my enemies for them to react like this? Frowning, I drew my sword.
“Do not approach any closer. If you clash with me now, it will be all-out war. Do you intend to drive Xi’an into a state of total chaos?”
“We are merely trying to punish a disciple who violated internal regulations. For the New Justice Association Leader, who is not even the Master of the Palace of Heavenly Worship, to interfere in this only serves as proof of collusion with the disciple.”
One of the elders spoke in a chilling voice. I knew as well. That for now, my moral justification was weaker than that of the Mount Hua elders. But having no other option right now, it could not be helped. I had no choice but to feign ignorance and save Seo Eun-han as much as possible.
If I simply backed down here, they would become highly vigilant and burrow deep inside. My plan to tear down the Mount Hua Sect would crumble. Protecting Seo Eun-han was the decisive turning point of my course of action.
“As I said, I act out of my own chivalrous heart. If you consider that interference, it cannot be helped.”
“Then we should rather see this as an opportunity. Since our moral justification is clear, even if the Mount Hua Sect reduces the New Justice Association Leader to a cripple, no one will have anything to say, will they?”
The elders drew their swords. The two spread left and right, exerting pressure on Seo Eun-han and me in the center.
“Then Muk Hui-yeong, a lay disciple of the Wudang Sect, shamelessly requests guidance from the elders of Mount Hua.”
I unleashed a wave of qi. The elders of Mount Hua froze. By releasing a wave of qi, I created my domain.
Though they might not be able to see the energy of nature like me, their long-honed instincts as martial artists were warning them that my perimeter was dangerous.
“I am Ro Hwa-un, known by the sobriquet Blossom Wind Wanderer of the Mount Hua Sect.”
“I am Gyeong Dae-gang of the Mount Hua Sect. I am called by the undeserved name of Ten-Thousand-Li Plum Fragrance Sword.”
“I consider it an honor.”
Holding my sword, I offered martial salutes to them in turn.
If I were a mere lay disciple of Wudang, would these men have used honorifics with me? It was because I was the New Justice Association Leader that I received this much respect.
However, regardless of that, there was no sign of tension in the elders’ eyes. Though I had become famous in the Central Plains martial world, I had never made a martial reputation terrifying enough to intimidate two Mount Hua elders.
“By the way, for esteemed elders of the Mount Hua Sect, are you really going to join forces against a junior like me?”
I tried poking at them slightly. But they were seasoned martial artists as well.
“If you were a mere junior, that would be one thing, but we cannot face the New Justice Association Leader so arrogantly. After all, from our perspective, you are an enemy commander. Bringing up the righteous decorum of orthodox sects here would be foolish.”
“You are quite enlightened. Well, is that why you also hold hands with black-path mobs?”
“To be precise, they are not black-path mobs, but people of the Private Martial Union.”
This was the first time I had heard this. However, it was not information that changed my position.
“Isn’t the Private Martial Union a gathering of the black path?”
“They advocate a slightly different black path.”
“And so the Mount Hua Sect willingly accepts that?”
“We are merely cooperating on a trial basis. Do not equate the Mount Hua Sect with black-path mobs.”
“Is that so? You must have heard the saying that proximity to black ink stains you black.”
“Speak no further on our sect’s affairs. It is unpleasant.”
“If it was unpleasant, I apologize.”
Concluding my words, I gathered my energy. Spreading internal energy throughout my entire body, I brought myself into peak physical condition.
“However, my sword says it has no intention of apologizing, so what should we do?”
“Impudent.”
The Mount Hua elders smiled bitterly. I flashed a grin in return as well. As if that were a signal arrow, the Mount Hua elders lunged toward me.