Chapter 345: Fire Demon (5)
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“……Though it is a somewhat cowardly thing to say as Sect Leader, I hoped the Martial Uncles would assist us a little.”
The Wudang Sect was burning. Although they had gathered and brought precious treasures, documents, and spiritual medicines, that did not mean the main sect of Wudang had escaped being raided.
Cheong-ui tilted the wine bottle toward his cup. The ones who had raided Mount Wudang could march into Jun County at any moment, but the bitterness and self-reproach over Mount Wudang’s main sect burning drove Cheong-ui to fill his wine cup.
If the worst came to the worst, he could simply expel the intoxication all at once with internal energy and draw his sword.
“Those of the Hyeon generation are people who have washed their hands in a golden basin. Had we opposed the Sect Leader’s decision, where would the Sect Leader’s dignity have fallen?”
A voice echoed from an unknown place.
Even Taiji Sword Emperor Cheong-ui, one of the Five Great Sword Masters Under Heaven, could not locate the source of that voice.
Thinking of that made Cheong-ui all the more depressed.
“If it were those who have attained the realm of Daoist Immortals, would you not be fully capable of fending off those heinous bandits?”
“We might have fended them off for the moment. But rather, that was likely what they desired.”
When Cheong-ui drained his wine cup and looked straight ahead, an old man of transcendent Daoist demeanor was standing there before he knew it. It was Hyeon-wol.
“Pour me a cup as well.”
“How can a Daoist Immortal covet food of the mortal realm?”
“I am an Immortal, not a celestial being. That means I am still half human.”
“From Martial Uncle Hyeon-wol on down, that entire lineage seems exceptionally glib with words.”
“It is because my disciple and grand-disciple are quite cheeky. Especially the grand-disciple.”
“That is true indeed.”
Cheong-ui tilted the wine bottle toward Hyeon-wol and filled his cup. The moment Hyeon-wol received it, he tossed it straight down his throat.
Having swallowed the wine, Hyeon-wol immediately scrunched his face in a grimace.
“Why do you drink such strong wine?”
“On a day like today, could I possibly drink weak liquor?”
“That is also true.”
Hyeon-wol laughed heartily. At Hyeon-wol’s laughter, Cheong-ui narrowed his brows.
“Mount Wudang is burning. Do you not reproach me?”
“I am an Immortal. That means I am half celestial. It means I have transcended time and space halfway.”
“Being an Immortal is quite convenient. Siding with humans when it suits, and siding with celestials when it suits.”
“The Wudang Sect does not reside within the space called Mount Wudang, but within us. Did not Martial Nephew also think so, vacating Mount Wudang without lingering attachment?”
“I am still ignorant and unenlightened, so lingering attachment remains toward the space called Mount Wudang. It feels as though the Wudang Sect suffered an irreversible blow during my generation.”
“That is not the case at all. The Wudang Sect did not grow so fragile as to perish in a single generation. If so, Martial Nephew is overestimating yourself.”
“Are you trying to comfort me?”
“It is simply the truth.”
At Hyeon-wol’s words, Cheong-ui smiled bitterly. Hyeon-wol’s words made sense to his head, but his heart could not accept them.
“What do you mean that the Martial Uncles stepping forward was what they desired? In any case, is not the imperial palace’s Daoist realm already moving as well?”
“Moving beneath the surface and actually interfering in the mortal realm are two different things.”
“How are they different?”
“The energy of nature, at its foundation, must not be distorted. However, because Immortals wield natural energy as power, distortion occurs.”
“What is wrong with that? Formations and the like also distort energy, do they not?”
Hyeon-wol nodded at Cheong-ui’s words.
“Well said. Even with formations, clumsily mimicking Heavenly Evasion invites heavenly punishment according to the causality of nature. In other words, if an Immortal interferes directly in the mortal realm, that alone creates distortion in energy, and heavenly punishment can descend accordingly.”
“Then are they waiting for the Martial Uncles to act so you receive heavenly punishment?”
“The moment we move, they too will likely move in earnest. However, the responsibility for their movement will fall upon us. Because they will gain the justification of stopping us who distorted natural energy. Then even the energy they distort will become our fault.”
Hyeon-wol looked out the window toward the sky. The sky was already dyed black with smoke rising from Mount Wudang.
“Heaven’s scale knows neither lack nor deviation. For instance, for Immortals, it is a battle of justification. The moment we turn our backs on nature, our defeat is guaranteed.”
“How unpleasant. What is Heaven that it presumes to judge us? If Heaven were omniscient, it would know their schemes as well and respond accordingly, should it not?”
“I understand Martial Nephew’s frustration. But if the world is such, then that is how it is. Humans are not even a part of the world. Merely passing travelers.”
“It feels unjust.”
In the end, it meant the Martial Uncles of the Hyeon generation could not directly aid the Wudang Sect.
“The principles of the world are truly profound. To think demonic practitioners informed us that the Wudang Sect would be destroyed, making them our benefactors.”
“That is likely my grand-disciple’s grace. Though I know not what he goes around doing to have recruited even demonic practitioners as subordinates.”
Hyeon-wol chuckled heartily. Cheong-ui was in no mood to laugh. The very fact that his cherished disciple was entangled with demonic practitioners made him uneasy.
However, right now, Cheong-ui, along with the other disciples of the Wudang Sect, was hiding within Gwan Seo-ye’s safe house near Jun County.
That there was a safe house used by demonic practitioners near Jun County was also absurd beyond measure. How often had they patrolled Jun County normally, yet remained oblivious to a demonic practitioners’ safe house?
Yet that was how elaborately the demonic practitioners’ safe house had been concealed. As long as they did not leave the safe house, even the raiders would likely be unable to find them.
Cheong-ui continued to drink wine repeatedly. Showing such a vulnerable side was only possible for Cheong-ui before his Martial Uncle Hyeon-wol.
“Cheong-ui.”
“Yes, Martial Uncle.”
“It is time to return to being the Sect Leader.”
“Pardon?”
When Cheong-ui asked, Hyeon-wol vanished without answering. As Cheong-ui was feeling puzzled, someone knocked on the door. Cheong-ui immediately circulated the Small Heavenly Circulation to expel the alcohol from his body.
“Who is it?”
Cheong-ui regained his dignified voice. A melodious voice was heard outside the door.
“It is Gwan Seo-ye.”
“Enter.”
Gwan Seo-ye was wearing her customary green martial attire. Showing a neat and tidy appearance, she did not seem to wear just one suit, but possessed several identical outfits.
“What is the matter?”
“……Did you have some wine?”
Approaching him, Gwan Seo-ye looked at Cheong-ui with an ‘it can’t be’ gaze. Although he had expelled the intoxication, the aroma of wine filling the room had not completely dispersed.
Despite the obvious evidence, Cheong-ui shook his head involuntarily.
“No.”
“It smells, though.”
“Is that important?”
“I suppose not.”
Gwan Seo-ye beamed a smile. Feeling as though he had been caught in an obvious lie, Cheong-ui’s face flushed red.
“So, what is the matter?”
“The ones who burned Mount Wudang are descending toward Jun County.”
“……!”
Cheong-ui opened his eyes wide. Even without the Small Heavenly Circulation, hearing these words would have sobered him up instantly.
“Have they discovered that we came to Jun County?”
“It would rather be better if we were discovered.”
At Gwan Seo-ye’s words, Cheong-ui let out a low groan. Indeed that was so.
If they were coming to strike the Wudang Sect in Jun County, staying hidden in the safe house would suffice, but if not, there was only one reason to come to Jun County.
“The imperial palace is surely behind them; would they truly commit such a deed?”
Cheong-ui’s voice trembled. The worst-case scenario was that they were coming to slaughter the commoners of Jun County.
“They are fully capable of doing so.”
“Just who are they?”
“There are branches within our Heavenly Demon Divine Cult as well. Among them, they are the most ferocious bastards. They will not care about the lives of commoners. They will slaughter the commoners of Jun County as brutally as possible and proclaim that the Wudang Sect fled without saving the people of Jun County.”
“Then according to your words, the imperial palace and one of the Demonic Cult’s branches have formed an alliance?”
“Yes.”
“I am going out of my mind.”
No matter how much the imperial palace considered the Wudang Sect and the New Justice Association thorns in their side, to think they would attempt to kill even the common people who formed their own foundation.
“Whether it was discussed with the imperial palace or not is unknown, but they will likely do so. Because that is their way.”
Gwan Seo-ye spoke calmly. Cheong-ui let out a sigh.
“What is their strength?”
“The full force that struck the Wudang Sect will not come all together. It is a fight worth fighting.”
“I see.”
“And even if I told you that you must not fight, you would fight anyway.”
“That is also true.”
“Honestly, it is a foolish action. Having a possibility is all it is; the wise course is naturally to endure here and take revenge later. Because their strength is truly formidable. It is just that they have not revealed much of it in the Central Plains.”
“The orthodox path does not tolerate injustice.”
“That is why I say it is a foolish action. But since the one we serve is also like that, I shall say no more.”
If they were coming to massacre the commoners of Jun County, their forces would certainly be dispersed. Because they would assume that a Wudang Sect that had abandoned even Mount Wudang had completely pulled out of Hubei.
Cheong-ui grabbed the sword leaning against the desk and stood up. They were the bastards who had burned Mount Wudang. He had no intention of holding back his blade.
Stepping out of the safe house with his sword, the Wudang Sect disciples were already strapping on their swords with resolute expressions.
They too seemed to have already noticed.
“It seems the bastards who burned our home are coming toward Jun County.”
Cheong-ui looked around. The disciples were already filled with rage and sorrow.
In essence, it was the place where they had grown up. The fact that such a place had been mercilessly burned overnight was horrific beyond measure.
“There is no need for me to say more to raise morale.”
Cheong-ui gave a light smirk. The disciples’ eyes were already burning fiercely. Although they had descended below Mount Wudang in a daze, seeing Mount Wudang ablaze had multiplied their fighting spirit a hundredfold.
“Are you ready to execute the villains, disciples of Wudang?”
“Yes!”
Regardless of whether they were of the Cheong or Myeong generations, all shouted at the top of their lungs.
“Do not harbor shame. That the Wudang Sect took a step back was entirely my choice. Just because Mount Wudang was burned does not mean what we learned and cultivated has vanished. Even though our flesh may be buried in the earth, our spirit shall forever remain fragrantly behind.”
“Understood!”
“Then let us prepare to welcome them.”
Cheong-ui took the lead first. From the Wudang Sect’s elders to the disciples, everyone moved.
Before the people who had burned Mount Wudang arrived, they visited every house in Jun County, gathering the commoners in the rear and having them depart immediately.
It was an unavoidable measure in case the people of the Wudang Sect were wiped out.
“……We thank the Daoist Immortals for your deep consideration.”
Having also seen Mount Wudang ablaze, many commoners had already packed their belongings before the Wudang disciples visited their homes.
“We have received so much from the Daoist Immortals of Wudang; being told to flee like this leaves us not knowing what to do.”
“That is the duty of martial artists. Do we know how to forge sickles, build waterwheels, or weave clothes? Are we not merely swordsmen with little practical use in the world?”
“How could that be so?”
“Go without minding us. Rather, if you get caught up in this, our disciples will not be able to swing their swords properly.”
“Understood.”
Hearing Cheong-ui’s words, the people of Jun County immediately left the county. And as they set up a battle line in Jun County, black-robed men with soot on their faces were approaching in the distance.
Unusually, at the very front stood a young man wearing a black bamboo hat.
When the distance reached the point where they could visually distinguish each other’s facial features, the young man raised his arm and halted the black-robed men.
“Remarkable. You have not fled yet.”
“Who are you?”
Cheong-ui spoke. Even though he tried to suppress it, rage seeped through his voice.
The young man took off his black bamboo hat and performed a polite martial salute.
“I greet the Sect Leader of Wudang. I am called the Sword Demon, Ma Cheon-wi.”
“I have never introduced myself to you.”
“Haha. Who else besides the Sect Leader of Wudang could exude this degree of soft strength?”
Ma Cheon-wi laughed heartily. Cheong-ui’s expression sank even colder.
“Did you come to kill commoners?”
“Indeed so.”
“Why? They are people with no connection to us.”
“I merely intended to use them as a symbol to spread the pettiness of the Wudang Sect.”
Ma Cheon-wi’s smile subsided.
“However, since our primary objective was ultimately the extermination of the Wudang Sect, I thank you for not fleeing.”
“Do not underestimate the underlying strength of the Wudang Sect.”
“I have never underestimated it. I am speaking objectively.”
“To call your own thoughts objective. Truly arrogant.”
Killing intent radiated from Cheong-ui’s body. The bodies of the black-robed men, except for Ma Cheon-wi, stiffened.
“Shall we see whether I am arrogant, or you are arrogant?”
“Whenever you wish.”
The wind blowing between them ceased all at once. Simultaneously, Cheong-ui and Ma Cheon-wi moved at the same instant.
It was the moment the Wudang Sect disciples and the black-robed men drew their swords as well.