Chapter 366: Orthodox Sect Gathering. (7)

Two months had already passed since the attack occurred.

The season, which had been close to early spring, was already approaching summer.

Just like the season that seemed to have passed unusually quickly.

During that time, quite a lot had happened in Hanam, including at the Dragon God Pavilion.

If I had to say what the biggest event among those that happened was.

First, the Dragon God Pavilion being shut down would be the first matter.

In the Central Plains, it was already widely known that the Dragon God Pavilion had been attacked by a group composed of martial artists from the Demonic Faction.

Even if the Alliance tried to block the information, it was impossible to stop everyone when there were more than just one or two people who had experienced it.

No matter how much the Beggars’ Sect was the eyes and ears of the Martial Alliance.

As they were also an intelligence agency and involved in relationships of interest, they couldn’t have blocked everything.

As a result, the Dragon God Pavilion was closed, with various problems being mentioned.

Although the reason given was a temporary closure due to building repairs and the aftermath of the attack.

People had somewhat expected it.

That the Dragon God Pavilion likely wouldn’t open for several years due to this incident.

Furthermore, it might never open again.

Because the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering or the Martial Arts Tournament, scheduled for this year, had a slim chance of even being held.

This incident was that significant of a disaster.

The second matter is what the Martial Alliance began to handle.

This happened after the Martial Alliance belatedly sent support.

Immediately, they began bringing in doctors to treat the injured, and at the same time.

They first gathered the bodies and stored them in the Martial Alliance’s basement, where it was full of cold air.

They said the attackers were dragged to the torture chamber.

And the survivors who endured the attack were provided with lodging by the Alliance.

Up to this point, I think they handled it reasonably well.

The problem was after that.

No matter what measures were taken, it was ultimately impossible to replace those who had died.

Moreover, most of those who died in the attack were late-stage disciples of lower cultivation levels.

They were generally affiliated with merchant guilds, meaning those places provided significant sponsorship to the Martial Alliance.

The fact that many scions of such merchant guilds had died.

Meant that the financial channels flowing to and from the Martial Alliance would be disrupted.

Of course, there were plenty of merchant guilds that continued to provide support.

But there were also places that couldn’t, and.

This inevitably caused problems with the influence the Alliance wielded.

Furthermore, among the deceased were not only the scions of merchant guilds.

But also disciples from the Great Nine Sects and blood relatives of renowned families.

From the Martial Alliance’s perspective, it meant things were far from being tidied up, bordering on a complete mess.

Therefore, the Martial Alliance first canceled all upcoming festivals and schedules.

The Central Plains were already abuzz with talk.

-What did the Martial Alliance do while young martial artists met unfortunate deaths?

-They were attacked in Hanam, where the headquarters is located, yet the response was too slow.

-What exactly were the Alliance Leader and the Martial Alliance’s warriors doing for things to turn out this way?

Etc.

What began to spread throughout the Central Plains over the past two months was precisely the theory of the Martial Alliance’s incompetence.

Normally, the merchant guilds sponsoring the Alliance wouldn’t want such rumors to spread, so.

Even they, along with the Beggars’ Sect, would have joined forces to quell the rumors, but.

The fact that things turned out this way meant that they too had somewhat turned their backs.

There was a time when people said that the Martial Alliance existed because the Orthodox Faction existed.

And that peace continued to exist because the Martial Alliance was there.

Those shallow and flimsy words began to crumble with just one attack carried out by the Black Dragon Sword.

An attack that ended in less than a day.

Of course, even though it was an attack that ended before a day passed.

The situation involving those caught up in it was by no means trivial.

Even two months after the attack ended.

“That Qinghai One Sword was defeated, how could such a thing happen…”

The story from that time was a matter of interest for countless people.

Most of the people were drinking heavily from midday and engaging in trivial chatter.

The topic these people were discussing lately was singular.

“Didn’t they say it was because they had to protect the other disciples of the Pavilion?”

“Even so, to be defeated by mere Demonic Faction members… Tsk tsk, even Kunlun is declining.”

“Hey, who are you calling declining or rising? You’re someone who quit wielding a sword because you couldn’t even reach third-rate!”

“Whoa! I’m telling you, it was unavoidable because my leg was injured!”

“Oh, I’m sure that’s true. Is it something to brag about tripping while running away startled by a wild boar? Especially since you were running around just fine a few days later.”

“…Ahem.”

As the middle-aged man clicked his tongue, he swallowed his words inwardly at what the other person said.

“Well. Anyway…! The Martial Alliance is only the Martial Alliance of old! It’s not anymore?”

“This guy’s starting again, bring some cold water!”

-Yes!

The waiter replied energetically and went to get water.

“If the Martial Alliance were so great, wouldn’t they have blocked the attack and everything?”

“They are the ones who protect our lives, so please stop complaining.”

“Protect our lives, my ass. They couldn’t even take care of their own disciples and had funerals… sob sob!”

As the middle-aged man was about to cross the line, the young man urgently reached out and covered his mouth.

“Is this uncle really crazy…! What if a warrior from the Alliance hears you!”

“Pfft! So what if they hear! What I’m saying isn’t false!”

“Ugh…”

The young man clutched his forehead.

The middle-aged man’s words were not wrong.

In fact, the Alliance held memorial services for the deceased.

“Besides. They know they have a problem, which is why they announced they would hold a gathering.”

The middle-aged man said, puffing indignantly.

The Martial Alliance had announced throughout the land that an Orthodox Gathering would be held seven days later.

Perhaps because of that, people who were conspicuously absent in Hanam until now had begun to appear.

Two months ago.

These were people who, having received the prior announcement from the Alliance, began arriving to attend.

There were people from merchant guilds whose names alone would make one’s eyes widen.

Including people from the renowned families called ‘Myongga’.

Sects that appeared to be among the Nine Sects also started to appear.

Although they lived in different regions and used different martial arts.

They had one thing in common.

“Everyone’s expressions are just rotten, aren’t they.”

“How could they not be? It’s more than enough reason to be rotten.”

It was that their expressions were heavy and dark.

It couldn’t be helped.

Their own children, or sworn brothers, sent to the Dragon God Pavilion had suddenly died in the attack, so how could they not be like this?

The fact that they weren’t easily expressing their anger likely meant they were showing considerable patience.

The middle-aged man, sipping his drink with the conversation as a side dish, asked the young man before him.

“Who exactly is coming this time?”

“Who knows? We’re busy trying to make a living, how could we know all that.”

The young man said with a smirk.

“Ah, but I heard the Wudang are coming.”

Only a few among the Nine Sects had expressed their intention to attend the gathering.

In the first place, not many of the Nine Sects were close to the Martial Alliance.

Sects belonging to the Nine Sects that had sent disciples to the Dragon God Pavilion.

Were only Wudang and Mount Hua.

The Wudang Sect was inherently close to the Martial Alliance, so they usually sent disciples whenever it was held.

The Mount Hua Sect’s attendance was somewhat unusual.

Rumors circulating among the public suggested that it might have been permitted because the Pavilion Master was Qinghai One Sword of Kunlun.

“So the Mount Hua Sect isn’t coming?”

“I don’t know. That far.”

As for the Wudang Sect, they had disciples among the casualties, and.

Being close to the Martial Alliance, it was natural for them to attend if a gathering was held.

The Mount Hua Sect’s situation was unclear.

“Anyway… This is really a big deal this time. I hope there won’t be any wailing, let alone a bloodbath, for a while.”

“For us, isn’t it good to see something we haven’t seen before?”

“Well, that’s true…”

Soon, the heads of the so-called Four Great Families would also appear.

To ordinary people, not only the heads of the Four Great Families but even their blood relatives were like people living in the heavens.

Meaning they were not people you could easily see anywhere.

“Of all times, the incident occurred when the precious scions of the Four Great Families were all present…”

It was a situation where people were talking a lot, calling this the greatest generation ever.

Because it was a time when geniuses and ordinary individuals alike, enough to be called the ‘Generation of Shooting Stars’, were abundant, and particularly outstanding individuals had all gathered at the Dragon God Pavilion.

“Sigh, tsk tsk…”

“Still, it’s not like we gained nothing, right?”

Hearing the young man’s words, the middle-aged man immediately understood what he meant.

“Are you going to talk about that again?”

“Uncle Chu, you say the same thing every day too.”

“I at least mix in other topics.”

“It’s because you never get tired of it, no matter how many times you say it.”

It’s not like nothing was gained.

What this means is.

Amidst the late-stage disciples who died coldly due to the attack and the warriors who struggled to protect them.

A uniquely shining figure appeared and became known.

They say heroes appear with troubled times.

That saying fit perfectly.

“That damned True Dragon… Don’t you ever get tired of it?”

“It’s more interesting than the Martial Alliance slander you spew every day, Uncle Chu.”

“Ho ho, you damn rascal.”

True Dragon (眞龍).

Along with the story that the Dragon God Pavilion was attacked.

What began to spread widely among the public was none other than the story about him.

He was already a famous figure.

He was the last figure of the Six Dragons and Three Peaks, called the symbol of the Generation of Shooting Stars.

Along with reaching the pinnacle at a young age.

A young late-stage disciple famous for his overwhelming martial prowess even among other late-stage disciples.

He was the protagonist of this rumor.

“Isn’t he amazing? They say he hasn’t even passed his twenties yet.”

“…Well, he is amazing, but.”

According to the rumors, he single-handedly blocked half of the Demonic Faction martial artists who attacked the Dragon God Pavilion.

And captured the Great Demon Lord who had defeated Qinghai One Sword, forcing him to his knees.

Hearing this, the middle-aged man clicked his tongue and said to the young man as if utterly incredulous.

“How old are you that you still believe such things?”

“Are you going to call it baseless rumor again?”

“No matter how much I hear it, it’s a rumor with absolutely no realism, isn’t it?”

The middle-aged man poured another cup of liquor into his mouth and continued speaking.

“Qinghai One Sword being defeated means the Great Demon Lord is also a martial artist who has reached the ‘Hwajing’ realm. Does that mean this True Dragon, this late-stage disciple, has also reached the ‘Hwajing’ realm?”

“…”

“You have to say things that make sense! Aing, tsk tsk! Even if he really forced him to his knees, he must have approached a worn-out opponent and delivered the final blow.”

A late-stage disciple who hasn’t even passed twenty reaching Hwajing?

That would truly be like the sun rising from the west.

“And he killed all the Demonic Faction martial artists alone? This is the biggest exaggeration I’ve ever heard.”

“Hey, it could be true, why are you only looking at it negatively?”

“You have to give me something believable to believe, you punk! I didn’t think this of Gu Clan, but it’s worse than I thought.”

The middle-aged man naturally assumed that the rumors were spread by the Shanxi Gu family, which was said to be True Dragon’s family.

While they acknowledged that the martial artist named True Dragon was skilled, most people who heard the rumors thought he wasn’t nearly as great as the rumors claimed.

Because no matter how they heard it, it was an unbelievable story.

The young man frowned repeatedly, clearly displeased with the middle-aged man’s words.

“Oh? Look at that expression?”

“No matter what, how long ago was it that True Dragon was True Dragon?”

“Are you going to nitpick about that now?”

“If you’re going to do something, you should do it properly.”

The middle-aged man wore an incredulous expression at the young man’s words.

“How long has it been since his epithet changed, honestly.”

“Why are you getting angry? This guy is truly unbelievable.”

Indeed, after that incident became known, True Dragon received a new epithet.

Because the deeds he accomplished alone were so great and impactful.

Those who heard the rumors naturally changed it.

This was equivalent to saying that True Dragon was no longer a late-stage disciple.

“What was his epithet again…? I heard it last time.”

While the middle-aged man fumbled, the young man couldn’t hold back and blurted out.

“You can’t even remember that? Of course, it was So…”

Click.

Just as the young man was about to say something to the middle-aged man.

Someone entered the inn.

Naturally, everyone inside the restaurant shifted their gaze towards the source of the sound.

It was something they normally wouldn’t have paid attention to.

But for some reason, as the inn’s door opened, a cold wind blew in with it.

“Whoa…”

The young man, about to speak, had to swallow his words upon seeing the person who entered through the door.

It wasn’t just the young man. Even the noisy patrons had to hold their breath upon seeing the face of the woman who had just entered.

“…Tsk.”

The woman clicked her tongue upon entering the inn and feeling the gazes pouring onto her.

Normally, she would have worn a veil.

But this time, she had forgotten to bring it.

While the woman showed signs of discomfort, the waiter quickly rushed over.

“W-Welcome.”

“Could you give me the order I placed beforehand?”

“Ah…! Yes, I’ll get it right away!”

At the woman’s words, the waiter ran back to the kitchen again.

And brought something steaming and handed it to the woman.

It turned out to be dumplings.

The woman checked the food, gave the waiter one silver coin, and then walked away.

A silver coin for a few dumplings? What is that…?

Amidst full of questions, the woman simply walked gracefully.

Even until the moment the woman walked away and closed the inn’s door.

Everyone in the inn was still looking only at the woman’s back.

Thump.

The moment the sound of the door closing was heard.

People here and there let out their held breaths.

“Wow, she’s incredibly beautiful. What kind of woman is that?”

“…She looks like she’s from a noble family, why did she come here?”

The young man, forgetting what he was saying, pondered with a question.

The waiter, who came to bring other side dishes, relayed some information.

“Ah, she’s someone who comes often.”

“Hmm? I’m seeing her for the first time? I’m here every day during the day and haven’t seen her.”

“Uncle Chu, you’re only here during the day. She comes at night.”

“Huh? At night?”

“Yes. She comes, buys only dumplings, and leaves.”

“Dumplings…?”

The young man tilted his head in confusion.

Is she more talkative than expected? Why would she come to buy dumplings in the middle of the night.

It was strange that she came herself when she could have just sent a servant.

As if quickly sensing the young man’s confusion, the waiter continued.

“She said her husband likes our dumplings. That’s why she comes to buy them herself.”

At the waiter’s words, those around them sighed as if they had been waiting for this.

“She’s taken…”

“I’m so envious…”

As the men started drinking again, using their sorrow as a side dish.

The young man, who had been talking enthusiastically, fell into thought.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you drinking?”

“That woman from earlier… I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere.”

“Stop bullshitting and eat your food. Where would we have seen a woman like that.”

“No… rather than seeing her face… should I say her clothes looked familiar?”

The embroidered pattern on her sky-blue martial arts uniform was impressive.

I’m sure I saw that embroidery somewhere…

“Ah…?”

The young man remembered. It was definitely.

“…The Moyong Family?”

It was the symbol engraved on the Moyong Family’s merchant guild operating in Hanam.

Usually, those who wore such patterns embroidered on their clothes were mostly family members.

‘That means….’

The beautiful woman who just bought dumplings.

Could she be a member of the Moyong Family?

The young man briefly considered it.

“Nah, that can’t be it.”

The young man quickly shook his head and dismissed the thought.

Even the story about True Dragon they were just discussing was something no one could believe.

How could anyone believe that a member of the great Moyong Family would come in broad daylight to buy dumplings for her husband?

Thinking so, the young man started drinking again.

The woman who had just left with the dumplings had, before long, reached her destination.

The location was halfway up a mountain.

It was a cave that looked somewhat artificially made.

It was a cave that looked like someone had smashed it open, and the woman… no, Moyong Hi-ah, stepped inside naturally.

The cave wasn’t very deep.

Torches were placed here and there, illuminating the space.

After taking a few steps.

Moyong Hi-ah caught a certain scent.

There was no need to ponder what the smell was.

Because it was clearly the smell of sweat.

Feeling it, Moyong Hi-ah shook her head rather than covering her nose.

She had told him to rest, but it seemed he couldn’t help but move his body.

“I told you you’d collapse if you did that…”

It seemed he wouldn’t listen to her words even if she died saying them.

Moyong Hi-ah started walking again.

Before long, she reached the end.

Boom-! Boom boom-!

Inside, huge explosions were continuously going off.

Each time, the cave echoed.

Above, fragments of rock were falling due to the vibrations.

Feeling that, Moyong Hi-ah spoke.

“I brought food.”

Boom-! Boom!

It wasn’t a quiet voice, but it seemed he hadn’t heard her.

Moyong Hi-ah knew.

That shouting wouldn’t work in this situation.

As if accustomed to this situation, Moyong Hi-ah carefully placed the cloth containing the food on the floor.

And brought her hands to her mouth.

It was a gesture to make her voice louder.

She knew the words that would immediately get through to that person in such situations.

“Young Yama (小閻羅) Warrior. You must eat.”

Thud…

At Moyong Hi-ah’s words, the vibrations and explosions stopped instantly.

Immediately after.

Someone could be seen approaching from deeper inside, panting heavily.

“Hey! I told you not to call me that!”

A young man with dark black hair and fierce eyes.

It was Gu Yangcheon.