Chapter 556: Wind Cloud Ghost Bandit (Wind Cloud Ghost Bandit)

The road leading from the inn up to Wudang.

Climbing the mountain didn’t take too long.

After all, I was being treated quite extravagantly, just as Yu Baek-nim had said.

‘Extravagant treatment probably just means a carriage.’

A carriage bearing the Wudang crest.

Riding in that alone, but it’s enough for now.

At least it makes me feel like I’m being treated well.

However, if there’s a problem…

“How did you even do it…?”

Since it’s a confined space, my younger sister’s voice next to me sounds particularly loud.

I frowned slightly at Gu Ryeong Hwa’s words and said,

“What do you mean, ‘how’? I just did it.”

“No…! Stop joking around…!”

No matter how she thought about it, Gu Ryeong Hwa couldn’t believe me and pressed me with questions.

“That Uiryeong Sword (義爖劍)… Jicheol was the Uiryeong Sword, I’m telling you!”

“…The what?”

Hearing Gu Ryeong Hwa’s words, I had to tilt my head in confusion.

Uiryeong Sword…?

‘Did that guy even have a nickname.’

That Jicheol fellow who acted recklessly without knowing his place.

Judging by Gu Ryeong Hwa’s reaction, he must have been quite famous.

‘Well, yeah.’

Having surpassed Irip and reached the perfected peak.

By the standards of the Central Plains, it’s natural he’d have a nickname.

‘Maybe it’s because there are so many monsters around me. I’d forgotten for a moment.’

I’d unconsciously underestimated his level.

“Oppa, if things had gone wrong, you could have been hit, you know?”

“Hit? Who’s getting hit, you punk.”

Kung-!

“Ack…!”

Since she kept needling me, I ended up hitting her forehead once.

‘Hit my ass.’

If someone among the second disciples was at that level, he seemed like the kind to lead Wudang in the future, but…

‘He didn’t even look like he could beat Yeongpung.’

Compared to Yeongpung, who was the youngest among Mount Hua’s third disciples, Jicheol would be weaker.

Moreover.

‘I bet even that U-hyeok guy could beat him.’

Even Jamryong, one of Wudang’s third disciples, wouldn’t fall behind Jicheol.

Of course, considering those two are geniuses of a different caliber, Jicheol is indeed a considerable figure.

It’s just that.

‘He’s just a guy who’s only good up to that point.’

It doesn’t really impress me.

Setting aside his level and talent, he was just that kind of person.

‘Maybe I should have beaten him a little more.’

A belated sense of regret washed over me.

If he was the loser, I could have beaten him more. It’s a shame I didn’t.

‘That old geezer, if he was going to interfere, why didn’t he do it sooner.’

Ideally, to prevent me from getting angry.

It would have been easier if Yu Baek, that sly old geezer, had intervened earlier.

‘He was testing the waters too much.’

Because the old man was so intent on stalling, I got a bit rough.

‘Tsk.’

In the end, I learned a lot, so I suppose I should consider it fortunate.

Right, what I found out.

I was confirming those details as I climbed Wudang Mountain.

It wasn’t exactly precious information.

‘There’s something going on at Wudang.’

That was about it, for starters.

It was something Jicheol and Yu Baek themselves had shown, so it would be strange not to know.

Something problematic had happened at Wudang.

Anyone could tell.

‘I don’t know what the problem is, but it seems like a pretty big deal.’

Although I stepped in because Jicheol’s attitude pissed me off.

Several pieces of information were embedded within it.

The attitude shown towards Mount Hua, whom I visited according to a schedule.

It was full of arrogance and conceit, but…

‘It felt like they weren’t just trying to intimidate me.’

They probably intended to do something after establishing dominance.

That’s why an Elder secretly approached to observe the situation.

This means…

‘What just happened was all planned.’

It must have been an order from the higher-ups, at the Elder level.

‘The fact that they’re wary of an outsider, especially someone who can come and go from Wudang.’

It must mean an incident occurred that requires suspicion towards strangers.

‘What could it be.’

Did something happen at Wudang around this time?

I don’t know. My memory isn’t great…

‘The problem is that my past life memories aren’t very useful anymore.’

Since most things, except major events, are distorted, relying on my memory is difficult.

Which means…

‘I’ll have to find out myself.’

I’ll find out once I get there anyway.

‘Since I made such a scene.’

This was the reason I deliberately let Yu Baek witness me cornering Jicheol.

Explain it yourself. Isn’t that common courtesy?

That was the intention.

‘Bringing me to Wudang now must mean they accept this.’

I’ve shown them both the justification and the reason.

This leaves Wudang with two choices.

‘Either send Mount Hua back and make an enemy of them due to the disrespect,’

‘Or explain the situation according to protocol and politely ask for understanding….’

I was confident Wudang would choose the latter.

‘Wudang’s current standing isn’t significant enough to make enemies.’

Although the Sect Leader became the Alliance Leader.

Mount Hua Sect is one of the Nine Great Clans. Moreover, its historical value is considerable.

For Wudang to make the first mistake against such a Mount Hua Sect?

‘They might have become a bit foolish, but they aren’t that stupid.’

They are undergoing rapid growth, but their position isn’t that significant yet.

In a situation where the perception of the Central Plains is crucial, Wudang wouldn’t do that.

Besides.

‘They’ve already made one mistake, haven’t they?’

It’s a point where they were caught trying something foolish.

They’d desperately try to cover their tracks, but I didn’t think they’d pull any more idiotic stunts.

“So.”

I turned my gaze forward and said.

“Loosen up that expression a bit, please.”

“…”

The one who heard me was Yeongpung.

Yeongpung gave an awkward smile at my words.

“Why the long face?”

“…No, sir. It’s just that I feel unwell from motion sickness….”

“If you’re getting motion sickness at that level, it’s a fatal illness. You know that?”

“…”

“This carriage is so smooth, yet you claim motion sickness? Bullshit.”

If you’d ridden in a carriage driven by Baekryeon Sword…

Ah, then you’d think, ‘So this is the level where even martial artists get motion sickness.’

Since he hadn’t experienced that, I couldn’t believe Yeongpung’s words.

“Did you do something wrong? Why are you making such a sour face.”

“…It’s not that. It’s just… I feel sorry towards Young Hero Ou….”

“Sorry for what? I was the one who crashed into him.”

“…”

“If anyone should be sorry, it’s me. Why are you acting like this, Dojang?”

I didn’t even feel sorry, for that matter.

Rather, I just regretted not beating him more.

‘I did put in some work, so I’ll use it later, though.’

Regardless, Yeongpung shouldn’t be acting like this.

“Instead, blame me. Tell me why an outsider had to intervene and make things awkward. Say that.”

Yeongpung was startled by my brusque words.

“No, how could I possibly dare?”

“I’m telling you to do that instead. It’s the right thing to do.”

“What do you mean….”

“Didn’t you say it yourself? That you are a successor of Mount Hua Seon Geom?”

“…!”

I mentioned what Yeongpung had said.

“I don’t know why you think that way, but if it’s truly so. Or even if it isn’t.”

If Yeongpung truly claims to be a direct descendant of the elder Shin.

“You must be confident. If you are a scholar of Mount Hua. You must be exceedingly confident.”

“…”

Elder Shin would have acted at least like that.

No, perhaps he might have drawn his sword and cut down Jicheol the moment he thought Mount Hua was being disrespected.

Since I wasn’t truly a scholar of Mount Hua Sect, I just held back.

But Yeongpung wasn’t like that.

He seemed flustered, perhaps because it was his first time experiencing such a situation, but…

He shouldn’t have lost his confidence even then.

“If you had backed down there, Dojang, it would be no different than Mount Hua Sect backing down.”

“…Young Hero.”

“That’s what it means that you’ve succeeded him, and the seal on the letter given by the Plum Blossom Immortal signifies that.”

“…”

At my words, Yeongpung shut his mouth and wore a deeply bitter expression.

Then, he looked at me and tried to speak.

“I’m sor….”

“Don’t apologize.”

I had to cut off Yeongpung’s words.

“Words of thanks. Words of apology. You shouldn’t say them right now, Dojang, at the very least.”

My tone unintentionally carried irritation.

Why?

‘Why? Duh.’

Even pretending not to know, I knew the reason clearly.

“Just resolve to not do it again next time. That’s all you need. That’s enough.”

“…Yes.”

Because his words from the past lingered in my mind.

Because Yeongpung’s claim of becoming Mount Hua Seon Geom’s successor came to mind.

Whether that was truly real or not.

Seeing Yeongpung so intimidated felt as if Elder Shin were acting that way.

That irritated me.

‘Don’t create situations where you must bow your head. And don’t bow your head when there’s no need to.’

Elder Shin would have lived like that.

I will live like that.

Therefore.

If you claim to be his successor, live like that too.

That’s the meaning behind those words.

Though Yeongpung wouldn’t know that, of course.

Afterwards, I closed my eyes and took a moment to regulate my breathing. A brief, uncomfortable silence lingered in the carriage.

“We’ve arrived.”

Hearing the words, I quickly opened my eyes.

And immediately retrieved the qi barrier I had spread within the carriage.

Feeling the energy return to my dantian, I let out a sigh.

‘I’m tired.’

I could already feel many eyes watching and ears trying to listen.

Feeling those bothersome gazes, I thought:

If I were to burn them, where should I start?

‘If possible.’

I’d like to burn them from the root.

It was a moment filled with contemplation.

---

“You must have had a hard journey.”

Immediately after arriving at Wudang. The place we sought was Yu Baek’s residence.

“Originally, I wanted to provide you with a comfortable rest, but I apologize that I cannot.”

Yu Baek said so with a smile.

“And once again, I apologize for the commotion caused earlier by my incompetent disciple.”

Jjoreureuk.

Tea water dripped onto the table placed before us.

“I am Yu Baek of Wudang. I hold the position of Elder. Furthermore, regarding this matter.”

Yu Baek said with a smile.

“I am here to meet you in the capacity of Wudang’s Sect Leader’s proxy.”

As Fei Sheng Geom Yu Baek, the old man introduced himself, the others spoke as if they had been waiting.

“I am Gu Ryeong Hwa, the second disciple of Mount Hua Sect.”

“I am Yeongpung, the third disciple of Mount Hua Sect.”

Once the two finished their introductions, Yu Baek’s gaze turned towards me.

Feeling that gaze, I continued speaking.

“I am Ou Yangcheon of the Ou family. And that person over there is my bodyguard.”

“…?”

Seong Yul, who was suddenly made my bodyguard, wore a puzzled expression, but he didn’t bother to deny it.

Fortunately, he seems to have some sense.

Hearing my introduction, Yu Baek’s eyes lit up.

“This concerns Wudang and Mount Hua, but may I ask why you, Young Hero, are here?”

“Well, I am from the Ou family, but I’m also considered a Mount Hua person in my own way.”

“You, Young Hero?”

“Yes. I don’t carry a doorplate, but I possess the qualification of an Honorary Literati.”

Right after resolving the issue at Mount Hua.

It was a title I received from the Sect Leader, in case issues arose due to the Daoist energy within my body.

Although I couldn’t learn Mount Hua Sect’s martial arts as an outsider.

It was a symbol of having repaid a debt, recognized as being like a member of the sect.

That was the title of Honorary Literati.

“…Hoo….”

Hearing this, Yu Baek nodded briefly.

‘I didn’t expect to use this here.’

Since it makes it easier to get involved in matters, this is also a good outcome.

As expected, anything you prepare can be useful someday.

“…An Honorary Literati. It seems Mount Hua owes you a great debt, Young Hero.”

“Yes, well… roughly.”

I didn’t particularly want to explain in detail, so I decided to gloss over it.

In the meantime, Gu Ryeong Hwa and Yeongpung were looking at me with rather uncomfortable expressions.

Their expressions suggested they were wondering if this attitude towards a Wudang Elder was acceptable, but…

‘What are they gonna do about it.’

As far as I’m concerned, this is quite courteous.

Hiding my intentions from that sly old man like this is the best effort I can make.

‘His intentions are murky.’

Based on his actions and the aura I sense.

He’s quite the rat-like old man.

Just then.

“Um, Elder-nim.”

Yeongpung cautiously spoke to Yu Baek.

“Speak.”

“I heard that the Sword Queen-nim is here at Wudang.”

“Ah, that’s right. The Sword Queen is indeed at Wudang right now.”

Hearing the answer to Yeongpung’s question, I saw Gu Ryeong Hwa’s expression lighten up.

‘Seems like the Sword Queen really exists.’

I’d only heard the name, and she didn’t even come to greet us, making me wonder if she even existed.

Fortunately, it seems the Sword Queen does exist.

“She is probably bringing the item right about now.”

“The item, you say….”

“The item that our guests wish to retrieve.”

At Yu Baek’s words, Yeongpung’s face brightened this time.

The Sword Queen, right now…

‘She’s bringing the Gwijung, right?’

Thinking so, I subtly hid my left arm.

‘…She’s bringing this.’

Wudang possesses the Gwijung.

When I just heard about it, I thought, ‘What kind of bullshit is this?’

Since the Sword Queen is bringing it personally, it feels somewhat real.

If there’s a problem with this…

‘Does it really exist?’

I have no idea what kind of situation this is.

If Wudang truly has the Gwijung.

Then what is this thing wrapped around my arm right now?

‘I came here to confirm that, but…’

It was unavoidable that doubts arose.

“Also, there is an internal matter, so we ask for your understanding that we must go through certain procedures before bringing the Gwijung.”

At Yu Baek’s words, I asked.

Because I saw this as the opportune moment.

“If there is a matter, what kind of matter is it?”

It was the explanation I had been waiting for.

The question regarding their cautious handling of affairs.

I needed to hear the answer to this soon.

What reason could Wudang possibly have for being so bothered by outsiders?

Asking with such a question in mind.

Yu Baek said:

“It’s nothing else, but recently a letter arrived at our sect.”

“A letter?”

“That’s right.”

I wondered what kind of letter it could be to warrant such a reaction.

“The letter didn’t contain much detail, but the sender was the issue.”

I listened carefully to Yu Baek’s words.

And. Immediately after the words Yu Baek uttered, I had to suppress my surprise internally.

“Wind and Cloud Ghostly Bandit (風雲鬼盜).”

“…!”

“He sent us a message.”

Even if not now, it was the alias of a highly famous martial artist in the old Central Plains.

Just as Yu Baek said, the name alone was enough to understand the current situation.

Wind and Cloud Ghostly Bandit (風雲鬼盜), Nameless (無名).

“He said he would take Wudang’s symbol within five days.”

Alternatively called.

He was an individual known as a treasure thief.

And also.

‘…Why is that old geezer’s story coming up here?’

It was also the alias of someone I knew.