episode_0063

While I was appropriately teaching Yeonbaek martial arts as promised.

I received a report from Jeok Hwaryeon – who spent all her days in a power struggle with the (former) Haomun Leader, So Yerin – that someone had come to see me.

“Who did you say it was?”

“They say they’re from the Righteous Alliance?”

“Names?”

“I don’t know their names, but one is scrawny and the other is old.”

It was an endlessly vague explanation, but Cheongun nodded as if he understood roughly.

And rightly so; given the current situation, the identities of those who had come here were obvious.

The scrawny one was probably Jeoksan, one of the Righteous Alliance’s executives, and the old one was likely Gohak, one of Mount Hua Sect’s highly respected Fifth Elders.

There was nothing special about why Cheongun could be so certain of their identities.

Whenever the Righteous Alliance sent a message to the user, those two always came in a pair.

He couldn’t possibly not know them, as they were the ones he always encountered whenever he took the Righteous Faction route in the original story.

They probably had various reasons for coming all the way here, but there was a high probability it was to put pressure on Cheongun, keep him in check, and assign him troublesome tasks.

“Ryeon.”

“Yes.”

“Where are those two now?”

“I told them to wait, so wouldn’t they be waiting outside the gate?”

“Hmm.”

Ryeon subtly asked,

“Should I bring them in?”

“Don’t.”

“Why?”

Cheongun slowly explained, lowering himself to her eye level.

Those who were called executives in the Righteous Alliance held quite high positions in the martial arts world, whether by lineage or seniority.

Typically, there were no individuals in high positions in the martial arts world whose cultivation realms weren’t also high.

And the stronger one was, the more one could perceive.

Demonic arts, in particular, showed in the eyes.

If he brought Ryeon, it was obvious there would be a huge fuss, accusing her of being a demonic cultivator or something, with high probability.

Ryeon, having heard the explanation, nodded.

“Then who should we send?”

“Still, they’re old men from the Righteous Alliance in their own right, shouldn’t we give them proper treatment?”

At that, Ryeon’s gaze turned towards So Yerin, who was sitting in the corner.

Cheongun’s gaze followed.

So Yerin protested.

“Wait. Are you seriously thinking of daring to make this maiden run such a trivial errand?”

“Bring them in respectfully. Don’t utter a single idle word.”

“I refuse! I have no obligation to guide those stinky old men of the Righteous Faction…”

“Should I kick you out too?”

“……I don’t particularly have one, but… just this once, I’ll oblige for your sake!”

Bang!

So Yerin sprung up, huffed, and slammed the door shut as she left.

Ryeon, who had been quietly watching, also left the room after saying she would come later.

Cheongun took a sip from his teacup, then leaned back comfortably in his chair.

“The sunlight is warm.”

****

Jeoksan, Herald of the Righteous Alliance.

And Gohak, one of the Five Elders of the Righteous Alliance.

As they stood quietly at the entrance, an unexpected voice was heard.

“Are you the ones who came looking for the Chief Inspector?”

There was a woman approaching, clicking her tongue.

She had dark blue hair fluttering in the wind, and her violet eyes shone coldly.

There was certainly an unconventional aura about her, yet she exuded captivating beauty and grace.

She spoke with an annoyed tone, as if spitting out words.

“Follow this maiden.”

“Who are you?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“……”

She was a woman with a strange dignity.

And at the same time, she was a woman who deserved it.

The two immediately unleashed their internal energy into the air to gauge the woman’s identity.

This was a way for martial artists to ascertain each other’s understanding when they met: to check their respective realms and determine whether they could be insolent with the opponent.

However, just from the aura the woman exuded, Jeoksan’s head was already spinning, and his stomach churned.

Of course, Gohak, being an elder of a sect, was perfectly capable of receiving the woman’s aura, but they were both equally surprised by each other’s realms.

Gohak could be certain.

That woman was a master who had at least surpassed a major boundary.

It was astonishing. In the martial arts world, it was several times more difficult for women to reach high realms than men.

This was because opportunities to learn martial arts from a young age were limited, and training was often interrupted by marriage and childbirth.

Furthermore, women’s natural qi and blood circulation were different, so most martial arts manuals were written primarily for men. If a woman practiced them exactly, she would often fall into cultivation deviation or suffer internal injuries.

During the monthly cycle, qi and blood became unstable, making high-level inner cultivation technique dangerous.

While there were sects like the Emei Sect or the Jade Maiden Sword Sect that fostered female masters, the aura in her eyes didn’t suggest she belonged to such a sect.

Neither did he feel any demonic or evil energy from her.

Gohak immediately recognized the woman’s identity.

Gohak chuckled heartily and then immediately clasped his fist in greeting.

“Gohak of Mount Hua greets the Haomun Leader.”

“Enough. The pleasantries are over.”

Although Gohak and So Yerin were similar in their martial arts realms, traditionally, a strict code of seniority existed in the martial arts world.

While those of the Dark Path or Demonic Path believed that the word of the strongest was law, the Righteous Faction strictly defined and adhered to seniority.

Who entered first, what merits they achieved, and how they were regarded socially.

A strict standard, like that of a credit rating agency, was applied to determine each martial artist’s seniority.

Though Gohak was an Elder of Mount Hua, considered the foremost sword sect in the Central Plains, So Yerin was still a Sect Leader, wasn’t she?

Therefore, if one were to strictly distinguish superior and inferior, it was proper for Gohak to show her respect.

Gohak chuckled and asked her,

“Why has the Leader come all the way here when it would have sufficed to send a subordinate?”

“……”

At his words, So Yerin gritted her teeth.

She couldn’t easily say that she had become the “subordinate” because of some crazy bastard.

Look now. Even that famous Elder of Mount Hua couldn’t treat her carelessly!

It was a moment when anger flared up in her.

“…Follow me.”

So Yerin didn’t bother to reply and continued walking.

As they entered, what met their eyes was a boy wielding a fishing rod in the middle of the training ground.

It was Yeonbaek, Cheongun’s first disciple, currently practicing the martial arts he had learned from Cheongun.

Seeing this, Jeoksan whispered to Gohak.

“Elder, did you see that?”

“I did. That fishing rod… it must be that martial art, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, it appears to be Mad Heaven No Sword’s unique martial art.”

“What a truly bizarre martial art.”

“Indeed. A fishing rod, of all things, what kind of unheard-of, strange martial art is that?”

“Then it’s safe to assume that boy is a disciple of Mad Heaven No Sword.”

“Wouldn’t that be the case?”

They continued their walk deeper into Haomun.

Since earlier, there had been more than one strange thing.

The Haomun Leader, famous for never revealing her true appearance, had come out herself.

And members of the Blackwood Gate, Bloodline Pavilion, and Myriad Dragon Escort Agency were standing guard all over Haomun.

It was truly a chaotic sight.

So Yerin, who had been leading the way, opened a door.

As they entered, what they saw was Cheongun sitting in a chair.

It was then.

“I’ve brought them, so this maiden shall take her leave.”

“Good work. Former Haomun Leader.”

“Tsk!”

Swish!

So Yerin swiftly left, not looking back.

Gohak stared blankly at So Yerin’s departing back for a moment, then clasped his fist at Cheongun.

“I am Gohak of Mount Hua.”

“Cheongun. Haomun Leader.”

At his words, Jeoksan, who was standing nearby, cautiously asked.

“I am Herald Jeoksan. May I ask you directly, Grand Hero?”

“Ask away.”

“I heard a rumor. That Grand Hero Cheong attacked Haomun.”

“That is correct.”

“Furthermore, that you said it was the will of the Righteous Alliance, and if anyone had complaints, they should take it up with the Righteous Alliance…”

“That is also true.”

…What kind of madman is this?

Jeoksan gulped.

“The cause and great justice that the Righteous Alliance values should never be used for personal vendettas.”

“Are you, Herald, saying that Haomun’s operation of the Black Tower, taking assassination contracts, secretly training assassins, and engaging in human trafficking against innocent common folk, is a personal vendetta?”

At his words, Jeoksan was startled.

“No, what are you saying, Grand Hero! Even if that were true, procedures exist! Saying that complaints should be taken up with the Righteous Alliance, fabricating non-existent words as if they were true, is unacceptable!”

“Non-existent words, you say? I, myself, am the Chief Inspector of the Righteous Alliance, the face of the Righteous Alliance. I merely followed the Alliance Leader’s will in this position, which involves traveling the martial arts world and doing the work of the Righteous Alliance on its behalf. Is there a problem? Or perhaps, Herald, are you doubting the Alliance Leader’s command?”

“That is…”

“Are you not a martial artist of the Righteous Faction, Herald? There are strict codes of conduct in the martial arts world, so how dare you disregard seniority and lecture a high-ranking Chief Inspector like this? Ah, is it perhaps an attempt to establish dominance? Shall we have a martial arts duel right now?”

“No, that was not my intention…”

“Then what is it? Does it displease you that I took over Haomun? That’s strange. The only thing that changed is that I simply purged Haomun’s trashy businesses. Ah! Perhaps, Herald, you maintained a special relationship with those businesses all this time? Ah, so that’s why you’re so diligently defending them.”

“How could that be! A misunderstanding, it’s a misunderstanding!”

Jeoksan took a step back.

He had heard rumors of him being a madman, but he hadn’t expected him to be this unreasonable.

Then, Gohak, who had been listening silently, asked.

“This old man apologizes on behalf of the Herald’s inexperience. In truth, our purpose for coming here is something else.”

Cheongun gestured with his chin as if to say ‘speak’, and Gohak suppressed a sigh.

Initially, he had intended to sternly reprimand this insolent youth, but that thought vanished the moment he met him.

He had been surprised when he saw So Yerin, but this boy’s realm was even deeper.

He had certainly broken through a major boundary, yet even considering that, the profundity of his internal energy was unbelievable.

At this level, it could be said that control over all the surrounding qi was essentially in the boy’s hands.

Gohak slowly explained the reason for their visit.

Something about the Jinju Eonga. Something about Ginger City. Something about lost contact. Something about circumstances of contact with the Demonic Cult.

The Jinju Eonga was in Dongting Lake, Hunan Province, so Cheongun, as the Chief Inspector, was requested to assess the situation there on behalf of the Righteous Alliance, or so they said.

As he continued his explanation for a long while, Jeoksan, who could no longer hold back, cautiously interjected from the side.

“Uh, Grand Hero Cheong.”

“What is it?”

“May I just ask one thing? What exactly are you doing right now?”

The reason he asked was simple.

Throughout the conversation, Cheongun had been holding a sinister-looking demonic sword in one hand.

Not just that? He was constantly releasing internal energy unnecessarily.

The floor trembled, and objects shook.

There was clearly no murderous intent, but his internal energy was so inherently profound that even breathing became slightly difficult.

No, why would he deliberately hold a sword and release internal energy during a conversation?

Cheongun’s answer to that was simple.

“Don’t mind it. I’m just establishing dominance.”

“……”