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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Uninvited Guest VS Uninvited Guest (2)
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The Central Plains were vast, and martial artists, countless.
Even the preliminary rounds of the Mind-Blade Tournament drew hundreds of participants, each eager to display their martial prowess. How could one possibly pinpoint a single individual among them?
There were also numerous martial arts that manipulated pure Yang energy.
Even Wudang, for instance, practiced basic palm arts like the Cotton Palm in addition to their sword techniques.
However.
"So, they all lost, did they?"
True Man Taeheo let out a heavy sigh.
The fact that not a single Wudang disciple had managed to defeat any of the 'Three Star Elders' weighed heavily on True Man Taeheo's heart.
Of course, given the unique nature of the Mind-Blade Tournament, which was restricted to those at the peak realm...
If the opponent's techniques were truly that profound, victory would certainly not come easy.
What was even more astonishing was that...
Disciples who had encountered these 'Three Star Elders' even once had all reported different observations.
- They dropped their sword, feigning carelessness, then childishly launched a sneak attack with a palm strike.
- A palm strike I was certain I had deflected curved like a snake and struck my flank.
- The sword art was so venomous and sinister it couldn't possibly belong to a prestigious orthodox sect. Could they be from the Demonic Path?
- There was a powerful sword strike, as if Mount Tai itself was crashing down, remarkably similar to the Emperor's Sword Art of the Namgung clan.
- The sword strike was imbued with pure Yang energy. They must have cultivated an internal cultivation method related to Flame Arts.
Surely the Mind-Blade Tournament wasn't restricted to martial artists under forty, was it?
The more he consolidated all the observations...
Only a highly seasoned, elderly swordsman who had reached the realm of 'no technique is better than technique' came to mind.
Should he really go to the Martial Alliance and intimidate the relevant department?
He was in the midst of calculating how long it would take to travel from the main peak to Wuhan using light-body techniques when...
"Excuse me, Grandfather Sect Leader...?"
"I've told you not to call me that, why... *sigh*, fine. What is it now?"
It was Na Eun-hyang, the owner of the voice that had suddenly cut in.
True Man Taeheo sighed as he looked at Na Eun-hyang.
Though she was a woman and an outer disciple, meaning he couldn't treat her as roughly as an inner disciple...
Her innate martial talent was exceptional, and she was highly likely to become the top matriculant of the Hundred Flowers Academy next year. It was precisely this potential that had brought this child, Na Eun-hyang, to this very spot.
She was, in essence, the quintessential pampered child.
"This person, by any chance! Isn't he the Red Flame Sword Dragon?"
Not just True Man Taeheo, but everyone present tilted their heads, unfamiliar with the moniker.
Na Eun-hyang confidently held up her smartphone for all to see.
"Um, he's the person from that video on Mootube that got a huge reaction last time!"
Displayed on her screen were dozens, no, perhaps hundreds of photos.
It was one of the videos uploaded by 'BloodyQueenTube' on Mootube: 'Video of a Nameless Swordsman Newly Emerged from the Jianghu Teaching a Bandit Leader a Lesson,' which she had painstakingly broken down frame by frame and saved.
"Hehe, isn't he incredibly cool? I'm the president of his fan club! I even created a minor gallery! Especially here, those abs that show through despite the slightly poor quality, wow, *sigh*..."
"Nonsense… *sigh*, just play the video."
"Oh, yes sir!"
Na Eun-hyang, who had been practically drooling, hurriedly manipulated her smartphone to play the video.
Although he didn't use palm techniques simultaneously like the Three Star Elders had...
"Oh!"
"Yes, that's the trajectory!"
The swordsmen, confirming the similarity in the sword art, began to react, one by one.
"Hehehe. Isn't our oppa cool? That shimmer, that shimmer! How can such a beautiful firebird flutter up from the tip of his sword? *Sigh*, he truly is the Red Flame Sword Dragon. I absolutely must meet him. But seriously, the Red Flame Sword Dragon is the same person as the Wudang Demonic Sword? That's totally awesome, super awesome! So maybe he's also the same person as the Three Star Elder? Is there any recorded footage of the Three Star Elder? Why doesn't the Mind-Blade Tournament have a recording function, anyway?"
Though Na Eun-hyang's fervent rambling might have been distracting...
It didn't reach the ears of the swordsmen, who were utterly focused on the fierce battle unfolding on the small screen.
That was because.
Smartphone use was forbidden during daily training without special reason, as it interfered with practice, and viewing Mootube videos was also prohibited. So, naturally, they had no choice but to focus.
After they had watched it about three times...
"It's the same person, alright."
"I agree."
True Man Taeheo reached a conclusion.
"Wow! So it's true! Amazing, truly amazing. I have to tell Sister Seol too!"
"Stop your nonsense and tell me if you have any more information."
"He's a disciple of the Hundred Flowers Academy! *Sigh*, I want to enroll in the Hundred Flowers Academy soon too. How can I possibly wait until next year? I don't knowwww..."
The Wudang swordsmen collectively sighed.
The weight carried by the name 'Wudang Sect Leader' was immense, so narrowing down the net of information afterward proved not so difficult.
A male disciple from the Hundred Flowers Academy.
Had a history of participating in the Mind-Blade Tournament.
Had used martial arts that utilized pure Yang energy.
Primarily used a sword.
There was just one thing.
Whether he was involved in the incident on Mount Taebaek remained unconfirmed, as even with Wudang's influence, they couldn't uncover that particular detail.
"The identity of that Taoist is narrowing down significantly. Wudang's Three Swords, along with Taeeul and Taegwang, prepare yourselves. Let us go to the Hundred Flowers Academy together."
It was clear that all clues pointed to Xi'an.
* * *
As the atmosphere grew tense...
The guards protecting the estate, sensing the shift, quickly darted inside.
He figured it was a sound judgment, as guards of mere first-rate skill couldn't possibly withstand this storm.
Besides, I was here.
"Hmm? Haven't all restrictions on martial artists from the Demonic Heavenly Cult setting foot in the Central Plains been lifted by now?"
Our Old Man.
So bold!
No, utterly shameless!
But it made sense, logically.
"Could it be about your master, Chiseong? Tsk, tsk. It happened thirty years ago, yet you still hold such a grudge."
Is he crazy?
Our Old Man definitely had no human heart.
How could he spout such outrageous nonsense right in front of the person involved?
"What...!"
True Man Taeheo's already fearsome face flushed crimson, and simultaneously, the Wudang swordsmen lined up behind him all placed their hands on their sword hilts.
In this volatile situation...
I concentrated my blurring mind as much as possible.
If I were to uphold human decency...
It would still be right to side with my Old Man, who imparted his teachings to me.
But judging by the outrageous remark he just spouted, my Old Man seems to be barely human.
The thought suddenly surged that perhaps it wouldn't be wrong to side with Wudang here.
Therefore.
I needed to find a way to walk the line and calm both sides down.
Since I couldn't speak openly, the method was 'Transmission of Sound into Secret'.
And I had to send it simultaneously.
To make the impossible possible.
I created a small orthodox sect within my mind, embodied by Geum Si-hyeon.
I split my thoughts as if cleaving my brain in two.
I drew out two streams of true qi separately from my middle dantian and imbued them with my intent.
Amidst a headache that felt as if my skull would shatter, finally...
: : Master. Although Wudang's martial arts are naturally beneath yours, the current situation is unfavorable. Your disciple has prepared wine; how can you spill blood before even tasting this delicious drink? You could dispatch them with a single sword stroke anyway, so for my sake, could you please retract your words and actions here? : :
: : Elder. That mad Great Demonic Leader… no, Elder Sword Demon, seems to be suffering from something akin to a heart demon. The person right next to him is the Lord of Life and Death, who is currently residing with our family as his patient. For the sake of our family's honor, could you please sheathe your sword here? : :
I had succeeded in sending dual-core transmissions.
My vision flickered momentarily, and I felt as if my brain was being seared.
Fortunately.
"Hmm, my words were a bit harsh just now."
"Enough. We didn't come here to quarrel over past grievances."
Thanks to sending it without confusing the recipients, both the Old Man and the Sect Leader simultaneously took a step back.
My back was drenched in sweat.
But it actually worked.
* * *
The price for preventing the destruction of the Mangum Stronghold was quite steep.
"Haha, drink up, drink up."
"Kuh, indeed, this alcohol from the Western Regions—no, 'grain tea'—has a truly exceptional taste. What was its name again?"
"Chateau… I suppose you could just call it grape wine."
"Grape wine! Hmm. So it's not grain tea, but fruit tea. Hahaha!"
Which I had barely managed to procure via the Silk Road.
Even then, due to imperfect bottling techniques, almost none of my precious wine had arrived intact, and now it was melting away before my eyes.
The fundamental question of whether a Taoist should even be drinking alcohol was simply folded away in my heart.
That's why he gets called a 'Horse-Nose'.
Tsk.
"Hmm. It reminds me of my time in Tianshan. I used to partake of it often."
Both of them were emptying the precious liquid, which should have been savored for its taste and aroma, bottle by bottle.
These philistines of wine...
It felt as if blood tears were flowing.
Still, perhaps it was the power of the alcohol, but the atmosphere was gradually softening.
The Wudang swordsmen were also being separately hosted and treated with the utmost hospitality, so I figured I must have earned quite a few points.
"By the way, Taoist Geum. Could you show that once more? It's truly tantalizing, as if enlightenment is just within reach, yet not quite there..."
"Yes."
Feeling like a performing clown, I conjured fire and ice from my hands.
"Ooh! It's unbelievable no matter how many times I see it! My heavens, such a talent! It's a blessing for the orthodox martial world!"
"It's a blessing for the Demonic Heavenly Cult, surely."
"The orthodox, martial world's, blessing!"
Sparks flew in the eyes of the Old Man and the Horse-Nose Boss.
I wanted to kneel and bawl, begging both of them to just act their age.
"Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I've witnessed Wudang's sword."
"Although the Liangyi Heart Art has been lost, the Taiji Benevolent Sword can still be called the foremost sword art in the Central Plains."
"Hmm, the foremost in the Central Plains, you say."
"No, Elders, now, allow me to pour you another glass──"
I desperately tried to act charming to reverse the atmosphere, which had instantly turned frigid, but...
"Hehe. Taoist Geum."
The Horse-Nose Boss looked at me and smiled gently.
"It's not easy for us to meet like this, but shouldn't we cross swords at least once?"
The Horse-Nose's face, which had been grinning drunkenly from the wine just moments ago, vanished, and in its place was a sharply honed Songmun Ancient Sword.
"Sword Demon Senior. Let's move this elsewhere."