Chapter 26 – Fruitful After the Rain(9)
The moon that had been hanging in the sky slowly tilted beyond the horizon and disappeared, and in its place, a brilliantly shining sun took over. Its light spread equally without discrimination
And Mu-myung, whose face and entire body were covered in blood, was no exception. While blankly staring at the blood thickly coating his hands, the sound of a flowing stream reached Mu-myung’s ears.
Thanks to this, Mu-myung could discover the clear stream flowing leisurely, glistening in the sunrise. Mu-myung quietly settled by the stream and washed the blood from his hands and face.
“……Huff, now I feel somewhat alive.”
The coldness of the stream cooled his heated head and heart. Thanks to this, Mu-myung could look back at the current situation and himself with a clear mind and cool rationality.
Surprisingly, Won-gi, the leader of the Black Death Squad, didn’t hold out as long as expected and immediately spilled everything he knew. Because of this, Mu-Myung had no choice but to kill him right away as promised.
Although he internally struggled with whether to keep his promise with a villain who had tried to wipe out an entire village with poison. From the beginning, Mu-myung didn’t hesitate to kill, but he didn’t enjoy torture.
Anyway, what he confirmed for certain was that, as expected, the Evil sect was secretly operating behind the scenes. And it had spread its roots much deeper than initially thought.
Hadn’t they tried to take over the Murong family, a orthodox sect that had been cut off from martial arts world relations? At the same time, they also tried to persuade the Black Plague Faction of the Evil sect to inflict massive damage on the orthodox sect.
It could be called the perfect example of “divide and conquer.” If the Evil sect’s goal was to greatly widen the gap between the righteous and evil factions to cause a great war between them…… he suddenly felt chills.
‘Are they planning to attack when the righteous and evil factions weaken each other through an all-out war? It’s extremely simple, but also the most effective strategy if successful.’
“If they were just the type intoxicated by power and acting recklessly, it wouldn’t be difficult to deal with them.”
Come to think of it, they were indeed intoxicated by power. Wasn’t that how the Evil sect persuaded the head of the Murong family? That ultimately it’s right for the strong to take everything.
In most martial arts novels, the Evil sect is often described as a group that worships only absolute power. In other words, it means they are a force equipped with both mighty power and scheming, mastering both martial arts and strategy.
Somehow, the deeper he dug, the more the answers seemed to disappear, but surprisingly, Mu-myung didn’t falter. Rather, he felt his heart, which had cooled, beating hot again.
‘Yes, a Evil sect should show this much capacity. Absolutely! Indeed.’
The courage and resources to implement the incredible idea of capturing martial artists with other martial artists. And on top of that, they had the ability too, with thoroughness that left no room for even a drop of water to leak.
However, in that brief process of clashing with the Evil sect, Mu-myung clearly saw a thread-like hope. The legacy left by his master wasn’t just limited to a thatched house and a small field.
‘I thought Master was an extraordinary person… but I never imagined he would leave behind a legacy in this way.’
Of course, the fundamentals remain unchanged. The Three Disaster Sword Technique is essentially the conclusion that all sword techniques fundamentally reach. After all, every sword technique ultimately ends with cutting and stabbing.
But what if he could reach the martial arts that his master left for him? If he could comprehend and make the profound principles within it his own? It might be impossible right now.
But perhaps someday he could inevitably reach it. For anyone who has read martial arts novels even once, there’s nothing better than this name that makes a man’s heart pound, that everyone has definitely heard of.
Tianxia Di Yi (天下第一).[TL/N 天下第一 translates to “The best in the world” and is often used to signify supreme excellence, superiority, or being the best at something.]
A goal is a lamp that illuminates darkness. It is the starlight of heaven guiding lost travelers. Without a purpose, one wanders lost in darkness and eventually loses even oneself.
Then what exactly is my goal now? At first, he was satisfied with just touring the martial arts world. Objectively, he didn’t think his talent was high.
But now his thoughts have changed. Even if he lacks talent, he has the opportunity left by his master. If he uses this well, becoming the world’s greatest might not be impossible.
“Yes, if born as a man, shouldn’t one command the world?”
The fog that had filled his mind finally cleared, and he at last obtained a clear purpose. No more hesitation was felt in Mu-myung’s eyes as he firmly decided his goal.
And since he’d already become deeply entangled twice, the Evil sect would soon think that something was interfering with them. It was too late now to back out.
Having made up his mind firmly, Mu-myung proudly turned his head and stepped towards the village. As strictly instructed at first, Sua was protecting Seolhwa and the villagers.
Although some houses were slightly burned and people were injured, fortunately, no one died or suffered irreversible serious injuries. The physician Lee Cheong-woo sighed in relief and said:
“Thanks to the great warrior not being late, we could avoid severe injuries.”
“Is your hand alright?”
“This? Well, it will heal if I rest properly. In my younger days, I’ve had worse injuries.”
“You don’t seem like just a rural physician, what exactly is your identity?”
“Haha, I’m just an ordinary physician.”
According to what he heard, Lee Cheong-woo could tell at a glance that the group dressed in black didn’t seem to have good intentions. So he didn’t tell them the patient’s location.
Hearing this story, Mu-myung couldn’t help but show a quite unexpected reaction. He had thought that since the man was so money-hungry, he would be persuaded by money, but then Lee Cheong-woo replied:
“I may excessively crave money due to my circumstances, but not to the extent of forgetting my duty as a physician. I can never allow a patient I saved to die by my own hands.
“I apologize. It seems I briefly thought too lowly of you.”
“Then give me money instead of an apology. It seems you also have someone who needs treatment?”
“Truly a consistent man.”
It would probably be the first time to meet such a unique person who asks for money to examine the savior of his life. But far from feeling bad, it actually felt rather pleasant.
Isn’t this because he realized that the man’s nature was pure and good, and he had conviction?
◇
Sunrise can be seen by anyone carrying the sky instead of a ceiling, regardless of status or position. Naturally, the Unorthodox sect on Mount Geumhyeon could also see the rising sun.
The Unorthodox sect was established by martial artists of the evil faction joining forces to counter the Orthodox sect’s Martial Arts Alliance, and it essentially played a role similar to the leader of the Orthodox sect’s Martial Arts Alliance.
Of course, if one were to be detailed, there were slight flaws in comparing the Sect Leaders authority to that of the League Chief. Nevertheless, the influence of the evil faction’s Alliance Leader on the evil faction was quite strong.
The black-haired woman, who had been quietly watching the sunrise from the Pavilion of Obstacles of the Unorthodox sect, adorned with the black dragon decorations that symbolized the alliance, turned her head. Her cold gaze was directed at a man.
“How is what I asked you to find out progressing?”
“Alliance Leader, that…”
“Speak. Tell me exactly as it is, without even a hint of falsehood.”
“…”
Perhaps it was because she read some hesitation in his voice? At the Sect Leaders cold rebuke, the man couldn’t help but sigh. Though still young, she had sufficient dignity as the Alliance Leader.
How could someone serving the Alliance Leader tell a lie? In the end, the man divulged all the information he knew to the Alliance Leader. Soon, a cold voice resonated.
“So the entire Black Death Squad of the Black Plague Faction headed to Mount Geumhyeon… Wasn’t the area near Mount Geumhyeon also where my father disappeared?”
“Alliance Leader, forgive my impertinence, but it’s been 30 years since the Sword Demon disappeared. Given his age, to say he’s still alive…”
“How can you be so sure? Have you perhaps seen the Sword Demon’s corpse?”
“No, I haven’t.”
Even the resistance made with all his courage sank helplessly before the Sect Leaders sharp rebuke, unable to do anything. No one in the Unorthodox sect could stop the Alliance Leader in that state.
“I understand how you feel, Alliance Leader. But right now, the Unorthodox sect is in a situation that could be described as being surrounded by enemies on all sides.”
“So, you mean we should focus on the current matter first?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not a foolish woman either. I clearly know what’s more important.”
“T-then…”
“I heard a rumor that there’s an unidentified elderly master on Mount Geumhyeon.”
The man’s expression hardened at the completely unexpected answer. The Alliance Leader turned her head and, with a smile brighter than the rising sun behind her, placed her hand on the man’s shoulder.
“It’s truly strange, isn’t it? I clearly instructed that every rumor circulating about Mount Geumhyeon should be reported to me without exception.”
“I-I’m sorry…!!”
The Sect Leaders expression, which had been shining more brightly than the light of the sunrise, suddenly turned as cold as winter’s chill. At last, one sharp remark that pierced deep into the man’s lungs:
“If you know, then move quickly.”
Before I kill you right now.
