Chapter 80
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A beggar suddenly swung a Tagoobong at me. It looked slow, but as it came within my attack range, it transformed into a surprisingly quick movement. I noticed his technique was exceptionally precise with no openings, so instead of confronting him, I pulled back.
Clang!
My sword clashed with the beggar’s Tagoobong, sending him flying backward due to the shock.
“Oh no…”
With a flip, the beggar soared a couple of meters before landing on the ground, his face showing clear surprise.
I heard him mumbling, “Wow… this is impressive. Even after pouring my all into the Dream Heaven Divine Art, I’m still being pushed back. What monstrous martial power…”
“Who are you?”
I couldn’t treat him casually. Even though he was pushed back from our clash, he handled it without injury. Most experts would have their weapons shattered and be in shambles after facing my strike. The fact that he didn’t even cough up blood indicated that he was quite renowned in martial arts.
The beggar grinned. “Hehe, I’m the King of Beggars. And you’re not the Young Master of the White Lotus Sect, are you?”
I replied bluntly, “What kind of nonsense is that? What are the odds of a passerby being the Young Master of the White Lotus Sect? And what proof do I have of being associated with them?”
“Haha!! I’m the Great Opened Priest Cheonryonggae, and the chance that a ten-year-old kid has martial prowess several times mine is about the same as yours!”
“…!!”
I was taken aback; those weren’t words to ignore.
Cheonryonggae Gu Ik-hwan!
He was the King of a million beggars and led a faction among the Nine Great Sects. I had heard his name multiple times while learning about the sects. Plus, he was a direct disciple of one of the Three Great Masters known for tremendous skills.
Seeing the cautious look on my face, the beggar said, “I felt a storm of energy and secretly followed you. I thought I was chasing a being that transcended the mundane. But you’re just a kid. I thought for sure you were the Dharma Guardian or the Young Master.”
I snickered. “So, you claim to be Cheonryonggae Gu Ik-hwan. Do you really think you can take on just the Dharma Guardian or the Young Master alone? I hear those guys are complete monsters.”
“Of course, I wouldn’t be that arrogant. That’s why I brought some friends.”
Suddenly, a bunch of experts appeared from all directions. They had been keeping their distance from me but rushed to the beggar’s signal. I realized they were seasoned martial artists as well, and my frown deepened when I counted over fifty of them.
Gu Ik-hwan laughed heartily. “The True Heaven Alliance’s Sky Sword and Earth Sword Teams have all come. And reinforcements will be arriving shortly.”
True Heaven Alliance!
Hearing this, I couldn’t help but intake a breath. It was an organization formed around the Nine Great Sects to counter the Demon Path faction. They regularly elected a Leader and mobilized to fight against heretical sects. I knew that the Sky Sword and Earth Sword Teams were independent military groups created by the True Heaven Alliance.
‘All of them above first-class experts… they’re elite.’ I grimaced. The ones gathered here were at least on par with the Golden Eagle Guard. From the perspective of actual combat strength, it would be acceptable to consider myself surrounded by the five squads of the Golden Eagle Guard. If peak experts were mixed in, it could be extremely threatening. Moreover, I still hadn’t clearly gauged Gu Ik-hwan’s skills.
I addressed Gu Ik-hwan, “I only trained in my sect’s martial arts. I have no connection with the White Lotus Sect.”
“How many can you trust in this world when they say they are from a reputable sect? I hear the White Lotus Sect is nurturing talented young martial artists through something called Sacred Lotus. You could very well be a spy who has come to survey the Central Plains, so for now, you’ll have to accompany us willingly.”
Gu Ik-hwan had no intention of dropping his suspicion. Considering it, he had likely been trailing me for days, thoroughly preparing for our meeting. Given the possibility of me being the Young Master or a Dharma Guardian, he couldn’t afford to be careless.
I thought hard. ‘What would Mangnyang do in this situation?’ I racked my brain. I felt that if I kept thinking, I might find a way to solve this. I realized that merely acting out of anger would inevitably lead to my death. A saying of Mangnyang’s suddenly came to mind: ‘There are things that won’t be conveyed if not spoken.’
While pondering, a good idea struck me, and I decided to be honest with myself. “Have you ever heard of the Azure Dragon?”
Since Gu Ik-hwan was a high-ranking official from an orthodox sect, I used respectful language. He shrugged his shoulders. “Are you talking about the Four Gods? I have no idea what you mean.”
I caught on that he was pretending not to notice. So, I smoothly brandished my spear and said, “It’s unfortunate that you haven’t heard of the Death God that turned the Shaanxi Martial World upside down.”
“….”
Whispers spread among the True Heaven Alliance experts surrounding me. Most of them were martial artists or disciples from the Nine Great Sects, so they should have at least heard of the legendary power of the Azure Dragon. Naturally, someone like Cheonryonggae, the master of information, couldn’t possibly be unaware. He gazed at my spear, then spoke.
“I’ve never heard of the Azure Dragon having a disciple as young as you. I know he has a disciple named Jin So-cheong.”
“I’m not his direct disciple, but I’m someone from the same lineage. You could say we belong to the same school. My martial arts are quite similar to those of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School.”
“Hmm…”
“There’s no reason for me to be in conflict with the True Heaven Alliance.”
Gu Ik-hwan scrutinized me as if trying to gauge the truth of my words. He remained silent for a while, then called out for someone.
“Peo! Jun-tae! Sang-gi!”
“Yes!!”
Three middle-aged swordsmen came forward. Their breathing was extraordinary, indicating they were peak experts. Gu Ik-hwan lined them up and addressed me, “These are from the Zhongnan Sect and Huashan Sect. They have witnessed the Azure Dragon’s martial arts up close. If you want to prove that you’re one of the Azure Dragon’s disciples, show us your skills here.”
“You do know that asking this from me is exceedingly rude, verging on taboo in the Jianghu?”
I teased, and Gu Ik-hwan replied as if he had no choice, “Of course I’m aware. However, if you can’t prove it, we will have no choice but to suppress you by force.”
“Then I have no choice.”
Slowly, I raised my spear. And in front of the many experts from the True Heaven Alliance, I began to gracefully showcase the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms.
As serene as still waters at first, my movements began to intensify as the forms transitioned, incorporating circular motions into the specifics. Soon, the footwork of the Thunder Shadow Step combined into a spectacle, making the spear shimmer like white light.
“Whoa…”
I could see the middle-aged swordsmen’s eyes widening in shock.
I smiled to myself and started adding more variations to the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms. Having trained relentlessly in the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, I had drilled the basics of Lan, Na, and Chal countless times until I could wield the spear like an extension of my body. Mastering the fundamentals naturally led to advanced techniques; hence, I could now deploy sixteen variations of the same form.
I felt the spear whirl. The spins created an incredible vibration, and as my upper and lower body balanced perfectly, my movements unfolded.
With a swish, I twirled like a windmill, my spear creating shadows that dazzled the onlookers. Soon, with the blending of the Three Main Powers of Heaven, Earth, and People, the Thunder Spirit’s shocking techniques merged into dazzling bursts of light, and in a heartbeat, I began unleashing the eight major moves of the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms.
BOOM!
Once the forms completed, a massive hole about a meter wide was left in the boulder behind me. That was the result of my final thrust. Those watching my martial display seemed petrified.
And the three middle-aged swordsmen, who had been most intently observing, looked at Gu Ik-hwan.
“There’s no room for doubt.”
“All those forms are indeed the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms.”
“Such skills cannot be exhibited without years of instruction from a master of the spear.”
It seemed they had reached a consensus. Although they were affiliated with the True Heaven Alliance, they had a background in the Nine Great Sects, so there was no reason to lie about martial prowess.
“Hmm…”
Gu Ik-hwan appeared bewildered by the unexpected turn of events, narrowing his eyes. He had brought elite experts from the True Heaven Alliance with confidence, only to have me invalidate his assumptions.
With no other choice, Gu Ik-hwan bowed to me with a respectful demeanor. “I apologize for my rudeness. I, Cheonryonggae Gu Ik-hwan, formally apologize. You seem to be a descendant of a reputable sect.”
“I accept your apology.”
“What is your name? I’d like to know now.”
“I am Baek Woong.”
“Baek Woong, but I can’t simply let you go like this. As rude as it is, I sincerely request that you accompany us to the True Heaven Alliance.”
I looked at Gu Ik-hwan. Officials from such sects value reputation above all else, so given his insistence, he wouldn’t resort to force now. The experts with him being from the orthodox sects wouldn’t act unless it made logical sense. As expected, Gu Ik-hwan sighed and spoke.
“Sigh… frankly speaking, the White Lotus Sect’s threat is increasing, and we have received numerous reports about their experts being active all over Jianghu. So, we cannot disregard even the smallest danger.”
“What do you propose?”
“We will give you time to ensure your safety. We won’t harm you, so kindly stop by the True Heaven Alliance for a moment. I will make up for this rudeness without fail.”
I nodded, “Understood.”
I walked alongside Gu Ik-hwan towards the True Heaven Alliance. The experts trailing me had their eyes on me, but I paid them little mind. They already knew in their hearts that I wasn’t a spy from the White Lotus Sect. It seemed Gu Ik-hwan’s insistence on accompanying me was close to an obsession as the head of the intelligence organization aiming to uncover my background.
‘If I play this right, I might gather some information about the True Heaven Alliance as well.’
I’m glad I didn’t act blindly in anger. Unlike those from heretical sects who fight without a care, the orthodox sect values reputation. Fighting against an unjust enemy is seen as a death sentence, but on the flip side, they won’t act without justification either. Knowing their nature means I could potentially use it against them.
After a while, we arrived at Zhangping, the border crossing from Henan to Shandong. An impressive five-story building came into view. This whole area seemed to belong to the True Heaven Alliance. Upon entering the front door, the experts from the Sky Sword and Earth Sword Teams flooded in behind Gu Ik-hwan.
It was evident that many martial artists had gathered here, confirming it was the stronghold of the orthodox sect.
Creeeak!
As the door closed, Gu Ik-hwan strode deeper into a dimly lit Great Hero Hall. He called out, “True Heaven Alliance Leader! It seems I’ve made a big mistake. This young hero does not appear to be connected to the White Lotus Sect.”
From the shadows emerged a man in white, appearing to be in his late forties, with a sword fastened to his waist. The leader of the True Heaven Alliance, Wei Zhi-hun, chuckled.
“Haha! I’m actually relieved. If that boy was indeed the Young Master of the White Lotus Sect or the Dharma Guardian, things could have ended very bloody.”
“Heh, I was confident I could hold my ground until reinforcements with the Dream Heaven Divine Art arrived.”
As Gu Ik-hwan desperately attempted to salvage his pride, Wei Zhi-hun spoke bitterly, “Gu Ik-hwan, the terror of the Dharma Guardian can only be understood by someone who has fought against him. I still bear the grudges of that occasion, and if I encounter him again, I might freeze up.”
Flap!
Wei Zhi-hun had lost his left arm. He survived an encounter with the Dharma Guardian but at the cost of a limb. I gazed at him for a moment before speaking, “I am Baek Woong. Pardon my intrusion; are you the True Heaven Alliance Leader, Wei Zhi-hun?”
The man in white replied calmly with a smile, “Indeed, I am Wei Zhi-hun.”
He is the leader of the True Heaven Alliance, forged by the Nine Great Sects, and was known as the most revered swordsman from the Wudang Sect, following the most outstanding techniques of Tai Chi. His reputation was so grand I often felt my ears ringing from hearing it in my previous life.
“Leader, as things stand…”
Gu Ik-hwan recounted everything that had transpired. I remained cautious, wondering if he would exaggerate or downplay the events, but he seemed sincere as he shared my situation. Wei Zhi-hun nodded attentively to the entire story.
“I see. It’s fortunate you’re not a spy from the White Lotus Sect, but also that you possess such remarkable talent that draws attention.”
“There seems to be some misunderstanding; I am not a direct disciple of the Azure Dragon. We share the same lineage, but we have different masters.”
“I’m aware. The Azure Dragon informed me of this.”
“…?”
I was puzzled. The secret of the Thunder God Lineage’s multiple lineages shouldn’t be casually disclosed, so why would Lee Kwang have mentioned it to Wei Zhi-hun? Noticing my confusion, he gave a wry smile and sent me a secret transmission.
[Lee Kwang and I share information. I keep the secret of the Thunder God Lineage in return for his pledge not to act against the orthodox sects, promising to fight for us in dire situations. You seem to radiate the aura of the Thunder God Lineage, so fret not.]
It appeared that Lee Kwang was able to live comfortably as the head of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School due to a deal made with Wei Zhi-hun. Part of revealing aspects of his lineage ensured the orthodox sects felt reassured, and in turn, he provided information and assistance.
Wei Zhi-hun continued, “Moreover, you don’t carry the unique aroma of the Sacred Lotus. I can be certain you are not from the White Lotus Sect.”
“Aroma?”
“When someone takes Sacred Lotus, which grants overwhelming internal power, a fragrance wafts from their body. While it isn’t very strong, it’s impossible to hide from someone with a keen sense of smell. Also, it’s one of the simplest ways to identify a master of the White Lotus Sect.”
“I see.”
That was an intriguing fact I hadn’t known before. If someone had abnormally high internal power and bore the scent, they could likely be suspected as being from the White Lotus Sect. As I pondered this, Wei Zhi-hun inquired, “So may I ask where you were headed?”
“I intended to travel through Shandong to Goryeo.”
“Goryeo? What’s your reason?”
“I heard the martial gates there are distinguished, so I hoped to pursue martial training while gaining insights.”
At this, Wei Zhi-hun appeared surprised. “Goryeo and Liaodong, including the Eastern Martial World, are rumored to host the formidable Twelve Joules. Underestimating these sects could lead to serious trouble.”
“The Twelve Joules, you say?”
“Hmm…”
Wei Zhi-hun explained, “During the transition period between the Yuan and Ming dynasties, Goryeo also had its power struggles. Yet, if I recall correctly, it was during that time that the Twelve Joules sect intervened, allowing Goryeo to survive and undergo a rebirth. Their might alone could sway the governance of a nation…”
“Sounds like I need to tread carefully.”
“Young hero, we have wronged you, so I formally apologize.”
“No need for that.”
As I scratched my head, Wei Zhi-hun added, “I plan to give you the True Heaven Alliance’s sign marker. What do you think, Gu Ik-hwan?”
“I have no objections. I declare my support for him.”
“Haha! This has turned out quite well.”
I felt pleasantly surprised that things were going so smoothly. ‘This is a good start.’ Despite the crisis, thanks to my tactful handling, I managed to impress the True Heaven Alliance Leader while gaining both monetary support and their sign marker. Now I could rely on the assistance of the True Heaven Alliance until I board the ship to Shandong.
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