Rebirth of the Thunder God

"Tsk, tsk. That's enough. Let them in."

"Ah! Senior Uncle Cheongjin!"

"Unhak. Bring the guests to the guest hall. I'll go first and prepare tea."

Cheongjin Jin-in, who finished his words and disappeared.

Hearing his seasoned voice, it seemed he was by no means of a low generation, yet he was going to greet Namgung Hui's party himself.

Did that mean he was treating them as distinguished guests?

'I'll know when I meet him in person. Shall we go in?'

Among the Nine Factions and One Sect, the Kunlun Sect was located in the most remote place, so it was difficult for people's footsteps to reach.

On top of that, since the Kunlun Mountains were the roughest of rough terrains, even if a visit was permitted, there were few who sought it out.

Moreover, since they had even sealed their gates, it was reasonable to see that all footsteps had been cut off.

Nevertheless, Namgung Hui was only familiar with the Kunlun Sect.

'I came here a few times with my master in my past life.'

That was an old memory for Namgung Hui, so the scene was blurry.

If there was any information that came to mind vividly, it was that the Kunlun Sect and the Great Kunlun should be seen as strictly different organizations.

The Great Kunlun was closer to an abstract concept of a sacred ground of the Daoist sect than a concept of a place or an organization.

Namgung Hui did not know if it actually existed or where it was located.

There was only the rampant speculation that it vaguely existed somewhere in the Kunlun Mountains.

Namgung Hui followed the young Daoist named Unhak and arrived at the guest hall.

Unhak, as if nothing had happened, spoke to Namgung Hui in a rather polite state.

"Young Hero Namgung. I'm sorry for being... rude earlier. Then I hope you achieve your purpose for visiting."

Unhak, who finished his guidance and disappeared with quick steps.

Seeing him immediately repent his mistake and even offer a sincere apology, his disposition was indeed upright and good.

The disciples of the Kunlun Sect were different.

Namgung Hui glanced at the disappearing Unhak, then opened the door of the guest hall and entered.

"Heul, heul. Unhak hasn't left the Kunlun Mountains, so he's still immature in many ways. Still, he's a good kid, so don't hate him."

"Hate him? He's cute, so it's good to see. Cheongjin Jin-in. I am Namgung Hui from the Namgung family. I sincerely thank you for allowing me to enter the Kunlun Sect."

"I am Jeok Hwarin of the Sun God Palace."

"I am the escort, Dancheong."

"I am Jang Hwang, the sect leader of the Maoshan Sect."

"As expected, the divination that distinguished guests would come was correct. Hoho. Everyone, please sit down and have some tea first."

The party, as if they were thirsty from climbing the mountain path for quite a long time, gulped down the tea.

Unlike the Tieguanyin or Longjing tea they had tasted in the Central Plains, it had a rather plain taste.

But the refreshing feeling that spread throughout the body as it went down the throat was so mysterious that it was beyond words.

'The tea is full of spirit energy. Is this possible because it's the Kunlun Mountains?'

"Wow. This is hot tea, but for some reason, my insides feel cool."

"Me too."

"Heul, heul. It's because it's a tea leaf that grew up containing the clear energy of the Kunlun Mountains. Then may I hear the reason for your visit to the Kunlun Sect?"

Cheongjin Jin-in, who got straight to the point.

Since Namgung Hui also did not want to drag his feet, he immediately informed him of the purpose of his visit.

"I would like to see the Sect Leader and speak to him. I can guarantee that it will be a very beneficial matter for your esteemed sect."

Namgung Hui stroked the martial arts manual sleeping in his bosom.

This was the manual called the Supreme Purity Formless Divine Art, which he had smuggled out of the Imperial Palace's secret repository.

Perhaps, as Namgung Hui remembered, it was no different from the sect leader's register, which only the sect leader's disciple could learn.

'If I show this to the Sect Leader, I should be able to climb the Supreme Purity Peak, which is my original purpose.'

The reason Namgung Hui was trying to climb the Supreme Purity Peak.

It was because the map that the Mad Dragon had given him was pointing there.

A place where the Heavenly Demon Divine Art might be sleeping.

But since that place was one of the three sacred grounds of the Kunlun Sect, the Three Purities, it was difficult for an outsider like Namgung Hui to visit.

But they would not be able to turn away a benefactor who had returned the Supreme Purity Formless Divine Art.

If he were to put them in his debt like this, he might be able to ask for more.

'Well, the Supreme Purity Formless Divine Art is not that attractive of a heart art to me.'

Of course, the effect possessed by the Supreme Purity Formless Divine Art was quite outstanding.

When one was about to fall into Qi deviation, one could enter the realm of this formlessness and overcome it.

If Namgung Hui had had this Supreme Purity Formless Divine Art from the start, he would have been able to easily solve his father's Qi deviation.

Besides that, it might be helpful in his future mental training.

'Anyway, since I've memorized all the incantations, it doesn't matter if I return it.'

The Supreme Purity Formless Divine Art was a martial art closer to a mind and body training method than a heart art.

If the Shaolin Temple's Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic was biased towards extreme external arts, this was the exact opposite martial art.

Even if Namgung Hui were to learn this, it would be difficult for an opponent to notice.

Besides, Namgung Hui had only memorized the incantations and had not yet delved into the Supreme Purity Formless Divine Art in earnest.

That was not because he was ignoring the Supreme Purity Formless Divine Art, but because he had a mountain of martial arts to hone and polish.

'Thirteen Flashes of Thunder, Flying Thunder Sword, Wind God Steps... There's still room to delve deeper into the Emperor Sword Form that my sworn brother left behind. And it's time to create a new stealth art with the Danhyul Great Art that Muchi taught me.'

"That's good. The Sect Leader wanted to see you anyway. Then what is the business of the other Daoist friends?"

Although Namgung Hui had more business, that was something that could be resolved after meeting the Sect Leader.

And so, as Namgung Hui fell silent, Jeok Hwarin let out an awkward laugh and continued.

"Daoist. I came to find my maternal grandfather. I heard he is living here as an elder."

Cheongjin Jin-in asked with a rather surprised expression.

"Are you saying someone from the Sun God Palace is in our Kunlun Sect?"

"Ah. My maternal grandfather is probably not a member of the Sun God Palace. My mother was also an outsider."

"Hmm. If he's an elder, he must be one of my senior brothers, but I can't think of anyone who comes to mind. Then do you know his secular name or Daoist title?"

"My mother didn't particularly bring up my maternal grandfather's affairs. So I don't even know his esteemed name. However, since my mother's surname was Chu, wouldn't it be enough to find an elder with the surname Chu?"

Cheongjin Jin-in stroked his beard and smiled faintly.

"Coincidentally, there are two with the surname Chu. Well, if I were to casually bring up the story of a daughter to the two of them, I think I could get an answer. Then the young lady's business is half-solved. Does the sect leader also have something he wants?"

"I don't have anything in particular, but I would like to look around the Kunlun Sect, the sacred ground of the Daoist sect, once."

"Originally, since we have not lifted the seal on our gates, it is a difficult request. But since you are a distinguished guest who has come after a long time, I will discuss it with the Sect Leader once. Then, since I have to leave for the requested matter, please wait here for a moment."

"Yes. Please go and come back."

Cheongjin Jin-in stood up from his seat and disappeared like a cloud.

Although it was not that fast of a step, he disappeared from sight in an instant.

Namgung Hui smelled the scent of the Cloud Dragon Great Nine Stances from Cheongjin Jin-in's steps.

"The Kunlun Sect is more favorable to us than I thought. I thought we would be turned away at the door because they hadn't even lifted the seal on their gates."

"That's a question for me too."

A part that was also somewhat strange to Namgung Hui.

As much as the Kunlun Sect was closed off, they were reluctant to have outsiders visit.

That was the same in his past life, before they had entered the seal.

But judging from Cheongjin Jin-in's words, it felt as if he had expected Namgung Hui to come.

'The divination said a distinguished guest would come. Since there's no one else to visit besides us, it must be us.'

If it were the divination of the Kunlun Sect, it was quite possible to have noticed Namgung Hui's visit from the start.

More than that, Namgung Hui's mind was full of the Supreme Purity Peak.

Because the Heavenly Demon Divine Art would be there.

And if it didn't exist, he had to find its whereabouts.

Thinking of a possible situation, Namgung Hui strengthened his resolve.

"It could be because that tiger spirit beast spoke well of us. You, are you famous among spirit beasts too? Is it because your title is Jade Qilin? Hahaha."

"Well, that could be it. Since there are quite a few spirit beasts I've beaten up."

"Still, it's probably not as much as among the later generation masters. Seeing as even I know, you're probably much more famous in the Central Plains than you think."

"Of course. I'm a human. It would be strange if I were more famous among spirit beasts."

He had once wanted to live quietly.

Hadn't one of Namgung Hui's biggest goals been to build a happy family?

But in order to live like that, he needed to make the world peaceful.

That was why Namgung Hui had decided not to hesitate to gain fame.

He was planning to use even this fame to pressure and annihilate the Blood Cult and the Hoicheon Association.

"Young Hero Namgung."

Unhak, who had guided him to the guest hall earlier, had returned.

"Daoist Unhak. Did you call me?"

"Yes. The Sect Leader has asked me to bring you. The rest of you, please stay here. Only the Young Hero, please follow me."

It seemed the Sect Leader wanted a private meeting.

Well, since there was no reason for the rest of the party to see the Sect Leader, Namgung Hui readily stood up from his seat.

"Brother. I'll be back."

"Yes. Don't worry about this older brother. Go and come back well."

Jang Hwang, who had read the worry in Namgung Hui's eyes.

He was inwardly worried that the sect leader of the Maoshan Sect was being treated coldly.

But Jang Hwang, far from being upset, was enjoying the clear air of the Kunlun Mountains and seemed to be in a very good mood.

There was no need to meet a Sect Leader he had no business with.

Even if they were a Sect Leader and a sect leader representing their respective sects.

'Come to think of it, I'm also a sect leader. And an old sect leader who has been one for dozens of years.'

Namgung Hui let out a silly laugh and followed Unhak.

The place he headed for was a huge peak called the Supreme Purity among the Three Purities Peaks.

It was a long way up.

And the mountain path was also rough, so it was not a place anyone could climb.

In the first place, since it was not a terrain suitable for people to live in, he wondered if he could even have a meal on time.

But as if that were Namgung Hui's groundless fear.

The scenery of the Supreme Purity Peak was so much so that it could be seen as a farm.

All sorts of crops were standing straight here and there.

And the clear valley water and the sturdy-looking rock formations were also equipped with a mountain behind and a river in front, so it was not inferior as a residential area.

"We're here. This is the Supreme Purity Peak where the Sect Leader resides. I'll show you in."

Unhak waved his hand as if he were drawing a picture in the air.

At that, a slight vibration was felt, and the air of the Supreme Purity Peak changed.

Since it didn't seem to be a formation, it must be a barrier close to a Daoist art.

"Here it is. My guidance ends here, so please go in alone, Young Hero."

"Thank you."

"Um... You can speak comfortably. Because you're older than me."

"Really? Alright. Take care."

Namgung Hui looked at Unhak, who was going down the mountain path, and then turned his head.

A shabby thatched cottage located in front.

This was too simple to be a place where a Sect Leader resided.

Rather, the vegetable garden he had seen below looked more magnificent.

But as if that appearance was not everything, the moment Namgung Hui stepped inside.

-Hwaaak...

With a scent that calmed the mind and body, his whole body became languid.

But what surprised Namgung Hui was not such a clear scent.

It was.

Ung, ung! Ung, ung!

The Thunder God Sword trembled and let out a sword cry.

Not only that, but dwelling inside the Thunder God Sword.

[What. This. Aaaak!]

The Sword Spirit let out a scream full of pain.