Chapter 20
‘Why… why am I doing this?!’
Moyong Hwa couldn’t help but be surprised by the unfamiliar feeling that suddenly came over her.
‘Why to So-ah…’
Why on earth did she do that?
Why couldn’t she defy So-ah’s single word to apologize to Paeng Seong-un’s group?
Certainly, she still didn’t know.
But one thing was clear.
After today, the relationship between her and So-ah would be quite different.
It was clear that she could no longer look down on So-ah.
‘Ah…’
The day grew dark.
Moyong Hwa, bathed in the moonlight under the pitch-black sky of the training ground, asked a silent question.
‘Jin So-ah… you… what on earth are you?’
It was a tumultuous day in many ways.
***
<Urgent Letter>
—The Ghost Demon Jiangshi, which was restored to about 70% after painstaking efforts, was destroyed by a righteous martial artist on Mount Cheol-gak in Sichuan.
The surprising fact is that the martial artist who destroyed the Ghost Demon Jiangshi was a young master of only fifteen.
The boy has been identified as the top disciple of the God of War, Moyong Cheon, and his current location has been identified as Liaoning, where the Young Heroes Tournament is being held.
This is the testimony of our cult’s agent embedded in the Martial Alliance, so it is an undeniable fact.
But what is more worrying is that this incident has made the Martial Alliance certain of the appearance of the Ghost Demon Jiangshi.
Currently, the Martial Alliance is investigating Mount Cheol-gak by summoning famous Taoist priests in Shaanxi.
Therefore, the Shaanxi branch is seeking a way to cause confusion in the Orthodox Martial Path by connecting the matter of the Ghost Demon Jiangshi to the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult as much as possible… (omitted)
We still need time to revive the complete Ghost Demon Jiangshi, and I believe there will be many hurdles in restoring the ten great monsters, which are an essential element of our cult’s plan for world domination.
I hope the council of elders and the Cult Leader will keep this in mind and achieve the great revival of our cult.
From the Shaanxi Branch Leader, Gak-ja.
“Hoho… has the Cult Leader also received this letter?”
The old man who had received the letter let out a low laugh and asked. The man in black, who was prostrated before him, nodded his head.
“That is correct. This letter is a copy, and the original should have been delivered to the main mountain research building where the Cult Leader and the chief elder are by now.”
“This is truly a surprising event. The top disciple of the God of War, Moyong Cheon… has that war fiend really found a successor to the Ten-Second Invincible Arts?”
At the old man’s words, the man in black carefully asked.
“Excuse me… Vice Cult Leader. I cannot imagine it. Even if it is incomplete, for a boy of only fifteen to be able to face a Ghost Demon Jiangshi. No matter how much he is the top disciple of the God of War, can he really be that strong?”
At that, the old man’s lips twisted slightly.
It was a sneer from which a grotesque and sinister demonic ki flowed.
“That is because you do not know the God of War.”
“Vice Cult Leader…”
“The God of War originally did not pass down the Ten-Second Invincible Arts to anyone. This is because to learn it, one needs not talent or a brilliant mind, but the insight and perseverance to enjoy extreme pain. How could there not be outstanding geniuses in the vast world, but those with an iron will and grit are rare. The fact that a successor to the Ten-Second Invincible Arts has appeared means that such a stubborn person has appeared.”
“Is the Ten-Second Invincible Arts such an outstanding martial art?”
“No. The Ten-Second Invincible Arts cannot be called an outstanding martial art. Rather, it is a very simple brawling art. It is nothing more than a mere fighting technique.”
“Vice Cult Leader…”
“But all the masters of both the orthodox and unorthodox paths knelt before that crude and monotonous fighting technique. Even now, when I think of old man Moyong, my hair stands on end.”
The man in black was astonished at the old man’s words.
Who was the old man before him?
Although everyone thought he was dead now, he was one of the Twin Demon Geezers who had once spread their fame throughout the world, encompassing both the righteous and unorthodox factions.
For such an old man to not hesitate to say that his hair stood on end when he thought of Moyong Cheon, the man in black couldn’t even imagine the extent of Moyong Cheon’s martial prowess.
“But there is nothing to worry about. In three years, if Moyong Cheon and the Heavenly Demon clash, they will surely both be severely injured. Then there will be no one to check the Cult Leader. Also, the Ghost Demon Jiangshi is just one means for the revival of our cult. If we restore the ten great monsters being developed in the main mountain research building, such as the Great Luo Human-Faced Spider, the Yin-Yang Nine-Headed Snake, the One-Horned Three-Eyed Monster Dragon, and the Golden-Horned Earth Dragon, we can offset the absence of the Ghost Demon Jiangshi. Of course, the Ghost Demon Jiangshi, which will be used as infantry, is the main monster, but I see no problem with our cult’s world domination despite any variables.”
The man in black also nodded his head in agreement with the old man’s words.
“Of course, Vice Cult Leader. It will surely be so.”
“But I can’t help but be interested since he is the top disciple of the God of War.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“This old man will have to meet that child once.”
“Are you thinking of killing him?”
“If I can, I must. Kekeke.”
***
Fifteen days later…
“It is truly an honor for you to visit such a humble place. Esteemed Sword Empress!”
“Hoho, it is an honor for this old woman to come to the great Moyong Family.”
Abbess Hong-ryeon and Myo-seon arrived at the Moyong Family.
It was a faster visit than expected.
“We have received word from the Martial Alliance. That a Ghost Demon Jiangshi has appeared…”
“The Alliance Leader has dispatched a special investigation team and is currently investigating. Therefore, the Alliance Leader and several masters of the Nine Great Sects will be absent from this year’s Young Heroes Tournament.”
“That is as it should be. How can a hero tournament be important in a situation like this? Our family will also do our best to help in any way we can.”
“The Moyong Family has already played a key role in this matter.”
Moyong Baek’s eyes widened at Abbess Hong-ryeon’s words as he asked.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Hoho, didn’t So-ah catch the Ghost Demon Jiangshi?”
“Ah! Do you know So-ah, esteemed elder?”
“Of course. I have seen So-ah since he was twelve.”
Abbess Hong-ryeon briefly told Moyong Baek about the past events.
At that, Moyong Baek’s expression changed from moment to moment.
He was interested not only in So-ah’s matter, but also in his father’s and Myo-seon’s matters.
“Family Head Moyong.”
“Yes. Esteemed Sword Empress.”
“Although there is the matter of the Ghost Demon Jiangshi, the Young Heroes Tournament must first be held grandly and well. Since Liaoning is the Moyong family’s territory, please pay attention to it.”
“Of course, I must. I have prepared for the tournament to be held without a hitch by dispatching our family members to the tournament venue.”
“It’s tomorrow. The day when the gems and stones of the rising generation will finally be sorted out.”
“Yes. Esteemed elder.”
“Is So-ah also participating?”
“I believe he has no intention to do so yet.”
“Hoho, anyway, it seems it will be an interesting tournament.”
***
“Say hello. This is Im-yi… no, Myo-seon. My childhood friend.”
While Abbess Hong-ryeon and Moyong Baek were discussing the hero tournament that would be held from tomorrow, Myo-seon found So-ah.
So-ah, with a bright face, introduced Myo-seon to the Tang siblings and Moyong Hwa.
“Haha, Young Master Jin. How could I not know Young Lady Myo-seon? Young Lady Myo-seon is one of the ten great rising stars of the martial world, and as the top disciple of the esteemed Sword Empress, she is renowned as the most outstanding young lady master in the current martial world!”
As Tang Il-gi praised Myo-seon, Myo-seon waved her hand in dismissal.
“No, no. What am I… I should have greeted you when I was with So-ah at the Martial Alliance’s general office, but I restrained myself in front of the elders. I greet you now. I am Myo-seon of the Emei Sect.”
Tang Il-gi’s lips naturally curled up as he saw Myo-seon smiling brightly and performing a respectful cupped fist salute.
But Tang Hwa-rin and Moyong Hwa’s moods were not so good.
Myo-seon was much taller than them, not to mention her face, and her fame was widespread, so the young girls couldn’t help but feel jealous.
More than anything, it was absurd to see So-ah’s expression as he stared at Myo-seon with a silly grin.
So-ah had never made such an expression at them.
Of course, So-ah was far from having a cold personality, but he was not so easy as to smile foolishly at anyone, so he sometimes seemed indifferent. But when he was with Myo-seon, he definitely felt a sense of gentleness.
‘Sigh… Jin So-ah can’t be helped. Tsk tsk.’
Tang Hwa-rin thought.
‘He acts like an adult, calling himself a senior brother, but it turns out he’s just a fool.’
Moyong Hwa thought.
But the two of them, as befitting the children of prestigious families, politely greeted Myo-seon.
“Nice to meet you, Young Lady Myo-seon. I have heard much about you. As a fellow female martial artist from Sichuan, I have admired you. I am Hwa-rin of the Tang Clan.”
“I am Moyong Hwa.”
Tang Hwa-rin’s greeting was certainly friendly, but Moyong Hwa’s greeting had a slightly cold side.
But Myo-seon didn’t mind and still treated the two with a smiling face.
Just then.
“Wow. Myo-seon, you… you must be quite famous.”
So-ah said to Myo-seon.
“Famous? What are you talking about. It’s not like that.”
“I think it is. You must have learned martial arts properly from Grandma Hong-ryeon.”
“My master is a truly amazing person.”
“Oh! I’m looking forward to it. You said you’re participating in the hero tournament, right?”
“Yeah. I’m thinking of it. What about you?”
Myo-seon asked So-ah.
At that question, curiosity also appeared in the eyes of the Tang siblings and Moyong Hwa.
They had asked So-ah several times until now, but each time, So-ah had just repeated that he didn’t know, so So-ah’s participation in the hero tournament was a matter of great interest to them.
“I’m not planning to.”
For a moment, a look of disappointment clearly flashed across the children’s faces.
“Why? Didn’t your master also recommend it?”
“So I thought about participating… but it seemed like it would be a hassle. The reason I descended the mountain was not to attract people’s attention.”
Myo-seon was a bit disappointed, but she respected So-ah’s opinion and nodded her head.
“I guess it can’t be helped. If that’s what So-ah thinks. But is there a separate reason why you descended the mountain?”
“Yeah. My grandpa told me to watch all the fights in the world for three years. He said that the completion of the Ten-Second Invincible Arts begins with watching fights. From duels between masters to duels between low-level fighters, even watching fights between animals is helpful for practical combat.”
At So-ah’s words, the children’s eyes turned serious.
The teachings of the God of War, Moyong Cheon, were a golden rule that would not be a waste to hear even for a billion gold pieces.
“Still, if So-ah participates in the tournament, winning would be a piece of cake. It’s a bit of a waste.”
Tang Hwa-rin said, glancing at So-ah with a sense of regret.
“I’m not greedy for that kind of thing. Instead, since Young Master Tang and Myo-seon are participating, I should cheer for them.”
“Yes, I should also cheer for brother Il-gi and Young Lady Myo-seon. Haha.”
In that moment, Tang Il-gi subtly interjected.
“It’s reassuring that Young Master Jin and Hwa-rin are cheering for me, but honestly, I’m not confident about winning. Young Lady Myo-seon will surely win in the girls’ division, but Young Master Namgung is participating in the boys’ division. I should just be content with participating. Haha.”
Young Master Namgung.
At that name, the hearts of the other children, except for So-ah, pounded.
Namgung Mun, the young head of the Namgung Family, who had turned seventeen this year.
Namgung Mun, whom everyone in the Orthodox Martial Path praised as a once-in-a-century prodigy, was a figure who received both the respect and envy of the rising generation of the martial world.
‘Namgung Mun…’
So-ah had a feeling that he would be hearing this name for a long time to come.
(End of Chapter)