Chapter 31
A dark stone chamber.
Three old men were seated in the room.
“Kuhuhu! Kuhahaha!”
“Congratulations.”
“Congratulations, Cult Leader!”
They were the Blood Demon, Tae Ho-gong, who was preparing for the new beginning of the Blood Cult, and the Twin Demon Geezers, the Right Heavenly Demon Sword, No Yeong-myeong, and the Left Heavenly Demon Saber, Go Eung.
The Blood Demon could not hide his loud laughter, like a madman.
At that, the Twin Demon Geezers also curled up the corners of their mouths in a pleased smile.
“What is there to congratulate? The restoration of the Ghost Demon Jiangshi, the ten great monsters, and the demonic arts books is not yet complete. Kekeke.”
“But now there is no one in the world who can stand against the Cult Leader, is there?”
“We are congratulating you on becoming the greatest under heaven. Hahaha!”
The Left Heavenly Demon Saber, Go Eung, let out a hearty laugh.
“The greatest under heaven… kekeke. What use is that? I am just happy that the old dog of the Moyong family is dead.”
“Cult Leader…”
“As expected, both the God of War and the Heavenly Demon are dead. But we cannot let our guard down. The restoration of the Ghost Demon Jiangshi, the ten great monsters, and the demonic arts books has been slower than originally expected, so you must pay special attention and lead the great plan without a hitch.”
“As you command!”
“As you command!”
A red light emanated from the Blood Demon’s shining eyes.
***
—Maha Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra
The Maha Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra
When Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva was practicing the profound Prajna Paramita, he illuminated the five skandhas and saw that they are all empty, and he crossed beyond all suffering and difficulty…
A sense of solemnity filled the Samryun Peak estate.
Everyone became solemn at the monk’s chanting, which prayed for the repose of the deceased.
And for good reason. The monk was the current highest-ranking monk in the Jianghu, Grand Master Gong-seung.
He had long admired Moyong Cheon as a martial artist and as a sign of respect for the top master who supported the Orthodox Martial Path.
Shariputra, form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form. Form itself is emptiness, emptiness itself is form. Sensation, perception, volition, and consciousness are also like this…
As the chanting continued, the crowd felt as if their bodies and minds were being purified.
‘This is the true Lion’s Roar.’
‘My heart is pounding.’
‘As expected of Grand Master Gong-seung!’
People thought.
The exquisite harmony of the magical power and internal energy that faintly flowed from the chanting possessed a sacred power.
And so, after a short time…
This time, a young Taoist priest in a robe with a Taegeuk pattern drawn on it walked out in front of Moyong Cheon’s coffin, which was located in the center of the estate.
“Huh?!”
For a moment, So-ah’s eyes widened.
Three years.
Although three years had passed, So-ah clearly recognized the Taoist priest.
‘Brother Gu-yang Seon…!’
The Taoist priest was none other than Gu-yang Seon, the Taoist priest who had connected him with the Tang siblings when So-ah had descended the mountain and taken his first step into the world.
Just in time, Gu-yang Seon’s gaze also turned to So-ah.
He gave a nod to So-ah as a greeting.
So-ah also gave a look with a dazed expression.
Just then.
The golden bracelet on Gu-yang Seon’s wrist and the small bell in his left hand swayed and made a brilliant sound.
At the same time, Taoist incantations flowed from Gu-yang Seon’s mouth.
—Innate pure water, purifying the spirit and body. A drop of yang water washes away the dust of the world, and upon reaching the mortal realm, one encounters the immortal realm!
The morning sun rises, the forest of the law world opens, and I take refuge in the great heavenly venerable who saves from the sea of demons…
His incantation continued for a while.
At that, a strange sight unfolded.
A blue radiance containing a dignified energy began to bloom from the bell and bracelet that Gu-yang Seon was holding, and soon it was covering the training ground.
“That Taoist priest’s magical power is amazing.”
“They say he is a person with mysterious abilities, so the Cheonmun-gwan of the Martial Alliance is making good use of him.”
“The Cheonmun-gwan… isn’t that the Zhuge family’s turf?”
“That’s right. But since that Taoist priest’s sect is the most outstanding in Goryeo, even the Zhuge military advisor acknowledges him, so he is a person with a bright future.”
In that radiance, the murmurs of the people reached So-ah’s ears.
‘That’s right. At that time, Gu-yang hyung became an investigator for the Martial Alliance because of the Ghost Demon Jiangshi… he was still working at the Martial Alliance!’
In the midst of his heavy heart, he felt a strange feeling upon meeting an old acquaintance, but he was also happy to see Gu-yang Seon.
And so, for a while, Gu-yang Seon and the Taoist priests of the Wudang and Kunlun Sects worked together to complete a series of rituals.
Even if the emperor were to die, the Grand Master of Shaolin or the Taoist priests of Wudang and Kunlun would not hold a memorial service for the deceased. Just by looking at this, one could see how much the Orthodox Martial Path respected Moyong Cheon.
***
In the evening.
Gu-yang Seon approached So-ah’s side.
“So-ah!”
“Gu-yang hyung. Have you been well?”
“Yes. I have been well. Seeing your appearance, you seem to have become more radiant, as if you have improved not only in martial arts but in all aspects.”
“No, hyung. By the way, what happened? I didn’t know you were still working at the Martial Alliance.”
The two, who were happy to see each other, moved to a quiet place and began to share their stories.
“Yeah. It’s complicated to explain. Anyway, it’s a good thing that a wandering Taoist priest like me has found a place in the Martial Alliance. It’s all thanks to you, So-ah.”
“Thanks to me? What are you talking about. It’s all because of your outstanding abilities, hyung.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Yes. The exorcism you showed me back then was really amazing.”
“Thank you for saying so. Hahaha.”
In the midst of this, Gu-yang Seon’s expression changed to a slightly serious one.
Then, after glancing around once, he opened his mouth in a low voice.
“So-ah.”
“Yes, Gu-yang hyung.”
“First of all, I am sorry about the matter of the esteemed God of War. I offer my sincere condolences.”
“Thank you, hyung.”
“But it’s from now on. You have to prepare your heart now.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I have learned many things while working at the Cheonmun-gwan for the past three years. The appearance of the Ghost Demon Jiangshi and the appearance of the Twin Demon Geezers who tried to kill you are by no means a coincidence.”
“Hyung…”
“Also, the Jianghu I knew and the actual Jianghu are quite different places. Even those who are called the Orthodox Faction do shameless things for their own benefit. Perhaps the death of the esteemed God of War will come as an opportunity for such people. Since you have become a member of the Moyong family, you will have to prepare for that.”
At Gu-yang Seon’s words, So-ah tilted his head.
He thought it was absurd that someone would immediately make a move on the Moyong family just because Moyong Cheon had died.
But the words of the Twin Demon Geezers were certainly something to ponder.
Although he had forgotten about it because so much time had passed, the martial arts and supernatural powers of the Twin Demon Geezers were terrifying.
What if such a person tried to kill him again?
He had no confidence in facing him.
Perhaps not only So-ah, but it was questionable whether there was even an opponent for No Yeong-myeong in the entire Orthodox Faction now that Moyong Cheon had passed away.
“I certainly need to be vigilant about the Twin Demon Geezers. But I don’t know if there will be any Orthodox people who will use Grandpa’s absence as a stepping stone to make a move on the Moyong family, hyung.”
At that, Gu-yang Seon smiled.
‘Haha, So-ah is still so pure!’
Gu-yang Seon was certain that So-ah was not familiar with the ruthless reality of the Jianghu.
“So-ah.”
“Yes.”
“I, you see. I care about you very much. This is sincere. And I am sure that you will become a great person who will shake the world.”
“Gu-yang hyung…”
“That’s why I’m saying this. This world is not as beautiful as you think. The distinction between black and white, righteous and unorthodox, is just a line drawn for their own benefit. Don’t trust the people of the Orthodox Path.”
“Hyung…”
“I will leave someday, but for now, I will continue to serve as a Taoist priest at the Cheonmun-gwan. If you need my help, come find me anytime. Got it?”
“I will, Gu-yang hyung.”
Gu-yang Seon patted So-ah’s shoulder.
‘Oh, heavens. Please give this child only blessings.’
Gu-yang Seon was inwardly praying for So-ah’s good fortune.
***
Ten days later…
The funeral of Moyong Cheon and Wi-ji Un continued for ten days.
Wi-ji Un followed the traditional funeral method of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, so the date was somewhat delayed.
People returned one by one.
Only after the mourners and the members of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had returned could the people of the Moyong family truly mourn the death of Moyong Cheon.
After mourning the deceased by crying their hearts out, they felt relieved.
But they could not be sad forever.
Because the time had come to survive in the harsh martial world with only the power of the Moyong Family, without the shadow of the God of War, Moyong Cheon.
***
‘Uncle. I will remain at the estate.’
So-ah’s stubbornness was too strong.
Moyong Baek had intended to take So-ah to the Moyong Family residence.
Now that Moyong Cheon was gone, the current So-ah was a master who would become a key part of the Moyong Family’s power.
Therefore, he had to prevent So-ah’s absence in some way.
But in the end, So-ah’s stubbornness could not be broken by anything.
So-ah also thought that he would have to go to the Moyong Family residence someday, but for now, he wanted to have some time alone.
And so, So-ah, who was left alone in the estate, groaned in piercing loneliness for the first few days.
Because he had only truly felt the emptiness of his grandfather’s place after the funeral was over.
Every time, So-ah trained.
At least when he was training, his distracting thoughts disappeared, and recently, whenever he practiced the Great Whale Heart Law while looking at the sun, he would sometimes fall into a state of self-forgetfulness. That feeling brought about a strange excitement, so he became engrossed in heart law training.
Such a lonely life in the mountains passed faster than he had thought.
And so, the shadow of his grandfather, which had remained as a yoke on So-ah’s heart, was also being erased.
***
The following year.
—Martial Alliance General Office.
“Alliance Leader. I don’t think we can ignore their demands any longer.”
The one who spoke was a first-class official of the Martial Alliance and the first disciple of the Jongnam Sect, which was renowned for its swordsmanship among the Nine Great Sects, Yi Gwak.
The Martial Alliance Leader, Ha Won-sang, was making good use of Yi Gwak.
Yi Gwak was not only upright in his usual conduct, but his martial arts were also profound and his character was fair, so whenever there was a matter, he would gather his opinions and decide on major and minor affairs.
“But aren’t their claims absurd?”
“Alliance Leader. For the past several decades, the Jianghu has enjoyed a peaceful era under the tense balance of the God of War and the Heavenly Demon. But from now on, it will become a forest of swords and sabers where a bloody wind blows. The desires that have been suppressed until now are just being revealed. If we try to ignore them, a crack may form in the Orthodox Martial Path.”
Ha Won-sang’s brow furrowed at Yi Gwak’s words.
Exactly two months ago.
Dozens of letters were delivered to the Martial Alliance.
The gist of those letters was as follows.
—We demand the revocation of the Moyong Family’s status as one of the Five Great Families.
—The Moyong Family does not send new masters to the White Martial Academy, and even their key figures are inactive as members of the Alliance. How long can they enjoy the status of one of the Five Great Families? Please reconsider.
—The status of a sect or a martial family in the martial world is determined solely by skill and activity. But after the death of the God of War, the Moyong Family has been reclusive. Their status as one of the Five Great Families must be revoked.
In short, they were requests from martial families who wanted to weaken the power of the Moyong Family and obtain the status of one of the Five Great Families for themselves.
Among them, there were even anonymous letters saying that the Moyong Family was colluding with the Demonic Cult to divide the Jianghu, so Ha Won-sang was dumbfounded.
“Yi Gwak. Then do you have a good idea?”
“Of course.”
“What is it?”
“First, the members of the Moyong Family must also enroll their rising generation in the White Martial Academy, just like the other Nine Great Sects and martial families.”
“…”
“And they must prove for themselves that the martial arts of the Moyong family are still strong even in the absence of the God of War.”
“Hmm… besides the Moyong family head, who are the masters in the Moyong family?”
“Have you forgotten?”
“What is it?”
“The top disciple of the God of War. The child named So-ah.”
(End of Chapter)