Chapter 33
It was a sandstorm.
The sandstorm soon swelled up and became a gale, and So-ah couldn’t help but be astonished.
‘What… what on earth is this…’
He had never seen it before.
A giant sandstorm that was reminiscent of a tsunami…
He had never heard of such a thing in the world.
The gale raged even more fiercely.
So-ah looked around in fear.
But there was only a desolate desert around, and not a single blade of grass could be seen.
It was a land of death.
No matter how tenacious and vital a thing was, if it were to face such a giant sandstorm head-on in the middle of such a desolate desert, it would never be able to survive…
‘It’s dangerous!’
So-ah exploded his internal energy using the Great Whale Heart Law.
No, he tried to.
He had intended to blow away the sandstorm that was about to engulf him in an instant and find a way out.
But.
‘Why…’
Unfortunately, his internal energy was not manifested.
No matter how he controlled his breathing and focused his mind on his dantian, not even a handful of ki would rise.
‘What… why is my body like this!’
Not only that.
He tried to move his body to get out of the way, but So-ah’s body, as if it had completely escaped the control of his thoughts, did not move an inch and was just standing blankly in front of the sandstorm.
‘Ah!’
So-ah squeezed his eyes shut.
The gale engulfed So-ah’s body and shattered into pieces like a wave.
***
“Gasp…!”
So-ah, who had been lying down, shot up and woke up from his sleep.
“It was a dream…”
It was a nightmare.
Cold sweat had soaked his bedding.
Considering that it was early spring and the late cold snap had not yet passed, he must have been quite flustered and surprised.
“Sigh… what a strange dream…”
So-ah, who had let out a sigh, recalled the dream once again.
Dreams are bound to be forgotten from the mind over time, so So-ah would always recall his dreams whenever he had a restless night.
At that, a faint memory came to mind.
‘Clearly…’
The sandstorm had engulfed him.
And then he had woken up…
‘What I saw at that moment was.’
A giant fortress with the words <Ghost Valley Mountain Manor> engraved in a vigorous and flowing script.
‘It’s definitely right!’
So-ah realized that this was a trick of the dream.
Although he had almost forgotten it because he was so surprised, So-ah had clearly witnessed the impregnable fortress in the middle of the desert at the moment the gale engulfed him.
And on the signboard of that fortress, the words <Ghost Valley Mountain Manor> were engraved.
“What the…”
His blood ran cold.
At the same time, he remembered what had happened during the day.
The treasure map of the Ghost Valley Mountain Manor had spontaneously combusted and disappeared like a living creature the moment So-ah had finished reading it.
This strange series of events was beyond common sense, so he felt a strange chill.
“This is really strange… I should probably ask Gu-yang hyung about it next time I see him.”
Although he wasn’t sure, So-ah thought that this dream might be hinting at something.
***
—Martial Alliance Conference Hall.
The central seat of the Martial Alliance Conference Hall was always occupied by the Alliance Leader, Ha Won-sang.
But today was different from usual.
Because a senior figure with a higher seniority than Ha Won-sang had attended the conference hall today.
Of course, even so, all the status and authority in the Martial Alliance belonged to the Alliance Leader, but he had yielded the central seat out of respect for his senior and sat next to it.
“Why do you yield the seat to this old man? It is only right that the Alliance Leader should sit there.”
“Hoho. Senior. Please don’t say that. What does it matter who sits where? All the people here are the great masters of a sect. Today, this junior wants to treat you to the seat of honor out of respect for you, so please don’t make it difficult for this junior.”
The old man burst into a hearty laugh at Ha Won-sang’s words.
Although the old man’s hair was white, his eyes were overflowing with intelligence, and his whole body’s posture was extremely solitary and deep. This was none other than Master Yong-gak of the Jongnam Sect, who was evaluated as the most outstanding swordsman in the current Orthodox Martial Path.
“Hohoho. I understand. Anyway, I am curious about the reason you have invited even this old man today. Not only the Beggars’ Sect’s Great Hero Hong, the Sword Empress, Abbess Hong-ryeon, but also the head of the Wudang Sect, Master Jong-ryeo… why did you call so many people?”
Master Yong-gak asked.
As he said, not only the Dragon Head of the Beggars’ Sect, Hong In-geol, but also Abbess Hong-ryeon and the head of the Wudang Sect, Master Jong-ryeo, were present in the room.
Since high-ranking figures who could not possibly gather for a trivial matter were present, he had no choice but to question the Alliance Leader’s summons.
“I have urgently gathered you all because there is a matter to discuss.”
As Ha Won-sang opened his mouth softly, this time, the head of the Wudang Sect, Master Jong-ryeo, asked.
“Immeasurable Longevity Buddha… seeing that the Alliance Leader has called us, it must be an urgent matter?”
“Rather than an urgent matter, a matter has arisen where we must break with convention, so I would like to ask for your valuable opinions.”
“A matter of breaking with convention?”
Master Yong-gak said to himself.
At that, Ha Won-sang continued to speak.
“It has been four years. You all must remember the incident where the Right Heavenly Demon Sword, No Yeong-myeong, appeared in Liaoning at that time.”
“Of course.”
“I know.”
“At that time, I and the Sword Empress faced No Yeong-myeong together, so we can’t forget it even if we wanted to.”
“You must know Young Master Jin, who was active at that time. It is about the whereabouts of that Young Master Jin.”
Ha Won-sang delivered the details of the letters that had been sent to the Martial Alliance for the past few months.
At that, the heads of each sect nodded their heads with an expression that said they had expected it.
“It is only right. To be frank, the Moyong Family has maintained its fame with the power of the God of War alone.”
“The current family head, Great Hero Moyong, is also renowned as a fair and just person, but in terms of martial arts alone, it is true that he is lacking compared to the heads of other families. Naturally, a situation where a large martial family challenges the Moyong Family will unfold.”
“Immeasurable Longevity Buddha… it is unfortunate, but the Jianghu is a place where the logic of power is the top priority…”
Just then.
Ha Won-sang spoke in a solemn voice.
“That’s why I intend to bring Young Master Jin of the Moyong Family to the White Martial Academy. If he plays a major role in the White Martial Academy, we will be able to reduce unnecessary friction between other martial families and the Moyong family.”
“But Alliance Leader. Is there really a need for that? Even if the Alliance protects the Moyong Family, in the end, if they lack power, they will be eliminated. This is as clear as looking at a fire…”
As Master Yong-gak asked with a tone that said he didn’t understand, Ha Won-sang answered.
“Of course, you are right. But it has not been long since the esteemed God of War passed away. Moreover, considering that there are even absurd anonymous letters circulating that the Moyong Family is colluding with the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult to divide the Jianghu, we need to raise the prestige of the Moyong Family, even if it is just for show.”
“So that plan is related to the young man named So-ah?”
“That is correct.”
“I would like to hear it.”
“As I said before, we will bring Young Master Jin to the White Martial Academy.”
At Ha Won-sang’s words, this time, the head of the Wudang Sect, Master Jong-ryeo, asked.
“Hmm… I find it hard to believe that the prestige of the Moyong family will rise just by that. Of course, I cannot deny that the new masters of the White Martial Academy are the key power that will lead the entire martial world in the future, but even so, they are just rising stars.”
“That’s right. The prestige of the Moyong family will not be established just by Young Master Jin enrolling in the White Martial Academy as a mere student.”
“Then…?”
“I intend to appoint Young Master Jin as the chief instructor of the White Martial Academy.”
For a moment, people’s eyes widened like lanterns.
“I am all for it.”
“Abbess Hong-ryeon…!”
“I will also agree.”
“Even Chief Hong!”
Master Jong-ryeo could not hide his bewilderment.
And for good reason.
He still did not know clearly what kind of person So-ah was, and for a rising star of a mere family, not one of the Nine Great Sects, to become the chief instructor of the White Martial Academy was something that could not happen in the conservative nature of the Orthodox Martial Path.
“Hohoho… the Alliance Leader would not plan something absurd… how did you come to think of such a thing?”
Just then, Master Yong-gak burst into a somewhat dumbfounded laugh and asked.
At that, Ha Won-sang, as if his own words were amusing, curled up his lips and said.
“Senior. I am also taking a gamble. But I have heard that Young Master Jin’s martial arts have reached a divine level. Four years ago, when I first saw him at the Martial Alliance, he defeated the Ghost Demon Jiangshi single-handedly, and I heard that he later blinded the Twin Demon Geezers, so he must have entered the ranks of the supreme masters by now. Of course, that is assuming that all the rumors are true.”
Hearing Ha Won-sang’s words, a light of excitement flashed in Master Yong-gak’s eyes.
He was a reclusive master who had not been interested in the affairs of the world by staying in seclusion until the God of War died.
Therefore, upon hearing of So-ah’s exploits, he felt the passage of time and could not hide his surprise.
“To think there is such a person… is he really the top disciple of the God of War… hohoho.”
Only laughter came out.
If the rumors were true, So-ah would stand tall as the second God of War, no matter what anyone said.
In that moment, Abbess Hong-ryeon, with a full smile on her lips, added.
“Hoho. I guarantee it. So-ah will probably rewrite the history of the Jianghu. If So-ah officially becomes active in the Martial Alliance, he will be a good example not only for the rising generation but also for the key masters.”
This time, the Beggars’ Sect Chief, Hong In-geol, not to be outdone, began to praise So-ah.
“I also guarantee it. The current state of the Orthodox Path is like stagnant water in a puddle, and it is gradually rotting. You all know this well. In addition, the power struggles and conflicts between the Nine Great Sects and the martial families are tarnishing the very essence of the Orthodox Faction, which aims for justice and peace. So-ah will faithfully play the role of sounding a warning bell to such a Jianghu!”
For a moment, not only Master Yong-gak and Master Jong-ryeo, but also Ha Won-sang, who had first brought up the issue of appointing So-ah as the chief instructor, looked at Abbess Hong-ryeon and Hong In-geol with a blank expression.
‘What on earth are they…’
‘Why are they so fond of that child named So-ah…’
‘Is that so…’
Although they didn’t understand, it was true that their curiosity about So-ah was rising to an unbearable level.
***
It was a peregrine falcon.
It flew tens of thousands of li a day, and not only was it difficult to capture, but it was also extremely difficult to tame, so most places could not even dream of raising it.
“Wow, that’s cool.”
So-ah, who was stroking Huin-dung-i’s head, exclaimed in admiration as he saw the peregrine falcon circling around the estate.
But.
Didn’t the peregrine falcon make a loud noise and circle above So-ah’s head?
Then it gently landed on So-ah’s shoulder and delivered a letter that it was holding in its mouth.
“It was a carrier pigeon?”
Only then did So-ah, who had received the letter, reach out his hand to touch the peregrine falcon.
But the cunning peregrine falcon soon flew away into the sky.
<Moyong Family Letter>
A passage was written on the sealed side of the letter.
So-ah, who had confirmed that it was a letter from the family, unfolded the letter with a swelling heart.
—So-ah. It is your uncle.
Are you doing well? My heart is not well when I think of you, who is guarding the estate lonely after my father passed away. So, I earnestly ask you.
Stop your life in the mountains and return to the family. I know your feelings well.
But you are now a martial artist, not a commoner, and you can’t stay in seclusion in the deep mountains and valleys forever, can you?
Also, to be honest, the current situation of our family is not good.
As you know, the Moyong family is lacking in the number of masters, and we are in desperate need of a single master.
Can you not help this uncle?
I beg you.
I will be waiting.
Your uncle—
The content of the letter was as such.
“Uncle…”
A gentle ripple arose in So-ah’s heart.
Given Moyong Baek’s personality, he would not easily say unpleasant things or ask for favors from others.
So-ah, knowing that well, found it difficult to refuse Moyong Baek’s request.
‘That’s right. I can’t just stay like this anymore.’
So-ah made up his mind.
Then he spoke softly to Huin-dung-i.
“Huin-dung-i. Let’s go together with hyung.”
He raised his head and looked at the sky.
It was an unusually bright and clear day.
So-ah’s heart also cleared up like that.
(End of Chapter)