Chapter 104
"What's that... why are they wearing masks in broad daylight...?"
"...They look like martial artists."
Dozens of masked men entered the spacious inn.
Their appearance was suspicious, but since it was a common sight for such people to roam the Central Plains, the patrons soon averted their gazes.
However.
"Everyone, get out of here."
Among the masked men, one with a burly physique opened his mouth with a menacing voice.
At that, the waiter rushed over and flattered them with a smile.
"Haha. Great heroes. Why are you doing this? We'll clear the third floor for you, so won't you go there?"
Although he was annoyed by the masked men who had suddenly entered and were kicking out customers from someone else's business, the waiter had become immune to such things.
'They're clearly a group from the Unorthodox Path. It's best to flatter them in times like these instead of provoking them!'
However.
Slice—
In an instant, the waiter's legs trembled.
It was because when the masked man swung his sword like lightning, the tables on the first floor split neatly in half.
"Oh my goodness!"
"Oh my!"
"Good heavens...!"
The waiter wasn't the only one who was surprised.
From the customers' perspective, they were just enjoying their meal when the legs of their tables were suddenly broken. How absurd must that have been?
But that absurdity quickly turned into fear.
'He broke all these tables with a single sword strike...'
'He's an incredible master.'
'If I'm not careful, I'll get into unnecessary trouble.'
Such things sometimes happen in the Central Plains.
You might meet a wicked martial artist and unfortunately die on the street, or have your head fly off while enjoying a meal at an inn.
There's a reason they say the masters of the Central Plains are not the emperors, but the martial artists.
The patrons, with fire at their feet, hastily left the inn, and soon only the masked men remained, occupying the establishment.
Of course, the waiter and the staff had to continue serving while trembling like aspen leaves.
The masked men were none other than the subordinates of the Rain and Heavenly Demon Sword, No Yeong-myeong, and the master of the Eastern Depot, a eunuch named Han.
***
"Hmm... Great Hero Noh. Are you certain that the Left Heavenly Demon Lord, Master Go, and the Cult Leader will not be accompanying you to the Martial Alliance's Hero Tournament?"
The eunuch Han's androgynous voice was as chilling as ever.
No Yeong-myeong answered in a deliberately dignified voice.
"That is correct. My sworn brother is focusing all his efforts on producing and restoring demonic creatures in the main mountain's research wing, and the Cult Leader must subdue the remnants of the Xizang martial world. Therefore, I will be leading this operation."
"Leading, you say. It sounds like you intend to use this Eastern Depot as your own limbs. Keke."
"I will refrain from useless arguments."
"Great Hero Noh."
"..."
"Many Orthodox Path members will flock to this Hero Tournament. Can we handle them on our own?"
At the eunuch Han's question, No Yeong-myeong frowned.
"Eunuch Han. This time, our goal is not a full-scale annihilation. It is to officially announce our presence to the martial world, break the momentum of the Martial Alliance, and show off our power. In addition, it is to kidnap the swordswoman of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians that you so desire. For such a task, I alone am sufficient."
"Such great confidence. I think it will be difficult, though."
"Of course. I have a plan."
At No Yeong-myeong's confident assertion, the eunuch Han asked with a sinister smile, as if he had expected it.
"Keke. Let's hear it."
"Do you know of the Ten Fragrances Tendon Severing Powder?"
"Ten Fragrances Tendon Severing Powder? Isn't that the poison that's as hard to obtain as plucking a star from the sky?"
"That is correct."
"Hah! Then, by any chance?"
"Our spy, who is active as an executive in the Martial Alliance, will use the Ten Fragrances Tendon Severing Powder on the renowned masters of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families."
"A meticulous method."
"It's impossible to deceive the eyes of masters with ordinary poisons. Especially since the rats of the Tang Clan are the best in the world when it comes to poison, we went to great lengths to procure the Ten Fragrances Tendon Severing Powder."
That was right.
Deceiving the masters of the Martial Alliance would be quite difficult.
Moreover, if the medium was 'poison', there was a high probability of being caught by the people of the Tang Clan.
However, if it was the Ten Fragrances Tendon Severing Powder...
Although it wasn't a deadly poison that could kill the opponent, it was a precious poison that hindered the use of internal energy for a certain period and, especially with its colorless, odorless, and tasteless characteristics, could not be detected even by those skilled in poison.
"Hehe. Great Hero Noh. You must be extremely cautious. Although the Orthodox Path weaklings are pathetic, they are by no means the same as the Xizang martial world. Are not the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families the ones who have never once declined in their thousands of years of history?"
"Of course. Our cult has already been defeated in the past, have we not? We do not underestimate them. That is why we are being extremely cautious, and this time too, we are using strategy and tactics rather than waging an all-out war. Our cult's power alone is still insufficient to eliminate all of the Orthodox Path."
"But won't we have to kill them all someday?"
"That is correct."
"When will we be able to kill them all?"
"What is certain is..."
"..."
"That it will not take very long."
After their short conversation, the two fell silent and tilted their wine cups.
The prelude to the first Central Plains conquest by the White Lotus Cult and the Eastern Depot had thus begun.
***
"Ugh... ugh... phew."
Was there any other way to describe it besides hell?
When he became the disciple of Jin So-ah, who was currently enjoying the greatest fame in the martial world, Lee Baek was so happy he wanted to shout.
However.
"Lee Baek. Are you going to give up?"
"N-No, Master!"
"That's right. That's my disciple. Keke."
His master's training methods were not just painful, but bizarre.
To the point where Lee Baek himself wondered if it was a miracle that he was enduring such training.
Lee Baek was truly enduring well.
Of course, he wasn't performing the forms and individual movements instructed by So-ah perfectly.
However, with his staggering body, sometimes even fainting, Lee Baek showed an attitude of diligently engaging in his training without being lazy.
'As expected! The bloodline of one of the top 3 chaebol families in the Central Plains is different. Like father, like son. He's just like his father, Chairman Lee Kun-hee, who built his family from scratch.'
So-ah was inwardly proud of Lee Baek.
Although he didn't have the disposition to purely enjoy the pain of training like himself, Lee Baek's perseverance and will, which did not hesitate in the slightest when facing that pain, were admirable beyond words.
"Lee Baek! I told you, right? It's okay if your speed is slow, and it's okay if the number of repetitions is small. However, even if you strike just once, you must maintain the correct posture."
"I-I'm sorry, Master. My whole body is aching so much."
"The more you push your body, the more your muscles are destroyed. However, muscles grow as they are destroyed."
"Ah...!"
"In other words, the more it hurts, the stronger you become."
"I will keep that in mind."
"One more thing."
"Yes."
"Do you know why I emphasize correct movements? It's because of real combat."
"Real combat?"
"Yes. In real combat, you can't think with your head and react. It's already too late by then. Instead, you repeat the same movement thousands, tens of thousands of times, and completely engrave it into your body. Then your body will remember and protect you in real combat."
"Aha!"
"And when that body memory is repeated over and over again, the forms are finally engraved into your soul. From then on, you become what is commonly called a first-rate martial artist."
Jang Beon-pal, who was listening to So-ah's explanation to Lee Baek from the side, was once again impressed.
'My little brother explains the foundation of complex martial arts in a simple and easy-to-understand way. Is there another person like that among the Orthodox Path members...?'
As Jang Beon-pal said, So-ah's martial arts philosophy was crystal clear.
In a word, it was just to work f*cking hard.
However, this simple theory was fitting for the 'Ten-Second Invincible Arts', so Lee Baek was able to grasp So-ah's intentions without difficulty.
"I will work hard! Master!"
"You brat, your will is amazing. It would have been nice if your body was that sturdy too."
"...I'm sorry."
"What are you sorry for, you punk. Is it your fault that you're frail? Don't worry. I'll make up for your weak constitution and bones."
"Is that possible?"
"Of course."
"How?"
At Lee Baek's question, So-ah grinned.
And from his bosom, he took out the now old and faded 'beating staff'.
"First, let's get a beating."
***
Cheong-a-ru—
"Young Hero Jin. I've made the initial selection of miners to go to the North Sea. We plan to gradually increase the number through future recruitment, and for now, we will send the selected personnel to the North Sea."
"Young Lady Yuk. You've worked hard."
The group tilted their teacups in the VIP room of Cheong-a-ru.
Today, especially, the eldest member of the Moyong family, Elder Moyong Ju, was also in attendance.
Since his uncle and aunt were away, So-ah had invited Elder Moyong Ju to discuss various matters.
In that moment, the chief steward also opened his mouth and added.
"Young Master Jin. As it happens, the construction of the first annex among the new buildings is being completed. The distribution of the ice spirit stones and the construction issues are all proceeding smoothly. However..."
"..."
"I am worried because there has been no great progress in the admission of external disciples and the summoning of the Moyong bloodline."
At the chief steward's words, So-ah rested his chin on his hand, pondered for a moment, and then spoke.
"Hmm... That's true. But, Chief Steward. Since we are bringing in new family members, shouldn't we be cautious? We'll be able to find a clue for that part in the future, so let's not worry too much."
"Yes. I will also make every effort while you are away, Young Master."
The two looked at each other and drew a faint smile.
So-ah in his own way, and the chief steward in his own way, had now become a relationship of infinite trust.
"By the way, Elder."
This time, So-ah's voice was directed at Elder Moyong Ju.
"Yes, So-ah."
"I should also start heading to the Martial Alliance soon. Although there is still time, it's a considerable distance, so I plan to move."
"You should. You must go quickly and save the face of the Family Head."
"Who am I to save my uncle's face?"
"So-ah. If you knew how proud the Family Head is of you, you wouldn't say such things. The Family Head probably cherishes you more than Hwa-ah or Su-ya."
"Haha. In any case, the main family is currently proceeding with many tasks, so even if I am away, I hope that you and the Chief Steward will lead well!"
At So-ah's words, Elder Moyong Ju burst into a loud laugh with a smile filling his face.
"Hahahahah! Well, you brat. You're doing your job as the great disciple properly. Don't worry. The old men of the Elder's Council and I will do our best so that your absence won't be felt."
The reason So-ah was so earnestly requesting this was because he currently held the 'acting authority of the Moyong Family Head'.
He had a mountain of work to do, but he had to head to the Martial Alliance, so his steps could not help but be heavy.
However, seeing the relaxed Elder Moyong Ju, the reliable chief steward, and the wise Yuk Jeong-ran, his heart felt much lighter.
'That's right. I'll be back soon. They are all amazing people. Let's just shake off my worries.'
He felt relieved that he could embark on his journey with peace of mind.
"Then, Great Disciple, Jin So-ah. I will take Brother Beon-pal and go to the Martial Alliance. Grandma Hong-ryun will also become the Alliance Leader, and once the ongoing tasks are finished, won't the main family be able to enjoy a peaceful and prosperous era? Haha."
"That will be so. Kehkeh! Young Master Jin. Don't worry and raise the prestige of the Moyong Family at the Hero Tournament!"
"I don't need anything else. Just please return safely, So-ah."
"Hohohot. Young Master Jin. You turn the world upside down every time you go out, so I'm curious what kind of trouble you'll cause and come back with this time."
Everyone spared no encouragement at So-ah's farewell.
But still.
The most important, and the point that needed the most emphasis, remained.
Namely.
"Ah! Elder. And Chief Steward."
"Yes?"
"Yes?"
"My disciple. The new one, Lee Baek."
"..."
"..."
"He must climb to the top of the ancestral mountain 3 times every day. He must perform all the forms of the Six Harmonies Fist 300 times quickly and 300 times slowly. In addition, he must repeat the basic sword path of the Three Talents Swordplay until his arm breaks. Of course, with individual movements. Also..."
His words grew longer and longer.
At the same time, a look of astonishment appeared on the faces of the people.
"Ah, lastly, Elder!"
"What now..."
"Um, by any chance..."
"Yes?"
"I know it's a bother, but could you beat that brat Lee Baek with a club for just half a shichen a day?"
"What is that all about..."
"There's nothing like a beating to improve reflexes and dynamic visual acuity in a short period of time. Hahaha."
In his seventy years of life, Elder Moyong Ju had never received such an absurd request.
(End of Chapter)