Chapter 236 – An Arrow Already Released (3)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Cheong-hwa, who was the last to climb up from the cliff, avoided Cheong-ui’s gaze. In the end, he had disobeyed the command of Cheong-ui, the Sect Leader.

Looking at his Sect Leader Senior Brother, whose face was a complex mix of bewilderment, absurdity, betrayal, and anger, Cheong-hwa felt a twinge of regret. No matter how benevolent his Sect Leader Senior Brother usually was, he realized he might be in for a severe scolding this time.

Naturally, Cheong-hwa himself had no intention of causing such trouble. It was all due to Muk Hui-yeong’s wicked tongue.

In order to prepare an excuse for later, Cheong-hwa briefly recalled what had transpired in the Gungdo Hall.

“Master, I’m telling you, letting those damn Heaven’s Will Gate bastards leave like this is simply not right.”

“It is not for you or me to decide. That is the Sect Leader’s responsibility.”

“The Sect Leader will yield for our sake. We must step forward.”

“That is also the Sect Leader’s responsibility.”

Muk Hui-yeong was a devilishly clever fellow. When he realized he couldn’t convince Cheong-hwa, he began to convince his senior brothers who were dogpiling on him instead.

“Senior Brothers, think about it. If our Sect Leader endures humiliation for our sake, isn’t that ultimately our humiliation as well?”

“Even so, would the Heaven’s Will Gate bastards dare treat the Sect Leader lightly? The Sect Leader is an eminent master who is also one of the Five Great Swordsmen of the Realm.”

“If they were the type of people to think like that, they would have done so from the beginning. They’ve established unorthodox martial artists as Guardians, bought up the surrounding land, and are pressuring us from all sides. Insulting him to his face is as easy as pie for them.”

“……Mmm.”

At Muk Hui-yeong’s words, the disciples of the Myeong generation began to waver. Indeed, if the Heaven’s Will Gate bastards looked down on their Sect Leader, there would be nothing more humiliating than that.

“It is obvious what they will discuss in the Three Pureness Hall. They will use the Guardian’s death as an excuse to pressure the Sect Leader. You all admit that much, don’t you? Given their behavior so far. Right?”

“That is true.”

The way he sought agreement before instigating them showed he was definitely an experienced smooth-talker. Although Cheong-hwa thought he must silence Muk Hui-yeong’s free-spirited tongue, he found himself being convinced as well.

“There is no way the talk will end amicably. It will conclude with some degree of clash. We must go out and wait in advance. If we hide like cowards, that itself will become an object of ridicule.”

“……But the Sect Leader told us to wait.”

“If the Sect Leader tells you he will hold them off and that you should run, will you actually run?”

“Of course not.”

“Exactly.”

Somehow, Cheong-hwa found himself agreeing with Muk Hui-yeong’s opinion. Indeed, hearing Muk Hui-yeong’s words made him feel as though his Sect Leader Senior Brother was currently suffering insults from those good-for-nothing Heaven’s Will Gate bastards. The mere thought of it made a fire rage inside him.

In the end, Cheong-hwa fell for Muk Hui-yeong’s eloquence.

“Fine. Then let’s just go out and hide. We will show ourselves only when it looks like a clash is imminent.”

“That is more than enough.”

“But you can’t join us.”

“Pardon?”

“Because someone might recognize you.”

Muk Hui-yeong shook his head.

“I’ve learned a bit of disguise art. Hold on, get off me first.”

Still pinned, Muk Hui-yeong patted the bodies on top of him. Soon freed, Muk Hui-yeong opened his traveling sack and began to pull out strange chemicals and brushes of various sizes.

It was like magic. Having one’s face drastically transform right before one’s eyes was truly a wondrous thing to behold.

Muk Hui-yeong, who had become highly skilled in the disguise art, completed the process in less than fifteen minutes. It was the same terrifying face that Tang Se-ui had first crafted for him.

“Why on earth did you choose such a terrifying face?”

“You need a face like this to overpower them with presence. With this, I can go out with you, right?”

Cheong-hwa found himself nodding.

No one would ever recognize him as Muk Hui-yeong. His face was so shocking that one would have to listen to his voice for a long time to even barely recognize him.

And just as Muk Hui-yeong had predicted, Heaven’s Will Gate insolently provoked the Wudang Sect, and it ultimately resulted in this situation.

“……You, we will have a talk later.”

At Cheong-ui’s low murmur, Cheong-hwa flinched.

However, since they had already made the decision, it was like riding a tiger, or an arrow already released.

Since things had already turned out this way, there was no choice but to completely crush Heaven’s Will Gate.

Heaven’s Will Gate, which had been temporarily frozen by the momentum of the Wudang Sect disciples, slowly began to react.

“Fine. Let anyone step forward. We will defeat you all.”

The Heaven’s Will Gate disciples exuded distinct killing intent. It was so palpable that even Cheong-hwa flinched. They possessed powerful energy. Indeed, to be brought all the way to the Wudang Sect meant they were considered elite experts.

“Choose whoever you think you can defeat. I do not mind if you choose me.”

Declaring to the surging Heaven’s Will Gate disciples, Myeong-il stepped forward as if to say they should choose him. Although he had grown about half a span taller, Myeong-il still retained a childish appearance.

The Heaven’s Will Gate disciples, who appeared to be at least twenty years of age, did not mock Myeong-il. The aura exuded by Myeong-il’s body was also highly unusual.

“We have our own dignity to consider. If we choose a mere brat, it won’t even feel like a victory even if we win, so it will only be our loss.”

The Heaven’s Will Gate disciples did their best to ignore Myeong-il and the other children. Indeed, from their perspective, there was no benefit in defeating the youngest.

“Rather, let you step forward yourselves. That is, if you think you can defeat our disciples.”

The Heaven’s Will Gate Leader said. It was a new strategy, passing the decision over to Wudang.

“Fine.”

Muk Hui-yeong answered as if he had been waiting for those words. In truth, he indeed had been waiting.

Muk Hui-yeong had already drawn up a list in his mind, choosing those with the highest chance of victory. However, he hadn’t expected his junior brothers to be even faster.

“I will step forward, Senior Brothers.”

The first to step out was Myeong-il. Myeong-il offered a cupped-hand salute and bowed his head solemnly to his senior brothers.

“To face the martial artists of a mere newly established sect, matching our seniority would only damage Wudang’s pride. While I know my senior brothers wish to personally punish them, I earnestly request that you grant this junior brother the opportunity this time.”

Everyone stared at Myeong-il in daze. It was rare to hear the usually quiet Myeong-il speak at such length.

“Then I will as well.”

“Me too.”

While the senior brothers and Muk Hui-yeong were still dazed, the youngest of the same generation stepped forward.

Myeong-gyeong and Myeong-seong stepped forward simultaneously. With this, there were exactly three. Before Muk Hui-yeong could say anything, Myeong-yeop expressed his concern.

“Your intentions are admirable, but since emotions are high on both sides, this could be a fight where you might be severely injured. We cannot throw the future of the Wudang Sect into an uncertain battle.”

“We do not wish to grow up as greenhouse flowers.”

While Muk Hui-yeong looked at Myeong-yeop with eyes full of enthusiastic support, Myeong-il remained resolute. Myeong-gyeong also added to those words.

“Senior Brother, it is our turn to quickly grow strong. We cannot be protected forever.”

“I agree with Myeong-gyeong. I have reached the age of fifteen this year, and Myeong-il and Myeong-gyeong will turn fifteen next year. It is an age where we must fully carry our own weight.”

Muk Hui-yeong and the older disciples of the Myeong generation looked troubled.

“Junior Brother, even so, leaving this to me and the older senior brothers……”

“Let it be so.”

In sheer shock, all the Wudang Sect disciples turned to look at the person who had uttered those final words.

The one who had cut off Muk Hui-yeong’s words was none other than Cheong-ui, the Sect Leader.

“Sect Leader. Even so, the children……”

Muk Hui-yeong stopped mid-sentence, realizing he had made a slip of the tongue.

He had habitually called him “Sect Leader” instead of the appropriate fake-identity form.

Naturally, Myeong-gyeong glared at Muk Hui-yeong with burning eyes. Muk Hui-yeong did his best to avoid his gaze.

Watching the situation unfold, the Heaven’s Will Gate Leader spoke.

“Will you truly not regret this?”

“Those children have also trained enough to represent Wudang.”

With those words of Cheong-ui, the opponents for the martial duel were decided.

The ones to face the Heaven’s Will Gate disciples were now Myeong-il, Myeong-seong, and Myeong-gyeong.

The duel was prepared in an instant. Since it wasn’t for friendly relations, there was no reason to drag it out.

“The training ground is in absolute shambles.”

It was a comment from the Heaven’s Will Gate Leader, but no one could refute it.

In truth, Wudang Sect’s training ground had been neglected. The ground was rough and uneven, with loose stones protruding here and there.

“Well, it gives a nice realistic feeling, doesn’t it?”

Muk Hui-yeong alone retorted shamelessly, but the other Wudang disciples all looked away.

“Who will step forward first?”

One of the Heaven’s Will Gate disciples stepped forward.

To the Wudang disciples who had been trained under orthodox methods, his posture appeared incredibly loose and unrefined.

Yet, completely separate from that, the momentum and energy he exuded was highly powerful.

“He has an unbalanced impression.”

“Indeed. With that level of inner power, his sword forms should normally be far more refined.”

Muk Hui-yeong and Cheong-hwa conversed in low voices. Both were equally anxious.

Since the Sect Leader’s order had been given, the Wudang disciples had no choice but to fold their arms and watch the youngest fight.

“I will go first.”

Myeong-il said. Myeong-gyeong and Myeong-seong nodded.

Although Myeong-gyeong and Myeong-seong were also outstanding disciples who were currently training as Taiji Sword Disciples, Myeong-il was still universally acknowledged as the most exceptional among the youngest generation.

“It is highly offensive that a mere brat like you is my opponent.”

“……”

The Heaven’s Will Gate disciple provoked him, but Myeong-il did not respond. He seemed to have already poured his entire focus into his sword.

“Begin immediately.”

With Cheong-ui’s command, the Heaven’s Will Gate disciple stomped heavily and charged forward.

Boom!

Everyone was shocked. It was a destructive power that couldn’t easily be deduced from his sloppy posture.

Fragments of the cracked ground flew toward Myeong-il, and the floor of the training ground even caved in slightly.

Yet Myeong-il did not waver under the encroaching pressure.

The Heaven’s Will Gate disciple’s blade sliced vertically through the spot where Myeong-il had been standing. A sharp sound of tearing air echoed. His force and speed were indeed overwhelming.

Myeong-il took a step back, dodging the sword by a hair’s breadth. Even so, he didn’t even blink.

That iron-blooded mental strength surprised not only his senior brothers but even his martial uncles.

Immediately, the Heaven’s Will Gate disciple pushed off the ground, attempting to kick Myeong-il away. Although it was a push kick due to their height difference, it flew straight toward Myeong-il’s chin.

“Crude.”

Myeong-il muttered. Clearly, the Heaven’s Will Gate disciple’s attainment was surprising. It was high enough that one could understand why they dared to openly provoke Wudang.

However, all the Wudang disciples could feel it. In contrast to his immense force and speed, the sword forms implementing them were incredibly crude.

Myeong-il fluidly performed the Flowing Cloud Steps. Although his movements appeared slow, the Heaven’s Will Gate disciple’s strikes couldn’t touch a single thread of Myeong-il’s robes.

“You little rat!”

With a massive movement, the Heaven’s Will Gate disciple attempted to bear-hug Myeong-il. He seemed intent on crushing him to pieces.

Just before he could be grabbed, Myeong-il leaped. Everyone’s jaws dropped at the fluid lightness skill as he leaped right over his opponent’s head.

Slash!

And it was in that very moment that Myeong-il’s sword flashed.

Myeong-il had cleanly severed his opponent’s right arm as he flipped over his head.

“Aaagh!”

Immediately, a scream that shook Wudang Mountain echoed. A twitching, muscular arm thudded onto the pool of blood.

“Nicely done.”

Muk Hui-yeong muttered with a proud tone. Myeong-il glanced at Muk Hui-yeong and flashed a bright grin.

It was a smile that his master Cheong-ui, Muk Hui-yeong, his senior brothers, and his martial uncles had never seen before.