Chapter 13

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Translated by Seoulbound

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Through her words, I could tell that she had gained insight into the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition that I had practiced.

I cupped my fists to Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang and spoke.

“Nice to meet you, Senior Sister. I am Yeon Baek-jung, who studied under Immortal Gangwon.”

“A disciple of Martial Uncle Gangwon? Uh? Then are you that natural-born divine strength?”

At Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang’s words, I nodded my head. My embarrassing past came to mind. As my thoughts became intent and moved my internal energy, my earlobes turned red. I regulated my breathing and returned my internal energy to the dantian.

“I entered the True Martial Pavilion this time.”

“It is Junior Brother Yeon’s first mission.”

As Senior Brother Myeong-hun added to the words, Senior Sister Yi brought a hand to her chin and let out a sound, ‘Hoh.’

“Does that mean our Myeong-hun’s only source of pride has disappeared?”

“Why does it have to be that way?”

The two bickered for a moment before Senior Sister Yi turned her gaze back to me.

“Right. A disciple of Martial Uncle Gangwon, Yeon Baek-jung. That’s all fine. But how are you practicing the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition?”

“Martial Aunt Hye-won passed it down to me.”

“Master? Then you were taught after entering the True Martial Pavilion, right?”

“Yes.”

“But your achievement is…”

To Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang, who trailed off, Senior Brother Myeong-hun added his words.

“There is a reason why the Greedy Wolf Unit Leader deployed him on this mission.”

Senior Sister Yi leaped down from the tree she had climbed like a squirrel, and once again, a glint of light flickered in her large eyes.

A moment later, she spoke again.

“Indeed, rumors are not to be trusted.”

I was not unaware of the rumors and prejudices about me.

-A nuisance who cannot utilize the talent he possesses.

Such were the eyes of the senior and junior martial uncles looking at me within the Wudang Sect.

Even if the evaluation of me within the sect had been reversed after the butterfly dream in the Library Pavilion, there was no way for those who had left the sect before then to know of my change.

They had no choice but to harbor prejudices.

And yet, Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang did not look at me as a nuisance.

“It seems you have mainly practiced fist and palm methods, is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“Good. In fact, Junior Brother Yeon might be more helpful than Myeong-hun on this mission.”

At her words, my eyes shone.

It was the first mission I had taken on, and the first real combat I would experience.

Since the person in overall charge of the mission was Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang, if she said I would be helpful, then I would be.

I could not help but look forward to it.

She spread a map in front of Myeong-hun and me.

When I frowned at the foul smell, she spoke sheepishly.

“Ah, because it’s a map I got from our Beggars’ Sect friends. The smell is quite strong, isn’t it?”

“…It is fine.”

She quickly pointed to a part of the map and spoke.

“First, according to the information confirmed by the Beggars’ Sect side, this is where the remnants of the Blood Selling Cult were last seen, right? But the tracks cut off abruptly here. As if they vanished into the ground.”

People vanishing into the ground?

It was a ridiculous thing, but.

“They must have vanished into the ground.”

At Senior Brother Myeong-hun’s words, Senior Sister Yi also nodded her head.

I closely examined the place she marked on the map. The place she pointed to was an entrance leading to a sewer.

Wuchang was a trading city bordering the river with a port.

Which meant it was an area that flooded during the rainy season.

A sewer system had no choice but to be developed.

“Right. Then you know the reason why I called you guys, yes?”

She looked at us with eyes that seemed to expect something.

I thought of my childhood in Xiangyang and spoke.

“The internal structure of the sewer system must be complicated.”

“Oho? Junior Brother Yeon, aren’t you a newcomer to the Jianghu?”

“Before entering the Wudang Sect, I spent my childhood in Xiangyang.”

Since Xiangyang was a city where a river flowed right through the center, like Wuchang, it was an area where the sewer system was intricately tangled.

“Then this will go fast. It’s impossible for me alone to deal with all those remnants. You understand, right?”

At her words, I nodded my head.

It was impossible to search all the sewers of this vast city alone. If we did that and the remnants noticed us first and ran away, we would ultimately fail to achieve the goal of the mission.

“Furthermore, according to the Beggars’ Sect’s intelligence, it seems the Blood Selling Cultists have captured a significant number of innocent commoners. It’s not just a matter of wiping out the remnants; in order to rescue those people safely, manpower was desperately needed.”

At Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang’s subsequent words, I could not help but have a question.

“If you obtained the cooperation of the Beggars’ Sect, couldn’t the Beggars’ Sect beggars also help with the search? Aren’t they also one of the Nine Sects and One Association, just like our Wudang Sect?”

At my question, she let out a sigh and nodded her head.

“That’s why we went down together. We went down together, but there were an immense number of mechanisms set up. Thanks to that, a few of the Beggars’ Sect kids were injured quite severely, and now they’ve withdrawn and are only watching the vicinity of the sewers. Fortunately, it seems there are no attempts to escape yet.”

At her words, Senior Brother Myeong-hun asked, sounding puzzled.

“Even with you there, Senior Sister, were you unable to grasp the formations and mechanisms?”

“…Yeah.”

Senior Sister Yi blushed as if her pride had been wounded.

Looking at Senior Sister who was like that, I asked carefully.

“Then… wouldn’t it also be dangerous for just us to go down?”

Having practiced the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition, I knew its functions well. The Tai Chi Diagram Exposition was a divine art capable of sensing even the breaths of those existing across empty space. If I, who had practiced it for only a short time, was like this, Senior Sister must have had even deeper insight. And yet, if there was a mechanism formation so sophisticated that it could deceive the sensitivity of the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition she practiced, it was obvious that it would be dangerous.

At my question, she nodded her head.

“Right. It is dangerous. If we go by ourselves.”

“Then what do you plan to do?”

“It turns out masters of the Zhuge Clan have entered Wuchang.”

“Mount Longzhong, do you mean that Zhuge Clan?”

“Yes.”

If one were to choose the martial clan most knowledgeable in formations and mechanisms in the world, the Zhuge Clan would surely be counted on one hand.

It would be helpful if we could obtain their cooperation.

“Because the people of the Zhuge Clan are not inferior to the disciples of the Secret Arts Pavilion or the Clear Spirit Palace.”

The Secret Arts Pavilion held the same status for the Wudang Sect’s technique studies disciples, and the Clear Spirit Palace for the Taoist studies disciples, as the True Martial Pavilion did.

If they were the elites of the Zhuge Clan, they would match Senior Sister’s words. But Senior Brother Myeong-hun’s thoughts were different.

“How can a secular clan compare to our Wudang Sect?”

From Senior Brother’s words, a towering pride could be felt.

It was a speech worthy of a disciple of Immortal Hae-won, the Master of the South Rock Palace.

Senior Sister Yi looked at Senior Brother Myeong-hun for a moment and then nodded her head.

“Of course, they might fall short compared to our Wudang Sect. But what if it’s the Sagacious Eye Scholar?”

At Senior Sister’s words, Senior Brother Myeong-hun’s nonchalant energy shook.

“Are you saying the Sagacious Eye Scholar came in person?”

“Yes.”

The Sagacious Eye Scholar was the younger brother of the Head of the Zhuge Clan.

He was a famous senior whom no one in the Hubei Jianghu did not know, renowned not only for his martial arts but also for his mastery of formations and mechanisms.

Looking at Senior Brother Myeong-hun, who seemed much softened, Senior Sister Yi continued.

“It is information confirmed by the Beggars’ Sect’s Wuchang Branch Leader.”

“Let’s go request assistance right away.”

“Sure. Um, but Myeong-hun, are you planning to come along too?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I don’t think… your coming will be of any help in meeting the people of the Zhuge Clan. As you know, aren’t the people of those prestigious clans incredibly proud?”

“…”

“Myeong-hun, you wait here with the warriors of the Mysterious Sword Sect. Junior Brother Yeon and I will go to the Zhuge Clan.”

“…I understand.”

**

The Zhuge Clan was staying in the largest inn in Wuchang. On the way there, Senior Sister Yi advised me.

“Once we meet the Zhuge Clan people, you must treat them politely. We are in the position of asking for a favor. Understand?”

“Of course.”

“Good, since Junior Brother Yeon is different from Myeong-hun. Then let’s go.”

In that way, we entered the entrance of the most luxurious inn in Wuchang. Right away, an errand boy approached us, and upon seeing our Black Pine Gate Taoist robes, his eyes lit up as he asked.

“Are you from the Wudang Sect?”

“Yes. We heard that masters of the Zhuge Clan are staying here, so we wanted to pay our respects. Could you tell them that Taoist Nun Baek-song of the Wudang Sect has arrived?”

“I understand. I will ask the members of the Zhuge Clan right away.”

A moment later, the errand boy returned and guided us.

I walked behind the errand boy while activating the sensitivity of the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition.

At the inn in Zhongxiang, I had focused while sitting in the room, but if we had to search the sewers of Wuchang, I needed to be able to expand the range of the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition even while moving.

‘Stably.’

However, there was a clear difference between focusing while sitting and focusing while walking. It was not easy to expand the range of sensitivity to the entire inn. At that moment, I recalled the fundamental principle of the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition.

‘The Tai Chi Diagram Exposition is a study that grasps and senses the flow and vibration of true Qi.’

In particular, natural Qi flowed and at the same time caused waves under the influence of the surrounding essence and spirit.

‘The extent to which a wave extends far is usually determined by its wavelength.’

‘What if I only check the true Qi waves of long wavelengths?’

Simultaneously with the thought, I adjusted the sensitivity. By accepting only the true Qi waves of relatively long wavelengths instead of accepting all kinds of waves, the mental power consumed was noticeably reduced.

‘I can feel it.’

Although the resolution of sensory perception was reduced compared to when sensing all wavelengths of true Qi, there was no difficulty in distinguishing people. What was most important was that the range had significantly increased. It was to the extent that I could perceive the inside of the largest inn in Wuchang, and furthermore, even those walking along the streets while I was walking.

When I expanded the sensitivity in that manner, several intense wave sources were felt by my nerves.

‘The top floor. It is the Zhuge Clan.’

As we ascended to the top floor of the inn, the stream of true Qi, and the wave that was the vibration of that stream, were felt even more strongly. There were two who emitted true Qi waves of similar properties and frequencies.

Two men dressed in scholar-style robes stood blocking the front of the door.

“Those are the elites of the Zhuge Clan, the Crouching Dragon Scholars.”

The title of scholar was attached to the elites of a martial clan.

The same went for their attire.

Still, one thing was certain.

‘They are experts.’

The wave of true Qi felt through the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition was emitting an energy not inferior to, or rather, even greater than Senior Sister’s. It was worthy of the main force of the Zhuge family, which occupied one axis of the Seven Great Families.

What was also felt was…

‘Their orbicularis oris muscles, zygomaticus muscles, and masseter muscles are stiff, and their internal breathing is frequent, unlike internal experts. Even though they are guard warriors protecting the door, they cannot keep their feet still.’

Tension or impatience was felt.

However, the Crouching Dragon Scholars did not show such physiological reactions on the outside.

“Please enter.”

A Crouching Dragon Scholar with a gentle expression stepped aside and opened the door to welcome us.

The moment the door opened in that way,

An energy even more intense than what was felt from the body of the Crouching Dragon Scholar surged out of the door.

“I greet the Sagacious Eye Scholar.”

**

“Taoist Nun Baek-song. It has been a long time.”

A middle-aged man in scholar’s robes with a clean appearance, the Sagacious Eye Scholar exchanged greetings with Taoist Nun Baek-song Yi Chae-yang, and then looked at the young Taoist standing next to her with exceptionally bright green eyes.

“Who is this young hero here? Is he the Heavy Cloud Sword Young Hero Myeong-hun, whom I have only heard about?”

As far as the Sagacious Eye Scholar knew, the only one in the Wudang Sect’s True Martial Pavilion who was the youngest and possessed a nature fierce enough to look straight into the eyes of himself, a renowned senior of the Zhuge Clan, was the Heavy Cloud Sword Myeong-hun.

‘He looks even younger than the rumors.’

Just as he was thinking that, an unexpected reply was heard.

“I am Yeon Baek-jung, a disciple of the True Martial Pavilion.”

“A disciple of the True Martial Pavilion? At that age?”

At Yeon Baek-jung’s reply, the Sagacious Eye Scholar shone his green eyes and examined Yeon Baek-jung. It was the study of the Zhuge Clan’s secret art, the Kongming Eyes. As he examined Yeon Baek-jung’s body like that…

‘To think there is a martial talent with such bones and muscles!’

It was not a body created by simple training.

His innate bones and muscles already appeared to be superior to those human weapons of Shaolin who had reconstructed their bodies through the Muscle Tendon Changing and Marrow Washing Classic.

‘If experience and age are accumulated further here!’

The Sagacious Eye Scholar felt dizzy.

In the Wudang Sect, there were already the Eight Disciples of Sanfeng, including the Sword Immortal, and there were the Nine Swords of Wudang.

But what if this boy Taoist was also added to that?

‘The tiger pushed out from the mountain called Hubei will be the Zhuge Clan!’

Even without this, the Zhuge family was in a state of internal anxiety.

A sense of crisis arose.

Of course, the Sagacious Eye Scholar was not such a fool as to reveal that outwardly. The Sagacious Eye Scholar calmly spoke while concealing his inner thoughts.

“You are a young hero who has accumulated great Taoist power at a young age. May I know under which Taoist priest of the Wudang Sect you studied?”

“I studied under Immortal Gangwon.”

“Oh! If it is Immortal Gangwon, I also have met him personally a few times. Since we are people who do similar work.”

“Then it seems that the Sagacious Eye Scholar also nags the junior warriors of the Zhuge Clan a lot.”

“What? Hahaha! Young Hero Yeon is witty, unlike a Taoist, is he not?”

“That, too, I learned from Immortal Gangwon.”

“Seeing you like this, Young Hero, it seems I did not exchange enough with Immortal Gangwon!”

Looking at Yeon Baek-jung, who conversed naturally to the point of being shameless with a renowned Jianghu senior, Yi Chae-yang was lost for words.

Because normally, when there was such a difference in seniority or age, they would only exchange stiff and formal greetings.

Yet, Yeon Baek-jung was speaking as comfortably as if he were of the same generation as the Sagacious Eye Scholar.

‘It was a good thing I brought Junior Brother Yeon. Things will become easy.’

Thanks to that, the atmosphere, which could have been stiff, loosened up lightly.

When she judged that the atmosphere had ripened like that,

Yi Chae-yang began to bring up the real reason they came here.