Chapter 14

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Translated by Seoulbound

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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“Have you heard about the Blood Selling Cult, Sagacious Eye Scholar?”

“The Blood Selling Cult? Why bring up that name here all of a sudden?”

At the Sagacious Eye Scholar’s question, Yi Chae-yang explained the circumstances. Then.

“……”

The Sagacious Eye Scholar looked at the Wudang Sect disciples with a strange gaze for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“I am sorry. It will be difficult to give assistance this time. We also have a matter that we must urgently handle here in Wuchang by order of the Head of the Clan. Besides, isn’t the Blood Selling Cult practically destroyed? I do not think there is any need for our Zhuge Clan to step forward.”

“Didn’t I tell you that? It would be sufficient if you only helped with the parts regarding the mechanisms and traps.”

“I have already told you. I came here by order of the Head of the Clan.”

At the Sagacious Eye Scholar’s repeated refusal, Yi Chae-yang’s voice began to grow higher and higher.

“Great Hero Zhuge, this is no small matter. According to the Beggars’ Sect’s intelligence, the remnants of the Blood Selling Cult are holding innocent commoners hostage. Furthermore, don’t you know there were even rumors that the Blood Selling Cult was a branch of the Dawn Sky Blood Cult! This is a matter of establishing the way of chivalry!”

At that moment, the Sagacious Eye Scholar unfolded the folding fan in his hand.

With a rustling sound, the wave of force from his internal energy pushed back Yi Chae-yang’s voice. It was the study of the Zhuge Clan’s fan methods.

Only then was Yi Chae-yang also able to regain her composure. Raising one’s voice to a renowned Jianghu senior one generation above was behavior unworthy of a disciple of a prestigious sect.

“I raised my voice in excitement. I apologize.”

“It is fine. And I am sorry.”

The Sagacious Eye Scholar lightly handed over tea and continued speaking.

“Although the way of chivalry might be the priority for you mountain Taoist sects, for me, the orders of the Head of the Clan and the family are the highest priority. Unless there is evidence that the Blood Selling Cult is directly connected to the Dawn Sky Blood Cult, we are currently in a tight spot ourselves. Please understand that we cannot join you.”

The Dawn Sky Blood Cult was a giant unorthodox sect, one wing of the Six Great Evils. The fact that they remained completely unmoved even when the name of the Dawn Sky Blood Cult was mentioned meant that the Zhuge Clan’s will was that firm. It was meaningless for the Wudang Sect to ask for further assistance.

“…Whatever the Zhuge family’s matter is, I hope for a good result.”

“Thank you.”

“Let’s go, Junior Brother Yeon.”

The disciples of the Wudang Sect left the room, and the door closed.

The Sagacious Eye Scholar activated his Kongming Eyes to trace the footprints of the Wudang Sect disciples. Immediately after the Wudang Sect disciples left the inn, the Sagacious Eye Scholar hastily sent a transmission to the Crouching Dragon Scholars guarding the door.

**

Sensory perception is one of the physical abilities.

Therefore, sensitivity also seemed to become more alert as training was repeated, just like muscles.

‘It seems like they are hiding something?’

Just like the Crouching Dragon Scholar guarding the door, an unsettling attitude was felt from the Sagacious Eye Scholar as well.

For example, a flow of internal energy that seemed vigilant, contrary to the favorable expression made on his face. Such a contradictory attitude of the Sagacious Eye Scholar caught my attention.

In fact, at first, I could not be sure if that feeling was correct, but as the experience gained from living with Master for a long time, the social life occasionally recalled from the life experienced in the dream at the Library Pavilion, and additionally, the insight of the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition that senses the waving of the trembling true Qi were added, my doubt gradually turned into conviction.

The moment I received such a feeling, I could intuitively sense that it would be difficult for us to achieve the desired goal of visiting the Zhuge Clan people.

‘Senior Sister also knows this, right?’

Having practiced the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition, there was no way she did not know either.

Therefore, I guessed she would intervene in the conversation between me and the Sagacious Eye Scholar at an appropriate moment.

Sure enough, Senior Sister Yi opened her mouth.

The moment the word ‘Blood Selling Cult’ came out of Senior Sister Yi’s mouth in that manner, the corners of the Sagacious Eye Scholar’s eyes shook severely. Just as much as the corners of my master’s mouth shook when he hid his joy.

“I am sorry…”

‘A single short sentence shook the composure of a renowned Jianghu senior.’

Listening to the Sagacious Eye Scholar’s long-winded excuse, I could not help but inwardly admire Senior Sister Yi’s scheming mind.

‘It is something to be learned.’

Master always emphasized state of mind in addition to martial arts when speaking of matters in the Jianghu.

-Martial arts are the basics. However, they do not solve all problems. Therefore, you must cultivate cooperative spirit and wisdom… You rascal, are you dozing off now? While your master is speaking?

The suspected refusal of the Zhuge Clan was confirmed in that way.

That meant there was nothing more to gain from here. Despite having made an effort to bow our heads and request assistance.

-In the Jianghu, if you lose out, you become a pushover.

Even though I always seemed to filter them out, I treated my master’s words like a golden rule.

I began to hone the senses activated by the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition more sensitively. If we could not receive the Zhuge Clan’s help, dealing with the mechanisms and traps while searching for the remnants would be the responsibility of Senior Sister Yi and me. I needed to practice even a little bit more.

‘It is possible to grasp energy in a wide space.’

I organized the realizations obtained from the inn in Zhongxiang, and from each step taken while coming up to meet the Zhuge Clan here.

However, one thing.

‘Since it was said that the sewers of Wuchang are as complicated as Xiangyang.’

I had to detect not only people but also the mechanisms installed in the sewers. Which meant…

‘I must be able to view the space.’

And I knew that method well. Because even in that place, which was different from here, there were countless attempts by many scholars to grasp the structure of space without seeing it with their eyes.

Before leaving the room, I was able to thoroughly grasp the structure of the inn room where the Zhuge Clan’s Sagacious Eye Scholar stayed.

**

Yi Chae-yang asked Yeon Baek-jung, who had stopped his steps.

“Junior Brother, what is it?”

“Senior Sister, do they normally install mechanisms or traps in an inn room of that level?”

At Yeon Baek-jung’s question, she tilted her head and replied.

“Normally they wouldn’t, right? Unless it’s an inn affiliated with the Hao Sect. As far as I know, that inn in Wuchang is not affiliated with the Hao Sect, but why do you ask?”

“Because I thought that perhaps Senior Brother Myeong-hun’s words were correct.”

“Huh?”

“Because if it’s at a level to be sensed even by my still lacking achievement in the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition, then the Zhuge family’s study of mechanism formations might not be that great.”

Yi Chae-yang’s eyes began to widen as she was temporarily bewildered by her young junior brother’s words.

Around the time Yeon Baek-jung felt worried, thinking, ‘Her eyes aren’t going to pop out, are they?’, Yi Chae-yang spoke softly.

“So, are you saying you detected the mechanism formation installed by the Zhuge Clan for the protection of key figures?”

“Uh… protection of key figures? It did not seem like anything particularly great.”

When the figures of the Zhuge Clan, especially key figures of the family, went out and stayed in an external place, they were famous for installing mechanism formations to fortify the space where they stayed.

It was a concept of escorting.

As such, it was known that they installed simple but secretive mechanisms. Of course, to the point that even Yi Chae-yang could not grasp it. However, since Yeon Baek-jung’s words meant that he grasped those mechanisms through the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition…

“……”

Yi Chae-yang lost her words and stared blankly at Yeon Baek-jung before bursting into a hollow laugh.

“Senior Sister? Why are you doing that?”

“No. It is just absurd.”

Stopping her laughter, Yi Chae-yang put her arm around Yeon Baek-jung’s shoulder and spoke.

“Because there was no need to come here, and it turns out we made a wasted effort for nothing.”

“Yes?”

“Let’s go. Having just Myeong-hun and you will be more than enough. We came all the way here and bowed in vain for nothing. Let’s go to the Wuchang sewers quickly.”

If it was an achievement in the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition capable of dismantling the mechanism formation of the Zhuge Clan? There was no way he could not dismantle the mechanism formation of the underground waterway.

She gave up thinking whether the problem was her own lacking discernment or this ridiculous junior brother’s talent.

Crouching Dragon Scholar Zhuge Seon, who came in after hearing the Sagacious Eye Scholar’s transmission, opened his mouth carefully.

“Wouldn’t it be better to request cooperation from the Wudang Sect instead? If we speak honestly, they will understand too.”

**

At Zhuge Seon’s words, the Sagacious Eye Scholar shook his head.

“Are you saying we should rely on goodwill in the Jianghu? That is absurd!”

“Aren’t they the Wudang Sect, not the Namgung family or the Tang Clan?”

The symbol of the Jianghu’s way of chivalry, even more so than the Shaolin Temple.

That was the Wudang Sect.

However, even at the Crouching Dragon Scholar’s words, the Sagacious Eye Scholar shook his head.

“Do you not know the gratitude and resentment of the Jianghu? There is a deep, unwashable resentment between the Wudang Sect and the Blood Selling Cult. Two disciples of the True Martial Pavilion’s Army Breaker Unit died. Do you not know what it means for the Wudang Sect, where rising stars are precious, to lose two young disciples of the True Martial Pavilion?”

“……”

“In such a situation, reveal the fact that our Zhuge Clan dealt with the Blood Selling Cult? We would have to pray that it does not expand into a war. Furthermore, if the Wudang Sect finds out that we are entangled with an evil sect like the Blood Selling Cult, or if the Beggars’ Sect cooperating with Wudang finds out, what would become of the Zhuge Clan’s face in the Jianghu!”

“…I am sorry. Your subordinate’s thinking was shallow.”

As Zhuge Seon bowed his head, the Sagacious Eye Scholar opened his mouth with a long sigh.

“Never mind. Fortunately, the Wudang Sect currently seems to be having a hard time with the mechanisms, so they will not be able to reach the hideout of those Blood Selling Cult bastards faster than us. You have secured the entrance where there are no Beggars’ Sect beggars, right?”

“Yes, of course. The Beggars’ Sect also had casualties, so their numbers are insufficient. Let’s go.”

Because he was the Sagacious Eye Scholar who knew that the Blood Selling Cult’s propaganda that selling blood would bring youth and health was not simple propaganda, he left the inn room with his eyes shining solemnly.

We headed to the underground sewer along with five selected elites among the Mysterious Sword Sect warriors.

“Hmm, the scale is larger than I thought.”

**

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

“I am telling you, I went around such a vast place all by myself. Do you know how hard it was?”

“Didn’t you say you searched together with the Beggars’ Sect beggars?”

“…You are hopeless.”

While Senior Brother Myeong-hun and Senior Sister Yi bickered, I looked around. Although it was dark because it was underground, to my eyes, it appeared as bright as broad daylight due to the training of sensitivity of the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition.

‘This is interesting.’

As the training of sensitivity was repeated, not only the flow of natural Qi but also the vibrations of the air and even small dust-like particles floating around caught my eye and were felt on my skin.

Particularly because it was an underground, enclosed space, the vibrations of the air were felt sensitively.

While moving my steps like that, a strange structure was sensed from the ceiling. To be precise, it was heard.

When I stopped my steps, Senior Sister Yi, who had been bickering, approached.

“How is it? Do you sense a mechanism?”

At the sight of Senior Sister Yi, who was like a squirrel begging for an acorn, my mind shook for a moment, but I soon steadied my heart.

“…Over there.”

I pointed to the ceiling.

Senior Sister Yi, who frowned her brow and narrowed her eyes for a moment, nodded her head.

“Uh… yeah. It is a trap. But can you see that?”

“I didn’t see it, I heard it.”

“……”

I felt like I had seen a similar face somewhere before, but I could not remember it well. It was probably an event in the dream from the Library Pavilion.

I pushed away my thoughts, I pulled out a brick that was wedged in the wall and threw it forward.

With a rapid clattering sound, bamboo spears with sharply shaved tips fell down from the ceiling.

While moving my steps to avoid the bamboo spears stuck in the ground, the whispering of the Mysterious Sword Sect warriors was heard from behind.

“He just pulled out a brick with his bare hand.”

“No matter if they are the Wudang Sect…”

“Are all elite core disciples like that?”

“Isn’t even Taoist Nun Baek-song not at that level?”

“According to what I heard from the Heavy Cloud Sword, he has natural-born divine strength.”

Recalling the advice of my Grandmaster, I pushed down my rising shoulders and moved my steps.

“What do you mean by you heard it?”

At Senior Sister’s question as she caught up, I tilted his head.

“Because the vibrations of the air are ultimately transmitted as sound. I am hearing the sound made by Senior Brother and Senior Sister bouncing back after hitting the walls.”

Upon hearing my explanation, Senior Sister Yi pondered something deeply and then,

“Grasping the structure by listening to the sound?”

“Yes.”

Although I thought, ‘Is it something to think about?’, she closed her eyes immediately after receiving my confirmation. Then soon,

“Huh? It really works?”

She opened her eyes again and looked back at me.

“Junior Brother Yeon, it will be hard for me to catch up to your expertise in the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition.”

I felt proud as I experienced a feeling similar to when I taught my martial nephews on the way to take the True Martial Pavilion entrance exam. Since I had not expected to feel this way with Senior Brother and Senior Sister, I felt even better than back then.

Thanks to Senior Sister Yi also utilizing the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition more broadly, we were able to easily find and disarm the insidiously hidden mechanisms and traps.

However.

“At this rate, there will be no end.”

“Should we call more people?”

The problem was that the sewer was too vast.

At the Mysterious Sword Sect warriors’ words, Senior Sister Yi shook her head.

“Because we haven’t dismantled all the mechanism formations, it is still dangerous. And the closer we get to the hideout of the Blood Selling Cult remnants, the more secretive and dangerous those mechanism formations will be.”

Senior Sister Yi’s low voice echoed through the underground passage. And the vibration clicked the last gear in my head.

“Hold on.”

At my words, Senior Sister Yi pulled back the step she was about to take and looked back at me. The rest of the people were also looking at me.

“Ultimately, what we need to find is the hideout of the Blood Selling Cult remnants, right?”

“That’s right, isn’t it?”

“And there is a high possibility that the place with the highest density of mechanism formations in the entire waterway structure is the hideout?”

“Yes.”

At her words, I nodded my head.

“Mysterious Sword Sect warriors, please cover your ears for a moment. Senior Brother, Senior Sister, protect your ears with internal energy as well.”

“Huh?”

I slowly trod the movement of the Four Symbols Wind and Thunder Palm while starting to overlap true Qi force waves in my palm.

As wind began to blow within the dark and damp sewer, contrary to the bewildered Mysterious Sword Sect warriors, Senior Sister Yi and Senior Brother Myeong-hun quickly noticed my intention and shouted.

“Protect your ears!”

The moment they shouted.

I exploded the palm force of the Four Symbols Wind and Thunder Palm.

When a strong force acts in a closed space, the air compresses and then explodes, causing vibrations. These vibrations hit the walls and collide with the surrounding air particles, creating echoes.

In that way, sound waves struck the entire sewer and returned reflected. The reflected sound waves gathered at the sensitivity of the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition, and the internal space of the sewer naturally began to be constructed in my head.

**

The exact same principle as a bat emitting ultrasound to find prey in the dark of night, it was the study of acoustic non-line-of-sight imaging (Acoustic non-line-of-sight imaging), shortened to ‘acoustic imaging,’ through the functions of the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition.

In that manner, I naturally viewed the entire space of the sewer through the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition and the sound waves,

And the space where all kinds of mechanism formations mentioned by Senior Sister Yi were concentrated was captured.

I opened my eyes and spoke.

“I found it.”

“……”

“……”

“Why are you doing that?”

“Junior Brother Yeon, how old did you say you are?”

“I am fifteen.”

“Myeong-hun, how about you?”

“Do not ask. Why do you sprinkle salt on a painful wound?”

“Sorry.”

In that way, we were able to reach the space suspected to be the hideout in less than the time it takes to finish a meal.