Chapter 23

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Translated by Seoulbound

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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Around the time the green tree shadows were turning ink-black, Senior Sister Yi made a mark on a tree and lit a fire. It was to prepare for camping in the mountains.

“If they wear green monkey masks, there is a high possibility they are the subordinates of the Great Sage Who Drives Spirits.”

It was said that the executives of the Chaotic Heaven Green Forest were called the Seven Great Sages.

Since it was said that the executives called Great Sages had each established their own school, even if it was unorthodox martial arts.

Senior Brother Myeong-hun added his words to Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang’s statement.

“Master said so. The martial arts of the Great Sage Who Drives Spirits are the peak of heretical and unorthodox paths. He said that if one’s internal energy is deep enough, they are not impossible to deal with, but before reaching the Elixir Condensation Stage, the poison arts and external cultivation of his subordinates can also be threatening.”

“Right. Poisons and external cultivation. For us, whose internal strength is not yet as deep as the elders or unit leaders, those are the most troublesome arts to deal with. If we do not think of a countermeasure in advance before facing them, we might suffer a setback. Of course, we must focus as much as possible on patrolling and intelligence gathering and avoid head-on collisions.”

Rather, a full-scale war of martial force against martial force, or internal strength against internal strength, was welcomed by the disciples of the righteous sects. However, Senior Brother Myeong-hun and Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang explained that dealing with poisons, hidden tricks, and the variables created through external arts was not easy, as they were methods not commonly encountered.

Although I was one who had heard rumors about the Six Great Evils and the Six Strongest of the Demonic Path, I did not know their true nature. Having heard the teaching of knowing oneself and knowing the enemy from my master and subsequently from Martial Aunt Hye-won, I listened attentively to the words of my senior brother and sister.

“You said that through strange external arts, they can exert muscle strength comparable to an internal master, right?”

“Perhaps they will drool at the thought of using you, Junior Brother, as an experimental subject.”

“Hmm. Then I will have to make sure they can never drool again.”

“…Right. You must not show any mercy when dealing with the Chaotic Heaven Green Forest. Especially if they are green monkey masks, you cannot know how their bodies have changed through the cultivation of heretical and unorthodox paths. Of course, no regenerative abilities like those of blood ghouls have been reported, but rather than suppressing them with skills like acupoint sealing, the muscle strength you possess, Junior Brother, might be more effective.”

“That is not necessarily the case either. Master said that no matter how excellent an external cultivation art is, a weak point always exists. Even if it is hard to find, if you attack the weak point, you can defeat them more easily than you think.”

Warming myself by the fire, I synthesized the words of my senior brother and sister and thought of a countermeasure.

‘Soft techniques through Tai Chi Chuan might be effective. Even if external cultivation strengthens the skin and muscles, they will not be able to endure it when their joints are twisted.’

Twisting a joint tears the nerves.

Nerves were the medium that transmitted electrical signals coming down from the Upper Dantian. Of course, a martial artist could move their body through the energy of the Lower Dantian, but it was self-evident that even if they moved their energy with damaged nerves, it would be difficult to move smoothly.

In addition to that, I was also curious whether my increased energy would work against strong external cultivation.

‘Since I created the internal moving cultivation and my internal strength has increased, there should also be progress in the Four Symbols Wind and Thunder Palm, which was previously lacking. The palm force of the Wind and Thunder Palm was comparable to a military cannon.’

‘But what if that Four Symbols Wind and Thunder Palm does not work well? I should think of a way to respond even then…’

Something ticklish brushed through my mind, but.

I gave up resisting the oncoming sleepiness.

Since my master said that one should rest when it was time to rest.

I was an obedient disciple.

**

Being on the last turn of the camp watch, I watched the dawn sky’s dimness fade and added more firewood to the dying fire. At that moment, a sound of something breaking was caught by my hearing, which had become sharper due to the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition.

When I instantly turned my gaze, there was nothing there.

However.

‘A smell.’

As an indescribably foul stench drifted in, I slowly shook my senior brother and sister awake.

“Mmm?”

“What is the matter, Junior Brother?”

No matter how high an internal master one was, in a state of deep sleep, yin energy developed in the body. Yin energy lowered bodily functions and dulled the senses. Because of that, my senior brother and sister were slower than I was to notice the anomaly.

But that was only for a moment.

They were disciples of the Wudang Sect’s True Martial Pavilion, Greedy Wolf Unit.

Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang immediately stood her hair on end like a squirrel waking up from hibernation, while Senior Brother Myeong-hun dispersed his characteristic carefree energy and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword at the same time. Just with that, it felt as though they had reached full readiness in an instant.

In that state, Senior Brother Myeong-hun spoke quietly.

“Who is the master hiding in the shadows? If you have nothing to hide, it would be best to show yourself and reveal your identity.”

At Myeong-hun’s words, along with a sudden rustling sound, the source of the smell revealed itself from between the bushes.

A shabby appearance that looked like a beggar to anyone.

The teeth revealed through his smirk were brown, black, and none of them were intact, and the chest exposed through his face, hands, and the hem of his clothes was covered in dirt.

The man, who looked like a beggar to anyone, was so dirty that it was difficult to even guess his age. We could only estimate that he was around forty, as there were not many white hairs on his head.

However, regardless of such an appearance.

‘He is a master!’

I could sense it intuitively.

The fluctuations of true qi swaying around the beggar’s body served as an indicator of how deep the internal energy accumulated in his dantian was.

When I focused my vision, the calluses covering his palms and the backs of his hands, which had been hard to see because of the dirt, also came into view. Even so, I thought.

‘His steps are peculiar.’

The steps that strangely twisted his toes were hard to predict, as if they would change direction anywhere.

There was only one possibility that could be predicted upon seeing that, and there was no way my senior brother and sister did not know what I had thought of.

“Are you a senior of the Beggars’ Sect?”

At Senior Brother Myeong-hun’s question, the middle-aged beggar chuckled and spoke.

“You junior brothers and sisters are quick-witted.”

The middle-aged beggar continued to chuckle as he spoke.

“If I were to speak of myself…”

Saying so, the middle-aged beggar fumbled around his waist and straightened his belt, which had been turned inside out. It was so grimy that it was not easily visible, but five yellowish knots were tied around his waist.

“Five knots?!”

The one who reacted first was Senior Brother Myeong-hun.

Senior Sister Yi brightened her eyes even further and clasped her hands.

“So you were a Branch Leader of the Beggars’ Sect. I am Yi Chae-yang, a disciple of the Wudang Sect’s True Martial Pavilion.”

“Oho. I have heard much about the Wudang Sect’s Taoist Nun Baek-song being knowledgeable and polite.”

Watching this scene, I recalled the talk about the Beggars’ Sect that had come up when discussing the incident in Wuchang with my master some time ago.

“-A sub-branch leader has three knots, and a branch manager has four. Their martial arts are nothing you need to worry about. But from five knots, you must be careful. They are the ones who lead one of the Six Branches that divide the world into six parts, so their martial arts are no ordinary feat. What? How do they compare to me? Compare things that are comparable.”

It was said that while the sub-branch leaders in charge of small counties tied three knots, those counties were grouped on a larger scale and called a branch. A branch was also said to be a very vast area made by combining two or three provincial administrative units. Since the position held by the strongest beggar among those belonging to such a unit was that of the Beggars’ Sect’s Branch Leader.

“Greetings to the Branch Leader of the Beggars’ Sect. I am Yeon Baek-jung, a junior of the martial world.”

I quickly clasped my hands.

The reason a high-ranking beggar of the Beggars’ Sect came here was not easily guessed, but one thing was clear.

When I felt the energy releasing from the Hall of Rectitude Leader’s body through the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition, it was filled with soft goodwill rather than sharp hostility.

Just as I expected, the Beggars’ Sect’s Hall of Rectitude Leader smiled broadly and said warmly.

“Haha. Yes. Since the young Taoist is very polite. To introduce myself formally again, I am called the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar, who is in charge of the Beggars’ Sect’s Hall of Rectitude.”

Even though he seemed favorable with a warm smile, Senior Brother Myeong-hun did not lower his guard, as there was an old saying in the Jianghu that those who come are not good, and those who are good do not come.

Within the limits of not violating etiquette toward a senior of the Jianghu, Senior Brother Myeong-hun spoke.

“For what reason did you come here?”

The opponent was the Beggars’ Sect. It was hard to think that he had come without knowing about the matter between the Yoon Merchant Group and the Green Forest bandits.

However, in response to Senior Brother Myeong-hun’s question, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar gave an unexpected answer.

“Because I wanted to check whether it is an imugi or a dragon.”

It was difficult to understand. The Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar continued speaking as he took another step.

“Well, since the Wudang Sect is embroiled in a troublesome matter, I came to help as a fellow member of the martial forest. And to enjoy a good show while at it.”

It was also a statement whose true intent was not easy to grasp, but at least one thing was clear.

“You mean the Beggars’ Sect is offering help? In what we are trying to do.”

“That is right. Don’t beggars originally love to watch fights? Hehe. Since the Taoists are fighting the bandits this time, my buttocks were itching.”

That we obtained the cooperation of the Beggars’ Sect.

And that it was the cooperation of a five-knot branch leader.

“Thank you.”

“Well, I do not know if I will be of help. Since my kids are all weaklings, I came alone.”

That alone was like having thousands of soldiers and horses.

In the Jianghu, there were many matters that required experience.

Especially in a task like now, where we had to pursue and search.

“I heard that Wudang Sect disciples have also gone to the Yoon Merchant Group in Junxian, but the fact that you came separately as a vanguard… must mean that while the main force grasps the detailed situation, you intend to find the base of the Green Forest bandits who targeted the Yoon Merchant Group first.”

“That is correct.”

“By any chance, do you know of any hunters or herb gatherers nearby?”

To Senior Sister Yi’s question, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar replied.

“Haha. How could we drag commoners into the affairs of the Jianghu. Do not worry. Since I know people who will be of help in this matter.”

“Pardon?”

“Is this matter only the business of you, the Wudang Sect?”

“Ah.”

If a merchant caravan suffered damage, it was natural that while the sending side was a problem, the receiving side was also a problem.

We could immediately think of one name.

Sichuan Tang Clan.

Certainly, the Beggars’ Sect’s Branch Leader was capable.

**

The Beggars’ Sect’s Hall of Rectitude Leader, Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar, took the lead and deployed his footwork force while keeping his attention on the back. It was the cultivation of the Beggars’ Sect’s secret sensitivity art, the Six Harmonies Dog Nose.

‘Huh, I should promote that Wuchang Sub-branch Leader fellow.’

What was felt through the Six Harmonies Dog Nose was satisfactory.

The reason the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar had come all the way to Zhushan, the border of Hubei, was none other than the contents written in a single bamboo slip that the Wuchang Sub-branch Leader had sent to the main headquarters.

“-Yeon Baek-jung, a disciple of the Wudang Sect’s True Martial Pavilion. Under twenty years of age. Estimated to be at least python class, at most dragon class.”

Frankly, I came thinking I might be half-deceived.

Although the internal evaluation of the Wuchang Sub-branch Leader was high, it was still only the discernment of a sub-branch leader’s level.

It was natural that the higher one’s martial arts, the higher their discernment in recognizing talent. This was because vision was proportional to the function of the Upper Dantian.

But this time, the Wuchang Sub-branch Leader seemed to have seen correctly.

‘If I close my eyes and feel only the fluctuations of internal energy, he is not inferior at all to the Heavy Cloud Sword or the Taoist Nun Baek-song. No, there are even parts where he is ahead.’

Emitting waves of qi at a similar level to the Heavy Cloud Sword and the Taoist Nun Baek-song, who showed an age difference of nearly ten years, was an astonishing thing considering his age. This was because in a body that was not yet fully grown, the rate at which internal energy accumulated was also slow. At least within the Beggars’ Sect, there was no young disciple with that level of internal strength at that age.

Moreover, Yeon Baek-jung was a disciple of the Wudang Sect.

The Wudang Sect’s internal energy cultivation method was the most famous in the world for the purity of its energy. In other words, it meant that one had no choice but to suffer a loss in the amount of accumulated qi.

This was because as much as one accumulated pure energy, a lot of energy was discarded in a single breath.

For that reason, the martial arts of the Wudang Sect were called late-blooming martial arts. Around the age of forty, when the most pure internal strength in the world became deep and experience accumulated to deepen one’s realization, no force in the martial forest could look down on a Wudang Taoist. Nay, they looked up to them.

That was the reason why the Wudang Sect was counted as one of the only two orthodox forces in the world that could stand up to the Six Great Evils as a single power.

A disciple who had not even reached twenty years of age, having learned such an internal energy cultivation method of the Wudang Sect, emitted waves of qi to the extent of being comparable to or surpassing the already high-profile young prospects of the Wudang Sect—the Heavy Cloud Sword and the Taoist Nun Baek-song were also young martial artists of the martial world who had not yet reached thirty.

Even after seeing it, it was hard to believe easily.

‘Later, I should tell the Successor Beggar to become friends with him. No, beyond friends, completely…’

If he was at that level before turning twenty, what about the future when he reached the age of the Heavy Cloud Sword or the Taoist Nun Baek-song? It was possible to speculate that it would not be strange for him to easily turn the martial forest upside down.

‘Could it be that I am facing the future number one person of the Wudang Sect?’

It was a dream-like thought, but it did not feel absurd. This was because the internal energy, temperament, and skeletal structure shown by Yeon Baek-jung were that impressive.

Moreover, if such a person becomes friends with the Beggars’ Sect’s next candidate for the Sect Leader? Or enters an even closer relationship? It would be a supreme blessing for the Beggars’ Sect.

‘I will grasp as much as I can grasp.’

Knowing the opponent made it easier to become close. Furthermore, Yeon Baek-jung was currently known only in parts of Hubei. At a time like this, grasping as much information as possible was the way to pull ahead compared to other sects.

“I have heard much about the Heavy Cloud Sword and the Taoist Nun Baek-song, but this is the first time I see Young Hero Yeon. It seems you entered the True Martial Pavilion at a very young age?”

The Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar spoke naturally as he looked back.

And he was astonished.

‘Is that the Drunken Eight Immortals Steps?’