Chapter 49

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Translated by Seoulbound

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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The hegemon of Shandong, the God Spear Yang Family, which had been in constant conflict with the unorthodox sects under the Black Society Alliance over interests related to salt distribution, was active in the fight against the Six Great Evils, whereas the Sword King Family Namgung Clan had no particularly hostile faction among the Six Great Evils.

The Mount Heng Sect, whose elder had been murdered by an assassin from the River of Three Crossings, was gnashing its teeth, but the Zhenzhou Yan Clan, which divided the same Hunan region with them, was merely pretending to be regretful while standing by with their hands behind their backs.

That was how each sect had been hung up on their own interests until now.

However, the atmosphere had completely changed due to the events of last night.

“I will follow Great Master Goeng-song’s words. Our Namgung Clan will dispatch disciples.”

With even those who had been lukewarm, including the Namgung Clan, the backbone of the great families, agreeing, the atmosphere was completely ripe.

Watching this sudden shift, Immortal Gangwon carefully opened his mouth.

“Last night, the assassins targeted young disciples in particular. I suspect this was intended to intimidate us. So that the martial artists of each sect cannot move actively.”

The renowned masters of each sect, who had vaguely guessed the meaning of Gangwon’s words, began to express active agreement.

“I agree with Immortal Gangwon. Isn’t it highly offensive that the rabble of the unorthodox sects dared to intimidate our Righteous Path sects! If we do not respond properly to this situation, the prestige of our Seven Great Families and the Nine Sects and One Association will not stand properly.”

Yan Jong-hak, who had obtained the Lesser Returning Pill, raised his voice.

“You are absolutely right. We would have nothing to say even if people pointed fingers at us as cowards who cowered and held our breath under the attack of the unorthodox sects.”

Namgung Won, the Firmament Pavilion Master of the Namgung Clan, also added his words.

Above all, what Namgung Won said was not simply out of fear of people pointing fingers.

The reason why the great righteous sects, including the Nine Sects and One Association and the Seven Great Families, could reign over their respective regions was largely due to their prestige and reputation. If a crack appeared in that reputation and prestige, challengers would spring up like bamboo shoots after rain.

Because, looking far ahead, it was a matter directly related to survival.

Namgung Won spoke once again.

“Which is why I suggest, how about we form a Murim Alliance martial force composed of young disciples this time? Our Namgung Clan will support it with the Firmament Sword Squad.”

In any matter, the atmosphere was important.

This was especially true for people who valued face.

Once an atmosphere of stepping forward was established, anyone who pulled back was bound to be branded as a coward.

The renowned masters of the prestigious righteous sects began to step forward competitively. Moreover, those who had already been in a full-scale battle against the Six Great Evils from the beginning joined in even more actively.

“Good idea! Our Kongtong Sect will also actively support with our disciples!”

“The same goes for Diancang.”

“Our Hainan Sect also has many excellent disciples. I consider it an honor to show the skills of Hainan swordsmen to the Central Plains Jianghu at this time.”

At that moment, Goeng-song appropriately interrupted the overheating atmosphere.

“I am endlessly pleased that the various sects of the Divine Land are sending disciples like this. However, a system will be needed for a large number of people to move. How about we first select the leaders for those sent by each sect?”

Everyone nodded at his words.

From then on, a battle of wits began among the renowned masters.

It was a movement to appoint those who stood out among the rising stars of each sect as leaders.

When the useless bickering threatened to drag on, Gangwon stepped forward again.

“How about appointing the Eight Talents of the Rising Wave as the leaders of each group?”

“Ah, the Eight Talents of the Rising Wave!”

“Since many of them are gathered here at Shaolin, that is indeed a very good idea.”

As the Yangtze River’s rear waves push the front waves forward,

So in the drifting world, new people replace the old.

This was a quote from the Song Dynasty poet Liu Fu.

Just as the rear waves of the Yangtze River push away the front waves, it meant that in all things in the world, new people replace the old.

In other words, it referred to the outstanding juniors who were exceptional enough to replace the current masters of the Jianghu.

“As expected of Immortal Hye-song, you are clear-sighted.”

Above all, since the Wudang Sect, to which Immortal Gangwon belonged, had not produced any of the Eight Talents of the Rising Wave, even those who wanted to appoint someone from their own sect as a leader could no longer argue and nodded.

Once the dispute disappeared, the disciples put forward by each sect began to be divided into eight groups.

**

Master, who returned from the Murim Alliance meeting, gathered the disciples and told them the results of the meeting.

“…Since things turned out this way, all of you who came here will be deployed to your respective missions.”

The young disciples dispatched from each sect were organized into eight groups. The gist of this mission was for them to resolve the atrocities of the Six Great Evils taking place in areas untouched by the prestigious righteous sects.

And since the division was done by splitting the members of each sect, the senior brothers and senior sisters dispatched together were all split into different groups.

“I am in Group Jia.”

“I am in Group Yi.”

“What about you, Junior Brother Yeon?”

“I am in Group Bing.”

I smiled and replied to the concern cast on the faces of Senior Brother Myeong-hun and Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang.

“Didn’t we perform separate missions when we were active in the Greedy Wolf Unit as well? The day we will be together again will come soon.”

“Junior brother has a somewhat cold side to him.”

“When you look at him training, he focuses only on training without even realizing someone is next to him.”

“Actually, that is correct. When training, one should focus on training.”

“Are you going to keep bickering?”

“Then I will head to the group I belong to.”

“Sigh.”

Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang, who sent Senior Brother Myeong-hun off with a sigh, turned to look at me and left words of advice.

“Since this is not the first time you are training with other sects, you know what is important, right?”

I had previously experienced working together with the Beggars’ Sect and the Tang Clan. At that time, the most important thing had been to make Wudang Sect’s intentions prevail while adjusting each other’s mutual interests.

Thanks to that, Cloud Sword Hall was cleared of its false accusations and could successfully rise again, so I nodded and replied.

“Is it not taking initiative in the situation?”

At my answer, she nodded and added.

“Correct. Just do not act self-righteously. If you can properly mediate the interests among the cooperating sects, you can earn trust as well as reputation, so for Junior Brother Yeon, this will be an opportunity to broaden your horizons and build friendships.”

She had earned the title “Taoist Nun Baek-song” even at a young age thanks to her skillful handling of affairs in the Jianghu, so this was advice stemming from experience.

“I will keep that in mind, Senior Sister.”

“Ah, and one more thing. Due to yesterday’s events, Junior Brother Yeon’s nickname is already floating around in people’s mouths. Earning a reputation is a good thing, but if your reputation becomes too high at a young age, you tend to get caught up in unintended trouble for no reason.”

At her words, I thought that could be the case.

However, since such cases were not common, when I asked how it would be best to respond, she replied confidently.

“In such cases, taking a strong stance might actually be better.”

I smiled and nodded at the advice of Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang, who was like an older sister.

“I will keep that in mind as well. Senior Sister, you must get going as well.”

“Ah, right. Take care of yourself!”

After parting with my senior brothers and senior sisters.

Having finished saying goodbye to my master and Aunt Hye-won, I immediately packed my things and headed to the gathering place of Group Bing.

**

There was a welcoming face at the gathering place.

“Mm, Little Brother Yeon. You returned safely last night, right?”

Taoist Priest Su-gyo, who was appointed as the leader of Group Bing, greeted me with a slightly pale face. Even if he looked lukewarm on the outside, I could easily tell that his expression was one of being extremely glad to see me. First of all, the fact that he spoke to me first was proof of that.

“Thanks to you, little brother, I was able to avoid being injured last night. Only now am I expressing my gratitude. Thank you.”

“Not at all. I also found it easier to deal with the assassins thanks to the inspiration I got from the conversation I had with Taoist Priest Su-gyo.”

“Is that so? I am glad.”

“Moreover, thanks to Taoist Priest Su-gyo leaving the scene at the very end… I ended up monopolizing the merit. Thanks to that, my reputation has also risen further.”

Since Su-gyo had vanished at that time, the story was inflated as if I had repelled the assassins of the River of Three Crossings all by myself, and before I knew it, the value of my name had risen within the temple grounds of Shaolin.

Several monks of the Shaolin Temple and even Taoists of the Qingcheng Sect asked for my name and, from wherever they heard it, muttered my nickname, Bringer of Chaos, in low voices.

Perhaps Su-gyo was also aware of that fact, as he smiled faintly and proposed something to me.

“Which is why I am saying this, Little Brother Yeon.”

“Yes?”

“Would you mind acting as my assistant in this group? Since Little Brother Yeon’s reputation is already considerable, everyone will agree.”

“If you mean assistant, what kind of work are you talking about?”

“I want you, little brother, to make the important decisions regarding Group Bing’s route. Of course, I will also support you and will follow whatever decisions Little Brother Yeon makes.”

At his words, the words I had shared with Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang suddenly came to mind.

Taking initiative in the situation.

It was a welcome development.

However, that was also possible only with the cooperation and consent of the group members. I attached a single condition.

“For now, it would be best to decide after obtaining the consent of the other group members.”

Su-gyo, whose face brightened at my answer, nodded and immediately dragged me to where the group members were.

“Do not worry. I will back you up, little brother.”

In that way, I was able to face the disciples of each sect belonging to Group Bing.

However, what was puzzling was.

‘Why are their gazes like that?’

It was because the gazes the group members were sending me were not favorable.

My only guess was that they might be sensitive due to the assassins’ attack last night.

Despite the group members’ hostility, Taoist Priest Su-gyo, who stood in front, began to quickly explain about this mission.

“First of all, our mission is to destroy the hidden workshop of the Chaotic Heaven Green Forest in the Guangxi area. It is said that the level of martial arts of the masked warriors of the Chaotic Heaven Green Forest differs depending on the colorfulness of their masks, so please keep this in mind…”

In addition, Su-gyo began to bring up the main point.

As his main point began, the hostile aura started to grow even stronger.

**

Namgung Hyeok, who attended this Murim Alliance meeting hosted by Shaolin as the representative of the Namgung Clan, had an idol.

It was none other than his elder cousin from the same clan and one of the Eight Talents of the Rising Wave, the Affectionate Swordsman Namgung Hyo-sin.

– That sword path just now was really good. However, if you relax your wrist a little more, the sword stances will connect smoothly, right?

– Once you begin to feel natural qi with your upper dantian, you will be able to go beyond the Great Derivation Sword and enter the Firmament Sword, so cheer up, Hyeok.

Although this would be the case for all those with the surname Namgung of the young generation, Namgung Hyeok in particular had grown rapidly thanks to Namgung Hyo-sin’s guidance, so his heart of admiration was even greater.

In addition, the words left by Namgung Hyo-sin upon coming to this Murim Alliance meeting stimulated Namgung Hyeok’s motivation.

– An opportunity for you all to play an active role will surely arise at this meeting. If you accumulate proper merits at that time, your position in the family will also rise. I hope everyone will exert themselves.

Just as Namgung Hyo-sin had said, Namgung Hyeok belonged to the mobile unit formed under the leadership of the Murim Alliance.

Although Namgung Hyeok was not at ease because his junior from the same Firmament Sword Squad was injured due to the attack of the River of Three Crossings assassins, since he belonged to the mobile unit anyway, he thought it would be best to make a good impression on the group leader who would move them to be active in the mission, so he immediately headed to Taoist Priest Su-gyo, the leader of Group Bing.

Furthermore, Taoist Priest Su-gyo, the Qingyun Chixia, was one of the Eight Talents of the Rising Wave just like Namgung Hyo-sin whom he admired, and he was a rising star of the Jianghu who was counted as second to none in swordplay. Putting aside any personal feelings, Namgung Hyeok tried to actively build a friendly relationship with Su-gyo from the very beginning.

However.

-…Mm. Could you please not come close?

– Yes?

– I have things to think about regarding the mission, so I would prefer if you did not disturb me.

He was blocked even in his attempt to approach and had no choice but to retreat awkwardly; when the person in question said that, who would dare to approach?

However, until then, he did not feel bad.

Since Su-gyo’s personality was famous for being very peculiar, it was because all the other group members had received the same treatment.

– Since Taoist Priest Su-gyo, the Qingyun Chixia, is famous for his eccentric temper, do not be too discouraged, Brother Namgung.

– That is right. Taoist Priest Su-gyo’s unique personality is already famous, after all.

People were just like that.

If an exceptionally capable person was cold only to me, I might feel bad, but if they were equally cold to everyone, it actually became a charm.

‘So that is the Eight Talents of the Rising Wave!’

Thinking that even that unique personality was due to his single-minded devotion to martial arts, he could not help but feel an even greater sense of admiration.

However, everything changed with the appearance of a young Taoist wearing the Black Pine Gate Taoist robe that symbolized the Wudang Sect’s True Martial Pavilion.

“Mm, Little Brother Yeon. You returned safely last night, right?”

From the friendly questioning to the way he designated them with a small gesture as if pointing at a swarm of insects in response to the young Taoist’s question about where the other group members were.

It was not the Su-gyo they knew.

Although they did not say anything at the sight which was like a mature older brother taking care of a young sibling, the faces of most of the group members hardened. Even if they could not compare to the value of the name of the Eight Talents of the Rising Wave, all of them were individuals who held considerable sway within their respective sects.

‘He treated us so coldly when we greeted him?’

Moreover, the one who seemed close to Su-gyo looked as if he had not even had his coming-of-age ceremony yet, not even wearing a Taoist cap and having his hair undone.

A question arose in the first place as to how such a young and inexperienced person belonged to Group Bing.

Even Taoist Priest Su-gyo personally introduced the young Wudang Sect Taoist to the group members and said.

“…Since he is famous for performing well in various missions as well as in martial arts, Little Brother Yeon will be in charge of assisting me in this mission. If you have anything to say to me, please do so through Little Brother Yeon.”

Asking them to communicate with him only through Yeon Baek-jung.

Absurdity appeared on the faces of several group members.

However, unlike Namgung Hyeok and others who felt hostility, other group members who recognized the young Wudang Sect Taoist whispered.

“Wudang Sect’s Bringer of Chaos?”

“It seems that boy is the one who dealt with dozens of assassins of the River of Three Crossings alone last night?”

“Isn’t it that the rumors are inflated? No matter how I look at him, he does not look all that great…”

“They say he twisted the arm of the Red Yang Demonic Immortal. If it is that much, is he not a talent worthy of Taoist Priest Su-gyo delegating work to?”

However, Namgung Hyeok, who was not well-informed about the rumors, felt rather alienated; this became a reason to further hurt his feelings, which were already uncomfortable.

His defiance was soon expressed as hostility.

‘What is so great about him?’

Since Yeon Baek-jung’s aura that was actually felt was not outstanding.

He stood directly in front of Yeon Baek-jung.