Chapter 68

===================
Translated by Seoulbound

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
===================

**

With the creation of the Murim Alliance branches in each region, the Murim Alliance at the Shaolin Temple was disbanded.

Thus.

“We are finally back.”

We returned to Mount Wudang.

We returned only when autumn arrived to Mount Wudang, which we had left at the start of summer.

Since it was the first time I had left the mountain for such a long time, my emotions were fresh. Seeing me taking in the mountain air with new appreciation, my senior brothers smiled and spoke.

“Junior Brother Yeon, you have not gone on a long-term mission yet, so you do not know. When you go out into the Jianghu, sometimes you do not return for over a year.”

“That is right. When the Blood Selling Cult’s influence was strong, there were times we could not return to the mountain for a year.”

“Ah, that was really tough back then. If not for the Big Dipper, we would have been isolated during our mission and unable to even find our way!”

Spending a season somewhere other than the main sect was unfamiliar and new to me, but it seemed it was not such a strange thing to my other senior brothers and sisters.

When we finally reached the mountain gate of Mount Wudang.

“Oh?!”

“The Sect Leader?!”

The Sect Leader, who oversaw the three lineages of the Wudang Sect, and Immortal Hyeon-won, were waiting to greet us along with the elders.

“Have you returned, Junior Brother?”

“I have returned, Senior Brother.”

After exchanging greetings with my master, the Sect Leader’s eyes scanned my senior brothers and sisters, then turned toward me.

“Is this the child?”

“He is my lacking disciple.”

“Lacking? At that age, did he not create a divine art and now even bring a new Murim event to the main sect?”

A new Murim event.

He was speaking of the Sword Debate.

Of course, although it was something carried out after receiving my master’s permission.

‘I had no time to consult with the main sect beforehand.’

I had proceeded with the matter arbitrarily without the approval of the Sect Leader, who supervised all events of the main sect. I swallowed hard and greeted him while watching the Sect Leader’s reaction.

Fortunately, the reply that came back was positive.

“Well done. You were not swayed by vain scandals, but instead took the lead in unifying the righteous Murim, so you deserve to be praised.”

Stroking my head, the Sect Leader soon turned his gaze to my master.

“However, there will be much to prepare for in the future. Since the celestial energy is chaotic.”

The celestial energy was chaotic.

It must mean that the world was in turmoil due to the movements of the Six Great Evils.

Receiving the Sect Leader’s gaze, my master said in a low voice.

“I will report the details separately in the future.”

At my master’s words, the Sect Leader nodded. In addition, he sent a warm smile to the disciples and spoke.

“Everyone worked very hard. For the time being, the disciples who participated in the Murim Alliance will be excluded from the True Martial Pavilion missions, so rest well.”

It was a kind of consideration.

An intention to let the disciples rest after running all over the Jianghu as members of the Murim Alliance mobile units for a season.

Of course, they did not hold a grand welcoming banquet like other secular sects, but the Sect Leader himself, accompanied by other elders, had come out directly to the Taoist temple’s mountain gate to welcome the returning disciples.

Since that alone was a great sign of welcome.

‘It is actually more comfortable.’

For us, who had returned from a long journey, the familiar and quiet daily routine of the Taoist temple was more desirable than a welcoming banquet, so the short welcome at the mountain gate was just right.

When we crossed the South Heaven Gate of the South Rock Palace near the mountain gate.

The gazes of our senior brothers and sisters who had not participated in the Murim Alliance poured over us. And I was the one who received the most attention.

“Is your body alright?”

“You went through a lot of trouble dealing with those wicked bastards. The Great Sage Who Overturns Seas at that age. Seriously, Junior Brother, you have a talent for surprising people even when they try not to be surprised!”

It seemed that the news of my dealing with the Young Spirit Slayer, the disciple of the River of Three Crossings’ leader, to defeating the Great Sage Who Overturns Seas, one of the seven great sages of the Chaotic Heaven Green Forest, and to fighting the Dark Shadow Blood Lord of the Dawn Sky Blood Cult had already spread throughout the sect.

What had spread along with it was.

The news that I had begun to learn the sword.

“I heard you entered sword studies? If you are curious about anything regarding the Four Symbols Flowing Sword, ask anytime. The Unit Leader also said to come anytime if you are curious about swordsmanship.”

“The Four Symbols Flowing Sword is good, but if you want to learn the Three Absolutes Desolate Sword, the gates to the Martial Star Unit’s training ground are always open, so come visit.”

Receiving the praises and encouragement of my senior brothers and sisters, I returned to the Greedy Wolf Unit’s quarters after a long time.

My master entered that place for the first time.

My master, who had parted with me briefly at the Sword-Untying Pond, had processed the business of the Sea Fog Pavilion and come to see me.

“You live in a cleaner place than I thought.”

“Of course. Did I not do all the cleaning and laundry at the Purple Yang Hermitage?”

At the Purple Yang Hermitage, my master had always brewed tea and given it to me, but here, it was the opposite.

“It is tea provided as supplies, so I do not know if it will suit your taste.”

“I am not picky.”

“When such a person went to Yunnan…”

I skillfully avoided my master’s knocking fist and shut my mouth.

“There is not much time.”

“Are you busy?”

“It is true for me, but I mean that you are the one who is busy.”

What that meant was.

“The Sword Debate. They say it is a year, but that is not long.”

It was all thanks to the work I had done…

“I am sorry.”

“Unlike you.”

“Still.”

“Then do well.”

“Yes.”

If it were a sword debate among fellow disciples, it would naturally be a discussion about stances and oral formulas. However, what if it were a sword debate with other sects? Detailed discussions would become difficult. In the end, it meant demonstration was essential.

‘While demonstrating, if their blood boils, it might even lead to a duel.’

A sword debate was ultimately a matter of judging the superiority of martial arts through words.

They were martial artists who staked their lives on victory and defeat.

Because they were fellow disciples, it did not escalate into a fight, but with people from other sects, there was no telling what would happen. No, in fact, it was correct to assume that a duel would take place.

And above all, since I was the one who proposed that sword debate, and the rumors triggered by doubts about my talent had led to the Sword Debate.

“There will be people who want to check your talent.”

“I must become stronger then.”

“Yes.”

It was a Sword Debate that the leaders of the Nine Sects would attend.

It was only natural that I had to become stronger than I was now to cope with any situation.

Telling me to do well was not simply telling me to protect the honor of the sect. It was my master’s deep foresight to prepare for an unexpected duel.

‘Worry.’

In that brief interval of ‘Then do well,’ my master’s deep worry was embedded.

“If it were up to my heart, I would want to tell you to devote yourself to fist, palm, and hand-to-hand combat rather than swordsmanship.”

However, I had already set foot into the Tai Chi Sword Manual.

Even if I tried to devote myself to hand-to-hand combat as my master said, thoughts regarding the Tai Chi Sword Manual and swordsmanship did not leave my head.

“That would be difficult for you.”

“Hehe. It feels like the answer is to practice swordsmanship more diligently and complete the Tai Chi Sword Manual instead.”

My master, who knew me better than anyone, gave up.

Instead, he respected my wish.

“If you are going to do it, you must do it properly. The Tai Chi Sword Manual is a difficult study that both I and my master put off completing. A lot of hard training will be needed to complete it.”

My master, who paused for a moment, continued speaking as if he had finished organizing his thoughts.

“It would be good for you to learn all five great sword techniques of our sect.”

“All five sword techniques?”

“Yes. If it is you, who has combined all the essence of the five sword techniques… perhaps you might be able to complete the Tai Chi Sword Manual.”

The Five Great Sword Studies, which represented the Wudang Sect, were sword techniques that each possessed completely different characteristics.

‘The Three Absolutes Desolate Sword is fierce, and the Four Symbols Flowing Sword is soft. The Seven Stars Flying Sword is fast, and the Nine Palaces Shadow Sword is profound. In addition, the Two Polarities Patterned Sword is known to be the most mysterious.’

To learn all those sword techniques?

Just hearing about it made my heart flutter.

If so, which of the five sword techniques would I learn first?

The answer seemed to be decided.

‘My master’s ultimate technique, the Two Polarities Patterned Sword!’

It was called the number one swordsmanship of the current Wudang, and at the same time, it was a difficult study among difficult studies.

At the moment a sense of expectation arose, wondering if I was finally learning it.

My master spoke as if he had read my mind.

“It is still too early for you to enter the Two Polarities Patterned Sword.”

“Pardon?”

Still, it was a situation where my talent was recognized in its own way.

Yet, it was puzzling that I could not enter the Two Polarities Patterned Sword.

Seeing my dissatisfied face, my master shook his head and continued speaking.

“The Patterned Sword is a difficult study. You must be able to handle two different energies at the same time. Since it is like handling burning ice, no matter how outstanding your talent is, you must build a firmer foundation.”

With that, my master looked straight into my eyes and spoke.

“A sword is different from a fist.”

Those words seemed to pinch a certain scene in the memory of my upper dantian.

The memory of the moment I drove my sword into the chest of the unorthodox sect bladesman in Xining.

‘Indeed, it was not a sword force release, but I drove the sword in like a fist force.’

Thanks to that, I did not pierce the opponent’s chest, but crushed it.

‘The true qi did not gather at a single point, but dispersed. It was because I was not yet familiar with sword force.’

Understanding my master’s words, I immediately nodded.

“Then which sword technique would be good to learn first?”

“Learn the Four Symbols Flowing Sword.”

“The Four Symbols Flowing Sword?”

“The Four Symbols Flowing Sword is the sword technique with the softest routine among the Wudang Sect’s sword techniques. In addition, since it shares its martial principles with the Four Symbols Wind and Thunder Palm that you learned, it will be easy to learn.”

My master’s words did not stop there.

“Above all, the Four Symbols Flowing Sword is both the softest and the heaviest sword technique among Wudang’s five swords.”

Being the heaviest meant that the utilization of the true qi loaded into the sword was excellent.

“Learn sword force through the training of the Four Symbols Flowing Sword.”

It was the moment the path was decided.

**

To learn the Four Symbols Flowing Sword, the closest person was by all means Senior Brother Myeong-hun. However, who was the person with the deepest mastery of the Four Symbols Flowing Sword in the Wudang Sect?

‘Immortal Im-won, Leader of the Prosperity Star Unit.’

Except for the Greedy Wolf Unit, the Seven Stars Units of the True Martial Pavilion all had their own martial arts that they focused on learning.

The Literary Star Unit had the Two Polarities Patterned Sword.

The Martial Star Unit had the Three Absolutes Desolate Sword.

And so on.

Of course, belonging to a certain unit did not mean that one had to learn only that martial art, but since it was the martial art that all the surrounding fellow disciples learned, the unit that focused on that martial art was also the one with the deepest mastery of it.

The Prosperity Star Unit was the unit that focused on learning the Four Symbols Flowing Sword.

In addition, Immortal Im-won was one of the Nine Swords of Wudang, just like my master.

He was an ultra-high expert who could single-handedly face the leaders of the Six Great Evils, such as the terrifying Great Sage Who Overturns Seas or the Dark Shadow Blood Lord of the Dawn Sky Blood Cult.

Although I knew he was a busy person because of that, the reason I could muster the courage to visit him was.

-I heard you entered sword studies? If you are curious about anything regarding the Four Symbols Flowing Sword, ask anytime. The Unit Leader also said to come anytime if you are curious about swordsmanship.

It was thanks to the message from the senior brother of the Prosperity Star Unit who welcomed me when I returned to the True Martial Pavilion.

‘Since the Unit Leader told me to come if I am curious.’

I visited the training ground of the True Martial Pavilion’s Prosperity Star Unit with a light yet slightly trembling heart.

“Oh? Bringer of Chaos? What brings you here?”

“Did you come because you are curious about the sword? Welcome.”

I received the warm welcome of my senior brothers and sisters with whom I had become familiar through my life in the True Martial Pavilion. And in the meantime.

“So you are Senior Brother Gangwon’s disciple.”

A middle-aged Taoist with a gentle impression welcomed me.

It was Immortal Im-won, who was known to have the deepest mastery of the Wudang Sect’s Four Symbols Flowing Sword.

“I heard from my senior brother. You are entering the Four Symbols Flowing Sword?”

“Yes. My master told me it is the sword technique most similar to the Tai Chi Sword Manual that I am currently practicing.”

“You are practicing the Tai Chi Sword Manual? The Tai Chi Sword Manual is an incomplete sword manual.”

“That is why he told me to enter all of the Wudang Sect’s Five Great Sword Studies. Among them, the Four Symbols Flowing Sword is the very first.”

At my words, Immortal Im-won nodded as if satisfied with something.

“Using the Four Symbols Flowing Sword to build a foundation. Right. The basis of Wudang’s swordsmanship is the Four Symbols Flowing Sword of our Prosperity Star Unit. That is a good idea.”

Simultaneously with Immortal Im-won’s proud words, a wooden sword was grasped in my hand before I knew it.

A senior brother of the Prosperity Star Unit had brought it to me.

And then, before I knew it, my senior brothers and sisters gathered around me and were looking at Immortal Im-won with sparkling eyes.

At that sight, Immortal Im-won spoke in a somewhat fabricated tone.

“Ahem. What are you trying to achieve by watching your young junior brother’s martial arts training? You must focus on your own training.”

‘What is this? This awkward way of speaking?’

In addition, what about the words of the Prosperity Star Unit’s senior brothers and sisters?

“No, Unit Leader. Still, it is the Bringer of Chaos who is training.”

“Can we not watch the training of the number one talent of the Wudang Sect for a bit?”

It was even more awkward.

As if they were performing a rehearsed sparring match.

**

Myeong-gyun, a disciple belonging to the Prosperity Star Unit, was awkward with this play he had never performed before, but he steeled his heart at the words of his master, Immortal Im-won.

-We might be able to bring the Bringer of Chaos to our Prosperity Star Unit.

Hearing Immortal Im-won’s words, the disciples were all excited.

It was Yeon Baek-jung, who was picked as the greatest talent of the current Wudang Sect.

It was a feeling that anyone who had set foot in martial studies would want to keep him close.

‘It is indeed nonsensical that the Greedy Wolf Unit monopolizes him all by itself.’

That the internal energy of the Greedy Wolf Unit disciples who practiced the internal cultivation art created by Yeon Baek-jung had risen rapidly was a fact already widely known within the Wudang Sect.

It was a True Martial Pavilion where even disciples who had already entered the Supreme Clarity Mind Art relearning the Primal Chaos Tai Chi Art created by Yeon Baek-jung spread like a trend.

But such a Yeon Baek-jung was rolling into the Prosperity Star Unit like a lucky find?

It was something that could not be missed.

‘We must give the impression that the Prosperity Star Unit is a better unit than the Greedy Wolf Unit!’

Therefore.

Myeong-gyun spoke with all sincerity.

“Can we not watch the training of the number one talent of the Wudang Sect for a bit?”

We welcome you.

It was a line delivered with all his heart and devotion so that such feelings would be transmitted as much as possible.

**

‘They want to share my training session.’

Even though they were senior brothers and sisters of the Prosperity Star Unit who already had deep mastery of the Four Symbols Flowing Sword, there was no other reason to think they would act this way.

And such a thing.

‘Is not a bad thing.’

If they were senior brothers and sisters of the Prosperity Star Unit with deep mastery in the Four Symbols Flowing Sword, they would have plenty of advice to give while watching my training.

Rather, it was a welcome thing.

“You have probably already practiced the Four Symbols Flowing Sword for a long time, senior brothers and sisters. Since you could give advice to me, who is just entering, how about we train together?”

At my words, the senior brothers and sisters of the Prosperity Star Unit moved in perfect order and took their formations.

Of course, the one who stood at the very front and center was me.

‘Uh.’

Although it was a bit burdensome, since this was the place where my figure was most visible.

‘Since I am so visible, they will probably give me a lot of advice, right?’

With anticipation, I lifted the wooden sword.

The training that began in this way reminded me of the moments I had practiced Tai Chi Chuan on the Prince Slope in the past, making me feel like I had returned to my initial state.

Thus, I listened closely to what Immortal Im-won was saying.

“The main purpose of the Four Symbols Flowing Sword’s stances is to respond to the opponent’s sword technique based on a soft routine, while simultaneously utilizing sword qi to corner the opponent.”

“The basic oral formula is Stars Flowing in Arc Paths, Heavy Celestial Bodies Redirecting the Flow…”

‘Mm?!’

I could not help but be astonished by the picture that was naturally drawn in my head along with the oral formula.

Because the picture drawn through the basic oral formula of the Four Symbols Flowing Sword was.

‘Could it be… swing-by?!’

Because it was a state-of-the-art method of exploring the universe at the edge of the sky in the butterfly dream.