Chapter 30 : Chapter 30

Chapter 30. Overwhelmingly (1)

Mount Hua Sect of the distant past.

Before parting with the Sword Saint, the Shadowless Divine Thief spoke.

“I will test it. Whether the righteousness and chivalry that martial artists shout with their mouths so much are just empty shells? Or if it is their sincerity.”

“Must you really do so?”

To the Sword Saint speaking regretfully, the Shadowless Divine Thief spoke as if he could yield no more.

“Even if the True Master dissuades me, there can be no more concession than this.”

“Infinite Life Buddha……. Regrettable. Too regrettable.”

To the Shadowless Divine Thief who did not bend his will, the Sword Saint spoke.

“If, by chance, someone who gives an answer satisfying your test appears, what will you do?”

“Then I will also lay down my resentment.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes. But probably, such a thing will not happen.”

* * *

The Shadowless Divine Thief was convinced.

That martial artists would never pass his test.

Although he opened his heart to the Sword Saint’s sincere persuasion, there could be no other such person among martial artists.

“I definitely thought so…….”

He had no choice but to admit it.

The sincerity of that man who willingly broke his dantian himself in exchange for relieving his resentment.

The Shadowless Divine Thief looked intently at Han Cheong-un and spoke.

“I want to hear your name once again.”

At those words, Han Cheong-un bowed politely and spoke.

“I am called Cheong-un of the Han family, serving as the Sect Leader of the Ultimate Path Gate.”

The Shadowless Divine Thief nodded calmly and looked.

“I will remember it.”

And as he moved his hand in the air, something came out from inside the treasure pile of the Secret Cave.

It was an old pouch about the size of a fist.

“Please accept it.”

“Elder? Is this surely?”

“It seems you know what it is.”

“…….”

“It is something I don't need anymore. So please use it usefully.”

Han Cheong-un smiled brightly.

He was just worrying about how to find this anyway. But he didn't know the Shadowless Divine Thief would find it for him like this.

“Time to go now.”

The thought form of the Shadowless Divine Thief was fading more and more.

He accepted his fate with a relieved expression.

At his liberated appearance, no longer captive to kindness or vengeance, Han Cheong-un bowed politely again and spoke.

“I will not forget Senior Shadowless Divine Thief’s kindness.”

“Shadowless Divine Thief…….”

He laughed.

And he spoke.

“That is not my name.”

The body of the Shadowless Divine Thief disappeared slowly.

But on his lips, a faint but clear smile hung.

And he spoke.

“Now if my soul ascends to the nine heavens, my family will call my real name.”

With those words as the last, he disappeared completely.

* * *

After the Shadowless Divine Thief disappeared.

Han Cheong-un spoke with a faint expression.

“Eventually, the Shadowless Divine Thief might just have wanted to put down the burden called resentment because it was heavy.”

Han Cheong-un continued speaking.

“That is what resentment is. Once shouldered, one cannot easily put it down by one’s own will.”

He continued speaking.

“Crushed by resentment and bound by solitude……. Eventually, revenge only makes oneself unhappy.”

Han Cheong-un continued speaking with an earnest voice.

“So we grant forgiveness and tolerance…….”

“Sect Leader.”

“Yes?”

“Stop talking bullshit and raise your hands properly.”

“Um……. For now, I am the Sect Leader?”

“Do you want to bang your head?”

“……No.”

Ah, for reference, right now Han Cheong-un is kneeling and raising both hands above his head.

All the bullshit he said came out in this state.

“There is a limit to crazy acts.”

Dang Jin continued speaking with an expression saying just thinking about it makes him angry.

“You break your dantian? Huh?”

“That is, umm…….”

“What crazy guy in the world breaks his dantian? Huh?”

“If we look, wouldn't there be one?”

“Aaah?”

“No, I’m saying there was a reason for it all.”

“Why? Surely, is it that you knew it was all a test in an illusion and actually thought it was okay, so you broke it?”

“……Of course.”

At the answer that came out a beat late, Dang Jin looked at Baek Sua.

Then Baek Sua bent her waist in front of Han Cheong-un and met his eyes.

“…….”

“…….”

Two people looking intently at each other.

And Baek Sua spoke.

“It is a lie.”

“Damn Dragon Eye…….”

“You are the damn one. You damn Sect Leader bastard!”

It is a total mess.

Actually, it is understandable that Dang Jin is angry.

Even if it is to relieve the Shadowless Divine Thief’s resentment, who would have known he would actually break his dantian?

Until the very moment Han Cheong-un broke his dantian himself, Dang Jin was thinking ‘No way. Probably not.’

But…….

“Damn, I feel like going back to the clan. Why did I follow a nutjob?”

“No! If you go, I’m in trouble.”

“Then promise.”

“Promise what?”

“Promise not to do such crazy acts again.”

“Good. I promise.”

The answer popped out immediately.

And…….

“It is a lie again.”

Verification followed immediately.

“Hey, you crazy bastard!”

“Young Mistress Baek, do you really have to do this?”

“Just die. You damn Sect Leader bastard!”

While such chaos was happening…….

“What are you doing?”

Uninvited guests arrived at the entrance of the Secret Cave.

‘Ah, they came faster than I thought.’

They were Mount Hua’s Elder Hyun Myeong and other first-class disciples.

At their appearance, Han Cheong-un made an expression saying what was bound to come has come rather than being surprised.

“Have you come?”

“Yes. By the way……. Did you guys pass all the gates of the Secret Cave by yourselves just now?”

Hyun Myeong saw the broken traps and Jiangshi corpses on the way after discovering the entrance.

At his words, Han Cheong-un shrugged his shoulders and spoke.

“Yes. While doing it, it turned out like that.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Hyun Myeong nodded and seemed to think of something.

Then…….

“You have worked hard. Leave it to me from here.”

He said such bullshit.

Han Cheong-un, rather than being surprised at that bullshit, made a face saying ‘As expected’ and spoke to him.

“Elder. Leave it from here, what do you mean to leave?”

“The items in the Shadowless Divine Thief’s Secret Cave are items entangled with the kindness and vengeance of each sect.”

“Right. So?”

“If an individual possesses them carelessly, room for dispute may arise. So it is right to entrust them to the Alliance and make a fair classification.”

In short, he will take everything in the name of the Murim Alliance.

At Hyun Myeong’s shameless words, the other disciples behind turned their heads with awkward expressions.

It seemed even they thought this was a bit wrong.

Seeing that appearance, Han Cheong-un smirked and spoke.

“Elder. I cannot follow those words.”

“What?”

“The ones who conquered this Secret Cave are our Ultimate Path Gate’s two people and Mount Hua Sect’s Young Mistress Baek Sua.”

“So?”

“I don’t know if Mount Hua claims ownership? Why must I entrust the rights of this Secret Cave to the Murim Alliance?”

“What? Are you saying you cannot trust the Murim Alliance?”

“Yes.”

At the answer that popped out too easily, Hyun Myeong was rather flustered.

But from Han Cheong-un’s position…….

‘I was loyal for decades, rolled in the war as ordered, established merits, and eliminated the Eight Gates of the Evil Way, but you locked me in prison. But trust that?’

In the first place, there was no reason to hesitate.

“Am I crazy to trust the Murim Alliance?”

“What?”

“It is nothing. Keuhmm, anyway…….”

Han Cheong-un straightened his posture and spoke to Hyun Myeong.

“I have already finished talking with the Sect Leader of Mount Hua about how to divide the items resulting from conquering the Shadowless Divine Thief’s Secret Cave.”

“…….”

“Surely you wouldn't not know that, right?”

Of course, he knew.

The promise regarding the conquest of the Shadowless Divine Thief’s Secret Cave was like this.

1. The Purple Mist Divine Sword is to be the property of the Mount Hua Sect.

2. The Ultimate Path Gate can also claim ownership of just a single item.

3. Items other than that are divided exactly fifty-fifty.

It was a simple but rational promise.

Although it is the Sect Leader of Mount Hua and the Sect Leader Han Cheong-un of the Ultimate Path Gate, which is so small it hasn't even made its name known in the Jianghu yet, this was a treaty formally made by the heads of both sects.

This…….

“Surely you do not intend to deny it, do you?”

There was a smile on Han Cheong-un’s face saying so.

Right. This is a checkmate.

Would a person called an Elder of Mount Hua raise an objection to the decision of the Mount Hua Sect Leader?

Unless he is crazy, how can he…….

“I cannot accept that.”

“He’s crazy.”

“What did you say?”

“No, sorry……. Ah, honestly I am not sorry. Do you even know what you said yourself right now, Elder?”

“…….”

“Elder, holding the status of an Elder of Mount Hua, you have just denied the authority of the Mount Hua Sect Leader.”

“…….”

“Are you certain that the words you just said are not a slip of the tongue or empty words, but a decision made by Elder’s will indeed?”

At Han Cheong-un’s words, Hyun Myeong ground his teeth inwardly.

‘Wicked guy.’

Honestly, this is a reckless move.

As long as he holds the status of an Elder of Mount Hua, directly denying the authority of the Sect Leader is a serious crime corresponding to deceiving the master and destroying the ancestors.

However…….

‘It can’t be helped.’

The Shadowless Divine Thief’s Secret Cave was of a scale beyond imagination.

Gold, silver, and treasures piled up in a heap.

Divine weapons and marvelous instruments organized and hanging well on the walls.

Medicine bottles and medicinal herbs scattered here and there are also clearly extraordinary items.

If it is wealth of this level, it would be wealth comparable to ten years of the Murim Alliance’s finances.

But hand over half of this to greenhorns like that?

‘No. It cannot happen.’

This must be taken to the Murim Alliance.

And if he makes this merit his own, he will be able to exercise great political power in the process of electing the next Alliance Leader.

But how can he give that up?

Hyun Myeong looked straight at Han Cheong-un and spoke.

“You stop being stubborn.”

Hyun Myeong’s tone became a little softer.

“I am being stubborn, you say?”

“In the first place, if you take this alone, there is a higher probability it will become a disaster rather than a blessing.”

“…….”

“I will recommend a merit to the Alliance in your name. Then the Alliance will also grant a big reward. Perhaps…….”

“Perhaps what?”

Hyun Myeong looked once at the gazes of the disciples beside him, then sighed and spoke as if resigned.

“Wouldn't that friend, Hyun Won, also be able to evaluate you a bit more highly?”

This was the hidden card of a single word Hyun Myeong brought out with difficulty.

True Master Cheongheo, Hyun Won.

The Sect Leader of Wudang and a likely figure for the next Murim Alliance Leader.

Hyun Myeong is mistaking Han Cheong-un as an existence connected to him.

So he was certain this word would work right now.

‘He must have been greedy, momentarily blinded by the treasures of the Secret Cave. Still, if he is a guy who knows his position, he will come to his senses.’

So thought Hyun Myeong.

However…….

“Hyun Won? Ahh……. You mean True Master Cheongheo, the Sect Leader of the Wudang Sect?”

Han Cheong-un picked his ear and spoke as if annoyed.

And blowing on the finger that dug out the earwax with his mouth, he spoke.

“What do I care? That kind of human.”

Instantly, Hyun Myeong’s expression hardened stiffly.

And Han Cheong-un spoke with a smile floating on his lips.

“But why does the name of the Wudang Sect Leader come out of the mouth of Elder Hyun Myeong, an Elder of Mount Hua?”

“Wh…… What?”

“No, if you think about it, isn't it strange? You will recommend me to the Sect Leader of the Wudang Sect? To the Sect Leader of the Wudang Sect, not the Mount Hua Sect?”

“…….”

“This is as if there is a close relationship between the Elder of Mount Hua and the Sect Leader of the Wudang Sect…….”

“Won’t you shut that mouth?!”

Hyun Myeong screaming in anger.

His face had turned red as if caught on fire.

Factions and political checks within the Murim Alliance are actually facts everyone knows.

But saying that openly in front of disciples was a great shame for him too.

Actually, isn't the uncomfortable feeling evident in the expressions of the disciples beside him?

‘How dare…….’

Hyun Myeong ground his teeth audibly and spoke.

“Do you dare try to insult an Elder of the Great Mount Hua Sect?”

“Insult……. Haha…….”

“What is funny?”

It is funny. It has to be funny.

In the past, every time they yelled like this once, he bowed his head, apologized, and yielded.

He thought that if one is a righteous martial artist, one generally had to observe hierarchy, and that talking back carelessly to what a superior says is not proper manners, regardless of right or wrong.

So whenever they asserted authority putting hierarchy forward, he bowed and obeyed if possible.

But…….

“It was really pathetic.”

“What?”

“Just saying. Now that the bean pod has peeled off my eyes, the world is new.”

“Just what nonsense is this?”

Huung!

Han Cheong-un lifted the spear and aimed it at Hyun Myeong.

And he spoke.

“Small talk ends here.”

“…….”

“It seems an appropriate compromise won’t come out with words. So…….”

Han Cheong-un’s tone changed.

He treated the opponent as a superior with honorifics until now, but now he discarded those honorifics.

Then…….

“As the Sect Leader of the Ultimate Path Gate, I challenge Hyun Myeong, an Elder of Mount Hua.”

“What?”

“Since opinions are not unified, is there a choice? Like a martial artist, we have no choice but to settle it with martial arts…….”

“Ha…… Hahahaha…….”

Hyun Myeong was dumbfounded.

Just what is this fledgling saying right now?

A young child who hasn't lived half, no, a quarter of his life, dares to duel him?

Even accepting this is a disgrace.

“It is absurd. Yun Sang!”

“Yes. Elder.”

“Force that young guy to his knees.”

“M…… Me?”

“No, you guys do it.”

“…….”

“What are you doing? Can you not receive an order?”

“Elder. I am…….”

Yun Sang hesitated.

Honestly, this is shameful.

Whoever looks at it, the one being unreasonable was Elder Hyun Myeong, and following his instruction is going against the Sect Leader’s will.

However…….

“Yun Sang! Are you daring to go against the sect’s hierarchy?”

Even if he gives a wrong order, Hyun Myeong is an Elder of Mount Hua.

Yun Sang sighed and walked forward.

“Junior Brothers, come out.”

“Yes.”

Eventually, it is like this.

He had no choice but to be a disciple of Mount Hua.

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