Chapter 52 : Chapter 52

Chapter 52: The Alliance Leader and the Grand Marshal

“You, have you learned the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art?”

Since sad premonitions are never wrong, I knew that Singija's question was not a question. It was merely a confirmation process laced with certainty.

I understood that the hidden projectile thrown by the Emperor Breaker was not intended to harm me, but to confirm whether I had achieved this Dancheon Golden Body.

“……”

In truth, I would say that I had always considered it. The situation where someone would find out that I had learned the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art.

This was due to several circumstances.

First, I couldn't hide the fact that I, who had just passed my coming-of-age, had reached the State of Harmony.

Not only was it impossible to overcome the numerous crises I faced by just hiding, but it also did not align with my path of gaining fame to reach the pinnacle of the world.

There was also the point that the number of people who knew I possessed the Immaculate Pomegranate had reached ten.

Although I had only revealed the existence of the Immaculate Pomegranate to those I could trust, I knew it had become difficult to call it a secret anymore.

From the perspective of someone who has handled information, I was not naive enough to make the foolish mistake of classifying information known by more than ten people as a secret.

The biggest reason stemmed from the fact that the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art was a more widely disclosed martial art than I thought.

I knew the reason why the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art, the world's greatest secret art, was treated as mere high-grade information in the Beggar's Gang was that the number of its manuscripts discovered in the Jianghu Murim already well exceeded a hundred copies.

It seemed the Healing Sage had really wanted to leave a successor.

Anyway, if someone were to notice that I had learned the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art, I had always thought the first one would undoubtedly be Singija.

The reason was that Singija was the person who knew the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art best in the current Murim.

-If you master the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art, you will rise to become the greatest under the heavens.

I was well aware that the person who had made such a public declaration after researching and analyzing the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art more deeply than anyone else was none other than the Grand Marshal of the Murim Alliance, Singija.

In other words, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe the current situation as inevitable.

It was just that I had encountered Singija earlier than expected.

“Are you exercising your right to remain silent?”

“……”

It wasn't something like a right to remain silent, but that I didn't know what to answer.

However, I knew that the current situation was not a big problem.

While not answering an elder's question would be impolite, if it was about the origin of one's martial arts, it would be the questioner who was being rude.

I knew that my attitude could be accepted as normal.

“I see.”

However, both Singija and I knew, so I couldn't deny the fact that silence often meant affirmation.

“My apologies. I committed a rudeness because I couldn't contain my curiosity.”

Seeing Singija say that with a faint smile, I knew he had finished his confirmation.

In truth, the question was unnecessary.

Would he have thrown such a murderous hidden projectile at me if he wasn't fairly certain?

“I won't ask you to answer. I have a story that I spun from my imagination through guesses and deductions, would you like to hear it?”

My head nodded on its own.

“Please tell me.”

Wasn't spinning tales of imagination to connect the missing links of information the greatest amusement for informants?

As someone who had lived the life of Myeong-gae, I just couldn't turn away from such an interesting story.

“First, you must have obtained the Immaculate Pomegranate. The location was probably Mount Tianzhong in Henan?”

I knew that the question 'How did you know?' was meaningless.

Whether by chance or fate, he must have deduced it after discovering my tracks there. There was no reason to lower my evaluation with a low-level question.

“You must have obtained the Azure Scale Elixir through the Rogues’ Guild. You probably made contact through the Flower Moon Pavilion, right?”

This too was surprisingly close to the truth.

It has been three years since I formed a connection with Yeo-wol and Ma Sok, so I knew it wouldn't be strange for it to have been captured by his information network.

“I don't know where you obtained the Vermilion Fruit. However, I guess you got it before attending the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.”

Fortunately, it seemed he hadn't monitored my every move.

However, since the Vermilion Fruit caused external changes, I knew it wasn't a very difficult deduction.

Singija knew about the Immaculate Pomegranate of the First Stage: Body Reformation, the Azure Scale Elixir of the Second Stage: Golden Body, and the Vermilion Fruit of the Third Stage: Impenetrable.

It meant that there were many parts that could be deduced by tracing back, so I would say it was not a big surprise.

“Since your realm has pioneered the Spirit, I know you must have also obtained a ten-thousand-year-old elixir. However, since there are various types of ten-thousand-year-old elixirs, I don't know for sure.”

The fact that I had entered the State of Harmony was something the Emperor Breaker had witnessed firsthand, so I couldn't deny it.

“I suspect it might be related to the Heuksu Mun, but this is purely in the realm of imagination, so let's move on.”

This surprised me a little.

The reputation of the greatest strategist in Jianghu was not for nothing, as the deductions and imaginations he spun were indeed close to the truth.

Perhaps Singija was truly born with the qualities of an informant rather than a Grand Marshal.

That being said, there was no way Singija was a person rich only in imagination.

“And right now, in your possession, there must be a Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Snow Ginseng.”

Singija concluded his story, not hiding the fact that he was a person with definite information power.

“I won't ask whether your approach to the Ice Palace delegation was a coincidence or intentional. In the end, you were right.”

It was right to describe him as truly living up to his reputation.

The Grand Marshal of the Murim Alliance, Singija.

If he was the head of the Secret Pavilion where Myeong-gae had belonged during the Great War of Righteousness and Evil, he should be at least this capable.

However…….

There was a fact that even Singija, who seemed to know everything, couldn't possibly know.

“Truly a heavenly fortune……”

His murmur was correct.

How else could one describe me, a being who has taken several supreme elixirs, each of which is hard to encounter even once in a lifetime?

“You, what on earth is your identity?”

What could be read in his eyes right now was best described as intense curiosity.

“Perhaps, do you also possess spiritual eyes like the Healing Sage?”

I'm sorry, but.

“It's a secret.”

I couldn't tell you.

* * *

“Even if I were to intimidate you?”

Following curiosity, the emotion that took over Singija's eyes seemed to be a fighting spirit. A fighting spirit with a bit of displeasure and anger added to it.

However.

“You will not do that.”

He had chosen the wrong opponent. My insight was too profound to be fooled by such a clumsy act.

At my firmness, Singija couldn't hold back and let out a chuckle. It must have been from the embarrassment of his act being seen through so easily.

“Oh dear, my apologies. I underestimated you. I apologize.”

“I accept your apology.”

“Thank you.”

I knew the person named Singija.

Although it is said that humans inherently have a duplicitous side, the fact that Singija was a noble gentleman did not change.

Singija was not the type of person to use force to dig into my secrets.

Of course, he would probably mobilize all the information networks he had from now on to try and uncover my secrets.

“Kuhahaha. To think there's a day you get one-upped.”

Emperor Breaker Yeom Gi-ha, who was watching from the side, seemed excited as he laughed heartily and chimed in.

Singija's gaze turned to the Emperor Breaker, and though he said nothing special.

“Ahem.”

The Emperor Breaker quickly stifled his laughter.

I would say it was a scene that necessitated an update on the information regarding the hierarchical structure between the Murim Alliance's Grand Marshal and the Murim Alliance Leader.

Anyway, Emperor Breaker Yeom Gi-ha, who had only been observing since throwing the hidden projectile at me, stepped forward.

“Have you achieved the Fourth Stage?”

“Yes.”

At this point, they already knew too much information for me to bother hiding the truth.

“Follow me.”

Singija did not stop the Emperor Breaker's move, as if it had been agreed upon beforehand.

I had a foreboding feeling, but I couldn't refuse.

It was because I lacked both the standing and the power to defy the Murim Alliance Leader's words head-on.

As I followed behind Yeom Gi-ha, who was walking sluggishly like a loafer, the vast training ground of the Murim Alliance soon revealed its majesty.

“Follow me.”

Saying so, Yeom Gi-ha leaped into the middle of the training ground.

As I leaped to follow him, a scene was created where I was facing the Alliance Leader in the training ground.

“Hmm.”

I would say this was truly not good.

I had a foreboding feeling, and what followed was the conviction that this premonition would be true.

“Gija-ya.”

“I told you not to call me that in a public setting.”

“Grand Marshal.”

“Why do you call, Alliance Leader.”

“If the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art has reached the Fourth Stage, to what level can it be considered?”

After a moment of thought, Singija answered.

“If he has reached the Fourth Stage, he would have just blossomed his Spirit, so it would be right to see it as the beginning of the State of Harmony.”

Saying so, Singija looked at me for a moment and then continued.

“However, considering the efficacy of the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art, it would be difficult to see it as merely the beginning of the State of Harmony. I think it would not be lacking to consider it the level of a master of the State of Harmony.”

“Hoh.”

What was in Yeom Gi-ha’s expression resembled that of a child who had found an interesting toy, and it was colder than facing a ferocious killing intent.

“A realm I myself only set foot in after I passed twenty.”

When discussing the realm of a master of the State of Harmony, it was right to describe Yeom Gi-ha, who mentioned a mere twenty years of age, as a monster. Because I was well aware that he did not have a proper master.

“So, didn't I advise you long ago to try learning the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art?”

Singija chided him.

“That's why I asked for the Immaculate Pomegranate, didn't I?”

Yeom Gi-ha retorted, but.

“How can I give you something I don't have?”

“Hmph.”

Yeom Gi-ha could not win against Singija. At least, not with words.

However, this peaceful and heartwarming scene did not last long.

“Come at me.”

It was because Yeom Gi-ha’s interest had returned to me.

“Pardon?”

When I asked back, Yeom Gi-ha kindly explained.

“I will only use the power of the initial stage of the State of Harmony, so come at me.”

As he said that, Yeom Gi-ha’s killing intent exploded, making my skin tingle.

It was the first time I had faced such a thick and tangible killing intent, so I unknowingly clenched my fists.

“If you don't meet my expectations, you might really die, so I hope you do your best.”

The ferocity of a fierce tiger formed on his face, so it was right to think that refusal had been refused.

* * *

Whoong—

I saw a sword strike that seemed capable of felling Mount Tai in a single blow.

I couldn't die a violent death, so I quickly dodged.

Kwagwang!

The floor of the training ground, which I guessed was made of bluestone, was deeply gouged, so it seemed this was no joke.

“Quite something!”

If a starving beast reveals its ferocious killing intent, even if that beast is trapped in a cage, the knees of the onlooker will tremble. At least, that's how it is for an ordinary person.

If I were to express my current state of mind, it would be like that. It meant that I felt like I had become an ordinary person.

Jjeong!

“Keuk.”

Unable to withstand the tremendous force contained in Yeom Gi-ha’s Sword Flux, my body was pushed far back.

“Oh? You blocked this too?”

“……If I hadn't blocked that just now, my torso would have been split in two.”

“Guffaw. You blocked it, so that's what matters, isn't it?”

Thinking rationally, I knew that the Murim Alliance Leader Yeom Gi-ha would not kill me, yet my Dancheon Sword was already drawing out a vivid Sword Flux and blocking Yeom Gi-ha’s Sword Flux.

It was right to call this inevitable. Wasn't the survival instinct the very essence of inevitability?

Pat.

Yeom Gi-ha’s figure blurred and then disappeared. It was an afterimage technique pushed to its limit.

I had witnessed it in the showdown with the Demonic Emperor, and I would say it was truly fleeting.

I couldn't just be beaten helplessly, so my Stepping on Clouds Gait chased after his figure.

Jjeong!

My Sword Flux swiftly aimed for Yeom Gi-ha’s vitals.

“Oh, quite something.”

Since I was certain that he would absolutely not be hit by my sword strike, I felt truly free.

“Brace yourself.”

When else would I get to draw out my full strength like this?

Jjeong!

“Kuhaha. This is fun!”

Just like that, we exchanged over a hundred blows in an instant.

However…….

Kkang!

Cheok.

I couldn't possibly follow the subtleties of a Grandmaster.

Yeom Gi-ha’s blade was already placed next to my neck.

“Puhul. You, you just died.”

As if the killing intent from before was a lie, his blade resting next to my neck was as still as a butterfly landing on a flower.

It was a scene that reminded me of my memories with Uncle Yeo Baek after a long time.

“……I lost.”

I still had a long way to go.

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