Chapter 157
On a fine afternoon, three Sword Immortals visited the Baek Sword Sect at Shaoxing to help Baek Mu-Gun, who was the descendant of their savior, Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword Guyang Hwi. When Mu-Gun heard that they had come to the Baek Sword Sect, he stopped training and hurried over to see them.
Mu-Gun found the three Sword Immortals drinking tea in the living room. He couldnt help but feel glad to see the three Sword Immortals, who reminded him of faces of the past even though they had grown old. Showing no regard for their age, the three Sword immortals showed close friendship with Guyang Hwi despite already being in their fifties at the time. Guyang Hwi liked their character and broadmindedness, and he sincerely respected them. To honor that friendship, they came running over without hesitation to help Mu-Gun.
I am Baek Mu-Gun, the Baek Sword Sects Young Patriarch. It is an honor to meet you all, esteemed Sword Immortals. I sincerely thank you for your willingness to help me and our sect.
It is my first time seeing you today, Young Patriarch Baek, yet I already feel a sense of familiarity with you. Its as if I have known you for a long time, and I feel as if I am looking at the Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword. Is that because youre the Thunder Gods successor? The Taichi Sword Immortal, Supreme Elder Tae Heo, commented while looking at Mu-Gun, who gave off a familiar vibe.
That is the most likely answer. However, seeing that I, too, do not see the three esteemed Sword Immortals as strangers, we may have had a close relationship in my previous life.
A previous lifes relationship? What an interesting thing to say. Supreme Elder Tae Heo smiled.
Anyway, since you have introduced yourself, it is only proper that we introduce ourselves as well, Taiyi Sword Immortal Woon Jong-Hak said while looking at the other two Sword Immortals.
Clear Wind Sword Immortal Young Ho-Jung nodded. Thats true. I will go first.
However, before he could proceed, Mu-Gun quickly said, There is no need to do that. I already know quite a lot about the three of you.
Really?
Mu-Gun began to name them from left to right. Wudang Sects Taichi Sword Immortal and Supreme Elder Tae Heo, Mount Hua Sects Clear Wind Sword Immortal and Elder Young Ho-Jung, and Zongnan Sects Taiyi Sword Immortal and Elder Woon Jong-Hak.
You have a truly amazing information network, Young Patriarch Baek. You know not only our sects but even all our names, Ho-Jung said with a surprised look.
That was only natural. Mu-Gun still correctly guessed their names even though they only mentioned where they came from, not who they were. Considering they had been living in seclusion in their headquarters for quite some time now, his information network was truly amazing.
Mu-Gun immediately came up with an excuse. I learned about you three because I was interested in the martial arts masters of the previous generation.
I see. Anyway, on the way here, I heard that the Great Namgung Family and two other families were on their way to attack the Qingdao Sect. Do you know anything about that? Jong-Hak asked.
Not long ago, it was confirmed that the Qingdao Sect has been supplying goods to the headquarters of the Four Seas Gang, Mu-Gun explained.
The Nine Celestial Demons Sect is controlling the Four Seas Gang, so the Qingdao Sect is probably connected to them as well.
Exactly. The three families judged that the Qingdao Sect is a subordinate of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, and they are trying to punish them for it.
I wonder how the Nine Celestial Demons Sect will react. I doubt they will just sit by and watch, Jong-Hak said.
Considering the three families have mobilized a large army, the Nine Celestial Demons Sect will find it hard to do anything, Ho-Jung replied.
Or they could see this as an opportunity to wipe out the elite forces of the three families, Tae Heo immediately refuted.
What do you think, Young Patriarch Baek? Ho-Jung asked.
To know for sure, we first have to see how the forces of the Qingdao Sect and the three outlaw groups stationed at Black Spirit Island will react, Mu-Gun replied.
I see what you mean now. If they give up and run away, that means the Nine Celestial Demons Sect did not send any reinforcements. If they hold their ground, there is a high possibility that the Nine Celestial Demons Sect did.
That is correct.
If the latter happens, then the Nine Celestial Demons Sect likely would not attack this place for as long as the battle over there is still underway, Ho-Jung continued.
I am of the same opinion. Nevertheless, we should not let our guard down, Mu-Gun firmly said.
However, if the Nine Celestial Demons Sect sends reinforcement to the Qingdao Sect, the forces of the three families could fall into danger, Tae Heo said with a worried expression.
Wouldnt the three families have expected that before making a move? Jong-Hak replied, finding no need to worry.
I dont think so. Tae Heo shook his head. Since the three families have shown their cards first, the Nine Celestial Demons Sect can send forces strong enough to wipe them out if they decide to help.
Thats a good point. If so, then shouldnt we at least send reinforcement to the three families?
Tae Heo shook his head. We do not know how the Nine Celestial Demons Sect will act, so we cannot just recklessly send support. While we are gone, the Nine Celestial Demons Sect may target this place.
We should not let that happen.
The three Sword Immortals came out of retirement to protect Mu-Gun, the Thunder Gods successor. It would be great if they could help their allies, but they had to prioritize Mu-Guns safety.
I will figure out a solution for that issue, so you three should take a rest first. I will guide you to the residence where you can stay.
I heard that the Four Peerless Wanderers are here. Could you have us stay somewhere close to them? Ho-Jung requested.
The three Sword Immortals had a good relationship with the Four Peerless Wanderers, so they wanted to spend time with them if they could.
The place we prepared is actually near their residence. Elder Qiankun Hands and Elder Daybreak Swordmaster are also nearby, so Im sure you will not be bored during your stay here, Mu-Gun said.
Thanks to you, Young Patriarch Baek, we will be able to catch up with our old friends.
I am sure the venerable elders would be very happy to see you three as well. Please come this way.
Mu-Gun guided the three Sword Immortals to the residence prepared for them beforehand. Afterward, he immediately went to see Baek Cheon-Sang and reported to him that the three Sword Immortals had come to lend him a helping hand. Delighted by the news, Cheon-Sang immediately ordered a banquet to be prepared for the three Sword Immortals.
That same evening, a banquet was held to welcome the three Sword Immortals, during which Cheon-Sang thanked them for coming to support the Loyal Heart Alliance.
* * *
Mu-Gun agonized about the whole Qingdao Sect issue. The best way to handle it was for him to take matters into his own hands, but he could not rule out the possibility of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect attacking the Loyal Heart Alliance. For that reason, he could not personally take action.
What if I send the Specter Slayer King?
The Specter Slayer King crossed Mu-Guns mind. If the Specter Slayer King could defeat the Qingdao Sects two Absolute-Realm masters, the three families would not fall into danger even if the Nine Celestial Demons Sect sent reinforcements. The question was whether the Specter Slayer King could do that.
Even an Absolute-Realm master would find it difficult to detect the Specter Slayer King because of his Dark Specter Stealth Art. However, the Specter Slayer King would still have difficulties closing in on his target. Moreover, if he was discovered, he would have trouble exerting his full power. To avoid that, he needed a technique that could get him close to his opponent and kill them in a single blowwhich the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art was perfect for. The Specter Slayer King could assassinate even an Absolute-Realm master with ease if he had that martial art.
The Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art consisted of three techniques: the Specter Flash, Aerial Specter Flash, and Specter Damnation. Specter Flash discharged an intangible and silent vajra qi to kill the enemy, and it had an effective killing range of up to fifty feet. This was the technique that Mu-Gun demonstrated before the Specter Slayer King. Meanwhile, Aerial Specter Flash emitted up to eighteen rays of intangible and silent vajra qi. It also blocked all the spaces where the opponent could evade, giving it a higher chance of killing the opponent than the Specter Flash.
Finally, Specter Damnation could unleash a ray of intangible and silent vajra qi that the user could freely control, preventing anyone from dodging it. However, although it was an Absolute-Realm technique that could target even the heavens, it only theoretically existed. No one had actually been able to learn it.
Mu-Gun was no different. However, since he had the strongest sword artthe Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sword Artthere was no reason for him to cling to the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art. Nevertheless, although he had no intention to, he could probably unlock Specter Damnation if he put his mind to mastering the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art.
Mu-Gun considered teaching the Specter Slayer King the first technique of the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art. Doing so would allow him to take advantage of the Specter Slayer King in a more useful way, and it would also make him more proactive in carrying out his orders. After giving it some thought, Mu-Gun ultimately decided to teach the Specter Flash to the Specter Slayer King. Hence, he visited him at the Silver Star Manor.
Do you have an order for me? the Specter Slayer King asked when he saw Mu-Gun.
Wouldnt it be better to do something than spend time meaninglessly in a place like this? Mu-Gun commented.
What do you want me to do, then?
I want you to get rid of the Qingdao Sects Absolute-Realm masters.
You either think too highly of me or are trying to send me to deaths door.
If I wanted to kill you, I already would have done so a long time ago with a far more efficient method, Mu-Gun said firmly.
You really think I can assassinate the Qingdao Sects Absolute Realm masters?
Honestly, I doubt it.
If so, then what should I make of your command?
If I teach you the first technique of the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art, it should be doable. What do you think? Mu-Gun offered.
You want me to assassinate the Qingdao Sects two Absolute-Realm masters in exchange for that?
I did not say it so ambiguously that you have to clarify that.
I am simply surprised to hear that you are willing to pass down the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art to me so easily. The Specter Slayer King sounded shocked.
Whats your decision?
You are asking me the obvious. I will accept your proposition.
You wont go back on your words after I teach it to you, will you? Mu-Gun said in doubt.
What I want is the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Arts entire scripture, not just one of its techniques. Dont worry, I will not betray you at least not until I get my hands on the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art.
It will do you good to keep your word. I dont want to be forced to kill you before you can even get to use what Ill teach you, Mu-Gun warned.
That is not going to happen, so pass it down to me already, the Specter Slayer King urged Mu-Gun.
Teaching the Specter Slayer King the first technique of the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art made Mu-Gun realize that the Specter Slayer King had quite an outstanding comprehension ability. Befitting its remarkable power, the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art was a profound and difficult martial art to learn. It was hard to properly understand, let alone learn.
Nevertheless, after listening to its scriptures once, the Specter Slayer King immediately understood it. Mu-Gun was deeply impressed by his comprehension ability, which was much better than he had expected, but he also became increasingly vigilant of him. The moment the Specter Slayer King obtained all the scriptures of the Heavenly Spectral Assassin Sword Art, he would be on the level of a Grim Reaper, which meant there would be no one he could not kill if he put his mind to it. Mu-Gun had no intention of watching him control the fates of numerous martial arts masters with the martial arts he taught him.
Mu-Gun could think of two ways to prevent that. He could either make the Specter Slayer King his subordinate by making him completely submit or eliminate him along with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. Considering the Specter Slayer King would never become his subordinate, he only had one realistic optionand he was more than willing to execute it.
After finishing his business, Mu-Gun returned to the Baek Sword Sect and immediately visited Dan Seol-Young to use the Heavenly Secret Halls information network to inform the three families heading to Qingdao Sect that he had a way to eliminate the Qingdao Sects Absolute-Realm masters and to ask them to stop advancing and wait for a while.
In response, the three families had a discussion about it and ultimately decided to follow Mu-Guns instructions. They would have ignored it if it came from any other person, but he was the Thunder Gods successor.
Although they did not know what method Mu-Gun would use, they thought that they would not lose anything anyway for as long as it could eliminate the Qingdao Sects Absolute-Realm masters. As the three families stopped their advance, the Specter Slayer King shook off the dissuasion of his subordinates and headed to Qingdao alone.
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