Chapter 21
In the meantime, Baek Cheon-Ung and Baek Mu-Ok returned to the Maritime Defense Base from the Guangdong Jin Family.
“Traveling such a long distance had to have been difficult. You did a great job too, Mu-Ok.” Baek Mu-Gun welcomed them warmly.
“It was nothing. How did our raid on the Sea Dragon Gang’s base turn out?” Cheon-Ung asked as soon as he saw Mu-Gun, having heard from Mu-Ok earlier that they were going to attack the Sea Dragon Gang.
“The Sea Dragon Gang no longer exists.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Ak Gun-Hyo, the Sea Dragon Gang Leader, is dead. Most of its members also fell in battle. We handed those who survived over to the magistrate's office.”
“That’s delightful news. It feels as if I cleared ten-year-long indigestion. Did you play an active role again this time?”
“I killed the Sea Dragon Gang Leader,” Mu-Gun responded as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“Alone?”
“Yes.”
“Haha. I was already aware you possess excellent martial arts, yet I still can’t help but be surprised by the fact that you’re strong enough to defeat that man.”
“I’m still lacking in many parts. Anyway, what did the Guangdong Jin Family say about this whole situation?”
“They just found it strange when we said we were going to just go back, but they didn’t say anything else.”
“Did the Guangdong Jin Family say that they would kindly help us?”
“What do you mean kindly help us? They delayed as much as they could and dragged out their decision. They were probably hoping for some return,” Cheon-Ung said with a look of disgust.
“It’s just as I had expected. I’m glad things turned out well, though.”
“All thanks to you. Everything seems to be going smoothly now that you’re firmly upholding your position as the Baek Sword Sect’s first young master.”
“How is all this because of me? This was only possible because of my father and uncles’ perseverance.”
“All my brothers and I did was protect the sect. Unlike us, you took matters into your own hands. If it weren’t for you, the Baek Sword Sect never would’ve been able to eradicate the Sea Dragon Gang. You’re the one who led us forward.”
“You’re praising me too much, uncle.”
“No. You have every right to be praised this much.”
“Thank you.”
“You should go back to the family residence in Wenzhou. I should be enough to keep this place intact.”
“Are you sure?”
“A person bound for great things shouldn’t waste time here.”
“Then I’ll take you up on that offer.”
Accepting Cheon-Ung’s goodwill, Mu-Gun decided to return home. It was no longer necessary to stay at the Maritime Defense Base anyway now that they had eradicated Sea Dragon Gang.
Returning to Wenzhou and reforming the Baek Sword Corps was a much more urgent task. He immediately packed his belongings and left. The next day, he arrived at the Wenzhou Harbor safely and disembarked from the ship.
The Wenzhou Harbor was teeming with people loading and unloading the ships with their belongings. As he observed his surroundings, Mu-Gun found a carriage parked on one side of the harbor. A flag bearing the Eun Merchant Group’s sigil hung from it.
The Eun Merchant Group was a Wenzhou-based group that conducted maritime trade. They were once in talks of marriage with the Baek Sword Sect. However, it was voided when Mu-Gun suffered from qi deviation.
“I think her name was Eun Ye-Sang.”
Mu-Gun recalled the lady of the Eun Merchant Group who was supposed to be in an arranged marriage with him. Though there were plans for marriage, he had never seen her in person. He heard she was quite the beauty, but he didn’t believe the rumors.
Mu-Gun nonchalantly moved on. There was no reason for him to waste time on the voided arranged marriage. There was nothing about it, in particular, to feel regretful toward. He left the harbor and headed to the Baek Sword Sect headquarters.
“Welcome back.”
Their patriarch, Baek Cheon-Sang, came out to greet Mu-Gun in person when the latter arrived. Having heard that Mu-Gun played an active part in the battle against the Sea Dragon Gang, he personally welcomed Mu-Gun back home to express his joy.
“Why did you come out personally?”
“Baek Sword Sect’s hero has returned. It is only natural that I come out personally to greet him.”
“Referring to me as a hero is excessive.”
“If you’re not hailed as a hero for destroying the Sea Dragon Gang, which had been pestering the Baek Sword Sect for the past decade, then who else could be? Recovering your martial arts is already amazing in itself, yet you also showed such remarkable performance. This father of yours is extremely delighted.”
“Knowing you’re happy gladdens me, Father.”
“Haha! Let’s go inside.”
Cheon-Sang personally led Mu-Gun to the White Sword Pavilion, where the former performed his duties. The two sat in the White Sword Pavilion’s reception room and had a conversation over tea, which their servants prepared.
“I want to hear in detail about your fight with the Sea Dragon Gang. Is that okay with you?”
“Didn’t you already receive a report?”
“I did. Still, I want to hear about it directly from you.”
“Alright then.”
Mu-Gun told his father about what happened from the day he left the Dongtou Maritime Defense Base. Cheon-Sang became immersed in Mu-Gun’s story, then amazed by how Mu-Gun defeated the Sea Dragon Gang Leader.
“Hoho. Who would’ve thought the qi deviation you suffered from would turn out to be a blessing in disguise? It could be improper of me to say this, but the despair and frustration you experienced over the past three years are now being rewarded with great fortune.”
“I’d rather not go through that again, even if it meant getting this blessing a second time.”
“I also don’t want to see you suffer like that again, so don’t ever forget the mistakes of that time. Cultivate your martial arts in moderation. Advancing your martial prowess certainly is important, but your well-being takes precedence over it.”
“I'll keep that in mind.”
“On another note, I’ll appoint you as the Baek Sword Sect’s young patriarch in a few days. Prepare accordingly. Considering your recent achievements, no one will disagree with this decision. ”
“Understood. I also have a proposal to put forward,” Mu-Gun brought up what had been on his mind.
“A proposal?”
“It’s about the Baek Sword Corps.”
“Tell me.”
“I’ll be blunt. I think the Baek Sword Corps has too many members that aren’t of any use to the Baek Sword Sect. Our sect's growth and influence certainly is important, but the sect’s internal stability should have priority over it. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to reform the Baek Sword Corps.”
“Elaborate.”
“I’d like to conduct a comprehensive physical strength and martial prowess inspection on the Baek Sword Corps’ members to determine which ones are qualified to be under our ranks. Those who do not meet our standards will be dismissed. I also propose that this inspection be conducted periodically and consistently rather than just being a one-time occurrence.”
“To sum it up, you want the Baek Sword Crops to be comprised of only the best,” Cheon-Sang concluded.
“Yes. Numbers don’t mean much to masters above the Peak Realm unless their martial prowess has reached a certain level.”
“Hmm, you’re not wrong. However, continuously inspecting our forces will likely evoke a lot of opposition from them. I’m worried that would push our talented resources to leave.”
“Ranking and paying them a monthly wage according to their skills should prevent that from happening.”
“You want to rank our warriors?” Cheon-Sang asked.
“We can divide them into four ranks: Low, Intermediate, Advanced, and Special. The Low-ranked warriors will receive the basic monthly wage, and those ranked Intermediate and Advanced will respectively receive twice and thrice that amount. As for the Special-ranked warriors, they will receive four times the basic monthly wage.
“I see what you’re trying to say. However, raising their monthly wages that way will likely cause financial problems.”
“It’ll be difficult for more than half of the current members to pass the inspection anyway. We can simply redirect the monthly wages of those who failed to those who passed to avoid any huge financial changes.”
“Assuming that to be the case, it’s still uncertain whether the warriors can grow stronger just because of higher monthly wages. I agree with you that they will certainly spare no effort in attempting to progress through the ranks, but effort alone isn’t enough to improve one’s martial prowess.”
“The limitations of the Baek Sword Corps’ martial arts worry you,” Mu-Gun remarked.
“Yes. This is shameful to admit, but the 19 Clear Moon Blades have clear limitations. Even if it is possible to overcome those through a combination of talent and effort, that means only exceptional people can achieve such a feat. Generally speaking, it is difficult to advance past the first-rate realm with the 19 Clear Moon Blades. With that sword art, it is unlikely for the Baek Sword Corps members to become elites simply through an increase in monthly wages.”
“You are not wrong, Father. It’s exactly for that reason that I created a new sword art to replace the 19 Clear Moon Blades. With it, the Baek Sword Corps’ skills will be able to reach new heights.”
“Did you just say you created a new sword art?” Cheon-Sang looked at Mu-Gun with a surprised expression.
“Yes. It’s modeled after the 19 Clear Moon blades. I call it the Soaring Luna Sword Art.”
“No, that’s not what’s important right now. You developed an entirely new sword art on your own?”
“I didn’t create a completely new sword art. It’s merely an enhanced version of the 19 Clear Moon Blades.”
“I knew you had outstanding martial prowess. However, I wasn’t aware it was great enough to improve an entire sword art.”
Cheon-Sang stared at Mu-Gun with surprise and doubt. Enhancing a sword art was impossible without high enlightenment about it. Regardless of how outstanding Mu-Gun’s martial talent was, his understanding and enlightenment of the 19 Clear Moon Blades couldn’t be that high.
“Despite living like a cripple for the past three years, I never allowed my martial arts to leave my mind for even a second. No, it would be more accurate to say it wouldn’t leave even if I tried to forget about it. Hence, I instead decided to thoroughly study it in my head. Over the past three years, I ceaselessly examined, studied, and dissected the sect’s sword techniques. The Soaring Luna Sword Art is one of the results.”
Mu-Gun couldn’t tell the truth that he reincarnated, but he had to convince Cheon-Sang in some way. Hence, he lied without batting an eyelid.
“Is that really true?”
“Yes.”
“I noticed you said the Soaring Luna Sword Art is just one of your hard work’s results. Does that mean you created more than just one sword art?”
“Yes. I also created an enhanced version of the 36 Phantom Moon Blades.”
“What is its name?”Cheon-Sang asked with curiosity.
“Celestial Moonlight Sword Art.”
“Celestial Moonlight Sword Art, huh? I’m really curious how much it changed.”
“Would you like to see it?”
“Will you show me?”
“Of course. However, I don’t think it will be easy to do it here.”
“Let’s move to the training hall.”
Cheon-Sang and Mu-Gun moved to the training hall built in the White Sword Pavilion’s basement. It was built exclusively for the Baek Sword Sect patriarch. Hence, Cheon-Sang was the only one who could access and use its extraordinary facilities. This was Mu-Gun’s first time entering it as well.
“This place is amazing.”
“Are you envious?”
“A little bit.”
“If you want, I can take measures to allow you to train here in the future.”
“It’s fine. The current training hall is good enough.”
“Still, if you ever want to use this place, feel free to tell me. I’ll gladly yield it to you.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, then. Show me your creation,” Cheon-Sang instructed his son.
“I’ll demonstrate the Soaring Luna Sword Art first.”
“Do as you please.”
Cheon-Sang planned to see both sword arts anyway, so he allowed Mu-Gun to decide which to perform first. Mu-Gun unsheathed his sword and moved to the center of the training hall.
“The Soaring Luna Sword Art consists of twelve techniques. I’ll execute them in consecutive order.”
Mu-Gun then began his demonstration. Cheon-Sang attentively observed him.
As Mu-Gun said, Cheon-Sang could see the 19 Clear Moon Blades within the Soaring Luna Sword Art’s techniques. However, its steps had clearly been honed and simplified further. It also incorporated elements of dexterity and sharpness, which the 19 Clear Moon Blades didn’t have.
Those likely appeared as insignificant differences. However, it was through those that the Soaring Luna Sword Art became completely different from the 19 Clear Moon Blades. A sword art of this level would make it possible to reach the Peak Realm without difficulty.
Mu-Gun became one with his sword as he moved around the training hall. He then stopped after executing the twelfth and final step.
“What do you think?”
“It’s amazing. I don’t think it is by any means inferior to the 36 Phantom Moon Blades. No, on the contrary, it should be more effective in battle.”
“You observed correctly. By decreasing the flashy moves, the Soaring Luna Sword Art became sharper. It’s a lot more efficient when it comes to killing and injuring opponents.”
“I don’t know if the Baek Sword Corps members can properly master that, though.”
“That’s why we need to assess their capabilities. I plan to pass the Soaring Luna Sword Art only to those who have reached rank Advanced and above.”
“Then those ranked Low and Intermediate will have to continue using the 19 Clear Moon Blades?”
“Yes. The opportunity to obtain better martial arts on top of a higher monthly wage will definitely motivate them.”
“I can’t argue with that. I’ve made a decision. Let us proceed with the reformation of the Baek Sword Corps.”
“I doubt all of the squad leaders will approve of this.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. This father of yours will take care of it.”
“Understood.”
“Now, show me the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art. Having seen the Soaring Luna Sword Art, I can’t help but look forward to it even more.”
“I’ll begin the demonstration, then. The Celestial Moonlight Sword Art consists of sixteen techniques. Just like before, I’ll execute them in order.”
Without taking a break, Mu-Gun immediately began to perform the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art. As its techniques were displayed Cheon-Sang’s eyes widened with surprise. He could tell at a glance it was in a whole different league compared to the Soaring Luna Sword Art.
In particular, its last three techniques, starting from the Supreme Moonlight, were so powerful that even Absolute Realm masters would have trouble blocking them. The Soaring Luna Sword Art was astounding, but it couldn’t compare to the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art. It could pave the way for its practitioner to advance into the Lower Peak Realm. No, they could perhaps even reach the Absolute Realm.
“Are you really the one that created this amazing sword art?” Cheon-Sang asked, unable to control his astonishment.
“How would I possess it otherwise?”
“Hoo, people always regarded you as the greatest talent in the history of the Baek Sword Sect. However, upon seeing this sword art with my own eyes, I feel it’s more accurate to say you’re the greatest genius not only in the sect’s history but in all of murim’s. I can’t believe you managed to develop such an amazing sword art based on the 36 Phantom Moon Blades. Even the Seven Great Clans’ patriarchs wouldn’t be able to pull off something like this.”
“Real geniuses will laugh mockingly if they could hear you,” Mu-Gun replied humbly.
Mu-Gun manifested his talent through eight reincarnations. On the other hand, real geniuses could do it in one lifetime. Only those people were suited to be called genius.
“If they want to laugh mockingly, let them. No matter what anyone says, you are the greatest in my eyes.”
However, from Cheon-Sang’s perspective, Mu-Gun was one of those people. Mu-Gun didn’t bother correcting him. Considering the many feats he would achieve in the future, it would be more convenient for him if Cheon-Sang were to consider him a genius.
“What do you plan to do with the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art?” Cheon-Sang asked, hoping in his heart that he would be able to learn it.
“For starters, I’m thinking of teaching it to you and the five squad leaders of the Baek Sword Corps.”
“You worked so hard to develop that martial art. Are you really comfortable with that?”
“I made these sword arts to strengthen the Baek Sword Sect anyway. That aside, I have one more thing to give you, Father.”
“What is it?”
“Have you heard the Heavenly Seafarer before?”
“You mean the master who made a name for himself as one of the Ten Wonders over a hundred years ago?”
“Yes. We discovered his legacy in the Sea Dragon Gang’s base. I also acquired the Golden Sea Turtle’s beast core and the Heavenly Sea God Sect’s martial arts, which he left behind. I plan to give them to you, Father.”
“There shouldn’t be a problem if we both possess the Heavenly Sea God Sect’s martial arts. However, shouldn’t you be the one to absorb the Golden Sea Turtle’s beast core? You’re the one who faced the difficulties to get it.”
“It’s not particularly useful to me.”
“How so?”
“The internal energy I obtained from the unknown master is based on thunder qi. Even if I absorbed the Golden Sea Turtle’s beast core, it would hardly have any effect on me. It would yield greater results if you were to take it, Father.”
“Are you really okay with that?”
“Yes. However, I request that you train hard to avoid letting the Golden Sea Turtle’s beast core and the Heavenly Sea God Sect’s martial arts go to waste. If you do, I won’t ever regret giving them to you, Father.”
“You have nothing to worry about. I aim to advance into a higher realm, even if it means having to enter into secluded cultivation.”
“Then it’s settled. Please take it.”
Mu-Gun took out the leather pouch containing the Golden Sea Turtle’s beast core from his pocket and handed it over to Cheon-Sang, who received it with shaking hands. He then opened it and took out the beast core. Upon seeing it and the brilliant blue light it emitted, his eyes trembled due to the emotions that overwhelmed him.
“Hah, thank you so much. I apologize for taking something so precious from you despite not having done anything for you as your father.”
“Don’t say that. You’ve already done a lot for me just by giving me the gift of life. On a related note, I think it would be better for you to learn the Heavenly Sea God Sect’s internal energy cultivation method first before absorbing the Golden Sea Turtle’s beast core.”
“I’ll do as you say.”
“Well then, I’ll teach you the Heavenly Sea God Sect’s martial arts and the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art from tomorrow onward.”
“Understood. You must be exhausted. Go get some rest.”
“Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
Mu-Gun parted ways with Cheon-Sang and returned to his residence. He then devised a procedure that would assess the Baek Sword Corps members’ capabilities. The reformation wasn’t set in stone yet, but Cheon-Sang’s reaction made it highly likely to be put into action. He didn’t know how the Baek Sword Corp’s five squad leaders would react, but they wouldn’t be able to do anything about it once the patriarch pushed ahead with it.
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