Chapter 53
“The Cao Household is a subsidiary branch of the Shaolin Temple, and we guarantee their innocence.”
“The Wudang Sect guarantees the Wuchang Sword Family’s innocence.”
After listening to Namgung list a couple of sects and families, Great Monk Gong Seon and Elder Hyeon Myung immediately defended the Cao Household and the Wuchang Sword Family, their respective subsidiary families.
“I trust the two esteemed clans’ words. However, for the fairness of the investigation, we have to inspect the Cao Household and Wuchang Sword Family. If your subsidiary branches take the initiative and set an example, the other families and sects will also respond more favorably to the inspection.”
Namgung Jo asserted the importance of verification on the premise of fairness. Great Monk Gong Seon and Elder Hyeon Myung had no choice but to agree since he made sense. Above all, there was no particular reason for them to refuse the investigation because they were convinced that the Cao Household and the Wuchang Sword Family had nothing to do with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.
“With all due respect, the investigation of the Taiyun Household and the Lee Household should be prioritized before other martial sects or families,” Huangfu Jian said.
“Is there any special reason for that?”
“They were quite suspicious during the Great Sima Family incident, so it would be too farfetched to say they simply supported the Great Sima Family because they were all part of the Three Great Families of Jiangsu. It’s more likely that they’re related to the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.”
“Those two households probably just reacted aggressively since they didn’t want the Great Namgung Family and the Great Huangfu Family to spread their influence to Jiangsu Province.”
At Elder Hyeon Myung’s remarks, Great Monk Gong Seon asked as if he had been waiting for this moment, “Now that you’ve mentioned that, what are the two great families going to do with the Great Sima Family’s territory?”
“Destroying the Great Sima Family was an inevitable measure for murim’s safety. We annihilated them with a valid justification, so absorbing their territory does not violate murim’s law.” Namgung Jo made their faction’s intentions clear.
Gong Seon and Hyeon Myung looked unhappy. They couldn’t help but be displeased that the two great families would be expanding their influence.
“If the two great families absorb the Great Sima Family’s territory, then start an investigation on the Taiyun Household and Lee Household, you’ll be giving the public a lot to gossip about,” Gong Seon commented.
“If we say that it is fair, what does the public’s gossiping matter? By any chance, does the Shaolin Temple and the Wudang Sect doubt our real intentions?”
“That’s definitely not the case. We are well aware of the great cause behind the two great families’ actions for the sake of murim.”
“All the more reason why there won’t be a problem, then.”
As Namgung Jo’s commented, for as long as they destroyed the Great Sima Family with a justifiable cause and occupied the Great Sima Family’s territory according to the rights of the winner, the others had no reason to object.
“What’s important now is for the Nine Prominent Sects and the Seven Great Families to work together in preventing the Nine Celestial Demons Sect from spreading their influence and annihilating them. For that purpose, I think it would be great to form a coalition between the Nine Prominent Sects and the Seven Great Families. What do you all think?”
“I don’t think it’s something that we can decide on our own. We’re not aware of the Nine Prominent Sects’ other members.”
“That’s right. Since we have to listen to the opinions of not just the Nine Prominent Sects but also the other members of the Seven Great Families, it would be better to discuss this matter in a meeting with both parties present.”
“Of course. I didn’t mean to form a coalition right away. I’m simply mentioning this since we have to give thought to forming a coalition.”
“Since we’ve brought this up, why don’t we have a meeting between the Nine Prominent Sects and the Seven Great Families in a month?”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
“Putting that matter aside, the investigation on the Taiyun Household and the Lee Household should be carried out immediately before they get rid of the evidence and hide,” Huangfu Jian said.
“Well, even if we, the Shaolin Temple and the Wudang Sect, send an investigation team as fast as we can, it will take more than fifteen days.”
“I think it would be better for us, the Great Huangfu Family and the Great Namgung Family, to deploy our people to investigate this. In return, if Great Monk Gong Seon and Elder Hyeon Myung join us, we will be able to ensure fairness in the investigation.”
“Then let’s do it this way. The Great Huangfu Family will investigate the Taiyun Household, and we, the Great Namgung Family, will investigate the Lee Household. Great Monk Gong Seon should go with the Huangfu Family, and Elder Hyeon Myung should come with us.”
“Let’s do as you say.”
Great Monk Gong Seon and Elder Hyeon Myung decided to follow Huangfu Jian and Namgung Jo’s suggestions. They immediately departed to investigate the Taiyun Household and Lee Household.
***
After leaving the cave early in the morning, Mu-Gun and Yeon-Hwa left the cave early in the morning and crossed Mount Yangdan before noon, reaching Yueqing. If they took a high-speed boat from Yueqing, they would arrive in Wenzhou in only half a day. After having a meal at a restaurant in Yueqing, they went out to the port and boarded a boat bound for Wenzhou.
“What are you going to do when we get to Wenzhou? Mu-Gun asked.
“I’m not sure. What do you think I should do?”
Yeon-Hwa couldn’t easily make up her mind. A part of her wanted to stay at the Baek Sword Sect and with Mu-Gun, but she also wanted to gain experience on a journey throughout murim as per her original plan. What she wanted the most was to travel around murim together with Mu-Gun. However, she couldn’t request that from Mu-Gun, who was the Baek Sword Sect’s young patriarch.
“Why don’t you stay at the Baek Sword Sect and take your time thinking about it for now? You don’t have to make a decision right away.”
“What would you prefer me to do?”
“I’d like to keep you next to me.”
“You can just do that, then.”
“No, your thoughts are more important than anything else. I don’t want you to make the wrong decision because of me or the Putuo Sword Sect. I’d rather you follow what you truly want so you won’t regret it later. No matter the choice you make, for as long as it’s your genuine decision, I will support and cheer you on.”
Mu-Gun didn’t want Yeon-Hwa to live passively by being tied to him. He wanted her to live independently and proactively.
“Okay. I’ll stay at the Baek Sword Sect for the meantime and think about it carefully, then.”
“Alright.”
After the ship they boarded arrived at Wenzhou Port around sunset, they headed straight to the Baek Sword Sect. The journey took about an hour.
When they arrived at the Baek Sword Sect, the Baek Sword Sect’s gatekeepers welcomed Mu-Gun.
“Welcome back.”
“Did anything happen while I was away?”
“No, nothing in particular happened.”
“Has Father finished his closed-door cultivation?”
“He did three days ago.”
“I came back just in time, then. Is he at the White Sword Pavilion?”
“Yes.”
After confirming Baek Cheon-Sang’s whereabouts, Mu-Gun asked Yeon-Hwa, “I’m going to see my father. Do you want to come with me?”
“No. You haven’t been back here in such a long time, so you probably have a lot to talk about with your father. I’ll greet him later.”
“Okay. You should get some rest. This person will guide you to your accommodation.”
Mu-Gun instructed the Baek Sword Sect member to guide Yeon-Hwa to where she’d be staying. He then headed to the White Sword Pavilion and immediately went up to Cheon-Sang’s study.
The guard of Cheon-Sang’s study greeted him politely as soon as he saw Mu-Gun.
“Please announce my arrival.”
“Sir Patriarch! The young patriarch is here.”
“Let him in.”
The guard opened the door after Cheon-Sang gave his permission. Mu-Gun bowed slightly to the guard and went inside.
“Welcome back.” Cheon-Sang stood up to greet Mu-Gun. He was doing some work at his desk.
Mu-Gun smiled as he sensed the change in Cheon-Sang’s energy that made him nearly unrecognizable. It was as if he was greeted by the ocean. Cheon-Sang’s enormous aura indicated that he had advanced into the Absolute Realm.
“Congratulations on your advancement, Father.” Mu-Gun congratulated Cheon-Sang.
“It’s all thanks to you. However, the energy I’m feeling from you doesn’t seem to be that much different from mine. No, to be exact, it seems like your energy is greater. What happened?” Cheon-Sang asked in surprise. He immediately noticed Mu-Gun’s energy just as how Mu-Gun recognized Cheon-Sang’s level at a glance.
“I was able to chance upon an opportunity while traveling outside.”
“An opportunity?”
“Yes.”
“Huh, what kind of opportunity was it that allowed you to reach the Absolute Realm at your tender age?”
“Because of my connection with the Medicine King Family, I was able to consume medicinal pills along with the beast core of a divine beast.”
“The Medicine King Family?”
“It’s a family that made it their lifelong task to create medicine that can cure all diseases. By chance, I got to establish a friendly relationship with them, which in turn allowed me to get medicinal pills and the divine beast core from them.”
“Is it really by coincidence?”
“How could I have known the Medicine King Family otherwise?”
“No matter how much I think about it, I can’t help but conclude you went on a trip to get the opportunity to meet the Medicine King Family.”
“Haha, you’re overthinking it.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter what you did. What’s important is that you have advanced into the Absolute Realm. Still, it truly is amazing that you’ve reached that realm at such a young age. The others will be astonished when they find out.”
Cheon-Sang felt that Mu-Gun was hiding something. However, he didn’t bother digging into it and just thought Mu-Gun would have had a good reason to hide it.
“I’m sure that I don’t have to tell you, but we shouldn’t spread the news that I have reached the Absolute Realm to other places.”
“Don’t worry. That aside, I haven’t had the chance to test my martial prowess since I’ve reached the Absolute Realm. If you don’t mind, why don’t we spar with the sword?”
“You mean right now?”
“Ehem, now’s not a good time, is it? You’ve just returned, so I’m sure you’re tired from your travels.”
“No, it’s fine. Let’s go straight to the training hall.”
“Will you be alright? You don’t have to force yourself.”
“I’m also curious about how your martial arts have changed, Father.”
“I see. Let’s go.”
Mu-Gun headed to the training hall with Cheon-Sang. Upon arrival, they faced each other with swords in their hands.
“Don’t go easy on me just because I’m your father.”
“Don’t worry. I plan to win against you, Father.”
“You wicked brat. Who said I’d lose? Come.”
Mu-Gun launched the first attack on Cheon-Sang’s words. He seemingly disappeared from Cheon-Sang’s line of sight for a moment, then penetrated through Cheon-Sang’s left side with a golden ray of sword qi. In response, Cheon-Sang drew an arc lightly with his sword. A wave of sword qi filled the space to his left and blocked Mu-Gun’s sword qi. The golden sword qi was pushed back before it could break through the wave of Cheon-Sang’s sword qi.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Cheon-Sang immediately thrust his sword straight at Mu-Gun. The wave of sword qi that formed from his sword stormed through as if it was about to sweep everything away. He had just unleashed the Heavenly Sea Waves Saber Art, which had a different style from the Baek Sword Sect’s martial arts.
Instead of blocking the wave of sword qi, Mu-Gun quickly evaded by invoking the Thunder God's Aerial Steps. He followed up by charging through from behind Cheon-Sang and proceeded to unleash a golden moonlight ray again.
Cheon-Sang swung his sword while turning around lightly. The golden sword qi was once again shattered and swept away by the wave of sword qi.
The power of the Heavenly Sea Waves Saber Art was strong, but the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art was no less powerful. Although the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art was created by Mu-Gun to make up for the 36 Phantom Moon Blades’ lacking power, its foundation was still based on the changes in tempo.
On the other hand, the Heavenly Sea Waves Saber Art was a martial art based on overwhelming power. In fact, it was one of the greatest in murim in terms of power since it was a great ascension realm martial art.
Based on its power alone, the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art was no match for the Heavenly Sea Waves Saber Art, but that didn’t mean that the Heavenly Sea Waves Saber Art was definitely superior to the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art.
The Heavenly Sea Waves Saber Art’s overwhelming power quelled the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art’s dazzling changes. However, if the latter could create a change beyond the former’s overwhelming power, it would be possible to break the Heavenly Sea Waves Saber Art.
Mu-Gun combined the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art’s tempo changes with the unpredictable movement of the Thunder God's Aerial Steps, making his movements and attacks increasingly incalculable. As a result, Cheon-Sang had his hands full trying to block his attacks. If Cheon-Sang didn’t know the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art’s techniques, Mu-Gun would have already broken through his defenses.
Cheon-Sang couldn’t help but be in awe at Mu-Gun’s martial art. It was far beyond his expectations. Nevertheless, he couldn’t let it end like this. Cheon-Sang drew the power of the Heavenly Sea Goliath Cultivation with all his might. A tsunami-like aura enveloped him and encroached on the surrounding space. Cheon-Sang’s aura pushed back Mu-Gun, making the latter quickly step away.
“That’s amazing. I didn’t expect your martial arts to be at this level.”
“You’re amazing too, Father.”
“Sparring with you makes me feel as if I can give it my all. Are you fine with that?”
“Whenever you’re ready.” Mu-Gun exuded the Thunder God qi, which he had yet to unleash throughout the spar.
A golden thunderstorm violently formed around him. Seeing Mu-Gun in that state made Cheon-Sang’s eyes shine.
“A thunder-style martial arts... Is that your true martial arts?”
“Yes.”
“Is there anything else you haven’t shown me that will surprise me?”
“Who knows?”
Mu-Gun grinned.
“I’ll check that later on. I should focus on this match for now.”
At that comment, Cheon-Sang and Mu-Gun exchanged gazes and rushed toward each other without any warning. Golden lightning collided with a blue tidal wave, causing a deafening roar to erupt. Mu-Gun and Cheon-Sang braced themselves against the shock wave from the collision, then proceeded to unleash sword attacks imbued with vajra qi at each other.
Their swords clashed multiple times, resonating deafening blasts each time. Mu-Gun still used the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art. However, its power was on another level than before. Imbued with the Thunder God qi, it didn’t fall behind in power against the Heavenly Sea Waves Saber Art. Mu-Gun didn’t even use the Thunder God's Aerial Steps anymore. He simply pushed Cheon-Sang back with just the power of the sword itself.
Cheon-Sang initially held his ground against Mu-Gun, but he began to be significantly pushed back as the battle progressed. Mu-Gun did not concede at all. Of course, he could have intentionally lost in consideration of his father’s pride.
However, doing that would be no different from belittling and deceiving Cheon-Sang as a martial artist. Moreover, martial artists, even Absolute Realm masters, grew through defeat. Hence, Mu-Gun truly thought he should give his all against Cheon-Sang for the latter’s sake.
Cheon-Sang tried his best to counter Mu-Gun’s fierce attacks, but they proved beyond his capabilities. In the end, he had no choice but to surrender.
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