Chapter 82
Baek Mu-Gun immediately approached him. The lethargic sensation that flooded into him after manifesting the Thunder God’s Descent had already disappeared, so he no longer had trouble moving. Although the Thunder God’s Descent had exhausted most of his internal energy, he still had more than enough to overpower Byeok Cheol-Ryong.
Mu-Gun quickly moved behind the black-masked Cheol-Ryong and struck him on the shoulder with the Heavenly-Descent Thunder Strike. Cheol-Ryong swiftly tried to evade upon feeling Mu-Gun’s energy, but the latter’s attack was too fast. The Heavenly-Descent Thunder Strike shattered Cheol-Ryong’s shoulders as a golden ray of lightning flickered past.
“Arghh!”
With a golden thunderbolt enveloping his shoulder, Cheol-Ryong screamed as he fell to the floor. Although his shattered shoulder brought him extreme pain, the golden thunderbolt digging through his insides caused far more unimaginable pain. Mu-Gun grabbed the fallen Cheol-Ryong’s head and took off his mask, revealing his face. He was one of the key figures of the Byeok Sword Manor, so Mu-Gun naturally recognized him.
“I did not expect the Byeok Sword Manor to be one of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect’s subordinates.”
“That’s not it! We were not aware they’re demonic practitioners of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect either!” Cheol-Ryong hastily exclaimed.
“Why did you all target us, then?”
“The Hangzhou Merchant Company demanded it.” Doing whatever it took to save the Byeok Sword Manor, Cheol-Ryong put the Hangzhou Merchant Company up on a stake.
“The Hangzhou Merchant Company?”
“Since the Byeok Sword Manor failed to become the Zhejiang Martial Alliance Leader, they demanded we return the money we had borrowed from them so far. We do not have the financial resources to pay them immediately, so the Hangzhou Merchant Company offered us a proposition.”
“Was it to kill my father, the Zhejiang Martial Alliance Leader, and take his position?”
“That’s right. Of course, we refused. We lacked the ability to do that as well. However, the Hangzhou Merchant Company forced us to take action, stating that they hired masters from a third party.”
“Even if the Hangzhou Merchant Company forced you to do it, the Byeok Sword Manor could have still refused.”
“We did not have a choice either.”
“Even if so, there are things that can but should not be done. What the Byeok Sword Manor did this time has not only betrayed the Zhejiang Martial Alliance’s faith. This wicked and atrocious act also deviates from the humane and righteous path. The Byeok Sword Manor will have to pay the price for that.”
“What do you plan to do with the Byeok Sword Manor?”
“An eye for an eye. That’s the principle of the Zhejiang Martial Alliance.”
The Byeok Sword Manor tried to kill the Baek Sword Sect’s patriarch, so the Baek Sword Sect would kill the Byeok Sword Manor’s patriarch in return.
“The Patriarch was against it until the very end. All of this was something I decided on arbitrarily,” Cheol-Ryong said, wanting to take on all the blame.
However, Mu-Gun was not na?ve enough to trust his word.
“Do you expect me to believe that?”
“It’s true. All the fault lies with me, so let this end with my death.”
Cheol-Ryong tried his best to save the Byeok Sword Manor.
Others would praise his loyalty, but Mu-Gun held a different opinion. If Cheol-Ryong truly was loyal to and cared for the Byeok Sword Manor, he should have objected to this until the very end. He was now trying to take all the blame after the plan to cause an incident took a wrong turn, which did not impress Mu-Gun in the least. No longer finding any worth in answering him, Mu-Gun suppressed Cheol-Ryong’s a-hyeol and ma-hyeol acupuncture points.
If it was entirely up to him, he would’ve already killed Cheol-Ryong, but he needed him alive to prove the Byeok Sword Manor and the Hangzhou Merchant Company’s evil deeds. As Mu-Gun overpowered Cheol-Ryong, the Baek Sword Sect’s group defeated all the remaining black-masked men.
Although Baek Cheon-Sang’s performance was undoubtedly outstanding, Jeong Won-Hyo and Jo Jin-Myeong, whose martial prowess level had advanced to greater heights since Mu-Gun had improved their martial arts and given them a Heavenly Medicine Pill, also played an active role. Leaving it up to the Baek Sword Sect’s martial artists to clean up this mess, Cheon-Sang headed to his room with Mu-Gun, Won-Hyo, and Jin-Myeong to discuss the countermeasures to this incident.
“What was that martial art you used against the Nine Celestial Demons Sect’s demonic practitioners just now?” Cheon-Sang asked Mu-Gun. Won-Hyo and Jin-Myeong were also curious.
“It’s the martial arts of the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sect,” Mu-Gun confessed.
There was no hesitation in his answer since he had already decided to reveal the truth when he decided to manifest the Thunder God’s Descent.
“The Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sect?”
“It is more commonly known as the Thunder God’s successor in murim.”
“You’re the Thunder God’s successor?”
“I’m sorry I could not tell you in advance. If this information were to spread across murim, I could become the target of the Three Greatest Demonic Sects. Hence, I had no choice but to keep silent about it.”
“We have to hide the fact that you are the Thunder God’s successor in the future too, then.”
“That’s right. On that note, I would like you both to keep this matter a secret as well, Justice Martial Sect Patriarch and Flying Lance Sect Patriarch. Please supervise the members of your clan from disclosing it to anyone.”
“That’s a given. We will do just that.”
“Don’t worry. I will make sure my clan members are tight-lipped about it.”
Jin-Myeong and Won-Hyo promised to keep Mu-Gun’s secret without a hint of hesitation.
“Thank you.”
“How did you become the Thunder God’s successor?” Cheon-Sang asked.
“The stranger who treated my qi deviation was from the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sect.”
“Did you refer to him as a stranger because you could not reveal the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sect’s existence?”
“That’s right. I’m sorry I could not tell you earlier.”
“It’s fine. My doubts have finally been cleared up. To be honest, I often wondered if you were my son while looking at the advancements and martial arts you have shown me. Everything makes sense now that you’ve revealed you’re the Thunder God’s successor.”
“I take it you want to increase the Zhejiang Martial Alliance’s power to fulfill your duties as the Thunder God’s successor, then?” Won-Hyo asked.
“That’s right.”
“I’m still in disbelief,” Jin-Myeong said, unable to believe that Mu-Gun was the Thunder God’s successor, who was known as a legend in murim.
“I’m looking forward to how much the Zhejiang Martial Alliance will grow now that the Thunder God’s successor is with us.”
“With Mu-Gun’s strength as the Thunder God’s successor, wouldn’t it be possible for the Zhejiang Martial Alliance to become a force comparable to the Nine Prominent Sects or the Seven Great Families?” Jin-Myeong responded in agreement to Won-Hyo’s remarks.
“For the Zhejiang Martial Alliance to become as great a force as the Nine Prominent Sects and the Seven Great Families, the patriarchs of the Ten Clans of Zhejiang have to become stronger first and foremost. Since the olden days, a martial force relying on the strength of a single person had never been able to last long. For the Zhejiang Martial Alliance to truly become a long-lasting prestigious alliance like the Nine Prominent Sects and the Seven Great Families, the patriarchs’ role will prove more important than anything else.”
“In short, we should work harder.”
“That’s right. If the patriarchs can go beyond the Upper Peak Realm and become Absolute Realm masters, no one will be able to recklessly look down on the Zhejiang Martial Alliance.”
“Can we really advance into the Absolute Realm, though?”
“It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible. I will do my best to help the clan leaders reach the Absolute Realm. Put your faith in me and give it your utmost efforts.”
“Alright. We’ll trust you and do our best.”
Won-Hyo and Jin-Myeong began to have hope that they could become Absolute Realm masters. Mu-Gun was the Thunder God’s successor. With his help, becoming an Absolute Realm master was no longer a pipe dream.
On the other hand, Cheon-Sang smiled bitterly at his son, who had far exceeded him. Of course, he was naturally happy and proud that his son was doing great. However, as a father, he couldn’t stop his pride from being hurt for being weaker than his son.
It would be troubling if he began to envy Mu-Gun due to his mindset. Fortunately, he did not stoop that low. Rather than being envious of Mu-Gun, Cheon-Sang gained a burning resolve to put in more effort than before so he could become a parent that his son would not be ashamed of. Cheon-Sang’s personal feelings aside, Mu-Gun’s existence as the Thunder God’s successor was currently exerting a positive influence on everyone.
“I think it’s time we discuss how we should handle this incident.”
“What is there to discuss?” Won-Hyo was furious. “The Byeok Sword Manor tried to kill Patriarch Baek, the Zhejiang Martial Alliance Leader. That alone is enough for the Byeok Sword Manor to be sentenced to death, yet they even stooped low enough to collude with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. There is no point talking about this any further. We have to go back right now and punish them for their sins.”
“I agree with you. The Byeok Sword Manor has made such a big mistake that even if we exterminate their entire clan, they would have nothing to say to defend themselves. They will have to pay for their sins.” Jin-Myeong also took a firm stance.
“I also think that their upper brass should be punished with death, their patriarch included. However, punishing the entire Byeok Sword Manor for this matter would be crossing the line. More importantly, the Byeok Sword Manor is the biggest force in the Zhejiang Martial Alliance. Eradicating them would also weaken the Zhejiang Martial Alliance.”
“Even so, we cannot overlook the crime that they committed. To uphold the Zhejiang Martial Alliance and the alliance leader’s dignity, we have to take stern measures against the perpetrators of this incident.”
“Patriarch Jo is right. I, too, want to take stern measures against the perpetrators involved in this incident. However, we cannot punish the Byeok Sword Manor martial artists who were oblivious to this incident.”
“If we punish the Byeok Sword Manor’s upper brass for their sins, will their members just stay still?”
“As long as we are certain of the crime the Byeok Sword Manor’s upper brass has committed, they will not dare oppose us.”
“If they learned that the Byeok Sword Manor’s upper brass colluded with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, their warriors would certainly turn their backs on them.” Won-Hyo agreed with Cheon-Sang’s remarks.
“If we eliminate their upper brass, we will need a new leader to lead them. What should we do about that?”
“That is entirely up to the Byeok Sword Manor to deal with. We will get rid of the main culprit of this incident, then give their clan the time and opportunity to reorganize themselves.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to appoint a person that you can control as their new patriarch? That would put the Byeok Sword Manor under your authority.”
“That’s preposterous. I have no intention of controlling the Zhejiang Martial Alliance in that manner. I will pretend I didn’t hear what you just said, Patriarch Jo.”
“It was a slip of the tongue. Please forgive me.”
“It’s fine. I know you did not say that with ill intentions.”
“The Byeok Sword Manor aside, we have to discuss what to do with the Hangzhou Merchant Company. If what Byeok Cheol-Ryong said is true, the Hangzhou Merchant Company is likely conspiring with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect,” Mu-Gun said.
“However, we cannot just trust Byeok Cheol-Ryong and accuse the Hangzhou Merchant Company. To bring the Hangzhou Merchant Company to justice, we have to find solid evidence that they joined hands with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.”
“If they are really working with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, they would definitely have paid the Nine Celestial Demons Sect quite a hefty amount of money. Considering the habits of merchant associations, the Hangzhou Merchant Company likely created a secret ledger that recorded the amount of money they offered to the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. Getting our hands on that will confirm if those two factions have truly partnered up.”
“We should find that secret ledger first, then.”
“We can also use the Byeok Sword Manor’s patriarch to get a confession from the Hangzhou Merchant Company.”
“What do you mean?”
“We just have to make the Byeok Sword Manor Patriarch visit and question the Hangzhou Merchant Company about whether they mobilized the demonic practitioners of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.”
“And you want to use that to make the Hangzhou Merchant Company’s owner himself confess?”
“That’s right. However, this plan comes with two conditions. The first condition is to make the Byeok Sword Manor Patriarch move according to our intentions, and the other is to ensure that there is a reputable person of murim that can bear witness to the moment when the Hangzhou Merchant Company’s owner confesses.”
“If you want someone to bear witness, I think you can request the Putuo Sword Sect for help. They were one of the overseers in the martial arts tournament held recently, and they’re quite close as well.”
Mu-Gun nodded to Won-Hyo’s comment.
“I share the same opinion.”
“Let’s ask the Putuo Sword Sect to bear witness, then. The problem now is getting the Byeok Sword Manor Patriarch to move according to our will.”
“Though it may be surprising, that’s something that can easily be solved.”
“How so?”
“The Byeok Sword Manor Patriarch would not want the Byeok Sword Manor, which has been passed down through generations, to be disgraced with the stigma of colluding with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. To prevent that from happening, he will try to reveal the Hangzhou Merchant Company being in league with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.”
“That may be the case, but we’re talking about the Byeok Sword Manor Patriarch here. He will definitely ask us to overlook the crimes he has committed under the pretext of making the Hangzhou Merchant Company's owner confess,” Jin-Myeong voiced out. From his perspective, Byeok Cheol-Gun was that type of person.
“If the Byeok Sword Manor Patriarch decides to act that way, we will declare that we will not show any mercy to the Byeok Sword Manor. That would eventually defeat his stubbornness. Of course, that’s assuming he does not sacrifice the Byeok Sword Manor just to save himself.”
“Hmm, we should request the Putuo Sword Sect for help and go back to Hangzhou for now, then.”
“I think it would be better if one of you two is put in charge of requesting the Putuo Sword Sect to bear witness. The other will immediately head to Hangzhou with us.”
“I’ll go to the Putuo Sword Sect.” Jin-Myeong volunteered.
“Take the corpse of one of the Nine Celestial Demon Sect’s masters with you. It should prove helpful.”
The aura that a martial artist possessed did not disappear immediately after death. Rather, it remained intact for three days at the minimum and ten days at most. Hence, it would still be possible to confirm the presence of demonic qi in the body of a demonic practitioner they had just fought.
“I’ll do that.”
After their meeting, the four left the guest room again and explained the gist of the situation to the surviving martial artists. They then made sure that everyone present would be tight-lipped about Mu-Gun’s martial art.
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