Chapter 209: Chapter 209

Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors

Pah-at

A little while later, I went with Mangnyang to Hebei. After choosing the closest place to the Azure Dragon Gate among the places I had been, we arrived at a remote village in the northern part of Hebei. Mangnyang looked at the map and said,

“According to the information obtained from the Bancheon Alliance, if we go three hundred li northeast from here, we should reach the Azure Dragon Gate.”

“Three hundred li is nothing; we’ll get there in no time. Let’s go!”

Tada-dat

I started running with Mangnyang. We dashed across the fields and jumped over the river. However, after running for about one hundred li, Mangnyang seemed to be exhausted and started panting heavily.

“Huh… Huh… Just a minute…”

“Hmm? Are you tired already?”

Isn’t that a bit too fast to get tired? As I tilted my head in confusion, Mangnyang gave a wry smile.

“Hah… Hah… Ordinary people can’t dash one hundred li like a horse… and we haven’t taken a break at all… Huh… Huh… Even with the internal energy I gained from magic elixirs, this is about all I can manage… But you’re not even winded…”

“……”

It finally hit me how monstrous my stamina had become. Currently, Mangnyang was considered a top master in the martial world with exceptional internal energy, yet after sprinting one hundred li, he was completely worn out. I realized I had been inconsiderate.

“Oops, my bad.”

“Huh… Let’s rest for a moment.”

“No, I’ll just carry you.”

“What? Uh….”

Without hesitation, I picked Mangnyang up and activated my Myeolhonbo and Nue-myeong techniques to take off running again. Since the distance to the final destination was only two hundred li, there was no need to hold back; I could just go wild.

Schwee-ee-ik!

The sound of air ripping filled the air as I ran at speeds ten times faster than a horse without stopping. It felt as if space was folding in on itself, almost on par with a technique like Chukji-bub. Mangnyang, perched on my back, gripped my shoulder tightly.

Before long, I reached the top of the mountain. With my superior eyesight, I surveyed the area and spotted a large cluster of buildings.

“Over there?”

“Yes, that’s the Azure Dragon Gate.”

I secretly thought that Jeongwol would go to great lengths to hide his identity in the martial world. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to openly build such a large structure to run his sect. Despite his fierce appearance, he was undoubtedly a cunning and astute figure.

“Hmm… Should we approach head-on?”

“Of course not. Jeongwol requested that we meet at Stone Forest Village instead.”

“Stone Forest Village? Is that it?”

From the mountaintop, I spotted a small village roughly three li away from the Azure Dragon Gate. When Mangnyang nodded, I carried him down to Stone Forest Village.

Taat

I set Mangnyang down in front of the village. He seemed to have recovered his strength and wiped the sweat from his brow. He then spoke.

“Didn’t you get tired from carrying me?”

“I’m as fresh as a daisy.”

Although my internal energy and stamina had been consumed, I would quickly recover. I’d probably be back to 100% with just a bit of rest.

“… You must be among the top five in the world with your divine arts.”

Mangnyang wore a look of incredulity as he led the way.

“There’s a cave behind the village chief’s house. Jeongwol will be waiting there.”

“Sounds unnecessarily complicated… Why is Jeongwol being so cautious?”

“Because if the elders of the White Lotus Sect were to invade, he wouldn’t be able to handle it. He’s always on guard against their attacks.”

“……”

I suddenly realized that Lee Kwang was quite a unique character. Lee Kwang boldly exposed himself in the world, under the protection of the Jeongcheon Alliance, so the White Lotus Sect hesitated to touch him. However, such bravery requires a strong heart; typically, people would prefer to stay hidden like Jeongwol.

After a while, when we arrived at the cave, a middle-aged man in a red outfit standing in front asked,

“Who goes there?”

Mangnyang answered,

“We are those who defy heaven.”

“Enter. He’s waiting.”

The man stepped aside to let us into the cave. I could tell he was quite the master himself.

‘I can sense a subtle lightning aura, so he must be skilled in the Thunderbolt techniques…’

Well, if Jeongwol brought us here, he must trust him quite a bit. We walked deeper into the cave, where it became brighter thanks to the lamp, and at the end of the cave, Jeongwol was waiting.

Jeongwol glanced at both Mangnyang and me before asking,

“Who is the Master of the Bancheon Alliance?”

“That would be me.”

Mangnyang raised his hand without hesitation, and Jeongwol responded in surprise.

“You? Not that monster?”

“Yes, indeed.”

“Hmm…”

Jeongwol muttered and took a seat on a prepared chair.

“Sit down. Let’s have a chat.”

“Of course.”

Both Mangnyang and I took our seats. After staring at us for a while, Jeongwol finally spoke.

“Is that Jin So-cheong really such an extraordinary genius?”

“Absolutely. In this world, there likely isn’t anyone with better martial talent, probably on par with the current leader of the White Lotus Sect.”

“Then how come we’ve never heard of him until now?”

“Because Lee Kwang has kept him hidden. It was his top secret plan for avenging the White Lotus Sect.”

At this, Jeongwol let out a sinister grin.

“Heh-heh… That brat doesn’t concern me. What matters is Jin So-cheong’s talent.”

“We are fully prepared to assist you. If you wish, we can help Jin So-cheong head towards the Azure Dragon Gate.”

Jeongwol waved his hand dismissively at Mangnyang’s words.

“No, not yet.”

“What do you mean?”

“We need to see for ourselves and make a judgment. Is there no way to do that?”

After a moment’s thought, Mangnyang replied,

“Of course, there’s a way.”

“What is it?”

What came next from Mangnyang left me utterly startled.

“This warrior here is also a descendant of the Thunderbolt techniques, resisting the White Lotus Sect. If he spars with Jin So-cheong, surely you will be convinced.”

“……!!”

“You can come and watch at the sparring ground.”

I looked at Mangnyang in shock, but he wore an unaffected expression. Jeongwol glanced at me before stating,

“I’ve been wary since the entrance. Despite being hidden, there’s a daunting level of internal energy… And clearly, you’ve mastered the Thunderbolt techniques, sensing the power of Nae-ryeong. You must be at least a master of the Thunderbolt lineage.”

“……”

Indeed, he must have sensed my level of internal energy. It would be difficult to gauge merely through typical appearances, so it was reasonable for him to be cautious.

“Who are you?”

I hesitated for a moment, wondering how to reveal my identity in this situation.

As I struggled, Mangnyang spoke in my stead.

“He has taken the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng and has trained under an unnamed master of the Thunderbolt lineage. Thanks to his remarkable internal energy, he achieved a high level at a young age, but due to the side effects of the ginseng, he’s unable to age properly and appears much younger than he really is.”

“Uhm… Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng…!!”

I found myself speechless. Mangnyang’s words were a lie, but they were so cleverly intermixed with truths that I couldn’t argue against them. After explaining up to that point, Mangnyang smiled amiably and continued,

“…However, this warrior’s talent cannot even hold a candle to Jin So-cheong’s. Doesn’t that meet your expectations?”

“……”

Jeongwol pondered for a long moment before finally responding.

“Alright, let’s do that.”

Afterward, Mangnyang and Jeongwol discussed how to arrange the sparring session between Jin So-cheong and me before we exited the cave. After leaving the cave and putting roughly twenty li between us, I confirmed that there were no more pursuers and asked,

“Mangnyang, what’s the meaning of that? A spar with Jin So-cheong? You didn’t mention anything to me.”

“If I told you in advance, you would have panicked and avoided it, and probably wouldn’t have even come here.”

“……”

That’s true enough. Mangnyang looked at me and said,

“You probably need to check your progress, don’t you? You need to objectively ascertain where Jin So-cheong is skill-wise and how far you’ve come. Besides, that’s just a side benefit.”

I hesitated.

“But…”

“Regardless of whether you win or lose, you should still spar with him.”

“If I win, it might cause problems!”

Mangnyang looked at me as if to say, What’s your deal with that sort of thinking?

“It doesn’t matter much. If Jeongwol and the Green Moon see that Jin So-cheong possesses terrifying genius, they will recognize it right away. To be honest, I’d rather you overpower him!”

“Why?”

“What do you mean why?”

Mangnyang smirked.

“I’ve received the memories of Obsidian from you. Unlike when I merely heard about your journey, I intimately understand what hardships you’ve endured. So how could I not cheer for you?”

“……!!”

“You will win, and that’s why I made this proposal.”

A wave of emotion washed over me.

‘Mangnyang believes in me this much?’

Currently, Jin So-cheong is at the realm of a top master, and I would be at least on par with him. It wasn’t a situation in which I’d be completely outmatched, but Jin So-cheong’s genius was so astonishing that I couldn’t guarantee my victory. Moreover, I had always felt overshadowed by his brilliance throughout my life, which also played a part. Deep down, I truly didn’t want to fight him.

However, since my friend Mangnyang believed in me so much, it felt different. I sensed a burning will and competitive spirit rising within me. Mangnyang’s next words further ignited my fighting spirit.

“Also, if you manage to defeat Jin So-cheong, the look on Lee Kwang’s face will be priceless.”

“That’s right! Bring it on!”

That expression would certainly be worth seeing!

As my fighting spirit flared, Mangnyang said,

“I’ll have the Bancheon Alliance send the sparring request to Lee Kwang. I plan to make it about a month from now, so it’d be best for you to prepare your martial arts by then.”

“A month? That’s kind of short…”

One month felt way too brief. Mangnyang seemed to expect my concern and replied matter-of-factly,

“Right now, you’re at an apex level, so your progress won’t come easily. So what’s the solution? You need to receive teachings from an even stronger master.”

“Who would that be?”

“It would be certain if you could learn from the Dharma Protector of the White Lotus Sect, but ideally, you want to keep your face hidden from them as much as possible. So there is one suitable candidate.”

I returned with Mangnyang to Jinrang Valley. There, Mangnyang made a request to Miho.

“Miho, first, go back to Dongyeong and gather the obsidian. Only you can handle this task.”

Miho nodded.

“Of course. I will use my political influence to gather all the obsidian and find an obsidian mine. If there’s plenty of obsidian, there will certainly be more things that Baek Woong can do.”

“Thank you.”

“That’s nothing to be thankful for.”

Miho gently caressed my cheek and smiled.

“I’ve also decided to act to help Baek Woong.”

Miho’s demeanor was markedly different from before. Up until now, she had maintained an indifferent attitude, unconcerned about anything as long as my life was safe. However, her recent involvement in our discussions and her commitment to gathering obsidian showed an unusually proactive spirit that was uncharacteristic for her. I grabbed Miho’s hand firmly and said,

“Thanks, Miho!”

“Hmph, do you think I’d be flustered by this?”

Miho commented dismissively and suddenly wrapped her arms around me, planting a kiss on my lips.

“……!!”

The sudden contact sent shockwaves down my spine. This was no longer just playful teasing; the air between us was charged with a sensual energy. I felt my face flush instantly, and it was as if I couldn’t breathe.

After a moment, Miho withdrew, a captivating smile on her face.

“Hee-hee, and now I mean it.”

“Ugh…”

I found myself at a loss. Miho’s earnest allure was overwhelming, and I felt a surge of desire much stronger than before. As I fidgeted, Mangnyang muttered in disbelief.

“Ugh… Creepy…”

“Hmph! If you’re jealous, go find a girlfriend!” Kya-ha-ha!

Mangnyang sidled up next to me and whispered,

[Calm your desires.]

Miho looked at us with curious eyes.

“Wow, that’s quite impressive.”

“……!!”

I hurriedly excused myself to a more secluded area. Under the waterfall, I began intensely practicing Nuelong-Ilgi-gong

, a technique from the Thunderbolt lineage, shedding any distractions.

“Ughhhh!”

*Vanquish my agonies!

Leave me be, all my pains!*

About half an hour later, I calmed my thoughts and was able to return to Jinrang Valley.

“Kya-ha-ha… Took you long enough!”

Miho chuckled, but I couldn’t bring myself to meet her gaze.

‘Not good.’

If Miho continues to be this alluring, I might not be able to control myself. Previously, she’d teased me playfully, but now she genuinely seemed to like me and was employing every charm at her disposal.

“Let’s go!”

“Uh-oh?”

I quickly took Miho’s hand and dashed to the Heavenly Emperor Palace in Dongyeong. Once there, I set Miho down.

“Please take care of the obsidian!”

“Hey, wait a sec…”

Pah-at

Immediately, I dashed back to Jinrang Valley. I felt like I expended too much spiritual energy in that brief moment and found myself panting.

“Huh… Huh…”

Miho was dangerous. The next time we met, I might not be able to resist and just pounce on her.

Mangnyang chuckled at my condition and said,

“How come you’re so nonchalant with the world’s greatest beauties like Seo Mun-hye and Sa Gong-rin but so utterly weak against Miho?”

“……”

Do you really need to ask!

I wanted to shout that out internally, but decided to play it cool instead. I was afraid of being ridiculed further by Mangnyang.

“At any rate, have a safe trip. I wish you great success.”

“I will.”

After a while, I arrived back at my familiar location.

When I reached there, the guards, who didn’t recognize my face, asked,

“Who are you?”

I had been there once under the name ‘Baek Woong.’ But now, with my altered appearance, they wouldn’t know me. I replied to them,

“I’m someone named So Woong. I’ve come with a gift for the sect leader.”

“A gift? What kind of gift?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t say unless I meet him directly.”

The gatekeepers went inside to report, then returned to say,

“Enter.”

I stepped into the sect and soon met the sect leader. A middle-aged man with a rugged appearance was waiting just inside. He looked at me with piercing eyes and said,

“So Woong, you say? What relation do you have to Baek Woong?”

“I’m his younger brother.”

“You’re a brother? You don’t look much alike.”

“I often hear that. However, I was educated in the same sect as my brother.”

I was already aware that he’d figured out my internal energy and martial arts skills. So I decided to blend my response cleverly. With my voice having changed from the surgery, there was little chance they’d assume I was Baek Woong.

“……”

The sect leader fell silent for a moment before saying,

“Very good. So what’s this gift from Baek Woong’s brother, So Woong?”

“This.”

I presented him with Muramasa. The sect leader took the Muramasa in his hands, examined it closely, and marveled.

“It’s indeed the alluring Muramasa! What a fantastic gift!”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Well… when a weapon so exquisite is presented, there must be some reason behind it. Speak your purpose, and I will hear you, as long as it is within my capacity.”

I said politely,

“I wish to receive a month’s worth of sword teachings from the renowned Sword Demon Seo Mun-ryong, the master of the Shadowless Gate.”

Upon hearing my request, the Sword Demon nodded enthusiastically.

“Let’s do that. Your skills seem considerable, so this will likely be an enjoyable month.”

“Thank you.”

Indeed.

This place is the greatest underworld faction in Hunan and the supreme master of the Shadowless Gate!

And I have made a deal to learn from the Sword Demon Seo Mun-ryong, in exchange for the alluring Muramasa. This is the most fitting method to achieve progress in my swordsmanship at this time.