The top sect in the world—
It was the long cherished wish of the Mount Hua Sect, and with the Demonic Sect and Evil Faction out of the picture, they could do well.
But the two Sects of the Justice faction that were at the top were the Wudang and Shaolin Sects.
At least, Shaolin was out, because their roots of martial arts were in the Central Plains and connected to the old times.
After the legendary figure called the Dharma left their mark on the Shaolin Sect, no one surpassed that. But what about the Wudang Sect?
It was a similar sect and a sect which uses the sword as well. Being pushed below them was a matter which hurt their pride. However, no matter how much they tried, Mount Hua could not cross them.
So, regardless of means and methods, they went to make a deal with the Demonic Sect. It would be a stain on their sect, but the Mount Hua Sect was desperate.
“I can guess the agreement the First Disciple had. But the alliance continues only when there is a common enemy. Can this stay the same when the enemy is gone?”
“…Don’t say useless things. The sect had promised to do its role.”
“I also think the same as Mount Hua. But, the End Demon, can you trust him till the end? He is a person who already ended the members of the sect.”
“…Ahem.”
As if he took a critical hit, Goo Jong-myung’s expression changed. Actually, this was something which could be addressed after some time.
This might be rude, but was the saying not that it was the law to even kill the hunting dog after its use?
And most of all, even if the End Demon was an ally now, he was a dangerous person who joined hands with the Justice Factions to keep the Fourth Disciple in place. And once he united the Demonic Sect under him, it was clear where the next target would be.
The conquest of the Central Plains.
He should be trying to achieve the long held wish of the Demonic Sect at the same time as helping Mount Hua. The problem was that the top sect of the world at that time would be Mount Hua.
And it would be a great deal of bloodshed.
“What do you want to say?”
There was a hint of anger in his voice.
If it were the Mount Hua Sect, it would have weakness too. And it was to ask about the intention of Seol-Hwi who was dragging this out.
“Purple Cloud Divine Arts. How far do you believe in this?”
“…?”
“Mount Hua’s martial arts. Do you have enough strength to risk an all out war with the Demonic Sect?”
“How dare you try to bring the martial arts of Mount Hua…”
Drrr
The table trembled.
In anger, Goo Jong-myung was losing it. But Seol-Hwi knocked on the table without shaking it.
Tak tak.
“Do not get me wrong. It means that if you want to deal with the End Demon, the next sect leader after, you will have to at least perfect the Purple Cloud Divine Arts. Even in our sect, there aren’t many martial arts which can compete with Mount Hua’s skills.”
Tak
“That is with martial arts alone and not real fights.”
“…”
The face of Goo Jong-myung was red. It looked like it was going to explode.
Even so, Seol-Hwi did not care.
You are angry, which means you are afraid too.
He remembered the words of the Wudang and the strangeness around them.
No matter what happens, regardless of what happened to the Wudang Sect, as long as they had their sect, they would not get angry at things. And that was confidence. It was because there was infinite trust in their martial arts.
On the other hand, Goo Jong-myung was violent and his emotions were on the edge, what this meant was that he was now unstable.
“…The First Disciple has a light mouth. How much do you know?”
Shh
As expected, Goo Jong-myung did not yell, and his anger was a sign of anxiety.
“Not much. Just to the extent that the martial arts isn’t perfect. Around 70%?”
“…That creeps me out. I didn’t even say that much… so what? You are going to give me the full version of martial arts?”
Goo Jong-myung had now been hooked!
“Of course I have none of this. But you do.”
“…What kind of word play is that?”
Once again he looked displeased.
Seol-Hwi spoke in a straight manner.
“I have one talent. Martial arts which have been practiced can be turned into a perfect form if only I can see the origin, the forms, and how it is used.”
“…What now?”
“Wouldn’t it be worth a try though? The situation ahead will be the battle with the End Demon. If I give you the perfect martial arts it will give you the time to prepare. No, if you are Mount Hua whose martial arts is perfected, wouldn’t you be able to handle yourself as the best without having to work with the End Demon?”
“…”
At Seol-Hwi’s words, Goo Jong-myung fell silent. It was difficult to judge how much was true and false.
Seol-Hwi, the subordinate to the Earth Demon, who was fighting against the End Demon.
He could not believe he had this ability because of the short discussion. But, he did not even think of rejecting it right away. Because this was too sweet to lose.
The greatness of the Purple Cloud Divine Arts. This was the long cherished wish of Mount Hua, nothing less than being the top sect in the world.
If he could get that, he would not mind giving someone else the reputation of being number one.
Actually, that was the final hurdle that Mount Hua always could not surpass.
Unfortunately, the martial arts passed down to Mount Hua were not perfect. A few things had slipped down in the process of passing them down through the generations.
It was impossible for anyone to perfect it.
Purple Cloud Divine Arts—
In a way, this was also the reason why he was aiming to take the first spot. The desire to grow in terms of strength and talent, to restore the lost martial arts, which felt like an illusion now.
“Phew…”
After thinking for a long time, Goo Jong-myung sighed.
“I cannot just believe those words. Numerous warriors had tried to restore the lost martial arts, and you say, you can do it?”
“Isn’t it worth a try though?”
“It is. But even if I believe your words a hundred times over and you succeeded, there is still a problem. Our martial arts cannot leave our sect, and you will have to learn it to restore it.”
“…Yes.”
“That is a problem. Do you think we can tolerate that someone other than from our sect is asking us to give them our sect’s martial arts? Even if I wanted to, the elders, do you think the others would give you permission?”
Again, this man was not easy to convince. In a way, it was expected.
Even if they could restore the martial arts which had been lost, it would be a problem if the martial arts were leaked.
Moreover, Seol-Hwi was a member of the Demonic Sect. Even if Seol-Hwi could do all of this by conceding 100 times, he still belonged to the Demonic Sect, and there is no way Goo Jong-myung can give their martial arts up.
It was a choice which made no sense. However, Seol-Hwi had one more card up his sleeve.
“If it is a problem like that, I can show much sincerity.”
“…What? You will give me a martial art of Demonic Sect?”
Goo Jong-myung frowned.
This was an offer he would not even step into. If it was the same level of their martial arts, it has to be those of the Heavenly Demon.
But where can he use it?
It was not to look down on the martial arts of the Heavenly Demon, but mastering that would only cause damage to the body.
“As if. I am not that stupid.”
“Then? What is it?”
Goo Jong-myung was annoyed at the way Seol-Hwi was speaking, which was more about avoiding the issue.
No matter how much he thought, there was nothing to gain, but until the end he did not want to jump to conclusions. What could Mount Hua get…
Seeing that look, Seol-Hwi looked at him and said,
“Taiji Sword.”
“…?”
“I will show the Taiji Sword of Supreme Master level. I think that might be worth trading…”
“…!”
The eyes of Goo Jong-myung looked like they would fall out of their sockets.
The Taiji Sword—
The best of the Wudang Sect. If they could get this, then Mount Hua could at least prepare a way to break down the fight with Wudang.
No, it was not that much, but if they could just study and analyze the sword of Wudang, it would be good for Wudang.
The existence of Seol-Hwi who could speak things like this so lightly was the problem.
“Y-yo-you… what are you? Could you be the reincarnation of the Sword Immortal?”
“…No.”
Seol-Hwi had a bitter smile at the emotions he received from the elder in Mount Hua.
“I am just a weed caught in the accident.”
There were heavy emotions on his face.
“How did it go?”
Asked Cheon Miryo, who was waiting outside.
Since it was not an easy deal, she thought the deal would fall through.
“Fortunately we have some time left.”
“That means…?”
Since this was not a negative response, her face shone.
Even if it seemed like the hardship had passed, the bigger challenge still remained.
“We need to get the Purple Cloud Divine Arts which Mount Hua doesn’t have in perfect form and if that fails, everything fails.”
And it was likely to fail.
Imitating the martial arts which had been lost cannot even be done.
In particular, in order to perfectly embody the martial arts which were done by the highest skilled warriors of a sect, especially when it were the martial arts which was declared as the best in Mount Hua—
Even the most talented people who lived in Mount Hua who learned it eventually failed, and this nobody wanted to recreate it.
“And the spar…?”
“See that ridge there?”
“…Ah.”
Following Seol-Hwi’s hand, they saw this not so high mountain, with hilly terrain.
Mount Hua’s intentions were soon realized. It had to be done in a place with many disciples of theirs around.
“Lady, can you promise me something?”
Cheon Miryo nodded at his words.
“Please speak.”
“If I cannot make the perfect recreation… I will kill Goo Jong-myung.”
“Uh?”
Cheon Miryo gave a slightly embarrassed look at this.
Even during the negotiations, Seol-Hwi said he was preparing for an extreme measure.
“At that moment the system will intervene and as predicted, I will not wake up until the battle between the Demonic Sect and Wudang ends.”
“…”
“And as said before, if it cannot be changed… wake me up. If you don’t think you can stop it, kill just one.”
“Who?”
“End Demon.”
“…!”
Cheon Miryo looked nervous at it. She was one who had hidden her skills.
“Then there will be other dangers too.”
“…The appearance of the Heavenly Demon?”
“Yes?”
The Heavenly Demon—
No one knew from where they were watching, but he was surely watching this. And the fact that Cheon Miryo revealed her Profound Demon level would mean he would have noticed her.
“It doesn’t matter if that happens.”
“…Uh?”
Cheon Miryo asked at his words, but Seol-Hwo nodded.
And he calmly said,
“If he comes, there is no need to avoid it anymore.”
“…”
“And through the Purple Cloud Divine Arts, I will challenge the status quo I have yet to climb. If you go up to Profound Demon and Profound Master, it will become clear.”
“…”
“Because you gain mysterious strength.”
Failure could not be tolerated this time. And that was the determination in Seol-Hwi’s hand.
