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4.
The conflict between these two unresolved forces occurred three hundred years ago.
So, this is a story set two hundred years after the formation of the Murim Alliance. It is a story from an era when the White Path and the Black Path were not yet clearly distinguished.
At that time, the Murim Alliance had not been able to completely resolve doubts about its very existence.
The Seven Sects, which were already the focal point of the Murim Alliance
Even if it was not the Murim Alliance, it was spreading its influence as the representative sect of its own region, and furthermore, of the castle.
The Murim Alliance was declining to the level of a mere social club that did nothing but take money from each sect.
In fact, at that time, the Murim Alliance was maintaining ties not only with the Seven Sects but also with the Three Great Clans, the predecessors of the Five Great Clans, and the Three Gates and One Sect, which represented the Black Way; furthermore, groups such as the Green Forest and Waterway Villages frequently visited the Murim Alliance as if it were a tavern.
There was no coercion, and it served as a venue for exchange.
Therefore, from the perspective of Chilpa, who was practically bearing the financial responsibility, the actions of the Murim Alliance appeared from the start to be nothing more than the despicable behavior of squandering their fortune to provide a space for others to play.
The dissolution of the Murim Alliance, which was slowly crumbling away, seemed like an inevitable progression.
Around that time, an incident occurred.
Ouyang Ke, who rose to the ranks of absolute masters through his unique martial arts despite being of wild origin, killed Ziyang, the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance at the time.
One might think that living with enemies in the Central Plains, it wouldn’t be such a big deal who died at whose hand, but the problem was their status.
In particular, the fact that the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, who held a position roughly equivalent to that of a social club president, had died began to cause quite a stir.
All he did was host banquets, share drinks and snacks, and chat, but in any case, the nominal leader of the Martial Arts Alliance was the representative of those who advocated for the White Way.
As the leader of the Murim Alliance became entangled with the Wudang, the Wudang Sect could not simply sit idly by in the face of the backlash from the bereaved families protesting the injustice of the death.
In the end, the seven factions
They intended to quell the situation by issuing a statement in the name of the Murim Alliance and arresting Gu Yang-geuk to imprison him in the Golden Prison for a few years.
He had no power to begin with, and since his inclination was not entirely on the White Path side, it was not a particularly burdensome matter.
However, the reaction was intense.
The Three Gates and One Sect of the Black Sect, along with the Green Forest Village and the Ronin, fiercely opposed and began to protect Ouyang Ke.
The most important point is that they reacted ‘fiercely’.
As the other party’s reaction was so intense that it seemed oversensitive, even those who had intended to brush it off lightly had no choice but to gradually harden their expressions.
Because they have their face to save.
Now that the guilt had been determined, it was too late to turn back.
Moreover, the person Gu Yang-geuk killed was the Leader of the Martial Arts Alliance. It was not something that could simply be overlooked.
Due to the violent reaction of the Black Sect, the crude Murim Alliance organization could not step forward.
To be precise, an investigation team consisting of Wudang, Huashan, and Shaolin was formed.
They went to Ouyang Ke’s mansion and arrested him.
Have you come?
Gu Yang-geuk calmly admitted his mistake and was escorted to the Murim Alliance by the investigation team.
The real problem happened next.
As if realizing their resistance was no joke, Heukdo assembled a ‘rescue team’ with more than five times the number of members as the ‘investigation team’ and helped Gu Yang-geuk escape.
The Seven Sects of the Murim Alliance were greatly flustered by this ridiculous farce.
With even the prisoner being escorted being stolen, merely losing face was no longer enough.
In any case, wasn’t it the achievement of the Murim Alliance, centered on the White Path, that saved the Central Plains and brought peace in the past?
However, at that time, there were many who advocated for a free atmosphere in the martial arts world, so the forces of the Black Path were overwhelmingly larger, and as a result, the Martial Arts Alliance was ultimately unable to punish Gu Yang-geuk.
And this incident served as a major wake-up call to the Murim Alliance, that is, the White Path Murim.
Seven factions
He began to recruit members from the Murim Alliance in earnest and wiped out all the members of the Black Dao who dared to set foot in the Murim Alliance.
Established the foundation of the current Nine Great Sects in Chilpa.
After solidifying the foundation of the Murim Alliance by establishing the Five Great Clans through the addition of the Jegal and Namgung clans to the Three Great Clans.
The war against the Black Path began in earnest.
From that time on, the colors of each other, which had been unclear, began to become distinct and clear.
From the Right Path to the White Path, from the Evil Path to the Black Path.
And as you know now, the result was a victory for Baekdo, established under the pretext of ‘justice’.
“……
And so began the long, dark history between the Black Path and the White Path.
Even though Cheol-sun-jik’s story had ended, no proper questions or answers were heard.
Only a long silence followed.
Then, suddenly, Seongmo-ran asked as if finding it strange.
“What does that story have to do with us being here……?”
Cheol-sun-jik shook his head lightly and added.
The point is that the White Path and the Black Path were not in such distant positions to begin with. They were close enough to have even been together in the past.
Cheol-sun-jik nodded with a smile as if to reassure him.
So, I mean there is no need to be afraid. After all, there was a time when we shared a drink together in the Murim Alliance.
Seongmo-ran said with a bewildered expression.
That incident occurred because the Transcendental Divine Sword Ziyang disgraced Gu Yang Ke’s wife, didn’t it? Moreover, since the Murim Alliance declared the Dark Path Murim their primary enemy afterward, hasn’t that hatred been ingrained even more deeply over the past three hundred years?
“Isn’t it time to break that chain of hatred?”
Seong Moran tilted her head in confusion at the nonsensical and forced logic.
Didn’t Young Master Cheol dislike Young Master Jin from the start? What is your reason for going out of your way to defend Young Master Jin, who threw us into the Golden Jade Chamber?
Cheol-sun-jik thought quietly.
He said he wants to know why too. [Please explain it to him gently so he doesn’t get upset.]
If Jin So-un hadn’t said that before being trapped here, I wouldn’t have had to step forward.
Anyway, isn’t he the head of the Sal-Hwal-Dan right now?
Failing the mission given by the boss was a matter of pride.
In any case, can’t you rest comfortably in a safe space?
“safety……
Are you saying I should?
Seong Moran tilted her head as she stroked the iron bars crossing the side and inside spaces.
The pitch-black color stood out, perhaps because it was made of black iron, which is famous for its hardness.
While Cheol-sun-jik was choosing his answer in his head.
“I……”
Dang Gi-han, the seventh Grand Master whose face had been filled with worry since entering the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, cautiously opened his mouth.
I mean the hole in this wall.
Dang Gi-han stroked the holes with eyes that were blankly imagining something.
“This is probably… a mechanism that shoots arrows.”
“…….”
Cheol Sun-jik, who was choosing his words in his head, felt as if his head was suddenly ringing.
Holes were densely packed on every wall inside the iron bars.
As Dang Gi-han said, if it is a mechanism where arrows shoot out all at once from inside here… … .
The story is that everyone inside Geumok turns into a hedgehog.
Cheol-sun-jik, who had been examining the hole, shifted his gaze to Dang-gi-han.
It’s not like you’ve even been to Mandokmun, so how can you be so sure?
Sharp words slipped out of his mouth without him even realizing it.
His job right now was to quell the unrest among the people.
Since Danju left saying he would fight among the big bosses, it is now his job to handle as he has been entrusted with full authority.
In this situation, wouldn’t revealing tragic information only cause unrest?
However, whether or not Dang Gi-han knew his feelings, he continued speaking.
Like a child excited to see a familiar question.
“And do you see the holes up there that are smaller than that?”
Small holes repeatedly appear and disappear in the flickering shadows of the torch.
“A solitary mist will probably flow out of that hole.”
“Ah, the Tang family has a facility for the exact same purpose! It is mainly used to confine monsters brought in for research.”
So, after risking my life to escape the Mukrim and breaking through the Demon Realm.
So, after defeating even those who use bizarre magic, the place I arrived at is… the ‘Golden Jade for Monsters’?
What should I say now to stop the unrest among the people?
Those who had been complaining of fatigue and showing their physical limits are once again opening their eyes wide and bright, unable to hide their surprise.
“after…….”
The murmuring among the students grew louder.
Amidst the commotion, rumors circulated asking, “Are you going to die here?” or “Did you run into a tiger’s den to escape a fox?”
at that time.
Bang! Bang!
The warrior on guard duty slammed the iron bars and shouted angrily.
“Quiet! Quiet!”
At that stern voice and cold gaze, the murmuring mouths close tightly.
Because the attitude and behavior displayed by the warriors of Mandokmun were filled with hostility instead of goodwill.
Seong Moran whispered to Cheol Sun-jik.
“Can I really rest assured?”
Seong Mo-ran, having pulled away from Cheol Sun-jik, shrugged her shoulders once.
It would be more reassuring to listen to the Buddha’s teachings of Monk Ilgak rather than the absurd historical stories of the Iron Confucius.
Cheol-sun-jik felt indignant for some reason.
Jealousy arose for the bald man… no, Ilgak, who had gone to face the Lord of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect with Jin So-un. #In Ilgak’s opinion, choosing the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect in the current situation was the lesser of two evils.
For now, I think coming here to avoid the people presumed to be members of the Demonic Cult was not a bad choice in itself.
‘Since there is no way to ask for help from the Murim Alliance branch right now, relying on small and medium-sized sects would only cause greater damage.’ But… … ‘The Mandok Sect is a sect that even the massive sects of the Murim Alliance are wary of.
This is true in that they deal with poison, and also in that they are as venomous as the Tang family.
I was confident that anyone well aware of the notoriety of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect would not have the guts to recklessly enter it, no matter how much of an enemy was hiding inside.
In that respect, Mandokmun could be seen as the best choice, but the reason it is inevitably the lesser of two evils is.
This is precisely because the Ten Thousand Poison Sect hates the White Path Sect quite a bit.
No, it goes beyond disliking; I hate it.
Dan Se-ung, who is standing right before your eyes, is a figure known as an extremist even within the Black Sect and is viewed with suspicion by its own members.
The story of saying at the sect leader’s appointment ceremony long ago, “I will wipe out the White Path martial arts world and turn the Central Plains into the Black Path martial arts world,” caused quite a stir in the martial arts world for a while.
How terrified I was when I heard that the option Jin So-un was agonizing over was to ask the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect for help.
Still, since Jin So-woon had visited the Four Black Alliance and had some ties to the Black Dao, I followed him assuming he had something to rely on. ‘How could a human face look like that…’ That expectation shattered into pieces as I saw Dan Se-woong’s face, which resembled that of a malevolent evil spirit.
Moreover, seeing the students being imprisoned in the Golden Prison as soon as they entered the Mandok Gate, I was convinced that Dan Se-ung was trying to fulfill the declaration he made at the appointment ceremony long ago.
-Jin Danju, what do you plan to do?
Through the stern expressions of Dan Se-ung and the fierce gazes of his subordinates, Ilgak cautiously sent a telepathic message.
Then Jin So-un opened his eyes like a rabbit.
Why are you asking me that? The person who suggested coming here should be the one saying it.
In that moment, Ilgak’s heart sank.
“yes?”
I was so surprised that I forgot I was speaking telepathically and spoke out.
“Ahem……!”
Members of the Mandokmun, including Dan Se-ung, openly showed signs of discomfort.
Il-gak hurriedly sent a telepathic message without even being able to wipe the sweat flowing down his scalp.
-W-What do you mean by that?! Jin Danju! Jin Danju!
He called out to Jin So-un in a desperate plea, but Jin So-un did not even pretend to hear him.
At that moment, Dan Se-ung, who had been frowning, opened his mouth.
So you came to Mandokmun to ask for food and lodging?
His heavy voice sinks low.
Although he spoke simply, the way it resonated loudly throughout the hall made it seem as though there was some kind of special mechanism in place.
Jin So-un, who had been acting nonchalant until then, answered immediately.
“yes.”
“Do you think Mandokmun is… an inn?”
As expected, Dan Se-ung’s voice is filled with discomfort.
No, they seemed quite angry about being treated like an inn.
Some couldn’t even imagine how on earth they could appease that person’s anger.
It would have actually been better if Cheol-sun-jik had used his head to deal with this situation…
He couldn’t even understand why he was dragged here… no, why he was even here.
All he can do right now is just.
All he does is trust Danju, Jin So-un, whom he trusts and trusts again…
But don’t you admit that this is a really critical situation?
Can I trust that man?
While Ilgak was silently chanting prayers, Dan Se-ung’s voice grew low once again.
Did you think I would believe that preposterous story?
“No, then why did you let them in???”
That crazy… … no, did Danju just scream… …?
While a moment passed, doubting his own ears.
“If you were going to refuse, you should have refused in the first place. Why are you acting like this after getting people’s hopes up?”
“……!!!”
This crazy bastard—no, Jin So-un—was treating the famous extremist Dan Se-ung just like a neighborhood uncle.
It wasn’t just a fleeting feeling that Jin So-un’s behavior was disrespectful.
Because even among the senior members of the Mandok Sect gathered in Daejeon, there was a commotion over whether or not to kill Jin So-un.
Dan Se-ung snorted in response.
“Why did I let them in? I thought it would be a good idea to execute all the academy students and send them back to the Martial Arts Alliance.”
“Amitabha Buddha…….”
Il-gak somehow wore an expression as if he had attained enlightenment.
It was a moment when I felt that although Ma Gyeong and the Demonic Cult could not take my life, my life was ultimately being lost because of Jin So-un.
“Was this all you were capable of?”
huh?”
Jin So-un’s voice echoed sharply through the air of the hall.
“I heard that when you were appointed as the Sect Leader, you boasted that you would wipe out all the unrighteous sects in the Jianghu. Are you putting that plan into action now?”
“Do you really think that cutting off the heads of the academy students and sending them to the Murim Alliance will fulfill the promise you made back then?”
At least you know how terrifying the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect is.
Jin So-un let out a small snort.
“Isn’t that just a group obsessed with murder? After doing something like that, people will rely on the Murim Alliance even more. Saying, ‘Just as expected, you shouldn’t associate with those Dark Path bastards!’”
The reason the Murim Alliance was united three hundred years ago and the Dark Dao was declared the main enemy of the Jianghu was, after all, because the Murim Alliance had the justification of ‘justice’.
thud!
Dan Se-ung’s voice was filled with irritation as he slammed his hand on the chair.
So what!
Jin So-un’s voice suddenly settled into a calm tone.
I have heard and seen that voice and expression.
And quite a lot of that.
and.
After Il-gak saw that, something bad always happened to him.
Just like now.
“Didn’t you experience this at the Black Alliance as well? A new enemy will soon appear in the Jianghu. And they will be a force that neither the White Path nor the Black Path can handle.”
“If we are bound to fight together anyway, wouldn’t the side that extends a hand first take the initiative?”
Dan Se-ung, who had been silent for a moment, let out a sneer.
The hypocrites of Baekdo wouldn’t shake hands so easily.
“Then that’s even better.”
“huh?”
At that moment, Dan Se-ung’s body leaned slightly forward.
Seizing the moment, Jin So-un also leaned toward Dan Se-ung.
For the peace of the martial arts world, the Black Path extended a hand first. However, the self-righteous White Path rejected that hand.
Then, curling the corners of her mouth, she adds.
“Doesn’t it feel like the resulting painting will be somewhat different from what it was three hundred years ago?”
Dan Se-ung looked at Jin So-un with his lips tightly sealed.
Terrifying figures beyond imagination have appeared. Yet, the White Path is pettyly turning its back, refusing to join hands with the Black Path. People are dying, and the Black Path is fighting desperately. What kind of picture do you think this looks like to the people of the Jianghu?
Dan Se-ung recited as if responding to Jin So-un’s question.
“Baekdo… must look foolish.”
As expected, you know it well.
Some people had absolutely no idea how the situation was going.
One thing is certain: Dan Se-woong is gradually revealing his strong desires.
Dan Se-ung covered his mouth with his hands and remained silent for a moment.
A short while later.
“but.”
He opened his eyes wide and said.
“How can I believe that what you guys went through is true? I can’t believe such a large number of people were involved, but I also can’t believe that you captured a spirit.”
“That’s why I didn’t bring you here, is it?”
Jin So-un’s hand went straight toward Ilgak.
“I am Monk Ilgak, who has mastered the Yijing of the Shaolin Temple.”
Gak’s face was grotesquely distorted.
Regardless, Jin So-un looked around and started shouting loudly.
Have you ever seen a monk with great spiritual power tell a lie?
Jin So-un introduced a corner to people like a con artist selling medicine in the market.
“If anyone has seen a high-ranking monk from the Shaolin Temple lying, come forward.”
However, despite Jin So-un’s bold claims, the reaction was lukewarm.
Of course, you cannot distinguish between truth and falsehood based on a person’s status or background.
It was only natural that Il-gak wore an expression full of betrayal, thinking, “Is this why you brought me here?”
Jin So-un licked his lips as the people’s reaction remained lukewarm despite having gone to such lengths.
“Tsk, I even used the name of the Shaolin Temple, and they still don’t believe me.”
Jin So-un reached into his bosom with a look full of regret, and a moment later, he took out a leather pouch.
“It is the gallbladder of Mannyeontoung. Please check.”
“!!!”
The members of Mandokmun flinched in unison.
As Dan Se-ung nodded with a hardened face, a warrior quickly approached, picked up what was in Jin So-un’s hand, and brought it to Dan Se-ung.
“……!”
Dan Se-ung’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s once again as he took out what was inside the pouch and examined it.
“To think it’s this big… Did you really hunt a Millennium Earthworm?”
I’m telling you, that’s the case.
“Yeongdan…… Yeongdan is?”
There was no spiritual leader.
What kind of nonsense is this… … .”
Jin So-un shrugged his shoulders with a brazen look on his face.
“If I had that, would I have struggled to escape?”
Just then, one of the gatekeepers of Mandokmun quickly intervened.
“According to the Master’s records, it is said that the essence of the Mukrim spirit is often very small or non-existent.”
“Hmm… is that so?”
Dan Se-ung could not take his eyes off the bear bile, looking somewhat disappointed.
At that moment, Jin So-un spoke with a mischievous smile.
Oh, by the way, I brought that bear bile as a gift for the Sect Leader, so I would be grateful if you would accept it.
“Huh?”
“I was taught that you shouldn’t go to someone’s house empty-handed.”
A brief silence.
Soon, a roar of laughter burst from Dan Se-ung’s mouth.
“Hahahaha. You’ve learned properly at a truly excellent sect. I understand why the Four Emperors’ Peak Lord likes you. Hahahaha.”
As Dan Se-ung burst into laughter, those who had been harboring a fierce aura also began to show smiles one by one.
Dan Se-ung, who had suddenly stopped laughing, parted his lips with a solemn expression.
“Listen. He is a guest from the White Path visiting our Mandok Sect for the first time in three hundred years. Treat him with the utmost respect, more so than any other guest.”
At this, the subordinates answered in unison.
“””yes!”””
Jin So-un grinned as he looked at a corner.
That worked out well. I’m glad I brought the bear bile.
“Why? What’s bothering you that makes you look like that?”
What’s wrong?
“Wasn’t it unnecessary… to… sell the name of the Shaolin Temple?”
Jin So-un clicked his tongue with a look of genuine regret.
“If the Shaolin Temple’s name had sold well, you wouldn’t have had to give us bear bile. What a waste.”
“Ah, you guys need to step up your game. There is no trust, absolutely no trust. Tsk.”
Some were speechless for a while at Jin So-un’s brazen attitude.
