The moment the Orthodox Grand Tournament ended, a long line of guests began their descent from Mount Song.
However, despite the multitude of people leaving the mountain, the monks who should have been seeing them off at the gate were nowhere to be found.
Normally, elders and monks would be at the mountain gate, bidding farewell to those who had come to Mount Song to watch the Orthodox Grand Tournament. But as soon as the tournament concluded, the Shaolin monks became a rare sight.
Most people assumed they were busy dealing with the aftermath of the incident on the Young Dragon Ascent Road and thought nothing of it, but none of the martial artists descending Mount Song believed that to be the case.
“This Heavenly Net is quite something.”
At Myeong-ryeong’s words, Jo Do-yeong of the Azure Castle Sect nodded his head.
“But I don’t understand what could have happened to warrant such measures.”
At that, Mujin glanced at him.
“Did you not hear anything from Shaolin?”
“No. I heard that some unjust incident occurred, but they said the details would be explained at the Righteous Heart Assembly in three days. They seem to be treating the incident itself as top secret.”
Hearing the Azure Castle Sect elder’s words, Mujin turned his gaze to Myeong-ryeong this time.
“It’s the same for me. I would tell you if I had heard anything, but I know nothing.”
Mujin hadn’t looked at Myeong-ryeong with the expectation that she would have information to share.
‘It seems Great Monk Hyeon-u was giving me special consideration.’
Mujin knew the Demonic Spirit Sword had been stolen because the Great Monk Hyeon-u had told him so himself on the day of the incident.
This meant that the only ones who knew about the theft of the Demonic Spirit Sword were Shaolin and himself.
Unbeknownst to Mujin, on the day the Demonic Spirit Sword was stolen, all paths leading to the Demonic Sealing Mound had been blocked by the Arhat monks.
As the subtle waves of energy from the search net pressed in and swept over them, the conversation turned to Shaolin’s Heavenly Net.
“It’s not just once or twice; it’s passing by relentlessly.”
Abbess Myeong-ju said, as if weary of the unending waves of energy from the Heavenly Net, a technique where practitioners linked and shared their senses over a set distance as they advanced.
“Shaolin’s Heavenly Net is more persistent than ours. I don’t know what happened, but I hope whoever harmed Shaolin is caught quickly.”
“Could anyone escape such a tight net? Wherever they’re hiding, they will surely be caught.”
“Indeed. By tomorrow, they’ll likely be locked in Shaolin’s Cave of Repentance, regretting their actions for the rest of their lives.”
Even the Azure Castle Sect’s elder, Jo Do-yeong, said as much.
But Mujin inwardly shook his head.
‘It’s a tight net, but they don’t even know what they’re looking for. There’s no way they’ll catch them. They’ll probably just round up some innocent lowlifes and interrogate them, completely unaware that the real culprit is already escaping Mount Song.’
As he thought this, Mujin subtly glanced at Seomun Jin-hui’s handmaidens.
The two women followed behind Seomun Jin-hui as if they weren’t there, their hands politely clasped and their gazes lowered.
Sensing Mujin’s gaze, Seomun Jin-hui thought he was looking at her and gave him a smiling glance, followed by a slight bow of her head.
But Mujin’s attention had already shifted, and No-sak, who stood beside him, caught the look instead and ducked his head shyly.
Seeing No-sak’s face turn beet red, Mujin tilted his head.
-What’s wrong? You’re disturbing your energy flow. Aren’t you going to focus? If even a single strand of your demonic energy leaks out, you’ll be dragged to the Cave of Repentance. Get a grip.
With the incessant waves of Shaolin’s tight Heavenly Net passing over them, Mujin’s heart sank when No-sak’s energy wavered, fearing his concealed demonic energy would be discovered.
If it was revealed here that No-sak practiced demonic arts, it would undoubtedly lead to a very complicated situation.
He was already not fond of the public attention he was receiving, so he didn’t let up on supervising No-sak.
-Are you certain those two witches are the ones who stole the Demonic Spirit Sword?
-I’m not certain. But they are definitely connected to its disappearance.
The Poison Emperor had been constantly extending his senses to observe the two women, but he still hadn’t detected anything unusual.
-I see.
And so, the group descended Mount Song without incident.
On their way down, they encountered a few martial artists from the unorthodox factions fleeing from the Shaolin monks, but a few words from the Poison Emperor made them give up and be captured.
-We only came to watch the Orthodox Grand Tournament!
Mujin casually ignored the unorthodox practitioners who were shouting as they were dragged away to the Cave of Repentance.
Mujin and his party headed to a small teahouse in a village at the foot of Mount Song.
Inside the teahouse, many martial artists who had descended earlier were already seated.
When the elders of the Emei and Azure Castle Sects, the Poison Emperor, and Hwa Mujin of the Yeomhwa Family—the most talked-about figure of the Orthodox Grand Tournament—entered, all eyes immediately focused on them.
The bustling teahouse fell silent in an instant as the group walked in under everyone’s gaze.
Seeing no empty seats on the first floor, they went up to the next level, where the tea was slightly more expensive.
When they reached the third and final floor, there were hardly any customers, likely due to the higher prices.
The group took a seat at the largest table and began to order.
As the waiter rushed over to take their order, Soyeon and Dojin spoke at the same time.
-Cold lotus tea, please!
The two children, who had kept pace with the master-level adult martial artists on the way down Mount Song, were extremely thirsty and ordered a cold drink.
“I’ll have the same.”
“We’ll all have cold tea as well.”
The Poison Emperor ordered the same, as the weather was quite warm for autumn.
But the waiter wore a troubled expression and hesitated.
“Why are you just standing there?”
At the question from the Azure Castle Sect’s elder, Jo Do-yeong, the waiter finally spoke.
“I’m very sorry, but… our teahouse doesn’t have cold tea…”
“No cold tea?”
The Azure Castle Sect elder asked again with a look of incomprehension.
“Yes… I apologize.”
“Henan, I swear. Tsk, tsk.”
The Poison Emperor clicked his tongue and shook his head.
“Then bring us some cold water and some snacks. Everyone is quite thirsty, and hot tea won’t do the trick. Don’t worry about the price.”
At the words of Myeong-ryeong, dressed in the Emei Sect’s attire, the waiter bowed and hurried away.
“How do they survive the hot summers without cold tea? Honestly, some people are so frustrating.”
Jo Do-yeong of the Azure Castle Sect chimed in, agreeing with the Poison Emperor.
“I know, right? This is what happens when people don’t appreciate the taste of Sichuan pepper.”
Sichuan pepper was a key ingredient that gave Sichuan cuisine its signature spicy flavor.
With spicy food and particularly hot summers, it was only natural for a culture of cold tea to develop in Sichuan.
Sichuan natives were known for being direct and impatient, a temperament quite different from those of the Central Plains, which sometimes led to discrimination.
Since most of the group was from Sichuan, they spoke their minds freely.
Seomun Jin-hui, the only one in the group not from Sichuan but from Shandong, simply maintained a smile and listened to the conversation.
As they talked, simple snacks and cold water with lotus leaves floating in it were served.
It wasn’t lotus tea that had been steeped with leaves overnight, but it was decent enough to quench their thirst.
Once their thirst was sated, the real conversation began.
“This Orthodox Grand Tournament was truly eventful, but you upheld the honor of Sichuan with your appropriate actions.”
At Elder Jo Do-yeong’s words, Mujin shook his head.
“I only worry that I caused unnecessary trouble. I feel ashamed before the seniors of the martial world.”
At Mujin’s words, Myeong-ryeong firmly shook her head.
“Not at all! The son of the Ironclad Fortress goes without saying, but even the great disciple of Wudang needed to be taught a lesson so that he understands there are lines that must not be crossed. Look at the Kongtong Sect. Have they already forgotten the lesson of the Divine Demon’s annihilation, turning their backs on justice like that? We of the Nine Great Sects must be even more careful with our words and actions. We owe a great debt to the martial world of the Central Plains. You did well.”
Myeong-ryeong did not have a favorable view of the Ironclad Fortress, the Kongtong Sect, or the Wudang Sect’s great disciple, Cheong Mu-hak.
Having witnessed the actions of the Ironclad Fortress and the Kongtong Sect with her own two eyes that day, her disappointment in them was immense.
By following only the logic of the sword and power without just cause, the Nine Great Sects had etched an indelible stain upon the history of the martial world.
If they only considered power dynamics and calculated profit and loss while turning a blind eye to injustice, how were they any different from the unorthodox factions?
“By the way, I heard a rumor that you were attacked by the Moon-Slaying Sword Sect?”
Though his voice was calm, a fiery fighting spirit burned in the Poison Emperor’s eyes.
“Yes, Elder. They sent the Hwamyeong Duo and thirty first-rate masters. If Family Head Hwa had not been there that day… I cannot say for certain what would have happened.”
At Myeong-ryeong’s words, the Azure Castle Sect’s Jo Do-yeong furrowed his brow and ground his teeth.
“Grrr! I never imagined the spirit of Sichuan had fallen this low. It seems fifteen years of seclusion was indeed a long time. To think we’d see those unorthodox bastards brazenly commit such foul acts in Sichuan.”
“Tell me about it. After the Nine Great Sects lifted their seclusion, we were too cautious, afraid of repeating past mistakes. To dare pull something like that in Sichuan… It seems that old fool, the Warped Emperor, wants a life-or-death duel with me. Perhaps he’s curious to see whose realm is higher before he dies.”
At the Poison Emperor’s words, Seomun Jin-hui looked at him in surprise.
This was coming from none other than the Poison Emperor, one of the Four Emperors.
A single statement like that could potentially trigger a massive wave, an Orthodox-Unorthodox Grand War, so her surprise was natural.
“You’re not just going to let this go, are you?”
Mujin smiled at the Poison Emperor’s question.
“As long as I am the Family Head, the Yeomhwa Family will not let its debts and grudges go unsettled.”
Though his words were devoid of much emotion, Myeong-ryeong, who knew him well, could read the determination and killing intent within them.
“That’s the spirit. I assume you plan to bring this matter up at the Righteous Heart Assembly?”
This time, the Poison Emperor looked at the elders from the Azure Castle and Emei Sects as he asked.
“Yes. Great Monk Hyeon-u gave us a heads-up. He said he spoke directly to the Shaolin Abbot. A decision on how to deal with the Moon-Slaying Sword Sect will likely be made at this Righteous Heart Assembly.”
“I don’t doubt the decision of the Nine Great Sects, but… convey this to your sect leaders clearly. If you once again hide behind justifications and ignore the evil deeds of the unorthodox path, the Five Great Families and the Beggars’ Sect will draw a line with the Nine Great Sects and act independently.”
!!!
At the Poison Emperor’s words, Seomun Jin-hui and the elders of the two great sects widened their eyes.
“Is it so surprising? It’s been fifteen years. Of course, I respect the desire not to repeat past mistakes. No, it’s admirable. Who can argue with restoring and protecting the spirit of the orthodox path?”
The three elders waited for the Poison Emperor’s next words.
“But thanks to that fine justification, we have ignored the evil deeds of those unorthodox bastards spreading their influence throughout the Central Plains for too long. And what is the result? Now we are being attacked by them in our own backyard, in Sichuan. The Five Great Families, including the Tang Clan, and the Beggars’ Sect have decided that we will no longer stand by and watch this kind of bullshit.”
Though the Poison Emperor’s words were somewhat harsh, Myeong-ryeong and Abbess Myeong-ju agreed with him.
In Ganluo, a disciple of their sect had nearly fallen victim to a lecher, and they had been ambushed on their way to the Orthodox Grand Tournament.
If they had been unlucky, they could have lost an outstanding talent who would represent Sichuan, Hwa Mujin.
“We will not stand idly by this time either. We hope the Righteous Family Assembly will recognize our resolve. This time, no matter what, we are prepared to see this through to the end. As long as we can protect the spirit of the Central Plains, we will not hesitate to break the precept against killing and bloody our hands.”
At Myeong-ryeong’s chilling words, the Poison Emperor smiled.
Myeong-ryeong had undergone a significant change of heart through the series of incidents in Sichuan.
She had realized that while the lesson of the Divine Demon’s annihilation should not be forgotten, hesitating to fight the unorthodox path would only lead to more people being hurt or killed.
As the heavy conversation continued, Dojin and Soyeon could only stare at the adults with wide eyes.
“It seems we went too far with the children present.”
Abbess Myeong-ju tried to lighten the mood and change the subject.
“By the way, is your talent really that exceptional? My senior sister praised you so much my ears are ringing. So, you’re learning the Drifting Snow Cloud Palm?”
“Yes. Master said the swift Drifting Snow Cloud Palm suits me well.”
“That’s wonderful. If you have the chance, you should come visit the Emei Sect. Though you are not a registered disciple, you have a connection with Emei. You have many martial brothers and sisters there. It would be good to get to know them. Sparring with children your age there would also be a good experience.”
“Yes! If my brother allows it, I would love to visit.”
Soyeon said, looking at her older brother.
Mujin smiled at her, but he never gave her an answer of permission.
‘Not a chance. Who knows what registry she might sign her name on if she goes there. I’m sorry, but my sister will not be setting foot on Mount Emei.’
While the conversation shifted to Mujin’s siblings, at the edge of his vision, Mujin could see the subtly trembling, irregular movements of Seomun Jin-hui’s handmaidens’ shoulders.
Keeping his main focus on his party, Mujin naturally moved his gaze while concentrating on the handmaidens.
‘So, they’re using sign language.’
Sign language was a form of coded communication using hand or body signals.
Even for martial artists living in the harsh world of the martial arts, those who knew or could use sign language were extremely rare.
It was almost nonexistent in the orthodox path, while it was more commonly used by those in the unorthodox path, such as the Underworld Sect or assassins.
‘Demonic practitioners who know sign language.’
After more than four hours of conversation and constant observation, he was finally able to discern that the person the two women were communicating with was in the same room.
They hadn’t shown their hand at all while watching the duels at the Orthodox Grand Tournament or during the descent from the mountain.
Only after leaving Mount Song, when the group was engrossed in conversation, did they finally reveal their tail, showing extreme caution.
“Well then, shall we move to a place for dinner now?”
At Mujin’s suggestion, the group nodded.
“Family Head Hwa, are you planning to return first?”
“I feel apologetic to you, Abbess, and to Great Monk Hyeon-u, but I am worried about leaving the family unattended for too long. We will stay here tonight and depart tomorrow.”
At Mujin’s words, Myeong-ryeong shook her head.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Great Monk Hyeon-u and I will head to Xichang as soon as the Righteous Heart Assembly is over.”
“Yes.”
With that, the group left their seats and found a nearby inn.
The sun was already setting.
Seomun Jin-hui also saw the setting sun and took a room at the same inn as Mujin’s party.
“My family members won’t be down the mountain until tomorrow, so I have to wait another day.”
Seomun Jin-hui explained without being asked.
After taking rooms at the same inn and even having dinner together, they retired to their rooms early.
As the night deepened and dark clouds drifted across the sky, obscuring the bright moon, a mental message reached Mujin’s ears.
-What do you plan to do?
At the Poison Emperor’s message, Mujin shook his head.
-I’ve figured out who it is… but their concealment art is extraordinary. I couldn’t detect any demonic energy at all. For now, we’ll have to wait for those two women to make a move. Since they’re off Mount Song, they will surely try something tonight. Given the culprit’s concealment art, he must be the one who stole the Demonic Spirit Sword.
-You mean that old man they were signing with?
-You noticed?
-Heh heh. I am the Poison Emperor of the Tang Clan. We specialize in working in the shadows.
As Mujin and the Poison Emperor conversed through mental messages from their respective rooms, they both sensed a presence and simultaneously leaped out of their windows.
