Chapter 413
## Chapter 413. The Price of Connection (1)
—
Lately, members of the Wudang Sect were rarely spotted within the headquarters of the Murim Alliance. Alongside Shaolin, they were widely regarded as the pinnacle of power inside the Murim Alliance, traditionally wielding massive authority across every sector. Thus, their sudden absence naturally sparked widespread curiosity.
“What happened? Did the Wudang crowd all catch a bug at some grand banquet?”
“No, that’s not it. Have you heard about the raid on the Bong-an Pavilion? Rumor has it that Wudang was entirely behind that strike.”
“Come on, what kind of ridiculous fairy tale is that?”
“I’m telling you the truth! Word is that Cheong-su-jin-in has been summoned to the Inspection Pavilion to answer for it.”
“Are you serious?”
Rather than fading away as baseless gossip, the rumors gained more traction by the day. As the reports were verified, people found themselves utterly dumbfounded and horrified.
“Even if that’s true, inviting a guest over only to ambush them…… how is that acceptable?”
“They aren’t even part of the Black Way. The righteous fighters of the White Way are supposed to value honor. Do these people possess no sense of decency?”
“The state of the world is declining rapidly, I swear.”
On the flip side, some took a completely different stance.
“To begin with, allowing a high-ranking member of the Saheuk-ryeon to step foot inside the Murim Alliance was a massive mistake!”
“Precisely! That’s exactly right. This whole ordeal proves one thing. The only faction genuinely acting to protect the Murim is Wudang! Everything they did was in the name of justice.”
“You absolute lunatics…… since when does inviting someone to share a meal and then orchestrating an assassination count as the Orthodox Path or chivalry?”
Naturally, very few people bought into that logic. Regardless, public perception of Wudang plummeted sharply, forcing their disciples to withdraw and lay low. Accustomed to nothing but reverence, these martial artists struggled to cope with the sudden shift to icy glares overnight.
Belonging to the Wudang Sect had always been a badge of supreme honor and a defining identity. With that status now tarnished, those who initially felt demoralized, lost, and bitter eventually shifted into a state of fierce denial and burning outrage.
“Think of how much our Wudang has sacrificed for the sake of the *Kangho* over the generations!”
“Has there ever been a single moment in history where our path proved incorrect?”
“If Cheong-su-jin-in made that executive decision, it must be justified within the grand scheme of things!”
When resentment builds internally, the blame inevitably gets projected outward. Rationalizing their own blunders as a necessary sacrifice and masking their arrogance as profound foresight, they began seeking external scapegoats for their predicament. The notion that the great Wudang Sect—or they themselves—could be in the wrong was considered as absurd as the sun rising from the west.
“If the root of this crisis traces back to the insolent Dam-ak, the one who truly inflamed the situation is Jin So-un. He intervened and escalated everything.”
“His mind has been warped by the twisted tenets of the Black Way for a long time. If that weren’t the case, how could he brazenly escort a Black Way organization into the sacred welcoming ceremony of the Murim Academy!”
“Worse yet, they say he struts around flaunting the title of Black Flame Dragon—a moniker granted by the Sa-hwang-bong-ju, who currently rules the Saheuk-ryeon-ju—as if it were some badge of honor.”
Had anyone native to Anhui Province overheard this nonsense, they would have brandished a blade in fury and shouted, *‘You absolute bastards!’*—but unfortunately, he remained far away in Anhui Province.
[The Maengho Unit has been completely crippled.]
[Reports state that the Maengho Unit Commander ultimately suffered the destruction of his Dantian after a desperate final stand against Jin So-un, who combined forces with Dam-ak and his wicked sorcery.]
Furthermore, upon learning that the Maengho Unit dispatched to apprehend Dam-ak had been utterly obliterated, the fury directed at Jin So-un erupted like oil poured onto an open flame. As these grievances mounted to a boiling point, a critical realization emerged.
“How much longer must Wudang sit back and swallow this humiliation?”
Ultimately, they arrived at a fundamental inquiry, completely erasing their own transgressions from memory. Beyond the borders of the Murim Alliance, secret gatherings among Wudang disciples grew more frequent. Dodging public scrutiny and the surveillance of spies, they assembled clandestinely in hidden locations.
“Dam-ak slipped through our fingers, but Jin So-un will undoubtedly have the nerve to show his face again.”
“We must prepare ourselves for that exact moment.”
They fueled their convictions with the delusional hope that they could single-handedly restore Wudang’s fallen glory.
There is a common proverb stating that a single hand cannot prevail against ten. Obviously, that rule doesn’t apply to me. My own hands possess the raw power of a massive mountain, meaning I can easily hold my own against ten opponents. Still, if my ordeal with Dam-ak taught me anything, it’s that even a mountain-sized hand faces a grueling challenge when trying to hold off a hundred hands at once.
*‘Then again, believing it’s a simple task is foolish in itself.’*
Ever since this current life began, I understood my purpose perfectly. I cannot compromise with anyone, nor can I bow my head to any soul. To avert the ruin and hopelessness I foresee, I must dismantle the established order and peace. Simply put, the distinct future I am striving for will only manifest once the masses view me as a harbinger of doom and calamity.
For this reason, the moment I made my return, I focused entirely on refining my internal energy. I drained the medicines listed in the *Kangho* Elixir Record along with countless secret formulas locked away in my mind. Some of these elixirs were stumbled upon by sheer luck, while others were acquired through completely absurd circumstances.
“Because of those actions, numerous prominent figures who were destined to leave their mark have vanished entirely.”
Through this process, I successfully forged a staggering internal energy reserves equivalent to five full cycles—a feat completely unachieved by anyone within the Tae-eul Sect in my previous life. In the *Kangho*, where a martial artist can command immense respect by merely mastering a single cycle, possessing five cycles at my age means the entire world ought to tremble at my slightest movement.
Yet, what is the actual state of affairs?
*‘Those miserable bastards, do they view me as some freakish abomination terrorizing a quiet hamlet?’*
They are desperately trying to hunt me down as though I were some corrupted beast unbalancing the natural order. The younger disciples of the Tae-eul Sect are training fiercely to keep up, but they still have a long way to go. The martial prowess of each individual needs to transcend the standard level of common sects. It needs to be overwhelmingly superior. Until they reach that milestone, I am the one who must shield them.
There are currently two paths available for my progression: unlocking a higher state of spiritual realization or expanding my reserves of internal energy. My recent duel against Yong-so-ah brought the concept of spiritual realization back to mind.
*‘He really is a persistent bastard.’*
On paper, my raw internal energy reserves clearly surpassed his. On top of that, I was thoroughly acquainted with every single one of his combat patterns. Through mental simulations, I had battled the version of Yong-so-ah from my past life countless times. Even so.
*‘I simply couldn’t best him.’*
Whether at the Maryeong Plateau or within the confines of the Ten Thousand Poison Gate, every single instance I clashed swords with Yong-so-ah, I held nothing back. Yet, I never managed to push him into a corner. If internal energy determines one’s tier, then my tier is undeniably superior, and yet he remains just out of reach.
*‘In the end, it boils down to a discrepancy in foundational comprehension.’*
The Wudang Sect. Within a lineage that has preserved its secret doctrines for centuries since the era of Jang Sam-bong, the core insights of martial artists who consistently surpassed human boundaries must be safely guarded. Because these revelations are systematically handed down across generations, modern disciples launch their training from a vastly elevated baseline of comprehension.
In stark contrast, the internal archives of the Tae-eul Sect amount to little more than: *‘This is where I took a hit, and this is where I perished.’* That centuries-old gap in heritage establishes a profound, insurmountable divide. When it comes down to it, the most direct path to acquiring advanced realization is through the direct guidance of a master who has scaled those heights—but what rational expert would freely offer up the secrets of their ultimate realm?
“If I cannot bridge the gap in quality, I will just have to overwhelm them with sheer volume.”
Ultimately, accumulating greater internal energy was the sole reliable method to safeguard myself, my fellow disciples, and my clan, while subsequently preserving the Murim Alliance and the broader *Kangho*.
“Therefore……”
*Click—*
The crisp echo of a wooden container snapping open filled the space.
“I am consuming this strictly out of sheer necessity. Guarding our secrets remains my top priority, and keeping you all alive comes right after.”
Indeed. There is no other alternative.
Just as my fingers neared the medicine, a strange vision of a gold certificate materialized briefly before my eyes. I brushed the air to dispel the illusion, but a sudden image of Eun-ho staring blankly while making an offensive gesture popped into my head.
“You ungrateful brats…… failing to grasp the profound burdens carried by your *Daesa-hyeong*.”
Strangely enough, it proved quite difficult to shake off the mental images of Sa-ryeon glaring coldly at me, or even Dong-ryong watching me with tears welling in his eyes. Even so, I had to steel my resolve. I carefully returned the medicine to its container and slid the wooden lid shut.
“No. This substance is far too volatile for any of you to safely ingest.”
As the *Daesa-hyeong* of the Tae-eul Sect, Jin So-un, I knew that ensuring the well-being of my junior martial siblings required my own sacrifice. Summoning the resolve of a warrior charging straight into a blazing inferno alongside an enemy general, I firmly ignored the lingering illusions of my juniors and made my way toward an isolated mountain range.
I had no way of knowing exactly how long the absorption process for the Taiji Elixir would take. At the bare minimum, I required absolute isolation during that period. This medicine possessed a potency far eclipsing any supplement I had previously swallowed. I needed to maintain a level of focus greater than ever before.
Brushing away a drop of sweat brought on by sheer nerves, I hurried my pace. High-tailing it off the main pathway, I leaped across the canopy utilizing the Grass-Skimming Flight, scouting for a treacherous terrain completely devoid of human traffic. Eventually, I located a jagged, unforgiving mountain where even the most daring foragers would likely never tread.
“This spot should serve perfectly.”
Projecting my spiritual awareness outward to map the immediate vicinity, I detected not just small woodland creatures but a heavy presence of formidable predators roaming nearby.
“There ought to be a den belonging to a bear somewhere around here!”
Locking onto my destination, I dove downward with the precision of a hawk diving for its dinner. A massive bear resting inside the cavern immediately unsheathed its talons, snarling as it lunged at the sudden intruder dropping directly from above.
*Woooooo!*
*
I sharply channeled my internal energy.
*Pop-pop-pop!*
My fighting robes billowed violently as if about to rip apart, and the moment I unleashed a dense torrent of raw murderous intent, the charging beast instantly skidded to a dead stop.
“What’s wrong? Aren’t you going to finish what you started?”
*Gue-e-e.*
The creature instantly dropped its head, whipped around in a panic, and sprinted away into the brush. Once a sufficient amount of time passed ensuring the beast was long gone, I located a massive boulder nearby and rolled it toward the mouth of the cavern.
*Thud—*
The immense rock was easily large enough to completely seal off the cave’s mouth. Following that, I gathered a thick pile of foliage to layer across the hard ground and topped off my canteen with fresh water to sustain myself through any unforeseen complications. Having concluded my preparation, I stepped back into the shadows of the cave.
“…….”
A diminutive, elderly gentleman stood silently inspecting the cavern entrance. What in the world? Where did he materialize from so suddenly……
*‘Wait.’*
My feet froze instantly, and my palm instinctively dropped onto the grip of my weapon. My survival instincts were screaming at me that this old man was extraordinarily dangerous. The senior addressed me in a calm, seasoned tone.
“Are you a practitioner of the martial arts?”
He stood barely tall enough to reach my chest, his skin heavily creased with age. Between his slouched spine and roughly bound hair, he appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary elder wandering the wilderness. Yet, I refused to drop my guard for a single second. During my entire trek toward this location, not once had I noticed him.
*‘How did he completely evade my spiritual awareness!’*
His actual presence had been entirely imperceptible. Even though a flowing creek ran nearby, I hadn’t picked up on a single trace of him until this exact moment. Yet, what was the situation now? I could distinctly perceive a faint ripple of internal energy originating from his frame. He was undeniably a trained martial artist. How could someone possessing internal energy navigate this deep into the wilderness without triggering my sensory perimeter?
Masking my turbulent thoughts, I responded with an air of indifference.
“I am. Might I ask what brings an Elder like yourself out to such a treacherous peak?”
“A simple forager ventures out to harvest wild herbs, what other purpose could there be?”
“……So you claim to be an ordinary forager.”
What kind of simple forager in this world maintains absolute composure when confronted by an armed swordsman?
“I simply tracked an exotic aroma, and it guided me straight to this location.”
The old man swept his eyes across my frame, his gaze appearing cloudy yet harboring an undeniably sharp intensity. I forcibly stayed my hand, which had instinctively twitched toward my chest pocket.
“Though it appears this fragrance already belongs to someone.”
In that instant, absolute clarity washed over me. This senior knew exactly what was happening.
“I intentionally refrained from broadcasting it. I suppose it leaked out regardless.”
“Is it not a common proverb that ‘the scent of an orchid spans a thousand *li*, while human integrity echoes for ten thousand *li*’? A true masterpiece cannot easily conceal its essence.”
He masquerades as a common woodsman while casually tossing around elegant poetry. I rapidly scanned through the vast mental archives in my head, attempting to match the elder’s description to any known figure. I desperately needed to identify him and pinpoint his faction to formulate a proper response. Unfortunately, no records in my memory aligned with this old man’s profile.
*‘Who on earth is he?’*
Judging solely by the thin stream of internal energy he chose to display, I possessed more than enough power to overpower him completely. However, my deep-seated instincts urged extreme caution. In my previous life, whenever this specific premonition flared up on the field of battle, disaster invariably followed before the day concluded.
“I have been told on numerous occasions that I possess a decent character. Even so, isn’t this mountain far too isolated for someone to wander into based on a mere scent?”
“When a person reaches my advanced years, they begin to crave intangible treasures far more than physical property.”
“For someone claiming to hold such values, your eyes seem entirely consumed by desire.”
“……Is that how it appears? I believed I had cast aside most worldly cravings, yet seeing that I still harbor such wants…… *tsk, tsk*, I suppose this perfectly illustrates the definition of ‘an old man’s folly’ (*no-chu*).”
My remaining patience was rapidly evaporating. Dammit, why should I find myself stressing over what is rightfully mine? Even if my opponent is an elite master, am I supposed to just offer a polite *‘I understand’* and surrender my property? Think of how much I stripped away from myself in my past life by being so pathetically compliant. Upon receiving this second chance at life, I made a firm vow to myself: I would never allow myself to be a victim of theft again. Thus, I could say it with absolute conviction.
*Get lost!*
“State clearly what it is you are after.”
As I began to channel the internal structure for the White Moon Ascending Heaven Three Styles, I openly broadcasted my deadly intentions.
“Ho-oh, observing how swiftly your demeanor shifts, it seems you have reached a definitive conclusion.”
“You will not leave here with what you came for.”
“How can you be so certain of my intentions?”
“The fact that you hesitate to state it plainly tells me your motives are entirely dishonorable.”
In response to my declaration, the senior let out a harsh, grating chuckle that sounded like grinding metal.
“*Heh, heh* This is quite amusing. Are you truly suggesting you intend to square off against this old man?”
“Even if you manage to seize what you want, it will cost you at least one of your limbs.”
“Without so much as granting me a chance to voice my request?”
It is a universal truth that the individual who strikes first gains the upper hand. Embedding the wisdom of historical tacticians deep into my mind, I unleashed the Red Light Sword.
White Moon Ascending Heaven Third Style.
First Style.
Extreme Speed (*Geuk-kwae*).
A blinding beam of pure energy erupted forward, cleanly cleaving through the surrounding foliage and timber.
*Sswwaeeek—*
The delayed crack of displaced air striking a moment later served as a testament to the terrifying velocity of the strike. Concurrently, an ominous dread settled deep in my gut.
*‘There was no impact.’*
As expected, the spray of crimson that should have erupted from a successful strike across that severed space was entirely absent. Furthermore, there was absolutely no sign of the elder ahead of me, nor to my left or right. Right at that moment.
“*Heh, heh, heh* I had heard tales that you were a youngster blessed with remarkable instincts, but I never anticipated you would be this utterly reckless.”
The words materialized suddenly right behind my shoulder. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end, and as I spun around.
*Toss— toss—*
The old man was casually flipping a highly familiar wooden container into the air, catching it effortlessly with a single hand. No way……. My hand flew frantically to my robes.
*‘It’s gone.’*
The elder smirked at me, his expression dripping with amusement.
“Are you searching for this?”
What in the absolute hell, hand that back right now.
