Chapter 436
## Chapter 436. The Bird That Calls the Typhoon (1)
—
Even though he attempted to conceal his true identity behind an intricate disguise of false skin, his specific mannerisms and bearing gave him away immediately. This was the person who had rejected the Tae-eul Sect and tried to misappropriate the heritage left behind by the Tae-eul Sword Emperor. He was the scoundrel who falsely assumed the identity of the Demonic Cult without comprehending the true weight of that title. He was known as the Divine Dragon of Jeom-chang, destined to become the final Sect Leader of Jeom-chang who would guide his followers toward the North Sea in days to come.
Jong Byeok-gi, famously titled the Bi-un-sin-pung (Cloud-Shattering Divine Wind).
What brought him to this gathering organized by the worldly branches remained a mystery. Frankly, I had no desire to uncover the reason anyway.
“Presenting yourself—”
“He doesn’t need to introduce himself. I am already well acquainted with his identity.”
Gang Chae-seok shifted his gaze between me and Jong Byeok-gi, his expression overflowing with unanswered queries. A considerable amount of time had passed, yet he still cut a miserable figure.
“Are you planning to keep hiding behind that awkward disguise?”
“……Do you have any concept of the suffering I’ve endured because of your actions?”
“Why blame me for that? You brought all that misery upon yourself through your own foolish decisions.”
Jong Byeok-gi cast a brief glance toward Moyong-gang before swiftly averting his eyes, as though triggered by an unpleasant memory.
“My inner core was shattered, and my leg is permanently crippled!”
I had hoped to remain indifferent, but his petty wallowing in self-pity caused a surge of irritation to swell within me.
“Have you already wiped from your memory how many lives were extinguished by the actions of you and your mentor’s lineage?”
“……!”
“You only invoke the survival of the fittest when it serves your own interests.”
A wave of comprehension washed over his face, revealing that he realized he had spoken out of turn.
“Because of you, it’s all because of you…….”
I found myself lacking any words for a person who dedicated his entire existence to shifting blame onto others. Even if I attempted to reason with him, it would merely serve as fuel for his next grievance.
“If you’re going to air your grievances like that, you should pay me. Why squander your coin on the women of the entertainment houses while offering nothing to me?”
“……You absolute lunatic.”
The aura surrounding Jong Byeok-gi turned profoundly solemn once more.
“The reason I have stepped forward today is…….”
A concentrated gleam of malice radiated from the slits of his artificial mask.
“To demonstrate that the Tae-eul Sect can never hope to rival Jeom-chang.”
Despite his low moral character and narrow mindset, he remained a practitioner of the martial path. He recognized the most definitive method to substantiate his claims.
*Schwing—*
The treasured weapon granted to him by Jeom-chang, the Bi-un-geom (Cloud-Shattering Sword), bared its steel. As if greeting the open air after an extended absence, the blade vibrated softly.
“Has it been a long time since you last brandished your weapon?”
“…….”
He cast a single look at his blade and spoke with complete indifference.
“I have not encountered anyone who deserved to witness this blade.”
“It is quite a privilege, then, that I am deemed to possess that merit.”
“……Indeed, that is precisely the limit of your worth. Jin So-un of the Tae-eul Sect.”
*Rumble.*
The sudden reverberation of thunder echoed across a cloudless sky. All at once, somber storm clouds gathered rapidly, shrouding the brilliant sun in darkness.
“Observe this. Even the heavens are enraged by the sheer insolence of your conduct.”
Jong Byeok-gi unleashed a burst of laughter while staring up at the heavens, as if utterly amused. The spectacle was thoroughly bizarre—and rather pathetic.
*Drip, drop—*
Moisture began to descend, scattering one droplet at a time.
“By the way, if the sun is hidden from view, how do you expect to execute your ‘sun-shooting’ technique?”
“You insufferable wretch!”
*Grit.*
With the distinct sound of gnashing teeth, Jong Byeok-gi propelled himself off the earth with the fierce velocity of a golden predator bursting forth from the thicket.
—
The moniker Bi-un-sin-pung (Cloud-Shattering Divine Wind) had been granted to him because his swift movement methods resembled a sudden, solitary gale.
Bi-ryong-beon-sin (Flying Dragon Flipping Its Body).
Sin-ryong-chul-hae (Divine Dragon Emerging from the Sea).
I-eo-bun-su (Carp Parting the Water).
He executed the Cheon-ryong-hwan-heo-bo, drawing upon the principles of the Bi-cheon-sip-i-pyo. Along with the Cheong-myeong-sin-bo and the Tae-baek-il-sim-chu. As he shifted his physical form to the most advantageous positions without any distinction between his footwork and agility techniques, he truly resembled a passing gust of wind.
Naturally, that would be the case if not for his single impaired leg.
“Do you happen to be familiar with the phrase people use for situations like this?”
Hearing Jin So-un’s query, Jong Byeok-gi’s gaze grew piercing.
“They call it ‘a cripple putting on a show’…….”
“You miserable dog!”
Pure murderous intent erupted from Jong Byeok-gi’s eyes.
“Why do you persist in forcing movement techniques that you haven’t even properly maintained?”
*Flash, flash—*
In the blink of an eye, Jin So-un’s half-dozen illusory forms materialized and vanished. Before anyone could track it, his clenched hand struck directly into Jong Byeok-gi’s midsection.
*Thud—*
Jong Byeok-gi, who barely managed to drop his arm to absorb the impact, stumbled backward three paces and gave a compliant nod.
“Very well, there is no reason for me to stubbornly exhibit what I have already abandoned.”
“…….”
“Are you not the least bit inquisitive about what I have been perfecting instead of training my footwork?”
“I possess zero curiosity regarding a man’s daily routines.”
The moment Jin So-un finished speaking, the aura emanating from Jong Byeok-gi underwent a total transformation.
*Whooooosh—*
The unrefined power that had been spilling out in every direction condensed into a singular spot, becoming incredibly sharp.
*Zzzzzz—*
*Whoosh—*
A piercing force cut through the air with extreme precision.
*Splash—*
The unannounced downpour actually proved advantageous for those watching. If not for the paths carved through the falling droplets within the severed space, their eyes would have completely lost track of the blade Jong Byeok-gi was swinging.
“Ah…….”
“Is—is this Jong-nam?”
“You fool! It’s Jeom-chang!”
“Th—this is the power of Jeom-chang?”
A violent gale swept across the martial grounds.
*Boom—*
The phenomenon was far too calculated to be credited to the rain clouds, yet too seamless to believe a mortal had fashioned it. Its origin was unquestionably Jong Byeok-gi’s blade. The abrupt and crushing pressure induced terror in anyone merely observing it.
“Wh—what about the Black Flame Dragon?”
Anxiety naturally caused the crowd to worry for the safety of his opponent. People scanned for Jin So-un with panicked expressions, rapidly tracking the direction indicated by a lone spectator’s finger.
Their eyes followed the path of Jong Byeok-gi’s weapon. Jong Byeok-gi’s blade tore toward Jin So-un’s throat, leaving absolutely no path for evasion.
*Slash—*
“Ah!”
A sharp cry rang out as Jin So-un’s head appeared to be severed. Immediately afterward:
“N—no. That wasn’t his actual body…….”
The onlookers who had averted their gaze finally looked back, reassured by a trembling voice of relief. The form that had been struck was merely one of Jin So-un’s residual illusions. Even so, they could not lower their guard.
*Slash—*
*Slash—*
*Slash—*
The trail of falling water ripped through Jin So-un’s remaining images. The eight illusions of Jin So-un dissipated in a flash. The downpour shifted in tandem with the gale. The rain was zeroing in on Jin So-un.
The swordsman stood firmly in the center of the arena, having completely cast aside his agility methods. The instant the man commanding the gale extended both arms, the vortex that had been swirling in the atmosphere surged directly toward Jin So-un.
*Whoosh—*
The lines of rainfall traced over the features of Jin So-un, who initiated his defense by dropping into the ‘Iron Plate Bridge’ posture.
“Wow!”
The observers, astonished by Jin So-un’s incredible reflexes, stared with open mouths. Jong Byeok-gi, acting as if he had foreseen that exact response, executed a flat swing meant to bisect Jin So-un’s torso right where he lay.
*Whoosh—*
Expecting a horrific spectacle to unfold once more, people instinctively covered their eyes. In that precise instant:
*Clang!*
The screech of colliding steel resonated throughout the area. When the onlookers cautiously opened their eyes, the sight that greeted them was:
“Your skills have improved compared to the past.”
The authentic form of Jin So-un, maneuvering his frame with complete composure. He had promptly deflected the Bi-un-geom using his own Red Light Sword, neutralizing the strike through the ‘Connecting and Striking’ method.
*Flash!*
The Bi-un-geom plunged downward, shattering the stone tiling of the arena floor.
“…….”
A heavy gloom settled over Jong Byeok-gi’s expression.
“Why must this world be so full of monsters…….”
A deep-seated hopelessness of unclear origin seeped from his cryptic phrasing. That crushing weight of failure, resembling soil churned into muck by the downpour, was felt by the challengers as well.
“Even so—”
The rainwater swept up by the gale he generated grew increasingly muddy as it swept across the dirt floor.
“A monster can only generate turmoil; it is incapable of reshaping the world.”
A crimson gleam of blood-light sparked within the heavy shadows.
“No matter how much chaos you cause, the order of heaven and earth can never be upended!!”
*Chrrrrr—*
The gale grew savage. A brutal wind raged as if a massive storm had made landfall. Once again, the epicenter of this tempest was the very tip of Jong Byeok-gi’s blade. The storm emanating from the point of the Bi-un-geom jarred the training area so fiercely that the stone floor vibrated.
The crowd, which had been marveling at Jin So-un’s concealed capabilities until this moment, realized it instinctively. A catastrophic force was about to descend upon this spot. And Jin So-un would not simply remain motionless to receive it. Even to those lacking deep knowledge of martial arts, Jong Byeok-gi’s singular strike was clearly extraordinary.
For some reason, a sense of sorrow overtook them. They found themselves wishing that the grand display Jin So-un had maintained would not be shattered here.
“……Wh—what is he planning?”
“Why has he shut his eyes…… Huh?”
Strangely, the force radiating from the physical form of Jin So-un, who had pointed the Red Light Sword straight ahead, was incredibly faint. Jong Byeok-gi’s expression twisted.
“What sort of deception is this supposed to be…….”
Receiving no reply to his demand, he scanned the surroundings. It was then he observed that every single onlooker was staring at Jin So-un and his blade as if completely spellbound.
“Just what is…….”
Amidst the raging tempest, Jin So-un exuded a serene aura, appearing entirely untouched by the chaos. Though it was incredibly difficult to even keep one’s eyes open due to the pelting moisture and brutal wind, he remained as calm as if the elements were intentionally steering clear of him.
*Woom—*
Like a delicate flame burning steadily without flickering inside a freezing gale. At long last, the moment Jin So-un unsealed his gaze:
*Flash—*
A brilliant golden light flashed from his eyes. Immediately following this, the steady flame began to slice through the tempest, leaving a vivid path in its wake.
—
Namgung Tae-ha felt entirely certain.
“That crippled man isn’t merely an external follower. Could the principal sect have deployed him?”
This public grievance was supposed to be an event born entirely from the resentment of the external branches. The principal sect had offered no official stance. Yet, an inner follower of the main branch was integrated among the external practitioners. While the Jianghu being a chaotic place full of deception was nothing new, did they truly need to resort to such tactics in a setting like this?
Right then:
“He isn’t just any regular inner follower.”
The voice of Moyong-gang drifted over, sounding unusually solemn and heavy.
“Oh? Is he a youth you recognize?”
“He’s the youngest disciple that Cha Wu-mun holds dear.”
“Are you referring to Cha Wu-mun of Jeom-chang?”
Among the students tied to Cha Wu-mun, if the individual was of that age bracket, only a single name fit the profile.
“……Are you suggesting that person is the youth who inherited the Bi-un-geom?”
Moyong-gang let out a breath and offered a slight nod.
“Indeed. That very youth who loudly underwent Marrow Cleansing (Beol-mo-se-su) and Body-reforming Internal Energy Transfer (Gyeok-che-jeon-gong) with the backing of the entire Council of Elders of Jeom-chang.”
It had caused quite a sensation at the time. Jeom-chang, which consistently hovered around the third or fourth position among the Taoist factions, had been eclipsed by Wudang and Mount Hua. Using that bitterness as motivation, they had finally completed their preparations to rise and identified a youth possessing the raw potential of a dragon.
“He is formally recognized as the final student of Cha Wu-mun, but in truth, he is essentially the collective disciple of the entire Council of Elders.”
Though overshadowed by Wudang and Mount Hua, Jeom-chang already maintained a powerful footing within the Jianghu. Instigated by this youth, Jeom-chang intended to assert itself as the foremost Taoist sect under the heavens.
“Naturally, that was the plan until he met his ruin.”
“By ‘ruin,’ are you referring to what transpired in Yueyang?”
The incident where the inner follower of Jeom-chang posed as a member of the Demonic Cult to execute wicked deeds. Though he lacked comprehensive knowledge of the underlying details, he understood that it wasn’t an action born entirely from the disciple’s independent choices. The Orthodox factions did not always limit themselves to honorable deeds, after all. And in such schemes, casualties were bound to happen.
“It is quite unfortunate.”
“Not particularly, he wasn’t exactly a righteous individual to begin with.”
Moyong-gang spoke with an air of insider knowledge, yet Namgung Tae-ha could not entirely rid himself of his sympathetic feelings.
“If he was cultivated as a collective successor, doesn’t that imply his natural capability was immense? Had circumstances been different, he might have achieved great renown.”
“That is certainly possible.”
It likely wasn’t an unimaginable outcome.
“Of course, the issue lay in the fact that there were numerous peers who proved far more exceptional.”
Yong So-ah, Dang Seo-hui, and Il-myeong. If not for the presence of the other youths of that particular era.
“……I suppose that’s true.”
The current age of emerging figures is a period where an unprecedented number of gifted individuals have come forward. Not only are there prodigies who might surface once every century, but there is also a figure who might appear only once in a millennium. In an age where so many dragons are simultaneously relevant, a person who might normally stand out once in a decade ultimately ends up overshadowed.
Everyone tasked with mentoring disciples alongside the generation of Yong So-ah looks at their own students with a sense of melancholy. Any ordinary genius inevitably loses their luster when standing beside Yong So-ah. Jong Byeok-gi was simply another casualty of that reality.
Namgung Tae-ha gave a nod while brushing away the rain accumulating on his face.
“In that case, there shouldn’t be much cause for concern. Didn’t you mention before that young So-un previously contended with Hwa Jeong-san and Jong Byeok-gi simultaneously?”
Moyong-gang kept his eyes locked straight ahead, making no effort to clear the rain driving against his features.
“Would you be capable of composedly fighting a man who possesses a greater reserve of internal energy than you and charges forward completely intent on mutual destruction (Dong-gwi-eo-jin)?”
“…….”
“That fellow Jin So-un continuously carries himself as though he is entirely willing to discard his own life. He is an incredibly stubborn individual.”
While internal energy loses a large portion of its significance once a practitioner attains a specific tier, a stark contrast in volume remains a significant hurdle. For those who have yet to reach that level, it naturally imposes a greater strain.
“Of course, he likely would have triumphed regardless. From the very start, that erratic fellow isn’t some wild beast that the young elites of Mount Hua and Jeom-chang can easily tame.”
“…….”
Namgung Tae-ha somehow recalled the tale of when So-un performed the reckless feat of seizing a naked blade with his bare hand during his conflict against Namgung San.
“However, a standard direct approach (Jeong-gong) will no longer suffice. The opponents faced until now are in a completely different category compared to Jong Byeok-gi. Even with his leg injury taken into account.”
When Jin So-un went against the external branch followers, he did not display overwhelming physical dominance. He secured his triumphs solely through a direct approach that highlighted the fundamental core of martial arts, utilizing only the absolute baseline of internal energy needed to execute the style. Because that minor amount was all that was required.
Consequently, the bouts ran longer, but unlike the casual observers who found it tedious, it offered a prime window for true martial artists to gauge the profound depth of the Tae-eul Sect.
“I imagine so.”
Yet, this was an option only when a distinct gap in attainment existed. It is not a method that can be casually displayed against an opponent who stands at a comparable tier or someone as exceptional as Jong Byeok-gi.
“That sort of behavior is reserved exclusively for the unhinged…….”
At that exact moment, Namgung Tae-ha’s vision locked in.
*Whoooooom—*
A massive torrent of energy rippled around Jong Byeok-gi to the point where the surrounding atmosphere appeared warped, bearing down heavily upon Jin So-un. Conversely, Jin So-un did not counter by unleashing a comparable amount of force.
“Surely…… he wouldn’t?”
Namgung Tae-ha turned a concerned glance toward Moyong-gang. Moyong-gang remained entirely focused on Jin So-un.
“Honestly, it’s impossible to ever decipher what goes on inside that madman’s mind, *tsk*.”
Whether he was genuinely anxious or merely grumbling was hard to tell. Moyong-gang failed to suppress the rising corners of his mouth even while offering his pessimistic commentary. In that instant, Namgung Tae-ha understood. Seeing Moyong-gang looking so pleased, it was entirely certain that Jin So-un was on the verge of executing another reckless maneuver.
‘This man has always held a fondness for eccentric individuals since his youth.’
Namgung Tae-ha sharpened his vision, determined not to miss a single micro-movement of the style.
—
Every piece of information regarding Jong Byeok-gi’s tendencies, routines, and vulnerabilities from my previous life surfaced clearly, and tactics to counter him flashed through my consciousness. Immediately following that, the countering sequences for the Jeom-chang Sect’s Sun-shooting Sword Law and the Forty-eight Swords of the Wind-Whirling Flow materialized, and alongside them, a precise method to completely neutralize his martial arts took shape.
However,
‘No.’
I dismissed the tactical sequences that would easily reduce him to a broken mess within ten exchanges from my mind.
‘Because right now, merely overpowering that degenerate with brute strength accomplishes nothing.’
This is not a simple revival of a school (Gaemun). This is the genuine establishment of a faction (Gaepa) that hasn’t been witnessed for the last five centuries. I am not the sole representative of the Tae-eul Sect, and its legacy will not conclude with my existence.
*Whoosh—*
I directed the variations of the So-cheon-geom-beop directly into the fiercely churning power of the Wind-Whirling Flow. The disparity in sheer force caused the Red Light Sword to vibrate violently. A deeply rooted tree is uprooted in a hurricane, and a flexible reed is sliced through by an iron blade.
Within the vast, shifting movements of the cosmos, a stubborn assertion of one’s own ego is entirely meaningless. I suppressed the instinctual urge to counter by escalating my internal energy, choosing instead to align myself with the opponent’s force and its natural trajectory.
A modification made solely for temporary advantage is nothing more than a shallow shift in focus. A genuine transformation involves safeguarding the core foundation. To adapt while anchored to an unyielding foundation. That is the true meaning of Change (Byeon-hwa).
At long last, the moment I successfully integrated with the rhythm:
*Whooooosh—*
*Chrrrrr—*
Even without my conscious direction, the Dae-cheon-geom-beop manifested naturally. Though the brutal gale screaming in my ears battered my senses, my inner state remained as motionless as a perfectly still, undisturbed lake, without a single ripple of instability.
—
**Author’s Note:**
Warm greetings.
Are all of you maintaining your health and well-being during this intense midsummer (**Seoha**) season?
I am providing this short note to address a few areas that felt somewhat incomplete within the prior 435th chapter.
I have inadvertently created an inconvenience for the Great Heroes (**Dae-hyeop**) who dedicate themselves daily to preserving the harmony and order of the Jianghu.
Please accept my apologies.
If you utilize the prior texts as fuel and download the updated versions, you will be able to access the newly integrated segments.
I remain perpetually grateful for the passionate backing provided by the Great Heroes.
It is entirely due to your support that young So-un is capable of continuing his journey forward.
I will continuously put forth my utmost effort to show my appreciation for your dedication.
You have my enduring gratitude.
