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chapter 51
“So that’s how it was. That’s why you vanished from the martial world.”
Gun Ilsan nodded after hearing from Sword Spirit about Jeonmo Yakbing’s departure from the martial world.
He left out the story of Godok Maya and the Ghost Demon Lord—there was no need to bring those two up.
“It was truly a regrettable and difficult time. If Lady Yakbing had remained in the martial world, the demons would never have caused such great harm.”
Jeonmo Yakbing, with her bold, straightforward personality, had made many connections back then, and many called her elder sister or younger sister.
Gun Ilsan was one of those people.
Jeok Hwamyeong felt a little embarrassed. Gun Ilsan accepted Sword Spirit’s words without a shred of doubt, as though they were absolute truth.
Compared to that, he himself had only begun to believe recently. And if Yu Akgun had not been at his side, perhaps even now he would not believe.
“Even my master could not have foreseen that the martial world would fall into such a state.”
Sword Spirit spoke respectfully. His manner of speech changed depending on whom he was addressing.
“Indeed. If he had known, he would never have secluded himself.”
Gun Ilsan smiled in satisfaction as he conversed with Sword Spirit.
Listening to their exchange also gave Yu Akgun and Jeok Hwamyeong a deeper understanding of Sword Spirit.
“For you, who inherited your master’s martial arts, to appear in the world just as the demonic arts began to spread—that is nothing short of fate.”
“You flatter me. I still have much to learn, Supreme Sect Leader!”
“Hahaha! Too much humility is the same as mockery. I myself could never serve as even the briefest guidepost to you….”
Though he had lived in seclusion for ten years, cut off from the world, he thought to himself that there could be no other prodigy like this young man.
When Gun Ilsan admitted he could not serve as Sword Spirit’s guide, Jeok Hwamyeong looked at him in astonishment, while Yu Akgun gazed at him with pride.
Gun Ilsan was as joyful and pleased as if Sword Spirit were his own disciple.
“Have you attained the Spirit of Origin?”
“Yes. Fortunately, before leaving Heukamdo, with my master’s help, I was able to achieve it.”
“Ohh….”
Hearing that he had reached the Spirit of Origin, Gun Ilsan was as delighted as if he himself had attained that realm.
“Even if the disciples of the great Godok Maya Cheon Namyeon or the evil Ghost Demon Lord Gu Yeongcheol—who vanished fifty years ago—were to appear, none could overcome you, who have reached the Spirit of Origin.”
Yu Akgun and Jeok Hwamyeong exchanged faint smiles.
They knew, after all, that he had in fact been the disciple of those very two men.
“Um, Supreme Sect Leader!”
Jeok Hwamyeong cautiously asked,
“What exactly is this Spirit of Origin?”
“I myself have never achieved it, so I cannot say for certain. But I have heard it is the realm of half-human, half-divine.”
“The realm of half-human, half-divine….”
“Think of the Buddha.”
Among humans, only the Buddha was said to have transcended through cultivation to become divine. Yet even the Buddha had only attained the realm of half-human, half-divine, never becoming a complete god.
Gun Ilsan was comparing Sword Spirit, who had achieved the Spirit of Origin, to the Buddha himself.
“Is such a thing truly possible?”
“Is there not the Buddha? And within the martial world, to my knowledge, there have been three others. Including this young man, that makes four.”
“Who are they?”
“There is the great Bodhidharma, there is the Heavenly Demon Bang Gak, and Godok Maya Cheon Namyeon. And now, Sword Spirit.”
Jeok Hwamyeong thought that was already far too many who had reached the half-divine realm.
“Does that mean one could reach such a realm simply through effort?”
“If effort alone were enough, then many more would have become Spirit of Origin.”
At that, Sword Spirit interjected,
“It requires the will of Heaven.”
Gun Ilsan nodded. Yes—without Heaven’s mandate, one could strive all one’s life and still never attain the Spirit of Origin.
So many eccentric geniuses throughout history had failed, simply because Heaven had turned its back on them.
“Indeed. Without Heaven’s will, one cannot achieve it, no matter how hard one tries.”
Just then—
“It is Wang Seokji, Master!”
A voice called from outside.
“Come in.”
Though he was his disciple, Wang Seokji was also the sect leader, so Gun Ilsan observed the proper courtesy.
Soon, Wang Seokji entered.
“I greet my Master.”
He bowed deeply to Gun Ilsan.
“I have heard the general story.”
“I am ashamed to have caused you worry, Master.”
Though the words were formal, his expression was filled with respect for Gun Ilsan.
“No need for shame… Well done, Sect Leader! Everyone knows it is right and proper to weigh right and wrong carefully and take the appropriate measures.”
“Thank you, Master!”
Wang Seokji wanted to ask many things, but he held back, waiting until Gun Ilsan chose to speak.
“By the look on your face, you must be curious why I have come down from Yongchuk Peak?”
Though he did not answer, his expression gave him away.
“Do you remember what I once told you—that there was a reason I could become the foremost sword of Mt. Heng?”
He had once spoken of a person who had helped him gain enlightenment as he guided Wang Seokji.
“Yes, Master.”
“I came rushing down upon hearing that that person’s disciple had appeared.”
Wang Seokji’s expression changed.
“That person’s disciple…?”
His gaze turned toward Sword Spirit.
“She was Lady Yakbing’s disciple.”
Wang Seokji’s eyes widened endlessly. He looked to his master for confirmation, and when Gun Ilsan nodded, he turned again to Sword Spirit.
“Why did you not say you were Lady Yakbing’s disciple?”
“In judging right and wrong, my master’s reputation should not be a factor, should it?”
“That may be true, but….”
Simply being Jeonmo Yakbing’s disciple would bring immense favor from the righteous sects.
“My master and I are separate. Sect Leader, please judge this matter solely on its merits.”
Wang Seokji could not answer.
“Sect Leader, do not reveal to others that Sword Spirit is my sister’s disciple.”
Wang Seokji’s expression said he did not understand. If Yakbing’s disciple had appeared, was this not a blessing for the righteous sects?
He thought spreading the truth and uniting the martial world would be better than hiding it.
“Sword Spirit must be weary.”
“But he is Lady Yakbing’s disciple.”
“Announcing that would only rob him of his freedom. And are there not many within the demonic sects who bore grudges against my sister?”
Wang Seokji nodded.
Yes—for the righteous sects it would be a blessing, but for the demonic side it would be a curse.
“Therefore, let only you know of it. Do not even tell the elders.”
Considering Sword Spirit’s position, Gun Ilsan made several requests of Wang Seokji.
“…I understand.”
The enormous cavern, its floor and ceiling braced by towering stalagmites and stalactites, bore the traces of countless ages. Yet that was only its outward appearance.
The deeper one went, the more signs there were of human hands at work.
Dozens of small, hive-like chambers had been carved within.
“So, at last, the Great Plan begins?”
From one of the chambers came a low, sinister voice.
“With the demonic arts now appearing in Guangdong, soon more practitioners will surface in other regions.”
A woman’s voice answered from deeper within.
“Yes. But that alone will not bring great chaos to the martial world.”
“I know. That is why I intend to move on to the next stage of the plan.”
“Do so. How many have now learned the demonic arts?”
“Two thousand. Six hundred among the righteous sects, one thousand among the demonic, and four hundred caught between both sides.”
Neither too few nor too many.
For a grand design to seize the Central Plains, such numbers would be a significant help.
“You have their locations?”
“Yes.”
“And the children?”
“They devote themselves to training. They have gained enough strength to oppose those who practice demonic arts.”
“Good. All is proceeding smoothly.”
Fifty years ago, they had conspired to seize the Central Plains. Now, half a century later, their scheme was about to bear fruit.
“And the Zhangbao Blade?”
“As we commence this stage, we will spread rumors of the Zhangbao Blade. That will take some time.”
“Indeed. Were it to suddenly appear, suspicion would arise everywhere.”
“But in seeking it, countless martial artists will leap into the fray.”
There was a pause.
Drip, drip, drip…
The sound of dripping water seemed louder in the silence.
“And the variables?”
The sinister voice spoke again.
“At this first stage, I cannot say with certainty. But I believe there will be no major obstacles.”
“For ages we have sought to claim the Central Plains. Yet never once have we succeeded. Do you know why?”
There was no reply.
“Because we were too weak? No. Because of simple mistakes. It was such complacent thinking that doomed us.”
“…Forgive me.”
“Even if you believe there will be no problems, confirm it again. Only when you are certain, then proceed with the plan.”
“Yes.”
“I will report all that has happened thus far to the Great Lord. You—see that this stage is carried out.”
