ISS 84

chapter 84

Geomryeong and his party had taken a room in an annex allotted to them by the Shin Chang-ui household inside the Martial Alliance hall, and were staying there.

Jeok Hwamyeong and the rest of Geomryeong’s group sat together with the three brothers of the Shin Chang-ui house, who could be considered late-stage prodigies of their sect.

“I never imagined it — a report about Cheonma Tomb…!”
Uido-gun spoke in a slightly excited voice.

“It’s very likely a trap, wouldn’t you say?”
Uido-cheon worried aloud, afraid that his younger brother might act rashly in his excitement and bring disaster upon them.

“But it’s the tomb of the Heavenly Horse, isn’t it? If it’s not a trap and it’s real, wouldn’t this be a chance to learn the martial arts of the greatest of old?”
Although he had matured somewhat since before, some bravado and recklessness still remained.

“Think about it. Not just us — hundreds, or even thousands if you include martial artists from the heterodox schools, will move to claim the Cheonma Tomb. Do you think there will be anyone weaker than you among them?”

“Well…”

“Brother, don’t worry. I’ll be with Dogun.”
Uido-gi told Uido-cheon, asking him to entrust Dogun to him. He hadn’t been able to look after Uido-gun when the latter went astray before, and this time he intended to keep him safe.

“But since many will go together, you must take special care in your conduct.”

“Don’t worry. By the way, where’s Geomryeong’s younger brother?”
Uido-gi asked.

“He went off somewhere, saying he had to pay a brief visit after meeting the Alliance Leader.”

“Our elder brother is very busy.”
When Ye Hwirang said this, Uido-gi shot a somewhat worried look at Jeok Hwamyeong.

“Will you take Hwirang with you? Isn’t it dangerous?”

They still didn’t know how strong Ye Hwirang actually was.

“Don’t worry about that. He has the martial skill to protect himself.”
When Ye Hwirang said that, the three Shin Chang-ui brothers looked at Seo Gunha with disbelief.

“It’s true.”

“That’s right. Our Hwirang is the second strongest here.”
Uak-gun said with a smile.

By second strongest he meant Seo Gunha was first, and next was Ye Hwirang. Jeok Hwamyeong and Uak-gun themselves were not weak, but here their talents were not the top. Being weaker than the young Ye Hwirang and Seo Gunha might bruise their pride, but neither Jeok Hwamyeong nor Uak-gun cared much.

The three of the Shin Chang-ui household, thinking they were being teased, forced awkward smiles.

“These fellows look like they don’t believe it.”
Jeok Hwamyeong said, and Uido-cheon nodded. He was imagining how strong the sixteen-year-old Ye Hwirang might be.

“He’s Geomryeong’s younger sibling. If you think of it that way, you can trust him.”

“Ah!”

They had seen Geomryeong’s martial skill with their own eyes. Uido-gi, in particular, had witnessed feats that pulverized the undead, so he understood all the more.

“In that case, shouldn’t Seo Gunha and Hwirang take two of the positions among the Eightfold Peaks?”

Whenever late-stage prodigies were discussed, the names of the Ten Dragons and Eight Peaks always came up.

“They say Baekbong Wang Sosu is among them, but she won’t measure up to Gunha nun.”
Baekbong Wang Sosu was a disciple of the Ami sect and represented its late-stage prodigies.

Ami sect’s palm and sword arts were renowned as among the best in the martial world; Baekbong Wang Sosu had refined Ami’s secret palm art — the Hangma Bukhogonryong Palm — and the secret sword art Mubang Okheo Sixteen Swords to an unrivaled level, and was said to have elevated other Ami martial arts beyond first-rate.

Seo Gunha waved his hand at Uido-gi’s remark, speaking of how formidable Ami’s arts were.

“Have you met Baekbong Wang Sosu?”

“No, I haven’t. But I think we might meet during the martial tournament. She will likely follow the Cheonma Tomb’s reports as well.”

“How many of the Ten Dragons and Eight Peaks do you think will join the armed force formed by the late-stage prodigies?”

“Cheonryong will take part. And since Gu Pailbang will participate, the monk Bulryong Manggong will also join. Baekbong and Hyeonbong will participate as well.”

Hyeonbong Heo Younghwa!

Hyeonbong Heo Younghwa, of the Hwasan School, was a late-stage prodigy known more for her intellect than martial might — although her martial skill was also as strong as any of the Eight Peaks. In particular, the Plum Blossom Sword technique she had mastered was a Hwasan secret seldom known in the martial world, and she had taken the Plum Blossom Sword to such heights that only the leader of the Plum Blossom Sword disciples could master it.

“But in the end, we’ll meet every one of the Ten Dragons and Eight Peaks. Of course the finest among them will be our noble young master.”
Uak-gun said proudly, and he truly had reason to be proud.

At a young age, Geomryeong had already attained the realm of the absolute. If one could not be proud of such a person, there was little else in the world worth boasting about.

“Of course Geomryeong will shine. But —”

“Brother.”

Geomryeong came inside and the conversation paused for a moment.

“You’re all here too.”

“Did you have business?”

“I’ve seen something of it. But there’s a bit of a problem.”

“A problem?”

Jeok Hwamyeong asked, and Geomryeong nodded before speaking.

“Perhaps a martial contest might be held….”

— Among the Ten Dragons and Eight Peaks, a mysterious dragon called Muyeong is plotting something. He seems to be acting as a stooge for another organization as well.

As Geomryeong spoke, besides the three Shin Chang-ui brothers he sent a short-range telepathic transmission to the others to relay what he had learned.

Simultaneous voice-and-transmission!

Using words and a transmission at the same time — a rising skill different from the shamanistic “Yang’s Doubts” or the well-known “flower graft” method — he conveyed two meanings at once.

Those who heard Geomryeong’s transmission showed slight surprise, and the three Shin Chang-ui brothers looked a bit disappointed.

“A lot of people are leaving the Martial Alliance. Perhaps the treasure map’s attraction is greater than the martial tournament’s.”

“Do you know where they went?”
Uido-cheon asked.

“All ten great families have left. And they’ve left a small number of martial artists behind, planning to follow the treasure map along with the Martial Alliance.”

They would pursue the map from two directions.

“Then perhaps we shouldn’t stay put like this?”

“The Martial Alliance and other open factions are following the treasure map, so we can leave a day or two later without trouble. As we pursue the map, we may run into heterodox groups. It’d be wise to prepare for that.”

— Among them was a woman stronger than Gunha nun. While in the Martial Alliance you should raise your proficiency in martial skill as much as possible.

Geomryeong conveyed his intent to both sides.

“Understood. We’ll do that.”
Jeok Hwamyeong replied with some tension.

That there were people stronger than Seo Gunha meant that there were fighters capable of defeating the Hundred Masters over there. He himself could not even withstand ten seconds of the Hundred Masters’ attacks; pursuing the treasure map might be a matter of life and death, and surviving such danger required further honing his martial achievements.

If alone, this would not be easy — but with an absolute master like Geomryeong by his side, it was entirely possible.

“But Geomryeong.”

“Yes?”

Uido-cheon asked whether Geomryeong might not instead join their family, Shin Chang-ui, to pursue the map together rather than joining the late-stage prodigies.

“It wouldn’t matter, but I’ve already promised the Martial Alliance Leader. Promises are to be kept, sorry.”

“No need to apologize. If you come with us, the main house will operate independently, but if not, we too have decided to go with the late-stage prodigies, so it’s fine. Take good care of our Dogun.”

They were still worried despite Geomryeong’s regained composure.

“Brother, I’ll make sure to show you my worth this time. You’ll see I’m not just a worry.”
Uido-gun said confidently, though his confidence only made Uido-cheon and Uido-gi more uneasy.

“Many people are moving, so don’t worry too much. And experienced people will be with us this time; follow their lead and you’ll learn much.”

The Martial Alliance’s elder, a Danju-level warrior, and the Qinglong Group’s soldiers would be joining. Gunil-san, the Hyeongsan school’s No.1 Sword, would also accompany them to share his experience with juniors. If they followed those leaders’ guidance, there would be little difficulty.

Jeok Hwamyeong mentioned this to reassure the two brothers.

“I will not disappoint you.”
Uido-gun said, slightly exhilarated, and the two brothers nodded.

Geomryeong and his party smiled at this sight.

Geomryeong turned his head toward the entrance.

“Geomryeong gongja-nim!”

A voice called Geomryeong from outside soon after.

“A guest from Hyeongsan has arrived.”

Geomryeong looked at everyone. If a Hyeongsan person had come, it must have been sent by Gunil-san.

Sss — the door slid open and a young man of about twenty entered.

“My name is Jamyung of Hyeongsan.”

Jamyung would later become a candidate to be the Hyeongsan school’s headman; he was a direct disciple of the Hyeongsan elder Cheolsong.

Geomryeong rose and welcomed Jamyung.

“I am Geomryeong.”

“Pleased to meet you. The Grandmaster-in-Chief asks to see Geomryeong gongja.”

“You mean Master Gunil-san?”

The term “nosa” carried many meanings, but one was a venerable teacher. Geomryeong had not learned martial arts from Gunil-san, but he had learned life wisdom from him and thus addressed him with that respectful title.

“Yes. He asked me to gather opinion on assembling an expedition for the treasure map.”

Geomryeong nodded, told everyone he would go and be back, stood, and left.

“Go on.”

“Safe travels, brother.”

Asuma Sect!

Five hundred years ago, when the Heavenly Horse disappeared, the demon sect split. Its grandmaster Lee Ja-cheong took his faction and named it the Asuma Sect, which to this day remained one of the pillars of the martial world.

A momentous matter had occurred within the Asuma Sect.

The treasure map of Cheonma Tomb!

The current leader of Asuma, Gwak Ryuchung, had found a treasure map in the storeroom that pointed to where the Heavenly Horse had vanished.

Gwak Ryuchung discreetly investigated the place indicated by the map but could not figure it out. After some time, he learned why.

The map wasn’t a single sheet but three sheets, and, as he had found one, the other two disciples who founded separate factions — Hyeolgyeo and Cheolsajaseong — had also found versions of the map.

From that point, Gwak Ryuchung’s worry began.

Although these three sects had once eaten from the same bowl as disciples of the Heavenly Horse, they had become, if not outright enemies, then something like rivals.

He agonized over whether to compromise with them and enter Cheonma Tomb together, or to attack the other two sects and seize their maps to the tomb.

While he worried, the two other sect leaders struggled with the same dilemma.

Eventually, the three sect heads secretly arranged a meeting and agreed to enter Cheonma Tomb together. But as they were leaving the meeting, they were attacked by mysterious assailants.

Gwak Ryuchung thought Hyeolgyeo and Cheolsajaseong had betrayed him and grew furious. At that time, the two other sect leaders had also been attacked by unknown assailants. In the attack, Hyeolgyeo’s leader Yang Yeongho was wounded but barely escaped and returned to his sect.

They blamed one another and the agreement collapsed. Meanwhile, word of the treasure map leaked quietly into the martial world, making relations even worse.

Each decided to interpret their maps independently and lead their own warriors to find Cheonma Tomb.

On the day Asuma’s warriors left, Hyeolgyeo and Cheolsajaseong’s warriors also departed.

Of the three maps, the one giving only a general area was held by Asuma.

Knowing this, both Hyeolgyeo and Cheolsajaseong followed Asuma’s movements, while many heterodox sects trailed after Asuma to seize their map.

Chaaaaang!

“Hand over the Cheonma Tomb map!”

It was the heterodox Hyeolchun Sect that attacked Asuma as they left to find the Cheonma Tomb. This sect was expanding its power centered on Sacheon.

In the presence of the Cheonma Tomb treasure, heterodox alliances mattered little.

Even though the heterodox coalition Sado Alliance tried to mediate, factions unable to resist the treasure’s temptation struck first, attacking Asuma.

“Show those who attack our sect the terror of our school.”

Asuma originated from the Heavenly Horse’s lineage. Though time had faded much of its might, it was still a sect founded by a grand-disciple of the Heavenly Horse.

The Heavenly Horse’s domineering, potent martial art had dimmed somewhat over time, but what they possessed was more formidable than general rumor suggested.

“Raaah!”

Hyeolchun’s greed drove them to assault Asuma, but Asuma was not a sect they could handle.

Screams filled the air.

Although Asuma was a stronger sect than Hyeolchun, Asuma’s forces still took casualties.

“Raaah!”

As Asuma’s fighters battled Hyeolchun warriors, Asuma’s men bled and fell. But their losses were fewer than Hyeolchun’s.

“Hyungchan, lead the Asu Blood Horse Unit and block their retreat. Spare none.”
Gwak Ryuchung’s wrath trembled through the air.

Hyungchan, the brutal swordmaster and leader of the Asu Blood Horse unit, led the unit and blocked Hyeolchun’s escape routes.

“They tried to kill our brothers. Spare none. After we kill them, we will strike at Hyeolchun’s base directly.”

Gwak Ryuchung’s shout echoed mightily.

Though he did not show his face, Gwak Ryuchung knew there were watchers hiding, looking over the battle between Asuma and Hyeolchun.

He issued a warning to them.

If those who tried to seize the map attacked Asuma, he would wipe that sect out to the root.

“Raaah!”

Hyeolchun’s attempt to seize the Cheonma Tomb map from Asuma failed.

“You bastards!”

Hyeolchun’s leader Yuk Ji-mabu Gonjiak bellowed and brandished the weapons in both hands.

Chaaaaang!

“Follow your leader and break through their encirclement!”

The Hyeolchun fighters surrounded by the Asu Blood Horse unit tried to break out, but the Asu Blood Horse unit was stronger than they’d expected.

Moreover, when the Asuma elders joined in, the tide turned even more against Hyeolchun.

“Raaah!”

Watching this, the heterodox martial artists reconsidered Asuma.

They realized Hyeolgyeo and Cheolsajaseong were no less formidable than the present Asuma; to claim the maps, one would have to risk their life.

Obtaining even one of the three maps was a gamble that might cost at least three lives.

‘Those thieves — it would’ve been simple to slip a map from their robes, wouldn’t it?’

That was a common thought among the onlookers.

It’s easier to deal with an individual than a group!

“You Gonjiak of the Ji-mabu clan — you fancy yourself famous in Sacheon but you can’t see what’s right before your eyes.”

“Gwak Ryuchung! I’ll tear you apart.”

“With your skills? I swear, among your followers, the women will spend their lives easing my men’s desires.”

Gonjiak trembled.

“Die!”

Gonjiak, baited by Gwak Ryuchung’s provocation, leapt into the air and hurled his two axes at Gwak Ryuchung.

Swoosh!

They flew at such speed that they were almost invisible, aiming to take Gwak Ryuchung’s life.

“Hah!”

Gwak Ryuchung moved his blade.

Chaaaaang!

He intercepted the two incoming axes.

Gonjiak landed in front of Gwak Ryuchung and thrust both axes forward.

“Urgh!”

But Gwak Ryuchung’s sword was a little longer. It pierced straight through Gonjiak’s heart.

“I will—”

“I’ll send even your family after you.”

Removing the sword from the heart, Gwak Ryuchung kicked Gonjiak in the belly to topple him, then severed his neck with the blade.

Holding Gonjiak’s head aloft with one hand, he shouted:

“Whoever dares target us will end up like this!”