Chapter 69
“Elder.”
“Speak.”
“May I ask you to take care of the Sixth Guardian?”
“You are the Sect Leader, and I am the Medical Hall Master. It is only natural that I should follow your request.”
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
I……
First, I asked Master Dongbyeok to treat the collapsed Sixth Guardian.
It might seem meddlesome of me to ask for treatment after I was the one who put him in that state, but the Sixth Guardian’s injuries appeared severe.
However, at that moment, as the Cult of the Evil Path members surrounded the collapsed Sixth Guardian, I asked the Cult Leader:
“Cult Leader. The Medical Hall Master of our sect is renowned as a divine doctor. Would it be alright if he treated your Guardian Messenger?”
Fortunately, Cult Leader Hong Geum-bu nodded.
“Very well.”
However,
“Sect Leader Jin.”
“Speak.”
“I have a question.”
“Yes.”
“This duel was to the death…… Why are you so insistent on treating the Sixth Guardian? Did you have some personal grudge against him? Even today, you were constantly provoking the Sixth Guardian, who is your senior, with your words.”
“It’s because I won.”
“……”
“A tiger doesn’t feel threatened by a dog, does it?”
At that moment,
“Khahahahahahahaha!”
Once again, Cult Leader Hong Geum-bu burst into loud laughter that echoed throughout the arena. Even amidst the commotion, I couldn’t help but wonder how a human could produce such a loud voice without using any internal energy.
“Say, Sect Leader Jin.”
“Speak.”
“Where should we go?”
“What…… do you mean?”
“What…… do you mean, what do I mean?”
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
“Well, I mean. What?”
“No! The duel ended peacefully. And it’ll take some time for the Sixth Guardian to recover, won’t it? Then, man! Shouldn’t we treat our guests in the meantime?”
“What…… are you saying?”
“I’m saying, isn’t there an after-party or something?”
This guy……
Is he really, in his right mind?
Seriously.
◈ ◈ ◈
“Sect Leader!”
“Sect Leader!”
“Brotheeeeeeeeer!”
After the duel ended.
The disciples and Yeon-u were beyond excited, they were going wild. But since I could understand their frivolous behavior, I just chuckled.
First……
If I were to objectively self-evaluate my performance in the duel based on a comprehensive analysis.
I would give myself over 90 out of 100.
Firstly, I realized how much my martial arts had changed from the past, as I didn’t sustain any major injuries even after the duel ended……
And by showing mercy to an opponent who couldn’t resist, I demonstrated the dignity of a sect leader, not just a ruthless ‘killing expert’ from my past life. So, wouldn’t this be considered a great victory?
Of course.
That doesn’t mean Yuk Gwang’s martial arts were insignificant or weak.
On the contrary, Yuk Gwang displayed endurance and profound internal energy that exceeded my expectations, and the fact that he aimed for the same Fast Sword Style as me was even surprising.
However, the reason I was able to defeat Yuk Gwang was due to the significant effects of the ‘Three Emptinesses Training’ and the fact that the compatibility of our martial arts was overwhelmingly in my favor. It was a delightful harmony.
Well.
Whatever.
“Sect Leader. Congratulations!”
“Sect Leader Jin. Is this really happening? I always knew you were a hero, but…… I never imagined you would defeat a Guardian Messenger of the Cult of the Evil Path.”
“Sect Leader Jin. Thanks to your achievement, our Jang’an’s standing in the martial world will undoubtedly rise. Congratulations, and thank you again.”
The leaders of the small and medium-sized sects in Jang’an were constantly praising me, and even the Provincial Governor was busy bowing politely and offering empty compliments, making me feel quite overwhelmed.
“Ah…… It’s nothing. I just won a fight.”
Actually, at times like these……
I’m still incredibly shy and embarrassed.
To continue succeeding in the martial world, I need to find the right balance between humility and self-promotion, but that’s not something I can learn overnight. So, for now, I decided to simply enjoy the joy of victory.
“Well…… Of course, I did do well.”
“Hahaha!”
“Hahaha!”
“That’s right, that’s right. Sect Leader Jin did a great job!”
Afterwards, I guided the guests to the reception room and treated them lavishly.
Then, Yeon-u approached me and subtly said:
“Brother.”
“Yes.”
“Father and Grandmaster wish to see you urgently. Junior Martial Artist Kang Il-dong has guided them to a separate room, so let’s go together.”
“Let’s go.”
So, I headed to the annex where Yeon-u, Clan Head Seok, and Cheongmun Sword Master were waiting.
As I entered the room, I was surprised to see not only Yeon-u, Clan Head Seok, Cheongmun Sword Master, Elder Won-il, Baek Jung, and Im Jong-ho but also Cult Leader Hong Geum-bu and two of his subordinates in black.
“Sect Leader Jin. Congratulations. On a day like this, it’s only fitting to celebrate with all the guests. I apologize for calling you out separately.”
Clan Head Seok said this upon my arrival, but his expression wasn’t bad.
……How should I put it?
He wasn’t smiling, nor was he expressionless, but it was clear that he was in a good mood.
“Not at all.”
I bowed to Clan Head Seok and then sat down, offering everyone a drink.
“First of all, thank you all for coming to watch my duel. Let’s have a drink.”
“Good.”
“Sounds good.”
After I offered a round of drinks to everyone……
Cult Leader Hong Geum-bu broke the somewhat awkward silence and said:
“Hahaha. First of all, I must thank you, Sect Leader Jin.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Sixth Guardian is a loyal officer of our cult. Since this duel was to the death, I wouldn’t have been able to intervene even if the Sixth Guardian had died. But you personally treated his injuries, so it’s only natural that I’m grateful.”
“Not at all. I didn’t have any personal grudge against the Sixth Guardian. I just wanted to resolve the complicated issues between Dawn Heaven Sect and your cult, so it was the right thing to do.”
I……
In front of the Cult Leader and the veteran martial artists of the Jianghu.
I intended to subtly remind them of the conditions of the duel and urge them to thoroughly fulfill their promises.
Of course, Cult Leader Hong Geum-bu would have understood the meaning of my words.
In other words, the real deal started ‘now’.
……Indeed.
Will Cult Leader Hong Geum-bu keep the Sixth Guardian’s promise?
“Kekeke! Sect Leader. You have quite the deep mind. I understand what you mean.”
“Cult Leader……”
“I’ve heard that you’ve caused a lot of trouble for our cult. I can overlook the Black Society matter since its former leader, Baek Gui-ho, declared independence from our cult. But the issue with the Noh Family Assassin’s Guild is not something I can easily ignore.”
“……”
“However, the Noh Family Assassin’s Guild was the first to attempt to assassinate you, and afterwards, you and Noh Jeong-ju fulfilled the promise of the duel through a fair one-on-one match……”
“……”
“Furthermore, since the Sixth Guardian promised to settle all past grudges with this duel, how can our cult blame you? Don’t worry. Our Cult of the Evil Path doesn’t go back on its word.”
As expected……
Even I think I’m a genius.
I used my discretion to not only win the duel but also reconcile with the Cult of the Evil Path, which was Dawn Heaven Sect’s enemy. It was like killing two birds with one stone, having my cake and eating it too, a win-win situation.
However……
It wasn’t my style to suddenly express gratitude and grovel.
“Well…… I’m not worried.”
“Huh?”
“I’m saying this because you said not to worry. Actually, I’m not worried.”
I maintained a firm stance instead.
“Kha haha! Then? Why did you set such conditions if you’re not worried?”
“It’s just that. Our Dawn Heaven Sect is nothing more than a small local sect with only 20 disciples. Isn’t the Cult of the Evil Path a gathering of evil factions? From the start, it wouldn’t be a fair fight if we were at odds with your cult, and……”
“……”
“I just wanted to live comfortably.”
Then.
“……!”
“……!”
“……!”
Yeon-u, Clan Head Seok, Il-dong, Cheongmun Sword Master, Elder Won-il, Baek Jung, and Im Jong-ho, as well as the two subordinates in black under the Cult Leader, all had shocked expressions on their faces as they listened to my conversation with the Cult Leader.
Perhaps……
They were amazed to see a young man like me, a mere sect leader from a small village, not backing down in front of the Cult Leader.
Even I, who had already done it, felt a little flustered.
Fortunately, Cult Leader Hong Geum-bu had a straightforward personality and simply burst into laughter without showing any other signs of discomfort.
“Khahahahahaha. That’s a very concise answer. But I like it because I can sense honesty in that concise answer, Sect Leader Jin.”
“Yes.”
“I promise. From this moment on, the Cult of the Evil Path will forget all grudges against Dawn Heaven Sect and Sect Leader Jin.”
“……”
“However, keep one thing in mind.”
“What is it?”
“As you know, our cult doesn’t exist as a single sect or order. It’s merely a group of individuals who share similar goals.”
“That’s right.”
“So, it means that I can’t uniformly control all the sects belonging to the Cult of the Evil Path.”
“In other words, while the Cult of the Evil Path will not officially antagonize Dawn Heaven Sect, you can’t help personal grudges between individual sects. Is that what you mean?”
“That’s right.”
“That’s only natural. For example, it’s the same with the Martial Alliance. Just as the Martial Alliance Leader cannot prevent the individual actions of all the sects within the Martial Alliance.”
“That’s true.”
“I understand that part. Well, as we live in the martial world, whether it’s the Cult of the Evil Path, the Martial Alliance, or even the Demonic Cult, there will inevitably be times when we clash and collide. But that’s something we’ll have to deal with on our own.”
“I wish you and Dawn Heaven Sect good fortune.”
“Likewise.”
“Kha haha!”
Cult Leader Hong Geum-bu laughed heartily and then suddenly offered a drink to me and the righteous faction members.
Cult Leader Hong Geum-bu……
Regardless of whether he was righteous or evil, he seemed to possess a magnanimous personality, far from being despicable or petty.
That’s probably why those evil bastards with problematic personalities chose him as their leader in the first place.
“Ah. Junior Martial Artist Im.”
Anyway.
I then turned my attention to Im Jong-ho.
The reason was,
“Have you learned your lesson?”
To punish the arrogant and disrespectful brat.
“Ah…… Sect Leader Jin. I saw it well.”
“Then will you now accept the fact that I defeated the leader of the Noh Family Assassin’s Guild?”
At my repeated question, the Cult of the Evil Path members looked amused.
Cheongmun Sword Master and Baek Jung of Mount Hua Sect also smiled faintly, while Elder Won-il, who was a senior of the same Mount Zhongnan Sect as Im Jong-ho, grimaced as if embarrassed.
“I, I accept it. I admit that I underestimated Sect Leader Jin.”
Im Jong-ho’s face flushed red.
Only then could I savor the satisfaction.
“Junior Martial Artist Im. Many miracles happen in this world. So I tend to accept things even if they don’t make sense to me.”
“……”
“Always remember that there’s always someone better than the one who’s always running, and there’s a genius like me above the one who’s better.”
“……”
But……
Why did Yeon-u and Il-dong’s expressions suddenly sour?
Did I do something wrong?
◈ ◈ ◈
“I must excuse myself now.”
“???”
“???”
“???”
“It’s time for me to take my daughter for a walk.”
The guests gathered in the reception hall.
Cheongmun Sword Master, one of the Seven Great Swordsmen of Mount Hua Sect, and his disciple, Baek Jung. Clan Head Seok, Elder Won-il of Mount Zhongnan Sect, and Im Jong-ho.
And even Cult Leader Hong Geum-bu of the Cult of the Evil Path……
Everyone was dumbfounded by Jin So-cheon’s ‘announcement’, but before they could express their astonishment, Jin So-cheon had already left his seat.
“Hahaha! Sect Leader Jin is truly an unpredictable character.”
“Indeed, Cult Leader Hong.”
“Isn’t that kind of boldness the privilege of young martial artists?”
Cult Leader Hong Geum-bu, Cheongmun Sword Master, and Elder Won-il, the most senior figures present, chuckled as they watched Jin So-cheon disappear.
However, at this moment……
They were carefully concealing their true intentions behind their laughter.
“Cult Leader Hong.”
At that moment……
Cheongmun Sword Master subtly spoke to Cult Leader Hong Geum-bu.
“To be honest, I didn’t expect you to be here. You’re always so busy, and…… you’re the foundation of both the righteous and evil factions.”
“Hehehe! Sword Master. You’re overdoing it with the flattery.”
“But isn’t this also fate? Honestly, we don’t get to see each other often.”
“That’s true.”
“That’s why I’m saying this. I hope we can avoid unnecessary conflicts between the righteous and evil factions for the time being. As you know, the Martial Alliance is currently busy fending off the Demonic Cult’s invasion. If the Martial Alliance fails to stop the Demonic Cult…… they will eventually try to attack the Cult of the Evil Path as well. The Demonic Cult, after all, dreams of world domination, don’t they?”
“Kha haha! Cheongmun Sword Master.”
“……”
“Our Cult of the Evil Path. We do not fear the Demonic Cult.”
The atmosphere instantly froze.