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C69. Roots and Flowers
To the east of Luoyang, in Unsa.
Waryong Manor.
Inside the main house, three men and one woman were gathered.
The hostess of Waryong Manor, Baek Miju, Yeon Mubaek, Yeon Seungbaek, and the leader of the Blue Dragon Division, Yeon Mudo. Despite having won the recent battle for Gong Hyun-yo, their expressions were not cheerful.
Baek Miju shook her head after hearing what had been said.
"It makes no sense. Are you saying that the bandits from the Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks Mountain are using our sword techniques? How is that possible? Uncle, you must be mistaken."
Yeon Mudo sighed.
"I'm sorry to say, but I didn't see it with my own eyes as I lost consciousness. However, all the warriors of the Blue Dragon Division who fought with the Ten Heroes say the same. They say they used the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship techniques."
"No! How is it possible for bandits to use the techniques of Waryong Manor?"
When Baek Miju raised her voice, Yeon Muryong intervened.
"Mother, it's not entirely impossible. It could have been leaked by one of the disciples."
"Leaked by the disciples?"
"For now, there's no other possible explanation, right?"
Baek Miju, trembling with rage, slammed the table.
"Damn it! I knew those Wanderers would cause trouble, but leaking our techniques? Selling something as valuable as their lives for a few coins? They are crazy."
Yeon Mudo spoke cautiously.
"It seems the Ten Heroes used the techniques from the first to the third, suggesting that the culprit could be one of the former disciples from the Heaven or Earth Group."
Everyone nodded.
Initially, the disciples were divided into the Heaven, Earth, and Man groups to learn the sword techniques. Those who only learned up to the first technique of the Man group could not be the culprits.
Although the circle of suspects narrowed, it was still an unsolved mystery.
In the Blue Dragon and White Tiger Divisions, there were thirty disciples from the Heaven or Earth group. It was impossible to identify the culprit, especially since some of them had left without a trace.
Suddenly, Baek Miju looked at Yeon Mubaek and Yeon Seungbaek.
"You haven't taught the Heavenly Dragon Supreme Divine Technique to the Wanderers, have you?"
Yeon Mubaek replied with a bitter smile.
"No, the elders forbade that, so we only taught them the Waryong Breathing Technique."
The Waryong Breathing Technique was a technique created by the ancestors of the Yeon Family, superior to the common Three Talents Breathing Technique.
Baek Miju finally felt a bit relieved.
"That's a relief. You must not teach the Heavenly Dragon Supreme Divine Technique to the Wanderers."
"Anyway, they are older, and it would not be effective to teach them. The Heavenly Dragon Supreme Divine Technique is only taught to a few of the young ones in the Hidden Dragon Division. The elders approved that."
"That's fine. Those children are true Disciples of Waryong Manor and will grow as such."
Thus, the matter of the leakage of the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship was resolved.
After a moment of silence, Baek Miju spoke to Yeon Mudo.
"Uncle, Mubaek's wedding will be on the first day of October. Please inform the elders. I would prefer to do it personally, but as you know, I don't have the best relationship with them."
"Understood. They will be delighted."
The elders of the Yeon Family expected Baek Miju to leave Waryong Manor and pass the leadership to Yeon Mubaek. However, she had refused this for various reasons, straining her relationship with the elders.
-------------------
Bobong County.
Five Peaks Mountain Stronghold.
In the front yard of the stronghold, Yeon Jeokha, Ha Sobaek, Han Chaeyeon, and Lee Cheolsan were seated. Yeon Jeokha was cleaning his sword while the other three watched him.
Han Chaeyeon, bored, asked:
"Oppa, you took that sword from the escort leader of the Baekse Chamber of Commerce, right?"
"You're not going to use your saber anymore?"
"I'll change it."
"Huh? Why?"
"The sword technique is more impressive."
Everyone looked at Yeon Jeokha, astonished.
The reason for changing weapons seemed too simple.
In reality, when he practiced in the warehouse, it was neither sword nor saber technique that he practiced. He trained with a stick, so it was difficult to define.
In the bandit’s den, he had learned the bandits' techniques and received a saber (bakdo) as a gift. Since no one used swords in the den, he naturally adopted the saber.
The Nine Heavens Swordsmanship could be used with a sword, saber, or even bare-handed. Yeon Jeokha had fallen in love with the saber, and its use had defined his style.
The Nine Heavens Swordsmanship was so intriguing that it never ceased to amaze him. What he practiced alone in the warehouse and what he used in combat were worlds apart.
Therefore, he had only occasionally practiced the Nine Heavens Supreme Swordsmanship. Moreover, it was not entirely compatible with the saber, making it somewhat uncomfortable.
Until now, Yeon Jeokha had not felt the need to change weapons. With the saber, he had found no rival, so he had settled.
However, after fighting the Great Swordmaster, his perspective changed.
Experiencing an overwhelming force wrapped in delicacy had left a deep impression. The sword technique had been so impactful that he remembered it even in his dreams.
Now that he mastered the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship, he decided to explore the Nine Heavens Supreme Swordsmanship, considered the pinnacle of his art.
Ha Sobaek tilted her head, confused.
"Oppa, your saber technique is also invincible."
Yeon Jeokha laughed.
In the martial arts tree, the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship was the root, and the Nine Heavens Supreme Swordsmanship was the flower.
Roots were important, but how could they compare to flowers?
"Come on, if my technique were invincible, would I have had to run away?"
"That was because you are young..."
"You didn't see that old man's sword technique. It was incredible."
"So, you're really changing to the sword?"
"Yes. Actually, my martial art is not saber. I simply adopted the saber because there were no swords available in the den. Originally, my family used swords."
"Oh! So that's why all the warriors of Waryong Manor carried swords?"
"My father was also a famous swordsman."
"I see."
Ha Sobaek realized that Yeon Jeokha was not changing weapons on a whim.
"Should we change to the sword too?"
"Not necessary. The Nine Heavens Swordsmanship is not restricted by the weapon you use, so it's fine. I am only doing it because I already know the sword technique, so you don't need to imitate me."
"I understand. But wouldn't it be better to use swords like you? The warriors of Waryong Manor looked impressive with their swords."
Yeon Jeokha did not oppose.
"While the saber has a rougher touch, the sword seems softer. Do what you think is appropriate."
This time, Ha Sobaek asked Han Chaeyeon:
"Sister, don't heroines of the Murim World mainly use swords?"
"That's right. Most members of the righteous sects usually use swords."
Lee Cheolsan added:
"Indeed, sabers are often used by members of Nokrim or the Hao Sect, so they don't look very good." (Note: The Hao Sect is an Evil Faction Sect that deals with gathering information about the Murim World in an unorthodox manner.)
After thinking for a moment, Ha Sobaek decided firmly:
"Then, I will also change to the sword. Thinking about the future..."
Since Ha Sobaek had previously expressed her intention to leave Nokrim someday, no one tried to dissuade her.
"Sister, you should change too. What do you think?"
"Well, it seems like a good idea..."
Han Chaeyeon was also tempted. Since she had not been practicing martial arts for long, changing weapons would not be a problem.
Finally, Han Chaeyeon also decided to change to the sword.
The two women decided to take a day to ask the boss of Haga to get them swords.
Once they decided to change to the sword, both showed more interest in Yeon Jeokha's sword. Now that they would also use swords, it no longer seemed like a foreign matter.
Suddenly, Ha Sobaek pointed to the blade of the sword and asked:
"Oppa, what is written on the blade of your sword?"
"Waryong."
"Ah! Did they give it to you at Waryong Manor? It looks of high quality."
"It probably belonged to someone of high rank in the Yeon Family. I was lucky."
"Wow, if I had known I would change to the sword, I would have taken one that day too."
"Yes, they say good swords are not cheap."
Han Chaeyeon also seemed a bit disappointed.
Yeon Jeokha smiled.
The environment in which one lives really matters. In Nokrim, learning to take what one wants seems to be a norm, so these companions considered others' belongings as their own.
-----------------
Fifth lunar month.
Luoyang, Henan Province.
The Seven Great Sects, the Five Great Families, and other honorable sects gathered in Luoyang.
The leaders of the Seven Great Sects were specially accommodated in the Uicheon Sect pavilion. However, the other sects, and even the Five Great Families, had to rent inns or mansions in Luoyang.
With the gathering of the Seven Sects and the Five Great Families in Luoyang, the Uicheon Sect organized a grand Murim conference. Although gathering all the sects scattered around the world could take months, they decided to start.
The training field of Uicheon Sect.
In the center, the leaders of the Seven Great Sects, on the left, the Five Great Families, and on the right, the leaders of other honorable sects, were seated in order.
The five hundred ordinary disciples were sitting or standing on the ground in front of them.
Having gathered five hundred in less than two months was considered a success. Therefore, the leaders of the Justice Alliance had calm expressions.
When Jang Kangho, the Justice Alliance Leader, nodded, Jegal Seun, the Chief Commander and Military Strategist, stepped forward.
"We thank all the Murim fellows who have come after receiving our call. I will get straight to the point. Last May, Master Gong of Shaolin discovered traces of the Yoomyung Cult in Yeoju. Then, the Justice Division of the Justice Alliance and the Five Great Families of Luoyang headed to Yeoju."
Although more than seven hundred were gathered, not a single sigh was heard.
Everyone was focused on Jegal Seun's words.
"The only survivors were the Uicheon Sect Leader and the Waryong Swordsman. It was discovered that the Master of Eunha Manor's skill was not inferior to the Ten Great Masters of Murim, and his subordinates were at the level of the Elders of the Seven Great Sects. The Justice Alliance believes they obtained their power through human sacrifices."
The warriors murmured, shocked.
Not only was the power of the Yoomyung Cult impressive, but their method of obtaining it was extremely cruel.
"The Master of Eunha Manor must know that the righteous warriors are gathering in Luoyang. No doubt, they are preparing something. No matter what they prepare, we will destroy them and raise the flag of justice high. Any questions about the eradication of the Yoomyung Cult can be raised at any time."
Then, the Gaju* of the Moyong Family asked. (Note: Gaju means Head or Family Leader)
"Twenty years ago, the Yoomyung Cult had no one close to the Ten Great Masters of Murim. How can we be sure that the Master of Eunha Manor reached that level through their rituals?"
Jegal Seun looked at the Virtue Swordsman of Uicheon Sect.
It seemed appropriate for him to answer that question.
The Virtue Swordsman, Lee Yeonik, nodded and stood up.
"Allow me to explain. Years ago, I fought against him once, and he was inferior to me. Two months ago, when I faced him again, I did not feel any difference in his movements, but the energy emanating from his sword was different. It was so destructive and strange that it shook my spirit. I lost an arm in that fight."
The Gaju of the Moyong Family and the warriors sighed.
This time, Peng Manho of the Peng Family asked cautiously:
"Chief of Operations, if there are more like him in the Yoomyung Cult, what will we do?"
"Of the Ten Great Masters of Murim, six are in the Seven Great Sects. Let's hope there are no more than six like the Master of Eunha Manor."
"And if there are?"
"The Murim World will enter unprecedented chaos. Justice and morality will fall, and selfish desires will dominate. Hell will come to earth."
A heavy silence fell over the warriors.
Jegal Seun quickly changed the topic.
"It won't happen. With the Great Swordmaster supporting us, the Master of Eunha Manor will be defeated. Before the demons grow, we will crush each of their sprouts, as we did twenty years ago."
The tense faces began to relax.
Remembering that this had happened before gave them some comfort.