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Chapter 27. Aren’t You Going Home?
Faced with the scene of destruction left by the Ground Splitting Dragon Claw, the Sage of Heaven and Earth was stunned.
Having lost the will to fight, he slowly lowered the tip of his sword, which he had kept upright. The confidence he had felt until recently completely disappeared.
He had thought the young man had impressive internal energy, but the depth of his swordsmanship exceeded all imagination. It was the first time in the history of the Wudang Sect that someone had directly broken the Tai Chi Hyegeom Technique.
However, Yeon Jeokha had no intention of stopping there.
He had received, and now it was time to give back. His knees slightly bent before he forcefully launched into the air.
It was the Third Technique of the Nine Heavens Supreme Swordsmanship, Dragon and Tiger Windstorm.
Surprised by Yeon Jeokha’s sudden counterattack, the Sage of Heaven and Earth quickly returned to his combat stance.
The energy emanating from the Bakdo distorted the flow of air.
Where the Bakdo cut, the wind arose, rapidly transforming into a massive dragon whirlwind.
Roar.
Amazingly, within the whirlwind, the shapes of a blue dragon could be seen.
The Sage of Heaven and Earth instantly recognized it as an energy manifestation similar to the Tai Chi Hyegeom. The whirlwind contained the dragon-shaped energy of the Bakdo.
Whoosh.
The whirlwind with the dragon energy advanced toward the Sage of Heaven and Earth.
Gritting his teeth, the Sage of Heaven and Earth elevated his Supreme Skill of Pure and Boundless Yang.
Having used the Tai Chi Hyegeom twice already, his internal energy was nearly exhausted. Attempting to use the Tai Chi Hyegeom again with so little energy could cause a backlash and severely injure him.
He decided to use a Tai Chi technique that required less energy.
The Pine Pattern Ancient Sword drew a circle in front of the whirlwind.
The last word that came to the Sage of Heaven and Earth’s mind was "Tanglang Gieo" (move a mountain).
Boom.
The dragon whirlwind easily crushed the Sage of Heaven and Earth.
The dragon-shaped energy, which surrounded the body of the Sage of Heaven and Earth in a descending spiral, vanished without a trace upon touching the ground.
Rustle.
Fragments of hair and pieces of cut clothing piled up at the feet of the Sage of Heaven and Earth.
The only object that still retained its form was the Pine Pattern Ancient Sword.
Yeon Jeokha muttered to himself.
“He doesn’t seem like a bad person, so I removed the killing intent. Did I do the right thing?”
If he hadn’t held back the killing intent, his body would have been torn apart along with his clothes.
“…Thank you.”
The Sage of Heaven and Earth, having experienced overwhelming power, was not ashamed of his defeat.
The warriors of the Chamber of Commerce could barely breathe.
The enemy was someone who could create a 30-meter whirlwind with a single cut!
The number of the extermination force meant nothing against him. Just one cut could devastate an area of 30 meters. Imagine that falling on the extermination force. They would be wiped out without a trace.
The Sage of Heaven and Earth slowly approached the Roaring Wind Swordsman, Sang Mucheon.
Sang Mucheon hurriedly removed his coat and covered his master’s body.
The Sage of Heaven and Earth, weakly laughing, murmured.
“Did you see?”
“Yes.”
“You must have heard the expression ‘sky beyond the sky’. Exterminating them?… Unless the emperor raises an army, it’s impossible. Don’t think of confronting him.”
Sang Mucheon respectfully nodded.
Honestly, he didn’t need the Sage of Heaven and Earth to tell him to have that intention.
“If you understand, return.”
Sang Mucheon looked at his master with an unsettling feeling.
“And you, master?”
“I’ll stay here for a while.”
“What?”
But the Sage of Heaven and Earth did not explain further.
Sang Mucheon did not dare ask more and had to lead the extermination force back to the mountain.
As soon as they descended, Sang Mucheon ordered the extermination force “not to mention what they saw today.” For the honor of the Chamber of Commerce and the Wudang Sect, there was no other choice.
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Despite Sang Mucheon’s attempt to maintain silence, the failure of the Chamber of Commerce spread throughout the southern Province of Henan. The Five Peaks Mountain band became known as “a group of strong bandits.” The story of the Sage of Heaven and Earth was distorted.
Along with the fame of the Five Peaks Mountain band, another name spread.
Through the warriors of the Chamber of Commerce, rumors spread about the “ten heroes who defended the Five Peaks Mountain band.” People called them the “Ten Heroes of the Five Peaks,” though only in Baofeng and some nearby counties.
By the end of May.
Yeon Jeokha lay stretched out on a platform in front of his hut, enjoying a rare nap.
The Sage of Heaven and Earth plopped down next to him.
Noticing the presence, Yeon Jeokha opened his eyes in annoyance and asked.
“Aren’t you going home?”
The Sage of Heaven and Earth had been in the camp for fifteen days now.
During that time, he had been wandering around, talking about celestial energy and destiny. Unlike the bandits, being with the old Taoist made his mind and body feel refreshed, so he didn’t dislike it.
But why was a Taoist wandering around the camp?
“Ha, ha, have you forgotten my nickname? Heaven is my roof and earth is my floor…”
“Ah, yes, yes.”
With his sleep completely interrupted, Yeon Jeokha sat up.
Looking at the children playing in the yard, the Sage of Heaven and Earth murmured.
“What a peaceful place. I never imagined the camp would be like this.”
“Master Taoist, seriously, why are you here? Everyone is curious.”
The Sage of Heaven and Earth looked at Yeon Jeokha with strange eyes.
They had talked a lot during the last fifteen days in the camp.
He already knew that his assumption that the young man was a demon disciple was a ridiculous misunderstanding.
This young man had learned techniques from an orthodox sect.
The energy emanating from his eyes and body was clear and pure. Of course, his speech was crude, and his behavior left much to be desired, probably due to his life with the bandits.
Han Chaeyeon, a thief, had mentioned that “Boss Pung saved Yeon Jeokha when he was about to die.” Since then, he had become part of the camp and had come this far.
Just knowing those circumstances was worth staying in the camp. At one point, he had thought an unprecedented calamity was brewing and had blamed the Jade Emperor.
Although he couldn’t tell Sang Mucheon, he stayed in the camp to guide the young man positively. Now that he knew it wasn’t necessary, he remained there by his own desire.
The Link of the Three Extremes of the Tai Chi Hyegeom technique.
He thought he might get some clues by being next to a master like Yeon Jeokha.
“You once said you draw with the sword. Do you remember?”
“Yes, I said that.”
“I have practiced Tai Chi Hyegeom for thirty years. However, the Three Extremes do not synchronize.”
“So what?”
Yeon Jeokha didn’t understand why the Sage of Heaven and Earth was telling him this.
“You must be wondering why I’m talking about this with someone who doesn’t belong to the Wudang Sect.”
“Yes, you guessed right.”
“I’ll be honest. I want to get your advice on the Link of the Three Extremes.”
The Sage of Heaven and Earth, trusting in the relationship they had developed, did not hide his intentions.
“Huh? I don’t know anything about the Three Extremes or the link.”
“They say all martial arts converge in the end. When you said you draw with the sword, I felt something special. I may be wrong, but I feel that our martial arts have something in common.”
“Ah.”
Yeon Jeokha understood the words of the Sage of Heaven and Earth.
At that moment, he had also felt something similar.
Although the form of the Tai Chi Hyegeom and the dragon-shaped energy of the Bakdo were different, their essence was similar.
“Of course, it wouldn’t be fair for only me to benefit. If you give me advice, I’ll help you improve your deficiencies.”
“My deficiencies?”
The Sage of Heaven and Earth smiled.
For some reason, this talented young man lacked a general understanding of martial arts. That’s why he had countered the Tai Chi Hyegeom technique with an inferior technique. He planned to help him understand more during their time together.
“I think you lack a basic understanding of martial arts. Aside from what you’ve already learned, you don’t know much more, do you?”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“If you acquire that basic knowledge, your skill in martial arts will deepen.”
After thinking for a moment, Yeon Jeokha nodded.
It was clearly a mutually beneficial situation.
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In the east of Luoyang, in Unsa.
Waryong Mansion.
The large training ground in the mansion was filled with members of the Yeon clan. An event was taking place only for clan members before opening the gates of Waryong Mansion.
The purpose of the event was, of course, to demonstrate the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship.
The elders of the Yeon clan, seated in a specially prepared place, watched the training ground with anticipation.
In the center of the training ground were Yeon Mubaek and Yeon Seongbaek.
The Elders had high hopes for Yeon Mubaek, who had returned from training with the Namgung Family. He was the one who had perfected the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship to the highest level within the clan.
Shortly after, Yeon Mubaek, the young master and grand instructor of Waryong Mansion, bowed his head to the elders.
Baek Miju, sitting next to the Elders, smiled with satisfaction.
Tomorrow, Waryong Mansion would open its gates and accept external disciples. It was the first step towards becoming a prestigious family in Murim, a long-cherished dream.
Yeon Mubaek’s achievement was level seven.
Although he did not reach the level of her late husband, it was enough to be considered a master.
Yeon Mubaek and Yeon Seongbaek quickly demonstrated the nine forms of the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship.
The Elders repeatedly nodded, impressed by the coordinated demonstration of the two brothers.
After the demonstration, the brothers started a simulated combat.
Based on the movements of the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship, the exchange of attacks and defenses was spectacular.
Clang, clang.
The swords crossed and separated dozens of times.
The meticulously practiced simulated combat looked like a sword dance.
Over time, the power difference between the two became evident.
While Yeon Mubaek maintained an even breath, Yeon Seongbaek breathed heavily, raising his shoulders.
Fortunately, the combat ended shortly after.
Yeon Seongbaek’s role had come to an end.
When Yeon Seongbaek returned to the spectators, Yeon Mubaek stood in the center of the training ground.
“I’ve had some revelations lately. I’d like to show them today.”
Yeon Mubaek unsheathed his sword with a solemn expression.
The tip of the sword pointed to the ground.
Among the elders, there was a murmur: “Ground Splitting Dragon Claw?”
Calmly, Yeon Mubaek elevated his Heavenly Dragon Supreme Divine Technique.
This technique had been recovered by the Yeon clan ancestors from a foreign land after losing the True Classic of the Nine Heavens as One. Fortunately, this technique harmonized well with the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship and was now considered a family technique.
Buzz.
The sword vibrated slightly as it was infused with the energy of the Heavenly Dragon Supreme Divine Technique.
Yeon Mubaek visualized the seventh form of the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship, Ground Splitting Dragon Claw.
His recent revelation was a mental image.
He visualized the enormous claws of a dragon tearing the earth.
Where the mind goes, the energy flows.
The tip of the sword described an arc over his head before falling like lightning.
Boom.
Three bursts of sword energy surged from the tip of the sword, creating deep fissures in the ground of the training ground.
“Ohhh!”
The Elders rose from their seats, forgetting their dignity, and shouted.
Seeing the deep marks on the ground gave them goosebumps.
Baek Miju’s eyes burned with ambition.
This happened one day before Waryong Mansion opened its gates as a Prestigious Family in Unsa.
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