Chapter 7 – Precious Sword

===================

Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read more at Nineheavens.org

===================

Chapter 7 – Precious Sword Controlling Technique

Clunk-

The storage door opened and a figure stepped inside.

Eul Sa-jeok quietly raised his head and stared ahead.

The one who appeared was the sect's Chief Supervisor, White Flash Sword Tiger Hyeop Mu-geuk.

Suddenly, the pungent smell of sweat reached his nostrils.

He had apparently been doing some kind of intense training with his subordinate disciples.

Hyeop Mu-geuk wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead and asked quietly.

"Can you manage?"

"Heh, as you can see, I'm still breathing. Should I be grateful?"

When Eul Sa-jeok responded sarcastically, Hyeop Mu-geuk's expression turned cold.

"Consider yourself fortunate to still have your life. If your despicable actions had been determined to be connected to the Sect Master's death… I would have personally cut off your head."

With those words, Hyeop Mu-geuk approached Eul Sa-jeok and offered him some dried food.

"What touching compassion. Faithfully providing food to someone who betrayed the sect."

Eul Sa-jeok jeered again as he chewed on the dried food, then spat it out with a ptui and moved his lips.

"Instead of dragging this out, why not just make a decision about expulsion or whatever? I no longer have any intention of asking for forgiveness."

"I too have no intention of forgiving the likes of you. So just wait quietly for the Young Sect Master's judgment."

"As Chief Supervisor, you simply faithfully carry out the young master's orders, is that it? Let's be honest with each other. Aren't you skeptical too? About the future of this sect."

"…"

"Even if Cheol Ryu-heun becomes the new Sect Master like this, what will change? It'll be hard to even maintain the status quo."

"What are you trying to say?"

"Depending on your decision as the current strongest in the sect, the situation here can improve considerably. If you join hands with me, everything will be different from now on."

"You mean the support of the Thousand Snake Gang is a perfect opportunity for this sect's revival?"

"That's right. It's foolish to take the hard road when there's an easy one. It's not too late even now, so contact the Thousand Snake Gang. Then Gang Leader Gul will take care of the rest."

The moment Eul Sa-jeok finished speaking, Hyeop Mu-geuk clicked his tongue.

"Tsk, how pathetic."

"What…?"

"Even if you make a name for yourself by handing over the White Peak Sword Manual – the great legacy of the founding Sect Master and the foundation of our sect – how long do you think that will last? Every martial artist inevitably experiences setbacks and hardships. No, life itself is essentially a continuous conflict between hope and reality."

"So?"

"I am prepared to face any difficulties head-on. That is the duty of a subordinate who has inherited the spirit of the preceding patriarchs and the late Sect Master."

"Are you confident you won't regret it? Even if the end of this road is the sect's closure?"

"One can only know by going all the way to the end."

Having answered firmly, Hyeop Mu-geuk turned his steps toward the door.

Eul Sa-jeok asked at his departing back.

"Why hasn't Cheol Ryu-heun shown his face for several days?"

"That's none of your concern."

"He was nothing special to begin with, so I don't understand what you're pinning your hopes on to devote yourself so loyally."

At that moment, Hyeop Mu-geuk stopped and turned his head back slightly.

"It's because he's fundamentally different from your kind. Do you know what that decisive difference is?"

"Why don't you tell me."

"When faced with a hopeless situation, you chose escape and complacency, but the Young Sect Master chose challenge and adventure. Just like the late Sect Master did during his lifetime."

"What nonsense. The decisive difference between me and him is intelligence versus stupidity!"

"Intelligent? Then how did you end up in this state?"

"…"

"You should be ashamed."

Having struck his weak point, Hyeop Mu-geuk closed the door and left.

Right after.

Eul Sa-jeok's parched lips curved into an unpleasant arc.

A sneer.

Soon, his eyes gleamed and his cold smile became even more distinct.

'Heheh, I knew you would refuse my proposal. The end of that loyalty will be quite miserable. Once he moves, this sect is finished anyway. That way, I'll survive… and all of you will die.'

* * *

Wuyang in the northern part of Hunan Province.

This medium-sized city had traditionally been dominated by unorthodox factions rather than the orthodox, and that trend had intensified in recent times.

Given the situation, the distribution of wealth naturally leaned to one side as well.

Currently, the unorthodox factions had seized nearly sixty percent of the prime markets in the city center, so the orthodox faction could only drool enviously.

In particular, the Thousand Snake Gang, called the 'Snake Den,' had a firm grip on about forty percent of the back-alley commerce where entertainment establishments like pleasure houses and brothels were concentrated, making it the wealthiest martial school in Wuyang.

On a street near the busiest district, there was a place called the Hong Eum Pavilion.

It was the most famous brothel among those who couldn't resist wine, women, and gambling – and this too was owned by the Thousand Snake Gang.

In truth, except when evading the authorities' crackdowns, customers never stopped coming throughout the seasons, and the current gang leader treasured this place like a jewel.

In other words, the Hong Eum Pavilion was the core source of income for the current Thousand Snake Gang.

Around the hour of sheep (1 PM).

Swish-

The curtain at the Hong Eum Pavilion entrance was drawn aside as a man in his thirties wearing gray martial attire entered.

With a thin scar running from the end of his left eyebrow down to below his cheek as if carved by a blade, the impressive-looking man was Geum Ja-jeom, the Vice Gang Leader of the Thousand Snake Gang, known as Vicious Poison Snake Sword.

As befitting his position as second-in-command, the surface of his long scabbard was intricately engraved with a small silver snake pattern.

Several painted courtesans greeted him, but Geum Ja-jeom passed by without acknowledging them and climbed the stairs.

Soon, reaching the fifth floor at the top, he stepped into a wide room.

This space, decorated entirely in red, was a special room accessible only to the leadership of the Thousand Snake Gang and certain honored guests.

Not far ahead.

A middle-aged man could be seen sitting with his back against a red-draped long chair.

A swordsman in his mid-forties wearing a robe embroidered with a large white snake, with a slender build like bamboo and narrow eyes.

It was none other than Gul Ma-hun, the gang leader of the Thousand Snake Gang, known as White Snake Head Sword.

Vicious Poison Snake Sword Geum Ja-jeom immediately approached and paid his respects politely.

"Gang Leader, I have a report."

"Yes, how did it go?"

"It concluded without any problems. Looking at the officials' expressions, they seemed quite satisfied with the gifts we prepared."

"And the information?"

"The simultaneous crackdown led by the newly appointed County Magistrate is in three days. Of course, the Hong Eum Pavilion has been excluded from inspection as before."

This was thanks to the group of officials who had been steadily receiving the Thousand Snake Gang's money secretly lending their influence.

Gul Ma-hun drained his cup of wine and grinned.

"Heh, this is why connections are absolutely necessary. Before money, the law is useless. But is he still out of contact?"

"Yes, Gang Leader. Today marks the fifth day already."

At Geum Ja-jeom's worried voice, Gul Ma-hun rose to his feet.

"It seems it's time to pay a visit."

"Do you believe Eul Sa-jeok has met with misfortune?"

"Nine out of ten."

"Then perhaps first we should reconnoiter…"

"No."

Gul Ma-hun cut off his words and scattered a chilling gaze.

Then he murmured quietly.

"Swift Battle, Swift Decision."

"Then… ultimately, is it 'kill to silence'?"

"If Eul Sa-jeok's activities have been discovered, wouldn't killing everyone to silence them be the best course of action?"

At that, Geum Ja-jeom nodded and responded.

"Yes, you're right. Now that you've obtained a secret manual comparable to the White Peak Sword Manual, White Peak Sword Sect is now a card not worth keeping, isn't it?"

"Indeed. If I research the essentials of that secret manual and make them my own, I'll be able to rise as the strongest in Hunan Province in the future."

"That will surely come to pass."

"White Peak Sword Sect's next move is as obvious as looking at fire. Since they can't do anything to our gang right now, they'll seek outside help. They're probably agonizing over it even now. So… we must strike first and eliminate all evidence."

Having finished speaking, Gul Ma-hun picked up a long sword leaning beside the drinking table.

Just like the robe, one could tell from the scabbard engraved with a white snake that it was a symbol of his position.

Shing-

A sharp edge was released along with the sword's cry.

Gul Ma-hun's bearing as he drew and held the sword was like a white snake flicking its tongue while harboring deadly venom.

"It's been a while since the white snake's fangs were stained with red blood."

Geum Ja-jeom felt chills run down his spine.

Those who knew, knew.

How terrifying Gul Ma-hun's swordsmanship became when he displayed killing intent.

So much so that even Geum Ja-jeom, whose handling was fierce enough to earn him the title Vicious Poison Snake Sword, could only humbly bow his head in awe before that skill.

'Now that the Gang Leader has made up his mind, White Peak Sword Sect's fate is sealed.'

Yes, extermination of the sect.

Currently, White Peak Sword Sect had no notable sword master other than Chief Supervisor White Flash Sword Tiger Hyeop Mu-geuk.

Gul Ma-hun sheathed the sword with a clang and said,

"Departure is tonight, and the operation will be executed in five days."

"Yes, Gang Leader. I will make preparations immediately and stand by."

Geum Ja-jeom headed outside the moment the words ended.

Right after, Gul Ma-hun moved his narrow eyes and curved his mouth.

"Heh, how pitiful is the end of a martial school without even one useful talent or a single precious sword."

* * *

"Let me check on the condition of a useful precious sword."

Cheol Ryu-heun put on the clothes from his bundle and muttered as he approached the chest placed in one corner of the stone chamber.

Click.

Opening the lid, he could see various treasures inside along with an extraordinary iron sword lying flat.

Just from the pitch-black dragon engraved on the scabbard, it was clearly a precious weapon.

The sword's name carved on a simple wooden tag tied with string was two characters.

Gan Jiang.

One of the Male-Female Twin Swords said to have been made by a legendary swordsmith in the distant past.

The name of the other matching sword was Mo Ye.

Both were quite unusual for weapon names.

There was a reason for that.

Gan Jiang and Mo Ye were names taken directly from the swordsmith's own name and his wife's name.

In truth, the Gan Jiang and Mo Ye Sword had both been renowned as the greatest precious swords under heaven before the martial world, represented by Shaolin Temple, had even come into existence a thousand years ago.

After being owned by an ancient unifying monarch, their whereabouts had been unknown for a long age, and no one would have known that the late Ascending Heaven Sword Dragon had acquired one of them.

Cheol Ryu-heun removed the wooden tag and crushed it with a crunch, then took out the Gan Jiang and grinned.

'Thanks to that Ba Hun fellow's collecting habit, I'm even spared the trouble of finding a suitable sword.'

Before the appearance of divine weapons like the Divine Martial Sword, the Gan Jiang and Mo Ye Swords were called the greatest and strongest legendary weapons.

That was why there had once been a craze in the martial world during a certain period to search for traces of the two swords.

Although they did not possess the mysterious abilities of divine weapons, among existing precious swords, they were undoubtedly of the highest quality.

Swiiish-

The blade slid smoothly out of the scabbard.

The entire blade was a clear blue color, reminiscent of the azure sky.

Despite being such an ancient sword, there was no rust at all.

It felt as though an intangible sharp edge that made the heart shiver was being emitted wildly, like a sword freshly honed despite the long years.

Cheol Ryu-heun then struck the corner of the chest hard with the Gan Jiang.

Slice-!

A metal fragment was cut off like a radish.

"Good."

If it only contained an unfathomable divine power, it would have been fine to call it a Divine Martial Sword – it possessed that incredible hardness.

'Hmm… Could I perhaps use this to create a new Divine Martial Sword?'

Cheol Ryu-heun pondered for a moment, then sheathed the Gan Jiang with a clang.

"Well, I can find a method through my own efforts."

Taking out several wrapping cloths, he packed up all the precious items in the stone chamber and came out of the cave.

Crash, crash, crash, crash…

The loudly echoing sound of the waterfall saw off Cheol Ryu-heun's departing figure.

* * *

At the same time.

The swordsman who had been trapped in the underground space of the cave sat leaning back with a tired expression and sighed.

"Whew…"

Having tried every means to escape without success, he had become completely exhausted.

'Damn! What kind of place is this that the surrounding stone is so solid! After all my long suffering, I thought I had finally found the place I was looking for…'

Gurgle gurgle – his starving stomach kept crying out.

At this rate, he was going to starve to death stuck here.

Growing anxious, he immediately sat cross-legged and began circulating his energy.

His plan was to attempt escape until he succeeded, before his body and mind became even more exhausted.

'Just you wait – I will definitely get out of here and tear your limbs apart!'