Chapter 34 – Everyone Has a Plan

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read more at Nineheavens.org

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Chapter 34 – Everyone Has a Plan

Such is human psychology in general.

When things seem like they're going to work out but then don't, one can't easily let go of that thing called 'attachment.'

White Peak Sword Patriarch Do Dae-dam of the past was no exception.

What makes a martial artist any different?

Nothing.

They're just human.

Especially for a martial artist, martial achievement is a shared concern and lifetime goal.

That was exactly why the booklet remained.

Attachment.

For a renowned master like Do Dae-dam, the failure of a new technique creation he had challenged with passion would have been all the more regrettable.

So he couldn't bring himself to completely destroy it.

Burying the booklet deep underground was evidence of that attachment, and at the same time, a kind of consideration for future generations.

If he carelessly let complete formulas judged impossible be inherited, it might unintentionally cause confusion for successors studying the White Peak Sword Manual.

But Do Dae-dam also couldn't have known.

That through the Divine Martial Sword revived through Cheol Ryu-heun, his booklet would come out again and see the light of day…

"Good. I've found what I wanted, and now I just need to complete it personally."

At Cheol Ryu-heun's indifferent voice, Yeop Hwon quickly collected himself and asked quietly.

"Um, Sect Master… Is it truly possible?"

His expression showed half expectation, half worry.

"Give it here."

Cheol Ryu-heun took the booklet nonchalantly and scanned its contents with his eyes, then soon snapped it shut with a thwack.

'So he struggled and struggled trying to properly solve this while he was alive, only to give up.'

It had already come to him.

A rough picture had formed in his mind.

The remaining parts to finish the incomplete formulas.

A fleeting change of lips resembling a faint smile proved that fact.

Having become expressionless again, Cheol Ryu-heun put the booklet back in the iron chest and threw out a question.

"Did you hear earlier?"

Yeop Hwon responded with a puzzled expression.

"Pardon?"

"What I said."

"Ah, yes. That was… that it wasn't very difficult…"

"Right."

"…"

"One day is enough."

At Cheol Ryu-heun's brief words, Yeop Hwon and Hyeop Mu-geuk were dumbstruck.

'O-One day?'

What Do Dae-dam couldn't accomplish until he closed his eyes could be finished in just one day?

"What, do I need to achieve Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing about ten times before you'll take me at my word?"

Yeop Hwon waved both hands as if flustered.

"N-No, Sect Master. I don't doubt you. It's just that for me, this is so far beyond common sense that I'm simply surprised…"

"Enough, you'll all be able to confirm it tomorrow morning."

Before Cheol Ryu-heun's unconcerned attitude, Hyeop Mu-geuk nodded and muttered inwardly.

'Well, considering the abilities the Sect Master has shown so far… He's someone who achieved even that difficult Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing like it was nothing, so what would be impossible?'

Since it was none other than Cheol Ryu-heun's bold declaration, it strangely made sense.

In truth, a certain expectation had settled in his heart from the moment that booklet came out.

Right after, Cheol Ryu-heun pointed with his chin at the stone tablet lying on its side.

"Before going to the dining hall, put that back up first."

"Understood."

Yeop Hwon and Hyeop Mu-geuk grabbed the left and right corners of the stone tablet and lifted with all their might.

But at that moment.

Crack-

An unpleasant sound rang out.

Simultaneously, both their expressions stiffened slightly.

'Oh!'

Crack-crack-

An even louder sound.

The instant the two, seized by an ominous premonition, hesitated in their movement, the stone tablet developed large cracks and split in two.

Thunk… thud-thunk…!

Yeop Hwon and Hyeop Mu-geuk's faces went pale.

'Gasp!'

What now?

Of all things, the founding monument of the great ancestor of the sect – postumously honored as the White Peak Sword Patriarch – the first Sect Master Do Dae-dam, had been damaged…

Restoring a broken stone tablet was impossible.

Seeing that, Cheol Ryu-heun scratched his forehead.

"Hmm, was I a bit excessive with the internal energy when I pulled it out earlier?"

Yeop Hwon and Hyeop Mu-geuk looked at him with dazed expressions and nodded their heads.

Yes, it certainly looks that way.

The two were restless and didn't know what to do.

"Sect Master! Wh-What do we do?"

"Aah! This is the only stone tablet of its kind in the sect, isn't it?"

But Cheol Ryu-heun reacted nonchalantly.

"What can we do about something already broken? No need to attach unnecessary meaning. It's just a rock, after all."

Oh my, but there are rocks and there are rocks.

Having gathered the iron chest, Cheol Ryu-heun headed toward the interior of the pavilion and said.

"Wait, while I'm at it, should I have my statue made and erected? With the great meaning of establishing our sect's new history and traditions."

"…"

Yeop Hwon and Hyeop Mu-geuk fell silent.

He just said there was no need to attach unnecessary meaning to a mere rock…

Whatever, do as you please.

It's not like we have any power.

* * *

"Our power was insufficient. Who is there to blame at this point?"

A man in his mid-thirties seated at an old table heaved a great sigh as if expelling the frustration in his chest.

With a long, thin scar on his left cheek, he was none other than Geum Ja-jeom, the Vice Gang Leader of the Thousand Snake Gang, titled Vicious Poison Snake Sword.

This place was an abandoned house in the forest.

Currently, Geum Ja-jeom and his subordinates had discovered this place while on their way back to the Thousand Snake Gang and were resting here temporarily.

The man in his thirties sitting in the chair across from him let out an equally heavy sigh.

"Huuu… I still feel like I'm having a nightmare. Who could have imagined things would turn out like this?"

This was Du Cheong, an executive known as the third-in-command of the Thousand Snake Gang.

With Gang Leader White Snake Head Sword Gul Ma-hun having departed this world, it was now accurate to call him second-in-command.

Geum Ja-jeom nodded, then suddenly grimaced sharply.

"Urk!"

It was because the left shoulder area that had been stabbed by Cheol Ryu-heun's sword was causing stinging pain.

"Oh no, are you alright?"

"Hmm… The stitches seem to have torn open again."

"Please endure just a bit longer. We'll arrive in Wuyang in two days, and I'll take you to a clinic immediately."

"Damn it…"

Geum Ja-jeom pressed the bandaged area firmly with his palm.

Though they had hastily tended to the wound, intermittent bleeding was still continuing.

He soon removed his hand and shook his head.

"Send someone now to bring a physician from a nearby village. There's much to handle as soon as we arrive at headquarters, and I can't waste time with this wound getting infected."

"Yes, I'll give the order immediately."

Having answered, Du Cheong quickly went outside the abandoned house.

Leaning back, Geum Ja-jeom suddenly recalled events from a few days ago.

'He's the kind of man who'd haunt my nightmares. That martial skill to toy with Gang Leader Gul as if handling a child…'

The series of terrifying sword forms Cheol Ryu-heun had displayed then would probably never be forgotten until he died.

Having known the prowess of Gul Ma-hun, whom he had served as master, better than anyone, just witnessing it seemed to maximize his terror.

The lingering impression still made his body tremble slightly.

Never in all his life had he seen such a thing.

Someone who remained unharmed after being simultaneously struck in ten acupoints across upper and lower body by a sword energy acupoint sealing technique derived from the White Snake Secret Stride Sword's ultimate technique Ten Snakes Illusion Sword…

Any ordinary martial artist would have suffered paralysis of all limbs upon being hit, and in severe cases, even their heart meridians would have been shaken.

But Cheol Ryu-heun was fine.

And he had even had his back turned in a completely defenseless state.

Setting aside the gap in martial skill, he had to wonder if that was even a human body.

'Is such rapid growth possible in a short period? If not that, was his latent potential exceptional from the start?'

What he was most curious about was the reality of that formidable martial art.

When Gul Ma-hun had stepped forward, Cheol Ryu-heun had executed sword forms that seemed completely different from the conventional White Peak Sword Manual.

Moreover, their majesty was overwhelming and dominating beyond description.

'Eul Sa-jeok also seemed surprised to see that hidden power. It was completely unexpected. I'm curious. There must be some secret that the public doesn't know about…'

Questions about Cheol Ryu-heun piled upon questions.

However, this was a problem that couldn't be answered immediately.

Mulling it over would only give him a pointless headache.

One thing was certain.

The fact that Cheol Ryu-heun's current prowess surpassed Sagong Woon in his lifetime.

Of that, at least, there was no doubt.

Du Cheong stepped back inside the abandoned house.

"Vice Gang Leader, I've just selected two and sent them to the nearby village."

"Understood."

Du Cheong came to Geum Ja-jeom's side, checked his mood for a moment, and then spoke in a quiet voice.

"By the way… How about making a decision as soon as possible? All the executives, myself included, are gathered here."

His expression was somehow meaningful.

"What do you mean?"

Geum Ja-jeom had a quick guess but deliberately didn't show it and asked casually.

Du Cheong revealed his intentions as if he'd been waiting.

"Currently, our gang has lost its center. Therefore, I believe it's right for you, Vice Gang Leader, to lead everything from now on. The others' hearts are no different from mine."

In simple terms, he was telling him to take the Gang Leader position.

"Isn't it too early?"

"No. The sooner the better, actually. Because of this incident, defections could occur… I believe it's right to solidify unity and cohesion among members by announcing a leadership restructuring."

Geum Ja-jeom pretended to deliberate and laughed inwardly.

'Heheh, you're saying that because you have your own desires.'

He knew well what Du Cheong's hidden wish was.

It was obvious.

The Vice Gang Leader position.

With Gul Ma-hun dead, he now held all power anyway, so Du Cheong was getting in line early like this.

To prevent another executive from taking that seat.

'Right, when something comes, something goes.'

Geum Ja-jeom soon nodded and said.

"Very well, I'll do as you say. When I take the Gang Leader seat, the Vice Gang Leader seat will be yours."

"Ah! Th-Thank you."

"However, our gang will have to tighten its finances for a while, so once the situation improves, I'll guarantee you income befitting your position."

"Yes, I understand. But… do you plan to completely liquidate all of our gang's businesses? Though it's unavoidable to raise the large sum that bastard demanded."

The compensation Cheol Ryu-heun had demanded previously was one thousand taels of silver.

-Two weeks. Liquidate all your illegal shops within that time and bring at least half the amount.

Recalling those words, Geum Ja-jeom's eyes lit up.

"First, we prepare half the compensation, then proceed with a separate plan."

"What do you mean…?"

"The secret manual we recently obtained – I plan to use it to form an alliance to oppose White Peak Sword Sect."

What he just mentioned was the secret manual Gul Ma-hun had acquired in his lifetime.

The owner had now changed.

Gul Ma-hun was dead and gone.

It had naturally become Geum Ja-jeom's possession.

"As you know, that secret manual is the teachings of a previous generation master whose price you name. There are many who would be tempted by it."

"Indeed. If we offer that as a condition, we can win over various masters in Wuyang."

"It's of no use to me anyway, so if I use it once and discard it, there's nothing to regret. Just watch – the day to recover from this humiliation will surely come…"

"Heh, I'm already looking forward to it."

"First, we need to deceive Cheol Ryu-heun's eyes, so let's hand over the money on schedule and retrieve the White Fang. Without our gang's sacred sword, I won't have prestige as Gang Leader."

The moment Geum Ja-jeom finished speaking, Du Cheong clasped his hands together and flattered him.

"What fortune that Gang Leader Geum is here. Please lead our gang well. We will simply trust and follow."

* * *

After finishing lunch, Cheol Ryu-heun went straight to the armory and opened the door.

As he stepped inside, a luxurious longsword placed to one side caught his eye.

The snake pattern covering the scabbard.

White Fang – the sword symbolizing the authority of the Thousand Snake Gang Leader.

'You have no idea why I took that, or what I intend to do with it, do you?'

Soon, a faint smile spread across Cheol Ryu-heun's lips.

Well, not knowing will be more comfortable for you.

Go ahead and make your worthless plans to your heart's content until you get beaten.