Chapter 4 – Why Would I

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

Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read more at Nineheavens.org

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

Chapter 4 – Why Would I?

Eul Sa-jeok doubted his own ears.

'Just? A snake head?'

Just who was saying such things to whom right now?

Setting aside the power of the Thousand Snake Gang, White Snake Head Sword Gul Ma-hun's martial prowess and status were absolutely not something to be so casually disparaged.

In particular, his unique sword technique – White Snake Secret Stride Sword, symbolizing his position as gang leader – was well-known as a skill difficult to face unless one was a swordsman of equal caliber.

In truth, martial artists who had exchanged blows with Gul Ma-hun always exclaimed the same thing.

That the White Snake Secret Stride Sword was a terrifying swordsmanship with a momentum and variations that surged like a white snake bearing its sharp fangs while coiling around its prey.

Sagong Woon had once said similar things after crossing swords with him a few years ago.

And yet.

To call such an outstanding swordsman 'just a snake head' – how absurd…

Though Gul Ma-hun's fame was limited to only one region, for Cheol Ryu-heun – a rising talent without even a proper title yet – he was a figure he wouldn't dare to challenge.

'Hah, speaking such nonsense without knowing his place… Is this an aftereffect of taking the poison pill?'

Perhaps that was also the reason for all his speech and behavior that seemed as if his personality had changed.

Just then.

Stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp-!

Cheol Ryu-heun's foot repeatedly stamped down on Eul Sa-jeok's shin.

"Ugh, aaargh! Aaaaaargh!"

Screams filled the storage room.

Eul Sa-jeok's severely contorted face spoke of that agonizing pain.

"That was just a taste."

Cheol Ryu-heun crouched down in front of him and moved his right hand skillfully to partially unseal the pressure points.

He was allowing the opponent to move his two arms.

Following that.

"Write."

Cheol Ryu-heun extended a piece of paper along with his curt word.

"Guh… Guk, what?"

"Write down the full story in detail."

Hidden within those words was also a warning that if there were any lies mixed in, the rest of his bones would not remain intact either.

Terrified, Eul Sa-jeok received the paper with trembling hands.

"Um… B-But where are the brush and ink…?"

"Why would you need such things?"

The moment those words ended, punches came flying in succession.

Thwack, thwack- Thwack-!

Eul Sa-jeok's face was instantly covered in fresh blood.

"What good are fingers if you don't use them."

"Guhhh…"

After groaning, Eul Sa-jeok dipped his index finger in the fresh blood and began writing.

Swish, swoosh, swish-

A little time passed.

When Eul Sa-jeok, having endured the pain and finished writing, lifted his hand, Cheol Ryu-heun immediately checked the contents of the document.

"Senior Brother, I swear I wrote everything honestly. Now that things have come to this, why would I hide the truth?"

"I know."

Cheol Ryu-heun's indifferent reply.

His expression suggested he had expected the reason for betraying his sect.

Eul Sa-jeok bowed his head and pleaded repeatedly.

"I'm sorry. Whether it's expulsion or whatever, I'll accept any punishment, so please spare my life."

"Your life is precious but mine wasn't?"

"I-I have no excuse for that."

"If you want to live, just stay quiet and wait for your sentence."

Having commanded coldly, Cheol Ryu-heun immediately turned around.

Right after.

A faint smile spread across Eul Sa-jeok's bloodied lips.

'Heh, as expected, he's not going to kill me. Spineless bastard… I still have one thing left to count on.'

But then.

Stop.

Cheol Ryu-heun suddenly halted his steps and turned his head, saying,

"Wait, I don't need your hands anymore either."

"What?"

Eul Sa-jeok's heart dropped for an instant.

An ominous premonition.

Sure enough, Cheol Ryu-heun casually picked up a wooden beam from the side and swung it forcefully at him.

Crack- Crackle-!

Both his hand bones were suddenly shattered.

"Gyaaaaah, gyaaaaaaah!"

Shrieks burst out continuously from Eul Sa-jeok's mouth.

Still, Cheol Ryu-heun didn't bat an eye.

"It's fine. Bones heal."

Having said so as if it were nothing, he strode outside and locked the storage door behind him.

Clunk-

The space became dark again.

Eul Sa-jeok barely swallowed his screams and spent a moment catching his breath before grinding his teeth hard.

'Damn! I will definitely live to see you die!'

* * *

An antique building on the north side of White Peak Sword Sect's grounds.

In a rectangular inner chamber, four executives of the sect were gathered, seated around a table in the center.

This was because Cheol Ryu-heun had earlier called Chief Supervisor White Flash Sword Tiger Hyeop Mu-geuk aside and ordered him to convene a meeting before going to the storage.

Naturally, the agenda concerned Eul Sa-jeok's misdeeds.

Among the executives, apart from Chief Supervisor Hyeop Mu-geuk, the other three held the position of Head Instructor, responsible for overseeing the martial arts education curriculum.

The three, in their early thirties, were originally triplet brothers – the eldest was Guyang Cheon, the second was Guyang Ji, and the third was Guyang In.

Unlike Hyeop Mu-geuk, who had the appearance of a righteous knight-errant, the three Guyang brothers had fierce looks and imposing physiques that sometimes caused them to be mistaken for unorthodox villains, but their usual conduct was more proper than anyone, befitting the orthodox faction.

Though none of the three had yet earned a notable title, their martial arts had reached a level where they could skillfully wield sword wind and sword energy, so they were adequate as executives for White Peak Sword Sect's poor circumstances.

While everyone waited silently for Cheol Ryu-heun's arrival.

Hyeop Mu-geuk buried his back in his chair and stroked his chin, lost in thought.

-If you truly trust me, don't ask any more about that place. I'll prove everything through results.

A barely visible, faint smile formed on his lips as he recalled what Cheol Ryu-heun had said.

'Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing… I wonder what expressions everyone will make when they learn of that fact.'

The matter regarding that arrangement was still a secret known to no one except himself.

In truth, keeping his mouth firmly shut and quietly waiting until Cheol Ryu-heun gave permission would be the proper way to repay that trust.

He was actually half expecting and half worried.

If Cheol Ryu-heun succeeded in Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing, there would be nothing to worry about, but he couldn't help but consider the opposite case as well.

As the Chief Supervisor who managed and supervised key practical affairs, it was only natural to prepare for and contemplate various situations.

'Still… the Sect Master must have had a good reason for yielding that unfathomably valuable arrangement. I can only pray for the Young Sect Master's hidden potential to explode. That's all I can do right now.'

If his body reconstruction – the main function of Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing – was accompanied by a rapid rise in internal energy level, it would be ideal.

However, the greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment.

He vowed that even if Cheol Ryu-heun failed, he would serve and assist him with all his loyalty and sincerity.

Just as he always had.

Just then.

Bang-

The door opened, and the owner of the empty head seat, Cheol Ryu-heun, stepped in.

"Welcome, Young Sect Master."

Having swiftly risen to his feet, Hyeop Mu-geuk cupped his hands before his chest in formal greeting.

Guyang Cheon, Guyang Ji, and Guyang In also made the same gesture and showed moved expressions.

"Ah, Young Sect Master! Do you recognize me?"

"It's truly a miracle! Is your condition alright?"

"Shall I bring you some warm tea first?"

Though the three Guyang brothers each spoke to him, Cheol Ryu-heun barely seemed to listen as he expressionlessly gestured with his hand.

"Be seated."

At that, the three Guyang brothers sat down awkwardly in their chairs with bewildered expressions.

They had heard from Hyeop Mu-geuk that Cheol Ryu-heun's speech and behavior were quite different from before, but facing him now, it was even more unfamiliar than expected.

"Where is the Elder?"

When Cheol Ryu-heun asked while scanning the gathered group, Hyeop Mu-geuk answered on their behalf.

"As you know, due to his chronic illness… Actually, his health has worsened over the past few months."

"I see. I'm busy, so let's get to the main point."

Cheol Ryu-heun promptly took out a piece of paper.

It was the confession that Eul Sa-jeok had written in blood.

"He wrote this himself. All the details are in it. For now, I've determined that Master's death and this incident are unrelated."

"You're saying it was just coincidental timing?"

"That's right."

"Is it credible? He's such an untrustworthy fellow…"

"The content itself is true. I guarantee he cannot deceive me."

Having been a Divine Martial Sword, he had encountered countless people over the long ages and had experienced more than a few conspiratorial situations orchestrated by various types of traitors.

Among them were many who had carried out their schemes with indescribably cunning and meticulous precision.

In other words, he knew the habits of such types better than anyone.

Based on his extensive experience, reading the mind of a mere novice like Eul Sa-jeok was nothing at all.

"Before you read the document, let me briefly summarize the key points."

"Yes, Young Sect Master."

"The mastermind behind the plot is the snake head of the Thousand Snake Gang."

Instantly, the expressions of the executives noticeably hardened.

The moment they heard those words, they all recalled the title and name 'White Snake Head Sword Gul Ma-hun' in their minds.

"Currently, our sect is lacking in both wealth and elixirs. So what could that man possibly covet?"

As Cheol Ryu-heun posed the question, Hyeop Mu-geuk exclaimed briefly.

"Ah! The White Peak Sword Manual!"

"Correct."

Was the White Peak Sword Manual not the sword technique representing their sect and the great legacy of the founding Sect Master?

The ultimate intention of the mastermind Gul Ma-hun was crystal clear.

He wanted to use the superior sword technique, the White Peak Sword Manual, to supplement and develop his own cultivation and advance to become a stronger fighter at a higher level.

After all, the easiest way to obtain new essentials of martial arts was to steal someone else's and adapt it.

If that was the case, there was no better target than White Peak Sword Sect.

"He secretly recruited that Eul fellow to install him as the next Sect Master because of that secret manual."

"And so he moved against you, the leading candidate, in advance… Hmm, to avoid our suspicion, he deliberately drew out the timeline. After all, eating in haste leads to indigestion…"

"Well, in the end it was fortunate for me. Anyway, I plan to settle and resolve everything in ten days."

With a meaningful expression, Hyeop Mu-geuk asked cautiously.

"Do you perhaps intend to visit the Thousand Snake Gang and confront him?"

"Why would I?"

"Pardon?"

"He'll come here on his own anyway."

"What do you mean…"

"You'll find out later. You just need to trust me and carry out what I tell you."

Then he rummaged through his clothes and took something out to show them.

It was a type of diagram with illustrations and text reminiscent of body training postures.

"This is a new body tempering method. Everyone work diligently on it. There will be appropriate rewards later."

At that moment, the voice of a disciple came from beyond the door.

"Young Sect Master, a horse has been prepared outside the main gate."

"Shall I be off then?"

When Cheol Ryu-heun rose to his feet as he was, Hyeop Mu-geuk's eyes went wide.

"Oh, are you leaving right away?"

"Strike while the iron is hot."

Knowing the circumstances, Hyeop Mu-geuk did not object further to Cheol Ryu-heun's choice.

On the other hand, Guyang Cheon and the others, who knew nothing, clearly showed flustered expressions.

"W-Where are you suddenly going?"

"Surely you don't mean to go out alone?"

But Cheol Ryu-heun moved his feet indifferently.

"No more chatter. Just follow the Chief Supervisor's instructions until I return."

"Young Sect Master, but it hasn't even been long since you recovered…"

"There's only one thing you should be thinking about right now."

"…"

"How should we skin that snake head so that word spreads about what a good job we did? That's all."

With that, Cheol Ryu-heun closed the door and disappeared, and the three Guyang brothers stared blankly, muttering to themselves.

Excuse me, it would be a relief if the snake head doesn't completely skin you alive instead…

Meanwhile, Hyeop Mu-geuk wore a barely visible, faint smile.

As if it were a token of unwavering faith.

-If you can't even achieve Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing once, you're not even a martial artist.

Words he would not have spoken aloud if he lacked certainty.

'Young Sect Master, I pray for your martial fortune… I will count the days until your return.'

* * *

Outside the main gate of White Peak Sword Sect.

Cheol Ryu-heun mounted the horse's back and grinned as he gripped the reins.

'The first step toward revenge, is it?'

White Peak Sword Sect had people who would become his reliable hands and feet in the future.

However, due to its decline, there were many environmental deficiencies.

But.

From now on, he would use every means available to change that.

Rapidly, so that they could easily withstand even if any powerful force attacked…

Only then could he more stably proceed toward his goal.

'Whatever it takes, if I grow all the members into competent swordsmen, the problem will naturally be solved.'

The wanderer surely did not know.

That he, who had been a Divine Martial Sword, had reincarnated as the Young Sect Master of White Peak Sword Sect.

This was a great advantage for himself and a great variable for his opponent.

'I will definitely find out your whereabouts. If all else fails, I'll unify the entire martial world to do it.'

Having ignited his resolve, Cheol Ryu-heun lightly kicked the horse's flank with his foot.

"Giddyup."

Simultaneously, the horse bolted on all four hooves like the wind, kicking up clouds of dust.

Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud…!