Chapter 257 – Time Flows Like Water (1)

Winter days end early. Deep in the mountains, they end even earlier. But surprisingly, people often overlooked this fact.

Two men wandering the winter mountain now were like that. A middle-aged man who appeared to be in his late thirties and a youth who looked about sixteen or seventeen were walking through knee-deep snow.

Though ordinary people would have been exhausted breaking through the snow, there wasn't a trace of fatigue on their faces. But they were frowning as if troubled.

"At this rate we'll end up wandering the winter mountain helplessly."

"What should we do, Uncle? We can't spend all night like this?"

The youth looked up at the middle-aged man.

Though pale from the cold, the youth had a very handsome appearance. His eyebrows extended sharply, and his clear black and white eyes were full of intelligence. If there was a flaw, it was that his upturned eye corners made him appear arrogant.

The middle-aged man shook his head.

"Let's look around a bit more. There must be somewhere we can rest briefly."

"Alright."

The youth answered with a resigned expression. But his dissatisfaction was evident. Seeing the youth like this, the middle-aged man smiled bitterly.

When traveling the murim, having to unexpectedly spend nights outdoors was common. But having grown up privileged, the youth didn't welcome such outdoor stays.

Darkness was already falling. The descent of darkness was truly instantaneous. If they didn't find a place to rest quickly, they would have to spend the night in darkness.

The middle-aged man, Moon Su-gyeol, concentrated internal energy in his eyes to enhance his vision. As Moon Su-gyeol looked around, a strange light appeared in his eyes.

He pointed in one direction with his finger.

"Over there?"

"What?"

"A light."

The youth looked in the direction Moon Su-gyeol pointed. A look of joy suddenly appeared on his face. A light was flickering there.

"It's true. Let's hurry."

"Yes!"

The two quickly walked toward where the light was flickering.

Though it didn't look far at first glance, it was quite far when actually walking. Still, walking without rest, they eventually arrived near the light.

"Ah!"

Suddenly disappointment appeared in the youth's eyes.

Though the light made him think there would be a thatched house, a group was camping outside.

About twenty carriages were arranged in a circle like fortress walls, and about twenty people and horses were gathered cozily inside.

A large pot hung over a blazing bonfire. Quite a delicious smell was flowing from the pot.

"Who goes there?"

Men who noticed Moon Su-gyeol and the youth's presence raised weapons alertly. Moon Su-gyeol quickly stepped forward and said:

"Sorry to disturb your rest. I am Moon Su-gyeol. Embarrassingly, martial brothers have given me the title Toad Fist."

"Toad Fist Moon Su-gyeol? Is it really Hero Moon?"

One of the warriors near the bonfire reacted as if recognizing Moon Su-gyeol's name. Moon Su-gyeol made a respectful gesture and said:

"Yes. I am Toad Fist Moon Su-gyeol. We ended up lost on the mountain path and came here. Though shameless, I would appreciate if you let us warm ourselves briefly by the bonfire."

"Oh my! That was dangerous. The winter mountain is so fearsome. Please come in."

"Thank you."

The warrior gladly made room for Moon Su-gyeol. Moon Su-gyeol thanked him and introduced the youth beside him.

"This child is my nephew Jo Won-myeong. Won-myeong, quickly thank these people."

"Thank you for your consideration. I am Jo Won-myeong."

The youth, Jo Won-myeong, made a respectful gesture. The warrior smiled and said:

"Hoho! So it's Young Hero Jo, the Wild Goose Sword. What an honor to meet such famous people on this nameless mountain."

The leader warrior burst into hearty laughter.

Wild Goose Sword Jo Won-myeong.

He was a rising young talent who had recently begun to stand out. Though young, his martial arts were excellent enough to earn the title Wild Goose Sword.

Once the two's identities were confirmed, the alert warriors finally lowered their swords.

Moon Su-gyeol walked toward the bonfire and asked:

"I see this is a merchant caravan."

"Good eye. That's right. We're the Silver Family Castle's merchant caravan."

At the warrior's answer, now Moon Su-gyeol and Jo Won-myeong were surprised.

Silver Family Castle was one of Hunan's Five Great Sects. It was one of the five strongest sects in Hunan. But more famous than that was Silver Family Castle's wealth.

Having grown tremendously over the past three years, Silver Family Castle was known to have accumulated wealth rivaling Divine Trade Association which was called the world's greatest merchant group, surpassing being first in Hunan.

"Silver Family Castle's merchant caravan? Then sir, you are?"

"I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Jeok Yong-cheon, head of Silver Family Castle's merchant caravan."

"Ah! So you're Hero Jeok the Iron Sword Asura!"

Moon Su-gyeol couldn't hide his surprised expression.

Jeok Yong-cheon was originally quite famous as a warrior. Everyone was surprised when he said he would become Silver Family Castle's merchant caravan head.

"To think someone still remembers that title, I'm embarrassed."

"How could I forget? The incident three years ago at Muae Valley where Hero Jeok alone swept away twenty Demon Cult elite warriors is still famous in the murim."

"I'm embarrassed. Please sit here."

Jeok Yong-cheon had Moon Su-gyeol and Jo Won-myeong sit by the bonfire. At his gesture, one of the merchant caravan warriors ladled porridge from the pot and brought it.

Jeok Yong-cheon offered the porridge to the two.

"Please warm your frozen bodies while eating this at least."

"Thank you."

"Thank you for the meal."

Moon Su-gyeol and Jo Won-myeong accepted the porridge bowls without declining.

Eating porridge by the bonfire gradually thawed their frozen bodies. Only then could the two breathe sighs of relief.

"Whew! Thanks to you we're saved."

"We're all martial brothers, of course we should help. No need to thank us."

"No. I will surely repay this kindness. Thank you, Hero Jeok."

Moon Su-gyeol made another respectful gesture to Jeok Yong-cheon. Jeok Yong-cheon showed a troubled expression at this.

"No need to thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank our young lady. Without her, we couldn't have let you in."

"Young lady?"

Just as doubt appeared on Moon Su-gyeol and Jo Won-myeong's faces, the door of a nearby carriage opened. And a beautiful young lady revealed herself.

The moment he saw the young lady, Jo Won-myeong's eyes widened…. The young lady wearing luxurious silk clothes was dazzlingly beautiful. Her eyes were black as obsidian, and her features were delicate like a doll's. Her eyes sparkled like the morning star.

Jo Won-myeong had never seen a young lady with such shining eyes before. Jo Won-myeong felt his heart trembling.

The young lady greeted Moon Su-gyeol and Jo Won-myeong.

"I'm glad to meet heroes of the murim like this. I am Eun So-cheong of Silver Family Castle."

"Ah! I am Moon Su-gyeol, Miss Eun."

"J-Jo Won-myeong."

"I've heard much about you, Hero Moon, Young Hero Jo."

Eun So-cheong smiled brightly. At that moment Jo Won-myeong felt his mind going dizzy.

Though Jo Won-myeong had met quite many young ladies, none were as beautiful as Eun So-cheong. Eun So-cheong had a noble air they lacked, and above all she had the tremendous background of Silver Family Castle.

Jo Won-myeong unconsciously swallowed dry saliva.

Eun So-cheong sat across from Jo Won-myeong. With the bonfire between them, Eun So-cheong's face was seen more clearly.

Eun So-cheong's appearance wearing a faint smile looked even more fantastical in the firelight.

Jo Won-myeong unconsciously said loudly:

"Y-you're beautiful, Miss Eun."

"Thank you."

At Eun So-cheong's answer, Jo Won-myeong had a blank expression for a moment before realizing his state.

'Such a fool…'

He wanted to hit his head if he could. Because he felt his behavior was too foolish.

Moon Su-gyeol smoothed things over.

"Thank you for your consideration, Miss Eun. Thanks to you we could catch our breath."

He naturally diverted Eun So-cheong's attention.

"Not at all. We're all martial brothers so of course we should help. Don't worry about it."

"Is Miss Eun personally going on business? It must be quite a large deal."

"Not exactly."

Eun So-cheong slightly shook her head. Moon Su-gyeol showed a puzzled expression at this.

"No, you mean Miss Eun is going on business when it's not even a big deal?"

"There's someone I want to meet."

"What?"

"Since that person won't come out, I have no choice but to go."

Faint longing was contained in Eun So-cheong's eyes. At that moment Jo Won-myeong felt jealousy gushing forth.

'Just who is it?'

It clearly wasn't a look of missing family. It was a look containing longing for the opposite sex.

Jo Won-myeong was jealous of someone he had never even seen. That's how much he was captivated by Eun So-cheong at first sight.

Jo Won-myeong tried to maintain composure as he asked:

"Th-then where are you heading, Miss Eun?"

"Huayin County."

"Huayin County?"

"Yes! Where Mount Hua Sect is."

"But hasn't Mount Hua Sect sealed its gates long ago?"

"That's right."

Eun So-cheong answered with an unconcerned expression. But Moon Su-gyeol and Jo Won-myeong's faces hardened like stone statues.

Mount Hua Sect.

Who in the murim wouldn't know that name?

One of the nine strongest sects in the world and along with Wudang, one of the two great leaders of Taoism.

That was the Mount Hua people remembered from before. But the Mount Hua people knew now was quite different.

A powerless giant living shabbily on past glory, or an old-fashioned sect that locked its doors not wanting to show its fallen state.

That was the Mount Hua that new warriors like Jo Won-myeong knew. The only reason Mount Hua Sect still held a place among the Nine Great Sects was because of one absolute warrior.

'Mount Hua's Fist Demon Dam Ho.'

A demon of the era produced by the prestigious Mount Hua Sect.

One who possessed such tremendous martial might he could reverse war situations alone. How else could the Demon Cult have retreated from Mount Hua three years ago due to just his presence?

Thanks to his existence, Mount Hua Sect could barely hang on to the edge of the Nine Great Sects. That showed how remarkable Dam Ho was, but conversely it also meant Mount Hua Sect had fallen that miserably.

'It's been about three years since they sealed their gates?'

Mount Hua Sect locked their doors and completely stopped external activities. Though Mount Hua Sect priests could be seen quite often before, now they couldn't be seen even in Huayin County where Mount Hua Sect was based.

Since Mount Hua Sect sealed its gates, Huayin County lost vitality. Many people left or moved away from Huayin County, and outside warriors also cut off contact with Mount Hua.

For three long years Mount Hua never showed itself to the murim, and people no longer paid attention to Mount Hua. If at least Dam Ho had been active it would be different, but with Mount Hua Sect's gate sealing Dam Ho too completely stopped activities in the murim. Afterward Mount Hua was forgotten in people's memories.

Moon Su-gyeol looked around at the carriages.

"Perhaps the goods in these carriages… are going into Mount Hua?"

"That's right."

"Hmm!"

"Why, is it unexpected?"

"Honestly yes. I heard Mount Hua Sect sealed its gates and completely cut off from the outside."

"No matter what, they're still people who need to eat and live. We've steadily traded items like grain from before."

At Eun So-cheong's answer, Moon Su-gyeol's eyes shone.

'Though they may have been truly great before, Mount Hua is already a forgotten existence now. Yet Silver Family Castle trades with Mount Hua?'

It was a completely unknown fact.

Probably almost no one in the world knew such a fact. That's how far Mount Hua Sect had fallen from people's attention.

Moon Su-gyeol's eyes narrowed.

That's when Eun So-cheong asked:

"By the way, where are Hero Moon and Young Hero Jo heading?"

"Us?"

"Yes!"

"Hmm!"

Moon Su-gyeol and Jo Won-myeong secretly exchanged glances. They confirmed each other's intentions instantly.

"We… are going to Huayin County."

"Really?"

"Yes! We're supposed to meet someone there."

"What a great coincidence."

Eun So-cheong slightly furrowed her brow.

Jo Won-myeong looked at such an Eun So-cheong and said:

"Since things are like this, I hope we can travel together to Huayin County, Miss Eun."

Venerable Woo-am, being pushed into a corner and realizing he couldn’t be cornered further, explosively released his internal energy with all his might. It was a technique that consumed internal energy severely.

Whoosh!

Baek Li-jung was pushed back, dragging his feet. Venerable Woo-am strongly denied with his roughened breathing.

“Didn’t you frame Ryeong-ryeong and the Dan family as traitors and drive them to extermination! So she killed the child herself to take revenge on you!”

It was the fifth year after Baek Li-jung married Dan Ryeong-gyeong.

The Dan family was branded as the Demon Cult and exterminated by the Martial Alliance.

And Dan Ryeong-gyeong made the worst choice.

She killed her own child…

Moreover, it was none other than Baek Li-jung who had been at the forefront of attacking his own in-law family.

Therefore, all sorts of ominous rumors circulated in society. Some said Dan Ryeong-gyeong had gone mad, others that she had truly become obsessed with the Demon Cult and offered the child as a sacrifice.

However, the most convincing rumor among them was that she killed the child as revenge, meaning she wouldn’t leave Baek Li-jung’s seed behind to take revenge on Baek Li-jung.

But…

What if it wasn’t Baek Li-jung’s child?

Baek Li-jung raised his eyes and ground his teeth. He rushed in swinging his sword. Venerable Woo-am also didn’t retreat and crossed swords.

Baek Li-jung laid his sword flat to prevent direct confrontation. Then in that state, he slashed as if flowing. Venerable Woo-am’s forearm was cut. Venerable Woo-am also simultaneously cut Baek Li-jung’s chest.

Both retreated at the same time. While retreating, both swung their swords again. Venerable Woo-am cut Baek Li-jung’s arm, and Baek Li-jung failed to leave a wound on Venerable Woo-am.

Baek Li-jung shouted.

“It wasn’t my child but she killed it to take revenge on me? That has to make sense!”

Venerable Woo-am couldn’t answer. His mind became disturbed and his hands and feet became disordered.

Baek Li-jung continuously pressed Venerable Woo-am. Venerable Woo-am was repeatedly busy just blocking Baek Li-jung’s offensive. Before long, sweat drops were flowing on his forehead.

“You’re not going to deny it now, are you? If it’s neither my child nor your child, then whose child was it?”

Wounds continued to appear on both their bodies. Blood drops splattered with every movement. Mainly wounds on Baek Li-jung’s body.

Slash, hiss!

The sound of cutting paper was also minutely mixed in.

They had already fought for dozens of seconds.

Though there were no deep wounds, Baek Li-jung was cut in several places and blood was abundant.

Baek Li-jung was gradually gasping for breath. The longer the fight continued, the slight difference in skill was gradually showing.

Baek Li-jung shouted.

“If you’re innocent, then answer! Is it because it’s your child that you can’t say anything!”

Baek Li-jung scattered several sword energies to confuse Venerable Woo-am, then condensed his strength and exploded it all at once. Baek Li-jung strongly struck down at Venerable Woo-am. Venerable Woo-am blocked and scattered each sword energy individually and met Baek Li-jung’s sword.

Clang!

For the first time, a clear sound rang out. However, at that moment Venerable Woo-am realized the sound from the blue steel sword was strange. Venerable Woo-am’s expression changed.

“This bastard?”

“You realized too late!”

Baek Li-jung struck down with all his might once more. Venerable Woo-am couldn’t dare to meet Baek Li-jung’s sword and dodged.

“Devious fellow.”

Venerable Woo-am ground his teeth.

From the beginning, Baek Li-jung had used silent sword techniques, taking advantage of Venerable Woo-am’s blindness. To prevent the distinctive cutting sound that occurs when a sharp blade cuts through air, he swung his sword as quietly as possible even if the sword technique’s speed was slow.

But in the middle, there were specifically subtle scraping sounds. Those weren’t the sounds of sword energy brushing past, but the sounds of Baek Li-jung cutting the blue steel sword’s blade with Heavenly Vermillion Blade. Baek Li-jung had gradually, bit by bit, scratched the blue steel sword without Venerable Woo-am noticing.

Heavenly Vermillion Blade was the Baek Li family’s treasured sword, while what Woo-am held was an ordinary blue steel sword.

Even without noticeable scratches, the more massive internal energy was applied, the more strain on the sword.

When such impacts accumulated.

Crack!

The sword breaks.

Heavenly Vermillion Blade cut the blue steel sword in half and directly slashed Venerable Woo-am’s shoulder. Venerable Woo-am used Flowing Cloud Divine Steps to slide backward.

Baek Li-jung knew that if he failed this time, it would be difficult to regain the advantage.

He pursued to the end, blocked Venerable Woo-am’s movements with Thunder Splitting Song Palm, and stabbed Venerable Woo-am’s leg with Heavenly Vermillion Blade. Heavenly Vermillion Blade penetrated the thigh opposite to the side Venerable Woo-am had cut himself. Blood vessels bulged on Venerable Woo-am’s forehead.

As his leg was penetrated, Venerable Woo-am simultaneously struck Baek Li-jung’s chin upward with his palm and hooked behind the knee with his other hand.

Whirl!

Baek Li-jung spun half a turn sideways and fell. As Baek Li-jung tried to get up using breakfall technique by striking the ground with his hand, Venerable Woo-am made his hand like a claw and struck Baek Li-jung’s ankle. Baek Li-jung rolled his body to dodge but his shin was struck.

Fingers penetrated through the shinbone. Baek Li-jung kicked Venerable Woo-am’s shoulder with his other foot. As Venerable Woo-am’s shoulder was pushed back, his fingers came out.

Baek Li-jung pulled Heavenly Vermillion Blade and half-split Venerable Woo-am’s thigh. Venerable Woo-am immediately pressed his leg’s blood point to stop bleeding while simultaneously striking Baek Li-jung’s chest with his opposite palm.

Great Net Hand!

Baek Li-jung blocked with both arms just before Great Net Hand could fully unfold.

Bang!

As Baek Li-jung flew backward holding Heavenly Vermillion Blade, he sent finger wind at Venerable Woo-am. Venerable Woo-am sent finger wind with a kiai.

“Ha!”

Bang!

Baek Li-jung bounced up supporting himself with his hands, then with Heavenly Vermillion Blade planted in the ground, once again sent Thunder Splitting Song Palm with both palms.

Unable to use his legs, Venerable Woo-am had no choice but to draw out protective energy and receive it with his body.

Rumble!

Massive internal energy swept over Venerable Woo-am and even the terrain behind him. The debris of the collapsed pavilion was pushed and flew outside the cliff.

Venerable Woo-am spurted blood from his nose and mouth. Blood was also beading around his eyes.

Baek Li-jung asked.

“Tell me. Then whose child was it? Whose child was my wife carrying?”

Venerable Woo-am stood up supporting himself by stabbing his half-broken sword into the ground. Baek Li-jung also limped. However, Venerable Woo-am had injured both legs while Baek Li-jung’s injured leg was stabbed. Who had the advantage needed no further explanation.

“Sigh.”

Venerable Woo-am exhaled and finally opened his mouth.

“Would you believe me if I told you?”

“Just try saying it.”

Venerable Woo-am said with a smile.

“It’s my child.”

Baek Li-jung mocked and sneered.

“Then why didn’t you come to save your child and woman? Even on the day the Dan family was exterminated, you probably hid in Qingcheng sect without showing your nose.”

“Do you think I stayed still? I grabbed my sword and tried to rush out, but got caught by my master, got scolded and beaten… with a broken leg, I was confined to the Repentance Cave crying. After being there for a year, when I came out, the situation had become one where I could no longer do anything.”

“A good excuse. Being part of a religious order is perfect to use as a face-saving excuse at times like this.”

“An excuse? These eyes are traces of the frustration I felt then!”

“Someone who gouges out their own eyes isn’t frustrated but crazy.”

Baek Li-jung raised his killing intent to the extreme and rushed at Venerable Woo-am. Venerable Woo-am struck the ground with both palms to lift his body and emitted sword energy with the sword finger technique of his index and middle fingers.

However, it was difficult to withstand the sword energy of a real sword enhanced by the sharpness of a treasured sword. Venerable Woo-am’s sword energy struck by Heavenly Vermillion Blade’s sword energy couldn’t last long and was severed.

But Venerable Woo-am’s purpose was elsewhere. Venerable Woo-am displayed high concentration and struck Baek Li-jung’s Heavenly Vermillion Blade surface from left and right with his palms. It was Qingcheng sect’s unique sword-breaking technique that struck the sword diagonally from above and below to break it.

In a brief moment, tension also appeared around Baek Li-jung’s eyes. Venerable Woo-am’s palms alternately struck the sword surface from left and right.

Thud!

But despite clearly striking Heavenly Vermillion Blade’s surface, the sword didn’t break or split. Venerable Woo-am’s palms stuck to Heavenly Vermillion Blade’s surface.

Venerable Woo-am glared at Baek Li-jung with raised eyes. Venerable Woo-am immediately recognized what technique this was.

“Finally showing your true colors!”

Baek Li-jung had pulled Venerable Woo-am’s palms using the incantation of Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art.

Whirlpools arose within Baek Li-jung’s body and his clothes fluttered wildly. Venerable Woo-am also activated Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art in response. He was activating Qingcheng sect’s internal energy mental method in the way of Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art to counter.

“Useless! Have you forgotten who created Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art!”

“Do you mistake yourself for a grand master just because you combined two existing martial arts!”

With Heavenly Vermillion Blade between them, Baek Li-jung and Venerable Woo-am’s internal energies clashed with each other. Heavenly Vermillion Blade trembled violently. Countless whirlpools were colliding with Heavenly Vermillion Blade’s blade between them.

Baek Li-jung tried to twist Heavenly Vermillion Blade sideways while Venerable Woo-am tried to block it by pressing the blade surface from both sides.

Drip drip.

Nosebleeds burst from both Venerable Woo-am and Baek Li-jung’s noses. Neither gave an inch. However, since the sword still wasn’t twisting, Venerable Woo-am seemed slightly more advantageous.

Venerable Woo-am bulged his eyes and ground his teeth.

“I knew you had pressured Ryeong-ryeong to obtain the incantation of Jade Void Nine Lights Five Thunder Toad Art. Even so, since you couldn’t obtain the latter half incantation, at best you could only reach the fifth dike. But thirty years ago I had already surpassed the sixth dike. Yet you try to defeat me with the same internal energy?”

Baek Li-jung also bared his teeth with a murderous expression. Blood was beading between his teeth. However, Baek Li-jung’s eyes were smiling.

“Sorry I couldn’t tell you beforehand, but I surpassed the Seven Light Dikes long ago.”

“What?”

At that moment, blood vessels bulged all over Baek Li-jung’s face at once.

A different power from before was transmitted to Venerable Woo-am through Heavenly Vermillion Blade. The balance collapsed. Baek Li-jung twisted Heavenly Vermillion Blade with all his might.

Thud thud!

Venerable Woo-am’s severed fingers flew through the air.

Baek Li-jung raised Heavenly Vermillion Blade and stabbed Venerable Woo-am’s shoulder.

Crack!

Cutting through shoulder and ribs, Heavenly Vermillion Blade sliced down to above the heart.

Just above the heart, Baek Li-jung stopped his sword. Venerable Woo-am collapsed in place.

“Huff huff.”

Baek Li-jung gasped with his face completely bloodshot.

Venerable Woo-am intuited his own death and made a calm expression.

“Why… did you stop?”

“Because there are things that must be said.”

Baek Li-jung looked down at Venerable Woo-am and said.

“You knew the truth, didn’t you?”

“What?”

“Who the child’s father was.”

Venerable Woo-am looked up at Baek Li-jung with eyes losing their vitality. Baek Li-jung made an expression that showed his teeth ground just thinking about it.

“Enlightened Teacher. The Demon Cult’s Enlightened Teacher Yelu Huan!”

Venerable Woo-am’s expression became strange. However, it wasn’t because of Baek Li-jung’s words.

“Ah, this is the worst. Why on earth did you come here?”

Dan Ryeong-gyeong was at Elder Sky Peak.