Chapter 397 – Carpet (6)

Low tea table surrounded by silence. Brief, and gentle.

“……”

The two sect leaders had deep cultivation.

The clear atmosphere characteristic of those who had trained in temples and monasteries. The splendid inner chamber where the Dark Night Palace Leader had stayed was made to feel like a modest guest room.

At this moment, the teacups on the table emitting faint steam like chimneys were showing consideration for the young peerless master who was hearing stories about his grandfather from others.

Venerable Cypress Flame’s compassionate gaze turned to Jeong Yeon-shin.

“Strictly speaking, the Beggar Sect Leader was the one who started the quarrel first. Of course, quite contradictorily, he was the one who ultimately never joined the Mount Hua Agreement…”

She said.

It was a story of young geniuses.

Those who looked down on secular major factions like the Eight Great Clans and the Thirteen Evil Sects, literally wandering the martial world as little immortals.

The seven talents of the Nine Sects were lofty. They already possessed skills worthy of establishing their own styles at that time.

Exceptionally bright stars are visible to the eye even when far apart. The encounter between them and Ma Yeon-jeok was inevitable.

Huayin County.

A true Dragon Phoenix Gathering occurred at an inn located in the lower village of Mount Hua.

The young beggar who was then the future Beggar Sect Leader eventually stopped eating and challenged Ma Yeon-jeok to a duel.

Young martial artists meeting and quarreling while traveling the martial world was as common then as it is now, but the incident that occurred at that time was special.

“The current Beggar Sect Leader has always been extremely proud of his drunken fist. Even more so when he was young and called Drunken Gong. He would stimulate his upper dantian with alcohol energy to unleash unpredictable techniques that made even the elegant Plum Blossom Sword Technique of Mount Hua look neat in comparison. Though I personally think the ultimate Plum Blossom Sword is more impressive as a visual spectacle…”

Venerable Cypress Flame spoke with a hint of humor.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t interrupt her. He knew little about the history of his parents, including his mother.

He had also rarely had the opportunity to properly hear stories about his maternal grandfather.

“Anyway, as soon as Master Ma received the duel request, he emptied an entire jar of West Phoenix Wine. This was to keep his word. Not to be outdone, Drunken Gong also drank the same amount and turned the jar upside down to show it was empty.”

I can win even with drunken fist.

It wasn’t something the legitimate successor of the Beggar Sect martial lineage should hear.

The masters of the Beggar Sect are famously unconcerned with form when learning martial arts.

This was because the criteria for distinguishing between superior masters and lower-ranked martial artists within the sect were clear.

The skill of subtly drawing up alcohol energy to the upper dantian and operating it.

They say the fist techniques of a completely drunk Beggar Sect supreme master can block even the breathing of a serpent demon. That’s why it was called the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms.

It was also why Drunken Gong couldn’t easily let Ma Yeon-jeok’s words slide.

“At that time, Drunken Gong was envious of Desolate Fortress’s intelligence network that encompassed all government offices in the country. Whenever they traveled around the martial world, he would vent with jealous tirades. He would say that wells never overflow into rivers, yet Desolate Fortress had sold the unwritten rule of separation between government and martial affairs to the dogs, and deserved condemnation.”

“Stagnant well water should be emptied out. Especially if common people live nearby.”

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been listening quietly, spoke. His voice was calm.

“Hmm.”

“That’s not wrong.”

A heavy expression crossed the faces of Venerable Cypress Flame and Two Walls Sword Lord. They seemed unwilling to dismiss his casual remark.

Jeong Yeon-shin found their reaction strange.

The sect leaders of the Nine Sects are the most widely known supernatural beings in the martial world, absolute figures who discuss the world even while seated in their mountains.

If it wasn’t a major matter that would greatly influence the martial world, they should have just laughed it off.

“Please continue. What happened after the two got drunk?”

He urged Venerable Cypress Flame.

The elderly nun, who had been staring intently at Jeong Yeon-shin, formed wrinkled eye-smiles.

“The natural sequence followed. The Beggar Sect’s Drunken Gong and Tyrant Hero Ma Yeon-jeok. It was a duel that would be the talk of the entire martial world. Though the only spectators worthy of the name were the seven from the Nine Sects, along with the innkeeper and waiter who had been watching their argument with anxious faces…”

The Beggar Sect’s Drunken Gong.

This was after he had already achieved the feat of slaying leaders of the Thirteen Evil Sects.

He gave Ma Yeon-jeok the first move. It was the typical pride of martial artists.

“Master Ma didn’t engage in further argument. He simply stamped the ground once from where he stood. At that moment, this old nun had to fully deploy the Lotus Opening Without Trace, our sect’s protective technique.”

“Why…?”

“Because an earthquake occurred.”

Venerable Cypress Flame continued.

After the rumbling sound raced beneath the ground and disappeared, everyone was speechless.

When Drunken Gong, who had endured the terrifying vibration at close range, stared blankly at his opponent, Tyrant Hero Ma Yeon-jeok offered praise with a deeply impressed expression.

“Your protective technique must be modeled after a bear balancing on a log… I’ll remember that. It was truly a provocation.”

A faint pleasure showed on Venerable Cypress Flame’s lips. She seemed moved by the youthful excitement of her younger days.

Jeong Yeon-shin inwardly shook his head at his young maternal grandfather. He was certainly no gentleman.

“Of course, Drunken Gong wouldn’t back down there. He couldn’t in front of the Nine Sects disciples who could be called his comrades. We each had deep friendships with one another, but at the same time, we were rivals competing with our martial arts for pride. In the world, we were each other’s only worthy opponents.”

When Drunken Gong charged with both arms raised, Ma Yeon-jeok spread formless energy waves without even drawing his sword. It was the first form of the Desolate Ma family’s Harmonious Flower Fist.

“Eighteen techniques were launched against Tyrant Hero. Master Ma received all of Drunken Gong’s Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms without taking a single step back. Only then did the youngest at that time, Wudang’s High Sword, and Diancang’s Sword Empress, along with the elder Shaolin Abbot of that era, rise from their seats.”

“Why…?”

“Because Master Ma used only one hand. Even when grabbing and pressing down on the blue palm of Drunken Gong’s eighteenth ultimate move, the Heaven-Piercing Jade Ring, Master Ma still had his left hand behind his back. That was the end.”

The dumbfounded Drunken Gong was flung away like a skipping stone from a single punch to his solar plexus.

The young Ma Yeon-jeok said… —Not even a mouthful for a rain dragon.

A manner of speech no one present had experienced before. It was mocking the legend that the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms could subdue even dragons.

It was clearly crossing a line with the talents of the Nine Sects. All who had been sitting as witnesses to the duel rose.

“Fortunately or unfortunately, that’s when the Blood Flame Cult Leader attacked us. He had been tracking us from Sichuan. That supernatural being was always afraid that the Nine Sects might restore Buddhist dharma power and Taoist Three Pure Powers.”

It was a time when the conflict between the Thirteen Evil Sects and the Nine Sects was reaching its peak. The martial forces of the Sima Evil Path also appeared.

But as soon as they saw Ma Yeon-jeok, they withdrew their forces and disappeared into the distance. The group only had to deal with the Blood Flame Cult Leader.

Even that wasn’t easy. It was nearly impossible.

“Only four people properly received that white-haired blood demon’s techniques. Master Ma and Wudang’s young High Sword, the teacher of the current Mount Hua sect leader who has now passed away, and the Shaolin Abbot of that time… But we couldn’t fight long against someone who laughed while displaying regenerative powers even when hit with attack techniques. Master Ma was the one who opened a path for us.”

It was with the words “I can’t work with these bears.” By then, Ma Yeon-jeok had already reached the realm beyond human.

The Protecting Moon Sword of the future Divine Sword Group Leader was drawn from his hand, and the sword wind that shook heaven and earth sent the Blood Flame Cult Leader flying far away.

—It’s just a temporary measure.

It was merely creating a brief respite.

But the talents of the Nine Sects at that time were already surpassing the achievement speed of the Eight Great Clans’ practical martial arts with their orthodox martial arts that pursued great accomplishment over time.

Their talents were extraordinary.

They concealed their energy waves with energy operation that surpassed even decent ghost cry techniques and displayed lightness skill that didn’t even crush grass.

Drunken Gong, who had been lying down, was dragged like baggage by the young Ma Yeon-jeok.

Fortune upon fortune. After running day and night many times, they finally shook off the Blood Flame Cult Leader’s pursuit.

It was a karmic connection.

“There was no one there who would show competitive spirit again. Moreover, having roughly compared martial arts while blocking the Blood Flame Cult Leader, they suggested competing with martial lineages next time and made a certain agreement.”

They had vaguely felt the necessity.

It was a martial world where even supreme masters suddenly died away from home.

Then why not create room for orthodox sects that value the people’s livelihood to cooperate in times of need?

“With their territories infinitely far apart, and each valuing different things with different grudges… the talented sect leaders of the Nine Sects, who had kept their distance from Desolate Fortress due to the grudges of countless secular sects, benefited from the hero’s virtue. We had to channel our competitive spirit in a positive direction.”

“What do you mean by competing with martial lineages…?”

“We agreed that whenever Tyrant Hero or his direct descendant requested, the Nine Sects would select their most outstanding disciples from each branch.”

The secret history of the martial world’s highest echelon reached its conclusion. Venerable Cypress Flame’s eyes, like a calm lake, reflected Jeong Yeon-shin.

“To be precise, six of the martial sects excluding Mount Hua, Kongtong, and Zhongnan. The four disciples of the Nine Sects who joined the Mount Hua Agreement would have to compete with four masters of White, Blue, and Black rank selected by Desolate Fortress. Whichever side wins more can request anything except closing their gates from the losing side. If they ask for help in private matters, the Nine Sects must provide at least one sect leader… and Tyrant Hero’s side must provide a peerless master of purple rank.”

“Such an agreement would never be allowed by the main fortress.”

When Jeong Yeon-shin slightly shook his head, Venerable Cypress Flame’s lips curved into an arc.

“It was permitted by the Desolate Fortress Lord. Probably because the Divine Sword Group is always short-handed. Additionally, this old nun thinks Tyrant Hero’s persuasion played a major role. He seemed to have been deeply impressed by the Beggar Sect Leader’s movement technique. He treated young Drunken Gong very favorably. Though Drunken Gong detested it.”

Jeong Yeon-shin recalled his maternal grandfather’s behavior, mentioning bears. As his grandson, it was an embarrassing eccentricity. There are many strange characters in the martial world indeed.

“…You said seven people made the Mount Hua Agreement. Why didn’t the Beggar Sect Leader join the agreement?”

“He had no intention of postponing the settlement to his disciples. Since the Desolate Ma family’s tyrannical martial arts use time in advance, he was confident that after many years passed, he would become even more powerful. Despite his magnanimous spirit, Tyrant Hero never met us again.”

Jeong Yeon-shin could guess the reason. It was simply because his maternal grandfather was born with an extremely arrogant temperament.

After making the agreement, he would have erased from his mind the thought of seeking help from other sects.

He slowly parted his lips.

“It seems it will take quite some time. I’m grateful that you’ve shared the connection from the previous generation, but…”

It didn’t seem immediately helpful. The Sichuan matter had already been reported to Desolate Fortress through the drawing of lots among his seniors, and now what he wanted to do was crystal clear.

Having subdued the Young Palace Leader of Dark Night Palace and obtained the grotesque bird. It was time to track the Dark Night Palace Leader who was said to have deep grudges with the current Divine Sword Group Leader.

‘I’ve given the sect leaders precious time.’

Perhaps sensing that Jeong Yeon-shin wanted to end the conversation, Two Walls Sword Lord, who had been silently closing his mouth, looked at him.

“Listen, Radiant Demon Wing Leader.”

“Yes, speak.”

“This Taoist, despite appearances, comes from a noble family and has quite deep insight. You seem to be looking for someone… someone in a dangerous place.”

“……”

“You’re quite modest. Let me tell you this. You are a being who can overturn the entire martial world.”

Jeong Yeon-shin was unusually surprised. The insight to precisely penetrate two deeply hidden truths.

The Qingcheng Sect Leader’s eyes were glowing blue-green with his innate bloodline and eye technique.

“The land is extremely vast. No matter how swift your lightness skill, what if something happens to the person you seek while you’re traveling?”

“What do you mean…?”

“Activate the Mount Hua Agreement. The martial world will respond.”

Two Walls Sword Lord said.