Chapter 97

Chapter 97: When Many Gather, Each Raises Their Voice (1)

As time passed, more and more martial artists flooded into the area around Dongting Lake.

At first, they were only the martial artists of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families, but upon hearing the news, martial artists from other smaller sects began arriving as well.

By this point, even those with no connection to the martial world sensed that something significant was happening at Dongting Lake. Though they did not know precisely what was taking place.

Every inn was filled with martial artists, and a tense atmosphere began to linger in the streets. People held their breath, not knowing what might happen.

Amid this, a rumor spread that the Wudang Sect martial artists had entered Yuanjiang. Word also came that Shaolin monks had been seen nearby.

As proof, a tight cordon had been established within three hundred zhang around the Heaven's Greatest Tower. Not only martial artists but even common citizens were forbidden from approaching.

As the situation developed, the one who burned with the most anxiety was the Eui-seon Sect, whose base was in Yuanjiang.

The Sect Leader of the Eui-seon Sect, Sim U-won, looked out with a grave expression. Across from him sat figures of whom one would rarely see together.

A middle-aged man in a light blue scholar's robe, and a middle-aged swordsman whose face was entirely covered by a black beard.

They were none other than Namgung Chang and Oh Gun-ui.

They had come without notice and requested an audience. Naturally, Sim U-won had no power to refuse their proposal.

"What business brings you two to the Eui-seon Sect?"

"I have heard that the Eui-seon Sect does much good work. I came simply to pay my respects."

Despite Namgung Chang's compliment, Sim U-won's expression did not lighten.

The other party was an elder of the Namgung Family—a figure of stature beyond comparison. Sim U-won was not naive enough to simply believe the words of such a person.

Moreover, he had not come alone. Oh Gun-ui, at his side, was a martial artist of supreme strength, second only to the Hainan Sect Leader. Unfortunately, the Eui-seon Sect had no one who could contend with him.

Sim U-won sighed.

"If there is any way I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to say so."

At his words, Namgung Chang smiled gently.

This was why intelligent people were easy to deal with. They assessed the situation on their own and deferred accordingly.

All one had to do was set the tone.

Namgung Chang spoke.

"As you may already be aware, an important gathering will soon take place here. A grand assembly of the entire Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families."

"Mmm!"

Sim U-won let out a deep hum.

He had already known this. But hearing it directly from a member of the Namgung Family carried a different weight of impact.

This was happening in Yuanjiang, which one could call his own backyard. Moreover, the gathering place was the Heaven's Greatest Tower, which had deep connections to him. He could not help but be concerned.

"Why hold the gathering here, of all places? If it is the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families, surely they could assemble at any number of fine locations."

"It is a truly wonderful place."

"Pardon?"

"Dongting Lake. A location with access in all directions, and beautiful scenery to boot. Is there any place under heaven more perfect?"

"Well, that is true."

Though sensing something unsettling, Sim U-won conceded.

It was for the same reason that the Eui-seon Sect and the Akyang Sword Sect had established themselves around Dongting Lake.

"We are looking to purchase land in Akyang."

"Pardon?"

At Namgung Chang's abrupt words, Sim U-won blinked in confusion. Namgung Chang smiled gently.

"There is no need for surprise. I am merely saying that we wish to purchase land."

"Ah, no—why would the Namgung Family purchase land in Akyang…"

"It is not the Namgung Family purchasing it. The Murim Alliance will be purchasing it."

"The Murim Alliance?"

"Yes! The Murim Alliance."

"What do you mean?"

"Before long, the Murim Alliance will be established at Dongting Lake. We are considering Akyang as the optimal location."

"Mmm!"

Sim U-won let out a deep hum.

The Murim Alliance—an event he had never anticipated was unfolding before him.

Now he understood why the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families were holding their gathering here.

The Murim Alliance was not simply an association of martial sects.

If the Murim Alliance were truly established, it would possess tremendous power. If the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families stood at its core, there was no force in the current Murim world that could oppose or restrain it.

What Namgung Chang was saying now meant that the Murim Alliance would be established in Akyang. Who would dare oppose their will?

The Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families gathering at the Heaven's Greatest Tower was not to decide whether or not to establish the Murim Alliance.

Its establishment was a foregone conclusion.

The question was how to divide the shares among the sects participating in the Murim Alliance. That was why they were gathering at Dongting Lake.

'Hunan Province, where Dongting Lake is located, has neither the Nine Great Sects nor the Five Great Families. It is a perfectly neutral ground. There could be no better place to establish the Murim Alliance and divide its great interests fairly.'

Hunan Province did have its own Five Great Sects. But they could be dealt with if a single one of the Nine Great Sects stepped forward.

Which of the Hunan Five Great Sects would dare oppose the gathering of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families under the banner of the Murim Alliance? It was impossible.

The more he thought about it, the more a chill ran down his spine. Sim U-won's back was already drenched in cold sweat.

How he spoke from this point on would determine the fate of the Eui-seon Sect. His mind raced with calculations.

After much deliberation, Sim U-won finally spoke.

"What… what would you have the Eui-seon Sect do?"

"Sect Leader Sim is indeed wise."

Namgung Chang's eyes glinted with a deep light.

Sim U-won saw his own image in Namgung Chang's eyes—shrinking, cowering. Though he hated to admit it, that was the reality.

Sim U-won spoke cautiously.

"Tell me what I can do. I will do my utmost."

"There will be many occasions where we will need the Sect Leader's help. I will not refuse."

At Namgung Chang's words, Oh Gun-ui's expression stiffened slightly.

Sim U-won would not know. The dire situation he and the Eui-seon Sect now faced. A fierce wind was blowing toward Dongting Lake—a wind too powerful for a minor sect like the Eui-seon Sect to withstand.

***

A massive transport ship was sailing south along the Yangtze River.

On the deck of the transport ship sat numerous people. Among the many groups, a particular cluster stood out.

More than twenty Taoists wearing the Southern Lotus Cap on their heads and plain Daoist robes.

There were many Taoists in the world. In every region, wherever there was a famous mountain, there would be a Taoist temple.

But the Taoists currently aboard the transport ship were truly special. They were not Taoists of ordinary temples—they were Taoists of the Mount Hua Sect.

Though the Taoists did not wish to flaunt their Mount Hua name, people quickly recognized that they were Taoists from the Mount Hua Sect.

It would have been more strange if one could not recognize the Taoists of the Mount Hua Sect, one of the two great pillars of the Daoist tradition alongside the Wudang Sect.

At the center of the Taoists stood an elderly Taoist who appeared to be in his early fifties. Though he wore the same plain Daoist robe as the others, a profound light flickered in his eyes.

The elderly Taoist's name was Sage Hyeon-mu.

He was the junior martial brother of the Grandmaster, Sage Hyeon-cheon, and a master whose skill ranked among the top even within the Mount Hua Sect. He was the one leading the Mount Hua Taoists to Akyang.

The Taoists around Sage Hyeon-mu were disciples selected from the Mount Hua Sect, mostly second-generation disciples. But given the gravity of the matter, several first-generation disciples had also accompanied them.

Among the first-generation disciples, the one who stood out most was a female Taoist. She wore the same Southern Lotus Cap and Daoist robe as the others, yet the graceful curves of a woman were clearly visible.

Appearing to be in her early to mid-thirties, the female Taoist's name was Han So-yu.

She was a relatively rare female Taoist in the Mount Hua Sect, and among the first-generation disciples, she was a martial artist of exceptional accomplishment. She was also one of the Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Sword Masters that every Mount Hua disciple aspired to join.

Time had deepened Han So-yu's gaze and given her the elegance of a plum blossom. So much so that among the Mount Hua disciples, there was not one who did not admire her.

Han So-yu murmured.

"Three years, is it?"

The last time she had ventured into the world was three years ago. At that time, a demon called the Subjugating Dragon Blood Demon had appeared in Shaanxi Province.

He had committed many atrocities, and in Shaanxi Province, there was no sect or martial artist who could stop him. Unable to endure it any longer, the people of Shaanxi had sent a plea for help to the Mount Hua Sect in southern Shaanxi.

At the time, Han So-yu had led five of the Thirty-Six Plum Blossom Sword Masters to hunt down the Subjugating Dragon Blood Demon.

The demon had fought fiercely, but he was no match for Han So-yu and the five Plum Blossom Sword Masters. In the end, the demon lost his life to Han So-yu's sword, and through the series of events, Han So-yu had gained tremendous fame.

The Plum Blossom Fairy.

That was Han So-yu's epithet.

At that moment, Sage Hyeon-mu's gentle voice reached her.

"So-yu. What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing at all, Martial Uncle."

"As we draw closer to Dongting Lake, you seem to have grown sentimental."

"Not at all."

"It is fine. Though we are Taoists, we do not lack the seven emotions."

Sage Hyeon-mu's voice was exceedingly warm.

To the Mount Hua disciples, he was a figure of boundless benevolence; but to the enemies of the Mount Hua Sect, he could be crueler than anyone. That was Sage Hyeon-mu.

"You have worked hard these years."

"What have I done?"

"Without Mu-gyeong, Un-gyeong, and you, the Mount Hua of today would not exist. You three are the future of Mount Hua."

It was the highest praise Sage Hyeon-mu could give.

For the sake of Mount Hua's revival, they had been driven forward with all their might for over a decade. Thanks to that, the Mount Hua Sect was enjoying its greatest prosperity in twenty years. But it had still not reached its peak. That was why they could not rest.

"How is Myeong-gyeong?"

"We arranged to meet at the next dock."

"So we will see him soon."

A smile appeared on Sage Hyeon-mu's lips.

Whenever Myeong-gyeong was mentioned, the expression of every elder of the Mount Hua Sect changed in much the same way.

Twelve years ago, when Sage Hyeon-geom had taken in Myeong-gyeong, a mere outer disciple, bypassing the main mountain disciples, many had been skeptical.

They had doubted whether an outer disciple could fully absorb Sage Hyeon-geom's teachings. But Myeong-gyeong had proven himself a talent worthy of Sage Hyeon-geom's selection, demonstrating terrifying progress.

He had rapidly mastered all of the Mount Hua Sect's martial arts and broken through their limits.

Sage Hyeon-geom, the greatest martial artist of the Mount Hua Sect. Myeong-gyeong, its greatest prodigy. The combination of the two had made the impossible possible.

This journey to Akyang was not solely for the founding of the Murim Alliance. The intention to let Myeong-gyeong gain experience was even stronger.

Myeong-gyeong was the future of the Mount Hua Sect. How much stronger he grew would determine the future of the Mount Hua Sect as well.

Currently, Myeong-gyeong was traveling south separately from the Mount Hua Taoists. All of this was Sage Hyeon-mu's consideration, meant to allow Myeong-gyeong to gain experience.

"I truly look forward to seeing how much he has advanced this time."

"Martial Uncle!"

"When I think about it, we have been remarkably fortunate. In over a decade, we have not lost a single Mount Hua disciple."

At Sage Hyeon-mu's words, Han So-yu closed her eyes.

'Not lost a single one? That child is not even recognized as a Mount Hua disciple, even in death.'

Most of the Mount Hua people had forgotten 'him.' But a few had not. Han So-yu was one of the few.

'Cheong-gyeong.'

Her voice echoed in her heart.