Chapter 27

After lifting its Closed-off state, the Qingcheng Sect underwent repeated expansions.

As its influence grew and new disciples were accepted, there was a shortage of space to accommodate them.

The expansion was not difficult.

In Sichuan Province, the Qingcheng Sect had already established an Unrivaled power base. A great number of Lay Disciples were active, and they willingly donated large sums of money for the sake of the Qingcheng Sect.

When the Qingcheng Sect’s power grew, the benefits would fall to the Lay Families. There was no reason to be stingy with donations.

Thus, the Qingcheng Sect expanded its influence, and the Lay Disciples prospered alongside it.

It was to the point that a new building would appear overnight. Because of this, even the disciples of the Qingcheng Sect couldn’t memorize the names of all the newly constructed halls.

Although the Qingcheng Sect was undergoing changes so drastic they were nearly cataclysmic, there were also places that remained unchanged.

One of them was the Upper Clarity Palace.

The Upper Clarity Palace was the most important place in the Qingcheng Sect, so its security was tight. All major and minor affairs of the Qingcheng Sect were decided in the Upper Clarity Palace.

Today, as always, the Elders of the Qingcheng Sect, including the Sect Master, Daoist Master Muryeong, were gathered in the Upper Clarity Palace.

Daoist Master Muryeong was an old man in his early seventies. However, looking at his appearance alone, it was hard to guess he was that old.

With his transcendent appearance, deep eyes, and the dignity that flowed naturally from him, he looked to be in his early to mid-fifties at most.

The same was true for the other Elders.

The Elders, who had deeply mastered the Martial Arts of the Qingcheng Sect, looked much younger than their actual age.

Ironically, the one who looked the oldest was Woo Jin-pyeong, known as the Wisdom Strategist of the Qingcheng Sect.

Coming from a Lay Family of the Qingcheng Sect, his Martial Arts were the weakest. That was why he looked older than the other Elders.

The first to speak was the Sect Master, Daoist Master Muryeong.

“Has the situation outside calmed down?”

“It seems the search for the assassins is in its final stages.”

“How dare a mere Assassin target our sect? Junior Martial Brother, do you think this makes any sense?”

“Of course, it doesn’t. It’s highly likely to be someone’s scheme.”

As Woo Jin-pyeong answered, his eyes glinted coldly.

“Who do you think it is?”

“We don’t have any solid information yet, so it’s too early to make a rash judgment.”

“But you won’t just stand by and watch, will you?”

“Of course not. I have already sent disciples to gather information.”

“Just like you, Junior Martial Brother Woo.”

Daoist Master Muryeong smiled with satisfaction.

An old man with a heavy atmosphere, who had been silent until now, opened his mouth.

“Whoever orchestrated this situation, we must never forgive them. Our sect is at a critical juncture right now. If we stumble here, reclaiming our former glory will become even more impossible. We must root them out completely to ensure such a thing never happens again.”

He was Daoist Master Mujeong, the Second Elder of the Qingcheng Sect.

Daoist Master Mujeong was, in name and reality, the Qingcheng First Sword.

No matter how brilliant Woo Jin-pyeong’s strategies were, the Qingcheng Sect would not have achieved this level of development without the backing of Daoist Master Mujeong’s martial power.

Woo Jin-pyeong nodded and replied to Daoist Master Mujeong’s words.

“It will be done, Second Senior Martial Brother!”

“The Shaolin Temple, Wudang Sect, and Mount Hua Sect, who lifted their Closed-off state and participated in the Great Demonic War, have regained their former glory. But our sect, which failed to lift its seal in time and did not participate, has only gained the plausible but empty title of Sichuan’s Greatest Generation, while our actual strength falls far short of theirs. To catch up to them, we must tighten our belts. If we get bogged down by an incident like this and cannot move forward, I will have no face to show our past ancestors even in death.”

At Daoist Master Mujeeong’s words, all the Elders nodded.

The Great Demonic War, which had taken place decades ago, had changed many things in the Jianghu.

At that time, the Jianghu was on the verge of being conquered by the Divine Demon Association.

If a peerless Martial Artist named Lee Gwak had not formed the Celestial Will Alliance to resist, the Jianghu would have fallen into the hands of the Divine Demon Association.

At that time, the Shaolin Temple, Wudang Sect, Mount Hua Sect, Qingcheng Sect, and Emei Sect were in a Closed-off state. However, the Shaolin Temple, Wudang Sect, and Mount Hua Sect boldly lifted their seals and joined the Celestial Will Alliance, making great contributions to driving out the Divine Demon Association. In contrast, the Qingcheng Sect and Emei Sect were too cautious and did not lift their seals.

That difference decided the fate of the five sects.

The Shaolin Temple, Wudang Sect, and Mount Hua Sect, which had participated in the Great Demonic War, regained their former glory along with the praise of the people, but the Qingcheng Sect and Emei Sect were met with criticism.

They lifted their seals belatedly, but the Jianghu’s view of them was icy cold.

It was unfair as they had their own circumstances, but they could not reverse the already tilted perception of the Jianghu.

Now, people no longer considered the Qingcheng Sect and Emei Sect to be in the same league as the Shaolin Temple, Wudang Sect, and Mount Hua Sect. And in reality, they weren’t.

The outstanding talents of the Jianghu preferred the other three sects over the Qingcheng Sect or Emei Sect.

Although the Qingcheng Sect had recently been expanding its influence and diligently trying to catch up to the three sects, the gap was still considerable. No, the gap was not narrowing but rather widening.

Because of this, the sense of crisis felt by the Qingcheng Sect was truly immense.

“Do not worry. If the plan proceeds as scheduled, we will surely be able to catch up to them within ten years.”

“That’s reassuring. I feel secure with you here.”

“Not at all, Senior Martial Brother!”

“Since you are so remarkable, your son must have taken after you to be remarkable as well. How is Gun-sang doing these days? It seems he hasn’t shown his face outside at all.”

At Daoist Master Mujeong’s words, Woo Jin-pyeong’s face darkened slightly.

“I believe he is in Isolated training, focusing solely on his Training as a form of atonement.”

“Is that so?”

“I apologize.”

“For what?”

“That boy…”

“A man of his age can certainly do such things. Isn’t he at an age full of Blood Qi? The matter has already been resolved smoothly, so there’s no need for you to apologize. He just needs to do well from now on.”

Daoist Master Mujeong replied with an unconcerned expression.

“I will ensure he behaves himself in the future.”

“That’s all that matters. No matter what anyone says, his talent is real. If we nurture him well, he will never fall behind the prodigies of the three sects.”

The Elders nodded at Daoist Master Mujeong’s words.

“Did you say you accepted the marriage proposal from the Emei Sect?”

The one who spoke this time was the Sect Master, Daoist Master Muryeong.

Woo Jin-pyeong wore a look of reverence.

“It somehow turned out that way.”

“A marriage with the Emei Sect, not bad. Was the partner Elder Nun Guhwa’s youngest Disciple?”

“That is correct.”

“The rumors say she is both beautiful and talented. If that’s the case, she’s not a bad match for Gun-sang.”

“I think so too.”

“Then why do you look so grim?”

“It’s because I feel uneasy about it.”

“Is it because of Elder Nun Guhwa?”

“Yes!”

At the mention of Elder Nun Guhwa, all the Elders frowned in unison.

There were people whose names alone were enough to make one feel unpleasant. Elder Nun Guhwa was exactly that kind of person.

Like the Qingcheng Sect, the Emei Sect had also fallen behind in the competition with the three great sects due to the sin of lifting their Closed-off state too late. No, they had achieved results that fell far short of even the Qingcheng Sect, let alone the three great sects.

Because of that, they were hell-bent on catching up to the Qingcheng Sect by any means necessary. Elder Nun Guhwa’s obsession made the Elders of the Qingcheng Sect uncomfortable.

“In any case, if Gun-sang marries Elder Nun Guhwa’s youngest Disciple, we will have to make various concessions.”

“Hah! That’s the problem. If we’re not careful, we risk being devoured by them. That’s why I’ve been refusing until now…”

“It can’t be helped. We can’t live as enemies forever in this small land of Sichuan. In any case, pay special attention to Gun-sang.”

“I will do so.”

“Gun-sang is the only hope for the Qingcheng Sect to catch up to the other three sects. Never forget that fact.”

With Daoist Master Mujeong’s final words, the meeting came to an end.

＊＊＊

The Bright Moon Hall was an old building that shared its history with the Qingcheng Sect.

The hall itself was not very large, but it was separated by high walls and had a space underground for Isolated training, so it was used as a residence for the most renowned prodigies of the Qingcheng Sect.

All those who had been masters of the Bright Moon Hall had left a great mark on the history of the Qingcheng Sect.

Giving the Bright Moon Hall to Woo Gun-sang meant that the Qingcheng Sect had great expectations for him.

Pyo Wol silently gazed at the Bright Moon Hall.

Although this was the first time he had seen the real Bright Moon Hall, it didn’t feel unfamiliar, perhaps because he had seen a building just like it every day in the underground cavern.

Even though third-generation disciples were standing guard at the entrance of the Bright Moon Hall, Pyo Wol knew more than ten ways to sneak into it.

Among those who were not disciples of the Qingcheng Sect, there was no one who knew this place better than Pyo Wol. No, even among the disciples of the Qingcheng Sect, no one could match Pyo Wol.

Pyo Wol walked along the wall, and as he turned a corner, he leaped up lightly.

Atop the walls of the Bright Moon Hall, a tiled roof was elegantly placed. It was made when the Bright Moon Hall was first built and was absent from the walls of more recently constructed buildings.

Pyo Wol crawled into the space between the wall and the tiled roof.

Normally, when laying a tiled roof, the inside is filled with earth, but over the long years, all the earth had washed away, leaving the inside hollow.

The building in the underground cavern was the same.

It had been hastily constructed, so they hadn’t had time to fill the inside of the tiled roof with earth, but Pyo Wol had guessed that the walls of the real building might be in the same situation. And his guess was spot on.

Pyo Wol crawled through the empty space between the wall and the roof, approaching the point closest to the Bright Moon Hall.

He felt several Martial Artists passing below the wall. But they would never be able to notice Pyo Wol’s presence.

Pyo Wol could move while using the Breath Concealment Art. Even if one knew in advance and prepared, it was not easy to detect his presence.

As Pyo Wol moved with bated breath, the voices of Martial Artists chatting below the wall reached his ears.

“Did Senior Martial Brother Woo bring a woman inside again?”

“Shh! Be quiet.”

“Bringing a woman in under the pretext of Isolated training. How bold. Who is it this time? A Lay Disciple?”

“Hey! I told you to be quiet. Watch your mouth if you don’t want to get caught and scolded.”

“Damn it!”

Their conversation provided Pyo Wol with valuable information.

‘He brought a woman in, did he?’

The Qingcheng Sect was fundamentally a Daoist Sect.

Although it had become more secular recently by accepting many Lay Disciples to expand its influence, the fact that it was a sect based on Daoism remained unchanged.

Embracing a woman in a Daoist Temple was, of course, an unimaginable act. Yet, a man named Woo Gun-sang had secretly brought a woman into his residence.

From what he had heard from Do-jin, he was admired by the disciples of the Qingcheng Sect, but it seemed there was a side to him different from what was known to the world.

‘Everywhere you go, there are always those whose inside and outside are different.’

It was unfortunate for the disciples of the Qingcheng Sect, but it was a good thing for Pyo Wol.

After confirming that no one was around, Pyo Wol silently leaped onto the roof of the Bright Moon Hall.

He landed on the roof without a sound.

The surroundings were already growing dark.

Night had fallen.

For others, darkness was a great obstacle, but for Pyo Wol, night was just another weapon.

Pyo Wol moved, completely assimilated with the darkness.

Lifting a roof tile of the hall, Pyo Wol infiltrated the interior.

Pyo Wol crawled on all fours like a beast. Yet, not a single sound was made.

Pyo Wol carefully peered through the roof into the hall. But nowhere in the hall could he see the figure of the man presumed to be Woo Gun-sang.

‘He must be in the basement.’

Pyo Wol was not flustered.

He already knew there was a basement here.

The problem was opening the entrance to the basement. If he opened the door, which operated by a Mechanism, Woo Gun-sang inside would surely notice.

Instead, Pyo Wol planned to use another way to infiltrate.

Through the ventilation shaft, which was essential for any underground space. Probably even the Martial Artists of the Qingcheng Sect didn’t know there was a ventilation shaft here.

That’s how secretly the ventilation shaft was usually hidden.

Pyo Wol found a hidden space concealed behind a large pillar. It was the ventilation shaft.

Carefully opening the ventilation shaft, he slipped inside.

Pyo Wol used the Breath Concealment Art to completely hide his presence. Still not feeling at ease, he moved as slowly as possible.

Finally, Pyo Wol arrived at the underground Training Ground.

The ventilation shaft was located in the ceiling, with a clear view down into the underground Training Ground.

Pyo Wol carefully looked down into the underground Training Ground.

There, he saw a six-foot-tall man lying down with his shirt off. In his arms was a half-naked woman.

‘Woo Gun-sang!’

As befitting the top prodigy of the Qingcheng Sect, Woo Gun-sang had a well-trained body. His densely developed muscles were reminiscent of a Snow Leopard said to roam freely on the Snow Mountains, and his palms and back were calloused.

Although he was sleeping with a woman in his arms, there were no openings visible in Woo Gun-sang’s posture.

He looked as if he would react immediately to the slightest external stimulus.

It felt like looking at a well-honed sword.

Pyo Wol felt a shiver run down his entire body.

This was the first time he had seen a Martial Artist who had reached this level in person.

He had felt a thrill when he saw Gu Ju-yang, the Unit Leader of the Bloody Shadows Guild, but this was of a different nature.

Woo Gun-sang possessed a solid atmosphere that could only be exuded by a master who had reached his realm through proper stages of training.

A kind of Qi that assassins who had only learned Killing Methods without proper Martial Arts could never possess flowed naturally from Woo Gun-sang.

But Pyo Wol was not intimidated in the least.

‘He is also human. If his vital points are struck or he’s stabbed with a knife, he dies just the same.’

Pyo Wol surveyed the underground Training Ground.

Weapons were scattered everywhere.

As if to prove that the Martial Arts Woo Gun-sang had learned was Sword Art, there were especially many swords.

Long swords, daggers, horse-slaying swords—the types were varied.

Pyo Wol committed the entire scene to memory.

A picture that only he could see was drawn in his head.

When the picture was somewhat complete, Pyo Wol took out a small ball of thread from his clothes. It was the Silver Thread he had received from the Bloody Shadows Guild.

Pyo Wol fashioned the Silver Thread into a noose and lowered it through the ventilation shaft.

It was when the noose had almost reached Woo Gun-sang’s face.

The sleeping Woo Gun-sang suddenly opened his eyes.

His gaze was fixed precisely on the spot where Pyo Wol was hiding.

‘I’ve been discovered.’

At that moment, Pyo Wol pulled the Silver Thread.

Ping