875——————==

True Martial Home

What?!

I was stunned by the unexpected news and turned to Mangnyang, who calmly replied.

“Nothing to be surprised about. It’s just the natural flow of events.”

Natural flow?!

Jin So-cheong had always been a solid ally and a significant powerhouse, so it wasn’t something I could easily accept. I couldn’t help but raise my voice a little.

“Wait, explain yourself. Why are you trying to seal Jin So-cheong?”

Mangnyang hesitated with something on his lips before burying those words and saying something else.

“We might have to kill him, if possible. That’s only right.”

“What!!”

Are you saying we should kill Jin So-cheong?

Is it really necessary to go that far?

I was shocked by such a harsh plan from Mangnyang, and Zhuge Sa spoke up with a bitter tone.

“This is frustrating. If that guy’s master had a brain, it wouldn’t be so bad, but given the situation, all of them need to be extra cautious.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just trust us this time. We’ll explain everything once the situation is sorted out. Can’t you just let it be?”

Zhuge Sa fiddled with his ear.

“Having an adviser means you’ve handed over the thinking part to us. If you’ve handed it over, just rest and do as you’re told.”

“… That doesn’t sound like a master to me.”

Isn’t that more like a servant?

As I voiced my discontent, Zhuge Sa grunted.

“Then at least I’ll give you a clue to ponder on.”

Zhuge Sa spoke sharply.

“When we allied this time, both I and Zhuge Yulong agreed on one thing above all else: we can’t trust Jin Cheon-hwi.”

“Who doesn’t know that? I already figured it out.”

“You dumbass. Even in the same sentence, it can imply dozens of meanings. I’ve given you all the clues, so don’t bug me anymore.”

“……”

What does that even mean?

As I puzzled over it, Mangnyang said.

“Baek Woong. To put it simply, it’s not that we can’t trust Jin So-cheong; it’s just that the longer this goes on, the more likely he’ll become an obstacle for us.”

“Um… really?”

“Yes, I’m betting my name on it. And if sealing him is possible, we might not even have to kill him.”

“I get it. Then let’s seal him. I’ll go catch Jin So-cheong.”

In the end, I decided to give up on thinking. While I doubted Jin Cheon-hwi, I didn’t suspect Jin So-cheong. Still, I couldn’t see the connection between those words about needing to imprison him. But I trusted my advisers, so I had no choice but to follow their words. I planned to apologize to Jin So-cheong later.

Paat

I set off towards the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, stealthily searching for Jin So-cheong. However, I couldn’t sense his qi at all. Puzzled, I quickly grabbed a trainee from the Three Lines and used the Soul Exchange Technique to interrogate them about the situation.

Whooo

“Answer all my questions honestly.”

“Yes…”

“Where are Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong?”

The dazed trainee from the Three Lines answered slowly.

“Lee Kwang Gongju went to meet the Great Sword Sect Master… Jin So-cheong Sabum went away for warrior training…”

“He left? Where to?”

“That, we don’t really know…”

“Do you think Yun Guang and Ji-pyeong might know?”

“The two of them also went with the Gongju, so I’m not sure…”

“I see.”

I finished the interrogation, wiped his memory, and sent him back. I felt bad about using the Soul Exchange Technique, but it shouldn’t severely impact his health or lifespan.

And it seemed that Lee Kwang was on an important mission, accompanied by the adept Yun Guang and Ji-pyeong. Normally, I would’ve given up by now and used the National Seal for tracking, but I had already given that to the prophet as payment for information. Pondering what to do, I decided to head to the Great Sword Gate first.

Paat

I scanned the roof of the Great Sword Gate for qi. While I couldn’t feel Lee Kwang’s, Yun Guang’s, or Ji-pyeong’s presence, the power of the Great Sword Sect Master was palpable. It seemed he had already wrapped up his business and left, and I needed to interrogate the Great Sword Sect Master to learn more.

‘Should I prepare a mask?’

I decided to sneak in like a ghost into the room where the Great Sword Sect Master was resting, entering silently.

Moments later, the Great Sword Sect Master sensed my presence and spoke with a trembling voice.

“You must be an extraordinary bearer of the Stealth Technique… Who are you?”

I revealed myself from the shadows.

“I am the White Tiger of the Four Great Experts. The leader of the Golden Eagle Guard. We’ve met before.”

The Great Sword Sect Master was taken aback.

“The White Tiger!! How did you get here… and why aren’t you in your golden robe?”

“Classified mission.”

That’s right. I pretended to be the White Tiger since I feared that if I infiltrated as a phantom, the Great Sword Sect Master would completely shut up. Given that the Great Sword Sect Master always promoted the top disciples, it was only natural for him to be acquainted with the White Tiger, the leader of the Golden Eagle Guard.

Also, wearing the White Tiger mask was a breeze for me. And whatever happened later, it didn’t concern me since I was already allied with Zhuge Yulong, his superior. The Great Sword Sect Master didn’t suspect me in the least and looked at me with disbelief.

“Your martial arts aren’t just at that level. You were only a peak expert; how could your power have increased several times?”

“Hehe. That’s not for you to worry about. I’m here under an imperial decree, so answer cautiously.”

“……”

“Not long ago, the former White Tiger, Lee Kwang, visited you. It seems his two disciples accompanied him. What did you talk about?”

The Great Sword Sect Master clammed up. I could sense his loyalty, unwilling to divulge the whereabouts of his friend easily. I coldly grinned, playing the part of the White Tiger.

“Can’t speak? Then I’ll have to seize your Great Sword Gate under the authority of the Golden Eagle Guard to find evidence of treason.”

“Don’t make a reckless move! Our Great Sword Gate has long been loyal to the imperial family as a member of the Luoyang Twin Gate Sect, and we have no reason to be treated this way by the Golden Eagle Guard. If you pull this stunt, it will not end well for you!”

“I don’t want that either. However, since Azure Dragon Lee Kwang is a danger, I must ascertain his whereabouts. So what about this?”

“……?”

Swish

“I will not use my specialty, Fist, and will fight you only with my sword. And I will defeat you within ten seconds.”

“What?!”

“If I win under these conditions, you will tell me everything about his whereabouts and the conversation you had.”

“How arrogant…”

The Great Sword Sect Master’s eyes exploded with fury, and he fully displayed the killing intent of a peak expert. His glare was so intense that I felt the space around us distort, and white cracks appeared out of his wrathful intent. He shouted as he revealed his killing intent.

“How dare you, a mere hunting dog leader, act so boldly here…!! I’ll make sure you die!”

…Wow, you’re really mad, huh?

At that moment, furious, the Great Sword Sect Master unleashed his sword strength and charged at me. I had previously defeated him, so I was a little complacent; however, I quickly realized the immense power embedded in this strike of body-sword unity and had to dodge urgently. A bunch of my hair was caught in his sword’s sweep, and his sword strength glowed brilliantly, sending hundreds of fragments flying towards me.

Ultimate Technique

One Line Great Sword Dance!

The phantoms of the sword intertwined in the void, forming a single line that lunged toward my heart. This was the ultimate move of the Great Sword Gate: the One Line Great Sword Dance! Previously, when I faced this ultimate technique under Han Baek-ryeong’s encouragement, I couldn’t confront it head-on and had to dodge. But this time, everything was different.

‘Let’s show an overwhelming power difference.’

The Great Sword Sect Master was a tough opponent for the Soul Exchange Technique. He was also a good test for my cultivated martial arts; it seemed wise to display this power gap to demoralize him. As the One Line Great Sword danced toward me, I gathered the principles of yin and yang into my essence and unleashed the Peerless Technique.

Is it just me, or has the force of yang strengthened significantly as I gained the power of Amaterasu?

Paat

When the One Line Great Sword Dance slammed into the Peerless Technique, it immediately dissolved. As the Great Sword Sect Master widened his eyes in disbelief, I took the chance, swiftly swung my sword, and brought it to his neck. Then, I smirked.

“Ten seconds is quite long. That took less than three seconds.”

“… Just now, what technique was that…”

“You’ll know. No matter what ultimate technique your swordplay possesses, it can’t reach me.”

“……”

“Keep your promise.”

Clang

The Great Sword Sect Master felt desolation and dropped his sword. For a master swordsman who had wielded his weapon all his life, dropping his sword symbolized a tremendous loss. Like the sky had fallen, he sighed deeply and said.

“… Lee Kwang came to me searching for his missing disciple, Jin So-cheong.”

“Missing? Are you saying Lee Kwang also doesn’t know his whereabouts?”

The Great Sword Sect Master looked at the wall with hollow eyes and answered.

“Yes. One day he left a note saying he was going for warrior training and then just vanished. So Lee Kwang began to utilize all his connections to find Jin So-cheong and came to me as well. I promised to help him search using my connections, and Lee Kwang left three days ago.”

“Three days…”

I pondered for a while then spoke to the Great Sword Sect Master.

“Do you have any guesses about Jin So-cheong’s whereabouts?”

“What are you planning to do if you find him?”

Since I felt a bit sorry for the Great Sword Sect Master, I defensively replied.

“I said that before, but I don’t intend to harm Lee Kwang or Jin So-cheong. It’s merely that I’ve been ordered to keep track of their movements from above, so I have no choice but to act.”

“Do you think I’ll believe that?”

“It would be better for both of us to believe it.”

“… Promise me you won’t harm them.”

“I promise. All we’ll do is monitor their movements.”

After I promised, the Great Sword Sect Master hesitated before reluctantly speaking.

“I don’t know Jin So-cheong’s whereabouts, but Lee Kwang told me he would be heading to Gansu. He said he would find Jin So-cheong there.”

“Gansu? Why there…”

“He wanted to prepare for the worst-case scenario.”

“……?”

Worst-case scenario?

I gradually realized what situation the Great Sword Sect Master was hinting at. Because there was only one reason to head to Gansu.

‘… I see!’

I said to the Great Sword Sect Master.

“Thank you for the cooperation.”

Paat

After breaking away from the Great Sword Sect Master, I headed straight to the Main Hall of the White Lotus Sect using the Peerless Technique. And in the place where all the experts were curled up like dragons, I concealed my aura as much as possible, donned a suitable mask, and infiltrated the interior, secretly sharpening my qi to locate Jin So-cheong’s energy.

‘I found him!’

He’s here!

However, I realized that the worst-case scenario had become a reality and hesitated about what to do next. Because the location I detected Jin So-cheong in was truly dire.

Right now, Jin So-cheong is facing off one-on-one against a gigantic figure.

Needless to say, the owner of that energy was not a Dharma Guardian; it was someone far stronger.

I was hiding, pretending to be a senior expert, but I had no intention of getting within twenty steps of them. I feared that if I approached any closer, the giant figure would notice my presence.

‘Damn it.’

Yes.

The deepest part of the Main Hall of the White Lotus Sect – that place was precisely the garden of the Master of the White Lotus Sect.

Jin So-cheong was currently standing one-on-one with the Master of the White Lotus Sect!

I hesitated, pondering what to do, and in the end, risked moving ten steps closer to the door to listen in on their conversation. The senior experts hiding nearby watched me suspiciously, but I just brushed it off with the Six Harmonies Assembly.

[ I’m worried that kid might cause trouble for the Sect Leader.]

[ Hmph… That’s not going to happen. Stop worrying and return to your position.]

[ I’m still worried.]

[ You fool. Do what you want.]

Fortunately, the other senior experts didn’t suspect me too much; it seemed they viewed me with loyalty. I perked my ears to listen to their conversation.

Jin So-cheong was speaking.

“Master of the White Lotus Sect, thank you for arranging lodging for me yesterday.”

[ No need to thank me. This sect does not rudely reject those who seek assistance.]

There was a glint in the Master’s eyes.

[ However, Jin So-cheong, it seems your desire is not merely to find a place to rest for the night. What exactly do you want from our sect?]

“……”

After a moment, Jin So-cheong looked straight at the Master and said.

“I have come to seek the ultimate in martial arts. Please teach me.”

The Master’s response was very succinct.

[ You already possess the potential to surpass me. I can feel it. You are indeed a once-in-a-generation genius…]

“Master.”

It seemed the Master had previously reacted positively to Jin So-cheong’s talent, but now his response felt decidedly different. Maybe it was due to the circumstances? I could sense the Master’s strong wariness toward Jin So-cheong.

[ And I don’t want to be the fool who raises a tiger cub.]

“……”

[ A talent of the Thunder God lineage… Lee Cheong-un was already hard to handle; how could I possibly manage you?]

The Master’s firm resolve made Jin So-cheong’s face harden.

The Master responded coldly, emanating killing intent.

[ If you had focused on self-discipline and training, you might have been a future asset for the White Lotus Sect. But your greed has brought about your own downfall, Jin So-cheong. Farewell.]

Swish

In the next instant, a lethal strike extended from the Master, filled with true killing intent.