Chapter 108
“Zhongnan sword art? Ahaha…, but you know how it is. We’re from an Affiliated Family, so we don’t know the Main Sect’s sword art in such detail…”
“Ah, right. Then, hmm… Could you show me just one stance of the Nine-Directional sword art? Even as an Affiliated Family member, you must have learned the basics up to the Nine-Directional sword art.”
Nine-Directional Sword Art. What the hell is that?
I knew a few things about the Zhongnan Sword. Even if I couldn’t execute it, I roughly knew the principles.
But this was the first time in my life I had heard about the Nine-Directional Sword Art.
Judging by what the Sect Leader said, it seemed to be Zhongnan’s basic sword art…
“Yes…, I will show you.”
Since I couldn’t keep stalling, I stood up from my seat and picked up my sword.
Dongryong looked at me with eyes that asked what the hell I was planning to do, but I didn’t know what to do either.
‘Damn it…, I should have done some research before coming.’
Only now did I feel an immense wave of regret.
With the Haomun Leader and Munseok around, I would have had plenty of time to thoroughly research Jongrimun and Zhongnan at the Mountain Stronghold before setting off. I resented myself for rushing here for no reason.
‘I was in too much of a hurry because I wanted to heal Bangsam’s body quickly… It’s my fault for being too kind.’
A half-hearted self-reproach continued, but there was no time for that.
I had to quickly deduce what this mysterious Nine-Directional Sword Art was.
Shing-.
I drew my sword first.
Usually, one draws one’s sword, takes the initial stance, and immediately executes the Sword Art.
But doing that would leave me with too little time.
I first circulated my energy to buy time. I refined the energy spewing from my dantian to be softer and clearer. I felt like a refreshing Taoist priest.
And I filtered that clear energy repeatedly.
So that only the purest essence would remain in the end.
“Hoh?”
As I repeated that process, the Zhongnan Sect Leader’s eyebrows shot up.
He seemed a bit surprised that a purer energy than expected was flowing from an Affiliated Family disciple.
His expression was positive, certainly not bad. Right, so far so good.
The problem was what came next.
‘Nine-Directional Sword Art…, Nine-Directional Sword Art…’
In front of the Zhongnan Sect Leader, who was more sensitive to the Zhongnan Sword than anyone else, I had to execute this unknown Sword Art…
The Zhongnan Sword.
Zhongnan’s martial arts focused more on defense compared to others.
And the same went for their Sword Art.
Just looking at the Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven, the most famous of Zhongnan’s sword arts, proved it.
A sword art consisting of stances designed to divide the surroundings into thirty-six directions centered on the caster, allowing the caster to block all attacks flying in from those thirty-six directions.
‘Into thirty-six under Heaven…, ah…’
Only then did I begin to get a rough idea of what the Nine-Directional Sword Art was.
Dividing Under Heaven into thirty-six directions to block attacks was by no means an easy task. Therefore, one would first learn a sword art that blocked attacks from fewer directions.
‘The Nine-Directional Sword Art is a lower-tier version of the Thirty-Six Swords Under Heaven.’
The Nine-Directional Sword Art was a sword art that divided Under Heaven into nine directions to block enemy attacks and counterattack.
Realizing this, I first took the upper stance.
Then I exuded my energy to fill the room. The foundation of defense was to perfectly dominate the space.
Fsssh-.
An energy that wasn’t heavy but was enough to make an opponent’s hair stand on end poured out of me.
I couldn’t concentrate my power too strongly in one place. If I did, I wouldn’t be able to receive the sword in an unexpected situation.
Whether they stabbed low, stabbed high, or attacked from mid-air, I extended the tension throughout my entire body so I could receive an attack from anywhere.
A sword that could receive anything, a sword that could block any attack.
I am the sword, and the sword is me.
Body and Sword as One.
Yes, this was the Zhongnan Sword.
Even if I didn’t know Zhongnan’s sword formula, I could feel the soul contained within the Zhongnan Sword.
And…
“Hoh.”
…The Zhongnan Sect Leader’s mouth began to fall open, making me wonder if I was doing it wrong.
‘Is this right? Am I doing it right?’
If it were right, he should have just given me a pass around now.
But the Zhongnan Sect Leader didn’t stop my actions, as if he wanted to see me execute the stance.
‘Ah, I don’t know.’
Since it was a basic sword art, it would be limited to simple slashing, stabbing, and swinging motions.
I just had to do that in nine directions.
I slowly moved my sword, praying inwardly that the Zhongnan Sect Leader wouldn’t think it was strange.
Right then…!
Knock, knock.
“…!”
“Ah, it seems a guest has arrived.”
The moment I heard the knocking on the door, I lowered my sword, thinking this was my chance.
“Ah, r-right…”
The Zhongnan Sect Leader looked as if he wanted to see me execute the stance, but he soon nodded.
Then he approached me…
Tap-.
…and placed a hand on my shoulder.
Though there was some regret, his eyes also held a certain level of satisfaction.
“You learned well.”
“…Pardon?”
“Even though you are from an Affiliated Family, the soul of Zhongnan resides in your sword. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a perfect Zhongnan Sword from a young Taoist priest.”
“…”
…He actually fell for it.
I had never once been part of the Righteous Faction in my entire life, yet I received an evaluation from the Zhongnan Sect Leader that the soul of Zhongnan resided in me.
How was I supposed to accept this…
I decided to just act shamelessly.
“I am truly deeply moved to hear such words from the Sect Leader. It feels as though my past training is finally seeing the light.”
“I am very much looking forward to this Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. I am proud that a young man like you is a disciple of our Zhongnan.”
“I am also truly proud to be an Affiliated Family disciple of Zhongnan, the Foremost Taoist Sword Sect.”
“What? Listen to this fellow! Ahaha-!”
Honestly, calling Zhongnan the Foremost Taoist Sword Sect was a stretch with the Mount Hua Sect and Wudang Sect above them, but the Zhongnan Sect Leader laughed heartily, seemingly pleased by such transparent lip service.
He then patted my shoulder a few more times and spoke to me in a benevolent voice.
“Mu-Yeong of Jongrimun. I will remember your name. Seeing you, I believe the future of our Zhongnan is truly bright. That radiant future of Zhongnan rests in your hands.”
“…Yes.”
Knock, knock.
“Ah, right. Someone was trying to come in, and I’ve kept them waiting outside for too long. Come in.”
Only after the Zhongnan Sect Leader gave permission did the door open, and someone who looked like one of the disciples stepped inside.
“Sect Leader, the Mount Hua Sect Leader has come to visit.”
“…That gentleman?”
The moment he heard the words Mount Hua, the Sect Leader’s expression, which had been bright just a moment ago, soured completely.
“…He must have come to brag again about his disciples ahead of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. Escort the Mount Hua Sect Leader to the reception room.”
“…Yes.”
“Ah, you two from Jongrimun may head back now.”
“Yes, Sect Leader. It was an honor to meet you.”
At the word to head back, Dongryong and I immediately walked out of the Sect Leader’s room at a brisk pace.
After leaving the room and confirming that no one was around, Dongryong finally relaxed his expression and asked me in surprise.
“No, Leader. How did you know Zhongnan’s Sword Art?”
“Know it, my foot! Did I even execute a sword art? I just took the initial stance, and that old man did all the singing and dancing by himself, going on about the soul of Zhongnan and the Zhongnan Sword.”
“…Anyway, it’s a relief we didn’t get caught.”
“Yeah, we barely survived because Zhongnan’s threshold is so low. Did you hear him earlier? He said Zhongnan’s future depends on us.”
“Zhongnan’s future is bleak.”
“You can say that again.”
We breathed a sigh of relief and walked aimlessly through the lodging.
* * *
After that, we grabbed someone passing by to ask for directions and managed to find and enter the room where the Affiliated Family disciples were staying.
It wasn’t a private room; it seemed the Affiliated Family disciples were divided between two large rooms.
The others must have already arrived, as luggage was unpacked, but there was no one inside.
‘Did they say they went out for training?’
Recalling what Geum Sa-Hwi had said earlier, we settled into a corner of the empty room.
“Dongryong.”
“Yes, Leader.”
“For today, let’s just stick to the corner of the room if possible.”
There was something I realized from the conversation with the Zhongnan Sect Leader just now.
We don’t know too many things right now.
If we wandered around pointlessly in this state and someone asked about Jongrimun or Zhongnan again, we would just end up stammering once more.
At least until we met Munseok again, we needed to be especially careful with our actions.
“Yes, Leader. Understood.”
“And since we don’t know where there might be eyes and ears, don’t call me Leader either.”
“Got it, you rogue.”
Smack-!
“…Don’t speak informally. You impudent fellow.”
When I smacked him on the head, Dongryong-i spoke as if he had been wronged.
“Keoheok…, then what should I call you?”
“Senior Martial Brother, call me Senior Martial Brother Mu-Yeong.”
“…Yes, Senior Martial Brother Mu-Yeong.”
“Right, be especially careful with how you speak from now on too…”
It was then.
Step, step.
Hearing footsteps in the hallway, I raised my index finger to quiet him down, and soon after, the door to the room we were staying in opened.
“Still, it feels like my body loosened up a bit from the training just now…, huh?”
They were young men who looked to be in their youth, and as soon as they saw us, their eyes widened in greeting.
“Other people have arrived. Where did you come from?”
“Ah…, we came from Jongrimun.”
“Aha, Jongrimun! I am Jo Hong from Jongyeongmun.”
“I came from the Mucheon Sect.”
“I came from Gwanghwamun.”
Faced with countless requests for Cupped Fist Salutes, Dongryong and I stood up and greeted them in return.
“Nice to meet you, I am Mu-Yeong.”
“I am Dong… Bong.”
“Jongrimun is in Guangxi Province, right? You came from the farthest place. Have you paid your respects to the Sect Leader?”
“Yes, we just did.”
“We are just on our way back from training…”
And naturally, a conversation unfolded with us in the center.
‘Damn it…’
We had planned to slip out of the conversation and head to the corner, but the atmosphere didn’t allow it. Besides, if we did something to ruin the mood too much, we would end up standing out instead.
And naturally, the conversation naturally centered on us.
“Come to think of it, unlike the other Affiliated Families, the disciples of Jongrimun received two invitations to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, right?”
“Ooh, to receive two invitations to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering…”
“As expected of Guangxi Province’s Jongrimun.”
“Ah…, haha. There’s no need to flatter us so much…”
I couldn’t help but be a little flustered hearing their words.
What is this? Is Jongrimun really a place with some influence?
The way the other Affiliated Family disciples around us looked at us was as if they were looking at something a level above them.
They spoke to us with voices full of anticipation.
“Let’s all work hard in this Dragon-Phoenix Gathering to shine the name of Zhongnan’s Affiliated Families.”
“And Jongrimun will be at the center of it.”
“…We aren’t quite at that level.”
Of course, we had to win the championship to obtain the Gongcheongseokyu, but I wanted to refrain from becoming the center of Zhongnan’s Affiliated Families.
However, the other disciples already seemed to view us, the disciples of Jongrimun, as the center of the Affiliated Families.
‘At times like this, I need to strongly deny it.’
If I did that, everyone would feel awkward and change the subject.
To do so, I composed my expression and opened my mouth.
But right then…
Slide-.
“Master Mu-Yeong! Master Dong-Bong!”
Suddenly, the door opened again, and someone rushed in with an urgent voice.
It was Zhongnan’s Chief Disciple, Geum Sa-Hwi, judging by his face.
“Oh! Master Geum Sa-Hwi!”
Since Affiliated Family disciples shared the same generation as Direct Disciples, the Chief Disciple, Geum Sa-Hwi, would also be the Chief Disciple among the Affiliated Family disciples. The Affiliated Family disciples immediately performed a Cupped Fist Salute upon seeing him.
However, Geum Sa-Hwi roughly accepted the greetings of the other Affiliated Family disciples and immediately ran over to Dongryong and me.
His face was filled with surprise.
“Master Mu-Yeong! Master Dong-Bong! What did you show the Sect Leader?”
“Pardon? What do you mean…”
At his words, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of anxiety.
And the moment his next words followed…
“I just came from seeing the Sect Leader, and he was sparing no praise for the two of you!”
“…Pardon?”
…I had to feel that the timing was completely wrong.
And at the same time I realized my mistake…
“Ooooh-!”
“Direct praise from the Sect Leader!”
“As expected, the hope of Zhongnan’s Affiliated Families!”
…The eyes of the other Affiliated Family disciples looking at us began to sparkle.