Chapter 362
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### Episode 362. **Infinite Heaven Alliance (昊天盟), the vast and grand sky**
Man Hwangju tilted his head in confusion as Yeon Jeokha suddenly started laughing like a madman.
—Younger brother, why are you laughing?
—Hey, I’m really curious, would you answer me something?
—Speak.
—Why do you two cling to me like flies? Is it because I’m the easiest to annoy among the practitioners? Or do you think you can still get something from me? Which option is it?
—What kind of hurtful comment is that? We know each other well enough not to ignore each other, that’s all.
—Hmph! I hung out with you because I felt sorry for you being alone, and now you come up with this nonsense. What am I, for you to call me a fly? And what? Do you think there’s still something we can get from you? Ha! That would even make a dog laugh. Brother Man, let’s go.
Cheonsang Dong, with a look of disgust, pulled Man Hwangju away.
When the latter let himself be dragged, Yeon Jeokha’s surroundings finally fell silent.
—Really, what strange people —he murmured while shaking his head.
Yeon Jeokha opened his manual of the **”Supreme Truth of the Celestial Jade” (옥황경)** and began to read.
—
Chongyang Festival (重陽節, ninth day of the ninth lunar month).
By night, frost began to fall, and the leaves of Mount Wudang started to turn red.
Although autumn was in full swing, the routine of the cultivators did not differ much from that of summer.
In the mornings, they recited aloud. During the mornings, they attended theoretical lessons, and in the afternoons, each practiced their preferred art.
After two months living on Mount Wudang, Yeon Jeokha already looked like a true cultivator.
That morning, as usual, he went for a slow walk around the **Five Dragons Palace (오룡궁)** after breakfast.
Not having close friends had led him to acquire this habit.
While walking, he mentally reviewed the techniques he had learned from **Cheongbulno**. Before he realized it, it was already time for the lesson.
Upon arriving at the **Five Dragons Palace**, he noticed an unusually lively atmosphere. The cultivators, with excited faces, even forgot to enter the hall and gathered in small groups here and there.
Among the disciples of the **Pavilion of the Eight Immortals (팔선각)**, Yeon Jeokha was always the last to hear the news, as no one bothered to talk to him.
He sharpened his hearing to catch the murmurs.
—If the **Yoomyung Cult (유명교)** has split into two factions, does that mean the “Three-Year Agreement” has ended?
—Even if they are divided, they will unite if something big happens, don’t you think?
—Huh, so even the **Yoomyung Cult**, which no one could touch, will eventually fall.
—Wouldn’t that be a blessing for the Murim?
—It might be quite the opposite. Think about this: if two people like the current master of the Yoomyung Cult, known as the **Celestial Demon King**, appear, who could stop them?
At this argument, the disciples fell silent for a moment, clearly unsettled.
As the lesson time approached, the administrators of the Pavilion began to disperse the groups to enter the hall.
Yeon Jeokha, as always, delayed as long as possible, entering last to take a seat in the last row.
—
The lesson of the day
Despite the session having already begun, the buzzing whispers did not cease.
**Bansangwol**, one of the **Seven Sages/Masters/Taoists of the Five Dragons Palace (오룡칠사)** and the master of the day, looked at the group with a resigned smile.
—In the “True Classic of the Southern Flowers (남화진경)”, written by Master Zhuangzi, it says: “He who has a serene and stable heart radiates celestial light.” We must become that light that illuminates this dark world. Practitioners, especially those who practice the art of exorcism, must be even more so.
He continued:
—If your heart is not stable, you will not be able to deploy your techniques properly. Only a tranquil spirit can drive away malevolent spirits and demonic entities. The light capable of blinding the forces of evil and the strength to overcome extreme situations come from always maintaining calm. Never forget that.
The theme of the day naturally flowed towards the concept of mental balance.
When the lesson ended, Bansangwol took a sip of tea to catch his breath. At that moment, a disciple raised his hand.
—Speak.
With the master’s permission, disciple **Jang Ido** stood up and said:
—I just heard rumors that the Yoomyung Cult has split. Is that true?
—It is true.
Bansangwol’s confession generated a murmur among the disciples.
—Then, what will happen to the “Three-Year Agreement”?
—That is a matter for the Murim sects to resolve. The **Five Dragons Palace** does not actively get involved in those matters, so I cannot say more.
—If the agreement is in danger, couldn’t you lower the requirements a bit to accept external disciples? At least that way we could contribute something.
—I understand your intention, but the principles of the Palace do not change. We do not teach advanced techniques to those who do not meet the requirements, for the sake of everyone, including future generations.
—But, when will there be a better time to restore justice in the Murim? If you could just open the doors a little more…
—Instead of asking us to open the doors, focus on your own growth.
Bansangwol’s firm refusal left Jang Ido frustrated, shaking his head helplessly.
Some disciples sympathized with him, while others looked at him disapprovingly.
Among the Seven Sages, Bansangwol was one of the most respected. For Yeon Jeokha, who considered him his master, Jang Ido’s attitude was outrageous.
—Argh! This idiot. How dare he show that attitude in front of one of the Seven Sages?
Though he wanted to stand up and kick him, he restrained himself.
After this brief debate, the lesson concluded, and the disciples began to leave.
—
### That night
Yeon Jeokha received Cheongbulno’s teachings with more calmness than usual.
Jang Ido’s behavior left a strong impression on him, serving as a warning.
Until now, he had always been relaxed and carefree when interacting with others. But after what happened, he felt a strong desire to respect his master even more.
Prejudices against practitioners were common, and that deeply irritated him.
—Namchun, why do you seem so docile today, like a bride on her wedding night? Did something happen?
—In the lesson, a disciple showed disrespectful behavior towards Master Bansangwol. It made me feel uncomfortable and reflect a lot.
—
—Ha, ha, ha! That boy simply lacks manners, but you are different. You don’t need to try so hard to follow the formalities. Feelings are relative, and your sincerity will also reach the Seven Sages of the Five Dragons Palace.
—Really?
—Of course. When have you seen me say nonsense?
—Heh, heh. So, can I sit a little more comfortably?
Yeon Jeokha relaxed his rigid posture slightly, relieving some of the pressure he had been putting on his feet.
Cheongbulno smiled faintly at the childish attitude of his disciple.
—I don’t know what blessing I’ve received in my last years to have a disciple like you.
—I am the one who has received the blessing.
Yeon Jeokha felt deep respect for Cheongbulno, not only for having accepted him as a formal disciple but also for being the only one who had recognized him among all the rumors and his disheveled appearance.
In fact, it wasn’t just his appearance. Considering all the negative gossip about him, the fact that he had been accepted as Cheongbulno’s disciple seemed a miracle.
If the sworn brothers of the Five Peaks (오봉산) gave him a sense of peace, Cheongbulno made him feel as if he were with his grandfather.
The care and guidance he provided were something Yeon Jeokha had never experienced before in his life.
————
Mid-September
Namjik Province
On the outskirts of Nanjing.
Headquarters of the Justice Alliance.
A group of Murim experts gathered at the Pavilion of Loyalty and Justice.
Among them were the leaders of the Seven Great Sects and Gong Son-il from the Gong Son family.
The leader of the Hua Mountain Sect and also head of the Heaven and Earth Alliance, Mu Geuk, respectfully bowed to those present.
—I sincerely thank the leaders of the sects for responding to my invitation. As the person in charge of both the Justice Alliance and the Heaven and Earth Alliance, I have summoned all of you to discuss important matters. As you know, the leader of the Yoomyung Cult has assured that they will not interfere in our meetings, so the “Three-Year Agreement” will not be broken due to this gathering.
He paused, noticeably uncomfortable.
Talking about the “Three-Year Agreement” from the start indicated that the Seven Great Sects were acting cautiously in the face of the Yoomyung Cult, and that was not a good omen.
—Everyone already knows that the Yoomyung Cult has split into two factions, so there is no need to repeat it. Today, I want to propose a formal meeting of the righteous warriors of the orthodox sects to face this changing situation. What do you think?
The leaders of the Six Sects nodded with serious faces. If they hadn’t felt the need for an organization, they wouldn’t have even attended the meeting.
Still, Mu Geuk asked again:
—If anyone opposes the creation of this meeting, please let it be known now.
Pyun Un, leader of the Tang Sword Sect (공동파), laughed and said energetically:
—Leader, no one would be here if they opposed! We all feel the need for this organization. Let’s not waste time and get to the main point. Although we still don’t know the name of the new alliance, I propose that Mu Geuk be its leader. What do the others think?
Yeong Gyeolsang, leader of the Wudang Sect (무당파), intervened:
—I agree. Mu Geuk has successfully guided both the Justice Alliance and the Heaven and Earth Alliance. I believe he is the best choice to lead this new organization.
The leader of the Quanzhen Sect, Mu Jong Sang, also expressed his support:
—I agree with the two leaders. Is there anyone who thinks otherwise?
At his question, the leaders of Shaolin, Qingcheng, Zhenchang, and the Uicheon Sect nodded their heads.
Given Mu Geuk’s outstanding power and actions, there were no reasons to oppose him.
Unless he had made a serious mistake in the past, it was hard to find someone more capable for the task within the Seven Great Sects.
Mu Geuk showed a wry smile.
What initially was a proposal to form an organization ended in the swift election of a leader. The unity and trust among the Seven Great Sects were something that could not be overlooked.
Mu Geuk, without hesitation, bowed to the sect leaders present.
—I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me. I will do my utmost in this new role. Now, I suggest that we decide the name of our new organization right here. Please share your ideas.
The hall fell silent. Choosing a name for an organization was more complicated than it seemed.
At that moment, the leader of the Zhenchang Sect, Geum Hwaseon, casually said:
—If the last one was the Heaven and Earth Alliance (천지맹), why not call this one the Infinite Heaven Alliance (호천맹)? I think it reflects well the character of the orthodox sects.
In the past, there had been much debate about the meaning of “Heaven and Earth” in the name of the previous Alliance.
The most accepted interpretation was that “Heaven (천)” represented the orthodox sects, while “Earth (지)” referred to the evil sects.
In that sense, “Infinite Heaven” was an appropriate and symbolic name.
—A vast and grand sky. I like it.
—It has a good meaning.
—It seems fitting for our current situation.
—I hope the name is as grand as its meaning.
As time passed, no one proposed a better name, and the Seven Great Sects unanimously agreed that the new organization would be called the Infinite Heaven Alliance (호천맹).
Additionally, Gong Son-il was appointed as the General Commander (총사) of the new alliance.
Thus began the era of the Infinite Heaven Alliance, succeeding the Justice Alliance and the Heaven and Earth Alliance.