Chapter 376

Chapter 376
## Chapter 376. The Overflowing Waves (1)

—

Telekinesis (*Heogong-seob-mul*) was not merely the application of an invisible physical weight. At its core, the energy being steered was Qi-gong. Wherever this internal force stretched, a blockage that disrupted the natural flow of Qi was bound to manifest. Consequently, a more refined management of this power indicated a far superior grade of martial expertise. A person naturally felt a more profound sense of danger from a cup of wine glided toward them without a single wobble than from a blade bared in open defiance. As a demonstration of martial skill, nothing could be more potent.

Be that as it may, the individual currently exerting weight upon my shoulders and tendons was manifestly below that standard. Sensation was already fading from my feet, and a stinging ache had begun to creep into my shoulders. I quickly circulated the Tae-eul True Scripture (*Tae-eul-jin-gyeong*) at the swiftest pace my body could sustain.

*Boom, boom, boom!*

The internal Qi-gong surging outward clashed directly with the external pressure applied via Telekinesis, locked in a tense struggle until the very stitching of my robes began to give way and snap apart.

*Rattle, rattle.*

*Rumble, rumble.*

The hanging bead curtains fell into wild disorder, and the wine vessels wobbled unsteadily, on the verge of sloshing over. I sensed the gaze of the practitioner directed at me locking wide as his features hardened. Privately, I wished he would cough up blood from the backlash, but no such injury occurred.

“An incredibly ill-mannered youngster.”

A hairless man resembling Il-gak, positioned at the forefront, made a brief gesture with his hand.

*Tap, tap, tap.*

The strands of beads that had been thrashing violently in every direction settled instantly, and the tilting wine vessels righted themselves without further incident. Aside from the trails of spilled wine tracing paths across the wood, the chamber regained a stillness so profound that an outsider could never have deduced the conflict that had just transpired.

“I questioned whether your time at the Academy had taught you anything, but your arrogance remains absolute. It appears the old adage is true: people do not alter their nature so easily.”

I gave a compliant nod.

“And Great Master Hye-seong’s preference for conducting business within the Red Light District (*Hong-ru*) seems equally unchangeable.”

“……This establishment is merely a tavern.”

Heavy, oppressive glares converged upon me from all sides. At the same time, an insidiously creeping fighting spirit (*Gyeok-gi*) persistently attempted to probe and map my physique.

‘Not on my watch!’

I endeavored to obstruct this intrusive fighting spirit by marshaling the Tae-eul True Scripture, yet the eight distinct threads of hostile intent expertly navigated the vulnerabilities in my defense, seeking once more to gauge the depth of my internal reserves.

“That malicious tongue of yours remains entirely unaltered. Given that your fundamental character has not softened despite enduring hardships, should I attribute it to sheer obstinacy? Or were you simply born with a coarse disposition?”

Even while covertly attempting to map another person’s internal pathways, he maintained an entirely casual demeanor while posing his queries. This display seemed to shine a glaring light on their hypocrisy, rendering me even more determined not to concede an inch. I pushed the Tae-eul True Scripture to its absolute boundaries.

“When the truth is spoken and yet labeled a falsehood, is that not a sign that the fault lies entirely with the world itself?”

*Rumble, rumble, rumble.*

The coal brazier and the table situated between myself and the gathered elders shuddered violently. Not a single breath of wind stirred the room, yet the dancing flames wavered erratically from side to side.

“The most treacherous of schemers is always the one loudly proclaiming his absolute loyalty.”

As words left my mouth, the invisible tide of pressure surged toward them; when they replied, the weight shifted back toward me.

*Clatter, clatter.*

The slant of the unstable wine vessels tipped back and forth in perfect synchronization with the exchange.

“…….”

They appeared to derive a grim amusement from this confrontation. For me, however, keeping their invading fighting spirit at bay was becoming an increasingly exhausting endeavor.

“Why have you gone quiet? It was widely remarked that if the Black Flame Dragon were to drown, his mouth would be the only part left floating on the surface.”

If this persisted, they would not only ascertain the precise limits of my internal energy, but I would also find myself forced to expose the entirety of my meridian system to these elders. That was an outcome I refused to permit under any circumstances. Without hesitation, I completely pulled back the internal energy that had been resisting their probe.

Just as the faint trace of a triumphant smirk began to touch the expressions of the eight masters, I summoned the Desolation Fist (*Gong-myeol-gwon*) and channeled the Holy Fire Devil-Destroying Hand (*Seong-hwa-myeol-ma-su*), striking downward squarely into the center of the brazier.

*Bang!*

*Whoosh!*

The small hearth, which had been quietly consuming a mere handful of logs, instantly exploded into a roaring gale of embers and flames, scattering violently in every direction. The sudden brilliance illuminated the countenances of those who had grown comfortable in the shadows, laying bare their sudden alarm. As it was an artificial burst of energy, the fire quickly spent itself against the upper ceiling and faded, but the constricting fighting spirit that had bound my frame was entirely dissolved.

“…….”

“…….”

arrogance “…….”

Unable to completely mask their irritation at being outmaneuvered, they glared in my direction with lethal intensity. Fortunately, no further fighting spirit was deployed against me. To attempt the same trick twice after it had already been thwarted would likely feel too humiliating for figures of their standing.

“……By what method did you achieve that?”

How can these old men act in the exact same manner as they did when confronting the Demon Cult……

“To what are you referring?”

The individual seated at the far right, who had initiated the Telekinesis, countered with a question of his own.

“The display just now.”

I gave a noncommittal shrug of my shoulders.

“It is entirely possible the servant inadvertently left a dried pinecone among the wood.”

“…….”

Whether he found my explanation insulting or simply absurd, the man’s forehead lined with a profound scowl. This time, rather than mere fighting spirit, a subtle current of genuine murderous intent began to permeate the air. To be permitted a taste of so many varied expressions of Qi-gong in such a brief window was quite remarkable. Their hospitality was truly grand.

I reached down and tore away the dangling sleeve of my ruined attire.

*Riiip.*

Adjusting my posture, I addressed them evenly.

“Do you wish to persist with this?”

Given that the alliance between the Samcheong Musang-geom and the membership of the Jeongdo-hoe was already strained, I had fully discharged my obligations by enduring this encounter on Buk-won-pyeong’s behalf. If my elderly *Saje* were fully aware of how much I had tolerated, he would have stepped in himself to escort me from the premises.

“Let us conclude this.”

In that moment, a middle-aged figure possessing a composed countenance, situated beside Great Master Hye-seong, spoke up while unhurriedly draining his vessel.

“It is only expected for an elder to take an interest in the progress of a junior, so you would do well to suppress your irritation.”

That poised bearing, completely unmoving, as though his personal declarations carried the weight of natural law, remained identical to how he had been in both my previous existence and this current life. I met his gaze squarely as I replied.

“I see that no seat was prepared for my arrival.”

His grave eyes and deliberate movements exuded a singular, deep-seated authority. Those fastidious protocols, which might ordinarily feel suffocating, seemed perfectly suited to him.

‘Cheong-su-jinin.’

During my father’s era, he had been a rapidly ascending figure, and in the present day, he stood as a paramount authority guiding the contemporary Murim Alliance. Furthermore, in the days yet to come, he would become the calculating figure (*Gan-ung*) who ultimately surrenders control of the Murim Alliance to Yong-so-ah. His expression remained entirely flat as his mouth moved in a measured cadence.

“That omission was intentional, as I cannot tolerate any further breach of etiquette from you.”

“It appears the Wudang Sect lacks the resources to provide even a modest chair for a visiting cultivator.”

I surveyed the room. A simple seat, presumably meant for an attendant remaining on standby, rested near the edge of the water feature. I executed the Flying Dragon Claw (*Biryong-jo*), securing the Thousand-year Sky Silk (*Cheon-jam-sa*) around one of its supports.

*Whirrrr.*

Accompanied by the rapid whir of a tightly wound mechanism, the seat took flight across the chamber, reeled in by the thin cord, until it was caught securely in my grasp. Setting it down, I seated myself, crossed one leg over the other, and reached out toward the flask and the cup.

“Serving wine to oneself always leaves a man looking rather pathetic.”

*Whoosh—*

The vessel I had intended to grasp glided cleanly through the air and settled directly into the palm of Cheong-su-jinin.

“Regardless of the vintage’s quality.”

With a subtle tilt and a gentle motion of the flask, precisely enough liquid to brim a single vessel detached itself, arcing cleanly into my cup. His unhurried voice followed the action.

“Wine is a pleasure that can only be truly appreciated when shared between companions.”

It was, without question, a demonstration of an advanced level of skill that commanded respect.

“…….”

“What stays your hand? Will you not drink?”

I emptied the vessel I had been contemplating in a single swallow. A rich fragrance blossomed, yet the taste proved far more astringent than the finest Bamboo Leaf Green liquor.

“Word has reached me that you have yet to submit an application to any specific pavilion.”

“Has information of that nature already circulated to the Jeongdo-hoe?”

“A number of our younger generation are currently waiting, choosing to follow your lead.”

“I have given them no encouragement. Do not attempt to place that burden upon my shoulders.”

Cheong-su-jinin offered a slow shake of his head.

“Martial practitioners are, by their very nature, a breed prone to making such misguided choices from time to time.”

“…….”

His tone, completely devoid of any inflection or emotional shift, carried an underlying moment of absolute stillness.

*Whoosh—*

Accompanied by the scent of the vintage, a stream of liquid traversed the space toward me once more.

“Submit your name to the Blue Dragon Pavilion.”

The target vessel occupied a completely different position compared to the previous instance, yet the wine settled unerringly within its rim. Not a solitary drop deviated from its mark. I observed that flawless execution without averting my eyes for an instant.

“I abandoned that prospect some time ago, as such an environment does not agree with me.”

“Your concerns must lie with the disciples of the Tae-eul Sect, then?”

My hand froze instantly as I was raising the cup to my lips. Cheong-su-jinin unhurriedly drained his own vessel.

“The decision to apply for the White Wolf Pavilion despite your exemplary marks was made entirely to secure your prospects for the future.”

“……I am not a man who calculates his path so far in advance.”

“Affiliate with the Blue Dragon Pavilion. Should you comply, I shall personally ensure that any disciples of the Tae-eul Sect entering mandatory service hereafter are sheltered beneath the aegis of the Jeongdo-hoe.”

Hearing Cheong-su-jinin’s proposition caused a sharp throb of pain to spark behind my temples.

“……Those terms imply what, exactly?”

Cheong-su-jinin gave a firm nod, treating the matter as a given.

“Indeed. Align yourself with the Jeongdo-hoe.”

A formal invitation extended before I had even managed to return my cup to the table.

“…….”

I had anticipated something along these lines, but confronting the offer directly left my thoughts in a whirl.

“I am not requesting that you enter our ranks to perform trivial tasks as you did in the past. My offer is to bring you into the fold as a legitimate, recognized asset of the Jeongdo-hoe.”

From the moment Cheong-su-jinin had claimed the floor, none of the elders had actively directed their Qi-gong outward, yet the sheer gravity of his declaration seemed to bear down upon my posture.

“This arrangement is by no means restricted to your person alone. It signifies that the Tae-eul Sect shall walk the path in tandem with us.”

Had this occurred during my previous lifetime, and had the individual occupying this seat been Gye-cheol-yeong instead of myself, he would have prostrated his forehead against the floorboards the moment the words were uttered. It was the very recognition that Gye-cheol-yeong and the Tae-eul Sect of that bygone era had desperately craved.

“You must be well aware of how secure the sanctuary of the Jeongdo-hoe remains within a Jianghu that grows darker by the day.”

If Gye-cheol-yeong had been presented with such a concession, he likely would have wept with gratitude, even if it required forfeiting the entirety of the Gye-ryong Merchant Guild to secure it.

“To prevent oneself from being utterly consumed by the impending gale, one must anchor oneself to a massive tree.”

The proposition carried that much weight. It represented a rare privilege that ordinary factions could never hope to secure.

“You grasp the reality of the situation, do you not?”

“…….”

When I offered no immediate reply, a slight twitch disrupted the line of Cheong-su-jinin’s brow for the first time, arching upward.

“Why do you remain silent? Are you perhaps weighing the costs?”

From that tone of voice—which clearly presumed the absolute impossibility of a rejection—I once again felt the immense status of the figures assembled in this room. They numbered a mere eight individuals, yet the organizations under their respective commands comprised tens of thousands of blades. When one considered that the edicts issued from their lips reverberated through every lesser sect and the Murim Alliance across the entirety of the land, it was no exaggeration to state that they embodied the Jianghu itself.

Consequently, an advantageous offer carried with it the properties of a noose tightening around one’s throat. The repercussions stemming from a refusal would far exceed the simple, petty grievances of a few older men.

Yet, I possessed knowledge they did not.

“Naturally, I must weigh the options. I have no inherent way of discerning which path yields a better or worse outcome.”

“…….”

I knew that this alliance would ultimately fail to safeguard us when the final hour arrived. I knew that if I aligned myself with them, we would be rendered incapable of mounting a true resistance against the Demon Cult when it mattered most. Therefore, I refused to be led astray by a catastrophic future masquerading as an unparalleled opportunity.

“Hmm…… regardless of how thoroughly I turn it over in my mind, only a single path presents itself.”

“…….”

“I must decline.”

The corners of Cheong-su-jinin’s eyes twitched with suppressed emotion.

“Have you already bound yourself by oath to the Baekdo-hoe or perhaps the 12 Peaks and Castles?”

“This is the very first I have heard of such an arrangement.”

“And yet you choose to turn your back on the Jeongdo-hoe?”

To be sure, from an conventional perspective, it was entirely unprecedented for an orthodox faction to refuse incorporation into the Jeongdo-hoe. But a lack of precedent did not obligate me to conform.

“Do you harbor some hidden agenda?”

“I cannot speak for other matters. It is simply that I find the identity of the proposing party, originating from Wudang, to be disagreeable.”

dishonesty “…….”

I deliberately evoked an incident from our shared history.

“As you are well aware, during the conflict at the Maryeong Plateau, did not a certain prominent disciple of the Wudang Sect abandon thousands to their fate while fleeing solo? We, too, placed our faith and followed……”

I delivered the words while staring directly into Cheong-su-jinin’s gaze, which retained an absolute, unblinking composure.

“What guarantee do we have against a similar betrayal?”

My adversary did not lower himself to offer clumsy justifications or deflections.

“…….”

He merely enforced silence upon the room by remaining utterly uncommunicative. He was, in every sense, the quintessential image of a deeply entrenched and calculating veteran of the Jianghu.

*Crackle. Crackle.*

The popping of burning timber filled the void. By the time the splitting wood gave way and sent up a flurry of pale, ash-like embers.

“Do you possess the necessary confidence?”

“Naturally, I possess the confid—”

“Confidence to stand in opposition to the Jeongdo-hoe.”

A declaration that instantly drained the vitality from the atmosphere.

“…….”

It was a phrase I had encountered on numerous occasions. The exact same phrasing where one could substitute ‘Baekdo-hoe’ or the ‘12 Peaks and Castles’ without it feeling out of place. However, the intent behind the words falling from Cheong-su-jinin’s lips in this moment carried an entirely different weight.

“I am inquiring whether you possess the confidence to endure in total isolation.”

The statement left no room for doubt that the source of any future hostility would emanate directly from the Jeongdo-hoe. Was there truly a man alive who could remain completely unshakeable in the face of such coercion? Even so, I forced myself to suppress the instinct to seek their protection. Regardless of how terrifying and hazardous the path might be, I could not willingly select a conclusion that I already knew resulted in ruin.

Releasing a slow, imperceptible breath, I responded with as much composure as I could summon.

“I possess that confidence.”

Upon exiting the pavilion and retracing my steps. Buk-won-pyeong stood motionless, gazing down into the depths of the water feature.

“Has the discussion…… concluded?”

“Would I have emerged from the chamber otherwise?”

“I harbored a small hope that if it were our *Dae-sahyung*, an understanding might be reached.”

While I was practically vibrating with lingering spite, Buk-won-pyeong maintained a surprisingly detached expression.

“Did you truly…… turn them down?”

“Did you genuinely expect me to agree?”

“…….”

He studied my features for a prolonged moment with a deeply conflicted gaze.

“Any man can maintain that sort of theatrical pride under ordinary circumstances. Yet very few retain the resolve to make that choice when the option is actively placed before them.”

“How can I hope to safeguard my independence if I begin by placing my reliance on another?”

Buk-won-pyeong’s posture visibly sagged.

“Fufu…… is that the reality of it? Was the path I chose fundamentally flawed all along?”

“What is the meaning behind those words?”

“I am merely observing that the *Dae-sahyung* possesses greater resolve than this elderly *Saje*.”

“…….”

“Two decades ago, when a identical proposition was extended to me, my decision took a different course.”

The vitality had noticeably drained from his voice.

“And I paid an incredibly steep price for that choice.”

“The compensation must have been substantial.”

At my observation, Buk-won-pyeong let out a faint, self-deprecating laugh.

“Indeed. I paid for it dearly with the very asset you just specified—my freedom.”

After examining my expression for a brief moment with a look of quiet pride, Buk-won-pyeong’s features hardened once more as he pressed further.

“You are fully aware that the consequences will extend far beyond a mere rejected offer, correct?”

They operated on the absolute principle of ‘if you are not an instrument to be used, you are an adversary.’ Since I had declined to serve as an instrument, there remained only a single classification left for us to occupy.

“I am not such an ignoramus that I would fail to grasp something so fundamental.”

Nodding in understanding, Buk-won-pyeong extended a hand to tap my shoulder in a gesture of reassurance.

“Even so, do not allow yourself to be consumed by anxiety. This elderly *Saje* has spent those long years accumulating his own resources while paying that exorbitant price. I have no intention of allowing the Tae-eul Sect, a secular institution, to simply be erased from existence.”

“We have not been erased yet. Refrain from invoking such misfortune.”

“Ah, my apologies.”

I offered a small laugh, stretching my limbs out fully.

“If you truly feel apologetic, provide some refreshments. My appetite was entirely spoiled in that room.”

“In that case, shall we redirect our steps toward Cheongbin-ru?”

Ha, where does this elderly *Saje* think he is steering the conversation? I gave a decisive shake of my head.

“Let us proceed instead to Songhwa-gak.”

“Tsk, for a *Dae-sahyung*, you show remarkably little mercy.”

Before clearing the perimeter of the courtyard, I cast one final glance back toward the structure we had recently departed. I had no way of knowing what further strategies were being debated behind those obscured hanging beads, but one reality had clarified itself beyond all doubt. A violent tempest had officially begun to sweep across the face of the Jianghu.