Chapter 465

Chapter 465
Chapter 465. The Anxiety of Goodness (2)

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It is said that originally, the Way (*Do*) begins with ‘Non-action and Naturalness’ (*Mu-wi-ja-yeon*) and severing ties with the secular world. This means that for a person to focus on the Way, there must be no obstacles, and the greatest of those obstacles is the secular world.

A person is influenced by the secular world. As long as one does not escape that secular world, they cannot escape its influence. In that sense, the members of the Martial Alliance feel like they are walking on a riverbed that has begun to melt day by day. Every time they take a step, they feel like they can hear the sound of ice cracking—*jjeo-jeo-jeok, jjeo-jeo-jeok*.

It was not only due to the blunder of the Wudang Sect. They had acted like idiots and gathered in one place to protest, saying ‘I won’t talk to you guys!’ but after the incident ended, they began to slyly poke their heads in here and there, giving various reasons.

Even though the Wudang Sect wields a massive influence within the Martial Alliance, they had not stormed out of the Alliance; instead, they were gathered on one side, keeping their mouths shut as if in protest. It was no different from the image of a child sitting in the corner of a room, turned away with their lips pouted.

However, the atmosphere this time is quite different. As the news that the Black Coffins’ purge was being carried out spread, the affiliated members felt a chill down their spines. Wondering if perhaps their own sect was included there. Even while knowing it was impossible, there were those who ran in all directions to obtain the Kill List. Of course, the Inspection Hall did not miss watching them.

In the meantime, news was heard that the mission of the Black Coffins had failed. That someone had blocked the Black Coffins’ operation.

“Unit Leader Jin…… that madman……”

Jin So-un and his *Sa-je* blocked the Black Coffins at Mosan. This news shook the entire Martial Alliance loudly.

“*Cheol-hyeong*, just what happened?”

“Nam Hwa-seong, have you heard nothing?”

“No, how can I hear something that even *Cheol-hyeong* haven’t heard?”

“This is a big problem. If they block the Black Coffins’ operation, this aftermath will soon spread to the Tae-eul Sect as well.”

The Black Coffins’ operation is the Inspection Hall’s operation. The Inspection Hall is the justice and the norm of the Martial Alliance. This is soon the will to oppose the Alliance. Blocking the Black Coffins does not end with just blocking the Black Coffins.

“Should we not inform the Tae-eul Sect first?”

“……If it becomes known that we informed them, neither you nor I will be able to preserve our lives. Can you convey the news secretly?”

“That fellow is close with the Lower District Sect (*Hao-mun*).”

“Then let us go through that side.”

Soon, all the Martial Pavilions will rise and move to finish the Black Coffins’ operation. Not to mention Mosan, even the Tae-eul Sect, which blocked the Black Coffins, will not escape extermination.

A day passed, and the Martial Pavilions were fully armed. The destination of these people was none other than Jiangsu and Anhui provinces. There was no one who did not know which sects were there.

“Shit, why are things turning out like this?”

Those who boasted of being from the Life-and-Death Unit of the Martial Academy all gathered and clutched their heads. Because things must not turn out this way. But there was nothing they could do right now. They did not know for what reason the Mosan Sect was put on the Kill List, or why this bastard Jin So-un got involved there again.

However, since the only way to pay for the crime of blocking the work of the ‘Black Coffins’ was extermination, it felt as though the fishy smell of blood was already clinging to them.

“I shall go to the Tae-eul Sect for now!”

“Me too!”

Several people said they would go to the Tae-eul Sect, but Cheol Sun-jik stopped them.

“It is already too late. And since I have sent a separate message to the Tae-eul Sect, let us wait. Unit Leader Jin would not have moved without any thought.”

“No, *Cheol-hyeong*! Think about the Jin So-un we’ve seen! That bastard definitely moved without any thought.”

“That’s right! Look at him in the Silent Forest, if they just listen to his words well, he even fought alongside his enemy!”

“…….”

While the evaluation of Jin So-un was divided.

“Everyone, stop!”

Hyeok Mu-gang and Zhuge So-myeong, who had returned from Anhui Province, let out a Lion’s Roar and stopped them. A bloodthirsty energy lingered within the Martial Alliance. Because the Alliance Leader had used his overstepping authority to block the Inspection Hall’s operation. This was no different from predicting a backlash from other sects and forces.

However, even as two days and three days passed, the Martial Pavilions ultimately did not leave the Martial Alliance. Instead, a different rumor circulated.

“There was a problem with the Kill List?”

It was revealed that a problem had been discovered in the mission of the Black Coffins, which should be the most solemn, fair, and absolutely free of mistakes. In addition to that, news that a spy was hidden within the Black Coffins spread secretly.

A chill lingered in the Martial Alliance. Because not only the Inspection Hall, whose absolute authority had been wounded, but even the forces that supported them were on the verge of collapsing together.

“What is all this?”

Cheol Sun-jik asked in despair at the mountain of documents piled up like a heap. The Alliance Leader indifferently tapped the documents.

“The reports of the Inspection Hall and the Black Coffins.”

“…….”

Cheol Sun-jik’s eyes shook violently. Not only was it the quantity, but it was an act of digging into everything the Inspection Hall and the Black Coffins had done. It was certain that these documents would not end with merely revealing someone’s fault.

“Not a single speck of error must be overlooked. Ensure that the things you have confirmed can be re-confirmed by the next person.”

The Alliance Leader’s words were no different from saying that there would be no going home for the time being—no, for a very long time. However, none of them frowned or let out a sigh. Because this was a matter that required that much burden and responsibility.

“What is to become of…… Jin So-un?”

At Cheol Sun-jik’s question, the Alliance Leader hardened his face. That man, who used to lie down in the All-Knowing Department and flail his arms and legs saying he didn’t want to work overtime every day. To Cheol Sun-jik, it was a truly unfamiliar sight.

“It cannot be known precisely. However, one certain thing is……”

*Gulp.*

“Whether he wanted it or not, he has come to carry a heavy burden.”

It was probably a metaphorical expression. The ‘burden’ Cheol Sun-jik felt was something massive, like a Great Mountain. And Cheol Sun-jik knew better than anyone that it was by no means a positive meaning.

“Where is Jin So-un?”

“……He has informed us that he is returning after attending the funeral at Mosan.”

“*Whew*…… just how large a storm is he planning to encounter?”

Simultaneously with the Alliance Leader’s words, Cheol Sun-jik began to worry about Jin So-un. Because the pressure and burden that Jin So-un, who stood at the center of this massive incident, would experience was not a weight that someone who had barely passed twenty could endure.

‘I wonder if he will be alright.’

Cheol Sun-jik could not empty out his worry.

“Dugu-dugu-dugu-dugu-dugu-dugu.”
“Dugu-dugu-dugu-dugu-dugu-dugu.”
“Dugu-dugu-dugu-dugu-dugu-dugu.”
“Dugu-du…… ah, stop it already!”

At Sa-ryeon’s shout, the anticipation-sound stopped for a moment.

“Dugu-dugu-dugu-dugu-dugu-dugu-dugu.”

But the anticipation-sound began to ring again, and Sa-ryeon finally clutched her head. Of course, I did not let the small smile hanging on her lips below go unnoticed.

“So I’m saying, hurry up and open it.”

We took lodging a bit early.

“Yes? There is still one *si-jin* (2 hours) left before the sun sets.”

To the point where the coachman looked at the other people in bewilderment. But the feelings of the others were the same.

“It feels like my body has stiffened because of the tension.”

“It would be good to rest today and leave early tomorrow.”

Because everyone was full of anticipation as to what was inside the boxes received from the Mosan Sect. The first one to open a box was Dong-ryong, who was pushed back by age order. Inside his box was a wooden case containing a pill and an undergarment.

“*Heop*!”

But there was no time to be disappointed. Because the undergarment itself was reflecting light while emitting a faint blue color.

“…….”

However, perhaps not knowing the identity of the item, all four people stared at me with wide eyes as if demanding an explanation.

“It is an item called the Jade Protection Raiment (*Chwi-ok-bo-ui*). I heard it is a divine object made by mixing Vajra Silk and Jade-Flower Jade.”

It was not merely a luxurious item made of expensive materials. I didn’t know how to appreciate the effect of the Jade-Flower Jade, but the Jade Protection Raiment had the effect of ‘protecting the body.’ Thanks to that, in my past life, the Jade Protection Raiment was even used as a divine object for emergency treatment on the battlefield.

“Is it alright to receive such a thing as a gift……?”

Dong-ryong felt a burden from such a large treasure before his own greed. In fact, I also could not hide my shock at the Jade Protection Raiment being a gift. Perhaps this is a token of the alliance.

“It is something received as a gift, so keep it well.”

Second was Geum-pyo, who hugged the box slyly. In Geum-pyo’s box, an elixir was similarly included. However, in the center of the box, only a single gauntlet lay alone. And only for the left hand.

“…….”

I patted the shoulder of the fellow who was about to be disappointed.

“It is an item called the Ghost Spirit Gauntlet (*Gwi-ryeong-gap*). It cannot be cut by most swords, and when operating energy, it emits a unique energy called Ghost Spirit Energy that cruelly mangles wounds. Perhaps because they worried your hand might be injured while you use the shield……”

“It’s a perfect fit!!”

Before the explanation could even finish, the Ghost Spirit Gauntlet was already worn on Geum-pyo’s left hand. Following that, from Sa-ryeon’s box, a throwing weapon called Gold Star Rings (*Geum-seong-hwan*) came out. And from Eun-ho’s box, a judge’s pen called the Soul-Chasing Golden Brush (*Chu-hon-geum-pil*) came out.

“Seriously…… this is insane……”

Every single one of them was a divine object that had only appeared after the Great War between Justice and Evil. I wondered where the source of those divine objects was, and it must have been the treasury of the Mosan Sect. Treasures that were sufficient to become the divine objects passed down through generations of a sect. To have prepared those not just once but according to the number of people, I felt an enormous sense of burden.

Because the things we received as gifts were not things that could be exchanged for gold. When I regained my senses and looked around, a bizarre silence lingered in the room. All the *Sa-je* were looking at my box with clear faces.

*Gulp.*

In fact, I am also a bit nervous. Since each thing coming out was equivalent to a divine weapon, even my heart was trembling at what would come out from here. I opened the box slowly.

Strangely, no elixir was visible. But I was not disappointed. No, it would be more correct to say my anticipation was even more overflowing.

*Kki-ee-ik.*

At the sound of the latch from the box, my heart swelled as if it would explode. Inside the box opened that way…….

“Ah……”
“Eh……”
“Ehem……”

I rubbed my eyes several times, just in case. It couldn’t be. Surely, an item must be hidden in the gaps of the box. Is that not how precious items are hidden……

“*Sa-hyeong*, it seems that’s all?”

I was trying to forcibly open the box to examine the interior.

“It’s going to break if you do that. It’s a book and talismans, right?”

“…….”

That was so. What was inside my box instead of a divine object was a book that looked like it had just been newly made and about a hundred talismans. I slowly picked up the book.

“*Heot*! This is……!”

An exclamation burst from me unconsciously.

“It was the Mosan Sect’s ultimate technique, the Spirit-Exorcising Binding Manual (*Je-ryeong-ju-bak-gwoe*)!!!”

It was that binding technique that had suppressed Heo Gwan-jung at the last moment while I was at the Mosan Sect.

“Truly, I have received a gift I cannot handle.”

Inside the book, detailed contents regarding the oral formulas, the operation of internal energy, and the creation of talismans were written. To teach the martial arts of their sect like this to me, who was not even a secular disciple, was the same as giving away a part of the Mosan Sect. It was clearly so.

Yes, it was clearly so, but…….

“But what should I do…… I already possess an exorcising power called the Great Purity Celestial Upward Power, so it might be a waste for me to learn this as well.”

So, I turned my head to give the *Sa-je* a chance. Because I am the *Dae-sa-hyeong* who always thinks of his *Sa-je* first.

“Does anyone want to trade?”

“!!!”
“!!!”

No sooner had I finished speaking than Geum-pyo and Sa-ryeon ghostly escaped through the window and the door respectively. I quickly threw the Flying Dragon Claw and a short blade to close the window and the door.

“!!!”
“*Heok*!”

Only Eun-ho and Dong-ryong, who could not escape in time, remained.

“Anyone want to trade??”

Dong-ryong, who looked like he would cry at any moment, tried to take out the Jade Protection Raiment. At that moment, Eun-ho stepped forward and stopped Dong-ryong.

“*Dae-sa-hyeong*, did Mosan not give that martial art to you? If someone else were to learn it recklessly and Mosan found out, would they not be extremely uncomfortable?”

In fact, those were correct words. Receiving a martial art as a gift was a sign of trust. To pass that to another person recklessly was to think lightly of that trust.

“……Getting all tense over a joke your *Sa-hyeong* made.”

I laughed as I recovered the Flying Dragon Claw and the short blade, but for some reason, Eun-ho and Dong-ryong slowly left the room without relaxing their guard toward me.

“I’m telling you, it was really a joke!!!”

There was no one who answered my voice.

Starting from Mosan, we headed straight for the Martial Alliance. We substituted sending a letter to the Tae-eul Sect through a messenger and moved quickly to Wuhan. Since we had already wasted a lot of time at Mosan, it was a point where a quick return was necessary.

The command of the Martial Alliance is a command, but what I worry about most is the treatment of the targets for slaughter. In my past life, the temptation of the Blood Cult’s sorcery would have been greater. Because the Blood Cult of the past life almost came to dominate Sichuan. But they were surely cleared out by the Black Coffins.

*Peo-peong! Peo-peo-peong!*

In this life, the number of those who dipped their feet into the Blood Cult’s sorcery is smaller, but those who laid hands on forbidden arts were not properly dealt with. Because the Black Coffins’ operation was blocked by the affair at Mosan.

*Peo-peong! Peo-peo-peo-peong!*

Furthermore, if—though it would never happen—the Alliance of Four Black Sects (*Sa-heuk-ryeon*) were to accept them to increase their influence, the majesty of the Martial Alliance would falter in an instant. I must return to the Martial Alliance even a day earlier and…….

*Peo-peo-peo-peo-peong!

“You guys!”

I turned my head at the noise interrupting my private thoughts.

*Pa-pang! Pa-pang!*

Every time Geum-pyo’s left hand was swung, the surface of an intact tree was roughly gouged out. Thinking of that as an opponent’s skin, it was certain the opponent would find it difficult to recover from the wide area of the wound.

“The power of the Ghost Spirit Energy is too terrifying?”

“*Hyung*, look at this.”

Beside him, when Eun-ho swung his empty hand at a tree, six small blades were embedded in the tree. He had used the judge’s pens while they were hidden in his palm.

*Jjeo-jeok.*

The tips of the judge’s pens were embedded so deeply that the tree almost began to lean.

“The finish is a bit lacking.”

When Sa-ryeon scattered the Gold Star Rings, two bracelets were fired out and caused a large explosion.

*Peo-peong!*

In the end, the tree fell, and the Gold Star Rings boasted their majesty. I looked at the tree falling with a *jjeo-jeo-jeok* sound and shouted loudly.

“Will you all not stop! Have you forgotten the maxim in the Jianghu to always hide thirty percent of your skill!”

“……There is no one here but us?”

Since we had sent back the coachman halfway and came by ourselves, there was no one in the surrounding forest.

“Anyway!”

“……Yes.”

They seemed to answer obediently, but they pouted their lips and began to whisper quietly among themselves.

“As expected, he doesn’t like his own gift.”

“It’s certain, even now his eyes flash every time we take out a divine object.”

“Everyone, keep a close watch on your items. We don’t know when he might pull something.”

I can hear everything you’re saying quietly, you brats! I was about to say that I wasn’t doing this because I was jealous but because of my concern for the safety of the Jianghu, but I soon shut my mouth. It would be better to move even one step during this time.

While heading toward Wuhan like that. I met someone I was quite glad to see(?) but who should not be in this place.

“……Il-gak?”

“Amitabha.”

I met Il-gak, who had become a cold rice treatment of Shaolin after ignoring the opinions of the Shaolin elders and entering the White Wolf Pavilion, at a place quite far from the Alliance.

“Just…… how did this happen?”

And with new members of the Dragon and Phoenix Association.

“It turned out that I had taken on a heavy mission.”

“A mission?”

“I mean an inspection.”

It is already well-known that the Dragon and Phoenix Association evaluates sects under the pretext of visiting, but it was highly unnatural for Il-gak, who was not even a member of the Dragon and Phoenix Association, to be included there.

“May I ask for what reason you are conducting the inspection?”

I just asked, knowing he wouldn’t divulge such a matter. Well, words are free.

But

“It is an inspection regarding the sects designated by the Martial Alliance.”

Il-gak told me without hesitation.

“Furthermore, it is a schedule that Patron Jin is also to participate in.”

“What?”

“Our meeting is not a coincidence.”

Il-gak said with a firm face.

“We were waiting for you.”