Chapter 217

Chapter 217
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**Chapter 217: Reactions to the Blood Slaughter Cult Lord**

The disciples of the Mount Hua Sect—counted among the Nine Great Sects—fell into animated discussion, their conversation centering on one subject alone: the latest work from the One-Stroke Scholar.

*“Blood Slaughter Cult Lord! That title carries a truly menacing weight, doesn’t it?”*

*“I’ve read ahead, and it’s still so entertaining. It feels remarkably fresh, too.”*

The One-Stroke Scholar was a literary talent of a generation, one who had captured the imagination of the entire realm in little more than a decade since he first began writing. His stories held special meaning for the Mount Hua Sect, and the reason for that was simple…

*“This person has incredible audacity, truly.”*

*“I couldn’t agree more. Just a scholar, yet wielding such far-reaching influence across the martial world.”*

*“To think a single novel nearly drove a wedge between the Chungnam Sect and Mount Hua—anyone told that story would find it laughable.”*

Laughter rippled through the group, and Elder Ok Jeong, the most senior among them, let out a quiet chuckle of his own. As the elder responsible for managing the sect’s practical affairs, he had weathered more than his fair share of trouble over the matter in days past.

*“Elder Ok Jeong, did relations between us and the Chungnam Sect truly grow strained?”*

*“No—quite the opposite!”*

*“I see… I offer my apologies, but we really ought to be more careful where our ties with the Chungnam Sect are concerned…”*

*“I said no, that isn’t what happened at all!”*

*“I had no idea there was any friction between our sects. I’m sorry I proposed that joint undertaking in Shaanxi so recently without knowing.”*

*“Please, listen to me!”*

Mount Hua and the Chungnam Sect both made their home in Shaanxi, and naturally, their paths crossed in countless shared ventures. Still, one sudden misunderstanding had left him breaking out in a cold sweat as he scrambled to set things right. Even the younger, impressionable disciples had found themselves caught up in a quiet rivalry, each side driven to outshine the other—all while claiming, *Mount Hua and Chungnam are as close as brothers…*

Could this new book hold some strange, unflattering rumor about Mount Hua as well? A flicker of unease prickled at Elder Ok Jeong’s chest as he turned the first page of *Blood Slaughter Cult Lord*. Moments passed in silence.

*“Well?”* someone asked. *“Are you enjoying it?”*

*“This one is nothing short of brilliant,”* he said.

For all the headaches it had caused, Mount Hua bore no real ill will toward the One-Stroke Scholar—first and foremost, because reading his work was such unbridled pleasure. Everyone understood it was pure fiction, yet the stories drew readers in so completely they felt vividly, undeniably real. And there were practical benefits, too: visitors to Mount Hua had risen threefold, even fourfold, since his tales began spreading. In his writing, Mount Hua rose to become the foremost sect in the land, and the story’s protagonist grew into the greatest martial artist of all time. The effect on how people saw their sect had been nothing short of transformative.

*“Put simply, the story is all about utterly defeating the despicable Blood Cult Lord,”* Elder Ok Jeong summarized.

*“Exactly—its message of rewarding virtue and punishing wrongdoing is woven in beautifully,”* came the reply.

What truly made the tale stand out was how it portrayed the Blood Cult Lord: as a fool, through and through, utterly lacking in wisdom. He was a villain readers could revile and mock without a twinge of guilt, making every page all the more thrilling.

*“If the Blood Cult actually existed, it would be ridiculous, wouldn’t it?”*

*“Just imagine—their leader publicly depicted as a complete idiot!”*

The Mount Hua disciples were laughing heartily when a voice cut through the noise.

*“Fourth Uncle! An elder from the Chungnam Sect has arrived!”*

*“Ah—show them in at once.”*

Mount Hua was not the only sect watching the One-Stroke Scholar with keen interest. Truth be told, Mount Hua had benefited greatly from his work, yet the same could not be said for the Chungnam Sect. *Their role becomes important toward the end*, Elder Ok Jeong reflected, *so they haven’t lost anything of substance. Still—honor is another matter entirely.*

*“Please enter, Elder Yang Seon.”*

*“It has been some time, Elder Ok Jeong.”*

After exchanging brief greetings, they wasted no time coming to the point.

*“You’ve heard about the One-Stroke Scholar, I assume?”*

*“I knew you would come about this very thing. We were just discussing it ourselves.”*

Elder Yang Seon’s purpose was straightforward.

*“We need to look into who this One-Stroke Scholar really is.”*

*“I see…”*

*“There’s no resentment here—we know it is only a book. Still, aren’t you curious?”*

Curious? He was intensely so. Setting every other concern aside, the man’s skill with words was unmatched in all the realm.

*“From what our people have been able to learn,”* Elder Yang Seon continued, *“he publishes exclusively through the Hundred Books Merchant House—and that establishment has deep connections to the Heaven-Covering Baek Clan.”*

*“What does that mean for us?”*

*“It means the Heaven-Covering Baek Clan stands at the center of one of the three most widely discussed rumors across the martial world right now. And it could not be more timely.”*

Elder Ok Jeong was better informed about outside affairs than nearly anyone else among Mount Hua’s ranks, yet Shaanxi lay far from Jiangxi, and he knew little of the clan in question. To his surprise, it was Ok Cheong who offered a concise explanation.

*“The Heaven-Covering Baek Clan! They are the preeminent family of Jiangxi, and their influence has grown faster than any other martial clan in recent memory. Everyone is talking about their young heir—the Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon—who has turned his back on his people and struck out on his own!”*

One of the younger disciples looked at him, confused. *“How do you know so much, Senior Brother Ok Cheong? Were you traveling the southern martial world when you left home without telling anyone?”*

*“Hahaha—not exactly! I simply make a point of keeping well informed!”*

As the Mount Hua and Chungnam disciples began discussing plans to seek out members of the Heaven-Covering Baek Clan, a low, rasping laugh echoed through the room. *“Heh heh heh… You are having such a lively conversation, aren’t you?”*

Startled, everyone turned toward the sound—only to find a figure standing behind every single disciple. Elder Ok Jeong and Elder Yang Seon surged to their feet, alarmed, as the separate forms seemed to flow together and merge into one.

*“B-Bangjang!”*

*“Has the Venerable Master come to see us?”*

*“Heh heh—I simply happened by to listen in. I hope I am not intruding.”*

For all their standing as elders of the Nine Great Sects, both men felt small in the presence of Rakbul, numbered among the Heavenly Martial Ten Lords. Even if listening in unannounced was impolite, who among them would dare say so aloud?

*“The Heaven-Covering Baek Clan’s Sword Dragon… I have taken a personal interest in that young man,”* Rakbul went on. *“Shall we go to meet him together?”*

*“Why would someone as great as yourself concern yourself with us…?”* Elder Yang Seon asked carefully.

Rakbul held up a hand, bidding them wait, and almost immediately, two more voices were heard.

*“Master!”*

*“Please—conduct yourself with dignity!”*

Two figures stepped forward: Rakbul’s own disciples, Adu and Beopgak.

*“Amitabha. It is an honor to meet you both,”* Beopgak said, bowing respectfully toward the elders. *“I trust my master has not been behaving improperly?”*

Elder Yang Seon and Elder Ok Jeong returned the gesture. *“Not at all—we are delighted to see him, truly.”*

*“We feel the same,”* Adu added.

Rakbul looked somewhat subdued as he spoke up again. *“You should speak with Beopgak from now on—unless you would prefer I face yet another scolding.”*

Who in all the realm could subdue Rakbul and make him dread being reprimanded? Every disciple from both sects shared the very same thought.

*“Even a monk must be held accountable when he does wrong,”* Beopgak said calmly.

*“Who would dare rebuke Rakbul…?”*

Rakbul and Adu both turned their gazes toward Beopgak, who met their eyes with a look that plainly said—*what else can I do?*

*“Did not our revered Bangjang decide to travel all the way to Wuhuan with no one but Adu for company?”* Beopgak asked. *“If I had not anticipated exactly what he would do… truly.”*

*“Beopgak… must you reproach your master before strangers?”*

*“Has this never happened before? Learn to take responsibility, and you will not find yourself corrected so often!”*

Rakbul let out a long, weary sigh. *“This is the life I lead…”*

*“If you would prefer that I leave your side to focus wholeheartedly on my practice, you need only say so,”* Beopgak replied.

*“Beopgak.”*

*“Yes, Bangjang?”*

*“I apologize.”*

*“That is good. Remember these words.”*

The Mount Hua and Chungnam disciples stood in total silence, until Elder Ok Jeong stepped forward to ease the sudden tension.

*“Ahem… it appears even Shaolin’s revered Bangjang answers to the Head of the Disciplinary Hall. Truly, you lead by example in upholding the precepts of your sect!”*

*“I am grateful you see it that way,”* Beopgak said.

*“So then—will Shaolin’s representatives be joining us when we call upon the Heaven-Covering Baek Clan?”*

*“We will,”* Beopgak confirmed. *“Besides, I have long wished to see the son of an old friend once more.”*

Just at that moment, another voice rang out. *“Disciple Ok Cheong—am I to remain here alone?”*

*“Ok Cheong, would you not prefer to come along with us?”*

Ok Cheong shook his head firmly. *“Not yet! This is not the right time for me to meet him!”*

His words were cryptic, and Elder Ok Jeong offered an interpretation of his own. *“Such fierce drive to be first, isn’t it? Very well—we can all compare our skills and share what we have learned once the Dragon-Phoenix Rivalry has concluded.”*

Ok Cheong was always that way: utterly devoted to his training, with little interest in worldly affairs. Some mistook his ready smile and easy conversation as a love of company, but everyone in Mount Hua knew—martial arts were what truly lay in his heart.

—

Several days had passed since *Blood Slaughter Cult Lord* was published under the One-Stroke Scholar’s name. Deep in a quiet guest chamber, Baek Yang-hwi sat in seclusion. *Bringing that scholar from the main household here was the best decision I could have made*, he thought. He could recall every word of books he had known in another life with perfect clarity, yet writing entirely new stories was beyond him—thanks to this man, he could continue using the One-Stroke Scholar pen name whenever he chose.

And now, the results he had been waiting for were soon to follow. He had depicted the Blood Cult Lord as the most ridiculous, incompetent fool in the entire martial world. By this point, those loyal to the Blood Cult who had infiltrated Wuhuan would be furious—so angry they would reveal themselves. That was the whole point of publishing the book: to draw them out, and trace their movements back to their leader.

*“Brother,”* a voice whispered. Chudal slipped down from the shadows near the ceiling. *“Someone has come to see you.”*

*“Oh? Who is it?”*

*“Not the one you are hoping for. Still—you should meet him.”*

*“Very well.”*

Visitors came calling nearly every day now, and the reason was simple enough.

*“You are the Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon?”*

*“I am.”*

*“I challenge you to a duel—here is my written demand.”*

The young man standing before him carried himself with obvious arrogance. *Ah… another one*, Baek Yang-hwi thought, his spirits sinking. He scanned the man carefully with his senses, finding no trace of the corrupt qi he sought. His disappointment deepened.

*“Which sect do you represent?”*

*“I serve as Branch Leader of the Taean Purity Sect.”*

The Taean Purity Sect—counted among the Thirty-Six Great Sects. A disciple from a respected background, spoiled by privilege and hungry for renown. He bore no widely known title, which meant he had yet to make a name for himself.

*“You hold a Heavenly-grade writ… yet you come here to issue a challenge of your own making?”*

*“I gave mine away. I have come for yours.”*

*“Silence? Are you afraid?”*

Baek Yang-hwi had fallen quiet for entirely different reasons, but the misunderstanding was clear. *Whether he means it or not, they keep coming, day after day*, he reflected. Who was the easiest, fastest way to earn fame across Wuhuan? Baek Yang-hwi. He was mocked as the guardian of the realm’s most beautiful woman, yet he also bore the grand title of Heaven-Covering Sword Dragon, and his name was known far and wide.

*I brought this on myself. I have no one else to blame*, he thought darkly. That was why he had passed his Heavenly writ along to the young leader of the Blood Death Alliance—to turn away these trivial, constant interruptions. It had done almost nothing to help.

*“I was defeated by the young leader of the Blood Death Alliance, and gave him my writ as agreed,”* he said flatly.

*“W-what?”* The Taean Branch Leader looked utterly stunned. The flaw in his own plan had become plain. *I told that boy to spread the word far and wide*, Baek Yang-hwi thought, *yet he keeps quiet as a tomb whenever he meets anyone.*

*“I lost fair and square—there is no writ left for me to give!”* He had taken to proclaiming it openly, as loudly as he could, yet still, people arrived unaware of what had happened.

*“That is all I came to say. You may leave now.”*

*“W-wait—just a moment!”*

*“What is it?”*

The Branch Leader’s eyes darted around the room, falling on the hawk perched on Baek Yang-hwi’s shoulder, and a smug grin spread across his face as he found a new target. *“That bird there… I shall take him and give him a proper name. We duel for the hawk.”*

It was a rude, unreasonable demand—born of desperation to win something, anything at all, and claim a measure of fame. *I tried to let you go gently*, Baek Yang-hwi thought. *It seems you have left me no choice but to teach you a lesson.* To beat him openly would spark rumors that would only cause more trouble. But to deal with him quietly, somewhere out of sight… that could be managed.

He settled more comfortably in his seat, fixing the young man with a fierce, unyielding look, and sent his voice directly into his mind so no one else could hear: *You arrogant little fool… do you truly think me so weak? Are you so eager to throw your life away?*

*“H-how dare you speak to me that way…!”*

They were so easily provoked, these hotheaded youths. Lure him somewhere dark and quiet, and it would all be over quickly.

*“In the name of the Taean Purity Sect, you will regret this!”* the Branch Leader shouted, his voice loud enough