Chapter 63

Baek Mu-Gun drank tea with Baek Mu-Ok at the former’s residence.

“How’s work at the Heavenly Secret Hall?”

“It was awkward and hectic at first, but it’s much better now that I’ve adapted to it to some extent. It’s fun in its own way.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It felt amazing watching the process of gathering information that didn’t seem relevant and turning it into important pieces of information. I also feel a sense of accomplishment since I think I’m doing something really great.”

𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

“I’m glad it seems to suit your aptitude. For the Baek Sword Sect to grow in the future, information is more important than anything else. That’s how important your role is, so try your hardest.”

“Understood.”

“Is there any information that we should pay attention to among the ones that have reached the Heavenly Secret Hall’s network?”

“The Nine Prominent Sects and the Seven Great Families have demanded that the Lee Household and the Taiyun Household prove they aren’t disguised forces of the Asura Cult. The Lee and Taiyun Households accepted their demands and an investigation has been conducted.”

“They accepted the investigation?”

“Yes. When the Great Namgung Family and the Great Huangfu Family first demanded the investigation, they held out and insisted that they would never accept it. However, they eventually succumbed to it when the Nine Prominent Sects and the Seven Great Families declared they would be considered as disguised forces of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect and wouldn’t hesitate to use force should they keep refusing.”

“What’s the outcome?”

“The Lee Household and Taiyun Household turned out to be unrelated to the Asura Cult.”

“They’re not related?” Mu-Gun asked in surprise.

“Yes, they thoroughly investigated the patriarch and upper brass of the Lee Household and Taiyun Household but found no evidence pointing toward them being demonic cultivators of the Asura Cult.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Mu-Gun was bewildered to hear that no evidence was found. He was certain they were disguised forces of the Asura Cult due to their behavior.

“However, the Heavenly Secret Hall still suspects them.”

“Why’s that?”

“We have yet to rule out the possibility that the Asura Cult has brainwashed the Lee Household and the Taiyun Household patriarchs.”

Mu-Gun was of the same mind. The Asura Cult—no, the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, to be exact, used the Myriad Illusion Body Transformation Art to conceal their identity. Rather than killing the subjects they stole the identities of, they locked those people up in a secret place and brainwashed them using horrendous and meticulous methods. As a result, many of the people they brainwashed ended up following the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. That was why the Nine Celestial Demons Sect’s disguised forces were dangerous.

Once they had been brainwashed, there would no longer be any evidence that they were a part of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. This gave them the chance to cause irreparable damage upon showing their true colors.

In any case, if the Lee Household and the Taiyun Household patriarchs had been brainwashed and returned to their original positions before their clans were investigated, it wouldn’t be strange for the investigation results to show they weren’t related to the Asura Cult.

“What did the Nine Prominent Sects and the Seven Great Families do?”

“There was no evidence, so they had no choice but to step down.”

“Hmm, this incident could set back the investigation into the Nine Celestial Demons Sect’s disguised forces.”

“That’s not all. Some people in murim are criticizing the Nine Prominent Sects and Seven Great Families. There are also doubts about whether the Great Sima Family was really a disguised force of the Asura Cult.”

Now that matters had transpired this way, the Seven Great Families and the Nine Prominent Sects would have no choice but to be cautious about investigating the Nine Celestial Demons Sect’s disguised forces in the future. If they barked up the wrong tree again, the backlash could be severe.

He thought he should conduct an in-depth investigation into the Lee Household and Taiyun Household through the Heavenly Secret Hall, and he also wanted to conduct an investigation into the suspected disguised forces of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.

While pondering over it, Mu-Gun asked Mu-Ok, “Is there any other information?”

“That’s all we’ve found that is noteworthy.”

“What’s the progress with the matter I asked of you the other day?”

“Do you mean the investigation on the Zhejiang Province’s orphans?”

“Yes.”

“Reports have been coming in from all over Zhejiang Province since a few days ago. In about ten days, we’ll have a list of information put together.”

“Got it.”

Mu-Gun planned to proceed with scouting the orphans as soon as the Heavenly Secret Hall had provided him with information about them. Of course, not all orphans would join the Baek Sword Sect just because the sect wanted it. However, for orphans with nowhere to go, the Baek Sword Sect’s recruitment would be quite a sweet offer many of them would accept.

Shortly after Mu-Ok left, Baek Yong-Hwan visited Mu-Gun’s residence.

“What brought you here?” Mu-Gun asked in surprise.

“I have a request to ask of you, Brother.”

“A request?”

“I want to receive your teachings by your side as the Six White Wolves does.”

“The Six White Wolves?”

“That’s what the six people you teach directly, such as Baek San-Kyung, are being called.”

“Do you know why I give personal teachings to the Six White Wolves?”

“I heard they swore allegiance to you, Brother.”

“That’s right. They decided to follow me back when I had nothing. I wasn’t even the young patriarch yet then. They saw me for who I am and didn’t care about anything else. That’s why I go out of my way to teach them myself and why I can’t treat you the same way I treat them. However, there is no need to be disappointed. As a member of the Baek bloodline, you’ll get the chance to learn martial arts that are much more outstanding than the martial arts I teach them.”

“Are you talking about the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art that my father and the elders have learned?”

“That’s right. The Celestial Moonlight Sword Art is the Baek Sword Sect’s strongest sword art, and only the direct bloodline of the Baek family is allowed to study it. Even the Six White Wolves can’t practice it. However, your case is different. Just because you’re a direct relative of the Baek family doesn’t mean it’s certain that you’ll learn the Celestial Moonlight Sword Art. You’ll have to prove yourself worthy of it first.”

“I wasn’t aware of that. I just misunderstood that you simply favored the Six White Wolves. I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. It honestly makes me glad that you have a strong desire for martial arts. Don’t lose that desire and keep training hard.”

“Understood. I’ll be on my way, then.”

When Yong-hwan left, Mu-Gun delivered 100,000 silver nyang to the Heavenly Secret Hall and the Medicine King Family each through the Baek Sword Corps warriors that went with him to Hangzhou. Meanwhile, the Medicine King Family began to concoct the medicinal pills in full swing after receiving 100,000 silver nyang from Mu-Gun.

Two days later, fifty Baek Sword Sect elite members, including Baek Cheon-Sang and Mu-Gun, left the Baek Sword Sect and headed to Jinhua, which was where the Wind Saber Sect was located.

***

It took four days for the Baek Sword Sect’s party to arrive at Jinhua. Cheon-Sang and Mu-Gun only took ten of the fifty warriors to accompany them to the Wind Saber Sect. There weren’t enough manors in the Wind Saber Sect to accommodate all of them, so the remaining forty members stayed at an inn located in downtown Jinhua.

The Wind Saber Sect could’ve likely taken care of their entire party if they were the only ones coming. However, considering the other Zhejiang Martial Alliance clans were also coming, they limited the number of people each clan could bring with them. In return, the Wind Saber Sect would bear half of the board and lodging expenses for those who couldn’t enter the manor and had to stay in an inn.

Upon arriving at the Wind Saber Sect, the Baek Sword Sect’s party, much like the other clans, was assigned to a side building. However, their lodgings’ sizes and structures were all different.

The Wind Saber Sect assigned the side buildings according to the importance of each force. They gave the Baek Sword Sect a moderate one. The clans that decided to follow the Wind Saber Sect’s leadership were assigned to the best places, and the Byeok Sword Manor and those that followed them were assigned the worst ones.

The Baek Sword Sect was a fish in troubled waters and hadn’t sided with either the Wind Saber Sect or the Byeok Sword Manor, so they were given a moderate-sized lodging. The Baek Sword Sect’s party unpacked their luggage in the building they were assigned to and confirmed if other clans had arrived.

They soon learned that the Kang Household, Draconic Tiger Gang, Justice Martial Sect, and the Flying Lance Sect arrived before the Baek Sword Sect. What was interesting was that the Byeok Sword Manor and the clans following them hadn’t arrived yet, almost as if they planned to go together.

Upon hearing that the Justice Martial Sect and the Flying Lance Sect had arrived, Mu-Gun checked where their lodging was at. Afterward, he headed to the lodging of the Justice Martial Sect first to meet Jeong Ho-Gun, a close friend of his. When he arrived, he found Ho-Gun drinking tea in the front yard. He was with Jo Won-Yee, the young patriarch of the Flying Lance Sect, and his sister, Jo Bi-Yeon. They knew Mu-Gun as well.

Mu-Gun smiled brightly upon seeing two people he hadn’t seen in quite a long time. He approached them and loudly said, “Can I also have a cup of tea?”

Amid their chat, the three people turned their heads to the sudden exclamation. Ho-Gun was unaffected since he had met Mu-Gun again not long ago, but Won-Yee and Bi-Yeon were clearly surprised to see Mu-Gun for the first time in three years. They were obviously welcoming toward his presence.

“Baek Mu-Gun! How many years has it been?!”

“This is the first time we’ve seen each other since I suffered qi deviation, so it’s probably been a little over three years. How have you been?”

“I’ve been doing well. I couldn’t believe it when I heard from Ho-Gun that you’ve recovered from qi deviation, but it feels real now seeing you in person. It’s late, but congratulations on your recovery.”

“I would like to extend my congratulations to you too. I was so sad to hear that you were suffering from it.” Bi-Yeon, who was next to Won-Yee, also congratulated Mu-Gun.

“Thank you. You’ve become quite the young lady in the time I haven’t seen you.”

“You’ve also become cooler, Brother Mu-Gun,” Bi-Yeon said with a slight blush.

“Wow! That’s discrimination. You’ve never even called me cool before, yet you call him that as you see him,” Ho-Gun responded, bewildered by Bi-Yeon’s remarks.

“That’s because you’re not cool at all, Brother Ho-Gun.” Bi-Yeon scoffed.

“Since the olden days, a man should have a broad heart instead of a handsome face, just like me.”

“I think Brother Mu-Gun has a much broader heart, though?”

“Alright, alright, Mu-Gun is the best. Happy? Seriously, whenever this dude shows up, I always get ignored.” Ho-Gun grumbled as he glared at Mu-Gun.

Mu-Gun just shrugged and sat down since he didn’t do anything wrong.

“As your friend, I’m really happy to see you in such a healthy state. Welcome back.”

“Thank you.”

“Why don’t we have a drink instead of tea? It’s been a while since we last gathered together.” Ho-Gun suggested.

“What do you think?”

“I’d love to.”

“Let's go, then. This big brother will treat you guys today,” Ho-Gun said in high spirits.

“Big brother my ass. You’re the youngest one here.”

“How about you pay for drinks since you were born earlier, then?”

“So what if your birthday is a little later? The one who buys the drink is the elder brother. Brother! I will be in your care today.” At Ho-Gun’s comment, Won-Yee immediately changed his words and acted in a servile manner.

“I want to go with you too.” Bi-Yeon cut in quickly.

“Stop spouting nonsense. We haven’t had the chance to catch up in so long, so don’t be a bother and just stay here obediently.”

Won-Yee ignored Bi-Yeon’s assertion to show there was no way he would allow her to tag along.

Bi-Yeon pouted in dissatisfaction, but she didn’t insist further.

“You know how to drink, right?” Won-Yee asked Mu-Gun.

“Hey! That man is a heavy drinker. I drank with him last time, and even after several bottles of alcohol, he didn’t seem drunk at all.”

“That’s good, then let’s go.”

“Where to? Do you know a place?”

“I looked into it in advance. Just follow me.”

The trio left the Wind Saber Sect and went to downtown Jinhua. They then headed to the brothel that Won-Yee searched for in advance and spent some time catching up for the first time in a while.

The drinking party continued until late in the morning, at which point Mu-Gun had to go through a lot of trouble to carry back the other two, who were drunk and had completely passed out.

***

The day after the Baek Sword Sect’s members arrived at the Wind Saber Sect, the Byeok Sword Manor, the Clear Sun Sect, the Iron Palm Sect, and the Mei Household arrived at the Wind Saber Sect one after another respectively. Now that all ten clans of the Zhejiang Martial Alliance had gathered, the Wind Saber Sect held a banquet to welcome the nine clans who visited them.

The banquet was divided into two sessions, one for the Ten Great Sects' patriarchs, and the other for the future talents of the Ten Great Sects. The banquet for the future talents was held at the Wind Banquet Hall.

Mu-Gun went to the Wind Banquet Hall with Ho-Gun, Won-Yee, and Bi-Yeon. When they arrived, Tae Mu-Gang, the young patriarch of the Wind Saber Sect, greeted them at the entrance.

“It’s been a while. I was worried when I heard that you suffered from qi deviation, so it’s great to see you in such a healthy condition.” Mu-Gang pretended to be glad to see Mu-Gun.

“It’s quite unexpected that you’re worried about me. Anyway, it’s nice to see you again after so long.”

“Haha. Aren’t we part of the same Zhejiang Martial Alliance? It’s natural for me to worry,” Mu-Gang said with an awkward smile.

Mu-Gun could easily guess what Mu-Gang was thinking. The Wind Saber Sect and the Byeok Sword Manor were constantly attempting to win over the Baek Sword Sect, the Justice Martial Sect, and the Flying Lance Sect to become the Zhejiang Martial Alliance leader.

In such a situation, there was nothing to gain from being on Mu-Gun’s bad side. He was the successor of the Baek Sword Sect, after all. Hence, Mu-Gang was being kind, which was unbecoming of him.

“Really? I’m grateful that you were worried about me,” Mu-Gun responded soullessly and went inside.