Chapter 83
Meol Ji-ryun (1)
“Yeom Sa-won is coming here too?”
Ak So-gun and Zhuge Hyeon were startled by Baek So-cheon’s report.
“Yes. Yeomhwasin appeared and told me himself.”
They already knew that Yeomhwasin had appeared near the border of Chongqing from the urgent message that had arrived before Baek So-cheon returned. They had been extremely curious about what the two had discussed for so long, but they had never imagined it would be something like this.
“What in the world is going on?”
In response to Zhuge Hyeon’s question, Baek So-cheon explained the circumstances they had been unaware of.
“It seems the Cheukcheon Alliance sent a matchmaker to the Blood Cult first.”
The two immediately understood what was happening.
In other words, the Blood Cult had rejected the marriage proposal from the Cheukcheon Alliance and instead sent a matchmaker to the Martial Alliance. There was no way the hot-tempered Cheukcheon Alliance would simply let that pass.
“The Blood Cult really is something else.”
Zhuge Hyeon replied to Ak So-gun.
“They know that they’re the most important factor capable of deciding the outcome of this war.”
This time, Ak So-gun asked Baek So-cheon,
“But why does Yeom Sa-won say he’s coming here?”
They already knew well enough that he had a vicious temper, but what exactly did he intend to accomplish by coming to the Martial Alliance?
“He said that whoever wins the martial contest should marry Meol Ji-ryun. He mentioned a martial contest for marriage.”
“Good heavens!”
Both men were shocked by the mention of a martial contest for marriage.
Zhuge Hyeon guessed the Cheukcheon Alliance Leader’s intentions.
“He wants to test your abilities!”
The thought that immediately crossed Baek So-cheon’s mind was, Maybe.
In other words, he did not think that was actually the case.
Yeomhwasin was not a man who trusted others. He had personally confirmed that Baek So-cheon had lost his internal energy.
Would he really go so far as to send his son merely to confirm it again?
“There’s no way the Blood Cult will accept a martial contest for marriage. If they cared about the Cheukcheon Alliance’s reaction, they wouldn’t have sent a matchmaker to us in the first place.”
The other two agreed with Baek So-cheon.
“There’s no way he doesn’t know that.”
“Yeom Sa-won may be using the martial contest for marriage as an excuse to kill me.”
“You?”
“He and I have already become enemies twice.”
Once when Baek So-cheon eliminated the Gu, and once again when he interfered with the affair in Zhejiang Province.
It was entirely plausible.
Yeom Sa-won probably believed Baek So-cheon had no internal energy, so he would naturally be confident that he could kill him. No matter how much of a delinquent he was, he was still the official successor of the Cheukcheon Alliance.
“And in a situation like this, his father won’t stop him?”
“He’s more likely to encourage him.”
In any case, both men knew that Baek So-cheon had recovered his internal energy, which created another problem.
“Because of Yeom Sa-won, it might be discovered that you’ve regained your internal energy.”
If Yeom Sa-won stubbornly tried to kill him, Baek So-cheon might have no choice but to reveal his martial arts.
Baek So-cheon nodded.
It would be better if the truth remained hidden for as long as possible, but it would not matter much even if it were revealed now. Spring would arrive in another month or two.
Unless he gained some extraordinary enlightenment or fortuitous encounter, it would be impossible to achieve Great Accomplishment in the Thousand-Hand Tathagata Asura Divine Sword by spring.
“First, once Meol Ji-ryun arrives, I’ll meet her.”
He needed to determine exactly what the Blood Cult intended.
Until she arrived, Baek So-cheon devoted himself entirely to martial arts training.
Spring was approaching, and the situation was changing so rapidly that no one could predict what would happen next. It would not be strange even if the moment when he had to reveal his martial arts came tomorrow.
Fortunately, the training he had squeezed in while cutting back on sleep had borne fruit.
First, the Immovable Wisdom King Heart Method had advanced through the Fifth Stage and reached the Sixth Stage. He had advanced to the Sixth almost immediately after reaching the Fifth.
Nothing like that had happened while he was progressing through the first four stages. He had expected the next advancement to require far more time, yet surprisingly, he reached the Sixth Stage with ease. He suspected that circulating and regulating his qi at Yongcheon had helped.
The Wind God Movement Art had reached the Fourth Stage.
Considering how little time had passed since he learned it, his progress was remarkably fast.
Breathing and running.
Perhaps his growth was so rapid because these were fundamentally basic things. And they were being practiced by Baek So-cheon, whose fundamentals were already exceptionally strong.
Baek So-cheon estimated that it was only a matter of time before both martial arts reached Great Accomplishment.
As for the Thousand-Hand Tathagata Asura Divine Sword, he had mastered up to the Fifth Form.
He still could not comprehend the Sixth Form.
Baek So-cheon did not try to force his way through the barrier.
Instead, he trained in the Heaven-Overturning Nine Fists. He believed that practicing another martial art might naturally lead him to the answer.
Beginning with the First Fist, Wind Flows Through Clouded Mountains, it flowed smoothly into the Second Fist, Wind Settles, Waves Rest. The techniques gradually intensified as he transitioned into the Third Fist, Windstorm Lightning Strike, before erupting explosively with the Fourth Fist, Moon Bright, Stars Sparse.
When he unleashed his internal energy without restraint, the power of the Heaven-Overturning Nine Fists was tremendous.
He had now begun learning the Fifth Fist, Ten Thousand Li of Vast Sky.
The Fifth Fist, which required at least twenty years’ worth of internal energy, was on an entirely different level of power.
As he trained in the Fifth Fist, he almost felt it would be a waste to devote himself solely to swordsmanship.
If not for Yeomhwasin, the greatest adversary of his life, he would have taken his time and thoroughly mastered both martial arts.
For now, however, this was merely part of his effort to break through the Sixth Sword of the Asura Divine Sword....
“...!”
At that moment, a thought suddenly flashed through Baek So-cheon’s mind.
Ah! This isn’t right!
He realized that his approach had been wrong.
He had already thought about something similar once before.
It was when he realized that Yeomhwasin had attained the Vajra-Indestructible Body.
Baek So-cheon had trained his own body to its absolute limits, yet had failed to attain that realm. At the time, he had wondered whether it was because the ultimate purpose of his training had been directed elsewhere.
The same applied to the Heaven-Overturning Nine Fists.
He should not practice it merely because his progress in the Thousand-Hand Tathagata Asura Divine Sword had stalled.
He needed to practice the Heaven-Overturning Nine Fists because he genuinely wanted to take the art itself to its absolute limit.
Only then could he achieve the proper results.
A tiny difference in mindset could ultimately lead to an enormous difference in outcome.
If all else failed, he could simply combine the martial arts he had learned so far and use them appropriately against his opponent.
No—in practical terms, that was what he needed to do anyway.
Yes. I need to be calmer.
His impatience was partly because of Yeomhwasin, but there was another reason.
He kept thinking about his own “happiness.”
He imagined defeating Yeomhwasin, leaving the Martial Alliance, and going in search of happiness.
No. I shouldn’t be thinking about that already!
Perhaps the mindset he had possessed toward the end of the previous war would serve him better.
I’ll fight with everything I have... and if that isn’t enough, I’ll die. I’ve done everything I could. I have no lingering attachments and no regrets.
Baek So-cheon did not know it.
These changes in his state of mind were continuously influencing his martial arts in ways he could neither see nor consciously perceive.
Meol Ji-ryun arrived at the Martial Alliance.
Since the Martial Alliance’s founding, this was the first time the daughter of the Blood Cult Leader had officially visited it.
They had expected an enormous procession, but surprisingly, her escort was modest.
Only two guards accompanied her—an old man and a young man.
Yet the aura emanating from them was strange and distinctive.
Meol Ji-ryun walked in front, with the two men following behind as the three entered Unryong Hall.
Ak So-gun, Baek So-cheon, Zhuge Hyeon, and On Byeok-hwa were waiting inside.
Meol Ji-ryun was an extraordinarily exotic-looking beauty.
Her features were clear and pure, while her peculiar gray eyes made her seem even more mysterious.
Meol Ji-ryun approached Ak So-gun and greeted him.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alliance Leader.”
Her calm, steady voice carried unmistakable confidence.
The two men standing behind her simultaneously offered fist-and-palm salutes.
The old man introduced himself first.
“I am Rap Sa, accompanying the Young Lady.”
“I am Pa Jeong.”
Rap Sa and Pa Jeong.
The mere fact that the two of them alone had escorted the Blood Cult Leader’s daughter here was enough to demonstrate their abilities.
Of course, it had yet to be confirmed whether Meol Ji-ryun truly was the Blood Cult Leader’s daughter.
Ak So-gun warmly welcomed Meol Ji-ryun and her companions.
“You must have had a difficult journey.”
Those from the Martial Alliance introduced themselves in turn.
Once the greetings were finished, Meol Ji-ryun turned her gaze toward Baek So-cheon.
“You’re younger than I expected.”
“Thank you.”
He could sense an unmistakable sinister qi from her.
There was no doubt that she had inherited the martial arts of her father, Meol Saeng.
Baek So-cheon discreetly examined whether she was under the influence of a Soul-Ensnaring Art or was attempting to use one herself.
She was not under such an art.
Surprisingly, there was no sign that she had ever learned the Soul-Ensnaring Art either.
“What do you think of me?”
Her question was filled with confidence.
“I had no expectations at all. I’ve never heard any rumors about you, Young Lady.”
“What about your first impression of me?”
Baek So-cheon answered her provocative question without much reaction.
“You’re beautiful.”
“Really? That sounds like something you’re only saying to make me feel good.”
“That’s right. There are too many things I don’t understand for me to focus on you, Young Lady.”
Baek So-cheon naturally turned the conversation toward the reason for her visit.
“I was under the impression that your cult had formed an alliance with the Cheukcheon Alliance.”
“We did? That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
Her answer was so perfectly nonchalant that one could almost believe Meol Ji-ryun genuinely knew nothing about it.
“It seems you aren’t interested in the political situation within your cult.”
“I have enough trouble handling myself.”
It was impossible to tell whether she was simply candid or brazen, but she answered every question without becoming flustered.
This time, On Byeok-hwa stepped forward.
“There’s something I’m curious about as well.”
“What is it?”
“If you wish to form an alliance with our alliance, shouldn’t your marriage partner be Alliance Leader Ak’s son, Young Hero Ak Seo-pyeong?”
“Of course.”
“Then is there a reason you chose Great Hero Baek? I heard the two of you have never met before.”
“But I’ve heard plenty of rumors about him. Of all the martial artists I’ve ever heard about in my life, I’ve probably heard more stories about him than anyone else. I’ve even heard more about Great Hero Baek than I have about my own father—or about Alliance Leader Ak here.”
Meol Ji-ryun’s gaze turned toward Baek So-cheon.
“Maybe that’s why. It doesn’t feel like this is our first meeting.”
She smiled slightly with her eyes.
It was an unmistakable display of affection—and temptation.
On Byeok-hwa spoke again.
“I don’t think that answered my question.”
“Wasn’t it enough? Pavilion Master On, you’re a woman too, so I’m sure you understand how I feel. Ever since I was young, it has been my dream to marry a hero like Great Hero Baek.”
“I see.”
It was plausible enough that On Byeok-hwa could not press the matter further.
This time, Baek So-cheon spoke to her.
“It seems there’s one rumor you haven’t heard.”
“What rumor?”
“The rumor that I lost my internal energy.”
Meol Ji-ryun stared directly at Baek So-cheon.
“I knew.”
“And you still wish to marry me? I’m no longer a hero, nor do I have any possibility of becoming one in the future.”
“That’s fine. Once a hero, always a hero.”
Judging by her expression alone, it was impossible to discern her true intentions.
Ak So-gun spoke to her.
“You’ve traveled a long way, so you must be tired. Rest well today, and we can talk again later.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
As she was about to turn away, she asked Baek So-cheon,
“Great Hero Baek, how about having lunch with me tomorrow? You can show me around this place as well.”
“Very well.”
After politely bidding farewell to Ak So-gun and the others, she followed the martial artist assigned to guide her and left the hall.
As soon as she was gone, On Byeok-hwa was the first to speak.
“She’s no ordinary woman.”
There were certain things only another woman could sense.
Regardless of her martial prowess, On Byeok-hwa had detected an unyielding temperament beneath Meol Ji-ryun’s calm exterior.
“She definitely has some ulterior motive.”
Baek So-cheon picked up where she left off.
“Whatever her intentions may be, she certainly isn’t being honest with us.”
She had not even mentioned that a matchmaker had come from the Cheukcheon Alliance.
Of course, their side had not revealed everything either.
They had not told her that Yeom Sa-won was on his way.
“What did you think, Leader Baek?”
Baek So-cheon gave On Byeok-hwa an enigmatic answer.
“I wasn’t looking at her.”
He could not allow himself to look only at the woman standing before his eyes.
What he needed to see was what lay behind her.
He needed to discern the hidden intentions of those ruthless parents who had sent their own children into enemy territory without hesitation.
Baek So-cheon spoke to everyone.
“I’ll find out whether they have another objective.”