Emperor’s Sword [EN]: Chapter 6

7. The Northern Sword Society’s Yulryeongdae

The conversation among those present mainly focused on the man who identified himself as Munyun, the Jianwen Emperor, Yun Mun! No, it was on the Heavenly Demon Scholar, Pacheon. They showed considerable interest in Pacheon, especially the four young ladies, whose interest was quite blatant. They seemed to have known each other since childhood, so there was a lack of formality among them.

“So, are you saying that the martial world situation you’re describing is as tangled as a ball of yarn?”

Namgung Hyeokryeon stared at him intently before answering.

“Yes, that’s right. People are the same everywhere, but the martial world is a place where power dominates. People form connections to combine their strength, and when it becomes excessive, they absorb those around them. When this happens everywhere, a great bloodbath occurs. This vicious cycle is the history of the martial world. That’s why everyone trains and builds their power, so they don’t become weak. In that sense, the current leaders are, in any case, the Five-Alliance Society and the Four Orthodox Sects to which we belong.”

He nodded deeply, as if understanding.

“Then, I apologize if this is a rude question, but who is the strongest person in the current martial world?”

“The strongest… Well… There might be slight differences in opinion, but it would probably be the leaders of the Four Great Sects, the Great Masters of the Demonic Path, the Northern Sea Sword King, or the Qinghai Four Divine Beings. However, the martial world is vast, and there are many hidden masters. There could be someone stronger than those I mentioned anywhere.”

“Is that so? I’ve heard that martial artists cultivate their inner energy, which is called ‘neigong’ [internal energy]… and they express it in terms of ‘gapja’ [a unit of 60 years]… So, how many ‘gapja’ of neigong do those people have?”

-Now I see, you were just probing about the martial world situation. No wonder… Anyway, when you’re like this, you’re a real schemer.

[Be quiet, Heavenly Demon! Huhu, I’m trying to learn about future enemies through them, why are you so talkative?]

“Neigong, well! That’s something only the person themselves would know. But generally, people classified as first-rate masters in the martial world have around 2 gapja of neigong… So, those supreme masters… probably have at least 4 or 5 gapja, wouldn’t you say?”

“In my understanding, a ‘gapja’ means 60 years, and using that standard means that 1 gapja of neigong is something that can only be accumulated after 60 years of training, right? But it’s hard for me to understand how they can possess such incredible neigong.”

“Haha, that’s an old standard. As Mun Gong said, that was the standard in the early days of the martial world. But as history progressed, various attribute-based cultivation methods began to appear, and along with that, methods for increasing neigong using elixirs also diversified. The descendants of traditional great sects mostly undergo bone and marrow cleansing and take elixirs from birth, and they also increase their neigong with attribute-based cultivation methods, so there are many who possess more than 1 gapja of neigong before they even reach adulthood. Having strong neigong is as important as having good weapons, so everyone stakes their sect’s survival on researching new secret methods. That’s why, in the present day, neigong has increased incomparably compared to the old martial world. As a result, there are many cases where the secret techniques of each sect, which were only passed down in theory, are being reproduced in the present. All martial arts are difficult to fully demonstrate without the support of neigong.”

4 or 5 gapja is the highest level? Then I can join that group for now. Judging by what they’re saying, there don’t seem to be many of those guys… Then I can roam the martial world without worry.

-Huhu, progress? Don’t make me laugh. Even in my time, there were at least 10 guys with more than 10 gapja of neigong.

[Is that true, Heavenly Demon? How could that be?]

-You fools! The truth is, the progress of martial arts is slow at first, but once you reach a certain level, it actually speeds up, and then there are several stages of transcendence. If you overcome those hurdles well, you can see almost unlimited neigong growth. These guys think that attribute-based cultivation is fast at first, but they don’t know that it will eventually hold them back… Tsk tsk, fools. They fell for that old man Hwano’s trick… If I had known that the guys in this era were so pathetic, I wouldn’t have ended up like this… What is it with that competitive spirit… Aish… Isn’t that the same for Zhang Sanfeng or whatever his name is?

Zhang Sanfeng?

“Then, what about Zhang Sanfeng?”

Everyone’s faces showed clear surprise.

Namgung Hyemi looked at Pacheon, her gaze not very kind. As expected, the words coming from her mouth were full of reprimand.

“Young Master! Even if you’re a novice in the martial world, Grandmaster Sanfeng is someone revered even among the common people. Even the leaders of sects treat him with utmost respect. It’s not good to hear someone so young call his name as if he were a neighbor’s kid.”

Oh? Was that so? I think I made a mistake. I need to make a good impression on them no matter what… Ignorance is a sin.

“Ah, is that so? I was too ignorant. If I offended you, I apologize.”

“Haha, Hyemi, you’re being sensitive because the Grandmaster was mentioned. Mun Gong didn’t know, so don’t embarrass him too much.”

“Tch, fine. I’ll let it go since you didn’t know.”

Wow, their respect for him is amazing. Is that guy really that great? Even so, he’s just another guy, right? Is there anything special about him?

“How should I explain him? The current martial world is divided into four orthodox sects, and it may be heading towards a conflict with the Demonic Path, but he is someone who is respected by both the Demonic and Orthodox paths. Especially since he is like a divine dragon, he is widely revered even among the common people. There are so many mysterious anecdotes about him… For example, there is a fairly large village called Udon in the border area between Sichuan and Qinghai. There, many travelers and residents would fall ill and die from a strange disease every summer. The village chief, finding it strange, sent someone to the Central Plains to seek a remedy. The news reached Wudang, and Grandmaster Zhang Sanfeng said he would go himself. He said that the person who came to deliver the message had a strong evil energy, so there must be an object or spirit with evil energy there. And he immediately took that person in his arms and went to the village in a month. When the Grandmaster arrived in Udon, as he had predicted, it was a volcanic area, and a fire dragon that had lived for 2000 years was living in the crater. The fire dragon had missed its chance to ascend to heaven, and out of resentment, it would release bad poison every summer, tormenting people.”

“And then?”

“So, the Grandmaster tried to appease the fire dragon, but it wouldn’t listen and even tried to swallow him. Inevitably, the Grandmaster summoned a great roc [a mythical giant bird] from the sky and had it swallow the dragon.”

“Huh… You don’t actually believe that story, do you?”

“People believe it. That’s how much he is revered in both the martial world and among the common people. Even my father, the head of the Five-Alliance Society, approaches him on his knees when he meets him.”

-Look at that, is he really that great? Oh, really? This is tempting… Tch, but what’s the point? I can’t even show that guy the majesty of the Heavenly Demon.

=Amitabha, truly the blessings of the sentient beings are great.

-Hey, hey, don’t praise each other too much. You and that guy are the same, aren’t you?

“Then, what about the Sixth Patriarch of Shaolin, Zen Master Huineng?”

“He lived 700 years ago, so it’s unreasonable to compare them, but it’s impossible to say who is superior. However, I think later generations would revere Grandmaster Zhang Sanfeng more.”

“Is that so?”

-Kikik, you’re no different. Hey, Pacheon, tell them to compare me to him.

“Then, just one last question. How would you compare him to the Heavenly Demon?”

“Haha, you’re very persistent, and you’re not a novice in the martial world at all, are you? You know quite a few people! The Heavenly Demon…”

He looked around as if seeking help, but no one was willing to answer.

“As for the Heavenly Demon, there are only legendary stories about him! His martial arts have all been lost, and the stories that are passed down are so absurd that it’s hard to tell what’s true and what’s been added… But if we accept them all as true… there would be no one stronger than the Heavenly Demon in the history of the martial world. It’s even said that he could fly in the sky all day and bring down mountains with a single blow. There’s even a story that the Twin Peaks of Mount Tai’s Junji Peak were split by his finger, but it’s hard to believe.”

-Kid, that’s all true! It’s even been downplayed. The Twin Peaks weren’t split by a finger, but by a rock I kicked.

[Are you telling me to believe that now?]

-Tsk, this is driving me crazy. Even the old men of the Outer Heavens know this fact…

Once again, the words “Outer Heavens” came from his mouth! But Pacheon was not paying attention to those words again.

While they were having a lively conversation, time passed, and it was getting dark. After dinner, the room, which had been emptying, was heating up again with the heat from the people. The evening air in late autumn was quite chilly. People were coming into the tavern in groups of twos and threes. Many of them seemed to be martial artists, probably those who had come to participate in the Orthodox Alliance gathering.

“Kyaaak!”

Crash!

“Stop right there!”

The sound of hurried footsteps and a woman’s scream mixed together, and the room suddenly cooled down. Someone was rushing up the stairs from the lower floor.

It was a girl. She was probably only 14 years old. She had slightly tanned skin and a slender figure. Her eyes were filled with tears, and the lower part of her blue uniform was torn. She rushed up to the second floor with a desperate look and looked around with a despairing expression. A group of people who seemed to be chasing her were coming up behind her. They looked like martial artists at first glance, and they were wearing the same uniform, so they seemed to be members of the same sect. They wore blue uniforms with silver belts around their necks and waists. And on their chests, the character for “sword” was clearly embroidered in red.

“Hehe, where do you think you’re going? You abandoned your father and ran away to live alone, you’re a very audacious girl.”

“Tie her up quickly.”

“Yes.”

The one who seemed to be the leader came up to the second floor later, and at his cold command, they approached the girl.

“Aaaah, please save me!”

The girl was screaming. Her appearance was so pitiful that anyone who saw it would clench their fists.

“Wait a moment.”

Someone couldn’t stand it any longer and stepped forward.

“What is it?”

The blue-clad swordsman responded rudely, as if annoyed.

“Hmm, the Northern Sword Society’s actions are no different from those of the heretical sects. How can martial artists oppress a helpless young girl like this? If there is a clear reason, shouldn’t you reveal that reason first?”

His words were reasonable and had the power to persuade those present. He also recognized that the opponents were swordsmen from the Northern Sword Society. So, he seemed to be seeking support from the martial artists present.

“How dare you disparage our Northern Sword Society? Do you think you’ll be safe after that? Capture that guy too.”

It was a truly disgusting attitude. There are few things that provoke as much antipathy as those who act arrogantly, relying only on their power. The people present, who had been favorably impressed by the middle-aged man’s dignified attitude, began to jeer and boo. Only then did the leader of the Northern Sword Society become flustered!

“Um, fellow martial artists! When have you ever seen our Northern Sword Society act against reason? There is a valid reason for this, so I would appreciate it if you would cooperate with our official duties.”

He tried to smooth things over, but it was already too late. People were expressing their anger at his attitude.

“Is the Northern Sword Society everything?”

“What kind of tyranny is this?”

“Since when has Kaifeng become such a lawless place?”

As everyone spoke out, the tavern quickly became noisy.

“Aish, I’ll take responsibility for everything. Capture them both.”

It was a truly absurd attitude. It was as if he was saying, “Go ahead and try.” However, despite his arrogant attitude, no one stepped forward to stop them. They only hid among the crowd and jeered… Is this what the hearts of the world are like?

“Wait a moment.”

Whirr!

It was the beautiful young lady, Namgung Hyemi, the second of Namgung Hyeokryeon’s two younger sisters, who stepped forward, blocking the blue-clad swordsmen with the Flying Dragon Reversal technique. The blue-clad swordsmen initially looked surprised at her appearance, but soon their expressions turned malicious.

“What is it? Get out of the way. How dare you, a girl, interfere with the Northern Sword Society’s work? You’ve got some nerve.”

At those words, Namgung Hyemi’s face, already flushed with anger, contorted.

“Hmph, you may be able to intimidate others with the name of the Northern Sword Society, but it won’t work on me, Namgung Hyemi.”

Murmuring, murmuring.

Now that they knew who she was, people were watching the situation with interest. Even though they were the Silver Swordsmen of the Yulryeongdae, the executive branch of the Northern Sword Society, the opponent was also the daughter of the head of the Namgung family, a central force of the Five-Alliance Society. Moreover, there were rumors that Namgung Hwi, the Azure Sky Divine Sword and current head of the Five-Alliance Society, cherished and loved her the most. Unless they had eaten a tiger’s gall, they couldn’t recklessly oppress her. Furthermore, the fact that Namgung Hyemi was here meant that her older sister and brother, who were always with her, might also be nearby! Soon, the momentum of the Yulryeongdae’s Vice Commander, Baekho Sword (White Tiger Sword) Ga Deuksam, subsided.

“Young lady, it is an unwritten rule of the martial world not to interfere in the affairs of other sects. Moreover, considering the relationship between your society and our Northern Sword Society, have you considered what kind of situation your actions might cause?”

“Huhu, of course. I’m not foolish enough not to be able to judge that. But it is also the duty of a martial artist not to overlook injustice! Right now, it looks like nothing more than a kidnapping to me, so what should I do?”

It was a fiery exchange. Ga Deuksam, who had been glaring at Namgung Hyemi, had no choice but to explain to her.

“This girl is Seol Jubong, the daughter of Seol Gyeongik, the master of the Magyeongmun (Demonic Mirror Gate), a demonic sect in Kaifeng, known as the Snow Tiger Thousand Hands. An arrest warrant has been issued for all the members of the Magyeongmun, so we have no choice.”

“Would it be okay to ask about the circumstances?”

“We are not obligated to answer that. If you don’t step aside any further, we will consider it an unwarranted interference and will not hesitate to use force.”

“What did you say?”

A voice swallowed her words.

“Hahahahaha… Since when has the Yulryeongdae of the Northern Sword Society acted so arrogantly? Did you just say you would use force?”

It was Namgung Hyeokryeon. And behind him, four men and four women were approaching in a line! Of course, Pacheon was also mixed in, unintentionally.

“Go ahead and try.”

“Young Master! I am Ga Deuksam, the Vice Commander of the Yulryeongdae, Baekho Sword. Are you trying to oppress us now?”

“Oppress?”

Everyone was dumbfounded. A Vice Commander was not only talking back to the young master of the Namgung family but also challenging him.

“Then?”

He was furious. He was someone who rarely showed his emotions, but his anger now was immense, and it didn’t seem like it would end here. The other companions, who knew his usual personality, were tense, knowing how terrifying he could be when he was angry. After all, this was Kaifeng, the headquarters of the Northern Sword Society. Causing a disturbance here would not benefit them.

“Then, we have no choice but to report this to the higher-ups.”

“Shut up. There is no retreat in the laws of the Yulryeongdae.”

“C-Commander.”

“We greet the Commander.”

The Silver Swordsmen bowed to the man with a gold stripe on his waist who had just appeared next to them. Who was he? He was Woo Hyeonchung, the Smiling Face Killer Sword, the 17th in the Northern Sword Society and the Commander of the Yulryeongdae. He was only thirty years old, but his vicious schemes and flawless handling of matters made him a difficult person for everyone in the Northern Sword Society, regardless of their rank. The atmosphere he exuded was closer to that of a demonic cultivator than an orthodox one. In particular, the scar that started on his left cheek, cut through his eyebrow, and went halfway across his face made him look even more intense.

“Young Master Namgung, isn’t this going too far? If the head of the Five-Alliance Society finds out, he will scold you.”

“W-What did you say?”

“Why, am I wrong? If the relationship between the Five-Alliance Society and our Northern Sword Society becomes strained because of you, will you take responsibility?”

“Shut up.”

The owner of this voice was not Young Master Namgung. It was the shout of Peng Jeonghu, the Iron Blood Fist, who was behind Namgung Hyeokryeon… The situation was becoming more and more complicated. What had started with one girl was now revealing the subtle emotions between the two forces. Since ancient times, the Northern Sword Society, the Southern Alliance, and the Five-Alliance Society had not been on good terms. They had not had any major conflicts only because they claimed to be part of the same orthodox faction, but there had been minor disputes over every little thing. The Nine Great Sects were relatively neutral, but they were also closely related to the Five-Alliance Society. In terms of power, the Northern Sword Society was the largest, and in terms of united strength, the Five-Alliance Society was the best. The Southern Alliance had the largest jurisdiction, and the Nine Great Sects were generally considered the best in terms of the vastness and depth of their martial arts.

“Oh, and who are you? Shut up? Do you think you have the right to say that to me, considering your age and position? If my memory serves me right, you seem to be a descendant of the Peng family.”

“Y-You bastard?”

“Hahahaha, this is truly absurd. Everyone!”

“Yes!”

He was speaking each word clearly, without taking his eyes off Young Master Namgung’s group.

“Order all the Yulryeongdae members who are currently surrounding this tavern to prevent anyone from leaving from this moment on.”

“Understood.”

One person ran outside, and the tension in the room increased.

“What will you do now? Young Master?”

I wanted to slap the face of the guy who was grinning, but everyone was holding back. They had to be careful. Acting rashly could lead to an irreversible situation.

-Oh, that guy is quite sharp.

[Damn it, what should I do? If I use martial arts here, my identity will be revealed.]

-You worry too much. You can just kill them all… Or you have Huineng’s martial arts, right? You’re pathetic. You should be able to figure out such basic things.

[Yeah, you’re so great. By the way, why are they taking so long? If they’re going to fight, they should just finish it quickly, right?]

-That’s because they’re practically family.

=Amitabha! Truly, the path has changed greatly. It is truly regrettable.

-Hey, it’s always been like that. You so-called orthodox sects are full of hypocrites. You hide dark things inside and pretend to be gentle sheep on the outside. And you use the banner of righteousness to suppress the demonic path, isn’t that your typical method?

[No, how do you know so well? You’ve never had such an experience, have you?]

-Ah, well, of course, but I can tell just by looking at how things are going, right?

Even as they were arguing with each other, the confrontation between them showed no sign of letting up. The girl was already in the grasp of the Yulryeongdae’s Vice Commander.

———————

I have something to tell you. I will omit the Chinese character notation for anything that appears more than once in the text. Please understand this point.

Title: [Serial] Emperor’s Sword 8. Shaolin Temple’s Absolute Master Related Materials: None [58685]

Sender: Im Samyeol (logos333) 2000-12-20 16:10 Views: 2031

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