Nine Dragons Chronicle (153)
Baek Gun-seong stared at Hwa-rin, a look of disbelief on his face. Deciding to address the immediate problem, he turned to Yi Cheon-su and said,
“I am Baek Gun-seong, from the Sahyul Alliance.”
Baek Gun-seong attempted to introduce himself and initiate a conversation, but Yi Cheon-su remained unconvinced.
“If you are Baek Gun-seong, why aren’t you with the Sahyul Alliance?”
“My role is to oversee… this individual. He had matters to attend to in Shanxi Province, so I accompanied him.”
“Oversee him? Who is he?”
“You must have heard the rumors regarding the situation between our Alliance and the Gu Ryong Guild.”
“And?”
“This individual is Ju Hwa-rin, the Guild Leader of the Gu Ryong Guild.”
“What?”
Yi Cheon-su’s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Hwa-rin after hearing Baek Gun-seong’s revelation.
“That… uncouth person is really the Guild Leader of the Gu Ryong Guild?”
“Hey, what does being uncouth have to do with being a Guild Leader? Does a Guild Leader always have to be dignified and authoritative? Don’t try to lecture me with your outdated thinking. I’ll kill you.”
“What? How dare you!”
Yi Cheon-su roared, his face contorted with rage.
“Why are you doing this? We need to smooth things over,” Baek Gun-seong pleaded, attempting to restrain Hwa-rin, who seemed intent on escalating the conflict. But Hwa-rin was not easily deterred.
“When the Demonic Sects held sway in Shanxi Province, you couldn’t even utter a peep. Now that their power has waned, you think you rule the world?”
“Do you believe you can insult me and leave this place alive?”
“Crazy bastard. Why wouldn’t I? If you try to kill me, it’s the same as provoking the Sahyul Alliance. And do you think I’m just running my mouth because I’m afraid of you?”
Yi Cheon-su’s face flushed crimson, then darkened to black.
“You!”
Unable to contain his fury, Yi Cheon-su lunged at Hwa-rin. Seeing this, Baek Gun-seong, though annoyed, drew his sword, duty compelling him to intervene and block Yi Cheon-su’s attack.
Clang!
“Please, calm down for a moment. Wouldn’t it be better to resolve this through discussion?” Baek Gun-seong said, positioning himself between Yi Cheon-su and Hwa-rin.
“I have nothing to say to you. Step aside!”
Yi Cheon-su forcefully shoved Baek Gun-seong away. However, Baek Gun-seong was a renowned warrior in his own right, recognized as one of the best among the younger generation, known as one of the Ten Dragons.
Baek Gun-seong employed the technique of Yi Hwa Jeop Mok [Redirecting Force Technique] to deflect Yi Cheon-su’s power, turning it against him and pushing him back.
“Ugh!”
The direction of Yi Cheon-su’s force was instantly reversed, leaving him unable to react properly and causing him to stumble backward.
As Yi Cheon-su glared at Baek Gun-seong, realizing he had been pushed back, Hwa-rin’s voice cut through the air.
“Always full of hot air, even though they have nothing.”
“Hey!” Baek Gun-seong snapped at Hwa-rin.
“You told me to smooth things over. Can’t you see I’m doing that? Why do you keep interfering and picking fights?”
Hwa-rin fell silent at Baek Gun-seong’s reprimand.
“Please forgive my friend’s rudeness…”
Just as he was about to continue, Yi Cheon-su’s sword flashed towards Baek Gun-seong.
Baek Gun-seong took a step to the left with his left foot, moving several steps using the Yi Ryung Step [Shadow Step], a footwork technique from the Saryeong Demonic Art [Four Spirits Demonic Art].
Baek Gun-seong’s figure seemed to split into two, then instantly merge into one, moving to the side.
It resembled Yi Hyung Hwan Wi [Illusory Shift], but it was not the same.
“Heot!” [Exclamation of surprise] Hwa-rin exclaimed, his voice laced with annoyance.
“I fell for that too. If I had been a little calmer, I could have lasted at least a hundred moves.”
Yi Hyung Hwan Wi creates the illusion of teleporting to the side, while Yi Ryung Step leaves a residual image to the side while the main body remains in place, then the main body merges with the residual image to move.
Knowing this, if you redirect your attack towards the moving residual image, the residual image merges back into the main body.
Hwa-rin, unable to effectively counter Sa Hwang Baek Mu-gi [Four Fiends, White Ghost], who skillfully employed Yi Ryung Step, couldn’t utilize his power properly and was defeated.
It wasn’t solely due to Yi Ryung Step; his martial arts and comprehension were lacking compared to Sa Hwang Baek Mu-gi. Nevertheless, Hwa-rin rationalized that he could have lasted longer had he not been caught off guard by the deceptive practicality of Yi Ryung Step, which prevented him from fully utilizing his power.
He found solace in the fact that he managed to land a blow on Baek Mu-gi before succumbing.
‘The biggest gain was realizing that I have no chance of winning against Sa Hwang Baek Mu-gi unless I can unify the Manja Museo [Ten Thousand Variations Martial Arts], Harmony Thirteen Styles, and Gongmu Dowon Art [Martial Dance Peach Garden Art] that I have learned.’
If he couldn’t defeat Baek Mu-gi, it meant he couldn’t defeat Chunma [Heavenly Demon] or Sword Emperor either. Moreover, he couldn’t guarantee victory against Dok Wang [Poison King], Kwon Wang [Fist King], or Do Wang [Knife King], and he could only hope for a mutual defeat against Sa Hyung Ma Je [Deadly Blood Demon], Yin Yang Ma Je [Yin Yang Demon], Murderous Sword Emperor, and Slaughtering Blade Emperor.
Baek Gun-seong decided to subdue the enraged Yi Cheon-su first and then attempt to reason with him, so he directed his sword towards him.
It was the Saryeong Sword Style [Four Spirits Sword Style] of the Saryeong Demonic Art. The Saryeong Sword Style comprised twelve forms and forty-two variations, its strength lying in the ability to freely combine the variations that connected the forms.
Because of this adaptability, it was considered a living, free sword style rather than a rigid, formalized one, and was once hailed as a divine art. However, due to the risk of Demonic Possession while practicing the Saryeong Sim Gong [Four Spirits Mind Art], a drawback of the Saryeong Demonic Art, it was ultimately classified as a Demonic Art rather than a divine art and was passed down as such in the Murim [Martial Arts World].
The Saryeong Demonic Art encompasses Saryeong Sim Gong, Saryeong Sword Style, Yi Ryung Step, Saryeong Yuk Cham Kwon [Four Spirits Six Slashing Fists], and Saryeong Tu Sim Jang [Four Spirits Piercing Heart Palm].
“You!”
As Baek Gun-seong’s sword aimed for his chest, Yi Cheon-su flicked his wrist, drawing a curve with his sword to deflect Baek Gun-seong’s attack, and then attempted a counterattack. At that moment, Hwa-rin’s voice reached his ears.
“If that friend gets hurt, Sa Hwang won’t stand still.”
Yi Cheon-su flinched at those words, and Baek Gun-seong seized the opportunity to press his attack.
Although it was a straightforward sword strike with a predictable trajectory because he didn’t use internal energy, Hwa-rin knew from experience that there was a hidden danger.
As befitting the leader of a prestigious clan with high-level martial arts, Yi Cheon-su deflected Baek Gun-seong’s sword once more and tried to counterattack, but Baek Gun-seong’s sword, imbued with a strange repulsion, moved with uncanny skill.
The sword curved like a snake slithering on the ground, aiming for Yi Cheon-su’s shoulder.
“Heot!” [Exclamation of surprise]
Startled by the sight, he gasped and tried to block the sword by raising his own, but Baek Gun-seong’s sword curved sharply, as if it had become a flexible blade, and circumvented Yi Cheon-su’s sword.
“Where did you learn such sorcery!”
Yi Cheon-su bent his wrist, lowered the sword he had raised, and flicked it upwards.
Clang!
Baek Gun-seong’s sword, which had been targeting his shoulder, lost its direction and stabbed into the air. Exploiting the opening, he extended his left palm, aiming for Baek Gun-seong’s abdomen.
‘He’s significantly inferior in every way compared to Sa Hwang Baek Mu-gi.’
Hwa-rin had hoped to learn more about the Saryeong Demonic Art through Baek Gun-seong, but comparing his mastery to that of Baek Mu-gi was like comparing Gakhwa Mu-yeom [Cracked Tile and Unscented Ink] – a vast difference in quality.
No matter how much makeup a plain woman applies, she cannot compare to a woman of unparalleled beauty. Similarly, Hwa-rin was disappointed to realize that he could not glean any meaningful insights into Sa Hwang Baek Mu-gi from Baek Gun-seong’s current level.
‘Even if they make a fuss and praise him as one of the Ten Dragons, a kid is still a kid.’
Hwa-rin lost interest in the fight.
“If you’re not planning to fight all day, why don’t you stop now?”
As soon as Hwa-rin finished speaking, he picked up the chopsticks on the table and hurled them at the two combatants.
Swoosh!
The chopsticks, imbued with considerable force, struck the sides of their swords with pinpoint accuracy, altering the trajectory of the blades.
“Ugh!”
Due to the impact of the chopsticks, both of them felt as if their grips were about to shatter and nearly dropped their swords.
‘What kind of power is this…’
“Listen, I’m genuinely trying to resolve this peacefully. Since I’m letting you live, go after the man and woman who killed your son. Otherwise, I might just kill you myself.”
“Young brat… Heok!” [Gasp]
As Hwa-rin rose from his seat and unleashed his killing intent towards Yi Cheon-su, the latter was startled and gasped involuntarily.
“You keep calling me a young brat, but being old doesn’t automatically make you an adult. They say children don’t always turn out as you wish, but I’m not generous enough to hear that from someone who raised his son to be a scoundrel.”
Only after directly experiencing Hwa-rin’s killing intent did Yi Cheon-su realize that he was outmatched.
‘Then, are the words he spoke earlier all true?’
“Are you really the Guild Leader of the Gu Ryong Guild?”
“Then who else would be the Guild Leader of the Gu Ryong Guild if not me?”
“You are a member of the Orthodox Faction. So why did you kill the warriors of our Orthodox Faction?”
“Who says I’m Orthodox?”
“That’s the Sahyul Alliance…”
“Don’t be mistaken. I only fought with the Eum Sa Clan [Yin Evil Clan] and the Blood Demon Sect because they tried to kill me and take what’s mine. If the Hwasan or Jongnam Sects had tried to do the same, I would have fought them too.”
Yi Cheon-su narrowed his eyes slightly at Hwa-rin’s response.
“Don’t judge me by your standards. I’m neither Orthodox nor Demonic.”
“Then are you Jeongsa Jigan [Neither Orthodox nor Demonic]?”
“You’re talking nonsense. What do you take me for, using the term Jeongsa Jigan, which is only used by traitors?”
Hwa-rin harbored a particular dislike for sects that labeled themselves Jeongsa Jigan, viewing them as opportunistic entities that shifted their allegiance to whichever side offered the greatest advantage.
“If I had to define myself, I’m a 막가파 [Troublemaker]. It means I’m someone who does whatever I want. So, I’ll say it again, if you want to live, gather your subordinates and leave to pursue the man and woman who fled.”
As the situation took an unexpected turn, the innkeeper found himself in an awkward position.
Baek Gun-seong, sensing that a fight was unlikely to erupt, sheathed his sword and approached Hwa-rin.
“Well, if you persist, I’ll personally knock you off your high horse.”
Before experiencing Hwa-rin’s killing intent, he would have attacked without hesitation, but not anymore.
‘If that person is truly the rumored Guild Leader of the Gu Ryong Guild, then he is not someone I can handle.’
Given the rumors of him defeating two of the Murim Hundred Great Masters [Top 100 Martial Artists], there was virtually no chance that he, who hadn’t even earned a place on the list, could prevail in a fight.
However, retreating in this manner would undoubtedly tarnish his pride and diminish the prestige of his sect.
‘If I retreat like this, rumors will spread far and wide, and other sects will ridicule me.’
“I can practically hear you scheming from here. Do you want me to demonstrate whether what I’m saying is true or not?”
As Hwa-rin extended his hand to the side, a sword materialized in his grasp.
Pajijijik! [Sound of crackling electricity]
The energy of lightning crackled from the sword, causing small collisions and repeatedly generating and extinguishing tiny sparks.
Ultimately, Yi Cheon-su of the Taewon Sect had no choice but to back down.
He sensed that the young man wielding the sword and issuing threats would act without hesitation.
“Let’s go back.”
As Yi Cheon-su turned and exited the inn, the subordinates who had accompanied him followed closely behind, watching his every move.
“Th-there… If you leave like this, what about me…?”
The innkeeper attempted to grab Yi Cheon-su, who was departing, but to no avail.
As Yi Cheon-su left, Hwa-rin wore a nonchalant expression as he sat down, picked up the bottle, and refilled his glass with alcohol.
“Do you realize what you’ve done?” Baek Gun-seong asked, his voice raised as he looked at Hwa-rin.
“Do you have any sense or not?”
“I know. I know very well. I’m not deaf, so come sit down and listen to my explanation.”
Baek Gun-seong sat across from Hwa-rin, his face flushed, picked up the bottle, brought it to his mouth, and gulped down a large mouthful before setting it down.
“You’re manly at times like this.”
“What?”
“Listen. You’ve heard the rumors, right? That experts from the borderlands and beyond have entered the Central Plains [China].”
“Yeah.”
“You could deduce why the Hundred and Eight Islands of the Southern Sea [Pirate Organization] came here, right? So, you gained valuable information today.”
Baek Gun-seong looked at Hwa-rin expectantly.
“You could also gauge the extent of their martial arts based on the two individuals from the Hundred and Eight Islands. Then, when you report to the Alliance, you can offer your opinion on how to respond if you encounter them. Based on that assessment, the warriors of the Sahyul Alliance will act accordingly.”
Baek Gun-seong found himself persuaded by Hwa-rin’s surprisingly logical explanation.
“Then, considering this, other sects, such as Potala Palace, So Leum Temple [Shaolin Temple], Dark Magic Tower, Busan Palace, and Bing Palace [Ice Palace], might also have dispatched experts to the Central Plains for similar reasons.”
“Hmm…”
“Then, what new martial arts have recently emerged in the Central Plains?”
“Jansal Sixteen Swords [Killing Sixteen Swords], Heavenly Flower Dance, Sosu Divine Art [Small Number Divine Art], Hwama Blood Hand Fist [Evil Demon Blood Hand Fist].”
“The Hwama Blood Hand Fist is reportedly connected to the Hainan Sword Sect, so let’s exclude that for now. Considering the regions, that’s Seojang [Tibet], Heilongjiang Province, and Bukhae Bing Palace [North Sea Ice Palace], those three locations.”
“So, you’re suggesting that they might have the same objective as the Hainan Sword Sect?”
“Wouldn’t that be a reasonable assumption? Especially since Bing Palace is closely associated with the Sosu Divine Art.”
Baek Gun-seong nodded.
“And the reason I provoked Yi Cheon-su and made him angry was all for your benefit.”
“For me?”
“Didn’t you sense anything while fighting Yi Cheon-su?”
Baek Gun-seong reflected on his battle with Yi Cheon-su.
“How did such a fool even earn the title of one of the Four Dragons?”
“What? What am I supposed to have sensed?”
“Homework!”
At the unexpected word, Baek Gun-seong looked at Hwa-rin, who rose from his seat and addressed him.
“The Saryeong Demonic Art that I experienced from your father was more refined and fluid. It seemed both fragmented and connected, seamless yet abruptly disjointed.”
Hwa-rin offered advice that would benefit Baek Gun-seong, rather than focusing on his own agenda.
The anger that had been present earlier was absent from Baek Gun-seong’s face as he listened to Hwa-rin’s insights.
“So, contemplate it carefully. And you’re supposed to be one of the Ten Dragons, representing the younger generation, yet you can’t even defeat Yi Cheon-su. Tsk, tsk!”
“Hey, it’s not that I can’t defeat him, it’s just that something significant would happen if I did, that’s why I held back.”
“A man making excuses, do your homework diligently.”
Hwa-rin turned and headed towards the second floor.
“The people from the Hundred and Eight Islands are in the room.”
“You’re too slow-witted. They already escaped through the window when you and Yi Cheon-su started fighting.”
Baek Gun-seong’s face fell.
“You also need to reflect a little. With such a great father, your martial arts are… Tsk, tsk.”
Just as Baek Gun-seong was about to retort, Hwa-rin had already ascended to the second floor.
“Haa…”
Baek Gun-seong sighed deeply. He knew that Hwa-rin was trying to help him, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had been manipulated.
“Seriously, it’s like going to the bathroom and not wiping.”