Chapter 310

Chapter 310

What is most fatal to the safety of the Central Plains martial world?

Some would say yokai energy that had remained outside the Central Plains for a lifetime digging into the Central Plains’ interior, and some would say the yokai rushing in together with the yokai energy.

Actually, those words weren’t wrong. Both were inflicting damage on the Central Plains to an immeasurable degree, and in the current situation, it was obvious as fire that the Central Plains would transform into yokai land in just a few hundred years. However.

If you asked what could directly make the Central Plains collapse right now, there was only one answer.

The Great Seal that sealed the primordial Great Yokai located below the capital, Beijing.

Only the breaking of that seal would lead current humanity to destruction.

“How tiresome.”

Uichang.

Jegal Pyeong frowned at seeing the line stretched out for registration at the martial competition. Even at this moment when the world’s destruction approached before their eyes, the appearance of martial artists gathering desperately to try becoming number one under heaven without knowing anything.

“Having to keep these bastards detained until Sangwi comes is truly tiresome.”

“It can’t be helped, can it?”

At Jegal Pyeong’s words, Jegal Hwi, who expressionlessly received his father’s words, looked at the martial artists with a cold gaze.

“Among those gathered here, less than half would fight for the world’s fate. Most of them consider their martial arts and honor more important than common people’s lives.”

“Martial artists, indeed.”

Who said it? With great power comes great responsibility.

That was at least wrong in the Central Plains martial world. Originally, martial arts spread to protect humans had long since fallen to being used for showing off once humans could eat and live, and succeeded in driving out yokai.

Such people existed without distinction between Orthodox Path, Unorthodox Path, and Demonic Path. Though there might be differences in ratio, there were no exceptions. Monks who didn’t aim for saving all beings but faced walls to enter nirvana themselves, Taoists who didn’t desire nourishment, scoundrels who had lived that way from birth. How many were throwing away their duties?

“Fortunately, those gathered here value honor. At least there won’t be many who would flee from the situation facing them.”

“There will be some. The moment one person starts fleeing, they’ll break loose one after another.”

“We just need to strike first. Didn’t we work on that for this purpose?”

People are more easily swept up by factional logic than expected.

Even while trying to flee in terror, if the group they belong to chooses to resist, people are forcibly swept up and fight. Moreover, this place mixed Orthodox Path, Unorthodox Path, Neutral Zone, and Demonic Path all together.

“Orthodox Path has the Murim Alliance, Unorthodox Path has the Sado Alliance, Demonic Path goes without saying…… The Neutral Zone can also be incited with Bulgoe stepping forward. The preparations are thorough.”

“Well done. People are originally weak to atmosphere and circumstances. If we don’t push their backs like this, most would be those who flee.”

Jegal Pyeong, who nodded at Jegal Hwi’s words, continued as if suddenly remembering.

“Come to think of it, about Yunnan’s matter.”

“Yes.”

“I heard San killed Gwonryeong.”

“I heard that story, but…… Wasn’t it death due to combined attack by Chilryun Jeokyeol and the Sword Immortal? Perhaps only at a supporting level?”

“You don’t seem to know much about Transcenders. A Transcender isn’t something that can be handled by one martial artist who dropped from Sipcheon due to old age and one Chilryun.”

The Murim Alliance’s Alliance Leader, Sword Saint, was a Transcender. And Jegal Pyeong was such Murim Alliance’s second military advisor.

Though called second military advisor, his authority didn’t fall much compared to the first military advisor, Divine Calculation Ghost Scheme Ouyang Jeok. From the beginning, the aspects they handled were different, but the authority itself they held was almost equal in reality.

“A Transcender is a disaster.”

“A disaster…… you say?”

“Yes. A disaster that can’t be controlled by human power. Like lightning and storms.”

During the meeting of the Demonic Cult and Central Plains martial world search party, the Demonic Cult’s Transcender Ilryun guaranteed certain victory against two of Sipcheon, and mentioned being able to survive against five.

That wasn’t a resolution that he should do so but confidence close to ‘naturally I can do so.’ At least for Ilryun, the story was that escaping from that place wasn’t a problem no matter how many Sipcheon there were.

Thus the difference between a Transcender and one who hadn’t Transcended was enormous. Of course, though the realm reached at the end of Transcendence differed by person, since Gwonryeong, who was originally Sipcheon, even Transcended, that realm was definitely not low.

“They caught a Transcender with forces that originally couldn’t catch one. Then that means that much variables entered.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“The rumors about Baek Riyun’s ghost witnessed in Qinghai have died down.”

“……Are you saying that fellow is alive?”

“I don’t know if he’s alive. But isn’t it certain he left something behind? I think so. He’s not a fellow who would die so futilely.”

Isn’t that what you want to think?

Jegal Hwi, who remembered Jegal Pyeong drinking alcohol by the bowl when news of Baek Riyun’s death arrived, something he never even touched in life, inwardly swallowed bitter words. Since he too likewise hoped that fellow actually hadn’t died.

“As he was a fellow with oddly good ties with Haomun after establishing Uicheonmun, when he comes, there’s a high probability he’ll do something through Haomun. Keep a close watch on Heuksi.”

“Understood.”

“Good.”

Thud! Thud!

“It’s starting soon.”

Jegal Pyeong, who heard the echoing drum sounds, propped his chin while looking at the line that had already disappeared. The judge’s voice echoing from afar.

“Fellow martial artists of the Gangho. You’ve waited long! From now on…….”

It begins. The martial competition.

“We will begin the martial competition to determine number one under heaven!”

Everyone here would try to prove their abilities by breaking each other. However, that was just their expectation.

Even without trying to do so, number one under heaven would be determined quite naturally.

“What a dog-like spectacle.”

If Jegal Pyeong’s prediction was correct, those who survived to the end here would be countable on one hand.

***

Meanwhile, at that time. Uicheonmun.

“……Whew.”

Clink!

Gayeom, who had been leaning against the wall sipping alcohol in hand in broad daylight, realized the bottle was empty, sighed, and threw the bottle away. Rising melancholy.

“I don’t know what I’m doing. Me…….”

It had been over a month since she held a loom in her hands.

While thinking it was unacceptable for a tailor, Gayeom, who couldn’t even think to hide her flushed face from intoxication, sighed and quietly hung her head. Because the news heard over the past few weeks was truly terrible.

“I never thought that shameless person would die so easily…….”

Exchange with Uicheonmun.

Though it was very twisted at first, during the two years Uicheonmun decided on sect seclusion, Gayeom exchanged with Uicheonmun countless times. That was because Gayeom’s purpose was that.

Making various clothes while supplying martial robes to Uicheonmun. And raising her reputation through those martial robes’ quality.

As she kept independence from Hwangryongjang in mind, Gayeom’s purpose was clear, and after the seclusion was lifted, as Uicheonmun’s reputation rose, it seemed to be achieved to some extent. Since there were actually many who tried to open transactions with Gayeom, that ripple effect went without saying.

However, that wasn’t what was important. What was important to Gayeom was one thing.

During those two years, Gayeom had developed affection for the Uicheonmun disciples.

And the woman called Gayeom was extremely weak to affection.

“……What am I supposed to do if you leave like that?”

There are no adults in Uicheonmun.

Though it sounds strange, that’s true. Uicheonmun, being both newly established and a small-scale sect, had no one who had properly experienced the world’s storms except for Uicheonmun Sect Master Baek Riyun himself. What existed were only Late-Stage Rising Stars around coming of age.

Of course, among those assisting Uicheonmun, Haun Merchant Company’s Lee Ryang, Changcheon Corps members, and adults worth calling adults like Jegal Pyeong and Jegal Hwi remained, and the Divine Physician had easily lived hundreds of years, but among them, there was no one always attached to Uicheonmun for the disciples to rely on. The Divine Physician, perhaps because of being born a divine beast, had childlike aspects remaining.

Then, now that Uicheonmun Sect Master Baek Riyun was absent, she at least had to somehow become a pillar for them.

That was the reason Gayeom wasn’t leaving Uicheonmun now.

‘Fortunately in misfortune, death news for the children excluding the Sect Master wasn’t separately transmitted.’

Seonwoo Gang and Baek Risan’s survival was confirmed, and Seohwa, Wangpal, and Seomun Cheok also weren’t separately confirmed dead. Since the situation revealed the Divine Physician, knowledgeable in Gangho’s ways of the world, was with them, they were surely surviving somewhere.

‘When they return…… let’s comfort them.’

This wasn’t the time to be drinking. Because it was time to somehow do what she should do as the sect’s eldest.

Just one more sip, drink exactly one more sip and properly come to her senses to work. Just one sip.

“Sister! Gayeom Sister!”

“……Ahem. Ahem. Kaak ptoo.”

At Seou’s voice suddenly heard, Gayeom, who was about to reach her hand to an alcohol bottle not yet unsealed, hastily removed her hand, spat out phlegm caught in her throat, and patted her cheeks. Was it her imagination, the intoxication seemed to shake off a bit?

“Seou. What’s the matter?”

“It’s urgent! Quickly!”

“Huh? Hu-huh? Wa, wait……!”

She grabbed her wrist.

Though she didn’t particularly learn martial arts, Seou, perhaps having seen things while staying in a martial family for several years, grabbed Gayeom’s wrist and pulled. Combined with intoxication and a child’s characteristic stamina, Gayeom was pulled along helplessly.

The door was open.

“……!”

At the scene visible beyond the open main gate, Gayeom’s eyes, who had been pulled along helplessly, widened. The scene visible before her eyes.

“You guys……!”

Seonwoo Gang and Baek Risan, whom she heard survival news about from Merchant Leader Lee Ryang she often saw.

Not only that. Those she had only speculated were surviving until just before were before her eyes. Seohwa, Wangpal, Seomun Cheok. And even the Divine Physician.

“Master!”

“I, I’m back…….”

While watching Choil and Choa hastily running to their master, Gayeom suppressed the surging emotions. And.

“Gayeom Sister!”

“Seohwa…… Children…….”

The moment Gayeom, who spread both arms to embrace Seohwa running to her with a likewise urgent-looking face, took one step forward.

“Hwangryongjang! We have to go to Hwangryongjang!”

“……?”

“It’s urgent! Quickly!”

Unexpectedly stopping before Gayeom, Seohwa poured out words rapidly.

“Sister, you’re Hwangryongjang’s successor, right? It seems time has come to use some connections!”

“……What on earth is that. No, we met after a long time, so a bit later…….”

“The situation is urgent by the moment! We need fabric made from Heavenly Silkworm Thread!”

“Heavenly Silkworm?”

“Yes!”

“……That’s something only the Master can handle even in Hwangryongjang?”

“Exactly!”

Hmph.

Seohwa, who snorted while fully excited, clenched both fists tightly. And the answer that followed.

“Let’s go eat up Hwangryongjang! Right now!”