Book 6 Chapter 9

The Secret Command of Gongsun Ilchwi

- Schemes Brewing in Macheongak

After witnessing the duel between Biryuyeon and Wijicheon in the finals of the Cheonmu Samseong Mujye (天武三聖武祭) Samsung Grand Competition, Sword Master Gongsun Ilchwi, his heart filled with unease, could not remain idle.

As the nightmares of the past threatened to resurface before his very eyes, how could he possibly rest easy? Even his exceptionally high cultivation realm seemed insufficient to quell the anxiety steadily accumulating in a corner of his heart. It appeared his studies were utterly useless.

It felt like a hundred years of study had gone to waste, a complete reversal.

He felt that his dreams would be troubled from now on. Haunted by an inexplicable sense of unease since that day, Gongsun Ilchwi finally decided he could no longer stand by and do nothing.

It was necessary to discover its true nature.

To do so, he needed to follow Biryuyeon discreetly, using any means necessary to ascertain his inner energy. There was only one place within Cheongwan that could handle such a task.

And so, the Sword Master secretly summoned someone.

The Prime Minister's Office of the Senate!

A man in black, summoned to the residence of Sword Master Gongsun Ilchwi, the unique martial artist who stood shoulder to shoulder with the Cheonmu Samseong, entered.

"Prime Minister! Cheonri Chujong, the head of Sudokgeo, has arrived as ordered."

Standing before Sword Master Gongsun Ilchwi, Cheonri Chujong, the chief of the Biyonggak Chuhon Corps, paid his respects with utmost reverence. As one responsible for intelligence, tracking, and espionage, he was clad entirely in black, as dark as the night.

To Sudokgeo, the Sword Master was a being as grand as Mount Tai. He always felt diminished whenever he stood before this giant.

"I have a favor to ask of you."

A favor! It was a word that seemed quite out of place for Sword Master Gongsun Ilchwi. Sudokgeo bowed his head even lower.

"Command me, sir. I will carry out any task you assign."

Macheongak (魔天閣)!

Just as the righteous path has Cheonmu Hakwan (天武學館), it is said that the dark path has Macheongak (魔天閣). It is a place renowned for its strict discipline and rigorous teachings, where all the prodigies of the dark path gather.

The old man, his presence as imposing as an autumn frost, entered the secret depths of this Macheongak.

"Why have you summoned this old man?"

Lei Zongming, a martial titan, asked in a gruff tone. He was one of the supreme elders and had assisted the Macheongak Master during the Cheon-geop Blood Sea era. His alias was Yeon-oe-do (言外刀), renowned as a swordsman whose blade moved faster than his words, and he was one of the top five elders of Macheongak.

Although the Macheongak's strategist, Xieyingnao (邪影腦) Chisahan, oversaw all of Macheongak's affairs, Lei Zongming was someone he could not afford to treat lightly.

Xieyingnao (邪影腦) Chisahan! As the one in charge of all Macheongak's affairs, he possessed extraordinary talent in strategy and cunning. However, his conduct was always so gloomy and sinister that he was intensely disliked even within Macheongak. Consequently, his personality became even more somber, gradually turning cold and ruthless. It was an endless cycle of viciousness.

Chisahan was the first to speak.

"I have something to discuss with Elder Lei, so I took the liberty of arranging this meeting."

As befitting his position, Chisahan's words flowed smoothly. Lei Zongming found it distasteful, even suspecting cunning.

Lei Zongming, a man of firm character who had no desire to feign politeness towards someone he disliked, naturally spoke gruffly.

"Let's hear your business."

"Yes! I have received a report that the individuals most likely to participate in the upcoming event are traveling to Wudang Mountain in groups. Among them is even the grandson of the great Sword Saint Moyong Jeongcheon. You must have heard of him, Elder. His name is Moyong Hui."

"Is it Moyong Hui, the Seven-Cut Divine Sword, who caused a stir in the dark path a few years ago with his martial arts tour? I have heard rumors. But what does that have to do with me?"

"Yes, there is something that needs to be done before these seedlings mature and bear fruit, and I wish to borrow your strength, Elder."

"CRASH!"

Lei Zongming's fist slammed violently onto the table. His face was flushed red with anger.

"Hah! You summoned this old man from his arduous life for something as trivial as crushing mere seedlings? Since when did our Macheongak resort to such vulgar and clumsy underhanded tactics? Answer me!"

Lei Zongming's reprimand was fierce. Though he belonged to the dark path, he had never engaged in cowardly acts. And now, crushing seedlings… his pride could not accept it.

Despite Lei Zongming's fiery anger, strategist Chisahan remained unfazed. He had something to rely on.

"However, the Great Young Master desires it. He asked for your help."

That single sentence was enough. Lei Zongming felt as though all strength drained from his body.

"Is that true?"

"Of course. How could I possibly dare to lie about such a matter?"

It was a request, not an order, from someone as close as a shadow, someone who had changed his diapers since childhood. Lei Zongming could not bring himself to refuse. Lei Zongming sat down in silence. His not storming out was an unspoken permission to listen.

"Then, I will now inform you of the current situation."

Chisahan, the strategist, spoke with an air of composure as if he had expected this, and Lei Zongming found him incredibly detestable.

Barely suppressing his seething anger, Lei Zongming vowed inwardly.

'You scoundrel! What poison have you poured into the Great Young Master's ear? I will show you a thing or two someday!'