Book 9 Chapter 12

Is the Shaolin Un surpassable treasure an ornament?

He would probably never forget the hot emotion and passion of that day for his entire life.

And ever since, Yong Cheonmyeong had always approached things with the mindset of representing the honor of Shaolin and the honor of the young blood of the Nine Sects.

Even through the subsequent harsh training, he never showed a hint of yielding and remained resolute.

It was a continuous ascetic practice that cut bone and flesh, but it couldn't break his will. The burden on his shoulders was too great for that.

'But what in the world is this guy?'

The man, Bi Ryu-yeon, who easily surpassed Yong Cheonmyeong's common sense, pointed a finger at Yong Cheonmyeong's sword. The sword exuded an aura of value, which piqued his interest.

"Is that sword an ornament? It's shiny and looks cool. And it looks very expensive!"

Yong Cheonmyeong's mind reeled for a moment.

An ornament for the Shaolin Un surpassable treasure? There was a limit to his carelessness.

"To put a price on this item of immeasurable value! Don't you know that in itself is blasphemy!"

Yong Cheonmyeong roared. It felt as if Shaolin's honor had been insulted in an instant. Despite Yong Cheonmyeong's angry roar, Bi Ryu-yeon acted as if he hadn't heard a word.

"Huh? Is it really an ornament? It's a peculiar sword, not stained with blood at all."

Yong Cheonmyeong flinched at Bi Ryu-yeon's sharp observation. Indeed, this sword had never tasted blood.

"Shaolin swords are not drawn carelessly. And Shaolin swords do not shed blood carelessly."

It was a steadfast belief, as firm as Mount Tai.

As Yong Cheonmyeong said, ever since he appeared in the martial world, his Green Jade Arhat Divine Sword had never been drawn. He had never felt the need to use the sword.

Moreover, one could not carelessly draw a sacred artifact of Shaolin. Even if an incident occurred, the single sword, the White Dragon Sword, would be sufficient. To him, this Green Jade Arhat Divine Sword was nothing more than an external item temporarily entrusted to him by Shaolin.

The Green Jade Arhat Divine Sword, having been with Shaolin for countless years, had never tasted blood carelessly. It was safe to say that it had hardly ever been stained with the smell of blood.

Thirteen Swords of Bodhidharma and Arhat!

Shaolin's strongest martial art and unique swordsmanship based on the Great Vehicle Prajna Divine Skill! It was Shaolin's unique swordsmanship performed with the Green Jade Arhat Divine Sword.

For Shaolin, which emphasizes fists, palms, kicks, and staffs, the existence of this swordsmanship was a very unique and peculiar martial art. The legend is that its origin was created by the second patriarch, Master Huiga, who was playing with a sword to relieve his boredom. Although it was created while playing, if a great genius of martial arts and Buddhism played with it for over 30 years, it was already equivalent to a profound martial art. Furthermore, with a systematic foundation, a divine sword technique was completed.

However, its true power has never been fully revealed, but the legend of Shaolin's strongest has been passed down. Why is it a legend? Because not a single person has yet mastered its true ultimate essence.

To be qualified to receive the Green Jade Arhat Divine Sword, a Shaolin Un surpassable treasure, there is a mandatory gateway. One must master the Thirteen Swords of Bodhidharma and Arhat to at least the fifth star before they can become the owner of the Green Jade Arhat Divine Sword. Therefore, the Green Jade Arhat Divine Sword had been entrusted to his master, Master Huijing, until he passed all of Shaolin's trials. Those trials were the Shaolin 18 Gates and the 72 Martial Arts Caves, gates that had produced countless Shaolin legends. It was also the source that created the current Shaolin.

Yong Cheonmyeong did not disappoint the expectations of those around him. He spectacularly broke through these gates with the youngest record in history. He had shown everyone that he was fully qualified.

When he passed the Shaolin 18 Gates and the 72 Martial Arts Caves, the sword that Master Huijing had kept returned to him.

Yong Cheonmyeong would never forget the glory and joy he felt then for the rest of his life.

The Green Jade Arhat Divine Sword he received then was still precious at his waist. True to Shaolin's principle of prioritizing compassion, this sword had rarely tasted blood. In the past hundred years since the Great Calamity and Blood Sea, there had been no such record. It was enough time for the smell of blood from a hundred years ago to have diluted.

He who wields the Green Jade Arhat Divine Sword must cultivate the strength to subdue his opponent without drawing blood.

His master's words still echoed in his ears.

"Master! Will I truly be able to settle this without drawing blood this time?"

Yong Cheonmyeong found it difficult to control himself as Bi Ryu-yeon's sly smile continued to provoke him. Still, he had to endure until the string of his patience snapped.

Someone of Yong Cheonmyeong's standing could not afford to get angry carelessly, even if he wanted to. He did not vent his emotions as he pleased but first considered the surrounding situation. This was the extreme difference between Maha Ling and Yong Cheonmyeong.

"This Green Jade Arhat Divine Sword is not a thing to draw blood! I also have no desire to draw blood! However, that does not mean I want to stand by and watch this situation continue. I cannot retreat in this state, nor can I let this commotion go unchecked. Therefore, as your senior, I command you. Let go of your hand now!"

It was practically a command. Usually, when he spoke with such seriousness, there was almost nothing that didn't get done. However, there were occasional exceptions.

Yong Cheonmyeong had overlooked one fact: there were few people as unwilling to take orders as Bi Ryu-yeon. In such cases, Bi Ryu-yeon usually acted contrary.

"A sword is for drawing blood, otherwise, it's just an ornament."

It meant that if he could, he should settle it with his sword. To Yong Cheonmyeong, Bi Ryu-yeon's attitude was a clear challenge to the entire Gu Jeonghoe.

'Has this fellow lost his fear?'

Since everyone he knew was normal, there wasn't a single person who took such an insolent attitude as Bi Ryu-yeon. Still, Yong Cheonmyeong exercised patience and endured once more. He was someone qualified to stand above others.

"Killing is not the ultimate purpose of a sword. A sword also serves as a compass for those who wield it and walk the path of martial arts, guiding them. Of course, there are countless misguided souls who misunderstand the direction and walk the wrong way. Among those who wield swords, how many have truly walked the path of a divine sword?"

Yong Cheonmyeong's words were irrefutable truths.

"Indeed! You seem to think you haven't lost your way, Senior. That's a lot of confidence. The common characteristic of those who often get lost is that they almost all believe their path is right and never question it. They might be walking into a ridiculously distant and isolated place without even knowing it."

However, no matter how much he presented the truth, it was no problem for Bi Ryu-yeon to act contrary.

If there is a warning or an omen, people are not flustered. Then, how does one fluster people?

Flash!

Without any warning, Yong Cheonmyeong's White Dragon Sword was drawn, tracing a white arc reminiscent of a white flash. Furthermore, its speed was dazzlingly swift.

Swish!

A pure white flash pierced Bi Ryu-yeon's body.

"Ah!"

Both Na Ye-rin and Eun Seol-ran let out short screams for a moment. It looked as if Bi Ryu-yeon had been cut in half by Yong Cheonmyeong's sword.

Some rejoiced inwardly at this sight. They were people who thought that it was a service to the world for someone like Bi Ryu-yeon, who had stolen their idol's lips, to disappear.

However, to their regret, something unfortunate happened.

"Tsk! I haven't even received an apology yet…"

Bi Ryu-yeon, who had seemed to be cut in half by Yong Cheonmyeong's sword energy, was unharmed. Instead, he opened and closed his empty right hand, smacking his lips. It was the very hand that had been holding Maha Ling until just moments ago. In response to Yong Cheonmyeong's surprise drawing of his sword, he had focused on evasion and unconsciously let go of Maha Ling's hand.

"A afterimage?"

Yong Cheonmyeong asked with a surprised expression. Seeing a movement technique that could deceive even his own eyesight before him naturally drew his attention.

"Amazing! To evade my sword so perfectly!"

He had been wondering since he felt no sensation of being cut, so it was indeed an illusion. It had been a long time since his first move failed and he needed a second. Despite Yong Cheonmyeong's praise, Bi Ryu-yeon shook his head, not looking pleased.

"It wasn't perfect. I couldn't protect my precious clothing."

As Bi Ryu-yeon said, the front of his upper garment was cleanly cut from top to bottom, revealing his bare chest. Fortunately, there was no bloodstain, but it could have been dangerous if it had been a little deeper.

"Senior, your sword draw was truly excellent. Such a clean draw without any hint… I could have been caught if I wasn't careful."

Bi Ryu-yeon was still smiling. As if the surprise attack just moments ago was not worth his attention… However, the damage to his clothing was very displeasing.

"Hahaha! You flatter me. It was I who made a mistake. I intended to go easy, but I ruined your clothes, so I feel bad about it…?"

This time, it meant "I went easy on you, so don't brag about escaping."

"Both of you are amazing."

Eun Seol-ran admired him sincerely.

Yong Cheonmyeong, who possessed the ability to execute such a swift swordplay despite his Shaolin martial arts being far from "swift," and Bi Ryu-yeon, who evaded that swift swordplay like a white flash while leaving behind an afterimage! Both were incredibly talented martial artists.

"Truly amazing… Truly…"

This was tantamount to saying that they were a formidable threat to the Machaegak.

"What will happen now?"

The question in Eun Seol-ran's mind was the same as the questions Na Ye-rin and Moyong Hwi had at that moment. The shackles that had been on Maha Ling, the woman consumed by resentment, had been released. The situation had now entered a new phase.

'Finally, my body is free!'

Maha Ling rejoiced inwardly. She finally had the opportunity to get revenge on the detestable Bi Ryu-yeon. How could she not be happy?

"Prepare yourself!"

They say that when a woman harbors resentment, strange weather phenomena occur even in midsummer. Truly a terrifying hatred.

"Wait a moment!"

Bi Ryu-yeon held up his hand, stopping Maha Ling's revenge drama.

"What is it? It's no use begging now."

Maha Ling was now in no mood to forgive Bi Ryu-yeon, even if he danced naked in the training ground. If she didn't return the humiliation and shame she had suffered, with interest, she felt she would die of anger. For the sake of a good night's sleep, revenge was essential.

"If you don't want to suffer a cruel fate, it's best not to move."

Bi Ryu-yeon remained unfazed, even as he faced the icy killing intent emanating from Maha Ling. He wouldn't be so confident without a secret plan.

"What nonsense is this? How unsightly!"

It was clearly Maha Ling's mistake to dismiss Bi Ryu-yeon's words as mere nonsense and take a step forward. Although Bi Ryu-yeon often appeared lighthearted, he had never spoken in vain.

Rustle!

Her crimson silk sash, which had suddenly snapped, slid to the floor. Fortunately, because her clothes were connected at the top and bottom, she avoided the disgrace of her pants falling off, but she couldn't help but be terrified. Her face turned pale with shock.

"Aaaahhhh!"

A scream erupted from her pale lips.

"Th-this… this… what in the world…"

She was so bewildered that she couldn't even speak properly. Those watching with wide eyes were equally shocked. Among them, Yong Cheonmyeong's surprise was immense. His eyes were wide open as if they would tear.

"See? You regret it. I clearly warned you."

It was a tone of an adult scolding a disobedient child. It implied that it was her fault for not listening to the warning, so he was not responsible, but it also sounded like he was simply teasing her.

Maha Ling had underestimated Bi Ryu-yeon too much. When Bi Ryu-yeon had interacted with Maha Ling and separated his hands, he had already woven ghost threads throughout her body. He was not so foolish as to cause trouble without any safety measures. That was also why he could let Maha Ling go with peace of mind.

Preparation prevents disaster. It is a lesson that is always useful.

Although her hand was separated, like a butterfly caught in a spiderweb, like Sun Wukong in the palm of Buddha, Maha Ling was still unable to escape Bi Ryu-yeon's grasp.

Her face turned crimson with deep humiliation. She felt as if she had experienced a lifetime's worth of shame in one day.

"Well! Won't you give up now? Apologize now. Please, let go, and I'm sorry. How about it! Easy, right?"

Maha Ling felt pathetic, like she was being toyed with. She found it difficult to respond because she couldn't figure out what trick he had pulled.

'Is this the price for misbehaving and speaking carelessly?'

If so, the price was too high.

However, regretting it now was of no use; the situation had already escalated beyond control. The point where it could have been sufficiently controlled had passed. The situation was now like a wild horse that had broken free from its rider's reins, galloping fiercely. Any sign of calming down had long since been snatched away by a passing dog.

"Well! Now, apologize!"

Bi Ryu-yeon once again demanded an apology from Maha Ling.

"Th-this… this…"

Maha Ling trembled with burning rage, but she could do nothing. The current situation was even worse than when her arm had been grabbed just moments ago. Now, she was in a state where she couldn't even speak properly for fear of reprisal. No matter what happened, she wanted to avoid a free nude dance.