I Am the Youngest Disciple of the Martial Arts World’s Mastermind
Chapter 53
Chapter 53
The Youngest Disciple of the Murim’s Hidden Mastermind
Episode 53
Not a single word or movement from the Alliance Leader was ordinary.
The more cautious among the young experts did not dare look away, as if trying to glean some profound lesson from the Leader’s every step.
Before certain individuals, the Alliance Leader lingered for a long time as if deep in thought, but he eventually moved on, exchanging silent nods with every young expert present.
Having completed his circuit, the Alliance Leader came to a halt at the very center.
“Indeed. It is understandable that you are all brimming with confidence, given the reputations you have each carved out for yourselves.”
“…….”
The crowd held its breath, waiting for his next words.
“However, this is the Hidden Depository of the Medicine Immortal.”
Yoo Baek-geon’s voice was low and steady.
“If it has remained undiscovered for this long only to be revealed now, there must surely be a reason. Do not let your guard down as you begin the exploration.”
“Yes, sir.”
A short, disciplined response cut through the air.
It was the voice of a single person.
Yoo Baek-geon’s gaze shifted toward the source. The youth possessed a gaze of tempered steel. Yet, looking at the other young experts nearby, their lips remained subtly sealed.
Is there only one?
The Alliance Leader swallowed a bitter thought.
Should he tighten their discipline with a harsh word? He moved to speak, then reconsidered, scanning the faces of the young experts once more.
Eyes burning with vigor, expressions full of ambition and spirit.
These were the talents who would carry the future of the jianghu on their shoulders.
“…….”
Had his son lived, he would have been standing among them right now.
His fingertips unconsciously brushed the hilt of his sword—a sensation that remained unetched by time.
Yoo Baek-geon narrowed his eyes and looked at them one last time.
“Then, depart.”
With the Alliance Leader’s command, the path to Yak-seon’s Hidden Depository was opened.
Whether the treasure map had been interpreted correctly or not, the entrance to the depository left by the Medicine Immortal was vast and magnificent, looking as if an ancient giant had parted its jaws.
From the very start, its scale was incomparable to an ordinary cave used for closed-door cultivation.
Once the mud and moss were cleared away, a massive stone gate engraved with exquisite craftsmanship revealed itself.
It was no mere door. Intricate carvings shimmering with a golden hue and rare artistry seldom seen in the jianghu covered the entire surface.
Inside the hollow, the members of the Murim Alliance withdrew, leaving only the six young experts behind.
“…….”
Silence.
Once it became clear that they were alone, the young experts began to shift their gazes.
A subtle tension flowed as they sized each other up.
The one to break this silence was a woman dressed in conspicuously flamboyant robes.
“Yawn. Hold this for a second.”
Yawning as if bored, she thrust her torch toward the person beside her.
“Wh-what is this?”
Yeong-do, a young expert of the Mount Hua Sect, unexpectedly found himself holding torches in both hands.
Since he was already carrying one, both of his hands were now occupied. In such a state, he wouldn’t be able to respond to a sudden attack.
He glared at the woman with an incredulous expression.
However, he couldn’t help but go blank a moment later.
“Why? It’s not like hidden weapons are going to come flying out already.”
“St-still……”
“Am I wrong?”
Her attitude was nonchalant.
And above all else, she was strikingly beautiful.
Namgung Ryeong-hwa, the eldest daughter of the Namgung Clan.
Anyone with deep roots in the Murim would already know her well; she had earned the alias “Blue Flower Sword” before even reaching the age of twenty.
She was also one of the young experts selected after defeating numerous opponents in the Murim Alliance’s sparring tournament.
Just then, a gentle voice scolded Namgung Ryeong-hwa’s behavior.
“Ryeong-hwa. You shouldn’t make a martial artist unable to use both hands.”
“But I use twin swords, Hyuk-oppa.”
Despite Namgung Ryeong-hwa’s pouting tone, the warrior in black robes remained firm in his etiquette, offering a formal fist-and-palm salute toward Yeong-do.
“Forgive the discourtesy. We exchanged brief greetings during the tournament, but let us properly introduce our affiliations and names before we enter.”
“Ah, yes……”
Yeong-do nodded reflexively. By shifting the subject, the man had smoothly glossed over Namgung Ryeong-hwa’s rudeness.
Whether this was intentional or not was unclear.
The man in black smiled faintly and looked around at the other young experts.
“I am Baekri Hyuk, the Young Head of the Baekri Clan.”
Taking the lead, Yeong-do also offered his greeting.
Following him, a young expert who had remained silent the entire time bowed his head.
He was an individual who carried an aura even heavier than the eldest, Baekri Hyuk.
“I am Deung So-han of the Hengshan Sect.”
Next, a warrior standing with a straight back performed a salute and spoke.
“I am Yoo Chwi-san of the Wudang Sect.”
Finally, a clear voice rang out. It belonged to the youngest girl among the six.
“I am Dang Cheong-a of the Sichuan Tang Clan!”
Only then did Namgung Ryeong-hwa, who had been fiddling with the twin swords at her waist until the very end, move.
She arched an eyebrow as if to say, ‘Are you still looking at me?’
“I’m Namgung Ryeong-hwa of the Namgung Clan. Shall we head in now?”
Then, with a flick of her sleeves, she took the first step forward.
Meanwhile, after the six young experts began their entry.
Standing on a hill overlooking the cave entrance, the Alliance Leader spoke.
“I wonder if Namgung Ryeong-hwa will be alright.”
The strategist Hahou Yeon, who stood beside him, replied.
“She is the eldest daughter of the Namgung Clan, who insisted on participating since they were the ones who submitted the treasure map. Her skills are also outstanding; she defeated several other young experts in the Alliance tournament.”
The Alliance Leader nodded quietly at those words.
“I know that as well.”
Namgung Ryeong-hwa was a young master whose name was famous even among the influential great clans.
In terms of pure skill, she was likely ranked second only to Baekri Hyuk, the Young Head of the Baekri Clan.
Hahou Yeon asked back in a puzzled voice.
“Then what is it that worries you?”
The Alliance Leader watched her from the corner of his eye.
“…Because she seems to have the least amount of tension. I worry that something might happen inside.”
The Alliance Leader quietly recalled the sight of Namgung Ryeong-hwa’s back.
That nonchalant attitude and leisurely smile.
A lack of tension could also mean she was being arrogant.
Would that mindset serve as a lesson to the others, or would she prove that her confidence was justified?
That would be revealed the moment the young experts emerged from that depository.
The interior of Yak-seon’s Hidden Depository was a ruin that had endured the passage of time while remaining strictly sealed.
The dark path continued deep into a passage that had been artificially polished smooth. The air, which was not at all humid, gave off a somewhat ominous atmosphere.
“…….”
Since they had no way of knowing what lurked beyond, the six young experts took each step with caution.
According to what Baekri Hyuk had led them to conclude, several strange mechanisms were already placed inside.
There was no way to tell if these were installed to prevent intruders or if they were simply anomalies caused by the age of the ruins.
“The structure changes from this passage onward. Let’s check before we move.”
Baekri Hyuk turned his head to look at Dang Cheong-a and Yoo Chwi-san.
“Yes!”
“Understood.”
The two were the ones who would use their respective specialties to check for active traps.
“Hmm, let’s see.”
Stepping forward, Dang Cheong-a tapped the walls and floor of the ruins with her fingertips, while Yoo Chwi-san carefully sensed the internal energy of the area.
Even amidst this, one person maintained an entirely relaxed posture.
“I think you’re being far too cautious.”
It was Namgung Ryeong-hwa.
She lightly shoved the back of Yeong-do, who was holding torches in both hands.
“Whoa…!”
Losing his balance, Yeong-do stumbled forward.
“Wait! There is probably…!”
Dang Cheong-a cried out urgently as she scrambled up, but before her voice could reach him.
Yeong-do’s knee hit the floor of the next passage, and the light from his torches illuminated the dark corridor ahead.
“……!”
What appeared there were numerous arrow-launching mechanisms.
Clack, the sound of something being pressed rang out.
Simultaneously, a long creeeeeak.
An ominous sound echoed through the passage.
As if ancient bowstrings were being pulled taut…….
“Duck!”
Baekri Hyuk drew his sword and shot forward like the wind in front of Yeong-do.
Clang! With a single strike of his sword, the old arrow shafts were shattered and fell in heaps.
“Ryeong-hwa!”
Baekri Hyuk raised his voice, looking back at the spot where she had been standing.
However, she was no longer there.
“Hmm.”
That was because she was already standing beside Baekri Hyuk with her twin swords drawn.
In front of her, too, lay a pile of arrow shafts that had been cleanly sliced and broken.
“So this is the kind of trap it is. This seems manageable, doesn’t it?”
