Chapter 217
Chapter 217
"Martial Arts Tournament?"”
“Yes. Now that a new Alliance Leader has been elected, a tournament will be held to demonstrate the Alliance's strength. Making an impression in a gathering of key figures from the Alliance will make it much easier to achieve what you desire. If you reach the finals, you will be granted the qualification to join the League.”
My eyes widened at the unexpected words. Danmok Seol smiled and added, seeing my interest.
“Even if that weren't the case, it would be a good experience. To attract the Rising Stars of the Jianghu, they will offer tempting prizes, so you will be able to compete with skilled individuals.”
“If I win, can I join the Devil Subjugation Unit right away?”
“That would be difficult. It is customary for Rising Stars who have just joined the League to spend a year in the Dragon Phoenix Unit. Still, since Poison Butterfly's identity is certain, you might be able to move to the Devil Subjugation Unit after a year.”
“Then, perhaps…”
I tried to hide my excitement and asked about the Martial Arts Tournament in detail.
According to Danmok Seol, this Martial Arts Tournament would be the grandest in nearly a hundred years.
This was a rare opportunity to unite the Orthodox Faction forces and enhance the prestige of the Murim Alliance.
Stabilizing the chaotic internal affairs due to the new Alliance Leader's inauguration and understanding the trends of the Martial Sects belonging to the Alliance were additional benefits.
“It is clear that the power of the Unorthodox and Salhyoong is unusual, and there must be collaborators within the Baedo… Ah, of course, I am not suspecting the Tang Clan. Please don't misunderstand.”
Danmok Seol, flustered as he made excuses, looked as if he regretted speaking so deeply, realizing he hadn't intended to say this much.
I pretended not to notice and listened to his story.
After telling me various stories, Danmok Seol rose, ending with the news that an Invitation letter would soon arrive at the Tang Clan as well.
“I must excuse myself first, Poison Butterfly. I must leave now due to my next schedule.”
“No, thank you for responding to my sudden request.”
“Since Deokju is here, I won't assign anyone else. Ah, if you are interested in our Sichuan Branch, feel free to look around. Talented individuals like Poison Butterfly are always welcome.”
Danmok Seol, who had been complaining about the lack of manpower because everyone only wanted to go to the main headquarters and avoided being dispatched to Sichuan, soon left.
Deokju, who had been quietly by my side, asked.
“Young Miss, would you like to look around?”
“Shall we? This is my first time here.”
I didn't refuse and started touring the Sichuan Branch with Deokju.
However, my mind was elsewhere, and Deokju's explanations didn't register properly.
I was just busy replaying Danmok Seol's words.
‘If you reach the finals, you will be granted the qualification to join the League.’
This is an opportunity.
What could be more natural than a Rising Star who has earned the chance to join the League by participating in the Martial Arts Tournament entering the League?
No one would suspect my true intentions for joining the Murim Alliance.
The condition that I had to spend a year in the Dragon Phoenix Unit was a bit of a concern, but it seemed unlikely that a better opportunity would come along.
Deokju, who had been watching me as I pondered, carefully opened her mouth.
“Um, Young Miss.”
“Yes?”
“As you know, you cannot use Poison in friendly sparring matches. You will need a lot of preparation.”
Deokju, who was giving me a hint, looked a little worried. I nodded.
“Yes, I have to bear it.”
“But why are you interested in the Devil Subjugation Unit…? Ah, no. I was presumptuous.”
When my expression unknowingly hardened, Deokju flinched and swallowed her words. I smiled and made an excuse.
“I'm just curious. I want to meet Chang Wang. I've heard a lot of stories from Woon.”
Deokju's expression softened, as if my clumsy excuse had worked.
“He used to visit the Tang Clan often. He cherished Young Master Lee a lot, so he will cherish Young Miss as well.”
Judging by Deokju's confident words, the friendship between Ak Ji-baek and Dang-un seemed quite strong.
A story about admiring an Absolute Master and following in his footsteps is plausible. Using Grandfather as an excuse will also work well. I should mix it in appropriately with others.
“But what is the prize for winning?”
“I heard that they are likely to offer the Grand Revival Pill.”
“Really? Not the Lesser Revival Pill?”
“Because the new Alliance Leader is the Abbot of Shaolin. Shaolin is investing this much for the unity of the Alliance, so it will also be a signal to cooperate.”
“I see… If it's really the Grand Revival Pill, all sorts of riffraff will gather.”
Even someone who doesn't know the ways of the world knows that Shaolin's Grand Revival Pill is an eternal Elixir that can revive even dying patients.
There is even a saying that the medicine held in the hands of the Medicine Buddha is the Grand Revival Pill.
There would be more than a few people who would apply to participate with their eyes on the Grand Revival Pill.
Deokju seemed to have similar thoughts and answered calmly.
“Yes. I think there will be many Wanderer participating while hiding their identities. The Grand Revival Pill is like an extra life.”
As Deokju said that, her eyes seemed to be asking if I was really going to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament.
But based on what I had heard, there was no reason not to participate.
If there was a chance to join the League and even the Grand Revival Pill was at stake, wouldn't it be killing two birds with one stone?
With the Grand Revival Pill, I could increase my power in an instant. I could also correct the balance of my spirit, Qi, and essence.
And perhaps…
I might be able to quell this strange blue energy.
I quietly looked down at my Dantian.
The blue energy, which had become a part of me, had been dissolved by the Poison and had almost no original light left.
But it occasionally exuded a coolness, showing off its presence.
Each time, a strange discomfort and a strange sense of relief came together.
Where on earth did this Qi come from?
An Elixir Pill from the Taoist school? The Inner Core of a Spirit Creature?
‘So-hye.’
There was definitely something there, judging by the faintly remembered voice…
It was Deokju's voice that pulled me back to reality from my deep thoughts.
“…Young Miss. Young Miss? Are you alright?”
“Ah, sorry, Deokju. I was just thinking about something else. Let's go home.”
I rubbed my forehead and turned around.
Whether I participate in the tournament or join the League, I had to get Grandfather's permission first.
…Would he allow it?
Lately, Grandfather had been displeased with my Martial Arts Technique training.
He was worried that I would be possessed by a Heart Demon, so he didn't even allow me to circulate Energy Flow without his Core Conduit, and he stayed by my side throughout my dawn training.
Considering Grandfather's mental anguish, it was a fully understandable measure, but I couldn't continue to stay in the same place forever.
How do I persuade Grandfather?
As I chewed on my lip and entered the inner quarters, I saw someone standing in front of my residence.
The familiar pure white uniform made a shrill voice come out involuntarily.
“S-, Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk?”
“It's been a while, Young lady. I'm even happier to see you at the Tang Clan.”
The Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk, who had made eye contact with me, laughed heartily and waved his hand.
“H-, how did you come…! No, have you been waiting long?”
Surprised by the unexpected visit, I hurriedly ran over, and he waved his hand as if telling me to calm down.
“Oh, there's no need to rush so much, Young lady. I was on my way back from seeing Tang Clan Elder, so I stopped by to see your face.”
“Please wait a moment. I'll prepare some tea right away.”
“Tea is fine. I've already filled my stomach with Mengding Tea. Fermented Rice Wine would be welcome, but it's not a good look for an old man to get Fermented Rice Wine from Young lady, so I'll decline.”
The Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk, who playfully patted his stomach, slightly pointed to the detached house door as if asking if he could enter.
I nodded and quickly led him to the reception room.
The Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk, who sat facing me, opened his mouth with a gentle smile.
“It's good to see your face like this. Are you using the Golden needle well?”
“Yes. I'm using it well. Thank you for giving me such a valuable weapon, Elder.”
“All things must be used in the right place to be effective. It's only a toothpick to this old man, but it will be a useful weapon for Young lady.”
He laughed heartily and stroked his beard, then asked about my well-being before subtly bringing up Jin-sung's story.
“It would have been nice if Jin-sung had come with me, but it's a pity. He's in seclusion, so this old man came alone.”
“Seclusion? Since when?”
“It's been about a year. He must have felt a lot while spending time with Young lady. As soon as Young lady left, he went into the seclusion cave.”
No, how much more of a monster is he trying to become there?
The Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk burst into laughter when my expression hardened, as if the gap I had barely narrowed would widen further.
“Hahaha! It's enough to stimulate Young lady. He hardly ever shows a competitive spirit to anyone.”
“Ah, Elder. It's not that…”
I belatedly realized that I had failed to manage my expression and tried to make excuses, but the Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk didn't care at all.
“It's alright. He needs to know how vast the Jianghu is to understand his place.”
“Y-, yes.”
“I heard that you were going to send a letter to Jin-sung. He was eagerly waiting for it until the day he entered the seclusion cave.”
“Ah… Th-, that's right.”
Oh dear. I was so distracted that I had completely forgotten about it.
I swallowed hard, feeling belatedly aware, but the Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk chuckled as if it didn't matter.
“He wouldn't have been able to see it anyway since he's in the seclusion cave. You can just send it to him later. Ah, you can write it now. This old man will bring it.”
“W-, would you?”
At my answer, Songji, who had been listening quietly, quickly brought paper and ink.
I wrote down a story close to personal trivia, watching the Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk's expression.
As I hurriedly sealed and handed over the letter, the Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk put the letter in his arms with a satisfied expression.
“This old man will deliver it well like a Letter Carrier Bird.”
After making a joke, he soon composed his expression and placed something wrapped in cloth on the table.
The air instantly became heavy.
“This is…”
“I tried to return it… But this old man was a step late.”
I dropped my head with trembling hands as I unwrapped the cloth.
It was Yeon-ryang's sword.
The Cloud Iron Sword that Yeon-ryang cherished so much was in my hands.
