Chapter 139
After discussing the distribution of the spiritual pills with Baek Cheon-Sang, Baek Mu-Gun headed to the training hall and called for Baek Yong-Hwan, who ran to the training hall as soon as he heard about the summon.
You called for me? Yong-Hwan asked when he arrived.
Have you been training a lot while I was gone?
I did my best, but I dont know if itll be up to your standards, Young Patriarch.
How about you show me your progress for now?
Understood.
With a sword in hand, Yong-Hwan went straight to the center of the training hall and began to execute the Demon-Purging Black Wind Sword Art, which he had learned from Mu-Gun. At the same time, Mu-Gun activated the Thunder God's Heavenly Eyes to observe Yong-Hwans flow of energy as well, which was not visible to the naked eye. In doing so, he got to examine Yong-Hwans swordsmanship better.
Yong-Hwan performed the techniques of the Demon-Purging Black Wind Sword Art flawlessly. However, the flow of energy around the techniques was inconsistent and unstable because Yong-Hwan had only started learning the Demon-Purging Black Wind Sword Art recently and because he lacked internal energy.
The Demon-Purging Black Wind Sword Art maximized its power through the explosiveness of its users internal energy rather than through sophisticated techniques, which meant performing its techniques required large amounts of internal energy. If the user lacked the internal energy to support the martial art, an imbalance between the martial arts techniques and the users flow of energy would inevitably occur. That was the case with Yong-Hwan.
Thats enough.
Mu-Gun stopped Yong-Hwans display of swordsmanship. He had seen everything he needed to see.
What do you think? Yong-Hwan asked.
You have shown me that you have been training hard since the last time we met. However, it is also true that there is still a lot to be desired.
As expected.
What do you think you lack the most right now? Mu-Gun asked.
I would have to say internal energy. Whenever I unleash the Demon-Purging Black Wind Sword Art, the flow of my internal energy keeps cutting off, and I think thats because of my lack of internal energy, Yong-Hwan said. The fact that he managed to accurately identify the problem proved that he had put a lot of thought into the Demon-Purging Black Wind Sword Art.
Is it also possible that you simply failed to properly circulate your internal energy? Mu-Gun deliberately asked, pretending not to know.
Thats also one of the reasons, but as I unfolded the sword art, my lack of internal energy proved far more evident, Yong-Hwan confidently countered.
I see. I will give you a spiritual pill to increase your internal energy, then.
By spiritual pill, you mean?
a Heavenly Medicine Pill.
Are those only for the squad leaders? Yong-Hwan asked with a surprised expression.
We have decided to give you and Jin-Ryong a Heavenly Medicine Pill each because you are the most promising talents among the Baek Familys direct descendants.
Are you serious? Yong-Hwan asked in disbelief.
I believe the two of you are the future of the Baek Sword Sect. I hope you do not disappoint the Patriarchs expectations.
Understood. I will do my best not to let the Patriarch down.
Here. Mu-Gun handed the Heavenly Medicine Pill to Yong-Hwan.
Thank you. Yong-Hwan accepted the Heavenly Medicine Pill with trembling hands. He had consumed a Hundred Herb Pill before, but that proved insufficient. He required the Heavenly Medicine Pill to advance to a higher level, but he did not dare wish for one since he was well aware of his position. Much to his surprise, however, he still managed to get one.
Thats right. The Baek Sword Sects Young Patriarch did not utter a single word about joining them, Hyeon-Oh added. All he told us was that the Three Great Clans of Fujian should form an alliance. The Sea Palace Sect Patriarch and I are considering joining the Zhejiang Martial Alliance simply because we are looking at the situation from a realistic point of view.
Either way, I refuse to join the Zhejiang Martial Alliance. If you still want to proceed with this, then I wont stop you. However, our sect will remain unaffiliated with them, Geom-Hwan said firmly.
Do you really think speaking out of pride now will change anything? In the eyes of murim, the Three Great Clans of Fujian are just a trivial sect on the frontier. How long do you plan to be treated so insignificantly? Dont we deserve to be at the center of murim as well? Go-San argued.
You think joining the Zhejiang Martial Alliance will help us achieve that? Geom-Hwan snorted.
As I previously said, the Baek Sword Sect helped enhance the martial arts of the Ten Clans of Zhejiang. I heard they spare no effort in supporting the Zhejiang Martial Alliances growth as well. With their support, we can achieve much more growth than before, thereby allowing us to ultimately stand beside the various forces of murim, not behind them.
How naive. There is no such thing as a free lunch in murim. The Baek Sword Sect is only being so generous because they would benefit from it. By expanding the Zhejiang Martial Alliances forces, they can start profiting from it. Ino, the Jiuhua Sect refuse to be their toy, Geom-Hwan said, clearly displeased.
I am certain that the Baek Sword Sect is trying to make the Zhejiang Martial Alliance comparable to the Nine Prominent Sects and the Seven Great Families. Perhaps it is true that most of the riches and honors gained from that endeavor would proceed to the Baek Sword Sect. They are, after all, the Zhejiang Martial Alliance leader. Nevertheless, although Zhejiang Martial Alliances members would not be earning as much, they would still enjoy unprecedented wealth and honor. As you said, the Jiuhua Sect Patriarch and the Baek Sword Sect, could be trying to benefit and increase their influence in murim by using the Zhejiang Martial Alliance. However, if you think about it, the Zhejiang Martial Alliances members would also have a lot to gain with the Baek Sword Sects status and authority on their backs.
That may be true, but that also means the Zhejiang Martial Alliances members would have to take orders from the Baek Sword Sect in return. Once it comes to that, it would only be a matter of time before they become nothing more than the Baek Sword Sects vassal family. I would rather become the head of a dog than the tail of a lion[1].
Despite Hyeon-Ohs persuasion, Geom-Hwan remained firm in his belief.
Hmmm, if thats what you truly feel, then we cant do anything about it anymore, Jiuhua Sect Patriarch. Since we cannot come to an agreement, forming an alliance now will be difficult.
Does that mean you want to break the alliance between the Three Great Clans of Fujian just to join the Zhejiang Martial Alliance? Geom-Hwan asked sharply.
That is for us to decide.
Go-San had no intention of siding with the Jiuhua Sect, which hated the idea of joining the Zhejiang Martial Alliance. In his mind, he thought that it would not matter if only the Sea Palace Sect and the Wuyi Sword Sect joined the Zhejiang Martial Alliance.
So youre implying that this is no longer my business since we have failed to form an alliance, huh? I understand. I think I am no longer welcome here, so I shall be taking my leave.
Finding no reason to stay in the meeting, Jiuhua Sect Patriarch Geom-Hwan stood up and prepared to leave.
Patriarch Lee! Why dont you think about it again? Hyeon-Oh stood up and grabbed Geom-Hwan, who was about to leave. No, why dont you meet the Baek Sword Sects Young Patriarch in person first before you decide?
You want me to meet the Baek Sword Sects Young Patriarch?
He is a chivalrous and righteous person who possesses an array of incomparably strong martial arts. Even so, he remains devoid of arrogance and filled with respect for those who deserve to be respected. I am certain that meeting him will change how you view the Baek Sword Sect and the Zhejiang Martial Alliance.
He must be a great man for you to spare no compliments for him.
If you meet him in person, you will realize that he is even greater than words can describe.
You are basically no different from an avid believer of him. Fine. I will lose nothing from meeting him, so I will give it a chance. I am curious how amazing of a man he truly is anyway.
As Hyeon-Oh said, it would not be too late to decide whether to join the Zhejiang Martial Alliance or not after meeting the Patriarch and the Young Patriarch of the Baek Sword Sect and judging them himself.
Geom-Hwan pretended not to be convinced and accepted Hyeon-Ohs suggestion. However, despite his stubbornness, he was well aware that nothing good would come if only the Jiuhua Sect among the Three Great Clans of Fujian refused.
Why dont we take this opportunity to go to Wenzhou and meet the Baek Sword Sects Young Patriarch? We can make a decision afterward. That way, if we all reach the same conclusion, we will be able to discuss it with the Baek Sword Sect immediately.
I second that, Go-San said.
Fine. Lets go with that, Geom-Hwan reluctantly said.
Once all three had reached an agreement, they picked a few people to go with them and headed to the Baek Sword Sect, which was located in Wenzhou.
1. Better to Be the Head of a Dog Than the Tail of a Lion: It is better to be the leader of a less prestigious organization than a follower of a more prestigious one.