Episode 247: The Meeting at Mount Wudang

The head of the Taeui Sword Sect paused briefly before continuing.

“As you all know, Eeyong’s master is the enigmatic Lee Choong. Though often categorized as a figure of the orthodox sects, he’s more akin to the dark path.”

“But he wasn’t someone who ignored the principles of righteousness,” interjected a monk, nodding as the sect leader resumed.

“I’ve never met this ‘enigma’ myself, but since none of you dispute his reputation, it must be accurate. The real issue lies in what happened afterward.”

The sect leader cleared his throat and continued.

“Six years ago, Eeyong and Lee Choong traveled to Jiwon. There, they killed the son of the Sword King, the head of the Jiwon Baek family, Baek Chuseo.”

Jiwon isn’t far from the Shaolin Temple in Henan. The monk spoke up again.

“I heard about Baek’s death. But is there any proof Eeyong was involved? Any witnesses?”

“There are no witnesses, no evidence. But the Baek family had few visitors besides Eeyong and Lee Choong. It’s suspicious enough.”

“Did Eeyong and Lee Choong leave the Baek family estate after the murder? I’ve never heard such a thing.”

“Not exactly. Baek’s death occurred about six months after they left.”

The story was flimsy, lacking solid evidence. The time gap seemed to exonerate Eeyong and Lee Choong, prompting some to jeer at the sect leader. Yet he pressed on.

“Listen further, and you’ll understand my suspicions. That fall, Eeyong and his group killed my father, the then-leader of the Taeui Sword Sect, at Nogunsan. They claimed to be aiding rebels, but it was a senseless act. I bear a grudge for that.”

Heads nodded in sympathy. Losing a father was reason enough for anyone to hold a grudge.

Still, many found the sect leader’s claims weak, attributing them to coincidence and misunderstanding.

He continued undeterred.

“Three years later, Eeyong appeared north of the Yellow River, assisting in the murder of the former head of the Gongdong Sect, Muryangja. Coincidentally, Muryangja’s only disciple was the daughter of the Baek family head and granddaughter of the Sword King. A strange coincidence, as if Eeyong bore a grudge against the most honorable warrior of the orthodox sects.”

Someone challenged him.

“Eeyong is only twenty-seven. How could he hold a grudge against the Sword King, who died over twenty years ago?”

The sect leader didn’t argue, instead pressing on.

“Assume there’s no grudge. That winter, after Muryangja’s murder and the burning of Hwangolgak, Eeyong appeared at the Sima family in Luoyang. Not long after, the Sima family was annihilated.”

The monk showed his displeasure.

“I can’t say much here, but I saw with my own eyes the Sima family’s sinister deeds. Are you suggesting the Shaolin Temple abandoned its principles to help destroy them?”

“Not at all. No one in the orthodox sects would doubt Shaolin. I’m merely pointing out the curious nature of Eeyong’s actions. In less than four years, four sects and families fell.”

The sect leader implied that Eeyong might have deceived the Shaolin Temple into destroying the Sima family.

The audience felt uneasy.

Jiwon Baek family, Taeui Sword Sect, Gongdong Sect, Sima family. All suffered or fell after crossing paths with Eeyong.

Individually, nothing seemed amiss, but four coincidences were remarkable.

Even if all were coincidences, who could say a fifth wouldn’t occur in the martial world entangled with the demonic sects?

The sect leader wasn’t finished.

“A year later, a strange letter circulated in the martial world. You all received it, I’m sure. It spoke of the Blood Rain Guest seeking a new life, inviting dissenters to gather at the Tang family estate.”

Faces of the Qingcheng and Emei sect leaders darkened. Questioning this was akin to questioning their sects.

Before the Emei leader could retort, the sect leader quickly continued.

“Perhaps. The Gongdong Sect also guides those from the dark path. But I couldn’t quell my doubts and went to Sichuan. What I saw was astonishing.”

The Qingcheng leader closed his eyes, anticipating the next revelation.

“I saw the supreme master of the demonic sect, the Three-Eyed Buddha, there. And many high-ranking demonic sect members were at the Tang estate. I swear on my life.”

This wasn’t widely known. Only a few sects close to Eeyong were aware, and they kept it quiet.

Those unfamiliar with Eeyong showed clear suspicion.

“Perhaps it’s coincidence. But when you connect the dots, it’s peculiar. Someone inadvertently topples four orthodox sects and families, shelters a dark path warrior, and mingles with demonic sect members. Coincidentally, he’s the only one who claims to have witnessed changes within the demonic sect and insists the orthodox sects unite against them. Doesn’t this seem odd? It’s worth questioning.”

The sect leader concluded with emphasis.

“Finally, I ask a fundamental question. Is it right to call Eeyong, sitting there, an orthodox warrior?”

The sect leader smiled as if he had nothing left to lose, while Eeyong pressed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

‘He’s weaving quite the tale.’

He could explain each point, but where to start was the challenge.

Eeyong had lived a tumultuous life these past years.

Even if he explained, he couldn’t be sure it would dispel all doubts. Suspicion is like a weed with many roots, always regrowing.

The sect leader knew this and seemed content with the current situation.

The gathered crowd looked at Eeyong, their gazes clouded with doubt.

Even the usually composed leader of the Kunlun Sect appeared flustered. If Eeyong had lied, there was no reason to attack the demonic sect first.

Hyungong pondered and glanced at the silent Youngbojin, who seemed uninterested in judging the matter.

Youngbojin had overlooked the sect leader’s past grudge, not because he believed one side was right, but out of respect for the life-and-death duel between the former sect leader and Eeyong.

“I have something to say—”

Eeyong sighed deeply, preparing to defend himself, when a calm voice interrupted.

“So what?”

Eeyong turned to see the speaker. It was Yujin Gwang, the Radiant Sword. He stood before Eeyong could respond.

“I don’t know how everything happened, but I know one thing for sure. Eeyong can’t be blamed for what happened at the Gongdong Sect. I killed Muryangja, and it was the Gongdong Sect’s warriors, not Eeyong, who burned Hwangolgak.”

“But—”

The sect leader tried to argue, but Yujin Gwang pointed a finger at him.

The sect leader instinctively froze. It wasn’t just a threat. The finger was like an arrow, ready to pierce his throat.

Yujin Gwang spoke.

“Shut up. We listened to your long-winded nonsense.”

He began walking through the crowd, chuckling and rubbing his chin.

“I feel a bit sorry for saying this about someone I killed, but Muryangja was a bit of a bastard. He deserved it. No regrets. Eeyong understands. If anyone has a problem, speak up. Let’s step outside and settle it.”

Yujin Gwang glanced at Baek Yaho.

His words were shockingly blunt and aggressive, yet Baek Yaho seemed more intrigued than offended.

Yujin Gwang continued with more force.

“Eeyong killed the Sword King’s son? There must have been a reason. Has anyone cared about the Sword King’s son or the Baek family lately? I’ve heard the son was a disgrace, ruining the family.”

Yujin Gwang’s voice carried an overwhelming presence.

Even if it wasn’t overwhelming, it was certainly a story worth discussing over drinks. People leaned in to hear what Yujin Gwang had to say.

“The Sama family was wiped out? They must have been quite the troublesome bunch. Didn’t the Divine Sage say their sins were heavy? And what’s this about the Taeui Sword Sect? The head of the sect? Never heard of them before. But I bet they’re just as much trash as the other three.”

“What!”

The head of the Taeui Sword Sect spat out a word, and Yujin Gwang shot him a fierce glare. The sect leader hesitated under Yujin Gwang’s piercing gaze.

“If a blacksmith is hammering away, it’s probably metal he’s working on. If a swordsman is sweating while swinging something, it’s likely a sword. If someone who has already taken out three pieces of trash is dealing with something else, chances are it’s more trash. That’s just how the world works.”

The bizarre logic made everyone listening burst into laughter, including Hyun Gong.

Just as Tang Mujin was pondering how to defend himself, Hyun Gong was also contemplating how to support him.

A sharp tongue can be more dangerous than any sword, and it takes effort to counter it.

But Yujin Gwang didn’t weave his stories with the same subtlety and precision as Hyun Gong.

He wasn’t the type to compromise when something bothered him.

He wasn’t a man who fretted over his reputation or worried about minor scratches.

Yujin Gwang believed that if his opponent wielded a sword, he should simply swing a sharper, faster one.

Perhaps that’s why his words resonated so deeply with everyone present. After all, there wasn’t a single person here who wasn’t a warrior.

Yujin Gwang addressed Baek Yaho, the head of the Gongdong Sect, and the Taeui Sword Sect leader.

“It must be uncomfortable. If you disagree with me, say so now. Convince me. If you can’t, then step outside the Haegeomji with me. When you return, there’ll be no need for persuasion.”

The Taeui Sword Sect leader trembled with fear and anger.

He had come here prepared to face death, yet he couldn’t bring himself to speak. He felt both fear and an unbearable sense of humiliation.

To Baek Yaho, who had lost the previous head of the Gongdong Sect, Yujin Gwang’s words were incredibly disrespectful.

With a slight smile, Baek Yaho spoke to Yujin Gwang.

“I’ve heard about the warriors of the Jeomchang Sect, but I didn’t realize they were like this. Shouldn’t a sect leader be more responsible with his words? There are lives hanging on your tongue.”

Baek Yaho’s words wrapped around Yujin Gwang like a snake’s tongue.

But Yujin Gwang just grinned.

“The Jeomchang Sect has always been this way. We don’t back down, and we don’t retract our words. We’ve never avoided danger by being cunning. Yet, the reason we’ve survived and thrived is twofold.”

Yujin Gwang raised his clenched fist, extending his index finger.

“First, because we know what’s right.”

Then he extended his middle finger.

“Second, because we know whom to trust.”

Yujin Gwang returned to stand beside Tang Mujin.

“A Jeomchang warrior needs nothing more. Whether it’s a newcomer or the sect leader, it’s the same. Everything else is just superficial maneuvering. I trust my judgment of people. Even if the Jeomchang Sect stands against the world, we’ll stand by the Tang family.”

The people mulled over Yujin Gwang’s words and the Taeui Sword Sect leader’s story.

They looked at Tang Mujin, reconsidering the situation from the beginning.

As always, the decision was theirs to make.

But no one dared to challenge Yujin Gwang.

Even those who couldn’t shake their doubts had no intention of speaking up in front of him. After all, a martial artist only has one life.

Pleased with the silence, Yujin Gwang smiled contentedly.

Finally, he pointed at the Taeui Sword Sect leader and declared,

“And one last thing. You, the head of the Taeui Sword Sect, Mr. So-and-So. The moment you leave the Wudang Sect, you’ll be pierced through the heart and die.”