In episode 346, Dang Mujin found himself in a tense conversation with Sang Gwal, a prominent figure of the Gongdong Sect.

“Are you not the head of the Gongdong Sect, Sang Gwal? What brings you to Gyeju instead of Gongdong Mountain?” Dang Mujin inquired.

“I had to leave Gongdong Mountain due to some issues,” Sang Gwal replied.

It was clear that something serious must have happened for the Gongdong Sect to abandon their home base. How could they still call themselves the Gongdong Sect if they weren’t based on Gongdong Mountain?

Sang Gwal stared intently at Dang Mujin, waiting for the next question. Despite knowing that further inquiry might entangle him in troublesome matters, Dang Mujin felt compelled by the atmosphere to continue.

He hesitated, “Well…”

But before he could proceed, Sang Gwal overlooked the presence of another person beside Dang Mujin—Hyeon Gong. Like Dang Mujin, Hyeon Gong sensed that something bothersome was brewing. However, unlike Dang Mujin, Hyeon Gong had already calculated the potential costs and benefits of the situation.

‘The Gongdong Sect is definitely in a bind,’ Hyeon Gong thought. ‘Solving a troublesome issue usually comes with a hefty reward. But why is Sang Gwal, despite his status, acting so humble? It seems they can’t offer much in return.’

Hyeon Gong quickly assessed the situation, noting the poor state of the food and the dilapidated buildings around them. ‘The Gongdong Sect is practically on the brink of collapse,’ he concluded. ‘There’s no need to curry favor with Sang Gwal.’

With his mind made up, Hyeon Gong took over the conversation. “I see. You must be quite troubled.”

“Yes, indeed…” Sang Gwal admitted.

“But it’s not polite for outsiders to pry into the sensitive matters of the Gongdong Sect. I hope you overcome your difficulties soon,” Hyeon Gong said, his tone polite yet clearly dismissive.

Sang Gwal was taken aback. ‘This isn’t going as planned,’ he thought. He had intended to explain the sect’s situation over a meal and naturally ask for help. But with Hyeon Gong’s intervention, the plan was derailed before it even began.

Desperate, Sang Gwal tried to think of a solution, but he wasn’t particularly clever or eloquent. He decided to be straightforward. “Please, wait a moment.”

Hyeon Gong, slightly annoyed, asked, “What is it?”

“It might be an uncomfortable topic for a meal, but could you listen to my story while you eat?” Sang Gwal requested.

Hyeon Gong evaluated Sang Gwal, noting his martial prowess wasn’t particularly high. ‘Even if I generously estimate, his abilities are about twelve points. There’s a six-point gap between us. With such a difference, I can afford to be stern without repercussions.’

Clearing his throat, Hyeon Gong prepared to speak, but Dang Mujin, sensing trouble, intervened. “Listening to your story isn’t a problem. What happened?”

Though Hyeon Gong was displeased, Dang Mujin ignored him, allowing Sang Gwal to continue.

“As I mentioned, there was a problem at Gongdong Mountain, forcing us to relocate temporarily. We plan to return, but…”

“What kind of problem?” Dang Mujin pressed.

“To be blunt, there was a rebellion within the Gongdong Sect.”

“A rebellion?” Dang Mujin was incredulous. A rebellion within a sect, not a nation, was unheard of. Yet, given the unique circumstances of the Gongdong Sect, it wasn’t entirely surprising.

“Did the demonic cult infiltrate the sect again?” Dang Mujin asked.

“No, but it’s just as serious. Do you remember Muryangja?” Sang Gwal asked.

“Yes,” Dang Mujin replied, recalling the master of Baek Hyang-a, who was killed by Yoo Jin-gwang. The aftermath had strained relations between the Jeomchang Sect and the Gongdong Sect.

Sang Gwal leaned in, speaking in a hushed tone. “Muryangja’s remnants have incited a rebellion.”

He looked at Dang Mujin’s group with hopeful eyes, expecting them to assist, given their past involvement in Muryangja’s demise. However, Dang Mujin’s response was lukewarm. “Ah, I see.”

Sang Gwal was puzzled by the lack of enthusiasm. He had assumed they had a personal vendetta against Muryangja, but Dang Mujin’s group had only intervened because Muryangja threatened their allies. Dang Mujin harbored no lingering resentment, as Muryangja had paid for his crimes with his life.

Sang Gwal, determined to persuade them, continued, “You know the Gongdong Sect has faced many trials. As the new head, I vowed to eradicate all evil influences.”

“Yes, I’m aware,” Dang Mujin acknowledged, recalling the scene where Sang Gwal had cut the branded skin from his forehead, leaving a large scar.

“Some of those who remained silent back then are now spouting nonsense about restoring the sect’s old ways. Can you believe it? After all we’ve been through, they want to bring back the very practices that nearly destroyed us!”

Sang Gwal’s face flushed with anger as he recounted the events. “When I told them to stop, they went ahead and appointed a new leader!”

It seemed counterintuitive, but smaller, struggling groups often experienced more internal strife. The Gongdong Sect’s turmoil was almost inevitable. However, Dang Mujin had no desire to get involved.

“I’m sorry, but it seems we’re not in a position to help,” Dang Mujin said.

“How can you say that?” Sang Gwal protested, but the intense gaze of Dang Mujin’s group silenced him. He realized their martial prowess far exceeded his own.

Calming down, Sang Gwal listened as Dang Mujin explained, “This is an internal matter, not an external threat. The current occupants of Gongdong Mountain value tradition, while you hold onto past grievances. Both sides have valid points, so we can’t take sides. It’s not our place to decide the future of the Gongdong Sect.”

Dang Mujin’s reasoning was sound, and Sang Gwal slumped in defeat. “I see…”

Though the persuasion was successful, Sang Gwal’s dejection stirred sympathy in Dang Mujin. Sang Gwal had lost his brother to the demonic cult and endured countless hardships before becoming the sect leader. Now, just as he was trying to rebuild, the sect had split, or rather, he had been ousted. It was a tragic turn of events.

Out of compassion, Dang Mujin asked, “How did you end up being pushed out of Gongdong Mountain? Given the sect’s recent struggles, I wouldn’t expect much opposition to your leadership.”

Sang Gwal hesitated before answering, “As you said, they aren’t many, but their skills surpass ours. It’s not a matter of talent or effort. The problem is that many who were favored by Muryangja have sided with them, intending to carry on his legacy.”

The story seemed to be skimming the surface. Was there really a need to bring up the topic of martial arts here?

Hyun-gong paused for a moment, contemplating the situation of the Gongdong Sect.

“Were you perhaps trying to resolve the issue through a martial arts duel?”

”…”

Sang-gwal Do-in clammed up. Hyun-gong had hit the nail on the head.

In the martial arts world, it’s common to settle disputes through duels. This applies not only to conflicts with outsiders but also to internal disagreements within a sect. For instance, when two people with differing opinions have similar levels of skill and there’s no higher authority to mediate, a duel often becomes the solution.

Sang-gwal Do-in, having recently become the sect leader, attempted to assert his authority by quashing dissent through a duel. However, he ended up losing, an unexpected turn of events.

Hyun-gong clicked his tongue.

“If you lost the duel, there’s nothing more to be done. You should let it go.”

“But it’s unfair. I have more talent and have worked harder.”

“Then why did you lose?”

“That Sang-pyeong fellow has been consuming rare elixirs since he was young, thanks to his connections. Meanwhile, I’ve lived without even a whiff of such things…”

It seemed that the one who ousted Sang-gwal Do-in was a man named Sang-pyeong.

Rumor had it that due to a series of deaths among the Gongdong Sect’s masters in recent years, only two top-tier martial artists remained: Sang-gwal Do-in and Sang-pyeong Do-in. With no third master to take sides, it was a perfect setup for conflict.

Sang-gwal Do-in continued his lament.

”…I’ve never even smelled an elixir. Yet my skills were superior. But Sang-pyeong must have secretly consumed some potent elixir recently, as his internal energy was brimming with yin energy, and he narrowly defeated me…”

While half-listening, the mention of “yin energy” caught Hyun-gong’s attention.

The martial arts of the Gongdong Sect were known for their lethal aura and chilly atmosphere. However, a cold atmosphere didn’t necessarily mean one’s internal energy would be filled with yin. Like most Taoist sects, the Gongdong Sect’s internal energy techniques aimed for a balance of yin and yang.

Dang-mu-jin asked Sang-gwal Do-in, “Could you elaborate on this yin energy?”

Sang-gwal Do-in didn’t seem to know much about the yin energy in Sang-pyeong Do-in’s martial arts. He merely assumed it was due to consuming a yin-rich elixir.

However, Dang-mu-jin and his companions couldn’t shake their suspicions.

Baek-hyang-a, a disciple of Mu-ryang-ja, who was favored by Sang-pyeong Do-in, and the mysterious yin energy—it all seemed too coincidental.

Dang-mu-jin and his group decided to visit the Gongdong Sect on Mount Gongdong.

“We’re from Sichuan Province. Is the sect leader available?” Dang-mu-jin asked the disciple guarding the gate.

The disciple hesitated before replying, “Please wait a moment.”

He disappeared into the sect and soon returned. “The sect leader is currently away. The Gongdong Sect is in a complicated situation and cannot receive guests at the moment. Please come back another time.”

“Understood.”

Though they appeared to leave quietly, Dang-mu-jin and his group hid nearby, discussing the situation.

“Doesn’t this seem suspicious?” Hong-geol-gae asked.

Hyun-gong replied, “If the situation is so complicated, the sect leader wouldn’t leave the main hall. And it’s odd that the disciple went inside to deliver the message. The sect leader probably told him to send us away.”

The conversation paused briefly.

Nam-gung-myeong handed out black masks to his three friends without further discussion. Dang-mu-jin, Hyun-gong, and Hong-geol-gae accepted them without hesitation.

In hindsight, Dang-mu-jin and his group had never been deterred by a “do not enter” sign.

The only question was whether to enter with their faces uncovered or masked.

Seol-hwa spoke with concern, “Are you planning to sneak in?”

“Yes.”

“Is that okay?”

“As long as we don’t get caught.”

Seol-hwa spoke slowly and clearly, “But it’s suspicious. If intruders appear right after being told not to enter, anyone would find it strange.”

“We won’t leave any evidence. Suspicion alone won’t cause problems.”

For suspicion to lead to danger, one of two conditions must be met: leaving evidence or lacking power.

Dang-mu-jin and his group had neither issue. They were powerful and confident they wouldn’t leave evidence. They even planned to leave Seol-hwa outside to avoid leaving any trace, like a stray hair.

They waited until nightfall, then effortlessly scaled the Gongdong Sect’s walls.

Nam-gung-myeong seemed particularly thrilled as he climbed over.

Oddly enough, Dang-mu-jin felt a similar thrill.

’…’

He glanced at Hyun-gong and Hong-geol-gae, who also seemed quietly excited.

‘Birds of a feather flock together. Nam-gung-myeong’s influence is rubbing off on us.’

Dang-mu-jin took a deep breath to calm himself, deliberately summoning a sense of guilt to keep in his heart.

Together, they explored every corner of the Gongdong Sect.

Nothing stood in their way.

They were familiar with the layout, and with only one top-tier martial artist, Sang-pyeong Do-in, to worry about, they were unlikely to be caught.

The first and second-tier disciples couldn’t sense their presence, even when they passed right behind them.

While scouring the sect, they stumbled upon an unusual figure.

A foreign man with fair hair and blue eyes was sitting on the porch, gazing at the stars.

Dang-mu-jin whispered to his friends, “Have you ever heard of a foreigner in the Gongdong Sect?”

Hong-geol-gae and Hyun-gong replied, “No.”

“If there was one, we would’ve known during the last martial arts tournament.”

The foreigner wasn’t the typical bearded man from the Western regions or Persia. He had fair hair and blue eyes, much like Seol-hwa.

His martial prowess wasn’t low either. He seemed to have surpassed the pinnacle level.

Nam-gung-myeong nudged Dang-mu-jin and said, “Hey, there’s your friend.”

”…Who said he’s my friend?”

“Isn’t he? You should get to know him. The world is tough; it’s good to have friends in difficult times.”

Ignoring Nam-gung-myeong’s nonsense, Dang-mu-jin organized his thoughts.

“Sang-gwal Do-in said there’s only one top-tier martial artist in the Gongdong Sect right now. This foreigner can’t be Sang-pyeong Do-in, the sect leader.”

He had a hunch that this foreigner held an important clue.

Dang-mu-jin suggested, “We still have plenty of night left. Should we go out and tell Seol-hwa? Or bring her in to see if she recognizes this foreigner?”

But Nam-gung-myeong didn’t choose either option.

Instead, he proposed a simpler, more audacious solution.

“Let’s take him.”

His tone was as if he were pointing at an object. Dang-mu-jin asked, ”…Take him?”

“Yeah.”

With that, Nam-gung-myeong melted into the shadows. It was a sight Dang-mu-jin had witnessed before, but never with such stealth.

Even Dang-mu-jin couldn’t pinpoint Nam-gung-myeong’s location, only sensing a faint movement in the darkness.

It dawned on Dang-mu-jin that Nam-gung-myeong had mastered the stealth and movement techniques of the legendary shadow warrior from the last martial arts tournament.

Moments later, Nam-gung-myeong reappeared behind the stargazing foreigner.

Despite his presence, the foreigner remained oblivious, unaware of the person behind him.

Nam-gung-myeong’s hands swiftly grasped the foreigner’s head.

”…!”

The foreigner was startled, but it was too late.

Nam-gung-myeong twisted the foreigner’s neck with a decisive motion.

Crack.

The foreigner collapsed, unconscious. Nam-gung-myeong checked his breathing, then hoisted him onto his back and rejoined the group.

“Let’s go.”

In a flash, they spirited the foreigner away, slipping out of the Gongdong Sect.