Chapter 63 - The Great Peng Waiting for a Typhoon

Moyong Gang, who had landed in the middle of the Dragon-Phoenix Summit, myself, and the Ten Thousand Swords, looked at me and spoke.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. I was called a crazy bastard plenty of times in my youth, but I never did anything as crazy as you."

Moyong Gang let out a quiet gasp as he looked at the swords floating in the air.

"I thought the stories left in the records were pure lies..."

Moyong Gang's eyes gleamed like a child seeing the stars for the first time.

"... It feels like the records are lacking."

Soon, he looked at me and spoke.

"If it's proof you wanted, it's already done, so withdraw your swords. Do you have any idea what innate qi is to be using it so recklessly!"

I pointed at Jong Byeokgi.

"That man insulted me, my sect, and our Great Martial Ancestor."

"Do you plan to fight a life-and-death battle right here?"

"I will do exactly what the Mount Cangshan Sect would do if they were insulted. Jong Byeokgi! What would you do if your sect was insulted!"

"..."

Chuckling at my attitude, Moyong Gang turned his gaze to Jong Byeokgi.

"You stinking Daoist. ... Apologize."

Jong Byeokgi was entirely flustered by the abrupt demand to apologize.

"... Just who are you, elder, to interfere in the affairs of the Murim Alliance!"

"If you don't apologize right now, you and the Dragon-Phoenix Summit won't be returning in one piece. Do you not understand that?"

"Our Dragon-Phoenix Summit..."

"Tsk, tsk. You're a boy who won't listen to reason."

Moyong Gang reached out his hand toward Jong Byeokgi and twisted it.

CRACK!

Astonishingly, the arm of Jong Byeokgi, who was standing behind Ilmyeong, twisted in a direction it shouldn't bend.

"AAAGH!"

Its destructive power was too strong to be simple telekinesis, and to say he used void striking, Ilmyeong, who was using the rare divine technique Vajra Indestructible Divine Art, was shielding him.

No one here understood what method Moyong Gang had used.

"What are you doing! How dare you do such a thing and..."

BAM!

Jong Byeokgi was definitely standing in the middle of the Dragon-Phoenix Summit.

Yet, bizarrely, he was sent flying and slammed into the wall, as if he alone were being dragged by an invisible rope.

THUD!

"Keuheuk."

"Is this enough?"

Moyong Gang looked back at me.

"Or should I kill him for you?"

"..."

"I find you amusing. I don't want to see you die or have your martial arts completely crippled. I'm curious about both you and the swordsmanship you use."

His eyes, visible through the human skin mask, gleamed like a predator eyeing its prey.

I was momentarily struck with goosebumps and lost my words.

"..."

"If you want, I'll kill him for you, even if it means going to war with Mount Cangshan. It wouldn't be bad to clash with that stinking Daoist from Mount Cangshan after such a long time."

"!"

"!"

The faces of the Dragon-Phoenix Summit members paled.

Though they didn't know his identity, the way he spoke so plainly and calmly made it feel all the more real, sounding utterly chilling.

I looked at the Dragon-Phoenix Summit, missing Jong Byeokgi, and spoke.

"While Jong Byeokgi was speaking, none of the Dragon-Phoenix Summit stepped forward, aside from Lady Moyong Seol. That must mean the Dragon-Phoenix Summit shares similar thoughts with Jong Byeokgi."

Ilmyeong spoke as if feeling wronged.

"... No! That is..."

"Be quiet!"

Moyong Gang looked at me and made a mischievous expression.

"I've met all sorts of bastards in my life, but this is my first time seeing someone as stubborn as you."

"..."

"For such a short journey together, aren't you extracting too big of a price?"

"If I am still in one piece after this is over, I will repay you."

"Good. Remember those words."

Nodding in satisfaction, Moyong Gang spoke to the Dragon-Phoenix Summit.

"Hey, you measly earthworms and chicks, do you really even have the inspection authority to investigate the origin of one's martial arts?"

"..."

No one dared to open their mouth carelessly.

Although they held the fearless position of the Murim Alliance's Dragon-Phoenix Summit, having witnessed a level of martial arts belonging to the Heaven beyond Heaven, they could not speak recklessly.

"You dust from Mount Hua. You speak."

Hwa Jeongsan furrowed his brow and spoke.

"As inspection envoys of the Murim Alliance... the order of Murim and..."

"I asked if you had the authority. You rotten bastard."

"..."

Hwa Jeongsan's face burned bright red at Moyong Gang's insult.

Eventually, Ilmyeong interjected.

"Excuse me, but could you please tell us who you are, elder?"

"Why? Do you want to weigh me and try crushing me with the might of the Shaolin Sect if I seem like an easy mark?"

"..."

Ilmyeong could not easily speak, daunted by Moyong Gang's attitude of casually mentioning the Shaolin Sect.

"You little monk, having mastered all the texts in Shaolin's Scripture Pavilion, surely you know? That the martial arts of that boy are similar to the records of the Taiyi Sword Emperor from long ago?"

"..."

Ilmyeong looked at the collapsed Jong Byeokgi.

"Are you going to say you don't know? Shall I show you the records kept in my family?"

A strange light flickered in Ilmyeong's eyes. He seemed to have gleaned a clue from Moyong Gang's words.

"Could it be... Mo...!"

Then, as if remembering something, he shook his head.

"... No. I know it."

"According to the records I have seen, that boy's martial arts are indeed the martial arts of the Taiyi Sword Emperor. Furthermore, everyone in Jianghu knows that the Taiyi Sect inherited the Taiyi Sword Emperor's legacy."

Because the story of the Taiyi Sword Emperor and the Taiyi Sect had echoed across the world primarily as a subject of mockery, there wasn't a single person in Jianghu who didn't know it.

"Does anyone object to my statement?"

Everyone's gazes gathered on Ilmyeong.

"... I do not."

Following Ilmyeong's words, the entire Taiyi Sect erupted in murmurs.

Jong Byeokgi, who had been smashed into the wall, stepped forward while clutching his dangling arm.

His two eyes were filled with deep resentment toward his opponent.

"Just who are you, elder, to commit such an act!"

"Why are you so curious about that?"

"Mount Cangshan does not forget grudges."

"Tsk, tsk, so all you can do is hide behind that little pup Woomun?"

Jong Byeokgi's face slowly hardened.

Baek Woomun was the current Sect Leader of the Mount Cangshan Sect. To carelessly call such a person a little pup?

"You said you wouldn't regret it."

Moyong Gang's hand reached toward his neck area.

"What do you..."

As Moyong Gang's face was revealed, the faces of Jong Byeokgi and the Dragon-Phoenix Summit turned the color of dirt.

"W-Wind God Breaking Sword...!"

A cold smile formed on Moyong Gang's lips.

"You dared to interrupt my fun. I assume you did so prepared to pay the price?"

Then, Moyong Seol cried out as if screaming.

"G-Grandfather!"

Whether Moyong Seol called him or not, Moyong Gang spoke to the people on the platform.

"I, Moyong Gang, the current Patriarch of the Moyong Noble Clan, whom my fellow martial artists of Jianghu call the Wind God Breaking Sword, will vouch for this. The martial arts that child Jin Sowoon used are undoubtedly the legendary martial arts of the Taiyi Sword Emperor."

Cries that sounded like groans of pain erupted from all over the platform.

"Uwaaah!"

"Sniff... Truly..."

"... For such a thing to happen."

Among the adults, there was not a single one who wasn't weeping loudly.

Even Hong Mungi, not wanting to show himself crying, kept his eyes closed and his head held high, despite Moyong Gang being right in front of him.

"Is that enough now?"

Moyong Gang looked at me again with a mischievous expression.

I carefully withdrew all my martial arts.

"Your innate qi wasn't shattered or anything, right?"

"... Yes, thanks to you, my Dantian is perfectly fine as well."

"Good, good. That's a huge relief."

The one who steadied me when I was giving up all hope was Moyong Gang, a man I had only met once.

"..."

I couldn't help but be deeply moved by his actions, especially since we had no connection even in my past life.

If my grandfather were alive, would he have been like this?

Full of mischief and stubbornness, but someone who would truly take my side in the most crucial moments...

"Then I suppose we should settle our accounts now too?"

"Pardon?"

Fists flew in an instant, striking my abdomen and neck before I even had a chance to dodge.

"Guh..."

I managed to hold onto my fading consciousness, glaring at him with wide eyes.

"Why... on earth?"

"As they say, a beating is the best medicine for a crazy bastard. How dare you recklessly mess with your innate qi?"

"No... that's..."

With those words, my eyes closed.

* * *

All the Elders and Hall Leaders of the Taiyi Sect gathered in the Grand Sage Hall.

The monumental event of 'Jin Sowoon has mastered the martial arts of the Taiyi Sword Emperor!' had just occurred, but the person they were currently waiting for was Moyong Gang.

Wind God Breaking Sword Moyong Gang.

Not only was he an absolute master of Jianghu, but he was also an esteemed senior of Jianghu whom any sword practitioner would wish to meet at least once.

When Moyong Gang entered, still dressed as an herb gatherer, all the people of the Taiyi Sect stood up from their seats.

Hong Mungi offered the seat of honor to Moyong Gang, but Moyong Gang shook his head.

"Please do not do that. Putting aside the seniority in Jianghu, are we not meeting as the heads of our respective sects right now? Sect Leader, do not be overly humble."

At his words, Hong Mungi took the seat of honor, and Moyong Gang sat beside him.

"I do not know how to repay this favor."

When a conflict with the Murim Alliance had almost broken out over the origins of the Taiyi Sword Emperor's martial arts, Moyong Gang had stepped in and mediated by vouching for them with his and his clan's name.

The Taiyi Sect owed him a great debt.

"I merely stated that what inherently belongs to the Taiyi Sect is indeed the Taiyi Sect's. Still, I feel like a weight has been slightly lifted off my mind knowing it helped your sect."

"... Pardon? What do you..."

"Hm? Did you not know? Jin Sowoon of your esteemed sect saved my son's life."

"Pardon?!"

"!"

Hong Mungi's gaze naturally darted to Jin Taesan, but Jin Taesan was completely unaware as well.

'This damn brat, couldn't he have told me when he did something like that?'

Just how terrified was he when he found out that the old herb gatherer was actually Moyong Gang?

"I apologize. I was not aware of this beforehand. I will make sure to educate him again."

"Haha, achieving such a great deed and not even mentioning it to his sect must mean he didn't think much of helping someone. I find that mindset rather admirable, so please do not worry about it, Sect Leader."

"T-Thank you."

Everyone in the hall felt the same, but Jin Taesan in particular was absolutely dumbfounded.

Even a hedgehog thinks its own babies are beautiful; to him, Jin Sowoon was his irreplaceable, precious son and the head disciple. But why was a great man like Moyong Gang showing such favor to Jin Sowoon?

"The truth is, my foolish son went out to find a spiritual elixir for his own son and fell into danger. Your disciple saved his life, and though my son offered the Fire Monkey's core in return, he refused, saying he couldn't possibly intercept a father's devotion to his son. How could I not take an interest in someone with such a heart?"

"?!"

"?!"

At the mention of the 'Fire Monkey's core,' the people's expressions grew complicated.

They wanted to praise his bold integrity for not coveting what belonged to another, yet at the same time, they wanted to scold him for missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Perhaps sensing those thoughts.

Moyong Gang chuckled and spoke.

"I wouldn't exactly call it a replacement, but as a token of gratitude, my son promised to give the Taiyi Sect three Cheongmyeong Pills."

"Ah...!"

"My goodness!"

"How can we ever... thank you enough!"

The people of the Taiyi Sect gradually took on relaxed expressions.

"There is no need for that. I am well aware that the Fire Monkey's core cannot be compared to the Cheongmyeong Pills. That is why I came to the Taiyi Sect in person to express my gratitude."

"..."

Life is truly strange.

If Jin Sowoon had accepted the Fire Monkey's core.

And Moyong Gang hadn't come to the Taiyi Sect as a result.

If they had made an enemy of the Murim Alliance due to the friction with the Dragon-Phoenix Summit.

Would the Taiyi Sect have been able to purely rejoice at the return of the Taiyi Sword Emperor's martial arts right now?

"In addition, there is a proposal I would like to make to you, Sect Leader."

"What might it be?"

"While we are at it, how about we set up an exchange disciple to commemorate the new ties between our two sects?"

"..."

An exchange disciple arrangement was when two different sects sent their disciples to one another to exchange martial arts and teachings.

This was generally a system practiced by groups like the Nine Sects and One Gang or the Five Great Noble Clans, who, despite already possessing powerful martial arts, used it to fill in the gaps of their one-sided styles or to give their disciples more experience.

However, that was only possible between sects of similar scale and skill level.

If the Moyong Noble Clan and the Taiyi Sect exchanged disciples, there was absolutely nothing the Moyong Noble Clan would gain from it.

This meant Moyong Gang was intending to bestow a massive favor on the Taiyi Sect under the guise of an exchange disciple.

"Would that truly be alright?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't think there will be anything to learn from our Taiyi Sect... We haven't even seen the Taiyi Sword Emperor's martial arts yet ourselves..."

"Haha, what are you saying, Sect Leader. It isn't the Taiyi Sect's martial arts that I want the children to learn. The Moyong Noble Clan already has more than enough martial arts."

It was an arrogant statement, but because it was Moyong Gang saying it, it didn't sound particularly haughty.

"Then what is it?"

"The very spirit of the Taiyi Sect."

"Pardon?"

Moyong Gang erased his usual mischievousness and spoke with a benevolent expression.

"I heard something similar happened at the Iron Sword Sect a while ago."

Jin Taesan and Kang Chaeseok gave a slight nod as they recalled that day.

"Having one's sect insulted is a situation anyone would be furious about. However, putting everything on the line to express that fury, even when the opponent is overwhelmingly stronger, is not something easily done."

Hong Mungi unconsciously found himself nodding in agreement.

"I believe drawing out his innate qi without thinking of the consequences was foolish, but because of the single move that boy Jin Sowoon played this time, from now on, anyone from the Murim Alliance, including the Dragon-Phoenix Summit, will have to risk their lives if they dare insult the Taiyi Sect."

"Ah..."

"The Moyong Noble Clan has never received such an insult. But that was only possible because we are strong. I want our children to always stand as proud as Jin Sowoon, even in front of those stronger than the Moyong Noble Clan."

"..."

The Elders and Hall Leaders all kept their mouths firmly shut. It was difficult to contain the welling emotions brought on by Moyong Gang's praise.

Hong Mungi also felt tears threatening to spill at the thought of Jin Sowoon, so he quickly pointed at Jin Taesan.

"Ahem, if that's the case, then that man over there, the Leader of the External Hall, would know best. That man is none other than Jin Sowoon's father."

At Hong Mungi's words, Moyong Gang looked at Jin Taesan with a peculiar glint in his eyes.

"Heh heh, I know."

A smile full of mischief spread across Moyong Gang's lips.

"Just what kind of education must you give a child for him to grow up like that?"

"... Senior, I am so overwhelmed by your praise that I don't know what to say."

"I'm asking because I'm genuinely curious. I happened to travel with him and played a few pranks on him. Do you know what he said to me, the Wind God Breaking Sword? He asked if I wanted to taste a warrior's straight punch. Please, tell me your secret to raising him to be so fearless."

"Whaaat?!"

Jin Taesan was horrified.

The expressions of the others weren't much different from Jin Taesan's.