Chapter 273 Zhejiang Province-2

Chapter 273: Zhejiang Province-2

After entering Zhejiang Province, Seon Woo-jin and his group continued their relentless northward journey without pause.

Their target was Mount Antang, a massive mountain located in the central region of Zhejiang Province.

However, their pace was not particularly fast.

Since they were moving separately from the Six Harmonies Sword Masters, they had to stay within a distance where their hearts could communicate with them.

Thus, as the group walked at a moderately brisk pace, they continually encountered the unmanned areas of Zhejiang Province they passed through.

It was no different now.

A lone warrior, wielding a great sword, was walking toward them along the path.

When is the most tense moment for martial artists?

While there may be some variation, most warriors would say it’s the moment they encounter an unfamiliar warrior on the road.

That moment when you come face to face on the road with someone whose allegiance is unknown—someone whose strength you haven’t yet gauged, whether they’re stronger or weaker than you.

A martial artist’s nerves inevitably become razor-sharp in that situation.

But strangely enough, the martial artists of Zhejiang Province seemed different.

The martial artist walking toward them from the opposite direction saw Sun Wujin’s group, smiled warmly, and bowed.

“Good fortune.”

In response to his greeting, Sun Woo-jin’s group awkwardly returned the bow.

“Good fortune.”

After exchanging greetings, the warrior simply walked on as if nothing had happened.

It seemed the greeting had been offered warmly simply because the group was composed of warriors, even though there was no particular reason for it.

Jin So-eun watched his retreating figure with curious eyes and murmured softly.

“How strange. The atmosphere in Xinjizhejiang Province is definitely different in some way.”

At that, even Zeng Qi and Yan Taizhen, who had initially kept watchful eyes, nodded as they watched the warrior’s receding figure.

This wasn’t the first time they’d encountered a martial artist who greeted them like this before moving on.

No, actually, ever since entering Zhejiang Province, this situation kept repeating itself whenever I encountered a stranger on the road.

The inexplicably friendly smiles and greetings from martial artists I’d never met before.

The fact that the martial artists we encountered didn’t guard against each other, greeting like that, and going even further to show inexplicably friendly smiles—this was something I’d never experienced anywhere else.

Sun Woo-jin agreed with Jin So-eun’s words and added.

Moreover, it’s not just that they’re kind—you can sense a certain pride and conviction in each and every one of them. It seems they take immense pride simply in being martial artists from Zhejiang Province.

Everyone nodded in agreement at Seon Woo-jin’s words.

Indeed, everyone had sensed it too.

The atmosphere of Xinzhi Zhejiang Province, the sacred land of the righteous faction, delivered such a fresh shock to the group.

The journey proceeded smoothly.

They didn’t exactly move quickly, but there was no chance of an accident, and everyone they met was kind, so before long they arrived at the foot of Mount Antangsan without incident.

Seon Woo-jin stared blankly at the massive mountain, its summit shrouded in clouds, and muttered to himself.

“We’ve finally arrived.”

Then Mokrang answered from within his heart.

– Yeah. We really did come back here.

His voice carried a deep sense of nostalgia.

Seon Woo-jin suddenly asked him.

‘But why did you choose to leave your true spirit here at Antang Mountain, rather than at your ancestral home in Onju?’

Mukrang answered his question.

– Yes. This place was where our ancestors left provisions for future generations.

According to Mukrang, when he was young, his family had also lost their secret techniques and fallen into obscurity, becoming just another third-rate martial arts sect.

– We had neither the sword techniques that once commanded the world nor the secret inner energy cultivation methods. Only a few basic martial arts and foundational cultivation methods remained. So, we weren’t even a major force in Zhejiang Province, let alone in Wenzhou, a remote corner of it…

It was his older brother, the Thunder God, who resurrected that fallen family from the very bottom.

He also recovered the family’s secret ritual text that had been hidden away here on Mount Antang.

It was nothing short of a signal flare for the revival of the Sword Saint’s family at that time.

Mukrang recalled his elder brother and spoke in a wistful voice.

I hear people these days often argue over which of us brothers is the greater warrior. But truthfully, it’s not even worth comparing. If my elder brother revived a dying tree, then I merely picked and ate the fruit that grew on it. My very existence is one of the achievements my elder brother accomplished. So, is it really necessary to debate who is the more outstanding warrior?

Seon Woo-jin listened silently to his words.

Whenever Mukrang spoke of his elder brother, the Thunder God, he always humbled himself as if it were only natural.

And so, each time, curiosity would arise.

What kind of man could his brother, Noseon, be, to command such absolute reverence from the legendary swordsman known as the greatest of all time?

Suddenly, the face he had seen in the illusion of the Muwang Tomb came to mind.

His manly face, full of mischief, was still deeply etched in Seon Woo-jin’s mind.

***

A short while later, the group had a simple meal at a nearby inn and began climbing Mount Anjang.

The path was wide and easy.

Moreover, countless people—most of whom appeared to be unmanned—were traversing the mountain paths as if they were bustling streets.

That wasn’t all.

They even passed each other at close range, seemingly without any guard, as if they were completely unaware of one another.

Inn establishments operating here and there, wide mountain paths, and the many unmanned figures traversing them—the area around Mount Antang, which should have been a remote mountainous region, greeted the party in a manner entirely different from what they had anticipated.

Hawon Dalgi Yeon Taejin looked around in wonder and remarked.

“What kind of remote mountain area has more warriors than the bustling streets of the capital? Is this all because of the Sword Master?”

Seon Woo-jin answered her question.

“It seems likely. I’ve heard that warriors who follow the Sword Master have gathered in such numbers around Antang Mountain that they’ve practically built a city. I always thought it was an exaggerated rumor, but this is no exaggeration at all.”

Throughout their trek along the mountain path, the group encountered numerous martial artists passing by.

They all appeared to be righteous martial artists, and each greeted the group with a friendly smile and a wave.

Occasionally, some would glance at Heukpyo Sakwol and Yeon Taejin, but it was merely a curious look; no one picked a fight.

Jin So-eun suddenly exclaimed in admiration.

“So a place like this could truly exist. When I return to my family home, I want to make Guangdong Province into a place like this too. A place where martial artists can live together smiling, without suspicion.”

Zeng Chi and Xue Feng nodded at her words.

To varying degrees, most of the group was marveling at the atmosphere here.

Of course, this scene was an extension of the atmosphere I’d felt since entering Zhejiang Province.

But it was truly astonishing that this atmosphere remained intact even with so many martial artists coming and going, not just one or two.

Martial artists were a breed who, the moment they saw another person, immediately began plotting how to take them down.

For them, another martial artist was either a current adversary or a potential future one—an instinct deeply ingrained.

And now, these martial artists were coexisting peacefully, showing no signs of mutual suspicion?

If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it.

Seolpung sighed as he spoke.

“The fact that this is possible means everyone here believes they aren’t enemies, right?”

Seon Woo-jin nodded in agreement at his words.

“It seems to be a belief that in Xinjizhejiang Province, especially within the domain of the Sword Master, no one would commit such an outrageous act. The influence of the world’s greatest swordsman is truly astonishing.”

Then Yeon Tae-jin interjected with a sullen expression.

But isn’t it reckless to trust others so blindly without any caution? For warriors to abandon their guard by trusting someone other than themselves? What if even one among them harbors ill intent? What if they target such defenseless people and attack? After all, any rule becomes useless the moment just one person breaks it, right? It just seems too lax to me, you know?”

As expected, this atmosphere didn’t sit well with Yeon Taejin, a member of the Sapa sect.

But even setting aside the emotional aspect, her words made perfect sense.

The reason trusting others is beautiful is precisely because it is so difficult.

After all, others are beings with different thoughts from my own. Therefore, when trusting such a being, one must also bear in mind the risk that they might differ from my common sense—and furthermore, that they might betray me.

But to dismiss all that risk simply by placing faith in an external entity like the Sword Master was clearly both extremely dangerous and downright foolish.

Mukrang suddenly spoke up.

– Actually, it was my brother and I who started creating this atmosphere. We wanted to build a place where common folk could live without fearing warriors, where the common sense that people should respect one another regardless of status remained alive. But now it seems we’ve gone even further—it’s become a region where warriors themselves no longer fear one another.

Upon hearing this, Seon Woo-jin asked him.

‘You must be proud. Isn’t this saying the culture you two created has evolved into a tradition spanning a hundred years?’

Mukrang replied in a bitter tone.

– Well. I’m not sure. There was a conversation my brother and I had back then. We wondered what would happen if there were animals that could live in a world of perpetual peace, needing only sunlight and water. Like plants, you see. If such animals truly existed, could they live peacefully forever?

Animals that could supplement their own nutrition and live like plants…

Seonwoojin suddenly imagined what such an animal might look like.

Mukrang continued speaking.

– If such an animal existed, it wouldn’t need to move anywhere else. After all, staying put wouldn’t hinder its survival in the slightest. It might not even need eyes, a nose, or a mouth. Why would it need such things when it has no predators and no need to hunt for food? Perhaps it would just float on the water.

Seon Woo-jin sighed without realizing it.

Come to think of it, aren’t all human actions rooted in the need to eat and survive?

If there was no need to do it, perhaps, as Mokrang said, there was no need for sensation, movement, communication—nothing at all.

Mukrang continued speaking.

– But here’s the thing. What do you think would happen if animals living that way encountered other carnivores?

‘Ah!’

The moment he heard those words, only one word came to Seon Woo-jin’s mind.

The word ‘extinction’.

– My brother and I were deeply wary that the world we created might become a place inhabited by such people. Even if it were a world where humanity and righteousness were common sense, a world we built ourselves would be entirely different from one built by others. That’s why we always emphasized humanity and righteousness while also stressing the power needed to uphold them. But…

Mukrang’s words ended there.

But Seonwoo Jin felt he could understand perfectly well what Mookrang was about to say next, even without hearing it.

Among the martial artists passing by without a hint of caution right before his eyes, even giving them the benefit of the doubt, he couldn’t find a single one who was anything more than first-rate.

If even a few Blood Sect demons were to raid a place like this, it would be utterly devastated in an instant.

Even if the Sword Master’s followers came to help, by then everyone here would already be dead.

Somehow, it was a complicated feeling.

This place, which until recently had seemed like a paradise on earth, suddenly felt like a house of cards.

Sun Woo-jin asked Mok Rang about a question that had suddenly occurred to him.

‘Does the Sword Master not know this fact? Something even we, who arrived here not long ago, have grasped.’

– Well…

The group now silently began climbing the mountain path toward the place where the Sword Master was staying.

***

The place where the Sword Master resided was a manor halfway up the mountain.

It couldn’t be called large for the residence of the world’s greatest martial artist, yet the manor, built to fill every inch of the narrow space on the mountainside, boasted a scale comparable to that of a mid-tier martial arts sect.

Mukrang, seeing it, spoke in a slightly startled voice.

– So this is how they’ve made it here. It used to be just a small hermitage, you see.

According to Mokrang, there had been a small hermitage here originally, and behind that hermitage, it seemed, was a cave hidden away in secret.

And Mokrang said he had left his true essence within that cave.

Therefore, since such a manor had been built in front of it, finding the sword spirit’s true essence now meant penetrating deep into the heart of that manor.

Sunwoo Jin and his party approached the gatekeeper at the main entrance to request entry.

“We have come to see the Sword Master.”

Then the squad leader, the gatekeeper warrior, asked politely.

“I see. Do you happen to have an appointment?”

In response to his question, Seon Woo-jin showed him the Moolang Sword and answered.

“Not exactly. But if I tell him the owner of the Moolang Sword has come, the Sword Master himself would not refuse a meeting.”

The gatekeeper warriors, including the captain, looked at Seonwoo Jin’s Moolang Sword and wore expressions of utter astonishment.

It was a natural reaction, for they had seen a sword identical to the Sword Master’s Blood Wolf Sword.

The squad leader held the sword and bowed respectfully.

“I will relay this immediately inside. Please wait just a moment.”

The squad leader finished speaking and immediately leaped inside as if flying.

His attitude was utterly sincere, leaving nothing to criticize.

Mukrang suddenly asked.

– Don’t you think we revealed the Moolang Sword too easily? Couldn’t the Sword Master harbor ill intentions?

“…As I mentioned before, I do not trust the Sword Master, but I trust the elder who is with him. The one who broke the seal on the Blood Wolf Sword would not harbor personal malice and harm me.”

But even as Seon Woo-jin answered thus, he lacked the certainty he had possessed during the Mayu-gyeom incident.

Perhaps it was because he had seen the martial artists near Mount Antang who had let down their guard, relying on the Sword Master’s reputation.

He wasn’t sure he could trust him based solely on the fact that he had broken the seal on the Blood Wolf Sword in the past, without having seen the Sword Master himself.

The wait was not long.

Sunwoo Jin and his party were immediately escorted inside by the chief steward who came out to greet them.

“Welcome. I apologize for keeping our honored guests waiting so long.”

“Not at all. We haven’t waited long. But are we going to see the Sword Master right now?”

Everything was proceeding with remarkable ease.

It was almost unbelievable that he could meet the current Sword Master, the best in the land, so easily.

But as soon as he thought that, Seon Woo-jin couldn’t help but think ‘Of course’ upon hearing the Chief Administrator’s reply.

This was because the steward had answered thus:

“No. The Sword Master is currently in seclusion for training. Therefore, distinguished guests are being received by his second son, the Red-Robed Sword Hero, Lord Bae Dae-ha.”

“Secluded… training?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

For Seon Woo-jin, this was nothing short of an awkward predicament.

Whether it was true or not, if the temple was closed, there was no way to beg them to force a meeting.

Mukrang said.

– If the Sword Master is in seclusion, that place is probably where he is.

‘I suppose so?’

Moreover, the place where the Sword Master was in seclusion training was surely where the Sword Spirit’s essence was hidden.

So that meant sneaking in there was impossible too.

Seon Woo-jin asked the chief steward again.

“Do you happen to know when the Sword Master will emerge from seclusion?”

The chief steward bowed respectfully and replied.

“I’m afraid this is a matter I cannot answer. You should hear the details from this gentleman yourself.”

His attitude was polite, yet at the same time, it was like a stone wall.

He seemed unwilling to share anything with the Seonwoo family.

Amidst Seonwoo Jin’s growing unease at this unexpected turn, the group was led to a reception room.

There, a young nobleman in his early thirties was waiting for them.

He greeted them with a polite bow, his face adorned with a gentle smile.

“Welcome. They say to oppose you. It is an honor to meet the one who possesses the brother sword of the Blood Wolf Sword.”

He was a man who wore an expression brimming with confidence, if not quite arrogance.

His very gaze and every word seemed to overflow with pride in himself.

Moreover, after their initial greeting, he began to stare intently at the Moolang Sword.

It was an intensely meaningful gaze.

“It really is identical to the Blood Wolf Sword, except for the color. The shape and material are completely the same. How fascinating.”

Seon Woo-jin suddenly glanced at the sword at Ban O-ha’s waist.

That sword too was a red blade, sharing a similar appearance to the Mookrang Sword.

Perhaps he had deliberately intended to make it resemble the Blood Wolf Sword.

Suddenly, I thought I understood why his nickname was the Crimson Blade Swordsman.

He probably wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, the Sword Emperor.

Sun Woo-jin smiled faintly and replied to his words.

“Because it’s a sword made by the same person. Have you ever heard the Sword Emperor speak of this Moolang Sword?”

It was a question meant to gauge whether Ban Dae-ha knew the secret of the Moolang Sword.

But he immediately shook his head.

“The Moolang Sword… I’ve heard rumors about a pair of sibling swords, but never any details.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Seon Woo-jin felt awkward once more.

If he didn’t know the secret of the Moolang Sword, it would be awkward to explain why they needed to meet the Sword Master.

“We have come to see the Sword Master. Do you happen to know when he will emerge from seclusion?”

Then, Ban Daeha smiled faintly and replied.

“Well, you see. My father isn’t the sort to set a specific time for his seclusion, so it’s hard to say exactly when. And… even if he does emerge from seclusion, I can’t guarantee he’ll want to meet with you all.”

It was a peculiar remark.

It implied that meeting the Sword Master might be impossible regardless of the seclusion. It couldn’t help but clash with the respectful attitude he’d shown until now.

At those words, Seon Woo-jin frowned slightly and asked.

“What do you mean by that…?”

Then, Ban Dae-ha chuckled softly and replied.

Father is the greatest swordsman under heaven. Even if you possess the Blood Wolf Sword’s sibling blade, could you truly expect to meet the greatest swordsman so easily for such a reason? Ah, are you perhaps planning to present that sword to Father as a gift?

His tone suggested that presenting the Blood Wolf Sword might just make a meeting possible.

His words made the expressions of the group stiffen.

It was a gift in name only—it meant offering up a warrior’s very life, his sword.

Seon Woo-jin answered, carefully managing his expression so his feelings wouldn’t show.

“That’s not quite right. Just as the Blood Wolf Sword is precious to you, Lord Swordmaster, the Silent Wolf Sword is precious to me. And… I believe that if you heard the Silent Wolf Sword’s story, you would surely ask to see me even now.”

Opposite Ha chuckled softly again and replied.

“Is that so? Well, once you finish your seclusion, I’ll speak to him. But for now, it’s impossible.”

Having said that, Ban Dae-ha looked at Seon Woo-jin with a faint smile.

His expression seemed to ask if there was anything else.

Seonwoo Jin acknowledged that there was nothing he could do for now.

He had no choice but to back down for now.

Since he had no intention of picking a fight with the Sword Master’s son and his faction, he couldn’t afford to cause a disturbance here.

And if he did pick a fight with them, he might become the enemy of every martial artist in Zhejiang Province.

He sighed and said.

“I suppose there’s no helping it. I’ll come back another time.”

As if waiting for this, Bao Da also clasped his fists and said.

“Yes, then we’ll meet again next time. Please take care.”

Emerging from the reception room without any results, Seon Woo-jin realized that finding the true essence of the sword spirit would be far more difficult than he had anticipated.

Until now, he had only considered the difficulty of mastering it, but this was an unexpected obstacle.

And it was as he was leaving the reception room.

Mukrang spoke to him.

– Author, you lied earlier.

“Huh? Are you saying the claim that the Sword Master is in seclusion was a lie?”

– No, that was true. But what I said about never having heard of the Moolang Sword was a lie. It seems you know something about the secret of the Moolang Sword after all.

Seon Woo-jin’s heart grew even more complicated at Mokrang’s words.

If what Mook-rang said was true, it meant that the person opposing him knew the secret of the Mook-rang Sword yet pretended not to know.

If that were the case, their intentions could never be good.

Perhaps knowing the secret was precisely why they had tried to prevent the meeting.

Seonwoo Jin sighed and said.

‘Revealing the Moolang Sword was definitely a rash move. Even if we overlook the sword itself, we had no idea what kind of people surrounded it.’

– I see. It’s a tricky situation.

***

As Seon Woo-jin and his group, who had been opposing him, left the reception room, he wiped the smile off his face.

He then summoned the chief steward and said,

“Investigate that man Seon Woo-jin thoroughly.”

“Understood.”

After the steward left the reception room upon hearing his order, he stared at the door through which Seon Woo-jin and his group had exited.

His eyes were filled with nothing but hostility and greed.