Chapter 152 Jumseondong (1)

Chapter 152 Jumseondong (1)

How long had they walked?

Just as Gu Yangji began to feel a sense of familiarity, Mantongja suddenly stopped.

“From here on, you two go ahead.”

“……?”

Yu Zhangming, who had been slowly warming up to the conversation, tilted his head in confusion.

Seeing this, Mantongzi gave a regretful smile, as if suggesting they postpone it.

“Just in case some rat is tailing us. Someone needs to stand guard, don’t you think?”

“But…….”

When Gu Yangji mumbled about his body still being badly injured from just a few days ago, Man Tongja shrugged his shoulders.

“The one who cut off an arm against Palma is none other than me, the venerable Man Tongja. Ever heard of the invincible Mosan?”

“Childish talk.”

At Gu Yangji’s curt reply, Man Tongja gestured for them to hurry on.

“Wong and I will be here, so go with peace of mind.”

“Thank you for considering us brothers.”

When Yoo Jang-myeong bowed his head lightly, Man Tong-ja seemed slightly moved.

Of all the countless people he’d met so far, especially among martial artists, every cultivator had looked at him with disgust.

Some even charged at him, speaking of the pinnacle of sorcery as if it were the embodiment of evil.

But what of this young man?

‘Even though we’ve traveled this far together, it must be hard to shake preconceptions so easily. Heh heh, the day has finally come when a Taoist greets me.’

Man Tong-ja forced back the blood congestion rising from his chest and offered a faint smile.

“No matter how old I am, I’m not one to expect thanks for every little thing. Now, go on.”

At his gesture, Yu Zhangming bowed with hands clasped.

“…This debt of gratitude, I shall repay.”

With those words, Yu Zhangming vanished into the Sword Immortal Valley alongside Gu Yangjie.

Only when even their trailing shadows disappeared could Mantongzhe collapse heavily to the floor.

“Guh!”

Thud.

Blood filling his mouth mixed with saliva and trickled down his chin.

The wounds he had sustained while battling the Great Heavenly Water, which had chipped away at his lifespan, had returned as unavoidable scars.

Man Tong-ja instinctively reached for his collar to wipe the blood, paused, then went to the stream to wash it off.

“I hope they didn’t notice.”

His senior brother had long since transformed into a peerless master. There was no way he wouldn’t know.

Knowing, he would have remained silent out of respect for Mantongja’s will.

While Mantongja gazed at the entrance to Geomseondong, Daewoong wept pitifully.

“Waaah…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll live longer than you, at least.”

Mantongja stroked Daewoong’s head, then began casting a barrier centered on Geomseondong.

* * *

“Did you sense it too, Senior Brother?”

“……”

Yu Zhangming silently affirmed Gu Yangjie’s question.

He seemed reluctant to interfere with Mantongzi, perhaps because they weren’t close, but his eyes were already filled with regret.

After all, wasn’t Mantongzi someone who had lived as long as Palma?

Gu Yangjie glanced at Yu Zhangming briefly before continuing what he had been saying.

“If we take back much from this time and show it to them, wouldn’t that be enough?”

“Yes.”

Yu Zhangming answered curtly, seemingly trying not to reveal his emotions.

Soon, the topic shifted.

“I don’t know who’s in that cave, but I hope we can take back much from it.”

“You needn’t worry about that.”

Gu Yangjie recalled the Sword Spirit Cave in the darkness, and the Sword Spirit within it once more.

Mentally, he had reached the realm of plants; no technique could make him feel pressured.

His swordsmanship, without even a hint of warning, held true intent from the moment it extended.

If it was illusion, it was illusion; if it was change, it was change; if it was strength, it was strength.

This sword technique, having reached its ultimate essence, was captivating enough to enthrall even Gu Yangjeok, who had once stood at the pinnacle himself.

As Gu Yangjeok silently smiled, Yoo Jangmyeong also stepped forward, his expression filled with quiet anticipation.

Thud.

It was merely a single step, just setting foot into the Sword Hall.

The sound of his foot striking the ground reverberated throughout the entire Sword Hall, a persistent, tormenting noise in his ears. It was a deafening roar, enough to make anyone stepping inside for the first time turn pale with fear and flee outside.

“……?!”

Yet, Yu Jang-myeong merely frowned deeply, refusing to retreat.

Then, a pale, shadowy figure stirred in the darkness.

“Hoh.”

The figure let out a light exclamation and approached, dragging a sword along the ground.

Seeing this, Gu Yangjeok tilted his head, wondering if it had grown smaller than before, but the overwhelming power emanating from it remained unchanged.

“I’ve come to keep a promise I made on a whim.”

A laugh cut short and echoed.

The Lost Sword.

Guardian of the Sword Forest Valley, a formidable figure who must have faced the Eight Palms himself.

As Gu Yangji raised his sword, the Lost Sword gestured toward a broad rock, suggesting they talk first.

Amidst the tension enveloping the three, the first to speak was none other than Yu Zhangming.

“This one is Yu Zhangming, bearing the false name Plum Blossom Cloud Dragon.”

“A disciple of the Crane Immortal?”

From Mangjian’s abrupt mention of the founding patriarch, Yu Zhangming inwardly surmised he must have lived for hundreds of years, like the All-Knowing Sage.

“I have, inadequately, inherited the martial arts of Guangningzi.”

He called me Master Hak, yet you immediately respond with your Taoist name?

Manggeom felt he could roughly gauge Yu Jang-myeong’s temperament from that remark.

“Heh heh, I suppose calling you Master Hak rubbed you the wrong way. My apologies.”

“…….”

“But in my view, you three brothers surpass even Guangningzi in talent. Even that fellow Seoknyeon couldn’t keep up with you.”

” ……That is too kind.”

Realizing he was speaking directly to the founder of the sect, he couldn’t bring himself to show anger. As Yu Zhangming’s fists trembled, Mang Jian felt even more amused.

“By the way, do you know why the Hermit of the Crane was given the Taoist name Guangningzi?”

“How could we possibly know that? “

Despite Gu Yangji’s curt reply, Mang Jian remained undiminished in his vigor.

”It’s a Taoist name bestowed by Patriarch Wang Zhongyang, meaning ‘to lay the foundation for future generations to live in broad and peaceful times.’“

”You mean that foundation is Huashan?“

”That’s the gist of it.”

Neither Gu Yangji nor Yu Zhangming could readily grasp the meaning of those words.

Hua Mountain was sharper and more difficult to traverse than any other famous peak, and its numerous paths were so treacherous that even the sturdy wheels of the Golden Ring Caravan were often wrecked.

Yet this meaningful foundation was Hua Mountain?

As Gu Yangji’s eyes gleamed with curiosity, Mang Jian seemed to slowly savor the taste of telling the story.

“Unfortunately, my entry into the Sword Immortal Sect coincided with that period, so I don’t know exactly why they chose Mount Hua as their foundation. But there’s one thing I know for certain.”

“What is it?”

Yu Zhangming thrust his head forward, urging him to speak.

But Mang Jian teased them, drawing out his words slowly.

“The foundation.”

“……?”

“They say the foundation for future generations lies within Hwasan.”

“Is that all?”

“Well…”

Manggeom smiled faintly.

“I suppose your sect designated it as a sacred site? Essentially, a place where no one is allowed to approach, or a forbidden zone.”

At those words, Gu Yangjeok immediately thought of Maehwadong.

It was close to certainty.

Without such a reason, there would be no need for a master like Jin Muwol to reside and guard it.

Above all, weren’t Bai Danxian and Dan Wuling the only ones who could enter and exit Plum Blossom Valley?

‘Next time, I must press him for answers.’

Gu Yangji kept Mang Jian’s words in mind as he explained why he had come here.

“After I left here before…”

He emphasized just two points in his story.

That the Palm Sect currently had established forces throughout the martial world, and that if they decided to flee, there was no way to stop them.

Above all, when he mentioned that Shaolin Temple had nearly fallen into the Palm Sect’s grasp, Mang Jian roared in fury.

“You foolish monks! How could you forget Bodhidharma’s teachings and be blinded by ambition!”

“At least they’ve calmed down somewhat now.”

“If the Shaolin Temple is in that state, other sects can’t be safe either.”

Was he filled with worry?

Manggeom let out a heavy sigh, rose from his seat, and scrutinized Yuzhangming and Guyangzhe.

Then, Mang-geom’s hand reached out toward Yu Jang-myeong.

“Wh-what is this…”

“Ah, ah, stay still.”

Mang-geom ran his hands over Yu Jang-myeong’s entire body several times, continuing to voice his observations.

“His bones aren’t particularly sturdy, but he’s flexible, so he’ll be quick to adapt.”

“To truly harness such a body, training is paramount. How could you have been so negligent? Tsk.”

“Your internal energy is utterly pitiful compared to a priest’s. No matter how formidable your techniques, without sufficient energy to channel the power, you’ll always hit a ceiling.”

Faced with this relentless criticism, Yu Jang-myeong was dumbfounded, his face flushing crimson.

“I will correct it slowly.”

“Slowly? At most, in two or three years, the Eight Palms will be in full bloom!”

Manggeom spoke with eyes wide open.

“My work, and that of Man Tongja, is already finished. From now on, disciples like you will have to handle the Eight Palms yourselves.”

“How can we possibly do that?”

When Gu Yangdi asked in a tone of utter disbelief, Manggeom affirmed with a look of absolute conviction.

“You, who inherited the arrangements left by Jeon Jin-gyo and Jeon Jin-chil from Master Yeo Dong-bin, are more than capable.”

Yoo Jang-myeong, who had been listening silently, shook his head softly.

“…It’s too heavy a burden.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s true I exist because of the Masters. But I am no swordsman. And certainly no hero.”

Yu Zhangming raised his voice, meeting Mang Jian’s expressionless gaze.

“I am merely an ordinary man who studies the Way and follows it. That is the extent of my capacity.”

The surroundings were pitch-black, so Gu Yangji could not discern Mang Jian’s expression.

Yet the voice that followed carried a deep, heavy weariness.

“…Is it that you lack confidence?”

“It’s the weight.”

Yu Zhangming bowed his head.

“For people like us, who are content to live simply, blending in with those around us, it’s a yoke far too heavy to bear.”

“Is that so.”

Mang Jian fell silent after those words.

During the sudden, prolonged silence that followed, Gu Yangjie found himself unable to speak.

He himself could burn with the will to surpass Palma, fueled by the guilt of having destroyed the Huashan Sect.

But Yu Zhangming had stated unequivocally that he could not.

Perhaps the other Taoists felt the same.

Palma was an overwhelming presence, capable of easily crushing even a martial artist’s competitive spirit.

Yu Zhangming had spoken so gently because of his mild nature; another Taoist might have been more vehement.

Punishing Samo the Heretic was only right, but Palma was an entity beyond measure.

‘It really is like hitting a rock with an egg, isn’t it.’

As Gu Yangji was gauging the situation, Mangjian spoke.

“Thank you for your honesty. Admittedly, our predecessors were rather inconsiderate. They left everything to us and departed.”

“…….”

Yu Zhangming bit his lower lip lightly.

He knew, just by looking at the Unkillable Demon, that Palma would slowly erode the world as a future menace.

But he couldn’t understand the judgment and arrangements of the previous generation that had concealed this until now.

If Palma couldn’t wield its power for a long time, wouldn’t it have been better to reveal it sooner and kill it?

Just as these thoughts swirled chaotically in his mind.

CRASH! CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!

A tremendous explosion echoed outside the Sword Spirit Cave.

The shockwave was so immense that stalactites rained down from the cave ceiling.

Gu Yangji’s expression hardened.

“Senior Brother, let’s get outside first!”

At those words, Yu Zhangming glanced at the Lost Sword and followed Gu Yangji out.

Left alone in the cave, Manggeom gradually began to steel his resolve.