Chapter 45 Jongnam Sect (1)

Chapter 45 Jongnam Sect (1)

For another week, Gu Yangjeok waited a little longer for the sect’s letter.

Just in case Cheolpunggae’s influence hadn’t reached them yet.

But that thought lasted less than two days.

Snap.

His waiting proved futile; no contact came at all.

Even the beggars who usually roamed the Huashan Sect had stopped coming.

Because of this, though it had been quite some time since the Black Dragon Sect had declared war, Shaanxi remained eerily quiet.

This was not what Gu Yangji wanted.

‘I tried to provoke the Zhongnan Sect and the other sects…’

Even the rumors spread by the secular disciples seemed to be gradually being suppressed.

He couldn’t wait any longer.

But rushing to confront the sect immediately was a poor strategy.

Finding another way out was more crucial.

Gu Yangji was looking at the bigger picture.

‘It doesn’t make financial sense for Huashan to handle this alone.’

Therefore, he would forge an alliance with other sects harmed by the Black Dragon Sect.

Such an alliance would establish a righteous cause and position itself as an effective means to pressure the sect.

Gu Yangji’s eyes flashed with determination.

Yet, a lingering doubt remained.

‘I always thought at least Cheolpunggae was a man of discernment.’

Gu Yangjie recalled his first meeting with Cheolpunggae.

Back then, Cheolpunggae had been monitoring the late-stage cultivators who had descended from Huashan.

Though his intentions remained unclear, one could tell he was a meticulous and calculating man.

And when they met a second time, he had taken credit for eliminating Dujeolgwang. Not a shred of moral scruple was visible there.

The last time they met, he had granted a simple request.

But even that was absolutely not out of righteousness or principle.

He said it was a transaction: repaying a debt he owed.

‘Then isn’t it time for you to owe me one now, Cheolpunggae?’

Gu Yangjeok opened his eyes, which he had closed.

‘It doesn’t sit right.’

He had considered the possibility that the gatekeeper might not be friendly, but he hadn’t expected it to be this bad.

Especially considering that Cheolpoonggae was a greedy beggar who operated strictly on the basis of deals.

It was right to assume that Cheolpoonggae had encountered circumstances preventing him from coming.

‘Since things have come to this, it wouldn’t be bad to clearly establish a hierarchy rather than just a deal.’

Cheolpoongae was a rather useful beggar, having quickly located the woman’s whereabouts before.

If he could be worked to the bone, a little inconvenience was worth enduring.

‘First, I must solidify my power base. Then I’ll assess the sect’s situation.’

Having made up his mind, Gu Yangjeok watched the cultivators swinging swords in the training ground.

He felt pleased.

Unlike his impoverished past life, even the plump and well-fed Zhao Hun was doing well.

The other cultivators didn’t seem to lack food, clothing, or shelter either.

Seeing the healthy glow on their faces made him chuckle softly.

‘Everyone’s passion for martial arts is outstanding, so they should grow strong quickly. Teaching Yi Xian was a great source of nourishment.’

Feeling satisfied, Gu Yangji looked elsewhere.

‘……But then again, it’s still Senior Brother, isn’t it.’

Whoosh!

Having reached the peak, it was only natural to plateau a little.

Yoo Jang-myeong’s sword technique had transformed from a leaf into a bud.

With just a small trigger, he could advance even further.

“…Good. Very good.”

Gu Yangjie watched the leisurely drifting clouds before moving on.

He thought that someday, when everything was resolved, he too would like to become like those clouds.

Thud-

After stepping on a broad stone, Gu Yangjie vanished like a gust of wind.

* * *

“What is it?”

Click.

Baek Dan-hyeon, who had closed the book, looked up at Gu Yang-jeok standing with his head held high.

His posture seemed less arrogant and more dignified, making one wonder if this was truly the same Gu Yang-jeok who had harbored an unconscious inferiority complex toward Yu Jang-myeong.

Then he spoke.

“I wish to visit the Zhongnan Sect briefly, Grandmaster.”

At those words, deep wrinkles formed between Baek Dan-hyeon’s eyebrows.

“If you intended to engage in external diplomacy, you wouldn’t have come like this…”

Baek Dan-hyeon pondered briefly before spitting out the words.

His expression naturally hardened.

“So it seems you wish to act alone once more.”

“Yes.”

“Do you intend to make fools of me and your fellow disciples? Are you planning to throw yourself into the flames?”

His voice trembled slightly.

Gu Yangji looked at Baek Dan-hyeon, whose wrinkles had deepened noticeably since the Ha Jin-ak incident, with a solemn gaze.

“Headmaster… no… Master.”

At Gu Yangji’s words, Baek Dan-hyeon’s lips parted slightly in surprise.

But the flicker of disturbance vanished instantly.

What was glued over it like glue was stubbornness.

“Even if this is a private meeting, isn’t the purpose public? Use the proper title.”

Despite this, Gu Yangjeok persisted in using the title “Master.”

“I do not consider you or the other masters fools. Nor do I intend to make you so.”

Simply.

Gu Yangjeok smoothly continued with two syllables.

“Even if it’s a dangerous matter.”

Gu Yangji’s gaze briefly turned toward the storeroom.

Then he shifted his eyes to the training ground, listening intently to the shouts coming from there.

Bai Danxian also followed Gu Yangji’s actions exactly.

It was palpable.

The Huashan Sect, originating from Xue Zhenren, one of the Seven Sages of the West.

The passion each disciple there emitted stung Baek Dan-hyeon’s skin.

The shouts of the well-fed disciples occasionally grated on his ears.

Guiding and protecting them onto the right path was precisely his duty.

Wasn’t he Baek Dan-hyeon, the Grandmaster of the Huashan Sect?

‘……It’s heavy.’

Baek Dan-hyeon’s shoulders drooped unconsciously.

He even lamented whether he lacked the qualities of a sect leader.

He failed to notice the Golden Ring Sect’s treachery and only belatedly realized Ha Jin’ak was in danger.

Had it not been for Gu Yangji, the situation would have spiraled into an even greater catastrophe.

Or perhaps he would have overlooked it entirely.

That thought sent a chill down his spine.

Then, Gu Yangji spoke.

“If there is something only I can do, something that can protect the Huashan Sect, then I will go.”

Baek Dan-hyeon looked at him with a complex expression, and Gu Yangji smiled faintly.

“I’ve already had my fill of regrets.”

‘Regrets.’

At those words, Baek Dan-hyeon thought of Ha Jin-ak, lying ill in bed.

But for Gu Yang-jeok, regrets were countless, beyond just that one matter.

Regrets from his past life—things he hadn’t achieved, hadn’t tried, hadn’t protected—repeated regrets, despair, and the bitter smile he held for himself.

He had come this far through that process.

That was why Gu Yangjie wanted to seize this opportunity to the very end.

This chance to change things, unlike his past life.

‘Even if I only half-heartedly protected my senior brother.’

He had not the slightest intention of leaving it at that.

He just couldn’t do it immediately, but a way existed.

“Please send me.”

When Gu Yangjeok pleaded once more, Baek Danhyun nodded heavily.

Within that, Gu Yangjeok’s presence had changed considerably.

Sword and shield.

Recalling his thoughts when sending Gu Yangji to the Golden Ring Trading Company in the past, Baek Dan-hyeon chuckled inwardly.

‘Was I the foolish one, after all?’

An old saying goes: a true sage listens even to a six-year-old’s words to understand what he does not know.

Clearly, Baek Dan-hyeon had committed folly in the past.

The folly of the Golden Ring Society and the Black Dragon Sect.

But just now, Gu Yang-jeok had said.

That if there was something only he could do, he must do it.

Only then would he avoid repeating the path of regret.

‘I mustn’t cling to lingering attachments any longer.’

Squeak, thud.

Watching Gu Yangji’s back turn toward the exit, Baek Dan-hyeon resolved.

‘What I can do as the head of Huashan, what I’ve learned from having regretted.’

As his thoughts gradually cleared, Baek Dan-hyeon’s eyes began to brighten.

Meanwhile, Gu Yangji gathered his shabby clothes, bowed to Baek Dan-hyeon, and prepared to descend the mountain.

He intended to lift the heavy, sluggish body of the Zhongnan faction upright.

‘Once I lift it up…’

A faint smile curved Gu Yangjie’s lips.

* * *

Less than a day had passed.

Gu Yangjie had already reached the foot of Zhongnan Mountain.

He didn’t even stop by the Golden Ring Trading Company.

‘There’s no time for that.’

A streak of venom flashed in Gu Yangjeok’s eyes.

He had to arrive before rumors spread that he had vanished from Huashan.

Moreover, that open-minded fellow, the so-called martial world informant, absolutely must not find out.

“…Hmph.”

Gwaaah…!

Tightening his waistband firmly, Gu Yangjeok pulled out a simple snack from his pouch and ate it.

He would have to refrain from eating even dry food that left no trace of smell from now on.

And for good reason—the place Gu Yangjie was heading to was the heart of the Zhongnan Sect.

Just as the Huashan Sect had the Plum Blossom Cave.

The Zhongnan Sect had a cave where, in the past, the legendary female martial artist, Dongfang Bing, had resided while studying on Zhongnan Mountain.

‘What’s hidden there is the real treasure.’

It could be said to represent the very essence of the Zhongnan Sect.

Just as Gu Yangji had previously taken the Vajra Fist Armor, a treasure of Shaolin, this time he intended to master one of the Zhongnan Sect’s sword techniques.

Officially announcing his visit to the Zhongnan Sect would come later.

Some might call this cowardly, but what could he do?

After all, their descendants themselves failed to grasp the true meaning.

Moreover, Gu Yangji wasn’t the type to show mercy based on others’ circumstances.

“Shall I go?”

Muttering to himself, Gu Yangji let out a soft sigh and began slowly climbing the mountain.

The trail was littered with things to avoid.

Dry branches, leaves, even loud-crying beasts.

His steps were painfully slow, for he had to scrutinize every inch of the path.

Drip.

Beads of sweat trickled down his cheek.

As he drew nearer to the sacred blood, the number of deliberately concealed paths increased.

This meant he was approaching the very heart of the place, where outsiders were fiercely guarded.

“……”

Swish.

Gu Yangjeok pulled a thin cloth from his bundle and wrapped it tightly around his mouth and nose.

From now on, even the sound of his breath was a luxury.

It was possible that a disciple of the Zhongnan Sect might be stationed here.

Therefore.

Clink.

Gu Yangjeok fastened a badge engraved with the words “Black Dragon Sect” to his waist.

If a Zongnan Sect cultivator charged at any moment, he planned to show his belt and flee.

This was a kind of device.

‘At the very least, I must make the Zongnan Sect wary of the Black Dragon Sect.’

Black Dragon Sect spies had infiltrated deep into Huashan before; surely the Zongnan Sect would do the same.

Moreover, the rage from having their inner sanctum invaded would surely cloud their judgment.

Thus, Gu Yangjie, having laid his groundwork, entered the path leading to the Eastern Cavern.

A late night.

Gu Yangjie raised his head to gaze at the characters carved above the Eastern Cavern.

Heavenly Escape.

It was the name of the sword technique Ye Dongbin, who cultivated the Dao, had learned from the Fire Dragon Immortal.