Chapter 351: The Number One of the Unorthodox Faction (4)
“Th-, the Black Lotus Sect is attacking!”
In the lower village of the Kunlun Sect, where far more martial artists had gathered than expected, a martial artist who appeared to belong to the Murim Alliance shouted while standing guard. Instantly, confusion and tension spread everywhere.
Of course, not on our side—but on theirs.
“Whew. Everyone relax your faces. If you hadn’t acted so imposing all the time, would they have recognized you from that far away?”
“Uh… Brother Cheon? If you were the one who ran ahead first and showed your face, then wouldn’t they only have seen your face?”
“Oh dear. They must think I’m being chased by the demonic heads of the Unorthodox faction.”
Tang Sowol seemed to have a lot she wanted to say, but she firmly kept her mouth shut as if holding herself back. But the One-Saber Asura appeared to have much less patience.
“If we’re being precise, the biggest demonic head here is you—the so-called Number One of the Unorthodox Faction, the White Moon Sword Lord.”
“What did you say? I couldn’t hear it well. It sounded like the voice of a loser.”
The One-Saber Asura stared in disbelief. Watching him, the Illusory Illusion Witch snorted mockingly before speaking.
“Hmph. Then here we just need to use illusion arts to make our appearances look favorable, right?”
“Don’t.”
“Huh? W-wait, you wouldn’t kill a promising martial artist just because he made a small misunderstanding—”
“That’s not it. There are several absolute masters over there. Don’t do anything that’ll get exposed immediately.”
“Ah, right. I forgot since I’ve only been dealing with weaklings for the past few years.”
“…Shouldn’t you not use illusion arts on just anyone in the first place?”
The Lord of the Paecheon Hall muttered that from a short distance away, but no one paid him any attention.
Perhaps worrying about things like that was why he couldn’t break through the wall of the Flowering Stage and remained at the Sub-Perfection master level.
Or maybe not.
I confidently tilted my chin.
“Watch closely. I’ll clear up the misunderstanding in no time without using any evil arts.”
“Hm. Considering the reputation Brother Cheon has built up until now, it shouldn’t be difficult.”
With Tang Sowol seeing me off with a faint smile, I unleashed Thunderclap Step at full force and closed the distance in an instant.
Before they could even blink, I had arrived right in front of them. The noisy martial artists suddenly fell silent.
Their affiliations seemed diverse. The largest group appeared to be martial artists from the Clear Wind Unit brought by the Murim Alliance Leader.
Besides them, I also spotted a few Shaolin warrior monks with shaved heads, and several martial artists of the Namgung Clan wearing blue martial uniforms.
“Huh…?”
A puzzled sound escaped from the mouth of one Namgung Clan martial artist who recognized my face. I chuckled lightly and spoke.
“I think I understand the misunderstanding, but everyone can rest eas—”
But before I could finish, a Murim Alliance martial artist suddenly clenched his teeth and shouted.
“Everyone, don’t fall for that wicked lie!”
“…What???”
“This Wu Mo clearly saw it! That man destroyed several buildings inside the Murim Alliance compound!”
“Ah…”
Was he talking about that?
The buildings I accidentally smashed while fighting the Bloodflame Fist Demon because I used a little too much force.
Well… I had destroyed them pretty thoroughly. To the point where even the foundation stones were gone.
Feeling slightly guilty, I hesitated for a moment. Then one of the Shaolin warrior monks suddenly widened his eyes.
“I-I remember now! I heard that this benefactor repeatedly knocked out the former Shaolin Abbot—who has already retired from worldly affairs—with brute force!”
“…Hmmm?”
Ah. That story.
On my way to Shaolin, I rescued a merchant caravan that was being attacked by Green Forest bandits. Monk Gak-jeong happened to be among them.
He mistook me for the Heaven-Slaughter Star after sensing my killing intent and tried to subdue me… only to be subdued in return.
About seven times.
I thought the misunderstanding had been cleared up, but apparently not. Well, I hadn’t gathered everyone together to explain it personally, so naturally some people might not know.
After all, there weren’t just one or two warrior monks in Shaolin.
And the story about a former abbot repeatedly getting knocked unconscious by a mere junior martial artist wasn’t exactly something one would spread around proudly either.
I pondered for a moment where I should even start explaining this from.
Then I decided that in situations like this, it was better for a bystander rather than the person involved to clarify things.
So I looked toward the Namgung Clan martial artist who had recognized me earlier.
We didn’t have any personal connection, but I thought he would step forward to clear up the misunderstanding.
But the moment our eyes met, he quickly looked away.
I memorized his face.
Not because I planned some ominous revenge—just as a precaution so I wouldn’t ask the same person for help next time something like this happened.
I added another name to the ledger in my heart—no, the list of memorable people—and cleared my throat.
“Ahem! It seems everyone has some misunderstandings, but I am the White Moon Sword Lord. I went to the Black Lotus Sect regarding Murim Alliance matters, and now I’ve come to help along with those whose intentions aligned with mine.”
“Don’t lie! The White Moon Sword Lord reached the Flowering Stage at a young age and is a great hero among heroes who shattered the schemes of countless villains! He is not someone who would lead the demonic heads of the Unorthodox faction!”
“I’ll remember you too.”
“Y-you think that’ll scare me?!”
I gave him a gentle smile filled with goodwill, but for some reason he started trembling.
He looked like he had just entered the Peak Stage, yet he seemed surprisingly timid for his level.
To demonstrate my harmlessness, I lightly swung my sword.
Tap.
Though my strike merely cut through empty air, the weapons that had been half-drawn instantly returned to their waists and backs.
I had simply covered the surrounding area with my willpower and split a small portion of internal energy to tap the upper parts of the weapon handles.
Shock spread among the martial artists frozen in place at the display of skill far beyond their level.
They had realized they were not my opponents.
And they also realized that although I could have severed their heads, I had deliberately only touched their weapons instead.
See? I’m such a merciful person.
It definitely wasn’t because breaking their weapons like I did at the Centipede Gate would make them useless in the upcoming battle.
Just then, other martial artists who had noticed the commotion began gathering here.
Among them were naturally several who recognized me.
For instance—Namgung Jong.
“What! You’ve arrived already, Brother Cheon!”
“It hasn’t been that long, Brother. Still, it’s good to see you like this.”
The sharp aura I had been maintaining instantly softened, and Namgung Jong waved enthusiastically with a delighted face.
A short distance away, the Murim Alliance Leader, Jeong Hyeon, Seo Mun-Hwarin, and Tang Jincheon were walking over leisurely.
They had probably rushed out at first after hearing about the supposed attack, but relaxed once they sensed the aura I had released earlier.
As Namgung Jong—and even the others—showed clear signs of welcome, the martial artists who had just drawn their weapons moments ago looked utterly bewildered.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Namgung Jong glanced around and asked,
“Brother Cheon, everyone here looks like they’ve committed some sin against you. What happened?”
“There was a small misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding?”
“Yes. When I brought along some new friends I made, they mistook me for a demonic head of the Unorthodox faction.”
“Ah! So that’s why I heard something about an attack by the Black Lotus Sect.”
Nodding, Namgung Jong patted my shoulder and continued.
“Please understand. Since we selected people mainly based on skill, many of them have been so focused on training that they’re ignorant of Murim affairs.”
“I have no intention of blaming them for this. They weren’t trained like gatekeepers of other sects who memorize the faces of famous figures by heart.”
After saying that, I suddenly seemed to recall something and added,
“Oh right. What’s that fellow’s name?”
“Hm? Sorry. Other than the fact that he mainly uses a heavy sword, I can’t quite remember.”
It was such a Namgung-Clan-like way of remembering people that I ended up surprised.
Judging by it, he probably remembered both the man’s face and martial arts but not his name.
Or maybe he simply categorized people by their face and martial arts.
Well, if it was the Namgung Clan, that wouldn’t be strange.
Nodding inwardly, I said,
“No, it’s nothing. A heavy sword, you say… I see.”
The man receiving both my and Namgung Jong’s gaze looked as if the world had just collapsed for him.
But honestly, I had no intention of doing anything further here.
Just being mentioned like this among his superiors would be enough to make his heart pound wildly.
Watching this, the Murim Alliance Leader let out a dry laugh.
“Hah. You were only gone to the Black Lotus Sect briefly, yet somehow your aura has become even more vicious.”
“It’s just your imagination.”
“Let’s say that’s the case. But are you sure it’s alright to bring them here? Of course, I’m not doubting you. However, the alliance between the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions is still only being discussed beneath the surface. I’m grateful they came to help, but they may still feel uncomfortable with us.”
“You don’t need to worry about that at all.”
“You sound very confident. It seems there must be some reason.”
“Well… somehow I ended up becoming the Number One of the Unorthodox Faction. Even if they don’t listen to the Black Lotus Sect Lord, they’ll listen to me.”
“…???”
“…???”
“…???”
The Murim Alliance Leader and Namgung Jong.
Then Tang Jincheon—who had been looking for Tang Sowol before approaching me late—blinked rapidly with a bizarre expression, as if he couldn’t comprehend what he had just heard.
Only Jeong Hyeon clasped his hands together with a gentle smile.
“Hoho. Your jokes have improved, Benefactor Cheon. The Number One of the Unorthodox Faction? It almost sounds like you defeated the Black Lotus Sect Lord.”
“I did.”
“…?”
“After persuading a few people who were somewhat uncooperative with the Orthodox-Unorthodox alliance, a strange rumor spread around, so I decided to settle it with a duel. I won.”
“Oh, but I declined the position of Black Lotus Sect Lord afterward. I’m an Orthodox martial artist, after all.”
Jeong Hyeon didn’t reply.
Looking closely, he seemed to be quietly circulating his energy while chanting a Buddhist sutra—almost as if he were stabilizing internal injuries.
Was it really that shocking?
***
After somehow clearing up the misunderstanding, we seated our respective forces separately in case something unexpected happened.
Then only the leaders gathered to hold a meeting on how to deal with the Potala Palace.
But—
“Wait, so my son-in-law really became the Number One of the Unorthodox Faction?”
“Y-yes…”
“And Illusory Illusion Witch, you plan to enter the Tang Clan to conduct personal research?”
“Uh… is that not allowed?”
“It’s not impossible as long as you don’t cause trouble…”
Tang Jincheon pondered briefly, glanced at Tang Sowol, then continued once he seemed satisfied.
“How old are you this year?”
“I’m older than the Poison King. Why are you speaking informally to me?”
Let’s just leave that side alone.
As I shook my head, the Murim Alliance Leader—perhaps used to such situations—cleared his throat with a slightly exhausted expression.
“Ahem. You can chat later. Shouldn’t we focus on the urgent matter first?”
“That’s right. But let me say this beforehand—don’t ask for our side’s opinion.”
The One-Saber Asura spoke as if agreeing with the Murim Alliance Leader, then abruptly cut off the flow of conversation.
The Murim Alliance Leader frowned slightly and glared at him.
“You came to help, but you’re saying you won’t cooperate and will act separately?”
“No. I’m just saying that although the Illusory Illusion Witch and I are sitting here because we’re Flowering Stage martial artists, we’re not the decision-makers.”
After saying that, the One-Saber Asura quietly looked at me.
The Illusory Illusion Witch, who had been engaged in a subtle verbal battle with Tang Jincheon while he interrogated her about herself, also nodded and focused her gaze on me.
“Namu Amitabha. So it was true after all.”
Jeong Hyeon began chanting a sutra again in a stunned voice.
He still seemed unable to believe it.
But perhaps the Murim Alliance Leader truly deserved his position. He quickly regained composure and addressed me.
“Then, White Moon Sword Lord, I will ask you as the representative of the Black Lotus Sect. How do you think we should rescue the surviving Kunlun disciples and drive out the renegade monks of the Potala Palace? In our meeting so far, we concluded that the Poison King would use poison to incapacitate the weaker ones, the masters would fight among themselves, and during that time our forces would extract the survivors.”
“Sounds good. But if we make a slight adjustment, it will be much more efficient.”
“How so?”
“Along with the poison… we set fire as well.”
“…?”
“Fire is more effective at throwing people into confusion. As they panic and try to put it out, they’ll unknowingly become poisoned and collapse one by one.”
The Murim Alliance Leader’s mouth twitched as if he had something to say but couldn’t form the words.
After a long pause, he finally spoke.
“Our objective is not to defeat the renegade monks of the Potala Palace, but to rescue the Kunlun disciples.”
“Oh, we don’t need to set real fires. We just make them believe the entire place is engulfed in flames.”
“R-right? Of course. I knew I could trust you, White Moon Sword Lord. You’re not the kind of person who would suggest setting fire to a place full of hostages!”
“Obviously. And since the Illusory Illusion Witch here specializes in evil arts, she can trap them all in a mass illusion. The Kunlun disciples will experience it too… but it’s still much better than actually suffocating.”
“Hik—…???”
The Illusory Illusion Witch flinched as the situation suddenly turned against her.
I gave her a smile full of trust.
“You can do it, right?”
“W-well…”
She paused for a moment, counting on her fingers as she organized what she had just heard.
“So… you’re saying I should use the most horrifying evil illusion possible to completely terrify the enemies, even if the hostages get caught up in it?”
“Exactly.”
“I can do it, but…”
She glanced around nervously. Her neck shrank slightly.
“Are we really doing this?”
“If we don’t use that method, the only thing I know how to do is slice through the Kunlun Sect buildings themselves.”
“I-I’ll try it!”
The Illusory Illusion Witch nodded hurriedly.
For some reason, the way she looked at me was like she was looking at something that wasn’t human.
How rude.
I had even found a relatively peaceful solution.