Chapter 11
Fifteen days later, the nameless mountain.
It's still snowy.
Every time I climbed the mountain, there was a crunching sound..
The boy who was meditating cross-legged on a rock opened his closed eyes..
“Even though I sent you letters, I don’t think you’re tired of it..
Even though I moved, I was able to find it easily.……”
Boy, Jeongbaek kept his mouth shut instead of speaking..
The detached expression on his face has also changed somehow..
“I can't believe it.”
Jeongbaek looked down at the mountain with wide-open eyes..
A young man was seen between the densely packed trees on a steep hill that was difficult for not only humans but also animals to climb..
“Greetings to Kangho’s elders..”
The young man, Joo Seo-cheon, greeted politely..
“It is said to be the Juseocheon of volcanic waves..”
“Swordsman.”
Jeong Baek stood up and looked down at Joo Seocheon..
“While I was in seclusion, I heard that a lot of things were going on in the martial arts world in Jungwon... … I never thought it would be true.
It's unbelievable that a child who hasn't even learned to speak can become the embodiment of an image..”
How to recognize a cilantro.
As soon as Jeong Baek saw Joo Seocheon, he recognized his condition..
If you didn't hear the rumor about Kang-ho, Jeong-baek also
When you saw Joo Seo-cheon, you would have thought that he was an anti-Roh expert..
“A guest came to visit, and I'm sorry I couldn't treat him properly. As you can see, it's a place like this..”
Besides the assassins, there were other annoying things, so I deliberately chose a place with few people to spend time there..
All you need to eat is the roots of Mother Nature, and cold or heat is not a problem for the absolute expert..
In sleep, the place to lie down is the bed, and the sky is the blanket..
“When you say it’s a treat, you’re talking about big trouble..”
From Joo Seo-cheon's point of view, Jeong Baek was a great senior..
Isn't he actually the highest rank in terms of age and rank?.
I wanted a treat, but I never got it..
“Don't do that, come up here. A cup of tea is too much, but I can tell you as much as I want about martial arts..”
It's been a long time since I talked to people.
If it was a warrior of the same level, there was no need to say anything..
Jeongbaek Kwon Dong-je drew a smile on his face as he looked forward to a meaningful conversation with the absolute expert..
“Then do you mind if I ask you a few questions??”
“Of course.”
“You said you knew about Amcheonhoe. Is that true??”
“Yes.”
Jeongbaek answered without moving an eyebrow..
“Why are you behaving like this??”
“Hmm?”
“They can't fight together over a common enemy called Amcheonhoe, but they're aiming their fists at the same ally..
Don't you think something is wrong??”
Doing this now is a waste of time..
I had to prepare for the decisive battle with the Amcheonhoe as soon as possible..
To put it bluntly, it was like shoveling a shovel into the air with your greatest enemy in front of you..
“There are two reasons for this.”
Jeongbaek did not seem to dwell on his junior's criticism..
I answered with a somewhat innocent face..
“In the end, the Dark Heaven Society is nothing more than a new foreign force or the expansion force of the Demon Ise..
Even if we are shaken now, if we work together we can stop it..”
It's not completely wrong..
Although it resulted in numerous sacrifices, the martial arts group ultimately prevented the Amcheonhoe..
“what is the rest?”
“Don’t justify evil deeds by saying you can’t help it..”
Jeongbaek’s voice became cold..
“That's the point..”
It was truly a straight argument..
It was right and pure..
“But don't you think the timing is right??”
Joo Seocheon's voice was also as cold as ice..
“If the Murim Alliance is divided now, it will be out of control..
Worst of all, the alliance with Sadocean will be invalidated and the Dark Heaven Society may be defeated without being able to stop the invasion..
It's not that I don't understand the old man Kwon Dong-je's thoughts..
But realistically, isn't it a good idea to follow that theory now?.”
“Swordsman.”
Jeongbaek came down from the rock and stood next to Ju Seocheon..
“I'll say it again. For the greater good, don't justify evil deeds because you can't help it..”
“……”
“What is the point in achieving peace in the martial arts world by torturing people, kidnapping and threatening their families, or sometimes using unspeakable methods?.
Those things are called apostles or sorcerers, not degrees..”
Joo Seo-cheon also faced Jeong Baek without changing his expression..
“The degree is right because it is right..
If we ignore it by saying that it can't be helped depending on the situation, people will use it as an indulgence and it will rot and become something else..
How many times have I seen such cases?.”
Fifty years ago, that was how the corruption of the upper echelons of the Murim League began..
They said there was nothing they could do, but it gradually turned ugly due to human greed and selfishness..
He committed evil deeds by making excuses, saying that if he did not protect his honor, it would have a great impact on the monastery and that it would lead to decline..
“For the sake of the whole, it cannot be tolerated to kidnap a family member who is not a criminal and who is innocent, commit all kinds of vicious acts, and then sacrifice them..”
“I think I know why the old man looks like that..”
innocence.
Pure white like the snow covering the mountains.
There was nothing like an old man in the boy's eyes..
“Wei Wu, or rather the Murim Lord, must take responsibility for tolerating this. Also, the leader and I don't have much time, and we don't know when we will die, so we have to fight before returning to nature..
Isn’t this also ‘inevitable’??”
“That's right.”
Joo Seocheon answered and drew his sword..
If you just listened to what I said, there was nothing wrong..
“Clearly, both the Black Spirit and the upper echelons of the Murim League were at fault..
I did something that I should not have done as a person who walks by the law..
He must take appropriate responsibility and be punished accordingly..”
A cow was sacrificed for the greater good..
However, sacrifice is a word that only applies to the person in charge..
Sacrifice by others is coercion and evil, nothing more, nothing less..
Even if it's for the good of people, it's something you shouldn't do..
I have no intention of rationalizing it by saying it is for the greater good..
“But as I said, not now.”
But that's it..
“The old man is telling a very idealistic story, excluding reality..”
“……”
“I'll say it again, now that we are facing a decisive battle with our greatest and worst enemy, the Amcheonhoe, if we punish the upper class, the political faction will be divided. Do you realize that this will result in numerous casualties??”
“But you can't punish it if it's not now..”
It will be too late after the decisive battle with the Amcheonhoe..
Even though I was old, I was too old to accept Namgungwimudo, Jangrojindo, and Jeongbaekdo after it was all over..
“Even if they are not yet old enough to die, through the great war they will experience, they may die with honor, not as dishonor, but as great men who protected the martial arts world..
If you do that, the actions you have committed so far will be buried in the darkness..”
To put it positively, Jeong Baek believed in the power of Jeong Baek, but to put it negatively, he was completely unaware of reality..
I believe that even if the Murim Alliance is divided, we will win..
On the other hand, I think that if we don't punish corruption at the top now, we won't get paid for what we've done so far..
“……”
“……”
The conversation between the two absolute masters did not continue..
Opinions were not compatible and clashed..
There was no mistake anywhere..
It's just different.
It was just a question of what took priority..
Joo Seocheon wanted to save more people..
Jeongbaek wanted to prevent sacrifices for the greater good..
Also, he wanted to take responsibility for it..
“You're stubborn..”
Just as Nangong Weiwu said..
If persuasion had been possible, this problem would not have even arisen..
Jeongbaek’s beliefs were firm..
I felt like no matter what I said, they wouldn't listen at all..
I thought it could be resolved through conversation, just in case, but it turned out to be my own result..
“It's a pity we couldn't resolve it through conversation..”
“Are you planning to subdue me by force??”
Jeongbaek’s expression became fierce in an instant..
“Sir, wouldn’t you like to bet with me??”
“bet?”
“yes. It is conditional, granting the other party's favor depending on whether you win or lose..”
“Bimura… … I miss you.”
In the past, Jeongbaek also gained experience and enlightenment by observing each other's martial arts with various martial artists..
Also, if there was a situation like now where opinions could not be narrowed down, the decision was made without merit..
“If you win, I will acknowledge and follow your opinion..”
“It's not that interesting, though..”
I don't hate being recognized by a top expert..
From an ordinary person's point of view, this could be a lifetime of honor, but it didn't matter to the greedy Jeongbaek..
“This means that, as a swordsman, we will officially support Gwon Dong-je's actions and continue his efforts..”
“Is that really true??”
Jeongbaek’s eyebrows twitched..
“yes.”
It was a case where I had no choice but to accept the offer..
Although he devoted his life to eradicating the corruption and hypocrisy of political factions, it did not disappear in the end..
The older generation disappeared and the new generation, especially those called heroes, were installed, but Moorim did not change..
While in hiding, he heard an unbelievable rumor, and his hopes turned into disappointment, so he appeared in Gangho..
Afterwards, he bitterly regretted not taking in disciples..
‘Even if we solve it this time, it will be a problem next time..
Who will stop hypocrisy and corruption on my behalf??’
Human life is never infinite.
The same goes for the absolute expert named Sangcheon..
I wanted to live my whole life punishing hypocrites, but I couldn't, so I had to leave it to someone else..
A hero of the right degree and an absolute master of the heavens..
Joo Seo-cheon was the best person to take on the job..
“But I don't think I can accept that offer..”
“Why??”
“Swordsman, if you win the bet, won’t you tell me to ignore the hypocrisy??
I'm sorry, but I have no intention of doing that..”
The more expert a warrior is, the higher his pride is, but Jeongbaek did not show that at all..
He said this while keeping in mind the possibility of losing even though his opponent was a child of the age of a grandchild, or even a great-grandchild..
“If I had the conviction to bend depending on the outcome, I wouldn't have appeared in the powerhouse in the first place..”
“You haven't even stated your requirements yet, so aren't you making a hasty judgment??”
“……?”
The absolute master with the appearance of a boy tilted his head..
Aren’t the requirements set?.
“I don't understand. Is there anything else other than pretending not to know about this situation and asking him to step down?.”
Other than that, there is no reason to come directly..
“a little different.”
“If it's different……?”
“that……”
When Joo Seocheon opened his mouth, Jeongbaek opened his eyes wide..
* * *
Amcheonhoeju frowned at the secret agent's report..
“Ju Seo-cheon visited Gwon Dong-je..”
“No need to worry.”
Cheon-ki bowed down and smiled in repentance..
“No matter what means you use, you cannot break Emperor Quan Dong's beliefs. If it had been a belief that could be easily broken, it would not have caused the uproar 50 years ago..”
Fifty years ago, Emperor Gwon Dong-je was at loggerheads with the upper echelons of the Murim Alliance..
But it wasn't that there was no opportunity for reconciliation..
The upper echelons of the Murim League offered to end their ill-fated relationship by promising Gwon Dong-je authority, property, and honor..
However, Gwon Dong-je rejected all offers and chose the path of asceticism..
That choice brought about a civil war.
“When people experience an unreasonable society, they recognize that there is nothing they can do about it, and they tend to compromise within an appropriate line..
But for Gwon Dong-je, such compromise does not exist. He is just a stubborn child who doesn't know reality and only cares about his power..”
Amcheonhoeju fell asleep as if relieved, but could not hide the uneasiness in his heart..
‘Joo Seocheon, what kind of trick are you planning to pull?.’
A life-long plan fell apart because of one person..
There were other disruptors, but not like Joo Seo-cheon..
The experience left a feeling of uneasiness in Amcheonhoeju’s mind..
“Is there any movement from the Murim Alliance??”
“We know this and are monitoring it, including Sado Cheon..”
Cheonki raised his head and answered with shining eyes..
“As I mentioned before, Sadocheon is re-discussing the cooperative relationship itself due to the situation with the Murim Alliance..”
The reason Sadocheon became a cooperative relationship with the Murim Alliance was because the common enemy decreased due to the rebellion and they could not handle the Amcheonhoe..
However, if the Murim Alliance, which was supposed to provide strength, was divided, cooperation itself would be meaningless, so there was no choice but to discuss it again..
“The Murim Alliance has yet to make any official announcement and remains silent. Criticism is increasing day by day, but there is no need to do anything about it..”
There is a lot of clear evidence to deny the facts..
The name of the party is not just lip service..
Heukyeongbu disclosed a list of those who kidnapped, imprisoned, and tortured innocent people out of necessity..
When the relatives heard the news, they rushed over and knocked on the door of the Murim League, but there was no chaos..
In addition, absurdities, though not as severe as the former, were discovered, such as favoring the wealthy who provided funds..
“However, just because I can't deny it, I can't confirm it either..
There is no choice but to face doom..”
Tianqi turned his gaze downward again and clenched his fist..
‘I won't be able to do anything this time.’
It's not that you can't stop it..
We have already failed to prevent the worst outcome..
The division of the Murim Alliance was an ongoing situation..
‘It was called “Jigai Women’s Battle” and Bugai Women’s Master..
Whoever knows whether to fight or not will win..’
In Sun Tzu's Art of War, it is said that it is best to win without fighting. It's as they say.
The divided Murim Alliance, no, the Murim will only be left with a ragtag group, so if we destroy and conquer them individually, it will be the end..
The Jeongdo, the Apostles, and the Demons will be ruled by the Dark Heaven..
* * *
Breathe on the plains of the mountainside and snow fields.
Joo Seocheon came to his senses while facing Jeongbaek..
“The rules are?”
“All you have to do is get your opponent to declare defeat..”
“I like it simple.”
Jeongbaek twirled his right arm as if to warm up..
‘Kwon Dong-je, Jeong Baek.’
An absolute master who was once mentioned as the best martial artist in the world..
It's a monster that has been at its peak for fifty years..
It is said that although he looks and thinks young, his power is beyond imagination..
I also heard a warning from Nangong Weiwu to be careful..
What was also really surprising was that Emperor Kwon Dongje studied martial arts on his own without any support..
There is no elixir or unrivaled magic that is said to be extraordinary..
Through a life of struggle and wandering around the rivers, I improved my knowledge, studied, fought, and enlightened myself..
The word genius is not enough.
Perhaps, if Gwon Dong-je had broken out of seclusion and appeared in Gangho before the appearance of Amcheonhoe, the result might have been different..
He was a master of that level of stature..
It was not for nothing that the Murim Alliance tried to settle the bad relationship of the past and reconcile..
Although the name has been largely forgotten over the passage of fifty years, it cannot be underestimated..
‘Let's not let down our guard.’
Even though he was neither a Taoist nor a monk, he excluded all desires..
It's not about patience.
He was so crazy about martial arts that he didn't show the slightest interest..
There is no way that a born warrior with only one belief in martial arts would have stayed in seclusion for fifty years and just slept..
“I will have a player.”
Jeong Baek pulled back his left foot and right arm..
I bent my knees slightly and turned my waist as if to accommodate the rotation..
The left arm was not clenched into a fist, but was only lifted up to the waist in an awkward position..
“……?”
There was a doubt in Joo Seocheon’s eyes..
“The right to change without change)……?”
Mubyeonjeonganquan is a German martial art developed by Emperor Gwon Dong-je, and although it does not have complicated techniques, it is a stable and powerful martial art..
The advantage is that it is faithful to the basics and can respond to a variety of martial arts by incorporating numerous experiences. It was a martial arts that truly expressed 'degree' well..
‘It is not an unchangeable right to amendment..’
The foundation of martial arts comes from posture..
The no-change amendment rights, which focused on its foundation, were stable from the start..
It must be unwavering and solid like the nine pillars that support the Dragon Palace..
According to what I heard, Kwon Dong-je said that both offense and defense were perfect and there was not a single gap visible..
But for some reason, I didn't even seem to have the right posture right now..
I wondered if, as Kangho's senior, he was doing this to look after his junior's situation..
‘weird.’
Exciting! Exciting! Exciting!
My heart starts beating fast..
A corner of my heart felt sore.
Something ran up my spine..
Anxiety and doubts soar..
I racked my brain to find the right answer..
I heightened my sixth sense and strengthened the hand holding the sword..
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