The Fastest Sword Under Heaven

Chapter 202 : Chapter 202

Chapter 202 - I'm Going to Do Some Business

‘I am weary.’

Deokdam, who had shared a secret talk with a few sect leaders of the Nine Sects One Union, gently closed his eyes.

Admitting Jin Hwi's defeat was a painful affair, but it was better than his conversation with them.

The wounds of the past from over a decade ago remained intact, tormenting them to this day.

‘Just how long must we swim in the phantoms of the past.’

Deokdam uttered a Buddhist chant with a face full of sorrow.

It was an expression he showed to no one.

“Abbot. The martial artists of the Diancang Sect have arrived.”

“Show them in.”

The door opened, and the junior disciples of the Diancang Sect entered the room one by one.

Deokdam had already returned to the round expression people knew.

“Amitabha. Due to this humble monk's lack of sincerity, I was unable to properly convey my congratulations.”

“Not at all, Abbot.”

Eung Gajin bowed his head as the representative in response to Deokdam's words.

“How often does an event where the sect leaders of each sect gather in one place happen? You must have had much to discuss.”

“Young Hero Eung's heart is as wide as the sea. Thank you.”

Deokdam looked at Eung Gajin with fresh eyes.

Eung Gajin.

Even considering he was the eldest among the junior disciples, he certainly had an exceptional aspect.

A dignity that embraced his juniors and thoughtful words and actions.

Moreover, his eyes held a profound insight unbecoming of a junior disciple.

‘Is this why they say blood cannot be deceived? He will be a figure who represents Diancang in the future.’

Deokdam thought so and then turned his gaze to Biyoung.

“Young Hero Biyoung. I have heard the story. They say you failed to absorb the inner energy of the Great Buddha Gold Pill?”

“Yes. Unfortunately, that is what happened. I think the energy of the Great Buddha Gold Pill was too pure for me to contain.”

With a face that did not look the least bit disappointed, Biyoung replied nonchalantly.

Deokdam almost contorted his expression.

‘And you expect me to believe that?’

Deokdam did not believe Biyoung's words.

If he had not seen the match against Jin Hwi, he might have let it pass.

But Deokdam had seen it clearly.

The sight of Biyoung absorbing the Supreme Energy that Jin Hwi had used.

His words and actions might be crooked, but the inner energy contained within was as pure as Jin Hwi's.

Otherwise, he would not have been able to accept the Supreme Energy and dare to change its very nature.

‘With such pure energy in his body, there is no way the Great Buddha Gold Pill would have rejected it.’

The story of the roof blowing off also weighed heavily on Deokdam's mind.

The phenomenon of inner energy soaring like a waterspout during energy circulation.

As far as Deokdam knew, the reasons for such a phenomenon were few and far between.

‘No matter what, there is his age to consider… Young Hero Biyoung could not have reached that state.’

Deokdam found it difficult to gauge whether his judgment was objective or mixed with hope.

But there was nothing he could do.

The person who took the Great Buddha Gold Pill said it had no effect, so how could he insist otherwise and inspect his inner energy?

If the Abbot of Shaolin were to do such a thing, he would clearly become a laughingstock in the public eye.

‘Though I am no longer in a position to care about honor….’

Belying the characters inscribed on the elixir, the Great Buddha Gold Pill had become someone else's, not Shaolin's.

That alone was infuriating, but Shaolin was in a relatively better position.

The other junior disciples of the Nine Sects One Union had not even made it to the semifinals.

Semifinals?

Countless prestigious sects had failed to even reach the quarterfinals.

As the Diancang Sect raised its prestige, the honor of other sects inevitably had to fall.

“With this martial arts tournament, praise for Diancang is widespread. Naturally, the Diancang Sect's next moves will also receive attention. What are the Diancang Sect's future plans?”

Eung Gajin answered immediately.

“Although we have achieved some results, the Diancang Sect plans to focus on strengthening our internal affairs for the time being.”

“Strengthening internal affairs…?”

That was not what Deokdam had expected.

Considering the paths of past winners, it was a natural assumption.

It was the usual procedure to roam the entire Jianghu Murim, raising the sect's name and solidifying its position.

‘Besides….’

If his personality were timid or introverted, it would be understandable.

But wasn't the winner of this tournament a reckless fellow?

For such a person to stay confined instead of roaming the Murim.

Even Deokdam, who was usually eloquent, was at a loss for words.

“I'm going to do some business.”

It was Biyoung who broke the silence.

At the word ‘business,’ Eung Gajin was startled and jabbed him in the side.

“Hey, you punk. Don't.”

But Deokdam had already taken Biyoung's words to heart.

“Did you say business?”

“Yes. As you know, Abbot, our sect was left with nothing but rags. Let alone establishing affiliated sects, we were not in a position to accept disciples even at our main mountain. But now, the situation will change.”

Deokdam could fully predict how the situation would change.

Winning the tournament among junior disciples.

And flooding the round of 16 with the name of the Diancang Sect.

That was proof that the young martial artists had grown well.

Let's assume I have reached the age to enter a sect.

Wouldn't I prefer a sect that raises young martial artists well?

Before long, talented prospects would begin to gather in Diancang, and affiliated sects would be established throughout Yunnan.

‘He is not intoxicated by immediate prestige, but is planning the true reconstruction of the sect.’

How impertinent.

Deokdam looked at Biyoung and thought the same thing once more.

He had merely veiled it with the vulgar word ‘business,’ but Diancang's path was orthodox and noble.

Increasing affiliated sects would, of course, make money.

But more importantly, it would also increase their power and fame.

Deokdam suddenly had a thought.

A thought that this proud, handsome man had been deceiving him from beginning to end, starting with the Great Buddha Gold Pill.

Only Biyoung, the person in question, would know if that thought was right or wrong.

Sensing it was time to leave, Deokdam brought up the final topic.

“It has not been announced yet, but a Murim Alliance general meeting will be held soon.”

Not only Eung Gajin, but even Biyoung, who had not expected it, lifted his head sharply.

“Diancang is not the only one that needs to strengthen its internal affairs. As you know, the Twenty-Year Pact with the Heavenly Demon is just a few years away.”

A look of turmoil appeared on the junior disciples' faces.

To be told about the Murim Alliance general meeting in advance.

It was tantamount to a declaration that Shaolin recognized the Diancang Sect as a pillar of the Murim Alliance.

‘So this day has finally come.’

‘The day the Murim Alliance extends a hand to the Diancang Sect.’

‘Even if we are not part of the Nine Sects One Union, this is a brilliant achievement.’

However.

There was also a person who was looking on with a crooked expression.

The defiant one with a pouting mouth spat out an answer bluntly,

And that answer made everyone from the Diancang Sect turn pale with shock.

“That is none of our business.”

***

“Is that so?”

Rough, long hair that reached his waist.

Bulging muscles covering his entire body, and scars covering those muscles.

The man sitting in the seat of honor asked his subordinate again.

“Are you certain?”

“I am certain! The junior disciples of the Diancang Sect are currently participating in a martial arts tournament on Mount Song!”

“Excellent!”

As the man clapped his thick hands together, a sharp sound echoed through the spacious area.

‘Ugh…!’

The subordinate reporting almost covered his ears with both hands.

So much inner energy was boiling over in the long-haired man's body that just clapping his hands spread his internal energy.

Long Demon Blood Wind, Myo Sal.

Unlike his explosive muscles, he was also cunning, the master of Boyang Mountain's Dark Fragrance Stronghold, and a pillar of the Four Great Alliances of the Green Forest, infamous throughout the Murim.

The Four Great Alliances of the Green Forest was a grand coalition of bandits spread throughout the Murim.

Myo Sal was the head of the southwestern branch of the Four Great Alliances of the Green Forest, which was split into four regions, and the area he managed included Yunnan, Guizhou, and the Guangxi region.

Yunnan alone was a vast area, but the fact that he managed two more areas as large as Yunnan was a testament to his position and prestige.

At a single gesture from Myo Sal, the bandit leaders located in Yunnan had to run to Guangxi, and the same was true for the chief of the Tiger-Bear Stronghold that had occupied Diancang Mountain and the chief of the Tree-Uprooting Stronghold that had been defeated by Biyoung.

In short, he could be called the hegemon of the Green Forest in the southwest region.

The countless scars on his body clearly showed his past achievements.

“Isn't this a heaven-sent opportunity? Hahahaha!”

Myo Sal, truly satisfied, opened his large mouth and burst into a loud laugh.

His subordinate Cheok-gwi did not miss the opportunity to chime in.

“That's right. Isn't this a perfect opportunity to raid an empty house? Hehehe!”

“You punk!”

SMACK!

“Aargh!”

A thunderbolt struck Cheok-gwi's forehead.

When he opened his tightly shut eyes, he saw Myo Sal's extended finger.

He himself seemed to have playfully flicked his forehead, but Cheok-gwi had to feel a pain as if his forehead would shatter.

“Raiding an empty house, what nonsense is that, you punk!”

“I-I have made a mistake.”

It seemed the phrase ‘raiding an empty house’ had displeased Myo Sal.

Countless subordinates had lost their heads for misspeaking, so Cheok-gwi prostrated himself flat on the floor.

“A tiger uses its full strength even when catching a rabbit. With the main forces away at the martial arts tournament, isn't this the perfect time to strike the Diancang Sect!”

“…………?”

Somehow… that sounds like the same thing.

Cheok-gwi stealthily raised his head but did not dare to voice the words in his heart.

“When are the others supposed to arrive?”

“It is expected that most will be assembled by tonight at the earliest, and tomorrow morning at the latest.”

“Hmm. Good. We will depart as soon as they are all gathered.”

The ‘others’ Myo Sal mentioned referred to the chiefs of the strongholds located in the southwest region.

They were all influential figures in their respective mountains, yet Myo Sal casually referred to them as 'this punk, that punk'.

Myo Sal's arrogance did not end there.

“You've also told them they'll die if they get caught smuggling goods, right?”

“Yes, I have. I have clearly conveyed that the distribution will be decided after the work is done, so they should not try anything funny.”

“Tsk. It feels like I've called too many for just one Diancang Mountain. But just in case.”

The occupation of Diancang Mountain was a given, and he seemed worried that someone might lay a hand on the plundered goods.

But Cheok-gwi did not feel that Myo Sal's words were a bluff.

Was the hegemon of the western Green Forest made overnight?

The number of people who became ghosts of no return by his sharp Meteor Hammer exceeded a thousand by a rough estimate.

Moreover, this time he had summoned all the chiefs of the western region, whom he did not usually call.

It was impossible to think that the Diancang Sect, with its main forces away, could stop them.

“Oh, and make sure to have plenty of Soul-Confusing Water.”

“Soul-Confusing Water… haven't you already applied it?”

“Hehe. It is not to be applied to the Meteor Hammer. It is to be used as incense.”

“Then even Soul-Confusing Incense…!”

Cheok-gwi was amazed at Myo Sal's thoroughness.

The Soul-Confusing Water applied to the spikes of the Meteor Hammer had a highly toxic component that melted the skin and stopped blood circulation upon contact.

And if this was vaporized and put into a special container, it would turn into a biochemical weapon that spreads in the air.

“Don't be scared. Do you think we'll ever use this in battle?”

“Then why…?”

“Didn't this mess happen because we tried to occupy Diancang Mountain half-heartedly? We have to turn every space in the Diancang Sect into a land of death. So that not a single blade of grass can grow.”

At Myo Sal's wickedness, Cheok-gwi gulped.

He intended to annihilate everything that existed in the Diancang Sect.

‘This time, the Diancang Sect will be uprooted.’

Cheok-gwi retreated from the main hall with that thought.

Myo Sal's martial arts, as well as the accompanying chiefs and the Soul-Confusing Incense.

He was confident that even if the main forces of the Diancang Sect were on site, they would not be able to protect it.

‘Unless Diancang has a guardian deity, it's an impossible task.’

Cheok-gwi briefly thought of an unexpected variable.

But as if it made no sense, he soon let out a smirk.