readsfreenovel Chapter 211 : Let’s Pick One
Chapter 211 : Let’s Pick One
A brief moment.The two figures in black exchanged glances. Both of them knew Baek Un-geom Hyeon-un well.
In those days, those who had reached the level of Huajing and stood at the pinnacle of the Murim were called Stars.
Each of them was a monstrous being, possessing martial prowess rivaling that of entire factions.
And immediately after—
If one were to name the next person to join the ranks of those Stars, all martial artists of the time would point to one man.
Hyeon-un of the Wudang Sect.
Though many disliked his stubborn nature, not a single person denied his martial prowess.
“What should we do, Senior Brother?”
“If it were one-on-one, perhaps not. But now, we have a chance. Are we not both Elders of our sect?”
With that brief exchange, the two black-clad figures simultaneously charged from Hyeon-un’s left and right.
As if hiding their identities no longer mattered, they imbued their swords with a faint blue aura.
Hyeon-un chuckled and quietly observed them.
Just as the two swords were about to pierce his throat and chest—
Fwoong—!
Black and white. Two streams of formidable energy extended from beneath Hyeon-un’s feet in all directions.
The Taiji Sword and Left Hand moved at the same time.
Cheng—!
The fierce Taiji Sword, imbued with dark energy, lightly deflected the sword aimed at his neck.
At the same time, his gently extended left hand rode up the blade aiming for his chest like a snake.
Hyeon-un's left hand firmly grasped the black-clad man’s wrist.
As he spun his body in that state, the sword the black-clad man had thrust toward Hyeon-un’s heart was helplessly redirected forward.
“Guh!”
He tried to resist, but Hyeon-un’s Golden Net wasn’t simply a forceful pull—it contained a peculiar mystery, making it difficult to counter.
While the black-clad figure dropped to his knees with a thud, Hyeon-un swung the Taiji Sword once more and severed the man's wrist.
Ssshak—!
The severed wrist, still gripping the sword, floated into the air.
“Brother!”
The other black-clad figure charged forward in alarm.
Hyeon-un coldly stared at him and gathered both black and white energies into his sword.
As the two energies balanced, they suddenly exploded with a thunderous roar.
KWAANG—!
Riding the force of the explosion, a single sword light rushed in a straight line.
It wasn’t Sword Levitation Technique, but for a moment, the sword light surged faster than that.
Thwuck—!
The Taiji Sword lodged deep into the abdomen of the charging black-clad man. While he staggered and vomited blood, Hyeon-un pressed several acupoints on the wristless man.
He stopped the bleeding, sealed his qi, and lastly, rendered him unconscious.
North honors Shaolin, South venerates Wudang.
Once again, an Elder of the Wudang Sect stood apart from other sect Elders. Especially Hyeon-un—other than the Sect Leader, the Wudang Sword Immortal, there was no one in Wudang who could even cross swords with him.
After pressing all the acupoints of the two black-clad men, Hyeon-un snapped the swords they had dropped.
Changkang—!
Then he tossed the two broken swords onto the ground without care. Catching his breath, he spoke.
“To think the Qingcheng Sect would be involved in something like this.”
Had it been any other Taoist from an orthodox sect, they would have sighed in genuine regret.
But Hyeon-un was no ordinary Taoist.
His face was filled only with irritation.
“It was the day to pick plum blossom wine.”
If it weren’t for Jin Seong-un’s urgent letter, he would be enjoying the wine, evading the eyes of the Sect Leader.
The location and side dishes were all perfectly prepared.
Now that it had come to this, he thought only of finishing this Qingcheng Sect mess quickly and getting back.
“Liar. That’s just an excuse.”
Moyong Hyeon shut his mouth.
When a woman of the Tang Clan seized an opening, she never stopped.
“You’re just trying to keep him in check. Because Jin So-hyeop’s rise is unusual. Because once he surpasses the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes, even the Nine Sects One Gang and the Five Great Clans will find it hard to look down on him. Am I right?”
Moyong Hyeon sighed and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
After all, the two people standing before him were part of the Orthodox Sects and Five Great Clans, respectively.
There was no reason to hide it.
“That’s right. I found Guest Dragon’s presence unpleasant. No, to be precise, I found him threatening.”
“You say that as if it’s no longer the case.”
“Exactly. I don’t find him unpleasant anymore. To be precise, not since that duel.”
Tang So-yeon and Hwamyeong looked at him in surprise.
Moyong Hyeon continued.
“Miss Tang and Hwamyeong Dojang may not know, but I am a highly calculating person.”
“You certainly look the part.”
“Who doesn't know Moyong So-hyeop is calculating?”
Moyong Hyeon glared briefly at the two before continuing.
“Anyway. I’ve always lived calculatingly, and it’s usually led me to the right answers. And lately, this is what my gut’s been telling me.”
“What does it say?”
“To join hands with Guest Dragon. That’s the surest way to gain real benefit.”
Tang So-yeon looked dumbfounded.
It was already exhausting to check the Wudang Sect and Namgung Clan, who constantly watched for an opportunity to target Jin Seong-un—and now the Moyong Clan too?
“Who says he’ll take you in?”
“I, Moyong Hyeon, say so.”
Moyong Hyeon’s voice was full of confidence.
The Moyong Clan was unlike the other Five Great Clans. They might not be stronger, but they held pride in being nobler.
This was due to their identity as descendants of an old royal lineage.
Tang So-yeon nodded and replied.
“So what if you’re Moyong Hyeon.”
“…….”
Of course, the other Great Clans didn’t share that sentiment.
Clicking his tongue, Moyong Hyeon sheathed the Northern Star Sword and spoke.
“Anyway. It’s clear now that Guest Dragon should be treated differently than before. I’m not someone who ruins things because of pride.”
With that, Moyong Hyeon began walking first.
Tang So-yeon and Hwamyeong, left behind, simply scoffed in disbelief.
“Wow, what a fickle man.”
“His heart sways like a reed, a reed.”
Moyong Hyeon flinched but pretended not to hear as he quietly walked away.
By the time Moyong Hyeon returned to the Special Task Force’s quarters, determined to build rapport with Jin Seong-un, a strange scene awaited him.
“Moyong So-hyeop, welcome. I’d appreciate it if you took a seat.”
Jin Seong-un spoke in his usual dry tone.
Moyong Hyeon quickly assessed the situation.
It seemed Guest Dragon and his two scoundrel companions had come to the Special Task Force quarters and forcefully seated everyone.
“Heh.”
Heir apparents of the Nine Sects One Gang and the Five Great Clans, being corralled by a mere innkeeper, a chef, and the second son of the Seomun Clan?
The resolve Moyong Hyeon had mustered to get along with Jin Seong-un wavered like a candle.
Regardless, Jin Seong-un continued speaking.
“I deliberately leaked information to the Special Task Force. It’s a predictable tactic, but if there’s a spy among us, they would be forced to bite.”
A traditional method—meaning one historically proven to work.
If crucial evidence concerning the spy’s identity was on its way here, how could any spy afford to ignore it?
Naturally, everyone’s expressions turned sour.
It was understandable—they all took great pride in being future leaders of the Orthodox Murim.
Then Gwang-ryong of the Diancang Sect opened his mouth.
“If you want to talk suspicion, shouldn’t we be more wary of Guest Dragon So-hyeop and Seo So-hyeop, who popped out of nowhere, rather than those born and raised in the sects and clans? Who’s really suspecting who here?”
Several people nodded vehemently in agreement. Normally, Moyong Hyeon would’ve eagerly joined in on the attack.
Indeed, Gwang-ryong looked straight at Moyong Hyeon, his eyes practically begging him to tag-team.
However, Moyong Hyeon—though looking displeased—did not step in.
As Gwang-ryong’s expression turned puzzled—
Jeonghyeon of the Qingcheng Sect stood and said,
“Gwang-ryong So-hyeop is right. I, too, wanted to get along with Guest Dragon So-hyeop and the members of Seong-un Inn. That’s why I went to speak with them late at night. And yet, to have that goodwill returned like this?”
Though his tone was soft, he was openly criticizing Jin Seong-un’s actions.
When Jeonghyeon, one of the most moderate members of the Special Task Force, turned on Jin Seong-un, the mood among the others rapidly escalated.
Excluding those affiliated with the Tang Clan of Sichuan, Mount Hua Sect, Wudang Sect, Kunlun Sect, and perhaps Shaolin and Namgung, the rest all looked at Jin Seong-un with discontent.
He was on the verge of turning over half the Orthodox Murim into enemies.
But Jin Seong-un spoke more calmly than ever.
“No one may leave this room until the results are revealed.”
“……”
Everyone felt beyond angry—they were simply stunned.
What martial artist in the world could speak so stubbornly to them?
They said Guest Dragon defied common sense. Now, it seemed that rumor was 100% true.
Everything he did ran counter to the world’s logic.
Even so, Jin Seong-un’s tone remained cool and consistent. There were only two possible outcomes.
“If a spy is found, that will benefit everyone. And if none is found, I will apologize to all.”
“You’re insane…”
Someone muttered in disbelief.
Hearing that, Jin Seong-un added, thinking an apology alone wouldn’t suffice.
“I’ll treat everyone to a meal as well.”
“Oh wow.”
As Gwang-ryong thought his title might be stolen by this new madman—
The doors to the inn swung open, and three people appeared.
Or rather, one man dragging two others by the hand.
Everyone fell silent and stared in shock.
The sudden appearance of the White Cloud Sword, and the two Elders of the Qingcheng Sect in his grasp, was surreal.
Given all the earlier talk of spies, the sharper minds instantly understood what this meant.
It was a day of heavy rain.
Already irritated, Hyeon-un looked truly furious, having gotten drenched on top of it all.
He flung the unconscious Qingcheng Elders to the ground like garbage and growled.
“An elder shows up and you just sit there staring? Is that what your teachers and parents taught you?”
Knowing his temper, the Special Task Force martial artists jumped to their feet like spring-loaded dolls and bowed.
“W-We greet Elder White Cloud Sword!”
As everyone rushed to greet him, one man alone stood firm.
Only Jeonghyeon of the Qingcheng Sect kept his back straight.
Instead of bowing, he reached toward the Qingcheng Sword at his waist.
But he couldn’t draw it.
Before his hand even reached the hilt, he felt the cold touch of a blade at his throat.
Seo Yu-gyeom gently pressed the Heaven-Slaying Dagger to his neck and said,
“Go ahead. Draw it.”