Doctor’s Rebirth - Chapter 676

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 676
The Grand Hall of the Mudang Faction.
A vast space easily capable of accommodating a thousand people.
This space was filled with heavy, oppressive air.
In the silence where even a falling needle could be heard.
Seated at the highest positions were two Swordsmen of the previous generation—masters of the Ming character rank.
Of the Ming character rank, only two remained alive.
Below them sat the Zheng character rank cultivators, including Jangmunin Jeong-hyeong Jin-in, who could be called the supreme leadership of the Mudang Faction.
To their left and right sat the Ha character rank Hermits, disciples of the Zheng character rank, while the grand hall was packed with Tian character rank disciples waiting in anticipation.
Below the Tian character rank were the Zhen character rank Swordsmen, but they were still too young to enter the conference hall, so practically all the Mudang members had gathered.
The Ming character rank typically observed silently while the Zheng character rank conducted the proceedings.
I sat beside the Zheng character rank cultivators, observing quietly.
I was the co-deputy of Mudang Gwon-je and the one who had resolved this matter that nearly caused a major bloodshed.
Jangmunin contemplated.
‘Or rather, in some sense, I also fanned the flames.’
A martial competition to be held over forty-nine days.
Since it had been conducted fairly, the Mudang Faction had no excuse even if they lost.
Now that the pride of all sects was at stake, the Mudang Faction absolutely had to win.
This madman had made it far too easy.
As expected, Ilgwang gazed at the Mudang Faction with sparkling blue eyes.
A bright smile. He was delighted at having reduced the number of patients.
In return, the sect leaders of each faction would curse Ilgwang even more thoroughly, but such things were not particularly important to this man.
If necessary, he would even detonate that bizarre inner energy technique, consoling them that a ruptured eardrum was better than death anyway.
Not a single Mudang examiner failed to sense madness in my smile.
A chill ran through them.
‘Even if fatal wounds are sustained during the competition, I will absolutely save them.’
Unless one severed the opponent’s head, I would seize the Grim Reaper himself by the collar and drag him back.
Perhaps that was why Myeong-gil Sasuk trusted me so.
Even if Sasuk appeared to live carelessly, he was once someone who had competed with Cheonma in matters of the heart.
Having thought this far, Jeong Hyeong Jingin opened his mouth.
“For Sasuk to pass away and such an incident to occur immediately after—we must win to preserve the honor of our sect.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
It felt like a game arranged by Ilgwang, but one could not deny that it was the method with the fewest casualties and wounded.
‘But if we lose, the Mudang Faction’s honor will fall to the ground.’
All of Gangho would mock them.
“…Therefore, we must select our sect’s greatest masters.”
“Jeong Hyeong. Would it not suffice if these two old men stepped forward?”
One of the two remaining Ming character rank Hermits and a disciple of Myeong-gil.
Myeong-hwa Jingin.
Jang Mun-in spoke.
“Sasuk. They did not bring forth the previous generation either, so it would be unseemly for the two of you to step forward. It would be proper for someone from our Ha faction to come forth, but I believe it would be better to send out Sasuk’s disciple.”
“You mean Cheonwoo?”
In that instant, the great hall erupted like a disturbed hornet’s nest.
Among them, only Cheonwoo sat quietly with downcast eyes.
“Silence.”
At Jang Mun-in’s words, everyone closed their mouths simultaneously.
One of the Ha faction members opened his mouth.
“Jang Mun, Sifu. Though Cheonwoo is said to be Myeong-gil Sasuk’s disciple, he is still young.”
“Disciple. Cheonwoo participated in war on behalf of the Mudang Sect and operated as Heukseon. The tasks we ought to perform—Cheonwoo has been accomplishing them in our stead.”
Heukseon.
The inspection organization that dealt with traitors within the Mudang Sect.
Because of this, he did not receive favorable treatment even within the Mudang Sect, yet it was work that was absolutely necessary.
“However….”
“Truth be told, even if I were to spar with Cheonwoo, I have no confidence in victory.”
At those words, the murmuring grew even louder. Everyone spoke at once.
“That is unbelievable!”
“Though Cheonwoo is said to be strong, to defeat the Ha and Jeong factions?”
“No matter how favorably Jang Mun-in regards Cheonwoo, this defies all logic.”
Among them, one voice cried out most loudly.
Ha Seon-doin.
“I acknowledge that Cheonwoo is the strongest among the Cheon faction. But surely he cannot defeat our Ha faction!”
The Ha faction members had every reason to feel their pride wounded.
They had resented that the much younger Cheonwoo, disregarding their station, became the Mudang Gwon-je’s disciple. And now to insert him into this matter, disregarding their rank once more!
“Ha Seon. Do you doubt Cheonwoo’s martial prowess?”
Ha Seon-doin regarded Jeong Hyeong-do-in thus.
He was Jang Mun-in Jeong Hyeong’s foremost disciple.
He had reached the realm of Hwagyeong and was a promising talent whom all privately designated as the next Mudang Sect Leader.
He was also a seasoned warrior of considerable influence within the Mudang Sect.
As much as Jang Mun-in Jeong Hyeong favored him, his confidence was always overflowing.
“Indeed. Though I have heard much of Cheonwoo’s reputation, there are few who have witnessed his actual abilities, are there not?”
“Is the Yongbong Assembly insufficient?”
“It is insufficient.”
At those words, everyone murmured again.
Though Ha Seon-doin knew his words exceeded propriety and were presumptuous, he could not retreat further.
I observed this scene.
‘Indeed, Cheonwoo has traveled extensively.’
After receiving instruction from Gwon Je beyond a certain level, did he not essentially expel Cheonwoo from the Mudang Sect, telling him to henceforth learn through actual combat?
Following Gwon Je’s words, Cheonwoo drifted through Gangho like a tumbleweed, becoming Heukseon and having to eliminate former brothers and sisters who had turned to the dark path.
As the saying goes, the area beneath the lamp is darkest.
What was amusing was that the Mudang Faction itself remained unaware of just how terrifying Cheonwoo truly was.
‘That’s why the lineage became so twisted.’
Cheonwoo should have rightfully become a disciple under the Ha generation.
However, I understood that among the Ha generation, no formal master had been assigned—they had only trained together communally.
Then Mudang Gwon-je, the Swordsman Myeong-gil, took him as a disciple, and in such cases, the lineage becomes hopelessly tangled.
‘If he’s a disciple of Myeong-gil the Swordsman, he’d be of the same generation as the Jeong generation.’
In modern terms, it was like having to call someone grandfather when there was barely a year’s age difference.
As a result, Myeong-gil the Swordsman took him only as a martial arts transmitter, not as a formal disciple.
A measure to prevent the lineage from becoming hopelessly confused.
‘It’s covering your eyes and pretending, but in the Righteous Faction, this actually matters quite a bit.’
The Heterodox Faction had Sama Hyeon laughing and saying our Golden Blood Hall’s genealogy was a dog’s genealogy, but the core Mudang Faction was different.
Because of this.
All of the Ha generation became Sasuk to Cheonwoo.
Which is why the Ha generation called Cheonwoo by the title of junior disciple.
Soon, Jangmunin Jeong-hyeong opened his mouth.
“Good. Cheonwoo. Come forward.”
“I receive the command of the Sect Leader.”
As Cheonwoo rose to his feet, it was as if a mountain itself were moving.
‘Every time I see Cheonwoo, he seems to have grown even taller.’
Moreover, there was an overwhelming pressure emanating from that massive frame.
“Let us conduct a light sparring match. Since the Soggakju of Baekrin Uiseon is observing, there should be no problem even if injuries occur.”
Cheonwoo performed a fist salute.
Cheonwoo’s single eye fixed upon me, then released.
“This disciple Cheonwoo seeks instruction from Sasuk Ha Seon.”
“I, Ha Seon, shall exchange the Way with Cheonwoo.”
Ha Seon drew his sword.
All the Mudang practitioners cleared the space.
In the center of the arena, two figures stood quietly facing each other.
Cheonwoo stood with both hands clasped, assuming the fundamental stance.
“….”
In the quiet moment as they regarded each other.
Cold sweat began to flow from Ha Seon Jingin’s body.
‘What is this pressure?’
As if something immense loomed directly before him.
In that strange sensation of someone treading upon his grave, Ha Seon finally spoke first.
“Junior disciple. I shall begin.”
Taiji Wisdom Sword—Taiji Manche.
The Taiji Wisdom Sword of the Non-Duality School bloomed from his fingertips.
‘The fact that he has mastered the Taiji Wisdom Sword means the Mudang Faction holds Ha Seon in considerable regard.’
I watched the tip of his blade with gleaming eyes.
The sword path flowed like water, soft yet moving with a mysterious spring breeze, piercing forward.
“Ohhhhh!”
Everyone gasped at that wonderfully mysterious sword path.
“Perfect Tai Chi Ten Thousand Heavens!”
“Tremendous power!”
“Ha Seon Jingin has made his resolve.”
Watching this, I pondered.
‘Cheonwoo’s weakness is precisely this soft overcomes hard. Choosing it as the opening move was the right decision. But….’
“Ha Seon Sifu! Show us what you’re made of!”
‘…Cheonwoo is truly alone.’
While those like Hacheong Jinin still supported Cheonwoo, the vast majority of Mudang Sect hermits were cheering for Ha Seon Jingin, the talent destined to become the next sect leader.
“What do you say, Saji? If you surrender now, I’ll pretend this never happened.”
“….”
I knew this feeling well.
That’s how organizational society works.
Those who are seen frequently and exchange pleasantries regularly become more popular and successful than those who bear the organization’s burdens.
Thinking about it, it was inevitable.
After all, the Patriarch only taught Cheonwoo the path of martial arts leading to the end, never teaching him how to get along with people.
Since he spent more time traveling outside than other disciples, he had less opportunity to meet Mudang faction members—there was no helping that.
And on top of that….
“Please avenge our fallen senior brother who betrayed the sect.”
At that moment, the other sword masters of the same rank covered their mouths.
Once one takes up the Mudang sword and commits their body to the heterodox path, they are no longer a senior brother.
The sect leader sternly told the one who spoke those words that he would face severe punishment later.
But human hearts do not easily follow one’s intentions.
Watching this, my heart ached.
‘After this is over, I need to teach Cheonwoo some politics too.’
…I decided to teach Cheonwoo more forcefully from now on.
Then Cheonwoo began moving with a step slower.
Cheonwoo did not draw his sword.
Instead, what he displayed was something left behind by a great giant.
Tai Chi Fist Tai Chi Flowing Water.
It was mysterious.
The phantom image of the deceased Patriarch overlapped above Cheonwoo’s shoulders.
“Wha…?”
Ha Seon’s eyes wavered.
In that instant, Cheonwoo’s two hands gently swept the sword away.
-Listen, you fool. You’re more impatient than you look! That’s why you can’t do it.
Cheonwoo recalled the words the Patriarch had spoken.
It was truly exasperating.
What had been so difficult while he lived became possible only after his departure.
Cheonwoo’s two hands gently swept the sword away.
“Hiss!”
Ha Seon continued thrusting his sword toward Cheonwoo.
Each strike was so exquisite it could be called flawless, yet Cheonwoo began defending against every single one of them.
“Ooooh!”
“Isn’t this the same Cheonwoo who was scolded so harshly by Gwon Je for failing to master the Soft Overpowering the Hard technique!”
The exquisite strikes scatter like spring breeze.
Not a single blade touches Cheonwoo before dissipating.
“How arrogant, having received Gwon Je’s inner energy! But what of this!”
With those words, Ha Seon thrust forward, and Cheonwoo blocked with hands as supple as willow branches.
Watching this, a hermit spoke.
“Has anyone here seen Cheonwoo’s feet move? At all?”
At those words, everyone’s eyes widened.
“That’s right. He hasn’t taken even a single step!”
At that remark, Ha Seon’s eyebrows twitched.
Ha Seon could not restrain himself and unleashed a sword strike infused with the maximum precision he could muster.
“Old fool! How about this!”
Tai Chi Sword. Tai Chi Perfect Harmony.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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