Ten Paths of the Master - Chapter 66

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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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Episode 66. Why are you going to Munsan?
At that moment, in Hyeonmu Observatory.
The grand conference hall, Sunguija Hall.
Hour of the Rat, early evening (7 p.m.).
Five men and women sat facing one another around an enormous round table.
There was Gongsun Chan, the Celestial Strategist, and his daughter Gongsun Ji, known as the Sage of Divine Wisdom; Yu Jeongpung, Vice Sect Leader of the Jongnam School’s outer branch; Noh Hyeonam, Master of Hyeonmu Observatory; and Jin Hacheong, the Chief Administrator.
Though this was Hyeonmu Observatory’s conference chamber, it was Gongsun Chan who occupied the seat of honor.
From this alone, it was clear he was the one directing this gathering.
And indeed it was so.
Chief Administrator Jin Hacheong spoke to Gongsun Chan as though making a report.
“Hyeolche is currently moving toward Munsan with one of Haowen’s female disciples. They should arrive in Munsan by the Hour of the Dog, early evening (9 p.m.) at the latest. But when exactly does the Tianyi Society’s punitive force plan to begin operations? Haowen continues to send messengers asking.”
The Tianyi Society was an alliance formed by the Five Sword Schools to eliminate Hyeolche.
Gongsun Chan, the patriarch of the Gongsun Family, was the supreme commander appointed by the Five Sword Schools, bearing ultimate responsibility for Hyeolche’s elimination.
The beauty seated beside him was Gongsun Ji, the Sage of Divine Wisdom, renowned for possessing wisdom and beauty that touched the heavens.
She, who stood unrivaled in Formation Arts and Mechanical Arrays, had accompanied her father to lend her support.
The Huashan School and Jongnam School, the greatest powers in Gwaennaedo, as well as Hyeonmu Observatory, had all become entangled with the Tianyi Society because of Hyeolche.
The Tianyi Society had become the most formidable organization in the Martial World today.
Gongsun Chan, who had been thinking for a moment, replied.
“The Tianyi Society’s punitive force will head directly to Munsan tomorrow.”
“Then what of tonight?”
Gongsun Chan shook his head with a bitter expression.
Haowen’s female disciple had to be considered already lost.
“Give Haowen a generous compensation fee.”
“I shall see to it.”
Once the matter was settled, Gongsun Chan exchanged glances with Yu Jeongpung, the Vice Sect Leader of the Jongnam School.
“Whom has the Jongnam School decided to send?”
“The Seven Swords of Jongnam will go.”
The Seven Swords of Jongnam were all first-generation disciples—the pillars of the Jongnam School.
A flicker of interest crossed Gongsun Chan’s eyes.
Usually, other factions merely scraped together venerable elders or rising masters to fill out the roster, but the Jongnam School was sending its finest disciples.
In response to Gongsun Chan’s reaction, Yu Jeongpung, the Vice Sect Leader, offered an explanation.
“When else would we have the chance to test ourselves against a master of Hyeolche’s caliber? The Sect Leader believes this is an excellent opportunity to broaden the vision of our disciples.”
“There is truth in that.”
Gongsun Chan expressed his agreement on that point.
For a martial artist to grow, they must gain experience in real combat.
And there was no better opponent than Hyeolche for that purpose.
Of course, assuming they survived.
As though remembering something, Yu Jeongpung, the Vice Sect Leader, spoke up.
“But Commander, there is one thing about Hyeolche I cannot understand.”
“What is it?”
“As I understand it, Hyeolche never left Kangnam Province his entire life. So why has he suddenly come all the way to Gwaennaedo? Might he have some other purpose in mind?”
“Whatever his purpose may be, he will meet his end in Munsan.”
It was a non-answer.
Yu Jeongpung, the Vice Sect Leader, refrained from pressing further out of respect for Gongsun Chan’s dignity.
Just then, a voice rang out from beyond the door.
“Master! Mok Unsan has come again. What should we do?”
All eyes turned toward the Master of Hyeonmu Observatory.
Noh Hyeonam, the Observatory Master, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
“He is from Haowen. Chief Administrator Jin, see that he leaves peacefully.”
“Understood.”
As Chief Administrator Jin Hacheong departed, Gongsun Chan clicked his tongue in disapproval.
Yu Jeongpung, the Vice Sect Leader, then spoke as though unbothered.
“Pay it no mind. When all is said and done, it is their own doing. They spoke carelessly before Hyeolche, and that was their mistake. I did not know Haowen lacked even that much judgment.”
“They lack experience facing an Absolute Master, that is all.”
“For a second-rate school like Haowen to speak of unifying the ten halls—it is laughable beyond words.”
Yu Jeongpung showed not the slightest concern for the captured Haowen disciples.
Rather, he laid all blame at Haowen’s feet.
“Haowen’s level appears to be lower than we first thought. I had believed them to be a legitimate Martial World faction, but they are no different from street rabble.”
Naturally, the conversation shifted from Hyeolche to Haowen.
Though some time had passed since Chief Administrator Jin Hacheong left, he had not yet returned.
Yu Jeongpung glanced at the door, then muttered to himself.
“This story does run long…….”
Before he could finish, a loud voice rang out from the courtyard.
“Observatory Master Noh! Please help us! Our disciple has been captured by Hyeolche! Didn’t you say you knew where Hyeolche was? Please, save our disciple!”
Observatory Master Noh Hyeonam looked at his guests with an expression of deep discomfort.
Before the assembled leaders of the Tianyi Society—the Orthodox Faction’s highest gathering—what humiliation was this.
He rose hastily from his seat and threw open the door.
In the courtyard, Vice Sect Leader Mok Unsan and Chief Administrator Jin Hacheong were locked in a heated dispute.
By martial skill alone, Mok Unsan was no match for Jin Hacheong, yet Jin Hacheong could not bring himself to use force against him.
The reason was simple: a Haowen disciple had been captured by Hyeolche because of orders he himself had given.
The moment Mok Unsan’s eyes met the Observatory Master’s, he quickly bowed and spoke.
“Master! The child captured by Hyeolche is the niece of Sect Leader Baek Chogong. I know this is a difficult request, but I beg you—save her just this once! If you do, I will never forget your kindness for as long as I live.”
Yet Observatory Master Noh Hyeonam’s expression as he looked at Mok Unsan was cold.
“Mok Unsan! Have you lost your mind? What do you mean making such a disturbance here? Leave at once while I’m asking nicely!”
“Sir! Didn’t you tell us to find out where Hyeolche was? Hyeolche is headed to Munsan even now! A man died and a woman was captured by Hyeolche just to learn that. And now you tell us to leave? Where in the world is there such a thing?”
As Mok Unsan cried out, Observatory Master Noh Hyeonam flinched slightly, though he showed no sign of it.
“There is a right time for all things. I told you to watch Hyeolche’s movements—I never said to attack him tonight. Do you realize the Five Sword Schools will be drawn in because of Haowen? Know your place! And lower your voice—we have honored guests! Leave now!”
But Mok Unsan did not yield easily.
“Are the Five Sword Schools here? Then hear my words! Hyeolche is headed to Munsan! A female disciple of Haowen is in his hands! Chivalrous heroes of the Five Sword Schools! Please, I beg you—save our female disciple!”
As Mok Unsan raised his voice, Observatory Master Noh Hyeonam’s face twisted in fury.
“What are you all doing? Drag him out! And from this moment on, let no one from Haowen pass through these doors!”
“Yes!”
The gatekeepers and officials seized Mok Unsan by the arms and legs, hoisting him onto their shoulders, and carried him outside.
From the darkness, Mok Unsan’s voice echoed back.
“Master! Please save her! If Hyeonmu Observatory does nothing, the captured disciple will die!”
Observatory Master Noh Hyeonam turned to Chief Administrator Jin Hacheong with a hard stare.
“Chief Administrator Jin, why do you handle matters so poorly? We have honored guests, and this is the shameful scene you allow!”
“I apologize. I tried to stop him, but he forced his way through regardless…….”
“Tsk, tsk! To be played like this by Haowen of all places! I thought you were competent, but I’m disappointed.”
“It will not happen again.”
“Lock the gates. Not even an ant shall pass through.”
“Yes.”
Once the situation had been contained, Observatory Master Noh Hyeonam returned to the conference chamber.
Gongsun Ji, the True Successor, carefully opened her mouth.
“I heard the commotion. Is it true that the person who was kidnapped is Sect Leader Baek Chogong’s niece?”
Observatory Master Noh Hyeonam answered with reluctance.
“It is true. But that changes nothing, does it?”
…….
Gongsun Ji said nothing.
As the Observatory Master said, there was nothing the Tianyi Society could do at this moment.
The main forces of the Five Sword Schools would not arrive at Munsan until tomorrow.
The disciples of the Jongnam Seven Swordsmen and Hyeonmu Observatory here would die if Hyeolche merely lifted a finger.
‘Ah! There is nothing to be done.’
***
Hour of Suk (8 p.m.).
Seonpyeong Ward, in the Western City district.
Ansik Hall in Jipdan Village.
When Vice Sect Leader Mok Unsan returned empty-handed, Ansik Hall took on the atmosphere of a funeral house.
Dan Yeop approached Sect Leader Baek Chogong, who sat with a vacant expression.
“Sect Leader, we need someone to guide us to Munsan.”
“Are you saying you intend to go yourself, Dan?”
“Yes.”
For a moment, Sect Leader Baek Chogong’s eyes widened, but the spark faded quickly.
“No, I appreciate the thought, but I cannot send you to Munsan alone. I know your martial skill is exceptional, but not against Hyeolche. It cannot be done.”
“I understand. Still, I cannot remain idle. Just provide me with a guide. If it truly becomes hopeless, I will retreat.”
“I cannot allow it. Dan, you are the future of our Gwaennaedo Haowen. Baek Yuhwa may be my niece, but I cannot send you to your death.”
“But sir, it will be fine. I possess the Life-Saving Ultimate Technique. I will not die.”
Dan Yeop was placing his faith in Shim Ma.
If Shim Ma, who harbored so many secrets unknown even to him, was involved, somehow he did not feel he would die.
“Is that so? Do you truly possess the Life-Saving Ultimate Technique?”
“Yes, if that weren’t the case, why would I insist on going?”
“Hmm! Then…….”
Baek Chogong, the Sect Leader, turned his head to one side as he considered the matter.
“So Patrol Chief! Come here at once!”
At the Sect Leader’s call, So Wolhwa, the Patrol Hall Master, rushed over.
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“You’ll need to escort Dan Yeop as far as Munsan.”
So Wolhwa glanced at both the Sect Leader and Dan Yeop, then nodded.
“Understood. Dan Yeop, when shall we depart?”
“Now.”
“Can you ride a horse?”
“I haven’t learned that yet.”
“Then we’ll use a carriage. It’ll be faster than traveling by Light Body Technique.”
“Very well.”
Dan Yeop nodded readily.
He was thinking he’d conserve his strength during the journey to Munsan.
“I’ll go fetch a carriage at once.”
Having finished speaking, So Wolhwa dashed outside.
Mok Unsan, the Vice Sect Leader, and the various Hall Masters and Village Masters gathered around Baek Chogong and Dan Yeop.
Mok Unsan spoke in a hoarse voice about how much evil had been wreaked by Hyeonmu Observatory.
“Dan Yeop, recover Baek Yuhwa for us. If that proves difficult, at least bring back her remains intact.”
At those words, Dan Yeop felt his heart shrivel.
He had never once allowed himself to consider Baek Yuhwa’s death.
Now it struck him suddenly—she had been dragged away by Hyeolche, the notorious cavalry commander of the previous generation.
‘Baek Yuhwa, you can’t die before I get there.’
Shortly after, Dan Yeop left Jipdan Village with So Wolhwa.
***
The carriage bound for Munsan.
Dan Yeop sat not inside but in the seat beside the driver.
He had something to tell So Wolhwa.
“Hall Master So.”
“Yes?”
“When we reach Munsan, I may ask you to recount the situation again.”
“What do you mean?”
So Wolhwa looked at Dan Yeop with bewildered eyes.
His serious expression suggested this was no jest.
Besides, the mood hardly permitted joking.
“I suffered the Demonic Possession Technique back at the Terracotta Army Tomb. Since then, whenever I experience a shock, my memory becomes somewhat unreliable. I’m warning you in advance so you won’t be alarmed.”
“Ah, yes…….”
So Wolhwa didn’t quite believe it, but she let it pass.
The Martial World had plenty of stranger people than Dan Yeop.

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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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