The Lazy Young Master of the Jin Clan

Two days after the officials of the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple were attacked by the unorthodox factions, a supreme council meeting was held at the Martial Arts Alliance.

The elders of the Alliance rushed to demand the truth.

"We had the next-generation talents enter the Daoist temple to avoid Bud Crushing! Why on earth did you send the officials outside!?"

"It's not as if you didn't know that the Heretic's Path Alliance was aiming for the children!"

"Blue Dragon Daoist Temple Master, if you have a mouth, say something!"

The elders shouted, losing their temper.

"It is all my responsibility."

Gwak Myeong admitted his fault and bowed his head.

"Is this a problem that can be ended with an apology!?"

"Twenty-two next-generation talents have died, and over ten next-generation talents can no longer live the life of a martial artist! Did the Daoist Temple Master not know that all those children were precious talents who would be responsible for the future of the Orthodox Martial World?"

"..."

As Gwak Myeong remained silent, the shouts of the elders grew louder.

Gwak Doyeop opened his mouth.

"Everyone, could you please be quiet for a moment?"

Although his voice was not loud, it had a deep resonance, and the elders all shut their mouths.

But their faces were demanding the truth.

"Daoist Temple Master Gwak."

"Yes, Alliance Lord."

"It seems we have to reveal the truth, now that the situation has become like this."

"I understand."

As the Alliance Lord's order fell, Gwak Myeong slowly opened his mouth to the elders who had gathered in one place.

"In fact, the purpose of the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple is different from the other three Daoist temples."

"Different?"

"What do you mean, different?"

"The Blue Dragon Daoist Temple exists to create a special sword from the beginning. In other words, it is a place for the nurturing of the special selection team."

"A special selection team? But didn't you say that the special selection team would be selected through the Four Divine Assembly?"

At Maehugyeom's question, this time, Dokgo Jeokmyeong stepped forward.

"I certainly said so, but there is a disadvantage that the nurturing of the special selection team would be too slow. Thus, we decided on the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple as the Daoist temple to nurture the special selection team."

"Why the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple of all places? And that, without a single word of consultation with us!"

As Maehugyeom said excitedly, Peng Useong, an elder from the Hebei Peng Clan, also chimed in from the side.

"Elder Mae is right! Isn't it right to consult with us first on such matters!?"

The two elders, who had entrusted the disciples of their sects or families to the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple, shot up from their seats in excitement.

Following that, as the elders who had also sent their disciples to the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple also stood up, Dokgo Jeokmyeong bit his lip.

"That is..."

"I requested it."

The door of the Martial Arts Alliance's supreme council chamber, which would not have been opened without the Alliance Lord's permission, opened.

"You are...?"

As a middle-aged man revealed himself from between the open doors, surprise and admiration were revealed on everyone's faces.

"I apologize for coming without notice, Alliance Lord."

"For the Palace Lord to come to the Martial Arts Alliance in person. It is unexpected."

The White Moon Divine Lord, Cheon Yushin.

At the appearance of the man who was the Palace Lord of the White Moon Palace and the one closest to the current number one under heaven, a strange tension, along with silence, began to flow in the council chamber.

Cheon Yushin ignored the gazes of the elders directed at him and sat in an empty seat.

"It was my opinion to designate the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple as the Daoist temple to nurture the special selection team."

"Did the Palace Lord... request it in person?"

At Maehugyeom's question, Cheon Yushin slowly shook his head.

"It was not a request, but an order."

A strange tension that permeated the council chamber.

The Alliance Lord of the Martial Arts Alliance, who could be said to be the representative of the Orthodox Martial World, Gwak Doyeop.

The White Moon Divine Lord, Cheon Yushin, who was called the number one under heaven.

The two stared at each other.

"According to the news sent by the Beggars' Sect, I heard that the White Sword Unit sent by the White Moon Palace did not step up in the beginning, even though they knew that the unorthodox faction group was aiming for the officials of the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple."

"I ordered it."

"What is the reason?"

"For them to truly become a special selection team, they needed experience. I judged that they needed to experience firsthand who their enemies were, and how sharp and ruthless their swords were."

"In that case, isn't it right to inform the Alliance and the Beggars' Sect in advance?"

"If I had informed you, would you have followed my will?"

At Cheon Yushin's question, Gwak Doyeop caught his breath for a moment.

"I would not have."

"That's why I didn't."

Maehugyeom, who could not stand it any longer, shouted.

"Palace Lord! Because of your arbitrary decision, twenty-two innocent next-generation talents have lost their lives, and over thirty..."

"So."

"What?"

Cheon Yushin looked at Maehugyeom with a ruthless gaze.

"I'm asking what you want me to do about it."

"Just because you are called the number one under heaven does not give you the right to let the children of other sects and families die."

"Have you forgotten? My children are also at the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple. Those children were also there at that time, in that place. Is that not so?"

Gwak Myeong answered.

"That's right. Cheon Gaseong and Cheon Yerang, the children of the Palace Lord, are officials at the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple."

At the fact that he had put even his own children in danger, Maehugyeom was at a loss for words.

In the meantime, Cheon Yushin looked around the assembly and said softly.

"Cheon Gaseong and Cheon Yerang, my children and the martial artists of the White Moon Palace, were not injured in the slightest against nearly two hundred enemies. And yet, they cut down and killed over fifty enemies."

The elders were agitated at Cheon Yushin's unbelievable words.

And as if to prove this, Gwak Myeong added.

"It is true."

"It is true. Why do you think that was possible? The White Moon Palace has been preparing for a future battle for a very long time, and I have trained my children harshly. And this is the result."

While no elder could open their mouth, Cheon Yushin got up from his seat.

"A chaotic world creates a hero."

Cheon Yushin's ruthless gaze swept over everyone gathered in the council chamber.

"Can you understand what that means? It means that a hero is born in a chaotic world. So if you want a hero..."

Spreading his huge two arms, Cheon Yushin said.

"You have to start a chaotic world."

***

A deep silence flowed in the returned Blue Dragon Daoist Temple.

Overnight, the fellow officials they had been facing had died, their families had died, and their senior and junior brothers had died.

And so, for three days, time flowed quietly in the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple, as if to mourn the dead.

And after a while, Gwak Myeong, who had left for the Martial Arts Alliance, returned.

"Has everyone gathered?"

Gwak Myeong, who had gathered the officials of the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple in one place, slowly opened his mouth.

"Now you all must know. The reason for the existence of this Blue Dragon Daoist Temple, and the reason for the existence of you all who belong to it."

At Gwak Myeong's continued explanation, the officials were in great shock.

Zhuge Ming, who seemed to be deep in thought, raised his hand and said.

"Then were we scheduled to become a special selection team from the beginning?"

"Yes."

"Then why didn't you tell us from the beginning?"

"I was going to tell you when you were ready. But an unexpected thing happened."

The officials could tell that the unexpected thing that Gwak Myeong was talking about was the recent attack by the unorthodox faction.

"Originally, the martial artists of the Alliance, the Beggars' Sect, and the White Sword Unit of the White Moon Palace were scheduled to guard you."

Everyone's gaze naturally turned to Cheon Gaseong and Cheon Yerang, the martial artists belonging to the White Moon Palace.

The faces of the two were indifferent.

"But something happened, and a number of unorthodox faction groups that surpassed our expectations appeared. Because of that, many officials lost their lives and suffered injuries that could not be recovered."

"..."

Gwak Myeong raised his hand.

At that, a bundle containing each official's belongings was placed in front of them.

"I will not stop you if you wish to withdraw. If you want to return to your sect or family, now is the chance. But after today, you will become a special sword of the special selection team and will face the unorthodox faction that threatens the Central Plains."

Gwak Myeong slowly swept his gaze over the agitated officials.

"Of course, you will fight with more vicious and dangerous people than now, and you may even lose your lives."

A part of the officials picked up their bundles.

"Don't worry about the way back. The Martial Arts Alliance will take responsibility and will safely take you back to where you were."

"I'm sorry."

The officials who wished to withdraw packed their bundles and left separately.

Their number reached a whopping twenty.

"Go back, Siu."

Now that he knew the true purpose of the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple, there was no place for Siu, who did not know martial arts.

Siu, who had realized that her existence would be a burden to others, meekly packed her bundle.

Siu, who was packing her belongings, discovered that Jin Sohyun was not packing his own.

"What about you, Young Master? Aren't you going back to the family estate?"

"No."

"Why? It's too dangerous here!"

"I know. So don't tell my family what happened at the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple."

"Please come back with me. I'm so scared that something might happen to you, Young Master."

"Don't worry too much."

"But..."

Perhaps because of the tragedy in Guizhou.

A deep fear was engraved in Siu's two eyes.

That's why she was so worried about Jin Sohyun staying here.

"The Young Master needs me to take care of him... what will you do without me?"

"This Young Master is not a child. And will you give this to Gahyeon?"

Siu took the letter that Jin Sohyun had handed her and carefully put it in her bosom.

"Stay well."

Jin Sohyun gently stroked Siu's head. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

At the same time, tears like chicken droppings fell from Siu's eyes.

Realizing that she could not persuade Jin Sohyun no matter how hard she tried, Siu respectfully bowed her head.

"Please come back safely, Young Master."

"Yes. I will."

As Siu packed her bundle and moved her feet to withdraw, Jong Ryeo'ak, who was watching this, said with a bored voice.

"You're leaving?"

"Yes. Thank you for protecting me. You too, be careful, Young Hero Jong."

"...Don't mind me and just go back well. I won't see you off."

As Jong Ryeo'ak turned his body away, Siu bowed her head.

And after conveying her greetings to Cheon Yerang and Moyong Susu, Siu looked at Jin Sohyun for the last time.

Jin Sohyun, who had discovered this, waved his hand lightly.

'Young Master... please come back safely.'

Siu, who had conveyed her last greetings, mixed with a group of withdrawing officials and left the Daoist temple.

Afterward, Gwak Myeong, who was watching the remaining officials, said softly.

"I will give you one more koku of time. If you do not withdraw within that time, I will recognize it as you becoming a special sword of the special selection team. From then on, there will be no withdrawal unless a separate permission is granted."

As Gwak Myeong's words ended, two officials packed their bundles and left.

Now, thirty were left.

Among them were martial artists who had lost their families and companions.

Gwak Myeong looked around at the remaining officials who wished to become a special sword of the special selection team.

"Whether it's for honor, to become stronger, or for revenge... I am not interested in the reason and purpose you have remained at the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple. There is only one thing I want."

The remaining officials and Gwak Myeong looked at each other.

"Become stronger. Strong enough to trample the unorthodox faction and the Heretic's Path Alliance."

***

Late at night.

A time when everyone was asleep.

There were two men who could not sleep.

"Don't you know the saying that sleep is a restorative medicine? To wake this old man's sleep."

"I'm sorry. There was no one else I could ask for this kind of thing but you, Elder."

"Hehehe... you arrogant brat. Follow me."

Gu Jucheol headed to the Dark Cave with Jin Sohyun.

As they entered the locked Dark Cave, a darkness without a single speck of light came.

"What is your fear now?"

In front of Jin Sohyun, who had stepped into the Illusory Void Formation, the corpses of the young martial artists in white robes appeared.

In the midst of death, Jin Sohyun squeezed his eyes shut.

"Death."

"Death? It's unexpected. To think you would fear death."

Jin Sohyun opened his eyes.

"Is there anyone who is not afraid of dying?"

"A lie."

Gu Jucheol snickered and looked deep into Jin Sohyun's two eyes.

"You do not fear death. You just fear the death of others. In all my long years of wandering the martial world, there has never been anyone like you."

"I'm just an ordinary third-rate martial artist. A lazy bum whose dream is to live a long and healthy life."

"Nonsense."

Gu Jucheol held his curved saber in his hand.

"You are angry now. You are just denying it."

Jin Sohyun, who had taken out two flying swords, nodded his head.

"I think you're right."

Jin Sohyun's anger was cold.

Although it was not revealed on the outside, the depth of his anger was unfathomable.

"Why are you angry?"

"Because it's unfair."

"Unfair?"

"I am the son of a merchant. The basis of commerce is equivalent exchange. But those who call themselves the unorthodox faction take the lives of others without any price."

"The world is originally an unfair place. Equivalent exchange is just an ideal that only those with power can achieve. Do you dislike such a world?"

"I don't like it very much."

"Then become stronger. In the end, it is the role of the strong to create order."

Swoooosh—!

A ferocious killing intent began to fill the Dark Cave.

He was as if he had returned to the days when he was called one of the Seven Vicious Demons.

Gu Jucheol, who had revealed all his strength, was no longer the master of the officials of the Blue Dragon Daoist Temple.

"From now on, you will have to draw out all the strength you have."

The entire Dark Cave was filled with the qi that Gu Jucheol was emitting.

Jin Sohyun, who felt the air becoming heavy, realized that he was being serious.

"I... I think I made a mistake... shall we stop here?"

"You've made me this excited, and you want to end it like this? I can't let that happen."

Gu Jucheol's killing intent became even more ferocious.

At the feeling of the hot and sharp killing intent, as if it were cutting his whole body, Jin Sohyun let out a deep sigh.

"I made a mistake. I shouldn't have called that old man."

Jin Sohyun re-gripped his two flying swords.

Soon, the two martial artists clashed in the Dark Cave.

(End of Chapter)