The long journey that was shortened to a mere few seconds through the Pegasus, was over. After getting off the Pegasus, Lee Sungmin looked around.
He was located in a plain near Nerod. This is the place where Lee Sungmin was chased by Geom-Seong, the Heavenly Sword of the Wudang.
[Why did you leave her behind at the last moment?]
“Because it’s way too dangerous.”
[Is it because of the Heavenly Sword of the Wudang, Geom-Seong or whatever?]
Heoju giggled and asked Lee Sungmin. There was no need for an answer since Heoju knew how Lee Sungmin felt through their shared consciousness.The Heavenly Sword of the Wudang, Geom-Seong, was considered to be of the three absolute martial artists in this world. Along with Musin and Sima Ryunju, Geom-Seong was estimated to be just as strong as them.
Considering that Sima Ryunju wanted to stop by the Wudang to see just how strong Geom-Seong had become, Sima Ryunju had intended to stop Geom-Seong if he attacked Lee Sungmin and became hostile.
But now, there was no such protection as his master was dead.
If the Heavenly Sword was determined to kill Lee Sungmin, there would be no way to avoid a fight.
That’s why Lee Sungmin left Scarlett behind. If Geom-Seong truly felt like targeting Lee Sungmin, he wasn’t sure of being able to protect Scarlett, let alone himself.
Even now, Lee Sungmin was on guard for Geom-Seong’s formless sword technique that could pierce from any distance with the incarnation body that Geom-Seong used last time.
‘This distance is within the range of his attack.’
Lee Sungmin knew firsthand as he had been chased out of this plain after murdering An Zun, so he knew just how powerful and dangerous the man known as the Heavenly Sword was. But… It had been quite some time now, and Geom-Seong still hadn’t shown up. Was there a reason Geom-Seong hadn’t appeared? It was only understandable since Geom-Seong, in the end, was still a human being.
The distance to the Wudang Sect from the plains in Nerod was not exactly closeby. It may not be possible for Geom-Seong to detect him so easily.
[You’ll have to bear her resentment later.]
‘Maybe.’
At the last few moments, Lee Sungmin recalled Scarlett’s eyes that were clearly flustered and shocked.
She clearly said she had sympathized with him.
She reminded him clearly that if he was left alone to despair, he would lead himself only to his own ruin down the line.
[You’ve been broken for a long time.]
Heoju said as he smiled bitterly at Lee Sungmin.
[You’ve been pretending to be okay, but……your mind is so strange and unstable. Maybe it’s because of the loneliness you’ve always felt.]
‘Is that so?’
You’d better be conscious of yourself and your mental state. You need to be at least conscious of how fragile your mind is right now. If you aren’t even able to do that, you will be in danger soon.]
‘I don’t want to, but thanks to you, I keep realizing it.’
[I know. I wouldn’t do it if it was anyone else.]
‘Are you worried I might be going crazy?’
[Didn’t I already promise to you? If you turn and lose control of yourself, this old man will come forward to help you. I only hope that such a day doesn’t come to be.]
“Me too.”
Lee Sungmin murmured, taking out his spear from his subspace. Naturally, Lee Sungmin hoped that such a day would not come.
If that day ever came, and Heoju had to step up to stop him… he would never be able to see Heoju again after that. Heoju was someone that Lee Sungmin truly felt close to, more than anybody else. That kind of thing…. Lee Sungmin didn’t even want to think about it.
[Hey, why do you feel like crying?]
“Shut up.”
After uttering to Heoju to shut up since it was embarrassing that Heoju could feel his emotions and thoughts, Lee Sungmin gripped his spear tightly and looked at the Mountains that were located far off into the distance.
He was supposed to go to the Shaolin and the Wudang together with his master. Recalling what his plans were supposed to be with Sima Ryunju, Lee Sungmin merely roused his internal energy.
It wasn’t that by rousing his internal energy, that Lee Sungmin was able to defend if an attack came, he was just trying to provoke a reaction out of Geom-Seong.
However, there was not even the slightest reaction even though the distance continued to decrease as Lee Sungmin started to travel towards the mountain using the lightning gale movement from the Dark Storm Arts.‘Wouldn’t they have noticed it by now?’It was more nerve-wracking to come here to see the Wudang and not even get a reaction considering what had happened last time.
Thanks to running nonstop, Mt. Wudang was just around the corner. Lee Sungmin stopped his running and came to a slow walk and then a complete stop in front of the foot of the mountain.
‘Can I just go up like this?’
[It’s impossible not to go up at this point.]
Heoju teased as he knew just how strong Lee Sungmin had become. Lee Sungmin shrugged his shoulders and started to scale the mountain with black lightning continuing to surround his body. The mountainous and steep terrain would be difficult for any martial artists or magicians to climb, yet for Lee Sungmin who was finally starting to walk the path of his master in full, it was nothing short of running on flat land.
It was his first time coming to the home of the Wudang Sect himself, but the Wudang Sect was well known even though they weren’t technically part of the Murim Alliance as they prided themselves in standing strong on their own. There were countless martial artists that were well-known within the Wudang aside from the Heavenly Sword himself, Geom-Seong.
The highest mountain peak of the Wudang Mountains, was the home of Geom-Seong, the retired Heavenly Sword, who was actually a Transcendent among Transcendent Realm Martial Artists.
For the same members of the Wudang Sect, the peak where Geom-Seong resided over, was regarded like a sacred sanctuary and was off-limits to almost everybody in the sect without prior notice. Invading the peak of where Geom-Seong resided, was tantamount to declaring a war with the Wudang and its entirety of martial artists.
It was not Lee Sungmin’s wish to fight with Geom-Seong. However, it is impossible to make an appointment in advance and go to see him because of his own disposition as a labeled rogue by the Murim Alliance.
He had arrived here, but it was still a bit difficult to go straight up towards the peak where Geom-Seong resided.
‘What would my master have done?’
[Don’t compare yourself to him.]
At a natural thought, Heoju snapped back.
[You’re you, and your master was Sima Ryunju. Your master died, and you may have inherited his power, but it’s ridiculous that you want to be like him….Hahahah!]
“Why is that so funny?”
[Because you are you .]
Once again, Heoju repeated the words with affirmation.
[It doesn’t fit for you to try and be like him. In the first place, your personality is completely different from his. You have a lot of useless thoughts, a lot of troubles as well. You have enough power, but you lack your own self-confidence. Well, I don’t think it can be helped. You need to realize that amongst many others, you are a complete master of your own martial arts. It can’t be helped that your goal is to surpass others, including the others that are among the top three strongest in this entire world. It’s just a high bar that you have set yourself towards.]
Heoju grumbled.
[Anyway, stop comparing yourself to him.]
‘I just want to model myself after him.’
[You want to model yourself after him? Look at where you are right now and realize how dumb you are. He reached a much higher level than you and you are currently much worse than he was.]
Lee Sungmin knew Heoju’s words were correct, but they still were worded quite heavily. Lee Sungmin let out a fake cough in embarrassment at Heoju’s remarks.
In the end, Lee Sungmin had no choice but to keep climbing. Whatever Sima Ryunju would have done, was not something he would or even could do.
There was no reason to head straight towards the Wudang Sect in a blitzkrieg like Sima Ryunju. Lee Sungmin remained on guard and cautious as he sensed the presence of several martial artists near his location.
The mountains were rough, and there were plenty of roads that were not as crowded as the roads that Lee Sungmin felt the presence from. It was easy to find the path to the highest point of the mountain range because of this..
Lee Sungmin stopped walking.
The sun had already set and the moon was up high in the night sky. Lee Sungmin’s gaze was not directed towards the main house of the Wudang Sect where the lights and noises were still present. Staring directly into the darkness of the mountain range, Lee Sungmin stood still.
[There’s something here.]
Lee Sungmin nodded slightly at Heoju’s murmur.
Lee Sungmin did not bother to take out his spear. He didn’t come here to become hostile with Geom-Seong in the first place, so there was no reason to be openly on guard, no matter who it might be.
Lee Sungmin stood tall and stared into the dark and eerie corners of the path he was on without moving a muscle. After a little silence, someone walked out from behind one of the trees near the path.
He was a young man in a blue martial artist uniform. He hung a long wooden sword around his waist, but he didn’t even bother to grab it.
Just as Lee Sungmin showed no hostility, he raised his hands and walked forward as if to show he had no ulterior motives.
“Who are you?”
To Lee Sungmin’s question, the young man answered as he lowered his hands.
“I’m Cheon-Myeong.” (T/N : Not sure if this is his martial nickname or real nickname as it directly translates to Brilliant Sky/Heavenly Brilliance etc…. which is a bit awkward sounding, so I just went with literal translation instead.)
It was a name Lee Sungmin heard in his distant memories of the past. Shaolin’s Jihak, Namgung Heewon, and the Wudang’s Cheon-Meyong.
These three were the strongest of their generation at the time and Lee Sungmin was still rated underneath them as the Ghost Spear when he had heard of their names. Lee Sungmin’s eyes widened slightly.
Cheon-Myeong stared at Lee Sungmin’s face for a moment and turned away.
“Come, my master is waiting for you.”
Cheong-Myeong was the direct disciple of geom-Seong. His age was similar to Jihak, Chigweol, Tang Ah-Hui and many more of their generation’s talents that were rated amongst the Great Families and Strongest Sects, yet Lee Sungmin felt that Cheong-Myeong could not possibly be compared to such people.
Those generational talents had all been hit with one thing. The wall of Transcendence.
Lee Sungmin admired Cheong-Myeong as he could tell that Cheong-Myeong was different, and had already reached the Realm of Transcendence.
Except for the Six Divinities and Jehu, Lee Sungmin was sure that the only possible Transcendent Realm Martial Artist that had ties to the Murim Alliance and political factions that was outside of the direct influence of Beyond the Heavens, was Geom-Seong.
Lee Sungmin had never thought that Cheon-Myeong, who was never seen in public because he did not go outside the Wudang, would be a martial artist that was also within the Realm of Transcendence.
[But there’s nothing strange about such a thing.]
It was just as Heoju said. Wijihoyeon, who had absurd talent, also broke through the wall of Transcendence with her own efforts.
Lee Sungmin was similar as he had his own conditions that he had undertaken in order to reach Transcendence. Whether it was through Denir and Mush’s Trials, or the several life-and-death situations he was placed in or the Black Heart’s evolution.
If Geom-Seong, one of the former Three ‘Absolutes’ in Eria, had picked a direct disciple, it should have been more or less expected as a possibility.
It was a series of things that helped one reach Transcendence. Luck, effort, environment and experience.
‘But that’s absurd.’
Following Cheon-Myeong’s footsteps, Lee Sungmin couldn’t help but think that way. What made him think that way, was the resurfacing memories of the Crazy Heavenly Demon, Byuk Won-Pae
Effort, environment, experience……and luck. What was lacking for the Crazy Heavenly Demon then?
“You don’t talk much.”
Cheon-Myeong, the one leading Lee Sungmin, spoke as he continued to move towards the place where his master was.
“What else do I have to talk about when your master is waiting for me?”
“Do you believe my master to not be hostile to you?”
“It doesn’t occur to me that a great man like Geom-Seong sent his direct disciple to put me in a mere trap.”
Lee Sungmin’s words made Cheon-Myeong crack a rare and genuine smile.
“The rogue murderer known as the Ghost Spear. I’ve never left the Wudang Sect, but I’ve heard the name many times.”
“You’re quite famous yourself, I’ve heard your nickname as well. I heard that you were the strongest swordsman of our generation.”
At the words, Cheon-Myeong only laughed but neither confirmed nor denied Lee Sungmin’s probing suggestion.
“We have a lot of guests here these days.”
“Other guests?”
“The genius of the Shaolin, Jihak, Namgung Heewon of Namgung Family, The Guild Master of the Wizard Guild and the Gold Tower Master.”
Lee Sungmin had thought Abel and Lloyd would be here after visiting the Shaolin. However, Lee Sungmin was surprised at the news of Jihak and Namgung Heewon.
“…is there anyone else?”
‘That’s it?’Lee Sungmin recalled Baek Sogo. Baek Sogo, who left from the Sama Order a while back, said she would visit the Wudang Sect in the letter she left behind.
Many years had passed since then, so it was enough time for Baek Sogo to come to the Wudang Sect.
“No.”
answered Cheon-Myeong.‘That would have been enough time. Did she stop by Shaolin and go somewhere else instead of the Wudang Sect afterwards?’
Lee Sungmin felt curious but did not ask any more questions despite his lingering thoughts.
Suddenly, Cheon-Myeong started to slow down and came to a halt. At the end of the path was a small house on the very peak of the mountain.
“My master is inside.”
Cheon-Myeong turned and bowed to Lee Sungmin. Lee Sungmin returned the formality and went inside after bowing back.
Lee Sungmin could sense some movements coming from inside. He felt a little nervous and started to circulate a bit of electric internal energy through the Dark Storm Arts inside of his dantian.
Just in case, he needed to be a bit prepared. Now that he was able to summon the Pegasus freely and was able to move much faster after having his meridians and internal circuitry cleaned and expanded by his Sima Ryunju before his death,
“Are you satisfied?”
As Lee Sungmin opened the door to the small abode, he could hear the noises from inside.
Squeak.
Lee Sungmin closed the creaking door and stepped inside. After stepping inside fully, only then did he take a deep breath.
“Sima Ryunju, the Demonic Emperor. It’s a pity.”
“What…?!”
It was a voice without any traces of happiness or sadness… but there was a bit of bitter regret in the voice. Lee Sungmin flinched at the name that Geom-Seong had mentioned, as it was his master’s.
There were no rumors about the fight in the north. But Geom-Seong’s words seemed to betray that, as his words seemed to indicate he knew of what had transpired.
“……Do you know about what happened?”
“One of the hobbies that this old swordsman has is looking at the stars in the sky and their constellations.” (T/N : In murim novels, constellations and the movement of the stars can typically indicate that a master who has reached a beyond human level can read the future with the movements of the stars.)
Geom-Seong let out a bitter laugh that seemed to truly display regret and possibly even grief.
“A week ago, I saw a large movement in the stars and the brightest star of them all… burned out. It’s an old-fashioned trick of mine to look at the stars to see the happenings of the world, but did… did your master go to the afterlife with a satisfied expression at least?”
“……Yes.”
“That’s a relief, though he belonged to a different set of ideals and morals, I didn’t dislike him very much. Anyone who reaches that level has no choice but to admit just how powerful of a man he was.”
Lee Sungmin walked toward the light of the shaking candle that was in front of him. Ahead of the candlelight, Geom-Seong was sitting with his back turned away from him.
“Sima Ryunju…. How did he die?”
“…in a fight against the Martial God.”
“Was the Martial God stronger than the Demonic Emperor?”
“No, he was not.”
Lee Sungmin answered without hesitation.
“But then why did he die?”
“……Wolhu, one of the Six Divinities, intervened.”
“Was Wolhu really so strong that he could create such a difference?”
“…It was a strange fight. My teacher was definitely stronger than Wolhu and Musin combined. But…….”
“I see.”
Sitting with his back turned, Geom-Seong grinned.
“Then he should have died there.”
Lee Sungmin’s expression hardened at the words.
It was hard to suppress the agitation of emotions he was starting to feel. However, the man in front of him who was saying these words, was Geom-Seong, the Heavenly Sword of the Wudang. It just didn’t make sense that Geom-Seong would say such words without a reason
Geom-Seong slowly lifted himself up.
“Why are you here?”
“Because my master wanted to come here.”
“You came here after the death of your master? Isn’t that too arrogant of you? Strangely enough, you are……It seems your level has increased since the time we last played tag.”
“I’m confident of running away if I need to.”
“Do you want to try?”
“I don’t intend to do that.”
At Lee Sungmin’s answer, Geom-Seong laughed out loud.
Geom-Seong slowly turned his body to face Lee Sungmin. It was the first time Lee Sungmin was able to see his face in person. Unlike Sima Ryunju and Musin who maintained their youthful appearances, Geom-Seong truly kept his appearance as an old and elderly man.
“Kid.”
A smile cracked across Geom-Seong’s wrinkled face.
“Do you know what this old man is thinking?”
“……I don’t know.”
“Don’t cut yourself stupidly in front of me.”
There was no sword in the hands of Geom-Seong.
However, Lee Sungmin felt the tip of the sword aimed at him. There was no sign of the spatial essence distorting the area around him like most Transcendent Realm-based attacks. There was simply a sharp feeling in the air that seemed to be ready to cut anything in its domain.
“This old man is a true master in every sense of the word.”
Geom-Seong opened his mouth.
“I don’t kill without reason or justification. But… as I said before, ‘whether it’s meaningless or not to kill you, this old man is not sure yet.”
“Because of the evil acts I’ve been told to have committed?”
“No, it’s something more fundamental than that.”
Geom-Seong shook his head.
“What do you think of this old man?”
It was a sudden question.
“No. I’ll ask you more directly…. Kid, do you think this old man will kill you?”
“…Is this an important question?”
“It’s an important question. Your answer will change my behavior depending on how you respond.”
“I don’t think you will kill me.”
“Because you want to live?”
“I have a lot of work to do.”Lee Sungmin replied with a vague answer.
“You want to survive the ‘end’.”
“Is it strange to want that?”
When asked by Lee Sungmin, Geom-Seong grinned.
“Then I guess I can’t help but acknowledge you.”
Geom-Seong replied as he smiled genuinely and sat down. Then, all the sword auras pointed at Lee Sungmin disappeared.
“Come and sit down.”
Geom-Seong beckoned towards Lee Sungmin
“Let’s talk.”
There was not an ounce of killing intent or hostility from Geom-Seong as he said these words.