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***
At the same time that Bloody Heavenly Demon Baek Museon’s left arm was cut off and crippled.
Lee Sung-min arrived at Drimoor. If Braden was a city with an atmosphere entirely consumed under the influence of Shaolin, Drimoor was comparatively subtle. Although it did not openly express the atmosphere of the East like Braden, there were many oriental buildings and people wearing eastern-styled clothes.
It was because of the nature of the Volcanic Sect that settled in Drimoor. If you think about it, if martial artists from all different sects gathered to create a new group in Eria, they could never replicate the Volcanic Sect entirely. Even if it was created by alumni of the group borrowing the same name, even if it were on the same level, there would still be a slight difference in character and atmosphere.
It was even more prominent in the Orthodox faction, which valued tradition. In the case of Shaolin, this tradition has been continued without change, but it was not the case in the Volcanic Sect. The cultivators of the Volcanic Sect in Drimoor did not abandon Taoism entirely but took those traditions as guidelines instead. The volcanic faction in Eria was established by collecting the best swordsmen across the lands over many centuries. In fact, the Volcanic Sect in Eria was only similar to the Chinese Volcanic Sect in the name.
He stood out while heading towards the volcano. It was mainly because Lee Sung-min wasn’t familiar with the Volcanic Sect of China[1] either. However, when the warriors dressed in robes embroidered with plum blossoms, a symbol of the Volcanic Sect, walked through the streets with a pretentious air, it filled him with a sense of unfamiliarity. Lee Sungmin, who had lived in the serene and peaceful Shaolin for so long, couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.
A young man dressed in a dobok[2], was walking down the streets, hugging a woman’s waist. At a tavern on the street, a group of potters was making loud noises while drinking during the daytime. A sight like this was unimaginable in Shaolin; Lee Sung-min was amazed and couldn’t look away.
“This crazy old man. Are you still standing in front of the mountain entrance?”
Lee Sung-min, who passed by in front of the tavern, heard such a voice.
“I saw him before I came down, but he’s still there now?”
“You’re just an ignorant old man who can’t understand my words. It’s not like the Volcanic Sect is a third-tier sect. Did you think they would come and listen to whatever you ask them to do?”
The sounds of snickering and ridicule could be heard mixed into the conversation. Lee Sung-min’s steps stopped. He turned his head and looked in the direction of the sound. Young men in the crowds wearing Volcanic Sect robes were laughing with open mouths. One of the young men, who was holding a glass, paused and looked at Lee Sung-min. After a while, the young man got up and came over.
“Apparently, there’s going to be a volcanic eruption. Why is Daehyup looking at us?”
He called him Daehyup. Lee Sungmin felt a little awkward about the title. This was because Lee Sung-min’s age was now 22 years old, and the young man who called him ‘Daehyup’ appeared to be either of similar age or a little older. Lee Sung-min hesitated briefly and shook his head.
“Sorry if you were offended. I’m on the road to the volcano. I happened to hear your stories by chance. ”
“Ah… Is that right? If it’s alright, can you tell me what business you have on the volcano? ”
There was a little tension in the young man’s face when asking. Lee Sung-min had not yet broken through the transcendent level. His heart, strength, and body were still unbalanced. However, as they stabilized, Lee Sung-min’s skills were well-polished, and he gave off the impression of being a formidable expert. No matter who he was, it was clear he wasn’t someone whom he could handle carelessly,
“… I’m on an errand from Shaolin. ”
“Shaolin!”
In response to Lee Sungmin’s reply the sound of a surprising blast rang out. It wasn’t just a storm. Other Volcanic Masters also opened their eyes wide to see Lee Sung-min. It was not something to hide. On the contrary, Grand Master Bul-young gave instructions to Lee Sung-min beforehand. If you run into troubles before reaching the volcano, tell them about your relationship with Shaolin before you show power.
“Is Daehyup a Shaolin disciple?”
Lee Sung-min wore a robe, but did not shave his head. In response to this foolish question asked with a tense face, Lee Sung-min shook his head.
“I am not a disciple of Shaolin. However, I am getting a little bit of instruction from the Grand Master of Shaolin, Bul-yeong.”
“Grand Master Bul-yeong…”
A storm was rising. He glanced up along with the surrounding masters and looked back at them.
“You are a precious guest. If it’s okay, we’ll guide you to the volcano.”
“Ah… No need to do that.”
“No, no. If I didn’t know, I could walk away, but now that I know I can’t stay still.”
Woo Poong and the other masters did not listen to Lee Sung-min. Eventually, Lee Sung-min crossed the street with them to the volcano. It hadn’t been too long after traversing Drimoor because of the light travel.
Initially, he had planned to visit Denir before he stopped at the volcano, but it seemed better to go to the volcano before going to visit Denir.
“That… You were talking about it before. Who is the old man in front of the mountain entrance?”
“Ah… You heard that. Does Daehyup know about ‘Ghost Blade Dok Bejun?”
Woo Poong replied to Lee Sungmin’s question. Arriving at the entrance of the volcano, he lightened his steps and hastened to make his way up.
“Did you come here to investigate?”
“Yes. Four days ago, Dok Bejun came to the Volcanic Sect. He said he wanted to see the Volcanic Sword, and asked to see the Chief. But the Volcanic Sect is so small that anyone can come and go as they please, and the chief is also a very busy person.”
Woo Poong sighed before continuing.
“In fact, this is not the first time. It is not uncommon for those who are self-confident in their martial arts to visit on business. The Volcanic Sect is visited by many. Where will our prestige go if we accept all the requests?”
Lee Sung-min felt a complicated feeling while listening to the words. He traced the memory of his previous life. What Lee Sung-min recalled was his memory of Dok Bejun. The sword dance that he had seen was so famous that it remained quite clear in his memory even now. However, from what he remembered, there was no mention of Dok Bejun engaging in a fight with a Volcanic Sect member. If that had happened, there would have been rumors of the outcome. Even in his previous life, swordsmen often visited the Volcanic Sect but were unable to win against their experts.
The volcano was harder to climb than the mountain in Braden. After climbing the high stairs, he saw a large entrance. Lee Sung-min stared at the white-haired old man standing in front of it.
“He’s still there.”
Woo Poong murmured in a small voice. Ghost Blade Dok Bejun. Lee Sung-min’s lips trembled for a moment while looking at Dok Bejun’s back. Do I acknowledge him? While Lee Sung-min was hesitating, Woo Poong hurried in toward the entrance. Then Dok Bejun turned around and looked at him, and then turned to Lee Sungmin.
“Ahem.”
Dok Bejun remained mostly unchanged from his time in Mush’s mountain. He looked messy because he couldn’t wash properly at the time, but he looked younger now after tying up his long gray hair and trimming his beard. Lee Sung-min appraised Dok Bejun internally. His perfected cultivation was a testament to his transcendence, and even Ahn Kwang, with his renowned swordsmanship, claimed that Dok Bejun was a great swordsman.
“You are… ”
Dok Bejun’s mouth opened. He looked at Lee Sung-min, who was standing at the center of the other masters, and looked surprised.
“From back then. Aren’t you that kid from Mush’s mountain?”
Lee Sung-min was surprised at the words of Dok Bejun. At that time, Dok Bejun was blind in both eyes and never saw his face. Seven years had also passed since the time he had met Dok Bejun in Mush’s mountain. His body grew, and his voice changed, leaving nearly no traces of the boy from back then.
“Do you remember me?”
“Every time I remember. I can’t forget the memory on the mountain. It was the most difficult time I ever had.”
“But how did you… ? At that time, you couldn’t see … ”
“I recognized your aura. You have grown tremendously. It is incomparable to how it was in the past. ”
Dok Bejun shook his head and lamented. While Dok Bejun and Lee Sung-min talked, Woo Poong and other masters alternated frightened glances between the two. Dok Bejun glanced at Lee Sung-min’s face and looked toward the closed entrance.
“Does this lead us to the inside?”
“Ah… Yes.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I also have a job to do. That’s why I’m here. It’s different from yours.”
Dok Bejun said, turning his back on Lee Sung-min. He said to the hesitating Lee Sung-min with his back turned.
“Go in.”
Dok Bejun’s words persuaded Lee Sung-min to walk inside. In the end, Lee Sung-min parted with Dok Bejun and went into the entrance of the volcano with Woo Poong and the other masters. When the entrance closed, Woo Poong quickly approached Lee Sung-min and asked.
“Did you know that swordsman?”
“In the past… he was an acquaintance.”
“Hmm. I see.”
Woo Poong muttered with a grim face. Lee Sung-min, ignoring his expression, looked around the building. He already felt it when he was on the street, but the atmosphere of the Volcanic Sect was different from that of the quiet Shaolin.
When news of the Shaolin Temple coming for an inspection spread and someone arrived to greet him, Lee Sung-min turned somber. Master Sungha, a long-established member of the Volcanic Sect’s long-established Yufeng Inspection, was also renowned in the Orthodox sects for his swordsmanship. Looking at him in person, he seemed more like a Grandfather living next door.
“I thought that Jihak would come.”
Master Sungha, who sat with Lee Sung-min, mumbled. Originally, Jihak was supposed to come. Lee Sung-min had come because he had a job to do in Drimoor. When Lee Sung-min opened his mouth to answer, Master Sungha shook his head.
“Ah. I’m not trying to blame you. It happens. Even if Shaolin and the volcano are quite close, it takes a month for a round trip. In fact, it doesn’t matter who comes. All you have to do is get a booklet.”
While saying this, Master Sungha received a booklet from Lee Sung-min. He glanced at Lee Sung-min, while tearing the seal of the Temple.
“You have reached a great level despite your age. But I don’t suppose you’re a Shaolin disciple.”
“Yes, That’s right.”
“But it has to do with the Shaolin Temple. Tch tch! The Shaolin Temple has many blessings. They also have a genius like Jihak. I’m asking just in case, but have you read the contents of this booklet?”
“I haven’t read it.”
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve read it. It’s not a secret. Only the answer of Grandmaster Bulyoung to the request of the Western Leader to temporarily take over as head until the next leader is announced: saying that the current leader from the Shaolin Temple, Myeongwol of Murim, is planning to resign.”
At this, Lee Sung-min was convinced and nodded.
“It’s as expected. Grandmaster Bulyoung declined. That wicked old man. “
Lee Sungmin thought he would do the same if it were him. It was unlikely that the Grandmaster Bulyoung that he knew would ever accept such an offer. Master Sungha sighed and burned the booklet.
“I heard from the young masters who came with you. They said Ghost Blade was at the entrance.”
“Ah… Yes. We happened to meet by chance. ”
“Such a hassle. Do you know why I’m avoiding fighting against the swordsmen? ”
Sung-ha Doin muttered and crossed his arms. Lee Sung-min nodded as he recalled Woo Poong’s words.
“I was told that it was because there would be no end to the requests then.”
“That’s also true. But not necessarily so.”
Master Sungha brushed off the ashes staining his hand and frowned.
“It’s just a rumor, but the Ghost Blade appears to be messy.”
“… What?”
“No. Rather than messy… ”
Master Sungha clucked his tongue lightly.
“He’s dangerous.”
This translation belongs to Centinni.
[1]: The original word is 중원 (jungwon). Korean martial arts novels set in, and that mention the Murim are often set in China, even if the names are in Korean.
[2]: A dobok is like a dojo uniform. Karate dress etc.
***
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