Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince — Chapter 278: The Right Path (5)

Chapter 278: The Right Path (5)

[What⁠ are you talking‌‍ about?! That’s a misunderstanding!]

[Do‍ you think I wouldn’t notice?]

Cheongun‌⁠ fixed his gaze‌ on the pavilion⁠ master.

[You‍‍ give off the‌ same scent as‌⁠ the monsters from‌ the West. Very‌‍‍ faint, but it’s‌⁠⁠ there.]

[That’s‌‍⁠ an illusion!]

[Even⁠‌ if I’ve become⁠ a vagabond, I’m⁠ still a Taoist‌‍‍ of the Blue‍⁠‍ School. Do you‌ think you could‍⁠⁠ fool me?]

Hearing the commotion in⁠‍ the garden, the‌ Murim Alliance’s guardians‍⁠ soon appeared, surrounding Elaine’s group.

The‍ Pavilion Master shouted‌‍ authoritatively.

[They have threatened me!‌ Throw them out immediately! Make sure⁠ they can never⁠⁠‌ set foot in⁠ the Murim Alliance‍ again! Drive them⁠ all out!]

In⁠ the urgency of‌‌ the moment, Elaine⁠ tugged on Cheongun’s sleeve.

“What’s going on?”

“It⁠ seems the Pavilion Master is already‌‍ corrupted. I can‍ feel the energy⁠ of black magic.”‍

“What?‍ Then…”

While they spoke, several⁠⁠‍ guardians approached. Fighting‍ inside the Murim‌‌ Alliance would be‌ suicide.

Looking‍‍‌ back and forth between the approaching⁠‌ guardians and the‌‌ Pavilion Master’s enraged‍‍ face, Cheongun clenched⁠ his teeth.

In⁠ just a few‌‌ seconds, countless thoughts passed through his‍ mind.

He‌ had left for‍‍‌ the West disillusioned⁠ with Murim, yet‍‌ in the end, he had returned.⁠

Perhaps it was the‍ call of some⁠ fate.

“Virtue is fulfilled by‍ following the path.”‌‌

He‌⁠ murmured softly.

When‍‌ the Pavilion Master‌⁠‌ insulted the Blue School, he had‌⁠‍ felt anger.

Though he thought he⁠‌ had abandoned his sect long ago,‍ the name Blue‌ School was still⁠ a part of‌ him.

“Blue‌‌ School eradicates evil‍⁠ entities and practices‌⁠ good.”

Even‍ in an age‌⁠ when their sacrifice was mocked and‍‍‍ that mockery had‍⁠ led them to‍ ruin, the Blue⁠ School had never⁠ abandoned that duty.‍

He⁠‍ remembered the promise‌ passed to him⁠ by Yuri Briol,⁠‌ prince of the‍ Kingdom of Briol,‌‌ and cast aside‌‌ any lingering hesitation.‌‍

‘Cheongun,‍‍ I don’t know‍‌ your past, but‌‍ I will never⁠ abandon them. If⁠ you don’t abandon⁠‌ me, I won’t‌⁠⁠ abandon you either.⁠ Understood?’

Cheongun‍ nodded.

His‌ decision was made.‍

And‌ before Bernard could‍‌ step forward, he‌‍ stopped him with‍⁠ a hand on‍ his shoulder.

“Cheongun?”⁠‍

“I’ll‌⁠ do it.”

Cheongun⁠ took a step‌ forward and shouted.‍

[I,‌⁠‌ Cheongun, last disciple⁠‍⁠ of the Blue‍ School, demand the⁠ execution of the‍ pact before the Murim Alliance!]

Activating⁠‌ Cheongmyeong Shimgong, he‍⁠ used the Blue‌ School’s secret art⁠ he hadn’t even‍ learned halfway.

Cheongun’s Scarlet Sword Technique.‌

A glow like the‍ afterglow of sunset‍ spread around him.⁠‌ It was irrefutable‍‌ proof that he‌‌‍ belonged to the‌‍ Blue School.

Cheongun continued.

[As‍ the last disciple of the Blue‍ School, I declare‍⁠ that the sect‌ withdraws from the⁠ Murim Alliance as‌ of today. Compensation‍‍‌ is the right‌‌ arm of ten‍ disciples, including the‌ sect master, but⁠ since I am‌‌ the only one⁠ left, I will⁠⁠‍ pay the price‌ alone.]

The‌‍ guards halted in‌ surprise, and the‌⁠‌ Pavilion Master’s eyes widened.

Cheongun’s‌‍ voice rang powerfully⁠⁠⁠ around them.

[According⁠ to the pact,⁠‌ this provision must be executed directly‍‌⁠ by the Murim⁠ Alliance leader, so‍⁠ summon him now!]‌⁠

***‌‌‍

Since‌⁠ the Murim Alliance’s‍ founding, sects had‌⁠ been expelled, but‍ none had ever‍ declared withdrawal of‌⁠ their own accord.‍

This‌ was due to‌‍ the severity of⁠‌ the pact.

Any‌ sect wishing to‍‌ withdraw had to⁠ hand over the⁠ right arm of‍‍ ten disciples, including‍ the sect master,⁠ and this act⁠‍‍ had to be⁠‌ personally carried out by the Murim‍ Alliance leader to⁠⁠ demonstrate the authority‍ of the oath.‍⁠

That‍ rule was one‌‍ of the reasons‌‌‍ the Murim Alliance‌ had never lost‍ power over so‍‍ many years.

And‍‍ now, for the⁠ first time in⁠⁠ Murim history, the⁠ Blue School declared⁠‌‌ its withdrawal. It‍ was no small matter.

Though‌⁠ in decline, the‌ Blue School had‍⁠ been one of‌ the principal orthodox sects.

For⁠‍ that reason, the⁠‍ current leader of⁠‍‍ Murim, Jang Yeonghak,‌‌⁠ considered the “sky”‍⁠ of contemporary Murim,⁠ appeared with a grave expression.

When‍ he arrived at‌⁠ the central courtyard‍‌⁠ of the Murim⁠ Alliance pavilion, all‍ warriors bowed their‍⁠⁠ heads in respect.‌

His‍‌ eyes settled on⁠‍ a man whose⁠⁠ internal qi was‍⁠‍ especially pure.

Jang‍ Yeonghak spoke.

[So you are the⁠ last disciple of‍ the Blue School‍‍ sect…]

[Excuse‍ me?]

[What‌ led you to‌ such a decision…?]‍

[I…‍⁠‌ I’m not…]

Seeing‍‍ the confusion, the‍⁠ Murim Alliance’s chief⁠‍ of protocol hurried⁠‌‍ to correct him.‍‌

[He’s a guardian of the Murim Alliance.]‍⁠

[Ah,⁠ is that so?]‍‌‍

[He’s‌ from the Kunlun‍⁠ sect, so perhaps‌‍ that’s why he‌‍⁠ seems similar.]

[Then‌‌‌ where is the⁠‍‌ disciple of the⁠ Blue School?]

[Over‍‍⁠ there.]

[Hmm?]‍‍⁠

In‍ the direction the chief pointed, a man was standing.‍⁠ At first glance,‍⁠ his martial level‍⁠ didn’t seem particularly‍ high.

His‍‍ internal qi was pure, but not‌ remarkable.

After‍ a brief silence,‌‌ Jang Yeonghak spoke.⁠‌

[Are you a disciple‌ of the Blue‌‌ School?]

Cheongun‍‍‌ stepped forward and⁠ gave a martial‍‌⁠ greeting.

[I⁠ am Cheongun, last‍ disciple of the‍‌⁠ Blue School. Lord‌ of the Pact,‌ I gladly offer‌ my arm so‍‍ that you may‍⁠ grant my request.]‌‍

Jang⁠ Yeonghak remained still.‍⁠

Now‍‌ he understood the situation.

[So‍‌ the withdrawal declaration was just a ploy so you⁠⁠ could speak with‌‍ me.]

[I⁠⁠ regret to say that’s true.]

His robe fluttered in‍‍ the wind.

Though‍ from the Wudang sect and said‌⁠ to have a gentle nature, as‌‌ leader of the⁠‌ Murim Alliance he⁠⁠ never took matters‌‍‍ lightly.

The‍‍‍ Murim Alliance’s rules‌‌ were Murim’s law.‍

They‌ had to be⁠‍‌ respected above all.‍ If they were‍ taken lightly and⁠ used as a pretext for other⁠ aims, people would start to question⁠ his authority.

As⁠‌ Murim Alliance leader, he had to⁠⁠ make clear the‌‍⁠ gravity of the‌ matter.

[You⁠ have been reckless.]

Jang‌⁠ Yeonghak was not⁠⁠⁠ a soft man.‌ He acted immediately.‌‌

The energy of his‌⁠ sword flew toward‍ Cheongun.

Invisible‍ and silent, so‍‌ subtle and sharp⁠ that not even⁠ the warriors present‌ noticed.

He⁠ expected the Blue‍ School Taoist’s arm⁠‌ to be severed‍‍ and for him⁠‌ to fall to⁠ the ground at⁠‌ once.

Then,⁠‌ he would leave⁠‌ without another word.‍

But⁠ just as he⁠‍‍ was about to‍‌ turn away—

Bang!‍⁠

A burst rang out.‍⁠

A sound completely different‌‌ from a bone‍ breaking.

Jang Yeonghak stopped in‌ his tracks.

[No…!]⁠‍

[Where‌ do you think⁠ you’re going?!]

[That‍⁠‌ insolent wretch!]

At‍⁠‍ the same time,⁠‍‌ the Murim Alliance‍‌ warriors present voiced⁠‍‌ their outrage in⁠‌ unison.

Blocking⁠ the Murim Alliance‍ Leader’s sword in⁠‍ the heart of⁠‌ his own territory⁠ was the same⁠⁠ as defying him.⁠

Even‌‍‍ if the leader‌ tried to kill,‍ one was expected‌ to accept it.‍ Refusing meant staining‍‌ the sect and⁠⁠ its allies with‌‍ blood.

The‍ Murim Alliance, though it proclaimed righteousness,⁠ was still an‍⁠ organization of force.‌‌

[Hoh…]‌⁠

The⁠ man who had⁠⁠ blocked the strike‌‌ didn’t show the‍⁠‍ slightest disturbance under‌⁠‍ the pressure in‍‌‌ the air.

[This⁠‌⁠ is getting interesting.]‍⁠‍

When‍‍‌ he spoke and⁠ smiled at the‍ Murim Alliance, the‍ place fell silent.⁠

Since‍ he had taken‌‌ that position and‌⁠ become an absolute⁠ authority, no one‌ had dared challenge‌ him.

Not‍ in strength, not‍‍ in power, not‍ in sect influence.‍

He was the pinnacle of Eastern Murim.‌‌

That’s⁠‌ why the situation‌ felt so novel.‍‍

One‍ could say it‌ was because he‌ came from the⁠‍ West and didn’t know him, but⁠ the fact was‌ he had blocked⁠⁠ his sword with‌ genuine skill.

[In Murim, there are‌⁠ few who can‍⁠ block my sword…]‌

Cheongun,‍‌ who had just‍‍ realized he had‌‍ almost lost an⁠‌ arm, spoke with⁠ a trembling voice.‌⁠

[He…⁠‍‌ is also a master in the‌‌‌ West.]

[I⁠‌ see. Could you⁠ tell that Westerner‌⁠‍ that his skill⁠‌⁠ is quite good?]⁠

[Yes.]⁠

Cheongun⁠ translated the Murim‍‍ Alliance Leader’s words⁠‍⁠ to Bernard.

“He‍ says your skill‌ is quite good.”‍

“That’s‍ the leader of‍‍ the Murim Alliance?”‌

“Yes.”⁠‌⁠

“Then⁠‌⁠ tell him exactly‍ what I’m about‍ to say.”

Bernard⁠ said something, and‌ Cheongun was taken⁠ aback.

“B-but⁠ that…”

“Do it.”

“U-understood.”

After‌‌ thinking it over,‌ Cheongun finally conveyed Bernard’s words to‍‍ the Murim Alliance⁠‍ Leader.

“He says that, if‍‌‌ this were in‌ the West, they⁠⁠ would treat you‌ as… as someone‍⁠‍ retired.”

In‌‌ truth, he had⁠ said “as an⁠ old man,” but‍‍‍ Cheongun softened the expression.

“What‌‍ did you say?”‍⁠

The‌ Murim warriors present‌‍ showed a clear‌ intent to rush‌⁠ at the insolent⁠⁠ Westerner and skewer him with their‍‍ swords.

Cheongun shrugged nervously.

“He‌‌ means no offense.”

“No offense, and yet⁠ he treats me‌⁠‌ like some retired‌ old man…?”

“In‌ the West, there‌⁠ are cultural differences.”‍‌

“Being a Westerner doesn’t⁠⁠ mean you have‍ no laws. Clearly⁠ you hold some‍‌‍ resentment against me.”‌‌

Then⁠ Bernard placed a hand on Cheongun’s⁠ shoulder and whispered something else to⁠‌ him.

Cheongun‌ shook his head,‍‍ but Bernard kept⁠‍ insisting, so in the end, he‌ had to relay‍‌‌ his words again.‍‍

“He⁠ says that, in‌⁠ the West, there‍‌⁠ are many people‍⁠ stronger than the‌ Murim Alliance Leader,‍ and that’s why⁠‍‌ you should be‍‌ humble. And that,⁠ if you doubt‌ it, you should‌ challenge him to‌ a duel. He himself isn’t even⁠ among the top‌ ten swordsmen in the West.”

In‌‌⁠ the East, where‌⁠ hierarchy was almost⁠ entirely determined by‍ sect and martial⁠‍‍ level, no one⁠‍⁠ dared speak with‌‌‍ such insolence to‍ the Murim Alliance⁠ Leader.

The⁠⁠ smile vanished from‍ Jang Yeonghak’s face.⁠

“Ask‌⁠‍ him if he’s‍⁠‍ serious.”

“He‍‌ says he is.”‌

“I⁠ see…”

He⁠ smiled, and the⁠‍‍ Murim Alliance guardians‌ let their killing intent seep out.⁠‌

Jang‍ Yeonghak nodded.

“It’s clear that among‍⁠⁠ Westerners there is⁠‌ no courtesy. You’re‍‍⁠ like a wild‌‍‍ beast. I will⁠ personally take your⁠ life.”

Cheongun’s‍ face paled.

When‌⁠ he translated this,‌‌ Bernard, instead of⁠‍ being frightened, smiled with satisfaction.

“Perfect.”‌

“Lord‌‌ Bernard, what are‌ you doing?”

“And⁠‍‌ you, Cheongun—why did‌‌ you offer your‌‌‍ arm?”

“Well…”‌‌

“As⁠ an Easterner, you‌ offered your arm⁠‍ for this cause;⁠ it’s only fair‍ I risk my⁠ life.”

“Huh?”‌

Bernard smiled.

No‌ matter how strong he was, compared⁠ to the Murim‌ Alliance Leader—the peak‌ of the East—his⁠ level was lower.‌

Even‌ so, he was willing to fight.‌⁠

“Cheongun.‌ I now understand‌ why you left‌‌‍ the East.”

“What?”‍

“Even⁠‌ if you’d offered‌⁠ your arm, this‍ old man wouldn’t‌‌ have listened to you.”

“That…”⁠

Cheongun⁠‍‍ couldn’t deny it.⁠ Bernard was right. The nature of⁠‌ the Murim world⁠ was ruthless; even‍‍ with a desperate‌⁠‍ gamble, the Alliance‍ Leader would never‌⁠‍ have heeded the‌ words of the‍ weak.

“Since⁠⁠ you might die,⁠‍ I’ll tell you‍‍ something. Have you‍ heard the name⁠⁠ Moyongchan?”

“Huh?”‍⁠

Cheongun⁠ nodded.

He‌ had heard it⁠ from time to time in Briol—an‌‍‌ Eastern warrior active‍ in the West,‌ famed for great⁠ strength, who had‌‍ even spent quite‌‍‌ some time in‌ Briol’s royal palace.

But he hadn’t given‍‌ it much thought;‌⁠ it wasn’t unusual⁠ for Eastern martial‌ artists to be⁠‍ in the West.⁠

However,‍‍ what Bernard said‌ next was shocking.⁠‍

“That‍ man is from‍ the Blue School‍ sect.”

Blue‌‍ School.

“What?”⁠‍‍

“I‌ wasn’t sure, but⁠⁠⁠ when I saw‌⁠ the sword technique‌ you used earlier,‌‌ I confirmed you’re⁠ from the same⁠⁠ school.”

“How‌‌ do you know⁠‍‍ the Cheongun Jeokha⁠ Sword Technique?”

“Because⁠‌ I learned it‌⁠‍ directly from him.”⁠⁠

“Moyongchan is…”

Cheongun’s⁠‍ eyes widened.

“Could⁠ it be…?”

In‌‍ a sect, all‍‌ who entered abandoned their worldly names.‌ Cheongun, being an⁠⁠‍ orphan, used his‌‌⁠ title as his‌⁠ name, but most‍ kept the one⁠⁠ they’d had in‍‍‌ the secular world.‍

If⁠ his uncle-master had‍⁠ abandoned the title‍ Hyeonseong, then it‌⁠ was possible.

“Then,‌ my uncle-master went‌ all the way‍⁠ to the West to carry out‌‌ a demon-hunting mission?”‌⁠

“That’s right. That’s why,‌ from the start,⁠⁠ you had no‌ right to offer⁠ your arm to‍‍ leave the Murim⁠ Alliance. It was too reckless an⁠‌‍ attempt.”

“No‍ way…”

“So‌ wish me luck.”‍

Bernard drew his sword‌ and stepped forward.‌‌

The⁠⁠ warriors present held‌⁠ their breath, watching‌ the Western swordsman‍‌ and the Murim Alliance Leader face‍‌ off.

It⁠⁠ was an opportunity‌ that might never⁠ come again in‌‍⁠ their lives.

Bernard‍ swung his sword.⁠⁠‍

“For⁠ your information, I’ve‌ dueled every year with someone far⁠ stronger than this‍‍ old man. Compared‍⁠‍ to him, this‍‍ one is almost‍ adorable.”

This was Bernard, the⁠⁠‍ man who had‍ repeatedly challenged the‍‌‍ monster Fiore Briol,‍‌ even after taking‍‍ a mortal wound‌‌‌ to the abdomen.‍‍‌

Though‍‌ his temperament had⁠ softened during his⁠ stay in Briol,⁠ he was still‌ feared as “the‍ Sword Demon.”

A killing aura began‍ to radiate from‌ his body, thick‌⁠‌ and dyed a deep blood-red.

Bernard⁠ smiled with a grimace.

“This‍⁠ will be fun.‌‍ I’m glad I joined you on‌‌ your journey to⁠ the East.”

Across‍ from him, Jang⁠ Yeonghak also spoke.‍‌

“You’re a demon mad‌‌ for the sword.⁠ But this is‌ as far as‍⁠‌ you go. To‌ revel in your‍⁠ own strength and⁠ take the wrong⁠‌ path—the only reward⁠ for that is‌⁠ death.”

***⁠‌‌

Moyongchan⁠‌ stood up, holding‌‍ his aching shoulder.‍

The‍‍ sky was full‍ of stars.

It‌ had been a long time since‍‌ he had read⁠ the heavens, but‌‌ for some reason,‍ his gaze lingered‌ there.

The⁠ Star of Destruction,‍‍ which disturbed the‍‍ world, shone with‍ a sinister light.‌

Suddenly,‍ he remembered the‌ story Yuri had told him about⁠‌ his disciple-nephew.

That⁠⁠ he had become‍‌⁠ a ronin and‍ traveled to the⁠ West seemed both‍ sad and like‌ a strange twist⁠‍ of fate.

“Cheongun…”⁠

Now‍⁠ they said he had gone to‍⁠ the East. The‍ Murim world Moyongchan‍‍ remembered was not⁠‌ a place that‍ would listen to‌ someone like Cheongun.‍‍‍

Everything⁠‍ was ruled by⁠‌ the law of‍⁠ the strong; chivalry‌ had long been reduced to a tool of the‌ powerful.

But,⁠ strangely, he didn’t‍ feel worried. Even‌ though the Star‌‍‌ of Destruction shone⁠‍ in the sky,⁠

the⁠ star of the‌‌‍ Blue School, which⁠ destroyed evil and⁠ practiced good, had‍ not yet lost⁠‍‌ its light.

“Cheongun,⁠ I believe you’ll‌ do well. The‍‍ day we meet⁠‌ again, this unworthy‌⁠‍ uncle-master will ask⁠‍ your forgiveness.”

Moyongchan‌ trusted his disciple-nephew and set aside‌⁠ all concern for the East.

Just⁠⁠ as Cheongun’s mission‍ was there, his‍⁠⁠ own was on‍ the battlefield.

It‌ was time to‍⁠ return.

Gripping‌⁠ his sword, he‍⁠ murmured,

“One⁠⁠ reaches the Dao‌⁠ by walking the⁠ path…”