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< Collecting Evidence >
People in the martial arts world, especially those in the Jeongpa faction, value honor and legitimacy as much as their lives.
They value etiquette and morality, and claim that martial arts are ultimately a culmination of practice to attain the Way.
That is why the political faction despised those who wielded power recklessly, calling them ‘Sapa’ or ‘Black Sword’.
‘There is no difference between the right and wrong factions on the outside, but at least on the outside, the right and wrong factions have to be clean.’
The organization that controls such political factions is the Moorim Alliance.
The Murim Alliance.
It is a union of over 100 factions, including the 9th faction and the 1st faction, and its motto is to promote order and peace in the martial arts world and to eradicate Sima Yido.
The Heavenly Sword was stored right inside that Murim Alliance.
Jinnoin added his explanation.
“The Changcheonshin Sword was discovered about three years ago. A natural disaster suddenly occurred in the Cheonghae region, and the farmers reported it to the Murim Alliance branch. When the warriors rushed to the scene, they saw a golden monkey holding a sword in front of a collapsed cave.”
“Golden monkey?”
It was the first time he had heard of this story. The man recalled a part written in the Records of the Emperor.
“I’ve taught it to monkeys, so it’ll be easier for people.”
There was a monkey whom the Emperor Geomhwang first taught martial arts to as a test.
‘You’re still alive after nearly 100 years?’
If that golden monkey is indeed the monkey that the Sword Emperor taught, then by now it would have become strong enough to defeat any skilled swordsman.
“Yes, monkey. It was so elusive that even the masters of the Murim Alliance gave up on catching it. The Heavenly Sword was retrieved by the Sword Master himself, but the Golden Monkey was lost.”
It is said that the authenticity of the Changcheonshin Sword was personally confirmed by Geomseong, the highest and oldest person in the Jeongpa martial arts world – he is 130 years old and fought alongside Geom Hwang in the last Jeongma War.
The golden monkey ran far away to avoid the black magic, and is said to have appeared often near the cave ever since.
The martial artists jokingly call the golden monkey the “Beautiful Monkey King.”
If that monkey was indeed the one who learned martial arts from the Emperor, then he would be a death sentence for Daein.
That too is a death sentence for monkeys.
‘···I don’t think we’ll ever meet again.’
The great man decided not to think any further about the golden monkey. He said to the old man,
“You know quite a bit about it. I’ve been out in town for a few days and researched a lot of things, but I’ve never seen anyone who knows this much.”
The old man smiled awkwardly and said.
“I remember it because it was such a noisy event. It was also related to our sect’s chief investigator…”
As Jinno said this, he carefully observed the man’s expression.
He was in a very complicated mood right now.
‘Is this young man truly the successor to the Emperor’s legacy?’
After treating Jinnoin’s wounds, the man erased all traces of the group and descended from the mountain.
I never went back to the guest house again.
The group moved to another village, found an empty farmhouse, and rested for a while.
And for about half a day, the three of them talked a lot.
“First, we need to introduce ourselves again.”
The man told the two men almost everything truthfully.
He also honestly stated that he had learned the martial arts of the Sword Emperor and that he came from another dimension.
Anyway, I was in no position to go around spreading rumors, and I needed their cooperation going forward.
“Heh heh···.”
It was such an unrealistic story that it felt to the old man like he was listening to a child’s wild fantasy.
‘I can’t just believe this, but I can’t not believe it since I saw it with my own eyes…’
Jinno couldn’t decide how he should react.
If it is true, then should the Great Man, as the disciple of the Emperor, speak more highly?
What if it’s a lie? Should I be beheaded for the crime of contempt of court?
‘I don’t have the confidence that I can win if I fight, but…’
Unlike the confused Jinnoin, Namgung Hyeon accepted the man’s story as fact with shining eyes.
‘It wasn’t my mistake that I felt something familiar from the moment we first met.’
15 years old.
As a young boy, Namgung Hyun easily accepted stories that sounded far-fetched.
Also, because I felt a sense of familiarity from the moment I first saw the person, I could believe the story more easily.
Above all, I found new hope in the story told by Namgung Hyeon.
“···So, if you help me find the Heavenly Sword, you’ll let us live in the world where you live? In a place where the martial artists can’t catch up?”
The man nodded.
“If both people want it.”
“I want to. I want to live there.”
Namgung Hyun said so without thinking twice.
If the man really is from another world, and that is the only way to escape this relentless pursuit,
“I’ll go wherever that is.”
“Heh heh···.”
Jin No-in still looked confused, but eventually nodded.
“I still don’t quite understand what you’re saying… If it really helps Hyun-i get better, I’ll follow you.”
Because all he wanted was Namgung Hyeon’s happiness.
The man promised two things to the two people.
1. I will help you leave the world of martial arts and live on Earth.
2. I will cure Namgung Hyeon’s illness.
‘The guild just so happens to need a martial arts instructor, so finding a job for him shouldn’t be a problem, and the illness he has isn’t incurable either.’
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Namgung Hyeon suffered from a rare disease called Cheonumjeolmaek.
He was born with a constitution where most of his blood vessels were blocked, which meant his energy did not flow well. If he were a normal person, he would have died before he turned 15, let alone mastered martial arts.
‘He’s still alive because he has a top-class master by his side and has learned the highest level of techniques.’
To treat the Thousand-Yin Vessel, you need the highest-grade elixir that increases your internal energy by more than one generation, and the help of a top-notch expert.
Both are ridiculously difficult conditions.
But these were not much of a problem for the average person.
‘I was planning to cure you anyway after seeing your face, Emperor Geomhwang.’
In fact, Daein had been observing Namgung Hyeon’s condition for several days and was gradually treating her. After she fell asleep, he breathed life into her using the Pacheon Shingong.
The man told me the truth.
“For now, my physical condition won’t get any worse. For proper treatment, we’ll go back to Earth and do it since the situation is a bit different now.”
“Ah, I just felt refreshed every morning these days! That’s true too···.”
When the old man smiled brightly, Namgung Hyeon was so grateful that he didn’t know what to do.
“What? Is that true!”
When Jin No-in first learned of this fact, his eyes widened.
“You…! You saved my life and even our Hyun…! This is not right. Accept my offer right now!”
“No, please don’t bow down because it’s burdensome.”
“Benefactor! Please accept my prayer!”
“I told you not to do it!”
The great man barely managed to stop Jin No-in from bowing.
After a bit of a scuffle, the commotion finally died down.
The man sighed and said.
“Phew. We’ve had enough to talk about amongst ourselves. Now let’s make plans for the future.”
The man’s plan was this.
1. Go to Murimaeng in Hanam with Namgung Hyeon and Jin Noin.
“Let’s hide our identities and go as quietly as possible until we arrive. If word gets out, flies will flock to us.”
The two nodded in agreement.
2. Go to the Murim Alliance and reveal your identity.
“The two of you should reveal your identities, but I’ll be your bodyguard. There’s no need to make it twice as troublesome.”
The Great Man had no intention of spreading rumors throughout the neighborhood that he had learned the martial arts of the Sword Emperor.
‘Because it’s not something that usually makes you tired when it’s known.’
The disciple of the Sword Emperor.
It sounds good. If you show some skill, you will probably gain considerable power within the Jeongpa martial arts world.
‘But when you think about all the hassle that will come with it, it’s a hundred times better not to say anything.’
3. Claim ownership of the Changcheon Sword to the Murim Alliance.
The Jeongpa Murim people are a people who value honor and legitimacy above all else.
The Heavenly Sword was originally the Sword Emperor’s property.
A hero who led the way in stopping the invasion of the Demonic Cult 100 years ago.
An absolute master who fought on equal terms with Cheonma.
The Heavenly Sword was his symbol, and not just anyone could use it.
The only people who can claim ownership are the descendants or successors of the Emperor.
However, since the Geomhwang Sect was destroyed 15 years ago, the Murim Alliance had no choice but to come up with the ‘justification’ of keeping the Changcheonsingeom instead.
“If a descendant of the Sword Emperor, who was thought to have died out, appeared and asked for the sword, would they not give it up?”
“I won’t give it up easily though. I might make all sorts of excuses to delay it.”
“At least show me the sword. That would be enough.”
The great man’s purpose was not the Heavenly Sword itself, but rather the final form of the Heavenly Sword hidden within it.
4. After completing the objective, open the return gate and return to Earth.
“The Murim Alliance will probably come up with all sorts of excuses to keep us inside.”
That was what worried the two most.
You could make an excuse that you are helping to rebuild the Geomhwangmun Gate, or you could say that you are still young and that you will protect him from Sima Weidao.
But their true intentions are…
The old man said with a worried expression.
“The Murim Alliance was involved in the bloodshed 15 years ago. I don’t know exactly how far it goes… Maybe…”
Namgung Hyun added with a serious expression.
“At first, they’ll pretend to welcome us, but as time goes by, who knows what they’ll do to us. They might imprison us, take our martial arts skills, and then try to kill us.”
The man said as if there was nothing to worry about.
“Before that, you just have to open the gate back to Earth. Once you get back to Earth and close the gate, it’s over.”
Anyway, the Great Battle of Jeongma will begin in the martial arts world within a year. Daein had no intention of opening the martial arts gate again until the Great Battle of Jeongma is over.
The old man asked with a puzzled expression.
“That gate… is it some kind of gate?”
“That’s right. It’s a method that will transport us to Earth in one breath. So you don’t have to worry about being trapped in the Murim Alliance.”
“If you are so confident···.”
Although Jinno felt uneasy, he agreed to the great man’s plan.
“Okay. I want to strike down the Murim Alliance someday!”
Rather, Namgung Hyeon actively agreed.
He looked a little excited, as if he was both scared and excited about going into the tiger’s den on his own two feet.
The man also chuckled at the sight.
‘This is a perfect operation.’
The more I thought about it, the more I thought it was a good plan.
Rather than risking his life to infiltrate the Murim Alliance and steal the sword, he takes Namgung Hyeon, whose identity is confirmed, and boldly demands that he hand over the Changcheonshin Sword.
What if I say I can’t give it to you? At least I’ll show you.
Then just pick up your sword and jump to Earth!
In a few years, the world of Murim will be connected to Earth, but by then, Jinnoin and Namgung Hyeon will be living in completely different forms and with different identities.
‘It’s perfect. There’s absolutely no flaws.’
It was when the great man was inwardly praising his own plans.
Namgung Hyun carefully pointed out the loopholes in the plan.
“I just had a thought… What if those people don’t acknowledge me?”
“Huh? What does that mean?”
The old man tilted his head as if he couldn’t understand. At the same time, Jin No-in’s expression darkened slightly.
Namgung Hyeon said while looking at his grandfather’s expression.
“The Murim Alliance might not recognize me as a descendant of the Sword Emperor.”
“What kind of nonsense are you talking about? If you’re not a descendant of the Sword Emperor, then why have you been running away until now?”
Namgung Hyeon sighed as if he was frustrated.
“The pursuers have been chasing us for 15 years, assuming we were still alive. But in the world of martial arts, I am someone who was never even born.”
Only then did the man’s expression harden a little.
“You weren’t even born?”
“I guess I’ll have to explain that.”
Jin No-in collected his thoughts for a moment and then began to tell the story of the bloodshed of the Geomhwang clan 15 years ago.
“The tragedy of the text happened 15 years ago, but there were signs for several years before. As the disciples began to be attacked and the businesses we were involved in suffered, the text’s influence gradually diminished.”
“···I requested the Murim Alliance to investigate several times, but no investigation team was dispatched.”
As if recalling that time, Jin No-in’s expression was distorted with anger.
“Hyeon-i’s biological father, Namgung Sang-in, was a great man, but he couldn’t prevent all the misfortunes. It just so happened that his wife’s stomach started to swell at that time.”
“······.”
“The master kept his wife’s pregnancy a secret. She made excuses about being sick and stayed in her room, so only a few people knew about it.”
Jin No-in paused for a moment and looked at Namgung Hyeon with a sad expression. Namgung Hyeon looked indifferent.
“Hyeon-i was born two days before the tragedy of that day.”
The birth of a new life that cannot be filled with the blessings of countless people.
However, Namgung Hyeon had to keep the fact that he was born a secret.
And two days later, the Geomhwangmun Gate was attacked by mysterious enemies and turned into ashes.
“That means···.”
The man’s eyebrows gathered together to form a frown. Namgung Hyeon said.
“I am not officially born. The only people who know of my existence are my grandfather, my pursuers, and my brother. You knew I was a girl, right?”
Namgung Hyun avoided the elder’s gaze as if he felt awkward while saying ‘brother’.
Having always dressed in men’s clothes and acted like a man since I was little, this was the first time I ever called someone that.
‘There’s no way a master like this wouldn’t know that I’m a woman. He knew but pretended not to know.’
Of course, the man knew. He scratched his chin without much reaction.
“That’s nothing. It’s not that important.”
“······.”
From the listener’s perspective, the reaction was so indifferent that it was a little disappointing.
The man decided to sort out the situation first.
“So the Murim Alliance won’t recognize you? Even if the elder here, the former head of the Geomhwang Sect’s martial arts school, vouched for you?”
Namgung Hyun answered with an uncertain expression.
“Maybe that’s possible.”
The elder looked back at the old man and asked.
“What do you think, Elder? You said he was a great master back in his day. Wouldn’t the Murim Alliance believe the words of a master of that level?”
The old man wanted a positive answer, but Jin No-in smiled bitterly and said.
“If a master of the 100 great swordsmen disappears when his sect is destroyed and then reappears 15 years later… Well. I don’t think it will look good.”
As he spoke, Jin No-in’s expression became crumpled, as if he had some thoughts going through his head.
“Besides, the timing is not good. Isn’t this the time when tensions with the Demonic Cult are at their peak? I hate to even think about it, but what if Hyun and I….”
“You might think I’m a spy of the Demonic Cult.”
The man sighed and crossed his arms. He looked up at the ceiling and said.
“It was going well, but then suddenly it got stuck.”
Even in Daein’s opinion, it seemed unlikely that the Murim Alliance would readily acknowledge Namgung Hyeon as the descendant of Geom Hwang at this time.
‘In the end, you need to have evidence to prove your identity…’
There has to be evidence that is so conclusive that it cannot be proven.
But is there such a thing?
These are two people who have been hiding their identities while being chased by pursuers their entire lives.
‘It’s not like I left any records… Wait. Records?’
The man turned his head and looked at the luggage piled up in a corner of the farmhouse.
To be exact, a man lying like a piece of meat next to the luggage.
He was a member of the Dark Blood Group who was captured by the Great Man in the mountains.
At that moment, an idea flashed through the man’s mind.
‘If they’ve been chasing a target for over 10 years… wouldn’t there be documented records? There would probably be solid evidence.’
I think I found a solution.
The man got up and walked to Ilho. He sat down in front of Ilho and took out the blood transfusion he had been using.
“Ugh, ugh···.”
Ilho slowly opened his eyes.
The face was so disfigured that it was unrecognizable from its original form. There were bruises on the swollen face, and dried, hardened blood stains.
“Ughh …
As soon as I opened my eyes and saw the big man, Ilho trembled.
‘This devilish bastard. Why again···.’
The man asked Ilho in a friendly voice.
“Where is your headquarters?”
ⓒ Ganjjajang
