Chapter 357
"Did you say exaggeration?"
"Shouldn't you at least pretend to listen if what's being said makes sense by common standards?"
Yeo Il-gi, the sect leader of Mount Zhongnan, glared at the Divine Technique Master with cold eyes.
The Divine Technique Master let out a slight hollow laugh.
Considering the relationship between Mount Zhongnan and Mount Hua, who had rejected each other for generations, he could understand why Yeo Il-gi was finding fault with something so unreasonable.
But…
'How dare he pick such obvious faults when he knows what kind of place this is.'
It seemed peace had lasted too long. How could a sect maintain proper order when the sect leader, a supposed true master, was acting so frivolously?
"There wasn't just one or two people who witnessed it. Are you saying, Sect Leader Yeo, that they're all lying?"
"That's not what I mean, but isn't what you're saying utterly preposterous?"
"What exactly do you find preposterous?"
"I heard that boy is barely of age. How can it make sense by common standards that a child who's barely come of age would display such ability?"
Divine Technique Master let out a quiet sigh.
"Looking at the history of the martial world, such things weren't uncommon. For instance, Master Sambong of Wudang also achieved enlightenment at a young age and established Wudang."
"Are you saying that boy is comparable to Master Sambong?"
It was a sensitive question.
The Taoist-affiliated figures looked at Divine Technique Master with slightly displeased gazes.
"Of course, how could that child have achieved this? He could never be compared to Master Sambong in terms of his profound realm."
"Naturally."
"However, I don't think even the great Master Sambong of this world would have been as strong as Wei Yan-ho at the same age."
"What?"
"I'm simply stating facts. Yan-ho, that child has already fought the Alliance Leader to a draw."
"..."
Yeo Il-gi's eyes widened.
"With Elder Peng Dao-ji?"
"Yes. It's true."
In fact, Peng Dao-ji had held back a bit.
But that alone was a tremendous feat, so it couldn't really be called a lie. He just hoped for a slightly more dramatic reaction.
"Fighting Peng Dao-ji to a draw at that age…"
Yeo Il-gi spoke as if dumbfounded.
Of course, Peng Dao-ji couldn't be called the greatest martial artist under heaven at present. In Yeo Il-gi's estimation, there were at least three martial artists stronger than Peng Dao-ji. But it was undoubtedly true that Peng Dao-ji was one of the strongest martial artists in the world.
That meant Wei Yan-ho, who fought Peng Dao-ji to a draw, was also among the ranks of the world's greatest martial artists. There had never been anyone who reached such a level at that age.
'But why must such a person emerge from the Righteous Alliance?'
From the perspective of the Nine Great Sects, who desperately wanted to escape from the shadow of the Righteous Alliance, it was inevitable that they would feel resentful that such a person had emerged from the Guangdong Wei Family, which was practically affiliated with the Righteous Alliance.
A master like Wei San-ho might take away honor, but he couldn't upset the balance of power. However, a master like Wei Yan-ho increased the Righteous Alliance's influence through his mere existence.
That such a person would emerge from the Righteous Alliance at such a time could only be seen as heaven helping the Righteous Alliance.
If Yeo Il-gi had known what kind of person Wei Yan-ho was, he would have thought heaven hated the Righteous Alliance, but having no knowledge of Wei Yan-ho's character, Yeo Il-gi could only think that way now.
"I will guarantee his abilities."
Everyone's attention turned to Qingyingzi's words. He was indeed the only one here who had directly faced Wei Yan-ho.
"His abilities are certain. His abilities are! Only his abilities!"
Though it was a subtly worded statement, most understood it to mean his abilities were that certain. In reality, it meant only his abilities were certain while everything else was a complete mess.
"Amitabha."
Master Hyejeong settled the increasingly subtle atmosphere.
"That such talent has appeared at this time is a blessing for the martial world."
Everyone nodded.
With the Demonic Cult possibly plunging the world into darkness again, having even one more master appear was welcome news. Even those who didn't want the Righteous Alliance to grow stronger acknowledged this fact.
"So where is this Wei Yan-ho now?"
"He's currently in Beijing."
"Beijing?"
"Yes. Due to certain matters…"
Divine Technique Master trailed off as if Wei Yan-ho was playing a very important role in Beijing. Everyone seemed to understand and move on.
'I just sent him to Beijing because he said he was going home.'
But he couldn't very well say that directly.
Politics was originally like that. You had to know how to apply the right amount of embellishment and package even trivial things to seem important.
"Hmm, a young hero… Frankly, it's quite intriguing."
"Moreover, being the son of Wei Jeong-han and the younger brother of Wei San-ho, I can imagine what kind of person he must be."
'Don't imagine, you fools!'
Seeing that they were still spouting such words when their own sect disciples had likely already gotten entangled with Wei Yan-ho, it showed just how poorly information flowed within the Nine Great Sects.
In the warm atmosphere, only Divine Technique Master, Qingyingzi, and the Seven-Finger Divine Beggar from the Beggar's Sect wore subtle expressions.
It wouldn't be too difficult to explain to these people what kind of character Wei Yan-ho was…
'They'll learn faster by experiencing it firsthand.'
It wasn't a mindset of 'I can't be the only one to suffer.' How could he cause such trouble when the situation could become urgent at any time?
However, while Divine Technique Master could explain Wei Yan-ho, he wasn't confident he could make them understand him. He himself had needed quite some time to accept what kind of human Wei Yan-ho was, and he didn't think the stubborn sect leaders of the Nine Great Sects could understand Wei Yan-ho just by listening to his words.
In the end, they would have to experience it and learn through their own bodies.
"I've already sent a message, so he should arrive here soon."
"Here?"
"Yes. Since his business in Beijing was finished, I ordered him to return immediately. You'll be able to see that fellow directly before long."
The Divine Technique Master still didn't understand Wei Yan-ho even after being treated that way.
"That will certainly be enjoyable. But that's not what's important right now."
The Divine Technique Master nodded.
"It might turn out to be a false alarm. But we've already experienced how terrible the results can be when we face the Demonic Cult without preparation."
Everyone was in agreement.
All those present here had experienced the war with the Demonic Cult in the past. There was no one who didn't know how devastating it was to face them.
"But we've learned from the past. This time, we absolutely won't be easily defeated. In that sense, I request as a military officer of the Righteous Alliance that each sect gather their elites to the Righteous Alliance."
"Hmm…"
It was expected, but hearing it directly made their hearts feel heavy.
During the past Demonic Cult invasion, the Nine Great Sects had handed over command of their disciples to the Righteous Alliance under the pretext of unifying the command structure. As a result, they had to watch their precious disciples die under others' orders.
The resentment built up then had become the driving force behind their efforts to escape from under the Righteous Alliance's shadow. But now, at this very moment, the Demonic Cult was acting up again, forcing them to witness that scene once more – it was enough to make their stomachs turn.
"…It's something that must be done. It must be done."
Master Hyejeong shouldered the heavy burden.
"We will follow the military officer's words."
But the Divine Technique Master wasn't satisfied with just that.
"Since we've gathered today, I'd like you to decide which people you'll send as well."
"Look here, Military Officer. We also need to discuss this matter among ourselves."
"That's precisely why I've gathered the sect leaders. Have you forgotten? The Demonic Cult's invasion was lightning-fast. If we wait for them to move, it will be too late."
A tedious heated debate began.
The Seven-Finger Divine Beggar watched this scene while leaning back in his chair and sipping wine from his gourd.
'These guys haven't changed at all.'
Seeing them raise their voices and strain their necks trying to save even a little something in this situation filled him with disgust. Of course, it could also be called a beautiful scene of them desperately trying to save even one more of their sect disciples.
'They'll all die that way.'
Peace had lasted too long.
Time takes everything away. Memories, recollections, and even fear.
Despite being so devastatingly defeated by the Demonic Cult in the past, they were still trying to preserve their own sect's strength. They seemed completely unaware that if they divided their forces carelessly and were defeated, everyone would die.
'That's how humans are.'
The Seven-Finger Divine Beggar turned his head away from the sect leaders arguing with the Divine Technique Master. It was better for his peace of mind not to look at dirty things.
'Speaking of which, Wei Yan-ho is coming?'
The Seven-Finger Divine Beggar's eyes sparkled.
What kind of trouble would that guy cause this time?
Lately, just following Wei Yan-ho's actions had made him feel rejuvenated. Moreover, thanks to his foresight in assigning a young beggar to follow him, he could track Wei Yan-ho's actions faster and more accurately than anyone else.
The Seven-Finger Divine Beggar was newly curious.
Could that pure Wei Yan-ho maintain his purity even while getting involved with the Demonic Cult?
Pure white cloth dyes faster than dirty cloth. When he encountered the dark dye that was the Demonic Cult, the Seven-Finger Divine Beggar couldn't contain his curiosity about what color he would be dyed.
'Will he become a hero who saves the era, or a tyrant who dominates the era? Or perhaps… '
The Seven-Finger Divine Beggar giggled with laughter.
Perhaps he might become a demon who destroys the era.
* * *
"Let's stay the night!"
"There's no rest."
"Hey, you crazy bastard! There's nothing for a long while after we pass here! We need to stay here, buy food supplies!"
"If there's nothing, we just keep going until something appears! How weak you martial artists are!"
"We're fine, we're fine! But what about Miss Jin!"
Wei Yan-ho frowned and looked at Jin Ye-ran.
Though she was putting on a brave face, her face was full of exhaustion. It would be difficult for her, who hadn't learned martial arts, to endure the forced march of martial artists.
"That's why I said why did you have to follow us!"
At Wei Yan-ho's irritated words, Wei San-ho unconsciously kicked Wei Yan-ho's buttocks.
Wei Yan-ho rolled on the ground from the powerful blow and jumped up with wide eyes.
"Why did you hit me!"
"Apologize."
"What did I do wrong…"
"A.po.lo.gize."
"..."
Wei Yan-ho flinched at Wei San-ho's lowered voice and awkwardly bowed his head to Jin Ye-ran.
"I… I was too harsh with my words."
"It's alright."
Everyone except the two opened their eyes wide.
'He can be controlled?'
'He got scared?'
An older brother was indeed an older brother. If anyone else had done such a thing, they would have been buried in the mountain on the opposite side by now, but Wei San-ho was showing the dignity of making Wei Yan-ho submit with just a look.
Of course, his mouth was protruding about four inches.
"You must always be careful of your words."
"…Yeah."
"Let's go in. It's right to rest a bit before continuing."
Wei Yan-ho followed behind Wei San-ho, who was walking into the inn while leading the way, with his mouth pouted.
"Put your mouth back in."
"..."
It had been a while since he'd received such scolding.