Finally, Cheon Mubaeck’s party arrived at Mount Wudang.

Kugugung.

Since Muyong had already gone ahead and announced their imminent arrival, the huge iron gate opened quickly as if it had been waiting.

As they entered, the eyes of the people inside Wudang focused on them.

Because Cheon Mubaeck and Neung-heo were carrying a coffin.

It was natural for curiosity to arise.

Several Taoists approached with stiff faces, saw the coffin, and wailed on the spot.

Cheon Mubaeck looked at the wailing Taoists and put down the coffin.

“This is the Taoist Yusu of Wudang. He was killed by unidentified assassins.”

“Ah… this is terrible!”

When it was revealed that it was Yusu’s body, the Taoists gathered and were busy wailing or putting their hands together.

Neung-heo, who had carried the coffin all the way here, also forgot all his annoyance at the sight and just made a bitter expression.

“For his first trip to the martial world, it’s truly unfortunate.”

At Neung-heo’s words, Cheon Mubaeck answered somewhat stiffly.

“If you’re not prepared, you shouldn’t even step into the martial world. Do you think many sects send their talented disciples into the martial world with their martial brothers for no reason?”

“That’s right. It’s my mistake.”

It was then.

A middle-aged Taoist walked over with his hands together.

On the waist of the Taoist robe he was wearing, with a Taiji cap on his head, there were a few more tassels.

He was different from the ordinary Taoists who were wailing nearby.

Cheon Mubaeck, seeing the tassels on his Taoist robe, put his hands together accordingly.

It was a tassel that signified an elder of the Wudang Sect.

“A pleasure to meet you for the first time, I am Cheon Mubaeck of the Azure Star Escort Agency.”

“A pleasure to meet you, I am Jincheong of Wudang. And I am also the one who invited you to Wudang. And… the flower of the Zhuge Clan has also come.”

“I greet the senior of the martial world. I am Zhuge Seola, the second daughter of the Zhuge Clan.”

A bright light appeared for a moment on Jincheong’s tired face as he looked back and forth between Cheon Mubaeck and Zhuge Seola.

“The Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero and the Zhuge Clan… What I had hoped for was the help of the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero, but has the Zhuge Clan also come to help us?”

“It is a natural thing. While staying at the Azure Star Escort Agency, I unintentionally came across the sad news of Wudang that the Taoist Yusu had delivered. So, despite the rudeness, I have come to Wudang under the order of the grand clan head and the clan head.”

Zhuge Seola said with a feigned serious expression. Although she had a serious expression as if to show her firm resolve, Cheon Mubaeck inwardly let out a laugh because it looked awkward.

It was probably because Zhuge Seohu usually took the lead in such situations.

On the other hand, Venerable Jincheong smiled generously as if it was a great help.

“Thank you. Although we have not been in contact with the Zhuge Clan recently, what a grateful thing this is. I will visit the Zhuge Clan soon and convey this gratitude.”

While a warm greeting was being exchanged.

The disciples of Wudang rushed in and took care of Yusu’s coffin.

After watching the scene for a moment, Cheon Mubaeck said.

“A Bidara was mobilized in this attack.”

“…A Bidara, you say. Is that true?”

“Yes. I don’t know for what reason, but they ambushed me and Young Lady Zhuge here. In the process, the Taoist Yusu met with a tragic end. The Blood Demon Valley is probably related to this matter.”

“Ah…”

Venerable Jincheong put his hand on his forehead.

At the point where the former sect leader had become a Bidara, it was a clear fact that the hand of the Blood Demon Valley had reached inside Wudang.

And in the midst of that, the guest that Wudang had invited was attacked by a Bidara.

Jincheong’s vision went dark. He understood exactly what Cheon Mubaeck was saying.

“Your movements were reported to Wudang in detail. Because Yusu sent a carrier pigeon every time he stopped for a while.”

It was as Cheon Mubaeck had expected.

Then the options narrowed.

Cheon Mubaeck’s eyes flashed.

“I think we should first find out who confirmed that carrier pigeon.”

“Hoo. I understand.”

Venerable Jincheong had a pained expression at the fact that he had to suspect and inspect his own people.

But it was unavoidable to find out the truth of Yusu’s death.

However, Cheon Mubaeck did not bother to tell the detailed circumstances.

‘Rather than aiming for Yusu, they were aiming for Zhuge Seola. They meant to kill Zhuge Seola, even if others were not.’

To stop Cheon Mubaeck from approaching the Bidara, they had to aim for Cheon Mubaeck.

The one who had died was Yusu. There was no reason to aim for Yusu. If they wanted to stop Cheon Mubaeck’s trip to Wudang, the matter would have ended if they had killed Yusu before he arrived at the Azure Star Escort Agency.

‘What is the reason? It’s not like those guys could have known in advance that I would use the Evil Person Sealing Formation. Is the purpose to cause a dispute with the Zhuge Clan on this occasion?’

There was a high probability of that.

If Zhuge Seola died, Zhuge Seon and Zhuge Yeogang would be furious, and their relationship with Wudang would also become not so good. Moreover, his relationship with Cheon Mubaeck would surely be greatly strained. Because the anti-Blood Demon Valley alliance that Cheon Mubaeck was trying to form would creak.

They might be aiming for that.

Cheon Mubaeck put aside his suspicions for now.

“First, come this way, as there is a reason to discuss the details.”

But Cheon Mubaeck, apart from the matter of Wudang, decided to thoroughly investigate the mastermind behind the assassins.

‘Who are you messing with?’

Because Zhuge Seola had already entered Cheon Mubaeck’s fence.

* * *

“It has been three years since the former sect leader stepped down from his position.”

The former sect leader, Venerable Hyeonyeop, had stepped down from the position of sect leader three years ago.

“Even after stepping down, he was a great help to us. Wudang has recently been trying to find its past roots. Because many elders and young disciples are too engrossed in martial arts and are walking the path of heresy.”

“The path of heresy…”

Venerable Jincheong smiled bitterly.

“It’s unavoidable for the vigor of youth. It seems the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero is different.”

“I am also full of vigor.”

When Cheon Mubaeck spoke as if joking lightly, Zhuge Seola, who was next to him, tilted her head.

Venerable Jincheong, who looked back and forth at them, let go of his sad expression and smiled faintly.

“Indeed, it’s good to be young. Anyway, there is also conflict among the elders. As in any sect. The side that wants to focus on martial arts and go out into the martial world as a martial sect, and the side that wants to find the Tao of Wudang…”

Cheon Mubaeck nodded his head. It was what he had heard from Zhuge Seon.

Wudang was divided into the so-called ‘Taoist Faction’ and the ‘Martial Faction’.

The Taoist Faction was the faction that wanted to find the Tao of Wudang and establish its identity as a Taoist sect.

The Martial Faction was just as it sounded.

It was the faction that wanted to regain the name of the past Southern Respected Wudang by possessing powerful martial prowess.

The problem was that this Martial Faction was greatly influenced by the Red Scarf Society.

“There is an organization called the Red Scarf Society.”

“Yes.”

“They are of Wudang, but not of Wudang.”

“…”

“Their ancestors were certainly heroes who dedicated their lives to Wudang, but now their descendants are trying to make Wudang a martial sect, abandoning the Tao of Wudang. Without even reciting a single Taoist scripture.”

Cheon Mubaeck understood the circumstances.

‘To the young disciples of Wudang, who were on the verge of collapse, the Red Scarf Society must have been heroes.’

Young heroes with no connection to Wudang had come to Mount Wudang solely to protect the Orthodox Faction, to protect Wudang.

They had protected Wudang even as they died. The young disciples of that time, who were experiencing the downfall of their sect, must have been greatly influenced by the Red Scarf Society.

That to not collapse, one must possess strong martial prowess.

The young disciples of that time, 40 years later, had now become the new powerhouses of Wudang.

That was the Martial Faction.

“I can understand the elders who belong to the Martial Faction. Although their direction is different, their actions are for the sake of Wudang. They do not abandon the Tao of Wudang. But, the Red Scarf Society is different.”

Anger flashed across Venerable Jincheong’s face for a moment.

“The seniors who founded the Red Scarf Society deserve to be respected. Because they died for the sake of chivalry and righteousness, for the sake of justice and Wudang, without wanting anything. But the current Red Scarf Society is not like that. They are not of Wudang, yet they try to live as Wudang. They do not perform the duties that Wudang should perform, yet they try to take over Wudang.”

Cheon Mubaeck listened quietly to what Venerable Jincheong was saying.

He poured out the inside story of the Red Scarf Society for a long time and rebuked them without hesitation.

‘I see.’

Although he had heard about the power structure of Wudang from Zhuge Seon, hearing it from Venerable Jincheong, he could see that the conflict was more serious than he thought.

The reason why Venerable Jincheong, who could be seen as the head of the so-called Taoist Faction, was saying that.

“Elder, you suspect that the Red Scarf Society is behind this.”

“…”

A brief silence lingered. The silence was an affirmation.

“That’s right. The former sect leader deliberately passed on the position of sect leader to the Taoist Faction and stepped down. And he exerted his influence from behind and gave us strength. If not, Wudang would have run rampant.”

Cheon Mubaeck also had the same thought, so he nodded his head.

Because it was a situation where he had no choice but to suspect so.

Moreover, when Yusu’s coffin arrived, there was not a single warrior from the Red Scarf Society among the warriors who had gathered.

A relationship like oil and water.

Two groups living under one roof for the sake of Wudang, yet going in completely different directions.

Naturally, conflict would arise, and if the conflict intensified, an extreme choice could be made.

“First, I would like to see the former sect leader who has become a Bidara.”

“Hoo. I understand. Let’s go now.”

It was then.

“The elder is currently talking with a guest!”

“Move aside! I need to see that guest too!”

“Where do you think this is! This is the Elder’s Hall!”

It became noisy outside.

“What is going on!”

Venerable Jincheong shouted with his internal energy.

At that, the commotion subsided for a moment, and then a shout was heard.

“What are you doing now, showing the shame of our Wudang to an outsider! You won’t even let the people of the Red Scarf Society see the former sect leader’s face, yet you’re going to reveal it to an outsider!”

Red Scarf Society.

Venerable Jincheong’s face turned cold.

* * *

The Elder’s Hall of Wudang.

It was the personal space where the elders stayed.

It was almost impossible for there to be an uninvited guest shouting in such a place.

But there was someone who was beyond that category.

The sword-wielding fools who shouted that only power was justice in Wudang, which sought the Tao.

“You cannot enter.”

“Move aside!”

Venerable Jincheong, who heard that voice, closed his eyes tightly. A look of shame appeared on his face. To have to show the loss of Wudang’s dignity in front of Cheon Mubaeck and Zhuge Seola.

But it was unavoidable.

“What is it, Lord Jeok.”

The door burst open. It was not one person. There were four people. They were also wearing Taoist robes, but their appearance was strange. Instead of a Taiji cap, they wore a red band around their heads.

Red Scarf.

The identity of the four was none other than the Red Scarf Society.

If not for them, who would commit the rudeness of entering the Elder’s Hall without permission?

“I am talking with a guest. If you have something to say, come back later.”

Venerable Jincheong treated them calmly.

But the burly man at the front of the four, Jeok Wangyu, made an absurd expression.

“This is strange. 40 years ago, when Wudang was on the verge of destruction, there were countless villains who were after Wudang’s treasures.”

“…”

Jeok Wangyu lowered his voice.

As if growling, it was a tone mixed with a strange threat.

“So the Red Scarf Society risked their lives to protect the gates of Wudang. All the outsiders who came in were inspected by the Red Scarf Society, and in the process, the seniors of the Red Scarf Society died at the hands of the villains.”

“…What do you want to say?”

A sense of humiliation welled up on Venerable Jincheong’s face.

He was an elder.

On the other hand, Jeok Wangyu and the other warriors of the Red Scarf Society had no rank within Wudang. They were just warriors of the Red Scarf Society within the Wudang Sect.

“Why did that person come in without going through the inspection of the Red Scarf Society?”

“…!”

Venerable Jincheong’s face turned dark.

He trembled at this enormous humiliation. This was a guest he had personally invited. A person invited by an elder of Wudang. And yet they were questioning it and arguing that they had not inspected him.

Wasn’t it an act of completely ignoring the authority of a Wudang elder?

He wanted to kill them right away, but as an elder of the Taoist Faction, his martial arts could not reach them.

Jeok Wangyu, who was looking at Jincheong with a pathetic expression, turned his head.

“The fame of the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero is not needed. Anyone who enters Wudang must be inspected for their qualifications!”

“Wait a minute, then what about me?”

Cheon Mubaeck had been watching the situation quietly, but Zhuge Seola’s sharp voice cut in.

“Young lady…?”

“I am Zhuge Seola of the Zhuge Clan. Alright, are you going to inspect me too?”

“…!”

A look of bewilderment flashed across Jeok Wangyu’s face.

But he soon made a brazen expression.

“If it is the daughter of the Zhuge Clan, we naturally welcome you. But the story about the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero is different. Since the rumors circulating in the martial world are not to be believed, we must inspect him.”

Cheon Mubaeck did not answer and just stared.

Although Zhuge Seola added that she was a person she vouched for, Jeok Wangyu refused.

“Follow me. Surrender all the weapons you are wearing, and we will let you in after a proper inspection.”

At that arrogant attitude, Venerable Jincheong was about to step in, unable to bear it any longer.

A lazy voice from Cheon Mubaeck flowed out.

“Well. I don’t know if you have the qualifications to inspect me.”

“…What?”

Cheon Mubaeck smiled.

“I will verify whether you have the qualifications.”

Cheolkeok.

The sword was drawn, imbued with a pure white radiance.

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep