“How is it, have you become close?”

“We haven’t become that close, but we have shared our inner thoughts.”

At Cheon Mubaeck’s answer, Zhuge Seola’s eyes widened.

“Really? That person, Chuhonsak, seemed so rigid that he looked hard to get close to.”

“There’s a way for martial artists to get close to each other.”

“Hmm. I’m a martial artist too.”

Zhuge Seola crossed her arms. Although she was skilled in formations, she was also well-versed in martial arts as she had stepped into the martial world. She had a strong sense of pride.

It was just that she had shown humility in front of Cheon Mubaeck.

Cheon Mubaeck also knew that and smiled.

“Oh. So we’ve become close, haven’t we?”

“…Are we close?”

“Am I the only one who felt that way?”

Zhuge Seola flinched and avoided his gaze.

“N-no. Well, we’ve become close. Right.”

“How are things going on your end?”

“Yes. I’ve gathered quite a lot of information. Certainly, there’s something suspicious about the Great Purity True Man.”

Since it was a story about suspecting the current sect leader, no one should hear it.

Zhuge Seola lowered her voice, burying her head in Cheon Mubaeck’s chest as if to hide.

“I’ve spread my senses to block the sound from leaking out. It’s okay to talk comfortably.”

“Ah, really… yes.”

Although her tone was somewhat sulky, Cheon Mubaeck didn’t pay much attention. What was important now was not that.

“The Red Scarf Society Leader here, Mucheonak, is also suspicious.”

“Really?”

“After he became the leader, he said that Wudang and the Red Scarf should become one, and he taught the martial arts of the Red Scarf to the disciples of Wudang, and he has often argued that the martial arts of Wudang should also be shared with the Red Scarf Society.”

“Hmm. That’s certainly a bit much.”

“That’s right. Since he has publicly shown his desire for the secret arts of Wudang…”

“To completely take over Wudang and finally take the secret arts of Wudang? Is that Mucheonak’s goal?”

“The circumstances that have been revealed on the surface are so.”

“But turning the former sect leader into a Bidara is too much of a gamble.”

“That’s why it’s strange. From the circumstances, it’s certain that Mucheonak publicly coveted the martial arts of Wudang, which caused a conflict with the Taoist Faction. Moreover, even the Martial Faction elders, who have a strong influence from the Red Scarf Society, are uncomfortable with this point.”

Looking at it this way, the position of the Taoist Faction, which suspected the Red Scarf Society, was understandable.

But Zhuge Seola could not be sure.

“In fact, there are one or two strange things about the Great Purity True Man as well.”

“Strange things?”

“Originally, he was an elder who was classified as a Martial Faction.”

“…”

“They say he learned martial arts in Wudang as a child, and also secretly learned martial arts in the Red Scarf Society. His talent was so great that he was at a level where he could master the martial arts of both sides and digest them as his own.”

Cheon Mubaeck also felt that the Great Purity True Man was unusual.

He seemed so deeply cultivated that he felt he had the Taiji itself in his dantian.

“And they say he was also well-versed in Taoism. To the point where he read all the Taoist scriptures of Wudang and preached his own Tao. His thirst for Taoism was so strong that he went to find the secluded elder Taoists and asked for their teachings, and it is said that he went around meeting countless Taoists outside of Wudang one by one.”

Only then did Cheon Mubaeck understand.

Mucheonak had become the leader of the Red Scarf Society ten years ago.

Since then, the conflict between the Red Scarf Society and the Wudang Sect had intensified, so Venerable Hyeonyeop, who was the sect leader at the time, must have made a choice.

The reason he had appointed the Great Purity True Man, who had learned from the Red Scarf Society and understood the Red Scarf Society better than anyone, and on the other hand, was deeply cultivated in Taoism and could receive the support of the Taoist Faction, as his successor.

It must have been a judgment that he was a person who could mend and embrace the conflict between the two factions.

“He was thinking of the Taiji.”

Martial arts and Taoism.

The only person who could bring together the vastly different opinions of both sides.

The Taiji that symbolized harmony was the Great Purity True Man.

“The problem is that the Great Purity True Man, as soon as he became the sect leader, openly caused a conflict with the Red Scarf Society. Hmm, it’s a bit much to say it like this. It’s simple. He told them to pack their bags and leave the house.”

Cheon Mubaeck let out a laugh.

“The person who understood the Red Scarf Society better than anyone, treated them like that… the sense of betrayal must have been indescribable.”

The person who understood the Red Scarf Society the best.

Paradoxically, because of that.

“He considered the Red Scarf Society the most dangerous.”

Mucheonak, who felt a sense of crisis, might have killed the former sect leader, who was his biggest supporter.

And the possibility that the Great Purity True Man had staged a self-staged act to build a justification to cast out the Red Scarf Society could not be ignored.

Two possibilities.

But at Zhuge Seola’s next words, Cheon Mubaeck thought of another possibility.

“Ah, since a while ago. That is, after the former sect leader became a Bidara, they say the Great Purity True Man often left Wudang and went somewhere. Muyong said that he went out with two very strong-looking guards.”

Cheon Mubaeck’s eyes flashed.

* * *

Mount Wudang was high and rugged.

A mountain was not just a single mountain that rose up abruptly.

A long, slender mountain range would usually continue like a folding screen.

In such a mountain range, there were not just Taoists who had registered as enemies of the Wudang Sect, but dozens, hundreds of Taoist temples were scattered everywhere.

There were countless small Taoist temples where a single Taoist meditated alone.

Taoists who had completely cut off their ties with the secular world and were cultivating the Tao.

They were scattered throughout the mountain range, beyond Mount Wudang.

Occasionally, the Wudang Sect would invite the miraculous and deeply cultivated Taoists and receive their teachings.

No matter how much Wudang asserted that it was the center of the Taoist sects in the Central Plains, as long as it was connected to the secular world, its cultivation was bound to be lacking compared to the Taoists who had cut off their ties and were cultivating the Tao.

Because of that, it was common for people of the Wudang Sect to form connections with various Taoists.

The Great Purity True Man was also the same.

“Everyone, wait here.”

“Yes. Sect Leader.”

The Great Purity True Man left the two of the Three Heroes of Wudang, who had followed him as guards, outside and walked alone.

It was a shabby Taoist temple with only a single roof.

The place where the Taoist with whom the Great Purity True Man had formed a connection shortly after he became the sect leader stayed.

When he entered, as if he had known he would come, a Taoist with pure white hair that came down to his waist was taking out a teacup.

“You’ve come, Sect Leader.”

“The scent of the tea reached the Zixiao Palace of Wudang, so I couldn’t stay still and came. Nameless Taoist.”

“Hehehe. This poor Taoist’s Tao is endlessly lacking, but the Tao of brewing tea is the number one in the world.”

“Indeed, it is.”

The Great Purity True Man smiled and agreed. As if it was a familiar action, he naturally took a sip of the tea and asked.

“Have you made any progress in your cultivation recently?”

“Hehe, this poor Taoist is just a charlatan who pretends to cultivate the Tao. What cultivation would there be?”

“If the Taoist is a charlatan, then all the Tao of Wudang is shameful. Excessive humility is also not in line with the Tao.”

“Seeing that the sect leader is gilding this old man’s face, something must have happened.”

“Does it seem so?”

The Great Purity smiled and nodded his head. But at that moment, he very carefully spread his senses wide.

In case someone was listening.

Far away, before coming to the Taoist temple, the two of the Three Heroes of Wudang who had followed him as guards were standing guard.

And the presence felt right on the roof.

The last one of the Three Heroes of Wudang had been staying there for a long time.

The Great Purity True Man nodded his head inwardly and said.

“Thanks to the Taoist’s advice, the matter seems to be resolved.”

“Heo. I wonder what advice this old man gave.”

“It’s all thanks to the Taoist.”

The Nameless Taoist drank the tea water.

“Outside, I have brought the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero. As expected, the Red Scarf opposed.”

“Umm. Can that person treat him?”

The Great Purity smiled faintly. Although the Nameless Taoist’s voice contained only ordinary curiosity, the Great Purity True Man, who had watched the Nameless Taoist for a long time, felt something different.

“I don’t know. I can only hope so. I believe that the Primordial Lord of Heaven will help.”

“Immeasurable Buddha…”

“But it is clear that the culprit is the Red Scarf. If not, there would be no reason to interfere with the treatment. I hope for my master’s complete recovery, but I know that it is not an easy task. But, if he regains his senses completely, even for a moment, the name of Mucheonak will surely come out of his mouth.”

The Nameless Taoist nodded his head with an expression that seemed to know and not know. And looking at that Nameless Taoist, the Great Purity True Man also made a strange expression.

“That’s a relief.”

“Until that time comes, please do not go anywhere.”

“Hehe. Where would this old, long-nosed Taoist go?”

“Haha. And please take care of yourself. There are many wild animals around. I am worried that you might meet with a misfortune.”

“I understand.”

“On the day Wudang is completely recovered from the Red Scarf, I will respectfully invite the Taoist to Wudang. Please pass on your deep knowledge and enlightenment of Taoism to the juniors.”

“Hehehehe.”

The Great Purity’s eyes, which were bowed, flashed, and a strange heat flickered in the eyes of the Taoist who was just smiling like an immortal.

* * *

The Great Purity True Man summoned the elders.

It was not a special thing for the sect leader to gather the elders. But on this occasion, not only the elders, but also Cheon Mubaeck and Mucheonak and Chuhonsak from the Red Scarf Society participated.

The meaning of their participation was clear.

“There is no more time. Even the deeply cultivated Taoists of Wudang are complaining of fatigue. Now, the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero must step in.

“Our Red Scarf Society will also observe the process.”

Mucheonak stepped in as if he had been waiting.

Mucheonak was a middle-aged man of a similar age to the Great Purity True Man, but his impression was unexpected.

Because he looked like an ordinary middle-aged man with a generous heart.

But Cheon Mubaeck, who felt the internal energy contained within him, thought that he was a person that the Great Purity True Man should be wary of.

‘Both of them are close to the realm of entering the divine. If they gain a little enlightenment, they will break the wall of the realm of entering the divine and head to a higher place in an instant.’

Considering that both of them had just passed forty, it was an unusual level.

Perhaps if they gained enlightenment and passed their fifties, they would be worthy of being named among the top ten masters in the world.

As Cheon Mubaeck quietly watched the situation, the conflict that Wudang faced was clearly visible.

“We must be certain about this matter. The tragedy that happened to the former sect leader is a matter that only Wudang can decide.”

“Has the public opinion of Wudang been gathered? It seems that some of the elders here are not.”

When Mucheonak turned his gaze like that, some of the Martial Faction elders spoke cautiously.

“Sect Leader. The Red Scarf Society are colleagues who are a great help to Wudang. So it would be good to allow the leader or the vice-leader to observe.”

“Both of them are powerful warriors, and it might be a help.”

“Oh, this matter has nothing to do with the individual’s martial arts, does it?”

When the Martial Faction said so, the Taoist Faction immediately retorted.

Cheon Mubaeck looked at the Great Purity True Man and then stepped in.

“It doesn’t matter. Just let them observe.”

“…!”

In an instant, the Great Purity True Man’s wide-eyed gaze turned to Cheon Mubaeck.

Cheon Mubaeck nonchalantly ignored that gaze.

‘Who do you think I am, a pawn?’

Cheon Mubaeck inwardly let out a laugh.

He was not from any sect, and he had no master.

Just the background of an escort agency behind him.

From the Wudang Sect’s perspective, it was not such a great background.

Perhaps the Great Purity True Man had planned to persuade him by giving him some appropriate pressure and at the same time, offering some help as Wudang.

But Cheon Mubaeck had no intention of clapping his hands together.

When Cheon Mubaeck, who was in charge of the core of this matter, said so, it immediately became noisy.

“Well, let’s just talk frankly. Isn’t it because the Wudang side suspects that the Red Scarf Society might be behind this matter?”

“…!”

“Th-that’s!”

At Cheon Mubaeck’s direct words, the meeting hall was as if cold water had been poured on it.

“And, the Red Scarf Society also intends to observe with the intention of monitoring whether I might give a false testimony.”

“…”

“Then let’s do this.”

Cheon Mubaeck immediately proposed.

“Not just the fame of the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero, but a name that all the people of the martial world can truly believe in must step in.”

“What do you mean by that, Great Hero?”

A faint anger was felt in the Great Purity True Man’s voice.

Cheon Mubaeck met his gaze and smiled.

He had received a letter from Neung-heo last night saying that he would arrive today.

And just in time.

“S-Sect Leader! There’s a guest outside…”

“A guest? We are in the middle of a council of elders. Tell them to wait for a while.”

“That’s…”

The Wudang disciple who had delivered the news was restless.

Only then did the Great Purity True Man, who felt that the situation was strange, ask.

“Who has come that you are like this?”

“…Shaolin. From Shaolin, the Arhat Hall Master, the Monk Muso, has come!”

“…!”

The Great Purity True Man, and Mucheonak.

No one.

‘I just move according to my will.’

Could use Cheon Mubaeck.

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep