Chapter 244 – Second-Generation Disciples (1)

Red Mountain Blue Glory Sword.

Known as the sword that could dye the red mountain blue, it was considered a supreme martial art even among Azure Forest swordsmanship.

As it was regarded as the most exceptional technique of the Blue Flower Palace Master, not every disciple of the Azure Forest could master it.

The blue Sword Aura flickering on Jin Mu’s sword was undoubtedly from the Red Mountain Blue Glory Sword.

That blue Sword Aura sliced through the chest of the Unorthodox Union’s Ghost Order Squad Leader.

Swoosh—

“Ugh, ugh….”

The Ghost Order Squad Leader staggered backward.

His eyes were filled with resentment.

Just a moment ago, numerous disciples of the Green Slope Manor had perished at his hands. Why was he now filled with such regret?

However, the second-generation disciples, seasoned with battle experience, were not distracted by such matters.

Typically, when someone was on the brink of death, they faced it with a strangely complex expression.

However, there were rarely those who did not lose their fighting spirit until the very end, those who held onto the will to kill their opponent until their last breath.

The Ghost Order Squad Leader of the Unorthodox Union was one of them.

Instead of collapsing backward, he attempted to take something out of his bosom and swiftly throw it.

Shrrk—

Jin Ri-yeon’s whip sword moved swiftly, not missing a beat.

It pierced through the gap between his armpits and severed the tendons as it passed through.

The Ghost Order Squad Leader finally gave a regretful grin before collapsing with a thud.

Jin Mu gave a wry smile.

“Indeed, the martial artists from the main branch of the Unorthodox Union are not easy opponents.”

If it were in the days of his naive early years in Jianghu, he might have been caught off guard by such an ambush.

But Jin Mu was no longer idle. His robes were embroidered with five blue flowers.

Fifth-flower disciple.

He had already become one of the key forces of Azure Forest. There was no way he would be caught off guard by an ambush of this level.

“Well done, Ri-yeon.”

“Yes, Senior Brother.”

Jin Ri-yeon responded in a dry tone.

She wiped the blood off her whip sword with a dry cloth and sheathed it at her waist.

Her robes were also embroidered with four blue flowers.

If Jin Ri-yeon could break through the supreme barrier she had yet to shatter, she would surely earn her fifth flower.

“Thank you, Senior Ri-yeon!”

Yu Su-rin ran over with quick steps and hugged Jin Ri-yeon.

Jin Ri-yeon gently stroked Yu Su-rin’s hair.

“Good job, Su-rin.”

“Hehe…”

Despite the passage of time, Yu Su-rin’s affection for Jin Ri-yeon had not faded.

On the contrary, she followed Jin Ri-yeon even more closely than before.

Jin Mu awkwardly intervened.

“Uh, Su-rin, am I invisible to you?”

“Oh, yes, thank you as well, Senior.”

“There’s no need to be so formal…”

There wasn’t much of an age difference between the second-generation disciples and the third-generation disciples, which made them relatively close.

But Jin Mu was a bit different.

He stroked his rough-grown beard.

As the eldest disciple among the second generation, he was already in his mid-thirties.

If he were not a martial artist, he would already have children and be the head of a household by now.

Seeing the third-generation disciples, who were still in their early twenties, only brought a bitter smile to his face.

“But… did only the two of you come?” Son Hee-il asked cautiously.

They say a position shaped a person. Since becoming the eldest disciple of the third generation, Son Hee-il had become more thoughtful than before.

The fact that one of the three second-generation disciples who were supposed to come together was missing left him feeling uneasy.

“Are you talking about Dam Hyun?”

“Yes.”

“He’s by himself.”

Jin Mu scratched his ear.

Not only did he seem unconcerned, but he also seemed somewhat reluctant to even talk about it.

His reaction left the third-generation disciples puzzled.

“Wouldn’t it be… dangerous?”

Jun Myung spoke, but the other two shared the same thought.

“The martial arts of Senior Dam Hyun are… now…”

‘It is natural that the second-generation disciples are stronger than the third-generation disciples.’

Although this statement was not entirely true in reality, it still felt like a natural assumption.

In fact, Dam Hyun was strong. Even though he was an honor flower disciple and had been confined for a long time, he remained strong.

However, the state of Dam Hyun’s body upon returning to the sect after a long time was a different story.

‘Hundred Refined… Was it some kind of great technique?’

Yu Su-rin had only vaguely heard about it from her father, Yu Jeong-shin.

For several years, Dam Hyun, who was once a master of the Peak, had actually regressed. Now, he could barely be considered a first-rate expert.

In terms of martial arts level, he had now fallen below the average of the third-generation disciples.

He said he was fine, but it was clear that it would take a long time for him to return to his former level.

“If he were to be defeated by the Unorthodox Union’s martial artists…”

“Haha, that guy?”

Jin Mu burst into laughter as if he found the idea absurd.

It wasn’t even a funny situation, but Jin Mu’s laughter grew louder.

“Haha, Ri-yeon, what do you think? These kids are worried about Dam Hyun. Hahaha!”

“…”

As always, Jin Ri-yeon remained silent.

Feeling awkward, Jin Mu scratched his beard and said, “There’s no need to worry. That guy, Dam Hyun…”

At that moment, a loud wail was heard.

It sounded like someone crying or perhaps screaming in pain.

The sound was so chillingly clear that the third-generation disciples flinched in surprise.

“Well, let’s go and see.”

Jin Mu smiled faintly and looked back at the Green Slope Manor martial artists.

“Gather your disciples and head down the mountain. We will take care of the Abstinent Moon Hall and the Unorthodox Union’s martial artists.”

“What…? Y-yes!”

It was doubtful whether such a task was possible with only six people, but Jang Mu-jeong of Green Slope Manor gratefully clasped his fists in thanks.

Jin Mu turned his body and started running.

The group followed behind him.

The strange wailing sound was still audible.

“Woooo! Uhuuuu!”

The chilling sound made Jun Myung shiver slightly.

Although he had grown in size, he still had a timid side to his nature.

“As for Dam Hyun…”

Even while rapidly performing the Azure Forest’s Cloud Treading, Jin Mu’s voice remained steady.

“Hmm, the area he’s in charge of is the entire western ridge of this mountain range.”

“What?”

Son Hee-il was startled.

He had naturally assumed that Jin Mu and Jin Ri-yeon had cleared the west side along with Dam Hyun.

While it was true that the Ghost Order Squad Leader was the most dangerous individual, there were several Peak masters from the Unorthodox Union, including the Hall Leader of Abstinent Moon Hall, on that side.

Did Dam Hyun take on all of that by himself?

“Why would he…?”

“Dam Hyun personally requested it.”

“No matter what…”

Seeing the third-generation disciples still worried about Dam Hyun, Jin Mu spoke, “Dam Hyun might not be stronger than me. No, his martial arts level might even be lower than yours…”

Jin Mu, too, had been shocked by the drastic change in his junior brother upon his return.

“But he’s certainly the most dangerous among us.”

“Wooooaaaah!”

The scream was now heard nearby.

As soon as they burst out from the forest that had been blocking their view, the group raised their sleeves to cover their faces.

The acrid smoke stung their noses, causing tears to spring from their eyes.

“This is…”

People were sprawled everywhere.

From those wearing the uniforms of Abstinent Moon Hall to those dressed in black like the Ghost Order Squad from earlier.

Some were dead, while others were unconscious or groaning in pain from their injuries.

The surprising thing was that there wasn’t a single Green Slope Manor martial artist among them.

Furthermore, some had fallen dead with their weapons still embedded in each other, as if a conflict had erupted among them.

Yu Su-rin flinched, her body trembling.

The surrounding bushes were ablaze.

Yet, the flames were strangely purple, an otherworldly hue.

It was clearly a special fire created through sorcery.

The advanced sorcery of ascension, which even Yu Su-rin, who was being taught by the Snowflake Hermit Palace Master as a Taoist flower disciple, could not dare to imitate.

“Aaaargh!”

It soon became clear who was screaming.

It was the Hall Leader of Abstinent Moon Hall, a rugged middle-aged man who was kneeling with both hands on the ground.

Somehow, two daggers had been driven through his palms, pinning them to the earth.

And perched on his back was Dam Hyun in a rather arrogant manner, with his legs crossed.

“Be quiet.”

“Ugh…”

In an instant, the Hall Leader of Abstinent Moon Hall fell silent.

Dam Hyun quietly ran a hand through his hair, then turned his head to look to the side.

“Well, I’ve done as you wanted.”

Gathered on that side were the members of Green Slope Manor.

The daughter of the Green Slope Manor Master and the martial artists protecting her were gathered together, trembling with fear.

“Th-thank you.”

“The payment?”

“First… let us handle this situation.”

“Huhu… if you fail to provide the promised payment…”

Dam Hyun spoke in a sinister, hissing voice like a snake.

“You’ll end up like these guys…”

“You fool!”

Jin Mu quickly ran over and grabbed Dam Hyun by the scruff of his neck, pulling him back.

“Ah, what the—?!”

“What kind of nonsense is this from someone who came to help… Haha. My apologies, everyone of Green Slope Manor.”

“No, if I saved their lives and avenged them, it’s only natural that—!”

“Just shut your mouth, will you?”

“I had my reasons for needing this!”

“Are you going to start talking about foxes again?”

“Let go of me!”

The third-generation disciples watched in a daze as Jin Mu and Dam Hyun bickered.

Jin Ri-yeon sighed as if she had a headache.

Seeing such a ridiculous scene, Jun Myung and Son Hee-il burst into giggles.

“…Senior.”

However, Yu Su-rin’s expression had become more serious than before.

“Yes?”

“Is Senior Dam Hyun the strongest among the second-generation disciples?”

Jin Mu had said otherwise, but Yu Su-rin, having observed the horrific scene, couldn’t help but think so.

Given the traces of sorcery left here…

“…Perhaps.”

Jin Ri-yeon replied softly.

Yu Su-rin shuddered in this dreadful situation.

That day, the six members of the Azure Forest dispatched to support Green Slope Manor successfully completed their mission.

Green Slope Manor survived, while Abstinent Moon Hall, having lost its key masters to death or injury, faced a path of annihilation.

And when they returned to the sect, more relaxed than when they had departed, they were greeted by a summons from the Forest Lord.

“Jin Mu, Dam Hyun, Jin Ri-yeon.”

A first-generation disciple, having received orders from the Forest Lord, met them at the gate.

“Go to White Cloud Peak immediately.”

The second-generation disciples went to meet the Forest Lord.

The Forest Lord was a master nearing the age of 100.

He should have long been honored as a master of the previous generation, but he still held his position as the Forest Lord of the Azure Forest.

Outsiders might think this was due to the Forest Lord’s personal ambition.

However, none of the disciples of the Azure Forest thought that way.

The Forest Lord spent most of his days on this remote peak. Someone with a desire for power would not behave like this.

“Does the tea taste good?” asked the Forest Lord while stroking his white beard.

Jin Ri-yeon drank her tea without making a sound, while Jin Mu slurped slightly as he sipped.

As for Dam Hyun, he merely petted Cheongho, saying he didn’t want to drink.

“Urururu, ururururu.”

Jin Mu shot a sharp glare, but Dam Hyun ignored him and continued to play with his hands in front of Cheongho.

Cheongho sat quietly but showed no interest in Dam Hyun’s hand movements.

Her two tails lay flat, indicating it was not in a good mood.

“This tea is called Da Hong Pao. Are you familiar with it?”

None of them had ever tasted Da Hong Pao.

“This was sent from Beijing. Yi-gang sent it.”

Cheongho glanced back at the Forest Lord. The two drooping tails started to wag.

“Along with the tea leaves, a letter was also sent.”

The Forest Lord pulled out a letter wrapped in bright red silk from his robe.

From the texture of the wrapping alone, one could sense that it was sent by Yi-gang.

Cheongho suddenly stood up and slipped out of Dam Hyun’s arms.

“Read it once.”

When the Forest Lord handed over the letter, Jin Mu received it with a respectful attitude.

Dam Hyun and Jin Ri-yeon also gathered around the letter.

Even Cheongho, who couldn’t read, sniffed at the letter.

Jin Mu’s expression turned serious after reading the letter, Jin Ri-yeon remained calm, and Dam Hyun chuckled.

The Forest Lord spoke softly, “You all will go to Beijing.”

“Forest Lord…!”

Jin Mu was taken aback.

Although the Azure Forest was relatively peaceful, it was still in a precarious situation like other sects.

Jin Mu did not think too highly of himself, but he was a Supreme Peak master and one of the great disciples of the Azure Forest.

There were numerous tasks assigned to him, so he didn’t expect to receive orders to go to Beijing immediately.

Dam Hyun scolded Jin Mu, who was flustered, “Come on, Senior Brother. If you’re told to go, you go. Why are you whining so much?”

“What did you say?”

“The Forest Lord must have his reasons for sending us, right?”

Since they were in front of the Forest Lord, Jin Mu couldn’t get angry at Dam Hyun.

However, inwardly, he agreed with Dam Hyun’s words.

The Forest Lord was wise. And if Yi-gang’s words were true, something significant was happening in the imperial palace.

“…Do you think Yi-gang’s speculation is true?” Jin Mu asked.

Dam Hyun giggled next to him, amused by something.

Among the three, Jin Mu had spent the least time with Yi-gang.

“There’s a strong possibility.”

“…The Heavenly Demon, really!”

The revival of the Heavenly Demon—he had never heard such a story, not even after becoming a fifth-flower disciple.

However, the Forest Lord’s expression remained completely calm.

Rather than being deeply contemplative, it was as if he already knew…

“Go and assist Yi-gang in dealing with the Demon Cult’s sorcerers…”

With these orders, the Forest Lord took out a black box and held it out.

“Deliver this to Yi-gang.”

It was at that moment.

Cheongho’s fur suddenly bristled, and it leapt away as if trying to avoid the box.

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