Chapter 313: Intensive Training (1)

Crowds were pouring into Zhengzhou.

Even though Mount Song was located here, it was rare for this many people to gather.

Moreover, they were all martial artists who seemed to have proven their skills.

The commoners of Zhengzhou were both fearful and delighted by the influx of armed warriors.

Martial artists were notorious for their extravagant spending.

Since they never knew when they might die, they had no concept of saving money.

Even in Zhengzhou, they spent their money lavishly.

Particularly, the taverns and inns were packed to the point where not a single seat was left vacant throughout the day.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but recently, we’ve had many generous guests.”

A smiling shop assistant, rewarded with one tael of silver for his friendliness, spoke to one of the martial artists.

“Don’t you know why everyone is flocking to Zhengzhou? Haven’t you even heard the rumors?”

There was only one reason why martial artists were gathering in Zhengzhou.

“They say the disciples of the Ten Grandmasters are going head-to-head in a five-on-five match. Who wouldn’t want to witness that?”

“Oh, is that so?”

“It’s a rare occasion for most of the Ten Grandmasters to gather in one place. If we’re lucky—or rather, it’s almost certain—a fight will break out among them.”

If it were just a contest among the successors of the younger generation, such a massive crowd of martial artists wouldn’t have gathered this early.

However, many were anticipating a clash among the Ten Grandmasters themselves.

For martial artists, witnessing their battles firsthand would be an incredibly valuable experience.

This was why nearly every inn was overcrowded.

Yet, even in such a bustling environment, there was one place that remained serene and composed.

It was the Young Moon Tavern, one of the finest taverns in Zhengzhou.

This establishment had been entirely reserved by none other than Seomun Jae, the Unorthodox Union Leader.

Only those deemed worthy were allowed to rest and drink in this grand and luxurious tavern.

“The skills of the Wandering Crescent Blade aren’t half bad.”

The Crimson Moon Demoness commented as she read a letter delivered from Tranquil Manor.

The Unorthodox Union Leader sipped quietly from his glass.

“…He’s just a wanderer.”

“He says he wants to establish a sect. Are you really going to help him?”

It had been promised that if the Wandering Crescent Blade achieved satisfactory results in the duel among the successors, he would be allowed to establish his own sect.

That wasn’t all. The Crimson Moon Demoness had promised weapons forged from cold iron, while Gal Sa-hyeok, a bandit, pledged three hundred taels of gold.

Of course, they didn’t wish for the successors to fail, but even in success, the costs would be significant.

The Unorthodox Union Leader spoke briefly, “If it’s satisfactory.”

“You sly man,” said the Crimson Moon Demoness, covering her mouth with her hand and chuckling softly.

Her appearance did not resemble her actual age, which was in her fifties.

It was hard to believe she was the same age as Putuo’s Priestess.

She looked unmistakably in her early thirties, as if she had consumed the legendary Juangwa, the fruit of eternal youth.

“I’ll take care of the elixir.”

The Five Poison Demonic Lord propped his chin on his hand and chuckled sinisterly.

The Crimson Moon Demoness frowned.

“I’ll pass. How could I trust a poison master?”

“Have you been deceived your entire life?”

“I simply refuse to have an unknown poison lingering in my disciple’s body.”

“Heh heh…”

The Five Poison Demonic Lord had sampled various dishes since arriving here.

And none of the martial artists present dared to touch any food he had touched. It was unsettling.

The Unorthodox Union Leader stepped in to mediate.

“Black Dragon King Jeon Yuk, would you be able to prepare the elixir?”

Jeon Yuk quietly nodded.

In the Heilongjiang region, there had long been a massive organization specializing in medicinal herbs.

“Crimson Moon Demoness, Five Poison Demonic Lord, and the Green Forest Alliance Leader, you will cover the costs,” the Unorthodox Union Leader murmured, “The opponents are Shaolin, the Sword Pavilion of Namhae Botaham, the Baek Noble Clan, Seocheonseong, and the Beggars’ Gang. Every single one of them is a renowned sect.”

The martial arts of these renowned sects had deep histories.

Their techniques, refined over centuries, were profound and extraordinary.

However, this also meant they were widely exposed to the world.

“Shaolin uses techniques like the Palm of Scattering Flowers and the Arhat Fist, while the Beggars’ Gang mainly employs the Dog-Beating Staff Technique…”

The Wandering Crescent Blade had studied the successors of the orthodox sects, documenting the martial arts they commonly used.

“I’ll compile a comprehensive collection of methods to counter these techniques and their formations. I expect your cooperation,” the Unorthodox Union Leader declared confidently.

It wasn’t without reason that major sects were cautious about revealing their true martial arts secrets.

Once their ultimate techniques were exposed, there would always be those who sought to analyze and counter them.

While counter-strategies were not foolproof, they could undoubtedly provide a significant advantage.

“It’s obvious what kind of martial arts that Putuo’s Priestess would teach. I’ll share some of the research conducted in our valley.”

Just as Putuo’s Priestess disliked the Crimson Moon Demoness, the feeling was mutual.

“Much appreciated.”

“Hoho, it’s just a matter between Lord Seomun and me.”

The Crimson Moon Demoness referred to the Unorthodox Union Leader as Lord, her tone laced with playful charm.

Unable to hold back any longer, Gal Sa-hyeok blurted out, “For someone who’s old enough, you act like a young girl, fluttering around…”

“What did you say?”

The Crimson Moon Demoness snapped her gaze toward him.

Gal Sa-hyeok, equally annoyed, glared back at her with a sullen expression.

“Stop being ridiculous. You’re about the same age as me, yet you’re putting on that coy voice.”

“This old widower dares to say nonsense to me!?”

“What? Am I wrong? How old are you, huh?”

“This uncultured brat dares to ask a lady’s age? Look at me, all youthful and firm, and compare yourself—wrinkly and pathetic. How can we be the same age?”

The Crimson Moon Demoness shamelessly lifted her split skirt and slapped her thigh with a resounding smack.

Gal Sa-hyeok was secretly surprised. While makeup could cover one’s face, he hadn’t expected her body to remain so youthful and firm.

“B-body transformation?”

Could it be that the Crimson Moon Demoness had achieved the legendary body transformation he had always dreamed of?

However, the Crimson Moon Demoness wasn’t pleased or smiling smugly. Instead, she grew even angrier.

“I didn’t even age that much to begin with, you old geezer!”

“If you keep talking like that, I’ll…”

At that moment, the Unorthodox Union Leader raised his hand.

“Enough.”

The Crimson Moon Demoness huffed angrily before sitting back down, while Gal Sa-hyeok begrudgingly shut his mouth.

Inwardly, Gal Sa-hyeok let out a sigh of relief.

The Crimson Moon Demoness was someone he couldn’t confidently claim victory over.

“Green Forest Leader, prepare for the duel as well.”

“Of course.”

Gal Sa-hyeok tilted his neck with a loud crack.

The duel involved the successors, including his own child.

However, this time, he planned to escalate the duel into something grander under some pretext.

“I can’t let my target escape.”

In front of the gathered crowd, he intended to challenge Baek Ryu-san, the Iron-Blooded Merciless, to a duel.

‘The soon-to-be Alliance Leader, the Clan Head of Baek Noble Clan defeated by the Green Forest Tyrant King.’

Nothing would serve as a more effective check against orthodox Murim.

“Any movement from the orthodox side?”

At that moment, the Crimson Moon Demoness posed the question.

The Unorthodox Union Leader sipped his drink and replied, “They won’t just sit back and wait. The difference in level is clear, though.”

The successors of the unorthodox side clearly outmatched their orthodox counterparts.

“At most, they’ll try to procure some elixirs or the like. That much is within expectations.”

The ideas of the hypocrites from the orthodox sects were as outdated as ever.

The Absolute masters smirked in amusement.

“We will prepare the elixirs immediately,” Shaolin Abbot Grand Master Mu Jin said decisively.

Around him were prominent figures, including the leaders of the Nine Sects One Gang and other martial arts masters.

“How are we supposed to get elixirs? We from the Beggars’ Gang don’t have any money!”

The Beggars’ Gang Leader held his head in frustration.

Although the Beggars’ Gang wasn’t completely penniless, the current leader, Baek Mun-gae, was known as a genuinely frugal and upright man.

At this, the Clan Head of the Tang Clan of Sichuan offered a suggestion, “We can lend it to you.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, but in return, could you send us five beggars later? They must be healthy, under 25 years old, free of chronic illnesses, and of average weight.”

“…”

Coming from no less than the Tang Clan Head, the comment was terrifying.

The Beggars’ Gang leader quickly shook his head in refusal.

“I’ll help. The Southern Sea has plenty of elixirs.”

Putuo’s Priestess quietly offered her assistance.

She was one of the people who valued this duel the most.

“Shaolin will also release two Small Recovery Pills,” Grand Master Mu Jin stated as well.

Originally, they had promised one Small Recovery Pill to the successor who would inherit the martial arts of the Divine Monk, but the current situation was far more pressing.

“It seems the opponent’s strength is greater than expected,” Grand Master Mu Jin muttered bitterly.

Although the Divine Monk had led the effort, he wasn’t present here.

Due to other important matters, the abbot had stepped in on his behalf.

“Fortunately, it seems Yi-gang is doing a good job.”

Yi-gang had meticulously analyzed the opponent’s capabilities.

Not only that, but he also had perfect insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the successors under his supervision.

Even the masters and parents who had trained them were astonished.

The Beggars’ Gang Leader remarked with admiration, “You’ve raised your child well.”

“I can’t take any credit for that.”

Baek Ryu-san replied modestly.

Normally, he wouldn’t miss the chance to boast about his child, but this time was different.

‘Ha-jun, I hope he does well…’

His heart was heavy with worries about his second son.

Ha-jun still hadn’t broken through the wall of the pinnacle stage.

Given his age, it was only natural.

However, the current situation wasn’t ideal to just sit and wait, hoping for progress.

At that moment, Beggars’ Gang Leader scratched his dirt-covered neck and muttered, “By the way, elixirs aside… why did they ask for 100 needles made of silver and 100 needles made of pure gold?”

It was a request that puzzled everyone.

Although golden and silver needles were valuable, they weren’t impossible to procure.

The problem was that no one knew their purpose.

“It’s not like they’re going to melt them down and sell them.”

“Don’t say things befitting the Beggars’ Gang. Surely, they must have a purpose,” the Nine Spear King, So Jin-gong, spoke with a chuckle.

He was more confident than anyone present.

It seemed he was certain that his son, So Woon, would achieve victory.

The Tang Clan Head chimed in, agreeing with So Jin-gong’s remark, “Would they use the needles for something else? It’s likely to assist with the absorption of elixirs through acupuncture.”

“Is the Immortal Divine Dragon skilled in medicine as well?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. Didn’t he inherit the medical techniques of the Golden Needle Phantom?”

“Heh, true enough.”

The Beggars’ Gang Leader nodded in agreement.

Even without the Beggars’ Gang’s intelligence network, it was widely known that Yi-gang had worked with the Golden Needle Phantom.

However, this fact had been exaggerated to imply that he had inherited the Golden Needle Phantom’s medical skills.

“Very well. It’s not a particularly difficult request. I will ensure that the golden and silver needles are delivered through a reliable courier,” the Shaolin Abbot confirmed firmly.

No one objected.

“If only the Grand Library Master of the Azure Forest were here, we could ask him,” the Beggars’ Gang Leader muttered regretfully.

Yu Jeong-shin was also present in this region. However, the problem was that he was currently handling a separate matter alongside the Divine Monk.

“I’ll check with him when he returns,” Grand Master Mu Jin responded.

A few days later, the collected elixirs were sent to Tranquil Manor.

The delivery method involved concealing the elixirs and acupuncture kits inside a chicken’s belly, ensuring they were securely sealed.

And a few days after that, Yu Jeong-shin returned.

Grand Master Mu Jin briefly relayed the contents of the letter and the requirements Yi-gang had sent.

Yu Jeong-shin, who had been nodding with a slight smile, suddenly froze.

“Our Yi-gang… What did he request?”

“Six elixirs…”

“No, not that. One hundred silver needles and one hundred golden needles? Have they already been sent?”

“Yes, they have.”

“Oh no. Oh no…!”

Yu Jeong-shin shot to his feet, declaring that he must go to Tranquil Manor immediately.

Grand Master Mu Jin, startled, grabbed the hem of Yu Jeong-shin’s robe and clung to him.

“What are you saying? You mustn’t go! Please calm down, benefactor!”

“That wretch Dam Hyun has finally corrupted Yi-gang!” Yu Jeong-shin cried out desperately, his face filled with anguish.

To Grand Master Mu Jin, this sudden outburst was entirely incomprehensible.

At Tranquil Manor.

The successors had gathered closely behind Yi-gang.

Yi-gang boldly brought out several raw chickens and began cutting open their bellies without hesitation.

And each time, tightly sealed elixirs appeared from inside.

“Wow!”

“Small Recovery Pill…!”

The successors were thrilled.

At a time when improving their martial arts was more urgent than ever, elixirs were desperately needed.

Yi-gang cut open the belly of the last chicken.

Noh Shik, who had sharp eyes, recognized an item immediately.

“Are those needles?”

“Yes.”

“Oh… Is it beneficial to use acupuncture when taking elixirs? The world of medicine is truly limitless.”

“…It’s not exactly medicine.”

“Pardon?”

Noh Shik couldn’t quite catch Yi-gang’s softly mumbled response.

Yi-gang recalled the memory of Kunlun Mountain, where he had reached the pinnacle stage using the Baekin Seomye Technique.

“…Be careful not to break your teeth.”

“Sorry? What was that?”

The memory of his cracked molar from that time sent a chill down his spine.

Yi-gang smirked. It was a smile that oddly resembled Dam Hyun’s.

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