Chapter 308: The Martial World and Players (1)
First disciple, ‘Typhoon Sword’ So Yumyeong.
So Yumyeong, known for his frantic sword style, was a treasure highly valued by the Wudang sect.
So Yoohyun had deliberately brought So Yumyeong from Wudang Mountain to this place to showcase how remarkable Wudang’s future generation was.
‘Indeed…’
He had never wasted a single day, enduring bone-crushing training.
To acquire the qualities befitting the first disciple.
Always pushing himself to elevate the name of Wudang.
But.
Why?
Why do all those efforts and hardships seem to be crumbling today?
A fragrant smell tickled his nose.
Gulp…
So Yumyeong swallowed dryly.
He had always scoffed at various delicacies, but the food before him was impossible to ignore.
Unless it was some vile sorcery as his fellow disciple suggested, this didn’t make any sense.
“Why? Do you want to eat? If you really want, I could share some. As much as you want.”
Jinhyuk picked up a large piece of meat with his chopsticks and waved it in front of So Yumyeong’s eyes.
The swaying piece of meat seemed to be teasing, begging to be eaten.
“Eat. Hmm? If you eat this and have a drink, all your accumulated fatigue will disappear at once.”
The meat moved close enough to touch his lips.
The other disciples, who seemed to have completely succumbed, were already following the piece of meat with their eyes.
As if hypnotized. Reflexively.
“Ugh!”
Eventually, veins bulged in So Yumyeong’s neck.
“How dare you insult a Wudang priest! I will repay this humiliation with your head!”
Rumble!
At the same time, a terrifying murderous intent swept through the inn.
The table shook violently, and dust scattered from the ceiling and pillars.
“Why get so angry when someone kindly offers you food?”
“Meat consumption is the gravest taboo in Wudang. You knew that and dared to do this?”
“Umm… I didn’t know?”
“What?”
“How would I know the rules of the Wudang sect?”
Jinhyuk shrugged innocently.
“T-That’s…”
So Yumyeong lost his words at that sight.
Now that he thought about it, there was no way someone from outside the tower would know the rules of the martial world.
It felt fishy, but if he had approached with genuine goodwill, then they were the ones being rude.
At that moment.
“He knows everything. Not just Wudang’s rules but the regulations of all sects.”
Chun Yoosung interjected.
“Hey! Why would you say that!”
“Seeing you pretend to be innocent made me lose my appetite. So, I stepped in.”
Chun Yoosung, finally relieved, took another bite of food.
On the other hand.
“You dare…”
So Yumyeong’s face turned completely red.
His fingers trembled with shame and anger.
“Clear the inn!”
“B-Big brother?”
“If you get involved, you won’t come out unscathed either. Take the customers out too. I’ll compensate for any damages later.”
“But, if the elder finds out…”
“Yoonho. What did I just say?”
“I-I understand.”
The disciples tried to dissuade him, but So Yumyeong’s fearsome aura prevented them.
Even for them, it was the first time seeing their elder brother so enraged.
＊＊＊
An empty inn.
Jinhyuk faced So Yumyeong head-on.
“Daring to mock Wudang… you must be prepared for the consequences?”
“You started the trouble. I believe in repaying grace but returning grudges a hundredfold.”
“That foolish principle will cost you your life.”
Shing!
So Yumyeong drew his sword.
The blade emitted a dazzling radiance.
‘Now we’re alone.’
In truth, he hadn’t drawn his sword merely because of the food insult.
While other disciples were unaware, a secret order had been issued to eliminate Jinhyuk among the higher-ups of Wudang and Mount Hua, and the Five Great Families.
For the sake of avenging their deceased disciples.
‘With the elder’s permission, any repercussions will just be formalities.’
If he could kill Jinhyuk… his future recognition would be immense.
Having calculated this, So Yumyeong wore a sinister smile, completely at odds with his elegant appearance.
“Let’s see… how many moves a guy from outside the tower can withstand.”
The tip of his sword wavered subtly.
Wudang’s prized sword technique, Taiji Sword.
A technique known to embody sword intent in the direction the blade pointed.
But.
‘How cute.’
To Jinhyuk, it was all laughable.
Even So Yoohyun, his master, wouldn’t stand a chance against him.
Yet, here was a first disciple showing off.
“You’ll regret this…”
“Regret? I’ll give you three moves for free. Come at me first.”
So Yumyeong uttered nonsense.
Seeing his overconfident expression made Jinhyuk want to crush him thoroughly.
“Then… well.”
In an instant, Jinhyuk disappeared.
Using ‘Sword Demon Phantom Step,’ he reached So Yumyeong’s back before the dust settled.
“Gah!?”
So Yumyeong gasped in shock.
The speed far exceeded his expectations.
However, by the time he realized the gap between them, it was already too late.
Boom!
A fist struck his spine.
“Argh!”
His body bent into an unnatural angle.
Despite this, he managed to activate his defensive qi, showing he was indeed a first disciple.
“Wow! You blocked that like a true expert. I didn’t expect you to react.”
Jinhyuk exclaimed in admiration.
“You… wretched…!”
Whoosh!
So Yumyeong swung his sword, but Jinhyuk dodged by a hair’s breadth.
“Didn’t you say you’d give me three moves? Oh! If you forgot how to count, it goes one, two, three.”
“I know how to count!”
“Hmm. Knowing and doing are different things.”
“Argh!”
Clenching his teeth, So Yumyeong drew out his qi.
Sizzling!
A blue aura enveloped his blade.
[So Yumyeong activates ‘Taiji Thirteen Swords, Form 3’!]
The sword split into many, soon covering the entire inn.
Wudang’s pride, Taiji Sword.
Form 3, infused with five-star power.
“I’ll cut you to pieces!”
Boom!
Tables shattered into countless pieces, and huge sword marks appeared on the pillars.
If caught in this, there’d be no bones left to collect.
But.
There was one thing So Yumyeong didn’t know.
Even Wudang’s master…
[Unique Ability…]
Couldn’t reach the realm of the Sword Demon.
[‘Grave of Swords’ is activated.]
An indescribable ominous energy.
Black flames took shape along with the fangs.
Even if both used sword qi, the difference in rank was undeniable.
Understanding of the technique was similarly incomparable.
The atmosphere changed abruptly.
“I’m grateful you cleared out the inn.”
The suffocating pressure made it hard to believe the same person had been smiling slyly moments ago.
“No need to worry about bystanders.”
“T-This can’t be…”
So Yumyeong let out a low groan.
This energy…
‘Could he be stronger than Master?’
Before he could process the shock, sword strikes flew.
From left to right.
A heavy sword imbued with power seemed to tear through the sky.
Boom!
With one strike, the sword qi on So Yumyeong’s blade dissipated.
Simply parrying it exhausted his recovery speed.
Moreover.
The opponent was reading all his moves, including where he would strike next.
A complete… monster.
Like a monkey playing in Buddha’s palm.
So Yumyeong felt an insurmountable wall.
Boom!
Clang!
Successive blows peeled his skin and widened the gap.
“Huff. Huff… Huff.”
He was breathing heavily.
So Yumyeong staggered backward.
It was hopeless.
All his confident techniques were countered flawlessly.
“I expected more from the third form of Taiji Sword, but this is disappointing. You’re using it wrong. You’ve learned nothing.”
“Grr! Stop mocking and kill me!”
“I can’t do that. You’re a valuable pawn. If you listen to me, I’ll spare you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’d rather die than follow you!”
“Hmm. Really?”
Jinhyuk smiled wryly.
At the same time.
His fangs moved faster, surpassing perception.
Clang!
The sword qi vanished.
The fangs disappeared too.
This time…
There was no escaping it.
Sensing death, So Yumyeong closed his eyes tightly.
But.
What touched his lips wasn’t a blade.
A sweet taste spread from his mouth.
“…?”
Unconsciously.
So Yumyeong’s tongue moved.
The flavor on his tongue was exquisite enough to make him forget the fear of death and fatigue.
Chew.
A large piece of meat passed from his teeth to his throat.
Unbelievable.
‘How can something taste this good?’
The harmony of deeply infused seasoning and moist meat.
Years of eating only vegetables and beans felt foolish.
Chew, chew.
So Yumyeong devoured the meat like it was his last meal.
Another piece vanished immediately.
Delicious.
The fulfillment from within was incomparable to any other feeling.
He snapped back to reality after eating seven pieces of meat.
“Wow. You eat well. Really well.”
Only then did So Yumyeong realize something was wrong at Jinhyuk’s words.
“Huh?”
“Didn’t you say meat was a taboo for Wudang priests?”
“Who… who said that? I have never eaten meat.”
“At least wipe the grease off your mouth before you say that.”
“Ugh!”
So Yumyeong hastily wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
“Well, there are no witnesses. Kicking everyone out was fortunate for you.”
Being defeated in a duel and devouring meat, breaking the sect’s taboo…
The choice between the two was clear.
“Sorry, but players have a thing called the ‘Broadcasting System.’ Even without witnesses, I can record and save what just happened.”
“W-What?”
So Yumyeong’s eyes widened in shock.
“I knew the outsiders had strange magic and techniques, but… something like this is possible?”
No. It’s not possible.
The Broadcasting System can’t be activated in such places. It can only be used in dungeons or ruins with bosses.
However, So Yumyeong didn’t know that.
“So, what do you want from me?”
No need to be so scared.
I just have a simple suggestion.
“I’m gathering followers right now.”
A first disciple of Wudang, joining the Veterans Corporation’s Overseas Sales Team…
It’s the perfect title.