Silence flowed around the low tea table. Briefly, then calmly.
"..."
The two sect leaders had deep cultivation.
The serene atmosphere unique to those who trained in temples and monastic halls. The luxurious inner chamber, where the leader of the Dark Night War had once stayed, felt no more than a modest guest hall.
At this moment, their teacups, faintly steaming like chimneys on the tea table, were considerate of the young peerless martial artist who was hearing about his grandfather from others.
Baek Yak Sage's compassionate gaze turned to Jung Yeonshin.
"If we must assign blame, the Beggar' Sect's leader was the one who initiated the dispute first. Of course, most ironically, he never ended up forging the Pact of Mount Hua."
She spoke.
It was a story of young geniuses.
Those who distanced themselves from worldly great sects like the Eight Great Clans and the Thirteen Celestial Demons, wandering the martial world as true ascetics.
The seven prodigies of the Nine Great Sects were lofty. Even at that time, their skills were already sufficient to establish their own legacies.
Exceptionally bright stars, even when far apart, could be captured in a single gaze. Their encounter with Ma Yeonjeok was inevitable.
Huayin County.
In an inn situated in the village beneath Mount Hua, a true gathering of dragon and phoenix took place.
The beggar youth, who was then the future successor of the Beggar's Sect, stopped eating and eventually challenged Ma Yeonjeok to a duel.
It was common then, as it is now, for young martial artists wandering the world to meet and compete. But the event that took place at that time was special.
"The Beggar's Sect's leader of that era took great pride in Drunken Fist. Even more so in his youth when he was called Drunken Fist Master. He stimulated his upper dantian with the influence of alcohol, unleashing unpredictable techniques. Compared to that, even the flamboyant Plum Blossom Swordsmanship of Mount Hua seemed refined. As a spectacle, the peak of Plum Blossom Swordsmanship might be superior, but…"
Baek Yak Sage spoke with a hint of humor.
Jung Yeonshin did not interrupt her. He barely knew stories of his parents, let alone the past of his maternal grandfather.
He had rarely had the opportunity to hear such anecdotes properly.
"In any case, as soon as Ma Yeonjeok received the duel challenge, he emptied an entire jar of Xifeng Liquor. Simply to prove his words. Not to be outdone, Drunken Fist Master drank the same amount and turned his jar upside down to show it was empty."
Even when fighting with Drunken Fist, he would win.
Such words should never have been uttered by the rightful successor of the Beggar's Sect's martial lineage.
The experts of the Beggar's Sect were known for not specifically researching different variations of their techniques.
The reason was the clear distinction between high-ranking masters and lower-level martial artists within the sect.
A skill that masterfully drew the essence of alcohol into the upper dantian to be utilized.
There was even a saying that the palm strikes of a fully intoxicated top-tier Beggar's Sect's master could choke the life out of an imugi. Thus, it was called the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms.
This was also why Drunken Fist Master could not let Ma Yeonjeok's words slide.
"At the time, Drunken Fist Master envied the intelligence network of Desolate Fortress, which encompassed all government offices under heaven. He often ranted with jealousy whenever they overturned the martial world. He would say, 'Well water never infringes on river water, yet Desolate Fortress sold out the inviolability of official authorities to the dogs and is rightfully condemned'."
"Stagnant well water must be drawn out. Even more so if common folk live nearby."
Jung Yeonshin, who had been listening quietly, spoke. His voice was calm.
"Hmm."
"That's not wrong."
A heavy expression crossed the faces of Baek Yak Sage and Twin Walls Sword Lord. They did not let his passing words slide.
To Jung Yeonshin, their reaction seemed odd.
The leaders of the Nine Great Sects were the most renowned, extraordinary beings in the martial world, discussing the affairs of the world even while seated in the mountains.
Unless it was a matter of grave significance to the martial world, they should have merely laughed it off.
"Please continue. What happened after the two got drunk?"
He urged Baek Yak Sage.
The old nun, who had been gazing at Jung Yeonshin for a moment, smiled with wrinkled eyes.
"Naturally, they fought. The Drunken Fist Master of the Beggar's Sect and the Tyrant Hero, Ma Yeonjeok. It was a duel that shook the entire martial world. Though the only real spectators were the seven representatives of the Nine Great Sects, an anxious innkeeper, and a nervous inn assistant…"
Drunken Fist Master of the Beggar's Sect.
He had already achieved the legendary feat of slaughtering one of the Thirteen Celestial Demon Lords in a joint battle.
He gave Ma Yeonjeok the first move. It was a matter of pride, as was the martial artist's way.
"Ma Yeonjeok did not argue further. He simply stepped forward once. At that moment, Binni had to exert her sect's Protective Energy Technique, Lotus Blooming Without Traces, with full force."
"Why…?"
"There was an earthquake."
Baek Yak Sage continued.
After the deafening roar beneath the earth dissipated, the entire room was left speechless.
Drunken Fist Master, who had endured the terrifying tremors up close, stared at his opponent with a dazed expression. The Tyrant Divine Hero, Ma Yeonjeok, gazed at him with deep admiration and praised him.
"Your Protective Energy Technique must have been inspired by the sight of a bear balancing on a floating log… Binni remembers this. It was nothing short of absolute provocation."
A faint trace of amusement appeared on Baek Yak Sage's lips. She seemed to be reminiscing about the excitement of her youth.
Jung Yeonshin inwardly shook his head at his younger grandfather. He was no gentleman.
"Of course, Drunken Fist Master did not back down. He could not afford to, not in front of the disciples of the Nine Great Sects, who were like comrades-in-arms. Though we all had deep friendships in our own ways, we were also rivals who competed in martial arts with our pride at stake. There were no greater worthy opponents in the world than each other."
When Drunken Fist Master raised both arms and charged forward, Ma Yeonjeok did not even draw his sword. He simply unleashed an intangible force in place. It was the opening move of the Fusion Fist Strike of Desolate Ma Clan's Sacred Arts.
"Eighteen moves struck the Tyrant Divine Hero. Ma Yeonjeok did not retreat a single step, receiving all of Drunken Fist Master's Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms in place. Only then did the youngest, Wudang's Ancient Sword, the Sword Queen of Dianqing, and the senior among us, the then-Abbot of Shaolin, stand up."
"Why…?"
"Because Ma Yeonjeok had not used his right hand. Even when he intercepted Drunken Fist Master's eighteenth and ultimate move, Heaven-Piercing Jade Palm, he merely pressed it down with his left hand while keeping his right behind his back. That was the end."
Drunken Fist Master, utterly stunned, was struck in the solar plexus and sent flying like a skipping stone on water.
The young Ma Yeonjeok spoke.
—Not even worth a bite for a flood dragon.
A manner of speech none present had ever encountered before. A blatant mockery of the legend that Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms could even subdue dragons.
To the prodigies of the Nine Great Sects, it was an obvious transgression. Every single witness of the duel stood up.
"Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, it was then that the Blood Flame Cult's leader attacked us. He must have been tracking our movements all the way from Sichuan. That monstrous demon was always afraid that the Nine Great Sects would restore the lost Buddhist and Taoist supreme techniques."
It was a time when the conflict between the Thirteen Celestial Demons and the Nine Great Sects was at its peak. The martial army of the Profound Martial Alliance also appeared.
But as soon as they saw Ma Yeonjeok, they withdrew their forces and disappeared into the distance.
Only the Blood Flame Cult's leader remained. Even he was not easily dealt with. It was nearly impossible.
"Only four managed to properly withstand that white-haired blood fiend's attacks. Ma Yeomjeok, Wudang's young Ancient Sword, the master of the then-leader of Mount Hua, and the then-Abbot of Shaolin… But no matter how many attacks we landed, he kept regenerating and laughing. We could not hold out for long. The one who opened the path to survival was Ma Yeonjeok."
He did so with a single remark: It's impossible to fight alongside these bears.
By then, Ma Yeonjeok had already ascended to a realm beyond humanity.
With the Moonlight Treasure Sword in his hand, the wind of his sword roared, shaking heaven and earth, sending the Blood Flame Cult's leader flying into the distant sky.
—A temporary measure.
It was nothing more than a brief moment of respite.
However, at that time, the prodigies of the Nine Great Sects, pursuing the path of gradual mastery, had surpassed the rapid achievements of the practical martial arts of the Eight Clans.
Their talents were extraordinary.
They concealed their energy flow with an internal force that surpassed most advanced breathing techniques, moving with such refined lightness that they did not even bend a single blade of grass.
The fallen Drunken Fist Master was hauled up like a piece of luggage by the young Ma Yeonjeok.
Fortune upon fortune overlapped. They ran tirelessly for days and nights, eventually shaking off the pursuit of the Blood Flame Cult's leader.
It was fate.
"There was no one left to reveal their competitive spirit after that. Moreover, having gauged each other's martial arts, at least by sight, during the battle against the Blood Flame Cult's leader, they made a certain pact—to compete in martial lineage next time."
It was because they had sensed, however faintly, the necessity of it.
The martial world was a place where even the greatest masters could suddenly perish in a roadside inn.
Then, what if the sects that valued the lives of the people made space for the younger generation to pass their trials together?
"Though the lands they occupied were infinitely far apart, their values and enmities vastly different… The sect leaders of the Nine Great Sects, who had once shunned Desolate Fortress due to its entanglements with countless secular sect feuds, ultimately owed a debt to the Tyrant Hero. We had to channel our competitive spirit in a meaningful way."
"When you say to compete in martial lineage…?"
"If, one day, the Tyrant Hero or his direct descendants make the request, the Nine Great Sects agreed to select the most outstanding disciples from all branches."
The secret history of the highest echelon of the martial world had reached its conclusion. The serene, lake-like eyes of Baek Yak Sage reflected Jung Yeonshin.
"To be precise, excluding Hengshan Sect, Kongtong Sect, and Zhongnan Sect, the remaining six sects agreed. Four disciples of the Nine Great Sects, bound by the Pact of Mount Hua, must duel the four masters of white and blue, selected from Desolate Fortress. Whichever side wins more matches can demand anything from the defeated, except for the closure of their sect. If either side requests martial aid in personal matters, the Nine Great Sects must send at least one sect leader, while the Tyrant Hero's side must present a peerless master of purple rank."
"That is not an agreement the head sect would have easily accepted."
As Jung Yeonshin shook his head slightly, a subtle smile curved Baek Yak Sage's lips.
"The Lord of Desolate Fortress herself permitted it. No doubt because the Divine Sword Order is always lacking in manpower. Moreover, Binni believes the Tyrant Hero's persuasion played a significant role. He seemed deeply impressed by the Protective Energy Technique of the Beggar' Sect's leader. He treated the young Drunken Fist Master with great favor—though Drunken Fist Master himself found it detestable."
Jung Yeonshin recalled his grandfather's remark about 'bears'. It seemed the martial world had its fair share of eccentrics, but as a grandson, he found it an embarrassing quirk.
"…You said the Pact of Mount Hua was formed by seven people. Why was the Beggar' Sect's leader not included in the agreement?"
"He had no intention of postponing a conclusion to future generations. The martial arts of Desolate Ma Clan's lineage is a study that uses time in advance. He was certain that, as the years passed, he would only grow stronger. However, for all his bold spirit, the Tyrant Hero never sought us out again."
Jung Yeonshin could guess the reason. His grandfather had simply been born with an extreme arrogance.
Once the pact was made, he would have erased the idea of ever seeking assistance from other sects.
He slowly parted his lips.
"It seems this will require quite some time. I appreciate you passing down the stories of the predecessors, but…"
It would not be of immediate help. The events in Sichuan had already been relayed to Desolate Fortress through the reports of various seniors, and now, his own goal was clearer than ever.
By subduing the Young Lord of Dark Night War, he had obtained the Dreadfeather Raven. Now, it was time to track down the Dark Night War's leader, who had deep enmity with the current Divine Sword Order's leader.
'I have taken up valuable time from the sect leaders.'
Had they sensed that Jung Yeonshin was preparing to leave? The Twin Walls Sword Lord, who had remained silent, looked at him.
"You there, Radiant Demon Squad's leader."
"Please speak."
"Though I may seem this way, I am from a renowned family and possess some insight. You seem as if you are searching for someone… a noble figure in dangerous lands."
"..."
"You are steeped in humility. But remember this, you are someone who can overturn the entire martial world."
Jung Yeonshin was rarely surprised. Yet the sharp insight that pierced through two deeply hidden truths caught him off guard.
The Qingcheng Sect's leader's eyes gleamed faintly blue, inherited by both bloodline and sight arts.
"This land is vast. No matter how fast your movement techniques are, what if, during your journey, something befalls the one you seek?"
"Are you suggesting…?"
"Invoke the Pact of Mount Hua. The martial world will answer."