Chapter 1440: Yes, Remember This. (5)

A moment later, Jong Ri-Gok, who quickly tore his gaze away from Chung Myung, respectfully bowed and saluted Hyun Jong.

“Then.”

Hyun Jong, caught off guard, returned a careless salute toward Jong Ri-Gok.

“Our positions differ, but in the end I believe all is for the Central Plains. I wish your sect prosperity.”

“…I wish your sect prosperity.”

Having given the same salute to Tang Gunak, Jong Ri-Gok quietly turned his body.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, Sect leader!”

Southern Edge Sect’s sword attendants glanced once at Mount Hua’s disciples and then turned away. Mount Hua’s disciples frowned slightly, and Lee Song-Baek subtly spoke toward Chung Myung and the Five Swords.

“The Sect leader may say that, but I don’t necessarily agree.”

“Oh?”

“And I am not the only one who thinks so.”

Lee Song-Baek smiled faintly at Chung Myung. His words implied that Southern Edge Sect’s older and younger generations thought differently.

“Just because we compete doesn’t mean we can’t join hands. On the contrary, because we compete we may need each other more than ever. The same thing is already happening within Southern Edge Sect.”

Baek Cheon nodded gravely, as if he understood what Lee Song-Baek meant.

“Therefore…”

“Lee Song-Baek!”

At the cold voice, Lee Song-Baek flinched and stopped speaking. He awkwardly turned and saw Jin Geum-Ryong glaring at him icily.

“Enough.”

“Sorry, sahyung.”

Lee Song-Baek added sheepishly.

“Of course, it may still take some time.”

He shrugged his shoulders and saluted Mount Hua’s disciples.

“Then I will see you again. I think we’ll be meeting quite often from now on.”

“It was a pleasure meeting you, young warrior.”

The Five Swords returned the salute. Lee Song-Baek turned his head to look at Chung Myung.

“Taoist Chung Myung.”

“Hm?”

“Thank you.”

Lee Song-Baek bowed deeply to Chung Myung. This was not simply the murim world’s etiquette but human courtesy.

“What the—out of the blue.”

“The teachings the Taoist bestowed taught me and Southern Edge Sect many things. How can I ever repay that grace…”

“What nonsense. Why would I do a favor for Southern Edge Sect? Watch yourselves! I’ll set fire to the Southern Edge Mountain someday!”

Lee Song-Baek chuckled.

“I’ll repay that grace by diligently following the teachings.”

“No, I never did you any favor.”

“I hope I can show you my sword someday. It may be lacking, but you’ll see I’m different from before.”

Chung Myung looked up at the sky as if stunned. Watching him look drained, Jo Gul whispered quietly.

“Sahyung… It seems there really are natural enemies in this world.”

“…An eternal parallel. They don’t even listen to a word the other says.”

“Well then, until next time.”

Lee Song-Baek saluted crisply and turned away. As he too moved off, one person remained standing his ground.

“…Why aren’t you leaving?”

Baek Cheon asked Jin Geum-Ryong with an extremely prickly expression.

Before Chung Myung appeared at Mount Hua, he had lived his life oppressed by Jin Geum-Ryong. There was a time when his only goal was to surpass Jin Geum-Ryong.

Now he was certain. By skill, he had long since surpassed Jin Geum-Ryong. No matter how much Jin Geum-Ryong had strengthened, there was no reason he couldn’t defeat him.

Yet strangely, this prickliness did not fade at all.

Jin Geum-Ryong, staring at Baek Cheon with a look full of discontent, spoke.

“I didn’t know.”

“What?”

“I thought you were lacking, but not a total bastard. It seems associating with strange people has even corrupted your manners.”

Baek Cheon’s face contorted.

“Don’t pick a fight and go on your way.”

“Our Father is over there.”

Baek Cheon flinched at Jin Geum-Ryong’s words.

“Even if you’ve been disowned, you are still of the Jin family. Are you not going to greet your father whom you’ve met after years?”

Only then did Baek Cheon look past Jin Geum-Ryong to the rear. Where Southern Edge Sect’s elders and main disciples were gathered, sure enough Jin Cho-Baek was looking this way.

“If that’s the case, better drop the Jin from your name. It’s pitiful that our father still thinks someone like you is family.”

“Even when you say the same thing…”

Baek Cheon scowled and glared at Jin Geum-Ryong displeasedly.

“Of course I am of the Jin family, and I’m not a rotten person.”

At that, the Five Swords whispered among themselves.

“Isn’t he a rotten one?”

“Right.”

“As expected of brothers. They’ve completely figured each other out.”

“Shut up!”

Baek Cheon shouted and then coughed awkwardly.

“But it doesn’t seem like going over there would be a good thing for father now.”

“…”

“Now that the sect’s gate is lifted, I’ll go properly to greet him. Please tell him so.”

Jin Geum-Ryong stared at Baek Cheon and snorted.

“You’re certainly ill-mannered. Using your hyung to deliver messages.”

“Ah, what do you want me to do!”

Baek Cheon finally snapped. But Jin Geum-Ryong, who had already lost interest, turned his gaze to Chung Myung.

“By your appearance, it seems you’ve been living comfortably.”

“Oh, really? You seem to have grown even nastier. Or is it a trait of the Jin household?”

“You little—don’t drag me into this! Let go! Or not?”

As Baek Cheon began to struggle, the Five Swords swiftly restrained and dragged him away. Jin Geum-Ryong glanced over, clicked his tongue, and said.

“I remember the Jin debt clearly.”

“Debt? What debt?”

Chung Myung tilted his head as if he truly couldn’t recall, then snapped his fingers.

“Ah, are you referring to the time you got beaten by the sasuk at the martial arts tournament?”

“…”

“You keep chewing on that like it’s a fond memory? Forgetting it would be better for your sanity.”

A cold murderous aura surged from Jin Geum-Ryong for a moment. But Chung Myung instead grinned. Jin Geum-Ryong snarled as if savoring his words.

“Seems you haven’t changed. Good. I was worried you might change. I think I can let you repay your debt to your heart’s content.”

Chung Myung fiddled at his ear with his little finger.

“Well, that’s up to you, but can that be done by will alone? You need skill, skill. Unfortunately, I think your skill is still lacking.”

“Hmph.”

Jin Geum-Ryong snorted, shot a look at Chung Myung, and drew his sword.

Just as a startled Baek Cheon lunged at Jin Geum-Ryong, his sword was already drawn and unleashed a dazzling white blade aura toward Chung Myung.

Shiiiiing!

The fired blade qi traced an ornate pattern above Chung Myung’s head. Drawn to its display, Chung Myung narrowed his eyes.

“…This is?”

“This is my new sword. No, it’s Southern Edge Sect’s new sword.”

“Tha…”

Chung Myung opened his mouth as if to say something, then shut it.

Snow Flower Twelve Forms. The crude sword style based on Mount Hua’s 24 Movement Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

But the sword Jin Geum-Ryong displayed now was the Snow Flower Twelve Form and yet not a Snow Flower Twelve Form. The snow-white sword qi remained, but there was no trace of Plum Blossom in it.

The corner of Chung Myung’s eye twitched.

He wanted to find fault, but there was nothing to pick on. Even if it began from the Plum Blossom technique, if they found their own intent and form, it was Southern Edge Sect’s martial art. All martial arts in the world had evolved like that.

“He tried… but he still seems to not get it. Southern Edge Sect’s sword is…”

“Why do you get to decide that?”

“Huh?”

A puzzled look passed over Chung Myung’s face. Jin Geum-Ryong glanced back toward where his sahyung-sajaes stood and said.

“It seems some were tempted by your petty words. Southern Edge Sect must return to its roots. All of Southern Edge Sect is in the 36 Movements of the World.”

“…It’s not wrong.”

“No, that’s wrong.”

Jin Geum-Ryong said to Chung Myung, whose brow was furrowed.

“Of course the 36 Movements of the World are the Southern Edge Sect’s root and foundation. But if you only imitate the past and seek merely to master it perfectly, Southern Edge Sect will remain the Southern Edge Sect of the past.”

“…”

“Southern Edge Sect will become stronger. With the new sword the Southern Edge Sect creates now.”

Jin Geum-Ryong sheathed his sword and coldly declared.

“You’d better keep your neck clean until then.”

“Even Evil Sect brats don’t use words like that anymore.”

“Hmph.”

Jin Geum-Ryong turned away decisively.

“Then I’m leaving. Keep your promise, Jin Dong-Ryong.”

“Don’t call me that!”

Then he strode away so coldly it raised a chill. Watching Southern Edge Sect fade into the distance, everyone sighed deeply.

“…It’s a good thing, though.”

“Yes. We also received help.”

“Right. It really is a good thing, but…”

Baek Cheon muttered with worry written all over his face.

“Now there’ll really be no peaceful days left.”

“Indeed, Dong-Ryong sasuk.”

Baek Cheon’s fist landed on Jo Gul’s jaw.

As Jin Geum-Ryong hurried to join those who had departed first, a voice sounded.

“How was it?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Weren’t you eagerly anticipating your reunion with your younger brother?”

The question came from Lee Song-Baek. Jin Geum-Ryong turned back angrily, but Lee Song-Baek only smiled faintly.

Those nearby involuntarily tensed. They say you can’t spit on a smiling face. But Jin Geum-Ryong may not spit, but isn’t he the type to swing a sword on the face?

“…Don’t spout useless talk.”

“Yes, sahyung.”

But fortunately Jin Geum-Ryong let it pass without further comment. A few watching the situation breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Anyway, he really has a good temperament.’

Even within Southern Edge Sect, the only person who could joke with Jin Geum-Ryong like that was Lee Song-Baek. Thanks to him, Southern Edge Sect’s atmosphere had softened considerably.

“What about you?”

“Huh?”

“Weren’t you the one who was really looking forward to the meeting with them, not me?”

At that, Lee Song-Baek quietly nodded.

“That’s true.”

“How do you feel about the meeting you were so eager for?”

“I don’t know.”

Lee Song-Baek wore a strange smile.

“Given the circumstances, it was a bit embarrassing, but…”

He trailed off for a moment and glanced back. Chung Myung stood at a distance now barely visible.

“He was the same as ever.”

“So boring.”

Lee Song-Baek chuckled.

The same as ever.

That wasn’t just about personality. To him, Chung Myung was still like a massive mountain and even a sky he couldn’t surpass. Even wounded and exhausted, he did not seem diminished.

So he felt proud and pleased, like a climber who had found a mountain that could be climbed endlessly.

“It’s a pity I couldn’t witness the Taoist’s sword. It surely would have taught me much.”

“You’ll be sick of seeing it soon enough.”

“I suppose so.”

As Lee Song-Baek answered calmly, his eyes gradually darkened.

‘Jang Ilso.’

Though the Four Sects Alliance withdrew too easily, making things awkward, the momentum they briefly displayed was chillingly intense to recall.

Now Southern Edge Sect would have to fight against such people.

Lee Song-Baek lightly gripped the sword at his waist. They were formidable foes, of course. But his path was already set.

“When we return, I must start training again.”

“Aren’t you tired of it?”

“It’s something that must be done.”

Jin Geum-Ryong shook his head disdainfully.

“It is I who will bring down Mount Hua’s Sword Saint. I won’t allow cutting in line.”

“…That’s something we’ll have to see.”

“What did you say?”

“I’m going ahead.”

Lee Song-Baek pushed off the ground and leaped forward; Jin Geum-Ryong ground his teeth briefly. But his gaze soon shifted not to Lee Song-Baek but to the rear.

‘Jin Dong-Ryong.’

Baek Cheon, whom he had met at the martial contest, still had impetuousness. But the Baek Cheon encountered today lacked nothing as a warrior. In fact, he was much more of a warrior than his older brother.

“Tch.”

Clicking his tongue, Jin Geum-Ryong thought he should secure a proper training hall once he returned.