YM778.TV Chapter 100: Three Martial Association’s Assassins
Chapter 100: Three Martial Association’s Assassins
Anyway, I was currently in agony because Shin Yoo, the S-rank Hunter and celebrity, was prostrating himself before me.
Ding!
After defeating Shin Yoo with Plum Blossoms Sword...no, chopsticks, a notification rang.
[Congratulations. You have succeeded in nurturing fanatical faith by showcasing the overwhelming majesty and terror of gods.]
[Shin Yoo has become the second fanatic of the Earth branch.]
Pretty sure I hadn’t seen that message ever since Sword Demon became my fanatic.
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[Shin Yoo, Yu Il-Shin’s Fanatic]
A male human. Around for 27 years.
Special note: Will gladly offer his body and mind. Try asking him to discard them. He might happily oblige.
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...Shut it!
My head was throbbing.
Sword Demon’s special note suggested asking him to die, and now this. Were all fanatics like this? I could sense a great deal of malice toward me.
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[Quest: Mid-tier Benevolent God Promotion (In Progress)]
Followers of intelligent beings at S-rank and above with potential for transcendence: 13/100
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Although making progress with my promotion quest was good and all, I wasn’t exactly thrilled with this outcome.
“Please! Please, Mr. Sword God! Please accept me as your disciple!”
“Know your place, you buffoon! Not just anyone can be Mr. Sword God’s disciple!” Sword Demon shouted as he stood beside me.
I waved my hand, signaling him to keep quiet. Then, I stared at Shin Yoo grimly. “Need I remind you about our unfinished business? Until we resolve that, you can forget being my disciple.”
Yes, my grudge over the Ginseng Chicken and training suit hasn’t been resolved!
“Of course.” Shin Yoo called someone with his phone. “Is everything ready? Can you bring them over?”
Moments later, the door to the infirmary opened, and a man in a black suit and sunglasses walked in.
“I am Department Head Kwon Yeong-Hoon, from Oh Sung Entertainment’s marketing team. Please take care of our young master.”
The man bowed deeply toward me. He handed me a suitcase and excused himself.
What’s this? I carefully opened the bag and took a peak, then gasped. Briefly, my heart stopped.
The briefcase was full of Shin Saimdangs, their smiles practically blinding me!
How much money is in there?!
I heard that Shin Yoo was part of the Oh Sung conglomerate, and it seemed to be true. Well, his twin swords did seem expensive.
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[Taiji Twin Swords]
SS-grade weapon purchased from the Hunter’s Shop.
Special note: Made from Yin-Yang steel that amplifies Qi.
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Hmm, so the twin swords are an SS-grade weapon that can amplify one’s Qi...
Then, Shin Yoo said, “This is to compensate for the damage I\'ve caused to the academy and to you, Mr. Sword God. I put it together quickly, so this is all I can offer for now..."
At first glance, the briefcase seemed to contain a billion Korean won, making me extremely dizzy.
“But, if you’re willing to become my mentor, I’ll be sure to accommodate you to the best of my ability!”
Sword Demon snorted disdainfully. “Tsk! What kind of slander is this?! Do you think you can bribe Mr. Sword God into taking you as a disciple?!”
Actually, this amount is impossible to reject!
“Sword Demon.”
“Yes, Mr. Sword God!”
“You’re too noisy. Go outside for a while.”
“Aye sir!”
Then, the loyal fanatic rushed out of the infirmary without a second thought.
Confirming that Sword Demon was gone, I grasped Shin Yoo’s hand and pulled him to his feet.
"Please get up, Mr. Shin Yoo. Everyone makes mistakes, and fights only deepen the bond between men. Hahaha!"
“I’ve felt this way since you healed me, but Mr. Sword God... how merciful you are. No wonder Kang Geom follows you.” Shin Yoo spoke tearfully.
Meanwhile, I clarified with him. “I’m asking just in case, but can I really keep this?”
Shin Yoo flashed me a refreshing, idol-like smile. “Of course. I’ll be delighted if you spend the money.”
The entire time, his smile never wavered.
The best fanatic award goes to...
Truth was, during the recent holy war, I’d invested my entire fortune and even took out a loan to arm myself. But mid-battle, the pesticides were reduced into trash! Could you imagine how much I cried back then?!
As such, Shin Yoo’s briefcase was akin to a lifeboat for me.
“Then, Mr. Sword God, do you accept me as your disciple?” Shin Yoo’s tearful gaze dragged me back to reality.
My...disciple... Hmm...
He was the second person to ask to become my disciple after Sung Mi-Ri. However, I only accepted the latter because her skills were sealed. Objectively speaking, I couldn’t teach anyone anything.
Even the technique I’d used to defeat Shin Yoo was a recreation of the Sword Devotion I’d mastered in All-Cutting Heavenly Sword’s Sword God Temple. What if he realized I was a fraud and asked for all his money back?!
Complicated thoughts swirled in my head. Think, Yu Il-Shin. You need wisdom to see this through!
Ah, I still have THAT!
I had a lightbulb moment.
“Mr. Shin Yoo, are you sure about that?”
“Yes! If you’re willing to accept me, I’ll serve you wholeheartedly!”
I folded my arms behind my waist, acting like a master. “But I don\'t accept just anyone. You\'ll have to pass a test first.”
“O-of course! I’m confident I’ll pass any test you give me!” Shin Yoo stared at me with excitement and expectation.
Isn’t this guy older than me? The gleam in his eyes made me feel burdened...
“Wait.”
I rummaged through my backpack, which I used to store my laptop. Oh, there it is! I found the thing and gave it to Shin Yoo.
Shin Yoo’s eyes widened in shock. “T-this is...?”
I read the worn-out book’s title patiently, “The sword treasure Taiji Wisdom Sword left by Wudang Sect’s legend and founder, Zhang SanFeng.”
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[Taiji Wisdom Sword]
All-Cutting Heavenly Sword’s secret collection of Zhang Sanfeng’s essence.
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It was none other than the secret book that I’d purchased for 20 million Godcoins! But when I offered it to Sword Demon, he refused. Apparently, the technique was impossible to master alongside the Demon Lord’s Heavenly Technique.
I thought I’d wasted my money back then, but that turned out not to be the case.
“N-no way! To think that such a profound sword technique would exist!” Shin Yoo exclaimed in astonishment as he flipped through the book.
“Taiji Wisdom Sword is a sword technique that utilizes extreme soft and taiji techniques to defeat the opponent. I think it’d be a good match for the four sword styles you’ve mastered.” I repeated Sword Demon’s words to Shin Yoo.
“This shall be your test. Come back to me once you’ve mastered the Taiji Wisdom Sword. You can only get out what you put in. If you can’t even accomplish this, then you’re unfit to be my disciple.”
“H-how is this...?”
“Why? Are you backing out?”
Staring alternately between me and the book, Shin Yoo stood up with a look of determination.
“No, I’ll definitely master the Taiji Wisdom Sword and become your disciple!”
Mwehehe, he’s sold.
“I’ll be looking forward to it. But you mustn’t return until you’ve fully mastered it, do you understand?”
“Yes!”
Vrooooom!
I watched my new fanatic’s Porsche driving into the distance with satisfaction. I’d killed two birds with one stone.
And that’s how you get rid of a useless sword treasure and an annoying fanatic.
[All-Cutting Heavenly Sword looks at you, complimenting the improvement in your deceptive skills.]
I didn’t want to hear that from the crook—no, god who scammed me.
“That\'s not something anyone can master easily, is it?” I asked, just to be sure.
[All-Cutting Heavenly Sword snickers, saying not even in a hundred years. He adds that it wouldn’t be called a sword treasure if everyone could master it.]
This shitty god! Then why the fuck did you sell it to me?!
I sputtered for a moment, but calmed down after looking at the briefcase left by Shin Yoo. Well, if what Heavenly Sword said was right, then I wouldn’t be meeting Shin Yoo anytime soon.
“Mwahahaha!” I laughed hysterically, embracing the briefcase as if it was my long-lost lover. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Just then, I could feel eyes on me.
Flinch!
I turned around and saw an innocent-looking angel munching on a chicken leg. Her multicolored eyes were staring at me.
Wait, wasn’t that the chicken leg that fell on the floor earlier? She was going to fall sick eating that!
“Hmm, say, Ms. Lilith, since we couldn’t eat the Ginseng Chicken, should we have some chicken?”
“Kya! Kya!” Lilith spat out the chicken bone, cheering.
Kuku, that’s how easy it is to get an accomplice.
Soothing our wounded souls after the Ginseng Chicken, we ordered chicken from every franchise.
This is how life should be!
***
Mount Tai in Shandong Province was one of the most famous mountains in China, renowned for its majesty and skypiercing height. Emperors of all dynasties, from Qin’s Emperor Shi Huangdi to Qing’s Emperor Qian Long, used to make sacrifices there. After all, to the Chinese, this mountain was considered to be the closest to God.
On the slopes of Mount Tai was the headquarters of the Three Martial Association. It was a secret organization of China’s Hunters, called the Three Pure Ones. They were the supreme gods worshiped by Taoists: Primal Celestial One (Yuqing), Supreme Pure One (Shangqing), and Grand Pure One (Taiqing).
On the top floor, three people sat loftily on their respective throne. Each wore a mask representing one of the Three Pure Ones, concealing their age and gender. They were none other than the Three Martial Association leaders.
In the organization\'s over five-hundred-year history, the leaders had never been replaced.
Trudge trudge—
Three mysterious figures stood before the Three Pure Ones. They each wore red, white, and black masks, exuding an unusual aura.
“The descendant of the Dagger Martial greets the Three Pure Ones.”
The one with the red mask had a sword slung over their back. It was larger than themselves, and reached down to their knees.
“The descendant of the Fist Martial greets the Three Pure Ones.”
The muscular, bald man with the white mask, standing 2 meters tall, went down on his knees.
The two masked men bowed reverently before the Three Pure Ones, as if worshiping them. No wonder, since the Three Pure Ones were akin to living gods to the Three Martial Association.
“Why aren’t you kneeling?! Get down now!”
“Benefactor, please behave yourself in the presence of the Three Pure Ones.”
However, instead of adhering, the man with the black mask glared provocatively at the Three Pure Ones.
“So, I have to step up as well? Just how weak are these two? Is the opponent even that strong?”
“How dare you insult us in front of the Three Pure Ones!”
“Benefactor! Remember, pride comes before a fall!”
The other two were ready to attack the man with the black mask.
“Hmph.” The man with the black mask snorted, before stomping the ground.
Bam! Tzzz!
Black aura engulfed the place.
Ruuuumble!
“Keugh!”
As if hit by an earthquake, the ground shook violently, and tremendous pressure crushed the other two.
As the men struggled desperately, the man with the black mask whispered coldly, “Shut up, useless fools. I’m speaking right now.”
Kikiki, kekeke, heeheehee.
Eerie laughter came from behind the masks of the Three Pure Ones.
-Keke, he’s overcome the obstacle again. Your growth is astonishing. I haven’t seen anyone like you in 200 years.
-Kiki. Child, did you just ask if the opponent is strong? Answer that for yourself. That man single-handedly defeated an SS-rank monster.
-Heehee. Moreover, he’s even mastered the stolen Mount Hua’s sword treasure, so he’s definitely a good match for you. Lin XiaoMing!
The eerie and ghostly voices from the Three Pure Ones uttered the name of China’s strongest Hunter.
“Hoho, then I’ll take this on. I\'m also running low on the blood of formidable foes to feed my sword.”
Sss—
He removed his black mask, revealing that she was a woman. Her red eyes brimmed with bloodlust.
“The descendant of the Sword Martial shall follow the order of the Three Pure Ones and retrieve the secret book of Mount Hua.”