Chapter 279
Chapter 279
Starting with Mount Tai, Shandong Province, Mu-Gun and his two wives toured the historical sites of Hebei, Shanxi, Henan, Shaanxi, and Sichuan Provinces. Afterward, they headed over to Hubei Province. It took them only three months to finish their travels.
No matter how outstanding a martial artist was, such a trip would have normally taken them more than a year. However, Mu-Gun’s wind spirits not only drastically cut that time down but also prevented him and his wives from getting physically exhausted. Although Mu-Gun did have to consume internal energy to summon wind spirits, considering the amount of internal energy that he possessed, he didn’t really use up that much.
Upon crossing over to Hubei Province, Mu-Gun and his two wives stopped by Mount Wudang. This time, instead of using wind spirits, they climbed up the mountain themselves and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Mount Wudang was so incredible that it put them in awe.
Immersing themselves in the view, they stayed for four days to sightsee.
“I think we’ve seen enough. Let’s go somewhere else,” Mu-Gun suggested.
“Already?” Namgung Hyun-Ah answered with a disappointed look.
“Is there a nearby place that you want to visit before we leave?”
“Not really. I just think we should at least stop by the Wudang Sect since we’re already here.”
Mu-Gun nodded. “That’s true, We have come all the way here. It wouldn’t be polite to leave without at least sending them our regards.”
When Mu-Gun faced the Nine Celestial Demons Sect’s Divine Demons, Wudang Sect Patriarch and Supreme Elder Hyun Cheon gave him the Millennium Fire Carp’s beast core. Considering the huge favor he owed him, It would not be polite to leave without at least greeting them.
“won’t we be denied entry for coming without an appointment?” Hyun-Ah worriedly asked.
“I doubt it. The hero who saved murim is the one visiting them. Moreover, the Wudang Sect harbor no grudge against our dear husband,” Seol-Young replied.
“You do have a point.”
“That’s exactly why you shouldn’t worry.”
Having decided to stop by the Wudang Sect before leaving Mount Wudang, the three climbed to the Purple Heaven Peak, where the Wudang Sect’s Purple Heaven Palace was. Halfway into the Purple Heaven Peak, they found a door with a large plate that read, ‘Sword Separation Reservoir.’ It was heavily guarded by the Wudang Sect’s ascetics.
Out of respect for the Wudang Sect, martial artists who wanted to visit them relinquished their weapons at the Sword Separation Reservoir. Mu-Gun, along with his two wives, approached the ascetics.
“I am Cheong Myeong of the Wudang Set. What brings you here?” Cheong Myeong politely asked.
“I am Baek Mu-Gun of the Baek Sword Sect. We came to Mount Wudang to sightsee. Before we leave, we would like to stop by to give my greetings.”
“Great Hero, you’re the Golden Thunder Emperor God, aren’t you?” Cheong Myeong asked in surprise.
“I do not deserve such high praises, but that is what the people of murim have been calling me,” Mu-Gun timidly replied.
“I apologize for not recognizing you much earlier, sir.”
“Considering this is our first meeting, I say that is only natural. Anyway, do you think we can stay at the Wudang Sect for a few days?”
“You can even stay for months if you want to. Please come inside. I will guide you myself”
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“Should you not ask your superiors first?” Mu-Gun asked worryingly.
“For honorable guests like you, Great Hero, we do not have to. However, we must still enforce the laws of the Wudang Sect against carrying weapons.”
“Fortunately, I do not have any weapons in my possession.”
“Understood. Follow me, please.”
Cheong Myeong personally guided Mu-Gun and his two wives into the compounds of the Wudang Sect. The Purple Heaven Palace was quite a distance away from the Sword Separation Reservoir. On the way, they saw more ascetics, each one busy with their own responsibilities.
“Did something perhaps happen?” Mu-Gun asked out of curiosity. “Everyone seems so busy.”
“Well, a few days ago, we found a new cave in Mount Wudang. When we felt demonic energy coming from inside it, the disciples of our sect entered the cave. It has already been a day since we last saw them. Things are a little chaotic because of that.”
“A cave suddenly appeared?”
“Yes. We are confident that it was not there before,” Cheong Myeong replied.
“More importantly, did you really feel demonic energy coming from it?”
“Yes. It was faint at first, but it had grown stronger in just a few days. The patriarch and the elders found it strange. Hence, they immediately started exploration efforts.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
Mu-Gun found the sudden appearance of a cave suspicious, even more so since it exuded demonic energy.
‘Is it related to the Demon God?’
If so, the Thunder God would have told him.
“Dear?” Seol-Young called out of worry, noticing Mu-Gun’s grave expression.
“I might have to pay that cave a visit before we leave.”
“Are you planning on exploring it yourself?”
“I will decide once I see it. Master Cheong Myeong! Can you lead me to it?”
“The patriarch has not only banned access to the cave but even took measures that would ensure only those with his permission could go. You will need to get permission from him if you want to go to that cave.” Cheong Myeong explained.
“Could you bring me to meet the patriarch, then?”
“Of course.”
Cheong Myeong guided Mu-Gun and his two wives to the Purple Heaven Pavilion, the Wudang Sect patriarch’s residence. Upon their arrival, he announced Mu-Gun’s presence. In response, the Wudang Sect’s patriarch, Supreme Elder Hyun Cheon, came out and greeted Mu-Gun himself.
“Welcome.”
“It has been a while. How have you been?” Mu-Gun greeted back.
“Thanks to you, I have been well. What brings you to Mount Wudang?”
“I’m on a trip with my wives. We were at Mount Wudang when I thought of you, so I decided to stop by to say hello before leaving.”
“I am honored to have you, the Golden Thunder Emperor God, remember and visit me,” Hyun Cheon said.
“You overpraise me, Supreme Elder. Anyway, I heard something strange is happening in Mount Wudang.”
“You have heard about the cave, I see.”
“I was curious as to why the Wudang Sect’s ascetics were moving in a hurry, so I asked Master Cheong Myeong here about it, and he told me about it.”
“I see. Let’s go inside and talk first. The two ladies should also come in together.”
Hyun Cheon led Mu-Gun and his wives into the Purple Heaven Pavilion. He then brewed and served them tea.
“I am deeply honored to be able to drink tea you have brewed yourself, Supreme Elder,” Hyun-Ah said as she accepted the cup.
“Haha, my tea-brewing skill is lacking. Do not complain when you find out that it tastes bad.”
“I can tell from this tea’s color and aroma alone that you are highly skilled in it.”
“I agree. Just the fact that you have brewed it yourself is all I need to know that it will have an excellent taste.”
Hyun-Ah and Seol-Young’s praise made Hyun Cheon smile brightly. Looking at Mu-Gun, he said, “You have two very beautiful wives, Young Master Baek.”
“Thank you.”
“Have a taste.”
At Hyun Cheon’s reply, Mu-Gun took a sip of the tea. The light, but clean taste and scent were quite delectable.
“It’s nice,” Mu-Gun said.
“What do you think?” Hyun Cheon asked Hyun-Ah and Seol-Young.
“It’s very delicious.”
“I love it.”
“I’m glad. Let me know if you want more. I cannot do much, but I can at least serve you as much tea as you want.”
“Thank you.”
“Going back to the issue at hand, can you tell me more about that cave?” Mu-Gun asked.
“I am sure you have already heard most of it, Young Master Baek. The cave appeared out of nowhere, exuding demonic energy. We sent our disciples in to investigate a day ago, and they haven’t returned since. The elders and I have concluded that they must have met some trouble inside. Hence, we dispatched a second party.”
“Who did you send in this time?”
“My studentdisciple, Hyun Gwang, and ten of our sect’s senior first disciples.”
Their second party was quite powerful. Supreme Elder Hyun Cheon’s studentdisciple, Hyun Gwang, was an Absolute-Realm master, and the senior first disciples were all Peak-Realm masters.
Mu-Gun was glad that the Wudang Sect paid great attention to investigating the cave. However, if he was right about its relation to the Demon God, then they could be sending their men to their deaths. The Hell Realm’s demons over at Avalon were at least ranked Master. Here in the Central Plains, they would be as powerful as Absolute-Realm masters.
A party comprising of only one Absolute-Realm master and ten Peak-Realm masters would stand no chance against them. Of course, they were yet to find any evidence that could link the cave to the Demon God, and even if they did, it would still be impossible to determine what was inside it. However, with the safety of the second party at stake, they could not rule out even the slightest possibility.
“With your permission, Supreme Elder, I would like to enter the cave myself,” Mu-Gun offered.
“You want to enter yourself?”
“Yes. I have a bad feeling about this. I believe I should check it out myself.”
“A bad feeling? What makes you say that?”
“I will tell you in detail once I have checked it out,” Mu-Gun replied.
“I see. We appreciate your help on this matter. Would you like to go now?”
“Yes. We should not delay this.”
“Okay. I will assign you the disciple who guided you here. He will lead you to the site.”
“Understood. Before I go, I would like to request a room where my wives can rest.”
“You have nothing to worry about. I will prepare the best rooms in our sect.”
“Dear husband!” Hyun-Ah exclaimed. “We will come with you—”
“No,” Mu-Gun immediately interrupted. “I will handle this alone. You two should stay here.”
His firm attitude made Hyun-Ah step down. Not long after, he exited the room and followed Cheong Myeong to the cave, which was located at the bottom of a bend about forty kilometers away from the Purple Heaven Palace.
The entrance of the cave, about thirty feet in diameter, had black energy covering it like a curtain. The atrocious demonic energy flowing out from beyond the veil was very similar to the Demon God’s.
‘This cave is related to the Demon God. I’m sure of it now.’
According to the Thunder God, the Demon God would descend in different ways in different dimensions. He had no idea how the Demon God would descend into the Central Plains, but for some reason, he felt that the cave before him would play a very important role.
‘Exploring this cave should get me some answers.’
Mu-Gun had already made up his mind to enter the cave when he decided to come here. Others might think that rushing in without determining the dangers waiting for him first was reckless, but he had actually put a lot of thought into it.
Taking the size of the cave’s entrance and amount of the demonic energy flowing out of it into the calculation, he was convinced that nothing inside the cave could threaten him. Hence, he did not worry too much about investigating it alone.
Mu-Gun passed through the black energy covering the cave’s entrance. He then looked around, immediately realizing that the cave led to an entirely different world. Right now, he was standing in a long valley surrounded by black rocks and bloodied trees.
He could see a huge castle surrounded by black clouds in the distance. Mu-Gun thought it could be the Demon God’s headquarters.
What he found most interesting was that he could no longer find the entrance of the cave. It seemed he would not be able to go out until he defeated the Demon God. If there was a way out, the Wudang Sect’s ascetics would have just walked back out as soon as they saw this sight.
“I’ll find out sooner or later anyway.”
Mu-Gun calmly walked further into the valley, unfazed by the fact that he had just lost his only way out of this place.