Chapter 88

Editor: Ytho, LaidBackGuy

At the same time that Bloody Heavenly Demon Baek Museon’s left arm was cut off and crippled .

Lee Sung-min arrived at Drimoor . If Braden was a city with an atmosphere entirely consumed under the influence of Shaolin, Drimoor was comparatively subtle . Although it did not openly express the atmosphere of the East like Braden, there were many oriental buildings and people wearing eastern-styled clothes .

It was because of the nature of the Volcanic Sect that settled in Drimoor . If you think about it, if martial artists from all different sects gathered to create a new group in Eria, they could never replicate the Volcanic Sect entirely . Even if it was created by alumni of the group borrowing the same name, even if it were on the same level, there would still be a slight difference in character and atmosphere .

It was even more prominent in the Orthodox faction, which valued tradition . In the case of Shaolin, this tradition has been continued without change, but it was not the case in the Volcanic Sect . The cultivators of the Volcanic Sect in Drimoor did not abandon Taoism entirely but took those traditions as guidelines instead . The volcanic faction in Eria was established by collecting the best swordsmen across the lands over many centuries . In fact, the Volcanic Sect in Eria was only similar to the Chinese Volcanic Sect in the name .

He stood out while heading towards the volcano . It was mainly because Lee Sung-min wasn’t familiar with the Volcanic Sect of China[1] either . However, when the warriors dressed in robes embroidered with plum blossoms, a symbol of the Volcanic Sect, walked through the streets with a pretentious air, it filled him with a sense of unfamiliarity . Lee Sungmin, who had lived in the serene and peaceful Shaolin for so long, couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable .

A young man dressed in a dobok[2], was walking down the streets, hugging a woman’s waist . At a tavern on the street, a group of potters was making loud noises while drinking during the daytime . A sight like this was unimaginable in Shaolin; Lee Sung-min was amazed and couldn’t look away .

“This crazy old man . Are you still standing in front of the mountain entrance?”

Lee Sung-min, who passed by in front of the tavern, heard such a voice .

“I saw him before I came down, but he’s still there now?”

“You’re just an ignorant old man who can’t understand my words . It’s not like the Volcanic Sect is a third-tier sect . Did you think they would come and listen to whatever you ask them to do?”

The sounds of snickering and ridicule could be heard mixed into the conversation . Lee Sung-min’s steps stopped . He turned his head and looked in the direction of the sound . Young men in the crowds wearing Volcanic Sect robes were laughing with open mouths . One of the young men, who was holding a glass, paused and looked at Lee Sung-min . After a while, the young man got up and came over .

“Apparently, there’s going to be a volcanic eruption . Why is Daehyup looking at us?”

He called him Daehyup . Lee Sungmin felt a little awkward about the title . This was because Lee Sung-min’s age was now 22 years old, and the young man who called him ‘Daehyup’ appeared to be either of similar age or a little older . Lee Sung-min hesitated briefly and shook his head .

“Sorry if you were offended . I’m on the road to the volcano . I happened to hear your stories by chance . ”

“Ah… Is that right? If it’s alright, can you tell me what business you have on the volcano? ”

There was a little tension in the young man’s face when asking . Lee Sung-min had not yet broken through the transcendent level . His heart, strength, and body were still unbalanced . However, as they stabilized, Lee Sung-min’s skills were well-polished, and he gave off the impression of being a formidable expert . No matter who he was, it was clear he wasn’t someone whom he could handle carelessly,

“… I’m on an errand from Shaolin . ”

“Shaolin!”

In response to Lee Sungmin’s reply the sound of a surprising blast rang out . It wasn’t just a storm . Other Volcanic Masters also opened their eyes wide to see Lee Sung-min . It was not something to hide . On the contrary, Grand Master Bul-young gave instructions to Lee Sung-min beforehand . If you run into troubles before reaching the volcano, tell them about your relationship with Shaolin before you show power .

“Is Daehyup a Shaolin disciple?”

Lee Sung-min wore a robe, but did not shave his head . In response to this foolish question asked with a tense face, Lee Sung-min shook his head .

“I am not a disciple of Shaolin . However, I am getting a little bit of instruction from the Grand Master of Shaolin, Bul-yeong . ”

“Grand Master Bul-yeong…”

A storm was rising . He glanced up along with the surrounding masters and looked back at them .

“You are a precious guest . If it’s okay, we’ll guide you to the volcano . ”

“Ah… No need to do that . ”

“No, no . If I didn’t know, I could walk away, but now that I know I can’t stay still . ”

Woo Poong and the other masters did not listen to Lee Sung-min . Eventually, Lee Sung-min crossed the street with them to the volcano . It hadn’t been too long after traversing Drimoor because of the light travel .

Initially, he had planned to visit Denir before he stopped at the volcano, but it seemed better to go to the volcano before going to visit Denir .

“That… You were talking about it before . Who is the old man in front of the mountain entrance?”

“Ah… You heard that . Does Daehyup know about ‘Ghost Blade Dok Bejun?”

Woo Poong replied to Lee Sungmin’s question . Arriving at the entrance of the volcano, he lightened his steps and hastened to make his way up .

“Did you come here to investigate?”

“Yes . Four days ago, Dok Bejun came to the Volcanic Sect . He said he wanted to see the Volcanic Sword, and asked to see the Chief . But the Volcanic Sect is so small that anyone can come and go as they please, and the chief is also a very busy person . ”

Woo Poong sighed before continuing .

“In fact, this is not the first time . It is not uncommon for those who are self-confident in their martial arts to visit on business . The Volcanic Sect is visited by many . Where will our prestige go if we accept all the requests?”

Lee Sung-min felt a complicated feeling while listening to the words . He traced the memory of his previous life . What Lee Sung-min recalled was his memory of Dok Bejun . The sword dance that he had seen was so famous that it remained quite clear in his memory even now . However, from what he remembered, there was no mention of Dok Bejun engaging in a fight with a Volcanic Sect member . If that had happened, there would have been rumors of the outcome . Even in his previous life, swordsmen often visited the Volcanic Sect but were unable to win against their experts .

The volcano was harder to climb than the mountain in Braden . After climbing the high stairs, he saw a large entrance . Lee Sung-min stared at the white-haired old man standing in front of it .

“He’s still there . ”

Woo Poong murmured in a small voice . Ghost Blade Dok Bejun . Lee Sung-min’s lips trembled for a moment while looking at Dok Bejun’s back . Do I acknowledge him? While Lee Sung-min was hesitating, Woo Poong hurried in toward the entrance . Then Dok Bejun turned around and looked at him, and then turned to Lee Sungmin .

“Ahem . ”

Dok Bejun remained mostly unchanged from his time in Mush’s mountain . He looked messy because he couldn’t wash properly at the time, but he looked younger now after tying up his long gray hair and trimming his beard . Lee Sung-min appraised Dok Bejun internally . His perfected cultivation was a testament to his transcendence, and even Ahn Kwang, with his renowned swordsmanship, claimed that Dok Bejun was a great swordsman .

“You are… ”

Dok Bejun’s mouth opened . He looked at Lee Sung-min, who was standing at the center of the other masters, and looked surprised .

“From back then . Aren’t you that kid from Mush’s mountain?”

Lee Sung-min was surprised at the words of Dok Bejun . At that time, Dok Bejun was blind in both eyes and never saw his face . Seven years had also passed since the time he had met Dok Bejun in Mush’s mountain . His body grew, and his voice changed, leaving nearly no traces of the boy from back then .

“Do you remember me?”

“Every time I remember . I can’t forget the memory on the mountain . It was the most difficult time I ever had . ”

“But how did you… ? At that time, you couldn’t see … ”

“I recognized your aura . You have grown tremendously . It is incomparable to how it was in the past . ”

Dok Bejun shook his head and lamented . While Dok Bejun and Lee Sung-min talked, Woo Poong and other masters alternated frightened glances between the two . Dok Bejun glanced at Lee Sung-min’s face and looked toward the closed entrance .

“Does this lead us to the inside?”

“Ah… Yes . ”

“You don’t have to worry about me . I also have a job to do . That’s why I’m here . It’s different from yours . ”

Dok Bejun said, turning his back on Lee Sung-min . He said to the hesitating Lee Sung-min with his back turned .

“Go in . ”

Dok Bejun’s words persuaded Lee Sung-min to walk inside . In the end, Lee Sung-min parted with Dok Bejun and went into the entrance of the volcano with Woo Poong and the other masters . When the entrance closed, Woo Poong quickly approached Lee Sung-min and asked .

“Did you know that swordsman?”

“In the past… he was an acquaintance . ”

“Hmm . I see . ”

Woo Poong muttered with a grim face . Lee Sung-min, ignoring his expression, looked around the building . He already felt it when he was on the street, but the atmosphere of the Volcanic Sect was different from that of the quiet Shaolin .

When news of the Shaolin Temple coming for an inspection spread and someone arrived to greet him, Lee Sung-min turned somber . Master Sungha, a long-established member of the Volcanic Sect’s long-established Yufeng Inspection, was also renowned in the Orthodox sects for his swordsmanship . Looking at him in person, he seemed more like a Grandfather living next door .

“I thought that Jihak would come . ”

Master Sungha, who sat with Lee Sung-min, mumbled . Originally, Jihak was supposed to come . Lee Sung-min had come because he had a job to do in Drimoor . When Lee Sung-min opened his mouth to answer, Master Sungha shook his head .

“Ah . I’m not trying to blame you . It happens . Even if Shaolin and the volcano are quite close, it takes a month for a round trip . In fact, it doesn’t matter who comes . All you have to do is get a booklet . ”

While saying this, Master Sungha received a booklet from Lee Sung-min . He glanced at Lee Sung-min, while tearing the seal of the Temple .

“You have reached a great level despite your age . But I don’t suppose you’re a Shaolin disciple . ”

“Yes, That’s right . ”

“But it has to do with the Shaolin Temple . Tch tch! The Shaolin Temple has many blessings . They also have a genius like Jihak . I’m asking just in case, but have you read the contents of this booklet?”

“I haven’t read it . ”

“It doesn’t matter if you’ve read it . It’s not a secret . Only the answer of Grandmaster Bulyoung to the request of the Western Leader to temporarily take over as head until the next leader is announced: saying that the current leader from the Shaolin Temple, Myeongwol of Murim, is planning to resign . ”

At this, Lee Sung-min was convinced and nodded .

“It’s as expected . Grandmaster Bulyoung declined . That wicked old man . “

Lee Sungmin thought he would do the same if it were him . It was unlikely that the Grandmaster Bulyoung that he knew would ever accept such an offer . Master Sungha sighed and burned the booklet .

“I heard from the young masters who came with you . They said Ghost Blade was at the entrance . ”

“Ah… Yes . We happened to meet by chance . ”

“Such a hassle . Do you know why I’m avoiding fighting against the swordsmen? ”

Sung-ha Doin muttered and crossed his arms . Lee Sung-min nodded as he recalled Woo Poong’s words .

“I was told that it was because there would be no end to the requests then . ”

“That’s also true . But not necessarily so . ”

Master Sungha brushed off the ashes staining his hand and frowned .

“It’s just a rumor, but the Ghost Blade appears to be messy . ”

“… What?”

“No . Rather than messy… ”

Master Sungha clucked his tongue lightly .

“He’s dangerous . ”

[1]: The original word is 중원 (jungwon) . Korean martial arts novels set in, and that mention the Murim are often set in China, even if the names are in Korean .

[2]: A dobok is like a dojo uniform . Karate dress etc .