Light Novel: Volume 24 Episode 3
Manhwa: N/A
Iron Lord Dragon, Yong Geomsan, stopped in his tracks and looked ahead.
“Haah!”
As he opened his mouth, his white breath streamed out and dispersed in the air.
Even though spring had arrived, the winter’s chill still seemed to linger in this place.
Before him stretched a vast plain.
The snow that had fallen throughout the winter had not melted but accumulated on the plain.
Thinking back, this winter had been particularly harsh.
Sometimes, it snowed continuously for three days, accumulating up to the height of a person’s waist without melting.
Not only did it take them a long time to travel from Yunnan Province to this place, but they also suffered many casualties.
The cause was the cold and snow.
Yunnan Province, where the Dragon Sky Valley was located, was warm all year round.
There was no need to prepare separate winter clothes, and people lived in rather scant clothing.
It was late autumn when Yong Geomsan, fueled by anger over the death of his son Yong Hasang, set out for Poyang Lake.
At that time, he had not thought that it would become a major problem.
In Yunnan Province, it did not snow even in winter, and even though it was late autumn, the temperature was only slightly lower than in summer. That was why most martial artists left the Dragon Sky Valley in light clothing.
Up until that point, they had not anticipated the great hardships that awaited them.
Avenging his son was the priority, so he mobilized his troops without proper preparation.
Not long after leaving Yunnan Province, they faced severe and bitter cold. It was as if the season had changed to winter overnight, and a heavy snowfall had begun.
They should have returned to the Dragon Sky Valley then. They should have gone back to their sanctuary to regroup and wait for the winter to end, but Yong Geomsan chose to charge ahead.
He marched onward without a thought for the safety of his subordinates.
His men were dressed too thinly to withstand the midwinter cold and heavy snowfall, and many suffered frostbite or collapsed from the intense cold.
Yong Geomsan tried to procure winter clothing for his subordinates on his way to Poyang Lake, but it was impossible to procure thousands of garments thick enough to beat the cold at once.
By the time the martial artists of the Dragon Sky Valley managed to get winter clothes, many of them had already fallen.
In the end, Yong Geomsan had to stop the march and rent a large estate to spend the winter in, wasting months of time.
It was a time spent without achieving anything.
Once the snow eased somewhat, Yong Geomsan left the estate and resumed the forced march. This time, at least, his troops were equipped with winter clothing and had thoroughly prepared supplies.
Despite all the preparations, the march was not easy. The snow hadn’t completely melted yet.
Even for the martial artists, who were trained in martial arts, trudging through waist-deep snow took a tremendous amount of physical strength.
That’s why, despite not having traveled far, all the martial artists from the Dragon Sky Valley were already quite exhausted. However, no one dared to suggest to Yong Geomsan that they take a rest.
It had been months since Yong Hasang’s death, but Yong Geomsan’s anger had not yet subsided.
Anyone who mentioned rest to him would have their head taken off in an instant.
Because of this, everyone was suffering immensely.
Yong Geomsan looked at the snow-covered plain spread before him and muttered,
“The path to see my son is so harsh and long, but it will not stop me. I will hunt down all those involved in my son’s death and tear them to pieces.”
It was when he began to walk toward the snowfield—
“Huh?”
Something caught his senses.
Someone was approaching from across the plain.
He could feel the presence clearly, even though it was dozens of miles away.
There were only a few martial artists in the world who could emit such a powerful presence. At the very least, one had to be at the level of Yong Geomsan to be able to do so from such a distance.
Therefore, the one approaching from across the plain was definitely a being with martial prowess equivalent to that of Yong Geomsan.
Yong Geomsan narrowed his eyes and looked forward.
A small dot could be seen in the distance.
The dot was gradually getting larger.
This meant that it was getting closer.
Yong Geomsan’s expression turned cold.
The object, which looked like a dot from a distance, was actually a person.
A diminutive old man in Taoist robes, about five feet tall.
“A Taoist?”
Although his robe was so worn that he resembled a beggar, the spiritual and righteous energy flowing through his entire body was profoundly venerable to be ignored.
“Was there ever such a Taoist who reached this level in Jianghu?”
While he was rummaging through his memories, the Taoist had approached to a fairly close distance. He seemed to be walking slowly, but in reality, he was using an advanced qinggong or lightness skill that shortened the space he traveled.
Yong Geomsan gazed at the plains the old Taoist had passed through.
In the snow-covered wilderness where he passed, there were no footprints or any trace of his passage at all.
It was a certain type of qinggong called, Treading Snow Without a Trace.1
A profound technique where one leaves no footprints or traces even when stepping on snow.
There were not many martial artists in the world who had reached this level.
Yong Geomsan’s vigilance heightened even more.
Finally, the old Taoist stopped in front of Yong Geomsan.
The elderly Taoist chuckled and said,
“How are you? Valley Head Yong.”
“Do you know me?”
“How could I not? With flags symbolizing the Dragon Sky Valley fluttering everywhere.”
The old Taoist’s gaze was directed towards the martial artists from the Dragon Sky Valley.
In the lead were the martial artists holding the huge flags symbolizing the Dragon Sky Valley.
Yong Geomsan glanced at the flags briefly and then glared at the Taoist.
“You know me, but I do not know you, which seems unfair. How about you reveal your identity at this point?”
“Ah, I haven’t introduced myself. This old mind of mine. As one ages, one’s vigor diminishes. My Taoist name is Il-gum.”
“Il-gum?”
Yong Geomsan furrowed his brow.
The corners of his eyes twitched as he searched his memory for a moment.
Only now did he recognize the old Taoist’s identity.
“Did you come from Wudang?”
“That’s right.”
“What is your relationship to sect leader Sage Chong-jin?”
“I am ashamed to say, I am his Junior Uncle.”
“One generation above the current sect leader of Wudang? A venerable master from the previous generation has graced us with his presence.”
Yong Geomsan’s gaze sharpened.
From his narrowly opened eyes, a terrifying aura burst forth.
Even in the face of such an intense glare that most people wouldn’t dare to face, Sage Il-gum didn’t wipe the smile from his lips.
Yong Geomsan said,
“Since you are a generation above me, I shall address you as Senior.”
“I will gratefully accept such respect.”
“Why have you appeared here, Senior? It doesn’t seem to be a coincidence.”
“I came here to persuade.”
“Persuade who?”
“Who else? I came to persuade you.”
“Ha! You came here alone to persuade me?”
“That’s right.”
Sage Il-gum nodded.
His face was filled with a wistful light as he looked at Yong Geomsan.
He was a father who had lost his child.
It was uncomfortable for him too, to stand in the way of a father who had set out to avenge his son by his own hand. However, Sage Il-gum had no choice.
Jianghu was already devastated by the war between the Golden Heaven Society and the Silver Lotus Society. If the Dragon Sky Valley were to get involved, the situation would escalate uncontrollably.
There was no telling how many more people would lose their lives if Yong Geomsan and the Dragon Sky Valley were to enter the fray in Jianghu.
That’s why he had come down from Wudang Mountain alone.
He could have brought the full force of the Wudang Sect, but he chose not to.
One wrong move could lead to a battle between the Dragon Sky Valley and the Wudang Sect.
He had to do it alone.
That was the only way to minimize the damage.
Sage Il-gum made a palm and fist salute to Yong Geomsan and said,
“Elder Il-gum seeks guidance from Master Yong.”
He deliberately omitted the words “Wudang Sect” and “Dragon Sky Valley.”
This was to limit the confrontation to a personal duel rather than a clash between the Wudang Sect and Dragon Sky Valley.
Yong Geomsan also understood Sage Il-gum’s intention and his eyebrows twitched.
“Do I have any reason to accept your challenge, Senior?”
“There is none. But…”
“But?”
“Aren’t we both martial artists? You and I… Do we need more reason than that?”
“Perhaps it’s because you’ve lived on Wudang Mountain that you’re still so romantic. Unfortunately, such romance no longer exists in the current martial world.”
“I know. Nevertheless, this old man has no choice but to be stubborn, because I believe that is how to minimize the harm.”
“In any case, I will not fight with you, Senior.”
“Then I have no choice but to mobilize the full force of the Wudang Sect.”
“Senior!”
“Let us decide everything through a direct confrontation between you and me. If you win, the Wudang Sect will not interfere with Dragon Sky Valley’s actions.”
“And if you win, Senior?”
“You will take the elite of the Dragon Sky Valley and retreat.”
“Impossible!”
Yong Geomsan roared like a lion.
His shout, filled with internal energy, made the faces of the Dragon Sky Valley martial artists turn pale. However, Sage Il-gum, standing directly in front of Yong Geomsan, did not change his expression and calmly continued,
“I’m not asking you to hold out forever. I’m just asking you to wait until the Jianghu war is over. Surely, you can accept that much?”
“Hmm!”
“It won’t be a loss to you either. On the contrary, you can use that time to strengthen your forces and mature your anger.”
Sage Il-gum’s words shook Yong Geomsan’s heart.
After pondering for a moment, Yong Geomsan finally nodded.
“Very well! I accept your challenge, Senior.”
A confrontation with Sage Il-gum was unavoidable.
Whether he accepted the proposal or not, Sage Il-gum would not back down.
Losing to Sage Il-gum would be a problem, but winning would also be problematic.
Because the Wudang Sect would not just stand idly by.
In that case, it would be better to accept Sage Il-gum’s challenge.
Yong Geomsan shouted to the martial artists of the Dragon Sky Valley,
“None of you are to interfere in the confrontation between Senior and me! Do you all understand?”
“Yes!”
The martial artists of the Dragon Sky Valley responded in unison.
Yong Geomsan looked at Sage Il-gum, his face burning with fighting spirit.
“Are you satisfied now, Senior? That everything went as you wish.”
“Thank you! For indulging this old man’s stubbornness.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. I will definitely defeat you and advance to Jianghu.”
“If you defeat me, the Wudang Sect will absolutely not intervene.”
“Don’t forget that promise.”
“I will definitely keep my word.”
“Then, let’s begin.”
Yong Geomsan gathered his internal energy.
Ku-ku-ku!
In an instant, the air in the area shook like crazy, and the snow on the ground soared into the air.
“Everyone, step back!”
“Be careful. The Valley Head is about to use all his power!”
The martial artists of the Dragon Sky Valley hastily retreated back.
They knew all too well the disaster that would happen when Yong Geomsan unleashed his full power.
Standing idly within the range of his full power would mean getting swept up in the fight and being killed instantly.
Before that happened, they had to retreat far away.
In an instant, a radius of about thirty yards around the two men was cleared.
Sage Il-gum sighed as he drew out his Pine Pattern Ancient Sword.
“Hoo! I’m not sure if this old body of mine will still move as I wish.”
Though he had gained a profound understanding of martial arts, the problem was his aged body.
While it might not matter against an ordinary expert, facing a martial artist who had reached the absolute peak like Yong Geomsan required not only profound understanding but also a perfect body. However, Sage Il-gum had no choice.
If he could not stop Yong Geomsan here, there was no force in Poyang Lake that could. Even if there were, they would be too preoccupied with the Jianghu great war to notice the Dragon Sky Valley approaching.
Even Sage Il-gum himself did not realize that the Dragon Sky Valley was advancing from the west until he had read the heavenly signs.
As soon as he read the disturbed qi in the heavens, he led his weary body to this distant place and encountered the martial artists of the Dragon Sky Valley.
Limiting the conflict to a duel between himself and Yong Geomsan, excluding the Wudang Sect and Dragon Sky Valley, was the best he could do.
“Hah! Come on. I have long wanted to experience the signature techniques of the Dragon Sky Valley.”
“Very well, I’ll make no concessions.”
Pop!
Yong Geomsan kicked off the ground and charged at Sage Il-gum.
There is an old saying that goes, “the one who strikes first wins.”
In a fight between martial artists, the one who strikes first has a much higher chance of winning.
The situation was not much different even between absolute masters.
Kwaaa!
As Yong Geomsan threw his punch, a dazzling force was unleashed.
In response, Sage Il-gum thrust his sword forward.
Kwa-kwang!
A huge explosion erupted.
The area shook as if an earthquake had struck as the fight seemed to transcend human limits.
“My God!”
“How can this be a duel between humans?”
The martial artists of Dragon Sky Valley stared at the confrontation between the two with their mouths agape.
The area seemed to have turned upside down as if the end of the world had come.
The battle between the two continued for more than half a day.
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