Invitation to the Chatroom of the Gods - Chapter 68



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Episode 68 – The Inspector General (2)

The leader of the martial arts world, Deung Gwang-hyeok.

He was one of the ten strongest masters in the world, one of the Ten Absolutes, and as the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, a union of political factions, he could be said to be a key figure leading the world of martial arts.

“The praise was so overwhelming. I’ve never heard that boar-like person praise anyone.”

Deung Gwang-hyeok slowly approached me, and I quietly looked at him.

The level and class of Deung Gwang-hyeok can be felt through this.

······Surprisingly, I didn’t feel anything special.

“Now, the whole world is talking about you as the Great Swordsman of Hwalong. Is that why? Why, it doesn’t seem like this is the first time I’m seeing you. Is this what they call ‘inner intimacy’ these days?”

Deung Gwang-hyeok pulled up a chair and sat down in front of me with a wrinkled smile.

I greeted the great senior of the martial arts world with respect and spoke.

“Your Majesty the King has only been kind to me, and the rumors that are going around are just rumors, and compared to what Your Majesty has accomplished so far, they are nothing, but I don’t know what to do with myself since You have done so much for my junior.”

“Man, how humble you are.”

Then, Deung Gwang-hyeok showed a refreshing smile.

“But it is said that too much humility is disproportionate. If you are too humble, you will only appear mean or frivolous.”

“I never raised myself above my station, but now that you have spoken to me like that, I am even more at a loss as to what to do, but I will take your words to heart.”

“ha ha ha!”

Deung Gwang-hyeok laughed out loud as if he found it refreshing.

“They say he’s the best in the world when it comes to bravery, but I can’t even match him. He’s also very tall and handsome… He’d make many women cry.”

Deung Gwang-hyeok looked at me and smiled wickedly. He had a playful side that was unusual for a martial arts leader and one of the ten best martial artists in the world.

“You, don’t be greedy and change from woman to woman. As a man, sleeping with beautiful women may be a great joy, but it only provides momentary pleasure.”

But didn’t they say that if you see one, you can know ten?

“Someday, when you meet a woman with whom you truly feel affection, the days you spent living in pleasure will make her look at you negatively, and eventually, she will gradually distance herself from you. So, always be sincere when dealing with women.”

Through these few words, I was able to understand the depth of the person and warrior that was Deng Gwang-hyeok.

“Hmm? I guess you’re wondering how I know that so well······ Actually, I didn’t really want to know either.”

Deung Gwang-hyeok spoke in a joking tone.

No, I couldn’t tell if that was a joke or serious.

“By the way, how is your body? I don’t have much knowledge of medicine, but it looks fine.”

In fact, my current state is really a mess.

It was because my body was covered in wounds as I absorbed the energy of the Divine Spirit Elixir and the Continuous Life Preservation Elixir, but despite my outward appearance, I was more energetic than usual.

Deung Gwang-hyeok was aware of my condition precisely.

“But you seem to be in a state of confusion. Are you feeling a mental disorder?”

Suddenly, Deung Gwang-hyeok spoke to me, stabbing me in the heart.

Why did it show on my face?

A fate against the odds.

A body with limbs from heaven.

I had doubts about whether the path of chivalry that I wanted to walk, which denied the evil of evil studies and my father’s chivalry, was truly the ‘right’ path.

I tried to pretend it didn’t exist, but it remained as a demon in my heart, and it seemed to show on my face without me knowing.

But that doesn’t mean you can tell just by looking at my face.

I could see what kind of insight and wisdom Deng Guanghyeok had, and I could also see that he was not one of the ten best warriors in the world for nothing.

“I don’t know what’s confusing you, but when you’re feeling confused, it’s best to use your body, not your head.”

Deung Gwang-hyeok said the same thing as Jong Li-kwon.

“How can you compete with me?”

A duel with the ten best masters in the world.

Since I was planning to move my body and practice, I had no reason to refuse.

“······I want to say that, but it’s not right to suddenly request a secret meeting for someone who has just woken up from a life-or-death struggle.”

Deung Gwang-hyeok’s words were faster than my answer.

“Actually, I’m saying this because I’m scared.”

Once again, Deung Gwang-hyeok’s words were a beat faster than my answer. At this point, I was wondering if he was reading my mind.

As I looked, Deung Gwang-hyeok smiled with a wrinkled face.

“If I were to fight you, I honestly don’t think I could guarantee victory. So I might lose to you, but how could a martial arts leader like me walk around with his head held high if he lost to the late Jisoo?”

Deung Gwang-hyeok shook his head and continued speaking.

“So, please just look at Bimu once.”

Deung Gwang-hyeok was speaking as if he was asking me to look after him. But in fact, that wasn’t the case.

Right now, I couldn’t really feel Deng Gwang-hyeok’s level and class, so I wasn’t confident that I could win against Deng Gwang-hyeok.

No, I couldn’t win.

“But it is also impolite to light a fire in someone’s heart and turn a blind eye to it.”

Deung Gwang-hyeok looked at me again and said.

“How about we discuss the matter in this place, even if it is regrettable?”

* * *

The sword of argument.

Discussing the sword with words.

It could be said that Nongeom (論劍) is literally a contest of martial arts with words.

And there was only one reason why Deung Gwang-hyeok asked Cheong-un to discuss the sword.

It was because I wanted to know about the warrior named Cheongun.

Deung Gwang-hyeok wanted to know Cheong-un himself, not through the eyes of others or rumors.

That was why I came to see Cheongun in person, but in fact, the most certain way was to actually fight with Cheongun in a ‘comparison’, which was the most certain and fastest way.

But as the saying goes, Cheongun was a patient who had just woken up from a state of near-death struggle.

It is not appropriate to suddenly suggest a fight with a patient like that.

It was also an act of disrespect that should not be done to Cheongun, who could be called the ‘benefactor’ of the Murim Alliance.

That’s why he evasively joked that if Cheongun and Bimu were to compete, he wouldn’t be able to guarantee a win.

It was a somewhat joking remark, but it wasn’t entirely a joke.

It was none other than the energy that shook the entire Murim Alliance just a moment ago, and the energy that was felt from Cheongwoon now.

This was by no means a joke, and even Deng Gwang-hyeok felt oppressed.

Anyway, although Nongeom (論劍) was a battle of words against martial arts, it was still quite tiring.

“You are offering me this teaching. How could I turn down this precious opportunity?”

Fortunately, Cheongun readily accepted the debate with Deung Gwanghyeok, and seeing that he showed no hesitation at all, Deung Gwanghyeok felt affection for Cheongun once again.

“Don’t give up the player.”

That’s how the debate began.

Since Nongeom (論劍) is a contest of wit using only ‘words’, it is bound to be different from actual martial arts.

To put it bluntly, the one who was quick to talk was the best, and that was understandable, as the general way the debate proceeded was as follows.

-The rider will stab your chin with the Red-Nosed Sword Technique in one second.

-Then I will take three steps back with the Shinchadaebo and then counterattack with the Nakyeongchangbeop’s explosive burst.

– Heh heh, I just stabbed you in the chin with the Red Nose Sword Technique. How can you avoid that with just three steps and then counterattack?

-You may not be able to do it, but I can. In fact, I could have cut off your neck in one go with the Twenty-Story Eumrin Sword Technique, but I gave you an advantage.

-Gal (喝)!! How can you say such nonsense!

Then, they would say, “You’re right, I’m right,” and then, “Well, let’s check it out!” and it would usually lead to an actual sword fight, which was the typical way a swordsmanship debate would proceed.

So, these kinds of arguments are often dismissed as wordplay, but at a lower level, they are meaningless and are, as the saying goes, ‘wordplay’.

It goes without saying that it was not even relevant in the third, second, and first-rate realms, but only when it reached its peak did it begin to have some meaning, and only when it reached its ultimate peak did the term “nongeom” become widely used.

That is because when one reaches the highest level, enlightenment becomes more important than internal energy.

But the climax wasn’t all that great.

The peak was the level of a leader or elder of a decent sect, but in the end, it was a level that was one step away from the peak, and in the eyes of Deng Guanghyeok, one of the ten best in the world, it was just an average level.

However, the reason why Deung Gwang-hyeok suggested a swordsmanship debate to Cheong-un was because he thought he could have a ‘real swordsmanship debate’ with Cheong-un, not just a play on words.

In the lower realms, it was nothing more than a play on words, but in the realms beyond that level, the discussion of the sword could discuss the Way and enlightenment.

Through this, I wanted to learn about Cheongun’s martial arts.

I had heard a lot about Cheongun’s military power, so I knew it for sure.

There was no room for doubt, even if you only looked at the current situation at Yongbong Branch, let alone the rumors that had been heard.

Of course, not all rumors are true, but this time it was different.

Above all, didn’t Deung Gwang-hyeok see and feel with his own eyes the terrible energy that shook the entire Murim Alliance just a moment ago?

I wanted to know about Cheongun’s ‘martial arts’ rather than Cheongun’s ‘martial power’.

Through that, I wanted to get to know the warrior named Cheongun.

What direction does Cheongun want to walk and move forward?

What destination is this young index trying to reach?

If it was a way to repay the benefactor of the Murim Alliance, then it would be a good thing, but Deung Gwang-hyeok simply wanted to provide a little ‘help’ on his future path as a ‘senior’ in the Murim Alliance.

That is why I proposed a discussion on the sword, but no matter how great Cheongun was, he could not be a match for Deung Gwanghyeok through discussion on the sword.

however.

‘Hmm···.’

As Cheongun and Nongeom continued their discussion, Deung Gwanghyeok became increasingly speechless.

It would have been better to have a ‘comparative sword fight’ where Cheongun and I actually faced each other with swords.

The martial arts of a warrior named Cheongun.

The Tao and enlightenment contained within it.

It was showing a depth that even Deng Guanghyeok could not fathom, and it was as if he was facing the ancient immortals.

If you go all the way, you can win.

Cheongun’s martial arts knowledge was surprisingly broad and deep, but it was said that knowledge that could only be learned through direct experience was not knowledge but experience.

The martial arts knowledge of Deung Gwang-hyeok, accumulated over the years, had an enlightenment that the ‘young’ Cheong-un could never surpass.

But what would be the point of winning a swordsmanship debate? In the first place, this swordsmanship debate was not intended to determine victory or defeat.

“······Let’s stop here.”

Deung Gwang-hyeok quickly realized that further discussion was meaningless.

If it is a defeat, then it can be called a defeat.

Cheongun was not a warrior that Deung Gwanghyeok could understand and measure through his sword theories.

“I have a question for you. May I ask it?”

“Go ahead.”

“What is the reason?”

“I couldn’t figure out what you were asking.”

“Why are you hiding yourself?”

“I didn’t really think they were hiding me, but···.”

“But it’s not like it’s completely revealed.”

At Deung Gwang-hyeok’s words, Cheong-un’s eyes suddenly opened slightly. Then, as if pondering something, Cheong-un lowered his gaze slightly.

Did the question just now touch Cheongwoon’s heart?

Deung Gwang-hyeok waited quietly for Cheong-un to hear his thoughts and anguish.

Was it really that much time had passed?

“Because I······ am me.”

Suddenly, Cheongun’s answer came.

And why is that?

The two eyes of Cheongun that I looked at had become deeper than before.

“People I respect have always said: There is no eternal truth in this world. The Way is always subject to change.”

There is nothing in this world that is unchanging, so the truth that we pursue with all our might is also not true.

That is why water never stays in one place. It just changes its shape and form according to the nature of change.

If the bowl is round, it will be filled roundly, and if the bowl is square, it will be filled squarely.

But still, there was something that did not change.

“That is me.”

Water is just water.

“Even if I am put into a vessel called ‘Hwa-ryong-dae-hyeop,’ or even if I am put into a vessel called ‘Fate Against Heaven,’ the water in it and myself will not change.”

The nature of water never changes even if the container it is contained in changes. Water is simply contained in accordance with the ever-changing principles.

“I will always be the missionary’s teacher, ‘Cheong-un.’”

That’s it.

“That’s why I don’t necessarily reveal myself or hide myself.”

Cheongun continued speaking with a much brighter expression.

“The result was not only in the destination. I thought that the arrival was more important than the process, and efficiency was more important than the experience, so my mind······became narrow-minded.”

As Cheong-un finished speaking, Deung Gwang-hyeok could feel that the mental demon that had been tormenting Cheong-un’s mind had disappeared.

It seemed like I had gained some kind of enlightenment on my own, and I don’t know what it was, but it was a level higher than before… It was a state of enlightenment.

It was no joke anymore.

Even if you fight Cheongun and Bimu, you can’t easily guarantee victory.

······Deung Gwang-hyeok was truly absurd.

If I have to point it out.

Deung Gwang-hyeok was finally able to realize what kind of warrior Cheong-un was.

“Your martial arts studies have been influenced by many people, but it seems like you don’t have anyone in particular as your teacher.”

Cheongun didn’t have any particular answer.

However, Deung Gwang-hyeok could see the surprise that briefly flashed in Cheong-un’s eyes.

“Therefore, it is not a martial arts discipline that follows a specific lineage, but it is a martial arts discipline that follows the way and enlightenment of the previous generations.”

“······.”

“One who follows the path of the immortals, but does not repeat or retrace the path they have walked.”

The creator does not just follow.

At some point, you just have to create your own path.

“You may deny it, but the history of the martial arts world often speaks of such people in this way.”

A warrior whose depth even Deng Gwang-hyeok could not fathom.

“The founder of the sect or the great master.”

A person who establishes a religious sect and spreads its doctrine throughout the world, a founder of the sect.

A great master who establishes a sect in the world by establishing a single purpose.

However, there already existed in the world a huge stronghold called the Nine Factions and One Gang.

“I don’t know what sect or school you are trying to establish in this world, but it is clear that it is a difficult path that even I would not dare to walk.”

Over the centuries, hundreds and thousands of years, countless people have challenged that great fortress.

However, the one that still rules the world today is the ‘Nine Factions and One Gang’.

“As a senior in the martial arts world, I would like to give you some advice on your path······.”

The path that Cheongun walks is a path that even Deung Gwanghyeok has not walked.

“You can’t talk about something you don’t know, so I have no advice to give you.”

Talking about things you have no experience with is not advice, it’s just coaching.

“But if I back off without providing any help, I will lose face as a senior in the martial arts world.”

Furthermore, it is not polite to the benefactor of the Murim Alliance.

“Is there anything else you would like?”

Deung Gwang-hyeok asked Cheong-un.

If Cheongwoon wanted elixir, he would reveal the secrets of the Murim Alliance. If he wanted martial arts, he would teach him everything about Deung Gwanghyeok. If he wanted wealth, he would open the warehouse of the Murim Alliance.

however.

“I did not do this in hope of receiving anything in return. In fact, I have already attained enlightenment through dialogue with you, Lord. Therefore, it is only right that I repay you.”

Cheongun just shook his head.

It wasn’t a polite or polite refusal for the sake of saving face, but a genuine and unnecessary appearance of Cheong-un. It even seemed like he really wanted to repay Deung Gwang-hyeok.

The warrior called Cheongun is incalculable, and the ‘person’ called Cheongun is also too big to be counted.

“This is really tricky. This is tricky.”

It was a truly difficult situation.

Even as one of the ten best martial artists in the world and as the number one leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, Deung Gwang-hyeok could not provide or give any help or reward to Cheong-un.

Maybe that’s why.

“You, do you have any intention of becoming the leader of the Murim Alliance?”