Ep488 - I Became a Drunkard in a Martial Arts Novel.

Baek Woo-jin realized that something significant had happened as he faced the oppressive tension that seemed ready to erupt into a life-and-death battle at any moment. ‘Something big has happened.’ Furthermore, he was alarmed by the ominous certainty that if he rashly claimed his innocence, one of them—either himself or the Mount Hua Sect—might be obliterated before even facing the Heavenly Demon. Thus, Baek Woo-jin quietly extended his hand. “I’m not sure what event has transpired, but I will submit to arrest without resistance. However, I have a condition.” A middle-aged man at the forefront of the group hesitated briefly before asking. “…What is it?” Baek Woo-jin replied. “I am not submitting because I acknowledge guilt. Rather, I wish to avoid an unnecessary fight. So, please treat me and my team humanely.” Upon this suggestion, some disciples grumbled in disdain. “What a shameless fellow he is!” “There’s no need to entertain such proposals, Elder! Just give us the order, and we’ll capture him at the risk of our lives!” “That’s right!” The man standing in front, the Third Elder of the Mount Hua Sect, Gijung-seon, shouted at the disciples. “Silence, all of you!” While the young disciples might speak boldly, he knew better. Against any ordinary opponent, he wouldn’t have listened to a word. However, the man before him surpassed ordinary levels by many leagues. ‘Baek Woo-jin…’ He was currently and potentially the future of the martial world, having garnered great acclaim for his pivotal role in the war against the Blood Cult, earning him the moniker “Celestial Light Sword Deity” and nearly equating him to the One Emperor and the Three Sovereigns. If the disciples were to cross swords with such a foe, Mount Hua would be stained red with their blood. Pride in the sect was crucial, but practicality was equally important, especially when it concerned the lives of the disciples. Moreover, whether out of some hidden intention or not, hadn’t the opponent already lowered his head voluntarily? Agreeing to his proposal wouldn’t bring a severe blow to the sect’s pride. Having made his decision, he answered. “…Very well! If you comply meekly with my words, I will assure humane treatment.” “Agreed.” Baek Woo-jin turned to his team and said, “We don’t know what's happening yet, but let’s comply peacefully.” His team wore expressions of dissatisfaction. However, they did not express it vehemently. The true enemy they had to face was the Heavenly Demon. It would be exceedingly foolish to antagonize the Mount Hua Sect before confronting her. “Bind them!” Among the group behind him, some older disciples stepped forward to bind Baek Woo-jin and his team, pressing acupoints near their Dantians to temporarily seal their qi flow. The team members felt their strength drain suddenly. Yet, Baek Woo-jin and the Blood Demon Witch seemed entirely unaffected despite having their acupoints pressed. This was because a mere acupoint sealing technique used by a martial artist of upper third to transcendent class could hardly restrain their qi flow. After binding them all, Gijung-seon turned around. “Let’s return!” Though it felt different than expected, it was the moment of entering the Mount Hua Sect. * * * Regardless of the promised humane treatment, their quarters were predetermined as they were being treated as criminals. The underground prison located on the outskirts of the Mount Hua Sect. There, Baek Woo-jin finally learned the reason behind their vehement actions. The situation unfolded like this: An assassination attempt was made on the head of the Mount Hua Sect the previous night. Fortunately, having sensed the attack in his sleep, the head countered, thus surviving. The problem arose during the ensuing duel; the head had been grievously injured with a long diagonal gash across his chest and had fallen unconscious, unable to awaken. Furthermore, just before collapsing, the head had identified the assailant. “…And that’s supposed to be me?” “Don’t act ignorant, you rascal! The head himself pointed you out as the culprit! How can you try to deny it?” “Even for someone in human form, how can you be so shameless!” The elders of the Mount Hua Sect, who had gathered to interrogate Baek Woo-jin, hurled accusations at him. From their perspective, it made sense. To have the traitor pointed out directly by the head just before collapsing, only for that person to feign ignorance and ask back, would certainly stir indignation. Nevertheless, Baek Woo-jin was just as exasperated and frustrated. ‘Who could’ve possibly done this…’ If the head had faced the assailant and identified him as the perpetrator, then it had to be someone who resembled him. Someone skilled in disguise and bone manipulation could impersonate him easily. The only worrying aspect was the impostor’s skill level. ‘If they could inflict such injuries on the head of the Mount Hua Sect, their skill is far from ordinary…’ The nine great schools of the righteous martial world. Among them, the current head of the Mount Hua Sect bears the name, ‘Joo Un’. Renowned by the moniker "Plum Blossom Sword Immortal" rather than his real name, he stood at the pinnacle of the Huagyeong realm. To grievously wound a man on the verge of reaching Hyungyeong would require skills at least on par or perhaps even mastery of Hyungyeong. Although many hidden masters lurked within the martial world, finding someone of Hyungyeong level was no simple task. Thus, it was understandable that they would point to him, leaving no room for doubt, as the prime suspect. As he pondered quietly, one of the Mount Hua Sect's elders shouted sharply at him. “If you have a mouth, use it, scoundrel!” Startled by the booming reprimand, he finally responded. “It was not me who did this.” “What did you say…!” “How dare he lie!” “A thorough torture would bring the truth out of him!” Despite only uttering a single sentence, he was met with an onslaught of accusations three or four times more in volume. Barely managing to suppress his frustration amidst the barrage, he continued. “My team and I arrived in Hwaeum County at sunset yesterday. We rented a side wing of an inn to rest and were in bed early.” Many could attest to this. They only needed to ask the beggars of Hwaeum County or the people of the Hao sect to unravel his whereabouts in detail. However, this alone wouldn’t suffice. “That hardly proves your innocence. The incident with the head happened around midnight. With your skill, you would have had ample time to infiltrate and ambush the head.” The one who logically countered his words was ‘Tak Woo-il,’ the First Elder of the Mount Hua Sect. As the second-in-command after the head, he now led the sect in the head's incapacitated state. Renowned in the martial world as the "White-Beard Plum Sage," his white, lush beard exuded the aura of a nobleman. His argument was indeed persuasive. Because of that, Baek Woo-jin’s earlier words were easily dismissed as meaningless defiance. Thus, he needed to present more definitive proof. Evidence more conclusive to prove he was not the assailant. Taking a bolder approach, he said, “If I truly were the one who ambushed the head, the head would not be alive.” “What did you say!” His radical statement enraged the Mount Hua elders. “This scoundrel needs to be harshly disciplined to regain his senses!” “Do you expect humane treatment while mocking our sect?” The elders took his comment as a direct affront to their pride. However, Baek Woo-jin had no intention to insult. He simply stated a fact. “It's neither mockery nor bravado. It is merely confidence and pride in my abilities.” “Yet, you…” Baek Woo-jin cut off an elder about to retort, continuing his statement. “When I truly intend to take a life and draw my sword, there are few in this world who could survive.” His words were haughty, indeed. But unlike before, they hesitated to speak or act further. A sudden surge of formidable aura emanated from Baek Woo-jin, as if he were questioning them instead of being the one interrogated. It was a peculiar situation. Here he was, supposedly captured and questioned, yet he seemed to turn the tables. Baek Woo-jin turned to the Third Elder, Gijung-seon. “I clearly stated that I am complying to avoid unnecessary conflict.” Facing them, Baek Woo-jin continued. “I did not ambush the head of your sect. Furthermore, why would I commit such a deed? I am a martial artist like yourselves, aligned with the righteous sects. Even if the head were to perish, do you think it would benefit me in any way?” His earnest words began to soften the elders’ hostile stance. The strategy of jolting them awake with a provocative statement, followed by a softer, conciliatory approach—a technique Baek Woo-jin often used. Acknowledging some truth in his words, the First Elder, Tak Woo-il, spoke. “I acknowledge there is some logic in your words. Yet, just those words alone do not absolve you.” Baek Woo-jin hadn't expected complete exoneration at this stage. He simply hoped to converse with them on equal terms. “I understand. That’s why I ask you to grant me a few days' grace.” Understanding his intention, Tak Woo-il’s brow furrowed. “Hmm…, you intend to personally catch the real culprit?” “Yes, that's correct.” As Baek Woo-jin answered, Tak Woo-il stroked his beard, pondering deeply. “If you catch the true perpetrator yourself, that would indeed be the most definitive proof. However…, having the prime suspect wander freely within our sect is also a profound threat.” Baek Woo-jin curled his lips slightly, continuing his words. “As you mentioned, if I truly drew my sword, no one here would be able to stop me.” Baek Woo-jin smiled wryly. It was quite impressive for the elder to turn his earlier statement into a pressure tactic against him. “What would you have me do, then?” he asked. After a moment of contemplation, a notion seemed to dawn on Tak Woo-il, who spoke with a thoughtful look. “I’ve heard that you treasure your team members above your own life.” Baek Woo-jin frowned slightly. He sensed an unfavorable direction in Tak Woo-il's words. And his unease turned into certainty with the elder's next statement. “Allow us to hold one of your team members as collateral. In return, we’ll allow you to pursue the real perpetrator yourself.” “……” The moment those words were uttered, Baek Woo-jin’s demeanor turned rough. Internally, he was genuinely contemplating. ‘Should I just turn everything upside down?’ Perhaps it would be better to abandon the confrontation with the Heavenly Demon and simply act on his instinct, overthrowing everything. While sincerely considering such drastic action, one of the team members, who was locked in the prison alongside him, stepped forward and spoke. “…I’ll remain as collateral.” --- **Author's Note** Due to relatives visiting the day before Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), there is a possibility of a break in publication tomorrow. If there is a break, I will inform you through a separate announcement. I will return with the next chapter. Thank you always for reading. Have a peaceful night. (_ _)