Chapter 006
A month-long hiatus.
As anticipation grew for Jin Un's story—paused at the third volume—readers grew increasingly frustrated when the fourth volume failed to appear.
Amid this mounting tension, troubling news reached the ears of the Wudang Sect and other martial artists.
News of a group distributing illegal handwritten copies.
"What?!"
"Illegal manuscripts?!"
"Yes, Sect Leader."
Master Hyeonseong's face flushed red, then blue, upon hearing Master Mujin's report.
The sight of his expression burning crimson like a volcano on the verge of eruption was rare even among the Wudang elders.
Most of them, however, were gripped by the same fury.
The fourth volume of Wudang Sword Hero wasn't being released.
And it was because of those scoundrels distributing illegal copies.
"Mucheon!!"
"Yes, Sect Leader!!"
"Take the Seven Swords! Go down the mountain and capture all those insolent criminals distributing illegal copies!"
The Seven Swords referred to the seven sword masters known throughout Wudang—the Wudang Seven Swords.
They were the elite of the elite, supreme masters whose names alone struck fear in the martial world.
This was the first time since Master Hyeonseong became Sect Leader that he had ordered all seven to be deployed.
His rage was unmistakable.
Why wouldn't the elders understand?
They too were avid readers of Wudang Sword Hero.
Yet acting purely on emotion could cause them to lose more than they gained.
"Sect Leader, please calm yourself. We must not act emotionally."
"Hmm!"
"Senior Brother Mujin, what would be the best course of action?"
The one who spoke was Master Mucheon, another of the Wudang Three Absolutes alongside Master Mujin—known as the Medical Absolute.
Master Mujin replied calmly,
"Despite our sect's growing influence, we cannot search the entire Central Plains, Sect Leader."
It was an undeniable truth.
No matter how powerful Wudang was—or how many allied secular sects supported them—they could not investigate the entire realm alone.
The Central Plains were vast beyond measure.
"Then what do you suggest, Mujin?"
"We should seek the help of the Murim Alliance."
"The Alliance's help?"
Master Mujin closed his eyes briefly, then nodded.
Master Mucheon spoke again,
"Then let Master Mugung petition the Alliance Chief."
Master Mugung—the youngest of the Wudang Three Absolutes, known as the Magnificent Absolute—represented Wudang at the Murim Alliance.
Through him, a direct request could be made.
Of course, procedures would need to be followed, but given the matter concerned Wudang Sword Hero, there would be little resistance.
After all…
Wasn't Teacher Sugyeong a benefactor to the current Wudang Sect?
Though never spoken aloud, most Wudang disciples believed this—and it was not far from the truth.
"Issuing a Murim notice would be the quickest solution, Sect Leader."
"A Murim notice! Of course—that's it!"
Master Hyeonseong slapped his knee, realization flashing across his face.
The elders' expressions brightened.
A Murim notice would enlist righteous martial artists across the realm, greatly reducing the burden on Wudang alone.
"Mujin! Contact Mugung immediately! Inform the Alliance that our sect is issuing a Murim notice and request their assistance!"
"Yes, Sect Leader!"
As the meeting concluded and the elders dispersed, their anger glittered like stars scattered across the night sky.
And so, the seed unintentionally planted by Baek Sugyeong began to roll forward like a turning wheel.
What Baek Sugyeong would later call the "Plagiarism Extermination Incident"—the first coordinated operation to apprehend illegal manuscript distributors—had begun.
...
The distribution of Wudang Sword Hero followed a clear process.
Baek Sugyeong wrote the manuscript.
So Ssanga collected it.
Copies were made and delivered to contracted bookstores, which then supplied branches affiliated with the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company.
It was an ordinary system.
But human greed always found its way in.
Some diverted copies before official release.
Those who wanted to read Wudang Sword Hero even a single day earlier naturally gathered together.
And thus, the Black Brush Gang was born.
"Guild Leader, we've been hit again. Those Black Brush Gang bastards…"
"Again?!"
So Ssanga, buried beneath documents, let out a heavy sigh and collapsed into her chair.
Illegal circulation had drastically reduced direct bookstore sales.
She couldn't bring herself to face Baek Sugyeong like this.
"Ugh…"
"The martial artists are also outraged because Teacher Sugyeong hasn't released the next volume due to these criminals."
"The martial artists?"
So Ssanga knew exactly what that meant.
If Wudang Sword Hero hadn't sold explosively, the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company would never have recovered.
She felt immense gratitude—and responsibility.
"I heard Master Hyeonseong of Wudang is furious…"
"Ah."
The Gentle Immortal of Wudang.
A man not easily angered.
"Of course Wudang would be furious… given the title."
"I'm worried harm might come to the Teacher."
"That must not happen!"
To So Ssanga, Baek Sugyeong was a lifesaver.
A man who fed her when she was hungry, who never compromised his principles, who allowed her to remain an honest merchant.
"Owner Baek is my benefactor. We must block anything that might harm him."
"Of course."
The merchant hesitated, then spoke,
"First, we investigate the Black Brush Gang."
"Yes! Exactly!"
So Ssanga leapt up, her eyes shining like a comet.
"Investigate every bookstore contracted with us. There must be members hiding among the scribes."
Perhaps they had underestimated human greed.
"It won't be easy."
"We can't give up. If we don't cut the grass and remove the roots, the damage will only grow."
The merchant bowed.
"…I will root them out."
...
Huff… huff…
A man climbed desperately through the mountain paths, blood dripping from his shoulder.
He had fled Luoyang for hours without rest.
'Damn it… I must deliver this to the Director…'
Torches burned behind him like crimson flames.
"There he is!"
"Catch him!"
"That's a Black Brush Gang lackey who copied Teacher Sugyeong's writings!"
Sword energy ripped through the air.
The man screamed,
"Are you insane?! Killing someone over a book?!"
"No need for words!!"
"Do you think you can escape the net of heaven and earth?!"
"You madmen!!"
A beam of sword energy pierced his shoulder.
"Argh!!"
He collapsed, only to find a blade resting against his neck.
"Cease resistance. You will be taken to the Murim Alliance."
"Teacher Sugyeong will judge your crimes."
"Damn it—!"
A strike to the neck knocked him unconscious.
"Bind him."
"Yes, sir!"
The elderly swordsman—Master Mugung—furrowed his brow.
"Split the forces. The Black Brush Gang may be tied to the Hao Sect."
"Yes!"
Under the moonlight, the Murim Alliance warriors scattered in different directions.
The hunt had truly begun.