Chapter 101: Chapter 101
“Wow! Mount Hua Sect!”
“I’m going to be a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect!”
It was only two days ago that the rumor of the Mount Hua Sect opening its mountain gates had spread, yet a long line had already formed on Mount Hua.
Unconcealable anticipation resided in the faces and eyes of the countless boys and girls climbing the mountain path.
But wasn’t it said that not everyone was the same?
“Eeng, I don’t want to become a Daoist.”
“Tsk! Stop whining and come quickly!”
Perhaps because some were dragged to Mount Hua against their will, there were occasionally those who were complaining.
Creaaak…
At that moment, the mountain gates of Mount Hua opened, and an elderly-looking old Daoist appeared.
It was none other than the Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect, Hyeon-sang.
“Who is that Daoist…?”
“Who is it? An elder?”
However, the majority of the crowd did not recognize the Sect Leader’s identity.
It was a matter of course.
The Sect Leader had rarely stepped forward directly into the Jianghu until now, and most of the reputation the Mount Hua Sect had built recently belonged to Hyeon-do.
That is, the Mount Hua Divine Sword was taking up all the attention.
A situation had occurred where they knew the physical description of the Mount Hua Divine Sword but were still unfamiliar with the Sect Leader.
The Sect Leader could have been disappointed by the situation where he was not recognized, but.
‘This is good.’
He showed no such signs at all.
No, to be precise, he was so elated right now that he had no time to be disappointed.
Because he was happy just looking at those who had flocked to join the Mount Hua Sect.
‘I never thought it would be revived again in my generation….’
Deep emotion welled up.
‘I now have the face to see my ancestors.’
In fact, although he did not express it outwardly, he had blamed himself for a long time.
To the point of having nightmares every day out of guilt that the fall of the Mount Hua Sect was because of him.
‘But now….’
The Sect Leader looked ahead.
What did he see!
Countless crowds!
Many people from all over the world had come to become disciples of the Mount Hua Sect.
Just as he was feeling elated.
‘No. It’s not time to be satisfied.’
He calmly settled his emotions.
It was not yet time to rejoice.
‘Because it begins now.’
Coming to his senses, the Sect Leader circulated the Purple Cloud Divine Art and brought his two hands together to bow.
“Immeasurable Life Buddha.”
At that moment, the majestic Daoist chant containing the internal energy of the Purple Cloud Divine Art washed over them like a wave.
Hwaaak!
At the same time, the faint sunset light that began to spread with the Sect Leader at the center dyed the mountain gates and Mount Hua, no, even the sky itself.
“Heoh.”
“….!”
The entire crowd was mesmerized.
When would they have ever seen such a thing?
The astonishing sight of the sky changing!
“H-He is an immortal!”
“They said only immortals reside in Mount Hua.”
By the time the current sight was deeply engraved in everyone’s eyes more than anything else.
‘Look closely.’
The Sect Leader, who had created that sight, swept his gaze over the crowd and drew an arc on his lips.
Everything about this situation was planned.
The fact that he, who usually acted frugally, deliberately manifested the Purple Cloud Divine Art to show off, and unleashed the Lion’s Roar as well.
It was to showcase his martial prowess while simultaneously warning those who had snuck in.
Those belonging to the Nine Great Sects and One Gang.
It was clear that there were also people mixed in from the Eight Great Clans or the Flying Heaven Society.
‘From now on, this Sect will not be an easygoing place unlike in the past.’
The Sect Leader slowly turned his head.
“Thank you for taking a long journey for the Mount Hua Sect today. This poor Daoist is the Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect, Hyeon-sang.”
The crowd buzzed.
“Heok! Sect Leader!”
“T-That person is the Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect?”
The appearance of the Mount Hua Sect’s Sect Leader, about whom there were barely any rumors, made the tension swell.
The Sect Leader nodded while examining the quieted surroundings.
‘Today has finally come.’
A gentle smile spread across his lips.
Soon, he looked at the Daoists guarding the mountain gates and let out a low voice.
“Is everyone ready?”
“Immeasurable Life Buddha. Everything is ready.”
When the Daoist answered politely.
“Good.”
The Sect Leader lightly raised his hand.
Waaaaah!
A very light action, but the resulting impact made Mount Hua boil over.
Seeing them cheer, the Sect Leader felt his heart swell.
A sight he had dreamed of all his life.
Its beginning was from right now.
‘As of today, Mount Hua shall soar.’
The Sect Leader, his eyes shining, unleashed the Lion’s Roar towards the crowd.
“We will open the mountain gates.”
After the Sect Leader’s round of welcoming greetings ended, boys and girls were gathered together on the training ground prepared at the mountain gates.
“What kind of person will come?”
“Could it perhaps be a Plum Blossom Swordsman?!”
The young children, who had not even lost their baby fat, stamped their feet in anticipation and waited with flushed expressions for a moment.
Step… Step…
Two young Daoists entered.
The two Daoists, Cheon-hwi and Jeok-geom, who were wearing contrasting black and white Daoist robes, looked at the children staring at them with bright eyes.
Cheon-hwi’s brow narrowed.
“Why are there only children?”
“Ha, haha.”
Jeok-geom laughed awkwardly.
“….It was the Sect Leader’s order.”
Wow, they’re really trying to extract every last bit of value.
There were many others besides him who were screening the disciples joining the sect.
However, the age range of the children gathered here was roughly fourteen years old or younger.
At a glance, it was clearly intended to find talents who would take responsibility for the Mount Hua Sect in the future.
“I can go once I’m done, right?”
“That is right.”
“Good.”
Cheon-hwi stood in front of the boy at the very front.
“Name?”
“Jo, it’s Jo Ung.”
“Learned martial arts.”
“I have none!”
“Is that so? Then hold out your right hand.”
“Here it is!”
After checking the pulse of the boy who held out his hand with a stiffly frozen face, he opened his mouth.
“Aptitude is ordinary. But you will achieve great success if you learn the blade arts.”
“A-Understood.”
As Cheon-hwi immediately stated the suitable martial art and aptitude, Jeok-geom, who was following beside him, quickly moved his brush.
“Did you write it all down?”
“Yes!”
Checking that it was all written down, Cheon-hwi immediately waved his hand as if annoyed.
“You can leave now.”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
As the boy hastily left, Cheon-hwi looked at the girl behind him and opened his mouth.
“Name?”
“I, I am….”
Such a process repeated continuously.
Confirming that all the dozens of children had disappeared, Cheon-hwi opened his mouth.
“It’s all done now, right?”
“Yes. You truly worked hard.”
Jeok-geom wiped the beads of sweat forming on his forehead with his sleeve and scanned the roster.
“Phew, among the children checked today, these two are about the only outstanding ones.”
Just as Jeok-geom, who was looking at the densely written names, aptitudes, and potentials, was checking the names of the two special children.
“Benefactor!”
A sharp shout was heard from outside.
Hm? This voice?
The moment Cheon-hwi turned his head at the somewhat familiar voice, he discovered a familiar woman running from afar.
“Danmok Rin?”
Why is she here?
When he looked at her who had appeared out of nowhere.
“Who is she?”
Jeok-geom asked from his side.
“Someone I saw briefly in the past.”
“Is that so?”
Jeok-geom scratched his head.
It was because the expression of the running woman was very bright for them to just be acquaintances who had met briefly.
‘Martial Uncle will surely take care of it.’
In the meantime, Danmok Rin, who had already arrived in front of Cheon-hwi, calmed her heavy breathing.
After that, she looked up at Cheon-hwi and said.
“Benefactor, it has been a while.”
“It has been a while.”
Unlike her, who welcomed him with a bright smile, Cheon-hwi looked annoyed.
“I heard the mountain gates of the Mount Hua Sect were opening today, so I came to see Benefactor.”
“Is that so?”
Cheon-hwi did not ask further.
He just figured that was the case.
‘But she’s completely healed.’
Danmok Rin was still short in stature, but she had shed her girlish appearance to some extent.
“You’re fully recovered now.”
“Yes! It’s all thanks to Young Hero.”
The moment she spoke with a bright smile, the face of Jeok-geom, who had been quietly watching the two from the side, turned bright red.
‘Such a beauty….’
Her appearance of acting shy with her sweat-soaked hair stuck to her cheeks was very alluring enough to shake his guard, having stayed only in the Mount Hua Sect for a long time.
“Martial Uncle, this young lady is…?”
At Jeok-geom’s cautious question, Danmok Rin smiled brightly and cupped her fists.
“Ah! I am called Rin.”
“I-Immeasurable Life Buddha. I am Jeok-geom.”
“Ah! So you are Young Hero Jeok-geom.”
“That is right!”
Jeok-geom grew intensely focused.
“You are a wonderful person.”
At the compliment, Jeok-geom’s philtrum stretched out in a goofy grin, and he stared at her blankly.
This experience was a first in his life.
Of course, he had seen many beauties.
As both Seol Ran and Princess So-hui were among the top beauties he could count on his hand in his entire lifetime.
But Danmok Rin was somewhat different.
Just looking at her made it feel as if his reason was melting down and blurring.
‘Tsk. Being bewitched without even enduring this.’
Cheon-hwi looked at the dizzy Jeok-geom with a pathetic gaze.
‘If he met a master of the Arts of the Bedchamber, he’d just fall for them entirely, wouldn’t he?’
The reason Jeok-geom kept losing his mind was simple.
It was true that she was a beauty, but right now, Danmok Rin was a little different from others.
Perhaps because she had overcome the Extreme Yin Foundation Body.
An unfathomably powerful Yin energy was saturated in her body, so one couldn’t help but be fascinated by that aura.
Especially if it was a youth overflowing with vigor like Jeok-geom, it wouldn’t be strange for his eyes to flip over from the moment he saw her.
At that time, Danmok Rin initiated a conversation.
“Benefactor. I came to keep my promise.”
Seeing her speak shyly, Cheon-hwi’s brain spun rapidly.
‘Promise? Ah, that!’
He recalled the deal he made with her.
That she would devote everything.
“I don’t need it right now though.”
“No!”
Danmok Rin shook her head vigorously.
And then she spoke with sparkling eyes.
“I’ve already cleaned everything up and came.”
What? Cleaned up? What did you clean up?
It was questionable.
What he wanted from her was just for the Danmok Clan to help when in danger.
That was all, though.
However, that question was immediately resolved as soon as she opened her mouth.
“I will become a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect and help Young Hero right by your side!”
* * *
“This young girl greets the Sect Leader Immortal.”
“I greet the Sect Leader Immortal of the Mount Hua Sect.”
“Immeasurable Life Buddha.”
The Sect Leader looked at Danmok Rin and the Iron Sword Qi Hero who were bowing demurely, and felt troubled.
‘Heoheo, to think it’s the Iron Sword Qi Hero and the youngest daughter of the Danmok Clan, which has a high reputation in the Jianghu.’
The Danmok Clan was one of the pillars of the Eight Great Clans and was in a hostile relationship with the Mount Hua Sect.
They had already cut off interactions a long time ago, yet they had visited this Sect.
‘No, it’s not just a visit either.’
“….Is it that Young Lady wishes to become a disciple of this Sect?”
“Yes.”
Danmok Rin smiled radiantly.
Seeing her impossibly innocent smile, the Sect Leader felt a headache coming on.
‘It’s complicated, it’s complicated.’
Who would have ever imagined it?
That the cherished youngest daughter of the Danmok Clan would come seeking to become a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.
“Do you not know what relationship this Sect has with Young Lady’s clan?”
“No. I am well aware.”
“Yet you still wish to become a disciple of this Sect?”
“Yes.”
Danmok Rin answered energetically with a clear and articulate voice.
The Sect Leader’s head throbbed.
“However, if Young Lady joins this Sect, how would the Danmok Clan just stand by….”
“It does not matter.”
Danmok Rin cut off his words, and soon added a shocking statement.
“I have already cut ties with the clan.”
“Cut ties…?”
At the unbelievable words, the Sect Leader stared blankly at Danmok Rin, then turned his gaze to the Iron Sword Qi Hero who was smiling sourly.
“Are those words true?”
“They are.”
Hearing the Iron Sword Qi Hero’s answer, the Sect Leader felt his mind becoming even more complicated.
“Then are you saying you cut ties with your clan in order to become a disciple of this Sect?”
“Yes.”
“Heoh.”
The Sect Leader held his forehead.
A child of the Eight Great Clans cuts ties with their clan to join the Mount Hua Sect?
No matter how much he was the Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect, those words were hard to accept.
“What is the reason you wish to join this Sect by going that far?”
“That is….”
She stopped speaking and blushed, then whispered while twiddling her fingers.
“To be together with Young Hero Cheon-hwi.”
At the sudden appearance of Cheon-hwi’s name, the Sect Leader’s eyes widened.
“Because he is the benefactor who saved my life.”
Danmok Rin’s expression bloomed like a flower.
It was to the point where even her complexion felt bright, as if she was happy just talking about Cheon-hwi.
“Heoheoheo, is that so.”
Seeing Danmok Rin dye her cheeks with a shy expression, the Sect Leader laughed dejectedly.
‘Oh my. Cheon-hwi’s charm has bewitched the daughter of the Eight Great Clans.’
It was a truly absurd reason.
But it was understandable.
Wasn’t it Cheon-hwi!
Mm, that’s right. With Cheon-hwi’s talent and appearance, it was a sufficiently possible matter.
“I understand for now.”
Soon, he looked at the Iron Sword Qi Hero.
“Then will you also join this Sect….”
“I will not.”
The Iron Sword Qi Hero shook his head.
“I only came to escort Rin, so I plan to leave soon.”
“Is that so?”
The Sect Leader actually felt relieved.
‘Hearing him say that makes it believable.’
If the Iron Sword Qi Hero had also said he cut ties with the clan, it would have become a complicated matter.
“Then I understand.”
The Sect Leader rose from his seat.
“I will deliberate carefully and try to decide on this matter.”
The Iron Sword Qi Hero also stood up hurriedly and bowed deeply towards the Sect Leader.
“Please take good care of Rin.”
Danmok Rin also brought her two hands together.
“I leave it in your care.”
Seeing the two, the Sect Leader smiled.
“I will try my best.”
Ending the short meeting with the two, the Sect Leader immediately summoned the pillars of the Mount Hua Sect.
“Everyone has gathered.”
The Sect Leader spoke while looking around.
Despite the sudden summons, many people were gathered at the Unjung Pavilion.
“Has everyone heard the story?”
“Are you referring to the daughter of the Danmok Clan?”
“I have heard.”
As if the rumor had already spread, everyone reacted immediately.
“I would like to hear everyone’s thoughts.”
As soon as the Sect Leader’s words finished.
“I object.”
The Pavilion Lord of the Martial Training Pavilion spoke with a stiff face.
“Recently, thanks to the efforts of Senior Martial Brother Hyeon-do and Junior Martial Brother Hyeon-jin, we have become closer with the Murim Alliance. However, if we accept the daughter of the Danmok Clan as a disciple, the relationship we barely recovered will be strained again.”
“That is correct.”
“Could it be that she is a spy?”
“We just opened the gates of the Mount Hua Sect, and we cannot create a troublesome matter here.”
Those who agreed with his logical words added a word each.
Now was the time for the Mount Hua Sect to soar.
But an incident that could be used against them occurs?
It was asking for trouble.
However, perhaps not everyone thought so, as Hyeon-ryeo immediately rebutted.
“They are an Orthodox Sect. They, who worry about their reputation, are not stupid enough to blatantly act as spies like this.”
At her rebuttal, everyone who had been agreeing with the Pavilion Lord of the Martial Training Pavilion shut their mouths.
The Sect Leader spat out his opinion towards them, who had become quiet.
“I intend to accept her as a disciple.”
Those who were opposing, including the Pavilion Lord of the Martial Training Pavilion, sprang up from their seats.
“That is!”
“How!”
The Sect Leader looked at them and spoke.
“How could we, as Daoists, reject someone who wishes to devote themselves to this Sect?”
“But how can that alone….”
“Her talent is outstanding.”
At that moment, everyone flinched.
“Talent?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“In the future, the world’s number one female supreme master will emerge from the Mount Hua Sect.”
“….!”
Instantly, the hall stirred greatly as if an earthquake had occurred.
It was such a shocking statement.
“Are you saying her talent is comparable to that of the Sword Empress?”
At the question of the Pavilion Lord of the Martial Training Pavilion, the Sect Leader nodded silently.
“….”
Seeing that nod, the eyes of the opposing faction, including the Pavilion Lord of the Martial Training Pavilion, wavered.
“Perhaps even higher than her….”
The Sect Leader’s lingering words struck the Unjung Pavilion.
A shocking statement that made the back of their heads tingle, but almost no one believed it.
“That makes no sense!”
“At that age, the Sword Empress was already roaming the Jianghu, not just a rising star.”
“Isn’t it a matter of verifying it ourselves later.”
The Sect Leader spoke confidently.
… It’s a talent that won’t appear again in the world.
It was because he had already heard about Danmok Rin’s talent from Cheon-hwi.
‘Cheon-hwi’s discernment is unmistakable.’
The Sect Leader opened his mouth again.
“Is there anyone who objects?”
Swish!
Hyeon-ryeo raised her hand abruptly.
Just as everyone was showing bewilderment when Hyeon-ryeo, who had been agreeing until now, raised her hand.
“Did you not agree?”
“That is correct.”
The Sect Leader’s eyebrows twitched.
“Then why did you raise your hand?”
“I raised my hand to give an opinion.”
“What opinion is it?”
“Wouldn’t it be inappropriate to accept a child with such talent as a third-generation disciple?”
“Hmm, that is true.”
The Sect Leader stroked his beard.
Danmok Rin’s background and talent were far too outstanding to accept her as a third-generation disciple.
“If they undergo training together, the still-young disciples will receive a huge shock.”
Everyone understood those words.
When seeing someone with too outstanding a talent, most people used to feel a sense of despondency mixed with self-deprecation rather than jealousy.
Hadn’t most of the people here experienced such feelings at least once?
“So I would like to make a suggestion.”
“Do you have a method?”
As if waiting for those very words, Hyeon-ryeo’s eyes shone and she parted her lips.
“I would like to take her as my direct disciple.”
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