Chapter 104: Chapter 104
“…Is that all?”
Danmok Rin could not hide her disappointment as she cautiously asked again.
“Is there anything else?”
Cheon-hwi’s answer was not what she wanted.
“But Senior Martial Brother saved me…”
“Wasn’t that because of our deal?”
“…”
Danmok Rin was at a loss for words.
She thought that Cheon-hwi was her benefactor who had saved her from the abyss of death and the destiny bestowed by heaven.
But the other party of that destiny, Cheon-hwi.
‘…Doesn’t even care about me.’
Danmok Rin’s expression became sullen.
“Is that so…”
Muttering, she powerlessly drooped her shoulders and left as if running away.
“You are a bad man.”
Princess So-hui’s voice was heard.
“She was showing favor to the young hero to the point that even I, who knows nothing, could tell. Yet you cut her off so coldly…”
Cheon-hwi, who was listening, chuckled.
He also knew that much.
‘It’s not like I’m an idiot.’
There was no way he wouldn’t know when she looked at him with eyes dripping with honey.
“I am a Taoist, though?”
“…I heard that the Taoists of the Mount Hua Sect are lenient regarding marriage.”
“So you’re telling me to get engaged?”
“No, not that far…”
Cheon-hwi, who was looking at the flustered Princess So-hui, looked at Danmok Rin’s receding back.
‘Her head is a flower garden.’
Danmok Rin was an overly pure woman who didn’t know the ways of the world.
That was why she must have misunderstood.
To him, who had coincidentally appeared when she was in deep despair.
That this was destiny.
‘It was just a coincidence, though.’
* * *
The next day, Danmok Rin and Hyeon-ryeo came out to see off the Iron Sword Qi Hero as he was about to leave the Mount Hua Sect.
“Hahaha, I intended to leave quietly.”
“How could we send you off like that?”
Hyeon-ryeo, who smiled softly, looked up at the Iron Sword Qi Hero and bowed politely and respectfully.
“Immeasurable Life Buddha. You have worked hard to bring Rin to the distant Mount Hua Sect.”
“Haha, what do you mean by that…”
The Iron Sword Qi Hero scratched the back of his head as if embarrassed, and then cupped his fists.
“…Thank you.”
The Iron Sword Qi Hero laughed pleasantly.
‘I am thankful to the Mount Hua Sect.’
Honestly, he hadn’t expected them to accept Danmok Rin as a disciple like this.
No matter how outstanding Danmok Rin’s talent was and that she had cut ties with the clan, there were more disadvantages that came with it.
The checks and suspicions of the other Nine Great Sects and One Gang.
Moreover, by opening its gates now, hadn’t the Mount Hua Sect practically declared that they would step out into the Murim again?
“Thank you for accepting Rin as a disciple.”
“It is only natural.”
A smile formed on the Iron Sword Qi Hero’s lips.
He liked this reaction.
This reaction of acting as if this much was nothing, no matter what might happen in the future.
‘Is this a true Taoist?’
Mount Hua Divine Sword, Cheon-hwi, the Sect Leader, and others.
The Taoists of the Mount Hua Sect that he had seen for three days were distinctly different from the monks and Taoists steeped in the secular world.
Not to mention the Dao and Chivalry.
Even Affection.
They were neither rigid nor soft.
They were flexible Taoists themselves.
‘To the point that I want to get close to them.’
While thinking, he shook his head.
‘But I probably won’t be able to.’
It might have been possible in the past when the Orthodox Faction was one, but that was not reality.
The Danmok Clan and the Mount Hua Sect were enemies.
Getting closer was impossible.
Even Hyeon-ryeo and now Danmok Rin as well.
‘It would be good if such a thing didn’t happen…’
He couldn’t bring himself to be certain.
He could only pray.
Just that they wouldn’t become enemies.
Smiling bitterly, the Iron Sword Qi Hero stroked the head of Danmok Rin, who had been keeping her head deeply bowed since earlier.
“What’s wrong?”
“Uncle… I’m sorry. If only I hadn’t been stubborn…”
“What are you sorry for?”
“Cutting ties…”
“Are you saying you regret it?!”
The Iron Sword Qi Hero’s voice rose.
“Did you cut ties and become a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect with only that level of resolve?”
“That is…”
“What are you trying to gain with such half-hearted resolve?”
The Iron Sword Qi Hero glared at Danmok Rin.
He had stayed at the Mount Hua Sect for merely three days, but he saw through the relationship between Danmok Rin and Cheon-hwi clearly.
No, anyone who saw the two of them converse would have no choice but to know.
That it was Danmok Rin’s unrequited love.
“Do you want him to be taken away?”
Danmok Rin bit her lip tightly.
The person named So-hui she saw yesterday.
Furthermore, the gazes of the female disciples of the Mount Hua Sect looking at Cheon-hwi were also unusual.
Danmok Rin lifted her head sharply.
Beneath her slightly raised eyebrows, her two pupils were filled with determination.
“No.”
“Right. That’s it.”
Having reminded Danmok Rin that it was not a good situation, the Iron Sword Qi Hero removed the hand placed on her head and stepped back.
“Then I will be going now before the mountain gates become any more desolate.”
“…Take care of yourself.”
“I will take care of myself if only to hear good news later, so do not worry.”
Smiling playfully, he passed the embarrassed Danmok Rin and stood in front of Hyeon-ryeo.
And he bowed politely toward Hyeon-ryeo and made a request.
Like a father entrusting his daughter.
“Please take good care of Rin.”
At the greeting that conveyed his feelings for Danmok Rin, a warm smile naturally formed on Hyeon-ryeo’s lips.
“Please do not worry.”
Hyeon-ryeo smiled softly and bowed.
“Immeasurable Life Buddha. I will pray that there are no major mishaps on your journey.”
“Hahaha, don’t worry about that.”
The Iron Sword Qi Hero laughed heartily.
“I will also pray for the Fairy’s health.”
A moment later, the Iron Sword Qi Hero left the Mount Hua Sect, and a bitter silence fell heavily.
Hyeon-ryeo and Danmok Rin kept their places like stone statues.
Soon, the Iron Sword Qi Hero disappeared.
“Let us go now.”
“Yes.”
At Hyeon-ryeo’s words, Danmok Rin, who had been watching for a long time until the Iron Sword Qi Hero completely disappeared, slowly turned her body.
‘I shouldn’t be picky about the means and methods.’
Danmok Rin’s offensive, which had been quiet for a while after parting with the Iron Sword Qi Hero, began again.
“Senior Martial Brother!”
She sought out Cheon-hwi every morning, and began a temptation stronger than anything else in the world.
“I read a martial arts manual called the Northern Wind Kick, would you like to hear about it?”
It was none other than martial arts.
And that choice was effective.
“Northern Wind Kick? What kind of martial art is it?”
Cheon-hwi, who would normally not even listen to Danmok Rin’s words, fell for it helplessly.
“It is a kicking technique used by an unidentified wanderer named the Northern Wind Guest who came down from the north a long time ago…”
Cheon-hwi pricked up his ears.
Kicking arts were martial arts that used the feet similar to leg arts, but were martial arts that focused solely on destructive power and speed rather than accuracy.
‘Kicking arts, I haven’t heard of them in a long time.’
Most martial arts consisted only of the hands, that is, Sword, Blade, Spear, and Hand, to the point that it was hard to see martial arts using the feet.
While hands could move freely, feet were hard to use in such a way.
At least leg arts had been passed down in various places, but kicking arts were not at all.
It was natural as they were too simple.
Swinging, stomping down, or stretching out.
And the Northern Wind Kick that she was currently explaining was also the same.
‘It looks very simple, but if it’s combined with footwork, it shows an unimaginable destructive power.’
He recalled an old man who had risen from a mere cultist of the Heavenly Demon Cult to an elder in the past.
Yin Wind Calling Demon Ma Il-seok.
Called a demon who brought the Yin wind, his whole body was as hard as a rock despite being over eighty years old.
His forearms, chest, and back were covered in muscles, but his legs in particular were a masterpiece.
‘The Mountain Cleaving Kick he performed with those legs was truly excellent.’
His thickly muscled legs, resembling those of a horse, cleaved the wind and split mountains when swung once.
Of course, the Northern Wind Kick was not to that extent.
It was slightly lacking to be called a supreme martial art, but it was a good kicking art to learn.
‘Especially when compared to the Mount Hua Sect.’
The leg arts and kicking arts that existed in the Mount Hua Sect were few.
Even if there were, it was something like the Leopard Tail Kick swung through the Nine Palaces Footwork.
Or only very basic martial arts like the Sweeping Leaf Kick Technique.
No matter how much they were a sword sect, it was serious.
‘How are they going to fight without a sword?’
Although they were leg arts unrelated to wielding a sword, there was always the ‘what if’.
There might come a situation where their shoulder was injured or they couldn’t use their arms.
‘Should I make one?’
It was something the old Cheon-hwi would have ignored out of annoyance.
But now, he was even thinking of stepping up.
Because he hated the Mount Hua Sect being looked down upon.
Cheon-hwi, who had been lost in thought for a moment, looked at Danmok Rin and asked.
“What is the mnemonic chant?”
At Cheon-hwi’s expression of interest, Danmok Rin’s expression brightened like the sun floating in the mid-heaven.
“The mnemonic chant of the Northern Wind Kick is…”
Around the time Danmok Rin recited the mnemonic chant of the Northern Wind Kick, there were people watching the two.
“Wi Jin. What do you think about that?”
Princess So-hui’s eyebrows furrowed.
Cheon-hwi was someone who ignored any words, saying they were annoying.
But how was it now?
He was taking the initiative to converse.
“…They look quite intimate.”
Sim Wi Jin, who was similarly looking at the two with a surprised face, spoke quietly.
“What do you think is the reason?”
“Perhaps it’s because of martial arts…”
“Does it look like that to Wi Jin as well?”
Princess So-hui’s eyes sank.
Soon, pitch-black flames soared in her pupils, and she opened her mouth.
“You know a lot of martial arts, right?”
“Well, I am also a martial artist of the Imperial Family, so I know to some extent, but…”
Sim Wi Jin, who was speaking, was startled.
It was because he felt the intention behind the question.
“But Princess. If we carelessly disclose the martial arts of the Imperial Family, they will…”
“Who told you to speak of the Imperial Family’s martial arts?”
Princess So-hui glared.
“You must have learned other martial arts too.”
Sim Wi Jin snapped to attention.
The Jianghu and the Imperial Family had a non-aggression relationship.
Therefore, there were martial arts that they learned separately to not leave traces of the Imperial Family when being active in the Jianghu.
“Follow me.”
Princess So-hui led the way first.
“Young Hero.”
At her call, the two who had been conversing turned their heads.
“Are you interested in the martial arts of the Imperial Family?”
Was he interested?
Wasn’t that an obvious question?
“My interest is overflowing.”
“Good.”
A smile spread across Princess So-hui’s lips.
“Wi Jin.”
“Understood.”
Sim Wi Jin immediately drew his sword.
The sword, which could be felt to have been well-maintained just by a glance, moved widely.
Whoosh…
A lightly swung sword.
However, because of it, the fluttering and falling plum blossoms created a whirlwind that seemed to cut into the flesh around the sword.
Hmm?
In an instant, Cheon-hwi’s eyes narrowed.
It was the Pine Wind Sword Art.
It was the absolute art of the Pine Wind Sect, a sect that once dominated the Central Plains.
Then it had suddenly been annihilated.
‘Was it related to the Imperial Family?’
A moment later, Sim Wi Jin, who had swung his sword a few times, stopped his sword and caught his breath.
“How is it?”
“It is a good sword art.”
Seeing Cheon-hwi show interest for the first time, Princess So-hui cheered internally.
‘But this one is not enough.’
Princess So-hui opened her mouth to hammer a wedge into Cheon-hwi’s interest.
“There are many more martial arts in the Imperial Palace’s armory. Would you like to come and take a look?”
She sounded Cheon-hwi out with a subtle tone.
“No.”
Only a firm refusal was heard.
What looking?
He was curious about the martial arts in the Imperial Palace’s armory, but he had absolutely no desire to get involved with the Imperial Family.
‘I’d rather sneak into the Imperial Palace’s armory instead.’
Recalling the Imperial Family, which had been like annoying mosquitoes, Cheon-hwi shook his head.
One avoids poop because it’s dirty, not because it’s scary.
Princess So-hui, who had never thought he would refuse, was flustered at first.
“Is that so?”
She quickly backed off.
‘I shouldn’t rush.’
She had only just found something that Cheon-hwi took an interest in and showed curiosity about.
“Then how about looking at other martial arts?”
“That would be good.”
Princess So-hui gestured to Sim Wi Jin with her eyes.
Sim Wi Jin, with a resigned expression, nodded and raised his sword again.
‘…This person.’
Meanwhile, Danmok Rin glared at her, recalling Princess So-hui’s words from earlier.
‘…She’s trying to take Senior Martial Brother away?’
She quickly stood beside Cheon-hwi.
“Senior Martial Brother, don’t do that, I know other martial arts as well.”
Cheon-hwi immediately turned his head.
“What kind of martial art?”
“This is an external martial art…”
Princess So-hui, not to be outdone, opened her mouth.
“If it’s external martial arts, we also…”
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