Chapter 201: Chapter 201
Did they say that words without feet travel a thousand li?
The rumor that the Mount Hua Sect and the Zhongnan Sect were victorious in the martial arts competition against the Four Supremes of the Divine Province spread extremely quickly throughout the world.
And most of the Jianghu martial artists who heard these rumors nodded their heads with expressions that said, ‘I knew it.’
The Zhongnan Sect and the Mount Hua Sect of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang.
Compared to them, although the opponent recently blocked their joint operation, they were the Four Supremes of the Divine Province who were just beginning to make a name for themselves.
Perhaps they thought it was a predetermined conclusion.
However, when even they heard the details of the rumor in detail, they tilted their heads.
‘A young Taoist named Cheon-hwi of the Mount Hua Sect defeated the masters from the Four Supremes of the Divine Province! Even the female master that Flying Swallow Sword Lord could not defeat!’
Everyone who heard the detailed story wondered what nonsense this was.
The Flying Swallow Sword Lord was one of the top masters in the Zhongnan Sect, and his fame resonated beyond Shaanxi to the whole world.
Especially, his reputation pierced the sky as he made brilliant contributions in destroying the White Ghost Castle in cooperation with the Mount Hua Divine Sword.
But he lost to a nameless female master?
“What? A female master who defeated the Flying Swallow Sword Lord? Say something that makes sense. If she was a female master of that caliber, she would have already made a name for herself in Jianghu.”
“Hey, you never know, right?”
“Alright, let’s say as you mentioned that the female master invited by the Four Supremes of the Divine Province luckily defeated the Flying Swallow Sword Lord! But what about such a female master? Cheon-hwi? Some Taoist I have never even heard of defeated her? Does that make sense?”
“How can you be so resolute? He could be a master secretly raised by the Mount Hua Sect.”
“Ha! No matter if it is the Mount Hua Sect, the Taoist named Cheon-hwi is said to be in his early twenties, just past twenty. Are you saying he defeated a master greater than the Flying Swallow Sword Lord at that age?”
Most found it absurd.
However, as the same stories repeatedly spread, those who dismissed them as lies began to listen one by one.
“If the rumors are true, it means a rising star of Jianghu has appeared in the Mount Hua Sect!”
“Hehe, I truly do not know how the world works. Just a few years ago, everyone said the Mount Hua Sect was a place that could fall at any time. Now, they have the Mount Hua Divine Sword who destroyed the White Ghost Castle, and a rising star named Cheon-hwi.”
“People will flock to Shaanxi at this rate!”
“Hey, isn’t that obvious? By now, the Mount Hua Sect must be bustling with people!”
Perhaps it was such a surprising story that it sparked heated debates in the beginning.
The rumor spread out explosively at an incredibly fast speed.
And in that rumor, the name of the Mount Hua Sect continued to be talked about more than the Zhongnan Sect.
And as the rumor spread further and further, Cheon-hwi’s name went up and down countless people’s mouths repeatedly, raising his fame.
At the Mount Hua Sect, the center of the rumors…
“Uh-huh! Where are you trying to cut in? I arrived first since early dawn and stood in line.”
“Geez! Please stop pushing! Why are you pushing so much on an already narrow mountain path? We will roll down together at this rate!”
“Ahem! It is not that I want to push either. It seems it is because the mountain path is too narrow for carriages to pass in and out. Please understand a little.”
It was bustling with people.
At a time when the sun had not yet risen. On the narrow mountain path heading toward the Mount Hua Sect’s mountain gate, an endless line had formed at some point.
The appearances of those standing in line varied.
Merchants, martial artists, innkeepers, etc…
Everyone had a wide variety of outfits and appearances, but there was exactly one commonality.
That they were people based in Shaanxi.
In particular, most of those currently in line were the ones who watched the martial arts competition at that time, and they had lined up faster than anyone else.
Their eyes were filled with greed.
Until now, the Zhongnan Sect had been exerting a greater influence within Shaanxi, but had they not seen the strength of Mount Hua clearly with their two eyes?
The Taoist named Cheon-hwi who displayed overwhelming martial prowess in the competition.
Convinced that as long as he was there, the Mount Hua Sect’s future would be brighter than the Zhongnan Sect’s future, they sought to invest hastily.
‘We must form a connection with the Mount Hua Sect!’
‘We unconditionally must join hands with this!’
‘If they join hands with other merchant guilds, we might be at a disadvantage! Before the other guys snatch them…!’
Since the Mount Hua Sect’s strength was not yet properly known to Jianghu, if they invested now, the profits they would gain would become even larger.
For that reason, they visited Mount Hua from the early crack of dawn before the sun even rose and waited for the mountain gate to open.
At a certain moment when the line continued to grow longer because of it.
Creaak…
The firmly closed mountain gate slowly opened.
“It finally opened!”
“Now…”
All at once, their gazes pierced toward the mountain gate, and soon a neatly dressed Fairy walked out from between the opened doors.
The Fairy, Hyeon-ryeo, wore a slightly surprised gaze at the feast of the endlessly connected line spread out before her eyes before bearing a smile.
‘There are more than during the time of White Ghost Castle.’
It was something she had roughly guessed, but witnessing it directly like this felt quite different.
She gently folded her two hands.
“Thank you to the many people who have visited our sect.”
Having politely paid her respects, she let a soft voice flow from between her lips.
The voice laden with internal energy was carried on the wind and knocked on the ears of those standing in line.
Seeing those who raised their heads while pricking up their ears, Hyeon-ryeo’s mouth moved again.
“Then please come one by one.”
Even after seeing the endlessly piled goods and people, Hyeon-ryeo calmly responded.
“It is an honor to meet you. This lowly one is called Yi Yeong, the guild leader of the Yi Yeong Merchant Guild. This time, I wish to form a connection with the Mount Hua Sect…”
“I am from the Hwayeong Inn…”
Those standing in line handed over the goods they brought, introduced themselves, and left their seats after leaving words asking Hyeon-ryeo to take good care of them.
Their departing footsteps were filled with lingering attachment.
That was to be expected as they had come wanting to see the Sect Leader or Cheon-hwi, who had gained fame this time.
However, they also had tact.
An endlessly long connected line.
While those making up that line were glaring at them, how could they ask to see the Sect Leader and Cheon-hwi?
“I will see you again next time.”
“I will drop by in the future.”
Because they did not want to make enemies of those in line, the visitors only handed over their goods and descended the mountain path in order with words seemingly expecting the future.
And at their attitudes, Hyeon-ryeo bowed her head and expressed her gratitude.
“Thank you for understanding the situation. When there is time to spare in the future, we will contact you separately.”
“Haha, I will wait for that day.”
While everyone continued repeatedly nodding their heads and stepping back at Hyeon-ryeo’s words.
“It is an honor to meet the Hyeon-ryeo Fairy of Mount Hua whom I have only heard of through words.”
A middle-aged man with a dignified impression took a fist-and-palm salute toward Hyeon-ryeo and politely greeted her.
At that, Hyeon-ryeo opened her eyes wide in great surprise and spoke.
“You know this poor Taoist.”
“I have often heard about the Fairy’s warm character from the Third Young Master.”
“Third Young Master…?”
When Hyeon-ryeo asked as if doubtful.
“Oops! My introduction was late.”
The middle-aged man smiled broadly and spoke.
“This lowly one’s name is Zhuge Song Yeong. Though humble, I lead a small merchant guild called the Waryong Merchant Guild (Sleeping Dragon Merchant Guild).”
When Zhuge Song Yeong revealed his name, only then did Hyeon-ryeo’s expression softly loosen.
“You were a figure from the Zhuge Clan.”
Hyeon-ryeo’s voice softened.
“If you say Third Young Master, you must be referring to Young Master Zhuge Seong-hyeon.”
“That is correct.”
“But for what reason did you visit all the way here?”
The smiling Hyeon-ryeo asked softly.
The Zhuge Clan was a clan situated in Shandong, far away from Shaanxi.
For that reason, the reason he visited Mount Hua now could only be quite different from the previous people.
And just as she thought, Zhuge Song Yeong nodded his head and parted his lips.
“I visited because I had something separate to deliver to the Mount Hua Sect.”
“If it is something to deliver…”
“It is a letter written by the Third Young Master.”
Zhuge Song Yeong carefully took out a scroll from inside his embrace and handed it to her.
“Could you directly deliver this to Taoist Cheon-hwi?”
“May I check it for a moment before delivering it?”
“That is fine.”
Hyeon-ryeo untied the string tying the letter and slowly unrolled it.
And she read down its contents.
By the time she had read about half of it like that.
“…!”
Hyeon-ryeo’s eyes glared open.
Soon, she looked at Zhuge Song Yeong and let out a stiff voice.
“Do you know the contents written inside?”
“I know them.”
Hyeon-ryeo tied the scroll again.
And she opened her mouth toward Jeok Wun behind her.
“I will entrust this place to you for a moment.”
“Ah, understood.”
Hyeon-ryeo turned her gaze back to Zhuge Song Yeong, who was standing still, and parted her lips.
“Please follow this poor Taoist.”
* * *
“Many people have visited.”
The Sect Leader, who was sipping tea while sitting on a chair in the Purple Mist Pavilion, looked down the window and wore a pleased smile all over his face.
“This is all thanks to you.”
Along with his words, he stared at the opposite side. There, where had his Taoist robe gone, Cheon-hwi wearing a pitch-black martial arts uniform was present.
“That is true. If it were not for me, it would have been difficult to win the competition.”
Cheon-hwi, who admitted it as if it was obvious, drank the tea in his teacup at once and spoke.
“But why did you call me?”
“Hehe, must I only call you when there is a matter?”
“You did that all this time.”
“Hehehe.”
Unable to refute it, the Sect Leader laughed awkwardly and carefully placed the teacup in his hand down on the table.
Along with a rattling sound, the water in the placed teacup sloshed slightly.
At the moment when even the faces of the Sect Leader and Cheon-hwi contained within it shook in the small ripples.
“From now on, the attention of the world will begin to focus on you.”
The Sect Leader looked at Cheon-hwi and spoke as if worried.
The current world was tumultuous.
Starting with the collapse of the White Ghost Castle, recently, they were making a fuss saying the Flying Heaven Society and the Four Black Alliances were clashing, or whatever.
Was that all.
The Martial Alliance’s movements were also in a situation where something felt unusual.
Amidst that, since an existence named Cheon-hwi appeared as if he dropped out of the sky.
All attention was bound to be focused.
“Especially the Nine Provinces Three Supreme Powers will move to find out about you. Not to mention the Martial Alliance, but even the Flying Heaven Society and the Four Black Alliances…”
“Well, I suppose so.”
Cheon-hwi nodded his head and agreed.
It was too obvious of a statement.
If a rising master suddenly popped up, anyone was bound to pay attention. Especially if that master came from the Mount Hua Sect that was in the midst of declining?
They would be bloodshot trying to obtain information.
“But didn’t you already think about that much and send me to the competition?”
The Sect Leader revealed a bitter smile instead of answering. As he said, he expected this much and sent Cheon-hwi to the competition.
To give Cheon-hwi fame.
And he succeeded according to that plan.
He gained great fame that was difficult to obtain in a short moment all at once, and his name resounded loudly throughout the whole world.
For that reason, he was even more worried.
“Cheon-hwi. I pride myself on knowing better than anyone in the world that your martial prowess is outstanding. With your martial prowess, it will be hard to find a match for you even in the world.”
The Sect Leader calmly spat out words that would have shocked others if they had heard them.
As if spitting out obvious words.
“But do you know this?”
Worry dyed the Sect Leader’s eyes.
“Great power is meant to come with great responsibility. It might have been different before you were known, but now that you have gained great fame, everyone will show interest in your every action and word. Whether it is good or bad. In whichever direction…”
Cheon-hwi chuckled and spoke.
“In other words, you are telling me to be careful with my words so that I don’t get caught by unnecessary faults by other guys, right?”
When the Sect Leader laughed awkwardly at Cheon-hwi’s words that shortly abbreviated his words of worry, Cheon-hwi shrugged his shoulders and spoke.
“I will be careful if possible.”
“If so, that is a relief.”
Around the time the Sect Leader, who had been worried, formed a smile of relief at his mouth at Cheon-hwi’s answer.
Knock, knock.
Suddenly, along with the sound of knocking on the door, Hyeon-ryeo’s voice was heard from outside.
“Sect Leader.”
The Sect Leader was quite surprised when Hyeon-ryeo came to visit directly, but after feeling the presence of the person who came along beside her, he spoke calmly.
“What is the matter?”
“A letter was sent directly to Cheon-hwi from the Zhuge Clan. However, after checking the contents, it was quite an urgent matter, so I inevitably came to visit all the way here in person.”
“To Cheon-hwi?”
The Sect Leader’s gaze headed toward Cheon-hwi.
At the gaze asking ‘what will you do?’, Cheon-hwi nodded his head.
“It does not matter to me.”
The Sect Leader parted his lips.
“Come in.”
The door opened right away, and Hyeon-ryeo and Zhuge Song Yeong entered inside the Purple Mist Pavilion.
Zhuge Song Yeong looked at the Sect Leader and Cheon-hwi, his eyes sparkling as he took a fist-and-palm salute.
“I am Zhuge Song Yeong of the Zhuge Clan. It is an honor to meet the Mount Hua Sect Leader and Taoist Cheon-hwi on such a busy day.”
“Welcome.”
The Sect Leader, who was smiling broadly, spoke.
“Can we see what kind of letter it is?”
Zhuge Song Yeong undid his fist-and-palm salute.
After that, he took out the letter from his embrace, placed it on the table, and slid it over.
“It is this.”
The Sect Leader, who was closely observing the letter placed on the table, paused while trying to grab it.
And he looked at Cheon-hwi and spoke.
“Since it came to you, look at it yourself.”
“Let us just look at it together.”
With a bothered expression, Cheon-hwi reached out his hand and untied the string of the rolled-up letter.
Chururuk…
The unstringed letter unfolded widely.
“It seems to be the Zhuge Clan Patriarch’s birthday.”
“Huh? What? A banquet?”
Around the time the expressions of the Sect Leader and Cheon-hwi who were reading the letter changed, Zhuge Song Yeong conveyed the final text of the letter with his mouth.
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