Chapter 249: Chapter 249
The night silently deepened.
The brilliant moonlight and starlight flowed proudly like a river, illuminating the ground below.
And under that faint light.
Sitting cross-legged on the peak of Falling Goose Peak, Cheon-hwi had his eyes closed.
‘He was strong.’
In his gradually sinking consciousness, Cheon-hwi recalled his life-and-death battle with the Green Forest Great Emperor.
The fists and palms he extended were mixed with intense fighting spirit and profound principles, and every time he unfolded his footwork, mysterious movements were revealed.
When he recalled that time, his fingertips trembled.
It was because his body instinctively reacted as he remembered the internal energy he had left behind.
He was a person with outstanding skills.
No, he had reached such a high state that saying he was outstanding felt insufficient.
If he hadn’t been there, the Mount Hua Sect would have been burned down by the hands of the Green Forest just like that.
A thin line was drawn around Cheon-hwi’s mouth.
As he retraced and looked at the martial arts that the Green Forest Great Emperor had unfolded, his mood naturally heightened.
A feast of martial arts he had seen for the first time in his life.
That made his heart race.
Thump… Thump…
The sound of his heart dominated his mind.
At the same time, the Green Forest Great Emperor slowly surfaced in his mental imagery, which was filled only with pitch-black darkness.
And in his mental imagery, he moved.
The martial arts he had unfolded while sharing a life-and-death battle encroached on Cheon-hwi’s consciousness.
The deep blue green eyes moved quickly, drawing lines like an elegant brush in the darkness as they passed by.
Soon after, his hands and feet moved.
The profound principles of martial arts.
The internal energy accumulated over a long time.
The body trained to the limit.
Having achieved the unification of mind, qi, and body, he was weaving his breathing, footsteps, and even momentary postures all into one.
‘It’s a perfect Unity of Phenomena and Principle.’
From the hands of him who had realized the lofty principles of martial arts, profound martial arts manifested.
Seeing that, the corners of Cheon-hwi’s mouth twisted.
‘As expected, I have to try fighting with a master.’
No training in the world could catch up to a real battle that crossed life and death.
In particular, the new martial arts that he hadn’t even seen in his past life broadened his martial arts, which had been stagnant and accumulated, even further.
Cheon-hwi’s head spun quickly.
After a moment of countless martial arts repeatedly surfacing and disappearing.
‘I’ll thoroughly dig into the martial arts you’ve been learning. Both the internal cultivation method and the external arts, all of them.’
In an instant, Cheon-hwi’s mind cleared.
A tranquility just like clear mirror and still water.
Within that, Cheon-hwi roughly exchanged blows with the Green Forest Great Emperor in his mental imagery.
To absorb everything he possessed and reach a higher state.
Mental imagery training completed in an instant.
Ssss…
The clash that occurred inside Cheon-hwi plunged the dark night into a deep abyss.
* * *
Four days had passed since the bloody battle with the Green Forest ended, but the Mount Hua Sect was still chaotic.
Although there were many who quickly brushed off their seats and stood up, hurrying to recover and treat the wounded, it inevitably took time to restore the places that were broken here and there.
The mountain gate, pavilions, training grounds, corpse disposal, and so on.
It was a task that required money and personnel.
In particular, since the Mount Hua Sect already had a small number of personnel, and they were even missing the wounded, they had no choice but to be perplexed in handling it.
But should it be called extremely fortunate.
Fortunately, there were people who voluntarily came to help the Mount Hua Sect.
“I brought what we could in a hurry.”
Chief Steward Oh looked at Hyeon-sang as he put down the items he had hurriedly obtained.
“Infinite Life Buddha. Thank you.”
Taking a bow, Hyeon-sang smiled.
No matter how much they made a deal, the World Merchant Guild was helping Mount Hua both materially and emotionally.
Numerous bank notes and items continuously coming in.
If all of these were used properly, they would rather be able to seek a better change than before.
‘My choice wasn’t wrong.’
At one time, opinions were divided within the Mount Hua Sect regarding the contract delivered by the World Merchant Guild.
Because selling the Plum Blossom Tassels was no different from selling Mount Hua.
Therefore, some elders refused the deal, fearing they would look too tainted by the secular world.
However, Hyeon-sang ignored their opinions and proceeded with this plan.
Because money was inevitably important for the Mount Hua Sect to grow further in the future.
It was a decision made with the intention to bear it even if people in the world pointed fingers at them….
‘That decision has shined.’
Hyeon-sang looked at Chief Steward Oh and smacked his lips.
“Giving help like this is a lot of strength.”
“Oh my, no.”
Chief Steward Oh waved his hands.
“Because my strength is lacking, I can only help with this much…”
As he spoke as if it were rather regrettable, Hyeon-sang’s expression grew even softer.
Although he proceeded with the deal with Chief Steward Oh, it wasn’t a relationship where he trusted him that much.
In the end, wasn’t he a merchant.
But now in Hyeon-sang’s heart, his trust in Chief Steward Oh soared rapidly.
He was the one giving faster help than anyone else.
On top of that, as if he had grasped the entire situation, he even obtained carriages to move medicinal herbs on the day of the attack.
“It has been of sufficient help.”
“If so, that’s a relief.”
At the successive words, Chief Steward Oh swept his chest.
“If there is anything else you need, please contact the Plum Blossom Guest House anytime. We will come right away to help.”
“Thank you.”
At Hyeon-sang’s smile, Chief Steward Oh also smiled back and carefully stepped back.
Soon as he went down the mountain path.
“Sect Leader Senior Martial Brother’s choice was right.”
Hyeon Heo, who had approached at some point, said.
He had vehemently rejected the deal with the World Merchant Guild more than anyone else.
And now, looking faintly at Chief Steward Oh’s back as he went down the mountain path, he seemed to regret his choice back then.
“…I was too inflexible.”
At the low voice, Hyeon-sang shook his head.
“No. In the past, I would have been like that too.”
They were words filled with sincerity.
If it were him before meeting Cheon-hwi, he would have made the exact same choice as Hyeon Heo.
“We just have to change from now on.”
Hyeon-sang laughed while looking at Hyeon Heo whose eyes widened, and then moved his gaze to the side.
Chief Steward Oh wasn’t the only one who voluntarily came to help the Mount Hua Sect.
“Huff, huff.”
Beggars’ Sect members, led by Junior Beggar, were sweating profusely and trying hard to fill in the cracked Peach Forest Plaza here and there.
‘Why am I…’
Junior Beggar’s expression was a crying face.
Because it was work done forcefully.
Because when the situation was settled, the Mount Hua Sect would hold the Beggars’ Sect responsible for failing to grasp the information.
They had to be of help somehow.
It wasn’t just the Beggars’ Sect members.
Martial artists who seemed to belong to the Martial Alliance were also carrying luggage here and there.
It was all a struggle to live.
“Fortunately, it won’t take long.”
Hyeon-sang made a satisfied expression.
At the same time, one side of his chest ached.
‘Is Jianghu truly about power.’
Receiving this much help?
In the past, it would have been something he couldn’t even dream of.
Without having to go far back, how was it when the youngest Junior Brother and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen were massacred.
Let alone help, they only received cold treatment.
‘…The past is the past.’
Hyeon-sang shook his head, erasing the memories that made one side of his chest ache.
Until when was he going to cling to the past.
Now was the time to move forward.
Soon, at the moment when Hyeon-sang, who decided to take it well, turned his head.
“Hmm…?”
Having discovered something, Hyeon-sang narrowed his eyes.
There were people coming up the mountain path.
It wasn’t just one or two people.
It was a group led by about twenty personnel wearing white martial arts uniforms. And behind them were dozens of martial artists wearing various martial arts uniforms.
Hyeon-sang’s sword-like eyebrows twitched.
A fierce momentum could be felt from the dozens of martial artists, each dressed in martial arts uniforms.
‘Enemies…? Could it be that they thought our strength weakened due to the bloody battle with the Green Forest and came for another surprise attack?’
Looking similar to when the Green Forest members attacked Mount Hua, Hyeon-sang became tense for a moment.
However, that was only for a moment.
“That face is…”
He made a bright smile on his entire face.
Because the person wearing the white martial arts uniform standing at the front was a familiar figure.
“Hoho, have you come to help.”
Ju Song, the One Flower Sect Leader, ran while looking at the superb view of the Mount Hua Sect right in front of his eyes.
‘Please be safe…’
The closer he got to the Mount Hua Sect’s mountain gate, the more anxious his heart became.
Although he heard the rumor that they had defeated the Green Forest, he was worried.
No matter how much they defeated them, it would have been impossible to win without any sacrifices.
He hurried his steps even more.
Eventually, arriving at the mountain gate, his pupils shook violently as if there had been an earthquake.
“M-Mountain gate?”
The sturdy mountain gate was broken.
For a moment, his heart sank.
“Could it be that the rumors were wrong…”
When he urgently turned his head and was about to run towards Mount Hua.
“It’s been a while.”
Hyeon-sang appeared in front of him.
“S-Sect Leader!”
At Hyeon-sang’s greeting, the One Flower Sect Leader hurriedly approached.
“Is your body okay?”
At the question filled with worry, Hyeon-sang wore a soft smile around his mouth.
“I’m fine.”
“That’s really, really a relief.”
Tears welled up in the One Flower Sect Leader’s eyes.
Soon, as they asked about the One Flower Sect’s well-being and the two conversed.
“Why do we have to come all the way to the Mount Hua Sect.”
“It’s already over, do we really have to come?”
Those who followed while emitting a fierce momentum pouted their lips and grumbled.
They were martial artists from Soheung Fortress.
The Lord of Soheung Fortress glanced at his subordinates who kept grumbling and smacked his lips.
“Since we decided to coexist with the One Flower Sect, shouldn’t we help them?”
“But that has nothing to do with helping the Mount Hua Sect, doesn’t it.”
When someone spat out a sound argument, the face of the Lord of Soheung Fortress distorted sharply.
‘Do I not know that?!’
Annoyance surged sharply.
He himself knew that this was a ridiculous action right now.
But what could he do.
‘If that evil spirit finds out we didn’t come to help, I don’t know what he would do.’
In an instant, goosebumps broke out all over his body.
If it were that evil spirit wearing the mask of a Taoist, he would cut off his neck without hesitation.
“If I say help, you help.”
Having shut his subordinates’ mouths with a single word, he carefully scanned his surroundings.
His eyeballs rolled quickly.
‘Where is that evil spirit bastard?’
When the evil spirit was nowhere to be seen no matter how much he searched, the corners of his lips slowly went up for a moment.
‘Could it be that he died?’
His heart swelled greatly.
The opponent was the Green Forest Great Emperor.
He was a peerless master who raised the Green Forest to its current status, and he was someone whose martial prowess was said to be counted among the top in the world.
He quickly rubbed his two hands together.
‘Infinite Life Buddha! Amitabha! O Shakyamuni, no, Primordial Heavenly Lord, or Grand Supreme Elderly Lord, any is fine. Please take away that evil spirit bastard!’
At that moment when he prayed and prayed inwardly.
“Welcome to our sect.”
At the low voice, the Lord of Soheung Fortress, whose mind woke up sharply, faced Hyeon-sang who had stepped in front of him at some point and was making a benevolent expression.
“N-Nice to meet you.”
“I heard the story from the One Flower Sect Leader.”
Hyeon-sang showed a complicated expression.
“I heard you came from Soheung Fortress.”
The Lord of Soheung Fortress laughed awkwardly.
Come to think of it, it was a funny sight.
It was a sight where Soheung Fortress, an Unorthodox Faction, brought its disciples to help the Mount Hua Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang.
“Ha, haha. That’s right.”
Seeing the Lord of Soheung Fortress laughing awkwardly, Hyeon-sang also pondered what he should do.
It was a completely unexpected event.
But soon Hyeon-sang shook his head side to side and politely took a bow.
“Thank you for coming to help. I will not forget this help.”
Before orthodox and unorthodox, help was help.
It was natural to express gratitude.
Meanwhile, the Lord of Soheung Fortress flinched.
He didn’t come to help because he wanted to help.
It was a path he embarked on inevitably, almost as if he was pushed on the back.
But to receive such treatment.
‘…Still, it feels good.’
The corners of the Lord of Soheung Fortress’s mouth went up.
Because the Sect Leader of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang took a bow to him, his nose bridge naturally went high.
“Kh, ahem. It’s nothing. As sects of the same Shaanxi, isn’t it a natural thing.”
Trying hard to pretend to be calm, the Lord of Soheung Fortress glanced at Hyeon-sang and smacked his lips.
“By the way, Sect Leader. If it’s not rude, may I ask one thing?”
“What is your question?”
“Um… Where is that ev, no. The Plum Blossom Divine Hero…”
“You looking for me?”
“Gasp!”
The Lord of Soheung Fortress jumped back.
At some point, the evil spirit had approached.
‘God damn it!’
His face darkened.
The expectation that grew just in case shattered into pieces, and a sense of frustration bloomed instead.
Looking at the two of them as if he knew them, Hyeon-sang asked Cheon-hwi.
“Is he someone you know?”
“I saw him briefly when I went to help the One Flower Sect. Right?”
At Cheon-hwi’s words, the Lord of Soheung Fortress flinched, but soon nodded his head up and down.
“T-That’s right.”
Looking at the Lord of Soheung Fortress who was at a loss, Hyeon-sang quickly grasped the situation.
‘Cheon-hwi has done something.’
Just then, Cheon-hwi smacked his lips.
“I have something to talk about with this person, can I take him?”
“Do so.”
At the suddenly unfolding situation, the Lord of Soheung Fortress broke out in a cold sweat.
With the feeling of grasping at straws, he looked at the Sect Leader and the One Flower Sect Leader but.
“Since many people have come to visit, there’s nothing much to help with.”
“No. I want to be of help even a little.”
The two of them were busy having a conversation and didn’t even give him a glance.
Around the time the Lord of Soheung Fortress’s face darkened as if the sky had collapsed.
“Why are you so frustrated.”
Cheon-hwi said with a sneer.
“What do you mean by frustration!”
The Lord of Soheung Fortress answered urgently.
“Ha, haha. More importantly, it’s a relief that you are safe, Great Hero.”
“Do you really think so?”
Cheon-hwi’s eyes narrowed like threads.
“Isn’t it that you wished I was dead?”
At the words and gaze that seemed to pierce his inner thoughts, the Lord of Soheung Fortress winced.
“H-How could that be!”
“Hmm, is that so?”
Cheon-hwi twisted his lips.
“Well, fine. Since you came to the Mount Hua Sect, I’ll let it slide just this once.”
At the moment when the Lord of Soheung Fortress’s expression was brightening.
“Instead, you have to work. Right?”
“Those words mean…”
“Go over there and work.”
A moment later, the Lord of Soheung Fortress and his subordinates were putting their effort into restoring the overturned ground together with the Beggars’ Sect members.
“Tsk, I should have restrained myself.”
Cheon-hwi, who was looking around the grounds, muttered and scratched the back of his head.
Was it because he ran wild too excitedly.
The traces of destruction all over Mount Hua were too deep and wide.
“Well, they’ll figure it out.”
Cheon-hwi brushed it off and turned his body.
But at that time.
A group of people appeared at the mountain gate, raising dust like a storm.
“Green Forest! Where is the Green Forest!”
“Is everyone okay?!”
“Sect Leader!”
They were none other than Hyeon-do, Hyeon-jin, and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen who had been at the Martial Alliance.