Chapter 54: Chapter 54
The day after arriving at the Mount Hua Sect.
Knock… knock…
“……Are you there?”
“Ugh… “
Cheon-hwi, who had slept in the thatched cottage for the first time in a long time, woke up to a loud noise coming from outside since early dawn.
“What is it?”
Still not fully awake, he got up with blurry eyes and slid the door open with an expression full of annoyance.
“What’s going on since the crack of dawn…….”
He paused just as he was about to say something.
“I am sorry for coming so early in the morning.”
Cheon-hwi narrowed his brows as he saw Hyeon-cheong.
“What is the matter at this hour?”
“I have something I want to confirm.”
Cheon-hwi scratched the back of his head.
If it had been Jeok-geom or Seol Ran, he would have chased them away immediately, but the other party was Hyeon-cheong.
“Haa, please come in.”
“Excuse me.”
Hyeon-cheong strode inside.
He looked around the room and spoke to lighten the heavy atmosphere.
“This place has not changed at all since the past.”
“There is nothing to change.”
At Cheon-hwi’s indifferent words, Hyeon-cheong chuckled lightly and sat down. Following him, Cheon-hwi also sat opposite him and asked.
“So why did you come?”
“I will ask directly. Cheon-hwi, did you defeat the White Snake God?”
Hyeon-cheong’s voice was low.
Cheon-hwi’s brows tensed as he saw Hyeon-cheong looking at him with a serious face.
‘……He already knows.’
As if he had already heard that it was his doing, Hyeon-cheong’s eyes did not waver.
And his thought was correct.
Hyeon-cheong had visited Hyeon-do last night.
… Was it Cheon-hwi?
A question that cut off the front and back.
But it contained certainty.
He had been happy to hear the rumor that Hyeon-do had defeated the White Snake God and exterminated the White Ghost Castle, but it was hard to completely believe it.
Even though they were both experts in the Heavenly Martial Realm, compared to the White Snake God who had been in the Heavenly Martial Realm for a long time, the current Hyeon-do was inferior.
But on top of that, he exterminated the White Ghost Castle?
Even if the Flying Swallow Sword Lord had helped, it was an impossible task.
‘But if it were Cheon-hwi…….’
He thought it might be possible.
That was how deep Hyeon-cheong’s belief and trust in Cheon-hwi’s skills, which he had observed, were.
And his expectation was correct.
… I am telling you because Senior Brother knows of Cheon-hwi’s talent, but you must keep this fact a secret. If it becomes known that the one who defeated the White Snake God was not me but Cheon-hwi, an incident like what happened to our youngest Junior Brother might occur.
… Do not worry about that. I also decline to have such an incident occur…….
Hyeon-cheong agreed as if it was obvious.
Why did they have bad blood with the White Ghost Castle?
It was because the White Ghost Castle was jealous when the talent of their youngest Junior Brother, the Plum Blossom Sword Hero Hyeon-gang, became known.
But the existence of Cheon-hwi, whose talent surpassed that of their youngest Junior Brother, becomes known?
This time, it might not be the Six Imperial Sects but the Four Black Alliances itself that would step forward.
Right then, Cheon-hwi’s mouth opened.
“Yes.”
“As expected…….”
Hyeon-cheong’s eyes shook greatly.
He had already confirmed it with Hyeon-do, but hearing it directly from Cheon-hwi shook his emotions.
Soon, he quickly reached out, grasped both of Cheon-hwi’s hands, and deeply bowed his head.
“I am truly sorry and thankful. For you to do what we should have resolved…….”
His voice was wet with moisture.
“I am truly thankful.”
For a moment, Cheon-hwi felt a profound sensation.
Had anyone ever thanked him so sincerely before?
He did not have it in his memories.
‘It doesn’t feel too bad.’
Perhaps because his heart had softened, the hands holding him felt warm.
“Thanks to you, our long-cherished wish has been fulfilled.”
“Is that so? That is truly fortunate.”
Hyeon-cheong slowly raised his head.
A bright smile, which he had never seen before on his wrinkled face, bloomed like a flower.
“Then I can no longer stay cooped up and sit still either. I will come find you again later.”
Hyeon-cheong, who had said meaningful words, let go of the holding hands and left the thatched cottage.
“My sleep has completely vanished.”
Cheon-hwi scratched his disheveled hair and came out, sitting at the edge of the cliff.
“Should I organize what happened back then for now?”
He closed his eyes and recalled his opponent.
A man entirely white, rising like smoke in the pitch-black darkness.
It was the White Snake God.
In the illusion, he began to execute the Qigong art Nine Heavens Suppressing Thunder, which he had used at the end.
‘So that is how he did it?’
Recalling the Qigong art executed by the White Snake God, he slowly gathered his internal energy.
Whoosh…
Tangible internal energy faintly bloomed all over his body, making his Daoist robe flutter.
‘Flowing internal energy this way and…….’
Cheon-hwi’s eyes slowly opened.
In that short moment, he, who was copying the Qigong art the White Snake God had used, moved his hands.
Soon, the moment his hands swung widely.
Swish…
A vortex was created in the empty air where only a light breeze had been blowing just a moment ago, pulling in all the surrounding air.
“It is like this.”
He blankly stared at the vortex, exactly the space compressed by internal energy.
“If I gather even more internal energy here and heavily pressure it to seal my movements even a little.”
A leaf that seeped into the distorted empty air was completely compressed and crumbled.
A moment later.
Whoosh…
He reeled in the internal energy he had gathered.
Then, the swirling vortex vanished in an instant, and the surroundings became quiet.
‘It is alright, but I cannot use it in actual combat.’
It was a powerful Qigong art, but its problems were equally prominent.
Even though he had executed it for a very short time, most of the internal energy existing in his lower dantian was already depleted.
“Tch. If only I had a lot of internal energy.”
Of course, if he wanted to execute it, he could do it right now.
However, if asked whether he would execute it while consuming this much internal energy, the answer would be an absolute no.
“I don’t know about it if I knew the internal energy cultivation method that bastard learned, but like this, it is only half-baked.”
He recalled the White Snake God from that time.
The power of the Nine Heavens Suppressing Thunder, executed with his unique internal energy, was immense.
Even he, who was stingy with praise, could not help but acknowledge his martial prowess.
It was natural since he had to execute the Absolute Reigning Art against him, which he had said he would not use in this life.
“Do I need to build up my internal energy?”
Cheon-hwi observed his lower dantian.
The Plum Blossom Divine Art was an outstanding cultivation method.
He could proudly say that it was the best among all the peerless martial arts he knew.
However, due to his lacking internal energy and body, it had not fully bloomed yet.
He had to bloom this Plum Blossom Divine Art.
Completely and fully.
If he did so, he could proudly say that he would have no match in the world, no, throughout all ages.
But that was a story for when it had bloomed.
Right now, he had even been overwhelmed and pushed back by the White Snake God.
“I need to bloom the Plum Blossom Divine Art.”
Cheon-hwi’s dark red eyes flashed.
He had a strong competitive spirit since his past life.
Regardless of whether it was an enemy, an ally, a martial art, or whatever peerless formation.
He had to put the world beneath his feet.
But the fact that he had executed the Absolute Reigning Art against a mere White Snake God was something that cracked his pride.
“Now, something like that will never happen again.”
* * *
The next day, the Unjung Pavilion.
The Sect Leader scanned those who had taken their seats even before he arrived, one by one.
“Hahaha, it seems we are holding grand meetings often recently.”
The Sect Leader smacked his lips as he looked at those who were suppressing their utmost excitement around him.
“The reason we gathered today is to make a major announcement.”
A short silence flowed for a moment.
The Sect Leader, as if he liked that atmosphere, lightly nodded his head and spoke.
“We plan to open the Mount Hua Sect’s mountain gates within a year.”
“……!”
“……That means!”
A few people abruptly stood up.
Those who gasped for breath blinked their eyes and asked carefully.
“Are you saying we will take in disciples?”
“That is correct.”
Those who stood up were stunned.
They thought the reason the grand meeting was held today was to publicly announce the rumor about Hyeon-do and the White Ghost Castle.
But to take in disciples!
Everyone was dazed by the Sect Leader’s shocking announcement.
The Sect Leader smiled and continued.
“Hahaha, hasn’t it been quite a while since our sect took in disciples? Our finances have been replenished this time, and our reputation has soared. Furthermore, since there will likely be many disciples wanting to enter the mountain, if not now, when would we open the mountain gates?”
Whenever the Sect Leader spoke a word, everyone silently agreed and nodded their heads up and down.
Just as the situation was about to flow like that.
“S, Sect Leader!”
Hyeon Heo, who had lost his mind, regained his senses.
“The disciples of the Jeok character generation do not yet have the skills to teach martial arts. But the number of disciples of the Cheon character generation is too few to teach the new disciples.”
“Do not worry about that.”
“How can I not worry…….”
“Fortunately, I am not late.”
At the suddenly interjected voice, the gazes of those gathered swiftly turned.
“This voice is…….”
Seeing Hyeon-cheong, they were astonished.
Hyeon-cheong’s appearance, whom it was hard to even see attending a meeting, was out of the blue.
“D, did you come to attend the meeting?”
“Haha. Why else would I have come?”
“Please sit here.”
The Sect Leader pointed to the seat next to him that had remained empty.
“Then excuse me.”
As Hyeon-cheong took a seat, the Sect Leader scanned those who were still astonished and spoke.
“Senior Brother Hyeon-cheong said he would take charge of the disciples who will newly enter the mountain.”
“……Heup!”
In an instant, everyone gasped.
“You mean Senior Brother Hyeon-cheong?”
“Haha. Am I lacking?”
“N, no!”
Hyeon Heo spoke in fright.
“It was just surprising that Senior Brother, who was restoring martial arts in the Ten Thousand Scenery Pavilion, suddenly said he would directly teach the disciples…….”
“There is no need for that anymore, is there?”
Hyeon-cheong smiled gently.
“Because Hyeon-do achieved what I wanted so much.”
When he mentioned Hyeon-do, a topic everyone had completely forgotten about came to mind.
“C, come to think of it, Hyeon-do Senior Brother defeating the White Snake God is…….”
“It is true.”
Hyeon-do answered with a smile.
“Ah ah. Finally, our revenge…….”
“Immeasurable Life Buddha.”
“You did it.”
Everyone had tears in their eyes.
They had been filled with emotion from the moment they heard the rumor, but hearing it directly from the person involved felt different.
Just as everyone could not hide their joy.
“Is there anything else you are worried about?”
The Sect Leader asked looking at Hyeon Heo.
“There is nothing.”
“If there are no other opinions, I will take it that everyone agrees to opening the Mount Hua Sect’s mountain gates.”
“Hahaha! That is good.”
“We have been waiting for this continuously.”
“Immeasurable Life Buddha.”
The Sect Leader glanced at Hyeon-do.
The two exchanged glances and smiled.
The people who knew about Cheon-hwi’s true skills were only four people here as well.
The Sect Leader and Hyeon-ryeo, Hyeon-do and Hyeon-cheong.
They were all just people with deep ties to Cheon-hwi.
Therefore, without anyone having to say it, they did not mention Cheon-hwi’s true martial prowess and identity.
It was then.
Tap tap tap!
Everyone’s heads turned downward.
Below the clouds, a Daoist stepped on a swift footwork and entered the Unjung Pavilion.
“Who dares during a grand meeting…….”
As the Guild Leader of the Martial Training Pavilion frowned, the Daoist stepped into the Unjung Pavilion.
“Huff, huff. Gulp. I apologize for interrupting the meeting. There is something I must deliver urgently right now, so I came in risking disrespect.”
Cheon-su, the Vice Guild Leader of the Jaeryeong Pavilion, who suddenly came in, apologized politely.
Unlike his polite appearance, the Sect Leader, feeling that something was unusual in his urgent-looking attitude, spoke up.
“……What is the matter?”
In an instant, Cheon-su raised his head.
Scanning those in the Unjung Pavilion with eyes filled with urgency, his mouth opened.
“A, a letter has arrived from the Alliance!”
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