Chapter 6: Chapter 6
“Famous in our sect…”
Hyeon-cheong continued to say something from the side, but not a single word reached Cheon-hwi’s ears.
Reincarnation as a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect?
He still could not be sure if it was true, but he somewhat acknowledged it.
Since reincarnation suited the meaning of immortality.
However, this was not it.
‘What? Three hundred years later?’
His brow furrowed automatically.
Until now, he thought only his condition had changed.
But suddenly, three hundred years later.
‘If I was going to reincarnate anyway, couldn’t it have happened immediately? What kind of joke is this?’
Was three hundred years a short time?
Since ancient times, it was said that the world changes in ten years. So, three hundred years meant the world had changed thirty times.
It was then.
Tap.
Just as he felt a heavy force on his shoulder, a low voice was heard.
“…Are you okay?”
He snapped out of it at the question digging into his ears.
Looking right in front of him, Hyeon-cheong was shaking his shoulder with a melancholic gaze.
Seeing him, his mind became alert.
Erasing the thoughts that were dizzying his head, he moved his stiff lips.
“I am okay.”
Hyeon-cheong let go of the hand holding his shoulder.
“Then… that is a relief.”
Contrary to his words, Hyeon-cheong’s face was full of worry as he looked at Cheon-hwi.
However, Cheon-hwi did not have the leeway to care about his appearance.
Rather, staring at Hyeon-cheong, he moved his lips to ask.
“By any chance, are there any books written about the history of the murim in the Ten Thousand Scenery Pavilion?”
“…You mean the history of the murim?”
At the sudden question, Hyeon-cheong made a face showing he did not understand at all.
But soon, he shook his head and spoke.
“We have not separately recorded the history of the murim.”
Cheon-hwi’s face stiffened. But only for a moment, as Hyeon-cheong added.
“Instead, there are the Mount Hua Veritable Records that separately record the history of our sect.”
Cheon-hwi’s eyes narrowed.
That was enough.
Having finished his thoughts in the blink of an eye, Cheon-hwi looked up at Hyeon-cheong and asked.
“Do you know where those Mount Hua Veritable Records are?”
“They should be in the western corner of the second floor.”
“Thank you.”
Bowing hurriedly, Cheon-hwi walked past Hyeon-cheong and strode down the stairs.
Was it because his mind grew impatient?
Thud thud thud…
As soon as he arrived on the second floor, he moved west without time to look closely.
Afterwards, while quickly scanning the bookshelves.
‘Found it!’
He was able to find it surprisingly easily.
With sparkling eyes, he gazed at the bookshelf filled with the Mount Hua Veritable Records. Even at a glance, well over dozens of books were neatly arranged.
‘The closest one to recent times here is…’
His gaze stopped on the right side of the bookshelf.
Is it that one?
He picked up the pure white and clean Mount Hua Veritable Record from the right side of the bookshelf, expected to be the most recently written one, without delay.
Like that, he read the book for a while.
Tak.
After fifteen minutes, he closed the book.
“Haa…”
A sigh leaked through his lips.
Following that, he scratched the back of his head with a complicated expression and spat out a curse.
“Damn it, three hundred years really have passed.”
* * *
The next day.
Immortal Peak of Mount Hua.
Perhaps indicating how high it was, pure white clouds that should have been in the sky were precariously hanging on the top of the peak.
And inside the billowing clouds.
Whoosh…
There was a pavilion open brightly in all directions.
Many people were in the Cloud Pavilion, where the grand meetings of the Mount Hua Sect were held.
“Everyone has gathered.”
Hearing the words of Hyeon-il, the eldest Senior Brother of the Hyeon generation who arrived first, the Sect Leader scanned those sitting around.
Six people sitting at a round table.
Most of the Daoists of the Hyeon generation, who were supporting the current Mount Hua Sect, had gathered.
The ones not gathered here right now were three.
They were Hyeon-jin, who had gone to the Murim Alliance leading promising Plum Blossom Swordsmen a year ago, Hyeon-cheong, who was staying in the Ten Thousand Scenery Pavilion, and Hyeon-do, who was devoting himself to training.
“Senior Brother Hyeon-cheong is…”
“Haha, Junior Brother is the same today as well.”
As Hyeon-il smiled while stroking his beard awkwardly, several others whispered soon after.
“It would have been nice if he spared even a little time; it is a pity.”
It couldn’t be helped for Hyeon-jin who went to the Murim Alliance, but it was a pity that the two did not attend.
At least Hyeon-do had attended a few times.
However, Hyeon-cheong was not.
They expressed their regret about Hyeon-cheong, who had not attended a single grand meeting despite staying in the Mount Hua Sect.
“He should come outside occasionally.”
“I am worried that he might collapse.”
It had been eight years since he locked himself in the Ten Thousand Scenery Pavilion.
Since he had not taken a single step outside from the shock after the youngest Junior Brother died.
By the time the atmosphere was drooping down.
“Then, we will begin the grand meeting.”
The Sect Leader refreshed the mood.
“As you all know, in two months, the Five Great Mountains Gathering will be held in our sect.”
Everyone’s faces stiffened slightly.
The reason grand meetings were held in the Cloud Pavilion several times recently was because of that.
Western Mountain, Mount Hua Sect.
Eastern Mountain, Mount Tai Sect.
Southern Mountain, Mount Heng Sect.
Northern Mountain, Mount Hang Sect.
Central Mountain, Mount Song Sect.
These five sects, called the Five Great Mountain Sword Sects since ancient times, gathered at each sect once every four years to compete in martial arts for exchange.
That was precisely the Five Great Mountains Gathering, a grand assembly boasting a long tradition and history, this being already the fifty-sixth time.
“Junior Sister. Are all preparations finished?”
Everyone’s gazes were focused on Hyeon-ryeo.
Because she was the one taking responsibility for all the situations of this Five Great Mountains Gathering as the Pavilion Master of the Wealth Governing Pavilion managing the Mount Hua Sect’s finances.
“As I mentioned during the previous meeting, we expanded the shabby Plum Fragrance Hall, and made it so that all those who will soon visit can stay.”
At her words, everyone’s eyes widened.
“Oh, already?”
“It is faster than expected.”
Hyeon-yang, the Pavilion Master of the Martial Training Pavilion who was quietly listening to those words, cautiously asked.
“Didn’t you say it would take more time?”
“Normally it would have taken more time, but fortunately, a few days ago, the Flying Wind Merchant Guild gladly gave us help.”
“Why would a place making a name for itself as the greatest merchant guild in Shaanxi currently…”
“It is Jeok-geom’s family.”
The Sect Leader added words as if he had been waiting, and at that moment, everyone nodded their heads up and down with an expression of understanding why the situation had turned out like that.
Since Jeok-geom was a disciple who stood out among the second-generation disciples, and he was attending the Five Great Mountains Gathering.
“…Like this, all the preparations discussed in the previous meeting have been finished.”
After a while, her words concluded.
“That is good.”
The Sect Leader smiled satisfyingly.
“Hyeon-yang.”
At the call, the Pavilion Master of the Martial Training Pavilion bowed his head.
“Did you call for me?”
“Have you decided the disciples who will attend the Five Great Mountains Gathering?”
“I have decided all of them.”
Along with his answer, he raised his head.
“I am keeping in mind Jeok-geom, whom I mentioned last time, along with Jeok-un, Jeok-jae, and finally Seol Ran.”
“Good.”
The Sect Leader smiled at the preparations for the Five Great Mountains Gathering proceeding steadily better than expected. But only for a moment, he stiffened his face and asked Hyeon-il who was quietly watching from the side.
“How is the surrounding situation?”
Hyeon-il, the Pavilion Master of the Flying Pavilion handling information of the world, answered as if he had been waiting.
“It is the same as usual.”
If it was the same as usual, it was no different from a good thing in the current situation, but the Flying Pavilion Master added words with a displeased expression.
“To the point where even the Zhongnan Sect, which would have run wild the moment the Five Great Mountains Gathering was held in our sect in the past, is showing no reaction.”
“…Is that so?”
The Sect Leader’s voice sank.
Everyone was surprised at his voice sinking, which had always been benevolent and warm.
Then, one by one, their faces stiffened coldly, perhaps understanding the hidden meaning contained in the Flying Pavilion Master’s words like the Sect Leader.
The first to react was the Pavilion Master of the Martial Training Pavilion. Trembling with a sense of humiliation, he raised his eyebrows and whispered.
“It is an action ignoring our sect.”
It was a heavily suppressed voice, but the anger contained within was felt by everyone.
“Haha…”
When the Flying Pavilion Master smiled bitterly while looking at the Pavilion Master of the Martial Training Pavilion suppressing his anger.
“How is the Supreme King Sect?”
The Sect Leader hurriedly changed the topic.
“They are also quiet.”
“Do you think there will be no interference?”
“Would they start an useless fight?”
At the Flying Pavilion Master’s answer, the Sect Leader fell into thought. Regardless of other sects, he had no choice but to care about the Supreme King Sect.
Since they were wielding authority recently in Shaanxi Province, excluding the Mount Hua Sect, the Zhongnan Sect, and the White Ghost Castle, and they were a sect belonging to the Four Black Alliances, a hostile force.
“Still, please keep an eye out.”
“Do not worry about that.”
The Flying Pavilion Master nodded his head.
“Then the second-generation disciples…”
Following that, the meeting continued continuously.
After about two hours passed like that, the sun that was above Immortal Peak was sinking before they knew it, and the sunset shone.
“We will conclude this meeting.”
At the Sect Leader’s words, everyone stood up.
“Then I will take my leave.”
“I will take my leave now.”
After cupping their hands in a salute to the Sect Leader, they dispersed out of the Cloud Pavilion one by one.
Lastly, when Hyeon-ryeo was about to go down after taking a salute, the Sect Leader called her.
“Junior Sister.”
“Is there another problem? Senior Brother.”
Perhaps because the grand meeting was over, Hyeon-ryeo’s tone and voice were much more relaxed.
“Hahaha, knowing that Junior Sister is busy, would I give you more work? I am doing so because I wanted to know how Cheon-hwi is doing these days.”
Hyeon-ryeo smiled beamingly.
“As for Cheon-hwi, he has been going to the Ten Thousand Scenery Pavilion every single day recently.”
“You mean… the Ten Thousand Scenery Pavilion?”
The Sect Leader’s eyes widened.
Since the past, the Cheon-hwi he knew was a child with absolutely no interest in martial arts.
But the Ten Thousand Scenery Pavilion.
The Sect Leader, who was lost in thought for a while like that, spoke with an expression saying ‘that’s right’.
“Since his body got better, he has now taken an interest in martial arts. Hahaha. I should make him learn our sect’s martial arts…”
“No!”
Hyeon-ryeo rejected his suggestion.
“Still, wouldn’t it be good to make him learn if he shows interest in martial arts…”
“Senior Brother! Are you out of your mind? It was just a few days ago that Cheon-hwi was wandering between life and death, but making him learn martial arts!”
At Hyeon-ryeo’s sharp and pointed voice, the Sect Leader flinched.
Hyeon-ryeo, who cherished and looked after Cheon-hwi anyway, had become even more overprotective after he collapsed terribly once.
“And Cheon-hwi’s age is already fourteen. Even if he learned now, it would rather only give him scars.”
It was a late age to begin martial arts.
On top of that, he was hovering between life and death until a few days ago. But if he did not even have talent…
His future days would be no different from a thorny path.
Because of that, Hyeon-ryeo desperately wanted to prevent him from learning martial arts.
In hopes that Cheon-hwi’s life would not be arduous.
“Junior Sister.”
The Sect Leader called her in a calm voice.
Seeing Hyeon-ryeo’s distorted expression, he whispered low.
“As Junior Sister said, Cheon-hwi is already fourteen. But until when do we plan to decide that child’s future? Do you perhaps want to make him a child who cannot stand on his own independently by relying on Junior Sister?”
“That is…”
Hyeon-ryeo’s mouth closed.
She knew it too.
That unconditionally blocking it was not the best plan, but after Cheon-hwi collapsed recently, she was feeling anxious.
Afraid that Cheon-hwi might collapse again.
Looking at Hyeon-ryeo distorting her face, the Sect Leader parted his lips.
“So try asking Cheon-hwi once. If he says he wants to learn martial arts, we can teach him, and if he says he does not want to learn, we can just leave him be.”
While speaking, the Sect Leader smiled softly.
“Wouldn’t that truly be what we should do for Cheon-hwi?”
* * *
“It has been a while, Senior Brother.”
Hyeon-cheong, who saw Hyeon-ryeo greeting as soon as she entered the Ten Thousand Scenery Pavilion, temporarily put down the martial arts book in his hand and raised his head.
“It has been a while.”
“Cheon-hwi is…”
“He should be on the third floor.”
Hyeon-ryeo smiled, watching Hyeon-cheong answer a beat faster before she even asked.
“Thank you.”
After turning her body toward the stairs placed on the side, she spoke low.
“If possible, please show your face at least occasionally. The senior brothers are worried.”
“…I still have work to do.”
Hearing an answer that did not differ by a single word no matter how many times she asked, Hyeon-ryeo gazed at him affectionately with a sorrowful expression, then went up the stairs.
Rustle… Rustle…
‘The sound of cutting the wind…? Only Cheon-hwi should be in the Ten Thousand Scenery Pavilion right now?’
As if drawn to a sound that should not be heard in the Ten Thousand Scenery Pavilion, her footsteps grew faster and faster.
Eventually, the moment she reached the end.
“…!”
Her mouth fell wide open.
Cheon-hwi was there.
With a martial arts book in his left hand.
And with his right hand, he was unfolding a peerless technique she knew of.
‘T-That is the Orchid Acupoint Striking Hand?’
She was terrified.
What was the Orchid Acupoint Striking Hand?
It was a technique with a destructive power counted at the top among all martial arts existing in the Mount Hua Sect, but it was a technique where the oral chants written in the middle were lost a long time ago.
‘When it was found, the oral chants were greatly lost, so how the original Orchid Acupoint Striking Hand unfolded was passed down only through word of mouth…’
Hyeon-ryeo’s pupils shook greatly.
But what was this happening right now?
Cheon-hwi was demonstrating the Orchid Acupoint Striking Hand.
In the exact form that had only been passed down through word of mouth.
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