Light Novel: Volume 1 Episode 14
Manhwa: Chapter 13
Chapter 5 Episode 14. Sometimes Unexpected Guests Arrive (2)
Senior Brother Moo-kyung stammered upon recognizing Dam-ho.
“J-Junior Brother, are you alright?”
“I’ve improved a lot.”
Dam-ho responded in a voice devoid of any emotion. Moo-kyung’s expression turned awkward at Dam-ho’s cold reply.
It wasn’t just Moo-kyung. Most of the Mount Hua Sect disciples gathered in front of Jade Cloud Palace wore the same awkward expressions.
In the past year, not a single one of them had sought out or visited Dam-ho. While there were unspeakable circumstances behind it, that didn’t erase their sense of guilt toward him.
“What have you been doing?”
“I’ve been recovering from my injuries.”
Dam-ho answered curtly. Moo-kyung got the feeling from Dam-ho’s detached tone that he had no desire to talk further.
“Hmm…”
Moo-kyung scratched his head, unable to think of anything else to say.
It was then.
“Are you also a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect?”
A low, gentle voice interrupted as someone approached Dam-ho and Moo-kyung. Both Dam-ho and Moo-kyung’s gazes turned toward the voice’s owner.
It was a young girl who appeared slightly younger than Dam-ho. She had neat, delicate features, a curvaceous figure, deep-set eyes, and a serene gaze that left an impression.
Dressed in snow-white attire, her elegant beauty stood out even more.
A hint of curiosity flickered in Dam-ho’s eyes. He had never seen her before in the Mount Hua Sect.
‘Is she a newly accepted disciple?’
But her answer was not at all what Dam-ho had guessed.
“I am Yeon Soha, a disciple of the Wudang Sect.”
“Wudang Sect?”
“I came to visit Mount Hua with my master this time. And you are?”
“Cheon-gyeong.”
“Are you also a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect?”
“He is indeed a first-generation disciple of Mount Hua.”
It was Moo-kyung who answered.
At Moo-kyung’s response, Yeon Soha nodded.
“I see. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Master Cheon-gyeong.”
Dam-ho gave her a slight nod.
For a moment, curiosity flashed in Yeon Soha’s eyes. There was something distinctly different about him compared to the other taoists she had met from Mount Hua.
Dam-ho turned his gaze to Moo-kyung, silently asking about Yeon Soha’s presence here.
Moo-kyung explained.
“As you can see, someone from the Wudang Sect has arrived.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure. They came here quite suddenly…”
Moo-kyung was just as clueless.
Dam-ho’s eyes shifted back to Yeon Soha. She smiled softly in response.
“I’m afraid I’m not in a position to share the details yet.”
Her gaze moved toward the Jade Cloud Palace.
Inside the Jade Cloud Palace, Sage Hyun-cheon sat across from a taoist of similar age. The taoist exuded an aura distinctly different from the taoists of Mount Hua. Wearing a daoist cap and robes embroidered with a yin-yang trigrams design, the taoist radiated a presence of undeniable dignity.
Sage Hyun-cheon and the taoist exchanged smiles as they looked at each other, but their smiles seemed faintly strained.
At that moment, Sage Hyun-so entered.
“Sect Leader, you called for me?”
“Come in, Junior Brother.”
Sage Hyun-cheon finally relaxed his stiff expression and greeted with a smile.
“What can I do for you?”
“First, let me introduce you. This is Sage Cheong-heo of the Wudang Sect.”
“Wudang Sect?”
A puzzled light appeared across Sage Hyun-so’s face. However, formalities took precedence over his questions, so he cupped his hands in greeting.
“I am Hyun-so of the Mount Hua Sect. Greetings, Sage Cheong-heo.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Taoist Hyun-so. I am Cheong-heo of the Wudang Sect.”
Sage Cheong-heo rose to his feet and returned the greeting.
“What brings a member of the Wudang Sect to our humble Mount Hua?”
“Take a seat first. Sage Cheong-heo will explain everything.”
At Sage Hyun-cheon’s words, Sage Hyun-so sat down.
Sage Hyun-so had little interest in the affairs of the martial world. If he had been even slightly more aware of current martial trends, he would not have reacted so indifferently to Sage Cheong-heo’s presence.
Sage Cheong-heo was one of the most outstanding martial artists produced by the Wudang Sect in decades. Renowned for his mastery of the Wudang Sect’s swordsmanship, his achievements were said to rival those of the First Sword of Hubei.
Sage Cheong-heo studied Sage Hyun-so’s face intently. Although his gaze was slightly intimidating and burdensome, Sage Hyun-so didn’t shy away.
Suddenly, Sage Cheong-heo smiled.
“Amitabha Buddha! The Sect Leader spoke highly of you as his Junior Brother, and I must say, your aura is truly remarkable.”
“I’m just an insignificant Taoist with little skill. You flatter me excessively.”
Sage Hyun-so waved his hand dismissively, his fair face tinged with a hint of red. The sight of him blushing made him look almost like a shy child.
“He who possesses virtue in abundance is like a newborn infant.1 Those who possess deep virtue often appear as innocent as children.”
Hearing this, Sage Hyun-cheon’s brow furrowed slightly.
‘Sage Cheong-heo of the Wudang Sect is praising Junior Brother so highly?’
Sage Cheon-heo was renowned within the Wudang Sect as a highly respected Taoist. Not only was he skilled in swordsmanship, but he was also well-versed in Taoist scriptures, which greatly contributed to his esteemed reputation.
For someone of such stature to openly praise Sage Hyun-so was enough to make Sage Hyun-cheon regard his Junior Brother in a new light.
Sage Hyun-so, whose face had grown redder, stammered awkwardly.
“But what brings the Wudang Sect to our humble sect?”
“My apologies for the delay in explaining. To be frank, we are here to request Mount Hua’s assistance.”
“Assistance from us?”
“Yes, and it is a matter of great urgency.”
A flicker of doubt crossed Sage Hyun-so’s face.
Both Mount Hua and the Wudang Sect were part of the Nine Great Sects. However, their current standings in Jianghu couldn’t be more different.
While the Wudang Sect enjoyed unprecedented prosperity, Mount Hua was only just emerging from its decline, preparing for a resurgence.
In terms of influence and power in Jianghu, Mount Hua could hardly compare to the Wudang Sect, so it was puzzling that such a powerful sect would seek help from Mount Hua.
“What could possibly warrant such a request?”
“That is…”
A troubled look crossed Sage Cheong-heo’s face, and it was Sage Hyun-cheon who stepped in to answer on his behalf.
“Traces of the Demon Sect reappearing have been discovered.”
“Demon Sect?”
Sage Hyun-so’s eyes widened as if they might tear. He stared at Sage Cheon-heo with an expression of disbelief.
“It’s true… as hard as it may be to believe, there are signs of their return.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Northern Road Escort Agency, which is run by one of our sect’s outer disciples, was attacked and annihilated by a group of mysterious figures during their return from an expedition.”
“Such a—!”
“They were all killed except for one. The survivor was a young escort warrior named Lim Ho-ryeong. He managed to send a carrier pigeon before collapsing and the message read, ‘Attacked by the Demon Sect.’”
“The Demon Sect…”
Sage Hyun-so slowly closed his eyes, his eyelids trembling faintly.
The simple word ‘Demon Sect’ carried countless layers of meaning, and the underlying emotion of fear it evoked once again began to consume his mind.
How could anyone forget that name?
Decades ago, the martial world was bathed in blood because of it. Countless lives were lost, and many renowned sects were completely eradicated.
To drive out and eradicate the Demon Sect, the factions of Jianghu joined forces. Then, after more than a decade of relentless warfare, they finally succeeded in annihilating the Demon Sect. Yet the blood spilled and sacrifices made were beyond measure.
“Is it really the Demon Sect?”
“That’s why we need to confirm it.”
“What?”
“We can’t just simply announce to the world that the Demon Sect has returned based on a single message, right?”
“So you’re saying we need to verify its authenticity firsthand?”
“That’s right.”
“But why come to our sect?”
“We need help, and the closest place to where the escort agency is said to have been wiped out is here in Shaanxi Province.”
“So—”
“We’ve also sent people to the Southern Edge Sect.2 They will surely join us as well.”
“Mm!”
Sage Hyun-so finally understood why Sage Cheong-heo had personally come to Mount Hua.
Whether or not it was truly an attack by the Demon Sect was unclear, but confirming it alone was likely too burdensome for even the mighty Wudang Sect to handle.
Sect Leader Hyun-cheon spoke.
“Our sect has decided to accept the Wudang Sect’s request and dispatch disciples.”
“So why am I summoned here?”
Sage Hyun-so wore a puzzled expression.
Once the sect leader had decided on something, that would be the end of it. Mount Hua had many skilled martial artists, any of whom could certainly support Wudang’s efforts.
The problem was that he, Sage Hyun-so, was a scholar who didn’t know martial arts. He couldn’t understand why the sect leader had called him when he was just a scholar.
“I think you should go with them.”
“What?”
“As you know, the war with the Demon Sect ended over twenty years ago. Currently, there aren’t many people in the martial world who still retain firsthand memories of that time. Even if traces of their martial arts are found, there aren’t many who can identify if it’s truly the Demon Sect’s work or not.”
“So you’re saying I should go to identify it?”
“That’s right. Although you’re not a martial artist, your knowledge and discernment are unparalleled. Surely, you can still distinguish it?”
“…Yes.”
How could he forget? He had helped recover the corpses of countless individuals, including his master, Heavenly Sky Sage.
The scars left by the Demon Sect’s martial arts were burned into his memory so vividly that he could recognize them even with his eyes closed.
Sect Leader Hyun-cheon nodded and turned to Sage Cheong-heo.
“Junior Brother Hyun-so is a scholar of our sect. It is his duty to record and memorize everything. With Junior Brother Hyun-so’s knowledge and insight, he should be able to determine if this is truly the work of the Demon Sect.”
“That is fortunate. Mount Hua fought the most fiercely against the Demon Sect, so I thought your sect would have the most knowledge of them.”
“Such a gracious remark.”
A cold smile appeared briefly on Sect Leader Hyun-cheon’s lips. The moment Sage Cheong-heo saw that smile, he realized he had said something careless.
Sect Leader Hyun-cheon’s voice turned icy.
“Are the elders of your sect faring well?”
“They are… well.”
“Take good care of them while they’re still alive. Don’t let yourselves regret losing them all at once, just as we did.”
An uncomfortable expression appeared on Sage Cheon-heo’s face. However, it was only for a moment before he regained his original expression.
“I will certainly keep the Sect Leader’s advice in mind.”
“Thank you for not taking offense to the ramblings of this irrelevant old man.”
“How could I? After all, it’s advice meant for the good of the sect.”
“You can depart early tomorrow morning. I’ll have our disciples ready for dispatch by then.”
“If a battle arises, we of the Wudang Sect will take the lead. You need not worry too much.”
“I’m truly grateful.”
Sect Leader Hyun-cheon then shifted his gaze to Sage Hyun-so.
“Moo-kyung and Un-gyeong will accompany you.”
“The two of them are Sect Leader’s first and second direct disciples. Are you saying you intend to send both of them at once? If anything happens to them, there will be no future for the Mount Hua Sect.”
“That’s precisely why I’m sending them. If they’re going to lead the Mount Hua Sect in the future, shouldn’t they be able to handle that much danger on their own?”
“Hmm…”
Sage Hyun-cheon let out a faint sigh at Sect Leader Hyun-cheon’s firm response.
He could see the determination and resolve in the Sage Hyun-cheon’s eyes. Noticing his gaze, Sage Hyun-cheon gave a reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry too much. The Wudang Sect and the Southern Edge Sect will be together with you. There shouldn’t be any danger.”
“Understood. Then I shall prepare to descend the mountain, but I…”
Sage Hyun-so hesitated mid-sentence, as if deliberating over his words, causing both Sect Leader Hyun-cheon and Sage Cheon-heo to look at him curiously.
After taking a moment’s pause, Sage Hyun-so finally spoke up.
“I would like to bring my disciple along with me on this trip.”
SoundlessWind21’s Notes:
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