Light Novel: Volume 1 Episode 15
Manhwa: Chapter 14
Chapter 5 Episode 15. Sometimes Unexpected Guests Arrive (3)
Sage Hyun-so and Sage Cheong-heo stepped out of the Jade Cloud Palace. The first to approach them was Moo-kyung, who greeted Sage Hyun-so with a bow.
“Junior Uncle!”
“The Sect Leader is calling for you. Go inside quickly.”
“Yes, Junior Uncle!”
Moo-kyung replied and hurriedly entered the Jade Cloud Palace.
Sage Hyun-so’s gaze shifted toward Dam-ho.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Would it be alright if we joined you?”
Sage Cheong-heo’s sudden question caused Sage Hyun-so to look puzzled.
“Pardon? You won’t be staying at the guest pavilion?”
“Rather than such a formal place, I’d prefer to stay at your residence, Sage Hyun-so. Would that be alright?”
“There’s no reason to refuse, but—”
“Then, I’ll impose on you.”
Since Sage Cheong-heo was so insistent, Sage Hyun-so found no grounds to refuse.
“As long as you don’t mind such a humble place—”
“Thank you. Soha, come along as well.”
“Yes, Master!”
Yeon Soha obediently followed behind Sage Cheong-heo.
Sage Cheong-heo turned to Sage Hyun-so with a smile.
“This is my disciple.”
“I see. This is my disciple. Introduce yourself.”
Sage Hyun-so gestured toward Dam-ho.
Dam-ho performed a polite bow toward Sage Cheong-heo.
“This is Cheon-gyeong of the Mount Hua Sect.”
“A pleasure to meet you. You look just like your master.”
“Shall we head out?”
Sage Hyun-so took the lead, with Dam-ho naturally following behind him. Sage Cheong-heo and Yeon Soha trailed behind.
As they walked, Sage Cheong-heo admired the surroundings and spoke.
“The scenery of Mount Hua is truly spectacular. I’m envious that you get to see such a beautiful landscape every day.”
“I’ve heard that the scenery on Wudang Mountain is also magnificent.”
“Haha! How could it compare to Mount Hua? The rugged peaks of Mount Hua seem to embody the very spirit of the Mount Hua Sect. Don’t you agree, Soha?”
“That’s right.”
Yeon Soha nodded.
The scenery of Wudang Mountain was also unparalleled.
The seventy-two peaks were filled with spiritual energy, and the formation of mountains was so elegant and graceful that it attracted visitors all year round.
Mount Hua, however, was different. Its muscular rock formations and towering, razor-sharp peaks exuded a sense of majesty rather than beauty. Perhaps because of this, it gave off an aura of sharp determination, like the blade of a sword.
New scenery often inspires new feelings. Yeon Soha’s lips curved into a faint smile as she absorbed the unique grandeur of Mount Hua.
Just then, her gaze drifted to Dam-ho, who was walking in front of her. She could see the slight limp of his feet.
‘Is his foot crippled?’
Her brows furrowed slightly.
Even with a perfectly healthy body, reaching the Ascension Realm in the martial arts world was more difficult than entering the eye of a needle. For someone with such a physical limitation, achieving such heights seemed almost impossible.
Though he appeared to have a sturdy physique, his limping foot was an undeniable and fatal flaw. Yeon Soha dismissed the possibility of Dam-ho reaching the Ascension Realm.
‘Well, he’s a disciple of a scholar, I suppose it doesn’t really matter.’
Yeon Soha’s gaze suddenly turned to Sage Cheon-heo. He, too, had noticed Dam-ho’s limp and so wore a pained expression.
‘Hoo! What a shame. He seems to possess extraordinary talent.’
He felt even more sorry for her because she was Sage Hyun-so’s disciple, the first person he had liked since coming to Mount Hua.
However, unable to reveal his feelings outright, he instead spoke in a lighthearted tone.
“Living in such a remarkable place, it’s no wonder your Taoist energy is so profound.”
“Taoist energy, you say? That’s far too generous.”
Sage Hyun-so replied, his face reddening as he waved his hand modestly. Sage Cheon-heo’s smile grew warmer at Sage Hyun-so’s embarrassed reaction.
By the time they arrived at Sage Hyun-so’s residence, Sage Cheon-heo’s admiration could hardly be contained.
“Oh! So this is the place? Truly magnificent scenery. I, Cheon-heo, feel as though my eyes have been opened to a new world. Such an extraordinary view!”
The rich fragrance of plum blossoms and the breathtaking landscape naturally elevated his mood. Sage Cheon-heo couldn’t hold back his hearty laughter as he soaked in the beauty of the surroundings.
Sitting down on a wooden platform in the courtyard, the grand and majestic view of Mount Hua became even clearer.
“It was absolutely worth insisting on following Sage Hyun-so here.”
Sage Cheon-heo’s expression reflected genuine joy, and Sage Hyun-so couldn’t help but smile along.
As someone often overlooked within the Mount Hua Sect due to his role as a scholar, Sage Hyun-so had grown accustomed to solitude. Until now, no one had ever visited his home and shared such a heartfelt connection.
“Please wait here for a moment. I’ll prepare something for you to refresh yourself.”
“Please, don’t trouble yourself, Sage Hyun-so. The scenery is beautiful, and the breeze is perfect. What need is there for a snack? This alone will suffice.”
What Sage Cheon-heo pulled out from his waistband was a fairly large gourd. The subtle aroma wafting out through the stopper was unmistakably the scent of alcohol.
Sage Hyun-so’s expression shifted slightly.
“What is that?”
“Have a drink, Sage Hyun-so.”
Sage Cheon-heo extended the gourd to Sage Hyun-so, whose face displayed a hint of unease.
“I don’t drink alcohol—”
“This isn’t just liquor. It’s a taste of nature itself.”
Sage Cheon-heo’s words carried a strange, persuasive charm that struck a chord in Sage Hyun-so’s heart.
Sage Hyun-so glanced toward Dam-ho. Dam-ho, who with his usual impassive expression, spoke plainly.
“I’ll guide Lady Yeon around Mount Hua.”
“Oh, really?”
“Please come with me, Lady Yeon.”
Yeon Soha, understanding the situation, nodded her head silently.
Leaving Sage Cheon-heo and Sage Hyun-so behind, the two of them left the residence.
“Hahaha!”
Behind them, Sage Cheon-heo’s laughter rang out.
Yeon Soha opened her mouth and broke the silence.
“I’m sorry. My master is always like this—”
“It’s fine.”
“He’s an excellent person in every way, except that he’s overly fond of alcohol.”
“There’s no need to explain anything to me. As long as my master is fine with it, I have no issues.”
“Thank you for understanding. Honestly, there are quite a lot of rumors about my master even in our sect.”
If Sage Cheon-heo had one notable flaw, it would be his excessive love for alcohol. Because of this, he had been warned many times by the sect leader and scolded by the senior elders, but none of them had been able to change Sage Cheon-heo’s drinking habits.
The two walked in silence for a while.
Dam-ho was relentlessly quiet, and his silence left Yeon Soha feeling somewhat stifled. Unable to endure it any longer, she decided to break the silence first.
“Master Cheon-gyeong, when did you join the Mount Hua Sect?”
“Six years ago.”
“You’ve only been here a short time?”
“That’s right.”
“Then, have you been with your master the entire time since joining?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t you feel lonely? It must be very lonely to live in such a remote place.”
“It’s fine since my Master is with me.”
“I see. Your bond with your master seems very deep.”
“……”
Although Dam-ho didn’t reply, Yeon Soha could infer many things from his silence.
‘It seems that Master Cheon-gyeong’s relationship with the Mount Hua Sect isn’t very amicable.’
The isolated residence he lived in was proof enough, and the awkwardness Moo-kyung showed when interacting with Dam-ho only reinforced her suspicions.
Yeon Soha was the first female disciple that the Wudang Sect had accepted in a long time. Her exceptional martial talent had earned her a reputation even within the sect.
Her intelligence and sharpness was very well known within the Wudang Sect that she became favored by the elderly taoists of the Wudang Sect.
Sage Cheon-heo didn’t bring her along to Mount Hua for nothing. Sage Cheon-heo hoped Yeon Soha would broaden her horizons by experiencing life beyond Wudang. That alone demonstrated how high his expectations were for her.
Yeon Soha followed Dam-ho as he guided her, taking in the sights of Mount Hua with her observant eyes. The brilliance in her gaze sparkled like starlight as she committed every detail to memory.
Before they knew it, darkness had settled over the peaks of Mount Hua.
“I think we should head back now.”
“Please follow me.”
Dam-ho said as led the way down the now-dim mountain paths.
The rugged terrain of Mount Hua was so treacherous that one wrong step could send someone plummeting thousands of feet down a sheer cliff, yet Dam-ho Dam-ho walked the precarious trail with surprising ease, even as he limped slightly.
“Master Cheon-gyeong.”
“Yes?”
“Is it uncomfortable?”
Although the subject wasn’t specified, Dam-ho understood what Yeon Soha was asking.
“I’m used to it, so it’s fine.”
“Is that so? That’s good to hear.”
There was genuine concern in Yeon Soha’s voice, but Dam-ho had no reaction to it.
He had long grown desensitized to the pitying expressions and words people directed toward his leg. Beneath their worry often lurked pity, disdain, or even contempt—sentiments he had experienced countless times.
Whether Yeon Soha’s concern was sincere or feigned made no difference to him anymore. Such words no longer had any impact on him.
Dam-ho continued walking ahead, and before long, they arrived at Sage Hyun-so’s residence.
“You’ve returned?”
The one greeting them was Sage Hyun-so, his face flushed and his words slurred. It was clear he had been drinking heavily. His glassy, half-closed eyes revealed his state.
“Master.”
“Heh heh, your master may have drank a little too much. Hic!”
Sage Hyun-so, who had been hiccuping, suddenly slammed his head on the platform and collapsed. He had passed out.
Sage Cheon-heo, observing the scene, wore a somewhat awkward expression.
“I didn’t even give him much to drink…”
It had been only three cups, yet Sage Hyun-so had been rambling nonsensically before succumbing to his intoxication.
Most of his incoherent rambling had revolved around Dam-ho, making it clear just how deep his affection for his disciple ran.
Feeling a twinge of guilt, Sage Cheon-heo awkwardly apologized.
“My apologies.”
“No, it’s okay.”
Dam-ho replied calmly as he lifted the unconscious Sage Hyun-so onto his back and turned to Sage Cheon-heo.
“The room next door is unoccupied, so you can sleep there. There are blankets and pillows there if you need them.”
“No need for that. This here is my bed. How could I confine myself in a stuffy room with such a magnificent view in front of me?”
Sage Cheon-heo slapped his palm on the flat platform where he was sitting.
Dam-ho glanced toward Yeon Soha.
“Then, Lady Yeon, you should rest inside.”
“I’ll do that. Thank you.”
“Then…”
Dam-ho bowed his head slightly, then walked inside.
Now left alone with Yeon Soha, Sage Cheon-heo’s expression changed completely. The intoxication that had seemed to overwhelm him moments ago disappeared as if blown away by the wind, leaving him in his usual composed state.
He turned his gaze to Yeon Soha.
“So, what do you think?”
“He seems ordinary.”
“Ordinary?”
“Although his foot is crippled, it doesn’t seem to affect his daily life that much. And although his personality seems a bit cold, I don’t see him as a significant threat.”
“You still have a long way to go.”
“What do you mean?”
Yeon Soha’s eyes shifted slightly, her curiosity piqued by his remark.
Seeing her inquisitive gaze that seemed to be demanding for an explanation, Sage Cheon-heo turned his head to the large boulder nearby.
“Do you see that?”
“Pardon?”
Yeon Soha looked toward the direction he indicated with a puzzled expression.
On the boulder, at about the height of a person, was a small circular mark, deeply indented in its center. And about three zhangs away were distinct footprints etched into the ground.
In Sage Cheon-heo’s eyes, it was as if he could vividly see the scene that had played out here long ago.
“That child is not someone who needs another person’s protection as you think. How can you have pity for someone who has undergone ten thousand temperings?”
“That’s…”
“As expected of Mount Hua. It is as high as it is deep.”
Sage Cheon-heo gazed up at the night sky over Mount Hua.
SoundlessWind21’s Notes:
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