Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: Sealing the Gates
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After the long and tedious closing ceremony finally ended.
The students spent time saying goodbye to their families, masters, and elders from their sects.
In truth, it wasn't a true farewell since vacation would come in just a few months anyway.
"I'm not coming back starting next year."
Wi Juseok grumbled with a furrowed brow.
This time, the Taiji Sword Monarch had personally sent an invitation, and he'd come with the intention of passing on as much about the Heavenly Harmony Sect to Wi Seongcheon as possible. But there was no reason to come next year.
He had shared everything short of breaching the Heavenly Net Binding Oath.
Stories from twenty years ago or the sect's fateful destiny—he'd planned to tell those only after Wi Seongcheon achieved enlightenment in Spirit Ignition on his own and truly wished to become the Heavenly Harmony Sect's leader.
'The Black Demon King, that old man, meddled and spilled too much.'
That was a bit regrettable. He had wanted Wi Seongcheon to decide on becoming the sect leader himself.
At the very least, he hoped his son wouldn't awaken to the Heavenly Harmony Sect's fate as early as he had and become shackled by vengeance.
"I'm not going back this winter either. Probably next summer..."
"No, don't come."
Wi Juseok shook his head. Wi Seongcheon stared at his father with wide eyes.
"...Why?"
"The round trip from here to the Heavenly Harmony Sect in Jiangxi will eat up your entire break. What's the point?"
"That's true, but..."
"You're not gonna listen no matter what I say, so I'll make it clear. Don't return to the Heavenly Harmony Sect until you've mastered Spirit Ignition."
Wi Juseok spoke with a serious expression. Wi Seongcheon nodded without protest.
"Yes."
He understood why his father was saying this.
His father wanted him to see the world. That's why he was telling him not to return until Spirit Ignition was complete.
"Congrats on the special award."
"It felt like they gave it out of obligation."
"Probably. But they gave it because they could justify it. So, what're you gonna use the iron plaque for?"
"No idea yet. Something'll come up eventually. If not, I can just go cash it in for a meal."
"It's not a guaranteed free pass."
"Still, they won't turn down a lowly junior begging for a single meal in person."
Wi Seongcheon grinned.
"...Well, it's your call how you use it."
"Don't you regret it?"
"Regret what?"
"Sending me to the Heavenly Academy."
"Of course I do."
Wi Juseok's face twisted.
"Thanks to you, my life's about to get a lot more annoying. Even during the Heavenly Tournament, it was bad enough. If the Taiji Sword Monarch hadn't looked out for me, I'd have been dragged around answering questions about what the Heavenly Harmony Sect really is. But I can't rely on his protection once I'm back at the sect."
So things would get busy and troublesome.
He could handle random riffraff begging to be taken as disciples through Chief Steward Woo, but if people from the Martial Alliance or the Nine Great Righteous Sects showed up, Wi Juseok would have to step in.
Bound by the Heavenly Net Binding Oath, he couldn't answer questions about the Heavenly Harmony Sect.
"What's so annoying about that?"
"You pretending not to know? You became a Hidden Dragon and ran wild at the tournament."
"You told me to do whatever I wanted."
"That's why I'm suffering alone. I decided to send you out, I didn't impose the Heavenly Net Binding Oath on you. I told you not to hold back. So I have to deal with the hassle."
"There's an easy way out."
"What?"
"Seal the sect gates."
Wi Juseok's eyes widened at that.
Sealing the gates.
Literally locking the sect's doors shut.
"I've already left the Heavenly Harmony Sect, and I won't return until Spirit Ignition is mastered, so what's the problem with sealing it?"
"...Haha!"
Wi Juseok stared at Wi Seongcheon for a moment before bursting into laughter, shoulders shaking.
"Indeed, that's an option. I guess I am getting old—not to think of something so simple."
It wasn't something most would consider.
Sealing a sect required a proper justification and consideration of the sect's reputation and more.
But the minor Heavenly Harmony Sect had no reputation to worry about.
No plans to take more disciples, and the only ones left were Wi Seongcheon and Wi Seongyeol, who vanished three years ago.
There'd be no issue with sealing immediately.
'It'll give me an excuse to turn away visitors.'
Sealing for the sake of convenience.
Unthinkable for a prestigious orthodox sect, but Wi Juseok wasn't the type to care.
Before sending Wi Seongcheon out, he'd bowed his head and acted subservient to avoid unnecessary conflicts due to the Heavenly Net Binding Oath. But now that his son was out, there was no reason to hesitate sealing the gates until he returned.
"I don't know when you'll come back, but take care. Don't get cocky."
"You take care of your health, Father."
"No need to worry. Dantian or no, I'm fit as ever."
Wi Juseok patted Wi Seongcheon's shoulder and turned away.
"Then, Young Master, stay well."
Chief Steward Woo bowed his head as well.
Wi Seongcheon looked at the Chief Steward's thick head of hair, unable to imagine him with a bald pate and robes from twenty years ago.
"I don't know what the steward looked like back then, but this suits you better."
Wi Seongcheon smiled brightly. Chief Steward Woo looked up and chuckled heartily.
"Thanks to the sect leader."
"Please take good care of Father."
"Of course. If there's no other choice, I'd stake my life to repay him."
"Whoa, that's too much pressure. No need for that—think of Jeong too."
"You're starting to open up. By the time the young master returns, I'll be a rascal myself."
"I'm not sure if Jeong will remember me, but please tell him his big brother who changed his dirty diapers was here. Give my regards to your wife too."
His father and Chief Steward Woo's figures receded. Only then did Wi Seongcheon truly feel that the Heavenly Tournament was over.
It had been ten long days full of events.
He'd tasted his first 'real' defeat and felt frustration.
Watching high-level duels beyond his reach had ignited his competitive spirit and made him aware of his own shortcomings.
He'd learned about his father.
He'd gotten a vague sense of what the Heavenly Harmony Sect truly was.
"Need a ride?"
Outside the Heavenly Academy, the Black Blood Alliance and Martial Alliance processions were preparing to depart.
The Black Demon King smiled slyly at Wi Juseok trudging out.
"Ah, thank you for offering, but... I'm fine."
Mischievous old man.
If he were going to offer, do it in private. Jumping into the Black Demon King's carriage here would surely irk the righteous elders.
He planned to seal the gates, but getting tangled with the Black Blood Alliance wouldn't look good for his son out in the world.
"Is that so? Can't be helped then."
The Black Demon King didn't press further.
He slowly turned to gaze at the Alliance Leader and the Heavenly Academy Head who had come to see them off.
"Let me know once the schedule's set."
"It won't differ much from what we decided at yesterday's meeting."
Nam Myeong bowed his head.
"Seven per year group, next spring."
The Black Demon King smiled faintly at the reply.
* * *
"How many days has it been?"
Wi Seongcheon shook his bandaged hand as he approached Dang Heeran.
She stood blankly, scanning him up and down before clicking her tongue.
"You look healthy."
"Looks can be deceiving."
Right hand fractured. Piercing wounds lingered here and there, internal injuries severe. But his mind was at ease.
"...That Bang Jun guy's still bedridden."
"Thanks to your sister."
"Makes me feel guilty for nothing."
Dang Heeran grumbled, glancing sideways. There stood Dang Seona with the Twin-Headed Venomous Snake.
She stared at Dang Heeran for a moment before turning away.
"...We won't be able to travel together for a while."
"Watching out for your sister?"
"No, training."
Dang Heeran's face soured.
"For this semester, my master agreed to stay at the Heavenly Academy as my supervising professor."
"The Thousand Kills?"
No wonder Dang Seona had been so prickly.
Dang Heeran's usual supervising professor was the pharmacology instructor, Hwa In-ah.
But if Thousand Kills became her supervisor even for a few months, Dang Seona couldn't get reports through Hwa In-ah anymore.
Supervising professors were assigned only through the first year.
Advancing to second year meant far more freedom in academy classes.
"Surprising. Didn't think the academy would accept Thousand Kills as a professor."
"...Father and the Alliance Leader asked, and honestly, the academy has no reason to refuse."
If Thousand Kills guided other students too, it'd be ideal, but she was only supervising Dang Heeran.
Even so, the Heavenly Academy had no grounds to reject.
Thousand Kills of the Ten Heroes.
More than qualified as a professor, especially since the Taiji Sword Monarch was already guiding Wi Seongcheon, Paeng Yeonhwa, and Tae Heemyung there.
Conversely, the Eccentric Hero had left with the Beggars' Sect Leader. Bang Jun was still bedridden, and not yet officially the Eccentric Hero's disciple.
"So you'll head back with Thousand Kills after the semester?"
"...I need to formally ask Grandmother first."
She'd planned to visit the Tang Clan right after the Heavenly Tournament, but Dang Heeran wanted to inherit Thousand Kills' poison martial art, Serpent God Dark Style, as soon as possible—even if just for a few months.
Preparing in case the Poison Witch refused.
'If Grandmother still says no after this...'
She couldn't unlearn the techniques. Punishment would follow.
Dantian crippled, wrist tendons severed.
The worst imaginable, but the Poison Witch wouldn't be that harsh.
"I'm worried about Yeonhwa."
Dang Heeran muttered with a frown.
"I heard you're heading to the training cave starting tomorrow?"
"Yeah."
Many had applied for the training cave, but Wi Seongcheon got approval.
"Guess I'll have to look after her more."
"You're not going to the cave?"
"Nah, Master said no need. But weekday professor sessions will increase."
"Then you watch out for her."
"What am I, a kid?"
A surly voice approached.
Paeng Yeonhwa pouted her lips. Despite her words, her tail drooped limply.
"I don't wanna eat just with Bang Jun."
"...Bang Jun's... um... a good guy, but one-on-one meals are awkward."
Paeng Yeonhwa couldn't deny that. Dang Heeran giggled at her mumbling response.
"We can do breakfast and dinner together."
"...No need to go out of your way. I can eat with Senior Woo Bin."
Paeng Yeonhwa replied, glancing aside.
Cheong Woo-bin, standing over there, met her eyes and waved with a smile.
[They got closer already?]
[...She asked what happened yesterday...]
Wi Seongcheon cleared his throat awkwardly and looked away. Recalling yesterday made his face heat up.
"...What's with this atmosphere?"
Dang Heeran sensed the odd vibe between them and asked. But neither Wi Seongcheon nor Paeng Yeonhwa answered.
"Uh... um, I gotta go see Professor Seo Il."
Wi Seongcheon made an excuse and bolted.
He'd enter the training cave tomorrow. No academy classes until then.
"No need to worry."
Seo Il was near the Martial Studies Hall.
He eyed Wi Seongcheon's right hand worriedly and continued.
"But promise me this: you won't overdo it in the training cave."
"Yes."
Seo Il smiled at the reply.
"Belatedly, when you beat Jin Woo and advanced, only to lose to Woo Ha-yeon... it was heartbreaking."
"That was my best."
"Of course. Still, couldn't help feeling regretful."
Seo Il shook his head with a long sigh.
"I didn't teach you much, but I'm proud to have been your supervising professor."
"You're saying that again. I told you last time—I learned plenty from you."
"Too kind."
Seo Il smiled wryly.
Wi Seongcheon chuckled and slowly extended his left hand toward him.
Seo Il watched the approaching hand and raised his own.
Their hands intertwined in light tussling, no internal energy loaded.
Wi Seongcheon ultimately failed to break through.
"When I hit second year, I'll sign up for your practical class."
"My class isn't popular, so it'll be easy."
"I'll aim to break through with one hand then."
"Haha! Guess I'll have to train hard so I don't embarrass myself."
Seo Il laughed and played along.
Wi Seongcheon bowed to him.
"Heading to the training cave?"
"Yes."
Next was the Taiji Sword Monarch.
He stood with hands behind his back, gazing at Wi Seongcheon.
'His heart has grown calm.'
A faint smile played on the Taiji Sword Monarch's lips.
In the end, he hadn't learned about the Heavenly Harmony Sect from Wi Juseok.
'Since your son knows, no need to hide it by force.'
That was all he'd gotten instead. Even so, the Taiji Sword Monarch had no intention of asking Wi Seongcheon about Wi Juseok's shattered dantian.
A sect's secret...
Not something to pry into lightly, nor was a crushed dantian an easy topic.
"This tournament held great worth."
The Taiji Sword Monarch nodded slowly.
Not just Wi Seongcheon. Jin Woo, Paeng Yeonhwa, Woo Ha-yeon, Tae Heemyung.
Many students had undergone big and small changes from this tournament.
Mentally and martially.
"I may not know what you felt, but I can offer some common advice."
The Taiji Sword Monarch looked at him with serene eyes.
The unstable intent body was now more stable than before.
Not just the intent body. Heart, energy, form—all in greater harmony than days ago.
'Not fully complete yet, but...'
Impressive.
"Don't doubt yourself."
He emphasized.
As he himself said, it was commonplace advice.
"Yes."
But Wi Seongcheon received the Taiji Sword Monarch's words with gravity and certainty.
Right.
The one not to doubt is oneself.
More than the Heavenly Harmony Sect's fate or the Heavenly Demon or whatever.
'Start with me.'
Those are problems for after becoming the Heavenly Harmony Sect Leader.