Chapter 106: Double Faced
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 106: Double Faced
After returning to the lodge, I carefully wrapped the mysterious flower in cloth and stored it in a box.
Now would have been the ideal time to consume it, but swallowing some unknown blossom right after breaking through to a new realm felt too reckless.
[When do you plan to try it?]
“After my body has fully acclimated to this new level,” I replied.
Elder Shin’s assistance had propelled me to the peak realm, but it was a stretch to claim my physical foundation was truly there yet. Simply judging by physique alone, even Mount Hua’s second-generation disciples, like Yung Pung, were in better condition than I was.
Even if those Mount Hua fellows are monsters, the point stands.
Fortunately, the flower didn’t seem to be losing its potency over time. My periodic checks confirmed it was still pristine, and it would likely remain so for at least another week.
My first priority should be to see the Celestial Plum Blossom.
There was no reason to delay any further. Having made up my mind, I headed out to find him.
The moment I stepped outside, I felt the Sword Venerable’s gaze upon me. The old man was sweeping the grounds with a broom. Our eyes met, and he gave a slight reaction.
…He noticed.
Of course he had. This was the Sword Venerable, after all. He had undoubtedly sensed my breakthrough to the peak realm. My vision was clearer, my senses sharper, and my perception heightened, yet I still couldn’t feel a wisp of qi emanating from him.
Just how vast is the gap between us?
My memories of the Sword Venerable from my past life were scarce, leaving me with little grasp of the old man’s true strength.
I do recall the Heavenly Demon saying he is the strongest of the Three Venerables.
My own qi was still unstable after the recent breakthrough, but it was shocking that I couldn't perceive anything from him at all.
[Is that man the strongest swordsman of this era?]
Elder Shin, having access to my memories, seemed to have finally grasped the Sword Venerable's caliber.
Yes.
I had no reason to deny it.
[How disappointing…]
About what?
[That I cannot feel that man’s strength for myself, lacking a physical body.]*
I remembered him mentioning that, as a spirit, he couldn't properly gauge the power of others. His reaction made me wonder: who was stronger, the Sword Venerable or Elder Shin in his prime?
[You rotten… Your mind is still so childish.]
…I was merely curious.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call the Divine Sword of Mount Hua the strongest swordsman of his generation, though I couldn't be certain, knowing so little about that era.
The Sword Venerable nodded slightly in my direction. I still felt awkward around him, so I quickly returned the greeting and made my escape.
It was just past noon, yet the place felt strangely quiet. I realized it was because Wi Seol-Ah and Namgung Bi-ah were nowhere to be seen. For me to feel their absence so keenly… I really had changed. Though whether it was for the better remained to be seen.
Where did they go?
Wi Seol-Ah usually came running the moment I returned, and Namgung Bi-ah was typically asleep in her room. I couldn't find either of them.
I spotted Hongwa passing by during her duties and stopped her. "Oh… Seol-Ah and Lady Namgung left earlier," she informed me. "They said they were going out to watch the tournament."
"The tournament?"
"Yes. The young lady of the house came by and invited them, since the matches are being held today as well…"
So Gu Ryunghwa had come and taken them with her.
It seems they decided to let the tournament continue.
I wondered which of the two proposals from last night had been adopted. I was hoping for the first option, but a nagging feeling told me things wouldn't work out so neatly.
Just how many spies are hidden within the Murim Alliance?
It was common for the Black Palace, and the Unorthodox Faction in general, to plant spies within the Alliance. The fact that the situation in Nachal was resolved so quickly after I left made it feel rushed. It led me to suspect that the Black Palace hadn't been truly destroyed, but had only staged their defeat.
[Are you concerned?]
"Yes, I believe they are connected, after all."
I didn't know if they had direct ties to the Heavenly Demon, but the crucial point was that events were unfolding in the background that I had no knowledge of from my past life. The Black Palace's attempt to capture the Immortal Healer was one part of it. Another was their capture of Mount Hua's swordsmen to drain their blood for that flower.
[What do you plan to do?]
"You already know, don't you?"
My mission was simple, now that I was resolved to stop the Heavenly Demon. If the Black Palace was connected to his rise…
"I'll have to rip them apart."
That would be the first step.
* * *
Assuming the Celestial Plum Blossom would be busy with the tournament, I decided to visit the Sword Queen instead.
"Welcome."
"My apologies for the sudden visit."
Thankfully, she was in her hut.
She looks much younger than before.
Her hair was a lustrous black, and her skin was smooth, without a single wrinkle. She looked no older than thirty. The Sword Queen studied me for a moment, her expression shifting to one of shock.
"...It seems something has happened."
"I experienced a small enlightenment."
"Even so… to reach that realm at your age. It seems the heavens have truly blessed the Gu Clan in this generation."
"That is too much praise for someone like me, Senior…"
[…Of course it is! The world should know what trash you are!]
Now that I was a peak realm martial artist, I could automatically sense the Sword Queen's strength. She was still far stronger than me, preventing a precise assessment, but the power contained within her body was no joke.
She’s not called a Sword Queen for nothing.
Highly skilled figures often inherited existing titles rather than receiving new ones—titles like Sword Queen, or Sword King.
Noticing my stare, the Sword Queen smiled. "Not much to see, is there?"
I quickly apologized, realizing my discourtesy. "My apologies… I haven't yet learned to fully control it."
"It's fine. It also shows me that I still have a long way to go in my recovery, if you can perceive my strength so clearly." After speaking, she handed me a cup of tea. It smelled identical to the green plum tea the Celestial Plum Blossom had brewed for me.
"The Leader often brings this to me."
"Oh, that explains it."
No wonder the scent was familiar. As I sipped the tea, the Sword Queen continued. "I wanted to thank you again, so I'm glad you came."
"Thank me for…?"
"Ryunghwa seemed very changed when she visited last night." The Sword Queen looked genuinely happy as she spoke. "She was smiling."
"…"
"I never knew Ryunghwa could smile so brightly. She was utterly charming."
It seemed the Sword Queen had also noticed the change in Gu Ryunghwa after the tournament. However, I didn't like that she credited me for it.
"If that is what you're thanking me for, I didn't really do anything…" Hadn't I been the one holding Gu Ryunghwa back all this time? Even asking the question felt pointless; I was certain of the answer.
Gu Ryunghwa is truly impressive, to have fought through that on her own and emerged smiling.
The Sword Queen simply continued to smile, clearly not believing my words. "Oh, Ryunghwa mentioned earlier that she was going down to see her brother. Judging by your reaction, you didn't meet?"
"She wanted to see me?"
I'd heard she came to the lodge to watch the tournament with the others.
Did she come for me, then? I didn't expect that.
I should go see her later.
I didn't know why she was looking for me, but meeting her later would suffice.
After a sip of tea, the Sword Queen asked, "When do you plan to return to your clan?"
"I believe we should leave tomorrow. Our business here is largely concluded."
"...Hmm. That is sooner than I expected."
"I feel I have already overstayed my welcome."
"Have you informed the Immortal Healer?"
"Oh… I'll tell him later."
Right. I forgot about that.
The Sword Queen muffled a chuckle at my surprise, and I coughed awkwardly in response. "...Sorry. It completely slipped my mind."
"No. It's just… you resemble your mother so much that I smiled without thinking. My apologies."
The Sword Queen always seemed to smile when mentioning my mother.
Were they that close? My mother had never spoken of her, that I could recall.
Though I might have been too young to remember.
I grew curious about how my mother and the Sword Queen had met and become friends.
Still…
I remained uncomfortable discussing my mother, so I didn't ask. Steadying my breath, I broached the reason for my visit.
"Do you remember when I said I would have a request for you soon?"
"Yes, I haven't forgotten. What do you need?"
"It's nothing major."
Tomorrow, before I leave, I plan to see the Celestial Plum Blossom. I want the Sword Queen to accompany me.
My request was simple.
"I need you to take my side."
That was all.
* * *
After concluding my talk with the Sword Queen, I headed down the mountain to find Gu Ryunghwa. A chill in the breeze made me realize summer was nearing its end.
"Time passes too quickly."
Despite the many changes I'd undergone, my progress felt slow compared to the relentless march of time. Reaching the peak realm in under a year was fast, but feeling proud of it was meaningless when faced with the impending calamity. At best, I was on the level of a top-tier young prodigy, and that was all.
[You seem desperate.]
"It's necessary to feel at least this much desperation."
[…I can’t really argue with that.]
"I'll just have to ensure it doesn't become a poison." Though that wouldn't be easy.
When I reached the mountain's base, I saw a familiar figure.
"...Huh?"
"...?"
A boy with long hair covering his face down to his nose noticed me—likely due to my heightened presence. It was Zhuge Hyuk, the Immortal Healer's grandson.
What is he doing?
The young man was carrying a basket nearly half his size, filled with mushrooms. I considered ignoring him, but instead, I approached.
"What are you doing here?"
Zhuge Hyuk looked up after placing another mushroom in his basket. He gestured that he was gathering ingredients to eat.
"Are you sure those are safe to eat…?" Their vibrant colors seemed suspicious.
He started to answer with his hands, then paused. Picking up a branch, he wrote on the ground:
-It’s fine. They are safe.
Seeing him write felt strange. I'd never really held a proper conversation with him.
"...How can you be sure?"
-It’s written in my grandfather’s book.
"The Immortal Healer's book?" He nodded. He has a book like that?
"What will you do with them?"
-Fry them. Make a stew too.
As I thought, he was gathering food. The first time I saw Zhuge Hyuk, he seemed ordinary but distant, with a vacant expression. Now, for some reason, he seemed in good spirits, which made me talk to him without thinking.
"Do you like cooking?"
His eyes widened slightly at my question, then he nodded vigorously.
-How did you know?
I fell silent at his written words. I still felt uneasy around him, but I reminded myself this was a different world.
"Just a hunch." I was reminded of something from my past.
-I want to open a restaurant. A small, elegant one. Cooking has always been fun for me.
The pointless words he'd uttered on the verge of death. Despite the blood gushing from his body, he had spoken them clearly. But it was all irrelevant now. Nearly everything Zhuge Hyuk said in my past life was a lie. The only times he was honest were when relaying the Heavenly Demon's orders to the demonic armies. He was a man who lied even as he died.
-I was an orphan in my youth. I had no family.
A lie. He had the Immortal Healer.
-But I was still healthy. I had a lot of friends.
Also a lie.
-You know? We could have been good friends if not for this situation.
Every sentence was woven with deceit, especially the last part.
-Captain, do you resent me?
I had said "yes," that I wanted to tear him apart and kill him. He had chuckled, blood staining his clothes with each laugh.
-Seeing this as my last moment is not bad.
His clear voice had faded after that. I wondered how much of what he said was true. I had thought he wouldn't lie about his past, but ironically, it was all fabrication. Now, I suspected there might not have been a shred of truth in any of his words.
"…"
I stared at Zhuge Hyuk. What would turn this boy into a demonic human? If he and the Immortal Healer were captured, would that be the start of his transformation? If I altered that history, would he choose a different path?
My mind raced with thoughts until I grew dizzy. Suddenly, Zhuge Hyuk pulled out a small pouch and handed it to me.
"...What's this?"
Taken aback, I opened it to find more mushrooms. When I looked at him questioningly, he wrote on the ground again.
-I’ll pick a lot. These are delicious. I’ll share.
He smiled brightly. For a moment, I thought this smile, too, might be a lie. Carefully, I placed the pouch in my pocket.
"...Right. Thank you."
I hoped that, this time, he wasn't lying.
Zhuge Hyuk wandered off to gather more, so I left him to it and stood up.
Back at the lodge, the girls still hadn't returned from the tournament. Since Gu Ryunghwa had been looking for me, I decided to seek her out. I handed the mushrooms to Hongwa before leaving.
"...Young Master, what is this…?"
She looked utterly bewildered.
"A gift. You can use them for cooking, if they're safe."
"Oh… Alright. Uh, Young Master?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you going to find Wi Seol-Ah?"
"Not exactly." They were all together, but I was mainly looking for Gu Ryunghwa.
Hongwa sighed.
"What's wrong?"
"...Seol-Ah left without finishing her chores. I think she forgot, but I'll still have to scold her when she returns."
"...Oh." She was trying to contain her anger in front of me, but I could still sense it.
[Her hand is shaking.]
Yeah.
Her clenched fist was trembling slightly. She was furious.
Good luck to her.
I silently wished Wi Seol-Ah luck, knowing she was in for a scolding.
* * *
At the main branch of the Murim Alliance, in the residence of the Alliance Leader, Jang Cheon, the Harmonic Sword, carefully reread the letter from the Sword Venerable. He had read it countless times, fearful of missing some nuance.
…A granddaughter, huh.
The letter contained many details, but the most startling was the mention of the Sword Venerable's granddaughter.
"How strange…"
The Sword Venerable had no family. His only blood relative was a daughter, and Jang Cheon knew she had passed away—he himself had delivered her body to the Sword Venerable.
So, who is this granddaughter?
What had happened during the years the Sword Venerable had disappeared? He knew the Wudang and Shaolin sects were searching for him. They had even asked Jang Cheon for his whereabouts, but he had no information to give.
What should I do about this?
The situation was problematic. Accepting the Sword Venerable's request, as outlined in the letter, would mean making an enemy of the Ten Sect Alliance. Yet, refusing was equally difficult, given how much Jang Cheon owed the old man.
As he pondered deeply, a presence approached outside. He carefully folded the letter and tucked it into his pocket.
Knock, knock.
"Father. It's Seonyeon."
"Come in."
With Jang Cheon's permission, the door opened and a figure entered—a young man with a calm, inscrutable expression.
"What brings you here?"
"I came to greet you as soon as I heard of your return."
"I told you that wasn't necessary. You should be focused on your training…"
"I couldn't possibly neglect my duty."
Jang Cheon smiled at his son's words. The young man had been raised well. Wherever he went, Jang Cheon felt nothing but pride, never embarrassment. Moreover, he had heard his son was progressing at a frightening rate, experiencing frequent enlightenments. Jang Cheon believed the young man was destined to become one of the Five Dragons.
"Haha, right, right. A father couldn't be happier to hear that."
Jang Cheon laughed heartily. Jang Seonyeon smiled in response, a low chuckle escaping his lips.