Chapter 108: Someone Who Will Tell You Better than Anyone Else (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 108: Someone Who Will Tell You Better than Anyone Else (2)
The title of ‘Honorary Martial Artist’ was a designation bestowed upon an outsider by a clan to express profound gratitude—a formal declaration that ‘this person is the saviour of our clan!’
Essentially, I was asking the Celestial Plum Blossom to officially recognise me as Mount Hua’s saviour.
It might have been somewhat arrogant and shameless, but the words were already out. It was too late to take them back.
The Celestial Plum Blossom was visibly shocked by my request. He clearly hadn’t expected me to ask for such a thing.
“…Well, that is a surprise.”
“My apologies for the suddenness.”
My original intention had been to make a different request, but now I had a concrete reason for seeking the title of Mount Hua’s Honorary Martial Artist.
The Celestial Plum Blossom was likely pondering it deeply, as it was not a honour given lightly.
“I’ll ask just to be certain, but is this because of the Taoist Qi within you?”
I nodded at his question.
“That is one of the primary reasons.”
If granted the title, I would be entitled to learn Mount Hua’s sect arts. Of course, that wouldn’t extend to specific techniques like their sword arts. Still, such an honour carried significant weight within the Orthodox Faction.
I could always choose to learn in secret, but I had no desire to be caught in a storm of consequences if my actions were discovered.
I need to be able to use the Taoist Qi inside my body freely.
The Qi I had absorbed from Mount Hua’s treasure had been sitting idle in my dantian, unusable. Thanks to it, I had reached the Fourth Star of the Gu Flame Wheel Art and, with Elder Shin’s help, touched the peak realm. Yet, it still felt wrong to use it without proper approval.
[Why not just use it secretly? Why are you so scrupulous about these things?]
I’m not from the Unorthodox Faction. Why shouldn’t I follow the rules?
[That’s rich, coming from a demonic human who burned another person’s home to the ground.]
…
Elder Shin’s words struck a nerve. I had indeed done that in my past life, so I had no grounds for argument. But my resolve to live as a good person from now on was genuine. At least in this life, that was my intention and my plan.
Seeing the Celestial Plum Blossom fall silent, I spoke first.
“I assume granting me that title is too difficult, after all.”
“No, it’s not that. In fact, I had considered offering you the title myself.”
“Huh?”
“I understand better than anyone how much you have helped Mount Hua. How could I not have considered it?”
He was planning to give it to me? I was confused by his response. Noticing my expression, the sect leader continued.
“The reason I didn’t mention it was because you are a member of the Gu Clan. I did not think the Gu Clan would look favourably upon one of their own receiving the Honorary Martial Artist title of a Taoist sect…”
I understood his point. It made sense. Gu Ryunghwa was an exception because she had effectively left the Gu Clan to become part of Mount Hua. And in her specific case, it was less consequential, as she knew little about the Gu Clan anyway.
Still, I could give him a firm response.
“It will be fine. The clan will not raise any significant objections.”
This wasn’t just a wild guess; I was certain of it. If my father heard the news, the most he would likely say is, “I see.”
The Sword Queen, standing beside me, added her support.
“Sect Leader, this child not only saved my life but also prevented potential danger from reaching the Immortal Healer. That is more than sufficient reason to grant him the title.”
I had benefited from saving her by gaining some Demonic Qi, and the second reason was somewhat coincidental. I felt a little guilty, but her words were true.
The Celestial Plum Blossom stroked his beard for a moment before nodding.
Is he giving his approval?
“Granting you the title would not be difficult. I will need to discuss it with the elders, but the outcome is fairly obvious.”
“Then…”
“However,” he said, looking at me intently, “I understand your concern regarding the Qi inside you. Unfortunately, I cannot personally teach you how to use it.”
He was referring to his busy schedule, burdened by the events leading up to the tournament. Furthermore, today was the day I was departing for the clan. Even if I received the title, there would be no one to instruct me.
“There is no need for you to worry about that, Sect Leader.”
The Sword Queen, who would be accompanying me, might not be able to help due to her ongoing recovery. But there was someone right beside me who could teach me better than anyone.
[…Huh?]
* * *
After obtaining the Celestial Plum Blossom’s approval, the Sword Queen and I proceeded to the area where the carriages were being prepared.
I’m honestly surprised he approved it so easily.
I had even enlisted the Sword Queen’s help, but the Celestial Plum Blossom’s assent came more readily than expected. He even stated that this request didn’t count as my promised boon, and that I could still ask something of him in the future.
Was this title always so easy to obtain?
[I wouldn’t know. Such a title did not exist in my generation.]
I asked Elder Shin, but he seemed unaware. Regardless, things had gone well.
Then, the Sword Queen beside me spoke.
“I wonder if this is enough.”
“What do you mean?”
“The title may sound grand, but it is still just a name. Besides, if you are interested in Mount Hua’s sect martial arts…”
“No, it’s nothing like that. There’s no need for you to worry.”
Mount Hua specialised in sword arts. I had never planned to learn their techniques, let alone their core arts. They were too heavily focused on the sword.
[So you just want to extract the useful parts and learn how to circulate that Qi?]
It’s not like I could master the Plum Blossom Sword Art in a few days…
It might be possible with Elder Shin’s help, but I doubted I would have enough time to delve into the intricacies of their art.
This much is sufficient for now.
I had seen firsthand the significant difference achieved by combining the destructive Qi of the Gu Flame Wheel Art with the tempering influence of Taoist Qi to reduce its wildness.
The Celestial Plum Blossom said he would send a formal letter of approval to the Gu Clan after consulting the elders, but for all intents and purposes, the matter was settled.
When we reached the foot of the mountain and arrived at the entrance, it appeared all the carriages were ready to depart, laden with a wide variety of items. Upon closer inspection, I saw a group of incredibly muscular men.
“…What in the world?”
They were unmistakably Mount Hua’s second-generation disciples; no one else on the mountain wore their uniform and possessed such monstrous physiques.
The Sword Queen also averted her gaze upon noticing them.
Is she… embarrassed?
Although I had no desire to approach, I had little choice. As I drew nearer to the carriages, I could hear their voices.
“Make sure you stay healthy! Ryunghwa…”
“Don’t skip your meals, and don’t forget about us, okay?”
“You look too skinny, Ryunghwa. We should have helped you more with leg workouts.”
“Her arms are the size of my fingers… How does that even make sense?”
“…Guys, could you please leave now?”
Gu Ryunghwa pleaded with the muscular men surrounding her. Despite their evident concern, they understood her feelings and gave her some space. However, as they moved back, their large group became even more conspicuous.
Gu Ryunghwa shouted at them, “People are scared of you guys…!”
“Huh? What do you mean scared? They all seem touched.”
“Indeed, who could be scared when we have backs as broad as mountains?”
[That is true.]
Elder Shin chimed in.
At this point, I felt I might lose my mind. It seemed I wasn’t alone, as Shinhyun, who had been standing at a distance, suddenly began striking the disciples’ heads with his fist.
-Thwack! Thwack! Slam!
I flinched at the sound of the impacts.
…Did I just hear sounds that shouldn’t be possible from a human head?
It sounded like he was breaking rocks. Accompanied by these noises, the second-generation disciples started rolling on the ground.
“Owwww!”
“Eldest Senior is beating up innocent people!”
“…Just shut your mouths, you idiots. It’s embarrassing.”
Stepping over the suffering disciples, Shinhyun walked towards Gu Ryunghwa.
“Ryunghwa.”
“Yes, Eldest Senior?”
I noticed Shinhyun flinch slightly when Gu Ryunghwa responded firmly and without fear.
“…Right. It puts me at ease to see you so confident.”
“Thank you for your concern…”
“No, I didn’t do anything. You overcame it all by yourself.”
Shinhyun’s hand fidgeted as he looked at Gu Ryunghwa. He seemed to be debating whether he could pat her head.
“Senior?” Gu Ryunghwa asked, curious about his hesitation.
Ultimately, he lowered his hand, apparently deciding the moment wasn’t right. Instead, offering an awkward smile, he said, “It’s nothing. Have a safe journey.”
Once their conversation ended, he forced the disciples still on the ground to get up and prepared to return to Mount Hua. At that moment, our eyes met briefly.
-Please take good care of her.
His voice reached me telepathically.
-I will.
I responded in kind. Receiving my message, Shinhyun looked at me in shock. He clearly hadn’t expected that I could also use telepathy. Regaining his composure, he nodded and began walking slowly up the stairs.
With everything seemingly concluded, I finally moved towards the carriages, only to be stopped by a familiar voice.
“Young Master Gu…!”
Turning around, I saw Yung Pung.
“Master Yung Pung! How did you get down here?”
I thought third-generation disciples weren’t allowed to descend without permission?
Yung Pung responded as if it were nothing, “I just came down in secret!”
This guy really is a lunatic…
How could he be so nonchalant about breaking his sect’s rules?
[This warms my heart. He reminds me of my younger self.]
I think all the problems started with you, Elder Shin.
I couldn’t help but shake my head.
“I hurried down as soon as I heard you were leaving today.”
Oh, I forgot to tell him about my departure. I’ve been so busy.
“Are you feeling alright? I heard you took quite a beating yesterday.”
I’d heard not only did he lose his match, but he was beaten unconscious since his opponent was none other than Shinhyun. Looking at him now, however, he seemed perfectly fine.
“Oh! Thanks to him being lenient, his strikes were painful but didn’t cause any lasting injury.”
“…I see.”
How could he say something so terrifying so cheerfully? He was essentially saying he’d been tortured, yet his body showed no traces of it.
This sect really isn’t normal.
From any angle, they were a bunch of maniacs. Smiling, Yung Pung pulled something from his pocket and handed it to me.
It was a token bearing the symbol of a plum flower. As I inspected the gift, he explained,
“This is my personal sigil.”
“Why are you giving it to me?”
“I’ve never had the chance to use it myself… but I would like to ask you to return it to me when we meet again.”
I couldn’t help but frown at his words.
Why is he doing something that only seems fitting for lovers?
I glanced at Yung Pung, wondering if he belonged to a particular persuasion, but the young man continued speaking without a care.
“And I hope you will accept my challenge then as well.”
“Hmm?”
I looked at him, puzzled, trying to grasp his meaning. Then I saw it—a light of competitive spirit shining in his eyes. Realising what he meant, a smirk touched my lips.
He was asking me to be his rival.
I can’t believe I’m receiving such treatment from the Sword Dragon himself.
An indescribable emotion welled up inside me. Smiling slightly, I tucked away the sigil Yung Pung had given me.
“Yes. I look forward to our next meeting.”
Yung Pung broke into a bright smile, clearly satisfied with my response.
“Thank you. I was able to learn a great deal from you.”
With those words, he left me behind and returned to Mount Hua without the slightest hesitation.
Interesting.
It feels like a lot of people have been thanking me lately. Still, I feel I haven’t done enough to deserve it all.
Elder Shin.
[What?]
Are you sure you’re okay? I don’t know when I’ll be able to return to Mount Hua after I leave.
Elder Shin had assured me he was fine when we spoke the night before, but I felt I should confirm one more time…
[It’s not as if I have a way to remain here.]
That’s true…
[Besides,] he paused, as if taking a deep breath, [I feel I now understand what I must do for this world. There is no point in me staying here. So, I am fine. Do not worry.]
Understood.
Even when I pressed him about what he meant, the old man simply said he couldn’t tell me yet. It was frustrating, but pestering him would do no good; he clearly didn’t want me to push the matter.
“Master!”
Gu Ryunghwa, who was about to board a carriage, spotted the Sword Queen and me and immediately ran over.
“Did you just arrive?”
Gu Ryunghwa hugged the Sword Queen, who responded by gently patting the girl’s hair. Witnessing this blissful scene, I asked Gu Ryunghwa, who was still in the Sword Queen’s embrace, “Is everyone on board already?”
“Yes.”
“What about the Immortal Healer?”
“I heard he has been inside his carriage since morning.”
According to Gu Ryunghwa, the Immortal Healer was in a carriage prepared by Mount Hua, not one belonging to the Gu Clan.
I then asked her, “Did you remember to bring all your clothes?”
“The others have already asked me that dozens of times, and now you’re asking too, brother?”
“Just as long as you have them.”
After this brief exchange, I entered my carriage. Wi Seol-Ah welcomed me with a bright smile. Namgung Bi-ah was already asleep, her head resting on the girl’s lap.
“Young Master!”
“Is she sleeping again?”
“She said she’s tired because she didn’t get enough sleep yesterday!”
“It seems she’s always tired…”
Nonetheless, I moved as quietly as possible to avoid waking her. After gazing outside for a moment, I heard the Sword Venerable’s voice.
“We will be departing now.”
“Oh, yes!”
I had forgotten the Sword Venerable was mounted on the horse leading our carriage. I immediately straightened up, becoming more modest. Having one of the mighty Three Venerables leading the carriage was remarkably effective at making me mind my manners.
Elder Shin, observing this, couldn’t help but ask,
[Why the hell is that man driving the carriage…?]
I don’t know either.
In fact, I was even more curious than Elder Shin about the reason.
With an energetic neigh, the carriage began to move. My business in Shaanxi was finally concluded, and I was on my way back to the clan.
“Once I’m back… I shouldn’t travel for a while.”
Just this year alone, I had travelled to both Shaanxi and Sichuan. I’d had my fill of those long, arduous journeys. As I pondered this, Elder Shin piped up again.
[Judging by your tone, it seems things will not go as you wish.]
…
I forced myself to ignore his ominous words.
* * *
When I finally arrived back at the clan, I was met with a situation I had never anticipated.
“…Why are you here?”
I asked, utterly stupefied.
The girl responded with a deeply blushed face,
“H-Hello…!”
She had dark green hair and eyes that gleamed with a similar shade of green.
The Poison Queen from Sichuan’s Tang Clan, Tang Soyeol, was waiting for me at my clan.