Chapter 553: Wudang (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 553: Wudang (4)
I frowned at Yung Pung’s words.
“Whose…?”
I couldn't wrap my head around what he’d just said. Whose descendant did he claim to be?
Did I hear that right?
I had to have misheard him. Yung Pung looked at me with a slightly flustered expression.
“Perhaps you aren't familiar with the Divine Sword of Mount Hua?”
“No… I mean, just explain.”
I needed to confirm if the 'Divine Sword' he was talking about was the same senile old man I knew.
“The Divine Sword of Mount Hua was the eighth Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect,” Yung Pung began.
Oh, boy.
“In the past, during the Great War of the Blood Demon, he was one of the five heroes who halted the Blood Demon’s calamity.”
For crying out loud…
“Even now, when people name the greatest swordsmen of all time, he is invariably included. He is a respected, legendary figure of the Mount Hua Sect… Young Master?”
“...”
Yung Pung called out to me cautiously, noticing my expression. My face had been steadily souring the more I listened to his explanation.
It’s him.
No matter how I looked at it, the 'Divine Sword' Yung Pung revered and the foul-mouthed old man I knew were one and the same. But then, what did Yung Pung mean by what he’d just said?
Descendant?
Why was Yung Pung suddenly calling himself the descendant of the Divine Sword of Mount Hua? I stared at him, completely failing to understand. Why would he be the descendant?
Wait, actually…
If you thought about it, it wasn't that strange.
He’s a better fit than me, that’s for sure.
Rather than a guy like me with no proper roots, it made far more sense for Yung Pung—renowned as the greatest prodigy of the Mount Hua Sect—to be the descendant. He used the same sword arts and the same internal energy. The only real difference was that the old man had a rotten personality, while Yung Pung was actually a decent person.
However…
I am the descendant.
I could say that with absolute certainty. I was that old man’s true successor.
If not me, then who?
In the past, Elder Shin’s legacy had been a burden I desperately wanted to escape. But now, it had become the very path I chose to walk. I had inherited the Elder’s will. And for the sake of that path, I would stop the Blood Demon as well.
Since I believed that, I had to grasp the true meaning behind Yung Pung’s words.
“…What made you suddenly start thinking that way?” I asked cautiously.
Yung Pung cleared his throat a few times before continuing. “I had a fortunate encounter.”
“I see.”
I already knew that; it was written all over him. The important thing was how that encounter was related to his claim.
“Young Master Gu, are you perhaps aware of the rumors spreading recently?”
“Recently?”
“The news about incidents occurring at Murim Alliance branches in various regions. I heard something happened in Guangdong just a few days ago as well.”
“…Ah, right. Yes.”
I was well aware of it. How could I not be?
“The news is about half a year old… Around the time those rumors started spreading, there was some movement in Shaanxi as well.”
“Movement?”
“Yes. The Alliance requested support.”
Originally, since the Mount Hua Sect was located in Shaanxi, there was no need for a Murim Alliance branch in the region. But after the incident involving the Black Palace, and with the Sword of Wudang becoming the Alliance Leader, things changed. Every region was required to have an Alliance branch, so one had recently been established in Shaanxi.
“…And they requested support from the sect?”
“That’s right. It was a request to assist with patrols and sentry duty, just in case.”
“And?”
“Since it was a formal request from the Alliance, the plum blossom swordsmen were dispatched at the time.”
Although the Mount Hua Sect wasn't exactly pro-Alliance, they were still part of the Orthodox Faction. They had to heed the request. So, he was saying a few plum blossom swordsmen were sent out on patrol.
“Then… was it during that time?”
“…That’s right.”
As I voiced my guess, Yung Pung nodded.
“At the time, I was patrolling the outskirts of the Mount Hua Sect. During the patrol, I happened to discover a cave.”
“A cave.”
“Yes, it was a place I’d never seen before. I went inside to assess the situation… and that’s where I found it.”
“Found what?”
“Traces of him.”
The 'him' Yung Pung referred to was clearly the Divine Sword of Mount Hua, Shincheol. Did this mean that while on patrol, Yung Pung had stumbled upon some kind of secret vault belonging to Elder Shin?
A secret vault.
That’s what it sounded like. But his words raised a question.
“Are you saying the vault wasn't discovered until now?”
If it was a vault that could be found during a routine patrol, it should have been discovered and protected by the Mount Hua Sect long ago. To be found only now was strange.
To this, Yung Pung replied, “It was in Shaanxi, but in a very remote area.”
“…He built a secret vault in a remote area?”
To build a vault not near the Mount Hua Sect, but in some isolated part of Shaanxi? When I voiced my doubt, Yung Pung tilted his head.
“It’s not that strange, is it?”
“No, I suppose not, but…”
There was no rule saying a secret vault had to be on sect grounds, so as Yung Pung said, it wasn't impossible. But…
Knowing that old man’s personality, I doubt he would have left anything behind.
Based on Elder Shin’s usual behavior, he didn't seem like the type to leave things for the future. And even if he did, I couldn't imagine him leaving them far from the Mount Hua Sect. Of course, that was my perspective, not Yung Pung’s.
Regarding this, Yung Pung said, “The former Sect Leader must have been a wise man, so he surely had his reasons.”
“...”
As Yung Pung’s eyes shone with reverence, I was at a loss for words. I couldn't exactly tell him that his ancestor wasn't exactly a 'wise man.' I forced myself to swallow my words and asked something else.
“…Well, anyway. So? Are you saying what happened to your body is related to that vault?”
“Ah.”
At my words, Yung Pung spoke as if he’d forgotten.
“When I went inside, I found elixirs left by the former Sect Leader, as well as a letter…”
“A letter?”
“Yes? Ah, yes.”
Yung Pung looked flustered as I cut him off.
“By any chance, what was written in it?”
“…That is.”
At my question, Yung Pung wore a troubled expression. Seeing that, I realized I had to shut my mouth.
Guess that’s asking too much.
It wasn't just any letter; it was a legacy of the Divine Sword of Mount Hua. It would be absurd to expect him to reveal the private words of a great hero to an outsider.
“My apologies. I overstepped.”
“Not at all. It’s natural to be curious.”
Yung Pung let it pass easily. As expected, he was a completely different person from that foul-tempered old man.
“So, you obtained that energy from inside the cave?”
As I spoke, I recalled what had just happened.
I thought his energy felt familiar for a reason.
I had been wondering why I kept getting a sense of familiarity from Yung Pung. That energy felt similar to the Taoist Qi in my body, which had come from the Mount Hua Sect’s treasure. It wasn't identical, but there was a definite similarity.
So he really did obtain the Elder’s energy?
It was clear he had found something. It’s just that…
He had a fortunate encounter, sure. But for him to call himself the descendant is a bit strange.
For Yung Pung to claim he had become the descendant of the Divine Sword was another matter entirely. In other words, something must have happened to make him think that way.
There were several other questions as well. I didn't know Yung Pung’s character perfectly, but I could guess. If he had discovered a fortunate encounter in a cave, he probably would have taken it to the Mount Hua Sect first.
The fact that he didn't—and the fact that he hadn't returned to the sect afterward—was telling. Looking at his current state, I could tell he hadn't gone back to Mount Hua immediately. What was the reason?
As I pondered this, he said, “I sent a separate letter to the Sect Leader.”
Yung Pung explained that he had written a letter detailing his situation and sent it to the sect.
“And the one who brought the reply… was you?” I looked at Gu Ryunghwa.
She nodded. “Our paths happened to align, so the Sect Leader asked me for a favor.”
“Why are you going to Wudang?”
Hearing the question, Gu Ryunghwa hesitated for a moment before answering. “…I’m on my way to see my master.”
If it was Gu Ryunghwa’s master…
The Sword Queen?
That meant the woman who currently held the title of Sword Queen, Soi.
Does that mean the Sword Queen is at Wudang right now?
Setting aside why the Sword Queen was there, I had a lot to think about.
There are too many strange things.
The story seemed plausible on the surface, but it was full of jarring points. The most suspicious part was Elder Shin’s secret vault, but I lacked the justification to question it.
It would be unreasonable to just blurt out, "Actually, I'm the Divine Sword's descendant, and you're a fake"...
So what should I do?
Realistically, the easiest way is to ask him directly.
But I was in no position to ask the demonic old man of Mount Hua right now. Then what? Which path should I take?
A thought crossed my mind. Normally, since this involved Gu Ryunghwa, I would have just identified the problem and moved on.
But if it’s related to Elder Shin, that’s a different story.
If things were like this, I needed to dig deeper.
Wudang.
It wasn't its turn yet. According to my plan, going to Wudang was scheduled for after I visited Henan, around autumn. But I could change that.
Changing the order isn't a problem.
It would be a bit of a hassle, but nothing more.
“You said you were going to Wudang.”
“Yes? Ah, that’s right.”
Right after organizing my thoughts, I spoke to Yung Pung. “Would it be alright if I went with you?”
“Pardon?” Yung Pung’s eyes widened. “You wish to accompany us, Young Master Gu?”
“Yes, I happen to have some business in Wudang as well. Since things turned out this way, let’s go together.”
It wasn't a lie. I did have business in Wudang. It just wasn't supposed to be now, but I could adjust.
“Brother, is it okay if you don't go back?” Gu Ryunghwa asked with a worried look. “Won't the Lord… be angry?”
She was worried our father would be furious. I looked at her and let out a small laugh.
“It’ll be fine. I don't think Father will be particularly angry.”
Gu Ryunghwa’s eyes went wide as saucers. It was probably because of the title I’d used. Seeing her expression, I reached out and stroked her hair.
“Ugh! Where do you think you're touching!”
Gu Ryunghwa shrieked as if she hated it, but funnily enough, she didn't actually slap my hand away. I casually patted her head and asked Yung Pung again.
“Is that alright with you?”
“If you're accompanying us, I would be delighted.”
Yung Pung seemed more than happy. I nodded. Just as I was about to change my course from Shanxi to Wudang, a question I hadn't asked came to mind.
“Ah, right. But why are you going to Wudang, anyway?”
Aside from his fortunate encounter, I still hadn't heard the specific reason he was heading there.
“Ah, that is…” Yung Pung wore an awkward expression. “It’s to have a treasure returned.”
“A treasure?”
“Wudang is currently in possession of one of Mount Hua’s treasures.”
“Wudang is?”
“Yes, there was an incident with our predecessors… but with things as they are now, the time has come to get it back.”
With things as they are now?
“It sounds like an important matter. Is it alright for just you to go…?”
As I spoke, I remembered what Gu Ryunghwa had said. I had thought it was strange to send only a second-generation disciple and a third-generation student to retrieve a treasure.
She said the Sword Queen is in Wudang.
With a sect elder present there, that part was covered. I shut my mouth, but Yung Pung had already heard me.
“It is a matter that I must attend to personally,” he said, his eyes serious.
He has to go personally?
There was a strange weight in his voice. Normally, I wouldn't have bothered to ask, but I felt a nagging curiosity.
“What are you going to retrieve that requires such a thing?” I asked.
What on earth did Wudang have that made Yung Pung set out on this path without even stopping by Mount Hua?
“Young Master Gu is probably unfamiliar with it. It’s not a widely known treasure,” Yung Pung said, trying to reassure me.
But from my perspective, I was thinking something completely different. I asked in a slightly trembling voice, “Brother… what is the name of that treasure?”
At this, Yung Pung tilted his head. He seemed to wonder why I was asking, but he didn't see any harm in telling me.
“It is called Solar Light.”
“...”
“Is it a treasure you are familiar with, Young Master Gu?”
I couldn't say a word. Familiar with it?
…I knew it well. Too well, in fact.
I had to subtly hide my left arm—the arm wrapped in bandages that had turned dark blue, stained by my Qi.
…What is this situation?
I didn't know where it had started, but one thing was certain: something was very, very wrong.
And I should have bolted the moment I thought that. Things had been going so well that I’d momentarily forgotten a fundamental truth.
“Subdue them at once!”
“Haha, for fuck’s sake.”
I, as a person, was someone with absolutely no luck to speak of.