A Man Who Doesn't Know How to Give Up (4)
"Screw it. We might as well just run headfirst into whatever comes. If we crash and burn, we'll figure it out then."
"..."
"You agree, don't you?"
"No. I don't think that way at all."
"Well, start thinking that way."
"..."
Tang Jin couldn't help but wonder. How on earth did my future self manage to serve as this guy's right-hand man?
As they bickered back and forth, Han Cheong-un and Tang Jin finally arrived before the massive mountain gate of the Mount Hua Sect.
Looking up at the towering gate, Han Cheong-un muttered, "Seriously, how did they even haul the building materials all the way up here?"
"Who knows? Maybe some incredibly powerful masters carried them up piece by piece."
Mount Hua was considered the steepest and most treacherous of the Five Great Mountains under heaven. Constructing buildings on such terrain was no easy feat. Honestly, even building a simple shack would be a nightmare here.
Yet, a massive sect stood proudly atop this very peak. The Mount Hua Sect.
As one of the most prominent sects in the land, it was famous for its generous hospitality, welcoming anyone without turning them away. Visitors didn't have to wait in long lines like at Shaolin, nor did they have to disarm at a sword-untying pond like at the Wudang Sect. And yet...
"Absolutely not."
Huh? What's this? As Han Cheong-un blinked in confusion, the gatekeeper guarding the entrance spoke firmly.
"Our sect is currently not accepting any outsiders."
"Isn't the gate of Mount Hua always open?"
"I cannot disclose the details, but we have received strict orders from the Sect Leader not to admit any outsiders without permission."
"..."
"So, please turn back."
This was completely unexpected. Han Cheong-un never imagined they would be turned away at the very entrance of Mount Hua.
This is bad.
To make contact with Baek Su-ah, he had to get inside the sect first. But what was he supposed to do if he couldn't even pass the front gate?
"Excuse me. I am Tang Jin of the Sichuan Tang Family."
"Tang Jin? The Blue Abyss Poison Hand?"
"I am unworthy, but yes, some call me by that name."
"Mmm. What brings a young master of the Tang Family all the way here?"
"I cannot share the details. However, would it be possible to request an audience with the Sect Leader of Mount Hua?"
The gatekeeper hesitated. Although he had orders to turn away all outsiders, could he really dismiss a direct descendant of the Tang Family so easily? A mere gatekeeper like him couldn't risk causing a diplomatic rift between Mount Hua and the Tang Family.
"Please wait here for a moment. I will go inside and ask."
"Understood."
Tang Jin offered a polite fist-and-palm salute, and the gatekeeper hurried inside. Watching him go, Han Cheong-un pouted and grumbled.
"Fucking elitist hierarchy..."
"What did you expect? That's just how the Murim works..."
"Tsk."
He was right. It was annoying, but there was nothing they could do. Was it thanks to Tang Jin's status as a direct descendant of the Tang Family?
"The Sect Leader has agreed to meet you."
"Thank you."
They were granted an audience with the Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect. An elderly man with a long beard, dressed in white robes, wearing a gentle, carefree smile—he looked like a Daoist immortal. He was the current Sect Leader of Mount Hua, the Mount Hua Sword Immortal, Hyeon-u.
Upon seeing Tang Jin, he smiled warmly. "It has been a while, Young Master Tang. Do you remember me?"
"How could I ever forget? I pay my respects to the Sect Leader of Mount Hua."
Observing Tang Jin's polite demeanor, the Sect Leader stroked his beard. "You have matured quite a bit. You seem different from before."
Tang Jin blushed slightly at those words. Out of rebellion against his family, he had once behaved like an arrogant rascal, earning himself the reputation of the Tang Family's black sheep. However...
"Recently, I have repented of my past misdeeds and am striving to correct my behavior."
"Hahaha. That is exactly what it means to mature."
"..."
"For a man to change his way of life, there must have been a turning point. Tell me, what happened?"
At the Sword Immortal's question, Tang Jin simply bowed his head respectfully. "I merely realized how pathetic I was."
"Hmm, is that so?"
"Yes. More importantly, I have come today because I have something to discuss with you."
Sensing Tang Jin's desire to get to the point, the Mount Hua Sword Immortal stroked his beard a few times. "Very well. What brings you to this old Taoist?"
"Yes. Actually, the matter is not for me to discuss, but rather for our Sect Leader here."
"Sect Leader?"
One of the Sword Immortal's eyebrows twitched upward. His gaze shifted to Han Cheong-un, who had been standing quietly behind Tang Jin.
Han Cheong-un took a step forward, cupping his hands. "It is an honor to meet you. I am the Righteous Elder Traveling Hero—"
"Ahem, cough, cough..."
Tang Jin coughed loudly next to him, giving him a sharp look. His eyes practically screamed at him not to even dream of using that ridiculous name. Han Cheong-un pouted before correcting himself.
"I am Han Cheong-un, the Sect Leader of the Extreme Dao Sect."
"The Extreme Dao Sect? Sect Leader?"
The Mount Hua Sword Immortal was taken aback. The boy standing before him looked like he hadn't even reached his twenties. Since he was with Tang Jin, the Sword Immortal assumed they were just friends, but to suddenly claim to be a Sect Leader? Moreover...
Did he just say 'our Sect Leader'?
That meant Tang Jin had submitted to this boy. Tang Jin, the direct son of the Sichuan Tang Family's Lord? What could possibly drive him to do that? For now, the Sword Immortal decided he needed to hear them out.
"I am Hyeon-u, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua."
"It is an honor to meet the renowned Sect Leader of Mount Hua. I have come today to make a difficult request."
"Speak."
What could this mysterious boy, who had dragged along a direct descendant of the Tang Family, possibly want? The Sword Immortal had to hear his reasons. And then...
"Recently, evil forces have been operating in the shadows of the Murim, disrupting the peace and justice of the land."
"..."
"To stop them, I have taken action to build my own faction."
"..."
"Young Master Tang agreed with my vision, left the Sichuan Tang Family, and decided to join me. Thus, he has taken the position of Vice Leader of our sect."
"..."
"However, we still lack strength. I humbly ask Mount Hua to lend us righteous martial artists to join our cause. I seek your help to repel the impending crisis facing the Murim and to restore justice to the world."
As Han Cheong-un finished speaking, the Mount Hua Sword Immortal slowly stroked his long beard, deep in thought. This... is that. It's definitely that. Everything made sense now. In fact, this was a common occurrence.
Excellent youths trained in prestigious orthodox sects often reached a certain age where they began to think: With my outstanding talents, I must vanquish evil, protect the weak, and champion justice. To do that, I must venture out into the world right this instant. Even if my master tries to stop me, I must go. I absolutely must.
But since going alone was a bit daunting, they preferred to go with like-minded friends. And if they made a name for themselves in the Murim, it would bring glory to their sect, so it was a win-win situation, right? Such was their resolve.
The elders of the Murim had a specific term for this phenomenon. A disease where a young martial artist of mediocre achievement, gripped by grandiose ideals, felt compelled to leave their sect and venture out into the world. In other words...
"Sect-leaving syndrome... or rather, eighth-grader syndrome."
For the time being, the Mount Hua Sword Immortal arranged guest rooms for Han Cheong-un and Tang Jin, telling them to stay for a while. Once they unpacked their bags in the guest quarters, Han Cheong-un asked, "Will this work out?"
"Do you honestly think it will?"
"Ugh..."
A heavy sigh escaped his lips. The words the Mount Hua Sword Immortal had spoken while showing them to the guest quarters were...
"Hahaha. Yes, I see. So that's how it is. For now, don't go anywhere. I will have some guest rooms prepared for you, so please stay a while. In the meantime, I shall send a quick message to the Tang Family..."
No matter how one looked at it, that was the classic attitude of an adult who had caught a couple of runaway kids and was trying to keep them in one place. That pitying gaze and sorrowful voice... Han Cheong-un slumped his shoulders and groaned.
"Sigh... To think I have to be treated like this at my age."
"You have it easy, Sect Leader. I'm in my mid-twenties."
"Before I regressed, I lived to be nearly sixty."
"..."
"..."
Both of them let out simultaneous sighs.
"Well, look on the bright side. There is a positive aspect to this."
"And what would that be?"
"We managed to get inside Mount Hua, didn't we? Now we have a chance to contact Lady Baek Su-ah."
"Ah, that's true."
"Of course, convincing her is a completely different story."
"Mmm..."
Han Cheong-un fell into deep thought. How could he convince Baek Su-ah? Honestly, he didn't have many options. Even if he tried to persuade her with words, she possessed the Dragon Eyes, which could see through any falsehood. Cheap eloquence wouldn't work on her.
"First, we need to meet her..."
"Do you know where she is?"
"From what I've heard, she doesn't live in the main sect compound. She lives separately nearby with her master."
"She doesn't reside in the main headquarters?"
"It's not uncommon for Daoist elders to live away from the main sect, is it? Her master was apparently one of those people."
"Ah..."
"Most people in the Mount Hua Sect probably don't even know who she is. She's registered on the sect roster, but she barely participates in any internal activities..."
"Then finding her will be difficult."
"That's the problem."
Han Cheong-un sighed. Still, they had no choice but to start asking around. The results, however...
"Senior Sister Baek? Yes, I know her."
"Senior Sister Baek Su-ah? Of course I know her."
"Is there anyone in Mount Hua who doesn't know her? Everyone does."
...were completely contrary to his expectations. Seeing Han Cheong-un's dumbfounded expression, Tang Jin gave him a skeptical look.
"I thought you said nobody would know her?"
"No, this makes no sense..."
"She's the youngest first-generation disciple, a beauty rivaling the fairest in Shaanxi, and a genius with an extraordinary understanding of the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art. And you thought nobody would know her?"
"..."
Han Cheong-un was utterly bewildered. This was vastly different from the information he possessed. As far as he knew, Baek Su-ah wasn't supposed to make a name for herself until much later.
She was supposed to naturally rise to prominence only after the Great War between the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions broke out and Mount Hua actively joined the conflict. Before that, she was supposed to be virtually unknown. So why...
"Are you sure you didn't lie about regressing?"
"Hey, I'm telling the truth!"
"..."
"Think about it. If she had been famous for a long time, why didn't you, the Vice Leader, know about her?"
"Well, that's..."
Indeed, with the kind of reputation they were hearing about within the sect, her name should have spread across the land. Yet, Tang Jin had never heard the name Baek Su-ah until they arrived here. Which meant...
"She must have risen to fame only very recently."
"Exactly. That has to be it."
"But why would someone who has been living in quiet seclusion suddenly make a name for herself now?"
"I don't know that either."
Honestly, Han Cheong-un couldn't make sense of the situation either. The only way to find out was to meet her in person. But when they asked where they could find her...
"You cannot meet her."
"Excuse me? Why is that?"
"That is not something we can disclose to outsiders."
That was the response they got. No matter how many people they asked, the answer remained the same. The only thing they managed to find out was...
"The White Plum Pavilion."
"Yes. That is where she resides."
"Where should we go to visit that place?"
"Hahaha. You must be joking. That is the residence for the sect's female disciples. Not only are outsiders forbidden, but even we, the male disciples of the sect, cannot enter as we please."
"Ah, I see."
"If you step foot in there, you will face severe punishment, so please keep that in mind."
"Yes. Thank you for the warning."
Han Cheong-un bowed his head and offered a polite salute. Once the helpful Mount Hua disciple walked away, he spoke.
"Well, at least we know the location now."
"It's a restricted area for men. If you trespass, you won't be able to complain even if they take your head."
"Even if they handle it as leniently as possible, the punishment would be Severing Tendons and Rupturing Meridians."
"Exactly. So, give up—"
"How do we get in?"
"..."
"Infiltration? Cross-dressing? A diversion?"
"..."
A man who didn't know how to give up. His name was Han Cheong-un.
That evening, a sudden commotion broke out in the Mount Hua Sect.
Crash! Bang!
"What in the world... Gah!"
"Is this how the Mount Hua Sect treats its guests?!"
"How dare you be so insolent... Argh!"
"Get out here, you damn Taoist bastards!"
The one causing the uproar was none other than Tang Jin, the guest of the Mount Hua Sect. He had suddenly started a massive ruckus.
"Young Master Tang, what is the meaning of this?"
A middle-aged disciple with a stern expression appeared. He seemed to be one of Mount Hua's first-generation disciples. Upon arriving at the scene, he saw a heavily intoxicated Tang Jin and several third-generation disciples collapsed on the ground around him.
"Huh... Who the hell are you?"
Frowning at Tang Jin, who was slurring his words like a drunken rogue, the man spoke. "I am Yun Sang, a first-generation disciple of Mount Hua."
Tang Jin's face stiffened for a split second. Damn it, he's one of the Seven Swords of Mount Hua.
Yun Sang was a top-tier expert even among the first-generation disciples. Honestly, he was a genuine master far too powerful for the current Tang Jin to handle. However...
Whatever. I'll just do what I can.
Tang Jin deliberately let the alcohol flush his face further as he shouted, "Hey, honestly, can you blame me for being mad? These little punks have absolutely no manners!"
"What happened here?"
"These little brats told me to behave myself just because I had a few drinks! Does that make any sense? How dare mere third-generation disciples lecture me, a direct descendant of the Tang Family?!"
"..."
"Is this how Mount Hua treats its guests, Great Hero Yun Sang?!"
As Tang Jin ranted, Yun Sang's expression turned ice-cold.
"So, if I understand you correctly..."
"No need to summarize..."
"You drank without permission on Mount Hua, and then you beat up our disciples for telling you to behave?"
"I was just teaching them a lesson."
"Haha... I see. A lesson."
Yun Sang ground his teeth. He had heard rumors that the young master of the Tang Family was a spoiled brat, but he never expected him to be such an utterly reckless scoundrel.
"A lesson. Yes, lessons are good. How about you receive a lesson from Mount Hua as well?"
Tang Jin tensed slightly at Yun Sang's words. He had deliberately simulated the drunkenness, so he wasn't actually intoxicated. But how long could he hold his own against one of the Seven Swords of Mount Hua?
Tang Jin quietly gripped the Silver Flowing Flying Dagger hidden in his sleeve. And then...
"Let me warn you in advance. When it comes to educating rascals, Mount Hua does not care about the methods used."
"What do you mean by... Huh?"
Tang Jin saw them. Emerging one by one behind Yun Sang were six other Plum Blossom Swordsmen. Each of them exuded an extraordinary aura. The moment he saw them, Tang Jin had a sudden realization.
Ah, I'm fucked.
All of the Seven Plum Blossom Swords had gathered here. And then...
"Now, let's begin the character education for this rascal. The Tang Family will thank us."
"W-Wait a minute!"
Flustered, Tang Jin tried to buy time with words. However...
"There are no timeouts in education!"
"Prepare to die, you spoiled brat!"
"I'm going to tenderize every single bone in your body!"
Well, honestly, he had no choice but to take a beating for this.