Chapter 196
Chapter 196
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 196
Chapter Title: Chapter 7. There's a Will Stronger Than Poison (3)
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Ever since the Demonic Cult's invasion a few days prior, a palpable air of war hung over the Sakju Branch.
Reinforcements had arrived from nearby sects, and the Murim Alliance had hastily dispatched support troops as well.
The Demonic Cult warriors who had attacked the Sakju Branch had set up camp at nearby Hangsan Mountain, where they were regrouping their forces.
The distance between Hangsan Mountain and Sakju was merely around two hundred li. A martial artist skilled in lightness skill could cover it in a single day.
The war clouds intensified with each passing day, and tension filled everyone's faces. The ominous atmosphere that had begun in Sakju had spread not only to neighboring Sanyin County but as far as Jeongyang.
The rumor of the clash between the Demonic Cult and the Murim Alliance at the Sakju Branch had reached even Master Hyeon So's ears.
“Ha! So they've finally clashed?”
He let out a sigh.
News of the conflict between the Demonic Cult and the Murim Alliance had spread even to North Boundary Mountain, where he resided. Naturally, Master Hyeon So had no choice but to worry.
“I can't just take the children and leave right away...”
There were over a dozen children under his care. Moving that many was difficult enough, let alone finding a new place to stay.
“Whew!”
In every way, Master Hyeon So's worries could only grow.
“Grandpa.”
From afar, Ha Yeong came toddling over. Though Master Hyeon So's face was filled with concern, the moment he saw Ha Yeong's face, a smile bloomed.
“What is it?”
“There's...”
“Hm?”
“Another grandpa.”
“Another grandpa?”
“Yeah!”
Ha Yeong nodded her head.
A puzzled look appeared on Master Hyeon So's face.
“Will you show me to him?”
“Yeah!”
Ha Yeong nodded and took Master Hyeon So's hand. The warmth from her tiny palm made him forget his worries for a moment and smile.
Ha Yeong toddled along, pulling Master Hyeon So with her.
“Really?”
“Is that true?”
The place Ha Yeong led him to was the entrance of Cheongryu Valley. There, by the flowing valley stream, the children under Master Hyeon So's care were huddled together, listening intently to someone's story.
“Haha! It's true, of course. Shall I show you?”
“Yes!”
“But I'm not feeling well right now, so it might be hard.”
“Aww! It was a lie after all.”
“Hahaha!”
Even amid the children's boos, the old man burst into hearty laughter.
His hair was as white as freshly fallen snow, making him look at least a decade or two older than Master Hyeon So.
The old man gazed at the children with a faint smile. His eyes were filled with a gentle warmth.
Suddenly, the old man turned his head toward Master Hyeon So.
“Oh dear! It seems this guest has caused a ruckus, bringing out the host. My apologies.”
“No, not at all.”
“I am Cheon O-gyeong. I was passing by and was drawn in by the beautiful scenery here, so I intruded without permission.”
“No need to apologize. This is merely a temporary dwelling for me as well. How can a host claim ownership over the great nature?”
“Haha! I'm grateful for such kind words.”
The man who introduced himself as Cheon O-gyeong smiled. Master Hyeon So sensed a profound aura from his speech and gaze.
‘He's no ordinary man.’
It was a depth in his eyes that Master Hyeon So had never felt even from his Huashan Sect seniors, leaving a deep impression.
“If you're not too busy, would you care for a cup of tea? I'd like to treat you to one.”
“I wouldn't want to impose.”
“It's no imposition.”
“Then, without further ado, I'll gladly accept.”
Cheon O-gyeong rose from his seat. His transcendent demeanor stood out even more.
‘If immortals exist, they must look like him.’
Master Hyeon So inwardly admired Cheon O-gyeong.
Though he himself pursued the Dao as a Daoist, Cheon O-gyeong's appearance evoked the image of the sages he envisioned.
The children gathered around Master Hyeon So.
They giggled and chattered.
“That grandpa is super funny.”
“What's so funny about him?”
“I dunno! He said he can fly in the sky.”
“What?”
“Isn't it hilarious? How can a person fly in the sky? So we told him to fly, and he said he can't right now because he's not feeling well. Haha!”
The children burst into innocent laughter.
Cheon O-gyeong scratched the back of his head sheepishly. Master Hyeon So apologized to him.
“My apologies. The children are so mischievous; they must have troubled you.”
“No, not at all. It's been ages since I've met such pure children, and I've enjoyed it.”
“Thank you for seeing it that way.”
“By the way, what is your Daoist title?”
“How did you know I'm a Daoist?”
A look of surprise appeared on Master Hyeon So's face. He was dressed in plain clothes, not his Daoist robes. At least outwardly, there was no way to tell he was a Daoist.
Cheon O-gyeong smiled.
“How could I not notice such a profound Daoist aura?”
“Daoist aura?”
Master Hyeon So looked puzzled. Cheon O-gyeong's smile deepened.
Master Hyeon So stared blankly at Cheon O-gyeong's smile for a moment before realizing his own state and flushing red.
“Amitabha! I am Hyeon So.”
“Master Hyeon So, I see. It's an honor to meet you.”
“No, the honor is mine.”
“By chance, do you have any grain wine instead of tea? My mouth feels parched; I'd prefer some liquor.”
At Cheon O-gyeong's words, Master Hyeon So burst into laughter.
“Haha! I still have some plum wine I brewed last autumn.”
“Plum wine is delightful.”
“It hasn't aged long, so the flavor isn't fully matured, but it's still drinkable.”
“Haha! This old man is fortunate today. Not only have I met someone brimming with Daoist aura like a true master, but I get to enjoy delicious plum wine as well. I don't know how to repay this.”
The two returned to the dwelling with the children.
Cheon O-gyeong sat on the porch, enjoying the scenery around him. A cool breeze gently lifted his hair.
“Wonderful. What a fine place.”
While North Boundary Mountain as a whole felt barren, Cheongryu Valley basked in warm sunlight. With the cool breeze blowing as well, it seemed like the perfect blessed spot.
At that moment, Master Hyeon So emerged carrying the jar of plum wine. Even without opening the lid, the fragrant aroma was enough to intoxicate the mind.
“I haven't prepared any side dishes.”
“What need is there for side dishes? With such magnificent scenery, fine company, and a refreshing breeze.”
Cheon O-gyeong's words resonated deep in Master Hyeon So's heart.
Without hesitation, Master Hyeon So broke the seal on the wine. The aroma grew even more intense.
The two exchanged cups, drinking heartily.
Though they didn't know each other's exact backgrounds, they didn't mind.
That was the way of true drinkers. When those who appreciated fine wine met, only the moment mattered.
Master Hyeon So felt an inexplicable closeness to Cheon O-gyeong, and Cheon O-gyeong found Master Hyeon So quite to his liking.
How many rounds had passed?
Their faces had already flushed red.
“Truly splendid. Sharing drinks with a brother like this makes today the second-best day of my life.”
At some point, they had begun addressing each other as brothers.
It turned out Cheon O-gyeong was over twenty years older than Master Hyeon So. With his advanced age came vast knowledge.
Astronomy, geography, Daoist classics, military strategy—there was no field beyond his grasp. Thanks to that, no matter what topic Master Hyeon So brought up, their conversation flowed without hindrance.
Master Hyeon So couldn't help but be in awe of Cheon O-gyeong. No one he had ever met in his life had impressed him so profoundly.
“Brother, you are truly remarkable. For me too, today—sharing fellowship with you—is the second-best day of my life.”
“You as well? I'm curious what the first was.”
“The day I took in my disciple.”
“Ha! You too?”
“Then you as well, brother?”
“Indeed. I once took in a disciple as well. Watching that child grow was the most joyful moment of my life.”
Cheon O-gyeong downed his cup.
A drop of wine trickled down his white beard.
The wine tasted especially good as he reminisced about his disciple. Master Hyeon So felt the same. Thinking of Damho, he drained his cup.
Naturally, the smiles on their faces were similar.
Master Hyeon So asked.
“Where is your disciple now?”
“Who knows. I've heard he's doing well, but I don't know where he is at the moment.”
“He must live freely.”
“Freely? I hope that's truly the case. Unbound by anything.”
“Is that so? Same for me. Come to think of it, it's already been four years since I last saw my disciple.”
“You haven't seen him in four years? Aren't you curious how he's faring?”
“With no news at all, he must be living well.”
“Haha! Are you always so detached?”
“How wonderful it would be if the world bent to my will? I can't keep binding a grown man forever. Life is short anyway; how can I stop him from living as he wishes?”
“You must trust your disciple greatly.”
“Of course. He's quite lacking in many ways, but he inherited about seventy percent of my insights.”
“Is that so?”
Master Hyeon So thought Cheon O-gyeong's pride in his disciple was immense.
Cheon O-gyeong murmured in a low voice.
“I took him in because he seemed useful, so he'll put it to good use.”
“Pardon?”
“It's nothing.”
Cheon O-gyeong smiled faintly. In that smile, Master Hyeon So saw the leisure of a supreme expert.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over Master Hyeon So's face.
Though he lived secluded from the world, he wasn't without awareness.
To his knowledge, no orthodox faction martial artist possessed Cheon O-gyeong's aura.
‘That means...’
As if reading Master Hyeon So's thoughts, Cheon O-gyeong's gaze turned to him.
“There's still wine left, isn't there? With such fine liquor before us, don't dwell on troubling thoughts. We'll deal with what comes after.”
“Understood.”
“Thank you for understanding...”
Cheon O-gyeong downed his cup. The plum fragrance lingered in his mouth.
Master Hyeon So followed suit. Looking at him, Cheon O-gyeong said.
“You've probably guessed already, but I'm from the New Cult.”
“Is... that so?”
“And you're from Huashan Sect, aren't you? That subtle yet plum-scented energy can only be cultivated on Huashan. What a unfortunate thing. Fellow denizens of the jianghu forced to fight like this.”
“Brother... you're not joining the fray?”
“Not everyone in the New Cult wants war. There are branches like mine that desire no part in it.”
“So many branches exist within the New Cult.”
“That's how ancient its history is. The image of the New Cult known to the jianghu is but a fraction. People think the New Cult fell during the great Orthodox-Demonic War long ago, but only the main war faction collapsed. The rest remain strong. And now, even that main faction has recovered its former glory—no, surpassed it.”
Cheon O-gyeong held out his cup to Master Hyeon So. Master Hyeon So filled it to the brim.
His inner turmoil was too complex for words.
A Demonic Cult member should be a fiend, yet Cheon O-gyeong resembled a sage. His very speech carried refinement.
Could he simply call such a man a fiend just because he was from the Demonic Cult? Could all from the orthodox factions be deemed righteous?
Master Hyeon So, who had witnessed all sorts of injustices even within Huashan Sect—one of the pinnacles of the orthodox factions—knew better.
‘What is orthodox, and what is demonic?'
Endless questions arose and faded in Master Hyeon So's mind.