Chapter 263
Chapter 263
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 263
Chapter Title: Chapter 5. When a Person Changes, Their Environment Changes Accordingly (1)
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Eun So-cheong stared at Bang Jin-bo with an expression that showed she just couldn't get used to it. No matter how much time could change things, Bang Jin-bo's transformation was so drastic that it was hard to accept easily.
"Long time no see. Have you been well?"
"Yeah!"
"Has it really been three years? Wow, time really flies."
Bang Jin-bo chattered nonstop, looking genuinely delighted. Seeing a glimpse of the old Bang Jin-bo finally eased her mind a bit.
'He's changed so much. Losing weight has made his features so much sharper.'
Bang Jin-bo's jawline looked incredibly sleek now that he'd slimmed down. His eyes, once buried in fat, were large and striking, and his nose was nicely straight. He'd grown a lot taller over those three years, too, giving him a handsome air.
Unknowingly, Eun So-cheong bowed her head deeply.
"What's wrong? Tired? Well, you did come a long way."
"Yeah!"
"Just wait a bit. I'll make you something good for fatigue. I got some great herbs today. If I use them right, it'll be delicious."
"Th-thank you!"
Eun So-cheong's voice shrank. Oblivious, Bang Jin-bo looked at her with concern.
Watching the scene, Hyun So the Immortal clicked his tongue.
"Tsk tsk! What a dense one."
"Pardon?"
"Never mind. You're doomed to live alone forever."
"Why me?"
Bang Jin-bo gave Hyun So the Immortal a puzzled look. It was so innocently pure that Hyun So the Immortal let out a hollow chuckle despite himself.
Jeok Yong-cheon and Won-myeong felt the same. Only Eun So-cheong shot Bang Jin-bo a slight glare with her beautiful eyes.
'He's gotten so handsome.'
Her heart pounded.
She had come purely out of vague longing. In her whole life, no one had ever treated her as selflessly as Bang Jin-bo.
Many had shown her kindness, but it was all because she was the only child of the Silver Family head. When she grew weary of people, the one who came to mind was Bang Jin-bo.
She had come on a mere whim to see him, never imagining he'd turned out this handsome.
Bang Jin-bo laughed and chatted freely with Hyun So the Immortal. The elder nodded along, listening intently. The two looked so close, like grandfather and grandson.
Won-myeong occasionally chimed in. To an outsider, they might seem like ordinary country folk sharing idle talk.
They were that casual. It was the opposite of the strict hierarchies and rules in typical martial sects.
After a long chat, Bang Jin-bo stood up.
"I should head out now."
"Already?"
"Yes! Everyone's appetites have gotten huge lately. If I don't prepare ahead, I can't keep up."
"Who can blame the disciples? It's because your food is too good."
"Hehe, true!"
Bang Jin-bo grinned proudly without a hint of shyness. Won-myeong shook his head slightly but said nothing.
'Get on her bad side, and I'll never taste her cooking again. Best to keep my mouth shut.'
Sure enough, a few Mount Hua Sect disciples had gotten on Bang Jin-bo's bad side. She forgave them quickly, but they had to endure rock-hard, tasteless food for a while.
Human palates were fickle—once spoiled by fine flavors, lesser food became torture. That was the state of Won-myeong and the Mount Hua disciples now.
Over the past three years, they'd been conditioned to Bang Jin-bo's cooking. No one dared risk offending her.
Bang Jin-bo turned to Eun So-cheong.
"So-cheong, you're staying the night, right?"
"Yeah!"
"Great. Come to Lonely Moon Hall later."
"Lonely Moon Hall?"
"Where all the former Mount Hua disciples gather for meals. Just follow Elder Hyun So."
"Got it."
"See you!"
Bang Jin-bo left with a bright smile. Eun So-cheong stared blankly at her retreating figure.
Hyun So the Immortal muttered.
"Wonder what delicious thing she'll make today."
"Yeah. Can't wait!"
Won-myeong unconsciously licked his lips. Seeing this, Eun So-cheong tilted her head.
'How good can Jin-bo's cooking really be?'
She knew Bang Jin-bo was an excellent cook—she'd been won over herself. But she never imagined the Mount Hua Supreme Elder and Plum Blossom Swordsman would be salivating like this.
Shaking her head briefly, Eun So-cheong suddenly asked as if remembering something.
"By the way, where's Brother Ho?"
***
"Is this Mount Hua Sect?"
Eum Yu-kyung surveyed the area from Flying Dragon Ridge.
From the ridge, which resembled a dragon's spine, the full vista of Mount Hua unfolded. It was shockingly shabby for one of the Nine Great Sects.
Hardly any people were in sight, making it hard to believe this was once a bustling sect.
Dam-ho passed Flying Dragon Ridge and headed toward Cloud Summit Peak. There, the True Martial Palace stood as one of the few places retaining Mount Hua's former glory.
The True Martial Palace symbolized Mount Hua's martial legacy. Every palace lord had been the sect's top swordsman, like the previous Hyun Geom the Immortal.
The palace was silent. Eum Yu-kyung thought it empty. But entering, she realized her mistake.
People were inside—dozens of them. They sat scattered across the training ground in front.
At the sight, Eum Yu-kyung's pupils trembled.
They were silent. Yet burning.
Like smoldering flames, they exuded intense heat beneath icy gazes.
Spotting Dam-ho, they rose as one.
"You're back?"
The dozens of warriors greeted in perfect unison.
Dam-ho nodded silently and passed them. Their eyes held a mix of utmost respect, fear, and burning fighting spirit—conflicting emotions intertwined.
How could one man inspire such complex gazes? Eum Yu-kyung wondered but followed without a word.
Despite her unfamiliar face, not one warrior questioned Dam-ho about her. They simply watched in silence.
'Strong!'
She felt the raw power in their stares.
At her level, one could gauge strength from eyes alone. These Mount Hua disciples' realms were extraordinary.
They were barely late teens to early twenties.
In a normal Mount Hua, they'd be third-generation disciples, fresh-faced. In other sects, mere beginners. Yet their eyes gleamed with sharp light, their auras like those of first-generation elites.
'How?'
Doubt flickered in Eum Yu-kyung's eyes.
Impossible at their age. Moreover, Mount Hua had lost its mid-tier warriors.
No teachers to pass on insights. Martial arts essence wasn't conveyed by manuals alone. For non-geniuses like Dam-ho, direct transmission from a master was the surest path.
Yet Mount Hua's first- and second-generation disciples, the core transmitters, were mostly dead. No matter how talented the third-gen, without proper masters, true achievement was elusive.
She couldn't comprehend. She wanted to ask Dam-ho but held back, following quietly.
Then.
Someone emerged from the True Martial Palace.
"Ah!"
The exclamation came from a beautiful woman. Not as flashy as Eum Yu-kyung, but elegantly refined.
She carried a bowl of medicine.
"Divine Doctor?"
Eum Yu-kyung recognized her instantly.
The poised beauty was Jong Ri-yeon. In three years, she'd grown even more stunning and mature.
She greeted Eum Yu-kyung.
"A guest. Bringing such a beautiful woman, no less."
Jong Ri-yeon glanced teasingly at Dam-ho, but he remained stone-faced.
"A guest."
"I know. I'm Jong Ri-yeon."
"I'm Eum Yu-kyung."
"Nice to meet you, Lady Eum. Wait just a moment?"
Jong Ri-yeon handed the medicine bowl to a young warrior behind Dam-ho.
"Drink up. It'll help with your internal injuries."
"Thank you, Divine Doctor."
The disciple replied vigorously and downed it in one gulp. Bitter as it must have been, his face didn't twitch.
He immediately sat cross-legged, circulating his breathing technique. Normally, one practiced in quiet seclusion to avoid disruptions—interruptions during qi circulation risked qi deviation. Yet he showed no hesitation.
The other disciples gathered around like guards, standing watch. It was all so natural.
'Their unity is unbreakable.'
Such solidarity among warriors was rare. But Dam-ho and Jong Ri-yeon watched impassively, as if routine.
To Eum Yu-kyung, shocking; to them, everyday.
"Inside."
Dam-ho entered the True Martial Palace. Eum Yu-kyung and Jong Ri-yeon hurried after.
The interior, symbol of Mount Hua's martial arts, was humbly simple. No needless ornaments—just essential furniture.
Once Hyun Geom the Immortal's residence, now Dam-ho's. Though he rarely used it—five or six days a month at most.
As Dam-ho and Eum Yu-kyung sat, Jong Ri-yeon said.
"Talk while I prepare tea."
She left before they could reply, tactfully giving them space.
Alone now, an awkward air filled the room.
Three years apart, and no personal ties between them. Awkwardness was inevitable.
Eum Yu-kyung broke the silence first.
"Thank you for saving me."
"Demonic Cult chasing you?"
"Yes."
"So it got out after all."
She bowed her head at Dam-ho's guess, her face etched with despair.
"Yes."
"The sacred object?"
"......"
"Didn't find it."
"Yes!"
The pearl in the South Heaven Sword, stolen from Tae-eul the Immortal of the Present Dao Sect, wasn't the sacred object she sought. Just a similar gem—not the real one.
"Shang Han-tian figured out I was searching for the sacred object and set a trap. I fell for it. The Divine Cult thinks I'm betraying them to find it. Most people I knew stayed silent, and I ended up hunted by their pursuit squad."
Shang Han-tian's trap was meticulous. By the time Eum Yu-kyung realized, everyone around her had turned due to his schemes.
Even her greatest backer, the Protection Hall Leader, had his foundation shattered by Shang Han-tian. Her entire base in the Divine Cult crumbled.
"Tell me in detail. What's been happening in the Demonic Cult?"
Eum Yu-kyung hesitated briefly, then steeled herself and began.
"It started when......"