Chapter 101
Chapter 101
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Opening the Mountain Gates
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Wow! Mount Hua Sect!”
“I’m going to become a disciple of Mount Hua Sect!”
The rumor that Mount Hua Sect was opening its gates had only spread two days ago, yet a long line had already formed at the sect.
The faces and eyes of the countless boys and girls climbing the mountain path were filled with unconcealed anticipation.
But not everyone was the same, as they say.
“Eeeh, I don’t wanna become a Daoist.”
“Tch! Stop whining and come on!”
A few looked like they had been dragged to Mount Hua against their will, grumbling here and there.
Creeeak—
At that moment, the sect gates opened, and an elderly Daoist with a wizened appearance appeared.
It was Mount Hua Sect’s Sect Leader, Hyeonsang.
“Who’s that Daoist…?”
“Who knows? An elder maybe?”
However, most of the crowd didn’t recognize the Sect Leader.
It was only natural.
The Sect Leader had rarely ventured out into the martial world himself, and most of Mount Hua Sect’s recent fame belonged to Hyeondo.
In other words, the Divine Sword of Mount Hua.
People knew the Divine Sword of Mount Hua’s appearance, but were still unfamiliar with the Sect Leader.
The Sect Leader might have been disappointed at not being recognized.
‘Excellent.’
But no such sign showed on his face.
No, more precisely, he was far too elated right now to feel any disappointment.
Just seeing the crowds gathered to join Mount Hua Sect filled him with joy.
‘I never imagined it would revive in my generation…’
Emotion welled up within him.
‘Now I have the face to meet our ancestors.’
In truth, though he never showed it outwardly, he had spent years blaming himself.
The guilt that Mount Hua Sect’s decline was his fault had plagued him with nightmares every night.
‘But now…’
The Sect Leader gazed ahead.
What did he see?
Innumerable crowds!
People from all corners of the land had come to become disciples of Mount Hua Sect.
As his mood soared.
‘No. This is no time to be satisfied.’
He calmly settled his emotions.
It wasn’t time to rejoice yet.
‘This is only the beginning.’
With his mind cleared, the Sect Leader circulated his Violet Radiance Divine Art and cupped his hands in a Daoist bow.
“Amitabha.”
In an instant, a majestic Daoist chant infused with the inner energy of the Violet Radiance Divine Art washed over them like a wave.
Whoosh!
At the same time, a soft glow of sunset hues began spreading from the Sect Leader, dyeing the gates, Mount Hua—no, even the sky itself.
“Huuuh.”
“...!”
The entire crowd was left dumbfounded.
When had they ever witnessed such a sight?
The heavens themselves changing!
“I-It’s an immortal!”
“They said only immortals dwell on Mount Hua.”
As this spectacle etched itself deeply into everyone’s minds more than anything else.
‘Take a good look.’
The Sect Leader who had conjured the sight swept his gaze over the crowd, a smile curving his lips.
This entire situation had been planned.
He, who usually lived frugally, had deliberately displayed the Violet Radiance Divine Art and unleashed his lion’s roar.
To showcase his prowess while simultaneously warning those lurking among them.
People from the Nine Great Sects.
Or perhaps from the Eight Great Families or the Biocheon Society mixed in.
‘From now on, our sect will no longer be a pushover like before.’
The Sect Leader slowly turned his head.
“Thank you all for coming such a long way for Mount Hua Sect today. This poor Daoist is Mount Hua Sect’s Sect Leader, Hyeonsang.”
The crowd erupted.
“Gasp! The Sect Leader!”
“T-That’s Mount Hua Sect’s Sect Leader?”
The appearance of Mount Hua Sect’s Sect Leader, about whom even rumors were scarce, filled the air with tension.
The Sect Leader nodded as he surveyed the now-quiet surroundings.
‘The day has finally come.’
A gentle smile spread across his lips.
He then spoke softly to the Daoists guarding the gates.
“Is everyone prepared?”
“Amitabha. All is ready.”
The Daoist replied respectfully.
“Good.”
The Sect Leader lightly raised his hand.
Waaaaah!
A very simple gesture, but the resulting wave set all of Mount Hua abuzz.
Seeing them cheer filled the Sect Leader’s chest with overwhelming emotion.
The sight he had dreamed of his entire life.
And its beginning was now.
‘Today, Mount Hua shall soar.’
His eyes gleaming, the Sect Leader unleashed a lion’s roar toward the crowds.
“We shall open the mountain gates!”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After the Sect Leader’s welcoming address concluded, boys and girls gathered on the sparring ground prepared at the gates.
“I wonder who’ll come?”
“Maybe the Plum Blossom Sword Guards?!”
The children, not even having lost all their baby fat, stamped their feet in excitement with flushed faces as they waited—but only for a moment.
Step— step—
Two young Daoists entered.
Cheonhwi and Jeokgeom, clad in contrasting black and white Daoist robes, looked at the children staring at them with wide eyes.
Cheonhwi’s brows furrowed.
“Why are there only kids here?”
“Ha, haha.”
Jeokgeom laughed awkwardly.
“...It was the Sect Leader’s order.”
Wow, he’s really going all out to get high-quality recruits.
There were many others besides him selecting prospective disciples.
Yet the children gathered here were clearly no older than fourteen.
It was obvious they aimed to find talents who would lead Mount Hua Sect in the future.
“We can leave once it’s done, right?”
“Yes.”
“Alright.”
Cheonhwi stood before the boy at the front.
“Name?”
“Jo, Jo Woong.”
“Martial arts learned.”
“None!”
“I see. Then extend your right hand.”
“Here!”
After taking the boy’s pulse from his stiffly extended hand, he spoke.
“Aptitude is average. But you’ll achieve great success in Daoist arts.”
“U-Understood.”
As Cheonhwi immediately stated the suitable martial arts and aptitude, Jeokgeom, who had been following along, quickly scribbled notes.
“All noted?”
“Yes!”
Confirming everything was recorded, Cheonhwi waved him off dismissively.
“You may go.”
“Yes, sir!”
As the boy scurried out, Cheonhwi turned to the girl behind him.
“Name?”
“I-I…”
Such a process repeated continuously.
Once all the dozens of children had left, Cheonhwi spoke.
“That’s everyone, right?”
“Yes. You’ve worked hard.”
Jeokgeom wiped the sweat beading on his forehead with his sleeve and scanned the roster.
“Phew, among the kids we checked today, these two stand out the most.”
As Jeokgeom reviewed the densely written names, aptitudes, and potentials, confirming the two exceptional children.
“Benefactor!”
A sharp cry came from outside.
Hm? That voice?
Cheonhwi turned at the familiar voice, spotting a face he recognized rushing toward him from afar.
“Danmokrin?”
Why is she here?
As he stared at her sudden appearance.
“Who is she?”
Jeokgeom asked from beside him.
“Someone I met briefly before.”
“I see?”
Jeokgeom scratched his head.
She didn’t seem like someone met only briefly, given how brightly her face lit up as she ran over.
‘Martial Uncle will handle it.’
By then, Danmokrin had reached Cheonhwi and caught her breath.
Looking up at him, she said.
“Benefactor, long time no see.”
“It has been.”
Unlike her radiant smile and warm welcome, Cheonhwi looked annoyed.
“I heard Mount Hua Sect was opening its gates today, so I came to see you.”
“Is that so?”
Cheonhwi asked no more.
He just accepted it.
‘She’s fully recovered, though.’
Danmokrin was still short, but she had shed much of her childish air.
“You’re completely better now.”
“Yes! All thanks to you, young hero.”
As she spoke with a bright smile, Jeokgeom, who had been quietly watching them, flushed red.
‘Such a beauty…’
Her sweat-dampened hair clinging to her cheeks as she shyly smiled was captivating enough to shake even him, who had spent his life on Mount Hua.
“Martial Uncle, this young lady is…?”
At Jeokgeom’s cautious question, Danmokrin smiled sweetly and clasped her hands in greeting.
“Ah! I’m Rin.”
“A-Amitabha. I’m Jeokgeom.”
“Ah! So you’re Jeokgeom, young hero.”
“That’s right!”
Jeokgeom straightened up energetically.
“You’re so cool.”
His face split into a goofy grin at the praise as he stared dazedly at her.
This was a first for him.
Of course, he’d seen beauties before.
Seollan and even Sovereign Sohee were among the greatest beauties of his life.
But Danmokrin was different.
Just looking at her seemed to melt his reason away.
‘Tch. Falling for her already.’
Cheonhwi eyed the entranced Jeokgeom with pity.
‘If he met a seduction arts expert, he’d be done for.’
The reason Jeokgeom couldn’t snap out of it was simple.
She was beautiful, yes, but Danmokrin was different from others right now.
Having overcome her Extreme Yin Deficiency Physique, perhaps.
An immeasurably potent yin energy saturated her body, impossible to resist.
Especially for a hot-blooded youth like Jeokgeom—it wouldn’t be strange if his eyes rolled back the moment he saw her.
Then Danmokrin spoke to him.
“Benefactor. I came to keep my promise.”
As Cheonhwi pondered her shy words, his mind raced.
‘Promise? Oh, that!’
He recalled the deal they made.
Her offering everything.
“I don’t need it right now.”
“No!”
Danmokrin shook her head vigorously.
Her eyes sparkling, she continued.
“I’ve already taken care of everything.”
What? Taken care of? What?
He was puzzled.
All he’d asked was for the Danmok Family to help in times of danger.
That was it.
But that doubt was soon resolved as she spoke.
“I’ll become a disciple of Mount Hua Sect and help you right by your side!”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ “This young lady greets the Sect Leader Immortal.”
“I greet Mount Hua Sect’s Sect Leader Immortal.”
“Amitabha.”
The Sect Leader looked troubled at the demurely greeting Danmokrin and Iron Sword Cavalier.
‘Heavens, the Iron Sword Cavalier of the renowned Danmok Family in the martial world, and his youngest daughter.’
The Danmok Family was a pillar of the Eight Great Families and enemies of Mount Hua Sect.
They had cut off exchanges long ago, yet here they were visiting his sect.
‘No, not just visiting.’
“...You wish to become a disciple of our sect?”
“Yes.”
Danmokrin smiled brightly.
Seeing her utterly innocent smile gave the Sect Leader a headache.
‘Complicated. So complicated.’
Who could have imagined?
The Danmok Family’s pampered youngest daughter coming to join Mount Hua Sect.
“Do you not know what relationship exists between our sect and your family?”
“No, I know very well.”
“Yet you still wish to join our sect?”
“Yes.”
Danmokrin answered firmly and resolutely.
The Sect Leader’s head throbbed.
“But if you join our sect, won’t the Danmok Family just sit idly by…?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Danmokrin cut him off, then added a shocking statement.
“I’ve already severed ties with the family.”
“Severed ties…?”
Stunned by the unbelievable words, the Sect Leader blankly stared at Danmokrin, then shifted his gaze to the awkwardly smiling Iron Sword Cavalier.
“Is that true?”
“Yes.”
Hearing Iron Sword Cavalier’s reply made the Sect Leader’s mind even more jumbled.
“So you severed family ties to become a disciple of our sect?”
“Yes.”
“Heavens.”
The Sect Leader pressed his forehead.
A child of the Eight Great Families severing ties to join Mount Hua Sect?
Even as Mount Hua’s Sect Leader, it was hard to accept.
“What reason do you have to go that far for our sect?”
“Well…”
She trailed off, cheeks flushing as she fidgeted with her fingers and whispered.
“To be with young hero Cheonhwi.”
The Sect Leader’s eyes widened at the sudden mention of Cheonhwi.
“He’s the benefactor who saved my life.”
Danmokrin’s face bloomed like a flower.
Just mentioning Cheonhwi made her glow radiantly.
“Hahaha, I see.”
The Sect Leader chuckled helplessly at her shy, blushing expression.
‘Goodness. Cheonhwi’s charm has bewitched a daughter of the Eight Great Families.’
It was utterly ridiculous.
But it made sense.
It was Cheonhwi, after all!
Hm, yes. With Cheonhwi’s talent and looks, it was entirely plausible.
“I understand for now.”
He then looked at Iron Sword Cavalier.
“Then you as well, to our sect…?”
“No.”
Iron Sword Cavalier shook his head.
“I only came to escort Rin. I’ll be leaving soon.”
“I see.”
The Sect Leader felt relieved instead.
‘If he says so, it must be trustworthy.’
Had Iron Sword Cavalier also severed ties, things would have gotten messy.
“Very well.”
The Sect Leader rose from his seat.
“I shall deliberate deeply on this matter.”
Iron Sword Cavalier hurriedly stood and bowed deeply to the Sect Leader.
“Please take good care of Rin.”
Danmokrin clasped her hands together.
“I’m counting on you.”
The Sect Leader smiled at the two.
“We’ll give it our best.”
After ending the brief meeting, the Sect Leader immediately summoned Mount Hua Sect’s key figures.
“Everyone’s gathered.”
The Sect Leader said, looking around.
Despite the sudden summons, many had assembled at the Cloud Amidst Pavilion.
“Have you all heard?”
“The Danmok Family’s daughter?”
“Yes.”
The rumor had already spread; everyone responded immediately.
“I want to hear everyone’s thoughts.”
No sooner had the Sect Leader spoken.
“I oppose it.”
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord said with a stern face.
“Thanks to Senior Brother Hyeondo and Junior Brother Hyeonjin’s recent efforts, our relations with the Murim Alliance have warmed. Accepting the Danmok Family’s daughter as a disciple could sour those hard-earned ties again.”
“Agreed.”
“What if she’s a spy?”
“We’ve only just opened the gates— we can’t afford headaches now.”
Others chimed in agreement with his logical argument.
Mount Hua Sect was on the rise.
Why invite trouble?
It would be picking at a scab.
But not everyone thought so; Hyeonryeo immediately countered.
“They’re a righteous faction. They’re not foolish enough to blatantly send a spy when they care so much about their reputation.”
Those who had agreed with the Martial Training Pavilion Lord fell silent at her rebuttal.
The Sect Leader voiced his opinion to the now-quiet group.
“I intend to accept her as a disciple.”
The opposing faction, led by the Martial Training Pavilion Lord, shot to their feet.
“That’s!”
“How can you!”
The Sect Leader looked at them.
“As Daoists, how can we refuse one who wishes to devote herself to our sect?”
“But that alone doesn’t…”
“Her talent is exceptional.”
Everyone flinched at once.
“Talent?”
“What do you mean?”
“The world’s greatest female powerhouse will emerge from Mount Hua Sect in the future.”
“...!”
The room stirred as if struck by an earthquake.
It was that shocking a statement.
“You mean her talent rivals the Sword Empress?”
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord asked, and the Sect Leader silently nodded.
“...”
The opposing faction, including the Martial Training Pavilion Lord, wavered at the nod.
“Perhaps even surpassing her…”
The Sect Leader’s lingering words rocked the Cloud Amidst Pavilion.
A statement shocking enough to make their heads spin, yet few believed it.
“That’s absurd!”
“At that age, the Sword Empress was already roaming the martial world, not just a late-stage expert.”
“You can confirm it yourselves later.”
The Sect Leader declared confidently.
—She has unprecedented talent in the world.
He had already heard about Danmokrin’s talent from Cheonhwi.
‘Cheonhwi’s eye for talent is never wrong.’
The Sect Leader spoke again.
“Any opposed?”
Swoosh!
Hyeonryeo raised her hand high.
As everyone who had supported showed surprise at Hyeonryeo raising her hand.
“Weren’t you in favor?”
“Yes.”
The Sect Leader’s eyebrow twitched.
“Then why raise your hand?”
“To offer an opinion.”
“What opinion?”
“Taking a child with such talent as a third-generation disciple might not be ideal.”
“Hm, true.”
The Sect Leader stroked his beard.
Danmokrin’s background and talent were too outstanding for a third-generation disciple.
“If she trains with them, the still-young disciples will suffer a huge shock.”
Everyone understood.
Seeing someone far more talented often led not to envy, but to self-deprecating despair.
Most there had felt it themselves at some point.
“So I have a suggestion.”
“You have a way?”
As if she’d been waiting, Hyeonryeo’s eyes gleamed as her lips moved.
“I wish to take her as my direct disciple.”