Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Reforms and the Escort Mission
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The day after the Plum Blossom Sword Guards' exam ended.
“Sect Leader! That won’t do.”
“What do you mean by that!”
In the Cloud Amidst Pavilion, gathered to announce who had passed the exam as in previous years, shouts flew back and forth.
“Are you planning to tarnish the noble position of Plum Blossom Sword Guard with a mere contest?”
“In the history of Mount Hua Sect, there has never been such a decision.”
The elders fiercely opposed the Sect Leader’s proposal to change a long-standing tradition.
At that moment.
Shing—
The Sect Leader, who had been silently watching those opposing his view, drew his sword.
“Th-that’s!”
The elders stared at the sword in alarm.
The exposed blade was unusual.
Engraved with rippling red waves, the blunt blade seemed incapable of slicing even a single blade of grass, yet it emanated a mystical aura.
But more crucial than its appearance was the symbolism it carried.
The elders, recognizing the sword’s true nature, were filled with astonishment.
“That sword is……”
No one could tear their eyes away from it.
That spirit sword was a divine artifact, granting the Sect Leader’s authority to enforce any single command.
“Are you forcing this to an end right now?”
“It’s not an end, but a beginning.”
Dismissing the opposition with a single phrase, the Sect Leader plunged the drawn Sect Leader’s Token into the table and declared to them.
“I hereby invoke the Sect Leader’s Order.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Mount Hua Sect began to embrace change.
There were many minor adjustments, but the most substantial reforms numbered four.
First, the ranks of Plum Blossom Sword Guards were capped at their current number, with annual contests to fill them.
Second, the Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion was opened to unaffiliated disciples and lay disciples alike.
Third, Hyeoncheong, who had taught the second-generation disciples, was appointed Lord of No Flower Hall, overseeing the third-generation disciples’ residence.
Finally, to accommodate the expanded ranks, construction began on their dedicated hall: Plum Blossom Pavilion.
At first, not only the elders but most disciples rebelled against the Sect Leader’s decisions. Yet as time passed and certain individuals persuaded them, acceptance gradually spread.
Meanwhile, Cheonhwi—who had aided the Sect Leader in these choices—was enduring four early-morning visitors.
“Senior Brother!”
“Young hero!”
“I persuaded them, just like Junior Sister said. So let’s spar again.”
“What are you all doing here? Get lost. He’s learning medicine today.”
Annoying.
Cheonhwi ignored those chattering at him, letting their words slide in one ear and out the other.
“L-Lord!”
Shim Wijin came rushing in, panting.
Everyone froze at his sight.
The ever-smiling Shim Wijin’s face was ashen pale.
Lady Sohee frowned.
“What’s wrong? What happened?”
“A letter arrived from the castle.”
Lady Sohee’s eyes bulged.
She snatched the scroll from Shim Wijin’s grasp.
And swiftly unrolled it.
As her eyes scanned the letter, Lady Sohee’s expression turned rigid.
“This…… this!”
Gritting her teeth, she crumpled it until it tore apart in her fist.
“What is it?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Huh?”
The sudden outburst left everyone bewildered.
Especially Dan Mokrin and Cheonhyang, who had been playfully rivaling Lady Sohee moments ago, widened their eyes.
Ignoring their reactions, Lady Sohee yelled at Shim Wijin.
“Wijin! What’s the meaning of this?”
“I don’t know the details.”
Shim Wijin bit his lip.
He too had felt his heart drop upon reading it.
“Wijin! Bring Soryeong.”
“Yes, milady!”
Shim Wijin vanished after responding.
Whoosh!
As Lady Sohee stormed out of the tent, the group inside buzzed uneasily.
“What do you think happened?”
“I hope it’s nothing serious.”
“She’ll be okay.”
“Hmph, probably not a big deal.”
Having grown fond over their time together, they fretted for her.
And Cheonhwi, who had interacted longest with Lady Sohee’s entourage.
Finally, some peace.
He felt satisfied the moment they departed.
Meanwhile, Lady Sohee exited the tent and headed straight for the Mount Hua Sect Leader, accompanied by Shim Wijin and the Soryeong he fetched.
“What brings you here?”
Despite the abrupt visit, the Sect Leader received them calmly.
“I need escorts. Right now.”
An out-of-the-blue request.
But her eyes betrayed grave circumstances, so the Sect Leader asked cautiously.
“May I inquire as to the reason?”
Lady Sohee glanced around furtively.
Wary of eavesdroppers, she whispered.
“My father is critically ill.”
“……!”
The Sect Leader’s composure shattered.
“Please send escorts with us to Cheonghae Castle.”
At her desperate plea, the Sect Leader squeezed his eyes shut.
……Our sect’s fate hangs on this choice.
To ally with Cheonghae Castle’s Lord.
Or to refuse.
He—no, Mount Hua itself—stood at a pivotal crossroads.
Ahh. So difficult.
Escorts were no simple matter.
One misstep could doom the disciples they had nurtured.
What to do.
After moments with eyes closed in thought, he opened them resolute.
“Very well. I’ll assign our Plum Blossom Sword Guards as your escorts.”
Lady Sohee exhaled in relief, hand to her chest, and bowed in thanks.
“Thank you. I’ll never forget this grace.”
The Sect Leader nodded.
Of course.
Without reciprocity, he’d never commit such resources.
“When do you plan to depart?”
“Well……”
Lady Sohee nodded to Shim Wijin.
“As soon as possible.”
Shim Wijin urged in frantic tones.
Cheonghae Castle’s Lord teetered on death’s edge.
Every second counted!
“I’ll select them and send them posthaste.”
As the Sect Leader moved to leave in haste.
“One moment.”
Lady Sohee halted him.
“And one final request.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ “An escort?”
Cheonhwi, tasked by the Sect Leader, made no effort to hide his irritation.
“From what I saw back then, the other Plum Blossom Sword Guards should suffice.”
Cheonhwi recalled their first encounter with Lady Sohee’s group.
The assassins who ambushed him out of nowhere.
Each was first-class in skill, but none felt overwhelmingly threatening.
And the Plum Blossom Sword Guards aren’t weaklings.
Plus Soryeong was there.
Her joining forces with them would rival an army of thousands.
But.
“No. I need your power.”
The Sect Leader insisted.
My power? What for.
“It’s because of the Divine Healer Elder, right?”
“Correct.”
The Sect Leader admitted plainly.
If not for the Sect Leader’s command.
He wanted to refuse outright.
But what choice was there?
It was the Sect Leader’s direct order.
“Sigh, fine.”
He sighed in reluctant acceptance.
“Hoho.”
The Sect Leader’s face lit up.
“My thanks.”
“In return, can I bring a couple along?”
The Sect Leader replied eagerly, as if anticipating it.
“I’ll inform Jeokgeom and Seollan separately.”
Quick on the uptake.
Cheonhwi scratched his head.
“So, when do I leave?”
“The sooner, the better.”
“Then right now.”
“Right now?”
“You said sooner the better?”
Something unavoidable was best tackled swiftly.
“Round up everyone going.”
“Wait at the sect gate.”
Moments later, at the sect gate.
“Martial Uncle!”
Jeokgeom and Seollan arrived sequentially, arms full of gear.
“Your luggage?”
“All packed.”
“Good enough.”
Jeokgeom nodded and stepped aside.
Then he noticed Seollan fidgeting nearby and cocked his head.
“What’s with Junior Sister?”
“This outfit…… doesn’t it look odd?”
Jeokgeom chuckled softly at Seollan’s uncharacteristic awkward self-inspection.
Due to the covert mission, perhaps.
Seollan looked worlds apart from usual.
No uniform; just everyday market clothes, her side-sword lacking even the plum tassel.
“Not odd at all. Suits you perfectly.”
“Really?”
Seollan relaxed slightly.
“Senior Brother looks good too.”
“Haha, told you?”
Jeokgeom puffed his chest.
He matched her style.
Fine garb, sword sans tassel.
To strangers, he’d pass for a noble house scion.
“But……”
Jeokgeom eyed Cheonhwi slyly.
“Martial Uncle wears it best, no?”
Seollan nodded vigorously.
Truth be told, Cheonhwi’s change was minimal.
Black uniform, black scabbard at waist.
Yet his red-tinged gaze and sharp features exuded irresistible allure.
A fatal charm to ensnare anyone.
“Guess men really are all about looks.”
Jeokgeom wryly smiled.
“Have you been waiting long?”
The journey’s leads arrived.
Lady Sohee’s group, with the same carriage from their Mount Hua arrival.
At least there’s a carriage.
Cheonhwi’s mood lifted marginally.
He loathed walking on top of everything.
Lady Sohee approached.
“Rare to see you out of uniform.”
“First time seeing you like that too.”
“Is it?”
She giggled, sleeve to mouth.
“How do I look? Suits me?”
She twirled once.
Plain robes replaced her daily splendor, perfectly complementing her alabaster skin.
“Suits you.”
“Thank you.”
She beamed at him.
“Ugh, why bother with Cheonghae Castle.”
The Divine Healer Elder arrived last, grumbling in his usual attire.
“You made it.”
“We’ve been waiting.”
Lady Sohee and Shim Wijin greeted him warmly.
“Tch, not for your sakes.”
“We know.”
Lady Sohee, knowing him best, nodded.
Meanwhile.
Cheonhwi surveyed the assembly, furrowed his brow, and muttered.
“Same faces from the tent every day.”
The Cheonghae-bound party mirrored their usual camp crew.
“……Minus one.”
That one.
Dan Mokrin watched from afar at the sect gate, gnawing her nails.
“Senior Brother.”
Anxiety gripped her.
Cheonhwi’s departure stung, but traveling with that flirtatious woman spiked her dread.
I should be going too……
She’d secretly overheard and planned to tail him.
But the Sect Leader intervened.
‘Why can the grand-disciples go but not me?’
She’d argued every point.
‘Your current level makes you dead weight. Helping Cheonhwi? You’d only burden him.’
His airtight logic silenced her.
As stated, she’d lost all martial arts, restarting with Mount Hua basics.
She’d drag him down, not aid.
Reluctantly, she yielded.
“……Senior Brother.”
Dan Mokrin gazed gloomily at their retreating figures.
She shook her head moments later.
No.
She’d missed this chance, but Cheonhwi was Mount Hua’s own.
He’d return.
“And next time……”
A floral smile bloomed on her face.
The Sect Leader’s parting comfort lingered.
‘Once you’re a Plum Blossom Sword Guard, plan a jianghu trip with Cheonhwi.’
Her eyes, fixed on his dwindling form, gleamed妖艳.
“When I become a Plum Blossom Sword Guard…… just us two……”