Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Zhongnan Mountain
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South of Xi'an lay Zhongnan Mountain.
Two figures swiftly ascended the mountain path strewn with blooming flowers.
'Hoo, no end in sight...'
Ha Woojin couldn't contain his inner admiration as he glanced at Cheonhwi running alongside him.
Right now, he was unleashing the Galaxy Shadow Flight Technique.
To its utmost limit, no less!
His feet burned hot, slick with sweat.
"Zhongnan Mountain is pretty big."
Cheonhwi showed not a drop of sweat. He moved with such leisure that he could overtake Ha Woojin at any moment.
At that moment, Cheonhwi pointed with his finger.
"Is that it?"
Where his finger pointed stood a massive red mountain gate, impossible to miss.
"That's right. That's our sect's gate."
Cheonhwi's eyes narrowed.
What, why is it so huge?
The red gate was about twice the size of Mount Hua Sect's.
"It's enormous."
"Our original gate was small, but since we built a new one recently, it ended up a bit larger."
Ha Woojin knocked on the gate.
Knock, knock.
"Who is it?"
"It's Ha Woojin."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than...
Creeeak—
The closed gate swung wide open.
"Muryangsubul. I trust things have gone well?"
Ha Woojin gave a soft smile to the middle-aged Taoist intoning the greeting.
"They have."
"That's a relief."
As they exchanged smiles, the middle-aged Taoist's gaze shifted to Cheonhwi. His face registered slight surprise.
"A guest brought by Senior Brother?"
"Yes."
"Hahaha, to think Senior Brother would bring a guest..."
The middle-aged Taoist laughed as he looked at Cheonhwi.
"Muryangsubul. Pleased to meet you. I am Jang Un-gyeong."
Shrugging at the ceremonious greeting, Cheonhwi responded with his own.
"Cheonhwi."
"Oh, young hero Cheonhwi. Cheonhwi...?"
Jang Un-gyeong tilted his head.
As if recalling something, he scanned Cheonhwi up and down before shaking his head.
At that point, Ha Woojin spoke up.
"Then we'll head inside."
"Please do."
Ha Woojin and Cheonhwi entered.
"So you're the disciple of the dear friend Senior Brother always boasted about."
Jang Un-gyeong watched Cheonhwi's receding back and bowed politely.
"Muryangsubul. Thank you for healing the wound etched in Senior Brother's heart."
Meanwhile, following Ha Woojin into the Zhongnan Sect, Cheonhwi couldn't tear his eyes away.
'This is Taoism? The secular world?'
The massive gate had been impressive enough, but the sect's interior was even more shocking.
Row upon row of elegant, antique halls stood in neat array—not flashy, but refined.
'Wow, they're really well-built.'
The halls blended antiquity with pristine cleanliness, exuding style.
'Totally different from Mount Hua Sect.'
He recalled Mount Hua Sect's halls.
A few had been expanded recently, but most were old and worn.
'Wow, is the gap this wide?'
Cheonhwi shook his head.
Comparing them to Mount Hua's buildings left him sighing.
'No wonder Demon Brain was always going on about money.'
In the past, he'd ignored Demon Brain's daily laments about the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's lack of funds.
Now, he understood.
Same Taoist lineage, same region.
Even part of the Nine Great Sects.
Yet the difference was this stark.
All because of money!
'That's why Demon Brain threw fits after visiting the North Sea Ice Palace or Solar Palace.'
Back then, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had dominated all Nine Provinces and Eight Emperors.
'But compared to the opulence of the North Sea Ice Palace and Solar Palace, we were shabby.'
It was inevitable.
They poured every coin into sustaining countless believers, yet it was never enough.
'Money really is the best.'
Cheonhwi sensed Mount Hua Sect's plight was dire.
'Hmm, we have to do better than these guys.'
At that moment, a group of Taoists appeared.
"Isn't that Junior Brother?"
Ha Woojin halted and bowed deeply to the lead Taoist.
"Muryangsubul. Greetings, Senior Brother."
"Did your trip go well?"
"It was resolved successfully."
"Good, glad to hear it. But..."
The middle-aged Taoist glanced at Cheonhwi.
"Is this child your guest?"
"Yes."
"Well now. What a fine, handsome youth."
Cheonhwi stared at the middle-aged Taoist.
Behind the soft-eyed smile, cold eyes appraised him.
'What's this? Not what I heard.'
Cheonhwi let out a wry chuckle.
What had he heard about the Zhongnan Sect, drilled into his ears?
That they'd opportunistically seized the spot after Mount Hua Sect's fall.
But this...
'Higher level than expected.'
Not just Ha Woojin beside him—the middle-aged Taoist matched Mount Hua's elders or slightly surpassed them.
And the young Taoists behind him rivaled the Plum Blossom Sword Guards.
No, they were slightly superior.
'Completely underestimated Zhongnan Sect.'
Cheonhwi unwittingly clicked his tongue.
'Masters on par, but more disciples propping them up, and far superior at that.'
Zhongnan Sect wasn't just lucky.
Their current prowess clearly outstripped Mount Hua Sect.
"Hm?"
The middle-aged Taoist eyeing Cheonhwi widened his eyes.
"That sword..."
His gaze fixed on the sword dangling at Cheonhwi's waist.
After a moment, he whipped his head toward Ha Woojin and mouthed.
"Isn't that your friend's sword?"
Ha Woojin nodded.
"Correct."
"Then this child... hahaha!"
The middle-aged Taoist burst into hearty laughter. He approached Ha Woojin, clapped his shoulder, and grinned.
"I wondered why you've been staying in the sect lately instead of roaming the world. It's because of this child."
He turned to Cheonhwi.
"Take good care of Junior Brother."
What? Take care?
As Cheonhwi eyed him puzzled, the Taoist turned away.
"Everyone, let's go."
He led the curious young Taoists off somewhere.
"...Then let's continue."
Ha Woojin resumed walking.
The two climbed the mountain path.
Thud.
They stopped before a modest hall.
"Hoo."
Regulating his breath, Ha Woojin slowly knocked on the hall's door.
Knock. Knock.
"Sect Leader. It's Ha Woojin."
"Enter."
A voice answered as if anticipated. Ha Woojin turned to Cheonhwi.
"Wait a moment."
Ha Woojin opened the door and went in.
"What brings you here?"
"There's someone I want to introduce."
"Introduce? Who?"
"The disciple of the friend I mentioned before."
"......"
The conversation inside paused.
Only briefly.
"Cheonhwi, come in."
Cheonhwi stepped forward at the calling voice and entered the hall.
Inside sat Ha Woojin at a round table, alongside a white-haired, white-bearded old Taoist.
The old Taoist was the Zhongnan Sect Leader, Supreme Unity Sword Guest Im Yeong.
'Impressive. At this level, Mount Hua Sect can never surpass Zhongnan.'
Cheonhwi had thought one Zhongnan Sword Saint might be matchable, but he'd been wrong.
"Sit there."
Already intending to, Cheonhwi strode over and took the seat.
"Pleased to meet you like this."
"Cheonhwi, a prime disciple of Mount Hua Sect."
"I'm always grateful to you."
His gaze shifted to Ha Woojin.
"Without you, this fellow Ha Woojin would still be wandering outside."
"Martial Uncle!"
Ha Woojin flustered at the Sect Leader's address, but the man only burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, is my statement wrong?"
"That's..."
Ha Woojin trailed off.
The laughing Im Yeong stroked his long white beard and asked Cheonhwi.
"Have you seen our sect well?"
"Not entirely, but a bit."
"What do you think?"
"Clean and nice."
"Hoho, thankful for the praise."
"Just facts."
"Hoho, isn't Mount Hua Sect good too?"
"Nah, good? All the buildings are falling apart."
"Hoho..."
The Sect Leader faltered at Cheonhwi's sharp self-deprecation of his own sect.
"What use is decorating the exterior? The interior matters more than the shell."
"But don't people judge the interior by the exterior first?"
"......"
"Who looks inside if the outside is a mess?"
Im Yeong was at a loss for words.
"You've got me there."
With a wry smile, he eyed Ha Woojin silently.
"Now I see why you've never taken a disciple until now, yet want to raise one."
Im Yeong gazed warmly at Cheonhwi for a moment, then slowly rose.
"Haha, you can go now."
Ha Woojin smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
Through the meeting with the Sect Leader, Cheonhwi shed all prejudices about Zhongnan Sect.
'Nothing like what I knew.'
His perception completely flipped.
The Zhongnan Taoists he'd seen at the Murim Alliance were steeped in worldly ways and hostile to Mount Hua.
But the ones here on the mountain were entirely different.
The Sect Leader himself held no enmity toward Mount Hua—in fact, he welcomed it.
Moreover, they were humble and skilled.
'...Mount Hua was the complacent one.'
Meanwhile, Ha Woojin smiled at the thoughtful Cheonhwi trailing behind.
'Meeting sooner than I thought.'
There was one reason he'd brought Cheonhwi to Zhongnan Sect.
To introduce him to one person.
Moments later, Ha Woojin and Cheonhwi arrived at a small hut.
'Are all Taoist huts alike?'
Cheonhwi eyed the hut, similar in size to his own.
"Truth be told, I invited you to Zhongnan to introduce you to someone."
Ha Woojin spoke.
At that instant, a boy came dashing out of the hut.
"Master!"