Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Plum Blossom Seven Halls
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Jeokgeom and Seollan stared blankly at the massive stone engraved with "Plum Blossom Seven Halls."
"I wonder if it's okay now..."
"Since Martial Uncle said it is."
Recalling the ordeal they had endured the last time they entered, the two muttered to themselves.
It still felt vividly real.
Arrows pouring from all directions without end, even in the darkness, and flickering lights.
It had been enough to make their minds go blank.
But Cheonhwi's orders were absolute.
'If Martial Uncle says to go in, refusing would be even worse—like real hell. The forced Great Circulation was already torture...'
'Since Martial Uncle told us to enter.'
The two shuddered.
They couldn't even imagine what kind of training they'd face as punishment if they refused.
And besides.
"...I also want to check how effective the spirit elixirs we took this time are."
"Right."
The two exchanged glances.
Thanks to the forced Great Circulation guided by Cheonhwi, they had absorbed the elixirs quickly.
Even with about half still remaining, they could feel their lower dantian brimming with energy.
Entering the Plum Blossom Seven Halls now would let them experience those changes firsthand.
With that, the two walked toward the entrance of the Plum Blossom Seven Halls, their faces set with grim determination.
Unlike the pair steeling themselves with heavy thoughts, Danmulin and Cheonhyang's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Plum Blossom Seven Halls..."
"This is the trial created by my senior brother?"
Their reasons for going were simple.
'Senior Brother asked me for the first time.'
'Passing through that will make me stronger, right?'
As the four stoked their individual resolves, Hyeonryeo looked at Cheonhwi.
"You want me to lead them?"
"Yes."
Hyeonryeo hesitated before speaking.
"Couldn't someone else do it besides me?"
"Why?"
"Shouldn't we send someone with superior martial arts for something like this?"
"True, but who?"
"There's one perfect candidate."
With that, Hyeonryeo left and soon returned, bringing the Martial Training Pavilion Lord with her.
'Oh, the Martial Training Pavilion Lord?'
Cheonhwi smiled.
She had called the right person.
'I was just thinking we needed someone to oversee the Plum Blossom Seven Halls anyway.'
Cheonhwi addressed him.
"Long time no see."
"You've completed your mission."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord smiled warmly.
But only for a moment.
"I heard from Junior Sister that you needed me... What is it?"
Apparently, Hyeonryeo had dragged him here in a hurry without explaining, as he asked with a grave expression.
"It's nothing major..."
Cheonhwi then explained the Plum Blossom Seven Halls and why he had been summoned.
"High-level experts? Hmm, I see."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord listened, his eyes occasionally widening in surprise or admiration.
"This is something to look forward to."
"So, I'm thinking of opening it just for one day to test. Would you like to go in?"
"Of course."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord straightened his posture.
"I'll lead them."
A short while later, the five who would enter the Plum Blossom Seven Halls gathered at the entrance.
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord looked at the four ahead of him.
Cheonhyang, Jeokgeom, Seollan.
These three could be called the later-generation disciples who would shoulder Mount Hua Sect's future.
But the remaining one.
Danmulin was different from them.
He knew she had exceptional talent, but hadn't she just recently started learning martial arts?
'I wonder if she'll be alright.'
He felt worried but quickly dismissed it.
After all, it was Cheonhwi himself who had included her.
Soon, he asked the four.
"Is everyone prepared?"
"Of course!"
Starting with Cheonhyang's enthusiastic response, the three nodded slowly.
"Then let's go in."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord took the lead, and the four followed into the darkness.
As they vanished into the shadows, Jegal Seonghyeon asked Cheonhwi.
"So, when should we open the passage?"
"Tomorrow at this time."
The next day, at the same time, Cheonhwi arrived at the Plum Blossom Seven Halls and furrowed his brow.
"What's with all these people?"
A considerable number of Taoist disciples in robes had gathered at the entrance to the Plum Blossom Seven Halls.
They weren't Mount Hua Sect disciples but the rarely seen elders of the Wise Generation.
"You're here."
"Cheonhwi!"
The Sect Leader and Hyeoncheong spotted Cheonhwi and greeted him with broad smiles.
"Why are so many gathered?"
"I heard from Hyeonryeo and gathered them."
The Sect Leader glanced at the assembled Wise Generation elders before continuing.
"I called them to see the Plum Blossom Seven Halls for themselves and hear the Martial Training Pavilion Lord's account of experiencing the trial."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
When Cheonhwi had shared the detailed plans for the Plum Blossom Seven Halls, he had thought it was exactly what Mount Hua Sect needed.
Not just for creating experts.
More importantly, it would preserve Mount Hua Sect's lineage.
And nothing could pass down the sect's traditions and heritage to future generations better than these Plum Blossom Seven Halls.
So he wanted to show everyone.
And let them know.
What Cheonhwi had accomplished while they had been sitting idle.
That refusing change and staying the same was no different from decline.
"We need to imprint this so no one thinks of rejecting the Plum Blossom Seven Halls."
Cheonhwi chuckled.
'He used to deliberate endlessly over accepting change.'
At some point, the Sect Leader no longer feared attempting reforms.
He embraced them proactively, and now prepared even before being asked.
'Now I can take it easy.'
As Cheonhwi watched the Sect Leader surveying the Wise Generation elders.
Thud— thud—
Footsteps echoed from the entrance.
"They're finally out."
The moment everyone who had entered emerged.
"..."
Silence fell.
The state of the first four to exit was dire.
Jeokgeom had a black eye and looked in bad shape, while Seollan's disheveled hair hid her face.
And next to her, Danmulin.
Her eyes gleamed with venom as she vigilantly scanned the surroundings.
Cheonhyang was the least worse off in appearance.
But her vacant eyes betrayed the shock she was in.
"What on earth happened inside..."
"What could be in there to leave them in such a mess?"
As the Wise Generation elders murmured in shock.
"How was it?"
"Very satisfactory. Aside from the Plum Blossom First Hall, are the next trials similar?"
"The second hall is a bit different."
"How so..."
Jegal Seonghyeon and the Martial Training Pavilion Lord emerged.
"The Martial Training Pavilion Lord's condition doesn't look good."
"Heh, it must have been quite tough inside."
The elders were surprised by the Martial Training Pavilion Lord.
His face was fortunately clean unlike the four, but his robe was soaked with clear sweat stains!
"It's rare to see Junior Brother sweating like that these days... This must be no ordinary trial."
As the Plum Wind Pavilion Lord Hyeonin whispered gravely, the nearby elders' expressions turned serious as well.
'Good start.'
The Sect Leader, who had been carefully observing their reactions, approached the Martial Training Pavilion Lord.
"You've come out."
"Senior Brother Sect Leader."
"Greetings to the Sect Leader."
The two paused their conversation to greet him warmly.
The Sect Leader nodded at Jegal Seonghyeon, who cupped his fists in respect.
"It's been a while, Young Master Jegal."
"It's been too long."
After exchanging greetings with Jegal Seonghyeon, the Sect Leader met the Martial Training Pavilion Lord's eyes.
He appeared expressionless at first glance, but having known him for so long, the Sect Leader could read his emotions.
'He likes it a lot.'
The Sect Leader asked him.
"How was it?"
"This is absolutely necessary for our sect."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord emphasized, shaking his head vigorously before asking.
"More importantly, where is Cheonhwi..."
"Why are you looking for me?"
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord widened his eyes in mock surprise at Cheonhwi's sudden appearance.
But only briefly.
"The first hall seems designed to build concentration. Am I right?"
Cheonhwi grinned.
'As expected, excluding Hyeondo, he's the best in Mount Hua Sect.'
"Exactly. Not bad, right?"
"Beyond not bad—it's perfect for training."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord couldn't hide his excitement.
The Plum Blossom First Hall he had experienced for a day was on a whole different level from his usual training.
"Small iron balls shooting at high speed, repeated flashes of light, and to heighten tension, pauses before firing again..."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord's words poured out endlessly.
As he listed everything he encountered in the Plum Blossom First Hall to Cheonhwi with endless praise.
"That much?"
"What kind of trial could..."
The elders watched in astonishment.
They had never seen the Martial Training Pavilion Lord praise something so effusively.
Finishing his explanation, the Martial Training Pavilion Lord met Cheonhwi's eyes and asked.
"...Are the other halls similar?"
"A bit different... Ask Jegal Seonghyeon for details."
Too lazy to explain, Cheonhwi glanced at Jegal Seonghyeon and dumped it all on him.
"Understood."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord stared straight at Cheonhwi, then gripped his shoulders.
"You've worked hard."
His words were sincere.
It wasn't ordinary effort.
Designing such incredible trials and even requesting help from the Jegal family.
"This should have been my responsibility..."
A wry smile crossed his face mid-sentence.
Frankly, it was embarrassing and shameful.
He had done nothing for Mount Hua Sect despite claiming to serve it, while Cheonhwi had already accomplished so much.
From announcing Mount Hua Sect's survival at the Five Mountains Sword Conference to restoring martial arts, the Shadow Fragrance Unit, and mission fulfillment.
He had done far too much.
'Junior Brother was right.'
He scanned Cheonhwi up and down.
The frail little kid his youngest junior brother had brought back was gone, replaced by a giant upholding and growing Mount Hua Sect.
"Yeah, something like that."
Cheonhwi nodded casually.
Then the Sect Leader spoke up.
"Now, let's talk."
His eyes gleamed.
"About the Plum Blossom Seven Halls."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Two days later, Mount Hua Sect was abuzz with talk of the Plum Blossom Seven Halls.
"They say you become an incredible expert after entering the Plum Blossom Seven Halls?"
"Huh? I heard you can learn martial arts there."
"I heard it's grueling labor."
Those unaware of what the Plum Blossom Seven Halls truly were had wildly varying tales.
But one thing was certain.
'Things change if you enter there.'
Meanwhile, as Mount Hua Sect was lively with discussions of the Plum Blossom Seven Halls.
"Why are you here?"
Cheonhwi looked at Jegal Seonghyeon, who had suddenly visited his quarters.
His appearance was different from before.
He had shaved cleanly, tied back his hair, and revealed his face.
"I'm thinking of leaving now."
Jegal Seonghyeon said quietly.
With the Plum Blossom Seven Halls complete, there was no reason to stay in Mount Hua Sect longer.
"You told everyone?"
"I informed Elder Hyeonyang. How to activate and stop the mechanisms, and the Mechanism Chamber as well."
"Good enough."
Cheonhwi replied nonchalantly.
Passing it on was sufficient.
Then Jegal Seonghyeon cupped his fists.
"I've learned much from Young Hero."
"I know."
Jegal Seonghyeon smiled at Cheonhwi's words.
"Would you perhaps visit my clan someday?"
"Why would I?"
Jegal Seonghyeon let out an exasperated laugh at Cheonhwi's annoyed response.
"Do you say that after sending such a letter to my clan?"
"Mechanisms are the Jegal family's specialty."
"Hahaha, that's the most pleasing thing you've said to me, Young Hero."
"You can take pride in it. It's rare for me to praise anyone."
"I know."
Jegal Seonghyeon's expression turned serious.
"Still, please visit. If you come in warrior's robes instead of Taoist garb, no one will think you're a Mount Hua Sect disciple."
"Why go that far?"
"We will serve you with utmost hospitality."
"You're quite desperate."
"I want to introduce you to my brothers."
"Brothers?"
"Yes."
Cheonhwi smirked.
One of the brothers he mentioned—he had just met recently, hadn't he?
Come to think of it, that guy had invited him too.
Well, maybe visit sometime.
Cheonhwi opened his mouth.
"I'll think about it."
Jegal Seonghyeon's face brightened.
"Please come."
"We'll see."
"That's enough."
Jegal Seonghyeon stood and cupped his fists.
"I'll take my leave."
"Sure, safe travels."
As Cheonhwi waved lazily.
"Take care."
Jegal Seonghyeon stepped outside.
He then descended Mount Hua with his clan's retainers waiting at the sect gate.
"It truly was a wonderful place."
A faint smile formed as he glanced back up at Mount Hua.
Far from discomfort, his days there had been pleasant.
He even wanted to keep in touch.
But.
"That might be difficult."
He murmured softly.
To do so, he would have to sever ties with the Jegal clan.
"I hope we never end up crossing swords in the worst way..."
As he whispered while gazing at Mount Hua and began descending again.
Thud— thud—
He crossed paths with a young man climbing Mount Hua.
The youth hurried up the mountain with an anxious gait, paying no attention to the Jegal clan members.
His mind was too urgent.
'I need to hurry.'
A moment later, the young man reached Mount Hua Sect's gate and approached a disciple.
"Amitabha. What brings this lay patron to our sect?"
"This humble one is Ju Goyul of the One Flower Sect."
The Mount Hua Sect disciple's eyes widened.
The One Flower Sect was a subordinate sect to Mount Hua, one that had sent annual offerings even in their darkest times.
He cupped his fists.
"Amitabha. From the One Flower Sect."
He looked at the young man and asked.
"What brings you here?"
"...I've come for help."
The disciple was slightly flustered by the sudden request.
"What do you mean?"
"Our sect is in danger right now!"