Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Mount Hua Sect and Mount Zhongnan Sect
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Mount Hua Sect and Mount Zhongnan Sect.
Even though they were both Taoist sects in Shaanxi among the Nine Great Sects, the number of times they had joined forces could be counted on one hand.
Of course, there were plenty of reasons.
Differences in the sects' temperaments.
Even in the same Shaanxi Province, there was distance between them.
But the main reason was one.
Pride.
Neither Mount Zhongnan Sect nor Mount Hua Sect looked favorably upon relying on each other's help.
Tak.
The Sect Leader set down the letter and asked,
"What is their intention?"
The current Mount Zhongnan Sect's fame and pride pierced the heavens.
To the point where they looked down on Mount Hua Sect.
Yet, they were the ones proposing a joint operation first.
To the Sect Leader's suspicious question, Boseong replied with an impassive expression.
"As it is written."
The Sect Leader's eyebrow twitched.
"To join forces to drive out the unorthodox sects within Shaanxi Province in order to stabilize the restless populace?"
"That is correct."
Boseong answered calmly.
"Shaanxi Province is in its worst state right now. Unorthodox sects coveting White Ghost Castle's territory are swarming from all directions."
"This Daoist is well aware of that."
The Sect Leader smirked.
As he said, Shaanxi was in chaos.
With White Ghost Castle gone—the force that had kept the unorthodox sects in check—the Black Dao and evil sects were running rampant.
Knife fights breaking out to force submission had become daily routine.
The fall of a massive evil sect like White Ghost Castle meant that, if played right, one could claim their territory outright.
"But couldn't Mount Zhongnan Sect handle it alone?"
The Sect Leader narrowed his eyes.
He didn't think much of Mount Zhongnan Sect, but he had to acknowledge what was due.
The current Mount Zhongnan Sect was top among the Nine Great Sects—far superior to Mount Hua Sect at present.
No matter how rampant the unorthodox sects were, Mount Zhongnan Sect had more than enough power to deal with them.
"The opponents are not to be taken lightly."
As Boseong's expression grew grave, the Sect Leader's followed suit.
"Who are they?"
"Confirmed so far: Ohwangmun, the Ten Night Sects, Blood Ghost Palace, and even the Green Forest is on the move. Plus unidentified sects..."
The Sect Leader's face subtly hardened.
"...Planning a war, are they."
Ten Night Sects, Blood Ghost Palace, and Green Forest.
Each was a major sect, in no way inferior to Mount Hua or Mount Zhongnan Sects.
"That's why we requested a joint operation with Mount Hua Sect."
"But is that feasible?"
The Sect Leader raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't Mount Zhongnan ally with Wudang Sect, and our sect with the Beggars' Sect? Wudang and Beggars' Sect won't stand idly by."
"No need to worry about that."
Boseong, as if having anticipated the question, smiled and replied,
"All preparations are complete."
While the Sect Leader and Boseong were deep in conversation, Cheonhwi, who had arrived at the hut, furrowed his brow at the presence inside.
"Why are you in here?"
He flung open the hut door.
Flinch!
Dan Mokrin, who had been inside, jumped like a thief caught red-handed, then widened her eyes upon spotting Cheonhwi.
"Senior Brother?"
She rushed over in an instant.
"You've come?"
She beamed brightly.
But Cheonhwi looked down at her indifferently and spoke.
"Why are you here? Why not stay in your quarters?"
"I-I was cleaning."
"Cleaning? You?"
"Yes, it was a bit dirty..."
Her voice trailed off as she fidgeted with her fingers.
"...Was that unnecessary?"
Cheonhwi scanned the surroundings.
It was certainly much cleaner than it should have been, covered in dust from long disuse.
He had found it bothersome anyway.
Recalling the state of the hut when he returned from Qinghai last time, Cheonhwi set down his sword and said,
"No, it's fine. If you're doing it, keep going. Cleaner is better."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Dan Mokrin's head snapped up.
Gazing at Cheonhwi with shining eyes, she gripped the small broom tightly.
"Then I'll do it next time too."
After vigorously declaring so, her eyes sparkling for a moment—
Ah, she opened her mouth.
"Oh right, Senior Brother. Martial Uncle Hyeonyang said to visit him as soon as you arrived."
"Martial Uncle Hyeonyang?"
Cheonhwi, about to lie down, paused.
He wasn't one to summon for trifles.
Cheonhwi sprang up, spun around, and asked her,
"Where is he now? Plum Blossom Hall? Or Peach Grove Plain?"
"He's at Peach Grove Plain right now..."
Before she could finish, Cheonhwi dashed toward Peach Grove Plain.
And as he drew nearer to his destination—
"Grrr, that's right! Let's see if I win or you do!"
"Heh heh heh, my qi is building up! Building!"
Mad voices echoed.
The second-generation disciples, looking as if drunk on liquor, were welcoming Cheonhwi.
Seeing them, Cheonhwi smiled.
"Finally taking that first step."
Then a voice came from beside him.
"What do you mean by that?"
Without turning his head, Cheonhwi explained.
"They're getting used to the Dark Fragrance Pill."
"Dark Fragrance Pill...?"
At the puzzled voice that clearly didn't understand, Cheonhwi added,
"No matter the poison, take it often enough and tolerance builds. They're high on energy they can't handle yet, so their minds are euphoric."
"Is that how it works."
The owner of the voice—Martial Training Pavilion Lord Hyeonyang—now understanding, stared straight at Cheonhwi and worked his mouth.
"But even accounting for excess energy, that state is..."
The Pavilion Lord couldn't voice what he meant to say.
But Cheonhwi was different.
"Man, they look like a bunch of drunks. Put a bottle next to them and no one would know the difference."
He sneered sharply.
It was self-inflicted.
No issue if they'd stuck to their usual qi intake.
But with the poison's pain fading, they saw an opportunity and overdosed beyond limits.
"They should've just gotten moderately buzzed."
"Is there a way to fix them?"
Hyeonyang smiled wryly as he asked.
It had been two days already.
They'd tried everything, but the disciples remained wasted...
Truly vexing.
"There is."
Hyeonyang's expression brightened.
"What method?"
One corner of Cheonhwi's mouth twisted.
"Make them keep using martial arts."
"Until they're exhausted enough that not a scrap of qi remains in their bodies, and they collapse."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, not far from Peach Grove Plain, Mount Zhongnan Sect Taoists were touring Mount Hua Sect under Jeokun's guidance.
"And this is Peach Grove Plain."
Jeokun pointed and said,
"Where the second-generation disciples train..."
As he began explaining—
Hup!
A resounding shout erupted from Peach Grove Plain, drawing all heads.
Countless Mount Hua Sect Taoists stood atop it in identical stances.
As everyone stared blankly, their swords slowly rose.
The moment the tips pointed skyward—
Hup!
With the shout, the Mount Hua Taoists swung in unison, whipping up wind.
Whoooosh!
The wave-like gust engulfed them instantly.
Hair flew wildly; eyes struggled to stay open.
What a spectacle.
The overwhelming sight made their hearts pound madly.
But only for a moment.
The wind scattered and faded.
"..."
A brief storm.
Less than a breath.
Yet all who witnessed were awestruck.
"What tremendous momentum..."
"..."
"Gulp."
Especially the Mount Zhongnan Taoists, save Jonghyeon, couldn't hide their shock.
Though unspoken, they had inwardly looked down on Mount Hua Sect.
After all, what was Mount Hua Sect in their minds?
A declining Taoist sect.
Clinging to past glory to barely hold its Nine Great Sects seat.
But seeing it firsthand—it was anything but.
Buildings old and worn?
What did that matter now.
The important thing was them!
Each Mount Hua Taoist swinging a sword was exceptional.
On par with themselves.
Tat!
Suddenly, Jonghyeon kicked off the ground.
"Brother!"
Spotting Cheonhwi in a corner of Peach Grove Plain, he even used footwork.
As he reached Cheonhwi—
"...!"
"W-What is that?"
"Martial Uncle's sworn brother?"
The second-generation disciples, drunk on Dark Fragrance Pill qi and practicing martial arts, snapped sober like doused with cold water.
Who was Cheonhwi?
A cold-blooded man without blood or tears.
Yet sworn brother to him!
Hard to believe even seeing it.
Some even rubbed their eyes.
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord gazed steadily at Jonghyeon, who called Cheonhwi "brother."
'Did Cheonhwi have a sworn brother...?'
Jonghyeon met the Pavilion Lord's eyes and clasped his small hands in salute.
"Amitabha. Jonghyeon of Mount Zhongnan Sect."
At the young boy's polite greeting, Hyeonyang smiled and returned the salute.
"Amitabha. This Daoist is Hyeonyang."
Jonghyeon's eyes widened instantly.
"The Great Hero, Cloud-Soaring Sword Immortal...?"
"A title I haven't heard in ages."
"Wow! Master told me so much about the Great Hero!"
Jonghyeon chattered excitedly.
"Back then, you went alone to a Green Forest stronghold and..."
That was when.
Boseong appeared, descending with lightfoot skill, his expression urgent.
"Everyone here?"
"All present."
"What is it?"
After hastily counting the Mount Zhongnan Taoists, he nodded.
"We return at once."
After that, Boseong and the Mount Zhongnan Taoists exchanged brief farewells and hurriedly departed Mount Hua Sect.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Fortnight had passed since the Mount Zhongnan Sect Taoists who visited Mount Hua departed.
The winds that had felt merely chilly then now wrapped Mount Hua in bone-chilling cold.
"Achoo! Ugh, cold."
Jeokun, guarding the sect gate despite layers of clothing, shivered from the knife-like gusts sneaking through.
"Hurry up and rotate shifts... Hoo, hoo."
As he breathed on his hands—
Step—step—
Figures climbed the mountain path, crushing the frost that had grown overnight.
Jeokun shuddered upon seeing them.
Three climbers, none ordinary in appearance.
One wore a straw sackcloth.
Another, a patched Taoist robe sewn over and over.
And the last...
'W-Wudang Sect?'
His eyes rounded.
Then the trio stood before Jeokun.
"What brings you to our sect?"
The white-haired, white-bearded elder in the patched robe smiled softly.
"To see your Sect Leader."
Jeokun flinched momentarily.
The fact that the non-Wudang member spoke meant he was the group's representative.
"Might I know the Great Hero's esteemed name?"
At the question, the sackcloth-clad elder burst into laughter.
"Puhahaha! You've gone to seed too."
The Wudang elder squinted.
"Loudmouth."
"Hmph, what's it to you if I speak for myself."
"Don't you care about the ears listening?"
"Look at this long-nosed bastard's trap still flapping. Used to keep it shut."
"Back then, you weren't worth responding to."
"And now you are?"
"No. Now there are others present, so shut it."
As the two bickered, Jeokun watched with considerable bewilderment.
Then the elder smiled and said,
"This one is Go Hyeon."
"Go Hyeon...? Sounds familiar..."
Mulling the name, Jeokun tilted his head—then lightning struck his mind belatedly.
"Z-Zhongnan Sword Sage, Great Hero?!"