Chapter 201
Chapter 201
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 201
Chapter Title: Wingsless Words Travel Far
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They say a word without feet travels a thousand miles.
The rumor that the Mount Hua Sect and Jongnam Sect had won their sparring match against the Shen Zhou Four Evils spread across the land with astonishing speed.
And upon hearing it, most martial artists in the world nodded with an "Of course" expression on their faces.
The Jongnam Sect and Mount Hua Sect, two of the Nine Great Sects.
In contrast, their opponents were the Shen Zhou Four Evils, who had only just begun to make a name for themselves—despite recently thwarting a joint operation by the two sects.
It felt like a foregone conclusion.
However, even they tilted their heads in confusion once they heard the details of the rumor.
'That young Daoist from Mount Hua named Cheonhwi defeated the experts from the Shen Zhou Four Evils! Even the female expert who beat the Non-Connecting Sword Marquess!'
Everyone who heard the full story dismissed it as nonsense.
The Non-Connecting Sword Marquess was one of the top experts of the Jongnam Sect, his fame resounding not just across Shaanxi but throughout the world.
Especially after collaborating with the Mount Hua Divine Sword to dismantle White Ghost Castle, his reputation had soared to the heavens.
Yet he had lost to some no-name female expert?
"What? A female expert who beat the Non-Connecting Sword Marquess? Talk sense. Someone with that level of skill would already be famous in the martial world."
"Hey, you never know."
"Sure, maybe that female expert hired by the Shen Zhou Four Evils got lucky and beat the Non-Connecting Sword Marquess! But that same woman? Defeated by Cheonhwi? Some Daoist we've never even heard of? Does that make any sense?"
"Why so certain? He could be a hidden expert nurtured in secret by Mount Hua."
"Hah! Even for Mount Hua, this Cheonhwi is said to be barely into his early twenties, just past his minority. You saying he beat someone on the level of the Non-Connecting Sword Marquess at that age?"
Most people found it absurd.
But as the same story circulated repeatedly, even those who had dismissed it as lies began to pay attention.
"If the rumors are true, a new prodigy has appeared in the Mount Hua Sect!"
"Heh heh, the ways of the world are truly unpredictable. Just a few years ago, everyone was saying Mount Hua was on the brink of collapse. Now they've got the Mount Hua Divine Sword who toppled White Ghost Castle and this prodigy Cheonhwi to boot."
"Shaanxi is going to be swarming with people!"
"Isn't that obvious? Mount Hua's probably bustling with visitors by now!"
Perhaps because it was such a shocking tale that sparked heated debates early on.
The rumor spread at an incredible pace.
And in those rumors, the name of the Mount Hua Sect overshadowed even that of the Jongnam Sect.
As the rumor gained more traction, Cheonhwi's name rose and fell endlessly on people's lips, elevating his fame with every utterance.
Meanwhile, at the Mount Hua Sect at the center of it all...
"Hey! Where do you think you're cutting in? I got here first thing this morning to line up."
"Come on! Stop shoving! The mountain path's narrow enough as it is—why push like that? We all might tumble down!"
"Ahem! I'm not shoving on purpose. The path's too narrow for carriages, isn't it? Bear with it a little."
The place was teeming with people.
Even before the sun had risen. On the narrow mountain path leading to Mount Hua's sect gate, an endless line had already formed.
The people in line came in all varieties.
Merchants, martial artists, innkeepers, and more...
Though their attire and appearances varied wildly, they shared one thing in common.
They all had businesses rooted in Shaanxi.
Especially those currently in line—they were mostly witnesses to the recent sparring match, arriving early to stake their claim.
Their eyes burned with greed.
Jongnam still held greater sway in Shaanxi for now, but hadn't they witnessed Mount Hua's power with their own eyes?
The overwhelming might Cheonhwi had displayed in the sparring match.
With him around, they were convinced Mount Hua's future shone brighter than Jongnam's. And so, they hurried to invest.
'I need to forge ties with Mount Hua!'
'This is a must-grab opportunity!'
'If other merchant groups beat us to it, we'll be at a disadvantage! Before they swoop in...!'
Mount Hua's strength wasn't yet fully known in the wider martial world. Investing now would yield even greater returns.
That's why they had come to Mount Hua in the pitch-black predawn hours, waiting for the sect gate to open.
And as the line grew ever longer...
Kiiiek—
The firmly shut sect gate slowly creaked open.
"It's open at last!"
"Finally..."
All eyes locked onto the gate, and soon a neatly dressed fairy-like figure stepped out from between the doors.
The fairy, Hyeonryeo, blinked in slight surprise at the endless line stretching before her, then smiled gently.
'Even more than after White Ghost Castle.'
She had anticipated it, but seeing it firsthand felt different.
She clasped her hands gracefully.
"Thank you all for visiting our sect."
With a polite bow, she let her soft voice flow from her lips.
Infused with inner energy, her words rode the wind straight to the ears of those in line.
Seeing them perk up and look her way, Hyeonryeo spoke again.
"Please come forward one by one."
Hyeonryeo handled the endless stream of goods and people with calm composure.
"It's an honor to meet you. I am Yi Yeong, head of the Yi Yeong Merchant Group. This time, I wish to forge ties with Mount Hua..."
"I am from the Hwa Yeong Inn..."
Those in line handed over their gifts, introduced themselves, offered polite requests, and departed.
Their footsteps lingered with reluctance.
After all, they had come hoping to see the Sect Leader or the newly famed Cheonhwi.
But they weren't fools.
With the endless line behind them.
How could they demand to see the Sect Leader and Cheonhwi when everyone else was glaring daggers?
"Until we meet again."
"I'll visit another time."
Not wanting to burn bridges with those in line, the visitors left only their gifts behind, murmuring hopes for the future as they descended the mountain path one by one.
Hyeonryeo bowed her head in thanks at their consideration.
"Thank you for understanding. We'll reach out separately when we have some leisure."
"Haha, we'll look forward to that day."
As this exchange repeated with nods and retreats...
"It's an honor to meet the famed fairy of Mount Hua, Lady Hyeonryeo."
A middle-aged man with a dignified bearing cupped his fists toward Hyeonryeo and greeted her with proper etiquette.
Hyeonryeo's eyes widened in genuine surprise as she replied.
"You know of Hyeonil?"
"I've heard much from the Third Young Master about your warm character, Lady."
"The Third Young Master...?"
Hyeonryeo asked quizzically.
"Ah! I forgot to introduce myself."
The middle-aged man smiled broadly.
"I am Zhuge Songyoung. I humbly lead the small merchant group known as the Lying Dragon Merchant Group."
Upon hearing his name, Hyeonryeo's expression softened.
"So you are from the Zhuge Clan."
Her voice grew warmer.
"The Third Young Master must be Young Master Zhuge Seonghyeon."
"Indeed."
"But what brings you all the way here?"
Hyeonryeo's smile faded as she asked quietly.
The Zhuge Clan was based in Shandong, far from Shaanxi.
Her reason for visiting Mount Hua now had to differ from the others.
And as expected, Zhuge Songyoung nodded.
"I have come with a message specifically for Mount Hua."
"A message...?"
"A letter penned by the Third Young Master."
Zhuge Songyoung carefully drew a scroll from his bosom and handed it to her.
"Could you deliver this directly to Daoist Cheonhwi?"
"May I read it first before handing it over?"
"Of course."
Hyeonryeo untied the string and slowly unrolled the letter.
She read down its contents.
About halfway through...
"...!"
Hyeonryeo's eyes flew wide open.
She looked at Zhuge Songyoung and spoke in a hardened tone.
"Do you know what it says?"
"I do."
Hyeonryeo retied the scroll.
She turned to Jeokun standing behind her.
"Hold things here for a moment."
"Y-yes, understood."
Hyeonryeo turned back to the patiently waiting Zhuge Songyoung.
"Follow me."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Quite a crowd has come."
The Sect Leader, sipping tea in a chair in Purple霞 Pavilion, looked down through the window with a pleased smile spreading across his face.
"This is all thanks to you."
With those words, he gazed across from him. There sat Cheonhwi, his Daoist robes discarded in favor of pitch-black martial attire.
"Well, yeah. We probably wouldn't have won the sparring match without me."
Cheonhwi acknowledged it matter-of-factly, downing his tea in one gulp before speaking.
"So why'd you call me here?"
"Heh heh, must there be a reason to summon you?"
"There always has been so far."
"Heh heh heh."
Unable to retort, the Sect Leader chuckled awkwardly and carefully set his teacup on the table.
Clink.
The liquid inside rippled slightly with the sound.
The reflections of the Sect Leader and Cheonhwi wavered on the tiny waves.
At that moment...
"From now on, the eyes of the world will be on you."
The Sect Leader looked at Cheonhwi with concern.
The current martial world was in turmoil.
Starting with the fall of White Ghost Castle, now the Bi Cheon Society and Evil-Black Alliance were clashing, stirring up chaos.
And that wasn't all.
The Murim Alliance's movements felt ominous too.
Into this mess, Cheonhwi had appeared like he dropped from the sky.
All eyes were bound to turn his way.
"Especially the Nine Provinces Three Evils Clans—they'll move to learn about you. The Murim Alliance, Bi Cheon Society, Evil-Black Alliance... all of them."
"Yeah, probably."
Cheonhwi nodded in agreement.
It was only natural.
If a new top-tier expert suddenly emerged, anyone would take notice. Especially from a declining sect like Mount Hua?
They'd be desperate for intel.
"But didn't you already expect that when you sent me out for the sparring match?"
The Sect Leader gave a wry smile instead of answering. As Cheonhwi said, they had anticipated this and sent him anyway.
To give him fame.
And the plan had succeeded.
He had gained immense renown in an instant—something hard to achieve otherwise—and his name now echoed across the land.
Which only heightened their worries.
"Cheonhwi. I daresay I know better than anyone that your martial prowess is exceptional. With your skills, finding a match in the world would be difficult."
The Sect Leader spoke calmly words that would shock others if overheard.
As if stating the obvious.
"But do you grasp this?"
Worry clouded the Sect Leader's eyes.
"Great power comes with great responsibility. Before you were known, it was one thing. But now that you've gained great fame, every action and word of yours will draw attention from all. For better or worse. In whatever direction it leads..."
Cheonhwi smirked.
"In other words, watch what I say so no one grabs the wrong end of the stick?"
The Sect Leader smiled awkwardly at Cheonhwi's succinct summary, and Cheonhwi shrugged.
"I'll be careful."
"That's a relief."
As the Sect Leader's worried expression eased into relief...
Knock, knock.
A knock at the door, followed by Hyeonryeo's voice from outside.
"Sect Leader."
The Sect Leader was surprised by her personal visit but sensed the presence beside her and responded calmly.
"What is it?"
"The Zhuge Clan has sent a letter directly to Cheonhwi. I checked the contents, and it's quite urgent, so I've come here in person."
"To Cheonhwi?"
The Sect Leader's gaze shifted to Cheonhwi.
His look asked, 'What do you think?' Cheonhwi nodded.
"Doesn't matter to me."
The Sect Leader spoke.
"Come in."
The door opened immediately, and Hyeonryeo and Zhuge Songyoung entered Purple霞 Pavilion.
Zhuge Songyoung's eyes lit up at the sight of the Sect Leader and Cheonhwi, and he cupped his fists.
"I am Zhuge Songyoung of the Zhuge Clan. It's an honor to meet Mount Hua's Sect Leader and Daoist Cheonhwi on such a busy day."
"Welcome."
The Sect Leader smiled warmly.
"May I see the letter?"
Zhuge Songyoung unclasped his fists.
He then drew the letter from his bosom, placed it on the table, and slid it over.
"Here it is."
The Sect Leader examined the letter on the table closely but paused before picking it up.
He turned to Cheonhwi.
"It's addressed to you, so read it yourself."
"Let's look together."
Cheonhwi reached out lazily, untying the string on the tightly rolled scroll.
Shururuk—
The scroll unfurled wide.
"Looks like the Zhuge Clan head's birthday celebration."
"Huh? What? A banquet?"
As the Sect Leader and Cheonhwi's expressions changed while reading, Zhuge Songyoung recited the final lines.
"We wish to invite young Daoist Cheonhwi to the banquet commemorating the Clan Head's sixtieth birthday."