Chapter 237
Chapter 237
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 237
Chapter Title: Iron Weights
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Cheonhwi's group arrived at Mount Hua and headed straight for the Plum Blossom Inn instead of the Mount Hua Sect.
"M-Mount Hua Sect!"
"Waaah!"
The people resting at the inn spotted the Blazing Spirit Squad in their Mount Hua Sect uniforms and cheered as they rushed over, only to flinch and stop in their tracks.
It was because their appearance up close was strange.
Their uniforms were torn in places, and vivid bruises marked their faces and bodies.
They looked like they'd been beaten up somewhere.
As the crowd stood there bewildered by the battered sight...
Hiiing—
The carriage jolted to a heavy stop.
At that moment.
"Fi-finally, a break!"
"Martial arts training's finally over!"
The Blazing Spirit Squad members stretched their arms toward the sky and nearly collapsed on the spot. But right then.
"We haven't even reached the Mount Hua Sect yet, and you're already trying to rest?"
Cheonhwi, who had already stepped down from the carriage, turned to them with a glance.
"Stand up straight."
The Blazing Spirit Squad members immediately halted their collapse, snapping rigidly to attention.
"Yes, sir!"
"Understood, Martial Uncle!"
Their faces hardened like stone statues.
'Don't provoke his mood!'
'We have to obey no matter what!'
Having endured far more intense martial training than when they first set out, a single bead of sweat trickled down their foreheads.
Meanwhile, the onlookers watching this stared at Cheonhwi in astonishment.
"Wh-who is that guy...?"
"Who? You still don't know? That striking beauty with the twin swords—he's the Plum Blossom Divine Knight, Cheonhwi the Young Hero!"
At someone's shout, the crowd's eyes sparkled as they turned to Cheonhwi.
"That's the great hero of the Plum Blossom Divine Knight...?"
"Heh heh, to perform such heroic deeds at such a young age—impressive!"
Admiring murmurs erupted from all around.
But Cheonhwi paid no mind to the surrounding gazes and instead turned to Steward Oh, who was climbing down from the carriage late.
"The items we commissioned from the Ironworks Guild arrived, right?"
Steward Oh nodded.
"They're in the backyard."
"Hm, the backyard..."
Cheonhwi repeated the words with a grin.
The brief smile sent a chill through the watching Blazing Spirit Squad members.
"Follow me."
Cheonhwi beckoned them curtly.
The Blazing Spirit Squad had no idea why, but they hurriedly chased after Cheonhwi's back as he walked ahead.
A moment later, upon reaching the Plum Blossom Inn's backyard, they tilted their heads in confusion.
An odd sight greeted them.
"Rings...?"
"Huh? Those are swords?"
Countless iron rings littered the ground, alongside a total of fifty swords laid neatly upon it.
Cheonhwi approached the nearest iron ring.
"Oh ho, well-made."
After inspecting the iron ring, Cheonhwi bent down and lifted it effortlessly with one hand.
He examined the dark, lock-equipped ring from all angles before applying a bit of strength with his fingers.
"Sturdy, as expected."
Cheonhwi smiled in satisfaction.
"Perfect weight too. Worth every penny."
He tossed the ring lightly into the air and caught it repeatedly before flicking it toward Cheonhyang.
"Here, catch."
"Huh?"
The moment Cheonhyang caught the flying iron ring...
"...!"
Her arm dropped straight down.
"Wha?!"
Startled by the unexpected weight, Cheonhyang hurriedly mustered her strength and lifted her arm.
Cheonhwi looked at her and asked.
"How is it? Appropriate weight, right?"
Cheonhyang furrowed her brow.
It wasn't overwhelmingly heavy, but far from light.
So 'appropriate weight' wasn't wrong, but instead of agreeing, she voiced her current doubt.
"So, why'd you give me this?"
"You really don't know?"
"......"
Cheonhyang shut her mouth.
She'd actually suspected as much.
The shape was perfect for wearing on wrists or ankles.
And she wasn't alone.
Dam Mokrin and the Blazing Spirit Squad members paled as they realized the purpose just from a glance.
Then Cheonhwi looked around and spoke.
"Alright, now everyone put these iron rings on your wrists and ankles."
Cheonhwi said with a grin.
"......"
Knowing resistance was futile, Dam Mokrin and the Blazing Spirit Squad trudged over to the rings and each picked one up.
And at that moment.
"Hup! So heavy..."
"Ugh... heavy."
Disbelief colored their faces.
Heavier than expected. They glanced at Cheonhwi, but...
"What are you doing? Time's short."
Only urging words returned.
In the end, they squeezed their eyes shut and limply fastened the rings to their wrists and ankles.
"Wh-what's so heavy about these?"
"Hah! My bones are gonna pop."
Groans rose from all around.
A moment later.
"It's too big..."
Cheonhyang grimaced, uncomfortable with the loose fit on her wrist.
Cheonhwi approached her.
"Hm? A bit loose, huh."
Even with the lock secured tight, it looked slack. Cheonhwi remarked.
"Swinging a sword like this would be awkward."
As if she'd been waiting, Cheonhyang chimed in.
She smirked inwardly.
'This means he'll tell me to take it off, right?'
Then Cheonhwi nodded.
"Hm, yeah, you'd just get blisters swinging a sword like that."
Cheonhyang inwardly cheered.
'Yes!'
She quickly added.
"Right? So for now, take it off and get it adjusted later..."
As her face brightened at the agreement, Cheonhwi cut her off.
"Nah, no time for that."
He immediately grabbed Cheonhyang's loose wrist. As she looked at him puzzled by the sudden action...
"...Martial Brother?"
Kikigik—
An unpleasant grinding sound erupted.
The iron ring shrank bit by bit until it fit her wrist perfectly.
"There, good now?"
When Cheonhwi released her hand, the now perfectly sized ring met her gaze.
"...Y-yeah."
Cheonhyang drooped her head, and Cheonhwi ignored her, moving to those whose rings still didn't fit.
"Here, give me your hand."
He adjusted and secured them one by one, just like with her.
Once everyone had their rings fitted snugly, Cheonhwi nodded.
"Don't even think about taking those off now."
The Blazing Spirit Squad cried out in horror.
"What?!"
"You mean wear them all the time?"
"Of course. Why else would I have them made and tell you to wear them?"
The Blazing Spirit Squad bit their lips.
'Wear these all the time?'
'Eating's gonna be tough!'
They exchanged quick glances.
'Gotta take them off later!'
'Yeah!'
As some eyes sparkled...
"Well, if you can remove them, go ahead."
Cheonhwi shrugged.
Everyone's eyes flashed.
"Really?"
"We can take them off?"
"If you can."
Cheonhyang and the Blazing Spirit Squad circulated their qi and gripped the rings with force.
"Eeeeek!"
"Uwaaaah!"
But no matter how much qi they poured or what they tried, the rings didn't budge.
Watching them, Cheonhwi smirked meaningfully and spoke.
"Those rings are made from Southern Frontier Kun Iron. If you have the skill and qi to break them, you wouldn't need to wear them anyway."
His crooked smile froze everyone mid-effort.
"K-Kun Iron?!"
Kun Iron was steel said to be tougher than even millennia-forged iron.
"H-how did you make rings out of that...?"
"The Ironworks Guild handled it."
Everyone squeezed their eyes shut.
Any other forge might not, but the Ironworks Guild could manage it easily.
'Commissioned these weird rings from the Ironworks Guild?'
'He's dead set on killing us.'
Despair sank in.
With their current cultivation and qi, breaking Kun Iron was impossible.
And Cheonhwi had fitted them perfectly to their wrists.
It meant one thing.
Only Cheonhwi could remove these tightly secured rings.
'...We're doomed!'
'If only there were locks...'
Cheonhwi swept his gaze over the dejected Blazing Spirit Squad and clapped lightly.
Clap! Clap!
Instantly drawing all eyes, he continued.
"Now that the rings are on..."
He paused briefly and pointed to the remaining swords scattered in the backyard.
"Pick up swords too. You'll be training with those from now on."
Everyone swallowed hard.
The swords too?
They looked at Cheonhwi hopefully, but...
"What are you waiting for? Grab them."
Only indifferent words rang in their ears.
'Of course.'
Utterly defeated, they moved their trembling, ring-weighted hands to gingerly grip the swords.
And the moment they tried to lift...
"Hah!"
"Th-this is too heavy..."
The Blazing Spirit Squad grimaced.
Way too heavy.
But Cheonhwi ignored their plight and spoke.
"Oh right, carry the rest too. We need to take them up to Mount Hua."
The Blazing Spirit Squad's faces turned ashen.
Each already had four rings and one sword.
To carry the rest would mean at least three times that per person.
As they hesitated, barely able to lift their swords properly, Cheonhwi spoke.
"Don't want to? Then the other disciples can equip theirs later, and the Blazing Spirit Squad trains first."
"...?!"
The Blazing Spirit Squad's eyes widened.
'What? Just us first?'
'No way!'
Fire blazed in their eyes.
Better to die together!
They couldn't suffer this training alone.
"We'll carry them up!"
"Hahaha, how could we alone enjoy such wonderful, outstanding training?"
Gritting their teeth, they somehow hoisted the swords and rings from the ground.
"Eeeeek!"
So heavy they wobbled, but their eyes burned with resolve.
"R-ready!"
Cheonhwi smiled at them.
"Then let's go."
As Cheonhwi stepped forward leisurely, the Blazing Spirit Squad, clutching the rings and swords for dear life, followed with laborious steps.
And so they ascended Mount Hua.
Leaving heavy thuds and clear footprints along the mountain path.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Purple霞 Pavilion of Mount Hua.
Trickle—
A thin stream of water poured steadily, filling an empty teacup bit by bit.
As the pale yellow tea filled up, a soft, subtle tea fragrance rapidly spread through the pavilion.
By the time the fragrance filled Purple霞 Pavilion, the pour cut off abruptly.
The yellow tea in the full cup rippled before gradually settling.
'The tea is just like Cheonhwi.'
Hyeonsang, who had been pouring, gazed at the cup while savoring the tickling scent at his nose.
A small amount of tea in the tiny cup.
Just a few sips and it'd be gone.
Yet its fragrance filled the vast Purple霞 Pavilion, embracing everything within.
'Like Cheonhwi, who single-handedly embraces the entire Mount Hua Sect...'
Hyeonsang's eyes curved in a smile.
Thinking of Cheonhwi brought a laugh.
'Thanks to him, Mount Hua Sect has changed so much.'
What Cheonhwi had accomplished was too numerous to count on two hands.
Restoring lost martial arts, creating groups like the Shadow Fragrance Squad, toppling White Ghost Castle, driving out unorthodox sects from Shaanxi, and more.
Thanks to that, Mount Hua Sect had attained its current fame and status.
As he smiled thinking of Cheonhwi.
"Fine tea fragrance, Sect Leader Martial Brother."
A low voice sounded.
Snapping from his thoughts, Hyeonsang smiled back at Hyeoncheong, who grinned before him.
"I worried it might be too mild compared to the strong teas you usually favor, but I'm glad you like it."
"Heh heh heh, this suits me better now. Getting old, I find heavy teas don't go down well lately."
Hyeoncheong bantered as he reached out a wrinkled hand for his teacup.
"Hm."
Closing his eyes, Hyeoncheong savored the tea.
Perhaps because it was leaves dried by the Sect Leader himself, it lacked the deep, rich flavor of famed teas known throughout the world.
Instead, it was light and clean.
And the lingering subtle scent tickling the nose afterward naturally curved the lips into a smile.
Opening his eyes, Hyeoncheong spoke.
"I've long heard my Sect Leader Martial Brother excels at drying tea leaves, but I didn't know it was this outstanding."
Hyeonsang beamed at the sincere praise.
"I'm still far from mastery."
"Any leaves left?"
Hyeoncheong carefully set down his now-empty cup and said.
"I'd like to share with my disciples too."
"I'll prepare plenty."
Hyeonsang's smile deepened.
Something unimaginable before.
Just a few years ago, Hyeoncheong had holed up in the Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion, cut off from the world.
Now things were different.
Not content with just teaching disciples, he even wanted to share tea with them.
A very positive change.
"Thank you."
"No trouble at all."
Hyeonsang smiled warmly and asked softly.
"How are the disciples?"
"They're coming along decently enough."
Despite the vague words, satisfaction filled Hyeoncheong's face.
Seeing that expression, Hyeonsang's mood soared.
If Hyeoncheong showed such a face, they'd surpassed 'decent.'
'Excellent.'
Everything was going well.
The first- and second-generation disciples had reached higher levels than before. And now even the third-generation were keeping up, so how could he not smile?
Hyeonsang glanced out the window.
The long hot weather had eased, a cool breeze brushing his cheek.
Summer was passing, autumn arriving.
Gazing at the higher, cloudless sky, Hyeonsang voiced a sudden worry.
"They're a bit later than expected. I hope nothing happened..."
"Cheonhwi's with them, isn't he? No major incidents likely."
"...You're right."
Hyeonsang nodded reluctantly when...
"Hah, hah! S-Sect Leader!"
A booming shout shook Purple霞 Pavilion.
Hyeonsang and Hyeoncheong turned.
Far off, Cheonsu, deputy leader of the Finance Hall, was sprinting toward them.
"What is it?"
"Th-they've arrived."
Cheonsu caught his ragged breath and said with shining eyes.
"M-Martial Brother Cheonhwi, Junior Sister Rin, and the Blazing Spirit Squad have reached Mount Hua."
Hyeonsang and Hyeoncheong exchanged looks and rose from their seats.
A moment later.
Arriving at the sect gate with Cheonsu, they saw Mount Hua Sect disciples lined up.
The Secret Sword Squad and No Flower Squad, centered around Jeokgeom and Seollan, stood gazing down from the gate.
How long did they wait?
Thud, thud.
A heavy sound echoed from afar.
"What sound is that?"
They tilted their heads and peered closely below the gate.
Soon, those who confirmed the source with their own eyes gasped in shock.
The ascending Blazing Spirit Squad looked utterly different from usual.
In torn uniforms, they struggled up with dark iron rings and swords clutched to their chests.
"...What are those?"
"Iron rings? And swords too?"
As everyone stared puzzled...
"Th-the sect gate!"
Cheonhyang bellowed.
At that, the Blazing Spirit Squad, who had been trudging up with heads bowed, snapped their heads up.
Everyone swallowed.
Their upward-gazing eyes gleamed with ferocious light.
"Uwaaaah! Hand these over quick!"
"Can't hold anymore!"
"Can't die alone!"
The gate's onlookers panicked at the Blazing Spirit Squad's wild-eyed frenzy, some even drooling.
"Uwaaaah! Charge!"
With Cheonhyang's deranged shout, the Blazing Spirit Squad broke into a mad sprint.
Thud! Thud!
As Hyeonsang and Hyeoncheong paled at the footprint-leaving rush...
Cheonhwi, strolling leisurely behind, remarked in a satisfied, serene tone.
"Nice to see them all striving to grow stronger together."