Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Descent from the Mountain
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The day after the grand assembly ended, during the Hour of the Tiger.
Cheonhwi slipped out of his thatched hut at this early hour, well before dawn had broken.
Though he had risen earlier than usual, a bright smile lit up his face.
His appearance was markedly different from the norm.
His sharp, upturned eyes sparkled with anticipation, and the hair he usually left tousled was neatly tied back into a single ponytail swaying behind him.
But what drew the eye even more was the uniform he wore and the sword dangling at his waist.
"It's not the greatest sword, but it'll do just fine."
He tapped the blade lightly, then lifted the hem of his uniform for a closer look, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.
"Love the uniform too."
The uniform Hyeonryeo had prepared for him the night before combined black and red tones, a far cry from the red-and-white garb of the Mount Hua Sect.
With its base of deep black embroidered with red plum blossoms, it exuded a unique aura.
"Hmm."
As he admired himself while walking, he soon found himself atop the hill, surveying his surroundings.
The early hour left the world shrouded in darkness, and a chill night breeze gently caressed his cheeks.
Even that felt good.
Today was the day he would leave Mount Hua and explore the Central Plains.
"Well then..."
Thud.
As he spoke, he stomped lightly.
But the result was astonishing.
The darkness split in two, and Cheonhwi shot through the gap.
Leaving only a streak of light behind.
In an instant, he arrived at the sect's main gate from his hut and looked ahead.
There stood four men and one woman.
They were the Plum Blossom Sword Guards selected the day before for the mission to the North Wind Merchant Troupe.
"You're all here early."
The Sword Guards' eyes widened at Cheonhwi's sudden appearance, like a mirage.
But only for a moment.
"Martial Uncle!"
"You've arrived."
Jeokgeom and Seollan, recovering from their surprise, greeted him warmly.
Jeokgeom, especially, knowing the mission involved the North Wind Merchant Troupe, flashed a broad smile at Cheonhwi.
'Thank goodness Martial Uncle's coming along.'
He let out a deep sigh of relief.
No matter his eccentric reputation, his martial prowess was the real deal.
"Your disciple Jeokgeom greets Martial Uncle Cheonhwi."
"We greet Martial Uncle."
The other Sword Guards snapped to attention and bowed to Cheonhwi, following Jeokgeom and Seollan's lead.
'What a fine sight.'
The Sect Leader, watching the scene from above with a pleased expression, spoke in a voice full of dignity.
"Everyone's gathered, I see."
The six looked up.
Meeting their gazes, the Sect Leader examined each face in turn.
Jeokgeom and Seollan, Jeokjae and Jeokun.
And even Jeokbi.
All reliable disciples.
Yet a sliver of unease lingered.
They had never ventured into the Central Plains before, nor braved the harsh tempests of the jianghu.
'A bit worrisome...'
But when his eyes met Cheonhwi's last, that unease washed away.
'Haha, with Cheonhwi here, my worries were unfounded.'
His heart lighter, the Sect Leader spoke gravely.
"Your first foray into the jianghu will be no easy task."
The Sword Guards' faces tensed slightly.
The thrill of their first outing mingled with the weight of being Plum Blossom Sword Guards.
Excitement and anticipation for leaving Mount Hua blended with a touch of worry, etching complex expressions on their faces.
"But worry not. You are the Plum Blossom Sword Guards, after all."
To ease their tension, the Sect Leader offered encouraging words.
His intent hit home—the resolve returned to their eyes.
To them, being Sword Guards was a source of pride and honor. They nodded firmly, eyes gleaming, then shouted in unison.
"Yes!"
The Sect Leader's smile widened at their spirited reply.
No more words were needed.
"Take care of yourselves."
At his parting words, Jeokgeom, standing at the center of the five Sword Guards, looked up and replied politely.
"We will."
Cheonhwi smirked inwardly at Jeokgeom speaking for the group.
'Jeokgeom's the representative, huh?'
It made perfect sense to him.
He had taken the leadership role only to avoid hassle.
And now Jeokgeom seemed to be stepping up naturally—what luck.
'I can dump all the annoying stuff on him.'
Jeokgeom would have frothed at the mouth if he knew, but Cheonhwi turned away.
"Cheonhwi."
"Hwi."
While the Sect Leader spoke, Hyeondo and Hyeonryeo, who had been waiting quietly behind, approached.
"Oh? You two came."
Cheonhwi welcomed them warmly.
After five years together, they had grown quite close.
"You sure you're okay with this?"
Hyeonryeo fussed.
"Of course he is,"
Hyeondo interjected.
Hyeonryeo shot him a fierce glare.
"Senior Brother!"
Her voice rang clear and sharp.
She had opposed making Cheonhwi the expedition leader.
Unlike her, Hyeondo and Hyeoncheong had supported it, and in the end, the Sect Leader had sided with them and Cheonhwi.
Hyeondo chuckled at her glare.
"Worried?"
"Of course I am."
"Even for Cheonhwi? With him, no matter who shows up..."
Hyeonryeo frowned.
"You know as well as I do, Senior Brother. The jianghu is full of schemes and treachery."
"True enough."
Hyeondo agreed.
The jianghu was ruthless and merciless, governed by rules apart from the world's laws.
But having watched Cheonhwi up close, Hyeondo had no worries—only trust.
"But it's Cheonhwi."
"..."
Hyeonryeo fell silent.
She knew Cheonhwi's prowess as well as Hyeondo did—his skills were beyond estimation.
But knowing it in her head was different from feeling it in her heart.
To her, Cheonhwi was still that fragile little boy.
Whoosh—
"Fine!"
She snapped, glaring at Hyeondo before whirling away.
Rummaging in her bosom, she pulled out a leather pouch and pressed it into Cheonhwi's hand.
"Use this if anything happens."
Cheonhwi watched their bickering, then tucked the pouch into his sleeve.
"Got it. I'll put it to good use."
As Cheonhwi received travel supplies from them amid the send-off...
Step— step—
The Sword Guards, geared up to depart, exchanged farewells.
"Wherever you go, whomever you meet, never lose the pride of the Plum Blossom Sword Guards."
The Martial Training Pavilion Lord, standing with the elders, earnestly admonished them.
The Sword Guards stiffened.
The Pavilion Lord was known in Mount Hua as unyielding as steel, the man who drove them through brutal daily training.
Then his expression softened.
"But if your lives are in danger, run without hesitation."
They were stunned by his worried tone.
This caring side from their usually harsh trainer was a shock.
"Nothing in the world is more precious than your lives."
Ignoring—or perhaps knowing—their thoughts, he patted their shoulders encouragingly with a gentle hand.
With farewells complete...
"Time to go."
Cheonhwi flung open the main gate and stepped out, the lined-up Sword Guards following. They began their descent.
Step— step—
The Sect Leader and elders watched their vigorous backs, hands clasped in prayerful salute, faces etched with concern.
"Amitabha."
"May you all return safe."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Half a month had passed since the journey began.
Xianyang County, their destination that had seemed so distant at the start, was now just around the corner.
Jeokgeom, eager to arrive quickly, had spared no expense on funds, even hiring boats to speed things up.
Thrilled at nearing the North Wind Merchant Troupe, Jeokgeom bubbled over.
"Hahaha, taking the ships cut our time nicely."
Back in his familiar hometown, his excitement was palpable.
He sidled up to Cheonhwi walking beside him and chattered away.
"Martial Uncle, did you know? Our North Wind Merchant Troupe is one of the top ones covering all of Shaanxi. Over the last twenty years, through routes connecting Shaanxi and Shanxi, we've handled tons of trade..."
Jeokgeom explained the troupe in detail to Cheonhwi.
Seollan trailed right beside them, ready to act at his slightest command.
Jeokun, Jeokjae, and Jeokbi, watching from behind, frowned in confusion.
'Why are Jeokgeom and Seollan so deferential to Martial Uncle?'
It was their shared question.
Throughout the trip, Jeokgeom and Seollan had acted wary around Cheonhwi, like facing the Sect Leader.
They knew of his astonishing display at the Five Mountains Conference five years ago, saving Jeokgeom's reputation.
But that was five years past.
Mount Hua had reclaimed its glory at the recent conference, its prestige resounding.
Jeokgeom and Seollan had shown remarkable growth, rivaling the top Sword Guards left behind.
Cheonhwi, by contrast, had been utterly quiet.
So quiet that since that incident, no one knew his current skills or even how he spent his days.
'That was five years ago—the awe should have faded.'
'What's their connection?'
'Do they know something about Martial Uncle Cheonhwi?'
As they puzzled over the trio's dynamic...
"In the last twenty years, we've expanded massively, even building this two-story annex. Plus, we distributed grain mid-way to the common folk..."
Cheonhwi, listening to the endless spiel, raised a finger westward.
"That way, right?"
Jeokgeom's eyes bulged.
"How did you know?"
"I can see it."
"...!"
The Sword Guards gaped at Cheonhwi's words, as if he had pierced straight through the two hundred zhang to the troupe.
But to him, it was nothing special.
"Hm?"
Then Cheonhwi's brows furrowed.
"We need to hurry."
"Pardon?"
"There's a fight."
Jeokgeom paled.
"I-I'll scout ahead!"
Channeling his qi, he urgently unleashed the Five Elements Plum Blossom Step.
"...I'll go too."
Seollan dashed after Jeokgeom.
Seeing the others follow suit, Cheonhwi eyed the distant North Wind Merchant Troupe, lips twisting at the aura wafting from it.
"Killing intent..."
Feeling it after so long, Cheonhwi grinned and kicked off the ground.