Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: The Pavilion Lord's Gratitude
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The day after arriving at the Mount Hua Sect.
Knock— Knock—
"...Are you there?"
"Ugh—"
Cheonhwi, who had slept in his old straw hut for the first time in ages, was awakened early in the morning by the noisy sounds coming from outside.
"What is it?"
Still groggy from sleep, he rubbed his hazy eyes and irritably flung open the door with a rough slide.
"What the hell at this ungodly hour..."
He stopped short, about to unleash a tirade.
"Sorry to bother you at this early hour."
Seeing Hyeoncheong, Cheonhwi furrowed his brow.
"What's the matter at this time?"
"There's something I need to confirm."
Cheonhwi scratched the back of his head.
If it had been Jeokgeom or Seollan, he would have chased them off immediately, but the visitor was Hyeoncheong.
"Haa, come in."
"Pardon the intrusion."
Hyeoncheong strode confidently into the room.
He glanced around the interior, then spoke to lighten the heavy atmosphere.
"This place hasn't changed a bit from before."
"No reason it should."
At Cheonhwi's nonchalant reply, Hyeoncheong chuckled lightly and took a seat. Cheonhwi followed, sitting across from him, and asked,
"So, why are you here?"
"I'll get straight to the point. Cheonhwi, was it you who defeated the White Lion God?"
Hyeoncheong's voice was low.
Seeing the serious expression on Hyeoncheong's face, Cheonhwi tensed his brow.
'...He already knows.'
Hyeoncheong's eyes held no doubt; it was as if he had already heard that Cheonhwi was responsible.
And his guess was correct.
Hyeoncheong had visited Hyeondo the night before.
—Cheonhwi?
A question cut straight to the chase.
But it carried certainty.
He had been thrilled by the rumors that Hyeondo had defeated the White Lion God and wiped out White Ghost Castle, but he found it hard to fully believe.
Though both were in the Transcendent Realm, the White Lion God had reached it long ago, while Hyeondo still fell short in comparison.
And destroying White Ghost Castle on top of that?
Even with the Flying Sword Demon Lord's help, it seemed impossible.
'But if it was Cheonhwi...'
He thought it might be possible.
His trust and faith in Cheonhwi's abilities, based on what he had witnessed, ran that deep.
And that prediction was spot on.
—I told you because you know of Cheonhwi's talent, Senior Brother, but this must remain a secret. If it becomes known that Cheonhwi, not I, defeated the White Lion God, it could bring the same disaster upon our youngest martial sibling.
—Don't worry about that. I have no desire for such a thing to happen...
Hyeoncheong nodded as if it were obvious.
Why had they clashed with White Ghost Castle in the first place?
Because they envied the talent of their youngest martial brother, the Plum Blossom Sword Hero Hyeon-gang.
What if word spread of Cheonhwi, whose talent surpassed even that?
This time, it might not be the Six Evil Sects, but the Evil-Black Alliance itself that stepped in.
Just then, Cheonhwi spoke up.
"Yes."
"As I thought..."
Hyeoncheong's eyes widened in shock.
He had confirmed it with Hyeondo already, but hearing it directly from Cheonhwi stirred his emotions.
Moments later, he reached out abruptly, grasping both of Cheonhwi's hands and bowing his head deeply.
"I'm truly sorry and grateful. It was something we should have handled ourselves..."
His voice was thick with emotion.
"Thank you so much."
For a moment, Cheonhwi felt a strange warmth.
Had anyone ever thanked him with such sincerity?
Not in his memories.
'Not a bad feeling.'
Perhaps because his heart had softened, the hands holding his felt warm.
"Thanks to you, I've fulfilled a long-cherished wish."
"Is that so? Glad to hear it."
Hyeoncheong slowly raised his head.
A radiant smile, one Cheonhwi had never seen before, bloomed on his wrinkled face like a flower.
"Then I can't just stay cooped up any longer. I'll visit again later."
With those meaningful words, Hyeoncheong released his hands and left the hut.
"Sleep's gone now."
Cheonhwi scratched his tousled hair and stepped outside, sitting at the edge of the cliff.
"Guess I should sort out what happened back then first."
Closing his eyes, he recalled his opponent.
In pitch-black darkness, a man entirely white rose like smoke.
It was the White Lion God.
In the vision, he began unleashing his qi art, the Nine Heavens Crushing Thunder, at the end.
'So that's how it was.'
Recalling the qi art, Cheonhwi slowly circulated his inner energy.
Whoosh—
His tangible qi emanated softly around his body, fluttering his robes.
'Channel the inner energy this way...'
Cheonhwi's eyes slowly opened.
After mimicking the qi art for a brief moment, he moved his hands.
The instant his hands swept in a wide arc—
Swoosh—
A vortex formed in the air where only a faint breeze had blown moments before, drawing in all the surrounding atmosphere.
"Like this."
He stared blankly at the vortex—more precisely, the space compressed by inner energy.
"If I raise my inner energy further here and compress it strongly to seal my movements even a little..."
A leaf that had seeped into the distorted air was utterly crushed by the compression.
A moment later.
Whoosh—
He reined in his elevated inner energy.
The raging vortex vanished in an instant, and silence returned.
'It's decent, but useless in real combat.'
It was a powerful qi art, but its flaws were glaring.
Even after such a short deployment, most of the inner energy in his lower dantian had already been depleted.
"Tch. If only I had more inner energy."
Of course, he could unleash it right now if he wanted.
But was it worth expending so much inner energy? Absolutely not.
"If I knew the inner art he cultivated, it might be different, but as is, it's only half-baked."
He recalled the White Lion God from back then.
The power of the Nine Heavens Crushing Thunder, unleashed alongside his unique inner art, had been tremendous.
Even he, who was stingy with praise, had to acknowledge the man's prowess.
After all, hadn't he been forced to use the Absolute Dominion Art against him—something he vowed never to use in this life?
"I need to build up my inner energy."
Cheonhwi contemplated his lower dantian.
The Plum Blossom Divine Art was an exceptional technique.
Among the supreme martial arts he knew, he could confidently call it the best.
But due to insufficient inner energy and physique, it hadn't fully blossomed.
He needed to fully awaken this Plum Blossom Divine Art.
Completely and luxuriantly.
Then, he could claim no one in the world—no, throughout history—could rival him.
But that was if it awakened.
Right now, he had been overwhelmed and pushed back even by the White Lion God.
"I must awaken the Plum Blossom Divine Art."
Cheonhwi's dark red eyes flashed fiercely.
He had been fiercely competitive since his previous life.
Against enemies, allies, martial arts, or any absolute barrier.
The world must be at his feet.
Yet, using the Absolute Dominion Art against mere White Lion God was a crack in his pride.
"That'll never happen again."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day, at the Cloud Amidst Pavilion.
The Sect Leader scanned the attendees who had already taken their seats before his arrival.
"Heh heh heh, it feels like we're holding grand assemblies more frequently these days."
The Sect Leader spoke as he regarded those suppressing their excited anticipation.
"The reason for gathering today is to make an important announcement."
A brief silence fell.
The Sect Leader nodded faintly, seemingly pleased with the mood, and continued.
"We plan to open the Mount Hua Sect's gates within the year."
"...!"
"That means!"
Several people shot to their feet.
Swallowing hard, they blinked and asked cautiously,
"Are you saying we'll be accepting disciples?"
"That's right."
Those who had stood lost their composure.
They had thought the assembly was to officially announce the rumors about Hyeondo and White Ghost Castle.
Accepting disciples? The shocking declaration left everyone dazed.
The Sect Leader smiled and continued.
"Heh heh heh, it's been quite a while since we last took in disciples on our sacred mountain, hasn't it? Our finances are now sufficient, and our reputation has soared. With prospective disciples eager to join, when better to open the gates?"
Everyone nodded in silent agreement with each word.
Just as things were proceeding smoothly—
"Sect Leader!"
Hyeonheo, who had been stunned, regained his senses.
"The disciples of the Appropriate Generation still lack the skill to teach martial arts. And there aren't enough Heavenly Generation disciples to instruct new recruits."
"No need to worry about that."
"How can we not..."
"Fortunately, it's not too late."
At the sudden interjection, all eyes turned sharply.
"This voice..."
Seeing Hyeoncheong, they were astonished.
Hyeoncheong's appearance was unexpected; he rarely even attended meetings.
"Have you come to join the assembly?"
"Heh heh. Why else would I be here?"
"Please, take this seat."
The Sect Leader indicated the spot beside him that had remained empty.
"Then, pardon me."
As Hyeoncheong sat, the Sect Leader addressed the still-shocked group.
"Senior Brother Hyeoncheong has agreed to take charge of the new incoming disciples."
"...Gasp!"
Everyone gasped in unison.
"Senior Brother Hyeoncheong?"
"Heh heh. Am I not up to the task?"
"N-No!"
Hyeonheo exclaimed in surprise.
"It's just shocking that you, who were restoring martial arts in the Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion, would suddenly teach disciples directly..."
"There's no need for that anymore."
Hyeoncheong smiled faintly.
"Since Hyeondo has accomplished what I so desperately wanted."
Mentioning Hyeondo brought the long-forgotten topic to mind.
"Come to think of it, Senior Brother Hyeondo defeated the White Lion God..."
"It's true."
Hyeondo replied with a smile.
"Ahh. Finally, our revenge..."
"Amitabha."
"You've done it."
Tears welled up in everyone's eyes.
They had been moved by the rumors, but hearing it from the person involved felt entirely different.
As joy filled the room—
"Any remaining concerns?"
The Sect Leader looked at Hyeonheo.
"None."
"If there are no further objections, we all agree to open the Mount Hua Sect's gates."
"Haha! Excellent."
"We've been waiting for this."
"Amitabha."
The Sect Leader glanced at Hyeondo.
They exchanged knowing smiles.
Only four here knew Cheonhwi's true prowess: the Sect Leader, Hyeonryeo, Hyeondo, and Hyeoncheong.
All those close to him, and thus, none mentioned his true feats or identity.
Then—
Tadadak!
All heads turned downward.
A Taoist swiftly ascended from below the clouds into the Cloud Amidst Pavilion.
"Who dares interrupt the assembly..."
As the Martial Training Pavilion Leader frowned, the Taoist entered.
"Huff, huff. Gulp. Forgive me for interrupting the meeting. I have urgent news that I must relay, so I've taken the liberty."
Cheonsu, the Deputy Leader of the Finance Hall, apologized politely despite his urgent demeanor.
Despite the courtesy, his tense attitude alarmed the Sect Leader, who spoke.
"...What is it?"
Cheonsu raised his head sharply.
His urgent gaze swept over those in the pavilion before he spoke.
"A letter has arrived from the Alliance!"