Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Mount Hua Annals
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“Famous in our sect...”
Though Hyeoncheong kept chattering away beside him, not a single word reached Cheonhwi’s ears.
Reborn as a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect?
He still couldn’t quite believe it, but he was starting to accept it, at least a little.
Reincarnation fit the idea of eternal immortality, after all.
But this was too much.
What? Three hundred years in the future?
His brow furrowed involuntarily.
He had thought only his own condition had changed all this time.
But three hundred years later, out of nowhere.
If you’re going to reincarnate me anyway, why not do it right away? What kind of nonsense is this?
Three hundred years was no short time.
They said even ten years could change the mountains and rivers. Three hundred years meant they’d changed thirty times over.
It was then.
A heavy weight settled on his shoulder.
Tch.
A low voice followed.
“......You okay?”
The question pierced his ears, snapping him back to reality.
Looking right in front of him, he saw Hyeoncheong shaking his shoulder with eyes full of concern.
Seeing him like that sharpened Cheonhwi’s focus.
He pushed aside the swirling thoughts clouding his mind and forced his stiff lips to move.
“I’m fine.”
Hyeoncheong released his grip on Cheonhwi’s shoulder.
“Then...... that’s a relief.”
Despite his words, Hyeoncheong’s face, gazing at Cheonhwi, was etched with worry.
But Cheonhwi had no time to pay it any mind.
Instead, he stared straight at Hyeoncheong and spoke.
“By any chance, are there books in the Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion that record the history of the martial world?”
“......The history of the martial world?”
Hyeoncheong’s face twisted in complete confusion at the sudden question.
But he soon shook his head and replied.
“We don’t have anything specifically on the history of the martial world.”
Cheonhwi’s expression hardened. But only for a moment—Hyeoncheong added more.
“Instead, we have the Mount Hua Annals, which record our sect’s own history.”
Cheonhwi’s eyes narrowed.
That would be enough.
In the blink of an eye, he finished his calculations and looked up at Hyeoncheong.
“Do you know where these Mount Hua Annals are kept?”
“Probably in the western corner of this floor.”
“Thank you.”
Cheonhwi bowed hastily and brushed past Hyeoncheong, descending the stairs in large strides.
Was it because his mind was racing?
Tadak—
The moment he reached the floor, he hurried westward without even taking time to look around.
Then, as he quickly scanned the bookshelves.
Found it!
He spotted it surprisingly easily.
His eyes sparkled as he fixed his gaze on the shelf packed with the Mount Hua Annals. Even at a glance, there were dozens of volumes neatly arranged.
The most recent ones would be...
His eyes stopped on the right side of the shelf.
That one?
Without hesitation, he grabbed the pristine, new-looking Mount Hua Annals from the right side of the shelf—the most recently penned, he presumed.
And so, he read for a short while.
Thud.
A moment later, he closed the book.
“Haa......”
A sigh slipped from between his lips.
His face twisted in complication as he scratched the back of his head, then spat out a curse.
“Damn it, three hundred years really have passed.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day.
Mount Hua’s Immortal Peak.
So high that pure white clouds, which ought to drift in the heavens, clung precariously to the summit.
And amid the billowing clouds.
Whoosh—
There stood a pavilion open on all sides.
The Cloud Amidst Pavilion, where the Mount Hua Sect’s grand assemblies were held, was filled with many people.
“Everyone’s gathered.”
The Sect Leader scanned those seated around as he responded to Hyeonil, the eldest of the Wise Generation, who had arrived first.
Six people sat around the round table.
Most of the Wise Generation Taoists who now upheld the Mount Hua Sect were present.
The three absent were: Hyeonjin, who had gone to the Murim Alliance a year ago leading promising Plum Blossom Sword Guards; Hyeoncheong, who remained in the Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion; and Hyeondo, immersed in training.
“Senior Brother Hyeoncheong......”
“Heh heh, our junior brother has his duties today as well.”
Hyeonil chuckled awkwardly, stroking his beard, and a few others murmured in agreement.
“It’s a shame he couldn’t spare even a little time.”
Hyeonjin’s absence at the Murim Alliance was unavoidable, but the other two’s non-attendance was regrettable.
Hyeondo had at least attended a few times.
But not Hyeoncheong.
They expressed pity for Hyeoncheong, who had stayed within the Mount Hua Sect yet never once joined a grand assembly.
“He should come out once in a while.”
“I worry he might collapse.”
It had been eight years since he’d holed up in the Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion.
Ever since the youngest junior brother’s death had shocked him into not stepping out even once.
As the mood sank.
“Then let us begin the assembly.”
The Sect Leader lifted the atmosphere.
“As you all know, in two months, our sect will host the Five Mountains Conference.”
Everyone’s faces subtly hardened.
That was the reason grand assemblies had been held repeatedly in the Cloud Amidst Pavilion of late.
West Mountains: Mount Hua Sect.
East Mountains: Mount Tai Sect.
South Mountains: Mount Heng Sect.
North Mountains: Mount Heng North Sect.
Central Mountains: Mount Song Sect.
These five sects, known since ancient times as the Five Mountains Sword Sects, gathered every four years at one another’s home sects to exchange and compete in martial arts.
That was the Five Mountains Conference—a grand event boasting a long tradition and history, marking its fifty-sixth iteration this time.
“Junior Sister. Are all preparations complete?”
All eyes turned to Hyeonryeo.
As leader of the Finance Hall, which managed the Mount Hua Sect’s finances, she was in charge of all aspects of this conference.
“As I mentioned in the previous meeting, we’ve renovated the dilapidated Plum Fragrance Hall, ensuring accommodations for all expected guests.”
Everyone’s eyes widened at her words.
“Oh? Already?”
“Faster than expected.”
The Martial Training Pavilion Leader, Hyeon-yang, who had been listening quietly, asked cautiously.
“Didn’t you say it would take more time?”
“It would have, originally. But fortunately, a few days ago, the Flying Wind Merchant Group offered their generous assistance.”
“Why would Shaanxi’s premier merchant group......”
“It’s Jeokgeom’s clan.”
The Sect Leader chimed in as if he’d been waiting, and at that moment, everyone nodded in understanding.
Jeokgeom was a standout among the second-generation disciples and would attend the conference.
“......As discussed in the previous meeting, all preparations are complete.”
Soon after, she concluded.
“Excellent.”
The Sect Leader smiled in satisfaction.
“Hyeon-yang.”
The Martial Training Pavilion Leader bowed his head at the call.
“You summoned me?”
“Have you selected the disciples to attend the Five Mountains Conference?”
“Yes, all decided.”
He lifted his head with his response.
“As I mentioned before, Jeokgeom, along with Jeokun, Jeokjae, and finally Seollan.”
“Good.”
The Sect Leader smiled at how smoothly the preparations were progressing. But soon his face hardened, and he turned to Hyeonil, who had been watching silently beside him.
“What of the surrounding situation?”
Hyeonil, the Intelligence Pavilion Leader handling the world’s information, replied promptly.
“Same as always.”
Same as always was good news in the current circumstances, yet Hyeonil’s expression soured as he continued.
“Even Jongnam Sect, which would’ve thrown a fit the moment our sect hosts the conference in the past, shows no reaction whatsoever.”
“......Is that so?”
The Sect Leader’s voice deepened.
Everyone was startled by the shift from his usual benevolent warmth.
One by one, they grasped the implication in the Intelligence Pavilion Leader’s words, their faces growing icy.
The first to react was the Martial Training Pavilion Leader. Trembling with humiliation, he raised his eyebrows and muttered.
“An insult to our sect.”
Though his voice was suppressed, the rage within reached everyone.
“Heh heh......”
The Intelligence Pavilion Leader gave a wry smile as the Martial Training Pavilion Leader fought to contain his anger.
“What of the Overlord Gate?”
The Sect Leader hurriedly changed the subject.
“They’re quiet as well.”
“No interference expected?”
“Would they start needless fights?”
The Sect Leader pondered the Intelligence Pavilion Leader’s answer. Other sects aside, the Overlord Gate demanded caution.
Excluding Mount Hua, Jongnam, and White Ghost Castle, they were rising in Shaanxi and belonged to the Evil-Black Alliance, their hostile faction.
“Still, stay vigilant.”
“Don’t worry.”
The Intelligence Pavilion Leader nodded.
“Then, the second-generation disciples......”
The meeting continued onward.
About an hour later, the sun atop Immortal Peak had begun to set, casting its glow.
“This concludes the assembly.”
Everyone rose at the Sect Leader’s words.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Farewell for now.”
They bowed to the Sect Leader before dispersing from the Cloud Amidst Pavilion one by one.
As Hyeonryeo bowed last and turned to leave, the Sect Leader called her.
“Junior Sister.”
“What’s the matter now, Senior Brother?”
With the assembly over, Hyeonryeo’s tone was much more relaxed.
“Heh heh heh, knowing how busy you are, would I burden you further? I just wanted to know how Cheonhwi’s been lately.”
Hyeonryeo smiled faintly.
“Cheonhwi’s been visiting the Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion every day lately.”
“The Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion...... you say?”
The Sect Leader’s eyes widened.
The Cheonhwi he knew had shown zero interest in martial arts.
Yet the Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion?
After a brief moment of thought, the Sect Leader’s face lit up with realization.
“Now that his body’s recovered, he must be taking an interest in martial arts. Heh heh heh. We should teach him our sect’s techniques......”
“No!”
Hyeonryeo shot down the suggestion.
“Even if he shows interest, it’s not wise to......”
“Senior Brother! Are you in your right mind? This is Cheonhwi, the boy who was teetering between life and death just days ago! Teaching him martial arts?”
The Sect Leader flinched at Hyeonryeo’s sharp, piercing voice.
She had always cherished and cared for Cheonhwi, but after his recent collapse, she had become even more fiercely protective.
“Besides, Cheonhwi’s already fourteen. Starting now would only harm him.”
It was too late to begin martial arts training.
And until days ago, he’d been at death’s door. Without talent on top of that......
His future would be a thorny path.
Thus, Hyeonryeo desperately sought to prevent him from learning martial arts.
For a life free of hardship.
“Junior Sister.”
The Sect Leader called her in a calm voice.
Seeing her distressed expression, he whispered softly.
“As you say, Cheonhwi is already fourteen. But how long do we intend to dictate his future? Surely you don’t want to raise him into a boy who can’t stand on his own, forever dependent on you?”
“That’s......”
Hyeonryeo fell silent.
She knew it too.
Blind obstruction wasn’t the answer. Yet since Cheonhwi’s collapse, anxiety gnawed at her.
Fear he might fall again.
Looking at her furrowed brow, the Sect Leader spoke.
“So ask Cheonhwi once. If he wants to learn martial arts, let me know. If not, leave it be.”
A gentle smile crossed his face as he spoke.
“Wouldn’t that be what’s truly best for Cheonhwi?”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ “It’s been a while, Senior Brother.”
Hyeoncheong set down the martial arts manual in his hand and looked up upon seeing Hyeonryeo bow as she entered the Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion.
“Indeed, it has.”
“Where’s Cheonhwi......”
“On the third floor, probably.”
Hyeonryeo smiled at Hyeoncheong’s swift reply, ahead of her question.
“Thank you.”
She turned toward the stairs nearby and murmured softly.
“At least show your face now and then. Your senior brothers are worried.”
“......There’s still work to do.”
Having heard the exact same response countless times without variation, Hyeonryeo gazed at him sadly for a moment before ascending the stairs.
Swish— swish—
The sound of cutting through the air...? But Cheonhwi’s the only one in the Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion right now?
Drawn by the improbable sound, her steps quickened.
And upon reaching its source.
“......!”
Her mouth fell open.
There stood Cheonhwi.
A martial arts manual in his left hand.
And in his right, performing a technique she knew all too well.
Th-that’s Orchid Flower Dao Blood Hand?
She was horrified.
What was Orchid Flower Dao Blood Hand?
Among all the Mount Hua Sect’s martial arts, it was one of the most destructive techniques.
But long ago, its key incantation in the middle had been lost.
When we found it, much of the incantation was missing, so the original form has only been passed down orally...
Hyeonryeo’s pupils trembled violently.
Yet what was this now?
Cheonhwi was demonstrating Orchid Flower Dao Blood Hand.
Exactly as handed down orally.