Mount Hua's Rebirth (2)
Not everyone who reaches the Hwa-gyeong realm undergoes Hwan-gol-tal-tae. That much is true of everything in this world.
Hwan-gol-tal-tae or Ban-ro-hwan-dong can occur upon reaching a certain realm, but they can also happen independently, triggered by sudden enlightenment.
That is why, even among those at the same level of Hwa-gyeong, the one who has undergone Hwan-gol-tal-tae is generally far stronger. It makes sense. Their very body has changed.
The optimal skeletal structure. The finest vessel for circulating inner energy. The difference is inevitable. Anyone would understand that.
Hwang Jeong-yong opened his eyes and looked at me with an expression of deep emotion. He touched his own face, stared at his hands now free of wrinkles, and trembled at the corners of his eyes as if he could not believe what he was seeing.
"Hwan-gol-tal-tae and Ban-ro-hwan-dong both… This is truly a joyous occasion. Still, why not make yourself a little younger? I suppose you thought your appearance from back then was the best. It does make you look more manly, which is nice, but…"
Baek Dan-yeong, who had been standing nearby, hurried outside and returned with a small bronze mirror, which she offered to Hwang Jeong-yong. Women really are women. Even here, she carries a mirror.
Hwang Jeong-yong accepted it and examined his reflection from various angles before handing the mirror back to her. Then he rose to his feet and bowed deeply toward me.
"This Hwang offers his deepest respects to his benefactor."
"Now, now. The future sect leader of Mount Hua shouldn't be bowing so readily to just anyone."
Despite my words, Hwang Jeong-yong finished his bow without hesitation.
"How could someone who does not know gratitude ever rise to such a position? What is a sect leader, anyway? If it means becoming a stiff-necked man who cannot show thanks, then this one has no desire for that seat."
"A fine mindset. Very well. I will gladly accept your gratitude."
Hwang Jeong-yong looked at me with a gentle smile, his eyes filled with respect and overwhelming emotion. Honestly, the martial artists of this land tend to be rather simple-minded. Should I call it straightforward, or perhaps upright? Once they decide someone is good, they seem to fall for them far too easily. Just like Hwang Jeong-yong before me.
"The children were good-hearted. Innocent. They must take after your own nature. In that case… isn't it time to show them Mount Hua once more?"
Hwang Jeong-yong's eyes widened at my words. So did Baek Dan-yeong's beside him.
"It may still be a little early. Right now, the only ones in Mount Hua who can truly be called martial artists are you and this child. From now on, you will be busy. Isn't that right?"
"Even if my body breaks, these are things I have wanted to do immediately. There is no reason to refuse."
"I thought as much. And I imagine you have considered the possibility of this day coming at least once. Am I wrong? People do enjoy their fantasies, after all."
"It is embarrassing to admit, but if I claimed I never once thought of it, that would be a lie."
"Do you have a plan?"
"Though Mount Hua suffered calamity, not everyone who lived outside the sect was lost. I intend to seek them out. There are those who turned their backs on the martial world and live in seclusion. Without them, I could never have raised Dan-yeong to this point."
"Is that so? That is fortunate."
"And… I should be able to call upon old friends who have fallen on hard times. Until now, they have been struggling just to survive, but now that a path has opened, it should not be a problem. Even if calamity struck, Mount Hua is still Mount Hua. The reputation built by our predecessors did not collapse in a single day."
"I see. Good. That is an excellent plan. No one has thought more about Mount Hua's reconstruction than you. So go ahead and carry out that vision to the fullest."
Hwang Jeong-yong gazed at me with bright, intense eyes. Those eyes, brimming with expectation and hope, were a pleasure to behold. They even made my own heart race a little. Perhaps I help others simply to witness moments like this. The monotonous life I once lived in Heukbyeok Cave had left me quite parched. These kinds of emotions are nothing short of stimulating to me. Feeling that they are alive makes me feel alive as well.
"Ah, right. You will need some things. There is a merchant group in Chang'an called the Seo'an Merchant Group. Go there and find Chief Manager Jang. Mention my name, and he will provide you with as much funding as you require. Use it to rebuild Mount Hua. No matter how overflowing your spirit may be, you cannot accomplish anything if you are starving."
"Haha… The grace you have already shown is more than I could repay in a lifetime. How could I possibly trouble you further?"
"It is no trouble. Who said I am giving it away for free? I will get it all back later. With interest, piled high."
He laughed awkwardly, but it was clear he was delighted by my words. Of course. Money is a sensitive matter. It is never easy. The fact that I brought it up first must have been a huge relief.
"Understood. Interest is hardly an issue. I can do even more than that. So if you ever need anything, simply say the word. If it is something my benefactor wishes to accomplish, this Hwang Jeong-yong will stand at the very front. I have the confidence to throw myself into water or fire without hesitation."
"Hey now. You are about to become the sect leader of Mount Hua. You should take better care of yourself."
"There is no need to worry. With my benefactor by my side, what could possibly go wrong!?"
The man spoke boldly and shamelessly. I did not dislike it. Even if the words were flattering, as long as sincerity was behind them, they did not grate on the ears.
"What makes you trust me so blindly? That attitude is not good. And stop calling me 'benefactor.' Just call me Rimju. I already introduced myself properly. Lord of Silent Sword Forest."
"Understood. Rimju. Haha."
This should be enough. Hwang Jeong-yong was no child. He was a veteran who had weathered countless storms, a Hwa-gyeong master who had undergone partial Hwan-gol-tal-tae and Ban-ro-hwan-dong. He had already been a Hwa-gyeong expert and a Plum Blossom Sword Master during the Righteous-Demonic Great War.
"Well then, I should be going. I hope that every time I visit from now on, many things will have changed."
"Of course, Rimju. Do not worry. This is what I have always dreamed of. From now on, I doubt I will even have time to sleep."
"Haha. Good. Do your best. I, too, would like to see plum blossoms bloom on Mount Hua once more. I always liked that saying. Mount Hua is a rocky mountain where plum blossoms do not grow. Yet because of the plum blossoms that bloom at the tips of Mount Hua's swords, the mountain is filled with their fragrance all year round."
Hwang Jeong-yong's expression softened into a deep smile, as if moved. Of course. Until yesterday, all of this had been an impossible fantasy. But now it had become reality. A wish brought within reach. A future that had grown clear.
"You must be happy too. Now you will be able to cross swords with anyone you wish, as much as you like."
When I said this while looking at Baek Dan-yeong, she tilted her head as if she did not understand. Then she simply stared at me. Ah. Perhaps she already knows what this means.
"Kekeke. It seems Dan-yeong wishes to follow Rimju."
Yes. That was how I understood it as well. Even without saying a word, it was perfectly clear. The feeling of her gaze hammering the words "I will follow you" directly into my mind.
"No. Isn't she the great disciple of Mount Hua? In a situation where every pair of hands is precious, does it make sense for you to let this child go so easily?"
"Rimju. As I said yesterday, this child is no longer someone this old man can control. You know that well yourself. Haha."
"Good grief. You sound so proud. What is so great about that?"
"Do not say that, Rimju. You can probably guess how much hardship this child has endured. She is clearly the last successor of Mount Hua, yet she has always lived crushed beneath that burden. Now she has escaped that duty. And for a child like her to follow someone so willingly… this old man has never seen it before. So you will probably have to accept her, Rimju. Otherwise, she will likely follow you even without permission."
I sensed something in Hwang Jeong-yong's words. This man was enjoying the situation. I understood. Dan-yeong was like a daughter to him, but communication was not easy. Though she was called the great disciple, it did not seem she would be of much help in rebuilding Mount Hua. Combat specialist? Something like that? But even that was not quite right. With a girl of such striking beauty standing around, she would only attract flies. I could not shake the feeling that he was trying to push her onto me.
"You. Will you follow me?"
Nod nod.
"What about revenge?"
She simply stared at me again.
"You will continue it?"
Nod nod.
Well, I had expected as much. Even if Mount Hua was being rebuilt, calculations had to be made properly.
"You will regret it. I am not the good person you think I am."
Shake shake.
"What makes you so sure? Look here, Sect Leader. You raised this child wrong. What exactly is this?"
"Kekeke. No, I raised her well. It is because this child has good judgment that she was able to form a connection with Rimju. Thinking of it that way, this old man has succeeded. Hahaha."
Honestly, there was no point in talking anymore. It was hopeless.
"Fine. Do as you please. If she will not even listen to the one who raised her, how could I possibly stop her?"
At that, Baek Dan-yeong smiled brightly. So brightly that the entire world seemed to light up.
Yes. A child like this was more than good enough. She would never become a burden to anything I did in the future. I was also looking forward to her growth. It was better to think positively.
"However, not right now. I need to stop by Gangnam for a while. So stay here until I return and finish absorbing the Ja-ha-sin-dan. I will stop by on my way back. Understood?"
Baek Dan-yeong stared at me for a moment before nodding.
"Good. Then, Sect Leader. Let us meet again next time."
"Will what you are doing take long?"
"Who knows. It should not take too long. But I cannot say for certain when I will return. Ah, before I go…"
"Please speak, Rimju."
"How was your relationship with the Tang Clan?"
"You mean the Sichuan Tang Clan? Our relationship with them was decent. They can be a bit arrogant, but that is simply the pride that comes with being martial artists. Besides, is there anyone in the martial world who has not received the Tang Clan's assistance at some point? They possess both poison and medicine, after all."
"I see. That is fortunate. If anything happens, I will contact you through the Tang Clan."
"Haha. The Tang Clan, is it? Understood. It would be strange to be surprised by something like that. I will keep that in mind."
"Good. Then take care. I am off."
With those words, I turned and left the thatched hut. Even as I walked away, I could feel Baek Dan-yeong's gaze fixed on me. Clearly and unwaveringly.