Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Henan Qingshan (4)
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Hiding my energy and presence had become second nature, so they still hadn't noticed me.
With this downpour besides, I was even harder to detect than a mountain beast.
That gave me the confidence to move closer, to where I had a clear view of the martial artist.
Just to see who it was.
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A waterfall born of the rain. A martial artist watching it.
Just as Namgung Yeonhwa had described. The Qingshan legend was real. No exaggeration.
My heart pounded.
The thrill of seeing something I'd never truly expected right before my eyes filled me with excitement.
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And that anticipation grew even stronger once I got a look at the martial artist.
It was a woman.
A woman dressed in a blue martial robe.
Around Seolha's age.
But judging a martial artist by appearances alone is foolish.
Still, her graceful demeanor only fueled my expectations.
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The woman stood beneath a tree, watching the waterfall like a statue.
A waterfall with no one around. And just the woman, watching it endlessly.
Why? Was it because of the Qingshan legend?
Was she waiting for someone seeking the Qingshan Sect's aid to bathe in the falls and cultivate their arts?
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Suddenly, I wondered if I should go wash myself there too.
But I dismissed it. I didn't need any help anyway.
So I just watched in silence.
Better to follow her when she leaves. That would be far more worthwhile.
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Standing still for long isn't easy.
But the woman did it effortlessly, like a tree or a faithful stone widow.
Her face wasn't clear from the angle as she faced the waterfall, but her profile hinted at a profound sense of duty.
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She finally moved as dusk settled around us.
She leaped away, vanishing like a ghost.
A movement so swift that most would lose her trail entirely.
But not me. I tracked it and followed quietly.
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In the rain-lashed mountains, she moved like the wind.
Her fluttering blue martial robe earned her the name Azure Breeze.
She crossed ridges, passed valleys, heading deep into a secluded ravine.
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A little farther on, a modest manor appeared amid dense woods.
It wasn't large, but it carried an air of refined antiquity.
And above the gate, in bold, extraordinary calligraphy: Qingshan Sect.
It really existed. Right here, plain as day.
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Well, not exactly plain as day.
Considering the terrain, few people could even reach this place.
Ordinary folk would struggle to approach, and even martial artists would find it daunting.
Anyway, savoring the joy of confirming the legend, I scanned the surroundings.
A spot shielded from rain with a good view of the manor. Not too far, where I could hear inside if I focused.
I chose carefully and settled in.
Just as I did, voices rose from within, and a man emerged, speaking.
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"Master, you're back?"
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"Don't come out. You'll get soaked."
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"You're the one drenched, Master. I've prepared fresh clothes for you."
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"Thank you, Hwi."
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Hearing the name "Hwi" sent a shiver racing down my spine.
This... actually worked?
Namgung Hwi had truly escaped that fate and encountered the Qingshan legend?
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And that wasn't the only shock.
The woman called "Master," clearly of delicate build. Namgung Hwi, unmistakably a man.
Their exchange was utterly mundane, but I could tell.
This wasn't the talk of a mere master and disciple.
It was a man harboring deep affection speaking to a woman who saw her disciple as a man.
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Oh man...
This is insane. Completely mad.
Female master, male disciple pure love? Witnessing this here of all places?
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Yes! This is a fated encounter. This is true pure love.
What I'd gone through? Not even close. This is the real deal.
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Ah, my head's spinning. What now? What do I do with them?
Any relief at finding Namgung Hwi vanished before it could form.
The real issue was how to handle this.
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Just watch? Then what do I tell Seolha and Namgung Yeonhwa?
"Found your brother, but can't touch him right now, so let's leave it?"
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Anyway, my worries melted away.
Everything had worked out. I'd found Namgung Hwi, confirmed he was fine.
My two months scouring the Taihang Mountains were vindicated.
Now I could just watch at ease.
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The Qingshan Sect woman and Namgung Hwi entered the hall. Conversation tapered off after that.
Soon even the faint light went out, leaving only the roar of rain everywhere.
The two didn't sleep in the same room.
Strictly speaking, some boundaries remained.
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Still a master-disciple bond.
But their glances and tones teetered right on the edge.
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I'll watch a bit longer. Three days left anyway.
So I hunkered down near the manor, hiding like an inanimate object to observe.
To peep on this riveting dynamic, a little effort was worth it.
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The next day.
Namgung Hwi rose at dawn and swung his sword.
Pouring rain, so he stripped to his pants and practiced bare-chested.
He wielded two styles. One domineering—clearly Namgung family swordsmanship.
Then, a much softer form.
It evoked the woman's movements from yesterday.
Probably Qingshan Sect sword arts. Had to be.
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"Hwi. Why are you shirtless in this?"
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"Ah, Master. Coughing again?"
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Namgung Hwi bowed politely to his master. She averted her eyes, not meeting his gaze, mumbling.
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"Worried you'll catch cold. Enough now, put on some clothes."
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"I'm fine, Master. How could I slack on training just because of rain?"
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"If you say that, what does that make your master?"
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"Heh. It's not the first day you've slept till the sun's high in the sky."
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"Tch. Now you're outright teasing your master, you rascal."
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The woman used archaic speech, but she didn't seem that old.
Still, she chose those words deliberately. A bit awkwardly.
Probably on purpose.
To keep distance from her disciple. To emphasize their master-disciple roles.
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But it seemed pointless.
She couldn't even look properly at his bare torso, and that fluffy emotion soaked into her tone wouldn't hide.
Namgung Hwi was the same.
Calling her "Master," but his voice brimmed with affection.
Probably everyone else could see it, but those two were oblivious. Definitely.
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It continued like that.
After three days of watching, I knew for sure.
Don't touch them. Protect them with utmost authority.
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Namgung family reconstruction? Reuniting with his sisters?
Important, sure. But not now.
That could wait until they confirmed their feelings.
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Yes. That's right. Absolutely no interfering.
If anyone tries, I'll smash them.
Even if it's the Ming Emperor himself, I'll stop it.
Those two are sacred, inviolable. This place is forbidden ground.
No one disrupts them without my say. Never.
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Honestly, over those three days, I thought a lot.
The biggest notion: Wouldn't it be better if I took them both in?
Reunite Namgung Hwi with his sisters, support them with arts and elixirs, rebuild the Namgung family.
And take the Qingshan Sect woman for myself.
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Most efficient.
No faster way to rebuild the Namgung family.
But no. That's a crime.
NTR. Can't do it. Interfering in someone's pure love deserves instant death.
If they weren't like that, maybe. But not now. Absolutely not.
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Decision made, my mind eased.
Found the Namgung family's missing heir, discovered his sweet potential lover.
Good enough. That's plenty.
No need to visit often.
Namgung Hwi's skills were solid.
Probably thanks to that Qingshan woman being so capable.
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Mysterious sect, huh? And her alone suggests a one-person lineage. Fits.
Namgung Yeonhwa's tales were mostly spot-on.
Likely because Namgung Hwi had delved deep into the Qingshan legend himself.
Truth hides in fiction, after all.
Or no smoke without fire.
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Namgung Hwi will grow strong. Once accomplished, he'll reclaim the family on his own.
And she'll be at his side then.
If not, he's a fool.
If he fails, then it's my turn.
So buck up, Namgung Hwi. I'll be rooting for you.
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I left the Qingshan Sect's home.
A corner of the Taihang Mountains. A manor at the foot of a towering peak.
This must be Qingshan.
Known only to that one man and woman.
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Now me too, but if I keep quiet and pretend ignorance, it'll stay shrouded in secrecy and mystery.
That's how it should be. Protect this secret.
Even from family.
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Back to Ink Sword Grove. Took Seolha and went to Namgung Yeonhwa.
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"Listen up. Namgung Hwi is alive."
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At my words, the two women's eyes widened, mouths agape.
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"Y-You found him!? My brother!?"
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"You found Young Master Hwi!?"
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"Yeah. But that's all I can say. So stop worrying about Namgung Hwi entirely and focus on your own health."
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"Is there a problem? Something wrong with Brother?"
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Namgung Yeonhwa asked urgently, her voice highly agitated with worry.
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"I said I can't say. Your brother is fine. Training well. So once more: no need to worry. When the time comes, he'll return to the jianghu on his own."
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Namgung Yeonhwa looked like she wanted to press further but bit her lip.
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"If you say so, Hero, then it must be. Understood, Hero."
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And Seolha, as always, gazed at me with trusting eyes and spoke.
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"Yes. Good girl."
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At my praise, Seolha beamed.
I glanced at Namgung Yeonhwa, and she nodded helplessly.
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"Got it, Hero. I'll accept that."
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"Good. You're a good girl too."
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Namgung Yeonhwa subtly turned her head away.
And Seolha watched her with a faint smile.