Give Me Back My Disciple! (2)
"The Sword Empress came here herself?"
Hyeonsongcheonnyeo had also just caught up on the forum drama.
She knew the Sword Empress was showing immense interest in 'Anon'. She had even dragged up her old title just to close the distance between them.
Indeed, it makes sense that someone of the Sword Empress's caliber would notice so quickly. After all, it takes a genius to recognize a genius.
But there was one thing she couldn't understand.
She's demanding her disciple back?
Not 'hand them over so I can make them my disciple,' but 'give me back my disciple'?
To anyone listening, it sounded as if she had already taken Anon as her disciple.
Hmph, what nonsense.
This wasn't some rice cake to be shared. Did she think she could just claim ownership by shouting it first?
Doyeon had already recognized and accepted her as her master.
And in terms of timeline, wasn't Hyeonsongcheonnyeo the one who had called dibs first?
No matter how she looked at it, Hyeonsong had no reason to lose to the Sword Empress. Nodding confidently, Hyeonsong spoke to her first-generation disciple, Yeonwoo.
"The Baekdu Sect is talking absolute nonsense. Do not worry. This martial aunt will step forward and clear things up with the Sword Empress herself."
"She's completely refusing to listen to reason right now, though. Will she even accept an explanation...?"
"And if she refuses to accept it even after I explain..."
A faint Daoist energy flickered in Hyeonsongcheonnyeo's eyes.
"Then we shall resolve right and wrong as true martial artists must. Are we the type to simply bow and do whatever the Baekdu Sect demands of us?"
"No, Martial Aunt!"
"Indeed. Excellent."
"Master, come over here for a second."
Cheon Doyeon pulled her to the side.
Yeonwoo was utterly dumbfounded by the sight.
How dare she treat Martial Aunt Hyeonsong like that!
She fully expected Hyeonsong to fly into a rage and scold her severely. That was the strict, hot-tempered martial aunt she knew.
However...
"Alright, what is it? Should I tell that child to wait over there?"
"No, no, it's fine. It'll only take a second."
Right before Yeonwoo's eyes, Hyeonsong let herself be pulled by the sleeve, meekly following Doyeon.
The fierce little tigress of a martial aunt had turned into a docile kitten.
...Who on earth is that girl?
And out of Yeonwoo's earshot...
"As I said, you have nothing to worry about. The Sword Empress is being completely unreasonable here."
Indeed, indeed.
No matter how much she thought about it, there was absolutely no reason for the Sword Empress to act this way.
"Unless, of course, you somehow received some supreme martial art from her—"
Mid-sentence,
a past memory flashed through Hyeonsong's mind.
The conversation between Cheon Doyeon and the now-deceased Sect Leader Jongin of the Dobong Sect.
—Could it be... that you have cultivated the internal art of the Baekdu Sect!?
—Well, we had a bit of a connection...
"...My disciple."
"Yes, Master?"
"By any chance, have you ever learned or cultivated anything from the Sword Empress of the Baekdu Sect?"
"Well, actually, she did DM me the entire White Dragon Divine Art on the Murim Gallery..."
"..."
"...Master? My beloved and respected Master?"
"You learned the White Dragon Divine Art!?!?"
"I mean, I asked for it and she just gave it to me?"
"Is that the kind of martial art you can just ask for and receive...?! It is the absolute highest tier of all cultivation arts in the Baekdu Sect! A supreme martial art that isn't even lightly passed down to their own core disciples!!"
Suddenly, everything made perfect sense. Yes, with that kind of history, of course the Sword Empress was demanding her disciple back!!!
"Sigh..."
Hyeonsongcheonnyeo pressed a hand to her forehead.
"Choose. Is it this poor Taoist, or that wench?"
"Oh, come on, Master. Why is my cool, beautiful, and majestic Master acting like this?"
Cheon Doyeon immediately began massaging Hyeonsongcheonnyeo's shoulders.
"Ugh, do you think your master's mood will be swayed by such cheap tricks... Ah, you're actually quite good at this... Mmm... Oh... Ah..."
"Hehehe, there, there. You're doing great, Master Hyeonsong."
"Just because this poor Taoist's body looks like this, do you think I am actually a child—ah... Why are you so good at this... Mmm... Ah..."
"Don't worry, Master. I have no intention of officially joining the Bongrae Sect, but I truly consider you my master."
A surge of emotion welled up in Hyeonsong's chest.
"Don't worry, I have a plan."
Ah, how reassuring!
Her disciple actually had a plan!!
"My disciple."
"Yes, Master?"
"Your master finds you a bit terrifying."
"Oh, please. You know how much I love and respect you, Master."
"That is exactly what is so terrifying... Mmm... Ah, press a bit harder right there... Ah, yes..."
The terrain of Mount Geumgang was rugged and magnificent.
Waterfalls cascaded over exposed white granite.
Sheer, dizzying cliffs rose into the sky.
Towering, straight stone pillars looked as if they had been erected by giants.
The air was a rich blend of the distinct scent of wet river rocks, sweet floral fragrances, and the faint aroma of incense drifting from some distant hermitage or temple.
Peering through the trees, one might lock eyes with a spotted deer.
When the startled creature darted away, pink petals would flutter down, and following their descent with one's eyes would lead to being captivated by the fluttering wings of a butterfly.
Such was Mount Geumgang.
A place known by a different name in each of the four seasons.
A realm believed since ancient times to be the dwelling place of Taoist immortals.
And upon one of its highest peaks stood a temple of Taoist priests—a prominent Murim sect.
The mountain gate bore a plaque inscribed with the words 'Bongrae Sect' in a single, sweeping brushstroke.
Before this gate, two supreme masters of the Murim stood facing each other in a tense standoff.
On one side was the Sect Leader of the Baekdu Sect.
Though she possessed a separate Daoist name, she was far more famous by her title: the Sword Empress.
"I am telling you to return my disciple."
The Sword Empress was a beauty who radiated an aura as cold and sharp as a blade.
Her eyes were sharp, her jawline defined, and she possessed a tall, slender, and statuesque build.
Opposing her was the Sect Leader of the Bongrae Sect, Hyeonmyeong, who was also Hyeonsong's senior brother.
He was a male Taoist priest with a long beard and a stubborn, unyielding demeanor.
"And I am telling you, there is no way your disciple is here."
"Hand them over."
"How can I hand over someone who is not here?"
"Then I shall search for them and take them back myself."
"How can you expect us to allow someone harboring hostility into our mountain gate?"
"Step aside."
"If we had marched into the Baekdu Sect like this, would you have stepped aside?"
The Sword Empress's aura grew even colder.
"...Give me back my disciple."
Hyeonmyeong shifted his stance slightly.
"How can I produce someone who does not exist here?"
It was a hair-trigger situation.
"Sect Leader...!"
A first-generation disciple of the Baekdu Sect, who had accompanied her master, whispered from behind the Sword Empress.
"As expected, starting a conflict with the Bongrae Sect is—"
"Do not interfere."
The Sword Empress spoke coldly.
"If that is the case, then let me speak with Hyeonsong."
"My junior sister is not currently at the sect. She went down to resolve some matters around Hanseong and is on her way back."
"..."
"..."
The Sword Empress's fingers drifted toward the sword at her waist, while Hyeonmyeong's hands prepared to strike with a palm technique.
A single instant—the span of a mere blink.
And from the perspective of the first-generation disciples, what happened next truly began and ended in the blink of an eye.
Before their eyelids could even fully close, the Sword Empress drew her blade, and Hyeonmyeong thrust his palm forward.
Their weapons clashed.
And before those eyelids could open again, both had already sheathed their respective weapons.
"It seems you speak the truth. I apologize for my misunderstanding."
The Sword Empress bowed her head slightly.
"As long as the misunderstanding is cleared, it is fine."
Hyeonmyeong clasped his hands, accepting her apology.
Only then did the shockwave of pressure from the clash of the two masters ripple outward in all directions.
"Ugh...!"
"Ah...!"
The first-generation disciples stumbled as if struck by an earthquake.
Yet, those fortunate enough to witness that single exchange between the two sect leaders caught a glimpse of countless profound truths of martial arts.
If they could absorb even a hundredth of what they had seen, their skills would leap forward; even a thousandth would allow them to take a massive step forward on the path of martial arts.
"In that case—" "In that case—"
"—would you care to have a cup of tea inside before you depart?"
"—I shall wait here until Hyeonsong returns."
"..."
"..."
The first-generation disciple of the Baekdu Sect whispered once more.
"Sect Leader, how long do you intend to stay here?"
"Jawun."
The disciple immediately shut her mouth and bowed her head. The Sword Empress's voice had been freezing cold.
The Sword Empress spoke to the back of her disciple's head.
"It is that important of a matter."
"...Master."
Her disciple, Anon, whose real name she didn't even know yet.
But she was almost certain of what they looked like.
They must be a beauty with pink hair.
The Peach Blossom Fairy who had appeared on the Jin Moorim Gallery. The Sword Empress had deduced her identity as such.
The Peach Blossom Fairy is undoubtedly a family member of Anon's.
It was too much of a coincidence otherwise. Anon had reacted the moment the Peach Blossom Fairy joined.
If so, they had to be extremely close.
Even closer than friends.
It was then.
"!!"
The Sword Empress immediately pulled the gallery window, which she had pushed to the side of her vision, back to the center.
And, growing anxious, she hurriedly sent a flurry of messages in succession.
"Hello~!"
