Journey to Sichuan: The Immortal's Oath
Naturally, Namgoong Juhee had no ability to discern villains on sight.
If she did, she wouldn't flinch every time she looked in the mirror.
She'd already killed over thirty Peak realm experts—if that didn't make someone a villain, what did?
So, she had no clue what kind of person the old man before her really was.
His white hair and dignified wrinkles screamed "upright sect leader."
The mess at Sin Yang Mun must've been a misunderstanding.
Hell, even Wudang couldn't see through deliberate deception.
Yeah, let's just work hard from here on out. That was the vibe she wanted to end on.
But that smile on his face was downright sinister.
If this were a movie, she'd yell that the old geezer was the final boss—kill him now to cut off future troubles.
"Our little miss has way too much going on in that head of hers."
A playful remark dropped right in front of Namgoong Juhee.
At that classic old-man-who-can't-act-his-age tone, the tension drained from her body like a popped balloon.
Too much in my head, huh?
Guess that's what comes from an elder of the Nine Great Sects—sharp eyes.
Her shattered metacognition in tatters, Namgoong Juhee bowed politely.
"Namgoong Juhee of the Namgoong Clan greets Immortal Jin Hyeon."
"Oh ho, little miss. That's not the greeting I heard about."
"Might I ask what stories you've heard?"
"Fiery temper and no brains, they said."
Spot-on evaluation.
It was like he'd lifted the old Namgoong Juhee straight from her pre-puberty days and put her into words.
But after her last "period," she'd undergone some real character development.
She'd even risked her life for Yi Hayeon, a mere game character.
It made her rethink human bonds, vowing at least to keep basic manners.
"Whoever your source is, you should fire them."
"Hohohoho! What a fun little miss!"
"I hear that a lot. More 'hilarious' than 'fun,' though."
"Ha! Hohoho! Spot on. Bantering with jokes like this old man—what a riot you are!"
And just like that, her cheeky-yet-respectful tone was perfected.
Surprisingly, this was the exact style mature elders loved most.
As people aged and climbed the ranks, their talk turned stiff and formal.
Business with underlings, stiff chatter with the young who kept their distance—no one approached casually anymore.
So when a bold young thing bridged the gap without overstepping, it warmed their hearts. Namgoong Juhee nailed it.
"Our little miss is so bold yet refined—truly a sight! The Tae Cheong Dan won't go to waste! Hohohoho!"
No wonder Immortal Jin Hyeon's smile never faded.
The Namgoong Clan was on the brink of annihilation, yet here was talent like this.
Poised before the world's top masters without losing her edge or dignity—she could lead the next generation of murim.
Though the Namgoong Clan and "next-gen murim" might disagree.
"So, little miss Namgoong. What brings you to force an audience with this old horse?"
"You knew."
"These nags may be dumb, but their intel's fast. I got the full report on Sin Yang Mun."
"Makes this easier, then."
Namgoong Juhee's left eye sparkled with life.
"I've heard Wudang has been spreading Daoist teachings far and wide lately."
"That's right."
"But in the process, unvetted scum slipped in. Innocents are suffering, and I nearly became one of them."
"Hm…."
"I dragged myself all the way from Hobuk, but word was the sect leader's glued to his seat. Had to pull strings—hope you understand."
"Hohoho! Bold! So bold!"
Immortal Jin Hyeon bellowed with approval again.
Then—abruptly—silence.
His face turned deadly serious, an immense pressure clamping down on Namgoong Juhee's body.
"Little miss, I indulged you, but you don't know your bounds."
"Who's crossing lines?"
"You still—!"
"The line between righteous and evil sects is subtle yet ironclad on the streets. Both take protection fees and 'protect' the people, but nature can't be hidden—folks always know which side they're on."
Flawless words flowed from Namgoong Juhee's impish lips.
She was sharper than she let on.
Given time to think, her conclusions were solid—and this was no exception.
"But when a righteous star like Wudang shields evil scum, it changes everything."
"Go on, little miss."
"Trash deserving death gets absorbed into the righteous sects, their crimes excused as 'alliances.' Is this the Daoist way Wudang wanted?"
"……Ha, hahaha. Hohohoho!"
Immortal Jin Hyeon's eyes curved like crescent moons, then boomed with laughter that filled the room.
This time, it didn't stop—only then did Namgoong Juhee relax.
Monologuing to a top-tier master like this drained her spirit, no matter the approach.
"A blessing for righteous murim! Little miss, how old are you this year?"
"Just turned twenty."
"Twenty! Remarkable. Martial prowess and depth of thought beyond your years!"
Heavy rose-tinted glasses there.
Couldn't be helped, with Immortal Jin Hyeon starved for friendly chat and lonely as hell.
"Little miss, you're right. This old horse let greed blind him to great sin."
"Grateful you see it."
She bowed politely, and he melted.
His inner rant: 'Damn these Mu Yeong Dan idiots! Calling a gem like this a lunatic? Demoness? I'll have their hides!'
Mu Yeong Dan would cry foul.
They'd reported facts as Wudang's intel arm—now facing reprimands instead of praise.
"Ahem. On my sect's name, I'll resolve this. You can trust me."
This was murim's gravest vow—stake your sect's honor, keep it or perish.
Break it, and your group crumbles in under ten days.
A trustless faction was a wounded beast in the jungle—coveted by predators, abandoned by allies.
Who'd bleed for them without faith in repayment? Might get stabbed in the back instead.
Staking a sect beat swearing on your mom back home—far weightier.
"……Thanks?"
But Namgoong Juhee didn't know that.
Like some high school detective, was the old man wagering his honor? Or just bullshitting as sect leader?
Hard to nitpick without seeming rude.
Calling out a sect-staked promise? Dicey.
Best to take it at face value—if nothing changed, storm back later.
"So, little miss. Business with this old horse done?"
"Mm… for now?"
"Chances for a private chat like this are rare. Seize opportunity when it comes."
She pondered.
Humans always double-checked limited-time sales, even for junk they didn't want.
"Ah."
After a beat, she smacked fist into palm like she'd remembered something.
"Do you know a way to remove scars?"
"Hm? Ah… scars?"
Immortal Jin Hyeon's eyes swept her right side.
A gruesome mark.
What attack could leave such a wound?
Even he, who'd spent half a lifetime in murim's battlefields, wondered.
"Little miss, honestly, healing a scar like that is near impossible without hwan-gol-tal-tae marrow cleansing."
"Figured as much."
"But you're beautiful scars or no. No need to worry."
"No, that's not it."
"Eh?"
What she meant: This scar came from helping a friend, but seeing it always saddened that friend—hated looking at it.
Immortal Jin Hyeon beamed warmly.
Thought she was just smart—turns out her heart's pure too.
Pure enough to wanna ask whose, exactly.
"That's why I asked… if not, oh well."
"Hm… wait. There is one way."
"Eh? Really?"
"But it's, uh… hm…."
He hesitated, weighing whether to say, then nodded firmly.
"Yes. The Sichuan Dang Clan leads in medicine—go there."
"Not poison?"
"Poison can be medicine, depending. They're masters of drugs, acupuncture, and surgery—no one rivals their healing arts."
"Mm… got it."
She bowed deeply.
Impatient by nature, with Hobuk business done, no time to waste.
Immortal Jin Hyeon sensed it, ready to send her off.
But she stayed bowed, not budging, so he prodded curiously.
"Little miss, weren't you headed straight to the Dang Clan?"
"How could I leave before you dismiss me, elder?"
"Hohoho! So polite!"
Her dutiful reply.
He thought: What a kid—if only she were Wudang's. Tempt her now? Promise head disciple—no, next sect leader to snag her.
Wudang disciples would shudder if they knew.