Chapter 183: Hwasan (3)
Honestly, separate from my fury toward Jin So-cheong and the Blood Cult, the sheer anticipation evoked by the name Hwasan Sect was tremendous.
The halls stretched out in a row—unadorned yet possessing a simple elegance. They felt almost plain, lacking any standout features.
It doesn't live up to your expectations, does it? The Heavenly Demon Palace is far superior.
They say it changes completely when the plum blossoms bloom.
The modest scenery was said to be reborn through the lavish bloom of plum blossoms.
Only the chosen can witness it.
As an elven sect like Hwasan, they restricted outsiders' access, so only a handful could behold that sublime vista.
It lived on only as sighting tales, like a legend still in existence.
Regrettably, it was the transition from spring to summer now, so no plum blossoms were in sight.
However, the plum groves starting from the sect grounds spread across the mountainside and the entire range, with some already tinged red.
It was as if the blood plum transformation was spreading like an infection.
No wonder a sense of duty to eradicate it welled up stronger. I couldn't just stand by and watch the plum blossoms be stained with blood.
Come to think of it, back in the cult, I never felt the seasons change.
When I first fell into that cave, it was around late summer turning to autumn, and while in the cult, winter passed into spring.
Maybe the formations encircling the area severed the flow of seasons.
They farmed in the Demon Realms, yet no seasonal shifts? It was odd, but... I didn't dig deeper. This was a wuxia world, after all.
Anyway.
Paeng Yu-gun, Paeng So So, and I headed to the reception hall. Jin So-cheong, with nothing pressing, said she'd tour the grounds and left under the guidance of Hwasan's Do Yeong.
Touring was just an excuse, of course—she was assessing the situation. Even with Do Yeong, who seemed like the next ace, attached to her, Jin So-cheong handled tasks sharply, so I figured she'd manage fine.
I told Sa Wol and Tak Horak to settle into their quarters first. A warning not to cause trouble.
"Have you decided how to proceed?"
I shook my head at Paeng Yu-gun's question.
"Not yet. Hearing the details comes first."
"Fair enough."
"But I do have one request."
"What is it?"
"The disciples might listen, but the elders probably won't heed me. Could you handle them, Elder, so I can investigate freely?"
"You want me playing the backroom geezer?"
Paeng Yu-gun spoke with a worried look.
"If it's the Blood Cult, it could be dangerous."
"I wouldn't dream of borrowing your blade for something like that."
"Hah hah hah, you rascal. What, planning to slay the Heavenly Demon with my sword?"
I brushed it off with a laugh.
Of all things, slaying the Heavenly Demon.
Paeng Yu-gun was a veteran of reversals, a warrior nearing absolute status, but he couldn't compare to the Heavenly Demon.
As we waited briefly in the reception hall, Gwang-yeon appeared alongside an elderly Taoist.
Even as an elder Taoist, true to Hwasan's elven nature, his white hair gleamed softly, his back straight. Only the deep wrinkles hinted at the passage of time.
"It's been a while."
"Hong Su-ja, isn't it!"
The elder called Hong Su-ja and Paeng Yu-gun were already acquainted.
Not the sect leader. Who is he?
In Hwasan, adding "ja" to a Taoist title denoted elder status.
"How have you been?"
"As always. You haven't changed either."
"Speak for yourself—your hair's gone completely white."
"Kek kek! Age catches us all. Oh, we got caught up greeting each other."
Paeng Yu-gun then introduced me and Paeng So So to Hong Su-ja.
"By the way, this Hong Su-ja was on the Little Witch extermination squad with me."
"I handled the nets, while the Dao King did all the fighting."
Decades ago, Paeng Yu-gun had hunted down the Little Witch plaguing the jianghu. Legends said he fought day and night without food or sleep.
Come to think of it, Paeng Yu-gun didn't know I'd blocked the Little Witch's reincarnation.
Paeng So So was keeping her promise, then.
The kid was a bit dim, but loyal.
She might take after Paeng Yu-gun. Hiding wisdom behind apparent foolishness.
"Hehe. More snacks, Taoist uncle. Tasty."
Never mind.
Gwang-yeon calmly smiled and brought a fresh plate, unperturbed by Paeng So So's assault on the empty dishes.
Meanwhile, the conversation progressed.
"So, Eastern Sword Dragon, you say you can help our Hwasan?"
Hong Su-ja's eyes turned to me.
"If my meager skills can aid, I'd like to. Plum blossoms are Hwasan's spirit and essence, aren't they?"
"True enough. But Gwang-yeon and the elders think differently."
Righteous faction trait: Handing problems to outsiders means defeat.
Another cliché in play.
"Listen, Hong Su-ja. I vouch for the Eastern Sword Dragon's abilities."
"I have ears too. At the alliance appointment, he pledged to be your sword. Would the Dao King back the incompetent?"
"Exactly. My eye for talent is sharp."
"I know that well. You test those you like repeatedly—that's your way."
"Got some bite to it."
Hong Su-ja smiled faintly at Paeng Yu-gun's words, then continued.
"As I said, the elders disagree with Gwang-yeon."
"And the sect leader?"
"The sect leader... hmm."
Hong Su-ja explained.
"The sect leader is preparing for the rite. The elders' absence is for that too."
"A rite won't solve it."
"So you do know something."
Paeng Yu-gun tilted his head innocently at the sharp probe.
"If a rite sufficed, it'd be done already."
Paeng Yu-gun was a fox-cunning tiger. He wouldn't reveal his hand easily.
"Regrettably, I can't help it. You can roam the grounds, but that's it. Sorry to trouble you after coming all this way."
True to Hwasan, not easy. Masterful deflection. The Tang Clan would've yielded to Paeng Yu-gun's pressure.
"Well, if that's how it is, fine. We were passing through anyway. But with travel fatigue, could we stay two days? Sightsee a bit."
"Of course."
"And one more thing."
Paeng Yu-gun grinned.
"How about that white plum wine you boasted of?"
"White plum wine? Bring out the red too."
"Perfect!"
Paeng Yu-gun feigned excitement.
I'll buy time as you said.
Thank you.
Whether for stalling or drinking, the plan worked.
But Gwang-yeon is the issue.
With elders prepping the rite except Hong Su-ja, he was the only problem.
As Plum Sword Guard and sect leader's disciple, he was practically the disciples' proxy.
How to shake a near-Super Peak master without cause.
At least pretend to investigate. We need to find the Muhonjibyeok anyway.
Pa Cheon was right.
"I'll catch up with old times. What about you?"
"I'll tour the grounds. Rare chance to see the famed Hwasan Sect."
"Do that. So So?"
"Hungry. Gonna eat."
"Eat plenty to move well. Mind watching her?"
"Gladly."
The group split into three.
Of course, Gwang-yeon stuck to me.
He apologized for putting me in a tough spot with rash judgment.
"No issue. Got invited, didn't I?"
"Grateful for your magnanimity."
"..."
Gwang-yeon seemed unusually deferential for Hwasan. Hong Su-ja too—Hwasan Taoists were usually sharp-tongued.
Shameful for a Taoist.
Maybe that's why he was picked for the Heavenly Demon extermination squad.
Anyway, Gwang-yeon kindly introduced the grounds.
Hwasan was shaped like the character "回".
Outer ring open to outsiders, inner for disciples only.
Vast, but restricted, so we covered it in half a shichen.
No buildings seeming to house the Muhonjibyeok.
Even unaware of its true nature, Hwasan knew it was "Cloud Demon Iron"—a metal by righteous standards.
Especially if predating Hwasan—they'd guard it closely.
Most likely in the inner "回" area.
Probably inside rather than outside.
High chance the First Heavenly Demon built it where Hwasan would settle.
Did he lug whole Cloud Demon Iron around everywhere?
Well, to reach absolute in years after possession and claim Heavenly Demon, that level of madness fit.
Tour(?) over, Gwang-yeon said regretfully.
"Nothing left to show. But as a guest, one more thing—that peak?"
The inner yard had a sheer cliff-like peak, tower-esque. Base hidden by walls and buildings.
"That's forbidden. Ancestral hall."
Like most sects, Hwasan designated the ancestral hall taboo.
"Been inside, Daoist?"
"Once, as sect leader's disciple, for the rite reporting to heaven and earth."
"Strictly guarded, then."
"Yes. Disciples watch in shifts, special formation bars outsiders."
Pa Cheon and I thought the same.
Looks like—
Yeah. Ancestral hall?
Too suspicious.
Even as taboo, the security was overkill.
"Tour done? To your quarters."
"Thanks."
Quarters near reception hall. Obvious intent: behave.
Gwang-yeon left, saying he'd return for dinner.
"Sa Wol."
"Yes."
Empty room, but she appeared at her name.
"Seen Jin So-cheong?"
"No."
"Got it."
"Shall I find her?"
"Wait. Report if she shows."
"Understood."
Sa Wol bowed.
I stepped out again.
Why leave after entering?
Jin So-cheong aside, I need to scout what I can.
I summoned Mu-geuk-i. It descended from the sky.
What're you planning?
Ancestral hall. Can't from below, maybe from above.
Oh, possible. Sneak at midnight, use teleport jade to infiltrate.
Mu-geuk-i glows at night—daytime better.
This world wasn't used to "airspace." Flight means were mostly martial arts, and only Kunlun's Cloud Dragon Eight Forms allowed free movement—otherwise, Super Peak level.
And why would they leap mid-air?
Anyway, barriers might leave the sky open.
—That guess was wrong.
Riding Mu-geuk-i up, the barrier covered to the dizzying heights, like spatial severance. Impenetrable.
Risk of alerting Hwasan Taoists, so I veered off.
"Gotta go frontal—hmm?"
From the sky, the blood plums corrupting the groves came into view.
Visible from this lofty vantage.
Not random or chaotic.
Some pattern?
"...Yeah. Figures."
The pattern in the blood plums formed letters.
Hangul.
"Fire."
The character for fire.
Pretending to be the Heavenly Demon