Chapter 22: You Have to Start Off on the Right Foot (1)
Chapter 22: You Have to Start Off on the Right Foot (1)
“It isn’t much, but please, have some.”
“Thank you.”
Jeongseon, the Sect Leader of the Kongtong Sect, was deeply moved.
A warm cup of tea offered with such humility.
The politeness that naturally flowed from every word and gesture.
Yes. This is how it should be.
This was the normal response one should expect when the Leader of the Kongtong Sect visited another sect.
Until now, Jeongseon had lived his life without realizing just how precious 'normalcy' truly was.
So this is why they say to have a heart of gratitude for all things. I am only now beginning to understand that teaching…
“Why go through the trouble of playing host and serving tea? Where in the world do you find a guest who climbs over a wall to covet another sect’s divine artifact? Seriously… if it were up to my temper, I’d just…”
Of course, an entity that was the very incarnation of 'abnormal' still sat in the corner.
Jeongseon had thought this would be a private audience with the Sect Leader, but that man had joined them as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Furthermore, he was glaring at Jeongseon with an extremely displeased look in his eyes.
Jeongseon did his best to avoid looking in that direction as he spoke to the normal person before him.
“First, I must apologize profusely for arriving so suddenly without prior notice.”
“It is quite alright. However…”
Go Seok-hyeon looked at Jeongseon and asked, “May I ask the reason for your visit to our sect, Leader?”
“First, I would like to congratulate you on your recent victory over the Blood Saber Sect and for protecting Cheonsu County.”
“It was nothing significant.”
“That is not true. Though it is said that the Unorthodox Faction currently holds the upper hand in the Jianghu, you have proven that the righteous spirit of the Orthodox Faction has not yet withered. It is truly a magnificent achievement.”
“…….”
Go Seok-hyeon remained silent.
He didn't know what to say, so he simply couldn't answer.
To him, who had been guarding a weathered plaque in a third-rate sect—no, a place that was barely even a sect—the Leader of the Kongtong Sect was a being above the clouds.
To have such a person appear before his eyes and praise him so highly left him literally at a loss. But…
Get a grip. I am the Sect Leader of the Twin Dragon Sect.
Go Seok-hyeon steadied his fluttering heart.
No matter how great the Leader of the Kongtong Sect was, he himself was also the head of a sect. He had to be able to speak his mind clearly.
“Did you come all this way just to offer words of praise, Leader?”
“That was part of it, but in truth, I was curious.”
“…….”
“The Blood Wolf Wanderer, Ma Jae-ho, is one of the disciples of the Heaven-Shattering Martial Emperor and a saber specialist who ranks within the top fifteen of the Unorthodox Faction.”
“…….”
“However, according to my disciple, the Twin Dragon Sect suppressed that very Ma Jae-ho in a single move and swept away all his subordinates.”
Go Seok-hyeon did not answer. He calmly lifted his teacup and moistened his lips.
However, this wasn't out of composure; he was using the cup to hide his face so as not to show his emotions.
Jeongseon continued.
“When I heard that such a master had appeared, my curiosity was piqued, which is why I stopped by.”
“I see.”
“I am glad I came to see it with my own eyes. Truly… marv…”
Jeongseon momentarily lost his words.
Normally, he should have said "marvelous," even if it was just a formality. He should have, but…
“Ahem!”
Looking at that man, he couldn't bring himself to finish the word.
So, Jeongseon changed the subject.
“I heard from my disciple that you have inherited the legacy of the Radiant Dragon Hero.”
Go Seok-hyeon glanced at Patrick for a moment.
When Patrick nodded, Go Seok-hyeon looked back at Jeongseon and spoke.
“Yes. That is true.”
“Ho… This is truly a blessing for the Jianghu. It is clear that the Twin Dragon Sect will flourish boundlessly in the future.”
Go Seok-hyeon was actually a bit taken aback by Jeongseon’s reaction.
“Are you familiar with his deeds, Leader?”
Jeongseon nodded.
“He was a figure from two hundred years ago, but I had a faint memory of hearing about him. So, before coming here, I stopped by the archives to check the records from two centuries ago.”
“Ah, I see.”
“He was truly a great man. How much do you know about the Radiant Dragon Hero, Jincheon?”
“I know him as the one who led the Twin Dragon Sect through its golden age. I heard he was a man so full of chivalry that he was granted the title of 'Hero' (Daehyeop).”
Jeongseon shook his head.
“In truth, it goes far beyond that.”
“Pardon?”
“According to our records, the Radiant Dragon Hero, Jincheon, was once known as the Greatest Sword of Gansu.”
“Ahem… Cough…”
“He was a swordsman who ranked within the top five in the entire world, and it is said he almost never lost in over a hundred martial arts challenges.”
“Khmm… Undefeated… Khmm… A hundred battles, a hundred victories…”
“I even know that half of the Ten Great Evils, who were called the giants of the Unorthodox Faction at the time, were brought to justice by his blade.”
“Ke-hem… Cough… More than half… eight of them… Khmm…”
“…….”
“…….”
Noises had been leaking from the side for a while now.
When both their gazes landed on one spot, Patrick spoke with a grinning face.
“Ah, sorry. Please, continue.”
The two men stared at Patrick for a moment before locking eyes again.
Jeongseon spoke once more.
“At any rate, according to our records, he was a great martial artist and a magnificent hero of the Orthodox Faction.”
“Ahem!”
Ignore him.
Just ignore that noise.
Jeongseon didn't even glance to the side as he continued speaking to Go Seok-hyeon.
“Also, as I was coming in, I noticed a massive, extraordinary tree with a truly majestic aura standing in your manor.”
“Ah. Yes…”
“I heard a moment ago that the tree is your sect’s divine artifact. Is that true?”
“Yes. That is correct.”
Go Seok-hyeon hesitated for a moment but soon answered honestly.
“Hahaha! To think such a magnificent divine artifact has been passed down through your sect for generations. I can see just how deep the tradition and potential of the Twin Dragon Sect truly are.”
We just planted it yesterday, though?
Tradition and potential, my foot…
“Sect Leader Go!”
It was then.
Jeongseon suddenly leaned forward, grabbed Go Seok-hyeon’s hands, and spoke earnestly.
“This is the request of a lifetime.”
“Um… What are you referring to?”
“Could I please, just once, experience your sect’s divine artifact?”
“Ah, that is…”
“I know it is rude to make such a request of another sect. However, as a man of the Way who pursues the Dao, I truly wish to experience the Immortal Energy radiating from your divine artifact.”
“…….”
“I will provide whatever compensation I can.”
Seeing Jeongseon pleading so pitifully, Go Seok-hyeon hesitated.
In truth, since it was the Leader of the Kongtong Sect making such a desperate request, he wanted to grant it if possible. But…
I’m a bit reluctant to give permission on my own without Bong Gong’s consent.
Even if it was the sect’s divine artifact, it wasn't something that had been passed down for generations.
Bong Gong had planted it just yesterday and told them to make it their divine artifact.
Would it be right to expose it to an outsider so soon?
Knowing Bong Gong’s personality, he would surely be displeased…
“Why not? He’s asking so desperately, so why don't you let him?”
See? He’s so against—wait. He’s not against it?
“Are you sure it’s okay?”
At Go Seok-hyeon’s question, Patrick shrugged.
“What’s the harm? It’s not like the tree is going to wear out just because he touches it.”
“Well, that’s true…”
“More importantly, the Leader of the Kongtong Sect is pleading like this… As neighbors, shouldn't we be able to grant this much out of friendship?”
“Um… Yes. If you say so…”
Hearing their conversation, Jeongseon was overjoyed.
“Thank you. I will never forget this kindness and will surely repay it.”
Watching the ecstatic Jeongseon, Patrick smirked.
You’d better not forget those words.
* * *
A short while later.
Standing before the World Tree in the backyard of the Twin Dragon Sect, Jeongseon could not hide his admiration.
“Ah…”
Seeing it up close, it was even more incredible.
The divine energy radiating from the tree was truly overwhelming.
It felt as if he were standing before a holy being rather than a mere tree.
Seeing his master like this, Yun-gi had a look of incomprehension on his face.
It was certainly a magnificent, large tree. But…
“Is it really something to be that amazed by?”
At those inadvertently muttered words, Patrick replied.
“Tsk, tsk. Your training is still severely lacking.”
“…Huh? What?”
“The current Leader of the Kongtong Sect is quite something, though. He can actually feel the divine power of the World Tree.”
“…….”
“If he keeps progressing like this, he might actually reach a Divine Rank and ascend as an immortal.”
“…….”
“Do you not understand at all?”
“Well, that’s…”
“Tsk, tsk. You still have a long way to go.”
“…….”
“Keep striving.”
What was this?
The words themselves weren't bad.
It was common for someone of higher rank to point out a junior's shortcomings while praising their master.
But…
Why am I hearing this from someone who looks clearly younger than me?
Patrick looked at least twenty years younger than Yun-gi.
So why did he have to be lectured by this kid?
“Ahem, excuse me. Patr—”
“Shh. He’s starting.”
Before Yun-gi could argue, he saw his master carefully reaching out toward the World Tree.
And the moment his hand touched the tree…
BOOM!
“Gah!”
Jeongseon was sent flying backward as if he had been struck by a horse. After skidding back a considerable distance, he managed to plant his feet and narrowly avoided a pathetic tumble.
He looked down at his hand.
“This is unbelievable.”
He had received a shock so intense that his hand was still tingling.
The moment he touched the tree, it had pushed him away with immense force.
“Alright, you touched it once, so that’s it. We’re done, right?”
At Patrick’s words, Jeongseon spoke hurriedly.
“Wa… Wait just a moment.”
“Hmm? Why? Was that not enough?”
“Please, let me try just one more time. Just once.”
“I don’t really care, but… fine. Go ahead.”
With Patrick’s permission, Jeongseon approached the World Tree again and reached out.
His hand, moving much more cautiously and carefully than before…
BOOM!
“Ugh…”
He was rejected once again.
“Why…”
He looked like a boy who had just been dumped by his first love.
The divine tree had clearly rejected him.
But why?
Why would it reject him, a man who had practiced the Way his entire life, and was neither a member of the Unorthodox Faction nor a demon?
The answer came immediately.
“You see, this World Tree is the divine artifact of our Twin Dragon Sect.”
Patrick walked up and placed his hand on the World Tree. In response, the tree’s branches swayed slightly, releasing a burst of vitality as if it were in a good mood.
Patrick looked at Jeongseon while keeping his hand on the tree.
“It is designed to reject anyone who isn't a member of our Twin Dragon Sect.”
“It chooses people? I have never seen or heard of such a tree.”
“Well, you’ve seen it now.”
“…….”
Jeongseon stood there with a dazed expression, his mouth hanging open.
Watching this scene, Go Seok-hyeon thought to himself.
So that’s why he told me not to worry.
An excessive treasure becomes a seed of conflict and brings disaster upon a sect.
Go Seok-hyeon had been wary of that, but if what he was seeing was true, there was no need for such concern.
From the beginning, this tree was a spiritual entity that only accepted members of the Twin Dragon Sect and rejected all others.
There was nothing to fight over.
A divine artifact solely for the Twin Dragon Sect.
Go Seok-hyeon trembled with emotion.
Ah… where in the world did Bong Gong obtain such an external object?
Well, putting aside where he got it—since Go Seok-hyeon’s narrow knowledge couldn't fathom what the 'World Beyond' was like—it was clear that this tree called the World Tree was an incredible treasure.
And yet, he had willingly offered such a treasure for the sake of the sect?
Was that even possible for an ordinary person?
Ah… Bong Gong is truly a man of integrity and without greed.
His gratitude toward Patrick was already beyond words, but separately, a small seed of disappointment regarding Patrick's character had been sprouting.
But seeing this now, he realized he had been foolish.
How could a man who willingly gave up such an incredible external object for his sect have any selfish desires?
That man was pure and noble…
“Alright, then. It’s time for the settlement.”
“…What do you mean?”
“You said it clearly earlier, didn't you? That you’d do 'anything' if we let you experience our precious, precious divine artifact.”
“…No, well, that was…”
“You touched it, right? You definitely touched it.”
“I did, but technically, uh…”
“Surely the Leader of the Great Kongtong Sect wouldn't go back on his word?”
“That’s…”
“I’m telling you now, saying you’ll repay a favor and then washing your hands of it is the twenty-first thing I hate most in this world.”
“Why do you have so many things you hate?!”
“Anyway, let’s keep things friendly. It’s better for everyone if we just get along, right?”
“You little thug… Ahem…”
Patrick was skillfully cornering the Leader of the Kongtong Sect.
Watching this, Go Seok-hyeon thought:
Never mind. I should definitely reconsider his character.