One Day, Plum Blossoms Will Bloom Across the World (4)
"Chung Myung?"
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"…Tell me. Was it Wi So-haeng?"
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"Rather than jumping straight to the point, why don't you first explain the circumstances?"
"Ah. I'm sorry. I was in too much of a rush. The thing is…"
Wi So-haeng began to explain everything that had happened.
Hwayeong Gate was Mount Hua's vassal sect.
As a rule, the disciples of a great sect were divided into two groups. One became direct disciples of the mountain, entering Mount Hua and living there for the rest of their lives. Those who became mountain disciples were given a Dao name, and they spent their days at Mount Hua training younger disciples, honing their swords, and pursuing the Dao.
But there were also those who studied at Mount Hua and then went out into the world to make their living elsewhere. They became branch disciples.
And the sects founded by such branch disciples were called vassal sects—independent in name, but generally operated under the influence of Mount Hua.
Each year, a vassal sect sent an appropriate sum of money to the main sect, and in return, the main sect resolved the many troubles those vassal sects ran into. The main sect got a stable source of income; the vassal sects got to attract trainees by using the main sect's name. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
During Mount Hua's heyday, there had supposedly been hundreds of such vassal sects, but now, across the whole world, there were fewer than ten sects that still claimed to be Mount Hua's vassals.
Even those remaining ten barely maintained any proper contact with the main sect.
Among them, the one that had most faithfully continued sending money to Mount Hua was Hwayeong Gate.
"I wouldn't call it a particularly thriving martial hall, but Hwayeong Gate was, in its own region, a place that was respected."
"Of course. With the character of the Gate Master, that would only be natural."
"The problem began when a new martial hall called the Jondo Hall opened across the street. That Jondo Hall was a vassal sect of Wudang, and as soon as it was established, it aggressively began drawing in trainees."
"Hmm."
"But perhaps because Hwayeong Gate had already built up such a strong reputation, they didn't gain much support in our region—Namyang. So they began targeting us directly."
"Mmm."
"Unable to withstand their continued provocation, my father finally accepted a duel with the Jondo Hall master and was badly injured in defeat."
"W-What!"
Hyun Young shot to his feet in a fury.
"The Hwayeong Gate Master would be hurt by some nobody? Catch that bastard and let me chew him to pieces righ—"
Hyun Sang grabbed Hyun Young by the sleeve and yanked him back down.
Forced into his seat, Hyun Young still ground his teeth, his expression blazing with anger.
"If that had been the end of it, I wouldn't have come all the way here. But apparently Jondo Hall intends to drive us completely out of Namyang, and they've requested support from Wudang's main sect. My father heard that Wudang's direct disciples would be coming down soon, so he sent me here. He told me to meet the Sect Leader and ask for help."
When he finished, Wi So-haeng flattened himself to the floor in a deep bow.
"Sect Leader! Please help us. If Mount Hua doesn't lend us aid, Hwayeong Gate will have no choice but to take down our signboard. Those people are utterly ruthless."
"Hmmmm."
After hearing the whole story, Hyun Jong let out a deep groan.
"You said that Jondo Hall is a vassal sect of Wudang?"
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"Good heavens. To think a place that seeks the Dao would act in such a way…"
At Hyun Jong's lament, Hyun Young snorted.
"What sort of naïve thing are you saying? What kind of place do you think Wudang is? It's the wealthiest Daoist temple in the world. You think all that money came from incense donations? When it comes to expanding their vassal sects, nobody is more vicious than those Wudang bastards."
"Hmmmm."
Hyun Jong nodded slowly.
A vassal sect…
This was certainly not something they could sit on their hands about.
Whether Hwayeong Gate would lose to Wudang was a secondary issue.
It really is time for Mount Hua to start looking outward.
The number of vassal sects was a direct measure of how strong a main sect was. A powerful sect expanded its vassals; a declining sect saw even its existing vassals disappear.
If Mount Hua wanted to regain its former glory, it could no longer concern itself only with the sect's internal affairs. It wouldn't be long before some of the second-generation disciples began leaving the mountain. If they established martial halls of their own, of course Mount Hua should support them, shouldn't it?
This wasn't merely a matter of a vassal sect. More than that, it was about the way the world looked at Mount Hua.
As Hyun Jong fell into thought, voices began rising from all around him.
"Shouldn't we help?"
"Helping isn't so simple. Isn't it an unspoken rule that matters concerning a vassal sect shouldn't involve anyone above the first-generation disciples?"
"Yes, that's true."
When a squabble between children escalated into a fight among adults—that had often happened in the past when trouble involving vassal sects snowballed into war between their main sects. After enough blood had been spilled, the martial world had reached an unwritten agreement: those directly involved with vassal sect matters would not go beyond second-generation disciples.
That rule also contained another intention: instead of sending out already-mature warriors, it let the younger ones go into the world, gain experience, and grow.
"If we're sending people, it should be second-generation disciples. How about sending the Baek generation?"
"Hmm."
"And…"
Just then—
"Um…"
Wi So-haeng, who had been listening to the discussion, spoke up hesitantly.
"Couldn't it be a third-generation disciple?"
"…"
"My father specifically told me this: we must bring back the Mount Hua Divine Dragon, Chung Myung. Is Chung Myung Dao-jang perhaps… available right now?"
Hyun Jong's face twitched.
"You mean… you're asking to take Chung Myung?"
"If possible, yes."
"Hmm. I see. Hmm. That would be… a good thing. Yes. Mm. Right."
His mouth said it was a good thing, but his face said something very different.
"All right. I'll consider it for now. We have matters to discuss among ourselves, so please step outside for a moment."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
After Unam led Wi So-haeng outside, Hyun Jong asked with a deeply hardened expression, "What should we do?"
"There's nothing to think about!" Hyun Young shouted.
"It's Hwayeong Gate! The Hwayeong Gate that faithfully sent grain and money in bundles when Mount Hua had nothing to eat and nothing to live on! Even if they're a vassal sect, gratitude is gratitude! Are we beasts that we should forget our debt of kindness? We should release the kids at once and have them bite those bastards to death."
"…You're not setting dogs loose. What do you mean, bite?"
"There are bastards worse than dogs, aren't there?"
Well. That was the problem. Exactly that was the problem.
That was precisely the problem!
Hyun Sang said with a grave expression, "Sect Leader. This isn't something we should consider so lightly. The other side is Wudang, isn't it?"
"Hmm."
"Wudang is a difficult opponent. No matter how true it is that vassal matters are vassal matters, and that the main sect fulfills its duty by sending only young disciples, we don't know how far this could spread."
"That's also true."
Thinking about it the other way around, the reason such an unwritten rule had come into being was precisely because conflicts arising from vassal matters so often escalated.
"I feel sorry for Hwayeong Gate, but there must be another way to help them. I'd prefer to avoid sending our disciples into conflict with Wudang."
It was a somewhat cold thing to say, but Hyun Sang wasn't saying it because he disliked Hwayeong Gate. No sect in the world wanted to clash with Wudang.
What place was Wudang, after all?
Wasn't it one of the two northern stars of the martial world, alongside Mount Hua?
Hyun Jong's gaze moved to Unam.
"What do you think?"
"Sect Leader."
Unam drew a light breath before speaking.
"There are two things we must consider. First, is now truly the right time for Mount Hua to resume activities outside the sect? Whatever our own thoughts may be, if Mount Hua sends disciples to oppose Wudang, the world will think Mount Hua has once again begun its external affairs."
"That's true."
"And second, whether our children can actually handle Wudang's disciples."
"Well."
Hyun Sang took up Unam's words as if it were obvious. Then he added his own point.
"There should be a third thing as well."
"And what would that be?"
"Whether it's acceptable to let that brat out."
"…"
On everyone's faces, sympathy and anxiety appeared at once.
"Sect Leader. In truth, that child's earlier statement was correct. If we're going to send someone, we have no choice but to send that bastard Chung Myung. Isn't that right?"
"Y-Yes, that's right."
"But can we really let that bastard loose on the martial world? And to face Wudang, no less?"
"Ugh."
Hyun Jong scratched his head in a way entirely unlike him. The neatly combed hair was thrown into disarray.
Two years was not a short time.
By now, everyone here knew all too well what Chung Myung's nature was like. Sending that Chung Myung down into the martial world was an enormous burden.
"Ungeom."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"What do you think?"
Ungeom gave a faint smile.
"There's nothing to think about. Send him."
"…Send him?"
"There's no reason not to. Someday, Chung Myung will have to step into the martial world anyway. Delaying it won't solve anything. If putting off the day would somehow make him turn into a proper Daoist, then I'd oppose it too. But that's an impossible dream, isn't it?"
"…"
"Then he should go. It's better to be hit by a whip early."
Hyun Jong couldn't help but laugh.
"So that's it."
There was wisdom in foolishness after all.
After closing his eyes briefly in thought, he opened them again and nodded.
"Call Yoon Jong."
Yoon Jong entered with Wi So-haeng, who had been waiting outside, and after paying his respects to Hyun Jong, he took a seat.
"You called for me?"
"What is Chung Myung doing right now?"
"He hasn't come out of the closed-door training chamber he entered a little while ago."
"How much longer was he meant to stay in there?"
"I believe it's about time for him to come out."
"Hmm. I see."
Hyun Jong's gaze moved back and forth between Yoon Jong and Wi So-haeng.
"Yoon Jong."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"It seems we'll need Chung Myung after all, so tell him to wrap up his closed-door training and come out."
"Yes."
"And on the way, please escort our guest from Hwayeong Gate around Mount Hua. Since Chung Myung will likely have to make a long journey too, it would be a good chance to make the introductions."
Yoon Jong flinched.
"…A long journey, you said?"
"That's right."
"So Chung Myung is going on a long journey?"
"Yes."
For a moment, a faintly insolent light flickered in Yoon Jong's eyes.
If one were to translate that look into words, it would amount to:
Has he lost his damn mind?
But even if one was the Sect Leader, one could hardly get angry at a look.
"…Understood."
Yoon Jong was the sort who could make his meaning sound completely different with nothing but his tone.
"Then let's go."
"Ah… ah, yes!"
Wi So-haeng followed after Yoon Jong. Watching Yoon Jong leave the room after saluting, Hyun Jong let out a low groan.
I don't know if this is a good idea.
But the arrow had already left the bow.
Wi So-haeng kept glancing sideways at Yoon Jong walking beside him.
He looks about my age.
Or perhaps a year or two younger.
But being the same age did not mean one's skill was the same. The aura surrounding Yoon Jong was like that of a lake.
A lake so calm that its depths could not be seen.
It made one realize all over again that Mount Hua was a Daoist sect. This was why it was the main sect, and this was why they were direct disciples of the mountain. Wi So-haeng, seeing a younger man achieve such a level, found himself quietly awed.
"Um…"
"Please speak."
"What kind of person is Chung Myung Dao-jang?"
"…"
Yoon Jong's eye twitched slightly.
Whether he knew it or not, Wi So-haeng kept talking excitedly.
"No one doesn't know the name of the Mount Hua Divine Dragon, Chung Myung Dao-jang. But after that Nawong Meeting—no, the Hwajong Jihoe—there's been no known activity, so everyone is curious about what kind of person Chung Myung Dao-jang actually is. Some say he's a swordsman with a blade-like presence, and others say he's an outrageously noble great hero…"
"…Great hero?"
"Yes!"
"That's what people say?"
"Yes. That's right. What is Chung Myung Dao-jang really like?"
"…A junior martial brother."
"Pardon?"
"I think it would be better for you to experience it directly rather than hear me say it."
"Ah…"
For a moment, it sounded like Yoon Jong muttered while walking ahead,
"Great hero, my ass. If that bastard's a great hero, then I'm the Crown Prince."
…but that must have just been my imagination.
Would a calm, refined Daoist really say something like that?
After leaving the mountain gate and climbing for a long time, the two finally arrived at a great cliff. Scattered across it were several enormous caves.
"This is…?"
"Plum Blossom Cave. It's where one comes when training in solitude or seeking enlightenment."
"Then Chung Myung Dao-jang is here for a new insight?"
"…Something like that, yes."
Yoon Jong, about to say more, only shook his head in the end.
You had to experience it to understand. Experience it firsthand.
"Please wait here for a moment. I'll call that brat Chung Myung."
"Ah! Understood."
Yoon Jong left Wi So-haeng behind and walked toward the front. Then, instead of the open cave, he stopped before a cave in the corner that had been blocked off by a huge boulder. A deep sigh escaped him.
Then—
"...Chung Myung."
It was barely more than a mosquito's buzz.
Could a person inside hear that? Only a ghost could.
Just as one began to wonder what in the world he was doing, Yoon Jong whispered again in an even smaller voice.
"Chung Myung?"
Then he spun around and ran back to Wi So-haeng.
"It seems Chung Myung is deeply immersed in training and can't hear us today, so let's return for now."
"Huh?"
What the hell kind of nonsense was that?
How was he supposed to hear that, you lunatic?
"N-No, Dao-jang—"
Just then, Yoon Jong pressed his index finger to his lips.
"This is better for both sides. Let's just pretend we don't know and go back down. I'm not doing this for my own sake, but for your sake—"
It happened then.
Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaaang!
Suddenly, a thunderous explosion sounded as though the sky itself had collapsed. The boulder sealing the cave burst apart and scattered in every direction.
"…Ugh."
Wi So-haeng nearly jumped out of his skin, but Yoon Jong covered his face as though to say, There it is.
Dust thickened the air, blanketing the surroundings.
Staring blankly through the haze, Wi So-haeng watched a human shape begin to emerge from the cloud.
Step.
Step.
Hearing those heavy, imposing footsteps, Wi So-haeng immediately knew.
That's the Mount Hua Divine Dragon!
A prodigy counted among the very best of the younger generation, the man who had single-handedly defeated ten second-generation disciples of Southern Edge and brought down Jin Geum-ryong of Southern Edge. A person who had now perhaps become even more famous than Mount Hua itself.
The black silhouette slowly took on the shape of a man. With the dust cloud behind him, Chung Myung strode out like some hero from a myth, fixing Wi So-haeng with a low, heavy gaze.
What an overwhelming feeling.
So this is the Mount Hua Divi—
At that moment—
"Agh! Dammit! I was about to die from eating nothing but dried rations! This is why I said I didn't want to do closed-door training! I can't take this shit anymore! If I ever do closed-door training again, may I change my surname! I'll change my surname and all!"
"…"
Ah.
Maybe that wasn't him after all.
Well. Surely not.