What’s Opening? (5)
Chirp, chirp, chirp.
Soft sunlight spilled through the window.
And the bright, cheerful song of birds rang out in the morning air.
Slowly opening his eyes, Hyun Jong stared at the window pouring light into the room.
Then he pulled back the snow-white blanket, sat up, and looked around with a strangely fresh expression.
Today, then.
At last, morning had come on the day they would depart for Song Mountain.
After a quick wash, Hyun Jong looked at the clothes laid out before him.
Black martial robes embroidered with lavish plum blossom patterns. Even at a glance, the fabric seemed expensive, gleaming richly in the light.
It had been Hyun Young’s doing, insisting stubbornly that he absolutely had to have a new set made, even though there was no real need for it.
Hyun Jong let out a small laugh.
It means this event is that important, I suppose.
This was the day Mount Hua would finally reveal itself before the orthodox sects of the martial world after decades of silence. How could he not understand the desire not to be looked down on?
Swish.
He dressed with a reverence several times greater than usual and tightened his belt.
Then he quietly closed his eyes.
Anything else I need to prepare?
Nothing.
Everything was already perfectly ready.
“Hmm.”
He gave a soft hum.
Over the past half year, Hyun Jong and the elders had been so busy they had literally not had a moment to spare.
And at last, they could say with confidence that they had fully prepared to take part in the Heavenly Martial Arts Conference.
And yet why was it…
“Hnnng.”
Hyun Jong glanced toward the door with a less-than-bright look. Then he let out a low sigh and shuffled forward.
Creak.
The door opened at his slow touch, and he stared up at the clear blue sky before sighing again.
“Sect Leader, you’re up?”
“Mm, yes.”
Unam, standing guard outside, came to greet him.
“The disciples have finished preparing and are waiting for the Sect Leader.”
“Already?”
“It seems they had trouble sleeping, since this day meant so much.”
“Heh. They do have a long road ahead of them.”
It would have been best for them to rest well before setting out, but he couldn’t bring himself to blame the disciples.
Hyun Jong himself had been too excited and nervous to sleep properly, after all.
Even a man as worn down by emotion as he was had been like this, so how could it be any different for the young disciples?
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
Unam started walking ahead.
Following quietly behind him, Hyun Jong looked up at the sky again.
The weather is perfect, too.
The clear sky seemed to bless their journey.
So by rights, his steps ought to have been light and easy…
“Urgh.”
“Yes?”
“No. It’s nothing.”
Hyun Jong had let out an involuntary groan and quickly waved a hand.
Heavenly ancestors.
At last, he reached the grand training yard, took a deep breath, and stepped up onto the platform.
The elders were already waiting there.
So far, so good.
Everything up to this point was fine.
But before the platform stood the Baek and Cheong generation disciples who had worked so hard all this time.
Looking at the disciples who had endured such brutal training without a single complaint… no, there had been plenty of complaints, but still, they had not given up and had followed through regardless—looking at them should have filled him with pride.
He walked weakly to the very front of the platform and looked at the second-generation and third-generation disciples lined up there.
Then he squeezed his eyes shut.
How, exactly, are those the faces of Daoist disciples?
When he cautiously opened his eyes to a slit, what he saw were Mount Hua disciples who looked more like bruisers than Taoists.
Broad, squared shoulders.
Solid forearms visible even through their robes.
That much, he could accept.
But those bulging chest muscles, that bronzed skin, those faces that looked rough enough to scare children…
And why did there seem to be killing intent glittering in the eyes of Mount Hua’s Daoist disciples?
Who in their right mind would think these men were Taoist disciples?
If some clueless fool wandered into Mount Hua right now, the poor bastard would probably throw down every coin purse and ornament he had and beg pitifully for his life.
If not that, then he’d probably ask whether Mount Hua had become a bandit den instead. Damn it… no, Infinite Life Buddha!
Hyun Jong looked blankly at the one person responsible for all this.
Seeing Chung Myung sitting brazenly behind the lined-up disciples, having even dragged over a chair for himself, made all the cultivation he had built over decades feel like it was collapsing at once.
“Hnnnnng.”
“Sect Leader, relax your face. Why do you look like that on such a happy day?”
“…”
You’re the problem, you little punk!
Just looking at Hyun Young’s grinning face made his insides feel so twisted he might have vomited blood.
“Hnnng. Is everything ready?”
“Yes, Sect Leader. Please say a few words.”
A few words?
What words?
Make sure the job succeeds and tonight we eat meat and drink until we drop? Grab every bastard who passes by?
Grrr…
Looking at the proud pillars of Mount Hua—though they looked nothing like Daoist people—Hyun Jong teared up a little. The sky itself seemed dim.
Was this really all right?
Was it truly all right for things to have come to this?
Ancestors…
Ah. My Mount Hua…
“Sect Leader.”
“Ahem, yes.”
Hyun Jong cleared his throat loudly and spoke in a hoarse voice.
Whatever the situation, today was a meaningful day: the day they would depart for Song Mountain. He should encourage the children, if only for the sake of all the effort they had put in.
“You’ve all worked hard.”
They had, hadn’t they?
They must have worked hard, since those once-bright, full-of-life brats now stood there looking like battle-hardened veterans who had rolled through ten years of war.
“Not at all, Sect Leader!”
“It was nothing!”
“I’m going to crack the heads of those other Nine Sects bastards!”
The sad part was that the one who had said that last line was not Chung Myung.
This isn’t Mount Hua Valley either.
Was this even Mount Hua at all anymore?
Give them a place—Luoyang, or anywhere else—and they’d probably seize every back alley in less than a month.
“This Heavenly Martial Arts Conference is meant to build goodwill. For now, think of it as a gathering where we’ll be meeting with others….”
But then Hyun Young smiled pleasantly and cut him off.
“Sect Leader.”
“Hm?”
“Don’t say things nobody will believe. The kids are laughing.”
“…”
Hey, you brat!
You’re a Daoist and that’s what comes out of your mouth? What kind of words are those?
“Let’s just finish up quickly. Anyone watching would think the Sect Leader isn’t coming. We’re all going together, so what’s the holdup?”
“…”
“You finish it.”
“Ah, should I?”
Hyun Young stepped forward at once and swept his gaze across the assembly.
“Today we go to Song Mountain. You all are confident, yes?”
“Of course!”
“Don’t worry, Elder!”
Hyun Young nodded.
“Check once more that you’ve packed everything you need, and the first-generation disciples and the senior disciples of each rank should check the children’s luggage one more time.”
“Yes!”
At his words, the Un-generation disciples standing to one side began moving briskly.
Hyun Young glanced at them, then sharpened his eyes and said in a firm voice, “The place we’re going is where all the sects of the world are gathered. Every single one of your actions, every single gesture, will be judged as a reflection of Mount Hua. So all of you mind your manners—where are you looking, you lot?”
All eyes turned at once.
And, naturally, the end of that gaze landed on Chung Myung.
“Huh? Why me?”
“...No, well, just because.”
“Somehow it felt like we had to look.”
Chung Myung snorted.
“Tch. What’s with you guys? Who’s more well-behaved than me?”
I’m going to rip that mouth off.
I really want to bury him alive.
Because they had been tormented by Chung Myung so relentlessly for six months, the disciples glaring at him now had an even denser killing aura about them.
Even Dang Soso, who had only recently entered Mount Hua, was glaring daggers at Chung Myung.
Hyun Young watched the terrible scene of murderous intent flowing back and forth among the disciples with eyes full of warmth.
“If you’re ready, let’s set out.”
“Yes!”
“Travel safely!”
The disciples at the front stepped forward, and the ones behind them shouted out loud encouragement.
“If you lose, don’t bother coming back.”
“Crawl back here from Song Mountain if you have to. Got it?”
“Go ahead and lose. Lose once and I’ll cut off your neck and hang it from the plum trees!”
The representatives, receiving the warmest of send-offs, smiled brightly.
“What are you talking about? You weaklings.”
“Just keep the courtyard swept nicely.”
It was, truly, a heartwarming sight. Hyun Jong wore a warm smile.
Mount Hua is finished.
It was over now.
How had things come to this in just six months?
“How am I supposed to face the ancestors after I die?”
“What are you saying? They’ll praise you.”
“Hm?”
“Look at the kids.”
Hyun Jong slightly lifted his head and looked at the disciples.
“Aren’t they carrying themselves like true disciples of a great sect?”
“…”
Hyun Young…
The great sect you know and the great sect I know seem to be a little different…
Hyun Jong let out a long sigh.
Still, there was one reason he could at least straighten his shoulders a little.
They really do have impressive presence.
Their straightened shoulders radiated remarkable confidence. And this wasn’t just empty bravado.
Their aura was razor-sharp.
They had the bearing of swordsmen who could stand anywhere and proudly call themselves gaesu—sword practitioners.
Something utterly unthinkable in Mount Hua of the past.
“If these children go out like this, the Nine Sects won’t be able to deny it. They’ll have to admit Mount Hua is no longer a declining sect.”
Hyun Jong nodded heavily.
“All right, everyone, step forward.”
What they had received from Shaolin was a gold invitation.
The number allowed to accompany the invite was forty. Since not everyone could go, they had no choice but to pick representatives.
There had been many things to consider, but in the end Hyun Jong chose to bring as many of the Baek and Cheong generation disciples as possible.
For Mount Hua, this martial arts conference was not merely an opportunity to show off.
It was an opportunity for Mount Hua’s children to experience a wider world.
So Hyun Jong filled every remaining slot with Baek and Cheong generation disciples, leaving only the minimum number necessary to manage the sect behind….
“Unam.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Not at all, Sect Leader.”
Unam smiled gently.
“Going to Song Mountain and making the name of Mount Hua resound there is tremendously important, but guarding Mount Hua is by no means less important. Don’t worry about us and go in peace. This disciple will do his utmost.”
“Good. I trust you.”
Hyun Jong smiled warmly, reassured, then suddenly narrowed his eyes a little and shot a side glance.
“...That old man has the age for it.”
“How could you expect me to stay behind while you go off without me!”
“Hnnng.”
Then, as though giving up, he shook his head.
Normally Hyun Young should have stayed behind to oversee Mount Hua in the Sect Leader’s place, but because the fellow had kicked up such a fuss about coming along, Unam had been left to act as deputy leader.
So the adults going to Shaolin were the three of the Hyun generation plus Un Geom, who would manage the children, making a total of four. Everyone else was either Baek or Cheong generation.
“Isn’t the number of people managing things too small?”
“How would managing them even work?”
“...Fair enough.”
Hyun Jong gave a hollow laugh and looked at the children shouldering their bundles.
Still…
Baek Cheon stood at the very front.
Seeing Baek Cheon in his newly made plum blossom robes, even with a hero’s scarf tied around his head, made his heart warm on its own. It was exactly the image of a Mount Hua swordsman he had dreamed of.
Yoon Jong and Jo Gul standing beside him were also exceptionally impressive.
Yes. There’s no need to see it in a bad light.
A Sect Leader should look at his disciples with good eyes.
First, he should trust those children…
“Aren’t we leaving?”
…as if that were possible.
The moment Chung Myung poked his head out from the back, unable to sit still, all the pride that had just welled up in him plummeted down Mount Hua’s cliffs.
“...Chung Myung.”
“Yes?”
“Why haven’t you changed your clothes?”
“But these are new clothes.”
“So?”
Chung Myung grinned.
“They’ll get dirty on the road anyway. You wear new clothes when you get there.”
“...”
Smart.
Our Chung Myung really is smart.
Yes.
If he was going to be smart anyway, it would’ve been nice if he also understood what group life was.
But Hyun Jong knew better than to expect that from Chung Myung in the first place. He shut his eyes tightly and turned away.
“Ahem. Let’s go!”
“Yes!”
He turned and took the first step toward Mount Hua’s mountain gate.
The Hyun generation and the Un generation followed behind, and then the disciples led by Baek Cheon set out after them.
Step. Step.
Walking forward with resolute steps, Hyun Jong stopped in front of the mountain gate. Then he stood quietly and looked beyond it.
Hyun Young and Hyun Sang fell silent.
They could guess why the Sect Leader had stopped.
It had already been decades since he became Mount Hua’s Sect Leader.
But in all that time, he had never once left Mount Hua in order to carry out an event as Mount Hua’s Sect Leader.
Up until now, whenever he left Mount Hua, it was only to beg for money or to plead with debt collectors.
So of course this felt different.
This step was effectively Hyun Jong’s first step out of Mount Hua as the Sect Leader.
Knowing that, no one urged him on.
Time passed.
After he had stood for a while, staring beyond the mountain gate, a low voice reached his ears.
“Sect Leader.”
Hyun Jong did not look back.
He knew perfectly well who the owner of that voice was.
“This will become a historic step for Mount Hua.”
A smile formed on Hyun Jong’s lips.
That little water bug.
“Let’s go.”
At last, he stepped forward without hesitation.
As the disciples crossed the gate and left Mount Hua behind, cheers burst out all around them.
“Come back victorious!”
“Sect Leader! Elder! Return in good health!”
“Go and make the name of Mount Hua resound everywhere!”
“Chung Myung! Bring sweets when you come back!”
“Which bastard said that just now?”
The disciples of Mount Hua began to descend the mountain with head held high.
It was a very small thing.
But for the martial world, it would be the beginning of a great change.
And the path their steps took led to Song Mountain, where Shaolin stood.