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Our business at Mount Hua was concluded. We bade farewell to the Sect Leader and prepared for the journey home.
"Thank you so much for curing the Plum Blossom Swordwoman's illness. Ju-hee, see them off."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
Seon Ju-hee accompanied Taiji Flower and me as instructed, walking us past the main gate to the border of Mount Hua's territory.
Perhaps it was still too hard to part like this.
"Unni, and Master Disciple."
Among the bamboo grove, where a fragrant bamboo scent should have lingered, a thick plum blossom fragrance bloomed instead.
"Next time, I'll come to Wudang Sect to pay my respects. Soon, very soon."
"Yes, when you come, we will receive you with the utmost hospitality."
Seon Ju-hee and Sagong Hee clasped hands and didn't let go for a long while. Seon Ju-hee looked on the verge of tears.
"What will you do now? More training in the Violet Mist Divine Technique?"
"...Using it as is makes a person strange, so I'll ask the Sect Leader first. Since Master isn't here now...."
Seon Ju-hee smiled awkwardly.
"Whether that really is the Violet Mist Divine Art, or just someone's prank. ...Why I committed such a disrespectful act with Mount Hua's martial art. I think I need to look into it a little."
"I hope you get good results. Just as the Taiji Wisdom Sword arrived at Wudang and welcomed a new dawn."
"...Little sister? Those words...."
"I pray for Mount Hua's peace."
I offered Seon Ju-hee a blessing. She had been standing slightly apart from Sagong Hee. Now she approached me, bent her knees a little, and pulled me into a hug, patting my back.
"...Little brother, don't forget what I said. Understood?"
"Of course, Noona."
No one else would get close to Sagong Hee. Seon Ju-hee rested her head on my shoulder, then patted my back and straightened up.
"Fufu, then I'll see you off up to here! Take your time sightseeing on the way. The scenery of Mount Hua at this time of year is truly beautiful."
"If anything difficult happens and you ever need to come to Hubei, please be sure to visit the 'Jin Family Manor' in Hubei."
"Jin Family Manor...?"
"Yes. It's a place run by a person I know, someone like a mother. If you say you came on the introduction of 'Gyeon-hui' — that is, my name — she'll welcome you sincerely."
Sagong Hee even shared the pet name I had given her. Seon Ju-hee murmured 'Gyeon-hui' to herself for a moment, then laughed brightly and waved.
"Alright, Gyeon-hui unni. A-bung, young hero, travel safely too."
With that, Sagong Hee and I bid farewell to Seon Ju-hee.
Meetings bring partings, and in time, the ties we formed with Seon Ju-hee on Mount Hua will surely reconnect.
Click, crackle.
I restored my original appearance. Though all the Violet Mist Divine Art's energy had transferred to Seon Ju-hee, my body still bore abundant signs of having grown even further.
"My lord, you didn't intentionally increase your height, did you?"
"Of course. ...I seem to be getting taller, don't I?"
When I stepped close to Sagong Hee, the height difference had widened to about a full hand's breadth. I straightened her hair, tousled by the wind, and stroked her head.
"At this rate, we look more like older brother and younger sister than noona and dongsaeng, don't you think?"
"...You're saying I look young?"
"Hehe, that's right."
Together with Sagong Hee, I turned toward the arranged spot. The Silver Rainbow Sword I'd secretly hidden along our departure route overnight was drenched in morning dew, glittering with a silver sheen.
"It's a treasured sword of Mount Hua, but no one will know. This is your fourth sword."
"...May I test it once?"
As Sagong Hee placed a hand on her waist, three swords sprang outward.
Jabo Sword, Reclining Dragon Sword, Phoenix Chick Sword, Silver Rainbow Sword.
Now, to become the Taiji Sword Empress, she only needed to learn to wield these four treasured blades freely.
Though we couldn't properly perform the Absorption of Yin to Nourish Yang, Sagong Hee had taken one step closer to becoming the Taiji Sword Empress. Congratulating her growth, I turned my steps toward our destination.
Cheon Family Estate.
It was time to go home.
"Gyeon-hui. What about Ju-hee — how would she be as a concubine?"
"No."
Unexpected. I was slightly surprised by Sagong Hee's strong refusal.
"Why?"
"Does a distinction between who is a concubine and who is a wife hold any meaning?"
"Gyeon-hui, didn't you say 'three wives and four concubines'?"
"An emperor keeps many consorts, so what law says my lord cannot?"
My mouth went completely dry at Sagong Hee's words.
According to the Blood Cult Leader, in this kind of situation it's usually a test, but could it be different with Sagong Hee?
—Idiot, all women are the same.
The Blood Cult Leader had said so. Following my master's words gets you by on average, but following the Blood Cult Leader's words never fails.
In this kind of situation, Sagong Hee wanted to hear one single thing.
"If you say no, then I won't bring Ju-hee in."
The outcome was already settled, but I deliberately sought Sagong Hee's permission. She too, knowing my nature and that I had asked on purpose, puffed out her cheeks.
"My lord, you know that's really unfair, right?"
"I wonder."
"...I like Ju-hee. But you have to promise me this."
Sagong Hee stretched out her pinky finger to me.
"If you're going to bring her into the Cheon Family Estate, you have to ask not only me but the other two for their opinions as well. Though... the other two will surely accept her once they meet her."
"For every one more woman, the number of people I must ask increases as well."
If I were to raise a concubine to the status of wife, within the 'three wives and four concubines' arrangement, would I need to half-seek permission from the existing wives?
'I can manage that much.'
If I showed up unannounced and declared someone my legal wife, there would be fierce backlash, but if she's a woman all four — actually, all three — can acknowledge, then they'd surely accept.
"Gyeon-hui, I'm always grateful."
"Don't mention it."
After circling around Mount Hua on foot, we arrived at the place where we had set up the Delusive Mark Nine Palace Formation.
Hee-hee-hing.
The horse inside the Delusive Mark Nine Palace Formation welcomed our return by nuzzling its head against us. For a horse, it was truly clever, acting cute toward Sagong Hee and me.
"The family has grown by one. Gyeon-hui, what shall we name this one?"
"Hmm... Ma-hee (Horse Maiden)?"
Startled by the name Sagong Hee gave it, Ma-hee flinched and snorted. I climbed onto Ma-hee's back and stretched out my hand to Sagong Hee.
"Ride in front, or behind?"
"In front."
Sagong Hee lightly pushed off the ground and settled in front of me, pressing her bottom against me. I tried to grab the reins in front of her waist, but Sagong Hee held the reins and placed my hand elsewhere.
"My lord has his own designated handhold, doesn't he?"
As if it were only natural, Sagong Hee settled my hand so that it would support her own chest.
"Won't it be dangerous riding a horse like this?"
"It's fine, at this level. In fact, it's more comfortable this way. When Ma-hee runs, everything jolts around."
Indeed. I accepted Sagong Hee's logical words and embraced her from behind.
Should any passerby see us, they'd point fingers at me, but since they'd merely pass by without getting a proper look at us, it didn't matter at all.
"My lord, may I remove my Human Skin Mask? Since my lord is in his true form too, let's bare ourselves for the first time in a while and race across the plains."
"That's a good idea."
I shed the garment called Body Transformation Art, and Sagong Hee removed the mask called Human Skin Mask. Fully free, we savored the mountain breeze blowing from Mount Hua and descended the slope.
Mount Hua.
It was a very fine place.
***
"Tsk tsk tsk, these youngsters, seriously."
Ranhwa Sword clicked his tongue as he passed the man and woman riding a horse in that embarrassing posture.
He had glimpsed them from a great distance while passing by, so he thought he might have seen wrong, but his eyes were drawn to the young man's bad hand toying with the woman's bosom.
"Already so loose. Tch, insolent things."
Grumbling, Ranhwa Sword set off on his return path to Mount Hua.
"...Ssshhh."
However, just before entering Mount Hua Sect's territory, his eyes glowed red and he vanished somewhere within the bamboo forest.
Rustle.
He pushed through the bamboo forest as if treading the Safe Path of some formation, then addressed the Black Cloaked Warriors inside in a stiff voice.
"I heard Taiji Flower already entered Mount Hua Sect?"
"We are sorry. There was an error in the reports from Hubei."
"Right. Because of that error, I made a wasted trip."
Thwack.
Ranhwa Sword kicked the shin of the Black Cloaked Warrior who had spoken. His expression was coldly hardened.
"What? You said 'Taiji Flower will probably hesitate to decide, so if Ranhwa Sword brings Taiji Flower up himself, it'll be fine'? You rotten bastards. Didn't you ruin the operation She planned right from the start!"
"We are sorry!!"
The Black Cloaked Warriors prostrated themselves fully and begged forgiveness. Irritated, Ranhwa Sword snatched a letter from the shin-kicked warrior.
"Still, you organized things well while I was away. Hm... the Sect Leader is giving the trial of Jeok Seong-ja to the two Plum Blossom Swordwomen? Ha, they'll fail anyway. ...Ugh, what in the world is that woman Demonic Sword Consort thinking, doing this?"
Ranhwa Sword studied the events that had occurred while he was in Hubei and vented his annoyance.
"Tch. So where is Taiji Flower now?"
"She is reported to have left Mount Hua Sect this morning. She departed together with her disciple A-bung, so they should be coming around here by now."
"Good. She desires Taiji Flower. There must be no disruption to the plan."
Ranhwa Sword licked his lips and snickered.
"Who knows. After She takes Taiji Flower for herself, she might give us a chance too."
Ranhwa Sword smiled a greasy smile and stripped off all his Mount Hua Sect uniform. Then he attempted to conceal his identity by changing into black robes and even wearing a face mask.
"Hohoho. Taiji Flower 'disappears' in Mount Hua Sect's territory, abducted by the Sex Demon... I must sincerely thank the Ice-Colored Demon. No matter what we do, we can pin it all on the Sex Demon's doings."
Ranhwa Sword toyed with his sword and extended his Qi Sense.
"Come quickly, Taiji Flower. I will offer you as a sacrifice... and escape this crumbling Mount Hua to go seek the light."
To the Demonic Cult.
Ranhwa Sword waited endlessly for Taiji Flower to arrive.
"...Why isn't she coming?"
Not knowing that she had taken a completely opposite path from their ambush, not knowing that she had already passed by far away.
** *
Returning to Mount Hua Sect, Seon Ju-hee immediately sought out the Sect Leader.
"What is it, Ju-hee?"
The Sect Leader regarded Seon Ju-hee with the tension of watching a dam about to burst.
Seon Ju-hee realized just how much distress she had caused the Sect Leader and the people of Mount Hua Sect. She bowed her head first.
"I'm sorry for unintentionally causing trouble."
"...No. Seeing you pull yourself together again like that puts my mind at ease as well. Anyone can wander. When I was young...."
Seon Ju-hee nodded along to the Sect Leader's past exploits, waiting for his words to end.
Moments later.
"...And so, I came back to Mount Hua. But Ju-hee, you look as if you have something to say?"
"Yes. It is about this."
Seon Ju-hee took out a single book. The Sect Leader examined the book, tilting his head in curiosity.
"What is this?"
"...While seeking a breakthrough toward the physical arts because of the limits of martial arts, this is what happened."
Shaaah.
A violet-tinted energy began to stain Seon Ju-hee's hand. The Sect Leader shot to his feet, looking as if he might faint.
"Ju-hee?!"
"...Without realizing it, I picked up this book, and inside was a martial art linked to the Violet Mist Divine Art. How did this happen?"
"Ha, hahaha!!"
The Sect Leader clutched his stomach and burst into loud laughter. His wild laugh contained joy, regret, and tears.
"Ultimately, my prejudice nearly ruined everything!"
"...Pardon?"
"I'm sorry, Ju-hee!"
The Sect Leader grasped Seon Ju-hee's hands and spoke the truth exactly as it was.
That the Demonic Sword Consort had appeared in Xi'an to defeat the Sex Demon.
That he had hoped Jawooyang and Ja Cheong-ha, his two disciples, would surpass the trial of Jeok Seong-ja and awaken the Violet Mist Divine Art.
And that, according to tradition, he had expected them to emerge from eighty days of secluded training having mastered the Violet Mist Divine Art.
But Seon Ju-hee had known nothing about that.
"I didn't, didn't know. I was busy meeting Lady Taiji Flower...."
"It's fine, it's fine! You awakened the Violet Mist Divine Art while meeting Lady Taiji Flower, so there's no problem at all!! How did you come to learn it?!"
"W-well."
Seon Ju-hee revealed the truth, with appropriate embellishments.
She explained that Taiji Flower's disciple had been so impertinent that, with Taiji Flower's permission, she spars with him using physical techniques to discipline him. In the process, instinct drew her to a book, and what she found turned out to be the Violet Mist Divine Technique.
"...Ju-hee, will you fulfill my long-held wish?"
Seon Ju-hee hurried to the Plum Blossom Library together with the Sect Leader.
"Here, pick seven books that draw you... no, pick as many as you want."
Seon Ju-hee found an even more intense pull from the Violet Mist Divine Art's energy than before and plucked out books. The ordinary books she uncovered without any rule included advanced martial arts, as well as a common internal energy breathing technique anyone could learn.
"...If you collect phrases that still hold traces of the Violet Mist Divine Art from these books and bind them into one... it turned out like this."
"...Huh."
Seon Ju-hee had newly produced a single manuscript spanning hundreds of pages. Tears streamed down the Sect Leader's face at the sight of the Violet Mist Divine Art written in a neat, delicate hand.
"You are Mount Hua's treasure, Ju-hee."
"...No. I'm simply...."
"Ju-hee. As your Sect Leader, I give you an order... no, a request."
The Sect Leader knelt on one knee before Seon Ju-hee and took a martial salute with clasped hands. At the Sect Leader's sudden act, Seon Ju-hee also dropped to both knees and flailed her hands.
"What are you doing! Please get up! What if the Sect Leader kneels before a disciple of Mount Hua?!"
"You too must undertake secluded training. Complete the lost Violet Mist Divine Art and make the flower of Mount Hua bloom again. And... without anyone knowing, without telling a soul, teach the Violet Mist Divine Art to me."
A trace of madness even flickered in the Sect Leader's eyes.
"Become the teacher who will lead Mount Hua's new future. Just as Taiji Flower became the inheritor of the Taiji Wisdom Sword! Yes, the 'Purple Mist Sister Teacher' would be splendid!!"
"......."
And so Seon Ju-hee became the successor and teacher of the Violet Mist Divine Art.