Chapter 208
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 208
Chapter Title: Though Mount Tai is High (2)
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Originally, temples and Taoist monasteries were scattered across high peaks, deep valleys, and secluded mountainsides, playing their part in wrecking the natural environment.
There were all sorts of theories as to why.
The prevailing view in the inner arts world was that mountains held spiritual energy, and cultivating while absorbing it was beneficial.
Just look at the Nine Great Sects.
Mount Hua Sect was on Mount Hua.
Wudang Sect on Wudang Mountain.
Shaolin Temple on Song Mountain, and so on—each clung to their own mountain.
Of course, there were exceptions.
Hainan Sect, holed up on an island, and the Beggars' Sect of beggars.
But neither had any real roots, did they?
Take Unhak—he was a rootless beggar through and through.
So it was actually pretty weird that, among the Five Mountains— with Mount Tai smack in the center as the leader—there wasn't a single decent sect still standing.
"Why here of all places…."
"Heh heh, fellow Daoist. What's the matter?"
"No, it's nothing. Um, would it be all right if I offered a prayer to the Supreme Old Lord before I go?"
"Hm…."
The gatekeeper, who looked like a first-generation disciple of Mount Tai Sect, gave me another once-over from head to toe.
"Kyau!"
To look as harmless as possible, I scooped up the puppy that had been rolling around on the ground and exposed its belly.
Showing the belly was a sign of submission.
How's that! My ultimate harmless technique!
"What a cutie. But, if I may ask, what's with the mask?"
"W-well, my face is badly scarred…."
"We embrace inaction and naturalness—why worry over human flaws? The monastery doesn't mind such things at all, so if it's not too much trouble, could you remove the mask?"
Hm….
At a time when I might switch freely to a righteous godhood class, showing my real face felt iffy.
But I couldn't exactly demonstrate my face bloating and shriveling with Skull Compression Gong right in front of him either.
I racked my brain in an instant.
Right.
There was that method.
"…Hoo. Very well."
Enduring the sensation of my vision narrowing and my nostrils pinching shut, I removed the mask.
"Heh…."
The moment he saw my unmasked face, he let out a sigh.
In that split second.
My eyes were mere slits like grains of rice, my nostrils flared wide, and a vast furrow stretched across my brow like Cheon Luri had swum through it.
I slowly lowered the removed mask, deliberately covering my lower jaw.
That left just my eyes and nose visible.
I couldn't check a mirror right now, but it probably looked just like the protagonist from a crossover fic.
"My apologies for the offense. These are troubled times."
"No, no. If it's all right…."
"…That too is the will of the Dao, is it not? Do as you wish. That is the way of nature."
This guy.
He was slyly phrasing "You're ugly, so cover it up again" in polite terms.
It wasn't my real face, but still, being treated like an ugly bastard stung a little.
"…Truth be told, this appearance has caused me so much hardship that I thought praying to the Supreme Old Lord might improve things… Sigh, yes."
"Oh dear…."
Now he was outright pitying me.
Anyway.
"Come on in."
Kkiiigeek.
The gates of Mount Tai Sect—slightly smaller than Geomhyeonmun—swung open.
As I took in the rundown buildings a tad shabbier than Geomhyeonmun, I subtly leaked bits of Northern Bright True Qi so the second-rate gatekeeper guide wouldn't notice.
"What's in that direction?"
I asked in the most innocent tone.
His answer:
"Ah! That's where the sect leader's quarters are."
Oh, shit.
Geum Sihyeon, who hadn't paid much attention to the Hundred Flowers Academy's external affairs—especially orthodox factions—didn't know this.
But Mount Tai Sect might not rank among the Nine Great Sects, yet it was still one of the more prestigious schools.
Mount Tai wasn't called the Supreme of the Five Mountains for nothing.
It brimmed with natural spiritual energy, and naturally, its founding ancestors had competed fiercely in the distant past.
Surviving in such a place proved its strength and history.
Hengshan Sect had taken only nuns, only to collapse into infighting from unspeakable scandals.
Songshan Sect had its lands snatched when the monks' influence suddenly skyrocketed, leading to gradual decline.
Among the famed Five Mountains Sword Schools of old—excluding the irrelevant Hengshan Sect—Mount Tai came right after Mount Hua.
And so.
"Hm…?"
Someone sensed the faint trace of Northern Bright True Qi Geum Sihyeon had let slip.
It was Mount Tai Sect's leader, Jade Hollow True Person.
Who could be scattering such pure celestial energy so subtly?
Had some hidden hermit from a distant monastery come calling?
Curiosity piqued, Jade Hollow True Person stepped from his quarters and soared like the wind to the top of the main hall.
There,
he saw a first-generation disciple named Cheon Gyeong leading a stranger—a masked man he'd never seen before.
No first-generation disciple could emit such pure energy.
Even he, who had cultivated Mount Tai's essence his whole life, couldn't match its density and profundity.
Curiosity about this mysterious visitor was inevitable.
He descended in a single bound, treading the clouds.
"Primordial Heavenly Worthy. Greetings, fellow Daoist?"
One might expect surprise at someone dropping from the sky, but the man showed no trace of tension.
A serene demeanor, as if he'd anticipated the approach.
"S-sect leader…!"
Cheon Gyeong was the startled one.
"Heh heh, what's there to be so surprised about?"
Jade Hollow True Person soothed his disciple with a gentle smile.
"So you're the sect leader. Greetings. I am Seo Eunhyun of the martial world's scholarly circles."
The masked man chuckled lightly and returned the greeting.
Up close to Seo Eunhyun,
Jade Hollow True Person couldn't help inwardly marveling.
Though his face was hidden by the mask, his bearing was that of a true gentleman and Daoist.
It was clearly Seo Eunhyun emanating this subtle celestial energy, yet not a speck of inner power could be felt from his body.
That meant he was either a supreme master surpassing initial Transcendent Realm, or a celestial immortal descended from heaven. One or the other.
Moreover, there was none of the arrogance typical of return-to-youth elders. Instead, he radiated the bold vigor of a young warrior.
Where had such a hidden dragon suddenly emerged from?
"Fellow Daoist, what brings you to our humble Mount Tai Sect?"
"Ah, sect leader. He says he's here to offer sacrifices to the Supreme Old Lord."
"Sacrifices? Heh heh."
In a place where even disciples were dwindling, someone coming just to make offerings?
How admirable!
Jade Hollow True Person never once suspected impure motives.
"If it wouldn't inconvenience you, care for a cup of tea with this poor Daoist? I have some fine leaves from Dahyang ready."
The man nodded readily, accepting the offer.
.
.
.
In private audience at the quarters, Jade Hollow True Person poured him a cup of boicha tea.
"The aroma is exquisite."
"Ha ha! Tea is my one hobby. Puts me in high spirits."
After some polite small talk,
"If I may ask, fellow Daoist, what is your sect?"
Jade Hollow True Person finally voiced the question he'd been holding back.
Observing him up close, the celestial energy flowing from his body was no joke.
It was so pure, like nature incarnate, that just being near it felt like it was extending his lifespan.
Who had nurtured such an exemplary Daoist?
Nothing came to mind.
"Truth be told, I hail from Haedong."
"Haedong!"
Haedong—that little peninsula next to the Liaodong Peninsula, right?
The martial world was vast indeed. To think such a refined and lofty warrior could emerge beyond the Central Plains!
"In Haedong, there's a poem: 'The sky is said to be high, but compared to Mount Tai? Even climbing and climbing, it's hard to reach—only upon ascending does one say Mount Tai is high.' Its fame reaches even there, so how could a true man not witness it?"
At Seo Eunhyun's words,
Jade Hollow True Person felt a strange emotion writhing in his heart.
He couldn't yet name it,
but if Seo Eunhyun—Geum Sihyeon—had peered into his mind, he might've clicked his tongue: "He's high on Mount Tai hype…."
Local pride was second only to nationalism, after all.
The cunning tongue tickled the old man's patriotic heartstrings, buried in the mountains.
And then,
"As expected of the Five Mountains' pinnacle! Mount Tai!"
"I visited Mount Hua, but it's just a rocky hill!"
"Song Mountain? Is that even a mountain?"
"Mount Tai's sword pierces the heavens!"
A barrage of flattery ensued, swelling Jade Hollow True Person's chest with each one.
At the end of the praise,
"Primordial Heavenly Worthy, Primordial Heavenly Worthy. How could this not be the Central Plains' greatest blessing? Seo Eunhyun, you may rightly be called Haedong's gentleman."
"You flatter me."
Jade Hollow True Person was completely melted.
.
.
.
A moment later.
"Oh dear. I've taken too much of my esteemed guest's time."
"No, actually, there was something I wanted to mention upon meeting you, sect leader."
"Hm? What might that be?"
"Well, the truth is…."
Seo Eunhyun's following words.
That the origins of Haedong Swordsmanship—the sword art and inner method that elevated him to sublime heights—stemmed from an ancient worthy of Mount Tai Sect.
Jade Hollow True Person felt chills race up his spine.
Indeed, the ultimate hype was hype for the original source.