Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: Rivalry and Greetings
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"This is the entrance to the Mount Hua Sect."
As they reached the crest of a small ridge halfway up the North Peak, Jin San stopped walking.
Just as he said, clouds filled the space below the ridge.
Lifting his gaze, he saw five peaks piercing through the clouds, spread out before him.
"Welcome. I am Jeong San, a second-generation disciple of Mount Hua. We received word that you would be arriving from Zhongnan."
"A pleasure. I am Jin San."
The martial artist guarding the entrance to Mount Hua greeted them politely.
Even upon seeing Jin San, he showed no signs of intimidation, his demeanor calm and composed. Truly a Taoist of Mount Hua.
"Is that the Third Young Master of the Demonic Cult?"
"He is."
Neung Un-bi gave a slight nod to the Mount Hua Taoist who glanced his way.
Since Jin San was vouching for him and leading the way, no other introduction was necessary. The Mount Hua Taoist, likely having received instructions from his superiors, didn't make an issue of it.
"I have sent word ahead. Grandmaster Un Hak will be here shortly. Please wait a moment."
"Understood. We'll cool off for a bit."
"Yes, sir."
Neung Un-bi smiled faintly at the Mount Hua Taoist's greeting.
Grandmaster Un Hak. He was around the same age as a second-generation disciple, but since he was the Sword Saint's student, he was of the same generation as the Sect Leader, hence the title.
These Taoist bastards...
Their sense of seniority was completely arbitrary. To be called a grand-anything at that age.
"What do you think? The mountain scenery is even better from here, isn't it?"
"It is."
After finishing his greeting with Jeong San, Jin San approached Neung Un-bi and gazed at the magnificent view of Mount Hua.
"The East's Morning Sun, the South's Landing Goose, the West's Lotus Flower, and the North's Cloud Terrace. The paths to Mount Hua's five peaks diverge from here."
"I see."
Despite Jin San's kind explanation, it was something he already knew.
The so-called Five Peaks of Mount Hua.
Mount Hua was not flat land.
It was a place where five peaks soared, and on each, Taoist temples had been built, enduring through the ages.
To live here, they had to carve into the rocky mountainsides and build precarious structures on the cliff faces. Thus, the Taoists of Mount Hua were spread out across the five peaks.
As a result, the number of disciples was smaller compared to other sects.
Nevertheless, the reason they had never been invaded was not because of the sheer cliffs, but because they were strong.
A place that neither advanced recklessly nor retreated, holding its ground at the center of the Nine Sects for generations. Small, yet stronger than any other.
That was Mount Hua.
"We are headed for the Morning Sun Peak."
"Morning Sun?"
"That's right. The Sword Saint resides there."
At Jin San's words, Neung Un-bi tilted his head.
Why Morning Sun and not Lotus Flower?
"I heard that Mount Hua's Supreme Purity Hall is on the Lotus Flower Peak."
"Correct. That's true."
"Then why Morning Sun Peak... Isn't the Sword Saint a great elder of Mount Hua?"
"Of course. But the Supreme Purity Hall is the heart of Mount Hua. How could an elder, simply by virtue of his status, presume to occupy such a place? The Lotus Flower Peak is where the current Sect Leader of Mount Hua resides."
"Ah!"
"Also, the Sword Saint is fond of the Lower Chess Pavilion, which lies between Morning Sun and Lotus Flower. Ah, you probably don't know about the Lower Chess Pavilion, do you?"
"..."
How could he not know? It was a place he passed when he secretly infiltrated Mount Hua under the name Cheok Wol-rin.
"Elder Jin San!"
"...?"
Just as they were taking a short break and talking about Mount Hua, someone came running along the ridge connecting to Morning Sun Peak.
His steps were as light as petals scattering in the wind; it was undoubtedly the Dark Fragrance Drift, the movement art Mount Hua prided itself on.
"Huh? Un Hak?"
As the figure drew closer, Neung Un-bi recognized him and was about to wave a greeting, but at that moment, Jin San's expression hardened.
"Hyeon!"
"Yes!"
"..."
As if waiting for the sudden shout, Ung Hyeon shot towards Un Hak.
*Rumble!*
But what closed the distance to Un Hak was not the movement art mimicking the Three Nothings Footwork, but one from Zhongnan.
Zhongnan's Shadowless Steps, which were said to cast no shadow.
Although slightly slower, it was enough to close the gap with Un Hak in an instant.
Anyway, should I call him the epitome of power? To think I could feel not just the ground, but the very rock trembling...
"Oh! Is that you, Hyeon! It's been a while, you rascal!"
"Likewise! *Hah!*"
"..."
Huh? What's this?
Neung Un-bi blinked blankly, utterly bewildered by their actions.
They were greeting each other warmly with their words... so what was with the battle cry?
And why were they drawing their swords?
In the midst of it all, Un Hak's sword was Plum Blossom, and Zhongnan's... the Heavenly Star Sword?
*Clang! Clang!*
That wasn't all. As if they were mortal enemies meeting on a single-log bridge, they began to unleash the sword arts of Mount Hua and Zhongnan upon each other without restraint.
The plum blossoms Un Hak drew in the air were pierced and shattered by Ung Hyeon's swift sword, and the Six Harmonies Ung Hyeon displayed were split apart by Un Hak's fluid strikes.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
As Neung Un-bi watched the two trade blows relentlessly, completely baffled, Jin San chuckled and said,
"It's a greeting."
"A greeting? That? It looks like one of them is going to die."
"Hahaha!"
"..."
Neung Un-bi frowned at Jin San's laughter.
Was this something to laugh about? Coming to another sect's territory and having his disciple suddenly attack someone, then calling it a greeting?
"Those two, you see, have often trained like this since they were young."
"..."
"The older one, Un Hak, has always been a step ahead. I'd say Hyeon has only beaten Un Hak maybe three times out of ten?"
"Ah... so it's a spar in place of a greeting?"
"Exactly. Still, he absolutely must win this time..."
"Pardon?"
"Because that damned Sword Saint has been getting on my nerves."
"Getting on your nerves?"
"He's an incredibly petty bastard, I tell you. Can you believe it? After losing last time, he went and taught Un Hak the Purple Mist Divine Art."
"He taught him the Purple Mist... because he lost?"
"I know, right? Isn't he a petty bastard? They say Mount Hua's Purple Mist is passed down to only one person and never to the unworthy... That damned fool. Thanks to him, I lost two of my Silver Ingots."
As Jin San ground his teeth in regret, Neung Un-bi stared at him blankly before letting out a sigh.
Now he understood.
The reason Jin San had him teach Ung Hyeon the Three Nothings Footwork and the Four Suns Sword Art.
These bastards made a bet.
For such a trivial reason, they taught those kids such dangerous martial arts.
It seemed their rivalry hadn't faded one bit, even with age.
Mount Hua and Zhongnan of Shaanxi.
The inner workings of their unavoidable rivalry.
*Craaaack!*
At that moment, with a sound like breaking metal, Un Hak and Ung Hyeon separated.
"Hoo..."
"Pant, pant..."
Having poured out so much of themselves in a short time, the two gasped for breath.
"Ung Hyeon! You've gotten stronger!"
"Damn it, you've gotten even stronger, brother."
"Don't be modest, you punk. My hand feels like it's about to be torn apart by your sword."
"Tch, it didn't tear in the end, so what's the problem? You tore my clothes like this."
Ung Hyeon grumbled, showing the slash on his clothes.
But in Neung Un-bi's eyes, neither of them had used their full strength.
Un Hak had hidden his Purple Mist, and Ung Hyeon had hidden the Four Suns and Three Nothings.
It was just a formality. The real show would likely only come out when their masters' bet was on the line.
"Alright, that's enough for greetings. We have honored guests."
"Using the guests as an excuse... I'm still full of energy."
"Who could possibly handle all that energy of yours?"
Un Hak soothed the grumbling Ung Hyeon, sheathed his sword, and approached.
"Un Hak of Mount Hua greets the great elder of Zhongnan."
"Mm, it's been a while. Have you been well?"
"Thanks to you, yes."
"Thanks to me? It was that Sword Saint fellow who fed and raised you well."
"Haha."
Un Hak laughed brightly at Jin San's sarcastic remark, then turned to greet Neung Un-bi.
"Third Young Master—no, Young Master Neung. It's been a long time. I am overjoyed that you have come to visit Mount Hua."
"Ah, you two know each other?"
"Yes, Elder."
"That's good. Then you won't be awkward around each other."
"Of course."
Un Hak, who had been smiling brightly and nodding, suddenly froze.
"It's been a while, Master Un Hak."
"Gah! M-Maid!"
Having just noticed Hyang-i, who was smiling sweetly and greeting him, Un Hak jumped back in alarm.
"Hm? What are you so surprised about? If you know Young Master Neung, you should know his maid as well."
"Ah, I know her, but..."
Un Hak unconsciously rubbed the back of his head. The memory of being hit was deeply ingrained.
"But, Maid, what brings you here...?"
"I'm the Third Young Master's maid, so of course I had to come. But it seems... you're not happy to see me?"
"What? Th-That's not it at all! I'm happy to see you! Very happy!"
"Oh? Is thaaat so?"
"Ah, of course. Haha, hahaha..."
As Hyang-i subtly glared at him, Un Hak began to laugh nervously.
"Why are you doing that? You're making him nervous. Stop it."
"Fine. By the way, when do we eat?"
The moment he stopped her from tormenting Un Hak, she started clamoring for food again.
"...Glutton."
"What did you say, you pig? I let you be because we're guests in someone else's home, but now you've done it!"
"Hmph!"
Hyang-i flared up and shouted, but Ung Hyeon just snorted and looked away.
Un Hak could only stare at the scene, dumbfounded.
To that maid... he called her a... a glutton?
"By the way, is Cheong Jin on the Morning Sun Peak?"
"No, sir. The Sect Leader summoned him, so he has temporarily suspended his wall-gazing and gone to the Supreme Heaven Hall."
"I see."
"Yes."
"Then you will escort Young Master Neung to Morning Sun Peak and wait there."
"And you, Elder?"
"Since Cheong Jin has gone up to Lotus Flower Peak, I'll take this opportunity to visit the Sect Leader as well."
"Understood. Please have a safe trip."
"Alright. Hey, Young Master Neung. I'll be back, so go on ahead and wait for me."
"I will."
After Jin San left for Lotus Flower Peak, Neung Un-bi headed for Morning Sun Peak with Un Hak.
Un Hak, walking ahead, sidled up to Ung Hyeon, who was walking a little ways off, and sent him a secret mental message.
[Hyeon.]
[Yes?]
[You haven't, by any chance, made any other mistakes with that maid besides calling her a glutton, have you?]
[Mistakes?]
[Yes. Like displeasing her, or getting in her way.]
[Just... stealing some of her food?]
[What? Are you hurt anywhere?]
[Huh?]
[You didn't get hit?]
[Why would I get hit? By a mere maid, no less.]
[Huh?]
[Damn it, I'm already debating whether I should teach her a lesson for constantly calling me a pig. The kid keeps picking fights at every turn.]
"..."
Un Hak stopped dead in his tracks and stared intently at Ung Hyeon.
Is this guy crazy?
What does he plan to do to that monstrous maid? Teach her a lesson? Call her a kid?
[Hyeon.]
[Ah, why do you keep using mental messages? It's annoying.]
[I'm saying this because I care about you... If you have any thought of doing something to that maid, drop it right now.]
[Whaat? What are you talking about? And why do you keep addressing a kid like that with honorifics?]
[You fool... It's so you can live.]
[Pfft! What nonsense.]
[Mark my words. It's so you can live...]
Un Hak repeatedly warned him, glancing back at Hyang-i who was following behind.
But Ung Hyeon didn't listen in the slightest.
To him, who had never seen her true form, Hyang-i was just a petite sixteen-year-old maid.
"What are you doing? I'm hungry!"
"Yes! H-Hungry, you say?"
"Damn it, I was looking forward to this, hearing you treat distinguished guests to a grand feast when they arrive."
As Hyang-i ground her teeth and glared, Un Hak said in a panic,
"Of course! Of course! We'll prepare a feast for you right away."
"You will?"
"Absolutely."
"What about Plum Blossom Wine?"
"Plum Blossom Wine?"
"Oh? You're not serving it?"
"We are! I will personally select the finest vintage, aged for over ten years, and serve it to you."
"Ooh! Excellent! Let's go, Master Un Hak!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Seeing Hyang-i's brightened expression, Un Hak could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Glutton..."
"Gah!"
Only Ung Hyeon, who didn't understand why Un Hak was making such a fuss, continued to treat Hyang-i dismissively. Each time, Un Hak would frantically send a mental message and quicken his pace.
Keep that up, and you might really get yourself killed.
With an unfiltered, heartfelt curse...