Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: The Vanished Master
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Sangcheong Hall, situated vertically along Lotus Peak, the main peak of Mount Hua.
Built atop a rocky crag that jutted out like a blade, it couldn't possibly be grand in scale.
But despite its small size, it had everything a proper Daoist temple should.
As Jin San arrived at the gate at the entrance of Lotus Peak, a Daoist guarding it greeted him with a welcoming voice.
"Welcome, Grandmaster Jin San."
"Hm? What are you doing here?"
Recognizing the face of the Daoist who called him Grandmaster, Jin San tilted his head in confusion.
Weren't only the first-generation disciples and above of Mount Hua considered his peers?
And the Daoist before him was a first-generation disciple, Okcheong.
One of the twenty-four Plum Blossom Swordsmen, who prided themselves on being second to none with the sword anywhere in the Central Plains.
But such a man was serving as a gatekeeper, a duty typically assigned to third-generation disciples?
Jin San couldn't hide his curiosity.
Moreover, the gate of Lotus Peak, which was always wide open, was firmly shut today.
"...You will hear the details from the Sect Leader."
Watching Unhyo smile as he opened the gate, Jin San sensed that something had happened.
Well, if the Sword Saint, who had been in seclusion, had to answer the Sect Leader's call, then something major must have occurred.
"I understand. I'll do that."
As Jin San entered with a stern expression, the gate closed firmly behind him.
Once past the gate, Jin San was surprised yet again.
The four buildings that made up Sangcheong Hall.
Centered around the Main Hall, which enshrined the Three Pure Ones, there were a Rear Hall and Side Halls to the left and right.
Among them, the place where the Sect Leader and the Sword Saint would be was, of course, the Main Hall.
But... the problem was the people gathered in front of it.
"Grandmaster Jin San."
The ones bowing their heads to Jin San were none other than the rest of the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Swordsmen, excluding Un Hak and Okcheong, who was on gate duty.
"Hah, for all of you to gather... it seems a truly great disaster has befallen us."
Jin San was repeatedly taken aback.
And that bewilderment soon turned to worry.
The Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Swordsmen. Since each of them was an outstanding martial artist in their own right, it was extremely rare for them to gather in one place.
When dispatched for missions, only one or two would go, with the second and third-generation disciples following. For all twenty-four to be summoned...
"Hmm..."
Jin San couldn't bring himself to step into the Main Hall and lingered outside. No matter how close they were, he felt he shouldn't carelessly interfere in the affairs of the Mount Hua Sect.
Just then, a voice came from inside the Main Hall.
"Jin San, you're here. Why are you just standing there? Come in."
The one who spoke to Jin San, who had been waiting, unable to enter, was none other than the Sword Saint.
"Okhyeon, escort him inside."
"Yes, Master."
Okhyeon, the head of the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Swordsmen, who had been addressed from inside, led Jin San into the Main Hall.
*Creeak.*
The door opened, revealing the interior of the Main Hall of Mount Hua's Sangcheong Hall.
In the distance, beneath the stone statues of the Three Pure Ones, he could see the current Sect Leader of Mount Hua, Ungeom, and the Sword Saint of Mount Hua, Cheong Jin. Seated to their left and right were the elders of Mount Hua.
"Welcome, Master Jin San. Please forgive us for not rising to greet you, as we are in the middle of a meeting."
"It's fine. Don't mind me."
Although Ungeom apologized for the discourtesy, Jin San quickly waved his hands dismissively and entered the Main Hall.
"Master Jin San, have you been well?"
"Ah, Unseon. It's been a while."
As Jin San walked, the elders of Mount Hua lightly bowed their heads in greeting.
"Come here, Jin San."
When the Sword Saint of Mount Hua, Cheong Jin, offered the seat next to him, Jin San shook his head with a firm expression.
"It seems Mount Hua has some business to attend to. How can I join you in that seat? I'll wait on the side."
"My, what a stubborn man. You're already inside, are you planning to cover your ears?"
"Ah, well..."
"Haha, it's alright, come sit. The meeting has just ended anyway."
As Cheong Jin warmly gestured to the seat with a clear laugh, Jin San reluctantly approached and sat down.
"Then, Sect Leader, we shall take our leave and prepare with the disciples as you've commanded."
"Do so."
"Yes."
The elders, having requested the dismissal of the meeting from the Sect Leader, rose one by one.
"Well then, Master Jin San, we will see you later and offer our greetings again."
"Hm? Ah, yes. You must be busy, so you should all get going."
"Yes."
After the elders politely bowed and left the Main Hall, Jin San cautiously asked Cheong Jin.
"What in the world is going on? It's common for the elders to gather for meetings, but for all Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Swordsmen to be summoned?"
"Hmm."
As Jin San asked in a whisper, Cheong Jin seemed to ponder for a moment before turning to the Sect Leader.
"It should be fine to tell Jin San, right?"
"This? He must be curious about the current situation... Shall I explain?"
"No. I'll do it."
"Yes."
Having received permission, Cheong Jin spoke to Jin San.
"You must be curious."
"..."
Slightly tense, Jin San nodded wordlessly, and Cheong Jin continued slowly.
"Actually... my master has suddenly disappeared."
"What? What do you mean? Your master... are you talking about Master Hyeon Cheon?"
"Yes. The very man you know."
"Hah! He disappeared? What on earth does that mean?"
Even without a detailed explanation, Jin San immediately understood the situation.
"After that day, how could the man who dug his own cave and went into seclusion?"
The day Jin San spoke of was a history of humiliation that had vanished from the world.
Hyeon Cheon Dokgo Seong. The master of Mount Hua's Sword Saint, Cheong Jin, an individual who was already approaching a hundred years of age.
He was once the representative Daoist of Mount Hua and the one who passed down the Purple Mist to Cheong Jin.
He was a martial artist who possessed a talent greater than anyone and had reached a realm no one else had achieved, but a single defeat had turned his life completely upside down.
In truth, the story of that match was a secret known only to a few. This was because his opponent had been none other than the prodigy of the Demonic Cult at the time, the Demonic Emperor Dam Un-cheon.
At the age of thirty, Dam Un-cheon, concealing his identity, had ventured into the Central Plains and sought duels with those who prided themselves as the best in their respective fields.
The masters of the Central Plains, who had readily accepted the challenge from the spirited young martial artist, suffered a bitter defeat.
Those who claimed to have reached the pinnacle with weapons like the sword, saber, and spear.
Those who prided themselves on their mastery of fists, kicks, and palms reaching the heavens.
All of them knelt at Dam Un-cheon's feet.
Thus, he earned the name Jecheon.
The one who rules all heavens, Heavenly Demon Emperor Dam Un-cheon.
But at that time, Dam Un-cheon did not kill any of his opponents.
He was strong enough to subdue them without needing to kill them.
However, that was an even greater humiliation. It meant that the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions had knelt before a single name.
So it was hidden, and buried.
Dam Un-cheon, too, had only intended to test his martial arts and didn't spread rumors anywhere.
To Jin San and Cheong Jin, who had witnessed the duels as the great disciples who would succeed their respective sects, Dam Un-cheon's presence was nothing short of shocking.
Although he was younger than them, the heaven he had shown them was a new world.
Furthermore, the magnanimity he had displayed was like a guiding light for the path a true master should walk.
After that day, Jin San and Cheong Jin stepped down from their positions as great disciples and devoted themselves to training.
Jin San traveled the world to learn a new sword, choosing to duel with the strong, while Cheong Jin sought enlightenment in the Purple Mist.
When Jin San was finally convinced he had reached a new realm, he immediately sought out Dam Un-cheon.
His empty right sleeve was a wound from that time.
Everyone remembers it as an unfortunate accident, but it was the price for challenging the heavens.
It was a story known only to Jin San and Cheong Jin.
If Dam Un-cheon hadn't shown mercy that day, Jin San would have lost his life, not just his arm.
"Why on earth would he?"
"I visited him to check on his well-being before I entered seclusion."
"..."
"He suddenly said it. That he had finally found the path..."
"The path? What does that mean?"
"Perhaps he wanted to settle the score one last time."
"D-don't tell me? He's going to seek out Dam Un-cheon, that man... no, that person?"
"Hmm..."
"That's insane! And you just stood by and watched!"
"Of course not. I told the disciples to watch him carefully. I instructed them to visit and check on him morning and evening."
"And yet?"
"It hasn't even been half an hour since he disappeared."
"Half an hour? Then isn't it possible he's already descended the mountain?"
"I don't think so."
"What?"
"Upon hearing the news, I've already searched the entirety of Mount Hua."
"And?"
"He hasn't left the mountain yet."
"Then?"
"From the traces left here and there, it seems he's looking for something."
"...?"
"I think it might be a sword."
"Don't tell me, Ja-o!"
"That's right. This one."
Cheong Jin presented the sword he had kept behind him.
Ja-o, the beloved sword of Hyeon Cheon Dokgo Seong.
Though it now belonged to Cheong Jin, who had inherited his legacy, Hyeon Cheon would surely try to take it.
Because he intended to have his final fight.
For those who wield the sword, is not their beloved blade like an extension of themselves?
An object they can do without, but whose presence inspires confidence.
"I... cannot let him go."
"...?"
"I have already surpassed the master I knew back then. I even earned the title of Sword Saint. Yet, I have no confidence that I can defeat Dam Un-cheon."
"Hmm..."
He could understand that feeling.
What lingered in Cheong Jin's eyes was worry and regret.
He couldn't hand over the sword. He believed that doing so would be pushing his master to his death.
"What shame is there for a martial artist to die by the blade? But I don't think I can bear to see it. I only wish for my master to live out his natural lifespan and ascend to immortality. Though he may never resolve the regret in his heart... my own selfishness won't allow it."
"So you intend to stop him?"
"That's right. He must already know I am here, so he will surely come to this place."
Jin San finally understood why the elders and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen had all been mobilized.
Cheong Jin was trying to capture his master to stop him.
How ironic fate is.
To think that such a thing would happen on the very day Dam Un-cheon's disciple came to Mount Hua.
But it should be fine.
According to Cheong Jin, it was certain that Master Hyeon Cheon would seek out Lotus Peak.
"Hey, Jin San."
"Speak."
"I've already set up a defensive formation with the elders and the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Swordsmen. The moment he steps onto Lotus Peak, the Ten Directions Plum Blossom Sword Formation will be activated."
"Hmm..."
"But they will only prevent my master from leaving Lotus Peak."
"I see. So you intend to stop him yourself?"
"That's right. The Sect Leader and I will be waiting for my master here."
"...Now I get it. You were planning to use me."
"Will you help?"
"I have no choice. I'll just think of it as a chance to see my master after a long time and pay my respects."
"Thank you. I won't forget this."
Nodding at the brightly smiling Cheong Jin, a question suddenly occurred to Jin San.
"By the way, does your master know about the current relationship between the Demonic Cult and the Central Plains?"
"Hahaha, how could he possibly know?"
"...He doesn't know?"
"Of course, he doesn't. How would a man who has been cooped up in a cave all this time know that? If he knew, he would have stormed the Orthodox Murim Alliance in a fit of rage."
That made sense. The generation above them held an immense grudge against the Demonic Cult.
"Wait, wait a minute! Then does he also not know that Dam Un-cheon's disciple is here?"
"He does not."
"Huh?"
"How long has it been since you sent word that you were bringing him? My master disappeared right around the time you arrived, so..."
"..."
Staring intently at Cheong Jin's face, Jin San asked.
"Then what if... just what if... he were to meet Dam Un-cheon's disciple here at Mount Hua?"
"..."
Cheong Jin was silent.