Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: Arrival at Sanmenxia
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It was a bright morning.
Neung Un-bi's party hurried to prepare to leave Mount Hua.
The Sword Saint and Dokgo Seong, as well as the Sect Leader and the elders, all came out to see them off.
*Good grief, Mount Hua sending off the Demonic Cult...*
I've seen it all now.
But contrary to Neung Un-bi's thoughts, Mount Hua was incredibly grateful.
After all, wasn't it thanks to him that Dokgo Seong had a change of heart?
"Young Master Neung, we are deeply indebted to you."
"Huh? Ah... well."
Neung Un-bi gave a wry smile at Cheong Jin's words.
Indebted? He hadn't done anything, so their constant gratitude was just making him feel awkward.
"I hope you will ascend to the throne of the Demonic Cult."
"..."
Neung Un-bi just smiled.
*Who said I wanted to be the Cult Leader?*
He himself had no such thoughts, yet even someone of the Sword Saint's stature was making a fuss, worrying about his future.
"When we next meet, Un Hak will surely win, so you can look forward to it, yes!"
"..."
Dokgo Seong steeled his resolve for a match in the distant future.
*Ha, as if that'll ever happen.*
He'd been dreaming of leaving the Demonic Cult and waiting for the chance for so long; why would he fight Un Hak for no reason? Unless they were to team up and fight the Demonic Cult, that is.
"Haha, Third Young Master. So that your journey may be peaceful, I shall offer a prayer for you..."
"Oh, that's a fine idea."
As the Sect Leader and elders moved to surround Neung Un-bi at Cheong Jin's words, Jin San shouted.
"Are you all mad?"
"Hmm?"
"Have you forgotten that Young Master Neung has learned demonic arts?"
"Ah!"
"A prayer for a demonic practitioner? You might as well be cursing him to die on the road."
"Ah..."
At Jin San's words, the Sword Saint and the leaders of Mount Hua looked embarrassed.
"Haha, my mistake. For some reason, he doesn't feel like a stranger... he even has the air of an orthodox warrior..."
"Tsk, tsk. You're not young men, yet you're all so thoughtless."
Jin San clicked his tongue and chided the Daoists.
"Now, let's be off. There's no need to wait for Mount Hua. Let's hurry on our way to the Orthodox Murim Alliance."
"Yes."
Neung Un-bi nodded, his eyes shining.
*Finally, the Orthodox Murim Alliance.*
From the very beginning, Neung Un-bi's heart had been set solely on that place.
Of course, he had gained something at Mount Hua.
He didn't know what it was yet, but since they all called it an epiphany, he planned to remember it and reflect on it. The eccentric old man aside, there was no way Cheong Jin would lie.
*The plum blossoms of Mount Hua...*
"Oh, child."
"...Yes?"
Just as they were about to leave, Dokgo Seong called out to Hyang-i.
"Give my regards to Hwa-yeong. Tell her that if she's alive, I'd very much like to see her someday."
At his words, delivered with a gentle smile, Hyang-i bowed her head with a politeness she had never shown before.
"Yes, please take care."
"Alright. You should get going."
Leaving behind Dokgo Seong's warm gaze, which was like that of a grandfather seeing his granddaughter off on a long journey, Neung Un-bi's party departed from Mount Hua.
"Hyang-i."
"What is it?"
"I'm just really curious... what exactly is your relationship?"
"..."
"Judging by your words and actions, it doesn't seem like an ordinary relationship... It's strange, isn't it? A member of the Demonic Cult and a former grandmaster of the Mount Hua Sect having such a connection."
As he asked while they descended the mountain path, Hyang-i stared at Neung Un-bi for a moment before smirking.
"I never said I was part of the Demonic Cult."
"Huh?"
*That... is true.*
Come to think of it, Hyang-i had never once called herself a member of the Demonic Cult.
Above all, what was her goal?
*Wasn't it to take the Cult Leader's head?*
"Hmm, then what are you?"
"...You'll find out in due time. After you become the Cult Leader."
Hyang-i said no more. From her expression, it seemed she had no intention of answering any more questions.
*Damn it... I'm so damn curious what it's all about.*
But what does it matter? Is there really a need to know everything in the world?
It would only complicate things.
Besides, he had no intention of becoming the Cult Leader in the first place, and if things went well, his life might change during this trip to Zhengzhou.
*For now, let's just think about Zhengzhou.*
Neung Un-bi shook his head to clear his thoughts and picked up his pace down the mountain path.
"H-Hey! Slow down."
"I'll go on ahead to Huayin County, meet up with the others, and wait for you!"
"..."
Jin San shook his head as he watched Neung Un-bi and Hyang-i, who was following close behind, race down the slope, even using their lightness arts.
"That boy... he's like a child who can't sleep the night before a long-awaited outing."
He looked quite excited.
Perhaps it really was an outing for him.
A disciple of the Demonic Cult who, like Dam Un-cheon, had to overcome countless rivals to become the Cult Leader.
How lonely must it be to live a life where you can trust no one?
He was a young, hidden dragon. No one could yet predict what he would become, but the brief glimpse he had shown had captured the world's attention.
He suddenly recalled the conversation he'd had with Cheong Jin.
Neung Un-bi's future. What would he be like as the Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult?
And what of the Central Plains then...?
"Hyeon-ah."
"Yes, Master."
"Mount Hua is on the move."
"..."
"Hyeon Cheon has steeled his resolve, and with the Sword Saint backing him, Mount Hua will only grow stronger from now on."
"Yes."
"Un Hak is a talented child."
"I know. I've lost to him every time."
"Mount Hua and Zhongnan are different. There is no need for you to follow their training methods."
"..."
"However, you must watch much and feel much, and grow stronger through it. I do not believe my methods are wrong. How can there be a single royal road to strength?"
"I will watch, learn, and master."
"Well said. Just as you learned the Art of Death from me, and also the Swift Footwork... the methods were different, but the conclusion was the same. However, that alone will not be enough. You must strive further."
"I have already realized through Young Master Neung that strength alone is not enough."
"Correct."
Jin San nodded with a pleased expression at Ung-hyeon's answer.
Just as Mount Hua was, Zhongnan was also moving forward.
Just as Dokgo Seong and Cheong Jin had made up their minds, he too would become the fertilizer for Ung-hyeon's growth.
Then, it suddenly occurred to him that all of this might be another of Neung Un-bi's talents.
Influence.
Wasn't the subtle fragrance he exuded changing those around him?
"Hah hah, I'm already looking forward to the Central Plains you all will create. Let's hurry. We shouldn't keep our host waiting for long, should we?"
"Yes! Master!"
Following Jin San, who lightly used his lightness art, Ung-hyeon's heavy steps sent tremors through Mount Hua.
***
After reuniting with the Lunar Eclipse Squad in Huayin County, Neung Un-bi's party headed straight for Sanmenxia.
Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Henan.
The great waterway that crossed the borders of these three provinces had long been a home to countless people.
And now, that home was bursting at the seams.
From the northern warriors intending to take a boat from Sanmenxia to Zhengzhou, to the spectators who had come after hearing rumors of the Nine Dragons' Contest.
Although there was still some time left, those who had hurried on their way were already filling the streets near Sanmenxia.
Of course, Neung Un-bi's party, having left Mount Hua, had also joined their ranks.
The only difference was that Neung Un-bi's party was both a part of the massive crowd and the cause of it.
It's not for nothing they say rumors travel fast.
Moreover, thanks to Wang Cheon's tireless efforts, the rumors had spread far and wide.
And the protagonist of those rumors, the Third Young Master of the Demonic Cult, Neung Un-bi.
As they arrived at the entrance of Sanmenxia, gallantly displaying the Sun and Moon Flag, everyone stopped in their tracks and fixed their gazes upon them.
"It's the Demonic Cult!"
"That must be the Third Young Master."
"He's quite handsome."
"The warriors following him don't look like pushovers either."
Already, the sounds of murmuring from all around were grating on his ears.
Of course, not everyone was friendly.
"Damn bastards, how dare the likes of the Demonic Cult brazenly parade through Sanmenxia?"
"I know, right? What is the world coming to, letting those vicious fiends..."
"Look at that slick face. He must've been born that way to bewitch people."
They were whispering, but he could hear everything.
Some spewed words full of contempt, while others were busy lamenting the state of the world.
For Neung Un-bi, who had wanted to travel quietly, it was an incredibly annoying situation.
"I told you to take down the flag!"
"I can't do that. We're going as official guests; we have to at least do this much."
"People are staring!"
"That's the point."
The bickering between Neung Un-bi, who was conscious of the stares, and Wang Cheon was already in full swing.
"Oh, and hurry up and put this on too."
"..."
What Wang Cheon held out was a wind cloak.
Not only himself, but Ju Seung and the entire Lunar Eclipse Squad were dressed the same.
It was pitch black, clearly the attire of the Demonic Cult.
*Sigh, I told him to wait in Huayin County, and this is what he was preparing.*
Why did he keep doing things he wasn't asked to do?
"Wang Cheon. I told you before, didn't I? Stop with this nonsense."
"Nonsense? So, for the honor of the Demonic Cult, we're just going to show up in plain martial arts uniforms? To the Orthodox Murim Alliance? And what will our branch members stationed in Sanmenxia think? Your Lordship must make a dignified appearance so they can hold their heads high."
"..."
"Please, have some sense of responsibility as our representative."
Neung Un-bi sighed repeatedly at Wang Cheon's words.
"Hah hah, my boy. Why not put it on? It's shiny and looks quite expensive..."
"Put it on? Why would I?"
"Don't be like that, just wear it. It's a gesture from your subordinates."
"..."
*That gesture is the problem.*
All he wanted was to escape the Demonic Cult, but dressed like this, anyone would see him as a member.
The Sun and Moon Flag, and now this cloak...
*Sigh, fine.*
*I'll wear it.*
*What the hell, I'll put it on.*
They say you should grant a dead man's wish, so why can't I grant one for the living?
Besides, who knew what would happen to his relationship with them during this trip to the Orthodox Murim Alliance?
*I should at least do this much. That way, I'll feel a little less guilty when we part ways.*
"Give it here!"
"Hehe."
As Neung Un-bi held out his hand, Wang Cheon beamed and draped the cloak over him.
*Fwip!*
Whether it was the sight of the cloak unfurling powerfully before settling over Neung Un-bi's body that was so impressive, Ju Seung and the Lunar Eclipse Squad wore looks of pride.
"Hah, the clothes make the man, eh? Just by putting that on, you're overflowing with dignity."
"You really think it's the clothes?"
"Hmm?"
*As they say, the face completes the outfit. It's not the clothes that make the man; I make the clothes look good.*
And once he actually put it on... it didn't feel bad. It was as if he felt a sense of belonging?
"...!"
But Neung Un-bi quickly shook his head, erasing the thoughts that had entered his mind.
*Phew, I almost started to see myself as a member of the Demonic Cult.*
*Feeling a sense of kinship just from wearing a piece of clothing? This isn't right.*
I must always keep my guard up. Affection is a fearsome thing; once it deepens, it only becomes harder to break away.
"Now, let's go! I've already sent word to the Demonic Cult's branch in Sanmenxia. They'll be eagerly awaiting Your Lordship's arrival. Elder Jin San, you should look forward to it as well. You've been treated as our guest until now, so today, we shall serve you."
"Oh, a guest of the Demonic Cult? That sounds wonderful. I shall look forward to it."
Seeing Neung Un-bi looking quite imposing, Wang Cheon confidently volunteered to lead the way.
*Still, seeing him so happy, it's not a bad feeling.*
Neung Un-bi smirked and followed him toward the branch office.
How long had they been walking?
Just as they reached a street of inns near the river, Wang Cheon, who was walking ahead, began whipping his head around as if searching for something.
But, unable to find what he was looking for, he soon scowled.
"Those guys... I definitely sent word..."
The people Wang Cheon was desperately searching for were the warriors from the Demonic Cult's Sanmenxia branch who were supposed to have come out to greet Neung Un-bi.
With his reputation already widespread and his fame soaring to the heavens, it was only proper that the branch leader himself come out to welcome him...
"Wang Cheon, what are you doing? Aren't you going?"
"Ah, just a moment... Please wait here for a little bit."
"...?"
Neung Un-bi urged him to move on, but Wang Cheon hesitated with a smile.
This was a matter of face.
They were supposed to enter the branch office escorted by those who came to greet them.
And hadn't he just boasted to Jin San?
"This is strange. There's no way they wouldn't come..."
Just as an impatient Wang Cheon was craning his neck and looking around...
"Where do you damn Demonic Cult bastards think you are, wandering around without permission!"
A sudden shout assaulted Neung Un-bi's ears.