Chapter 85
Chapter 85
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: The Sword Dragon of Mount Hua
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Hoo…”
The Daoist who had run over energetically stopped between the two opposing groups and caught his breath.
*Damn it all. Of all the memories to surface, why did it have to be Mount Hua…*
A Daoist, of all things. And from Mount Hua, no less?
Neung Un-bi’s face scrunched up even more at the sight of the distinct plum blossom crest embroidered on the loose sleeve of the newly arrived Daoist.
*A Daoist seeing the Demonic Cult won't just stand by. He's sure to draw his sword any second now.*
*What do I do then? Should I fight?*
*Or should I try to explain the situation nicely and talk my way out of it?*
*Forget the inn. We'll camp nearby, so we should just tell him to mind his own business…*
“Well now, who do we have here?”
“…Huh?”
Lost in a myriad of scenarios, Neung Un-bi wore a bewildered expression at the incredibly welcoming voice.
“To think I'd meet the Third Young Master of the Demonic Cult, whose name has been ringing throughout the martial world lately. Hahaha, it seems today is my lucky day, isn't it?”
“…Pardon?”
Neung Un-bi furrowed his brow at the man’s words, which suggested he'd recognized him at a glance.
*Those bastards from the Heavenly Pillar Gate…*
*Just how many portraits did they circulate? How could he recognize me so instantly!*
“Why such an expression? Are you not Young Master Neung of the Demonic Cult?”
“…I am, but.”
He couldn't deny it, as the man seemed to already know. With the innkeeper and even the guests aware, denying it would only be stranger.
*That damn Wang Cheon.*
*That big mouth of his is going to get him into serious trouble one day.*
“Hah hah! It is you! When I saw the Demonic Cult's Sun and Moon Flag from a distance, I wondered if it might be Young Master Neung. I was so eager to meet you that I ran with all my might. My robes are soaked with sweat, you see. Uhuhuhut!”
“…”
The Daoist laughed cheerfully.
*Soaked with sweat? Where?*
*There's not a hint of exhaustion on him, and his clothes are perfectly dry, not a drop of sweat in sight.*
“By the way, you are truly remarkable. Because of you, I've had to reflect on my prejudices against the Demonic Cult. How could I have harbored such misguided thoughts, believing only in rumors without seeing the truth? Hut hut, my discipline is still lacking. It truly is. Boundless Buddha.”
At the sight of the Mount Hua Daoist muttering to himself, even uttering a chant in self-reflection, Neung Un-bi blinked blankly.
*What… is this guy?*
*He looks about my age, but he talks like an old man.*
*Well, I guess that's understandable for a Daoist.*
*But to not only be happy to see me but to praise a member of the Demonic Cult? A Daoist?*
*I had imagined countless scenarios and prepared my responses, even getting ready to summon my demonic energy just in case…*
Faced with the Daoist's unexpected reaction, Neung Un-bi was at a loss for what to do.
“But why are you standing here at the entrance instead of going in? It looks like you came here to rest.”
“Ah, well. They seemed troubled and were stopping us from staying at the inn… Anyway, it's fine now. We've decided to camp for the night…”
“Camp for the night! Camp for the night! How can a person of your stature camp outside when there is an inn right here? And what's this? They stopped you? How could such a thing happen?”
“…?”
Neung Un-bi stared in disbelief at the suddenly indignant Daoist.
*Why is this bastard getting so worked up?*
*I'm the one who decided to camp…*
While he was struck speechless with bewilderment, the Daoist glared at the innkeeper, Seong Il-guk.
“Is what the Third Young Master says true? That you prevented him from resting at this inn?”
“Pardon? Ah, well…”
“Heavens, how can you be so petty! An inn is a place that should never turn away a guest nor hold one who wishes to leave. How could you prevent him from even setting foot inside?”
“That may be so, but… he is from the Demonic Cult.”
“What? What about the Demonic Cult?”
“Pardon?”
As the Mount Hua Daoist came to his defense, Seong Il-guk's expression grew even more troubled.
*I get it. In my opinion, that Daoist is the weird one here.*
*Everyone knows the relationship between a demon and a Daoist—they draw swords the moment their eyes meet…*
“What kind of damn fool Daoist is this? His opponent is the Demonic Cult! Is this something a Daoist should be defending?”
An irritated shout erupted from behind the hesitant innkeeper.
“Hmm, and who might you be?”
“Me? I am Yi Pil-seong of Goryang!”
“…Do you have a martial name?”
“Of course I do! I am the Golden Spear of Goryang, the one who subjugated the Mount Cheonak bandits!”
The martial artist brandished the spear in his hand, trying to look imposing.
*Golden Spear of Goryang, my ass.*
*Setting aside the fact that I've never heard that name in my life, what's with his tone and demeanor?*
*Orthodox Sect? A punk like you?*
*And what does he have eyes for, anyway?*
*Just from his lightness skill, it's clear he's a considerable master, and the plum blossom crest on his sleeve is unmistakable.*
*With Shaanxi just around the corner, what kind of madman would dare impersonate a Mount Hua Daoist?*
*And yet, here's some nobody who's made a small name for himself in the countryside acting all high and mighty in front of him.*
Annoyance surged within him, but given the circumstances, Neung Un-bi simply kept quiet and watched.
“Hmm… Boundless Buddha. My knowledge is lacking, for I have never heard that name.”
“What? You damn fool! Goryang is right here! How can you not know my name when I'm a part of the Orthodox Sects?”
“I apologize again.”
As the Mount Hua Daoist bowed his head in apology, the person next to Yi Pil-seong tried to stop him.
“Just leave him be. Seeing how he praises the Demonic Cult, he must be a heretic. He probably just found those clothes somewhere.”
“Damn it, now that you mention it… Right, how could he not know my name in this area? A man like that can't possibly be a renowned Daoist from Mount Hua. Take off those robes this instant, you bastard!”
Yi Pil-seong and those who agreed with him began to openly disrespect the Daoist.
It seemed their prejudice against the Demonic Cult had blinded their eyes and deafened their ears.
*By the way, is this Daoist crazy?*
*I hate to admit it, but everyone else thinks that way. Why are you the only one defending me?*
*I'm from the Demonic Cult, you know?*
*Shouldn't you, a Daoist, be reacting just like them, or even more vehemently?*
But the Daoist continued speaking without a hint of agitation.
“Hmm, but there's something you should know.”
“…?”
“Do you know that his reputation is as great as your own?”
“What did you say?”
“Have you not heard? About what happened at the Heavenly Pillar Gate in northern Gansu?”
“Huh? The Heavenly Pillar Gate?”
The people began to murmur amongst themselves.
In Gansu, the Heavenly Pillar Gate was a place of considerable influence. Although it was several hundred li away, even those unaffiliated with the martial world knew its name.
However, it seemed the news of what happened there had not yet reached this place.
“The truth is, a few days ago…”
The Mount Hua Daoist began to speak about the events at the Heavenly Pillar Gate with a bright smile.
The shame of the Heavenly Pillar Gate, the good deeds of the Demonic Cult's Third Young Master, and even the establishment of the Demonic Cult's Central Plains branch.
“W-What? The Demonic Cult can now openly operate in the Central Plains?”
“T-That's impossible!”
“Lies! How dare a heretic Daoist like you spout such nonsense!”
“He must be with the Demonic Cult too! That's right!”
“…”
No one believed the Mount Hua Daoist's words.
“Goodness, to hear yet not listen… How did the Central Plains become so narrow-minded? A righteous deed should be called righteous, regardless of ideology or values… Boundless Buddha.”
“Shut up, you damn heretic! I'll take your head in the name of the Central Plains!”
As curses finally erupted, the Mount Hua Daoist let out a deep sigh and looked at Neung Un-bi.
“My apologies. The Central Plains is showing you an ugly side of itself.”
“No, I'm not really…”
“No. This is clearly a matter for which I must apologize. What is right should be called right, and what is wrong, wrong. By failing to do so, they have insulted you. As a martial artist of the Central Plains, I am ashamed to face you.”
“…”
*What a strange Daoist.*
*A Daoist who defends the demonic path to this extent... Is he really insane?*
“This is not the time for this. Innkeeper, I will vouch for this man's safety with my name. Please stand aside and let them pass.”
“Pardon?”
“The Orthodox Murim Alliance has already permitted the Demonic Cult's presence in the Central Plains, so you will not suffer any harm for this.”
“B-But…”
Seong Il-guk looked troubled, conscious of the people raging around him.
Besides, didn't the Daoist before him seem exactly like the heretic everyone claimed he was?
But the robes he wore were concerning.
Daoist robes with a clear plum blossom crest. They were definitely from Mount Hua.
If it was a fake, as people said, that was one thing. But what if he was a real Mount Hua Daoist?
He had to confirm it first. Only then could he avoid future trouble.
“Daoist Master.”
“Speak.”
“If you insist, could you please show me something to prove your identity? Or perhaps your Daoist name…”
The Daoist nodded at Seong Il-guk's words, but the crowd's reaction was unchanged.
“It's pointless. How could a heretic like him prove his identity?”
“That's right! Those robes must be fake. He couldn't possibly have a Daoist name. We should seize him and ask for judgment from Mount Hua!”
“Damn bastard! How dare he impersonate someone from Mount Hua!”
Amidst the flying curses, the Daoist pulled a small jade token from his waist and smiled faintly.
“T-This is?”
“As the master of this inn, I trust you will recognize it. It is the Plum Blossom Token used by the martial artists of my sect when traveling.”
“…”
Just as he said, the jade token had a plum blossom crest clearly embossed on it.
Seong Il-guk's eyes widened at the sight.
Was he the master of an inn for nothing?
He had the eye to distinguish a real Mount Hua Plum Blossom Token from a fake.
The Daoist before him was real. Not some heretic, but a true Daoist of the Mount Hua Sect.
He didn't know which generation he belonged to, but he was clearly a martial artist from the main mountain, not a secular disciple.
“My goodness, I nearly committed a great discourtesy.”
As Seong Il-guk immediately bowed, the crowd fell silent.
“What? He was a real Daoist?”
“From the Mount Hua Sect?”
“Really?”
The people who had been trying to find fault with him all along began to whisper in low voices.
“May I ask your Daoist name?”
“This Daoist is called Un Hak of Mount Hua.”
In that instant, the atmosphere froze as if doused with ice water.
“I am also undeservedly one of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.”
“…”
Everyone was struck dumb.
The innkeeper had already confirmed he was a Daoist of Mount Hua.
And his name was Un Hak.
The Daoist known as the Sword Dragon of Mount Hua. It was a name that anyone with even the slightest connection to the martial world could not possibly fail to know.
Was his fame something that had sprung up overnight?
The successor to the Sword Saint of Mount Hua, who was always counted among the top swordsmen of the Central Plains.
A man who, at the age of fifteen, broke free from the mold of the rising generation to stand shoulder to shoulder with the renowned martial artists of his time.
And a Plum Blossom Swordsman?
Who else, at such a young age, could stand alongside the representative martial artists of Mount Hua?
“A-Are you truly Master Un Hak?”
“I am.”
At Daoist Un Hak's reply, a faint smile on his lips as he nodded, everyone's eyes widened and their jaws dropped.
The man who had introduced himself as the Golden Spear of Goryang hung his head, his face flushed crimson with shame. He knew that compared to Un Hak's name, his own reputation was worth less than dirt.
Furthermore, the very people who had been standing guard to block the Demonic Cult were now craning their necks, trying to get a glimpse of Un Hak's face.
Neung Un-bi couldn't help but let out a dry laugh at the sight.
*I knew they'd be like this.*
*But it seems that Daoist fellow holds quite a high position.*
*Un Hak…*
*Of course I haven't heard of him. My memories are stuck in the Central Plains of thirty years ago.*
“So, what do you say? Is my guarantee sufficient? For now, please let them rest. You can send a message to confirm while they are staying.”
“Ah, yes! Of course. We will do as you say. If the Sword Dragon of Mount Hua himself vouches for them, how could I possibly stop them? Isn't that right, everyone?”
“If Master Un Hak vouches for them.”
“So, did the Heavenly Pillar Gate really commit such atrocities?”
“Those bastards! How could they do such things while wearing the mask of the Orthodox Sects!”
“Hmm, it seems there are some good people in the Demonic Cult after all.”
“As rare as beans in a drought.”
At Seong Il-guk's words, the people instantly changed their tune and nodded in agreement.
“Thank you all for your understanding. Boundless Buddha.”
Un Hak bowed his head in thanks to Seong Il-guk and the crowd, then turned to Neung Un-bi with a bright smile.
“Now, please go inside. This misunderstanding has needlessly kept you on your feet. While I cannot claim to represent the entire Central Plains, I will apologize on its behalf.”
“…”
At Un Hak's courteous words, Neung Un-bi's face twisted in annoyance.
*Fine, thanks to him, public opinion has shifted, and we can stay at the inn.*
*I should be grateful.*
*But… who said I needed help from the likes of Mount Hua?*
*I never asked for his help, so why is he making such a fuss?*