Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Mount Hua's Hidden Tensions
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"...Someone might have taken a manual with the complete Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Swordsmanship and slipped out of Mount Hua's territory...?"
"Yes. That's correct."
I handed some food to Ilho, who had followed me. But she refused.
Even though we'd gotten separate rooms, she shook her head as if mindful of outside eyes.
"I'm taking my meals separately."
"What do you eat?"
"......."
"Please, eat."
I offered her food once more.
Sua clung to Ilho as well.
"Sister. Eat with us."
"......."
Ilho, looking troubled, brought a hand to the cloth half-covering her face. But before untying it, she glanced at me again.
"...Um...the gaze...just a bit..."
"Pardon?"
"The gaze... I can't meet people's eyes with my bare face..."
Ilho said in a crawling voice.
"But if it's an order... I'll just eat."
I turned my back for her sake.
I hadn't seen her face anyway, and I hadn't brought her along to see it.
The sound of her picking at the food behind me reached my ears. Sua let out a small gasp of admiration.
"Sister. You're pretty."
"Th-thank you...?"
The awkward sound of Ilho chewing came through. I pressed on with my lingering curiosity.
"Is that a rumor, or the truth?"
"Nothing's been confirmed. But given there's still no solid information, it's more likely the former. Even with a massive sect like Mount Hua chasing the manual, no leads have surfaced... so it's probably a staged act."
"......."
"What do you think, Great Hero?"
"...I..."
Weighing the possibilities, it leaned that way for now.
"Same as you. I think someone deliberately leaked the info. If it is staged, then someone might still have the manual."
"......"
"Mount Hua's sect leader selection is in three months. You said the top three elders are the frontrunners... so one of them probably has it. To solidify their position. Of course, just speculation."
Ilho nodded. I ate slowly, matching her pace.
When I heard her finish and put the cloth back on, I slowly turned around.
"...Thank you."
"No trouble at all. From now on, eat with us."
"I-I couldn't impose..."
"It's fine. Haven't you already helped me more than that? Let me at least treat you to a meal-don't refuse."
"...Every time, I think of how much discomfort it causes you, Great Hero..."
"You can still eat with your back turned. Right, Sua?"
"Hmm... I want to eat while looking at Daddy's face..."
"We'll all turn our backs together."
"Okay!"
"N-No need to go that far..."
"I want to."
I gathered my things and stood. Sua hopped up to follow.
"...Sua?"
"Yes?"
"Better to wait at the inn."
"Daddy. I'm your daughter and assistant. Since you're a Murim Alliance inspector, I'm the assistant inspector."
"......?"
"And the safest place in the world is by your side, right?"
She wasn't wrong.
She could respond if something happened.
I gazed down at Sua, who seemed to grow sharper by the day. Her proud puffed shoulders made me pinch her cheek lightly-it was cute.
Proof she was getting more comfortable with me. Come to think of it...
Ever since we started training martial arts together, we'd grown even closer. Enough for a bit of playfulness.
It felt like she was gradually regaining the spirit of her age. Made me proud on one hand. Kids are prettiest when they're kids, after all.
"Sua's getting cheekier by the day..."
"...Don't like it?"
"No. Can't be helped. As your dad, I have to accept it. But no causing trouble. Got it?"
"Daddy. Don't worry. I'll be like a ghost. Like Sister Ilho."
"N-No need to imitate me..."
"Walking like this makes no sound. Right?"
Sua took a step. Ilho panicked.
"How do you know Hidden Killing Step?!"
"I can do this too."
"Gasp! That's Shadow Lurking Step...?!"
Sua slipped into a shadow and popped out, grinning at me.
"Daddy. How's that?"
"Impressive."
"Heehee."
"M-Miss, how...?"
Genius stood out anywhere, it seemed.
I took Sua up Mount Hua. Rugged mountains. In the old days, I'd have carried her, but she hopped lightly between rocks.
"Feels light."
"Don't push and get hurt. Okay?"
"Tired. Carry me."
"Not a drop of sweat..."
"Carry meee, Daddyyy."
"Come here."
"Yes!"
I carried the whining Sua the rest of the way up Mount Hua. Looking up at the massive closed gates, I called to the guards.
"I'm Jeok-un, Murim Alliance inspector."
"...Murim Alliance inspector? Wait. Jeok-un... aren't you the Ink Sword Great Hero?"
My fame had spread wide.
I nodded lightly. The treatment was worlds apart from Shaolin.
Unwelcome, yet they forced a smile.
"Welcome to Mount Hua, Jeok Great Hero."
The gates opened, and Mount Hua's plum blossom scent brushed my nose.
Massive buildings. Stone pagodas everywhere.
Taoist fragrance wafted from every corner. Not a speck of trash anywhere we stepped.
Even rolling stones were cleared away. The cleanliness proved what Mount Hua was about.
---Thud.
A foot stomp shook the ground slightly. The gathered power in disciplined steps echoed from afar.
I couldn't inspect Shaolin closely on my first visit...
But now was different.
As inspector, and Mount Hua welcoming me as a 'guest'.
"...Wow."
Sua's eyes sparkled. The moment I set her down, she peeked around.
But remembering our promise, she didn't stray far-or so I thought, and she was back by my side. Clinging like a cicada to old wood, savoring Mount Hua.
"Your daughter? Adorable."
I turned at the voice. An unfamiliar warrior bowed deeply.
"Disciple of Mount Hua, Baek-hyeon. I've been tasked with guiding the Murim Alliance inspector, Jeok Great Hero."
"Jeok-un. This is my daughter, Sua."
"Hello."
Sua bowed politely. Baek-hyeon smiled brightly.
"Didn't expect you'd bring your daughter to an active site..."
"Wanted to show the fieldwork to the kid who might follow in my footsteps. If it's rude, I'll send her down right away."
"No issue. You came to help Mount Hua, didn't you? Your presence alone will bring temporary peace. Don't worry."
Baek-hyeon guided us. Showed our quarters for the stay, then led us to the elders.
Each oversaw a division. Eight elders looked down at me and Sua.
"Ink Sword."
"Heard the name."
"Fine achievements."
"...Unimaginable feats."
Respect on the surface, but guarded eyes clear.
Made sense. I'd essentially shut down one of the Nine Great Sects myself.
I bowed low.
"The tales grew bigger than the deeds. Embarrassing."
"...Hmm."
"Time reveals the truth behind rumors."
"Mount Hua Assembly. Here for that, I hear."
"Murim Alliance mediation."
"Not bad for us. Needed someone neutral to balance things."
"But inspector. You know?"
"We want mediation, not biased support."
"Be fair to all. Stand equal; only the frontrunner leads Mount Hua."
"We expect it, inspector."
I nodded amid the barrage.
"I'll do my best."
The elders said little after. Internal dispute. Sect leader choice was Mount Hua's affair.
Truth was, just residing here fulfilled my role for them.
Murim Alliance rep planted squarely in Mount Hua.
Competitors couldn't scheme easily.
Fairness. Fairness. I felt the thorns in their words.
Don't meddle recklessly. In the power struggle.
Just stay quiet-that's my limit.
Even Baek-hyeon, my guide, smiled outwardly but showed no intent to cooperate. Though Mount Hua belonged to the Murim Alliance...
The Nine Great Sects sustained it, so no simple hierarchy.
So, as inspector here...
No different from Shaolin, really.
Act independently.
I asked Baek-hyeon directly.
"How many are in the Mount Hua Assembly for sect leader?"
"Three. Elder Un-gong, Elder Un-byeok, and Elder Un-myo."
"I heard there were four."
"...Ah. You mean Junior Gu Hwarin?"
Junior.
Not even calling her martial sister-didn't acknowledge her as a fellow disciple.
"No need to consider her."
"Why?"
"She forfeited her right to enter the Mount Hua Assembly."
"......"
Forfeited herself...
Opposite of what the Alliance Leader wanted. Voluntary, or forced?
I nodded and sent Baek-hyeon off.
"Ilho."
"Yes."
"Need info. On the three competing elders, and..."
Should meet them once.
"Can you find where this Gu Hwarin is staying?"
"Understood."
Ilho vanished. Sua came toddling back.
"Daddy. What's next?"
"Wait for Ilho..."
I scooped up Sua.
"Want to see Mount Hua's swords?"
"Yes!"
"Sua. But don't act like before. Sect martial arts are like property-learning them casually gets you punished."
"......! I'll be careful."
"Good."
I headed to Mount Hua's training grounds.
Honestly, curious too. Top sword sects: Wudang and Mount Hua.
I'd dreamed of it once.
What if I'd been a Mount Hua warrior?
That plum-scented sword...
Wanted a proper look.
. . .
"Ink Sword?"
Mount Hua's second-generation disciple Baek-hyang clicked his tongue.
"Heard of the Murim Alliance inspector. But... other rumors too? Wields martial arts all external force."
"Yes, senior brother."
"Martial arts need balance of internal and external to reach heights. If only external... limits are clear."
Obvious truth. Baek-hyang halted his swinging sword.
Murim Alliance inspector. To mediate before Mount Hua's power struggle caused excess casualties...
"...Has the Alliance gone mad?"
The cause was right.
Wrong man sent.
No respect for Mount Hua? Sending a half-baked warrior as inspector...
And calling it mediation?
Utterly insane. Insult to Mount Hua.
If even a second-gen disciple like him felt this...
What of the elders above?
"......."
Baek-hyang sighed. Spun his sword into its sheath.
"Sending a mongrel to mediate in the Nine Great Sects' proudest, Mount Hua... Unbearable."
"What will you do?"
"Unqualified intruder-send him packing. But can't act like thugs..."
Baek-hyang's eyes gleamed.
Like a beast eyeing prey.
"Must request 'lessons' from one with nothing to teach. Humiliate him publicly, and he'll slink off himself. If he has any pride as a warrior."