Chapter 72: Mount Hua
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 72: Mount Hua
I hadn't expected to use the Divine Physician’s command plaque so soon.
Baek San, an Elder of the Mount Hua Sect, looked visibly flustered.
“Divine Physician, why would you give that to an Ice Palace guard…?”
“I gave it to him because I had a reason to. Is that not enough?”
“Ah, my apologies.”
“I heard that if I hand over this command plaque, you would grant me any one request I desire… Is that true?”
Baek San remained silent for a moment before speaking.
“It is. It was the second plaque I offered to the Divine Physician because I—no, because the Mount Hua Sect—owed him a great debt. The Divine Physician has received this plaque from me twice now.”
“Doesn't that just show how deep the bond is between us, considering how often we've crossed paths? How long has it been since I first helped you out when I first entered the Jianghu? Ten-odd years…? Goodness. I’ve certainly grown old.”
“Haha, time truly does fly.”
According to the Divine Physician, he had first saved Baek San’s life when the Elder was in critical condition about a decade ago, shortly after the physician had begun his travels.
Then what was the second time? He said the Mount Hua Sect owed him a debt?
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom looked at Baek San, keeping his curiosity to himself.
“Is there something you wish to ask of me now?” Baek San inquired, clearly wanting to settle the debt as quickly as possible.
“I will tell you once we arrive at Mount Hua.”
“…Understood.”
With that, Baek San had no choice but to constantly walk on eggshells around Hyeok Ryeon-yeom.
- Heh heh. What do you plan to do at Mount Hua? the Sword Venerable asked.
‘It’s simple. My goal is to change the perception that people like you and the Demon Empress have built up over the years.’
He couldn't clear the karma accumulated by the Northern Sea Martial Gods all at once.
However...
‘The Nine Sects and One Clan, and the Five Great Clans.’
Ten sects and five families.
If he could change the minds of at least eight out of those fifteen Orthodox factions, the Ice Palace might be able to stand against the Demonic Cult with the support of the Orthodox Faction at their back.
‘The biggest obstacle is…’
Ultimately, it was Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s birth.
If the news broke that he was the youngest son of the Heavenly Demon, the Orthodox bastards would undoubtedly look at him through a biased lens.
“Then I shall head back now. Let’s go, So-dong.”
“Yes, Elder.”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom smirked as he watched Baek San walk away toward the rest of the Mount Hua party with Yu So-dong.
“What are you planning to do at Mount Hua?” the Divine Physician asked, sounding genuinely curious.
“Thanks to your command plaque, I’ve thought of something I can do.”
“Oh?”
“I’ve already made an enemy of the Zhongnan Sect. I might as well win over Mount Hua.”
If there was one thing Hyeok Ryeon-yeom understood perfectly, it was human nature. Humans instinctively distance themselves from anything that doesn't provide them with a benefit.
The Mount Hua Sect would surely welcome the Ice Palace.
Why?
‘Because they are at odds with Zhongnan. They’ll think that if they push the Ice Palace just a little, the Palace will end up destroying itself along with Zhongnan.’
When that happened, a Mount Hua exhausted by its rivalry with Zhongnan would surely be able to reclaim its past glory.
But the moment that happened…
‘Mount Hua will be in the same boat as the Ice Palace.’
That was exactly what Hyeok Ryeon-yeom was aiming for.
Gurgle—
“Oh my.”
A growling sound erupted from Cheon Deung-jin’s stomach.
“Let’s eat first.”
They were out on a journey, yet they hadn't been able to have a proper meal. Hyeok Ryeon-yeom decided that once they reached Mount Hua, he would treat Cheon Deung-jin and Seol Yerin to a truly delicious feast.
Huayin County, Shaanxi Province.
Since the Mount Hua Sect, one of the great powers of Shaanxi, was nestled on the mountain itself, the town of Huayin at its base was constantly bustling with people.
“Look, it’s the Plum Blossom Sword and the Five Swords of Mount Hua.”
“What’s with that carriage?”
The residents of Huayin watched the carriage and the Mount Hua warriors entering the town. Although the population was small, a large group passing through the streets was bound to draw attention.
“Let us rest in Huayin today and ascend the mountain tomorrow.”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom nodded at the suggestion from the Plum Blossom Sword, Baek San.
Having traveled together for nearly seven days, the two had gained a rough understanding of each other’s character. Once the Divine Physician firmly stated that he was traveling toward Nanman with the Young Lady of the Ice Palace, Baek San seemed to believe him.
Consequently, a few days ago, Baek San had even shared some of his own worries.
And those worries were…
‘The pressure from the Zhongnan Sect is growing more intense by the day.’
It was exactly what Hyeok Ryeon-yeom had predicted.
If he helped Mount Hua now, they would become friendly toward the Ice Palace.
‘Of course, the opposite could happen too.’
The moment he harmed the Zhongnan Sect, someone would surely be reminded of the nightmare that was the Northern Sea Martial Gods. He had to ensure that didn't happen as much as possible.
That was why Hyeok Ryeon-yeom, not Seol Yerin, would be the one to step forward this time.
“Ugh. Are we finally here?”
Spending seven days in a carriage was an exhausting ordeal. After leaving the carriage at an inn and securing lodgings, they heard that the Mount Hua warriors would continue up the mountain.
“I’ll stay behind.”
Only Yu So-dong remained with them.
“…Then I shall see you tomorrow.”
They saw off the Plum Blossom Sword and the rest of the Mount Hua rabble as they departed for the mountain.
“Is it really alright to let them go ahead like that?”
Elder Baek San would report to the Sect Leader as soon as he reached Mount Hua—that the Young Lady of the Ice Palace had arrived in Huayin County.
What choice would the Sect Leader of Mount Hua make then?
“It’ll be fine. But just in case, move around in small groups.”
With those words, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom went to find Seol Yerin. Her eyes were sparkling as she looked at the well-ordered marketplace for the first time.
“Would you like to look around the market?”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
“May I join you as well?”
Cheon Deung-jin’s eyes were also sparkling with an unusual intensity.
“Of course. Since we’re going, let’s all go together!” Seol Yerin readily agreed.
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom began walking through the market with the two of them and the Divine Physician. Tae Un-seo, Weizhi Young, Eun-bin, and Baek Mu-yong kept their distance. Yu So-dong followed even further behind the two groups.
The marketplace wasn't very large, so it would have been difficult for seven people to move together in a pack. Moreover, since they looked like outsiders, they didn't want to arouse too much suspicion.
“Buy some Tanghulu!”
As they turned a corner, they saw a young girl selling Tanghulu—skewers of glossy red hawthorn fruit coated in hardened sugar. The fragrant, sweet scent tickled Seol Yerin’s nose, which had been dulled by the seven-day carriage journey.
“What is that?”
Seol Yerin stared at the Tanghulu with eyes full of curiosity. It was a vibrant color and sweetness she had never experienced in the Ice Palace.
“It’s a Central Plains sweet called Tanghulu,” Cheon Deung-jin explained. “They sold something similar near Potala Palace, but they definitely seem to make them better here in the Central Plains.”
Having lived in the Western Region, Cheon Deung-jin also hadn't had many opportunities to encounter Central Plains food.
“Shall we try one each?”
The girl at the stall hesitated for a moment at the extraordinary appearance and clothing of the three, but she didn't falter and held out the skewers.
“The hawthorn Tanghulu tastes like deepening affection, and the tangerine Tanghulu tastes like a burst of energy!”
Seol Yerin pointed to a glowing red hawthorn skewer.
“I’ll have a hawthorn one, please.”
“Me too.”
“Here you go! You’re so beautiful!”
The girl at the stall was quite the savvy businesswoman. She handed the two reddest skewers to Hyeok Ryeon-yeom. After paying, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom handed one to Seol Yerin.
Seol Yerin took a careful bite.
Crunch!
As the thin sugar coating shattered, a sweet and sour flavor exploded in her mouth.
“It’s delicious!”
Seeing Seol Yerin enjoy the treat, Cheon Deung-jin’s eyes also sparkled.
“Here is yours.”
“But why are there only two? What about yours, Young Master?”
“Ah, I…”
“Have some of this.”
Seol Yerin held out the Tanghulu she was eating toward Hyeok Ryeon-yeom. He looked embarrassed for a moment but had no choice but to take a bite.
Crunch!
“Mmm, it is quite good.”
Cheon Deung-jin also took a bite of his. However, for some reason, he felt as if there was a hint of bitterness mixed into the sweetness.
“Would you like one as well, Divine Physician?”
“I’m fine.”
The Divine Physician, Seong Yi-han, clicked his tongue from behind.
“How could this old man interfere with the 'affection' of young people?”
Seeing him like that, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom bought a tangerine Tanghulu and handed it over.
“They say it gives you energy, so why not try it?”
The Divine Physician must have been exhausted from the long journey. A sweet treat like this seemed like a good way to refresh his mood. As expected, the physician did not refuse the offer.
Crunch—
The moment he ate it…
“Mmm.”
The sweetness definitely spread through his mouth.
“…It makes me think of my granddaughter.”
“I will make sure your granddaughter gets to eat Tanghulu as well.”
A promise was a promise.
“Thank you.”
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom smiled as he watched them take more interest in the delicious street food than the market itself.
But then…
Rustle—
From a distance, a group of Mount Hua disciples was watching them intently.
Cheongpung and Cheonggeol, second-generation disciples of Mount Hua, were observing Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s party. Elder Baek San and the others who had gone up the mountain didn't know, but today happened to be the day the disciples were allowed out into Huayin County.
“Geol, I’ve never seen such a beautiful woman in my life,” Cheongpung remarked.
“Are you going to approach her even though she has men on both sides?” Cheonggeol looked back at Cheongpung with a bored expression.
“The fact that such a beauty appeared in Huayin just as we came down can only mean it’s destiny for me to be with her.”
“You’ve already decided, then?”
“I don't know what sect they’re from, but I don't think we’ll be outmatched.”
“That goes without saying.”
They were members of the Great Mount Hua Sect that dominated Shaanxi Province. They weren't mere third-generation disciples, but second-generation ones who had already secured their positions to some extent.
However…
The two of them didn't seem to think twice about the fact that Taoists were lusting after a woman. This attitude of the disciples was the current reality of the Mount Hua Sect, which supposedly pursued the Righteous Path.
“Shall we go and at least talk to her?”
“That much is possible.”
“Let’s just find out which sect the young lady is from.”
The two Mount Hua disciples began to approach Seol Yerin.