Chapter 73: Sect Leader
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 73: Sect Leader
While they were eating tanghulu and exploring the marketplace...
"...Aren't those disciples of Mount Hua?"
In the distance, men wearing the martial robes of the Mount Hua Sect appeared.
"No, it looks like they're coming this way."
The Divine Physician also spotted them, his expression hardening.
"Why are they coming toward us?"
Seol Yerin, still munching on her tanghulu, turned her gaze toward the Mount Hua martial artists.
"We came because we caught the scent of a single, beautiful flower."
Two men stood before Seol Yerin, acting as if they were refined young masters out on a stroll.
Cheon Deung-jin caught Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s eye for a split second before stepping in front of Seol Yerin. He did so because he assumed others would perceive him as a man.
Naturally, it looked like a protective formation.
"Who are you?"
"Who might you be?"
Hyeok Ryeon-yeom and Cheon Deung-jin stepped forward simultaneously, shielding Seol Yerin.
"...I am Cheong-geol of Mount Hua."
"I am Cheongpung."
The men in Mount Hua robes introduced themselves politely.
"We have introduced our sect. Might we ask which sect you belong to?"
Their sharp gazes swept over Hyeok Ryeon-yeom and Cheon Deung-jin.
Cheon Deung-jin looked back at Hyeok Ryeon-yeom. Since neither of them was actually from the Ice Palace, he was momentarily at a loss for words.
"It is a pleasure. I am Seol Yerin, the Young Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace. Do you young heroes of Mount Hua have some business with me?"
They flinched.
"The North Sea... Ice Palace?"
"What is the Young Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace doing here in Huayin County...?"
The faces of the two second-generation disciples of Mount Hua turned grave upon hearing Seol Yerin’s words.
-Sihyeong, what do we do?
-Stay calm. We’ve spoken to many beauties, but we’ve never received an answer like this before.
-If it’s the Ice Palace... rumors say they freeze people alive.
-Ahem, a beauty like that would never do such a thing.
"The Young Palace Lord asked what your business was."
Sshhh—
A chilling killing intent, enough to make the hair on their necks stand up, washed over the two men. Their expressions froze instantly.
"You're quite bold for barbarians."
"Do you think this is the Ice Palace?"
The two men reached for their sword hilts. The situation was on a hair-trigger.
"We are here at the invitation of Mount Hua. I suppose the word hasn't reached you two yet," Cheon Deung-jin interjected.
"An invitation?"
"Elder Baek San has already ascended the mountain. I doubt your seniority is higher than the Elder's, so I hope we can avoid unnecessary friction."
At those words, Cheongpung and Cheong-geol immediately offered a fist salute.
"We apologize for failing to recognize the guests of Mount Hua!"
The moment Baek San’s name was mentioned, their attitudes shifted completely. It was a fresh reminder of Baek San’s immense prestige.
-Ho-oh. As expected of a Great Sect, their discipline is much tighter than other places.
-They feel completely different from the third-generation disciples.
The Sword Venerable and the Demon Empress each chimed in, noting the difference.
"Then, we shall see you at the sect!!"
They scrambled away. Watching the three of them flee, the young girl selling tanghulu spoke up.
"Well, that's a surprise... The Plum Blossom Parasites are actually running away."
"Plum Blossom Parasites?"
"They're the ones who often come down to the marketplace like freeloaders, demanding free meals just because they're disciples of Mount Hua."
"Demanding free meals? You mean the Mount Hua Sect?"
"Everyone keeps it quiet, but Mount Hua isn't what it used to be. Cultivating the Tao is all well and good, but you have to be able to make a living to maintain the status of a prestigious Orthodox sect. Right now, Mount Hua is severely, severely lacking in that department."
In the marketplace, they were able to gather a surprising amount of information regarding the Mount Hua Sect.
*
The Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect, Hyeoncheon Jinin, stroked his beard as he listened to Baek San’s report.
"So, you brought the Young Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace to Mount Hua..."
Baek San also relayed the story of the third-generation disciples who had nearly died in Yulin City.
"And you say Byeok Ra-jung, an Elder of Zhongnan, is dead?"
"Yes. I confirmed his death."
"You know full well what will happen once Zhongnan learns of this, don't you?"
"That is why I brought them here, Sect Leader."
"Are you planning to use the Ice Palace as a shield?"
Baek San shook his head.
"No. I am suggesting we strike Zhongnan together."
"Together?"
"The Divine Physician is traveling with them."
Hyeoncheon Jinin’s eyes flashed at the mention of the Divine Physician.
"The Divine Physician...?"
"Yes."
"Why is the Divine Physician moving with the Ice Palace?"
"That, I do not know."
"Fine. Let’s say we join forces with the Ice Palace and defeat Zhongnan. How will we handle the reaction from the Martial Alliance?"
Using the power of the Outlands to solidify their influence in Shaanxi Province—and doing so by purging the Zhongnan Sect, a fellow member of the Nine Sects and One Clan—would naturally weaken the Alliance's cohesion.
Perhaps the Ice Palace was visiting Mount Hua with that very goal in mind.
After pondering the Sect Leader’s reaction for a moment, Baek San spoke.
"If we do not accept the Ice Palace's help, what do you intend to do about the attack that nearly destroyed the Yulin Inn?"
For some time now, businesses under Mount Hua’s protection had been under direct assault. Though the attackers wore black robes, their techniques were unmistakably those of the Zhongnan Sect.
Yet, no one dared to speak out. Mount Hua no longer possessed its former strength.
They knew Zhongnan was continuously expanding its territory, but this was the first time they had attacked so directly. Furthermore, it was said they intended to completely demolish the inn run by the excommunicated disciple, So-dong.
The precious third-generation disciples of Mount Hua could have lost their lives right then and there. Everyone knew this was something an Orthodox sect should never do.
"We must respond."
"Even if we do, I believe there is a high probability that Mount Hua will not achieve what it desires."
"...San, you know as well as I do that we live in an era where everyone is staking their lives on survival."
The Martial Alliance was already exhausted just trying to keep the League of Four Tyrants from expanding. And until recently, Mount Hua had been mired in its own suffering.
The people entangled in that history were the Sect Leader, Baek San, and Yu So-dong.
"Even so, you should have kept Un-so close. This is Mount Hua, after all."
"He was a child better suited for commerce than martial arts. We could not lead him."
"That child almost died."
"..."
Hyeoncheon Jinin let out a long sigh. How had it come to this?
‘Our vigilance has surely waned.’
In this era of "Great Peace," where the pressure from external enemies had vanished, people were instead focusing their efforts on killing one another.
‘The Ice Palace...’
History taught that the Ice Palace revealed itself in the Central Plains once every hundred years. The fact that Ice Palace members were roaming the Central Plains again meant that a century had indeed passed.
The Sect Leader, who had heard tales of the Northern Sea Martial God from a hundred years ago, asked Baek San once more.
"Who did you say the Young Palace Lord was?"
"Seol Yerin. She is the only daughter of the North Sea Ice Palace Lord."
"An only daughter?"
"Yes."
"Hmm. Then how about this?"
According to Baek San, the Young Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace was touring the Central Plains. Usually, it was better for a woman to travel with a man rather than alone, and when a man and a woman traveled together, wasn't it natural for feelings to develop?
Yin and Yang only find meaning when they are one.
"What... kind of method is it?"
"In exchange for resolving the Zhongnan matter together, let us attach one of Mount Hua’s martial artists to travel with the Young Palace Lord."
Baek San read the Sect Leader’s thoughts, but he couldn't bring himself to flatly refuse. They weren't in a position to be picky. He, too, realized how much Mount Hua’s prestige could rise if they had the Ice Palace backing them.
A winter where they couldn't even dream of the scent of plum blossoms. They were suffering through a cold winter where the plum blossoms had withered.
*
The next day.
After enjoying the marketplace and returning to their lodgings to wash away their fatigue, the group began their ascent of Mount Hua.
They had heard that the Mount Hua Sect was located around the mid-slope of the mountain. Mount Hua, with its five soaring peaks, was notoriously difficult to climb.
The group reached the mid-slope while enjoying the scenery of jagged cliffs and strangely shaped rocks nestled between the five peaks shrouded in a sea of clouds.
[Mount Hua Sect 華山派]
A plaque with calligraphy written in a single, fluid stroke greeted the group.
"...It’s been a long time."
Yu So-dong, who had climbed the mountain with them, looked around at various parts of the sect. Seeing him like that, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom asked:
"What kind of person is the Sect Leader of Mount Hua?"
"Pardon?"
"We’ll be facing him once we enter. I thought it would be good to know a bit more about him."
"The Sect Leader is a Taoist to his very bones."
"A Taoist?"
"Yes. Whether his disciples are living or dying because they have no money for food, he’s an optimist who believes that as long as they cultivate the Tao and learn martial arts, they’ll live well."
It couldn't be easy to live a life so disconnected from the secular world.
"So, he’s an upright man?"
That was the impression Hyeok Ryeon-yeom got from Yu So-dong.
"Ah, well, I’m not entirely sure about that either."
"In conclusion, I’ll have to meet him to find out."
Understood. Still, there was a big difference between meeting someone while knowing their circumstances and meeting them blindly.
"By the way, the scenery is truly exquisite," Seol Yerin admired softly.
It was a completely different feeling from the snow-capped mountains seen from the Ice Palace. Thinking that it was a good idea to come, they entered the Mount Hua Sect.
Then...
"Welcome."
Someone was waiting for them as soon as they crossed the main gate.
"Yu So-dong, an excommunicated disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, greets Hyeoncheon Jinin, the Sect Leader of Mount Hua."
Yu So-dong, who had entered first, spotted the Sect Leader and bowed. Behind the Sect Leader, the disciples of Mount Hua were lined up in formation.
"It has been a long time."
"For the Divine Physician to visit Mount Hua like this... it is truly an earth-shattering event."
"Haha, is that so?"
"And this is...?"
"I am Seol Yerin, the Young Palace Lord of the North Sea Ice Palace."
"I am Hyeok Ryeon-yeom, the Captain of the Little Snow Unit, in charge of the Young Palace Lord’s escort."
Hyeoncheon Jinin’s expression stiffened as he observed the escort unit that had swarmed in. The martial prowess of each individual in the group was as formidable as the masters of Mount Hua.
"My... it seems the prestige of the Ice Palace has become quite grand since we last met."
"You flatter us."
"I heard the news that you saved our third-generation disciples from Zhongnan. Allow me to start by offering my sincere gratitude."
"Not at all. It was only natural to save them."
"Thank you for thinking so. Ah, regardless, please come inside."
Hyeoncheon Jinin extended his arm, guiding Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s group. While they walked ahead, Hyeoncheon Jinin lingered for a moment.
Standing there while everyone else moved forward, Hyeoncheon Jinin spoke to Yu So-dong, who remained in a deep bow.
"And So-dong, you come as well. You are my nephew-disciple, after all. Surely you can accept a cup of tea from your uncle-master."
*
Following Hyeoncheon Jinin’s guidance, they arrived at the Sect Leader’s office and took their seats. Seol Yerin looked around the room with curiosity.
"Is something the matter?"
"I was surprised to see that the Sect Leader’s office is more modest than I expected."
It certainly felt more meager than the Palace Lord’s Hall.
"I suppose the Ice Palace’s finances are in good standing?"
"They have improved recently."
"Did you discover a hoard of gold and silver?"
"We sold North Sea Cold Iron to the Central Plains. You will likely see martial artists carrying Cold Iron swords soon."
As the atmosphere of the Sect Leader questioning and Seol Yerin answering continued, Hyeok Ryeon-yeom subtly interjected.
"I would like to hear the real reason why Elder Baek invited us to Mount Hua."
At Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s piercing question, Hyeoncheon Jinin pondered for a moment before beginning his story.
The Ice Palace group, including Hyeok Ryeon-yeom, focused on the Sect Leader’s lips, wondering what kind of story would come from a Taoist so removed from the secular world.
"In our Mount Hua, there was once a Taoist who had attained true enlightenment."
It was an unexpected start.
"He did not know how to practice martial arts and had no talent for it, but he knew the heavenly secrets, fortune, and all the paths of the Tao. He knew everything about Mount Hua."
Yu So-dong, who had entered late, flinched at the Sect Leader’s words. The Sect Leader continued.
"Then, eight years ago, someone set fire to the pavilion where all of Mount Hua’s secret manuals were kept. Everything was reduced to ashes; nothing remained. The manuals Mount Hua had cultivated until then, and above all, the precious Taoist scriptures of our ancestors... it was utter despair. That was when he stepped forward."
"It was Unhae Jinin, the scholar-Taoist," Baek San took over. "To the Sect Leader and me, he was our Eldest Sihyeong. One could say he was a man who knew everything in the world."
"And for three years, without rest, he restored the scriptures and revived the secret manuals. Everything was stored in his mind. Then, five years ago, he finally completed his task. He stepped outside with his disciple and collapsed right then and there. That disciple carried his master’s frail body on his back and wailed. That was Un-so... no, that child, So-dong."
The gaze of Hyeok Ryeon-yeom’s group turned toward So-dong.
"From then on, his health declined rapidly. We spent everything we had, searching everywhere and gathering all sorts of medicinal herbs to save him. But his condition only worsened. Then, suddenly, that child disappeared. No one noticed, and soon... he passed away. And just two days later, that child returned with something. Do you know what it was?"
The Sect Leader spoke with a faint smile.
"It was a Great Return Pill. In his quest to save his master, he had tracked down and stolen it from a merchant group. And we are still paying off that debt to this day."
Having said this much, the Sect Leader paused to catch his breath.
"Do you know why I am telling you this story?"
"I do not," Hyeok Ryeon-yeom replied honestly.
"It is to say that this tragedy would never have happened if the Zhongnan Sect had not provoked us. We even suspected they were the ones who burned the pavilion. So, I ask you."
Hyeoncheon Jinin looked at Hyeok Ryeon-yeom with eyes full of light.
"Will you join forces with Mount Hua to push back the Zhongnan Sect?"
A very secular proposal had finally come to light.