Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 023
Chapter Title: Heading Home
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The morning sun rose over Mount Wudang.
Dazzling rays pierced the heavens and earth, driving away the darkness that had settled through the night.
I headed toward the training grounds, where just yesterday thousands of martial heroes had gathered, roaring in excitement.
With each step, the paved stones beneath my feet rumbled faintly, sending subtle vibrations up through my soles.
I stood before the Sect Leader of the renowned Wudang Sect under heaven, Xuanhe True Person.
He gazed at us standing before him with a gentle, profound look, his hands clasped behind his back.
The old Daoist's eyes were as clear and serene as a secluded mountain spring, yet they held the piercing wisdom that saw through all things.
"The dragon rides the clouds to ascend and command the winds, while the phoenix perches in the paulownia tree to sing of peaceful times."
Xuanhe True Person's voice was not loud, yet it rang in the ears of everyone gathered in the plaza like the clear toll of a bell.
I couldn't tell if it was due to the Daoist power infused in his words or the weight they carried.
"Yet without clouds, how could the dragon soar? Without the paulownia, where would the phoenix rest? Only when yin and yang embrace each other in harmony do all things come alive."
He stroked his white beard and smiled.
His gaze, infused with the profound principles of Daoism, swept alternately over me and Peng Soyeon.
"This Dragon-Phoenix Tournament lived up to its name as a true gathering of harmony, where strength and softness, dominance and benevolence intertwined. Yi Yi of Mount Hua Sect and Peng Soyeon of Hebei Peng Clan—your achievements are truly astonishing and praiseworthy."
The stares from behind prickled like needles.
Peng Jeongbo stood with his arms crossed, his face as impassive as ever, but his eyes had softened noticeably.
And Senior Disciple watched me with a tender smile at her lips, like a mother gazing at her fully grown child.
Xuanhe True Person drew two hefty-looking boxes from within his sleeve.
Glossy black-red lacquer gleamed over them, adorned with intricate gold leaf patterns symbolizing the Murim Alliance.
These were boxes said to contain elixirs granted only to the greatest prodigies under heaven.
"These are Lesser Reversion Pills bestowed personally by the Murim Alliance Leader. Though they fall short of the Great Reversion Pill, they will surely solidify the foundation of your cultivated inner energy and unblock your meridians without fail."
"Thank you...!"
Peng Soyeon was the first to receive the box with trembling hands.
It was a treasure so precious it would overwhelm even the young lady of the Peng Clan.
She knelt and bowed her head deeply in reverence.
All traces of her usual arrogance were gone, replaced entirely by the awe of a true martial artist.
"Peng Soyeon of Hebei Peng Clan deeply thanks the Alliance Leader for his boundless grace. I will nourish myself with this elixir and strive diligently, so that when crisis befalls the jianghu in the future, I will be the first to draw my blade."
Her clear voice echoed through the assembly.
I followed her lead, kneeling to accept the box.
The weight of it pressing into my palm felt as heavy as the responsibility now placed upon my shoulders.
"Yi Yi of Mount Hua Sect will engrave the True Person's and Alliance Leader's great will deep in my heart. I will prove with my sword that Mount Hua's plum blossoms never bloom and fall in vain."
Our vows echoed beneath the morning sun.
Xuanhe True Person nodded in satisfaction, and I caught the glint of teardrops at the corners of Senior Disciple's eyes, sparkling like jewels.
After the Sect Leader departed, we stepped down from the platform and headed toward the seats reserved for honored guests.
But Peng Soyeon's steps were heavy, as if her feet were weighted with sandbags.
Her shoulders were hunched tightly, her gaze wandering aimlessly across the ground.
The object of her fear was obvious.
Peng Jeongbo, young lord of the Peng Clan.
His presence loomed like a massive boulder, crushing down on her.
Though she was a head taller than me, she shrank behind my back like a child hiding from her parents.
Squeeze.
A faint tremor came from my waist.
Peng Soyeon was clutching the hem of my robe.
Her fingers, pale and bloodless from gripping so tightly, looked heartbreakingly fragile.
The bold successor of the Sword Immortal who had seemed ready to command the world was now just a frightened young girl.
That was when it happened.
Peng Jeongbo, who had been standing silently, turned his head.
His gaze lingered briefly on Senior Disciple beside me.
Senior Disciple met his eyes with a warm smile, saying nothing.
It was a silent pressure, yet also a gentle encouragement.
Peng Jeongbo cleared his throat shortly and approached us slowly.
Thud, thud.
At the sound of his approaching footsteps, Peng Soyeon's body flinched, burrowing even deeper behind my back.
Peng Jeongbo stopped in front of me.
And peered over my shoulder at Peng Soyeon, who was holding her breath.
"Lift your head, Soyeon."
His voice lacked its usual icy edge, carrying instead a rough but profound warmth.
"Defeat is not shameful. What is truly shameful is refusing to accept defeat and sheathing your blade."
Peng Jeongbo's hand, large as a pot lid, swept through the air before resting lightly atop Peng Soyeon's head.
The touch ruffled her hair roughly—an unfamiliar gesture—but the sincerity hidden within that clumsiness was unmistakable.
"You fought well. Your sword... was never light."
Peng Soyeon's eyes widened like saucers.
To her, Peng Jeongbo had always been an insurmountable mountain, a cold judge.
That single word of acknowledgment from him felt like the warmest spring breeze she had ever known.
"B-Brother...?"
Her lips quivered.
Her unfocused eyes stared blankly up at his rugged face, as if she couldn't believe it.
At that moment, Senior Disciple's white hand intervened.
She gently pried away Peng Soyeon's trembling hand from where it hid behind my back.
Without hesitation, she guided that shaking hand and placed it atop Peng Jeongbo's rough palm.
"These children have fulfilled their great duty. Now it's time for them to return to their family's embrace."
Senior Disciple's voice was soft, yet it carried an unyielding resolve.
Peng Jeongbo looked down at his sister's hand now in his grasp.
A calloused, hardened hand and one still soft and tender.
An awkward silence flowed where their hands met, but it was no longer cold.
Senior Disciple promptly wrapped her arm around my shoulders and pulled me to her side.
"Now, the rest is for blood kin to discuss among themselves."
Behind her considerate smile, Peng Jeongbo cleared his throat and gripped Peng Soyeon's hand tightly.
He put on a gruff expression, but his tone was far softer than before.
"Let's go. The Clan Lord is waiting. Report to him yourself how that defeat of yours... will sharpen the Peng Clan's martial arts even keener."
"......Yes, Brother."
Peng Soyeon's eyes reddened.
She followed obediently behind him without pulling her hand away.
Peng Jeongbo started to step away but paused.
He turned slowly to look at me.
The heavy gaze in his eyes flashed sharply for a moment.
It was not mere curiosity, but the pure respect of one warrior to another.
"Mount Hua's prodigy... Indeed. Young hero Yi Yi's sword will linger long in my memory. Thanks to you, my dull-witted sister has gained enlightenment."
He gave a brief clasp of fists and bowed his head.
It was the highest courtesy the young lord of Hebei Peng Clan could offer to a junior from another sect.
His gaze then shifted to Senior Disciple beside me.
"And... Plum Blossom Yeon. I am also impressed by your insight. Eight years ago or now, before your composure, my butcher's blade feels dull."
He let out a wry yet amused chuckle.
"Heh... As expected, I can never win against Daoist folk. A single word lifts a man up or casts him down."
Peng Jeongbo bowed once more in formal salute to bid farewell.
"May Mount Hua enjoy eternal glory. Let us meet again in the jianghu someday."
It was just as he turned to stride toward his clan's warriors.
Tap, tap.
Peng Soyeon released his hand and ran back to me.
Her face was flushed red as a ripe persimmon, her eyes moist like dew-kissed petals.
Mindful of those around us, she brought her lips close to my ear.
My earlobe burned where her breath touched.
After steadying herself for a moment, she whispered in a secretive, husky voice.
"Come to Hebei next time. If you don't... I'll march into Shaanxi myself. Then we won't duel with swords... but something else, all night long. Be prepared."
Mwah.
A short, intense smack, and warm wetness brushed my cheek.
She spun away swiftly and chased after Peng Jeongbo.
Her back was straight and proud as if to hide her flushed face, but the blush spreading to her earlobes betrayed her.
I rubbed my cheek dazedly.
The hot afterglow of her lips still lingered scorchingly.
Senior Disciple watched me with a silent smile.
Her eyes were deep and serene, as if seeing through everything.
"Senior Disciple... What in the world did you do?"
At my question, Senior Disciple tilted her head innocently.
"What do you mean?"
"Peng Jeongbo. How did someone so cold change like that... Did you cast some spell on him?"
At my naive guess, Senior Disciple burst into clear laughter.
Her hand gently stroked my head.
It was like a shepherd soothing a lost lamb.
"A spell? What use is sorcery when it comes to moving hearts."
She gazed wistfully in the direction the Peng group had vanished.
"Flowing water pierces rock, and a soft breeze sways mighty trees. Strength alone isn't everything. Before being a warrior, the Peng young lord is a man, and before being clan head, a brother."
Senior Disciple paused, gazing deeply into my eyes.
My reflection shone in those profound depths.
"To draw out the sincere heart trapped in a hard shell takes not a sharp sword, but a warm spring sun. Just as you melted Peng Junior Sister's heart, I merely nudged the firmly shut bolt of Peng young lord's a little."
Her words seemed profound yet crystal clear.
That inaction and naturalness dwell not only at the sword's tip, but also in the bonds between people.
"Now, let's head home ourselves."
Senior Disciple took my hand and led me along.
The warmth from our clasped hands felt comforting.