Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Change (2)
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Still, Ouyang Jue didn't take him lightly.
“Master of the Reception Hall, do you desire it?”
“Huh?”
Gwak Un-pae, who had been staring blankly as if struck by an unexpected blow, swallowed hard.
“No, no, how could I, an elder of Mount Hua, covet a disciple’s possession?”
Yet, his eyes kept stealing glances at Severing Manifestation, betraying his inner thoughts.
A strange smile formed on Ouyang Jue's face.
“If the Master of the Reception Hall wishes for it, well…”
“Wishes for what?”
“I will permit you to touch it once or twice a day.”
At those words, Gwak Un-pae roared, his reaction far more intense than necessary.
“You brat! How dare you mock your elder!”
As Gwak Un-pae huffed indignantly, Song Muk burst out laughing as if he couldn't breathe.
“Hahaha, so that Gwak fellow finally fell for this kid’s tricks.”
“Fell for what?!”
“What do you mean, ‘what’? You were played by your junior.”
“Played? What nonsense!”
Gwak Un-pae vehemently denied it to the end, but he was already caught up in it.
Ordinarily, he should have gone to see Ha Jin-ak, who had just returned to the sect.
He wasn't in a position to be standing here admiring Severing Manifestation, thinking, ‘That thing looks quite fine.’
“...I suppose he might be right.”
As Gwak Un-pae hung his head, Jo Hun, who had been watching from the side, spoke up.
“Senior Brother Ouyang, is that sword good?”
“Of course!”
-It’s good enough to make those two elders lose their minds.
At the naturally flowing mental transmission, Jo Hun's face broke into a wide grin.
He was immensely proud that his Senior Brother Ouyang Jue had returned after playing a major role in the Golden Ring Merchant Guild affair and now the Nine Dragons Tournament.
Especially lately, with the abundance of food, his appetite had grown.
Jo Hun knew it was all thanks to Ouyang Jue, which made him respect his senior brother even more.
Ouyang Jue glanced at the new layer of fat on Jo Hun's sides and chuckled.
“Now you finally look like a kid. Short, with a bit of a belly.”
“You’re teasing me, aren’t you?!”
“Teasing? Not at all. I’m just glad you seem to be eating and living well.”
At least he wouldn't struggle with an underdeveloped body or a lack of stamina anymore.
Ouyang Jue pinched both of Jo Hun's cheeks and pulled.
“Ouch!”
“Hmm, maybe you should lose a little weight instead?”
At that, Jo Hun shot him a sulky look, and the surrounding Daoists chuckled.
A child's innocence was always a delightful thing to witness.
But Ouyang Jue's feelings were a little different.
‘...How nice this is.’
A bittersweet smile settled on Ouyang Jue's face.
The memory of his past life, where he hadn't treated him well and had instead used his superior strength to kill him humiliatingly, was still vivid.
For now, there was only one thing he could do for this Jo Hun.
Help him eat well and live well, and guide him onto the right path.
That would be enough.
‘So, he’s trying to learn the Plum Blossom Sword Arts now.’
Ouyang Jue watched Jo Hun struggling with the manual and let out a small laugh.
Just then.
An unfamiliar voice came from behind him.
“Junior Brother Ouyang.”
At the words, Ouyang Jue turned his head.
‘...He’s here.’
He knew who it was even before turning.
Age at death, thirty-two.
A man who reached the peak realm before his thirties and was marked as the next supreme master, only to meet a mysterious death before his talent could fully bloom.
A feigned look of delight spread across Ouyang Jue's face.
“Senior-most Brother.”
Fire Cloud Red Mist Sword, Ha Jin-ak.
He was standing before Ouyang Jue.
At this very moment, when in his past life, he had not returned.
Despite this, there was no trace of caution on Ouyang Jue's face.
Now that he had participated in the Nine Dragons Tournament, things were bound to flow differently from his past life anyway.
Where there is cause, there is effect.
Even if they were Daoists studying the path, they were not wooden puppets.
On the contrary, that was precisely why a being like Ouyang Jue would pique their curiosity.
Even though he had resolved the corruption of the Golden Ring Merchant Guild, he had committed the sin of harming commoners. And despite his overwhelming victory in the Nine Dragons Tournament, he had treated the younger generation of the smaller sects rather harshly.
In a sense, Ouyang Jue was like a mutant, the likes of which Mount Hua had never seen before.
Therefore, it was only natural for the Senior-most Brother, Ha Jin-ak, to take an interest.
Having judged so, Ouyang Jue maintained a gentle smile and asked.
“What brings you here?”
“Naturally, I have business with my junior brother who shares the same master.”
Ouyang Jue felt a flicker of anticipation.
Until now, Ha Jin-ak had been someone Ouyang Jue knew only by name and face.
It made sense, as Ha Jin-ak was the disciple designated as the next Sect Leader and needed to accumulate a great deal of experience.
He had to attend various gatherings, not to mention handle the Mount Hua Sect’s external diplomatic activities.
As a result, even when he returned to Mount Hua, he would often meet only those he absolutely had to before leaving again.
But to meet Ouyang Jue, who was treated as a troublemaker even within Mount Hua?
From Ha Jin-ak's perspective, he would have been someone not even worth meeting.
At least, until before the Nine Dragons Tournament.
Ouyang Jue began to imagine what business Ha Jin-ak might have with him.
‘Since I won the Nine Dragons Tournament, is he here to give me some kind of reward? A Small Purple Spirit Elixir would be nice.’
A wide grin.
Seeing Ouyang Jue’s face blooming with a smile, Ha Jin-ak’s expression subtly hardened.
“Junior Brother Ouyang.”
“It’s a Small Purple Spirit Elixir, isn’t it? Haha.”
As if not understanding what on earth he was talking about, one of Ha Jin-ak's brows furrowed.
Seeing that, Ouyang Jue snapped out of his daydream.
‘...Don't tell me, it’s not?’
“Hmph, Ouyang Jue, disciple of the Mount Hua Sect!”
At the deep, imposing voice, Ouyang Jue instinctively straightened up and answered.
“Y-Yes!”
“As your Senior-most Brother, I felt the need to understand what kind of person my junior brother has become.”
“Which… means?”
“I don’t know what you were hoping for, but I do not think you handled this matter well.”
Ha Jin-ak continued, his words carrying a frosty chill.
“According to what I’ve heard, you are talented and possess a level of martial arts exceptional for your age, correct?”
Is he planning to praise me just to tear me down?
Ouyang Jue decided to answer honestly for now.
“At least among those my age, I believe there is no one who can defeat me.”
“...Such incredible confidence.”
As he said this, there was no particular hint of sarcasm on Ha Jin-ak's face.
Instead, he gave a slight nod, acknowledging Ouyang Jue's strength.
“It seems it’s not just arrogance, at least.”
This was undoubtedly a very good thing for Ouyang Jue.
In front of two elders and the other Daoists, the Senior-most Brother, Ha Jin-ak, was praising him.
The problem was, it didn't end there.
“But with such power, why did you fail to act wisely and instead tarnish the honor of the Mount Hua Sect?”
“...”
At those words, Ouyang Jue paused, holding back what he was about to say.
It wasn't because he was afraid of Ha Jin-ak.
‘Well, look at this.’
Ouyang Jue's dimples deepened.
It was because Ha Jin-ak, who seemed intent on judging right and wrong here and now, had sent a different message.
-Bow your head here, and follow me.
-Why should I do that?
At that mental reply, Ha Jin-ak's eyebrow twitched.
-I thought you were a bit clever... was I wrong?
It was a statement that could be interpreted in countless ways depending on how one took it.
I acknowledge you. So let’s talk privately.
That would be a nice interpretation... but Ouyang Jue was not one to trust people easily.
‘I have no idea what he’s thinking.’
Especially since Ha Jin-ak was someone he had barely seen even in his past life.
This was the first time they had a direct conversation.
He would only send looks of pity from time to time.
But now, his expression had changed to one of slight surprise.
In fact, Ha Jin-ak was thinking.
‘To think the day would come when my junior brother would hold his head so high before me, haha.’
Even Bone and Marrow Cleansing, a legendary state, only changed the body; it didn't change the person themselves.
But Ouyang Jue had changed, starting six months ago.
His martial arts.
His reputation within Mount Hua.
And his judgment, which was not that of a child.
The person had changed too much.
‘...Well, he’s probably thinking something like that.’
Ouyang Jue watched the silent Ha Jin-ak.
His eyes were like he was looking at a different person, a curious gaze. There was even a hint of a look that said, ‘Have you finally come to your senses?’
It wasn't something to be offended about.
‘The other Daoists are too trusting, which is a problem. This is normal.’
From their brief mental exchange, Ouyang Jue could somewhat see through Ha Jin-ak’s cunning.
‘He was worthy of being the Senior-most Brother. It was just that in my past life, I was a foolish bastard.’
Ha Jin-ak's personality was a bit stiff and frustrating, but he had the brains to make up for it.
Perhaps that was why... he might have been murdered.
At least in Ouyang Jue's eyes, there was no one in the Mount Hua Sect as suitable to be the Sect Leader as Ha Jin-ak.
‘The problems started after Ha Jin-ak died and my senior brother became the Senior-most Brother.’
He was too compassionate and not decisive enough.
This was a major weakness for surviving and navigating the martial world.
He was the biggest pushover, to the point you could call him an easy mark.
Just as he hadn't noticed the beggar approaching in Shangzhou, Liu Zhangming was fundamentally inclined to treat people favorably.
So how could he ever suspect anyone?
It was easier to deal with someone like Ha Jin-ak, who was moderately cold and had some cunning.
‘Still, I should try to tame him once.’
Ouyang Jue twisted one corner of his lip.
“Even so, Senior-most Brother, we barely know each other. How can you just demand Severing Manifestation out of the blue?”
“W-What did you say?”
“This is my own weapon, which I obtained in the Nine Dragons Tournament. To think you came here just to see it... it’s a bit surprising.”
As he spoke, Ouyang Jue's eyebrows trembled pitifully.
“I was thinking of giving it to Elder Gwak. But if the Senior-most Brother wants it…”
He looked as haggard and pitiful as a beggar from the slums having his last grain of rice snatched away.
Seeing this, Gwak Un-pae erupted.
“Halt! Even with your position as Senior-most Brother, how could you do this to your junior brother...?”
“It’s a misunderstanding, Elder.”
Despite his words, Gwak Un-pae did not easily quell his anger.
This was especially because he knew the value of Severing Manifestation and had momentarily harbored a desire for it himself.
Moreover, hadn't Ouyang Jue, the owner of Severing Manifestation, offered it?
Now that an opportunity to obtain a fine weapon had arisen, the existence of Ha Jin-ak meant nothing to Gwak Un-pae.
“Misunderstanding, my foot! No wonder you were just staring quietly. Were you bullying your junior brother with mental transmissions?!”
At that, Ha Jin-ak wore a troubled expression.
“Elder, this is Junior Brother Ouyang’s lie…”
“Halt!”
Before Ha Jin-ak could even open his mouth, an impatient sword filled his vision.
Clang, tshing!
Amidst this process, only two people were smiling.
Ouyang Jue, who was slowly backing away to leave the scene.
And Song Muk, who thought there was no way Ha Jin-ak would do such a thing.
-You’re stirring up quite some fun.
To Song Muk's mental message, Ouyang Jue wittily replied.
-Even if I’m to be punished, I won’t just sit demurely and take it. You know that better than anyone, Elder, don’t you?
-Even so, is it alright to leave the Senior-most Brother like that?
-Well, what does it matter? I’ll be the one taking responsibility in the end. For now, I’m content just watching this.
At those words, Song Muk clutched his stomach, stifling his laughter.
Then, a question popped into his head.
‘Then why...’
Did he orchestrate the clash between Elder Gwak and Ha Jin-ak?
Sensing Song Muk's gaze on him, Ouyang Jue called over Jo Hun and asked.
“Do you have anything to chew on?”
“Are dried persimmons alright?”
“Of course.”
Chew, chew.
Ouyang Jue began to watch the spar between Gwak Un-pae and Ha Jin-ak while chewing on the dried persimmon he got from Jo Hun.
Clang, kakakang! Kr-goong!
Even as two martial artists ranked among the top ten in the Mount Hua Sect sparred, Ouyang Jue's face was utterly indifferent.
He had to know.
He had to calculate, at least roughly, how strong Ha Jin-ak was, how powerful a martial artist would be needed to eliminate him without a trace, and how many people would be needed for the cleanup.
This information was crucial to prevent Ha Jin-ak's death.
He also planned to accurately capture the situation to awaken the Mount Hua Sect to the danger.
‘There’s no point in simply saving Ha Jin-ak.’
If it were just about saving the Senior-most Brother, he could simply stop him from going to dangerous places.
But Ouyang Jue believed that Mount Hua would never change that way.
Furthermore, he wouldn't be able to uncover the faction that had killed the Senior-most Brother in the past.
In that case, there was only one way.
‘The mere fact that the Senior-most Brother, the designated next Sect Leader, was ambushed in the martial world—that alone can help the Mount Hua Sect develop further.’
As Ouyang Jue, having formulated his future plans, moved his lips slightly, Song Muk nonchalantly averted his gaze.
* * *
A short while later.
Ha Jin-ak, who had followed Ouyang Jue to a secluded spot, concealed his displeasure.
Ouyang Jue had intentionally provoked Elder Gwak Un-pae into fighting him.
This was the most important point.
The very act of trying to deceive the Senior-most Brother of Mount Hua gave Ha Jin-ak a strong sense of unease.
‘The Ouyang Jue I know doesn’t have this kind of backbone.’
At first glance, he has a temperament unbecoming of a Daoist, but it's nothing more than the quills of a hedgehog.
In terms of his human side, his more fundamental aspects, Ouyang Jue was nothing but a young disciple.
A child who lamented his lack of martial talent and felt insecure having a peerless genius like Liu Zhangming as his senior brother.
Ha Jin-ak found it fascinating that this Ouyang Jue had deceived him and provoked Elder Gwak Un-pae.
‘Was that truly a coincidence, or...’
A strange smile played on Ha Jin-ak's face.
Would the changed Ouyang Jue truly bring about a positive change in the Mount Hua Sect?
He needed to observe Ouyang Jue's behavior a little longer.
Having settled his thoughts, Ha Jin-ak asked Ouyang Jue, who was still bowing in apology.
“You said you had something to ask?”
Ouyang Jue got straight to the point without beating around the bush.
“You must know that the four from the Geonhyeon Gate who participated in the Nine Dragons Tournament were killed by two of the Three Evils of Shaanxi. And anyone in the Shaanxi martial world would know that their other sworn brother died at my hands.”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Ha Jin-ak couldn't think of a clever response.
“...Well, yes.”
As Ha Jin-ak fell silent after that, Ouyang Jue's gaze sharpened.
‘He knows something more.’
He had only asked if he knew the news, but his complete silence showed that he, too, was a Daoist of Mount Hua, unable to properly hide his inner thoughts.
Not only that, but in Ouyang Jue's eyes, Ha Jin-ak's face was etched with deep worry.
I can’t let a junior get involved in something like this.
It was clearly that kind of consideration.
‘I’ll have to decline that.’
Ouyang Jue’s next words made Ha Jin-ak’s eyes widen.
“Is it perhaps the Black Dragon Gang?”
“...I don't know what you're talking about.”
At Ha Jin-ak's blatant denial, Ouyang Jue gave a cocky smile.
“Senior-most Brother, you don’t have to be like that. I’m already involved, am I not?”
Involved. Ha Jin-ak chewed on that word for a moment, his brow furrowing deeply.
“If you stay here at Mount Hua, they won't be able to touch you so easily.”
“Is that really so?”
“...?”
As Ha Jin-ak narrowed his eyes, Ouyang Jue spoke plainly.
“They attacked the carriage I was originally supposed to ride. Doesn't that mean I was their original target?”
Or perhaps there was someone else backing them, Ouyang Jue hinted, letting out a smirk.
“Besides, no matter how evil they are, they are sworn brothers, bound as the Three Evils. Even if I’m at Mount Hua, they will surely realize that the person they killed wasn't me, so they will definitely come for me again.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“You’ll be going out again, won’t you? At that time, please take me…”
Ha Jin-ak shook his head firmly.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“If my guess is correct, the Black Dragon Gang is a far more wicked sect than you imagine. How can I push a promising junior from our own sect with a bright future ahead of him to face such people?”
At those words, Ouyang Jue decided to revise his statement.
“Senior-most Brother, you seem to be misunderstanding something.”
“...?”
“My martial skill is not something that can be measured by pitting me against other juniors.”
Ouyang Jue wore a provocative smile.
“If you’re not busy, I will prove it to you, right here and now.”