Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Resolution (2)
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“It must have been a long journey. Thank you for coming.”
His frame was large, belying his age, which was nearing his later years.
The grave light in Bai Duanxian’s gaze was enough to make True Master Simwon tense up in an instant.
“…Ah.”
Coming to his senses a moment later, True Master Simwon offered a gentle smile.
“Not at all. I can only apologize for this sudden visit.”
“Sudden? What are you talking about? We are fellow Daoists facing the same situation. This is all the will of the Three Pure Ones.”
At those words, True Master Simwon straightened his posture.
“By any chance, did he tell you about the one who infiltrated the Zhongnan Sect?”
“That will take some time. We also need to have him confront the Black Dragon Gang member we captured earlier.”
True Master Simwon’s expression soured for a moment before he managed to recall a particular title.
“A confrontation… Are you talking about that man, the Nine Deaths Sword?”
Bai Duanxian answered with a different question.
“I didn’t realize the Zhongnan Sect was so interested in our sect’s affairs.”
“We, too, have lost a disciple to the Black Dragon Gang.”
“For that to be the case, haven’t you waited far too long?”
“Waited?”
Despite Bai Duanxian’s offensive, True Master Simwon remained composed.
Given the circumstances, an elder of the Zhongnan Sect could not simply dismiss the Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect.
Moreover, were they not both Daoist sects that revered the same founder?
As the two sects were by no means unrelated, the conversation grew more cautious and private.
Then, Bai Duanxian’s words struck True Master Simwon at his core.
“I heard you went to check on the Beggars’ Sect with my disciple.”
True Master Simwon carefully noted his use of the word “check,” not “raid.”
“Yes. Our Sect Leader, True Master Manseon, also instructed me to investigate with Fellow Daoist Ouyang.”
“And yet… from what I hear, even though an elder was present, Jue entered first.”
“…”
Internally, True Master Simwon let out a bitter scoff.
He had sent Ouyang Jue in first to prepare for the possibility of things going wrong, but now that the situation had turned out so exquisitely, it had become a fatal misstep.
‘The Zhongnan disciples wouldn’t have spoken, so it must have been that fellow Daoist.’
So he hadn’t just rushed in with youthful vigor, but with such calculations in mind.
True Master Simwon let out a heavy sigh.
“It was necessary to be cautious.”
“Cautious?”
A sharp glare shot toward True Master Simwon, as if to ask if he had been cautious of a Mount Hua disciple.
Bai Duanxian’s pressure became more direct, more intense.
Indeed, for True Master Simwon to have neglected the danger to a fellow Daoist was an act worthy of condemnation.
All he could do was state the reason he had to do so.
“While your sect’s current situation is regrettable, the Zhongnan Sect’s inner sanctum was also attacked between last night and this morning.”
At those words, Bai Duanxian reacted coldly.
“…So?”
“The cave where our founder, the Pure Yang Master, Lu Dongbin, cultivated was trespassed upon!”
“So.”
Bai Duanxian replied coldly once more, his fingers beginning to twitch.
That simple movement.
Though he had only moved his fingers slightly, True Master Simwon could not bring himself to continue speaking.
‘…Hah.’
An immense pressure, heavy enough to make it hard to breathe, seemed to crush his shoulders.
The aura he emanated dominated the entire area.
The fear that Bai Duanxian could attack at any moment reared its head.
Finally, True Master Simwon parted his pale, bloodless lips.
“…Wh-what is this.”
“Is the Zhongnan Sect saying they would abandon a fellow Daoist who reveres the same founder, just to avoid some trivial justification and responsibility?”
The stern words pierced his ears.
Each word Bai Duanxian uttered was like a blade honed for dozens of days.
Bai Duanxian spoke again.
His twitching fingers had now clenched into a tight fist.
“You abandoned my disciple, Ouyang Jue, who had already avenged you by dealing with the Severed Madman, for such a shameless reason?”
“Please… stop.”
“Where has your integrity gone!”
Bai Duanxian’s roar covered the entirety of Mount Hua.
Had there been even a hint of killing intent, True Master Simwon’s life would have been in danger.
Even Ouyang Jue, who was collecting the bodies from a distance, was startled by the sight.
‘To think the Sect Leader possessed such profound internal energy!’
If even Ouyang Jue, who ate at the same table and trained under him, was surprised, one could only imagine True Master Simwon’s shock.
The paleness that started at his lips had now spread across his entire face.
The profound internal energy felt as if it were scraping away the very skin of his face.
But Bai Duanxian was not finished.
“Is that what the Zhongnan Sect calls righteousness!”
Under the repeated admonishments, True Master Simwon could no longer hold out.
The very justification he had tried so hard to protect was now in the hands of the other side.
There was only one option left.
True Master Simwon’s head hurriedly bowed.
“I apologize, Sect Leader. I promise it will not happen again.”
And yet.
“No.”
Bai Duanxian’s reply was a denial. The bone-chilling atmosphere only intensified.
This, in turn, flustered True Master Simwon.
‘Did the Mount Hua Sect truly care for Fellow Daoist Ouyang this much?’
Even if he was his direct disciple, this display made it seem as if he were willing to become enemies with the Zhongnan Sect.
Furthermore, Bai Duanxian had been famous for his gentle nature even before becoming Sect Leader.
For such a man to be roaring in unfiltered rage now.
True Master Simwon had to re-evaluate both Bai Duanxian and Ouyang Jue.
His posture lowered even further.
“In that case, Sect Leader, what must I do to soothe your heart, even if just a little?”
“My personal feelings are not the issue.”
The completely unexpected answer made True Master Simwon ask again.
“…Pardon?”
“Does the Zhongnan Sect intend to let the Black Dragon Gang be?”
At that, True Master Simwon’s face hardened. The pale face of his disciple, Yeong Heo-ja, came to mind.
“That is not our intention.”
Seeing this, Bai Duanxian cast his gaze elsewhere.
He looked toward Dongting Lake, south of Shaanxi where Mount Hua was located, a place known as the heart of the Central Plains.
“As the Black Dragon Gang gradually gains power, they are advancing from Dongting Lake. In the midst of this, my Senior-most Brother, Ha Jin-ak, stepped in to prevent the death of a wandering Daoist.”
His words were a question.
What was the Zhongnan Sect doing at that time?
True Master Simwon did not answer. Bai Duanxian hadn’t intended to hear his reply anyway, so he continued.
“Then, a Zhongnan disciple on his way to the Nine Dragons Competition was killed by the Black Dragon Gang. Not long after, our sect’s Senior-most Brother was attacked.”
“…”
True Master Simwon’s head hung low.
The shadow over him was particularly dark. Yet Bai Duanxian did not stop his reprimand.
All while thoroughly concealing his own secrets.
“So, we sent a secular master, along with the Beggars’ Sect Branch Leader, to destroy their Shaanxi branch. It was located in Chang'an, not too far from Mount Zhongnan.”
What were you doing then?
Did Mount Zhongnan honor the memory of its fallen disciple?
Without another word, just by recounting what had happened, he made it impossible for True Master Simwon to raise his head.
He could only repeat a name.
‘Nam Il-han…’
True Master Simwon bit his lip hard.
It was a contradiction.
He had never expected to receive such a reprimand on a journey to find the culprit who had injured Yeong Heo-ja.
Bai Duanxian’s lips parted slightly.
“Does Zhongnan remain silent?”
“…We will not.”
True Master Simwon answered with difficulty.
“We will return to Zhongnan. As for the disrespect shown today… we will offer a formal apology at a later time.”
Seeing that True Master Simwon’s spirit was completely crushed, Bai Duanxian decided to reveal his true intentions.
“That won’t be necessary. Instead, ask True Master Manseon for me.”
“Ask him what?”
“Let us deal with our common enemy, the Black Dragon Gang.”
True Master Simwon’s eyes trembled slightly.
“By that, you mean…”
“This isn’t just a problem for Mount Hua and Zhongnan. From the Geonhyeon Gate to the Beggars’ Sect this time, the Black Dragon Gang has made many enemies in Shaanxi.”
Bai Duanxian spoke coolly.
“So, with this incident, we have no choice but to unite, so that they can never disregard Shaanxi again.”
“...!”
At those words, True Master Simwon realized Bai Duanxian’s grand design.
The justification that the Black Dragon Gang had attacked Ha Jin-ak.
The situation where they had harmed the Geonhyeon Gate, then the Beggars’ Sect, and the Zhongnan Sect.
And the result that the Mount Hua Sect had completed its revenge for everything.
Had they not even given up the Black Dragon Gang’s Shaanxi branch territory for the sake of the weak?
At this rate, even if Mount Hua and Zhongnan nominally united, the scales would inevitably tip in Mount Hua’s favor.
‘…Good heavens.’
A cold shiver ran down True Master Simwon’s spine.
The unification of all Daoist sects in Shaanxi Province!
It seemed to be taking shape in the palm of Bai Duanxian’s hand.
The moment True Master Simwon nodded with difficulty, Ouyang Jue, who had been watching from a distance, let out a faint smirk.
***
After the Zhongnan Sect’s departure, Mount Hua was overcome with silence.
Too many had died to enjoy the clear weather.
But there was too much to be done to simply remain in mourning.
Bai Duanxian summoned the elders and gave his instructions.
“Let us hold a grand funeral for our fallen disciples.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
Fortunately, thanks to the wealth that had come from the Golden Ring Merchant Guild, they were able to hold a grand funeral a few days later.
Bai Duanxian personally inspected every single coffin.
He worried if any were cracked, or if moisture might seep in.
He planted a tree near them.
A plum blossom that never had the chance to bloom.
He hoped that, even in death, it would grow into a large, round tree.
Just then, someone spoke to him.
“Sect Leader.”
Even at the sudden voice, Bai Duanxian did not raise his head.
He merely spoke with difficulty.
“So many disciples have died.”
“…”
“I’m beginning to doubt whether I am qualified to be the Sect Leader.”
“In terms of sheer numbers, it is a great loss.”
“Is that so.”
Bai Duanxian’s expression darkened further.
Seeing this, the man, Ouyang Jue, spoke with conviction.
“But they say that many sects live on, each bearing their own hardships.”
“That is not much of an encouragement, Jue.”
“It’s a relief that it ended here.”
At those words, Bai Duanxian’s face hardened.
“Are you saying the deaths of your fellow disciples are a relief?”
“We haven’t lost everything.”
“Is the death of your fellow disciples something you can measure in numbers?”
Despite Bai Duanxian’s anger, Ouyang Jue answered calmly.
“I heard from Senior-most Brother. He said you weren’t too pleased when he first said he was taking me with him. But because of that, we were ‘fortunately’ able to prevent his death.”
“Jue, you insolent whelp!”
Bai Duanxian’s beard trembled with rage.
But Ouyang Jue did not back down.
“This time is not much different. In fact, it’s a better outcome.”
Ouyang Jue immediately brought up the worst-case scenario.
“What if, like what happened to Senior-most Brother, Cheol Geum-san had acquired a large amount of explosives and planted them on Mount Hua?”
“…”
“Cheol Geum-san was cautious enough to secretly practice demonic arts on Mount Hua, yet he was also impulsive. It wouldn’t have been impossible.”
Ouyang Jue pulled Bai Duanxian’s mind, which was steeped in grief, back to reality.
“That’s why I say it’s a relief. We must use the current momentum and justification to solidify our position.”
At those words, Bai Duanxian stared at Ouyang Jue for a moment.
Was he emotionless, or did he harbor too many emotions?
After a moment of a subtle expression, Bai Duanxian spoke.
“You are calmer and wiser than anyone else here.”
“…Perhaps.”
Ouyang Jue readily admitted it.
It made sense, as this was not his first time.
Compared to the life he had already lived in his past, the current situation was exceedingly good.
Because that extreme scenario had actually happened in his previous life.
‘Was it next year?’
At that time, Ouyang Jue hadn’t known what expression to make.
It was the same for the other Daoists.
It had become their daily reality.
They had grown so accustomed to sorrow that they felt no need to pour out their emotions.
Recalling that far, Ouyang Jue let out a hollow laugh.
‘In a way, I’m just an observer.’
Unlike with Ha Jin-ak, his emotions were more stable this time because he had experienced it before.
Instead, Ouyang Jue made a resolution.
“I will make sure something like this never happens again.”
He would advance in a new, brighter direction, different from his past life.
For now, it was only a change from a modest funeral to a grand one, but the future would be different.
‘I will be surprised, happy, and moved along with them.’
Not as an observer bound by a past life, but to live as a Daoist of Mount Hua, as the man named Ouyang Jue.
Ouyang Jue’s gaze turned to the spirit money turning to ash as it flew into the air.