Chapter 241
Chapter 241
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 241
Chapter Title: To Mount Wudang
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The next day, Dang Mujin finished preparing to depart for Mount Wudang.
"You're not coming back all battered up again this time, are you? Don't get hurt—come home safe and sound."
Dan Seol-yeong spoke calmly, telling him to take care, but Mok Wan-ah looked on the verge of tears with regret.
"How long until you come back?"
"Who knows. It won't take past sunset."
"You have to come back quick!"
"Got it."
Watching Dang Mujin from the side, Jin Hae was inwardly shocked.
At Dang Mujin's level, marriage was certainly possible, but taking in a concubine at such a young age was rare.
But Elder Yeongheo burst into laughter. No matter what Dang Mujin did, it pleased him.
"Finding two like-minded companions at such a young age is a joyous thing. It's far better than scrambling about in one's later years to take a concubine."
Dang Mujin hugged Dan Seol-yeong, Mok Wan-ah, and even Dang Yeong once each before setting off.
The group totaled eight people: Dang Mujin and his three friends, plus two each from the Qingcheng Sect and Emei Sect.
Instead of heading north to Hanzhong, the group went east toward Chongqing.
Of course, going through Hanzhong to Mount Wudang would get them to their destination much faster.
But there were good reasons for heading to Chongqing.
The schedule wasn't tight, and along the way, there were plenty of villages to stay in and sights to see.
Part of the group's purpose was to broaden the experiences of Eun Seon-rim and Jin Hae, so encountering many people and seeing many things was extremely important.
Elder Yeongheo expressed his gratitude to Dang Mujin once more.
"You all probably want to finish the task quickly and return, but you're accommodating our situation. Thank you."
"It's fine. I'm familiar with Chongqing anyway, and I have people to meet there."
Though the route was longer for these minor reasons, the travel time was actually shorter than usual. The group's average skill level was high.
Even Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim, the lowest in the group, had reached the peak of first-rate.
They could walk briskly without issue and even employ lightness skills intermittently.
While the others moved without a second thought, Hyun-gong pondered deeply as he used his lightness skill.
'What is a subordinate? What does it mean to be a superior?'
Those without skill in handling people interpret it in one way.
A superior is someone who can arbitrarily suppress others, making them play dead at a single word.
Of course, that's the simplest and most intuitive relationship between superior and subordinate.
Hyun-gong himself had once thought that was the only dynamic between a leader and followers.
However, several years ago, an incident shattered that view root and branch: leaving Mount Wudang and staying at the Dang family clinic.
Upon first arriving at the Dang family clinic, Hyun-gong's immediate task was to identify its power holder.
At a glance, it seemed like Dang Mujin's father, Dang Jesun, or the Demonic Cult leader Three-Eyed Buddha was in charge.
But after carefully observing the clinic, Hyun-gong realized something astonishing.
The clinic's true power holder was neither Dang Jesun nor Three-Eyed Buddha. The one dominating the Dang family clinic was Dang Mujin.
It was surprising, but understandable up to that point.
What truly shocked Hyun-gong was how subtly and cunningly Dang Mujin dominated the clinic.
'It was an insight that could broaden one's view of the world.'
Dang Mujin didn't suppress the people of the Dang family clinic. Nor did those around it prostrate before him.
Yet everything in the Dang family proceeded according to Dang Mujin's opinions.
No one dared offend his mood, and when important matters arose, they sought his view first.
Regardless of age or skill level, the Dang family members subtly respected Dang Mujin's authority.
Even renowned experts like Three-Eyed Buddha followed his words, as did nameless young blacksmiths or physicians. Even Hyun-gong found himself subtly swayed by Dang Mujin's words.
It was astonishing. People submitting without even realizing they were submitting.
'Cunning bastard.'
In any case, Hyun-gong analyzed Dang Mujin's methods in his own way and gained a profound realization.
Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim would be the first subjects to test this realization on.
After flying along with lightness skill for a long while, he slowed to a walk and subtly gauged the group's atmosphere.
Sure enough, the group was divided into three factions.
Dang Mujin's group.
The two sect leaders.
Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim.
The three factions didn't mix like water and oil, each conversing only among themselves.
'Perfect.'
Dang Mujin, Namgung Myeong, and Hong Geolgae chatted among themselves as always, occasionally debating martial arts or lost in thought, feeling no need to approach Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim.
Meanwhile, Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim felt intimidated by Dang Mujin's group and couldn't approach.
The vast gap in skill, combined with the unique aura of those who had overcome numerous hardships, made it so.
It wasn't that they couldn't get along despite similar ages; excluding age, they had nothing in common.
'I need to target that gap.'
Hyun-gong slipped away from his friends and subtly approached Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim. He started with everyday topics, his tone friendly.
"We're moving pretty fast. Can you keep up?"
"Yes."
To Hyun-gong's question, Jin Hae replied in a stiff, formal tone, maintaining decorum and distance.
It confirmed even more that the two subtly viewed him as superior.
"We're similar in age, so speak comfortably. We'll be traveling together for a while—no need for such formality."
"Uh... should I?"
This time, Eun Seon-rim smiled brightly in response.
Of course, as a member of the Emei Sect, which strictly forbade relations with men, her smile didn't pierce Hyun-gong's heart.
"You two said it's your first time to Chongqing?"
"Yes... er, right. First time leaving Sichuan Province."
A foray into the jianghu. Young martial artists venturing out to gain experience and return.
Non-martial folk think all martial artists do this, but not every sect has this tradition.
Sects like Shaolin Temple in Henan or Mount Hua Sect in Shaanxi, which can travel by land easily, usually send disciples out in their early to mid-twenties.
But it's different for Qingcheng Sect and Emei Sect in Sichuan, Jenchang Sect in Yunnan, or Kunlun Sect near the western frontier beyond Qinghai. They lack this culture altogether.
The reason is simple: the distances are too vast for交流 with other regions' martial artists.
Sichuan martial artists must travel diligently for at least half a month to interact with major sects elsewhere.
Qingcheng and Emei are fortunate; Kunlun Taoists must budget a full month, so they rarely leave the sect.
In other words, this journey was Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim's first chance to make their names and titles known to outlanders.
They should have been thrilled, but both wore oddly unconfident expressions.
Hyun-gong asked.
"You're leaving Sichuan for the first time, so why the gloomy faces? Something wrong?"
"Not really... I'm just calm by nature."
Eun Seon-rim answered that way, but Hyun-gong wasn't fooled.
He quickly pieced it together.
'They're tense after seeing our skills.'
In a sense, the two were frogs in a well.
While in the Qingcheng and Emei wells—and even upon arriving at the Dang family—they likely brimmed with confidence. But seeing Dang Mujin's group's achievements changed that.
Far from making names, they feared tarnishing their sects' reputations.
Yes, inferiority complex and anxiety.
How to grasp and shake such people? Simple: first, win their hearts with praise.
No one hates praise, nor those who soothe anxious hearts.
Especially if it's from someone they already subconsciously view as superior. It makes one a psychological pillar.
With a serious expression, Hyun-gong said.
"I can guess what you're worried about. But no need. Among each sect's younger generation, you're quite solid."
"Ah... really? Thanks."
Neither Jin Hae nor Eun Seon-rim looked fully reassured. Hyun-gong added realistic reasoning.
He stepped in front of them, walking backward with a earnest face. He started bittersweet.
"Not empty words. Of course, you're not ahead right now. Compared to other sects' juniors, you're at least not lagging."
"That's reassuring enough. Thanks."
"No. My point isn't over. Your current achievements may feel stagnant, but you'll surge ahead at frightening speed."
Confidence filled Hyun-gong's voice, drawing Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim in unwittingly.
A hopeful tale after bitterness sounds even more real.
"Elder Yeongbojin said that's the Qingcheng Sect's strength. Elder Yeongheo didn't stand out from youth either. Yet he reached the undeniable position of the Six Venerables. Qingcheng is like an eagle. It hatches later than other birds but soars higher than any."
Of course, Elder Yeongbojin never said that. But common sense said Jin Hae or Eun Seon-rim wouldn't pester him for such trivia.
In conversation, an undetected lie is as good as truth.
Jin Hae's face brightened immensely. The top junior known as Dragon Sword acknowledged his potential and showed respect for Qingcheng.
But Eun Seon-rim still hesitated.
Unlike the true Venerable Yeongheo, current Emei leader Heungbaek Satak and former leader Taepyeong Satak never breached transcendent peak.
Heungbaek Satak even drew whispers as the weakest among giant sect leaders—due to his youth.
But Hyun-gong spoke to Eun Seon-rim too.
"You're the same, Lady Eun. You'll achieve great things soon—no worries."
"But..."
"Not empty words. I think Lady Eun can reach higher places than me or Jin Hae."
"Huh?"
As Eun Seon-rim looked puzzled, Hyun-gong spoke as if it were obvious.
"What sect do you think Divine Nun Hwayeon's martial arts stem from?"
Divine Nun Hwayeon had left Emei, and the leader had a subtly prickly relationship with her, rarely mentioning her.
But Divine Nun Hwayeon had clearly mastered Emei's arts and become a master even Six Venerables would yield to. Eun Seon-rim's face brightened as realization dawned.
Hyun-gong thought calmly.
'As expected, naive.'
On reflection, his claim didn't hold water.
Just because Divine Nun Hwayeon has immense skill doesn't mean you, trained in the same arts, will. Weak evidence.
For minimal persuasion, Heungbaek or Taepyeong Satak should have at least casually reached transcendent peak.
But people don't believe convincing tales. They believe what they want.
Eun Seon-rim falling for it amid anxiety was natural.
Anyway, he'd won their hearts. Time for the next step.
"Lady Eun, think of Sister Haryeong whenever anxious. Unshaken people reach their goals eventually."
"...Sister Haryeong?"
Hyun-gong feigned self-reproach.
"Oh right. Pretend you didn't hear that."
"Who's Sister Haryeong?"
"I've been too casual with Divine Nun Hwayeon lately, so the term slipped out. Can't say that in front of others..."
Of course, Hyun-gong wasn't on casual terms with Divine Nun Hwayeon.
Calling her "sister" before her fiery temper might earn him holes in his body.
But Eun Seon-rim didn't doubt. She'd heard rumors of his brotherly bond with the famous Blood Hero and seen it herself.
Reaffirming superiority via connections, the final step: flaunt ability and seize control.
"Anyway, let's get along. Just as my friends followed me over the transcendent peak wall, you two will reach the next realm soon."
His tone implied he'd played a key role in his friends breaching transcendent peak. Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim's hearts quivered.
Transcendent peak wall.
Staying close to Hyun-gong might mean breaching it before thirty. After all, three young transcendent peaks surrounded him.
Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim nodded with eyes full of trust.
*
The next evening, the group met Divine Nun Hwayeon and Red-Faced Rakshasa at an inn in Chongqing.
The talk was brief. But Hyun-gong's displayed familiarity sufficed. In Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim's minds, every word became unadulterated truth.
And precisely then, their faith in Hyun-gong transcended mere friendship into blind devotion and worship.
To sect elders, it looked like solid camaraderie. In truth, a perfect superior-subordinate bond.
Hyun-gong smiled contentedly.
'Sword-swinging their whole lives, no wonder they're easy to handle.'
If he could ensnare not just Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim but other sects' juniors too?
Beyond his dream of Wudang leadership, something greater sprouted in Hyun-gong's heart.