The Kunlun Visitor
“If you'd come, you'd have rushed straight to the estate, but I heard you hung around outside for days more.”
“Aigoo. That's what I wanted to do, but no—the moment I arrived in Hangzhou, the news was buzzing that the elder had attained enlightenment. I hesitated because the timing felt too suspicious.”
Taeheo Jin-in spoke in an abashed tone.
He'd come all the way to Ye because he couldn't ignore the Danmok family's decline, but upon arrival, all of Hangzhou was abuzz with news that Danmok Cheon-gi had achieved a great enlightenment. The timing was so perfectly coincidental that he worried it might look like he'd come after hearing about the enlightenment.
Perhaps caught off guard by the unexpected reason, Danmok Cheon-gi stared blankly for a moment before bursting into loud laughter.
“Don't laugh. You have no idea how embarrassed I was.”
“If you'd predicted my enlightenment before setting out and come to Ye, you'd truly deserve the title of Kunlun Daoist.”
“Ah! I should have just said that.”
“Hahaha. More importantly, who's the child you brought with you?”
“He's a boy I'm raising like a disciple. Yeopun, come greet them. Haha! It's thanks to this one that I could come so boldly.”
A kind-looking boy with clear eyes shyly clasped his hands and bowed quietly.
Ryeon felt the presence of Hwaryun behind her flinch.
'Hwaryun?'
Ryeon glanced back, but Hwaryun didn't turn his head toward her.
“If he's a disciple, he's a disciple. What's this 'raising like a disciple' nonsense?”
“Haha...”
Taeheo Jin-in scratched his head with an awkward laugh but changed the subject without answering.
“That's not important. I heard the Geum family challenged your estate to a martial exchange?”
“It's just the kids testing what they've learned. What kind of formal duel is that? It's sparring.”
“Ryeon here has never faced peers outside the estate, so wouldn't it be good for her to practice with Yeopun? Kunlun swordsmanship differs greatly from the Geum family's ways, of course.”
At Taeheo Jin-in's words, Danmok Cheon-gi stroked his chin and eyed Yeopun appraisingly.
Yeopun, somewhat shy, flushed red up to his ears and kept his eyes downcast, unsure what to do.
Danmok Cheon-gi glanced at Ryeon.
Her starry eyes sparkled with anticipation.
'I see. Ryeon too...'
The only recent visitor had been Gyeon Wiun of Mansong Merchant Group, so this was the first time they'd hosted someone Ryeon's age.
She'd kept even the orphan Hwaryun by her side because she had no friends.
It wouldn't be bad if they became playmates now.
Danmok Cheon-gi nodded.
“So what brings you here for real?”
“I told you, didn't I? Just to pay my respects. If I had another purpose, I'd have come straight here upon arriving in Hangzhou instead of wandering awkwardly outside for days.”
At Taeheo Jin-in's jovial words, Danmok Cheon-gi's eyes softened slightly.
Taeheo Jin-in averted his gaze out the window.
The children and other family members had all been sent away, leaving him alone with Danmok Cheon-gi over tea.
On this moonlit night, a clear, floral scent like fresh blooms wafted between them in the garden.
“One day, I just... thought of it. 'Hmm, what has the Wumwolgeom elder been up to?'”
He remembered Danmok Cheon-gi's back as he held his son's funeral.
Years had passed since then.
They'd lived as if they'd forgotten each other—not out of ignoring the declining Danmok family after losing its heir, but because Kunlun Mountain had no respite from its duties, and Hangzhou was too far away. They'd simply been busy with their own lives.
Others would be the same. Too caught up in their own lives and work.
Thinking of Danmok Cheon-gi had been pure coincidence.
Last autumn, sitting on a ridge overlooking the maples, it suddenly came to mind.
Ah, is the elder doing well? How many years has it been since I last saw him? Right, not since that funeral. Has anyone else visited him? No one mentions the Danmok family anymore...
He still couldn't understand why such thoughts had arisen.
But a fierce emotion had shaken him: he couldn't let it go on like this.
Kunlun Mountain bordered the Machun-gyo at the western edge of the Central Plains, while the Danmok estate lay at the eastern end in Hangzhou.
The sect leader had been perplexed by his sudden announcement of a courtesy visit to the Danmok family with no reason given but had sent him off with a smile anyway.
“So you suddenly got that thought and came all the way to Ye just to chat? Have you ever seen such a pointless courtesy call?”
That long journey took three months and ten days even walking five double-hours a day, yet he'd come just for a greeting—naturally, Danmok Cheon-gi found it odd. Still, Taeheo Jin-in couldn't explain his heart any better.
How could he explain this poignant, regret-like feeling for someone not yet lost—a feeling even he didn't fully grasp?
“Once I set my mind to something, I have to do it—that's just my temperament.”
“Aigoo.”
If Danmok Cheon-gi still had strength left.
If he hadn't burned everything fighting Blood Valley long ago.
If both he and his son had remained hale, Taeheo could have sent letters and visited yearly, making it part of their lives.
“I hear now is a busy time for Kunlun Mountain. Word is the Machun-gyo leader is starting to seek a successor.”
“Ah, yes. The elders have left the cult looking for a successor candidate.”
Against Blood Valley, the black path's Black Heaven Alliance, the righteous path's White Path Alliance, and even distant Machun-gyo had joined forces. Even then, it wasn't enough, so North Sea Binggung had lent a hand during the Eastern Justice Blood War. The current murim was closer than at any point in its long history.
Yet no matter how close, they couldn't mix. Mutual wariness and checks remained.
When word spread of demon heads quietly emerging from Machun-gyo, Kunlun Sect—closest to them—raised alarms first.
Machun-gyo sought successor candidates outside the cult. When the time came, elders wandered the Central Plains quietly scouting talent before returning upon success.
“Well, they'll handle that on Kunlun. Have I ever meddled in such things?”
“The sect leader probably doesn't think so either. You wandering around like this.”
“It's all for my sect leader master's sake.”
Taeheo Jin-in guffawed.
Danmok Cheon-gi shook his head.
“More importantly, elder, won't you give me some instruction, just once?”
“I'd just earn Kunlun's ire for capturing you. What's in it for me?”
“Aigoo, don't say that. We're ten thousand li away—do you think their glares can reach here? And elder, don't underestimate me.”
I've not wasted my time, Taeheo Jin-in declared confidently.
Danmok Cheon-gi grinned and rose leisurely.
“Even if I cry, it won't fill your Tang clan's coffers. I have to feed our Ryeon.”
* * *
“Yeopun Daoist?”
“Daoist? No, not yet. Speak casually, casually.”
The boy flushed a pitiful shade of red and fidgeted helplessly.
Ryeon smiled mischievously but didn't tease Yeopun further.
She was a bit surprised by Yeopun's status.
It was astonishing that he'd already reached 3 Stars in Kunlun Sect's swordsmanship at his age, but grasping an inner power method already meant exceptional talent.
Inner power, huh. A little envious. But what's with the Yunryong Daepalp Sik showing 2 Stars next to 4 Stars?'
Ryeon had seen something similar before.
Danmok Hyeon-u and Danmok Cheon-gi's achievements were noted that way.
'Reached it once but not fully mastered... or couldn't demonstrate due to injury?'
That made it even more impressive.
Yeopun had glimpsed up to 4 Stars in Yunryong Daepalp Sik at his age.
“Those behind you...”
Having finished greeting Ryeon awkwardly, Yeopun eyed the boys behind her.
“My little brothers. Hwaryun, Bi, say hello.”
Ryeon pulled forward the two boys hiding side-by-side behind her.
Danmok Bi, curious about the stranger, grinned happily, but Hwaryun only nodded curtly.
Then he tugged at Ryeon's hem.
“Nui, it's late already. Time to sleep.”
“Ah! Th-the time's already this late. I've kept you too long. Thank you for escorting me to the guest quarters.”
The boy bowed to Ryeon, face beet-red and flustered.
But when Ryeon said, 'Looking forward to sparring starting tomorrow,' his shy expression vanished, replaced by eyes gleaming with excitement.