Chapter 579
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 579
Chapter Title: The Tea is Excellent
Everything began at the training cave atop Lotus Peak.
Un Se-hyeok had resided there, and he rarely ever left the place.
The elders and protectors of Huashan Sect, including Gui Hwi, No Hu-myeong, and Yu Chu-eun, mobilized based on the speculation that even if he'd acquired the demonic art, it must have been right there on the premises.
They hadn't yet informed the first-generation disciples.
Among the first-generation disciples, only the youngest, Wi Su-yeon, knew the truth.
And that was inevitable, since Wi Su-yeon had been the very one directly involved in the incident.
Impressed by Wi Su-yeon's talent, Yu Chu-eun had taken her as a disciple, making her the youngest among the first-generation disciples.
All the disciples her age were either second- or third-generation.
Most first-generation disciples were already in their forties.
For her, at just twenty years old, to be a first-generation disciple was truly remarkable.
They had scoured every inch from the training cave at the peak of Lotus Peak on downward, but there wasn't a single trace of the demonic art anywhere.
If someone had passed it on to Un Se-hyeok, there should have been some sign of it.
Even inside the cave's hidden chamber, nothing remained.
Not even the traces of something having been burned away.
"Heh, well. What are we supposed to say to this...?"
Gui Hwi let out a sigh.
"It's utterly frustrating."
Yu Chu-eun said with a darkened expression.
"......"
Sect Leader No Hu-myeong sat with a rigid face, lost deep in thought without a word.
Five days had already passed since the Plum Blossom Sword Sage Gui Hwi's return.
They had rushed with full force, expecting it would only take a couple of days at most.
But they found nothing.
And time kept slipping by until five full days had elapsed.
Even during that time, they poured everything into the search, but the results remained the same.
"By the way, is that Ha Mu-baek fellow actually coming to our sect, Elder Uncle?"
No Hu-myeong asked suddenly, as if the thought had just occurred to him.
It had been three days past the time they expected him to arrive.
"He clearly stated he would come to Huashan Sect to uncover the origin of the demonic art."
Gui Hwi replied with a face full of conviction.
"He's not the type to speak empty words, Sect Leader Brother."
Yu Chu-eun backed Gui Hwi's assessment.
Both of them had dealt with Ha Mu-baek personally.
No Hu-myeong had no direct experience with him.
"Hmm. Is there really a demonic art in our Huashan Sect? We've combed through it like this over and over."
No Hu-myeong said.
And even now, the other elders and protectors were still searching every nook and cranny.
Not just the areas where Huashan Sect was based, but everywhere on Lotus Peak where Huashan disciples resided and scattered about.
Yet still, nothing.
"But Elder Uncle clearly used a demonic art of profound depths."
Gui Hwi affirmed.
"Could it be that Grand Martial Uncle acquired the demonic art outside of Huashan?"
No Hu-myeong cautiously voiced what he'd been mulling over.
"After the Great Martial Conference, Grand Martial Uncle stayed at Huashan continuously. This recent trip south of the Yangtze was the first time he'd left Huashan since then."
Yu Chu-eun said.
She had investigated Un Se-hyeok's movements.
Her words carried certainty.
"Grand Martial Uncle distributed messenger hawks to his disciples for communication. Could he have used one of those?"
It would have been impossible for Huashan Sect to detect a messenger hawk flying directly to the training cave.
No Hu-myeong directed the question toward Yu Chu-eun.
"That would imply one of us elders cultivated the demonic art."
Yu Chu-eun said gravely.
There were those who had left Huashan to live in seclusion, or like Ban Yun, still active in the region.
"No trace in Huashan, so we have no choice but to look outside."
"The search radius will expand considerably."
Gui Hwi acknowledged the validity of No Hu-myeong's point.
As the three gathered there sank deeper into contemplation...
"Hm?"
Gui Hwi turned his gaze.
"What's wrong, Elder Uncle?"
No Hu-myeong asked.
"It seems the time has come."
Gui Hwi replied.
"Pardon?"
Another question slipped from Yu Chu-eun's lips.
"Ha Mu-baek. He's arrived. Discipline Hall Lord."
The Plum Blossom Sword Sage Gui Hwi gave a clear answer and rose from his seat.
He was heading to the sect gate to greet him.
The overwhelming presence Ha Mu-baek briefly exuded was felt only by Gui Hwi.
In truth, given the distance, no one else in Huashan Sect could sense that aura except for Gui Hwi.
As Gui Hwi departed, No Hu-myeong and Yu Chu-eun followed behind.
They arrived at the sect gate and waited briefly.
No Hu-myeong and Yu Chu-eun's expressions changed.
Now they too could sense Ha Mu-baek's energy.
It wasn't the immense presence Gui Hwi had felt, but the aura Ha Mu-baek emanated toward them was oppressively heavy.
"Indeed... he's here."
No Hu-myeong nodded slightly and murmured.
And before long, a man appeared on the mountain path leading to the sect gate.
Ha Mu-baek.
It had been quite some time since he'd last visited Huashan Sect.
"Oh, old man. You're out here?"
Ha Mu-baek said with a friendly grin.
But No Hu-myeong and Yu Chu-eun's faces instantly stiffened.
Inevitably so, for Gui Hwi was now Huashan Sect's foremost elder.
No one would tolerate such insolent behavior toward the sect's revered senior.
"You're later than expected."
"I gave you some extra time out of respect for your face, old man. Plus, I owe you one."
Gui Hwi immediately grasped what "owe you one" meant.
"It was just a conversation. No need to call it a debt."
Ha Mu-baek shook his head at those words.
"No, you zeroed right in on it, old man. That question really hit hard."
Ha Mu-baek replied with a bright smile.
"I'm honored."
Gui Hwi smiled faintly in return.
Though No Hu-myeong was the sect leader, Gui Hwi—the sect's foremost elder—was carrying the conversation, leaving no room for them to interject.
At that moment, Ha Mu-baek's gaze shifted.
"I remember that one's face, but this one looks new."
Gui Hwi's expression hardened slightly at Ha Mu-baek's words.
"This is the current Huashan Sect Leader, No Hu-myeong. Show him proper respect."
Gui Hwi's demeanor, which had been jovial like a kindly grandfather during his exchange with Ha Mu-baek, abruptly changed.
When introducing No Hu-myeong, he was utterly stern and solemn.
And rightly so.
To Gui Hwi, the Huashan Sect Leader embodied Huashan Sect itself.
Thus, even toward his martial nephew who held the position, he used honorifics and showed utmost respect.
That was why he could not stand by while Ha Mu-baek treated Huashan Sect's leader so casually.
"Fierce Dragon Corps Leader Ha Mu-baek of the Righteous Heaven Alliance, at your service. I pay my respects to the Huashan Sect Leader."
Whether he understood the reason for the shift in attitude or not, Ha Mu-baek offered proper greetings.
No, to begin with, Ha Mu-baek wasn't the sort of boorish man who would outright disrespect a sect leader.
He knew decorum and propriety, and upheld them as a warrior.
"Pleased to meet you. I am No Hu-myeong, the one serving as Huashan Sect Leader. This is Huashan Sect Elder and Discipline Hall Lord Yu Chu-eun."
After exchanging bows, Yu Chu-eun also offered a proper bow in kind.
"And Elder Uncle Gui Hwi is our Huashan Sect's foremost senior. Please show respect to Huashan Sect's revered elder."
No Hu-myeong immediately voiced his prior displeasure.
Ha Mu-baek's eyebrow twitched.
However...
"Hoo."
He let out a deep sigh.
'Right, this is Huashan. Not a battlefield.'
During the Great Martial Conference...
In the heat of urgent warfare, there was no time to fuss over rank and proper titles.
No, there wasn't even time to think or calculate such things.
Time spent on that could have been used for one more sword stroke.
Ha Mu-baek held the position of Hocheon Corps Leader, but it was his sheer strength that usually had him operating alongside famous orthodox masters in battle plans.
Within that, the current manner of address and speech had taken root.
That was why Gui Hwi hadn't made an issue of it, nor had the others.
They were comrades who had shared the battlefield, after all.
Of course, Ha Mu-baek occasionally overstepped, but it was contextual, so no one pressed it.
But this was Huashan.
The martial school of the Plum Blossom Sword Sage Gui Hwi, and he was now its foremost senior here.
He had to consider his dignity before the sect's disciples.
"My mistake. I'll be more careful going forward."
Ha Mu-baek replied calmly.
"Heh heh. Thanks for giving me face in front of the disciples."
"Only here in Huashan, Sword Sage."
Ha Mu-baek responded in a slightly curt tone.
Gui Hwi just smiled faintly, unperturbed.
The minor tussle—not quite a dispute—over titles came to an end.
"Please, come inside."
No Hu-myeong personally escorted Ha Mu-baek to Mansu Pavilion, Huashan Sect's guest reception hall.
The four settled into the finest room in Mansu Pavilion.
After a Huashan disciple served tea that looked like premium quality, the real discussion began.
"May I ask what brings you to Huashan?"
"I assume the Sword Sage has already informed you."
No Hu-myeong nodded at Ha Mu-baek's response.
"Of course. We've conducted our own investigation in the meantime, but..."
"No luck, it seems."
Ha Mu-baek cut in.
No Hu-myeong replied without hiding his discomfort.
"That's right. We were just about to expand the search beyond Huashan."
"I see it differently. Given Un—no, Sword Fragrance of Huashan's temperament, he acquired the demonic art within Huashan."
Ha Mu-baek hastily corrected himself from calling him "Un old man."
He was a criminal who had cultivated a demonic art, but Un Se-hyeok was still Huashan Sect's elder.
"This is an internal Huashan matter. I don't believe it's for an outsider like Corps Leader Ha to concern himself with."
"When demonic arts are involved, it's a different story."
No Hu-myeong expressed his unease, but Ha Mu-baek maintained his indifferent stance.
"We appreciate the interest, but this is internal to Huashan. It's not for an outsider to meddle in, so please rest and then take your leave."
It was a clear refusal, an order to leave.
Ha Mu-baek calmly lifted his teacup to his lips.
He took a sip.
"The tea is excellent."
He said nonchalantly.
"Well then, I'll be going."
No Hu-myeong rose as if he'd said all he needed to.
At that instant.
"Take a look at this."
Ha Mu-baek pulled a small piece of paper from his bosom.
He sent it floating to No Hu-myeong via Energy Grasping Technique.
"What's this?"
No Hu-myeong eyed the small paper quizzically.
Its contents read:
For the investigation into the demonic art incident at Huashan Sect, authority is hereby delegated to Fierce Dragon Corps Leader Ha Mu-baek. Huashan Sect is requested to provide full support.
Bearing the deep seal of Righteous Heaven Alliance Leader So Hwi-woong.
"Th-this...?"
The flustered No Hu-myeong nearly crumpled the request in his hand.
But the paper held firm, unyielding.
Protected by the internal energy Ha Mu-baek had infused as it crossed the air.
No Hu-myeong shot a startled glance at Ha Mu-baek.
"Not in my personal capacity, but as Fierce Dragon Corps Leader carrying out the Righteous Heaven Alliance's orders?"
Ha Mu-baek's gaze moved from No Hu-myeong to Yu Chu-eun.
Because she was the Discipline Hall Lord.
"In matters related to the Demonic Cult or Blood Cult, all orthodox sects under the Righteous Heaven Alliance have a duty to prioritize cooperation with the alliance's requests."
Yu Chu-eun stated the facts in an emotionless voice.
It was her demeanor as Discipline Hall Lord.
Dissatisfaction flickered across No Hu-myeong's face, but he couldn't refuse.
Huashan Sect was a key member of the Orthodox Alliance formed by the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans, wielding significant influence within the Righteous Heaven Alliance.
For such a sect to defy the alliance's rules?
Unthinkable.
If Huashan refused, others would follow, and the Righteous Heaven Alliance would crumble like a house of cards.
It mustn't happen, and couldn't.
Not while the Evil Alliance endured so resiliently.
"Hoo. Understood. Discipline Hall Lord, please assist the Fierce Dragon Corps Leader."
With those words, No Hu-myeong left the room.
Gui Hwi looked at Ha Mu-baek with newfound eyes.
"That's why you were three days late. When did you prepare this?"
"The moment the Sword Sage showed reluctance."
Ha Mu-baek answered nonchalantly.
"Heh heh, heh heh heh."
Gui Hwi could only let out a hearty laugh.