Shadows Over Mount Hua
Mount Hua Sect was located in Shaanxi Province. To reach it, one had to cross Jiangxi and traverse all of Hubei. In other words, the distance was considerable.
Since there was still time before the plague would spread, we were able to stop at scenic spots for meals and travel at a leisurely pace.
Of course, I spent the journey deep in thought.
Was it truly right to intervene in Mount Hua’s affairs?
The Ju Family would collapse before Mount Hua did.
Would it not be wiser to focus on internal matters within the family for now and deal with Mount Hua later?
These doubts plagued me.
Yet in the end, my conclusion was firm: we had to intervene.
Once the plague began to ravage Mount Hua, their very strength would crumble.
In my previous life, I had only known that a plague would strike. I had never witnessed how Mount Hua ultimately met its end.
What was certain, however, was that the plague would destroy most of their power and give the Mahwang Squad the perfect pretext to move.
That was what mattered.
The plague will be handled by the Medicine Immortal. The Mahwang Squad will be handled by me.
We would resolve everything cleanly and return.
Before long, the majestic peaks of Mount Hua began to appear in the distance.
* * *
The interior of the Mount Hua Sect grew bustling.
A special guest from the Ju Family was arriving.
“Hoho.”
The youngest son of the Ju Family, Ju Woo-jin.
Along with the eldest daughter, Ju Seung-gyeong, and Mong Yeo-rin of the Mong Family Villa.
Their party was impressive enough that no hospitality could be spared.
“It seems the Sword Venerable…”
The sect leader of Mount Hua gazed at the letter in his hand, a satisfied smile on his lips.
“…has the youngest son in mind as his successor.”
The words written in the letter carried immense weight.
Besides several lines expressing concern for his youngest son’s safety, the official correspondence contained passages that bordered on outright threats.
“But I have heard that the Ju Family’s youngest son is a reckless fool who gets drunk, assaults women, and treats his subordinates worse than livestock…”
A disciple standing beside the sect leader spoke up.
By now, rumors about Woo-jin had already spread even to this land of Shaanxi.
No one had deliberately spread them. His behavior had simply been so disgraceful that the stories had traveled on their own.
After all, words without feet were said to travel a thousand li.
“Tsk tsk. You know one thing but not two.”
“Pardon? This disciple is lacking and must not have understood properly. I apologize, Sect Leader.”
“Perhaps the Ju Family deliberately spread such rumors themselves?”
“Ah…?”
At those words, the disciple’s expression grew serious, as though he had grasped something.
“They do not wish their cherished successor to be exposed to danger, so they force filthy rumors to circulate and divert attention.”
“……”
“It is one of the strategies recorded without exception in the Seven Military Classics.”
“This disciple will engrave the Sect Leader’s words deeply in his heart.”
The disciple bowed his head, and the sect leader looked upon him with a pleased expression.
“It seems our guests will arrive soon.”
Far away, the mountain gate of Mount Hua grew noisy.
* * *
The Ju Family’s carriage came to a stop before the Mount Hua Sect’s mountain gate.
“You must be the young master of the Ju Family. Welcome.”
The Mount Hua disciples guarding the gate approached me with friendly smiles.
I nodded and stepped down from the carriage.
“You must leave all weapons here before entering.”
At those words, I glanced upward. A large plaque reading “Weaponless Sword Pavilion” was prominently displayed.
Just like the Swordless Pavilion at the Wudang Sect, visitors had to surrender their weapons here before entering the main grounds.
Since I carried no sword anyway, I could proceed without issue.
Muyoung’s expression was clearly displeased, but there was nothing to be done.
This was Mount Hua, after all.
In the end, everyone laid down their swords at the Weaponless Sword Pavilion and signed the guest register.
The path leading from the Weaponless Sword Pavilion to the main grounds of Mount Hua was wider and better maintained than expected.
Ancient pine trees lined both sides of the stone steps, their branches stretching out like guardians of the mountain.
Autumn sunlight filtered through them, casting shadows across the steps.
“The scenery of Mount Hua is magnificent.”
The Medicine Immortal turned his head, taking in the surroundings with admiration.
His eyes shone with the joy of fulfilling a long-held wish.
I, too, looked upward.
The peaks of Mount Hua rose like colossal swords piercing the sky.
Mist drifted along the mid-slopes, evoking the atmosphere of a dwelling for immortals.
The clear sound of small waterfalls echoed from various points.
“Do you see them over there? The plum trees.”
Ju Seung-gyeong pointed to the side of the mountain path.
Plum trees stood in rows along both sides of the steps. Even though it was early autumn, a few blossoms had already bloomed.
“I have heard that the plum blossoms of Mount Hua bloom throughout all four seasons.”
Mong Yeo-rin spoke quietly.
Her eyes were also filled with wonder.
“If that is the case, then those plum blossoms…”
“It is thanks to Mount Hua’s internal energy cultivation method.”
When I answered, everyone nodded.
It was said that, due to the nature of their cultivation methods, Taoist sects like Mount Hua possessed a unique energy that harmonized with nature.
The plants of Mount Hua grew according to a different cycle because of that influence.
And it was precisely those qualities that created such breathtaking scenery.
As we climbed the steps, the view gradually opened up.
Finally, the main grounds of the Mount Hua Sect came into sight.
“Whoa…”
Muyoung let out an exclamation.
The buildings of the Mount Hua Sect were constructed along the edges of cliffs, appearing as though they floated in midair.
The harmony of red-tiled roofs and white walls was dazzling. In the central plaza stood a massive stone sculpture shaped like a sword.
The arrangement of nature and buildings was truly profound.
This is what Mount Hua looked like before it fell.
In my previous life, I had only ever seen the ruined Mount Hua Sect.
To think that such a magnificent and solemn sect had been destroyed by the Demon Cult… It left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“Is that the Heavenly Sword Platform, the symbol of Mount Hua?”
When I explained, everyone gazed at it in admiration.
Around the Heavenly Sword Platform, dozens of Mount Hua disciples were practicing their sword techniques.
Their movements were swift and precise.
“You must be the guests from the Ju Family.”
A middle-aged man came forward to greet us.
He appeared to be one of the elders of the Mount Hua Sect.
“I am Ju Woo-jin of the Ju Family.”
“I am Ju Seung-gyeong of the Ju Family. Thank you for receiving us.”
“I am Mong Yeo-rin of the Mong Family Villa, Elder.”
“The sect leader is waiting. Please follow me.”
We followed him toward the main hall.
Along the path to the main hall, Mount Hua disciples stood in rows on both sides, watching us.
Their gazes held a mixture of curiosity and wariness.
Sharp, intelligent eyes mingled with competitive spirit.
I smiled faintly as I looked at them.
Among them…
The Mahwang Squad scum were mixed in.
* * *
Mount Hua Sect, Purple Mist Palace.
It was the largest hall within the sect, serving as both the residence and office of the sect leader, as well as the reception hall and the highest command center.
I stepped inside the Purple Mist Palace to pay my respects to the sect leader of Mount Hua.
A long corridor.
Braziers lined both sides, illuminating the interior, and a sharp aura seeped out without restraint.
The first-generation disciples.
They must be the first-generation disciples that Mount Hua prided itself on.
Usually, first-generation disciples referred to those who received direct instruction from the sect leader and elders. Among them, the most outstanding were selected to become Plum Blossom Sword Guards.
Becoming a Plum Blossom Sword Guard brought immense honor and fame. That was why most of the sect leaders and elders of Mount Hua had once been Plum Blossom Sword Guards themselves.
“Ju Woo-jin of the Ju Family greets the sect leader of Mount Hua.”
A short, concise greeting.
I bowed my head toward the sect leader seated in the place of honor, the Unfettered True Person.
“Come in.”
Soon after, Ju Seung-gyeong and Mong Yeo-rin offered the same greeting.
At that moment, the Unfettered True Person’s eyes fell upon the Medicine Immortal, and he rose from his seat at once.
“Oh! Is that not the Medicine Immortal? Hoho, I thought the name sounded familiar. So it was you.”
He rushed over in a single bound and embraced the Medicine Immortal.
Mount Hua was not particularly bound by formal etiquette.
Because they were rooted in Taoism, they were more worldly than other sects.
That did not mean their rules and laws were lax. On the contrary, their free atmosphere allowed them to maintain stricter internal regulations than other sects.
In any case, the Unfettered True Person and the Medicine Immortal exchanged a warm reunion.
Only after some time did the Unfettered True Person seem to notice the rest of us. He approached with an apologetic expression.
“Haha, I got carried away talking. My apologies.”
“Not at all. I never imagined the two of you would know each other.”
Indeed, there were many people who recognized the Medicine Immortal.
Thanks to him, we had enjoyed countless free meals on the way here to Shaanxi…
He truly lived up to the title of one of the Twin Immortals Under Heaven.
“Well, greetings are done, so that is enough.”
The Unfettered True Person then looked over each member of our party one by one.
For a moment, I felt the energy emanating from his entire body and involuntarily trembled.
So this is the sect leader of one of the great sects.
Soft, yet sharp.
Moreover, there was a flowing, dynamic sensation combined with an energy that seized the entire body in an instant.
Indeed, the feeling was different from the martial arts of the great families.
“Byeok Gong. Do you know how much that boy talked about you after returning from the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly?”
“Ah, is that so?”
I felt somewhat embarrassed.
“He spent day and night singing nothing but your praises. He has practically become a member of the Ju Family.”
At the Unfettered True Person’s words, Ju Seung-gyeong burst into laughter.
She seemed amused by the sect leader’s rough, roguish way of speaking.
Beyond his lighthearted demeanor, that sharp spiritual eye… was directed only at me.
“Rest comfortably while you are here. Ah, or perhaps not? My disciples will keep challenging you day after day. I suppose I should warn you to be careful. Keh keh.”
I smiled and nodded at the Unfettered True Person’s words.
Regardless of his manner of speech, he possessed the talent for putting people at ease.
“By the way, Sword Venerable. How is that fellow doing?”
“He is doing very well.”
“That rotten bastard. He swings his sword all day long and still refuses to die. He is living quite comfortably.”
Though his words were sharp, warmth was embedded within them.
They also carried respect for the Ju Family, which stood at the boundary between the orthodox and unorthodox paths, maintaining balance in the martial world.
“Are the two of you close?”
At my question, the Unfettered True Person curled one corner of his mouth into a smile.
“I taught that fellow how to drink.”
“……”
Huh? Was it not the other way around?
Why would the sect leader of Mount Hua… teach the family head how to drink…? Huh.
“Aigoo, I should have snatched up the Sword Venerable’s title that day, but his drinking ruined everything. Aigoo.”
Even as he said this, there was no trace of regret on his face.
It was because he already knew he was no match for the Sword Venerable in skill.
“Ah, by the way.”
The sect leader looked at me and spoke quietly.
“Byeok Gong, the boy who wanted to see you, happened to fall ill right after sending the letter.”
“Disciple Byeok Gong did?”
“Yes. When he heard you were coming, he kept trying to get up despite his illness, so I forcibly locked him away in the seclusion training cave.”
For a moment, my eyebrows twitched.
Byeok Gong was ill at this time?
The final plum blossom of Mount Hua.
That had been another name for Byeok Gong in his previous life.
“Would it be all right if I met him?”
“Hoho, of course.”
The Unfettered True Person readily granted permission.
Thus, we finished our greetings and were guided to the seclusion training cave.
True to its name, it was a dark cave with nothing inside.
This was the training cave used for seclusion training at Mount Hua.
And…
……
I shuddered at an inexplicable chill.
Somehow, the deeper we went inside, the more an ominous premonition seized me.