11 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 11 In the early morning, atop a large rock, Chun Hui's eyelids twitched before revealing his eyes, sharply divided into black and white. "Whoo." He exhaled deeply, releasing the air filled in his chest, then unfolded his crossed legs and stood up. At that moment— "Have you finished your meditation?" An familiar voice resonated. "Hmm? Sa-baek-nim?" Hyun Do looked at him with a puzzled expression. He usually visited at the same time every afternoon. Yet, here Hyun Do was, arriving before the early morning even unfolded. Sensing Chun Hui's inquisitive gaze, Hyun Do chuckled and began speaking. "I meant to tell you yesterday before I left that I’d be coming early today because I have something to attend to in the afternoon, but it slipped my mind. Hahaha." He approached leisurely. Chun Hui shook his head at the sight of Hyun Do approaching without hesitation. Recently, Hyun Do had become particularly familiar with him. 'From that day, perhaps.' He recalled the day he demonstrated the Maehwa Sword Technique. As soon as he had finished his trance-like state, the first people he saw were Hyun Do and Jang Mun In. 'As you said, truly a genius.' 'Hahaha! Didn’t I tell you so!' The two had been quite excited back then. But that was short-lived; Jang Mun In soon turned serious and strictly advised Chun Hui. 'Never showcase the Maehwa Sword Technique in front of others.' He didn't understand why but agreed, finding it a bother to argue. After all, he had intended to change it after his enlightenment from employing the Maehwa Sword Technique before. ‘The sword styles in the Maehwa Sword Technique have many overlaps, and every swing uses up unnecessary energy. If I simplify its techniques, it’ll conserve energy more efficiently…’ While contemplating how to concise the Maehwa Sword Technique’s forms for efficient execution— "Then today, as I mentioned yesterday, I will teach you our school's footwork." Hyun Do said, grinning from ear to ear. Lately, training martial arts with Chun Hui had become his joy. A genius who grasped martial arts in one glance. He had never felt so delighted while teaching before. 'Moreover, I've learned a lot while teaching.' The smile lingering on his face did not fade. Chun Hui interpreted the martial arts he was taught in ways Hyun Do never anticipated. Thanks to him, Hyun Do’s vision of martial arts broadened, and he gained much knowledge. ‘What kind of unconventional feat will he show today?’ With eager anticipation, Hyun Do parted his lips. "First and foremost, this is the Seven Star Step (칠성보), which all our sect's disciples learn upon entry." Swiftly, Hyun Do gathered his energy as usual and demonstrated. Swish— Swish— With quickened footwork, Hyun Do’s form blurred, leaving afterimages. As the afterimages increased— Whoosh! Chun Hui turned his head backward. “Well done.” A proud Hyun Do was looking down at him from behind. “Did you see how I stepped just now?” “Yes.” Chun Hui responded indifferently. “Then give it a try.” Hyun Do crossed his arms and stepped back. His training method was simple. Show the martial art, and have Chun Hui mimic it. It was quite an unsophisticated approach. Originally, Hyun Do hadn’t intended to teach this way. At first, he planned to share techniques and offer guidance, similar to when he taught the Maehwa Energy Technique and the Six Harmonies Sword Technique. But he changed his mind in just three days. ‘It’s a talent that defies common sense.’ Chun Hui, it seemed, wasn’t exaggerating when he said he visited the library daily—he knew most of the martial arts Hyun Do taught. No, he didn’t just know; he fully grasped the principles and theories within those techniques. So, he skipped the explanations. And the result was satisfying. He had already mastered most of the foundation arts of the Mount Hua Sect, with only footwork remaining. And Chun Hui himself was quite content with the current method. ‘Skipping the bothersome parts makes it convenient. Of course, this method only works because it's me.’ It wasn't just empty words. For this training method to work, one would need not only outstanding discernment to understand a martial art at mere sight but also a robust knowledge of its principles. But could anyone other than him exist? ‘Save for me, it must be non-existent.’ If this training were for someone else, they likely wouldn’t have achieved much, if anything, in mastering martial arts. 'The foot moved like this.' Recalling the Seven Star Step from earlier. Fwooosh— He summoned the energy of the Maehwa Spiritual Arts. Approximately an hour had passed since he'd begun treading not only the Seven Star Step but the entire footwork technique. Woooaah! The jubilant cheers that had been persistently heard drew a furrow to Chun Hui’s brow. “It’s unusually noisy today.” “Hahaha, isn’t the Five Peaks Gathering happening soon?” “The Five Peaks Gathering?” Hyun Do displayed a look of surprise. “Don’t tell me… you didn’t know?” “I’m hearing about it for the first time.” “How can you not know about the Five Peaks… Ah!” The words trailed off, ending in a sigh. He had almost forgotten that until recently, Chun Hui was a sickly child struggling to learn martial arts. Moreover, with Chun Hui having spent recent days training exclusively with him, how could he be aware of the Five Peaks Gathering? Turning his head away, Hyun Do cleared his throat. “Ahem. It seems staying in the library and your quarters kept you unaware. Didn’t I mention having work in the afternoon? I need to assist with selecting disciples who will attend the Five Peaks Gathering.” He stole a glance at Chun Hui. Yet, there was no response. ‘So what?’ Chun Hui didn’t care about what Hyun Do had to do in the afternoon. His interest lied in one thing. "So, what is the Five Peaks Gathering?" "Ahem, ahem." Hyun Do, repeatedly clearing his throat from embarrassment, eventually composed himself to explain. "Every four years, the Five Peaks Sword Schools host an exchange gathering. The purpose is to foster martial arts exchange among the schools. Pre-selected disciples face off in one-on-one contests with disciples from other schools as…." 'Huh?' The explanation sounded vaguely familiar, making Chun Hui tilt his head. ‘It’s similar to the Five Families Battle (오가대전), isn’t it?’ Long ago, the five families who revered the Heavenly Demon Cult were on such bad terms that they fought deadly battles daily. Eventually, when the Cheon family and the Gang family reached a stalemate, the cult leader of that time intervened. To end the wars, the leader declared that the families should select five masters to settle their scores. This was the bloody war that determined the hierarchy of the Five Great Families, known as the Five Families Battle. The differences with the Five Peaks Gathering were that five, not four, participated in individual duels, and it was held every ten years, not every four. Lastly, it wasn’t just duels but battles which could be lethal. ‘They say opposites attract.’ While Chun Hui briefly entertained these thoughts, Hyun Do continued his explanation. “The Five Peaks Gathering carries significant influence. Held every four years, disciples who make their mark gain fame, often earning nicknames before even venturing into the martial world.” Hyun Do’s expression grew increasingly sour as he spoke. Watching Hyun Do’s growing discontent, Chun Hui spoke up. “You don’t seem too pleased with it.” “As I mentioned, it originally served to build camaraderie among the Five Peaks Sword Schools. However, behaviors from other schools became odd since the last gathering.” The momentary tension on Hyun Do’s face was palpable. After losing his youngest disciple and many Plum Blossom Sword practitioners, their sect's influence diminished, leading others to disregard them more. Specifically, after the gathering held four years ago by the Taesan Sect, their treatment noticeably changed. ‘They dismissed our stance, bullying us into being the first to perform at the gathering.’ Recalling the lament of a disciple who had attended that gathering— “They’re probably waiting for the right moment to usurp our faltering position.” Subconsciously mumbling his internal thoughts, Hyun Do jolted. ‘I’ve spoken without thinking.’ Realizing his mistake, he quickly reassured Chun Hui. “But there's no need to worry about that now. Having reached the realm of Heavenly Martial Arts, our sect will not falter.” Speaking confidently, Hyun Do glanced at Chun Hui, relieved to see his usual expression. Hyun Do, however, was unaware. His assumption was completely off the mark from the start. Chun Hui had never worried. Far from concern, he had been chuckling inside. ‘It’s not much different from my own sect.’ Places where people congregate are fundamentally the same. Regardless of being Taoists or part of a righteous sect, they were still humans. Just then, Hyun Do's eyes widened. “If you’re curious about the Five Peaks Gathering, visit Do-rim Pyeong on the day. Every disciple of the Mount Hua Sect can attend as a spectator.” “Spectator?” Chun Hui's brow furrowed. An opportunity to observe the martial arts of the Five Peaks Sword Schools. And seeing how even Hyun Do emphasized its significance and historical depth, the participants were bound to showcase their true skills at the gathering. ‘A performance parade by Taoists...’ * * * The illustrious Mount Hua, famed in the West. Its towering stone cliffs, as if carved by blades, overwhelm anyone. Braving through such oppression, upon setting foot in Mount Hua, one realizes the tales circulating are indeed true. Only the Taoists of the Mount Hua Sect traverse its paths with ease. The mountain path was as perilously narrow and steep as rumored. Almost impossible to ascend for anyone not skilled in martial arts like the Taoists from Mount Hua. Many would give up on climbing here. But they say joy follows hardships. Continue ascending, and one could witness a rare view in a lifetime. Fwoosh— Plum blossoms blooming in abundance across the mountains. The red blossoms set against the clear blue sky clad the peaks like a silken dress, gently embracing the mountain ridges. Moreover, the vast rock peaks soaring skyward resembled fully bloomed flowers. Witnessing this, people often recalled the tales of Mount Hua. ‘The Hua of Mount Hua refers not to the blossoms but to the great peaks blooming atop the mountains.’ A saying passed down as a jest for ages. Arriving here, one would realize it wasn't a lie. To any observer, those distant peaks looked like blooming flowers. Continuing to climb the mountain trails, mesmerized by the scenery— Thunk— One would find themselves halted. A giant gate blocking the path. At first sight, anyone would be puzzled, until glancing at the old plaque atop the gate, understanding why the gate stood boldly in place. [Mount Hua Sect] The gateway into the Mount Hua Sect, one of the Nine Great Schools. Whirr— The gate opened to unleash a gust of warm wind. The breeze, heavily laden with the scent of plum blossoms, tantalized the nose before revealing the interior of Mount Hua Sect beyond the path. Plum blossoms blooming along the trail. Timeless and elegant traditional buildings. Crossing the gate into this place, one could almost feel stepping into a different world. And there lay the immense training ground, Do-rim Pyeong, where the true disciples of the sect trained in martial arts. Usually, the training ground would be packed with disciples, yet today, it stood empty. Instead, the edges of the training ground teemed with the Taoists of Mount Hua. And rightly so, for today was the day when the Five Peaks Gathering was taking place at Mount Hua for the first time in twenty years. “Wow!” “Senior Brother will win, won’t he?” “Of course! Not only Senior Brother but Senior Sister as well!” As Do-rim Pyeong buzzed with excited chatter and hopeful shouts— Boom! With the sound of a drum, the air vibrated. In an instant, a stunning silence settled over Do-rim Pyeong, as if dousing it with cold water. Then— Shuffle— Shuffle— The sound of footsteps broke the eerie silence. Every gaze followed the source. Five Taoists emerged, walking from the entrance of Do-rim Pyeong. Elder Jeok U Ja of the Hengshan Sect. Elder Go Gyeong Ja of the Hengshan Sect’s Counterpart. Elder Mu Yeong Ja of the Taesan Sect. Elder Tae Gyeong Ja of the Songshan Sect. These four Elders had escorted their disciples to the Mount Hua Sect for this event. And the remaining Taoist was none other than Hyeon Sang Jin In, the Grand Master of the Mount Hua Sect. Walking confidently, they ascended to the martial arts platform, standing tall. The Grand Master surveyed the now silent surroundings. Then, with a gentle smile, he spoke. “Let the Five Peaks Gathering commence.” As the soft-spoken declaration of the Grand Master resonated in everyone’s ears— Woooaaah! A massive cheer erupted throughout the Mount Hua Sect, signaling the beginning of the Five Peaks Gathering.