12 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 12 It was the hour when the sun began its ascent. Cheonhui ambled along a winding, long path. Usually, he would have been at Man-gyungkak by now, but he chose to head somewhere else this morning. Cheers erupted in the distance. Cheonhui's eyes sparked. The cheers originated from the very place he decided to visit instead of Man-gyungkak today—Dorim Plain, the venue for the O-Ak's Gathering. ‘I wonder how the sword techniques of the other sects compare? Will they be similar to the Hwasan Sect’s?’ The thought of witnessing the martial arts at the O-Ak's Gathering filled him with anticipation. With an eager stride, he walked for quite a while until he discovered a massive gate. ‘This must be it.’ Cheonhui reached for the plaque above that read 'Dorim Plain.' The firmly closed door started to open slowly. Creak— He frowned instinctively. ‘So many people.’ The view that emerged as the door opened was not entirely to his liking. Around the enormous martial arts arena gathered an overabundance of monks. Even with a casual glance, there were easily over a hundred monks gathered there. ‘Oh? Are those different uniforms?’ While over half of them wore the Hwasan Sect's distinctive red robes, they were not alone. Blue, white, black, and green uniforms were distinctly separated around the martial arts arena, apart from the red robes. It was as if invisible walls divided them. ‘It seems each sword sect is standing in their respective groups.’ Though this was the Hwasan Sect's hosting place, it was natural for the competing sword sects, even at this grand meeting of the O-Ak Sword Sects, to maintain their separate stances. ‘So, should I head over there?’ Just as Cheonhui, after surveying the various colored uniforms, started moving towards where the Hwasan Sect's disciples were gathered, Cheers erupted loudly ahead, causing the crowd to stir. ‘It looks like things are already underway.’ He quickened his pace. Arriving behind the Hwasan Sect's disciples, he raised his head to take in the situation on the martial arts stage. ‘You've got to be kidding me.’ A curse escaped him unconsciously. All he got was a view of people's backs. With his sight blocked by the crowd, he couldn't see the contest happening on the stage. He had overlooked it because he rarely mingled with people, but being just a fourteen-year-old boy, and perhaps owing to his past frail health, his height barely reached five cheok (traditional Korean unit of length). ‘I need to move forward.’ He quickly scanned his surroundings, finding a small gap. Swish— He slipped into it. “Huh?” The Hwasan disciples, who were cheering while watching the stage from the back, turned to the intrusion at their sides, eyes widening. There was a small child below. Large eyes, a sharply defined nose, and lips so red they resembled cherries. Still bearing traces of youth, the boy's looks were sure to captivate many women once he grew up. The female disciples reacted first. They watched Cheonhui with sparkling eyes. “Oh my!” “Who are you?” As the female disciples murmured, the nearby male disciples also fixed their gaze on Cheonhui. Like the women, they admired his appearance but soon tilted their heads. “Who is that?” “Is there anyone in our sect that looks like that?” Everyone stared at Cheonhui, but no one recognized him. And rightly so. He had always been sickly and confined to his quarters, making those who knew his face within the Hwasan Sect exceedingly rare. After recovering, it only got worse. He spent his days shuttling between his quarters and Man-gyungkak, so why would anyone recognize him? Feeling uncomfortable with all the attention, a furrow appeared on Cheonhui’s brow. He only intended to get a better view of the stage but now felt the growing heat of pervasive stares. ‘Why are they staring so much?’ Unbeknownst to Cheonhui, that very scowl only attracted even more attention. “Oh my! Is he frowning?” “He's adorable!” As his expression shifted, the female disciples fawned over him even more. “Hey? Isn’t he a novice under the Head of Medicine?” A large shadow suddenly covered Cheonhui and the surrounding female disciples. “The Head of Medicine?” With Cheonhui surrounded by the females, a deep voice rumbled over them. Peeking beneath it, they saw the imposing figure of Cheongo. The words he uttered made their eyes widen, inducing realization. “Wait...” “Didn't he call that child a novice...?” As they absorbed this, the truth dawned, and they gasped. “Could it be...” “Cheonhui the junior master?” The long-heard rumors of Cheonhui suddenly materialized in front of them, and they were shocked. ‘That rash dandy from back then?’ Cheonhui fixed his eyes on Cheongo. “Haha! You've grown splendidly in just a short time, junior.” Unaware of Cheonhui's thoughts, Cheongo greeted him with a hearty smile. “Did you come to observe the O-Ak's Gathering?” “Indeed.” Cheonhui replied, sounding indifferent and irritated. Hearing that, Cheongo quickly surveyed Cheonhui and the surrounding disciples, all of whom were watching with interest, and motioned. “You won't see much from here, so follow me.” He started to move. As his six-cheok-tall muscular frame shifted, the people gathered parted, creating a path. ‘Finally, I'll get a better view.’ Cheongo advanced some distance with large strides, Cheonhui following. Suddenly, he stopped. Step. As he stepped aside, Oh. Cheonhui's eyes brightened. He now had an unobstructed view of the stage. “Isn't this a fine spot?” “Now I can see well enough.” Cheonhui nodded, looking around at the surroundings. ‘Huh?’ He turned his head at the sensation of eyes on him from behind. About a chapter's length away, he could see Hyeonsang, the sect leader, and the elders from the other sword sects. He met the eye of the sect leader, who greeted him with a gentle smile. “Haha, it’s a relief you find it satisfactory. It's surprising. I didn't expect the junior to be observing...” Cheongo addressed him in his deep voice. “Just here to watch some martial arts.” “…Martial arts?” Cheongo replied, stroking the stubbly beard on his chin. After a moment, he clapped his hands and continued, “Ah, what a pity. Just now, Jeok Woon performed the Cheollyu Sword Technique beautifully as he bested a disciple from the Songshan Sect…” He spoke with a sense of pride, elaborating on the duel that had taken place, while Cheonhui, not paying much heed to Cheongo’s ramblings, focused on the martial arts stage, scowling. ‘They’re just kids.’ As he watched a young boy and an even younger girl exchange blows, Cheonhui’s interest waned drastically. The moment he was losing excitement—clang!—the girl stumbled as she faced intense pressure in battle. “…Seol Ran is struggling?” Cheongo murmured in a subdued tone. Though Seol Ran was the weakest among those participating, it had never crossed his mind that she’d be at such a disadvantage. “That young one from the Tae Mountain Sect must have quite a skill. To wield the Tae Mountain Sword Art so adeptly…” The Tae Mountain Sword Art is said to require at least ten years to master, a prestigious skill of the Tae Mountain Sect. Yet here was a barely adolescent student executing it so proficiently. “She might actually lose,” Cheongo finally admitted reluctantly. “Mmm, yawning,” Cheonhui sighed, covering his mouth as he yawned, finding it all tediously unchallenging. Despite wielding real swords, neither combatant sought to shed blood or inflict injuries. Instead, they displayed their martial prowess honorably and fairly. ‘No wonder people from righteous sects lose to those weaker than them.’ He could barely hold back a cynical laugh. Even though it was a duel, there should be some intensity. A duel should prepare one for a life-or-death battle. What on earth were they doing? There were no surprises, no sharpness. The present contest was no exception. ‘She withdrew her sword?’ Seol Ran had swung her sword first. But she retraced her swing to parry her opponent’s incoming cut aimed at her shoulder. ‘Tsk, tsk. Had she just continued her swing, she could have dealt a fatal blow. Instead, she loses because she pulled back.’ He watched the exchange disdainfully. ‘Kids these days lack resolve. In my time, we’d thrust even if it meant taking a hit. They're throwing such a fuss over a mere cut.’ The little enthusiasm he had dwindled down completely. To the untrained eye, it appeared fierce. Sparks flew as the swords clashed, and the spectators held their breath. But that was purely their perspective. Cheonhui, accustomed to bloody duels at the Heavenly Demonic Cult, found it rather lackluster. It was like watching children play. ‘Perhaps the next duel will be different?’ As he thought to himself— Clang! Seol Ran was sent flying backwards. Roll— Forced back a few steps by sheer force, her meticulously tied hair came undone, resulting in a disheveled mess as she breathed heavily. “Haa, haa,” After catching her breath, she raised her sword. Her hand, stiff around the hilt from the earlier impact, visibly trembled, her internal power almost spent. Yet, her eyes burned with determination. Creak— Cold energy emanated from around her. Draining the last of her Yeo-nyeo Heart Technique’s internal power, she gritted her teeth as she executed her finest move, the Suk-nyeo Sword. Shoo—osh! Her opponent, Do Mu of the Tae Mountain Sect, retaliated with his sword. Clang! A sharp noise echoed. “Well-fought,” Do Mu, gripping his sword in reverse, turned to the kneeling Seol Ran and bowed. “…” Seol Ran swallowed her pride, standing tall before drawing her hands together in a formal gesture. “Well-fought.” At that moment— “Well done!” “Sister, you were amazing!” Voices of encouragement burst from the ranks of the Hwasan Sect. They had sensed her impending defeat midway. However, Seol Ran’s tenacity, fighting fiercely to the end, moved them deeply. “Hmm, good job.” Cheonhui’s companion, Cheongo, also chuckled in satisfaction. Though Seol Ran was a nameless disciple, her opponent was none other than the champion of the Tae Mountain Sect. The moment her opponent stepped onto the stage, her loss seemed inevitable. Yet, she didn’t go down easily. She fought persistently to the end, even pushing her opponent back at times. “The future of our sect is promising.” Cheonhui glanced at Cheongo and the Hwasan disciples with disbelief. ‘Promising future? Yeah, right.’ Was Cheonhui’s prediction verified? Their laughter didn’t last long. In the very next duel— “…I've lost.” Jeok Jae, considered a prodigy among the second-tier disciples wielding the red sword, was defeated by a disciple from the Hangsan Sect.