20 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 20 In the flickering lamplight that brightened the cabin at night, Hyeon Cheong and Cheon Hui sat down on the floor, maintaining a distance between them. Cheon Hui, looking at Hyeon Cheong, smacked his lips quietly. ‘Guess having meat today is out of the question.’ JeokGeom and Seol Ran had noticed Hyeon Cheong's sudden arrival and had tactfully retreated. As the delicious aroma of steaming meat filled his mind, he reminisced wistfully. ‘But why did he come here?’ A sense of curiosity stirred within him. The Hyeon Cheong he knew had always been confined within Mankyunggak, never stepping a foot outside. So to see him not only leave Mankyunggak but come all the way here... Just as Cheon Hui began to ponder, Hyeon Cheong, deep in thought, parted his lips with a query. "...Are you teaching JeokGeom and Seol Ran directly?" "It just sort of happened that way." Cheon Hui answered indifferently. His question seemed trivial after such a long wait, making Cheon Hui wonder. ‘What is he trying to ask?’ Meanwhile, Hyeon Cheong murmured softly, his face displaying disbelief. “Well, it just seems to have turned out that way.” He spoke, looking at Cheon Hui. "It's astonishing truly. You who couldn't even stand properly until recently are now teaching second disciples." Feigned admiration laced his words, and a shadow of deep contemplation lingered in Hyeon Cheong's gaze. He distinctly remembered hearing that just four months ago, Cheon Hui had been hovering between life and death. He had even considered teaching him martial arts during their first encounter... ‘An unnecessary meddling, it seems.’ Hyeon Cheong shook his head in a resigned manner. ‘Just get to the point already.’ Cheon Hui looked visibly annoyed. Watching Hyeon Cheong beat around the bush and lose himself in thought was a tiresome ordeal. He soon fixed his gaze on Hyeon Cheong and asked. "So, what brings you here?" Sensing the impatience in Cheon Hui’s tone, Hyeon Cheong's demeanor shifted. His normally amiable eyebrows and lips gradually fell, forming a stern straight line. In an instant, Hyeon Cheong displayed an unfamiliar seriousness as he spoke. “I’ve heard rumors concerning you circulating in the main sect.” “Rumors?” Cheon Hui's eyebrows twitched for a moment. Rumors? What kind of rumors could he be talking about? Unlike his usually nonchalant self, he reacted sharply to the mention of 'rumors.' After all, the strange rumors that once spread about him had caused him so much trouble. So much so that he had visited some clans to personally ensure those rumors vanished like dust. ‘What nonsense is making the rounds now?’ As Cheon Hui pondered, realizing he hadn't thought about rumors regarding himself for quite some time, his expression slightly soured. Noticing Cheon Hui's rapidly changing mood, Hyeon Cheong added hastily. “Recently, as more disciples have joined Mankyunggak, I ended up hearing about you while investigating.” Perhaps thinking Cheon Hui was upset, he quickly added an explanation. ‘What is he talking about?’ Cheon Hui's furrowed brow refused to relax. Because what he wanted to know was not how the rumors spread, but what exactly the rumors were. He voiced that intention. “So what is the rumor?” Realizing his misstep, Hyeon Cheong laughed awkwardly before answering. “I heard you displayed remarkable martial prowess at the recent Oa-Gakji Assembly.” Cheon Hui’s tense brow finally relaxed. Oh, was it just that? Recalling the Oa-Gakji Assembly, which was little more than child’s play beneath its grand name, Cheon Hui was indifferent. But was Cheon Hui aware? His demeanor made it seem to Hyeon Cheong like such feats were ordinary for him. “...So the rumors are true.” “They are.” Cheon Hui confirmed bluntly. “Did you really come all the way here just to verify such a trivial rumor?” “Heh, that’s part of it.” Hyeon Cheong’s previously tense expression softened considerably. ‘Has there ever been someone in history who grew as Cheon Hui did?’ The warmth in Hyeon Cheong's eyes grew as he marveled at Cheon Hui, who exhibited growth worthy only of legends or myths. ‘A blessing for our sect, truly.’ Lost in thought, he mused quietly. "Hyeon Gang had such discerning eyes..." Nodding to himself, Hyeon Cheong uttered softly. For a moment, he compared Hyeon Gang with Cheon Hui and smiled gently. “Do you know why I have been residing in Mankyunggak for so long?” Cheon Hui sensed something unusual about Hyeon Cheong's statement. ‘That tone is one the patriarchs often used when they wanted to share their past with youngsters...’ They say ominous premonitions seldom miss their mark. Lost in contemplation, Hyeon Cheong began recounting his story. “Though I reside daily at Mankyunggak now, I used to steer clear of books. I preferred the sword and relished movement.” “...” Cheon Hui squinted slightly. ‘Damn, I can’t interrupt him.’ In the past, he would have interrupted with a swift kick, telling him to keep his nonsense to himself. But now, he found himself unable to do so. The man giving a lengthy lecture before him was now his senior. “As I trained martial arts with Hyun Do, our master one day brought a child and took him as a disciple.” Pausing mid-sentence, lines of nostalgia etched deeper into Hyeon Cheong's face. Caught in a mix of joy and regret, he closed his eyes briefly before focusing back on Cheon Hui. “That child was your master, Hyeon Gang.” “I see.” Cheon Hui responded reflexively. He hadn’t really been paying attention, nor was he interested in the topic. Yet Hyeon Cheong, oblivious to Cheon Hui's indifference, continued. “...Eight years ago, Hyeon Gang set out with his Plum Sword Guards, only to meet great misfortune. They clashed with the Myeoljulpa swords and its subordinates.” Biting his lip, Hyeon Cheong recalled a painful past, his face contorting in anguish. Unlike before, Cheon Hui now showed genuine interest, his ears fully opened. ‘So he was my teacher?’ There was a spark of curiosity. “I still don’t know why they clashed. But clash they did, and they perished together. Not one survived.” Hyeon Cheong shook his head. It remained a mystery why the Plum Sword Guards and the annihilation unit came to such a fatal collision, and why they fought to the point of mutual destruction. The reasons and the process were unknown. Only the outcome was clear: the Hwasan Sect lost its future leader, Hyeon Gang, along with the Plum Sword Guards, and Baekgwi Fortress lost its Myeoljulpa Swords and the annihilation unit. As a result, both sects weakened significantly compared to before. The Hwasan Sect, once at the top of the Nine Great Clans, was pushed back, and Baekgwi Fortress, once regarded as nearly supreme among the Six Imperial Sects, was driven down, occupying the lowest rung. “Our sect sought revenge against Baekgwi Fortress. But reality was harsh. We thought the Martial Alliance would surely assist…” Listening, Cheon Hui’s lips twisted into a mocking smile. ‘And they preached about righteousness.’ Remembering how the orthodox sects once oppressed the Heavenly Demon Cult in the name of righteousness made him scoff. ‘They’re no different from our cult, are they?’ In fact, they were pettier than the Heavenly Demon Cult. Even the cult, criticized for its brutality, mobilized in response to any assault on its sect. No matter the unfavorable circumstances or powerful adversary, the cult never tucked its tail like those hypocrites. “Most opposed the decision, but had to accept it. They claimed it was a choice for the greater good.” Grinding his teeth, Hyeon Cheong growled. Blood vessels burst in his eyes, intertwining on his irises. ‘This must be his true nature.’ As Cheon Hui watched Hyeon Cheong exude an unusually sharp aura, he acknowledged. “But does that sound reasonable? If Shaolin's progeny had died, or if Wudang’s had fallen, do you think the Martial Alliance would stay silent? They overlooked this because it was us!” He unleashed his pent-up anger. With eyes reddened by blood, he sharply fixed his gaze on Cheon Hui. “That’s correct.” Cheon Hui responded nonchalantly. Seeing this, Hyeon Cheong gathered his thoughts. If this was so painful for him, how much more so for Cheon Hui, who regarded Hyeon Gang as both master and father? ‘His heart must hurt more than mine.’ As their gazes intertwined, Hyeon Cheong empathized deeply with Cheon Hui, who seemed purposefully stoic before him. But could he imagine? That Cheon Hui masked not sadness but boredom, wishing only for the end of this conversation. ‘So when is this story over?’ Growing weary of the prolonged tale, he waited for it to conclude. Finally, Hyeon Cheong spoke again. “After the decision that day, I entered Mankyunggak. I aimed to restore the lost or scattered martial arts of the Hwasan Sect, developing supreme masters such that Shaolin and Wudang... no, the Martial Alliance, could never look down on us.” Hyeon Cheong spat his words bitterly. For eight long years, he toiled over books he despised, secluding himself in Mankyunggak to restore martial arts. Yet he managed to restore only a few dozen martial texts. Even if he dedicated his lifetime, it was uncertain if he could restore even a tenth of Mankyunggak. Then he heard the rumors. To verify the truth, he sought out his disciples and discovered things far beyond the rumors. Deep in thought, Hyeon Cheong looked at Cheon Hui. “I heard from the disciples that you reinvented the Plum Blossom swordsmanship. Is that true?” “It is.” “What...!” Hyeon Cheong clenched his fists tightly. Hearing that a rising martial art like the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship was reinvented into something even more formidable was astounding. Though he heard such claims from the headmaster and Hyondo's disciples, it was hard to believe. But upon arriving at Naganbong and witnessing Cheon Hui instruct JeokGeom and Seol Ran, his doubts vanished, replaced by recognition. The swordsmanship was undeniably brilliant. The once-inconceivable rumors and the grandiose words of the disciples were now entirely believable. Facing Cheon Hui, Hyeon Cheong asked. “Does this mean you can restore other martial arts in Mankyunggak like you did with the Plum Blossom?” Hyeon Cheong held his breath, awaiting Cheon Hui’s response. “Restoring?” “Yes.” Hyeon Cheong nodded, his eyes filled with hope and anticipation. “If that’s the case, I’ve already restored most of them.” “What... what?!” Startled by the unexpected reply, Hyeon Cheong’s eyes widened in disbelief.