24 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 24 Morning, the day after the grand meeting. Before dawn had even begun to break, Chunhui emerged from his dwelling. It was an unusually early morning for him, yet his face was illuminated by a bright smile. His demeanor was noticeably different from usual. Beneath his sharply raised eyelids, his eyes shimmered with anticipation, and the hair that he normally left unkempt was neatly tied back, swaying gracefully. However, more striking than these changes were the martial robes he wore and the sword that hung by his side. "It's not the best sword, but it's good enough." He casually tapped the sword, then glanced at his robes, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "I like these robes too. Very nice." The attire that Hyunryeo had specially prepared for him last night was a blend of black and red, distinct from the typical red and white uniforms of the Hwasan sect. Particularly, the robes, adorned with red plum blossoms on a black base, exuded a unique aura. "Hmm." As he surveyed his attire and walked, he soon found himself atop a hill, looking around. The surroundings were still dark, perhaps due to the early hour, and the chilly night air gently caressed his cheeks. Yet even that felt pleasant. Today was the day he would finally leave the Hwasan Sect to explore the world. "Then…" With a light touch, he tapped his foot against the ground. What happened next was astounding. The darkness split in two, and Chunhui shot forward, leaving behind a streak of light. In an instant, he reached the main gate of the Hwasan Sect, looking ahead. There, four men and one woman awaited. They were the Plum Blossom Swordsmen selected just yesterday for the mission to escort the Bifeng Caravan. "You've all gathered early." They blinked in surprise at the sudden appearance of Chunhui, like a mirage. Only for a moment. "Sasuk-nim!" "Welcome." Jeokgeom and Seollan recognized him immediately and greeted him warmly. Jeokgeom, knowing the mission involved the Bifeng Caravan, was especially pleased to see Chunhui, wearing a content smile. 'Sasuk-nim is with us, that's fortunate.' He sighed in relief. Despite Chunhui's eccentricity, his skill and martial prowess were indisputable. "We greet you, Sasuk Chunhui." "Greeting, Sasuk-nim." The remaining Plum Blossom Swordsmen soon followed Jeokgeom and Seollan's lead, bowing to Chunhui. 'How pleasant.' Watching it all unfold from above, the sect leader cast a dignified gaze over them all. "You've all gathered." Six heads turned upward. Gathering their attention, the sect leader surveyed each of them carefully. Jeokgeom, Seollan, along with Jeokjae, Jeokwoon, and Jeokbi. All were his trusted disciples. Yet, he couldn't help but feel a slight unease. They had never ventured beyond the sect, let alone faced the chaotic world of Jianghu. 'A bit concerning…' But as his eyes met Chunhui's, all his worries dissipated. 'Haha, with Chunhui here, there's no need for concern.' Feeling lighter, the sect leader spoke firmly. "The first journey into Jianghu will be challenging." The Plum Blossom Swordsmen's faces stiffened slightly. The anticipation of their first foray clashed with the heavy responsibility of being a Plum Blossom Sword. Soon they would leave the Hwasan Sect, excitement mingling with anxiety etched on their faces. "But do not worry too much. Are you not the Plum Blossom Swordsmen?" To ease their tension, the sect leader offered an encouraging word. His intent seemed to resonate, for a surge of determination filled the Swordsmen's eyes. To them, being a Plum Blossom Sword was a source of pride and honor. Nodding briefly, they brightened their gaze and shouted energetically. "Yes!" Their spirited response spread a broad smile across the sect leader's face. No more words were necessary. "Be safe." With the sect leader's concluding words, Jeokgeom, standing among the five, lifted his head and quietly responded. "Yes, we will." Watching Jeokgeom act as the representative, Chunhui couldn't help but smirk. 'Is Jeokgeom the leader?' Chunhui found it convenient. Though he was officially in charge of the mission to Jianghu, he considered it troublesome. But with Jeokgeom seemingly acting as leader, Chunhui saw a perfect opportunity. 'I'll just dump any annoyances on Jeokgeom.' Had Jeokgeom known Chunhui's thoughts, he would have protested vehemently, but Chunhui simply turned his head. "Chunhui." "Chun." As the sect leader spoke, Hyunryeo and Hyundo, who had been quietly standing behind him, stepped forward. "Ah, you're here." Chunhui warmly welcomed their approach. Having grown close over five years, their relationships had deepened considerably. "Are you really alright with this?" At Hyunryeo's fussing, Hyundo interjected. "Why wouldn't he be alright?" Hyunryeo glared at Hyundo, who answered on Chunhui's behalf, raising her eyebrows sharply. "Sunbae!" Her voice was sharp. She had opposed Chunhui being appointed as the mission leader. But unlike her, Hyundo and Hyuncheong had supported the decision, and ultimately, the sect leader sided with the two and Chunhui. Watching Hyunryeo glare fiercely at him, Hyundo chuckled softly and spoke. "Are you worried?" "Of course I am." "Even with Chunhui? If it's Chunhui, who…" Hyunryeo frowned slightly. "You know as well as I do that Jianghu is a place rife with schemes." "That's true." Hyundo agreed. As she said, Jianghu was a harsh and merciless place, operating under different laws than the society they knew. But for that very reason, having watched Chunhui closely, Hyundo placed his trust in him for this journey. "But he is Chunhui." "…" Hyunryeo fell silent. Like Hyundo, she knew Chunhui well. She understood his exceptional martial arts skills, even if the full extent was unimaginable. Yet knowing with the mind and feeling with the heart were entirely different things. To Hyunryeo, Chunhui remained like a vulnerable child no matter how much he grew. With a sharp glance at Hyundo, Hyunryeo quickly turned away, ending their little spat. She reached into her robe, taking out a leather pouch, and placed it in Chunhui's hand. "Use this if anything happens." Observing Hyunryeo and Hyundo bicker, Chunhui tucked the pouch away into his sleeve without hesitation. "Thank you. I'll make good use of it." As Chunhui received farewells and the few necessary items from them, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen were making their own preparations and exchanging parting words. "Wherever you go, whoever you meet, never lose your pride as a Plum Blossom Swordsman." Muryun Pavilion's master sternly advised the Swordsmen gathered before him, causing their postures to straighten. Known in the Hwasan Sect for his harshness — famous for being so tough that even a needle wouldn't make him bleed — the pavilion master's words of warning were taken very seriously. Then, unexpectedly, his expression softened. "But should your lives ever be in real danger, flee immediately." His unexpected display of concern shocked the Swordsmen. For those who endured his unyielding training, seeing this worry in his expression and words was a new and staggering experience. "The greatest treasure under heaven is your life." Aware or not of their surprise, the pavilion master encouraged them with a gentle hand on their shoulders. After all the farewells were said and done. "Shall we head out?" As soon as the time was right, Chunhui pushed open the main gate and stepped outside. The Plum Blossom Swordsmen lined up behind him, quickly following as they began their descent from the mountain. With determined strides, the six made their way down as the sect leader and elders watched their retreating figures, palms pressed together with concern. "May the Buddha's boundless compassion be with them." "Safe journey to all." * * * Fifteen days into their journey. The distant goal of reaching Hamyang County, which once seemed so far, now loomed just ahead. Thanks to Jeokgeom's tenacious efforts to save time by spending money wisely, they had made swift progress. Eager to finally arrive at the Bifeng Caravan, Jeokgeom was visibly excited as he spoke. "Hahaha, thankfully we managed to cut the time by traveling by ship." Perhaps because they were nearing his hometown, Jeokgeom wore an elated expression. Moving closer to Chunhui, he began chatting animatedly. "Sasuk-nim, do you know? Our Bifeng Caravan is one of the top-tier caravans encompassing the Shaanxi area. Over the past twenty years, we've conducted numerous trades through the routes connecting Shaanxi and Shanxi..." Jeokgeom enthusiastically provided details about the Bifeng Caravan while Seollan tagged along, prepared to respond immediately should Chunhui issue any orders. Watching the three interact, Jeokwoon, Jeokjae, and Jeokbi, trailing behind, couldn't hide their puzzled expressions, frowning slightly. 'Why do Jeokgeom and Seollan seem to be so attentive to Sasuk-nim?' It was a shared question among them. Throughout the journey, Jeokgeom and Seollan displayed careful deference to Chunhui, as if dealing with the sect leader himself. Of course, they understood that five years ago, during the Five Peaks Assembly, Chunhui's astonishing prowess had preserved the sect's reputation, which Jeokgeom nearly tarnished. However, that event was five years ago. Recently, the reopening of the Five Peaks Assembly saw the Hwasan Sect regain its original majesty, with its influence echoing strongly across the land. Furthermore, Jeokgeom and Seollan had shown remarkable growth, ranking among the top-level sword practitioners within the sect's Plum Blossom Swordsmen. In contrast, Chunhui had become a quiet presence. So quiet, in fact, that since the event five years prior, his current skills and daily life had become an enigma to many. 'That event five years ago should have faded by now.' 'What kind of relationship do they have?' 'Could they know something about Sasuk Chunhui?' As the trio pondered the perplexing dynamics between the three, they overheard the following: "In the last twenty years, we've greatly expanded, building even a new two-story annex. In addition, we've distributed food stock to the commoners..." Listening to Jeokgeom's nonstop narration, Chunhui lifted a finger, pointing west. "It's over there, right?" Jeokgeom widened his eyes in astonishment. "How did you know?" "I can see it." The Plum Blossom Swordsmen were startled, their eyes bulging at Chunhui's assertion of spotting the Bifeng Caravan more than 200 feet away. Yet to Chunhui, this was commonplace. "Hm?" Chunhui's brow furrowed. "We need to hurry up." "What do you mean?" Jeokgeom asked, a tremor in his voice. "A fight has broken out." Jeokgeom's face turned pale. "I'll go ahead!" Channelling his inner energy, Jeokgeom urgently performed the Five Elements Plum Blossom Step, moving swiftly. "I'll head there too." Watching Jeokgeom dash off, Seollan quickly pursued him. Observing their hasty departure, the remaining Plum Blossom Swordsmen hurriedly followed suit. Meanwhile, Chunhui grimaced as he sensed the energy radiating from the distant Bifeng Caravan. "Killing intent..." Feeling this familiar aura for the first time in a long while, Chunhui smiled brightly as he launched himself into the air.