54 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 54 The day after arriving at the Mount Hua Sect. Knock, knock. "…Is anyone there?" "Ugh—" Chunhui, who hadn't slept in the dormitory for ages, was woken by a loud noise coming from outside in the early dawn. "What’s going on?" Still groggy and with blurry eyes, he got up and opened the door with a slightly annoyed expression. "What is it at this ungodly hour…" He was about to complain but paused. "Apologies for coming so early." Seeing Hyuncheong, Chunhui furrowed his brow. "What brings you here at this hour?" "I have something to confirm." Chunhui scratched the back of his head. Had it been Jakgeom or Seollan, he would have sent them away immediately, but it was Hyuncheong standing before him. "Ah, come in." "Excuse my intrusion." Hyuncheong stepped inside the room. He glanced around, then broke the heavy silence. "This place hasn’t changed at all." "There’s nothing to change, really." At Chunhui’s indifferent words, Hyuncheong chuckled lightly and took a seat. Chunhui also sat across him and asked, "So, why are you here?" "I’ll be direct. Chunhui, did you defeat Baek Sashin?" Hyuncheong’s voice was low and intense. When Chunhui saw the serious expression on Hyuncheong's face, his brows tightened. ‘…He already knows.’ Hyuncheong’s unwavering gaze suggested he had heard about what Chunhui had done. And Chunhui was right. Hyuncheong had visited Hyundo the night before. —Was it Chunhui? A blunt question, but it carried certainty. He had been overjoyed after hearing the rumor that Hyundo had defeated Baek Sashin and eradicated the Baekgui Clan, but it was hard to completely believe. Although Hyundo was a master of Chinmu level, compared to Baek Sashin, who had been at that level for a long time, Hyundo was still lacking. And to eradicate the Baekgui Clan on top of that? Even if the Byul Sword Army had helped, it seemed impossible. ‘But if it were Chunhui...’ He thought it might be possible. That was the extent of Hyuncheong’s trust and belief in Chunhui’s skills, given what he had witnessed. And he was right. —Because the eldest knows about Chunhui’s talent, he was told, but this fact must remain a secret. If it's revealed that it wasn't me, but Chunhui who defeated Baek Sashin, an incident like with the youngest disciple might occur again. —Do not worry. I have no intention of letting such a thing happen… Hyuncheong had nodded in agreement, as if it was only natural. Why had they conflicted with Baekgui Clan? Because the youngest disciple, Mae Hwagom Hyun Kang's, talent was revealed, which made Baekgui Clan envious. So, if it became known that there was someone surpassing the youngest disciple—Chunhui? This time, it wouldn’t be Yuk Hwangmun but perhaps Sah Heukryon would act directly. At that moment, Chunhui spoke. "Yes." "As expected…" Hyuncheong’s eyes wavered significantly. Even though he had confirmed it with Hyundo, hearing it directly from Chunhui made his emotions ripple. Immediately, he reached out, clasped Chunhui’s hands and bowed his head deeply. "I’m truly sorry and grateful. We should have solved this ourselves…" His voice wavered with emotion. "Truly, thank you." Chunhui felt an odd sensation at that moment. Who had ever thanked him so sincerely before? His memory drew a blank. ‘It’s not a bad feeling.’ Maybe because his heart was at ease, the hands clasping his felt warm. "Thanks to you, our long-held wish was fulfilled." "Is that so? That’s good to hear." Hyuncheong slowly lifted his head. A radiant smile, one Chunhui had never seen before, bloomed like a flower on Hyuncheong’s wrinkled face. "In that case, I can’t just sit idly by anymore. I’ll come to see you again later." After making his cryptic statement, Hyuncheong released Chunhui’s hands and left the dormitory. "I can’t get back to sleep now." Chunhui scratched his ruffled hair and went outside, sitting at the edge of the cliff. "Perhaps it's time to sort out what happened then." As he closed his eyes, he recalled his opponent. A man cloaked entirely in white, like smoke rising from deep darkness. It was Baek Sashin. In his mind’s eye, Baek Sashin began to perform the martial art technique, Gucheon Aploe, that he had unleashed at the end. ‘So, it was like that?’ Reflecting on Baek Sashin’s technique, Chunhui slowly pulled up his qi. Whoosh— Solidified inner force shimmered throughout his body, causing his robes to flutter. ‘Flow the inner force this way…’ Chunhui’s eyes slowly opened. In an instant, mimicking Baek Sashin’s technique, he moved his hands. As soon as his hands made a broad sweep. Swish— What was just a mere breeze seconds ago transformed into a vortex, drawing in the surrounding air. "Just like this." He stared at the vortex—a space compressed by inner force. "If I pull up more inner force here and pressurize it strongly, then restrict its movement somewhat." A leaf caught in the distorted space was completely compressed and crumbled. Moments later. Whoosh— He collected the inner force he had raised. Then the swirling vortex vanished instantly, and calmness returned to the surroundings. ‘It’s adequate, but not usable in actual combat.’ Despite its power, the martial art technique had its drawbacks. In a short duration, it consumed nearly all the inner force he had in his Dantian. "Tsk. If only I had more inner force." Sure, he could perform it instantly if he wanted to. But the answer would undoubtedly be no if it required expending so much inner force. "Unless I learned the inner cultivation method that fellow used, this remains half-baked." He recalled Baek Sashin of that time. The power of the Gucheon Aploe, performed with unique inner force, was immense. Even someone as sparing with praise as Chunhui had to acknowledge his martial prowess. After all, hadn’t he resorted to using the Ultimate Ruler's Art that he swore he wouldn’t use in this lifetime just to counter him? "Should I build more inner force?" Chunhui contemplated his Dantian. The Plum Blossom Divine Art was an exceptional technique. Among the peerless martial arts he knew, he could confidently say it was the best. But due to insufficient inner force and physical state, it hadn’t fully blossomed. He needed to let the Plum Blossom Divine Art bloom fully. Completely and utterly. In that case, he could confidently claim that he would have no equal throughout the heavens and earth, past or present. But that was only when the Plum Blossom Divine Art fully blossomed. For now, even Baek Sashin had overpowered and pushed him back. "I must cultivate the Plum Blossom Divine Art to its fullest." Chunhui's eyes gleamed with a fierce determination. His desire for victory had always been strong, regardless of whether it was against enemies, allies, worldly justice, or any form of martial prowess. He wanted to hold the world beneath his feet. Merely having to use the Ultimate Ruler's Art against someone like Baek Sashin was a blow to his pride. "Such an event will never happen again." * * * The next day, at Unjung Pavilion. The headmaster surveyed those who had taken their seats before his arrival, one by one. "Hahaha, it seems we’ve been having more council meetings lately." He glanced around at those containing their excitement and spoke with a hint of amusement. "The reason for gathering today is to make an important announcement." A brief silence followed his words. The headmaster seemed pleased with the anticipation that hung in the air, nodding slightly before continuing. "We plan to open the gates of Mount Hua Sect within a year." "…!" "…Does this mean–!" Several jumped to their feet. After swallowing hard, they blinked rapidly and cautiously posed a question. "Are you saying we will accept new disciples?" "Indeed." Those who stood were left speechless. They had assumed today’s council was convened to officially announce the rumors concerning Hyundo and the Baekgui Clan. But to announce they would take in new disciples! The headmaster's shocking revelation left everyone dazed. The headmaster chuckled and continued speaking. "Hahaha, it has been quite some time since we’ve accepted disciples to this mountain, hasn’t it? Now that our finances are secure and our fame has risen, and since there are many aspiring disciples looking to join, there’s no better time to open the gates." With each word from the headmaster, everyone acknowledged silently, nodding their heads in agreement. Just as the meeting seemed ready to proceed smoothly. "Uh, Headmaster!" Hyeonheo, who had been in a stupor, finally regained his senses. "The current disciples of our senior ranks do not have the skills to teach martial arts yet. Moreover, our junior ranks are too few to adequately train new disciples." "Worry not about that." "How can we not be concerned…" "You are not too late." Suddenly, a new voice interjected, drawing everyone’s attention sharply. "That voice is…" Their eyes widened as they saw Hyuncheong, who rarely appeared at meetings, appearing unexpectedly. "Did you come here to attend the council meeting?" "Haha. If not for that reason, why else would I be here?" "Please, have a seat here." The headmaster gestured to the empty seat next to him. "Then I shall join you." As Hyuncheong sat down, the headmaster addressed the still-shocked assembly. "Hyuncheong has agreed to oversee the new disciples joining our sect." "…What!" Everyone gasped. "Hyuncheong, really?" "Haha. Am I not suitable for the role?" "N-No, that’s not it!" Hyeonheo, taken aback, quickly responded. "It’s just surprising that you, who have been restoring martial arts at Manggyeong Pavilion, would suddenly decide to teach disciples directly…" "There’s no longer any need for that." Hyuncheong smiled warmly. "Hyundo has achieved what I longed for." When he mentioned Hyundo, everyone recalled the topic they had momentarily forgotten. "Come to think of it, the rumor about Hyundo defeating Baek Sashin…" "It’s true." Hyundo replied with a grin. "Finally, the revenge…" "Infinite blessings." "It’s been accomplished." Tears brimmed in everyone’s eyes. Hearing the news earlier had moved them greatly, but listening to it directly from Hyundo brought a different resonance. While everyone was immersed in joy. "Do any worries still trouble you?" The headmaster asked Hyeonheo with a knowing look. "None at all." "If there are no further objections, I will take this as unanimous agreement to open the gates of Mount Hua Sect." "Hahaha! Excellent news!" "We’ve been waiting for this." "Infinite blessings." The headmaster exchanged a knowing glance and a smile with Hyundo. Only four people there truly understood Chunhui’s real prowess: the headmaster, Hyunryeo, Hyundo, and Hyuncheong. They were the ones closely connected to Chunhui. Therefore, none of them mentioned anything about Chunhui’s true martial prowess or identity to anyone else. Just then. Thud! Thud! Thud! All heads turned downward. A monk dashed through the clouds with nimble footwork, making his way into Unjung Pavilion. "Who dares disturb the council…" The annoyed murmur from Mureon Pavilion’s Lord was interrupted as the monk set foot in Unjung Pavilion. "Huff, huff, sorry for interrupting the meeting. There is something urgent that needs to be conveyed." Cheonsu, the assistant lord of Jaeryeong Pavilion, who had barged in, apologized politely. Sensing something urgent from his demeanor, in contrast to his courteous exterior, the headmaster responded. "…What is this about?" At that, Cheonsu lifted his head. His eyes scanned those in Unjung Pavilion with a sense of urgency, before his mouth opened anxiously. "We’ve received a letter from the League!"