83 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 83 Inside the pavilion where the Jongnam Sect resides, in its innermost chamber, Cheong Woo-ja, the owner of the room, was facing a white-haired, white-browed elder. The elder had a peculiar appearance, wearing a heavily worn and patched martial robe, contrasting starkly with Cheong Woo-ja's expensive silk robe. “It has been a while,” the elder spoke first, to which Cheong Woo-ja respectfully bowed his head in greeting. “I apologize for calling you so urgently.” “It is fine. I was able to see the young ones of the Murim Alliance, thanks to you,” replied the elder known as Jongnam Sword Saint, his voice low and steady. As the two made eye contact, a warm smile slowly spread across Cheong Woo-ja’s face. 'If the Mount Hua Sect has the Mount Hua Divine Sword, then our sect has Master Uncle,' he thought triumphantly. Feeling humiliated by the Mount Hua Divine Sword, Cheong Woo-ja sought the assistance of the Jongnam Sect, more specifically, the Jongnam Sword Saint. To his relief, help had arrived in just a few days. “I have read the letter,” the Jongnam Sword Saint quietly said. “Is all of it true?” “Yes, it is,” Cheong Woo-ja answered firmly. “So, it’s true that the Mount Hua Sect is trying to seize our pavilion, and that the Mount Hua Divine Sword pressured you?” “Yes,” Cheong Woo-ja confirmed, unwavering. The Jongnam Sword Saint stroked his beard thoughtfully. “It’s hard to understand. The Mount Hua Sect was never known to be so narrow-minded...” Sensing a slight hesitation, Cheong Woo-ja seized the opportunity to add quickly, “As you are aware, Master Uncle, the Mount Hua Sect has never viewed our sect’s rise to fame favorably.” The elder let out a small, wry smile. Cheong Woo-ja's words were irrefutable, as the rift between the current Mount Hua and Jongnam Sects had become exceptionally deep. “Perhaps it is unavoidable,” he concluded after a moment of contemplation before slowly rising from his seat. “I shall meet with them in person.” Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the Mount Hua Sect’s pavilion was tense. Especially upon hearing that the Jongnam Sword Saint had arrived at the alliance, Hyeondo’s face furrowed with concern. “The Jongnam Sword Saint is here?” Hyeondo, who had always admired the famed great warrior, couldn’t help but worry. ‘Of all times, why visit now...’ His frown deepening, he considered the situation. “It seems the Jongnam Sect called for him,” Chunhui remarked casually. Chunhui, who said what others dared not speak aloud, twisted his lips into an eager grin. “Looks like we’re in for quite a confrontation.” The Jongnam Sect, who had driven the powerful Mount Hua Sect's second-in-command out of Shaanxi, still owed much of its standing to the presence of the Jongnam Sword Saint, though the massacre of the Plum Blossom Swordsman and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen had contributed as well. ‘Could he be on par with the Northern Ghost King? Or perhaps even stronger...’ Chunhui speculated, correcting his earlier thoughts as he sensed a formidable presence approaching closer. “Everyone, stand back,” Hyeondo ordered, sensing it too. He pushed Hyunjin and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen aside as he approached the door. “Come in,” he called. “I shall,” came the reply, as an elder in tattered robes stepped inside, followed by a procession of Jongnam Sect Taoists, including Cheong Woo-ja. Watching the room fill rapidly like a swarm of bees, Hyeondo squinted. “Are you here for battle?” he asked. “Yes,” Cheong Woo-ja affirmed confidently, his demeanor boldly different from their previous meeting, now bolstered by a trusted confidant. “Master Uncle,” he called softly, prompting the silent elder to step forward. “It is our first time meeting, isn’t it?” The elder smiled warmly, an expression as serene and benevolent as that of a sage. “I am Go-hyeon,” he introduced himself. Hyeondo’s eyes narrowed. As expected, his initial guess was correct upon seeing the Jongnam Sect Taoists arrive: ‘Jongnam Sword Saint.’ He steeled himself for the encounter, courteously bowing. “...I am Hyeondo.” As they exchanged formalities, whispers filled the room. “That’s him... Jongnam Sword Saint.” Tension ran high among the spectators, all too aware that these two men represented the respective strengths of the Mount Hua and Jongnam Sects. Despite the intensity of their gaze, the Jongnam Sword Saint was the first to step back and speak. “Until now, I thought the rumors about you were exaggerated. But upon meeting you, I see they are true.” Although the Jongnam Sword Saint’s words seemed casual, the impact was immense, particularly shocking for the Jongnam Sect Taoists. “For Master Uncle to say that, the rumors must be true...” “Does that mean he truly defeated the Northern Ghost King...?” As the murmurs grew among the Jongnam Sect Taoists, the Jongnam Sword Saint continued, unabated with genuine happiness, “It’s a great fortune for the martial world to have a master like you in the Mount Hua Sect.” The sincerity in his voice seemed oblivious to the current adversarial state between the Mount Hua and Jongnam Sects. But the warmth in his demeanor faded quickly. “I heard something from Sa-shil,” he said, his previously pleasant aura now replaced with a palpable tension. “I was told that you intended to seize the pavilion where our sect resides.” Hyeondo’s brows knit. “What is this about? We never attempted to seize anything.” “...You have not tried to seize it?” “Master Uncle!” Cheong Woo-ja tried to intervene hastily. “Cheong Woo,” the Jongnam Sword Saint interrupted, halting him before turning his attention back to Hyeondo. “Explain yourself.” “It was granted to us by the Murim Alliance,” Hyeondo stated. “The Alliance...?” The Jongnam Sword Saint’s expression shifted, the mildness replaced with a sharpness, his features growing stern. “Can you clarify the situation?” “Our sect was granted the return of the pavilion we originally resided in as a result of our successful missions and accomplishments in the alliance.” “So you claim it to be your sect’s pavilion.” “Correct.” The Jongnam Sword Saint turned his gaze sharply to Cheong Woo-ja, visibly perturbed. “It seems your account differs from what I have been told.” “All lies! There’s no way they could secure our pavilion with their completed missions. We too earned it through years of hard work…” As Cheong Woo-ja poured out his grievances laced with indignation, a sudden voice drew everyone’s attention to the top of the wall. “What’s this? These Taoists acting like they’re starving for a fight,” came the voice of an old beggar wearing a tattered piece of cloth. “The Beggars’ Sect Leader!” “What’s the leader of the Beggars’ Sect doing here?!” The presence of Yong Ju-gae, the leader, threw both the Mount Hua and Jongnam Sects into chaos. ‘Why is he here?’ Chunhui wondered silently, surprised that Yong Ju-gae had chosen to reveal himself so openly. 『How have you been?』 Yong Ju-gae’s voice resonated directly in Chunhui’s mind. 『Why have you come here?』 『Why do you think I’m here?』 he replied playfully. As Chunhui narrowed his eyes, Yong Ju-gae responded with a sly grin, his yellowed teeth showing. Then, in one swift motion, Yong Ju-gae leapt down from the wall, landing gracefully between Hyeondo and the Jongnam Sword Saint, and chuckled. “Seems like I’ve dropped by the Murim Alliance just in time for a skirmish?” “It appears that way by chance,” Jongnam Sword Saint responded. “I’ve mentioned before, haven’t I? Misguided information can deceive the eyes and ears,” Yong Ju-gae said, speaking to the Jongnam Sword Saint like they were old acquaintances. “So then, you’re saying Sa-shil’s words were false?” “Indeed.” Yong Ju-gae’s offhand comment drew an outburst. “That’s absurd! How could they annihilate Sucha Fortress with just that handful?” Cheong Woo-ja protested vehemently. Yong Ju-gae, unaffected, began picking his ear dismissively. “Covering your eyes only delays the inevitable, it’ll all come to light soon enough.” “Is the Beggars’ Sect siding with the Mount Hua Sect because of some recent alliance?” “Oh ho,” Yong Ju-gae smirked, “The Taoist is quite well-informed for a change.” Incensed by Yong Ju-gae’s presence, the Jongnam Sect Taoists clenched their teeth. “So they’re in league!” “No wonder he showed up!” Amidst their outraged murmurs, a powerful voice echoed from behind. “Mount Hua Sect has aligned with the Beggars’ Sect, I see.” More than ten Taoists, clad in black and white robes, slowly entered the premises. The Wudang Sect had arrived. “Mu-yeong Daoist!” Cheong Woo-ja's tension faded, and relief washed over his face as the Wudang Sect’s leader approached, still smiling. “Apologies for the delay.” “No, I’m grateful you came at all.” Chunhui observed the increasingly intricate situation with frustration etched on his brow. In the realm of martial arts, strength reigns supreme. Yet now, what's happening? People are simply sizing each other up. ‘If they’d just fight, they could resolve it.’ His frustration was palpable. ‘Why all this chatter when it could be decided with a fight?’ As Chunhui looked on, exasperated, Mu-yeong approached the three leaders. “I am Mu-yeong of the Wudang Sect. Who would have thought I’d meet Feng Yunshen Gai and the Mount Hua Divine Sword in one place?” Yong Ju-gae grumbled at the introduction. “Feng Yunshen Gai, eh? I know you call me ‘Odd Beggar’ behind my back.” “Haha,” Mu-yeong laughed awkwardly, unable to refute. After retracting his formal gesture, he focused on Yong Ju-gae and Hyeondo. “But I did hear just moments ago that the Beggars’ Sect has formed an alliance with the Mount Hua Sect.” His eyes narrowed sharply. “Is it true?” “You’ve heard correctly.” “Indeed,” Yong Ju-gae and Hyeondo confirmed together as Mu-yeong’s face hardened, stepping beside Cheong Woo-ja. “In that case, our sect will stand with Jongnam.” With those succinct yet weighty words of allegiance, the lines were clearly drawn, and the scene split into two factions. Meanwhile, Chunhui watched the two groups that had issued challenges yet remained still, scrunching his brow. ‘So, when exactly are you all going to fight?’ Their persistent posturing made it seem like a childish squabble. Just then— “Enough!” Growing more irritated by the escalating tension, Yong Ju-gae shouted in exasperation. “If it’s going to be like this, why not settle this with an open duel?” The suggestion left everyone momentarily frozen. “What?” “An open duel?”