90 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 90 The sudden appearance of an unexpected guest left the Sect Leader in a bit of a dilemma. 'Isn't she the daughter of the Blue Sea Lord?' His eyes shifted toward Lady Sohee. Dressed in a simple yet gracefully antique attire, she sipped her tea with practiced elegance. Even he, who prided himself on his discipline and immunity to mere beauty, found himself momentarily entranced by her presence. Clink. Lady Sohee set her teacup down. The silk embroidered with a subtle motif flowed smoothly along her graceful movements. "The aid of the Mount Hua Sect is desperately needed." Lady Sohee spoke comfortably even in front of the Mount Hua Sect Leader. And he accepted this. The title of 'Lady' was reserved for daughters close to the emperor. Thus, even the Sect Leader of the Mount Hua Sect had to show respect. The Sect Leader contemplated. 'This is difficult, quite difficult indeed.' The purpose of Lady Sohee's visit was more significant than he had anticipated. 'Cooperation with the royal family.' It gave him a headache. Traditionally, the Jianghu and the royal family maintained a policy of mutual noninterference. Yet, here was Lady Sohee seeking an alliance with the Mount Hua Sect. "Is the Blue Sea Lord gravely ill?" "He is stable for now." Contrary to her words, she bit her thumbnail nervously. "But if things continue like this, it's a matter of time." She was in a pressing situation. Her father, the Blue Sea Lord, was in a critical health state. Though he managed day-to-day affairs on the surface, it was just appearances. Beneath his ornate robes lay emaciated limbs and scars. 'He needs treatment immediately.' She had summoned countless physicians, but none could treat her father. Only the last physician gave her a glimmer of hope. It was said that the divine doctor who inherited the essence of the Celestial Medicine Sect could achieve what others could not. She intended to act swiftly. But she could not. The royal family was currently a battleground. If it became known that the Blue Sea Lord was critically ill, the wolves within the royal family would surely move. So, she chose a method of utmost secrecy. 'Yet assassins have already pursued me.' Her eyes dimmed slightly with realization. Though she believed she moved with caution, assassins had attacked even before she reached the Mount Hua Sect. The implication was that the instigator was someone close to her. 'Fortunately, I arrived at Mount Hua in time…' This was the one piece of good news. The Mount Hua Sect was one of the Nine Great Sects. Even if the royal family sent assassins, they could not touch the Mount Hua Sect. "Please protect us." "……Infinite Mercy Buddha." The Sect Leader closed his eyes tightly. 'This is difficult. A blessing or a curse awaits.' The Sect Leader felt his insides churned with anxiety. After all, the matter involved the royal family. 'Life is at stake.' Yet his hesitation was brief. "……Very well." The Sect Leader accepted her plea. How could he abandon a devoted daughter risking everything for her father's life? As a Daoist, he could not. "What can we do to assist?" "First, please protect us. And publicly, could we say I came to invite a Daoist from the Mount Hua Sect?" "You wish to conceal that the Blue Sea Lord is gravely ill." The Sect Leader understood. "Understood." "Thank you." Lady Sohee sighed in relief. At that moment, the Sect Leader spoke again. "However, while we can handle our end, the divine doctor’s movements are not ours to command." "I understand." Lady Sohee murmured softly. "Convincing him is my responsibility." Just as the Sect Leader was about to reply. “No, I refuse.” “Come on, just learn it.” Loud voices were heard from outside. “I said no.” “You should, it’ll be good for you…” A growing commotion escalated as two figures ascended toward the study from beyond the window. It was Cheon Hui and Shin Yi. Seeing them, the Sect Leader widened his eyes. ‘What could have happened?’ The once dignified Shin Yi clung to Cheon Hui with a lack of decorum. “Aren't you going to just teach me?” “No, I really don't need it.” Cheon Hui detached Shin Yi from himself. Tired of the persistent requests to take her as a disciple, Cheon Hui headed toward the study. ‘I should mention this to the Sect Leader.’ Briefly ignoring Shin Yi, he walked away. "Huh?" His glance met that of a woman through the open window. 'Who is she?' Cheon Hui squinted his eyes. Just as the woman seemed startled, ready to speak, Cheon Hui sent a voice transmission. 『Let’s pretend we don’t know each other, okay?』 Though she flinched slightly, she appeared to understand and nodded with a surprised face. “Why, why are you so unwilling to learn?” Meanwhile, Shin Yi kept insisting. “I’m just not interested.” Cheon Hui replied curtly. ‘I have enough on my plate with new martial arts, wasting time on medicine would be foolish.’ He had learned medicine in the past only out of boredom after absorbing all the martial arts in the Celestial Demon Sect. But to prioritize medicine now? It was nonsense. ‘Instead of that, I’d rather wander the Jianghu and observe other martial arts.’ With the dominating presence of the Celestial Demon Sect now gone, he had no restrictions on his travels. There were still plenty of unseen martial arts among the Nine Great Sects, Eight Great Clans, and the likes of the Five Emperors of the Evil Lotus. Desperate to gain Cheon Hui's attention, Shin Yi started to elaborate. “Learning it would be quite beneficial. One of the supreme techniques is a miraculous elixir…” Suddenly, Shin Yi fell silent. Thinking she had given up, he turned to look, only to see Shin Yi’s face turning crimson. “Uh, since when have you been watching?” His gaze was fixed on the Sect Leader who had approached unnoticed. “I didn’t see anything.” The Sect Leader averted his gaze slightly. Covering his face with his palm, Shin Yi sighed. At that moment, Lady Sohee stood up abruptly. “Elder Shin Yi!” At Lady Sohee's exclamation, Shin Yi furrowed his brow, looking at her with a puzzled expression. “Hmm…?” Her face seemed familiar somehow. As he struggled to recall her name from his memories, she spoke up. "It's been a long time." With those words, recognition dawned on him. "Ah, the daughter of the Blue Sea Lord." "That's correct." Lady Sohee's countenance brightened considerably upon being recognized by Shin Yi. “Excuse me.” She briefly addressed the Sect Leader before darting out of the room to approach Shin Yi. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” “Looking for me?” Shin Yi replied, somewhat disdainfully. Thinking of the royal family made his skin crawl. During his time at the royal court many years ago, he had witnessed countless horrendous deeds. The vile machinations of those willing to kill their kin for the throne. And worse yet, the wholesale slaughter of families to quash any potential threats. Having deliberately avoided the royal family for these reasons... “Elder.” Lady Sohee took Shin Yi’s hand, her usual cold expression replaced with a hint of tears as she met his eyes with a plea. “My father is critically ill.” “And what do you expect me to do about that?” Shin Yi responded tersely. Whether the Blue Sea Lord was ill or not was of no concern to him. “Please, help us.” “No.” Despite her desperate entreaties, Shin Yi remained adamant in his refusal. Lady Sohee's face fell. She had anticipated difficulties due to the strained relationship between the divine doctor and the royal family, but this seemed utterly hopeless. Meanwhile, as the two conversed, the Sect Leader approached Cheon Hui. “What exactly is going on here?” “He’s insisting I become his disciple.” Cheon Hui replied nonchalantly, causing the Sect Leader’s eyes to widen in surprise and furrow his brows. “How could a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect...?” “Exactly!” Cheon Hui eagerly agreed. “So please, help me talk him out of it.” Pointing at Shin Yi, Cheon Hui elicited a nod from the Sect Leader. “Understood. I’ll try to speak with him.” Just as the Sect Leader was about to step forward— “Huff, huff.” Loud panting was heard from in front of them. “The head of the Medicine Hall?” It was the head of the Medicine Hall, having swiftly made his way to block the Sect Leader’s path. “You’re here too?” “It's not quite what Cheon Hui said.” “What do you mean?” “Elder Shin Yi merely requested that Cheon Hui learns from him, not that he become a disciple.” The Sect Leader found this hard to believe. The divine doctor, widely regarded as the best of their time. It was utterly incomprehensible, not to mention unbelievable, how this could benefit Shin Yi. “Why undertake something with no benefit?” “It seems Elder Shin Yi has been impressed by Cheon Hui's talent.” “Ah!” Hearing the head of Medicine Hall’s explanation, the Sect Leader almost nodded in understanding. Cheon Hui's talent was indeed extraordinary, beyond the scope of common comprehension. Yet, it was strange. ‘Cheon Hui’s aptitude is in martial arts, not medicine.’ Puzzled, the Sect Leader inquired further of the Medicine Hall head. “Does Cheon Hui have talent in medicine?” “Didn’t you know?” The head of the Medicine Hall replied excitedly. “He possesses unparalleled talent.” Although he hadn’t entirely grasped the earlier conversation between Shin Yi and Cheon Hui, he recognized the potential in the medical skills Cheon Hui had displayed subsequently. “In fact, he might even surpass me.” With this assertion, the Sect Leader found himself momentarily at a loss, unsure whether to celebrate or remain sceptical. ‘Not only martial arts, but medical skills too... such innate talent.’ It was astonishing. To master even one of these fields would take a lifetime. Yet here was Cheon Hui, at such a young age, showing considerable skill in both. At that moment— “I refuse.” Shin Yi brushed aside Lady Sohee’s earnest pleas and clung to Cheon Hui. “Just learn it. There’s nothing to lose.” “I said no.” “Elder.” “Not going.” Lady Sohee pursued Shin Yi, while Shin Yi pursued Cheon Hui. The trio, caught in a comedic chase, each issuing their own requests in a game of tag. Finally, a fed-up Cheon Hui looked up. “I’m a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect. I’m overwhelmed just learning the martial arts here.” The Sect Leader almost chuckled at this. ‘Overwhelmed with learning?’ Cheon Hui had not only mastered the martial arts of the Mount Hua Sect, but he had also restored forgotten techniques. Then, Cheon Hui met the Sect Leader’s eyes. “Isn’t that right?” Faced with Cheon Hui’s demanding gaze, the Sect Leader awkwardly laughed and responded. “Haha, yes.” “Martial arts, my foot.” Shin Yi snorted. “This kid is meant to learn medicine, sent by the heavens. If he learns from me, he’ll be remembered as the greatest physician—not just a reincarnated Hua Tuo.” “That’s not true.” This time, the Sect Leader’s retort was swift. A reincarnated Hua Tuo? Cheon Hui was hardly one to be satisfied with such a title. “Cheon Hui is destined to become a legendary Daoist in our sect’s history.” “You clearly don’t perceive his unparalleled medical talent.” “While I may not know of his medical skill, I do know his martial prowess.” The fiery gazes between Shin Yi and the Sect Leader clashed, sparks practically flying. “His exceptional talent throughout history is second to none…” “When compared to Bodhidharma and Zhang Sanfeng in all eras…” As the Sect Leader and Shin Yi fervently debated Cheon Hui’s talents, Cheon Hui quietly slipped away. “Well, whatever. They’ll work it out.”