103 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Episode 103 Upon arriving at Mei Hua Chil-Gwan, Chunhui was greeted enthusiastically by a scruffy-haired eccentric waving his hand. “Little hero! You’re here!” The eccentric was none other than Jegal Seonghyeon. Looks like he hasn't washed again. Perhaps feeling guilty for past mishaps, he seemed to have poured everything into building the martial arts stage, leaving him an absolute mess. His face, in particular, looked worse for wear. With an unkempt beard and greasy hair, he appeared far older than someone of the same age as Chunhui. "Is there a problem?" "Ah, please wait a moment." Jegal Seonghyeon, scratching his itchy head, quickly pulled out a blueprint tucked at his side and spread it open. “It should be around here…” Muttering as he scanned the stained blueprint, he pointed to a specific spot. “Can you tell me about the formation that’s supposed to be installed here?” Chunhui was slightly taken aback as he looked at the formation his finger indicated within the Tri-Gate. What? Did he grasp the core of the Tri-Gate? What he pointed at was a small formation located in a corner of the Tri-Gate. But that indeed was the formation that accurately pierced through the Tri-Gate’s center. ‘Did he read the flow?’ Was his assumption correct? "Assuming it holds the Eight Trigrams and Five Elements, it seems to block energy, but the flow here…" Jegal Seonghyeon remained serious as he continued explaining over the blueprint he pointed at, eventually sighing with frustration. “I can’t make sense of it beyond this.” Ultimately, he surrendered and raised his hands. Though he was familiar with all the formations within the Jegal family, this one was neither seen nor heard of before. "The flow does break there." “The flow breaks, you say?” Jegal Seonghyeon felt a shocking realization hit him, as if struck by a hammer on the back of his head. “No way…!” Seeing Chunhui's twisted expression, Jegal Seonghyeon swallowed hard. “Is the purpose of this formation… to disrupt internal energy?” Oh, he figured it out? Chunhui looked at Jegal Seonghyeon with surprise. "It's meant to scatter it." Jegal Seonghyeon turned pale with astonishment at Chunhui’s confirmation. Disrupting internal energy wasn't something easily talked about. Except for a few mythical feats documented in texts, only the Deadly Poison of the Miheonsan, treasured by the Sichuan Tang Clan, could accomplish such a thing. ‘And to think of recreating that with a formation?’ Jegal Seonghyeon’s eyes darted around as his lips trembled. “Is that really possible?” "We can confirm it later." His hand shakingly gripped the blueprint. “If it's true, would you be willing to share it with me?” Chunhui chuckled. "Do you think I'd reveal everything?" “Then what about…” Jegal Seonghyeon swallowed his words. Asking for the secret of the formation was akin to asking for a family’s treasured martial arts. "I will construct it as per the blueprint." Jegal Seonghyeon refrained from asking further. Instead, he imprinted the formation into his memory. ‘I must experiment with this when I return home.’ Chunhui sensed Jegal Seonghyeon's hidden intentions but didn't interfere much. ‘Even if he discovers it, he probably wouldn't be able to use it effectively.’ It was a demonic formation. No matter how talented Jegal Seonghyeon was, without knowledge of the demonic arts, he wouldn’t be able to replicate it. Just then, Dan Mok-rin and the Iron Sword Hero, who had followed Chunhui, widened their eyes in awe at the sight of Mei Hua Chil-Gwan. “What is this place?” “What’s happening here…?” In a cave imbued with spiritual energy, countless people were engaged in construction work. As they watched in dazed bewilderment, puzzled by the purpose and activities within the cave. “Ah?” One of the Jegal family members, abandoning his task, suddenly ran over. “Ah! Great Warrior Iron Sword Hero!” The Iron Sword Hero looked at the approaching man in confusion. “Aren’t you Jegal Gung?” “It’s truly been a long time.” “Yes, it has.” As Jegal Gung offered his hand for a handshake, the Iron Sword Hero responded, grasping it firmly. “But what brings you to Mount Hua?” “Haha, our family received a request from Mount Hua.” “A request…?” The Iron Sword Hero was taken aback. Mount Hua requested something from the Jegal family, and they accepted it? ‘What in the world is this nonsense?’ Overwhelmed by confusion, he closely observed Jegal Gung. The claim didn’t make sense from start to finish, but Jegal Gung’s expression seemed sincere, leaving no hint of deceit. “What sort of request is it that Mount Hua…?" “I apologize, but I cannot disclose that.” Jegal Gung appeared uneasy. Though he wished to share the nature of the request, as it involved matters concerning Mount Hua, speaking carelessly could cause rifts not only with the Dan Mok family but also potentially in the Heavenly Alignment. Thus, he had to consider every word with caution. “However, there is no close alliance between our family and Mount Hua.” “I asked something unnecessary. I didn’t think there would be a close relationship between your family and Mount Hua. If you intended to hide it, you wouldn’t have acknowledged knowing me.” When the Iron Sword Hero spoke reassuringly, Jegal Gung breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you for understanding.” “Not at all. Besides, I’m also at Mount Hua, what investigation could I possibly conduct?” Jegal Gung flinched. He too was curious about why the Iron Sword Hero was at Mount Hua, but it was a question he dared not voice. “…Haha.” “Haha.” The two shared a bitter laugh. “It might be best to leave this matter unspoken.” “That seems prudent.” Taking this opportunity, Dan Mok-rin approached them. “Uncle, who is this person…?” “Ah, just in time. Let me introduce you. This is someone I have had past connections with.” Jegal Gung was surprised to hear the young lady addressing the Iron Sword Hero as uncle and hastily assumed a respectful posture. “I am Jegal Gung from the Jegal family.” “Jegal family…? Ah!” Dan Mok-rin was also slightly surprised, and, looking at Jegal Gung, quickly returned the courteous gesture. “I am Rin of the Mount Hua Sect.” “Mount Hua…?” Jegal Gung looked back and forth between her and the Iron Sword Hero with suspicion. Being called uncle suggested that she was the Iron Sword Hero’s niece. Yet she was a disciple of Mount Hua. ‘No, the Great Warrior’s connections in the martial world are extensive, aren’t they?’ Both speculating about these coincidences, they recalled rumors about the Iron Sword Hero and nodded in understanding. “Pleasure to meet you.” “I’m pleased to meet you as well.” The Iron Sword Hero smiled at the scene. ‘It seems the martial world still doesn’t know about Rinnie’s presence.’ Although Dan Mok-rin had safely joined Mount Hua, there was a lingering sense of unease. After all, being a child from one of the Eight Great Families joining the Nine Schools could attract unwanted attention. But seeing Jegal Gung and Jegal Seonghyeon put some of those concerns to rest. ‘I can leave with peace of mind now.’ The heavy feeling lifted from his heart. Instead, there was now an urgency to leave quickly. His reputation was well-known, and his prolonged stay at Mount Hua might invite unnecessary trouble. ‘I must leave before the gates close.’ As the Iron Sword Hero contemplated his departure date. “Wulin's renowned hero, Iron Sword Hero, it’s an honor to meet you. I am Jegal Seonghyeon of the Jegal family.” The scruffy-looking renegade approached. “Jegal Seonghyeon…?” Despite his unkempt appearance, Jegal Seonghyeon seemed familiar, causing the Iron Sword Hero’s eyes to light up as he greeted him. “Haha, I never thought I’d meet the hidden dragon of the Jegal family here.” “I didn’t expect to meet the great hero of the Dan Mok family either.” “Calling me a hero is too kind.” While the Jegal and Dan Mok family members exchanged greetings within Mount Hua. “It seems we’ve managed up to the Second Gate.” Sohee Lord and her companions approached Chunhui, who was standing alone. “Chunhui, little hero.” As Chunhui watched her approach, he spoke indifferently. “What is it?” “Whatcha doing here?” Her beautiful smile and charming tone would have had an average man reacting instinctively. “Just standing around.” But Chunhui remained utterly unaffected. In his past life, he had faced much stronger feminine wiles, to the point where these attempts seemed laughable. Her intentions were painfully transparent. “If you’re looking for someone, they’re over there.” Pointing upward, he commented, causing Sohee Lord to curl her lips into a smile. “I came to see you, not them.” “Let’s just say that’s true.” Chunhui chuckled, turning his head away. Sohee Lord’s brow furrowed slightly at his dismissive demeanor. ‘To think I’d be treated like this.’ Her pride was wounded. When had anyone last treated her this way? Beautiful appearance, imperial bloodline. She had everything from birth. She had confidently thought she could win Chunhui over given some time, but there had been no progress. ‘Could it be he's not interested in women…?’ They say there are men who enjoy the company of other men rather than women. Engrossed in her thoughts as she scrutinized Chunhui’s face with suspicion. “Chunhui!” Dan Mok-rin came running at a brisk pace. ‘Chunhui…?’ Sohee Lord looked at Dan Mok-rin, who was glaring at her, and tilted her head. ‘Who is she? I don’t remember such a woman being among Mount Hua's disciples.’ The girl was quite striking. Although she was still young, her beauty was such that Sohee Lord could not easily divert her eyes. Upon nearing them, Dan Mok-rin halted upon noticing Sohee Lord next to Chunhui and asked. “...Who might you be?” Her lips and eyes smiled at Sohee Lord, yet there was an icy chill in her gaze. However, she was in for a tough match. “Isn’t it polite to introduce yourself before asking someone else's name?” Dan Mok-rin’s eyebrow twitched at that. The way Sohee Lord looked down on her, as if naturally superior, and her words cut to the quick, greatly unsettled her composure. “...” Feeling she had been overpowered, Dan Mok-rin unwillingly bowed. “...I am Rin.” “Ah, you must be the precious jewel of the Dan Mok family who recently joined Mount Hua.” “How do you know that…?” “I heard from the sect leader.” Dan Mok-rin’s speaking voice halted. Only a few, like the sect leader and elders of Mount Hua, knew of her family ties. Knowing this meant the woman in front of her was extraordinary. “Sohee.” “Pardon?” Sohee Lord, observing Dan Mok-rin’s baffled expression, smiled openly. “Didn’t you ask for my name?” “...” Dan Mok-rin stared at Sohee Lord. “What is your relation with Chunhui?” “Relation? Oh, you mean with little hero Chunhui?” Sohee Lord grinned mysteriously mid-sentence. “That’s what I’m curious about.” She turned to Chunhui. “What exactly is the relationship between us, little hero?” What in the world is this? Chunhui, observing the back-and-forth and being questioned suddenly by Sohee Lord, responded in an unwavering tone. “We just know each other.” Dan Mok-rin, who had been tense, let out a breath of relief. In contrast, Sohee Lord seemed unfazed as if she had anticipated the answer. “Still, I thought we had become quite close recently, so it’s a slight letdown.” As she spoke, she noticed Dan Mok-rin relaxing and asked Chunhui again with a beaming gaze. “Then, little hero, what’s your relation with this lady Rin?” Dan Mok-rin’s head shot up. With a mixture of anticipation and anxiety, her eyes were fixed on Chunhui’s lips as his answer followed. “She is my junior disciple (Samae).”