107 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect
**Chapter 107** The day after the Plum Blossom Swordmaster exam concluded. "Head Master! This is unacceptable." "What do you mean by that!" At Unjungru, where people gathered to announce the successful candidates of the Plum Blossom Swordmaster exam, loud voices echoed back and forth. "Do you intend to tarnish the noble position of Plum Blossom Swordmaster with this so-called competition, Head Master?" "Such a decision has never occurred before in the history of the Mount Hua Sect." The elders vehemently opposed the suggestion of the Head Master to change the long-standing tradition. At that moment. Swwwwish— The Head Master, who was observing his opponents, drew his sword. "Th-that sword!" The elders gasped, eyes fixed on the sword. The sword blade, revealed to the light, was peculiar. Though its blade, etched with red ripples, looked too blunt to slash even a single blade of grass, it seemed to radiate an extraordinary aura. Yet, more than its appearance, what mattered was the symbol the sword carried. The elders who recognized the sword's identity were filled with astonishment. "That sword is..." No one could tear their eyes away from it. This sacred sword allowed the Head Master to implement any command once, under its mythical authority. "Are you looking to conclude matters now?" "Not an end, but a beginning." With one remark, the Head Master dismissed the opposition and placed the drawn Head Master's Token on the table, announcing to them, "I will invoke the Head Master's Decree." * * * The Mount Hua Sect began to embrace change. A lot was altered, but the most significant transformations were primarily four. Firstly, the number of Plum Blossom Swordmasters was fixed, and an annual competition was introduced. Secondly, Mangyeong Pavilion was opened to both anonymous and household disciples. Thirdly, the Hyeoncheong, which trained second-generation disciples, was transformed into the Muwha Pavilion overseen by the Muwha Pavilion Chief, where third-generation disciples stayed. Lastly, a new pavilion for the expanded number of Plum Blossom Swordmasters was constructed, called the Plum Blossom Pavilion. Initially, elders and most of the disciples resisted the Head Master's decision, but over time and through the persuasion of a few, they gradually came around. Meanwhile, Cheonhui, who assisted the Head Master in making this decision, found himself pestered by four visitors from early morning. "Brother!" "Junior!" "As you suggested, I've convinced them. So let's have another duel." "And who are you all? Shoo, get lost. This fellow here has medical lessons today." Such a bother. Cheonhui simply ignored them, letting their words flow in one ear and out the other. "Your... Your Highness!" Shim Wijin suddenly came rushing in. Everyone turned, surprised to see Shim Wijin, whose face was normally cheerful, now completely pale. Sohi, the Lord, scrunched her eyebrows. "What's wrong? What happened?" "A-a letter arrived from the castle." Sohi widened her eyes as Shim Wijin handed over the scroll. She quickly unfurled and read the letter, her expression hardening as she did. "This... This!" Her grip crumpled the letter as she clenched her teeth, suddenly tearing it to pieces. "What is it?" "What's going on?" "Eh?" The unexpected action startled everyone. In particular, Dan Moklin and Chunhyang, who had been bickering with Sohi earlier, opened their eyes wide. Ignoring their reactions, Sohi turned to Shim Wijin and shouted. "Wijin! What is this about?" "I don't know the details." Shim Wijin bit his lip, recalling the shock he felt just glimpsing the letter. "Wijin! Bring Sol Young." "At once!" Shim Wijin responded and disappeared. With a flash, Sohi exited the hut, leaving its occupants murmuring anxiously. "What could have happened?" "I hope it's nothing serious." "She must be okay." "Hmph, there shouldn't be any major issues." Having spent so much time together, they began to care for Sohi. And Cheonhui, who had been the longest with Sohi's party, couldn't help but think to himself: ‘Finally, some peace and quiet.’ He was pleased with the decrease in numbers as soon as they departed. Meanwhile, Sohi, who left the hut, went directly to the Head Master of the Mount Hua Sect, accompanied by Shim Wijin and Sol Young. "What brings you here so urgently?" Despite the sudden visit, the Head Master calmly welcomed them. "I need an escort immediately." An unexpected request. But, seeing the seriousness in Sohi's eyes, the Head Master cautiously inquired, "Can you tell me the reason?" Sohi glanced around as if wary of eavesdroppers and whispered quietly, "My father is critically ill." "......!" The Head Master's previously steady demeanor shattered. "Please, I ask you to provide us an escort to Cheonghaeseong." Sohi pleaded earnestly, and the Head Master shut his eyes tightly. ‘……This decision could determine the rise or fall of our sect.’ To align with the Lord of Cheonghae or to reject it. Currently, he, or rather the Mount Hua Sect, stood at a crossroads. ‘Ah. It's a difficult decision, indeed.’ Providing an escort was no simple matter. A single mistake could expose carefully nurtured disciples to potentially lethal dangers. ‘What should I do?’ After contemplating with his eyes closed for a moment, he opened them, seemingly having made up his mind. "Very well. I will assign the Plum Blossom Swordmasters of our sect as your escort." Sohi breathed a sigh of relief and expressed her gratitude. "Thank you. I will never forget this debt of gratitude." The Head Master nodded. Of course, he had no intention of sending an escort without expecting something in return. "When do you plan to depart?" "That is…" Sohi signaled to Shim Wijin. "We need to leave as soon as possible." Shim Wijin spoke with urgency. The Lord of Cheonghae was in critical condition. Every moment was precious! "I will select the escorts and send them with all haste." As the Head Master prepared to leave in a hurry, Sohi stopped him. "Please wait a moment." There was one last request. * * * "An escort?" Cheonhui showed clear signs of inconvenience when he was asked by the Head Master to serve as an escort. At that moment, seeing the opponent, Cheonhui thought there was no need to personally accompany the group when other Plum Blossom Swordmasters would suffice. Cheonhui recalled the time he first encountered Sohi's group. The sudden appearance of assassins who attacked him. Their martial skills were commendable, enough to be recognized as top-class, but not formidable enough to pose a significant threat. 'The Plum Blossom Swordmasters are not weak, after all.' Moreover, there was Sol Young with them. With her collaborating with the Plum Blossom Swordmasters, it was akin to gaining an entire army. However... "No, your strength is required." The Head Master insisted otherwise. What strength? "Is it because of the Elder of the Divine Clan?" "Indeed." The Head Master acknowledged candidly. 'If only it weren't the Head Master's order...' He would have refused immediately. However, what choice did he have? It was a command from none other than the Head Master himself. "Sigh, alright." In the end, he sighed and accepted. "Haha." The Head Master’s demeanor brightened. "Thank you." "In that case, can I bring a few people with me?" The Head Master spoke as if he'd been anticipating this question. "I’ll inform Jeokgeom and Seollan separately." His quick wit was noted. Cheonhui scratched his head and asked, "So, when should we leave?" "The sooner, the better." "Then let's go right away." "Right away, you say?" "You said the sooner, the better, right?" It was best to tackle what couldn't be postponed swiftly. "Call everyone to meet here." "Wait for them at the mountain gate." A short while later, as Cheonhui awaited at the mountain gate, Jeokgeom and Seollan arrived, each carrying a bundle. "What about the supplies?" "We brought everything." "That's good enough." Jeokgeom nodded and stepped back, noticing Seollan fidgeting beside him. "Why so restless, junior sister?" "Does this outfit look strange?" It was the first time Jeokgeom saw Seollan feeling awkward in her attire, making him smile gently. Because this was a covert mission. Seollan's appearance was different from usual. She shed her martial arts uniform for plain clothes, akin to what one might easily find in the marketplace, and her sword lacked even a hint of the Plum Blossom Swordmasters' signature. "You look perfectly fine. It suits you." "Really?" Seollan breathed a slight sigh of relief. "You look great too, senior brother." "Haha, don’t I?" Jeokgeom puffed out his chest confidently. He, too, dressed differently. He wore a high-quality outfit with only an unadorned sword by his side. To those unaware, Jeokgeom would seem like a scion from a noble family. "But..." Jeokgeom glanced slyly at Cheonhui. "Doesn't the master look the best?" Seollan nodded in agreement. Actually, Cheonhui didn't change much. He wore a deep black martial arts uniform with a black scabbard at his waist. Yet, his red-tinged eyes and well-defined facial features made him alluring. An irresistible allure that anyone could fall for. "Looks really do matter for men, huh." As Jeokgeom mused with a wry smile. "Have you been waiting?" The main guest of this journey. Sohi and her party arrived in the same carriage they had taken to the Mount Hua Sect. ‘At least we have a carriage.’ Cheonhui's mood lightened slightly. Already reluctant to go, he would've been in a foul mood if forced to walk the entire way. Sohi approached. "It's been a while since I’ve seen you not in your martial attire." "You, too, wearing such clothes is a first for me." "Really?" Sohi chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her sleeve. "How does it look? Does it suit me?" She spun around in a circle as she spoke. Gone were her daily flamboyant garments, replaced by monochromatic clothes that seemed tailored for her fair skin. "It definitely suits you." "Thank you." With her eyes smiling at Cheonhui. "Why, oh why are we headed to Cheonghae Fortress?" Lastly, Shinui, robed in his habitual attire, grumbled as he arrived. "You're here." "We’ve been waiting." Sohi and Shim Wijin warmly greeted his arrival. "Tch, it's not because of you all." "We know." Sohi, who knew him better than anyone else, nodded knowingly. As the two conversed, Cheonhui, surveying the assembled group, squinted before whispering, "It’s the same people we see every day." Those heading to Cheonghae Fortress were usually the ones gathering at the hut. "…Well, with one exception." That one exception Cheonhui referred to was Dan Mokrin, who watched the group from a distance, biting her nails. "Senior sister." Her heart pounded with anxiety. It wasn't just about Cheonhui leaving but also about him traveling with a woman who constantly showed interest in him. ‘I should be going too...’ Initially, upon secretly learning that Cheonhui was heading to Cheonghae, she planned to accompany him. But the Head Master had stopped her. ‘Why are others allowed to go, but not me?’ Though she listed her reasons for wanting to accompany them. ‘With your current skills, you’ll only be a burden. Rather than helping Cheonhui, do you plan on being a nuisance?’ The Head Master’s perfect explanation left her no choice but to remain silent. As he said, she was still reacquainting herself with the martial arts of the Mount Hua Sect after losing all her previous skills. It was evident she would only hold him back, rather than be of any assistance. In the end, she had to back down. "…Senior sister." Dan Mokrin watched the group’s departing figures with a melancholic expression. She shook her head after a moment. ‘No, it's alright.’ Though she missed her chance now, Cheonhui belonged to the Mount Hua Sect as a mentor. He was bound to return. "And next time..." A radiant smile bloomed on her face like a flower at the thought. Before leaving, the Head Master's comforting words continued to resonate in her ears. ‘When you become a Plum Blossom Swordmaster someday, think of venturing into the world with Cheonhui.’ Dan Mokrin's eyes, which captured the now-small figure of Cheonhui, shimmered with a mysterious light. "When I become a Plum Blossom Swordmaster, the two of us will..."