Heavenly Demon of Mount Hua

Chapter 19

—–CROW—– 

They say that time flows faster than anything else.

It had already been over two months since Jeok-geom and Seol-ran started serving Cheon-hwi.

Crackle— Crackle—

Perhaps thanks to this, they had not only finished hunting before sunset but had also started a fire.

‘They’re finally becoming efficient.’

As Cheon-hwi watched them, stroking his chin, Jeok-geom and Seol-ran suddenly looked at each other.

‘Senior Brother!  Say something!’

‘I know, Junior Sister. Just wait a moment.’

After exchanging glances with Seol-ran, Jeok-geom began to gauge Cheon-hwi’s mood.

All they had learned so far was hunting and cooking meat.

Of course, thanks to this, they had grown.

Enough to confidently say that they wouldn’t feel pressured or nervous in any situation.

It was only natural, considering they had hunted every single day for two months.

So now, they wanted his teachings.

Teachings on martial arts.

However…

‘Will Senior Disciple grant our request?’

It was difficult to bring themselves to ask.

While hunting, or rather, while being taught by Cheon-hwi, the two had realized something.

That he was mature for his age and surprisingly formidable.

They were especially surprised by his relationship with Grandmaster Hyeon-do.

At first, they hadn’t understood their conversation and had been clueless about what was going on, but now they knew.

‘He wasn’t learning from Grandmaster Hyeon-do, but exchanging knowledge on equal footing.’

They were initially shocked.

Grandmaster Hyeon-do was known as the greatest master of Mount Hua.  Yet, he was exchanging knowledge with Cheon-hwi, who was only fourteen.

Moreover, hadn’t Cheon-hwi been on the verge of death just a while ago?

But soon, they accepted it.

Or rather, they had no choice but to accept it.

They had witnessed Cheon-hwi’s talent, executing the techniques explained by Hyeon-do instantly.

And that wasn’t all.

The Sect Leader, who had visited only once, and Elder Hyeon-ryeo, who had visited several times, had inquired about his well-being.

Their expressions and tone of voice showed their affection for Cheon-hwi.

Exceptional talent, skill, and charisma.

He wasn’t called the treasure of Mount Hua for nothing.

The two thought they had made the right decision to serve Cheon-hwi, but…

‘He hates bothersome things.’

They had countless chores.

They had to fetch water to the hut, prepare his robes every day, and carry out his random orders.

Like fetching salt…

‘He might kick us out if we ask for his teachings, saying it’s bothersome.’

Having observed Cheon-hwi for two months, they were cautious.

As they hesitated, Cheon-hwi’s eyes narrowed.

‘Oh?’

Perhaps thanks to their two months of acquaintance, he instantly grasped their intentions.

‘They’re finally getting ambitious.’

He could see through their thoughts as if they were written on their faces.

Just then, Jeok-geom put on a determined expression and carefully spoke to Cheon-hwi,

“Senior Disciple, we’re now accustomed to hunting…”

“You want to learn martial arts?”

Their faces brightened at Cheon-hwi’s words, which seemed to read their minds.

“Yes, yes!”

“That’s right!”

Cheon-hwi looked at the two expectant faces.

‘They’ve been serving me all this time.’

In the past, he would have ignored their request as bothersome, but he pondered for a moment, recalling the much more comfortable situation he was in now.

Although not to the extent of Ghost Demon and Flying Demon, thanks to their service, his daily life had become much more convenient.

He was eating delicious meals, they brought him clean robes every day, and diligently fetched water for him.

Having them take care of all the bothersome chores was quite satisfying.

‘Should I teach them a little?’

Cheon-hwi, feeling a change of heart, met their eager gazes.

“Alright.”

Their faces lit up instantly.

Cheon-hwi glanced at the two and approached Seol-ran first.

“You’re accustomed to footwork now, right?”

Seol-ran nodded.

“It’s much better than before.”

“Is that so? Show me.”

Seol-ran clenched her fists and channeled the Jade Maiden Heart Art’s internal energy into her feet.

Crack!

A footprint was imprinted on the dirt floor as she moved swiftly.

“When did she get so…”

Jeok-geom exclaimed in admiration at Seol-ran’s footwork.  In the past, her footwork had been lacking compared to her swordsmanship.

Yet, she was displaying amazing footwork, comparable to her swordsmanship, after only twenty days.

As Jeok-geom was surprised.

“Phew, how was it?”

Seol-ran, having displayed the best footwork she could muster, looked at Cheon-hwi expectantly.

After a moment, Cheon-hwi spoke.

“The basics are there.”

His reply was brief, contrary to her expectations.

As Seol-ran’s face fell, Cheon-hwi recalled her footwork.

‘It’s not transcendent footwork.’

Cheon-hwi looked Seol-ran up and down.

The internal energy accumulated in her lower dantian had a strong Yin energy, but her footwork was simple.

He asked,

“Do you know any other footwork techniques?”

Seol-ran, slightly embarrassed by Cheon-hwi’s intense gaze, regained her composure and replied,

“Other footwork techniques?”

Seol-ran tilted her head.

It was difficult enough to master one footwork technique.  What did he mean by other techniques?

“The only footwork I know is the Thin Willow Sway…”

“Only one?”

Cheon-hwi looked at Seol-ran with a disappointed expression and sighed.

“Sigh, then forget about that Thin Willow whatever footwork.”

“Huh?”

Cheon-hwi stood in front of the bewildered Seol-ran.

“I’ll teach you footwork that suits you.”

“B-But the Thin Willow Sway was taught to me by the Martial Arts Instructor…”

“Is that so? Then forget it.”

As Cheon-hwi was about to turn around, thinking, ‘Good riddance.’

“I-I’ll forget it!”

Seol-ran exclaimed hurriedly.

“Really?”

Cheon-hwi stopped and stared intently at Seol-ran.

‘What would be good for her?’

He started recalling footwork techniques that would suit her internal energy.

Immortal Cloud Solitary Peak?

No.  She could execute it with her current internal energy, but it wouldn’t be efficient.  It would be better not to learn it at all.

Then, Hidden Fragrance Sway?  No, that wouldn’t suit her current swordsmanship.

Then what would be good?

As he repeatedly recalled and discarded various footwork techniques.

‘In the end, there’s only one.’

One footwork technique remained.

He made up his mind and met Seol-ran’s nervous gaze.

“The footwork you’ll learn from now on is the Jade Ring Cat Steps.”

“J-Jade Ring Cat Steps?”

Seol-ran’s eyes widened.

The Jade Ring Cat Steps was a footwork technique learned by true disciples, and currently, only Hyeon-ryeo had mastered it in Mount Hua Sect.

“But I haven’t received a title yet…”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Cheon-hwi cut her off.

“The Jade Ring Cat Steps I’ll teach you is different.”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“You’ll see.”

Cheon-hwi interrupted her.

Then he moved.

Step—

He stepped in all eight directions in an instant.

His footwork became incredibly diverse in the blink of an eye. Dozens of footprints appeared on the ground where he had been standing.

Deep like a swamp, gentle like water.

Powerful like fire, swift like thunder.

Wavering like the wind, or firm like a mountain.

The Jade Ring Cat Steps he had displayed earlier, now infused with internal energy, showcased a beauty rarely seen in the mortal world.

“T-This is the Jade Ring Cat Steps…?”

Seol-ran’s eyes widened in astonishment.

She instantly understood what he meant by his earlier words.

The Jade Ring Cat Steps Cheon-hwi displayed was completely different from the one she knew.

It was both gentle and powerful.

And.

“Beautiful…”

Not only she, but Jeok-geom, standing beside her, was also mesmerized.

Although he hadn’t paid much attention to footwork before, the footwork he just witnessed was shocking, like being hit in the back of the head with a hammer.

“Amitabha…”

Jeok-geom involuntarily bowed.

Cheon-hwi’s movements were like an immortal descending to earth and dancing.

As the two were captivated.

Thud.

His feet, which had been moving ceaselessly in all directions, suddenly stopped.

He then spoke to the dazed Seol-ran,

“Now, try it.”

Seol-ran tilted her head.

“Huh…?”

Snapping out of her daze, Seol-ran let out a deflated sound.

Cheon-hwi realized his mistake.

To him, it was just the Jade Ring Cat Steps, but to them, it was transcendent footwork.

He recalled a method he had seen once before and raised his foot.

“Wait a moment.”

He channeled his internal energy into his foot and imprinted clear footprints on the dirt floor.

‘This is!’

Seol-ran’s eyes widened.

She stared intently at Cheon-hwi, as if determined not to miss a single movement as he demonstrated the basic method of learning footwork.

After imprinting a total of sixty-four footprints, he nodded.

“You memorized the order, right?”

“Yes!”

“Then follow them exactly.”

“Understood!”

Seol-ran, replying energetically, started to follow the footprints slowly with a determined expression.

‘This should be enough.’

Cheon-hwi turned around, watching her.

Jeok-geom, who had also been mesmerized, suddenly tensed up as his eyes met Cheon-hwi’s.

‘…That was incredible footwork.’

His heart pounded with anticipation.

Then Cheon-hwi spoke.

“List the martial arts you’re currently practicing.”

“Plum Blossom Qi Art, Falling Blossom Sword Technique, and Five Elements Plum Blossom Steps.”

Cheon-hwi frowned as he looked at Jeok-geom, who answered promptly.

“Alright. Show me.”

“Yes!”

Jeok-geom shouted and drew his sword.

He then executed his sword technique.

“Huff, huff. How was it?”

Jeok-geom, having executed the sword technique with all his might, looked at Cheon-hwi while catching his breath.

Cheon-hwi’s mouth opened.

“It’s a mess.”

Jeok-geom, who had been expecting praise, was stunned by the opposite response, as if he had been hit in the back of the head with a hammer.

“A… mess…?”

Cheon-hwi clicked his tongue in exasperation.

“Tsk, you haven’t even properly digested it.”

“…What do you mean?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Cheon-hwi snatched the sword from Jeok-geom’s hand.

“Gasp!”

Jeok-geom’s eyes widened in shock as his sword was taken away.

‘Incredible sleight of hand!’

Ignoring Jeok-geom’s surprise, Cheon-hwi raised the sword high.

Assuming the same starting stance as Jeok-geom, he spoke casually,

“Watch closely.  This is the proper Falling Blossom Sword Technique and Five Elements Plum Blossom Steps.”

Swish!

The raised sword swung down like lightning, the air ripping with a loud crack.

Boom!

Jeok-geom’s hair flew in all directions from the explosive sound and the delayed shockwave.

“T-This is the Falling Blossom Sword Technique and Five Elements Plum Blossom Steps…?”

Jeok-geom stared at Cheon-hwi in disbelief.

Then Cheon-hwi suddenly tossed the sword back.

Jeok-geom, startled, hurriedly caught the flying sword, and Cheon-hwi spoke to him in a commanding tone,

“Did you see that?”

“Y-Yes!”

“Can you imitate it?”

“I’ll try!”

Jeok-geom’s eyes hardened as he replied energetically. He then tried to imitate the sword form Cheon-hwi had just displayed.

But Cheon-hwi immediately corrected him.

“Channel your internal energy here.”

Jeok-geom nodded and followed Cheon-hwi’s advice, gritting his teeth.

“What are you doing? Focus on your footwork, too.”

Cheon-hwi continued to correct him.

After about twenty corrections.

Jeok-geom’s swordsmanship had improved significantly.

“Hmm, that’s better.”

Cheon-hwi muttered and stepped back from Jeok-geom, who was now completely focused on executing the technique, and looked to the side.

‘This side is better too.’

Seol-ran, seemingly in a trance, was diligently following the footprints he had imprinted.

‘This will still take quite a while.’

As Cheon-hwi was estimating the time it would take for them to become proficient.

“Huh?”

He suddenly turned his head.

He tilted his head, sensing a familiar presence approaching.

‘Why is he here?’

At that moment, Jeok-geom and Seol-ran also snapped out of their trance.

“Senior Disciple?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Something came up.”

Seol-ran and Jeok-geom, bewildered by Cheon-hwi’s puzzled expression, which was unusual for him, followed his gaze towards the hill.

A moment later, a head popped up over the hill, bathed in the setting sun, and started approaching.

As the setting sun behind the figure faded, revealing an old Taoist priest, Jeok-geom and Seol-ran gasped.

“M-Martial Arts Instructor?”

“Elder Hyeon-cheong?”

The two struggled to hide their surprise at the appearance of Hyeon-cheong, the Martial Arts Instructor of the Ten Thousand Classics Pavilion, who had never left the pavilion before.

“Greetings, Elder.”

“Greetings, Elder.”

Jeok-geom and Seol-ran quickly regained their composure and bowed respectfully.

“Hahaha.  Yes, it’s good to see you too.”

Hyeon-cheong, approaching them, smiled gently at the two surprised faces.

Then Cheon-hwi approached him and asked,

“What brings you here?”

At Cheon-hwi’s direct question, Hyeon-cheong’s expression hardened as he lowered his hand.

Erasing his usual gentle demeanor, he put on a serious expression, stared directly at Cheon-hwi, and spoke,

“Could you spare me a moment?”

—–CROW—– 

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