Heavenly Demon of Mount Hua

Chapter 24

—–CROW—– 

The day after the grand meeting, the hour of Yin.

Cheon-hwi emerged from the hut before dawn.

Despite the early hour, a bright smile played on his lips.

His appearance was quite different from usual.

His sharp eyes were filled with anticipation, and his usually unkempt hair was neatly tied back.

But even more noticeable were the robes he was wearing and the sword hanging from his waist.

“It’s not a great sword, but it’s enough.”

He tapped the sword and then examined his robes, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

“I like the robes too. Good.”

The robes Hyeon-ryeo had prepared for him last night were a mix of black and red, quite different from the red and white robes of Mount Hua Sect.

The dark-colored robes, embroidered with red plum blossoms, exuded a unique aura.

“Hmm.”

He continued walking, examining himself, and soon reached the hilltop, where he looked around.

Perhaps because it was still early, it was dark outside, and the chilly night air caressed his cheeks.

But even that felt pleasant.

Because today was the day he would leave Mount Hua Sect and explore the Central Plains.

“Then…”

Thud.

He lightly tapped his foot.

But what happened next was astonishing.

The darkness split in two, and Cheon-hwi shot forward between the halves.

Leaving only a streak of light behind.

Arriving at the main gate of Mount Hua Sect from the hut in an instant, he looked ahead.

Four men and a woman were waiting there.

They were the Plum Blossom Swordsmen chosen yesterday for the mission to the Swift Wind Trading Company.

“You gathered quickly.”

They stared wide-eyed at Cheon-hwi, who had appeared like a mirage.

But only for a moment.

“Senior Disciple!”

“You’re here.”

Jeok-geom and Seol-ran, recognizing Cheon-hwi, immediately greeted him.

Jeok-geom, knowing that this mission was related to the Swift Wind Trading Company, smiled brightly at Cheon-hwi.

‘It’s a relief that Senior Disciple is coming with us.’

He sighed in relief.

Although Cheon-hwi was eccentric, his skill and power were undeniable.

“Greetings, Senior Disciple Cheon-hwi.”

“Greetings, Senior Disciple.”

As the other Plum Blossom Swordsmen, regaining their composure, followed Jeok-geom and Seol-ran and greeted Cheon-hwi.

‘It’s good to see.’

The Sect Leader, watching them from above with a warm smile, spoke in a dignified voice,

“You’re all here.”

The six looked up.

The Sect Leader, capturing their gazes, looked at each of them.

Jeok-geom, Seol-ran, Jeok-jae, Jeok-un.

And Jeok-bi.

They were all trustworthy disciples.

But he felt a slight unease.

They had never been to the Central Plains, nor had they experienced the harsh realities of the martial world.

‘I’m a little worried…’

But his anxiety vanished as his eyes met Cheon-hwi’s.

‘Haha, with Cheon-hwi here, there’s no need to worry.’

The Sect Leader, feeling relieved, spoke in a solemn voice,

“Your first journey into the martial world will be challenging.”

The Plum Blossom Swordsmen’s faces hardened slightly.

The anticipation of their first journey into the martial world, coupled with the weight of being Plum Blossom Swordsmen.

Their expressions were a mixture of anticipation, excitement, and slight anxiety about leaving Mount Hua Sect.

“But don’t worry too much. You are Plum Blossom Swordsmen, are you not?”

The Sect Leader spoke encouraging words to ease their tension.

His words seemed to have worked, as the Plum Blossom Swordsmen’s eyes hardened.

Being Plum Blossom Swordsmen was their pride and honor.  They nodded and their eyes gleamed as they shouted energetically,

“Yes!”

The Sect Leader’s smile widened at their energetic response.

No more words were needed.

“Take care.”

At the Sect Leader’s concluding words, Jeok-geom, standing in the middle of the five Plum Blossom Swordsmen, looked up and replied respectfully,

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Cheon-hwi’s lips twitched as he saw Jeok-geom answering on their behalf.

‘Jeok-geom is the representative?’

Cheon-hwi was pleased.

He had offered to lead them into the martial world, but he was actually feeling rather lazy.

It was convenient that Jeok-geom seemed to be the representative of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.

‘I can just leave all the bothersome tasks to Jeok-geom.’

Cheon-hwi, thinking thoughts that would make Jeok-geom foam at the mouth if he heard them, turned his head.

“Cheon-hwi.”

“Hwi.”

Hyeon-do and Hyeon-ryeo, who had been standing quietly behind them, approached as the Sect Leader spoke.

“Oh? You’re here.”

Cheon-hwi greeted them.

Having spent five years together, he had grown quite close to them.

“Are you really sure about this?”

As Hyeon-ryeo fussed.

“Of course he’s sure.”

Hyeon-do interjected.

Hyeon-ryeo glared at Hyeon-do, who answered on Cheon-hwi’s behalf.

“Senior Brother!”

Her voice was sharp.

She had opposed Cheon-hwi becoming the leader of the expedition.

However, unlike her, Hyeon-do and Hyeon-cheong had agreed, and the Sect Leader had ultimately sided with them and Cheon-hwi.

Hyeon-do chuckled as he looked at Hyeon-ryeo, who was glaring at him,

“Are you worried?”

“Of course I’m worried.”

“Even about Cheon-hwi?  He can handle anyone…”

Hyeon-ryeo frowned and said,

“Senior Brother, you know that the martial world is a place filled with schemes and conspiracies.”

“That’s true.”

Hyeon-do agreed.

As she said, the martial world was a cruel and merciless place, governed by different rules than the rest of the world.

But that’s why Hyeon-do, who had observed Cheon-hwi closely, wasn’t worried about his journey into the martial world; instead, he felt reassured.

“But it’s Cheon-hwi.”

“…”

Hyeon-ryeo was speechless.

She knew Cheon-hwi as well as Hyeon-do did.

That Cheon-hwi possessed exceptional martial arts skills, beyond imagination.

But knowing something intellectually and feeling it emotionally were completely different.

To Hyeon-ryeo, Cheon-hwi was still a fragile child.

Whoosh—

“Fine!”

Hyeon-ryeo glared at Hyeon-do and turned away abruptly.

She then rummaged through her robes, took out a leather pouch, and placed it in Cheon-hwi’s hand.

“Use this if anything happens.”

Cheon-hwi, watching the two bicker, immediately put the pouch in his sleeve.

“I will.”

As Cheon-hwi received farewells and necessary items for the journey from the two.

Step— Step—

The Plum Blossom Swordsmen, finished with their preparations, were also saying their goodbyes.

“Wherever you go, whoever you meet, never lose your pride as Plum Blossom Swordsmen.”

The Martial Arts Instructor, standing with the two, gave the Plum Blossom Swordsmen a final warning.

The Plum Blossom Swordsmen’s bodies stiffened.

The Martial Arts Instructor was known as the most cold-hearted person in Mount Hua Sect, someone who wouldn’t bleed even if pricked with a needle, and the one who subjected them to harsh training every day.

Then the Martial Arts Instructor’s expression changed.

“But if your lives are in danger, run away without hesitation.”

The Plum Blossom Swordsmen were surprised by the Martial Arts Instructor’s words and concerned expression.

His concern was a novel experience for them, as he usually only trained them ruthlessly.

“Your lives are the most important thing in the world.”

Oblivious to their thoughts, the Martial Arts Instructor patted their shoulders gently and encouraged them.

After they finished exchanging farewells.

“Then we’ll be going.”

As soon as the time came, Cheon-hwi opened the main gate and stepped outside. The Plum Blossom Swordsmen, lined up behind him, followed, and they began their descent down the mountain.

Step— Step—

The Sect Leader and the elders, watching the six descend energetically, clasped their hands and bowed with worried expressions.

“Amitabha.”

“May they all return safely.”

***

Half a month had passed since the beginning of their journey.

Xianyang County, their destination, which had seemed so far away when they departed, was now within reach.

Thanks to Jeok-geom, who was eager to arrive quickly and spared no expense,

Jeok-geom, excited about arriving at the Swift Wind Trading Company soon, spoke excitedly,

“Haha, thankfully, we saved time by traveling quickly by boat.”

Perhaps because he was back in his familiar hometown, Jeok-geom’s face was beaming.

He then approached Cheon-hwi, who was walking beside him, and started chattering,

“Senior Disciple, did you know? Our Swift Wind Trading Company is one of the top trading companies in Shaanxi.  For the past twenty years, we’ve conducted numerous trades through the routes connecting Shaanxi and Shanxi…”

Jeok-geom was explaining the Swift Wind Trading Company in detail to Cheon-hwi.

Right beside them, Seol-ran followed, ready to act on any orders from Cheon-hwi.

Jeok-un, Jeok-jae, and Jeok-bi, watching the three from behind, frowned in confusion.

‘Why are Senior Brother Jeok-geom and Senior Sister Seol-ran so cautious of Senior Disciple?’

It was their common question.

Throughout the journey, Jeok-geom and Seol-ran had been overly cautious and respectful of Cheon-hwi.

As if he were the Sect Leader.

Of course, they knew that Cheon-hwi had displayed astonishing skill at the Five Mountains Gathering five years ago, saving Jeok-geom’s reputation.

But that was five years ago.

At the recent Five Mountains Gathering, Mount Hua Sect had regained its former glory and was making its presence known.

Moreover, Jeok-geom and Seol-ran had shown remarkable growth, possessing skills close to the top among the Plum Blossom Swordsmen residing in Mount Hua Sect.

On the other hand, Cheon-hwi had been quiet.

So quiet that they didn’t know his current level of skill or how he had been spending his time since the incident five years ago.

‘The incident five years ago should have faded by now.’

‘What’s their relationship?’

‘Do they know something about Senior Disciple Cheon-hwi?’

As they struggled to understand the subtle relationship between the three.

“We’ve expanded significantly in the last twenty years and even built a two-story annex. We also distributed food to the common people…”

Cheon-hwi, listening to the continuous explanation, raised his index finger and pointed west.

“Is it that way?”

Jeok-geom’s eyes widened.

“How did you know?”

“I can see it.”

“…!”

The Plum Blossom Swordsmen were shocked by Cheon-hwi’s words, as if he could see the Swift Wind Trading Company, which was two hundred meters away.

But Cheon-hwi wasn’t fazed.

It was only natural for him.

“Huh?”

Then Cheon-hwi frowned.

“We should hurry.”

“Huh?”

“A fight has broken out.”

Jeok-geom’s face paled.

“I-I’ll go ahead!”

Jeok-geom circulated his internal energy and hurriedly executed the Five Elements Plum Blossom Steps.

“…I’ll go too.”

Seol-ran quickly followed Jeok-geom.

Cheon-hwi watched the remaining Plum Blossom Swordsmen follow the two and then grimaced at the aura emanating from the distant Swift Wind Trading Company.

“Killing intent…”

Cheon-hwi smiled and kicked off the ground at the familiar sensation he hadn’t felt in a long time.

—–CROW—– 

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