Fist Demon of Mount Hua ( Novel ) - Chapter 262
Chapter 262 – Time Changes Many Things (3)
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Eun So-cheong followed the Plum Blossom Swordsmen up Mount Hua.
Behind her, Silver Family Castle’s warriors and workers followed carrying loads on their backs.
“Huff huff!”
Mount Hua was so steep it naturally made them breathe roughly. The steep mountain paths of Mount Hua represented by Thousand Chi Hall and Hundred Chi Gorge were challenging even for warriors who had learned martial arts.
Silver Family Castle had traded with Mount Hua several times before. But then they just unloaded goods at Mount Hua’s entrance, never climbing the mountain directly like this.
Because of this, they didn’t know Mount Hua Sect’s internal situation, nor realize how steep Mount Hua was.
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen were also climbing the mountain with loads on their backs. But their expressions were calm as if walking on flat ground. This contrasted with Silver Family Castle’s merchant caravan’s pale faces.
Won Myeong looked back.
“Just a bit further, please keep going. Don’t worry, we’ll send disciples to get the remaining loads.”
“Thank you, Priest Won Myeong.”
“Not at all, Miss Eun. Rather, we should thank you. Thanks to Silver Family Castle we can obtain needed supplies on time.”
Won Myeong showed a faint smile.
He was barely in his early twenties. Yet his manner of speech and eyes seemed like those of an experienced warrior.
Won Myeong had been just a third generation disciple. Among third generation disciples, he had been unremarkable with ordinary martial talent. Such a Won Myeong had become a completely different person.
‘Just what happened during these three years?’
Something was happening at Mount Hua. Eun So-cheong was very curious about this fact.
After passing Dragon’s Spine Ridge, Mount Hua Sect’s scenery came into view.
“This is Mount Hua Sect?”
Jeok Yong-cheon’s pupils wavered.
Unlike Eun So-cheong who was visiting Mount Hua for the first time, Jeok Yong-cheon had been here before. So he vividly remembered Mount Hua Sect’s appearance.
Mount Hua Sect wasn’t splendid like Wudang Sect with many palace complexes gathered together. Taoist temples were scattered evenly across Mount Hua. So though it might seem shabby at first glance, the temples and halls themselves were very splendid and gave a majestic feeling.
But the Mount Hua Sect halls visible now were extremely shabby. They were small in scale and clearly showed signs of hasty construction.
To think the great Mount Hua Sect had declined like this. It gave a feeling of how times had changed.
As if reading Jeok Yong-cheon’s mind, Won Myeong smiled and said:
“Humble, isn’t it?”
“Ah, no.”
“It’s alright. Even we find it shabby. But you know what? Our hearts are actually more at peace than before.”
“What?”
“Before it was too splendid, like wearing clothes that didn’t suit me, but now it feels comfortable and unburdening like my own clothes.”
“That’s…”
Won Myeong had an expression like he had attained enlightenment. Jeok Yong-cheon couldn’t understand Won Myeong’s response.
“When you reach the Upper Palace, you’ll understand my words.”
As they talked, they arrived at a small training ground in front of the Upper Palace.
Won Myeong pointed to one side of the training ground and said:
“Please put down the loads here.”
Silver Family Castle’s warriors put down their loads where Won Myeong indicated, with expressions of relief.
“You’ve returned, Senior Brother?”
Mount Hua Sect disciples came running from inside the Upper Palace. Won Myeong nodded and said:
“Won Gong.”
“Yes!”
“Take some disciples and bring up the loads from below. There’s quite a lot so you’ll need several trips.”
“Understood.”
Won Gong answered with a smile. He soon led disciples down Mount Hua. Watching this, Jeok Yong-cheon quickly said:
“Since there are many loads, I’ll send our merchant caravan warriors too.”
“No need. This is also part of training.”
“Training?”
“Daily life is training.”
“Hmm!”
Jeok Yong-cheon let out a contemplative sound.
Won Myeong’s answer that daily life is training was something all warriors knew but found difficult to actually practice.
The Mount Hua Sect disciples following Won Gong could be seen using lightness skills. The still youthful warriors were using lightness skills to descend the mountain as nimbly as mountain goats.
Their movements seemed extraordinary. No wonder the merchant caravan warriors were watching them in a daze.
“Everything changed after the Supreme Elder returned.”
“Supreme Elder?”
“You’ll understand when you meet him. Others please rest here, you two follow me.”
Won Myeong indicated Eun So-cheong and Jeok Yong-cheon.
The merchant caravan warriors who had barely climbed the mountain sat down with sighs of relief.
Won Myeong led Eun So-cheong and Jeok Yong-cheon onward. But he headed in the opposite direction from the Upper Palace.
Puzzled expressions appeared on their faces.
As far as they knew, Mount Hua Sect’s center was the Upper Palace. Not only was it the sect leader’s residence, but where all Mount Hua Sect’s affairs were decided. So they thought Mount Hua Sect’s Supreme Elder would naturally stay there. But contrary to their expectations, Won Myeong was heading to a secluded place.
Passing through bushes where it seemed doubtful paths even existed, they arrived at a small hut. In front of the extremely shabby hut that looked ready to collapse was a small platform, and sitting there was a Taoist priest with an otherworldly appearance.
He was an elderly Taoist priest with such a clear appearance he could have passed for middle-aged if not for his graying beard. He was busy writing something with a brush.
Won Myeong bowed his head extremely respectfully and said:
“Supreme Elder. Disciple Won Myeong has brought guests.”
Only then did the elderly priest raise his head to look at Won Myeong and the others.
“Oh! You’ve come, Won Myeong?”
“Sorry to disturb your peace.”
“Not at all.”
The elderly priest shook his head and stood up from the platform. He approached Eun So-cheong and Jeok Yong-cheon with a welcoming expression.
“Welcome. This old Taoist was too busy to greet guests directly.”
“Not at all.”
“Please speak comfortably.”
Eun So-cheong and Jeok Yong-cheon were rather flustered by the elderly priest’s informal and unassuming attitude.
The elderly priest made a respectful gesture.
“This old one is called Hyeon-so. I sincerely welcome you to Mount Hua.”
“Ah!”
“Sage Hyeon-so.”
Eun So-cheong and Jeok Yong-cheon unconsciously exclaimed.
Not many knew Sage Hyeon-so’s name. But those who knew were aware. That he was Dam-ho’s master.
Just the fact that he was Mount Hua’s Fist Demon Dam-ho’s master gave Sage Hyeon-so reason to draw attention.
‘Sage Hyeon-so is Mount Hua Sect’s Supreme Elder?’
This fact had been completely unknown since Mount Hua Sect sealed its gates.
Eun So-cheong and Jeok Yong-cheon quickly greeted him.
“I am Eun So-cheong of Silver Family Castle.”
“Silver Family Castle’s merchant caravan head Jeok Yong-cheon greets Great Mount Hua Sect’s Supreme Elder.”
“Amitabha! I only took this position out of necessity due to Mount Hua Sect’s urgent situation. No need to be so formal.”
Sage Hyeon-so smiled gently.
The moment they heard his voice, Eun So-cheong and Jeok Yong-cheon felt their hearts become strangely comfortable. His appearance was so unassuming it was hard to believe he was Great Mount Hua Sect’s Supreme Elder.
Won Myeong’s eyes watching Sage Hyeon-so were full of respect. Beyond simply a sect disciple looking at an elder, they contained infinite reverence.
Eun So-cheong wondered just how one could receive such respect. But she didn’t dare ask.
Three years had made Sage Hyeon-so’s eyes even deeper and more mystical. His eyes full of mystical energy seemed to contain all the world’s wisdom.
“Though humble, please sit here.”
Sage Hyeon-so offered them seats. Led by his hand, Eun So-cheong and Jeok Yong-cheon sat on the platform.
“You sit too.”
“How could I sit together with Supreme Elder?”
Won Myeong waved his hands in shock.
“Why so stiff? That Ho fellow ruined everything. It’s fine, please sit.”
“Yes!”
Won Myeong had no choice but to sit on the platform. But he was extremely careful. Seeing Won Myeong’s attitude, Sage Hyeon-so showed a helpless expression and began brewing tea.
While putting water on the brazier and selecting tea leaves, he said:
“Thank you. Thanks to Silver Family Castle, Mount Hua Sect could endure these difficult times well.”
“N-no. It’s only natural. Mount Hua Sect where Brother Ho and Jin-bo are isn’t strangers to us.”
“I’ve heard much about Miss Eun from Jin-bo.”
“Really?”
Eun So-cheong unconsciously asked back then blushed. Because it felt like her true feelings were exposed.
Sage Hyeon-so smiled benevolently. This made Eun So-cheong blush even more. Her wavering eyes were searching for Bang Jin-bo. But Bang Jin-bo’s shadow was nowhere to be seen around the hut.
“Jin-bo went into the mountains saying he needed to gather something. He’ll return soon after we have some tea.”
“What? Ah, I… yes!”
Eun So-cheong unconsciously stammered. At this, Sage Hyeon-so showed a warm smile and poured tea.
Pour!
Clear tea filled the teacups.
Sage Hyeon-so offered teacups to the three.
“Ah!”
“Hmm!”
Exclamations burst out simultaneously. Because the tea’s fragrance was so good. Just smelling it seemed to clear their minds.
“It’s plum blossom tea. I hope you like it.”
“It’s d-delicious.”
“Very good.”
Eun So-cheong and Jeok Yong-cheon answered simultaneously.
Eun So-cheong was a merchant to her bones, and Jeok Yong-cheon was born a warrior. They were not people easily swayed by others. Yet they were so easily revealing their emotions at Sage Hyeon-so’s single word.
Seeing them like this, Won Myeong smiled with deep meaning. Because he understood their reactions.
A person’s true worth is revealed in truly difficult times.
When Mount Hua Sect was at its peak of fame in the Central Plains, even disciples who knew of Sage Hyeon-so’s existence were few. At that time Mount Hua had many talents, and they were all beings worthy of being called dragons among men.
But in the end they couldn’t overcome the massive wave called the Demon Cult and were swept away. What remained in place of those swept away was just miserable ruins and young disciples.
Everyone despaired. They thought Mount Hua Sect could never rise again. Even Mount Hua Sect’s disciples thought so.
But Sage Hyeon-so shattered everyone’s fixed notions.
The world would be shocked to know how Mount Hua Sect had changed because of that one person.
Won Myeong’s respect for Sage Hyeon-so wasn’t simply because he was a sect elder. It was because he had shown behavior worthy of it.
That’s when it happened.
Suddenly rustling sounds came from the bushes. Just as Eun So-cheong and Jeok Yong-cheon tensed, someone emerged from the forest.
“I’ve returned.”
It was a boy with sun-tanned brown skin, a slender body flexible like a deer’s, and an impressive fresh smile.
On his back was a large basket, and at his waist hung a kitchen knife.
Sage Hyeon-so said to the boy:
“You’ve come.”
“Haha! Did you wait long? It took longer than expected to find these fellows.”
The boy showed the basket. The basket was full of unknown medicinal herbs.
“Did you go into Three Peaks Mountain again? The terrain there is dangerous.”
“I’m used to it now so it’s fine. Hehe!”
The boy laughed good-naturedly. At this, Sage Hyeon-so showed a helpless expression and said:
“Good timing. We have guests.”
“Guests?”
The boy looked at Eun So-cheong and Jeok Yong-cheon with a puzzled expression. His gaze passed Jeok Yong-cheon and stopped on Eun So-cheong, his eyes widening.
“So-cheong?”
“Could it be Jin-bo?”
Eun So-cheong showed an unbelieving expression.
The Bang Jin-bo she remembered was a very chubby boy. He was far different from the flexible boy before her eyes now.
The boy strode over.
“Haha! Long time no see.”
“Is it really Jin-bo?”
“Yes! I’m Bang Jin-bo.”
The boy, Bang Jin-bo, smiled brightly.
Eun So-cheong’s pupils shook as if an earthquake had occurred.
“N-no way!”