Chapter 112

All the elders of Mount Hua Sect had gathered at Green Cloud Palace on Yeonhwa Peak.

The elders of Mount Hua Sect looked as impoverished as the other disciples.

They were gaunt from lack of food, their clothes patched in places, and their complexions so sallow they looked almost like jiangshi.

In contrast, Yeon Mujin entering Green Cloud Palace looked like a crane among chickens.

Normally sloppily dressed, Yeon Mujin’s dressed-up appearance was as sharp as a well-tempered blade.

Since he was representing Flying Swallow Manor alone to meet Mount Hua Sect, he had paid attention to his attire this time.

Mok Gyeong-hae, who had brought Yeon Mujin, and Hyeon Geom bowed to the sect leader and elders, then took a seat and watched Yeon Mujin.

Now it was Yeon Mujin’s time.

“I am Yeon Mujin of the Bukgung Family’s Flying Swallow Manor.”

“This is Mount Hua Sect.”

Elder Hong Yujin said that without giving his sobriquet.

It meant those present were Mount Hua Sect’s core, and also signaled a refusal to reveal names to someone from the Bukgung Family.

But that was of no concern to Yeon Mujin.

He had expected Mount Hua Sect to be stubborn.

If the other side showed no courtesy, there was no need to be courteous either.

Yeon Mujin merely nodded at the word Mount Hua Sect. A few elders frowned at his insolent attitude.

“I have come on behalf of the Manor Lord to convey Flying Swallow Manor’s intention.”

“You are the Manor Lord?”

One of the elders asked.

Yeon Mujin met his gaze and answered.

“No, I’m not.”

“Where is the Maor Lord, and has merely a member come?”

“The Manor Lord has gone to Southern Edge Mountain.”

“…To Southern Edge Sect?”

Although fallen now, the relationship between sects contesting hegemony over a city is one of allies yet rivals.

Mount Hua Sect and Southern Edge Sect were no different; they even shared characteristics as Taoist convents and sword schools.

In the past, it wasn’t uncommon in Xi’an for a child saying “Dad, I want to be a martial artist” to be answered by a stern father with “Then Mount Hua Sect,” only to be teased by the mother with “Southern Edge Sect.”

Typically the child entered the mother’s favored convent, bringing many fathers to tears—a little-known anecdote of Xi’an now fading into memory.

Anyway.

The news that the Manor Lord had gone to Southern Edge Sect once more irked the elders of Mount Hua Sect.

In the martial world, face matters. That the Manor Lord went to a rival sect while only a member came to Mount Hua Sect was tantamount to not respecting Mount Hua Sect’s dignity.

“The Manor Lord went to Southern Edge Sect, and a deputy came to Mount Hua Sect?”

“Does a guest from the Golden Family look down on Mount Hua Sect?”

The elders openly showed their anger and pressured Yeon Mujin.

Yeon Mujin gauged the hall’s mood and then blurted out.

“You there.”

“What?”

“What is your sobriquet?”

“…Hong Jin.”

“I haven’t even stated why I came to Mount Hua Sect yet, so why quibble already? Hear me out and then pick a fight if you must.”

“What did you say?”

Sensing the atmosphere souring, Elder Hong Yujin stepped in to defuse the situation.

“Enough. Enough. Elders, compose yourselves.”

At the Sect leader’s intervention, the elders visibly restrained themselves.

“So then. What is the reason you climbed to Mount Hua Sect even persuading Hyeon Geom?”

“I’ll be blunt. Sell Mount Hua Sect to me.”

Yeon Mujin declared it boldly.

His tone made it sound like urging someone to sell their goods cheaply.

But the content behind the words was weighty.

“…What?”

Even Elder Hong Yujin could not hide his astonishment this time.

“I said sell Mount Hua Sect. Isn’t it a sect that’s already collapsing? On the way here, I saw the kids barely able to eat porridge, their faces sullen. Stop exhausting yourselves trying to hold onto everyone and hand it over cleanly, Mount Hua Sect.”

The eyes of Hyeon Geom, seated in the corner, went wide.

He had thought him formidable, but not this much of a lunatic.

‘That crazy—’

Daring to tell the Sect leader of Mount Hua Sect to sell Mount Hua Sect?

Even Hyeon Geom had never voiced such an insult.

“What did you just say!”

“What kind of blasphemy is that!”

Mount Hua Sect’s elders sprang up, pointing fingers at Yeon Mujin and veins bulging.

They looked as if they would pick something up and throw it.

But Yeon Mujin was not cowed at all; he shouted even more proudly.

“Shut up! Mount Hua Sect is ruined anyway! There’s no saving it! So who will stand against the Bukgung Family? From your Sect leader to the lowest junior disciple, none of you have a future! Since you’re doomed, take the money and hand it over! Isn’t that a generous offer!”

“Th-that, that…”

Some even grabbed the back of their necks and collapsed.

If swords had been in the elders’ hands, they’d have drawn them at once.

Gasping and choked sounds echoed through the Green Cloud Palace.

But Yeon Mujin didn’t stop. He was a man who knew no moderation.

“The world’s about money anyway. Pride? Tradition? Lineage? You don’t need that. Take the money and hand it over. Arrogant old men, parading worthless stubbornness…”

“Yeon Mujin!”

Even Mok Gyeong-hae, feeling it had gone too far, shouted Yeon Mujin’s name to restrain him.

“Your words are too harsh! Compose yourself!”

“Be quiet! You’re a junior—how dare you speak so loudly to an elder!”

“Still that refrain!”

“Do you wish Mount Hua Sect to collapse like this? Look around. Look at your appearance. ‘Taoist’ my foot—most common beggars in open markets are better dressed and fed than you.”

Yeon Mujin’s rampage.

“Even Mount Hua Sect’s youngest disciples can’t dress, eat, or learn properly. Do you know why? Because Mount Hua Sect is incompetent. Incompetent and full of pride—where’s the Manor Lord? Are you mocking Mount Hua Sect…? Are you kidding? A sect that can’t even manage its own disciples properly—what tradition do you have? Where in Mount Hua Sect’s state can one find the behavior of a renowned martial house?”

He was like a four-wheeled cart with its reins broken.

Elder Hong Yujin watched Yeon Mujin’s tirade as if stunned.

Yeon Mujin looked the Sect Leader of Mount Hua Sect squarely in the eye and spoke.

“Sect Leader! I won’t repeat myself. Hand the Purple Cloud Sword to me. The Bukgung Family will buy your Mount Hua Sect with money. We’re the wealthiest family in the land—can’t we buy a third-rate sect?”

“Sell Mount Hua Sect…?”

“Why? Does that prick your pride? Then I’ll buy your pride too. Can’t face the elders of Mount Hua Sect? I’ll buy that shame as well. How much will it take? How much?”

“Shut that mouth!”

Mok Gyeong-hae, watching, felt a wave of alarm.

For some reason, a premonition took hold that the Sect Leader might actually be persuaded by that insane talk.

This was nonsense. Truly an absurd act.

“Shut that mouth!”

Unable to bear it, Mok Gyeong-hae drew his sword and lunged at Yeon Mujin.

Clang!

Yeon Mujin raised his sword to meet the strike.

Their gazes clashed between the blades.

Mok Gyeong-hae flinched at the force conveyed past the blade.

He had thought him all talk, but his sword power was considerable.

Yeon Mujin forcefully knocked aside his blade and shouted.

“Mok junior! What do you think you’re doing!”

“You’re the one acting like this!”

“Don’t interrupt the elders discussing! I’m talking with the Sect Leader!”

“Nonsense!”

Mok Gyeong-hae turned to the Sect Leader and said.

“Sect Leader! Is there any need to listen to this madman?”

Surprisingly calm, Elder Hong Yujin looked at Mok Gyeong-hae and said.

“Hyeon Geom, isn’t he the guest you brought?”

“Well…”

Hyeon Geom was at a loss for words.

Elder Hong Yujin said to Hyeon Geom (Hyeon Geom is the given name).

“Hyeon Geom, sheath your sword.”

“But, Sect Leader!”

“Enough! I won’t hear excuses. Drawing a sword in Green Cloud Palace without the Sect Leader’s permission—what arrogance is that?”

Hyeon Geom opened his mouth to protest but closed it and sheathed his sword.

When he sheathed his blade, Yeon Mujin naturally put his sword away as well.

Elder Hong Yujin looked at Yeon Mujin and said.

“You are Yeon Mujin, was it?”

“Yes.”

“I understand your guest’s intent. Sell Mount Hua Sect? I will discuss it with the elders.”

“Really? You’re more reasonable than I thought.”

“However.”

Elder Hong Yujin’s voice dropped.

“The attitude you displayed toward Mount Hua Sect is unacceptable from a Sect Leader’s standpoint. Words carry not only meaning but also manner. Mount Hua Sect may be declining, but its spirit is not rotten. We cannot treat you as a guest any longer.”

“That’s because you lot—”

“Enough! I won’t hear excuses.”

The Sect Leader of Mount Hua Sect issued his solemn order.

“If your business is finished, descend from Mount Hua Sect. We will not see you off.”

While Yeon Mujin was on Lotus Peak, Yeok Yong-ma (shapeshifter lady’s name) was left alone at Mount Hua Sect.

Disguised as a sword attendant, she had little to do until Yeon Mujin finished his business.

‘Damn. If that’s the case, why even bring me along…’

Left alone, Yeok Yong-ma complained inwardly.

Already abstaining from alcohol because of Yeon Mujin, her irritation kept rising.

She thought about secretly taking a sip, but Yeon Mujin seemed like a spirit who could smell liquor from a mile away.

He would then say nothing; he only glanced at her subtly.

That made Yeok Yong-ma so restless she’d blurt out.

—I didn’t drink, you bastard. I didn’t drink!

‘Damn!’

She’d better finish the three requests quickly and leave for somewhere else.

Yeok Yong-ma resolved not to return to soju this time. Soju felt wrong. She planned to head south to Sichuan or Yunnan, or hide out near Chongqing to spend her old age.

She longed desperately for solitude.

“Who are you?”

Someone approached the irritable Yeok Yong-ma and asked.

She frowned and looked toward the owner of the voice.

A young boy wearing Mount Hua Sect robes stared at her.

“…What?”

For a moment Yeok Yong-ma forgot her disguise and spoke.

The grimy little taoist then butted her on the head.

“Ouch!”

“You brat! Even if you’re young, you should bow to an elder and greet!”

“…Huh?”

“If you’re a guest of Mount Hua Sect, show respect to Mount Hua Sect! I’m Eul Gong, disciple of Mount Hua Sect!”

The boy poked his chest with his thumb as he said it.

Overwhelmed by his fierceness, Yeok Yong-ma awkwardly nodded as if greeting.

Smack!

“Ayy!”

“Do it again!”

“…Hello.”

“Okay.”

Eul Gong finally murmured, satisfied.

“Where are you from? I haven’t seen you before.”

“I am…”

Seeing Eul Gong’s eyes grow fierce, Yeok Yong-ma changed her words.

“I come from the Bukgung Family. No, I did come. Yes.”

“From the Bukgung Family?”

The young disciple hadn’t yet caught on to the longstanding resentment between Mount Hua Sect and the Bukgung Family.

Hearing that, Eul Gong exclaimed with naive admiration.

“Your family’s rich!”

“…”

Yeok Yong-ma wondered how long she would have to play this foolish role.