Chapter 149

Xi’an’s history ran deep. Until the dynasties changed, it had been called the center of all under heaven for hundreds of years.

Its enormous population, the abundant resources produced by its plains and mines, and the famous scenic and historic sites left behind by three unified dynasties swept away by the passage of time still drew countless visitors to Xi’an.

In one of Xi’an’s bustling inns, two Confucian scholars dressed in thick fur coats were among those visitors.

“Come on, hurry up. If we want to get back to the inn before sunset, we’re running out of time.”

Unlike his enthusiastic friend, the other scholar shook his head with a thoroughly fed-up expression.

“Again?”

“What do you mean, again?”

“Can’t we just rest for today? We’ve been walking around for days. My legs feel like they’re about to break.”

“Don’t be such a baby. We walked a thousand li to get here—how can we just turn around and go home? At our age, do you really think we’ll ever have another chance to visit Xi’an?”

“Good grief. I came to sightsee in Xi’an, and now it looks like I’m going to end up sightseeing Mount Beimang.¹ Leave me alone.”

“Come now. I don’t know about the other places, but we absolutely have to visit Western Peak. You’ll regret it until the day you die if you miss such a magnificent sight.”

“Western Peak…”

The five most renowned mountains under heaven were known as the Five Great Mountains.

Western Peak referred to Huashan, which lay near Xi’an.

“Imagine climbing Huashan and looking down upon all under heaven. Doesn’t your lofty spirit surge at the mere thought?”

“Well… I suppose it does.”

Unable to resist his friend’s fervent persuasion, the scholar reluctantly nodded.

He knew perfectly well that Huashan was as famous for its breathtaking scenery as it was for its rugged terrain.

“Do you think a famous mountain became famous for no reason? We need to soak up plenty of its spiritually efficacious energy this time if we want good news at the next civil service examination. How many times have you already failed?”

“Why are you bringing that up all of a sudden?”

“Don’t get angry. Anyway, we’ll go to Huashan, take in some lofty spirit and some spiritual energy. That’s all I mean.”

When the scholar still looked hesitant, his friend added coaxingly,

“I won’t ask you to visit anywhere else. We’ll just stop at Lotus Peak and come straight back down.”

At that, even the scholar who had been stubbornly resisting began to waver. Who knew? Perhaps he really would pass the civil service examination with flying colors next year.

But one rumor still bothered him.

“I heard Huashan is crawling with martial artists…”

“If you mean Huashan’s Daoists, there’s nothing to worry about. An acquaintance of mine went there years ago and said he didn’t have any trouble.”

“Ahem. Then shall we give it a try?”

The scholar made a show of giving in as he rose, but suddenly lost his balance and staggered. The strength drained completely from his legs, which had been trembling for some time.

He was about to crack the back of his head against one of the many table corners scattered around him.

“Huh? Wh-whoa!”

Just as he was about to fall with a short scream, a rough, sturdy hand braced the scholar’s back.

“Ugh. I barely survived that.”

After barely righting himself, the scholar sighed in relief and looked at the owner of the hand.

The young man looked to be around thirty. He wore a white robe and had an ordinary appearance, but he offered the scholar a gentle smile.

“Are you all right?”

“Th-thank you, Young Master.”

“It was nothing.”

Having narrowly escaped disaster, the scholar looked at the young man with curiosity.

He looks ordinary.

He was of middling height and had a slender build. Yet he had supported the scholar, who outweighed him by several dozen pounds, with one hand.

Wondering whether he might be a martial artist, the scholar glanced at his waist. It was bare, so apparently not.

He’s much stronger than he looks.

Regardless, the young man had saved his life. The sages of old had said that repaying kindness was a person’s duty.

“Thank you again. Thanks to you, Young Master, I avoided a terrible mishap.”

“I only did what anyone should have done. Please don’t concern yourself with it.”

“You helped me greatly. How could I leave it at a few words? Why don’t you join us? The meal is on me.”

His fellow scholar cut in with an incredulous look.

“What are you talking about? What about Huashan? What about Lotus Peak?”

“Didn’t you just see me nearly go to the grave? This is a sign that I should rest at the inn. And since the Young Master here saved me, I ought to repay him. Isn’t that right?”

The young man smiled and waved him off.

“I’m really fine. I’m waiting for my companions.”

“Companions? I’ve been watching you, and you’ve been sitting here alone for more than a shichen.”

“Ha-ha. It seems something came up and they’re running late. I have no choice but to wait.”

He had already been there for more than a shichen, and he still intended to keep waiting? He was as good-natured on the inside as he looked.

Still, with the young man saying he had companions, the scholar could hardly insist that he join them. He smacked his lips regretfully.

“Then it can’t be helped. May peace prevail throughout your household for as long as you live, and may you enjoy good health and a long life.”

“Huashan! Lotus Peak!”

“I’m going, so shut that obnoxious trap of yours.”

“I knew I could count on you.”

“I might just throw you off the summit of Lotus Peak.”

The scholar glared at his companion and was just about to take a step when—

Bang!

A deafening boom that made everyone’s hair stand on end rang out. The inn’s door was smashed apart, and a man and a woman appeared amid a thunderous shout.

“We’re here!”

“Eunhyang’s here too!”

Every patron in the inn stared at them with their mouths hanging open.

They were shocked by the man’s enormous physique and the beautiful girl’s appearance.

What kind of combination is that?

Good heavens. I’ve never seen anyone so huge in my life.

The inn fell silent. Only one person showed no surprise—the young man who had helped the scholar moments before.

“You’re late.”

The man, who stood several heads taller than everyone else, scratched his head vigorously.

“I’m sorry. We got caught up in a little dispute on the way.”

“What happened that made you more than a shichen late?”

“Well, the thing is…”

When the man began to mumble, the girl who had introduced herself as Eunhyang cut in with a broad grin.

“Big Brother, have you ever heard of the Black Serpent Sect?”

“The Black Serpent Sect? I can’t say I have. Going by the name alone, they don’t sound like they do much good.”

“That’s right. They’re a dark-path gang that runs a gambling den just up ahead. Their boss took one look at Brother Chulwoo and asked if he wanted to work with them… Mmph! Mmph-mmph!”

“No, he didn’t! I swear! I look so innocent!”

The man named Chulwoo covered Eunhyang’s mouth and protested, but no one in the inn believed him.

Look at that face. With a face like that, he’s already one of the dark-path figures.

Even if I were the Black Serpent Sect’s boss, I’d have tried to recruit him.

He’d be their number-one pick. Number one.

Everyone only muttered those words inwardly because Chulwoo had widened his eyes and was glaring around the room. Faced with the gaze of an enraged beast, the people could only swallow nervously.

Of course, one person was an exception again.

“So, what happened?”

At the young man’s question, Chulwoo answered at once.

“I just told them I wasn’t interested and sent them away.”

“Is that true?”

Chulwoo’s gaze slid away.

“Y-yes, it’s true.”

“There’s blood on your fist.”

“Gasp! Really? I definitely wiped it off!”

“…”

“…”

“Mmph. Mmph!”

The young man let out a deep sigh.

“Let go of Eunhyang first.”

“…Yes, Senior Brother.”

“Mmph—phew!”

Eunhyang was finally released. She scrunched up her face and spat repeatedly.

“Ugh, salty. When did you last wash your hands, Brother?”

“Yesterday.”

“What? I could swear I’ve seen you visit the privy at least five times between yesterday and today. Then…”

“Ahh!”

“It’s all right. I smell wonderful even if I only bathe once every fifteen days.”

“Are you insane? No wonder women hate you.”

“What did you say?”

As the two growled at each other, the young man rubbed the corners of his eyes wearily.

These two were notorious troublemakers even within their sect. He had known that something like this would happen eventually, but he hadn’t expected them to cause trouble before they had even left Xi’an.

I couldn’t refuse when it was the Sect Leader’s order.

What could he do? He could only consider it his karma.

Already half drained of energy, he spoke.

“Do you both want to go back? Should I tell the Sect Leader to put you through wall-facing meditation until you come to your senses?”

“Gasp! No, Senior Brother.”

“I’m fine too, Big Brother.”

The young man deliberately hardened his expression.

“Come now. I’m not Big Brother. I’m your Senior Brother.”

“Yes, Big Brother.”

“Eunhyang, you… Phew. Never mind.”

“Hehe.”

How powerful was a beauty’s smile?

When Eunhyang smiled sweetly, the chilly atmosphere in the inn warmed at once.

That was when the innkeeper, who had been watching them nervously, approached.

“Um, sirs…”

The young man recognized the innkeeper and spoke with an apologetic expression.

“Ah, I’m sorry for causing such a commotion. We’ll leave right away.”

“No, that’s not it…”

The innkeeper glanced at Chulwoo with terrified eyes before continuing with difficulty.

“Compensation, please.”

“Ah.”

Only then did the smashed door come into view.

As the young man sighed again, Chulwoo swiftly pulled a silver nyang from a heavy pouch.

“This should be enough.”

“Where did you get this silver nyang?”

Eunhyang answered with a bright smile.

“The Black Serpent Sect.”

Chulwoo cried out in horror.

“Hey!”

“What? I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“You took a jade hairpin, too!”

“Oops. How did you know?”

“…”

Apparently, smashing the Black Serpent Sect hadn’t been enough. They had stripped the place of its valuables as well. The young man’s forehead began to throb.

“Return it immediately.”

“Senior Brother, even if those men kept this wealth, they’d only use it for evil deeds.”

“That’s right. Since it’s already happened, we could eat something delicious while we travel to our destination…”

The young man cut them off in a stern voice.

“Since when was running a gambling den an evil deed? Or have you seen them commit any evil with your own eyes?”

“We don’t need to see it. It’s obvious. They’re dark-path figures.”

“How could this vast Murim contain only one color? And if the Black Serpent Sect were truly a group of villains, the main sect would have taken action long ago.”

“But…”

“Enough. We’re in a hurry, so we’ll leave the valuables here. Is that all right, Innkeeper?”

By now, everyone in the inn knew that these people were martial artists—and that they had made enemies of one of Xi’an’s dark-path factions.

The innkeeper, who desperately wanted to avoid entanglement with martial artists, looked as though he had stepped in filth.

“G-Great Hero, forgive me, but this is more than an old man like me can handle.”

Chulwoo, about to lose the fruits of his hard work, spoke gruffly.

“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen.”

“Nothing may happen right now, but once you leave, I’ll be in serious trouble.”

“Come now, I said that won’t happen. Even after we leave, they won’t be able to touch a hair on your head.”

“No, that’s not something you can say so easily…”

Is his brain made of muscle too? He’s damn short-sighted.

The innkeeper couldn’t bring himself to say that aloud and could only suffer in silence. At that moment, the young man smiled calmly.

“When they come, just tell them one thing along with this pouch.”

“Great Heroes, I don’t think you understand what I’m saying…”

The innkeeper’s words were cut short by the young man’s voice.

“Tell them that Baek Museong, a first-generation disciple of Huashan, apologizes for his junior disciples’ mistake.”

The inn fell silent.

The name Huashan was intimidating enough, but the young man’s name also sounded familiar, as though they had heard it somewhere before.

“Baek Museong of Huashan?”

“Baek Museong… Baek Museong… Wait. Could it be?”

Xi’an was practically Huashan’s front yard. It didn’t take long for a few martial arts aficionados to realize the young man’s identity.

“Baek Museong, Huashan’s Lone Crane!”

The title had been given to him because of his lofty bearing, like that of a solitary crane.

Renowned as an outstanding prodigy from the moment he entered Huashan, he also held another title.

“If he’s Huashan’s Lone Crane, isn’t he the first of the Three Plum Blossom Elites?”

The current Sect Leader of Huashan had three disciples, every one of whom had grown into an outstanding master.

Naturally, they had been appointed Plum Blossom Swordsmen—the pride of Huashan—and soon distinguished themselves.

“I heard one of them was a woman… Then are those two—?”

“Why even ask? Didn’t you hear her call Huashan’s Lone Crane her Senior Brother?”

“Good heavens. I never thought I’d live to see all of the Three Plum Blossom Elites in a place like this.”

Ignoring the exclamations erupting throughout the inn, Baek Museong spoke.

“Would it really be impossible?”

The innkeeper answered with a solemn expression.

“I’ll return this property to the Black Serpent Sect at the risk of my life. At your command!”

“…”

“Ah, that’s right.”

At Baek Museong’s mutter, his two junior disciples turned toward him.

“What is it, Senior Brother?”

“Did you leave something behind?”

Baek Museong shook his head.

“I forgot to tell him that Huashan has been sealed off.”

“Tell who?”

“I don’t know his name. That man is going to drag his aching legs all the way there for nothing.”

Eunhyang clicked her tongue sympathetically.

“What a shame. He won’t have a chance for the next few months.”

“Indeed.”

They recalled the incident that had thrown all of Huashan into an uproar several days earlier.

While the Sect Leader—in other words, their Master—was asleep, an intruder had entered and left without anyone noticing.

The intruder had committed the audacious act of leaving a dagger and a handwritten letter beside the Sect Leader’s head.

“I’m going out to get some air. Don’t slack off just because you’ve become Sect Leader. Train your martial arts when you should be sleeping.”

Under ordinary circumstances, they would have immediately cast a dragnet across the entire mountain. But if the intruder’s identity was Sword Saint Mae Jonghak, the matter was different.

The Sect Leader had immediately sealed Huashan tight and ordered a search for the Sword Saint’s place of seclusion. The search had continued ever since.

“Grandmaster really is something. He’s an amazing person.”

“I’d only heard about him. I didn’t know he was this extraordinary either.”

“If that messenger pigeon hadn’t arrived, we would have been stuck searching Huashan too.”

In the midst of all that, the messenger pigeon that flew in from Shanxi Province had been a light of salvation.

After much deliberation, Huashan’s leaders had decided to dispatch the exceptional talents known as the Three Plum Blossom Elites.

“But what about that person named Cheongpung? Have you ever met him, Senior Brother?”

“Yes. Once, ten years ago.”

A disciple whom Sword Saint Mae Jonghak had raised like a son—like a grandson.

Baek Museong had been there that day ten years ago as well. The eyes of Huashan’s Lone Crane, Baek Museong, gleamed.

“I’m looking forward to it. I wonder how much he’s grown.”