Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Into the World Beyond (1)

Dam Ho rose at dawn.

The sky had not yet brightened. Dam Ho set to work briskly. First, he washed the rice and set it to cook.

At that moment, Yeon So-ha approached him.

"You are up early. Is there anything I can help with?"

"There is not."

Dam Ho's reply was curt. His firm refusal left Yeon So-ha looking faintly embarrassed.

Dam Ho paid her no mind and took out the preserved vegetables, beginning to season them with care.

Yeon So-ha watched him work, fascinated.

Since joining the Wudang Sect, she had never once cooked a meal.

She was not an outer disciple or a Second Generation Disciple—she was a First Generation Disciple.

Moreover, she was Sage Cheong-heo's disciple. It was better for the Wudang Sect that she spend her time practicing martial arts rather than preparing food.

Dam Ho was likewise a First Generation Disciple of the Mount Hua Sect. For one of his standing to cook personally could only seem remarkable.

Dam Ho's feelings about cooking were also unique.

When he had begun in earnest to study martial arts, cooking had fallen entirely to his Master, Sage Hyeon-so. It was his Master's consideration—so that Dam Ho could spend that time training.

Now that he was about to resume his training, there would be even less time to cook for his Master. Before descending the mountain, he wanted to prepare a meal for him, even if only once.

Thus Dam Ho cooked with the utmost care. His manner was so solemn that Yeon So-ha could only watch in silence.

When the meal was nearly ready, Sage Cheong-heo returned. Having risen earlier than Yeon So-ha, he had gone on a walk to absorb the spiritual energy of Mount Hua.

"That smells wonderful."

Dam Ho bowed his head to Sage Cheong-heo.

At that moment, Sage Hyeon-so emerged from the room.

"Ooh! My head…"

"Master."

"You are up already? No—I am the last one?"

Sage Hyeon-so pressed his temples as though his head still ached. At his appearance, both Sage Cheong-heo and Yeon So-ha smiled.

"Are you feeling better?"

"I am… fine. No, I do not think I am."

Sage Hyeon-so shook his head and slumped onto the platform. His candor drew smiles not only from Sage Cheong-heo but from Yeon So-ha as well.

Dam Ho carried the tray of food to the platform.

"Eating this should settle your stomach."

"Mmm! Thank you, Ho-ya. Everyone, please eat."

"A guest can only be grateful."

Sage Cheong-heo took his seat first, and Yeon So-ha settled beside him. The platform where the two of them had always eaten now held two more.

Though only two additional people had joined, the atmosphere was incomparably more lively.

Dam Ho lifted his chopsticks, then paused, staring straight ahead. The others' gazes followed his.

Plum petals danced upon the wind. They drifted down to the platform where Dam Ho sat.

"The finest scenery under heaven! The finest meal of my life!"

Sage Cheong-heo's hearty laughter rang out.

***

After the meal, it fell to Dam Ho to wash the dishes as well. Without a word of protest, he set to the task.

Yeon So-ha watched him closely.

'Ten thousand hammers? Does that mean he has been forged ten thousand times?'

These were the words of her Master, Sage Cheong-heo. There was no reason for him to speak nonsense to his own disciple.

Sensing her gaze, Dam Ho raised his head and looked at her.

"Is there something on my face?"

"No."

Yeon So-ha shook her head. Dam Ho returned to his washing. His manner reminded her of someone.

'He reminds me somewhat of Senior Brother Jin…'

In that instant, Yeon So-ha shook her head.

'Nonsense. They look nothing alike, and their temperaments are entirely different. It must be a figment of my imagination.'

She denied her own thought.

Just as a talent named Myeong-gyeong had appeared in the Mount Hua Sect, carrying forward the insights of Grandmaster Hyeon-geom, so too had a once-in-a-century genius emerged in the Wudang Sect.

His name was Jin Mu-ying. He was spoken of as the greatest talent the Wudang Sect had produced in a hundred years, excelling in every respect—ability, instinct, and gift.

Why else would all the Wudang elders crowd around him, each eager to pass on their martial arts?

Jin Mu-ying absorbed everything he was taught and elevated it even further. His terrifying talent left the Wudang Sect trembling.

The consensus among the Wudang elders was that with Jin Mu-ying's arrival, the Wudang Sect's position in the martial world would remain unshaken for the next hundred years.

Jin Mu-ying was the opposite of Dam Ho in every way.

He was not taciturn like Dam Ho, but always wore a smile. He was courteous to everyone, never overstepped his bounds, and faithfully performed his duties.

For this, many people liked and followed Jin Mu-ying. Yeon So-ha was one of those who respected and admired him. She could therefore claim to know Jin Mu-ying better than anyone.

Certainly, Jin Mu-ying bore no resemblance to Dam Ho before her eyes. And yet, as she looked at Dam Ho, he inexplicably came to mind—strange indeed.

Her gaze suddenly fell upon Dam Ho's hands as he washed the dishes.

Those rough, scarred hands came into view. The backs of his hands, far larger and coarser than an ordinary man's, and calluses thick as stone.

'Why did I not notice such obvious signs before?'

Generally, when meeting a martial artist from another sect, one observed carefully. From the shape of the muscles, the form of the fists, and the build, one could infer the type of martial arts practiced and the level of attainment.

Yeon So-ha was among those who had developed this habit. Yet even she had neglected to observe when she first saw Dam Ho.

After some reflection, she realized the reason.

'Because I was focused only on his limp. Because I pitied him, I unconsciously forgot that he was a martial artist of the Mount Hua Sect.'

Yeon So-ha blamed herself for letting her guard down based solely on appearances. It was an error born of insufficient experience.

Now she understood why her Master had brought her here.

'My Master is filling in the gaps in my experience.'

Yeon So-ha felt anew the depth of Sage Cheong-heo's consideration. She realized how fortunate she was to have such a man as her Master.

The unexpected trip to Mount Hua had given her much.

"Young Hero Cheong-gyeong."

"…"

At the sound of her voice, Dam Ho raised his head and looked at her. Even beneath his indifferent gaze, Yeon So-ha smiled.

"It is truly beautiful here. Mount Hua…"

Dam Ho nodded in silence.

By the time Dam Ho's party arrived at the Cloud Mist Palace, the sun had already risen to its zenith. Before the palace, the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect were already lined in formation.

"Martial Uncle, we will escort you."

Mu-gyeong approached Sage Hyeon-so. Behind him, Un-gyeong and thirty disciples stood in rows.

"They are all coming as well?"

"Yes."

"At the Grandmaster's behest?"

"Yes."

Sage Hyeon-so gave a rueful smile.

The disciples accompanying Un-gyeong were among the most promising talents the Mount Hua Sect had to offer.

'The Grandmaster has truly staked everything. To send the sect's most promising talents on a journey of uncertain danger.'

They were none other than the future of the Mount Hua Sect. From their inclusion in this expedition, Sage Hyeon-so could discern how the Grandmaster viewed the current crisis.

'Turning crisis into opportunity. And using the Wudang's protection to give the Mount Hua Sect's disciples as much experience as possible.'

Sage Hyeon-so shook his head, dispelling his wandering thoughts. Whatever the truth, this was the expedition to which he had been assigned.

He bore responsibility for protecting the Mount Hua Sect's disciples as well.

Sage Hyeon-so beckoned.

"Come here, Ho-ya."

Dam Ho, who had been standing at a distance, approached. At that moment, Un-gyeong spoke:

"Cheong-gyeong is joining as well?"

"He is."

"It is too dangerous, Martial Uncle. For Cheong-gyeong's sake, it would be better to leave him at the Mount Hua Sect."

Un-gyeong's blunt words made Sage Hyeon-so frown for a moment.

"It is fine."

"We are already strained protecting you alone, Martial Uncle. If anything were to happen, we might not be able to attend to Cheong-gyeong."

Un-gyeong's tone was utterly cold and dry. His emotionless manner made Mu-gyeong break into a cold sweat.

"Rude boy, what kind of talk is that before your Martial Uncle?"

"I am speaking the truth, Senior Brother."

"The Martial Uncle has his reasons. That is enough. Drop it."

"Understood."

As Mu-gyeong's voice hardened, Un-gyeong quietly withdrew. But his eyes held no concession.

Mu-gyeong looked to Dam Ho.

"It is only the Second Brother's concern speaking. Do not take it to heart."

"I am not concerned."

Dam Ho's words were sincere. Yet Mu-gyeong still could not conceal his apologetic expression.

He bowed his head to Sage Hyeon-so.

"I am sorry, Martial Uncle."

"Hah!"

Sage Hyeon-so sighed in lieu of a reply. Mu-gyeong's expression grew even more awkward.

Mu-gyeong called out to the blameless disciples:

"Everyone is ready, I trust?"

"Yes!"

The disciples' voices echoed across Mount Hua.

Their spirit pierced the heavens.

"It appears all is prepared. Shall we descend, then?"

Sage Cheong-heo stepped forward. Mu-gyeong nodded.

"Everyone, move out."

"Yes!"

Led by Mu-gyeong, the Mount Hua disciples began their descent.

Sage Hyeon-so was about to follow when he suddenly turned to look back at the Cloud Mist Palace. In the second-floor window, a familiar face was visible.

'The Grandmaster.'

Sage Hyeon-cheon gazed down, his eyes so deep it was impossible to read his thoughts.

Sage Hyeon-so offered a fist-and-palm salute to Sage Hyeon-cheon, then descended the mountain.

Sage Hyeon-cheon stood motionless in that spot until his disciples' forms had vanished from view.

He had climbed and descended Mount Hua every day. There should have been nothing remarkable about it. Yet today was different.

Dam Ho looked back at the path he had descended with new eyes.

He could see the treacherous trails represented by Hundred Fathom Cliff and Thousand Fathom Hall. Upon those near-vertical stone stairs, his blood and sweat were steeped.

Dam Ho committed every sight, one by one, to his memory.

At that moment, Mu-gyeong approached, smiling.

"Why the long face? As if you were never coming back."

"…"

"I was joking, joking. Come now."

Mu-gyeong draped an arm over Dam Ho's shoulder. His gaze turned to Mount Hua.

"Isn't it magnificent? Mount Hua when the plum blossoms bloom… How could one not love such a mountain? So do not worry. We will return safely. And when we do, Mount Hua will welcome us once more, blanketed in plum blossoms."

Dam Ho did not reply. But Mu-gyeong believed he felt the same way. That was why he did not notice the coldness that entered Dam Ho's eyes.

'I do not love Mount Hua for its plum blossoms. No matter how full they bloom, a Mount Hua without my Master is not so important a place to me.'