Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Disciple Looks to the Master, the Master Comforts the Disciple (Part 3)

Emerald Cloud Palace.

It was the name of the Taoist hall at the summit of Lotus Peak on Mount Hua. The hall, which was predominantly red in hue, was special for one reason alone: it was the residence of the Grandmaster of the Mount Hua Sect.

From Emerald Cloud Palace, the entirety of the Mount Hua Sect lay spread below. The towering peaks, the distant Huaam County—everything was visible. But what was most remarkable was the spectacle of countless stars that filled the sky at night and the sunrise that greeted the dawn.

The current Grandmaster of the Mount Hua Sect was Sage Hyeon-cheon. He was relatively young for the leader of one of the Nine Great Sects—barely into his early fifties.

Sage Hyeon-cheon had assumed the position of Grandmaster in his thirties with no preparation whatsoever, and twenty years had since passed. In that time, he had earned praise for leading the Mount Hua Sect better than anyone could have.

Across a small table from Sage Hyeon-cheon sat a middle-aged Taoist. The Taoist, who radiated an aura sharp as a blade's edge, was Sage Hyeon-geom.

Sage Hyeon-cheon set down the teacup in his hand and spoke.

"Your achievement is truly remarkable, Junior Brother. At last, the Mount Hua Sect possesses a master of whom it need not be ashamed. This Elder Brother can rest easy."

"I am still far from where I need to be. To restore the former glory of the Mount Hua Sect, I must press onward."

"You are dependable."

Sage Hyeon-cheon smiled at the taciturn Sage Hyeon-geom.

'My Junior Brother's attainment is truly extraordinary. The day we restore Mount Hua's glory draws near.'

Might was the measure of a sect's stature.

For a sect to flourish, it needed not a hundred mediocre masters but one supreme master. And that was precisely what the Mount Hua Sect needed now.

"You have worked hard. The path you walk will become the path of Mount Hua. Do not forget that this Elder Brother is always cheering you on."

"It is thanks to your sacrifice, Senior Brother. Without you, the Mount Hua Sect could not have risen from ruins so quickly."

"Both you and I have endured much."

A shadow crossed Sage Hyeon-cheon's eyes.

Twenty years ago, when he had become Grandmaster, everything had been dark and hopeless. The senior masters who should have guided the next generation had all perished, and the sect's lineage was on the verge of extinction.

He had not known what to do or where to begin. His heart had been heavy, and tears had flowed without restraint.

But he had to do something. Sage Hyeon-cheon had poured everything he had into the revival of the Mount Hua Sect. In the process, he had not even had time to practice martial arts.

In the end, Sage Hyeon-cheon had been forced to choose. And so he had abandoned martial arts. Instead, he had poured all his resources into Sage Hyeon-geom—the most talented of his fellow disciples. The Mount Hua Sect's secret manuals, the few remaining rare elixirs—all of it.

Though he had been unable to pass on the Self-Nature Heart Method due to the restriction that only the Grandmaster could learn it, Sage Hyeon-geom had gained insights no less profound.

While Sage Hyeon-geom devoted himself to martial arts, Sage Hyeon-cheon had run himself ragged for the sake of the Mount Hua Sect's revival. He had met with outer disciples to request support, sought out other sects for cooperation.

He had lived like a madman for twenty years, and in the end, the Mount Hua Sect of today had been forged. Sage Hyeon-geom knew this. And so he respected Sage Hyeon-cheon more than anyone.

"Now that you have emerged from seclusion, we have some room to maneuver."

"Now I shall assist you, Senior Brother."

"Just hearing those words bolsters my spirits. Now all that remains is to raise a disciple who can inherit your attainment. A second sword of Mount Hua must emerge before I can manage the sect with a clear mind. How goes the selection of your disciple?"

"It progresses well."

"That is a relief. I shall bestow upon your chosen disciple a Plum Blossom Divine Elixir, as a special gift."

"Thank you, Grandmaster."

The Plum Blossom Divine Elixir was the supreme elixir of the Mount Hua Sect, granted only to the one who would become Grandmaster.

Its formula had been lost, and no more could be made. Of the remaining supply, only two pills existed. To bestow such a rare treasure upon the one who would become Sage Hyeon-geom's disciple was a testament to the immense expectations placed upon them.

Sage Hyeon-cheon smiled.

This was a matter of finding the one who would inherit the sword of Mount Hua. It was a matter of the utmost importance—no carelessness could be tolerated.

"Among the First Generation Disciples, is there anyone who stands out?"

In that instant, a slight furrow appeared between Sage Hyeon-geom's brows. He was thinking of what had happened earlier that day.

Those intense eyes that had gazed at him—it did not seem likely to fade from memory anytime soon.

Sage Hyeon-cheon shook his head.

"The First Generation Disciples have already reached a certain level of completion. It would not be easy for them to receive my martial arts from that state."

"Then you intend to look among the Second Generation Disciples and the outer disciples as well?"

"Talent knows no rank. To become the sword that represents the great Mount Hua Sect requires perfect talent and blood-soaked effort."

"So it would seem."

Sage Hyeon-cheon nodded.

Just as the two men were about to smile—

Kwahh!

The doors of Emerald Cloud Palace burst open as though they might shatter. And the figure who appeared, face flushed crimson with fury, was none other than Sage Hyeon-so.

"Sage Hyeon-geom."

He fixed Sage Hyeon-geom with a blazing stare.

Sage Hyeon-geom was, remarkably, composed. But Sage Hyeon-cheon's reaction was different.

"What is the meaning of this? Sage Hyeon-so. Surely you know where you are—do you think that gives you license to raise your voice?"

"I came because I heard Sage Hyeon-geom was here. Grandmaster."

At Sage Hyeon-so's heated reaction, Sage Hyeon-cheon turned to Sage Hyeon-geom. His eyes asked the question.

Sage Hyeon-geom spoke.

"Have you come because of your disciple?"

"Yes! Why on earth did you brutalize that child so? Did he do something to harm you?"

"No, nothing of the sort occurred."

"Then why did you do it?"

Sage Hyeon-so stared at Sage Hyeon-geom as though he might devour him.

Until now, Sage Hyeon-so had never shown a flicker of emotional turmoil in the Mount Hua Sect. This was the first time he had ever displayed such violent emotion.

The wound to his beloved disciple had driven Sage Hyeon-so to lose his reason. He had come here to confront the one responsible.

Even under the weight of Sage Hyeon-so's fury, Sage Hyeon-geom did not move a muscle.

"Because that is the path that is best for the child."

"Making a wreck of him is what is best for him?"

"No. Abandoning martial arts is what is best for him."

"What utter nonsense!"

Sage Hyeon-so slammed his fist upon the table. The impact sent teacups crashing to the floor.

"Junior Brother, compose yourself."

Sage Hyeon-cheon's brow furrowed, and his voice rose. But Sage Hyeon-so paid him no heed, his eyes fixed on Sage Hyeon-geom.

"Why is abandoning martial arts what is best for him?"

"Do you truly not know?"

"I do not. Truly. I do not know."

"He is a cripple, is he not? How can a boy with a crippled leg ever achieve greatness in the Mount Hua Sect's martial arts? I too find his talent regrettable, but nothing could be done."

"Because he limps, he must not practice martial arts?"

"In other sects, perhaps not—but the martial arts of the Mount Hua Sect are not so gentle that a cripple can master them."

"Senior Brother! I am truly disappointed in you. How can the greatest swordsman of Mount Hua utter such words?"

"And why should the greatest swordsman of Mount Hua not say such things?"

For the first time, anger surfaced on Sage Hyeon-geom's previously expressionless face.

He stepped toward Sage Hyeon-so.

"I tell you, for the sake of the Mount Hua Sect's revival, I will do whatever it takes."

"What does that have to do with ruining my disciple?"

"Did I not tell you? For the child's sake. It is better for him not to harbor futile dreams."

"Sophistry!"

"How is that sophistry? You know it yourself—how difficult and arduous the path of martial arts is. Why else would the Heaven Vault Master have chosen you—a man of limited talent—as his disciple, rather than giving that opportunity to more gifted students? I have never understood it."

In that instant, Sage Hyeon-so's face twisted.

"Senior Brother!"

"I still cannot understand the Heaven Vault Master's choice. Why did he take a disciple with inadequate talent, thereby denying the opportunity to more gifted students? I truly cannot comprehend it."

"That was—"

Sage Hyeon-geom's face had flushed red. Seeing this, Sage Hyeon-so closed his eyes.

'So Senior Brother has carried that incident in his heart all this time.'

It was an event from more than forty years ago.

At that time, the Heaven Vault Master—the greatest martial artist of Mount Hua and a swordsman famous throughout the world—selecting a disciple had been the foremost concern of the Mount Hua Sect. Every disciple naturally aspired to become the Heaven Vault Master's student.

The obvious genius of that era was Sage Hyeon-geom. He had been confident that he would naturally be chosen.

But the one the Heaven Vault Master had selected was Sage Hyeon-so—and having chosen him, the Heaven Vault Master had led him toward the path of a Scholar Taoist rather than passing on his martial arts.

It was an event that left an indelible wound on the ambitious geniuses who had yearned to become the Heaven Vault Master's disciple. And among them, none had been more disappointed than Sage Hyeon-geom.

'If I had received private instruction from the Heaven Vault Master, the Mount Hua Sect would not have endured such difficult times.'

Sage Hyeon-geom clenched his fist.

To achieve his current attainment, he had been forced to take the longest possible detour—when a shorter path had been right before his eyes.

"I did not want the Junior Brother's disciple to wander down a long road before confirming reality. The martial world is not a kind place where cripples can survive. I wanted to show him that quickly. So I used somewhat extreme methods. I apologize for that. But even now, I do not regret my decision."

Sage Hyeon-geom's resolute gaze and tone struck a deep wound in Sage Hyeon-so's heart. His bloodshot eyes proved it.

Sage Hyeon-so turned to Sage Hyeon-cheon.

"What do you think, Grandmaster? Do you believe Sage Hyeon-geom's words are correct?"

At his junior brother's question, Sage Hyeon-cheon closed his eyes tightly. Having heard both sides, he understood how thorny this situation was.

The Grandmaster of the Mount Hua Sect could not afford to render a biased decision. It was an exceedingly difficult position.

Sage Hyeon-cheon addressed Sage Hyeon-so.

"Sage Hyeon-so—is this disciple the boy you took in five years ago?"

"Yes. Grandmaster, did you not also approve of taking that child in? If so, then he is a legitimate member of the Mount Hua Sect. Is it truly so wrong for such a child to practice martial arts? Please, tell me."

"…"

Sage Hyeon-cheon fell into deep deliberation.

He realized the moment of choice had arrived.

Whichever side he supported would determine the future of the Mount Hua Sect.

'The Mount Hua I desire is a perfect Mount Hua—a sect unshaken by any outside force.'

In that moment, Sage Hyeon-cheon made his decision.

"Accepting that child five years ago was my mistake. Had you not asked, I would never have admitted him as a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect."

"Senior Brother?"

Sage Hyeon-so cried out in shock. But Sage Hyeon-cheon continued without pause.

"When Cheong-gyeong awoke, I saw in his eyes the vengeance and killing intent that enveloped him. It was not the kind of thing a child should possess."

Sage Hyeon-cheon's body trembled slightly, as though the memory of that day was vividly returning.

The eyes of one who has killed.

A twelve-year-old boy had possessed eyes that spoke of the willingness to kill whenever necessary.

"If that child learns proper martial arts, he will surely bring calamity upon the Mount Hua Sect."

"What nonsense—"

"I support Sage Hyeon-geom's decision. Let this matter never be raised again, Sage Hyeon-so."

"Grandmaster!"

"This is the decision of the Grandmaster of the Great Mount Hua Sect. It will not be reversed."

Sage Hyeon-so collapsed to the floor. His shoulders shook with tremors.

Sage Hyeon-geom's gaze was cold. Sage Hyeon-cheon's eyes held sympathy. But neither intended to reverse the decision.

After a long while, Sage Hyeon-so staggered to his feet.

"Yes. I understand the Grandmaster's will."

In that brief time, Sage Hyeon-so had wrestled with so many emotions that his face had aged visibly.

He looked at both men in turn.

"Watch and see. Cheong-gyeong will not give up as things stand now. One day, that child will show you just how wrong your prejudice has been."

"I pray that will be so."

"Guide the child well and help him become a fine Scholar Taoist. That, too, is for the child's own good."

Sage Hyeon-so answered with a sorrowful smile rather than words.

He turned and walked from Emerald Cloud Palace. Sage Hyeon-cheon and Sage Hyeon-geom watched his retreating figure in silence.

Sage Hyeon-so's frame looked as though it might collapse at any moment. But he held firm.

He had found a reason he absolutely could not fall.

'Ho-ya, I will never give up on you.'