Chapter 196

Chapter 196: Will Stronger Than Poison Exists (3)

Following the Demonic Cult's recent assault, an atmosphere of war hung over the Shouzhou branch. Reinforcements had arrived from nearby sects, and the Martial Alliance had also dispatched emergency troops.

The Demonic Cult's forces that had attacked the Shouzhou branch had established camp on nearby Mount Heng and were regrouping their strength.

The distance between Mount Heng and Shouzhou was a mere two hundred li or so. For a martial artist of exceptional movement technique, it was a distance that could be covered in a single day.

The tension of war escalated with each passing day, and anxiety was etched on every face. The war clouds that had gathered over Shouzhou now spread to neighboring Shanyin County and even to Zhengyang.

Word of the clash between the Demonic Cult and the Martial Alliance at the Shouzhou branch had reached the ears of Sage Hyeon-so.

"So they have clashed after all."

He released a heavy sigh.

The confrontation between the Demonic Cult and the Martial Alliance had been reported even here at the North Boundary Mountain. Naturally, Sage Hyeon-so was plagued by worry.

"I cannot simply pack up the children and leave…"

He was responsible for more than ten children. Moving with that many was arduous enough; finding a new place of residence was even more difficult.

"Ahh…"

In every direction, Sage Hyeon-so's worries multiplied.

"Grandfather!"

From a distance, Ha-yeong came toddling over. Though Sage Hyeon-so's face was heavy with concern, the moment he saw Ha-yeong, a smile bloomed.

"What is it?"

"That…"

"Hmm?"

"There's another grandfather."

"Another grandfather?"

"Uh-huh!"

Ha-yeong nodded.

A puzzled expression appeared on Sage Hyeon-so's face.

"Will you show me where he is?"

"Uh-huh!"

Ha-yeong nodded again and took Sage Hyeon-so's hand. Through her small palm, warmth was transmitted, and Sage Hyeon-so momentarily forgot his worries and smiled.

Ha-yeong toddled along, leading Sage Hyeon-so.

"Really?"

"Is that true?"

Ha-yeong had led him to the entrance of the Clear Stream Valley. Where the stream flowed, the children under Sage Hyeon-so's care were gathered in a tight cluster, listening to someone speak.

"Heh heh! Of course it is true. Shall I show you?"

"Yes!"

"But my body is not well at the moment, so it will have to wait."

"Aw! I knew you were lying."

"Ha ha ha!"

The old man laughed heartily despite the children's jeers.

He appeared to be a good ten years older than Sage Hyeon-so. His hair was as white as freshly fallen snow.

The old man gazed at the children with a faint smile. His eyes were filled with a warm light.

Then, turning his head toward Sage Hyeon-so, he spoke.

"Oh my! It seems the guest's commotion has drawn the host out. My apologies."

"Not at all."

"My name is Cheon O-gyeong. I was passing through and found the scenery here so lovely that I stopped without permission."

"Not at all. I too am merely staying here temporarily. How can anyone claim ownership over the grandeur of nature?"

"Heh heh! Your gracious words are deeply appreciated."

The man who had introduced himself as Cheon O-gyeong smiled. From his manner of speech and the light in his eyes, Sage Hyeon-so sensed a profound depth of wisdom.

'This is no ordinary man.'

He had never encountered such a deep, penetrating gaze even among the senior brothers of the Mount Hua Sect. It left a lasting impression on Sage Hyeon-so.

"If you are not too busy, might I offer you a cup of tea? I would be honored to serve."

"I hope I am not imposing."

"Not at all."

"Then, with your kind permission, I shall accept."

Cheon O-gyeong rose from his seat. His ethereal bearing became even more pronounced.

'If immortals exist, they must look like this.'

Sage Hyeon-so marveled inwardly as he observed Cheon O-gyeong.

Though he himself was a Taoist who pursued the Dao, Cheon O-gyeong's appearance evoked the image of a true immortal.

The children crowded around Sage Hyeon-so.

They chattered and giggled.

"That grandfather is really funny."

"What is so funny about me?"

"Well, he says he can fly through the sky!"

"What?"

"It's funny, right? How can a person fly through the sky? So when we asked him to prove it, he said he couldn't right now. Ha ha ha!"

The children burst into innocent laughter.

Cheon O-gyeong scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed expression. Sage Hyeon-so offered an apology on his behalf.

"I apologize. The children are rather mischievous. I hope they have not caused you any trouble."

"Not at all. It has been a long time since I have been around such pure-hearted children. I am enjoying myself."

"I am glad you see it that way."

"Oh! By the way, what is your Taoist name?"

"How did you know I was a Taoist?"

A look of surprise appeared on Sage Hyeon-so's face. At present, he was not wearing his Taoist robes but ordinary clothes. At least by outward appearance, there was no way to tell he was a Taoist.

Cheon O-gyeong smiled.

"How could I not, when you radiate such profound spiritual energy?"

"Spiritual energy?"

Sage Hyeon-so wore a puzzled expression. Cheon O-gyeong's smile deepened.

Sage Hyeon-so gazed at Cheon O-gyeong's smile in a daze for a moment before suddenly realizing his own state and flushing with embarrassment.

"Amitabha. My name is Hyeon-so."

"So you are Sage Hyeon-so. It is an honor to meet you."

"No, the honor is mine."

"Might you have any rice wine in addition to tea? My mouth feels rather parched, and wine would be more welcome."

At Cheon O-gyeong's words, Sage Hyeon-so burst into laughter.

"Ha ha! I do have plum wine that I brewed last autumn."

"Plum wine is wonderful."

"It has not been long since it was brewed, so the flavor has not fully developed yet. But I believe it is still drinkable."

"Ha ha! This old man is in luck today. Not only have I met a Taoist as spiritually refined as yourself, but I am also fortunate enough to enjoy delicious plum wine. I do not know how to repay such kindness."

The two returned to the dwelling with the children.

Cheon O-gyeong sat on a bench and took in the surrounding scenery. A cool breeze swept through, gently lifting his hair.

"How pleasant. What a fine place."

Looking at the North Boundary Mountain in its entirety, it was desolate and barren—except for this Clear Stream Valley, where warm sunlight streamed down. With the addition of the cool breeze, there could be no finer place.

At that moment, Sage Hyeon-so emerged carrying the jar of plum wine. He had not even removed the lid, yet the fragrant aroma already clouded the senses.

"I was unable to prepare any snacks."

"What need have I for snacks? With such magnificent scenery, fine company, and a cool breeze, what more could one desire?"

Cheon O-gyeong's words resonated deep within Sage Hyeon-so's heart.

Without hesitation, Sage Hyeon-so broke the seal on the jar. The aroma of the wine intensified.

The two took turns pouring for one another.

Neither knew the other's true identity, but neither cared.

Such was the nature of true connoisseurs of wine. When those who appreciated its taste came together, only the present moment mattered.

Sage Hyeon-so felt an inexplicable kinship with Cheon O-gyeong, and Cheon O-gyeong likewise found Sage Hyeon-so to his liking.

How many rounds had they exchanged?

Their faces had turned a healthy red.

"How truly fine this is. To share a cup with a brother like you—this must be the second finest day of my life."

Before long, they were calling each other brother and younger brother.

As it turned out, Cheon O-gyeong was more than twenty years Sage Hyeon-so's senior. With age came a wealth of knowledge.

Astronomy, geography, Taoist scriptures, military strategy—there was no field where his knowledge did not reach. Thanks to this, no matter what topic Sage Hyeon-so raised, their conversation flowed without a hitch.

Sage Hyeon-so could not help but admire Cheon O-gyeong. In all his years, no one had ever inspired such admiration.

"You are truly remarkable, Brother. Today, sharing this fellowship with you, is the second finest day of my life as well."

"Is that so? I am curious—when was the first?"

"When I accepted my disciple."

"Ho! You as well?"

"Then you too?"

"Indeed. I also once took a disciple. Watching that child grow was the most joyful moment of my life."

Cheon O-gyeong drained his cup.

A trickle of wine ran along his white beard.

The wine tasted particularly fine when drunk while reminiscing about one's disciple. Sage Hyeon-so felt the same. He drained his cup while thinking of Dam Ho.

The smiles that appeared on their faces were naturally similar.

Sage Hyeon-so asked.

"Where is your disciple now?"

"Who knows. I have heard he is well, but I do not know where he is at present."

"He seems to live freely."

"Free? I hope that is truly the case. Free from all bonds."

"Is that so? I am the same. Come to think of it, it has been four years since I last saw my disciple."

"Four years without seeing your disciple? Are you not curious about how he is doing?"

"No news is good news, I suppose."

"Heh heh! Were you always this detached?"

"If only everything in the world went as one wished. He is grown now, and I cannot keep him restrained forever. Life is short—if he wishes to live as he chooses, who am I to stop him?"

"You must trust your disciple a great deal."

"I do. He is a deeply flawed fellow, but he has inherited at least seventy percent of my insight."

"Is that so?"

Sage Hyeon-so thought that Cheon O-gyeong's pride was considerable.

Cheon O-gyeong murmured in a low voice.

"Since I took him because he was useful, I expect he will prove so."

"Excuse me?"

"There are things like that."

Cheon O-gyeong smiled gently. From that smile, Sage Hyeon-so glimpsed the ease of a supreme master.

Suddenly, a shadow crossed Sage Hyeon-so's face.

Though he lived in seclusion from the world, he was not without perception.

As far as he knew, there was no martial artist in the orthodox sects who possessed Cheon O-gyeong's aura.

'That means…'

As though reading Sage Hyeon-so's inner thoughts, Cheon O-gyeong's gaze turned to him.

"There is still wine left, is there not? With such fine wine before us, let us not trouble ourselves with heavy thoughts. Whatever comes after, it will come."

"I understand."

"Thank you. For understanding…"

Cheon O-gyeong drained his cup. The fragrance of plum blossoms lingered in his mouth.

Sage Hyeon-so raised his cup in kind. Cheon O-gyeong spoke as he watched.

"You have no doubt already guessed, but I am from the Holy Sect."

"Is… is that so?"

"And you must be from the Mount Hua Sect. That profound yet plum-blossom-laden spiritual energy can only be cultivated at Mount Hua. It is a truly unfortunate thing that we of the martial world must fight each other like this."

"Brother… will you not be joining the battle?"

"Not all who belong to the Holy Sect desire war. There are factions like mine that do not wish for conflict."

"It seems there are many factions within the Holy Sect."

"That is because our history is so long. What the martial world knows of the Holy Sect is but a fraction of the whole. People believe that during the great war between the orthodox and demonic paths, the Holy Sect was destroyed. But that was only the defeat of the war faction. The rest endure. And now the war faction has regained its former glory—no, surpassed it."

Cheon O-gyeong extended his cup. Sage Hyeon-so filled it to the brim.

His feelings were too complex for words.

A member of the Demonic Cult—surely a practitioner of the Demonic Path—and yet Cheon O-gyeong's bearing was reminiscent of an immortal. Even his speech carried a refined dignity.

Could one simply label Cheon O-gyeong an evil person because he hailed from the Demonic Cult? Was every person from the orthodox sects truly righteous?

Sage Hyeon-so, who had witnessed all manner of corruption even within the Mount Hua Sect—one of the pillars of the orthodox path—could not say so with certainty.

'What is righteous, and what is demonic?'

His unceasing questions rose and faded in his mind.