Chapter 19 A Brief Journey (1)

Chapter 19 A Brief Journey (1)

“What is the status of the Huashan Sect?”

A pair of eyes emerged from the darkness.

They were almost demonic eyes, so powerful that even a butterfly flapping its wings with all its might couldn’t resist their gravitational pull and plummeted downward.

Thud, sizzle.

The fallen butterfly was scorched by embers that suddenly appeared in midair, twitched once, and died.

Seeing this, the shoulders of the two martial artists trembled slightly.

“The Golden Ring Society was raided, and our attempt to target Yu Zhangming has come to nothing. But Ha Jin’ak should be dealt with swiftly!”

“Is that so.”

My patience isn’t something you can rely on, the man with the demonic eyes muttered.

Though merely a simple soliloquy, a ripple emanating from his inner energy rippled out.

His eyes narrowed briefly before widening.

“I thought Akgun was a man I could more or less trust. Should I reconsider?”

“No!”

One of the two warriors revealed himself.

Surprisingly, it was Baek Unhwan, the Black Dragon Sect Leader, known as the Heretical Path Overlord of Gangbuk, wearing a servile expression.

“Akgun said a force we hadn’t anticipated has revealed itself.”

“Who is it?”

“Merely a late-stage cultivator, but…”

As Baek Un-hwan hesitated, Yo-an’s eyes flashed.

“It’s not for a lowly creature like you to judge. Report immediately.”

In that instant, Bai Yunhuan’s heart stopped.

“Guh, guh, guh.”

In the darkness, Bai Yunhuan clawed at his chest.

Only after scratching for a long while and slowly drawing in breaths did he regain his ability to breathe.

“Gu Yang Jie. They say it’s an enemy who uses the Gu Yang surname.”

“Of course, there must be a way to deal with the Evil Army?”

If there isn’t, kill them.

The man from Yao’an said nothing, but his gaze alone conveyed that message.

Facing him, Baek Un-hwan sweated profusely, drenched in fear.

‘No matter how many times I see those eyes, I never get used to them.’

Fortunately, thanks to something the Evil General had said before arriving here, Baek Un-hwan finished explaining to the man from Yao’an without much trouble.

They say darkness begets darkness.

The man’s voice rose subtly, seemingly quite pleased with the cunning plan the Evil General, consumed by rage at losing his brother, had devised.

“You may return.”

“Thank you.”

Baek Un-hwan and the other warrior bowed repeatedly and exited the pavilion.

Afterwards, the man left alone gazed at Dongjeong Lake.

“Gu Yang-jeok.”

The man’s eyes sank deeply.

* * *

“Master, please forgive me.”

“…I didn’t expect you to say that.”

Baek Dan-hyeon showed unfiltered embarrassment at Ha Jin-ak’s unexpected request.

He already knew Ha Jin-ak had to leave again.

But.

‘If you must go, why take that weakling? Why not someone skilled?’

Especially since Ha Jin-ak was the senior disciple, the talent destined to inherit the position of Sect Leader later.

Baek Dan-hyeon didn’t want to subject Ha Jin-ak to unnecessary danger.

“Even so, wouldn’t it be better to travel with a master like the Discipline Master?”

“A large force unsettles the enemy. Uncertainty breeds fear. Fear breeds suspicion, making people cautious. The Black Dragon Sect I saw was full of such men.”

Warriors who didn’t simply accept fear, but knew how to control it and master themselves.

Though they were outlaws, there was still something to learn from them in martial arts.

Baek Dan-hyeon looked at Ha Jin-ak, who was extremely wary, and advised him again.

“Jin-ak, still, going with only the enemy… Couldn’t that lead to great danger?”

“That is true. But the Black Dragon Sect’s enemies aren’t limited to Huashan.”

“……?”

“Just look at what happened to the Jianxian Sect.”

“Ah!”

Baek Dan-hyeon murmured in quiet admiration at those words.

Indeed, immediately after the Nine Dragon War, the Black Dragon Sect and the Three Evils of Shaanxi had committed atrocities, slaughtering members of the Dao Sect.

Even if many sects viewed the Gyeonhyeon Gate unfavorably, they were ultimately part of the righteous faction.

They couldn’t be swayed by a heretical faction like the Black Dragon Sect.

Ha Jin-ak watched Baek Dan-hyeon deep in thought and recalled the words Gu Yang-je had murmured.

‘…Did he say it was different from before? ‘

He also said that things were going well because he had defeated the Three Evils of Shaanxi, speaking as if he were someone who had ‘experienced it firsthand’.

Each of these was merely trivial chatter, but when gathered together, they felt profoundly meaningful.

Even so, Ha Jin’ak did not ask Gu Yangji separately.

As Yu Zhangming had said, he himself was the senior brother of the Huashan Sect.

If the senior brother couldn’t trust Gu Yangjie, the late-stage cultivator of the Huashan Sect, then who could?

Moreover, everything Gu Yangjie had done so far had only brought blessings to Huashan.

‘Therefore, I have no choice but to trust him.’

A senior brother shouldn’t be swayed by trivial words or actions.

Ha Jin’ak hadn’t forgotten the advice he’d heard in Plum Blossom Valley long ago.

Following that advice, he had personally verified Gu Yangjie and understood what kind of person he was, so he trusted him.

Ha Jin-ak shot Bai Danxian a look urging him to make a decision quickly.

“Headmaster.”

“Did you call?”

“Something feels off. I’ve been sending messages via the messenger pigeon, but didn’t a disciple of the Zhongnan Sect die before the enemy dealt with the Three Evils of Shaanxi?”

“So what are your thoughts, having observed the Black Dragon Sect?”

Ha Jin-ak closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, gathering his thoughts before voicing his hypothesis.

“…I suspect preparations are already complete.”

This hypothesis wasn’t one Ha Jin-ak had conceived alone.

‘The priest’s assistance was paramount.’

The very person who had met Shaanxi San’ao directly and exchanged a few words with him supported that hypothesis.

Ha Jin’ak recalled the conversation that had just taken place.

A few moments ago.

Gu Yangjie had approached the conversation with a somewhat agitated demeanor.

His gaze toward Ha Jin’ak, in particular, was anything but ordinary.

“Even if the heretical sect lacks forethought, they aren’t steeped in madness. They must be aiming for something specific.“

”So what do you think that something is?“

”……Containment.“

”Containment?”

Ha Jin-ak and Yu Jang-myeong tilted their heads at this, and Gu Yang-jeok began snapping twigs to sketch two diagrams.

It seemed obvious even without explanation.

Orthodox sects, whose mountain-bound locations made them immobile.

Heretical sects, scattered in urban areas with superior mobility.

Gu Yangjeok pointed to each diagram.

“Orthodox sects might tear the heretics apart piece by piece, but they can never wipe them out entirely.”

How much could someone not even of age truly know about the martial world? A faint smile briefly touched Ha Jin-ak’s face.

“Isn’t that overestimating the heretical faction?”

“No. I’m not forcing this argument; the history of the martial world proves it. Once a heretical faction resolves to hide, even if they open their doors, you won’t find them.”

Moreover.

Gu Yangjie clenched his fist, lending weight to his words. A gravity unbecoming of an eighteen-year-old settled over him.

“What do you think was the reason the Three Evils of Shaanxi provoked the Late-Stage Cultivators this time?”

“…Wasn’t it provocation?”

At Yu Zhangming’s words, Gu Yangjie’s head snapped around sharply.

That was far too simplistic a thought.

If every martial artist possessed such childish minds, the martial world would have been crushed by the authorities long ago.

“Provocation and warning aren’t entirely wrong. But the crucial point lies elsewhere.”

At that moment, Ha Jin’ak interjected.

“Isn’t it to restrain the Late-Stage Cultivators from acting recklessly? The few masters each sect possesses won’t be enough to track them down.“

”You’re absolutely right.”

Gu Yangjie affirmed Ha Jin’ak’s answer.

He had likely experienced it firsthand when burning down the Black Dragon Sect’s branch.

How the heretical sects dealt with the orthodox factions.

And just how cunning and resilient they were.

Therefore, shouldn’t we make them come to us?

Gu Yangji looked at Ha Jin’ak again with a serious gaze.

“The senior brother who burned down the Black Dragon Sect’s branch and I, who dealt with the Three Evils of Shaanxi. If it’s the two of us, they will definitely come looking.”

“……”

As Ha Jin’ak seemed lost in thought, Yu Zhangming, who had been listening silently, spoke up.

” “Aren’t you putting yourself in too much danger?”

“Considering the other cultivators still held captive and the righteous principles of the orthodox sects…”

“Enemy.”

Yu Zhangming grabbed Gu Yangji’s shoulder, meeting his gaze directly.

“That’s not like you. What possible reason could you have?”

Gu Yangji couldn’t answer that question directly.

No, he couldn’t because Ha Jin’ak was involved.

Even if they weren’t close enough to confide in each other.

Ha Jin-ak was the senior master of the Huashan Sect.

His death had turned everything upside down.

The world’s esteem for Huashan as a prestigious sect plummeted from that moment onward.

That was precisely why his life had to be saved.

But…

‘This isn’t a minor change like when I killed the Three Evils of Shaanxi.’

It was practically the same as resurrecting a dead man.

Under normal circumstances, Ha Jin-ak would die at this point, and Yu Jang-myeong would ascend to become the senior brother.

The future of the martial world as Gu Yang-je knew it began right here.

But what if Ha Jin-ak survived?

Wouldn’t the entire framework of the future change?

Gu Yang-je was trapped in this contradictory thought.

“…That’s all.”

At those words, Yu Zhangming could only surmise inwardly that Gu Yangji was agonizing.

Had about an hour passed?

Ha Jin’ak rose from his seat.

“Gu Yangji, prepare to depart swiftly.”

Leaving only those words behind.

And now.

Only after hearing the entire story from Ha Jin’ak could Bai Danxian comprehend.

“Hmm, indeed.”

Finding reason in Ha Jin-ak’s words, Baek Dan-hyeon made his decision immediately.

“Understood. Go together.”

Swish.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Ha Jin-ak rose and headed for the guest hall where Gu Yang-jeok was.

“I’ll be going now, Grandmaster.”

“Very well.”

He didn’t know then.

What would happen to Ha Jin-ak and Gu Yang-jeok…

Had the Baek Dan-hyeon of the present known, he would have tried to stop it somehow.

But fate flows equally for all, turning every sage into a fool.

This was a shackle even Baek Dan-hyeon could not escape.

All those entangled in fate could do was confront it head-on.

Within that, only Gu Yangjie was special.

The one who returned to confront fate.

He was the cornerstone for changing the predetermined future.

* * *

Gu Yangjie lay back in a chair provided in the guest hall, waiting for Ha Jin-ak.

Then, Gwak Un-pae, who had been gazing at the sky, spoke.

“The celestial omens are unfavorable. Be very careful.”

“That’s unexpected.”

“What is?”

A faint smile spread across Gu Yangjeok’s face.

It was rather incongruous for Gwak Unpae, whose belly already jutted out prominently, to be talking about unfavorable celestial omens.

“Your words don’t quite match your appearance…”

“Hey! You brat! You’ve been messing around since earlier!”

As Gwak Un-pae continued grumbling incessantly, Gu Yang-jeok spread his arms wide.

“Elder, I was wrong.”

“Right! You should’ve said, ‘Thank you for your concern, Elder.’”

I thought he was just a cheerful person, but it seems he has this side to him too.

Just as Gu Yangji bowed his head again.

Thump, thump.

The distinctive, measured footsteps of Ha Jin’ak struck the eardrums.

“I’ll be going now, Elder Gwak.”

“Alright.”

Gu Yangji gave a sly grin to Gwak Unpae, who was looking at him with concern.

“We’ll meet again near the Black Dragon Sect in a few days.”

“I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Though he said this, Gwak Un-pae had a certain premonition.

Surely, the Black Dragon Sect and the Three Evils of Shaanxi would make contact with those two, and then the elders would have to step in to resolve it without any casualties.

It was like a tug-of-war.

At each end were the Huashan Sect and the Black Dragon Sect, while surrounding them were other sects jeering at the Black Dragon Sect and hurling stones.

At first glance, it was a fight where the Huashan Sect held an overwhelming advantage.

They only needed to rely on the restraint of the other sects and pull steadily.

However, to draw out the true entity, they had to set the stage so the Black Dragon Sect, pulling the rope, would be brimming with confidence.

Only then would the true entity appear, allowing them to seize and subdue it in an instant.

The question was whether the Black Dragon Sect would take the bait.

And whether… the heretical sect would play along exactly as the sect leaders anticipated.

Gwak Un-pae couldn’t hide his troubled mind.

“Have you been waiting long?”

Ha Jin-ak, the senior disciple who could be called the future of Hwasan.

“No, just a bit bored.”

Beside him stood Gu Yangji, a disciple destined to become a future luminary.

Indeed, the stars in the heavens shone brilliantly.

Whether this was a trial or a gift, no one could know.

‘Please, do not give them an unbearable trial.’

Gwak Un-pae bowed respectfully to Samcheong.

* * *

“This matter involves the Shanghui, neither commoners nor cultivators, but outright heretics. We must be cautious.”

‘How many times must I say this?’

“……Understood.”

It had been ten days since Gu Yangji and Ha Jin’ak descended from Huashan.

During that time, Gu Yangji had gained a rough understanding of the martial artist’s character.

Cold, yes, but that was merely his outward demeanor.

He was cautious and deeply thoughtful.

This meant he considered the potential harm his actions might inflict on others.

‘I actually did speak harshly to him.’

Ha Jin-ak had scolded Yu Jang-myeong, demanding why he had allowed the Golden Ring Society to harm innocent civilians and why he had let Gu Yang-jeok’s first venture into the martial world become covered in disgrace.

Even so, Gu Yang-jeok couldn’t look upon Ha Jin-ak favorably.

Ha Jin-ak was fundamentally a man of extreme contrasts.

He was endlessly considerate toward his own people, yet bitterly cold toward those who didn’t strive or behaved poorly.

Perhaps because Ha Jin-ak himself had lived with such sincerity, he demanded it of others too.

That was how Gu Yang-jeok understood it.

‘Not my cup of tea.’

As that thought crossed his mind, a sigh escaped Gu Yangjeok’s lips.

Unlike the deeply understanding Yu Jangmyeong, being with Ha Jinak meant Gu Yangjeok had to learn everything from basic etiquette to unfamiliar legal procedures.

And that wasn’t all.

Even as the weather gradually grew warmer, Ha Jinak forbade him from rolling up his sleeves even once.

He claimed that was the pride of the Huashan Sect.

He and Gu Yangjie were truly incompatible.

‘Ugh, seriously.’

Day after day, he accumulated frustration, waiting for an enemy to appear.

After three more days were added to those ten, Gu Yangjie reached the point where he fervently wished for the Black Dragon Sect to show up.

Then, one day.

Gu Yangjie’s wish was granted.

Whoosh.

The candle flame went out, and simultaneously, a masked figure sprang from the ceiling.

“You’re the Gu… of Huashan…”

“Correct!”

Swish!

Gu Yangjie immediately lunged at the masked man.

In his hand was the teacup he had been drinking from.