Chapter 52 Summary (2)

Chapter 52 Summary (2)

* * *

“You must have traveled far. Thank you for coming.”

His imposing stature belied his advancing years.

Baek Dan-hyeon’s gaze, heavy with solemnity, was enough to make Shim Won-jin tense instantly.

“……Ah.”

Coming to his senses belatedly, Master Sim Won-jin forced a gentle smile.

“Not at all. I am only sorry for this unexpected visit.”

“Unexpected? What do you mean? We are fellow Daoists in the same predicament. It is all the will of the Three Purities.”

At those words, Master Sim Won-jin straightened his posture.

” “By any chance, have you heard anything about the intruder who infiltrated the Zhongnan Sect?”

“That will require time. It may take a while. We also need to confront the captured member of the Black Dragon Sect.”

Shim Won-jin’s expression seemed to darken, but he struggled to recall a specific name.

“Confrontation… are you referring to Gu Sa-geom?”

Baek Dan-hyeon answered in another way.

“I hadn’t realized the Zhongnan Sect took such a keen interest in our sect’s affairs.”

“Well, we too have lost disciples to the Black Dragon Sect.”

“For that reason, haven’t you waited far too long?”

“What do you mean, ‘time’?”

Despite Baek Dan-hyeon’s aggressive stance, Master Shim Won-jin responded calmly.

Given the circumstances, a Zongnan Sect elder couldn’t openly disparage the Hsuan Shan Sect’s Grand Master.

Moreover, weren’t they both Taoist sects venerating the same founding ancestor?

As two sects far from unrelated, their words turned more cautious and inward.

Then, Baek Dan-hyeon’s tongue struck at the heart of Shih-yuan’s words.

“I hear you and your disciple went to verify the opening.”

Shim Wonjin carefully noted his use of the word “verify,” not “raid.”

“Yes. Grandmaster Mansunjin also sent me with Gu Yang Dow to verify.”

“But… I hear that despite your presence, the enemy entered first.”

“……”

Shim Won-jin inwardly spat out a bitter grunt.

He had sent Gu Yang-jeok in first, anticipating things might go wrong, but now the situation had become so exquisitely delicate that it had backfired.

‘The disciple of Jongnam wouldn’t have spoken up, so it must have been that dou who said it.’

So it wasn’t just reckless charging in; there was calculation behind it.

Shim Won-jin let out a heavy sigh.

“We should have been wary.”

“Wary?”

A piercing glare shot at Shim Won-jin, as if questioning whether he had actually been wary of a disciple of Huashan.

That was how palpable and intense Baek Dan-hyeon’s pressure had become.

Indeed, Master Simwonjin’s failure to address the danger to fellow cultivators was an action deserving of blame.

All he could do was state the justification for his actions.

“While the current situation of your sect is regrettable, the Zhongnan Sect was also attacked at its core between last night and dawn today.”

Baek Dan-hyeon responded coldly.

“…So?”

“The cave where the founding ancestor, Master Sun Yang, and Lady Yeo Dong-bin studied was invaded!”

“So.”

Baek Dan-hyeon answered coldly once more, fidgeting with his fingers.

That simple motion.

Even though he merely moved his fingers slightly, Master Shim Won-jin couldn’t continue speaking recklessly.

‘…Gulp.’

A colossal weight pressed down on his shoulders, making it hard to breathe properly.

The aura he emitted dominated a certain area.

The fear that Baek Dan-hyeon could attack at any moment reared its head.

After a moment, Shim Won-jin parted his lips, now pale and trembling.

“…Wh-what is this.”

“So the Jongnam Sect, to evade some petty justification and responsibility, abandoned a fellow cultivator who venerates the same progenitor to face danger?”

The cold, harsh words pierced his ears.

What Baek Dan-hyeon had uttered was like a blade sharpened over dozens of days.

Baek Dan-hyeon opened his mouth again.

His fingers, which had been fidgeting, had now clenched into a tight fist.

“And you abandoned my disciple, Gu Yangjeok—the one who avenged us by eliminating Dujeolgwang—for such a shameless reason?”

“Enough… stop.”

“Where the hell has decency gone!”

Baek Dan-hyeon’s roar engulfed the entire volcano.

Had there been even a shred of murderous intent, it would have endangered the life of the venerable master, Shim Won-jin.

Even Gu Yang-jeok, who was collecting the body far away, was startled by the sight.

‘The head of the sect possessed such profound inner strength!’

If even Gu Yang-jeok, who had shared meals and trained under him, was astonished, how much greater must Shim Won-jin’s shock have been?

The pallor that had spread from his lips now covered his entire face.

It seemed as if the profound inner strength was pushing his facial skin back.

But Baek Dan-hyeon’s words were not yet finished.

“Is that the righteousness the Jongnam Sect speaks of!”

Under the repeated command, Master Shim Won-jin could endure no longer.

The very principle he had fought so hard to protect had now fallen into the other side’s hands.

Now, there was only one path left.

Shim Won-jin’s head bowed hastily.

“I apologize, Sect Leader. I swear I will never do such a thing again.”

Even so.

“No.”

Baek Dan-hyeon gave a flat refusal. The atmosphere, as if flesh were being torn, only grew more intense.

Consequently, it was Shim Won-jin who became flustered.

‘Did the Huashan Sect truly cherish Master Gu Yang this much?’

Even considering he was his own disciple, this display seemed almost like he was seeking conflict with the Zhongnan Sect.

Moreover, Baek Dan-hyeon had been renowned for his dignified character even before becoming Sect Leader.

That he was now unleashing his anger without restraint, his voice raised in fury…

Master Sim had to revise his assessment of both Baek Dan-hyeon and Gu Yang-jeok.

His posture lowered even further.

“Then, Headmaster, what exactly must be done to appease your feelings, even slightly?”

“My personal feelings are not the issue.”

Caught off guard by this unexpected reply, Master Sim asked again.

“…Excuse me?”

“Does the Zhongnan Sect intend to simply stand by and watch the Black Dragon Sect?”

At those words, Master Sim’s face hardened. The pale face of his disciple, Young Heo-ja, flashed before his eyes.

“That is not the case.”

Seeing this, Baek Dan-hyeon averted his gaze.

It was Dongjeong Lake, located even further south than Shaanxi, where Huashan was situated, and called the heart of the Central Plains.

“As the Black Dragon Sect gradually gains strength, they’re advancing northward from Dongting Lake. Amidst this, Senior Brother Ha Jin’eok stepped forward to prevent the death of a Taoist master on a pilgrimage.”

Those words asked a question.

What had the Zongnan Sect done at that time?

Shen Yuan Zhenren did not answer. Baek Dan-hyeon hadn’t expected an answer either, so he continued.

“Then, a disciple of the Zhongnan Sect who was preparing to participate in the Nine Dragons Battle was killed by the Black Dragon Sect. Soon after, the senior master of our sect was ambushed.”

“……”

Shen Yuanren’s head bowed downward.

The shadow was particularly deep. Yet, Bai Danxian did not cease his reproach.

While concealing what needed to be concealed.

“So we sent a master from the secular world alongside the sect leader to crush the Shaanxi branch. Its location was Chang’an, not far from Mount Zhongnan.”

What were you doing at that time?

Did Mount Zhongnan honor the deceased disciple?

Without another word, merely recounting the events unfolded, Master Shim Won-jin could not lift his head.

He could only repeat the name.

‘Namilhan…’

Master Simwon bit his lip hard.

It was a contradiction.

He never expected to face such reproach on a journey undertaken to find the villain who wounded Youngheoja.

Baek Danhyun’s lips parted slightly.

“Does Zhongnan remain silent?”

“…That will not be the case.”

Master Simwon answered with difficulty.

“We shall return to Zhongnan. For today’s discourtesy, we will… formally apologize at a later date.”

Seeing Master Sim’s spirit completely crushed, Baek Dan-hyeon resolved to reveal his true intent.

“Very well. Instead, I shall ask Master Manseon.”

“What is it?”

“Let us deal with our common enemy, the Black Dragon Sect.”

Shim Won-jin’s pupils fluttered slightly.

“That means…”

“This isn’t just a matter between Huashan and Zhongnan. The same goes for the Gyeonhyeon Gate. Leading up to this incident, the Black Dragon Sect has made many enemies in Shaanxi.”

Baek Dan-hyeon spoke coolly.

“Therefore, because of this incident, we have no choice but to unite so that Shaanxi can no longer be ignored. “

”……!”

At those words, Master Sim Wonjin grasped the overarching intent Baek Dan-hyeon held.

The justification that the Black Dragon Sect had attacked Ha Jin-ak.

The situation where they had harmed the Open Sect and the Zhongnan Sect after the Gyeonhyeon Sect.

And the result that the Huashan Sect had completed all their revenge.

Hadn’t they even given up the Black Dragon Sect’s Shaanxi branch territory for the weak?

Given this, even if Huashan and Zhongnan were nominally united, the balance of power inevitably tilted toward Huashan.

‘…Oh my god.’

A cold shiver ran down Master Shim Won-jin’s spine.

The unification of all sects in Shaanxi Province!

It seemed Baek Dan-hyeon was orchestrating it all.

The moment Master Shim Won-jin nodded with effort.

Gu Yang-ji, watching from afar, let out a faint chuckle.

* * *

Huashan, now without the Zhongnan faction, was utterly desolate.

Too many had died for it to be a day to enjoy the fine weather.

Yet, there was too much left to do to simply dwell in gloom.

Bai Danxian summoned the elders and gave his orders.

“Let us hold a grand funeral for our fallen disciples.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Fortunately, the wealth brought by the Golden Ring Merchants was ample, so a few days later, the funeral was held with great pomp.

Baek Dan-hyeon personally inspected every coffin without fail.

He worried whether they might crack or be invaded by water spirits.

Nearby, he planted a single tree.

A plum tree that had not yet bloomed.

He hoped it would grow into a large, round tree, even after his death.

Then, someone spoke to him.

“Master.”

Even at the sudden sound, Baek Dan-hyeon did not lift his head.

He only managed to utter a strained voice.

“Many disciples have died.”

“……”

“I’m starting to doubt whether I truly possess the qualifications to be a sect leader.”

“Simply put, looking at the numbers alone, it’s a significant loss.”

“Is that so?”

Baek Dan-hyeon’s expression sank even lower.

Seeing this, the man, Gu Yang-jeok, spoke forcefully.

“But isn’t it said that many sects each endure their own hardships as they survive?”

“That’s not much of an encouragement, Jie.”

“It’s fortunate it ended here.”

At those words, Baek Dan-hyeon’s expression hardened.

“Are you saying the deaths of your disciples are fortunate?”

“We didn’t lose everything.”

“To you, the deaths of fellow disciples are values measurable by numbers?”

Despite Baek Dan-hyeon’s visible anger, Gu Yang-jeok answered calmly.

“I heard it from the Senior Brother. When you first said you’d take me in, you weren’t particularly pleased. But because of that, ‘fortunately,’ it prevented the Senior Brother from dying.”

“You enemy, you bastard!”

Baek Dan-hyeon’s beard quivered with rage.

But Gu Yang-jeok remained unyielding.

“This matter isn’t much different. In fact, it’s even better.”

Gu Yangjie immediately voiced the worst-case scenario.

“What if, like what happened to the senior brother, Cheolgimsan had procured a large quantity of explosives and buried them in the Huashan faction?”

“……”

“Cheolgimsan is both cautious enough to secretly cultivate demonic arts within Huashan and impulsive. It’s not impossible.” “

Gu Yangjie pulled Baek Dan-hyeon’s grief-stricken mind back to the present.

”That’s precisely why it’s fortunate. We must use this moment, when the tide and the moral high ground are with us, to solidify our position.”

At those words, Baek Dan-hyeon stared intently at Gu Yangjie for a moment.

Was it a lack of emotion, or was it because the emotions he held were too overwhelming?

A subtle expression passed over his face before Baek Dan-hyeon spoke.

“You are calmer and wiser than anyone else here.”

“……Perhaps.”

Gu Yang-jeok admitted it readily.

And why wouldn’t he? This wasn’t his first time.

Compared to the life he had lived in his previous existence, the current situation was remarkably favorable.

Because that extreme situation had actually happened in his previous life.

‘Was that next year?’

At the time, Gu Yangjeok hadn’t known what expression to wear.

The other cultivators had been the same.

It was already their daily reality.

They had grown so accustomed to sorrow that they no longer felt the need to pour out their emotions.

Recalling that far back, Gu Yangjeok let out a hollow laugh.

‘In a way, I’m just an observer.’

Unlike during Ha Jin-ak’s time, this time he had experienced it firsthand, so his emotional fluctuations were minimal.

Instead, Gu Yang-jeok made a resolution.

“I will ensure this never happens again.”

He would advance in a new, brighter direction, different from his past life.

Though now it was merely a change from a modest funeral to a grand one, the future would be different.

‘I will be surprised, delighted, and moved alongside them.’

To live not as an observer bound by a past life, but as the human Gu Yang-jeok, the Taoist of Huashan.

Gu Yang-jeok’s gaze turned toward the paper money (紙錢) turning to ashes and drifting away.