Chapter 58 Extermination (3)

Chapter 58 Extermination (3)

Just as he finished his training at Huashan and was about to descend the mountain.

“Senior Brother Gu Yang, are you heading out this time?”

He was stopped by a young disciple with wide eyes and a small frame.

It seemed the boy had sensed his intention to leave and clung to him.

‘Relying on me isn’t bad, but there’s a saying about too much of a good thing.’

Gu Yang Jie pondered briefly how to shake off Zhao Hun, then realized his worry was unfounded.

Someone else had already set their sights on Zhao Hun.

“Hun, let go.”

“But… Senior Brother Gu Yang.”

“Oh.”

As soon as he sternly urged him, Zhao Hun released the robe he had been holding.

Judging by the sweat stains on the robe, he must have rushed over after training.

‘This isn’t good.’

Gu Yang-jeok looked at Jo Hoon with pity.

At that very moment, a low voice escaped from Yu Jang-myeong’s lips.

“Not only did you slip away while studying and training with the sword, but how dare you grab Senior Brother’s collar?”

“Senior Brother…”

“I won’t listen to your nonsense.”

Yu Jang-myeong’s face grew icy as he spoke, showing no sign of softening no matter how much Jo Hoon whined.

But it couldn’t be helped.

After Ha Jin-ak fell ill, Yu Jang-myeong was the most likely candidate to become the next senior brother. It was practically a foregone conclusion.

On top of that, he was a senior brother renowned for taking sword techniques seriously.

“Do not underestimate the sword of Huashan.”

“I’m sorry, Senior Brother Yu.”

“If you’ve reflected, return to your place. Today, we’ll spar and judge your progress.”

At those words, Jo Hoon’s mouth fell open involuntarily. He took a slight step back, clearly both astonished and afraid.

“Yes, yes!”

As Zhao Hun quickly scrambled to his feet and dashed out, Yu Zhangming’s stern expression softened.

A faint trace of bitterness lingered, suggesting he still found it difficult to treat his fellow disciples, who were like his own brothers, with cold detachment.

“Where are you headed this time?”

Gu Yangjie hesitated briefly before speaking.

He had every right to know.

“The shaman.”

“The shaman?”

Yu Jang-myeong’s eyebrows furrowed.

“What business do you have with the shaman?”

“During the Nine Dragons War, I had a brief connection with the Divine Sword Immortal. I wish to renew that friendship.”

Gu Yangji’s lips twitched slightly.

-They are also the ones who could open a direct path to strike the Black Dragon Sect.

-Has the discussion progressed that far?

Even as he sent the telepathic message, Yu Zhangming maintained his composure.

Even if his heart was filled with righteous indignation toward the Black Dragon Sect, he suppressed his killing intent, concerned that Gu Yangji might be put in an awkward position by sending the telepathic message.

“…That’s good news.”

“Yes. The Sect Leader expressed hope that this matter would strengthen our ties with the Wudang Sect.”

At those words, several lay disciples training nearby pricked up their ears.

Through their ears and eyes, news that the Huashan Sect was cultivating friendship with Wudang would spread to every clan.

Gu Yangji continued without showing them any sign of concern.

“Well, if things go well, I plan to learn a thing or two there.”

“A thing or two?”

“Even if the Wudang Sect has a shorter history compared to Huashan, it’s a sect that rose to a position equal to Huashan in that short time, isn’t it? I’m also curious about the Taiji martial arts that the Three Peaks Immortal is said to have left behind.”

Truth be told, there were snide remarks about their ‘success’ being fueled by the Great Ming’s power and vast capital, but the Wudang Sect was also a great martial arts school.

Even in the previous era, hadn’t the Wudang Sect maintained its foundation while reorganizing its ranks?

While Huashan had always been problematic, considering how other sects like Dianchang or Ami had collapsed, it meant Wudang had amassed tremendous power.

Even now, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say Wudang possessed strength rivaling Shaolin.

Yu Zhangming, while proud as a Hua Mountain cultivator, wasn’t narrow-minded, so he gave a small nod.

Yet some worry lingered.

“It’s a place as treacherous as a dragon’s den. Can you truly navigate it safely?”

At those words, Gu Yangdi flashed a confident smile.

“Even if a dragon truly dwells there, I’m confident I can handle it and return safely.”

Indeed, Yu Jang-myeong murmured his admiration.

Yet the worry lingered like sediment.

He was still a young disciple.

The image of him, unable to hide his despondent expression while Master Ha Jin-ak lay bedridden, still lingered somewhere in his mind.

It was only because Gu Yang-jeok’s past achievements and solutions stood as proof that he couldn’t dissuade him.

“Have a safe journey.”

Yu Zhangming concealed his inner thoughts and offered a faint smile.

Gu Yangji sensed something unsettling about it, but dismissed it as unimportant.

After all, Yu Zhangming was always a being who radiated brightness.

“I’ll be back soon, Senior Brother.”

Gu Yangji turned his back and descended the mountain.

* * *

“Are you the Plum Blossom Sword Hero?”

At the abrupt question about his alias, Gu Yangji pressed his right hand close to his side.

Widening his stride, ready to draw his sword at any moment.

But upon seeing the other’s face, his tension instantly dissolved.

An unusual sense of emptiness washed over Gu Yang-jeok’s face.

He was unmistakably a country bumpkin.

“I am the Plum Blossom Swordsman. And who might you be?”

“Ah, you mean me?”

Only then did the bumpkin seem to realize his rudeness, scratching his cheek.

“My apologies, great hero. I should have introduced myself first…”

Sniffing his clothes to check for any odor, the peasant grinned widely.

“I’m He Yong, living in Jangseok Valley nearby.” “

”……“

At those words, Gu Yangjeok summoned his patience, resisting the urge to retort, ”So what?”

His appearance screamed peasant, and the dry, sandy scent of someone who’d likely handled dirt his entire life stung the nostrils.

To get an answer from such a man required patience.

When Gu Yangjeok just stared silently, Heo Yung realized her mistake and pulled something out of her bundle.

“This is grain wine made right at my home. Would you care to try some?”

“Why are you being so kind to me?”

“Huh?”

“No, even so, we’ve just met. It’s a bit startling. Moreover……”

Gu Yangji trailed off, lifting his head to scan the surroundings.

Even though this was down in the mountains, somewhat removed from the heart of the volcanic realm, it was customary for one or two hermits to shadow anyone approaching.

Especially now, with the conflict with the Black Dragon Sect in full swing. It meant there was no leeway to overlook even a single villager.

Yet, no one had attached themselves to He Yong.

Yes, it was as if…

“You’ve been waiting for me to come down, visiting every day?”

“…Ahaha, it seems the great hero has keen eyesight as well.”

As if caught off guard, Heo Yong scratched the back of his head awkwardly and then did something unexpected.

Thud!

Seeing this, Gu Yangji’s brow furrowed. Beyond unexpected, it seemed far too excessive for someone he’d never seen before.

“Could it be… you have a request for me?”

“No, Great Hero.”

“Then why are you kneeling before me, a stranger? Aren’t you older than me? Please rise.”

“I cannot do that.”

As Gu Yangji stared at him as if unable to comprehend, He Yong bowed his head even lower.

“For you, Great Hero, saved not just this ignorant fool’s life, but the entire village of Jangseokgol!”

Hearing those words, Gu Yangji thought it might be a joke, but he immediately had to change his attitude.

Beneath the kneeling, bowed figure.

Tear tracks fell one by one onto the damp earth. They were undoubtedly from a fiery man.

“Hero!”

At the voice from somewhere, Gu Yangji cast his gaze elsewhere.

‘So it wasn’t just He Yong.’

When had such a reputation built up? Gu Yangjeok suppressed a smile inside.

Several people were welcoming him.

Most were of low social standing. Menial laborers, or peddlers selling goods they’d stolen or scavenged—people barely scraping by.

The autumn wind whistled between Gu Yangjeok and them, stinging his cheeks.

The parching dryness that stole moisture and the bone-chilling cold seemed to invade his body.

‘I suppose I should find out why people are gathering around me.’

Gu Yangjeok opened his mouth.

“The wind is biting. Would you care to share a chat somewhere warm?”

The warm smile lingering at the corners of his mouth seemed to briefly warm the chill of the autumn wind.

A short while later.

Gu Yangji slipped out of the inn and was alone once more.

The wine cup he’d been served by the tall servant, the short servant, and the tenant farmer who hadn’t even been given a name by his mother still warmed his palm.

‘Things are changing.’

Hoo, a small sigh turned into a wisp of cold white smoke and vanished.

After reaching his peak, Gu Yangjie’s senses had become so sharp he could grasp even the slightest moment.

Especially his eyes.

His vision, developed through receiving Zhen Hui’an’s energy, possessed an insight even the Sichuan Tang Clan couldn’t match.

That insight declared.

That everyone waiting for him were not spies from the Ta Family, but genuine people who had lived in the Shaanxi region.

And they said:

“You are our hero, Great Hero.”

“It was you who stopped the Golden Ring Trading Company from driving grain prices down so low we nearly starved to death!”

“And what about the Black Dragon Sect!”

For Gu Yangji, it was simply a matter of course to resolve such issues; it wasn’t something he did specifically for them.

Yet they were genuinely grateful.

The grain-based sweets brought by the peasant Hu Yong and the few coins clutched tightly by several merchants filled Gu Yangji’s belly.

He felt it anew. That the path he currently walked was the righteous way.

“…It was delicious.”

Compared to the sumptuous feasts he’d grown sick of in his past life, it clearly fell short. The difference was so stark that even comparing them felt like an insult.

Yet, there was something at that table that warmed a corner of his heart.

Even though it was just food baked or boiled once, it was delicious. It felt like something that had been pressing down on him until now had suddenly burst open.

‘If the Huashan Sect grows strong, and heretical sects like the Black Dragon Sect vanish.’

Wouldn’t that at least bring an era of peace within the realm of the martial world?

Gu Yangji briefly pondered why he was striving for the Huashan Sect’s revival. But it didn’t last long.

It was obvious.

“It must be because of this awkward, itchy feeling.”

Gu Yangji murmured the names of several people who had sat at the same table. Among them were merchants belonging to the current Golden Ring Trading Company.

To put it coldly, they were also assets who would unconditionally side with the Huashan Sect in the future.

‘Huh, am I already calculating gains and losses and the future in between?’

A hollow laugh formed on Gu Yangjeok’s face.

Yet, within it, a faint warmth lingered.

* * *

Meanwhile, in a hermitage deep within Huashan, Yu Zhangming sat cross-legged, once again stating his resolve.

“I wish to follow.”

“Must you?”

Though phrased as a question, his posture and expression clearly conveyed disapproval.

In essence, Baek Dan-hyeon had already refused.

Nevertheless, Yu Jang-myeong bit his lower lip. He even seemed somewhat impatient.

“Master Hyeon Geomjin didn’t specifically say not to send someone else, did he?”

“Do you think such wordplay would hold any weight outside our sect?”

At those words, Yu Zhangming realized Baek Dan-hyeon had made up his mind.

‘But still…’

Yu Zhangming’s lips parted slightly.

“I understand you couldn’t assign the Discipline Master to the enemy because you were busy looking after the senior brothers who went out on the mission. How much less could you assign the Plum Blossom Sword Master, who is active in the martial world?”

“…Go on.”

“I will follow the enemy. Once I confirm they’ve arrived safely at Wudang, I will return.”

Hearing this, Baek Dan-hyeon let out a faint smile.

Just a month ago, during the Nine Dragons Tournament.

Wasn’t it Gu Yang-jeok who had noticed Song Mok exchanging telepathic messages back then?

He didn’t believe Yu Zhangming could completely hide his presence from him, no matter the method.

He merely found the affection between the two disciples commendable.

“If that is your wish, prepare to depart.”

“Thank you, Sect Leader!”

Yu Zhangming’s face suddenly hardened with resolve.

He vowed to protect at least the disciples, standing in for Ha Jin’ao.