Chapter 8 The Meeting (1)

Chapter 8 The Meeting (1)

Behind Yida Gyeong.

Gu Yangjeok had to face the furious Baek Danhyun.

“Explain the rumors.”

What more could he explain beyond the rumors themselves?

Gu Yangjeok’s toes twitched once.

“As I reported, I handled it well.”

At those words, a look of utter disappointment washed over Baek Danhyun’s face.

Indeed, the matter had been well resolved.

Above all, it had been handled cleanly.

It wasn’t resolved by violence alone; it even had the exquisite justification of clearing the grievance of Baek Cheon, a small merchant.

But the final touch was terribly unsatisfactory.

‘Who would have thought that under my watch, a disciple of Hwasan would become the subject of commoners’ gossip.’

Baek Dan-hyeon sighed deeply, again and again.

From the rumors alone, Gu Yang-jeok was no Taoist.

‘They say he smashed the merchant guild building in the dead of night and beat the guild master inside to death. And what? Kicked a man who was already down?’

Baek Dan-hyeon looked at Gu Yang-jeok as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Above all, your name is being spread far and wide in the most explicit terms.”

“…Well, that could be possible.”

At the evasive answer, Baek Dan-hyeon’s eyes flashed sharply.

“Surely you didn’t spread it yourself?”

For a moment, Gu Yang-jeok swallowed a gasp inwardly.

‘Utterly pointlessly sharp.’

Indeed, it was a rumor Gu Yang-jeok had spearheaded.

The reasons could be explained in many ways, but broadly speaking, there were just two.

First, to focus the infamy on himself so that Yu Jang-myeong, destined to become the representative martial force of the Huashan Sect, wouldn’t bear the stigma.

Second, to buy Gu Yang-jeok time to remain within the Huashan Sect.

After all, the Huashan Sect’s discipline wasn’t so lax that they’d send a disciple whose honor had already been tarnished out into the world again.

For the next year or so, keeping Zhao Hun close by and focusing solely on training wasn’t such a bad thing.

‘Well, that makes sense. Senior Brother Yu is doing just fine on his own.’

Even after all the main forces had defected and the finances were completely shattered, this was Yu Zhangming, once called the Plum Blossom Sword God.

If he wasn’t a genius, then who else could be called one?

Even the Shaolin’s Master Wucheng wasn’t as formidable as Yu Zhangming.

Therefore, he would train at Huashan and nurture Zhao Hun.

This was the primary path Gu Yangji had chosen.

‘Circumstances might change, but in the martial world, the strong reign supreme.’

Had he not been so impoverished he couldn’t even afford proper nourishment, he wouldn’t have gotten involved in this affair.

Gu Yangji deeply despised drawing unnecessary attention and being passed around like this.

He’d rather endure this scolding.

‘The path to becoming stronger lies ahead, boundless.’

Gu Yangji wished Bai Danxian would grow even angrier and banish him to some remote mountain valley.

“I truly, truly made a mistake!”

With that resolve, Gu Yangjeok began apologizing in a voice devoid of even a shred of sincerity.

“…Huh?”

“To ensure this never happens again, I’ll live and train at Huashan until I’m old!”

While Baek Danhyun looked utterly bewildered, Gu Yangjeok rattled off his words without a trace of emotion.

“If I were to go out again, I fear I might tarnish the honor of the Huashan Sect through other matters, so I will take time to cultivate myself.”

‘…Fear I might?’

Was this some test of his patience?

Bai Danxian glared at the dented wall, gathering his rage.

“So you’re saying you actually used violence against civilians?”

Objectively speaking, that wasn’t an incorrect statement.

In truth, Gu Yangjie himself had never hesitated to use violence against civilians in the past.

Of course, he now understood such actions should be avoided whenever possible.

But above all, there was a fact Baek Dan-hyeon needed to know right now.

“Yes, I struck him with my fist.”

“You bastard…!”

Despite Baek Dan-hyeon’s spewed fury, Gu Yang-jeok’s demeanor remained unflinching.

“But just because they’re weak, ordinary people who know nothing of martial arts, doesn’t make them good. In fact, the Golden Ring Trading Company embezzled the Huashan Sect’s assets, creating victims like Baek Cheon.”

At those words, Baek Dan-hyeon fell silent for a moment before wearing a bitter expression.

“How could I not know that? I know. I also know that outside, especially, there are many who commit wickedness under various pretexts.”

“……”

“Even so, a Taoist must uphold the Way. Because you possess power, you must understand well how to wield it. That is what I, as the head of Huashan, can say.”

At those words, Gu Yangji’s expression grew serious.

‘The head of the sect also feels the contradiction.’

Just as Yu Zhangming had been greatly disappointed in Zhi Meng.

Baek Dan-hyeon, too, seemed to make different judgments based on his position and circumstances versus his judgment as a natural person.

As cultivators, Baek Dan-hyeon and Yu Zhangming were right. It was Gu Yangji who had erred in attacking a third-rate martial artist, no different from an ordinary person.

But this was the martial world.

And the enemy was a martial artist who would resort to dirty tricks if it meant defeating an opponent, be they a Taoist or a member of the Three Purities.

The martial world and Huashan, martial artists and Taoists.

If that gap couldn’t be bridged, one would be left behind.

‘Just like when the Huashan Sect was gradually declining.’

Gu Yangji shook his head solemnly.

“Whatever you say, I don’t believe my judgment was wrong.”

“Enemy, you…!”

Was he even refusing to say he’d tried to uphold the precepts?

Seeing this cunning bastard, who’d been more crafty than any disciple before, act like this, Baek Dan-hyeon was so flabbergasted he fell silent.

Now, he truly had to impose severe punishment on Gu Yangji.

“If that is truly your wish… very well. I shall ensure you cannot set foot on Huashan for at least two or three years.”

Just as Baidanxian took a breath, as if that weren’t the end of it, a child’s voice suddenly rang out from outside the building.

“No!”

At those words, Baidanxian sighed.

It was only a voice, but he knew who had spoken.

“Show yourself.”

Thump, thump, squeak.

The child hurried to the door and cautiously pushed it open.

Gu Yangjie, hoping against hope, asked without turning around.

“Is it Hoon?”

“…Yes, Senior Brother.”

“I was speaking with the Sect Leader. Why did you interrupt?”

Zhao Hun hesitated briefly before quietly stating his intention.

“Senior Brother, you’re doing this because of me, for me, right?”

Gu Yangji chuckled softly.

Truthfully, seeing Zhao Hun had made him realize the gravity of the situation and hasten his actions.

“Well, you’re not wrong. But surely you don’t mean to share the blame with me?”

“Ah, is that not allowed?”

” Don’t get the wrong idea. I acted purely on my own whim.”

Having answered thus, Gu Yangjeok turned his head back toward Baek Danhyun.

It was time to hear the charges directly from the Sect Leader and receive his punishment.

‘At most, five years. That should be enough to earn the title of Heaven’s Envoy.’

Having already reached that level once, growing further would be easy.

After that, it wouldn’t be too late to take the position of Chief Disciple.

“Right then, I’m ready, Chief Disciple.”

“…Sniff.”

‘What?’

Did I hear that wrong?

Gu Yangjeok pricked up his ears toward Baek Dan-hyeon.

He was genuinely tearing up.

“Um, Chief Disciple?”

Why was he wearing an expression that seemed touched by this situation?

Gu Yangjeok saw a vision of his carefully laid plans crumbling to pieces.

But he forced himself to shake his head.

He might be crying because he was so angry.

To the bewildered Gu Yangjeok, Baek Danhyun poured out the emotion he felt without reserve.

“Who would have thought such a thing happened between brothers? No wonder! You mentioned Zhao Hun before leaving!”

“Well, that was certainly one reason. But didn’t you strike an outsider? By the rules, that’s a serious offense.”

Baek Dan-hyeon shook his head firmly.

“But he did it because of the difficulties faced by the disciples! How could we possibly punish him? I’ll use my authority as the Sect Leader to overlook it. The other elders will surely understand, so don’t worry.”

“…Huh?”

Gu Yangji had to force himself to hold back the urge to reply, “There’s no need for that.”

‘No, why is he prioritizing the affection between brothers over the precepts?!’

As Gu Yangji felt a sense of futility, Baek Dan-hyeon continued.

“However, you will need to receive instruction from the Discipline Master. As you said, the same situation could happen again.”

“The Discipline Master?”

“Yes, your personal tutor, Song Muk.”

Only after hearing the name directly from Baek Dan-hyeon did Gu Yangji accept reality.

‘Oh my god.’

And no wonder—the five elders, including Song Muk, were all beyond compare.

The fact that he was the headmaster and a senior brother was also a point of considerable concern.

Doubt filled Gu Yangji’s face.

“No, how could Senior Brother Song…?”

Baek Dan-hyeon avoided a direct answer and instead presented another condition.

“Ahem, then you may leave now.”

At those words, Gu Yang-jeok couldn’t help but realize why it had to be Song Muk. He must have personally requested it from the Sect Master.

Gu Yang-jeok sighed.

His plan to train comfortably at Huashan, now that the financial issues were somewhat resolved, had completely fallen apart.

And to a man once called the Clear Sky Sword!

Just then, Zhao Hun came up beside him, wrapping his arms around his legs.

“That worked out well, Senior Brother!”

“Uh, yeah…”

Oh well, whatever.

Gu Yangjie bowed to Baidanxian, his mind still reeling, and slipped out of the Plum Hall.

* * *

“Elder Song, are you inside?”

Despite Gu Yangjeok calling out more than three times, no answer came from within.

Considering the usual state of the Discipline Hall, this was absurd.

‘Isn’t it standard for at least one person to be on duty at all times?’

Just as Gu Yangjeok wondered if he was being mocked and cautiously opened the door.

Ping!

A piercing sound echoed from deep within the Discipline Hall.

Gu Yangji immediately flung himself into a corner.

It was animal instinct—no, insight gained through countless battles.

‘My current cultivation won’t let me counter that!’

The object glimpsed the instant the door opened was imbued with immense power.

At least twenty years.

Even for Gu Yangjeok, that was impossible.

Above all else…

‘It’s far too brutal! Are they trying to kill me outright?’

The attack was launched mercilessly, showing no regard for Gu Yangjeok’s circumstances.

It was far too massive to be a joke from a fellow monk.

Clang! Thud thud thud.

The object that had grazed Gu Yangjeok’s robe slammed into the ground. Seeing its identity revealed belatedly, Gu Yangjeok curled one side of his mouth upward.

“Quite a sturdy teacup, I see. Even with that much force infused, it only cracked.”

“Quite sturdy? This is a plum blossom teacup I commissioned directly from a master craftsman!”

Thud, thud.

Gu Yangjeok turned his head at the footsteps echoing from deeper within the Discipline Hall.

“That was a bit too much of a joke.”

At those words, the middle-aged man wearing a black monk’s cap chuckled dismissively.

“Heh heh, at this age, one only grows more cantankerous.”

“Grumpy? I nearly lost my head just now.”

“You’re still alive, aren’t you?”

“……Heh heh.”

As Gu Yangji let out a hollow laugh, the middle-aged man, the Swift Sword Song Mu, pulled the handle of the teacup, deeply embedded in the sand.

But two decades of cultivation and successive shocks had already shattered it.

Clang, clatter.

Watching the teacup shatter and fall to the floor, Song Muck clicked his tongue.

“What a waste.”

“Then why did you throw it?”

“That was to understand cause and effect, of course.”

At those words, Gu Yangjeok sensed an unusual current.

“What do you mean by cause and effect?”

“Where there is a beginning, there is a process, and the actions taken during that process yield a result. I trust even a Gu Yang disciple understands this.”

“I’m not sure how that relates to the current situation.”

As Gu Yangjeok tilted his head, Songmuk recalled an incident from a few days prior.

It was somewhat unexpected.

No, to be precise, it was shocking.

On his very first outing, he had detected the corruption within the merchant guild and, with skilled dexterity, subdued and brought back the assassin who had targeted him.

This was something even a genius couldn’t accomplish.

He wouldn’t have felt the need to subdue him; he would have killed him on the spot.

This required mature experience and an understanding of the martial world.

It required decisive judgment born from the fusion of both.

Therefore, Song Muk harbored a small doubt.

‘Was Gu Yangji really this kind of person?’

From Song Muk’s coldly objective perspective, the Gu Yangji he had known until now possessed none of these qualities.

He wasn’t particularly gifted, but he was a disciple with a rowdy temperament and a reputation for gossip.

That was Gu Yangji’s former standing.

But what about now?

Favorable rumors about Gu Yangji were spreading within the Huashan Sect.

-Who would’ve thought his rogue-like temperament hid such cunning?

-Judging by this incident, he seems poised to become a future pillar of Huashan alongside Zhang Ming, heh heh.

Particularly regarding his exposure of the corruption at this Golden Ring Conference, many expressed admiration regardless of seniority.

Of course, each person valued different aspects.

But there was a common conclusion.

-His skill has become terrifying, hasn’t it?

-His composure was remarkable too. Even when dragging a living person away, his expression remained incredibly calm.

Naturally, there was no such thing as luck in the martial world.

The depths of the martial world were too profound to navigate solely on luck. Even if fortune smiled, it was only possible because of the accumulated process that came first.

That’s why Song Mu was curious.

‘Just what kind of person is Gu Yangji?’

If he was untrustworthy, Song Mu intended to break him here.

But.

If Gu Yangji was trustworthy, if the doubts he now harbored were resolved.

Song Mu planned to show respect to the young disciple.

He would also convince the other elders that Gu Yangji possessed the proper skill to handle the major affairs of the Huashan Sect.

‘As the one who exposed Huashan’s problems as they gradually deteriorated.’

He would recommend Gu Yangji for this Nine Dragon Battle.