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Chapter 553: Wudang

Hearing Yeongpung’s words made me squint my eyes in confusion.

“Who…?”

I couldn’t wrap my head around what I’d just heard.

Someone’s successor, you say?

‘Am I really hearing this right?’

No matter how I thought about it, it seemed like a misunderstanding.

Then Yeongpung spoke with a slightly flustered expression.

“Could it be that you don’t know who the Hwasan Sword God is?”

“No… uh, please explain.”

It seemed I had indeed heard the title correctly.

At the very least, I needed to see if the Hwasan Sword God he spoke of was the same as the one in my memory.

“The Hwasan Sword God is the 8th Sect Leader of the Hwasan Sect.”

…Oh dear.

“Back in the Blood Demon War, he was one of the five heroes who prevented the Blood Demon’s calamity.”

Oh my…

“And if we were to pick the greatest swordsman of all time, he would undoubtedly be included. A respected figure of the Hwasan Sect… and a junior?”

“…”

Yeongpung glanced at my face and cautiously called out to me.

My expression was crumpled as I absorbed the explanation.

‘It seems to be correct.’

No matter how I looked at it, the Hwasan Sword God that Yeongpung knew and the senile old man I knew had to be the same person.

Then…

‘But what does that mean?’

What on earth does it mean that Yeongpung is saying he’s a successor?

I couldn’t wrap my head around why he would claim that.

‘No, wait…’

If you think about it, it shouldn’t be odd.

‘He is more suited to be a successor than I am.’

Considering his extraordinary talent compared to my lack of foundation, it made sense that Yeongpung, recognized as Hwasan’s greatest genius, would call himself a successor.

His sword techniques are the same as mine, and we both share a similar betting style.

The only difference is that old man has a nasty temper.

While Yeongpung does not.

However.

‘The successor is me.’

I could state that with confidence.

I am that old man’s successor.

‘If not me, then who else could it be?’

The past, the burden of Shin Noya that I wanted to escape, has somehow become the path I now intend to take.

I inherited Noya’s will.

And I would also stop the Blood Demon for this path.

With that in mind, I needed to grasp the true meaning behind Yeongpung’s words.

“…What suddenly led you to think that way?”

As I cautiously prodded for an answer, Yeongpung cleared his throat a few times and continued.

“There was an opportunity.”

“Yes.”

I already knew that.

Anyone could see that looking at Yeongpung now. The important question was how that opportunity related to everything.

“Gu So-hyeob, are you aware of the recent rumors circulating?”

“Recently?”

“We’ve been receiving reports of incidents occurring at the Martial Alliance branches in various regions. Just a few days ago, something happened in Guangdong.”

“…Ah, um. Yes.”

I was already aware of that.

It wasn’t something I could ignore.

“It’s been about six months since the first reports… During the time those rumors started, there were also some movements in the Shanxi region.”

“Movements?”

“Yes. The alliance requested support.”

Though Hwasan had a presence in Shanxi, the Martial Alliance branches weren’t really needed there.

But after the incident with the Black Night Palace and with the Wudang Sword Master becoming the leader of the alliance, it became necessary to deploy branches.

“…So they requested support?”

“Exactly. It was a request for reconnaissance and to help with sentinel duties, just in case.”

“And then?”

“Since it was a request from the alliance, some Plum Blossom Sword Technique experts went out.”

Even though Hwasan wasn’t an ally of the Martial Alliance, it was still a righteous faction, so they had to respond to the alliance’s requests.

Thus, it meant that experts of the Plum Blossom Sword Technique had been dispatched for reconnaissance.

“Then… could it be that at that time?”

“…That’s right.”

As I tossed the prediction out, Yeongpung nodded in agreement.

“…At that time, I was moving around outside the Hwasan Sect for reconnaissance. During my patrol, I happened to discover a cave.”

“A cave?”

“Yes, it was a place I’d never seen before. I went in to assess the situation… and that’s where I found something.”

“What did you find?”

“The remnants of that person.”

Here, the person Yeongpung referred to was undeniably the Hwasan Sword God Shin Cheol.

Which meant that…

Yeongpung had discovered something akin to Shin Noya’s notes while conducting reconnaissance.

‘Notes.’

It sounded just like that.

But I had to wonder about this.

“Are you saying no one has discovered those notes until now?”

If it’s something you would’ve found while scouting, then it should’ve been discovered earlier and protected by the Hwasan Sect.

Now, only now, has it come to light? That seemed a bit strange.

Yeongpung explained, “Though it was in Shanxi, it was a rather distant area.”

“…Are you saying that notes were left in a distant area?”

Instead of near the Hwasan Sect, notes were buried in an area far away in Shanxi.

As I spoke, filled with doubt, Yeongpung tilted his head slightly.

“Isn’t that a bit odd?”

“No, that’s true, but…”

There was no reason to have left the notes specifically within the Hwasan Sect. Yeongpung’s point had merit.

But…

‘Given that old man’s personality, I doubt he’d have left anything behind.’

When considering Shin Noya’s usual conduct and demeanor, it didn’t seem like he would leave something for the future, nor would he have placed it far from the Hwasan Sect if he did.

Of course, that was my perspective, not Yeongpung’s.

Yeongpung, regarding such matters, said, “The previous sect leader was surely a wise person, so there must have been a purpose.”

“…”

With Yeongpung’s eyes sparkling, I found myself at a loss for words.

I couldn’t exactly say, “Your ancestor wasn’t that wise,” could I?

Holding back my frustration, I asked a different question.

“…So, what does that mean? Are you saying the recent disturbances in the cave are related to the notes?”

“Oh.”

Upon my words, Yeongpung seemed to have temporarily forgotten his earlier hesitation.

“Once I entered that place, I found elixirs left by the former sect leader along with a letter…”

“A letter?”

“Yes? Oh, yes.”

As I jumped in, Yeongpung looked taken aback.

“Did it say anything specific?”

“…That’s…”

At my inquiry, Yeongpung made a troubled expression.

Seeing that, I too decided to keep quiet.

‘Maybe asking about this part is pushing it.’

It wasn’t just any letter, but the letter of the Hwasan Sword God.

Sharing the words of a great hero of the Hwasan Sect with others was unthinkable.

“I’m sorry. I crossed the line there.”

Knowing this, I hurriedly offered my apology.

“It’s fine. You have every right to be curious.”

Yeongpung brushed it off as if it were no bother.

Sure enough, unlike that irritable old man, he was a decent person.

“Then, are you saying that the energy you have obtained is from inside the cave?”

As I spoke, I was recalling the events prior.

‘It was said that the energy felt oddly familiar.’

Wondering why I kept getting that familiar feeling from Yeongpung, I realized that the energy felt similar to the Taoist Qi I had within me, given to me by Hwasan’s treasure.

Though not identical, there was surely a resemblance.

‘From that, I can assume I’ve acquired Noya’s aura.’

It was clear I had gained something.

But.

‘Acquiring an opportunity is one thing, claiming to be the successor is another.’

While it was one matter to gain an opportunity and undergo changes in energy and physical form, it was an entirely different thing for Yeongpung to claim he was the Hwasan Sword God’s successor.

In fact, it signified that…

‘Something must have happened.’

It meant there was something that led Yeongpung to think that way.

There were many questions still lingering.

I didn’t truly know Yeongpung’s character, but looking at the situation, if he had found an opportunity in that cave…

‘I would assume he took it back to the Hwasan Sect.’

But apparently, that wasn’t the case.

‘No matter what, the fact that he hadn’t gone immediately to the Hwasan Sect after gaining this opportunity.’

Judging by Yeongpung’s condition, it was clear he hadn’t gone to the Hwasan Sect right after obtaining the opportunity.

What on earth could be the reason behind that?

Considering this might hold the key to understanding the situation.

“I sent a report to the sect leader separately.”

Yeongpung mentioned he had written a report explaining his situation and sent it to the Hwasan Sect.

“So, the reply you received was from me?”

When I looked at Gu Ryeonghwa, she nodded in response.

“Since our paths coincided, the sect leader requested my assistance.”

“Why are you going to Wudang?”

As Gu Ryeonghwa hesitated at my question, she eventually spoke again.

“…I’m on my way to see my master.”

If it’s the master of Gu Ryeonghwa…

‘Sword Demoness?’

The current Sword Demoness, So-i, was likely the one she referred to.

‘Does that mean the Sword Demoness is currently at Wudang?’

Regardless of the reason for her being there, I had to ponder over what I was hearing.

‘There are a lot of strange things happening.’

Within a story that seemed to almost fit, there were so many dissonant elements.

If I were to pinpoint what bothered me the most, it would certainly be Shin Noya’s writings, but I lacked the proper justification to question it.

‘It’d be unreasonable to assert, “I’m the true successor of the Hwasan Sword God, and you are a fake.”‘

So what should I do?

‘In truth, the simplest way would be to ask him directly.’

But I was currently unable to pose questions to the Hwasan’s malevolent spirit.

What should I do?

What method should I choose?

A pondering mind was at work.

Originally, I wanted to merely ascertain the nature of the matter concerning Gu Ryeonghwa, but…

‘But when it relates to Shin Noya, it’s a different story.’

At this point, I needed to delve slightly deeper.

‘Wudang.’

That one would still come later.

Going to Wudang was part of my plan.

‘I had intended to go after my trip to Hanam.’

At least, my schedule had it planned for after summer, around fall.

But with everything proceeding this way, I needed to adjust.

‘Changing the order shouldn’t cause any issues.’

It would merely be a bit bothersome, but it wouldn’t be problematic.

“So, you’re going to Wudang?”

“Yes? Oh, that’s correct.”

Just after organizing my thoughts, I spoke to Yeongpung.

“May I accompany you?”

“Excuse me?”

Yeongpung’s eyes widened at my question.

“You wish to join me, Gu So-hyeob?”

“Yes, I happen to have something to attend to at Wudang as well. Considering it’s come to this, let’s go together.”

It wasn’t a lie. I indeed had something to do at Wudang.

Though it wasn’t urgent, altering the timeline was an option.

“Elder, aren’t you worried about not returning?”

Upon my decision to go, Gu Ryeonghwa asked with concern in her eyes, “Do you think the clan leader will be angry?”

She seemed worried that our father might get upset.

I chuckled, looking at Gu Ryeonghwa.

“It’ll be okay. I doubt Father will be angry.”

Upon hearing my words, Gu Ryeonghwa’s eyes turned wide like lanterns.

It must’ve been because of my choice of address.

Seeing her reaction, I gently ruffled Gu Ryeonghwa’s hair.

“Ow! What are you touching!?”

Though Gu Ryeonghwa shouted in protest, amusingly, she didn’t push my hand away.

While I was giving her a casual pat, I turned to Yeongpung.

“Is that alright?”

“If it’s companionship, I have no issues at all.”

Yeongpung responded positively.

Seeing that, I nodded.

Thus, I was about to change course from Mount Shan toward Wudang, when suddenly a question I hadn’t asked came to mind.

“By the way, why exactly are you heading to Wudang?”

Leaving aside Yeongpung’s opportunity, I still hadn’t heard what his reasoning was for heading there.

“Oh, that is…”

Upon my question, Yeongpung displayed a sheepish expression before responding.

“I’m going to retrieve a treasure.”

“A treasure?”

So, you’re going to retrieve a treasure, are you?

This left me shocked as I looked at Yeongpung.

“Wudang currently possesses one of Hwasan’s treasures.”

“You mean Wudang itself?”

“Yes, there was an incident in the past… and now it’s become a point where it needs to be returned…”

They have to return something due to past events?

“This sounds like a significant matter, but would it be alright for just you to go…?”

I was about to say something more when suddenly I remembered what Gu Ryeonghwa had mentioned earlier.

It seemed a bit odd that only the two young disciples would be tasked with retrieving a treasure.

‘Wudang does have the Sword Demoness, after all.’

Since a high-ranking figure of their sect was there, that point could be addressed.

I bit my tongue but clearly, Yeongpung was already listening.

“I have to handle this matter personally.”

Yeongpung said it with a serious look in his eyes.

‘You must handle it personally?’

There was something peculiar about the emotion laced in his voice.

Normally, it would be an unnecessary topic to question, but for some reason, I felt compelled to ask.

“What exactly are you retrieving?”

What could Wudang possess that would prompt Yeongpung to venture there without even stopping at Hwasan?

As I voiced that, I was met with a response from Yeongpung.

“The treasure that Wudang holds is none other than… the cherished sword of Hwasan Sword God.”

…Huh?

Hearing his words sent a wave of unease through me.

‘That old man’s cherished sword…’

Oh… that has to be…

“I suspect that Gu So-hyeob may not be familiar with it. It’s not a well-known treasure.”

Yeongpung, realizing my expression, assumed I didn’t recognize it, and tried to put me at ease, but in reality, I was having very different thoughts.

I shakily asked Yeongpung, “Dojang… what is the name of that treasure?”

The treasure Wudang currently possesses, which Yeongpung was heading to retrieve…

At my question, Yeongpung tilted his head, appearing puzzled.

Wondering why I asked, he nonetheless answered me.

“It’s called Gui Jeong.”

“…”

“Do you perhaps know of it, Gu So-hyeob?”

Upon hearing that, I was left speechless.

Did I know of it?

…I certainly did. All too well, to the point of it being a problem.

Hiding my left arm, which had transformed a shade of blue from the energy it absorbed through my bandaged skin, I thought:

‘…What on earth is happening here.’

I didn’t know where this string of events had begun to unravel, but one thing was clear.

It sure felt like something had gone awry, quite a ways off course.

And when I came to that realization, I should have made a run for it.

Just when I thought everything was lining up neatly, I had momentarily forgotten.

“Take down those merchants immediately!”

“Haha, what is this nonsense.”

It dawned on me, I was a person cursed with an unbearable streak of bad luck.

 

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