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“…Could someone have left the Huashan territory with the complete Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

I handed some food to Il-ho, who had followed me. But she refused.

Even though we had a separate room, she seemed self-conscious of the outside gaze and shook her head.

“I’m eating separately.”

“What are you having?”

“…”

“Just eat.”

I offered her the food once more.

Sua also clung to Il-ho.

“Sister, let’s eat together.”

“…….”

Il-ho, looking troubled, brought her hand to the cloth covering her face. But before she could pull it down, she cast a glance back at me.

“…Can you… turn your gaze away a bit…?”

“Excuse me?”

“My sight… I can’t look someone in the eye while showing my bare face…”

Il-ho spoke in a voice almost a whisper.

“But if it’s an order… I guess I’ll just eat.”

I turned my back to her to ease her awkwardness.

Though I couldn’t see her face, I wasn’t bringing her here to look at her, after all.

I could hear the sound of her picking at the food behind me. Sua let out a small compliment.

“Sister, you’re pretty.”

“T-thank you…?”

I could hear Il-ho chewing her food awkwardly. I pressed on with my unresolved curiosity.

“Is that a rumor, or is it true?”

“There hasn’t been any confirmation yet. But given how little is clear, it’s likely the former. Despite the gigantic sect of Huashan pursuing the technique, the lack of clarity suggests it’s more of an act.”

“…….”

“What do you think, Great Hero?”

“…I think…”

Considering the possibilities, that was likely the case.

“I agree with you. I think there’s a good chance someone intentionally leaked that information. If it’s an act, then someone might very well have the technique.”

“……”

“The selection for the Huashan’s leader will be happening in three months. You mentioned that there are three potential elders for the position… so one of them might possess the technique to solidify their base. Of course, this is merely speculation.”

Il-ho nodded. I leisurely took a bite of my food to match her pace.

When I heard the sound of her finishing her meal, I slowly turned around.

“…Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. From now on, let’s eat together.”

“I-I can’t impose…”

“It’s fine. Haven’t you already given me help beyond measure? I just want to offer you food, so please don’t refuse.”

“…If I think about how that will trouble you, Great Hero…”

“You can eat even without looking at me. Right, Sua?”

“Um… I want to see Daddy’s face while I eat…”

“Let’s turn around and eat.”

“Okay!”

“I really don’t think that’s necessary…”

“I’m just doing this because I want to.”

I gathered my belongings and stood up. Sua followed suit.

“…Sua?”

“Yes?”

“It would be better to wait at the lodging.”

“Dad, I’m your daughter and assistant. Since you’re the Martial Alliance Inspector, that makes me the inspector’s assistant!”

“……?”

“And by that logic, being next to you is the safest place in the world, isn’t it?”

That wasn’t wrong.

If something happens, I can respond.

I looked down at Sua, who seemed to be getting smarter day by day. Her proud posture made me want to give her a little pinch on the cheek.

It probably shows that I’m becoming more comfortable.

Come to think of it…

After we began practicing martial arts together, we became much closer. She even started to tease me a little.

It felt nice to gradually regain that childhood bond. Children are most beautiful when they are their true selves.

“Sua is getting more charming…”

“…Do you not like it?”

“No, I can’t help it. As your dad, I must accept it, right? But you can’t cause trouble. Understood?”

“Dad. Don’t worry. I’ll be as quiet as a mouse, just like Sister Il-ho.”

“I-I don’t think you need to mimic me…”

“Walking like this makes no noise, right?”

Sua moved her feet. Il-ho gasped.

“How do you know the Hidden Steps?!”

“I can do this, too.”

“Huh, that’s the Stealth Steps…?!”

Emerging from the shadows, Sua beamed at me.

“Dad, how about it?”

“Impressive.”

“Hehehe.”

“W-who is this girl…?”

It seems that genius is always noticeable, no matter where you go.

I took Sua with me up to Huashan. The rugged mountain terrain. If it had been like before, I would have had to carry her, but now she easily leaped between rocks.

“My body feels light.”

“Just don’t overdo it and get hurt. Got it?”

“It’s hard. Carry me.”

“It doesn’t look like you’re sweating at all…”

“Carry me, daddy.”

“Alright, come here.”

“Okay!”

Carrying the dramatizing Sua, I continued up Huashan. I glanced up at the enormous closed door and asked the guard standing watch.

“I am Jeok-un, the Martial Alliance Inspector.”

“…Martial Alliance Inspector? Wait, Jeok-un? So you’re Muk Geom, the Great Hero?”

His fame was now widespread.

I nodded lightly. The treatment I received was completely different from when I was at Shaolin.

Although it was somewhat displeasing, I was at least welcomed with a forced smile.

“Welcome to Huashan, Great Hero Jeok.”

As the door opened, the scent of plum blossoms wafted up my nose.

A huge building. Stone towers built haphazardly.

The fragrance of the Tao flowed from every nook and cranny. There wasn’t a single piece of trash where I stepped.

Even the stray stones were all organized. The neatness and order stood testament to what Huashan was really like.

—Thud.

The sound of the stepping signal slightly shook the ground. Even from a distance, the synchronized force of the organized movements could be heard.

When I first visited Shaolin, I couldn’t examine the interior closely…

Now it was different.

I was both an inspector and welcomed as a “guest” by Huashan.

“…Wow.”

Sua’s eyes sparkled. As soon as I set her down, she began to explore every nook and cranny.

But just as I thought she wouldn’t stray too far from me— she was back by my side, clinging like a cicada to an old tree, enjoying her time at Huashan.

“Is she your daughter? She’s cute.”

I turned my head at the voice. A stranger warrior deeply bowed his head.

“I am Bai Hyun, a disciple of Huashan. I will be in charge of guiding you, Martial Alliance Inspector Jeok.”

“I’m Jeok-un. This is my daughter, Sua.”

“Hello.”

Sua bowed her head. Bai Hyun smiled brightly.

“I didn’t expect to see a disciple accompanying you on a site visit…”

“I wanted to show this child, who might take over from me one day, the place. If it’s inconvenient, I can send her back immediately.”

“It’s fine. Aren’t you here to assist us in Huashan? Just your presence will bring some peace to Huashan, so you don’t need to worry.”

Bai Hyun led us. He showed us where we would stay while at Huashan, then took us to meet the Elders.

Each one managed a sect. Eight Elders looked down at me and Sua.

“Muk Geom.”

“I have heard of that name.”

“You’ve accomplished impressive feats.”

“…Things I could never have imagined.”

Though they seemed to outwardly respect me, their eyes clearly held suspicion.

In a way, it was to be expected. After all, I had sealed off a part of their territory myself.

I lowered my head slightly.

“The story has grown larger than my deeds, so I feel embarrassed.”

“…Hmm.”

“The truth of the rumors will be revealed over time.”

“I’ve heard you’ve come for the Huashan Martial Arts.”

“With the mediation of the Martial Alliance Inspector.”

“It’s not bad for us, either. We needed someone in the middle to regulate us.”

“But Inspector, you must know?”

“What we want is mediation, not biased support.”

“Treat everyone fairly. Only those standing on equal ground and surpassing others can become the Huashan leader.”

“I shall expect that, Inspector.”

As the words poured out, I nodded.

“I will do my best.”

After that, the Elders didn’t speak further. After all, this was an internal conflict. Determining the leader was Huashan’s issue.

In a sense, for them, my mere presence here was already fulfilling my role.

A representative of the Martial Alliance was firmly standing in the middle of Huashan.

That would make it difficult for those competing against each other to maneuver in the shadows.

Fairness. Fairness. I felt the bones hidden in their words.

They were essentially telling me not to meddle in their inner power struggle.

Is my only role to quietly reside here?

The one guiding me, Bai Hyun, though he smiled on the surface, seemed uninterested in cooperating with my work. Even if Huashan was part of the Martial Alliance…

If viewed from another angle, the Martial Alliance existed because the Eight Great Clans were there, so I couldn’t see the two as simply a hierarchical relationship.

Then, the task I needed to undertake as the inspector here…

Would ultimately be no different from that at Shaolin.

Acting separately.

I casually asked Bai Hyun.

“How many people will appear in the decision-making of the Huashan leader?”

“There are three: Elder Un-gong, Elder Un-bak, and Elder Un-myo.”

“I’ve heard there was one more, though.”

“…Ah. You mean Gu Hwa-rin?”

So she’s called So-ja.

From the fact they didn’t even regard her as a senior brother or sister, it seems they don’t even acknowledge her as a fellow disciple.

“She doesn’t need to be considered.”

“Why not?”

“She voluntarily relinquished her right to participate in the Huashan Martial Arts.”

“……”

She willingly gave it up…

That was a choice completely at odds with what the leader of the Martial Alliance desired. Was that resignation truly from her own will, or had it been forced upon her?

I nodded and turned Bai Hyun away.

“Il-ho.”

“Yes.”

“I need information. Information on the three competing elders…”

I should probably meet with them at least once.

“Can you find out where Gu Hwa-rin is staying?”

“Understood.”

Il-ho disappeared. Sua came running over with quick steps.

“Dad, what are we doing now?”

“We’ll have to wait until Il-ho returns…”

I lifted Sua up.

“Would you like to watch the Huashan sword techniques?”

“Yes!”

“But Sua, you can’t act like before. The martial arts of sects are like a type of property, and if you learn recklessly, they will hold you accountable.”

“……! I’ll be careful.”

“Good.”

I moved toward the training grounds of Huashan.

Honestly, I was quite curious. If you were to name the greatest sword sects of the time, both Wudang and Huashan would undoubtedly be included.

I had even daydreamed about what it would be like if I were a warrior of Huashan…

I wanted to experience firsthand that sword that supposedly smelled strongly of plum blossoms.

 

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