Chapter 53: Plum Blossom Sword Dragon (3)

Plum Blossom Sword Dragon (梅花劍龍) (3)

“Are you feeling any better?”

It was Yeongpung who asked me, not anyone else.

That’s strange… I feel like I’m the one who should be asking that?

To be able to wear such a bright smile while I’m being treated like half a criminal.

For some reason, I felt like I was seeing Peng Woojin’s image superimposed on Yeongpung.

‘….This stranger reeks of madness.’

It wasn’t a good feeling at all.

First, I needed to find out why he was acting like that, so I approached Yeongpung.

[How did all that dirt get on those beautiful white clothes…]

I ignored the words of the self-proclaimed Plum Blossom Divine Sword.

“And why are you looking like that?”

“Haha, well, you see, there were some circumstances.”

“Young Master…!”

Mu-yeon, with eyes wide with surprise at seeing me, rushed over.

“Are you alright?”

“Of course, I’m fine. I guess I just felt dizzy for a moment earlier.”

I looked at the people from the Mount Hua Sect glaring at us from across the way.

‘Who are these people again?’

Not only were they wearing white martial arts uniforms, but several of them had cloths wrapped around their forearms, embroidered with plum blossom patterns, just like Yeongpung’s.

That was the mark of Mount Hua’s Plum Blossom Sword disciples.

Those who bloomed plum blossoms from their sword tips, based not only on talent but also on tireless effort.

They were figures who had reached the level of Mount Hua Sect masters, possessing martial arts skills of at least the first-class level.

“What’s going on?”

In response to my question, Mu-yeon sheathed his sword and approached me to answer.

“You suddenly collapsed while talking with that person, so we subdued him before anything else could happen.”

“Subdued…? Him?”

It was understandable that they could misunderstand, given that I suddenly fainted mid-conversation.

It was also strange that Yeongpung had been subdued so meekly.

Didn’t they have something they wanted to interrogate me about?

Judging by the lack of signs of struggle, it seemed he willingly allowed himself to be bound.

As if sensing my thoughts from my gaze, Yeongpung smirked.

“Once Young Master So wakes up, everything will be resolved, so I had no intention of causing a conflict.”

“By forcibly stopping the carriage?”

At my words, Yeongpung chuckled sheepishly.

“That… I apologize. We had our reasons, you see.”

“You guys…?”

The people from the Mount Hua Sect, including Yeongpung and quite a few Plum Blossom Sword disciples.

While Mount Hua’s Plum Blossom Sword disciples are a famous name, their numbers are also quite small.

This is because there are no sects or families overflowing with first-class martial artists.

But the fact that they were traveling together in such numbers meant it wasn’t a common occurrence.

“Are these people also involved in the reason you stopped our carriage?”

Yeongpung gave a bitter smile in response to my question.

Assuming Mu-yeon was unharmed, I told them to release Yeongpung from his bonds and then approached those who were confronting us.

Then, slowing my pace as I walked, I thought.

‘…Won’t my aura be exposed if I get closer?’

Come to think of it, the aura within my body was the problem.

If even Yeongpung could feel it, wouldn’t other skilled Plum Blossom Sword disciples sense it even more easily?

The Ghost, who had been silent, responded to my anxiety.

[Don’t worry, just go.]

‘…Can you hear my thoughts too?’

That’s a bit awkward.

[Only very faintly. Kid, your anxiety was so strong it was clearly felt, so just go forward. I have my ways.]

I didn’t want to believe it, but my feet had already moved. I decided to pretend to trust him just once.

[Seeing the situation, I also have something to ask you.]

‘What is it?’

[I’ll ask later. Isn’t it more urgent for you right now?]

Finally, I arrived in front of the Mount Hua disciple who appeared to be the representative.

[Just the fact that Mount Hua Sect exists in the Central Plains is… enough for now.]

“I am Gu Yangcheon of the Gu family.”

“I am Shin Hyeon, the second disciple of Mount Hua.”

“I see. Sect Leader Shin Hyeon, may I ask what this situation is?”

Shin Hyeon frowned as if troubled and glared towards Yeongpung.

It seemed there was some issue here too.

Perhaps sensing the glare, Yeongpung, now unbound, quickly ran over to this side.

“…Heh heh.”

As Yeongpung scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly, Shin Hyeon suddenly brought his fist down hard on the top of his head with a kung!

Kwa-ang-!

“Kkuaaak!”

…I expected a ‘kong’ or ‘kung’, but it was ‘kwa-ang’?

With a sound that shouldn’t come from the top of someone’s head, Yeongpung screamed and rolled on the floor.

“Kkueu… It hurts so much, Senior Uncle…”

“Does it hurt? It hurts me more.”

“It’s because you beat your beloved junior martial brother, right?”

“Do you want another hit?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Shin Hyeon let out a sigh as if the world was ending.

“Do you remember it hasn’t even been a month since your master told you not to cause trouble recklessly?”

“…Yes.”

“You remember? If you remember, then why did you act alone like this?”

“…I’m sorry. But the situation was the situation, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, the situation was the situation. To be precise, it was our situation. Did you think others would understand that?”

At Shin Hyeon’s words, Yeongpung fell silent.

However, Shin Hyeon had no intention of stopping and continued.

“Before being a martial artist, you are a person of the Taoist path. Everyone knows your talent is outstanding, but I told you not to become arrogant and conceited because of it.”

“Yes….”

“These are the words of the Sect Leader himself. Just because everyone calls you Sword Dragon and praises you doesn’t mean everyone in the Central Plains is on your side. You must realize that.”

“I’m sorry.”

“…Alright.”

Leaving the dejected Yeongpung behind, Shin Hyeon approached me and bowed his head.

“My junior martial brother has caused trouble.”

If they’re going to act like that, I don’t have anything else to say from my side.

‘He probably did that deliberately, knowing it would leave me speechless.’

Is he thinking, ‘If someone’s going to hit him, let it be me’?

[Not bad.]

What? What isn’t bad?

In the awkward situation, I let out a puff of air and said.

“…If you’re finished speaking, I’d like you to explain the situation to me as well.”

I asked Shin Hyeon.

It seemed like something had happened, and I needed to know what.

Since they stopped a perfectly fine carriage, we needed to hear their side of the story too.

Shin Hyeon paused briefly at my question, then seemed to quickly gather his thoughts and reopened the conversation.

“…Recently, disciples of Mount Hua have been going missing frequently.”

“Mount Hua?”

“Yes, most of them are Sword Corps members active outside the sect.”

Mount Hua’s Sword Corps… does that mean the Plum Blossom Sword Corps?

‘…But missing?’

While it was common for the Sword Corps to lose their lives defending against the Demonic Mirror Sect, the fact that Mount Hua Sect was dispatching search parties indicated a considerably serious matter.

They even included Plum Blossom Sword disciples in the search party.

“The situation didn’t seem good, so we were conducting a search.”

“This is quite far from Shaanxi, isn’t it?”

We still had a long way to go before reaching Shaanxi.

But Mount Hua Sect members, active in Huayin County, were searching all the way out here?

Shin Hyeon gave a wry smile at my question.

“…That part is difficult to explain to outsiders.”

“In that case, I understand.”

It seemed something had happened, but I didn’t feel the need to pry further.

Since I hadn’t heard about anything like this in my previous life, it probably wasn’t a major event.

“..Anyway, it seems the problem arose when our junior martial brother deviated from the formation, claiming he sensed something while returning from duty.”

Hmm…

So, he sensed Mount Hua’s inner energy from an unknown carriage and immediately stopped it?

While it could happen given the disappearances, he deserved to be scolded for acting first and asking questions later.

I asked Shin Hyeon.

“What do you think, Sect Leader?”

At my question, Shin Hyeon cleared his throat and spoke cautiously.

“Having come this far, I don’t think it was a mistake. I can definitely feel it.”

Saying so, Shin Hyeon pointed towards the carriage I was riding in.

“If you permit us, we would like to conduct a brief search.”

“You feel it from that carriage?”

“Yes.”

“..Sect Leader Yeongpung mentioned sensing some kind of energy from my body too. Don’t you feel anything like that?”

“From you, Young Master So?”

Hearing my words, Shin Hyeon observed me intently.

I felt a very faint inner energy brush past my body. It was likely sent to confirm, so I didn’t resist.

Shin Hyeon turned his head towards Yeongpung. He seemed unable to feel anything.

“Yeongpung, my junior martial brother, what exactly did you feel?”

Yeongpung also watched me for a moment, then his brow furrowed.

“Huh? Why can’t I feel it… I definitely felt it earlier…”

“Don’t make excuses.”

Startled by Shin Hyeon’s firm rebuke, Yeongpung flinched.

He quickly replied in a small voice.

“…Yes, I’m sorry. I think I was mistaken.”

“If you committed rudeness because of that, you shouldn’t be apologizing to me.”

Hearing Shin Hyeon’s words, Yeongpung straightened up and bowed his head towards me.

“I apologize, Young Master So. I acted rudely…”

“It’s alright.”

As I accepted the apology, I thought.

The aura that was so noticeable before was no longer detectable.

As if answering my question, the Ghost spoke.

[Didn’t I tell you? I have a way.]

It was just as he said.

I don’t know what method he used, but the aura that had been lingering outside my body had quietly retreated deep inside my dantian, holding its breath.

I was relieved that the part I was most worried about seemed to have passed smoothly.

After catching my breath, I said to Shin Hyeon.

“There’s no need to search the carriage.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I know what energy you felt. Please wait a moment.”

The perceptive Mu-yeon was already bringing a box from inside the carriage to me.

I opened the box containing the precious item and showed it to the disciples.

“This…!”

Yeongpung reacted the fastest, followed by Shin Hyeon.

Although a bit delayed, the other Mount Hua disciples behind them showed the same reaction.

“It’s a Plum Blossom Connection Stone.”

As soon as the cloth was slightly loosened, a gust of plum blossom fragrance wafted out, followed simultaneously by a soft pink glow.

Seeing the precious item, Shin Hyeon asked in a flustered voice.

“How… how do you possess this, Young Master So?”

He didn’t seem to think it was a fake.

Indeed, no craftsman in the world could possibly replicate such an item.

That’s why it’s called a precious item.

“…We were on our way to return it to the Mount Hua Sect, as it was temporarily entrusted to our family.”

“From your family…?”

How should I explain this…

I couldn’t possibly say, ‘My family’s elder won this precious item from your sect in a drinking bet.’

Yeongpung, who had been watching, interjected.

“This is the item the Sect Leader lost in a drinking bet at a gathering…”

“Shut your mouth…!”

“….Yes, sir.”

“….”

Ah, so you guys knew too.

That made the explanation easier, and I had nothing more to say.

Shin Hyeon’s ears were also slightly flushed, perhaps realizing the embarrassment.

After all, it was something done by Mount Hua’s representative Sect Leader…

‘…Though our side is no different.’

I wonder what kind of gatherings Elder Yi, that crazy old man, attends to do such things with Mount Hua’s Sect Leader.

I was curious, but I didn’t want to know.

“…Anyway, that’s the situation, and we happened to be heading towards Mount Hua Sect.”

“…I see.”

They both seemed to have a lot to say, but couldn’t voice it.

It was a situation where anyone could see they were spitting on their own faces.

Shin Hyeon coughed repeatedly.

It was likely to change the mood.

“Anyway… given the circumstances, since we were returning to Mount Hua after finishing our search, the precious item should now be handed over to us…”

“That won’t do.”

Shin Hyeon’s eyes widened slightly at my firm refusal.

If it were up to me, I would have just handed it over and left, but returning the precious item was a secondary objective.

My main purpose was to pick up my sibling.

More importantly.

“This is an item I received with instructions to deliver it directly to the Sect Leader. Therefore, even though you are disciples of Mount Hua, Sect Leader Shin Hyeon, I cannot easily hand it over.”

“Hmm.”

Shin Hyeon let out a low groan at my words.

I couldn’t tell if it was because the words were unexpected or because he was deep in thought.

Shin Hyeon seemed to have quickly organized his thoughts again and immediately continued speaking.

“…I understand. However, having seen the sect’s precious item, we cannot simply leave. Since you are heading in the same direction, please grant us permission to accompany you.”

Are they saying that if they can’t have it, they’ll at least travel with me?

I nodded at Shin Hyeon’s words.

I knew this would happen once the precious item was revealed anyway.

‘…It’s enough that they didn’t find out I absorbed the precious item’s energy.’

If that had been discovered, it would have been far more troublesome than I imagined.

[Kekeke, I knew it from the moment you wolfed it down like a pig. Tsk tsk, what would you have done without me?]

Just sitting there and spitting out remarks like this… I wish he’d just be quiet, but unfortunately, the Ghost didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so.

[Mount Hua… With each of their disciples being so powerful, their main sect must surely be no different.]

It was a voice tinged with sentimentality.

While I was practically dying of stress, he was having philosophical thoughts; it was frustrating.

“Excuse me, may I ask something?”

It was Yeongpung, who had been quiet until now, who interjected as the conversation was winding down.

Shin Hyeon glared at Yeongpung for his untimely interruption, but Yeongpung casually ignored it.

Seeing that, Shin Hyeon’s eyes flared with anger.

“This brat…”

“No, it’s because something really important came up…!”

Seeing Yeongpung like that, I asked.

“What is it?”

“You said your family name is Gu, Young Master So, correct?”

“Yes.”

“…You mean the Gu family of Shaanxi, right?”

“…Yes.”

As I confirmed, Yeongpung’s expression grew increasingly subtle.

…Why on earth is he asking about my family?

“…Senior Uncle.”

“What is it…”

Shin Hyeon’s voice held a hint of anxiety, as if anticipating this brat causing trouble again.

However, upon hearing the words that followed, Shin Hyeon’s expression became identical to Yeongpung’s.

“If it’s the Gu family of Shaanxi, isn’t that the family of our Master’s Martial Aunt (師姑)?”

“…!”

At Yeongpung’s words, not only Shin Hyeon but also the other Mount Hua martial artists behind him focused their attention on me.

Their gazes were far more intense than when they saw the Plum Blossom Stone.

…What’s going on? Why are they acting like this?