Chapter 62: It’s Not Yours. (1)

It’s not yours (1)

One month.

This was the time that had passed since leaving the Sa family to head towards Shaanxi.

We stopped at villages midway to make repairs, and though we encountered and fought the Majing Gate several times,

fortunately, we were able to maintain a relatively peaceful journey without any deaths or injuries.

With the guards of the Gu family accompanying us, not to mention a few of Mount Hua’s Plum Blossom Sword disciples, it would have been stranger if any accidents had occurred.

As time flowed and we reached a relatively safe point, I found myself with more time for training or idle thoughts.

Although we had passed through tens of days, the distance remaining meant the boredom persisted.

If there was one thing different from the beginning, my biggest worry lately wasn’t the boredom of heading to Mount Hua.

It wasn’t the sudden companionship of Namgung Bi-ah,

nor was it Wi Seol-ah, who had inexplicably become sulky.

“Young Hero!”

Did I mention this once before?

Yeongpung has a more talkative personality than I thought.

I think I need to make a slight correction.

“Wouldn’t you like to work on your lower body with me today?”

It’s not just talkative; this guy is definitely not normal.

---

If I were to think a bit about the Mount Hua Sect.

First off, among the sects that train swordsmanship, Mount Hua Sect holds a representative position.

While there are many sects that train swordsmanship, such as Kunlun or Wudang,

the reason they could sit in such a representative position is largely thanks to the Mount Hua Sword Saint and the current Sect Leader, the Plum Blossom Immortal.

[Ahem.]

Shin No-ya coughed awkwardly, as if embarrassed.

I didn’t want to talk about it because it felt unpleasant, but that was the reality.

There were the records from the past, during the Blood Demon War, about the martial prowess displayed by the Mount Hua Sword Saint,

and likewise, the martial prowess shown by the Plum Blossom Immortal in his prime during the countless battles against demonic sects in the current era.

While the greatest swordmaster of the era was indeed the Sword Master, discussions about whether the Plum Blossom Immortal truly fell short of that level are still frequent.

In my opinion, he merely stepped back slightly because he occupied the position of Sect Leader.

The discussion about whether he was a martial artist truly inferior to the Three Masters was somewhat delicate.

[To think such proper thoughts… How astonishing.]

….

I really didn’t like that excited voice.

In any case, the biggest factor wasn’t just the representative figures, but the symbolism Mount Hua Sect possessed.

The Plum Blossom Sword Technique.

Among the countless sword techniques spread throughout the Central Plains, it’s evaluated as the most beautiful, alongside the Sword Master’s Moonlit Dance Swordplay.

Furthermore, I know the Sword Master’s sword techniques are passed down solely through one lineage, so even with the long history embedded in the martial art, it doesn’t have multiple branches like other sects.

In that sense, Mount Hua’s sword techniques have strictly evolved over centuries with countless individuals growing and advancing together, thus containing innumerable hearts (minds/spirits).

Just looking at the sparring match I had with Geomryong proves it.

The plum blossoms blooming around Yeongpung moved not by the blowing wind, but by the internal energy Yeongpung emitted.

This meant the plum blossoms moved according to the caster’s intent.

Mount Hua’s sword techniques, unfolding amidst those countless petals, are fluid and beautiful.

Within the sword paths, resembling a beautiful dance on a scroll, sharpness and gravity are also present.

It wasn’t without reason that it boasted overwhelming difficulty and rank among sword techniques. After all, one must maintain consistent sword paths while handling so many plum blossoms.

Therefore, as Mount Hua’s martial arts require a greater enlightenment, I had expected strenuous training was necessary, but…

“…Maybe it’s because I train my body less, or maybe because it’s long, but lately, my chest seems to have gotten a bit smaller.”

“Senior Brother, don’t stick your chest out like that… It’s unsightly.”

“Junior Brother, just put some clothes on. It’s unsightly when other young ladies see you and turn their heads.”

“…It’s because I’m embarrassed.”

“Junior Brother, people call that bullshit.”

It scares me to death every time I see it.

Due to the Gu family’s characteristics, their physiques tend to be small, but the forearms of those Taoist disciples were like the thighs of ordinary men.

As I recall, it seemed like a very beautiful setting.

Why is everyone…?

[They all look good; that’s how martial artists should be.]

In my view, it was definitely because of this person.

If the source is like this, how can the lower streams be okay?

‘Shin No-ya, honestly, you’ve forgotten you’re a Taoist, haven’t you?’

[To hear such crazy talk in this world… How dare you spew such nonsensical crap at a Taoist Sect Leader.]

‘You’re not the Sect Leader anymore.’

[….]

I heard Shin No-ya’s upset voice say, “…That’s true.”

I felt a little sorry, like I might have hit too hard.

Returning to the topic, if I think back on the ten days I spent with Yeongpung.

He was a crazy bastard in many ways.

“Since you’re a martial artist, your physical training must be different from mine, right? I’m very interested, so if it wouldn’t be rude, perhaps we could train together… “

“No, it is rude.”

It must have been the day after the day after our sparring match.

Suddenly on his back… No, the crazy bastard appeared carrying a rock the size of a carriage on his back, how could anyone not be surprised?

“…Why are you carrying that, Master Yeongpung?”

“Ah, I didn’t have any suitable tools for physical training, so I picked one up nearby.”

Don’t people usually call that ‘picking something up’…?

“Ah, yes…”

“Ah, perhaps Young Hero Gu is also interested? I think there was another one over there, so I’ll go grab it…”

“No! I’m not interested.”

He’s really training with that?

Is this how people normally train…?

I thought I was training diligently after my regression, but seeing that made me feel a bit anxious.

Of course, I had absolutely no intention of imitating it.

“Master Yeongpung, when you train with that, you use internal energy, right?”

“Huh? Why would I use internal energy for external martial arts training…?”

“Ah, that’s right… I guess I asked something strange.”

So he’s training with that without even using internal energy?

It’s amazing he endures such intense exercise.

It was strange how such beautiful sword techniques came from bulging muscles, like with the other disciples.

Perhaps because Yeongpung is relatively young, such drawbacks aren’t very apparent yet,

but massive muscles become a disadvantage when performing fluid movements.

Especially in techniques like assassination arts, swordsmanship, and fist arts, such disadvantages tend to manifest significantly.

It was a case where excessive training becomes detrimental.

[Everything comes full circle.]

‘What do you mean.’

[Do you know that a martial artist’s body changes according to the internal energy cultivated within and their own emotions?]

Of course, I knew that.

The body changes depending on which martial arts one learns and which internal energy cultivation method one uses.

As a prime example, the physically robust and massive appearance of martial artists from the Hebei Peng family is a change adapted to use their martial arts.

That’s why Peng Woojin, who possessed a slender, aristocratic build among them, was such a unique individual.

[The training a Mount Hua disciple receives first, and must undertake themselves until the end, is to become the earth and fertilizer themselves.]

‘By oneself?’

[Yes, so that a stronger tree can grow, and so that more beautiful plum blossoms can bloom.]

‘Are you saying that’s related to those unsightly physiques?’

[That’s just a process. You could tell just by looking at Mount Hua’s first-generation disciples or elders.]

Certainly, although my memory of seeing the Plum Blossom Immortal in the past is hazy, he wasn’t an old man with such a monstrous body.

Rather, he seemed petite, like the Sword Master.

So, in the end, the body changes back?

The turning point, I’d guess, is when a martial artist reaches the Lower Dan Tian and overcomes the bottleneck.

It seems the change occurs roughly after surpassing the peak.

So, in a way, should this be called metamorphosis? Since the physical changes occur as one surpasses a certain level.

As I pondered, Shin No-ya spoke.

[It’s nothing that grand. It’s merely following the principles of the internal energy cultivation.]

‘Is it okay to just blurt out secrets like this to an outsider?’

[Even if they knew, they couldn’t do it, so what kind of secret is this?]

‘That’s true, I suppose.’

It means that upon gaining enlightenment, the very framework of the body changes, built upon the foundation.

I was curious about what kind of damn internal energy cultivation method caused such a change,

but since the one I possess is quite temperamental itself, I couldn’t divert my attention elsewhere.

“Then, please train with me later.”

“…Yes, I understand.”

I said yes, but I wouldn’t actually train with him.

How could I possibly keep up with that?

After Yeongpung left and I practiced some forms, I was about to head back to the carriage.

Someone was peeking out from behind a tree.

A small face peeked out, with large eyes directed towards me.

Wi Seol-ah was stealthily watching me in a peculiar posture.

“…Hm?”

When our eyes met, she startled and hid behind the tree again, but the back of her head, not hidden properly, was sticking out slightly.

What is that? Is she trying to hide?

[The girl’s actions are quite cute.]

As I approached slowly, Wi Seol-ah turned her back, hiding and fidgeting.

“What are you doing?”

“…!”

Her back twitched.

I couldn’t see her expression, but anyone could tell she was surprised, thinking, ‘How did he know?’

“What are you doing here?”

After calling her twice, Wi Seol-ah slowly turned around.

Avoiding my gaze, she held a water bottle and a dry cloth beneath her pouting lips.

Seeing that, I chuckled.

I hadn’t even spoken properly to her for days, so I wondered if something had upset her,

but the fact that she had brought this along and found me despite everything was cute.

[Even someone with a head like yours uses the word ‘cute’.]

‘Do you think I’m not human?’

[I kind of did…]

….

This old geezer….

“Aren’t you going to answer?”

“…No… I mean…”

She still seemed a bit sulky and wasn’t speaking properly,

but Wi Seol-ah carefully handed me what she was holding.

It must have been freshly drawn, as the water was cold; I drank it right away.

My sweat wasn’t an issue due to the internal energy cultivation I possessed, but I pretended to wipe myself anyway.

Noticing her subtle glances, I stroked Wi Seol-ah’s head.

She tried hard to maintain her expression, but I could see it softening slightly for a moment.

Whenever I saw things like this, something stirred within my heart.

[That’s what you call liking something.]

Liking it? Me?

Suddenly, I withdrew my hand.

Wi Seol-ah, who had rested her head under my touch, looked disappointed, but I deliberately ignored it.

“Did you eat?”

I casually asked about her day.

The atmosphere had been strange for the past few days, so I hadn’t been able to talk to her.

“Yes.”

Still just short answers.

But I didn’t give up and asked a bit more.

“What did you eat.”

“Fish… and meat… and vegetables… and the potatoes Sister Hongwa steamed…”

“Right… So you’ve been eating well.”

It seems mood and appetite are separate things.

After a few more exchanges, her pouting lips relaxed, and her gaze, which had been fixed on the trees or grass, turned back to me.

Her slightly smiling mouth looked similar to usual.

Of course, she still seemed a bit grumpy, but this much… should be okay, right?

“Let’s go, we need to depart again.”

“Okay!”

I handed the water bottle and cloth back to Wi Seol-ah and turned towards the carriage.

Wi Seol-ah paused for a moment, watching Gu Yangcheon cross the forest towards the carriage.

Left alone, Wi Seol-ah gently stroked her own head.

She still felt the lingering touch of Gu Yangcheon’s hand.

“Oh, Miss Wi?”

At the voice from behind, Wi Seol-ah turned her head.

Yeongpung stood there, drenched in sweat as if he had just finished training.

Yeongpung smiled brightly upon seeing the items Wi Seol-ah was holding.

“Ah, I’m terribly thirsty right now, would it be alright if I took a drink?”

Wi Seol-ah glanced at Yeongpung briefly before replying.

“No, this belongs to Young Master.”

Yeongpung faltered slightly at her firm response.

“…Ah! It belongs to Young Hero Gu. Miss, it seems you were waiting for Young Hero Gu to finish training. You must have worked hard.”

Saying that, Yeongpung reached out to stroke Wi Seol-ah’s head.

Wi Seol-ah dodged her head and took a step back.

As a result, Yeongpung’s hand remained awkwardly in mid-air.

“I’ll get going first.”

Wi Seol-ah said that, gave a slight bow, and then quickly followed the path Gu Yangcheon had taken.

Left alone, Yeongpung scratched his cheek with his hand.

“…Was she always like this?”

When she was with Young Hero Gu, she always seemed to be smiling.

The gaze she just gave him was disconcertingly cold.

Moreover, for some reason, it felt like a chilling sensation swept over his back.

It must be my imagination.

Yeongpung simply thought so.

---

A long time passed, and summer entered its hottest period.

The slowly moving carriage finally stopped.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Namgung Bi-ah dismounted, wearing a veil.

It was because people’s gazes were bothersome wherever she went, so she had put something over her head.

Looking up, a tall mountain faced us.

[Mount Hua is always the same. I feel its nobility and uprightness.]

I nodded and replied to Shin No-ya’s emotional words.

“…Yes, it’s damnably high as expected.”

Mount Hua Sect.

I had finally arrived at a place that held many meanings for me.