Chapter 62: Not Yours (1)
One month.
That was the amount of time that had passed since we set off from the Gu Clan to Shaanxi.
We stopped by a few towns on the way to take care of supplies, and we also encountered some demon gates for battle a few times.
Fortunately, we managed to maintain a relatively peaceful journey without any casualties or injuries.
With the guards of the Gu Clan and several martial artists from the Mount Hua Sect included in our party, it would have been strange for any accidents to occur.
As time flowed on and we reached a somewhat safer point, I found I had more time for training and daydreaming.
Though we had traveled for dozens of days, boredom still lingered due to the long distance still ahead of us.
However, if I were to pinpoint something different from the beginning of this journey, it would be that my biggest worry was no longer the boredom of waiting to arrive at Mount Hua.
It wasn’t even the unexpected companionship of Namgung Bi-ah that troubled me.
And it certainly wasn’t the sudden sulking of Wi Seol-ah.
“Hey! Young Master!”
Did I mention that Yung Pung was quite the chatterbox?
I think it’s time to rephrase that.
“Would you like to do some leg workouts today?”
This guy wasn’t just chatty; he was definitely operating on a completely abnormal level.
When we consider the Mount Hua Sect a bit,
First and foremost, the Mount Hua Sect stands as one of the leading sects among those that train in swordsmanship.
Sure, there are many sects practicing sword techniques like Kunlun and Wudang, but the reason Mount Hua sits at the pinnacle is none other than the Divine Sword of Mount Hua and the presence of the current leader, the Celestial Plum Blossom.
Ahem.
Elder Shin coughed awkwardly at that thought.
I wasn’t particularly thrilled to acknowledge this, but reality is what it is.
In the past, the Divine Sword had significant appearances during the Blood War.
The same goes for the Celestial Plum Blossom, who showcased his prowess countless times against various unorthodox sects in his prime.
The greatest swordsman of our contemporary era was indeed the Sword Emperor, but discussions about whether the Celestial Plum Blossom lacked that level of strength are still common today.
In my view, it was simply that he had taken a step back due to being in the position of a leader.
Concerning whether he was really inferior to the top martial artists—it’s a rather nuanced conversation.
“How fascinating that one can think so rationally…”
‘…’
I really didn’t like that voice echoing in my head.
Anyway, the most significant factor was not just the iconic figures, but the symbolization of the Mount Hua Sect itself.
Plum Blossom Sword Art.
Among the numerous sword techniques spreading across the Central Plains, it is said that the Plum Blossom Sword Art, alongside the Sword Emperor’s Moonlight Dance, is regarded as the most exquisite.
Moreover, knowing that the Sword Emperor’s technique is a personal, one-on-one fighting style, the Plum Blossom Sword Art doesn’t branch out into various schools like other sects might.
In that sense, the sword art of Mount Hua is a product of centuries of growth and evolution, filled with the hearts of countless practitioners.
Just looking at the match I had with the Dragon Sword exemplifies this.
The plum blossoms blooming around Yung Pung didn’t sway with the wind—they flowed with the Qi emitted by him.
This indicates that the flowers dance according to the will of the user.
Within that floral dance, Mount Hua’s swordplay is graceful and radiant.
In a single stroke resembles watching a beautiful dance, infusing sharpness and seriousness into the technique.
It’s no surprise it is renowned for its tremendous difficulty and high standards in martial arts. Training with that many plum blossoms requires a constant flow of technique.
Thus, as a martial art demanding profound understanding, I did expect it would require strenuous training.
“…Is it because I’ve trained my body less, or have I grown? Lately, it feels like my chest has shrunk a bit.”
“Senior, please stop thrusting out your chest while saying that… It’s quite off-putting.”
“Why don’t you put on some clothes? The others are turning away because of how unappealing you look.”
“…They’re merely feeling shy, that’s all.”
“People kind of call that nonsense.”
Every time I look at these fools, I feel like I might die of fright.
The characteristic of the Gu Clan leans towards being smaller in stature, yet somehow, the arms of the members of the Mount Hua Sect resembled the size of a typical man’s thigh.
I remember it being a beautifully picturesque clan.
So why does everyone…?
“Everyone looks good, that’s how a martial artist should be.”
This must be the old man’s doing.
If the upper water is like this, how could the lower water remain untainted?
‘Elder Shin, have you honestly forgotten that you were a Taoist?’
“So you’re telling me I’m hearing this kind of nonsense… How dare you speak such wild words to a Taoist sect leader!”
‘You’re not really the leader anymore, are you?’
“…”
I could nearly hear Elder Shin’s voice say ‘…That’s accurate.’ in a mournful tone.
I felt a slight pang of guilt for delivering that punch to the gut.
Returning to the days I spent with Yung Pung for the last ten days,
Clearly, this guy was a lunatic in various respects too.
“Since you’re a physical training master, your regimen must differ from mine, right? I’m really curious, so if it’s not a bother… could we possibly train together?”
“No, it’s truly bothersome.”
I believe that was when things went downhill—right after the duel day.
Suddenly, this muscle-bound maniac showed up with a rock the size of a cart on his back—how was I not shocked?
“Why are you hauling that, Yung Pung?”
“Oh, there weren’t any suitable training tools, so I just picked it up nearby.”
“You really just say ‘picked it up’ when it’s a boulder like that…?”
“Oh, is that so…?”
“Oh, could you be interested in this? I think I saw another one over there, let me go grab it….”
“No! I’m not interested.”
“Seriously, he’s going to train with that?”
“Is that how he trains every single day?”
I thought I was working hard post-reincarnation, but after witnessing his training, my efforts felt like they were nothing!
Not that I had any intentions of mimicking his methods.
“Yung Pung, you incorporate your Qi with strength while training with that boulder, right?”
“Huh? Why would I bother using my Qi for physical training…?”
“Oh right… I asked a rather obvious question, didn’t I?”
“So you mean to say that he doesn’t even bother using Qi while training with that…?”
It was freaking impressive that he could withstand such a demanding training regime.
What was equally astonishing was how these muscle-bound dudes could channel such grace through their sword arts.
Yung Pung still looked relatively young, so he didn’t seem to exhibit that disadvantage yet,
However, it’s widely known that larger, muscular bodies are often a hindrance to fluid movement when wielding a sword.
This logic applies beyond just swordsmanship.
Too much training can turn toxic for many.
“Everything eventually returns to its origin.”
“What do you mean?”
“A martial artist’s physique evolves along with the type of Qi they cultivate and the techniques they learn.”
“Yes, I understand that.”
The physique of a martial artist changes according to the martial arts they practice.
For instance, the reason the martial artists of the Peng Clan look so imposing is due to adaptations necessary for utilizing their clan’s techniques.
This distinction made Peng Woojin quite exceptional among the Pengs, as he maintained a slender and princely body during his youth, while the rest of his clan featured rugged physiques.
“For a martial artist of the Mount Hua Sect, it is extremely crucial that one establishes a vigorous self-training routine that will act as their strong foundation.”
‘Self-training, huh?’
“Exactly. All of this ensures that sturdy trees can take root and bloom more lovely plum blossoms.”
“Does their monstrous physique relate to that?”
“That’s merely part of the process. If you were to look at the first-generation students or the elders of the Mount Hua Sect, they’d have experienced the same transformations.”
My past memories about the Celestial Plum Blossom were somewhat hazy, but I was confident he didn’t have such a monstrous physique.
If anything, his build reminded me more of the Sword Emperor.
“So does that imply that a person’s body ultimately normalizes?”
The point a martial artist reaches when their Qi fundamentally overcomes their limits and allows them to break through to the higher realm,
I thought that’s when they begin transforming after surpassing the peak realm.
Is this also somewhat akin to rebirth? Since they seem to change physically as they overcome the peak of their martial journey.
As I still pondered this, Elder Shin spoke up.
“It’s not nearly as grand as you think. They are simply following the natural evolution of their Qi.”
“Is it truly alright for you to share such secrets with outsiders?”
“Wouldn’t matter if you knew or not; it’s not like you can do anything about it in the end.”
“That’s a fair point.”
So, to summarize, once the body’s foundation is laid down, it adjusts accordingly once enlightenment is achieved.
I contemplated what sort of martial arts this clan practiced that enabled such remarkable bodily transformations,
But at present, I had no choice but to focus on the beast petrified inside me.
“Then let’s train together next time.”
“…Yes.”
Though I had said yes, I had no real intentions of doing so.
“How on Earth am I supposed to keep up with that?”
I planned to finish a light training session and head back to the carriage once Yung Pung departed.
However, at that moment, I spotted someone peeking from behind a tree.
A petite face with large eyes was directed towards me.
It was none other than Wi Seol-Ah, sneaking a glance at me from her unusual hiding spot.
“…Huh?”
Once our gazes met, she flinched and quickly hid behind the tree. But she wasn’t hiding very well, as her hair was sticking out.
“What the— Is she trying to hide or something?”
“The actions of that girl are pretty adorable.”
As I approached her, she turned her back towards me, nervously fidgeting.
“What are you doing?”
“…!”
Her back jolted at my question.
I couldn’t see her face, but it was evident she wore a shocked expression as if questioning how I had spotted her.
“What are you doing here?”
After calling her a second time, Wi Seol-Ah gradually turned to face me.
Still avoiding eye contact, she had a pouting lip and held a water bottle and a dry towel.
The sight made me smile.
For several days without a proper conversation, I thought I had made her upset,
But her thoughtful gesture of bringing those items with her while still sulking was honestly quite adorable.
“Even with a head like yours, ‘cute’ seems to fit.”
“Do you think I’m not human?”
“I might have thought that way a little…”
“….”
“This old man…”
“Are you not going to answer?”
“…N… no.”
She still seemed a bit upset as she had trouble responding.
Yet, she nonetheless carefully handed me what she brought.
I gulped down the cold water she had offered me.
Sweat wouldn’t be an issue, as my Qi allows me to dry off instantly, but I pretended to wipe away my sweat with the towel.
Seeing her glancing my way, I patted Wi Seol-Ah’s head.
She tried to maintain a stoic expression, but ultimately, her mood brightened a bit.
Every time I caught a glimpse of her, my heart fluttered joyfully.
“That’s what a crush feels like.”
“A crush? On me?”
I retracted my hand from her head.
Wi Seol-Ah shot a disappointed glance my way, but I chose to ignore it.
“Have you eaten?”
To keep the conversation light and casual, I asked.
It had been a few days since I sensed something was off, which made me hesitant to speak to her.
“Yes.”
“Still keeping it short, huh?”
Though determined, I pressed on with more questions.
“What did you eat?”
“Fish… meat… vegetables… potatoes that sister Hongwa steamed for me…”
“Right… So at least you’re eating well.”
“It seems her appetite doesn’t change based on her mood.”
After a few more exchanges, her pouting lips softened and her gaze from the grass and trees returned to me.
A modest smile crept onto her face too.
Of course, she still carried some lingering disappointment, but this degree was acceptable… right?
“Let’s move, we need to set off again.”
“Yes!”
I handed the water bottle and towel back to Wi Seol-Ah before we headed towards the carriage.
As Gu Yangcheon made his way through the forest towards our carriage, Wi Seol-Ah paused briefly to watch his departure.
Left alone, Wi Seol-Ah gently patted her own head.
She still felt the warmth of Gu Yangcheon’s hand lingering on her head.
“Oh, Lady Wi?”
She turned at the voice that called from behind her.
The voice belonged to Yung Pung, sweating after completing his workout.
Noticing the items in Wi Seol-Ah’s hands, he smiled brightly.
“Oh, I was just feeling thirsty; may I have a sip of that?”
Wi Seol-Ah gazed at Yung Pung for a moment before replying.
“No, this is for Young Master.”
Yung Pung paused at this firm response for a moment.
“…Oh! So it’s for Young Master Gu? I guess you’re waiting for him to finish training, huh? That’s quite commendable.”
As he finished speaking, Yung Pung reached out to pat Wi Seol-Ah on the head, but she managed to dodge his hand and took a step back.
His hand was left awkwardly hovering in space.
“I’ll take my leave now.”
With that, Wi Seol-Ah nodded slightly before walking down the path Gu Yangcheon took.
Left standing alone, Yung Pung scratched his cheek in confusion.
“…Was she always this kind of person?”
Whenever she was with Young Master Gu, she always seemed cheerful and wore a radiant smile.
Yet, the Wi Seol-Ah he just encountered was so cold it left him perplexed.
Moreover, for some inexplicable reason, there was an eerie chill that crawled down his spine.
“Just a figment of my imagination.”
Yung Pung casually reassured himself.
As time rolled on, summer reached its sweltering peak.
The slowly moving carriage finally came to a halt.
In the midst of the lively crowd, Namgung Bi-ah descended from the carriage donning veils covering her face.
Wherever she went, attracting stares must have been a burden she felt compelled to bear.
Looking up, I found a massively tall mountain looming before us.
“Mount Hua remains the same as ever. I can feel its nobility and integrity.”
With Elder Shin’s nostalgic words hanging in the air, I simply nodded and responded lightly.
“…Yeah, it’s disgustingly tall.”
Mount Hua.
We had finally arrived at a place that held significant meaning for me in more ways than one.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.