Chapter 97: Tournament (2)
It was around two to three years ago that Shinhyun, the second-generation disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, first encountered Gu Ryunghwa.
It was at the end of winter, just as spring was beginning to make its appearance, when the Celestial Plum Blossom—Dohwa—suddenly brought her in as the youngest member of their group.
She was introduced as their junior, being the disciple of the most famous sword maiden in the realm, the Plum Blossom Sword.
By that time, the new entries of the third-generation disciples had already wrapped up, and there was quite a bit of opposition since she was entering as a second-generation disciple right off the bat.
To the current third-generation disciples, it was hard to accept that a random young girl was suddenly their direct senior.
For the second-generation disciples, it raised concerns on how to appropriately treat Gu Ryunghwa, especially considering the feelings of the third-generation disciples.
Nevertheless, the matter had already been decided by the Sect Leader and the elders, leaving the disciples with no choice but to accept.
When the Sect Leader declared something to be true, it was indeed true. And if he deemed it wrong, then it was wrong.
Such was the level of trust that the disciples held for their leader.
A few days later, news reached Shinhyun that Gu Ryunghwa had arrived at the Mount Hua Sect.
However, due to being tied up discussing some matters with the elders, he couldn’t visit her right away.
By the time Shinhyun made his way to the lodgings of the second-generation disciples, he found himself greeted by a strange sight—his juniors were all huddled around something.
Given their gigantic physiques, it was easy to spot them from a distance.
‘…They might be a tad too big, don’t you think?’
He had heard that as one’s realm improved, their bodies would change as well, and it was okay. Yet still, some of the disciples were showing signs of disappointment about that transformation.
– My broad shoulders and biceps are going to disappear…? Oh, Senior, I think I’ll stop training from today!
– Right…! I can’t give up these rock-hard thighs!
– …Please, don’t talk while flexing your chest. Watching that is making me want to hurl.
These guys were definitely insane…
Clearly oblivious to Shinhyun’s arrival, he had no choice but to clear his throat loudly in an attempt to grab their attention.
“Ahem…! Ahem…!”
Normally, at this point, they would have realized someone was there, but for some peculiar reason, they remained wholly unresponsive.
Frustrated, Shinhyun had to elbow his way through the crowd of muscle-bound disciples.
In the middle of this comedic scene was a little girl.
Whether it was because of the cold or the sheer terror of the situation, the girl was shivering uncontrollably.
Wrapped in the arms of Shinmil, one of the rare female disciples among the towering giants, she looked around with trembling eyes and bright red ears.
“Can you move back a bit…! Can’t you see she’s scared!”
Shinmil shouted, and at that, the burly guys slowly began to back away.
Even while giving her space, the girl still looked like she might burst into tears at any moment.
The men were left scratching their heads, confused and questioning what exactly they had done to scare her.
“But why is she scared…? We didn’t do anything!”
“Seriously, shouldn’t she feel safe surrounded by our boulder-sized muscles?”
“Yeah, surely she should feel that we’re here to protect her… but she’s just a child, so she probably doesn’t understand.”
How had they become so clueless?
They certainly hadn’t acted this way during their third-generation disciple days.
Shinhyun sighed in disappointment as he watched his juniors’ embarrassing antics.
In the next moment, he slowly approached the little girl, lowering himself to her eye level.
He recalled his mother saying that children felt more at ease when someone spoke to them at their height.
“Nice to meet you. So you’re Gu Ryunghwa, right? I’m Shinhyun,” he introduced himself.
“…!”
Yet for some inexplicable reason, as soon as he spoke, the girl burrowed deeper into Shinmil’s arms.
Is this not working…?
“Uh… I just…”
“Wah…!”
Shinhyun tried to reassure her, lifting his hand as a gesture, but it only made her flinch and tremble more intensely.
Before long, tears began to stream down her large, innocent eyes.
“B-big bro…”
“Whoa… eldest brother made her cry.”
“Wow… and he told us to move back. He really is the worst of us all.”
“W-What did I even do…!”
To be fair, Shinhyun hadn’t even been the one to tell them to back off.
Getting frustrated with the situation, all he could think of was how the child was now crying.
In the end, he completely failed to greet her, and the rest of the day was spent soothing the little girl.
Of course, that task fell not to the young men but to the other female disciples, like Shinmil.
Even the next day, Shinhyun still couldn’t strike up a proper conversation with Gu Ryunghwa.
Did she even manage to get a good night’s sleep? Her eyes were puffy from the crying.
Did she cry all night?
He pondered deeper, …Why hasn’t she shown up yet?
Usually, when a primary disciple’s direct master is in charge, they receive special training from them. Yet for some reason, the Sword Master never arrived.
The Sect Leader hadn’t said much on that matter either, other than to make sure they took good care of her.
The problem at hand was figuring out the best way to care for a child so frightened.
They tried to come together and figure things out, but it wasn’t straightforward.
One day, as they watched Gu Ryunghwa train, a disciple nervously spoke up.
“…Eldest Brother, about Gu Ryunghwa…”
“What’s up?”
The anxious expression on the junior’s face screamed that they were at their wits’ end.
“…I can’t—I’m afraid I might break her if I even touch her…!”
“…What?”
Initially, Shinhyun thought the statement was ludicrous.
But just one glance at Gu Ryunghwa’s small, fragile frame made it clear. It genuinely appeared that even the slightest contact would be like holding a snowflake—dangerous.
Additionally, the mere act of getting close to her sent her into a crying fit…
All the same, he encouraged them, “That’s right! Move your feet just like that! Good job!”
“Whoa! She picked up a sword! She actually picked up a sword!”
“Uh, uh-oh! Could it be the junior is actually a genius?”
The younger disciples appeared to be having the time of their lives.
Given the selection this time round didn’t include any girls, it made sense. Not one of the other second-generation female disciples resembled a delicate flower—they were all fierce.
Especially Shinmil—her strength had Shinhyun questioning whether he could still win against her in a duel.
The distinction of gender was immaterial among martial artists.
Yet, given the arrival of such a gentle and delicate girl amidst all these monstrous men, it was comprehensible why everyone had become so scatterbrained.
But does this attitude really assist in her training?
They go full devil mode when training others, so why are they acting like this with her?
Though annoyed with the situation, Shinhyun found himself overwhelmed when faced with Gu Ryunghwa’s fragility.
At this rate, he had serious doubts about whether they could train her properly.
Though it was beneficial that they were fond of the new girl, their excessive pampering could hinder her growth.
That’s when he decided to have her train with the third-generation disciples instead.
Shinhyun thought it better for her to train in a setting closer to her age rather than amidst a bunch of burly men.
The Sect Leader had entrusted him with the freedom to choose the best approach too, making the decision even clearer.
Even with all the fear and tears, Gu Ryunghwa was trying her best to learn and perform the movements.
However, a problem arose on the fourth day of her training with the third-generation disciples.
While he was still busy training, a junior came rushing toward him, yelling desperately.
“Eldest Brother!”
“What’s going on now?”
This was one of the children adamant about watching Gu Ryunghwa’s training.
Despite Shinhyun’s reprimands, they remained fixated on the sight, and he let them be.
Panting heavily, one of the disciples managed to speak out, “Gu… Gu Ryunghwa has fainted!”
“What?”
Gu Ryunghwa faced an unexpected crisis during her training.
Fortunately, she regained consciousness shortly after. But the sight of her curled up in fear took a hit at his heart.
Face scrunching up with concerns, Shinhyun quickly turned to the third-generation disciples to ask what had happened.
He needed to uncover the truth behind the incident.
But when he questioned them, the juniors could only wear expressions of sadness and guilt.
They claimed they hadn’t done anything wrong and were only trying to teach her. But the moment they reached out to help her, she began to cry hysterically.
Then, when one of them accidentally brushed against her, she fainted on the spot.
The healing crew from the Mount Hua Sect reported that physically, there was no issue with her at all.
The problem laid with her mental state…
Shinhyun, who had made a name for himself for his extraordinary swordsmanship, couldn’t help but feel incompetent when faced with these psychological conditions.
What the hell is going on here?
What could possibly be rattling that tiny girl to this extent?
Even though Gu Ryunghwa had only recently joined their sect, they had begun to view her as family.
Such was the notion firmly held by the Sect Leader, and all disciples agreed wholeheartedly.
“Eldest Brother, what do we do…?”
“If we act hastily at this juncture, it may only aggravate matters. Let’s give her some time.”
The healer had advised against casually approaching her, suggesting keeping a safe distance for the time being.
And thus, they were left watching as time drifted by.
In the span of those moments, Shinhyun learned something about Gu Ryunghwa.
She wasn’t just afraid of strangers, but fearful of people in general.
Especially the men.
And the fear intensified when the man was younger.
Is this really fear?
Shinhyun initially thought so, but as he continued to observe Gu Ryunghwa, the emotions swirling in her were much more complex than mere fear.
Vast emotions filled her gaze, including resentment, despair, and numerous other negative feelings that swirled in her exhausted eyes.
Amid that tempest of negative energy, Shinhyun could also sense a hint of longing.
Thus, it was impossible to merely reduce her emotions down to fear.
As a result, he couldn’t afford to place her with the third-generation disciples. If she was uncomfortable with males, the choice was clear—she needed to train alongside the other female disciples.
Since their incident, time continued on, and several seasons transitioned.
Gu Ryunghwa blossomed into a young lady, yet the barrier separating her from those around her persisted—a line she wouldn’t allow others to cross.
Although she seemed to improve, getting along with the male disciples remained challenging.
Fortunately, there were still moments when she appeared genuinely happy.
It must be when she looks forward to seeing her master.
Shinhyun had learned that the Sword Master’s residence was located high up in the mountains. Whenever possible, Gu Ryunghwa would ascend those heights, despite it seeming to tire her out further.
Other disciples found themselves forbidden from entering that area, leading to much speculation.
Most of the talk centered around the concern that there might be health issues regarding the Sword Master.
However, none wanted to delve into that topic, knowing it could spiral into rumors.
Around this time, something untoward happened, leading them to venture outside the sect to check the surrounding areas.
Swordsmen from the sect began to go missing.
In a panic, they began their search, yet no leads turned up. Traces of the missing swordsmen were few and far between.
Ultimately dragging their feet back home, a downcast mood enveloped the team as Yung Pung suddenly declared he felt something odd off in the distance, breaking rank to investigate.
Since Yung Pung often acted on instinct, Shinhyun sighed heavily and decide to follow along to keep things under control, knowing this habit was common for him.
This was hardly the first time such a scenario unfolded.
Upon arriving, Shinhyun was met with Gu Yangcheon.
At first, seeing the boy lying there unconscious led him to think Yung Pung had done something foolish. He nearly lost it right then.
Fortunately, that wasn’t the case, and the misunderstanding dissipated quickly.
As he engaged in chat with the now-awake Gu Yangcheon, Shinhyun learned that he was Gu Ryunghwa’s sibling.
When Gu Yangcheon stated he had come to retrieve Gu Ryunghwa, a rush of relief swept over Shinhyun.
He didn’t know the specific reason why, but lately, Gu Ryunghwa appeared a good deal more anxious. He just wanted her to have some time away from the sect to relax a bit.
It was likely that other disciples shared this same sentiment…
Although Shinhyun wasn’t particularly well versed on the Gu Clan, he was aware it was home to the renowned prodigy known as the Sword Phoenix.
And not to mention, the Tiger Warrior.
The Sword Phoenix was said to surpass even Yung Pung with her formidable talent.
While Shinhyun had never seen her up close, it was hard to fathom such a thing.
It was nearly inconceivable that someone could outshine Yung Pung, who managed to manifest plum blossoms on the tip of his sword before even turning twenty.
But what left Shinhyun even more bewildered was when he unexpectedly witnessed Gu Yangcheon—out of the blue—defeat Yung Pung in combat.
…Yung Pung… lost?
As he watched Yung Pung writhe on the ground, vomiting up blood, and observing Gu Yangcheon remain there, utterly unbothered, disbelief gripped Shinhyun.
The rudeness of Yung Pung was evident as he had underestimated this young boy, who was capable of turning blooming flowers into ashes.
…Plum flowers engulfed in flames, what is even happening here?
The beautiful plum leaves once floating around the area transformed into cinders under the flames erupting from the boy’s body.
That surreal image was beyond comprehension for Shinhyun, who held strong loyalty to the Mount Hua Sect.
In that moment, he made a definitive conclusion.
…This child will one day take the seat of the Heavenly Dragon.
Though Gu Yangcheon hadn’t yet gained fame due to his youth, it seemed more probable that it stemmed from never partaking in the meeting of young prodigies—the Clash of the Dragon and Phoenix.
Ever since Peng Woojin stepped down from the title of Heavenly Dragon to accept the position of the Young Lord of his clan, it naturally fell to the Sword Phoenix during that age of prodigies.
Shinhyun had believed that once time passed and the Sword Phoenix relinquished her title, the vacant spot would transition to Yung Pung.
That had been his assumption until witnessing Gu Yangcheon’s overwhelming skills forced him to rethink his position.
…I’m without words; he’s an absolute monster.
The way he gauged the situation and executed movements without any hesitation emphasized his raw talent.
Not only did he wield immense Qi and strength to accompany his movements, but he also possessed speed that paired perfectly with his aggressive power.
The ability to command those wild flames with such unwavering composure was unbelievable for someone his age.
Gu Yangcheon possessed a talent acquired from countless battles—quite unnatural.
…What exactly is the Gu Clan?
Previously, he merely recognized it as a reputable noble clan from Shanxi. Yet now it became evident they had birthed not only the Sword Phoenix but also the existence of a creature like Gu Yangcheon…
“How terrifying…”
Before he knew it, he found himself more concerned with Gu Yangcheon than the treasure he had carried for delivery to the sect.
Those strangely hollow and vacant eyes that contrasted sharply with his sharp, fierce demeanor only added to the intrigue.
He treated his followers respectfully, never looking down on them. Moreover, a journey of this length should have subdued someone his age, yet there he was, persistently training, which made Shinhyun believe him to be an extremely well-mannered child.
Surely he’s been a good brother to Gu Ryunghwa.
Shinhyun sometimes thought that Gu Ryunghwa’s demeanor might be tied to events from her clan.
Yet, the haunting image of her sobbing in Shinmil’s arms while searching for her brother lingered in his mind.
However, during that last visit to her clan a few years back, the yearning she once had vanished into thin air.
Shinhyun considered this to be a sign Gu Ryunghwa had come to terms with something.
Of course, it didn’t erase the distance between her and the other disciples, but there lay a flicker of hope that perhaps she was slightly better than her former self.
But…
Shinhyun picked up on an unsettling change in Gu Ryunghwa since Gu Yangcheon had arrived at the Mount Hua Sect.
After Gu Yangcheon showed up, Shinhyun noticed Gu Ryunghwa displaying the same expressions and complex emotions she had worn when she first entered the clan: resentment, fear, despair, longing, and sorrow.
In that instant, Shinhyun realized that the recipient of Gu Ryunghwa’s tangled feelings was none other than her brother, Gu Yangcheon.
Are my eyes deceiving me?
He wanted to believe that Gu Yangcheon wouldn’t act cruelly towards his sister.
This made for a quandary because, after all, Shinhyun prided himself on having a sharp eye for the true nature of individuals.
Though he still didn’t believe Gu Yangcheon was a bad person, doubts continued to plague him.
Shinhyun had never liked hesitating about anything. As a martial artist dedicated to the greatness of Mount Hua Sect, he had never learned to embrace hesitation.
That’s why he fervently sought to unravel this matter.
He directly inquired with Gu Yangcheon.
Finally, after a long time of deliberation, he asked the boy, and without a moment’s hesitation, Gu Yangcheon responded firmly.
“Yes, it’s my fault.”
The boy’s answer rang with unwavering resolution… almost too resolutely.
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