The woman glared at Cheongmyeong with cold eyes.
In that moment, Cheongmyeong managed to gather some information about the person before him.
First of all, this woman belonged to Huashan.
The plum blossom pattern engraved on her martial robe proved that fact.
Only the disciples of Huashan could wear such a robe.
Secondly, "Tsk tsk. She must be quite the charmer."
She was beautiful.
In his previous life, Cheongmyeong had roamed the martial world countless times.
While it was the right path for a Taoist to cultivate without being swayed by worldly affairs, it was impossible for someone as renowned as Cheongmyeong, the greatest master of Huashan, to remain cooped up within Huashan.
This had been the case since he was a late-stage disciple.
It all began with defeating the late-stage disciples of other sects, those geniuses, prodigies who appeared once in a hundred years, or those who were called the Three Dragons.
After that, he had to raise Huashan's reputation through heroic deeds, capturing troublemakers or swindlers.
And that was not all.
Even in his old age, he had to defeat all the top masters of other sects to prove that Huashan's sword was the best in the world.
Of course, it was not by his own will.
"The elders were always pushing me."
It is human nature to resist when forced to do something.
The role of the Huashan elders at that time was to somehow involve Cheongmyeong with the outside world.
Thanks to that, Cheongmyeong had traveled the martial world to the point of exhaustion.
However, among all those travels, he had rarely encountered a beauty like this one.
Though she still had the feeling of a flower yet to bloom, he couldn't help but wonder what she would look like when she fully blossomed.
Her ebony hair and eyebrows, her snow-white skin, and her exceptionally clear, large eyes were striking.
If Cheongmyeong had been a young child, he might have been overwhelmed by her beauty and flustered.
The problem was that the current Cheongmyeong was an old man who had experienced too much and seen too much to be swayed by mere appearances.
"Who are you?"
"I'm a person."
"......"
The sword pressed a little deeper.
Ah, that stings! She doesn't understand jokes!
"Huashan's martial robe."
Her gaze lingered on Cheongmyeong's chest before returning to his face.
"I've never seen your face before. Who are you?"
"This is the first time I've seen you too."
The woman's eyes narrowed.
"Are you perhaps a third-generation disciple?"
"Yes."
"The third-generation disciples are forbidden from leaving the sect after sunset."
"I can."
"...... What?"
"The sect leader permitted it."
The boldness in Cheongmyeong's tone sent a chill across the woman's face.
"The sect leader?"
"Yes."
"To a third-generation disciple?"
"Yes."
"That's a lie."
Cheongmyeong shrugged without answering.
"You can check. Surely a disciple of Huashan wouldn't lie in the name of the sect leader?"
The woman's eyes wavered slightly.
It seemed she found some merit in his words.
"Then please put away that sword. It's prickly."
"......"
The woman lowered her sword.
Though she couldn't confirm the truth of his words, if it was indeed permitted by the sect leader, then Cheongmyeong's presence here was not a crime.
However, "Watching others train is originally forbidden."
"This is originally where I trained. Just yesterday, someone suddenly appeared in my training area and asked me why I was peeking. What should I say?"
"You should leave the moment you discover someone."
"If a stranger is lurking around Huashan, I should check it out."
The woman bit her lip.
Seeing her white face turn slightly red, it seemed she was getting heated. 'She can't argue well.' The sword seemed quite sharp, but her tongue was not.
After all, with a face like that, she probably didn't have to argue much. 'What a dirty world.' Anyway, those with good looks live life easily.
"What's your name?"
"Cheongmyeong."
"Have you already received your title?"
"No. My name is Cheongmyeong."
"...... The third-generation disciples have names that start with 'Cheong,' right? Not titles?"
"Yes. If I receive a title, it will also be Cheongmyeong."
"Ah......"
She's simple-minded.
It's clear she's not very bright.
"I am Liu Yisue."
"Yes."
Liu Yisue stared at Cheongmyeong without saying a word.
"Why are you looking at me?"
"I am the second-generation disciple, so if you are indeed a third-generation disciple of Huashan, that means I am your master."
Huh? Cheongmyeong tilted his head. 'Is there a second-generation master?' Of course, Huashan's hierarchy follows the order of Cheongmyeong, Hyeonun, and Baek.
So, it makes sense that under the master, there would be a second-generation disciple.
It is normal for there to be a second-generation disciple under the current master teaching the children. 'Since I haven't seen anyone, I just forgot about it.'
When there is a war in the sect or a closure of the gates, skipping a generation in the hierarchy can lead to various issues due to age differences.
Therefore, depending on the situation, it is common to skip a generation.
Given Huashan's difficult circumstances, it seemed that was how it was handled, but does that mean there is a second-generation disciple?
"I've never heard of a second-generation disciple or master in Huashan until today."
"You are the youngest disciple of Huashan?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Didn't your senior brothers tell you?"
"Uh... Well..."
The third-generation disciples, who were pondering how to escape just by making eye contact with Cheongmyeong, would never share such information with him. 'That's my fault.' Cheongmyeong nodded cleanly, understanding the situation.
"It seems there was some misunderstanding. What can we do about it?"
A second-generation disciple he never expected had suddenly appeared.
But what problem could that be? From Cheongmyeong's perspective, it was just a few more kids added to the mix.
"Is that all?"
"Huh?"
"Greetings?"
Cheongmyeong's face twisted in confusion. 'No. A little kid is expecting a greeting from an old man?' Being young is a crime.
Being young is a crime.
It's truly frustrating.
"Yes. Nice to meet you, Master."
Cheongmyeong greeted her in a voice devoid of any emotion. 'So can you leave now?' I need to train.
Don't just sit here and waste time in someone else's training ground! The sun is about to rise!
......
What a strange kid.
"Who? Me?"
Liu Yisue, who had been looking at Cheongmyeong with curiosity in her eyes, spoke in a slightly colder tone.
"I will confirm with the sect leader whether what you said is true. If you lied, you better be prepared."
Cheongmyeong replied nonchalantly.
"Go ahead."
"......"
After staring at Cheongmyeong for a long time in silence, Liu Yisue tilted her head slightly.
"This is really strange."
"......"
He wanted to return that statement.
Liu Yisue sheathed her sword, glanced at Cheongmyeong, and began to descend the Falling Flower Peak.
As her figure disappeared, Cheongmyeong sighed while looking at the sun rising in the distance.
"Oh, my fate."
Being treated like this by a kid who was younger than his great-grandson.
"My training time has become uncertain."
He could train if he wanted to, but the thought of someone else sharing this place made him lose the desire to practice. 'At this rate, I might have to go down to Huashan every time I want to train.' Cheongmyeong smacked his lips.
It seemed he would have to look for another training ground.
"What's with the atmosphere?"
Cheongmyeong tilted his head as he looked at the restaurant, which felt like a funeral home.
This gloomy and eerie atmosphere was the first he had seen in months.
It seemed the Baekmaegwan used to have a slightly similar atmosphere, but since Cheongmyeong turned it upside down, it had never been like this again.
"Have you come?"
Yun Jong raised his hand slightly.
After receiving his meal, Cheongmyeong walked over to the table where Yun Jong and Jo Geol were sitting and immediately asked, "What's with the atmosphere?"
"...... Your masters are returning."
"The second-generation disciples?"
"Oh? You know about that?"
"......"
Should I catch this guy? I've lived my whole life only in Huashan, you know!
Anyway, so what? What’s the problem with the second-generation disciples returning?
"Well, first, don't refer to your masters as second-generation disciples. If they hear you, there will be trouble. You could get in big trouble."
"Me? Or you?"
"...... That's something I need to think about."
Yun Jong smiled wryly.
"The masters have been away from Huashan for a while for closed-door training. In the past, the training halls were not properly maintained, so there was no place for large-scale closed-door training within Huashan."
"So they went on a study trip?"
"...... It's not quite right to call it a study trip since they didn't go to another sect."
"Anyway, so what? Why are the kids acting like that? Are the masters all so ill-tempered that they beat the kids?"
"The masters don’t oppress people like some do."
"I'm curious about who that 'some' is."
"...... Let’s move on."
Yun Jong awkwardly retreated after trying to make a jab.
Jo Geol quickly picked up the conversation.
"It's because of the Huazhong meeting."
"Huh? The meeting of flowers ending?"
"No, it's the meeting between Huashan and Jongnam."
"What is that?"
Jo Geol sighed.
"Huashan and Jongnam exchange visits from time to time. Now, they hold a martial arts competition every two years to compare each other's achievements."
"Oh, I think I've heard something like that before... When did it start?"
"I don't know. Anyway, I heard it's been quite a while."
Yun Jong chimed in.
"I heard the first Huazhong meeting was held every five years as a social gathering. It gradually changed into a martial arts competition under the pretense of exchanging between the second and third-generation disciples."
"A martial arts competition?"
"Even if you call it a martial arts competition......"
The answer came from elsewhere.
"We were just beaten up without any chance to fight back."
"My waist still aches from that beating."
"How will we endure this time? If we get smashed again, the masters will all have to wear armor on their faces. The atmosphere will be a mess."
Seeing the situation unfold, Cheongmyeong chuckled.
"Oh, I see. The higher-ups fight directly, so it becomes a big deal, and the second and third-generation disciples fight instead? And all this time, you’ve just been beaten up without a chance to fight back?"
"That's right. So this time, the masters went into closed-door training together to ensure we don't suffer that humiliation again. In other words, the time for the Huazhong meeting has come."
"Oh, really?"
Cheongmyeong's lips curled into a smile.
"So you're saying you're going to fight Jongnam?"
Jongnam.
That Jongnam.
Just when his resentment towards Jongnam was reaching its peak, he learned about the recent events surrounding the Twelve Meals of Seolhwa, and who could be more infuriating than Jongnam?
"A martial arts competition......"
In the past, when Cheongmyeong was around, there was no such thing as a Huazhong meeting.
At that time, Huashan was the number one sword sect, and Jongnam was in a weak position, so there was no point in having a martial arts competition.
But now, taking advantage of Huashan's weakened state to hold a friendly martial arts competition? What a ridiculous notion. 'Do they think Huashan is easy prey?' Cheongmyeong's eyes turned fierce.
No matter how much Huashan was in disarray, it was still his home.
He couldn't stand seeing others belittle it!
"So those second-generation disciples!"
"Cheongmyeong, please. Just call them masters. Please."
"Okay. Then those masters!"
"......"
"If they went into closed-door training, can they win?"
"...... That's a bit."
Yun Jong hesitated to answer.
The very act of going into closed-door training for a martial arts competition meant it was disadvantageous, and no matter how high their achievements, it was hard to guarantee a victory.
"I see."
Cheongmyeong ground his teeth.
"Then we have to win!"
"Huh?"
"Senior brothers! To win, you must be prepared to do anything! Like swallowing poison! Or breaking your limbs! As long as we can beat those Jongnam brats and restore Huashan's name, it’s worth dying for, right?"
No, that might be going a bit too far...
"Don't worry! I'll make you win! I'll turn them into a bloody mess!"
It seemed this kid was not a Taoist. 'He should go to the Green Forest and become a bandit.
Why did he come here?' Well, this is a mountain too.
Ha ha.
Ha ha ha.