The bright smile on Baek Cheon’s face looked like it had come straight out of a painting.
It couldn’t be said to be a perfectly handsome face, but there was a certain charm that drew people in. 'This feeling reminds me of some guys from the past.' Like that sly member of the Namgung family… or that monk from Shaolin who exuded a similar aura.
In other words, 'Talent is talent.' Of course, he couldn’t be compared to those guys, but in this volcano where only mediocre people gathered, he truly stood out like a phoenix among crows.
It made one wonder why such a person had crawled into this dilapidated volcano.
The problem was that this talented fellow was currently clinging to Cheong Myung’s ankle.
"What do you mean?" For now, let’s play dumb.
"You seem to know something?"
"I have no idea."
"Oh, is that so?" Baek Cheon tilted his head slightly.
His actions seemed more like an exaggerated provocation towards Cheong Myung rather than genuine ignorance.
"How strange. We seem to have met before. When did you enter the sect?"
The answer came not from Cheong Myung but from Yoon Jong, who was standing next to him.
"This child entered the sect while Master was away from the volcano. You probably haven’t seen him."
"Hmm, I see."
Baek Cheon smiled broadly.
"You seem to be quite close with each other. It’s good for a senior to take care of the youngest. Isn’t that right?"
"Yes, Master."
Yoon Jong replied awkwardly.
It seemed Baek Cheon read something from that response and nodded.
"It seems I have some connection with you. It’s strange how familiar you seem, even though we’re meeting for the first time. I think we’ll be seeing each other often from now on. What’s your name?"
"Cheong Myung."
"I am Baek Cheon. Be sure to remember my name."
At that moment, a stern voice interrupted.
"The sect leader is waiting. How can you engage in trivial chatter?"
"Oh, I’m sorry. Just a moment."
Baek Cheon bowed his head towards Un Geom and exchanged a glance with Cheong Myung.
Then he turned around and joined the line heading towards the training hall.
Jok Geol watched the scene and whispered to Cheong Myung.
"Have you ever seen Baek Cheon, Master?"
"No." Even if he had, he would say no.
"Be careful. Baek Cheon is the top disciple among the great disciples. He’s an incredibly impressive person."
"Impressive?"
"That’s what I’m saying."
Yoon Jong added to Jok Geol’s words.
"He’s called the greatest talent of the volcano. He’s expected to revive this crumbling volcano."
"The greatest talent of the volcano?" That sounded familiar.
Back when I was a snot-nosed brat, I often heard such words being tossed around.
It soon changed to the greatest failure of the volcano, though.
"Wasn’t the greatest talent of the volcano Jo, Master?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Jok Geol’s face turned red, unlike his usual demeanor.
"Baek Cheon is someone I can’t even dare to follow."
"Oh, right, right. Having a sense of defeat is a good thing. It keeps a person humble."
"Huh?"
"Never mind, Master."
Cheong Myung made a subtle expression as he watched Baek Cheon walk ahead. 'A phoenix among crows.' It’s a nice phrase.
A very nice phrase.
But in reality, it’s not that great.
A heron is natural among herons, but a heron among a flock of crows is an extremely unnatural situation.
And in most cases… 'It means there’s something wrong.'
While Cheong Myung was intrigued and observing Baek Cheon, Yoon Jong continued to explain.
"In fact, Baek Cheon’s Taeyul Mirigeom is said to have reached a nearly perfected level. I’ve heard that the higher-ups have great expectations for him. There are even rumors that despite his young age, he’s considering passing on the secrets of the Bokho Cheongyang Sword."
"Hmm."
It seems he’s the one the volcano is focusing on the most among the great disciples. 'That sounds really annoying.' Cheong Myung had felt the same way in the past.
Why was there so much to learn? While others trained moderately and then rested, Cheong Myung was constantly pressured by the elders and the masters.
Even the senior… No, the sect leader was relentless.
Well, it’s understandable.
The reputation of a sect is built over time, but the rise and fall of a sect often depend on a single master.
Even a small sect can become bustling with people wanting to join if they can produce a renowned master.
On the other hand, no matter how much history and tradition a sect boasts, if they can’t produce a master worthy of their name, they’ll just be a laughingstock.
The only way for the crumbling volcano to turn things around is to produce a recognized master.
Just one.
Just one person can change the situation. 'Of course, that was before I came.' Now, what’s the point? I have plenty of money, so what?
"Masters really do look like paintings, don’t they?"
"Exactly. I wonder if I could ever follow them in my lifetime."
"They’re both impressive and strong."
Cheong Myung looked at the two with a blank expression. 'Are their eyes full of holes?' I can accept 'impressive' as that’s a matter of personal taste.
People have different preferences, and Cheong Myung was someone who didn’t impose his tastes on others.
But 'strong' is a different matter. 'If they’re strong, then there wouldn’t be anyone weak in the entire Central Plains.'
"Any decent master would easily defeat those seniors, right?" Jok Geol laughed as if he found Cheong Myung’s words amusing.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"…Oh, right."
"Master. Sect Leader. I’m hearing this kind of talk. If you have a conscience, please come down and say a word! Am I supposed to live with this injustice? Other immortals come to the mortal realm and give various advice. What’s wrong with you that you can’t even come and say something for me? Huh? Even if you become an immortal, you won’t support me? Ugh!"
As Cheong Myung bickered with his seniors, the Baek Ja group had already lined up.
"Huh?" Then, someone came running from the direction of the main hall, joining the lineup.
Cheong Myung narrowed his eyes. 'That person is also from the Baek Ja group.' Yu… what was it? Anyway, Yu something.
Since I got entangled in a strange fate, I couldn’t help but pay attention.
I hope that annoying mouth didn’t babble too much in just one day.
As Cheong Myung frowned and looked at Yu Yi Seol, Jok Geol grinned slyly.
"Speaking of which, this is your first time seeing Yu Yi Seol, right?"
"Her?"
"Yeah. Yu Yi Seol. Once you see her for the first time, you can’t take your eyes off her. She’s just too beautiful."
"Master."
"Huh?"
"Do you have any powdered ginseng or cinnamon?"
"Why?"
"I need to sprinkle some in my ears. Hearing such words from Jok Geol makes me feel like oil is coming out of my ears."
It couldn’t be this nauseating.
Yoon Jong nodded vigorously.
"It’s been a while since I’ve agreed with you. If you find some, I’ll take some too."
"Thank you."
Jok Geol grimaced.
"Did I say anything wrong? It’s just that not many people know about Yu Yi Seol. If you go out a couple of times in the Jianghu, she’ll surely be recognized as the most beautiful in Shaanxi."
As Jok Geol rambled on, Cheong Myung let out a deep sigh.
"This sect has the greatest talent of the volcano and the greatest beauty of Shaanxi. If someone who doesn’t know hears this, they’d think Shaanxi is a piece of cake."
"But it’s the truth."
Jok Geol pointed at Yu Yi Seol with his chin.
"Honestly, isn’t she pretty?"
"Hah…" Before Cheong Myung could even respond, Jok Geol jumped in.
"But wake up. Yu Yi Seol has feelings for Baek Cheon."
"…Master."
"Huh?" Cheong Myung let out a deep sigh.
"If you had spent the time you wasted on other people’s love lives swinging your sword one more time, wouldn’t you be famous with your sword by now?"
"People don’t stab others that deeply."
"Let’s not talk."
Cheong Myung turned his gaze away from Jok Geol, as if he found him pathetic.
Come to think of it, he claimed to be a talent, and it seems he is indeed a talent.
Cheong Myung stared blankly at Yu Yi Seol, who was standing in line.
Once the Baek Ja group finished lining up, the sect leader, who had been watching, smiled warmly.
"You all have worked hard. Was the training difficult?"
Baek Cheon, representing the Baek Ja group, spoke up.
"Sect Leader, it wasn’t difficult at all. We wouldn’t dare say it was hard, knowing that our training was supported by the core of the sect."
"Did you achieve any results?" Baek Cheon smiled.
"I’ve realized that the path of the sword is endless, no matter how much one digs. However, I did return with some achievements that make our previous selves seem laughable."
"That’s good to hear."
Hyun Jong turned his head to look at Hyun Young.
"Jae Gyeong Gak Ju."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"Now that the children of the volcano have returned from their hard training, shouldn’t we hold a feast to celebrate their efforts?"
"Why would we have a feast… No, no, of course we should."
"…" Hyun Jong looked at Hyun Young with a peculiar gaze. 'It seems the teacher has been acting a bit strange lately.' To be precise, the frequency of his strange remarks had increased sharply since the incident at the Silver River Pavilion.
It was hard to tell if his personality had changed or if he had just been holding back and finally let loose.
"I’ve already prepared the dining hall. It should be enough for everyone to relax."
"I see."
Hyun Jong said to the Baek Ja group.
"There are many things I want to say, but it wouldn’t be good to keep those who have traveled a long way. If there’s nothing special to say, let’s end it here."
"…Sect Leader. Excuse me, but may I ask one question?" Hyun Jong clearly wanted to finish the event quickly, but Baek Cheon didn’t seem to share that sentiment.
"Ask away."
"It seems the scenery has changed a lot since I returned to the volcano after a long time. I’m curious about what happened."
"There have been good things. Thanks to that, we were able to renovate the exterior."
It was a soft yet firm response.
After hearing this answer, it was hard to ask what those 'good' things were.
"You must have many questions, but there’s plenty of time, so we can take it slow."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"Un Am."
"Yes."
Un Geom, who had been standing next to Hyun Jong, respectfully stepped forward.
"Help the weary children to relax."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
Hyun Jong lightly nodded and turned his head to one side.
"Cheong Myung!"
"…" Cheong Myung’s face slightly twisted. 'Why does that person keep calling for me more and more?' It wasn’t even a special day.
"Yes! Sect Leader!" Cheong Myung walked out from among the lined-up great disciples.
"Come to my quarters for a moment. I have something to discuss."
"Again?" Baek Cheon, who had been watching the situation from the side, was taken aback. 'Again… again?' The Sect Leader wants to talk to me again? Baek Cheon doubted whether he had heard wrong.
But no matter how he thought about it, it seemed he hadn’t misheard.
All the great disciples lined up had the same expression as him.
However, what was hard to understand was that everyone except the great disciples showed no particular reaction.
They should be furious and ready to tear apart the mouth of the one who dared to speak such nonsense to the Sect Leader! Yet even the Sect Leader just smiled gently.
"Would you come if I prepared some sweets?"
"Ugh. Yes, I understand. I’m coming now."
Hyun Jong led Cheong Myung toward his quarters with a satisfied expression.
Baek Cheon, who had been silently watching the scene, turned to Un Geom with a bewildered face.
"Master, what on earth is that child…"
"Hmm."
Un Geom smiled kindly.
"It’s probably best for your mental health to just ignore it."
"Excuse me?"
"Especially for you."
Un Geom shrugged and turned his body.
"Unpack and come to the dining hall. Don’t be late."
"…Yes."
Baek Cheon felt the strange sense of discomfort he had sensed earlier growing stronger. 'It seems like something has changed in the volcano.' It could be awkward since he hadn’t been here in a while.
But just one thing.
Baek Cheon’s gaze shifted to the Sect Leader and Cheong Myung, who were moving further away.
"Hmm."
And he squinted his eyes, showing a look of dissatisfaction.