Journey Outside. (3)
“Think about it, Sahyeong. If we had joined the greatest sect under heaven from the start, wouldn’t we have been unable to enjoy the joy of raising it to the top with our own strength?”
“…”
“In some ways, it’s quite fortunate that our predecessors couldn’t completely defeat Hwasan. Thanks to that, we can enjoy that glory in our generation.”
“Hmm.”
Only then did Jin Seokrim pick up the cup he had set down. Upon hearing it, he realized it didn’t seem entirely wrong.
“Hwasan is no easy opponent.”
“Of course, Sahyeong. Hwasan is certainly a tough foe. Frankly speaking, even Chung Mun of Hwasan, who’s recently begun to be called the ‘Hidden Sword of Tao [장도검(藏道劍)*],’ has quite a reputation, doesn’t he?”
The cup that had been rising leisurely paused slightly once again. Chung Mun. Those two syllables made Jin Seokrim feel displeased. Yang Gwanjeong quickly continued.
“But once this Dragon-Phoenix Assembly is over, that reputation will be completely overturned. Waving around some lofty cause under the name of ‘the Tao’ won’t be possible once visible results come out. If you, Sahyeong, step forward yourself, that so-called Hidden Sword of Tao will soon take a fall.”
“You’ve coated your tongue with honey. That’s not good”
“Haha, I apologize. I’m just being honest.”
Even so, Jin Seokrim didn’t seem too offended, leisurely drinking his liquor.
That was precisely what he was aiming for. If he could make a name for himself at this Assembly, it wouldn’t just change how he and Chung Mun were perceived – the evaluations of Hwasan and Jongnam would shift dramatically as well.
If that happened, he would become the first disciple of Jongnam to ever overwhelm a disciple of Hwasan. It was something no one of this generation had managed to achieve.
“We’ll have to make sure it turns out that way.”
The moment Jin Seokrim said that with a slight smile…
“Bullshit.”
“Huh?”
Jin Seokrim turned his head towards where the voice had come from.
‘Did I hear something wrong?’
No, he definitely heard it. But it might not necessarily have been directed at Jin Seokrim. After all, there were countless people in this tavern besides them, chatting noisily and drinking.
Maybe the conversation they were having just happened to coincide with the moment he finished speaking.
Yes, that must be it. Otherwise, who in Xian would dare to respond in that manner to what Jongnam’s disciples say?
Just as Jin Seokrim was about to turn his head back, thinking along those lines.
“Hmm?”
“What’s the matter, Sahyeong?”
“There.”
“…..Yes?”
Jin Seokrim gestured with his chin towards a corner. Following that gesture, the onlookers narrowed their eyes.
“Hwasan…….”
“How long has he been there?”
In a far corner, on the opposite table, a lone disciple of Hwasan was occupying an entire table by himself, devouring all the food. Judging by the two or three liquor bottles rolling around beside him, he seemed to have really made himself at home.
“You think he heard us?”
“Hmm.”
It wasn’t a distance where he could hear them unless he was deliberately eavesdropping. And even if he did hear, it hardly mattered. There was nothing particular to hide. But still…
“Look.”
“Yes?”
“Doesn’t he look young?”
With that, Yang Gwanjeong narrowed his eyes as he glanced at the boy on the opposite side, who was stuffing his cheeks with food.
“He certainly does.”
“Is he in a Myung disciple?”
“Strange. I heard that anyone below the Baek generation is forbidden from leaving Hwasan for Xian.”
“Well, the circumstances of a sect can change at any time.”
Jin Seokrim let out a small chuckle and added.
“But… it doesn’t look that way. Seeing a so-called Taoist gulping alcohol like that in broad daylight…”
At those words, Yang Gwanjeong and the other disciples burst into laughter.
It certainly didn’t look normal. If he were truly a Taoist, he should at least maintain a proper bearing when others can see him, but he seemed to have no awareness of that at all.
No matter how much Hwasan is said to be relatively free-spirited among Taoist sects, a Taoist sect is still a Taoist sect. It wasn’t a place free from restrictions compared to secular world.
“Every sect has its share of troublemakers. Looks like he disobeyed his sect’s orders and came all the way here to fool around.”
“That’s quite unfortunate.”
Yang Gwanjeong smirked.
“What do you think, Sahyeong?”
“Hmm?”
“After all, they’re our neighboring sect, aren’t they? The Sect Leaders exchange visits and occasionally hold gatherings, so if there’s a wayward young disciple among them, shouldn’t we, as his seniors, offer him some strict guidance?”
“Guidance…”
Jin Seokrim cast a sidelong glance at the young Taoist, then shook his head.
“Leave him be.”
“Then…… yes?”
Jin Seokrim quietly crossed his arms.
“If he were only a couple of years older, I might have tried to teach him a lesson, but what’s the point in dealing with a kid so green? People would talk if I did that.”
“Hmm. That’s certainly true.”
“And I’m about to compete in an important tournament. I don’t want to invite any pointless gossip and end up disappointing the elders of our sect.”
Yang Gwanjeong nodded. It made sense. Right now, Jin Seokrim had to be wary of even falling leaves.
Of course, scolding that boy wouldn’t cause any real trouble, but they wouldn’t be able to avoid a reprimand from the elders.
“He’s a lucky brat.”
“Let him enjoy himself. Before long, his own sect’s elders will scold him until he’s in tears anyway.”
Jin Seokrim laughed faintly once more.
“There’s just one thing I realized.”
“What are you referring to?”
“Hwasan, and that Chung Mun – neither seems all that impressive. I heard that Chung Mun has a profound depth of knowledge, a grand character, and that his disciples trust and follow him like a parent. But someone who can’t even handle a single young brat and ended up letting him wander all the way here – can he really have such virtue?”
“Indeed, that’s how it seems.”
“Rumors in this world are always exaggerated. Thinking of it that way, I’m actually grateful. That kid showed me the truth.”
“Is that so? Hahahah!”
Those seated around the table burst into boisterous laughter.
“This won’t do. He’s done us such a favor – we should at least send him a bottle of liquor. Hey! Waiter!”
“Yes, yes! Coming right now!”
At that moment, the young waiter, who had been called, dashed towards them in a hurry.
“Ah!”
He stepped on some spilled liquor on the floor, slipped, and dropped the tray he was carrying as he toppled towards their table.
Crash!
The food on the tray scattered in all directions. The disciples of Jongnam quickly pulled back, their faces twisting. But their expressions soon turned from irritation to embarrassment.
“S-Sahyeong…”
Sitting at the table, Jin Seokrim now had crimson stains splattered here and there on his pristine white robe.
It wasn’t that he failed to dodge the flying food. There was no way Jin Seokrim couldn’t avoid something like that.
The problem was that while he was focused on dodging the food, he didn’t notice the waiter’s foot striking the leg of the table, which sent the dish in front of him flying up and splattering him.
Yang Gwanjeong broke into a cold sweat. Anyone who was a disciple of Jongnam knew. They all knew how highly Jin Seokrim valued cleanliness. More precisely, how fixated he was on keeping anything white absolutely pristine.
Jin Seokrim rose slowly from his seat. Then, with a gaze cold as ice, he glared at the young waiter who had fallen over.
“This is…….”
“I-I’m sorry.”
Realizing his mistake, the boy turned pale and sprang to his feet.
“Th-This was so clumsy of me. I’ll do something about it, somehow…”
Instinctively, the boy picked up a cloth and began wiping Jin Seokrim’s white robe. Seeing the dampness from the cloth spreading across the robe, Jin Seokrim’s expression turned ice-cold.
Thunk!
“Argh!”
After kicking the boy away, Jin Seokrim bit his lip.
“Call the owner.”
“I-I’m sorry! Sir! I’ll find some way to pay for the damages…..”
“Shut your mouth and bring me the owner! How could the likes of you possibly take responsibility?”
“B-But then I’ll be kicked out! Please, just give me one chance…”
When the boy tried to grab Jin Seokrim’s pants with his soiled hands, Jin Seokrim backed away in disgust and tried to push him away with his foot.
At that moment.
“Man, how disgustingly dramatic. He even looks like pure bad luck.”
Jin Seokrim’s foot, poised in midair, came to a sudden stop. Lowering his foot, he slowly turned his head towards the voice.
“…What did you just say?”
Gulp, gulp, gulp. Without answering, the man shoved the liquor bottle into his mouth and drank heavily, then popped it out with a ‘plop.’
“Ahhhhh….”
Then he slammed the bottle down on the table, picked up a piece of pork with his chopsticks, tossed it into his mouth, and began chewing as he spoke.
“I came here to enjoy a drink in a good mood, so how about not ruining it and just stopping there?”
“What….?”
Jin Seokrim’s face hardened.
By this point, the other customers, sensing the atmosphere, were starting to get up quietly. But Jin Seokrim was oblivious to their presence.
“Are you a disciple of Hwasan?”
“Well, do I look like someone from Shaolin? Don’t you have eyes?”
Jin Seokrim let out a short laugh.
“So I can assume this Hwasan’s brat is picking a fight with me right now?”
“Huh? Does that mean I’m the one picking a fight with you?”
“Are you saying you’re not?”
Chung Myung leaned back against his chair and sneered.
“Well, think whatever you like.”
“…What?”
“What if I am picking a fight?”
Jin Seokrim looked at Chung Myung in disbelief. What in the world was this little pipsqueak relying on to act so brazenly?
“Ha… hahaha.”
He was laughing with his mouth, but the expression had vanished from his face.
“Does Hwasan not teach manners?”
“Eh?”
“Or is it that you’re counting on Hwasan behind you and acting like this? Assuming I can’t do anything to you?”
“Behind me?”
Chung Myung tilted his head slightly to look behind himself.
“There’s nothing there.”
“…”
“Talking about backers and all that nonsense… you sure like to assume everyone else is just like you.”
Jin Seokrim’s eyes twisted sharply. At this point, words were no longer enough.
“If you say that, I assume you have the guts to face me in a match?”
Chung Myung rose from his seat as if he’d been waiting for it.
“Hah! A fight I can walk into myself…”
But just as he was about to lift himself fully from his seat, he suddenly froze.
As if something had occurred to him, Chung Myung fidgeted nervously for a moment, then let out a grunt and sat back down.
“Why the sudden change? Are you scared now?”
Chung Myung let out a sigh that sounded as if it would collapse the ground beneath him.
“You see… the situation is what it is, right? With all I’ve done so far, once I go back, I’ll have to endure a week of nagging anyway. If I cause any more trouble here, I might as well go deaf.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Never mind. No point in explaining. I’ll let you off this time, so you’d better leave while your luck is still good.”
Then, as though he truly had no more interest, he turned away and went back to devouring his food.
________
*장도검(藏道劍) – Jang-do Geom – Hidden Sword of Tao I would say. Or hidden tao sword. But the first one makes more sense.
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Return of the Mount Hua 
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