HDCLSSRS Ch 109

Chapter 109 The Sixth Young Master (1)

…What happened afterwards was something he didn’t much care to remember.

It had been a nightmare of shouted curses and sudden blows, a storm of violence unlike anything he wanted to relive.

Thankfully, before long, someone had come to fetch him, saying that the Sect Leader was calling. That was the only reason Seong Muyeon and Baek Ryeoil could escape, fleeing as though they had been pardoned.

Now, they stood before the Sect Leader.

“We’ve received word that the Sixth Young Master was last seen at a tavern in Hubei. We sent men immediately, but by the time they arrived, he was already gone. Since then, his movements have not been confirmed, so you’ll have to start from there.”

The Sect Leader handed over a sheet of paper. Written on it were the location of the tavern, the date he was spotted, and other details.

“This task must be handled with particular discretion. It is already troublesome that Huashan’s and the Zhuge Clan’s territories lie in that region—if another son of the Demonic Cult⁽¹⁾ suddenly appeared, it would cause a great uproar.”

“Yes, understood.”

After a few more reminders, the Sect Leader dismissed them. But before leaving, Muyeon hesitated and finally spoke.

“…I have not yet given my thanks. If you had not called for Yakseon Dae-in⁽²⁾ to come here, I would not be standing alive as I am. Truly, thank you.”

He bent deeply in a bow. But before he could rise, the Sect Leader surprised him by saying—

“I’m sorry, but I have no right to your thanks.”

“…What?”

“I only wished for Teacher So to have her wish fulfilled. It was never for your sake.”

“…”

Scratch, scratch.

The calm sound of ink being ground filled the room as the Sect Leader, as always, serenely looked over the scrolls. Muyeon watched him silently for a moment.

Still—

“In the end, that wish of hers is what saved me. So I think… you can accept my thanks anyway.”

The Sect Leader cracked the faintest smile. Muyeon bowed once again and left the audience chamber. Ryeoil had already gone far ahead, so he quickly hurried to catch up.

Step, step.

As he strode through the long corridors, his earlier smile vanished, replaced by a hardened expression.

The Sixth Young Master…

This journey would not be easy.

First—they would have to track down someone who had deliberately erased his presence. Then, they would need to confirm the whereabouts of the mysterious “item” he supposedly possessed.

According to the document the Sect Leader provided, the Sixth Young Master was currently moving only with three or four attendants, far fewer than usual. But since that information was not recent, it could not be trusted fully. He might have since linked up with stronger followers, perhaps in greater numbers.

To even find him, let alone capture him, was a task nearly impossible for Muyeon alone. Thus, he quickened his pace to close the distance with Ryeoil.

Baek Dojang… he’ll help me, right?

His tracking skills would be crucial.

Though Muyeon felt strangely certain that Ryeoil would not reject his request, part of him still remained uneasy. This was, after all, a deeply personal matter—it carried no benefit for Ryeoil. The Seomun Clan affair had been different, since that was a formal petition to Huashan. But this…

“…What took you so long?”

Ryeoil stood waiting by the gates.

“Let’s go. You heard the Sect Leader—this must be discreet, but we can’t take too long either. The longer he runs, the harder it will be to find him.”

He tilted his head once, then strode off quickly.

“Well? Are you coming or not?”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

Muyeon paused a moment, then rushed up to fall in step beside him.

“Even if we find my brother, the real problem comes afterwards. He won’t come willingly. If he really killed Fourth Brother, there’s no reason he’d be happy to see me.”

“Doesn’t matter. Why spare a prince of the Demonic Cult? Beat him until he can’t walk and drag him back, simple.”

Ryeoil clenched his fist until it cracked.

And yet this man is helping the Seventh Prince of the Demonic Cult right now?

Muyeon let out a strange laugh. Oddly enough, the faint coil of doubt inside him fully dissipated.

As long as they succeeded in this mission, he would finally obtain the long-awaited medicine for his cure.

They returned to Chujeongjae to pack their belongings. Kang Ung looked close to tears.

“Masters… are you leaving again?”

Like a whining puppy, he fidgeted restlessly.

“Kang Ung, pack your own things too.”

“…What?”

“This will be your first mission outside.”

The boy’s eyes grew huge. Then his whole face lit up, sparkling with excitement.

“Yes, Master!”

He ran off and immediately began making a racket as he scrambled to gather his things.

“You’re taking Kang Dojang too?”

Muyeon was worried. If it were just him, so be it—but to drag along such a young boy when they didn’t even know what dangers lay ahead?

Sensing his concern, Ryeoil replied with his usual offhand air.

“He’s training to be a martial man. He won’t become anything great if he’s always coddled. When the chance comes, he needs experience.”

“Well, that’s true, but still…”

But really, it’s better not to involve yourself with the Demonic Cult… oh wait—that’s me too.

Clueless to any of this, the boy was flushed in excitement, unable to contain his giddy energy. Watching him, Muyeon couldn’t help but smile.

And with Ryeoil around, surely nothing too terrible would happen.

Hearing the news of their departure, even Ma Jincheon and Wang Hojun came by to offer words of concern and leave them with reminders.

Just as the three were about to leave, Ryeoil already waiting in the courtyard fully packed, Seomun Yuha came rushing in, breathless.

“Take me with you too!”

“…And why should Young Lord Seomun follow?”

“Because it’s boring here without you, Young Master! Mount Hua is so dull! Please, take me with you! I’ll behave, I swear!”

Of course, lacking the guts to badger Ryeoil directly, he clung shamelessly to Muyeon instead.

“You’re taking along that brat but not me?! I’d be much more helpful—and besides, I’m rich!”

He even dragged in poor Kang Ung, tipping his hat at him. Kang scoffed.

“I’m coming because I’m Master’s disciple. You, Young Lord Seomun—what exactly are you? Please stay put.”

Then, with great pride, Kang Ung strutted to stand at Ryeoil’s side. Clearly, he was proud beyond measure of being on his first mission outside.

“Wha—!”

Gritting his teeth, Seomun Yuha was left seething with humiliation. Muyeon patted his shoulder softly in passing.

“Please try not to cause trouble while I’m gone.”

“Young Master…!”

And thus, the three finally departed Mount Hua for Hubei.

“Wow, so many people!”

After several hours of travel, they arrived in Wuhan, Hubei. As befitted a large city, it bustled with noise and energy. Kang Ung’s eyes were impossibly wide, taking in everything he could.

Regrettably, they had no time to dawdle or sightsee. Passing glimpses would have to suffice.

Muyeon recalled the Sect Leader’s report.

“Seong Mujai was last sighted at a tavern called Seonwollu⁽³⁾.”

The proprietor of Seonwollu was a rather notorious figure—wealthy, ambitious, pragmatic, neither fully aligned with the righteous nor the unorthodox. A man of his type being involved with a prince of the Demonic Cult would hardly be surprising.

“We should speak with the proprietor first…”

But then he paused, glancing at Ryeoil’s and Kang’s attire.

“…First we’ll need to change. Dressed like that, the proprietor won’t meet us. He’ll likely flee at the very sight of Huashan uniforms.”

Indeed, both Ryeoil and Kang were wearing martial robes clearly marked with the insignia of Mount Hua. To a man walking the line between law and lawless profit, nothing was less welcome than orthodox sect disciples.

Ryeoil nodded.

“There’s an affiliated subsidiary clan⁽⁴⁾ nearby. I already made arrangements; we can stay there and prepare.”

Subsidiary clans were small martial families established by Huashan disciples after descending from the mountain.

As Kang Ung kept eagerly gawking at the lively streets, he tugged on Ryeoil’s sleeve.

“Master, Master—those men’s uniforms, which sect are they from?”

The streets were crowded with all kinds, many of whom bore weapons. Kang pointed at a group clad in distinct white robes.

“The Wudang Sect.”

“Wow, Wudang! My first time seeing them. …Eh, they’re coming this way.”

Sure enough, several Wudang disciples in white had noticed their Huashan robes and approached with polite gestures.

“I am Wudang’s Je Cheondeuk. I didn’t expect to meet members of Huashan here.”

He clasped his hands in greeting. Baek Ryeoil inclined his head briefly in reply.

“Baek Ryeoil of Mount Hua.”

“Oh! So you are the famed Unfeeling Sword⁽⁵⁾. What a pleasure to meet you.”

While they exchanged greetings, Muyeon quietly slipped behind Ryeoil, staying out of sight.

Wudang’s Taoist order was even stricter than Huashan’s. If they learned his true identity… who knew how they would react? Best to remain invisible.

“I see. So the boy beside you is the disciple the rumors speak of.”

Je Cheondeuk now regarded Kang Ung. The boy stammered nervously—

“F-first time meeting you… My name is Kang Ung.”

“If Unfeeling Sword accepted you as a disciple, you must be quite gifted indeed. I look forward to seeing you grow.”

“Uh, yes… perhaps.”

Ryeoil responded with his usual disinterested brevity. Je Cheondeuk appeared unbothered.

“And this person here…?”

At last, his gaze shifted past Kang Ung, toward the figure half-hidden behind Ryeoil’s shoulder—Seong Muyeon.

Footnotes:

¹ Demonic Cult (마교) – The great antagonist sect of this wuxia-style setting, usually associated with secrecy, violence, and forbidden martial arts.

² Dae-in (대인) – A title of great respect, literally “Great Person.” Used for senior experts. Here refers to Yakseon.

³ Seonwollu (선월루, 仙月樓) – “Pavilion of the Immortal Moon,” a notable tavern in Wuhan. The proprietor is known for operating between righteousness and corruption.

⁴ Subsidiary clan (속가문, 俗家門) – Small sects or martial families founded by martial disciples after leaving their main sect. Often act as allied households.

⁵ Unfeeling Sword (무정검) – The martial alias of Baek Ryeoil, denoting his cold and ruthless swordsmanship reputation.