HDCLSSRS Ch 46

Chapter 46 Expert in Disappearances and Abductions (1)

 

“Are you serious…? You’re not resorting to threats or intimidation?”

“I’m completely serious. I used to think Master was a scary person too, but it turns out he’s actually warm-hearted and kind.”

“Warm-hearted… and kind…”

They were words that didn’t suit Baek Ryeoil at all. Ma Jincheon kept muttering those words to himself as he reluctantly turned away with nothing gained.

When Seong Muyeon entered the room to rest, Kang Ung followed him like a shadow.

“…Master Kang, there’s really no need to follow me into my room.”

The boy looked just as troubled.

His deeply respected master had given him a mission, and Kang Ung was determined to carry it out to the end.

“I don’t think you’re a dangerous person either, Young Master, but Master’s orders must be obeyed, so please try to understand. Just pretend I’m not here and rest well.”

Kang Ung smiled sheepishly.

They say you can’t spit on a smiling face, but Seong Muyeon was someone who could. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to drive the boy out. It would’ve been too cruel to crush the happiness of someone who had finally realized a long-held wish and now smiled so purely.

“Then, you too, Master Kang, please make yourself comfortable.”

“Yes, sir.”

Kang Ung settled himself in a corner and opened a Taoist scripture. The disciples of the Mount Hua Sect were all strictly educated and expected to be refined martial artists, combining both martial prowess and scholarly knowledge, so literary study was never neglected.

But Seong Muyeon seriously doubted whether Baek Ryeoil had ever received the same education. What would become of Kang Ung, having become his disciple?

‘Hopefully, he’ll grow up well.’

A crazy master was practically a rite of passage for any protagonist in a martial arts tale, but Kang Ung was no protagonist. Whether he would endure his trials and thrive or collapse from exhaustion depended entirely on him.

But Seong Muyeon wasn’t in a position to be worrying about others.

He was still walking a tightrope. At any moment, someone could burst in and drag him away.

And a few days later, a group of people really did come looking for him.

“Young Master Seong Muyeon. The Sect Leader has summoned you. You must come with us.”

They were all middle-aged guardian warriors wearing real swords and uniforms different from those of the regular disciples. The last time, when he had been escorted, they’d sent fellow second-generation disciples like Baek Ryeoil. But after being thwarted once by Baek Ryeoil, they now sent higher-ranking warriors. They must have judged that no matter how unruly Baek Ryeoil was, he wouldn’t dare challenge his superiors.

Even when faced with his senior martial uncles, who were of the same generation as his master, Seong Muyeon did not bow. Arms crossed and posture slanted, he glared at them.

“What is this about?”

“Baek Ryeoil, don’t get reckless. Our patience has limits.”

But Baek Ryeoil was Baek Ryeoil.

“What if you don’t indulge me? What are you going to do about it?”

Seong Muyeon widened his eyes in shock at such an uncooperative attitude.

Wait, what is this guy doing!?

He hastily tugged on Baek Ryeoil’s sleeve.

“They came here to see me, didn’t they? Why are you making such a fuss, Master Kang? Where should I go?”

Worried that Baek Ryeoil might cause a scene, Seong Muyeon quickly followed the men. He’d hoped Baek Ryeoil wouldn’t come, but the latter trailed behind with a dissatisfied expression.

Their destination was not the Sect Leader’s Hall, but the Grand Assembly Hall.

At the head of a long, narrow table sat the Sect Leader, and lined up on both sides were elders and senior members.

Seong Muyeon was guided to the seat directly opposite the Sect Leader. With his back to the door and facing the full scrutiny of the many elders, he couldn’t help but feel intimidated. No doubt the seating had been arranged for exactly that effect…

It was the stern-looking elders who first spoke.

“Seventh Young Master Seong Muyeon, are you aware that you have caused great harm to one of Mount Hua’s precious disciples?”

“He fell into a state of qi deviation and only narrowly escaped danger after our seniors took turns transferring internal energy for three nights straight. His body is gravely weakened and will need three more months of rest. How do you plan to take responsibility for this?”

“Sect Leader, what is your opinion?”

The Sect Leader, seated at the head, furrowed his brow and stroked his beard. He was intimidating even with a smile, but now that he was completely serious, Seong Muyeon felt his knees go weak.

“May I speak, respectfully?”

Ma Jincheon, who had been sitting quietly, asked. At that, a first-generation disciple sitting nearby frowned.

“Senior Ma, I don’t think this is a place where we’re allowed to speak freely. Please restrain yourself.”

But Ma Jincheon glanced briefly at his disciple, then turned his head to address the Sect Leader.

“Sect Leader, I believe Young Master Seong Muyeon did not harm him intentionally.”

“Senior!”

The ignored first-generation disciple called out to him in a low, warning tone, his expression full of anger.

Then, Baek Ryeoil interjected. He wasn’t even supposed to be part of the meeting as a second-generation disciple, yet he stood casually by the door.

“If deciple Jang didn’t stupidly pick a fight first, he wouldn’t have flown into a rage and lost control, falling into qi deviation.”

Seong Muyeon opened and closed his mouth, at a loss for words.

Even in the presence of the Sect Leader, Baek Ryeoil spoke without hesitation. Tapping his foot, clearly displeased, he looked like a delinquent teenager disillusioned with society—especially today.

“This brat—! How dare you! Hansu is your disciple!”

The old-fashioned Taoists leapt to their feet in fury. But Baek Ryeoil didn’t flinch.

“He’s supposedly a Mount Hua disciple, but he can’t even manage his own inner demons. He better not go around claiming he’s my student. Tsk tsk.”

Though he muttered as if to himself, every word was clearly heard by all. Sang Geol, Jang Hansu’s master, was also present, and upon hearing that, he shot to his feet, unable to contain his rage.

As the mood in the hall turned increasingly hostile, the Sect Leader still made no move to quell the chaos, and Seong Muyeon had no choice but to step forward.

“I feel deep remorse for my actions. I will humbly accept whatever punishment is given.”

His attitude was fully cooperative. The others reluctantly calmed their anger and turned their attention away from Baek Ryeoil.

Sang Geol sneered.

“Would you have any objections if we expelled you from Mount Hua’s grounds?”

“No.”

He bowed his head meekly. He had already half prepared himself for this outcome.

What righteous sect would tolerate a demonic cultivator in their midst, let alone one who harmed a fellow disciple?

He was more surprised they were letting him go with all his limbs intact.

“Sect Leader, I beg of you, please give him just one more chance.”

Ma Jincheon pleaded sincerely. The Sect Leader offered no clear response, simply gazing down at Seong Muyeon with solemn eyes.

Silence descended.

No one opened their mouths, but it was clear from their expressions that they wanted Seong Muyeon gone.

“A decision must be made.”

At last, the Sect Leader spoke.

“Young Master Seong Muyeon, you are—”

“Please wait a moment!”

Someone shouted loudly and kicked the door open. An unexpected face entered. Jang Hansu, supported by a fellow disciple, had arrived.

Baek Ryeoil’s brow twitched at the sight. Without hesitation, he stepped off the wall and positioned himself between Seong Muyeon and Jang Hansu.

“Hansu! I told you not to exert yourself yet!”

Before Jang Hansu could even speak, Sang Geol rushed ahead to shove Baek Ryeoil aside and supported his disciple’s shoulder. Hansu immediately became the center of attention. Limping into the hall, he turned to face Seong Muyeon—and then smiled faintly.

Seong Muyeon couldn’t make sense of what was happening. Judging by everyone else’s silence, they were just as bewildered.

“I do not wish for Young Master to be expelled.”

Jang Hansu’s voice rang clear through the silence.

“What are you saying? You don’t want him expelled?”

“This incident was caused by my own inability to control my emotions. Young Master bears no fault. If an innocent person is driven into exile because of me, how could I ever repay that sin?”

His words flowed like a stream, smooth and unhesitating. Each sentence revealed the breadth of his character.

“Moreover, the movements of the Demonic Cult are unusual lately. He may become a valuable source of intelligence. We must act in ways that can help—even if only slightly. I am certain Young Master Seong Muyeon will devote himself to the cause of Mount Hua, and even further, to the Central Plains.”

Jang Hansu looked Seong Muyeon squarely in the eye and asked,

“You’ll help us, won’t you, Young Master?”

“…What?”

“I will do everything in my power to destroy them. Will you help me?”

Jang Hansu’s eyes were upright and earnest, with no trace of the inner demon seen before.

Who could object to such words in this situation? What on earth was he thinking?

Suppressing his discomfort, Seong Muyeon nodded.

“…Of course.”

“Then that is enough.”

Jang Hansu turned his gaze to the head of the hall, as if to ask for their judgment. Someone sighed and murmured,

“…Remarkable. Truly remarkable.”

“You’ve raised an excellent disciple, Master Sang.”

At the elders’ praise, Sang Geol’s grin stretched from ear to ear. Seeing a middle-aged man overjoyed like a child somehow twisted Seong Muyeon’s insides.