Chapter 109: The Person Who Can Teach Better Than Anyone. (2)
An Honorary Disciple is a title bestowed by another sect upon an outsider who has received great favor, as an expression of gratitude.
It serves as a token that declares, "This person is a benefactor of our sect!"
I was now asking Maehwaseon to officially acknowledge me as a benefactor of their sect.
It could be seen as shameless and embarrassing to say, but there wasn't much time to beat around the bush.
At my request, Maehwaseon wore a somewhat surprised expression.
It was an expression that said he didn't expect me to make such a request.
"...This is quite unexpected."
"I apologize for bringing this up so suddenly."
I originally intended to make a different request, but at this point, I needed the position of Huashan Sect's Honorary Disciple.
The reason Maehwaseon was hesitating now was probably because this position wasn't something that could be given so easily.
"If I may ask, is it because of the Dao energy in your body?"
I nodded at Maehwaseon's words.
"...If I must find a reason, then yes."
If I receive the position of Honorary Disciple, I can use Huashan's martial arts. Of course, things like the Plum Blossom Sword Technique and their internal cultivation methods would naturally not be taught to me, but it would give me a justifiable basis to learn.
This justification was an important part for someone of the orthodox faction.
Learning in secret would still be learning, but I didn't want to deal with the aftermath if I were caught later.
'The biggest problem is that I have Dao energy but can't use it freely.'
The Dao energy of Huashan Sect's treasured item, cowering within my dantian, unable to even be drawn out.
With the help of the Dao energy, I reached the blazing stage of the Nine Flame Flower Wheel Art, and with Shin Noya's help, I even reached the pinnacle. However, there were many uneasy aspects to using it recklessly.
[Just use it secretly, why be so particular about such things?]
'I'm not from the demonic faction; shouldn't I keep what needs to be kept?'
[For someone who used to burn down others' houses as a demonic practitioner, that has absolutely no credibility.]
'...'
Shin Noya's words pierced deep into my solar plexus. Having done such things in my past life, I had no words to refute.
Even so, my words about wanting to live properly now were sincere.
At least in this life, that was my intention.
I once again posed my question to the silent Maehwaseon.
"Is it still difficult to give me the position?"
"No, it's not that. Actually, there was a part of me that wanted to offer it."
"Pardon?"
"I, more than anyone, know that the things you've done for the Huashan Sect are not few, so how could I not have thought of it?"
He wanted to give it? I expressed doubt at Maehwaseon's answer. As if to resolve my doubts, Maehwaseon continued with his answer.
"The reason I didn't bring it up was simply because you are a person of the Gu family. I thought the Gu family wouldn't particularly welcome the position of another sect's Honorary Disciple..."
I could understand what Maehwaseon meant.
Indeed, such aspects did exist. In Guryeonghwa's case, she had practically left home and committed herself to Huashan, so that was different.
The reason being that Guryeonghwa probably didn't know much about the Gu family to begin with, so it didn't matter.
Regarding this, I could speak firmly to Maehwaseon.
"I'm fine with it. My family probably won't have much to say about it either."
It wasn't just an expectation that it would be fine, but a certainty. If I told my father that I received the position of Honorary Disciple, it would end with just three words: 'I see.'
At my words, Geomhu, who was beside me, also chimed in slightly.
"Sect Leader, this child not only saved their own life but also saved the Divine Physician from danger that would have occurred. Isn't there sufficient justification to grant the position?"
The first reason was that obtaining the demonic energy was a gain, and the second was that it happened by chance so I felt a bit hesitant, but if going by words alone, it was correct.
Maehwaseon stroked his long hanging beard and then nodded slightly. Was this a sign of permission?
"Granting the position won't be that difficult. I'll need to discuss it with the elders, but once I bring it up, the answer will already be decided."
"Then..."
"However, child, I understand you're worried because of the energy contained in your body, but what weighs on my mind is that this isn't a situation where I can teach you how to use it."
He was saying he was busy due to the incidents that occurred during the training period. Moreover, I was leaving for the Gu family estate today, so even if I received the disciple position, I wouldn't be able to fulfill its purpose.
"You don't need to worry about that part."
Geomhu, who was traveling with me, was still in recovery so she couldn't apply her qi, but beside me was someone who could teach me about this better than anyone.
[...Huh?]
After receiving Maehwaseon's permission, I returned with Geomhu to where the carriage was being prepared.
'I'm flustered because I received permission more easily than expected.'
Not only did I make the request, but I even asked Geomhu to put in a good word for me, yet Maehwaseon's permission came more easily than expected.
Rather, he said he wouldn't receive it as a request, and even told me to bring it up again later when the time comes.
'Do they usually give it away this easily?'
[I don't know well either. Originally, it was a title that didn't exist during my time.]
I asked Shin Noya, but he didn't seem to know well. Whatever the case, it was a well-resolved matter.
Suddenly, Geomhu, who was beside me, spoke to me.
"I'm not sure if this will be enough."
"What do you mean?"
"The name is grand, but in the end, it's merely an honorary position. If perchance you were to have interest in Huashan's martial arts..."
"No, it's not particularly that, so you don't need to worry."
The Huashan Sect is a sword sect. With their internal cultivation methods and martial arts both focused on swordsmanship, I had no intention of delving into their martial arts.
[Then you'll just shrewdly pick out only how to circulate the Dao energy. Is that what you're saying?]
'It's not like I'm going to spend day and night swinging a sword trying to bloom flowers at this point...'
If Shin Noya were to help, that might be a different story, but I didn't think I'd have that much time.
'This is enough for now.'
Wrapping the rough internal cultivation method with Dao energy to reduce its danger. Even just this showed how outstanding of a change it was.
Maehwaseon said he would send a message to the Gu family after having a meeting with the elders, but it was essentially the same as permission being granted.
Coming down from the Huashan Sect and heading toward the entrance, the carriage preparation was already complete. And surrounding the finished carriage were something. Looking closely, they were muscle mountains.
"...What are those again."
They were clearly the second-generation disciples of the Huashan Sect. There couldn't be others wearing Plum Blossom uniforms looking like they were about to burst from their bulk.
Geomhu also saw that and slightly turned her head away.
Could it be... is she embarrassed?
I didn't want to approach, but I had no choice but to get closer to the carriage.
"Take care! Junior sister..."
"Eat your meals well, and don't forget about us, okay?"
"Junior sister is too thin. We should have helped you more with lower body exercises."
"Her forearm is only the size of my finger... Does that make sense?"
"...Senior brothers, could you please leave now?"
Guryeonghwa, surrounded by the muscle mountains, was speaking as if pleading. While they were expressing their worries, I could see they were keeping their distance so as not to scare Guryeonghwa.
Thanks to that, they were drawing all the attention from people around.
Guryeonghwa half-shouted.
"People are getting scared...!"
"Huh? Who says they're scared, they all have admiring eyes."
"Really, who would be scared of backs carrying mountains like these."
[That's a fair point.]
Shin Noya subtly chimed in.
At this point, I felt like I was slowly losing my mind. I wasn't the only one who felt that way, as Shin Hyeon, who was standing far off, smashed the senior brothers' heads with his fists.
Thud! Thud! Smash!
I flinched at the consecutive booming sounds.
'...That sound just now, that shouldn't come from a human head, right?'
It was like the sound of smashing rocks. With the sound, the second-generation disciples rolled on the ground.
"Gyaaaah!"
"The senior brother is beating innocent people!!"
"...Since it's embarrassing, keep your mouths shut, you damn junior brothers."
Stepping past the junior brothers groaning on the ground, Shin Hyeon approached Guryeonghwa.
"Junior sister."
"Yes, senior brother."
At Guryeonghwa's unwavering, clear voice, I could see Shin Hyeon's eyes flinch.
"...Yes, seeing your courageous appearance puts my mind at ease somewhat."
"Thank you for your concern..."
"No. I have done nothing, the junior sister overcame it on her own."
Shin Hyeon looked at Guryeonghwa and hesitated with his hand. He seemed to be pondering whether it was okay to pat her head or not.
"...Senior brother?"
Wondering what he was doing, Guryeonghwa asked, but Shin Hyeon soon quietly lowered his hand. He must have decided it wasn't the right time yet.
Shin Hyeon smiled awkwardly and spoke.
"Never mind. Please return safely."
Finishing his words like that, he forcefully lifted up the sprawled junior brothers and walked toward the Huashan Sect. At that moment, my eyes briefly met Shin Hyeon's.
—Please take good care of our junior sister.
Shin Hyeon's voice transmission reached me.
—Yes.
I immediately replied with a voice transmission as well. Hearing that, Shin Hyeon looked at me with a surprised expression. He probably didn't expect that I could use voice transmission.
That too was momentary; Shin Hyeon quickly composed his expression, nodded, and slowly walked up the stairs.
Thinking that everything was done, I was about to approach the carriage when someone called out to me.
"Young Hero Gu...!"
Looking to see who it was, it was Yeongpoong.
"Dojang...? How did you come down?"
Third-generation disciples shouldn't be able to come down from the Huashan Sect freely. At my question, Yeongpoong said casually.
"I just sneaked down!"
"...This guy really is a crazy bastard."
How can he say he broke the rules so proudly?
[Seeing my childhood makes my heart warm.]
'From what I can see, the start of all problems is you, Noya.'
I could only shake my head.
"I heard you were leaving today, so I hurried down."
Ah, I hadn't told Yeongpoong. Because I moved around so much, I had forgotten about Yeongpoong.
"Is your body okay? I heard you took quite a beating yesterday."
From what I heard, he happened to face Shin Hyeon as his first opponent and didn't just lose but was beaten unconscious. Yeongpoong's condition looked better than expected.
"Ah! Thanks to my martial uncle's consideration, I was only beaten painfully without any marks left on my body."
"...Sure."
How can he say something so terrifying with such a bright face? What that means is, they gave tremendous pain but beat him in a way that left no marks.
'This sect is not normal.'
By any measure, it wasn't normal. Yeongpoong smiled and took something out of his robes, handing it to me.
It was an item with a plum blossom emblem drawn on it. As I looked at it wondering what it was, Yeongpoong continued.
"It's my hero token."
"...Why are you giving this to me?"
"It's something I've never used even once... I would appreciate it if you could return it to me when we meet again next time."
At Yeongpoong's words, my expression slightly crumpled without realizing.
'He's doing something you'd only do between lovers to me.'
Wondering if Yeongpoong might be of that inclination, I looked at him with narrowed eyes, but Yeongpoong seemed not to care and continued his words.
"And at that time too, please accept my martial duel."
"Hmm?"
I looked at Yeongpoong with a peculiar expression. To understand the meaning behind his words.
I could feel the faint competitive spirit in Yeongpoong's eyes.
Feeling that, a hollow laugh slightly escaped me.
Yeongpoong was now asking me to become his rival.
'To experience this from the world's Sword Dragon.'
It was an emotion that couldn't be explained.
I smiled slightly and eventually accepted Yeongpoong's item, putting it in my robes.
"Yes, I'll be looking forward to next time."
Whether my answer pleased him, Yeongpoong gave a bright smile.
"Thank you. Thanks to you, young hero, I was able to realize many things."
Leaving those words, Yeongpoong went up to the Huashan Sect without hesitation.
'How strange.'
Recently, it seemed like I was hearing words of thanks particularly often. Though I myself didn't feel like I had particularly done anything.
'Noya.'
[What is it.]
'Are you really okay with this? If we leave Huashan now, we don't know when we'll be able to return.'
In the conversation I had with Noya last night, Noya clearly told me he was fine, but it was still something I had to ask once more.
[There was never a way for me to stay here in the first place.]
'That's also true but...'
[And.]
Shin Noya paused to catch his breath and spoke.
[I think I have some idea of what I need to finish, so staying here would be meaningless. So I'm fine. Don't worry about it.]
'...Understood.'
No matter how much I asked what those words meant, Noya only answered that he couldn't tell me yet.
It was frustrating, but I couldn't press further when he said he wouldn't tell me.
"Master!"
Guryeonghwa, who was about to board the carriage, spotted me and Geomhu and ran over.
"You're just coming now?"
Guryeonghwa ran over and hugged Geomhu. Geomhu naturally stroked Guryeonghwa's head. Looking at Guryeonghwa in her embrace, I asked.
"Is everyone already aboard?"
"Yeah."
"What about the Divine Physician?"
"I heard he's already been on the carriage since morning."
According to Guryeonghwa, aside from the Gu family's carriage, there was another carriage provided by the Huashan Sect. The Divine Physician was probably riding in that one.
I casually asked Guryeonghwa.
"Did you pack all your clothes?"
"...That's something the senior brothers have already asked dozens of times, even my brother has to ask?"
"...Never mind if you packed them."
Having various trivial conversations, we boarded the carriage. Inside the carriage, Wi Seol-ah greeted me brightly. Namgung Bi-ah was already lying on Wi Seol-ah's lap, sleeping.
"Young Master!"
"This kid is sleeping again?"
"She said she didn't sleep well yesterday and was tired!"
"She seems to always be tired..."
Even so, I sat next to them carefully in case she woke up. As I was watching the outside scenery for a moment, I heard Geomjon's voice from the front.
"Then we'll be departing."
"Ah, yes!"
Come to think of it, the coachman was Geomjon. Once I realized that, my posture became somewhat more humble. Being in a carriage driven by one of the Three Venerables of the World seemed to have the effect of making one mindful of manners.
Seeing that, Shin Noya asked.
[Why is that one driving the carriage...?]
'...I don't know either.'
I wanted to know more than anyone.
Puhiihiiing-! With the spirited sound of horses, the carriage began to move. Finally, the schedule in Shaanxi was over, and we were returning to the Gu family estate.
"When I return this time... I need to rest from long-distance travel for a while."
Just this year alone I've been to Shaanxi and Sichuan; once I return, long-distance travel was out of the question. As I was having such thoughts, Shin Noya, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke.
[Hearing you say that, it doesn't seem like it'll go as you say.]
'...'
I tried hard to ignore the ominous words.
As time passed and we returned to the Gu family estate.
I had to immediately face an unexpected situation.
"...Why are you here, young lady?"
At my bewildered question, the young lady blushed and answered.
"H-hello...!"
A charming young lady with deep green hair and brightly shining green eyes.
The precious jewel of the Sichuan Tang Clan, the Poison Phoenix Dang So-yeol, was there.