The west library on the first floor of Mangyeonggak.
Thud— thud—
Just as footsteps were unexpectedly heard in the silent library where not a single presence could be felt—
Thud.
A young man suddenly rose up from below.
Fair white skin and distinct features.
A tall, handsome young man standing at six cheok with looks that anyone would take a liking to.
It was Cheonhwi, who had now become a nineteen-year-old young man after five years had passed.
"Is this chore finally coming to an end too."
Looking at the stairs, the only means to head to Amhyangbidong, he clicked his tongue without realizing.
Along with that, both of Cheonhwi's eyebrows rose sharply.
Though his expression was mixed with considerable irritation, perhaps thanks to his handsome appearance, even that seemed to exude a different kind of charm.
"It took more time than I expected."
He grumbled softly.
The deadline he had initially set was two years.
But five years had flown by, a result that fell far beyond expectations.
'Though one of them took up the time.'
Cheonhwi recalled the sword technique among the fourteen martial arts manuals that had given him trouble.
The other martial arts would have been sufficient with a little over a year, but the one remaining sword technique had consumed most of the time.
As he recalled the sword technique for a moment, a chuckle leaked out.
Though it had troubled him, he had ultimately succeeded in restoring it, and as of today, everything was finished.
"Ughhh, it's over, it's done."
Stretching while speaking, Cheonhwi skillfully reached out and closed the passage leading to the Bidong, then turned around.
Naturally, he surveyed his surroundings.
The interior of Mangyeonggak was unchanged from five years ago.
The libraries on all sides were filled with books, and it was exceedingly quiet.
Of course, there was a time when many disciples had flocked and bustled about, but that was only brief, and the numbers decreased day by day until it became this quiet.
'Now there's no reason to come here either.'
He took in the interior of Mangyeonggak with his eyes.
It had been five years since he stayed here.
Without realizing, he had grown attached to it.
"Quite a long time spent here."
Involuntarily moved by sentiment, he recalled the things he had done during this time one by one.
Martial arts restoration, martial arts restoration, martial arts restoration……
Suddenly his eyes turned sour.
"……Not enough to get attached to."
Come to think of it, whenever he came to Mangyeonggak, he would first inform Hyeoncheong of the restored martial arts, then spend the entire day focusing solely on restoring the martial arts in Amhyangbidong.
Even so, he wasn't dissatisfied.
Thanks to that, he had also learned the orthodox sect's martial arts.
"Then shall I go."
He swiftly turned around.
As of today, everything was finished.
Informing Hyeoncheong of the restored martial arts, and visiting Amhyangbidong.
Swish—
He strode forward.
Arriving at the location of Mangyeonggak's door in an instant, Cheonhwi tilted his head.
"Hm? Where did he go?"
While looking for Hyeoncheong, who would normally be guarding the door, he recalled what happened this morning.
"Ah! Did he say he was attending the grand council today? He's moving around quite well now."
Looking at the desk with books neatly organized, Cheonhwi fell into thought.
Just five years ago, Hyeoncheong had refrained from external activities and focused solely on restoring martial arts.
However, perhaps because he gained more leisure thanks to Cheonhwi restoring the martial arts manuals, he began external activities, and now had changed to the point of frequently attending grand councils.
"Today was the order for new martial arts. Well, if it's urgent, he'll come find me on his own."
Recalling Hyeoncheong who visited daily to write down the mnemonic chants of the restored martial arts manuals, Cheonhwi walked toward the door.
Creak—
After a while, Cheonhwi opened the firmly closed door of Mangyeonggak and stepped outside.
Outside was still desolate.
And the beautiful scenery of Hwasan filled his open view.
The fifth spring he was welcoming.
Plum blossoms were in full bloom across Hwasan, and the rich fragrance of plum blossoms mingled with the blowing wind, tickling the tip of his nose.
Whoo—
Enjoying the scenery and silence like usual, Cheonhwi walked toward Nak'anbong.
'Then focusing on the newly created martial arts from Amhyangbidong……'
While walking and organizing the martial arts he had refined and perfected in Amhyangbidong during this time—
Chang! Chang!
His thoughts were broken by the sharp clashing sounds coming from afar.
In his fully open view, he saw the thatched cottage and courtyard he saw every day.
In the courtyard, which had become much larger compared to five years ago, a man and woman were sparring.
A handsome man with a gentle smile and a beautiful woman with a beautiful but cold impression.
They were none other than the grown-up Jeokgeom and Seollan.
While sparring using the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, Seollan withdrew her sword and stepped back.
"Your sword tip is wavering more than usual today."
"Haha. I suppose my mind was scattered."
Jeokgeom smiled sheepishly.
Seeing that, Seollan sheathed her sword and asked with a worried expression.
"……Is it because of the rumor after all?"
For an instant, Jeokgeom's expression darkened.
Unable to hide his anxiety, he sheathed the sword in his hand and gave a small nod.
"I can't help but worry."
Jeokgeom recalled the rumor circulating in the murim and was feeling restless.
"Sigh……. They say Paewangmun is targeting this family."
"Don't worry too much, Senior Brother."
Seollan approached Jeokgeom and comforted him.
"Even if it's Paewangmun, they'll avoid a direct confrontation with our sect."
Perhaps because she had grown much closer while attending to Cheonhwi, she, who had been cynical about everything, was now encouraging Jeokgeom.
"Besides, the Sect Leader even called a grand council because of this matter, didn't he?"
At Seollan's deliberately energetic words, Jeokgeom calmed his anxious heart.
"Right, Junior Sister is correct."
"What Senior Brother and I need to do is train in martial arts for any unforeseen missions……"
Just when the two were about to discuss the grand council that was about to be held—
'Hm? Grand council?'
Cheonhwi, who was approaching, pricked up his ears. A word from the conversation between the two going back and forth happened to linger in his ears.
'What? Gangho Chuldo (Stepping into the Murim)?'
* * *
Unjungnu, where the grand council was being held.
Though Unjungnu remained unchanged even after a long time had passed, a considerably sharp atmosphere was swirling inside.
"Everyone has gathered."
The Sect Leader sitting in the seat of honor spoke.
Instantly, those sitting around the large table revealed serious expressions.
Seeing the stiffened assembly, the Sect Leader gave a signal with his eyes to Hyeonryeo, and—
"A few days ago, Bipung Sangdan requested our help."
Hyeonryeo spoke as if he had been waiting.
"What kind of help?"
"……A request for protection from Paewangmun's attack."
A frigid silence flowed.
Then, a fierce energy that was hard to believe belonged to a Daoist sect bloomed and filled Unjungnu.
Just as that energy was about to grow even stronger—
"Bipung Sangdan is the family of our sect's disciple Jeokgeom."
Hyeonryeo added.
"Are you saying we should help them?"
"That is correct."
"Is that your opinion as Hyeonryeo? Or as Jaeryeong Gakju?"
"Both."
Hyeonryeo answered firmly.
"Good."
With his answer, the Sect Leader moved his head, sweeping his gaze across the assembly once before speaking.
"What does everyone think?"
"I agree."
"When Bipung Sangdan, which helped our sect, is being threatened by Paewangmun, a demonic sect group, how can we just stand by?"
"We must naturally help."
They began answering as if they had been waiting.
Hyeoncheong, who was sitting at the end of the seats watching, was the same.
"Refusing Bipung Sangdan's request for help would be an act of bringing shame to our sect."
Hearing answers in agreement from everyone without exception, the Sect Leader immediately changed the topic.
"Then who do you think would be good to dispatch to Bipung Sangdan this time?"
At that moment, Hyeonheo raised his hand high.
At the gesture of Hyeonheo, who had grown his beard even more stylishly than five years ago, everyone including the Sect Leader turned their gazes.
After waiting for everyone's attention to focus on him, Hyeonheo opened his mouth.
"I think we should send the newly selected Maehwa Geomsu this time."
"Hmm……."
"That's right."
"There's no one else but the Maehwa Geomsu."
Most were in agreement.
However, it seemed not everyone shared the same thought, as there were also some who objected.
One of them was Muryeon Gakju.
"But they are children too early to step into the murim. It has only been a little over a year since they became Maehwa Geomsu, and they cannot properly handle the Plum Blossom Sword Technique."
"Junior Brother still sees the Maehwa Geomsu as children."
Hyeonheo said coldly.
"No matter how young and lacking in experience they may be, once they have become Maehwa Geomsu, they are the face of our sect. Yet if we say the Maehwa Geomsu are insufficient, who in the world would place their trust in us?"
"That is……."
At the words that struck the nail on the head, Muryeon Gakju swallowed his remaining words and closed his eyes.
In truth, he knew as well.
That Hyeonheo's words were right.
But he was anxious.
Afraid that by some chance, the Maehwa Geomsu stepping into the murim might suffer a mishap like Hyeongang.
At that moment, Hyeonheo's voice was heard.
"We must be the first to place our trust."
Muryeon Gakju opened his closed eyes.
Just as those words said, it was now time to release them from the fold and trust the disciples.
"Senior Brother's words are correct."
Seeing Muryeon Gakju back down more readily than expected, Hyeonheo smiled softly and addressed the Sect Leader.
"Furthermore, Jeokgeom is included among the current great Maehwa Geomsu. Since they can visit his family while gaining experience in the murim this time, I think they are the most suitable."
Right on cue, Bi Gakju chimed in.
"As those words say, it would be most appropriate for the Maehwa Geomsu to move."
As the atmosphere ripened to the point where even those who had objected began to agree one by one—
"Are there any other opinions?"
The Sect Leader asked, looking around.
This time, there were no objectors.
"Then we shall send the Maehwa Geomsu. Then……"
The Sect Leader's eyes flashed as he spoke.
The Maehwa Geomsu going was virtually a foregone conclusion. But what he was asking now was the most important thing.
"Then who do you think would be good to send as the one to command the Maehwa Geomsu?"
Everyone hummed in contemplation.
The Daoists of the Hyeonja generation had to guard the Hwasan Sect, so they couldn't step forward.
Therefore, they had to select from among the Cheonja generation Daoists, but most of them also held important positions, making it difficult for them to go outside.
As they recalled those without official positions, Hyeonheo was the first to suggest.
"What about Cheonsu?"
"That won't do."
Hyeonryeo immediately expressed his refusal.
Cheonsu, as the vice-gakju of Jaeryeonggak, possessed an outstanding mind and was an absolutely necessary presence.
"Due to the financial management issues currently being handled, it's difficult to pull him away."
No one could refute those words.
Everyone was well aware that the Hwasan Sect's finances had become serious recently, so they couldn't say anything against those words.
At that moment, as if Bi Gakju had recalled someone, he clapped his hands and moved his lips.
"Then what about Cheonhyang? Didn't he recently return after finishing family business? He also has experience wandering the murim, so wouldn't he be the perfect fit for this task?"
This time, Muryeon Gakju shook his head.
"Cheonhyang's physical condition is not good right now. I don't know what he went through at his family, but when he returned to the main sect, he had already sustained internal injuries."
Instantly, everyone hummed in contemplation.
Excluding those two, there was no one among the Cheonja generation figures to entrust this to.
"Our sect's personnel have decreased considerably compared to the past."
The watching Sect Leader smiled bitterly.
In the past, talents had overflowed to the point of choosing whom to send on missions.
But now, let alone choosing, there were no figures at all to send on missions.
"Even so, we can't call back Cheonyu, who went to the Murim Alliance……"
Just as they were mentioning Cheonyu, the Hwasan Sect's eldest disciple who had been dispatched due to recent events at the Murim Alliance, and feeling troubled—
"I'll take that mission."
At the low voice that interjected, the crowd turned their heads, and Cheonhwi, walking forward confidently, entered their eyes.