Chapter 163: The End of Childhood (22)

In front of the Red Tile Pavilion.

Eunsong brought Soyak to the door and knocked.

The voice of Jeongbeop, the Red Tile Pavilion’s new master and Mount Hua’s newly appointed Sect Leader, came from within.

“Come in.”

Eunsong slowly opened the door.

The interior of the Red Tile Pavilion was somewhat cluttered.

With a new Sect Leader came a change in belongings.

Jeongbeop was a frugal man, and there was nothing extravagant among his possessions.

Only one object shone with noble splendor at his waist—the Heaven-Night Forged Sword, the sacred relic passed down to each Sect Leader.

Yet Eunsong noticed something strange.

Another Heaven-Night Forged Sword, identical in appearance, lay on the table.

“...What is this? I have never heard of two sacred swords being passed down to the Sect Leader.”

“I do not know either. It seems Brother Jeongyang had a replica made. Why he would do such a thing when the original was perfectly intact...”

“It could hardly have been out of fear that the original might be lost. The former Sect Leader rarely left Mount Hua, did he?”

Jeongbeop nodded.

Indeed, Jeongyang had spent most of his time within Mount Hua.

Whenever something required him to leave, it was only briefly, and even then, he usually sent a letter through a messenger instead.

“Exactly. I cannot make sense of it.”

Jeongbeop slowly drew the original Heaven-Night Forged Sword.

A five-colored radiance shimmered across its silver-white blade.

That radiance...

It resembled the light of Soyak’s Falling Blossom Tranquil Edge.

Only the color of the blade itself differed.

Soyak silently studied it.

Jeongbeop set the original down, picked up the replica, and slowly drew it.

It, too, was a famous blade.

Its brilliance might pale beside a weapon of exalted origin that had been passed down for countless years, but...

Forged from ten-thousand-year cold iron by the greatest blacksmith of the age, it was a treasured weapon fully deserving to be called a famous blade.

“...That is an exceptional sword as well.”

“Indeed. I intend to remove the blade and fit it with a new hilt and scabbard. The Sect Leader’s sacred relic has no need of a duplicate.”

“A sensible solution.”

Jeongbeop slowly set the replica down as well and turned his gaze toward Soyak.

Soyak bowed respectfully.

“Is this the child who faced the Little Heavenly Demon after his incomplete resurrection?”

“Yes.”

Jeongbeop’s gaze seemed to pierce straight through her.

True to the “Law” in his Daoist name, his eyes were strong and unwavering.

Soyak did not avoid them.

She merely stared back with her dark eyes.

A brief moment passed.

Then a smile spread across Jeongbeop’s lips.

He nodded.

“With eyes like those, a few years alone should not break her.”

“...I believe the same. That does not mean I am entirely free of concern, but...”

“It is only natural for a master to worry over a cherished disciple.”

Jeongbeop shrugged.

He sat at the long table and gestured for them both to join him.

Soyak and Eunsong took their seats across from him and watched as Jeongbeop brewed tea.

The subtle sweetness of white tea gently filled the air.

Jeongbeop filled three cups, passed one to each of them, then addressed Soyak.

“So. Why do you wish to enter closed-door training?”

“...Pardon?”

Soyak blinked, unable to understand the question at first.

Closed-door training was naturally undertaken to advance one’s martial arts.

She could not understand why he would ask such a thing.

As confusion settled over her, Jeongbeop smiled and continued.

“I have heard the reports. You have already reached the very edge of Transcendent Apex.”

“...That was possible only through Grand Master Jeonggang’s sacrifice and aid.”

“Even so, few could receive all that internal energy and make it their own. That is why I ask. There can be scarcely a handful of people who reached such heights at your age. What do you still lack that makes you drive yourself so fiercely toward an even greater realm?”

Soyak closed her mouth.

Her gaze fell to the teacup.

Jeongbeop...

Did not know about the Reverse Heaven Society.

Nor did he know of her desire for revenge against the Sword Sovereign.

It was impossible to tell him everything honestly.

But if she offered a clumsy excuse, he would see through it.

That same unwavering gaze had examined her only moments before.

He was no ordinary man incapable of distinguishing truth from falsehood.

How honest could she afford to be?

After a moment of silent thought, Soyak spoke.

“...I cannot tell you.”

“...What?”

Jeongbeop gave a disbelieving laugh, clearly not having expected such an answer.

He took a sip of tea, then quietly studied Soyak.

“You cannot tell me. Is it something that violates the teachings of the Dao?”

“...Yes.”

To fulfill revenge born of resentment.

To kill someone with the blade she had sharpened.

Naturally, such a purpose stood far removed from the teachings of the Dao.

A person violating the teachings of the Dao for the sake of cultivation.

That alone was enough for Jeongbeop to discern the rough shape of the resentment and vengeance Soyak carried.

If she sought greater martial attainment in order to commit an act contrary to Daoist teaching...

What could it be but revenge?

“There would be little point in giving you another rigid sermon against vengeance.”

Jeongbeop sighed helplessly.

Eunsong, Myeonggon, and even Jeonggang could hardly have failed to give her such counsel already.

Soyak lowered her head.

“As one who follows the teachings of the Dao, I cannot give my approval to your revenge.”

The conclusion was firm.

Yet his voice remained gentle.

Soyak let out a sigh.

At the sound, Jeongbeop gave a faint chuckle.

“Still, I am not so inflexible in ordinary human affairs. I cannot approve of it... but I can turn a blind eye. I understand you will inherit Eun Jeong’s training cave. Is that correct?”

“...It is.”

“The minimum period is three years. You may leave before then, but you will be punished if you do. Do you understand?”

“I do.”

Jeongbeop nodded in satisfaction.

“Good. I grant permission for your closed-door training. Bring enough fasting pellets for the required period. Underground water should flow through the cave.”

*****

Eunsong’s residence.

After leaving the Red Tile Pavilion, Eunsong and Soyak sat side by side on the wooden porch.

“That ended... much more quickly than I expected.”

“He is strict, but not unreasonable.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. The new Sect Leader was originally responsible for reviewing Mount Hua’s finances and property.”

That alone explained why he was so meticulous and strict.

Mount Hua was an enormous sect.

Naturally, the interests tied to it were equally vast and complicated.

If he had managed all the ledgers recording those affairs and watched over the flow of its funds...

It was only natural that he would develop such a temperament.

“So, when do you plan to enter?”

“...Tomorrow, if possible.”

“There is no need to rush so much.”

Soyak shrugged at Eunsong’s words.

Then she spoke quietly.

“...I am weak.”

“You have reached the edge of Transcendent Apex at your age.”

“Even so, all I could do was block a single attack from the Little Heavenly Demon. And that was after an incomplete resurrection. If I am to defeat the Heavenly Demon, who will be even stronger than him, and then the Sword Sovereign, who severed even the Heavenly Demon’s head... I am still lacking. Far too lacking.”

Eunsong knew that time alone would solve the problem.

Soyak could probably already feel the wall of the Transformation Realm beneath her fingertips.

Eunsong expected her to break through it within ten years at most.

The problem was that even that seemed too slow and inadequate to the girl.

“Ten years.”

“...What?”

“Even without closed-door training, you will cross the wall of the Transformation Realm within ten years. You will make your name as a Transformation Realm master in your early or mid-twenties. Is there truly any reason to choose such a difficult and punishing path?”

“...Because even that is too slow.”

Ten years.

To Soyak, that was more than two-thirds of her entire life.

Telling a fourteen-year-old to wait ten years...

How was that any different from telling a forty-year-old to wait twenty?

“Ten years to cross the wall of the Transformation Realm is unimaginably short—”

“I know. I know that many people cannot even approach that wall after ten, twenty, or thirty years. But... the place I must reach cannot be merely that high, can it? I am fourteen. Ten years is far too long for me. If I can shorten that time... I will use any method available.”

“As you say, you are fourteen. Can you truly endure years in that narrow, suffocating place, where not even sunlight reaches...?”

“Did I not promise you that I would not allow myself to break?”

Eunsong sighed.

He had only restrained his concern earlier because Myeonggon and Jeonggang had been present.

In truth, how could he not worry when a child barely into her teens was preparing to enter closed-door training?

“Have I ever broken a promise to you, Master?”

“...No.”

“Then please do not worry so much. I may be young, but I have already made the long journey to Shandong and returned safely.”

Eunsong slowly nodded.