Chapter 347

Inside Shiquan County City, beneath the Qinling Mountains.

Disciples of Wudang stood in ordered ranks in the courtyard of a guesthouse. Several figures dressed in lay attire stood separately off to one side.

All of them gazed solemnly at the altar before them.

RUSTLE. RUSTLE.

Taoist Hyeonam carefully smoothed out the Taoist robe, stiff with dried blood, and laid it gently inside the wooden coffin before the altar.

Lastly, he placed the Songmun Sword straight upon the robe.

They had been unable to recover Uncheon Zhenren’s body, so the coffining rite was being held with only his personal effects.

The formal funeral would be conducted after they returned to Mount Wudang.

“....”

Taoist Hyeonam’s eyes grew redder as he looked down into the coffin.

The longer one stood face-to-face with grief, the greater it swelled, like a snowball rolling downhill.

Hyeonam hurriedly lowered the lid.

CLACK.

He ran a hand over the coffin to make certain it was firmly shut, then turned around.

“Clan Masters, thank you for attending Martial Uncle Uncheon’s coffining rite despite the turmoil you yourselves are facing.”

When Hyeonam bowed with clasped hands, Yue Gun-yeong, Clan Master of the Shandong Yue Family, and Peng Cheon-hwi, Clan Master of the Hebei Peng Family, inclined their heads.

“No matter how desperate the circumstances, one must still see the departed off.”

“We escaped death by the narrowest margin thanks to Uncheon Zhenren’s sacrifice. Attending was only proper.”

At those words, the tragedy in Gourd Sky within the Valley of Dark Mourning threatened to rise in Hyeonam’s mind. He quickly changed the subject.

“What do the two Clan Masters intend to do from here?”

Peng Cheon-hwi briefly exchanged glances with Yue Gun-yeong before answering.

“Our Peng Family and the Yue Family have decided to take the northeastern official road together tomorrow morning as far as Chang’an. From there, we’ll travel by the Yellow River to Jinan Prefecture, then part ways.”

Southeast from Jinan Prefecture lay Shandong Province, home of the Yue Family.

North lay Beiping Prefecture, the base of the Peng Family.

The moment the campaign force had retreated from Sword Demon Valley to Shiquan County, which had served as its forward base, its leadership had decided to dissolve the force and have each group return to its own headquarters.

The Martial Alliance had fallen, and all contact with the relief force commanded by Grand Strategist Sagong Ui had been completely severed.

There was no longer any hope.

A counterattack against the Gathering Demons Division was out of the question. Their only choice was to return to their respective strongholds as quickly as possible.

Yue Gun-yeong asked casually,

“Taoist Hyeonam, why not have Wudang travel with us? It would be quite a detour to Mount Wudang, admittedly.”

Shiquan County, their forward base for the campaign against the Gathering Demons Division, lay near the western reaches of the Qinling Mountains that divided Hanzhong from Guanzhong.

Heading toward Chang’an would therefore take them in the opposite direction from Hubei Province, where Mount Wudang stood.

It was not merely a slight detour.

They would effectively be circling halfway around the Central Plains.

Peng Cheon-hwi added his voice to Yue’s proposal.

“Taoist Hyeonam, even if the road is longer, isn’t that better than taking the dangerous route? If we run into anything unpleasant, we can join forces.”

The Hebei Peng Clan Master was using “anything unpleasant” as a euphemism for the Gathering Demons Division.

In other words, he was proposing that they travel together in case the Gathering Demons Division pursued them.

Hyeonam declined immediately.

“I appreciate both Clan Masters’ concern for Wudang, but our sect will take the southeastern official road and head directly for Hubei Province.”

Hyeonam could not afford a detour that would easily add another two or three months to the journey.

He had to get the gravely wounded disciples back to Mount Wudang as quickly as possible so they could receive proper treatment.

Peng Cheon-hwi nodded.

“In that case, we two Clan Masters will take our leave.”

The Clan Masters of the Shandong Yue Family and Hebei Peng Family silently bowed their heads toward Uncheon Zhenren’s altar, then left the courtyard.

As the elders who had accompanied them paid their respects one by one and prepared to depart, Hyeonam addressed Elder Yue Yeong-bo of the Shandong Yue Family.

“Elder Yue, may I speak with you for a moment?”

With the campaign force dissolved, Yue Yeong-bo was no longer a Unit Leader of the advance detachment, so Hyeonam addressed him formally as an elder.

“Of course.”

Yue Yeong-bo readily nodded and waited.

After seeing the other family elders off, Hyeonam approached him.

“There has been so much confusion that I never had the opportunity to thank you.”

Hyeonam bowed deeply.

“Thanks to your efforts, Elder Yue, we were able to recover Martial Uncle Uncheon’s belongings. On behalf of Wudang, I offer you my deepest gratitude.”

Yue Yeong-bo returned the bow.

“Taoist Hyeonam, I should be the one offering thanks. I owe my life to Uncheon Zhenren.”

When Yue Yeong-bo had been grievously wounded by Jwa Ye-geuk’s black arrow and tumbled outside the entrance to Gourd Sky, he had been certain he was about to die.

His right arm and shoulder bone had been shattered. In that condition, even a single soldier of the demonic path would have been difficult for him to handle.

When Jwa Ye-geuk caught up to him before he had even made it halfway out of the Valley of Dark Mourning, Yue had completely resigned himself to death.

Yet instead of drawing a dagger and cutting his throat, Jwa Ye-geuk had thrown him Uncheon Zhenren’s Taoist robe and the Songmun Sword.

“Give these to the Taoists of Wudang. The elders have an errand for you, so I’m sparing your life as payment for carrying it out.”

Remembering the humiliation of that moment, Yue Yeong-bo continued.

“In any case, Uncheon Zhenren was harmed by the people Jwa Ye-geuk called ‘the elders.’ I thought Wudang should know at least that much about the culprits, so I told you.”

Hyeonam bowed with clasped hands.

“Thank you for telling me the circumstances as well.”

For a martial artist, speaking of a humiliation one had suffered could be worse than death.

Hyeonam’s gratitude was sincere.

Yue Yeong-bo lightly touched the splint securing his right arm.

“I also have my own reasons for wanting revenge on that bastard Jwa Ye-geuk, Never Turn Your Back Within a Hundred Paces. So please don’t think too much of it.”

Once Yue Yeong-bo departed, only the disciples of Wudang remained in the courtyard.

Amid the heavy silence, Taoist Hyeongong spoke.

“Junior Brother Hyeonam, now that Martial Uncle Uncheon’s coffining rite is finished, I think we should discuss our route from here.”

The gazes of the Wudang disciples fixed on him were anything but friendly, but Hyeongong ignored them and continued.

“The Martial Alliance campaign force has been dissolved. We have no time to linger here, do we? The Gathering Demons Division may be too occupied reorganizing itself to bother with us right now, but once they have restored order, they’ll surely come looking for trouble.”

Hyeonam asked,

“You seem to have something in mind, Senior Brother Hyeongong.”

“Naturally.”

Hyeongong nodded.

“Among the Hyeon generation here, am I not the eldest senior brother? How could I simply stand aside when our fellow disciples are in danger?”

Seokjangsan, already irritated by Hyeongong invoking his seniority, abruptly cut in.

“Martial Uncle Hyeongong, why don’t you simply tell us what your suggestion is?”

Hyeongong frowned.

“Martial Nephew Seok, being somewhat skilled in martial arts hardly gives you leave to interrupt your Martial Uncle. That was rather disrespectful.”

Normally, a martial nephew should naturally bow his head when rebuked by his Martial Uncle.

But Hyeongong had disgraced the reputation of the sect and had even brought them false information.

Because of that information, Uncheon Zhenren and countless fellow disciples had lost their lives.

Their resentment toward Hyeongong was immense.

The campaign leadership had concluded that Hyeongong had simply fallen victim to the enemy’s counterintelligence ploy.

Even so, Seokjangsan’s anger toward him had not diminished in the slightest.

“Martial Uncle Hyeongong, you should reflect on your own actions first. If you still wish to rebuke me afterward, then this martial nephew will gladly bow his head and apologize.”

Seokjangsan spoke with his head held stiffly upright.

Hyeongong’s face turned as red as a furnace.

“Seokjangsan, you insolent wretch! You dare lecture your Martial Uncle? Do you intend to violate the rules of our sect?”

“Senior Brother Hyeongong!”

Hyeonam’s voice was low, but firm.

“We are standing before Martial Uncle Uncheon’s memorial altar. Restrain your words and conduct.”

Hyeongong barely managed to suppress his anger.

“...My apologies for raising my voice.”

Hyeonam then turned a stern gaze on Seokjangsan.

“Martial Nephew Seok, apologize to Senior Brother Hyeongong. Whatever the circumstances, your conduct toward your Martial Uncle was indeed disrespectful.”

Seokjangsan clasped his hands toward Hyeongong and bowed.

“This martial nephew acted rashly. I apologize.”

When Hyeongong merely glared at him without answering, Hyeonam spoke firmly.

“Senior Brother Hyeongong, surely you have not forgotten that when we leave the mountain on official business, authority follows one’s assigned position rather than seniority of lineage or generation.”

Hyeonam had been deputy commander of this expeditionary force.

With Uncheon Zhenren gone, command had therefore passed to him.

“...I know.”

“Then accept Martial Nephew Seok’s apology and forgive him.”

“Junior Brother Hyeonam, as his Martial Uncle, surely that much should be left to—”

“I am not speaking to you as your junior brother right now. I am speaking as commander of this expeditionary force.”

“....”

At the chill in Hyeonam’s voice, Hyeongong turned toward Seokjangsan, his face still flushed.

“...Martial Nephew Seok, my words were somewhat excessive as well.”

Having quelled the disturbance with the authority of command, Hyeonam turned back to him.

“Senior Brother Hyeongong, tell us your suggestion.”

Hyeongong spoke with considerably less force than before.

“I think it would be best to accept the proposal from the Shandong Yue Family and the Hebei Peng Family and travel with them.”

“I already declined their proposal. I also told them we would head directly for Mount Wudang.”

“I have ears, so of course I heard you. But I’m saying this because I’m worried about our fellow disciples. If Wudang travels alone and the Gathering Demons Division happens to pursue us, won’t that put everyone in even greater danger?”

“....”

When Hyeonam merely watched him in silence, Hyeongong gave a bitter smile.

“I’m not trying to disregard the fact that you command the expeditionary force, Junior Brother Hyeonam. It is true that I made a mistake and lost Martial Uncle Uncheon’s trust.”

“....”

“But as a first-generation disciple of Wudang, how can I not worry about my fellow disciples? If their safety is at stake, I believe I at least have the right to offer my opinion.”

“Of course you have the right to offer an opinion.”

Hyeonam nodded.

“And I understand why you’re uneasy. But there is no need to worry quite so much.”

“How can we possibly feel at ease when our route takes us through the enemy’s own backyard?”

At Hyeongong’s question, Hyeonam answered,

“I intended to explain our route when we departed tomorrow, but everyone must be anxious, so I will tell you now.”

Hyeonam paused briefly to organize his thoughts.

“My plan is to first take the southern official road to Pingshan County, where a military garrison of one thousand troops is stationed.”

With a thousand soldiers guarding the area, the Gathering Demons Division would be unable to pursue them there in force.

“From Pingshan County, we will take the eastern official road and head directly for Mount Zhongnan.”

Hyeongong’s eyes widened slightly.

“You intend to seek help from the Zhongnan Sect?”

“That as well. But more importantly, I intend to ask the Zhongnan Sect to help treat our gravely wounded.”

“It adds perhaps ten days to the journey, but it gives us safety and treatment for our disciples at the same time. Two birds with one stone.”

Hyeongong nodded, then continued in a somewhat deflated voice.

“It seems I worried for nothing. I’ll take my leave first, then.”

“Senior Brother Hyeongong, we have a long road ahead starting tomorrow. Rest and recuperate in your guest room.”

“I will.”

Hyeongong slung his pack over his back with his one remaining right hand and left the courtyard.

Only his disciple, Cheongsu, followed him.

Seokjangsan watched them go with an angry expression.

Hyeonam spoke quietly.

“Endure it. Once we return to the main mountain, Senior Brother Hyeongong’s actions will be investigated and he will be held accountable.”

Seokjangsan’s expression remained hard.

“Will Grand Elder Unhak truly hold his disciple responsible this time? Especially now that Grand-Master Uncle Uncheon is no longer with us?”

Hyeonam shook his head.

“Not even the Grand Elder can conceal wrongdoing that has already come to light. I will see to it somehow, so do not act rashly again.”