Chapter 100: The Mysterious Sword Art
I couldn't help being startled.
I never imagined the words Abandoned Martial Hall would come out of Sect Leader Wonmyeong's mouth.
Wonmyeong looked at us with a serious expression.
“I heard that Kunlun has spent generations researching and improving the martial arts of the sect.”
He continued,
“And at the center of that martial research...”
“is the Abandoned Martial Hall.”
"..."
Jin Gwangung said nothing.
Wonmyeong seemed to take that silence as confirmation and continued.
“Several hundred years of accumulated martial research...”
“It is truly impressive.”
His tone carried genuine admiration.
“I believe Kunlun's achievements at this year's Dragon-Phoenix Awakening Tournament were only natural.”
“The endless study of martial arts has finally borne fruit.”
I tilted my head inwardly.
He seems to be... seriously misunderstanding something.
The truth of the Abandoned Martial Hall was far less impressive.
It was basically a dumping ground for failed martial arts.
It wasn't some grand treasure trove of martial research like Wonmyeong seemed to imagine.
Even Hyeongwon and Myeongjeon scratched their heads awkwardly.
They were Kunlun disciples too.
They knew exactly what the Abandoned Martial Hall was really like.
After a brief silence...
Jin Gwangung spoke again.
“Then perhaps the reason you specifically requested Mujin and me for this invitation...”
He narrowed his eyes.
“was also because of the Abandoned Martial Hall?”
Wonmyeong shook his head lightly.
“That did influence the decision.”
“But it wasn't the only reason.”
Jin Gwangung frowned.
“There's another reason?”
Wonmyeong stroked his beard.
“Among the two people currently associated with the Abandoned Martial Hall...”
His gaze shifted toward me.
“there is someone in Mount Hua who has taken a great deal of interest in Taoist Han Mujin.”
He smiled faintly.
“That was another reason we requested additional guests.”
Someone interested in me?
The face of the eccentric old man who had suddenly grabbed my wrist at the mountain gate flashed through my mind.
Jin Gwangung seemed to have reached the same conclusion.
He asked immediately,
“Are you referring to that Elder Hyeoneom?”
Wonmyeong smiled awkwardly.
“It seems you've already met him.”
Then he continued,
“He survived the war against the Demonic Cult long ago.”
“You could say he is living history within Mount Hua.”
Jin Gwangung narrowed his eyes.
“And why exactly is that old man so interested in Mujin?”
Wonmyeong hesitated.
“That...”
He gave an awkward smile.
“would probably be better asked directly.”
Jin Gwangung frowned.
Wonmyeong continued,
“Elder Hyeoneom has always had a very unusual temperament.”
“He didn't tell me his reason at all.”
“Even you don't know?”
Wonmyeong nodded.
“Normally, Elder Hyeoneom has almost no interest in worldly affairs.”
He looked toward me.
“Yet one day, he suddenly came to me and said he absolutely had to see Taoist Mujin at least once.”
Jin Gwangung glanced at me.
The look in his eyes clearly asked whether I had any idea why.
I shrugged.
No clue.
Then I thought,
Why would that old man specifically ask for me?
For some reason...
it left me uneasy.
Jin Gwangung didn't pursue the matter any further.
Instead, he changed the subject.
“Leaving Mujin aside...”
“how exactly do you intend to conduct this ‘exchange’ between Kunlun and Mount Hua?”
Wonmyeong smiled.
“Haha. I'll explain that gradually.”
“For today, please rest first.”
“You've traveled a long way.”
Jin Gwangung didn't refuse.
“Very well.”
He nodded.
“I'll wait for your explanation later.”
We offered our respects to Sect Leader Wonmyeong and left the Sect Leader's Pavilion.
Taoist Wonho escorted us back to our lodging.
Once we arrived...
he said,
“If anything is inconvenient, please let us know at any time.”
Then he left.
I turned toward Jin Gwangung.
“What did you think of Sect Leader Wonmyeong?”
Jin Gwangung crossed his arms.
“He doesn't seem like someone with a black heart.”
“I didn't sense that he was trying to hide anything either.”
“I see....”
Jin Gwangung immediately noticed my expression.
“What?”
“Something bothering you?”
I shook my head.
“Not exactly.”
“I'm just a little concerned about Elder Hyeoneom.”
Jin Gwangung snorted.
“That foul-mouthed old weirdo?”
Then he suddenly grew irritated.
“Now that I think about it...”
“He took one look at me and said I looked old!”
He raised his voice.
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
Then he pointed at himself.
“I look young for my age, don't I?”
"..."
I said nothing.
I merely thought,
Hmm... Master has a surprisingly generous opinion of his own appearance.
Jin Gwangung continued with his arms crossed.
“Anyway, since that old man showed so much interest in you...”
“he'll probably come looking for you again soon.”
“Ask him directly when he does.”
“Understood.”
Then Myeongjeon, standing beside me, carefully asked,
“That aside...”
“First Elder Jin Gwangung, what do you think Sect Leader Wonmyeong meant by that ‘exchange’?”
He looked thoughtful.
“If we're going to spar against Mount Hua disciples, maybe we should start preparing—”
Jin Gwangung waved him off.
“Forget it.”
“We don't even know what we're doing yet, so why prepare?”
He clicked his tongue.
“There's no point overthinking it.”
“We'll know everything tomorrow anyway.”
Then he pulled a bottle of liquor from his robes.
