Chapter 110: Reproduction
“You have something to say?”
Elder Hyeoneom narrowed his eyes.
“Yes... there's one more thing I think we need to address.”
“What are you talking about?”
I looked toward the inscription again.
“True Immortal Cheongun and Immortal Yeonha both concealed the existence of the ‘great evil’ while they were alive.”
“That's true.”
Hyeoneom began listening more carefully.
I continued.
“Both of them left their final messages inside hidden chambers.”
“And they even created mechanisms so those messages would only appear before someone who had the proper qualifications.”
“Hmm....”
The fingers wrapped around Hyeoneom's staff twitched slightly.
“...Keep talking.”
I nodded.
“There must be a reason they went to such lengths to keep everything secret.”
“And that reason is probably connected to the existence of the ‘great evil.’”
Hyeoneom immediately understood what I meant.
“So you're saying their final messages shouldn't be revealed to outsiders?”
As expected of someone with vast experience in the martial world.
I answered right away.
“I'm saying we should be more careful.”
“Hmm....”
Hyeoneom fell silent.
He tapped the end of his staff against the floor several times, clearly thinking.
After a while, he spoke.
“...You have a point.”
His tone became serious.
“There may indeed be a reason for the secrecy.”
He looked toward the wall.
“Perhaps revealing these final messages could even bring about a greater disaster....”
I nodded.
“That's why I think spreading this information carelessly right now—”
“I understand.”
Hyeoneom cut me off.
“But we cannot hide everything from everyone forever.”
His expression hardened.
“At the very least, Sect Leader Wonmyeong needs to know.”
I considered it briefly.
“...I agree with that much.”
Hyeoneom nodded.
“Then let's move immediately.”
“We need to decide how to handle this matter with the Sect Leader as soon as possible.”
“Understood.”
Hyeoneom and I left the Seclusion Cave and headed straight for the Sect Leader's Pavilion.
Even though we arrived at the Sect Leader's Pavilion late at night...
the lamps inside were still burning.
Sect Leader Wonmyeong was apparently someone who worked on sect affairs until very late every day.
The Taoists guarding the entrance immediately stepped aside when they saw Elder Hyeoneom.
We went straight inside.
The moment we opened the door...
Wonmyeong rose from his seat to greet us.
“Elder Hyeoneom?”
He looked surprised.
“What brings you here at such a late hour?”
Then his gaze shifted toward me.
“...And Taoist Mujin is with you as well.”
His expression grew more serious.
“What exactly happened?”
Instead of answering...
Hyeoneom jerked his chin toward me.
“You should explain it.”
I gave Sect Leader Wonmyeong a martial salute.
Then I told him what had happened.
The hidden chamber inside the Seclusion Cave.
The Flowing Flower Kunlun Sword manual left by Immortal Yeonha.
The warning about the ‘great evil’ carved into the wall.
And the fact that True Immortal Cheongun had left a warning about the same danger.
I kept the explanation concise...
focusing only on what absolutely needed to be said.
The deeper my explanation went...
the more serious Wonmyeong's expression became.
When I finally finished...
he let out a long breath.
“...A great evil.”
Wonmyeong lowered his gaze and muttered,
“If this becomes known outside...”
“the consequences will be enormous.”
I nodded.
“That's what concerns me most.”
Wonmyeong slowly nodded.
“The martial world is already unsettled by the possibility of renewed activity from the Demonic Cult.”
He frowned.
“If the final messages of True Immortal Cheongun and Immortal Yeonha became public on top of that...”
“the entire martial world would be thrown into turmoil.”
As expected of the leader of one of the Nine Great Sects...
Wonmyeong understood the situation immediately.
He stared into empty space for a moment.
Then suddenly looked toward me.
“And if those messages become public...”
“Taoist Mujin, you would be placed in an awkward position as well.”
I remained silent.
Wonmyeong continued.
“If word spreads that you've inherited the martial intent of two absolute masters...”
“every eye in the martial world will turn toward you.”
He was exactly right.
That was one of the things bothering me most.
I'd attract far too much attention.
My revenge against the Righteous Alliance and Moyong Cheonhwi...
had to proceed quietly.
Secretly.
The moment the attention of the martial world followed my every move...
the range of actions available to me would shrink drastically.
Wonmyeong continued.
“But don't worry too much.”
His voice softened.
“I also believe this matter should be handled quietly.”
“I'll find a way to prevent unnecessary burdens from falling on you.”
Then he added,
“Immortal Yeonha's final message will also remain secret for the time being.”
The issue that had worried me most was resolved.
I bowed again.
“Thank you, Sect Leader.”
Just as everything seemed to be wrapping up smoothly—
“Ahem!”
Elder Hyeoneom suddenly cleared his throat loudly.
Then he looked at Wonmyeong with an extremely serious expression.
“Sect Leader...”
“There is still one more important matter I need to tell you.”
Wonmyeong's expression immediately stiffened.
“Another important matter?!”
He swallowed.
“If you're speaking so seriously, Elder... you're making me nervous already.”
Hyeoneom's expression turned strangely meaningful.
“Do not be too surprised.”
He paused dramatically.
“It is....”
“Yes...?”
Wonmyeong visibly tensed.
I could even hear him swallow.
Then Hyeoneom finally spoke.
“This old man has gained a junior brother.”
"...What?"
Wonmyeong stared blankly at him.
“What... do you mean all of a sudden?”
Hyeoneom burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! This lonely old man who had been living all by himself finally has a junior brother to accompany him!”
Wonmyeong blinked several times.
“The important matter you wanted to tell me...”
He hesitated.
“Was... that?”
“What do you think?”
Hyeoneom beamed.
“Surprised, aren't you?”
He looked pleased with himself.
“I decided to tell the Sect Leader first. Hahaha!”
“I-I see....”
Wonmyeong forced an awkward smile.
Judging by his expression...
he had no idea what he was supposed to say to the delighted old man.
He scratched the side of his head.
“I'm glad to see you so happy, Elder.”
Then he asked,
“But who exactly is this new junior brother of yours?”
Hyeoneom answered immediately.
“Where do you think?”
He grinned.
“He's standing right here.”
Wonmyeong blinked.
“What? Who—”
I had no choice but to raise my hand.
“Sect Leader...”
I sighed inwardly.
“It's me....”
Wonmyeong stared at me.
“Taoist Mujin?”
He tilted his head.
“What exactly does that mean...?”
I gave an awkward smile.
“I...”
