Chapter 52: A Conversation with the Sect Leader
What kind of unexpected consequences would this changed future bring?
An uneasy feeling I couldn't explain dug into one corner of my chest.
Then...
“First Elder Gwangung.”
I turned my head.
A middle-aged Taoist was approaching us.
He wasn't unfamiliar.
I had seen him several times before when visiting the Sect Leader's Palace.
Hyeonseon.
He worked in the Sect Leader's Palace and was one of Sect Leader Cheon Gwangcheon's close aides.
Jin Gwangung glanced at him.
“Isn't that Hyeonseon?”
He raised an eyebrow.
“You're always buried inside the Sect Leader's Palace. What are you doing outside at this hour?”
Hyeonseon respectfully bowed.
“I was returning from the Finance Hall on the Sect Leader's orders.”
He continued,
“We originally intended to send someone to the Abandoned Martial Hall, but since I happened to meet you here, I can deliver the message directly.”
“A message?”
Jin Gwangung narrowed his eyes.
Hyeonseon nodded, then shifted his gaze toward me.
“Yes.”
“To be precise, it is a message for Taoist Mujin.”
...As expected.
I already had a rough idea of what he was going to say.
Hyeonseon spoke calmly.
“The Sect Leader said he has something to discuss regarding the Dragon-Phoenix Awakening Tournament.”
He looked directly at me.
“Taoist Mujin is to come to the Sect Leader's Palace immediately.”
A brief silence followed.
I quietly looked at Jin Gwangung.
“...Master.”
Jin Gwangung glanced at me, then smirked.
“Why are you staring at me like some puppy?”
He waved his hand dismissively.
“Go already.”
“It's obvious he called you over for some pointless matter about entering the Dragon-Phoenix Awakening Tournament.”
His tone made it clear that he had already figured everything out.
“I'll finish what I came to do at the Finance Hall.”
“You go see him.”
“Understood.”
I bowed and turned away.
Then...
“Um....”
A hesitant voice came from behind me.
I turned.
Myeongjeon had raised his hand awkwardly.
“Then... was I perhaps summoned too?”
Hyeonseon shook his head.
“No.”
“The Sect Leader gave no separate message for you.”
Myeongjeon's smile stiffened.
“R-Really?”
He tried to recover.
“Well, perhaps someone else was sent to inform me—”
“No.”
Hyeonseon answered immediately.
“There wasn't.”
Myeongjeon faltered.
“P-Perhaps Taoist Hyeonseon forgot—”
Hyeonseon's expression hardened.
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
“What do you take me for?”
“Ah! N-No!”
Myeongjeon instantly backed down.
“My apologies, Taoist Hyeonseon!”
He retreated with his tail practically between his legs.
But even then...
he didn't forget to mutter under his breath.
“The Sect Leader is getting older, isn't he?”
“People forget things as they age.”
“Yeah, that must be it.”
“It's not like there were only one or two representatives....”
For the sake of convincing himself...
Myeongjeon didn't hesitate to say something borderline disrespectful about the Sect Leader himself.
I stared at him quietly.
Myeongjeon...
There's no way the Sect Leader actually forgot you....
I couldn't bring myself to say it aloud.
So I simply turned away.
Leaving the Finance Hall behind, I headed toward the Sect Leader's Palace.
It didn't take long to arrive.
The Taoists guarding the entrance saw me and silently stepped aside.
“You've arrived, Taoist Mujin.”
I no longer needed to introduce myself.
They recognized me first and paid their respects.
I lightly nodded and entered the Sect Leader's Palace.
The moment I stepped inside...
I saw the person waiting for me.
“You've come.”
It was Sect Leader Cheon Gwangcheon.
He stood alone in the center of the room.
I bowed, then stood across from him.
His gaze was gentle.
His smile relaxed.
Yet beneath that...
I could sense the firm presence befitting the man who stood at the very peak of Kunlun.
The Sect Leader silently studied my face for a moment.
Then he spoke in his usual steady voice.
“You already know why I called you, don't you?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
“I assumed it was because of the Dragon-Phoenix Awakening Tournament.”
Cheon Gwangcheon nodded.
“That's right.”
His voice carried unmistakable weight.
“Kunlun will participate in this year's Dragon-Phoenix Awakening Tournament.”
The word "participate" alone carried a strong sense of determination.
I asked carefully,
“I was under the impression that you weren't particularly interested in events hosted by the Righteous Alliance.”
The Sect Leader smiled softly.
“You are correct.”
“Under normal circumstances, I intended to keep our distance from this year's tournament as well.”
His expression became thoughtful.
“I did not wish to send disciples who should be cultivating themselves as Taoists into a tournament that encourages them to chase empty fame.”
His gaze lowered slightly.
“However...”
“after Baek Cheongu's death, unpleasant rumors began circulating through the martial world about Kunlun.”
Rumors that the Demonic Cult had been involved in Baek Cheongu's death.
Ridiculous claims that Kunlun was hiding something about what had happened.
The Sect Leader continued.
“Fortunately, thanks to your actions, those malicious rumors have diminished considerably.”
He looked at me.
“After you slew the Thousand Poisons Old Demon at Black Spirit Valley, Kunlun's name once again rose throughout the martial world.”
At his sudden praise, I gave a modest smile.
“I only did what needed to be done.”
Cheon Gwangcheon chuckled.
“Haha. No.”
He lightly patted my shoulder.
“What you did clearly helped restore the sect's prestige.”
Then he spoke more quietly.
“Afterward, I thought deeply about something.”
“What path truly serves Kunlun?”
His gaze slowly shifted toward the window.
Beyond the mountain gate...
the ridges of Kunlun stretched peacefully into the distance.
“And I realized something.”
He paused.
“Kunlun has remained withdrawn for far too long.”
I silently drew in a breath.
His voice grew stronger.
“Under the justification that we follow the Dao and value cultivation...”
“we have often taken a step back from the affairs of the martial world.”
He looked thoughtful.
