return of the blossoming blade's nurture

CHAPTER 9: I WILL JOIN MOUNT HUA (PART 2)

"Why did you climb all the way up this steep mountain? Dont say you came here on a whim. Mount Hua isnt something people climb." Asked Hyun Jong.

A sharp question. But Chung Myung had his answer prepared in advance.

"Sect Leader."

"I'm listening."

"I want to enter the Mount Hua Sect."

"You want to enter?" Hyun Jong's eyes narrowed.

"Yes."

Hyun Jong stared at Chung Myung, but he couldnt see anything from his innocent eyes.

"Does that mean you climbed up here with a purpose?"

"Yes."

"Hmm." Hyun Jong nodded. Mount Hua wasnt a place for tourists.

"You want to enter Mount Hua. This means you know of Mount Hua?

"Yes."

"Enter." Hyun Jong's eyes narrowed. Chung Myung licked his lips.

'It makes sense. Chung Jin was chased by the Demonic Sect and dissappeared before Sajo's return with the last information of the final battle. A missing person, not dead.'
'I'll just use this story, so it sounds believable'

'Chung Jin fell of a cliff. A woodcuter found him and helped him heal; however, the injury was too severe for him to ever fully recover from. As gratitude, he took the man as his disciple and taught him martial arts of Mount Hua—and Chung Myung is the descendant of that woodcutter!'

'Superb myself! Sajo's teachings has not gone waste! Hehe!' A flawless script. The best thing was that Chung Myung had control of everything he said. This story had no loopholes, and he was guaranteed to be accepted as a member of the sect.

'Even if I wont get the same fame as in the past.' He would at least be treated well, even if they didnt think too kindly of him.

'Now, ask me the reason.' And then he would unfurl his script. It would be a breeze from—

"I accept."

"Yes? Of course, the entry... what?" Chung Myung boggled at Hyun Jong. Contrary to his expectations, the sect leader just nodded at him.

"If you want to join, we should let you."

"Huh?" No, wait. Was it so easy to gain entry into this place? A totally unfamilliar child?

"S-sect leader!" Un Am was equally shocked.
"Didnt you say we wont accept new students?"

'Yes, ask him!'

"I changed my mind." Hyun Jong grinned. "Truthfully, we arent in a position to accept new students—but we can not turn our backs on a child who came all this was knowing about Mount Hua, and also I made a promise with her to find someone that can help."

"Ha... but..."

"Un Am."

"Yes, sect leader."

"Things go round and round. Whatever the child is, he came to us on his own two feet, knowing Mount Hua. I'm not about to let her down just because I cant keep my promise. Are we going to kick out those who searched us out just because we arent as great as in the past?"

If someone else heard this, they might have been impressed. However, after all Chung Myung's preparations, it was just making his skin crawl.

'What is this? Arent they supposed to be suspicious of someone they dont know? Even back then, Sajo personally interviewed anyone entering Mount Hua...'

How did he even become a sect leader? No, he must have become a sect leader because he was like this.

"Ah,no... Before that, I live..."

"It's fine." Hyun Jong shook his head firmly. "It doesnt matter what kind of life you lived before this. Whether you were a sinner or a thief, the moment you climb Mount Hua, your past disappears."

Of course it did. But it couldnt be that simple...

"N-no..."

"I told you it was fine."

'Man! It isnt okay! Listen to me!'

"Un Am."

"Sect leader?"

"Give this child a place to stay."

"Yes."

"Your name is Chung Myung?"

Chung Myung nodded.

"A very nice name. A very good name. Chung Myung of the Chung family." The sect leader chuckled. "This must be fate, too. You dont need to get a new name for him—you might not know, but your name means a lot in Mount Hua."

Hyun Jong's eyes narrowed.

"Would you be worthy enough for that name?"

"... Yes." Chung Myung replied.

"I'll see."

Chung Myung stood stiffly, and Un Am escorted him away with a sullen expression.

"This way."

The landscapes of Mount Hua caught his eyes as he stepped outside.

'I've entered. ...Sajo'

Entered...

Un Am interrupted his thoughts.

"The introduction ceremony hasnt been held, but from this moment on, you are a disciple of Mount Hua. You will become a vessel for the martial arts and the youngest disciple of Mount Hua."

"...Youngest." Chung Myung's eyes trembled. Youngest? Him? The Plum Blossom Sword Saint, Chung Myung, the youngest?

"Hehehehe!" When Chung Myung's amusement leaked, Un Am couldnt help but smile.

"You seem happy."

"Yes. So happy. Hahahahaha."

But why were tears falling?

'Sajo, is this what it means Im still a baby in your eyes? Why do you do this, Sajo!?'

'Shit...'

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The end for this chapter.

I will do timeskip after we meet Yoon Jong and Jo Gul..

See you on the next one!