SYM 100
by Emerlyn“Is that so? Perhaps it’s because I haven’t properly learned Martial Arts.”
He tried his best to sound calm, but the end of his voice trembled slightly.
Eun-hyeon had never properly learned Martial Arts. At best, he had only done Breathing technique or Qi Circulation, which many people did for health even if they weren’t Martial World people. So, it meant it was impossible for him to recognize his Inner energy to this extent.
While Eun-hyeon was lost in thought, Head Jeong-hyeon was still sharing his Qi with Eun-hyeon.
Originally, it was more efficient to exchange energy between people with similar auras.
In Cheong-un’s case, his aura was so pure that it could be accepted without difficulty.
Head Jeong-hyeon’s aura wasn’t as pure as Cheong-un’s, but instead, it was an aura that completely matched Eun-hyeon’s.
This was a similarity that came from studying together under the same Master.
Thanks to that, Eun-hyeon was able to assimilate the energy Head Jeong-hyeon shared as if it were his own from the beginning. He hadn’t received a large amount of energy, but an unprecedented vitality surged within him.
“Young master Eun-hyeon, would you like to go for a walk with me before breakfast? If we take a light stroll, it seems like it will be about time for breakfast.”
“Ah…”
Eun-hyeon glanced out the window at Head Jeong-hyeon’s words.
Yesterday, as soon as he arrived, he met Namgung Juwon and Eung-wang, so he didn’t have the chance to look around. He only knew that there was a large river nearby from the sound of the water, but now that he looked, the scenery was quite beautiful.
“This place is famous for its beautiful scenery even near Beijing. That river is the Juma River. The river is so large and long that it is said you have to cross it ten times by ferry, so it is called Shidu (Ten Crossings).”
“Ah, so that was the Juma River.”
“Even high-ranking officials from Beijing come to see the scenery, so let’s take a light stroll. Wouldn’t it be a shame to come all the way here and not look around?”
“Alright.”
The moment Eun-hyeon spoke, the thought that he might be doing something unnecessary flashed through his mind, but he shook his head.
If there hadn’t been a problem with Cheong-un last night, he wouldn’t have woken up at this hour to meet Head Jeong-hyeon, and he wouldn’t have gone for a walk.
It was Cheong-un who suspected and made him feel unpleasant over nothing.
So, if you were to find the cause of all this, it would be Cheong-un.
Eun-hyeon left the inn with Head Jeong-hyeon. A low fog hung around the river in the early morning.
As the sun gradually rose, the fog slowly dissipated, and as Head Jeong-hyeon said, the scenery was spectacular.
Ferries and rafts went up and down the long Juma River. Behind them, high mountains spread out like a folding screen, and the cliffs that seemed to be split from the mountains and the lush trees above them were like a painting.
“I thought the mountains would be similar everywhere, but they are not at all.”
“Hahaha, is the appearance different from the mountains of Hefei?”
“The mountains in the south have a soft feeling, while the mountains in the north are sharp and bold.”
“If you have time later, I would like to show you the mountains of Kunlun. The mountains of Kunlun have a different appearance again. It’s not just that they are high, but there are also many soft grasslands and flowers, so it’s quite worth seeing.”
“…Is that so.”
Eun-hyeon listened to Head Jeong-hyeon’s words and looked at the Juma River flowing before his eyes.
Hearing the story of Kunlun made his head complicated in a different way than before.
Would the fellow disciples who had kicked him out still be there? How would they feel if they saw him again? Although they wouldn’t even know that he was Seo Eun-hyeon.
“Head Jeong-hyeon, thank you. Thanks to you, I had a good time.”
“If we had met for a good reason, I would have introduced you to every corner of Shidu, but it’s a pity since the matter is what it is.”
“No, this is enough.”
“Earlier, you seemed to have something on your mind. In times like that, it’s good to move your body lightly.”
“…Yes.”
He thought he hadn’t shown it, but as expected, Eldest Senior Brother could see everything.
Eun-hyeon felt like he was Seo Eun-hyeon, the youngest disciple of Kunlun, being scolded by Eldest Senior Brother.
And that wasn’t as bad as he thought.
“Shall we sit here for a while? If we rest a little and go back, it will be just right for breakfast.”
At Head Jeong-hyeon’s words, Eun-hyeon leaned his buttocks against a large tree trunk and sat down.
Head Jeong-hyeon didn’t sit down, but stood next to Eun-hyeon. It seemed he was considerate of Eun-hyeon and suggested taking a break.
Looking at the calmly flowing Juma River, the complicated feelings inside him gradually eased.
Golden sand sparkled under the clear water, and a cool, refreshing breeze blew.
In an instant, everything was so peaceful that the sense of reality disappeared.
It felt like a lie that the Hongbaek Sect had kidnapped a thousand people to perform human sacrifices.
“…Thank you in many ways, Head.”
“Young master Eun-hyeon. Since you’re sitting down, can I ask you for a favor?”
“Yes? From me? What kind of favor?”
“Young master Eun-hyeon hasn’t exactly learned Martial Arts, but he has a really good compatibility with Kunlun’s Inner energy. Could you perhaps inject some energy into me?”
Head Jeong-hyeon held out his hand to Eun-hyeon.
“Me?”
“Yes, I want to check a little more what kind of nature Young master Eun-hyeon’s energy has. It’s actually the first time I’ve encountered an energy that goes so well with Kunlun outside of Kunlun. If I analyze Young master Eun-hyeon’s energy, it seems like it would be a great help when I pass on the Mind technique to my disciples.”
Eun-hyeon hesitated and nodded at the words that it would be helpful for Mind technique research. Originally, Head Jeong-hyeon was a person who worked hard on Martial Arts research. When fellow disciples were training and encountered parts they didn’t understand or difficult parts, they sought out Eldest Senior Brother instead of Master. That was because what he taught was much easier to understand.
“I’m just trying to check it simply, so you don’t have to worry.”
At those words, Eun-hyeon nodded and took Head Jeong-hyeon’s hand.
Eun-hyeon sent his energy through the hand he was holding. At the same time, he didn’t forget to subtly observe Head Jeong-hyeon.
Eldest Senior Brother looked quite good as the Head. He must have been well over forty now, but he didn’t look much different from how he remembered him. It seemed that the higher the achievement in Martial Arts, the slower the rate of aging.
Eldest Senior Brother, who had become the Head, looked like the very image of a righteous gentleman that the orthodox sects spoke of.
“Apart from Young master Eun-hyeon’s energy, there is a slight toxicity remaining in the energy, is this the Hongbaek Sect’s poison?”
“Ah, yes.”
Eun-hyeon was quite surprised that Head Jeong-hyeon had noticed the toxicity with just a brief look at his energy.
“It’s almost gone now, with only traces remaining, so you don’t need to worry too much. The toxicity will probably disappear completely within a few days.”
“Is that so.”
He thought that the impulsiveness from before had mostly disappeared, but it seemed that the toxicity had almost completely gone. He felt relieved to have even Head Jeong-hyeon confirm that he was getting better.
Head Jeong-hyeon, who had been closing his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
“There is someone who comes to mind when I see Young master Eun-hyeon.”
“Yes?”
“Perhaps it’s because they have the same name, but even though their age and appearance are completely different, it’s strange that I think of him. Now that I see it, their auras are similar as well. It’s a clear and bright aura, reminiscent of a frozen winter lake.”
Eun-hyeon found it difficult to hide his expression and turned his gaze as if he were looking at the river.
But his nerves were all focused on what Head Jeong-hyeon was saying.
“…You make me very curious when you say that. Who is that person?”
“Seo Eun-hyeon. He is my youngest fellow disciple whom I lost a long time ago. He had some eccentricities, but he was pure and kind. I thought he would stay in Kunlun and be with us for the rest of his life.”
“Did he… Did he leave for another place?”
Eun-hyeon tried not to stammer. His mouth was parched.
“At that time, I had not yet received the position of Head. There was a time when I was away from Kunlun for a while, and when I returned, my youngest fellow disciple had disappeared.”
“…Do you know the reason?”
Eun-hyeon turned his head slightly towards Head Jeong-hyeon and was startled. Head Jeong-hyeon was staring straight at him.
“I heard that my youngest fellow disciple stole a treasure from the death gate and was caught. Master said that he kicked out my fellow disciple because of that.”
“……Oh dear.”
Eun-hyeon felt like someone was grabbing his throat. He clenched his fist tightly. Eun-hyeon didn’t even realize that his sharp nails were digging into his palm, causing injuries.
“Then he has nothing to say even if he is expelled. He was a thief, not a fellow disciple.”
“It couldn’t have been something my fellow disciple did.”
Eun-hyeon’s heart began to beat wildly. He licked his parched lips.
“I didn’t know it at the time, but it seems there were quite a few people who were jealous of my youngest fellow disciple. It seems they took advantage of my absence to frame my youngest fellow disciple.”
“…Then, didn’t you come back and look for your youngest fellow disciple again?”
“The Head and the elders had already made a decision, so I couldn’t reverse it.”
Having said this, Head Jeong-hyeon got up from his seat.
“I think we should go back to the inn now.”
“…”
“…Haha. Young master Eun-hyeon reminded me of my fellow disciple in many ways, so I ended up telling you all sorts of stories. Please forget about it.”
Looking at Head Jeong-hyeon’s smiling face, Eun-hyeon felt a mixture of emotions that were difficult to express in a single word. However, he hid his complicated feelings and stood up, following Head Jeong-hyeon.