Chapter 643
Chapter 643
Chapter 643. The Qingcheng Sect’s Request for Support (1)
Daoist Inbong’s father.
I do not know his name, but I do know he is a master at the Transformation Realm.
And to hide his own appearance, he is still using concealment arts even now.
So no one here has noticed that he is over there.
It seems only I noticed, probably thanks to the Great Divine Art of Lunar Ice Sea that I learned.
I looked there and lightly gave a clasped hands greeting to show courtesy.
Then I said to the Qingcheng Sect disciple,
“First, I would like to meet the Sect Leader.” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah, yes. Please come this way.” (Qingcheng Sect Disciple)
Though the disciple who had come to welcome us did not seem to have very high seniority, seeing him immediately guide us, he seemed to be a disciple who had come to lead us to the Sect Leader.
The sight of the grounds I saw while following him toward the place where the Sect Leader was could only be called dreadful.
Collapsed and cracked buildings, and dark red traces visible between them.
“It seems many people suffered damage.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is right. If the Sichuan Tang Clan had not come at the right time, far more disciples would have lost their lives.” (Qingcheng Sect Disciple)
He continued speaking as he walked.
“Also, even though the Emei Sect also suffered damage, they came to help our sect, and it truly is something to be grateful for.” (Qingcheng Sect Disciple)
With a reaction like that, unless something truly unusual happened, antagonism would not arise between the two sects like in my previous life.
“On top of that, His Highness the Crown Prince also spared no support for our sect.” (Qingcheng Sect Disciple)
The disciple let out a sigh and continued speaking.
“When the earthquake first happened, it truly felt hopeless. To the point that we even considered closing the sect.” (Qingcheng Sect Disciple)
Closing the sect meant not only forbidding all external activity, but also not taking in disciples.
It meant the situation had been that serious.
“It was to that extent. It is fortunate amid misfortune.” (Eun Seoho)
But it seemed the situation was already being handled, so what matter could there be that they had to send an Emei Sect disciple to ask us for support?
Soon, we arrived at the place where the Qingcheng Sect Leader was.
“Sect Leader. His Highness Prince Seongbo and Master Seonhyeop Mirang have come.” (Qingcheng Sect Disciple)
At this, the door soon opened and the Sect Leader came out.
He looks just as he did when I saw him before.
But if there is one difference, it is that his left arm is fixed with a splint.
“This poor Daoist of Qingcheng pays his respects to His Highness Prince Seongbo.” (Qingcheng Sect Leader)
“Please rise.” (Prince Seongbo)
“Your grace is immeasurable. Please come inside.” (Qingcheng Sect Leader)
I greeted the Sect Leader with a clasped hands greeting, and the Sect Leader also lightly nodded and accepted the greeting.
Since the situation was what it was, we could not exchange long greetings, and the matter at the Great Murim Banquet, where Daoist Geumbong fed his father, the Sect Leader, medicine that clouded his reason, was not something to tell outsiders.
We sat down.
“First, I must thank you for making such a difficult trip here.” (Qingcheng Sect Leader)
“What do you mean by that? Qingcheng is one of the pillars of Sichuan. Qingcheng requested support, so how could I simply stay still?” (Prince Seongbo)
“I can only be grateful that you respect this poor Daoist and Qingcheng.” (Qingcheng Sect Leader)
“How could I treat carelessly a Sect Leader who receives the respect of the people of Sichuan?” (Prince Seongbo)
Listening to those words, I grinned inwardly.
I felt it before when he conversed with the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect, but his eloquence really has improved considerably.
“So, what is the reason you requested support?” (Prince Seongbo)
“An aftershock occurred again not long ago.” (Qingcheng Sect Leader)
“That is right. I remember because we were almost in danger as well. We were in the middle of relief work, and there were some minor injuries, but there was no great damage.” (Prince Seongbo)
“That is a relief.” (Qingcheng Sect Leader)
“In truth, my older brother nearly met with disaster, but Master Seonhyeop Mirang here threw himself in and saved him.” (Prince Seongbo)
And Prince Seongbo sent me a gaze full of gratitude.
Ever since that incident, it seems his goodwill toward me deepened even further.
“At that time, Seonhyeop Mirang was truly the image of a hero.” (Prince Seongbo)
“Ooh! So that is what happened!” (Qingcheng Sect Leader)
Your Highness Prince Seongbo.
Could you please stop gilding my face?
I quickly changed the subject.
“Did a problem occur because of that aftershock?” (Eun Seoho)
“That is right. The disciples who had headed out to save the disciples at the Wind Training Pavilion up on that mountain…… were isolated. It is shameless of me, but I ask that you save them and the disciples at the Wind Training Pavilion.” (Qingcheng Sect Leader)
He continued speaking with an apologetic face.
“It would be proper for us to save them ourselves, but as you saw on your way here, we have no strength to spare.” (Qingcheng Sect Leader)
I thought for a moment, then asked the Sect Leader.
“Were you badly injured?” (Eun Seoho)
“I do not know that. I have not yet grasped whether they are injured or not.” (Qingcheng Sect Leader)
“I do not mean them, but you, Sect Leader.” (Eun Seoho)
“Me?” (Qingcheng Sect Leader)
He answered with an awkward expression.
“While saving disciples from inside a collapsing building…… my arm merely brushed against some debris.” (Qingcheng Sect Leader)
Though he says that, it means he was badly injured.
That is why he cannot go out himself and is requesting support like this.
The other Elders and central figures are probably in a similar situation as well.
“Understood. I will do my best to rescue them.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you. The disciple who guided you earlier will explain the details.” (Qingcheng Sect Leader)
We rose from our seats and left the Sect Leader’s room.
Then the disciple who had guided us earlier approached.
“Father…… Did you hear the matter from the Sect Leader?” (Qingcheng Sect Disciple)
Ah, somehow I thought they resembled each other, and they were father and son.
The Qingcheng Sect is of the Daoist lineage, but it is a sect where marriage and childbirth are possible.
“Yes. I heard the general story.” (Eun Seoho)
“Then first, I will guide you to your lodgings.” (Qingcheng Sect Disciple)
Like that, we headed to the lodgings first. And only my party and I decided to move to save the isolated disciples.
After all, the path to the Wind Training Pavilion was rough, and if another aftershock occurred, it would be a serious problem.
So I asked Prince Seongbo’s party to look after the injured of the Qingcheng Sect.
“You want me to care for the injured?” (Prince Seongbo)
“Yes, Your Highness. When do you think a person’s heart becomes weakest?” (Eun Seoho)
“Well. Would it not be when they are suffering?” (Prince Seongbo)
“That is close. Among those times, it would be when they are sick or injured. As such, if you actively help them now, you will be able to gain not only the heart of the Qingcheng Sect, but even the people’s sentiment of Sichuan.” (Eun Seoho)
“Oh! I see!” (Prince Seongbo)
“So I ask this of you.” (Eun Seoho)
Like that, leaving Prince Seongbo behind, my party followed that disciple toward the place where the Wind Training Pavilion was.
“Ah, my introduction was late. I am called Gyeongmun.” (Gyeongmun)
“I am Eun Seoho.” (Eun Seoho)
“I know very well about Master Seonhyeop Mirang. And also about the grace you bestowed upon my father.” (Gyeongmun)
Could he possibly know about Daoist Geumbong and the Sura Blood Cult?
“I heard you detoxified him after he was poisoned by medicine Geumbong bought from suspicious people in the marketplace.” (Gyeongmun)
Ah…… so that is how the others know it.
Well, nothing good would come from carelessly making the matter of the Sura Blood Cult known.
“It was merely that a connection was formed through the mercy of the Primeval Lord of Heaven.” (Eun Seoho)
I carefully asked,
“But was the Sect Leader badly injured?” (Eun Seoho)
“……Yes.” (Gyeongmun)
Daoist Gyeongmun’s face as he answered like that was full of worry.
“The bone in his left arm was broken, so he must recuperate quietly for a while.” (Gyeongmun)
“His injury is more serious than I thought.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is why he cannot personally step forward.” (Gyeongmun)
I nodded and asked,
“By the way, what is that Wind Training Pavilion for?” (Eun Seoho)
“You may think of it as a place for isolated training. I do not know if you know this, but our Qingcheng Sect’s martial arts begin with feeling nature. As such, our Qingcheng Sect’s isolated training is not shutting oneself somewhere and devoting oneself to martial arts, but training while surrounded by nature.” (Gyeongmun)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
“And because one trains the wind within that nature, it is called the Wind Training Pavilion.” (Gyeongmun)
That is exactly fitting.
The Qingcheng Sect has many martial arts that make one think of the wind.
Their representative movement art, Seryupyo, is also a freewheeling movement art that resembles willow leaves fluttering in the wind.
“We thought the disciples training there might be in trouble, so we sent a few disciples of the Bong generation, but……” (Gyeongmun)
Wait, if he says the Bong generation, then surely…….
“Did Daoist Inbong also head to the Wind Training Pavilion?” (Eun Seoho)
“You know Inbong?” (Gyeongmun)
“He was my opponent before at the Great Murim Banquet.” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah! That’s right. Yes. I heard that was the case.” (Gyeongmun)
He nodded.
“Phew, in any case, as you said, Inbong also headed there. Since he is practically the future of our Qingcheng, I am worried.” (Gyeongmun)
“How many went?” (Eun Seoho)
“A total of five went, including Inbong, and my shameful younger brother Geumbong is also included.” (Gyeongmun)
I understood why he was embarrassed, since Geumbong was an unfilial son who had used evil arts to cloud his father’s reason.
“Was he forgiven?” (Eun Seoho)
“In truth, insulting the Sect Leader is something for which it would be only proper that his qi center be crippled and that he be expelled, but that did not happen. Instead, his qualification as a core disciple was revoked, and he had to be in charge of cleaning the latrine for three months.” (Gyeongmun)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
“Since he is Father’s blood relative, we could not cast him out.” (Gyeongmun)
He knows it that way, but from what I can see, it seems to have been for surveillance.
If they crippled his qi center and sent him down the mountain, the chances that someone would approach him again would be very high.
“Still, because he is my younger brother, I worry. Please…… I ask this of you.” (Gyeongmun)
“Understood. I will do my best.” (Eun Seoho)
Soon, we discovered a huge boulder squarely blocking the path.
“We opened it up to this point, but beyond here……” (Gyeongmun)
“From here, we will step forward.” (Eun Seoho)
I began working together with the guard warriors.
Slice! Slice!
Like that, I and the guard warriors above the absolute peak level first split the boulder into large pieces.
Now it was the turn of those who had been waiting.
Each of them had their own assigned tasks, and the experience we had accumulated during that time shone today as well.
Like that, in one si-jin, we were able to remove the boulder and open the path.
“It truly is remarkable.” (Gyeongmun)
“We are merely doing our best.” (Eun Seoho)
There was quite a distance to the Wind Training Pavilion, so opening the entire road to the Wind Training Pavilion in one day was impossible.
Thinking of those isolated inside, we had to hurry, but it would be troublesome if our side were injured while doing so.
And to prepare for any possible situation, we also had to have our stamina and energy remaining.
“We will finish the work here for today.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes!” (Everyone)
We returned to the Qingcheng Sect and headed to our respective lodgings.
Though calling them lodgings was generous, since they were more like temporary tents, there was no helping it.
The buildings had already collapsed or shaken, so if another aftershock occurred, they would be dangerous.
After roughly washing and returning to the tent, Miss Seohyang said to me,
“Young Captain, someone has been pacing over there since earlier.” (Miss Seohyang)
“Yes?” (Eun Seoho)
“Over there.” (Miss Seohyang)
Miss Seohyang pointed to one place.
“But Palgap Soi says there is no one there. Am I seeing something I should not be seeing?” (Miss Seohyang)
At her question, I shook my head.
“That is not it. That person is a good person, but because of circumstances, he is merely hiding himself with concealment arts.” (Eun Seoho)
“I see.” (Miss Seohyang)
As if she had suddenly remembered something, she nodded.
“Come to think of it, I think I saw him before at the Great Murim Banquet.” (Miss Seohyang)
“You did…… hm?” (Eun Seoho)
I suddenly felt something strange in her words.
“But can you see that person?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Miss Seohyang)
Miss Seohyang nodded.
Her Ice Crystal Eyes can see what is hidden. Did that mean they could even see through concealment arts?
Ice Crystal Eyes are more impressive than I thought.
There is a reason the Palace Head of the Northern Sea Ice Palace coveted them. And also a reason she is revered as a divine maiden in the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
“As expected…… I see. Then I will go for a moment. It seems he came to meet me.” (Eun Seoho)
A short while later.
Using the excuse that I was going out for some air, I approached Daoist Inbong’s father and sent a telepathic message.
* Let us walk for a moment. (Eun Seoho)
* Let us do so. (Daoist Inbong’s Father)
We headed toward a deserted part of the Qingcheng Sect’s grounds.
* I heard. That Daoist Inbong is currently isolated while on the way to the Wind Training Pavilion. (Eun Seoho)
* That is so. (Daoist Inbong’s Father)
* You must be very worried. I apologize that I can only offer comfort like this. (Eun Seoho)
* I saw how hard you worked today. I express my thanks. (Daoist Inbong’s Father)
He continued speaking.
* Fortunately, Inbong is safe. Though he is isolated in the middle of the road…… (Daoist Inbong’s Father)
I counted the dates and said,
* Then is he not starving? (Eun Seoho)
* I went myself and gave him food. (Daoist Inbong’s Father)
* Then did you meet Daoist Inbong and come back? (Eun Seoho)
* All I can do is deliver food and comfort him by saying that if he waits, people will come to save him. It only saddens me that I cannot save him directly. (Daoist Inbong’s Father)
I found it strange.
If he could deliver food and return, should he not be able to save him directly?
* Why can you not rescue him directly? (Eun Seoho)
* Even the only path is a cliff, and it is not merely any cliff, but a heavenly precipice where falling would mean instant death. If by chance I were to slip and let go…… it is horrifying even to think about. (Daoist Inbong’s Father)
He continued speaking.
* Also, I cannot save only Inbong…… (Daoist Inbong’s Father)
* That is true. (Eun Seoho)
* To go up and down that cliff, I would have to undo my concealment arts, and I do not want that. (Daoist Inbong’s Father)
This seems like the real reason.
* Rather than that, it is better to wait a little and be rescued safely all together. (Daoist Inbong’s Father)
That is true.
It would be strange if only he were rescued and came back.
* I will do my best to rescue them as soon as possible. (Eun Seoho)
* Thank you. But more than that, safety is the most important. (Daoist Inbong’s Father)
* I will keep that in mind as well. (Eun Seoho)
After ending the conversation like that, I returned to the tent.
“Did your conversation go well?” (Miss Seohyang)
At Miss Seohyang’s words, I nodded.
“Yes.” (Eun Seoho)
“I do not know what you talked about, but your expression is not good.” (Miss Seohyang)
“Ah, this is…… because there is something I am pondering for a moment. Fortunately, he says everyone, including Daoist Inbong, is safe.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is a relief.” (Miss Seohyang)
“Yes. It truly is a relief.” (Eun Seoho)
In any case, if a Transformation Realm master says that much, then the cliff must be incredibly rugged.
The heart of a father who crawled up that cliff to deliver food to his son made something feel heavy in my chest.
I must save them safely no matter what.
.
.
.
Day broke.
We resumed the work again.
The path covered in earth and sand was narrow, and beside it was a sheer drop of a thousand zhang.
Since it was a plank road made by cutting into the cliff, there was nothing that could be done, but it was dizzying just to look at.
After working for a long while like that, we were finally able to face the disciples.
“We’re saved!” (Qingcheng Sect Disciple)
“Hueong! Now we’re saved!” (Qingcheng Sect Disciple)
The disciples cheered.
I suddenly felt puzzled.
Why are Daoist Inbong and Daoist Geumbong not here?