Chapter 307: The Meeting With Mount Hua (1)
It was not too difficult to find where Mount Hua was hiding. Because there were already people in the streets near Wudang Mountain, criticizing the Wudang Sect.
-The Wudang is the first sect of Taoism recognized by others. Then, shouldn't they be setting an example for the other sects?
-The fee they received from the field near the mountains and the protection fee they got from the shopping sites are too high. Such an act tarnishes the beautiful name passed down to them from the ancestors. How can the Taoists covet riches!
-Are the current Wudang people the ones we know of? If that is true, how can a person called the sect leader not even show up in the world?
-Since the world is in chaos right now, they should handle their position. Wudang Mountain isn't the Wudang Sect. It belongs to everyone, from farmers who sell their goods to those who buy their goods. One day, such things happened. And then one after another, they began fights in the drinking houses killing people.
Many of the things which the people talked about were over a glass of alcohol and they were not the real things which had happened.
In particular, the part where Wudang was collecting excessive taxes for the sake of protection and rents—
-Farmers near Mount Hua are paying 5,000 bronze coins and the merchants are paying 4,000 for protection. On the other hand the Wudang Sect is asking for 10,000 from the farmers and 6,000 from merchants!
-At this point, it is impossible to tell whether they are Taoists or merchants greedy for money. The reputation of the first sect in the world isn't for martial arts and their nature but in their ability to collect money!
If one listened to it, everyone would be shocked, but if they confirmed it closely, it was a typical instigation of a crowd. It was nothing else.
The difference between the rent and protection tax right now was because the Wudang's land was much wider than the land under Mount Hua. There were more farms and the yield was greater too.
In addition, the scenery near Mount Hua might be beautiful, but the farmland was barren, and in Wudang Mountain the warriors often help to organize the water paths. Compared to Mount Hua, who only rented land and took rent, it was natural that Wudang would get more. The same was true for the protection tax.
In addition to that, the merchants have "gift money," and it was often exaggerated by saying that they paid 70 coins to the Wudang Sect and then paid another 100 to the temple.
On the surface it was to make the Wudang Sect look greedy, but it was agitation to make the local people get bewildered.
However, when the ones who represented them began to openly criticize the Wudang Sect, the closeby farmers and merchants...
"Can we continue to stay like this? I mean, I have to say no."
"Oh my, what are you talking about? Don't you see who they are? Just one fist of theirs is enough to take us down."
"And well, even the Wudang would notice because everyone is talking. Wouldn't it be bad for us if they reduce the protection tax and go lax."
Neither disagreeing nor agreeing with the words, they just sat cross armed. Everyone knew what this was.
They could not simply move because of the laws or the rules of Kangho.
"It could be Mount Hua."
This was the preparation work to move ahead to another sect's protection.
Those who were not normally members of Mount Hua, nor had any experiences with Mount Hua, were speaking of this.
It was the ulterior move to get at least one position under Mount Hua before Mount Hua attempts to move on to be the best sect in the world.
As a result, the official disciples of Mount Hua moved cautiously in the start and resulted in changing people's minds.
One day, this strange movement had overheated, and anyone could see that things were going over the edge.
"Woah, did you see that?"
"I've never seen such a beauty."
This small commotion—A woman who appeared near the guesthouse where the disciples of Mount Hua were staying. Her appearance was so beautiful and vivid, like someone drew it with a brush.
"Raising a flag? What is written there?"
"Flag? Where is..."
She hung up this flag banner with white letters on black background in front of the lodging where she lived without saying anything, and the contents were...
-In order for the Sleeping Dragon to ascend to the heavens, it needs to rain. The cloud blooms.
Sleeping Dragon, Ascension, and Rain—
If one looked at the writing there, it was like poetry written down but there was something which could not be overlooked.
"Must be of Kangho, and could be here to meet someone."
"Are they calling for Mount Hua?"
"Should I try talking to her?"
At the sudden appearance of this attractive beautiful woman, everyone in Mount Hua turned their attention to her.
And that, in particular, were the direct disciples of Mount Hua. Elder Goo Jong-myung's first disciple came ahead.
"Even though the times are bleak, the flag is quite strange. For what reason did the lady come here?"
He, who had been hot from the start, spoke to the woman standing near the flag.
Shhh
Huk.
When the woman looked up, Lee Soo gasped.
The pale skin, the sight which would make a man hide in shame, the mood which hid behind the clouds—
That was how her beauty was.
Seeing from completely in front of him, her appearance was more beautiful than any other woman he had ever met.
Her skin was pale as stone and eyes black as obsidian and lips red like roses.
"As the banner said, I am here to offer the cloud to the dragon."
"Give the cloud to the dragon...?"
The tempting feeling was so much that he had to clench his hand. And Lee Soo whose head was a bit dazed, shook his head and asked,
"Lady, maybe... you are looking for Mount Hua?"
"Yes."
"What brings you here?"
"I would like to make a proposal."
The woman smiled once. Lee Soo's emotions dialed down.
And he soon—
"About the cloud lost by the Mount Hua Sect, the training of Purple Cloud Divine Arts."
"...!"
He had the taste of goosebumps rise all over his body.
Seol-Hwi intentionally sent Cheon Miryo first.
Hundreds of people of Mount Hua flocked to the woman. Most of them were speaking, but considering the situation where there were talented people hiding in the meantime, it was tiring and time consuming to cover each and every one.
And he was a bit sorry for Cheon Miryo, but her appearance was outstanding. If she stepped ahead at once, everything would be easy, but there was no reason to stop.
-I will be in debt. I am making an embarrassing request for this.
When Seol-Hwi asked with an apologetic face, Cheon Miryo just smiled and said, "an embarrassing request?" She asked why but he did not answer.
Well, this was successful.
Goo Jong-myung's first disciple, Lee Soo, was fascinated by her appearance and jumped at the bait.
The meeting was held right after a few hours, and the place that would normally take several days to be verified was immediately prepared.
"Ahem."
Goo Jong-myung, who appeared late at night, took a look at the atmosphere in the room. Cheon Miryo and Seol-Hwi sat in the place. And the disciple, Lee Soo, was sitting there, and his eyes were on Cheon Miryo.
"Huh! Master you are here?"
Lee Soo's eyes turned to the side.
However, the answer to the disciples's behavior that he had seen a while ago was cold.
"You should move out."
"Uh?"
Lee Soo looked surprised.
"Even so..."
But seeing the expression of his teacher looking stern, he did not say anything more and left the place.
"You are indeed a more dangerous flower. My disciple has done a great deal on you."
Goo Jong-myung glared at Cheon Miryo.
He was not at the age of his disciple, but he recognized the tremendous depth under the outstanding looks of Cheon Miryo.
Crack
The fact that his sleeves were moving roughly. It looked like Goo Jong-myung was going to use his hand.
Seol-Hwi said,
"Lady. Could you please leave your seat for a while?"
"Yes."
Cheon Miryo stood up from his seat as if she was waiting and then moved with a bow.
"Huh."
Thud
After she left, Goo Jong-myung sat down. A little sweat broke down on his forehead as he sat. Cheon Miryo was not someone he could handle.
"I committed the rude act of suddenly attending to a busy person. Please understand the situation."
Shhh
Seol-Hwi poured a cup of tea and sat down.
"...I am glad that you realize your act was disrespectful."
The subtle glances looked around, Seol-Hwi had already run into Goo Jong-myung several times before. But the positions of their meetings were completely different.
He was called the right hand man recognized by others, and the elder who leads Mount Hua.
"Should it be lord Seol-Hwi? Seeing you in person, you surely are one devoted to it. What business does the person attending the Fourth Disciple have with me?"
Goo Jong-myung must have already known about Seol-Hwi. Goo Jong-myung had a completely different attitude from the past, and handed over with courtesy.
There was respect which was different from the past.
Seol-Hwi's heart was confused. This was a world seen by those with power.
"I would like to offer you a proposal which you cannot refuse."
"Well..."
Goo Jong-myung frowned.
An offer which could not be refused? This was often used to dominate other persons.
Thud!
Of course, Goo Jong-myung got up from the seat, but he did not walk out.
"Do not get me wrong. I have no intention of intimidating you. I am really just trying to give you a good offer."
"..."
Goo Jong-myung's suspicious eyes glanced at Seol-Hwi several times. But the conclusion was obvious. From their point of view, it was not necessary to completely rule out other cases.
They knew then. The end of this fight would be the final battle between the First Disciple and the Fourth Disciple.
"Nice. Let's listen to it once."
Thud
He sat down after looking at Seol-Hwi for a while. And after a couple hesitant glances, he picked the tea and gulped it.
Poison or not, he did not seem to consider it a threat, or maybe he did it on purpose to look confident.
"I am going to ask you. Is there a reason why you need to strike down the Wudang Sect now?"
"What do you mean to gain by asking that?"
Goo Jong-myung frowned and asked.
"It is as I asked. Is there any reason why you should attack now? And is there any reason why you need to use the dangerous power on the side now?"
"Dangerous... you seem to be speaking about them."
Goo Jong-myung understood what Seol-Hwi was intending to say. About the End Demon and his followers there.
"Well... if I can use it, it is best to do it. It is a complex issue you see. If you have a merit to gain, you need to hand something over in the right means."
"You mean..."
"However, there is no need to avoid being helped right now. The public sentiment is working well too, and there is no reason for the head sects to sacrifice themselves due to the fact that these secret troops serve as shields."
"You are being honest. Thank you for that."
Seol-Hwi smiled slightly at those words.
The Mount Hua Sect had crossed up in all levels. But he was not hiding it, and this meant they could negotiate.
"Then I will ask again. What if there is a way to proceed without fighting?"
"...What do you mean now?"
"The Fourth Disciple of the sect believes that it is important to prevent this fight. As you know if the Wudang Sect collapses, what remains is just Shaolin. If Shaolin collapses, what remains will be the last target."
"It is like a cat afraid of mice. Whatever we do, it will work. There is no need to attack your sect."
So he knew of it too.
The Mount Hua Sect was also calculating the risk of fighting the Demonic Sect, so the worst outcome would not come.
"Thank you for the honest response. Now the calculations come."
"I am glad you liked it. So... what do you suggest?"
"..."
In response to Goo Jong-myung's blunt words, Seol-Hwi gasped a little. If this went wrong, then the simulation would come right away.
So, while the negotiations were possible, he had to make the most of them.
"I fully understand the ambition of wanting to be the first sect for the Mount Hua Sect. But yesterday's allies can be the enemies of tomorrow."
"..."
"The moment you gain the highest status, from then on, the person to keep in check will be the End Demon of our sect. Are you prepared for that?"
Goo Jong-myung's face went stiff at that question.