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chapter 46
“Master, since we’ve come to Hunan, shouldn’t we climb Mount Heng at least once?”
Mount Heng—also called Hengshan or Guoshan—was one of the Five Great Peaks of the Central Plains, known as the Southern Peak (Nanyue). Stretching from Hui’an in the south all the way to Yuelu in the north, it spanned nearly eight hundred li of massive mountain range.
With seventy-two peaks, Hengshan wasn’t as grand as Mount Tai or as rugged as Mount Hua, but the peaks wound around like a folding screen. Because of this formation, people often called it the “Nine Orientations and Nine Backs.”
The mountain was famous for its Eight Bridges, Ten Caves, Fifteen Cliffs, Thirty-Eight Springs, Twenty-Five Streams, and Nine Pools, and it was also known by the phrase “sealed by clouds and locked in mist” (yunfeng wusuo).
But what truly made Hengshan renowned was that one of the Five Mountain Sword Sects, the Hengshan Sect, made its home there.
Though people said Mount Hua led the Five Mountain Sword Sects, Hengshan was by no means weaker—it too had commanded the Central Plains with its exceptional swordsmanship.
“Hengshan?”
“Yes. Of the Five Peaks, it’s said to be the most beautiful. Wouldn’t it be a shame to come all the way here and just pass it by?”
The Five Peaks were Mount Tai, Mount Hua, Mount Heng (south), Mount Heng (north), and Mount Song. Among them, the eastern Mount Tai was majestic, the western Mount Hua was perilous, the northern Mount Heng was deep, and the southern Mount Heng (Hunan) was considered outstandingly beautiful.
It was also said: Mount Song lay down, Mount Tai sat, Mount Hua stood, Mount Heng (north) walked, and only Mount Heng (south) soared—as if it were flying.
Since their route to Chongqing already passed by Hengshan, there was no harm in climbing it.
The problem was Yu Ak-gun.
“Climbing Hengshan is fine, but I’ve heard the Orthodox Sects don’t get along with you. What if we run into the Hengshan Sect and clash?”
“Do you think, on such a vast mountain, they’d search for me specifically? Besides, of all the Five Mountain Sword Sects, I have no enmity with Hengshan. So, Master, you don’t need to worry about that.”
He spoke confidently, but it was not fully convincing.
Jeok Hwa-myeong also looked at Yu Ak-gun with some unease, but since he sounded so sure, they could only trust him.
“What do you think, Brother Jeok?”
“Well, since we’re in Hunan, it wouldn’t hurt to stop by Hengshan.”
With Jeok Hwa-myeong’s agreement, Geomryeong nodded as well. The three decided to head for Mount Heng.
At the base of Hengshan, a village had formed to cater to travelers heading up the mountain. Naturally, there were inns, taverns, and even pleasure houses.
The group stopped at an inn and sat down. Yu Ak-gun suggested going to a tavern for a drink, but Geomryeong refused.
“For an ordinary traveler, crossing Hengshan takes three days.”
Their real reason for visiting the inn was to buy food to last them three days. Hunting in the mountains was possible, but they preferred the convenience of prepared supplies so they could enjoy the scenery.
“Fresh food like dumplings might spoil. We should bring dried provisions.”
Geomryeong had eaten plenty of dried rations in Heukamdo. They weren’t tasty, but they kept well.
Soon the waiter came with dishes.
“The food you ordered has arrived.”
Yu Ak-gun quickly grabbed chopsticks and respectfully offered them to Geomryeong.
“Please eat, Master!”
His overzealous loyalty was sometimes burdensome, but Geomryeong let it slide.
More dishes followed, and finally, a pot of wine.
The polite, cheerful manner of the waiter pleased Geomryeong, who gave him a silver coin.
“That’s for the meal. Keep the rest for yourself.”
“So much?!”
The food couldn’t have cost even a third of that.
“You work with spirit and cheer. Keep it up.”
“Thank you, warrior-sir!”
Realizing they were martial men from their swords, the waiter bowed deeply before leaving.
Geomryeong then poured wine for Jeok Hwa-myeong and moved to pour for Yu Ak-gun.
“Master, let me—”
“You’re my elder. You should drink first.”
“Thank you.”
They raised their cups together.
“Refreshing!” Yu Ak-gun exclaimed, downing his drink.
Geomryeong shook his head—clearly, Yu Ak-gun was a heavy drinker.
“How much can you drink?”
“Me? I’ve never yet drunk enough to collapse, so I’m not sure.”
That figured.
“Drink in moderation. I’ve got plenty of enemies hunting me.”
“But Master! I’ve always wondered—why do you invite danger? With your skill, you could easily crush Cheonmyeong Manor and the Myeonghwa Trading Company. Why not just destroy them?”
“What do you mean?” Jeok Hwa-myeong asked.
“I mean, if Master wished, he could wipe out Cheonmyeong Manor in a day.”
“They’re not such an easy sect to trifle with.”
“I know that, but they’re still weaker than you.”
Yu Ak-gun seemed to trust Geomryeong absolutely.
“Little Brother Geomryeong is strong, yes—but one hand can’t fend off many.”
“Why one hand? You’re here, and so am I.”
Jeok Hwa-myeong glanced at the two of them.
“Stop your nonsense and eat. Don’t mind him, Brother Jeok.”
Yu Ak-gun pouted.
“What now?”
“Well, it bothers me a bit… You always call Brother Jeok ‘Brother,’ and me ‘this brat’ or ‘that guy.’ Shouldn’t we sort out proper titles?”
“So?”
“I don’t mean much, but… maybe a slightly gentler title from Master would be an honor.”
Jeok Hwa-myeong couldn’t understand why Yu Ak-gun fawned over Geomryeong so much.
“Hmm, you’re right. I’ll just call you ‘Mister Yu’ from now on.”
Yu Ak-gun looked dumbfounded, then protested loudly.
“Master, that’s not right!”
Their back-and-forth was childish yet amusing.
“Then what?”
“How about ‘Guard Yu’? I’m here to protect you in this dangerous martial world. It fits, doesn’t it?”
That seemed acceptable.
“Fine. And instead of calling me ‘Master,’ start calling me ‘Young Lord.’”
“Young Lord?”
“Yes.”
“Understood. I will. Please call me once, Young Lord!”
“Why?”
“To practice, of course!”
Geomryeong and Jeok Hwa-myeong gave him baffled looks.
“Alright then, Guard Yu.”
“You called, Young Lord!”
Geomryeong thought Yu Ak-gun really was something else.
“Enough. Let’s eat.”
“Yes, Young Lord!”
While they ate downstairs, upstairs in the inn a messenger pigeon took flight into the sky.
After eating and buying some supplies, the three began climbing Mount Heng. Geomryeong walked ahead, while Jeok Hwa-myeong and Yu Ak-gun trailed behind.
“Tell me, did you wrong Geomryeong somehow?” Jeok Hwa-myeong asked.
“Why do you ask?”
“Well, the way you act, it looks like you’re making up for a huge offense.”
“As a retainer, it’s only natural to serve one’s lord.”
“And who exactly is your lord? Is he really the Ghost Demon Emperor, Gu Yeong-cheol?”
Jeok Hwa-myeong asked skeptically.
Over a dozen people had falsely claimed to be disciples of the Ghost Demon Emperor or of the Lonely Demon, but not one had been genuine.
“You think I’d eat fine meals and tell lies? He truly is the disciple of my lord.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I recognized the Ghost Shadow Transformation technique. That was something Lord Gu once taught casually to his disciples.”
Yu Ak-gun didn’t seem the type to lie about this.
“Then I’ll have to take this chance to learn properly myself.”
The idea of him “learning martial arts properly” sounded strange. Though not yet one of the top hundred masters, Yu Ak-gun’s strength, wit, and strategy already put him close. Given time, he could definitely enter those ranks. Yet here he was talking of learning martial arts.
“Is Little Brother Geomryeong really that strong?”
“You heard—he’s already undergone three rebirths. Of course he’s strong. And remember, you didn’t even notice me following you.”
True—Yu Ak-gun hadn’t sensed him at all.
“Yet Master knew from the start. That alone proves he’s above us. That’s why I must learn the martial arts I never mastered from him.”
“You mean the Ghost Shadow Transformation? You’re already good enough at it.”
That technique was the foundation of Yu Ak-gun’s strength today.
“Good enough? No, no—it’s far greater than you think. Perfect it, and even the Martial Alliance Leader couldn’t find me. That’s how incredible it is.”
“Really?”
“Of course. So I must stay in his good graces. Isn’t that right, Young Lord?!” Yu Ak-gun shouted toward Geomryeong walking ahead.
“Depends on how you behave!” Geomryeong replied without even looking back. Yu Ak-gun beamed.
“When I master Ghost Shadow Transformation, I’ll challenge one of the Four Emperors, Hyeok Segi!”
Jeok Hwa-myeong couldn’t help laughing at his outrageous claim.
“Come on. Aren’t you supposed to be his guard? You shouldn’t be lagging behind.”
“Right!”
With a burst of speed, Yu Ak-gun rushed up to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with Geomryeong.
Jeok Hwa-myeong shook his head.
“He’s a more amusing fellow than I thought.”
