novelraw Chapter 189 : A Midnight Invitation
Chapter 189 : A Midnight Invitation
Chapter 189: A Midnight Invitation
On the vast stone floor of the training ground, only one person’s footsteps echoed heavily.
The Sect Leader of this place, Venerable Huiyin, walked slowly among the newly arrived lay disciples with her hands clasped behind her back.
Her fluttering hair, languid gait, and distinctive noble aura seemed to envelop the entire clearing.
“Every one of the lay disciples this time has clear eyes and a resolute heart.”
With her hands behind her back, she examined the disciples one by one as she approached.
Venerable Huiyin’s voice was gentle, yet it spread far and wide like an echo through the mountains.
“Most of you likely climbed this mountain in pursuit of martial arts. However, the path of Emei places greater importance on spiritual cultivation.”
She paused briefly, gazing toward the drifting clouds that surrounded Mount Emei before continuing in a weighty tone.
“Remember this well. The path of the Dao is not a straight and open road but a winding mountain trail. If you understand this, you will achieve far greater accomplishments.”
Someday, they would come to understand these words—such was the Sect Leader who generously shared her own enlightenment.
That woman was none other than Venerable Huiyin, the figure admired by female chivalrous heroes across the Central Plains and known as the Great Matriarch of the Emei Sect.
Everyone in the training ground held their breath as they listened to her words.
Judging from her dignified bearing and the profound insight within her speech, she looked like nothing more than an exceptionally virtuous person.
Of course, the fact that my Starfall Heart Cultivation Method reacted like electricity when I encountered her earlier was suspicious.
“Hm…?”
As Venerable Huiyin continued observing the disciples one by one, she suddenly stopped in front of me, as if sensing something unusual.
The corner of her eyes lifted slightly, a curious light glimmering on her face.
I had been brushing my cumbersome black hair behind my ear when our eyes met directly.
“….”
For a moment, it felt as if my breathing stopped.
A flicker of interest passed through her deep eyes.
“Child, what is your name?”
Judging from her archaic tone, she was likely far older than the thirty-something appearance she gave off.
And for some unknown reason, something about me seemed to have halted her steps.
“…This girl is called Seo Muhong.”
I softened my voice as much as possible as I answered—my own desperate effort to keep my identity hidden.
Ilhong, who witnessed my unusually demure behavior, stared at me with a stunned expression.
She’s asking to get smacked again later.
“Muhong, is it? Vital energy flows through your eyes, and I sense a subtle benevolent aura from you. It must be the unmistakable trace of someone who has accumulated much virtue.”
Perhaps those who stand at the pinnacle of the Daoist or Buddhist path can see not only a person’s outward appearance but also what lies within.
Song Ryeong had been the same.
Lately, I kept meeting extraordinary individuals, and it felt like more and more people could vaguely sense the path my life had taken.
“I am curious. What kind of life did you live outside?”
As Venerable Huiyin took a step closer, the pressure grew heavier.
I forced down the mounting tension and answered calmly.
“I was simply born with more than enough. So I have lived by sharing what I possess with those less fortunate.”
“…Eek.”
Ilhong, who knew very well that I was someone who would even investigate affairs if money was offered, let out a strange noise beside me.
I’ll definitely flick her forehead later.
“Wonderful. A woman who embodies the spirit of Emei even without being one of our disciples.”
When I explained that although I was born into a merchant family that sought profit, I had set aside greed and aided the poor with relief and charity, Venerable Huiyin smiled warmly, clearly pleased.
As the Sect Leader’s praise continued, envious gazes flew from all directions.
Her compliments were apparently rare—even the true mountain disciples stared at me with disbelief.
“Big sister always seems popular with important people.”
“….”
Ilhong’s whisper did not make me happy at all.
I swallowed hard, busy analyzing why that woman had approached me.
“Now it makes sense. One who has walked such a righteous path would naturally emanate a benevolent aura strong enough even for me to perceive.”
In front of everyone, words of praise continued to pour down like blessings.
A righteous path, she said.
Yet along that path, some had been injured and others had died.
“A benevolent path… That is too generous. At times, while giving relief, I also pursued my own interests, and I have gained many enemies.”
At my conflicted reply, Venerable Huiyin showed a faint smile.
“Though I follow the Daoist path, I am also familiar with the teachings of the Buddha. And he once spoke of self-purifying righteousness.”
Self-purifying righteousness.
I had never heard of it.
“…What does that mean?”
“It means that what truly matters is the motivation of the heart. If your heart is pure and clean, then it is good. Do not doubt it, child. You have walked the correct path.”
Her tone felt as if it were soothing even the small doubts hidden in my heart.
Listening quietly, she seemed nothing more than a compassionate and benevolent person—so much so that I briefly wondered whether what Venerable Huiyul had said might actually be wrong.
“I find myself liking you more and more. And judging from your bones and physique, your martial aptitude appears considerable as well… Child, it would be a pity to keep you merely as a lay disciple. Would you not join the Emei Sect?”
“…!”
At that sudden proposal, everyone present stared back and forth between Venerable Huiyin and me in stunned silence.
The Sect Leader personally expressing a desire to accept someone as her disciple—such a situation was unprecedented.
Amid the shock of the crowd, I forced myself to maintain composure and managed to answer.
“…I am deeply grateful for your words. However, as a lay disciple with somewhere I must return to, I am afraid I cannot accept.”
I declined as politely as possible so as not to provoke the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect.
At the same time, waves of shock rippled through the surrounding disciples.
Some of the lay disciples stared at me as if I were insane for rejecting such an opportunity.
“I see. That can happen. What use is giving a thousand gold pieces to someone who gladly gives away what they have?”
Despite having her rare offer rejected, Venerable Huiyin smiled generously, as though she fully understood.
The onlookers were first astonished by my bold refusal and then once again moved by her magnanimity.
Judging from appearances alone, she truly seemed virtuous and kind—enough to make one wonder if Venerable Huiyul had been lying.
But just now, together with the Salseongi, I had felt a thread of killing intent tightening around my heart.
A killing intent so faint that only I, the Heaven-Slaying Star, could detect it.
“Before you die… kill….”
My burning palm suggested a suicidal act—attacking the Sect Leader in front of a hundred Emei martial artists.
Even if I wanted to charge in, it should be when she was alone. Why would I invite a group beating from the entire Emei Sect?
“Still, I would like to personally offer you some words of advice. When tonight’s training ends, come to my residence.”
Anyone watching would think she was simply inviting a promising disciple to teach them a few martial arts techniques.
But after sensing that killing intent, I began to suspect what might be hidden beneath that kind face.
“Just so you know, this is not a request. There is something I must deliver to you.”
“…Yes. Understood.”
Venerable Huiyin clung to me with unsettling persistence.
I had planned to reveal her true nature by becoming a top student and earning an audience with her—but somehow, that process had been skipped.
Thus, with a wave of her hand and a promise to meet at night, Venerable Huiyin departed.
“Calling you to her residence at midnight… that’s very suspicious, big sister.”
“Indeed.”
Even Ilhong, who had no detection abilities whatsoever, seemed to sense something strange.
They say even a dog studying in a village school for three years learns to recite poetry—was she finally developing the instincts of a proper troubleshooter?
How admirable.
“According to the client, this place is very secluded, and sometimes women here form… inappropriate relationships with each other. Could that be why she called you, big sister…?”
Grabbing my arm tightly, Ilhong muttered that she absolutely couldn’t allow that.
“….”
Just what exactly filled her head?
Far from developing the qualities of a troubleshooter, my subordinate was wildly off the mark.
After finishing training in the sword forms of the Emei Sect and eating dinner, it was already midnight.
“Boss, you ate way too much.”
Ilhong commented as I patted my satisfyingly full stomach.
“When food is offered, you’re supposed to eat it.”
Normally the Emei Sect strictly adhered to harsh portioned meals.
But since I had caught the Sect Leader’s attention—and there was even talk that I might become her disciple—people had started giving me extra food here and there.
I had already refused the offer, but who knew what might happen in the future?
They were probably just trying to get on my good side.
No matter where you go, people are the same—even in the Emei Sect.
“But boss… do you really have to go to Venerable Huiyin? It seems dangerous.”
Ilhong scanned the direction of the Sect Leader’s residence anxiously.
“I’ve already been marked. Running now won’t change anything.”
If you want to catch a tiger, you must enter the tiger’s den.
Her intentions were suspicious, but since everyone knew I was going there, she couldn’t easily harm me.
“I’m coming too.”
“Hey, don’t talk nonsense.”
“But we don’t know what might happen! I came fully prepared!”
Ilhong tapped the Thunderburst Bomb hidden beneath her Daoist robe.
It couldn’t be blocked by a blade—if used properly, it could kill even a master in one blow.
I appreciated the thought, but the moment that thing exploded, it would be the same as declaring war on the entire Emei Sect.
So I was scolding her budding bomber mentality while walking when someone suddenly spoke behind us.
“You’re heading to the Sect Leader’s residence, right? Then take me with you.”
It was the voice of the woman who had tapped my back at the entrance earlier.
Thinking this would become troublesome, I quickened my pace with Ilhong.
“Hey! Don’t just ignore me!”
Then, with a loud shout of outrage, someone suddenly appeared in front of us using a ghostlike movement technique.
Her movement cut through the air like a gust of wind.
“You keep ignoring people…! Aren’t you two just terrible people?”
She pointed at us angrily, breathing heavily.
We stopped and looked her up and down.
She had sharp eyes and a flexible, feline-like body.
Her long hair reached her shoulders, slightly curled at the ends, giving her a wild appearance.
From the sound of her movement earlier, she seemed to be carrying many items in her clothes—just like Ilhong.
An unidentified female master.
“Who are you?”
At my short question, she snorted as if to say I asked too late.
“You’re Seo Muhong, right? I have business at the Sect Leader’s residence too. So be reasonable and take me with you.”
She wanted to join our group.
A strange woman making a ridiculous demand out of nowhere.
“Be reasonable? And if we don’t?”
“I’d rather not do this, but someone might get hurt.”
See?
Talking to her already made things troublesome.
As always, my instincts were half correct.
The other half usually turned into a bigger problem.
“At the very least, I should know your business.”
When I responded calmly, she smirked as if she thought I had been intimidated.
“I’m looking for the Yitian Interspatial Sword. I’ve searched everywhere else. The only place left is the Sect Leader’s residence.”
The Yitian Interspatial Sword.
Didn’t Venerable Huiyul take that with her when she left the Emei Sect?
Then again, who would go around announcing that their sacred relic had gone missing?
It seemed the news hadn’t reached this woman.
“Are you perhaps a Gentleman of the Beam?”
A polite term for a thief.
Based on her ghostlike movement technique rivaling Whirlwind Steps and the clinking items hidden in her clothes, that was my conclusion.
“Heh. That sword is useless to you anyway. So take me with you before someone gets hurt.”
She didn’t even bother denying it.
The sacred relic of the Emei Sect that supposedly reacts to sinister energy and demonic qi—what did she intend to use it for?
“Hm.”
I stroked my chin as I examined her.
Her movement had surprised even me, someone in the Transcendence Realm.
That meant she was no ordinary martial artist.
We weren’t heading there just for advice—we were basically walking into a tiger’s jaws.
And if a master of her level wanted to accompany us as insurance…
There was no reason for me to refuse.
Besides, the sword she wanted to steal wasn’t even here.
“So… shall we go together?”
I was supposed to go alone, but I had no intention of currying favor anyway.
Even if three of us showed up, we’d just get scolded a bit.
“Hmph. You should’ve said that from the start.”
Only then did the Gentleman of the Beam snort in satisfaction.