novelraw Chapter 411 : Peaceful Days
Chapter 411 : Peaceful Days
Chapter 411: Peaceful Days
Yong Hwarin sought out Yong Kijoong before heading to the main gate.
"Kijoong, come with me."
"Where to?"
"I'll tell you on the way."
As they walked, Yong Hwarin recounted his battle with the Heavenly Demon Sect’s First Elder Han Domeong and explained how the village had been completely burned down, leading him to summon the villagers to the Heavenly Central Sect.
“I’d been saying for a while that we were short on manpower, so this turned out very well. It’s hard to find people you can trust.”
Yong Kijoong continued.
“But why did you call me?”
Yong Hwarin spoke earnestly.
“You're the one who must lead the main sect from now on. So you need to be the one to greet them and win their hearts.”
“But they came because you called them, brother…”
Yong Hwarin cut him off.
“Kijoong, I have no intention of sitting in the clan and pushing papers. You already know—I’ve achieved the Soaring Dragon Emperor Sword. And I don’t even know how much more time I’ll need to obtain the Sword of the Heart. I’ll constantly be leaving the clan, seeking out martial artists to duel, entering secluded valleys to meditate for years on end. How could someone like me possibly run the sect properly? You’re the one who has to take it.”
“But you’re still here, brother… how could I…”
“I’m stepping aside because you are the right one to take up the role. From now on, all matters of the main sect fall under your responsibility. Father has already approved this, so don’t bring it up again.”
“Brother!”
“Enough. If you manage the internal affairs and I handle the external threats, who would dare underestimate our Heavenly Central Sect?”
Yong Kijoong understood his brother’s intentions and bowed his head.
“I will not forget your care for your lacking younger brother. I will make sure this sect becomes so strong no one dares to covet it.”
“Good. That’s the spirit.”
As Yong Hwarin and Yong Kijoong headed to the main gate, the village chief was waiting.
“I’ve been waiting for you, sir.”
Hearing the respectful title ‘sir,’ the village chief bowed even deeper.
“I was delayed sorting out the farmland.”
“This man here is my younger brother and the future Sect Leader of the main sect. From now on, discuss all matters with him.”
As the villagers entered the Heavenly Central Sect, they passed by Yong Hwarin and offered bows of respect.
“Great Hero!”
The eyes of the village youths burned like flames.
They were determined to become warriors of the Heavenly Central Sect.
“Come in, all of you.”
As nearly a hundred villagers entered, the sect quickly became bustling once again.
“Distribute the pills to the masters first. I’ve made enough for each sect member to have one, so there’s no shortage.”
The pills were to be given to high-level martial artists first so they could assist the others.
“Understood.”
News that the sect would distribute energy pills caused great excitement among the warriors of the Heavenly Central Sect.
While martial techniques improved with training, inner energy increased only with time, making it difficult to raise quickly.
So when word spread that they would be given a pill that could raise their internal energy equivalent to ten years of cultivation, everyone grew thrilled.
“After distributing the pills, have them enter the isolation chambers to meditate. Post strict guards outside, and ask the elders for assistance. Some may show side effects after consumption, so we’ll need the experienced elders to help.”
After issuing detailed instructions and distributing the pills, the members began entering their meditation in groups.
Since they were divided into groups of ten, the number reached fifty units. Those in the later groups grew impatient and restless, with many unable to sleep.
Yong Kijoong urged them to act calmly and with restraint.
It was a time of massive transformation within the Heavenly Central Sect.
With its growing scale and power rivaling established noble clans, it was no longer a minor local sect but had become a major sect of Henan.
Thanks to the reputation of the Heavenly Sword Hero Yong Hwarin and the Heavenly Dragon Great Hero Yong Biyang, many martial artists began visiting the Heavenly Central Sect, volunteering to become guests or affiliated members.
And just as the sect buzzed with this transformation, a major event marked the peak of that chaos.
Clatter, clatter.
A four-horse carriage came to a stop in front of the Heavenly Central Sect’s main gate.
When one of the escort guards showed something, the warrior guarding the gate was so startled he dashed toward Yong Hwarin’s residence.
“Small Sect Leader!”
Yong Hwarin asked, seeing the warrior running with a face pale as if he’d had a seizure,
“Calm down. What’s the matter?”
The warrior couldn’t speak right away, gasping for breath.
Then he said,
“Haah… haah… you need to come to the main gate immediately.”
Seeing the look on the guard’s face, Yong Hwarin didn’t ask further and rushed to the gate.
When he arrived, he cautiously approached the carriage parked at the gate.
“What brings you to our sect?”
As Yong Hwarin asked, the carriage door opened, and a foot stepped out onto the carriage step.
Then, a woman disembarked.
Yong Hwarin’s expression froze—exactly the same as the guard's.
“No way!”
The woman who stepped down from the carriage looked at Yong Hwarin and smiled softly.
"Am I that unexpected?"
At those words, Yong Hwarin came to his senses and knelt.
"I greet Princess Gyeongseon."
Those who had been watching from around them were startled by the name "Princess Gyeongseon" and dropped to the ground.
It would’ve been stranger not to be surprised when the treasured daughter of the Southern Sky King made an appearance.
"Young Master Yong, such formalities make this princess uncomfortable. Please, rise."
At her words, Yong Hwarin stood and bowed his head.
"Please look at my face."
With her permission, Yong Hwarin lifted his head and looked at her.
"It’s truly been a long time."
"Yes. It’s been quite a while since we last met."
"Even in the royal manor, your name has reached my ears. I’ve heard all about your incredible feats in the murim."
"You flatter me."
Princess Gyeongseon looked at Yong Hwarin differently than she had in the past.
The cold gaze that once looked at warriors as if they were butchers had changed to one of warmth.
"But how long do you intend to keep me standing out here?"
When Princess Gyeongseon spoke with a playful smile, Yong Hwarin realized just how much her temperament had changed and chuckled along with her.
"My apologies. Please, come inside."
As Princess Gyeongseon entered the Heavenly Central Sect, three guards followed close behind her.
Even at a glance, their qi was far from ordinary. Each one had reached at least the Realm of Profound Meaning or even the Transcendent Realm.
With warriors like them, even a small number would be more than enough to protect Princess Gyeongseon.
The Heavenly Central Sect, already bustling, erupted into a stir with her arrival.
Yong Biyang and Gi Yooyeon came to greet her, and all the major figures of the Heavenly Central Sect presented their respects.
It was a stark display of the power of royalty.
More so because Princess Gyeongseon was the daughter of the Southern Sky King, the regional lord of Henan. The weight of her presence was unlike that of any normal government official.
Even amidst the chaos, Yong Hwarin had the odd sense that Princess Gyeongseon was enjoying the commotion.
"What brings you here today?"
Once the greetings ended and they were alone, Princess Gyeongseon quietly looked at Yong Hwarin, who went straight to business.
"Is there something on my face?"
At his question, Princess Gyeongseon smiled lightly.
"No. It’s just... I can’t help but look, since it’s been so long."
Yong Hwarin gave an awkward smile.
Her response didn’t answer his question, so he had no choice but to wait.
Only after they had finished their tea did Princess Gyeongseon finally speak.
"I came here to learn martial arts."
Yong Hwarin, who had been sipping his tea carefully, suddenly swallowed it down in surprise, scalding himself.
"Cough—kugh!"
Even a master who had reached the Divine Stage couldn't withstand scalding tea pouring down his throat. But that wasn’t the important part right now.
"Y-Your Highness!"
Yong Hwarin stared at her, aghast.
"I’m not joking. I really came to the Heavenly Central Sect to learn martial arts."
Yong Hwarin sighed deeply.
"What did the Southern Sky King have to say about this?"
"His Majesty said I could do as I pleased."
That explained why she had come with only three escorts.
"Why must you place such a trial before me?"
When he expressed his displeasure so openly, Princess Gyeongseon’s smile stiffened.
"It seems this princess has caused great inconvenience to you, Young Master Yong."
"How could any martial household be at ease when a royal comes asking to learn martial arts?"
Princess Gyeongseon gave a bitter smile and spoke.
"Can’t you just think of me as a friend who came to study martial arts?"
To be honest, the thought of royalty staying in his clan made Yong Hwarin uneasy.
—Young Master Yong, I have urgent matters to discuss. It concerns Her Highness. Please step out for a moment.
Just then, it wasn’t anyone else but Nan Myeonggwak, currently acting as Chief Administrator, who summoned Yong Hwarin through telepathy.
"Your Highness, this is an important matter. I can’t decide it alone. May I consult with others?"
It would have been understandable for a royal to be offended by such a rejection, but Princess Gyeongseon held her patience.
"I didn’t think it would be easy. I’ll wait."
Yong Hwarin left Princess Gyeongseon alone in the room.
Outside the door, the three guards from the royal manor stood vigilantly.
Yong Hwarin crossed through Winter Gate and saw Nan Myeonggwak waiting for him.
"Why did you summon me?"
Nan Myeonggwak’s eyes gleamed as he asked,
"What brings Her Highness here?"
At his sudden question, Yong Hwarin thought once again that the entire Heavenly Central Sect had lost its senses because of her appearance.
And it only solidified his resolve to persuade her to leave.
"She said she wants to study martial arts here."
"Really?"
Nan Myeonggwak, startled, soon broke into a smile.
"This is an opportunity."
"What are you talking about? Opportunity? Do you not understand that if something were to happen to a member of the royal family, the entire clan could be executed?"
"You don’t need to think that way. Right now, the main sect is on the brink of war with the Dabie Sect Alliance. In such a situation, imagine Princess Gyeongseon residing here. Do you think they’d dare attack us openly? If they strike knowing she’s here, it will be seen as outright treason. The local authorities won’t let that slide. No—more importantly, the Southern Sky King himself, who treasures his daughter deeply, will act. He’ll unleash countless masters from the royal manor and annihilate any sect that dares touch us. The Southern Sky King is more than capable of doing just that."
Listening to Nan Myeonggwak’s long explanation, it didn’t sound unreasonable.
Yong Hwarin realized he had been too shocked by Princess Gyeongseon’s declaration to see the larger picture.