The Genius Youngest Disciple of the Wudang Sect

Chapter 225

A day passed after the commotion with Hwangbo Jung-hyeon.

Fortunately, since the time we had the spar was not long, it passed well without anyone knowing.

Hwangbo Jung-hyeon, as if he had learned a lot from the short spar with me, woke up early in the morning and checked his personal martial arts, and then, saying that he would be faithful to the remaining missions, he left for the field.

'If you leave today, this will be our farewell. I hope you will definitely stop by the Hwangbo family someday. At that time, I will definitely show you a different side of me.'

Although I was about to ask if the changed appearance meant that his martial arts had become stronger, or if it meant his attitude of being obsessed with fame, when I saw his expression as he spoke, I could immediately tell that he meant both, so I didn't bother to ask.

He, after leaving to do the remaining missions, and since his attitude towards me had changed so much, I thought he might be found out, but fortunately, Maeng Gwang-gae did not think it was strange.

He just seemed to think that something had happened between Hwangbo Jung-hyeon and me.

"I also have to go out today. It's okay if I don't see you off, right?"

"I'm not a child, so I can go on my own."

"Okay. Then go on your own."

"I'm sorry that four people are leaving when the situation is not yet properly finished."

"Are you really sorry?"

"Of course. I'm not a shameless person..."

He, as if something were so funny, chuckled to himself and then said to me, "When you go to Chang'an, if you need the help of the Beggars' Sect, find the Chang'an branch leader. Since the eighth-knot elder has already sent a message there, he will help you with all his heart."

"Eighth-knot? The branch leader is an eighth-knot?"

I asked in a loud voice without my realizing it.

The Beggars' Sect indicates their status by the knot on their belt, and usually, a branch leader has a three-knot belt.

An elder of the Beggars' Sect like Maeng Gwang-gae has seven knots, and the successor who is designated as the next leader has eight knots, but to think that the Chang'an branch leader is an eighth-knot...

Because I couldn't understand the statement that a successor who should be devoting himself to training at the main branch was a branch leader.

"No. The guy is a three-knot. But his name is Pal-gyeol (Eighth-knot). As if he were destined to become a Beggars' Sect member, his parents gave him that name when he was born."

"Was that it?"

"Yes. Anyway, whether that guy is an eighth-knot or a three-knot, you don't need to worry, do you? Just go and say I ordered it and use him as you please."

"How can I, who is from another sect, use the branch leader of the Beggars' Sect as I please?"

"You're saying something you don't mean. You're the kind of guy who would take full advantage of the opportunity you've been given, aren't you?"

I, instead of answering, gave a positive smile, and Maeng Gwang-gae, after laughing with me for a long time, said he would see me again someday and then left the inn.

"Yeon-rang. It's okay to come out now. You didn't have to go that far."

At my words, Yeon-rang, hesitating, approached me.

He had been hiding in a corner until Maeng Gwang-gae left, so as not to disturb our conversation.

"Senior. Are you leaving today?"

"Yes. I have to leave soon."

"I'm sad. I wanted to be with you for a few more days."

"Although I can't say right away, I'll definitely come back here someday."

Then Yeon-rang shook his head.

As I was looking at him for a moment, wondering if he meant he didn't want to see me again, Yeon-rang, with a hehe smile, said, "Even if you come here, it will be hard to meet me."

"By any chance... have you decided to go to the Beggars' Sect?"

"Yes. After thinking hard and worrying a lot, I thought it was right to go to the Beggars' Sect. Of course, the people at this inn have also been good to me..."

"You can't give up on your dream. Right?"

"That's right..."

I, with a smile, ruffled the hair of Yeon-rang who was bowing his head deeply.

For some reason, I feel like I know Yeon-rang's heart right now.

Although I told him to catch both rabbits, in the first place, once you are in the martial world, it is not an easy thing to visit this place often.

Since I also had an experience of abandoning my family for my dream once before, I could empathize even more.

"Yes. You thought well. Although the martial world is a place where you don't know when and where you will be stabbed by a sword, and you can die an unnatural death in a way you never thought of... it is also a world that you can never escape from once you fall into it. Because it is a place where you can unfold your dream as much as you try, and as much as you have talent, you can get a lot."

He, with his eyes full of firm determination, looked at me and nodded his head greatly.

"So since you've decided to go, do your best."

"Yes, senior!"

"You never know, right? You have a very outstanding talent, and that talent might catch the eye of a high-ranking person in the Beggars' Sect, and you might become his disciple. In the Beggars' Sect, all the disciples of the elders have the qualification to become the next leader."

"The next leader? What's the next leader?"

"It means the successor of the leader of the Beggars' Sect, that is, the Dragon Head Leader. It means that you can also become the leader of the Beggars' Sect someday."

"Wow...!"

Yeon-rang's eyes widened, and it seems his eyes were sparkling with light.

In fact, the possibility of becoming the next leader, who is chosen from among more than a hundred thousand Beggars' Sect members, is extremely low, but it wouldn't be a bad thing to plant a dream in a child who is just about to set foot in the martial world.

"Yeon-rang-ah! Clean that table over there. Are you not going to work now that you're leaving?"

At that time, the voice of the cook calling Yeon-rang was heard from the kitchen.

"No! I'm coming now!"

Yeon-rang, after getting up from his seat, with a fist-and-palm salute to me like a martial artist, said, "I will never forget the opportunity and grace you have given me. Someday, I will definitely do something that will make you think that you did well to help me today. Thank you very much, senior."

Since I had received such a fist-and-palm salute full of sincerity, I couldn't just stand still.

I also, after getting up from my seat and tidying up my clothes, with a fist-and-palm salute to Yeon-rang, said, "I have received that heart well. Junior."

And with a smile, I continued, "Then for now, you have to work hard on the task you have been given, right? Let's see each other again next time."

"Yes, senior!"

Yeon-rang, with his shoulders full of strength, went to do the inn's work, and I, after looking at him who was diligently wiping the table for a moment, went up to my room.

For some reason, I felt as if I had discovered a great talent of the future with my own hands.

***

When I returned to my room, the two monks and my senior brother were waiting for me.

When I asked if we were leaving right away, Senior Brother Un Cheol said to me, "No. Please wait a moment."

"Why?"

"While I was packing my things, I just saw that we had run out of emergency food and flint. We can just catch and eat a mountain animal if we don't have food, but these two can't do that, can they?"

"That's right. We should buy some grain pills."

"Yes. So I'm going to go and buy some."

"Shall I go?"

"No. I'll take the monks and the three of us will go. You finish packing your things to leave. I want to teach the monks here how to choose what things."

I, with a small laugh, told him to do so.

Although Senior Brother Un Cheol was also clumsy and didn't know the ways of the world when he first came to the martial world, and he was overcharged at every place he stopped by, I wonder if he has become someone who can teach others.

After my senior brother and the monks left the room, and I was packing my few things, someone knocked on the door.

Wondering who it was, I quickly opened the door...

"Miss Zhuge Ling?"

"Ah... Taoist master. Fortunately, you're still here."

"Yes. I was just getting ready to leave."

"I'm glad."

She, as if she had run in a hurry, her hair was a mess and her face was flushed.

Although she was trying to suppress her breathing and hide the fact that she was out of breath, I could tell that she had run in a great hurry.

"I heard you were leaving today, but I felt like I hadn't said goodbye properly."

"I didn't want to leave with a lot of fanfare, so I did that... I should have said goodbye."

"Ah. No. It's not that you have to, but still..."

I, shrugging my shoulders, said, "Actually, we live close by, right? It wouldn't be strange for me to go to the Zhuge family to see you or Brother Yun."

"Our... relationship?"

"Yes. We're not just ordinary acquaintances, are we?"

At my words, I could see Zhuge Ling's pupils shaking.

Even though I knew well what she was thinking, I, pretending not to know, said in a slightly firm voice, "We're close friends. Close friends who can visit each other once in a while because we're curious about each other's well-being. And I'm also very close friends with Brother Zhuge Yun."

"Ah... that's right..."

A look of disappointment flashed across Zhuge Ling's face.

Although I know what she was expecting to hear from me, unfortunately, I don't have time for that yet.

"But thank you for coming all the way here to say goodbye."

"No. Since we're close friends, of course we have to say goodbye..."

Although I wonder if I drew the line too sharply, for now, this is the best.

In the first place, I am also a Taoist of the Wudang Sect, and Zhuge Ling also has a role she has to play.

"Actually, I was very surprised when I met you this time."

"Me?"

"Yes. In fact, when we first met, you didn't know martial arts at all, right? Do you remember that time?"

"I remember. At that time, I had no confidence, and I was desperate to learn martial arts."

"But it's been only a few years since then, and you've become one of the best rising stars in the Central Plains, to the point where Elder Maeng Gwang-gae acknowledges you. Your growth rate is really amazing."

"I was... lucky."

"I don't think it's possible with just luck. It's all because you worked that hard."

I, after giving a smiling eye to Zhuge Ling who couldn't answer anything, continued, "It's not your talent, but your effort that is amazing. There must have been times when you wanted to rest more, and there must have been other things you wanted to do, but you're giving up everything and focusing on martial arts, right? If you just keep doing as you are now, you can become even stronger."

“……”

Zhuge Ling looked at me blankly.

Her expression became complicated for a moment... and then she asked me, "What if I become stronger?"

"Yes?"

"If I become stronger here... and I am recognized as the most outstanding martial artist among the rising stars... can I stand by your side then?"

"...!"

This time, I was at a loss for words.

Because I never thought she would say that to me so directly.

As I couldn't answer and was just stuttering, she, as if she had won, let out a small laugh and said to me, "For now, I'll have to become the best rising star and then talk about it. I'll have to devote myself to training even more."

"Th-That's right."

"Go carefully. And always be careful in Chang'an."

"You too, always think of your body first. Whether you're on a mission or training."

"Yes. I will. Then I'll see you next time. I have to go back because I came in a hurry during a mission."

She, after smiling at me and saying goodbye, immediately left the room.

I, thinking of Zhuge Ling who had come and gone like a storm, burst out laughing in vain.

'Can I stand by your side?'

I never thought Zhuge Ling would say such a thing.

Of course, even if she said that, my thoughts don't change at all... but I had no way of knowing why she looked so pretty to me today.

(End of Chapter)