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Chapter Text

"Ugh.."

The boy, a small frame, held dearly on the steep rock using it to elevate.

Huff huff huff

He then raised his body and used every strength left to lift himself off the cliff.. Using his battered arms and legs, he crawled up.

"Mph..Hya!"

'Finally, Mount Hua!’

He crawled what seemed to be a long road until he saw the Sect Gate in front of him. 

When he saw the extraordinary image of the sect gate and its board that reads “The Great Mount Hua Sect,” he finally went limp.

Plopped.

The boy's face, covered in dirt and scratches, was facing downward. Face down on the ground he was inhaling the sands.

He can only let it be because he can't move an inch.

Huff huff huff

Breathing through his mouth, his mouth was starting to get coated with sand. He's literally inhaling the sands now.

'Wait, uhh. Uhm?!'

Noticing that his breathing is erratic, he panicked and quickly tried to calm himself.

"Can't..b-breathe"

'Someone help!'

Breathing continuously, he figured that he was hyperventilating. 

Huff huff huff

Turns out climbing the steep cliffs to get to Mount Hua was hard enough to kill him. He never knew someone could die climbing the mountains.

After spending 2 hours and more climbing through that mountain, he was thirsty and dirty.

Using his young and inexperienced body to climb the steep mountains alone was a mistake.

‘Am I seriously dying right now? No way?’ 

"Ugg, uh."

‘Wait, this isn't the plan!’

"H..he-"

Not long after, the boy finally passed out.

❀❀❀

"H..llo?"

"Boy, are…okay?"

He can faintly hear words echoing through his mind. 

After regaining consciousness he tried to move, but unfortunately he couldn't feel his body. 

“He..ooked. dead,...jil”

'Who?'

'Someone?'

Giving up, he tried to open his eyes instead.

What welcomed his sight was a blinding bright light and a figure of a person.

"Can you hear me?"

He heard the voice again. This time, it was clear.

He felt like he heard two different voices, but what registered to him most was the solemn voice of a man. 

Feeling warmth around his body and hearing that soft voice gave him a sense of ease. It's like the cradle of his Mother when he was a baby.

'Ah, it's nice.. that voice.’

"..G-"

"Hmm? 

Yun Jong, who saw the boy pass out outside the sect gate, heard him mumble something. He looked to his Sago, Yisu Myung for guidance.

“It seems the boy was saying something, Yun Jong.”

"Right”

“...od..”

“Yes? What is it? I'll take you inside first, you don't look we-"

"G..od?"

The boy's mumbling was finally clear but what came out of his mouth was.. strange? 

When he flipped the boy around, they saw the boy's state. He looked dirty and pale with cracked lips and his cheeks were sucked in like a plague patient.

'God? Who?'

He contemplated a bit and looked at the smiling(?) boy.

'Woah, he looks so peaceful, I'm envious.’

He can't help but look at the dirty face of the boy who was smiling as if he was reborn.

'Wait..’

‘Is this boy ascending to heaven right now?!'

"Wait! I'll bring- no! Someone bring some water, quick!"

“Sago, please notify the medicine hall!”

“This kid, telling me what to do.”

Yisu Myung said that but went ahead anyway. Seeing that the boy was young and pale, she was just as worried as Yun Jong.

Yun Jong, after giving directions on what to do, quickly picked the boy up and carried him into the medical hall.

❀❀❀

Finally reaching the medicine hall, Yun Jong kicked open the door.

Bang! 

The startled medicine hall disciples immediately scattered and went to look at the broken door.

'Wha?! What?! Chung Myung?! What's he doing here!!"

'The brat?!'

'What! Why, they finished training 3 hours ago!"

When they looked at the door expecting the blazing aura of the disciple called Chung Myung, everyone was stunned.

Because it was not Chung Myung who broke the door.

"Yun Jong?"

They did hear from one of the disciples that a stranger was found passed out outside the sect, but there's absolutely no need to break the door.

"You!"

Un Gak, realizing that it was not Chung Myung, regained confidence in himself and his nervousness subsided, instead, it was replaced by anger.

"Why break the door!"

Even though it was just a medicine hall, it was still part of the sacred grounds of the Mount Hua Sect, breaking the facility was to not be taken lightly. 

And it was Yun Jong, the Great Sahyung of the 2nd grade disciples, he was known to be obedient and polite at least compared to the others.. his.. peers..

'Well, this is the side effect of hanging out with that brat.'

Yun Jong was a good disciple, polite and respectful. Isn't he the one to succeed the Sect Leader position for another generation? 

Knowing that Yun Jong would never act like this without any proper reason, unless he became a completely different person, he delayed his scolding and checked Yun Jong.

Un Gak was relieved after noticing the boy in his arms. Looking at his state, he stopped and assessed the situation.

"Please help!"

Seeing that Yun Jong was in a hurry, and Yisu Myung right behind him, he calmed his fury and immediately focused on his job.

"What happened to him?"

"I saw him in front of the gate, Medicine hall leader. He looked dehydrated and he was delirious. Please look after him."

"Lay him down." 

"Yes!"

After putting the boy down on one of the beds, Un Gak immediately fixed the boy.

Seeing that the boy was being taken care of, and it was none other than the Medicine hall leader who was tending to him, Yun Jong finally calmed down and eased his worry for the stranger. He took a step back and thought.

‘What was that boy doing outside the gate?’ 

“Oh”

Realizing the reason, he nodded to himself.

“He must be going to join Mount Hua.”

Giggles

Yisu Myung was heard chuckling.

‘Hmm?’

“Sahyung..”

“Yes?”

The disciple who brought the water for the stranger spoke, looking at him like a disappointed child.

“Why else would a kid as young as him climb Mount Hua if not to join. I feel bad for him.”

“Sahyung needs to get himself together..”

“It must be the training, Chung Myung has been ruthless lately.”

“Yah! You're calling me sahyung but you look at me like that!

Seeing their doubtful eyes directed at him when it used to be for Jo Gul was painful.

“Sajil, should get rest.”

Yun Jong, looking at his Sago who is trying hard to keep her laughter in, can only close his eyes.

‘When did Sago become like this?’

It's been a while since the last war with the Evil Sects alliance and the remaining sects are preparing to close their gates.

There are a lot of weakened and devastated sects being the result of the war. 

After they finally went back home to Mount Hua, Baek Cheon, their great Sasuk, proposed to finally accept admissions for the Myung generation.

Chung Myung was especially excited..

The news just got out but there's already three people who went to join the sect. 

It's not really shocking, what was shocking was that there's only three people who were here even though word already got out.

These country bumpkins don't realize that though.

What was Mount Hua?

It was the sect who led the Heavenly Friends Alliance into defeating the Evil sects and also the sect who beheaded the Tyrant, Jang Ilso. 

They also provided relief to the devastated civilians so people talk about them greatly. It was the sect most talked about in the current Central Plains..

Who would dare pass the opportunity to join such a sect? 

Apparently, there are strange rumors circulating around Central Plains as of the moment that was keeping the other young aspirators from the Sect.

It's only for a while though, sooner or later Mount Hua will suffer from waves of people who would join the sect.

“Hm”

Noticing that Un Gak, the medicine hall leader was done tending to the boy he asked.

“How was he, medicine hall leader?”

“He was exhausted and dehydrated, just let him rest.”

“Yes, thank you, sir.”

“Once he gains consciousness, call me.”

“Yes!”

Un Gak now left him and the other disciples with the sleeping boy.

“Sahyung, what do we do now?”

“Let's go for now.”

“Yes.”

“I will stay.”

Hearing a woman's voice, his ears clapped and turned his head to the person who spoke.

“Sago?”

“Who leaves a patient alone? You fool.”

Yun Jong smiled to himself.

‘Sago..’

‘Gul is right on the other side and he's been alone for a while now.’

‘You don't even know the boy, Sago..’

❀❀❀

“Ugh”

He opened his eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling.

‘Is this the ceiling in heaven?'

“uh—”

Cough! Cough!

‘Dry! My throat is so dry.. Water!’

Looking around the room to look for water to quench his thirst, he noticed the other beds beside him.

Lee Hwa, who just woke up, sat after noticing that there's a pitcher of water on the small table beside him.

Gulp gulp

He wiped the spilled water from his face and he sighed in relief.

‘I really thought I'm going to die.’

Noticing the unfamiliar environment, he looked around.

“Where am I?”

‘I remember saying farewell to my mother then..climbing the mountain.’

“Ah!”

Lee Hwa exclaimed.

“Right! I almost died!”

“...”

Looking at the empty space in front of him, he realized what he was doing.

‘Did I really just shout that while smiling?’

Shaking off his strange behavior, he finally tried thinking.

But before he could think, he noticed a person beyond the curtains.

“A.. person?”

Seeing that the person was not moving, he assumed that they were asleep and continued racking his mind.

“Right, so this should be Mount Hua.”

‘I'm in Mount Hua!’

For Lee Hwa, who was saved by Mount Hua in the midst of the war, this place was a sacred sanctuary where his saviours live.

Lee Hwa lives in one of the homes built in Hua-Um, the village at the foot of Mount Hua. Mount Hua provided them homes and they took in refugees regardless of who they are or where they are from. 

His hometown is the Yangtze river. 

With nowhere to run to, all the righteous sects are useless and the Evil sects are running rampant, any day could be their deaths.

Thankfully, Mount Hua disciples reached out to them, having nothing left in the Yangtze river, his mother had decided that a strange new home was better than dying in this village. Even if that home is not the one they are used to. 

They went to Hua-Um leaving their home behind expecting to be given a small space and to tend to themselves. But what welcomed them was a village full of houses and free food relief at least until they were able to feed themselves.

After some time, news reached him that his village was ransacked and his fellow villagers who were stubborn and stayed in their homes were murdered mercilessly.

He still grieves for his friends who should now be happy with him, but it's no use thinking about the what ifs. 

Now that his life inside his new home was stable, no longer starving and cold, he felt great gratitude towards Mount Hua and its people. That also includes the Hua-Um villagers.

Accepting refugees and strangers into your hometown was hard, that too, being really hospitable and kind. 

Some might not favor the decision and look at them with discriminating eyes, that are just the few bad apples around.

When he found out from the people that Mount Hua was now accepting new disciples, he couldn't wait to go and join. His mother who knew his feelings towards Mount Hua could not stop her son so instead she just provided him support.

Just earlier, his mother was waving him goodbye happily. 

Thinking that her son was venturing to a new world and will soon be a proud disciple of Mount Hua and will be helping vulnerable people as a warrior in the future, she could not help but be happy.

‘I wonder what face mother will make once she finds out that I almost died climbing. I didn't even get to knock on the gates!’

‘What weak son you have, Mother.’

“Hooh”

Lee Hwa breathed and firmed his resolve.

“I will join Mount Hua, and be a proud disciple no matter what!!”

After claiming his future, he looked around and got off the bed.

“Now, what do I do next?”

“...”

‘Hmm’

He stood in the same place for a minute.

‘Right, what now?’

Thinking about it, he doesn't even know how he came here.

‘Someone must have seen me outside. Right. Right!’

“Now, I go!”

Setting out of the medicine hall, ignoring the sleeping lady right outside his bed, he wandered around the sect.

❀❀❀

“Who is that?”

“He looks young.”

“Hmm, is it someone who will join Mount Hua?”

“A Sajil??”

They were excited the whole time, ever since the Sect Leader had decided that they would now be accepting new generation. That just means they will no longer be the youngest in Mount Hua.

Since their youngest abuse them, they can't help but see the new generation coming as little angels.

Just some days ago, 2 kids had already gone and joined the sect. Although the ceremony hasn't been upheld yet, it's still nice seeing new people inside the sect.

The disciples of Mount Hua who didn't know what happened earlier were looking at the strange boy walking around the sect.

“Is it okay for him to walk around?”

“Why are you acting like walking is illegal inside Mount Hua?"

“No! Since, we don't even know him..”

“The higher ups probably know him.”

“He came from the medicine hall.”

“He's sick?”

They all looked at the boy.

‘Right.’

‘Isn't he..limping?’

Thud.

The stranger they were observing just now dropped to the ground like a fly. Startled, the Mount Hua disciples quickly came to his aid.

“Oh no! Someone call Sahyung!”

“Help him!”

❀❀❀

“Kuak!”

“Ugh, I can't feel my body.”

‘I'm in the medicine hall for a reason.’

Realizing again that he just almost died all alone, he thought of his stupid actions just now.

‘What patient sets out right after waking up?’

‘My poor body, everywhere is aching. Ugh.’

“Hey!”

He heard someone call him, realizing that it would be a Mount Hua disciple, he tried to get up.

“Uhh, hi!”

“Are you okay? I'll call someone.”

“Yes! Thank you.”

After the first one went, three other disciples surrounded him as if checking him.

It was awkward. He has seen Mount Hua disciples back in Hua-Um because they sometimes do errands in the place but he never saw them close.

‘So big..and buff.’

‘I thought they're a Taoist Sword sect, why do they look like this..’

In Lee Hwa's mind, he imagined them to be solemn, dignified, and upright looking people. But what he saw were bandits in Taoist robes..

“Uhm..”

“Yes?”

One of the younger looking disciples answered.

“Do you know how I can join Mount Hua?!”

“Oh”

“I knew it!”

“Everybody knew, idiot.”

The disciple that was called an idiot looked at the other. 

“What? You wanna go?”

“Hah! I'm your Sahyung you little shit!"

‘Wait a minute..’

‘You're supposed to tend to me…’

The disciples started bantering and they almost seemed ready to..pull their swords?

Fortunately they stopped after hearing a voice from behind him. It was a very familiar voice.

“You want to join Mount Hua?”

‘That voice! I remember it.’

‘He’s the one who brought me here!”

Thinking about the solemn voice, he remembered what had happened before waking up.

‘Right, I saw a God.’

He slowly turned to look at the man who spoke.

He looked dignified, strict looking, proper, and big..

‘It's a Taoist, a Taoist.’

Feeling the aura exuded by the man, he was amazed. 

Seeing him close, he looks familiar..

‘I've seen him before..’

“Are you!”

“Hm?”

“Are you perhaps one of the five swords of Mount Hua??”

The man was taken aback but immediately gained composure.

“Oh, yes haha. That's a title given to us. I'am Yun Jong, a 2nd grade disciple of the Mount Hua Sect.”

Dazed, he didn't know what to do with one of the heroes of Mount Hua right in front of him and he was also the one who saved him from death's door.

So he stared.

And stared..

“Ahem!”

One of the disciples took him out of his trance.

“Oh no! How rude of me!”

Lee Hwa immediately stood and clasped his hands.

“I'm Lee Hwa! I wish to join the Great Mount Hua sect!”

Yun Jong smiled at him and said,

“Sure, but let us get you checked first. You're not supposed to be moving around yet.”

‘I thought Sago was looking after him..’

“Oh”

Lee Hwa wanted to immediately talk to someone and get him to join but remembering that he was a patient who was on the verge of death just a little while ago, he kept silent.

Lee Hwa followed Yun Jong back into the medicine hall.

But before he could take his second step, the ground seemed to be..getting closer?

‘Ah, right. I'm sick.’

Thud.

❀❀❀

“I had told you to get me once he woke up.”

He looked at the disciples for a bit.

“I'm sorry, elder. We didn't know what happened earlier.”

“I failed to tell the other, Medicine hall leader. I apologize.”

“...”

Everyone looked in the same direction.

“I..fell asleep, Medicine Hall Leader.”

Un Gak sighed and waved his hand then he said,

“Okay, enough.”

“It's fine, you can leave. Yun Jong, inform the elders.”

“I already have, sir. They wish to meet him this morning.”

“Okay, I'll send him out once he's fine.”

Un Gak sighed and looked at the boy who had just woken up.

“I'm Lee Hwa, sir!”

“Yes, yes. I'll talk to the other elders to let you join. There are two kids before you. You will meet them later.”

“Thank you, Sir!”

Sigh.

Un Gak sighed again, right after this boy woke up, he wandered around the sect and passed out again. And after he woke up again, he won't stop asking about how to join the sect.

‘Kids these days lack...a lot’ 

Anyway, this kid seems to really like the sect. 

“I will leave now.”

“Yes, thank you!”

“You.”

“Yes!”

Un Gak stared at the boy for a bit.

“Dont. Go. Out.side.”

“yes..”

Un Gak finally left, while shaking his head and clicking his tongue.

After the Medicine hall leader left, Lee Hwa was left with his thoughts.

‘Finally, Mount Hua’

Lee Hwa was brimming with joy thinking about what he will become soon. 

‘A disciple of The Great Mount Hua Sect.’

“Hehe, hehehe”

“Ugrk”

Lee Hwa went silent after hearing someone groan. He must have woken the person up because he was being loud.

‘Oh, is there someone on the other side?'

He thought about looking outside the curtain but he shook off the idea after remembering that this was a Sect. 

“That damn Chung Myung.”

Lee Hwa shuddered hearing the name of one of the people he looked upon. 

‘The Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword!’

Despite being inside the sect, it has not sunk in to him yet that this is in fact the Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword's sect. And he will be seeing him around everyday soon.

He was excited.

‘But why was he cursing him?’

His curiosity took over him, he got off the bed and quietly walked over to the curtain separating him and the disciple on the other side.

As he was about to grab the curtains.

“Hey”

Lee Hwa froze. The voice was so deep and serious that his heart almost went out his mouth. Realizing that the man must have known what he was doing from the beginning he became nervous.

Shaaa

The curtains opened and he jumped. Without even looking at the man, he closed his eyes and clasped his hands.

“Ah!! I'm sorry! Sorry!”

Lee Hwa dropped to the floor and prostrated himself.

The man, who suddenly opened the curtains and showed himself, stood a step away from him.

“What are you doing?”

He sounded flabbergasted, but it didn't take long.

Perhaps realizing that the man in front of him didn't wear the Mount Hua robe, he asked.

“Who are you?”

Lee Hwa was sweating bullets. The man in front of him exuded a sharp presence and him being serious was the cherry on top. He can even pass out right there and then.

“Ah, I'm a, uhh”

‘Ah shit just talk, you!

“I'm planning to join Mount Hua! I'm not trying to do..anything bad, I-I swear! Please forgive me!”

It was quiet for a moment, as if the man was checking if he was telling the truth.

After a little while, the aura oppressing him was finally lifted and he was able to breathe. 

“Oh, sorry about that.”

Seeing that the boy was still tense he added,

“I won't do anything.”

Jo Gul, who accidentally oppressed a young kid, felt guilty and scratched the back of his head. He was quite sensitive when it comes to his personal space, that's why he got carried away.

When he noticed that the boy in front of him was shaking, he quickly tried to change the mood.

Lee Hwa, realizing that the man's voice changed from a serious tone to a casual one, finally softened his tense body.

“Get up, introduce yourself.”

As if apologetic, the man tapped his shoulder and urged him to get up. Lee Hwa looked up. Finally having a closer look at the man, he mumbled..

“Flashing blade..”

“What?”

Seeing that the man in front of him had wavy red hair and open robes, similar to the description he heard from the people, he couldn't help but assume it was indeed the person he thought.

“You are?”

“Ah! I'm Lee Hwa! I wish to join the Great Mount Hua sect!”

After realizing that he was about to make his senior introduce themselves to him again, he hurriedly stood, clasped his hands and bowed.

“Hah, great! I'm Jo Gul, a second class disciple. Nice to meet you.”

‘I'm right!’

Now knowing that the man in front of him was indeed the Flashing blade, one of the 5 swords of Mount Hua, he was again excited. 

Meeting two of the Mount Hua disciples was making his heart flutter. 

Who were the five swords?

They were the great disciples of Mount Hua who achieved great feats travelling across Central Plains. They also led the war against the Evil Sects. Being branded as the great young warriors in the current Central Plains.

“Uhh, uhm. So, you are the Flashing blade?”

“Oh!”

Jo Gul, remembered that he gained a title, straightened his back and stood properly.

“Yes, right. I am that, haha!”

Jo Gul, who was barely shown respect nowadays, was quite happy being recognized by a newbie. His mouth was twitching and he couldn't help but smile. Despite his improvements, none of his Sahyungs seem to praise him.

Now that someone knew him from his achievements, he got too happy..

He grinned and said,

“Just call me Jo Gul, once you're a disciple of Mount Hua, I'm your Sasuk.”

“Yes!”

“Right, right, kids should be respectful.”

He told himself while nodding. His Sajes seem to not follow hierarchy and they always find a way to disrespect him. 

Thinking about the new disciples coming in the sect, he can't wait to be called Sasuk and have little kids following him around.

‘Fufu, it's nice.’

Jo Gul hummed and dropped to his bed again.

“Anyway, I will be sleeping, my future Sajil. Try not to make noise because I'm tired.”

‘I received that devil's wrath just earlier.”

“Yes!”

“Aihya, you quiet now.”

“yes”

Looking at the man who comfortably went and laid in front of him, he quickly closed the curtains to give his senior some privacy.

Going back to his bed, he remembered,

‘Ah, I forgot to ask why he was cursing the Chivalrous Sword.’

‘Did they fight?’

He shook his head and moved on. This was not his business to know.

Now that the place is quiet, he looked at the scenery from the window. The sun had just reached its peak and the plum blossoms were falling. Some rode the wind, while others continued descending. 

Lee Hwa can't help but be entranced to the scenery in front of him. He can also faintly smell the scent of plum blossoms.

‘This place is nice..’

‘Hm? What?’

Suddenly, he saw a strange animal climbing the tree.

‘White? Which animal has the color white? In spring?’

‘Isn’t it also wearing clothes?’

‘Wow, an animal wearing clothing in the Mount Hua Sect.’

‘What great sect indeed..’

Seeing that strange sight, he kept looking at the animal playing around the branches of the Plum Blossom Tree. It's a white, long, squirrel looking animal.

‘Hmm, too long to be a squirrel, too big to be a weasel..’

‘A marten? Oh!’

After figuring out what animal it was, the marten seemed to be preparing for something. It wiggled its butt and readied itself. And then..

“Ah! What!?”

It jumped into a nearby disciple. 

“Baek-Ah, you!”

‘Aha, it has a name. Baek, hehe.’

‘Huh..”

“It's a 1st grade disciple?”

Seeing that strange sight where a marten was attacking a disciple of Mount hua he can't make any sense of it. So he just brushed it off, he will ask someone when the time comes. 

He can't possibly ask the person beside him. He was strictly told to be quiet so he had to be.

After a while the elders have finally called him to the Sect Leader's Resident to talk about his admission. Fortunately, it didn't take him long to recover and was able to go late in the morning.

Finally getting inside, he clasped his hands and bowed.

“I greet the Sect Leader!”

❀❀❀

After discussing and talking to the elders, they have finally reached a conclusion.

“Disciple, Lee Hwa. Welcome to the Mount Hua Sect.”

“Thank you, Sect Leader!”

“Do you wish to receive your Taoist name?”

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

Un Am, who was thrilled to see the burst of energy in the child smiled and said,

“You will receive it all together with your fellow disciples. Now, you may go.”

“This disciple will leave.”

After bowing for one last time, he headed for the door. After closing the door as carefully as he could, he turned around.

‘I finally joined Mount Hua! I'm officially a disciple of Mount Hua!’

Grips.

Lee Hwa held his robes tightly and looked at it as if it were a treasure.

‘Once I wear these robes!’

Lee Hwa's eyes can't stop sparkling and his energy seemed replenished despite the stress from the tension inside the Sect Leader's Residence.

Lee Hwa was a smart kid, although he's not strong, making a living by himself with his mother gave him knowledge people his age have no business to know. He had also experienced firsthand the effect of the war on the civilians.

The elder's questioning was easy for him. Satisfied with the result, he finally set out.

‘Now, I find my Sahyungs!’

He walked around through the land of Mount Hua. 

After walking for a while, he realized that he had no destination.

‘Meet my sahyungs..but where?’

“Ugh, I should've asked the elders.”

Frustrated at himself, he looked around and saw a few disciples walking around the sect. The training in the afternoon must be starting. 

Finding a trustworthy looking disciple, he ran to them. 

“Ah! Wait!”

The disciples were unnecessarily walking too fast. 

‘In a hurry?’

Lee Hwa assumed that the training leader must be strict, but he still needed help so he forced one disciple to stop.

“Wait!!”

“Ah, what?”

Blocking a person's path, that too a warrior's is not safe but he could not care about any of that. He needed directions, and it was a very simple question anyway.

“I'm in a hurry, so if you co-”

“Where! Where do I meet the new admitted disciples, sa-”

Lee Hwa quickly glanced at what the man was wearing, when he figured out that it was a 2nd class disciple robe he continued.

“-suk!”

“Ah, newly admitted? The Sajils?”

“Yes!”

“Are you new here?”

“Yes!”

“Oh, they were staying at White Plum Blossom Hall. Head over, and change clothes. You will join the training.”

“Huh?”

“What?”

“I join the training? Me?”

“Yes?”

“But I just joined Mount Hua?”

“Doesn't matter, go quick so you can catch up to your Sahyungs and ask for directions. I'm in a hurry, so-!”

The man jumped and disappeared out of Lee Hwa's sight.

“Woah, a disciple of Mount Hua indeed..”

“...”

‘Anyway, I'll head to the White..white.. Hall?’

‘He did tell me where to go but not how to get there..’

Seeing that there are almost no disciples left coming from his side, he panicked.

“Ah! Wait a minute!”

Lee Hwa kept running after the disciples but his battered body could not reach them. Then suddenly he heard a voice.

“Do you need help, Sajil?”

Lee Hwa stopped in his tracks and turned to his side.

‘A Sago! Finally!”

“Sago!”

“Yes, do tell. You're going to exhaust yourself at this rate.

After getting ready for the afternoon training, Yisu Myung saw the kid who passed out outside the sect gate moving around again. He has been trying to block his Sasuks from going to the training ground.

‘Boy if you know who's at the training ground, you would not dare do this again.’

‘Does this kid not know how to rest?’

She had heard that since this boy woke up he kept running around the sect. Thinking about Sajil's devotion in Mount Hua she can't help but smile.

She abruptly hit him with a question.

“Sajil, what is Mount Hua to you?”

Lee Hwa was taken aback by the question.

‘Uhm, is this a test?’

Lee Hwa, who was in a hurry, could not possibly start a questionnaire with his Sago now. Ignoring his Sago's question, he said,

“Uhm.. Sago can you please tell me where the white something hall is?”

“White Plum Blossom Hall?”

‘This kid just ignored me.’

Acting as if nothing's wrong to not embarrass herself. Yisu Myung quickly moved, she needed to go help her Sajil but also to come to the training ground on time.

“Follow me, Sajil.”

Yisu Myung started walking towards the White Plum Blossom Hall. Thinking about how her Sajil ignored her question, it started annoying her.

‘He must be in a hurry.. Well, we're on the same boat anyway.’

“Hurry”

“Yes!”

She urged him, while walking, she planned on continuing the conversation.

“Sajil..”

“Yes, Sago!”

“You didn't introduce yourself.”

‘Ah!’

Lee Hwa, remembering etiquette, halted, clasped his hands, and bowed.

“I'm Lee Hwa! A 3rd Generation disciple of the Great Mount Hua Sect! I just joined today, Sago!”

“Good, good. Let's ru-”

Remembering that her Sajil is sick, she stopped. 

“No, just walk quickly.”

Lee Hwa understood that the training was starting and that they needed to move quickly.

“I'm sorry, Sago. I tend to forget to introduce myself. I'll do better!”

Hearing her Sajil's cute voice behind her, she can't help but smile.

‘Good boy, a good boy.’

Since “that” day, her Sajil's personality changed, so seeing a young kid who had the same sparks as his Sajils before, she can't help but smile to herself.

After walking for a while they finally reached the White Plum Blossom Hall. Yisu Myung did not want to stay around any longer so she said goodbye.

“Check if your Sahyungs are inside. Don't forget to introduce yourself.”

“Yes, Sago!”

“Good.”

As she was about to turn around, Lee Hwa called for her.

“Uhm, Sago.”

“Yes?”

“What is Sago's name?”

“Oh.”

‘Right, I reminded him but I forgot it myself.’ 

“I'm Yisu Myung, I'm from the baek line.”

Lee Hwa, who no longer wanted to take up his Sago's time, finally said goodbye.

“Goodbye, Sago!”

Yisu Myung nodded to him and finally went ahead to the training hall leaving Lee Hwa alone.

He turned around to look at the White Plum Blossom Hall. Just as he was about to go grab the door, the door opened.

Shaaa

“Ah”

“Hm?”

After the door opened, he saw 2 men inside. The man behind being familiar.

“Dan Hyung?”

“Lee Hwa?”

Both exclaimed each other's names while looking through the gap between them. They both looked perplexed.

Lee Hwa, realizing that there was another person in front of him and he didn't look too happy being in the middle of that, he immediately greeted them.

“Lee Hwa, a newly accepted 3rd grade disciple of Mount Hua. Nice to meet you, Sahyungs!”

The two men introduced themselves after him.

“Cho Jae-Young, I will be your great Sahyung.”

“Kim Dan!”

“Lee Hwa wish for Sahyungs guidance!”

Lee Hwa immediately asked the two for help. He don't know what else to do so asking these two people is easier.

There's a brief silence between the three and it was Cho Jae-Young who broke it.

“Do you two know each other?”

“Yes, Sahyung. I knew him from Hua-Um, we're neighbours.”

“Yes!”

Cho Jae-young stepped outside and spoke,

“You must be close then.”

It was Lee Hwa who answered.

“Yes! He's my hyung but since we're now sect brothers I'll call Kim Dan Hyung, Sahyung.”

Kim Dan, he was one of the first refugees to trust the Mount Hua Sect and occupied a home. 

When Lee Hwa and his mother had just arrived, a young man helped them and guided them through Hua-Um to get what they needed. Coincidentally, Kim Dan also knew someone from Lee Hwa's village.

His mother was fond of Kim Dan, he was a cheerful, gentle young man. Since Kim Dan was an orphan, his mother sometimes took it upon herself to parent him.

Being both young and neighbours, they gradually became close. Kim Dan was a kind and helpful person. Lee Hwa usually sees his hyung playing around with the kids or helping around the streets.

He was a bit disappointed that his hyung didn't tell him that he would join Mount Hua, well they both didn't tell each other.

Cho Jae-Young smiled and tapped Kim Dan's shoulders.

“That's right. Since you know each other, I will leave Lee Hwa to you.”

“Ah, but Sahyung knows a lot more than me.”

‘Hm? Did I hear that right?’

“He won't be comfortable around me.”

“You will learn about each other as you talk, Sahyung.”

Hearing his “Kind and Helpful” hyung declining to help was only possible in his dreams.

But what? His Sahyung doesn't want to help him? Him?

“You're younger, you do it.”

“Older people have bigger responsibilities.”

Seeing that the two guys were passing the task to guide him, it hurts Lee Hwa's feelings.

He smiled to himself. 

‘You can do this but at least don't pass me around right in front of my face!’

Finally having enough, he blurted.

“Sahyungs should just help me together! What even is the problem?"

The two stopped talking and looked at each other. 

“Devil”

“Evil”

Lee Hwa seemed to hear something but he didn't care.

“Sasuk told me I need to attend training but I need to go here first. What should I do, Sahyung?”

Cho Jae-Young, who seemed to lose to Kim Dan, sighed and finally spoke. 

“Right, you choose a room you want to use and change to Mount Hua's robes. Kim Dan will help you put it on. Then let's come to the training ground.”

‘I'm going to use you as an alibi.’

Cho Jae-Young isn't someone who will do things like this. He's usually an upright and helpful person, but a dev..but taking too much time helping someone now is bad for him.

Their current training instructor was harsh. The first day they were here, he told them that missing one day of training in the Mount Hua Sect will get you thrown out the mountains even if your time at Mount Hua is no longer than 1 hour..

They didn't really believe that until they saw a discipline limping around the sect, full of dirt with broken bones. The devil pointed at him and said,

“An example.”

Now that they are late, he can no longer excuse himself so he should just use somebody else.

‘Life is survival. I'm sorry, Saje.

Lee Hwa, who has no idea what hell will welcome him soon, went and changed his clothes. He didn't need help so both his Sahyungs were just standing outside his room.

They didn't even talk because they appeared nervous. Although he had a lot of questions for his hyung- no Dan Sahyung, he couldn't seem to start a conversation with him.

After some time, they finally set out. Walking together.

Not really walking together, his sahyungs are 2 feet away from him because of how fast they were walking. Fortunately they stopped right in front of the training ground and waited for him. 

It was Lee Hwa's first time seeing how the Mount Hua Sect disciples will train so he was excited. But what welcomed him were people on the ground, gasping for air, and holding on dearly to their consciousness, he can also hear curses Taoist are not supposed to say. 

‘Were we late?’

He looked at his two Sahyungs. Lee Hwa began getting nervous after seeing their faces. His Sahyungs were sweating bullets, their backs seemed to be getting wet.

‘What? What. Why are they like this?”

“Sahyung?

Not only are they sweating, they also flinched at him calling out to them.

‘What made them act like this..’

‘Don't..tell me.”

‘Were the rumors true?’

Before he came to Mount Hua, he always heard a lot of praise towards them. He would always hear about the war, the disciples, and some rumors about the elders. 

Since they are now a famous sect, false rumors or misinformation is inevitable. He would always hear about their training regiment and the disciple’s personality.

‘They were kind, really! But they talk like bandits!’

‘When I went to the sect last time, two disciples were beating each other.’

‘They usually buy all our alcohol supplies and make them all sold out.’

‘They're a Taoist Sect!’

Well, the part where Mount Hua was almost straying out of the Taoist path was halfway right but it's only because the disciples have more freedom than others.

The disciples fighting were normal, Lee Hwa never had a sibling but he knew that siblings sometimes fought. 

About the bandits..

Lee Hwa revered Mount Hua highly and was usually in denial, but he could not deny the other rumors now. What was in front of him?

He heard from an old lady that she would always hear cries and groans inside the sect whenever she delivered her moon cakes, concerned about ghost hunting the sect grounds, she went to the sect leader. 

But when she talked about it to the sect leader, he only laughed and never talked about it again.

‘So the cries..are from here..’

Seeing different robes, he concluded that all disciple levels were training together. He did hear a rumor that the Heavenly Friends Alliance once conducted sparrs against each other to improve.

That's why he didn't think of it as strange. What was strange was their state..

‘They look like someone beat them up.’ 

“Yah!”

Lee Hwa’s thoughts were interrupted and he almost jumped from the voice coming from the training ground. 

“You!”

The voice seemed to travel at a speed of light because now it was right beside his ear.

‘When was there a person?!’

He immediately stepped back and scurried away. Strangely, his Sahyungs went with him.

“We greet the Sasuk!”

‘Sasuk?’

After seeing his Sahyungs bow, he followed, that was why he couldn't catch a glimpse of the person in front of them.

He tried to look up but immediately stopped moving because the man started talking angrily again.

“You! You're the new disciples!”

“Y-yes, Sasuk!”

“So, why are the new disciples slacking off!”

Chung Myung who was irritably angry ever since they opened the 3rd grade disciples admission could not calm his fury.

The sect is supposed to be flooding with disciples now, but it's almost 1 week and they only have three kids. Mount Hua was not a 3rd rate sect to be experiencing this. 

Hell, a 3rd rate sect would have it better. It's not their fault that Chung Myung just happened to be irritated now, but since they were here they got the flame.

“Back in my days! Everyone is ready, even the children by dawn! Cooking their master breakfast and cleaning the house!

‘Where were those days anyway, Chung Myung..’

“Here I thought these chicks are bad but now there's someone younger, a new low was found. Kids these days!”

‘What is he talking about?’

“Sasuk, we have a reason!”

Cho Jae-Young tried getting out of the mess. It's fortunate or unfortunate that there's not a single disciple looking in their direction.

They seemed to be too focused on training.

‘Don't look!’

‘He's going to come at us once he's done with them. Keep your breathing quiet!’

‘If he noticed we're looking, he's going turn that neck 180°’

‘If someone got caught I'm going to beat them up.’

‘Sorry, Sajils. You're on your own.’

“What reason? Will YOU being LATE change if you give me the reason?!”

Not waiting for a response, he continued.

“NO!”

Lee Hwa could not understand his Sasuk's anger. It's not his fault though. Who would think that another disciple would be the one training all of them. One who was a training freak.

‘He's my Sasuk? Why is he so mad?’

‘Maybe he's the one responsible for us. I should apologize.’

“Kids should be punctual! Follow the orders to not inconvenience everyone!”

‘..But why is he nagging?’

“S-sasuk, we're only seven minutes late..”

“SEVEN? Seveeeennn???”

Kim Dan tried, yes he tried..

“ONLY?! If I hit you seven times would you dare call it ONLY??”

‘It's different though!’

Kim Dam realized he could not talk sense to his Sasuk so he just closed his eyes and gave up.

The other disciples in the training ground also closed their eyes. 

‘I'm sorry Sajils. I'm going to make it up to you soon. Not here though.’

‘It's not your fault, yes, it's because he's evil.’

‘Sajils should just bow down and beg for it to stop.’ 

‘They're stronger than us.’

❀❀❀

Huff huff

‘Wow, Chung Myung poured it all out today.’

‘What's wrong with him.’

Chung Myung was gasping for air because he had just spent 43 minutes talking nonsensically. At least that's what it seemed for the disciples because he was talking to himself.

‘My Mount Hua!’

‘Why only three!!! Three?!’

‘It must be those Shaolin dogs, I'm going to visit them!’

Fuming, Chung Myung looked at the poor chicks he just roasted the hell out of.

“Hmm.”

Seeing them flinched, Chung Myung felt a little little bad. If these kids weren't here, he would have already been down the mountains advertising Mount Hua.

He had already talked about this to the Sect Leader but he just gave him the same old “Just give it time” thing. 

‘I'm going to drag kids to Mount Hua!’

It was not a matter of pride, no. Since they will soon be at war with Magyo, Mount Hua's current disciples weren't enough. They need more numbers and more talent. 

‘We just ended the war, beheaded the villain, but no one dares get close?! Arghs AHH!’

It's not a matter of pride..

Clutching his hair, the disciples were getting worried.

“Sahyung!!”

“Huh?”

“Uh, what?”

The Chung generation being called by their Saje immediately responded.

“Not you guys!”

‘Who else were your Sahyung then!’

The disciples who voluntarily got themselves involved cursed at themselves.

‘Sahyung..Jangmun Sahyung.’

‘If you were here, I would probably get mad for a different reason.. but that reason is better than this! What is this?!’

Chung Myung kept scratching his hair and clutching his head. Sometimes he would also stomp the ground.

Lee Hwa was able to get through 43 minutes of lectures because he was disassociating. Thinking about their home back in Hua-Um, his Mother, his Mother's cooking, his Mother working around the house. His Mom..

‘Mother, I just joined Mount Hua but I'm already getting scolded.’

“Chung Myung-Ah.”

Suddenly, a soft voice came. It's a soft voice, yes, but it's trembling?

The disciples finally having enough actually were trying to help them now.

‘Why would the moon cakes run out! Who's responsible for buying moon cakes!’

Everyone were on their tiptoes because Chung Myung's mood had been sour lately. Just a week ago, he was so happy about new disciples coming around the sect.

Apparently, no kids or parents have visited the sect yet. It pissed of Chung Myung, not knowing the reason for Mount Hua's decline of joining disciples he started berating everybody.

‘He even had Jo Gul give up during sparring.’

“Come here, go eat. You're wasting their time when they should be training now.”

“Come now, Sajils. Raise your heads..”

Chung Myung looked at the man who was in a defending position then looked at the item on his hand. He looked at the sword first.. then at the mooncakes.

Lee Hwa's eyes were starting to swell to the great show of bravery. He thought at some point that he would never be able to lift his head ever again.

He looked at his Sahyungs to figure out if he should do what that man said. Fortunately, his Sahyungs raised their heads first.

He must be of authority, higher than this man. 

“W-we greet the Sasuk..”

Lee Hwa raised his head late so he had to greet them separately. Usually his Sahyungs should wait but since they're all tired they stopped caring.

“This disciple greet the Sasuks!”

He didn't need to bow because he had been in that position for almost one hour now.

‘Ack, my back.’

When Lee Hwa finally straightened his back, he saw the man in front of him. 

‘Young..’

Although he has a sour expression, Lee Hwa could tell that this man in front of him has a good appearance. He had wild hair tied in a high ponytail. And when he looked further to see who spoke to this man, his eyes shook.

‘The Vice Sect Leader?!’

The only one of the Five swords who Lee Hwa met before coming to Mount Hua was this man. He has a majestic appearance, an upright stature, and a good image.

It was him who convinced his mother to go to Hua-Um. 

‘Why is he scared of this one? Isn't he the great disciple?’

‘Wait..a high ponytail?’

It was not rare for disciples to wear a ponytail, but when it was Mount Hua, there would be a certain person who owned that description.

He looked at the man again. He was still mad but his brows are finally creasing less. He was also eating..

‘T-the Chivalrous Sword?’

‘Wow! Mother, I'm getting scolded by the Chivalrous Sword!’

Lee Hwa's dread turned into excitement.

Chapter Text

It's dawn in Hua-Um village. The businesses and stall owners are busy preparing their shops. Inside one of the homes built incredibly close to each other..

“Hwa-ya!”

“What!? I'm getting ready now!”

Lee Hwa put on his robes then left his room to join his mother to eat.

Lee Hwa fixed himself on the chair, then looked at the other chair across him. His mother was not here yet. 

As Lee Hwa stood to help his mother, she finally stepped out of the kitchen holding the food. Noticing her son about to walk towards her, she said,

“What are you doing? Sit and eat now, come on.”

His mother was especially accommodating today. He usually prepares the plates and cleans the table but today, he did not do any of that. 

He didn't even get to step into the kitchen, nor will he wash the dishes. It will take a long while before he gets to do these small things again. He was to set out to Mount Hua.

After sending a letter to Mount Hua, he was expected to be there today. 

After preparing the dish, his mother finally sat across from him. His mother, noticing that he has not touched the food yet, picked up the plate and filled it herself.

“Ah! Ma, I'll do it!”

tap.

“Just let me do this for once, you.”

His mother tapped his hands reaching for the plate and continued what she was doing.

“Eat a lot, okay?”

She placed the plate in front of him. Lee Hwa was especially quiet today. He would usually argue with his mother when she tried to do everything by herself, but not today.

Lee Hwa stared at the food in front of him. It will be the last time he will eat his mother's cooking for a while. After some time, he picked up the chopsticks and ate.

His mother stared at him while he ate. Lee Hwa, finding it awkward, told his mother to eat.

“Ma, you go eat too.”

“Fufu, my son's so grown up now.”

His mother smiled at him and kept staring.

‘Ma, how am I supposed to leave if you look at me like that.’

Lee Hwa felt sad that he will now leave his mother alone. Since his Father passed away, it had always been the two of them.

Leaving to join a sect was not usually a big deal. The disciple could still go home to their families once in a while. 

But after the war ended, everyone speculated that a lot of sects would be closing their gates. Some have already closed their gates.

During the war, a lot of sects were devastated and some were even annihilated. The damage to the orthodox sects is great even if they won the war. 

It would not be shocking if Mount Hua would close their gates too. Although they suffered less casualties, they were still the sect that moved around the most during the war.

His mother was simply making sure that he will have a good time at home before leaving for a long time. 

It's nice. This new home. 

Lee Hwa despaired when they have to leave the home he grew up in and the only place he can remember his Father by.

But Lee Hwa thought that everywhere with his mother was home. What is a home if you don't find solace in it? 

He closed his eyes. He felt his eyes watering. He could not cry in front of his mother today. Especially today..

Feeling the comforts of his home..and the voice of his gentle mother..

“Hwa-ya.”

His mother called for him.

Lee Hwa opened his eyes. Then suddenly his mother stood up aggressively, her face distorting into an angry man.

“YAH!”

Lee Hwa was startled, the voice woke him up from daydreaming.

“Your senior is talking and you go walk the dreamland!”

“Come here!”

Despite telling him to come, Chung Myung was the one who started walking towards him.

“Ah! Wait! Chung Myung! That's a kid!!”

Chung Myung was already starting to calm down after eating the mooncake Baek Cheon last gave him, but seeing the boy staring into space while he talked, ignited his anger once more.

Suddenly, all of the disciples, be it laying down, on their last breaths, or about to swing their swords, ran over to Chung Myung.

Who knows what that man with boiling blood would do at this point. Didn't he just make Jo Gul give up on spar?

Lee Hwa, who had a hunch about what kind of end he would have if that man reached him, propped his hands as if to stop him.

“S-sasuk!”

Suddenly, even his Sahyungs shielded him from the Chivalrous Sword. Seeing their backs, Lee Hwa felt bad. Their clothes had darkened from their sweats.

‘How bad is it?’

He looked around. The disciples closer to Chung Myung were already holding him down, and some went between them.

‘Why is everyone protecting me? I somehow feel good..’

“Someone get more mooncakes!”

“But Sasuk, that's the only mooncake we have left!”

“Talk to Elder Hyun Young!”

“Yes!”

Lee Hwa looked at Baek Cheon. Seeing that fast problem solving skills, Lee Hwa was amazed.

‘He..’

‘He looks like an expert.’

A Chung Myung expert.

Baek Cheon, who was afraid Chung Myung would be beating even a child, tried everything in his power to stop him.

He could not let his Sajil hurt someone far far far far far weaker than him. His conscience can't take it.

‘You're a demon, but not a monster..’

‘Oh, should it be the other way around?’

Chung Myung was usually fond of kids, but somehow just like he was with them, maybe because they were trainees and not some cute little boy from the Ice palace..anyway, maybe it's just Chung Myung to be harsh on the people he trains.

(So baek mentioned)

Since Chung Myung was very excited about the coming disciples, they didn't expect him to be gentle, but they also did not expect him to be as violent with them. 

Since the first kid, he was quite docile, but as time went on Chung Myung's mood shifted and shifted now he'll even threaten them.

This boy especially was younger than the two first other disciples and doesn't he look unwell? They CAN'T, absolutely never, let that man touch this boy. 

“Chung Myung..”

Suddenly, Yun Jong got close and tapped Chung Myung on the shoulder.

“Chung Myung, the boy just came from the medicine hall, just let it be this once.”

“He was quite young so he must still be in shock..”

‘Who the hell told this boy to come here..’

‘I'm going to slap whoever it was.’

Yun Jong didn't really expect that devil to listen to him, but he had to try.

‘Sasuk..’

Seeing his Sasuk bravely trying to reason out to this angry man, he felt nice. Lee Hwa's liking meter to Yun Jong just upped to another 20%.

Chung Myung looked at Yun Jong for a bit. As if asking if he's for real, it was a sarcastic face.

Yun Jong being at the end of that look was sweating bullets.

‘What is wrong with this guy, anyway!’

“We'll buy you mooncakes so, just sit for a bit. Okay?”

Yun Jong said, very very slowly. Ever since they found out that Chung Myung liked sweets, especially mooncakes, they would always have big quantities delivered to the sect.

The reason being the elder Hyun Young who was very fond of Chung Myung, but also to calm down the raging Chu..

Chung Myung looked at the disciples holding him.

‘Why do these chicks act like I'm a kid?’

Chung Myung thought it was odd that they would always prepare sweets whenever he started berating them. Not like he hates it though. Also, as if they never learn, he can easily get free from their hold, but they keep doing it.

“Hmm”

Chung Myung scanned the three new disciples. They look like wet chicks who lost their mother. 

Chung Myung also found it unreasonable to bare his anger towards them so he will let this go.

Just this once. As his Sahyung said.

‘Hehe’

“Tsk!”

“Continue the training. We don't stop training until midnight!”

Knowing the Chung Myung calmed down, they all collectively let go of Chung Myung. 

“Ugh”

“Sajils..”

“You shit.”

Chung Myung, who was about to walk away, turned to look at the disciples. Fortunately, everyone who was thinking of saying every curse word they knew managed to look away before they made eye contact.

After looking at each disciple, Chung Myung finally walked away. Where he will go, they don't know.

Once Chung Myung was out of sight, the disciples collectively sighed. 

“Hooh”

“That demon..”

“I hate that I can't slap him just once.”

Lee Hwa, who was the last one to get yelled at by the scary man, was again staring into space. He had this image of that man.

A good appearance, great aura, and held a very distinct vibe. Something a hero would have..

‘Mother, I thought you said the Chivalrous Sword is kind?’

Of course just because a person is angry does not mean they are no longer kind. But what he saw from the other disciple's eyes who knew Chung Myung longer was anger, fear, and contempt.

He had heard from his Mother, that she had heard from someone else, that they had heard that the Chivalrous Sword once picked up a lost child and brought her back to her Mother.

While saying farewells, he ruffled the kid's hair and even invited her to Mount Hua. That image of the wounded and serious Chivalrous Sword giving a slight smile to a child was engraved to everyone's heart.

After that, the growing image of “evil” chivalrous sword paused for a bit and it started having “but he is still a Taoist.” attached to it.

“Hwa-ya..”

“Sahyung!”

Realizing that he was dozing off again, he answered his Sahyung out of instinct. Then, he looked up.

Being able to look at everyone he saw that some disciple was looking at him. Feeling guilty that he had made his Sasuk angry, he felt the need to apologize.

“Th- Sasuk and Sahyungs, this disciple apologizes..”

Lee Hwa bowed 90 degrees. Somehow, it felt quiet. But there's also faint whispering he can hear.

“No, Sajil.”

“What a kind, Sajil. I'll take care of you.”

Then suddenly, he heard footsteps.

“Lee Hwa, is it?”

It's his Yun Jong Sasuk.

Lee Hwa looked up and fixed himself, then,

“Yes, Sasuk.”

“It's a good name, it suits Mount Hua a lot.”

“Oh..yes.”

He liked that his Sahyung complimented him but thinking of the situation now, he could not be happy.

“Will you accept a Taoist name?”

Lee Hwa didn't know where the conversation was going.

“Yes, Sasuk..”

Somehow, a bright light covered his Sasuk's face.

“It's already a good name, but If you commit to Mount Hua, never apologize for that guy's behavior.”

Lee Hwa, who was seeing his Sasuk smiling benevolently, but the words he was saying didn't make sense, looked at his Sahyungs.

At least these people would understand his confusion and help him deal with his sparkling Sasuk.

The two shook their heads, but without a doubt they understood what this Sasuk meant.

‘What the hell..’

While Lee Hwa was racking his brains, he heard showers of affirmation from the disciples.

“Sahyung is right.”

“Chung Myung is evil.”

“He's just that way, Sajil. Don't take it to heart.”

“You'll get used to it.”

Suddenly, he felt like crying.

‘What the hell did I get myself into.’

Somehow, despite his Sasuk's sparkling face, the future he saw for himself was bleak. 

‘Mother, I miss your face in the morning.’

❀❀❀

knock knock

It's dawn when Lee Hwa woke up. Not like he slept a lot anyway. He didn't know that what his Sasuk said, they would actually do. 

The whole afternoon training was only the 2nd graders and them. During the time, his Sahyungs helped him prepare his body and they tried matching his training to what he can currently do. 

But in the evening, after dinner. Chung Myung came back and ordered them to carry stone weights. 

Which is really not a big deal, unless the weight is as big as a boulder.

Lee Hwa had it easier because he had Yun Jong’s blessing, but just because his weight isn't the same size as them, doesn't mean he was doing better.

Struggling to keep planking while there's a huge weight on his back, Lee Hwa felt like dying. He couldn't even give up because he didn't want to face his angry Sasuk again. 

Just as the midnight hit, Lee Hwa passed out. 

Knock knock

He heard the knock again. Lee Hwa finally opened his eyes and tried to move.

“W..wait a bit, Sahyung..”

He did not think much of it, who else would knock on his room if not for his Sahyungs next to it. 

Limping, Lee Hwa walked to the door. Noticing that it got quiet he quickly moved, afraid that his Sahyung left thinking he was still asleep.

Bang!

“Sahyung, I'm awake!”

He opened the door, making a loud sound in the process. What he saw was an empty space, but it did not take long because he looked down.

On the ground, there was a pink pellet sitting on a cloth.

“Hm?”

‘What is..’

Suddenly the door in his Sahyung's room opened and Cho Jaeyoung came out of it. Cho Jaeyoung looked shocked seeing him out of his room.

“Saje?”

“Sahyung..uhm.”

The two were staring at each other. Cho Jaeyoung doesn't have a good expression.

Remembering that he had just slammed the door, he thought that he might have woken up his Sahyung. 

“Oh!”

Lee Hwa remembered etiquette then greeted his Sahyung.

“Good morning, Sahyung!”

“Hm, Good morning.”

His Sahyung sounded pleased. Although late, he still remembered the greeting. 

Cho Jaeyoung looked down.

“Hm, you got it? Let me help you then.”

“Yes?”

Lee Hwa doesn't know what his Sahyung is talking about. Noticing that his Sahyung was looking down, it must be the item on the ground.

“Pick it up and go inside, I'll help you.”

‘Help through what?’

Although he wanted to ask questions, Lee Hwa did as his Sahyung said. After picking up the item, they went to his room.

Finally letting his curiosity free, he asked.

“Sahyung, is this from you?”

Cho Jaeyoung looked at him for a moment, then said.

“Hm, no. Both me and Dan had that pill appear outside our room. Just like it had with you”

“I did help guide Dan.”

“Oh.”

Lee Hwa is not someone who can make small talk casually, especially to a person he had just met, so he just nodded at his Sahyung. 

This person seems straightforward and strict, unlike his playful and nice Dan Sahyung.

Although he had a lot of questions, where the pill came from, how did it get here, who was the one who knocked on his door, and what this thing is, he did not try to ask yet.

“Sit, and take the pill.”

‘Pill?’

“Sahyung, this is a pill?”

“It's the Mount Hua plum blossom pill.”

He was shocked, Lee Hwa had basic knowledge about the Martial arts world so he knew what a pill is. But he could not understand why there was a pill outside his room.

“Then, am I supposed to have it?”

“Is there a problem?”

‘Uhm?’

“But, the pill..” 

Pills are usually reserved to the sect's best disciples, or at least someone who has good talent and potential. That was why he could not understand why he was given a pill.

“Do I really?”

“Why not?”

Lee Hwa did not expect his Sahyung’s words. Plus, by “guide through” does this man mean he will guide the pill energy through his body? Is that even something a new disciple could do?

He doesn't know anything about his Sahyung, but it seems that he already knows some things about martial arts. 

At a level, too.

‘Whatever, if he's a Mount Hua disciple then I can trust him.’

Which shouldn't apply to every Mount Hua disciple, but to his good luck, Cho Jae-young knew what he was doing.

After prepping himself, Lee Hwa sat crossed legged then finally took the pill. It's his first time even seeing one, so everything was new to him.

The pill immediately dissolved in his mouth and he felt the scent of plum blossoms in his surroundings. 

Suddenly, his body felt light, and the haziness of his mind cleared. Lee Hwa was lost, but with his Sahyung’s help, he did not have a hard time.

After a while, Lee Hwa finally opened his eyes. He was welcomed by his Sahyung's voice.

“What do you feel?”

Still speechless, Lee Hwa tried feeling himself. His body was no longer in pain, he felt light and refreshed. This is his first time feeling the greatness of a pill. It feels great.

“...”

“It doesn't hurt anymore, Sahyung.”

“That's great.”

“Get ready, we always train at dawn. It's about 1 hour later”

Ignoring his Sahyung's reminder, he asked.

“Sahyung, I have a question..”

Fidgeting, he felt the need to know how his Sahyung managed to guide the energy in the pill. But his Sahyung only looked at him.

“...”

“Oh!”

“Thank you, Sahyung for your help!”

Remembering that the person in front of him didn't look great when he forgot to introduce himself to them in their first meeting, and also just earlier when he forgot to greet, he figured that this Sahyung was strict. 

“What is it?”

Lee Hwa sighed internally when his Sahyung talked to him. Afraid that he will get reprimanded one of these days, he vowed to change from now on.

“How does Sahyung know the pill..and how to guide the energy?”

“Oh? I knew Mount Hua, so I know the pill.”

“I'll be going now.”

As if the discussion had ended, Cho Jaeyong walked towards the door and closed it.

Lee Hwa, who was left, was confused.

‘Huh, that's it?’

‘Sahyung, how about the last question?..’

His Sahyung might not want to answer so he didn't think about it anymore. It's normal not to answer. But doesn't it seem like he's avoiding the question?

*1 hour later*

After getting ready, Lee Hwa sets out from the Plum Blossom Hall. He stood outside, waiting for his Sahyungs.

After a while, the two finally came out of the hall. When Kim Dan looked at him, he greeted them.

“Good Morning, Sahyungs!”

“Yes.”

“Hwa-ya, you're early today.”

Kim Dan told him playfully while smiling. 

“Yes, Sahyung..”

Lee Hwa will never be late to anywhere ever again.

He remembered how embarrassing he was yesterday, so Lee Hwa became gloomy. He had planned himself a good image for his sect siblings but he showed them how he can be as pathetic as he possibly could.

Kim Dan tapped his back. As if cheering him up.

“Don't dwell on it, the Sasuks don't mind.”

“But Chung Myung Sasuk is mad.”

“He's always mad..”

Hearing the person join in the conversation, the two looked at their Sahyung. 

“Ahem!”

Cho Jaeyoung covered his mouth and then continued walking. Then he said,

“Let's not be late.”

“Yes!”

The two Sajes answered.

After reaching the training ground, the Sasuks are already forming a line. It was still dark but it seemed that the disciples were already complete in attendance for the training. 

“We greet the Sasuks!”

The three myung disciples shouted. The 2nd grade disciples smiled at them while the 1st graders continued on their ways.

“Go form a line, Sajils.”

“Yes, Sasuk.”

Cho Jaeyoung answered. 

“Form a line besides the Sasuks. Follow me.”

“Yes.”

There were only three disciples currently, so it was not necessary to shout. They went to their places quietly.

Just as everyone was finally in their designated place, one man stepped in front of all of them.

Fortunately, he was not the angry person yesterday..

He has a good posture and a good appearance. It was Baek Cheon, the great disciple.

Lee Hwa stared at the man. He looks like the embodiment of a hero. He is indeed a hero, but in a cinematic sense. It's not everyday you see a beautiful man. 

Then, the beautiful man spoke.

“Everyone”

“Yes!!”

The roar of the disciples is loud compared to the calm voice of Baek Cheon. After the war, the Mount Hua disciples could not help but admire Baek Cheon.

Who was Baek Cheon? He was an appointed leader for Mount Hua. During the war, he made many contributions, saving civilians, despite endangering himself in the process.

Everyone was glad that their Sasuk was back.

Baek Cheon calmly scanned them, he had an indifferent face. One a proud person usually would have. It looks..rather arrogant.

 After a while he pointed somewhere.

Lee Hwa followed the direction to where his Sasuk was pointing. There was a mountain. 

Confused, he looked alternatively at the mountains and his Sasuk.

“Climb.”

Right after the command was said, every disciples ran towards the lotus peak. 

Lee Hwa, who had no idea what the hell they were supposed to do, was looking around nervously. 

Then, he was grabbed by his Sahyung.

“You, run.”

It was his Cho Jaeyoung Sahyung. As if waiting for him, the two finally ran after he was alerted, leaving Lee Hwa alone for a bit. 

Realizing that he should come after them, he ran right immediately.

Lee Hwa doesn't want to do this. 

‘I'm still traumatized from yesterday, and now I run?’

But what can he do? He already got a special treatment yesterday. Asking for more is just him being a baby.

So he ran.

The sun was already up when Lee Hwa reached the training ground. 

He did not know the way, so his Sahyungs had to wait for him at a considerable distance. 

When he reached the peak, he saw the disciples run down the mountains again.

He did not know the finish line was the training ground. He would be lying if he said he didn't think of just jumping off the cliff right there and then. 

Thankfully, the pill he took helped him a lot while running. Had he not taken that pill, even reaching the middle of that mountain was generous.

Thud

Lee Hwa dropped to the ground after reaching his Sahyung’s formation. 

‘Ugh, Sahyung..’

He was about to call for his Dan Sahyung who was sitting on the ground just like he was laying, but he stopped. 

The sect was unusually rowdy today.

He saw some of his Sasuks peeking outside of the training ground, they were looking at something.

“There's a.. lot?”

“Where were they these last few days? Chung Myung was angry.”

“Woah”

Apparently, Lee Hwa could hear his Sasuk's whispers. Was that the effect of the pill too?

‘Who?’

Curious as he was, he wanted to get up. His body did not allow him though.

“Disciples.”

Lee Hwa flinched. He just heard a voice he wished he didn't hear this morning.

When Lee Hwa looked up to the direction of the voice, he saw the man. It was Chung Myung. 

He was smiling..

‘Hehe, a happy Sasuk.’

Seeing his angry Sasuk smiling like he was enlightened, Lee Hwa could not help but smile as well. Smiling was contagious after all.

Seriously. He genuinely looks happy.

“Disciples.”

“Kekekeke”

‘Uh..’

His Sasuk might be a little too happy though. 

❀❀❀

It was finally lunch, but the line in front of Mount Hua has not reached its end yet. The line seemed to be more important than his current state, he could not stop staring. 

The training had just ended and Lee Hwa felt like his whole body was burning. 

‘If not for the pill..’

Lee Hwa stared at the people coming inside the sect. There were different kinds of people. 

‘They will be my Saje?’

He had learned from Kim Dan that these people are to join the sect as well. 

‘Isn't there too many though?’

Lee Hwa did not receive any more tests other than verbal questions so he doesn't know what the new kids will face. 

He thought all these people would be accepted in Mount hua and be his Saje. Thinking about it, it hurts his head.

‘How do I remember all those names?’

Lee Hwa shook his head. That's for the future him to worry about. Following Kim Dan, they went to the Dining hall.

The Myung disciples currently only have three disciples so they were not yet separated on tables by grades. That is about to change today though.

They sat in the empty space beside the Sasuk, the Chung disciples. 

Lee Hwa's side was usually occupied by his Dan Sahyung, and by another Chung disciple. 

Being in the dining hall, he remembered a strange encounter he had with someone. It was before he went to the sect leader's residence to join Mount Hua. 

The sick Lee Hwa was told to eat in the dining hall. He was not really told, he insisted on it. 

Lee Hwa wanted to see everything in Mount Hua as soon as he possibly could. So he did not let this opportunity to see the empty dining hall pass.

The Mount Hua disciples were all training when Lee Hwa went to the dining hall. 

‘Empty.’

Lee Hwa had expected it. To get the food, he was told to go to the kitchen himself as there was no one to serve him.

When he opened the door to the kitchen, there was a person cooking by himself.

‘Where are the others?’

Lee Hwa thought that the kitchen would be full of staff. Perhaps they were resting since it was already 2 hours since breakfast. This man must be the one tasked to cook extra for him.

“Hm?”

The man noticed him. He subtly stopped what he was doing to turn his head and look at Lee Hwa. 

Perhaps he noticed that the kid in front of him was not wearing a Mount Hua robe, he squinted his eyes to look and furrowed his eyebrows a bit. Must be to check if he knew the kid.

Then, as if it weren't a big deal, he went back to stirring the pot. 

Lee Hwa was confused. Do the Mount Hua cooks not wear uniforms? Or that is their uniform?

That tall man's clothes looks like it has nothing to do with the sect.

The man had ignored him so he had to get his attention again. 

‘I thought someone must have informed the people..’

“Uhm..”

“Was this food for you, child?”

‘Oh!’

So they knew what he was here for. Lee Hwa felt relieved. If the man didn't ask him that, being the shy person he was, he might have just left and not eaten today.

The man had a soft voice. Lee Hwa could see that the man was middle aged, or perhaps younger than that, so he did not mind being called a child. 

Lee Hwa could not possibly know that the man in front of him was a Martial artist, what martial artist acts as a cook for a sect?

He was also not a Martial artist yet, so recognizing another Martial artist was impossible for him.

Lee Hwa had assumed that what he saw was the actual age of the person.

“Yes..uhh. Um.”

Lee Hwa doesn't know what to call the man.

“U-uncle?”

The “uncle” seemed to stop for a bit. Then he heard giggles.

chuckles

“To be called an uncle by someone 100 years later..”

The man seemed to be mumbling something but he could not hear it. Fortunately, he talked to him again.

“Is the child a visitor of Mount Hua?”

“Uh- No!”

Lee Hwa clasped his hands.

“I'm Lee Hwa, I wish to join the Mount Hua Sect!”

“Oh!” 

The man finally turned to him. He seemed to be excited. 

“Chung Myung must be happy, happy. Haha”

Lee Hwa was amazed. So much so that he had not heard the name mentioned by the man. It was someone he knows..

The man had a pretty nice face. Add his unusual hair color as well, he looks like someone from a fantasy story. 

‘Is that color possible?’

‘So..tall’

Not only that, the man exuded an aura, almost a nostalgic feeling when he mentioned Mount Hua. Even though it was only for a while, Lee Hwa felt it.

“The food is almost ready. Go sit over there, I want to talk a bit, okay?”

“O..kay. Uncle?”

Lee Hwa was used to calling older men as uncle, even way back to his old village so he could not stop his mouth from saying the word.

The uncle only smiled at him and continued working on the kitchen.

Since the man didn't mind, he just went as the uncle said. 

‘I should ask uncle's name later.’

He doesn't know what the man wants to talk about. Maybe he just wants to accompany the lonely Lee Hwa.

Lee Hwa found a small table behind that kitchen. Does the kitchen staff eat here? Since the man was visible from where he was sitting, he just watched him cook.

Lee Hwa got the urge to help but he didn't want to disturb the person. Then, he looked closely at the pot.

‘Is uncle cooking for more people?’

Seeing that big pot, it's too small to be for the whole 

Mount Hua disciples, but also too big for one person. 

‘What am I even thinking?’

Lee Hwa shook his head. It can't possibly only be for him, who does he even think he is? There's also another person in the Medicine hall. Myung Gwi felt silly.

Soon, the uncle finished and tidied the kitchen. Lee Hwa decided he would help. 

“Uhm”

Fidgeting, Lee Hwa stood behind the uncle. The man turned to look at him.

“Are you hungry?”

“Hm? No, uhh. Can I help, uncle?”

The uncle glanced at his mess for a moment then looked at Lee Hwa again. He smiled at him and said,

“Of course, once help is rejected, that's when the world ends.”

“Could you wash the dishes, boy?”

“Yes!”

He was happy he offered help seeing the beautiful face of the man smiling at him.

Lee Hwa took the used dishes and washed them while the uncle prepared the food for him.

After a while, Lee Hwa finished cleaning up. The uncle then called for him.

“Lee Hwa-ya, Come on.”

When he looked at the smiling uncle, he saw that the man was casually waving his hands at him, as if talking to a pet.

Lee Hwa could not be offended though, the man looked too innocent. Who could spit at a smiling face?

Lee Hwa finally went to the uncle, when he reached the table, he asked, still standing behind the chair.

“Uhh”

Fidgeting, he tried to take the words out.

“Hm?”

As if he was enjoying this, the uncle just kept his unmoving smiling face and kept looking at him.

“Wh-what was uncle's name?!”

Nervous, Lee Hwa accidentally shouted his questions. The man kept looking up at him. He was standing and the uncle was sitting so their eye level is different. 

As if unbothered that the boy just shouted at his face, he answered immediately.

“This uncle is called Chung Lim.”

“Kids, should be energetic. Haha”

After the question, the man smiled even wider and Lee Hwa turned away. If he stared any longer, he would be blinded by how bright it was.

He looks like an old father looking at his daughter's first born.. That fond look reminds him of his Mother.

Recalling the uncle's name, he found it strange.

‘Chung?’

‘A 2nd grade?’

The man does not wear the Mount Hua robes so he shook the thought from his head. He also looks too old, the great Sahyung of the 2nd graders is Yun Jong Sasuk. 

The man did not elaborate, so Lee Hwa didn't pry anymore. 

Tap tap

“Sit, sit.”

Uncle Chung Lim, tapped the chair beside him and took a plate. Lee Hwa took the offer and sat. Is he..going to eat with the man?

Lee Hwa felt shy. This pretty man eating beside him made him blush.

He only ever ate with children, his mother, and people his age. The worst thing is he did not know this uncle until today.

So he was quiet. 

“Eat, eat, don't be shy.”

Seeing that bright smile, Lee Hwa felt even more awkward. His throat seemed to close because he could not even open his mouth.

He was supposed to eat..alone. Feeling the pressure to eat the man's cooking, he felt the need to move.

It would be a waste. That food looks really good..

Lee Hwa finally filled his plate.

While the uncle kept staring at him with that gentle smile of his, the door to the back of the kitchen opened.

A woman came out of the door.

“Chung Lim! The sect leader was looking for you.”

“Oh!”

The uncle exclaimed and then he stood up while turning to her.

Lee Hwa saw the lady and looked at her clothes. 

That..that seemed to be the uniforms for Mount Hua cooks?

‘Who is this man?’

It's not really new for people to be inside a sect, but being in the kitchen and cooking is too much..

“Well, Lee Hwa-ya, see you again.”

The uncle waved at him and gave off a silly smile, but it still held a subtle gentleness with it. It seems this man embodied gentleness.

Lee Hwa did not respond. He was still processing the situation. He had thought the man was a staff. 

When Uncle Chung Lim finally went out and disappeared from their sight, the woman turned to him.

“Was it Lee Hwa?”

He turned to the voice. The woman went further inside, close to him.

“Uh, yes.. Ma’am?”

“It's Ms.Chu”

“Yes.”

‘Right, why did I call the uncle earlier, uncle. I'm so shameless.’

Realizing that he should have called the man a better name, Lee Hwa wanted to come run after him. 

“You go eat the food that man cooked and go to the Sect Leader's residence. Don't make them wait any longer, okay?”

The lady told him while fixing the ingredients she had brought inside. 

“Yes!”

While the woman was occupied, Lee Hwa tried asking who the man who left was.

“Uhm, Ms.Chu. Th..I'm curious…”

Lee Hwa's voice faded as he realized it was rude to bother a busy person and it was unreasonable to ask others about another person, but somehow the woman heard his mumbles and looked at him.

“You mean that Chung Lim earlier?”

The woman smiled at him and said,

“He is important to Mount Hua.

“Very important..”

Without the guy's food, that Chung Myung's record when it comes to making disciples come and go to the medicine hall would be higher. 

Note, HIGHER.

Chung Myung seemed to like the man's cooking. 

When asked, he said it reminds him of the old times. 

‘The disciple just turned 20 years old..’

Ms.Chu could not make sense when the “old times” were for Chung Myung.

Since the two did not talk about each other, everyone assumed they knew each other from childhood and parted ways because the other had a future and the other was a beggar. 

Even that theory is hard to prove because Chung Myung would still hit the man..

Although he's not a member of Mount Hua, the disciples and the elders just accepted him. He was a friend of Chung Myung afterall. 

Chung Myung had an old friend too, Gu Chil from the beggar union, but he doesn't treat him like he does with them. 

If anything, it seems he likes the guy. He even asked the current Beggar leader for Gu Chil to be treated better.

So what was so different?

It's one of the mysteries in the legend of Mount Hua.

Of course, Lee Hwa doesn't know any of that. As he just came to Mount Hua. 

Looking at the smiling woman, it doesn't look like a happy smile. More like a victim..But it was genuine.

Lee Hwa smiled to himself.

‘Mother, Mount Hua..feels weird’

‘..ya’

“Hwa-ya”

Kim Dan called for him. Since his daydreaming ended, he must have finally heard his Sahyung.

“Sahyung?”

He said, turning his head to his side.

“You, uhh-”

“Change into another chair, quick..”

He saw his Sahyung looking behind him.

Seeing that nervous face, Lee Hwa turned and followed where he was looking.

“Uhh”

When Lee Hwa turned, he had to lean closer to the table. The person was too close.

There was a lady behind him, just..staring. It was his Sago that sat next to him yesterday.

The Sago pointed at him, no. She pointed at where he was sitting.

Finally having a look around his surroundings, he realized that he was a chair away from his original seat.

Kim Dan touched his forehead.

‘That Sago has been there for a while now..’

‘Sago should have just tapped Lee Hwa.’

Kim Dan thought that he needed to fix his Saje's habit of dozing off everywhere.

 Lee Hwa stood up and apologized. 

“I'm sorry, Sago! I got the seat wrong!”

He quickly moved to the seat next to his Dan Sahyung.

Afraid to face his Sago again, he peeked at his side.

Stare

Lee Hwa immediately averted his gaze.His Sago was still staring at him.

‘No. What is this?’

‘I already apologized..’

After a while, the Sago finally sat. And started putting food on her plates. Lee Hwa doesn't know what to do, so he just started filling his plate as well.

Tack!

Reaching for the meat, Lee Hwa bumped into someone else's chopsticks. Lee Hwa felt his sweat forming again. Who was beside him?

It was the Sago.

“S-sago.. I'm sorry.”

Lee Hwa, afraid to look at his staring Sago, turned his head to her bowing. Then, he quickly tried to finish his food. 

Lee Hwa could feel it. His Sago is still looking at him. Feeling that gaze at himself, Lee Hwa could not dare look at his sides, so he kept staring at the Sahyung in front of him.

Cho Jaeyoung sahyung seems unbothered. He was eating while he was closing his eyes. He looked nothing but calm.

‘So dignified..’

Lee Hwa's untrained eyes could not catch the sweat forming in his Sahyung's forehead.

Since earlier, his Sago hasn't uttered a word. Maybe she was just not friendly, Lee Hwa tried to make sense of his Sago's behavior.

Even the Chung disciples started staring at them.

‘Saje is at it again.’

‘Is it that Sajil? Why is he so unlucky..’

‘Lee Hwa..your flowers suit Mount Hua.’

Since the boy joined, he had been meeting the troublemakers of Mount Hua.

So much that the disciples started sympathizing with their Sajil.

The disciples finally finished eating. Fortunately, the Sago stopped staring at him in the middle of lunch. 

She also finished earlier than them so she went ahead. Lee Hwa didn't have to greet her again..

Fixing himself, Lee Hwa sets out of the dining hall together with his Sahyungs. There is still some time left so they will wash themselves a bit.

“Does..Sahyungs know the Sago?”

“Eunji Sago?”

It was Cho Jaeyoung who answered.

“I think?”

“Don't worry too much, she is not mad at you.”

“But..”

Feeling that his Sahyung was trying to cheer him, perhaps the man thought he was feeling guilty for being scolded again.

‘It's not about that though..’

Before they could continue talking, they heard a voice.

“Jaeyoung-ah!”

The three stopped to look at the person calling for their Sahyung. 

“You two, go ahead.”

“Yes.”

A Sasuk called for their Sahyung so they had to go by themselves. Finally alone, Lee Hwa finally had time to talk to his Dan Sahyung.

“Hyu-”

“Sahyung!”

“Hm”

Kim Dan tried his best to keep his lips straight. He wanted to tease his Dosaeng because he found his mistake funny.

Somehow, to Kim Dan, everything this little boy did was cute to him.

“I didn't know you would join Mount Hua. I should have brought you with me.”

“You shouldn't have had that much of a hard time with me there..”

Lee Hwa wanted to talk since the moment he met his Sahyung but he didn't get the chance to. 

Before he even said a word, his Sahyung started the conversation.

“Yes! I couldn't find Hy-Sahyung anywhere.”

“Is that so? I might have been busy with Elder Jun’s home before I went to Mount Hua.”

Kim Dan said, still looking forward. Then he turned to Lee Hwa.

“You're found outside the sect gate. Are you fine now?”

Suddenly, Lee Hwa stopped walking.

“...”

Lee Hwa kept looking at his Sahyung’s face. Seeing a familiar face after so many new ones eased his scared heart. Finally getting to talk to someone he was familiar with, he almost wanted to cry. 

“Hyung.”

Kim Dan didn't answer, he waited for the boy to continue.

“It was hard..”

Lee Hwa felt emotional, it's his second day away from home and so many things happened. He was scolded here and there, confused everywhere, got hurt, and hurt..

He wanted to talk to someone he knew, so much so that he forgot to change the way he addressed Kim Dan.

Kim Dan noticed Lee Hwa's trembling voice as he looked at the ground.

‘This Dosaeng.’

Kim Dan, who remembered that the boy in front of him was still a kid, smiled and held his Dosaeng's back.

‘of course, it's hard.’

He tapped Lee Hwa's back as if cheering him up.

This will be the last time he will call this boy, Dosaeng. 

Because they are now disciples of Mount Hua.

“Hwa-ya. Starting today, you are my Saje, and I'm your Sahyung.”

“I'm your sect brother now, let's talk more inside.”

Feeling the warm embrace of Kim Dan, Lee Hwa subtly wiped his eyes and they continued walking towards the Plum Blossom Hall.

Together with his Sahyung.