Multivers, Leveling Up in the World I Created

Chapter 422: 422 Return to the Volcano 8

The next morning, the breakfast provided by Huashan was entirely vegetables. While it’s true that in some Murim worldviews Huashan follows Taoist principles and avoids meat, in the Volcanic Return universe they do eat meat. The reason for the all-vegetable meal was simple—they had no money.

"Brother, do you have any boiled eggs..."

"Here."

Yi-seol also seemed to be struggling with the sudden shift to an all-vegetable diet. So I took out a few boiled eggs I’d brought for the journey and we ate them with the meal.

After breakfast and a quick wash, we were resting when Unam came to tell us that Sect Leader Hyeonjong and the elders wished to see us. We headed to the sect leader’s office where they were waiting.

"We discussed this matter late into the night. Since the young master of the Jin Estate has learned Huashan’s martial arts, he can be considered a disciple of Huashan. However, he learned them without knowing they were Huashan’s techniques, and without that incident, Huashan’s lost arts would never have returned. Moreover, the young master will one day lead the Jin Estate, so we cannot keep him bound to Huashan out of our own greed. That is the conclusion we reached."

"I see."

"So we have decided to let the matter rest, provided you give your word not to teach Huashan’s martial arts to anyone else."

From what I gathered, they had agreed to acknowledge that the learning was unintentional. It was also fortunate that they wouldn’t consider me solely as a Huashan disciple.

"Instead, we have one request. Since the young master has such a deep understanding of Huashan’s martial arts—enough to manifest plum blossoms—we ask that you stay at Huashan for two months each year to teach the first-generation disciples and the new second-generation disciples until you take over the estate. Please, we beg you."

Hyeonjong and the elders performed a fist-and-palm salute and made their request respectfully.

"Hmm... I didn’t intend to learn another’s martial arts, but since I did, I think it’s only proper to comply."

When the estate lord agreed, Hyeonjong and the elders’ faces brightened.

"I’m glad it worked out. We were worried you might refuse... We’ll prepare a separate residence for the young master to ensure comfortable teaching, and we’ll also grant you the title of instructor to avoid friction with the disciples."

This was quite considerate of Huashan.

Just then, Yi-seol spoke up with sparkling eyes.

"I want to learn from brother too and manifest plum blossoms."

Hyeonjong smiled warmly and asked,

"Hehehe, you were charmed by your brother’s plum blossoms, were you? But have you discussed this thoroughly with the estate lord?"

"W-well..."

"It seems you haven’t. Think it over carefully, and if you get the estate lord’s permission, I’ll accept you as a disciple."

"Okay."

I didn’t think Yi-seol necessarily had to learn Huashan’s martial arts—Huashan would inevitably be caught up in various incidents and become dangerous. I thought it might be better for her to live quietly at the estate. But seeing her as captivated by the plum blossoms as in the original, it seemed unlikely.

’Her quiet nature, her love for plum blossoms—it’s just her disposition.’

The estate lord talked with Yi-seol, but her resolve was firm. So he eventually discussed it with Hyeonjong and agreed to let her become a Huashan disciple. However, because she had grown up at the estate and might find Taoist monastic life difficult to fully embrace, she would be accepted as a lay disciple without a Taoist name.

Since she was shy, and being the only girl, they arranged for her quarters next to mine—perhaps because the estate lord had asked, but Huashan had been very accommodating regarding Yi-seol.

"Hmm... It’s one thing for my son, but I’m a bit heartbroken about Yi-seol becoming a disciple."

The estate lord said, and Hyeonjong reassured him,

"We’ll take good care of her. And her brother will visit, and she chose this path herself—I’m sure she’ll do well."

"I suppose. Then I’ll return to Sichuan and make the necessary preparations."

"Understood."

The estate lord pulled out five gold ingots and handed them to Hyeonjong. He looked quite surprised.

"This is..."

"Consider it support for Yi-seol, whom I raised like a daughter. Please take good care of her."

"I... I see. Thank you."

Hyeonjong hesitated for a moment but didn’t refuse—he knew better than anyone how dire Huashan’s situation was.

We rested one more day before heading back to Sichuan. On the morning of our departure, not only we guests but all the Huashan disciples were served a roasted chicken each. The estate lord’s gold from the day before had clearly been put to use.

"Huff... It’s been so long since I had meat—I ate so well."

"Tell me about it. I can’t even remember the last time."

"I wish this could continue."

"Don’t be ridiculous. It’s probably just because we have guests."

"Well, it’s worth it—they not only returned our lost martial arts but also showed us plum blossoms."

"True... Our sect will grow stronger now, right?"

"It will."

Hearing the disciples speak with bright expressions, it seemed Hyeonjong’s intention to rekindle Huashan’s flame was working.

"We’ll be going now. I wish Huashan prosperity."

"Huashan owes the Jin Estate a great debt. I hope our good relationship continues."

"If you ever face difficulties, let me know. I’ll help whenever I can."

"Thank you."

We exchanged farewells and returned to Sichuan.

I began teaching Yi-seol to read. She needed to know at least basic characters if she was going to learn anything. I wanted her to at least finish the Thousand Character Classic before sending her off. It wasn’t from scratch—she had already learned some at the estate and was bright, so a few months would be enough.

In the meantime, I reviewed Huashan’s martial arts. I knew so many techniques that I needed to organize them. I also made some suitable swords for Yi-seol and myself—alloy swords far superior to those made of cold iron.

Two months passed, and Yi-seol had finished the Thousand Character Classic, so we prepared to depart for Huashan again. This time, it was just Yi-seol and me in the carriage.

"Take care. And Yi-seol—you will always be part of our family. Remember that you have a home to return to."

At that, she cried and hugged the estate lord. I never expected the usually quiet Yi-seol to show such emotion—it must have been what she most wanted to hear. The estate lord patted her back and comforted her.

"Father, please stay healthy."

"Yes, yes."

With the estate lord seeing us off, Yi-seol and I set out for Huashan. Again, we used a state-of-the-art carriage driven by a robotic android.

"Brother, will we have to eat only vegetables at Huashan?"

Yi-seol asked worriedly, remembering last time.

"Probably. From what I saw, Huashan isn’t doing well financially. But they’ll have meat occasionally. If you ever want something good to eat, just tell me—I’m an instructor, so I can go out freely and buy you whatever you want."

"That’s a relief."

It sounded like complaining, but I understood. She’d grown up eating the delicious food I and the estate lord prepared—there was no way she’d like typical Murim cuisine, especially without meat at Huashan. In short, her palate had become quite refined.

To be honest, I didn’t like Murim food either—I’d noticed in other Murim worlds that the food was bland and greasy, and hygiene was poor.

’I wonder if the Cooking Master Boy world would be different...’

Anyway, we traveled with the feeling of a road trip, snacking on butter-roasted potatoes and "drug corn."

This time, we didn’t stop at many places, so we reached Huashan in about a week. The scenery was still beautiful, but the climb was steep and tiring.

"Hah... hah..."

"Want me to carry you?"

"No, brother. I’ll make it to the top myself."

She said that, but being a ten-year-old girl, she couldn’t go far, and I ended up carrying her.

"I wanted to climb on my own..."

"I understand your determination, but if you overexert yourself and end up sick in bed for days, wouldn’t that be a waste? Training is about balance—too much is just as bad."

"I suppose."

When we announced our arrival at the main gate, Unam came out to greet us again.

"Oh~ Young master—no, Instructor Jin, you’ve arrived. We’ve been waiting. Please, come in."

Thanks to the prior arrangement, even the first-generation disciple Unam treated me with special respect. He first guided us to the sect leader.

"You’re here. The journey must have been tiring."

"It’s good to see you again, Sect Leader. I trust you’ve been well."

"Hehehe, I’m as always. How is the estate lord?"

"Aside from being worried about Yi-seol coming to Huashan, he’s in good health."

"I see."

I pulled out five gold ingots from my pocket and handed them to the sect leader.

"My father said he felt bad about only giving a small donation last time, aside from travel expenses. He asked me to give you these."

"Gasp! Ahem... I see. When you return to the estate, please tell him I’m grateful."

"Understood."

Hyeonjong was clearly surprised but tried to appear composed and accepted it without refusal. In truth, this money was all from my earlier thefts, so it didn’t burden the estate at all.

"Unam, show them to their quarters."

"Understood."

As promised, Huashan provided quite decent rooms, with Yi-seol’s room right next to mine.

"You’ll be staying here from now on. We’ve prepared uniforms for you as well—please try them on and let us know if there are any issues."

"Thank you."

"In a few days, we’ll be accepting second-generation disciples, so take this time to rest from your journey and enjoy the scenery. Huashan is a beautiful place."

"I’ll do that."

Unam kindly showed us the bathroom and washing facilities before leaving. We changed into the provided uniforms—they were made of rough cotton and a bit coarse. As expected of Huashan’s attire, there was a plum blossom embroidery on the left chest.

"Brother, the shoes are a bit uncomfortable..."

"Are they? Hmm... They are a bit big. Use the shoes you brought for now, and we’ll keep these for later when you’ve grown into them."

"Okay."

In this era, sizing wasn’t precise—you tried things on and bought what roughly fit. Clothes were easier; if the size was close, you could just tie them. If you had money, you could commission a tailor to make custom clothes and shoes.

Underwear was also an issue. Both Yi-seol and I wore modern undergarments—I had no desire to wear the coarse, chafing underwear of this era. Yi-seol probably felt the same, so I’d have to provide her with some.

We spent a few days exploring Huashan, learning the layout and enjoying the scenery. Thanks to the donations, meat appeared at meals, and overall things weren’t bad—but it was only edible, not what I’d call delicious.

I also had Yi-seol wake up early each morning to run around Huashan and build her stamina, so she could adapt quickly to training. Since she’d be doing physical training from now on, stamina was essential.

Interestingly, the first-generation disciples were motivated by her example and began training even harder. They were practicing the restored "Falling Flower Sword," and sometimes they’d come to me for guidance on their stances, which I’d help with.

Time passed, and Huashan began accepting second-generation disciples. They didn’t all come at once like a university entrance exam—they trickled in one by one after hearing the rumors. The recruitment period was spread out.

The first to arrive, as in the original, was Baek Cheon. He was a handsome young man—in the original, he was my age at fifteen, the kind of perfect son everyone envied. He came from a good family, was talented, and had an exemplary personality—though after the protagonist Cheongmyeong joined as a third-generation disciple, he would go through quite a lot.

After meeting Hyeonjong and settling in, Baek Cheon was exploring Huashan when he spotted us. He ran over, gave a fist-and-palm salute, and greeted us warmly.

"Nice to meet you, senior disciple! I’m Jin Dong-ryong (Baek Cheon’s real name), a new disciple. Let’s get along well as fellow Huashan disciples."

"Yeah, work hard. I’m Jin, an instructor at Huashan."

Baek Cheon looked shocked.

"Wait... An instructor, not a disciple? Did I hear that wrong? You look about my age... Is this some kind of prank?"