Multivers, Leveling Up in the World I Created

Chapter 428: 428 Return to the Volcano 14

The next day, there was a change at Huashan—Sect Leader Hyeonjong urged the disciples to prepare for the upcoming Hwajong Assembly. It seemed Cheongmyeong was hearing about it for the first time, which caused an uproar in the dining hall.

"The Great Huashan Sect tied with the likes of Zhongnan?! That’s unacceptable!!!"

"I heard Instructor Jin recovered Huashan’s lost martial arts and things have improved a lot. They say we never won before."

"Wha, what??? Never won???"

"And maybe we’ll win this time—the second-generation disciples who swept last time are back, and we’ve trained hard too, so it’s possible."

"Possible?! We need to crush them!! Alright, special training starts tonight!! Understood!!!"

Cheongmyeong’s shout was met with blank stares from the third-generation disciples—no one answered. Many were still struggling to keep up with their current training.

Seeing that, Cheongmyeong sighed and glared at his senior disciples menacingly.

"Answer me!!!"

"Yes..."

The third-generation disciples finally answered, cowed by his intimidation. It was clear how much Cheongmyeong had been pushing them around. I watched with interest, but Yi-seol, beside me, was completely absorbed in her meal, showing no interest.

From that day on, as soon as dinner ended, screams echoed throughout Huashan as the third-generation disciples were put through hell. The sect leader, elders, and first-generation disciples paid no mind—they assumed the third-generation disciples were training hard for the approaching Hwajong Assembly. They had no idea the screams were caused by Cheongmyeong.

Huashan and Zhongnan had long been rivals. Both were Taoist sects, both used swords, and their proximity naturally fostered competition. Even if they wanted to grow closer, it wasn’t easy.

And before the Demonic Cult massacre, Cheongmyeong often sneaked down to Seoan for drinks—and invariably got into fights with Zhongnan disciples. Beating them up was common, deepening the rift between the two sects.

After the massacre, Zhongnan took advantage of Huashan’s weakened state to humiliate them, using various pretexts to establish the Hwajong Assembly.

Since Yi-seol and I weren’t formal Huashan disciples, we weren’t eligible to compete. After all, it was between Huashan and Zhongnan—we, being from the estate, had no stake. Besides, the second-generation disciples I’d taught were either out in the martial arts world or in secluded training.

With nothing to do, I focused on teaching Yi-seol the partially restored Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique, giving her late-night snacks. She’d naturally begun mixing the Seven Plum Sword with the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword—it was the best approach for now.

A few days passed, and while sparring with Yi-seol and correcting her sword techniques, I sensed someone watching again.

"Cheongmyeong! I told you not to spy on others training!"

Cheongmyeong scratched his head and muttered as he came out.

"Caught again... The Plum Blossom Sword Master is gone."

He gave a fist-and-palm salute and said,

"I kept thinking about that seasoned chicken from before. And I had something to ask..."

"Geez... It’s seasoned chicken. And today it’s soy sauce chicken."

"Soy sauce chicken?"

"Chicken flavored with soy sauce."

"That sounds like it wouldn’t go well..."

"Try it—it’s delicious."

I made soy sauce chicken, spread a cloth on the ground, and ate with Yi-seol and Cheongmyeong.

"Wow... This is amazing too."

"Right? So what did you want to ask?"

"I noticed that the techniques you and your sister use are different from the Seven Plum Sword the senior disciples use."

Finally, Cheongmyeong got to the point.

"Oh~ You noticed that? You have sharp eyes."

"Haha, I do have a good eye."

I didn’t bother hiding it and told him the truth.

"I got permission from the sect leader to restore Huashan’s lost martial arts. It’s called the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique—said to contain Huashan’s essence. But only half of it remains, burned. The sect leader showed me the sword paths, so I was able to restore a few techniques."

"Ah! That’s why you can use them. But is it okay to show this to an outsider?"

"Huh?"

"Ah, nothing. Haha."

There was a reason Cheongmyeong said that—from the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword onward, only formal disciples could learn it.

"Anyway, eat before it gets cold..."

While we talked, Yi-seol had already devoured half the chicken. I was speechless.

"Hah... Half of it already..."

Cheongmyeong was equally surprised, so he started eating faster too.

"Yi-seol, no one’s going to steal it—eat slowly."

"No. The dining hall food is so bland I can’t eat much, so I need to eat here. Besides, if I’m hungry, I can’t sleep."

"R-right."

Cheongmyeong stared at her in disbelief.

"Is there no liquor today?"

"No, I didn’t bring any because of you."

"Tch, that’s unfortunate."

He seemed genuinely disappointed.

"Huff... I ate well today. But I’m getting tired of chicken..."

Only after polishing off the last piece of soy sauce chicken, bones and all, did Yi-seol say that. Coming from someone who’d just fought a battle with chicken, it wasn’t very convincing. But I couldn’t blame her—I was the one who’d made her this way.

"Really? Then how about pork for a while?"

"Okay."

Cheongmyeong, still not used to our conversations, sighed and shook his head.

"And Cheongmyeong, this is the last time. I can’t turn a blind eye anymore. If this happens again, I’ll tell the sect leader."

"Whoa, that won’t do... Then let me ask one last thing. Are the second-generation disciples strong?"

"That depends on your standard."

"Compared to Zhongnan..."

"Compared to Zhongnan, yes—they’re strong. The senior of the second-generation, Baek Cheon, has even manifested plum blossoms."

"Oh~ Manifesting plum blossoms with just the Seven Plum Sword. Hmm... Then the problem is the third-generation disciples."

"Is that why you’re asking—because of the Hwajong Assembly?"

"Yes. We can’t lose to Zhongnan."

"Then train hard instead of hanging around here."

Cheongmyeong beat his chest in frustration.

"Agh... I came here to train separately! I just ended up eating snacks by accident."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"But even so, I don’t get it. Why come all the way here to train when you could do it in the training ground?"

"That’s... I didn’t want to disturb the senior disciples when they’re resting at night..."

He was clearly making up excuses, but I decided to let it slide.

"Really? Hmm... Alright, if that’s the reason, I’ll pretend not to notice you sneaking out for now. But work hard."

"That’s a relief. Anyway, understood."

Cheongmyeong sighed in relief, thinking his excuse had worked.

"Yi-seol, let’s go. Let Cheongmyeong train."

"Okay."

We returned to our quarters, washed up, and rested.

A few days later, the second-generation disciples who had been out in the martial arts world or in seclusion began returning. Their status was clearly different—even the sect leader and elders came out to greet them, along with the first- and third-generation disciples. It was both a recognition of their efforts in raising Huashan’s reputation and a sign that they were seen as the sect’s future.

"I’ve heard the news. You’ve worked hard to spread Huashan’s name in the martial arts world."

"You flatter us. It was all thanks to the sect’s support."

Baek Cheon said modestly, performing a polite fist-and-palm salute.

"Haha, you’re too humble. You are Huashan’s pride. Come, let’s go inside and talk."

"Understood, Sect Leader."

Hyeonjong led the second-generation disciples inside with the elders, apparently sharing many stories.

The third-generation disciples watched enviously.

"We’ll be like that someday, right?"

"Of course! I’m going to get strong and make a name for myself too."

While they chattered, Cheongmyeong muttered to himself.

"Hmm... They’re still inferior to the old disciples. The only decent one is Baek Cheon?"

From that, it seemed Cheongmyeong had already gauged the second-generation disciples’ abilities.

At dinner, the meal was lavish—the sect leader had gone all out to welcome the returning disciples.

"Wow~ What a feast!"

"Tell me about it."

"The sect leader must have gone to a lot of trouble."

"Which means they expect us to do well at the Hwajong Assembly."

"Zhongnan isn’t a big deal—we’ll win like last time."

The second-generation disciples chatted amiably as they ate. But their dismissive attitude toward Zhongnan bothered me, so I spoke up.

"Don’t underestimate them. They’ll be coming back with a vengeance after last time."

"Yes, Instructor Jin."

They answered reluctantly, clearly not convinced.

’Sigh... These guys are overconfident. Some of them are going to lose.’

In terms of training achievement, Huashan clearly had the advantage—thanks to my teaching. But Zhongnan was no pushover. Having suffered an unexpected loss last time, they’d surely poured elixirs into their disciples to strengthen them. In terms of internal energy, Huashan was probably at a disadvantage.

Yet they remained so complacent. It could lead to disaster. But the second-generation disciples were too full of themselves to listen. Cheongmyeong, watching, also looked displeased.

From the next day, the second-generation disciples began resting at Huashan, to recover from their long journey—per Hyeonjong’s orders.

"Senior disciples, is it true? You captured a demonic cult leader?"

"Yes. We struggled for days to catch him. You see, what happened was..."

Some of the returning second-generation disciples told their stories to the third-generation disciples—chasing demonic cult leaders, fierce battles—all thrilling tales. They were probably embellishing, since they had an audience.

"Wow! Then the Hwajong Assembly should be no problem!"

"Hahaha! Exactly. Zhongnan is nothing."

It would have been fine if it ended there, but their overconfidence was rubbing off on the third-generation disciples. Cheongmyeong’s expression grew darker by the minute.

’This is going to cause trouble.’

Given Cheongmyeong’s personality, he wouldn’t stay quiet. Something was going to happen.

It started in the dining hall. A second-generation disciple was telling embellished stories to the third-generation disciples again.

"Amazing, senior disciples."

"Right? Hahahaha, so you kids work hard too."

Just then, Cheongmyeong, picking his nose, interjected,

"My, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you caught the Heavenly Demon himself. What’s so great about catching a few pathetic bandits?"

Shaking his head in disdain, the senior disciple next to him, Yoon Jong, panicked and tried to cover Cheongmyeong’s mouth. But it was too late—one of the second-generation disciples had heard.

"Wha, what did you say?"

Cheongmyeong brushed off Yoon Jong’s hand and replied boldly,

"I said you’re exaggerating too much about catching bandits."