Multiverse , Leveling Up in the World I Created

Chapter 428: 428 Return to the Volcano 14

From the next day, there was a change at Mount Hua.

Sect Leader Hyeonjong had urged the disciples to prepare for the upcoming Hwajong Meeting.

Cheongmyeong seemed to be hearing about the Hwajong Meeting for the first time that day.

That’s why there was an uproar in the dining hall.

"The Great Mount Hua Sect losing to someone like Jongnam?! That’s insane!!!"

"Still, I heard that Master Jin has been restoring Mount Hua’s martial arts, so things have improved a lot. They say we never won a single match before."

"Wha, what did you say?! Never won a single time???"

"And we might even win this time. The 2nd-generation disciples who achieved a perfect victory at the last Hwajong Meeting are also returning, and we’ve worked hard too, so isn’t it possible?"

"Possible, my ass! We have to crush them overwhelmingly!! Alright, starting tonight, special training!! Everyone got that!!!"

At Cheongmyeong’s shout, the 3rd-generation disciples just stared at him incredulously; no one answered.

Many of them were still struggling to keep up with their current training.

Seeing that, Cheongmyeong sighed, then looked around at his fellow disciples with fierce eyes and spoke commandingly.

"Answer!!!"

"Yes..."

The 3rd-generation disciples finally responded reluctantly, unable to withstand Cheongmyeong’s pressure.

It was a scene that showed just how much Cheongmyeong had been tormenting them.

I watched with interest, but Yui-seol, sitting next to me, was completely absorbed in her meal, showing no interest in such matters.

After that day, as soon as dinner ended, the screams of the 3rd-generation disciples echoed all over Mount Hua.

But the Sect Leader, elders, and 1st-generation disciples showed no particular reaction.

With the Hwajong Meeting approaching, they assumed the 3rd-generation disciples were simply training hard.

Little did they imagine the source of those screams was Cheongmyeong.

Mount Hua and Jongnam had been rivals for a long time.

Both were Taoist sects, both used swords, and they were close in distance, so a competitive spirit naturally arose.

They wanted to get closer, but it wasn’t easy.

Moreover, before the Demonic Cult Massacre, Cheongmyeong often went down to Xi’an to drink, avoiding the Sect Leader’s eyes, and every time he got into trouble with Jongnam.

Beating up Jongnam’s disciples was nothing new, so the resentment between the two sects only deepened.

Eventually, Jongnam took advantage of Mount Hua’s weakened state after the Demonic Cult Massacre to try and humiliate them.

To that end, they created various justifications and established the Hwajong Meeting, a sparring competition between Mount Hua and Jongnam.

Since Yui-seol and I were not formal disciples of Mount Hua, we were not qualified to participate in the Hwajong Meeting.

In the first place, it was a matter between Mount Hua and Jongnam, so we, as members of the manor, were completely unrelated.

Moreover, the 2nd-generation disciples I had taught had already left to make a name for themselves in the martial arts world or had entered secluded training.

Having nothing particular to do, I focused on teaching Yui-seol the partially restored Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique while feeding her late-night snacks.

At this point, Yui-seol was naturally mixing the Chilmae Sword and the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique as the situation demanded.

I thought that was the best approach for now.

Several days passed like that, and while I was sparring with Yui-seol and observing her sword technique, I felt someone watching again.

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

When I shouted that, Cheongmyeong scratched his head and came out, muttering to himself.

"I didn’t expect to get caught again... The Plum Blossom Sword Master is truly dead."

Then he suddenly cupped his fists to us and spoke.

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

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

"Soy sauce chicken?"

"Chicken flavored with soy sauce."

"That doesn’t sound like it would go well together."

"Try it. It’s delicious."

This time too, I made soy sauce chicken, laid out a cloth, and ate with Yui-seol and Cheongmyeong.

"Wow... This is really delicious too."

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

"While I was watching quietly, it seemed like the senior disciples were mixing the Chilmae Sword with something else."

Now Cheongmyeong seemed to be getting to the point.

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

"Heh, I do have good eyes."

I had no intention of hiding it, so I told him the truth.

"I’m restoring Mount Hua’s lost martial arts with the Sect Leader’s permission. It’s called the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique, and it’s said to contain the essence of Mount Hua. Of course, only half of it remains now, burned. I was about to give up, but the Sect Leader showed me traces of the sword paths from the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique. So I was able to restore a few techniques."

"Ah! So that’s why you could use it. But is it okay for an outsider to..."

"Huh?"

"Ah, nothing. Heh."

Cheongmyeong said this for a reason.

From the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique onward, only formal disciples were allowed to learn it.

"Anyway, let’s eat. It won’t taste as good if it gets cold..."

While we were talking, Yui-seol was eating so eagerly that half the fried chicken had already disappeared.

I was momentarily speechless.

"Good grief... Half of that much is already gone..."

Cheongmyeong was equally surprised.

So he too started eating quickly.

"Yiseol, no one’s going to steal it from you, so eat slowly."

"No. The dining hall food isn’t tasty, so I can’t eat much there. I have to eat a lot here. And if I’m hungry, I can’t sleep at night."

"R, right."

Cheongmyeong also looked at her incredulously.

"But isn’t there any alcohol today?"

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

"Tsk, that’s unfortunate."

Judging by Cheongmyeong’s expression, he genuinely seemed disappointed.

"Phew... I ate well today. But I’m getting a bit tired of chicken..."

Only after Yui-seol had polished off the last piece of soy sauce chicken down to the bone did she say that.

Coming from someone who had just been battling the chicken, it wasn’t very convincing.

But there was no helping it.

After all, I was the one who had made her that way.

"Really? Then shall we have pork for a while?"

"Okay."

Cheongmyeong, still seeming unable to get used to our conversation, sighed and shook his head.

"And Cheongmyeong, this is the last time. I can’t turn a blind eye anymore. If you do this again, I’ll tell the Sect Leader, so keep that in mind."

"Oh, that won’t do... Then let me ask you one last thing. Are the 2nd-generation disciples strong?"

"I don’t know. That depends on your standards."

"Compared to Jongnam..."

"Compared to Jongnam’s disciples, they are strong. Baekcheon, the senior disciple of the 2nd-generation, has even bloomed plum blossoms."

"Oh~ Blooming plum blossoms with only the Chilmae Sword. Hmm... Then the problem is the 3rd-generation disciples."

"Are you asking because of the Hwajong Meeting?"

"Yes. I can’t afford to lose to Jongnam."

"Then train hard. Instead of doing this here."

When I said that, Cheongmyeong beat his chest in frustration and spoke.

"Aish... I actually set aside time to come here and train! It just so happened that I ended up getting fed."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"But even for that reason, I don’t understand. Coming all the way here to train, when you could do it at the training ground."

"Well... I didn’t want to disturb the senior disciples while they were resting late at night..."

Seeing him rolling his eyes, it was clear he was scrambling to come up with an excuse, but I decided to let it slide.

"Really? Hmm... Alright. If that’s the reason, I’ll pretend not to see you sneaking out for a while. But work hard."

"That’s a relief. Anyway, I understand."

Cheongmyeong, thinking his excuse had worked, sighed in relief.

"Yiseol, let’s go. So Cheongmyeong can train."

"Okay."

Yui-seol and I returned to our quarters, washed up, and rested.

A few days later, the 2nd-generation disciples who had been out in the martial arts world or had finished their secluded training began to return one by one.

As expected, the 2nd-generation disciples held a special status.

Not only the 3rd and 1st-generation disciples, but even the Sect Leader and elders came out to welcome them.

This was both a recognition of their efforts in spreading Mount Hua’s reputation and because they were seen as the future of the sect.

"I’ve heard the news. You’ve worked hard spreading Mount Hua’s reputation in the martial arts world."

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

Baekcheon politely cupped his fists to Hyeonjong and spoke humbly.

"Haha, you’re too modest. You are the pride of Mount Hua. Now, let’s not stand on ceremony. Come inside and let’s talk."

"Understood, Sect Leader."

Hyeonjong, along with the elders, took the 2nd-generation disciples inside and seemed to have many conversations.

Seeing that, the 3rd-generation disciples spoke enviously.

"We’ll be like that someday, right?"

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

While the 3rd-generation disciples were like that, Cheongmyeong kept muttering to himself.

"Hmm... As expected, they’re not as good as the disciples from before. The only useful one is that Baekcheon guy?"

Hearing this, it seemed Cheongmyeong had already gauged the 2nd-generation disciples’ skills.

At dinner, thanks to the return of the 2nd-generation disciples, a feast was laid out that would make the table legs bend.

The Sect Leader seemed to have put considerable effort into preparing for the disciples who had returned after their hard work.

"Wow~ A feast!"

"I know, right."

"The Sect Leader must have gone out of his way."

"That means he wants us to do our best at the Hwajong Meeting."

"Jongnam is nothing. We’ll just win like last time."

The 2nd-generation disciples ate and chatted amicably.

But their underestimation of Jongnam bothered me, so I said a word.

"Don’t underestimate your opponent. They’ll be coming at us sharpened after last time."

"Yes, Master Jin."

The 2nd-generation disciples didn’t seem to agree but answered reluctantly.

’Hah... These guys are overconfident. A few of them are going to lose.’

In terms of training achievements alone, Mount Hua was clearly superior, thanks to my teaching.

But Jongnam was no easy opponent either.

Having suffered an unexpected defeat last time, and as a major sect, they would have poured all kinds of elixirs into their disciples without stint.

As a result, in terms of internal energy, Mount Hua was likely at a disadvantage.

Yet they held such complacent thoughts.

If things went wrong, they could invite a great disaster.

But the 2nd-generation disciples were so overconfident that even if someone warned them, they wouldn’t listen.

Cheongmyeong, watching from the side, also seemed to sense this, and his expression was far from good.

From the next day, the 2nd-generation disciples began to rest comfortably at Mount Hua.

It was Hyeonjong’s consideration, allowing them to recover from their travels.

"Senior disciple, is it true? The story about capturing the demonic cult leader!"

"Yes, it’s true. We struggled for days to capture him. Let me tell you what happened..."

Some of the 2nd-generation disciples who had returned from their travels told the 3rd-generation disciples about their experiences.

From tracking the demonic cult leader to fierce battles, it was all interesting tales of valor.

They were likely exaggerating quite a bit for the 3rd-generation disciples.

"Wow! Then there’s no problem at this Hwajong Meeting."

"Hahaha! Right. What is Jongnam compared to that."

It would have been fine if it ended there, but the problem was that their excessive confidence was spreading to the 3rd-generation disciples as well.

As a result, Cheongmyeong’s expression grew darker by the minute.

’This is going to blow up.’

Given Cheongmyeong’s personality, there was no way he would stay quiet.

Something was about to happen.

It started in the dining hall.

On that day too, a 2nd-generation disciple was telling an exaggerated story to a 3rd-generation disciple.

"That’s amazing, senior disciples."

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

At that moment, Cheongmyeong picked his nose and chimed in.

"My, hearing you, anyone would think you’d captured the Heavenly Demon. What’s so great about catching a few pathetic bandits."

When Cheongmyeong said that with a look of disdain, Yoon Jong, the senior disciple of the 3rd-generation next to him, panicked and hurriedly covered his mouth.

But it seemed too late.

One of the 2nd-generation disciples had heard him.

"Wha, what did you say? What did you just say?"

At that, Cheongmyeong pushed away Yoon Jong’s hand that was covering his mouth and spoke proudly.

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