Chapter 28

Chapter 27. Hwasan has received a blessing. (2)

"Hmm."

Hyun-jong sighed softly as he looked at the sunlight streaming through the window. For some, that sunlight might mark the beginning of a pleasant day. But for those who find it hard to face another day, there is nothing more resentful than that sunlight.

'Another morning, huh.'

Ultimately, another day has begun.

It has already been two days. According to Gong Luzhu's deadline, only five days remain.

Five days. A mere five days.

Hyun-jong closed his eyes quietly.

'Five days.'

If he cannot raise 100,000 nyang within that short time, Hwasan will lose all its halls and be forced onto the streets.

There are three things that sustain human life:

Clothing (衣), food (食), and shelter (住).

Losing a place to live means one can no longer survive.

Of course, those who belonged to Hwasan will find other ways to live. But Hwasan will no longer be Hwasan (華山).

Even if some determined and resolute individuals remain to carry on the name of Hwasan, it would be just a name. For the long-standing prestigious Hwasan, it would be tantamount to a death sentence.

Can a once-mighty sect with thousands of disciples, reduced to a dozen, and barely maintaining the form of a family martial art, truly be said to have not been destroyed?

Those who lose their homes will inevitably scatter. For a while, there might be those who follow, but as the path of survival becomes increasingly difficult, they will all eventually go their separate ways.

Gradually...

'No.'

Hyun-jong shook his head violently.

'This is not the time for weak thoughts.'

There are still five days left. If he can somehow raise the money within that time, he can save Hwasan.

He is the leader of Hwasan. He must not give up until the day Hwasan disappears. Even if everyone else gives up, he has no right to do so.

Hyun-jong raised his hand to rub his face.

He had reached out to everyone who had even the slightest connection to Hwasan. Letters detailing Hwasan's situation are being sent across the land. Among them, there might be someone who will help.

If someone were to help...

Hyun-jong found himself laughing helplessly.

'A helper.'

If there were any intention to help, it would have already been done. Even when Hwasan still had something to offer, there was no significant help.

Now, who would lend 100,000 nyang to a Hwasan on the verge of collapse?

'Heavy.'

It is a matter he cannot avoid or ignore. But the weight that presses down on him day by day is too much for Hyun-jong to bear.

The burden of potentially ending Hwasan's lineage in his generation is almost unbearable. He prayed night after night, hoping that the next morning would not come.

At that moment,

"Leader!"

Hyun-jong quickly tidied his clothes.

No matter how he felt inside, he must not show this to his disciples. Even if Hwasan were to fall tomorrow, he must ensure that they remember him as a dignified leader.

"What is it?"

"Sir, please come outside for a moment."

"Hmm?"

Hyun-jong tilted his head.

But only for a moment. Hyun-jong got up from his seat and went outside. Outside the door, Yun-geum stood with a slightly dazed expression.

"Yun-geum?"

Hyun-jong furrowed his brow.

It's Yun-geum, not Yun-am. Yun-geum is currently in charge of Baegmae Hall. If Yun-am had come, it would mean something was happening at Hwasan. If Yun-geum had come, it would mean something was wrong at Baegmae Hall.

But for something to happen at Baegmae Hall that requires the leader to come in person?

And at such an early hour?

"What happened?"

"Sir, please come this way."

Yun-geum's expression was strange. He looked both shocked and repulsed.

'What could have happened?'

Teaching a group of young, undisciplined children is a task that requires a great deal of mental strength. The fact that Yun-geum was chosen for this task speaks to his composure.

Yet even Yun-geum cannot maintain his composure now.

"I will explain in detail when we get there. Sir, you must come and see for yourself."

"Lead the way."

Hyun-jong followed Yun-geum without a word.

It wouldn't be difficult to ask what's going on. But if it's urgent enough for Yun-geum to come like this, it's better to see it for himself.

"Yes, Sir!"

Yun-geum used his lightness skill and led the way. Hyun-jong followed without delay.

'Where are we going?'

Hyun-jong slightly furrowed his brow. Yun-geum was not heading to Baegmae Hall but to Yeonhwa Peak, which is behind Baegmae Hall.

Why Yeonhwa Peak?

But Yun-geum seemed to have no intention of answering his question and continued to climb Yeonhwa Peak with all his might.

'He'll explain when we get there.'

When they reached halfway up Yeonhwa Peak, Hyun-jong saw several third-generation disciples sitting on the ground.

'Huh?'

Why are these children sitting there like that? And why do they all look...

Hyun-jong's eyes widened.

On both sides of the path leading up to Yeonhwa Peak, children were lying on the ground. Even as the leader approached, they couldn't even lift their heads, only panting.

"What, what is this?"

Yun-geum shouted in anger.

"You brats! Can't you show proper respect to the leader?"

"Leave them be."

"Sir, one moment."

"More importantly, why are the children in this state?"

"That... Sir."

Yun-geum glanced around and then turned his head.

"Cheong-myeong! Where is Cheong-myeong?"

Cheong-myeong? Why is that name mentioned here?

Hyun-jong looked at Yun-geum, clearly confused. Cheong-myeong is a new child who recently joined Hwasan. Why is he being called?

"Here, Sir."

Before Hyun-jong could fully process this, a response came.

Instinctively, Hyun-jong turned his head in the direction of the voice, and his eyes widened.

"You, why...? What?"

From behind a tree, Cheong-myeong emerged, looking bizarre.

His face was paler than white paper, his lips were blue, and the dark shadows under his eyes extended almost to his chin.

In short, he didn't look human.

It wouldn't be surprising if he collapsed and died right then and there.

"What happened?"

"I'm sorry, Sir. I overdid the training..."

What kind of nonsense is this?

If someone's training could make them look like that, no one in the martial world would survive. He needs to make more sense.

At that moment, Yun-geum spoke urgently.

"That's not important right now."

Hyun-jong's eyes narrowed instantly.

Not important?

"What are you saying?"

For the head of Baegmae Hall to speak such nonsense!

Baegmae Hall is the future of Hwasan. The third-generation disciples training there are the future pillars of Hwasan. And the head of Baegmae Hall is saying this...

"You need to come and see this. Cheong-myeong found something strange."

"Something strange?"

"Quickly, Sir!"

Yun-geum's attitude was extremely urgent.

'No...'

If someone else had shown this attitude, Hyun-jong would have scolded them immediately. But the person in front of him is Yun-geum, the most composed person in Hwasan, acting like a calf with its tail on fire.

Hyun-jong followed Cheong-myeong and Yun-geum into the bushes as if in a trance.

"What is it...?"

Hyun-jong's words trailed off.

In his field of vision, a patch of dug-up earth and an old box partially buried in it came into view. The box's lid was half-open.

Hyun-jong's eyes grew wider.

He could see it.

Inside the half-open box, something golden was shining. There is only one metal in the world that emits such a golden light.

But what caught Hyun-jong's attention was not just the gold. It was the book next to the gold.

The title of the book was drawing his soul.

"Great Hwasan Sect's Huayin Xianye Business Ledger"

The ridiculously long title and the numbers that followed.

"Th, this...?"

Hyun-jong couldn't regain his composure.

Why is this here? And why is it with the gold?

Standing in front of an unbelievable reality, he was afraid to approach. He feared that if he reached out, the items might disappear like a mirage.

"How did you find this?"

"The child found it."

"The child?"

Hyun-jong's head snapped around. He saw Cheong-myeong, who looked like a walking corpse.

"How did you find this?"

Cheong-myeong, with a half-dead face, struggled to speak.

"In the... in the early morning... I was going to training..."

"What?"

Hyun-jong tilted his head, hearing the mosquito-like voice. Yun-geum then quietly interpreted.

"It seems he climbed Yeonhwa Peak for early morning training."

"Early morning training? When did this start?"

"It's been a while. Since the child arrived."

"Hmm?"

Since the child arrived.

How long has the child been here?

'No, no. That's not important right now.'

The details can be questioned later.

"So, you found this while climbing Yeonhwa Peak for early morning training?"

"Exactly. I was too tired and wanted to rest a bit in the bushes. The spot where I sat felt strangely hard, so I looked at the ground and saw something sticking out. I dug it up and... found this."

"Indeed!"

"But... the items inside were... not ordinary, so I thought it was better to inform the higher-ups of the sect rather than check it myself."

"Speak slowly. Why did you train to the point of looking like a corpse?"

"Training... is the foundation of a martial artist..."

"I, I understand. You should rest for now! I will check it myself."

Hyun-jong swallowed hard and approached the box. He then reached into the box with a trembling hand. His hand did not touch the dazzling gold that had captured everyone's attention but the books next to it.

"Great Hwasan Sect's Huayin Xianye Business Ledger."

Hyun-jong muttered as he took out each book, his voice dazed. His trembling hands revealed how agitated he was.

He couldn't bring himself to open the books. If he clumsily opened them and the old books disintegrated, he would never be able to rest in peace.

"Great Hwasan Sect's Annals."

This was clearly a history book about Hwasan. While it might not have a practical role like a ledger, it could be even more important to the leader of Hwasan.

As Hyun-jong carefully placed the books he had taken out, his eyes caught the title of a book neatly placed below.

"C, C, C..."

His eyes twitched.

"C, Seven Plum Sword Record (七梅劍錄)?"

His whole body trembled.

"T, this... here... this..."

"Sir!"

"R, r, r..."

Hyun-jong's consciousness went blank, and his body fell backward.

"Sir!"

"Snap out of it! Sir!"

As he heard the shouts from all around, Hyun-jong smiled brightly until he lost consciousness.

What came out of the box was not just money and books.

It was hope.