Chapter 76

Chapter 75. It seems something about the Fire Mountain has changed. (5)

Baitian's beaming face seemed to have come straight out of a painting.

While he couldn't be described as perfectly handsome, he had a certain charm that drew people in.

'This is the same feeling I got from a few guys back then.'

Like that Namgung family's pretty boy... or that bald guy from Shaolin who gave off a similar vibe.

In other words,

'He's a prodigy, alright.'

Of course, he can't be compared to those guys, but among the mediocre bunch in this declining Fire Mountain, he stands out as a cut above the rest. I'm curious as to why such a guy would crawl into this collapsing place.

The problem is that this prodigy is currently clinging to Qingming's ankle.

"What do you mean?"

Let's play it off for now.

"Do you know something?"

"I have no idea."

"Oh, really?"

Baitian tilted his head slightly. It seemed more like a deliberate act to provoke Qingming rather than genuine confusion.

"That's strange. We seem to know each other. When did you join the sect, by the way?"

Yunjong, standing next to Qingming, answered for him.

"Younger Master, this is a disciple who joined while you were away from Fire Mountain. You probably haven't seen him before."

"Hmm, I see. I see."

Baitian smiled.

"Despite that, you seem to be quite close to them. As the eldest brother, it's good to take care of the younger ones, isn't it?"

"Yes, Younger Master."

Yunjong answered in an awkward voice. Baitian nodded, as if reading something from his response.

"It seems we have a connection. Even though we just met, you feel familiar. I think we'll see each other often. What's your name?"

"Qingming."

"I'm Baitian. Remember my name well."

At that moment, a firm voice cut in.

"The Sect Leader is waiting. How can you engage in such idle chatter?"

"Ah, I'm sorry. Just a moment."

Baitian bowed slightly to Yunjian and gave Qingming a nod. Then he turned and joined the formation heading towards the training ground.

Zhaoge watched the scene and whispered to Qingming.

"Have you seen Younger Master Baitian before?"

"No."

Even if I had, I'd say no.

"Be careful. Baitian is the eldest among the senior disciples. He's an incredible person."

"Incredible?"

"Yes, he is."

Yunjong added to Zhaoge's words.

"He's known as the 'First Prodigy of Fire Mountain.' People say he's the one who will revive the declining Fire Mountain."

"First Prodigy of Fire Mountain?"

I've heard that term a lot before. When I was... a snot-nosed brat, people around me used to say that a lot.

But soon, I became the 'First Loafer of Fire Mountain.'

"Wasn't it Zhaoge who was the First Prodigy of Fire Mountain?"

"What are you talking about? Listen to me!"

Zhaoge's face turned bright red.

"Baitian is someone I can't even hope to match."

"Ah, right, right. A sense of defeat is a good thing. It makes you humble."

"Huh?"

"No, Younger Master."

Qingming watched Baitian walking ahead with a subtle expression.

'Cut above the rest.'

It's a good phrase. A very good phrase.

But in reality, it's not such a good thing.

A white stork is natural when it's among other white storks. But a white stork among crows is an unnatural sight.

And in most cases...

'It means there's a flaw.'

Qingming, slightly intrigued, continued to observe Baitian while Yunjong kept explaining.

"Actually, Baitian's Taiyi Miri Sword has almost reached the level of perfection. I heard the elders have high expectations for him. Some even say they're considering passing on the Bukho Cheongyang Sword to him, despite his young age."

"Hmm."

It seems Baitian is the one the sect is pushing the hardest among the senior disciples.

'That must be incredibly annoying.'

The past Qingming felt the same way.

Why do they have to push so hard? Others practice moderately and then go rest, but Qingming had to endure the elders and the younger masters nagging at him. Even the Grandmaster... well, he never missed a chance.

It's understandable, though.

The reputation of a sect is built over history, but the rise and fall of the current generation often depends on a single expert.

Even a small or medium-sized sect can attract many disciples if it produces a renowned expert. Conversely, a large sect with a long history and tradition will decline if it fails to produce experts worthy of its name.

The only way for the declining Fire Mountain to turn things around is to produce a recognized expert. Just one. Just one person can change the situation.

'Of course, that was before I came.'

Now, what's the big deal?

I have plenty of money, after all.

"The younger masters are really like paintings, aren't they?"

"Exactly. I doubt I could ever catch up to them in my lifetime."

"They're impressive and strong."

Qingming looked at them with a hopeless expression.

'Are their eyes full of holes?'

'Impressive' is subjective. People have different tastes, and Qingming is a fair person who doesn't impose his preferences on others.

But 'strong' is a different matter.

'If they're strong, there must be no weaklings in the Central Plains.'

"Even a decent younger master would be enough to beat them, right?"

Qingming's comment made Zhaoge laugh in disbelief.

"What nonsense."

"...Oh, right."

Younger Master.

Grandmaster.

I hear such things from them. If you have a conscience, come down and say something! Am I supposed to live with this injustice?

Other immortals give advice when they come to the mortal world. What did I do to deserve this? Why can't I become an immortal and get some advice?

What?

You mean even if I become an immortal, you won't support me?

Damn!

While Qingming was bickering with his fellow disciples, the white-robed disciples had already formed their ranks.

"Huh?"

And a person ran from the hall side, not the mountain gate side, to join the ranks.

Qingming narrowed his eyes.

'That's also a white-robed disciple.'

Yu... Yu what was it? Anyway, Yu something.

Due to some strange connection, he couldn't help but pay attention. Surely, he didn't start spouting nonsense in just one day, did he?

Qingming frowned and looked at Yu Yixue, and Zhaoge smiled slyly.

"Come to think of it, you haven't seen Yu Yixue before, have you?"

"Who?"

"Yes. Yu Yixue. You can't take your eyes off him when you first see him. He's so beautiful."

"Grandmaster."

"Hmm?"

"Do you have any cinnamon or pepper powder?"

"Why?"

"I need to sprinkle it in my ears. Hearing such words from Younger Master Zhaoge makes my ears feel greasy."

You can't be that smooth.

Yunjong nodded vigorously.

"Finally, we agree. If I find some, I'll give you some."

"Thank you."

Zhaoge's face twisted.

"What did I say wrong? Not many people know Yu Yixue. After a few trips to the Jianghu, he'll be the top beauty in Shanxi, for sure."

Zhaoge boasted, and Qingming sighed deeply.

"This sect is all about the 'First Prodigy of Fire Mountain' and the 'Top Beauty of Shanxi.' If someone unfamiliar with it hears this, they might think we're planning to conquer Shanxi."

"But it's true."

Zhaoge pointed at Yu Yixue.

"Admit it, he's beautiful, right?"

"Hmm..."

Before Qingming could respond, Zhaoge cut in.

"But forget it. Yu Yixue has a thing for Younger Master Baitian."

"...Younger Master."

"Hmm?"

Qingming sighed deeply.

"Instead of worrying about other people's love lives, wouldn't it be better to practice your sword skills more? If you did, you might have made a name for yourself by now."

"You don't have to be so harsh."

"Let's stop this."

Qingming looked at Zhaoge with a disdainful expression and turned away.

Thinking about it, he claimed to be a 'Yixue,' and it seems he is one. Qingming joined the ranks and stared at Yu Yixue standing there.

After the white-robed disciples finished forming their ranks, the Sect Leader, who had been watching, smiled warmly.

"You've all worked hard. Was the training not too difficult?"

Baitian, representing the white-robed disciples, spoke up.

"Sect Leader, it wasn't difficult at all. Knowing that our training supports the foundation of the sect, how could we say it was difficult?"

"Did you achieve any results?"

Baitian smiled.

"We realized that the path of the sword is endless, no matter how deep we delve. However, we did return with some achievements that would make our pre-training selves look foolish."

"That's good."

Xianzong turned to Xianying.

"Jingjiao."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"Since the Fire Mountain disciples have completed their arduous training, it's only right to hold a feast to celebrate their hard work, isn't it?"

"What did they do to deserve a... No, no, of course, we should."

"..."

Xianzong looked at Xianying with a subtle expression.

'This disciple seems to have become a bit strange lately.'

More precisely, since the incident with the Galaxy Merchant Group, he's been saying strange things more frequently. It's hard to tell if his personality has changed or if he's just letting loose after holding back for too long.

"I've already prepared a feast. It should be enough to ease their fatigue."

"Good."

Xianzong looked at the white-robed disciples.

"I have much to say, but it wouldn't be right to keep those who have traveled far. If there's nothing special to say, let's end it here."

"...Sect Leader. May I ask a question, though it may be presumptuous?"

Xianzong clearly wanted to end the event quickly, but Baitian didn't seem to mind.

"Ask away."

"It's been a while since I've been back to Fire Mountain, and the scenery seems to have changed. I'm curious about what happened."

"Good things have happened. Thanks to them, we were able to renovate the exterior."

It was a soft but decisive answer. After hearing this, it was hard to ask what those 'good things' were.

"You must have many questions, but there's plenty of time to hear the stories."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"Yunyan."

"Yes."

Yunyan, who was standing by Xianzong, stood respectfully.

"Help the hardworking disciples ease their fatigue."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

Xianzong nodded and turned his head.

"Qingming!"

"..."

Qingming's face slightly distorted.

'Why does this guy keep targeting me more and more?'

There's nothing special happening today.

"Yes! Sect Leader!"

Qingming shuffled out from among the third-generation disciples.

"Come to my quarters for a moment. I have something to tell you."

"Again?"

Baitian, who had been watching the situation, had his eyes pop out.

'Again... Again?'

Again to the Sect Leader?

Baitian suspected he had misheard, but it seemed he hadn't. The other senior disciples, who were in formation, all had the same expression.

But what was truly incomprehensible was that no one else, except the senior disciples, showed any reaction.

If someone had spoken such nonsense to the Sect Leader, they would deserve to be torn apart!

Yet, even the Sect Leader just smiled.

"Would you come if I prepared some sweets?"

"Ugh. Yes, I understand. I'll come right away."

Xianzong led Qingming to his quarters with a pleased expression.

Baitian, who had been silently watching, turned to Yunjian with a bewildered look.

"Master. What's with that kid...?"

"Hmm."

Yunjian smiled kindly.

"I think it's better for your mental health to just ignore it."

"Huh?"

"Especially for you."

Yunjian shrugged and turned.

"Unpack your things and come to the dining hall. Don't be late."

"...Yes."

Baitian felt the strange sense of disharmony he had been feeling since earlier growing stronger.

'Something about Fire Mountain has changed.'

It might just be because it's been a while since he was here and he feels a bit awkward. But one thing is certain.

Baitian's gaze followed the Sect Leader and Qingming, who were walking away.

"Hmm."

He narrowed his eyes, as if something was bothering him.