Heavenly Demon Cultivation Simulation-Chapter 449: A Noble Guest Of Qingcheng (3)

When it comes to scenic spots in Qingcheng, there are a few, but the place with the lake view is the best, which is the Moonlight Lake.

Under the blue mountain birds, watching the quietly flowing waterway can greatly help in cultivating one’s mind.

On the cliff rock that overlooks the Moonlight Lake at a glance, two people were sitting side by side.

Their gazes were on the river, but somehow they seemed comfortable, as if looking at each other.

“To be honest, I’m a bit embarrassed. To talk about the life of a frequency unknown even in Qingcheng in front of a Taoist of Wudang…”

He refused several times to bring up his own story.

He couldn’t understand why anyone would want to hear about just another Taoist who hadn’t even properly established himself in the Qingcheng Sect.

“I seem to have overstepped. If my suggestion was unpleasant to you…”

“That’s not it.”

“……?”

“I am telling you this because my life is rather insignificant, and I fear you might be disappointed.”

It could have been a self-reproach about his life, difficult to admit to someone.

Nevertheless, Seol-Hwi wanted to hear it.

The many hardships he faced in this life.

Wasn’t it the actual life of Cheong Heo, which he had not lived?

To break the ice, this time Seol-Hwi opened up first.

“You may not believe it, but there weren’t many days of light in my life either. I lamented my lack of talent. Struggling against an unavoidable fate, worldly and selfish. Just a weak human being.”

“That can’t be true. Though I may not have ears to hear, aren’t you the disciple who came with the Great Sword Master of the era? Perhaps you set your expectations too high?”

“If you hear about the journey I’ve lived, you’ll understand. I’m much more lacking than I appear.”

“Hmm.”

Did Cheong Heo sense something in Seol-Hwi’s reply?

Cheong Heo did not ask further.

Instead, he nodded as if there was something relatable.

It’s like seeing a swan gliding gracefully on the water, not noticing the paddling beneath.

“Talking about life is trite, but there’s something I’ve recently realized.”

Did Cheong Heo feel a bit closer after hearing Seol-Hwi’s inner thoughts?

Cheong Heo spoke with a noticeably calmer gaze.

“What is it?”

“It’s that I’ve realized things about myself too late.”

“……?”

“As I set the direction of my life and ran toward it, I thought it would be a satisfying life, even if I didn’t reach the end. But now, looking back, I realize I missed something truly important. The motivation that can halt human satisfaction is, ultimately, hope. Knowing that has left me feeling bitter.”

Seol-Hwi listened quietly to Cheong Heo’s story.

As he waited silently, Cheong Heo began to speak more candidly.

He wanted to be a Taoist whose name would be remembered in Qingcheng, rather than just fading away.

So as he devoted himself to training, he suddenly realized there was no one to share countless memories with.

“Not being able to share knowledge with other Taoists is also an unfortunate thing, which I realized too late. In the end, looking back on my life, only regret remains. In truth, this situation is all of my own making.”

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Cheong Heo was saying that the hardships he faced in Qingcheng were ultimately brought upon by himself.

The slow progress, and the inability to nurture a disciple, were all his own fault.

‘The master’s temperament must have played a part.’

To Seol-Hwi, his master was a person filled with affection.

However, sometimes the way he conveyed warmth was expressed differently from his own thoughts.

In fact, most masters of the Nine Great Sect are like that. Looking more closely, the martial arts of the Justice Faction sects were like that.

They hope to teach one and have you realize three.

“So even if it’s late, I’m going to try.”

“……What?”

Seol-Hwi, who was listening quietly, asked again. He didn’t immediately understand the meaning of trying.

“You saw earlier, didn’t you? The Taoist who was training. That child is my First Disciple.”

“If it’s that child…….”

“Hyuk Jin. The Second Disciple.”

‘Ah!’

Seol-Hwi showed an unexpected reaction.

Hyuk Jin, of all people.

On the other hand, it was intriguing.

If that’s the case, then the original world was… No, the true life of Cheong Heo was meant to flow this way.

“He’s still clumsy, but he’s quite usable. It would have been nice if he had realized a bit sooner while my body was still healthy… But now, I am living very happily.”

At Cheong Heo’s words, Seol-Hwi glanced briefly at the Moonlight Lake.

Come to think of it, Cheong Heo’s nature was indeed to give love to everyone.

Even if he wasn’t there, and even if the disciple wasn’t exceptional.

In the end, he would somehow live a life of giving love.

‘Then, does he become a disciple?’

Of course, it only applied to Seol-Hwi, who had lived countless lives, but it didn’t feel bad.

Hyuk Jin.

He had never complained even while attending to his master.

In some ways, it felt like descending like the roots of a tree, rather than the clear brightness of bright stone.

The idea of the child’s development, which is the center of Qingcheng, somehow made him feel good.

“Could I possibly make a request, without regard to propriety?”

“……What is it?”

Cheong Heo paused for a moment. After seemingly making up his mind, he continued speaking.

“Actually, I haven’t been able to see well lately. It started when my health began to deteriorate. Above all, my physical strength has significantly declined.”

“……”

“As a result, I am having difficulty teaching Hyuk Jin. Since I can’t see well, I can’t ensure he’s training properly. In such a situation, it would be good if I could at least demonstrate, but as you can see, I’m in this condition……”

He mentioned the parts he was concerned about, meeting Seol-Hwi’s gaze.

“Please do not misunderstand. What I will teach is not the secret techniques of Qingcheng, but basic skills that can be commonly found in the marketplace, so it shouldn’t be a problem. I am aware that it is an unreasonable request, so even if you refuse…”

“I will do it.”

“…!”

A slight tremor appeared on Cheong Heo’s face.

He too must have known that it was an absurd request.

Yet, he seemed unprepared for such an immediate acceptance.

Seol-Hwi spoke.

“Today, I heard about the Qingcheng Sect, not just any sect, and about a master who supports Qingcheng. How can I remain still?”

“It was merely the story of a nameless monk. Do not put too much meaning into it.”

“It held great significance for me.”

Elder Cheong Heo hesitated momentarily at Seol-Hwi’s gaze.

He looked at Moonlight Lake again, his gaze subtly changed.

Although he didn’t respond, Seol-Hwi thought that reaction alone was sufficient.

Around evening.

Seol-Hwi was taking a short rest in the guest room prepared for him at Qingcheng.

Usually, there is a room called Guesthouse for external guests, but this place was a bit different.

It was a newly constructed old building reserved only for famous figures.

Perhaps because of that, the room was spacious and had several parts.

“You have arrived.”

Seol-Hwi warmly welcomed Training Hall Leader Jin Mu, who entered through the door.

However, his expression was not good.

He looked as if he had been troubled all day.

“Don’t even mention it. From the Ceremonial Hall to the peaks, I visited Great Bird Hall, and even climbed the huge peaks. I barely managed to refuse their request to continue talking and came back.”

“Heh heh. That’s a relief. There are many famous Taoist temples in Qingcheng, and there might be places you haven’t visited yet.”

“If you’re going to talk about horrible things, I’m leaving. I’m here to save the world, not to explore the culture of Qingcheng.”

The Training Hall Leader Jin Mu waved his hand.

His actions showed how much the elders of Qingcheng wanted to boast about this place to the Training Hall Leader Jin Mu.

As a result, he looked even more exhausted than when he was rushing here every day without rest.

“Well, just make some reasonable excuses. Due to your status, they won’t force you.”

“Exactly. From tomorrow, I won’t be dragged around.”

The Training Hall Leader Jin Mu clenched his fists and looked out the window.

Watching him, he seemed like a pure child throwing a tantrum, which made Seol-Hwi smile for no reason.

“By the way… was your matter resolved well?”

When the Training Hall Leader Jin Mu changed the topic, Seol-Hwi nodded.

“Well, rather than being resolved well… Still, I was glad to learn a lot about my master.”

“Is that so? Then that’s a relief.”

He paused for a moment before continuing.

“And everything was just as you said.”

“…?”

“The martial arts tournament of the three sects, I mean. I heard discussions are already underway?”

“Did you mention such things to the Jinmu Hall Master?”

“Because it was necessary. They said I should actively mediate.”

‘Ah.’

Only then did Seol-Hwi understand those words.

If he were a representative figure of Wudang.

Naturally, there would be a desire for him to shine at such a grand event.

Moreover, in the unlikely event of an accident or in situations where it’s difficult to determine victory or defeat, a mediator would be needed.

It was a story possible because it was the Wudang.

“What do you think I should do?”

“You should participate.”

“Stay here for a month?”

“We have that much time.”

“And what about you?”

“I plan to train Cheong Heo’s disciple, a child named Hyuk Jin.”

“Ah, I see.”

Jin Mu looked as if he remembered.

Then he spoke again.

“I believe anything is possible if you step up, but I’ve heard some formidable talents are participating in this tournament.”

“You mean Master Deok Myung of the Kongtong Sect and Master Mu Jong of Kunlun.”

“You know them too, I see. Isn’t there someone in Qingcheng as well?”

“Seok Jong and Seok Kang.”

“Yes.”

Jin Mu continued with a more serious expression.

“The skills of those four seem to have surpassed their peaks. Can the child named Hyuk Jin really endure your teaching?”

“Heok Jin will not fight with those kids. Initially, I planned to have him participate in the first-class disciple martial arts tournament, but now I’ve changed my mind.”

“…Why?”

“There will be a tournament among the second-class disciples. The timing and ages match perfectly.”

“Ah.”

Training Hall Leader Jin Mu understood.

Unlike the Wudang Sect, most of their second-class disciples were in their late teens or twenties.

Naturally, there wouldn’t be opponents of that level.

“However, I might need to be away for a few days.”

“…Why?”

“I need to procure some spiritual medicine.”

“For that child?”

“Yes.”

He nodded.

“Then, would you endure for a few days?”

“Ah… I can’t do it anymore. The main issue here is that there are just too many people.”

“Since you’ve become a sahyung, you should manage that much…”

“Ha… Is there such a thing?”

“Then I’ll trust you and be on my way.”

“Are you leaving now?”

“With about a month left until the tournament, there is no time.”

Seol-Hwi left after saying those words.

Jin Mu stared for a while at the direction Seol-Hwi exited, then shook his head.

“Really. I can’t figure out what that person is thinking.”

Despite his complaints, he soon regained his composure.

This was the noticeable change after reaching Profound State.

There were not many emotional fluctuations.