Episode 199: Disciple. Thank you.
Volcano Sect Elders’ Council.
It was the first meeting held after the generational change. The elders of the Hwasanpa, who were in charge of each important position, gathered together.
Chunmaegwanju and Mujin opened their mouths.
“Long-term execution. Everyone is gathered.”
The leader of the Hwasan faction, Mu-Hwi, took the upper seat. Mu-Hwi looked at the empty seat and said.
“What about Mu-cheol? You still haven’t caught them?”
Mu-cheol had gone down the mountain to catch the Sapa master and Hyeol-in-ssang-no who had crossed over from Shanxi to Shaanxi to avoid Baek-ri-se-ga’s pursuit.
Mu-sang answered.
“A letter has arrived saying that Mu-cheol has beheaded those two and is on his way back. He should arrive in two days or so.”
Moohwi nodded and looked at the elders.
“Let’s start the meeting.”
Then, as if he had been waiting, Jaegyeonggakju Mu-ryun opened his mouth.
“Donations from the secular community, incense money from the common people, support from various merchants, especially support from the Cheonryu Merit Group, have greatly expanded, and this year’s budget has also increased. All of the expected amounts have been allocated.”
Mu-Hwi nodded after reading the ledger that Mu-Run had briefly summarized.
“Is it because So-Jeo Im became the head of the household? Compared to the past, the scale is incomparable.”
Im Su-ryeon eventually defeated her brothers and sisters above and below her and became the owner of Cheonryu Sangdan. Since then, the relationship between the Hwasan faction and Cheonryu Sangdan has remained strong.
“Yes. This time, when selecting the three great disciples, the children of the Heavenly Stream Highest Rank will also come as lay disciples, so I guess that means you want us to pay more attention to them.”
When the story of the three great disciples came up, Mu-Hwi looked at Mu-Jin.
“Mujin. How are the preparations for Chunmaegwan going?”
“It’s going smoothly as planned. Since we’ve expanded the Chunmae Hall and other buildings, there should be no problem accepting more people than before.”
“Concentrate on picking out the best rather than picking out the most promising ones. In particular, weed out all the ones who already show yellow buds. Don’t worry about talent, background, or status.”
“Of course.”
From then on, the elders continued to report. Mu-Hwi was quickly dealing with the issues that needed to be dealt with, as if he was performing martial arts.
“Then, are you thinking of creating more Jahadan and Jasodan?”
“Yes. Long sentence. If you have enough money in your budget, wouldn’t it be helpful to future generations if you filled up the elixir?”
Hwaeui-gakju, Muho, glanced at Muhui and Muryun as he spoke. Although he handled all matters of Hwaeui-gak according to his own will, he could not make decisions on matters related to elixir production alone.
Mu-Hwi thought for a moment and looked at Mu-Ryun.
“Is it okay if we add more spare funds to the Hwaeigak?”
Mu-ryun looked through the ledger and nodded.
“Yes. There is no problem. Long sentence. However, the exact cost will be decided after discussion with the head of the peace council.”
It seemed like it would just pass, but Mu-ryun maintained his picky attitude like all the other Jae-gyeong-gak-jus up until now.
‘They say that the death penalty for Murun has become stricter as he gets older.’
Muho let out a short sigh. In order to secure the necessary budget from Jaegyeonggak, they would have to argue for at least one hour.
Moohwi looked over the reported items and narrowed his eyes.
“Musan. Why is the speed of making emergency supplies so slow?”
The spicy sauce made Musan flinch.
“Long execution. It takes some time to release the martial arts and create annotations.”
“Is it that difficult?”
When Moohwi looked at him with an expression of incomprehension, Musan’s head started to spin.
“No, that’s not the problem. The Five-Round Plum Blossom Sword, the Nakhwa Chuyeongjang, the Sanhwa Muyeongsu. As Jang Moon-sa continues to create new martial arts, the work of Maeseo-gak keeps piling up. Sigh.”
Musan, who had been speaking at length, let out a deep sigh.
Among the elders, the one who was bullied the most by Mu-Hui was Musan. When Mu-Hui was bored, he would create martial arts and throw them to other disciples to organize the secrets so that they could learn them too.
For the disciples of Chunmaegwan, including Musan, working all night was now a daily routine.
Moohwi nodded at Musan’s glaring eyes and turned his gaze elsewhere.
“Hmm. I’ll often come over and help you out after work.”
“I know you’ll say that and go practice.”
“This time it’s real.”
The elders’ meeting was almost over.
The last one was a report of the free and uncensored version.
“There is nothing special about the trends and sects in Shaanxi. We are continuously paying attention to the three new sects that have emerged recently.”
Bihwagak is a new organization created by Mu-Hwi during his time as a disciple.
Until now, the Volcano faction has mostly been about opening up information or borrowing the attention of the Sokgamun faction.
So, Moo-Hwi created an organization to supplement the weak information power of the Hwasan faction, systematically manage the Sokgamun faction, and focus on the external activities of the Hwasan faction.
And the favorite wanderer, Musang, took charge of the footnotes. Musang traveled around the world, including Shaanxi, and was in charge of the management of the Sokgamun faction and information.
“There are several invitations to long-term executions, and the dates overlap. You will have to choose one. Where would you like to go?”
Moo-Hwi looked at the three envelopes that Musang had handed him, one by one, and raised the corners of his mouth.
“Of course I have to go here.”
Musang nodded, as if he had expected what Mu-Hwi had chosen.
“Then I will prepare.”
* * *
Geombongsan Mountain.
The place where Geomgwi and Hyeonjo built a hut and trained together. Geombongsan Mountain, where there used to be only an old hut, has changed a lot.
The buildings were lined up along the mountainside, forming a natural fortress, and the spaces between the buildings were teeming with martial artists.
It was because a family that had settled in Geombongsan held an opening ceremony.
“what?”
“There’s suddenly a noise behind me.”
The martial artists who were climbing Geombongsan Mountain suddenly turned their heads when they heard a commotion behind them. Then they were startled.
It was thanks to the Hwasanpa Taoists wearing black robes embroidered with plum blossoms and showing off their dignified demeanor as they climbed the mountain. And ahead of these Taoists, a young man was taking the lead.
“Are you the elders of the Volcano Sect?”
“The elders are showing up in such large numbers.”
“But who is that person who is at the very front of the elders?”
Someone’s question made the surrounding martial artists gasp in shock and keep their mouths shut.
“Review Index? Did you come from some secluded training in the mountains? You are the head of the Hwasan faction!”
“Seonghyanggeomshin! How young…”
“He’s not old. He’s a warrior who has maintained his position as the best in the world since he was very young.”
The martial artists muttered as they watched the backs of the Hwasanpa masters moving away.
“Dokgo Geom-gwi is definitely amazing. The leaders of the Daemun sects are showing up one after another like this.”
“Dokgo Geom-gwi has been traveling around the world since he was young. I know he has made many connections while doing so.”
As the Hwasanpa group passed through the main gate, they saw familiar faces.
“Oh. Jang Moon-in! You’re here now?”
Moohwi also smiled faintly as he looked at those who welcomed him.
“The heads of the household.”
Baekri Sang, Namgung Gak, and Peng Hoyeon welcomed Mu-Hwi. Just as Mu-Hwi became the head of a clan, they also became the heads of small clans and each led their own clans.
“Jang Moon-in still doesn’t age.”
“When I see Jang Moon-in, for some reason, I feel like I’ve gone back to my post-index days.”
At the words of the masters, Moohwi smiled and looked at Peng Hoyeon.
“Peng Gaju. Belated congratulations.”
“Thank you. I’m sure your grandfather will be happy.”
Now, the current martial arts world was called the Four Great Families, not the Three Great Families. And the newly created fourth position was taken by the Habuk Peng family.
“Wow, everyone’s gathered here. It’s been a while.”
Moohwi and the other family members turned their heads at the sound of a voice coming from afar, smiled, and saluted.
Sacheondangga Taesanggaju Danggiho walked slowly and smiled.
“I feel really awkward being around young people.”
“Has the Supreme Lord come too? I heard that the Tang Lord has come too.”
At Moo-Hwi’s words, Dang-Gi-Ho nodded his head with a smile.
“It’s not someone else’s invitation, but the invitation of the Sword Ghost, so I have to come. Sacheon has received so much help from Dokgohoe. It would have been better if Dokgohoe had settled in Sacheon instead of here.”
Since then, many people have gathered around Mu-Hwi. He was the best in the world and the leader of the best swordsmanship in the world, so there were many people who wanted to at least get their hands on him.
After meeting countless people, Moo-Hwi was finally able to meet the person who brought Moo-Hwi and the other Hwasanpa elders to Geombongsan.
“Jang Moon-in! And elders. Welcome.”
Dokgo Yul was delighted to see Mu-Hwi and the elders of the Hwasan faction.
“I guess I should call you Gaju now.”
Moo-Hwi smiled at Dokgo Yul, and Dokgo Yul smiled back.
“Death penalty!”
The elders who were exchanging greetings with Dokgo Yul all turned their heads at once at the welcoming voice. Moohwa, who had been seen from afar, unfolded his incense stick and landed right next to Dokgo Yul.
Muhwa was wearing a reddish brown uniform, the same color as the martial arts uniform Dokgo Yul was wearing, rather than the Hwasanpa uniform.
“It looks good.”
Mujin smiled as he looked at Dokgo Yul and Muhwa standing next to each other, and Mucheol nodded next to him.
Moo-hwa eventually married Dokgo Yul.
That’s why he had to change his disciple from a main temple disciple to a lay disciple, but the Hwasan sect was not a sect with such a strict boundary between the main temple and the secular world, and since he only needed to get permission from the head monk, the process went smoothly.
“Now, the Bigwang Swordsman who used to stir up troubles all over the world will quietly stay in Geombongsan.”
“Yes, Muhwa. Now, help Dokgo Daehyeop and do your job as the hostess properly. Since this is the beginning of a new family, your role will be very important.”
Muhwa snickered at the nagging of Musan and Muho.
“Even if the death row inmates don’t say anything, they know everything?”
Moo-hwa smiled brightly as she looked at the elders, including Moo-hui.
“Death rowers, thank you so much for coming.”
“It was only after Mu-hwa got married that he came to his senses.”
“That’s right. It’s nice to hear thank you from the youngest.”
Mu-ryun and Mu-sang looked at each other and laughed heartily.
Moohwi said while looking at Dokgo Yul and Moohwa.
“When the child turns ten, bring him to the volcano. I will personally wash him.”
“As expected, it’s a long sentence!”
The atmosphere among the brothers who met after a long time was extremely harmonious.
The opening ceremony went smoothly.
After all the ceremony was over, the guests gathered at the main gate. Dokgo Yul opened his mouth in front of the guests.
“As everyone knows, the original family began as a gathering of lonely people without a home, hometown, family, or friends. Although these lonely people were not related by blood, they were united under one surname. This was to protect their new hometown, family, and home.”
Dokgo Yul looked at Moohwi.
“That’s why the name of our family was taken from the name of Dokgohoe. Thankfully, the head of the Hwasanpa clan gave us a signboard with that name engraved on it.”
As Dokgo Yul nodded, the servants moved the signboard with red faces. They hung the signboard on the main gate and untied the silk covering it.
The eyes of the martial artists who saw this narrowed.
“hmm?”
“There’s nothing written on the sign?”
“Was there a mistake?”
As the martial artists were making a fuss, Mu-Hwi stepped forward.
“This signboard is made of pure iron. It will not be easily damaged.”
The martial artists were amazed at Moohwi’s words.
Seeing this, Moo-Hwi pulled out the Shimyeong sword from his waist. As soon as the best sword in the world, Seonghyang Geomsin, pulled out his sword, the room was instantly swallowed up in silence.
“I hope that this family, which is starting anew like this signboard, will not break or fade, and will keep the meaning contained in its name for a long time.”
The sword of the mind began to move smoothly.
Even though the sword energy was not applied, a gentle sword mark began to appear on the signboard according to the gesture of the martial artist. The martial artists could only stare at this sight with their eyes wide open.
Even though I was leaving marks on the Hyuncheol signboard with my sword, I didn’t hear the slightest sound that would pierce my ears. It was as if I had just struck an ordinary piece of wood with my sword, not the Hyuncheol signboard.
The martial artists quietly admired Mu-Hwi’s swordplay.
Moohwi put his heart and soul into every single letter.
Within, the sword marks that Mu-Hwi left on the signboard of Hyeon-Cheol became bold and heroic handwriting and took up the signboard.
A lonely family.
When those four letters appeared in the eyes of the martial artists, Dokgo Yul gave them a lottery.
“I, the head of the Dokgo family, would like to express my gratitude to all of you who have watched the beginning of the Dokgo family together.”
The martial artists also paid respect to Dokgo Yul’s greeting.
* * *
“How much have you learned about Dokgo Gugeom?”
“I am currently practicing the last step, but it is still lacking.”
Moohwi nodded.
“The last one is not an easy one to learn. You should organize your own insights and leave them in the Dokgo family.”
“Yes, Master.”
Moohwi said while looking at Dokgo Se-ga, which is located on Geombongsan Mountain.
“It’s pretty good.”
Moo-Hwi and Dokgo Yul were looking around the grounds of Dokgo Se-Ga alone.
“If you’re going to do it, you have to do it right. Starting a family is no easy task, so I’ve finally been able to do it.”
Even when the world of martial arts was at peace, Dokgohoe never rested. There was no place in the world of martial arts that Dokgohoe did not visit. Dokgo Yul succeeded in finally settling Dokgohoe, who had been wandering around without a fixed place, in one place.
Dokgo Yul pointed to a small pavilion in the middle of a quiet garden.
“Master, please go over there.”
Mu-Hwi and Dok-Go-Yul walked around the pond and stood in front of the pavilion.
“Investigation? You’ve already created a place like this before you’re even dead?”
Mu-Hwi, who entered the Josajeon (祖師展), looked at the only ancestral tablet inside the hall.
Dokgoheon (Lonely and lonely).
“The highest position in the investigation of Dokgo Se-ga should be held by you, not me.”
A name now forgotten.
Dokgo Yul was the only one who remembered.
“I found myself joining the family you created.”
“Yes. Isn’t that Dokgo’s family?”
“I see.”
Moo-Hwi stared intently at Dokgo-Heon’s memorial tablet.
Then he said softly.
“Thank you, disciple.”
“No problem.”
The priests stood shoulder to shoulder and looked at the ancestral tablet.
