Chapter 794: Only He Holds the Value (4)

"Master!"

At the sound of someone calling him, Heo Do-jin turned his head. His brow furrowed slightly at the sight.

Approaching them were men clad in black martial robes, followed by others dressed in green and blue. It was a strange and unusual combination, but Heo Do-jin immediately recognized who they were.

"Mount Hua…"

A suppressed voice slipped out of Heo Do-jin's lips. In the current martial world, only the Mount Hua Sect could make such an audacious and loud appearance.

He had the unfortunate luck of encountering Mount Hua on his way to Black Dragon Stronghold, a situation he’d rather have avoided.

"…What shall we do?"

Heo San-ja asked, watching Heo Do-jin’s reaction carefully. In response, Heo Do-jin’s eyes glinted.

“There’s no reason to avoid them. We’ve committed no crime.”

A slight smile tugged at the corner of Heo Do-jin’s lips.

Now that he thought about it, he hadn’t seen Mount Hua directly since the martial arts competition. He’d only heard rumors and reports since then.

‘I need to see it for myself.’

Heo Do-jin made up his mind and gave a short command.

"Heo San."

"Yes, Master."

"I will meet the Mount Hua Sect."

"…Is that necessary, Master?"

Heo San-ja hesitated, trying to dissuade him.

It wasn’t that he found meeting Mount Hua troublesome. In the martial world, unorthodox sects were known for their clear hierarchies, but orthodox sects also had their unspoken rules of rank and respect. Wudang’s reputation and strength far surpassed Mount Hua’s. Based on martial etiquette, it was Mount Hua that should be approaching Wudang, not the other way around. If Heo Do-jin were to initiate the encounter, it could inadvertently bolster Mount Hua’s status.

Sensing Heo San-ja’s concerns, Heo Do-jin spoke with mild disapproval.

"Are you still caught up in such trivial matters?"

"…Master, but…"

"Enough of these empty formalities. What matters is what we gain from this."

Seeing his determination, Heo San-ja could only reluctantly nod in agreement.

Once Heo Do-jin made a decision, there was no point in debating further.

"Let’s go."

"Yes, Master."

As Heo Do-jin shifted direction, the disciples of Wudang immediately followed, moving toward Mount Hua.

Meanwhile, Hyun Jong, who had been observing the situation, let out a quiet groan.

‘Hmm…’

The aura emanating from Wudang’s elite disciples weighed heavily on him.

‘Wudang…’

These were not just any ordinary martial artists. They had real combat experience. While they weren’t purposely trying to intimidate, their mere presence was enough to cast a dense, overwhelming atmosphere.

"They’re coming, Sect Leader."

"I see them."

Hyun Jong swallowed nervously, watching Wudang’s approach.

In the past, he might not have had the courage to face the leader of Wudang directly. But Mount Hua wasn’t the same sect it once was, and neither was Hyun Jong. As the leader of both the Mount Hua Sect and the Heavenly Alliance, he had to present himself confidently.

‘However…’

Cold sweat trickled down his back.

While his position had changed, so too had Wudang’s view of him. The sharp gaze from Heo Do-jin bore down on him, a reminder of just how much weight their interaction carried.

And then—

"What do they think they’ll gain by creeping over here like that?"

A voice broke through the tense atmosphere, catching Hyun Jong off guard. He turned slightly to find Chung Myung standing behind him, hands casually behind his head, staring nonchalantly at the Wudang group.

"…Chung Myung."

"They must be desperate. In the past, they’d just ignore us and walk on by."

"……."

"Sect Leader."

"Yes?"

"Don’t be too harsh on them. They’re probably stressed to death these days. We should show some kindness, considering that, in a way, they’re our juniors."

"……."

Hyun Jong couldn’t help but let out a chuckle at Chung Myung’s absurd words.

Only Chung Myung could refer to Wudang in such a dismissive tone. Even the abbot of Shaolin wouldn’t dare belittle Wudang so casually.

Still, Chung Myung’s nonchalance somehow dispelled the suffocating pressure that had been building. Hyun Jong felt a little lighter and could now face Heo Do-jin with a calmer expression.

As the two groups drew closer, both sides naturally slowed their steps. Heo Do-jin’s gait became more measured as he approached Hyun Jong.

Hyun Jong placed his hands together, performing the formal martial arts greeting.

"I greet the Master of Wudang."

"I am Heo Do-jin of Wudang. Greetings, Master of Mount Hua."

Heo Do-jin responded with the same gesture, bowing his head slightly before looking up with a pleasant smile.

"It has been a long time since the martial arts competition, hasn’t it, Master?"

"Indeed. It is an honor to meet you again."

After exchanging customary greetings, Heo Do-jin smiled warmly.

"Back then, I never imagined Mount Hua would rise to such prominence. Congratulations."

"You flatter us. No matter how high Mount Hua’s reputation might rise, we could never compare to Wudang, the guiding light of the martial world. We were simply fortunate."

"Hahaha. Excessive humility can be just as dangerous, Master. You are now the leader of the Heavenly Alliance. If you call it luck, the other members of the alliance might feel discouraged."

"I have only been given this position because of the goodwill of others. If the decision were based on merit, I wouldn’t be standing here. It’s a burden that weighs heavily on my shoulders."

Listening to the conversation, Jo Gul whispered to Yoon Jong.

"Senior Brother, their words are so polite, but why does it feel like a dangerous game?"

"Gul."

"Yes?"

"Shut up. If you cause any trouble here, I’ll grind your bones to dust."

"…Got it."

Jo Gul clamped his mouth shut with both hands.

At that moment, Heo Do-jin’s gaze shifted to the group behind Hyun Jong.

"If I may ask, who are those standing behind you?"

"They are from the Green Forest’s Seventy-two Strongholds."

"…I see."

Heo Do-jin simply nodded without further comment.

Hyun Jong, who had been expecting some form of criticism, looked at him with mild surprise.

He hadn’t anticipated Heo Do-jin to let the matter slide so easily.

"Why do you ask?"

"I just assumed you might feel the need to explain."

At Hyun Jong’s question, Heo Do-jin smiled.

"Surely, it’s because you possess such great virtue that even bandits of the Green Forest have chosen to follow you. I can only admire such a feat. Despite my lifelong pursuit of the Way, I doubt I could ever match your influence."

"…You are too kind."

Hyun Jong, slightly flustered by the unexpected compliment, bowed his head.

Heo Do-jin, still smiling, turned his attention to the disciples of Mount Hua.

‘Sharp.’

The aura that the Mount Hua disciples exuded was no less impressive than that of Wudang’s. While their energy lacked the weight and depth of Wudang’s, it was fresh and free-spirited.

‘When did heaviness and seriousness become the hallmarks of the Dao?’

The thought crept into Heo Do-jin’s mind, surprising even him.

‘The Dao was never meant to be something that binds us.’

After a brief moment of reflection, Heo Do-jin nodded solemnly and looked at Hyun Jong.

"Back in Wuhan…"

The mention of Wuhan made Hyun Jong’s face tighten.

The martial arts competition in Wuhan had been a glorious memory for Mount Hua, but it had been a bitter defeat for Wudang. And now, Heo Do-jin was bringing it up again in front of Mount Hua’s leader.

"My disciples were disgraced there, and I admit I was quite upset."

"…It was merely luck."

Hyun Jong responded cautiously, but Heo Do-jin’s expression remained calm.

"I had thought so myself. But seeing your disciples now, I realize it wasn’t just luck."

Heo Do-jin once again bowed respectfully to Hyun Jong.

"I have learned much, Master of Mount Hua."

"Please, don’t say such things. I have done nothing."

"If it weren’t for your leadership, Mount Hua wouldn’t be where it is today."

Just as Hyun Jong was about to respond with further humility, Heo Do-jin’s sharp gaze locked onto someone else in the group.

"Isn’t that right, Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon?"

"Well, our Sect Leader is pretty amazing."

"Haha. That’s exactly what I thought."

"As expected of Wudang’s leader! You’ve got a sharp eye. You can tell greatness when you see it!"

"Hahaha!"

"Hehehehe!"

The two of them laughed together, as if they were on the same wavelength.

However, beneath their smiles, their eyes remained sharp, each carefully studying the other.

"I heard you defeated Heo Gong?"

"Yes, with skill."

"……."

Heo Do-jin glanced briefly at Hyun Jong, but the sect leader had already turned his gaze to the sky, hands clasped behind his back, as if to say, ‘This is out of my hands now.’

"With skill… Indeed. Heo Gong wasn’t someone who could be defeated by luck."

"He was formidable."

"And the one who beat him must be even more formidable."

"Well, I wasn’t going to say it, but since you brought it up, yes. Ahem!"

"……."

Heo Do-jin scanned the faces of the Mount Hua disciples, but none of them dared to meet his gaze. After all, who wouldn’t feel embarrassed watching their fellow disciple act so shamelessly in front of Wudang’s leader?

‘I wish I could disappear.’

‘I’m dying of embarrassment.’

"Haha."

Heo Do-jin chuckled softly and nodded.

"It’s good. There’s no shame in acknowledging greatness where it exists. Even Laozi said that excessive politeness can ruin human affairs."

Chung Myung’s eyes sparkled with interest as he looked at Heo Do-jin.

"Still, you should be cautious. My disciples are training day and night, determined to surpass you."

"I welcome any challenge."

"Challenge, huh…"

Heo Do-jin seemed to consider the word for a moment, then smiled.

"Well, since you said that, I hope you won’t back down when my disciples come knocking at your door."

"Uh… I can’t promise that."

"Haha. I suppose that’s fair."

Heo Do-jin wrapped up the conversation and turned back to Hyun Jong.

"I would love to chat more, but I must be on my way. It’s unfortunate that we don’t have more time to exchange words."

"There will be more opportunities in the future, I’m sure."

"Indeed. I look forward to it."

Heo Do-jin bowed deeply, and Hyun Jong returned the gesture.

"Until next time."

"Until then, Master."

With that, Heo Do-jin turned and led the Wudang Sect away. It was only after they had disappeared into the distance that Hyun Jong let out a long, deep sigh.

"…So powerful."

Hyun Jong knew how much Wudang despised Mount Hua. Yet, throughout the entire exchange, Heo Do-jin had never once lost his composure or respect. In fact, he had gone out of his way to elevate Mount Hua’s status.

Hyun Jong wondered if he himself could have done the same in such a situation.

‘A true master of a great sect…’

Heo Do-jin had lowered his stance, but in doing so, he had maintained an overwhelming presence. If anything, Hyun Jong felt even more pressure because of how composed Heo Do-jin had been.

And the disciples of Wudang had shown no sign of resentment or frustration from their previous defeat in the competition.

‘There’s still a long way to go.’

Both he and Mount Hua had a long journey ahead if they ever wanted to stand on equal footing with Wudang.

"Humph."

Meanwhile, standing behind Hyun Jong, Chung Myung crossed his arms, watching the departing Wudang group with a smirk.

‘Still think you’re on top, huh?’

There was no disrespect or hostility from Heo Do-jin and the Wudang Sect.

Yet, precisely because of that calm composure, Chung Myung found Heo Do-jin’s attitude infuriating. It meant that Wudang still had plenty of room to remain composed.

"Let’s see how long that composure lasts."

Chung Myung’s eyes narrowed, his sharp gaze fixed on the retreating Wudang Sect.