That was the time that had passed since leaving Sichuan for Shanxi.
We made stops in towns along the way for maintenance and encountered a few martial arts sects, leading to some battles.
Fortunately, we managed to maintain a relatively peaceful journey without any casualties or injuries.
Considering that the group included not only the guards of the Gou family but also a few plum sword masters from Huashan, it would have been more unusual for any accidents to happen.
As we reached a relatively safe point, the time spent on training and idle thoughts increased.
Despite having traveled for several dozen days, the journey was still long, and the boredom remained.
The only difference from the beginning was that my biggest concern recently was not the boredom of heading to Huashan.
It wasn't the sudden companionship with Nangong Bia, nor the inexplicable sullenness of Weixueya.
“Hero!”
I had mentioned before that Yingfeng was more talkative than expected.
I might need to revise that.
“Why don't we train our lower bodies together today?”
He's not just talkative; he's clearly not normal.
******************
Speaking of Huashan Sect.
Among the schools that practice swordsmanship, Huashan Sect is one of the most representative.
While there are many schools that practice sword techniques, such as Kunlun and Wudang, Huashan Sect's prominent position is largely due to the Huashan Immortal Sword and the current sect leader, Plum Immortal.
[Ahem.]
Shen Noya coughed, seemingly embarrassed.
Though I didn't want to admit it, it was the reality.
The records of Huashan Immortal Sword's martial prowess during the Blood Demon War in the past, and the martial prowess of the peak Plum Immortal in countless battles against the evil sects in the present, are well-documented.
While the current "First Sword under Heaven" is Sword Venerable, the debate over whether Plum Immortal truly falls short of that status is still ongoing.
In my opinion, it's just that he has stepped back a bit due to his position as the sect leader.
The discussion about whether he truly falls short of the Three Venerables is a bit more nuanced.
[To think you can have such straightforward thoughts... How surprising.]
'...'
His excited tone was quite off-putting.
Anyway, the most significant factor in Huashan Sect's prominence is not just its representative figures but also its symbolism.
The Plum Sword Technique.
Among the countless sword techniques spread throughout the Central Plains, it is considered one of the most beautiful, alongside Sword Venerable's Moon Fresh Dance Sword.
Moreover, since Sword Venerable's sword technique is a single-line succession, even though it has a long history, it doesn't have the many branches that other schools do.
Huashan's sword technique, on the other hand, has been cultivated and evolved by countless people over several centuries, making it a sword technique rich with the essence of many hearts.
Just looking at the sparring match between Sword Dragon and me, for example.
The plum blossoms surrounding Yingfeng are not moved by the wind but by the internal energy he emits.
This means that the plum blossoms move according to the practitioner's intention.
The sword techniques of Huashan, displayed amidst countless petals, are graceful and elegant.
The sword paths are like beautiful dance movements, yet they also contain sharpness and solemnity.
It's not for nothing that it boasts overwhelming difficulty and level among sword techniques. The sword paths must remain consistent while handling so many plum blossoms.
Given the profound enlightenment required for Huashan's martial arts, I had expected the training to be arduous.
“...Is it because I haven't done enough physical training or because the journey is long? My chest seems to have gotten smaller lately.”
“Senior Brother, don't stick out your chest... It looks terrible.”
“Junior Brother, put on some clothes. Other young ladies are turning their heads because it looks terrible.”
“...I'm just embarrassed.”
“Junior Brother, they call that barking in the world.”
Every time I see it, I'm terrified.
While the Gou family is known for their smaller build, the arms of the Daoist disciples are as thick as a regular man's thighs.
I remember the background was supposed to be very beautiful.
Why is everyone...?
[Everyone looks good, that's what a martial artist should be.]
I'm sure it's because of this person.
If the upper stream is like this, how can the lower stream be normal?
‘Shen Noya, you really forgot you're a Daoist, didn't you?’
[To hear such crazy things... What kind of nonsense are you spouting to the leader of a Daoist sect?]
‘You're not the leader anymore, though.’
[...]
I heard Shen Noya say, “...That's true.”
I might have hit a bit too hard, feeling a bit sorry.
Reflecting on the ten days I spent with Yingfeng, he was a madman in many ways.
“Since you're a martial artist, your physical training must be different from mine. I'm very interested. If it's not too much trouble, could we...”
“No, it would be.”
I think it started the day after the sparring match.
Suddenly, he appeared with a boulder as big as a carriage on his back. How could anyone not be shocked?
“...Why are you carrying that, Master Yingfeng?”
“Oh, I didn't have any proper tools for physical training, so I picked it up nearby.”
You don't usually say you "picked up" something like that, right?
“Ah, yes...”
“Oh, are you interested, Hero Gou? There happens to be another one over there, so I can bring it...”
“No! I'm not interested.”
Really, he trains with that?
Is that how he usually trains...?
I thought I was working hard after regressing, but seeing that made me a bit anxious.
Of course, I had no intention of following his lead.
“Master Yingfeng, do you use internal energy when training with that?”
“Huh? Why would I use internal energy for external training...?”
“Ah, right... I asked a strange question.”
So, he doesn't use internal energy when training with that?
It's amazing that he can endure such intense exercise.
The other disciples are the same, but it's surprising that such beautiful sword techniques can come from such bulging muscles.
Yingfeng is relatively young, so his disadvantages aren't as noticeable yet.
However, large muscles can be a disadvantage when performing flexible movements.
Especially in hidden techniques, sword techniques, and fist techniques, the disadvantages of large muscles are more apparent.
Excessive training can be counterproductive.
[Everything has its cycle.]
‘What do you mean?’
[Do you know that a martial artist's body changes according to the cultivation method and their emotions?]
Of course, I know that.
The body changes based on the martial arts and cultivation methods one practices.
For example, the martial artists of the Northern Pang family have a strong and large build to suit their martial arts.
Thus, Pang Wujin, who had a thin and noble appearance, was a unique figure among them.
[The first and last training a Huashan disciple receives is the method of becoming the earth and fertilizer.]
‘By themselves?’
[Yes, to allow a stronger tree to grow and more beautiful plum blossoms to bloom.]
‘Is that related to those grotesque bodies?’
[That's just a process. Just look at the senior disciples and elders of Huashan.]
Indeed, while my memory of Plum Immortal is a bit hazy, he certainly didn't have such a bizarre old body.
He seemed more like Sword Venerable, who was small and compact.
So, the body changes again after a cycle.
When I expected, it seems to happen when a martial artist reaches the middle dantian and breaks through the barrier.
It seems to change as they surpass the peak.
So, in a sense, could this be called a transformation? The body changes as they surpass a realm.
Shen Noya said when I was curious.
[It's not that grand. It's just following the principles of the cultivation method.]
‘Can you really tell such secrets to an outsider like that?’
[What secret is it if you can't do it even if you know?]
‘That's true.’
The body changes when one gains enlightenment in a well-founded physical foundation.
I was curious about what kind of cultivation method could cause such changes, but my own method is quite unique, so I couldn't focus on others.
“Then let's train together later.”
“...Yes, I understand.”
I said that, but I won't actually train with him.
How could I keep up with that?
After Yingfeng left, I practiced some forms and was about to head back to the carriage when I noticed someone peeking from behind a tree.
A small face with big eyes was looking at me.
Weixueya was peeking at me in a subtle pose.
“...Huh?”
Our eyes met, and she was startled, quickly hiding behind the tree again, but her ponytail was still visible.
What is she doing, hiding?
[The girl's actions are cute.]
I slowly approached, and Weixueya was hiding and fidgeting with her back to me.
“What are you doing?”
“...!”
Her back twitched.
Though I couldn't see her face, it was clear she was surprised, as if to say, "How did you know?"
“What are you doing here?”
After calling her twice, Weixueya slowly turned around.
She was avoiding eye contact, holding a water jug and a dry cloth.
I chuckled at the sight.
I thought something must have upset her since she hadn't spoken much for a few days.
But it was cute that she still brought these things for me.
[You can use the word "cute" even with your kind of mind.]
‘Do you think I'm not human?’
[I did think that a bit...]
‘...’
This old man...
“Not going to answer?”
“...No...”
She still seemed upset and wasn't speaking properly.
Weixueya carefully handed me what she was holding.
I drank the cold water she had just fetched.
Though the sweat wasn't a problem due to the cultivation method, I pretended to wipe it off.
I gently stroked Weixueya's head, noticing her subtle glances.
She tried to maintain a serious expression, but it was gradually breaking.
Every time I see this, something stirs in my heart.
[That's what they call feeling good.]
Feeling good? Me?
I suddenly withdrew my hand.
Weixueya looked disappointed, but I ignored it.
“Have you eaten?”
I casually asked about her daily life.
I hadn't spoken to her for a few days because the atmosphere was strange.
“Yes.”
Still short answers.
But I didn't give up and asked a bit more.
“What did you eat?”
“Fish... meat... vegetables... and the sweet potatoes Hongwa sister steamed...”
“...You've been eating well, then.”
It seems her mood and appetite are separate.
After a few more exchanges, her pout disappeared, and her gaze, which had been on the trees and grass, returned to me.
Her slightly smiling lips were similar to her usual self.
Of course, she still seemed a bit sulky, but this was good enough.
“Let's go, we need to start moving again.”
“Yes!”
I handed the water jug and cloth back to Weixueya and headed towards the carriage.
Gouyang Qian walked through the forest towards the carriage, and Weixueya watched him for a moment.
Alone, Weixueya gently stroked her own head.
She could still feel the touch of Gouyang Qian's hand.
“Oh, Miss Wei?”
Weixueya turned at the voice from behind.
Yingfeng, who had just finished training, was standing there, drenched in sweat.
Yingfeng smiled brightly when he saw what Weixueya was holding.
“Ah, I'm really thirsty. Can I have a drink?”
Weixueya looked at Yingfeng for a moment before answering.
“No, this is for Young Master.”
Yingfeng was slightly taken aback by her firm answer.
“...Ah! It's for Hero Gou. So, you were waiting for him to finish training. Thank you for your hard work.”
As he said this, Yingfeng tried to stroke Weixueya's head.
Weixueya dodged and took a step back.
As a result, Yingfeng's hand was left hanging in the air.
“I'll go ahead.”
Weixueya bowed slightly and followed the path Gouyang Qian had taken.
Alone, Yingfeng scratched his cheek.
“...Was she always like that?”
She always seemed to be smiling when she was with Gouyang Qian.
The look she just gave him was surprisingly cold.
Moreover, it left a chill down his spine.
It must have been a mistake.
Yingfeng simply thought that.
******************
More time passed, and summer reached its peak.
The slowly moving carriage finally stopped.
Nangong Bia, wearing a veil, stepped out of the carriage amidst the bustling crowd.
She wore the veil because people's gazes were bothersome wherever she went.
Looking up, a tall mountain faced us.
[As always, Huashan is impressive. Its noble and upright nature is palpable.]
I nodded in agreement with Shen Noya's emotional words.
“...Yes, it's indeed ridiculously high.”
Huashan Sect.
I had finally arrived at a place with many meanings for me.