Chapter 110 : Weiyeon Mountain Manor (1)
Chapter 110: Weiyeon Mountain Manor (1)
Namgung Jun immediately brought the letter to Lee Se-ha.
After opening and reading its contents, Lee Se-ha let out a light sigh.
“Now even Hubei Province is becoming chaotic.
I thought things would be relatively stable there with the Wudang Sect around.”
“What has happened?”
“A portion of the Sun and Moon Demonic Cult's forces crossed into Hubei Province and are currently clashing with the Wudang Sect.
Even Wudang's affiliated sects have begun moving to support the main sect.”
After receiving the letter from Lee Se-ha, Namgung Jun narrowed his eyes.
Written in the letter was the name of the sect Yun Gyeong-jong had mentioned before.
“Weiyeon Mountain Manor will be free to run rampant.”
“That's right.
Which is why we're stepping in instead.
If Weiyeon Mountain Manor takes advantage of the Wudang Sect being occupied and strikes from behind, it'll become a serious problem.”
“When do you intend to depart?”
Lee Se-ha judged the time by glancing at the position of the sun outside the window.
“Let's leave early tomorrow morning.”
“I'll inform the Hall members.”
Namgung Jun was about to leave the office immediately, but Lee Se-ha stopped him.
“Stay and have a cup of tea with your master.”
“Is there something you wished to discuss?”
“Hmph.
Do I need a reason?
I just wanted to look at your face a little longer.”
Lee Se-ha folded her arms while frowning her elegant brows.
Seeing her black sleeves swaying irritably, Namgung Jun smiled bitterly and took a seat.
Only then did Lee Se-ha smile brightly before taking out the tea set.
“I picked up some excellent tea leaves while visiting Shandong Province this time.
Ah, I wonder if Jun knows the tea ceremony.
As your master, I should be the one teaching you that too.”
There was unmistakable delight in Lee Se-ha's voice as she prepared the tea set.
Then, perhaps realizing she sounded too excited, her voice became slightly aloof toward the end.
Seeing straight through the subtle change in his master's tone, Namgung Jun quietly swallowed his laughter.
‘The tea ceremony.
It's been a long time.’
Namgung Jun was familiar with the tea ceremony as well.
Besides the sword and chivalry, there had been one other thing he had taught his disciples.
That was the Tea Ceremony.
Preparing suitable tea leaves and water, judging the proper water temperature and the amount of tea leaves, adjusting the strength of the fire, and brewing the finest possible cup of tea.
He had regarded the entire process itself as another form of cultivation.
To brew a truly delicious cup of tea, numerous elements had to harmonize perfectly under established principles.
Otherwise, it would become nothing more than an ordinary bitter drink devoid of any charm.
Some of his disciples had never understood that subtle distinction, but the Sword Emperor of his previous life had always recognized it clearly.
Keeping countless variables in mind and carefully tending to each step was itself part of purifying and straightening one's heart.
It was a form of cultivation that refined the inner self without relying on martial arts.
‘It was quite enjoyable.
Naturally, it also gave me many opportunities to speak with my disciples.’
They would discuss martial principles while tasting one another's tea, or quietly meditate while savoring its fragrance through both nose and mouth.
To the Sword Emperor, the Tea Ceremony had been another means of connecting with his disciples.
That was why those brief moments spent enjoying tea had felt especially precious.
‘Come to think of it, I've never leisurely shared tea like this with Master.’
Lee Se-ha often sought him out first, but the reverse rarely happened.
Most of the time, he only visited her office to report on missions or attend to official matters.
The disciple gently examined the tea set his master had taken out before speaking in a subdued voice while wearing a complicated smile.
“I know a little about it, but I'd like to receive proper instruction from you, Master.”
“My family may not look like much now, but it has quite a long history.
That's why I was thoroughly taught things like the Tea Ceremony from childhood.”
Lee Se-ha skillfully moved the tea utensils.
She boiled the water, casually added the tea leaves, and began cheerfully talking about everything that had happened while Namgung Jun had been away on his mission.
There was little care in the way Lee Se-ha brewed her tea.
She did not warm the teacups with hot water.
She did not check the water's temperature.
She even ignored the foam rising as the water boiled before placing the lid on.
She was brewing tea, but it deviated somewhat from the formal Tea Ceremony.
Rather than focusing on making the tea, the master was focused on her disciple.
“The proper methods, techniques, and etiquette for preparing and drinking tea.
When I was young, I thought of them as strict rules that absolutely couldn't be broken.
But looking back now, I realized that wasn't the case.”
“Then what have you come to value instead, Master?”
“I think it's important to move freely as your heart desires.
If my heart is at ease and unconstrained, that's enough.”
Lee Se-ha picked up the teapot and poured tea into Namgung Jun's cup.
Using three fingers, Namgung Jun lifted the teacup and examined the color of the tea before bringing it close to his nose.
After taking in the fragrance, he drank the tea in three measured sips.
Then he slowly set the cup down.
“At first, a rich savory flavor sweeps over the palate.
Afterward, a gentle, refreshing taste lingers deeply.”
“This is Rizhao Green Tea that I happened to find in a coastal village.
It's difficult to come by, so I treasured it.
But Jun, you recognized its true value immediately.”
Looking down at the remaining tea in his cup, Namgung Jun showed a surprised expression.
“To be honest, I expected the tea to taste terrible.
There were many aspects that went against proper brewing techniques.
Yet this aroma and flavor cannot be achieved simply because the tea leaves themselves are good.”
“What?
Jun, it sounds like you've had quite a lot of tea before.”
At Lee Se-ha's casual question, Namgung Jun simply smiled faintly without answering.
“At first, it was exactly as you expected.
The fragrance wouldn't develop properly, and it often turned out bitter and murky.
But after brewing tea however my heart pleased over and over again, I suppose I eventually developed a knack for it.”
“So you found a new method along the path your heart led you down.”
“I wouldn't even call it a method.
I simply enjoy it however I wish.”
Nodding, Lee Se-ha, unlike Namgung Jun, took a very long time to finish a single cup of tea.
She kept holding the teacup, savoring its fragrance before drinking tiny sips little by little.
As though the flavor while it was hot and the flavor after it cooled were completely different experiences.
“And my Tea Ceremony is completed by sharing tea together with my disciple.”
Lee Se-ha's simple words were filled with warmth toward her disciple.
So much so that Namgung Jun naturally smiled gently as well.
‘Following where the heart leads...’
As he looked at his master, the disciple recalled someone.
The dancer who had cared for nothing else and simply performed his own sword dance.
He had merely swung his sword as his heart desired, yet the dancer had been an incredibly powerful master.
It was undoubtedly something that lay beyond Namgung Jun's previous understanding.
Once again, he felt just how vast the Martial Dao truly was.
“Jun, would you like to brew the next cup?”
“Gladly.
I'll prepare the finest cup of tea for you, Master.”
Confidently, Namgung Jun picked up the tea leaves and tea set.
The first thing he did was thoroughly wash the tea utensils with clean water.
Namgung Jun's brewing method was completely opposite to Lee Se-ha's.
It was entirely orthodox.
Regardless of how skillful his brewing was, no one could criticize the method itself no matter who he served.
“Even when brewing tea, Jun is incredibly meticulous.
You put care into every single step and never treat anything carelessly.”
“I believe this approach simply suits my nature.”
Lee Se-ha's smile deepened further.
“Everyone has their own way.
There's no need to blindly imitate your master.”
Lee Se-ha slowly reached for the teacup Namgung Jun had filled.
Usually, she enjoyed tea however her heart desired without caring about the formal Tea Ceremony.
But this time, she savored it exactly according to proper etiquette.
“This is wonderful tea.
I can clearly feel all the care you put into it.”
“I made an even greater effort because it was meant for you, Master.
I hope it suits your taste.”
Namgung Jun carefully took a sip of his own tea as well.
Despite using the exact same tea leaves, the taste was completely different.
Even so, Namgung Jun could not confidently claim that the tea he brewed tasted better.
Each cup possessed its own unique charm and strengths.
“Master's tea is colorful, while this disciple's tea is profound.”
“Both cups were delicious.
And even if they weren't, so what?
The important thing is that I spent time like this together with my disciple.”
The curve at the corners of Namgung Jun's lips gradually deepened.
The tea itself was wonderful.
But more than that, there was the conversation he shared with his master while brewing and drinking tea.
And after such a long time, he could finally relax both body and mind without a single worry.
It was more than mere rest.
It was a moment of genuine comfort.
“Your words are correct, Master.
This time feels truly precious.”
“If you say it like that, it becomes a little embarrassing.”
“I mean it sincerely.
Enough that I regret all the time we've allowed to pass by.”
“Now I'm even more embarrassed.
Though... I am touched.”
Contrary to her words, Lee Se-ha's sparkling eyes shone brightly as she smiled, showing no sign of leaving Namgung Jun.
“It's remarkable how the flavor changes so completely depending on each person's Tea Ceremony.”
“Isn't martial arts the same?”
“It is.
For example, we've both learned the Layered Wall of Distant Clouds Stance, yet there have been several times when I felt our interpretations were slightly different.”
“Oh?
Which parts made you think so?”
The conversation between master and disciple naturally shifted from tea to martial arts.
As their discussion continued at length, the two took turns brewing tea.
The master tried brewing tea strictly according to the disciple's orthodox method.
Meanwhile, the disciple imitated his master and brewed tea however his heart desired.
For those brief moments spent talking together, master and disciple were able to set aside everything weighing upon their hearts.
As though they wished to simply enjoy and cherish the present.
Tuanfeng, Hubei Province.
Located in the western part of Hubei Province, a short journey southwest from Tuanfeng would reach Wuhan and East Lake.
“If they keep expanding their territory like this, before long they'll be able to exert influence over Wuhan and East Lake as well.”
Hyeok U-seon, leading the disciples of Weiyeon Mountain Manor, gazed toward the walls visible in the distance.
It was the Haiyun Sect, an affiliated sect of the Wudang Sect.
Weiyeon Mountain Manor had been oppressing every sect that refused to submit beneath them.
The Haiyun Sect was one of those targets.
Moreover, part of the Haiyun Sect's strength had already departed for Mount Wudang, making this the perfect opportunity.
“Press forward all at once.
We'll burn the Haiyun Sect to the ground before the day is over.”
Just as the disciples of Weiyeon Mountain Manor quickened their pace at Hyeok U-seon's command—
The main gate of the Haiyun Sect slowly opened.
What emerged beyond it were the disciples of the Haiyun Sect, already prepared for battle.
Yet Hyeok U-seon did not look at them.
Among the Haiyun Sect's ranks were unfamiliar martial artists wearing different uniforms.
Clouds were embroidered upon every one of their sleeves.
“The Azure Sky Society?”
As Hyeok U-seon's expression gradually hardened, a low voice came from behind him.
“Weiyeon Mountain Manor.”
Turning around, Hyeok U-seon saw a lone young man blocking the rear.
Three clouds were likewise embroidered upon the young man's blue martial robe.
“I will not permit your advance into the Haiyun Sect.”
“Who are you?”
“Namgung Jun.”
The beard covering Hyeok U-seon's chin trembled slightly.
“The Azure Star Sword!”
The Heavenly Sword Hall, which had secretly entered Hubei Province, had finally begun to move in earnest.