Chapter 4
The first snow of the year began to fall, carried by the wind.
The fluttering snowflakes scattered themselves to every corner of the continent as if it were their own home.
A snowflake falling from the sky landed on a boy's nose.
A boy not yet of coming-of-age.
His neatly worn clothes and calm eyes spoke of the boy's character.
The sight of the boy gazing into the distance amidst the fluttering snow brought to mind the image of a young immortal, unrelated to the secular world.
The boy's cheeks and ears were flushed pink from the cold.
Crunch, crunch.
The sound of footsteps reached the ears of the boy, who had even forgotten the cold.
The boy's meditation was soon broken by the sound.
"Where are you looking so intently?"
An old man, bowing deeply at the waist, spoke to the boy in a gruff voice. He had gone out to find him since he hadn't returned for over an hour, and he was here again after all.
A moment of silence passed, and the boy's pale lips opened.
"The sky."
A short and concise answer.
"What are you thinking while looking at the sky?"
"Azure Sky Palm."
The old man quickly hid the wrinkled smile that bloomed on his face.
"You may laugh at me."
Although he had quickly composed his expression, it was difficult to avoid the boy's sharp eyes.
"Please do not misunderstand your old servant's feelings. But your highness's martial arts and experience are not yet deep and wide enough to command the sky with your palm."
"Shiyue."
"Yes, your highness."
Reading the wavering in the intelligent prince's eyes, Shiyue soon realized that his heart was not at ease.
He must have been upset because of the first prince.
"Is your depth enough to contain the sky?"
At the boy's question, Shiyue had to gauge his intentions for a moment.
"This old servant is but an ordinary man, so I am by no means a vessel to contain the sky."
"Then even if I ask for your teachings to borrow your wisdom and strength, it will be difficult to achieve my will."
"How can the vessel of the teacher determine the vessel of the student? A person's vessel is something they are born with."
Although it wasn't pleasant to hear, Shiyue showed no hint of displeasure on his face.
"Is that what you call fate?"
"Destiny, or as you say, fate, I suppose."
"Then what is my fate? Is it my fate to end my life quietly attending to my older brother? Or is it my fate to live a life indulging in pleasure in a remote region."
Shiyue had to force another bitter smile. His little master seemed to be thoroughly twisted up today.
"Only the heavens know that, but isn't it also something your highness can change?"
"An easy thing to say. Vague and roundabout, just like you."
Soon, as if realizing his words had been a little sharp, the boy let out a light sigh.
"No, I have made a mistake with you today."
"That is an outrageous thing to say, your highness."
"Today, my father summoned me and passed down the Ten Transformations True Art."
A fine tremor ran through Shiyue's eyes, which had been unchanging until now.
The martial art of the Ten Transformations was the martial art of the supreme one, but compared to the first prince who had already shown his prominence, his little prince was a flower bud that had not yet bloomed.
To make a flower bloom, it needs sunlight and adequate moisture. A strong sun and rough waves could be a danger that would uproot the flower.
"Are you afraid?"
"Of what? The fact that I am my father's son? Or the fact that I might fulfill my duty as his son?"
Shiyue held his tongue. He felt that he had said something unnecessary.
"I have sent the Slender Moon Squad to Sichuan."
Shiyue's eyes widened. At the same time, the prince's sleeves fluttered, and his figure moved.
Water Serpent Seven Steps.
The prince's figure lightly floated up, stepping on the fluttering snow.
It was an excellent skill that had reached its peak.
It was the first martial art he had taught the prince, and also the first martial art the prince had learned.
"From Emei and Tangmen, to Qingcheng and Diancang."
Shiyue looked at his master.
Not only the minor righteous sects, but also the righteous and evil sects, and the martial families of the martial world.
This was the first step to ruling the world.
The prince's eyes were not on Sichuan, but on the world.
"Are you afraid?"
At the boy's words, Shiyue looked at the boy with a gentle face.
"My heart pounds at the thought of being able to show the world how outstanding your highness is."
"Uncle must come back."
The Black Qilin.
One of the Twelve Honored Ones of the World, along with the supreme one.
The Black Qilin, who loved the second prince more than anyone, would never be able to ignore the prince's wishes.
"Prince Dixin, the Slender Moon Squad will never disappoint you."
"Azure Sky Palm."
Dixin spread his small palm towards the sky.
Someday... on a day not so far away.
"I don't think it will be easy. But... whether it will be an opportunity or an end depends on you and me, doesn't it?"
* * *
"My name is Zhao Wei."
Zhao Wei, seeing the suddenly appeared Hongjun, unknowingly showed his respect.
In fact, after showing his respect, Zhao Wei's expression seemed not to understand his own actions.
'Why did I...'
No matter how mysterious the tavern was, he was at best a tavern owner.
He was not a person worthy of the leader of the Slender Moon Squad to show respect to.
He had thought he might be a reclusive martial arts master, but he had never heard the name Hongjun.
Perhaps Zhao Wei's eyes could not even gauge Hongjun's level.
He could be a reclusive martial arts master who surpassed Zhao Wei, like the cook just before, or he could be someone who knew no martial arts at all, like the scholar he met afterwards.
But whether he was a martial artist or not, it was clear that there was something about him.
What was mysterious was that not only Zhao Wei, but also the other members of the Slender Moon Squad were politely showing their respect to the mysterious old man, Hongjun.
"Hohoho, welcome, welcome. I should have been waiting, but I was a little late because I had some business to attend to."
'What?'
His tone was as if he had known in advance that the Slender Moon Squad would arrive here.
The more he looked, the more extraordinary the old man was.
He had too much dignity to be a tavern owner, and yet he also seemed somewhat frivolous.
He looked so ordinary, but he also couldn't be treated carelessly.
Zhao Wei was convinced that this old man named Hongjun would definitely be helpful.
"I'll ask you directly. We are looking for the entrance to the Hermit's Valley. Do you happen to know where it is?"
"What's so difficult about telling you the entrance?"
At Hongjun's words, the eyes of the Slender Moon Squad changed.
"Then!"
"However, there is one special rule here at the Mountain Sea Tavern."
"A rule?"
"It's that you have to offer something here when you enter or leave the Hermit's Valley. But unfortunately, you don't have the ability to pay the price."
"If it's the price, whatever it is..."
Zhao Wei took out the silver from his pocket and placed it on the table.
But Hongjun didn't even show any interest.
"It was a few years ago, but the last person who entered the Hermit's Valley paid a part of the Purple Cloud Sword Art as the price. Do you have anything of that value?"
"Purple Cloud Sword Art!"
The Purple Cloud Sword Art was a part of the Purple Cloud Divine Art, the secret ultimate skill of the Huashan Sect, and the best sword art in the world.
The fact that a secret of the Huashan Sect and a secret of the sect leader had been leaked to the outside would turn not only the Huashan Sect but also the entire martial world upside down.
"To receive the sword art of the Purple Cloud Divine Art, the secret of the Huashan Sect. Your joke is going too far."
"Hoho, would I joke at my age?"
Hongjun laughed heartily, but Zhao Wei's expression did not relax.
It was exactly four years ago that the previous sect leader of Huashan had laid down the sect leader's seal and retired from the martial world.
Perhaps he had headed here.
"You don't believe me."
"Whether I believe it or not is not important. Ask for something else."
He was in a hurry and wanted to subdue him by force, but Zhao Wei just didn't have the confidence.
Even if this man named Hongjun was below them or knew no martial arts at all, the old master who had identified himself as the cook just before was also a great burden.
"I'll say it again, you don't have the ability to pay the price."
Hongjun stared blankly at Agong, who had been unable to join the conversation and was just watching the situation.
"But that child can pay the price."
"What?"
Agong, startled by Hongjun's words that suddenly brought him into the conversation, shot up from his seat.
He had been dragged here against his will and was now about to leave the place where he lived, so what was this now?
"I really don't have anything."
Judging by the reaction of the Slender Moon Squad and his boastful tone, he was clearly a senile old man.
No matter how little he knew about the martial world, even Agong had heard of the Huashan Sect.
Did it make sense to hand over the secret of such a great Huashan Sect to a tavern owner just to enter such a place of certain death?
He was even spouting nonsense that he had nothing to receive from the martial artists of the Slender Moon Squad, but that he himself could pay the price.
"Why do you have nothing, you have your body, don't you, hoho."
"Heeik!"
Agong let out a strange scream.
He seemed to be an insane old man, but just hearing his words gave him the creeps, and he looked dangerous at a glance.
But unlike the terrified Agong, Zhao Wei and the members of the Slender Moon Squad secretly exchanged glances.
The child's role was over, and they were going to use him as a consumable anyway if things went wrong.
It was an even worse thing to do to Agong, but since it had come to this, the wisest decision was to use him as much as possible.
"N-no."
Agong sensed the strange atmosphere flowing around him.
He instinctively realized that the Slender Moon Squad was trying to sell him off as Hongjun demanded.
It wasn't his intention, but if he entered the Slender Moon Squad like this, he could learn martial arts and, if he had the chance, live a different life.
But not here.
Not just anywhere, but the Hermit's Valley.
Even if he had found his way here thanks to the mysterious mirror that Zhao Wei used, Agong had no way to get back to the entrance of the Hermit's Valley.
If he stayed here, he might have to live with that creepy old man for the rest of his life.
"I'll need your help."
"That's not what you promised!"
Agong felt a surge of curses rising.
Damn it, where in the world was there such a thing?
No matter how untrustworthy people were, it was he who had just said a few hours ago that he would become a member of the Slender Moon Squad and that he would teach him martial arts. This was like putting a person at ease and then hitting them on the back of the head.
"When I meet the elder and return, I will definitely come back for you."
Zhao Wei said to the struggling Agong with an expressionless face.
At his stiff tone, devoid of emotion, Agong gritted his teeth.
"Can I... trust those words?"
The atmosphere was as good as decided.
Even if he threw a fit here, the situation wouldn't change.
If that was the case, he had to show a slightly more mature side so that they would feel like coming back for him.
"Trust me."
At Zhao Wei's single word, Agong bit his lower lip and nodded.
"Haha, good. Then follow me."
Hongjun left the tavern, satisfied. The Slender Moon Squad followed him, and Agong was left alone in the tavern.
It was better around the tavern, but outside, the fog was still thick.
"Just go straight in that direction. It's actually right in front of you."
The direction Hongjun pointed with his finger was also impossible to see an inch ahead.
"You mean go in this direction?"
"Why, is it hard to find? Then I'll have to help you a little."
Hongjun lightly waved his hand, using his middle and index fingers as if he were drawing a picture.
Swoosh!
In an instant, the fog that filled the space in front of them rotated in a spiral shape.
A faint light leaked through the gap, and the fog was swept away as if it were being sucked into the hem of Hongjun's robe.
"No!"
The Slender Moon Squad, surprised by the divine skill before their eyes, looked at Hongjun as if they couldn't believe it.
It was truly a move from a heaven beyond heaven. If they had acted rashly in the tavern, their lives would have been as precarious as the fog by now.
And as Hongjun had said, the appearance of the Hermit's Valley, which had been hidden by the fog, was revealed before them.
The entrance was spread out not far from the tavern.
(End of Chapter)