Chapter 222: Standing Tall Once More Beneath the Fallen Sky (1)

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The war between Silent Night and Heaven's Summit set the world ablaze, but the province of Sichuan was an exception. This was due to its isolated, hard-to-reach terrain and the swift action of the Tang Clan, who called the province home.

The Tang Clan persuaded the Qingcheng and Emei sects, which also occupied Sichuan, to block every major road leading out of the province. Fierce battles raged along those roads day after day, yet a relative peace prevailed within the province.

Accordingly, anyone entering Sichuan had to pass a strict inspection. Suspicious individuals were barred outright. Thanks to a White Dragon Merchant Association identification pass backed by the Tang Clan, though, Kwak Moon-Jung cleared the inspection with ease.

Even after safely entering Sichuan, the pair continued on. They passed through the provincial capital, where the Tang Clan was based, and continued westward.

Kwak Moon-Jung kept his pace as slow as possible for Han Seon-Woo's sake, but no matter how much he indulged him, Han Seon-Woo was still only ten years old. His stamina ran dry, and his body wore down until he collapsed several times. He was often plagued by aches, and he even caught a cold. Each time, Kwak Moon-Jung nursed him back to health with the utmost care.

Through it all, their bond grew remarkably deep. Han Seon-Woo came to follow Kwak Moon-Jung as if he were his real older brother, and Kwak Moon-Jung cherished the boy dearly.

By the time they finally reached the entrance to the western highlands of Sichuan Province, the two had become sworn brothers.

"Whoa!" Han Seon-Woo gasped, awestruck by the magnificent sight unfolding before him. Giant mountains soared as though to pierce the heavens, rolling on endlessly like waves.

I'll show you around our organization."

Seeing his reaction, Kwak Moon-Jung smiled. He remembered wearing that same expression the first time he came here.

"I never knew a place like this existed in the world."

"It's such rugged country that even people in Sichuan are reluctant to go near it."

"I can see why. Who would dare try to approach a place like this? If you could build a base inside, it'd be a naturally impregnable fortress, but who could possibly live here? Water doesn't look easy to come by."

"Nothing is impossible in this world." Smiling, Kwak Moon-Jung patted Han Seon-Woo's head, a nostalgic light in his eyes.

Ha Jin-Wol answered his disciple's question. "The disbandment of Heaven's Summit and the Silent Night."

Han Seon-Woo looked at him, puzzled. "Hyung?"

He had followed Kwak Moon-Jung this far without a shred of doubt, because he trusted him. Still, he had a hard time believing that his future master lived in such a barren place.

"Let's go. Our destination isn't far now."

"With some, that's exactly what he did.

"Okay." Han Seon-Woo nodded, deciding to trust Kwak Moon-Jung.

Although his legs had gained some muscle since the start of their journey, climbing the steep mountain was still difficult. Nevertheless, he never complained about the difficulty.

The grueling, two-month journey had toughened his legs and his heart. Deep down, he knew he couldn't rely on Kwak Moon-Jung just because things got hard.

"Huff! Huff!"

Rough breaths spilled from Han Seon-Woo's small lips. Sweat poured off him like rain, and his legs shook, yet he stubbornly kept pace with Kwak Moon-Jung.

They climbed and climbed. Even after a full day, they hadn't reached half the height they were aiming for. When the sun set, Kwak Moon-Jung found a spot to set up camp and lit a bonfire.

Deep down, he knew he couldn't rely on Kwak Moon-Jung just because things got hard.

After eating dry rations and warming himself by the fire, Han Seon-Woo fell into a deep sleep. As he slept, snoring without a care, he dimly felt someone lift him up.

"So this is the child."

"Yes, he is."

Half-asleep, he heard Kwak Moon-Jung's voice in conversation with someone.

The middle-aged man watched him with a pleased gaze.

Who is it?

He tried to open his eyes, but his eyelids felt too heavy.

"They're our disciples.

"He seems to be a very sturdy child."

"That's right. He's strong and clever. He's more than fit to be the Strategist's disciple."

"It's such rugged country that even people in Sichuan are reluctant to go near it."

"He's a talent to be nurtured with care. Thank you, Moon-Jung, for bringing this child to me."

"It's nothing. It was my duty. Besides, I've become sworn brothers with him."

"Is that so?"

As he slept, snoring without a care, he dimly felt someone lift him up.

"From now on, Seon-Woo is my younger brother."

"Congratulations on gaining a younger brother. The Lord will surely be pleased as well."

"Thank you."

Feeling a hand stroke his forehead, Han Seon-Woo sank back into a deep sleep. A childlike smile lingered on his lips.

"Ughn!"

As the pouring sunlight tickled his face, Han Seon-Woo tossed and turned. After squirming for a moment, he unknowingly opened his eyes at the soft sensation wrapped around his whole body.

"Huh?"

"This unworthy disciple greets you, Master."

Confusion crossed his face. He was sure he had fallen asleep in a clearing on the mountainside last night, yet now he was lying beneath a very soft blanket.

He quickly sat up and looked around. He was lying on a small cot inside a thatched hut. The hut was neat and tidy, and a fire burned in a brazier off to one side. A kettle boiled above the fire, emitting hot steam. Clearly, someone had carried him here while he slept.

"Where am I?"

"I swear to the heavens and the gods that I will accept my master's words and teachings with all my heart."

"You're awake?"

A middle-aged man who looked to be in his late thirties or early forties opened the door to the hut and stepped inside. He was dressed in the white robes of a scholar and wore a stylishly groomed beard. Most striking of all, though, were his black eyes which shone as brilliantly as the stars in the night sky.

The moment Han Seon-Woo saw those profound eyes which seemed to hold all the wisdom of the world, he instinctively grasped the man's identity.

Deep down, he knew he couldn't rely on Kwak Moon-Jung just because things got hard.

"Ma... Master?"

"Yes, I'll be the one to teach you. You've suffered a great deal to get here."

After squirming for a moment, he unknowingly opened his eyes at the soft sensation wrapped around his whole body.

"Are you really my Master?"

"I am. I had an exchange with your grandfather a very long time ago. Because of that connection, I am now taking you as my disciple."

Seeing the gentle smile on the middle-aged man's face, Han Seon-Woo felt close to tears. He could feel the sincerity behind the words.

Han Seon-Woo scrambled up, approached the man, and performed nine prostrations.