Chapter 110

Wieon Mountain Manor (1)

Namgung Jun immediately brought the letter to Lee Seha.

After unfolding it and reading its contents, Lee Seha let out a light sigh.

"Now even Hubei Province is becoming chaotic. I thought things would be somewhat stable with the Wudang Sect there."

"What has happened?"

"A portion of the Sun Moon Demonic Cult's forces has crossed into Hubei and is currently clashing with the Wudang Sect. Even Wudang's affiliated secular branches are mobilizing to support the main mountain."

After receiving the letter from Lee Seha, Namgung Jun's eyes narrowed.

Written within it was the name of a faction that Yun Gyeongjong had mentioned before.

"So the Wieon Mountain Manor will be able to move freely."

"That's right. Which is why we're being sent instead. If the Wieon Mountain Manor decides to strike at Wudang from behind, it'll become a major problem."

"When do you plan to depart?"

Lee Seha glanced at the sun outside the window and estimated the time.

"Let's leave early tomorrow morning."

"I'll inform the hall members."

Namgung Jun immediately turned to leave the office, but Lee Seha stopped him.

"Stay and have a cup of tea with your master."

"Is there something you wish to discuss?"

"Hm. Do I need a reason? I just wanted to look at your face a little longer, Jun."

Lee Seha folded her arms and furrowed her elegant brows.

Seeing the black sleeves of her robe swaying irritably, Namgung Jun let out a helpless smile and sat back down.

Only then did Lee Seha break into a pleased smile and begin taking out a tea set.

"I found some excellent tea leaves while visiting Shandong Province. Ah, I wonder if Jun knows anything about the tea ceremony. That's something I, as your master, should properly teach you."

Excitement seeped into her voice as she prepared the tea utensils.

Then, perhaps realizing she sounded too enthusiastic, her tone became slightly aloof toward the end.

Having immediately seen through the change in his master's voice, Namgung Jun quietly swallowed a laugh.

The tea ceremony. It's been a long time.

Namgung Jun was already familiar with it.

There was something he had taught his disciples besides the sword and chivalry.

That was the Way of Tea.

Preparing suitable tea leaves and water.

Judging the proper temperature and quantity of tea leaves.

Controlling the intensity of the fire.

And drawing out the finest cup of tea possible.

He had regarded that entire process as another form of cultivation.

To brew a truly excellent cup of tea, numerous elements had to harmonize within a set framework.

Otherwise, it would become nothing more than a common, bitter liquid devoid of any deeper meaning.

Some disciples had never understood the subtle difference.

But the Sword Emperor of his previous life always could.

Considering countless variables and devoting sincere effort to the process itself was a way of cleansing and straightening one's heart.

It was cultivation that refined the inner self through means other than martial arts.

It was quite enjoyable. Naturally, it also gave me many opportunities to talk with my disciples.

They would taste one another's tea and discuss martial principles.

At times they would meditate while savoring the lingering fragrance filling their noses and mouths.

To the Sword Emperor, the tea ceremony had been another bond connecting him to his disciples.

That was why those brief moments spent enjoying tea had felt so precious.

Now that I think about it, I've never sat down and leisurely shared tea with Master before.

Lee Seha often sought him out first.

The reverse, however, rarely happened.

Most of the time he only visited her office to report on missions or attend to official matters.

As he carefully examined the tea set his master had taken out, a complicated smile appeared on his face.

Watching her energetically search through the tea leaves, he spoke in a slightly softer voice.

"I know a little about it, but I would like to receive proper instruction from you, Master."

"My family may not look like much now, but it had quite a long history. That's why I was rigorously taught things like the tea ceremony from childhood."

Lee Seha moved the tea utensils with practiced familiarity.

She boiled water, casually tossed in the tea leaves, and began chattering about everything that had happened while Namgung Jun had been away on missions.

She didn't put much effort into the actual brewing.

She didn't warm the cups beforehand with hot water.

She didn't check the water temperature.

Even the foam rising as the water boiled was mostly ignored before she simply covered the pot.

She was making tea, but she wasn't strictly following the principles of tea ceremony.

Rather than focusing on the tea, the master was focused on her disciple.

"The methods of brewing and drinking tea, the proper etiquette and procedures. When I was young, I thought they were strict rules that absolutely couldn't be broken. But looking back now, they weren't."

"Then what did you come to value instead, Master?"

"I think it's also important to move freely in the direction your heart desires. If my heart is at ease and unrestrained, that's enough."

Lee Seha lifted the teapot and poured tea into Namgung Jun's cup.

Namgung Jun lifted the cup with three fingers and first examined the color of the tea before bringing it closer to his nose.

After inhaling its aroma, he drank the tea in three measured sips.

Then he slowly set the cup down.

"At first, a strong savory note sweeps over the palate, but afterward a gentle, refreshing flavor lingers deeply."

"It's Rizhao Green Tea that I happened to find in a coastal village. The leaves aren't easy to obtain, so I'd been saving them. You really do appreciate their value, Jun."

Looking down at the tea remaining in his cup, Namgung Jun wore a surprised expression.

"To be honest, I expected the tea to taste terrible. There were many steps that went against proper brewing methods. Yet this flavor and aroma aren't something that can be produced by quality tea leaves alone."

"What? Jun, it sounds like you've had quite a lot of tea before."

At Lee Seha's casual question, Namgung Jun merely smiled faintly and remained silent.

"At first, it was exactly as you expected. The aroma wouldn't develop properly, and the tea often came out bitter and murky. But after making tea however I felt like, over and over again, I suppose I eventually developed a knack for it."

"So you found a new path by following where your heart led you."

"It's not even something grand enough to call a method. I simply enjoy it however I want to enjoy it."

Lee Seha nodded and, unlike Namgung Jun, took an exceptionally long time to finish a single cup of tea.

She held the teacup in her hands, savoring its fragrance, taking only tiny sips at a time.

As if the flavor while it was hot and the flavor after it had cooled were entirely different experiences.

"And my tea ceremony was completed by sharing tea with my disciple."

There was a gentle warmth toward her disciple in Lee Seha's simple words.

It was enough to bring a soft smile to Namgung Jun's face.

Following where one's heart leads...

As he looked at his master, he remembered someone.

A dancer who had performed only his own sword dance, unconstrained by anything.

He had simply swung his sword according to his heart's desire, yet he had been extraordinarily powerful.

It was undoubtedly something that lay beyond Namgung Jun's own understanding.

Once again, he was reminded of how vast the Martial Dao truly was.

"Jun, would you like to brew a cup this time?"

"Gladly. I'll serve Master the finest cup of tea."

With confidence, Namgung Jun picked up the tea leaves and utensils.

The first thing he did was thoroughly clean the tea set with fresh water.

His method of brewing tea was the complete opposite of Lee Seha's.

It was perfectly orthodox.

Regardless of how skilled he actually was, no one could criticize his procedure when brewing tea.

"Jun, you're serious even when making tea. You put effort into every step and never cut corners."

"I suppose this approach simply suits my nature."

The smile on Lee Seha's face deepened.

"Everyone has their own way. There's no need to follow your master in everything."

Lee Seha slowly reached for the cup Namgung Jun had filled for her.

Normally she enjoyed tea freely without concerning herself with formal tea ceremony.

This time, however, she appreciated the tea according to every proper custom.

"It's excellent tea. I can feel all the care you've put into it."

"I worked especially hard because it was for you, Master. I hope it suits your taste."

Namgung Jun carefully took a sip as well.

Though they had used the same tea leaves, the flavor was entirely different.

Yet he could not confidently say that his tea was superior.

Both cups possessed their own unique charm and strengths.

"Master's tea is colorful and varied. This disciple's tea is deep."

"Both cups were delicious. And even if they weren't, what of it? What's important is that I spent time like this with my disciple."

The curve at the corner of Namgung Jun's lips gradually deepened.

The tea itself was good.

But even more precious was the conversation he shared with his master while brewing and drinking it.

The feeling of mind and body relaxing without a single worry after such a long time.

It was more than mere rest.

It was comfort.

"You are right, Master. This time feels truly precious."

"If you put it that way, it's a little embarrassing."

"I mean it. To the point that I regret all the time that has already passed."

"That's touching... but somehow even more embarrassing."

Despite her words, Lee Seha was smiling brightly.

Her sparkling eyes showed no sign of leaving Namgung Jun.

"It's fascinating how the flavor changes so much depending on the tea ceremony of each person."

"Wouldn't martial arts be the same?"

"That's true. For example, we've both learned the Jade Cloud Overlapping Wall Stance, yet there have been several times when I felt our interpretations were slightly different."

"Oh? What made you think so?"

Naturally, the topic of conversation shifted from tea to martial arts.

As they continued their discussion, master and disciple took turns brewing tea.

At times the master carefully brewed tea according to the disciple's orthodox methods.

At other times the disciple imitated his master and brewed tea however his heart guided him.

For that brief period, both master and disciple were able to set down the burdens they carried.

As though they wished to simply enjoy the present moment and treasure it.

***

Danfeng, Hubei Province

Located in western Hubei Province, Danfeng was only a short journey southwest from both Wuhan and East Lake.

"If we continue expanding our territory at this rate, we'll eventually be able to exert influence over Wuhan and East Lake as well."

Hyeok Useon, who was leading the disciples of the Wieon Mountain Manor, gazed at the distant walls.

They belonged to the Haeun Sect, one of the Wudang Sect's affiliated secular branches.

The Wieon Mountain Manor had been oppressing every sect that refused to submit to its authority.

The Haeun Sect was one of them.

Furthermore, part of Haeun Sect's forces had already departed for Mount Wudang, making this a perfect opportunity.

"Press the attack all at once. We'll burn the Haeun Sect to the ground before the day is over."

The disciples of the Wieon Mountain Manor quickened their pace at Hyeok Useon's command.

Just then—

The gates of the Haeun Sect slowly opened.

Visible beyond them were disciples already prepared for battle, their fighting spirit fully unleashed.

But Hyeok Useon wasn't looking at the Haeun Sect disciples.

Scattered throughout the sect grounds were martial artists wearing unfamiliar uniforms.

Three clouds were embroidered on all of their sleeves.

"Changcheon Society?"

Hyeok Useon's expression gradually hardened.

At that moment, a low voice sounded from behind him.

"Wieon Mountain Manor."

Turning around, Hyeok Useon saw a lone youth standing behind his entire force.

Three clouds were likewise embroidered upon the young man's blue martial robe.

"You will not be permitted to enter the Haeun Sect."

"Who are you?"

"Namgung Jun."

The heavily bearded jaw of Hyeok Useon trembled.

"Rising Star Sword!"

The Heavenly Sword Hall, which had secretly entered Hubei Province, had finally begun to move in earnest.