Chapter 7

Having spent a considerable amount of time in Moon Lake Sect, Cheong-ra already had experience with spirit beast hunting. The martial arts of Moon Lake Sect were modeled after the principles of nature, so they could be considered specialized in understanding and dealing with spirit beasts. After mentioning a few more precautions, Oh Tae-ryeong quickly left. As an elder who was like a pillar of Moon Lake Sect, Cheong-ra's master was always busy.

"Cheong-cheong. Have you eaten?"

Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon called Cheong-ra's childhood name and asked about his well-being in a kind voice.

He had a very handsome face, remarkably resembling Cheong-ra in many ways. Despite being over the age of fifty, he looked much younger thanks to his high martial arts achievements, like Oh Tae-ryeong. Because of this, people who didn't know them often mistook the two for brothers with an age gap. Cheong-ra replied in a very gentle and polite voice, filled with respect and affection for the other person.

"Not yet, uncle."

"Oh my, didn't I tell you to eat your meals on time? I told you that the most important thing for a martial artist is physical strength, so you should always eat well at every meal. Don't be like this, come with me. I bought delicious dumplings in the morning."

Cheong-ra's uncle, Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon, had cherished and supported his nephew unconditionally since childhood. He had personally brought Cheong-ra to Moon Lake Sect to be admitted, as he was the only blood relative in this place far from their hometown. Therefore, along with his master Oh Tae-ryeong, Baek Ri Yeong-hyeon was someone Cheong-ra greatly relied on emotionally.

After having a pleasant lunch with his uncle, Cheong-ra headed to the Hall of Spiritual Enlightenment. The Hall of Spiritual Enlightenment was a small hall where disciples who had been admitted for more than ten years gathered to train, focusing more on interpreting martial principles rather than physical training. It was a space for ruminating and discussing the oral formulas of martial arts, so it could be quiet at times and lively at others. Today was the former.

As a place where named disciples constantly recited important martial arts formulas, the Hall of Spiritual Enlightenment was protected by formations that restricted access. Baek Ri Cheong-ra had the right to access almost all places in Moon Lake Sect, so he was free to enter and leave the Hall of Spiritual Enlightenment. When Cheong-ra entered the hall, the junior brothers who had been huddling together to interpret the principles brightened up.

"Senior Brother Baek Ri! What brings you here?"

The person who greeted Cheong-ra with a bright smile was Lim Jeong, a junior brother who had served Cheong-ra for several years before Jin Hwang-yeong. His face was full of joy at seeing Cheong-ra.

"Junior Brother Lim, is your training going well?"

"I want to say it's going well... but the Misty Soft Sword Art is definitely much more difficult to comprehend compared to the Thrusting Kingfisher Sword or the Lake Water Fish Transformation Sword. Senior Brother. But I suppose overcoming this difficulty is the way to grow greatly."

Back when he had just started serving Cheong-ra, he was a young child who cried all the time, but now he had grown up to be a proper member of Moon Lake Sect, fulfilling his role. Cheong-ra smiled, feeling proud of him, and Lim Jeong's face turned slightly red. It was because that smile was so beautiful. Even though it was not rare for the senior brother in front of him to smile, he never developed a tolerance for it.

"Elder Oh Tae-ryeong has given an order. In two days, I need four junior brothers to accompany me to Dragon Spring. Considering that we may have to hunt a spirit beast, it's a dangerous task..."

"Senior Brother Baek Ri! I'm available!"

"Me too, please take me with you!"

Even though he had clearly stated that it was a dangerous task that might involve hunting a spirit beast, there was an overflow of volunteers from all around.

Cheong-ra was well aware of his position in Moon Lake Sect and the kind of admiration he received. That's why he always had to carefully consider the selection of companions for such tasks. He had seen fellow disciples and junior brothers fighting and hurting each other's feelings several times.

"For the sake of gaining experience evenly, I will exclude the junior brothers who have already accompanied me on the previous mission."

At Cheong-ra's words, some of them stepped back with disappointed faces. Cheong-ra had the remaining ones demonstrate their lightness skills and chose them in the order of the highest achievement. Spirit beasts were mostly fast, so they needed to have quick feet whether they were running away or fighting. The faces of the junior brothers who were chosen to accompany him lit up.

Moon Lake Sect did not strictly prohibit the disciples from going out, but usually, the places they could go were limited. Apart from Little Lake near Moon Lake Sect, the rest were all rugged mountains filled with rare herbs and monsters. Moreover, the senior brother leading them was none other than Baek Ri Cheong-ra, so they couldn't help but be happy.

Cheong-ra gave detailed instructions to the junior brothers about precautions and items to prepare. As the senior brother who would take care of and lead the junior brothers starting from two days later, a familiar sense of responsibility settled on his shoulders. However, it was not burdensome or reluctant. For Cheong-ra, who deeply loved Moon Lake Sect, even this responsibility was only a source of pride and pleasure.

After leaving the Hall of Spiritual Enlightenment, he returned to the training ground. After having lunch and sparring with the Great Senior Brother and several others who were waiting for him, the sun had already set. After having a meal with his close fellow disciples, he did not forget to pay his evening respects to his uncle and master. When he returned to his quarters, a young junior brother greeted him with a smile.

"Senior Brother! I have prepared everything for you to wash up."

"Thank you. You may go back and rest now."

"Don't mention it. Please call me whenever you need me."

Cheong-ra handed a package of dried fruits to Jin Hwang-yeong, who was acting vigorously. After washing his body clean, he sat on the bed, recited the Moonlight on Snow, Mind and Heart Formula, circulated his energy, and went to bed. As always, the familiar anguish came, making it difficult to fall asleep, but he forcefully closed his eyes.

The thought of the man he had encountered at Full Moon Lake a few days ago briefly came to mind, but Cheong-ra frowned and quickly buried it deep in his heart.

A peaceful day at Moon Lake Sect was passing by as always. Cheong-ra sincerely wished for such days to continue. He tried to ignore the sinister desire that remained hidden deep in his heart and would not disappear.

***

Two days later, Cheong-ra left for Dragon Spring with the junior brothers. Fortunately, they did not encounter any dangerous wild beasts or bandits on the way, so the junior brothers were excited as if they were on a picnic. However, it was short-lived. When they arrived at Dragon Spring, they stopped laughing and chatting due to the chaotic and heavy atmosphere. Cheong-ra's smiling face also slightly stiffened.

"Senior Brother Baek Ri, is the atmosphere in Dragon Spring always like this? It seems quite different from Little Lake."

Junior Brother Lim Jeong asked cautiously in a small voice. Upon arriving at Dragon Spring, they could hardly see anyone smiling. Everyone was sighing deeply with worried faces, and some people were even sitting in a daze with darkened faces. It was completely different from Little Lake, which was located near Moon Lake Sect. Carefully observing the atmosphere of Dragon Spring, Cheong-ra shook his head.

"When I visited a year ago, the atmosphere was not like this. It seems the damage is greater than expected, so everyone should always be careful and vigilant."

"Yes, Senior Brother!"

They were about to head straight to the Dragon Gate Sect. At that moment, Cheong-ra's steps briefly stopped as he spotted someone he never expected to see.

'Why is he here...?'

It was the rude and violent man he had encountered at Full Moon Lake last time. Dressed in expensive silk clothes and flashy accessories just like before, he was having a conversation with someone under the eaves of a building, even suppressing his presence. As soon as Cheong-ra stared at him for a little longer, he keenly noticed that gaze and immediately turned his head.

The man who discovered Cheong-ra also raised his eyebrows slightly, as if it was unexpected to see him here. As soon as their eyes met, Cheong-ra swiftly turned his gaze away as if he had been burned, but he inwardly regretted it. Didn't it look like he was backing down to anyone who saw it? He gathered his courage and turned his head again, but there was already no one there.

"Senior Brother? What's wrong?"

When Cheong-ra's steps slowed down, the junior brothers looked around in confusion. He said it was nothing and moved his steps towards the Dragon Gate Sect again.

The face of the gatekeeper guarding the main gate of the Dragon Gate Sect, the lay disciple sect of Moon Lake Sect, was very stiff. When Cheong-ra approached with the junior brothers, he immediately showed a wary attitude, but upon seeing the Moon Lake Sect uniforms they were wearing, he brightened up.

"You came from Moon Lake Sect! Please come in. The sect leader is waiting for you."

The gatekeeper quickly opened the gate wide. At the news that people from Moon Lake Sect had arrived, the sect leader, who had been pacing around with a worried face, almost ran out. Cheong-ra clasped his hands and greeted him.

"This junior pays his respects to the sect leader of the Dragon Gate Sect."

"The main sect sent the Moonlight Flashing Sword! Welcome, welcome."

The sect leader was overjoyed, as if all problems had been solved immediately upon learning that Cheong-ra, a renowned expert, had come. Cheong-ra felt a sense of burden at the other party's expectations but never showed it outwardly. He always did his best to set an example as a capable and righteous senior brother and junior brother, as well as a proud disciple of his respected master Oh Tae-ryeong.

As it was mealtime, Shim Ryang, the sect leader of the Dragon Gate Sect, brought out food first. Despite being anxious about the two missing disciples, it was evident that he was trying his best to treat the people from the main sect with sincerity, lest he offend them. For the sake of the impatient sect leader, Cheong-ra lightly moistened his lips with tea and got to the point.

"What exactly happened here?"