Chapter Text
It was a cold, breezy night at Mount Hua. The comrades of heavenly friendship alliance just got out of the meeting. Everyone was so tired that they all desired a comfy bed to sleep on but still they held their expressions firm. No one wanted to be the first to admit exhaustion.
Hyun Jong let out a long sigh, his gaze drifting to the sea of pink blossoms swaying gently in the night wind.
“Today… we’ve taken great steps for the future of Gangho. These decisions will shape our future and bring new challenges for us. Even if we encounter big troubles, we shall overcome difficulties with the right way. Always remember, we fight for the greater good, for the defenseless people.”
His words brought a wave of relief. Im Sobyeong chuckled to himself as he found it funny how he was so nervous before. Also, the other comrades had a pleased expression.
Just as Baek Cheon and the other disciples were about to take their leave, Tang Gunak raised a hand to stop them.
“Before leaving, there’s one more matter I’d like to bring up. It’s important.”
Cheong Myeong’s eye twitched. Training time was slipping away, and this meeting dragged on endlessly.
“HUUHHH?! WE’VE TALKED ENOUGH. DO KIDS THESE DAYS NOT KNOW THE MEANING OF ‘QUICK’?!”
Yoon Jong shouted, “Cheong Myeong, calm down! You want any dessert? Jo Geol! hurry bring some mooncakes!”
“Yes, sahyeong! In a minute!”
Cheong Myeong ate the cakes like he was starved to death. The others didn’t even blink. They were well-acquainted with his atrocious table manners.
Tang Gunak cleared his throat with a mysterious expression on his face and said:
“I… I would like to suggest a new assistant for this alliance.”
Meng So narrowed his eyes at Tang Gunak.
“Who is it? Why so sudden…?”
“I know everyone is so surprised but hear me out. His name is Peizhi. He is a skilled swordsman and a wise strategist. I met him while I was out for a mission. From what I’ve seen, he is in the same path with us though he works alone. Peizhi told me he was helping starved children in his region.”
Yoon Jong’s chest tightened. He knew too well how it hurts to be hungry in the cold, deserted streets… waiting for someone to notice.
Tang Gunak continued, “He told me he wants to curb the evil sect’s influence but he knows he can’t do it alone. I believe, he will both reduce our workload and be a reliable companion.”
Hyun Jong and Meng So exchanged glances. Somehow, they were all right with that matter and Im Sobyeong has had his own doubts. But Cheong Myeong was not satisfied.
“What do you mean ‘‘reliable companion’’? Ugh, don’t you think we first have to know who he is? What if he’s some asshole- “
“He’s rich.”
“…Wha- wait, really? How rich?”
Tang Gunak scribbled some numbers on a scrap of paper and handed it to Cheong Myeong.
“OH-HO WHY DIDN’T YOU SAY EARLIER? Tch tch, where is he? I wanna meet my man! where is he? Hehehe’’
Even though they were used to this Taoist’s unusual behaviors, they still blinked in surprise. Jo Geol nearly dropped the tray.
Hyun Jong sighed. “Hah… I thought you cared about someone’s personality, or morals, or other things- “
“What do you mean, Sect Leader? Money is also a part of personality. A big part, actually.”
Im Sobyeong turned to Cheong Myeong with teary eyes.
“You’ve already squeezed every coin out of me, and now you want to- “
“Shut up! I used you? You threw yourself on the ground before I even looked at you. I just happened to be walking by. Tch tch… also, if this is what being used looks like, I hope everyone’s lucky enough to be used like you!”
Hyun Jong looked at Im Sobyeong with pity and said:
“What do you think Nokrim King? Should we accept him?”
“Hmm… Well, Tang Gunak suggested him and Cheong Myeong… also approved so I’m fine with it too.”
“And others? Any objections?”
No one spoke. Everyone seemed to agree. But curiosity buzzed in the air-just who was this Peizhi guy?
Tang Gunak exhaled, visibly relieved.
“Thank you, my friends… He’ll arrive tomorrow morning. I’ll introduce him after training.”
……
The next morning, after the so-called ‘training’ (disciples preferred to call it a near death experience), they were in dining hall, eating breakfast. Yu Iseol’s hands trembled so much that she could barely hold her chopsticks. But she showed no signs of discomfort.
Jo Geol was living his last moments. Trembling, pale… almost fading away. He lifted his head up.
“Sahyeong, do you see it too?” he whispered.
Yoon Jong tried to raise an eyebrow but even that small effort proved too much. Instead, he gave him a blank stare and replied with a hoarse voice:
“Huh? What do you mean Jo Geol? Are you out of your mind?”
“The white light… Sahyeong, it’s calling me. I’m finally free. Thank you, heavens…”
Yoon Jong almost fell off the chair.
“WHAT?! “He shouted.
Tang Soso spat out the food in her mouth loud splutter and screamed, “SAHYEONG! STAY WITH US! Is there no doctor around?!”
Baek Cheon made wheezing sounds while laying his head on the table though no one understood a single word.
Yu Iseol calmly patted his back and turned to Tang Soso.
“Soso, he says, ‘You’re the doctor.’ “
“Ugh…”
Just then the door burst open with a violent kick. A loud bang shattered the air and the ground shook as if there was an earthquake. Someone entered. He walked towards Jo Geol with heavy steps.
Nobody even dared to blink. They stayed still as a statue.
SMACK!
“AGHH!”
“Hah… Jo Geol, you are fine. Tsk, tsk. Back in my days, even if our one arm was missing, we’d say, ‘Oh, it’s just a scratch. Nothing to be worry about.’ Don’t be such a baby.”
“Ah… my back, ow… I’m gonna vomit my internals…”
Baek Cheon suddenly raised his head in fear. And Tang Soso gasped.
“C-Cheong Myeong Sahyeong, I think, he might actually die this time…”
“You worry too much. Anyways, come to the meeting room immediately.”
Yoon Jong tilted his head with curiosity.
“Is it the new member? Peizhi?”
“Yes, he finally came. Let’s go.”
A wave of suspicion passed through everyone’s eyes, some excited, some cautious. One thing was certain: this newcomer would change something. Whether for better or worse, no one could tell.
Cheong Myeong had been sensing something… off. Since Tang Gunak introduced Peizhi… a subtle prickle under his skin, like the wind sweeping the wrong way. But he kept quiet. What was there to say? “Something feels weird”?
Still, the feeling stuck. Unnamed. Unexplained.
……
They sat around the low table in the meeting hall, waiting and no one batted an eye. It was like the calm before the storm. Plates of untouched snacks sat between them, cooling in silence.
“Why is he taking so long?” Tang Soso muttered.
“He should be here in a minute. Maybe something urgent came up.” Hyun Jong said wisely.
Cheong Myeong yawned so loudly it echoed. “If he doesn’t come in the next ten seconds, I’m out.”
Baek Cheon gave him a judgy look “No, you’re not.”
“Watch me”
Tang Gunak cleared his throat harshly but everybody could notice the disguised embarrassment in his face.
Meng So glanced at the door, thinking whoever walked through that door wouldn’t just be anyone…
The door creaked open.
They all turned.
A single step echoed against the polished, wooden floor.
He entered slowly, taking his every step carefully but not with the swagger of someone trying to impress, nor the awkwardness of someone intimidated. Just… calm. As if he thought through his every step with caution.
He was not flashy. His clothes were brown, plain, and clean, lacking any clan insignia. His jet-black hair was tied neatly back, black sword with ivy patterns sheathed and hang out his back, not aggressively, but not forgotten either.
His eyes… it was his eyes that made them pause.
Dark, unreadable, still. The kind of gaze that didn’t seek attention, yet somehow drew it anyway.
He offered a subtle, respectful bow to Hyun Jong and the other leaders. “Greetings, esteemed members of the Heavenly Friendship Alliance. I am Peizhi. I apologize for the wait.”
His voice was low and steady, entirely devoid of arrogance.
A collective sigh of relief passed through the room. He seemed like… a proper man. Humble even.
Peizhi looked everyone up and down as if he was devouring everyone with his gaze. But then his gaze drifted, it landed on Cheong Myeong. A different expression, subtle as breath, crossed his face. His black, tranquil eyes widened.
“Cho Sam… is that you?” Peizhi whispered, his gaze fixed on Cheong Myeong.