The Cunning Treasure Hunter-Chapter 161: Eunsong shook her

Eunsong shook her head slowly.

Myeonggon did the same.

During Myeonggon's generation, the Scarlet Harmony Pavilion was strictly restricted due to the illness of the former Sect Leader.

And by the time Eunsong's generation took over, Jeongyang had already become the Sect Leader.

Jeongyang was an unusually reclusive individual who issued a command forbidding anyone from stepping into the Scarlet Harmony Pavilion.

"It's more like a storage room for the Sect Leader's random junk... you could call it the most personal place there is."

"A place like that exists?"

Eunsong let out a dry chuckle.

A junk storage room? Surely, something so important wouldn't be hidden in a place like that.

After all, the man once known as the Lord of Ten Thousand Mountain Peaks wouldn't stoop to that level... right?

"Think about it. If Myeongjeok and Eunbyeok were like that, then their master, and the grandmaster before them—Jeongyang—must've had something too."

"Still... do you really believe the Young Sect Master would be hiding there?"

Even Myeonggon sounded doubtful.

But Jeonggang simply chuckled, sipped his cooling tea, and set the cup down.

"If there's anywhere with the highest possibility... it's there. Jeongyang—that kid was always cunning."

Jeongyang was once his disciple.

Jeonggang had been the eldest brother among the current Elders, and he had known Jeongyang better than anyone.

After all, habits from age three carry on till eighty.

Jeongyang always hid important things in the most obvious places—places one wouldn't normally suspect.

He always acted unpredictably.

And he was clever—clever enough to hide even his ambition beneath layers of normalcy.

Jeonggang slowly recalled the past.

In his youth, there was a time he thought he truly understood Jeongyang.

He believed him to be shrewd and clever, but not evil.

He never imagined the boy harbored such ambition.

He had merely thought of him as a brilliant disciple—one who could execute any command with unorthodox genius.

That was why he handed down the seat of Sect Leader.

'...I never had the talent to lead others anyway.'

It was a conclusion born from understanding his own nature.

He had the eye to see someone's potential at a glance—especially in martial arts.

That's why he took in Eunsong and Eunjeong.

At the very least, their martial prowess was unmistakable.

As a result, Eunsong became the foremost martial scholar when it came to interpreting and analyzing martial techniques.

Eunjeong, too, rose to fame as the greatest sword-bearer of his generation, bringing glory to Mount Hua.

Yet despite all that, Jeonggang never learned how to truly care for people.

In his youth, he only cherished disciples with martial talent... and that's why he knew deep down he wasn't fit to be Sect Leader.

So, he passed it on to Jeongyang.

But never in his wildest dreams did he expect the boy to seize power so swiftly and rule with such authority.

"But to enter that place, we'll need to draw the Sect Leader out of the Scarlet Harmony Pavilion first."

Myeonggon calmly pointed out the critical issue.

Fortunately, that was something Jeonggang could still handle.

"Leave that to me."

"Are you sure, Grandmaster? Your health—"

"Eunsong, I still have the strength to walk and speak."

Jeonggang downed the last of his tea and began cleaning up the cups and kettle.

Then he turned to face Myeonggon and Eunsong.

"As you both know, I don't have much time left. So before I go, I intend to use what remains of this old, ailing body and whatever scraps of wisdom I have left."

"...Yes, Grandmaster."

"When this is all over..."

He glanced toward Sohyak, then casually tossed her a keyring.

Her eyes widened as she caught it.

"What is this...?"

"I may not be as crafty as Jeongyang, but a senior of Great Mount Hua Sect always keeps a few things hidden away."

Jeonggang smiled faintly.

Then, he tapped his fingers lightly against the floor.

"When I'm gone, use that key to unlock the sealed door beneath."

"...Please, don't speak like that."

Sohyak lowered her gaze, voice trembling.

"To speak of your own death so casually..."

Jeonggang had easily twenty more years in him under normal circumstances.

And it was her fault that he no longer had that time.

"Don't think of it as you stealing my time or chances."

"...But how could I not?"

She looked up, startled that he had seen right through her heart.

But Jeonggang only gave a knowing smile.

"Because you gave me something too."

"...You really mean that?"

"I do. Truly."

Still, Sohyak didn't seem convinced.

But none of them—Jeonggang, Eunsong, or Myeonggon—reproached her.

They all knew the weight she bore.

"Very well, then. Let us disperse for now. I'll lure Jeongyang out by tomorrow. You all move in when the time is right. Understood?"

"Understood."

Eunsong answered first.

Myeonggon was the first to rise, followed by Eunsong and the three junior disciples.

"Then I suppose I'll have to stir up some trouble tonight, won't I, Master?"

"Yes, Myeonggon. I'll be counting on you."

"Don't worry."

He offered Jeonggang a respectful martial salute.

He wasn't doing it just because they asked him to.

Like it or not, Myeonggon had shared more than forty years with Myeongjeok.

'...If Senior Brother ends up like Eunbyeok...'

He already knew what had happened to Eunbyeok.

How it ended.

If Myeongjeok had truly fallen to the same fate...

Then Myeonggon would be the one to grant him peace—no matter what it took

Myeonggon had gone to visit Jang Munin.

Meanwhile, Eunsong and the rest of the Third Generation Disciples returned to Eunsong's residence. They were supposed to resume their usual training...

But truth be told, neither Eunsong nor the disciples were in any state to carry on as usual.

"...My heart feels so restless."

With a heavy sigh, Eunsong sat on the wooden hall, rubbing his forehead in fatigue.

Standing before him, Cheonjeong asked gently,

"Are you alright, Master?"

"...Yes, I'm fine. Something like this won't break me."

He let out a bitter smile.

But to Sohyak, Eunsong looked like he was standing on the edge of a cliff.

Watching people around you disappear one by one—it was a hard thing to endure.

Even if they weren't close, people like Eunbyeok and Myeongjeok had long shared their days with Eunsong.

Not all emotions in this world are born from affection. Sometimes, hatred leaves a bond behind too.

No matter how detestable someone may be, if they were a fellow Hwasan Taoist, if they lived within the same walls under the same sky... then even the thinnest sliver of connection remains.

And now, of all things—the Demonic Cult...

The news that Yeom Doje, also known as Akjupae, had defected to the Demonic Cult—that had struck hard.

No one saw it coming.

Yes, it was Eunsong and Sohyak who killed his son.

They fully expected him to explode in rage, seeking revenge.

But to think that, in that very moment... one of the Demonic Cult's Light Commanders would appear...

Luring him away with sweet, deceitful words.

No, in hindsight, the fact that no one anticipated this resurgence from the Demonic Cult—that was the real mistake.

Looking at how things have unfolded so far, it's not entirely unthinkable...

But still, fifty years had passed.

Fifty years is enough for the mountains to change shape five times. Was it really so impossible for the Demonic Cult to rise again?

"...Master."

Cheonjeong called out once more, but Eunsong was lost in the whirlwind of his own thoughts.

Left with no choice, Cheonjeong gestured silently to Sohyak.

Her eyes wide, Sohyak stepped forward and called out in her clear, cold voice.

"Master."

"...Ah."

Only then did Eunsong lift his head.

And before his eyes stood two of his disciples, gazing at him with concern, while the others waited behind, worry etched into their faces.

"...You called?"

"Master, if you only respond to Sohyak's voice, you're going to hurt my feelings."

"Ahaha... Is that so? My apologies."

Cheonjeong already knew.

There was something unique about Sohyak's voice and gaze.

Striking, sharp, distant... yet with an underlying sense of emptiness that couldn't be ignored. freewebnσvel.cѳm

It called people back to themselves.

"Perhaps you should rest for a bit, Master."

"Yes, I suppose you're right... I'll leave the children in your care, Cheonjeong."

"Of course. I'll see to them."

With a faint smile, Eunsong rose from his seat.

Though he spoke as if trusting Cheonjeong with the training, everyone knew what that really meant—he'd let them slack off a little while he wasn't around.

But that was fine too.

Soon, Hwasan would be thrown into chaos...

And in the worst-case scenario...

He might even have to face off against the Young Cult Master, wearing Myeongjeok's body.

"Then, I'll be going."

Eunsong slowly closed the door behind him.

With a gentle smile, Cheonjeong turned back to the others.

"Let's have a little talk, shall we?"

"Big Brother, are you slacking off again?"

Cheongak laughed playfully, but Cheonjeong shot right back.

He motioned for everyone to gather.

"Then feel free to go train on your own."

"That's no fun..."

Cheonhwa and Cheonju, now used to Cheonjeong's ways, sat themselves down casually at the hall's edge.

But Cheonjeong hadn't called them here just to slack off.

"When did I say we were slacking off?"

"Then... what are we doing?"

Cheongu asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

Cheonjeong simply shrugged and smiled.

"Let's decide our roles ahead of time. Just in case things really take a turn for the wors