Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Translator: Penny
Chapter 48
"Oh! Jang Hongsik of the Honyeon Faction?"
"Yes. I investigated and found he was a truly vile man. They say he even trafficked people. I couldn't stand by and let that happen."
"Exactly! We can't let such wicked deeds go unpunished."
"I executed him in the name of justice."
"Well done! A truly commendable act. Still, show some restraint in the future. We should strive to guide everyone toward redemption, giving them at least one chance to reflect on their mistakes and repent."
"Hmm, I understand. I'll treasure your words like gold and jade, Paternal Uncle, and engrave them in my heart."
"Good, ha...! How you speak so beautifully!"
On the path leading up Mount Wudang, Zhuge Munhyeon clung to Yeonghwa's side like a cherished nephew, chattering only words he knew would please him.
I know that too. Trying to win someone over? That's just not me. I could never have imagined the Heavenly Demon being so solemn and serious... But how long has it been since I died? I am Zhuge Munhyeon now. Naturally, I must focus on the present and seize every opportunity to build connections and exploit them for my goals.
And Yeonghwa wasn't just any Daoist.
He was the Master of the Yuzhen Palace of Wudang.
He oversaw all external affairs, supporting lay families and martial clans with ties to Wudang, and maintained close relations with the Secret Cave Restoration Team.
In other words, he was the one who provided work and funding.
Becoming close to him would undoubtedly benefit both him and his clan.
Who knew?
Perhaps Wudang might even become a friendly force for the Zhuge Clan.
What better ally could they ask for? They had no interest in territory, transcended worldly wealth, forbade greed, and shunned the mortal realm, obsessing only over cultivating their Ascension Core.
Even the Wudang disciples' attitude toward the Zhuge Clan had completely changed.
With the Elder and Palace Master engaging in such friendly conversation with the Zhuge Clan's descendants as they ascended the mountain, the Wudang disciples following Yeonghwa refrained from imposing any restrictions.
Instead, they approached the Zhuge Clan members first, asking about the purpose of various items, the nature of Zhuge's martial arts, and whether they might spar sometime.
The flowers of conversation bloomed in full.
Hmph, if only the clan members knew this was all thanks to my tearful efforts.
"By the way, is Paternal Uncle Yeongmun on the mountain?"
"No. He left on a Wandering Pilgrimage long ago and hasn't returned."
"A Wandering Pilgrimage? Even Elders like him embark on such journeys?"
"Heh heh, you know about the Wandering Pilgrimage?"
"Of course! He's wandering the world to cultivate himself. He trains, gains experience, and occasionally spars with extraordinary individuals he meets along the way."
"You know him well."
"Hey, I'm the guy who received Wudang's blessings, remember?"
"Heh heh...!"
Zhuge Munhyeon winked and grinned, transforming into a complete old fox.
"Yeongmun has always been a free-spirited soul. He never really enjoyed the rigid discipline of training in the temple."
"Ah, so that's why..."
"Perhaps that's why he never believed the path to Ascension lay solely in secluded cultivation on Mount Wudang."
"Ascension?"
"Indeed."
"Could it be that Paternal Uncle Yeongmun dreams of Ascension?"
"Heh heh, is Ascension Yeongmun's dream alone? It's the dream of every Daoist who masters the art of Core Refinement. The only difference lies in where and how they attain enlightenment."
Oh my, my heart! Just hearing the word "Ascension" makes my heart race. Well said. I was already planning to ask a few questions. Since I'm here anyway, let's just ask everything I've been wondering about.
"But as far as I know, Wudang has quite a few Daoists who achieved Ascension through mountain cultivation, right?"
"Quite a few? That's an understatement! Our Founding Ancestor was the first to ascend, entering the embrace of the Heavenly Venerable. Many others have followed in his footsteps, realizing their dreams."
"Like... Grand Patriarch Kunyang?"
"Oh! You know Grand Patriarch Kunyang?"
"I've read so many books. Besides, he's quite famous, isn't he?"
"Indeed. He achieved great things both internally and externally."
Yeonghwa nodded in agreement.
Yu Gilcheon, you bastard! After denying it so vehemently...
Now, to the crux of the matter.
"As far as I know, the Virtuous Celestial also achieved Ascension, didn't he?"
"That's the legend. It's said that on the day he departed, Five-Colored Auspicious Qi descended brilliantly upon Wudang Peak, and the heavens seemed to open."
"Ooh!"
Zhuge Munhyeon, his surprise almost exaggerated, immediately pressed on.
"Then could the Virtuous Celestial's Secret to Ascension be the reason for restoring the Secret Cave?"
"Huh? Secret to Ascension? What's that supposed to mean?"
Yeonghwa tilted his head, his expression utterly bewildered.
Ah, did I ask too soon? Damn it...
"Just in case. Since he achieved Ascension, I thought he might have left something behind... People often want to leave behind records of their achievements when they're about to depart this world, like the Secret Cave or something."
Though the words were brimming with desire, Yeonghwa, whose true intentions remained inscrutable, simply chuckled.
"This kid's really caught up in those common tales of fortuitous encounters."
"..."
"The Secret to Ascension... Hmm, I've never heard of such a thing."
Never heard of it? Damn it! So it's not real?
"Perhaps he did leave something behind. Since no one has ever entered the cave, there's no way to know if anything remains."
"Huh? No one's ever been inside?"
"I heard the Patriarch left such a final request. Didn't he ask your clan the same thing? To seal the entrance with an impenetrable Formation and Mechanisms? Haven't you heard of this?"
"Th-that was so long ago..."
"Indeed... time has passed."
Yeonghwa's words plunged Zhuge Munhyeon into deep contemplation.
Damn it. So does it exist or not?
Since even Wudang hadn't been able to enter, he couldn't make a judgment.
But why did Yu Gilcheon seal the Secret Cave's entrance?
He couldn't fathom the man's intent.
And he couldn't exactly resurrect the dead to ask...
"But Paternal Uncle..."
"What is it?"
"Why is Wudang trying to restore the Secret Cave? It's not like they've ever been inside before."
"Hah hah, isn't it obvious? If it hadn't collapsed, we could leave it alone. But knowing it's fallen and still neglecting it would be no different than abandonment."
"Ah..."
He let out a short sigh, but what did he care about those stuffy Daoist ideas?
If it's collapsed, it's just a tomb now...
"If any remains are left, we should retrieve them before it's too late. If they've turned to dust, we must at least bring the Clear Yang Sword, which he used, to the Patriarch Hall. Isn't that the duty of a disciple?"
"I see."
Zhuge Munhyeon nodded, pausing to ponder.
After all, he wouldn't know what was inside until he saw for himself.
He would find out.
If Yu Gilcheon left something behind...
"I'll definitely restore the Secret Cave and help you find Grand Ancestor's Clear Yang Sword."
"Your words alone are enough to make me grateful."
"But what if I enter the cave and see something left behind by the Virtuous Celestial?"
"Hmm?"
"Wouldn't that be... inappropriate? It's Wudang's property, after all."
"Hahahaha! What are you worried about? It is said that the Dao of the martial world reveals itself to those with clear eyes and speaks to those with keen ears. Since fate has already determined your connection, if you see something, wouldn't that be part of your destined path?"
"So, you're saying I can enter without hesitation?"
"Is that what you're asking? You've already received Yeongmun's blessing, making you no stranger to Wudang. And as a member of the prestigious Zhuge Clan, your name carries weight—there must be the Heavenly Venerable's Intent behind this. Muryangsu-bul..."
As Yeonghwa chanted the Daoist Invocation with a benevolent smile, Zhuge Munhyeon inwardly smirked.
Thank you, Yeonghwa. You're not just some "Horse Nose" but a true Daoist. I will definitely open the Virtuous Celestial's Secret Cave and obtain the Clear Yang Sword for you. But if the Secret to Ascension is left behind, it's mine. That's a promise. Understand?
"Our conversation has been so delightful that we've already reached the mountainside. We've arrived at the Sword-Releasing Pool."
"...?"
"Heh heh, you seem well-versed in Daoist etiquette, yet you've never heard of Wudang's Sword-Releasing Pool?"
"W-well..."
At Yeonghwa's words, Zhuge Munhyeon scratched his head awkwardly.
He had heard of Wudang's existence, but this was his first time seeing it in person.
In his past life, he had always stepped on the treetops, crossed mountains in a single bound, and arrived at the summit of Mount Wudang in an instant, whether challenging Wudang's greatest master or seeking Yu Gilcheon after resolving to achieve Ascension.
Having never climbed the mountain path, he had no idea what lay halfway up.
Besides, how long had it been since his death? Enough time for the landscape to have changed countless times. Why should a mere pond matter so much?
"That's the Sword-Releasing Pool," Yeonghwa said, pointing to a pond on a flat area halfway up the mountain.
Beside the pond stood a towering ancient tree, its shade stretching across the water. From its lush, sprawling branches hung... swords? And most of them were heavily rusted.
"The weapons hanging from the Sword Tree belonged to those who came to Wudang but never left."
"Ah..."
They're dead. In other words, these black swords were their relics.
"Hmm, this place was actually established long ago, but it fell into obscurity and nearly vanished. The Sword-Releasing Pool regained its fame during the time of Grand Ancestor Virtuous Celestial, whom I mentioned earlier."
"..."
"Back then, the Martial World was plagued by a scourge—a vile entity that no one dared associate with."
Zhuge Munhyeon listened intently to Yeonghwa's explanation of the Sword-Releasing Pool's history, then tilted his head in confusion.
Yu Gilcheon had lived in his era.
But a scourge? He'd never heard of such a creature before.
"Grand Ancestor Virtuous Celestial subdued the scourge through a battle of wits and imprisoned it within Taiji Cave."
"Taiji Cave?"
"Yes."
They imprisoned a Scourge in Wudang's sacred training grounds, a place reserved for those seeking Ascension? That's not what it was supposed to be... Eh, surely not?
"It was a truly humiliating chapter in Wudang's history. But Grand Ancestor Virtuous Celestial walked that thorny path alone, relentlessly pursuing the Scourge's death until the Martial World was saved. To commemorate this achievement, the Martial World began the tradition of releasing swords into the mid-mountain pool—the origin of this Sword-Releasing Pool."
"..."
As the story unfolded like a grandfather telling an old tale to his grandson, the smile vanished from Zhuge Munhyeon's face.
Wait, hold on... You... that... it's not, is it? Right?
His eyelids began to twitch uncontrollably.
"Paternal Uncle."
"Hmm?"
"Could the name of that Scourge be...?"
"Ah, it's almost too terrible to utter... The Scourge's name is Heavenly Demon Baek Ganghwi."
"..."
Heavenly... Baek...
So, that Scourge is me?
Heh, hahahaha, hahahahahahaha.
Fuck!
Yu Gilcheon, you bastard!
If you're going to die, at least die properly! What? A Scourge? Unfit for association? And you spread rumors that I'm imprisoned?
I should just dig up the Secret Cave, perform postmortem decapitation, and burn Mount Wudang to the ground, starting with the Sword-Releasing Pool.
"Hm? What's wrong?"
"...The emotions... are overwhelming."
Zhuge Munhyeon barely suppressed his surging rage, clenching his teeth as he forced a smile.
"You little rascal, how can you be more furious than I am? Though, I suppose it's understandable. Even the historical records describe the Heavenly Demon as a calamity sent by the heavens. Muryangsu-bul."
"..."
Enough, Yeonghwa. Before you set fire to Wudang, I might just lop off your head first, you know? Agh! These people are really...
"Munhyeon, those days are long past. Calm yourself and unfasten your weapon from your waist to hang it up."
"...Yes."
Zhuge Munhyeon, still seething with anger, gritted his teeth and stomped toward the Sword Tree.
Yeonghwa couldn't hide his satisfaction.
"To think that this outsider child would be so enraged by Wudang's ancient humiliation. If he truly intends to restore the Secret Cave, Grand Ancestor Virtuous Celestial will surely rejoice. Heh heh, what a fortunate connection. Muryangsu-bul."
But Zhuge Munhyeon's direction was peculiar.
Not toward the Sword Tree, but...
"Heh heh! Munhyeon, that's not the right way. That's the Horse Post."
I know that. I have eyes. I'm just contemplating whether to pull out the Horse Post and bash your skull in with it. It looks thick enough to feel quite satisfying...
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny