Chapter 58
Chapter 58
Translator: Penny
Chapter 58
The outcome was favorable, but the mistakes made during the process couldn't be completely overlooked.
While Wudang, having recovered the Clear Yang Sword and saved their disciple, had every reason to rejoice, Baekmu, the head of the Maintenance Team, was furious.
After the Wudang High Command departed, leaving only members of the Zhuge Clan gathered, Baekmu addressed Munhyeon sternly:
"Munhyeon."
"Yes, sir."
"Though you've achieved a great feat, every matter must follow proper procedures. How dare you make such a unilateral decision?"
"W-well, that's..."
"What if you had entered the Secret Cave and found yourself in danger?"
"..."
"Rescuing you would have required further sacrifices. Moreover, it could have strained relations with the Wudang Sect."
I know. Ignoring procedures, acting alone. It was fortunate the outcome was favorable; otherwise, it would have been an irreversible mistake.
"Great Forgemaster, at least Munhyeon handled it well..."
"Handled it well? What exactly did he handle well?"
"W-well, that is..."
Zhuge Munho, who had tried to interject with a supportive remark, withered under Baekmu's icy glare.
Agh, what a clueless fool... Why pour oil on a raging fire?
Zhuge Munhyeon glared at Zhuge Munho, who had intervened to help him.
"So, you believe the process doesn't matter as long as the outcome is favorable?"
"That's not what I meant..."
"You utter simpleton! There's a time to take sides and a time to stay silent! How could you be so thoughtless?"
"I apologize."
Having gained nothing but humiliation for his ill-timed intervention, Zhuge Munho retreated with his neck hunched.
I knew this would happen. Just shut up and let him yell it out. He'll calm down on his own.
But contrary to his hopes, Byeongju Hall Scholar Yanghun intervened again.
"Great Forgemaster, I believe he's understood the lesson by now. Munhyeon's injuries are severe; please temper your anger..."
"What's that? Does a severe injury block his ears too? You call yourself a scholar of Byeongju Hall!"
"..."
Ugh, seriously! Did you guys plan this? Are you doing this on purpose? Just leave him alone!
Baekmu had always been stubborn. With his clear sense of right and wrong, he never tolerated mistakes. Trying to stop him only made him angrier!
And was this really a scolding?
Why couldn't they see he was saying all this for their own good?
He was scolding them to prevent them from repeating the same mistakes.
"Only an old man can understand another old man's heart." Zhuge Munhyeon knew the intent behind the elder's anger, which was why he offered no rebuttal.
He could feel the elder's deep concern for him, yet these fools kept interfering and escalating the situation.
"Damn these meddling fools! This is what happens when everyone obsesses over results! Would you have defended Munhyeon even if something had gone wrong with his body?!"
"..."
Baekmu's anger only intensified. He glared fiercely, scolding not only Zhuge Munhyeon but the entire Maintenance Team, who all hung their heads in shame.
"I will not let this matter slide! I will report every detail to the Patriarch, clearly outlining the merits and demerits. Munhyeon, for violating protocol, will receive punishment, not reward!"
He seemed to have made up his mind firmly.
Zhuge Munhyeon, having served as a Cult Master, understood the dynamics of leadership.
This is the mind of a superior. Praise alone cannot last forever. After basking in the sweetness of repeated successes, arrogance would only swell.
But that was fine.
A scolding? If it was deserved, I'll take it.
He had steeled himself for this since entering the Secret Cave.
Fortunately, he had obtained the Hyeoncheonbirok. A few harsh words were a small price to pay.
Just then, a voice interrupted.
"Great Forgemaster."
"What is it?!"
Baekmu turned, his expression sour at the interruption. It was a Wudang disciple.
"Ahem, what brings you here?"
"That... the Sect Leader requests your presence."
"The Sect Leader?"
Both Baekmu and Zhuge Munhyeon exchanged puzzled glances.
They had only just returned. Why were they being summoned again so soon?
"The Sect Leader, Zhuge Munhyeon, and the key members of the Maintenance Team have been summoned to Zixiao Palace."
"At this hour? What's the matter? Is there something you forgot to convey?"
"I cannot fathom the intent. However, the Sect Leader and all the Elders have gathered at Zixiao Palace."
"Hmm... I understand."
Though it was late, a guest could not refuse a summons from their host.
After dismissing the Wudang disciple, Baekmu glared at Zhuge Munhyeon and the entire Zhuge Clan, his anger still simmering.
"I will decide your punishment after we return. Munhyeon and Scholar Yanghun, follow me."
"Yes, sir."
Zhuge Munhyeon and Yanghun trailed silently behind Baekmu, their eyes darting nervously as he strode ahead.
The Zixiao Palace was brightly lit, filled with disciples who should have been asleep long ago.
What was strange, however, was...
As soon as the Zhuge Clan members approached, the disciples greeted them with unprecedented courtesy, bowing first.
"May I inquire?"
"No need. We were instructed to escort you inside immediately upon your arrival."
Baekmu adjusted his robes, and the Wudang disciple replied with proper decorum before opening the doors to the Zixiao Palace.
As the doors swung wide, a calming fragrance of incense wafted through the air.
Inside, not only the Sect Leader but also all the Wudang Elders and Masters of the Eight Palaces had gathered.
It seemed they hadn't returned to their residences despite the urgent situation having passed.
"Welcome, Great Forgemaster."
"I heard I was summoned."
"Indeed. Come, take a seat."
At Yeongyu's invitation, Baekmu approached his side, followed closely by Zhuge Munhyeon and Yanghun.
"Here, this is the Clear Yang Sword of Grand Ancestor Virtuous Celestial."
"Yes."
"Thanks to Munhyeon preserving and bringing back the remains, the ancestral tablet we enshrine in the Patriarch Hall now carries even greater significance."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"And that's not all! Mujin can be revived... What truly joyous news! It seems the Heavenly Venerable foresaw this outcome and sent Munhyeon to Wudang. Muryangsu-bul."
Baekmu remained silent, as the conversation was entirely focused on praising Zhuge Munhyeon.
They had even invoked the Heavenly Venerable they revered.
But if I agree with them now, what will become of the scolding I just gave? One shouldn't judge solely by the outcome. It is imperative to prevent Zhuge Munhyeon from becoming arrogant and intoxicated by his own pride.
"What truly touched my heart was hearing you say you consider Wudang your family."
"Did he say that?"
"These words? I am deeply grateful."
Yeongyu gazed at Zhuge Munhyeon with a pleased expression.
"We should have disbanded this gathering long ago, but after hearing those words, I couldn't simply dismiss the Elders. We held an emergency meeting."
"Even at this late hour?"
"Hahaha! I can't stand leaving things undone. It seems I'll never achieve true enlightenment."
"Ah, that's not what I meant..."
"I know. How could I not understand the Great Forgemaster's heart?"
"Hmm..."
What does he even know? Sometimes praise can be poison. Why summon me at this late hour...?
"What are you waiting for? Master of the Yuzhen Palace, hurry and convey our intent to Baekmu."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
At Yeongyu's words, Yeonghwa cheerfully brought a box and placed it before Baekmu.
"What is this?"
"Open it."
"Huh?"
"You've earned a reward for your service, haven't you?"
"A reward?"
"Indeed."
Baekmu hesitated for a moment before shaking his head.
"Sect Leader, we performed this task at the request of Wudang and have already agreed upon a fee. Though the work finished sooner than expected, we repaired the Secret Cave and retrieved the Clear Yang Sword as promised. Please withdraw any excessive reward."
Zhuge Munhyeon, seated behind them, couldn't help but feel a pang of regret at Baekmu's unwavering adherence to principle.
Seriously, what's with this guy being so righteous? Fine, I admit I was wrong. Why refuse a gift that's being offered? It's not like anyone asked for it—Wudang is offering it first!
Though frustrated, he couldn't voice his thoughts. As the current representative of the Zhuge Clan, he had to maintain composure.
But then...
"Ha ha! Just open it. Would you make me feel embarrassed by rejecting it so coldly?"
"...Understood."
Repeatedly urged, Baekmu finally opened the box. Inside lay a letter and a Taiji Token carved from jade.
"Sect Leader, what is this...?"
"The Jade Spirit Taiji Token."
"Huh?"
"While the letter conveys our intent, isn't it proper to prepare a token of our promise?"
"...?"
"Since the Zhuge Clan considers Wudang family, shouldn't Wudang reciprocate in kind?"
Yeongyu's words held Baekmu spellbound. He couldn't tear his gaze from the jade's luminous glow within the box.
The Jade Spirit Taiji Token.
It was a token of friendship from Wudang to a clan or sect of equal standing, symbolizing a shared path forward.
In the current era, where factions had splintered and scattered, such an artifact was rarer and far more valuable than gold, silver, or jewels.
The Zhuge Clan had gained a formidable ally, and Baekmu's hands trembled uncontrollably.
"What do you say? Will you convey my intentions to the Patriarch?"
"..."
"Hey, Great Forgemaster?"
"I-I will! I'll personally deliver the Sect Leader and Wudang's intentions!"
Snapping out of his daze, Baekmu clutched the box with both hands and bowed deeply.
"Heh heh heh! I sincerely hope the Patriarch understands my heart."
"This... this is it!"
No treasure could surpass this.
The cost of repairing the Secret Cave and retrieving the Clear Yang Sword seemed insignificant now.
"Be sure to tell him that I received great assistance from Munhyeon."
"..."
"You truly have a precious descendant."
Baekmu couldn't bring himself to reply.
He had just finished scolding him moments ago...
"Ah, and Munhyeon."
"Yes, sir."
"Take this."
Another small box, just large enough to fit snugly in his palm.
"What's this?"
"It's a Ziyang Pill, a nourishing elixir for Wudang practitioners."
"Huh? A Ziyang Pill?"
Even as he asked, his eyes widened in astonishment.
"If I could, I'd give you a Taiqing Pill, but the pill refinement isn't complete yet, so the Ziyang Pill is all I have for now."
"..."
That's a bit disappointing. Traditionally, Wudang practitioners should receive a Taiqing Pill... But a Ziyang Pill is still something. Its effects might be weaker than a Taiqing Pill, but it's a concentrated essence of Wudang's pill refinement techniques. Just consuming it grants twenty years of cultivation progress for free.
In the past, he hadn't needed it.
For someone who had mastered Demonic Arts, Spirit Pills infused with Immortal Qi were practically poison.
But now?
I've mastered the Minor Heavenly Star Art too well.
"Please don't refuse..."
Before the words were even finished, Zhuge Munhyeon swiftly accepted the box.
"Thank you. The Sect Leader's generosity is as vast as the sea."
"Hmm?"
"I will use it wisely."
"Heh heh...! Good, good. I was worried it might be too meager, so I'm grateful you accepted."
"Oh, meager? Don't say such things."
It's a Ziyang Pill, for heaven's sake!
"Is there anything else you might need?"
"Anything else... I might need?"
"Of course. You deserve the Taiqing Pill for the favor you've done, but since I've only given you a Ziyang Pill, I should make up the difference."
Ah, those Wudang bastards... How can they be so generous? I only helped them because I had my own motives.
But...
"Then, would you grant me one favor later?"
"A favor?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
After a brief moment of contemplation, Yeongyu nodded with a contented expression.
A virtuous man does not seek selfishly. This meant that a virtuous man did not make frivolous requests. Everything Zhuge Munhyeon had shown so far was without malice. He had even broken the Zhuge Clan's taboo to save Mujin. How could his request possibly harm Wudang?
"Very well. If it does not harm Wudang, I will certainly grant your favor."
"Thank you, Sect Leader."
This was a precaution for the future. He had yet to read the Hyeoncheonbirok. If, by some chance, the Ascension Method was not preserved within its pages, he would need to travel the Central Plains again to gather information. He had left a request with Wudang for this very moment.
"Now then, you should return and rest. I feel much lighter now that I've delivered my gift."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
The night was late, and there was no time for further conversation.
They needed to rest.
And...
"Scholar Yang."
"Yes, Great Forgemaster."
"Inform the Main Clan."
"Huh? About what?"
"Tell them to prepare a grand feast for the Maintenance Team's return."
"..."
"A truly magnificent one."
Yanghun chuckled as Baekmu clutched the box tightly. "You said you were going to punish him earlier."
"..."
"Did you change your mind so quickly?"
Yanghun's teasing words brought a slight flush to Baekmu's face, and his pace suddenly quickened.
"Come on, tell me! How are you going to punish Munhyeon?"
"Ahem!"
"Just tell me!"
The two looked like they were in a footrace.
Scold him? The process? The result is the Jade Spirit Taiji Token, for heaven's sake! We've forged a friendly relationship with Wudang. How could we possibly scold him? The entire clan should be praising Zhuge Munhyeon!
But...
"Seriously, why won't you say anything?"
Yanghun was incredibly persistent.
Regardless, Zhuge Munhyeon simply clutched the box in his hand, gazing at it with satisfaction.
Ziyang Pill... I'll have to savor this in secret.
📝 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