Chapter 12
Chapter 12
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Dao Heart's Trial!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Radiant Moon Sect was a sect that cultivated the Dao. Naturally, nothing was more important than the Dao Heart.
What was the Dao Heart?
It was the mind that sought the Dao. The mind that connected to the Dao, the Dao itself.
The concept of the Dao Heart was far too complex to measure precisely, so they could only test it roughly.
"This is the bridge leading into our sect, called the One Mind Bridge. They say that crossing it lets you see the one desire you truly hold. Let's cross."
An Outer Disciple stood at the front, followed by two young children, then the Single Spiritual Root youth, Yeong-yeong, and Yuk-gyeong. Trailing a bit further back were the other Outer Disciples.
They lined up in a row and waddled along like ducklings following their mother.
Yu Yeong-yeong whispered softly to Yuk-gyeong.
"They say the One Mind Bridge shows you a person's greed. If your greed is impure, no matter how hard you try, you can't cross it."
That bridge?
To Yuk-gyeong, it looked like an ordinary wooden bridge. It had a simple, unadorned feel, like something out of a scenic painting, with no extraordinary aura about it.
Still, Yeong-yeong, who had an Inner Disciple for a sister, wouldn't lie.
Yuk-gyeong stepped onto the bridge, tense with anticipation.
Step!
But there was no sensation at all. Did he need to walk further? He took a few more steps, but still nothing.
What? Nothing's happening?
Did Yeong-yeong lie to me? Just to tease?
Yuk-gyeong walked a bit more. Now his steps were no longer cautious. He strode forward boldly.
The feeling of walking on the bridge wasn't bad. With the stream flowing below and its gentle babbling in his ears, his mind naturally calmed.
Suddenly, Yuk-gyeong caught sight of his reflection in the stream.
There, he saw himself reveling in pleasure amid countless women and delicious foods. At the same time, he saw himself attaining eternal life and longevity.
It was as if it were showing him Yuk-gyeong's future, the present he could seize right now.
All things in the world grew hazy, and Yuk-gyeong felt as though everything about him existed within that stream.
If he just jumped in, it seemed he could grasp it all.
But soon, Yuk-gyeong noticed that the stream also reflected his bare face from outside the water.
This was him now. The face of the him who possessed nothing and had yet to embark on the path of cultivation.
The present and future contrasted sharply, making his current self seem pathetic, while his future self stirred envy.
But, but.
What did it all mean?
So what if his present self was pathetic? So what if his future self was desirable?
What truly held meaning?
The Dao. It was the Dao.
From that realization arose a question.
Could he pursue the Dao with a single mind?
The bridge seemed to be asking just that.
Yuk-gyeong gained enlightenment from it and nodded. He would pursue the Dao with a single mind and be reborn as an immortal. Things like lustful demons were mere false hearts born of desire.
This was no mere resolution; it rippled deep into Yuk-gyeong's heart, leaving a profound imprint.
Then, he felt the Heaven-Earth Spiritual Energy scattered in the air flowing toward him.
Whoosh—!
It was like the wind.
A cool, refreshing wind entered and exited the depths of Yuk-gyeong's lungs.
Yuk-gyeong felt regret as the wind left his body, but he couldn't hold onto the wind...
As the wind came and went, Yuk-gyeong realized something had changed within him.
'My body feels light? Why? Did I sleep well last night? Yeah, a good night's sleep really makes a difference.'
No one noticed Yuk-gyeong's change. The Outer Disciples were merely guiding the initiates and unaware of what had happened.
Except for one person.
Geum Elder, watching everything from a high pavilion, had been observing Yuk-gyeong and instantly noticed the shift in the flow of spiritual energy.
"Hm? Gaining enlightenment at the One Mind Bridge as a mere mortal? Response Qi 1st Star? A Single Spiritual Root possessor? Indeed, stepping onto the threshold of Response Qi 1st Star without even a cultivation method. Not a perfect Response Qi 1st Star, but still a heaven-shaking event. His aptitude must be exceptional."
Geum Elder clicked his tongue in admiration as he looked at Yuk-gyeong approvingly. Then, his gaze returned to emotionless scrutiny of the others.
The One Mind trial favored children.
The four worldly-untainted children had hearts that were purely one mind, their desires simple. Thus, they passed this trial with ease.
The kids chattered among themselves, crossing the bridge oblivious to what the trial even was.
Yu Yeong-yeong's cheeks flushed red from whatever she saw on the bridge, but she crossed without issue. Her fundamentals seemed solid, thanks to her sister's early guidance.
The Single Spiritual Root youth's expression shifted constantly as he hesitated, but he didn't stop walking entirely. His Dao Heart foundation didn't seem particularly deep.
When they were about halfway across,
the atmosphere of the One Mind Bridge suddenly changed.
Something terrifying seemed to watch over the bridge.
It felt like it was urging them to jump off, planting that impulse in their hearts.
It came so abruptly, without even time to prepare.
Glancing sideways, Yu Yeong-yeong's face had gone pale too, clearly feeling the same terror and impulse.
Yuk-gyeong faltered at the sudden fear, but his resolute nature kept him moving.
'This level of fear is nothing. I've overcome scarier things. Being chased by bandits, threatened by martial artists, facing death multiple times.'
And then, a sudden cool breeze swirled through his body, sweeping away even the lingering dread.
His mind cleared, thoughts flowed smoothly, and energy surged.
With his refreshed mind, Yuk-gyeong finally understood what this trial tested.
Endurance!
The second trial on the bridge was one of endurance.
How long could one endure in a place that instilled fear and agitation? How well could one resist impulse?
The second trial was unbearable without deep endurance.
Sure enough, the two weaker-hearted children tried to jump off, so the trailing Outer Disciples soothed them and sent them home.
This trial favored the youths.
They had more life experience than the children, deeper patience.
Of course, their Single Spiritual Root youth was trembling, eyes flicking to the railing—he seemed near his limit.
Even weaker-hearted than the other two kids. A little push, and he'd panic and grab the railing?
Yeong-yeong's face was pale and her legs shook a bit, but she seemed to pass without much trouble.
Fortunately, they were almost across.
The three youths all overcame the bridge's trial. And the two strong-hearted children barely made it through.
The only failures were the two weak-hearted children.
The Outer Disciples led the failed ones away. Only the guiding Outer Disciple remained.
Seeing the decent number of remaining candidates, the guide widened his eyes in slight surprise.
"Congratulations on crossing the One Mind Bridge. From now on, you're all disciples of Radiant Moon Sect. Ah, of course, after the proper initiation ceremony."
The final selects: two boys, three youths!
Out of over a hundred participants, five had been initiated.
The Outer Disciple thought this batch was large. Most cohorts only took one or two boys; this time, five.
Finally, the Outer Disciple introduced himself.
"I'm Outer Disciple Gong Son-cheong. Your senior brother. Call me Senior Brother Gong Son-cheong. Of course, after the initiation ceremony."
What was this initiation ceremony all about?
It wasn't some multi-day preparation, thankfully. Gong Son-cheong beckoned the initiates.
"Disciples, follow me. Let's go perform the initiation ceremony."
The sect grounds Gong Son-cheong led them to were modest and welcoming.
Yuk-gyeong had imagined a solemn, rigid atmosphere like a Daoist temple, but the Outer Sect where Outer Disciples lived buzzed with life like the outside world.
It was mealtime, the aroma of cooking rice wafting fragrantly. People bustled about with chores: carrying herbs, hauling firewood, tending fires.
Indeed, Outer Disciples handled the sect's menial tasks.
Soon, they entered the Inner Sect.
The Inner Sect where Inner Disciples resided differed markedly from the Outer Sect at first glance.
For one, it was quiet.
Few people wandered about, and those who did hurried off somewhere with stern expressions.
Gong Son-cheong greeted an Inner Disciple he happened to meet, who nodded curtly and continued on.
Accustomed to such encounters, Gong Son-cheong faithfully led the initiates onward.
Watching this, Yuk-gyeong thought the Inner Sect must be full of stuck-up types. Bunch of Inner Sect snobs.
Anyway, Gong Son-cheong led the initiates deep into the Inner Sect.
It felt like an important area.
Fewer people, more secluded atmosphere.
A bit further, and there was a building at the base of a cliff. Gong Son-cheong stopped in front of it.
"We're here. This is where the initiation ceremony takes place."