Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion
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His past body had been exceptional.
Demonic Spirit Physique.
The body he was born with, inherently attuned to demonic qi, allowed him to effortlessly and swiftly master any demonic ultimate art.
If he hadn't been born with the Demonic Spirit Physique, he never would have become the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Cult Leader without mastering the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, regardless of his title as the Absolute Heavenly Demon.
The Demonic Spirit Physique was that special. Yet, upon introspection of his current body, it inevitably brought the Demonic Spirit Physique to mind.
'To be precise, it's the complete opposite of the Demonic Spirit Physique.'
The twelve meridians, once completely blocked, were now refreshingly clear. The eight extraordinary meridians, previously a mess, were as taut as a cow's sinew.
Moreover, the energy from the Perilla Seed Pill mingled with the natural qi of the great world, rapidly circulating through his blood vessels and firmly reinforcing his acupoints.
If that were the end of it, he wouldn't have thought of the Demonic Spirit Physique at all.
But.
'It starts from here.'
His mind's eye, delving deeper, descended endlessly. Reaching his abdomen, it examined the deeply nestled lower dantian.
The lower dantian, once rigidly hardened from blocked meridians, had expanded vast as the open sea after absorbing the energy, pristine without a speck of dust.
Like that of a newborn child.
Even achieving the realm of Exchanging Bones and Seizing the Fetus wouldn't make it this pure.
This sensation was entirely new.
'With this level of purity, he'd achieve rapid progress stacking any qi in the world.'
This was the greatest advantage of his current unidentified body.
Accepting all forms of qi.
The Demonic Spirit Physique, born harboring demonic qi yet clashing with opposing energies.
His current body, empty yet capable of accepting all qi, free and unbound.
Presence and emptiness, demon and void.
The two bodies started from polar opposites, yet shared the same excellence.
'And right now, I prefer this one.'
In his past as Dokgo Goyeun, the Demonic Spirit Physique would have been preferable, but for his current self, this body was ideal.
And that wasn't all.
His mind now held countless martial arts beyond measure, along with experiences mastering peerless techniques and facing opponents who wielded them.
On top of that, he'd acquired this exceptional body?
It was like giving wings to a tiger.
The corners of his eyes curved upward.
'I only tried treating the Yin-Yang Supreme Spirit Absolute Meridian to save my life, but luck favored me. And I hit the jackpot big time.'
All that had happened in just one day seemed to smile upon him.
With a body like this, he could regain his former prowess faster than expected.
Thus, with a face full of satisfaction, he repeatedly scrutinized his body from head to toe.
'This is enough for now.'
After thoroughly grasping his physical condition, he slowly opened his closed eyes.
He then slowly scanned his surroundings.
The pitch-black darkness swallowed the hut's interior like the depths of hell.
'Time flew by.'
Opening the window, the outside world had advanced far beyond what he'd imagined in his mind.
A full moon peeked shyly from the clouds high in the sky, round and bright, while its blue moonlight gradually dyed the Mount Hua Sect, red even in daylight, in shades of blue.
Captured by the mysterious yet captivating scenery, his mind wandered.
'Moonlight...'
Perhaps from seeing only cave luminous pearls for ten years, the long-missed blue moonlight felt welcoming and slightly melted his hardened heart.
Thud.
He promptly lay down spread-eagled.
'Now, onto martial arts... Which to start with? The Heavenly Demon Divine Art? No, for maximum speed, the Nine Heavens Demonic Art? Solidify the lower dantian with Nine Heavens Demonic Art, then center on Returning Heaven Demonic Knot to reach Heavenly Demon Divine Art...'
Mid-thought, he paused.
'...Does it have to be a demonic art?'
He'd handled most demonic ultimate arts in the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Rehashing the same ones?
It didn't sit well.
Besides, he was no longer Dokgo Goyeun but Cheonhwi, disciple of Mount Hua Sect?
If anyone detected demonic qi, it'd spell trouble—spy accusations, public enemy of murim, headaches galore.
Weighing the future, he organized his thoughts.
There was no need to practice demonic arts specifically.
Why not orthodox sect arts instead? Far more fun.
Imagining learning new techniques brought a grin to his face.
The Heavenly Demon Library held many orthodox manuals seized long ago, but he'd only read them, never practiced.
Orthodox ultimate arts clashed with demonic qi.
Now opportunity knocked.
So, demonic arts aside.
He calmly recalled Mount Hua Sect's martial arts.
Theirs were truly flashy.
Every sword swing bloomed flowers, scattering thick plum blossom scents...
Pfft. A chuckle escaped.
Recalling it was amusing.
Like advertising his position to enemies everywhere.
'Still, it was a sight to behold.'
Far better than watching monks' punches, beggars' staff swings, or Wudang Taoists drawing circles with their swords.
'Now, I get to learn them?'
With that thought, he recalled Mount Hua's ultimate techniques, dusty in a corner of the Heavenly Demon Library.
Dry Origin Pure Heart Method, Nine Palaces Heaven-Reversing Sword, Immortal Cloud Resting Lone Peak, Nine Palaces Step—and mid-recall of the Jade Ring Wondrous Step he'd witnessed, he flinched.
'Come to think of it, the Jade Ring Wondrous Step...'
Hyeonryeo's footwork from that morning suddenly came to mind.
'That must be the Jade Ring Wondrous Step?'
The Jade Ring Wondrous Step he knew was, true to its name, steep as carved jade, conjuring illusions.
Yet hers was just fast movement, lacking the illusory afterimages in places.
'Maybe not? It was similar, though.'
Lost in thoughts of the Jade Ring Wondrous Step, his contemplation deepened as the night sky grew ever darker.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next morning.
He slowly stretched and rose.
The slight stiffness from yesterday was completely gone, leaving him light.
"Then..."
He murmured, slipping out of the old bed.
"Shall we go?"
After gathering info by ear for three days, now it was time to move his feet.
He donned the red-and-black daoist robes he'd noted upon arrival.
His gaze fell on the sword nearby.
Probably his master's.
A longsword three chi three cun in length.
Not for a young Taoist.
Whoosh. He spun around.
Opening the small hut's door, early dawn's chill air filled his lungs.
"Hoo... Refreshing."
The hut sat on one of Mount Hua's peaks: Falling Goose Peak.
Perhaps due to its height on the mountain.
The surrounding scenery unfolded at a glance.
First, sheer peaks carved like with a knife, surrounded by blooming plum trees.
'Unlike the dreary Tianshan Mountains, this is nice.'
Tianshan towered grander than Mount Hua.
But lacked this vibrant, mood-lifting vitality just from looking.
Blame the eternal snow and beasts.
Still, those beasts let him thrive in harsh lands.
Recalling the chewy wolf and tiger meat hunted before his ten-year seclusion, saliva gathered.
Time for some meat later.
Thus, envisioning his plans' extension, he hastened his steps.
Crunch—crunch—
Descending the narrow mountain path, he took in the scenery slowly.
Plum blossoms' fragrance tickled his nose; grand halls dotted the view, captivating his eyes.
After a while, the steep path flattened.
Grand halls lined up: Pearl Plum Hall for second-generation disciples, No Flower Hall for third-generation, Martial Training Pavilion for first-generation.
Yet, contrary to info, all were silent.
Then, faint voices.
"Hah! Hah!"
Focusing, he perked his ears. Shouts echoed from afar.
That'd be Peach Grove Plain for second-gen training ground, or Four Dream Plain for first-gen.
Using the shouts, he mapped mentally.
Soon, a rough internal layout formed.
This way, then...
He sharply turned his steps.
After walking a bit, he stopped before a weathered hall.
Found it!
He eyed the prominent sign at the entrance: Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion.
Mount Hua's archive, compiling all martial manuals in three stories, towered high.
'Time to browse Mount Hua's martial arts.'
Approaching the silent pavilion, he grasped the door handle.
Creeeak—
As the door opened, no books or shelves greeted him—but a middle-aged Taoist.
"Oh, isn't this Hwi?"
The wrinkled-faced middle-aged Taoist rushed over and patted his head.
'Is head-patting a greeting here? It'll wear out.'
As he regarded Ten Thousand Scriptures Pavilion Lord Hyeoncheong—another head-patter after the Sect Leader—the man's mouth gaped.
"As Sect Leader Martial Brother said today, you safely overcame the crisis. So, what brings you to the pavilion?"
"Want to read some martial manuals... urgently."
Honorifics not yet habitual, his words stuttered. But Hyeoncheong's eyes widened at the content, ignoring the oddity.
"Martial manuals?"
"Yes."
"Hahaha, yes. Recovered, and now interested in martial arts."
Hyeoncheong laughed heartily, happily stepping aside.
"First visit, so let me explain."
The interior revealed itself.
'Oh ho?'
His lips twitched.
Smaller than Heavenly Demon Library, but vast beyond ordinary halls.
Filled with books, the scent of paper permeated.
"First floor has miscellaneous texts and widely known Central Plains manuals; second floor, named disciples' arts; top third floor, our sect's hidden ultimate arts for true transmitters. Unnamed named disciples stop at second, but as true transmitter and direct disciple, you can access anywhere freely."
His lips curled.
'How many volumes is that?'
Imagining the manuals ahead, a pleased smile leaked.
First satisfaction with the Eternal Life Immortal Dominion Great Law's outcome.
"Heh heh."
Hyeoncheong chuckled.
Seeing Cheonhwi's sparkling eyes, he stroked his unkempt beard.
'Thought he lacked interest, but hid it to avoid worry over his condition.'
Pity stirred.
The child his youngest martial brother brought.
Initially, all thought he'd inherit the next Mount Hua's top sword.
But upon seeing him, all realized simultaneously.
His body was a wreck.
'Heh heh, resolved by Perilla Seed Pill and junior nephew's medicine... Youngest brother would've been glad...'
Tears welled.
Youngest brother was Mount Hua's treasure.
With heaven-sent talent to restore the faded sect's fame, expected to reach Heavenly Martial Realm young.
But mere dream.
Eight years ago, perished against White Ghost Castle. Thereafter, Cheonhwi grew more passive.
'Good that he's recovered.'
Misunderstanding bred more, warming Hyeoncheong's gaze.
But Cheonhwi, captivated by the pavilion, entered oblivious.
'Tsk, pity, but third floor first.'
Forcing reluctant feet, he strode up the stairs.
Reaching third floor, his eyes gleamed at the shelves.
Qi methods, sword arts, fist arts, palm arts, foot arts...
Scanning shelf labels, he paused at one.
Shelf side: 'Lightness Skills' marker.
He turned, eyes sweeping titles.
Ink Cloud Thunder Spit, Heaven Dragon Emerging Cloud, Butcher Hand One Step, Nine Palaces Step, etc.
Mount Hua's famed footworks gathered.
Tsk.
Eyes drawn to some, but he restrained, rolling them onward.
"Jade Ring Wondrous Step, Jade Ring Wondrous Step..."
Murmuring softly, soon.
"Here it is!"
Hand shot out, pulling the book.
Seeing 'Jade Ring Wondrous Step' clearly marked, excitement surged.
New manual after ages.
His eyes reddened with thrill; twisted smile formed.
Reminiscent of when aides called him the Martial Frenzy Ghost.
Flip!
Turning the page immediately.
"Hm? This is the Jade Ring Wondrous Step?"
A bewildered voice escaped.