Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Elder Jang
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Nanjing's Qinhuai River.
The early dawn before the sun had risen.
A single weathered ferryboat drifted leisurely across the silent waters.
As the rising mist cleared, an old man on the boat revealed himself.
He wasn't rowing.
His arms were crossed, eyes closed.
Yet the small ferryboat slowly parted the river, creating a soft friction sound as it quietly headed somewhere.
Willow-like eyebrows stretched long over his closed eyes fluttered in the cold wind.
Beside him sat an empty bucket, meant for holding caught fish.
But there was no fishing rod or bait in sight.
Just then, as the sun began peeking over the horizon...
The ferryboat stopped.
The old man quietly regulated his breathing and exhaled.
"...!"
Vermilion sunlight illuminated over a dozen plump yellow croakers floating belly-up on the water's surface.
The old man kept his eyes closed. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly in satisfaction, and at the same moment, jets of water shot into the air.
Plop, plop-plop.
Only then did the empty bucket fill up. It brimmed with stunned yellow croakers.
What the old man had used was Sound Skill Water Capture, channeling qi vibrations like sound waves to subdue underwater creatures.
On top of that, he had deployed Water Flow True Qi, riding qi along the currents to propel the boat.
This old man's name was Jang Mucheon. These days, he was called Elder Jang.
Jang Mucheon opened his wrinkled eyes.
He had apparently reached his destination.
In his view stood a thatched hut built atop a rock.
It was neither spacious nor ornate. Wind and rain had scarred it everywhere with large and small marks.
Yet it was spotless, without a speck of dust, and the pillars that had weathered the years stood firm.
Much like Elder Jang himself.
"Grandpa, what fish did you fight today?"
From behind an apricot tree that bore past regrets, a girl suddenly popped out.
The child's name was Jang Ryeongwol, and she had just turned thirteen this year.
Ryeongwol wore thick winter clothes stuffed with cotton padding.
On her small shoulders draped the fur of a silver fox that once roamed the white nights, and over her ears were muffs made from the paw of a silver bear called a divine beast.
It was still early autumn.
Yet the girl's attire looked as if she were facing winter alone.
Layered in heavy cotton, Ryeongwol waddled along like a penguin.
"Oh dear, Ryeongwol. Didn't I tell you to stay inside? And why are you dressed so lightly?"
River water seeped into Elder Jang's heels as he stepped off the ferryboat.
He approached his granddaughter, scolding her.
In contrast, his eyes brimmed with affection that even Return to Pure Simplicity couldn't hide.
But soon, atop that wave of love, a poignant sorrow slowly surfaced.
"Grandpa, I came out because I missed the apricot tree. Let's go home now."
Ryeongwol smiled innocently and gently took her wrinkled grandfather's hand.
"Not long ago, it bloomed white flowers and bore crimson fruit... Now only bare branches remain."
The child spoke meaningfully.
As Ryeongwol said, the apricot tree guarding the front gate showed only skeletal branches, preparing for winter.
A few leaves still clung, but they had turned yellow.
Indeed.
His granddaughter Jang Ryeongwol was born with the Nine Yin Absolute Pulse.
This absolute pulse caused excessive yin energy to accumulate in the body, leading inevitably to an early death.
Elder Jang had no words.
His head simply drooped.
He merely lent gentle warmth to the small hand he held.
Seeing her grandfather's grief-stricken face, Ryeongwol realized her mistake and offered a playful remark.
"Grandpa, how did you fight the fish?"
"Hoho, fight the fish? Why do you keep saying I fought them..."
"Why? You're the Martial God, the strongest in the Central Plains and Jianghu's Greatest. Grandpa could twitch a finger and rip an opponent's limbs off, sending them flying through the air."
"Hoho, that's an old tale from long ago. And how can you say such rough words with that innocent face? You rascal."
Elder Jang pinched Ryeongwol's apricot-smooth cheek.
The soft flesh dimpled, then bounced back.
Only then did the sorrow that had clouded his rough, weathered skin fade slightly.
Martial arts were divided into six ranks.
Third-rate, second-rate, first-rate, peak, transcendent arts, and divine ultimate arts.
Third-rate martial arts were the basics for those just entering the world of martial arts.
Once mastered, one learned second-rate arts and was officially called a martial artist in Jianghu, known as a second-rate warrior.
First-rate martial arts were the core techniques passed down in mid-tier sects and above.
Mastering them required at least first-rate internal energy and martial comprehension.
Only so-called first-rate masters could wield them fully.
The next level, peak martial arts, were for sect leaders, stronghold masters, or pinnacle experts representing an era in Jianghu.
Above that lay transcendent arts and divine ultimate arts.
These were forbidden secret techniques accessible only to the handful of absolute pinnacle experts across all Jianghu.
And...
Jang Mucheon had mastered divine ultimate arts, placing him at the pinnacle even among absolute experts.
A superhuman realm that appeared once every century—or millennium—in Jianghu.
He had reached a state beyond human.
Jianghu called him Jianghu's Greatest and revered him as the Martial God.
With a single sword, he pierced the world. If he willed it, all of Jianghu was his.
But that was all in the past.
Ten years ago, when three-year-old Jang Ryeongwol fell ill with the Nine Yin Absolute Pulse, Jang Mucheon abandoned everything and vanished from Jianghu.
Ascending to the throne of Jianghu's Greatest always brought matching responsibilities.
Before his granddaughter's illness, Jang Mucheon laid it all down.
Warrior of Jianghu, sect leader, acclaim of the world... None were more precious than his one granddaughter's life.
In truth, Jang Mucheon had one precious only daughter, like gold and jade.
But she too succumbed to the Nine Yin Absolute Pulse before twenty.
Leaving only newborn Jang Ryeongwol.
From that day, Jang Mucheon had one sole purpose.
He could not lose more family to the Nine Yin Absolute Pulse.
Using his wealth as the Martial God, he bought every spirit medicine and herb to block cold yin and supplement yang energy.
But the results were futile.
In the end, Elder Jang wandered Central Plains with his granddaughter in his arms.
Spirit beasts ruling mountains, divine objects dominating seas. He sought their inner cores on an endless journey.
He even exhumed the tombs of immortals who had ascended beyond the flesh, using their remains as medicine.
It crossed ethics and taboos.
For his granddaughter's life, Elder Jang would grasp even heaven-defying acts without hesitation.
Yet despite his efforts, Ryeongwol's Nine Yin Absolute Pulse deepened.
"Grandpa, can't we stop now? Plant an apricot tree like me where we can see the river... and just live there? Please?"
"...My child, Jang Ryeongwol. Yes, let's do that."
In the end, Elder Jang and his granddaughter let everything go. They settled here, with a clear view of the river.
The apricot tree planted then had bloomed and fruited for the third time this year.
"Grandpa, I want to lie down."
Upon entering the house, Ryeongwol felt overwhelming fatigue. She had only taken a few steps.
Her granddaughter's channels and blood were weakening by the day.
Meaning Jang Ryeongwol's life was nearing its end.
"Rest well, my Ryeongwol. This old man will go to the market and buy your favorite candied fruit."
"Thank you, Grandpa. Hehe, it'll be delicious."
Elder Jang warmed the bed first, then carefully laid Ryeongwol down.
He pinched her apricot cheek as she smiled for his sake, then turned toward the market.
Jang Mucheon entered the noisiest sundries shop in the market.
It mainly sold rouge, mirrors for women, and hairpins for ornaments.
To lure women and children, it also sold snacks like candied fruit and fruit slices.
Surprisingly tasty, they sometimes outsold the makeup.
"Ahem, ahem."
A place where women giggled.
Elder Jang coughed awkwardly and slipped inside.
"Hey, shopkeeper. Give me three of those candied grapes there."
He pointed to skewers of clustered grapes. Grapes were Ryeongwol's second favorite after apricots.
With the candied fruit bought, Elder Jang quickly exited the crowded women's shop.
Then use martial arts to hurry home. But his feet wouldn't move.
"I'm already at the market... Maybe decoct some herbal tonic for Ryeongwol."
He knew it was pointless. Still, Elder Jang headed to Benevolent Heart Hall.
Unlike the bustling market alive with people, his long shadow trailing behind looked utterly lonely.
Creeeak—
Elder Jang entered Benevolent Heart Hall, candied fruit bag in one hand.
A mature herbal scent assaulted the nose.
Benevolent Heart Hall meant "an apothecary caring for the people with upright heart," but the owner abused power for a monopoly on herbs.
"Strange. Why is it so dead?"
Elder Jang scanned the empty shop and addressed the owner.
The owner, bored, was plucking three nostril hairs poking out.
But his oily skin made them slip repeatedly.
It wasn't easy.
Normally, crowds decocting tonics would pack the place.
Now, not even an ant passed by.
"Aigoo, Elder Jang. You've come."
At his arrival, life returned to the owner's deadpan face.
He hastily rubbed the plucked hair on his pants.
Then flashed yellow teeth in a sycophantic grin.
"Just in time. We have lots of rare, beneficial herbs. This way."
The owner guided him toward a red door engraved with a golden phoenix.
As he walked, Elder Jang asked the owner,
"You had a beard before. Why is it a barren hill now?"
Joy turned to deep rage flooding the owner's face.