Chapter 18
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: A Humanoid Battle Power Scanner Has Appeared!
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“What’s this?”
“You should say, ‘What is this?’”
“What is this?”
I pointed at the two small jars Do-un was carrying.
“Carry one over there for me, and I’ll tell you.”
Do-un flashed a sly grin and jerked his chin.
Every time he pulls this, I can’t help but think he takes after Uiseong. Of course, these master-disciple types would desperately deny looking anything alike.
No sooner had Do-un finished speaking than I snatched one of the jars from his arms.
The jar was small, so it wasn’t all that heavy to lift.
He wouldn’t be foisting this off on me just because it’s a hassle, so is he training me? Making me lift heavy stuff to build my strength as part of some grand plan?
Come to think of it, I remember a wuxia novel where the protagonist trained by fetching water, cooking rice, chopping firewood, and doing laundry.
Thank you so much for not sending me down to Hwayum County and raising me here on Mount Hua instead.
I almost ended up picked up by some weird hermit in seclusion, slaving away in child labor exploitation.
Do-un set the small jar down next to one of the large water jars placed around the kitchen, then took the one from my arms and placed it beside the other.
He opened the lid of the jar I’d carried, scooped out a bit of the liquid inside with a small ladle from his pocket, and filled a gourd from the water jar, mixing the two thoroughly.
I took the gourd filled with the pale yellowish-brown liquid and gulped it down. A sweet-and-tangy flavor danced across my tongue before sliding smoothly down my throat.
‘Plum syrup!’
It was as delicious as the green plum drink I’d loved in my past life.
I drained the gourd in seconds and smacked my lips in regret, prompting Do-un to burst into hearty laughter.
“Well, well, looks like it suits your taste. It’s usually forbidden, but for a little kid like you, your senior uncle will turn a blind eye now and then. Don’t drink the plum syrup straight—dilute it with water.”
I stretched my arm toward the water jar, then turned my head to look at Do-un when it didn’t reach.
“What if I can’t reach the water jar?”
“Just grab any guy nearby and tell him to fetch you some water. Or drag Uiseong over here and make him do it. And don’t mix in too much syrup.”
Do-un ruffled my hair lightly, then clapped his hands in front of my face before pointing at the jar, drawing my eyes to it.
“But there’s one thing you must remember. Never touch the jar on the right. Got it?”
“Why?”
“Because it has something inside that’ll get you in big trouble if you drink it. Now, which jar did your senior uncle say not to touch?”
“The right one.”
Do-un spoke in a solemn tone, like he was trying to scare me, but I nodded half-heartedly, letting it go in one ear and out the other.
From how seriously he’s warning me, that one must be the plum wine.
Sigh, even brewing my favorite plum wine for me.
I’ll grow up big and strong in no time to become a sneaky junior who can pilfer it properly.
* * *
The day of the Dragon-Tiger Assembly.
At the sect gate of the upper palace stood the Sect Leader at the front, followed by the elders, with Mount Hua’s first-generation disciples down to the third-generation gathered behind them.
The black daoist robes and long sleeves of those assembled here were all embroidered with five plum blossom petals.
This is exactly why I need to become a Core Disciple. From Outer Disciples on down, they’re just extras there to fill out the numbers.
Uihyeon had made it sound like a friendly gathering full of camaraderie and exchange, but the atmosphere among the Mount Hua disciples waiting for Wudang was grim and tense.
“Is it really okay for me to be here?”
I tugged lightly at Uihyeon’s sleeve beside me, stood on tiptoe, and whispered. He nodded and patted my shoulder reassuringly.
“They’ve arrived.”
The Sect Leader stroked his beard and spoke curtly at the presence beyond the gate.
Two third-generation disciples stepped forward and opened the sect gate. The massive, imposing doors swung open smoothly, as if oiled.
Beyond the open gate stood a group of martial artists.
The gray daoist robes they wore bore taiji emblems embroidered on the chest, drawing the eye.
The one at the very front looked quite young compared to Mount Hua’s Sect Leader—around the same age as our first-generation disciples, even.
I thought maybe he’d shed his mortal form or something, but the elders behind him looked about the same age as their presumed Sect Leader, a woman. So Wudang must have gone through a generational shift.
The Sect Leader strode out through the open gate, chuckling heartily as he greeted them.
“You must have had a hard journey over these rugged paths.”
Wudang’s Sect Leader returned the greeting with a respectful fist salute to our Sect Leader.
I stifled a yawn through the endless formalities when my eyes met those of a little kid standing in the middle of the Wudang group.
His eyes lacked double eyelids, and the upturned corners gave him a fox-like impression.
We locked eyes for a moment like a staring contest, but then the brat scanned me up and down and curled his lip.
‘Smirking?’
The expression on the fox-eyed kid’s face was unmistakably a sharp sneer. It wasn’t just mocking my yawning—it was clearly a look of utter contempt.
At the grinding of my teeth, Uiseong placed a hand on top of my head and snickered.
“The little brats are already sizing each other up, huh.”
He was right. Like hell we’re playing together.
What I wanted to do with that punk wasn’t bonding—it was brawling.
I briefly wondered what would happen if I charged out right now and pummeled his face into a nice pulp.
Nah, not the time. Better to sneak into their lodgings tonight and beat him then.
Welcome to being the glorious gauge for my first battle power measurement, fox-eyed brat.
I smoothed out my scowl and grinned. This time, the punk—who’d been smirking so smugly—frowned sharply.
Pushing aside my bruised ego for now, I watched the Wudang disciples file into the upper palace.
My favorite sect from my past life, so seeing them in the flesh made my heart pound.
Before I saw the Plum Blossom Sword, I’d chanted nonstop about wanting to go to Wudang.
I couldn’t tell if my racing pulse was from fury at the brat who mocked me or excitement at finally meeting my favorite sect in person, so I clicked my tongue.
Damn punk ruining this historic moment.
Hegemon of Huguk. A daoist sect ruled by Sword Sage, one of the top three. More daoist in nature than even Mount Hua.
Their signature style: flowing soft sword.
Where Mount Hua had the 24 Plum Blossom Sword Techniques, Wudang had the Taiji Sword.
Running two completely different internal arts at once? Totally badass.
I was lost in thought, reeling off Wudang lore, when a burly man standing near the middle of their group suddenly looked my way and gave a slight bow.
What? Does he know me? Is he actually the guy who failed to protect his clan’s daughter, and I’m her...?!
My wild delusions stretched endlessly until Uiseong, who’d been hugging me protectively, tilted his head in response—revealing that the bow was for him, not me.
“Wow, you’ve got a friend too, Senior Uncle?”
“That guy? Not a friend. Just a bit of a nuisance.”
If that’s the case, then why does he look at Uiseong with such fervor? One-sided crush from over there, maybe?
Wouldn’t put it past them to sneak off for a rendezvous tonight.
I watched the guests head to the Jade Clarity Pavilion—Mount Hua’s guest lodge—to rest and sate their hunger.
Now I could fully see the third-generation disciples mixed among the adults—Wudang Core Disciples my age.
One in particular stood out, isolated from the rest.
‘Whoa, they’ve got an outcast too.’
No matter how much Wudang emphasizes martial cultivation as daoists, it’s still a place where people live—it can’t be some perfect paradise.
Look at Mount Hua: Jinyul, the rolling stone who showed up out of nowhere, gets the cold shoulder from fellow first-generation disciples and third-gen kids her age alike.
Is he timid because he’s been ostracized and left out, or is he left out because he’s timid?
Not that I care. I withdrew my gaze from the kid with his timid gait and yanked at Uiseong’s clothes.
I glanced at Uihyeon chatting with Uigang, confirmed he wasn’t paying attention, and beckoned Uiseong to lean in.
The little punk’s being annoying, when are you gonna grow up already—he grumbled, but obediently bent down to bring his ear to my lips.
“Hey, later tell me where in the Jade Clarity Pavilion the Wudang third-gen kids are staying. You know, right, Senior Uncle?”
I whispered low, and Uiseong turned to me, his eyes sparkling with anticipation and amusement.
“Of course. I’ll even tell you the drainage hole. Just wait, kiddo. Call me before you go cause a ruckus. Got it?”
“Nah, Senior Uncle. Adults don’t butt into kids’ playtime.”
“What? You’re really just gonna play?”
I shook my head, and Uiseong tsked with a disappointed pout.
It’s play, sure. But if a fight breaks out, it’s the parents of the kid who got hit more who make excuses eighteen times over.
‘It was just kids playing around!’
Gotta play real nice with the punk who mocked me outright. Real nice.
* * *
But the drainage hole Uiseong sketched out on a map turned out pointless—I never needed to use it to sneak into the Jade Clarity Pavilion.
“Um... is this the Medicinal Palace...? Or do they call it something else here? Anyway, where’s the place to get medicine?”
The moment I arrived at the Jade Clarity Pavilion, a kid came running up with a delighted face and asked timidly.
I stared blankly at him.
What’s with this kid?