Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Nine Palaces Sword Formation
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"Sect Leader Senior Brother, isn't this truly a stroke of good fortune? Now we can finally catch our breath."
Myeongseon couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he inspected the chests of silver taels and weapons that Geumjeoksan had prepared.
"Indeed, it is. It seems the time has come for our Wudang to rise again."
"It's all thanks to your tireless efforts day and night, Sect Leader."
"Nonsense. It's because Jinhye here thought of the sect. He's done a tremendous deed."
As Myeonghyeon showered him with praise, the elders looked at Jinhye with eyes full of approval.
"Jinhye."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"They won't be staying long, but we must treat them with full courtesy. You will personally guide the merchant leader."
"Understood."
Jinhye bowed respectfully at Myeonghyeon's words.
"Sect Leader, even if they say they want nothing in return, the Qingyang Merchant Group is still a trading company, aren't they?"
"Hm?"
"When a sect and a merchant group form ties, there will naturally be times when we must assist them as well."
Myeonghyeon nodded at Myeonggong's words.
There was only one reason a merchant group would ally with a martial sect.
Protection.
Running a merchant group meant facing all sorts of dangers.
Encounters with bandits or river pirates, conflicts with rival traders.
Most groups hired escorts, but that was never enough.
So they offered 'gratitude fees' under the guise of goodwill to secure martial support.
Thus, allying with the strongest possible force was a critical matter for any merchant group.
Back when Wudang was at its peak, renowned merchant groups from across the Central Plains lined up to ally with them. They had often helped reluctantly, unable to turn them away outright.
But things were different now.
Wudang's influence didn't even extend to the nearby Dangkan District.
As Wudang declined, the Zhuge Family had expanded its territory, monopolizing all the trade routes. No one wanted to ally with Wudang anymore.
"Why not subtly show them that Wudang still has power?"
"Show them?"
"Yes. How often do merchants witness martial arts of such high caliber? Even just the Jade Generation disciples' training would suffice. Call it routine practice and put a little extra effort into it..."
"Hm, not a bad idea."
Myeonghyeon nodded at Myeongseon's suggestion.
"Then, shall Jinhye guide them while we prepare separately?"
Myeongseon was the most enthusiastic of all.
Having managed Wudang's strained finances through tough times, he was determined not to let this opportunity with the Qingyang Merchant Group slip away.
"Elder Myeongseon, Sect Leader."
Jinhye, who had been listening quietly, spoke up cautiously.
Speaking out in front of the elders was improper for a First Generation Disciple, but his contribution in bringing the Qingyang Merchant Group earned him no rebuke.
"I may not have mentioned it earlier, but I've already had the Welcoming Grace Hall disciples prepare something."
"Oh!"
Everyone marveled at Jinhye's foresight.
"What have you prepared?"
"For the past month, with Master's help, I've been training them in the Nine Palaces Sword Formation."
"The Nine Palaces Sword Formation?"
The elders turned to Myeonggong, Jinhye's master.
Myeonggong, already aware, simply smiled with satisfaction.
It was Wudang's pride, the Nine Palaces Sword Formation. Taught personally by Myeonggong and Jinhye, it would be no embarrassment to demonstrate.
"Haha, you've truly accomplished something great. Well done."
Myeonghyeon looked at Jinhye with renewed admiration.
"Very well, then. Hurry out and attend to them. The guests are waiting."
"Yes."
Jinhye bowed and withdrew carefully.
"Haha, well now. Myeonggong, you've raised a fine disciple."
"Indeed. Who knew he had such depth."
"Lately, all the news has been good, Senior Brother Sect Leader."
The elders chimed in, praising Jinhye one after another.
"So it seems. From Jinmu's story to Jinhye now. It looks like sunshine is finally reaching our Wudang."
"Yes, yes. You'll get a deep sleep for once."
The elders, well aware of Myeonghyeon's burdens, offered their comfort.
"Then I'll take my leave as well."
As Myeonggong rose, Myeonghyeon nodded with a smile.
"Merchant Leader, isn't this a bit excessive?"
Ichiseong, who had stepped out of Purple Empyrean Palace first and waited in a corner, asked in a low voice.
He shared his master's triangular face and sly eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"The other items are one thing, but a whole chest of silver taels? For that much, it might be better to ally with the Zhuge Family..."
Wudang was crumbling, and the Zhuge Family of Yungzhong Mountain was now Hubei Province's dominant power.
"Tsk tsk. You only know one side and not the other."
"Pardon?"
"Do I seem that shortsighted to you, you fool?"
Geumjeoksan stroked his beard with a cunning expression.
"What do you mean?"
"A chest of silver taels is a lot of money, sure. But what do we gain by offering it to the Zhuges?"
"..."
"The Zhuges, of all people, know the secular world best. Among their scholars, a few must know about our smuggling."
"Well..."
A family versed in both scholarship and commerce surely would.
"Think they'd ally with us knowing we make money through smuggling, just to save face?"
"..."
"They'd take the silver, but pretend not to know afterward. We'd just be wasting money."
"True, but Wudang has no power..."
"They don't. Or rather, they mustn't. That way, no other flies will buzz around."
Geumjeoksan's eyes grew even more devious.
"Even if Wudang is declining, the world's view hasn't changed. Everyone knows—even a three-year-old in the neighborhood—that Wudang is the Central Plains' orthodox lineage, the most upright Taoist sect."
"That's right."
"Spread word that we've allied with such a place. And that we generously provided development funds to a powerless Wudang."
"Ah!"
"Our reputation in the Central Plains will shift, even if you doubt it. It may be a loss now, but it'll pay off later. Especially with the authorities watching us lately—if renowned Wudang Taoists show up to help..."
"I see. The officials' view will change."
Ichiseong nodded.
Even weakened after closing its gates, Wudang's millennium-old name held weight. Many martial arts used by government warriors traced back to Wudang—dozens, if you went far enough.
It carried more than enough influence.
Only Wudang itself was oblivious.
"Yes, it's big money. But it'll make those Taoists taste wealth. Desperate as they are, once they do, they won't escape. They hold their heads high now, but later they'll beg and cling."
"Brilliant, sir."
Ichiseong was awed by Geumjeoksan's cunning.
"Brilliant? Heh, you think that's all?"
"Pardon?"
"I've already made a deal with Jinhye."
"A deal?"
"Wudang hasn't named its next great disciple yet."
"Ah!"
The great disciple—the next Sect Leader. If Jinhye became that...
"He'll think he's using us for his ambition, but eventually, he'll regret it as we manipulate him."
"Indeed! Your foresight is unmatched, Merchant Leader."
Geumjeoksan stroked his beard with sly eyes at Ichiseong's astonishment.
Learning Wudang's inner workings through Jinhye was a heavenly gift for Geumjeoksan.
"Heh heh heh. Those Taoists... I'll bleed them dry as needed."
As Geumjeoksan smirked wickedly, Jinhye emerged from Purple Empyrean Palace.
"Merchant Leader, sorry to keep you waiting."
"Haha, no need. The pure atmosphere of this Taoist haven refreshes even my heart."
Geumjeoksan instantly switched to a friendly face for Jinhye.
"Shall we go, then?"
"Yes."
After Jinhye and Geumjeoksan left.
A smile crept across Jinmu's lips as he stood with arms crossed behind a wall.
He had sent Cheongu and Cheongsang back to Void Serenity Hermitage and was heading to Purple Empyrean Palace.
Spotting Geumjeoksan and Ichiseong talking from afar, curiosity drew him to erase his presence and approach.
And then.
Goat-bearded bastard.
No wonder he looked so sleazy.
It was a commendable scheme, worthy of praise.
Bribes, or backroom dealings, in other words.
Something he must one day encourage throughout Wudang to corrupt it.
But.
'This goat-faced punk dares piss openly in my territory?'
Wudang's corruption plan was his alone to execute.
That was Jinmu's pleasure, his purpose in this second life.
Yet here was an unexpected interloper helping with a task that needed no help.
And.
'Making Jinhye the great disciple?'
Jinmu's brow furrowed deeply.
He had to be the great disciple.
Only then could he obtain the Two Forms Heart Art, cultivate his Ink Dragon Chaos Origin Art in secret without clashing internal energies, and reclaim his past power.
With that strength, he'd seize the entire Justice Alliance—Wudang was the foundation of that grand scheme.
"These scum are interfering with my plans, huh?"
Jinmu uncrossed his arms, his face turning icy.
For my plans, I'll smash your schemes to pieces.
And especially you, Jinhye.
'This punk dares compete with me? Let's see about that.'
Jinmu slowly trailed them toward Welcoming Grace Hall.
First, he needed information.
Know yourself and your enemy, win every battle. He knew himself all too well—now he needed to know his foes.
The Eight Palaces of Wudang.
They formed the foundation of the sect.
Including Purple Empyrean Palace, the eight—Pure East, Welcoming Grace, Encounter Truth, Jade Void, South Rock, Five Dragons, and Supreme Harmony—were arrayed along the mountain ridge in the shape of a dragon.
Though many had burned down and not been rebuilt, leaving only Five Palaces and One Hall.
The six elders of the Named Generation served as masters of these remaining structures.
Among them, Welcoming Grace Hall oversaw the precepts the disciples must uphold.
Fittingly, its Taoists were exceptionally talented, and its master, Myeonggong, was among the Named Generation's finest.
"Truly impressive presence."
Geumjeoksan gazed sincerely in awe at the Second Generation Disciples training.
Even from a distance, their sharp auras prickled his skin.
Though mere Second Generation warriors, they outshone any in his employ.
Especially their synchronized sword thrusts, weaving dazzling patterns in the air like a dance troupe.
"I heard they were Second Generation Disciples, but I can't help being amazed."
"Haha, you're too kind. They're still far from mastery."
As Jinhye and Geumjeoksan watched the training, new arrivals entered Welcoming Grace Hall.
"Master...?"
Jinhye hurried toward Myeonggong, master of Welcoming Grace Hall, but frowned at the figure following him.
'Why is that guy here?'
Trailing Myeonggong was none other than Jinmu.