Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Festering Jealousy
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“Jinhyeo senior brother?”
“What is tradition?”
“...”
Jinhye furrowed his brow at Jinhyeo's question.
He was a senior brother who had been bedridden in the Pure East Hall's infirmary for days after getting beaten by that worthless junior.
Yet this man, who should rightfully be ashamed, had turned traitor and was siding with Jinmu.
“What good does clinging to tradition do? Instead of seeking out the better way and changing... tsk tsk.”
Jinhyeo's tongue clicked in mockery, causing the corners of Jinhye's eyes to sharpen fiercely.
“Didn't you see Master Myeongjin? The way he walked after eating meat?”
“Watch your words. Are you defending a violation of the precepts?”
“Precepts? Ha, just like a disciple in charge of Welcoming Grace Hall. But wasn't that taboo already lifted?”
“Th-that!”
“I saw Master Myeonggong agreeing to send Jinmu out earlier.”
“...”
“Jinhye.”
Jinhyeo gazed steadily into Jinhye's face.
“To me, it seems you're just sore about it.”
“What?”
“Well, you did make a huge contribution forging ties with the Qingyang Merchant Group, so it's understandable.”
“Y-you... how dare you...”
“But your intentions are too transparent. How can a Taoist priest be so calculating?”
“Watch your words.”
“Watch them? Well, everyone acknowledges you're the most worldly among us. However, it doesn't seem you're using it in the right way.”
“...”
“What do you think senior brother Jingung makes of you?”
“Wh-what did you say?”
Jinhye flinched and glanced around at the sudden mention of Jingung's name.
“Coordinating with external merchant groups or factions is Encounter Truth Hall's duty. Shouldn't you have discussed it with senior brother Jingung first and reported to Master Myeongchung?”
“...”
“So why did you go straight to the Sect Leader? And guide the Qingyang Merchant Group leader around the temple yourself?”
“Th-that was because the Sect Leader...”
“Jinhye, know your place. Know your place. Do you think you'll become the chief disciple just through external dealings? What matters more is how well you've led your hall and how much support you have from the disciples.”
“...”
Jinhye stole a glance at Jingung.
A deep furrow creased his brow.
“The chief disciple is Wudang's face. It's not a position to use Wudang for your own gain and your clan's glory.”
“Senior brother! That's too much!”
Jinhye glared with murderous eyes and unleashed his intimidating aura at Jinhyeo's words.
Bam!
“Enough!”
Finally losing patience, Jingung shot a fierce glare at both Jinhye and Jinhyeo.
“My apologies.”
“S-sorry.”
Even if they raised their voices at each other, the head of the practical meeting was Jingung.
“Tsk, how can those entrusted with leading the halls be so disorderly!”
“...”
“Both Jinhye and Jinhyeo, apologize for your harsh words to each other, and no more meddling in decisions already made at the elders' meeting.”
With Jingung nailing it down, neither Jinhye nor Jinhyeo could say a word.
“However, the principle stands: no aid to Jinmu on his outing, as previously decided. Even though the elders approved, he's still under punishment for breaking the Ten Precepts. Just like with the Sword-Shedding Pool repairs, ensure the Jade Generation Disciples from each hall are strictly controlled and not swept up.”
“Understood.”
“Senior brother. But!”
As Jinhyeo tried to object, Jinso tugged his sleeve and shook his head.
“I won't say it twice. Control them strictly, but don't restrain those who step forward of their own accord.”
Jingung rose abruptly with a sharp aura and stormed out of the room.
“S-senior brother!”
Jinhye hurriedly followed behind.
“Whew...”
After everyone left, Jinso gave Jinhyeo a good-natured scolding.
“Come on, ease up a bit. Do you not know how much effort Jinhye put into the Qingyang Merchant Group?”
“No, even so...”
“Tsk tsk, with you it's always like this. I told you to fix that fiery temper. Don't you know how much Jinhye hates his family being brought up?”
“Jinhye was wrong. The elders even said not to bring up that sin again.”
“...”
As Jinhyeo grumbled, Jinso stared at him before chuckling.
“Is she that pretty?”
“Huh?”
“Jinmu, I mean. You look like you're dying from how pretty he is.”
“Ah, haha! Yes, exactly. He's stunningly pretty.”
“Good grief, now you've got me curious since you're saying that much.”
“Do you know how amazing he is? His insights on martial arts are on another level.”
“Another level?”
“Yes. Think about it. Modifying a sword technique isn't easy. You have to endure and endure again without realizing.”
“Hmm, you're talking about the Divine Gate Thirteen Swords.”
“Yes! And that's not all. There's a guy named Cheongu under Origin Harmony Hall.”
“Ah, I heard. He beat Cheongsang, right?”
“Beat him? His progress in martial arts lately is astounding, all thanks to Jinmu's teachings. Hahaha!”
Jinhyeo burst into loud laughter, and Jinso shook his head.
“Man, to steal your heart like that when he's not even a woman... I should've hit on you myself sometimes if I knew it'd be like this.”
“What? Senior brother, haha!”
“Anyway, even Cheongsang hasn't been rushing to Void Serenity Hermitage lately.”
“Well, Cheongsang went through a lot mentally. In my view, it's your fault, senior brother.”
“Mm. But I can't take a child who hasn't cleansed his resentment as a disciple of Pure East Hall, where we deal with lives.”
“Well, thanks to that, a promising kid ended up under Jinmu.”
“Hm... maybe. That would be even better...”
“What do you think, senior brother?”
“About what?”
“The chief disciple.”
“You can't mean you're thinking of that kid Jinmu?”
“Yes. That's how it'll go.”
“You were so sure it'd be you before...”
“There was no one worthwhile back then.”
“Heh, such bold words. Excluding Jinhye, everyone above you is a senior brother.”
“Come on, you know my heart, senior brother.”
“We'll see. Jingung senior brother and Jinhye won't just sit by, at least.”
“A needle in the bag will poke through, they say.”
Talented people shine through no matter the situation.
“Heh heh. Let's watch and see.”
Jinso let out a hearty laugh and rose from his seat.
While the practical meeting was underway, Jinmu supported his master Myeongjin and returned to Void Serenity Hermitage only as evening fell.
He hadn't even asked, yet his ailing master had gone out of his way for him. Jinmu felt proud to the point of bursting.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
He nearly answered, 'Because you're pretty.' Jinmu chuckled, and Myeongjin smiled warmly.
“Feeling good about heading out?”
“Well, I'm just worried about you, Master.”
“You rascal...”
It was lip service, but Myeongjin took it as genuine concern and felt proud.
“Don't worry about me and have fun.”
“Fun?”
“Of course. Is there a law saying Taoists can't play?”
“Mm, I might eat some meat on the way down...”
“Aren't you eating now?”
“Maybe even drink...”
“Haha, you rascal. What's wrong with that? I tried alcohol myself back in my youth when I went out drinking.”
“Courtesans...”
“...”
“For a night...”
“J-Jinmu.”
“Kidding. Kidding.”
“You rascal, no sense of humor.”
Myeongjin let out a hollow laugh at Jinmu's wink, but deep down, he felt uneasy.
For some reason, with this disciple, it might actually happen...
“Uncle Master! Uncle Master!”
As they settled Myeongjin into his room, Cheongu and Cheongsang came running with packed bundles.
“Hm? What's up? What's with the luggage?”
“You're going out, right?”
“We heard you're heading to the Qingyang Merchant Group.”
Jinmu blinked at their simultaneous words.
“And?”
“We'll go with you.”
“Me too...”
“Why?”
“Isn't it obvious? Disciples should assist their master!”
“Disciples? Who?”
Jinmu snorted at Cheongu's words.
“Huh? Disciple... aren't I?”
“In your dreams. Who'd take a...”
...fool like you as a disciple? Who'd want that?
He couldn't finish the thought.
“We already got permission from Great-Uncle Myeonghwa and Uncle Jinso.”
“What?”
Cheongsang was a disciple of Pure East Hall, headed by his senior brother Jinso.
And he gave permission?
Jinmu tilted his head.
“Uncle Jinhyeo even gave me traveling money and told me to have a safe trip.”
Given Jinhyeo's reaction at Purple Empyrean Palace, it made sense.
He was clearly trying to dump the dimwit Cheongu on him.
“Damn it, fine! Why would I take you two? You're useless.”
“No, Uncle Master, don't be like that.”
Cheongu clung desperately, on the verge of tears.
“No! Tomorrow morning, I'll pick proper ones from whoever shows up.”
“Uncle Maaaster!”
Cheongu collapsed and wailed in anguish.
From a spot where Void Serenity Hermitage was visible in the distance.
Jinhye glared murderously at Jinmu, Cheongu, and Cheongsang.
'You dare... ruin years of my clan's efforts?'
Killing intent swirled in Jinhye's eyes.
Jinhye's real name was Woocheolhwan.
Head of the Wo Clan in Dangan Valley.
Now a respectable martial arts school, but just a few generations ago, they were notorious thugs in Dangan Valley's back alleys.
Thanks to his grandfather Wujumyeong's efforts, it became a proper school, but the stigma of handling dirty business lingered.
To shed that stigma and fulfill the clan's wish, Wujumyeong sent Jinhye to Wudang as a disciple.
It was over twenty years ago.
If Wudang hadn't faced hardships, or if Jinhye hadn't shown exceptional talent, it would have been impossible.
Jinhye trained day and night, deliberately becoming a disciple of Myeonggong, who handled the precepts.
The joy of becoming one of the Wudang Seven Heroes was indescribable.
But despite his efforts, the stigma didn't fade easily.
The only path left was to become chief disciple. To become Wudang's Sect Leader.
Wudang's most pressing issue now was finances.
Without money to expand and feed the disciples, it was declining.
Jinhye worked tirelessly to solve it.
And with his clan's help, he forged ties with the Qingyang Merchant Group.
Just as he was about to reap the rewards and shed the stigma, some damned fool was interfering with his plans.
“Filthy bastard's spawn. Fine, let's see if you return in one piece. Outings can be full of harsh trials.”
Whoosh.
The messenger pigeon left Jinhye's hand and soared into the night sky.
Wudang's first-generation disciple Jinhye.
He was now attempting to commit fellow disciple murder, the one precept of Wudang's Ten Precepts that must never be broken.
Toward a path he absolutely must not take.