Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Pillars Rising Anew
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Thud! Thud!
The lively sound of hammers striking grew ever more cheerful, and with each ring, the pleased smile on Myeongjin's face widened.
It had been a month since construction began.
The groundwork for erecting the Five Dragons Palace was in full swing.
Carpenters hammered without rest, while sturdy pillars felled by lumberjacks were transported to Wudang by laborers.
Wudang had firmly refused the support from Wu Manor.
But with laborers and carpenters already scaling the mountain, there was no helping it.
Wu Munhum, who had delivered the funds, visited Void Serenity Hermitage several times, but Jinmu happened to be away each time, so they never met.
Truly just a coincidence.
He hadn't deliberately avoided him.
In any case, it had been a month since construction started.
"Hey, you there! Lift that pillar!"
"Tighten it more over here!"
The head carpenter, in charge of overseeing the reconstruction, bellowed orders that echoed through the peaks. The once-quiet Taoist halls now buzzed daily with the noise of work, but no one complained.
"Is it to your liking?"
Jinmu's question drew a nod from Myeongjin.
"Indeed. I've waited so long for this. It was a dream I cherished deeply but never dared voice."
Tears welled in Myeongjin's eyes once more, but unlike before, they didn't weigh on Jinmu's heart.
He knew it was joy, pure and simple.
"Jinmu."
"Yes."
"We must not forget Wu Manor's dedication."
Of course. How could he?
He had promised to make Jinhye the Wudang Sect Leader, after all.
They had even agreed to inscribe 'Presented by Wu Manor' on the foundation stone.
But Jinmu simply listened in silence.
"Master, perhaps it's time to head back down."
"No. How could I miss witnessing this historic moment from my room, hearing it only with my ears? I must see it with my own eyes—the pillars of the Five Dragons Palace rising again, the roof being laid."
Jinmu understood his master's feelings, but pushing himself like this could harm his health, leaving only trouble for Jinmu.
"Master, the day is still chilly. I'm worried you might catch another cold."
At Jinmu's words, Myeongjin gazed wistfully at the construction site before nodding.
"Very well, I understand. Let's go. Tell Cheongu to ensure the laborers face no inconveniences in their work. Their meals differ from those in the halls, so pay special attention to their food."
"Yes, Master. I've already coordinated with Origin Harmony Hall. And I've instructed Cheongu to keep the wine and meat flowing without interruption, so no need to worry."
"Good, good."
Myeongjin nodded, though worry lingered on his face.
"The construction progresses thanks to Wu Manor's aid, but filling the palace with disciples is the real issue. The Second Generation Disciples have already settled in other palaces."
"That's been addressed in the practical meetings. Cooperation from each palace has been secured, and Cheongsang will select a few outstanding Second Generation Disciples."
"Oh, has it? Hm, still, our Five Dragons Palace represents Wudang's sword, so we must choose the finest."
"No need for concern there either. Cheongsang has reached the peak realm; he has a good eye."
"Jinmu."
"Yes, Master."
"Places for the Second Generation Disciples to reside..."
"......"
"Jinmu."
"......"
"Jinmu."
Enough, please, just stop!
It felt like he was starting to hear hallucinations.
Was his master always this talkative?
Myeongjin sought out Jinmu dozens of times a day, asking questions and issuing instructions left and right.
As if treating him like a servant.
"Jinmu?"
"Yes!"
"Hm? Why are you so upset?"
"Upset? Not at all."
"I see."
Myeongjin nodded and pulled a folded paper from his robe, handing it over.
"What's this?"
"I've jotted down a few martial arts manuals needed for training my disciples. Head to the Scripture Pavilion and fetch them."
"Martial arts?"
Jinmu unfolded the paper Myeongjin had given him.
"Let's see. Two Forms Pattern Sword, Three Talents Sword, Five Elements Sword, Seven Stars Sword, Divine Gate Thirteen..."
Jinmu's eyes widened at the list of manuals written in tiny script he could barely make out, staring at Myeongjin.
He was smiling contentedly.
Jinmu couldn't close his gaping mouth.
Wait, hold on.
Master, are you planning to empty the entire Scripture Pavilion?
"Oh no!"
Myeongjin's face paled as he staggered, making Jinmu's heart sink.
Was he in pain somewhere?
"Where does it hurt?"
"My thinking was shortsighted. I forgot the Ten Brocades!"
"......"
"And come to think of it, Tiger Claw Severing Hand too..."
Ah, this is unbearable.
Jinmu let out a deep sigh.
"I must hurry back and add them. There are a few sword formations needed as well. You go ahead first."
With unexpected vigor, Myeongjin dashed toward Void Serenity Hermitage.
It was just a run, but it rivaled the speed of Cloud-Soaring Step.
Damn Taoist, he's clearly fully recovered.
Still, the sight of Myeongjin bounding away excitedly wasn't entirely unwelcome.
Whether due to the Taoist boy's memories or his soul merging with the body, gradually changing him, it was getting hard to tell anymore.
"Whew, damn it. What a hassle."
Jinmu chuckled wryly and headed toward Welcoming Grace Hall, which oversaw both Precepts Hall duties and Scripture Pavilion management alongside his own tasks.
"What? All of these?"
Elder Myeonggong, Lord of Welcoming Grace Hall, alternated wide-eyed stares between the letter on the table and Jinmu.
"Yes."
Good. At least I'm not the only one thinking this is insane.
"Hm, understood."
Huh? What? Understood?
For a moment, Jinmu thought he'd misheard.
How could handing over core sect manuals be decided so easily?
And in such quantity?
"Is Jinhye outside?"
"Yes, Master."
At Myeonggong's call, Jinhye entered, not forgetting to glare at Jinmu.
"Deliver this letter to the Scripture Pavilion Master alongside Jinmu."
"Understood, Master."
Jinhye bowed politely to Myeonggong and took the letter.
"Follow me."
Her curt tone irked him, but Jinmu trailed Jinhye to the Scripture Pavilion.
Wudang's Scripture Pavilion sat at the cliffside below Candle Peak, home to Welcoming Grace Hall.
The only access was a narrow plank path from Welcoming Grace Hall, its entrance midway up sheer cliffs—a natural fortress needing no guards.
"Watch your step. Slip, and without wall-walking lightness skill, survival's unlikely."
Jinmu smirked at Jinhye's warning.
Someone of lesser skill worrying about others.
Irritated by Jinmu's scoff, Jinhye furrowed her brow.
She had already received the letter from her father and knew of the secret deal(?) between Jinmu and Wu Manor, but it soured her mood.
'This guy has that level of skill?'
The deal itself was absurd, but the even more ridiculous truth was Jinmu's achievement.
Wu Munhum's letter stated Jinmu had reached the peak realm.
Among current First Generation Disciples, only two had surpassed entry to peak: Jingung of Encounter Truth Hall and Jinmyeong, leader of the Wudang Seven Heroes, who was away on a journey.
She knew their prowess well.
She couldn't believe Jinmu, a full ten years younger, matched them.
'Lies. How could this trash? Father must have misjudged. Beating Senior Brother Jinhyeo was pure luck.'
That's what she thought.
It had to be.
Just a year ago, he was a mere Taoist boy.
Even with the Sect Leader and elders force-feeding him Six Yang Divine Art's inner power, that alone couldn't reach peak realm.
'Daring to speak of becoming Sect Leader? This lowly scum breaking through to peak—a realm I haven't reached? Laughable.'
Jinhye had been stuck at the peak wall for years.
Countless failures bred helplessness.
So she couldn't accept her father's words about Jinmu.
"What're you glaring at?"
"......"
"You look like you're gonna eat me with those eyes, punk."
Jinhye's face twisted at Jinmu's taunt.
"You bastard! How dare you speak to your senior like that!"
"Senior? In your dreams."
"What?"
"Hey, you think I'd call the guy who tried to kill me 'senior'?"
"Wh-what!"
"Didn't Wu Munhum tell you?"
"W-Wu Munhum? You dare!"
"Shut up and do as you're told. Don't half-ass it. I was gonna make a no-talent like you Sect Leader. Ungrateful brat."
"What?"
"Calm down? One misstep here, and you're done."
"......"
Jinhye's furrowed brow deepened, eyes blazing at Jinmu's jabs.
"What? Wanna try? Go ahead. Your dad's working so hard—die before becoming Sect Leader?"
"Shut your mouth, you scum!"
Unable to hold back, azure energy surged from Jinhye's body.
He defied sect hierarchy.
A vulgar cur, gorging on meat and spouting street-thug nonsense, tarnishing a Taoist's dignity.
That's how Jinhye saw him.
She could no longer tolerate this vermin disrupting order.
'Fine, you fool. You've misstepped today.'
Jinhye intended to kill Jinmu.
Her father had urged her to secure his signature on the pact, but she no longer cared.
Dead was dead.
The path from Welcoming Grace Hall to Scripture Pavilion saw no traffic.
No one to uphold rules, no witnesses.
A perfect murder spot, with only Jinhye as witness.
Claim a slip, shed false tears—who would question it?
"Look at you. Planning to kill me right here? Say I slipped after?"
Jinmu curled his lip at the murderous intent gleaming in Jinhye's eyes.
"Yes. I'll kill you. You've fallen once before; won't be new. Better for Wudang if trash like you dies here."
As azure sword energy gathered in Jinhye's hand, Jinmu watched calmly.
His mocking smile turned icy.
"Ha, listen to this. A Taoist's as sneaky as a Demonic cultist."
Jinmu chuckled incredulously, closing and opening his eyes. The air chilled.
"I've indulged you long enough."
"......"
"Cross the line, and deals with Wu Munhum be damned... you're dead."
Jinmu's smile chilled to the bone.
No, 'chill' fell short.
The air grew frigid, goosebumps rising on skin.
His grin evoked the Grim Reaper's, his words a death sentence.
Jinhye's heart froze in terror.
"Still wanna go?"
But as Jinhye hesitated, the cold emanating from Jinmu vanished tracelessly.
Gulp.
She steeled herself.
Trash like Jinmu.
That's what she thought.
Yet her throat bobbed dryly.
But she couldn't admit it.
Fearing him, even briefly, was humiliating.
Demonic arts. Had to be.
No eyes or voice could cow her like that.
"You fiend! Practicing forbidden Demonic Path sorcery!"
Roaring, Jinhye thrust her hand, infused with murderous energy.