Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: The Chivalric Token
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“Ah, I got a bit off track there. Anyway, while pursuing that palace of mine, I ended up encountering the boy.”
“Are you referring to Jinmu?”
Myeonghyeon’s question drew a nod from Yang Sobang.
“Why Jinmu?”
“We discovered their traces in Dangaengu. Gunpowder smuggling and the tavern collapse.”
He didn’t understand the part about the tavern collapse, but he knew about the gunpowder smuggling.
It was Jinmu’s first accomplishment after revealing himself in the secular world.
“I suspected it was connected to the palace’s schemes. And somehow, that led me to doubt Jinmu.”
“Pardon?”
“Ah, the suspicion has been cleared already. And in the process, I witnessed Jinmu skillfully resolving the dispute with the Zhuge Family.”
Myeonghyeon nodded, a smile playing on his lips at Yang Sobang’s words.
It was heartening news just to hear.
“I saw more than that.”
“What else?”
“Jinmu’s genius, and the wisdom to cleverly overcome hardships. The boy possesses the qualities to become a hero of the martial world.”
“Ah!”
It was a surprise even to Myeonghyeon himself.
“I owe the boy a debt for suspecting him, even briefly. What do you say? Shall I recommend him to receive guidance from the Alliance Lord, repaying the debt and opening a path for him?”
“A path?”
“To put in a word so he can receive teachings from the Alliance Lord.”
Yang Sobang spoke calmly with a smile, but Myeonghyeon’s shock was beyond words.
The Righteous Alliance Lord.
Sword Saint Cheol Ji-ryang.
He couldn’t claim to be the strongest in the Central Plains martial world.
But when it came to the sword alone, no one stood above him.
He had already heard that Jinmu had reached the realm of Sword Will, manifesting Sword Aura.
A genius advancing on his own.
No one in Wudang’s history had achieved such feats at his age.
What if such a Jinmu received the Sword Saint’s teachings?
Tension made his throat dry.
But.
“Hmm...”
As Myeonghyeon furrowed his brow, Yang Sobang smiled gently.
“What is there to ponder? It’s an unparalleled opportunity. If the boy gains enlightenment through the Alliance Lord’s aid, Wudang might produce the martial world’s supreme master.”
Yang Sobang’s words stirred his heart.
But still.
“Elder.”
“...”
“Wudang guides its disciples along the righteous path through long-standing traditions and rules, but it does not dictate their paths forward.”
“Ah! Hmm...”
Yang Sobang nodded with a short exclamation at Myeonghyeon’s words.
It guides, but does not decide.
It was a matter of choice.
If he received the current Alliance Lord’s teachings, he would reach unprecedented heights, raising Wudang’s name across the Central Plains.
Yet Wudang did not use its disciples for selfish ambitions.
It had to be left entirely to Jinmu’s own decision.
“Still, I will ask his own wishes.”
“Mm. Good.”
Yang Sobang nodded and rose to his feet.
“Already leaving?”
“Haha, a wandering old man like me with a heavy rear—where would I linger? I plan to pay my respects to Elder Un-gong while I’m here and head down right after.”
“Ah, Elder Un-gong will be delighted.”
“Haha, delighted? That old fellow’s lived far too long. A man who’s lost his martial prowess—what’s he secretly eating alone in that cave? Could it be he’s cultivating millennium stone fungus in the library cavern?”
Yang Sobang shook his head two or three times, continuing in a tone laced with amusement.
“In any case, that Jinmu boy and that Cheongsang fellow too. Truly, Wudang’s future shines bright.”
Myeonghyeon beamed with contentment at Yang Sobang’s words.
Were they not all praises for Wudang?
Moreover, Myeonghyeon was well aware of the long-standing bond between Yang Sobang and Un-gong, guardian of the library pavilion.
“Allow me to escort you.”
“Much appreciated. And please, don’t inform the sect about the palace matter. Spreading unconfirmed facts could stir needless confusion.”
“Yes, Elder.”
Myeonghyeon and Yang Sobang slowly made their way toward Welcoming Grace Hall, discussing the recent state of the martial world.
“Cheongsang.”
“Yes, Martial Uncle.”
“Arms up.”
“Yes.”
“Cheongu.”
“Yes... Martial Uncle.”
“Lower your stance more.”
“Yesss...”
Cheongsang and Cheongu sweated like rain at Jinmu’s casual command from where he lounged.
It was the evening of their return from Dangaengu.
Cheongsang and Cheongu had received joyous news from Jinmu.
I’ll train you.
It was the first time Jinmu had offered proper training.
The training began the moment they awoke from sleep.
The first command given to the elated pair was the horse stance.
The foundation of all martial arts. As the saying goes, great power springs from sturdy legs.
The foundation must be... solid... but this was too grueling.
They hung massive stones from their arms and legs, holding the horse stance.
That was it.
Of course, no internal energy allowed.
An hour in.
Arms, legs, waist—everything felt like it would snap.
“M-Martial Uncle. Is this really helpful...? My waist feels like it’ll break...”
Cheongu whimpered, and Jinmu shook his head in disappointment.
“Cheongu, oh Cheongu. Your Martial Uncle walked this path too.”
When?
We’ve never seen it.
Of course, Jinmu had never endured such training. He assigned it only because he deemed it absolutely necessary for them.
By Jinmu’s standards, Cheongsang and Cheongu were utterly weak.
In a crisis, they should serve as his shields, yet they’d only become burdens.
Without sensing their own deficiencies, they wouldn’t gain enlightenment from help.
To grow stronger amid that?
Refining techniques required experience, and internal energy growth was distant. To compensate for shortcomings, physical conditioning was the priority.
And nothing beat primitive methods for building bodily strength.
Mark my words—the pain you feel now will save your lives later!
Jinmu smiled contentedly as he watched Cheongsang and Cheongu.
Whether they suffered or not.
That aside.
Ah, no good deeds or events to rack up achievements? An incident popping up would be nice.
Jinmu had quite enjoyed this recent affair.
Leveraging his role as a Wudang ‘sword’ and practitioner of Oryong Palace had proven quite effective. Even the first- and second-generation disciples now looked at him differently.
Titles were indeed the best.
His reputation and achievements needed for great disciple status had surged.
Not only that, he’d saddled the beggar brat with a debt, ensuring future utility...
Eh?
As if on cue with his thoughts, Yang Sobang approached Void Serenity Hermitage.
What, was he a tiger? The beggar whelp appearing just from thinking of him?
Business done, so why come back?
Jinmu, who had never held a favorable view of him, immediately frowned.
“Hey, Daojang Jinmu.”
Split wood? What welcoming face was that.
“Heh heh, I recalled some business before heading down.”
“Business?”
“Indeed.”
Jinmu eyed Yang Sobang suspiciously as the man grinned and drew near, plopping down beside him.
“Oh? Training your juniors?”
“Well, something like that...”
Not exactly juniors.
“This is something we did as kids. Not common nowadays, is it? Burdens the waist too much.”
What meddling.
“Seems they use iron bracelets now.”
“We’re poor.”
“Fair enough.”
Yang Sobang readily agreed with Jinmu’s words.
“Taoists or beggars, poverty’s the same.”
How dare he.
How could desirelessness equate to begging?
And the Beggar Clan poor?
Their annual information fees alone numbered in the tens of thousands of nyang.
They sold to murim, merchants, officials—nothing escaped.
Even secret dealings with unorthodox sects and demonic cults defied estimation.
Jinmu knew, having commissioned them long ago.
Fat-cat beggars pretending to be poor?
A sneer escaped him.
“So, what’s this business?”
No welcoming expression here, nor any intent to collect the debt yet.
Just leave already.
“Ah, look at my mind.”
Yang Sobang flashed yellow teeth in a grin at Jinmu’s words, then rummaged in his bosom.
“Here it is.”
“...”
His hand delved into his pant waist, fumbling about before extracting a single rusted iron token from his groin area.
Ugh, filthy beggar whelp.
Absolutely did not want it.
But.
“It’s a Chivalric Token.”
What? Chivalric Token?
Jinmu’s eyes widened in an instant.
He couldn’t help but be astonished.
The Beggar Clan’s Chivalric Token.
A symbol exercisable only by division leaders of eighth grade or higher and elders.
Its bearer could receive aid from every Beggar Clan branch, so long as it aligned with righteousness.
Not even seventh-grade deputies or sixth-grade elders possessed one.
“It’s my heart’s desire to forge a bond with you.”
“...”
Tempting.
A Beggar Clan Chivalric Token, hard to obtain even for a thousand gold.
“Here, take it.”
Tempting, but.
“Take it, I say.”
“...”
If only not from the groin.
“Hey now, you’re a fine man. This is something I can give you.”
Sure, he outranked even the gang leader.
No, still too filthy!
Yang Sobang drew even closer. Imagination or not, a strange odor wafted.
In such a bind.
“Cheongsang!”
Caught in a dilemma, Jinmu hurriedly knelt and bowed his head, calling out.
“Yes?”
“A precious gift from the elder. Receive it with utmost respect.”
“...Yes.”
Cheongsang, origin unknown, swiftly dropped his stones and approached, accepting the token with both hands.
“We are grateful for the elder’s grace. How dare I receive such a treasure with my own hands?”
“...”
Having handed the token to Cheongsang, Yang Sobang looked at Jinmu.
The item to another, while he himself bowed.
It was an overly polite reception.
Such etiquette was an ancient custom.
Seeing Jinmu employ the most deferential method toward his gift, Yang Sobang assumed it was consideration on his part and wore an exceedingly pleased expression.
“This one knows the courtesies of our era. Heh heh heh! I saw you true.”
Yang Sobang burst into boisterous laughter, nodding repeatedly.
Such talent was too precious. Even if Wudang refused, he wanted to drag him to the Alliance.
He itched to rush back and report to the Alliance Lord.
“I’ve delivered the item I wished to give you, so I’ll take my leave. When you descend to the secular world, let’s share a drink.”
“Yes, Elder!”
As Jinmu bowed once more, Yang Sobang departed Void Serenity Hermitage with buoyant steps.
“Ha ha, hahaha!”
He even employed the Beggar Clan’s supreme lightness skill, Ten Thousand Li Chasing Wind, vanishing leisurely.
Jinmu waited until the echoes of his laughter faded into the distance before lifting his head and standing.
“Gone?”
“Yes, he’s gone.”
“Phew.”
He finally exhaled the breath he’d held.
“Martial Uncle, this?”
“Wash it.”
“Pardon?”
“Scrub it thoroughly. Spotless, no trace of odor.”
“This?”
“Yep.”
Jinmu replied brightly to Cheongsang’s question.
A bit apart.
Watching Cheongsang’s puzzled retreating figure as he went to wash the token, Jinmu grinned broadly.
The Beggar Clan’s Chivalric Token, of all things.
An unexpected treasure acquired.
But the debt remained unpaid.
Yang Sobang had called it his heart for forging a bond, not repaying a debt.