Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Wudang's Sword
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After Yang Sobang departed, Jinmu's daily life on Wudang Mountain remained utterly unchanged.
He trained Cheongsang and Cheongu, cultivated his mind technique to build inner power.
As for the reconstruction of the Five Dragon Palace, Myeongjin was practically living on-site and managing it directly from Origin Harmony Hall, so there was no need for Jinmu to worry.
Had about a month passed already?
Just as Jinmu was racking his brains over when he might rack up some new achievements...
"Sasuk!"
"Hm? Aren't you Cheongjin from Welcoming Grace Hall?"
"Yes, Sasuk."
Having personally given Jinhye a thorough(?) firsthand lesson before, there was no way he'd come looking for trouble over sect rules.
"What brings you here?"
"The Sect Leader instructed you to come to Purple Empyrean Palace at once."
"The Sect Leader?"
"Yes. An assembly order has gone out across all of Wudang. All the elders and the practical disciples from each palace have already gathered."
Jinmu tilted his head at Cheongjin's words.
He hadn't been summoned lately.
"Do you know what it's about?"
"No, I don't know the details, but since even the Second Generation Disciples have been called to assemble at the Purple Empyrean Palace training grounds, it seems like a gravely important matter."
"Hmm."
Jinmu pondered for a moment, then his face lit up brightly.
Could it be? A mission to earn achievements?
And one big enough to gather every disciple in Wudang?
Opportunity had come sooner than expected.
Grinning with delight, Jinmu called out to Cheongsang and Cheongu, who were sweating through their footwork training.
"Kids! Let's go!"
An achievement. It was an achievement.
Racing to Purple Empyrean Palace like the wind, Jinmu sensed the atmosphere was different from usual and halted his steps.
Second Generation Disciples standing in perfect ranks on the training grounds.
Solemn.
It was a sight he hadn't seen lately.
'What's going on?'
Jinmu tilted his head as he slowly ascended the long stairs of Purple Empyrean Palace.
Kiiik!
As Jinmu approached, the Second Generation Disciples bowed respectfully and opened the doors.
Sect Leader Myeonghyeon sat in formal meditation on the dais before the statue of the Primeval Lord of Heaven, with elders and First Generation Disciples lined up along the pillars to his left and right.
'Why is everything so serious?'
Even their attire was different.
Not the everyday robes.
Everyone gathered in the grand hall was dressed in ceremonial robes worn for sacrificial rites.
The atmosphere was so different from usual that it made him uneasy.
Should he have worn his ceremonial robes too? Cheongjin hadn't said a word.
"First Generation Disciple Jinmu, approach."
Myeonghyeon's soft yet solemn voice filled the grand hall.
"......Yes."
Jinmu, who had been standing blankly at the entrance, walked toward the center.
'Shifu?'
Myeongjin, now proudly holding his position as Lord of the Five Dragon Palace.
His face looked utterly pleased.
Come closer. Hurry.
His eyes seemed to urge Jinmu onward.
He couldn't fathom what was happening.
"Jinmu, be seated."
What was this? Too grandiose for a mere mission?
Had war broken out or something?
Sensing something amiss, Jinmu knelt at the spot Myeonghyeon indicated.
He glanced around cautiously, but not only Myeonghyeon—even the elders' faces were full of smiles.
What were they scheming?
As he puzzled over it, Myeonghyeon gestured, and Jinso and Jinhyeo approached, each holding different objects in both hands.
Jinhye, standing behind Elder Myeonggong, looked utterly rotten-faced, so it was surely good news for Jinmu.
"......"
Jinmu stared at the two items placed before him.
Jinso had set down a red missive; Jinhyeo, a small jade case and a neatly folded white robe.
Jinmu alternated curious glances between the items and Myeonghyeon.
"Listen well, Jinmu."
"Yes."
"This is a matter decided after the elders held meetings over the past month and consulted the First Generation Disciples."
What could be so grand as to require meetings?
"The items before you represent two paths laid out for you."
"......"
"I wrote the missive myself."
No matter how much his standing had risen lately, what was with this old man's words that could cause misunderstandings if overheard?
We're not lovers, so why write such an embarrassing missive?
"The missive's destination is the Righteous Martial Alliance."
The Righteous Martial Alliance?
It grew ever more puzzling.
"Addressed to Alliance Leader Sword Saint Cheol Ji-ryang, the great hero, it states that, on the recommendation of Elder Mupung-gae, you wish to receive instruction under him."
Ah, I see.
Truly astonishing. How impressive.
Sword Saint Cheol Ji-ryang.
A man whose sword enlightenment even Jinmu had to admire.
For a later-generation disciple, receiving his tutelage was no different from a fateful encounter.
The elders' proud expressions and the First Generation Disciples' envious gazes said as much... but Jinmu felt utterly indifferent.
Sword Saint?
A guy of similar skill whom he'd already beaten.
Why bother clinging to someone he'd defeated for teachings?
"The white robe beside it is permitted to only one person."
Only one?
"It is the White Dragon Robe bestowed upon the one recognized as Wudang's Sword."
Ah, so that's it.
Jinmu nodded.
Not particularly thrilled about that either.
White Dragon Robe.
Why wear such a thing that exposes his status to the entire perilous martial world? Especially glaring white.
Still indifferent.
But then.
"Furthermore, the one recognized as Wudang's Sword receives a treasure befitting the title."
A treasure?
"None other than the Supreme Purity Divine Pill within the jade case."
"Su, Supreme Purity!"
Too shocked, the words slipped from Jinmu's mouth.
After that, he heard nothing else.
Wide eyes, gaping mouth.
Sup-reme Pu-ri-ty Di-vine Pill!
Only those four characters echoed in his ears.
He hadn't been this shocked lately. No, in his entire life, he'd never had such a staggering experience.
Not comparable to the filthy(?) Beggar Clan writ Yang Sobang had left behind.
Wudang's legendary divine relic lay before his eyes.
A pinnacle treasure of Wudang.
Among the priceless treasures, one that had never left the top ranks alongside Shaolin's Great Return Pill—the quintessence of Taoist alchemy.
Immortal grass? Spirit beast inner core? What were those?
I am the divine pill!
Such a thing was right before him.
Gulp.
At this moment, he couldn't hide his expression.
Boundless greed shone plainly in his eyes, and his heart pounded as if it might burst.
But was it really okay to just hand this to a First Generation Disciple?
These Taoist bastards were too generous.
Couldn't refuse if they offered.
No way they'd give it and then take it back, right?
Jinmu clenched his fists hidden in his robe folds.
He could ascend.
Absorb that Supreme Purity Divine Pill whole, and he could reach the 'Strong' realm in one leap.
Thanks, Cheon U-myeong, you bastard.
Thank you, Immortal Grass, you fine fellow.
Sorry for the misunderstanding, Palanquin Monk.
Calling the possession into his body hasty.
"Of course, it matters not which you choose. Even if you reject both paths and forge your own, we shall not blame you."
The path to Sword Saint's tutelage, or the path as Wudang's Sword.
How could they compare?
With the Supreme Purity Divine Pill right there.
If the legends of its spiritual energy were true, he could toss away a Sword Saint disciple slot for a dog.
Absorb its spiritual energy to reach the 'Strong' realm, cultivate Two Forms Heart Art, and master Ink Dragon Chaos Origin Art to its peak.
The strongest martial artist across all righteous and demonic sects would be born.
Snap.
Without a moment's hesitation, Jinmu placed his hand on the jade case and White Dragon Robe.
And declared proudly.
"This disciple, Jinmu! I shall advance solely as Wudang's Sword!"
Myeonghyeon's face brightened at Jinmu's choice.
The elders and First Generation Disciples' faces lit up in turn.
No one would have blamed him for choosing both.
The decision was Jinmu's to make.
Still, deep down, all hoped he would proudly hang his name in the martial world not in the Sword Saint's shadow, but as a pure Wudang disciple.
"Thank you."
Myeonghyeon's words.
Jinmu couldn't grasp what he was thankful for.
'The Supreme Purity Divine Pill is mine!'
Jinmu clutched the jade case tightly to his chest. So no one could take it away.
His soaring excitement refused to subside.
Congratulatory words here and there, elders taking turns in a ceremony-like ritual, incantations he memorized.
Time flew by unnoticed; he didn't even remember returning to Void Serenity Hermitage.
Jinmu headed straight into the Tri-Void Cavern, now his personal mind cultivation chamber.
In the darkly sunken cavern, the only shining thing.
Jinmu gazed at the jade case before him with eyes full of rapture.
Gulp.
He swallowed dryly.
Then slowly reached out toward the jade case.
His hand trembled.
Not even during his first time as a man or his first kill had it shaken like this.
Like unwrapping a bride's veil, his cautious hand grasped the case.
It didn't resist.
Good boy.
A cold sensation climbed his hand, making his whole body tingle.
Click.
A clear, pure sound.
At least, that's how it rang in Jinmu's ears.
With utmost care, as if it might shatter, he opened the lid to reveal the divine pill cradled in silk, glowing with iridescent light.
'Ah!'
How beautiful was this?
Whiter than a woman's bare skin, its near-perfect round form.
And the fragrance filling the cavern—what of it?
It felt as if he'd entered a heavenly garden in full bloom.
"What's this?"
While savoring the scent, a scrap of paper beside the pill caught his eye.
A small note.
It detailed precautions and circulation methods for absorbing the Supreme Purity Divine Pill.
Ah, so meticulous.
He hadn't imagined Wudang Taoists could be this considerate.
Moreover, masterful calligraphy.
The Taoist who wrote it could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any scholar of the age. No, surpass them.
Must memorize it.
No real need, but with such generosity, manners mattered.
No room for a single mistake. Not a wisp of spiritual energy could be lost.
Jinmu recited the precautions over and over until they were etched into his mind.
Then, gulp.
The pill touched his tongue. It melted.
No taste like this before. Solid? Liquid?
The sweetly melting pill slid down his throat in an instant.
How wondrous.
How so mysteriously profound? What of this warm spiritual energy rising from his dantian?
But no time for admiration.
Wuuung!
Following the note's instructions, Jinmu began circulating his energy.
'Since the Taiji exists...'
Near the Tri-Void Cavern.
After Jinmu entered, Myeongjin stood together with Cheongsang and Cheongu before it, tense expressions as they paced.
Like husbands awaiting word from a woman in labor, anxiety filled their faces.
"Good grief."
Myeongjin had never personally seen anyone take the Supreme Purity Divine Pill.
Only vague memories from his late master's master, Sword of Wudang Hyun-gong.
Every moment felt like years. As their anxious pacing quickened, an indescribably rich fragrance filled the air, and the cavern let out a rough hum.
Then a pressure crushing the world descended.
An immeasurable, colossal energy.
Once the typhoon-like energy swept past and vanished, silence fell.
Nothing felt anymore. Utter stillness.
"He's doing fine, right?"
"H-He probably is?"
To Myeongjin's worried mutter, Cheongsang and Cheongu murmured back.
Their eyes never left the cavern entrance for a second.