Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Zhuge Family's Infinite Branch Families
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......He said to convey that.
......
When Jinmu awoke, Zhuge Sansan delivered the message.
I received your greetings well. It was Cheolji-ryang's words.
"And after that, he said he'd see you again. That next time, he'd use his full power from the start."
Jinmu stared blankly into empty space at Zhuge Sansan's words, spoken while seated demurely.
In the meantime.
"Did you really spar with Sword Saint senior?"
Cheongsang asked Zhuge Sansan.
"Yes. And it was an even match."
"An even... match!"
Cheongsang, and even Cheongu, widened their small eyes in shock.
"That's incredible! Uncle! An even match with the Sword Saint!"
Cheongsang clenched his fists, his face full of admiration.
Jinmu smirked at the respect in his eyes.
An even match? Is that how it looked?
Absurd.
He lost. Miserably to the Sword Saint, who hadn't even used his full power.
Jinmu's first defeat. No, counting the old man from Muwol Pavilion and Yang Sobang, it was his third?
No.
Iron Finger Liang was the only one against whom Jinmu had used his full power.
In truth, losing to him was inevitable.
From the Ilwol Demon Cult, Evil Hegemony Heaven, and Orthodox Alliance—the three major powers of the central plains—he was the supreme swordsman. Losing was only natural, yet Jinmu couldn't accept it.
'Damn. I'm still far off.'
Cheolji-ryang's Flying Sword.
Beyond it lay the Heart Sword, though no one had reached it yet, so Flying Sword was called the practical pinnacle of sword arts.
It was a realm even Hyeokryeon Mugang had never achieved.
There was a saying, "All rivers flow to the sea," but it wasn't absolute.
It wasn't that he couldn't use Sword Aura. But people naturally excel more in what they're familiar with.
Hyeokryeon Mugang had reached absolute heights with fist arts. Even in his prime battle with Cheolji-ryang, he'd used fists and won.
Thus, he couldn't beat Cheolji-ryang with a sword.
Wudang's martial arts were incredibly diverse. Hundreds of techniques beyond sword arts slumbered in the Scripture Pavilion.
But among them, sword arts were the strongest. That's why Wudang and Huashan were hailed as the top sword schools of the central plains.
The problem was they didn't suit Jinmu.
If the day came when Jinmu defeated Cheolji-ryang, it would be through fists, not sword arts.
'Another reason to acquire the latter half of the Two Forms Heart Art. Cheolji-ryang, next time, I'll definitely win.'
Jinmu calmed his mind and vowed it repeatedly.
"Cheongsang, Cheongu."
"Yes! Uncle!"
The two, hearts swelling with emotion, responded vigorously to Jinmu.
Ah, what a proud uncle! They'd follow him for life!
"I'm leaving Pyoju right now."
"Yes! ...Yes?!"
Cheongsang and Cheongu looked shocked.
What was with the suddenness?
They knew he'd leave, but the Yongbong Assembly was still three days away.
"Uncle! You need to recover more."
"Yes. Eat some meat and relieve your fatigue."
Sigh, Cheongu. I get the concern, but.
"Shut up. Worry about yourselves."
......
Jinmu looked at them quietly.
His purpose in leaving Pyoju was to escape Wudang. He might never see it again.
During that time, these two had followed him. He wanted to give them a small gift.
He'd never done it before, but for them, it felt right.
Weren't they his first and second subordinates?
"Cheongsang, you have unparalleled talent in sword arts."
Cheongsang beamed at the praise.
"Even if you cultivate Sword Qi and expand its range, there's a limit to distance."
......
"Qi is expendable anyway—use it freely. Whether sword or qi, it's just a tool to harm. Even if thrown, it's still sword or qi. Remember, the key is maintaining form and sufficient compression for power."
Cheongsang looked puzzled at Jinmu's words.
"When you hit a wall again, recall this without fail. It'll aid your enlightenment."
"Ah!"
Cheongsang exclaimed in realization, and quick-witted Zhuge Sansan's eyes widened.
Guidance?
Suddenly? Out of nowhere?
And it wasn't vague words packed with profound meaning to ponder.
Simple and concise.
They hadn't reached that level yet, so full understanding eluded them.
"Thank you, Uncle! This favor..."
As Cheongsang moved to bow in gratitude, Jinmu raised a hand and shook his head.
"Don't do what you don't usually do. It's embarrassing."
......
"As I said at first, I'm not your master, and you're not my disciples."
Jinmu said casually, but Cheongsang's heart felt like it would burst.
Zhuge Sansan, watching, couldn't hide her surprise.
Not master and disciple?
Jinmu was young but first-generation. Wudang's Sword Prodigy. He could take disciples.
Yet without that bond, his guidance flowed freely like conversation.
Even fellow sect members rarely did that.
Unthinkable in the Zhuge Family.
Even Zhuge Unghyeon, the family head, didn't teach her so casually.
Enlightenment for warriors was hard-earned through pain and patience, not easily shared—even with disciples unprepared.
Never with outsiders present.
They hid it fiercely.
'Impressive. Is this the atmosphere of millennium Wudang? Or just Jinmu's nature?'
Zhuge Sansan was at the Profound Mystery realm.
Jinmu's words helped her immensely.
A serendipitous boon.
Whether she admired or not, Jinmu turned from Cheongsang to Cheongu.
"Cheongu, you... hmm."
As Jinmu paused, Cheongu sparkled with anticipation for praise.
"Hmm. You..."
......
"Ah! You're stubborn."
"......Pardon?"
Cheongu, expecting praise, wore a strange expression.
But try as he might, nothing fit.
"Right. You're stubborn. So ignore others and keep advancing. You're not suited for anything else. Charge straight ahead without glancing aside, and you'll make a name with fist arts."
"Yes! Uncle!"
Remembering Cheon U-myeong, who'd followed him most faithfully, Jinmu repeated those words.
He too was stubborn, advancing single-mindedly to lead the Iron Sword Unit, Evil Hegemony Heaven's strongest force.
Not quite the praise hoped for, but Cheongu replied vigorously.
"Good. Train hard."
"Understood."
"Cheongsang."
"Yes, Uncle."
"Take good care of Cheongu."
......
Did Jinmu's quiet words sound like farewell? A faint mist rose in Cheongsang's sullen eyes.
But their paths diverged, so he couldn't stop or hold him.
Cheongsang rose slowly and bowed. Cheongu followed.
This time, Jinmu didn't stop them. He adjusted his posture and accepted.
He felt a bit good.
"Uncle, stay healthy until we meet again."
Was it the voice? Or lack of such sincere farewell?
Jinmu's nose tingled oddly, so he grumbled gruffly.
"Bullshit. Am I dying?"
"Pardon?"
"Don't worry, you idiots. And you know? If you're not satisfactory next time, you're both dead. I'll really lop off your heads."
His fierce glare and threat made Cheongsang, Cheongu, and even Zhuge Sansan chuckle.
"Ugh-cha! Shall we go then?"
"Pardon? Already?"
"Of course!"
"But without any preparations."
"Preparations my ass. One sword is enough."
And with plenty of money stashed at the relay station, what worry?
As Jinmu stood, Cheongsang and Cheongu awkwardly followed.
"Enough. Why follow?"
"But."
"Didn't hear me?"
"Pardon?"
"If not satisfactory, I'll really lop off heads?"
......
Whether they'd meet again, who knew.
Jinmu smiled, but to Cheongsang and Cheongu, it rang true.
Jinmu might.
"Out."
......Yes.
Jinmu glared wickedly at the lingering pair.
"Got time to spare?"
......
"Want more training before I go?"
"......Ah, no! Uncle!"
As Jinmu cracked his knuckles menacingly, Cheongsang and Cheongu fled in panic.
Zhuge Sansan, watching, smiled with crinkled eyes.
Damn, her smiles were always the most enchanting.
"What? Why?"
"Just... you seem embarrassed."
"What?"
"That's how it felt. Maybe you sent them off because seeing your juniors see you off was awkward."
......
Sharp as ever.
Catching his feelings, Jinmu smacked his lips.
Cheongsang and Cheongu. Bonds different from Myeongjin's.
As a demonic, his only bond was Cheon U-myeong.
Others were suspects for betrayal or assassination.
"Where to now?"
"Cheo......"
He almost answered.
Scary woman.
Slipping in suddenly with that smile and voice.
Better cut ties quick.
"Why should I tell you?"
"Pardon?"
"No need to know."
"True. Anyway, Jinmu Dojang's words helped me greatly. Thank you."
Zhuge Sansan bowed demurely.
"Hmph. Think of it as asking you to watch over those two idiots."
Jinmu smirked, grabbing the sword by the wall and tucking it behind his waist.
"Leaving?"
"Yeah."
"May your heroic steps always point true."
"Heroic nonsense."
Jinmu chuckled at Zhuge Sansan's words.
Hero? Never crossed his mind.
If anything, the villain's path. Suited him better.
Hyeokryeon Mugang, Lord of Evil Hegemony Heaven.
He had finally stepped out from Wudang's constraints toward his grand ambition in the central plains.