Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: The Sword-Shedding Pool
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As one ascended Wudang Mountain, there was a small pond and pavilion nestled at the mountain's base.
Sword-Shedding Pool and Sword-Shedding Pavilion.
If the symbols of Taoism—countless halls including the Purple Empyrean Palace enshrining Wudang's Primordial Heavenly Venerable—represented the sect's devout heart,
then the Sword-Shedding Pool and Pavilion embodied Wudang's pride during its days of glory.
In the past, no visitor to Wudang—mounted or armed—could pass through without dismounting.
It was a sign of respect for Wudang, the orthodox lineage of the Nine Great Sects.
But now...
"Uncle Master, what are you staring at so blankly?"
Cheongu, who was to share the punishment with him, tilted his head at Jinmu, lost in reminiscence.
You wouldn't know.
Jinmu gazed at the spot.
Nothing remained there now.
Not even the pavilion—just a desolate clearing with a lone pond.
No guards in sight.
Not a single one of the dozens of hitching posts for horses.
'Sigh, it was quite the sight back then. What a mess.'
Jinmu—no, Hyeokryeon Mugang—had done that.
He vividly recalled the day he arrived: the Jade Generation Disciples blocking the path with their sword formation. He had smiled brightly as he severed their heads and ordered his subordinates to demolish the entire pavilion.
'At least the bloodstains have faded a bit.'
The Sword-Shedding Pool, once dyed red with Wudang blood, had lightened somewhat.
As Jinmu sank into his memories(?), he turned to Cheongu, whose eyes were wide and sparkling.
"By the way..."
Jinmu's gaze shifted to the forest behind Cheongu and the stairs ascending the mountain.
"You're alone?"
"Ah, yes!"
No, that wasn't the cheerful reply he wanted.
This couldn't be right.
He had definitely attended morning assembly.
That daily gathering where the First Generation Disciples responsible for the Five Palaces and One Hall discussed the day's affairs—he had clearly heard with his own ears that they would send personnel.
So why had only this guy shown up?
Since Jinhyeo was injured, the Jade Generation Disciples from Origin Harmony Hall, including Cheongu, had been training at other palaces.
According to the assembly's announcement, at least they should have come.
What the hell? Why... Oh!
Jinmu tilted his head, then clapped as realization dawned.
Retracing events, he could roughly piece it together.
Jinmu had little interaction with the other First Generation Disciples, having secluded himself in Void Serenity Hermitage tending to his master.
Moreover, unlike Jinmu the orphaned Taoist Boy, most First Generation Disciples hailed from prestigious families.
In other words, they resented an outsider like him holding equal status.
And then he had altered a sword technique to defeat Origin Harmony Hall's Jinhyeo. Not only had this lowly upstart done what they couldn't, but he proved himself boldly before the sect leader and elders.
On top of violating one of the Ten Precepts.
Yet instead of the Punishment Cave, he was assigned to repair hitching posts at the Sword-Shedding Pool.
A punishment tantamount to forgiveness—plus temporary permission to eat meat, no less.
In short...
"Ah, those fucking bastards?"
"Pardon?"
Cheongu looked flustered as Jinmu suddenly spat vulgarities mid-thought.
"They want me to eat shit, huh?"
Petty jealousy. That was the conclusion.
No one likes a rolling stone.
It might dislodge someone already embedded. Especially if that stone was a diamond—or a luminous jewel.
"Tsk tsk, no wonder it's falling apart. Talking about precepts, you idiots. Keeping precepts won't save you if you can't control your juniors..."
He couldn't help clicking his tongue.
Taoist priests' hypocrisy knew no bounds.
Sending their fellow disciple to be ostracized out of spiteful pettiness...
More demonic than actual demons.
"Anyway, what to do with these punks? Teaching the young ones nothing but bad habits..."
Jinmu scowled deeply.
It had only been two days since he beat Jinhyeo.
The initial shock value was fine, but overdoing it would make enemies.
"If I could just..."
He had to hold back.
Until just before becoming a Grand Disciple.
"Fine, just you wait, you filthy scum. Daring to mess with me using dirty tricks? Heh heh heh."
Cheongu spoke cautiously to Jinmu, whose eyes gleamed with sinister intent.
"Uncle Master, I... have no idea what you're saying."
"Cheongu."
"Yes?"
"Let's go catch a wild boar and eat it."
"...Pardon?"
Cheongu's eyes widened like a startled rabbit.
Even with the meat taboo lifted, he must still feel his heart racing from recently being caught licking chicken bones by the sect leader and elders.
"Why?"
"What about repairing the Sword-Shedding Pool...?"
"Trust me?"
"...Yes."
"Let's go."
The repairs were just an excuse anyway.
The month-long sentence was mostly a warning to behave—sticking some posts in roughly would suffice.
The Sword-Shedding Pool repairs continued the next day, and the day after.
But today, someone trailed behind Cheongu, who had come down later than usual.
"Hm?"
Unlike the dim-witted, stocky Cheongu, this was a handsome young man with a tall, upright build.
A type who would never befriend someone as foolish and straightforward as Cheongu.
"Who are you?"
"He's Senior Brother Cheongsang."
Cheongu answered for him.
Right, Cheongsang. Jade Generation.
But no greeting for his Uncle Master? What a rude little...
"Senior Brother Cheongsang kept asking questions I couldn't properly explain, so I brought him."
"Asking what?"
"You know, the things you've taught me lately. I can do them with my body, but I can't put it into words..."
Cheongu grinned innocently, scratching the back of his head.
Yeah, that tracks.
How could you explain that verbally?
Especially you...
"Senior Brother Cheongsang has already mastered the Flowing Cloud Sword Art to the fifth realm."
Hoo?
The Flowing Cloud Sword was a fairly advanced technique.
Fifth realm as a Jade Generation Disciple meant exceptional talent.
Of course, compared to Jinmu, it was a drop in the ocean—a firefly before the moon.
"Impressive, right? Sure, maybe not to you, Uncle Master, but he's the best among our peers."
Cheongu praised Cheongsang effusively, as if boasting about himself, while Cheongsang looked somewhat smug.
He knew his own worth.
"But strangely, he's always stuck with chores."
Hmm.
"The other Uncle Masters won't teach him properly. I think it's because of Senior Brother Cheongsang's background..."
"Cheongu!"
Cheongsang scolded him sharply, and Cheongu shut his mouth.
It was obvious.
Getting defensive about origins meant they were humble.
Natural talent but no connections—naturally envied by the prestigious Taoist brats.
Dying sects nitpick endlessly.
Anyway, this guy was ostracized too.
'Another annoyance added.'
What an idiot.
Of all people to bring...
Then a brilliant idea flashed through Jinmu's mind as he sighed.
'Wait. This could be fun.'
One of the Ten Precepts—the meat taboo—had been lifted.
Meaning Wudang's sacred traditions were crumbling from the foundation.
What if the entire Ten Precepts collapsed?
Corruption.
Yes, corruption.
Becoming more worldly. And with a little push...?
Heh heh heh. The first step is hardest; after that...
Meat now, but soon anything goes.
Alcohol, women.
Pretentious Taoists sneaking pumpkin seeds turning into debauched priests carousing with courtesans.
Just imagining it lifted his spirits.
After eating the Immortal Grass and becoming Jinmu, his goal was Grand Disciple to learn the Two Forms Heart Art and regain his original power.
After that?
Nothing set.
Immortal Grass meant time was on his side.
Yes—become Grand Disciple, master Two Forms Heart Art.
Then install a puppet as sect leader! Corrupt Wudang! And the entire orthodox faction!
'Heh heh, muhahaha.'
Jinmu's mind soared with grand delusions.
Wudang would become demonic; the Justice Alliance, Evil Hegemony Heaven.
Fill the world with treachery and villainy!
Perfect plan.
Cheongu, you clever boy.
Not dragging in trash—you personally fetched a seed for your Uncle Master's amusement!
Jinmu suppressed his laughter.
Now, for this grand scheme!
Cheongsang, I shall make you my first lackey!
Chance to grow as a seed of corruption alongside Cheongu!
"Cheongu!"
"Yes! Uncle Master! Should I catch a rabbit first?"
Ah, what to do with this fool.
Seduction has steps.
Can't start by blatantly breaking precepts.
"Rabbit? What nonsense, Cheongu? We have to repair the Sword-Shedding Pool."
"..."
Cheongu blinked his wide eyes.
"Over there, move that rock."
Cheongu's head turned slightly at Jinmu's pointing, then snapped back.
"T-that one?"
Jinmu nodded kindly.
"Uh, Uncle Master, that's a bit much... And it's not a rock, it's a boulder."
"It's fine."
"But..."
"Cheongu."
"Yes?"
"Trust me?"
"...Yes."
Right, kid. To seduce, you gotta show something.
Something beyond imagination.
Cheongu reluctantly approached the boulder embedded in the Sword-Shedding Pool.
Height: four feet six inches (138cm), width: two feet (60cm).
Size of a nine-year-old child.
Weight...? Try lifting and see if your waist snaps.
"Grab it."
"No matter how I look..."
Wearing a troubled expression, Cheongu still spread his arms wide and hugged the boulder as instructed.
"Nngh!"
Veins bulged like earthworms on his forehead from exertion, muscles rippling on his exposed forearms.
Jinmu glanced at Cheongsang.
He smirked mockingly. Regretting coming along, no doubt.
Thinking it impossible.
It required innate divine strength or at least half a decade's internal energy.
But.
Tap.
Jinmu lightly pressed behind Cheongu's knee.
"Eh?"
Cheongu's stance lowered.
A nudge to his Mingmen straightened his back.
Tap.
Toes inward, knees pressed to the boulder.
"Nngh!"
Cheongu's face flushed red.
"...!"
Shock appeared on Cheongsang's face. His wide eyes blinked rapidly.
Heh heh heh. Every task has its trick.
"Hraaah!"
Crack, crack.
With Cheongu's shout, the child-sized boulder began revealing its base.
And then.
Thud!
The boulder pulled free from the Sword-Shedding Pool and crashed roughly to the ground.