Chapter 32 - Rise in the World
Human desire knows no bounds.
Especially when one witnesses another achieving what they themselves crave, that desire twists into envy, jealousy, and sometimes outright rage.
In that sense, what a cultivator ultimately yearns for is ascension to immortality.
Yet Jin Muhon had taken a step onto that path—a road that remained sealed even after lifetimes of grueling asceticism.
If the onlooker had been any other Daoist besides Muheo, their blood would have boiled in fury.
"Sword Immortal, sire! Surely marrow cleansing and bone transformation is easier than ascension! For one who eyes immortality, such a feat must be like swallowing cold porridge!"
But Muheo had no interest whatsoever in ascension.
His desire was singular.
To cleanse his marrow and shed his hideous form.
"......"
Jin Muhon was too flabbergasted to speak.
The desperation in the old man's eyes suggested this was no mere jest.
He first helped Muheo, kneeling on the carriage floor, back onto his seat.
Then, with gentle words, he calmed the elder's fervor.
"Old man. Have you lost your mind? Pull yourself together."
"Sire!"
"Call me 'sire' one more time, and I'll toss you out."
"S—Family Head Jin! Please! It's the regret of my lifetime, my one true wish!"
Muheo's wrinkled face flushed beet red. His voice trembled.
Watching him, deep furrows etched themselves into Jin Muhon's brow.
Han Sowol, clutching her acupuncture needle tightly, could only swivel her head in bewilderment.
"Hah... If you're going mad, at least do it gracefully."
In the end, Jin Muhon crossed his arms and sighed.
"If I knew how to do that, I'd have done it myself first. You frustrating old fool."
"You manifested Heaven-Earth Resonance and the Formless Sword! That's proof of your Sword Immortal status! A Sword Immortal can surely achieve marrow cleansing—!"
"Shut your mouth."
"Ahem! Hm!"
A faint red blood mist rose from Jin Muhon.
Ssssss—
The air inside the carriage grew heavy.
Auspicious energies vanished, replaced by a choking demonic aura that strangled Muheo's breath.
Only then did Muheo somewhat quell his excitement.
"Oh my! How pretty! I was wondering about it—this is a martial art too, right?"
Han Sowol waved her hand through the blood mist, gazing at it in wonder.
Since Jin Muhon had focused his killing intent on Muheo, she was largely unaffected.
For a moment, Jin Muhon's head throbbed faintly.
"Family Head Jin. As you see, I'm an elder of Wudang. Do you know what kind of sect Wudang is? The foremost Daoist sect in the Central Plains."
"Isn't Kunlun the foremost?"
"Hey now! They have history, sure, but how many disciples do they even have? Wudang is the true main line now!"
Jin Muhon let out a snort of laughter.
Even after wandering the world like a madman, the old Daoist still clung to his sect's pride.
"Putting that aside. What are you getting at? If it's nonsense, save it."
Muheo shook his head, lowering his voice to a grave rumble.
"Family Head Jin. I saw it clearly. You resonated with Heaven and Earth. And the Formless Sword on top of that! No doubt about it! You've stepped onto the path of the Half-Immortal."
"What a load of nonsense."
"Exactly! It's absurd!"
Muheo clapped his palms together with a smack.
By now, the red blood mist in the carriage had faded.
"You reaching such a realm! Those seniors cultivating in Wudang Mountain caves will have to dunk their noses in vinegar!"
"That's what I'm saying is absurd. Old man. You know who I am."
"What does the past matter? The present is what counts! Even a wastrel becomes a Buddha upon laying down his sword!"
"Why bring up Buddhas now?"
"Ah. Fair point."
Realizing his own rambling, Muheo scratched his head vigorously and caught his breath.
His already disheveled white hair stuck out even more wildly.
"It may not be now, but someday the path to marrow cleansing will open for you. Upon reaching Half-Immortal, one discards the old flesh for new."
"So. You want me to teach you the method?"
"Precisely! We're comrades walking the Dao together now! Save this pitiful old man—when you grasp the path, please share it! Call you sire? Done. Bow? As many times as needed!"
"......"
Desire.
Muheo's desire, layered and knotted from a lifetime of regret.
Wudang's sect leader would faint at the sight, but Muheo was utterly sincere now.
His eyes gleaming, he pleaded desperately with Jin Muhon.
Jin Muhon clamped his mouth shut and pondered in silence.
The carriage fell quiet.
Outside, the rhythmic clop of hooves echoed—clop-clop-clop—while inside, Muheo's gulping swallows rang loudly.
Neighhhh!
Suddenly, the carriage halted.
—Family Head! We've arrived!
Oepari's voice called from outside.
"Wait a moment."
—Yes, sir!
Postponing his reunion with Jin Hayeon, Jin Muhon quickly tallied his thoughts.
"Old man. Do you truly desire marrow cleansing?"
"Yes! It's my one and only wish! Wandering the jianghu, even visiting the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains years ago—all for that method!"
"I may never grasp it myself. Is that alright?"
"I trust you, Family Head Jin! From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were no ordinary man! I have an eye for people!"
The corner of Jin Muhon's mouth curved upward.
Leaning slightly toward Muheo, he lowered his voice.
"Then let's make a deal."
"A d-deal? Even Half-Immortals make deals?"
Muheo widened his eyes and recoiled.
Jin Muhon's smile deepened.
"If you give, you receive. That's my Dao."
"Ah. I see. Fine! For the law of marrow cleansing, I'll give you anything you desire! What is it? Tell me! I taught you the Dual Intent Divine Art, but... compared to that, it's low-tier. Speak!"
"......"
Clinging so obsequiously, yet still speaking his mind fully.
Jin Muhon paused in sheer disbelief.
"Hurry! My heart's about to burst!"
"What I want is..."
Jin Muhon spoke softly.
Muheo leaned in, eyes sparkling.
Han Sowol, listening beside them, swallowed hard.
"What you want...?"
"Take my niece as your disciple."
"Of course, that would be—huh? What?"
Creeeak.
Jin Muhon opened the carriage door. Warm sunset light poured through the gap.
There, beaming broadly, stood Jin Hayeon and Baek No, waiting for him.
"Welcome back, Uncle!"
"You've returned, Family Head."
The two bowed gracefully.
"Yes. Everything alright?"
"Yes!"
After a brief exchange, Jin Muhon turned back.
Inside, Muheo was frozen, blinking blankly.
"That girl is your new disciple."
"...Ah."
Muheo's jaw dropped further.
Seeing it, Jin Muhon's lips quirked up.
Like a cuckoo laying eggs in another's nest.
Jin Hayeon would now gain the world's sturdiest backing.
Something even Jin Muhon couldn't provide.
Thud.
He patted Muheo's shoulder lightly and stepped out.
'Things are falling into place smoothly.'
Jin Muhon glanced westward.
Unbong Mountain's clouds, cradling the sunset, painted a picture of perfect beauty.
***
That evening, Jin Muhon dined at the family estate with his acquaintances for the first time in ages.
"Oh! This looks delicious!"
The table brimmed with dishes.
Perfectly roasted meats, vibrantly steamed carp, seasonal vegetables in savory sauces—all fresh to the eye. The wine in the cups wafted a fine aroma.
"Wow... What's the occasion today?"
Oepari, grinning ear to ear, scanned the spread repeatedly.
The lavish table was worlds apart from his first visit here. Jin Muhon felt a strange mix of emotions.
"Hohoho! Of course! Uncle's back, so it's a feast! Nothing fancy, but please eat up, everyone."
Jin Hayeon welcomed the Jin family guests with a radiant smile.
She was thrilled too.
Unlike Yeon Jeokhwa, who clung to Jin Muhon so cloyingly despite being a physician, this woman seemed demure and refined. And the shabby old Daoist? None other than a high elder from one of the Nine Great Sects.
The scary-faced elder mixed in was polite enough, bowing and asking to be called "Elder Chu."
For Jin Hayeon, who had guarded the crumbling house alone with Baek No for so long, this felt like a dream.
Of course, the greatest joy was her sturdy uncle by her side.
"What's with all this food?"
"I asked Manager Ha to bring it over in a rush. Eat up, Uncle."
"Alright. You too."
"Yes!"
Wine flowed back and forth.
"Family Head. A drink for me too."
"Thanks. Han Physician."
Hahaha, hohoho—laughter filled the air.
"Uncle. Did your business go well?"
"Yes. And you? No troubles?"
"None!"
Sharing fine food with fine company—this was the scent of life.
Jin Muhon felt a nostalgic buzz creeping in, long forgotten.
"See, I was swinging my blade—whoosh, whoosh!—and then hundreds charged at me!"
"Pardon? Lady Poison Bee fought hundreds?"
"That's right!"
Oepari's tall tales made perfect drinking companions tonight.
As the mood warmed,
Muheo, uncharacteristically silent till now, set his cup down with a sharp clack, face grave.
The unusual tension hushed the laughter; all eyes turned to him.
"Family Head Jin. I have a question."
Muheo locked eyes with Jin Muhon, gaze deep.
"What is it?"
"The niece you want as disciple—is she that Jin miss over there?"
The reticent, profoundly cultivated-looking Daoist suddenly mentioning her made Jin Hayeon blink wide-eyed, glancing between Muheo and Jin Muhon.
Disciple? What on earth?
"Yes."
Jin Muhon nodded as if it were obvious.
Jin Hayeon stared piercingly at him, eyes wide in shock.
'Uncle... Are you sending me away...?'
Tears quickly welled in her eyes.
Muheo swallowed once and continued.
"Then, do you intend to make Miss Jin a Daoist nun?"
Daoist nun? What nonsense is this?
Jin Hayeon's face paled.
Thankfully, Jin Muhon shook his head this time.
"Why block her marriage path? Take her as a lay disciple."
"Hm... That works. But there's one issue. Minor, though..."
Jin Muhon narrowed his eyes at Muheo.
"Don't want marrow cleansing after all?"
"N-no! It's minor! Truly minor!"
"Speak."
"Well..."
Despite calling it minor, Muheo hesitated, finally sighing deeply and scratching his head.
"As you know, I've wandered the jianghu rootless my whole life. Never taken a disciple."
"What about Cheongpung?"
"He's my nephew-disciple's student."
"Good chance to get one now."
"That's... Sigh..."
Jin Muhon spoke nonchalantly, as if it were nothing.
Marrow cleansing was at stake, yet reality's walls loomed large.
Frustrated, Muheo gulped down his wine.
"Ugh! Family Head Jin. The thing is... my seniority is quite high."
"Out with it cleanly."
"Well... The current sect leader is my junior. So! If I take Miss Jin as disciple, she'd be sworn siblings with Wudang's sect leader!"
"......"
"......!"
"......!"
Jin Muhon showed no reaction, as if it were trivial.
The others, led by Jin Hayeon, gaped in astonishment.
The Nine Great Sects dominated the Central Plains.
Among them, Wudang—twin pillar of righteousness with Shaolin—was a colossal sect. Becoming its disciple was fortune enough for a family; same seniority as the sect leader? Unheard of.
For a girl not yet twenty.
Moreover, the Nine Great Sects recognized each other's hierarchies. The moment she became Muheo's disciple, Jin Hayeon would be a righteous grand elder by rank alone.
If word spread, the jianghu would erupt.
Wudang's sect leader would spit blood trying to stop it.
Jin Muhon turned to Jin Hayeon.
She sat frozen, face ashen as ice.
Jin Muhon smiled as gently as he could.
"Hayeon."
"...Yes?"
Her voice trembled.
"You've risen in the world."
"......"
Chopsticks slipped from Jin Hayeon's hand with a clatter.