Chapter 134: Deliberation (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 134: Deliberation (1)
Whish! Click!
Song Gang watched his disciple with a piercing gaze. The young man finished with a flourish, spinning his sword like a windmill before sheathing it with a sharp click. He then turned to the elders gathered before the Palace of Supreme Clarity and addressed the Sect Leader.
"As you all know, Seok Jin was previously only capable of manifesting a single foot of Sword Aura. However, immediately upon rising from his sickbed, he has produced Sword Aura reaching three feet! He can maintain his internal energy circulation for over two gaks, and all that remains is to refine the emission of his qi! That is all!"
"Hooh."
"Hmm..."
The elders in front of the Palace of Supreme Clarity were visibly impressed.
To emit three feet of Sword Aura and maintain it for more than one gak was the standard requirement to be recognized as a true Qingcheng Swordsman. In other words, Seok Jin’s skills had skyrocketed to the point where he was now fully qualified to wear the Azure Sutra Robe.
While he still needed to naturally harmonize the increased internal energy to make it entirely his own, that was merely a matter of time.
"If you have any questions, please ask. I shall answer them."
A disciple’s outstanding achievement is a master’s greatest joy. The face of Elder Song Gang, usually so rigid it seemed a blade couldn't pierce it, was now relaxed with pride.
"Elder Song Gang."
Sect Leader Song Jeong was the first to speak.
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"First, Seok Jin’s achievement is certainly a cause for celebration... but did you not claim yesterday that he had stopped breathing?"
"That is... Ahem!"
Song Gang’s face turned bright red.
Now that he thought about it, while he was happy, he still had some explaining to do. During yesterday’s inquiry, when he had laid his disciple’s body before the Palace of Supreme Clarity, he had wept tears of blood and screamed at the top of his lungs for Seok Myeong’s immediate execution.
"Well, uh... at the time, I was in such a state of despair and could not contain my fury, so I failed to check his condition repeatedly, Sect Leader."
"Hmm."
The Sect Leader merely cleared his throat, causing Song Gang to bow his head even lower.
"His airway was blocked by a blood clot, so he wasn't breathing, and when I checked his pulse... well, it was so slow and weak that I judged it had stopped. That is why..."
"So, you mistook a living man for a dead one? And not just anyone, but your own disciple?"
Snicker.
Sect Leader Song Jeong asked teasingly. Song Gang could do nothing but keep his head bowed.
"...I crave your forgiveness for my rashness."
"Is it to me you should be seeking forgiveness? I believe there is someone else you owe an apology to."
"Th-that is true."
Song Gang turned toward Seok Myeong—his martial nephew, who looked pale with a bandage wrapped around his shoulder—and offered a slightly apologetic expression.
Seok Myeong responded with a smile and shook his head humbly.
"He cannot be considered fully stable just yet. Fortunately, no great disaster occurred, but Junior Brother Seok Jin must have been quite startled regardless. For a while, he must take the time to settle the internal energy he has gathered and harmonize it naturally with his body."
"No, well, there's no need to go that far..."
"Seok. Jin."
Seok Jin, who looked like he was dying of boredom, immediately flinched and bowed his head at his master’s stern call.
"Right. And how is Yeon-hui?"
The Sect Leader nodded and followed up with another question. As a father, this was likely what he was most curious about.
"With all due respect... it is difficult to say anything definitive yet."
Seok Myeong chose his words carefully.
"Difficult to say?"
"Yes. Both I and Junior Brother Seok Jin, who saw the benefits this time, are men. As for what effects it will have on Junior Sister Yeon-hui, a woman... more research is required."
Coincidentally, all the past priests of the Azure Cloud lineage who had devoted themselves to the Demonic Energy Absorption Art were men. Since no woman had ever practiced the art, Yeon-hui was, in effect, the first test case.
"Then, are there any concerns?"
"None."
This time, Seok Myeong spoke with certainty.
"It seems the original Demonic Energy Absorption Art absorbed a significant amount of Yang energy from nature. Because of that, Junior Sister Yeon-hui will likely... well, find that the minor ailments common to women are actually alleviated."
"Minor ailments?" the Sect Leader asked.
"I have only learned this through books, but I understand that women often suffer from cold hands and feet, or severe abdominal pain. Such symptoms should be eased."
"Ah!"
Yeon-hui suddenly let out an exclamation. As everyone’s eyes turned toward her, she waved her hands frantically, her face flushing red.
Chuckle.
The Sect Leader nodded with a knowing smile.
"Now that you mention it, she has been excessively energetic lately."
"Father!"
Yeon-hui shrieked, and Seok Myeong continued after a brief cough.
"In any case, this was simply a problem we didn't understand before; now that we do, it is just a matter of solving the puzzle. However... since every woman’s body is different, I need to study more cases... and that might take some time."
"I shall see to it that the time is shortened," Song Jeong said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
There were many members of Qingcheng who wished to become stronger, women included. Until now, they had been hesitant due to the perception of it being a demonic art, but if Seok Myeong spoke with such confidence, it was a different story.
"As Sect Leader, I ask for the cooperation of the elders. A new Qingcheng Heart Method has been completed, but as there is still room for improvement, check to see which disciples are willing to participate."
"We obey your command!"
"We obey your command!"
"S-Sect Leader..."
Seok Myeong’s face grew heated.
A new Qingcheng Heart Method.
The Sect Leader had officially proclaimed it so. Since joining the Azure Cloud lineage, how much had he yearned for this, though he never dared to ask? He had simply endured, and endured, and endured.
Master... are you watching?
But the emotional moment didn't end there. As his eyes began to moisten, Sect Leader Song Jeong continued.
"It seems it is time to reach a conclusion. Many things have happened, but I shall now formally decide on the treatment of Seok Myeong and the Azure Cloud lineage. Have the elders reached a consensus?"
At the Sect Leader's question, the seated elders nodded. Song Ha-myeong stood up as their representative.
"First Generation Disciple Seok Myeong has succeeded in carrying on the legacy left by the past masters, both as a member of the Azure Cloud lineage and the Qingcheng Sect. This is truly an exemplary feat."
He scanned the area, his gaze lingering briefly on Song Hak and the other elders who had pressured Seok Myeong.
"As you all know, the treatment of the Azure Cloud lineage and its successor, Seok Myeong, by this sect has been one of implicit neglect and overt discrimination. I believe no one here can deny this."
"Ahem."
"Cough!"
Several elders turned red and cleared their throats. Among them, Song Hak closed his eyes, looking as if he were swallowing bitter medicine.
"Even in such dire circumstances, First Generation Disciple Seok Myeong did not harbor resentment or rebel. He upheld the legacy of the masters as a member of the Azure Cloud lineage and has gone on to achieve great merit for this sect. This is the fulfillment of both loyalty and filial piety. He is a model for all disciples of this sect."
"..."
Seok Myeong bowed his head deeply, his face burning at the excessive praise. But Song Ha-myeong continued.
"Rewards and punishments must be clear. Those who do right must be rewarded, and those who do wrong must be punished. Therefore, as the White Cloud Pavilion Master, I recommend that Seok Myeong of the current Azure Cloud lineage be granted the status of a Qingcheng Swordsman and be appointed as the new Azure Cloud Pavilion Master."
"What?!"
Startle!
Seok Myeong bolted upright in shock.
Azure Cloud Pavilion Master. This meant that the Azure Cloud lineage was being officially integrated into the Qingcheng Sect’s formal structure. Furthermore, the position of a Pavilion Master was fundamentally equal in rank to the elders. It was a truly unprecedented promotion.
"E-Elder Song Ha-myeong! This treatment is too much!"
Normally, one who wore the Azure Sutra Robe as a Qingcheng Swordsman was granted the right to teach the sect's disciples. Even Seok Jun currently held an instructor position.
But the position of a Pavilion Master was different. It granted the right to attend Elder Council meetings and, with the Sect Leader's permission, the ability to lead a separate group of disciples.
Seok Myeong, who had been treated like an outcast even among the First Generation Disciples, was suddenly being given the same status as the elders of the Song generation.
"It is not too much. First Generation Disciple Seok Myeong, this is not a reward given simply because I am fond of you."
White Cloud Pavilion Master Song Ha-myeong shook his head.
"You are the sole member of the current Azure Cloud lineage. This is compensation for the long period during which your lineage was mistreated. You suffered quite a bit because the Azure Cloud Pavilion was repurposed for other departments, didn't you? Heh heh. That will not happen again."
Song Ha-myeong chuckled at the end of his sentence. Following him, Sect Leader Song Jeong took over.
"And as much support as you are given, your responsibility will be equally heavy. Seok Myeong, in the case of First Generation Disciple Seok Jin, we were lucky to be able to take action. Had things gone wrong, we might have buried a living man thinking he was dead."
"That... is true."
Seok Myeong nodded, a brief shiver running through him. While it might seem like an overreaction now, at the time, several lives had been hanging in the balance.
"Your first task is the safety of the Qingcheng Heart Method. Its effectiveness has been proven, but it is still a method that discriminates between individuals. Continue the research of the Azure Cloud lineage and find a way so that even young novice disciples who are just establishing their internal energy foundation can learn it. Second, since it is currently difficult for women to see results, find a solution for that. Third, restore the Azure Moon Storehouse, which was damaged in the recent raid. These are burdens that only a member of the Azure Cloud lineage, well-versed in the martial arts of Qingcheng and other sects—specifically you, Seok Myeong—can shoulder."
"..."
Refining the heart method. Restoring the Azure Moon Storehouse. Indeed, hearing it now, these were tasks only he could perform. Each was a vital matter, and there was no telling what other responsibilities might be entrusted to him in the future.
Seok Myeong began to worry if he could truly handle all of this. Suddenly, his shoulders felt as heavy as if he were carrying a great mountain.
"First Generation Disciple Seok Myeong. Are you prepared to shoulder this burden? These are tasks where even ten bodies would not be enough, and the responsibility is as heavy as a mountain. If you cannot handle it, speak now."
But even so.
"This disciple..."
Choke.
How long had he waited for this? How hard had he worked? Seok Myeong spoke as if pouring out the emotions surging from his chest.
"I am overwhelmed with gratitude! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be of even the slightest help to this sect!"
He had only ever waited. Waiting for the permission that might one day fall, he had kept his passion burning low and worked ceaselessly. All of them in the Azure Cloud lineage had.
"Good. New Azure Cloud Pavilion Master, you shall have our full support. I will give you two days; formulate your future plans and bring them directly to me."
"Yes! Sect Leader!"
Clench!
His tightly clasped hands made the reality of the moment sink in. Seok Myeong felt his eyes grow moist and glanced up at the sky.
Master, are you watching...?
For a moment, he thought he could hear the hearty laughter of True Person Song Hye. Seok Myeong fought desperately to keep his tears from falling.
It was a very...
Warm, sunny day. The kind of day that made one miss a beloved face.