Chapter 325
Chapter 325
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 325
Chapter Title: How Wonderful It Would Be If an Experienced Person Could Return to the Past
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It was a common tale laced with regret, but that story had shown Dang Mujin a path forward. It wasn't truly returning to the past, but hadn't someone demonstrated a way to restore the body to its youthful state? The case of the Blazing Flower Nun.
Of course, it was a different solution from what Tu Hui had requested. But physicians naturally sought to solve problems by saving lives.
Moreover, Tu Hui didn't want to die because she desired death—she wanted it because she couldn't find a better way. Finding a solution in another direction would be even better.
However, regaining a young body wouldn't solve everything. The bigger issues were the deep-seated turbidity in her mind and the madness it had brought.
What Dang Mujin truly cared about was this question:
'If she gains a new body, could she expel the turbidity and regain a clear mind?'
He couldn't know for sure yet. But the mere possibility was enough. Dang Mujin steeled his resolve.
*
"...What?"
When Dang Mujin explained his plan to the group, no one could hide their shock.
"You're going to meet the Blazing Flower Nun? She's in Zhongqing."
"Yeah. I'll go as fast as I can. If I keep up lightfoot skill nonstop and skip sleep, I can make it back within a month."
Namgung Myeong and Hong Geolgae didn't look pleased. They clearly disliked the idea of their schedule being delayed by over a month in some detour.
But Hyeon Gong was different.
He could see Dang Mujin had made up his mind, so trying to stop him would be pointless.
In situations like this, graciously stepping back and earning points was the smart move.
Hyeon Gong spoke up.
"Dang Mujin, I respect your decision. If there's a chance to treat the patient, what's a little delay?"
Dang Mujin, Yeom Physician, and even Seolhwa stared at him with wide eyes. Hyeon Gong kept a calm expression.
He pressed on.
"More importantly, how's Tu Hui Elder's internal injury treatment? We came here at her request to heal that."
"The basic treatment is done. After she finishes the powder medicine, she'll just need to take the remedies Yeom Physician prescribes while monitoring her progress. It might take some time, but with rest, she'll recover without issue."
If Dang Mujin said so, it would be so. Hyeon Gong asked his next question.
"Got it. Any tasks for us while you're gone?"
"Hmm. Train or something. If there's nothing else, follow Yeom Elder around and gather medicinal herbs and toxic plants. If things don't work out, we might need to use poison to let Tu Hui Elder end her life painlessly. Who knows? We might get lucky and find a spiritual herb."
"Understood."
Hyeon Gong replied with utmost reliability, and Dang Mujin soon departed for Zhongqing.
*
Through Dang Mujin's words, Hyeon Gong had picked up one clue.
'Spiritual herbs, huh. Brings back old memories.'
He hadn't mentioned it to the group, but Hyeon Gong actually knew a fair bit about herbs and poisons.
As a child—before around age ten—Hyeon Gong had explored various paths in case he lacked martial talent.
Among many options, becoming a herb gatherer had appealed most to young Hyeon Gong. He'd heard that skilled ones who found rare spiritual medicines made a fortune.
Not having to toil year-round like others was attractive too. Nail one big find, and you could live off it for years.
Fortunately, Wudang Mountain had been an ideal training ground for aspiring herb gatherer Hyeon Gong.
Its tallest peak and nearby summits forbade herb gatherers, leaving untouched herbs and spiritual plants aplenty.
And among the Daoists, only Hyeon Gong roamed seeking spiritual medicines and herbs.
Thus, the spiritual medicines and herbs on those Wudang peaks were all his. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he'd claimed over half of Wudang's spiritual medicines.
Of course, he'd never found peerless elixirs. The best spiritual herbs he unearthed barely exceeded regular herb quality.
But consuming such subtle spiritual herbs every other day changed things. Pennies make pounds, after all—his internal energy couldn't help but surpass his peers'.
That accumulated energy, plus Hyeon Gong's brilliant aptitude and a touch of luck, let him break through to peak realm sooner than anyone.
Recalling those days filled Hyeon Gong with confidence.
'Come to think of it, maybe I haven't broken the super peak wall because I haven't had spiritual medicines lately. Time to use this chance to shatter it.'
Hyeon Gong pondered deeply.
In the past, while hunting spiritual medicines, he'd learned key tricks for finding spiritual herbs and essences. The most vital: spiritual medicines often appeared in suspicious spots.
Like unusually lush trees, withered yellow grass that wouldn't grow properly, an eerie chill compared to surroundings, or unusually bright sunlight in a dim forest.
And in Hyeon Gong's view, this hill had one such spot: Tu Hui's cave.
'Something's there.'
To stay in the cave for days, you'd need food and water. Food could come from villagers, but drinking water had to come from inside.
To Hyeon Gong, sourcing drinkable water from that cave seemed suspicious no matter how he looked at it. The cave itself was odd.
Caves were rare even in tall cliffsides—having one midway up a mere hill was strange. And water inside?
He had more evidence.
Tu Hui said her skills had grown stronger since holing up in the cave, compared to when she first entered. A mind-broken person's martial arts not regressing but improving? Unheard of.
'I feel it.'
Hyeon Gong went straight to Tu Hui with a proposal.
"Sis."
Hyeon Gong had a knack for flustering people with one word.
"...Huh? Sis? Me?"
"Yes. Who's else would I call sis?"
"You rascal. We're only a few years apart—sis?"
"Does age matter? You look just a few years older anyway. Anyway, no plans to enter the cave today, right?"
Tu Hui's face visibly brightened.
"...Yeah. Feeling good today."
"Then, mind if I clean the cave interior?"
"No reason not to... but it'd be embarrassing. Why bother cleaning the cave?"
"I like cleaning. Clean spaces make me feel good."
"If that's it, go ahead. Do as you like, little bro."
"Thanks."
With Tu Hui's permission, Hyeon Gong entered the cave. Sure enough, at the deepest part was a fairly deep, wide pool.
Holding a torch, Hyeon Gong looked up. The ceiling had some moisture but no dripping droplets. No water flowed down the walls either.
'So the water wells up from the bottom.'
Absurd. On flat land, maybe—but this was mid-hill, higher elevation than surroundings.
Hyeon Gong cupped water in his hands, sipped, then sat cross-legged to meditate inward.
A faint energy spread from his stomach. Clear, refreshing energy. Extraordinary.
'As expected. Jackpot.'
Hyeon Gong dunked his face in the pool and gulped it down.
After drinking until his belly nearly burst, he stood, a sly smile on his lips. He could enjoy this water for the next month.
A novice might settle for such unexpected luck, but Hyeon Gong was sharper. Opportunities must be seized fully.
'Next up, then...'
The man who might have become the world's top herb gatherer without martial talent pondered with his keen mind.
Fruits follow vines, cracks follow veins—so too with spiritual medicines; they have veins.
This pool's energy wasn't dense, but its total matched top-grade spiritual medicines. Such fortune was rare.
Surely, spiritual medicines dotted the hill nearby, big and small.
Conveniently, Dang Mujin had asked for herbs and poisons—perfect excuse.
'I'll gather herbs and poisons as requested, but pocket the spiritual medicines for myself.'
Smiling contentedly, Hyeon Gong approached Namgung Myeong and Hong Geolgae.
"Not busy now, right?"
"Uh... nothing much. Why?"
"Mujin asked, so let's gather herbs and poisons."
"Why so eager? No need to rush..."
As expected, Hong Geolgae looked annoyed. But Hyeon Gong smoothly coaxed him.
"Mujin rarely asks favors. It's been ages, so let's make it good. Coming back empty-handed but with piles of herbs and poisons? He'd be shocked."
"Hmm."
Namgung Myeong needed no convincing. Once the mood was set, he followed without fuss. Sure enough, he rose quietly and headed out with Hong Geolgae.
"Don't stick together—spread out in different directions and scout. See where the most... herbs are first."
"Yeah, got it."
Then, Seolhwa suddenly opened a book and started studying.
But shallow tricks can't escape sacred labor.
"Seolhwa. Come here a sec?"
Before long, Seolhwa too had to head out hunting herbs, poisons, and any spiritual herbs mixed in.
*
Less than half a month after departing, Dang Mujin reached Zhongqing. He'd never traveled such a distance so fast.
Exhausted, entering the tavern district felt like his whole body melting into languid softness.
As Dang Mujin entered the tavern alley early evening, the tavern madams swarmed as expected.
"Lord Dang! Long time no see!"
"You look worn out—why not spend a relaxing evening at our tavern..."
He wasn't there to dawdle.
Dang Mujin politely declined and headed straight for Ascendant Tower.
A familiar face—the tower madam rushed out to greet him.
"Long time no see!"
"Same. Could you... summon Haryeong Elder?"
Too tired—sitting now might mean passing out.
"...Actually, could you tell me where Haryeong Elder resides?"
"You're going yourself?"
"I'm the junior. Always summoning her feels off."
Logical, so the madam nodded.
"Head straight that way—there's a tavern called Flute Sound Tower. Unmistakable: surrounded by courtesans, always flute music. Her residence is the innermost room on the second floor."
Those courtesans were surely part of the network led by the Blazing Flower Nun. Dang Mujin nodded.
"Got it. See you next time."
Dragging his weary body, Dang Mujin trudged on and spotted the courtesan-heavy tavern. Looking up: Flute Sound Tower indeed.
"Guest. This way?"
Courtesans approached to lead him, but Dang Mujin waved them off politely.
He shuffled to the second floor. The courtesans gawked at the sudden guest heading upstairs.
"Guest! Guest!"
They called, but Dang Mujin ignored them.
Reaching the innermost room, another courtesan blocked him.
"Guest. Beyond here isn't for patrons. Follow me this..."
"I know. Here to see Haryeong Elder."
"I'll relay the message—your name?"
"Dang Mujin. She'll know. No need to relay—I'll go in. Last room on the end, right?"
"But—"
"It's fine. I know her hobbies."
Unlike others, Dang Mujin's closeness to the Blazing Flower Nun let him know her quirks: her sloppiness, her love for romances.
She didn't hide them from him.
If anything, he was inside her inner circle.
Dang Mujin deftly sidestepped with footwork.
The courtesan had some skill, but not enough against one versed in Shadowless Immortal Step and Azure Cloud Step.
"Guest!"
She shouted behind, but Dang Mujin stopped at the door.
He called inside.
"Blazing Flower Nun, it's Dang Mujin. Coming in."
He pushed the door lightly.
In that instant, Dang Mujin sensed something odd. More than one presence inside?
His senses sharpened.
He flung the door wide. A modest room with several bookshelves entered view.
And fleetingly, a massive gray shadow vanishing beyond the window.
'An intruder?'
But if so, the situation was strange. The Blazing Flower Nun read calmly as if nothing happened. Though her book was upside down.
In a slightly stiff voice, she asked Dang Mujin.
"What... is it? Sudden visit. Send word—I'd have come."
"Wasn't there an intruder just now?"
"Intruder? No. No one. Been alone all day."
Suspicious, but Dang Mujin's senses weren't sharper than hers. Arguing would be rude.
'Exhausted from the trip—must've been seeing things.'
So thinking, Dang Mujin got to business.
"Came to ask something."
"Really? Could've waited till tomorrow..."
She seemed slightly annoyed but didn't chase or scold him.
"Anyway, what is it?"
"Elder, tell me about rejuvenation."
"Rejuvenation?"
He thought she might dodge, but surprisingly, the Blazing Flower Nun readily explained rejuvenation and marrow cleansing.
Rejuvenation: A phenomenon where one who attains enlightenment and elevates their cultivation reverts to childlike form.
Marrow Cleansing: Achieving a body optimized for cultivating and executing martial arts.
Though legendary realms led people to see them differently, they weren't truly distinct, per the Blazing Flower Nun.
"...The only issue is you can't predict the result beforehand. I didn't expect to become this young."
She concluded.
Now the key question.
"If someone whose mind is clouded by turbidity achieves rejuvenation, could they expel it and regain clarity?"
Dang Mujin asked without high hopes. Mind and body weren't separate. It was a desperate straw.
But unexpectedly, the Blazing Flower Nun nodded readily.
"Most likely, yes."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Her quick affirmation oddly unnerved Dang Mujin.
This could change Tu Hui's life—he needed precise advice.
He asked again.
"Aside from you, any other martial artists who've achieved rejuvenation? Hidden experts I might not know?"
"Some ancestors did. Immortal Zhang Sanfeng achieved it. But among the living, I'm the only one."
"Then how can you be sure it expels mental turbidity? No similar cases, right?"
Hearing this, the Blazing Flower Nun frowned.
"You sometimes ask awfully rude questions."
"Pardon?"
"...Never mind. Don't worry. No malice."
Dang Mujin pondered why she snapped but drew a blank.
One last matter. He asked.
"Elder, could you come with me to southern Lake Dongting?"
"Lake Dongting?"
"Yes."
Dang Mujin recounted Tu Hui's situation.
The Blazing Flower Nun started indifferent but soon listened intently.
At the end, she sighed.
"I see. Tragic circumstances. You look exhausted because you rushed here for her, right?"
"Yes."
"Understood. I'll go with you."
"Depart now?"
Their gazes turned to the window. Ruddy sunset in the west.
Too late and risky for ordinary travelers, but not for Dang Mujin or the Blazing Flower Nun.
Yet she shook her head.
"No. You're travel-worn—rest fully today."
"I'm fine. Can move now."
Dang Mujin demurred, but she glared.
"Do as I say. Go rest."
"...Understood."
Eager as he was, her concern for his condition left no room for argument.
As Dang Mujin rose, she earnestly warned.
"Don't rush back before dawn tomorrow, or I won't go to Lake Dongting. I hate hasty kids."
"Got it."
"If you want to wait a few more days, just say."
"Yes."
Dang Mujin bowed and left the room.
Closing the door, he felt like the presences inside doubled.
'...Seeing things again. More tired than I thought.'
Shaking his head, he descended to the first floor. Flute Sound Tower's madam awaited.
Perfect timing. Dang Mujin asked.
"Any empty rooms? Mind if I stay the night?"
His eyes scanned the near-empty first floor—quiet rest seemed possible.
But the madam shook her head.
"Coincidentally, all just got reserved."
"...Really?"
"Yes. We'd love to host a famous hero like Lord Dang, but unfortunately..."
Dang Mujin smiled wryly and nodded.
'Tough luck.'
No big deal. Zhongqing's tavern district had dozens of inns.
As usual, Dang Mujin returned to Ascendant Tower and slept deeply.