Chapter 19: Puppets
The second floor of the Library Pavilion was accessible only to those at Core Formation and above, while the third floor served as the residence of the Pavilion Lord, Yeop Inyeong.
The entrance from the first floor to the second was guarded by a monkey puppet at the initial Core Formation stage.
The Pavilion Lord was unique in the Unkak Sect as the only one who had mastered the Puppet Technique. Crafting puppets was costly, and they consumed spirit stones with every battle, which deterred most cultivators from pursuing it.
Yet the advantages were clear: puppets provided utterly reliable allies, free from the risk of betrayal like spirit beasts. With enough spirit stones, one could command a vast puppet army—a one-man legion.
The motionless monkey puppet suddenly beckoned for him to follow and ascended.
Yuseong trailed the monkey puppet up to the second floor, then continued to the third where the Pavilion Lord resided.
The third floor was a labyrinth of towering bookshelves, blocking any clear path.
"What brings you here?"
Yeop Inyeong's voice echoed through.
"Yuseong has come to undertake the Pavilion Lord's mission."
Rumble. The shelves obstructing his path shifted in a complex dance, parting to reveal a passageway.
At the end of the path formed by the shelves, the Pavilion Lord was crafting a puppet.
The puppet resembled a handsome human male with a muscular build—it scarcely looked like a puppet at all. Its skin even mimicked human flesh, a testament to its exquisite craftsmanship.
Yeop Inyeong's puppet technique is truly exceptional!
But why does this human puppet have a dick? And it's about the same size and girth as mine when erect... Is it for battle? No way—does it fire a laser beam from there to kill enemies when they're off guard?! If so, Pavilion Lord, you're a genius!
As Yuseong stared silently at the humanoid puppet, Yeop Inyeong's cheeks flushed faintly. She placed the unfinished puppet on a rack.
You don't need to be embarrassed, Pavilion Lord. You're the future of the Unkak Sect.
He gazed at her with eyes brimming with utmost respect.
"Ahem, so you've accepted the mission?"
"Yes. The reward is generous, and I've received so much from you already. It was only natural to come help."
"It's not particularly difficult, just tedious and bothersome—something no one else wants to do."
"No matter the task, if it's your command, Pavilion Lord, I'll gladly undertake it."
Without a word, Yeop Inyeong handed him a thick jade slip.
Scanning it with his divine sense revealed methods for translating ancient script into modern language. Even reading it took half a shichen, the content was so vast. He'd memorized it in his mind, but mastering practical translation would take time.
"Translating ancient texts—is that my task?"
Yeop Inyeong smiled.
"Exactly. The ancient era was at least a hundred thousand years ago, with a cultivation world far superior to ours. Collecting ancient texts is my hobby, but with puppet crafting and my duties, I lack time to translate them. That's why I posted the mission."
Ancient era texts! With luck, I might uncover opportunities while translating.
"So the excellent reward is permission to read the ancient texts?"
"Precisely. Plus, you'll learn translation methods, invaluable for exploring ancient secret realms later."
He wouldn't get spirit stones, but learning ancient translation and access to Yeop Inyeong's collection was reward enough.
Rumble. At Yeop Inyeong's gesture, rear shelves shifted, opening a path to an enormous bookcase.
Thousands of volumes lined the shelves.
"I don't have to translate all of those, do I?"
Yeop Inyeong replied with a puzzled look.
"Oh? Didn't you just say you'd do any task at my command?"
Translating thousands would take years. When would I cultivate?
"Well... even so, this is... too many, isn't it?"
"Just kidding. Only until I finish this puppet. I must focus on crafting now and can't spare time elsewhere."
"How long until you complete the puppet?"
"Hmm, no later than six months."
Six months is short for such rewards. Senior Brother Park Eung recommended a gem.
"Understood. Any precautions for translating ancient texts?"
"Ancient language has unique grammar and vocabulary. Follow the rules strictly, choose contextually correct words. And obviously, don't damage the books."
"Got it."
Having accepted the ancient text translation mission from the Pavilion Lord, Yuseong devoted himself to it from that day onward.
Initially, his translation speed was glacial—a single volume took a week, even simple records of ancient mortals' daily lives.
He started with easier texts: cultivators' leisure novels, mortals' mysterious tales, sect disciples' accounts of mischief. Low difficulty first, building skill step by step.
A month passed, and his speed improved—he could now translate one volume per day.
Translating enriched his knowledge, sparking desire for more substantial, challenging texts.
Scanning titles, he pulled The Carnal Prayer Mat.
The Carnal Prayer Mat, huh... Let's see.
This is an erotic novel?!
Confirming no one around, he dove in.
The ancient monk's erotic tale was captivating, its sex scenes vividly stimulating. Unwittingly aroused, erection straining, he abandoned translation to devour it.
The protagonist marries a beautiful wife but, dissatisfied by his small penis, fails to please her. She leaves. He wanders seeking enlargement, eventually finds a famed physician, gains a massive member, beds many women in blissful sex.
His wife, waiting alone, searches for him, endures trials, reunites—only to find his penis injured beyond use.
They realize true love transcends sex, caring for each other instead. The novel ends.
"The ancient monk's writing is masterful."
"What kind of book is it?"
Yeop Inyeong appeared without a sound.
"Ah... nothing. Just, the ancient monk writes so well..."
"Really? What could it be that..."
She glanced meaningfully at his bulging pants.
"Ah... this is pure scholarly excitement—I couldn't control it."
"Hoo, so men's passion enlarges it there. Impressive zeal for learning."
"Yes. I'll translate the ancient texts even harder."
She patted his shoulder and left.
"Work hard."
Phew, she bought it.
He shelved The Carnal Prayer Mat and scanned for others.
Qingxia Palace caught his eye.
Qingxia Palace—a sect name?
The volume chronicled a low-ranking disciple's daily life. Qingxia Palace was a sect on the massive Jinjin Continent.
Ancient, so uncertain if it survived.
Skimming mundane content, but the end held an enigma.
How to translate this? Disaster? Natural calamity?
To avert calamity, Jinjin's top sect, Yuxu Sect, summoned all Spirit Severing and Transformation cultivators.
Under the grand cause, most sects and clans responded. Even mountain hermits joined, underscoring Yuxu Sect's prestige.
Qingxia Palace sent all but one Transformation and one Spirit Severing cultivator.
Centuries passed; none returned. No news from other sects either.
The disciple-author died without seeing them, lifespan exhausted.
Why did those who went to Yuxu Sect never return? Was the calamity averted?
If my cultivation were higher, granting longer life, I might have learned the truth...
If you read this, can you uncover the facts?