Chapter 17

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Translated by Seoulbound

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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**

On the way back to the Wudang Sect after leaving the Mysterious Sword Sect.

Unlike when we came, we rode a carriage leisurely on the way back.

This was thanks to the fact that although we had distributed a significant amount of the treasures discovered in the Blood Selling Cult’s hideout to the commoners who had suffered, a carriage’s worth of wealth still remained.

On top of the returning carriage, I refined the dynamic cultivation method that I was newly creating. Since it had originally started from the Primal Chaos Light Skill, it was a discipline that also possessed the oral formula of sitting cultivation, so I was able to practice even while sitting. And what I was focusing on was the inspiration I had gained from the Violent Blood True Yang Skill.

‘If I contract the rectus abdominis and the internal oblique muscles to compress the blood vessels and acupoints around the Conception Vessel, I can circulate both blood and internal energy quickly.’

As the martial arts of the unorthodox and evil sects usually did, the Violent Blood True Yang Skill also elevated martial achievement in a manner that deviated from common principles. This kind of unorthodox internal cultivation method was bound to be accompanied by side effects, such as one’s disposition becoming ferocious or being drenched in bloodlust.

But what if I discarded the disadvantages and took only the advantages?

‘The stream of internal energy flowing along the Conception Vessel is fierce. I will be able to increase the efficiency of the Release of Force.’

Since muscular force, rather than the force of true Qi, acted as an external force on the acupoints and internal energy, it was as if the principle of the hydraulic press commonly used in the world inside the butterfly dream—Bernoulli’s theorem—was being applied.

‘Even if it is a martial art that deviates from common principles, the underlying principle eventually touches upon the reason regarding the movement of all matter. If so… is there any meaning in dividing martial arts into the orthodox and the unorthodox?’

The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord had also said.

That the Great Tao is not bound by secular standards established by humans, such as benevolence or righteousness.

Just as those words said, the moment even the evil nature of the Violent Blood True Yang Skill belonged to the Great Tao of martial arts, it faded away, and it was as if only the purest forms of martial principles and physics remained.

‘Anything can be mixed.’

There are no limits to Taoist martial arts. That was my conclusion.

When I opened my eyes after sitting upright and refining my internal energy like that for a long time, Senior Sister Yi and Senior Brother Myeong-hun were looking at me with curious eyes.

“Why are you doing that? Do you want to have a duel while we rest?”

At my question, Senior Brother Myeong-hun’s face turned a bit paler, and he shook his head.

“It is not that. No, is that correct?”

Toward the confused Senior Brother Myeong-hun, Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang asked, looking as excited as a disciple who had held a sword for the first time.

“Are you really Myeong-hun? You do not want to duel? Is this not a remnant of the Blood Selling Cult who wore Myeong-hun’s skin?”

Senior Brother Myeong-hun avoided Senior Sister Yi’s Grappling Hand heading toward his face and spoke.

“No, regardless of the duel, the way Junior Brother is operating internal energy right now. It seems to be a different method from the martial arts of our sect.”

At those words, Senior Sister Yi Chae-yang also withdrew her hand and added her words.

“No, the overall operation of internal energy seems to be based on the Primal Chaos Light Skill, but the muscle movement that seems to squeeze out internal energy… it is indeed not the form of operating internal energy in our Wudang Sect. Thanks to Junior Brother, I learn another thing about operating internal energy. I did learn it, but… I feel like I saw something like that somewhere? Very recently…”

I flinched at her words.

As expected, it was the sensitivity of the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition.

She had noticed that I had partially added some of the martial principles from the Violent Blood True Yang Skill.

No matter how much the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord said that the Great Tao is not bound by benevolence and righteousness, what if I said that I mixed the martial principles of an unorthodox sect into Wudang martial arts in the current Jianghu, where the movements of the unorthodox sects represented by the Six Great Evils continue?

‘Even if I were imprisoned in the Pavilion of Standards’ Cave of Forbidding Chaos, I would have nothing to say.’

Still, the fortunate thing was.

“I definitely saw it somewhere, but… I do not know.”

That even with Senior Sister Yi’s Tai Chi Diagram Exposition, she was unable to detect the exact source.

‘In times like this, returning to the fundamentals is the best policy.’

I quickly changed the subject.

“Ah, this is an application of the change in internal energy movement according to the utilization of acupoints. To organize it as an oral formula, it is pressure, combination, density, and displacement…”

**

Watching Yeon Baek-jung continue his explanation with excitement, Yi Chae-yang and Myeong-hun felt their upper Dantians heating up.

‘So that is the level of enlightenment in martial arts learned by a fifteen-year-old child?’

‘As expected, Junior Brother has deviated from common principles. Bringer of Chaos should not be compared to a human.’

If they listened with their eyes closed, it was to the extent that it felt like listening to a lecture on martial arts by a Wudang Sect elder who had established a style of his own.

However, in the end, even that feeling began to be denied.

“…If you refer to Chapter 6, Fair Levying, and Chapter 8, Equations, of the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, it will help you understand the oral formula.”

‘Mathematics can be applied to martial arts? Even Master could not think of such a thing.’

‘It feels like the teaching of a Taoist studies elder who only dug into martial arts books instead of Taoist scriptures! No, is it mathematics? No, is it martial arts?’

In response to Yeon Baek-jung’s explanation, which even cited the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, a mathematics book that only Taoist studies disciples or elders belonging to the Clear Spirit Palace would study, Yi Chae-yang cooled her head—which was hotter than usual—with Yin Cold Power while briefly summarizing the story so far.

“So, Junior Brother is currently in the process of making a new internal cultivation method, is that it? A dynamic cultivation method that does not exist in the Wudang Sect.”

Even though it was a statement with many things omitted, the junior brother nodded his head deeply.

“As expected, Senior Sister understood. Since your achievement in the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition is high, it must have been easy to understand.”

‘That is not it…’

Yi Chae-yang, who could not bring herself to say that while looking at Yeon Baek-jung’s sparkling eyes, nodded awkwardly and brought up the main point.

“You are saying you are combining the Primal Chaos Light Skill, Tai Chi Chuan, and that… mathematics, to create a dynamic cultivation oral formula? Then try utilizing other internal cultivation methods of the Wudang Sect as well. That is what I wanted to tell you.”

No sooner had her words fallen than the youngest junior brother’s eyes turned profound as if he was lost in thought.

Looking at such a Yeon Baek-jung, Yi Chae-yang’s eyes met Myeong-hun’s.

– “I see why the nickname ‘Bringer of Chaos’ was given.”

– “So stop talking about his age.”

– “…Alright.”

The two quietly held a conversation with their eyes.

On top of the carriage, silence continued for a while.

**

I woke from meditation and opened my eyes.

The natural Qi that I felt was much more pure than before.

It was because Wudang Mountain had drawn closer.

After disposing of the carriage and the wealth in Junxian right below Wudang Mountain, we climbed the mountain with lighter bodies.

Upon arrival, the first thing to do was, of course, to report on the mission.

After hearing everything that happened in Wuchang, Martial Aunt Hye-won frowned and asked.

“A blood ghoul has appeared again?”

“Yes. It recovered from its arm being severed and its chest bone being crushed. It was definitely the regenerative ability of a blood ghoul.”

“Was there any trace of having learned the martial arts of the Dawn Sky Blood Cult among the blood ghouls?”

“No traces of the Blood Cult’s martial arts were seen.”

Following Senior Sister Yi, Senior Brother Myeong-hun calmly continued speaking.

“Judging by the fact that its regenerative ability could not keep up the more we cut it, it was presumed to be a blood ghoul whose authority was weak in the first place or whose age was not long. It was too flimsy to be called a real Blood Cult blood ghoul.”

At the report of the two, Martial Aunt Hye-won nodded her head.

“Although not all blood ghouls are members of the Blood Cult, the fact that there was a blood ghoul among the Blood Selling Cultists who behave similarly to the Dawn Sky Blood Cult, and among their remnants at that, is no ordinary matter. I will report this separately to Immortal Sect Leader.”

Then, Martial Aunt Hye-won relaxed her serious expression and smiled toward us, especially toward me.

“It is a relief. You returned safely even after facing a blood ghoul. I am proud. Especially Baek-jung, who was a novice in the Jianghu, must have been flustered by such a sight for the first time. The two children must have suffered a lot.”

At Martial Aunt Hye-won’s words, the true Qi of my senior brother and senior sister shook for a moment. Martial Aunt Hye-won paused for a moment at their reaction and then continued speaking.

“Take a good rest for the next three days. You may return to your original quarters instead of the True Martial Pavilion to rest. Baek-jung, you may leave, and Myeong-hun and Chae-yang, stay behind for a moment. I have more to discuss.”

At her words, I clasped my hands and left the room.

While I felt a sense of achievement from successfully completing my first mission, at the same time, I realized that I had not yet built up enough cultivation and experience to join such an important conversation.

On the other hand, although a movement of the mind arose in my middle Dantian to secretly listen in through the auditory amplification of the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition,

‘It would not do for a Wudang Sect disciple to act like a crowd of cultists.’

With a quick realization, I left the spot.

Because deficiency always becomes good nourishment.

The situation was that I had not yet completed the dynamic cultivation oral formula that I had pondered on the way back.

Thinking that I wanted to use the sunset of the Purple Yang Hermitage as inspiration for the first time in a while, I displayed the newly learned Flowing Cloud Movement Skill.

**

As soon as Yeon Baek-jung left, Hye-won asked what she was curious about. The evaluation of his fellow disciples who had seen the talent that would become the future of the True Martial Pavilion’s Greedy Wolf Unit, and furthermore, the future of the Wudang Sect, would be an important indicator for guiding Yeon Baek-jung as the Greedy Wolf Unit Leader.

“How was it? Baek-jung’s talent and character.”

“If I am a firefly, my junior brother is the full moon.”

It was the evaluation that Xu Shu had given regarding Zhuge Liang.

‘Myeong-hun, this child?’

Since Hye-won knew Myeong-hun’s personality, she could not help but be even more surprised.

“Except for the fact that he has spent less time learning martial arts because he is still young, my junior brother had no shortcomings.”

With those short words, Myeong-hun finished his report.

Myeong-hun had been the youngest to enter the True Martial Pavilion before Yeon Baek-jung did. Myeong-hun, who would not lose to anyone in the Wudang Sect when it came to talent alone, evaluated him as such.

In a situation where Hye-won was also reaching a similar conclusion, since Myeong-hun, who had experienced actual combat with him, even confirmed it, there was nothing more to say.

Hye-won’s gaze directed this time toward her disciple, Yi Chae-yang.

Without a moment of hesitation, Yi Chae-yang recalled Yeon Baek-jung throwing his body to save the commoners imprisoned in the Blood Selling Cultists’ hideout and opened my mouth.

“The way he first dealt with the remnants of the Blood Selling Cult, especially the jailers who held the ordinary commoners captive, was outstanding. It looked as if the path of chivalry and righteousness was situated in the realm of instinct.”

Meanwhile, Yi Chae-yang recalled the image of her junior brother twisting and pulling off the neck of the blood ghoul according to her words without a moment of hesitation.

“Moreover… because he also displays decisive… strikes when necessary, he felt like a companion to whom I could easily entrust my back.”

When the dizzying imagination of ‘What if my junior brother had been taken as a disciple by a leader of the Six Great Evils’ unorthodox sects?’ was followed by the emotional curve of feeling relieved that he was a disciple of the Wudang Sect, dancing within a brief interval.

Even she, who had cultivated her mind with Wudang’s secret transmission, the Supreme Clarity Mind Art, could not help her voice trembling with agitation.

Hye-won, a master of the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition and sensitivity, could not possibly miss the shaking of her disciple’s mind.

“Why is that? Is there something on your mind? Since Senior Brother Gangwon always said that his mind cultivation was lacking, I am asking out of concern, so speak without reservation. For that child’s sake as well, it is our duty as senior brothers and senior sisters to fill in what is lacking.”

At her words, Yi Chae-yang and Myeong-hun blurted out unconsciously.

“Deficiency… you say? Junior Brother? If he just grows up like this… I think he will become the number one in the Greedy Wolf Unit before capping age?”

“It would rather be faster to find a flaw in Lin Xiangru’s jade.”

At the reaction of the two, Hye-won lost her words for a moment.

It was because she thought that the words of Immortal Gangwon, who had said, ‘My disciple’s cultivation is lacking, so please pay special attention to him,’ might have just been the product of a doting fool who boasted of his family because his young disciple was too lovely.

As the scenery of the Purple Yang Hermitage approached rapidly along the Flowing Cloud Movement Skill’s step method, some familiar sound of wind also began to be heard loudly. And when I finally arrived at the Purple Yang Hermitage.

**

“Hap!”

Along with a shout, the image of Master presenting the stance of Wudang Tai Chi Chuan’s ‘Advancing into emptiness, leaving the temple’ came into view.

As a rapid single fist following the routine of the Cycloid (Seeming but bent path leads to the Way) shook the space and scattered waves of true Qi.

With a ‘pang’ sound, a fist wind arose.

The moment my eyes met Master’s through the trees shaken by the fist wind.

“?!”

I saw a face on my master that I had never seen before in my life.

The sensitivity of the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition read the mental movement beneath his distorted expression.

Reading a complex mix of emotions such as embarrassment, gladness, embarrassment, and pride, a mischievous smile naturally formed on the corners of my mouth.

“That is the Tai Chi Chuan I modified, is it not?”

At my words, Master, whose expression froze in an instant like a Beijing opera actor, opened his mouth.

“That wicked disposition to tease your master goes nowhere.”

“If Master had praised me often, I would not have become so twisted. You must blame yourself, Master, for raising your disciple like this.”

The moment I avoided a single blow of the temple fist flying toward my Hundred Convergences acupoint using the Flowing Cloud Movement Skill’s side step, I displayed my tongue skill without resting.

“I am someone who has already seen Master’s master. I will not fall for it as easily as before.”

However, if you look down on a Wudang Sect elder, you will pay dearly.

‘Heup?!’

I could not help but be greatly shocked by Master’s hand, which flew in to distort the air layer above the crown of my head once again before I knew it.

Our master and disciple reunited warmly like that.