Chapter 251

After the duel ended, Qing immersed herself in the Medicine Palace that evening, sucking up the medicinal essence, and then lay down at the Body Refinement Training Area.

And after three whole hours of meticulous torture, Cheon Yu-hak sprawled on the floor, leaving Qing behind.

Tied up and having regained her body, Qing thought to herself,

“Not a single spot doesn’t hurt. How much did I struggle to end up like this?”

Her joints and tendons were obviously sore from being pushed to the brink of breaking, but all her muscles cramping and twitching was due to her desperate attempts to escape during the Body Refinement process.

This mental parasite, who liked to brag about being the Supreme Heavenly Demon, was being overly dramatic indeed.

Just for suffering through three hours of muscle strain, she was acting like the world was ending. Oh, what a nuisance.

Ironically enough, this complaining Qing was the same one who, in the previous round, had bawled her eyes out with snot running from her nose.

If that mental parasite had known, it would have felt wronged, but the vicious vengeful spirit that had plunged the world into sorrow four times through the Great Martial Arts Competitions was now just a mere shadow, crumbling under pain.

In Qing’s eyes, well, whining for death after only a year of torment seemed a bit much, especially for the one who was the cause of the Heavenly Demon Sect turning into an evil cult.

After finishing her productive Body Refinement training, she woke from a nap to find the sun high in the sky.

Curious about who was around today, she headed downstairs.

“Oh? Look who it is. Uhggh, Uru-ru. Why did you come up here, San? Didn’t I tell you to wait for me? When can we properly compete!?”

“Cough.”

“What? Wasn’t this San? Which mountain did you climb that you can’t see me? Haha, you’re still far from being tough.”

“…Just take it easy.”

“Seems like Ye was stronger than I expected.”

“That woman.”

San frowned deeply.

Qing mirrored his expression.

“That woman? We weren’t even that close. She’s just shy, but she’s really kind.”

“Not that. Hmm.”

Pang Dae-san’s eyebrows twitched, and he seemed deeply troubled about whether to say something or not.

So, Qing just asked,

“Why?”

“I’m not sure if I should tell you.”

“Then what? If you’re gonna bring it up, spill it. You want to see me frustrated?”

“Well. Just a heads-up, but this isn’t an excuse. It’s something you should know.”

“Why are you making it sound so dramatic?”

“She’s been using innate true energy. She must have acquired some special martial arts.”

“Who? Ye?”

San nodded in response.

“Huh? Using innate true energy? So she sacrifices her lifespan to use martial arts?”

Qing understood that when Pang Dae-san said it wasn’t an excuse, it meant that Gongson Yo-ye had entered the duel using innate true energy, which was the reason she lost.

To Qing, it did seem like there was an intent behind those words.

“I thought you should know. I lost, and I have no hard feelings, so don’t give me that look.”

Seeing Qing’s suspicious look, Pang Dae-san emphasized once more.

With a serious expression, Qing said,

“Yeah, I need to talk with Ye.”

Was it really worth risking her life just to win the competition, using innate true energy?

Was winning that martial arts competition that desperate to her?

As she pondered, she suddenly heard a voice.

“Sister! Gotcha, sister!”

“Oh? Who’s that?”

With the sound of tiny feet pattering, something unexpectedly latched onto Qing’s waist.

“You little rascal! Hyang!”

Qing picked up Jiegal Hyang and spun her around in circles—one, two, three…

“Kya-ha-ha!”

Without a care for the dizziness, Jiegal Hyang burst into a bright, childlike laugh.

Muhak was on his way to Muchen Pavilion.

But how was he supposed to break the ice when he got there? Asking for the Buddha’s Physical Body just wouldn’t sound right.

Not to mention, he’d be under a lot of pressure from Seomun Sulin.

So, his steps slowed as he looked quite relaxed, almost like a carefree wanderer.

Crossing through the doors of Muchen Pavilion, he saw young aspirants sweating it out, focusing intently on their duels on this fine day.

What a great time it was, he thought as he searched for Qing. Her striking appearance made her easy to spot.

Sitting casually on the grass, she held a little girl in her arms.

“What kind of blanket do you like, Gah? I really love the goose down blankets that are light and fluffy.”

Gah? What a peculiar nickname.

Great Master Muhak tilted his head in confusion.

Then again, if girls were close, they’d probably call each other that.

“I just need the inner lining to be nice. Well. If it’s light, it could have a fluffy feeling, and if it’s heavy, it can be cozy too. It’s a toss-up. But why are you asking about blankets? Planning to gift one?”

“Hehe, I’m working on a list for my dowry these days.”

Muhak tilted his head again in disbelief.

Dowry? For girls? What on earth could that mean for a ten-year-old?

“Ahem.”

“Ah.”

Only then did Qing notice Muhak.

Even though the gust of wind should have sharpened her senses, her alertness flickered when she saw the shiny bald head.

“I’m saying I’m the monk called Muhak. You must have heard my name before?”

“Ah! Number One in the World! Hello, I’m Jiegal Hyang.”

Without counting, Jiegal Hyang shot out her greeting before Qing had the chance to respond. What? Wasn’t there supposed to be a second or two of pause before the shouting?

Qing also stood up and offered a polite greeting.

At that moment, Great Master Muhak finally looked closely into Qing’s eyes.

Beyond her clear demeanor hid a faint hint of some sinister madness, madness…

This, this crazy animal is insane!

How did she grow up holding the Heaven’s Kill?

Other masters might think she was a disciple of that crazed beast and thus inherited some of that madness, but the Number One in the World saw right through her essence.

What lay amid her hands was the most cursed starlight firmly held back.

One hand belonged to Daoism’s pristine purity, while the other clutched Buddhism’s great compassion. It was like a pure force barely holding back the most evil of natures.

“Hehe. Hm. I have something to discuss with this child here, but could you step aside for a moment, young lady of the Jiegal family?”

“Ah. Yes…”

Jiegal Hyang bowed slightly and quickly turned her head, darting off to find her tall brother.

“Hm. Right. I came to talk to you, but let’s move somewhere else.”

—-

Even Muchen Pavilion had its tea parlor, and sitting down, before the Muchen Pavilion attendants brought out the tea, Muhak kept a serious expression without saying a word.

Qing opened her mouth first.

“Great Master, did you come because of the Divine Skill? I should have sought you out first, and I’m really sorry.”

“Hm. No. Isn’t it customary for the person with business to come first? Just because you’re an adult, does that mean you can boss around those beneath you? Well, I guess being an adult does give you some leeway.”

Great Master Muhak looked at Qing as he spoke.

Before him stood a being that could submerge the world in bloodlust.

That woman, the lunatic who sang about female struggles had truly crossed the line.

No matter how hard she suppressed her violent bloodlust, how could a person defy their destiny?

Ultimately, she would bring calamity and blood would weep like tears from the world, so it would be best to snuff out her life right there.

The Buddha’s Physical Body and such—those weren’t the crucial matters at this point—

“Then, should I recite the Secret Technique for you? Or I could write it out for you in the Secret Manual.”

“Huh? You mean you’d just give me the Divine Skill?”

“More like returning it to you, right? Since it originally belongs to the Shaolin Sect, it’s only fair to return it to the rightful owner.”

“…Is that your own thought, or is it your Master’s?”

“My Master said this matter isn’t meant for you to worry about.”

Qing’s expression was serious as she spoke without a hint of hesitation.

That sparked Muhak’s alertness.

“If you wish, I will unreservedly hand over Shaolin’s wealth to you. How does that sound? Would you still refuse?”

“Pfft. What’s a Daoist going to do with wealth? The Divine Maiden Sect isn’t poor either, and I don’t really need money.”

“Hehe. What about elixirs then? You know what the Great Elixir is, right? There are currently twelve in our possession and over fifty at the time of the summoning. I can give you them all.”

“Hm. My Master said my Inner Strength is already comparable to the masters of the current realms, so I’m not that concerned about the elixirs. Oh, but I wouldn’t mind one or two, perhaps.”

“Why two?”

“One for my Master and the other, um, a friend often drains their qi when using martial arts, so…”

“You mean Gongson Yo-ye.”

“Ah. You knew?”

“The Emperor’s sword isn’t just any sword. Even if someone is highly skilled, there’s always a price to pay for wielding the Emperor’s sword.”

In this context, the “Emperor” didn’t refer to a mortal ruler. Instead, it meant “God,” as in Qing’s homeland language.

To take on the powers of God, how could there not be a cost?

Wasn’t it a bit much for something framed in gold?

That’s what Qing thought.

But she didn’t realize the implications behind the lower rating might simply have been due to its diminished quality.

“Hehe, haha!”

Muhak erupted into a hearty laugh.

In the end, she wasn’t asking for something for herself; rather, she was requesting one for her Master and one for her friend.

As if the Great Elixir was just a candy.

“So, what about the Divine Skill? You know well the effects of the Reverse Tendon Transformation Technique.”

“Uh. About that… I have actually already mastered it…”

“What!?”

Sitting down, Muhak almost leapt up in amazement. Then, with fiercely arched eyebrows, he appeared deep in thought and began nodding.

“It’s not strange that the Buddha’s Physical Body reached you if the Reverse Tendon Transformation Technique also came to you. So, have you learned any other Shaolin martial arts?”

“Just those two.”

“Then, how about receiving another Divine Skill in exchange for returning the Buddha’s Physical Body? Since you’ve mastered the Reverse Tendon Transformation Technique, you should be able to use it without problems. I could offer you the Hundred Breaths Divine Skill, or the Hundred Lotus Divine Skill, or the Great Strength Vajra Skill, or the Righteous Path’s Grace—do you fancy any of those?”

“I’m a swordsman, and I’ve already grasped what I need for my skills. You saw me using the Nengpa Mibo, right?”

“I suspected as much,” Muhak nodded.

“Amitabha, they say every connection in this world is not without reason, perhaps your reaching the Buddha’s teachings was predetermined as well. A Buddhist still has a long way to go.”

That indeed made Muhak feel embarrassed.

A human cannot defy destiny; that’s not something a monk should decree.

The teachings of Buddha are meant to eliminate all worldly desires and to break free from the cycle of reincarnation, which could be seen as defying heavenly ordination.

Having spent their life rebelling against destiny and pursuing enlightenment, how could anyone claim this young person still had a bright road ahead?

Instead, she had a heart that exceeded even that of a child who bore the Heaven’s Kill gun.

Referring to the teachings of Buddha mentioned in the Suttanipata, one of the earliest Buddhist scriptures, even the Buddha advised trusting in non-attachment to find true peace and overcome worldly troubles.

Of course, it was true Qing had no particular greed for elixirs or martial arts.

She didn’t need elixirs and learned martial arts as needed.

But outside of that, she was indeed a treasure chest overflowing with desires.

Had Muhak seen Qing eat without reserve, or if he had simply left some pastries on the table, he would have easily recognized that insatiable gluttony.

And through the crumbled pastries, the burning world would have reflected back at him.

But Muhak had no way of knowing that.

All he felt was embarrassment, guilt, and a humble gratitude to the child who offered to return something that belonged to him without hesitation.

“Hm. In that case, how about writing the Secret Manual regarding the Buddha’s Physical Body?”

“Ah. You mean I have to write it down? Honestly, I thought you’d just want me to recite it right away.”

“Do you want the old man to memorize more? You should write it out neatly with care and show it to the scriptures. Just to make sure, even if you put your name in big letters on the cover, I won’t mind.”

“Okay…”

Qing responded a bit dejectedly.

This kid, or rather this young lady, what a peculiar attitude.

Muhak chuckled softly.

In truth, having one’s name on a scripture wasn’t trivial; it meant that all Shaolin disciples who learned from the Buddha’s Physical Body would acknowledge it as a boon given to them.

Even if the Grand Matriarch heard those conditions, she’d snort in response but likely wouldn’t protest.

And Muhak hadn’t finished yet either.

“It’s not the old man who should memorize it but the young one. I’ll recite a technique to you, so listen closely and memorize it.”

And.

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