Chapter 320

The warriors of Zhongnan didn’t simply follow the Sect Leader’s words out of boredom. The vast Taoist Temple was always bustling with tasks, and skipping a day meant twice the work the next.

However, it wouldn’t be entirely wrong to say they were a bit bored, as dramatic incidents weren’t exactly common in temple life.

Amidst this, the strongest contender for the title of the Most Beautiful in the World, the unparalleled beauty Cheonhwa-geom, appeared, naturally gathering everyone’s attention.

History has shown that such pitiful curiosity often leads to grand discoveries, so the warriors of Zhongnan were given a tremendous opportunity to witness an extraordinary event.

Cheonhwa-geom gazed at Jeolgeumbyeok for a moment before suddenly drawing her sword, pointing it high toward the sky.

In an instant, the sword touched the heavens. Though it was merely the act of raising a sword, everyone present understood its significance.

A giant, indeed!

A person steps forth from the stars in the sky, independently existing, having realized themselves—it is a complete mastery! They are the very embodiment of perfection in the eyes of those who simply follow the celestial map.

Naturally, they couldn’t help but look up in awe, as the figure seemed like a giant reaching for the sky.

Thus, a human sword pierced the heavens. The blade, though lacking sheen, and the sharpened mind forged with intent, penetrated everyone’s psyche, blooming into a fear that felt as if their hearts were shattering.

And finally, before anyone knew it, Qing’s sword returned to its sheath; they all witnessed the giant’s strike cleaving the cliff.

In the wake of that majestic blow, everyone held their breath, leaving only serene silence as Cheonhwa-geom let out a deep sigh, parting her lips.

“Fuck.”

Huh? What?!

And then, she flopped down like a piece of seaweed out of water.

—-

The hottest topic in Jang An was undoubtedly the commotion stirred by the Zhongnan Sect.

Before collapsing, Cheonhwa-geom, who had now been recognized as the Most Beautiful by Zhongnan, left behind a rather puzzling remark.

What exactly could the insights of Great Master Mucheondae have to do with that?

Moreover, Cheonhwa-geom being a woman doesn’t have one!

But, what’s with that “fuck”?

What does it have to do with the giant’s sword reaching for the heavens?

Some Daoist speculated that the term “fuck” might refer to an overflowing of True Energy, a natural progression of innate vital energy reaching toward the sky.

Another Daoist suggested maybe she just wanted to express that feeling after gaining enlightenment but ended up collapsing from exhaustion.

However, it sounded far too clear; anyone could tell it wasn’t just a simple exclamation.

If not, it was a terrifying thought, but perhaps it was the “fuck” that remained from Mucheondae’s musings.

The seventh insight of the Dokgo Gugeom. “Fuck.”

Having embraced countless women and not receiving a trace of ridicule, didn’t Great Master Mucheondae brag about having the best nights of his life while endearing fondness?

Given his eccentric nature, it wasn’t completely implausible.

However, since Cheonhwa-geom had fainted, the curiosity of the Zhongnan Sect’s Daoists only grew like a snowball.

And thus, Qing regained consciousness on the third day after fainting.

Upon waking, she was met with a searing pain in her stomach that jolted her into clarity, making her scream.

“I’m hungry! Rice!”

Seeing her exclaim in shock, Seoliri’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked over.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m not okay! My back and stomach are glued together. Is there anything to eat?”

“Yes.”

I had never felt so betrayed by a single word before.

She didn’t bring any food with her! What a useless person.

But how would Seoliri, without a single coin, carry food around?

“Ugh, why am I so hungry? I know I fainted looking at Jeolgeumbyeok, but how long was I out?”

“Three days and a half.”

“Gah! Three days starving?”

Qing gasped.

That meant she had missed breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the second day and breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the third, totaling seven meals!

With limited opportunities to eat only three times a day, she had missed seven chances!

What time is it now?

“It’s past the hour of alcohol.”

“Gah!”

If it’s past the hour of alcohol, then it’s well past eight PM, which means she had missed breakfast and lunch today, combining to nine meals.

And it’s Zhongnan Sect’s meal!

They must serve food fit for those who could wear gold on their heads.

How could this happen? This is so unfair!

I’m going to hate that old man, Great Master Mucheondae.

“Are you okay?”

“I feel like I’m going to starve to death.”

Seoliri shook her head.

“You’ll have difficulty controlling your inner strength; your meridians are all messed up.”

“Meridians? Huh? They’re fine. Ugh.”

As Qing thoughtlessly tried to channel her energy, she immediately exhaled the air from her lungs, rolling her eyes back.

Unprepared for the situation, a horrific pain as if countless needles stabbed her insides flooded over her, and she lost consciousness.

A moment later.

“I’m hungry! Rice!”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m not okay. My back and stomach are glued—wait. What’s going on? This conversation feels oddly familiar; what do you call it? Déjà vu?”

“I don’t know.”

Seoliri only responded to questions.

Qing frowned at her.

“No, it’s not that you don’t know. Ugh.”

Seriously, what did those meridians end up like that I lost my grip just trying to move my energy? Ugh, ugh.

Remembering that pain made Qing shudder.

But it wasn’t like it was serious.

It could be Mucheondae’s thoughts or something akin to a mental parasite, or perhaps just the figure of Mucheondae I created—how about Great Master Mucheong instead?

Great Master Mucheong. Eating mucheong is delicious. Yum. I want some young radish kimchi.

Wrapped in fresh and cool young radish kimchi noodles and slurping them up, crunching happily, ah……

“Ugh. I’m starving to death.”

When hungry, peculiar thoughts come to mind.

Qing, after all, feared the pain of those meridians more than worrying about them.

Regardless, since Mucheondae said he’d become a fool for a while, once that while passes, he should be fine.

Besides, Qing is the greatest of them all, a pinnacle of humanity without even needing to use her inner strength.

More importantly, rice! I need rice urgently!

Thinking of young radish kimchi made her feel like she might actually die.

Luckily, a bit of leftover rice remained in the temple, and she quickly mixed the rice with vegetables and oil, creating a marvelous bibimbap in her eyes.

For reference, that’s a culture not found in the Central Plain, which made her mash perfectly good side dishes into glorious dog food.

Piling it up high in the spoon until her cheeks bulged, she stuffed it into her mouth.

Zhongnan Sect’s Sect Leader, Ta-jeong Jin, observed her with puzzlement, thinking, wait, isn’t Cheonhwa-geom a disciple of the Divine Maiden Sect rather than one of those extreme types?

Did I misjudge her?

Even the disciples from the extreme sect wouldn’t wolf down their food that skillfully and deliciously.

Yet still, Qing is undeniably a beauty that could boast about being the best in the world.

A clumsy beauty would lose all interest with such uncouth eating habits.

Yet her beauty was so extraordinary that one might think, ah, she really was starved, but since she is eating so heartily, it must not be that bad for her.

This is the cunning nature of humanity.

“Ahhhh. I can live now. Thank you for the meal.”

Qing patted her round belly, soundlessly groaning in bliss.

Seoliri gazed in amazement at the extraordinary expansion rate of her abdomen, continuing to stare, as if trying to confirm she wasn’t seeing things.

Ta-jeong Jin’s concerns lay elsewhere.

“Although I hurried and used what was left to prepare a humble meal, I’m glad that you enjoyed it. It seems you gained significant enlightenment from Jeolgeumbyeok.”

“Hmm.”

Qing pondered her conversation with Great Master Mucheondae.

Was there anything called enlightenment?

“Oh, right. The seventh insight of Dokgo Gugeom, Kyunwonmangji, I suppose.”

“Seventh insight?”

A bright, child-like smile instantly lit up Ta-jeong Jin’s face.

“So it goes like this. If Hwasan has eight insights, Zhongnan’s seventh insights have to be recognized properly. Yes, indeed.”

If Great Master Mucheondae ever learned of this, he’d bellow in outrage that the Daoist should stop being so obsessed with numbers!

But alas, what could the ascended Mucheondae do now?

“By the way, Kyunwonmangji—a term from the Buddhist scriptures, wasn’t it? Let’s see, that’s in the Nengyan Sutra, right?”

Qing remained completely silent.

Sometimes, it’s wise to stay quiet.

Ta-jeong Jin, though outwardly a rather secular, dubious Daoist, had a knack for accurately identifying names from other scriptures.

Within the Nengyan Sutra, it says, “If someone asks you to point at the moon with your hand, you obviously must look at the moon following the finger.”

This is likening fingers to scriptures.

The scripture is merely a tool to reach nirvana; thus, becoming infatuated and absorbed by scriptures means one loses the chance for true enlightenment.

“Why did you name it such?”

“Oh, that’s…”

As if finally finding something she knew, Qing brightened up.

When someone shares something they know, it becomes increasingly difficult to contain herself.

“Guidance by the starlight is the process of reaching oneself, not the goal of completing martial arts. One must overcome their nature to handle their own heart and establish their center with their own sword.”

“Hmm. Kyunwonmangji. Overcome your heart and be gentle with your own sword.”

The expression on Ta-jeong Jin’s face was like someone who was about to sneeze, a look caught in between understanding and confusion.

“But I understand one thing. The sword that no longer shines by the starlight is indeed not a sword wrought by the heart. That’s the realm they call the Heart Sword.”

“The Heart Sword?”

Qing frowned at that expression.

Then Ta-jeong Jin smiled like a proper Daoist.

“I cannot babble like those who claim to know what they don’t, but I believe our youngest sister can definitely reach it. Since you have experienced it once, even if you’re ignorant now, you’ll return to a great understanding in time. Something feels close, yet so far… I must revisit Great Master Mucheondae’s words once again.”

“Yes. Please do go in.”

With that, Ta-jeong Jin stood up.

As he approached the doorway, he suddenly turned to ask.

“Oh, before you fainted, you mentioned something about a ‘fuck.’ What did you mean by that?”

“Oh, did that slip out?”

Qing scratched the back of her head awkwardly.

—-

According to the Elder, who was obviously a senior in the Zhongnan Sect, it felt more like a fortunate encounter rather than a physical injury.

Though her meridians were shattered beyond repair, they had not broken or twisted.

“You likely feel empty from losing inner strength, but with the meridians having widened and strengthened, one might argue it a fortuitous event. Since inner strength can be rebuilt as long as one is alive,”

“Hmm. Yes.”

If she weren’t Qing, a regular warrior would typically face a loss of inner strength.

But Qing, instead of losing any, gained just a bit.

Pachen Magi, feigning ignorance, remained bound to the Dantian Corner, though some slight movement was possible.

The Elder gazed at Qing with the fondness one might have for a beloved granddaughter.

“However, adding some elixir would enhance your fortuitous encounter. The Sect Leader has something to convey to you: The Elixir of Jaso.”

“Wow! The Jaso Elixir!”

Qing feigned surprise before suddenly feeling something was off.

What’s this? Did I misunderstand something?

“Uh… The Jaso Elixir, isn’t it the elixir of Hwasan?”

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