Chapter 57

“So, you came to see Jeolgeumbyeok, huh?”

“Yeah. That Swordmaster, I mean, Namgoong Gong-ja, insisted that I must see the Jeolgeumbyeok of Hwasan.”

“Ho-ho, Jeolgeumbyeok is the wisdom acquired by Great Master Mucheondae from the sword of Hwasan. It’s a treasure of the sect, so it can’t just be shown to outsiders.”

Looks like it wasn’t something to be shared with just anyone.

Qing had always thought that no matter how beautiful natural scenery could be, it couldn’t be that impressive, but climbing Hwasan had revealed views that exceeded her imagination.

After all, it was the breathtaking view of someone who had lived all their life in an industrial complex.

Sure, Korea has its beautiful landscapes, but they tend to be on the smaller side and aren’t really overwhelming.

Qing couldn’t hide her disappointment.

“Oh, is that so…”

Then Master Yuha smiled softly.

“But, since you’re the youngest disciple of the sect, you can’t really be called an outsider.”

“Then can I see it? Am I allowed to?”

“Only if you promise to tell me anything that comes to mind when you see Jeolgeumbyeok. With your level of talent, you might see something different.”

“Of course. I’ll fill you in with detailed impressions!”

“Ho-ho, no need to go that far.”

Of course, Master Yuha wasn’t genuinely expecting much from her.

To even the greatest master, the Jeolgeumbyeok was an overwhelming showcase of skill and not something a mere two-generation practitioner could really understand.

Pang Dae-san and Namgoong Shin-jae, who were sitting behind them like a backdrop, exchanged glances filled with disbelief.

They were dumbfounded.

They were made to take on a task to see the Jeolgeumbyeok.

It wasn’t difficult or dangerous, but it was exceedingly annoying and the outcome was uncertain.

So, while fulfilling this mission, they found themselves wandering the martial world instead of lazing about in their comfortable sect.

Although it wasn’t an order that demanded their absolute focus and compliance.

Still, they had seen the Jeolgeumbyeok, so they had to at least pretend to be busy fulfilling the mission.

It wouldn’t do to return to the sect and flop down immediately.

And yet, there they were.

Sweet-talking Qing, telling her how adorable she was while they were off to see the Jeolgeumbyeok.

They understood the affections shared between Taoist sects.

But when the treatment was so starkly different, it was hard not to feel it was too much.

However, things were different for Master Yuha.

Even if they were powerful families or the rulers of the region, when it came down to it, in moments of choice, they would inevitably choose family over the greater good.

Great Master Muhak had also stated that.

Those who truly care for the world are only the mountains of Zhengpai.

And the great teacher Seomun Sulin was one of the highest peaks among those mountains.

Not just the Divine Maiden Sect, but Seomun Sulin herself.

It was already an ominous time with unsettling omens.

There was no obligation to showcase the Jeolgeumbyeok just to incur debt with the heirs of the powerful families.

If, as per the prophecy, a great calamity ignited in Hwasan, perhaps Qing could seek Seomun Sulin’s assistance by winning her favor.

Of course, part of it was because the youngest, who looked like her granddaughter, was simply so endearing.

As she aged and climbed the ranks, her once youthful counterparts shrank back with their worried expressions every time.

It was only natural for her to fall head over heels for the cheerful youngest.

“Ho-ho. I would love to chat more with the youngest sister disciple, but as the leader of a sect, how busy I must be! There are so many wanting to meet me that I simply cannot spare long.”

“Oh. You are busy? I didn’t mean to interrupt…”

“We don’t have time, so let’s go and see it quickly. I have this much time to spare for my youngest sister disciple.”

—-

The realm of Great Master Mucheondae wasn’t well-known.

However, it was widely understood that he had reached a level where he could ascend before he turned sixty.

He had even stayed grounded, refusing to ascend.

He famously declared that he wouldn’t ascend until he saw the end of Muhak, a solemn vow to remain “Unseen and Unreachable.”

Thus, he roamed the old faction, acquiring the quintessence of Muhak, the vision of the sect’s martial arts.

According to folklore, some claimed that Great Master Mucheondae barged in and demanded they reveal their vision.

None could verify the truth, as the predecessors took their secrets to their graves.

However, no matter how much he might be revered as a savior of the martial world from the government’s schemes, it’s also true that it’s hard to fathom why they would readily part with the sect’s vision.

Instead, Great Master Mucheondae left behind the insights he gained from witnessing their vision in a form of sword patterns.

This became the Jeolgeumbyeok of the old faction.

Some questioned why the great predecessor’s legacy was monopolized by the old faction.

But the old faction stood proud.

Just looking at the place where Great Master Mucheondae left the sword patterns was telling.

Finding it in a difficult place, where outsiders couldn’t just sneak a peek, was a deliberate act.

This was a gesture to keep it away from just anyone.

Clearly, it held the intention of being a gift to them, so outsiders complaining would be absurd.

This was the old story told by Master Yuha.

As Qing engaged enthusiastically, asking questions and savoring the tale, they soon arrived at the narrow canyon at the foot of a mountain peak.

Passing through the short gorge, they reached a valley surrounded by cliffs.

And there stood Jeolgeumbyeok.

“Wow….”

Qing gasped.

To put it simply, it looked like a massive cliff filled with petal-shaped marks.

In truth, it wasn’t that surprising.

Whether those marks were made by a sword or by some natural erosion was debatable.

In fact, the grandeur of the looming mountains surrounding it was far more astounding.

Qing thought to herself.

Nevertheless, out of respect for the effort shown by the person who had brought her, it was only courteous and an obligation to flatter the kindly Master of Hwasan.

This judgement was exactly why Qing was adored by the old men.

Just as she was about to speak up, something happened.

[Event Occurred – Legacy of Great Master Mucheondae]

[You have witnessed the wisdom left by Great Master Mucheondae.]

Suddenly, the world turned ashen.

Only one figure stood out in color: an old man.

His white hair was tied back tightly.

He had a stubborn expression.

Holding a long sword with a relaxed arm, he stood still, eyes closed, quietly catching his breath.

White petals flowed from the sword.

The scattering white petals made it seem as if the sword was melting away.

And then the sword moved.

Following its trajectory, countless petals bloomed.

The petals drifted.

They swayed in the breeze, lightly fluttering down before suddenly taking off again.

They twirled like a whirlwind, drifting into the boundless sky, filling the world with a shower of petals…

Everywhere she looked was blindingly filled with white blooms.

In the beauty of the storming light, Qing found herself alone.

Unknowingly, she reached out.

She tried to grasp the overwhelming blossoms, but nothing could be caught.

Only a single petal softly landed on her open palm.

While she tried to catch it but couldn’t, it just remained motionless, coming to her.

Qing lifted her head.

The old man was nowhere to be seen; only the sword remained.

The old man was the sword, and the sword was the old man.

Finally, the sword soared.

Countless petals, one by one, formed a storm of sword lights.

The starlight danced playfully, and the cliff quivered from the strikes it received.

Qing gazed at the cliff.

It was a message left by Great Master Mucheondae.

It was a chaotic writing composed of incomprehensible symbols, filled with madness and meaning.

Dumbfounded, words flowed from Qing’s lips.

“The butterfly’s wings in the flower fields of Qinghaesung flutter, giving rise to storms in Beijing. This is the harmony birthed from the will of all things.”

She spoke without knowing what she was saying.

“I mean, if a mere insect can do that, how can the human will, which is many-fold, predict changes in the world?”

Qing looked up at the sky.

The sky was cloudy and dim.

“Heavenly changes. Can a person dare to understand the will of heaven? Is Muhak truly laying the truth beyond the nine skies where no man can reach?”

The old man was in despair.

But he never faltered.

Humans find purity only in the face of despair.

They had developed that way, after all.

The old man spoke.

“Of the heavens—

At that moment, Qing’s senses expanded.

Beyond Hwasan, beyond the lands of Shaanxi.

The disciples of Hwasan laughed, joked, and trained, distant cities and taverns were in disarray with conflicts and quarrels, the crimson-skinned barbarian children were devouring porridge and arguing. Wait, just a bit more to observe—

Her senses stretched even further.

Crossing the Central Plain, over the world’s highest mountain range, oh those red-skinned barbarian brats.

And finally, across the vast oceans, she brushed past people with feathered caps.

Qing flew towards the blue planet, soaring in a starry sea.

Majestic cosmos unfolded before her.

The most beautiful world a human could behold.

And then it happened.

All the starlight twinkled in unison to welcome Qing.

The stars whispered in innocent and gentle voices.

–Die.

—-

She opened her mouth.

“I won’t seek the understanding of heaven or earth. I will simply walk the lonely path of man, gazing at the tip of the sword, striving diligently.”

—-

Wheek! Qing coughed up blood.

Dark red blood dripped to the ground.

“Hey, hey!” “Qing! Are you alright?” “Swordmaster! Blood!” “Young lady! Are you okay!?”

Four voices struck at her ears simultaneously.

Qing waved her hand.

It was a signal that she was alright for now.

But her insides were still churning.

“My back…”

Qing pointed to her back, waving her hand.

She couldn’t tell who among the four, but someone patted her back.

And with that, all that she’d tried to hold back came rushing out.

Guaaaack, huh, huh, guaaaack.

With clumsy sounds, Qing kept spitting blood.

She had a feeling she was about to vomit every ounce of blood in her body.

Afterward, it felt strangely refreshing.

She wiped her mouth with her sleeve.

“Phew! I think I can breathe now. Ah, what a relief.”

Her body felt strangely light.

Was it just her imagination? Or was it genuinely lighter?

“Young sister disciple, are you okay?”

“Oh, just a moment…”

Qing opened the martial arts inventory, sending out an alert signal.

A new martial art was shining brightly, adorned with a purple border.

Suddenly, a thought struck her, a technique she had never known before.

Dugu Nine Swords.

Eighth Technique, Heavenly Changes.

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