Chapter 39: A Sect Even Beggars Wouldn’t Pick Up! (Part 4)

After Chung Myung left the quarters of the Sect Leader, Hyun Jong, Un Am, and Hyun Sang, the Martial Arts Hall Master, remained behind, facing each other.

Hyun Jong: "What do you think?"

At Hyun Jong's question, Un Am smiled.

Un Am: "He's a Dao Vessel."

Hyun Jong: "You felt it too."

Hyun Jong smiled with delight.

It's true that Chung Myung is admirable. How could he not be? Thanks to Chung Myung, Mount Hua was saved from the brink of destruction. It wasn't an enemy invasion or internal strife, but the most humiliating situation where Mount Hua, with its history and tradition, was about to take down its signboard due to a lack of money.

So, from Hyun Jong's perspective, he couldn't praise Chung Myung enough.

But this evaluation isn't just because of that admiration.

Un Am: "Despite being a child, there's a sense of wisdom in his words. Though he can be rough at times, considering his age, it's understandable."

Hyun Jong: "That's right."

At the Sect Leader's interjection, Un Am's thoughts deepened.

When conversing with Chung Myung, it doesn't feel like talking to a child. It's not just his way of speaking. There's no trace of the typical childishness in Chung Myung.

Rather, how should I put it?

Un Am (thinking): 'Am I the only one sensing this aura?'

There's a scent of Dao.

This feeling couldn't be explained logically. The scent of Dao from a child?

Un Am (thinking): 'If it's not called a Dao Vessel, there's no way to explain it.'

Un Am slightly raised his head.

Un Am: "He thinks deeply, unlike a child. He ponders before speaking. In many ways, he's a brilliant child."

Hyun Jong: "That's right."

Un Am: "If his martial talent is confirmed… he could become the pillar to lead Mount Hua in the future."

Hyun Jong silently nodded. Then, he turned his gaze to Hyun Sang.

Hyun Jong: "What do you think?"

Hyun Sang, who had been quietly observing the situation, let out a thoughtful sigh.

Hyun Sang: "You know I'm not good at judging people, Sect Leader."

Hyun Jong: "You. But don't you have a feeling?"

Hyun Sang: "A feeling…"

Hyun Sang quietly closed his eyes.

Time passed slowly. After a long while lost in thought, Hyun Sang slowly opened his mouth.

Hyun Sang: "The child doesn't seem like a child."

Hyun Jong: "…"

Hyun Sang: "I know that children who've lived harsh lives or have deep thoughts can appear mature for their age. But that's just being more composed than their peers, not the same as an adult, right?"

Seeking agreement with a glance, Hyun Sang continued.

Hyun Sang: "But that child isn't just precocious. He truly speaks and acts like an adult. To the point where I want to dig out what's inside him."

Hyun Jong: "Do you mean he's sinister?"

Hyun Sang: "Not to that extent. But…"

Hyun Sang trailed off.

Hyun Jong: "I see."

Hyun Jong nodded.

Hyun Jong: "I understand what everyone is thinking, but let's not make too much of it for now. As you can see, he's just a child, isn't he?"

Un Am & Hyun Sang: "Yes, Sect Leader."

Hyun Jong: "We are not just people who use others; we are people who nurture them. If he's a talented individual, we should let him flourish. If he's a problematic child, we should guide him to fix those problems."

Un Am: "Well said."

Hyun Jong: "Un Am."

Un Am: "Yes, Sect Leader."

Hyun Jong: "How is the reconstruction going?"

Un Am: "The terrain is rough, so it's not easy to gather materials. We're cutting down trees to make up for it, but the time it takes to dry and process the wood is unavoidable. It will take a bit more time."

Hyun Jong: "I see."

Hyun Jong stroked his beard and asked with a serious face.

Hyun Jong: "You don't find it displeasing that I'm focusing on appearances now that we have funds, do you?"

Un Am: "How could that be, Sect Leader?"

Hyun Jong: "Please understand. Mount Hua must be reborn anew. When people make new resolutions and set new goals, they tidy their appearance and correct their posture. It's no different for a sect. To convey a new purpose to the disciples, this is the most certain way."

Un Am: "The Sect Leader's intentions are correct."

Hyun Jong nodded quietly.

Hyun Jong: "Hyun Sang."

Hyun Sang: "Yes, Sect Leader."

Hyun Sang slightly bowed his head.

Hyun Jong: "Please finish the interpretation of the newly acquired martial arts as quickly as possible. But there must be no carelessness. How we pass on these martial arts to the disciples will determine Mount Hua's fate."

Hyun Sang: "I will ensure there's not a single oversight."

Hyun Jong: "I trust you all."

Seeing Hyun Jong lost in thought, Hyun Sang's face hardened slightly.

Hyun Sang (thinking): 'Should I say something?'

No. No.

It might just be unnecessary worry. The Sect Leader is currently envisioning Mount Hua's future, which will last beyond a hundred years, even a thousand. I can't bother him with trivial matters.

Hyun Sang (thinking): 'But…'

Hyun Sang let out a soft sigh.

When the secret manual was discovered, the shock was so great that he didn't notice anything strange. But as he delved into interpreting the manual, he couldn't shake off a growing sense of doubt.

Hyun Sang (thinking): 'For a book said to be over a hundred years old, the paper is too clean.'

And there were traces of ink smudges here and there.

If Hyun Sang's suspicions are correct, this manual isn't from a hundred years ago. It's a relatively recent creation.

But who could have made it?

Who in Mount Hua could recreate a lost martial art? It doesn't make sense.

If someone could do such a thing, wouldn't it be better to bring the manual forward openly rather than hiding it? If that were the case, all the disciples of Mount Hua would treat them like a king.

So, it implies there's someone who wants to help Mount Hua but must remain hidden.

Hyun Sang shook his head.

Hyun Sang (thinking): 'This is too much. Overthinking.'

Though he feared there might be a conspiracy, no matter how much he reviewed the manual, it was genuine. There were no inconsistencies, no errors. No matter how hard he looked, there was nothing suspicious.

Hyun Sang (thinking): 'Let's review it one more time.'

If something is truly off, it's not too late to speak up then.

❀ ❀ ❀

Chung Myung: "Ugh! A sect even beggars wouldn't pick up!"

Chung Myung kicked a pebble.

Chung Myung: "What did you do to make all those spirit pills disappear!"

Looking at the Sect Leader's expression, it was clear. This damn sect didn't even have proper Plum Blossom Pills, let alone Purple Cloud Pills.

It was utterly despairing.

If they couldn't make Purple Cloud Pills because of a lack of money, now that they had funds, the answer should've been,

Chung Myung (mocking): 'Wait for a bit.'

But instead of saying that, the Sect Leader chose to change the subject.

Which meant that not only were there no spirit pills in Mount Hua now, but the method to make them had also been lost.

Chung Myung: "Nothing's working right!"

It's infuriating.

Even if someone had deliberately schemed to ruin Mount Hua, it wouldn't have been destroyed in so many different ways.

No martial arts, no spirit pills, no people, and no money?

Chung Myung: "It's a miracle it hasn't collapsed yet. A miracle!"

Though he was furious, what good would getting angry do? This was all his own karma. Chung Myung clicked his tongue and rubbed his lower abdomen.

Chung Myung (thinking): 'Ha, this is a headache.'

His body isn't recovering as easily as he thought. It's the body of a child whose bones and muscles aren't fully developed, and with almost no internal energy, he had to draw on his innate Qi. He expected some side effects, but…

Chung Myung (thinking): 'The problem is, it's more than just "some."'

His body isn't recovering as well as he thought.

Perhaps subconsciously, he was still comparing himself to his past body and its capabilities.

Well.

If the Chung Myung of the past had heard that a child was drawing on innate Qi, he would've beaten not only the child but also those who failed to stop him.

It's that dangerous.

But that's how people are. They think, "Others can't do it, but maybe I can." And then they ruin themselves.

The problem is that the one ruining himself now is none other than Chung Myung. Since his body isn't recovering, training is difficult, and since training is difficult, his martial arts aren't improving.

The frustration of bearing the cost of reviving Mount Hua was too much. At this rate, he'd need at least half a year to recuperate.

Chung Myung: "Half a year? I'd freeze to death!"

If it were an old man's body, maybe. But at this young age, half a year is too critical. Half a year now is like ten years in the distant future.

It's not just about recovering to feel better. Chung Myung is building a perfect foundation now. But a human body isn't like land, is it?

Children grow and change. There's an appropriate time for everything. If you miss that time, there are things you can never make up for. When the body is naturally absorbing martial arts, you need to lay the foundation, right?

Chung Myung: "I need to find a way."

Chung Myung's face turned serious as he fell into deep thought.

Chung Myung: "First, I absolutely need spirit pills…"

If his energy is depleted, only energy can heal it. If a relaxed approach won't work, he needs to absorb a large amount of energy at once to replenish his innate Qi.

So, there are two methods.

Either take a precious spirit pill or receive help from a powerful energy technique like the Body Forging Art.

But there's no way Chung Myung can find someone to perform the Body Forging Art for him, and he can't get spirit pills either.

Spirit pills aren't something you can buy just because you have money. Moreover, Chung Myung is in a child's body now. For someone who can't leave Mount Hua, obtaining spirit pills is nearly impossible.

There's no way.

Chung Myung: "Ah, seriously! Even dog poop is useful as medicine, but there's none here! What kind of sect doesn't have a single spirit pill! Damn those Medicine Hall bastards!"

In the past, Mount Hua had so many spirit pills that they practically rolled on the ground.

Purple Cloud Pills were so common that even average disciples would get at least one in their lifetime, and Snow Plum Pills would fall into your lap if you achieved something or trained hard.

And Plum Blossom Pills?

Chung Myung: "Those weren't even considered medicine."

Plum Blossom Pills were so common they weren't even treated as precious medicine. If Chung Myung weren't in this state, he wouldn't have even asked for Plum Blossom Pills.

They might help him now, but to the Chung Myung of the past, Plum Blossom Pills were useless pills that didn't even increase internal energy.

Why else would he have used Plum Blossom Pills as a hangover cure?

Chung Myung (thinking): 'The effect was killer, though.'

After secretly drinking heavily and not being able to fully recover with internal energy, taking one Plum Blossom Pill would make his stomach feel instantly better. As a spirit pill, it was worthless, but as a hangover cure, it was the best in the world.

Of course, if the Sect Leader had found out, he would've foamed at the mouth and chased Chung Myung to beat him to death.

So, he hid the Plum Blossom Pills and sneaked around…

Chung Myung: "Huh?"

Suddenly.

Chung Myung, who had been wandering aimlessly, stopped in his tracks.

Chung Myung: "Hangover cure?"

His head tilted to the side.

Chung Myung: "Why didn't I think of that?"

There it is! Spirit pills!

No, no!

There must be! Spirit pills!

The troublemaker of Mount Hua… no, the former troublemaker of Mount Hua, Chung Myung, had hidden spirit pills!

Chung Myung: "Being a bit of an idiot can be helpful sometimes!"

Chung Myung cackled as he started running full speed toward the sect gates.