WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
Chapter 193: Spring Silkworms Spin Silk Until Death (17)
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In the courtyard, Chungdam True Man and Yeon Sowol faced each other.
The first exchange.
Tap!
Yeon Sowol rushed in, thrusting Clear Mirror.
Clang!
Chungdam True Man knocked it aside with his Sword Fingers.
The second exchange followed immediately.
Flap! Swoosh!
Following Clear Mirror as it was knocked away, Yeon Sowol spun once and aimed for Chungdam True Man with greater force.
Kra-boom!
The blade tore through the air, erupting with a thunderclap.
Whoosh!
Chungdam True Man instead stepped into it.
He grabbed Yeon Sowol’s arm and waist, intending to drive him straight into the ground.
Up to this point, it had been an exchange they had repeated countless times.
Every time until now, Yeon Sowol had failed to get past this point and been planted in the ground.
But this time was different.
The third exchange followed.
Smack!
Yeon Sowol swiftly spun, shaking off Chungdam True Man’s hand.
From the outside, it looked as though he had merely shaken off a hand, but the reality was far more complicated.
Recognizing and casting off the qi Myeonggyeong True Man had secretly mixed in required qi sense incomparably sharper than before, as well as a deep stage of maturity.
Yeon Sowol had done it.
Fwoosh!
Using the recoil to open up distance, he thrust Clear Mirror forward. It was a move of Grafting Flowers onto a Tree that used even the force Chungdam True Man had used to seize him.
It was a sharp, exquisite thrust that would have made any observer’s neck hairs stand on end.
However.
Pressss-
Chungdam True Man gently pressed down on the flat of Clear Mirror with his palm.
As though vaulting over a low wall, he lightly pressed the blade and lifted himself into the air.
Yeon Sowol hurriedly tried to pull his blade free, but Chungdam True Man gently suppressed even that force, gained momentum from it, and drove his toes into Yeon Sowol’s temple.
Bam!
It was not even a kick, but a movement like a light tap!
Yet it felt as though thunder had exploded inside Yeon Sowol’s head.
“Uh...”
His eyes lost focus.
His body stiffened, and he crashed to the ground.
Thud!
It was over in three exchanges.
Even though bodily cultivation had dramatically improved his qi sense.
Twitch!
Yeon Sowol lay sprawled on the ground without moving for a while. Only after several seconds could he raise himself.
“Uh... Mm...”
He sat there blankly for a moment, unable to gather his senses. Then he sprang up like a coiled spring and shouted.
“This makes no sense!”
“What makes no sense?”
“I cultivated my superficial collaterals and skin! My qi sense was already sharp, and now it has improved beyond comparison!”
“Yes. It does seem that way.”
“But I fall apart on the third move? After all that, the only difference is that I lasted one more move than before?”
“That is so.”
“And this is still the beginner stage of Grafting Flowers onto a Tree?”
“That is so.”
Yeon Sowol opened and closed his mouth.
Something was wrong.
He had thought sharpening his qi sense through bodily cultivation of his superficial collaterals and skin would let him break through it.
Had he been mistaken?
Furrowing his brow, Yeon Sowol reviewed their spar from moments ago.
“At first, Master twisted my strength. That made me hurt myself.”
“That is right.”
“Then you blended your qi into mine. It was my qi, but you took away my control of it, and I couldn’t move at all.”
“That is right.”
“And now... You suppress my qi. No matter how I use my strength, Master uses it as a foothold. You step on it lightly and come at me.”
“That is right. You understand well.”
Yeon Sowol’s mouth fell open.
“How can you do that? Can you calculate all that in an instant? No matter how I extend my qi, you read it at once and step on it precisely? Even with my qi sense, I can’t gauge it.”
“It is not calculation. I do it because I simply can.”
Yeon Sowol let out a strained groan.
“Well, of course... Master has advanced from Loss of Self to Nonaction, so it wouldn’t be calculation, but...”
Was Loss of Self not beyond calculation?
It was simply sensing and responding to things as they were.
‘But I’ve got at least one foot in Loss of Self too...’
Yet he still had no idea how Chungdam True Man did it.
Yeon Sowol furrowed his brow.
“I don’t understand why I can’t do it.”
“Because you are still at the beginner stage.”
Chungdam True Man spoke with his hands behind his back.
“You have only just entered the stages called Loss of Self and Clear Knowing. I have gone beyond them and reached Nonaction. How could what you and I see be the same?”
“Ah.”
Now that he heard it, it made sense.
No matter how much Yeon Sowol had progressed, he could not dare compare himself to Chungdam True Man’s attainment.
‘Could it have something to do with Master’s presence, which somehow seems transparent?’
Whether it was an effect of Nonaction or something else, Yeon Sowol sometimes felt that Chungdam True Man seemed transparent, as though he were not there.
Whether that empty presence had anything to do with Chungdam True Man’s ability to respond to all of Yeon Sowol’s moves without calculation...
As though soothing the troubled Yeon Sowol, Chungdam True Man continued his instruction.
“Your Yin-Yang Divine Art is currently at fifth-stage mastery. A boy who had remained at third-stage mastery climbed to fifth-stage mastery merely by cultivating his skin and superficial collaterals. It is an impressive feat. But beyond that, you will need new insight.”
“...And yet I still have not completed even the beginner stage of Grafting Flowers onto a Tree.”
“That is right.”
“Mm...”
Yeon Sowol fell into thought for a while before asking.
“Would experiencing more demons help? Like how I entered the Yin-Yang Divine Art and Grafting Flowers onto a Tree after encountering the wish-granting pearl.”
There was faint expectation in his question.
Ever since he had destroyed the demon contained in the wish-granting pearl Beneath the Dark Heavens, Yeon Sowol often thought back to that moment.
‘It was truly a new experience.’
It had changed how he viewed the world.
He had not known demons could be like that.
He had not known it was possible to confront demons in that way.
The intellectual thrill.
The sense of achievement, as though playing a game.
The change in how he approached the world.
It came to mind without warning, even when he lay down to sleep.
He wanted to experience it again.
A new demon.
He wanted to confront it, overcome it, and grow.
But Chungdam True Man was firm.
“No. You will meet the next demon after completing the beginner stage of Grafting Flowers onto a Tree.”
“...Are the demons sealed Beneath the Dark Heavens that formidable?”
“Sowol.”
“Yes.”
“What demon do you think would be the most frightening?”
“Hmm.”
The most frightening demon?
What immediately came to mind was the Flood Dragon that had risen from the bottom of Dongting Lake.
The rain that had poured down across the region merely because it broke the surface and raised its head.
Lightning falling from the sky. People burning with a choking stench...
But Yeon Sowol soon shook his head.
Could something be frightening merely because it possessed overwhelming strength?
Not to Yeon Sowol, at least.
‘As long as I can touch it, I can kill it all the same.’
Then what demon was the most frightening?
Yeon Sowol parted his lips.
“A heart demon...”
“A heart demon?”
“More precisely... A demon I do not recognize, or cannot recognize. I think that is what frightens me.”
If he could not recognize it, he could not kill it with the power of Extinction of Principles either.
Chungdam True Man smiled faintly.
“Correct.”
He slowly raised his gaze toward Celestial Pillar Peak.
Beneath its summit lay Beneath the Dark Heavens.
“The demons sealed Beneath the Dark Heavens are the most vicious ones in Wudang’s thousand-year history. The more vicious a demon is, the harder it is to distinguish from the Dao. With your current cultivation, facing the demons Beneath the Dark Heavens in earnest is too dangerous.”
If Yeon Sowol saw a demon but could not tell whether it was a demon, or where the demon ended, there would be nothing he could do even with his power.
“...I understand.”
“So focus on your cultivation for now.”
“Yes, Master.”
Yeon Sowol had no choice but to nod.
He knew better than anyone how frightening a heart demon was.
If he faced demons rashly while his cultivation was insufficient and unknowingly took in even their seed, he would lose far more than he gained.
‘So I need to properly finish the beginner stage of Grafting Flowers onto a Tree first.’
His attainment in the Yin-Yang Divine Art would rise in the process as well. It was at fifth-stage mastery now, so perhaps it would reach sixth-stage mastery, or even higher.
The problem was that he had no idea how.
‘I can’t get a handle on it.’
What did he need to do to advance to the next stage?
Nothing came to mind.
That was extremely rare for Yeon Sowol.
Even if it was the wrong method, he was always someone who found a path and tried it. But now, he could not even think of a wrong method.
It felt like he had hit a wall.
Perhaps Chungdam True Man had noticed his condition.
With his hands behind his back, Chungdam True Man turned away.
“Sowol. Take some time to rest.”
“Yes?”
Rest?
Since coming to this world, Yeon Sowol had never once heard those words. He faltered for a moment.
Without turning around, Chungdam True Man entered the thatched hut and spoke.
“Yes. See the sights of Wudang Mountain. Sometimes, such time is necessary too.”
Clack.
Chungdam True Man entered the hut and shut the door behind him.
Yeon Sowol stared blankly at the closed door, then bowed deeply.
“Yes, Master. I’ll be going, then.”
He began to walk.
“...I guess I’ll visit some places I haven’t been.”
Winter was drawing to a close.
It was Gyeongchip, the season when frogs awoke.
He had already been here for half a year.
Yet there were still many places he had not visited.
Step.
For the first time in a while, Yeon Sowol left the thatched hut and made his way around Wudang Mountain.
Sometimes without thinking.
Sometimes lost in thought.
* * *
Seventy-Two Peaks, Thirty-Six Crags.
Wudang Mountain was said to have seventy-two peaks and thirty-six cliffs or great rocks.
It was also said to have nine palaces, thirty-six hermitages, and seventy-two temples scattered throughout.
Chungdam True Man had not told Yeon Sowol when to return.
So Yeon Sowol took his time and visited them one by one.
Taizipo was beautiful.
Before it stood a scenic site called the Nine-Bend Yellow River Wall.
A long red wall wound along the mountainside like the Yangtze. With every step, a new angle of wall appeared, while tiled roofs cut the sky and peaks into delightful views.
It was said that the True Martial Great Emperor had once studied and trained there.
That was why Yeon Sowol often encountered Wudang disciples training alone beneath the wall.
They sweated profusely.
They did not even notice people passing beside them.
Though panting for breath, their eyes shone brightly.
They cultivated diligently, without shame as disciples of Wudang.
Supreme Ultimate Fist, Cotton Palm Art, Lesser Clarity Sword Art, Supreme Clarity Sword Art.
Each was honing fist, palm, or sword arts.
Perhaps because Yeon Sowol had spent so much time wracking his brain over cultivation, watching them made his head feel strangely itchy.
These were martial arts he had not even learned yet.
Without realizing it, he blurted out a remark.
“I don’t think you’re supposed to do that like that.”
“Pardon? Ah! G-Greetings, Great-Grand Martial Uncle.”
“What’s that called?”
“Ah. This is Supreme Ultimate Fist.”
“Then you cannot do it that way. Its name is Supreme Ultimate. There must be stillness within advance, and advance within stillness. And the two must be connected. Yin becomes Yang. Yang becomes Yin again.”
It was insight he had gained while cultivating the Yin-Yang Divine Art.
Yin and Yang.
They were not two things to begin with.
If a fist advanced and moved, the pivot at its center naturally remained still. Advance and stillness were always together.
“L-Like this, perhaps?”
The third-generation disciple struggled to receive the teaching of his sky-high Great-Grand Martial Uncle.
But the movement he tried on the spot could not possibly satisfy Yeon Sowol.
“No. Like this.”
“Like this?”
“No, not that...”
For a moment, Yeon Sowol wondered whether he was getting too involved.
But then he realized it was fine.
‘I am their Great-Grand Martial Uncle, after all.’
There was no problem with teaching Wudang’s disciples.
If it really became a problem, someone would surely tell him.
He simply followed his heart.
Since he had struggled through cultivation himself, he wanted to give a small push to others who were working hard as well.
But how should he teach them?
After thinking for a moment, Yeon Sowol naturally found the answer.
Since falling into this world, he had only ever seen one method of learning and teaching anything.
“I-I think this should be...”
The third-generation Wudang disciple was sweating nervously as he demonstrated a movement before his Great-Grand Martial Uncle.
Then he suddenly saw the blue sky.
“Uh?”
He also saw the ground flip over.
Bam!
“Ghk!”
Unable to breathe after being driven into the ground, he raised his head, choking.
‘What was that? Did Great-Grand Martial Uncle just use a move on me? Why?’
To the bewildered disciple, Yeon Sowol gave exceptionally kind and gentle instruction.
“Why are you thinking only of advancing? Advance and stillness must continue without pause. Can something that tumbles over just because it gets tripped once be called Supreme Ultimate?”
“Uh, well, that is...”
“Again.”
The third-generation disciple rose while gasping for breath.
Soon, he was driven into the ground once more with a bam!
“I said to use Supreme Ultimate Fist.”
“Ghk! Hk.”
And again.
Bam!
“Supreme Ultimate Fist.”
“Urgh... Uh...”
That day, the ten third-generation disciples and two second-generation disciples training at Taizipo encountered the fortuitous encounter that was Yeon Sowol and gained attainment.
Along with bruises all over their bodies.
And Yeon Sowol felt strangely itchy again.
Supreme Ultimate Fist.
Cotton Palm.
Lesser Clarity Sword Art.
Great Clarity Sword Art.
They were all different martial arts, but he could sense a philosophy that ran through their core.
An insight seemingly connected to the Yin-Yang Divine Art and Grafting Flowers onto a Tree twisted through Yeon Sowol’s mind.
Could it perhaps become a clue to the next stage?
“Is this why Master told me to look around?”
He felt more motivated.
From that day onward, Yeon Sowol began visiting the nine palaces, thirty-six hermitages, and seventy-two shrines scattered throughout Wudang Mountain one by one.
Wherever he went, disciples found fortuitous encounters and screamed.
“L-Lately, they say Great-Grand Martial Uncle Yeon Sowol has been going around beating up everyone one by one?”
“B-But surely Five Dragons Palace will be safe? It’s secluded.”
“They say he’s visiting every corner... He should be coming this way soon.”
“S-Should we hide?”
“What if the Martial Uncles catch us?”
“Gasp! H-He’s here!”
“Eek!”
“...W-Well, we should still greet him, right?”
“...Of course. He is our Great-Grand Martial Uncle...”
“...Think of it positively. They say your martial arts improve, at least.”
The Wudang disciples trembled, but they did not run away.
They could not possibly choose not to greet their Great-Grand Martial Uncle first after seeing him.
Whenever Yeon Sowol saw disciples approach him, he always asked.
“By any chance, are there parts of your martial arts where you’re stuck?”
“T-There are.”
“I can take a look.”
“...I-I really hope you will!”
“Mm!”
As expected of disciples from a prestigious great sect, their will toward martial arts was incredibly steadfast!
Yeon Sowol gladly responded to that spirit.
Thud!
Smack!
For some time afterward, incense pilgrims visiting Wudang Mountain tilted their heads at the third-generation disciples with black eyes and split lips.
A lesson named Yeon Sowol roamed Wudang Mountain.
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