Chapter 12

Chapter 11. Bankruptcy, you scoundrels! (1)

"Hmm."

"Hm?"

Yunjian lowered his head to look at the child walking beside him.

'Quite a bold kid.'

It's natural for someone placed in a new environment to be cautious.

It would be normal for a child to be terrified when entering a place as unfamiliar as Huashan at a young age, yet there was not a trace of such fear in this kid.

His slow, shuffling steps exuded not tension, but boredom.

Yunjian looked at Qingming with a peculiar expression. At that moment, Qingming suddenly asked,

"When was the Bai Mei Hall established?"

"Why are you curious about that?"

"I heard that most martial arts sects teach through a master-disciple relationship."

"Hmm."

"But everyone is gathered in such a place, which seems a bit strange."

Yunjian's eyebrows twitched slightly.

'He’s hitting a sore spot.'

Traditionally, Huashan also adhered to the principle of teaching through a master-disciple relationship. A newly initiated child would be paired with a senior master, who would teach the disciple while adhering to Huashan’s laws.

These master-disciple relationships collectively formed the massive sect known as Huashan.

The breaking of this master-disciple tradition was due to the decline of Huashan.

"There’s nothing strange about it. It was just considered more efficient."

"Then, does my great-uncle also stay at the Bai Mei Hall?"

"…No."

Qingming nodded slightly. Yunjian frowned at his reaction.

'What a strange kid.'

This answer didn’t provide any real solution to the question, yet Qingming nodded as if he understood and showed no further interest.

It’s unclear what he understood, but that’s beside the point.

Basically, all new initiates to Huashan are sent to the Bai Mei Hall. In other words, Yunjian, who is in charge of the Bai Mei Hall, is the first to get to know the new disciples of Huashan.

He has seen many children, but this one feels different from the others. How should he describe it? It’s hard to pinpoint, but there’s an unusual calmness that doesn’t seem typical for a child.

'An interesting kid has arrived.'

While Yunjian slowly observed Qingming, Qingming was thinking about something entirely different.

'They ran away.'

He had a rough idea of the situation.

A quick look around Huashan revealed an alarmingly small number of people. Considering the number of third-generation disciples who remained when he rushed to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, the reduction in numbers was staggering.

Even if the numbers had remained the same, Huashan wouldn’t have been this empty. In other words…

'So many of them left Huashan altogether.'

The numbers didn’t drop all at once.

But as with a sinking ship, there are always those who escape. As more and more people left Huashan, the number of people to teach inevitably decreased.

It would be fine if only those who didn’t take disciples left. However, when those who had been in Huashan for a long time and had raised disciples themselves left, the remaining disciples were left without a place to go. Other masters could only take on so many.

Thus, this system was likely a last resort. By gathering children in one place and teaching them in groups, they could avoid the issue of a shortage of masters.

"Tsk."

Qingming smacked his lips.

'So what if it’s different?'

It’s not something to criticize just because it’s different from the past. Qingming, unlike his overly rigid elder brother, was a pragmatist. He believed that achieving results was more important than clinging to tradition.

If creating the Bai Mei Hall helped maintain Huashan, then so be it. He felt a bit bitter about it, but…

'The hearts of the children who had to create the Bai Mei Hall must have been even more torn.'

Understanding their feelings made Qingming a bit melancholic.

'No, this isn’t the time to think about that.'

It’s enough for others to be melancholic. Qingming’s job was not to be swayed by emotions but to restore Huashan to its former glory.

'This is the Third Training Ground.'

The sight of the Third Training Ground unfolded before his eyes. A large open space had a high platform at the top, and in front of it, small children filled the area.

'Oh?'

Qingming tilted his head.

There seemed to be more third-generation disciples than he expected. While the number was minuscule compared to the past, considering Huashan’s current situation, it seemed they had taken in quite a few disciples.

"Draw swords!"

"Whoosh!"

With the command, the swords were all pointed forward in unison.

'Oh?'

Qingming watched the scene with amazement. Huashan was a rather free-spirited sect. It was often criticized for its secular tendencies, but this was not because it didn’t follow the teachings of Daoism. Instead, it believed that forcing Daoist teachings on disciples was contrary to the Dao.

As a result, large-scale training scenes like this were rare in Huashan. While there was a sense of belonging, differences were respected. This was the Huashan Qingming knew.

'How interesting.'

Seeing over a hundred people practicing the same sword technique in unison was indeed fascinating.

Even Qingming, who had only practiced the Seven-Star Sword Formation with his senior brothers, had never experienced such group training. And the Seven-Star Sword Formation was just a formation for seven people.

"Reverse swords!"

Swish!

Over a hundred swords were flipped in unison, gleaming in the sunlight.

Qingming marveled at the sight.

"Wow…"

"Surprised, huh?"

"…"

A slight smile appeared on Yunjian’s lips.

"There’s no need to be. If you train hard, you’ll soon be like those children."

"…"

Qingming’s response was a bit odd, but Yunjian, thinking he was just captivated by the scene, felt pleased.

Of course, Qingming’s thoughts were quite the opposite.

'What are they doing?'

His eyes narrowed as he watched.

"Forward thrust!"

The children in martial robes quickly stepped forward and thrust their swords forward. The accuracy and strength of their sword techniques were beyond what one would expect from children.

"Those…"

"Hm?"

"What kind of swords are those?"

"What do you mean?"

"Ah… the sword techniques."

Yunjian nodded as if understanding and answered,

"The sword techniques your senior brothers are performing are called the Six Harmonies Sword (六合劍)."

"Six, Six Harmonies?"

"Yes. More precisely, it’s the True Six Harmonies Sword (真六合劍). It’s a more practical version of the Six Harmonies Sword that has been passed down in Huashan, modified by the elders. It’s the foundation of all Huashan martial arts."

"…"

"It’s not easy to learn, but if you work hard, you will definitely see results. Go stand at the back and join them. It might feel awkward at first, but think of it as getting used to the atmosphere. Detailed instruction will be given within this week."

Qingming walked to the back with a dazed look.

'He’s scared, I see.'

Yunjian frowned slightly at the sight.

'Kids these days lack spirit.'

Indeed…

Yunjian glanced at the children.

It would be more unusual for a young child to not be frightened by the sight of senior brothers practicing with real swords. Even fearless children who talk about becoming the greatest martial artist upon entering the sect usually tremble when they see real swords.

They would get used to it eventually, but it seemed best not to have high expectations for this child.

However, Qingming, standing at the back, was thinking something entirely different.

'What the hell are they doing? These lunatics.'

Practical?

Practical what?

Damn, I’ll drown them in this shit!

What is the entry-level martial art?

The entry-level martial art is the one that teaches the basics of martial arts to children who are like blank slates. It’s like teaching the Thousand Character Classic in a school.

If you try to teach children advanced concepts quickly by using the Analects to teach the Thousand Character Classic, what would happen?

For a short while, they might seem ahead. They could recite the Analects, which other children don’t know. But would they understand the deeper meanings of the Analects?

This is just ruining the children.

'Well, it’s understandable.'

They must be in a hurry to use such shortcuts. Teaching the Analects might be too much, but the practical techniques in the Six Harmonies that the children are practicing are not that profound.

But!

"Then, at least the teaching should be proper."

"Eh?"

"Hm?"

Did his thoughts slip out? The surrounding children all turned to look at Qingming. He shook his head quickly, looking at the puzzled gazes of the children.

At that moment, the first-generation disciple on the platform shouted,

"Who’s daydreaming during training?"

"Ah!"

"Sorry, sorry."

"Everyone who was daydreaming, do horse stances!"

"Ugh."

"Phew!"

The children groaned as they took the horse stance, lowering their knees and placing their swords on their hands. Qingming clicked his tongue at the sight.

The first-generation disciple’s gaze then fell on Qingming.

"You?"

"Me?"

"Why aren’t you doing the horse stance?"

"I wasn’t daydreaming."

"…"

"…"

The first-generation disciple glared and then nodded. It wasn’t a wrong statement.

"Continue! Reverse swords!"

The command continued.

Qingming looked up at the sky while watching the first-generation disciple demonstrate on the platform.

The sky is really blue.

The clear sky, without a single cloud, seemed to reflect the empty future of Huashan.

'How can I change this?'

Becoming the greatest martial artist alone isn’t that difficult. He has deep experience and a long future ahead. It would be more difficult not to become the greatest.

But Huashan is different.

No money. No people. The martial arts are in shambles. Changing Huashan as a third-generation disciple is harder than a worm becoming a dragon.

"Ha…"

At that moment, a sharp voice reached his ears.

"Hey."

"…Hm?"

"Newbie, right?"

"…"

Newbie among third-generation disciples? How far has this sect fallen?

"Then?"

"I’ll see you later. I won’t let you off."

Qingming smacked his lips.

"Fine, but I have one question."

"Are you crazy? You’re talking to me like we’re equals?"

"I get it. Answer me first, and I’ll let you do as you please."

"What?"

"What else do you learn here besides this?"

"This?"

"The Six Harmonies or whatever."

"After learning the True Six Harmonies Sword, you learn the Seven Strings Sword. After that, you graduate from the Bai Mei Hall and learn the Green Bamboo Sword Technique."

"Green Bamboo?"

"Yes. Then, you can learn the Taiyi Mysterious Sword (太乙迷離劍), which is the essence of Huashan martial arts."

"…Taiyi Mysterious Sword?"

"Yes!"

"Taiyi Mysterious?"

Qingming’s eyebrows twitched uncontrollably.

No.

It can’t be.

Surely not.

"Can I ask one more thing?"

"What?"

"When do you learn the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique?"

"…What’s that?"

"The Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique! The essence of Huashan, the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique!"

The child answering him frowned.

"What are you talking about? There’s no such sword technique in Huashan."

"…No?"

"Yes. I’ve never heard of it."

"Ugh."

A strange sound escaped his mouth.

"The Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Technique doesn’t exist? And the ones who should be learning it are learning the Taiyi Mysterious Sword?"

Qingming’s eyes turned red.

- Senior, the Taiyi Mysterious Sword is too lacking in Daoist elements and is also weak. It might be better to completely remove it from Huashan’s martial arts. What do you think?

- It’s a useless sword technique. Let’s get rid of it.

- But it was left by a sage…

- Then, let’s remove it from the library so that children won’t be interested in it.

- Hmm. That sounds good. Let’s do it.

'Senior.'

The children are learning the Taiyi Mysterious Sword. Senior.

Damn it. Reviving Huashan is going to be a nightmare. I’m going to collapse from stress before I can even start.

"Who’s talking again! Come to the front right now!"

"Damn. I’ll see you later! Seriously!"

"…"

A huge vein popped on Qingming’s forehead.