Chapter 40

Chapter 39. A Sect Not Even Beggars Would Want to Join! (4)

After Qingming left the abode of the Sect Leader, Xianzong, Yunyan, and the owner of Wujue Hall, Xianshang, remained and looked at each other.

"What do you think?"

In response to Xianzong's question, Yunyan smiled.

"A vessel of the Dao (道器)."

"You felt it too, then."

Xianzong smiled approvingly.

It's true that Qingming is endearing. Why wouldn't he be? Thanks to Qingming, Huashan escaped the crisis of extinction. It wasn't an enemy invasion, nor an internal conflict; it was merely a matter of money that Huashan, with its history and tradition, avoided the most humiliating situation of having to close its doors.

From Xianzong's perspective, it would be insufficient to carry Qingming around.

However, this current evaluation is not due to such endearment.

"Even as a child, his words are imbued with wisdom. Although he can be rough at times, considering his age, it is quite understandable."

"That's true."

As the Sect Leader agreed, Yunyan's thoughts deepened.

When conversing with Qingming, it doesn't feel like talking to a child. It's not just about the tone of voice; there's no trace of the typical naivety of a child in Qingming.

Rather, what can I say?

'Am I the only one sensing this aura of the Dao?'

The scent of the Dao is present.

This feeling cannot be explained logically. To sense the aura of the Dao from a child...

'There's no other way to explain it but as a vessel of the Dao.'

Yunyan slightly raised his head.

"He thinks deeply for a child. He shows signs of careful deliberation before speaking. In many ways, he is a bright child."

"That's true."

"If he is free of flaws... he will be the pillar to lead the future generations of Huashan."

Xianzong nodded silently, then turned his gaze to Xianshang.

"What do you think?"

Xianshang, who had been observing the situation, sighed.

"Brother Sect Leader, don't you know that I am not good at judging people?"

"You, my friend. Don't you have a feeling about it?"

"A feeling...?"

Xianshang closed his eyes quietly.

Time passed slowly. After a long while, Xianshang slowly opened his mouth.

"The child is not like a child."

"..."

"Children who have lived a hard life or who think deeply sometimes show such traits. But that means they are more mature than their peers, not that they are like adults, right?"

Xianshang sought agreement with a slight glance.

"But this child is not just mature; he truly speaks and acts like an adult. I have a strong desire to uncover what lies within him."

"Do you mean he has a dark heart?"

"Not to that extent. However..."

Xianshang paused.

"I understand."

Xianzong nodded.

"I understand what you all are thinking, but for now, let's not attach too much significance to it. After all, he is still a child, isn't he?"

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"We are not people who use others, but people who nurture others. If he is a talented individual, we should help him develop his talents. If he has issues, we should guide him to correct them."

"You are right."

"Yunyan."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"How is the construction progressing?"

"The terrain is rugged, making it difficult to supply materials. We are cutting trees to make up for it, but the time it takes to dry and process the wood is beyond our control. It will take some time."

"I see."

Xianzong stroked his beard thoughtfully and asked seriously.

"Are you not displeased that I am concerned with appearances now that we have funds?"

"How could I be, Sect Leader?"

"Understand this. Huashan must be reborn. When a person makes a new resolve and sets a new goal, they tidy their appearance and comport themselves properly. The same applies to a sect. To convey a new purpose to the disciples, this is the most certain way."

"You are right, Sect Leader."

Xianzong nodded.

"Junior Brother."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Xianshang slightly bowed his head.

"Complete the interpretation of the newly acquired martial arts as quickly as possible. However, there must be no sloppiness. The fate of Huashan will depend on how we impart these martial arts to the disciples."

"I will ensure there is no sloppiness."

"I can only rely on you all."

Seeing Xianzong lost in thought, Xianshang's face stiffened slightly.

'Should I say it?'

No. No.

It might just be an old man's concern. Senior Brother is currently envisioning the future of Huashan, which will last for a thousand years. I cannot burden him with trivial matters.

'But...'

Xianshang sighed softly.

At the time of discovering the secret manual, the shock was so great that he didn't notice anything unusual. But as he worked on interpreting the manual, he couldn't shake off his doubts recently.

'For a book that is at least a hundred years old, the paper is too clean.'

And there were even ink stains in some places.

If Xianshang's suspicions are correct, this manual is not from a hundred years ago. It is a relatively recent creation by someone.

But who?

Who could have created a martial art that has been lost in Huashan? It doesn't make sense logically.

If there is someone who can do this, it would be better for them to come forward with the manual rather than create it and leave it to be discovered. In that case, all the disciples of Huashan would revere them like a king.

So, it must mean there is someone who wants to help Huashan but doesn't want to reveal their identity.

Xianshang shook his head.

It's excessive. It's an excessive thought.

Even if there is a conspiracy, he has reviewed and re-reviewed the martial arts, and it is clear that this is genuine. There are no flaws, no errors, and no suspicious points.

'I will review it one more time.'

If it's strange, I can speak up then.

* * *

"Damn. A sect not even beggars would want to join!"

Qingming kicked a stone.

"What did you do to leave not a single Lingdan behind?"

From the Sect Leader's expression, it was clear that this sect had no Zisodan, let alone Meihuan Dan.

It was utterly hopeless.

If the lack of funds prevented the production of Zisodan, the answer now that they have funds should be:

"Just wait."

But instead of telling him to wait, the Sect Leader chose to change the subject.

In other words, not only does Huashan lack Lingdan, but the method to produce it has also been lost.

"Nothing is in good condition!"

He was frustrated.

No one could have deliberately plotted to destroy Huashan in such a diverse and varied manner.

No martial arts, no Lingdan, no people, and no money?

"You did a great job of not collapsing. Great job!"

He was frustrated, but what good would it do to get angry? This is all his karma. Qingming rubbed his stomach and sighed.

'Ah, this is a headache.'

His body was not recovering as quickly as he had hoped. As a young body with incomplete bones and almost no inner strength, he had expected some side effects from using innate qi, but...

'The problem is that it's worse than expected.'

His body was not recovering as quickly as he had hoped.

Perhaps he had subconsciously used his past body and past standards as a benchmark.

Back then, if Qingming had heard that a child was using innate qi, he would have beaten the child and those who failed to stop it.

It was that dangerous.

But people tend to think that what others can't do, they might be able to. And then they fail spectacularly.

The problem was that the person failing spectacularly was Qingming himself. With his body not recovering, training was difficult, and with training being difficult, his martial arts did not improve.

The sense of oppression was too severe to bear as the price for reviving Huashan. If this continued, he would need at least half a year to recover.

"Half a year is a death sentence!"

For an old person, it might be different, but for a young person, half a year is extremely critical. Half a year now is like ten years in the future.

It wasn't just about recovering and feeling better. Qingming was in the process of building a perfect foundation. But a human body is not like land.

Children grow and change. There is an appropriate time for everything. Missing this time means missing out on something that can never be regained. The foundation must be laid when the body is naturally absorbing martial arts.

"I need to find a way."

Qingming fell into deep thought with a serious expression.

"First, I need Lingdan..."

Weakness can only be treated with energy. If a gentle approach doesn't work, a large amount of energy must be absorbed to replenish the innate qi.

There are two methods:

Eat precious Lingdan or receive assistance from a technique like Guiti Zhanli.

But Qingming had no one to perform Guiti Zhanli for him, and he couldn't obtain Lingdan.

Lingdan is not something that can be bought with money. Moreover, Qingming was in a child's body and couldn't leave Huayin to obtain Lingdan, making it almost impossible.

There was no way.

"Ah, really! They say even dog droppings can be used as medicine if available! What kind of sect has no Lingdan at all? Damn apothecary!"

In the past, Huashan had so many Lingdan that they were practically rolling on the ground.

Zisodan was so common that most disciples would eat at least one in their lifetime, and Xuelai Dan was given as a reward for minor achievements or diligent training.

And Meihuan Dan?

"It wasn't even considered a medicine."

Meihuan Dan was so common that it wasn't even treated as a medicinal pill. If Qingming wasn't in his current state, he wouldn't have asked for Meihuan Dan.

It would have been helpful to him now, but to the Qingming of the past, Meihuan Dan was a useless pill that didn't increase inner strength.

How could he have used Meihuan Dan as a hangover cure in the past?

'The effect was amazing.'

When he secretly drank a lot of alcohol and couldn't completely cure his hangover with qi, a single Meihuan Dan would make his stomach feel much better. As a Lingdan, it had no value, but as a hangover cure, it was the best in the world.

Of course, if the Sect Leader had known, he would have chased Qingming to kill him.

So, he would hide the Meihuan Dan and...

"Huh?"

Suddenly, Qingming stopped walking.

"Hangover cure?"

His head turned to the side.

"Why didn't I think of this before?"

There is! Lingdan!

No, no!

There must be! Lingdan!

The troublemaker of Huashan... no, the 'former' troublemaker of Huashan, Qingming, who had hidden Lingdan!

"Sometimes, a bad head can be useful!"

Qingming chuckled and started running full speed towards the mountain gate.