Chapter 46

Chapter 45. Because I am a volcano. (5)

The next morning.

Or rather, the early morning, which is embarrassing to even call morning.

The door of Baegmae Hall swung wide open.

"It's morning."

"Ah. I'm tired."

"Ah.

I.

Am. Going to die.

Soon."

It was a start to the day not much different from usual, and the words spoken were no different either.

But something was definitely different.

There was a subtle strength in the dragging steps that resembled those of a dying patient. And the voices complaining of fatigue were not the same as before.

And.

The glances cast sideways were filled with indescribable emotions.

"Come on, we have to train hard today."

"Ugh. Yeah, it's tough."

"Right. It's tough, but we have to 'train hard.'"

Everyone headed to the warehouse without a word and carried the training equipment with ease to the training ground.

'Haha. It's light. So light.'

'The strength in my body is overflowing!'

'Is it okay for me to be the only one eating this? I feel bad for the senior disciples.'

'Hahaha. I can't believe Qingming looked at me so favorably. To give me such a precious spirit pill.'

The senior disciples were cautious of their surroundings.

'If they find out I'm the only one who got the spirit pill, the seniors will be upset, right?'

'I feel a bit bad, but spirit pills aren't common, and only those who deserve it should eat it.'

'Could there be others who received it besides me?'

Their minds were racing. Qingming had strictly instructed them not to reveal that he had eaten the spirit pill, so they couldn't accidentally let it slip.

Though they wore awkward expressions, the three major disciples of Huashan never imagined that everyone present had eaten the spirit pill.

Why?

It's very simple. Spirit pills are not something easily obtained. To provide enough spirit pills for all three major disciples would cost more than a thousand gold. Even if they had the money, there was no guarantee they could find the spirit pills.

Would Qingming, who was considered crazy, really gather so many spirit pills to distribute to all three major disciples? The three major disciples themselves knew they weren't worth that much.

'That precious spirit pill, given to me!'

'Grr! I feel something surging (??)!'

Moreover, those who had eaten the spirit pill were clearly feeling its effects. A warm energy kept rising from within their bodies.

Even though they hadn't fully absorbed the spirit pill's energy, if this was the extent, then when they fully absorbed it, their fatigue would surely disappear, and their internal energy would significantly improve.

Their motivation naturally increased, and their hearts raced.

Thud!

At that moment, the door of Baegmae Hall burst open, and Qingming walked out. The three major disciples, upon seeing Qingming, quickly aligned themselves and stood straight.

"Hmm."

Qingming smiled contentedly at the scene.

'Good.'

Their eyes were bright. So bright that the three major disciples' eyes shone brighter than the morning stars in the sky.

Why wouldn't they?

From Qingming's perspective, the spirit pills were useless to him, and selling them would be awkward. But to the disciples, they were precious medicines that couldn't be bought even with money.

If they knew that the spirit pills Qingming gave them were not just any ordinary pills but the Plum Flower Pills, which had a history as long as Huashan's, their reactions would have been even more intense.

'So he was a good guy after all.'

'Grr. He's so generous. To give such a precious spirit pill.'

'Allegiance! Allegiance!'

The three major disciples looked at Qingming with burning eyes. Their enthusiasm was so intense that even the great Qingming felt embarrassed and hesitated.

'So this is why the senior disciples used to give spirit pills to the unruly juniors from time to time?'

Qingming deeply realized that managing people isn't just about using the whip.

"Alright, let's start the day cleanly, shall we?"

"Ooh!"

Qingming pointed at Lianhua Peak with his chin.

"Go and mark it."

"Yah!"

"I'll be first today!"

"Move! I'm going!"

Qingming chuckled as he watched the senior disciples rush to Lianhua Peak.

'It'll be smooth sailing for a while.'

* * *

'This is strange.'

Yunjian narrowed his eyes.

In front of him, the three major disciples were swinging their wooden swords as usual. It wasn't much different from what Yunjian had seen before.

But Yunjian's sharp eyes detected a clear difference.

'Their sword paths are more stable.'

They were executing the same sword techniques, but the sharpness and stability were clearly different.

Yunjian's eyes narrowed as he observed the three major disciples.

'Their lower bodies have changed.'

He could feel the strength in their steps. With strength in their steps, their upper bodies didn't wobble, and with no wobble, the weight was better distributed to the tip of the sword.

This was a good thing.

If the tip of the sword doesn't wobble, it means they can execute the desired sword techniques more accurately. Considering that the purpose of repeatedly practicing and refining the same sword techniques is to execute them perfectly, this was an excellent change.

But there was one thing that bothered him.

'Is this possible in such a short time?'

By Yunjian's calculations, it would take at least a year for them to reach this level. That was the minimum. Realistically, it could take two or three years, and it wouldn't be strange at all.

But...

"Swish!"

The sword cut through the air.

'Huh?'

"Yah!"

The step of Jinjue shook the ground.

"Huh?"

Yunjian couldn't help but let out a hollow laugh.

It was good that the disciples' skills had improved. But he couldn't understand how this had happened.

'Could it be that morning training?'

Yunjian's eyes turned to Qingming, who was swinging his sword at the back.

"..."

No matter how he thought about it, that was the only reason.

There was no need to think deeply. The sudden improvement in the three major disciples' skills had started after Qingming arrived. More precisely, after Qingming began training with the three major disciples.

Yunjian's brows furrowed.

'Does that mean the training is that effective?'

He hadn't expected anything extraordinary when he allowed it. Qingming had given various reasons, but Yunjian had allowed the training because he appreciated the three major disciples' initiative to train together.

Of course, there was also the practical reason that Yunjian himself would have more time for training.

'I just hoped they would show a bit more enthusiasm.'

But it seemed the training was not just boosting their enthusiasm but also yielding tangible results, and quite extreme ones at that.

Moreover, the three major disciples, realizing their skills were improving, were training with unprecedented enthusiasm.

"Hmm."

It was a strange feeling.

How long had it been since the disciples at Baegmae Hall had shown such fierce determination in their training?

'I feel ashamed.'

He had to reflect. The disciples were training with such enthusiasm, but had he, their teacher, shown the same level of passion?

Had he not found the task of teaching them somewhat bothersome?

Yunjian sighed softly. It was undeniable.

'Even though I knew the disciples were the future of Huashan, I had been negligent in nurturing that future.'

The more he thought about it, the more ashamed he felt. He was ashamed before the disciples, and even more so before the sect leader who had entrusted him with this responsibility.

"Swish!"

The swords pointed to the sky in unison.

Yunjian nodded at the sight.

"Good!"

It was a heartfelt exclamation.

"The tips of your swords are alive."

He didn't know what else to say. Yunjian's gaze turned to Qingming, who was at the back.

It was strange.

Nothing had changed about Huashan, but ever since Qingming arrived, things kept changing.

The financial problems that had plagued Huashan were unexpectedly solved, and the three major disciples were training with a passion they hadn't shown before. Moreover, their skills were visibly improving.

Was all this just a coincidence? Or...

Yunjian, who had been pondering, spoke.

"As you know, according to the rules, you should fully master the Seven Virtuous Swords before learning the Taiyi Mysterious Sword. However, I can see your enthusiasm in training these days. If you keep this up, I will break the rules and teach you the Taiyi Mysterious Sword ahead of schedule."

"Ooh!"

"The Taiyi Mysterious Sword at Baegmae Hall!"

As the three major disciples started murmuring, Yunjian smiled lightly.

Reward those who work hard, and they will work even harder. If this positive cycle can be established, these children will grow to be the swordsmen representing Huashan.

"So, don't be lazy in your training for a moment!"

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

"Good. Now, let's practice the True Six Harmonies Sword."

The enthusiastic response echoed through the training ground. Yunjian smiled contentedly.

At that moment,

Someone approached the training ground with quick steps.

"Is Yunjian here?"

Yunjian, turning his head, was surprised.

"Master, Sect Leader?"

Yunjian hurriedly bowed and looked at Xianzong with a puzzled expression. It was rare for Xianzong to visit the training ground at Baegmae Hall, given his busy schedule.

"You've done well. I have something to tell you. Can you spare a moment?"

"Yes, Sect Leader."

Yunjian turned to the three major disciples.

"Continue practicing the True Six Harmonies Sword..."

"Practice the Seven Virtuous Swords."

"..."

Yunjian looked puzzled as Xianzong interrupted. But he nodded, assuming there was a reason.

Leaving the children, Yunjian walked to the back of Baegmae Hall and waited quietly for Xianzong to speak.

"Yunjian."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"It seems there's a problem."

"Huh?"

Xianzong took out a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Yunjian. His expression was dark. Yunjian, taking the scroll, asked.

"What is this?"

"It's a secret manual from that coffin."

"Ah..."

Yunjian, alternating his gaze between Xianzong and the scroll, started reading it quickly at Xianzong's nod.

"Sect Leader, this... is the Six Harmonies Fist, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is the Six Harmonies Fist."

Yunjian furrowed his brows.

The Six Harmonies was a basic martial art of Huashan. But it had been replaced by the True Six Harmonies Fist. The Six Harmonies Fist no longer held any significance in Huashan.

"But why are you giving this to me..."

"Have you finished reading it?"

"Yes."

"I only read the content when I first found it, as I was too busy and distracted."

"..."

"Check the last page. There's writing on the back."

"Ah?"

Yunjian quickly flipped the scroll open again. His face contorted as he read the words.

Yunjian's hand, holding the scroll, trembled.

To the future generations.

It is not wrong for future generations to develop and transform Huashan's martial arts. Martial arts must continuously evolve and develop.

However, the Six Harmonies is the foundation and backbone of Huashan. Transforming the Six Harmonies is no different from uprooting Huashan's soul.

I hope future generations will remember this.

If there is anyone who transforms the Six Harmonies, they should be prepared to face me in the celestial realm.