Episode 359

The days and nights on the snowy mountain passed quickly.

The place where Jinmu and Yang-jin stayed was naturally rugged, so people didn’t frequent it, making it an excellent spot for absorbing rabbit internal qi.

The two spent five days and nights at the place littered with rabbit carcasses.

In the center of the clearing where the snow had melted, revealing a round patch of grass.

“Hoo, hoo…”

Long and steady breaths continued without pause, and Yang-jin’s chest rose and fell repeatedly.

His neatly seated body now had a sheen that was not there before.

Jinmu, who was assisting Yang-jin’s qi flow by placing his hand on Yang-jin’s Life Vessel point, opened his eyes and stepped back.

“The heat generated from absorbing the qi is no joke. We don’t even need to light a fire.”

Jinmu, stretching his stiffened muscles as he stood up, clicked his tongue at the intense heat radiating from Yang-jin’s body. Well, it’s no wonder the snow melted all around.

“Now, what’s left is for Yang-jin to handle on his own.”

Jinmu transmitted the Six Yang True Qi he had mastered into Yang-jin’s body.

Though he is a disciple, considering his nature, he doesn’t suit Evil or Demonic ways.

A disciple of Wudang suits him perfectly.

Chung Sang is a genius who grows rapidly with just a few teachings, and while Chung Woo might feel a bit left out, he’s inherently a straightforward guy, so he’ll accept it well.

Considering the personalities of the three, their compatibility should be quite good, so they’ll lead Wudang well in the future.

Anyway, having guided the qi several times, all that’s left is the process of removing impurities through repetition, leaving only Spiritual qi. It probably won’t take that long.

Yang-jin consumed about a dozen small rabbit internal cores.

These rabbits were so capable that their cores had almost no impurities.

In fact, they were so pure that it was a problem.

As a result, Yang-jin’s dantian was filled to the brim, yet there was still qi left over. Jinmu gathered the excess qi and directed it into the minor meridians.

Because of that, a guy who was merely at the level of Charge qi now had internal qi approaching that of Projected qi…

“Even if he gains enlightenment later, it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Jinmu looked at Yang-jin with a worried gaze, then shook his head to dismiss his concerns and headed toward where the rabbit carcasses were strewn.

While Yang-jin was circulating his qi, he decided to skin the leader rabbit.

Scrape, scrape.

Perhaps because it had been thoroughly beaten, the softened skin peeled off easily with just a few cuts from his pocketknife.

But was it really necessary to kill them?

These creatures could gather such pure qi… It might have been better to capture and raise them instead.

If you feed them Tianshan Snow Grass and raise them, in a few decades, or perhaps a few centuries, they might become an internal qi reservoir.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that all rabbits have internal qi, but it’s still a shame to waste them.

Later, I’ll tell the Demonic Cult members to classify and capture any rabbits with a bluish aura as protected species.

And this Tianshan Snow Grass. This is the real deal.

Even if the rabbits don’t know, all of these contain faint Spiritual qi within them.

To the Demonic Cult, it’s a poisonous plant, but to Taoists, it’s like a blessing from the heavens.

It can be eaten raw or manufactured into a spiritual pill through alchemy.

Yes, I’ll send it to Wudang this time.

After all, doesn’t Jinmu monopolize trade with Xinjiang?

Purchasing all of the Tianshan Snow Grass, which is nothing more than livestock feed to the Demonic Cult, at a cheap price and sending it all to Wudang.

With that, they’re recklessly raising warriors.

The lower ranks of the Nine Great Sects? That’s a thing of the past now.

From now on, they’ll be reborn as the strongest Taoist sect in Central Plains.

Might as well push out the Nine Great Sects entirely and seize the position of Central Murim Alliance Leader. Wouldn’t that be fitting? After all, it’s the place this body belongs to.

In any case, the secret of Tianshan Snow Grass must never be revealed. If rumors spread, those Taoist bastards might risk their lives and even wage war to get their hands on it.

This is all for our Wudang, Wudang.

With a satisfied smile, Jinmu shifted his gaze to his belly.

Feeling the qi equivalent of the Great Leader filling his dantian.

Not a single drop was wasted.

Now, with a few roots of the Tianshan Snow Grass, if I finely tune and balance it with the Shadow Dragon Elemental Assimilation Arts?

The completion of the Taiji. An unprecedented absolute Murim warrior will be born.

Bokri Do-cheon? Haha! You’re nothing now, nothing.

Cut off all the heads of a hundred thousand Imperial Armies, and the Emperor… Not yet…if I make a mistake, it could be treason… Let’s think about it after achieving Taiji.

In any case, I am immensely satisfied. Heaven grants opportunities to those who help themselves!

So, where should I train?

It would be nice if it were a quiet place where not even an ant approaches.

A place worthy of being the sacred ground for the one who will become supreme in the universe.

As Jinmu looked around, he suddenly heard an unpleasant sound in his ears.

The sound of weapons? Is there a fight?

Could it be that the Fourth Grotto-heaven guys have already completed the order to merge the leaderless Third Grotto-heaven?

If so, even better.

Taiji unification is such a delicate task that it’s better to call Hwang Shin and the children for protection.

Jinmu, unable to hide his satisfaction, slowly moved as he waited for Yang-jin to awaken.

Cheong! Ttadang!

The clash of swords.

The warriors, forming a defensive circle, were panting heavily with exhaustion.

All bore wounds on their bodies, teetering on the brink of collapse.

They had been caught.

Unable to erase their traces after the annihilation of the Hidden Troops, they couldn’t shake off the pursuit.

Those with black hats and dark swords.

They closed in as if herding prey.

The warriors of Chung Sang, Un Am, Chung Woo, and Courageous Valor Troops fought with all their might, but even that was reaching its limits.

The damage to the inspection team led by Un Am was beyond words.

Swoosh!

The sword, imbued with a chilling aura, flew through the air and was deflected by Chung Sang’s Flowing Cloud Sword Technique.

“Haah, haah…”

Even Chung Sang, considered the strongest among the group alongside Un Am, couldn’t hide his fatigue.

Each of them is strong.

Individually, they are less skilled than him, but when two or more gather, they are overwhelming.

Could it be that Elder Sword Wisdom has failed? The one who reigned over Central Plains in the name of the Central Murim Seven Stars is dead?

He had somewhat prepared for this outcome when leaving her, but it was still an unbelievable fact.

But there was no time to dwell on such doubts now.

At this rate, the damage would only increase. They needed to regroup their forces, reduce the damage, and find a way to break through their shield.

Though relying on the Master once again was regretful, there was no other choice at this moment.

If they cross the boundary of Third Grotto-heaven, a way out will emerge.

“Taoist Un Am!”

“…?”

“Lead the main force and protect Lady Jegal from within.”

It was an order without explanation, but Un Am sprang into action without delay.

“Lady Jegal! The Courageous Valor Troops will defend the outskirts, and the main force will guard the inside. Quickly analyze the enemy’s encirclement and find a path of escape!”

“Yes!”

Jegal Sansan nodded at Chung Sang’s words.

It was the most appropriate choice in the current situation.

It was unsettling that the enemy pursuit continued even before the master arrived, but Jegal Sansan knew her role well.

One must not let go of the thread of hope just yet.

Not only the Elder, but also the old man who appeared before them has not shown himself yet.

The Elder is a strong warrior.

Never…

Jegal Sansan forced herself to dispel ominous thoughts from her mind and surveyed the formation of the black-hatted warriors, who were repeatedly attacking and retreating, with sharp eyes.

Fortunately, things weren’t too bad yet.

Thanks to Chung Sang’s timely creation of the circular formation, the defensive barrier had become sturdy.

“Chung Woo!”

Whoosh! Thud!

At the brief shout, Chung Woo launched himself entirely at an approaching black-hatted warrior, and Chung Sang’s sword, not missing the chance as the enemy staggered, extended like lightning.

Swish!

Blood spurted out like a fountain. For the first time, a casualty occurred among them.

As a result, the black-hatted warriors began to harbor caution.

Encouraged, Namgung Chang-wi took charge on the left, while Southern Island’s Lee Baek-ui pressured the enemy with swift swordplay on the right.

It’s done. The circular formation was properly established.

Jegal Sansan, having quickly assessed the enemy’s scale and method of attack, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of her own forces, issued orders through sound transmission.

Simultaneously, Un Am executed the Cloud Dragon Eight Great Forms towards the enemy camp and charged in.

Paang! Papang!

The technique, fused with his light footwork skill, exploded with power.

Ping, pipiping!

The archers standing firm within the camp fired arrows with all their might.

Although they couldn’t break through the encirclement, the situation became somewhat more manageable, allowing the warriors of the Courageous Valor Troops to start demonstrating their true abilities.

Now, they just needed a way to break through the encirclement…!

Hope glimmered in Jegal Sansan’s eyes but quickly turned to despair.

It was because black-clad figures appeared additionally from various places.

Thirty…no, fifty.

Damn it. This means they’ve doubled.

“Lady Zhuge!”

To make matters worse, the urgent shout of the archers was heard. They were out of arrows.

“Krugh!”

The tide turned, and casualties began to occur once more.

Is this truly the end?

The heavens are indifferent…

At that moment, a bizarre object leaped in.

Holding a massive…white beast’s fur… A ginseng gatherer?

Jinmu, slowly approaching the battlefield with Yang-jin, widened his eyes and tilted his head.

What is this? Why do I sense Spiritual qi?

Could there be more mutant rabbits? What a stroke of luck.

Judging by the strong qi, it seems that the rabbit, which willingly gave its skin after becoming a spiritual beast, wasn’t the only one around.

Having fully harnessed the Six Yang True qi, these creatures will be captured alive and collared.

They’ll be fed with Tianshan Snow Grass and later given to our Chung Sang and Chung Woo…

What Jinmu, who had been in high spirits, saw was the scene of an intense battle.

The ones charging with black hats were unfamiliar foes not seen in the Demonic Cult, while the others were familiar Justice sect members.

Un Am, with deer-like eyes…even Chung Sang and Chung Woo he had just envisioned.

Am I dreaming right now? Why are you appearing here?

As Jinmu blinked in disbelief, Chung Woo, who was dodging an attack with a backward roll, got his shoulder cut by a sword emitting a dark light.

My child…wounded by someone I’ve never seen before.

My child, who is ignorant but simple, foolish but steadfast. My first subordinate!

Fire sparked in Jinmu’s eyes.

Shuaaak!

As Chung Woo, whose life was hanging by a thread, grimaced, a black figure enveloped the warrior with the black hat.

Crunch, crack, thud!

“…?”

Uh… So, the sound didn’t come from his own body.

Chung Woo, who had been too preoccupied to notice anything beyond a very close range, suddenly looked at the newcomer with a dazed expression.

A man, with a familiar face, appeared clad in a net and with white fur fluttering, crushing the mysterious man in black like a tin plate…

“Sasuk!”

At Chung Woo’s shout, filled with joy, or rather, euphoria, not only Chung Sang but everyone else turned their heads abruptly.

Who could the man Chung Woo called as sasuk be?

The Sword of Wudang and Master of Evil Conquers, Jinmu.

At his appearance, which could only be described as a miraculous revival, Jegal Sansan almost collapsed from relief, barely managing to stay upright.

“Crazy! Jinmu! Long time no see! Thanks!”

Un Am was so excited that he snorted.

Jinmu, paying no attention to their greetings, hurled curses at the warrior who had injured Chung Woo.

“You wretched black bastards dare to harm my child?”

With eyes gleaming with killing intent, the frenzied dragon unleashed its dark qi without reservation, charging into their battlefield.

The warriors in black hats swung their swords, unaware of the greatest and worst misfortune that had befallen them.

Swiftly.

Towards death.