The Eldest Daughter of the Tang Clan of Sichuan Protects the Family Chapter 83

Chapter 83. Murim Alliance Martial Arts Tournant

Wudang Mountain in Hubei.

The clear spiritual energy of the green mountains pooled within Wudang's grounds. That energy, fully charged, scattered in all directions.

It was because a woman, no older than twenty, wielded her sword in the vast Wudang training ground.

The swordlight glistened in the sunlight like sword energy. Though not yet a martial artist of that caliber, her perfect stance and delicate energy control made that level feel within reach.

Wudang's rising star was overwhelming.

More than twenty senior and junior disciples rushed to spar with her, but within half a sichen (one hour), they were all forced out of the training ground.

The elders watching wore proud smiles.

One elder boasted,

“Ah, do we really need to attend this tournant? The winner will be Yeon-ah anyway.”

“Haha, it’s the blessing of the Yeon-ja generation. When those kids lead Wudang, its reputation will govern the world.”

“What good is controlling the world? It will be enough if Wudang can simply contribute its strength to completing the right path of the world.”

The Sect Leader calmly soothed them in a gentle voice, as if to appease the excited elders.

However, a loud voice shattered the calm atmosphere.

“To contribute? I think Jeom-chil, no Yeon-ah is going to seize the competition by the scruff of its neck and drag it along. Haha, when is the tournant? Let’s hurry it up. I’m trembling with anticipation.”

“...Tai Chi Sword Saint, your words are too lighthearted.”

“At tis like this, you have to be a little wild. A Wudang disciple achieved such accomplishnt through self-sacrificing effort. As her master, I should rejoice and get wild too! Sect Leader, you should lighten up for a while.”

The Tai Chi Sword Saint patted the shoulder of his grand-nephew and Sect Leader, Hyungong.

“Sect Leader, didn’t you see? That child is training with such blood-cutting effort to raise Wudang’s prestige.”

“Indeed.”

She accomplished training that no ordinary person could endure.

Of course, the person who ordered it was even less sane, but since he was right beside him, Sect Leader Hyungong could not bring himself to add that remark.

The cruel master laughed heartily, enjoying the achievents of his direct disciple.

Though she hadn’t even won yet, he already acted as if she had.

No one pointed that out.

They had seen countless martial artists and rising stars, so they could judge talent just by watching the movents, drawing out their techniques.

It was a shock comparable to the ti they saw Namgung Jin’s martial arts at the Murim Alliance Tournant five years ago.

Unlike Namgung’s heir, who was carefully nurtured by absorbing secret manuals and elixirs, this child had only properly learned martial arts from her master for three years.

Though she might have grown up eating Yeonju pills while living with the Divine Physician, her potential was still infinite.

Thinking this, Hyungong’s chest expanded despite his efforts to remain humble.

He recalled the day he first t her.

How she did not lose spirit even standing next to the Tang Clan’s Black Sky Demon, her eyes sparkling.

Once, he did not accept female disciples, but that was in the past. It was only that a few girls aspired to Wudang because of worldly rumors.

Like any sect, Wudang also valued talent and attitude most when accepting disciples.

However, this child’s talent was personally vouched for by the Black Sky Demon, and even the Tai Chi Sword Saint—who had never taken disciples in his life—showed interest, so there was no reason to refuse her.

Provided that her reason for becoming a disciple aligned with Wudang’s path.

That day, Hyungong asked the child why she wanted to learn martial arts.

The child, seemingly nervous, took a deep breath and answered.

[I want to be soone who can be a source of strength.]

[Strength?]

[Yes. Soone who naturally gives strength just by thinking about it... I want to be that kind of person.]

The child answered in a faint voice, unbefitting their age.

[I want to beco soone who advances without hesitation in achieving their goals, and who can always reach out a hand whenever fear strikes. To beco such a person, I must beco strong, and to beco strong, I need martial arts.]

It seed she was thinking of soone.

So, he couldn't help but ask.

[Hmm, are you saying you want to learn martial arts for soone else?]

It sounded as if she intended to beco a killing sword, so Hyungong beca cautious about accepting the child.

The child couldn't answer readily and looked at the Black Sky Demon. The Black Sky Demon signaled with his eyes, then suddenly avoided her gaze, as if feigning disinterest by picking his ear.

Then the child turned her gaze back to Hyungong and said firmly:

[Yes! If they are soone who reveres chivalry and justice, I want to be a source of strength for anyone. Just like the Taoist masters of Wudang!]

Though her tone was awkward, as if morized, he attributed it to nervousness.

No one doubted that such a kind face could lie.

Everyone was captivated by the purity in her clear eyes and did not object.

Perhaps gaining courage from that, the child continued her thoughts in a sowhat clumsy manner:

[If you accept as a Wudang disciple, I will definitely beco the best and devour Wudang—no, I will beco Wudang itself and widely spread Wudang's principles throughout the Central Plains!]

She even clenched her fist resolutely.

[The pride of Wudang! Indeed, Wudang is the symbol of chivalry!]

[….]

[I will do my best so that everyone thinks that way!]

Since the Tai Chi Sword Saint already liked the child, they were generally inclined to accept her, but because of her overflowing passion and proper thinking, the elders of Wudang also took a liking to the child nad Jeom-chil.

Thus, it had been three years since Jeom-chil beca a disciple of Wudang.

Not long ago, the child was even given a special Taoist na.

It was a recognition of the hard work of the Yeonju group, who instilled that righteous thought.

Yeon-ah.

Yes, I will give you everything of Wudang, so you must achieve your aspirations. Then spread Wudang’s path throughout the world and bring peace to the world.

While Hyungong felt his heart swelling with pride, the third-generation disciples, catching their breath in the training ground, were filled with impure thoughts.

Wiping sweat from her chin, Yeon-ah stared straight ahead.

She caught sight of her twenty senior brothers rolling on the training ground floor.

‘…I’ve defeated all of the Yeon-ja generation.’

Yeon-ah raised her head. Beyond Wudang Mountain, the blue sky and greenery ca into view. A clear smile spread across her lips.

But beneath the pure face, lowly thoughts filled her mind.

‘Soon, I will devour this entire Wudang.’

Though the hope of Wudang, the rising star’s eyes burned with greed, her face was so soft like tofu that it only looked like a bright expression under a good sky.

‘Please wait just a little longer. I will beco the sharpest sword you can wield when the mont you need it cos.’

The young Taoist who dread of becoming the world’s greatest killing sword adjusted her stance.

Swish.

The clean sword, which had never yet drawn blood, sheathed itself and concealed its blade.

‘Didn’t they say they would give a Hancheol if you win the Martial Arts Tournant?’

Like everyone in Wudang, Yeon-ah did not doubt that she would receive the Hancheol.

However, the elders of Wudang thought Yeon-ah would dedicate that Hancheol to Wudang, but Yeon-ah had already decided who she would give it to.

‘Should I make a flying dagger for her? Hmm, or should I sell it and give her money? She probably doesn’t need money since she has plenty… no, since she’s learning dicine, I’ll make her so acupuncture needles or scissors. I can make one more while making Grandfather Jin-cheol’s…’

Yeon-ah left lightly, heading to the training room to practice her internal energy.

Watching her back, the Tai Chi Sword Saint laughed.

“Haha, thanks to Yeon-ah, this old man will have a new treasured weapon before he dies.”

Usually, when soone won a prize at the Martial Arts Tournant, it was dedicated to the sect, and the sect would handle it. But Wudang, in appreciation of the effort to raise such an outstanding rising star, gave the prize directly to the master.

So everyone thought that if Yeon-ah dedicated the Hancheol, they would give it to the Tai Chi Sword Saint.

The elders flattered the Tai Chi Sword Saint with envious voices.

“You are fortunate to have such a good disciple.”

The people of Wudang waited for the Murim Alliance Martial Arts Tournant, building joyful misunderstandings day by day.

(T/N): LOL (≧▽≦)

***

Unlike the warm atmosphere of Wudang, Mount Hua was filled with a solemn mood.

For a while, nurous physicians had co and gone at Mount Hua, and rare dicinal ingredients arrived constantly.

It was to treat the disciple who had lost his mind due to the Blood Sect’s attack.

“The Murim Alliance Martial Arts Tournant will be held soon.”

A Taoist standing in front of the dical Hall muttered dispiritedly.

“This year, Myungdan was supposed to participate…”

Muso stood in silence, arms crossed.

At that mont, the door to the dical Hall opened, and an old monk ca out.

“Ah, I told you to stay away, so why are you here?”

The rogue monk, whose words and actions were utterly rough, scolded the Mount Hua elders who were pressed close to the door.

Muso ignored the reprimand and asked in a low voice,

“How is he?”

“After all that effort, look at your attitude?”

The rogue monk clicked his tongue and frowned.

It was completely unknown where he lived or what kind of person he was, but he had made a na for himself among wanderers with his miraculous dical skills. Using so unknown sorcery, people who had been bedridden for life would suddenly stand up under his touch, and the blind would regain their sight

Muso, feeling like he was clutching at straws, entrusted Myungdan to that old monk, but he felt uneasy.

“Is he conscious?”

When Muso asked again, the rogue monk stepped aside.

“See for yourself.”

With that unfriendly remark, the elders of Mount Hua entered the hall. The old monk chuckled and added,

“Rember, you promised to pay double the treatnt fee if his mind fully returns!”

Clack.

It was the mont the door was pushed open.

Muso and the elders of Mount Hua stopped moving imdiately.

Because Myungdan had gotten up from the bed and was wearing his martial uniform. Myungdan fixed the sword at his waist and looked up to gaze at Muso.

A smile spread across Myungdan’s lips.

He imdiately clasped his hands together and bowed respectfully.

“Greetings, Master.”

“…….”

“Myungdan…”

The two could not easily speak in disbelief at the sight.

The sharpness in his eyes.

The confident expression etched onto his clean face.

The rising star of Mount Hua, whom they cherished, had returned.

Muso looked at Myungdan and replied briefly,

“It seems you’ve regained your senses. You worked hard.”

“It’s all thanks to Master.”

“Yes. Get so more rest.”

Before finishing his words, Muso stepped outside.

An old monk stood with one leg bent in front of the hall. He smiled as if expecting Muso to co running out.

Muso abandoned his previous attitude and bowed his head to him.

“Thank you. I don’t know how to repay this kindness…”

“Money.”

“Of course. I’ll pay double the promised treatnt fee plus travel expenses.”

“That will do.”

As Muso lifted his head, the old monk scratched his ear.

“I’m busy, so please pay as soon as possible.”

“May I ask where you’re headed? I’d like to thank you properly soday.”

“I have no fixed place to stay. I just go wherever my feet take . I heard there’s a Martial Arts Tournant soon in Hubei, so I plan to go watch that. Heh heh, I have a good eye, so I’m quite skilled at martial arts gambling.”

“…….”

“Naturally, make sure it’s in cash. If you give so shoddy promissory notes, I’ll be greatly disappointed.”

“……I’ll make sure to give it to you in cash.”

The old monk, looking very satisfied, took a thick stack of cash and left Mount Hua.

Muso was overwheld with mixed feelings.

He wondered if it was right to give the old monk gambling money for the Martial Arts Tournant when the Murim Alliance prohibited it. But he couldn’t take away the treatnt fee from his benefactor, so there was no choice.

An elder comforted the sighing Muso.

“Do you know how much trouble we had finding that old monk? Don’t worry. He’ll never get caught.”

“Is that supposed to be comforting?”

“Ahem. By the way, Senior Brother, you should check on Myungdan. He’s already causing a fuss, saying he wants to train hard and definitely win the Martial Arts Tournant. I’m worried he might injure himself.”

"Do you think sothing like that will really harm him?"

Even as he said that, Muso turned his steps toward the dical Hall. Judging by his attitude, it seed he had no intention to let Myungdan train for a while.

The elder clicked his tongue, watching the Senior Brother, whose words and actions did not match.

“Tsk, tsk, seeing you act like this just because he regained his senses, it’s obvious how you must have acted when Myungdan first recovered. You probably just handed her the token and left.

At those words, Muso’s lips twitched slightly. His younger brother, pleased, didn’t stop teasing Muso.

"Receiving a token of gratitude from the Plum Blossom Sword Master of Great Mount Hua, Muso. That child is lucky. Even if she beats up a few of our Mount Hua disciples at the tournant, it won’t be a problem."

"She’s not that kind of person. Don’t make such careless jokes."

"Yes, yes."

Muso replied coldly, and his younger brother laughed as he stepped back.

Beneath the cloudy hall, a pleasant laugh spread.

***

The old monk descending from the mountain looked back.

Above the steep cliff, the massive foundation of the Taoist sect was visible.

"Foolish ones."

He grinned faintly and re-tied his bundle. His money pouch slipped, brushing against the old monk’s prayer beads. The weight was so heavy that the gold plating on the beads wore off.

The prayer beads, revealing their true color like blood-filled orbs, glittered amidst the greenery of Mount Hua.