Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Cultivation Through Copulation.

Episode 15: Beginner Techniques.

Yuk-gyeong bowed his head and answered in response to the deacon’s malicious assignment.

For now, I need to keep watching. So far, all he’s done is assign me an unpleasant task.

“No, I don’t.”

It’s wiser to stay out of the storm.

There were too many risks to simply refuse and confront him.

It seems like he’s hoping for that anyway. It’s clear insubordination, so it would be a pretext for punishment.

Assigning tasks is the deacon’s exclusive right, so if I get disciplined for insubordination, I’ll only feel unjust.

Yuk-gyeong handled it wisely.

The deacon snorted as if bored and continued speaking.

“Then I’ll distribute the rest of the tasks. Bang Seon-yang, you clean the medicine residues from the Medicine Hall. Yuk Myung-ho, you go to the cooking division and make rice. Jang Mun-yeol, you clean the mountain gate. Yu Yeong-yeong, you are the servant of the inner disciples. Stand by so you can go immediately when the inner disciples call for you.”

“Yes.”

The deacon, having distributed the tasks, stood up and rummaged through the shelf.

Then he took out five old books from there. The books were so old that the paper was nearly worn out, and they were stained from frequent handling.

“These are technique manuals. You must learn and master them while you’re doing your chores. Take one each.”

The deacon handed out the technique manuals. The beginner disciples lined up to receive one manual each. Yuk-gyeong also received one.

The technique manual titled ‘Taiyi Celestial Whisper Scripture’ was heavily marked with fingerprints, as if it had been passed around by many people. The book had a slightly greasy sheen, indicating it had been circulated for more than a day or two.

The technique manual had a name that sounded impressive, so I quietly asked Yeong-yeong if the Dark Moon Sect was really so impressive that they’re distributing such a great technique to the new disciples?

Yeong-yeong said it wasn’t. This was just a basic technique with a fancy name.

The basic technique, Taiyi Celestial Whisper Scripture, includes fundamental methods of breathing and physiognomy, allowing one to hear celestial whispers of the Dao when one practices according to the principles of the Taiyi.

What this means is drawing power from the source of the Emperor Star1 to achieve enlightenment about the origin of all things and, from there, hear a mystical voice… Whatever that means.

Just reading the introduction is making me lose my mind.

Skipping the introduction, I opened the technique section and it read, ‘The way of the world may differ, but the destination is the same… Celestial whispers are to be heard. To be harmonized… For breathing, the first breath is deep, the second breath is…’

‘Wow…this is complicated. What does this even mean?’

The breathing method was described in great detail, specifying which breath to take through the nose, which through the mouth, where to place the tongue, and how to observe inside the nose, all in very minute detail.

Reading this, Yuk-gyeong realized how absurd his previous attempts at the breathing method were when he sat cross-legged, thinking he was practicing it.

This breathing technique thing doesn’t seem to be just about breathing, it feels like some bizarre training.

As the novice disciples were poring over the technique manual they received, the deacon grew angry.

“Now that you received it, get lost! You all look hopeless. If you’re late again, I won’t let it slide. From today, start your assigned duties! A servant will come to guide you to your quarters!”

The deacon shouted, driving all the novice disciples out.

The expelled novice disciples stood bewildered in front of the deacon’s office.

Among them, the Two Spiritual Root holder, Mun-yeol’s, face turned red with anger, huffing and puffing. For someone who likes to be recognized, it seemed being scolded by the Servant Hall Deacon was quite infuriating.

Moreover, he kept glancing at Yuk-gyeong with resentment, genuinely believing that Yuk-gyeong was the reason for their tardiness.

Did he fool himself with his own lie? How foolish!

Yuk-gyeong had no intention of pointing that out.

With his face flushed, Mun-yeol stomped back to the dormitory.

The remaining two kids, Sun-yang and Myeong-ho, hesitated before returning to the dormitory. At least they seemed to know that it wasn’t Yuk-gyeong’s fault that they were late.

Only Yeong-yeong, who hadn’t yet returned to the dormitory, remained to express anger on Yuk-gyeong’s behalf. She seemed quite upset with the deacon.

“Toilet cleaning, really. How can they assign such a task? Especially to a talent with a Single Spiritual Root. Toilet cleaning isn’t typically an assignment for novice disciples….”

I see. No wonder Yeong-yeong didn’t mention toilet cleaning beforehand.

Though cleaning toilets was indeed unpleasant, Yeong-yeong seemed more concerned. Why? Is there something else about toilet cleaning?

“I do dislike toilet cleaning…but you seem quite upset. Is there more to it than just being an unpleasant task?”

Yeong-yeong looked at Yuk-gyeong with a sympathetic expression and answered.

“Toilet cleaning is not only dirty but also earns the least merit points. While you do get more free time, if you don’t earn enough merit points here, you’ll have less time to cultivate at the main sect. It’s better to cultivate there than here, so toilet cleaning is the opposite.”

Cleaning the toilet is filthy and earns few merit points? Damn it! It’s just like saying the work is hard, but the pay is low!

When Yuk-gyeong was Han Sang-sik, the thing he hated most was hard work that didn’t pay well. Because he always had to do such work.

They gave a pittance of a salary but expected more work than anyone else. Yuk-gyeong really hated that.

Yuk-gyeong asked,

“If I enter the Sect with few merit points, will there be any reprimand?”

“There’s no such thing, but if your cultivation speed is slow, it’s hard to meet a good master. Since cultivation speed is closely related to talent and comprehension, even if you possess a Single Spiritual Root, a difference in speed can lower your evaluation.”

So,

Cleaning the toilet is dirty, earns few merit points, and becomes an obstacle when forming a master-disciple bond later?

This is getting messier than I thought.

The current problem is bad, but the future problem is even worse. The toilet cleaning task is a hurdle now, but it will become a bigger snowball and explode like a bomb later.

No matter how much I had to take the blame for being late, assigning me with such a malicious task is too much.

Yuk-gyeong sensed a deeper malice in this. It wasn’t just about making him suffer; it smelled of a deeper conspiracy. Not the smell of dung. Something more sinister.

It seemed he couldn’t shake off the feeling that the inner disciple who glared at him during the entrance exam was involved. His instincts told him he was right.

It felt like that inner disciple exerted some pressure internally to have the Servant Hall Deacon harass Yuk-gyeong….

Otherwise, why would a deacon, who had no prior acquaintance with him, assign a task not originally given to new disciples, specifically to Yuk-gyeong?

Yuk-gyeong cursed the pompous-looking disciple he saw back then.

No wonder he looked like an asshole, he acts like one too!

Last night, I was worried about the future of the Dark Moon Sect, but now I have to worry about my own future.

Of all people, I ended up getting tangled with that disciple. He must belong to a great family as well.

How am I supposed to get through this ordeal?

Oh well, whatever. It’ll work out somehow.

Yeong-yeong worried about Yuk-gyeong for quite a while.

Even though nothing changed, Yuk-gyeong thought it was nice to have someone who would get angry for him.

First, let’s go clean the toilet.

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Yuk-gyeong should have gone to clean the toilet.

But where Yuk-gyeong was now was not a toilet, but some kind of grand hall.

Inside a very spacious building.

The feeling of suddenly being teleported from outside to inside a building was quite strange. Amazing yet frightening?

Then a voice came from inside.

“Single Spiritual Root holder, come here.”

Yuk-gyeong was completely bewildered.

He was definitely going to clean the toilet when suddenly a gust of wind blew and he found himself in some grand and majestic hall.

The interior of the hall was antique and spacious. The furniture filling the inside was simple yet looked luxurious, and at a glance, they didn’t seem like ordinary antiques.

Yuk-gyeong kept looking around in confusion.

What on earth is going on? I was definitely at the Servant Hall… After being swept away by the gust, I opened my eyes to find myself in such a grand place. What kind of ghostly trick is this?

As Yuk-gyeong couldn’t gather his thoughts, the voice became clearer, gently urging him.

“Single Spiritual Root holder Yuk-gyeong. If you’re done sightseeing, come here.”

The urging voice seemed to possess a strange power, as if it was knocking directly on Yuk-gyeong’s mind to awaken him.

Only then did Yuk-gyeong come to his senses and head towards the source of the voice calling him.

The voice calling Yuk-gyeong was faint. However, due to the structure that amplified the voice in the hall, it sounded as if it was etched onto Yuk-gyeong’s ears.

As Yuk-gyeong approached the source of the voice, he saw something resembling a coffin. Should he call it a coffin? Or a bed?

There lay an old man, so emaciated and thin that it was doubtful whether he was even alive.

But the voice had undoubtedly come from there.

Yuk-gyeong cautiously moved closer.

“My appearance is quite something, isn’t it? But don’t worry. I’m not a corpse on the brink of death. I’m still quite spry.”

Eek!

Honestly, it was impolite, but he was startled.

A corpse, a corpse is speaking!

As Yuk-gyeong hesitated and stepped back, the old man, who looked like a corpse ready for a funeral, laughed heartily, even gasping for breath. Seeing his chest rise and fall vigorously, he didn’t seem like someone who would soon be a corpse. Maybe not spry, but quite active.

The old man on the bed continued speaking with a voice still tinged with laughter.

“A young man startled by the sight of this old body? Your heart is weak, so weak. Ha ha ha.”

Oh dear, anyone would be surprised to see a talking corpse. Yuk-gyeong grumbled inwardly.

“Disciple Lee Yuk-gyeong, greets the elder2.”

The old man, having finally calmed his laughter, coughed dryly for a moment before introducing himself.

“I am Mu-ga, holding a minor position at the Dark Moon Sect. You may call me Old Man Mu.”

“Yes, Elder Mu.”

Holding a minor position, you say? Lying here in such a nice place and calling it a minor position? It seems like a lie at first glance.

Judgin by Yuk-gyeong’s intuition, this elder named Mu seems like someone who holds an important position within the sect. Given that he’s lying in such a fine chamber and claiming to hold a position, it must be an important one.

“I called you not for anything else, but I apologize for the sudden summon. I have something to tell you.”

“Please go ahead. I am listening.”

The old man smiled warmly at Yuk-gyeong’s polite tone.

“The deacon assigned you a task in the Servant Hall, right? You don’t need to worry about that. It’s absurd for someone of your caliber to go through an adaptation period in the Servant Hall, don’t you think?”

“I do not harbor such arrogant thoughts. If it is something I must do, then I will.”

“Hehe, then would you like to try cleaning the toilets thoroughly?”

The old man’s voice was full of mischief. Yuk-gyeong could sense that he had scored points with this old man, as his humble words seemed to warm the old man’s heart.

“Well, if it can be avoided, I would prefer not to….”

“Hahaha! It’s been so long since I laughed like this. It’s amusing. How about occasionally visiting and keeping this old man company? No, I can’t bring a young friend like you to such a musty place.”

Musty? This place is spotless and quite nice!

Moreover, the old man, who seems to hold an important position, is shrouded in mystery. I feel an urge to build a rapport with him.

“If you don’t find me bothersome, I’d like to occasionally visit and keep you company.”

“Hahaha. There’s no need for that. I appreciate the sentiment. You truly are a humble young man suited for the path of immortality.”

“You flatter me.”

Are you listening, the gentleman outside the mountain gate who said I lacked immortal fate? Even this mysterious old man of riddles says I’m suited for the path.

Yuk-gyeong smiled contentedly, recalling the middle-aged man who probably wouldn’t even remember Yuk-gyeong. Indeed, I am suited for the path of immortality.

The old man, surnamed Mu, looked at Yuk-gyeong warmly, like a grandfather next door, and spoke.

“Forget about cleaning the toilets. You just need to go to the place I designate every day to train.”

“Training?”

“The path of immortality is a road of persistent training. Surely you’re not afraid of solitary practice? Consider it a privilege prepared by the Sect for someone as diligent as you.”

Yuk-gyeong shook his head.

“I’m not afraid of the training. I’m just concerned that such privileges might cause envy among others.”

You know, those envious looks towards successful people or those receiving special treatment. Yuk-gyeong wasn’t afraid of that. It was just a matter of courtesy. Privileges are great, training is great.

As if the old man had anticipated this thought, he replied.

“Officially, you’ll be seen as doing the chores assigned to you. But in truth, you’ll be training within the Sect. This way, there won’t be any envious eyes. How about it? Does this work for you?”

“This disciple will follow Elder Mu’s guidance.”

“You sure know how to answer well. Now off you go. This old man is tired from talking too much. Once you leave, focus on your training. Don’t get distracted by other things.”

Once again, a fierce wind blew, sweeping Yuk-gyeong away to somewhere. It seemed as if he was returning to the Servant Hall dormitory.

In the wake of the passing gale, a glimpse of the pavilion outside the building appeared.

‘Elder Hall’.

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Oh, this is exhausting.

Yuk-gyeong was tasked with cleaning the toilet, but due to what happened at the Elder Hall, he didn’t actually clean it. Instead, he spent a few minutes there pretending to clean after training somewhere else.

However, Yuk-gyeong admitted that cleaning the toilet was horrendous. It was understandable why Yeong-yeong made such a fuss and got angry. Even though he just pretended to work and stayed near the toilet, it felt like the smell lingered on him.

After finishing his act of cleaning and returning to the dormitory, Yuk-gyeong felt as if he smelled of dung, so he hurriedly went to the well to wash himself once more.

No matter how much I wash, it still seems to linger.

Scooping dung was not only filthy but also exhausting.

If I had actually cleaned the toilet, it would have been reasonable to protest, wouldn’t it? Such a thought crossed his mind. It would have been a justified defiance.

If he had actually been tasked with cleaning the toilet, what kind of routine would he have had to follow?

Cleaning the toilet involved thoroughly cleaning the three outhouses in the Servant Hall once a day. He would clean one, take a good rest, then clean another, rest again, and finally take care of the last one.

But then, what’s the point of resting? Since it’s a task with few merit points, that would mean that by the time he enters the main sect, he would be starting behind the others.

Upon hearing about cleaning the toilet, he learned that if an outer disciple doesn’t advance to an inner disciple within the designated period of 20 years, they would be expelled from the outer sect and have to manage an inn run by the Dark Moon Sect or work as an outer deacon.

This is how the Dark Moon Sect prevents the outer sect from becoming overcrowded with too many disciples.

What kind of sect has a cultivation level-up time attack? This is harsh, really harsh.

And to think that I have to waste my limited time cleaning toilets.

Wouldn’t it be terrible if I actually had to do it?

Ugh, and I have to do this again tomorrow. I need to at least pretend to go to the toilet tomorrow.

Enough. Why worry about tomorrow’s tasks today? Tomorrow will come with its own problems.

Let’s focus on training, on training.

I’m a cultivator, not a toilet cleaner. It’s better to think about cultivation than waste. What smell? I’m just glad I don’t have to clean the toilets.

Yuk-gyeong steeled his resolve.

In the world of xianxia, strength is everything. No wonder even the protagonists in novels say they can only rely on their cultivation level.

Yuk-gyeong took out the basic technique, Taiyi Celestial Whisper Scripture, which the deacon distributed in the morning. In the afternoon, he pretended to clean the toilets and couldn’t bring himself to look at the basic technique to clear his mind.

Yuk-gyeong wanted to skip the lengthy preface and dive straight into the main techniques.

Let’s see…

Taiyi is the source of all things. When Taiyi incarnates, it is the Heavenly Emperor, and the Heavenly Emperor governs all things… The Emperor Star… The source of all things…

My head is spinning, my head is spinning.

If I try to interpret it well, I might understand, but it seems like it would take too long to interpret this.

Yuk-gyeong’s head started to hurt.

Isn’t there an easy and simple way to train, like unwrapping candy, without all the hassle of interpreting?

Yuk-gyeong sighed and buried his nose back into the technique manual.

As he tried to read the technique manual closely to interpret it…

Huh? There’s a comment attached?

TL/N: Also known as the Zi Wei Star, or Emperor Purple Star ↩️

TL/N: The word elder he is using here refers to an old person, not as an elder in a sect ↩️