Cultivating in a Cringey Erotic Novel – Chapter 12

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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More time passed.

I’d grown accustomed to cultivating in my private training room, a welcome change from sleeping under blankets in the cold dormitory.

I swung my sword.

Whoosh!

‘The essence of the Azure River Swordsmanship lies in the principles of the heavy sword.’

I stared at the tip of my blade, lost in thought.

I’d spent the past few days honing the new techniques I’d received.

I’d deepened my internal energy with the Ten Stages Heart Technique, enhanced my speed and stamina with the White Cloud Steps, and mastered the Azure River Swordsmanship, if not to its ultimate level, then at least to a satisfactory degree.

‘A heavy sword-focused style, despite being a Mount Hua technique… quite interesting.’

I nodded with satisfaction.

It was a refreshing change from the other techniques, which focused solely on swiftness and elegance.

As expected of a high-level technique, it offered far more insights than the Three Powers Swordsmanship.

‘Not that the Three Powers Swordsmanship is useless, but limiting it to horizontal cuts, vertical cuts, and thrusts was a bit much…’

I grimaced.

I’d now learned several sword techniques: the Three Powers Swordsmanship, the Azure River Swordsmanship, and…

‘…the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship.’

I looked at my sword, which held no scent or color.

I’d grasped the basic principles of the Plum Blossom Swordsmanship, but hadn’t fully mastered it yet.

The details were still hazy.

But time was on my side.

I could afford to be patient.

‘I can become even stronger.’

That thought was comforting.

I’d reached the level of a second-generation disciple.

The probationary disciples I used to train with now treated me with a certain distance.

It was amusing.

My behavior towards them hadn’t changed, but theirs had.

I was lost in thought when—

“…Why are you so lost in thought that you didn’t even notice me until I was right next to you?”

“…You’re here.”

Seol Ah-yeon grumbled.

I chuckled.

Our relationship had improved significantly.

She no longer pestered me constantly.

We now trained together occasionally, treating each other with mutual respect.

‘Well, she still bothers me sometimes…’

But it was a vast improvement.

I smiled faintly and stood up.

Seol Ah-yeon watched me, then asked,

“Don’t you ever get tired of it?”

“Tired of what?”

“This constant, rigorous training. Even I couldn’t keep up with this kind of effort…”

She trailed off.

I considered her question, then replied,

“Because my goal isn’t to be just ‘strong enough.’”

“…What?”

“If you find joy in the training itself, then your words are just excuses.”

“…”

She looked at me as if I was crazy.

I shrugged.

I’d only spoken the truth.

While the grueling training wasn’t exactly enjoyable, I focused on the results.

‘If I become strong enough, my will shall be like a mountain, and I can achieve anything.’

Then, even the heavens would be beneath my feet.

It was still a distant dream, but… I cleared my throat and asked,

“…Anyway, what did you want?”

“Hehe. I just wanted to spar.”

“…You? That’s unusual.”

I looked at her with a slightly skeptical expression.

She seemed to bristle at my tone.

“What, what! Are you saying I don’t care about getting stronger?”

“No, that’s not…”

“Hmph!”

I trailed off.

She turned her head away, sulking.

I sighed briefly.

‘Why not ask one of the other senior disciples…?’

She was truly talented at being annoying.

But I knew that upsetting her would only lead to more trouble.

I resigned myself to her request.

“…I suppose a spar would be beneficial.”

“…Hmm?”

“Yes. I’ve been feeling a bit… stuck with my swordsmanship lately. I feel a little lost.”

That was a lie.

I wasn’t feeling stuck with the Azure River Swordsmanship.

But it was the easiest way to appease her.

My words seemed to pique her interest.

A small smile played on her lips.

She cleared her throat.

“Ahem! T-Then let’s do that.”

“…Alright.”

I reluctantly followed her to the training grounds.

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“Haha! It seems Ah-yeon is quite fond of you.”

“…Please don’t say that.”

“Hehehe. The Mu Gyeong Clan Leader seems to have taken an interest in you as well. Perhaps I should arrange a meeting? I can put in a good word for you.”

“…Please don’t. The thought alone makes me shudder.”

I shook my head.

Myeong-ryong-geom clicked his tongue.

“There are those who would do anything for a chance to speak with a beauty like Ah-yeon, yet you seem completely uninterested… I’m starting to worry you’re practicing celibacy.”

“That’s not the case…”

I replied.

While his concern was understandable, my priorities were different.

‘Romance is a luxury I can’t afford until I reach a certain level of skill.’

I recalled the resolve I’d felt after arriving in this damned smut-fest.

I didn’t want to live like this world’s protagonist, indiscriminately chasing women and indulging in meaningless flings.

While I couldn’t avoid interacting with women entirely, I had no desire to embarrass myself by flaunting my supposed prowess in the “union of yin and yang.”

‘Besides, getting involved with Seol Ah-yeon would only complicate things within the Mount Hua Sect.’

While Seol Ah-yeon was interested in me, I didn’t think it was romantic.

Our relationship was good, even beneficial, but it wasn’t romantic.

“Hmm… We’ve reached the village without realizing it. I lost track of time while talking with you.”

“…Whew.”

I wiped the sweat from my brow.

The long descent from the mountain had tired my legs.

This was part of my training.

Myeong-ryong-geom often took me on excursions around Mount Hua to hone my lightness skills and footwork.

‘This is my first time coming down to the county.’

I looked around with interest.

We were in Soyang County, a town of moderate size.

Myeong-ryong-geom, who had been pacing near the village entrance, noticed the setting sun and sighed.

“Hmm… it seems we’ll have to spend the night in the village.”

“…In Soyang County?”

“Yes. The sun is setting. We might encounter wild animals if we try to climb back up to the sect now.”

“I suppose we have no choice.”

He chuckled and suggested,

“We haven’t eaten anything all day. Why don’t we find an inn?”

“That’s an excellent idea.”

I nodded.

He led the way.

His steps seemed strangely familiar.

I couldn’t help but ask,

“…Have you been to an inn around here before?”

“…”

He paused, then said pointedly,

“Don’t tell the other elders.”

“…Alright.”

I found it slightly amusing, but I played along.

Even a Mount Hua elder was allowed to enjoy a drink at an inn.

Unlike the more austere sects, Mount Hua was relatively relaxed about such things.

“Here we are. Let’s go in.”

“…”

We arrived at a building that looked like an inn.

I couldn’t help but lick my lips in anticipation.

‘…It’s been a while since I’ve had a proper meal in a secular establishment.’

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