Cultivating in a Cringey Erotic Novel – Chapter 4

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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More time passed.

Today marked exactly one month since I’d entered the Mount Hua Sect.

‘I haven’t learned much, but it’s good that my body and mind are getting stronger every day.’

I looked out the window.

Spring was in full bloom.

Plum blossoms danced on the breeze.

‘It’s strange, though. Mount Hua is full of plum blossoms, yet there’s no Plum Blossom Swordsmanship.’

I smiled faintly.

Normally, the Mount Hua Sect in a murim novel would have its signature Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Swordsmanship.

But this damned smut-fest had none of that.

As an avid reader of the genre, this discrepancy created a sense of dissonance, preventing me from forming any real attachment to this version of the Mount Hua Sect.

‘But…’

Things are different now.

From this point on, since I’ve become part of the Mount Hua Sect, I need to start mentally preparing myself little by little.

So, I decided to take a walk outside and admire the plum blossoms in full bloom.

Whoosh!

A chilly spring wind brushed past me.

“Cold.”

After that brief observation, I left the still-sleeping disciples in the dormitory and set out on my morning stroll.

“…”

Stepping outside, I exhaled a puff of white breath.

It seemed everyone was still asleep.

Even the dining hall, usually bustling with activity, was quiet.

‘I guess I’ll just look at the plum blossoms.’

With a wry smile, I walked down the hallway and stepped onto the dirt path.

I gazed at the enormous plum blossom tree in the distance.

The blossoms, a mix of deep pink and pale white, were breathtakingly beautiful.

“…Since I’m out here, I might as well practice.”

Conveniently, the large plum blossom tree in the courtyard stood beside the communal training grounds.

I composed myself and picked up a sword.

‘A rusty iron sword, devoid of spirit and refinement… but whatever.’

I glanced at the sword.

It wasn’t a gleaming, radiant masterpiece, but a cheap iron sword, one of many purchased in bulk from a nearby blacksmith.

Its edge was dull, its surface caked with dirt, and its scabbard dusty.

It was a sword the Silver River Trading Company wouldn’t have given a second glance.

But it didn’t matter.

“…Heavy.”

Grip

I drew the sword from its scabbard.
Shing!

A clear ring echoed through the air.

I smiled faintly.

‘Even a commoner’s sword is still a sword.’

The primal thought that arises when holding a sword:

[Protect myself.]

That resolve must never waver.

As a person, as a man, as a martial artist…

Regardless of whose will it was…

“…That’s why I wield it.”

And I would cut down anything that stood in my way.

Cut!

Swing!

Thrust!

Sever!

“…”

That was all there was to it.

‘Clear your mind.’

Whoosh!

I began swinging the sword.

‘Focus entirely on each movement.’

Whoosh!

I swung the sword.

‘To surpass the others!’

Whoosh!

I gritted my teeth and swung the sword with fierce determination.

How much time passed?

My mouth was dry, my already-sore hands from days of practice were blistering again, and sweat dripped from the tip of my sword…

“…”

I suddenly came to my senses.

Mindlessly repeating the same three movements was driving me insane.

I sighed briefly.

“…There has to be a better way.”

I felt I should try something different instead of just blindly practicing the Three Powers Swordsmanship.

It was a rather arbitrary decision…

‘Whatever. As long as it doesn’t hinder my training.’

I nodded slowly.

As I pondered a new training method…

“Ah…! That’s it!”

I clapped my hands and looked at the plum blossoms still drifting down from the sky.

The massive plum tree in the courtyard, seemingly not yet in full bloom, continued to shed its blossoms with every gust of wind.

‘Right, there was this common training method. Cutting falling plum blossoms with a sword.’

I grinned.

I’d read about this technique somewhere.

But in this world, this method might seem reckless to others.

I didn’t care.

I was prepared to do anything to become stronger.

‘Cut the falling plum blossoms with the blade.’

I looked at the plainly decorated sword.

The blade was incredibly dull, neglected for so long that it looked like it would struggle to cut even a rotten radish, let alone a plum blossom.

It was practically a blunt weapon.

‘So, this is crazy, but…’

I chuckled.

Some might think it foolish.

Cutting flower petals with a sword wasn’t inherently reckless, but trying to do it with a rusty, dull blade was practically impossible.

Even with a sharp sword, cutting naturally falling petals was difficult.

“…”

But I had to push myself further.

I felt it instinctively.

My body was wrecked.

My arms were so sore and numb I could barely lift them.

They were bruised and purplish, like a goblin’s limbs.

“Whew…”

I took a deep breath and focused.

A wandering mind would only hinder my swordsmanship.

It was strange that I could be so single-minded, but I felt no sense of unease.

In my previous life, I’d never even held a sword.

‘It doesn’t matter. I’ll do anything to survive.’

I steadied my breathing and gazed intently at the falling plum blossoms.

Swish!

“…”

My body moved on its own.

Focusing my mind,

Gripping the sword,

Assuming my stance,

I swung the sword diagonally.

My clumsy preparatory movements almost sent me tumbling backward, but I didn’t care.

I would experience this countless times.

The aversion to harsh training was long gone.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

At some point, I started repeating the movements unconsciously.

But cutting a falling plum blossom felt impossible.

My sword was too dull, and the petals fell too quickly.

The fluttering blossoms felt like they were taunting me.

They seemed as impervious as diamonds.

“…”

Whoosh!

Still, I continued swinging my sword like a wooden puppet.

With unwavering faith that someday… someday… I would succeed.

How much time passed?

I realized I’d forgotten something.

I had no distracting thoughts, no worries, no desires.

Only the will to swing the sword remained.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

It was bizarre, bordering on insane.

I was acting like a madman.

Why?

Just a while ago, I was an ordinary person.

Was there a need to go this far?

‘…Ah.’

I pondered, then realized.

‘…This is the first time.’

I stared at my blistered palms.

‘…I’ve been so engrossed in something that I forgot about reality.’

I caressed the hilt of the sword.

The sword was wrecked beyond use, but I, its wielder, had grown stronger.

I felt a sense of… joy.

The stinging pain in my elbows, the burst blisters on my palms, the sweat dripping from the sword’s edge… even the excruciating pain of the training…

‘…It doesn’t matter. I’m enjoying it.’

Yes, being completely absorbed in this moment was enough.

A grin spread across my face.

Time continued to flow… and finally—

Slice!

“…Hmm.”

When I finally came to, the training ground was covered in plum blossoms.

Caw! Caw!

Crows cried in the distance.

Dusk had settled.

‘Thank goodness it’s a rest day…’

And—

Shift!

I looked down at my hand.

“I finally… cut it.”

I had finally achieved something.

I was overjoyed.

I had succeeded in something that anyone would consider arduous, if not impossible.

“Hahaha…”

I slowly lifted my numb arm and picked up the severed plum blossom petal.

It was split perfectly in half.

“…Heh.”

In this moment, I envied no one.

I was ecstatic.

I wanted to run home and brag.

I was utterly exhausted.

Thud!

“Haa… that was ridiculously hard.”

Fatigue hit me all at once.

I didn’t even know how much time had passed.

I just vaguely knew that my entire rest day had vanished.

“Maybe… I should sleep…”

Any signs of life around me had long since disappeared.

Even if someone approached, I didn’t care.

I hadn’t done anything suspicious.

As my vision blurred, sleep claimed me.

“…”

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