Chapter 161. The Essence of Hidden Strife (1)
“Hm? Ok Cheong?”
“Ah…… long time no see.”
“Long time? It’s only been a day.”
“Is that so……?”
A puzzled look settled on Yeoguk’s face.
“Why the long face? Something wrong?”
“Nothing.”
His pale complexion and trembling hands painted quite the picture. It was so obvious something was up that it almost made one wonder if it truly was nothing.
“What’s going on? Anyway, have you heard? Commander Yeon broke through to Mujongjibyeok. Ha! I knew he was impressive, but now it seems he’s a monster……”
“……”
“Hmm, you look exhausted. Go rest inside.”
“……I don’t deserve rest.”
What the hell is this now?
Yeoguk usually minded his own business, but Ok Cheong’s expression was too grave to ignore.
Yeoguk asked, “Tell me. What’s wrong?”
“It seems……”
“Seems what?”
Ok Cheong finally let out a heavy sigh.
“I think I joined the Myeol Sa Army for nothing.”
“Huh?”
Yeoguk stared at him in shock. Ok Cheong might seem mild-mannered, but few in the Myeol Sa Army matched his passion—for training, for missions. Skill aside, he worked harder than most. So what was this out-of-nowhere nonsense?
Ok Cheong rubbed his forehead.
“No helping it. I need to see the Commander.”
“What……”
“Later.”
With that, Ok Cheong bolted off. Straight toward Pa Gun Pavilion, the Yeon family residence among the Six Great Sects’ quarters.
Yeoguk smacked his lips.
“What the hell’s gotten into him?”
* * *
Seung Hyeon Jin-in didn’t seem to notice the gate guards at all. He looked ready to smash through the doors of Pa Gun Pavilion any second.
In the end, Yeon Hojeong stepped forward.
“You?”
“Myeol Sa Army Commander. Here to see the Wudang Sect Leader.”
Yeon Hojeong offered a polite cupped-fist salute.
The flush of anger faded from Seung Hyeon Jin-in’s face, returning to its normal hue. Seeing the man himself had calmed him down.
Hm.
Regaining his composure, Seung Hyeon could now focus fully on the young man before him. His eyes widened.
“Hah.”
Yeon Hojeong asked calmly, “To what do I owe the visit?”
He wanted to tell the man to leave, but couldn’t—not against someone like this. Seung Hyeon was Ok Cheong’s senior brother and the giant leading Wudang in this generation. Crucially, he was a Mu Rim Meng Bonggong, just like Yeon Hojeong’s father. Unless tensions escalated beyond reason, basic courtesy was in order.
“You’re Commander Yeon?”
“Yes.”
“Hah, hah.”
Seung Hyeon made strange sounds—admiration or lament, hard to tell—before finally speaking.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m the current Wudang Sect Leader. They call me Seung Hyeon.”
“I know.”
His manners were impeccable, laced with a subtle ease. His clear eyes and relaxed posture exuded flexibility.
Seung Hyeon felt a twinge of unease inwardly.
Is it the rest? Or has his martial realm advanced……?
He seemed far more human now. Yeon Hojeong had brushed past him once in Musungjeon during his return report. Back then, a fierce killing intent clung to him—from slaying countless foes, knowingly or not.
But not anymore.
Such deep, clear eyes. It’s been ages since I’ve seen any like them.
Even on sacred Wudang Mountain, the Taoist haven, few had eyes so pure.
Seung Hyeon glanced aside. Far off stood an awkward-looking woman. Not quite Yeon Hojeong’s level, but impressive for her age—and her eyes were even clearer.
She’s the Myeol Sa Army Vice Commander, right?
He’d come in a huff, but seeing these two with their pure gazes restored his equilibrium.
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head. “Something wrong?”
“Hmm.”
He had plenty to say, but facing the man made words stick in his throat. Seung Hyeon sighed at last.
“Might I trouble you for a cup of tea?”
“Of course. Come in.”
Moments later, the two sat across a table in Yeon Hojeong’s room. Time to speak.
Seung Hyeon cut straight to it. “I came about Ok Cheong, my junior brother.”
“Ok Cheong?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Hojeong tilted his head. “Is something wrong with him?”
“I think so.”
Seung Hyeon’s eyes deepened.
“I checked his martial arts after ages. He’d changed astonishingly—truly grasping Wudang’s profound truths. From a path of rigid form practice seeking the Dao, he now carried a warrior’s scent.”
“Good news, then.”
“Yes, good—if that’s where it ended.”
Only then did Yeon Hojeong grasp what Seung Hyeon wanted to say.
“It’s the killing intent in his martial arts, isn’t it?”
“Exactly.”
Seung Hyeon’s face hardened.
“Not a simple shift. Every stance and strike targeted vital points and arteries—extreme killing techniques.”
“I imagine so.”
An odd reply. It sounded like he’d expected as much.
Seung Hyeon’s gaze sharpened.
“It’s fortunate he hasn’t lost Wudang’s essence despite that killer’s edge. But as the saying goes, if the Dao rises an inch, the Devil rises a foot. Cultivating such bloodied arts risks losing Wudang’s innate immortal aura.”
“Could be.”
Another odd reply. Seung Hyeon’s neck flushed red. The calm from moments ago gave way to rising heat.
“I know Ok Cheong. No matter the hellish trials, he’s not the type to cultivate such arts.”
“I agree. At first, I saw a lazy genius trapped by preconceptions, but he’s purely suited to the immortal path.”
“Yes.”
Seung Hyeon paused, then asked directly, “Did you remake his arts?”
“Yes.”
The expected answer. But so straightforward, it left Seung Hyeon speechless.
Staring at Yeon Hojeong, he said, “You know the one who taught Ok Cheong was our sect’s greatest elder, the Sword Immortal revered by all?”
“I do.”
“People change with their environment. If Ok Cheong altered it himself under any master, I’d understand.”
“……”
“But his change came from someone else’s forceful teaching……”
“Sorry to interrupt, but what exactly do you want to say to me?”
A bold question. Surprisingly, Seung Hyeon struggled to respond.
Take Ok Cheong away? Impossible. Once he joined the Myeol Sa Army, only the Commander decided his fate. The Bonggong Council had acknowledged it—no room for Seung Hyeon to meddle now.
Still, he believed Yeon Hojeong’s methods were problematic.
“Did it have to be that way?”
Yeon Hojeong smiled faintly. Seung Hyeon pressed on.
“The Myeol Sa Army earned great merit. Thanks to you and your troops’ efforts. I understand killer arts aid survival in desperate battles. But……”
“You mean long-term, it could cause major harm.”
“Yes.”
“Then let Wudang’s elders handle that.”
“What?”
Yeon Hojeong’s eyes gleamed.
“They’re better for survival in hell. That alone justified teaching them real combat and killing methods. Long-term growth? From my position, it’s worthless.”
“……!”
“The Myeol Sa Army had to achieve merit. But merit requires living troops. Even without merit, they can’t die.”
Yeon Hojeong smiled.
“Most didn’t join willingly, so their safety comes first for me. Yet as an independent elite unit, merit is mandatory. In this contradiction, sharpening their blades was my only choice.”
That’s why he’d watched their fights with uncharacteristic tension. And it would continue—until they saw the Myeol Sa Army as their own sect, their family.
And even after, he’d watch ceaselessly. He’d promised no meaningless deaths.
……
Disquiet crossed Seung Hyeon’s face as he regarded Yeon Hojeong.
So that’s it.
He’d come to argue many points. But Yeon Hojeong’s firm words turned the mirror on him.
The Commander cherishes his men in his own way.
Obvious, really. Yet he’d stormed here over Ok Cheong’s fierce arts. His usual self wouldn’t have.
Leading Wudang wasn’t about raw power.
Seung Hyeon said honestly, “I failed to see far, wide, and deep—as unbecoming of Wudang’s leader.”
He rose, saluting with a bow.
“What more can I say? Your choice came after deep thought. My ignorance led to this rudeness. I apologize.”
No light gesture. Yeon Hojeong stood and bowed in return.
“No need. It’s understandable cause for concern.”
Seung Hyeon smiled. Even seemingly polite words carried deep sincerity—proof he cared.
“Ok Cheong’s a good kid. Keeping purity at his age is hard for anyone. That’s why all our Taoists cherish him.”
His eyes misted with affection for the youngest junior.
Yeon Hojeong shook his head.
“When the Myeol Sa Army disbands someday, I’ll strip away the killing arts I taught him as much as possible.”
“I’d be grateful. Though I can’t imagine how.”
Seung Hyeon burst into laughter.
A situation that could’ve soured relations had instead strengthened them—thanks to Yeon Hojeong’s resolve and Seung Hyeon’s flexibility.
That’s human relations for you. Know when to yield, when to push; reflect on your words and deeds.
A good man.
Yeon Hojeong felt a quiet fondness for Seung Hyeon. He liked those who looked after their own and upright sages. Seung Hyeon embodied both.
Grown under such care, Ok Cheong won’t stray.
Then—
“By the way.”
“Yes?”
“To influence even the minutest fist and sword-palm forms so precisely requires deep Wudang knowledge.”
“……Ah, well.”
“Tell me.”
Seung Hyeon asked with a mischievous grin.
“How much did you steal?”
The conversation’s reins had flipped.