Chapter 118
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Wudang Sect Leader
-----------------------------------------------------------------
While following the mountain gate disciples up to the peak of Wudang, Yu Hyun had to endure the unkind stares pouring his way the entire time.
Yu Hyun grumbled excitedly to himself.
Damn, how the hell was I supposed to know?
If you're one of Wudang's big shots, shouldn't you be striding around in a proper Taiji robe with one or two attendant boys trailing behind, looking all stern and dignified? Who the hell would recognize a beggar fortune-teller scraping by on the roadside?
And why the hell did he have to scam that bastard Museong? Out of pity for the poor suckers who'd been fleeced?
Even so, a bigwig from Wudang pulling cons? Scams, for crying out loud.
No matter how he chewed it over, this was all Okyun's fault for confusing everyone.
"Wait here."
"......"
The mountain gate disciple who had escorted him spoke curtly, then climbed the stairs.
Samcheong Hall, a grand palace built atop an enormous stone platform.
It wasn't part of the Eight Palaces, so it usually stood empty, but it was still one of Wudang Sect's main halls and the place where elder-level leaders held their meetings.
The disciple who had gone inside came back out, spotted the late-joining Three Dragons, and finally grumbled.
"The rest of you wait here. Only the Latent Dragon Captain is to enter."
"Yes."
Leaving the Three Dragons outside, Yu Hyun entered Samcheong Hall alone.
The first thing to catch his eye was the massive wooden statue on the far wall.
Before it sat several elderly men of clear, refined bearing, dressed in Daoist robes and cloaks emblazoned with sharp Taiji patterns. They hunched slightly with age, lined up in a row and waiting.
They were the veteran Daoists who, alongside the Sect Leader, decided Wudang's major and minor affairs.
They had clearly been waiting with tea in hand, having been informed in advance by the mountain gate during the earlier commotion—and since an appointment had been set.
The elderly Daoist in the center greeted him calmly.
"Come in. I am Cheonghwa, Sect Leader of Wudang, who has dealings in the martial world."
"......"
Yu Hyun stared at him, the phrase "immortal winds and Daoist bones" springing unbidden to mind, forgetting even to return the greeting as his thoughts wandered.
Wudang. One of the Two Pillars of the orthodox sects, reigning alongside Shaolin.
Like other Daoist sects, Wudang's Daoists divided into two broad types based on their pursuits.
Those belonging to Wudang as a martial sect, and those belonging to Wudang as a Daoist religion.
They coexisted under the vast umbrella of Wudang Mountain under the name Wudang Sect, but the boundary between them was surprisingly clear.
For instance, those who revered the martial arts gathered in communities at the peak, while those focused on Daoist studies lived midway up the slopes.
The Sect Leader before him represented Wudang Sect's martial side.
He was the man who truly commanded the might of Wudang, known as one of the Two Pillars.
"What are you thinking so deeply about?"
"......Yes?"
"......"
Catching the subtle rebuke, Yu Hyun realized his mistake and hastily apologized.
"Ah, sorry. I am Yu Hyun, Latent Dragon Captain of the Justice Alliance."
"I've heard the rumors about you."
"......"
"By the way, I heard from the disciple who relayed your message that there was a minor scuffle at the mountain gate?"
"Yes? Ah, that was just...... a small misunderstanding......"
"Even a minor misunderstanding is a grave offense when it involves breaching the mountain gate."
"......"
With no way to deny or dodge it, Yu Hyun bowed his head politely once more.
"I apologize again for that."
"What's done is done, so I won't pursue it further. The Grand Elder said to let it drop, and you've apologized, so we'll leave it there."
"......Thank you."
Still eyeing Yu Hyun with lingering displeasure, Cheonghwa got to the point.
"So, you've come all this way for Unhyeon, I presume?"
"Well......"
Somehow sensing he absolutely wouldn't hand her over, Yu Hyun fidgeted awkwardly with the talisman tucked into his belt.
Unless he planned to kidnap her, he'd have to persuade these old men somehow. And since he'd already gotten off on the wrong foot, he'd need to watch his words carefully.
It didn't suit his temperament, but what choice did he have? Hide his true feelings, sweeten his tongue......
"......"
The hell?
Not even a dagger, but why's that glare so icy?
Ugh, damn it. Of all places, screwing up right at someone else's front door......
What should he say? He had to take Unhyeon with him, so how to convince them?
Say he'd divined a massive upheaval coming to the martial world far in the future, so they needed to prepare now?
......Yeah, right, that's crazy talk.
Damn, screw it. Butter them up first. Nobody hates praise, after all.
"I don't know what you think, but the Latent Dragons will represent the orthodox martial world going forward, and Daoist Unhyeon has already mastered Wudang's profound martial arts, raising her name as the Immortal Dragon......"
"Take her with you."
"......Wudang's esteemed...... Yes?"
Yu Hyun, mid-flowery speech, froze at Cheonghwa's immediate response.
What? No buttering up, not even gold leaf yet?
"I've already received word via letter from the Grand Strategist."
"......"
"I've heard that lately, wicked folk have been stirring chaos in the secular world. Though we Wudang follow the path of immortal arts, we can't ignore mobs misleading the world and causing harm."
"......"
"We've already given our approval to the Justice Alliance, so take her."
"Yes?"
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
"......"
What problem? He'd been sweating bullets, and now it was this easy? It left him deflated.
But was it just his imagination, or did it feel like they were foisting something off on him?
"Ah, no. I deeply thank you for the Sect Leader's decision."
"It's only what should be done. Experiencing the wider world and seeking wisdom will benefit Unhyeon greatly in growing into a great martial artist. But preparing to leave will take about two days, so the Latent Dragon Captain and your group should stay at the Yuanhua Pavilion's guest quarters and wait."
"Yes."
"Well, the road here wasn't short, so Yuanhua Pavilion Master, hurry and prepare rooms for our guests to rest. And since the Latent Dragon Captain seems new here, introduce him to Wudang while he stays."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
As Cheonghwa finished speaking, Yu Hyun left with Yuanhua Pavilion Master Cheongam, subtly touching the talisman stuck in his belt sash.
"......"
They say carrying it ensures success in all endeavors, and damn if it isn't true.
He wasn't one for superstitions, but this thing really works wonders, huh?
Gotta keep it safe. Wouldn't sell it for a thousand gold taels, not when it came from a Grand Elder.
As he resolved this, Okyun's words circled his mind again.
Of course you shine—you came to save the world. But why the darkness? Look at my face; isn't it far from shadowy?
Grappling with the nagging riddle brought a rising frustration.
Screw it, you damn old coot.
If you're gonna spill heavenly secrets, at least do it straight. Is dropping a few clear words really that hard?
A thousand gold taels aren't some stray dog's name...... Treating someone else's fate like it's nothing.
* * *
The day after arriving at Wudang.
Yu Hyun, who had claimed one room in the guest quarters prepared by the Yuanhua Pavilion Master, rose at dawn and sat on the veranda.
The Three Dragons had already gotten up and begun their morning meditation.
A bit of a chronic habit for martial artists—what felt off if skipped, leaving the day unsettled.
"Uncle, something bothering you?"
"Hm?"
Nangong Seong, having finished his meditation quicker than the other two and come outside, approached the brooding Yu Hyun on the veranda, chin in hand.
"You don't look well. Are you sick?"
"......"
At the concern, Yu Hyun gave a wry smile.
Sick? Just a restless night from that damn old coot's words echoing in his ears.
"No, I'm fine. The others are still deep in it, but you've already finished?"
"Yeah, well...... Haha."
"......"
As Nangong Seong scratched his head with an awkward laugh, Yu Hyun shook off his tangled thoughts and narrowed his eyes.
What's with this kid? Not like him at all.
"What?"
"Yes?"
"You look like you've got worries."
"......"
"Spit it out."
"Well...... If it's all right, how about we go watch how the Wudang Daoists train?"
"Wudang martial arts?"
"Yes."
"What for......"
Yu Hyun trailed off, shaking his head indifferently.
No, what's with the starry eyes? Why's he sparkling like that?
"I've heard Wudang training starts before the rooster crows. Instead of meditation, they do Daoist breathing techniques, inhaling the dawn's pure qi...... If we see them practicing formations like sword arrays, it might help us with our own battle formations......"
Yu Hyun couldn't help chuckling at Nangong Seong twisting excitedly, babbling on with eager anticipation.
Ah, so that's it? Curiosity for his own kind.
Ask anyone to name the most famous sword-using sects, and they'd hold up three fingers.
Nangong, Wudang, Huashan.
Nangong's fierce, Wudang's soft, Huashan's endlessly variable.
Sure, the Sword King's fame made Nangong swords hailed as strongest, but that was personal prowess—sword arts themselves couldn't be ranked.
Having mastered all three, Yu Hyun knew this best.
But for Nangong Seong, pushing past the Complete Strength realm, it must itch fiercely.
How do their swords differ from mine? How do they train?
Like how one yet to start hungers more than one already running.
"You wanna see?"
"Yes?"
Grinning, Yu Hyun asked, and Nangong Seong scratched his head furiously.
"Well, Wudang arts are always admired, and different from Nangong's......"
"Sigh, fine. Let's go."
"Yes?!"
"The Pavilion Master said breakfast is at Zisu Palace anyway, so think of this as getting an early start."
"Yes!"
Nangong Seong beamed like a five-year-old.
"Tell Shibul and Gimihan. Head straight to Zisu Palace when they're done."
"Yes!"
Nangong Seong dashed inside, left a note for the meditating pair, and headed off with Yu Hyun to Yeongeun Palace, the closest to the guest quarters.
It was on the way to Zisu Palace anyway, and where Unhyeon stayed as a first-generation disciple.
No harm scouting ahead, right? Time to check her current skill level too......
Soon, sharp kiais echoed from Yeongeun Palace.
Easing the door open, they saw young Daoists gripping wooden swords training diligently in the front courtyard. Second-generation disciples of Yeongeun Palace, no doubt.
"One!"
"Chahap!"
"Two!"
"Hahap!"
Watching the Daoists shout kiais in unison to the instructor's commands on the platform, breaking down sword forms into deliberate segments, Yu Hyun thought of his brother-in-law, Dam Cheon-u.
Wonder if he's doing well? The Yu Clan Manor's blockhead who only knows form breakdowns.
"Hoo."
"Hmm."
Unlike Yu Hyun shaking his head, Nangong Seong lit up the moment they stepped in, scrutinizing them intently.
Good to learn from other sects' swordplay, but it's rude without permission, kid.
Clicking his tongue at the fixated Nangong Seong, Yu Hyun approached the older instructor.
"Sorry to interrupt your training. I'm from the Justice Alliance, staying briefly at Wudang......"
"The Latent Dragon Captain, I take it."
"......"
Yu Hyun paused mid-bow, glancing up.
Casual speech? When'd we meet?
Too natural, isn't it? Anyone'd think we'd known each other ten years.
But his posture's odd.
Shoulders stiff, chin raised, gaze haughty as can be......
Staring steadily, Yu Hyun was certain.
Ah, he's picking a fight.