Proclaimed Wudang Prodigy Disciple
I woke up in a serene room, and right on cue, I heard footsteps approaching from outside.
"Great hero, did you cough? The Sect Leader has sent word to escort you to the grand hall."
After returning from the gate with Park Jisu, I'd jumped straight into the wuxia world. Even with my eyes closed, the memories flooded back—an addiction like no other. Maybe it was because the martial arts performed way better than I'd expected?
"I'll get ready and head out. Wait a moment."
"Yes, great hero."
I rose from my seat and stretched. Freshly showered from the real world, I must've looked like the reincarnation of an immortal to these primitive ancients.
I opened the door and stepped out, and sure enough, the waiting female servant's face flushed red, her eyes glazing over dreamily.
"Miss, the Sect Leader is waiting, so let's hurry."
"Y-yes!"
The servant snapped to attention and began leading the way. As I strolled through the sect grounds behind her, gazes followed us from every direction. It wasn't just my looks; to them, I was the benefactor who'd visited their sect yesterday.
Thud. Thud.
The servant's footsteps halted at the entrance to the massive grand hall at the heart of the sect grounds.
"Th-this is the place, great hero."
"Thanks."
As she announced my arrival, the doors swung open naturally, and I strode confidently into the hall.
Inside sat the Sect Leader at the front, flanked by rows of elders, with Gu Yang-so among them.
"Hm?"
"Hah..."
Standing before the Sect Leader, I met their stares, and gasps of admiration erupted in unison. From their perspective, I'd skyrocketed from first-rate to peak realm overnight—a once-in-a-millennium genius. Hell, even I thought there was no genius quite like me. Growth based on my abilities was basically my talent, right?
"You've broken through the wall."
"Yes. I've finally shaken off the heart demons that plagued me."
"I see."
They grasped the implication in my words, and the elders nodded gravely. One old-timer even teared up. Did they see this as the ideal master-disciple bond?
"First, on behalf of Wudang, we express infinite gratitude for returning our senior brother's remains."
I bowed my head silently at the Sect Leader's words.
"I'll be direct."
"Ask away."
"What exactly happened between you and our senior brother? Can you explain in detail?"
As expected, I nodded and straightened up.
"The first time I met Master was in a certain cave, after he'd saved me when I was wandering on the brink of death after falling off a cliff."
Without a shred of conscience, I launched into the backstory I'd prepared.
The gist of the tale I spun for the old-timers was simple: a young hunter from the mountains repays the debt to the Taoist who'd saved him—a classic tale of gratitude. Hyun-chung Jin-in, recognizing my talent for martial arts amid his devoted care, took me as his disciple. That was me.
My confident demeanor and the pure Wudang aura I exuded would vouch for my innocence. Hell, after embalming and delivering the old man's corpse myself, even Hyun-chung would've nodded along to this yarn.
"I see. That gives me a rough idea of the situation. But I have one more question—can you answer honestly?"
"Of course, Sect Leader."
"I understand your grief upon seeing his remains, but why did our senior brother never return to Wudang himself, sending only his body?"
Makes sense they'd wonder why someone vigorous enough to raise a disciple would choose to die and send his corpse back.
I subtly glanced at Gu Yang-so. Catching my intent, he rose quietly.
"It seems this is a personal matter for Wudang's divine staff. I'll step out for a bit."
"Thank you. Sorry if this feels like we're kicking you out, Lone Wanderer Hero."
"No worries. This Lone Wanderer Hero Gu Yang-so has earned years' worth of Beggar Clan intel just from what I've seen and heard yesterday and today. Heh heh heh."
For Gu Yang-so, who'd scored valuable info by tagging along with me, this Wudang trip was a smashing success. He probably hadn't even considered I'd swiped his movement technique. Dumb beggar fuck.
Once Gu Yang-so exited, I paused dramatically before speaking again.
"On my way here, I heard from Great Hero Gu Yang-so that the Heavenly Demon suffered internal injuries from the divine victory and retreated, bringing peace to the martial world. Do you have any differing views or additional information?"
At my out-of-left-field question, one elder nodded and replied.
"That's correct. After that earth-shaking clash, the Lone Wanderer who just left shook off the Demonic Cult's minions and recovered the divine victory's remains himself. He even witnessed the Heavenly Demon vomiting blood and collapsing."
This wasn't even in the setting docs. Who knew this stinky old-timer held such a key card... Might work in my favor?
"That's different from what Master told me."
Sensing the shift in mood, the old-timers leaned in intently.
"Master did stop the Heavenly Demon, that's true. But he couldn't land a meaningful blow. Instead, he lost a leg, fell off the cliff, and barely clung to life... That's what he always said."
"Nonsense! The divine victory and our senior brother's martial prowess were equal back then. How could he show such weakness?!"
'Oh... 'Nonsense!' First time hearing that one.'
I continued calmly, face impassive.
"Master often reflected on that battle, replaying his struggle against the Heavenly Demon. What he realized was, 'Wudang's martial arts can never defeat the Heavenly Demon's.'"
I pressed on, ignoring their baffled expressions.
"Master pondered why the Heavenly Demon shrugged off Wudang's techniques without a scratch, countering effortlessly. He delved into the essence of Wudang and Demonic Cult arts: Wudang's are the orthodox arts ascending to the heavens like the Three Pure Ones, while the Demonic Cult's defy heaven itself. Naturally, we lose in compatibility."
They'd assumed raw power levels decided it all, but hearing about energy affinities and fundamental clashes left the old-timers stunned.
"H-how could that be?!"
"So what did our senior brother do?!"
In ancient China with zero entertainment, my MSG-laden tale must've been a riot.
"Rather than return to Wudang crippled, Master prioritized refining his arts. He perfected them before passing."
At least he'd completed his martial art, so their faces brightened. Were these Taoists or a den of killers?
"Master said the refinement was a simple trick any Wudang Taoist could incorporate into their own arts."
Intrigued, they hung on my next words.
"Master put it like this: The yin-yang five elements of Wudang's Tao stem from the primordial chaos and order of the One Origin. The Heavenly Demon's heaven-defying energy can't stand against the qi of heaven, earth, and all creation."
Reciting the story cutscene lines verbatim, some elders straightened and sank into meditation. True to lifelong martial obsessives, even lines I saw as meh sparked enlightenment for them.
How long did we hold our breaths to not disturb their trance? One by one, two by two, they opened their eyes with gleaming insight.
"Congratulations, everyone. The Primordial Heavenly Lord surely watches over Wudang."
"That's exactly it."
No visible surge in aura or presence—they hadn't leaped realms—but a group of superb experts deepening their mastery was no small feat. Smiles spread across every face.
Only then did their gazes settle on me, bowed and seated. Their eyes sparkled with overflowing affection. 'Fucking creepy old pervs staring.'
As I shuddered inwardly, the Sect Leader smiled and spoke.
"On behalf of Wudang, we thank you again for your heroic deeds. The pure aura and martial principles you exude prove you're a true Wudang disciple. I, the Sect Leader, can no longer treat you as an outsider. Any objections?"
His declaration drew unanimous bows of affirmation from the elders. Not a big deal, but they'd gained insights thanks to me—who'd oppose?
Satisfied, the Sect Leader rose and headed out. I fell into formation with the elders, following him.
As if prepared, the first- and second-generation disciples lined up before the hall, bowing in perfect ritual.
"From this moment, we officially proclaim Kang San, disciple of the 35th generation's Wudang divine staff Hyun-chung Jin-in, as a 36th generation disciple! He shall inherit the name order and receive the Tao's designation!"
"We obey."
At the swift proclamation, I immediately knelt and performed the full bows before the Sect Leader.
Once finished, he spoke again.
"All Wudang disciples, proceed to the training grounds at once!"
The first- and second-gen disciples clasped hands in salute, then surged out en masse.
"As senior brother's disciple, you'll be my junior-nephew and Wudang's top disciple from now on."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
Explaining the hierarchy, introducing elders, and outlining my future, he continued.
"Though you've joined the first-gen as name inheritor, hearts breed quiet grudges. Can you claim senior brother's seat openly, before all eyes?"
Taoists or not, in the wuxia world, sects were basically gangs. A new rock rolling in to lead needed charisma and power. They'd paved the way by witnessing my overwhelming realm.
'That's why I hit B-rank first.'
I nodded confidently, surging my aura skyward.