Forbidden Vault of the Wudang Sect

Hyun-chung Jin-in, grunting as he delved deep into the Murim Alliance's library pavilion, groped along the wall until he pressed firmly on one spot. With a grinding sound like meshing gears, the wall slowly parted to reveal a passage. Luminous pearls embedded in the walls on either side caught my eye—I made a mental note to come back later and pocket them as emergency funds.

The secret room! Heart pounding with excitement, I followed him inside, emerging into a stone cavern adjacent to the library, carved into the rocky mountain behind it. Before I could even catch my breath, a small chamber came into view, lined with bookshelves. The sight screamed otherworldly power at a glance.

"Uncle Master. What are these?"

Hyun-chung Jin-in puffed out his chest proudly. "These are the martial arts the imperial family ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and the Murim Alliance tried to dispose of. Now that they've fallen into Wudang's hands, they're Wudang's techniques. The fruits of our ancestors' labors for the sect's advancement."

I was speechless at the outrageous confession. The endless lore and backstory that no setting guide could reveal made the game world feel like a separate dimension, sending chills down my spine. Anxiety made me glance at Hyun-chung Jin-in's nickname instinctively. What a uniquely twisted world. Seeing me shudder, he mistook it for something else and patted my shoulder.

"These manuals may not be righteous, but they'll provide you with plenty of insights. Feel free to visit anytime without my permission. A head disciple deserves that much authority. Heh heh heh."

After patting my shoulder a few more times—successfully roping me into his conspiracy—the old man laughed heartily and vanished from the cavern.

Crazy old geezers... all of them must be nuts.

Shaking my head, I immediately began examining the books. Sighs escaped ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠naturally as I looked at the manuals.

"Sura Blood Heaven Path? Demonic arts right here."

The sticky blood-inked tome exuded a primal savagery. Making books with blood... isn't this hazardous waste? Marveling repeatedly at the otherworldly techniques, I rummaged around until one particularly worn manual caught my eye. It looked extraordinary at first glance. I snatched it up eagerly.

"Moonlight Body Heart Technique?"

Scanning the contents calmly, I confirmed it was a bedroom arts manual and acquired it without hesitation.

Shuttling between reality and the apocalypse, I'd been steadily raising my stats and saving points. They vanished as the technique integrated—like roasting beans in a lightning flash, the process was done. I sorted through the new information flooding my mind.

Classic Taoist bedroom arts. Yeah, a Wudang Taoist should know his way around these.

The acquired Moonlight Body Heart Technique was a wholesome bedroom art aimed at dual cultivation through yin-yang harmony between man and woman. As if any bedroom arts are truly wholesome... Satisfied, I scanned for more useful manuals.

That's when I spotted another with a similar cover to the Moonlight Body Heart Technique.

Houyi Shooting the Sun Arrow?

As if drawn by fate, I examined it—and sure enough, "Oh! An archery technique?"

Despite one being bedroom arts and the other imperial-managed archery—both tied to Taoist figures, it felt like Wudang had squirreled them away out of necessity. A smile crept across my face; this made things easier. Awaken Ritka Kanzaki's meridians with the Moonlight Body Heart Technique, hand her the Houyi Shooting the Sun Arrow manual to learn. If it's too tough, we'd brainstorm alternatives.

I stowed the manual in my Inventory and stood. There were probably better or similar techniques if I dug deeper, but Houyi and Hang-a were mythic Taoist figures, right? Nothing could top their stability. The thin manual would be easy for Ritka to handle too...

Mission accomplished, the other manuals on the shelves caught my eye, but I shook my head firmly. Better to master a few than dabble in many. Unless it was something special like Iron Man, my combat skills—Sipdan-geum and Flying Sky Shadowless Technique—were plenty.

These would cost a ridiculous amount of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠points anyway...

Gazing wistfully at the shelves for a moment, I turned to leave. Hyun-chung Jin-in had already gone, giving his blessing for my training. Skipping lunch to refine techniques and browse manuals had left me ravenous.

With my successful haul, I deserved chicken. Back in my room, I pulled the stashed fried chicken from my Inventory and devoured it in secret. Primitive ancients be damned—it tasted divine.

Eat your grass and grains, you losers.

Who cares about vegetable-munching idiots?

+++

In Wudang Sect's grand training hall, countless Taoists stood in perfect formation. The sect leader on the platform swept his gaze over them and spoke.

"All first-generation disciples and the fifteen second-generation disciples who passed the exam, step forward."

We advanced, first-gen disciples arraying behind me, followed by the second-gen group.

"Led by head disciple Myeong-do, you are the face of Wudang. Carry that in your hearts and act without shame."

""Yes, Sect Leader.""

"The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering matters, but your safety matters more. Head disciple Myeong-do, always keep your juniors' safe return to the main sect in mind."

"Yes, Sect Leader."

"Elder Hyun-chung will lead this Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. Prioritize the children's safety in all actions."

Hyun-chung Jin-in clasped his hands in a fist salute, bowed, and turned to us.

"Everyone, depart."

As we marched out the sect gates at his command, cheers erupted behind us—a thrilling mix of support and envy from those left behind. I stuck close to Hyun-chung Jin-in, savoring the buzz. The beta cucks could manage themselves; I just had to attend to one old man.

Lucky me—the leader was personally close to me.

"We won't arrive too late and offend the other sects, will we?"

"It's not far; we'll make it in time."

The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering at the Murim Alliance was in Henan, near Shaolin and Kaifeng. Hustling from Hubei, we'd arrive with time to spare. I fiddled with the gloves at my waist.

We should've left earlier, but Hyun-jong Jin-in's sourcing for my gloves delayed us.

"You like them that much?"

Like a kid obsessed with a toy, I kept stroking my new gloves, and Hyun-chung Jin-in's lips curved up.

"Yes. I've never owned gear like this. It must've cost a fortune—I'm sorry to Hyun-jong Uncle Master."

"Then give them back."

"I was taught gifts aren't returned."

Our banter lightened the mood; the trailing disciples perked up, listening in. A lenient boss who doesn't nitpick? Perfect. Plus, traveling with a sect elder meant keeping us in sight.

I checked my gloves again. Wudang gave me Taiqing Pills and these. Hyun-sook Jin-in's pills were safely in my Inventory. One pill wouldn't skyrocket my realm anymore, so I saved it for Ritka.

All that remained was the fluttering white gloves in my hand. During the past righteous-demonic war, the Heavenly Silkworm Protective Garment—used to behead the Demon Lord—was divided among prestigious sects. Learning Beggar Clan's Gu Yang-so (who came with me) had a share, Hyun-jong Jin-in hounded him to sell, and Gu Yang-so handed it over via his authority.

Probably something like, "Sell it for the new disciple's sake." They took the body but ignored the hero? No retort there. A twenty-something youth did what you couldn't. Beggar Clan looks bad? Gu Yang-so had no comeback. Friendly debt collection.

I spared your life, now cough up the goods... At least I paid, so not a thief.

Anyway, they unraveled part of the Heavenly Silkworm Protective Garment into threads, rewove them into these snug white gloves. They gleamed subtly with steel-like durability. Excellent mana conductivity too—matching modern mithril gauntlets.

But what impressed me most was the feel. Gripping my fist, it was like clutching a cloud—soft, ethereal bliss sending shivers through me.

Later, have Ritka jerk me off with these.

These gloves were made for sex, no doubt. Lewd ancients...