Gathering Bonds
Su-gyeong Hall was a grand pavilion built to honor Baek Su-gyeong, who was practically the savior of the Wudang Sect. Much like Jinmu Pavilion, which nurtured the pillars upholding Wudang, or Jae-gyeong Pavilion, which managed finances—both vital structures—Su-gyeong Hall had become the sect's most important building, its position elevated accordingly.
Originally, Wudang's martial arts manuals had been stored in Nam-am Palace, but now originals were enshrined in Su-gyeong Hall, with copies left behind. Past Sword-Sharpening Pool, where disciples honed both blades and minds, lay Beginning Sword Stone overlooking all who entered. Beyond it stretched the vast basin known as Thousand Fields Plateau, and there stood Su-gyeong Hall.
"Senior Brother Cheongmyeong!"
"Where are you headed?"
"To Su-gyeong Hall."
He exchanged natural greetings with his welcoming senior brothers and passed them by. Beyond Sword-Sharpening Pool, where Jinmu Pavilion disciples sharpened their swords, up the stairs where Beginning Sword Stone perched, and into Thousand Fields Plateau—Su-gyeong Hall soon came into view, not far off.
Entering Su-gyeong Hall, one faced a life-sized wooden statue of Baek Su-gyeong, carved to closely resemble the man based on Jeongjin and Jeongu's testimonies. One hand held an empty book, the other gripped a brush, gazing down with dignified eyes upon all who entered. It was so handsome that Baek Su-gyeong himself would have found it absurd. Cheongmyeong paused briefly to bow his head before it—a mandatory courtesy for all who entered.
Beyond the statue at the entrance unfolded a magnificent library.
"Welcome. Here to return volume eight?"
Cheongmyeong bowed his head at the voice of Mu-hyeon-ja, the hall's overseer.
"Elder Mu-hyeon-ja."
"You've finished Wudang Sword Hero, I see."
"Yes."
Cheongmyeong pulled volume eight from his robes and handed it over. Mu-hyeon-ja checked its condition before placing it on a nearby table.
Mu-hyeon-ja spoke.
"Word is the head of Cheonryong Merchant Association, who deals in goods for our sect, got an earful from Teacher Su-gyeong."
"Is that so?"
"They say he was thoroughly scolded. Tsk, must've tried some shady trick on the upright Teacher Su-gyeong."
"Who knows."
Mu-hyeon-ja nodded at Cheongmyeong's words.
"Muryangsubul. We can't judge until we've heard both sides."
"Has the annotation for Wudang Sword Hero volume eight not come out yet?"
"It's only been a week since publication. The Martial Scholars are diligently compiling the commentary."
In Wudang, studying Wudang Sword Hero had become a lifelong pursuit. The sect's signature Taiji Sword, once dismissed as lost in its true form from the old Murim days—downgraded to plain Taiji Sword since it couldn't bear the name Taiji Radiant Sword—had reclaimed its glory through the novel. With Hyeoncheon Mu-geuk Divine Art appearing in volume eight, clearly rooted in the Three Pure Arts of Taecheong, Okcheong, and Sangcheong, reverence for Wudang Sword Hero only grew stronger.
"They're also working on the essentials of Jinmu Thirteen Swords, so don't worry. You're the sole successor to lead Wudang's sword lineage."
"Wudang Sword Hero Martial Arts Compendium will keep expanding, then."
"Who knows when Teacher Su-gyeong will conclude the series? We must leave space."
Mu-hyeon-ja chuckled. The Wudang Sword Hero Martial Arts Compendium recorded every Wudang absolute art from the novel. As long as Baek Su-gyeong kept writing, blank pages would never run short. Even after completion, it might become a new sect history, reserving space to commemorate fresh martial births.
"Lost absolutes from the old Murim are being restored thanks to Wudang Sword Hero. Teacher Su-gyeong might be a hidden sage from those days, aiding our revival incognito. We can't help but call him a great one."
Old Murim. Though the current era was dubbed New Murim, Cheongmyeong knew little of the old. He only understood that old powers had been razed, giving rise to the new during their resurgence.
"Jinmu Thirteen Swords. You can't imagine the tears when I first saw that name."
Elders like Mu-hyeon-ja had grown up hearing legends directly from old Murim heroes. Most had ascended to immortality, but survivors of those tales lingered.
Mu-hyeon-ja, lost in emotion, cleared his throat.
"Anyway, coming straight to Su-gyeong Hall from Heavenly Lord Hermitage? Must be something besides returning the book."
"I was thinking of descending Wudang Mountain briefly..."
"Hm?"
A faint wrinkle creased Mu-hyeon-ja's brow.
"Sect Leader gave no orders, I assume."
"With Senior Brothers Jeongjin and Jeongu returned, doesn't Teacher Su-gyeong need a guard?"
"Hm."
Mu-hyeon-ja stroked his chin. After the inconclusive Murim Alliance tournament, he'd indeed recalled Jeongjin and Jeongu from Wuan—not leaving them as Baek Su-gyeong's escorts, pride stung that Wudang disciples lost the role to Namgung Clan. But for Cheongmyeong to bring it up himself...
"You volunteering?"
"I believe his side is where Wudang Sword Hero reaches me fastest..."
Mu-hyeon-ja stroked his beard.
"Cheongmyeong. Are you truly set on this?"
No one in Wudang was unaware of Cheongmyeong's special treatment. It stemmed from his uniqueness: the sole heir to Wudang's sword lineage, nearly severed since old Murim. Officially under Elder Muchonja, his line traced to the retired Five Immortals of Wudang—their joint successor. That alone made him revered.
"You're the one to inherit all Wudang sword arts. Our jong-ja. Yet you wish to serve Teacher Su-gyeong?"
"Walking beside him, I feel sure to gain new insights."
"Hmmm..."
"Plus, I want to raise our sect's name at the Yongmun Gathering."
Mu-hyeon-ja groaned softly, then sighed. He eyed the silent Cheongmyeong.
"Have you greeted the Five Immortal Seniors?"
"I'll go soon."
"If you've made up your mind, this old Daoist can't stop you. Inform Sect Leader and seek permission. Not sure the Five Immortals will approve."
Cheongmyeong bowed to Mu-hyeon-ja.
"...Understood."
"In the jianghu, heed Senior Brother Mujin's advice: beware women, children, and elders. Got it?"
"Yes."
"Go on. This old Daoist has held you too long. Muryangsubul."
Cheongmyeong bowed to the chanting Mu-hyeon-ja and left Su-gyeong Hall. Watching his retreating figure, Mu-hyeon-ja smiled bittersweetly.
"Senior Brother Muchonja's words when we admitted that child to the mountain gate are coming true."
A child unbound by Wudang Mountain—that's what Muchonja had said upon Cheongmyeong's initiation. It seemed destined to pass.
"Yongmun Gathering. A nostalgic name."
His eyes misted with old memories, the aged Daoist lost in reverie.
"Does Your Excellency always write in such cold winds?"
After several visits, Jin A-gyeong had grown familiar—now entering Gyeongun Merchant Association like her own home, even with different escorts. Baek Su-gyeong paused scribbling sudden inspiration into his book.
"No chill wind, no focus. Warm air brings sleep, sleep loosens the hand. One wrong character twists everything. Cold wind is essential for me. Though it is freezing."
"Still no thought to contracting with our association?"
"As I said before, no such plans."
"Rejected again..."
Jin A-gyeong looked dejected but showed no sign of quitting. How many rejections now? Easier to count her visits. Even Baek Su-gyeong, the rejector, admired her tenacity.
Shaking off disappointment, she beamed.
"But I won't give up!"
"Lady Jin seems persistent too. I hear Cheonryong's Yunhwa Immortal hides like a divine dragon in clouds, yet lately shows her face everywhere?"
Baek Su-gyeong teased, and Jin A-gyeong flushed faintly.
"Well, circumstances..."
"Teacher, you're here?"
A voice cut between them: Yi Jeon-hwi. Fresh from Namgung Som-in and Mang Mountain, steam rose from him like a hot bun.
Baek Su-gyeong chuckled at Yi Jeon-hwi's transformed demeanor—utterly changed.
"Back from Mang Mountain?"
"Ran with Master Yi. Don't tire like before—training's working."
"I don't assign useless drills, Young Master Yi."
"Sorry, Master Yi."
Yi Jeon-hwi bowed sharply to Namgung Som-in, who took it in stride.
"Lady Namgung, please look after Young Master A-hwi today too."
"Yes, Teacher."
She bowed politely, but her lightning gaze flicked to Jin A-gyeong and back. Baek Su-gyeong seemed oblivious, but Jin A-gyeong caught it clearly. Gal Ye-ryeong, Namgung Som-in, So Ssaang-a—the three despised her visits to Baek Su-gyeong.
Think that'll make me quit?
Cheonryong's heirs never yielded, no matter the pressure.
"Then excuse us, Teacher."
"Don't stay out too long in the cold, Teacher!"
"I won't. No overdoing it, Young Master A-hwi."
"Yes!"
Yi Jeon-hwi replied vigorously and left with Namgung Som-in. Watching them go, Jin A-gyeong remarked.
"Fates gather around Your Excellency. Guided by the Sword Hero?"
Baek Su-gyeong smiled faintly.
"I think so. Cold day, Lady Jin—head inside. Catch a cold, and it's ginger tea hell."
"You hate ginger tea, Your Excellency?"
Baek Su-gyeong answered firmly.
"──Very."
Baek Su-gyeong detested ginger tea. Another note added to Jin A-gyeong's mental ledger on him.