Is This a Place Where People Live?
Chapter 1
Is this a place where people live?
Unhwa Peak on Kunlun Mountain, so high it seemed to touch the clouds.
A middle-aged Taoist was performing a sword dance.
His swordsmanship mimicked the majestic mountains, his footwork flowed like drifting clouds.
It was a nonstop display of techniques that would leave anyone in awe.
"Heh heh heh."
An elderly Taoist watched with a pleased smile before lowering his gaze to the infant cradled in his arms.
"Do you see? This is Kunlun."
One of the prestigious Nine Great Sects and One Gang, the sacred ground of Taoism, the Kunlun Sect.
Pride naturally colored the old Taoist's voice.
"Hm? What's with this little one's face? Why so sullen on that cute mug?"
He peered closely at the baby's expression, which screamed utter boredom.
"Your master is demonstrating his finest techniques just for you. Doesn't it please you?"
"...Waaah."
"Ho ho. Impressive, eh?"
"...Huuu."
Jeong Gwang, not even a year old yet, let out a long sigh.
Impressive my ass.
Is martial arts a joke? All flash, no substance.
The old Taoist mistook Jeong Gwang's sigh.
"Heh heh heh. Worried, are you?"
The middle-aged Taoist let out a shout and spread his arms wide.
He moved freely through the air, like a great peng spreading its wings.
"No need to fret. One day, you'll soar the skies like that too."
Soar the skies?
By flailing around?
Jeong Gwang had truly flown through the skies before.
"What are you thinking to look so smug?"
"...Ung."
But that was the past. Now, Jeong Gwang was just a helpless infant who couldn't even speak properly.
"Hm. Your master's really into it now. He wants to impress you."
As the old Taoist said, middle-aged Taoist Heo Cheong was giving it his all.
His disciple was too young to even comprehend, but he wanted to show his best side.
Unfortunately, his disciple was Jeong Gwang, who had tasted the pinnacle of martial arts. It only earned deductions.
"Heh. Getting sleepy?"
Jeong Gwang hadn't closed his eyes from drowsiness, as the old Taoist assumed.
He just didn't want to curse his new master.
Still, irritation bubbled inside. Why waste true qi so pointlessly?
Don't flit around in the air—run properly on the ground first.
Go straight, not zigzag and backtrack like an idiot.
"Taat! Cloud Dragon Great Eight Forms! Dragon Soars Nine Heavens!"
With a majestic shout, Heo Cheong's form flipped four times in midair.
It should have been nine, but his internal energy fell short.
Jeong Gwang reflexively opened his eyes and nodded slightly.
It looked good, at least.
Though he had been the Heavenly Demon Cult's leader in his previous life, even he had to admit the righteous sects excelled here.
Martial arts were for slaying foes, but the Heavenly Demon Cult went too far.
So blatant in their killing intent it made his face burn.
And the names—what a mess.
Asura this, Blood Tribulation that. Blood-obsessed lunatics.
"Hap! Great Void Flying Sword! Dragon Fang Summons Wind!"
See? These are different. Names with flair.
Dragon's tooth calls the wind! Just a thrust, but what a name.
"Heh heh heh. Look at those sparkling eyes. That impressive, eh?"
The old Taoist's smiling face turned sorrowful.
"How did such a young babe end up abandoned alone in these mountains?"
Tell me about it.
"Indeed. Heo Cheong finding you was the will of the Supreme Old Lord. It was meant to be."
Jeong Gwang started to shake his head, then nodded.
He'd thought death was the end, but woke as an infant.
Disciple of Un Hu, Heo Cheong, had found and brought him here.
An absurd twist of fate—perhaps truly divine will, as Un Hu said.
"Normally, babes like you don't get a Dao title. But now, we pin our hopes on you."
Jeong Gwang sighed inwardly.
Sigh. Here it comes.
Become the world's greatest, glorify the sect...
"Grow up right."
"...Ung?"
"Heh heh. Surprised, eh? Too much to ask?"
"..."
"Aye, too greedy. 'Right' means different things to all—what a tough path."
His eyes crinkled warmly.
"Let me amend: Become someone who holds to what you believe is right, to the end."
Not waiting for a reply, he gently stroked Jeong Gwang's head.
"I ask you this."
Less a request, more a heartfelt wish.
Heo Cheong approached, sheathing his sword, and spoke cautiously.
"Master, Jeong Gwang's too young—shall we head in?"
"I overlooked that."
Un Hu rose, still cradling Jeong Gwang.
"I'll carry him."
"No need."
"With a disciple right here, how could Master...?"
"Heh heh. I want to hold him while I still can."
"What are you saying?"
Un Hu just smiled faintly.
Heo Cheong's heart ached watching him.
His energy's visibly waning.
Un Hu's dantian had been shattered in a past battle with a great demonic master of the Western Region, leaving him no stronger than an ordinary elder.
Heo Cheong had used Jeong Gwang as an excuse out of worry.
Unlike his disciple's concern, Un Hu fretted over Jeong Gwang.
"How to feed him? The elders helped these past days, but we can't rely on that forever."
p>"My juniors found a wet nurse—go see."
"Heh. You've all grown so much. Better than me. Ha ha ha."
Heo Cheong, already middle-aged, was still a child in his master's eyes.
Recalling his master's grace, Heo Cheong's eyes reddened.
Arriving at Taecheongjeon Hall, Jeong Gwang's eyes flew wide.
That's the wet nurse?
He blinked—it didn't change.
He'd expected a person. Instead, a mountain goat stood there.
"You've arrived, Grand Uncle."
The middle-aged Taoists surrounding the goat bowed in unison.
"Heh heh. You've brought a precious guest."
"We'll ask the elders occasionally, but her milk should suffice daily."
"Good work. See? He likes it too."
Un Hu chuckled at Jeong Gwang wriggling in his arms. Heo Cheong smiled softly, as did the other Taoists.
Only Jeong Gwang felt utterly alone.
"Heh. Or not? He seems upset."
Heo Cheong chuckled softly at Un Hu's worry.
"Ha ha. You're overly attentive, Master."
"That so? To me, Jeong Gwang and you lot are no different."
"..."
Indeed.
Un Hu had always been warm to everyone.
The Taoists bowed deeply.
Even Jeong Gwang, watching, nearly did the same.
Inspiring underlings with virtue. What a man.
Kunlun's great elder, one of the Kunlun Three Saints, the Virtue Saint—a title well-earned.
Nothing like the Heavenly Demon Cult's strutting elders: Asura Demon Lord, Rakshasa Divine Maiden.
No wonder a fine name like Heavenly Demon Cult got branded demonic.
Since he was here anyway, Jeong Gwang decided to be honest.
Heavenly Demon Cult? Fuck it.
He'd never liked it much.
Without heavenly principles, he'd have bolted long ago.
His father's martial prowess as cult leader was lackluster—he had to protect him.
But his old man clung to life forever.
"This year," "next year"—a century of playing young leader.
A hundred years of turmoil.
Poison standard, ambushes gifts, hordes annual events.
Tolerate that? Be a sucker.
Off to the afterlife they went.
Only after a century did they submit.
Stubborn bastards.
Peace at last—then father dropped dead.
Jeong Gwang became leader.
Hated it, but after a century, he tried.
Died in under a year.
Natural causes—no grudge.
Regret? Curiosity about human warmth.
Not just kill and worship—real bonds.
So Jeong Gwang was content now.
This place offered that.
"Ha ha. Master, Jeong Gwang knows how to smile."
"Heh heh heh. Aye. He brings smiles to us all, thanks to you."
Laughter echoed through the pure Taoist hall.
Jeong Gwang was truly satisfied.
* * *
Less than a month later, his mind changed.
This was no place for people.
The famed Nine Great Sects and One Gang—what was this?
Did all righteous sects live like this?
Grass. Grass. Grass.
Every meal of grass made him sigh.
Elders munching pine needles, chuckling—chills.
And the robes—a joke.
Bitter winds from high peaks and deep valleys, yet thin Taoist garb.
They wore it year-round, they said.
Jeong Gwang had thick padding now, but it'd end soon.
Crumbing halls, tiny rooms—beyond rustic.
Kunlun Taoists, raised in poverty, pure-hearted.
He wasn't lavish, but past life's standards—no way.
Austerity tipped to destitution.
Novel experience, he tried enduring...
Nothing to do.
Not child stuff—everyone had nothing.
All they did...
"...Thus it is said: Speak not of the unspeakable, act not of the unacted..."
Damn Tao Te Ching recitation.
"...The Dao is clear yet turbid, moving yet still..."
What the hell?
"...Emptiness beholds emptiness, yet emptiness is not truly empty..."
Jeong Gwang's head was the empty one.
"...Desire births affliction; affliction and deluded thoughts torment body and mind..."
Already tormented. Wanted out.
Not aimed at him, but hearing it made him nauseous.
How long this cloud-chasing?
This a martial sect?
No—Taoist temple!
Jeong Gwang trembled; Heo Cheong, reciting, stroked his head.
"Oops. Too deep in samadhi. Not soiled yourself... stuffy?"
"Ung. Ung."
"Ha ha. Let's go."
He carried Jeong Gwang, strolling slowly.
Seniors, juniors greeted warmly everywhere.
"Senior Brother, no fair—taking Jeong Gwang alone?"
"Granduncle, let me play with little brother. Hi, Jeong Gwang! You want that?"
"Ha ha. Just a walk—don't mind."
Useless.
When did sacred Taoist Kunlun, martial prestige, get such a cute kid?
Jeong Gwang endured love from all.
Only the goat wet nurse ignored him.
Slurp. Sluuurp. Slurp.
No—he annoyed her nursing; she stared blankly at distant peaks.
Aha!
Jeong Gwang realized.
Living in Kunlun turned her Taoist.
Stay long, he'd end up same.
Had to leave.
But how?
Flipping at peak realm, but barely crawling.
Answer: martial arts.
"Hm? Why the sudden frown?"
Heo Cheong worried at Jeong Gwang pausing mid-nurse, grimacing—like pain.
"Can't do. Need Granduncle."
Jeong Gwang blinked.
Me? I'm fine?
Heo Cheong lightness-skill'ed with Jeong Gwang—Windcloud Step, a martial marvel.
Too young, Jeong Gwang's head spun. But bachelor Heo Cheong couldn't grasp infant limits. By Un Yeon, eyes rolled back.
"You're gripping your disciple! Put him down!"
Pale Heo Cheong set him down fast.
Thud!
"Kwaang!"
"Eh?!"
"J-Jeong Gwang! You okay?"
Would you be? Nearly blurted.
If not master. Better than deadbeat dad, but still.
Un Yeon admired teary-but-not-crying Jeong Gwang.
"Infinite Buddhas. Firm resolve for a babe."
"Promising kid."
"Heh. Never thought you'd be such a doting fool."
As Heo Cheong grinned sheepishly, Un Yeon checked.
"Hm. No issues."
"Really, Uncle?"
"..."
"S-Sorry."
"Enough. You cherish him fiercely."
Un Yeon rubbed the bump on Jeong Gwang's occiput gently.
"No worry. Bump heals quick. Elders flushed his channels with qi—he'll grow healthier than most."
"Phew. Thank you, Uncle."
"Speaking of, this one's grown fast?"
"Ha ha. Aye? And not just that. Listens to Tao Te Ching so intently, furrows his brow."
"What? Ha ha ha. Kunlun's got a true Taoist."
Jeong Gwang's head still throbbed, but they beamed warmly.
That night, staring at his ceiling, Jeong Gwang resolved.
Water too pure, no fish live. This no place for people.
Needed worldly grime.
Learn martial arts fast, get out.