Can't Taoists Be Cool?
Jeong U stood there dumbfounded.
Getting beaten by his pint-sized little junior brother Jeong Gwang! And with the Cloud Chasing Fist that he knew inside and out, no less!
No, that's not right.
He shook his head instinctively.
This wasn't the Cloud Chasing Fist he knew.
It was far too flashy for something from Kunlun.
This isn't right.
That's why he'd pointed it out, but Jeong Gwang had insisted that flashy moves could still pack a punch.
And absurdly enough, the kid was right—they'd landed perfectly.
This makes no sense!
His pride surged.
"...Let's go one more time."
"Sure thing."
They repeated it over and over.
The results were always the same.
Jeong Gwang's tiny hands pummeled Jeong U's sturdy frame.
He figured he'd block it now that he knew the moves, but Jeong Gwang's Cloud Chasing Fist was dazzlingly intricate.
Jeong U was stunned.
I knew he was a monster, but to twist the fist technique like this...?
It was a fist art refined over centuries by countless predecessors since the Founding Patriarch created it.
For a thirteen-year-old kid to twist it on a whim...
A chill ran down his spine.
This wasn't just talent.
The boy might be veering into dangerous, unorthodox paths.
This can't go on. The little guy's in trouble.
Depending on who saw it, this could be the grave sin of bullying one's master and destroying one's ancestors.
As he agonized over what to do, Jeong Gwang's voice rang out.
"Senior Brother. Watch me from start to finish this time—really take a good look."
Before he could respond, Jeong Gwang sprang into motion.
Cloud Chasing Fist.
It was Jeong Gwang's version—completely different from anything he'd known before.
"Ah..."
Jeong U's jaw dropped.
Viewing it from a distance, like a third-party observer, made it even clearer.
It was so mystical and brilliant, truly like chasing clouds, just as the name implied.
It was supposed to emphasize speed and solidity.
That's what his master Heo Jik had taught him.
His grandmaster had taught the same.
Every Kunlun disciple performed it that way.
Everyone except this one guy, Jeong Gwang.
I need to go see Master Heo Cheong right now and tell him about this...
Just then, Jeong Gwang grinned and asked,
"Cool, right?"
"Yeah. Really cool... Wait!"
Jeong U snapped out of his trance.
"This isn't the time. Hurry up and..."
"Got it. I'll teach you the quick version."
A moment later, Jeong U was striking an awkward pose and asking Jeong Gwang,
"Like this?"
"Yeah, perfect. But it's got some embarrassment mixed in."
"What does that even mean?"
"You're ashamed to show off the flashy forms, Senior Brother."
"Huh. Was I?"
"Empty your mind. We're Taoists, after all."
"Right. You're spot on. I'm learning a lot today."
Jeong U cleared his mind like a proper Taoist and unleashed the un-Taoist flashy fist art.
"Good. That's it exactly."
"Haha! Wahahaha!"
Jeong U burst into hearty laughter.
His body moved freely and boldly.
Jeong Gwang nodded approvingly as he watched.
Not bad.
He was picking it up faster than expected.
Maybe because he was still young and not set in his ways?
Or perhaps it just suited his personality.
"Feels amazing!"
Jeong U shouted as he threw punch after punch without pause. Jeong Gwang muttered,
"That's the idea."
That way, they'd train harder.
That way, Kunlun would grow stronger.
That way, he could leave with peace of mind.
When Jeong Gwang eventually ventured into the world, Kunlun had to stand firm on its own.
He needed to hammer true Kunlun martial arts into these Taoists' heads and bodies...
Tsk.
Jeong Gwang smacked his lips.
It was going to be a hassle.
He could coax adaptable ones like Jeong U easily enough.
But the Heo generation? Stubborn old fogeys, front and back...
"You brat! What do you think you're doing?!"
Speak of the devil—one of them appeared.
Heo Jik, Jeong U's master.
"Gasp! M-Master!"
"Answer me! What are you doing?!"
"D-Disciple was just practicing Cloud Chasing Fist..."
"What? That's Cloud Chasing Fist? Hah. What has become of Kunlun...?"
Jeong Gwang inwardly shook his head at Heo Jik's lamenting.
What had become of Kunlun?
It was becoming Great Kunlun. The man was spouting nonsense.
"Come with me right now!"
"M-Master..."
"Hmph! Now!"
Heo Jik looked ready to drag Jeong U by the ear.
Jeong Gwang shot up his hand.
"Uncle Master."
"Ah, Jeong Gwang. I'm in a hurry right now, so talk later..."
"I taught Senior Brother the Cloud Chasing Fist."
Heo Jik's eyes bulged wide.
* * *
A roar erupted from Heo Cheong's quarters.
"Senior Brother! What are we going to do about this?!"
"..."
"Say something! We can't just let this slide!"
Heo Jik ranted and raved, but Heo Cheong remained unmoved.
Unlike the calm Heo Cheong, Heo Jik's face soured more with each passing moment.
"Th-This... Th-This...!"
As he seemed about to explode, Heo Cheong finally spoke.
"So?"
"...Pardon?"
"What do you want me to do?"
"..."
Heo Jik flapped his mouth uselessly.
"Punish him for bullying his master and destroying his ancestors?"
"N-No, when did I say to blow it up like that...?"
"Then we just let it go?"
"Well, no, but..."
"That's why I'm asking. What exactly?"
"..."
The other two brothers watching them reacted differently.
Jeong U was frozen stiff, while Jeong Gwang was grinning.
He couldn't help it—his master was acting like a slippery eel.
Heo Cheong had the solemn demeanor of a true Taoist, but he was worldly enough when it suited him.
For a rigid Taoist like Heo Jik to win against him was nearly impossible.
"I understand what you're saying."
"...So what will you do?"
"What else? I need to see it for myself first."
Heo Cheong stood and said to Jeong Gwang,
"Come on, show me your Cloud Chasing Fist."
"Yes, Master."
Jeong Gwang unleashed the Cloud Chasing Fist.
The raw original created by the Founding Patriarch.
Heo Cheong watched leisurely at first, but his face paled.
He'd thought Heo Jik was exaggerating, but if anything, he'd understated it!
Such a flashy Cloud Chasing Fist. Such power!
His disciple truly was a genius!
But...
This was a big problem.
His head suddenly throbbed.
What do I even do about this?
At that moment, Jeong Gwang was tilting his head mid-form.
With each movement, the Cloud Chasing Fist subtly changed.
This wasn't the version he'd taught Jeong U.
Why?
"Ah."
He realized.
The more he performed the Founding Patriarch's Cloud Chasing Fist, the more it took on his color.
This was tricky.
He scratched his head furiously and reset, performing the original again.
Hmm.
Still, it fell a bit short.
His version was cooler and more powerful.
Then?
Screw it.
Let's really infuse it.
What's the Founding Patriarch got that I don't?
Beating people up? I'm definitely better at that.
"Alright!"
Jeong Gwang moved again.
The newly reborn forms of Cloud Chasing Fist unraveled like a thread.
Jeong Gwang entered a trance.
Trance?
No.
He was conversing with the Founding Patriarch.
Old man, how about this here?
No, that's not it, you punk.
Hey, cut the 'punk' crap. I've lived over a hundred years too, you know.
Even so, that's too blatant.
Is it? What about this then?
Ho ho. That's cool! You're pretty good, kid!
Pretty good? I'm better.
You little...!
"Hahaha."
Laughter burst from Jeong Gwang's mouth.
The Founding Patriarch was such a boastful, adorable old coot!
Jeong Gwang fully understood the old man's intent as he wielded his arts.
You missed this one, old timer.
He'll love it like this.
Yeah. Almost done.
Even I have to admit, this is seriously usable.
"Huuuuh."
Jeong Gwang exhaled deeply and straightened up.
He turned to Heo Cheong with a beaming smile.
"All done, Master."
"..."
"Master?"
"Uh, y-yeah! Good work."
Heo Cheong barely regained his composure and glanced at Heo Jik.
His face was ashen.
"J-Junior Brother. Isn't that a magnificent Cloud Chasing Fist?"
"...Th-This... Th-This..."
Heo Jik stammered, unable to continue.
This was leagues beyond what Jeong U had shown—flashiness at its peak! And the power!
Glancing irritably at Jeong U, who was gazing at his little brother in rapture, Heo Jik smacked the back of his head.
Thwack!
"Eek!"
"You punk! What are you so smug about?!"
"S-Sorry!"
"Why apologize for something you should be sorry for!"
"S-Sor... N-No..."
Heo Jik swallowed his rage with effort.
Fine, what fault did the kid really have?
He whipped around to Heo Cheong.
"Senior Brother! Did you see? Your disciple committing this heaven-defying outrage... Huh?"
Heo Cheong was gone.
Jeong Gwang too.
Heo Cheong was sprinting off into the distance, carrying Jeong Gwang.
"Senior Brother!"
He'd bolted!
Heo Jik ground his teeth for a while before giving chase.
He knew exactly where his brother was headed.
Un Hu's little flower garden, where the elder spent his later years tending plants.
Sure enough.
Three figures were in the garden: Un Hu included.
That...!
No.
Un Hu, Heo Cheong, and a young dragon.
The little dragon danced in the garden.
Flower petals rose in its wake, forming clouds.
The dragon chased the clouds, and the clouds embraced the dragon.
"Heh heh heh."
Tears welled in Un Hu's eyes.
No unorthodox energy. This might truly suit Kunlun.
He envisioned Kunlun reborn as the true Great Kunlun.
The little dragon grinned and asked,
"Cool, right?"
A choked voice escaped Un Hu.
"...Yes. Truly cool."
Un Hu steeled his resolve.
This couldn't be ignored.
He had to protect the young dragon.
"Don't worry, all of you. This is the sect's fortune."
Un Hu immediately sought the sect leader and demanded an elders' meeting.
With everyone gathered, Jeong Gwang demonstrated the Cloud Chasing Fist.
Gasps erupted here and there.
"Heavens! That... that...!"
"How could this happen?!"
"Unbelievable!"
Even the sect leader trembled as he watched Jeong Gwang.
Once Jeong Gwang finished all the forms, the elders erupted like market vendors.
Debate raged.
"That's not Cloud Chasing Fist! It's something entirely different!"
"Nonsense! It holds the pure essence intact!"
"So flashy yet ferocious— that's not Kunlun martial arts!"
"Outdated drivel! Martial arts evolve through descendants!"
As time passed, negative voices grew louder.
"Abandoning the true intent for bloated forms—we can't allow this!"
"I agree! Kunlun must remain Kunlun!"
Un Hu stepped forward.
"Quiet down for a moment."
As the excitement settled, he continued.
"First, let's hear from the source. Jeong Gwang. Why did you perform Cloud Chasing Fist like that?"
Un Hu planned to draw out Jeong Gwang's explanation and smooth things over.
But had Jeong Gwang ever hidden behind anyone?
He shot back at the old Taoists.
"Is this wrong?"
Outrage exploded at the bold question.
"Of course it is!"
"Kunlun arts aren't like that!"
Un Hu roared to calm them, but Jeong Gwang beat him to it.
"But it feels right?"
"...What?"
To the baffled elders, Jeong Gwang declared confidently,
"Kunlun martial arts are supposed to be cool."
"..."
As they gaped speechlessly, he pressed on.
"I heard the Founding Patriarch let out an Azure Dragon Roar and soared into the heavens when he attained the Dao."
The elders nodded.
But they froze at his next words.
"So why make such a racket with the Azure Dragon Roar?"
"..."
Urged by his gaze, one elder spoke up.
"...His true qi overflowed from enlightenment."
Jeong Gwang shot it down.
"No. He just wanted to show off—like, 'Hey, check this out!'"
"What nonsense...!"
"I've never heard of true qi exploding from enlightenment."
"..."
Right?
The elders had no such experience, nor heard of it.
Enlightenment was mental.
It advanced martial arts, but qi didn't surge like that.
To the silent elders, Jeong Gwang said,
"Cool is good, right?"
"...?"
"Can't Taoists be cool?"
"...!"
"Our sect's arts are elegant and cool from name to forms. Why force them to be plain and simple?"
"Th-That's for practicality..."
Jeong Gwang drove the nail in.
"This way's stronger, though?"