Chapter 125: Spreading the Qingcheng Heart Method (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 125: Spreading the Qingcheng Heart Method (1)
Song Yeo-guk continued to speak.
"It truly is strange. Before I arrived, I thought Qingcheng was merely Qingcheng. That is what Seok Myeong said as well. He declared he wouldn't back down, regardless of whether his opponent was the Black Snake Union or the Samu Alliance."
"That is reckless," Song Hak countered.
"It is fortunate the outcome was favorable, but had things gone awry, it would have been a dog’s death. Would the sect not have ended up making enemies without even knowing why?"
However, his voice carried far less conviction than before.
"I told him the same thing. I told him not to get involved."
Song Yeo-guk nodded.
"But the boy wouldn't listen. Instead, he lectured me."
"Lectured you? When you are practically his Martial Uncle?"
"Yes."
As he spoke, a faint, bitter smile played on Song Yeo-guk’s lips.
"He said that if the Black Snake Union has the Samu Alliance behind them, then he has a background of his own. He said the great mountain of Qingcheng stands behind him."
"……."
"……."
Song Yeo-guk’s voice was low.
Yet, those words struck the elders like a physical blow to the back of their heads.
"Was Seok Myeong wrong?"
Silence.
It was a different kind of silence than before. It wasn't just that they were at a loss for words; it was as if they wanted to speak, but the words were lodged in their throats.
"Tell me. Was Seok Myeong wrong?"
It was Song Hak who reacted most visibly. His face, belonging to a man whose pride was stronger than anyone's, turned a shade of red that was almost painful to behold.
Many said that the highest value Qingcheng pursued was martial arts, but in reality, that wasn't the case.
"Since when did Qingcheng start walking on eggshells around the great sects? Since when did Qingcheng start calculating its odds in the face of power!"
Song Yeo-guk’s voice rose in volume.
In terms of martial arts, they could not reach the heights of Shaolin. In terms of Taoist cultivation, they could not match the depths of Wudang. Even the raw military power of their blades was eclipsed by Mount Hua.
But that was exactly why.
The thing the Qingcheng Sect valued most was pride.
No Sword, No Person.
If there is no sword, there is no person.
A sect that learns the upright spirit of the sword and tempers itself like a blade—that was the Qingcheng Sect.
And yet.
"Since when did Qingcheng become a place that remains silent? A place that claims it cannot resist even when witnessing the misfortune of a fellow disciple!"
Since when had it been like this?
It hadn't been this way in the past. Even if the opponent was Shaolin, the pride of Qingcheng would not retreat.
If the sword breaks, one simply dies. One might die, but one does not bend.
The world looked down on them, calling them "Arrogant Qingcheng."
But that uncompromising, bamboo-like character—that was the true spirit of Qingcheng.
"Did Seok Myeong… really say that?" Song Jeong asked.
His tone was calm, but there was a slight tremor within it.
"Yes. Though he was a bit more arrogant and full of himself when he said it."
Song Yeo-guk gave a thin smile, and Song Hak turned his head away.
"Ahem!"
His face felt hot. To think that someone like Seok Myeong—a mere First Generation Disciple who was nothing but a bookworm—had uttered words that sounded like something a venerable elder should say.
And he must have meant it sincerely.
Regardless of his personal feelings toward the boy, at this moment, even Song Hak had to admit that Seok Myeong was right. Every elder inside the Grand Purity Hall likely felt the same.
Their faces were flushed, and they gritted their teeth as if angry—or perhaps ashamed.
"Seok Myeong is Qingcheng. Whether he follows the path of Azure Cloud Taoist or not, that does not change."
"You are right," Song Hak admitted.
Following him, Song Ji nodded.
"Qingcheng does not back down, no matter what sect the opponent belongs to."
"Hah! It seems we’ve been living too quietly lately."
Song Ha-myeong chuckled, and Song Jeong allowed a small smile to form.
No one had explicitly stated the conclusion, yet it had already been reached.
Rather than Seok Myeong saying it himself, Song Yeo-guk’s account of having watched the boy from the sidelines allowed them all to imagine it.
That mere First Generation Disciple.
Shouting: If the Black Snake Union has the Samu Alliance behind them, I have Qingcheng behind me.
"The Gentleman walks the Great Road," Sect Leader Song Jeong suddenly murmured softly.
"It is said that if it is not the right path, do not take it; and once on the path, do not look back."
Song Yeo-guk followed up, as if reading the Sect Leader's mind.
"……."
While Song Hak maintained a silent, grumpy expression, the Sect Leader’s decision was handed down.
"Bring Seok Myeong here at once!"
*
"I will go in myself," said Song Mun, who had arrived with his disciples.
After learning the truth behind the rumors, he couldn't stay still; an overwhelming emotion was swelling in his chest.
Rattle.
As the latch was undone, the door swung inward. The moment it opened, he saw Seok Myeong sitting in the center, immersed in meditation.
His face looked peaceful.
With his sword resting across his knees, he sat as upright as a meditating monk, maintaining a steady, rhythmic breath.
"Seok Myeong."
"……."
At the call, Seok Myeong opened his eyes as if he had been waiting.
"The Sect Leader summons you."
"Is that so?"
Seok Myeong rose smoothly. He buckled the scabbard he had set aside to his waist and walked out slowly.
"Hmm… what were you thinking about?"
"…Pardon?"
"In there. You don't look like someone who has been plagued by many worries."
Song Mun asked with a curious expression.
In truth, Seok Myeong’s expression was unexpected. He had been in a state of confinement—if not official imprisonment—for quite some time, yet he didn't look uncomfortable at all.
Usually, during confinement while awaiting judgment, people become haggard from fear, anxiety, or worry. On the contrary, the boy’s face had become firmer and clearer.
"I was thinking about the sword."
"The sword?"
"Yes. No Sword, No Person. I wondered why we always say those words. Why the patriarchs of the past said that if there is no sword, there is no person. I was contemplating things like that."
"Hoh, and? Did you find an answer?" Song Mun tilted his head slightly and asked.
"This disciple is lacking, so I do not know yet."
"……."
At Seok Myeong’s answer, Song Mun looked as if he had been struck for a moment. Then, he let out a short laugh.
A wise answer to a silly question.
It would have been stranger if an answer had come so easily. The koan Seok Myeong was contemplating—the "No Sword, No Person" of Qingcheng—was something even the Sect Leader would find difficult to speak of lightly.
"Truly, to the very bone…."
"Pardon?"
"It’s nothing. Follow me."
As Seok Myeong passed by, Song Mun smiled awkwardly and closed the door.
"Huh?"
Clack.
Then, he opened it again. The light from the torch in his hand had illuminated the wall of Gamu Cave.
"This is…."
It was different from the sight he had seen before. Something he had never seen.
They looked like characters, or perhaps drawings; regardless, they were things that hadn't been there before Seok Myeong entered.
Sizzle.
He stepped into the cave with the torch, slowly examining the walls as he went.
"What… what is this… what on earth…."
The entire wall was filled with drawings and text. Looking closely, they were all depictions of people, and every single one expressed a movement of swordsmanship.
A downward strike.
A thrust.
A slashing swing.
Song Mun was seized by astonishment as he examined them.
Twelve sword techniques he had never seen before. Yet, they were not unfamiliar. Strangely, several sword techniques were harmonizing and shining as one within those drawings.
"The martial art of our sect… the Heaven and Earth Sword?"
*
By the time Seok Myeong arrived at the Grand Purity Hall, Song Yeo-guk and the successor of the Beggar Sect had stepped outside.
Since they had attended as witnesses, they were technically outsiders and could not remain for the internal judgment of the Qingcheng Sect.
Song Jeong looked at Seok Myeong and spoke.
"As of today, I shall announce my decision regarding Seok Myeong."
He looked around for a moment before continuing.
"Judging by what has been said and the facts that have come to light, Seok Myeong’s actions were correct. He cannot be held responsible for the incident that occurred a few days ago."
At those words, Song Hak protested.
"Sect Leader. Even so, not holding him responsible at all is too lenient a measure."
"That applies to you as well, Elder Song Hak. I heard you deployed the Five Elements Four Changes Formation?"
Song Hak’s shoulders flinched. He tried to say something, but Song Jeong spoke before he could make an excuse.
"The Five Elements Four Changes Formation against someone suffering from internal injuries. There isn't an elder in the Qingcheng Sect who doesn't know the intent behind that. And Song Hak, you are a man with a very high understanding of martial arts. Are you not?"
"……."
"Even if there was no malice, one must take responsibility. Elder Song Hak, you aren't planning to take back the meaning of what you just said, are you?"
"…No."
Song Hak fell silent. Amidst the eerie silence of the assembly, the Sect Leader spoke again.
"As the Sect Leader of Qingcheng, I have the responsibility to clearly distinguish between merit and fault. It is a great sin for Seok Myeong, a First Generation Disciple of this sect, to have learned the Demonic Energy Absorption Art, a forbidden art of the Demonic Cult. No matter how pure his intent for research was."
Seok Myeong’s shoulders stiffened. The Sect Leader had directly addressed the very issue he had been dreading.
"However, that too was ultimately a decision of Qingcheng. Azure Cloud Taoist worked with the permission of the Sect Leader of his time. He sought to transform a dangerous demonic art into a martial art of Qingcheng. Therefore, First Generation Disciple Seok Myeong, you must prove it."
"……."
Seok Myeong’s eyes widened as he focused on the words to follow. The Sect Leader pronounced his judgment solemnly.
"Prove that the Heavenly Scripture Energy Absorption Art is entirely different from a demonic art. Prove that the efforts of the many generations of Azure Cloud Taoist have finally borne fruit. If you succeed, we shall rightfully recognize the contributions of Azure Cloud Taoist and let the matter of the Energy Absorption Art rest. However, if you fail, Qingcheng will define Azure Cloud Taoist’s attempts as a dangerous act and strike all related individuals from the Taoist Register."
It felt as if a gavel had come crashing down. In the Taoist Qingcheng Sect, being struck from the Taoist Register meant erasing the entire history of Azure Cloud Taoist’s lineage.
This included Seok Myeong, his master Song Hye, and the efforts of the countless practitioners of the Azure Cloud lineage before them.
"Elder Song Ji, select the disciples who will learn this martial art."
Song Jeong turned his gaze to Song Ji, the First Elder and second in the hierarchy. Song Ji’s expression darkened as he received the manual the Sect Leader handed him.
"I am worried about who would even be willing to learn it."
Though it was labeled as the "Qingcheng Heart Method," this was a dangerous endeavor. Its root was originally a demonic art. Who would want to learn a martial art intertwined with demonic qi?
Furthermore, what master would want to put their disciple—who was like their own flesh and blood—into an experiment that carried the risk of Qi Deviation?
"With all due respect, no matter the Sect Leader's command, it is difficult to make someone master a dangerous martial art if they have no will to do so themselves."
The more complex the mental art, the more important the mindset and motivation. Internal energy and the mind are joined like Yin and Yang. It is impossible to attain a high-level martial art while in an unstable state of mind. Song Ji’s point was only natural.
"Then we shall first see if there are any who wish to do so. This, too, shall be the karma of the Azure Cloud lineage."
After glancing over the assembly, Song Jeong stood up and declared in the center of the Grand Purity Hall.
"We shall see how much they trust Seok Myeong, the current successor of Azure Cloud Taoist. We will find out exactly how many people are willing to risk their lives for this dangerous endeavor."