Chapter 620
Returning to the room, Bu Eun-seol explained to Bukgung Ryeong and Song-ak.
"There is someone within the Wudang Sect deliberately stealing the Essence of the Elders."
At this somewhat absurd conclusion, Bukgung Ryeong and Song-ak looked stunned, as if they couldn't comprehend it.
"An object that steals Essence? What do you mean by that?"
"Does such a thing even exist in this world?"
Bu Eun-seol calmly elaborated.
"Though unknown to the Rivers and Lakes, there exist artifacts known as Black Divine Artifacts. These all possess abilities beyond imagination..."
After listening silently for a long while, Bukgung Ryeong furrowed his brow.
"Then shouldn't we just find the person who possesses this Black Divine Artifact?"
"That would be difficult. We don't even know what it looks like, and even if we investigate, it's undoubtedly hidden in a place where it would never be discovered."
"This humble one cannot understand."
Song-ak shook his head.
"Even if such an object exists, why would someone go to the trouble of infiltrating our sect just to steal the Elders' Essence?"
The Wudang Sect stands shoulder to shoulder with Shaolin.
There's no reason to take such risks in a place where the probability of exposure is high.
"It seems there are various conditions required to awaken a Black Divine Artifact. One I've seen before could manifest its power by draining the Yin Qi of women."
"Then are you saying one of our disciples obtained such an evil object and attempted to use its power?"
"Most likely, it's not someone from Wudang."
Bu Eun-seol spoke decisively.
"It seems certain that someone is impersonating a Wudang disciple."
However, Song-ak responded with unexpected firmness.
"That's impossible."
"How can you be so sure?"
At Bukgung Ryeong's question, Song-ak answered honestly.
"To be frank, our sect once considered the possibility that a malevolent figure had infiltrated us. So we summoned every disciple and interrogated them one by one."
He continued calmly.
"We questioned each disciple about things an outsider would never know. Had someone infiltrated, they would undoubtedly have been exposed."
"But what if the interrogator themselves was the culprit? Wouldn't that make it possible to avoid detection?"
It was a sharp observation.
Yet Song-ak remained resolute.
"That could be true, but I refuse to believe any of our Elders or senior leaders are the culprits."
In short, those who conducted the interrogations were the core members of the Wudang Sect. He was certain none of them could be the perpetrator.
"Perhaps the interrogations wouldn't have revealed anything."
Bu Eun-seol interjected.
"The Three Realms possess secret techniques to steal others' memories. There are even methods to inspect one's Essence, Energy, and Spirit, or so I've heard."
Song-ak, seemingly well-informed about the Three Realms, nodded without much surprise.
"If such techniques exist..."
His expression darkened.
"They would have examined every memory. There'd be no way to find them."
Looking back, the bonds between Wudang disciples were strong, and those of the same generation were practically inseparable.
Had there been a suspicious individual, those within the same circle would surely have noticed something amiss.
"So it's the Three Realms again?"
"I don't know. But the probability is high."
Truthfully, the Black Divine Artifact was more likely tied to a faction opposing the Three Realms than the Three Realms themselves.
But since nothing was certain, he glossed over the details.
Bukgung Ryeong nodded.
"Well, if not the Three Realms, who else would dare infiltrate the Wudang Sect and pull such a stunt?"
"First, we'll need to investigate the Wudang disciples once more."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Bukgung Ryeong and Song-ak nodded gravely.
It seemed the investigation would drag on a little longer.
Bu Eun-seol and Bukgung Ryeong proceeded to interrogate each Wudang disciple again.
Yet not a single suspicious figure emerged.
'Could they have split their personality like the Azure River Realm?'
Bu Eun-seol stroked his chin.
'No, that can't be.'
The time required to successfully brainwash someone was extremely long—at least a year, sometimes even over ten years.
It was unthinkable that someone would go to such lengths just to absorb the Essence of Wudang's Elders using a Black Divine Artifact.
Murmur, murmur.
When lunchtime arrived, Wudang disciples began gathering in their respective halls to eat.
The sect was large enough to employ dedicated cooks to manage the kitchen.
Bu Eun-seol silently observed the disciples as they ate.
Mealtime brought them all together, making it much easier to study them.
"Take your time."
Among the Wudang cooks, however, there was one particularly unique individual.
An elderly grandmother, well advanced in years, who would instantly notice when side dishes or soup were running low and promptly refill them.
'Hmm.'
Bu Eun-seol's eyes gleamed as he watched the grandmother swiftly replenishing the side dishes for the young Daoists.
'So that's how it's done.'
A brilliant idea flashed through Bu Eun-seol's mind as he approached Song-ak and asked a few questions.
"By any chance, does the Wudang Sect have a strict master?"
"A strict master, you say?"
"The Wudang Sect has many disciples, doesn't it? In that case, there must be at least one figure who enforces hierarchy and disciplines them harshly."
"Well, there is."
Song-ak widened his eyes and shook his head.
"That would be our Great Instructor, Daoist Master Azure Pine. Though 'strict' might not even begin to describe him."
As he continued speaking, his face grew noticeably haggard.
"You're actually lucky, sir. If he were here right now, you wouldn't have been able to investigate so comfortably."
"Where is he now?"
"He secluded himself in a small garden behind Jade Void Palace over a year ago. He likely won't emerge until around this time next year."
"That's fortunate."
"What is?"
"That he's still on Wudang Mountain."
A faint white smile curled at the lips of Bu Eun-seol, disguised as Seol-so.
"Now we'll be able to find the culprit."
All disciples of the Wudang Sect, from first-generation disciples and above, had gathered before Jade Void Palace.
The reason was that Daoist Master Azure Pine, who had been quietly residing in a small bamboo grove on the mountain behind the palace, had descended.
He was the highest-ranking elder and Great Instructor of the Wudang Sect, as well as the martial uncle of the current sect leader, Daoist Master Yeong-cheong.
Though nearly a hundred years old, Daoist Master Azure Pine's physique was as robust as a bear's, and he was still vigorous enough to eat three full bowls of rice in a single meal.
Moreover, not long ago, he had personally taken charge of martial training for the sect's elders, commanders, and first-generation disciples—excluding the sect leader—after declaring the current disciples too weak.
Thud. Thud.
Standing atop the steps of Jade Void Palace, Daoist Master Azure Pine's tiger-like gaze swept over the sect leader and the first-generation disciples below.
"There's been a mishap in our sect, yet no one thought to inform me?"
His booming voice echoed, and Yeong-heo, who had been hesitating, quickly stepped forward.
"The sect leader was concerned that disturbing your secluded cultivation might—"
"Nonsense!"
Daoist Master Azure Pine's icy glare flashed, and Yeong-heo immediately lowered his head and retreated without daring to meet his eyes.
"Are you telling me that a group of our elders suddenly started sleepwalking and tearing apart beasts to devour them raw? Does that sound even remotely plausible?"
He descended the steps and began scrutinizing each elder's face one by one.
None of them dared to meet his gaze, their eyes fixed firmly on the ground.
The elders who had suffered from sleepwalking and hunted birds trembled violently, some even squeezing their eyes shut.
"And what were the rest of you doing?!"
His fury now turned toward the commanders and first-generation disciples of each hall.
"If you lot had been doing your jobs properly, would the elders have grown so weak that they fell prey to such afflictions?"
Every time he passed by, the commanders and disciples flinched.
Daoist Master Azure Pine's temperament wasn't just quick to anger—it was explosive.
Because of this, when teaching martial arts,
not only did he personally demonstrate techniques despite his advanced age, but if a disciple failed to concentrate or made a mistake?
The very martial technique he had just demonstrated would come crashing down upon their face without warning.
And since he never held back... it was common for those who trained under him to end up bedridden for days afterward.
"If word of this spreads, the orthodox sects of the martial world will mock us as a gathering of fraudulent Daoists!"
Daoist Master Azure Pine declared in a solemn voice.
"Starting tomorrow, I will personally oversee martial training again. Everyone is to assemble before the Three Pure Ones Hall by the Mi Period (1-3 PM)."
A collective groan escaped the lips of every disciple present.
Unable to bear it any longer, Sect Leader Yeong-cheong cautiously stepped forward.
"Martial Uncle... The elders are at an age where their joints are stiffening. Can they truly endure such grueling training?"
"Daoist Master Jang Gyo. The foundation of our sect's martial arts lies in internal energy. The reason they fell victim to sleepwalking is because they neglected their training, allowing illness to invade."
Daoist Master Azure Pine then turned to the disciples.
"Yeong-heo and Yeong-jin are already burdened with heavy duties, so the two of them are exempt."
At this, Yeong-heo and Yeong-jin exchanged looks of profound gratitude and clasped their hands together.
They were finally reaping the rewards of their tireless service in assisting Daoist Master Jang Gyo.
"Prepare yourselves starting tomorrow!"
With that final roar, Daoist Master Azure Pine strode past Jade Void Palace without a backward glance, returning to the bamboo grove.
"..."
A heavy silence lingered over Jade Void Palace for a long moment.
Then, in an instant, every Daoist present turned their icy stares toward one person.
Their target was none other than Song-ak.
—It's all because of that bastard stirring up trouble...!
After all, he was the one who had summoned Daoist Master Azure Pine from his secluded cultivation.
He had trusted Bu Eun-seol's words and persuaded the Elders to arrange an audience with Daoist Master Cheong-song.
Because Bu Eun-seol had said this:
"If we summon Daoist Master Cheong-song, we'll immediately find the culprit. Trust me."
But far from finding the culprit, they had only provoked Daoist Master Cheong-song's anger, leaving behind nothing but a stern warning to intensify martial training once more.
And where had Bu Eun-seol disappeared to in the meantime? Not a trace of him could be seen.
'This is like burning down the whole house just to catch a single bedbug.'
Song-ak's eyes were unfocused, and cold sweat trickled down his forehead in rivulets.
At this point, he'd rather the Elders suffered from sleepwalking and had to eat raw food.
For the first-generation disciples and above to endure such brutal training morning and night—it was nothing short of torture.
"Song-ak, because of you—"
Among the Elders, Daoist Master Yeong-cheon—the most hot-tempered—rolled up his sleeves and stomped forward.
Thud. Thud.
Just then, two figures emerged from the top of Jade Void Palace's stairs.
It was Bukgung Ryeong and Bu Eun-seol.
"Honorary Guardian!"
As Song-ak called out, Bukgung Ryeong nodded solemnly.
"I will reveal the whole truth now, so listen carefully."
His gaze swept over the disciples as he spoke with gravity.
"Song-ok. Step forward."
At that, the frailest-looking disciple among the first-generation disciples tilted his head in confusion.
"Are you referring to me?"
"Yes."
As Song-ok stepped forward, Bukgung Ryeong spoke in a low voice.
"Who are you?"
Song-ok's expression twisted in bewilderment.
"I am Disciple Song-ok."
"Hohoho."
Bukgung Ryeong chuckled darkly, and at the tip of his finger, a small pebble suddenly floated in midair.
Whoosh!
In that instant, Song-ak drew his sword like lightning and took a defensive stance.
It was a movement befitting a first-generation disciple of Wudang—flawless.
Boom!
But when the Inner Energy Bullet Art surged forth, even though Song-ak blocked it, the impact sent him flying dozens of feet back until he crashed into a great tree.
"Ghk—!"
Though he quickly righted himself, bright red blood trickled from Song-ok's lips.
A single strike had inflicted severe internal injuries.
"Honorary Guardian!"
A panicked Yeong Heo stepped in front of Bukgung Ryeong and shouted.
"What in the world are you doing?!"
"That man is not a disciple of the Wudang Sect."
Bukgung Ryeong's voice was calm.
"Capture and interrogate him—everything will be revealed."
"Honorary Guardian, we've already investigated all the first-generation disciples thoroughly!"
Yeong-heo-ja spoke regretfully.
"We've confirmed that Song-ok is not an infiltrator from outside!"
"Of course you would think so. Because he possesses the exact same memories as the real Song-ok."
—The exact same memories?
Every Wudang disciple present widened their eyes in shock.
Bukgung Ryeong's words were utterly incomprehensible to them.
"I am Song-ok."
At that moment, Song-ok spoke with an aggrieved tone.
"Why would an outsider like you deny a fact that all the elders of our sect have already acknowledged?"
Then, raising his voice even louder:
"Could it be that the Honorary Guardian is acting under the influence of an outsider to further disrupt our sect?"
The Elders and disciples found themselves nodding unconsciously.
Even if Bukgung Ryeong was a Renowned Chivalrous Hero representing the Righteous Path, even if he was a figure worthy of being enshrined on the Hero Stele—
To the Wudang Sect, he was still an outsider.
And for such an outsider to demand the interrogation of a first-generation disciple—one who could be considered a future pillar of the sect—without any evidence?
That was simply unthinkable.
"How confident."
Bukgung Ryeong smiled faintly.
"You're certain there's no way to prove it, aren't you?"
"It's not that there's no way to prove it—there's simply no evidence to begin with."
Song-ak's voice was clear and resonant.
"Because I didn't do it."
"Fine."
Bukgung Ryeong nodded toward Bu Eun-seol.
Then, Bu Eun-seol raised his voice.
"Daoist Master! We ask for your assistance once more!"
As his voice echoed through Wudang Mountain, another bear-like figure lumbered down from behind Jade Void Palace.
It was none other than Daoist Master Cheong-song, who had just retreated into the bamboo forest earlier.
"You're bothering this old man again?!"
Daoist Master Cheong-song glared at Bu Eun-seol and Bukgung Ryeong before snapping irritably.
"If you've caught him, just deal with him! Why are you summoning me?!"
"It seems the Wudang disciples haven't realized it yet," Bu Eun-seol replied.
At his words, a fierce blue light erupted from Daoist Master Cheong-song's eyes.
"These useless fools."
His fiery gaze swept over every disciple—except for Sect Leader Yeong-cheong—before he roared like thunder.
"Even an outsider can tell at a glance, yet the disciples of our own sect can't distinguish it?!"
Grumbling, he stomped forward and jabbed a finger in Yeong-heo-ja's face.
"You—who should be properly instructing the disciples—are always out in the martial world wasting your time! Is it any wonder the disciples have become blind fools?!"
Yeongheo-ja flinched every time Cheong-song-ja's finger twitched.
Weak lower body, is it?
The memory surfaced—being forced to hold the Golden Rooster Stance all day long until his waist felt ready to snap.
"You're no different."
Master Azure Pine now strode toward Song-ak, who stood at the very front of the first-generation disciples.
"Needlessly dragging outsiders into our sect's affairs—did you think to make a grand spectacle of this?"
As Cheong-song-ja raised his foot as if to strike, the surrounding disciples flinched in unison, as if by prior agreement.
The memory flashed through their minds—being kicked with the Profound Eighteen Leg Strikes under the guise of "properly teaching" them leg techniques.
—Huh?
The Wudang Sect's elders and commanders watching the scene could sense it.
Every single Wudang Taoist here had suffered so much under Cheong-song-ja's torment that—
Even meeting his gaze made their legs tremble, and the mere approach of his presence sent their hearts pounding as if ready to burst.
But Song-ok alone—
Though he feigned fear, his physiological reactions remained eerily calm.
Why?
Because to the fake Song-ok, Cheong-song-ja was merely a terrifying figure from memory—nothing more.
The Wudang disciples who had personally endured his training reacted instantly, their bodies betraying them—
But despite his fearful expression, the imposter showed no real change.
"Surround that villain at once!"
At Yeong-cheong-ja's shout, the first-generation disciples immediately drew their swords, encircling Song-ok in a tight ring.
"A clever method—exploiting the body's involuntary reactions."
Song-ok, having grasped everything, swept his cold gaze around before speaking.
"To discern the truth by uncovering the flaw of uncontrolled physiological responses—truly, I'd applaud if I could."
"Who are you?!"
Daoist Master Yeong-cheong stepped forward, his expression grave as he roared.
"Why have you committed such a vile act—draining the vital energy of our sect's elders?!"
"An unavoidable necessity."
Song-ok retrieved a transparent ring from his robes.
"To activate this Flawless Ten-Finger Ring, I needed the essence of one trained in Taoist internal energy."
"The Flawless Ten-Finger Ring?"
Even the Wudang elders, seasoned veterans of the martial world, had never heard the name.
Just what was that transparent ring capable of—to steal the elders' vital essence?
"A pity, but I'll have to visit again another time."
Slowly slipping the ring onto his finger, Song-ok spoke with leisurely composure.
"Though I can't say in whose guise I'll return next."
Zzzreok—
The moment the ring settled into place, a transparent rift abruptly split the space between Song-ok and the Wudang Taoists.
As if the world had been cleaved in two—a torn painting.
The Flawless Ring—
That mysterious Black Divine Artifact had begun to exert its power.
"Seize him!"
At Cheong-song-ja's command, the Wudang disciples all drew their swords and lunged at Song-ok.
But no matter how they attacked, none could breach the slight boundary that had formed—
As if through that slender rift—
Song-ok's world and the world beyond had been divided by an impassable border.
"Did you truly think I'd come to Wudang unprepared?"
Song-ok smiled faintly and waved his hand.
"Then, until next time."
And with that, he turned leisurely away.
Every figure present poured forth their Internal Power in desperation, yet none could breach that fractured divide.
"Hohoho."
As Song-ok chuckled and turned—
Whoosh—
Black fog billowed outward, and his figure vanished in an instant.
Simultaneously, the rift he had created began to fade.
But in that very moment—
BOOM! BOOMBOOMBOOM!
Deafening explosions erupted as violet Thunder Qi-charged golden pellets poured relentlessly into the splitting rift.
Bukgung Ryeong stood with his index finger rigidly extended—
Firing his signature weapon, the Purple Lightning Golden Pellets, one after another at maximum force.
BOOM! BOOM!
Finally, after expending all eighteen pellets—
Zzziiing—
The rift's gap widened slightly, and a faint light spilled through.
"Now!"
The instant Bukgung Ryeong roared—
KWA-AAAH!
A massive shadow, wielding an iron sword wreathed in violet lightning, stretched forward—
And in a flash, wedged itself through the rift's opening.
Bu Eun-seol had executed Sword-Body Unity, slipping through the gap.
Bu Eun-seol and Bukgung Ryeong—
These two Grandmasters, transcending generations, understood each other's martial techniques and prowess so thoroughly that—
Without a single word of discussion, they instantly devised this strategy to neutralize the Black Divine Artifact's power.
SHAAANG!
With a sound like shattering glass—
Bu Eun-seol pierced through the spatial wall forged by the divine artifact, arriving where Song-ok stood.
"Honorary Guardian."
Yeong-heo-ja, startled, turned to Bukgung Ryeong.
"Is it truly wise to send your disciple in your stead?"
Even a single move revealed the terrifying martial prowess of the fake Song-ok.
Yet he had sent his disciple in without hesitation?
"Worry not."
Bukgung Ryeong's smile brimmed with absolute conviction.
"He may not capture him alive—but he'll surely bring back his head."