117. The Same Old Trick
The Wudang Sect.
As vast as the scenery of Mt. Wudang, the Wudang Sect stretched endlessly.
Besides the grand main estate, there were numerous Taoist temples scattered throughout the mountain slopes.
These temples also served as inns, for in the unprecedented situation where the sect leader had fallen, anyone could enter.
The pilgrims who could not ascend to the main peak were still able to pay their respects at these various temples, for the renowned Daoists of the Wudang Sect always burned incense.
The pure incense that cleared the mind and calmed the heart.
Yet So Ji-hyeok, the young master of the Yunhyeon Sword Gate, did not feel his mind clear.
“Strictly speaking, our Yunhyeon Sword Gate is a family from the secular world, yet we stay in these shabby temples, while the Namgung Clan, which is no different from outsiders, is hosted in the main estate of the main peak.”
So Ji-hyeok spat out a breath.
His cheeks slightly flushed, hair slightly disheveled, a faint fragrance emanating from his breath.
Anyone could tell he was drunk.
Even though he was not a tavern, and even though he was drunk in a temple, no one stopped him.
Guang So comforted him as if to say something.
“Are the Namgung Clan and Yunhyeon Sword Gate the same? You person.”
“They are not the same. We are the secular branch of the Wudang Sect and the strongest pillar. How much wealth does our sect send to the Wudang Sect every year…?”
“The Namgung Clan provided the sect leader’s direct disciple, and didn’t they handle the villain who caused the Wudang bloodbath?”
“Hmph. Not the sect leader’s successor, but at best a Daoist disciple. When he dies, you just build him up again. Where is there another person who is knowledgeable in the Dao?”
Guang So clicked his tongue. His eyes looking at So Ji-hyeok briefly turned cold, then returned.
Even though I’m right here, he says such things?
Disgust welled up.
The successor of a secular family spends their childhood in the Wudang Sect.
To maintain the tight bond between the main sect and the secular branch.
Naturally, he had a deep connection with So Ji-hyeok, his peer.
Yet he truly felt disgust.
“Calling the sect leader’s direct disciple just a Daoist disciple.”
Yes, one could think that.
Even within the Wudang Sect, there was a tendency to value martial arts more and the Dao less.
Especially in the secular branch, Yunhyeon Sword Gate, it was only natural.
But even internally, thinking that way, it’s not as stupid as outwardly expressing it.
“He must be treating me as a close friend, thinking it’s easy.”
Guang So forced himself to suppress his anger.
If he wasn’t the successor of Yunhyeon Sword Gate, would he have such a person as a close friend?
“Hah, this stupid guy is perfect for this matter.”
Guang So recalled the story told by Hocheong.
His master was not the Green Azure, but Hocheong, the senior brother, was closer to him. Precisely, Hocheong valued Guang So more than Yang Azure.
Thanks to Senior Brother Hocheong, I became one of the Ten Great Disciples of Wudang.
His age was very young.
Yet he held the position of one of the Ten Great Disciples.
All thanks to Hocheong’s advice and help.
Guang So, who did not forget the kindness, did his best to follow Hocheong’s words no matter what.
But… this matter.
A momentary hesitation crossed his face.
“If the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven, inherited one of the branches of the Wudang Sect and its martial arts…?”
And if that person personally came to capture the villain of the Wudang Sect.
“Why should we be hostile?”
A fundamental question surged.
“Are Master, Senior Brother, and Senior Brother not people for the sake of the Wudang Sect?”
Trouble welled up in his mind.
Guang So forcibly pushed it away. People who had devoted themselves to the Wudang for a long time.
“There must be some meaning.”
Guang So subtly encouraged So Ji-hyeok.
“The contribution of the Yunhyeon Sword Gate to the smooth operation of the Wudang Sect is not small.”
“Indeed! Who is more realistic than some Namgung Clan in Anhui! These Taoist priests, if you knew how much money they took from behind, Guang So, you’d be surprised too.”
In the entire jianghu, Yunhyeon Sword Gate couldn’t compare to the fame of the Namgung Clan.
But for the Wudang Sect, it was different.
For the Wudang Sect, the Namgung Clan was a rival sect that cooperated or ignored.
“The sect that practically controls Hubei is the Yunhyeon Sword Gate!”
Not only with the solid backing of the Wudang Sect, but as a secular branch, they ran substantial businesses.
Most of the chambers of commerce and postal services they owned were mid-sized, but several of them made their influence significant.
Because of the foundation of the Dao Gate, the Wudang Sect was relatively poor.
It was difficult to maintain the other identity of the Wudang Sect with just the daily donations from pilgrims.
Whether it was a Dao Gate or a martial arts faction.
The dilemma of the Wudang, which had to be both, deepened day by day.
The operation of jianghu sects required costs of considerable scale.
From various elixirs to weapons.
The Wudang Sect, which was a jianghu sect yet had to maintain its innate identity as a Dao Gate.
The way was through secular branches.
The numerous donations sent from the secular branches helped the operation of the Wudang Sect greatly.
Among the secular branches, the Yunhyeon Sword Gate was overwhelmingly dominant.
“Our father? When the Three Pure Ones of the Wudang were actively working in their prime, I interacted with them like brothers and received teachings.”
“I heard. If it wasn’t just the successor of the Yunhyeon Sword Gate, the main sect would have taken him in as a disciple.”
“Damn. That Yunhyeon Sword Gate left them in the outer temples, and instead of eating each other, they were growling at each other, and those Namgung brats were welcomed inside.”
“Still, you can freely come and go to the main estate, right?”
“Of course! Who brought the Hundred Sword God!”
“Right, talent is good too. How did you know this would happen and stick the Hundred Sword God to it?”
“I don’t know. My father suddenly said his body wasn’t feeling well and searched everywhere to bring him. How was I supposed to know this would happen.”
It was a blunt answer, but Guang So’s mind was spinning.
Thinking about it, there are many strange points.
Guang So’s eyes darkened heavily.
At the right time, after bringing the Hundred Sword God to the Yunhyeon Sword Gate, could he bring him to the Wudang Sect at the exact moment?
It wasn’t a simple coincidence.
More importantly, the fact that the head of the Yunhyeon Sword Gate was very close to the Three Pure Ones came to mind.
No matter what, they didn’t want to inform the outside world that the sect leader had fallen, which was the current policy of the Wudang Sect.
They secretly contacted only the Yunhyeon Sword Gate.
What did this mean?
Was it to quickly treat the sect leader’s illness by contacting them?
How did they know that the Hundred Sword God was at the Yunhyeon Sword Gate at the right time?
One thought kept sprouting.
And the end was not good. No matter how much he thought, at the end of the worry was only one possibility.
But thinking about it was unpleasant. Guang So unconsciously grabbed the collar of his clothes.
Beyond the clothes, something alien was felt in his palm.
“Senior Brother Hocheong is not that kind of person. He is the one who taught me and gave generously.”
A faint sense of stability came from the tightly gripped palm.
Guang So took a deep breath and said to So Ji-hyeok.
“Thanks to you, neither you nor I are drinking here.”
“That’s right.”
“If we entered the main estate, why would we drink. In front of those Taoist priests who drink grain liquor instead of alcohol to save face.”
“Hahaha, right. How much do I have to watch to have a drink.”
“The Dao Gate is always so frustrating.”
“You are like this. Even though you are one of the Ten Great Disciples, you don’t look like a Daoist.”
Guang So smiled bitterly.
No matter how strong the Wudang Sect’s identity was, saying it didn’t look like a Daoist was never praise.
“When are you going to the jianghu? With your skill, you could easily deal with those famous late-stage experts.”
“Deal with them easily. There is you, the late-stage expert from Hubei.”
“Hmm, that’s true.”
A little lift and the shoulders rise immediately.
Guang So narrowed his eyes slightly and observed the situation.
The reason they were staying in the nearby temple instead of the Wudang main estate, not matching the prestige of the Yunhyeon Sword Gate.
To accumulate some dissatisfaction.
On purpose, by comparing to the Namgung Clan and Sun Wukong.
“Brandishing a sword outside the Wudang main estate is absolutely forbidden.”
Anyone using a sword in the Wudang Sect is forbidden.
“Especially if it’s related to the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven.”
There was already a precedent of damaging the holy decree of the Wudang.
“If a bloodbath breaks out here.”
If even one of So Ji-hyeok’s arms was cut here?
It would be difficult even for the Wudang Sect to tolerate.
Of course, they couldn’t punish him.
Because the original plan had changed; it was estimated that Sun Wukong had inherited one of the branches of the Wudang Sect.
But even for a moment, expelling him from the Wudang main estate was possible.
Or they could restrict movement in the form of imprisonment, as calculated by Hocheong.
Guang So intended to incite So Ji-hyeok.
To make him clash with Sun Wukong.
But he was still pondering how to guide it.
At that moment, So Ji-hyeok said in a casual voice.
“By the way, about those women from the Namgung Clan.”
“Women? Be careful, this person. One is the head of the law enforcement hall and the real power of the Namgung, and the other is the only daughter of the Sword God, the former head of the family.”
“Hmm. Anyway.”
So Ji-hyeok trailed off.
Look at this?
Guang So’s eyes sparkled a little.
He belatedly recalled that there was a rumor that So Ji-hyeok was lecherous.
“Why, did you notice him?”
“Actually, I saw his face before.”
“I saw it? Namgung people rarely leave Anhui, so it would be hard to see…?”
“I saw it briefly in Gangseo Province.”
“Really? Is there a connection?”
“It’s not really a connection.”
Guang So’s eyes narrowed. Judging by the reaction, it was not a lie.
“Previously, two young late-stage experts from the Namgung were traveling in the jianghu. The successor and the Sword God’s daughter.”
“Did you connect with them then?”
“Well… if it’s a connection, then yes.”
The answer wasn’t clear, but it wasn’t important for Guang So.
Guang So encouraged So Ji-hyeok’s lechery.
“Hah… lusting after people from the Namgung Clan. Your guts are big.”
“The Namgung, or something about no affection between men and women.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“What am I going to do? I’m just asking because I’m curious.”
“Anyway, you can easily enter the Wudang Sect’s territory.”
“If so…”
“Even if just the collar is brushed, it’s said to be a connection, meeting in such a place at such a time. Are you going to stay still?”
“Well…”
So Ji-hyeok’s face slightly reddened.
“What is there to be shy about for a man in the jianghu.”
“Still, the current situation is like this…”
So Ji-hyeok was not an unsophisticated person.
Originally, this temple was very closely connected to the Yunhyeon Sword Gate, so it was fine to drink without worry.
In the unprecedented situation where the sect leader had fallen.
“Calling them women, that doesn’t seem right.”
Guang So forcibly suppressed the sudden sneer.
Women? Those two are not ordinary people.
A fleeting arrogance shone through.
The successor of a sect that had no restraint in Hubei Province, as if they were above the law.
“Still, looking at the women of the Namgung Clan as if they would fall if their clothes were loosened.”
Of course, it was no concern for Guang So.
His purpose was different.
“Have courage.”
“What is this?”
“The talisman given by Senior Brother.”
“Huh?”
Senior Brother would be Hocheong. Talismans of some random, base Taoist priests could be bought in the common people’s market. Among them, talismans with rumors of supernatural power, even ordinary tycoons wouldn’t hesitate to go buy them.
Among Daoists, the foundation was naturally the Wudang Daoists.
In the common saying, the place with a name was not the Wudang Sect.
A talisman written by a Wudang Daoist.
Actually, whenever the Wudang Sect needed to supplement insufficient funds, they secretly distributed talismans to solve it.
Especially, a talisman personally written by Hocheong, one of the Three Pure Ones, the greatest elder in the Wudang Sect.
“Indeed. It clearly shows something different!”
So Ji-hyeok sighed softly. Actually, So Ji-hyeok, who had only one thousand years of Daoist learning, couldn’t even recognize what kind of talisman it was. He only knew a few of the broken characters and was distracted by the red letters, so he felt the power was different.
“It feels like there’s a mysterious aura. As expected, since it’s personally written by Senior Brother the Three Pure Ones?”
“Hahaha. I see what you mean. I always carry this talisman in my bosom. You might think it’s an exaggeration, but I was able to clearly see what I wanted. I gained motivation and courage.”
“Is that so?”
“Since receiving the talisman from Senior Brother Hocheong, many things have changed. The feeling of frustration being pierced and disappearing was really refreshing. There was progress in martial arts too. That’s why I follow Senior Brother Hocheong closely.”
It couldn’t be underestimated as just one talisman.
There was the Zhuge family that created formations with one talisman.
More importantly, the mysterious aura.
It wasn’t inner energy, but a more explosive feeling was felt from the talisman.
So Ji-hyeok carefully put it in his bosom as if mesmerized.
“I wanted to go find it myself and thank you.”
“You guy. Before that, there is a place you need to go with courage, right? This is a good opportunity to make acquaintance with the Namgung Clan.”
“Hmm…”
So Ji-hyeok’s eyes narrowed as if tempted.
“Yes, let’s meet for a bit and talk.”
“Those Taoist priests will understand. They are young men and women in their prime.”
Guang So laughed brightly.
* * *
“If anyone saw me, they would think I’m the villain.”
Sun Wukong was aware of the countless gazes following him.
After declaring that he would find and kill the villain himself.
Countless eyes of surveillance followed Sun Wukong.
Sun Wukong moved with composure.
Without caring about the following gazes.
He looked around and stroked every tree and rock that passed by.
-Cold…
-Sunny…
Soft voices in his mind.
All of them were saying the same thing, very low level.
No intelligence.
But among them, there were some with a certain level of intelligence.
Sun Wukong’s movement stopped at a temple outside the Wudang main estate.
A large old tree standing in front of that temple.
-No rain. Thirsty…
A somewhat long sentence.
Sun Wukong took a bucket of water and poured it on the roots.
“Can you understand what I’m saying?”
-… Earth Deity?
“Not an Earth Deity… well, let’s say so.”
Sun Wukong didn’t try to explain. Even if he told him about the concept above the celestial realm, the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven, he probably wouldn’t understand.
Leaving the misunderstanding of it looking like an Earth Deity, Sun Wukong asked.
“There was a Daoist with an unusually wide forehead here, right?”
-Yes. A man with a wide forehead. Came.
“Did you hear what I said?”
-I didn’t hear.
“Then who did you meet?”
-A man who only drank and pissed on me.
Sun Wukong smiled bitterly.
To explain the details, the tree’s level wasn’t that high.
After all, how long would a tree have to live to have a normal conversation.
This was the best.
Still, with this much, Sun Wukong got some results.
By searching a bit more, it was easy to find out that the person staying in this temple was the successor of the Yunhyeon Sword Gate.
Considering what the tree said…
“They are plotting something with the Yunhyeon Sword Gate here.”
Sun Wukong’s eyes sparkled.
“What kind of trivial trick are they trying to pull.”