Chapter 124: Stream (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 124: Stream (2)
Namgung Jun led the way up the mountain path. Watching the boy’s back as he stepped forward with confidence, Samgyeong had no choice but to follow.
Samgyeong watched Namgung Jun’s back from five paces behind.
The narrow gap felt incredibly vast, as if it would never close.
This is just like my own situation, he thought.
He was always falling behind while Namgung Jun forged endlessly ahead. The true distance between them was surely far greater than a mere five paces.
Samgyeong almost let out a sigh, but he quickly clamped his mouth shut, worried Namgung Jun might hear.
“The scent of the pines is truly refreshing,” Namgung Jun said out of the blue, prompting Samgyeong to look up.
On both sides of the mountain path, pine trees of a deep blue-green hue stood in neat rows. In the past, the crisp scent of pine would always tickle his nose whenever he walked these paths, but now, he smelled nothing.
Samgyeong didn’t think much of it. He had climbed Mount Wudang at a young age and had smelled the pines to the point of exhaustion; it was only natural that he’d grown desensitized.
I suppose I'm as accustomed to the scent of pine as one can get.
He had lost his entire family to bandits who raided his village. It happened during the winter when he was six years old. If his martial uncles hadn't been passing by, he surely would have died as well. Or worse, he might have been dragged away and sold into slavery.
Recalling the memory of climbing Mount Wudang hand-in-hand with his martial uncles, Samgyeong suddenly snapped out of his thoughts. Their walk was taking longer than expected.
By the way, where is Young Master Namgung taking me?
Namgung Jun said little as he climbed, simply walking slowly along the mountain path. They seemed to have ascended quite high; when Samgyeong turned his head, a panoramic view of Mount Wudang unfolded before him.
“What a magnificent view.”
Namgung Jun had stopped, busy taking in the scenery. Samgyeong’s patience was wearing thin. Just as he was about to speak, Namgung Jun broke the silence.
“I heard that the disciples of the Wudang Sect each harbor a different aspect of Mount Wudang in their hearts, hoping to one day resemble it.”
“Pardon?”
“Whether it be the peaks, the foothills, the mist, the clouds, or even the pine trees. Is that the case for you as well, Daoist Samgyeong?”
The sudden question left Samgyeong at a loss for words. He stared at Namgung Jun with tense eyes but ultimately had to look away.
The quiet, humble beauty of Mount Wudang filled his vision. As his eyes scanned the peaks one by one, they finally landed on a single one.
It was the highest peak of Mount Wudang, Heavenly Pillar Peak.
Only then did Samgyeong recall his childhood aspiration.
Yes. I wanted to be like Heavenly Pillar Peak.
There was no grand reason for it. It was simply the tallest and, therefore, looked the coolest. Remembering his childhood dream, Samgyeong let out a bitter smile.
It was the kind of dream only an ignorant child could have. Now, he knew better. He knew he could never become like Heavenly Pillar Peak. The Jianghu was far wider than he had ever imagined, and it was full of towering peaks he could never hope to match.
He was too embarrassed to answer “Heavenly Pillar Peak.” Especially not to Namgung Jun.
Instead of answering, Samgyeong deflected with a question of his own. “Is there something you wish to resemble, Young Master Namgung?”
Namgung Jun didn't reply. He simply raised his head, and his gaze shifted upward.
Naturally, Samgyeong’s gaze followed.
The infinitely sprawling sky.
The sky…
No matter how high Heavenly Pillar Peak reached, it could never touch the sky.
Samgyeong let out a self-deprecating chuckle. “It suits you well, Young Master Namgung. It is so high that nothing can ever hope to reach it.”
“Height is of no importance.”
“Pardon?” Samgyeong asked, his expression blank at the unexpected reply.
Namgung Jun stared intently at Samgyeong’s face.
I think I understand now.
Namgung Jun turned his head back to gaze at Mount Wudang. In a way, this might be overstepping. Samgyeong was merely a fleeting acquaintance, a disciple of another sect. Today might very well be the last time they ever met.
And yet…
Did one really need a reason to guide a junior who had lost his way? A little warmth and goodwill were more than enough. Just like the boy he had met in Wind-Thunder Valley.
“Whether a goal is high or low, or the pace of progress is fast or slow—when you look back, it is all just a single path.”
“Then what is it that matters?”
“Taking steps in the right direction. That, I believe, is the essence of both the Martial Path and the Righteous Path.”
Looking out over Mount Wudang, Namgung Jun met Samgyeong’s eyes and smiled.
“That is why I believe you are doing well, Daoist Samgyeong.”
“Pardon? Me?” Samgyeong stammered, flustered by the sudden praise.
“There is a need for times of wandering and standing still. It is during those moments that you catch your breath and look back on the path you have walked.”
“But won’t I fall behind others in the meantime? That is what I fear.”
Namgung Jun pointed to the clouds drifting over Mount Wudang. “Whether they drift slowly or rush quickly, in the end, they are all still clouds.”
“……”
“Daoist Samgyeong, even if countless people overtake you and stand ahead, your only true rival is yourself.” The light in Namgung Jun’s eyes deepened as he looked at Samgyeong. “If you can climb the peak of the mountain in your heart and cross its rivers, you will have no need to chase after anyone. For you will have become a complete person, one who has overcome himself.”
Samgyeong did not answer. He merely gazed at Mount Wudang with conflicted eyes.
Namgung Jun did not rush him, patiently waiting. The sun, once high in the sky, gradually began to sink, painting the heavens in shades of crimson.
“Young Master Namgung.”
“Speak, Daoist Samgyeong.”
“You have spoken many wonderful words, Young Master Namgung, but they do not quite resonate with me yet.” Samgyeong’s gaze drifted slightly downward. “I am still afraid. I fear that the stream that is myself will be blocked by a wall or a massive boulder, unable to flow forward, and will pool into a stagnant puddle.”
“Is that so?”
“However…” Samgyeong slowly raised his head and met Namgung Jun’s gaze head-on. It was the first time their eyes had truly met since they began climbing the mountain. “Even if I am afraid and terrified, I will accept it. And I will strive endlessly to find a new path. There is no need to force myself to shatter the boulder blocking my way. If I keep flowing, a path will eventually reveal itself.”
Water that had pooled deeply would surely be able to surge forth as an even mightier torrent.
“Is that the answer you have found, Daoist Samgyeong?”
“Whether it is a gently flowing river or a deeply sleeping lake, in the end, it is all just water.”
Namgung Jun’s expressionless lips slowly curved upward. The look on Samgyeong’s face now was truly a wonderful sight.
In my past life, there were quite a few disciples like Samgyeong.
He used to converse with many of them. Whether he comforted them, scolded them, or shared deep conversations, the knots in their hearts could never be untangled all at once. In the end, it all depended on one’s own mindset.
It was the same for Samgyeong. Namgung Jun didn’t expect him to change overnight from this brief conversation. It was fine even if he didn’t change, or if he continued to wander and stagnate. He only hoped that Samgyeong would not lose sight of the right direction.
To that end, Namgung Jun had merely left a single point of starlight in Samgyeong’s mind, one that might someday guide his way. If today’s conversation could exert even a small influence on Samgyeong in the future, that would be enough.
Standing shoulder to shoulder as they watched the sunset over Mount Wudang, Namgung Jun turned around. “A lot of time has passed. Let us head back.”
“Yes.”
Turning to follow, Samgyeong took one last look at Heavenly Pillar Peak. Then, taking in the sky once more, he said, “I wanted to resemble Heavenly Pillar Peak. It is the highest peak on Mount Wudang.”
He felt that now, it was fine to tell him. With a lighter heart, Samgyeong began to walk.
Unlike when they had climbed the mountain, Samgyeong was now walking shoulder to shoulder with Namgung Jun.
Huh?
As they descended the path, sharing light conversation, Samgyeong’s nose twitched.
It was the scent of pine.
Had the fragrance always been this crisp and refreshing? It felt like a truly long time since he had last smelled it. Inhaling the pine scent, his heart felt lighter, refreshed.
Only then did a familiar, gentle smile slowly return to Samgyeong’s face.
* * *
After about twenty days of recuperation, the Heavenly Sword Hall had fully recovered. They had restored their bodies to peak condition and confirmed that the forces of the Sun-Exhaustion Demon King had completely withdrawn.
There was no longer any reason to remain on Mount Wudang. After notifying the Wudang Sect of their departure, the Heavenly Sword Hall set off immediately.
“We stayed in Hubei Province for quite a while this time.”
“Indeed. The mission dragged on for quite some time.”
The swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall walked while looking around, as if trying to imprint the scenery of Mount Wudang in their minds one last time.
“Once we return to headquarters, our youngest will immediately prepare for his Fourth Cloud Promotion, right?”
“He’s accumulated more than enough merits. During this Sect War, he slew the Ninth Mirror Master and the Hubei Branch Leader back-to-back. It’s a guaranteed pass.”
“Once our youngest becomes a Fourth Cloud, it’ll be hard to have silly chats like this anymore. It’s a bit saddening.”
Listening to the senior members of the Heavenly Sword Hall, Namgung Jun chuckled. The Fourth Cloud was a rank for high-ranking executives, equivalent to the Hall Masters of the Ten Halls. If Namgung Jun became a Fourth Cloud, even his seniors would find it difficult to approach him as casually as they did now. The gap between ranks was absolute.
Come to think of it, I don't know what will happen to my placement after I become a Fourth Cloud.
Looking at the Ten Halls, there were no other Fourth Clouds besides the Hall Masters. It was unclear if this was because no one else qualified or if each hall was limited to a single Fourth Cloud. He would have to hear the details from the Ink Fragrance Department.
“Namgung Jun! Even if you get promoted to the Fourth Cloud, can I still talk to you comfortably like this?”
“Lady Man. If you dare do that, I, as your superior, will teach you a lesson. Keep that in mind.”
“Ah! Senior Heo, you’re too much!”
While Heo Il gave Man Ye-won a playful glare, Yu Geun-su, who was walking beside Namgung Jun, asked, “I really wanted to go on another mission with you, Senior Namgung. But I suppose if our ranks are so far apart, it’ll be hard for us to move together, right?”
“You made great contributions on a grand stage this time. If you pass the promotion exam, you’ll be able to become a Second Cloud. Work hard.”
The chatter among the Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen died down one by one. Everyone had felt it—the presence of numerous individuals gathered at the mountain gate of the Wudang Sect.
“Humph.”
As Lee Se-ha let out a soft hum, the Heavenly Sword Hall cast aside their relaxed demeanor, falling into neat ranks and moving with disciplined precision.
A vast crowd of Wudang Sect disciples had gathered at the mountain gate. From third-generation disciples to second- and first-generation disciples, and even elders who rarely showed themselves—they were all present.
Standing at the very front was the Wudang Sect Master, Jeong Hong.
Facing him, Lee Se-ha offered her respects. “Sect Master.”
“I heard the news. Since you are returning, it is only right that we see you off.”
At Jeong Hong’s gesture, Samgyeong stepped forward on behalf of the second-generation disciples, carrying an elegant wooden box.
“This is the entirety of the Supreme Clarity Pills currently held by our sect.”
The Supreme Clarity Pill. A spirit elixir crafted by mobilizing all the resources of the Wudang Sect. While it yielded its optimal effect when consumed by a martial artist trained in Wudang’s heart method, even those who weren’t could still obtain a massive amount of internal energy from it. Such was the sheer excellence of the pill’s inherent energy.
“The Black Cloud Wandering Maiden and the Azure Star Sword. You have truly accomplished a great deed. Please, accept this.”
Lee Se-ha smiled faintly and pushed the wooden box back. “We appreciate your kindness. However, we merely did what was expected of us, so we must decline.”
Jeong Hong shook his head and was about to speak again, but this time, Namgung Jun answered.
“We merely moved in accordance with chivalry, just as clouds drift. And just as the Wudang Sect has always done.”
At Namgung Jun’s response, Jeong Hong had no choice but to smile and withdraw the Supreme Clarity Pills.
“The Wudang Sect will never forget your chivalry.”
As Jeong Hong bowed in respect, the disciples standing behind him followed suit in unison.
“We shall surely meet again someday. I wish you all good martial fortune.”
Receiving the Wudang Sect’s warmest send-off, the Heavenly Sword Hall began their descent with light steps.