Visiting the Wudang Sect (1)
I organized my thoughts and immediately began drafting the document.
It was a sort of business trip application to visit the Wudang Sect.
The purpose of the trip... was to make a donation to the Wudang Sect while requesting protection for our merchant group.
I finished writing it in one go, then grinned and stood up from my seat.
When I entered my father's office to submit the application, he greeted me warmly.
"Is your body all right now?"
"Yes, Father. I'm fine."
"Hallucinations mean you really pushed yourself..."
I smiled at my father, who still looked worried, and asked in return.
"How about you, Father? Are you doing okay?"
"Me? This is just my daily routine..."
My father and I looked at each other and chuckled.
"So, what brings you here?"
I handed the application to my father. He read it, then looked at my face.
"The Wudang Sect?"
"Yes."
I nodded and explained.
"It's about time for the tribute, isn't it?"
"Ahem, tribute! There's a more elegant term: donation."
"Right, the donation amount is quite substantial, so I can't just send anyone. But as a branch leader, I'll have enough face to pull it off."
"Hmm, true enough."
"Besides, Brother Jeong Ho is busy right now, and Brother Jin Ho is out on caravan duty."
My father thought for a moment, then nodded.
"To avoid any disruptions in your regular duties, you'll have to work extra hard beforehand. You okay with that?"
"I'll... make sure there are no issues."
"Good. I'll prepare the donation separately."
And so, I received my father's permission.
All that remained was to handle my affairs in advance so I could be away for over a fortnight without problems. And I'd probably have to work on the road too.
I resolved myself.
Once I get revenge on the Baekcheon Merchant Group and the Murim Alliance, and make the Eunhae Merchant Group the world's greatest... then I'll really rest.
Rest like never before.
The Wudang Sect.
Located precisely in Gyun County of Hubei Province, on Mount Wudang, it was known as the sect founded by Zhang Sanfeng.
As a Daoist sect, its martial arts embodied the principle of softness overcoming hardness—nyeonje-gang, yielding suppleness to conquer strength.
As one of the two great pillars of the orthodox Murim world, its majesty was overwhelming.
Deep within that Wudang Sect.
In a building constantly guarded by twelve Wudang warriors in pairs.
Inside that building stood a small pavilion tightly bound with golden cords and iron chains.
Two men dressed in Wudang robes passed by it.
A boy who looked about ten asked a young man in his twenties.
"Senior Brother, what's in that pavilion that they guard it so strictly?"
"That's a place you must never go."
"Why not?"
"If you go there, you'll be cursed and turn into a demon. That's why they guard it to keep anyone from entering."
"Turn into a demon?"
"The guards there also have the job of killing that demon. I heard they tear it to shreds so it can never come back to life..."
"Eek!"
The boy recoiled in horror at the gruesome words.
"Well, if you're curious enough to go, I won't stop you. You'll regret it once you turn into a real demon and wonder why I warned you."
"S-Senior Uncle! Don't say that! I won't go near it!"
"Good, wise choice."
"Let's hurry. The guests from the Eunhae Merchant Group must be waiting."
"By the way, I hear Seonhyeopmirang is coming too."
"So they say."
"They say he's incredibly handsome. I'm curious."
"A disciple seeking the Dao must not fixate on appearances."
"Yes, Senior Uncle."
The boy answered and started walking again, but suddenly stopped.
Had he just heard a flute?
He listened closely, but heard nothing. Dismissing it, he followed his senior uncle.
.
.
.
At that moment,
Deep within the Wudang Sect's forbidden area, underground beneath the pavilion.
Grind, grrrind.
Someone in that prison was grinding their teeth in rage.
In the darkness, two red eyes gleamed fiercely.
Then, a flute sound reached his ears. He let out mad laughter.
"Heh heh heh, the day I escape this place isn't far off."
There was a tale that the Wudang Sect originated from the Daoist temple of the Great Martial Emperor, built by imperial decree.
Perhaps because of that, the sect's mountain gate was enormous.
And in front of the gate stood the weapon depot where visitors deposited their swords.
We disarmed there and met the Wudang Daoists.
"We've been expecting you. You arrived earlier than thought."
"Yes. The excitement of visiting the renowned Wudang Sect must have quickened my steps."
"We're grateful for your high praise of our sect."
The disciple acting as gatekeeper bowed politely and continued.
"Escort disciples will come down shortly to guide you."
"Understood."
After waiting about an hour, two Wudang Daoists approached us.
"I'm Eun Seo-ho, branch leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group. And these are my entourage."
"Twenty-fifth generation disciple Gongryun."
"Twenty-sixth generation disciple Muun."
Gongryun Daoist clasped his hands in salute and bowed again.
"It's an honor to meet the famed Seonhyeopmirang."
"You're too kind."
"Welcome to our sect. I hear you've brought goods..."
"Yes. They're waiting below."
We went down to the base of the mountain gate, and Gongryun and Muun Daoists were astonished.
"Th-That's all...?"
"Yes."
Even I thought the goods for the donation were a bit much.
But this was no ordinary place—it was a sect in Hubei Province, home to our main branch, and one of the two great pillars of orthodox Murim.
We had many reasons to borrow their prestige, so we needed to stay on good terms.
As a Daoist sect, the Wudang wasn't particularly wealthy despite its buildings and status.
Moreover, twenty years ago, they'd suffered heavy losses suppressing the Blood Cult.
Not only their own damages, but compensating neighbors had cost a fortune.
They were barely scraping by financially.
They were slowly recovering with donations from lay disciples and local merchants, but not back to their former abundance.
So they'd welcome our goods.
Especially now, at year's start, when supplies would be short.
"If it's all right, let's head in quickly. It'll get dark and cold, and moving the carts will be tough."
Gongryun Daoist nodded at my words.
"Indeed. Follow me. I'll guide you."
The Wudang Sect housed many people, and their supplies were no small matter.
Carrying them all by hand up the rugged mountain was grueling.
Thus, there was a cart path from the village to the sect.
But to guard against intruders, Wudang disciples checked in groups of four at intervals.
"All clear. Thank you for your cooperation."
This was already the fifth inspection.
As I pocketed my identity token, Gongryun Daoist said,
"Sorry for the inconvenience."
"No trouble. Isn't the Wudang Sect touched by the Great Martial Emperor's hand? It's necessary to block any with ill intent beforehand."
Gongryun and Muun Daoists saluted and replied,
"Thank you for understanding."
After a total of ten inspections, we finally entered the sect's inner mountain gate.
Gongryun Daoist said,
"Welcome to the Wudang Sect. First, we'll escort you to the guesthouse."
The sect saw many visitors, so the guesthouse for them was quite large.
The two Daoists who guided us handed us over to the guesthouse master.
"I'm Baekmun, master of the guesthouse. Welcome, patrons from the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"We bring a letter from our group leader. I'd like to deliver it to the sect leader in person."
"I'll report it upstairs. Please enter and rest for now."
We were shown to guest lodgings. Not large, but neat and tidy.
"Whew, that was tiring."
Palgap nodded at my words.
"Mount Wudang lives up to its name."
"We probably won't see the sect leader until after dinner, so let's rest."
"Got it."
.
.
.
As I'd predicted, we were summoned by the sect leader after dinner.
Before me loomed a grand building with a plaque reading Samcheong Pavilion.
That was where the Wudang sect leader resided and where elders' meetings were held.
The scenery of Mount Wudang and Samcheong Pavilion together felt majestic, as if the world lay beneath their feet.
Makes me feel reverent automatically.
I clasped my hands in front without thinking.
"The sect leader awaits inside. Only Seonhyeopmirang Branch Leader, please enter."
I glanced at my group behind me and nodded.
The door opened, revealing a Daoist with a white beard reaching his chest, seated within.
"Come in. Welcome to our humble sect."
"Thank you for the warm welcome. I'm Eun Seo-ho, branch leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"I'm Sect Leader Jinseon."
"It's the honor of three lifetimes to visit the sect I've long admired and meet its leader."
"Hoho, too kind. Sit comfortably."
"Thank you."
I sat before the sect leader.
A attending disciple served me tea.
"I hear the Eunhae Merchant Group has donated considerable supplies this time."
"Yes, modest goods, but if they aid Hubei Province's stability and peace, we'll be glad."
"We are grateful for your sincerity and that of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Here is a letter from my father, the group leader."
I handed over my father's letter, and we exchanged various small talk.
When it was time to wrap up, I got to the point.
"As I mentioned earlier, I've admired the Wudang Sect since childhood. And now I have this chance to visit."
I continued.
"So, I'd like to tour the grounds. Would you permit it?"
The sect leader gazed at me calmly.
"......"
"......"
Why stare silently? It's making me tense.
Is it a refusal?
Approval?
Refusal would be awkward.
I could think of other ways, but... the donation goods are a bit... wasteful to lose.
Then.
The sect leader drained his tea in one gulp.
Aha!
My face brightened.
"So be it."
"Thank you for granting my request."
"I'll assign the ones who escorted you here today to guide you."
.
.
.
After the meeting with the sect leader, on the way back to the guesthouse, I saw the goods from our carts being unloaded.
Anything donated to the Wudang Sect required the sect leader's permission to enter the warehouses.
And so, my first day at the Wudang Sect drew to a close.
.
.
.
I had a dream.
I stood in a purely white void of nothingness.
Thick fog obscured everything, not even an inch ahead visible.
"Where... is this?"
I muttered and walked, and walked, but it felt like standing still.
Thud.
Something caught my foot.
Lifting my head, through a parting in the fog, I saw a building.
A small pavilion bound entirely in golden cords and iron chains.
"This place...?"
As I voiced my doubt, a voice called from behind.
"One touched by Xuanwu's karma..."
"...?"
I turned, but saw only a figure in black garb.
"Human blood spills here once more... how tragic."
What does that mean?
"You who live a second life."
"...!"
I startled at those words, reacting sharply without thinking.
"Who are you?"
"I am the one who returned this mountain to humanity: the Great Martial Emperor."
"...!"
Legends said Mount Wudang once teemed with demons, tormenting humans.
Unable to bear it, the Great Martial Emperor descended from heaven, exterminated them all, and restored the mountain to people.
Why would that legendary being appear to me?
"What do you want from me?"
"Karma's child, avert this land's blood calamity."
The aura from the self-proclaimed Great Martial Emperor was so overwhelming it forced me to my knees.
Even a non-martial artist would instinctively say "Yes, sir." But I'm a merchant through and through.
I proposed a deal, after all.
"If I stop the blood calamity, what will you give me?"