Visiting the Wudang Sect (3)
I said to Palgap,
“Whoa! You really startled me.”
It wasn't empty flattery—because I spent every day with him, I'd noticed. Anyone else would have missed it entirely.
“Well, it seemed like you wanted to stick around here a bit longer, young master.”
“How'd you figure that out?”
“That manual I've been studying lately has a technique for reading expressions and guessing thoughts. Looks like learning it was the right call.”
Just as my master had said.
Palgap was Palgap, through and through.
But I wasn't the type to wear my feelings on my sleeve—how had he picked up on it?
This guy's got real talent.
“Still, don't do it again. I don't want you getting hurt on purpose for my sake.”
“Didn't hurt a bit. The manual even teaches how to take hits without the pain.”
Did it really cover that?
“So, how many days do you think it'll take?”
“Three?”
“Got it.”
Just then, we sensed someone approaching and cut our conversation short.
A voice came from outside the door.
“The two disciples who injured lay donor Palgap have come to apologize.”
“Come in.”
The door opened, and two disciples entered the room.
They were the twenty-six-year-old disciples from the same cohort as Daoist Muun, who had guided us earlier.
They'd already apologized informally before, but now they were here for a formal one with their instructor.
“We're sorry.”
“Truly sorry.”
They bowed so low their foreheads nearly touched the floor.
“As I said before, it was an unavoidable accident. Don't give it another thought.”
I turned to the instructor who'd brought them.
“Please don't punish the two Daoists. I beg you.”
I bowed to the instructor, who returned the gesture with a cupped-fist salute.
“Since you put it that way, I understand. We'll let the matter drop.”
“Thank you.”
Relief washed over the two disciples' faces. I said to them,
“I have one request for you two.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“We're listening.”
“I heard the place where you crossed swords today wasn't the training ground.”
The accident hadn't happened at the training ground or even nearby.
That's why we'd passed through without a second thought.
Had it been the training ground, we'd have avoided it or proceeded with extra caution.
“You're at that age when blood runs hot and competitive spirits run high, so I understand sparring away from the grounds.”
Their faces flushed red at my words.
“As you make your way in the martial world, there'll be more unexpected harm to bystanders, just like today. A broken wooden sword this time—but someday, it could be a stray sword beam.”
“……”
“Those are deadly to ordinary folk who don't know martial arts. Beyond crumbling buildings, people will die or get hurt.”
“……”
“If your lives hang in the balance someday, there's no choice—but otherwise, please consider those around you. That's my humble request.”
The instructor nodded subtly beside me.
They knew it too.
Martial artists could destroy their surroundings at any moment.
He smiled warmly for a moment, then saluted me.
“As expected of Seonhyeopmirang. I swear on my honor to guide our sect's disciples so they never trouble civilians, as you've asked.”
“I'm grateful you've heeded my words.”
I returned the salute, and the two disciples did the same.
“We'll keep it in mind.”
“I will too.”
With that, the matter resolved smoothly, and the instructor and disciples left the room.
Thanks to Palgap, I now had a pretext to stay longer.
Now to figure out how to avert this blood tribulation.
I had two options as I saw it.
One: eliminate the Blood Cultist causing it. But that was impossible in practice.
I didn't even know their full identity, and the Wudang Sect had chosen imprisonment over execution for reasons I couldn't fathom— I couldn't just step in and kill them.
So only one path remained.
Prevent the Blood Cultist from recovering and escaping.
Of course, the absolute best was to steal the elixir.
Stopping the clash before it started was ideal.
I was a peace-loving man who hated bloodshed.
Yeoncheon Village.
It lay at the foot of Wudang Mountain, but no one knew when it had sprung up.
A few people had gathered, and naturally, a village formed.
Like any other, they farmed and foraged wild herbs—nothing remarkable. Yet wild beasts never approached, not even man-eating tigers.
One afternoon.
A dozen or so people huddled in a village storehouse. In their midst sat a single box.
“So, that's the Divine Spirit Restoration Elixir?”
Their leader nodded at the question.
Divine Spirit Restoration Elixir.
It had come into their hands just days ago.
…
…
They'd settled in Yeoncheon Village with a purpose: rescue their imprisoned cult leader from the Wudang Sect.
Not too close to draw attention, but near enough to seize the moment.
They knew the sect couldn't—or wouldn't—kill their leader, so they bided their time.
Yet two decades after the imprisonment, they had nothing to show for it.
Growing frustrated, a stranger appeared.
“I know you're trying to free the Blood Cult Leader.”
“W-what's that supposed to mean?!”
“I know you're the surviving remnants of the Blood Cult.”
A secret no one should have known!
They attacked in panic.
Clang!
Clang!
But the mysterious figure brushed off their strikes effortlessly.
“The Blood Cult Leader's dantian is shattered, meridians in all four limbs severed. Even if you free him like that, do you think he'll build the world you want?”
“……”
The words struck home.
Deep down, they'd clung to vague hopes that rescue alone would suffice.
But no.
A destroyed dantian and severed limb meridians meant the end of a martial artist's life.
Freed in that state, he'd be capable of nothing.
Unless a miracle occurred.
“Divine Spirit Restoration Elixir.”
“……!”
“With that, your leader could recover—and your dreams with him.”
The Divine Spirit Restoration Elixir restored any bodily damage to its original state.
A priceless wonder, naturally.
They couldn't easily trust the offer.
“Why give it to us?”
“I don't like the Wudang Sect.”
“You wouldn't hand it over just because you dislike them. What do you really want?”
“Nothing too demanding.”
There was a catch, as expected.
“Let's hear it.”
“One: rampage without mercy. Two: later, add someone I recommend to your group.”
“……”
“Oh, and I'll help ensure success through my plant inside the Wudang Sect.”
They'd rampage anyway to rescue and avenge.
No loss for them.
And help to boot!
They accepted eagerly, and soon the recommended man delivered the elixir.
They guarded it strictly in the storehouse center.
Open custody was safer.
With their ally's aid, they'd contacted the imprisoned leader via flute signals, updating progress.
The day was almost here.
Then commotion erupted outside.
“Th-they're here—the Wudang disciples!”
“How'd they find this place?!”
“Welcome, please come in.”
“Whoa, is that the young hero Seonhyeopmirang?”
“He's so handsome.”
They exchanged bewildered glances, faces etched with dismay.
Why now?
They never came before—why today?
Have we been found out?
If so, they wouldn't come quietly.
Their eyes flicked to the central elixir, which they hastily hid in a corner.
We arrived at Yeoncheon Village.
The Heo-un branch manager had reported funds from the Baekcheon Merchant Group flowing here.
But we couldn't just charge in.
Palgap's illness was fake, but publicly he was bedridden—me leaving without dire need would raise eyebrows.
So I left the lodge under pretense of gathering herbs for his treatment.
Maps showed the village closer than expected, over the mountain.
The Wudang Sect assigned two escorts: Daoist Gongryun, who'd guided me before, and his peer, Daoist Gongjin.
“I'm so grateful you've come along for me.”
“After what happened on sect grounds left donor Palgap hurt, we had to help however we could.”
Unlike me, they carried swords.
Only Wudang members could bear arms in their territory.
Our weapons remained in the armory under sword seal.
My current guards were Seo-u Warrior and Yeo Eung-am Warrior.
The other two stayed at the lodge for Palgap's care and contingencies.
We pushed through snow-blanketed mountains, foraging herbs.
“Ah! Herbs over there—perfect for bruises.”
“Really?”
“No wonder they say go to the Eunhae Merchant Group for quality meds. As expected from their heir.”
“You're too kind.”
Gathering as we went, we veered toward our target.
Soon, a village appeared.
“A village.”
“Yes, heard it's peaceful and quiet.”
“Perfect. Let's warm up and get some water.”
We entered.
That instant,
“……!”
I clamped my mouth shut.
A thick stench of blood hit me. Unbidden, my inner energy stirred.
Black道 folk usually repulsed me—but this was similar yet different.
Revulsion laced with blood reek.
“Are you all right?”
“Y-yeah, fine.”
I schooled my face for Daoist Gongryun's question.
Peak realm let me endure; otherwise, I'd have vomited.
Why the overwhelming blood smell?
My companions seemed fine.
“Pushed too hard climbing after so long.”
“I see.”
“Let's rest there.”
Villagers invited us to their home; we accepted.
Warm water by the fire soothed my stomach somewhat.
Stroking my sleeve absentmindedly, I noticed something odd.
Where's Geumryeong?
Looking around, I remembered.
Before entering, I'd told him, “Check if any elixirs are here.”
He must've gone to work already.
At that moment.
Geumryeong was sniffing about, plump and determined.
Then his nose twitched.
His miraculous schnoz for priceless treasures had reacted. Elixirs counted as priceless.
He toddled toward the scent, soon slipping into a storehouse.
“So, when are those Wudang tail-end Daoists leaving?”
“How should I know?”
“Won't stay long, probably.”
“Yeah, heading to Zhongnan Sect tomorrow...”
Chatting idly, they bustled for shift change.
Geumryeong seized the moment.
He found the hidden yellow fruit-like thing.
Tilting his head, he spat something from his mouth.
A fruit from the mountain earlier.
Winter stripped trees bare, but this one clung on.
Eun Seo-ho had skipped it for poison, but Geumryeong ignored toxins, and its golden hue tempted him for play.
He swapped it in place, snatched the real one, and vanished quietly.