Episode 159: Yangyang

Contrary to his claim of tracking down the runaway assassin, Hyun Gong was actually trailing Tang Mujin’s group from a safe distance, moving stealthily.

Hyun Gong wasn’t particularly skilled in tracking, but he was more interested in getting to know Namgung Myung and Hong Geolgae better.

As Tang Mujin’s group approached the Jin family manor, Hyun Gong hid himself a little way off, peeking out to observe the surroundings.

To his surprise, instead of the expected clash of swords, Namgung Myung stood atop a pavilion and Hong Geolgae perched on a wall, both overlooking the manor as if they had no intention of joining the fray.

“What are they doing?”

It was unthinkable that Tang Mujin would face the assassins alone.

Yet, despite Namgung Myung and Hong Geolgae’s non-involvement, the sounds of chaos erupted from within the manor, and soon flames rose from the main building.

The assassins had been defeated.

Hyun Gong found the situation perplexing.

“Did Tang Mujin really take them all down by himself? I didn’t think he was that skilled. Was the martial art he learned from the mysterious figure that powerful? Or was there an ally I didn’t see?”

While Hyun Gong pondered, a group of Taeui Sword Sect members came rushing down the alley. Hyun Gong crouched lower, watching the scene unfold.

“A big fight’s about to break out.”

He perked up his ears, ready to jump in if it looked like Tang Mujin’s group might lose. He figured that as long as there were no survivors to tell the tale, he wouldn’t face any backlash.

“Even if there are survivors, it won’t matter.”

Given the location, it wouldn’t be hard to paint the Taeui Sword Sect and the assassins as allies. It was a plausible story, after all.

Though he felt a twinge of guilt, he reminded himself that the martial world was a ruthless place.

However, the manor remained eerily quiet. No clashing steel or cries of battle, just the crackling of burning wood.

“Did they resolve it peacefully? Is that even possible?”

Whatever the case, it was time to make a move.

Hyun Gong stood up, jogging in place and moving around to work up a sweat.

When Tang Mujin’s group finally emerged from the manor, Hyun Gong quickly approached, wiping his brow with his sleeve.

“Ah, I rushed back hoping to lend a hand, but it’s already over?”

“Yeah, it didn’t take long. Did you find anything?” Tang Mujin asked.

Hyun Gong shook his head.

“The assassins left barely any trace. I managed to follow them a bit, but once they entered the forest, I lost the trail.”

He put on a convincingly troubled expression, and no one doubted his story.

Tang Mujin, not expecting much, nodded lightly.

“Well, if it were easy to track assassins, that would be the real surprise. Thanks for your effort. I hope we meet again.”

Tang Mujin’s words of farewell caught Hyun Gong off guard.

While Tang Mujin’s business was concluded, Hyun Gong’s was not.

“I can’t let this opportunity slip.”

Within the Wudang Sect, Hyun Gong held a respectable position, but he wasn’t unrivaled.

He was certainly ahead among his peers, but there were others outside his age group who surpassed him.

“I’m still young, so aiming for the next sect leader position is tough. But the one after that should be mine.”

The problem was that current achievements didn’t guarantee future success.

There was a long time before Hyun Gong would compete for the leader position, and it was impossible to predict who might rise to prominence in the future. Martial arts often saw late bloomers surpassing early achievers.

Fortunately, the leader position wasn’t determined solely by martial prowess.

Martial skill, character, reputation, and connections with the previous leader—all these factors were considered in choosing the next leader.

Thus, Hyun Gong was constantly searching for ways to secure his future position.

Even if someone with greater martial skill appeared, he needed a strategy to ensure his ascension.

And he had found one: networking.

As the Wudang Sect rose to prominence, becoming part of the Nine Great Schools, nearby Daoist sects like the Zhongnan and Huashan were subtly trying to check its growth.

While the Wudang Sect was solidifying its foundation, expanding its influence was challenging.

In this context, if he could bring the future leader of the Beggars’ Sect and the Namgung family head to Wudang Mountain, it would be significant.

“They’ll see me as their equal.”

Who else in the Wudang Sect would associate with the future leaders of the Beggars’ Sect and the Namgung family?

Naturally, it would be the future leader of the Wudang Sect, the one to expand its influence and lead it to the forefront of the Nine Great Schools.

With this in mind, Hyun Gong glanced at Tang Mujin.

Though Tang Mujin was a bit lacking, being recognized as one of the top three physicians at such a young age was impressive.

“Alright, you barely make the cut.”

All these thoughts passed in a single breath.

Feigning surprise, Hyun Gong spoke up.

“Tang Mujin, you’re covered in blood. Can you really make it back to Sichuan like that?”

Tang Mujin had sustained minor injuries in the fight with the assassins, his clothes stained with blood, but none of the wounds were serious enough to warrant concern.

“This is nothing. It won’t get worse.”

“Ah, many have regretted underestimating such injuries.”

Tang Mujin gave Hyun Gong a long look.

Hyun Gong understood the meaning behind that gaze immediately.

“Of course, my medical knowledge can’t compare to yours. But it never hurts to be cautious.”

“Hmm.”

It seemed his argument wasn’t convincing enough. Hyun Gong scrambled to find more reasons.

“Besides, it feels a shame to part ways after forming such a bond. Why not stay at Wudang for a day or two?”

“Well…”

“Think about it positively. Who knows? You might even get a chance to acquire a Taiqing Pill.”

The Taiqing Pill wasn’t as renowned as the Great Return Pill, but it was still highly coveted by martial artists. Anyone who wielded a sword would be tempted.

Yet, even at the mention of the Taiqing Pill, Tang Mujin remained unmoved.

Having taken the Great Return Pill at Shaolin, he was confident that no ordinary elixir would significantly advance his skills now.

What Tang Mujin needed was enlightenment and experience, not the internal energy boost from an elixir.

Seeing that the Taiqing Pill didn’t sway Tang Mujin, Hyun Gong looked to Hong Geolgae and Namgung Myung for support.

But their eyes were on Tang Mujin, indicating that the decision was his, and they would follow his lead.

Hyun Gong couldn’t understand how Tang Mujin had taken the lead in this group. By martial skill and standing, he didn’t seem like a leader.

Hyun Gong asked again.

“Is there a pressing reason you need to return quickly?”

“My wedding is soon. I’ve invited guests.”

Ah, that explained it. Hyun Gong smiled warmly.

“Really? Then how about stopping by Wudang Mountain on the way to Sichuan?”

“Join us?”

“Yes! We’ve fought side by side, after all. I’d like to congratulate you on behalf of the Wudang Sect.”

It was a simple offer.

Yet, Tang Mujin seemed more interested in having an additional guest than in the Taiqing Pill. Hyun Gong was slightly puzzled.

“Why is this working?”

Regardless, it was a good outcome. Hyun Gong seized the opportunity to continue.

“The route is similar anyway. I’m not asking you to stay long at Wudang. Just enough to gather your things before heading to Sichuan. A day or two should suffice. And you won’t be uncomfortable during your stay. Wudang’s food isn’t luxurious, but it’s delicious. Plus, there’s the Divine Sword.”

Hyun Gong threw out one more enticing detail.

At the mention of the Divine Sword, Tang Mujin’s interest piqued.

“The Divine Sword?”

“Yes. Have you heard of the Songmun Ancient Sword?”

“No, it’s new to me.”

“It’s not widely known, but I assure you, it’s the finest sword in the world. If you meet the sect leader, you might get a chance to see it.”

The finest sword in the world.

Something stirred within Tang Mujin. How extraordinary must a sword be to be confidently called the best?

Tang Mujin considered how much longer a visit to Wudang would take. At most, it would add a day or two to his journey.

“I have time.”

Once he thought positively, several reasons to visit Wudang came to mind.

He wondered how often he’d be invited to such a prestigious sect in the future and felt a growing curiosity about the rising Wudang Sect.

“Alright. It’s not far, so why not stop by?”

Tang Mujin nodded in agreement.

The master of the Taeui Sword Sect had cast aside his sword, but he couldn’t rid himself of his turmoil.

He couldn’t bring himself to eat, even when seated at the table, and he couldn’t sleep, even when lying in bed.

Standing before the man who had wronged his father, the head of the Taeui Sword Sect found himself paralyzed by fear, unable to lift his sword.

If only his father had been a lesser man, he might have been able to let it go. But the former head of the Taeui Sword Sect was a man he deeply respected—fair, just, and stern yet kind.

He wasn’t alone in this admiration. Every disciple revered the former leader, and the people of Yangyang held him in high regard.

In the martial world, it’s common for sects to sustain themselves by extorting money under various pretexts, often demanding protection fees or monopolizing certain trades.

But the former head of the Taeui Sword Sect had no need to covet the wealth of Yangyang’s people, having earned his fortune from the mines of Nogunsan. It was only natural that the townsfolk respected him deeply.

The words of Dang Mujin echoed in his mind.

“Your father’s fate was unfortunate. But you know as well as I do, it wasn’t a senseless killing.”

The current head of the Taeui Sword Sect muttered to himself.

“A senseless killing? Are they saying my father committed some crime?”

While other sects exploited thousands, the former leader managed with far fewer, sparing many from suffering.

And those few weren’t innocent bystanders—they were outlaws, living in hiding, barely scraping by. The former leader often said they should be grateful to him for giving their lives meaning, even if it was a harsh one.

The current leader agreed with his father’s perspective.

He was consumed by a desire for vengeance.

His eyes fell on the sword lying in the corner of the room, the one he had thrown away yesterday. Its handle was half-burned, and the blade was damaged by heat.

Even with such a battered sword, he felt an urge to strike down his father’s enemy.

A true hero, he thought, is one who can rise again even after being defeated.

But then Dang Mujin’s face and voice came to mind.

“Do not draw your sword. I cannot predict how great the repercussions will be.”

His hands trembled.

He was terrified. The calm face staring at him, those eyes that seemed half-mad, were terrifying.

The sincerity in every word, the superior skills of Dang Mujin, and his formidable group were terrifying.

He shook his head.

“No, it’s not fear that holds me back from revenge. I’m ready to risk my life for my father’s honor. It’s the thought of what might happen if I fail. That man would burn our disciples alive, just as he did with the assassins…”

He let out a deep sigh and lay down.

His thoughts circled endlessly.

Resentment, fear, surrender. Then the resurgence of a desire for revenge, fear, and surrender again.

His breathing quickened. If only there were someone he could lean on, someone to help him.

Then a thought struck him.

”…Someone to lean on?”

He vividly recalled Hyeongong’s promise.

“I will capture those villains. Do not worry! I will clear the former leader’s name!”

…Where was Hyeongong?

Known for his righteousness, Hyeongong wouldn’t have backed down from those villains.

But Hyeongong never returned. It seemed he had been killed by them.

A solution came to him.

“All I need to do is inform the Wudang Sect of Hyeongong’s death.”

Even the proud Wudang Sect couldn’t ignore the murder of one of their own.

“This will work. It has to.”

With renewed determination, the head of the Taeui Sword Sect sprang to his feet and set off for Wudang Mountain.