Episode 162: Mount Wudang

The head of the Taeui Sword Sect blurted out the first thought that came to mind.

“Why is the Dragon Sword still alive?”

It was just a single sentence, but it sent a chill through the air.

Quickly, the sect leader waved his hands in denial.

“No, that’s not what I meant. I was told through a message that…”

He trailed off, as if his tongue had suddenly become tied. It seemed Hyun Gong had used some trick to silence him.

But with a simple gesture from Youngbo Jin-in, Hyun Gong’s trick was effortlessly undone.

Youngbo Jin-in frowned slightly at Hyun Gong before turning to the sect leader with a gentle expression.

“Don’t worry, Taeui Sword Sect Leader. Go ahead and speak.”

The sect leader gathered his wits and pointed accusingly at Dang Mujin and Namgung Myung.

“The Dragon Sword… no, the Dragon Sword told me! It said to trust and wait, as it would personally deal with those villains!”

“Leader of the Taeui Sword Sect! How can you just say whatever comes to mind? When did I ever say such a thing?”

Hyun Gong shouted confidently. In situations where there are no witnesses, the one with the loudest voice often prevails.

However, as the conversation unfolded, it seemed people found the sect leader’s story credible. After all, why would someone come to Wudang and lie unless they were mad?

Going against the tide is risky. After a brief internal struggle, Hyun Gong took a strategic step back.

“Did I say that? I don’t quite remember. Perhaps you misheard.”

“Impossible!”

“Is there anyone who heard me say that?”

“No one else heard it. You spoke to me through a message.”

“Hmm. So no one else heard it. Let’s assume I did say that.”

Hyun Gong twisted the narrative skillfully, implying, ‘Of course, your story isn’t true, but I’ll humor you.’ He was quite satisfied with his response.

The sect leader, not being a fool, saw through Hyun Gong’s intentions.

He stared at Hyun Gong in disbelief.

Since bringing Dang Mujin and his group, the usually silent Bojang Gakju interjected, asking the sect leader.

“Why did you think Hyun Gong would target those young warriors?”

“Those villains killed my father!”

“That’s strange. While it’s true Hyun Gong’s skills are exceptional for his age, I doubt he could handle three people like Yirong at once.”

“It wasn’t just him against three. Including Hyun Gong, there were five of us, so we had the numbers…”

“Wait. Five? You didn’t mention that before. Who were the other four?”

The sect leader hesitated. He hadn’t expected to face Hyun Gong, so he had deliberately avoided mentioning it.

Bojang Gakju pressed further.

“You shouldn’t hide anything.”

”…They were assassins.”

“Assassins?”

Bojang Gakju’s expression twisted oddly.

“Are you claiming Hyun Gong conspired with assassins to target righteous warriors?”

As the sect leader faltered, Hyun Gong quickly interjected.

“Ah, that’s where the misunderstanding lies. I followed them to deal with the assassins, not these friends. With me, the numbers were balanced.”

Hyun Gong turned sharply to Namgung Myung, emphasizing the surname Namgung.

“Hey, Namgung Myung. You saw me chasing the assassins, right? I was the first to subdue and behead one. Isn’t that so?”

Hyun Gong’s story contained a small distortion. He hadn’t beheaded the assassin but had ambushed and stabbed them in the back.

However, the crucial point was that he had confronted the assassins, so Namgung Myung nodded generously.

“That’s right. Thanks to you, the fight was much easier.”

“As Namgung Myung testified, I bravely faced the assassins. As a proud member of the Wudang Sect, I couldn’t overlook injustice. If my courage and righteousness are crimes, I will accept my punishment. I’m sure I’ll commit such ‘crimes’ again.”

Hyun Gong concluded his defense with confidence.

The focus of the story had shifted from ‘betraying the sect leader’ to ‘eliminating assassins as a righteous warrior.’

The sect leader trembled with rage.

He felt foolish for having been relieved, even for a moment, to see Hyun Gong alive.

“You promised to avenge my father! You even attended his funeral! You should have avenged him, even if it meant joining forces with assassins! Why did the Taeui Sword Sect join the Jeongcheon Alliance if not for that?”

The sect leader shouted with a voice that seemed to scrape his insides. It was the first time he had raised his voice in front of the Wudang Sect’s masters.

Youngbo Jin-in and Bojang Gakju, who had suddenly found themselves in the role of judges, were deep in thought.

Was it right to turn a blind eye to the sect leader’s grudge and strike the assassins?

Or was it right to join forces with assassins and kill young warriors to help the sect leader’s revenge?

There was no clear answer.

Bojang Gakju frowned as if he had a headache, but Youngbo Jin-in’s eyes sparkled with the curiosity of a child.

Though it was unfortunate for the sect leader, it was the first time such a sharp debate had occurred within the Wudang Sect, and it was fascinating.

Bojang Gakju asked.

“Before we discuss right and wrong, there’s something we need to know. How did you end up killing the sect leader’s father?”

The question shifted towards Dang Mujin and Namgung Myung.

Namgung Myung nudged Dang Mujin’s side, passing the responsibility of explanation.

After a moment of contemplation, Dang Mujin began to speak.

“Do you know of Mount Nogun?”

Youngbo Jin-in replied to Dang Mujin’s question.

“I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard of it.”

“Then, have you heard of the Nogun Three Swords?”

Neither Youngbo Jin-in nor Bojang Gakju seemed familiar with the Nogun Three Swords. It seemed Pyo Chung had only delivered the sword without much explanation.

Dang Mujin elaborated.

“On Mount Nogun, there are those who are troubled and pitiful, and three Wudang Sect masters who have spent their lives by their side. They are the Nogun Three Swords.”

Dang Mujin slowly recounted the story of Mount Nogun.

Though he had spent a considerable time there, the story itself wasn’t very long.

”…And so, I struck down the sect leader’s father.”

The sect leader, who had been listening, shouted.

“Are you saying you killed my father to protect traitors?”

“Well, to sum it up, yes. But I acted based on what I saw and believed to be right.”

As Dang Mujin admitted, the sect leader looked around for support.

However, neither Youngbo Jin-in nor Bojang Gakju seemed to fully agree with the sect leader’s claims.

Unable to contain his frustration, the sect leader shouted.

“They are traitors! Descendants of traitors who plotted rebellion, causing chaos and death! If they had a chance to atone through service, they should be grateful!”

Namgung Myung interjected sarcastically.

“Well, that’s one way to look at it. Though I’m not sure why they should serve the Taeui Sword Sect specifically.”

The sect leader’s face turned red, but he couldn’t think of a retort. It was something he had never considered before.

Dang Mujin added one final comment.

“Regardless of your judgment, I won’t argue. But if you believe my decision and the actions of the Nogun Three Swords were wrong, I’ll take the Songmun High Sword and melt it down.”

Though the sect leader and Hong Geolgae didn’t recognize the Songmun High Sword, the eyes of the other five were fixed on the sword beside Youngbo Jin-in.

Despite the current situation, Dang Mujin’s expression was filled with disappointment.

He had come to see the world’s greatest sword, only to find that the sword beside Youngbo Jin-in was one he had crafted last winter.

He couldn’t understand why they had given such an awkward name to a sword less than a year old.

Youngbo Jin-in stroked his beard.

“That’s all well and good, but why bring up the Songmun High Sword now?”

“Because I crafted that sword last winter in honor of the Nogun Three Swords.”

Youngbo Jin-in’s eyes gleamed with interest.

“Aren’t you a physician? How does a physician make a sword?”

“I’m a physician, a warrior, and also a blacksmith.”

Bojang Gakju furrowed his brow.

“That’s nonsense. Even if you picked up a hammer before you could walk, you couldn’t make a sword like that. It’s not just a sword with a fancy appearance.”

“Of course. Who would make a sword that looks good but is trash?”

Dang Mujin approached Youngbo Jin-in and reached for the Songmun High Sword.

Bojang Gakju instinctively moved to block him. The sword was a symbol of the sect leader and represented the Wudang Sect’s authority.

However, Youngbo Jin-in gestured for Bojang Gakju to stand down. Bojang Gakju looked displeased.

Dang Mujin drew the sword from its sheath. The blade was adorned with intricate patterns. Though irregular and chaotic, they didn’t feel crude.

The scabbard and hilt of the sword weren’t particularly ornate. But a legendary sword isn’t defined by its decorations. The audience was overwhelmed by the sword’s presence.

Namgung Myung’s voice echoed in Dang Mujin’s ear.

“Can’t you make me a new sword too?”

Ignoring Namgung Myung’s request, Dang Mujin traced his fingers over the twelve characters engraved at the base of the blade. Middle Line, Protecting Loyalty. Middle Valley, Praying Mantis. Middle Wisdom, Mountain Base.

“These are the aliases and pseudonyms of the Three Swords of Nogun.”

“I may not know about the Three Swords of Nogun, but I recognize those aliases. They were my brothers, even if they left the sect long ago and never returned. But just knowing those names doesn’t make your story true,” the head of the Bojang Pavilion pointed out.

Dang Mujin nodded in acknowledgment. “I see.”

He pulled a small case from his robe and tapped the sword’s hilt as if wielding a tiny hammer. A hidden wooden peg slipped out.

As he manipulated the hilt, it disassembled along its intricate patterns, revealing the deeply embedded tang of the blade.

Swordsmiths often left their signatures on the hidden tangs of their creations, and Dang Mujin was no exception.

The tang of the Songmun Ancient Sword bore a single character: Tang (唐).

Without a wordy explanation, Dang Mujin reassembled the hilt with practiced hands, reversing his movements until the sword was whole again, as if it had never been taken apart.

Tang (唐). Just one character. People might ask if he was the only Tang in the world, but no one did.

The most convincing proof that Dang Mujin had crafted the sword wasn’t the character itself, but his deft handling of the complex disassembly process.

The way the hilt came apart was far more intricate than any ordinary sword, yet Dang Mujin didn’t hesitate for a moment.

He held the sword at an angle, not returning it to the Youngbo Master.

“If you can’t acknowledge the lives of the Three Swords of Nogun, you have no right to wield a sword made in their honor. Elder Pyochung would agree with me.”

A brief silence followed.

Standing nearby, Hyun Gong’s mind raced.

‘How many extra points should I give him?’

Dang Mujin’s martial skills and background were impressive, but not extraordinary. The prestige of being one of the Three Great Physicians of the world added significant weight, but Hyun Gong still considered him beneath himself.

However, if Dang Mujin had indeed crafted the Songmun Ancient Sword, the situation changed entirely.

The Songmun Ancient Sword was a legendary weapon capable of causing upheaval in the martial world. It was hard to believe it had ended up in the Wudang Sect’s hands without incident.

For a blacksmith capable of creating such a sword, it was difficult to even estimate how many extra points he deserved.

‘No wonder Namgung Myung and Hong Geolgae are so cautious around Dang Mujin. Those sly foxes.’

Hyun Gong made up his mind. He needed to befriend Dang Mujin.

His eyes filled with goodwill as he looked at Dang Mujin.

Hyun Gong declared with emphasis, “As I said earlier, I don’t regret helping Dang Mujin fight the assassins.”

The Youngbo Master chuckled. It had been a long time since he’d encountered such an entertaining story and spectacle.

Seeing the Youngbo Master’s smile, the head of the Taeui Sword Sect sensed defeat. The scales, already slightly tipped in Dang Mujin’s favor, had decisively shifted with the Songmun Ancient Sword.

“Head of the Taeui Sword Sect, this isn’t a complicated matter. The previous head, Dang So-hyup, and Namgung So-hyup settled it with a life-and-death duel, and those around them should respect the outcome. Your father wouldn’t have wanted this situation. He was a great warrior and would have understood what was at stake with his sword.”

The head of the Taeui Sword Sect closed his eyes tightly.

He didn’t want to respond, and he couldn’t.

“I’m not saying this to blame you. What child wouldn’t be bitter over their father’s death?”

”…I understand. I’ll take my leave.”

Before the Youngbo Master could grant permission, the head of the Taeui Sword Sect stood and staggered away.

It was a clear breach of etiquette, but no one pointed it out.

Once the head of the Taeui Sword Sect disappeared from the hall, the Youngbo Master extended his hand to Dang Mujin.

When Dang Mujin handed over the Songmun Ancient Sword, the Youngbo Master spoke.

“I didn’t realize I owed such a great debt. How about staying one more day as my guest? I’ll give you a small gift.”

“I’ll do that.”

“Good. For now, go and rest.”

Dang Mujin sighed in relief. It was fortunate the situation hadn’t escalated.

As Dang Mujin and his companions headed out of the hall, Hyun Gong subtly fell into step beside him, his expression and demeanor exceedingly friendly.

Just then, the Youngbo Master’s voice reached Hyun Gong’s ear.

“Stay behind for a moment.”

Hyun Gong’s face fell.