Chapter 163: Mount Wudang
The next day, Hyun Gong appeared in the guest hall, looking quite different from the day before. His expression was vacant, as if his spirit had left him.
Namgung Myung, upon seeing Hyun Gong’s face, seemed to intuitively grasp the situation.
With a light bounce, Namgung Myung rose from his seat and approached Hyun Gong with feather-like steps.
“I can tell just by looking at you.”
As Namgung Myung spoke, Hyun Gong’s expression returned to its usual state, though it was already too late.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, when you didn’t follow us out yesterday and stayed behind at Hyuncheon Hall, I figured something was up.”
Namgung Myung stroked his chin with his right hand, a crooked smile playing on his lips.
“You’re wandering around, so it doesn’t seem like you’re under house arrest. So, did you get kicked out of the Wudang Sect?”
Hyun Gong’s face hardened. Namgung Myung’s words had hit the mark, even though he hadn’t given anything away.
In Hyun Gong’s mind, the conversation he had with Elder Youngbo the previous day replayed naturally.
“Hyun Gong. Helping Tang So-hyup fight the assassins isn’t the issue. But lying to the Sword Sect Master and getting caught? There’s no excuse for such carelessness.”
Hyun Gong remained prostrate, choosing his words carefully. Timing was everything when it came to explanations.
Elder Youngbo continued.
“Fortunately, the opponent was the Sword Sect Master, and the circumstances were in your favor, with Tang So-hyup having already extended goodwill. That’s why we could let it slide. Think about it. If I made a similar mistake between the leaders of the Zhongnan Sect and the Huashan Sect, do you think I could resolve it?”
Elder Youngbo’s words pierced Hyun Gong’s heart sharply. Bowing his head, Hyun Gong replied.
”…It wouldn’t be easy.”
“In my view, your mistakes always stem from the same place.”
“What is it?”
“People tend to bind themselves. How tightly and with what they bind themselves varies. And now I see what binds you. You try too hard to appear perfect in front of others.”
Hyun Gong hesitated, unsure of his response.
“I didn’t think I was…”
“No. I assure you, that’s the case. You’re so concerned with others’ opinions and judgments that you resort to lies to escape every moment.”
A long silence followed.
Hyun Gong’s heart pounded painfully. There was nothing wrong with Elder Youngbo’s assessment.
Though Elder Youngbo couldn’t see the world broadly, his innate insight allowed him to understand people’s inner workings deeply.
Finally, Elder Youngbo broke the silence.
“Hyun Gong.”
“Yes.”
“Leave the Wudang Sect.”
“What?”
“A fortuitous connection has come to the Wudang Sect. Leave with them.”
Hyun Gong felt as if his world was collapsing. Was his dream of becoming the leader of the Wudang Sect already shattered?
Seeing Hyun Gong’s expression, Elder Youngbo smiled.
“I’m not saying you can’t come back. Travel widely, experience much, and return as a greater person. Just because I’m an old man living secluded on Mount Wudang doesn’t mean you have to be confined to Wudang and Hubei.”
Still prostrate, Hyun Gong looked up, trying to gauge Elder Youngbo’s true intentions.
It sounded like good advice, but he couldn’t be sure if Elder Youngbo’s words matched his true feelings.
In the worst-case scenario, today could be his last day at the Wudang Sect.
What if, after a few months, he tried to return to the Wudang Sect, only to be turned away by Elder Youngbo?
It’s hard to expel someone, but it’s not difficult to prevent them from returning once they’re gone.
Hyun Gong’s mind was filled with countless thoughts.
‘If I’m expelled now, it’s over. It’ll be hard to establish myself on Mount Wudang.’
‘No, building connections with Namgung Myung and Hong Geolgae is important too. In the long run, that might be more beneficial. Every crisis is an opportunity.’
‘What if, in my absence, others rise and make a good impression on the elders? What if someone else becomes the next leader or the one after that?’
‘But the Wudang Sect will continue to grow, so external activities are important too. Besides, I might meet even more important people than Namgung Myung or Hong Geolgae. And if I don’t become the leader, so what? As long as people see me as more important than the leader, that’s what matters.’
Positive and negative prospects endlessly crossed his mind.
Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. It’s hard to rid oneself of anxiety when forced onto an unfamiliar path.
“Keep that in mind and go.”
“Understood.”
Hyun Gong had no choice.
Elder Youngbo waved him away gently, and Hyun Gong quietly left Hyuncheon Hall.
When Hyun Gong finished reminiscing, the first thing he noticed was Namgung Myung’s face, blooming with laughter.
Namgung Myung chuckled heartily.
“See? I knew this guy would end up like me someday.”
”…Like you?”
“Getting kicked out, I mean.”
“I’m not kicked out. I’m just taking some time to see the world…”
Hyun Gong paused, realizing the importance of phrasing.
“Wait. Like you? Namgung Myung, were you kicked out of the Namgung family?”
“That’s right.”
From the side, Hong Geolgae chimed in.
“Do you know who cut off his left arm? His father did! The Sword Demon Namgung Jincheon!”
It sounded like a bad joke, but Namgung Myung didn’t deny it.
In Hyun Gong’s mind, Namgung Myung’s score plummeted.
‘Background points revoked.’
Hyun Gong’s expression turned cold.
“Hold on. Namgung Myung, don’t get all chummy with me. I’m just traveling to learn. Elder Youngbo told me to return as a greater person.”
“My father said the same. Told me to come back as an adult, but when we met again, he cut off my left arm.”
Hyun Gong’s voice rose.
“You and I are different!”
But Namgung Myung’s teasing didn’t stop.
“Just wait. When you return to the Wudang Sect, Elder Youngbo will personally cut off your left arm. It’s practically a given.”
No way. But Namgung Myung’s voice was oddly confident.
He looked at Hyun Gong like a senior watching a junior.
Hyun Gong glared at Namgung Myung for a moment, then hesitantly approached Hong Geolgae. His expression softened again.
“Hong Geolgae, did you accept Namgung Myung knowing all this? Truly bold of you. As expected of a future leader.”
Hong Geolgae asked back.
“Future leader?”
“Isn’t it obvious? You’ve got five knots already.”
“You must be confused. A leader has eight knots.”
“I know. Since you’re designated as the future leader, you have five knots at your age. When you officially become the leader, you’ll get three more.”
“No, I’m a deputy chief of the Central Branch, so I have five knots.”
Hyun Gong burst into laughter.
“You’re clueless. Being recognized by Elder Geolseon and becoming a deputy chief at your age means you’re practically the future leader. I’m not from the Beggars’ Sect, but I know it usually takes until fifty to become a deputy chief.”
Hong Geolgae shrugged.
“I wasn’t appointed by Elder Geolseon.”
“Then?”
“It wasn’t long ago. On the way here, I stopped by Zhongjing, and Elder Hongmyeon suddenly showed up and dumped his position on me. I was so startled, having just woken up.”
Hyun Gong took two steps back from Hong Geolgae. His score for Hong Geolgae also plummeted.
Still, being a deputy chief of the Beggars’ Sect was a decent connection. Considering Hong Geolgae’s martial prowess was behind Namgung Myung’s, their total scores were about the same.
Originally, they were similarly good, but now they were similarly bad.
Hyun Gong’s breathing quickened. The two people he thought were lifelines turned out to be liabilities.
After casting a cold glance at the two, Hyun Gong approached Tang Mujin with a renewed sense of purpose.
This time, he had no worries. Tang Mujin had earned his score purely through his own merit, not relying on any background.
‘Ultimately, what’s important is one’s own value, not their background.’
With a sheepish grin, Hyun Gong scratched his head and spoke.
“Tang Mujin, I owe you an apology. I brought you to Mount Wudang, claiming to show you the greatest sword in the world, only to find out it was a sword you made. I thought I had an eye for the greatest swords, but it seems I lack the eye for the greatest blacksmiths.”
Hyun Gong skillfully lowered himself while simultaneously praising the Songmun Gogeom Tang Mujin had crafted and Tang Mujin himself.
An ordinary person would have been flustered by such praise, but Tang Mujin remained calm throughout. Hyun Gong was impressed.
‘As expected, he must be used to such accolades given his abilities. Aligning with him was the right choice.’
Tang Mujin asked.
“It’s fine. So, what brings you here?”
“Elder Youngbo asked me to bring you. It seems he’s ready to give you the gift he mentioned yesterday.”
“A gift, huh… Alright. Should I head straight to Hyuncheon Hall?”
“Yes. Want me to take you there?”
“No, it’s fine.”
“While you’re at Hyuncheon Hall, I’ll pack your things. We’re leaving for Chengdu tomorrow, right?”
Tang Mujin shook his head at Hyun Gong’s question.
“No, before Chengdu, I’m heading to Yangyang.”
“Why Yangyang?”
“I left something behind.”
Dang Mujin offered a faint smile.
Without a guide, Dang Mujin made his way to Hyeoncheondang.
“I’m coming in.”
He cautiously surveyed the interior, but it was empty.
Stepping back outside, he glanced around and spotted Yeong Bojin in the backyard, sitting cross-legged on a flat stone, eyes closed.
Approaching him, Dang Mujin respectfully clasped his hands.
“I heard you called for me.”
Yeong Bojin opened his eyes and spoke.
“Yes. You probably know why I summoned you.”
“Because you mentioned a gift yesterday, I presume.”
The first thing that came to Dang Mujin’s mind was the elixir that Hyeongong had mentioned before he came to Mudang Mountain. However, the thought of an elixir didn’t excite him. After consuming the Great Elixir, he was convinced that no other potion would be of much help.
Namgung Myeong likely grew up on elixirs too, so his situation would be similar.
If he were to receive an elixir, Dang Mujin thought he might give it to Hong Geolgae, knowing how harsh and miserable the life of a first-rate martial artist could be.
But instead of an elixir, Yeong Bojin presented him with the Songmun Ancient Sword.
“I don’t intend to return this sword.”
When Dang Mujin hesitated, Yeong Bojin chuckled.
“I’m not giving you the Songmun Ancient Sword. It’s too precious to part with, even for an old man like me. What I intend to give you is experience.”
“Experience?”
“Yes. No matter how much I pondered, I couldn’t think of a suitable gift. I’m neither wealthy nor well-connected, and I can’t wander freely like I used to.”
Yeong Bojin picked up a wooden sword that had been lying nearby. Unlike Hong Geolgae’s staff, it was a simple wooden sword, carved from a single piece of wood.
“Experience is all this old man has in abundance. I have enough to share with a young warrior who hasn’t yet overcome his barriers.”
Raising the wooden sword, Yeong Bojin continued.
“Now, strike with all your might.”
“Understood.”
Dang Mujin didn’t bother asking, “Are you sure?” He had encountered several supreme masters before, and not one of them had been easy to approach. In fact, none were even remotely approachable.
Among those supreme masters, Yeong Bojin was renowned for his impenetrable defense.
There was no reason for Dang Mujin to worry about stepping into the domain that even other supreme masters couldn’t breach—within three steps of Yeong Bojin.
“Here I go.”
He began with his most confident move, Cheom.
Dang Mujin moved to strike decisively.
Or at least, he tried to. Yeong Bojin’s wooden sword pressed gently against his fingertips, preventing his arm from fully extending.
Dang Mujin then attempted the techniques of the Jasim Sword, the only swordsmanship he had learned from Gwiui.
Yet none of the techniques unfolded smoothly. Before they could take shape, Yeong Bojin’s sword intercepted them, preemptively blocking every move.
The side of the Songmun Ancient Sword was struck, altering its trajectory, and a swift thrust targeted Dang Mujin’s vital points. His elbow was tapped, causing his arm to bend, and his fingertips were targeted to block the path of his sword.
Dang Mujin withdrew his wooden sword, letting his shoulders slump.
“Your skill is truly remarkable. Yet, somehow, it leaves me feeling deflated.”
Yeong Bojin, realizing his mistake, replied sheepishly.
“Oh dear. My apologies. Try again.”
This time, Yeong Bojin didn’t stifle Dang Mujin’s attacks. Every technique of the Jasim Sword unfolded cleanly, though none seemed likely to reach Yeong Bojin.
‘I can’t comprehend this.’
Not long ago, Hyeongong’s swordplay against the assassins had been impressive.
It felt as if every strike would be blocked.
But Yeong Bojin’s defense was on an entirely different level.
Dang Mujin knew even before he extended his sword. No matter how much effort he put into his techniques, his sword would never touch Yeong Bojin.
Even perfectly executed techniques held no meaning.
It was like endlessly swinging a sword at the waters of a vast lake.
A defense so overwhelming that it erased any will to fight, any intent to attack.
Yeong Bojin might have lacked legs, but neither Hwayeon Shinni nor Namgung Jincheon pitied him. No one claimed the world was unfair.
Only after swinging his sword at Yeong Bojin did Dang Mujin understand why.
If Yeong Bojin had legs, that would be the true injustice.
Dang Mujin’s sword was gently ensnared by Yeong Bojin’s, slipping from his grasp.
Yeong Bojin set both swords down neatly.
“Do you know what’s strange?”
“What do you mean?”
“The swordsmanship you’ve learned is filled with resentment and anger. It’s not suited for someone with a gentle nature like yours. Yet here you are, learning resentment and anger. Why are you becoming like the sword?”