Episode 241: To Mount Wudang

The next day, Tang Mujin was ready to set off for Mount Wudang.

“You’re not going to come back all battered and bruised again, are you? Take care of yourself and come back in one piece,” Dan Seol-young said calmly, though Mok Wan-ah looked like she might burst into tears.

“How long will you be gone this time?” she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

“Not too long. I should be back before the sun sets,” Tang Mujin reassured her.

“Make sure you come back quickly!”

“I will.”

Jin Hae, watching from the side, was secretly taken aback. It wasn’t unusual for someone Tang Mujin’s age to be married, but having concubines at such a young age was rare.

However, Yeong Heoja chuckled heartily, clearly pleased with whatever Tang Mujin chose to do. “Finding two people who understand you at such a young age is a blessing. It’s much better than struggling to find a concubine in old age.”

Tang Mujin hugged Dan Seol-young, Mok Wan-ah, and Tang Yeong one by one before setting off.

The group consisted of eight people: Tang Mujin, his three friends, and two members each from the Cheongseong and Ami sects.

Instead of heading north to Hanzhong, they chose to travel east to Zhongjing. Although the route through Hanzhong would have been quicker, there was a reason for their detour. The schedule wasn’t tight, and the path to Zhongjing was dotted with villages and sights worth seeing.

Part of their journey’s purpose was to broaden the horizons of Eunsunrim and Jin Hae, making encounters with new people and experiences invaluable.

Yeong Heoja expressed his gratitude to Tang Mujin once more. “You must be eager to finish your task and return quickly. Thank you for considering our situation.”

“It’s no problem. I’m familiar with Zhongjing and have people to meet there,” Tang Mujin replied.

Though their route was longer, the travel time was actually shorter than usual due to the group’s high level of martial prowess. Even Jin Hae and Eunsunrim, the least skilled among them, were at the peak of first-class martial artists. They could walk briskly and even use light-footed techniques without much trouble.

While the others moved without much thought, Hyun Gong was deep in contemplation as he practiced his light-footed skills.

‘What does it mean to be a leader? What does it mean to have subordinates?’

Those who lack the skill to manage people often interpret leadership in a simplistic way: the ability to suppress others at will, to have them obey your every command.

This is the most straightforward and intuitive understanding of the relationship between a leader and their subordinates. Hyun Gong once thought this was the only way to lead.

However, years ago, an experience at the Tang family clinic changed his perspective entirely. When he first arrived, his priority was to identify the power players within the clinic. At first glance, it seemed like Tang Mujin’s father, Tang Jeseon, or the leader of the demonic cult, Sam Anbul, held the reins.

But upon closer observation, Hyun Gong realized something astonishing: the true power in the clinic lay with Tang Mujin.

It was a revelation, but understandable. What truly shocked Hyun Gong was the subtle and ingenious way Tang Mujin wielded his influence.

‘It was an eye-opening realization.’

Tang Mujin didn’t suppress the people at the clinic. They didn’t bow to him, yet everything in the Tang household proceeded according to his wishes. People were careful not to upset him, and when important matters arose, his opinion was sought first.

Regardless of age or martial prowess, everyone in the Tang household respected Tang Mujin’s authority. Even the renowned master Sam Anbul followed his lead, as did the young blacksmiths and physicians. Even Hyun Gong found himself unconsciously swayed by Tang Mujin.

It was remarkable. People obeyed Tang Mujin without even realizing it.

‘A cunning fellow.’

Hyun Gong analyzed Tang Mujin’s methods and gained a profound understanding. Jin Hae and Eunsunrim would be the first to experience his newfound insight.

As he slowed his pace and began to walk, Hyun Gong observed the group’s dynamics. As expected, they were divided into three distinct groups: Tang Mujin’s party, the two sect leaders, and Jin Hae with Eunsunrim.

‘Perfect.’

Tang Mujin, Namgung Myung, and Hong Geolgae were engrossed in their own discussions, occasionally debating martial arts, leaving Jin Hae and Eunsunrim feeling too intimidated to approach.

The gap in martial prowess was significant, and Tang Mujin’s group exuded an aura of having overcome numerous challenges. It wasn’t a matter of age; they simply had nothing in common beyond that.

‘I should exploit that gap.’

Hyun Gong slipped away from his friends and approached Jin Hae and Eunsunrim, starting with casual conversation in a friendly tone.

“We’re moving a bit fast. Are you keeping up okay?”

“Yes, we are,” Jin Hae replied, his tone stiff and formal, maintaining a sense of distance.

It was clear they saw Hyun Gong as someone above them.

“We’re about the same age, so let’s drop the formalities. We’ll be traveling together for a while, so there’s no need to be so reserved.”

“Um… should we?” Eunsunrim replied with a shy smile.

Of course, being from the Ami sect, which strictly forbade relationships with the opposite sex, her smile didn’t quite reach Hyun Gong’s heart.

“You mentioned this is your first time going to Zhongjing, right?”

“Yes… I mean, yeah. It’s my first time leaving Sichuan.”

For young martial artists, venturing into the martial world to gain experience is a rite of passage. While outsiders might think it’s a universal practice, not all sects have this tradition.

Sects like Shaolin in Henan or Huashan in Shaanxi, which are easily accessible by land, often send their young members on such journeys in their early twenties. However, sects in Sichuan like Cheongseong and Ami, or those in remote areas like Kunlun, don’t have this culture.

The reason is simple: the distances are too great to easily interact with martial artists from other regions. For those in Sichuan, it takes at least two weeks of travel to reach other major sects.

Cheongseong and Ami are relatively fortunate. The Taoists of Kunlun, for instance, would need a month to travel, so they rarely leave their sect.

For Jin Hae and Eunsunrim, this journey is their first chance to make a name for themselves among martial artists from other regions. They should be excited, yet both seemed oddly lacking in confidence.

Hyun Gong asked, “Why do you look so gloomy when it’s your first time leaving Sichuan? Is something wrong?”

“Not really… I’m just naturally calm,” Eunsunrim replied, though Hyun Gong wasn’t convinced.

He quickly deduced their true feelings.

‘They’re nervous after seeing our martial skills.’

In other words, they were like frogs in a well. While in the comfort of their own sects, they might have been confident, but witnessing Tang Mujin’s group’s achievements likely changed their perspective.

Instead of making a name for themselves, they feared they might disgrace their sects.

Yes, it was insecurity and anxiety.

To sway such people, the approach was simple: start with praise to win their hearts. No one dislikes compliments, and people appreciate those who ease their worries.

Especially if the person offering reassurance is someone they subconsciously view as superior. It makes them someone they can lean on.

Hyun Gong spoke with a serious expression. “I can guess what you’re worried about. But there’s no need to be. You two are among the more promising young talents in your sects.”

“Oh… really? Thanks.”

Jin Hae and Eunsunrim didn’t seem entirely reassured, so Hyun Gong decided to add a realistic touch to his words.

He moved in front of them, walking backward with a serious expression. He started with a bitter truth.

“I’m not just saying this. Of course, your skills might not be ahead right now. Compared to other sects’ young talents, you might just be keeping up.”

“Even that feels like a relief. Thanks.”

“But I’m not finished. You might feel stuck now, but you’ll eventually surge ahead at an incredible pace.”

Hyun Gong’s voice was filled with confidence, and Jin Hae and Eunsunrim found themselves listening intently.

When you follow a bitter truth with a hopeful message, it sounds more convincing.

“Master Yeongbo said that’s the true strength of the Cheongseong sect. Even Yeong Heoja didn’t stand out in his youth, but he eventually became one of the Six Masters, a position no one can deny. The Cheongseong sect is like an eagle. It hatches later than other birds, but eventually, it soars higher than any other.”

Of course, Young Bo Jin never actually said that. But it didn’t matter. It was unlikely that Jin Hae or Eun Seon-rim would go to him with such trivial questions.

In conversation, a lie that goes undetected is as good as the truth.

Jin Hae’s face lit up with excitement. The renowned Seung-ryong Sword had acknowledged his potential and even shown respect for the Cheongseong Sect.

Yet Eun Seon-rim hesitated.

Unlike the undisputed master Young Heo-ja, the current head of the Ami Sect, Hyang Baek-sa-tae, and the former head, Tae Pyeong-sa-tae, had not surpassed the pinnacle of martial arts.

There were even whispers that Hyang Baek-sa-tae was the least skilled among the leaders of the major sects, likely due to his young age.

However, Hyeon-gong had spoken to Eun Seon-rim as well.

“You too, Miss Eun. You’ll achieve great things soon, so don’t worry.”

“But…”

“I’m not just saying that. I believe you can reach greater heights than Jin Hae or I ever could.”

“Huh?”

Eun Seon-rim looked puzzled, and Hyeon-gong spoke as if stating the obvious.

“Where do you think Master Hwa Yeon-shin’s martial arts originated?”

Hwa Yeon-shin had left the Ami Sect, and the current head had a strained relationship with her, so she was rarely mentioned.

But Hwa Yeon-shin had indeed mastered the Ami Sect’s martial arts and was so formidable that even the Six Masters would step back. Realizing this, Eun Seon-rim’s expression brightened.

Hyeon-gong maintained a calm demeanor, thinking to himself, ‘So naive.’

If you think about it, Hyeon-gong’s argument didn’t hold water.

Just because Hwa Yeon-shin possessed incredible skills, it didn’t mean that anyone who learned the same martial arts would achieve the same. The logic was flimsy at best.

For such reasoning to have any credibility, at least Hyang Baek-sa-tae or Tae Pyeong-sa-tae should have easily reached the pinnacle.

But people don’t believe in logical stories. They believe in the stories they want to believe.

It was only natural that the anxious Eun Seon-rim would be swayed by Hyeon-gong’s words.

Now that he had captured their hearts, it was time to move to the next stage.

“Whenever you feel uncertain, think of Sister Ha-ryeong. As long as you stay steady, you’ll eventually reach your destination.”

”…Sister Ha-ryeong?”

Hyeon-gong feigned regret.

“Oh, forget I mentioned that.”

“Who is Sister Ha-ryeong?”

“I’ve spent so much time with Master Hwa Yeon-shin that the nickname just slipped out. I shouldn’t speak like this in front of others…”

Of course, Hyeon-gong wasn’t on such familiar terms with Hwa Yeon-shin.

If he dared to call her ‘sister’ to her face, he’d likely end up with more than a few bruises.

But Eun Seon-rim didn’t doubt Hyeon-gong’s words. She had heard rumors of his close ties with the infamous Blood Rain Guest and had even witnessed it herself.

Having established his superiority through these connections, the final step was to showcase his abilities and seize control.

“Let’s get along well. Just as my friends followed me past the pinnacle, you too will soon reach the next level.”

He spoke as if he had played a crucial role in helping his friends surpass the pinnacle. Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim felt a thrill in their hearts.

The pinnacle, they thought.

If they stayed close to Hyeon-gong, perhaps they could surpass it before turning thirty. After all, weren’t there already three young masters around him?

Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim nodded, their eyes filled with trust.

The next evening, the group met Hwa Yeon-shin and Hong Myeon-no-gae at a tavern in Junggyeong.

The conversation was brief, but the camaraderie Hyeon-gong displayed was enough. In Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim’s minds, everything Hyeon-gong had said solidified into undeniable truth.

From that moment on, their belief in Hyeon-gong transcended mere friendship, entering the realm of blind faith and reverence.

To the elders of their sect, it appeared as a steadfast friendship. But in reality, it was a perfect hierarchy.

Hyeon-gong smiled with satisfaction.

‘Perhaps it’s because they’ve spent their lives wielding swords, but they’re not difficult to handle.’

What if he could captivate not just Jin Hae and Eun Seon-rim, but all the promising talents from other sects?

Beyond his dream of becoming the head of the Wudang Sect, something even greater began to take root in Hyeon-gong’s heart.