Episode 245: The Wudang Mountain Conference

After Hyun Gong finished his contemplation, Tang Mujin approached him with a question.

“What exactly did you just do?”

The others hadn’t even noticed that Hyun Gong had done something unusual. It wasn’t the time or place to showcase any extraordinary skills, and Hyun Gong hadn’t made any flashy or conspicuous moves.

But Tang Mujin was different. At the very least, he realized that Hyun Gong had accomplished something.

Hyun Gong muttered, “I sent a telepathic message to both Mo Yongbu and Ak Sogun at the same time.”

“What?”

The art of transmitting one’s voice over a distance using internal energy, known as telepathy, might sound simple at first, but it’s far more challenging than most people think. Most martial artists who haven’t surpassed the pinnacle can’t use it, and even some who have reached the pinnacle aren’t adept at it.

Because it’s such a difficult skill, even those at the pinnacle must focus entirely on the telepathic message when sending it.

Tang Mujin recalled the recent events. Mo Yongbu and Ak Sogun had both retreated with satisfied expressions, likely thinking Hyun Gong had sent the message to them first. It was clear Hyun Gong had sent a message to both.

The question was how.

“Did you learn a technique to broadcast telepathy widely?” Tang Mujin asked, even as he realized how odd his own question sounded. A telepathic message that wasn’t discreet had little value. It would be easier to just speak out loud.

Hyun Gong shook his head. “No, that’s not it. I literally sent a telepathic message to both of them at the same time, without anyone else hearing.”

“Is that even possible?”

“I wasn’t sure myself. But it worked.”

Hyun Gong’s voice trembled slightly. He was still in disbelief over his unexpected success.

“How did you do it?”

“I’m not entirely sure. I can’t explain it yet.”

Sending a telepathic message to two people simultaneously meant focusing on two things at once. Whether that was even a valid expression, Hyun Gong was saying it was.

Hyun Gong searched his memory. Had he ever heard of a similar skill being mastered by the founder of the sect, Jang Sam-bong, or any other Wudang masters? No, he hadn’t.

There was nothing in the Wudang martial arts, the transmitted teachings, or the secret manuals that resembled this.

Hyun Gong pondered a fundamental question: ‘Was this even martial arts?’

He couldn’t be sure. It was more akin to skills like telepathy or object manipulation, but it felt closer to the realm of instinct and sensation than a skill mixed with martial arts principles.

It felt like a sense that had been dormant was now awakened. Like a man who had lived his whole life with only his right arm suddenly gaining a left arm and learning how to use it. Unfamiliar, yet natural.

‘How can I use this skill?’

Hyun Gong glanced at Tang Mujin. Tang Mujin’s reaction was still one of pure curiosity and interest. He hadn’t yet thought about where this skill could lead.

Hyun Gong couldn’t immediately think of new ways to use it either. Even if he could send a telepathic message to two people, he couldn’t send two different messages to them with just one mouth. If that were possible, it could be used for deception.

But being able to convey the same message to two people was a skill with limited practical use.

‘No, there’s no need to focus on telepathy.’

Thinking like two people and producing results as if two minds were working together—that alone was remarkable.

Hyun Gong was certain. This was an achievement that would satisfy even the most discerning masters and could be a clue to advancing into another realm.

Tang Mujin remarked, “You’ve stumbled upon a strange skill.”

“Have I?”

But Hyun Gong’s thoughts were different. This situation might have been sudden, but it wasn’t out of nowhere. It wasn’t a success achieved by mere luck without any training.

Hyun Gong’s life path had been a form of training. While others viewed the world through their own eyes, Hyun Gong had lived considering both his thoughts and others’ perspectives. As a child, he didn’t want to upset his elders and be abandoned again.

So, even before he turned ten, Hyun Gong had become adept at reading others’ reactions and understanding their perspectives. That was his life.

As the saying goes, life is full of unexpected turns. Even a child abandoned by his parents, or a man who had to constantly be on guard, is given a small opportunity.

Hyun Gong felt as if the world had become a bit brighter. He resolved, ‘From now on, I must live more meticulously and thoroughly.’

Hyun Gong rubbed his hands together and chuckled darkly.

While Hong Geolgae followed the master to learn martial arts and Hyun Gong trained in his peculiar skill, the Mid-Autumn Festival approached. For outsiders, it was a day to wish for abundance and happiness, but for the Wudang sect, it was a day for a meeting.

Leaders of various sects and clans gathered at the largest building in Wudang, Namhwagak. Tang Mujin and Hong Geolgae also headed there. Tang Mujin was the only outsider who had seen the internal affairs of the Demonic Cult, and Hong Geolgae had briefly witnessed the conflict among the Demonic Cult’s forces.

The number of people, already large, had grown even more in recent days, making Namhwagak, the largest hall in Wudang, feel cramped.

“It’s more crowded than a marketplace. There are so many people that the air feels stifling,” Tang Mujin remarked with a slight frown, to which Hong Geolgae chuckled.

“Really? Why don’t you chase a few of them out?”

“Don’t be ridiculous…”

Tang Mujin surveyed the attendees, taking note of their faces. Among them, Young Heoja’s bright expression stood out. Although he had put in a lot of effort for this meeting, he hadn’t expected it to be this successful.

Only three major sects and clans were absent: the Jongnam Sect, the Namgung Clan, and the Gongdong Sect. The head of the Jongnam Sect, Ilseonja, had rushed back to the sect upon hearing that a thief had stolen the Yeomji Sword, but he planned to return once the situation was resolved. The distance between Wudang and Jongnam wasn’t far, making it feasible.

The Namgung Clan was a different story. No one had expected them to attend in the first place. Namgung Jinchun was known for being highly independent, and the Namgung Clan rarely involved themselves in matters where they might incur losses.

On the other hand, the Gongdong Sect had sent a reply saying they would attend, but they hadn’t arrived at Wudang. Such things happened, so people didn’t find it particularly strange.

In any case, five of the Six Masters were present. Had there ever been a gathering of so many righteous martial artists in one place?

Despite his own efforts, Young Heoja felt grateful to Tang Mujin, frequently glancing at him with a smile. Tang Mujin found Young Heoja’s smile a bit overwhelming.

“Now that everyone seems to be here, let’s begin the discussion,” said the Elder Master, signaling the start of the meeting.

“I believe everyone knows why we’re gathered here, but since many may not be aware of the details, I think it’s appropriate to start with an explanation. The most renowned young hero of the current martial world, the Righteous Dragon, has returned with insights into the Demonic Cult’s internal situation. Let’s hear his story.”

As Tang Mujin stood up, dozens of eyes focused on him. There wasn’t a single insignificant person among them. Apart from Tang Mujin, Hong Geolgae, and Hyun Gong, ordinary young martial artists weren’t even allowed into Namhwagak.

Tang Mujin felt a bit nervous. How many people in the world had the opportunity to speak in front of so many influential figures?

He began with the news that people had vaguely suspected but hadn’t confirmed.

“First, I think it’s only right to explain how I ended up in the Demonic Cult. One day, I was captured and taken there with a request to continue the research of the late Demonic Doctor.”

Many were visibly surprised to hear about the Demonic Doctor’s death.

Someone asked Tang Mujin, “If the Demonic Doctor is dead, they would have tried to contact the Ghost Doctor instead. Not that I’m doubting your abilities.”

“I am the sole disciple who inherited the achievements of the Ghost Doctor Lee Chung. However, my master passed away several years ago, so the Demonic Cult had no way to contact him.”

The audience’s eyes sparkled. The rumors circulating about the Righteous Dragon of the Tang family being the best physician in the world were now confirmed as fact. The heads of various families began to think of ways to recruit Tang Mujin.

“After arriving at Mount Tian, I spent several months within the Demonic Cult, witnessing the events that unfolded there.”

Tang Mujin continued his story, omitting uncomfortable details and emphasizing the crucial parts. The internal strife within the Demonic Cult, the murder of the cult leader by the Great Protector, and the Great Protector’s rise to leadership. People occasionally nodded, engrossed in Tang Mujin’s tale.

The content of the story was fascinating, and Tang Mujin’s voice had a captivating quality that drew people in.

When Tang Mujin finally finished, the audience let out a collective sigh. It was as if they had experienced the Demonic Cult firsthand through his vivid storytelling.

Someone asked Tang Mujin, “Who can verify that your story is true?”

“The person next to me, Hong Geolgae, and Lady Hwayeon Shin in Chungkyung will confirm it.”

A few who weren’t well-informed whispered among themselves.

“If it’s Hwayeon Shinni, isn’t she the former head of the Mount Emei Sect? That old… I mean, is the elder still alive?”

“I heard she was still around somewhere, but I didn’t know she was in Chongqing.”

The crowd’s gaze shifted from Hong Geolgae to Hyang Baeksa, the representative of the Mount Emei Sect.

Hyang Baeksa’s calm demeanor lent credibility to Tang Mujin’s words, leaving no room for doubt among the people.

While some were skeptical of the young Tang Mujin, no one questioned the integrity of Hwayeon Shinni or Hyang Baeksa.

Yong Bojin and Yong Heoja allowed the crowd to discuss freely, waiting patiently for the chatter to subside.

After a while, as if on cue, the noise naturally died down.

A man cleared his throat loudly.

It was the head of the Shandong Akga family.

“Well, I understand the purpose of this gathering. Rest assured, when the Demonic Cult rises, the Shandong Akga will lend a hand to protect the righteous martial world.”

Most people seemed to agree, albeit somewhat reluctantly.

A few looked displeased, their eyes darting around, but they held their tongues.

Gathering people has its advantages. Those who don’t follow the greater cause find it hard to speak up and often get swept along.

In that sense, it was perhaps fortunate that Namgung Jincheon, the Sword Demon, wasn’t present. He would have had no qualms about disrupting the atmosphere.

However, not everyone was pleased with the head of the Shandong Akga’s words.

Liu Yudoin, the head of the Kunlun Sect, which was closest to the Demonic Cult, voiced his discontent.

Of course, Liu Yudoin wasn’t suggesting they shouldn’t oppose the Demonic Cult.

“What are you saying? Are we just going to sit and wait for the Demonic Cult to act?”

“What more do you want?”

“The Great War of Righteousness and Demonic Cults has always been fought at Tianshan. This time should be no different. We should gather our forces and strike the Demonic Cult’s headquarters immediately!”

Liu Yudoin, despite being a Taoist, had the imposing stature and booming voice of a bandit, naturally commanding attention.

The role of the head of the Kunlun Sect differs slightly from other sects. The Kunlun Sect is a collective of many Taoist temples on Mount Kunlun, and its head is merely a representative.

Liu Yudoin was chosen not for his superior martial arts but for his courage and assertiveness.

And he knew well why he had been chosen.

The head of the Huangbo family from Shandong, seemingly displeased with Liu Yudoin’s words, spoke up.

“Do you know how long it takes to travel from Shandong to Tianshan? It’s easy for the Kunlun Sect to talk about a two-month round trip, but for us, it takes at least a year. If the battle drags on, it’ll take even longer.”

The head of the Shandong Akga, usually at odds with the Huangbo family, now found himself agreeing with them.

“Stopping training for a year to travel such a distance is no small feat. It requires food, extra weapons, and a lot of manpower. The Shandong Akga is ready to rise against the Demonic Cult, but joining an attack on Tianshan is impractical.”

The atmosphere in Namhwagak was divided.

Some wanted to crush the Demonic Cult immediately and sleep peacefully afterward. The Kunlun Sect, closest to the Demonic Cult, felt like they were walking on thin ice.

The Qingcheng and Mount Emei Sects, also close to the Demonic Cult, agreed with this stance. Even Yujin Kwang of the Wudang Sect, despite the distance from Tianshan, supported the idea, unwilling to back down in such a situation.

On the other hand, sects and families far from the Demonic Cult were lukewarm. They were reluctant to embark on a long journey to attack first, as such expeditions were burdensome, and joining the fight later often proved advantageous.

Unlike the Great War of Righteousness and Demonic Cults, the Great War of Righteousness and Evil always played out this way. The sects on the front lines bore the brunt of the damage, weakening the forces of the evil sects, while those who joined later reaped the rewards with less effort.

The ones suffering the most were the martial artists from the front-line sects, while the latecomers claimed the glory. Yet, the front-line sects couldn’t complain, as without reinforcements, their hard-earned power could be reduced to ashes.

Yong Heoja pondered.

“If the Gongdong Sect were here, they’d surely side with us. What are they doing, not showing up yet?”

The discussion dragged on endlessly.

Or perhaps it couldn’t even be called a discussion. It was just two groups repeating their positions: those wanting to attack Tianshan immediately and those promising to send defensive forces later.

Eventually, Liu Yudoin’s face turned red with anger.

“I see what you’re thinking. You just want to use our Kunlun Sect as a shield, don’t you? Hey, Sunwooja! Say something!”

Sunwooja, the head of the Mount Hua Sect, was suddenly called out.

But he responded smoothly, unfazed.

“Is there a need to speak so harshly? We’re just saying we’ll help as much as we can within practical limits…”

The Mount Hua Sect wasn’t as far from the Demonic Cult as the Huangbo family or the Shandong Akga, but they weren’t close enough to be on the front lines either.

“It seems not many sects are eager to attack Tianshan. There’s no reason for our Mount Hua Sect to jump in and suffer losses.”

The mood subtly shifted in favor of Sunwooja.

Since the fire wasn’t at their feet, there was no need to panic.

Liu Yudoin, who had been struggling to contain his anger, suddenly smirked.

“Is that so? If you’re going to be so uncooperative, I have an idea.”

People waited for Liu Yudoin’s next words. He crossed his arms.

“Our Kunlun Sect possesses the world’s best footwork technique, the Unryong Daepalsik. Our lightness skill is just as excellent, as the essence of the Unryong Daepalsik is infused into it.”

As people looked puzzled by the sudden boasting of footwork and lightness skills, Liu Yudoin continued, glaring at Sunwooja.

“Go ahead, be lukewarm. The moment the Demonic Cult rises, our Kunlun Sect will flee without fighting. Think carefully about who will be next when the Gongdong Sect falls and the Zhongnan Sect follows.”

With those final words, Liu Yudoin stormed out of Namhwagak.

The hall fell silent for a moment, but soon it was filled with angry voices.

“What a mess.”

Tang Mujin and Hyungong watched the scene unfold, letting out a deep sigh.

They could already see how things would play out.