Chapter 249: The Sect Leader
Hyun-gong instinctively pulled back, but he couldn’t completely escape the path of the sword.
The Songmun Ancient Sword grazed his throat, barely missing the sturdiest part of his neck.
He felt a burning sensation and the trickle of blood.
“You dodged it.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“The calamity you invite with your words won’t stop at you; it will surely engulf Mount Wudang. It’s only right to act preemptively.”
Hyun-gong wanted to argue with Youngbo Jin-in, but the elder was already launching his next attack. This time, it was aimed at his chest.
“Damn it!”
Hyun-gong twisted his body immediately.
At first glance, it seemed he could dodge cleanly, but Youngbo Jin-in’s sword subtly changed direction, managing to graze Hyun-gong’s chest.
The sword’s path had been altered midway, so it only brushed against his chest. Yet, Hyun-gong felt as if the blade had slightly pierced his ribs.
If it had gone two or three inches deeper, it might have reached his heart.
There was no time to speak, and it was clear that words would be meaningless.
In Hyun-gong’s experience, once a sword was drawn, there was no peaceful resolution through conversation.
Clang—
After two evasions, Hyun-gong finally managed to draw his sword and block the third strike.
However, Youngbo Jin-in’s sword twisted fluidly, grazing Hyun-gong’s forearm. Blood spurted from the deep cut.
Indeed, the Songmun Ancient Sword was no ordinary blade.
It was so sharp that he barely felt it slice his skin, yet blood flowed freely. If there was any advantage, it was that the pain was less than with other swords.
Fortunately, Hyun-gong wielded a sword crafted by Dangmu Jin, which allowed him to withstand Youngbo Jin-in’s attacks.
Had he been using an ordinary sword, it would have been sliced in two by now.
Clang, clang—
This time, he managed to block two consecutive strikes.
Yet, Hyun-gong still couldn’t retreat to safety. This was the Sect Leader’s chamber in Hyuncheon Hall.
Youngbo Jin-in’s only weakness was his legs. Unable to stand or move, the space he could control with his sword was limited.
But Youngbo Jin-in had lured Hyun-gong to the farthest corner from the exit, clearly having planned this from the start.
Even in such a dire situation, Hyun-gong’s mind didn’t stop analyzing.
‘Is this a test?’
It must be. Youngbo Jin-in wasn’t someone who harmed others lightly. He couldn’t have suddenly realized Hyun-gong’s nature. Youngbo Jin-in had always been a step ahead of him.
As Hyun-gong’s thoughts reached this point, the Songmun Ancient Sword flew towards him.
Startled, Hyun-gong jerked his head back. Even so, the sword nearly grazed his eyes. A chill ran down his spine.
The certainty that this was a test seemed to crumble away.
‘I have to survive first.’
Youngbo Jin-in’s sword swung horizontally.
Hyun-gong leaped into the air, twisting his body horizontally. He narrowly avoided the horizontal slash.
It was an extremely risky maneuver, but it worked. For the first time, Hyun-gong had a chance to counterattack.
Whoosh!
Hyun-gong’s sword sliced through the air towards Youngbo Jin-in.
Just as Youngbo Jin-in had done, Hyun-gong aimed to strike with full intent.
Knowing his sword couldn’t penetrate Youngbo Jin-in’s defense, Hyun-gong could put his all into the attack.
Naturally, Hyun-gong’s sword was blocked, bouncing off with a short scraping sound.
Hyun-gong immediately reached out with his left hand, grabbing one of the swords propped against the wall.
It was the Hyuncheon Sword, the former symbol of the Wudang Sect before the Songmun Ancient Sword.
Hyun-gong swung his left arm forcefully, unsheathing the sword.
‘Can the Hyuncheon Sword withstand the Songmun Ancient Sword?’
No, it couldn’t. If it were wielded by an amateur, maybe, but not against Youngbo Jin-in.
So Hyun-gong used the sword crafted by Dangmu Jin in his right hand to deflect Youngbo Jin-in’s attacks with the Taiji Sword technique.
For a one-handed defense, it was remarkably effective.
Meanwhile, Hyun-gong’s mind raced to decide which sword technique to use with his left hand. The answer was clear. The foundation of Wudang’s swordsmanship, the Five Elements Sword Technique, which every Wudang disciple learned thoroughly.
His left hand executed the Five Elements Sword Technique, targeting Youngbo Jin-in’s openings.
While his right hand blocked Youngbo Jin-in’s attacks, his left hand moved from the first form, Wood Generates Fire, to the ninth form, Fire Overcomes Metal, and back to the fourth form, Metal Generates Water.
It was as if one person was blocking Youngbo Jin-in’s attacks while another sought his weaknesses. Yet, the two swords never crossed paths.
A perfect dual assault unfolded from Hyun-gong’s hands.
Youngbo Jin-in’s sword hesitated briefly, then became even more ferocious. Hyun-gong was quickly overwhelmed. The blade grazed his waist and dug into his forearm.
Eventually, Hyun-gong’s left hand also switched to the Taiji Sword technique for defense. This made it harder for Youngbo Jin-in to breach his defenses.
What started as a simple demonstration of dual-wielding had turned into a desperate battle.
Hyun-gong felt as if his mind was on fire, or splitting in two. It wasn’t just a metaphor.
He felt his consciousness blossoming brilliantly.
The salty taste of blood trickling from his nose, the pain of his bloodied body, all faded away.
While wielding his swords, he navigated an unfathomable, metaphysical space.
‘There must be a path forward.’
But he couldn’t discern the direction.
‘Is it that way?’
His consciousness searched for a way forward.
He still saw nothing. No clues.
Yet, Hyun-gong was undoubtedly racing towards the next realm. At least he wasn’t stagnating as he had been for years.
A subtle sense of futility crept in. Why had he been stuck for so long?
He simply hadn’t found the path. Before him lay infinite possibilities.
The heaviest shackles had fallen away. He could move in any direction he desired.
His entire body tingled.
Mental euphoria and physical pleasure surged simultaneously. It felt like a galaxy was cascading into his mind like a refreshing waterfall.
The expectation that enlightenment was imminent made his heart feel like it would burst.
Surely, he would reach it someday. If he could just take one step onto the path, he could go anywhere.
Then, Youngbo Jin-in’s Songmun Ancient Sword slipped between Hyun-gong’s fingers and the guard of his sword.
With a strong flick, Youngbo Jin-in disarmed Hyun-gong, the sword crafted by Dangmu Jin slipping from his grasp into Youngbo Jin-in’s hand. Only then did Hyun-gong regain his senses.
Hyun-gong spoke, slightly awkwardly.
“What—”
Youngbo Jin-in took a deep breath and shouted loudly.
“Stop!”
The usual clarity returned to Hyun-gong’s eyes. But he knew he shouldn’t let it. He tried to let go of his consciousness again, his gaze blurring.
Youngbo Jin-in shouted once more.
“Hyun-gong!”
Light returned to Hyun-gong’s eyes. He was jolted out of his trance.
It was a strange thing, but Hyun-gong felt frustrated by the situation. He resented Youngbo Jin-in’s sword for stopping short of threatening his life.
For the first time, Hyun-gong raised his voice in front of Youngbo Jin-in.
“Don’t stop the sword! Just a little more!”
“Sit in meditation.”
Hyun-gong glared at Youngbo Jin-in, then sat down and crossed his legs.
The wounds on his thighs and legs throbbed, his lower body burning with pain.
With his eyes closed, Hyun-gong took slow, deep breaths before opening them again.
He saw Youngbo Jin-in’s familiar face.
Youngbo Jin-in spoke calmly.
“Hyun-gong, the sages say that those who rush will never reach their destination.”
“But I was so close. Just one more step would have been enough. Truly!”
“I know. But you must not doubt your efforts and talent. You’ve been cultivating for nearly a decade after surpassing the pinnacle. Don’t be hasty. That’s the quickest path to inner demons.”
Youngbo Jin-in paused. Hyun-gong continued to breathe deeply.
Only now could he smell the familiar scent of the hall mixed with the metallic tang of blood.
Hyun-gong’s expression turned sullen, like a five-year-old wanting to throw a tantrum.
But he couldn’t recognize his own feelings. He had no memory of ever throwing a tantrum, not even with his parents.
Youngbo Jin-in smiled warmly.
“Come here.”
He opened his arms and embraced Hyun-gong.
Youngbo Jin-in shared the slightly musty scent of an old man, while Hyun-gong shared the blood from his wounds with Youngbo Jin-in’s clothes.
Only then did Hyun-gong regain his usual composure.
He slowly turned around and sat down.
“I knew it was a test.”
“Of course.”
“I just thought I might die during it.”
“You could have lost an eye or a limb. But for the sake of enlightenment, that’s a small price to pay.”
It seemed it wasn’t just his imagination when Song Moon’s sword nearly grazed his eye earlier. Surely, Young Bo-jin must have swung his sword with a ‘come what may’ attitude. The thought made him chuckle.
Young Bo-jin spoke, “Your achievement was beyond my expectations. Impressive.”
He assessed the peculiar skill Hyun-gong had demonstrated—a remarkable ability to wield two swords as if he were two people. It was a talent neither seen nor heard of before.
Young Bo-jin felt fortunate that such a talent belonged to a disciple of the Wudang Sect. The sect would not decline anytime soon.
With a faint smile, Hyun-gong asked confidently, “So, can I stay on Wudang Mountain now?”
But Young Bo-jin’s answer was not what Hyun-gong expected.
“No. You must leave.”
Hyun-gong was taken aback. “Why? Didn’t you say I’ve grown?”
“You have grown, indeed. But if you settle here, you won’t grow any further. That’s why you can’t stay.”
“I’ve been away from Wudang Mountain for three and a half years. Isn’t it time for you to accept me back?”
Young Bo-jin laughed. “Who said you can’t return? I’m saying come back when the time is right.”
“You said the same thing last time. I believe that time is now.”
“Hyun-gong,” Young Bo-jin reached out his wrinkled hands and grasped Hyun-gong’s bloodied ones. Though the wounds on his hands stung, Hyun-gong resisted the urge to pull away.
Young Bo-jin said, “Return when you truly need my help or when you feel ready to take my place.”
Hyun-gong’s eyes widened. To take his place? Was he suggesting Hyun-gong could be the next leader?
The age gap between Young Bo-jin and Hyun-gong was over forty years. Normally, there should be at least one or two leaders between them.
Yet, Young Bo-jin had spoken clearly. It wasn’t a misunderstanding.
Stammering, Hyun-gong replied, “You know how many seniors are ahead of me.”
Young Bo-jin chuckled. “Really? I thought you’d want to become the leader at a young age and flaunt it. Fine, I’ll let someone else take the position, and when you’re old and gray, I’ll have them pass it on to you.”
As Hyun-gong hesitated, Young Bo-jin laughed again, and Hyun-gong couldn’t help but join in. Young Bo-jin was always the one person above him.
How long had Young Bo-jin known about Hyun-gong’s dream of becoming the leader?
Handing him a healing ointment, Young Bo-jin said, “You’re too young to be cooped up on Wudang Mountain. You’ve met a good opportunity, so there’s no reason to hesitate. Go out, see more of the world, and then return.”
“I understand.”
Hyun-gong stood, bowed deeply to Young Bo-jin, and withdrew.
When Hyun-gong returned to the guest hall, Tang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae were shocked by his appearance.
The person who had left looking fine returned covered in blood.
“First, tell us this: do we need to run away immediately?” Hong Geol-gae asked.
“No. But I do need to leave soon.”
“So, you got kicked out, huh?”
Hyun-gong pondered how to respond and then chuckled. It wasn’t entirely wrong.
“Well, something like that.”
Tang Mu-jin sat beside him, applying the healing ointment to his wounds. Each touch stung, but it felt good.
“What did you say to make Young Bo-jin draw his sword?” Tang Mu-jin asked.
Hyun-gong didn’t answer, closing his eyes instead. He recalled the memories of his pursuit of enlightenment and the conversation with Young Bo-jin. A smile crept onto his lips.
He posed a question of his own, “What do you think if I become the leader of the Wudang Sect?”
Tang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae sighed deeply.
“Young Bo-jin must have drawn his sword for the future of the Wudang Sect.”
“It’s your fault we’re in this mess, so you can’t complain. At least that’s a relief.”
They continued to praise Young Bo-jin’s wisdom and mercy for quite some time. Though their words strayed far from the truth, Hyun-gong’s smile never faded.
‘Now I’m the top rank.’
The next day, Tang Mu-jin and Hong Geol-gae noticed that Hyun-gong had become noticeably more confident.