Bachelor Swordsmanship Remastered [EN]: Chapter 359

359. The Case of the Wudang Sect

Yunhyun asked Gaeong, Jogwan, and Dam Sohyeop to come to Daru.

Grand Master Cheongsong was startled to see Gaeong entering Daru, but soon nodded in understanding.

“…Indeed, I think I know how the upheaval in Mount Hua was resolved so quickly.”

“Don’t misunderstand.”

Gaeong said with an expressionless face.

“The one who treated the patients was Hyun. I merely suggested a standard prescription.”

“If you hadn’t seen through the symptoms, that standard prescription wouldn’t have been possible either.”

Grand Master Cheongsong said with a smile.

He never underestimated Gaeong’s abilities.

Yunhyun wore a pleased smile, but Gaeong didn’t even respond.

“But do you call Yun Great Warrior ‘Hyun’?”

The eyes of the group sparkled at Grand Master Cheongsong’s question.

They were all unfamiliar with that title.

“That’s right.”

Gaeong’s answer was simple.

Grand Master Cheongsong gave a bitter smile.

“Did you perhaps have another connection?”

Grand Master Cheongsong knew that Yunhyun was a disciple of the Divine Monk and was once known as the successor to the Sword Saint.

He wondered if Yunhyun had any connection with Dokseon.

“Another connection?”

But Gaeong frowned.

“No.”

“I see.”

Grand Master Cheongsong let out a light, hollow laugh.

He had hoped to hear the secret history of Yunhyun and Hwanwooocheonjon, but it was all in vain.

“Why hasn’t the Council of Elders decided on a countermeasure?”

Gaeong asked directly.

“It’s because their respective positions on dealing with the Gihondan and joining the Azure Dragon Alliance are in sharp conflict. But the more fundamental reason is…”

Grand Master Cheongsong recited a Buddhist invocation mixed with a sigh.

“It is the conflict between the Sword faction, which is trying not to lose its leadership, and other factions that are trying to keep it in check.”

The Sword faction has traditionally emphasized the training of martial arts.

During the era of the Murim Alliance [a now-defunct martial arts alliance], the Sword faction greatly enhanced Wudang’s name, but at the same time, other factions had to feel a relative sense of deprivation.

“Aren’t you also from the Sword faction?”

“Yes, I am.”

Grand Master Cheongsong nodded.

“If you act unilaterally, there will definitely be problems, won’t there?”

“I must bear it.”

Grand Master Cheongsong’s eyes, as he quietly recited a Buddhist invocation, did not waver in the slightest.

“Hmm.”

Gaeong looked back at Yunhyun.

“If you want to do it, I won’t oppose it.”

“Thank you.”

Yunhyun bowed to Gaeong.

Gaeong pretended not to see and lifted his teacup.

***

The next morning.

Yunhyun and his party headed to Wudang with Grand Master Cheongsong.

Wudang’s mountain gate, Hyeonak Gate, was almost on flat ground, and the road was well-maintained, so the party could take a carriage to the vicinity of the gate.

Click.

As the carriage stopped, Dam Sohyeop, who was the first to get off, exclaimed in admiration.

“Wow.”

A huge stone gate stood tall before their eyes.

It was Hyeonak Gate, which announced their arrival at Wudang.

Jogwan, who got out of the carriage, as well as Yunhyun, couldn’t help but admire it.

Hyeonak Gate was amazing, but the sight of Wudang Mountain beyond it was truly awe-inspiring.

Wudang Mountain, shrouded in mist, and the red buildings densely packed on each peak, resembled a city built on a mountain.

There were even buildings built in the middle of cliffs, which was truly an amazing sight.

“It’s really amazing.”

Dam Sohyeop did not hide his admiration.

The sight in front of them was as impressive as the scenery on the mountain.

Just beyond Hyeonak Gate, it reminded them of a bustling city street.

Tall, soaring red halls and numerous interconnected buildings, with Taoists and people offering incense passing between them, were everywhere.

The air was so hazy with rising incense that visibility was limited.

“Oh, my.”

Younghojun, who got out of the carriage, gave a wry smile.

He said quietly to Yunhyun.

“I think I know why the Wudang factions are fighting each other.”

Yunhyun also couldn’t hide his bitter expression.

Wudang lacked nothing.

What dealt a major blow to Wudang, a historically deep-rooted Taoist center close to the imperial family, was not the collapse of the Murim Alliance, but the incapacitation of the sect leader, Grand Master Hyeonheo.

Wudang’s Council of Elders was composed of various factions, not just the Sword faction.

However, when the sect leader, who coordinated the opinions of the factions and led the agenda, disappeared, the Council of Elders instead became a place of conflict.

Each faction raised its voice without yielding an inch to each other.

“It’s similar to the current situation in the Murim world.”

“It’s similar to the way of the world.”

Yunhyun replied quietly to Younghojun’s words.

At that moment, Grand Master Cheongsong said to Gaeong.

“Let’s go.”

Gaeong looked back at Yunhyun.

Yunhyun nodded and moved his feet.

Through the thick mist, the majestic Wudang Mountain seemed to watch Yunhyun and his party.

***

Step, step.

“Generally, the Wudang known to the world is the Wudang as a martial arts sect. But to truly understand Wudang, we have to go back hundreds of years. Originally, this Wudang Mountain is…”

Grand Master Cheongsong said as he climbed the stone steps.

The stairs leading up Wudang Mountain were, according to Dam Sohyeop’s expression, terribly numerous.

The worn stone steps, which spoke of the passage of time, and the stone lions erected on the stone railings, had a quaint charm.

But at the foot of Wudang Mountain, or rather, in front of the endless stone steps that seemed to reach the sky, all they could do was sigh.

Of course, this was only true for Jogwan, Dam Sohyeop, and Yunhyun.

“W-When does this end?”

Dam Sohyeop said, gasping for breath.

Even Dam Sohyeop, who had better stamina than the average person, found it difficult to climb the continuous stairs without a break.

“…It’s just a little further.”

Grand Master Cheongsong, whose words were cut off, coughed slightly.

“Anyway, Wudang has historically had many factions according to various Taoist training methods. Among them, the leading factions can be largely divided into three.”

Grand Master Cheongsong spoke without even disturbing his breathing.

“First of all, as you know, there is the Sword faction, which focuses on martial arts…”

“Um, wouldn’t it be better to rest in the middle?”

Dam Sohyeop said again.

The stone steps were sometimes connected to pavilions or open spaces in the middle, so there was enough space to rest.

But Grand Master Cheongsong did not slow down.

“It’s not that far, so it’s better to go quickly. Young friend So.”

Grand Master Cheongsong, who spoke to Dam Sohyeop, continued his explanation.

“Next are the sorcerers who practice various rituals and the arts of good and bad fortune. Although they are not well known in the Murim world [the martial arts world], they are the most familiar to the people of the secular world.”

Gaeong moved his feet leisurely with an expressionless face.

Yunhyun and Younghojun were following right behind Gaeong.

“There are also pharmacists who aim to make elixirs or divine pills. They mainly train in the pharmacy hall, but once they reach a certain level, they seclude themselves to devote themselves to medicinal arts.”

Grand Master Cheongsong stopped walking.

And he turned his head and looked up at Wudang Mountain, shrouded in mist.

“There are many small Taoist centers built in the valleys and cliffs of Wudang, and pharmacists are secluded there.”

Step.

Grand Master Cheongsong said as he resumed walking without hesitation.

“Pharmacists do not have as much power as the Sword faction or sorcerers, but Wudang’s proud Taecheongdan and Socheongdan elixirs all come from them, so no one can take the pharmacists lightly.”

Grand Master Cheongsong, who was speaking, glanced at Gaeong.

“I understand that Gaeong also had some connection with the pharmacists of Wudang in the past.”

However, Gaeong’s expression was just indifferent.

Yunhyun was also curious about what the ‘past connection’ was, but he didn’t ask.

“There are many other factions, but you can largely see them as these three: The Sword faction, the sorcerers, and the pharmacists. Oh, and be careful not to go near the Jasukgung, where the nuns stay.”

“There are women, too?”

Dam Sohyeop asked, even though he was out of breath.

“They are women who are engaged in imperial rituals or who want to become secular disciples. Some belong to the Sword faction, but mostly they are sorcerers or pharmacists. Some have come to control their minds.”

“Where is that Jasukgung?”

Younghojun asked suddenly.

When Grand Master Cheongsong turned around, Younghojun said as if making an excuse.

“No, I need to know where it is to be careful…”

Grand Master Cheongsong smiled.

“That’s right, but I don’t want to tell the Plum Blossom Sword of Mount Hua. The name of the Plum Blossom Sword has reached even me.”

Younghojun gave an awkward smile.

Anyone else would have made a joke, but he couldn’t do that to an elder of the Wudang sect.

“Hey! Taoist master!”

Dam Sohyeop called out to Grand Master Cheongsong.

“Is it still far to where we’re going?”

Tak.

Grand Master Cheongsong stopped walking.

As Dam Sohyeop caught his breath, Grand Master Cheongsong said with a kind smile.

“It’s still far. So young friend So, you must be prepared. Complaints and dissatisfaction will only make yourself heavier.”

He recited a Buddhist invocation in a low voice and wore a gentle smile, but Grand Master Cheongsong’s eyes were still those of a strict old Taoist.

Dam Sohyeop’s expression twisted, but Grand Master Cheongsong turned his body and climbed the stairs again.

Step, step.

Yunhyun smiled bitterly and looked back at Dam Sohyeop.

Dam Sohyeop sighed and muttered quietly.

“…Next time, I must come with Senior Jin.”

With a firm resolution, Dam Sohyeop raised his head.

The stone steps, which were still not finished, were revealing their majestic appearance before his eyes.

***

Grand Master Cheongsong’s footsteps stopped only when he had almost climbed all the way up Wudang Mountain.

Dam Sohyeop and Jogwan, who had climbed Wudang Mountain almost without a break, sat down on the stone chairs in front of them.

However, even though they were breathless and tired, they couldn’t help but admire the sight of Wudang Mountain unfolding before their eyes.

The bizarre peaks, the winding mountain range of Wudang Mountain, and the roofs that were glimpsed through the bushes were truly beautiful scenery.

Grand Master Cheongsong led the group to a small pavilion nearby.

There, the group could rest for a while while drinking tea.

And Yunhyun and Gaeong left the pavilion with Grand Master Cheongsong.

It was to attend the Council of Elders meeting held at Taecheonggak.

Wudang Sect Taecheonggak.

Ten Wudang Sect elders were gathered here.

Originally composed of twelve members, the Council of Elders was missing Grand Master Hyeonheo, who had suffered a major internal injury, and Grand Master Cheongsong, who had been out.

“All Wudang Sect disciples have been forbidden from entering and leaving the mountain gate, yet an elder acts so unilaterally…”

Sorcerer Jeokpung sighed.

“How can the discipline of Wudang not be disrupted like this?”

“I heard that he didn’t even unsheathe his sword at Haegeomji [a location or event where swords are tested],” Elder Youngcheonja from the pharmacy hall also frowned.

“Even if he is a disciple of the Divine Monk, isn’t this excessive courtesy?”

“Haha, everyone, calm down.”

Elder Hakwooja of the Sword faction said in a soft voice.

“Anyway, Haegeomji is not without exceptions, is it? During the Murim Alliance era, it was not applied even to representatives of the sects. Besides, Grand Master Cheongsong’s outing has a clear purpose…”

Hakwooja suddenly stopped talking.

And after a while, the door of Taecheonggak opened.

Finally, Grand Master Cheongsong returned with the disciple of the Divine Monk, the leader of the Azure Dragon Alliance, and the Azure Dragon Sword Lord.

The ten Wudang Sect elders turned their heads.

The elders, who had expected Grand Master Cheongsong to enter with the Azure Dragon Sword Lord, wore surprised expressions at the sight of the three figures.

But soon, the faces of some of the elders began to change.

“…S-Surely.”

“No, but…”

The elders of the Sword faction muttered as if they couldn’t believe their eyes.

The old man next to Grand Master Cheongsong was someone who shouldn’t be here.

No, he shouldn’t even be here.

But he was now entering this place, Wudang’s Taecheonggak.

The moment their faces turned pale was instantaneous.

‘Good heavens.’

Elder Hakwooja of the Sword faction also gaped.

‘How can Dokseon be here!’