A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 100

100. A Name Is Not Passed Down in Vain

Sunbin and his group disembarked on the Guandao road [ancient Chinese road system], a little upstream from Wuhan. Though it wasn’t a large town, it was a bustling place with many people passing through.

Zhuge Qi and Gongsun Zhi also got off at the same spot. As soon as they dismounted, they rode away on their glossy horses.

Just before leaving, Sunbin and Gongsun Zhi’s eyes met briefly. Gongsun Zhi scoffed and turned her head away.

It was clear she had misunderstood something, but Sunbin was relieved nonetheless, as he had been worried she might have noticed Old Man Nameless’s actions.

“Why? Is that kind of girl your type?”

Old Man Nameless asked, watching Gongsun Zhi leave. Sunbin gave a wry smile.

“No, it’s just that I was wondering if she would make an issue of last night’s events…”

He had already experienced Gongsun Zhi’s unpleasant disposition. Moreover, after learning about the influence of the Five Great Families [powerful martial arts clans], he was newly concerned about Old Man Nameless’s actions.

‘Well, of course, Old Man Nameless would probably dismiss it with a snort.’

“What, are you still worrying about that?”

Old Man Nameless chuckled.

“I’ve already let go of what’s past, but you’re still holding onto it. And you have to be brazen and confident in these situations. There’s a saying that a thief feels guilty. If you act guilty, you’ll be branded a thief, and if you keep glancing around, you’ll create trouble where there was none. Ah, shouldn’t we get on that carriage?”

Several carriages had already departed, carrying the people who had disembarked at the dock.

Sunbin and his group caught a carriage heading towards Mount Wudang.

∴

Clop, clop.

While swaying in the carriage traveling along the quiet Guandao road, Old Man Nameless, who had been fiddling with his newly bought coat, suddenly asked,

“This was expensive, wasn’t it a waste to buy it?”

“It’s alright. I brought plenty of travel expenses,” Sunbin replied with a smile, but Old Man Nameless didn’t unknit his brow.

“You bought that girl clothes too. Women’s clothes are quite expensive, aren’t they? I don’t understand why something like a dragonfly’s wing that uses so little fabric is more expensive…”

At Old Man Nameless’s words, Tang Yue-ah touched her new clothes and asked Old Man Nameless,

“Does it cost money to get clothes?”

Old Man Nameless was dumbfounded.

“Have you never bought anything before?”

Tang Yue-ah nodded.

“My sister always got me what I needed. I’ve never bought anything…”

She had hardly ever had the chance to go outside, let alone buy anything. Tang Yue-ah’s dwelling was an isolated and dark place where even the wind couldn’t easily enter.

“So that’s why your sister gave you money.”

“Do you have money?”

Old Man Nameless quickly asked. Tang Yue-ah nodded.

“A lot. A whole box full.”

“A box?”

Old Man Nameless asked back, a sense of unease in his voice.

“Yes. A big box at home.”

Old Man Nameless’s face twisted.

“Damn it. I have a golden calf at home too.”

Tang Yue-ah tilted her head.

“Do you need a golden calf too? My sister didn’t give me that…”

“No, it’s alright,” Sunbin quickly replied to her, thinking that she might actually bring a golden calf if asked.

“It’s just a metaphor, a joke.”

Old Man Nameless clicked his tongue and said to Sunbin,

“When we finish our business at Wudang, I’ll pay for the return trip.”

“No, it’s alright.”

“Come on, I’m a man with a golden calf at home.”

Old Man Nameless said with a seemingly serious face. His appearance made Sunbin smile.

“Are you going to Wudang?”

A burly man sitting next to them suddenly spoke. He was a middle-aged man with large eyes and a hearty impression. Judging from his attire and the sword on his back, he seemed to be a martial artist.

Sunbin replied to him,

“Yes, we are.”

“Ah, I am Jang Mu-sam. I apologize for suddenly interrupting your conversation.”

The middle-aged man smiled and clasped his hands together, bowing to Sunbin and his group.

“I am a lay disciple of Wudang [a non-ordained follower]. I happened to hear that you were going to Wudang and was so glad that I committed this rudeness.”

“I see. I am Sunbin.”

Sunbin returned his greeting.

“But what does it mean to be a lay disciple?”

The man seemed momentarily taken aback by Sunbin’s question. However, he seemed to understand Sunbin’s attire and immediately replied,

“A lay disciple is a disciple who has not entered monastic life. Originally, to become a disciple of Wudang, one must enter monastic life, but lay disciples do not have such restrictions. Since they are not formal registered disciples, there are several limitations…”

Sunbin nodded. Wudang was originally a historic Taoist temple. So, it was natural to enter monastic life like the monks of Shaolin.

“But their pride in Wudang and their dedication to the sect are no less than those of formal registered disciples. Hahaha.”

“Then, is Great Hero Jang also on his way to Wudang?”

“Great hero, you flatter me. I am just an inadequate martial artist with a small martial arts school.”

He waved his hand. He was on his way from Hubei Province to Henan Province, and when Sunbin said it was his first time going to Wudang, he explained in detail the way to Wudang.

“Wudang… Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since I’ve been there.”

He said, looking north as if recalling distant memories.

“It was really hard when I was learning martial arts, but now I miss that time. Especially the sermon time, which was just a time for everyone to doze off. But recently, Grand Master Hwanghak passed away…”

Muttering to himself, lost in thought, he looked at Sunbin and smiled.

“Still, you will never regret going there. Wudang is a very beautiful place.”

His eyes were full of pride in Wudang. Sunbin nodded.

∴

The middle-aged martial artist Jang Mu-sam parted ways at the next village. Sunbin and his group also changed to a carriage heading towards the vicinity of Mount Wudang.

Leaving behind his greeting, wishing them a good journey, Sunbin and his group swayed in the new carriage.

“He seems like a good person.”

“A humble fellow.”

Old Man Nameless said,

“Being a lay disciple of Wudang is quite something to boast about. Although they are not formal disciples, they are better than the disciples of the Five Great Families.”

The Four Great Sects, to which Wudang belongs, are valued more highly than the Five Great Families, even within the Martial Arts Alliance. This is due to their long history and tradition, and the virtue they have built up over time as Buddhist and Taoist sects.

“The strength of Wudang lies in people like him.”

Old Man Nameless said quietly,

“It is thanks to countless people like him that Wudang’s name has been upheld over the years. If they had not practiced righteousness and chivalry in the martial world, how could the Wudang of today exist? Even if all the Taoist temples on Mount Wudang were burned down, Wudang’s name would never be cut off as long as they exist. The Taoist priests of Wudang don’t even know that, and they strut around as if they are so great.”

Sunbin nodded at Old Man Nameless’s words.

“Well, there are more people who are blinded by their own interests under the name of Wudang, but even those guys would roll up their sleeves and help if Wudang were to collapse, so that’s also a kind of strength, if you can call it that.”

“That’s a bitter reason, though.”

At Sunbin’s words, Old Man Nameless shrugged.

“It can’t be helped. The world is originally a place where black and white are mixed together. Even human nature is originally like that, so what can you do?”

Listening to Old Man Nameless’s words, Sunbin recalled the various texts he had learned.

Some say that people are inherently evil, while others say that people are inherently good.

When he was learning at the academy, it was just one of the pieces of knowledge to put in his head, but when he thought about it, it was something enormous that fundamentally changed the way he looked at the world.

‘Are people inherently good or evil? If people are inherently evil, how should I treat others?’

Suddenly falling into deep philosophical contemplation, Sunbin was slowly heading towards Mount Wudang.

*

*

*

Mount Wudang has been a famous mountain since ancient times and is the sacred mountain of Taoism. Therefore, since ancient times, numerous prestigious Taoist temples have been scattered throughout Mount Wudang.

However, now they are all just Taoist temples located on Mount Wudang, and only one place uses the name ‘Wudang’.

The ‘Wudang Sect’, a Taoist sect with a long history and proudly listed as one of the Four Great Sects [prominent martial arts schools] as a pillar of the Martial Arts Alliance, is that place.

“Wow.”

Someone sighed. It was one of the people who got off the carriage, but everyone felt the same way.

They hadn’t even climbed the mountain yet, but the peaks of Wudang covered with clouds and mist were simply mysterious.

The huge stone Hyeonak Gate [main gate], which was like the mountain gate of Mount Wudang, as well as the appearance of the Jade Purity Palace far away, naturally evoked admiration.

The towering stone buildings and the countless buildings connected to the point where the boundaries could not be discerned formed a truly overwhelming massive architectural complex.

“Amazing. This is like…”

Sunbin also said quietly. He had imagined a quiet temple hidden in the mountains, but now it looked like a city built in the mountains.

The eaves soaring towards the sky and the red walls were antique and mysterious, and the number of Taoists and people offering incense between them was countless.

While Sunbin was purely admiring the appearance of Wudang, Old Man Nameless frowned and said bluntly,

“Why has it become so complicated? Let’s go quickly.”

“Ah, yes.”

Coming to his senses, Sunbin realized that only his group was left. Everyone else had entered Wudang.

“Let’s go.”

Sunbin moved his feet, following the others.

How many steps had he taken?

A young Taoist in rather fancy attire reached out to Sunbin.

“Please stop for a moment.”

The Taoist, with a tall height and a gentle smile, bowed to Sunbin. Sunbin also bowed, and the Taoist said with a smiling face,

“You cannot enter here with a sword.”

“What? What do you mean…”

“Haegeomji [sword relinquishment],” Old Man Nameless said in a blunt tone from behind.

“It means to lay down your sword here and surrender to Wudang with your bare hands.”

“That is not the case. This is a place to escape the secular world and pursue the truth, so it contains the deep meaning of the sages to abandon one’s attachments and ego along with the sword to reach the Tao. It is also a sign of respect for Wudang.”

The young Taoist still said with a smiling face. However, Old Man Nameless’s tone did not change.

“Huh. Abandon your attachments with the sword? Then why do you roam the martial world with swords? If you abandon your swords from here and travel the world, humbly practicing chivalry and righteousness, wouldn’t that deep meaning of the sages be much better achieved?”

Old Man Nameless’s criticism was not without its bias. Taoists often carried swords as a symbol for dispelling evil.

However, since it was also a clear fact that Wudang, which revered Jinmu [a Taoist deity], was both a Taoist temple and a martial arts sect, the young Taoist’s face could not help but stiffen.

“You cannot enter unless you lay down your sword. And this is Wudang, so show due respect.”

His voice changed quite a bit. There were more than a few martial artists who picked fights by finding fault with the overwhelming power of Wudang. But it always ended in vain attempts.

The young Taoist put strength into one hand holding a wooden staff. And he gestured to call other young Taoists.

Sunbin and his group were instantly surrounded by a dozen young Taoists.

“Huh. You dare…”

It was just when Old Man Nameless’s eyes were about to turn coldly grim.

“Please wait a moment.”

As the situation seemed to be getting worse, Sunbin stepped forward. He bowed to Old Man Nameless to ask for his understanding, and then bowed again to the young Taoists blocking his way.

“I have no intention of disrespecting Wudang. But there is a reason why I cannot lay down my sword.”

“Reason? What reason could there be…”

“Grand Master Hwanghak asked me to.”

The eyes of the young Taoists, who had been exuding a fierce aura, flashed with a different light.

A great name that had already passed away but was therefore even more widely known throughout the world, that name was Grand Master Hwanghak. No one in Wudang would take that name lightly.

“The late Great Ancestor asked you to?”

“Yes, that’s right. And although it is late, I have come to pay my respects.”

Sunbin quietly clasped his hands together and bowed. Then the young Taoists could not stand still and temporarily withdrew their fierce aura and bowed in return.

It had been a long time since the mourning period had passed, but they could not treat him carelessly since he said he had come to pay his respects.

“Ahem. Yes, what did the late Great Ancestor ask you to do?”

“It’s not something I can easily say on the street. Could I meet the person in charge?”

The young Taoist did not hide his suspiciousness. Logically speaking, it was hard to believe that Hwanghak Jin-in [a Taoist title] had asked something of this shabby scholar.

However, Hwanghak Jin-in was usually easygoing and friendly to everyone, regardless of their status.

He was called the Great Ancestor for opening a new realm of Taoism with his compassionate nature, so there was a small possibility that even this unremarkable scholar had a connection and was asked to do something.

“Wait a moment.”

Whether it was Sunbin’s polite attitude and voice that helped the young Taoist’s decision, he decided to report to the Taoist in charge of the entrance for now.

Things seemed to be working out easily.

∴

“Damn it. How long are they going to keep us standing here? Are they even coming?”

Old Man Nameless, who couldn’t stand waiting any longer, began to grumble.

“Hey, didn’t I tell you to wait?”

Another young Taoist standing next to the group frowned and replied.

“So I’m waiting. But why aren’t they coming!”

“Huh, you really have no patience.”

The young Taoist clicked his tongue. He had no idea that the old man in front of him was the former master, Old Man Nameless of the Southern Wilderness.

He raised his hand and pointed to the top of the mountain.

“Do you see that?”

The top of the mountain, where his hand was pointing, was obscured by clouds and could not be seen properly. Strange peaks and towering cliffs hid their appearance in the clouds and mist.

“If you pass about three of those peaks, you will find the Three Purity Palaces of Jade Purity, Supreme Purity, and Highest Purity. The sect leader is in the Supreme Purity Palace. So, it will take at least two hours for even a strong person to deliver the news there.”

“Two hours?”

Old Man Nameless’s face twisted.

“It’s four hours round trip.”

Four hours is from morning to afternoon, almost half a day. It was no wonder that Old Man Nameless’s face was distorted.

“Well, it would only take about two hours for our Wudang disciples to make a round trip.”

The young Taoist said with a triumphant expression. Old Man Nameless muttered as if he was dumbfounded.

“Two hours for a round trip?”

“That’s right. It may sound like two hours, but to go up and down those steep and endless stone steps…”

“Why are you so slow? You’re supposed to be the Wudang of the world? Are you all crawling?”

The young Taoist’s face twisted.

“You seem to be making light of Wudang’s stone steps, but if it were an old man like you, your soul would probably fly to the sky before you even finished climbing the steps…”

“Are you delivering the news to the sect leader?”

Sunbin asked politely. The young Taoist, who had unknowingly become excited, coughed and said,

“Ahem, it’s not certain that the sect leader will come… Anyway, it’s about the late Great Ancestor, so how can we take it lightly? Perhaps the great Jin-ins [highly respected Taoists] will have to make a decision, so it will take quite some time.”

In fact, the young Taoist’s mention of the sect leader was just an exaggeration. People who cause trouble at Haegeomji are simply kicked out.

Since the late Great Ancestor was mentioned, someone would come out to assess the importance of the matter, but it was unlikely to be the sect leader.

However, it was also a strange thing for the young Taoist that it was taking so long, but it was not uncommon in a large organization like Wudang.

‘Someone doesn’t want to take responsibility and keeps passing it up, or the work is piling up.’

Within a large organization, it is not uncommon for even simple processing to take over the year if you get caught up in it. These people were clearly unlucky, no matter what happened in the middle.

“I see. But the great Jin-ins of Wudang must be very busy, so it won’t be easy to suddenly make time…”

“You know it well. That’s exactly right.”

The young Taoist was overjoyed, as if he had met someone who finally understood him.

“Besides, even if they decide to meet you, you never know when they will have time if they are pushed back by other important matters. You are lucky. You came when the great Jin-ins were here. If you had gone to the Martial Arts Alliance, you would have had to wait endlessly until they came back.”

He said it was fortunate, but Sunbin was troubled. The sun was already setting, so they couldn’t just keep waiting like this.

“What should we do then…”

“There is accommodation over there, so wait there for now.”

The young Taoist pointed to a large inn for visitors.

It was quite a large place, as if to tell the scale of people coming and going to Wudang, but it even looked shabby compared to the scale of the Jade Purity Palace.

“I understand.”

Sunbin decided to unpack his luggage there for now. It seemed that it would take quite some time to enter the mountain gate of Wudang.

Old Man Nameless grumbled, saying, ‘It would be better to just break in,’ but he followed Sunbin’s wishes anyway.

But the answer came surprisingly quickly.

That very night.