A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 102

102. Supreme Art of the Taiji Sword (2)

Swish, swish.

Son Bin ascended Wudang Mountain, his feet finding purchase on the ancient stone steps. Eroded by time, the steps felt both artificial and utterly natural, now seeming like a part of the mountain itself.

The rough stone railings and the occasional small stone lion figures gave the impression of stepping into a subtle ink painting.

“Beautiful.”

Son Bin involuntarily exclaimed at the magnificent sight of Wudang Mountain under the moonlight.

Rustle.

Grand Master Cheongsu, who was walking ahead, stopped. He gazed at the mountain range of Wudang spread out below and said softly,

“Indeed. Beautiful.”

The scene in his eyes was quite different from what Son Bin saw. Each valley and peak brought back memories of the time he had spent on Wudang Mountain.

Grand Master Cheongsu’s gaze shifted to the young man following behind.

The young man was still marveling at the beauty of Wudang Mountain.

“Are you the one called Son Bin?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Judging by your gait, you seem to have accumulated quite a bit of training. May I ask why you are dressed as a scholar?”

Son Bin smiled.

“I teach children at a small Seowon [private Confucian academy].”

“Seowon?”

“I was originally preparing for the civil service examination, but I failed to pass the preliminary test.”

A touch of wistful regret crossed Son Bin’s face.

“Still, I am regarded favorably as a ‘Geoin’ [a recluse scholar], but in the end, I am just a failed scholar.”

“I see.”

Grand Master Cheongsu turned his head and began to climb the stone steps again. Son Bin followed him.

Swish, swish.

“I entered Wudang as a child,” Grand Master Cheongsu’s voice came as Son Bin lightly stroked the decoration on the stone railing. He spoke as if he were talking to himself.

“Many of the disciples who came with me were from prestigious families, but most of the children who formally entered the priesthood were poor and insignificant. Some were even orphans. To us, this Wudang was…”

Grand Master Cheongsu suddenly stopped and looked up at Wudang Mountain.

“It was like a place where immortals lived. I thought even the imperial palace where the emperor lived couldn’t be as beautiful as this. Of course, I had never seen the imperial palace.”

He chuckled softly and resumed walking.

“The training was hard, but at least we didn’t starve. By the time we realized that our strict senior brothers actually cared about us, the awkward children had become closer than real siblings.”

Grand Master Cheongsu lightly caressed a small stone ornament as he passed by.

“The one we feared the most back then was Grand Master Hwanghak. He was stricter than anyone else, but when the children were in trouble, he was always the first to step up and protect them. Thanks to him, more than one child was spared from being expelled from Wudang. By the time we came of age, we were filled with pride and self-esteem for Wudang.”

Swish, swish.

Grand Master Cheongsu’s steps had already left the stone steps and were passing through a small mountain path. It was a remote place with hardly any people or even lights.

“But the Jianghu [martial world] I saw was so shocking. People criticized the Five Great Clans, but they remained silent in their presence. They even admired their power and hegemony. Wudang, which should have been respected, was dismissed as old-fashioned and forced to play a decorative role for the Five Great Clans.”

A subtle anger was laced in Grand Master Cheongsu’s voice.

“People are inherently foolish, chasing only the power and authority before their eyes rather than true morality. So, I decided that if the Five Great Clans were revered because they had power, then Wudang, with its righteousness and chivalry, should be the strongest force in the Jianghu. An absolute power that no one could ignore.”

Rustle.

Grand Master Cheongsu stopped. He turned and looked at Son Bin. Grand Master Cheongsu’s eyes, standing alone in the darkness, shone intensely.

“Hand over the sword.”

He said.

“That sword originally belongs to Wudang. It must return to Wudang.”

Silence fell. Amidst the quiet chirping of insects, Son Bin quietly opened his mouth.

“From the beginning, the Head Abbot had no intention of letting me meet Seorin.”

“That’s not true.”

Grand Master Cheongsu said.

“If you turn this corner, Seorin will be there. But that sword is not something an immature child like Seorin should possess. Power should be given to those who are qualified to wield it. I hope you will hand over the sword to me willingly.”

His eyes were unwavering. Son Bin knew that this was his final warning.

“The absurdities of the world should be lamented.”

Son Bin said with a small sigh.

“But I don’t necessarily think the Head Abbot’s method is right. Absolute power inevitably corrupts, so how can you guarantee that its harm will be less than it is now? And this sword was entrusted to me by Grand Master Hwanghak before it belongs to Wudang. I cannot hand it over to the Head Abbot.”

“So, I have to resort to forceful methods?”

Grand Master Cheongsu’s eyes were cold. His aura towards Son Bin rose like a heat haze.

“Originally, I should have imprisoned you without question and held you responsible for using the sword privately. But because there is no wickedness in your eyes, I am making an exception and speaking to you like this. Hand over the sword before my patience runs out. If you hand over the sword willingly, how could I possibly…”

“I cannot hand over the sword.”

Wooong.

The White Dew Sword cried from within its wooden case. Son Bin looked straight at Grand Master Cheongsu and said,

“Grand Master Hwanghak would not agree either.”

“Heh.”

Whoosh.

Grand Master Cheongsu’s aura flared up like a flame. He smiled, but his eyes revealed undisguised hostility towards Son Bin.

“To dare invoke his will so carelessly, have you truly decided to incur my wrath?”

“The Head Abbot called people foolish. But in my eyes, the Head Abbot is just as foolish. You are blinded by power and cannot see the proper path, so how can I not call you foolish?”

“You truly!”

Grand Master Cheongsu shouted. But Son Bin did not back down either.

“Open your eyes!”

“Hah!”

The air vibrated with his thunderous roar. One could tell the extent of Grand Master Cheongsu’s anger. But Son Bin didn’t even flinch.

“The sword, I cannot hand it over.”

Son Bin said. This was also his final warning.

Wooong.

The sound of the White Dew Sword crying, penetrating his mind, was growing stronger.

*

*

*

Whoosh.

Immediately, a jade-green aura surged in Dang Wora’s eyes. But Namak Old Man clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, such a temper… Calm down. Bin won’t be in danger right away.”

The blue light in Dang Wora’s eyes did not fade at all.

Namak Old Man chuckled.

“Don’t you understand? Wudang is keeping me in check, not Bin.”

Dang Wora immediately understood the Old Man’s words.

“So, it’s better for Son Gongja [a respectful title for a young master] to go alone?”

“Yes. They will never allow me to meet Seorin, or even get close to her. But it’s different if Bin goes alone. To them, Bin is…”

The Old Man shrugged.

“Compared to me, he’ll just look like an ordinary scholar.”

“So, you let Son Gongja go alone, even knowing it was a trap.”

“Yes.”

“Amazing.”

Dang Wora said to the smiling Old Man.

“I absolutely can’t do that.”

The Old Man’s face slightly distorted as he realized it wasn’t a compliment. Dang Wora asked again.

“Then, how long do we have to wait?”

“Wait? Just stay here?”

The Old Man laughed.

“If I know they’re keeping me in check, I want to surprise them. Besides, it’s no fun to just sit still, is it?”

“But…”

“And I think I know.”

Namak Old Man said with a mischievous expression, as if expecting Dang Wora’s reaction.

“Where Bin went.”

Click.

Before he could finish speaking, Dang Wora stood up. The Old Man let out a satisfied laugh.

“Let’s go.”

Dang Wora said.

“Yes, let’s go.”

The Old Man readily stood up as well. The teapot that had been placed in front of him was already empty.

*

*

*

Swish.

Grand Master Cheongsu drew his sword. His robes fluttered as if meeting the wind, and a blue aura swirled around the blade, shining in the moonlight.

But Son Bin was still holding the two long wooden cases.

“You have made a foolish choice.”

Grand Master Cheongsu’s stern voice seemed to rebuke Son Bin.

“Perhaps.”

Son Bin replied.

“But this is a choice that must be made.”

Grand Master Cheongsu’s eyebrows twitched. He felt as if Son Bin’s words were mocking him.

“Grip your sword.”

He said.

“I will give you a chance to prove to me whether you have the strength to carry out your will.”

There was no more mercy in Grand Master Cheongsu’s eyes. His years of experience had already gauged the opponent’s level.

The result was as good as already decided.

“If that is the Head Abbot’s will, I will do so.”

Son Bin carefully placed the two wooden cases down. The cases were almost indistinguishable, but Son Bin opened one of them without hesitation.

Click.

A sword wrapped in clean cloth appeared. Son Bin unwrapped the cloth.

Rustle.

“According to etiquette, I should wield a steel sword. But now…”

Grand Master Cheongsu did not hear Son Bin’s words. From the moment the sword appeared, Grand Master Cheongsu’s face had stiffened. His gaze could not be taken away from the sword.

Swish.

Son Bin gripped the sword, and the clean blade revealed its form. The beautiful blade, which would elicit admiration from anyone, shone under the moonlight.

Wooong.

“I believe it is right to wield this sword.”

The White Dew Sword cried in Son Bin’s hand.

“You are the True Dragon.”

Grand Master Cheongsu said. Son Bin looked puzzled.

“Although you have done good deeds, the crime of using Wudang’s sword privately is not small. I gave you a way to avoid it, but you refused it yourself, so do not blame my methods for being cruel.”

Grand Master Cheongsu said in a solemn voice. Son Bin shook his head.

“There is nothing to blame or excuse. I only regret the Head Abbot’s foolish choice.”

Grand Master Cheongsu chuckled.

“Are you saying I chose a forceful method? That is…”

“No.”

Son Bin said.

“Even if it is for a righteous cause, being swayed by power is a choice that should not be made. Especially for those who pursue the Dao [the Way; a philosophical concept].”

Grand Master Cheongsu smiled wryly. But his eyes were not smiling at all.

“Indeed, I must see if your skills are as great as your tongue.”

Whoosh.

The wind blew, and the branches swayed. Even the sound of insects faded, and silence fell.

Swoosh.

Grand Master Cheongsu’s sword began to flow. There was no fierce momentum or sound of cutting through the wind. His sword, as relaxed and natural as grass lying down in the wind, was already approaching Son Bin’s eyes.

Whoosh.

The blue-shining sword seemed as if it would cut through Son Bin as it was. But Son Bin still did not move.

The moment Grand Master Cheongsu was about to frown slightly, he felt his sword spinning.

‘Gasp.’

Grand Master Cheongsu was greatly shocked. The sword was following a completely different path from his will.

“Taha!”

He hurriedly added internal energy to correct the twisted sword path. But his internal energy dissipated futilely, like pouring water on sand.

At that moment, Grand Master Cheongsu saw it.

The White Dew Sword held by the young man, Son Bin, was touching his sword. And following the movement of that White Dew Sword, his sword was shaking like a fallen leaf.

‘I, impossible…’

Before the shock could end.

Whoosh.

Son Bin’s White Dew Sword drew a strong semicircle towards the sky. With it, his sword, which had been helplessly swung around, bounced back greatly.

Thwack!

‘Ugh.’

Grand Master Cheongsu felt a strong repulsive force pushing his sword away. It was the very internal energy he had poured in a moment ago.

Thud, thud, thud.

Three steps. Grand Master Cheongsu’s retreating feet left traces like scars on the road.

“Heo.”

Grand Master Cheongsu, who had retreated, gasped for breath without realizing it. He couldn’t believe what had just happened.

“H, how…”

Grand Master Cheongsu raised his eyes. The young man standing before him, Son Bin, was still standing in the same place.

The beautiful blade of the White Dew Sword in his hand shone under the moonlight. As if nothing had happened.

“How can you unleash the Supreme Art of the Taiji Sword!”

There was no way he couldn’t know. How could he, the Head Abbot of Wudang, not know?

The sword that Son Bin had just unleashed, although the sword path and stance were completely different, was clearly the Supreme Art of the Taiji Sword.

‘Supreme Art of the Taiji Sword?’

It was an unfamiliar name to Son Bin. But the moment he heard it, he knew. It was what Saja Hyuk had said, a sword containing the wisdom of Taiji.

“This is a secret art of Wudang that must never be leaked! Answer me! How did you obtain that sword technique!”

Grand Master Cheongsu shouted as if in despair. But Son Bin was calm.

“I do not know the Supreme Art of the Taiji Sword.”

Son Bin said.

“I have only followed the path shown by Grand Master Hwanghak.”

Grand Master Cheongsu’s face turned pale.

“Could it be that the Great Ancestor has…”

“No.”

Son Bin could tell what he was trying to say.

“He did not pass on any secret arts to me, nor did he impart any teachings. I only have this sword and…”

Flick.

Son Bin lightly moved the sword. The blade of the White Dew Sword drew a trajectory in the air.

“I was only entrusted with Seorin.”

Grand Master Cheongsu’s eyes shook violently.

‘In the end…’

Grand Master Hwanghak had entrusted his sword, the White Dew Sword, to this young man. The meaning was clear.

‘Are you saying that you cannot acknowledge me either?’

Grand Master Cheongsu closed his eyes. His eyelids trembled. Son Bin stood quietly and watched him. And after a while, Grand Master Cheongsu opened his eyes.

“If you are not a disciple taken in by him, your crime is even greater.”

The Head Abbot of Wudang, Grand Master Cheongsu, said.

“To dare take Wudang’s sword privately and even steal Wudang’s secret arts, this is an unforgivable sin!”

Whoosh.

A murderous aura was emanating from his entire body. He had made a decision. Or perhaps, it was a decision that had already been made. From the very moment Son Bin refused to hand over the sword.

“No matter how skilled you are, you cannot face all the disciples of Wudang. You will surely die here today.”

Son Bin sighed.

“Do you really have to do this?”

Grand Master Cheongsu did not answer. Instead, he raised his sword and pointed it at Son Bin. What shone in his eyes was a determination to not even fear death.

Son Bin closed his eyes.

“Hoo.”

Son Bin, who opened his eyes with a long sigh, said,

“I…”

It was then.

“Stop.”

A voice that was not loud, but deep and heavy, cut off Son Bin’s words.

Rustle.

A Taoist elder landed between the two of them with the sound of wind. The Taoist elder turned his head towards Grand Master Cheongsu.

“Cheongsu, are you now trying to turn all of Wudang into murderers?”

His voice was filled with unconcealable sorrow.