Chapter 120 : Chapter 120

Chapter 120: New Star Exchange Meeting (3)

“Is this Mount Wudang?”

“That’s right.”

“Isn’t this your first time here too?”

“That’s also right.”

“But how do you find the way so easily?”

“Hmm.”

I couldn’t give an answer to the question of the directionally challenged wanderer, Brother Chun-baek.

This was because it was in the realm of instinct, beyond martial learning.

It might be easier to pass on an advanced martial art than to explain the mechanism of finding a path.

Anyway, our steps finally reached Wudang.

Mount Wudang.

In other words, Profound Peak.

To be precise, it would be right to say that this mountain was called Profound Peak before it was called Mount Wudang.

There is a reason why the mountain called Profound Peak of Junxian, Hubei Province, became Mount Wudang.

Of course, it became so after the Wudang Sect established its base there, but I am saying that the word ‘Wudang’ has a separate origin.

As I know it, the word Wudang originated from the phrase ‘Bi Jinmu Bujok Idang’, and since I learned this from an old book of the Beggar’s Gang, it will not be wrong.

A direct translation of the phrase Bi Jinmu Bujok Idang would be ‘Without discussing Jinmu, it is not appropriate’.

It was said that this can be interpreted as ‘Without discussing the True Warrior Great Emperor, one cannot speak of the Way’.

Since my study of Daoism is not deep, I do not know for certain, but I know that the True Warrior Great Emperor is an immortal who, in ancient times, pacified the demons that were troubling the human world and returned this land to the humans.

That True Warrior Great Emperor was also called the Emperor of the Mysterious Heaven, so the gaze of the North Star, which shines brilliantly in the northern sky, would be his manifestation.

Anyway…….

I didn't suddenly want to study the origin and history of Wudang, but just wanted to talk about their generation names and Daoist titles.

Hyeon-Cheon-Jin-Mu.

The generation names of Wudang are based on this foundation, and they use these four characters in rotation for their Daoist titles.

Except for the fact that the sect leader of Wudang has inherited the Daoist title of Taecheong for generations, it was said that there are no exceptions.

“Greetings, this humble Daoist is called Cheon-un.”

As we arrived at the entrance of the Wudang mountain gate while chatting, there was already a martial artist who had come out to meet us.

Judging by his age, which seemed to be over forty, and his Daoist title, I could tell that he was a first-generation disciple, the mainstay of the current Wudang.

I know that the current Wudang Sect Leader, Taecheong Jin-in, is originally a Daoist of the Hyeon generation.

The fact that a first-generation disciple of the Cheon generation was greeting us, who were mere guests, showed the mindset of Wudang in hosting the New Star Exchange Meeting.

Cheon-un Jin-in looked at us.

“Flying Cloud Sword, Great Hero Dancheon Hak.”

“That’s me.”

By nature, the validity period of the title of Dragon and Phoenix is three years. This is because the title of Dragon is passed down at the next Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.

Dancheon Hak’s title, after shedding the title of Sword Dragon, was said to be Flying Cloud Sword.

I heard it became so because of his graceful swordplay based on the Stepping on Clouds Gait.

“Divine Dragon of Dancheon, Great Hero Dancheon Myeong.”

“Yes.”

However, in my case, since I had earned the title of Divine Dragon of Dancheon beyond the Severing Dragon, it still remained mine.

It was said that a grand title is the pride of a Murim warrior, so it would be right not to be ashamed.

“Wandering Swordsman, Great Hero Lee Chun-baek.”

“That’s me.”

Brother Chun-baek had obtained the title of Wandering Swordsman in the meantime. I think it won’t be long until he obtains the title of King of Wanderers.

“This way.”

Cheon-un Jin-in, who said so, guided us, and there appeared a place that was more fitting to be called a cliff rather than a path.

“Hmm.”

The mountains of the Central Plains are by nature rugged.

Nevertheless, since Mount Wudang had clearly been touched by human hands, there must be a path, but the place Cheon-un Jin-in guided us to was clearly a place that was difficult to see as a path.

“Follow me.”

Cheon-un Jin-in began to climb the cliff with light steps.

The softness of Wudang’s secret lightweight footwork, Jeunjeong, embraced the cliff.

Tat!

All three of us followed him calmly.

Since we were all martial artists who had reached a high realm, this much was not even a test.

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Although Cheon-un Jin-in led us on a somewhat strange path, it was, of course, not the wrong path.

It was because the great Wudang would not be neglectful in the treatment of its guests.

As proof, after walking for a long time, we were able to see the symbol of the Wudang mountain gate.

“This is Sword-Unfastening Pond.”

A sense of pride could be read on Cheon-un Jin-in’s face as he introduced it.

Sword-Unfastening Pond.

As can be seen from the name ‘ji’, it is a small pond that suddenly appears on the mountainside of Mount Wudang.

“Hmm. Then must we unfasten our weapons?”

Dancheon Hak asked in a cautious voice.

The origin of the name Unbinding the Sword is so.

As a sign of respect for the Grandmaster Sambong Jin-in, those who pass by Sword-Unfastening Pond must unfasten their weapons here and hang them on the Sword-Hanging Tree to enter the main sanctuary of Wudang.

“Hahaha, there was a time when such a custom existed.”

Cheon-un Jin-in answered with a hearty laugh.

After climbing the cliff together, Cheon-un Jin-in’s attitude toward us was filled with a new layer of respect. Perhaps because we had passed his test with ease, he was now treating us as true guests.

“In the first place, you have to go past Sword-Unfastening Pond to get to the main training ground of the sanctuary. All the junior brothers of Wudang practice their swords there, so it would not be right to prohibit only the guests from bringing in their swords and sabers.”

“That’s a relief.”

Dancheon Hak said, carefully grasping the hilt of his sword.

The sword, with its worn-out hilt-wrap, was the Dancheon Sword I had given to Dancheon Hak before. The way he cherished and showed affection for the Dancheon Sword was pleasing.

Indeed, it would be right to think that it is human nature for a martial artist to sleep while hugging a famous sword like the Dancheon Sword even when going to bed.

“The old custom has disappeared, but the spirit of Wudang still lingers here, so I wanted to show it to you once.”

“Thank you.”

How many opportunities would a martial artist from a clan have to cross the mountain gate of Wudang?

Although we did not come to Wudang for sightseeing, we couldn’t help but be grateful for Cheon-un Jin-in’s consideration.

With the unique instinct of an information gatherer, I took in the entirety of Sword-Unfastening Pond with my eyes.

‘Hmm?’

Seeing the world from the perspective of an information gatherer is called insight.

But now, as I looked at Sword-Unfastening Pond, something beyond exceptional insight was manifesting in my gaze.

To put it deliberately, it would be right to say that I saw a fragment of spirituality.

Sword-Unfastening Pond.

That small pond contained a spirituality that would be more appropriate to call a barrier or a protective field.

Although it had been weathered by the years without mercy, its lingering scent was still present, so I could not be mistaken.

‘……Ah.’

Suddenly, such a thought came to me.

Was Sword-Unfastening Pond really meant for unfastening weapons?

Whether it was the Wudang of the era when Sambong Jin-in was alive, or the Wudang of today, where would they, who would not be lacking in the title of the greatest sword sect under heaven, have a reason to demand the disarmament of their opponents? It would be a reasonable deduction without any leap of logic.

It was said that the quality of a capable information gatherer is to fill in the missing information with inference and imagination.

Feeling the barrier of Sword-Unfastening Pond with my spirit and filling the information gap with my inference and imagination, a hypothesis was soon established.

-Only those who have become a sword themselves will be qualified to ascend Wudang.

Perhaps Sword-Unfastening Pond was not a place that focused on unfastening weapons.

Rather, it would be right to interpret it as a message that only those who have put down their weapons and become a perfect sword themselves may cross the mountain gate of Wudang.

A martial artist who has completely transformed into sword qi with their own power.

Thump.

I stood in front of Sword-Unfastening Pond.

And I closed my eyes.

Without circulating any internal energy, I materialized a sword in my mind.

The fact that its appearance resembled the Dancheon Sword I had recently given to Dancheon Hak was perhaps inevitable.

This is because the ideal image of a sword that I draw is precisely the Dancheon Sword.

Swoosh.

The sword of my mind left my hand and stood alone in the air.

It was only recently that I had managed to fully materialize a Formless Sword.

The subtlety of Using Qi to Wield the Sword is still far from me, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that using the Formless Sword for the Art of Wielding the Sword with Qi is a distant prospect.

But isn't a mind-sword just a mind-sword?

The mind-sword that rose into the air responded to my will and flew through the air.

Slice.

Surely, the sword of my mind had cut down the spiritual barrier of Sword-Unfastening Pond.

Although it had been weathered by long years, leaving only a lingering scent, I was pleased with the fact that I had reached the spirituality of the great Wudang.

Before I could get lost in my thoughts.

“I will escort you now.”

Cheon-un Jin-in’s tone had somehow changed to one of extreme respect.

I don’t know if his disposition was originally like that, or if he had witnessed what I had done at Sword-Unfastening Pond.

“Thank you.”

Following Cheon-un Jin-in’s guidance, we began to move again.

Having let go of the Dancheon Sword, I had truly become a sword myself, so I was worthy of confidently crossing Sword-Unfastening Pond.

As I walked, I turned my head once more to look at Sword-Unfastening Pond.

The Nine Sects One Gang were indeed legendary; I was amazed that I could feel the traces of a Grandmaster even at a mere mountain gate.

I understood their long and glorious history.

But at the same time, I also knew that my sword could fully reach that Nine Sects.

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“The martial artists of Wudang must be strong, right?”

Brother Chun-baek whispered, hiding from Cheon-un Jin-in who was leading the way. It was a question befitting Brother Chun-baek, who always pursued martial arts.

Prick.

I knew that Cheon-un Jin-in’s ears were turned toward us.

In truth, it was right for a first-generation disciple of the great Wudang to be able to catch such a sound, even if it wasn't the art of hearing a thousand li.

“It is said that the disciples of Wudang are no different from famous swords.”

That being said, these words were not said with Cheon-un Jin-in in mind.

It is because what I have just said is a truth without a single flaw.

That’s right. Wudang is strong.

A first-generation disciple would be more than enough to command the Jianghu, and the senior officials at the elder level and above are people close to beings of supernatural power and mysterious phenomena.

As I know it, it is said that half of them have blossomed their spirit.

Among the reclusive old masters of the old generation who are enjoying a life of leisure, Wudang is a place where true beings of supernatural power and mysterious phenomena, who even the Emperor Breaker Yeom Gi-ha would look down upon, are crouching.

The successors of Sambong, whom even the Healing Sage had once revered, are the Daoists of Wudang, so how could it be otherwise?

“But we are no less than them.”

It’s not that I don’t know the prestige of Wudang, but my words are not arrogance.

It is because our lineup is also truly not lacking.

Dancheon Hak, the legitimate grandson of the Dancheon Sword Clan, born with a once-in-a-millennium martial talent.

Lee Chun-baek, the successor of a Mysterious Sect.

And I, Dancheon Myeong, the sole successor of the Healing Sage.

In particular, I cannot lose to the martial artists of Wudang.

It is probably because I am the one and only successor of the Grandmaster Healing Sage.

It would be right to let the successors of the widely known Grandmasters know the greatness of the forgotten Grandmaster Healing Sage.

I could see Cheon-un Jin-in, who was leading from a distance, quietly nodding his head.

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“This is the great training ground of Wudang.”

The great training ground of Wudang was located in front of the Palace of Upper Purity, which could be called the main building of the sanctuary.

As if reflecting its current glory, the sight of numerous swords of Wudang honing themselves at the great training ground was impressive.

Those who polish and refine their own martial arts, those who contemplate their inner selves through meditation, those who rely on each other in a joint attack formation to build a sword formation, and so on.

Although they were practicing their respective martial arts, they all had a certain kind of unity.

Perhaps the essence of Wudang lay in that unity.

“Is it alright for a guest to watch the training?”

“Haha. The training at the great training ground is public training. Feel free to watch without minding us.”

It should be called the magnanimous spirit of a prestigious school.

“Thank you.”

I quietly and meticulously, without hesitation, captured the martial arts of Wudang in my sight.