Chapter 161

As Namgung Woo said, there were plenty of rooms left at the inn.

The innkeeper, who had been feeling down about today’s business, suddenly lit up when 39 people, including Song Chaeji, Jegal Seon-a, and Mun Se-gang, who could be considered guests of Changcheon Pavilion, arrived. He personally came out to guide them instead of his staff.

At the round table where Namgung Woo sat, five people gathered: Mun Se-gang, who suddenly appeared and took a seat; Geumshin, who provided an excuse to strike up a conversation by claiming they were old acquaintances; and Paeng Ha-ryeong and Jegal Seon-a, who always guarded his sides.

Mun Se-gang hadn’t just joined them out of fondness for the face he’d seen in Luoyang. His connection with Geumshin was too shallow for that. The so-called “old acquaintance” was literally just knowing each other’s faces—nothing more, nothing less.

Namgung Woo, instead of immediately probing for reasons, took his time. After ordering food and exchanging introductions, he casually opened the conversation.

“I’ve heard the name Jin Muryong a few times. Your skills are said to be extraordinary.”

“Haha, I’m no longer Jin Muryong… Hearing such words from the Blue Sword Emperor is somewhat embarrassing.”

Mun Se-gang, who had to return the title of “Dragon and Phoenix” after failing to advance to the main tournament due to encountering Dokgo Bin in the preliminaries, despite his exceptional skills.

Yet, even after losing the title of Jin Muryong, Mun Se-gang showed no signs of despair.

Perhaps accustomed to such curious gazes, Mun Se-gang explained before anyone could ask.

“Even though I’m a lay disciple, I’m still a disciple of Wudang. It would be a lie to say I have no regrets, but I can’t be solely driven by ambition either. It’s all in the past. I don’t dwell on it.”

With that mindset, Mun Se-gang returned to Wudang Mountain immediately after the tournament. Cultivating his mind and body in the mountain’s energy, he was suddenly given a task by the sect leader yesterday.

He was to escort guests who had come to Wudang at Shiyan County.

“I thought you might be those guests, so I approached you… Am I correct?”

The Wudang Sect already knew they were coming.

But Namgung Woo wasn’t particularly surprised.

Changcheon Pavilion had passed near Wudang Sect when entering the Daepa Mountain Range. At that time, they had entered through a back gate called Banghyun, not Shiyan County.

In their haste, they hadn’t had time to explore the area and had headed straight to Daepa Mountain, leaving no direct contact with Wudang Sect. However, Wudang Sect must have heard about the wandering group that passed through their backyard.

“Then we’ve arrived at the right place.”

“Indeed. Shall we ascend the mountain tomorrow? I’ll guide you.”

“The sooner, the better for us. If you guide us, we couldn’t ask for more.”

“Haha, feel free to speak casually. I also participated in the Unmong Great War. I’ve long admired the Blue Sword Emperor’s reputation. Hearing such formalities makes me more uncomfortable.”

At Mun Se-gang’s words, Jegal Seon-a, who had been quietly listening, suddenly stood up with a gasp and bowed slightly with a fist salute.

“Thank you for helping our family.”

“There’s no need for that, Miss. I didn’t say that to receive thanks. And I participated as a disciple of Wudang… I’m not worthy of such gratitude.”

Mun Se-gang, humbly returning the salute, truly lived up to being Wudang’s pride as a late-blooming prodigy.

“Instead, let me offer a drink. Does everyone drink?”

“Gladly.”

“Ahem, even though I’m a former monk…”

“Then let’s exclude Geumshin and drink among the four of us.”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t drink, Great Master.”

This is the time to drink. When would I get another chance?

If I ever return to being a monk, I won’t be able to drink even if I want to.

Though Geumshin was called a fallen monk, he had strictly followed the precepts during his time as a monk. But now, freed from those restraints, he had no reservations.

As the cups were filled, Geumshin eagerly raised his glass.

“Now then… let’s drink!”

§

Climbing Wudang Mountain, one naturally understands why Wudang’s martial arts focus on stillness, softness, and slowness.

The gentle ridges of Wudang Mountain, not too high, are complemented by peaks that stretch out, showing that softness isn’t everything.

To Namgung Woo, who could view the mountain from above like a bird, the entire mountain resembled a turtle, symbolizing Wudang Sect itself.

The spirit beast of the turtle, Xuanwu. Wudang Mountain, where Xuanwu is deified as Xuantian Shangdi, is unparalleled as a sacred mountain in Taoism. Though not counted among the Five Great Mountains, it is revered as the “Mysterious Peak” in Taoism.

Breathing in Wudang Mountain’s pure air, one feels inspired, making it unnecessary to seek the meaning of “Mysterious Peak” solely in Xuanwu or Taoism.

Lost in the mountain’s scenery, time seemed to stand still—until a grumbling voice broke the tranquility.

“Ugh… the air feels so stuffy. It’s so gloomy…”

“Why do you complain about every mountain we climb?”

“It’s not just any mountain. There’s a reason.”

“Daepa Mountain had Ghost Gate, so I’ll give you that. But this is the Mysterious Peak. What’s the problem?”

“…It’s Wudang Sect. Don’t you know? Zhang Sanfeng, who founded Wudang, was a disciple of Huashan Sect. He was taught by Hua Long Zhenren. The Taoist lineage comes from Huashan Sect.”

“That Huashan Sect again. You were like this when we met the Divine Crane Heroine.”

“Sigh. I won’t forgive you for addressing her so respectfully in front of me.”

This was Myorin, the sole successor of the Cheongjeong Sect, one of the seven branches of Quanzhen Sect.

Given that Huashan Sect, which emerged victorious from the internal strife among the seven branches, was now the strongest, it was understandable why she felt bitter.

“Really, we should’ve followed Hwang Ryong-ho to Jongnam Mountain…”

Jongnam Mountain, where Quanzhen Sect was born. One might wonder why Jongnam Sect, which occupies such a place, isn’t disliked, but Jongnam Mountain was already a sacred Taoist mountain before Wang Chongyang founded Quanzhen Sect, with many Taoist temples established there.

The current Jongnam Sect inherited a different Taoist lineage, not Wang Chongyang’s Quanzhen Sect. At best, they could be considered distant cousins to Quanzhen Sect.

Thus, Myorin often argued that Jongnam was the true orthodox sect of Shaanxi!

Yang Jeong countered Myorin’s grumbling.

“You know it’s important to get Wudang Sect’s help in capturing Dongbang Hwa. Our opponent is the Imperial Family. The more legitimacy we have, the better.”

“I know. That’s why I followed you here.”

“Did I drag you here? You could’ve stayed at the inn.”

“Don’t be ignorant. Know your enemy, know yourself, and you’ll never lose.”

“Goodness… you’re really going to start another Quanzhen Sect succession dispute now?”

Even Myorin couldn’t confidently respond to that.

Facing the nine sects alone? Especially Huashan Sect, acknowledged as the strongest among them?

There’s a limit to hitting a rock with an egg. Only an egg as tough as Namgung Woo could smash against the Dokgo Family rock, but a soft egg like Myorin would shatter before even making contact.

“It’s just a saying, a saying.”

“Be careful with your words, girl… If you mess up at Wudang Sect and cause trouble for the leader, I won’t let it slide this time.”

“You’re using Qigong to distort your voice?”

“At the level of a Supreme Peak Master, they can read that, you know?”

“…Got it.”

For the first time, Myorin couldn’t refute Yang Kwae’s words and was thoroughly defeated.

Before she could savor the thrill of her first victory, Mun Se-gang’s voice rang out ahead.

“We’ve arrived. This is Wudang Sect.”

The mountain gate harmonized with Wudang Mountain.

The plaque above, inscribed with “武當派” in elegant calligraphy, perfectly captured Wudang Sect’s spirit.

Beyond the gate, people in Wudang Sect robes were already waiting, having prepared for their arrival.

“It’s been a while, Gowon Jinin.”

“Indeed. It seems your achievements have deepened since we last met.”

“You flatter me.”

This wasn’t just a casual acquaintance like with Geumshin and Mun Se-gang, but a proper reunion.

Gowon Jinin, a Supreme Peak Master of Wudang Mountain who had fought alongside them in the Unmong Great War.

Gowon Jinin, who had battled Hallyong Mado in Wuhan and ultimately defeated him, elevating Wudang’s status, personally came out to welcome Namgung Woo and Changcheon Pavilion, showing Wudang Mountain’s sincerity.

“And though it may sound sudden, I’d like everyone to disarm before proceeding further.”

“Ah, this place…”

The Sword Unsheathing Pool.

A tradition and pride of Wudang Sect, requiring visitors to disarm before entering.

Despite his connection with Gowon and his interest in the Sword Unsheathing Pool, Namgung Woo hesitated to part with his sword.

To a martial artist, a weapon is akin to life itself. Namgung Woo’s mindset had grown closer to that of a martial artist than a modern person.

Moreover, Bonding was especially precious to Namgung Woo.

He didn’t want to part with it.

“What if…”

Namgung Woo’s hand rested on Bonding’s hilt.

“If I defeat Jinin in a martial duel, can I keep my sword?”