Wudang Sacred Scriptures-Chapter 71

“It seems that the happenings in the martial world cannot be comprehended solely through the lens of right and wrong.”

Kwak Yeon had already suspected as much, having once been falsely accused of being a spy for the Demonic Cult.

It was a chance encounter with the Azure Dragon Swordsman, Hong Suchun, that brought him insights he hadn’t expected.

“They say there’s always something to learn from everyone, and it appears that saying isn’t wrong. I’m a novice in Jianghu, so I must be more attentive to the words of others from now on.”

As Kwak Yeon focused intently, Hong Suchun’s voice grew louder, as if spurred by his attention.

“Still, compared to the Demonic Cultists, the Unorthodox Sect folks are practically saints.”

“How so?”

“Well, the Demonic Cultists might handle things directly, just like those on the righteous path, but they don’t stop at just the person they hold a grudge against.”

“What do you mean...?”

“I mean, they don’t leave a single trace of the target’s family or associates. There’s a reason they’re called demons, you know.”

Hong Suchun’s logic about the Orthodox Faction, the Unorthodox Sect, and the Demonic Cult was simple, yet he wasn’t wrong.

“In any case, my point is, if you want to live long, avoid making enemies. And the first step to doing that is to accept tea whenever it’s offered to you.”

Hong Suchun extended a teacup, and Kwak Yeon respectfully accepted it with both hands.

“Thank you for your guidance.”

“No need to thank me. There’s no such thing as a free meal in this world.”

“Pardon?”

“Just drink up.”

When Kwak Yeon drank the bitter tea, Hong Suchun smiled faintly.

“From now on, you’re my guest.”

Hadn’t he already said that?

As Kwak Yeon looked puzzled, Hong Suchun cast a sweeping glance over the merchants lying asleep around them and continued,

“Just like all of them here. I’m guiding them and providing protection. Naturally, it’s not free.”

“So... are you asking me to pay as a guest right now?”

“Exactly. Right now, you’re warming yourself by the fire I built. Soon, I’ll be serving you food. And after that, you can lie down comfortably and sleep without worry. Tomorrow, I’ll guide you along the path. You’ve already experienced it once — when you don’t know the way, you end up wandering in circles in the mountains.

So, what do you say? Do you still think I’m wrong for charging a fee?”

It was hard to argue with that logic. But the way it was presented made it feel more like extortion, and Kwak Yeon hesitated to respond.

Before he could answer, Hong Suchun spoke again.

“Don’t worry. I’m not heartless enough to charge you exorbitantly. I already mentioned that my master’s master was once a secular disciple of Wudang, didn’t I? That makes us fellow disciples, doesn’t it? How could I be unkind to a fellow disciple?

But for the sake of fairness with these other guests, I’ll just ask for a token of sincerity.”

Kwak Yeon couldn’t refuse any further.

“As a guest who has received your hospitality, it’s only right that I express my sincerity as well.”

“Good. You’re well-educated, just as expected from a disciple of a distinguished sect.”

“But I don’t have any money on me right now.”

Hong Suchun’s brows furrowed instantly.

‘This scheming little Daoist...’

“But I do have some medicinal herbs. Can I pay you with those instead?”

“That’ll do.”

Anything was better than extending credit.

Kwak Yeon opened his knapsack and took out a ginseng root that Daoist Cheongmu had given him.

It was something he had been saving to sell at a fair price once he descended the mountain.

Hong Suchun’s eyes widened momentarily before narrowing again.

“Please accept it.”

The ginseng root Kwak Yeon handed over was large enough to fetch at least two taels of silver.

Even so, Hong Suchun’s gaze remained fixated on the knapsack filled with more ginseng roots.

Gulp.

Kwak Yeon pretended not to notice the sound of Hong Suchun swallowing.

“In any case, I’m fortunate to have met a fellow disciple in such a difficult time. Your help has been invaluable.”

“Well, since you’re showing your sincerity, I’ll accept it with gratitude.”

Despite his words, Hong Suchun, to his credit, finally looked away from the knapsack.

At that moment, his eyes caught sight of the sword hilt protruding slightly from the front of Kwak Yeon’s robe, and he flinched.

A Daoist from Wudang carrying a sword? That could only mean one thing.

“That... is that a sword?”

“Oh, yes. My master gave it to me for self-defense.”

“May I take a closer look?”

“Of course.”

Kwak Yeon pulled aside the front of his robe, revealing the entirety of the Cheonggang Sword.

Hong Suchun quickly scanned the scabbard and hilt, letting out a small sigh of relief.

‘No pine tree emblem.’

Indeed, the boy was a disciple of the Reclusive Cave Daoist, not a martial disciple of Wudang.

‘Still, even the Reclusive Cave Daoist must have been worried about sending his disciple down the mountain in these chaotic times.

With a Wudang Daoist’s attire and a sword, few would dare to mess with him.’

‘That said... that sword looks rather fine.’

A scheme began to form in Hong Suchun’s mind as he continued to stare at the sword.

Hong Suchun put on a benevolent smile and said,

“Now then, as my guest, allow me to treat you to a meal. It’s leftovers from dinner, but I’ve kept it warm, so it shouldn’t taste too bad.”

Just as he said, the food wasn’t bad.

As Kwak Yeon ate, Hong Suchun sat down beside him, chatting away and imparting various pieces of Jianghu wisdom.

“...If you’re cautious of women, old folks, and children, you’ll avoid half the dangers in Jianghu. The next most dangerous thing is poison, but you needn’t worry too much about that.”

“And why is that?”

“Because poison is incredibly expensive. Ordinary people can’t get their hands on it.

Low-grade poisons are easy to spot — they have strong smells, odd colors, and a strange taste.

Of course, top-tier poisons are called the ‘Three Nothings’ for a reason — colorless, tasteless, and odorless. But you’re not likely to encounter those in your lifetime.

The real danger is the mid-grade poisons, but even then, you don’t need to worry too much. You’re lucky to have met a fellow disciple like me right at the start of your journey in Jianghu.”

Hong Suchun pulled out a small pouch and took out a black bead.

“This is a Poison-Repelling Bead. It’s not easy to come by.

I once guided a wandering Jianghu eccentric, and though I refused, he insisted I take it. I never had much use for ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) it, but now it seems like fate that I met you.

Of course, a token of sincerity would still be appreciated.”

As Kwak Yeon stared at him wordlessly, Hong Suchun awkwardly retracted his offer.

“Well, think it over. We still have a few days before we reach the main road.”

Hong Suchun realized that Kwak Yeon was not as naive as he had initially thought, and the next evening, he changed his approach.

“Well, since you already have a sword, how about learning a sword technique or two?”

“A sword technique?”

“I know that at Three Spirits Palace, you only practice internal techniques.”

That was true.

Kwak Yeon couldn’t very well reveal that he had inherited Three Spirits Palace’s martial arts.

“Don’t be so modest. After all, my master’s master was once a secular disciple of Wudang. Think of it as returning Wudang’s sword techniques to Wudang.

Now, without further ado, pay close attention...”

Hong Suchun enthusiastically demonstrated his signature technique, the Three Calamities Sword Technique.

The Three Calamities Sword Technique, which had originated from Wudang long ago, had since become a common martial art throughout Jianghu.

“This is the authentic Three Calamities Sword Technique, properly taught. It’s vastly different from the watered-down version you find everywhere these days. How does it look?”

“There’s definitely a profound quality to it,” Kwak Yeon replied.

It wasn’t entirely a hollow compliment. The form bore a strong resemblance to the Three Calamities Sword Technique he had learned as a basic training exercise at Jinmugwan.

Hong Suchun’s earlier claim that his master’s master had been a secular disciple of Wudang now seemed more credible.

A smug smile curved Hong Suchun’s lips.

“Well then, try it for yourself.”

Hong Suchun forcibly drew Kwak Yeon’s Cheonggang Sword and even positioned him into the proper stance.

“No, no, that’s not how you swing it. You have to cut as if you’re cleaving both heaven and earth simultaneously, just like the technique name — ‘Heaven and Earth Severance.’ Quick, wide, and mercilessly powerful.”

After making Kwak Yeon go through a few forms with exaggerated effort, Hong Suchun finally caught his breath and said,

“Well? Isn’t it harder than it looks? The techniques that come after this are even more astounding. Would you like to continue learning?”

Kwak Yeon calmly met Hong Suchun’s eyes, fully aware of his true intentions.

“I have no desire to continue.”

“Oh, come on. I’m only suggesting it because I’m worried about a fellow disciple facing dangers in Jianghu.”

“I appreciate the sentiment,” Kwak Yeon said curtly.

“Well, do as you please.”

“......”

“I’ll go gather more firewood. You keep an eye on the fire.”

Hong Suchun huffed, disgruntled that his scheme hadn’t worked, and stomped away.

As Kwak Yeon stoked the dying embers, an elderly merchant came and sat beside him.

“Hong Suchun isn’t such a bad guy, you know.”

Kwak Yeon felt a surge of irritation rise within him.

Here was this old man trying to defend someone who clearly saw him as an easy mark — a naive young Daoist ripe for the picking.

Hong Suchun had been belittling Three Spirits Palace right to his face, spouting condescending remarks about how it was merely a den of reclusive mystics. Kwak Yeon had bitten his tongue to avoid souring the mood among the traveling companions.

Claiming kinship through some tenuous Wudang connection was also infuriating. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

He was about to tell the old man to mind his own business when he remembered he was still wearing his Daoist robe. He forced himself to remain calm.

“Hong Suchun’s son is very sick.”

“......”

“That’s why he gave up a respectable position as a bodyguard and took on this low-paying job, escorting traveling merchants. That’s why he’s doing the dirty work himself instead of hiring a hand.

I’m only telling you this because you’re a Daoist. I wouldn’t have said anything otherwise.”

Kwak Yeon looked at the old man, who continued speaking,

“I figured you’d understand. You know, they say, ‘Hate the crime, not the criminal.’”

Kwak Yeon thought back to the teachings of the Daoist scriptures — how the nature of good and evil often coexisted in the human heart.

The old man laughed self-consciously.

“Ah, look at me, a clueless peddler blabbering on in front of a Wudang Daoist. How presumptuous of me.”

“No, thank you for letting me know.”

The old man nodded.

“You really do have the generous heart of a Wudang Daoist. Well, since I’m already being presumptuous, would you mind me giving one more piece of advice?”

Kwak Yeon nodded without hesitation.

“I’d be honored to hear it.”

“There’s no need to be so polite, but since you’re still young, I’ll say it anyway. I’m old now, and I’ve come to realize something — ‘To see is to covet.’ People’s desires are easily stirred.

Be mindful of what you reveal. Even the most virtuous man can falter when tempted by something valuable.”

Kwak Yeon immediately recalled how he had displayed the ginseng root to Hong Suchun earlier.

And he remembered the sound of Hong Suchun swallowing.

“I’ll be heading back now,” the old man said, returning to his place among the other merchants.

Kwak Yeon remained seated, deep in thought.

‘He may be a terrible person to me, but to his son, he’s a good father.’

His mind flashed to the image of his own father, who had sold him off for three taels of silver.

When Hong Suchun returned, carrying a bundle of firewood, Kwak Yeon spoke up.

“I’ve changed my mind. Learning a sword technique doesn’t sound like such a bad idea after all.”

“Really?”

“You said you were returning a Wudang technique to Wudang. As a member of Wudang, it’s my duty to learn it.”

“Well, of course, but... a token of sincerity would still be appreciated...”

“It’s only natural to show sincerity when learning a technique. That way, you’ll teach me with your whole heart, right?”

The Azure Dragon Swordsman, Hong Suchun, beamed, his face lighting up as brilliantly as his moniker.

“Well said! That’s exactly right!”

“And I might also need a Poison-Repelling Bead.”

“Huh? The Poison-Repelling Bead too?”

“I’ll pay handsomely for it. But in exchange, you must also share your knowledge about poisons and Jianghu in detail.”

“Oh! Of course! I’ll tell you everything I know, even if it takes all night!”

Kwak Yeon felt a weight lift off his shoulders, as if the guilt he harbored toward Daoist Cheongmu had lessened slightly.

‘This isn’t a waste. After all, the more I learn about Jianghu, the better.’