Wudang Sacred Scriptures

Seeing the seriousness on Chwi Dugae’s face, Kwak Yeon finally spoke.
“If my guess is correct, you’ll find out soon enough. I’ve done all I needed to do.”

“Hm? And if your guess turns out to be wrong…?”
“Then I didn’t say anything ahead of time for good reason.”
“…?”

“Because if this all turns out to be pointless, we’ll both just end up embarrassed, won’t we?”
At last, Chwi Dugae began to understand what this was all about.
Kwak Yeon had gone out of his way to stir up the main street, causing quite a commotion. Not to make a scene, but…?

‘So he was lighting a beacon fire—announcing his presence.’
Chwi Dugae smiled knowingly.
“Aha! In that case, I can drink to my heart’s content while we wait.”

“…”
“Of course, from here on out, you’re footing the bill.”
With that, Chwi Dugae began downing liquor at an astonishing speed.

“You’re not drinking it—you’re pouring it down.”
“Kekeke! More like slamming it down.”
With his cheeks flushed, Chwi Dugae continued.

“A beggar, you see, must never put on airs in front of food. And above all, he must never, ever leave leftovers.”
“Isn’t alcohol a little different from food?”
“Alcohol is food. It’s made from grain.”

Technically true—it was brewed from millet or rice.
“But what’ll you do if you end up vomiting it all out again like last time? Wouldn’t that be a waste?”
Chwi Dugae’s face twisted dramatically.
“Why bring that up again? Ugh, you’re killing my buzz.”

Even so, he downed a full bowl of wine in one go.
“To be honest, I didn’t think I was drunk on the Thousand-Day Dream that day. I figured you’d struck one of my pressure points or something. I blacked out right when you were patting my back while I was throwing up.”
“…”

“I was furious when I came to. But the more I thought about it while lying there… I don’t think that was it.”
He poured himself another full bowl.
When Kwak Yeon had patted his back, Chwi Dugae had felt something—a pulse of energy. One that only came from genuine concern.

“‘Child, are you awake yet?’”
‘Damn it, why the hell did he pop into my head now?’
Chwi Dugae kept pounding back liquor, trying to flush his old master’s voice from his memory before it started nagging him again.
Time flowed on without pause, and the wine jars steadily emptied.

And when twilight finally began to fall—those Kwak Yeon had been waiting for finally arrived, drawn by the beacon he’d lit.
Two Daoists, dressed in uniforms marked by a clear Taiji emblem, appeared.
‘So the whole “let’s drink” thing was just an excuse. He knew Wudang would come looking for him.’

The moment those two Daoists—utterly out of place on Aknyang’s bustling main road—appeared, Chwi Dugae became certain of everything.
And once again, he found himself impressed by Kwak Yeon’s cleverness.
The two Daoists, led by a Beggars’ Guild disciple, entered Jinyang Pavilion directly.

“Rear Beggar.”
It was the same Branch Beggar from the Aknyang sub-division they’d run into earlier in the day.
“This is Master Hyunam of the Wudang Sect. He’s come looking for Young Hero Kwak, so I’ve brought him here.”

The Beggars’ Guild branch wouldn’t have been able to refuse a request from Wudang.
Especially when it came to locating a disciple from their own sect.
Considering that very disciple had stirred up the market and caused a ruckus here at Jinyang Pavilion, there was no way the intelligence-gathering Beggars’ Guild could be unaware.

Kwak Yeon had already stood and bowed toward Master Hyunam.
“Kwak Yeon, lay Daoist of Samnyeonggung, greets Senior Brother Hyunam.”
Though he’d disrobed and descended the mountain, his seniority remained unchanged. Thus, Kwak Yeon still addressed Hyunam as his senior.

Master Hyunam spoke calmly.
“I’ll accept your greeting properly a little later, Brother Kwak.”
When Master Hyunam’s gaze turned to him, Chwi Dugae put down his cup and rose to his feet.

Master Hyunam cupped his fists respectfully.
“Hyunam of Wudang greets Rear Beggar.”
“A pleasure, Master Hyunam. I’ve long heard of the famed Magistrate of Wudang Mountain. To meet you like this is an honor.”

“I’m here to retrieve a disciple of the sect today, so I won’t be able to stay and converse leisurely. I hope we can speak again another time.”
“Surely you have time for at least a cup of tea? Especially since the one you’re looking for is this beggar’s sworn brother—hardly a stranger.”
Master Hyunam flinched slightly.

“Sworn brother?”
“After spending several days together, we found we were of like mind and became sworn siblings.”
“The fact that Rear Beggar has taken such a liking to Brother Kwak is an honor to our sect.”

“Come now, don’t be shy—sit. I’m not paying, but I’ll pour you a cup.”
Left with no choice, Master Hyunam took a seat. Chwi Dugae turned to the man standing beside him.
“Master, that disciple over there—?”

The man bowed politely toward Chwi Dugae.
“I am Seokjangsan, Second Generation disciple of Wujing Palace.”
“Ah, so you’re the Dragon of Wudang, Young Hero Seok. I’ve heard much about your reputation.”

“I’m honored, Rear Beggar, but I have no name worth mentioning yet.”
“Nonsense. Didn’t you prove your worth in the life-and-death battle with Blood-Lust Sabre, the Dark Commander of the Black Assassins, on Mount Unjung? You’re easily the finest among the late-stage rising talents.”
Seeing Master Hyunam frown slightly, Chwi Dugae added,

“Master, as they say—there are no secrets in the martial world. Word spreads faster than feet and faster still than swords.”
Master Hyunam said,
“I left the mountain under regrettable circumstances. It’s not something I take pride in, so I’d prefer it not be discussed.”

“Understood. Still, no need to keep standing there drawing attention. Come, join us. And you too, Brother Kwak—sit. You haven’t committed any crime.”
Master Hyunam nodded to both men.
“Go ahead and sit.”

Only then did Kwak Yeon and Seokjangsan take their seats.
Sitting across from one another and locking eyes, they were both filled with deep emotion.
But given the setting, they could only share a silent glance.

“If you won’t refuse a humble drink, I’ll pour you a cup,” Chwi Dugae said, handing over a filled bowl.
Master Hyunam accepted it but did not drink.
“Let’s just say I drank it.”

Since Hyunam remained stern and cold, Chwi Dugae couldn’t push his usual shamelessness any further.
“Well then, get to what you came for. This beggar will excuse himself now.”
Rising from his seat, he turned to Kwak Yeon.

“Brother Kwak, I’ll pass along the answer to that matter as soon as I find out.”
“Thank you.”
Chwi Dugae left the tavern with the Branch Beggar.

Once they were gone, Master Hyunam turned to Kwak Yeon.
“Brother Kwak, did you know we’d come looking for you?”
“Yes.”

“…?”
“I heard from Rear Beggar that there was a clash with the Cult of the Evil Way. I figured if you hadn’t returned to Mount Wudang right away and were staying at Seong Iljang’s residence, there had to be a reason.”
Master Hyunam’s gaze sharpened with interest.

"Then I suppose you already know why I’m here."
"I have a guess."
"The Sect Command has ordered your return to the mountain."

"I was under the impression that secular disciples who have descended the mountain aren’t bound by a Sect Command."
"That’s true—except in special circumstances."
"It seems I fall into one of those special cases. Will you tell me what makes it so special?"

"It’s not as if you committed treason or tarnished Wudang’s name. But your actions have stirred a bloodstorm. That’s why the Main Sect wishes to hear about it directly from you."
"And if I refuse to comply?"
"Then we’ll both find ourselves in a difficult position. I’ve been ordered, by way of the Sect Command, to bring you back—by any means necessary."

Seokjangsan flinched at Master Hyunam’s words.
“...!”
With a hardened expression, Kwak Yeon asked:

"Is that why you brought Sahyil Seok along? To put me in a difficult position?"
Master Hyunam’s face flushed faintly.
"I only followed what was written in the Sect Command."

"Master Jangmunjin is still bedridden, and the Grand Elder is the one currently issuing Sect Commands, isn’t he?"
"I only learned on the way to Aknyang that the two of you are close."
"If you’d known earlier, would you have defied the Sect Command and not brought Sahyil Seok with you?"

Master Hyunam shook his head.
"I’ve followed the Sect Command my entire life. Even if I had known, I still would’ve brought him."
Kwak Yeon knew well that Master Hyunam, as head of the Disciplinary Hall, was a man of severe principle—so much so that he was called a judicial enforcer.

He had even shown no leniency to his own fellow disciple, Master Hyeongong of the Shenwu Hall.
‘That’s why the Grand Elder gave this mission to Master Hyunam. And why he sent Jangsan along as well.’
It was a cunning scheme by Grand Elder Unhak Jin-in.

Sending a friend, so there’d be no choice but to return to the mountain.
If Kwak Yeon declared right now that he wouldn’t go, Seokjangsan would be placed in a tight spot.
He’d be failing the mission he was assigned.

And since Master Hyunam was an uncompromising man—one who never went back on his word—he would insist on taking Kwak Yeon back no matter what.
That meant he was prepared to use force if necessary.
To have to fight a friend he hadn’t seen in nearly eight years…

As Kwak Yeon sat in silent discomfort, Seokjangsan too felt a deep, aching sorrow.
He had always longed to see Kwak Yeon again.
But to meet like this, under such circumstances…

Seokjangsan felt as though his chest might burst.
The silence between them grew long and heavy.
Finally, Kwak Yeon spoke.

"Senior Brother Hyunam. I descended the mountain under orders from the previous palace lord of Samnyeonggung. The Immortal Master instructed me not to return until I had fulfilled my destined task."
"...!"
"Therefore, as a Reclusive Daoist of Samnyeonggung, I will not obey the Sect Command."

Master Hyunam’s face hardened.
Seokjangsan bowed his head in despair.
"Ah…!"

Just then, Kwak Yeon ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) continued.
"But if it’s a journey with a friend I haven’t seen in a long time—then I’ll come along."
Seokjangsan raised his head.

"Kwak Yeon...?"
But Master Hyunam’s stiff expression did not relax.
They would indeed be taking Kwak Yeon to Mount Wudang—but it would not be in compliance with the Sect Command.

Kwak Yeon rose from his seat.
"Shall we go, then?"
"...?"

"I’m in a bit of a hurry."
Once Aknyang Fortress had shrunk into the distance behind them, Seokjangsan finally opened his mouth.
"I’m sorry. Because of me, you…"

Master Hyunam was walking far ahead, clearly intending to give the two of them space.
Kwak Yeon said,
"Still the same."

"Huh?"
"Acting like an older brother, I mean. After all this time, the first thing out of your mouth is an apology? Shouldn’t it be something like ‘I missed you’ or ‘Have you been well?’"
Seokjangsan choked up.

"I’m sorry for that too."
"There you go again."
"I’m just… sorry for everything when it comes to you."

Kwak Yeon replied.
"You don’t have to be sorry. I know how much effort you’ve put in for me all this time."
"...?"

"I heard it all through the priests who visited Samnyeonggung. They said you wouldn’t stop singing my praises to every palace lord and instructor you met."
"What good did that do? I couldn’t help you in any real way…"
"You did help."

Kwak Yeon spoke firmly.
"More than you know."