Wudang Sacred Scriptures-Chapter 54

When the snow piled up and turned the stony mountain white, Daoist Hyehae summoned Kwak Yeon.

“How is your progress?”

“I can feel a heavy sensation in my Dantian.”

Daoist Hyehae’s eyes widened slightly. Though he had long turned away from martial studies, he had once been a prodigy, and thus knew well the significance of internal energy cultivation.

“Ho, then you’ve surpassed ten years’ worth of Internal Energy accumulation.”

“Judging by the density, I believe I’ve definitely gone beyond the ten-year mark.”

“Yet your expression doesn’t seem bright.”

Accumulating ten years' worth of Internal Energy in merely half a year of breathing and movement exercises would be considered nothing short of astonishing.

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He should have been overflowing with hope, and yet Kwak Yeon’s eyes were strangely somber.

“Lately, the speed of my accumulation has slowed considerably.”

Kwak Yeon, being forthright by nature, had no habit of concealing his feelings; every worry showed plainly on his face.

Daoist Hyehae immediately understood and spoke.

“It must be that your vessel for True Origin Energy is almost full.”

Before entering the Immortal’s Room, Kwak Yeon had learned that the speed of accumulation depended on one’s vessel, so he answered calmly.

“I had suspected as much.”

He had steeled himself for this day, but he could not deny the disappointment.

His Internal Energy, which had once grown like a rolling snowball, was now entering a stagnant phase.

He had hoped to reach thirty years' worth of Internal Energy, enough to # Nоvеlight # perform Inner Meridian Techniques, but that dream was slipping out of reach.

Daoist Hyehae gazed at him with pity and asked.

“Will you still continue entering the Immortal’s Room?”

He felt deeply sorry for Kwak Yeon, who endured that living hell day after day.

It would have been natural to rest, even for a day.

“Since I have no intention of stopping, I plan to continue.”

“If that is your will, I will not stop you. However, are you still unable to accumulate energy outside of the Immortal’s Room?”

“I am trying steadily, but so far without any success.”

Kwak Yeon had been practicing Moving Meditation outside the Immortal’s Room as well, yet the energy refused to gather, leaving him stifled with frustration.

“It is truly strange. It is difficult to begin gathering Internal Energy at first, but once some accumulation is achieved, the speed should naturally increase. That you cannot even accumulate... Still, do not give up. You cannot forever depend on the Immortal’s Room alone.”

“......”

“The heavens do not betray effort. A breakthrough will come.”

“I will persevere.”

“It grieves me that I can offer you no help, now that I am your senior brother.”

“Please, Master, do not say such things. It was my own stubbornness that brought me here. If you speak that way, I would want to crawl into a hole in shame.”

Daoist Hyehae looked at him warmly.

Not only had Kwak Yeon’s Internal Energy matured, but his demeanor had grown refined as well. It was true what they said: pure Internal Energy brightens the mind and purifies the heart.

Perhaps Master was right after all.

That it was possible to accumulate Spiritual Energy through martial cultivation.

Especially since Wudang’s Tai Chi Energy Circulation was founded on Daoist principles, perhaps its transformative effects were even greater.

“Hyeonmu, you have certainly built up considerable Internal Energy.”

Daoist Hyehae’s voice grew serious as he addressed Kwak Yeon by his Dao name.

“You must have seen Daoist Hyeonmun of Yeongmudang visiting our palace some time ago.”

Kwak Yeon widened his eyes at the sudden mention of the past. The sting of that day was still vivid — the memory of being passed by as if he were a stranger.

Why bring that up now...?

“At that time, he asked that you be sent to the True Martial Hall.”

At those words, the sorrow that had lingered in Kwak Yeon's heart vanished as if washed away.

Master Hyeonmun had not forgotten me after all.

“This palace, being a branch dedicated to the Dao, has little in the way of martial arts. Moreover, Wudang’s highest arts are so profound that without a solid foundation, one cannot even glimpse their true essence.”

Kwak Yeon’s eyes widened further.

“Thus, we have decided to send you to the True Martial Hall. The Palace Lord has given her permission as well.”

At the mention of the True Martial Hall, Kwak Yeon’s heart began to race.

Every disciple of Wudang longed to train there.

The very name evoked awe — the pinnacle of martial study, where the quintessence of Wudang’s martial arts was transmitted.

He had thought it an unreachable dream...

Tears welled faintly in his eyes.

****

Master Hyang, head of the Purity Hall at Hyegakwon, tilted his head as he gazed toward the Three Spirits Palace.

Something seemed different.

He soon realized why.

The grounds inside and outside the palace were neatly maintained and sparkling clean.

There wasn’t a single fallen leaf in the yard, nor a blade of stray grass.

To think the atmosphere could change so much in just one year.

A young Daoist of sturdy build was sweeping the yard.

“Huh?”

Daoist Cheongmu spotted Master Hyang and called out in a loud voice.

“Master! We have a guest!”

Master Hyang frowned slightly at Cheongmu’s raucous behavior.

That reckless attitude hasn’t changed.

It brought no joy to see the fallen state of one who had once been Wudang’s brightest prodigy.

Ignoring Cheongmu’s antics, Master Hyang looked around.

He was searching for the young disciple named Kwak Yeon, whom he had brought here last year.

Has he given up and left already?

Perhaps that was why Cheongmu was performing a disciple’s chores instead.

For anyone of sound mind, serving as a mere attendant at a fallen palace would be unbearable. Especially for one who had once trained among the martial disciples.

Just then, the doors to Purity Hall opened, and Daoist Hyehae emerged.

“Brother Hyang, please, come in.”

Entering Purity Hall, Master Hyang offered a slight bow.

“It’s been a long time.”

Though Three Spirits Palace had declined, Hyehae was still its successor, destined to sit alongside the sect leader at future assemblies. Thus, basic courtesies were necessary.

“What brings you to summon me?”

Master Hyang was slightly tense.

It was rare for Three Spirits Palace to send a messenger; clearly, it was something serious.

“Has the Palace Lord begun preparations to ascend to immortality?”

“Our master has no intention of shedding her mortal form yet.”

“Ah, then... what is it about?”

“Our palace has been remiss. We have long carried guilt for it.”

No need to feel guilty. No one down there even pays attention to the Three Spirits Palace anymore.

Though thinking thus, Master Hyang answered politely.

“You’ve been devoted to cultivating the Dao. There is no reason for apologies.”

“No, even so. Ours is still one of the Eight Palaces. We have neglected our duties.”

Master Hyang was bewildered.

What wind has blown this hermit out of his cave?

“No one blames the Three Spirits Palace for focusing on Daoist cultivation.”

“We are grateful. Still, we cannot abandon our responsibilities entirely. That is why I have asked this favor.”

“...?”

“The Palace Lord said that our palace cannot continue relying on the Seven Palaces forever. There are also matters that need to be conveyed.”

“I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about.”

A trace of irritation crept into Master Hyang’s voice, the head of the Purity Hall at Hyegakwon.

Daoist Hyehae spoke calmly.

“We have accepted a new disciple into our palace.”

Master Hyang thought little of it.

“It seems you’ve found a fitting vessel for the Dao. Congratulations.”

“It’s not something for me to be congratulated on. The disciple was accepted by our master.”

Master Hyang was bewildered.

An old master, so near death’s door, taking on a disciple?

“Ah, is it because Daoist Hyeonin left to wander the world? You needed someone to manage the affairs of the palace. No wonder the Three Spirits Palace looks so different.”

It made sense. It would be impossible to entrust the simpleminded Cheongmu with managing the palace, so they must have taken in a disciple out of necessity.

“Well, the new disciple is diligent, and the palace is well maintained because of it. But that’s not the only reason. I’ll explain more later. For now, allow me to introduce him.”

The door opened, and Kwak Yeon entered carrying a tea set.

Master Hyang blinked in surprise.

The disciple I brought here last year... he stayed?

“This is not fine tea,” Kwak Yeon said, “but it should help quench the thirst you must have built up climbing the mountain. Please, have some.”

Master Hyang sipped the tea and asked, still bewildered,

“So, when will the disciple be arriving?”

“He’s already here.”

Master Hyang looked around in confusion.

“What do you mean... surely you don’t mean—?”

Daoist Hyehae turned to Kwak Yeon.

“Hyeonmu, offer your greetings to Senior Brother Hyang of Hyegakwon.”

Kwak Yeon clasped his hands and bowed respectfully.

“First Disciple of the Three Spirits Palace, Hyeonmu, greets Senior Brother Hyang.”

“Guh...”

“Hyang, he’s offering you his greetings,” Daoist Hyehae reminded with a slight smile.

Snapping out of it, Master Hyang hurriedly returned the bow.

“P-Pleased to meet you... Hyeonmu... Sa... disciple.”

Daoist Hyehae continued.

“Senior Brother Hyang, once you descend the mountain, please register his name in the Dao Registry at the Registration Hall. As for his ceremonial visit to the Ancestral Hall, that will wait until our master emerges from seclusion. In the meantime, be sure that no one treats him discourteously.”

“Ah, yes... Understood.”

“And know this: our master deliberately included the character for ‘Martial’ (武) in his Dao name. It is her will that he carry on the martial lineage of the Three Spirits Palace.”

“The martial lineage of the Three Spirits Palace?”

“Have you forgotten? Grandmaster Zhang Sanfeng was originally from this palace.”

“...!”

“Please also inform the True Martial Hall. Let them know that Hyeonmu will be joining this year’s intake as a trainee.”

“You intend to send him to the True Martial Hall?”

Master Hyang’s mind reeled.

I don't care if these hermits practice sword dances or martial arts within their own halls — but to send someone to the True Martial Hall?!

“Our palace is still one of the Eight Palaces. Why should we not send a disciple to the True Martial Hall?”

“Well... that is true, but...”

“Since you’ve finished your tea, you may return now.”

As Master Hyang sat there stunned, Daoist Hyehae turned to Kwak Yeon.

“Hyeonmu, escort Senior Brother Hyang to the Azure Cloud Bridge.”

Kwak Yeon bowed slightly.

“Yes, First Brother.”

Master Hyang hardly noticed passing through the courtyard, still half in a daze.

Just as he was about to cross the Azure Cloud Bridge, Kwak Yeon spoke.

“Senior Brother Hyang, I have a request.”

“Senior Brother...?”

It felt strange, but there was no helping it.

“What is it?”

“For this month’s accounts, please allocate a special maintenance fund to the palace. The heavy snowfall this winter caused damage in many areas. Also, while you are at it, please increase the monthly stipend by thirty percent.”

Master Hyang turned and stared at him in disbelief.

Is this kid crazy, like that fool Cheongmu?

“I understand that the incense offerings from our Dao friends have been quite generous this year. I believe this is not an unreasonable request.”

Each word only deepened Master Hyang’s disbelief.

He had been about to scold Kwak Yeon for talking nonsense, but he faltered, noticing the boy’s steady, fearless gaze.

There’s something about this one...