Wudang Sacred Scriptures-Chapter 59

It was something that Daoist Cheongmu had once told him:

"Every movement is a way to untangle what is knotted within."

Yes, he had been explaining Internal Energy all along!

Moreover, it wasn’t about using internal energy with every single movement.

Doing so would be terribly inefficient and wasteful.

The secret verses used metaphors to hint at which Internal Energies needed to be applied — and when.

Even if the secret verses were leaked, without understanding their true intent, no one could grasp the Heart of the Art.

This was exactly why the masters taught in such a guarded, painstaking way.

Once you understood which internal flow to activate, you didn’t need long explanations about pathways or energy currents — it all became instinctively clear.

If Kwak Yeon hadn't partially mastered the usage of Internal Energy under Daoist Cheongmu’s guidance, it would have been impossible.

Without a formal martial instructor, Kwak Yeon fixed the secret verses in his mind and tirelessly practiced the Tai Chi Sword Forms — piecing together the internal flows for each technique by his own insight.

Then, on a rising summer day, as the first real heat of the season began to press down, Kwak Yeon finally completed his full interpretation of the Tai Chi Sword's secret verses.

He raised his wooden sword high to practice all sixty-four forms, exactly according to the verses.

He had already long since internalized the shapes and movements of the forms.

Now, one by one, he began applying the internal flows indicated by the verses.

As he moved, the Internal Energy Pressure stored within his Dantian surged outward, following the blood channels he had painstakingly opened.

The nature of the energy shifted depending on the sequence, direction, and the degree to which each blood channel opened or closed.

He had already been taught by Daoist Cheongmu how to pinpoint each channel, control the strength and flow according to the Internal Energy he wished to manifest.

Moreover, through countless traversals of his Celestial Meridian Map, he had deepened his mastery not only of his meridians and muscles, but of the very pathways of blood and breath within him.

Thus, in the secluded courtyard of the Three Spirits Palace, Kwak Yeon was now executing the truest, most refined interpretation of the Tai Chi Sword Forms in all of Wudang Sect — and no one knew it.

Not even Kwak Yeon himself.

****

Rustle!

The cold wind tugged at the robe of Instructor Hyeonho as he left the True Martial Hall.

Heading toward the Cheongsu Shrine, Hyeonho wore a heavy scowl.

He had just been reprimanded by the Great Elder, Yunhak Jin.

‘I’ve been a little negligent, sure.

But how was I supposed to do anything against a boy as stubborn as iron?’

Hyeonho roughly shook out his robe, snapping it free of the wind.

"Damn it.

Why should I care if some little grotto disciple learns a few martial arts?"

The Three Spirits Palace was one of the Eight Halls of Wudang.

Surely, they could police themselves.

But the relentless persistence of the Great Elder Yunhak Jin made Hyeonho shudder.

All of Wudang Mountain was now watching its step, fearful of attracting his ire.

Once Yunhak Jin set his sights on someone, he pursued it to the bitter end.

Hyeonho didn't know why the disciple of that hermit from the Three Spirits Palace had drawn such attention — but it didn’t matter.

It would be resolved soon enough.

As Hyeonho entered the Cheongsu Shrine, his frown deepened.

"Isn’t the secret verse for the thirty-first form of the Lesser Azure Sword, 'Comet Piercing the Moon,' supposed to be 'Be as resolute as a comet’s tail cutting through the moonlight'?"

"Yes, Instructor."

"Then why in the world is your sword angling off diagonally?

Are your Jianjing and Zhongwan points located differently than everyone else's?"

"No, Instructor.

I will correct it."

"Cheongjin, you fool!"

Hyeonho barked at his subordinate.

"What do you think you’re doing — daring to speak secret verses aloud?!"

Cheongjin turned pale and bowed his head hastily.

"I’m sorry, Instructor.

I only meant to correct the disciples' postures according to the verses."

Hyeonho was dumbfounded.

It was acceptable to reference verses to correct posture — but not openly in a public courtyard where outsiders might overhear.

A senior instructor should have known better.

‘Could it be...?’

Hyeonho’s gaze shifted sharply to the corner of the courtyard, where the disciple from the Three Spirits Palace stood.

Kwak Yeon met his gaze without flinching.

"...?"

Hyeonho almost opened his mouth to ask Cheongjin whether he had revealed other verses — but swallowed the words.

Better not stir up unnecessary trouble.

Even if the secret verses had been overheard, they could hardly be taken back now.

And it would only make Hyeonho seem negligent.

If that boy from {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} the Three Spirits Palace had overheard anything, he would have looked away, guilty.

Besides, without a proper master’s guidance, knowing a few verses was meaningless — no better than singing nursery rhymes.

What did those hermits know about the true principles behind the secret verses?

"Ahem."

Hyeonho cleared his throat loudly.

"Regardless, you should never speak secret verses carelessly.

Understood?"

"I will never let it happen again, Instructor."

Yes — as long as it didn’t happen again, it was fine.

Soon, that thorn in his side would disappear anyway.

What Hyeonho didn’t know — not even in his worst dreams — was that Cheongjin had already bellowed out nearly all the foundational secret verses of the True Martial Hall, and that Kwak Yeon had memorized, parsed, and internalized almost all of them.

"The Mid-Autumn Cheongmu Competition is nearly here," Hyeonho announced.

"This time, all members of the Divine Dragon Class will participate."

"Does that include Daoist Hyeonmu?" Cheongjin asked carefully.

"Daoist Hyeonmu?"

"Yes, sir. I mean Kwak Yeon from the Three Spirits Palace."

"Did I not just say all without exception?"

"But Instructor, Kwak Yeon has never undergone proper martial training."

"Exactly.

Which is why he must participate even more."

"...Sir?"

"We can’t allow him to continue loitering around the training halls forever."

After practice ended, Cheongjin called Kwak Yeon over.

"Are you planning to keep coming?"

"Why do you ask, Instructor?"

"You heard that for the upcoming Cheongmu Competition, no one is exempt."

Cheongjin warned him that accidents often happened during real combat duels.

"If you withdraw now, you won’t be humiliated in public.

Besides, now that the masters know, we can’t even use training as a pretext to teach you the secret verses anymore.

I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to apologize for, Instructor.

Just the consideration you’ve shown me until now... I am already deeply grateful."

"You’ve made a wise decision," Cheongjin said. "I’ll inform the senior masters that Daoist Hyeonmu wishes to continue his martial studies.

Every master dreams of finding a worthy disciple — someone will surely agree to take you under their wing.

It’s a pity we must part, but..."

"I will participate in the martial duel," Kwak Yeon said firmly.

Cheongjin flinched at his words.

"Why insist on that...?"

"I made a promise to myself," Kwak Yeon said, his gaze unyielding.

"I won't let anyone drive me away."

Faced with that determined light in Kwak Yeon’s eyes, Cheongjin had no choice but to nod.

"Sigh... Then at least just go through the motions.

As long as you participate, they’ll have no excuse to drive you out of the True Martial Hall."

That’s what he said, but inwardly, Cheongjin was filled with worry.

The training disciples had spent months sharpening themselves through continuous sparring.

But Kwak Yeon had been completely excluded.

Knowing the forms and the secret verses was not enough.

There was a world of difference between practicing alone and honing oneself through real duels.

He’s never even fought in a match... he could be seriously injured.

And Cheongjin could not ignore the fierce, predatory glint in Instructor Hyeonho’s eyes.

****

Daoist Hyehae spoke to Kwak Yeon.

"You intend to compete in the Cheongmu Competition?"

"Yes, Master."

Kwak Yeon tensed, expecting that Hyehae, who usually showed no interest in martial arts, would forbid him.

"I received a message from the Great Elder," Hyehae continued calmly.

"He requested that I attend the competition personally, since one of our disciples will be participating.

But I have no intention of going."

Kwak Yeon swallowed hard.

Please...

"If you wish to participate, you may."

Kwak Yeon's face lit up with joy.

"Thank you!"

"I will attend in Master’s stead," Hyehae added.

"...Sir?"

"I am not a complete stranger to martial arts.

I’ve heard the sound of the training winds rising from the courtyard."

"Ah..."

"For once, I would like to feel exhilarated."

There was a genuine warmth behind Hyehae’s words.

Day by day, his parting with his disciple drew nearer.

Each day grew a little heavier.

And truthfully, Hyehae had a reason to personally witness the extent of Kwak Yeon’s progress.

****

This year’s Mid-Autumn Cheongmu Competition was different.

Unlike previous years, there were no festive distractions or minor entertainments.

Yet the attention it drew was greater than ever before.

The reason was clear:

Seok Jangsan.

An extraordinary disciple had risen to prominence.

Throughout his training at the True Martial Hall, Seok Jangsan’s talent had been unmistakable.

His humble origins from the academy — usually considered a disadvantage — had been completely eclipsed by his brilliance.

In fact, his background made his achievements even more impressive.

Seok Jangsan’s family belonged to the Seok Clan — one of the secular families — and this elevated him even further in many eyes.

He had sought out the academy himself, carved his own path, and now stood as a shining example.

The question on everyone's mind was:

Would a second-year disciple — Seok Jangsan — truly claim victory at the Cheongmu Competition?

If he did, it would be a first in the long history of the True Martial Hall.

The Palace Lords of the Three Minor Palaces — who had scouted other talents but lost out — could hardly hide their bitterness.

Oddly enough, the Palace Lord of Ujin Palace, Yunhyeon Jin-in, whose smile should have reached his ears, didn’t look entirely pleased either.

Looks like he practiced smiling in the mirror before coming, the others thought cynically.

Maybe he still feels guilty for poaching Seok Jangsan midway.

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He must have had a plan all along — sending his disciple to Yeongmudang so he could snatch a dragon rising from the river.

The Three Palace Lords might have had different thoughts, but on one point they all agreed:

Yunhyeon Jin-in's faintly shadowed expression was incredibly irritating.

Yet the darkness in Yunhyeon Jin-in’s heart was real.

His talent is flawless. His nature is diligent. Everything about him is perfect...

Except—!

Only recently had he discovered, through Seok Jangsan’s own confession, that the boy was functionally illiterate.

Fortunately, he wasn’t completely unable to read, but it was still a bitter disappointment.

Ujin Palace had grand hopes for Seok Jangsan.

Not merely to become one of the Seven Sword Guardians of Wudang — but perhaps even to ascend and become the Wudang Sword itself, the Sect’s highest martial ideal.

To reach such heights, a disciple eventually needed to study martial scriptures alone, deciphering profound texts without guidance.

But with his reading disability...

Even if he could still rise to the Seven Swords, becoming the Wudang Sword seemed far more difficult.

Ambition breeds greater ambition.

The more they invested hope in Seok Jangsan, the higher their expectations soared — and once raised, expectations were not easily lowered.

Thus, even though everyone agreed Seok Jangsan was the clear favorite to win, Yunhyeon Jin-in could not feel pure joy.

Despite the glares from the other Palace Lords, Yunhyeon Jin-in wore his usual serene expression, showing not the slightest hint of shame.

That nose of his is practically scraping the sky, they thought sourly.

Winning a disciple like Seok Jangsan had dramatically boosted Ujin Palace’s prestige.

As masters, they could only feel envy.

As Palace Lords, their resentment was even stronger.

Frustrated by Yunhyeon Jin-in's smug silence, the other Lords shifted their attention to a rare figure:

Daoist Hyehae, who had descended from Three Spirits Peak to attend the tournament.