“It’s too peaceful, and it’s making me uneasy.”
“…Didn’t we encounter bandits yesterday?”
“Well, they saw my face, screamed ‘Colored-Eyed Person!’ and ran away, so I wouldn’t say the peace was truly disturbed.”
Nowadays, even the bandits living deep in the mountains recognize me. While thinking this, I idly fiddled with the now fuller pouches thanks to the petty criminals and bandits I caught on the way here.
“Word of Eun-gong’s fame has likely spread throughout Hobeck Province by now. There was that situation before, and we’ve already exterminated three demon lords on the way here, right?”
“It wasn’t exactly intentional, but…”
One of them had apparently lost control upon seeing Hye-ryeong and attempted an assault in the middle of the night, only to have his head smashed by me. Another one was swaggering around the inn, and I broke his skull, handing him over to the authorities.
What an idiot, thinking he could intimidate someone stronger than himself.
He was barely upper-rank一流的 material.
“Whether intentionally or not, Eun-gong has proclaimed the arrival of the Lion Sword Hero in Hobeck, capturing villains and bringing them to justice, so it’s only natural for even the bandits to flee in fear upon seeing Eun-gong’s appearance.”
“…Stop it. That’s excessive flattery.”
“But you have done all that, Mister.”
While you’re at it, stop clinging so close. It feels like you’re closing the distance more and more.
I turned my gaze forward, ignoring the soft touch I felt on my forearm.
An endless uphill path.
Climbing this slope would eventually lead us to Mount Wudang.
With a mix of emotions, signifying the end of my journey, I looked toward the top of Mount Wudang. The faint outline of the sect gates appeared at the end of the path.
Taoist-robed individuals and martial figures passed by me, blending together in the crowd.
Most likely, they were pilgrims or visitors here to observe the Wudang Sect. This scene reminded me of Jerusalem.
After we took it and some time had passed, countless pilgrims began arriving. But soon after, the place was retaken, and the influx ceased within merely three months.
“Ajanissi, what are you planning to do once we arrive at Wudang?”
“Well, I’ll see the architecture, enjoy the view of Mount Wudang… it would be a stretch to say I’m looking for an elder master hidden somewhere in these mountains.”
“To just sightsee?”
“…I do hope to find clues on the breakthrough I seek, but those opportunities don’t come at my will; they must follow the natural course.”
If any elder master seeks to meet me, they’ll reveal themselves. If not, they’ll ignore me even if I seek them out.
This ultimately depends on the elder master’s intentions. There’s truly nothing to do but wait and pray.
…Still, engaging in a Martial Prohibition with some Wudang elders might grant me some insights.
Of all the sword techniques in the martial world, Wudang’s most closely resembles knightly swordsmanship. While both use the same longsword, their philosophies are polar opposites, offering much to learn.
If possible, I’d love to spar with a senior expert better than myself, but I’m uncertain if that will happen.
Within their sect, sparring with outsiders isn’t common.
And for an elder to lose face by being defeated in a Martial Prohibition would be troublesome.
As I continued climbing, the entrance to Wudang came into closer view. On either side of the gate, Wudang Taoists were meticulously inspecting visitors before allowing them entry.
“Ajanissi, their vigilance is impressive.”
“Of course. They don’t want dangerous characters entering their sect, same as Hainan Sword Sect.”
“Ah…the Hainan Sword Sect rarely interacts with outsiders, though.”
True, there’s not much reason for outsiders to visit. Located on a secluded island at the southwestern edge of Central Plains, Hainan has little to offer outsiders.
Perhaps only fishermen or merchants occasionally visit to trade.
“Even from the entrance, the aura of a major sect exudes power, as the saying ‘Wudang martial arts don’t seek offense, yet none dare to easily offend them (武当功法不主进攻，然而亦不可轻易侵犯)’ proves true.”
“Wudang’s martial arts aren’t offensive, yet none dare to infringe upon them…right.”
A statement I made during the Dragon Phoenix Assembly, but it’s a fitting description of Wudang.
Their techniques aren’t outwardly aggressive, but they excel at deflecting and counter-attacking.
…Though it does take a long time to master.
Their internal energy cultivation takes years to show its full potential. Wudang’s martial arts are the epitome of late bloomers, usually reaching maturity in middle age rather than early.
“It’s nearly our turn, Eun-gong.”
“Indeed, it moves along faster than expected.”
Though it looks like they’re examining visitors carefully, the line decreases surprisingly quickly.
Perhaps this is the efficiency of a major sect.
As I thought that, it was our turn.
The gatekeepers scanned us briefly and then uncomfortably cleared their throats. I already understood why.
…Hye-ryeong might be too much for these mountain Taoists to handle.
“What brings you here?”
“I’ve come from the distant west to visit the esteemed Wudang Sect, celebrated as a righteous faction across the martial world.”
With that said, I slightly lifted my hood, and the Taoist standing on the right side exclaimed in shock.
“Lion Sword Hero…?”
“That’s the title they call me in the martial world.”
“Your reputation precedes you. You’ve captured agents of the Demonic Sect and defeated countless demon lords, making you a celebrated hero across Hobeck.”
The Taoists’ expressions warmed instantly.
This is why martial figures seek titles and reputations. With the right reputation, the treatment becomes incomparable. I would have been treated quite differently as an unknown martial artist.
“I’ve come upon an invitation from Master Xueyun, with whom I established contact during the Dragon Phoenix Assembly.”
“Ahh, Master Xueyun is currently at the training hall. Ascend further, and find the young Taoist guiding visitors. Mention your arrival, and you’ll be connected to Xueyun.”
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. May you have a pleasant stay.”
Thanks to the reputation I’ve built until now, we easily passed through. Judging by the envious glances from those behind us, we were definitely receiving special treatment.
“Wow, Uncle, the stairs here leading all the way up to the main hall are incredible!”
“Considering they use the entire mountain as their domain, it’s only expected.”
“Even climbing these stairs daily would feel like training!”
“Decent basic conditioning, I suppose.”
Continuing the casual conversation, we ascended the never-ending staircase that seemed even longer than the ones before the entrance. As we climbed higher, the smell of pine trees grew more distinct.
Was it the scent from the surrounding pines or the aura of the Wudang Sect permeating this place?
“Every day climbing these stairs… it’s daunting, and my legs hurt just imagining it!”
“…Yeah, your legs would definitely feel the strain.”
I subtly glanced away from Hye-ryeong and looked at the forest.
She wasn’t talking about sore legs—but bringing that up directly would have been awkward, especially with Mok-kyeong around.
“Thinking about descending afterward makes me dizzy! Going up seems never-ending, but coming back down…”
“Still, descending is easier in most cases.”
“But we can’t use lightness techniques here with so many people around…”
“Even if we could, would using such skills on stairs be allowed?”
And if we accidentally tripped, we’d roll down the mountain.
“Uh… probably not. Hehe.”
“Don’t attempt dangerous actions.”
“I’m a first-class master too, you know! I’m not a kid!”
Hye-ryeong pouted and protested to me. No matter how you look at it, that’s childish behavior for someone who insists they’re not a child. Although physically, I wouldn’t call her a child… her face still retains a youthful innocence.
…Technically, she is an adult by age.
“Understood, so stop yelling. You’re alarming the people around us. And… now that we’ve arrived, it’s important to tidy up and behave respectfully.”
“Yeesss…”
“…”
“What’s the matter, Mok-kyeong? Why so quiet all of a sudden?”
“…Nothing. I just felt someone watching us…”
Someone watching?
I looked around at the road flanked by thick pine trees, aside from the front and back.
Perhaps…
“Mok-kyeong, from which side?”
“…Over there.”
I gazed toward the direction Mok-kyeong pointed. To the right.
Once we secure accommodation within Wudang, we’ll visit the place where this sensation originates.
Unintentionally, we’ve found a starting point.
