Chapter 193: Wudang Sword Immortal
Several carriages were lined up in front of the Baek Li Clan’s private residence.
Once it was decided they would head toward the Wudang Sect, the Seomun Clan had offered to provide both the carriages and the escorting martial artists.
Each of the children was placed in the carriages positioned in the middle of the line, while Seomun Jeok and the martial artists of his clan boarded the lead carriage.
Jin Seong-un, Seo Yu-gyeom, and Seomun Ak decided to take the one at the rear. As the three climbed aboard in turn, Hwamyeong scratched his head and spoke.
“Gentlen, let’s et again soon. We’ve shared life and death together—shouldn’t we at least share a drink?”
Jin Seong-un tilted his head in puzzlent.
“You’re not coming with us? The Elder seems like he’ll be waiting for you.”
“Ahem, I’ll have to drink with the Elder soon enough. We’ve made a promise, after all. But for now, I should stop by the Murim Alliance first. Sothing about the Righteousness Captain’s matter feels off.”
Since the Righteousness Captain had shown suspicious behavior, it wasn’t possible to leave the report to the Head Office solely in his hands.
More importantly, since Hwamyeong had been the one who most strongly influenced the decision to send the children to the Wudang Sect, he was also the one most likely to incur the wrath of its elders.
‘There’s also that matter with the Sword Unbinding Pond…’
In the Wudang Sect, there was a small pond called the Haegumji (解劍池), and anyone passing by it was required to remove all bladed weapons.
How could a Taoist of Mount Hua possibly entrust his Plum Blossom Sword to the martial artists of Wudang?
When Jin Seong-un nodded, Seo Yu-gyeom comnted flatly,
“So you’re running away because the Elder might scold you.”
“Hey now, such wicked words should be avoided.”
With that, Hwamyeong hastily finished his farewell and disappeared in a blink.
Soon, the horses leading the front carriage began to move slowly, and the banners of the Seomun Clan, fluttering atop each carriage, waved in the wind.
From Jeongyang in Henan Province, where the Baek Li Clan’s residence stood, to Mount Wudang in Hubei, it was a distance a skilled coachman with trained horses could cover in half a day.
Throughout the journey, Jin Seong-un’s group remained mostly silent. Each was lost in thought, and they were all sowhat weary in body and mind.
Jin Seong-un gazed quietly at the scenery passing by the window, recalling the Righteousness Captain and the Black Wolf Saber Art.
Could the Myriad Gold Manor truly be the one behind all this?
Yet no matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t find a clear reason.
It was the greatest trading company under heaven, wielding enough influence to sway even high-ranking officials. It was difficult to imagine why they would resort to such ans to gather children.
‘Perhaps Chief Manager Lee might be able to uncover sothing.’
If anyone understood the current circumstances of the Myriad Gold Manor better than the rchant King himself, it would be Lee Seowon.
The thought of that pale, delicate face stirred a faint sense of unease.
“I wonder if Chief Manager Lee is doing well at the Wudang Sect. He seed more timid than I expected.”
Naturally, the Wudang Sect was full of martial artists. Being alone among them could easily make soone feel intimidated.
But it didn’t take long for that concern to be dispelled.
.
.
.
At the Sword Unbinding Pond of the Wudang Sect.
When word spread that Jin Seong-un had arrived, Lee Seowon appeared, walking leisurely down from the mountain gate with his hands clasped behind his back.
He was flanked by two young Taoists, dressed neatly in a crisply pressed Taoist robe, and even wearing a proper Taoist crown atop his head.
No one looked more perfectly adapted to the Wudang Sect than he did.
“Hold on.”
Lee Seowon handed the folded fan he was carrying to one of the young Taoists, who received it with a polite bow.
Jin Seong-un—and even Seo Yu-gyeom and Seomun Ak—stared at him in disbelief.
Just as he had once gained control of the Seong-un Inn’s mbers through clever maneuvering, it seed Lee Seowon’s talents had worked just as effectively here in the Wudang Sect.
After giving the group a quick once-over, Lee Seowon smiled with satisfaction.
“I’m glad to see everyone safe. By the way…”
He imdiately recognized Seomun Jeok and clasped his hands respectfully.
“I’m Lee Seowon, Chief Manager of Seong-un Inn. It’s an honor to et the Clan Head renowned as the Divine Fist of Hunan.”
“Haha, so there was a normal boy in the Seong-un Inn.”
Seo Yu-gyeom and Seomun Ak’s expressions simultaneously soured.
After checking on the children inside the carriages, Lee Seowon smiled softly.
“Please, co up. I’ll guide you.”
No one knew why Lee Seowon was acting as their guide within the Wudang Sect, but since the goal was simply to reach the top, they followed him without complaint.
As they climbed the mountain, Jin Seong-un looked around with genuine curiosity.
This was the orthodox Murim, represented by the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Clans. Though he had occasionally interacted with orthodox martial artists, it was his first ti visiting one of the Nine Sects themselves, and he couldn’t help but feel a thrill of anticipation.
‘The path is well maintained.’
Mount Wudang was high, yet the road was neatly paved—just wide enough for a carriage to pass through.
Judging by the deep wheel tracks, many carriages must have co and gone.
It was proof of how many connections the Wudang Sect maintained and how great its prestige had beco.
As they continued to climb, a simple yet serene front gate ca into view.
Once they passed through it, Baek Cloud Sword Hyeon-un greeted them with a smile.
“Welco, everyone. I’ve long wanted to show you the Wudang Sect, and now—”
But his words trailed off.
Not because of Seomun Jeok and the Seomun Clan’s martial artists, but because the carriages looked unusually heavy.
Soon, with the help of the Seomun Clan’s martial artists, people began to step down from the carriages.
Children.
One, two, three…
By the ti Hyeon-un counted twenty, he turned toward Jin Seong-un and Seomun Jeok with a bewildered expression.
Jin Seong-un slightly lowered his head, yielding the explanation to Seomun Jeok.
“Ahem, Elder. The children are important, of course, but there’s sothing urgent we must discuss first.”
The Wudang Sect had yet to hear about the incident involving the Baek Li Clan. Hearing Seomun Jeok’s grave tone, Hyeon-un quickly regained his composure and nodded.
“Let’s head inside first. But those children—what exactly…”
“It’s a serious matter.”
“Ahem.”
With that, the group followed Hyeon-un deep into the inner halls of the Wudang Sect.
.
.
.
Inside the chamber sat three elders, one middle-aged man, and several young n.
Jin Seong-un’s gaze was fixed on one of the elders alone.
‘Strong.’
That was the only impression that ca to mind.
No other word fit.
Excluding the Martial Gods, this man was stronger than any expert Jin Seong-un had ever encountered.
Even under Jin Seong-un’s blatant stare, the elder simply smiled gently as he spoke.
“Guest Dragon, I’ve heard your story so often lately that my ears are about to grow calluses. That lad of mine isn’t usually one to exaggerate, yet he went on and on about you.”
The elder who had spoken glanced briefly at Hyeon-un.
Hyeon-un let out an awkward cough.
There was only one man who could address an elder of the Wudang Sect so casually—
his senior brother, one of the Twenty-Seven Stars of the World, and a martial artist of Huajing.
He was none other than Wudang Sect’s Sect Leader, Hyun-sang, also known as the Wudang Sword Immortal.
“So then, what happened that you brought so many children here yourself, Clan Head Seomun?”
At the Sect Leader’s question, Seomun Jeok stepped forward to explain.
He recounted everything that had occurred at the Baek Li Clan’s residence, and how the matter had been resolved.
As the story went on, the faces of the Sect Leader and the others gradually stiffened.
When the part ca about the pit—presud to have been dug to bury the children—the three elders sighed at once.
“Heavens… how could the Baek Li Clan…!”
The Sect Leader’s eyes grew cold, while Hyeon-un’s flared with anger.
With a voice trembling with indignation, Hyeon-un spoke.
“I must visit the Murim Alliance soon and confirm for myself what’s happening. This isn’t sothing that can be brushed aside.”
After discussing the Baek Li Clan’s situation for a while, the topic naturally shifted toward the children.
The elder who had kept silent between the Sect Leader and Hyeon-un finally spoke up.
“So then, why did you bring the children all the way here, Clan Head? The Seomun Clan’s estate would have been much closer to Jeongyang.”
It was the elder and Master of Financial Affairs, Hyeon-heo, the Jaegyeong Pavilion Master.
In short, he was the one in charge of managing the Wudang Sect’s household. Within the sect, there was hardly anyone who didn’t pay attention to his opinion.
Even his senior brother Hyeon-un, as well as the Sect Leader himself, often watched his reaction carefully—
because everything in the sect, from eating and sleeping to training, required funds.
At Hyeon-heo’s sharp question, Hyeon-un swallowed hard.
If Seomun Jeok or Jin Seong-un made excuses for him, he would soon find himself the target of the most intimidating stare in the world—from his own master.
After briefly looking at Hyeon-un, Seomun Jeok t his fierce gaze and lowered his head slightly before replying.
“Ahem, Senior must already know. The Seomun Clan isn’t exactly an ideal environnt for raising children.”
At that, everyone turned to Seomun Ak—then nodded in understanding.
Seomun Ak’s face flushed red.
The Sect Leader, Hyun-sang, smiled warmly.
“Your humility is excessive, Clan Head. You’ve raised your son into a fine young man. His chivalrous deeds and rising reputation have even reached Mount Wudang lately.”
Seomun Ak’s face brightened instantly, and Seomun Jeok, though pretending otherwise, couldn’t help the faint smile tugging at his lips.
Just as the mood began to lighten, a deep sigh from the Jaegyeong Pavilion Master Hyeon-heo once again chilled the room.
He could not openly object before outsiders, but it was no easy matter to take in dozens of children overnight.
Children did not grow up simply by being fed. They needed to be washed, clothed, sheltered, taught, and cared for—each requiring ti, labor, and, inevitably, costs.
It wasn’t only about money.
Soone would have to sacrifice training hours, another would lose sleep.
Emotional investnt and responsibility would also weigh heavily.
To the one overseeing the sect’s finances, all of it could only be seen as additional expenses.
The Sect Leader, of course, understood that well.
After a mont of gauging the Pavilion Master’s reaction, the Sect Leader finally spoke.
“The children shall be taken in and raised within the Wudang Sect.”
Seomun Jeok let out a sigh of relief, while the Pavilion Master exhaled a sigh of concern.
anwhile, Hyeon-un stood awkwardly between them, uncertain of where to look.
After a brief silence, the Sect Leader continued.
“However, there is a condition. The children Hyeon-un brought earlier, the ones Clan Head Seomun has brought this ti, and even the ones rescued by Jeong Myeong before—all of them were saved by you, Guest Dragon.”
“...Yes, that’s true.”
Jin Seong-un nodded obediently.
If the Sect Leader intended to praise him for his rit, he would have ntioned Seo Yu-gyeom and Seomun Ak as well. But sohow, the tone carried the weight of accountability.
“Then why do you try to place that responsibility on others? True goodwill bears the burden of responsibility. Otherwise, it’s nothing more than self-satisfaction.”
“Then I’ll take them back with .”
Jin Seong-un replied readily.
After all, it had been weighing on his conscience.
However, the Sect Leader seed taken aback by that.
“Ahem, that’s not what I ant. Since the children have already co here and ford ties with the Wudang Sect, how could we possibly turn them away?”
Jin Seong-un looked at him blankly, unsure of what he ant.
After a mont’s thought, he curled his thumb and forefinger together and asked,
“Do you an... a sponsorship, perhaps?”
“Ahem!”
The Sect Leader cleared his throat.
Standing beside him, Hyeon-un hurriedly added,
“Seong-un, what do you take our Wudang Sect for? We’re not so impoverished that we’d need that kind of worry.”
“Yes, then…”
Jin Seong-un looked back at the Sect Leader again, his eyes silently asking for an answer.
Finally, the Sect Leader spoke again, his tone sly and subtly playful.
“If you can withstand three of my sword strikes before all of Wudang, we’ll take in the children without any further conditions.”
Everyone in the room imdiately grasped the Sect Leader’s true intent.
The matter of taking in the children had already been decided.
The Sect Leader was simply curious—just how skilled was this young man, that the blunt and stoic Hyeon-un had spoken so highly of him?
Given how famous “Guest Dragon” had recently beco, there were plenty of disciples within the sect eager to test their blades against him.
Jin Seong-un nodded without hesitation. Though nervous inside, it didn’t seem too difficult a challenge.
Moreover, since he had co this far, he also wanted to see Wudang’s swordsmanship up close.
“Yes, whose sword should I face?”
The straightforward response made Sect Leader Hyun-sang grin widely.
“Mine.”
“…Pardon?”
Jin Seong-un’s eyes trembled—an exceedingly rare sight.
Not only Seomun Jeok, Seomun Ak, and Seo Yu-gyeom, but even Hyeon-un and the Jaegyeong Pavilion Master Hyeon-heo were utterly shocked.
A master of Huajing, a Sect Leader of the Nine Sects and One Gang, a man past sixty—
was personally challenging a martial artist barely in his twenties to a duel, though it wasn’t even an official match.
In the honor-bound orthodox Murim, such an act defied all sense and convention.
Regardless, the Sect Leader stood up from his seat with genuine intent and said,
“Well then, let’s go to the Grand Training Hall.”
And so—
The two n faced each other at the very center of Wudang Sect’s Grand Training Hall.
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