Chapter 169
169th Episode
- Becoming a Guest at Another Sect
I couldn't take my eyes off the spot where Yeon-ryang had been. Jin-sung pulled out a chair and offered me a seat.
"It would be best to eat first. Is steamed fish alright?"
"Yes. But Yeon-ryang..."
"You don't need to worry. My master is accompanying him, so there won't be any problems."
"Are you sure no one knows?"
"Yes. My master wants to keep it hidden, so it will be. However, there is something I should have mentioned beforehand..."
Jin-sung, with his hands neatly folded on his lap, spoke calmly.
"My master told me to make you the focus of attention instead of his whereabouts. So, I exaggerated the news of your visit a little... You might attract attention when you ascend Wudang Mountain."
It sounded like I had to draw the Taoists' attention so that their eyes wouldn't be on Yeon-ryang.
I hesitated, and Jin-sung added,
"If you're uncomfortable, you can stay in Gyunhyeon."
"No, it's not a difficult task. I'd be happy to stay in Wudang if you'll allow it."
It's not like there are only one or two people coming and going from Wudang, and even if they pay attention to an outsider, it'll only be for a day or two.
Opportunities to stay in a great Martial Sect / School don't come often. I wanted to take this chance to experience the atmosphere of a Sword School.
I also had a desire to know exactly what Wudang's swordplay was like.
At my answer, Jin-sung looked a little relieved and gave a faint smile.
"Then, it would be best to spend the night at the inn today and ascend to the main mountain when the sun rises."
"Yes. I'll do as the Jinseong disciple says."
I wonder if they'll spar with me if I ask. I'm curious how much I've caught up to Jin-sung.
As I was pondering and staring intently at Jin-sung's Pine Pattern Sword, the Jeomsoi crept up and spoke to Jin-sung.
"Excuse me, Taoist. Are you acquainted with the immortal who left a moment ago?"
"Yes, I am."
Then, the Jeomsoi's eyes welled up with tears.
"Well, you see... the immortal didn't pay for his drinks..."
"I'll pay for them together."
Jin-sung replied calmly and took out a silver coin from his pocket, handing it to the Jeomsoi. However, the Jeomsoi's expression didn't brighten.
"He drank ten bottles of White Wine..."
"......"
Jin-sung, as if at a loss for words, pressed his temples and took out another handful of silver coins, handing them to the Jeomsoi.
I felt a little sorry for Jin-sung. It seemed he was suffering a lot because of his master as well.
Was it because of the gloomy weather? Or was it because I was worried about Yeon-ryang? I didn't sleep well.
Seeing the maidservant bringing water for washing from early morning reminded me of the children around Anga.
I gave them all the remaining food, but... I wonder if they'll make it through the spring. I'm worried.
I washed my face to shake off the uneasy feeling and changed my clothes. Then, I stretched my stiff shoulders and sat cross-legged.
I was about to close my eyes slowly to circulate Energy Flow when I heard Jin-sung's voice from afar, sounding troubled.
"You can't."
"Kiee?"
"There isn't much time left until the meal. You shouldn't eat snacks right before eating. Please wait a little longer."
"Kkyuuk!"
Jin-sung was trying to appease Ju-ryeong, who was begging for snacks.
When did that Ju-ryeong cross over? There's no way a Taoist who doesn't even eat meat would carry snacks around.
I swallowed a hollow laugh and got up, quickly putting on my Long robe and leaving the room. I stood in front of Jin-sung's room and made a sound, and I could feel Jin-sung looking towards the door.
"Jinseong disciple. May I come in?"
"Yes, you may."
"I'll take Ju-ryeong. I'm sorry for the trouble..."
As I apologized and opened the door, I rubbed my eyes at the unexpected sight.
Jin-sung was feeding Ju-ryeong jerky cut into bite-sized pieces.
"You brought jerky?"
"I prepared a little because it seems your sable likes it."
"Oh, I'm sorry, disciple. He eats so well that you don't have to give him any. Why are you here?"
"Kyaak!"
"Tsk. Won't you come here? I'm really sorry, disciple."
As I snatched Ju-ryeong and apologized, Jin-sung shook his head.
"It's alright. Don't worry about it."
"Kieuwoo!"
Ju-ryeong also struggled and tried to return to Jin-sung. It was the first time he had resisted so fiercely.
"Why is he really like this? He likes meat, but not to the point of losing his mind..."
"Ah, I applied a little Poison to the jerky. It seems to suit the sable's taste."
"Excuse me? Where did you get the Poison?"
Then, Jin-sung closed his mouth and looked away.
Did he like it when I touched it last time? Did he prepare it because he wanted to become friends with Ju-ryeong?
I chuckled at the behavior that didn't suit his size and put Ju-ryeong back down.
The little guy ran to Jin-sung, drooling, and lay down on Jin-sung's lap, begging for jerky.
What a sight. Yeon-ryang would be upset if he saw this.
"You can feed him snacks. I'll just skip breakfast. When would you like to have breakfast?"
"Ah, I'll prepare it right away and come down."
"Yes. Then I'll go down first. Take your time."
I bowed my head and glanced at Ju-ryeong, who had found a new human bed, before leaving Jin-sung's room.
After finishing an early breakfast, we headed straight to Wudang Mountain.
Was it because of the unusually thick fog? Even though we had only set foot at the entrance of the mountain, it felt like a divine Energy Flow was emanating. I guess that's why it's called a Sacred Mountain.
Among them, the most impressive thing was the gorge that cut through the many peaks shrouded in fog. The way it was divided in a straight line as if cut by a sword was so beautiful that I couldn't help but admire it.
"Wow, that's amazing. It looks like a Sword path."
"It is a Sword path."
"Yes?"
"It's the place my master cut when he attained enlightenment."
"Yes?"
He, he made that gorge with a sword?
I couldn't believe that a person had created such a landscape with a sword, and my mouth dropped open.
The name The Greatest Sword Under Heaven must not have been for nothing.
However, I was only impressed by the picturesque scenery for a moment. As I walked along the treacherous path that seemed to have no end, my emotions gradually dried up.
"Jinseong disciple."
"Yes."
"Why did Wudang build its Taoist temple in such a place?"
"...The founder had great intentions."
What are those great intentions? Don't even accept people who can't climb mountains as Pilgrims?
As I grimaced, Jin-sung said as if making excuses.
"Mount Hua is even higher than this. Wudang Mountain isn't that treacherous."
Was Ascension to Immortality about falling to your death while cultivating on a cliff?
Now I understood the Supreme Sword Master of Taegeuk's question.
'Do you like mountains? Are you not afraid of heights? How about places high enough for fog to form? The slopes are a bit steep.'
I wondered why he was asking, but it was because the mountain path was so treacherous that it would be impolite to invite someone without asking beforehand.
I was a Martial Artist, so it was nothing, but if I were an ordinary commoner, I would have collapsed down there and wailed that I couldn't go on.
Jin-sung, noticing my expression, cautiously spoke.
"If you're uncomfortable, I can guide you to the road where carriages travel."
"There's a separate road where carriages travel?"
"Yes. There's a road for carrying luggage, but it doesn't lead to the Taoist temple. You'll have to climb this path again."
I scratched my cheek and looked back at the path we had come up. Nothing could be seen below the cliff shrouded in fog.
...It's going to be a problem going down too.
"Let's just go this way. It's strange to turn back now."
"Yes."
As I walked in silence, I felt like I understood a little the desperate hearts of those who climbed this treacherous path to offer Incense Offering and perform Devotion Rituals.
The Taoist temple built on the top of this Sacred Mountain was a place where the earnestness of those who wandered in search of a place to rely on had reached.
It was becoming a support that was comforting in its very existence for someone.
So that's why everyone is so favorable to Wudang's Taoist priests.
As I nodded in agreement and moved my legs for a while, I saw a small pond and a pavilion.
Next to it was a large tree that must have been hundreds of years old, with various weapons such as swords, sabers, and long spears hanging from its branches.
Is this the Sword Releasing Ground? That must be the Hanging Sword Tree.
"Do we have to leave our weapons here?"
As I asked and rummaged through my sleeves, Jin-sung shook his head.
"You are here as a guest, not as a Pilgrim, so you may carry your weapons. This way."
Then, he led me to a side path next to the main gate.
The Taoist priests guarding the palace glanced at me, but they didn't stop me, perhaps because I was accompanied by Jin-sung.
"It is right to pay respects to the founder first, but you must be tired, so I will guide you to the Guest quarters in the outer courtyard."
"Yes."
"The outer courtyard is a bit complicated. Guests can easily get lost, so please call me whenever you go somewhere."
"Yes, I will."
I answered obediently and followed Jin-sung up the stairs.
The moment we passed through the unnamed palaces and entered the Guest quarters, an old Taoist priest came running in a hurry and grabbed Jin-sung's shoulder.
"Jin-sung! What's this about you returning to secular life? You should have told your senior brother!"
"...Yes?"
Jin-sung frowned in embarrassment, but the old Taoist priest shook Jin-sung wildly, not caring.
"How did this senior brother raise you, and you're leaving the mountain without saying a word!"
"I don't know what you're talking about, senior brother. We have a guest, so please lower your voice."
The old Taoist priest, startled by Jin-sung's blunt answer, turned his gaze to me.
"Ah, so you're the Dang Sojeo...!"
"Senior brother."
At the voice that sent a cold wind blowing, the old Taoist priest let go of Jin-sung's hand and burst into laughter.
"Ehehe, I understand. I understand, you rascal."
He looked at Jin-sung with playful eyes and then bowed politely to me.
"I am Jinok of Wudang. You must be Dang Sojeo?"
"I greet the senior of Wudang. I am Dang So-hye from Sichuan."
"The mountain path was treacherous, wasn't it? You must have had a hard time coming here. By the way, how old are you, Sojeo? How many siblings do you have?"
"Yes? I am..."
The moment the old Taoist priest was about to start his background check, Jin-sung quickly stood in front of me.
"Senior brother. Those are rude questions."
"Rude? This senior brother needs to know, doesn't he? I heard from Song-gwang that..."
"Is it Song-gwang again?"
Jin-sung, raising his voice and cutting off the words, gritted his teeth. He bit his lip as if suppressing his anger and turned to me.
"Dang Sojeo. Would you please wait in the Guest quarters for a moment? It seems something urgent has come up."
"Yes. I'll be good, so go ahead."
"I'm sorry. Please excuse me for a moment."
"Go ahead. This senior brother will take care of the guest."
"No. You must come with me, senior brother."
Jin-sung, speaking firmly and holding onto Jinok, bowed his head to me and left the Guest quarters.
