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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“It’s too peaceful. It’s making me uneasy.”
“…Didn’t we encounter bandits yesterday?”
“They ran away screaming ‘A Westerner!’ as soon as they saw my face, so I wouldn’t call that a disruption of peace.”
Even the bandits in the mountains recognized me now. I thought about my increasingly full purse, thanks to the bandits and petty criminals I had apprehended along the way.
“Benefactor’s reputation must have spread throughout Hubei by now. You’ve already dealt with three Madu on our way here, not to mention the incident back in the city.”
“I didn’t intend to…”
One had tried to ambush us in the middle of the night, seemingly unable to control his lust after seeing Hye-ryeong, and I had knocked him unconscious.
Another was acting arrogant in an inn, so I knocked him out and handed him over to the authorities.
How dare a criminal act so haughty? Did he think he was invincible?
A mere high-first-rate martial artist.
“Whether intentional or not, Benefactor’s valiant deeds have spread the word that the Lion Sword is purging evil in Hubei, so even bandits will flee in terror at the sight of you.”
“…Stop it. You’re exaggerating.”
“But Mister, you’ve done so much.”
And you should stop clinging to me while you’re at it. You were getting a bit too close for comfort.
I ignored the soft sensation against my arm and looked ahead.
The endless uphill path.
This path would lead us to the Wudang Sect.
I looked towards the summit of Mount Wudang, feeling a sense of accomplishment. The mountain gate was faintly visible in the distance.
People in Taoist robes and martial arts uniforms passed us by.
Most were likely pilgrims or visitors. This reminded me of Jerusalem.
After we conquered it, countless pilgrims flocked to the city.
Though it was retaken within three months.
“Mister, what are you going to do at Wudang?”
“Well, I’ll look around…and enjoy the scenery of Mount Wudang from the Wudang Sect.”
I couldn’t honestly say I was searching for a reclusive master hidden somewhere on Mount Wudang, so I gave a vague answer.
“You’re just going sightseeing?”
“…I’d like to find a clue to break through my barrier, but that’s not something I can control. I’ll leave it to fate.”
If the reclusive master wanted to meet me, he would appear. If not, even if I found him, he would refuse.
Whether he helped me or not was up to him, so all I could do was pray.
…Perhaps sparring with some Wudang Taoists would give me some clues.
The Wudang swordsmanship was the closest to my knightly swordsmanship in Jianghu.
While both were gentle styles, their approaches were completely different, so I had much to learn.
I wanted to spar with someone stronger than me, but I didn’t know if that would be possible.
Sparring with outsiders wasn’t a common practice within the sect.
And it would be embarrassing for a master to lose to an outsider.
Lost in thought, we finally reached the entrance of the Wudang Sect. Taoist priests stood guard, carefully scrutinizing every visitor.
“Mister, they’re very thorough.”
“Of course, they don’t want to let dangerous individuals into their sect. Doesn’t the Haenam Sword Sect do the same?”
“Hmm…we rarely have visitors.”
The Haenam Sword Sect wasn’t exactly a popular destination.
Located on a remote island off the southwestern coast of the Central Plains, with nothing much to see, there was no reason for outsiders to visit.
Perhaps some fishermen and merchants for trade?
“The aura of a great sect emanates from the entrance itself. The saying, ‘Wudang martial arts are not primarily offensive, yet they are not to be trifled with,’ seems to be true.”
“‘Wudang martial arts are not primarily offensive, yet they are not to be trifled with,’ huh.”
While I had said those words at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, there was no better way to describe the Wudang Sect.
Their martial arts weren’t aggressive, but they specialized in deflecting and redirecting attacks.
…Though they took a long time to master.
Their effectiveness only became apparent after years of cultivating internal energy.
As a late-blooming style, Wudang martial arts usually reached their full potential in middle age.
“It’s almost our turn, Benefactor.”
“That was fast.”
The line seemed to be moving quickly, even though they were carefully examining each visitor.
Even the gatekeepers were efficient.
Was this the power of a great sect?
As I pondered this, our turn came.
The Taoist priests acting as gatekeepers glanced at us, then coughed awkwardly, averting their gazes.
I knew why.
…Hye-ryeong was a bit too stimulating for these mountain-dwelling Taoists.
“W-what brings you here?”
“I’ve traveled all the way from the West to witness the renowned Wudang Sect.”
As I tilted my bamboo hat, the Taoist priest on the right gasped.
“The Lion Sword…?”
“That’s what I’m called in Jianghu.”
“I’ve heard of your reputation. The knight errant who captured Demonic Cult spies and defeated countless Madu. You’re praised throughout Hubei.”
Their expressions softened immediately.
This was why martial artists sought reputations. Having a name and a title changed how you were treated.
If I had come here as a nameless soldier, I wouldn’t have received such a welcome.
“I’m here at the invitation of Taoist Hak-un. He promised to give me a tour of the Wudang Sect at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.”
“Ah, Hak-un should be at the training grounds. There’s a young Taoist priest who guides visitors. If you speak to him, he’ll take you to Hak-un.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Enjoy your visit.”
Thanks to my reputation, we passed through the gate without any issues.
The envious gazes of those behind us confirmed that we were receiving special treatment.
“Wow, Mister, the stairs from the entrance to the main hall are endless!”
“They’re using an entire mountain as their territory, so it’s understandable.”
“Climbing these stairs every day would be training in itself.”
“It would be good for building stamina.”
We chatted as we climbed the stairs. The stairs leading to the main hall seemed even longer than those we had already climbed. The scent of pine trees grew stronger.
Was it from the surrounding trees, or was it the aura of the Wudang Sect?
“Just thinking about climbing these stairs every day…it’s terrifying! It would hurt so much!”
“…Your legs would be sore.”
I subtly averted my gaze from Hye-ryeong and looked at the forest.
She wasn’t talking about her legs. It was a bit awkward to address that directly, especially with Mokgyeong present.
I didn’t want to be misunderstood.
“Just thinking about going back down makes me dizzy! We climbed so much…”
“Going down is easier.”
“But we can’t use Qinggong with so many people around…”
“Are you even allowed to use Qinggong on the stairs?”
One wrong step, and you’d be tumbling down Mount Wudang.
“Um…maybe? Hehe.”
“Don’t do anything dangerous.”
“I’m a first-rate martial artist! I’m not a child!”
Hye-ryeong puffed out her cheeks, protesting. She acted like a child while insisting she wasn’t one.
While her physique was certainly not that of a child, her face still looked young.
…Though she was technically an adult.
“Alright, alright, calm down. You’re scaring the other visitors. And…we’re almost there, so compose yourselves and behave.”
“Okay…”
“…”
“Mokgyeong, what’s wrong? Why are you so quiet?”
“…No, it’s just…I feel like someone’s watching us…”
Watching us?
I looked around at Mokgyeong’s words.
A hidden gaze on a path surrounded by pine trees.
Perhaps…
“Mokgyeong, which direction?”
“…That way.”
I looked in the direction he pointed. To the right.
I would check it out after we found lodging.
I had unintentionally acquired a landmark.
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