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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“It’s been a while, Wi.”
“Indeed, Taoist Hak-un. How have you been?”
“What else does a Taoist priest do? I spend most of my time reading scriptures and training.”
Taoist Hak-un greeted us warmly. He had invited us, and my reputation preceded me.
“It’s been a while, Dan and Im as well.”
“Hello!”
“It’s been a while.”
After exchanging greetings, we followed Hak-un to the guest quarters. He explained that we needed to hurry if we wanted a room, as they were filling up quickly.
“I heard you’ve been quite active on your journey here, Wi.”
“It seems I’ve been plagued by misfortune, getting caught up in all sorts of incidents. I never imagined I’d find traces of the Demonic Cult in a random city.”
“Haha, if you hadn’t discovered their plot, it would have been a disaster.”
“That’s right. If Mister hadn’t found them, there would be a secret Demonic Cult base in the heart of the righteous factions’ territory.”
Could they stop praising me? It was nice at first, but now it was giving me goosebumps.
I forced a smile and changed the subject.
“By the way, the Wudang Sect has a diverse range of visitors.”
“The Wudang simply protects this place, but many come seeking the spiritual energy of Mount Wudang.”
“The spiritual energy of Mount Wudang…it’s certainly worth the visit.”
Anyone would want to visit a grand temple like this, built on a mountain.
The impressive architecture and the breathtaking view of Mount Wudang’s peaks and mountain ranges from the eaves created a sense of tranquility.
It would be a great tourist destination and a relaxing retreat, if you could survive the climb up those infernal stairs.
“I believe there are still some rooms available, so I’ll find a good one for you.”
“Any room is fine…”
“Thank you, Hak-un.”
How much attention did she want to draw?
I quickly interrupted Hye-ryeong before she could say anything more…suggestive. This wasn’t the free-spirited Hainan Island.
Such behavior wasn’t appropriate in the Central Plains.
Fortunately, Hak-un seemed to have missed her comment and simply smiled at my thanks.
“Haha, it’s just a small room, nothing to be so grateful for. Follow me.”
We followed Hak-un to the guest quarters. People in various attire were enjoying their stay at the Wudang Sect.
“The guest quarters are well-placed. What a view of Mount Wudang…”
“Those who come here seek respite from the mundane world and rejuvenation of their weary bodies and minds. So, we provide lodging with a view of Mount Wudang.”
“I understand why they say ‘Revere Wudang in the South’ now.”
“Haha, you flatter me. But…you can use this room.”
I glanced at the rooms Hak-un showed us.
A relatively spacious room with a smaller room inside caught my eye.
What was this? A room within a room?
“This room is…”
“Since we have many visitors, we’ve divided some rooms to accommodate travelers with female companions.”
Considering the number of people coming and going, offering two separate rooms would take up too much space.
I could easily count more than thirty people just within my line of sight.
“It’s a good room.”
“Of course, it’s for our guests.”
We placed our luggage in the room and flipped the sign on the door, indicating that the room was occupied.
“Now that we have a room, we’d like to tour the Wudang Sect. Could you be our guide?”
“Perhaps you’d like to eat first? You must be hungry.”
“That sounds good.”
We followed Hak-un to the dining hall. It was filled with Wudang Taoists and visitors, but fortunately, there were seats available for us.
“Unlike the secular world, we abstain from excessive consumption of meat, so our meals are mostly vegetarian. I apologize if the food is bland.”
“Not at all. That’s what makes it special. If we’re to forget the mundane world, we must also forget its cuisine.”
It would be like eating temple food.
We chatted as we waited for our meal.
We started by asking about the Wudang Sect, but as martial artists, the conversation naturally shifted towards martial arts.
“I never knew such martial arts existed in the West.”
“We’ve been practicing martial arts for almost fifteen hundred years. The greatest influence comes from the Great Qin (Rome). My martial art is relatively new, only about five hundred years old.”
“As they say, ‘Every day is a new day.’ Martial arts are constantly evolving. So, how can we distinguish between old and new martial arts?”
“That’s right! I heard the Haenam Thirty-Six Sword Technique has changed significantly since its creation by the first sect leader. New techniques were added, some were removed, and the swordsmanship became more refined…”
“…All martial arts have gone through such a process.”
Even Mokgyeong was joining the conversation. He must have found the topic interesting.
“Indeed. For example, our Wudang’s Seven Star Sword…”
“Your meal is here. Please enjoy.”
A cook in Taoist robes, as befitting the Wudang Sect, placed our food before us. As expected, the table was filled with green dishes.
Looking at the healthy food, I felt cleansed.
“Let’s eat first. There will be plenty of time to discuss martial arts.”
As Hak-un suggested, we began our meal.
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“I believe we’ve seen all the famous sights of the Wudang Sect.”
“It took half a day just to tour the buildings. Truly worthy of the Wudang Sect.”
“It would be the same for other sects.”
So humble.
I nodded at Hak-un’s words and looked at the countless peaks from the guest quarters.
Was the True Immortal of the Great Void living in one of those?
…Could I even find him?
There were at least twenty peaks within sight.
“Thank you for your time today, Taoist Hak-un!”
“Not at all, Im. As a Taoist priest of the Wudang, it’s my duty to welcome our guests. Then, I’ll excuse myself…”
“Farewell.”
We saw Hak-un off and entered our room. It was past dinner time, and everyone was preparing for bed. As soon as we entered, I subtly asked Mokgyeong,
“Mokgyeong, did you feel like someone was watching us?”
My back had been prickling throughout the tour.
“…I felt it occasionally.”
“Being watched?”
Hye-ryeong didn’t feel it?
So, the target was narrowed down to Mokgyeong and me.
While it was a bit disappointing, it meant Hye-ryeong didn’t have that level of talent.
Someone with the potential to reach the transcendent expert realm was a rare talent in the Murim.
Were they setting their sights too high?
“Then let’s wash up and go to bed. We have to climb Mount Wudang tomorrow.”
“Okay~”
“Understood.”
We went to the well, washed our hands and faces, returned to our room, and laid out our bedding.
Hye-ryeong went to the adjacent room, then opened the door and peeked her head in.
“Mister, are you sure you don’t want to…come over?”
Why did that sound like an invitation to peep? I sighed and replied,
“I’m not looking, so don’t worry. Do I look like that kind of shameless person?”
“…It’s okay to be a little shameless.”
“What?”
“Nothing!”
She was scary.
I looked at the closed door, then turned to Mokgyeong and sighed. He tilted his head slightly as our eyes met.
“Benefactor, do you have something to say?”
“…I’m glad you’re here.”
If it were just the two of us, Hye-ryeong would have definitely tried something tonight.
“U-um, thank you.”
Was that such an embarrassing thing to say?
I scratched my head, looking at Mokgyeong’s flustered response.
Whatever. I should just go to sleep.
“I’m going to bed. Good night.”
“…Good night, Benefactor.”
His voice was softer than usual.
Hmm.
His delicate features made that…distracting.
I closed my eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling.
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“…He’s an interesting one.”
“…Hmm?”
I opened my eyes at the voice beside my bed and looked up. A faint figure shimmered in the darkness.
“A star that appeared out of nowhere…and a Westerner, no less. The world is full of surprises.”
A strange presence, both there and not there.
“…Who are you?”
“It seems you already know.”
The elderly man, his appearance befitting the term “immortal demeanor,” stroked his long, flowing beard like a sage.
“…Are you a mountain spirit?”
“Ha! I’m just an old man with nothing better to do.”
Really?
I swallowed my skepticism and glanced at Mokgyeong. He was fast asleep.
But something about the room felt strange.
The space seemed distorted, as if shrouded in a heat haze—
“You’re in a dream, so there’s no need to worry about waking the child beside you.”
“…I see.”
I nodded and sat up, facing him.
“…What brings you to me?”
“An interesting young man has arrived at the Wudang Sect, so how could I not come and see? Such a level of skill at such a young age…but the scent of blood is strong.”
…He guessed my age?
This person was the ‘real deal.’
“…I spent a long time on the battlefield. It’s unavoidable.”
“Life rarely goes according to plan. We can only follow the flow.”
“…Indeed.”
“It’s quite interesting to have a conversation with a Westerner. And it’s fascinating that a young man with such a grand destiny is traveling with you…”
“Is that so?”
“I can’t reveal heavenly secrets, so I can’t tell you everything. And dawn is approaching…let’s continue this conversation at Heavenly Pillar Peak. Bring the young man with you.”
I had to go to Heavenly Pillar Peak?
“…Then, I’ll see you later, Elder.”
“Bring a bottle of warm wine when you come.”
With a surprisingly mundane request from the immortal-like old man, I woke up.
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thanks fusion!