Wudang Sacred Scriptures

As Division Leader Hyun Gong exited the dormitory ahead of him, Hyunam Dojang turned to Chief Instructor Kang Ik-yu and spoke.

"Chief Kang, thanks to your swift actions, we found the evidence."

"That wasn’t my intention. Reporting disruptions in the dormitory's training is simply my duty."

"Let’s leave it at that. There's no benefit in drawing the wrong kind of attention from Jasogung. But tell me, was it pure coincidence that all the children fell ill at the same time?"

"......"

"Well, a coincidence it must be."

When Kang Ik-yu remained silent, Hyunam Dojang nodded.

"I, too, benefited from Jang Noya's kindness in my younger days. Sometimes, I still miss the food he used to prepare."

"......"

"It's a shame I'll never get to taste it again."

After Hyunam Dojang left, So Jin-sam cautiously approached Kang Ik-yu.

"Say nothing," Kang Ik-yu warned.

"...!"

"If you hear something, you'll eventually speak of it. It’s inevitable."

"Understood."

"Today's events were an accident. It just so happened that you, as a drill instructor, noticed the children’s condition, and I happened to be present as well."

Kang Ik-yu had found it odd when So Jin-sam asked him to observe the trainees during breakfast. It was unprecedented for a drill instructor to make such a request of the Chief Instructor.

Still, thanks to that request, Kang Ik-yu had immediately recognized the severity of the children's condition after their meal.

"Don't be alarmed. I just added a bit of castor powder to address their stomachaches. However, today’s training will need to be canceled. I apologize for not informing you earlier," So Jin-sam had whispered to him.

After hearing this, Kang Ik-yu wasted no time in sending word to the main sect. By the time the Division Leader ordered the dormitory lockdown, Kang Ik-yu’s message had already passed the Martial Boundary (Haegumji) of Wudang Mountain.

Kang Ik-yu couldn’t help but wonder how So Jin-sam had come up with the idea to use castor powder. He had no background in medical studies.

It must have been suggested by someone who couldn’t act directly.

Kang Ik-yu thought of a particular trainee—one with exceptional knowledge of medical texts and a close bond with Jang Noya.

But assumptions and knowing the truth are worlds apart, which is why Kang Ik-yu had silenced So Jin-sam.

Perhaps, it was for that boy’s sake.

*****

"Kwak Yeon! You magnificent bastard!"

The words burst out of Seok Jangsan as he pulled Kwak Yeon into a crushing embrace.

So forceful was the hug that Kwak Yeon found himself buried in Seok Jangsan’s broad chest.

"Urgh!"

Kwak Yeon struggled for breath.

"Jangsan, let go! I… I can't breathe."

Only then did Seok Jangsan release him.

Seeing Kwak Yeon's reddened face, Seok Jangsan apologized.

"Sorry, I got too excited."

"Phew! If you get excited like that again, you’ll suffocate someone."

"Come on, it wasn’t that bad. Sure, I hugged you tightly, but—"

Shaking his head, Kwak Yeon cut him off.

"No, you’re a walking weapon. Your arms are like iron clubs. Anyway…"

He glanced toward Ha Gang before continuing.

"I don’t know what I’ve done to move you so much, but this is a bit much. You’re going to scare people."

Ha Gang, wide-eyed, looked on at the baffling scene.

Seok Jangsan chuckled awkwardly, belatedly realizing his actions might have embarrassed Kwak Yeon.

He had come rushing over, thrilled by the news that Division Leader Hyun Gong and Kitchen Hall Head Go Chil-seong had been taken to the main sect.

"Yeah, I might’ve gone overboard."

"......"

"Let’s talk, just the two of us. Ha Gang, you can manage your training alone for now, right?"

"Of course."

Seok Jangsan half-dragged Kwak Yeon to a secluded corner of the dormitory. Ha Gang, left behind, watched them with a deepening gaze.

Once sure they were alone, Seok Jangsan spoke.

"The Division Leader and the Kitchen Hall Head have been taken to the main sect. The drill instructors were clapping and cheering, saying the dormitory will finally run properly."

"......"

"Why do you look like that?"

"Like what?"

"You, of all people, should be happiest about this."

Despite his large frame, Seok Jangsan was quick-witted and sharp.

Kwak Yeon didn’t bother denying it.

Even he found it strange. Everything had gone as planned, yet he didn’t feel as happy as he should. Instead, there was a faint sense of emptiness.

"Is it because Jang Noya won’t come back, no matter what I do?"

That didn’t seem to be the only reason.

It wasn’t as though he had been consumed by a desire for revenge.

No, it was likely due to So Jin-sam’s words—about focusing on his role as a Gap-rank trainee.

Kwak Yeon had indeed forgotten what was most important. He’d resolved to become a disciple of the main sect, and that required his undivided attention.

That goal still felt so far away.

Kwak Yeon turned to Seok Jangsan, who was staring at him intently.

"I don’t know. I wonder if I’ve overstepped, meddling in things beyond me..."

He confessed his thoughts, then added:

"So I wish it could all just be forgotten. Honestly, I didn’t do anything that significant."

Seok Jangsan nodded.

"I get what you mean. But Jang Noya isn’t coming back, so there’s no use dwelling on it. And you shouldn’t beat yourself up over it either."

"…Huh?"

"Because thanks to what you did, the dormitory kids will finally get decent food. Isn’t that enough reason to smile?"

"...!"

"Sure, I’m a bit salty you didn’t clue me in. But now that I’ve vented, I feel a lot better, so I’ll forgive you."

At Seok Jangsan’s words, Kwak Yeon managed a faint smile.

He hadn’t done it for recognition or praise—it was for that result.

"That’s better! Though I’d like to see you smile wider, I’ll settle for that. After all, your usual expression…"

"My usual expression?"

"Don’t tell me you didn’t know you walk around looking like a thundercloud all the time."

"…!"

Kwak Yeon had never worn a bright expression. After all, he’d never had the opportunity to.

"They say a person’s fate follows their countenance. It’s not always true, but looking pleasant can’t hurt. You’ve heard the saying, right? No one spits on a smiling face."

At Seok Jangsan’s lighthearted comment, Kwak Yeon allowed a small smile to cross his lips again.

When he thought about it, Seok Jangsan’s life had likely been far more difficult than his own.

Born as an illegitimate child, he must have endured countless hardships, even having to address his own father as "Lord Jang."

At least Kwak Yeon had been able to call his father "Father."

He respected Seok Jangsan deeply.

"I’ll keep your words in mind."

"There it is again, that serious expression. Honestly, you’re hopeless."

Shaking his head, Seok Jangsan continued.

"I think I know why you’re uneasy, though. The promotion exam to become a disciple of the main sect is just around the corner, and you’re not feeling confident."

Kwak Yeon nodded abruptly.

"I think you’re right. When I watch the others spar, I realize just how far behind I am, yet the exam is nearly here."

Seok Jangsan replied, "You don’t need to worry about that."

"How can I not worry?"

"Because the promotion exam isn’t based on combat skills."

"What do you mean? Then why teach us martial arts and make us spar?"

"If they were selecting based on combat skills, you and Ha Gang would’ve been eliminated long ago. They wouldn’t waste time on it. It’s just physical brawling, where bigger kids have a clear advantage. If size and strength were the criteria, they’d just send those kids to the main sect, end of story."

"That’s true. So, you’re saying there’s another reason?"

Seok Jangsan nodded.

"It’s advantageous to start martial arts training as early as possible. Yet, here in Wudang, they spend three years on something else. Doesn’t that make you curious?"

"Do you know why?"

"Not exactly. But Lord Jang once said something like this: 'A tree grows tall only if its roots run deep.'"

"......"

"What I mean is, the promotion exam probably measures how deep those roots have grown over the past three years."

Hearing that combat skills wouldn’t determine the outcome gave Kwak Yeon a glimmer of hope.

Even so, he couldn’t let himself feel secure. After all, physical aptitude still played a significant role in learning martial arts.

"Anyway, I think you’re amazing, especially after what you just did."

"...?"

"If you’d done nothing, you would’ve had an advantage. You never got sick, after all. If everyone else had been worn out from their stomachaches, you’d be at the top."

"Oh! I hadn’t thought of that. What a waste. You should’ve told me earlier."

Seok Jangsan chuckled.

"Now you sound like one of us. By the way, that Jianche Yangsheng Method of yours is incredible. Even I’ve had stomachaches before, and I consider myself healthy, but you’ve been fine this whole time."

"Want to give it a try?"

"No way. If I start eating like a monk with this bulky body, I’ll wither away and die first."

"Fair enough."

As Seok Jangsan observed Kwak Yeon’s brighter expression, he tilted his head curiously.

"You look a little different."

"Because I’m smiling?"

"No, it’s like your face has more vitality."

"Are you saying I used to look like a corpse?"

"Not exactly... It’s hard to put into words, but you seem more alive these past few days."

"..."

"Are you secretly taking some miraculous elixirs?"

"Sigh. If I had one, I’d be digging through the earth for it."

"Maybe you should try the pine forest. Who knows? You might find a thousand-year-old ginseng. Just don’t forget to share it with me."

After Seok Jangsan returned to his dormitory, Kwak Yeon reflected on their conversation.

If the final promotion exam wasn’t based on sparring, then maybe there was still hope for him.

He shared this thought with Ha Gang, who had been growing increasingly anxious.

"So let’s not lose heart."

Ha Gang stared at Kwak Yeon for a moment before responding.

"Even so, will that exam really favor us—or me?"

"..."@@novelbin@@

"Still, thank you. Honestly, I wouldn’t have made it this far without you."

The number of Gap-rank trainees in the dormitory had dwindled to about forty.

*****

Physician Hyun Ik Dojang rarely ventured into the village, but today he had come to replenish the dormitory’s dwindling medicinal supplies.

The new Division Leader had been flexible and understanding of the dispensary’s difficulties, allowing him to make the trip.

"Welcome, Master Dojang!"

The owner of the village’s sole apothecary greeted him warmly.

"It’s been such a long time since your last visit. You’re looking well—you even seem younger!"

"Boundless blessings of the Buddha. Please refrain from such idle flattery."

"No flattery, I swear!"

Hyun Ik Dojang couldn’t help but think that the Jianche Yangsheng Method seemed to be effective.

He had even regained a sense of joy in studying medical texts.

Perhaps if he continued his studies, he might one day ascend to the main sect and join the Medical Division.

'It’s all thanks to that boy.'

"I need to purchase a few medicinal ingredients."

"Anything you need, just name it."

As the apothecary prepared the items Hyun Ik Dojang had requested, a thought seemed to occur to him.

"By the way, does the dormitory need more castor powder?"