Wudang Sacred Scriptures

The book was titled “Jianche Yangsheng Method”, which translated to "Body-Building and Vitality Cultivation Method."

"This book contains methods for nourishing strength through diet and lifestyle. Of course, training is the best way to build strength, but if you combine it with the practices in this book, the results will be even better," said the librarian.

Kwak Yeon bowed deeply, expressing his gratitude for the unexpected help.

"I won’t forget this kindness."

"There’s no need to thank me. Sooner or later, you would have found this book on your own."

Kwak Yeon read through the Jianche Yangsheng Method carefully.

The term nourishment didn’t refer to food alone. The book detailed not only foods that aided strength-building but also how to consume them, proper sunlight exposure, and sleeping postures for optimal recovery.

The book stated that regular training alone might yield five taels of strength, but combining it with Jianche Yangsheng techniques could increase it to seven or even eight taels.

Kwak Yeon’s physical development had been delayed due to years of malnutrition and being pushed around by his older brothers. That suppressed growth began to accelerate dramatically as he applied the techniques, stimulated his growth points, and consumed proper nutrients.

The instructors were astonished by the rapid improvement of Kwak Yeon, who had previously been dead last in training.

Some, however, grew suspicious. They wondered if he was secretly using illegal herbs or medicinal concoctions.

It wasn’t unheard of for trainees to experiment with all sorts of plants and animals found in the mountains. Some ended up paralyzed or even dead as a result.

Since instructors were held collectively responsible for such incidents, their suspicion of Kwak Yeon only intensified.

Just that day, two trainees had collapsed and were sent to the infirmary.

"Kwak Yeon must be sneaking medicinal herbs from the library."

"Exactly! How else do you explain how he went from dead last to competing for the top 100 in just two weeks?"

"We need to keep a close watch on him. If he’s cheating and making fools of us, we can’t let him get away with it. We’d be punished for no reason."

"Agreed! Once we find proof, we’ll make an example of him and drive him out of the training hall!"

From that moment, the instructors began monitoring Kwak Yeon’s every move.

But no matter how closely they observed him, they found nothing suspicious.

Meanwhile, Kwak Yeon’s strength and stamina continued to improve steadily.

Frustrated, the instructors reported their suspicions to So Jin-sam, the instructor in charge of Byeong-level dormitories.

"There’s definitely something going on in Byeongpal Dormitory," So Jin-sam said, narrowing his eyes.

"When that boy first arrived, he was so scrawny I thought he wouldn’t last a week. And now he’s pulling this nonsense? I’ll get to the bottom of it."

So Jin-sam despised trickery of any kind.

He had lost his leg during his final promotion test because of another trainee’s cheating.

The test required climbing a cliff by stepping on embedded pegs, but one of the pegs had been tampered with, causing it to crack.

So Jin-sam, who had been a top contender for promotion, fell and became permanently disabled.

Forced to remain at the training hall in a menial position, he carried the resentment with him ever since.

Determined to expose Kwak Yeon, So Jin-sam began stalking his every move.

He inspected Kwak Yeon’s bedding repeatedly, followed him to the latrines, and even searched his body while he slept.

But he found nothing.

Convinced that Kwak Yeon must be getting illegal substances from the kitchen hall, So Jin-sam decided to catch him in the act.

"I don’t know how he’s bribing the kitchen workers, but that has to be it," he thought.

That evening, So Jin-sam went to the kitchen hall and secretly watched Kwak Yeon from afar.

Most trainees ate in groups, chatting among themselves.

Kwak Yeon, however, sat alone in a corner, quietly eating his meal.

"He’s definitely hiding something," So Jin-sam muttered.

Why else would someone choose to eat alone unless they were trying to avoid attention?

So Jin-sam knew from experience that as competition intensified, trainees formed cliques and alliances.

Kwak Yeon’s isolation only deepened his suspicions.

Storming toward Kwak Yeon, So Jin-sam stopped in front of him and barked:

"Put down your chopsticks!"

Kwak Yeon blinked, confused by the sudden command.@@novelbin@@

"I said, put them down. Now!"

The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at Kwak Yeon.

Seeing So Jin-sam’s harsh glare, Kwak Yeon set his chopsticks aside.

"Instructor So, what’s wrong?"

So Jin-sam snatched Kwak Yeon’s tray and held it up to his nose, sniffing furiously.

But there was no unusual smell.

He had expected the scent of medicinal herbs or something fishy, yet the food smelled normal.

Unwilling to give up, So Jin-sam picked up a few pieces of food and tasted them.

They were bland and unremarkable.

Glaring at Kwak Yeon, So Jin-sam growled:

"Tell me the truth. Confess now, and I’ll let this slide."

"I have no idea what you’re talking about," Kwak Yeon replied calmly.

His composure only made So Jin-sam angrier.

"You’re using illegal herbs to build your strength! Don’t lie—we already know!"

Kwak Yeon finally understood Instructor So Jin-sam’s recent behavior. He had already sensed that the instructors were watching him, so he wasn’t completely surprised by the accusations.

"Instructor So, I’ve never taken any medicinal herbs. How could I even get my hands on something like that?"

"With someone’s help, of course… Ack!"

A loud thud interrupted So Jin-sam’s words, and he clutched the back of his head with a pained cry.

Behind him stood the kitchen head, Elder Jang No-ya, holding a wooden ladle like a weapon.

"Master Jang! Why—?"

"So Jin-sam, don’t pretend you don’t know the rules! What’s the kitchen’s golden rule?"

"Not even dogs are disturbed while they eat."

"Then why are you causing a ruckus here? Do you want me to beat you senseless today?!"

When Elder Jang raised his ladle again, So Jin-sam immediately bowed his head.

"I apologize. It was my mistake."

"And another thing! You accused one of my kitchen staff just now, didn’t you?"

"Elder Jang, I never said it was someone from the kitchen—ouch!"

Smack!

The ladle struck So Jin-sam’s forehead this time, leaving a red mark.

"Don’t test me, So Jin-sam! I’ve known you for twelve years—since you were eleven years old. Now get out of here before I dock your pay for the medicine these kids might need after choking because of you."

So Jin-sam glared at Kwak Yeon before limping out of the dining hall.

Elder Jang sighed deeply as he watched him leave.

"Hmph, just because one corner of the bowl is cracked doesn’t mean you throw out the whole dish."

Kwak Yeon, wide-eyed, spoke up.

"Instructor So isn’t a bad person."

"Not after the way he treated you?"

"It’s true I brought this suspicion on myself. I should’ve explained earlier."

"What do you mean?"

"My strength improved dramatically because I followed a cultivation method I read in the library. It’s called the Jianche Yangsheng Method."

"Ah, the Body-Building Vitality Cultivation book?"

"You know about it?"

"Of course. I’ve been stuck in this training hall for years."

Elder Jang gave Kwak Yeon an appraising look.

"No wonder you avoided seasoning and herbs in your meals. That method’s diet is strict—hard to stick to, even for adults. I’m impressed you managed to follow it."

"I didn’t have any other choice."

Elder Jang smiled approvingly and said:

"Go get yourself another serving."

"It’s fine, really."

"You sure? Someone else touched that food."

"My mother always said wasting food brings bad luck."

Kwak Yeon picked up his chopsticks again and resumed eating without hesitation.

"This dining hall wasn’t always so quiet," Elder Jang began as he sat down nearby.

"It used to be loud and lively, full of kids joking and shouting. Compared to that, this place now feels like a gathering of old men. Though I guess it suits someone like you."

Kwak Yeon looked up, confused.

"You might have your reasons for keeping to yourself, but no one survives alone. Especially here, loners get picked off first."

Kwak Yeon understood the meaning behind Elder Jang’s words but didn’t know how to change.

He had never learned how to fit in with others.

By now, Kwak Yeon was the only outcast in Byeongpal Dormitory.

The other trainees had formed three distinct groups.

When Kwak Yeon was weak, no one had paid him any attention.

But as he improved, and his growth accelerated, the groups began eyeing him cautiously.

Once Instructor So Jin-sam started targeting him, the trainees also became hostile.

Soon after, the spare uniform Kwak Yeon had been saving mysteriously disappeared.

"It’s your fault for not taking care of it," So Jin-sam said with a smug smile.

Kwak Yeon immediately realized this wasn’t just the work of his peers—it was intentional sabotage.

From then on, he had to survive with only one uniform.

After every training session, he washed it by the stream and waited anxiously for it to dry.

If he lost this one too, it would mean demerits and being labeled unfit—a sure way to get expelled.

Several others had lost spare uniforms as well, but they stole replacements to survive.

Kwak Yeon refused to do the same.

Even though he was suffering, he couldn’t bring himself to harm someone else just to make things easier.

As summer gave way to autumn, the nights grew cold.

Standing outside in wet underclothes became torture.

One evening, under the light of the autumn moon, Kwak Yeon stared at the stream reflecting the sky.

To fight the cold, he began practicing the Jianshen Method (건신법).

Wearing light clothes made the movements easier, despite the chill.

The 36-step Jianshen Method was made up of highly difficult postures, designed to enhance flexibility and agility.

Even holding a single position for a moment was exhausting.

By the time he completed all 36 forms, sweat poured down his body.

As he slowed his breathing, movement caught his eye—a pale silhouette shifting among a cluster of pine trees.