Wudang Sacred Scriptures

Kwak Yeon led Gwaa down the stone steps of Baekyang Hermitage. Then, after finding a clearing with no one around, he passed down a simplified version of Heaven-Piercing Horse Demon Stance.
Only with the addition of External Force could the full Heaven-Piercing Horse Demon Stance be properly deployed.

Though it was truly a savage killing technique—if used solely with Internal Force, it functioned as a mainstream orthodox martial art, more powerful than any Soft-Hard Integration Technique in the world.
“I know the Beggars’ Guild martial arts are bold and fierce. If you apply this, you’ll be able to add fluidity and prevent wasted exertion.”
“Daoist Kwak, are there no mnemonic chants for this technique?”

“There are none. You’ll understand when you study martial arts later, but the essential thing is the true form. Mnemonic chants are just guides to approach it. I’ve shown you the full true form—so try to follow it.”
Kwak Yeon corrected Gwaa’s movements and posture all the way until dawn.
“Train diligently until you internalize it. As a method of protecting your body, there’s nothing better. You’ll come to understand this later—but several postures have been intentionally left empty. Their killing intent was too intense, so I excluded them. They don’t suit the Beggars’ Guild’s chivalrous martial arts. Once you learn their advanced techniques later, you may fill those gaps in accordingly.”

Gwaa asked:
“Is it okay to pass down martial arts like this? I heard martial arts shouldn’t be shared carelessly—that if they fall into the wrong hands, it could be a disaster.”
Once again, Kwak Yeon confirmed that Gwaa was upright and righteous.

“The rightful master of a martial art is determined by fate—just like now.”
“……”
“If the person you passed it to used it for evil, could you bear it?”

“It would be painful.”
“Still, would you pass it on lightly?”
“I’ll guard it with my life.”

When Kwak Yeon returned with Gwaa, Jo Cheon-yang spoke to her.
“The Hao Clan will understand that you no longer have a place here. It may be bitter—but this is the best course.”
“Grandfather…”

“Your late father, the previous Clan Leader, may have never truly belonged in the Hao Clan. Perhaps this too is fate laid upon you.”
After speaking, Jo Cheon-yang turned to Chwi Dugae and asked:
“Rear Beggar, shall we receive the disciple’s salutation now?”
Chwi Dugae answered:

“The Beggars’ Guild has its own formalities. I’ll accept the official disciple bow at a later time.”
He turned to Gwaa.
“Disciple Gwaa, offer your bows to your sworn ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) uncle.”

Feeling awkward at the idea of receiving bows before her actual master, Kwak Yeon declined.
“I’ll take it as if I’ve received them.”
But Chwi Dugae shook his head.

“That won’t do. Affection is rooted in ritual.”
He insisted because a single bow carries more weight than a hundred words.
Chwi Dugae intended to solidify their relationship—making it ironclad and irreversible.

To him, it was an investment in both his disciple and the future of the Beggars’ Guild. More than anything, it gave him cover with his own master.
“That old man won’t dare complain once he finds out his grand-disciple’s sworn uncle is a Wudang Transformation Realm master. Keh keh keh!”
Kwak Yeon had no choice but to accept three bows from Gwaa.

Chwi Dugae cackled.
“Brother Kwak, there’s no taking it back now.”
Kwak Yeon turned to Jo Cheon-yang and asked:

“Elder Jo, does your heart feel at ease now?”
“I’m truly grateful.”
“Elder, do you remember your promise to perform the zither for me?”

“I’d do it a hundred times over if you asked. I’ll get an instrument and play for you right away.”
“Not here. I’d like to hear it somewhere else.”
Chwi Dugae was dumbfounded.

So this remaining ‘business’… was just listening to a zither performance?
 
****

At the detached residence of Lord Seong Iljang in Sainhyeon, Seokjangsan arrived.
“How are you feeling?”
Lying on the bed, Jeong I-chu recognized Seokjangsan and replied:

“Nice and soft.”
A classic Jeong I-chu answer—Seokjangsan gave a dry chuckle.
Jeong I-chu was one of the five who had sustained serious injuries.

“I wanted to come right away—sorry I’m late.”
“I know you’ve been busy standing guard.”
“Still…”

Seeing Seokjangsan’s gloomy face, Jeong I-chu spoke more seriously.
“Why do you look so unlike yourself?”
“Hey—I’m still human.”

“Human, sure. A human obsessed with martial arts.”
“That’s…”
“It’s because of Kwak Yeon, right? You’re pushing yourself, hoping the masters will start paying attention to him too.”

Seokjangsan changed the subject.
“How about you? How are you really doing?”
“According to the doctor, thankfully, the vital meridians were missed. I’ll need some time to recover, though.”

“……”
“I was just damned unlucky, that’s all. The masters told me to fix my hot temper, and now look—I’ve got nothing to say for myself.”
“Yeah, I guess.”

“Still, I’m getting spoiled. Thanks to this, I get to lie in a gold-threaded bed all day.”
“Anyway—just focus on recovering. Don’t go messing around trying to train.”
“Jangsan, when are you leaving for the main sect?”

“Seems there’s been no word from the main sect yet. Looks like we’ll be here for a while.”
“Then I get to keep being spoiled, huh?”
“……”

“But I’m glad. Getting to see your face like this. Brings back memories of Yeongmudang.”
The two of them were the only ones from Yeongmudang who had gone on this mission.
“Oh, right. I overheard something strange from the physicians.”

“Something strange?”
“They brought in a doctor from near Geyang-hyeon. He said the bloody incident at the Military Administration Office was caused by some ‘Cave Daoist.’”
“Cave Daoist?”

“Yeah. Some young Cave Daoist from Mount Wudang broke the back of the Black Death Faction’s sub-branch leader or whatever. His method was so bizarre, the doctor said even he couldn’t figure out how to treat it—it didn’t sound made-up.”
“……!”
“Jangsan—you were thinking of Kwak Yeon, weren’t you?”

“No way…”
“I thought ‘no way’ too. But the more I heard, the more I kept thinking of Kwak Yeon. You know how he’s always poking his nose into everything. A young Cave Daoist from Mount Wudang… if Kwak Yeon really left the mountain—”
When Seokjangsan thought of Kwak Yeon, his chest ached.

He never expected to be thinking of Kwak Yeon like this after leaving Mount Wudang.
But he had always lingered in his heart like an unspoken burden.
“It couldn’t be. If that Cave Daoist really was Kwak Yeon, the masters would’ve said something.”

“Anyway, I-chu, just take care of your body. Don’t go trying to train like an idiot.”
“Don’t worry. I plan to enjoy this. I’ve never had a proper break, so I’ll treat it like a vacation.”
As Seokjangsan left the annex, his mind was in turmoil.

He kept getting this ominous feeling.
He couldn’t help but imagine that Kwak Yeon, out on a Daoist journey, had gotten caught up in something serious.
After the Black Death Squad’s bloodbath at the Military Administration Office, someone had begun pursuit. That was how they were caught so quickly.

If that someone was truly Kwak Yeon…
It was impossible not to worry.
“He couldn’t have properly learned the martial arts of Samnyeong Peak yet.”

While he had eliminated the pursuit unit from the Cult of the Evil Way, if they didn’t give up in the end, Kwak Yeon would be in danger.
He wanted to run out immediately—but he couldn’t act alone.
As his thoughts tangled and twisted, someone called out to him on the road back to his quarters.

“Seokjangsan.”
“Yes, Senior Brother Cheongbong.”
“Master Hyunam is asking for you.”

The Hyunam Dojo was located in Lord Seong Iljang’s main chamber.
“Master Hyunam, you called for me?”
“A carrier pigeon from the main sect has just arrived.”

Seokjangsan felt confused. A creeping sense of foreboding grew in his gut.
For the main sect to send a letter and summon him—the second direct disciple—immediately?
“You and I must go to Aknyang. The Great Elder has ordered that you must accompany me.”

In that moment, Seokjangsan realized the Cave Daoist was indeed Kwak Yeon. And that Kwak Yeon was now in Aknyang.
His heart began to race.
He was going to see Kwak Yeon again. And in the midst of that emotion, a cold unease crept in.

There had to be a reason the Great Elder specifically ordered him to accompany.
“Why me, of all people…?”
 

****
The sloping road leading to Aknyang Pavilion was especially quiet today.
Because the Hwayeong Assembly was being held, general tourists had been barred from passing through.

Those who hadn’t heard the news and came to see the famous site turned back, while four people climbed the hill.
Kwak Yeon and Chwi Dugae, alongside an old blind man carrying a geum on his back, and a young girl.
“Halt.”

One of the guards blocking the slope stopped the group of four.
“No one is permitted to ascend Aknyang Pavilion today. Please turn back.”
They were warriors from the Danmok family.

Specifically, they were escorts of Danmok Cheong, the heir of the Danmok Clan, who was presiding over today’s Hwayeong Assembly.
“What, did Aknyang Pavilion collapse or something?”
One of the Danmok escorts, recognizing the two men at the front as martial artists, replied with polite formality.

“Aknyang Pavilion is in fine shape. But as there’s a gathering today of the younger generation of the martial world, we’ve been ordered to restrict access. We ask for your understanding.”
“Ah… so today’s the day of the Hwayeong Assembly.”
“Since you already know, that makes things easier. It’s a gathering of young heroes from the Thirty Great Clans and sects of the martial world. We kindly ask that you withdraw quietly.”

In other words: if you don’t want trouble, scram.
“Unfortunate, then. We absolutely have business atop Aknyang Pavilion today.”
“You lot don’t understand polite words, do you? I’m about to teach you some manners—ugh!”

Kwak Yeon abruptly seized the man’s fist.
The warrior’s body trembled, and he dropped to his knees.
Seeing this, the captain of the guards stepped forward.

“Ah! So you are masters of the martial world. I’ve been disrespectful without realizing. For the sake of the Danmok Clan, please forgive the offense.”
When Kwak Yeon released his grip, the warrior crawled away on all fours. For some reason, his energy had completely drained, and he couldn’t even stand.
“What disgrace is this…”

Displeased by the scene, the guard captain cupped his fists toward Kwak Yeon’s back.
“Masters, may I ask you to reveal your identities?”
To the guard captain’s respectful inquiry, Kwak Yeon replied:

“I am Kwak Yeon, lay Daoist of Samnyeonggung, Mount Wudang.”
The guard captain’s eyes widened slightly.
“You mean… an out-sect disciple of the Wudang Sect?”

“You could say that.”
“And the other three…?”
Chwi Dugae feigned indifference.

He had no intention of revealing himself as the Rear Beggar of the Beggars’ Guild.
He was only following Kwak Yeon to see what he was planning. He had no interest in getting entangled in conflicts with clans and sects of the martial world.
Kwak Yeon spoke:

“They’re with me. No need for introductions.”
“Perhaps you’ve come to join the Hwayeong Assembly? If so, as an out-sect disciple of Wudang, I would be glad to escort you.”
As a mid-tier family, the Danmok Clan could not afford to look down on a Wudang disciple.

And if a disciple of one of the Nine Great Sects joined the Hwayeong Assembly, it would be an honor.
However—
“I have no interest in joining the Hwayeong Assembly.”

The guard captain’s face flushed faintly at Kwak Yeon’s reply.
“Then perhaps you’ve come as an observer?”
“That’s not it either.”

“Then…?”
“I came to the top of Aknyang Pavilion to listen to a song, accompanied by the geum.”
The guard captain’s brow furrowed.

“Kwak Sohyup, as I said before, the Hwayeong Assembly is taking place today. I must ask you to yield to the gathering of the younger generation.”
“Then ask them to yield to me. I must leave Aknyang today.”
“You’re being completely unreasonable. No matter how respected the Wudang Sect may be, this is arrogance. Especially for a mere lay Daoist of Samnyeonggung.”

Kwak Yeon stepped forward, closing the distance with the guard captain.
“Has Samnyeonggung (Three Spirits Palace) ever shown your clan any discourtesy?”