Chapter 137 : Chapter 137
Chapter 137 Benefactor of Wudang (1)
I have previously spoken about Grandmasters.
I speak of those who, through natural talent and painstaking effort, walked their own path and created divine arts to be passed down continuously.
Although countless Grandmasters were born and met their deaths in the history of Jianghu Murim, which spans well over a thousand years just in records, there are bound to be Grandmasters who left particularly large footprints. They are called Giants.
According to the common view of the Jianghu Murim, one could cite Lu Dongbin, Bodhidharma, and Zhang Sanfeng.
Although it is a truly regrettable story, the Healing Sage did not reach them.
Naturally, it is not my opinion but I am speaking of the common view of the Jianghu, but anyway, it is so.
If one examines the aspects of the giants, one can find truly great footprints.
Sword Immortal Dongbin.
It was said he was a figure lacking nothing to be called the originator of Grandmasters, who showed the fact that one can ascend to the heavens with human power.
Since the new horizon he pioneered was the Peak of Ascending to Perfection known as the path to Ascent to Immortality, it would be right to view that he created the destination of all martial arts (Mu).
Bodhidharma.
He would be called a figure represented by the Seventy-Two Supreme Arts of Shaolin.
I know Bodhidharma did not create martial arts.
Just considering Sword Immortal Dongbin was a person of an era before Bodhidharma, this is a natural statement.
However, Bodhidharma compiled the martial arts of the world to create the Seventy-Two Supreme Arts, and shared this again with the Jianghu Murim.
Thanks to that, the martial arts of the Jianghu Murim could leap forward significantly.
Therefore, saying all martial arts under heaven come from Shaolin is absolutely not a wrong statement.
A point to note is the theory that Bodhidharma wielded all of the Seventy-Two Supreme Arts, of which mastering even one earns one the title of prodigy.
It would be right to evaluate him as a figure who showed truly great human potential and a martial artist who presented a destination to those following Buddhism.
Sambong Jin-in.
Although there are countless tales honoring him, actually, I know the fact that they are nothing but superfluous additions.
Supreme Ultimate.
It would be no stretch to view that as Sambong Jin-in’s beginning and end.
It means the Supreme Ultimate Fist, Supreme Ultimate Sword, and Supreme Ultimate Wisdom Sword that created the current Wudang originated from Sambong.
Since the Two Appearances, which can be called the essence of Wudang, is also merely a development and variation of Supreme Ultimate, there would be no one to deny the fact that he is the origin of Wudang.
Some might say it is merely Supreme Ultimate, but Supreme Ultimate was said to be originally the root of all creation.
It is right to evaluate Sambong as a giant who cultivated a new horizon in the communication between the universe and humans.
It was said that what Sambong Jin-in, who devoted his whole life to Supreme Ultimate and Two Appearances, organized as his understanding in his later years was the Mysterious Heaven.
[True Secret of the Mysterious Heaven]
Right now.
The understanding of a giant, which failed to be known, had manifested into reality.
...It must be Sambong Jin-in’s.
Since it was the guarantee of Wuji Jin-in, known to be closest to Sambong Jin-in in the present age, it would not be wrong.
* * *
I discovered Sambong Jin-in’s legacy.
I know the value and aftermath contained in this plain sentence of information.
It means a discovery that would not be lacking to be called the great discovery of the century.
If I were to compare, it would be no stretch to express the discovery of the Garden of Joy, which I achieved previously, as ‘trivial’.
Naturally, many things happened to me.
Because too many things happened, there was no way to explain it otherwise.
To condense it as much as possible, it was as follows.
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.
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I really wanted to convey my gratitude to you. In the name of me, Taecheong.
It is an undeserved evaluation.
At my modesty, Sect Leader Taecheong Jin-in shook his head.
No. It is absolutely not undeserved. If not for the weight of being Wudang’s Sect Leader, I might have knelt and prostrated before you.
There would be no flaw even if the Sect Leader knelt and prostrated right now.
When Wuji Jin-in, who was beside him, added a comment unnecessarily, Taecheong Jin-in raised his body.
Do not do so.
Although I dissuaded him, Taecheong Jin-in was seen still conflicting.
I ask you.
Only after I finally made a request did Taecheong Jin-in sit down again.
If you ever want my knees, just say so anytime.
...I do not need them.
It was a scarier statement because it truly seemed sincere.
Is there anything you need? Just say the word. Although promising to grant everything would be difficult, if it is something within Wudang’s power, I will help with anything.
I, I will think about it.
Just say the word anytime.
Correct.
I had a private meeting with the Sect Leader of the Great Wudang.
It means the Sect Leader of the great Southern Wudang spared precious time for just me.
It would be right to keep secret the fact that he tried to kneel to me.
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.
.
I am Hyeon-won. I meet the renowned Great Hero Divine Dragon of Dancheon. Although I am an old man with only the empty name of Grand Elder, I express gratitude on behalf of Wudang.
I am Hyeon-sang. Even if I offer my life, I will repay the debt Wudang has incurred. If there is ever a matter needing my martial arts, just send a message anytime. I will lift my sword for the Great Hero without asking questions.
I am Hyeon-yeong. Although I am an Elder now, since I once served as the Finance Hall Lord, I still have the power to handle Wudang’s gold. I will surely tell the Finance Hall Lord to repay you greatly.
I am Mysterious Heaven. Wudang has incurred a truly great grace. Others focus only on the True Secret of the Mysterious Heaven, but this Daoist does not forget the fact that you retrieved the Taecheong Pill either. Since I also have power to wield in the Medicine Hall, if there is anything you need, just say the word.
...It is fine. Since it was not a deed done hoping for a reward.
Ohhh. As expected, you were a true gentleman. It seems I have seen the Dao in you, sir.
This Daoist...
I was dragged to the Council of Elders and exchanged greetings with all the elders.
Especially along with the Grand Elder, elders who were former Martial Hall Lord, Finance Hall Lord, and Medicine Hall Lord sent me great goodwill.
Originally, elders are the heavyweights of a sect and figures who can be called celebrities of the Jianghu Murim.
If the name Wudang is added there, I know the fact that their renown approaches the word omnipotent.
However, breaking the unwritten rule that the lower generation must greet first, all the elders were busy introducing themselves to me, competing for order.
Constantly calling me ‘Great Hero’.
Since I have come to meet the various elders like this, it is an honor for me too.
Oh. To think a prodigy of the ages possesses even propriety and virtue, it is truly a great blessing for the Jianghu.
Our conversation was truly heartwarming.
Thanks to my brilliant brain and experience from my Myeong-gae days, I could memorize all their appearances and names, but if it were ordinary people, memorizing even the names might have been difficult.
Since being an elder of the Great Wudang means each one will be a great strength, I absolutely cannot treat it lightly.
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.
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I also came to meet a bunch of Wudang’s previous generation masters, whom one wouldn't even know where they were in normal times.
Ohhh. This child?
Child, indeed. Your habit of speaking to a benefactor is nasty, old man. It would be right to call him Great Hero.
It is fine.
I heard Sambong Jin-in’s legacy was discovered.
Oho, alas. How can such a thing happen only after I went into seclusion!
Why? Is it too much for you to learn a new study now that you are old?
What? I am five years younger than you bastard, old man.
What is important about the day one is born. What is important is the age of the heart.
My heart must be ten years younger than you bastard!
Prove it.
Hmph! Proof will be done with the sword!
...
Honestly speaking, they could be evaluated as much more frantic than the elders.
It would be right to share a little of that child’s energy!
Do not touch him, you old men. He is a precious body.
If Wuji Jin-in hadn't dissuaded them, the momentum was truly as if they would use the Energy-Draining Grand Art.
Although the previous generation masters of the Great Wudang wouldn't have learned such evil arts, I mean the momentum was like that.
Heh. Are you saying you have Rejuvenated? If I also Rejuvenate, I will settle the score with you bastard again!
You never beat me even in your active days or after seclusion, did you?
Ahem.
As expected, the peak of the previous Mu generation seemed to be Wuji Jin-in.
Even for such Wuji Jin-in, there is always a Heaven beyond Heaven.
Wuji-ya.
Yes, Senior Uncle.
You worked hard.
It wasn't me, but that fellow who did it.
Hoho. Since we are in the position of having washed our hands in a golden basin and gone into seclusion, it would be right to delegate repaying the grace to you. Originally, repaying kindness is soon said to be the Dao. Do it without negligence.
Yes, Senior Uncle.
Although the majority were of the previous Mu generation, it means there were even masters of the previous Jin generation to whom even that Sword Emperor Wuji Jin-in bowed his head.
And before long, the atmosphere began to vibrate.
My fellow disciples are also arriving one by one. Those fellows are old so their steps are slow. Please understand, Great Hero Dancheon.
...Do not mind it.
Old Daoists with white eyebrows and white beards, who must have long passed the age of ninety-nine, were flying quickly kicking the air.
It was truly a landscape like a parade of eccentric people.
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Correct.
I became the Benefactor of Wudang.
The reason this title doesn't feel that undeserved is because I also know very well the value possessed by the legacy of the Grandmaster Sambong Jin-in.
Just the Songmun Ancient Sword and clothes presumed to be used by Sambong Jin-in in his lifetime would not be lacking to be evaluated as a legacy, but discovering the True Secret of the Mysterious Heaven containing the understanding of his later years should be evaluated as truly distant grace.
It was because it is clear that the martial arts of the Great Wudang will leap one step further due to that True Secret of the Mysterious Heaven.
Actually, I think it is not one-sided grace.
If Wuji Jin-in hadn't taught me the supreme art called the Spiritual Sensory Map without hoping for any price, it is because I also would never have been able to uncover the mystery of Shadowless Divine Thief.
This is exactly the Dao.
It would be right to evaluate it as the cycle of Good.
Whew-
Leaving behind many meetings, I was able to take a rest for a while at the Sword Emperor’s hermitage in Nogundang.
What do you want to obtain?
Unable to bear that interval, Wuji Jin-in asked insinuatingly.
Since I have a grace received from him, it would be good to answer honestly.
Can I obtain the Taecheong Pill?
Other than that?
That is sufficient.
Hmm.
Wuji Jin-in’s gaze was unusual.
He seems to regard me as some kind of immortal transcending desire, but there is no need to correct the misunderstanding.
I must make a place.
Thank you.
Although making a place is cumbersome, since Wuji Jin-in’s words were correct, I did not counterargue.
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.
The result was exactly now.
Disciples, listen.
Yes!
The Grand Training Ground where the martial arts duels of the New Star Exchange Meeting proceeded.
I was standing alone in the center, and all the martial artists of the Wudang mountain gate surrounded the training ground fully.
Here in this place is the Great Benefactor of Wudang. I proclaim in the name of the Emperor of the Mysterious Heaven. The Great Wudang will regard the Divine Dragon of Dancheon as a benefactor and be friendly for a lifetime. All disciples, do not forget this principle.
Yes!
The martial artists of Wudang were not all.
Peng Jin-hu of the Peng Clan laughing heartily beside Lee Chun-baek, and Namgung Tan of the Namgung Clan sending a secretly jealous gaze were also there.
Since they are also young masters of renowned families, it seems they remained to study while Wudang opened its doors.
Among them, there was one sending the most impressive gaze, which was Wudang’s third-generation disciple Mudam, who had a duel with me.
Since I have mastered the technique of reading emotions in eyes, I cannot fail to know the fact that that gaze is the emotion of awe.
Does the Benefactor have anything he desires?
The Sect Leader of the Great Wudang asked politely and respectfully with honorifics.
Considering the difference in generation between him and me, it would be right to view it as extreme courtesy towards a benefactor.
This person wishes to obtain Wudang’s secret treasure, the Taecheong Pill.
I stated my goal calmly.
Do you not need anything else?
I do not need anything.
Ohhh-
I said it repeatedly, but the Taecheong Pill is one of the Five Great Elixirs of Murim. It means it is a priceless treasure, not lacking in any term like rare object, secret treasure, or natural elixir.
However...
To think he could be so unpretentious...
Someone’s muttering is correct.
I, who worried about how to take that great Taecheong Pill, had become a humble benefactor who took ‘merely a Taecheong Pill’.
Perhaps I should view it as the cycle of Good.