Chapter 002
"Why are you hiding such well-written work, Owner?"
On the way back after pestering and pleading with Baek Sugyeong until she finally got permission to take the manuscript, So Ssanga smiled brightly as she watched the setting sun.
This was going to be huge.
Even though Baek Sugyeong, who had actually written it, had expressed fear of the Wudang Sect…
"Owner Baek is just too timid."
With so many people out there using the names of the Nine Sects to run scams, what trouble could come from merely writing a story?
Besides, the once-mighty Wudang had been silent for a long time.
It had been over ten years since the gates of the lofty Wudang closed. Though they hadn't officially announced their seclusion, the sect had closed its mouth and shut its eyes to the world for quite some time.
Of course, Wudang might question Baek Sugyeong about this.
But what if "Wudang Sword Hero" had a positive influence on Wudang?
Everything would be different.
They might dismiss it as a trivial matter, at least for now.
"This book will definitely succeed."
So Ssanga hugged the manuscript of "Wudang Sword Hero" tightly to her chest.
To her, Baek Sugyeong was a life-saving benefactor she wouldn't trade for anyone.
Three years ago, he was the one who saved her when she collapsed in a back alley in Wuhan.
"Wudang Sword Hero" would definitely succeed.
She had never read anything so groundbreaking and entertaining before.
Even if it couldn't succeed on its own, she was determined to make it succeed.
"That's the least I can do to repay Owner Baek's kindness."
There were many ways to procure books or food supplies without her help, but Baek Sugyeong had deliberately entrusted everything to her.
She understood what that meant.
From his perspective, it was an act of kindness.
Her persistent life, sustained by his goodwill.
If "Wudang Sword Hero" succeeded, she might be able to begin rebuilding her family, which she had wanted for so long.
"Someday, I'll tell Owner Baek…"
About these small, meager feelings of hers.
The day would come when she could reveal the truth to him.
Crickets chirped behind So Ssanga as she walked along the main road.
...
Hyeonoak, Wudang
Also known as Sword Mountain.
True to its name as a mountain filled with mystical energy, it was both a Taoist sanctuary and a sword sect.
After ten years of silence, Wudang's reputation had long since faded from its former glory.
The fact that no supreme masters had emerged from the sect in recent years had contributed to this decline, naturally causing the atmosphere at the main mountain to become stagnant and rigid.
Yes, that's how it should have been.
"Infinite Buddha…"
Master Hyeonseong, the current sect leader of Wudang, smiled with satisfaction as he looked down at his disciples immersed in training.
Despite his concerns about no outstanding masters emerging during his leadership to elevate Wudang's name, he couldn't help but be pleased to see his disciples training so enthusiastically, as if dispelling the stagnant atmosphere.
"Is a new wind finally blowing through our sect?"
A sanctuary that was also a martial sect.
A Taoist gate that was also a sword school.
A sect where martial artists focusing on swordsmanship outnumbered those entering the otherworldly path of Taoist immortality.
Though not as deeply connected to the secular world as Mount Hua, Wudang was clearly a sect that hadn't severed its ties with the mundane world.
"Ho ho, perhaps this is the blessing of the Primordial Heavenly Lord."
In a world where it was said that those who descended the mountain with swords transformed from martial artists into bandits, his disciples were now willingly picking up swords again.
They embraced the new direction he had set despite previously being immersed in "martial aversion."
How could he not be pleased?
"Joyous, truly joyous. Infinite Buddha…"
Of course, a truth that Master Hyeonseong hadn't even imagined lurked behind all this.
But he didn't know that yet.
...
Ten years was by no means a short time.
It was enough time for mountains and rivers to change.
After such a period, even the most prosperous sect would gradually decline.
That was something even Wudang couldn't avoid.
To change the stagnant and lax atmosphere, Master Hyeonseong had implemented large-scale reforms.
But this only led to Wudang disciples putting down their swords.
Living in a rigid schedule with lost freedom, the disciples rejected their master's teachings.
That was the beginning of "martial aversion."
Despite the efforts of Master Hyeonseong and the elders, the disciples suddenly picked up their swords again for one reason:
A single book.
A book that had somehow made its way to Mount Wudang after circulating throughout the martial world.
"We must spread the spirit of Hero Jin Un!"
"Wudang must become the true embodiment of martial chivalry!"
"Everything we've learned has been in vain! We've been walking the evil path, but now we'll walk the righteous path!"
"Our eyes are finally open. We were so foolish!"
"Wudang Sword Hero."
A single book so worn that its cover was tattered from passing through countless hands.
A book whose author was unknown, yet whose content instantly captivated Wudang's disciples.
Jin Un.
A man who lived like a scoundrel despite his outstanding talent.
A sword master worthy of being called the Wudang Sword Sovereign, who regretted his life as he died at the hands of the Heavenly Demon.
After returning to his youth, he repented and performed heroic deeds, elevating Wudang's reputation.
Everyone was moved.
Naturally, they picked up the swords they had long abandoned.
With talk of "Wudang Sword Hero" everywhere, it didn't take long for the story to reach Master Hyeonseong.
"…"
Master Hyeonseong looked down at the bowing disciple with displeasure.
He wanted to scold him immediately—but feared ruining the atmosphere.
'…Bewitched by such a heretical book…'
Chanting inwardly to calm his mind, Master Hyeonseong finally spoke.
"Enough."
His voice was gruff.
Though he had wanted to burn the book with the Three Purities Fire, curiosity tormented him.
"You may leave."
"Master."
"Go now."
After the disciple left, Master Hyeonseong sighed deeply.
Though it would be right to burn the book immediately, he needed to know what kind of book it was.
Curiosity disguised as righteousness guided his hand.
"If it's truly heretical, it should be burned immediately."
With that resolve, he opened the book.
"What is martial arts?"
From the very first line, the book seized him.
Each page made him tremble.
Anger… and fascination.
Self-loathing… and admiration.
He stayed up all night.
Finally—
"Not a heretical book, but a marvelous book."
No wonder the young disciples were captivated.
"Ho ho ho…"
After finishing Volume One, Master Hyeonseong tucked the book into his robe.
He needed to find its origin.
...
"…Did I hear you correctly?"
Baek Sugyeong stared at the two Taoists before him.
It had been three months since "Wudang Sword Hero" had begun circulating.
And now—
"I am Jeong Jin of Wudang."
"I am Jeong U of Wudang. Infinite Buddha."
Baek Sugyeong's heart pounded.
Two Wudang Taoists had arrived at White Cloud Pavilion, swords at their waists.
"What business brings two esteemed Taoists here…?"
"Well…"
They exchanged glances.
"We came to ask when Volume Two will be released."
"Excuse me?"
Baek Sugyeong froze.
"Didn't you come to punish me?"
"How could that be!"
Jeong Jin exclaimed passionately.
"This book taught us true chivalry!"
Baek Sugyeong was dumbfounded.
'…What is happening?'
This was supposed to be a harmless story.
A complaint.
A vent.
And now—
"May we know your pen name?"
Cold sweat ran down his back.
After a pause, he smiled awkwardly.
"My name is Sugyeong."