Wudang Sacred Scriptures

“Yeah! Spiraling Strength is what makes it so powerful in the first place.”

Kwak Yeon nodded and continued speaking.

“But that power only manifests after the internal energy is released outward.”

“That makes no sense to me at all.”

“What exactly are you trying to hit?”

“Well, the brick wall, obviously.”

Kwak Yeon opened his hand wide and placed it gently over the damp sheet of paper stuck to the wall.

Then, he twisted his palm.

The water-soaked paper clinging to the brick tore apart instantly, as expected.

“......?”

Lifting his hand, Kwak Yeon spoke.

“That’s what Spiraling Strength does.”

Jeong I-chu’s eyes widened.

“Wait—are you saying our internal energy is supposed to pass through the paper? But that sheet’s an external object, not part of our body. How are we supposed to make our energy reach through it?”

Kwak Yeon nodded.

“Exactly. You can’t. That’s the point. I just wanted to show you that if Spiraling Strength hits the paper, it’s guaranteed to tear. So when you use Surface Palm, your internal energy must be free of Spiraling Strength.”

“How can you release energy without Spiraling Strength?”

“Think about why Spiraling Strength happens in the first place.”

The others looked baffled.

“Why would it happen?”

“Isn’t it natural? It’s internal energy—of course it spirals.”

Kwak Yeon paused, thinking, then said,

“Picture a flowing stream. Now imagine there are deep pools in certain parts of the streambed. As the water flows through, it hits those pools and creates whirlpools, right?”

Jeong I-chu suddenly gasped.

“Oh! The energy points—the meridian gates—those are the pools! When internal energy passes through them, it spirals!”

Kwak Yeon gave a faint nod.

“It’s not exactly the same, but the principle is similar. And that means you now understand how to reduce Spiraling Strength.”

Jeong I-chu frowned deeply.

“If it were a stream, we could just fill in the pools—but we have to move internal energy through those points. It’s not like we can avoid them, right?”

“But those energy gates aren’t actual holes. They’re more like checkpoints along a road. If the energy just passes through without lingering, you can reduce Spiraling Strength.”

“How do we keep it from lingering?”

“Keep every gate open—from your lower dantian to the palm center. If they’re all open, the energy will flow through instantly and won’t spiral.”

Suddenly, the disciples grasped the core idea behind Surface Palm. They understood the true meaning of hiding force within softness.

Internal energy stripped of Spiraling Strength wasn’t overwhelming or explosive—but it could pass through delicate paper. That’s why the sheets were soaked and stuck to the wall in the first place.

Because internal energy without Spiraling Strength wouldn’t tear the paper.

“But... how do we keep all the energy gates open at once?”

Up to now, they had only been visualizing each point one at a time as the energy moved. Doing it all together felt impossible.

Kwak Yeon answered calmly.

“You’ll each have to figure that out on your own. Everyone’s physical makeup is different. But one thing is the same.”

“......?”

“Where the mind goes, the energy follows. Where energy flows, strength arrives.”

The children all began to drift into sudden realization. Their eyes gleamed as they sank into silent contemplation.

Then, Seok Jangsan grabbed Kwak Yeon’s wrist.

“Come with me for a second.”

He practically dragged Kwak Yeon to a corner of the training ground. Only after they were alone did he let go.

“You’re really going all in on this, huh?”

“What, worried I’ll steal your top student spot?”

“Yeah. I’m so worried I could die. Idiot.”

Kwak Yeon let out a small laugh.

“With that big body of yours, stop acting so dramatic.”

Seok Jangsan chuckled too. But then his face turned serious.

“I get what you’re trying to do... But I wish you wouldn’t.”

“Studying internal energy is useless for me. It only means something if I pass it on to someone who can use it.”

“So this is your goodbye gift to the kids, is that it? You’re not gonna see Instructor Hyeonmun again, so you’re not worried about getting scolded either.”

“You know as well as I do that Eternal Wudang’s training phase is almost over. And it’s not like I’m going to miraculously develop internal energy in the few days left.”

“......”

“If you’re about to tell me not to give up—don’t. I’m done feeling pathetic.”

“...Kwak Yeon.”

“I’ve finally made peace with it. And I don’t want to make things harder for you anymore, either.”

Kwak Yeon smiled bitterly and added,

“Tomorrow, smash that damn brick wall already. Stop holding back because of me. The others won’t get their confidence back unless you go first.”

“......!”

“You’re the top of Eternal Wudang, but because you’re hesitating, they’re all hesitating too.”

“Damn it! Thanks to you, they all finally understood something today. I don’t need to act like the top student anymore—so why are you worried?”

“Oh wow. So petty.”

“Damn right I am! And that’s why I pulled a stunt.”

“...Huh?”

“You don’t have to leave Mount Wudang anymore. The Lord of Wujin Palace is going to name you directly.”

“What are you talking about? Why would the Lord of Wujin Palace...”

Kwak Yeon’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“You... You went to Instructor Hyeonmun and begged him, didn’t you? And then he went to the Lord of Wujin Palace to make the request?”

“Damn it. It was supposed to stay a secret. But here you are, giving everything away like you’ve got one foot in the grave—I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.”

“You were worried I’d do something drastic?”

“You said Mount Wudang was your home, right? That you’d never leave it, even if you died. Who was the one shouting that all over the place? And now you’re acting like you’re too busy training to care. Goddamn it...”

“Hey! No matter how bad things are, I’m disappointed you think I’m that soft.”

“What do you expect me to do when I keep thinking of Elder Jang? Did he die because he was weak? No—he died because he lost hope. The will to live. I mean...”

Seok Jangsan, muttering to himself, suddenly flared up.

“Hey, shouldn’t you at least thank me for worrying about you?”

“What’s there to thank you for? Because of you, Instructor Hyeonmun probably got dragged into a huge mess...”

At those words, Seok Jangsan fell quiet too.

Everyone knew about the strained relationship between Instructor Hyeonmun and his master, the Lord of Wujin Palace.

Instructor Hyeonmun had once been a rising star in Wujin Palace, expected to become one of the Wudang Seven Swords within three generations.

But when he voluntarily took over the most neglected position in the Wudang Sect—head of Eternal Wudang—the bond between him and his master had all but broken, becoming the talk of the sect.

“I know.”

Seok Jangsan nodded solemnly.

“That’s why I feel guilty. I really do. But if you go to Wujin Palace and show them what you’re capable of, it’ll all work out. Instructor Hyeonmun believed in your talent—that’s why he did it.”

Kwak Yeon turned away as a sting pricked his eyes.

“...Are you crying?”

“Why the hell would I be crying?”

“Man, stubborn as always. Honestly though, even I’m kind of impressed with myself right now.”

“Get over yourself. You’re not the reason for anything, so stop deluding yourself.”

“Anyway, starting now, don’t do anything to put yourself in Instructor Hyeonmun’s spotlight. He wants his disciples to grow through their own realization.”

“...Got it.”

Kwak Yeon nodded quietly.

“But still... do you really think I can pull off energy cultivation?”

“Instructor Hyeonmun said it himself—your vessel’s too large. That’s the only reason it’s taking longer.”

Seok Jangsan gave him a solid pat on the shoulder.

“You’re the guy who rose from the absolute bottom of the outer school to become a main sect disciple. You’re already a legend. If you fail, I’ll burn all ten of my fingers on hot iron.”

Tears welled up in Kwak Yeon’s eyes, finally pushing past the restraint he’d held until now.

“This is Iron Goddess of Mercy from Yunnan, isn’t it?”

“The fragrance lingers in the mouth. I’ve been enjoying it quite often lately.”

Lord Unhyeon of Wujin Palace lifted his teacup and glanced across at Elder Unhak.

“I hope it suits your taste, Elder.”

Perhaps it was the steam rising from the tea, but Lord Unhyeon could see Elder Unhak’s form shimmering faintly, like the day they first met.

The senior disciple of the Un generation and a principal candidate to become the next Sect Leader—he had once been the leading successor of the Jade Void Palace.

Though Elder Unhak never became Sect Leader, he had guided Wudang with more strength and influence than any of his predecessors.

“I’ve approved the funding to restore Hwanggyeong Hall within Wujin Palace.”

The restoration of Hwanggyeong Hall had been a long-standing dream for Wujin Palace.

Year after year, it was pushed down the priority list. Some elders of the palace even began speaking of favoritism against Wujin. Those complaints inevitably turned into criticism of the palace lord himself.

“In addition, the disciple you’ve selected from Eternal Wudang will be accepted into Wujin Palace.”

Lord Unhyeon set his teacup down on the table.

He wasn’t surprised that rumors of Kwak Yeon’s selection had reached the ears of Elder Unhak. There had been fierce debate among the elders about it.

But for the elder to come in person and push the matter... No, to call it a request was putting it too lightly—it was clearly pressure.

“I don’t understand why a great elder like yourself would fixate on a mere Eternal Wudang trainee.”

Elder Unhak responded softly.

“Palace Lord, do you know what happens to a priceless jade with a single speck of dust on it? It becomes a child’s toy, rolled across the dirt.”

“......”

“Wudang must remain the most respected sect under Heaven. A great sect honors its tradition, enforces its rules, and maintains a clear hierarchy. That’s how every person fulfills their role, and order is preserved. Right now, our Wudang is being built atop a solid rock foundation: prodigies as pillars, gifted elites as the roof, noble bloodlines as its fence. A thousand-year fortress in the martial world. But even so, if a single muddy fish stirs up the stream, we elders can’t just sit by and let it happen.”

Elder Unhak lifted his teacup again and added casually,

“Yunnan’s drought this year was so severe, they say a mere ounce of Iron Goddess tea now costs the same as an ounce of gold.”

Lord Unhyeon’s eyes flickered for just a moment.

“...Elder. Since you’ve come all this way, allow me to ask a favor in return.”

Elder Unhak nodded without hesitation.

“Of course. It’s rare for you to ask anything—I’d be honored. What is it?”

For the first time in a while, Eternal Wudang was buzzing with noise.

It was the day of the departure ceremony—held once a year for Eternal Wudang’s trainees.

Despite the fact that most had come from the outer schools, they had survived intense competition and completed the foundational training of Eternal Wudang. That alone made them worth watching.

Even mud could sometimes hide a pearl.

Interest was especially high this year. Thanks to the Contest for the Pearls held during the Mid-Autumn Festival, several trainees had already been scouted and pre-approved by the palace lords.

Unlike past years—when the elders ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) from the Six Palaces showed up out of formality—this time the palace lords themselves were in attendance.

Such gatherings of the Six Palace Lords rarely happened outside of formal council meetings. It was clear: Eternal Wudang’s status had risen.

Instructor Hyeonmun, head of Eternal Wudang, was happier than anything that the discussion of abolishing the division had completely vanished.

And to solidify that shift, he had prepared something special for the event.