NOVEL NEXT chapter 212
Seeing the grave expression on the Sect Leader’s face as he entered, the elders all quietly took their seats.
Baekwoon stepped forward and carefully laid out two manuals before them.
The elders squinted with curiosity—what could be so important that he was handling them with such caution?
And the moment they saw the titles written on the covers, a chorus of gasps erupted.
“Gasp!”
“Wh-What the—Is… is this real?!”
“Th-The Taiji Wisdom Sword and Two Principles Supreme Art?! Why are these here?!”
The elders, who had been about to grill the Sect Leader over the issue with Myung Cheon, immediately forgot all about it.
“They’ve been returned by Martial Deity Heaven.”
“Wh-What? Is that really true?”
“Yes. The grandson of the Master of Martial Deity Heaven personally handed them to me.”
“The Martial Deity has a grandson?”
“This is the first we’ve heard of it! If he had a grandson, why hold the Sochunju Tournament at all?”
“I didn’t ask that much.”
“Then why were the manuals returned?”
Baekwoon scanned the room, then sighed heavily.
“What I’m about to say… must not leave this room for the time being. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir!”
“The Demonic Sect appears to be rising again.”
Silence fell over the hall.
What did he just say?
The Demonic Sect—out of nowhere?
No one had even considered their return; stunned, they stared at Baekwoon in disbelief.
“Wh-What are you saying? The D-Demonic Sect?”
“Why would the Demonic Sect suddenly come into this?”
“According to Celestial Oracle Jin-in, the stars reveal that the Demonic Sect will soon resurface, and we must prepare.”
“Celestial Oracle Jin-in…”
If anyone else had made that claim, it would’ve been dismissed as nonsense—but not him.
Celestial Oracle Jin-in’s readings were no mere predictions. He saw destiny—truths destined to unfold.
And so this wasn’t just a possibility.
It was inevitable.
“Still… the Demonic Sect…”
No one could say another word. All eyes remained fixed on the two manuals before them.
“So they returned these to prepare us for war with the Demonic Sect?”
“Yes.”
It had been a rhetorical question, but Baekwoon answered seriously—and the elders stared at him in disbelief.
“What do you mean, yes?!”
“You’re saying we’re supposed to master these manuals and fight the Demonic Sect?!”
“That’s absurd! These aren’t manuals just anyone can learn. Even if someone could, it would take years, not days!”
“Especially the Taiji Wisdom Sword! It’s known throughout the Central Plains as one of the most abstruse techniques! Just interpreting it takes several years!”
“Even if you decipher it quickly, mastering it is a whole different matter.”
“Exactly! Unless you were divinely gifted, there’s no way to master the Taiji Wisdom ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) Sword in a short time!”
At the mention of a “divinely gifted” talent, Baekwoon suddenly lifted his head.
Of course—how could he have forgotten?
He turned to Baekheo with an excited expression.
“We do have someone divinely gifted, don’t we?”
Baekheo’s face lit up as well.
The elders looked back and forth between the two, bewildered.
“What are you talking about? Are you saying there’s a divinely gifted disciple in Wudang we don’t know about?”
“There is.”
“Who is it?”
“Myung Cheon.”
Silence fell again—then the entire hall erupted.
“What are you saying?!”
“That lunatic troublemaker is divinely gifted?!”
“That’s ridiculous!”
Bang bang bang!
Baekwoon slammed the table hard.
“Enough!”
The hall fell silent once more.
“Do you know what a Divine Physique is?”
“You mean the legendary bodies born with the energy of the Four Guardian Beasts?”
“Exactly. Myung Cheon possesses one of them—the Azure Dragon Physique.”
“What?!”
Their jaws dropped open in shock.
“Then all that madness before…?”
“It was because he couldn’t handle the Azure Dragon’s energy. But now, he’s achieved complete harmony with it and fully awakened.”
“Is… is that true?”
“Yes. Myung Cheon will go down as one of the greatest talents in Wudang history.”
Even with Baekwoon’s declaration, the elders looked dazed and unconvinced.
“If he’s so outstanding… then are you planning to replace Myung Gong as the Head Disciple?”
“But didn’t you just say you were going to pass these manuals to the divinely gifted one? If Myung Cheon is that person, doesn’t that mean you’ll give them to him?”
“Yes, I’ll give them to Myung Cheon. But that doesn’t mean I’m excluding Myung Gong.”
“What do you mean?”
“Myung Gong will train in them as well.”
All eyes turned to Baekwoon, astonished.
“Myung Cheon will become Wudang’s First Sword—the one who supports Myung Gong.”
Wudang’s First Sword—a title reserved for Wudang’s top martial expert.
“Not pleased? Ah, right. You all wanted him gone, didn’t you?”
Startled, the elders waved their hands in protest.
“N-No, not at all!”
“What are you talking about? Cast out one of Wudang’s greatest talents?”
“Was I the one who wanted to cast him out?”
“No! I came to stop that talk!”
They all now claimed they had tried to stop it.
“Then do you agree to Myung Cheon becoming Wudang’s First Sword?”
“Of course!”
“There’s no question! Myung Cheon must become Wudang’s First Sword!”
Baekwoon chuckled faintly at their quick turn.
“Good. Then you all agree that Myung Gong and Myung Cheon will study these two manuals?”
“Yes!”
“But what if the Demonic Sect resurfaces while they’re still learning? Wouldn’t it be better to have them polish what they’ve already learned?”
“Don’t worry. Someone will be teaching them.”
“What?”
“Someone’s teaching them? Are you saying someone has already mastered the manuals?”
“Yes.”
“Who dared to learn Wudang’s manuals without permission?!”
“The grandson of the Master of Martial Deity Heaven.”
“What?!”
“He said he mastered them while confirming their authenticity.”
“How is that even possible?”
“I didn’t believe it either… until I saw it myself.”
“What?”
“You all know I created my own martial art, right?”
“Yes.”
“He skimmed through it… and then immediately performed it.”
“That has to be a joke.”
“I wish it were.”
“Good heavens…”
They were all stunned, barely able to process what they were hearing.
“What’s his level of cultivation?”
“Transcendent Realm.”
“Wh-What? Transcendent Realm?! And how old is he?”
“Just over twenty.”
“What?”
“At his age, he’s already stronger than me. At this rate… who knows how powerful he’ll become as he ages?”
The room fell quiet.
Only the occasional gulp could be heard.
“As expected… a dragon’s blood yields a dragon.”
“Then… even if a new Master of Martial Deity Heaven arises, that world will still belong to them.”
“Indeed. And at this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if he surpasses the current one.”
“Then just how powerful is the Demonic Sect, if Martial Deity Heaven is returning our manuals out of concern?”
“It doesn’t look like they did it because the Demonic Sect is stronger.”
“Then why?”
“Even Martial Deity Heaven can’t protect the entire Central Plains. I believe they returned these so we can hold out—at least until they arrive.”
That stung.
“To hold out until they arrive”... it was a blow to their pride.
Had that struck a nerve with the elders?
“Let’s show them! The strength of Great Wudang!”
“Yes! Let’s show that we are strong too!”
“We’ll immediately intensify the disciples’ training!”
“We’ll release all the spirit pills from the vault! Please grant us permission!”
Baekwoon smiled broadly.
He had said all that to provoke them—and it worked.
Now, they’d pressure their disciples and train them fiercely without needing his orders.
And he no longer had to persuade them to use valuable resources. They’d volunteer.
Even now—look. They were offering to use the vault’s spirit pills.
Baekwoon looked at them with a satisfied smile.
From there, everything went smoothly.
Whatever he proposed, they approved.
Naturally, the proposal to entrust Myung Gong and Myung Cheon’s training to Yeon Woo Jin also passed.
They hesitated slightly, but with no better options, they agreed.
****
Head Disciple Myung Gong.
He had just passed the age of thirty.
Lately, he had been troubled.
His cultivation had stagnated.
No matter how much he trained, he couldn’t break through the barrier ahead.
He was exhausted—physically and mentally.
As Head Disciple and Senior Brother, the pressure was immense.
He was supposed to lead Wudang someday. But with such limited talent… could he do it?
His confidence was crumbling.
Then the Sect Leader summoned him.
Ordered him to train alongside Myung Cheon.
It felt like he was given the task because no one else wanted it.
‘Come to think of it, it’s been ages since I last saw our youngest disciple.’
He’d only seen Myung Cheon once and then had been too busy training.
He’d heard the boy had caused a stir.
‘They said he had some kind of madness?’
How bad could it be that everyone avoided him?
Thinking of Myung Cheon, Myung Gong descended from Mount Geumjeong, where he’d spent months in seclusion.
But something felt… different at the main peak.
The atmosphere was unusually tense.
Just then, a junior disciple ran past.
He spotted Myung Gong and bowed.
“Senior Brother! You’ve returned!”
“Yes. Have you been well?”
“Yes, sir!”
“But why is the main peak so tense? Did something happen while I was away?”
“We’re on high alert. From now on, all disciples must train under direct elder supervision.”
“What? All of a sudden? Why?”
“I don’t know the details. I have to go now—if I’m late, I’ll be punished!”
“R-Right. Go on, then.”
As the disciple ran off, Myung Gong tilted his head.
“The elders… personally overseeing training?”
That had never happened before.
It felt like Wudang had come alive again in his absence.
With a faint smile, he made his way toward the Sect Leader’s chambers.
****
“You’re here.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Have you made progress recently?”
“…I’m sorry. I lack talent…”
“For your age, you’re strong enough. There’s no need to be impatient.”
“Yes, Master.”
“You say that, but your face says otherwise.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Enough. I’ve decided to assign you a teacher.”
“…What?”
A teacher?
“He is an exceptional man. Do as he instructs—no questions.”
“…Yes, Master.”
It was an order, so he accepted it.
“You’ll also train with Myung Cheon.”
“With the youngest?”
“Yes. Turns out, Myung Cheon possesses the Azure Dragon Physique. I plan to raise him into Wudang’s First Sword—your strongest ally.”
“The Azure Dragon Physique?”
“You don’t know what that is?”
“…Forgive me. I’ve only ever studied martial arts…”
“Didn’t I tell you to learn more about the world? A narrow mind leads to stagnation.”
“I’ll remember that.”
“Good. Your new teacher will know how to guide you.”
His teacher?
For his master to show such respect… it raised his expectations.
Just who was this person?
“Come with me.”
****
He followed Baekwoon deep into unfamiliar grounds.
“Where is this?”
“I didn’t know about this place either, but it turns out we had a rather fine spot tucked away here. This is where you’ll be training from now on.”
Myung Gong looked around.
A massive cavern opened before him.
There was something eerie about it.
Something… unsettling.