Wudang Sacred Scriptures

The surge of qi roared within him as fury flared up toward those who had mercilessly trampled upon that fragile soul.
In response, the child’s heartbeat grew erratic, prompting Kwak Yeon to urgently circulate his Primordial Harmonious Art to stabilize the restless qi.
As he gently infused the child with his True Source Qi, her heartbeat gradually settled into a steady rhythm.
At the same time, he could feel the ominous black energy accumulated along his own meridians begin to fade, if only slightly.
It was regrettable that, likely due to her young age, she struggled to maintain that state for more than an hour.
Still, replenishing her True Source Qi would be possible with time and patience. But as for healing her wounded spirit—that, she had to accomplish on her own.
Fortunately, Ju Yeoryeong, who had been entrusted with the crucial role of supporting the child’s emotional recovery, was performing that task fairly well.
Despite constantly grumbling about it.
Over the past few days, So Cheong had noticeably brightened. The fear in her gaze whenever she faced people had lessened considerably.
She’s starting to take her first steps toward the world on her own.
Sometimes, So Cheong would observe them building the shed from a distance.
Part of that was because her father was present, but it was also clear that she was improving. Most notably, she now interacted comfortably with Ju Yeoryeong.
Though she still hadn’t spoken, she would nod in response to Ju Yeoryeong’s words.
Suddenly curious about the two, Kwak Yeon turned his gaze toward the front of the house.
In the grassy clearing, Ju Yeoryeong was creeping toward a butterfly perched atop a flower stem.
So Cheong stood a few paces behind, her eyes brimming with anticipation as she watched Ju Yeoryeong and the butterfly.
She’s definitely more useful than a pile of dung.
Though she had arrived bundled in mystery and questions, Ju Yeoryeong had been playing a significant role in opening the tightly closed door of the child’s heart.
Her light, fluttering robe swayed as she moved softly across the grass, resembling the very butterfly she pursued.
Is a butterfly hunting a butterfly?
A strange sensation passed through Kwak Yeon.
He recalled the faint memory of having felt this way once before.
The blue-eyed fairy.
A fairy and a butterfly, huh…
A soft chuckle escaped him.
Since when did I start comparing people like that?
“Ah, damn it!”
Ju Yeoryeong’s frustrated voice reached him.
“Missed it again.”
The butterfly she’d been after fluttered off into the sky.
“So Cheong-ah, I’ll definitely catch one for you later.”
It wasn’t that she couldn’t catch the butterfly with her movement technique, but knowing how much So Cheong still feared martial artists, she refrained from using her skills.
As stubborn and unreasonable as she acts, there’s kindness at her core.
Even if her sect was somewhat eccentric, Kwak Yeon judged that they likely didn’t stray far from the righteous path.
I wonder what sect she belongs to?
By chance, he had met the Blue Sun Sword, Hong Sucheon, and learned much about the martial world over the last ten days. But there had been many gaps.
Given Hong Sucheon’s own limited experience in the wider martial world, that was inevitable.
If Brother Chwi Dugae were here, he’d have figured it out immediately. I wonder if he’s reached Gaebong Prefecture by now? What would the Beggars’ Guild’s Head think of his disciple, Gwaa?
And perhaps by now, he’d learned who the Grandmaster’s old friend really was.
While Kwak Yeon was preoccupied with those lingering questions and his frustratingly incomplete knowledge of the martial world, Ju Yeoryeong entered the yard, holding So Cheong’s hand.
Spotting the two men seated nearby, Ju Yeoryeong called out.
“It’s way past lunchtime—why hasn’t the lady of the house come back yet?”
“Oh dear, I lost track of time again.”
Wang Cheolgo sprang to his feet in alarm.
“So Cheong’s mother said she’d be too busy at the weaving workshop to come home for lunch today. I completely forgot.”
“Then… what about lunch?”
“I’ll whip something up quickly.”
Kwak Yeon caught him by the arm.
“Brother Wang, hold on.”
“Huh? What is it, Daoist?”
“You’re drenched in sweat and covered in dust—how do you plan to cook like that?”
“I’ll just wash up real quick…”
“And by the time you’re done, it won’t be lunch but dinner.”
“Then…?”

Kwak Yeon’s gaze shifted to Ju Yeoryeong.
“Isn’t there someone here with clean clothes who’s doing nothing right now?”
Ju Yeoryeong shot him a glare.
“You’re telling me to go into the kitchen and cook?”
“Otherwise, are you planning to starve?”
“I’d rather…”
First, they made her act like a nanny. Now they wanted her to be a maid? No way she was backing down on this.
“Even if we adults skip a meal, what about So Cheong? She’s at the age where nutrition’s critical.”
“And why is ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) that my responsibility—”
But seeing So Cheong flinch, Ju Yeoryeong quickly changed her tone.
“…Fine, I guess I have to.”
“Oh, no, no—how could we ask a noble lady like you to work in the kitchen?”
“Brother Wang, didn’t Lady Ju just say she’d do it? Isn’t that right?”
“…Yeah.”
“Then we’ll be counting on you.”
Ju Yeoryeong rolled her eyes dramatically and marched off toward the kitchen.
As So Cheong tried to follow her, Kwak Yeon gently stopped her.
“So Cheong-ah, why don’t you stay here? The kitchen’s small—you’ll just get in the way. More importantly, the smoke’s not good for your health.”
Ju Yeoryeong scowled at him from the kitchen doorway.
Her fierce gaze clearly said: Then what about me?
Kwak Yeon ignored it completely.
“Besides, I could use your help with something.”
So Cheong’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“I need to carve grooves into the roof beams, and I could use someone to hold the wood steady.”
“…”
“Brother Wang, is that alright?”
“Of course it is.”
Wang Cheolgo, knowing full well Kwak Yeon’s intention to grow closer to So Cheong, encouraged her softly.
“So Cheong-ah, help the Daoist uncle, okay? Just do it like you help your father—you can manage, right?”
After a moment of hesitation, So Cheong gave a firm nod.
Seeing that, Ju Yeoryeong spun on her heel and disappeared into the kitchen.
Soon, loud banging noises echoed from the kitchen, followed by thick, black smoke billowing into the yard.
Then came the sound of her coughing and choking.
“Oh no, the firewood’s still damp… I’ll just—”
Wang Cheolgo started to rush over, but Kwak Yeon grabbed his arm.
“Leave her be. She’ll adjust.”
“But, Daoist…”
“If you go in there, she’ll just feel awkward.”
“…”
“Let’s get to work while lunch is being prepared. You mark where you want the grooves on the beams, and I’ll carve them.”
 
****
Toward evening, Jang Han arrived at Wang Cheolgo’s house.
It was the same Jang Han they had encountered at Deokseon Manor, the estate of the Grand Academician, on the day they first arrived in Sangjeon Village.
“Daoist Kwak, the Grand Academician wishes to see you.”
Kwak Yeon asked calmly, “Must I go now?”
He was in the middle of plastering mud onto the newly built shed wall.
“Finish your work first. The Grand Academician said you may come whenever it’s convenient.”
Jang Han delivered the message and vanished without further explanation.
Wang Cheolgo turned to Kwak Yeon. “Daoist, I’ll handle the rest. You should head over quickly.”
“I’ll go after I’m done here.”
But Wang Cheolgo frowned, troubled. “Still, I don’t think it’s proper to keep an elder waiting.”
Ju Yeoryeong, who had been playing in the mud with So Cheong, chimed in, “Exactly. The Grand Academician is practically the lord of this village. It would make your host uncomfortable.”
“Very well, I’ll go now.”
Kwak Yeon headed toward the irrigation ditch beyond the yard to wash his hands, and Ju Yeoryeong spoke to So Cheong.
“So Cheong-ah, you can play by yourself for a little while, right? Your mother should be home soon.”
When So Cheong nodded, Ju Yeoryeong quickly rose and followed after Kwak Yeon.
Seeing this, Kwak Yeon spoke with a displeased look.
“Lady Ju, I didn’t summon you.”
Ju Yeoryeong dipped her hands into the irrigation water as she retorted, “Where the needle goes, the thread naturally follows.”
“And since when were you thread attached to this needle?”
“Ever since my master ordered me not to leave your side for even a moment.”
“Your master is truly an incomprehensible person.”
“It’s time you accepted it. How many times are you going to complain? It’s not like you’re going to change your mind.”
“…”
As Ju Yeoryeong washed her hands, the ochre-tinged muddy water swirled downstream.
Perhaps because of the clear water, her hands looked all the paler.
After they both washed their hands at the ditch, they made their way toward the center of Sangjeon Village, where the Grand Academician’s manor stood.
“I wonder why the Grand Academician called for me.”
Seeing Ju Yeoryeong’s bright expression, Kwak Yeon remarked, “You look rather expectant.”
“What would I expect? I’m just relieved I don’t have to go to the inn alone this time.”
Inwardly, Ju Yeoryeong flinched.
He’s clueless about the world, but when it comes to reading moods, he’s sharp as a blade.
Truthfully, Ju Yeoryeong had been entertaining certain hopes.
She suspected the Grand Academician might be calling to politely ask them to leave, uncomfortable with martial artists lingering in the village.
Being cooped up in this rural corner indefinitely had been gnawing at her nerves.
It wasn’t that she disliked playing with So Cheong or disliked the Wang family or the villagers.
But her blood was boiling with the restless energy of someone newly stepping into the martial world—and traveling alongside this so-called Cave Daoist, who caused chaos wherever he went, was proving far too entertaining.
“…”
Kwak Yeon continued to eye her with suspicion, so Ju Yeoryeong snapped, speaking freely as she pleased.
“Do you think it’s easy for a woman to come and go from an inn alone? You wouldn’t understand—a man like you has no idea of the hardships women face. Especially for a beauty like me, it’s ten times worse! Just yesterday…”
She trailed off, suddenly embarrassed, realizing she’d been grumbling endlessly to Kwak Yeon.
Why am I even complaining to this guy?
Ju Yeoryeong clamped her mouth shut, and Kwak Yeon asked with a curious expression, “What happened at the inn yesterday?”
“Forget it!”
Still sour over the whole ordeal, Ju Yeoryeong kept quiet about how a group of unfamiliar men at the inn’s dining hall had blatantly ogled her.
She had considered teaching them a lesson, but when she noticed officials in uniform among them, she had forced herself to endure it.
Pouting, she marched ahead, and Kwak Yeon shook his head and followed.
—Sarak, sarak…
An old man in a tattered hemp robe was braiding straw rope in the yard of Deokseon Manor.
“Elder, where is the Grand Academician?” Ju Yeoryeong asked curtly.
“Who might you be, young lady?” the old man replied.
“You don’t need to concern yourself with who I am. Just tell me where the Grand Academician is.”
“…”
At that moment, Kwak Yeon stepped into the yard.
“Greetings, Elder. I am Kwak Yeon, a Lay Daoist of Samnyeonggung under Mount Wudang.”
Seeing Kwak Yeon bow respectfully, Ju Yeoryeong’s eyes widened in shock.
This shabby old man is the Grand Academician?
The old man’s sun-darkened face smiled faintly.
“Daoist Kwak, we can exchange formalities in a moment. If I don’t finish braiding this rope, it’ll unravel.”
“Please, don’t mind me.”
—Sarak, sarak…
The old man in hemp continued braiding his rope.
Still dumbfounded, Ju Yeoryeong glanced at him, then sent a secret voice transmission to Kwak Yeon.
—How did you know this old man was the Grand Academician?
Kwak Yeon gave no reply, which only irritated Ju Yeoryeong more.
Thanks to his Primordial Harmonious Art, Kwak Yeon could sense the subtle flow of profound qi radiating from the old man.
Naturally, he couldn’t explain that to her. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t—he’d never learned the technique for transmitting secret sound.
He briefly considered using his Empty Force to project voice vibrations, but there hadn’t been much cause to waste internal qi on trivial matters like that.
Similarly, the stealth technique he had barely managed to utilize thanks to Master Cheongmu’s Silent Force wasn’t systematic enough and consumed a tremendous amount of internal qi.
I need proper training in those techniques.
Unaware of Kwak Yeon’s internal calculations, Ju Yeoryeong pouted, displeased.
Just then, the old man in hemp finished tying the knot in his straw rope and stood up.
“Up we go.”