NOVEL NEXT chapter 31
Instructor Hyeonmun stood before the office of the Precepts Hall Lord with an uneasy feeling.
The Precepts Hall Lord had never suddenly summoned him before, making this situation all the more unsettling.
Although the Eternal Wudang was technically under the Precepts Hall’s jurisdiction, it was merely a minor branch, and seeing the Lord even once a year was rare.
“Eternal Wudang’s Hyeonmun stands outside the door.”
“Come in.”
Precepts Hall Lord Unhak Jin-in greeted Instructor Hyeonmun warmly.
“Lord, what is it that you require of me?”
“I have heard that the new disciples of the Eternal Wudang have been performing well.”
For the Precepts Hall Lord to take an interest in the Eternal Wudang, it was clear that someone influential was behind this decision.
“Therefore, I have decided that the Eternal Wudang’s disciples will participate in this year’s Azure Martial Tournament during the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
“Lord, but the disciples of the Eternal Wudang have nothing to present at the Azure Martial Tournament.”
The Azure Martial Tournament was an annual martial arts competition between the inner disciples of the Precepts Hall.
Disciples of the Eternal Wudang, who were still in the early stages of fundamental training, were naturally not suited to participate.
Instructor Hyeonmun could feel the heavy shadow of Grand Elder Unhak Jin-in behind this decision.
“Why should the Azure Martial Tournament be limited solely to martial arts duels? A continuous display of combat can become tedious, after all.”
“Then what is your intention?”
“This time, we will hold a Contest for the Pearls between the newly initiated Outer Sect disciples and those of the Eternal Wudang.”
“The Contest for the Pearls?”
“Do you not recall the old game where we would snatch the opponent’s ball? We’ve decided to revive it for nostalgia’s sake.”
“Lord, ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ I still believe that the disciples of the Eternal Wudang would benefit more from focusing on their training.”
“What difference does it make if they take a single day off from training? Letting them form connections with the Outer Sect disciples will only serve them well in the future.”
“Lord, however…”
“That is enough. No further discussion. The decision has already been approved by the Elders’ Council.”
At the mention of the Elders’ Council, Instructor Hyeonmun fully understood Grand Elder Unhak Jin-in’s true intentions.
This was a deliberate move to disgrace the Eternal Wudang.
Perhaps, it was the first step toward dissolving the branch altogether.
Even last year, there had been turmoil when the number of Main Sect disciples was drastically reduced.
Later that evening, Instructor Hyeonmun addressed the Eternal Wudang’s new disciples after their daily training.
“Starting today, after dinner, you will all gather at the training grounds again.”
The disciples were taken aback.
They had assumed they would finally get some rest after their grueling training, only to be told they would continue without pause.
However, Hyeonmun’s next words were even more unexpected.
“You will all participate in the Azure Martial Tournament during the Mid-Autumn Festival. We will begin preparations immediately.”
****
"This is not good."
During dinner, Seok Jangsan muttered absentmindedly, catching Kwak Yeon’s attention.
“What’s wrong?”
“Didn’t you notice? Instructor Hyeonmun has been unusually quiet all day. It’s because our Eternal Wudang will be participating in the Azure Martial Tournament.”
“How do you know that’s the reason?”
“Earlier, Do Gam from the Inner Sect also found it strange.”
“What exactly did Do Gam say?”
In the Wudang Sect, those responsible for managing each division’s affairs were called Do Gam.
The Do Gam of the Eternal Wudang handled its internal administration.
As a former disciple himself, Do Gam was friendly with the Eternal Wudang disciples and frequently shared news about Wudang Mountain with them.
“He said that in all the years he’s been here, the Eternal Wudang has never once been invited to the Azure Martial Tournament.”
Kwak Yeon found the situation unsettling, but he didn’t want to overthink it.
“It’s just for one day. We’ll just consider it an opportunity to get some fresh air outside of Eternal Wudang and leave it at that.”
“Well… I suppose.”
Despite saying that, Seok Jangsan barely touched his food.
For someone like Seok Jangsan, who normally ate heartily, to behave this way was unusual, and Kwak Yeon couldn’t ignore it.
“Are you uneasy about participating in the Azure Martial Tournament?”
“No, not yet.”
“You’ll get there eventually. The greatest talents take the longest to mature. Just don’t rush it.”
Kwak Yeon noticed how Seok Jangsan was brushing off the conversation.
After dinner, the Eternal Wudang disciples gathered at the training ground, and Instructor Hyeonmun addressed them.
“Has anyone heard of the Contest for the Pearls?”
Seok Jangsan was the first to respond.
“It’s a game where you steal the opponent’s ball, isn’t it?”
“Correct.”
“Wait, does this mean we’re going to the Azure Martial Tournament to play the Contest for the Pearls?”
“That’s right.”
“Ah…”
The Eternal Wudang disciples were initially excited at the thought of playing a ball game.
They had been mentally and physically exhausted from their relentless training, and this seemed like a welcome change of pace.
However, Instructor Hyeonmun quickly put an end to their excitement.
“The Contest for the Pearls at the Azure Martial Tournament is not the same as the game you remember.”
His piercing gaze immediately silenced the disciples.
“You will not be allowed to use your hands. You must steal the opponent’s ball using the Taiji Sphere Techniques.”
The disciples were dumbfounded.
Just maintaining the spinning energy to keep the ball adhered to their bodies was difficult enough.
How were they supposed to steal someone else’s ball using it?
As if reading their doubts, Instructor Hyeonmun explained further.
“You will use any method of close-quarters combat to destabilize your opponent’s balance, causing them to drop their ball, which you will then claim.”
“……!”
“Additionally, this is a team battle. Once a disciple loses their ball, they are eliminated from the match. If the last remaining disciple on a team loses their ball, the match is over.”
“What if we drop the ball by mistake?”
“The disciple who drops their ball will have to sit out for a period of time.”
With fewer teammates, the chances of losing increased significantly.
The rules were simple.
You just couldn’t use your hands—you had to move your opponent’s ball onto your own body through energy control alone.
“But right now, we can barely control even a single ball.”
“That’s why we’re starting special training tonight. By the time the Mid-Autumn Festival arrives, you must be able to control at least two balls at once. Any questions?”
“What if we fail to meet that goal?”
“Then you’ll be running for your lives, only to lose all your balls in an instant.”
The disciples’ expressions all hardened.
The cold reality of the situation had finally sunk in.
In the dead silence, Kwak Yeon raised his hand.
“What happens if we fail entirely?”
“Is this Contest for the Pearls really that important?”
Instructor Hyeonmun understood the question well.
“It is important.”
“...!”
“All the Elders, as well as the Lords of each palace, will be in attendance to observe.”
Jeong I-chu cautiously asked,
“Master, if that’s the case, doesn’t it mean we must practice the Taiji Sphere Techniques even during regular training hours?”
“No. The set training regimen must be followed without exception.”
Instructor Hyeonmun firmly shook his head as he calmly observed the Eternal Wudang disciples before continuing.
“I want to see at least one of you successfully steal a ball from your opponent.”
He was saying that he wasn’t even expecting a victory.
“Who will be our opponents?”
The disciples looked at Instructor Hyeonmun, tense with curiosity. What kind of opponents would they face, for him to make such a statement?
“The children of the Outer Sect families who joined this year.”
‘What? They’re new recruits from this year?’
If it’s just based on their training time, then they’re still rookies. Yet, Instructor Hyeonmun expects them to be able to take even a single ball from these new recruits.
Especially Seok Jangsan’s face grew more twisted.
****
“Are the children of the Outer Sect families really that skilled?”
At Kwak Yeon’s question, Seok Jangsan looked at him as if a bit surprised.
“How can you not know anything about this, even though you’re from the mountains?”
“It’s a poor, barely surviving place. You’ll be lucky if you see a person pass through there once a year.”
“Well… that’s true.”
Seok Jangsan nodded in agreement.
“But you must’ve heard something about the Outer Sect families from the Headmaster, right?”
“I’ve heard a little. But the informant with the Seok surname knows more about the Outer Sect than anyone, although he doesn’t talk much.”
“Haah.”
Seok Jangsan sighed softly before speaking.
“The Outer Sect families are part of the great, prestigious Wudang Sect. They have produced countless disciples, but only a few of those families continue to hold strong. That means their foundation is incredibly solid. It’s comparable to the Five Great Noble Houses.”
“...!”
“And what do you think the abilities of these recruits are, if they’ve been selected as Main Sect disciples?”
“They must have extraordinary talents.”
“They’re not just talented. From a young age, they’ve received regular meridian cleansing and have consumed all kinds of powerful elixirs.”
“So, their internal energy must be exceptional?”
“They don’t have much internal energy. They’ll need to learn the Rising Internal Energy Techniques once they arrive at the Main Sect.”
“Then they might not be too difficult to deal with, right? They must be younger.”
Seok Jangsan shook his head.
“They’ve completed all the basic training already. You can tell by the fact they’ve entered the Precepts Hall right away. They may be young, but don’t underestimate them. Otherwise, why would Instructor Hyeonmun ask us to at least take one ball from them?”
At those words, Kwak Yeon’s expression darkened.
“Why do you look like that?”
“After hearing you speak, I think I understand Instructor Hyeonmun’s concerns.”
Seok Jangsan nodded in agreement.
“He’s probably worried we’ll be completely helpless and end up getting humiliated.”
“It doesn’t feel like it will end with just humiliation.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Last year, the number of selected disciples for the Headmaster was drastically reduced. It seems that the Grand Elder and the higher-ups are bothered by the Eternal Wudang.”
“So, you think the Azure Martial Tournament is just an excuse to show that the Eternal Wudang is useless?”
Kwak Yeon nodded, and Seok Jangsan said,
“Hey, isn’t that a bit too much?”
“Anyway, it doesn’t look like it’ll end well for the Eternal Wudang.”
Instructor Hyeonmun had clearly clashed with the Grand Elder when he brought Kwak Yeon out of the Precepts Hall.
From that, Kwak Yeon surmised that this participation in the Azure Martial Tournament was a direct result of that conflict.
“Hey, if what you’re saying is true, then Instructor Hyeonmun must’ve told us to practice the Taiji Sphere Techniques even during regular hours.”
“No. He’s making sure we stick to our training regimen. If there’s any deviation, we’ll all be held back, and our chances of being selected as Main Sect disciples will be gone.”
Instructor Hyeonmun was being so firm because he didn’t want the future of the Eternal Wudang disciples to be sacrificed for the sake of his own agenda.
“Sigh, this is tough.”
Seok Jangsan sighed again.
“Time is running out, and we have no time to train.”
“It’s still too early to give up. It’s not like we have no time left at all.”
At Kwak Yeon’s words, Seok Jangsan shook his head.
“Come on, what are you going to do? All of us are barely at three stars with the Taiji Sphere Techniques. To be able to control two balls, we need to be at least at five stars.”
****
Kwak Yeon fell into deep thought.
It seemed that the situation had been caused by his own presence. No, it was clear that Instructor Hyeonmun’s troubles stemmed from him.
He felt his heart ache as he thought about how Instructor Hyeonmun must’ve felt, having to put on a brave face and ask the disciples to “just take one ball.”
That made him even more reluctant to give up.
But the gap in their abilities was so vast.
It was impossible to raise the Eternal Wudang disciples' Taiji Sphere Techniques to five stars instantly.
Seok Jangsan was the only one at five stars, and Instructor Hyeonmun’s humble hope likely came from relying on Seok Jangsan’s abilities.
‘I can’t be satisfied with that.’
As Kwak Yeon agonized, he suddenly recalled that the disciples had plenty of real combat experience, much more than just basic training. They also had a wealth of body techniques at their disposal.