Wudang Sacred Scriptures Chapter 17

As Division Leader Hyun Gong exited the dormitory ahead of him, Hyunam Dojang turned to Chief Instructor Kang Ik-yu and spoke.

"Chief Kang, thanks to your swift actions, we found the evidence."

"That wasn’t my intention. Reporting disruptions in the dormitory's training is simply my duty."

"Let’s leave it at that. There's no benefit in drawing the wrong kind of attention from Jasogung. But tell , was it pure coincidence that all the children fell ill at the sa ti?"

"......"

"Well, a coincidence it must be."

When Kang Ik-yu remained silent, Hyunam Dojang nodded.

"I, too, benefited from Jang Noya's kindness in my younger days. Sotis, I still miss the food he used to prepare."

"......"

"It's a sha I'll never get to taste it again."

After Hyunam Dojang left, So Jin-sam cautiously approached Kang Ik-yu.

"Say nothing," Kang Ik-yu warned.

"...!"

"If you hear sothing, you'll eventually speak of it. It’s inevitable."

"Understood."

"Today's events were an accident. It just so happened that you, as a drill instructor, noticed the children’s condition, and I happened to be present as well."

Kang Ik-yu had found it odd when So Jin-sam asked him to observe the trainees during breakfast. It was unprecedented for a drill instructor to make such a request of the Chief Instructor.

Still, thanks to that request, Kang Ik-yu had imdiately recognized the severity of the children's condition after their al.

"Don't be alard. I just added a bit of castor powder to address their stomachaches. However, today’s training will need to be canceled. I apologize for not informing you earlier," So Jin-sam had whispered to him.

After hearing this, Kang Ik-yu wasted no ti in sending word to the main sect. By the ti the Division Leader ordered the dormitory lockdown, Kang Ik-yu’s ssage had already passed the Martial Boundary (Haegumji) of Wudang Mountain.

Kang Ik-yu couldn’t help but wonder how So Jin-sam had co up with the idea to use castor powder. He had no background in dical studies.

It must have been suggested by soone who couldn’t act directly.

Kang Ik-yu thought of a particular trainee—one with exceptional knowledge of dical texts and a close bond with Jang Noya.

But assumptions and knowing the truth are worlds apart, which is why Kang Ik-yu had silenced So Jin-sam.

Perhaps, it was for that boy’s sake.

*****

"Kwak Yeon! You magnificent bastard!"

The words burst out of Seok Jangsan as he pulled Kwak Yeon into a crushing embrace.

So forceful was the hug that Kwak Yeon found himself buried in Seok Jangsan’s broad chest.

"Urgh!"

Kwak Yeon struggled for breath.

"Jangsan, let go! I… I can't breathe."

Only then did Seok Jangsan release him.

Seeing Kwak Yeon's reddened face, Seok Jangsan apologized.

"Sorry, I got too excited."

"Phew! If you get excited like that again, you’ll suffocate soone."

"Co on, it wasn’t that bad. Sure, I hugged you tightly, but—"

Shaking his head, Kwak Yeon cut him off.

"No, you’re a walking weapon. Your arms are like iron clubs. Anyway…"

He glanced toward Ha Gang before continuing.

"I don’t know what I’ve done to move you so much, but this is a bit much. You’re going to scare people."

Ha Gang, wide-eyed, looked on at the baffling scene.

Seok Jangsan chuckled awkwardly, belatedly realizing his actions might have embarrassed Kwak Yeon.

He had co rushing over, thrilled by the news that Division Leader Hyun Gong and Kitchen Hall Head Go Chil-seong had been taken to the main sect.

"Yeah, I might’ve gone overboard."

"......"

"Let’s talk, just the two of us. Ha Gang, you can manage your training alone for now, right?"

"Of course."

Seok Jangsan half-dragged Kwak Yeon to a secluded corner of the dormitory. Ha Gang, left behind, watched them with a deepening gaze.

Once sure they were alone, Seok Jangsan spoke.

"The Division Leader and the Kitchen Hall Head have been taken to the main sect. The drill instructors were clapping and cheering, saying the dormitory will finally run properly."

"......"

"Why do you look like that?"

"Like what?"

"You, of all people, should be happiest about this."

Despite his large fra, Seok Jangsan was quick-witted and sharp.

Kwak Yeon didn’t bother denying it.

Even he found it strange. Everything had gone as planned, yet he didn’t feel as happy as he should. Instead, there was a faint sense of emptiness.

"Is it because Jang Noya won’t co back, no matter what I do?"

That didn’t seem to be the only reason.

It wasn’t as though he had been consud by a desire for revenge.

No, it was likely due to So Jin-sam’s words—about focusing on his role as a Gap-rank trainee.

Kwak Yeon had indeed forgotten what was most important. He’d resolved to beco a disciple of the main sect, and that required his undivided attention.

That goal still felt so far away.

Kwak Yeon turned to Seok Jangsan, who was staring at him intently.

"I don’t know. I wonder if I’ve overstepped, ddling in things beyond ..."

He confessed his thoughts, then added:

"So I wish it could all just be forgotten. Honestly, I didn’t do anything that significant."

Seok Jangsan nodded.

"I get what you an. But Jang Noya isn’t coming back, so there’s no use dwelling on it. And you shouldn’t beat yourself up over it either."

"…Huh?"

"Because thanks to what you did, the dormitory kids will finally get decent food. Isn’t that enough reason to smile?"

"...!"

"Sure, I’m a bit salty you didn’t clue in. But now that I’ve vented, I feel a lot better, so I’ll forgive you."

At Seok Jangsan’s words, Kwak Yeon managed a faint smile.

He hadn’t done it for recognition or praise—it was for that result.

"That’s better! Though I’d like to see you smile wider, I’ll settle for that. After all, your usual expression…"

"My usual expression?"

"Don’t tell you didn’t know you walk around looking like a thundercloud all the ti."

"…!"

Kwak Yeon had never worn a bright expression. After all, he’d never had the opportunity to.

"They say a person’s fate follows their countenance. It’s not always true, but looking pleasant can’t hurt. You’ve heard the saying, right? No one spits on a smiling face."

At Seok Jangsan’s lighthearted comnt, Kwak Yeon allowed a small smile to cross his lips again.

When he thought about it, Seok Jangsan’s life had likely been far more difficult than his own.

Born as an illegitimate child, he must have endured countless hardships, even having to address his own father as "Lord Jang."

At least Kwak Yeon had been able to call his father "Father."

He respected Seok Jangsan deeply.

"I’ll keep your words in mind."

"There it is again, that serious expression. Honestly, you’re hopeless."

Shaking his head, Seok Jangsan continued.

"I think I know why you’re uneasy, though. The promotion exam to beco a disciple of the main sect is just around the corner, and you’re not feeling confident."

Kwak Yeon nodded abruptly.

"I think you’re right. When I watch the others spar, I realize just how far behind I am, yet the exam is nearly here."

Seok Jangsan replied, "You don’t need to worry about that."

"How can I not worry?"

"Because the promotion exam isn’t based on combat skills."

"What do you an? Then why teach us martial arts and make us spar?"

"If they were selecting based on combat skills, you and Ha Gang would’ve been eliminated long ago. They wouldn’t waste ti on it. It’s just physical brawling, where bigger kids have a clear advantage. If size and strength were the criteria, they’d just send those kids to the main sect, end of story."

"That’s true. So, you’re saying there’s another reason?"

Seok Jangsan nodded.

"It’s advantageous to start martial arts training as early as possible. Yet, here in Wudang, they spend three years on sothing else. Doesn’t that make you curious?"

"Do you know why?"

"Not exactly. But Lord Jang once said sothing like this: 'A tree grows tall only if its roots run deep.'"

"......"

"What I an is, the promotion exam probably asures how deep those roots have grown over the past three years."

Hearing that combat skills wouldn’t determine the outco gave Kwak Yeon a glimr of hope.

Even so, he couldn’t let himself feel secure. After all, physical aptitude still played a significant role in learning martial arts.

"Anyway, I think you’re amazing, especially after what you just did."

"...?"

"If you’d done nothing, you would’ve had an advantage. You never got sick, after all. If everyone else had been worn out from their stomachaches, you’d be at the top."

"Oh! I hadn’t thought of that. What a waste. You should’ve told earlier."

Seok Jangsan chuckled.

"Now you sound like one of us. By the way, that Jianche Yangsheng thod of yours is incredible. Even I’ve had stomachaches before, and I consider myself healthy, but you’ve been fine this whole ti."

"Want to give it a try?"

"No way. If I start eating like a monk with this bulky body, I’ll wither away and die first."

"Fair enough."

As Seok Jangsan observed Kwak Yeon’s brighter expression, he tilted his head curiously.

"You look a little different."

"Because I’m smiling?"

"No, it’s like your face has more vitality."

"Are you saying I used to look like a corpse?"

"Not exactly... It’s hard to put into words, but you seem more alive these past few days."

"..."

"Are you secretly taking so miraculous elixirs?"

"Sigh. If I had one, I’d be digging through the earth for it."

"Maybe you should try the pine forest. Who knows? You might find a thousand-year-old ginseng. Just don’t forget to share it with ."

After Seok Jangsan returned to his dormitory, Kwak Yeon reflected on their conversation.

If the final promotion exam wasn’t based on sparring, then maybe there was still hope for him.

He shared this thought with Ha Gang, who had been growing increasingly anxious.

"So let’s not lose heart."

Ha Gang stared at Kwak Yeon for a mont before responding.

"Even so, will that exam really favor us—or ?"

"..."

"Still, thank you. Honestly, I wouldn’t have made it this far without you."

The number of Gap-rank trainees in the dormitory had dwindled to about forty.

*****

Physician Hyun Ik Dojang rarely ventured into the village, but today he had co to replenish the dormitory’s dwindling dicinal supplies.

The new Division Leader had been flexible and understanding of the dispensary’s difficulties, allowing him to make the trip.

"Welco, Master Dojang!"

The owner of the village’s sole apothecary greeted him warmly.

"It’s been such a long ti since your last visit. You’re looking well—you even seem younger!"

"Boundless blessings of the Buddha. Please refrain from such idle flattery."

"No flattery, I swear!"

Hyun Ik Dojang couldn’t help but think that the Jianche Yangsheng thod seed to be effective.

He had even regained a sense of joy in studying dical texts.

Perhaps if he continued his studies, he might one day ascend to the main sect and join the dical Division.

'It’s all thanks to that boy.'

"I need to purchase a few dicinal ingredients."

"Anything you need, just na it."

As the apothecary prepared the items Hyun Ik Dojang had requested, a thought seed to occur to him.

"By the way, does the dormitory need more castor powder?"