Wudang Sacred Scriptures

Jegal Geon, the Fire Dragon of the Jegal Family, studied Kwak Yeon for a moment before asking,

“How were you able to do that?”

He was asking how Kwak had made it possible for them to walk the path within the mental state together.

Kwak answered readily.

“An eccentric once called it a sword debate within the mental state.”

He did not bother to reveal that the eccentric had been the White-Haired Demon Queen of Moonlight Palace.

She had chosen to live in seclusion. Drawing needless attention to her might only bring her trouble.

“A sword debate within the mental state...!”

Jegal Geon murmured the words under his breath, then looked toward Kwak.

“Thanks to you, Taoist Kwak, my horizons have widened. And... I saw that there was a path.”

“...”

“Truthfully, it would be proper to offer you a deep bow. But I am still far too overwhelmed for that. Let me thank you first.”

Jegal Geon straightened himself and gave a clasped-hands bow.

“Thank you.”

Kwak shook his head.

“We merely walked part of the way together. I never did it to receive your thanks. Even if you had wished to offer a deep bow, I would have refused it. Do not trouble yourself further over such empty ceremony.”

“...”

The turmoil in Jegal Geon’s heart was plain upon his face.

Too much had happened in too short a time, crashing over him like a storm. His feelings had changed just as swiftly.

Kwak opened his mouth to bring the matter to a close.

“At any rate, if you saw the path, then you must also have seen how perilous it is.”

Jegal Geon nodded.

“It was more than perilous.”

“...?”

“I had been walking the wrong path from the very beginning.”

As he followed Kwak along the path within the mental state, Jegal Geon had realized that the Jegal Family’s secret heart method, though a supreme art passed down through the ages, was a path warped slightly off course.

At first, one could race down it without restraint.

Yet in the end, it led only to a dead end.

The countless geniuses of the Jegal Family had been ground down because they had tried to force open a road where no road existed.

Jegal Geon himself had learned the Virgin’s Technique, a martial art that was little more than a punishment from heaven, in an attempt to break through that blocked path.

“Such is the fate of a second son of the Main House, born with such gifts.”

Though his father had driven him into the secret cave, Jegal Geon had endured everything in the hope that he, at least, might break the curse of the family’s secret heart method.

“Chief Secretary Kwak, however distant and perilous that path may be, it cannot be compared to a path that does not exist at all. I am truly grateful.”

When Jegal Geon thanked him again, Kwak replied,

“You have thanked me enough already. But if you truly wish to thank someone, then thank your Clan Master.”

“...?”

“The consideration your Clan Master placed in that letter was far too great to dismiss as a mere gesture. Of course, I know you were not speaking without understanding your Clan Master’s heart.”

“...!”

Kwak rose to his feet.

“At any rate, do not forget the promise you made to me. Make sure you keep it.”

He meant the promise to await a future contest between rivals.

Yet Jegal Geon now understood that it had been an excuse Kwak used to show him the path of the heart method.

“I will do everything I can to fulfill that promise as soon as possible.”

The expression Jegal Geon turned toward Kwak was much brighter than before.

Kwak was about to leave the inner room when he stopped.

The restless quality he had sensed in the Fire Dragon’s sword aura, like dry kindling catching flame, still troubled him.

A sword aura tilted entirely toward fierce Yang and stripped of balance was all the more easily shattered.

Kwak wondered whether he was meddling too much, then suddenly recalled the Martial Supreme Venerable Cheol Gun-ak’s teaching.

“My teaching follows the unbroken chain of bonds. When opportunity reaches you and you encounter a suitable bond, pass it on. That will be enough.”

Kwak understood better than most that one bond could become another, which in turn could give rise to yet another.

“This seems like a book made just for you.”

After all, the careless kindness of the training ground librarian, who had handed him that book, had become the seed from which the person he was now had grown.

Having made up his mind, Kwak spoke to Jegal Geon.

“I understand that once chastity is broken, all the accumulated progress of the Virgin’s Technique scatters. You cannot help but have a temperament like blazing fire because of that. But if you diligently follow the proper path of the heart method, you may eventually learn to govern your anger to some extent.”

With that, Kwak turned away without hesitation.

Jegal Geon had reached at least the middle level of the Flower Realm. He naturally understood the principle that Qi arises from the heart.

Kwak thought anything more would only be superfluous.

*****

When Kwak emerged from the rear-garden inner room, Jegal Jin, Clan Master of the Jegal Family, and Grand Envoy Jegal Choryang were waiting for him °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° in the rear garden.

Kwak had sensed their presences outside long before, so he faced them without particular reaction.

“Chief Secretary Kwak, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Jegal Jin gave Kwak a cupped-hands salute.

“The Sword of Wudang, concerned for this family’s honor, reprimanded an innocent Chief Secretary Kwak and even personally apologized to this sinful Clan Master. I was already ashamed beyond measure. Yet in the midst of all that, Chief Secretary Kwak has granted immeasurable help toward this family’s long-held wish. I do not know how this boundless favor can ever be repaid.”

Jegal Jin’s voice was so full of feeling that the sincerity behind it could not be doubted.

Yet Kwak merely returned a light silent bow and answered calmly, as though he felt no particular way about it.

“I have done no favor of the kind you describe.”

“Chief Secretary Kwak, there is no need to humble yourself in this matter. I have ears as well. I heard the words you gave my younger brother.”

Kwak slowly shook his head.

“I merely carried out a task that had been given to me. And I gained much from it as well.”

Jegal Jin assumed that Kwak was saying this only out of humility.

“Even so, this family has received a grace greater than anything else. Whatever Chief Secretary Kwak wishes from us, I will grant it.”

Jegal Jin had found a way to solve the problem of the secret heart method that had brought misfortune upon his family for generations. He wanted to show his gratitude somehow.

Seeing that the Clan Master had no intention of letting the matter go easily, Kwak spoke honestly.

“My ability fell short, so I could not offer as much help as you believe. I was only able to make the attempt because you sent me that letter.”

“...”

“I have circumstances of my own, so I cannot explain in detail. But it is certainly true that I gained much from this as well. Please do not offer any more empty compliments.”

Jegal Jin could no longer press him after Kwak refused so firmly.

“Since Chief Secretary Kwak puts it that way, it would be shameless of me to insist any further. Still, I will etch this into my bones: you have washed away the resentment you held toward this family with kindness. I will ensure that this family conducts itself properly from now on. I will also investigate once more whether anyone who fell victim to the Hidden Dragon Command’s misdeeds was overlooked, and see that they are fully compensated.”

Kwak had learned through the Martial Supreme Venerable that Uncheon Zhenren’s apology to Jegal Jin had been made as a representative of the Wudang Sect.

He also knew that, beneath that action, lay Uncheon Zhenren’s concern for Kwak himself, who had provoked the entire Jegal Family.

Perhaps because of that, Kwak could now understand, at least a little, the burdens borne by the head of a great family.

He returned the courtesy with proper formality.

“Since you say that, Clan Master, I feel that coming here today has been worthwhile. Please forgive me for entering the depths of your manor without permission and causing a disturbance.”

“Chief Secretary Kwak, how could that be an issue? Should you ever have guidance to offer this family, come at any time without hesitation.”

“Then I, Kwak, will take my leave.”

As Kwak gave a clasped-hands bow and prepared to depart, Jegal Jin turned to Jegal Choryang.

“Grand Envoy, guide Chief Secretary Kwak out.”

“I will.”

Then Jegal Jin said to Kwak,

“It would be proper for me to see you out myself, but there is something I feel too awkward about. I ask for your understanding.”

Kwak assumed that Jegal Jin wished to hurry into the rear-garden inner room because he was worried about his younger brother, and he readily agreed.

“I understand. As it happens, I had something to say to Grand Envoy Jegal as well.”

Once they had left the rear garden under the guidance of Martial Alliance Grand Envoy Jegal Choryang, Kwak said,

“Grand Envoy Jegal, forgive me for not speaking to you beforehand. I was concerned that there might be listening ears, and that someone could interfere.”

“Oh, there is nothing to apologize for.”

Jegal Choryang shook his head vigorously before continuing.

“How could I fail to understand that Chief Secretary Kwak was sparing this family from something that would not be good for us if anyone heard it?”

It was hardly a matter of pride for a great family to have an outsider improve its martial arts.

“Thank you for receiving my intentions in good faith.”

At Kwak’s words, Jegal Choryang’s face flushed faintly.

“Chief Secretary Kwak, there is something for which I must apologize.”

“...?”

“Do you remember when the Martial Alliance intervened in the dispute between the Alliance of the Demonic Path and the Wudang Sect and forced a peace agreement?”

“...!”

“I was the one who led that.”

Jegal Choryang gave a silent bow.

“I am deeply sorry.”

“What is there for Grand Envoy Jegal to apologize for? There were misunderstandings on both sides then, and you were acting according to your family’s policy.”

Startled by the unexpected response, Jegal Choryang raised his head.

Kwak continued quietly.

“Truthfully, it was fortunate that the Martial Alliance’s peace proposal ended the conflict between the two sides.”

He meant it.

For a time, Kwak had been consumed by self-reproach over the fact that Jeong Ichu had died because of what he had done.

Had the dispute grown into a greater conflict and claimed more of his fellow disciples from Wudang, he would have suffered even more.

“Thank you for understanding with such generosity, Chief Secretary Kwak.”

After giving another clasped-hands bow, Jegal Choryang turned and took the lead.

Yet instead of heading for the main gate as Kwak had expected, Jegal Choryang led him toward a pavilion within the Inner Court.

“...?”

When Kwak looked at him in confusion, Jegal Choryang spoke with an awkward expression.

“The truth is, a Taoist from Wudang has arrived. I misunderstood Chief Secretary Kwak and sent word to the Wudang Sect’s manor. Our Clan Master happened to be there as well.”

Kwak finally understood why Jegal Jin had said he felt awkward.

“So this came about because I rushed in without hearing the facts.”

Jegal Choryang gave an embarrassed smile.

“That is what happened, Chief Secretary Kwak. So please meet the Taoist before you leave.”

“Well, that is hardly difficult.”

Kwak nodded readily and entered the pavilion.

Hyeonam Taoist was sitting alone before a tea table in the pavilion’s main hall.

“Senior Brother Hyeonam, it is good to see you.”

“Junior Brother Kwak, sit.”

Kwak took the seat Hyeonam Taoist indicated and faced him across the tea table.

A short while later, a young maid entered the pavilion carrying a complete tea service.

—TRICKLE.

The young maid poured tea into Hyeonam Taoist’s cup first. Then she came to Kwak’s side and said,

“Chief Secretary Kwak, the Grand Envoy asked me to tell you that this tea is called Heaven-High Grace.”

Grace as high as heaven.

It was the sentiment of her master, Jegal Choryang, contained in the tea’s name.

—CLINK! THUD!

The spout of the teapot scraped the rim of the cup and knocked it over through the young maid’s mistake.

“I am sorry!”

She hurriedly set down the teapot and righted the fallen cup.

—SWISH.

As she did, Kwak saw her discreetly wipe the bottom of the cup with the end of her sleeve.

Of course, Kwak had already seen the writing on its underside.

It was beyond question that the young maid had deliberately knocked over the cup so Hyeonam Taoist could not see the bottom.

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