I organized my thoughts and immediately began drafting a document.
It was a travel request form to visit the Wudang Sect.
The purpose of the trip… to donate to the Wudang Sect and request the merchant group’s protection.
After writing the document in one fluid motion, I stood up with a grin.
When I entered Father’s office to submit the travel request, he greeted me warmly.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes. I’m fine, Father.”
“To be seeing things, you must have been pushing yourself quite hard…”
I smiled at my father, who still looked worried, and asked.
“Are you alright, Father?”
“Me? Well, it’s my daily routine…”
Father and I looked at each other and chuckled.
“So, what brings you here?”
I handed the travel request to my father, who took it, read it through, and then studied my face.
“To the Wudang Sect?”
“Yes.”
I nodded and explained.
“It’s about time we started making our tribute, isn’t it?”
“Ahem, tribute! Isn’t there the more elegant term ‘donation’?”
“Yes, a tri… no, a donation of such magnitude can’t be entrusted to just anyone, can it? Having the Deputy Merchant Lord handle it would at least give us proper face.”
“Hmm, that’s… true.”
“And Brother Jeong-ho is swamped right now, and Brother Jin-ho is out on an escort mission.”
Father pondered for a moment, then nodded.
“You’ll have to work hard and finish everything beforehand so there are no disruptions to your duties. Will you be able to manage that?”
“I’ll… ensure there are no disruptions.”
“Alright. I’ll prepare the donation separately.”
And just like that, I received Father’s permission.
Now, all that remained was handling my work in advance so there would be no problems even if I was gone for more than half a month. And I’d probably have to work during the journey too.
I steeled my resolve.
After getting revenge on the Baekcheon Merchant Group and the Murim Alliance, and once the Eunhae Merchant Group became the number one merchant group in the world, then I’d truly rest.
I’d rest very, very well.
The Wudang Sect.
A sect located on Mount Wudang, or more precisely, in Jun County of Hubei Province, known to have been founded by Zhang Sanfeng.
As a Daoist sect, its martial arts could be described by the phrase ‘the soft overcomes the hard.’
As one of the two great pillars of the Orthodox Murim, its prestige was immense.
Deep within that Wudang Sect.
There was a building where twelve Wudang martial artists always stood guard in pairs.
Inside that building was a small pavilion, tightly bound with sacred ropes and iron chains.
Two people dressed in Wudang robes were passing by.
A boy who looked about ten years old asked the young man who appeared to be in his twenties.
“Senior Brother, what is that pavilion that’s being guarded so heavily?”
“That is a place you must never approach.”
“Why is that?”
“If you go there, you’ll be cursed and transform into a monster. That’s why they’re guarding it—to keep people from going inside.”
“Transform into a monster?”
“The guards are also tasked with killing that monster. I heard they tear it to shreds so it can’t come back to life…”
“Hiek!”
The boy was horrified by the gruesome words.
“Well, I won’t stop you if you’re curious and want to go. If you really do turn into a monster, you’ll regret it then, thinking ‘why did I do that?'”
“S-Senior Brother! Don’t say such frightening things! I will never go there!”
“Yes, a wise choice.”
“Let’s hurry. The people from the Eunhae Merchant Group will be waiting.”
“Come to think of it, the Handsome Young Hero is coming too, right?”
“So I’ve heard.”
“I’m curious—they say he’s extraordinarily handsome.”
“A disciple seeking the Dao must not focus on outward appearances.”
“Yes, Senior Brother.”
After replying, the boy, who had been walking away, suddenly stopped.
‘Did I just hear a flute?’
But when he listened again, he heard nothing, and thinking it was his imagination, he followed his Senior Brother.
.
.
.
At that moment,
In the underground area connected through the forbidden pavilion of the Wudang Sect.
Gnash, gnash.
Someone inside that prison was grinding their teeth in fury.
In the darkness, two red pupils gleamed like burning coals.
Just then, the sound of a flute reached his ears. He let out a maniacal laugh.
“Hehehe, the day I leave this place is not far off.”
There’s a story that the Wudang Sect began as a Daoist temple for the Great Emperor Zhenwu, built by imperial order.
Perhaps because of that, the size of the mountain gate was immense.
And in front of that mountain gate was a sword-checking pond where visitors stored their weapons.
We disarmed there and met with the Daoists of the Wudang Sect.
“We’ve been waiting for you. You’ve arrived earlier than expected.”
“Yes. The thought of visiting the renowned Wudang Sect must have quickened my steps with excitement.”
“We are only grateful that you hold our sect in such high regard.”
The disciple acting as gatekeeper, who had politely bowed, continued.
“If you wait just a moment, the disciples in charge of guiding you will come down.”
“Understood.”
After waiting for about one shichen (roughly two hours), two Wudang Daoists approached us.
“I am Eun Seo-ho, the Deputy Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group. And this is my party.”
“I am the twenty-fifth generation disciple, Gong Ryun.”
“I am the twenty-sixth generation disciple, Mu Un.”
Daoist Gong Ryun cupped his fist and showed his respects once more.
“It is an honor to meet the famous Handsome Young Hero.”
“You flatter me.”
“Welcome to our sect. And I heard you brought some goods…”
“Yes, that’s correct. They are waiting down below.”
We descended below the mountain gate, and Daoist Gong Ryun and Daoist Mu Un were visibly startled.
“Is that… all of it…”
“Yes.”
Even I had to admit that the amount of goods we’d brought for the donation was quite substantial.
But this was none other than one of the two great pillars of the Orthodox Murim, a sect located in Hubei Province, where the Eunhae Merchant Group’s main headquarters was situated.
There would be many occasions when we’d need to borrow their prestige, so it was necessary to maintain friendly relations.
The Wudang Sect, being a Daoist sect, was not particularly wealthy despite its size and status.
Moreover, the damage they’d suffered while subduing a Blood Cultist about twenty years ago was substantial.
Their own losses were considerable, and the wealth spent compensating the surrounding areas was equally significant.
Because of that, they were barely managing financially.
They were recovering bit by bit with donations from secular disciples and nearby merchant groups, but they still weren’t as prosperous as before.
So they would welcome the goods we’d brought.
Especially since it was now the beginning of the year, and a time when supplies of all kinds would be running low was approaching.
“If it’s alright with you, I’d like to go in soon. It gets cold when the sun sets, and it’s difficult to move the carts.”
At my words, Daoist Gong Ryun nodded.
“You’re absolutely right. Please follow me. I will guide you.”
Many people lived within the Wudang Sect, and the supplies they used were considerable.
It was a difficult task for people to carry all of that up the rough mountain paths.
That’s why there was a road that could be traveled by cart from the village to the Wudang Sect.
But since they also had to be wary of outside intruders, Wudang disciples conducted security checks in groups of four at regular intervals.
“That’s all. Thank you for your cooperation.”
This was already the fifth security check.
Watching me put away my identification tag, Daoist Gong Ryun said.
“I apologize for the inconvenience.”
“Not at all. The Wudang Sect is a place touched by the hand of the Great Emperor Zhenwu, is it not? I believe it’s necessary to prevent any ill-intentioned individuals from defiling this sacred place.”
At my words, Daoist Gong Ryun and Daoist Mu Un cupped their fists and said.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
After a total of ten security checks, we were finally able to enter the inner grounds of the Wudang Sect’s mountain gate.
Daoist Gong Ryun said.
“Welcome to the Wudang Sect. Then, I will first escort you to the guest hall.”
Many people visited the Wudang Sect, and perhaps because of that, the guest hall where visitors stayed was also quite spacious.
The two Daoists who’d guided us handed us over to the person in charge of the guest hall.
“I am Baek Mun, the head of the guest hall. Welcome, patrons from the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
“I have brought a letter from our Merchant Lord. Thus, I would like to meet the Sect Leader and deliver it to him personally.”
“I will report it to my superiors, so please come inside and rest for now.”
We were guided to the lodgings for guests. It wasn’t large, but it was neat and tastefully arranged.
“Whew, that was exhausting.”
At my words, Palgap nodded.
“Mount Wudang is Mount Wudang, after all.”
“I probably won’t be able to see the Sect Leader until after dinner, so let’s rest for a bit.”
“Understood, sir.”
.
.
.
As I expected, we were summoned by the Sect Leader after dinner.
Before me stood a magnificent building with a sign that read ‘Three Purities Pavilion.’
That was the Three Purities Pavilion, where the Sect Leader of the Wudang Sect resided and where meetings of the elder-level and above were held.
The sight of the Three Purities Pavilion harmonizing with Mount Wudang was so magnificent it felt as if the entire world lay beneath my feet.
‘It makes one naturally humble.’
I unconsciously brought my hands together in front of me.
“The Sect Leader is waiting inside. Only Deputy Merchant Lord Handsome Young Hero may enter.”
At those words, I glanced at those behind me and nodded.
The door opened, and inside sat a Daoist with a white beard that reached his chest.
“Come in. I welcome you to our sect.”
“Thank you for welcoming me. I am Eun Seo-ho, the Deputy Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
“I am Sect Leader Jin Seon.”
“To visit this place I have always admired and meet the Sect Leader is the honor of three lifetimes.”
“Hahaha, you flatter me. Please, sit comfortably.”
“Thank you.”
I settled myself in front of the Sect Leader.
A disciple attending to the Sect Leader served me tea.
“I heard the Eunhae Merchant Group has provided a considerable amount of supplies this time.”
“Yes, they are humble supplies, but I would be glad if they could contribute to the stability and peace of Hubei Province.”
“I thank you for the generosity of the patron and the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
“Here is a letter from my father, the Merchant Lord.”
I handed Father’s letter to the Sect Leader and we exchanged some pleasant conversation.
And when it was about time to wrap up our meeting, I brought up the main topic.
“As I mentioned earlier, I have always admired the Wudang Sect since I was young. And I have been given this opportunity to visit.”
I continued.
“Therefore, I would like to look around this place. Would you grant me permission?”
The Sect Leader looked at me with a serene expression.
“…”
“…”
‘I don’t know why he’s just staring at me without saying anything—it’s making me nervous.’
‘Is it a refusal?’
‘Or permission?’
‘It would be awkward if it’s a refusal.’
‘Honestly, I could think of other approaches, but the supplies I brought to donate are a little… wasteful.’
It was then.
The Sect Leader drained the tea in front of him in one gulp.
‘Ah!’
My expression brightened.
“You may do so.”
“Thank you for granting my humble request.”
“I will have the ones who brought you here today guide you.”
.
.
.
After my meeting with the Sect Leader, on my way back to the guest hall, I saw the goods being unloaded from the carts.
This was because anything brought as a donation to the Wudang Sect could only be brought into the warehouse with the Sect Leader’s permission.
And so, the first day at the Wudang Sect came to a close.
.
.
.
I had a dream.
I stood in a void of pure white.
Dense fog made it impossible to see even an inch ahead.
“Where… am I?”
I muttered to myself and walked and walked, but it felt as if I were walking in place.
Thud.
Something caught my foot.
I lifted my head, and through a small break in the fog, I saw a building.
A small pavilion, completely bound in sacred ropes and iron chains.
“This place is…?”
As I voiced my question, I heard someone call me from behind.
“O one connected by the fate of the Black Tortoise…”
“…?”
I turned around, but all I could make out was someone dressed in black.
“It is tragic that the blood of humans will be spilled on this place once again.”
‘What in the world does that mean?’
“O one who lives a second life.”
“…!”
At those words, I was startled. So I reacted sharply without thinking.
“Who are you?”
“I am the one who returned this mountain to the humans, the Great Emperor Zhenwu.”
“…!”
It’s said that long ago, there were numerous monsters on Mount Wudang, and because of them, humans suffered greatly.
Unable to bear it any longer, the Great Emperor Zhenwu himself descended from the heavens, eliminated all the monsters, and returned Mount Wudang to the humans, so the legend goes.
‘Why has a legendary being appeared before me?’
“What do you want from me?”
“O fated one, stop the bloodbath of this land.”
The aura emanating from the one who identified himself as the Great Emperor Zhenwu was enough to make one kneel instinctively.
Faced with that overwhelming presence, even a non-martial artist would have unconditionally said, “Understood,” but I must be a merchant through and through.
Seeing as I made him a deal.
“If I stop the bloodbath, what will you do for me?”
–TL Notes–
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This guy….