Wudang Sacred Scriptures

"That method… you were the one who taught it to me back in the Byeong-rank training hall."
At Kwak Yeon’s words, Seok Jangsan looked bewildered.

"The only thing I taught you there was the Tendon and Bone Training Method."
"Exactly. That’s what I’m talking about."
"Hey! That’s just a method to develop micro-muscles. Using them is a whole different issue!"

"No, it’s the same thing."
"Huh?"
"The method stimulates the fine meridians to move micro-muscles. That’s the key principle."

Kwak Yeon explained how, by training micro-muscles through the Tendon and Bone Training Method, the fine meridians naturally expanded and strengthened. Then, he continued.
"So in reverse, stimulating the fine meridians should also allow us to control micro-muscles."
Seok Jangsan thought for a moment, then his half-lidded eyes widened in shock.

"You… are you actually a genius? How do you even come up with these things?"
Kwak Yeon smirked.
"If I were a genius, then all the geniuses in the world must have frozen to death already. But I’ll take the compliment."

"I’m not just saying this to flatter you. You’re seriously… wait a minute, that look in your eyes—"
Seok Jangsan suddenly recoiled, a grimace forming on his face as he stared at Kwak Yeon's gleaming, eager eyes.
"You’re planning to tell the others about this again, aren’t you?"

"Why are you even asking? Of course I am."
"Huaah!"
Seok Jangsan let out a deep sigh before suddenly shouting.

"Hey! Didn’t you already get scolded by the Lord last time for doing this?!"
Determined, Kwak Yeon went straight to Instructor Hyeonmun and voiced his thoughts.
"I do not permit it."
Instructor Hyeonmun cut him off instantly.

"Do you know why I never taught you the principles behind these martial arts?"
"…?"
"Because I wanted you to realize them on your own. If someone spoon-feeds the answers to you, you will inevitably grow dependent and complacent. Right now, in the Main Sect, you are only laying the foundation."

Kwak Yeon still looked doubtful, so Instructor Hyeonmun studied him for a moment before speaking again.
"You’ve studied the Daoist Scriptures, so you must have heard this before: ‘Dao ke dao, fei heng dao; ming ke ming, fei chang ming.’"
"Yes, I have."

It was the very first verse of the Tao Te Ching, something deeply etched into his memory from the scripture-reading sessions in the Byeong-rank training hall.
"What does it mean?"
"It means that the Dao is vast and profound, and the moment one tries to define it with words, it ceases to be the true Dao and can no longer be conveyed."

"Exactly. Advanced martial arts are like the Dao—you must reach them through self-realization. The question is, do you really think that spoon-feeding these children will help them in the long run?"
"Ah… If anything, I’d just be interfering with their future development."
At Kwak Yeon’s realization, Instructor Hyeonmun nodded.

"However, demonstrating the results of your training is acceptable. That can serve as both motivation and a catalyst for their own discoveries. In truth, that is the role of a teacher."
"…!"
"Don’t be discouraged or disappointed. One day, the others will come to understand your intentions."

At last, Kwak Yeon fully grasped Instructor Hyeonmun’s lesson. When he left the hall, he felt a new sense of clarity.
"Kwak Yeon!"
"…Yes?"

"As I’ve told you before—don’t stop moving forward."
It was only then that Kwak Yeon truly realized something.
Instructor Hyeonmun cared for them deeply.

If he had only intended for them to reach the level of ordinary martial artists, he would have simply explained every concept to them outright.
 
****

The adaptation of the Tendon and Bone Training Method to the Taiji Sphere Technique proved incredibly effective.
By consciously expanding his fine meridians along the flow of the iron sphere, Kwak Yeon managed to activate his micro-muscles in response.
As he loosened the micro-muscles pressed beneath the weight of the iron sphere, its rotation remained uninterrupted.

Of course, he couldn’t perfectly control them from the start. He frequently dropped the sphere in the beginning.
But as he gradually adjusted, he became more proficient in directing his micro-muscles.
At last, Kwak Yeon reached the point where he could train with a wooden sphere—significantly lighter than the iron one.

"Wow! Congratulations!"
Seok Jangsan beamed with genuine happiness.
"You finally graduated from iron spheres!"

"Stop making such a big deal out of it. # Nоvеlight # It’s just the first stage of Taiji Sphere mastery. You already moved on to cloth spheres a while ago."
"Oh? Are you jealous?"
Kwak Yeon’s face reddened slightly.

"I’m human too. Of course I’d be jealous."
"Hah! So you are human. I was starting to think you were some enlightened monk."
"Even as a metaphor, that’s a little off. This is the Daoist sect, not a Buddhist monastery."

"Does it matter? It’s not like I plan on becoming a Daoist priest anyway."
Kwak Yeon remained silent.
Unlike Seok Jangsan, who had a family to return to, Kwak Yeon had to remain in Wudang no matter what.

Becoming a direct disciple still felt like a distant dream.
Seok Jangsan read the emotions on his face and spoke up.
"Come on, at least smile today. They say ‘a good start is half the battle,’ right? Now that the dam has been broken, the road ahead should open more easily."

"…?"
"After trying what you told me, I finally understood why controlling the fine meridians is so important. Once you reach the tenth level of the Taiji Sphere Technique, you can even manipulate the spheres using wind."
"Using wind to move the spheres?"

Kwak Yeon, unfamiliar with higher-level martial arts, grew intrigued.
"Explain that in more detail."
"Imagine if we had immense internal energy. By channeling it through the fine meridians and exhaling energy outward, we could generate rotational wind currents to move the spheres."

"…!"
"Now you understand why Wudang disciples are required to train in the Taiji Sphere Technique? It’s to fortify the pathways for circulating inner energy throughout the body."
Kwak Yeon had only vaguely thought about it before, but now he understood it clearly.

"But let’s be real—even reaching the third or fourth level feels impossible right now. When will I ever get to the tenth?"
"No, Kwak Yeon, you’ll get there. You don’t even have inner energy yet, but you’re already controlling your muscles using fine meridians. Once you do develop inner energy, your progress will be insane."
"Wouldn’t the same apply to you?"

Seok Jangsan shook his head.
"I’m trying to use the same principle, but I haven’t reached the point of expanding my fine meridians like you. I just rely on my natural athleticism to move my micro-muscles—that’s how I made it to the third level."
"…!"

For the first time, Kwak Yeon realized—his method might actually be unique.
"Instructor Hyeonmun wasn’t just making empty warnings when he said you’d only confuse the others. You’ve been shaping your vessel all this time—through relentless daily training of the Celestial Meridian Map. That’s why."
Seok Jangsan let out a quiet sigh before continuing.

"Honestly… I should never have stopped following your lead back then."
Seok Jangsan was now two full steps ahead of Kwak Yeon. And from the vantage point of progress, one could clearly see the path already traveled—just like standing at the peak of a mountain.
So if Seok Jangsan was expressing regret, he truly meant it.

Ah… so all my meridian studies actually had an effect.
Kwak Yeon had simply assumed that utilizing the Celestial Meridian Map allowed him to recover from fatigue faster.
He hadn’t realized he had been shaping his own vessel all along.

One rarely perceives the changes happening within themselves. And since Kwak Yeon had never been the type to compare himself to others or take pride in superiority, he had been completely oblivious to his own growth.
But Seok Jangsan had been by his side all this time, observing closely, sharing thoughts without reserve—so he had noticed.
Regardless, Kwak Yeon now felt a spark of hope.

"Thanks."
He was truly grateful to Seok Jangsan, who constantly recognized his efforts and encouraged him.
Seok Jangsan clapped him on the shoulder.

"Friends don’t say ‘thanks.’ I just told you what I saw. Honestly, I should be the one thanking you. If it weren’t for your teachings, I’d still be stuck training with a wooden sphere."
Feeling a lump rise in his throat, Kwak Yeon forced his voice into irritation.
"Enough with the flattery. It’s not like I figured it all out by myself."

"Come on, you know my part in this wasn’t even a tenth. Most of it was you."
Noticing Kwak Yeon’s eyes redden slightly, Seok Jangsan quickly changed the subject.
"Anyway, what do you think about Ha Gang?"

"Ha Gang? Why bring him up all of a sudden?"
"He’s been training alone for a while now."
"Yeah. He’s always been quiet, and after… well, everything that happened, it’s no surprise."

"And yet, he’s keeping up just fine."
"He must’ve been training hard on his own."
"That’s one way to see it. But to me… something feels off."

"…?"
"Even back in the training hall, Ha Gang never stood out much, but he steadily advanced—almost like he always had luck on his side. That’s been bothering me."
Kwak Yeon tilted his head.

"Is that really something to worry about? If anything, shouldn’t I be the one who seems more unnatural?"
Seok Jangsan smirked.
"You? You’re way past unnatural—you’re a research subject. That’s why I’m sticking around you."

"Haaah… I swear, I’ll never win an argument with you."
Seok Jangsan’s expression grew serious again.
"I’ve seen moments where Ha Gang seemed to be trying to look ordinary."

"…?"
"You know, it’s actually really hard to seem average on purpose. I tried it myself when training with the Taiji Sphere Technique, but I got caught instantly."
"You think Ha Gang is hiding his talent? That doesn’t make sense."

Seok Jangsan couldn’t give a concrete answer.
His suspicions had only started a few days ago, ever since he noticed Ha Gang’s sharp, instinctive reaction when he lightly tapped his shoulder.
It hadn’t seemed like a conscious movement—more like a deeply ingrained reflex.

That realization had sparked a chain of questions about Ha Gang.
But in the end, it was only a personal hunch, so Seok Jangsan decided to drop the matter.
"I’m not making any claims. Just saying it feels a little odd."

"Let’s not overthink it. If you get into the habit of doubting people, it’ll only lead to trouble."
"Hah, and now the Buddha himself speaks. Fine, whatever. Just know that Ha Gang is keeping up well—so there’s no need for you to worry about him."
Kwak Yeon, who had indeed been unconsciously keeping an eye on Ha Gang, remained silent.

Yeah… I’m in no position to be worrying about others.
From that day on, Kwak Yeon diligently practiced with the wooden sphere in front of the new disciples.
He didn’t explain anything with words.

Instead, he let them observe his movements and posture, hoping they would take something from it.
Three days later, he saw Ha Gang set down his iron sphere and pick up a wooden one.
Maybe Seok Jangsan was right. That kid might really have talent.

 
****
"You’re looking sharp."

Instructor Hyeonmun, the Lord of Wudang’s Main Sect, was bewildered by the sudden visit of Great Elder Unhak Jin-in. Even more so because he was accompanied by the Precepts Hall Lord.
"It’s all thanks to the guidance of Grand Elder Taesabaek."
Unhak Jin-in responded indifferently.

"I’ve heard that this batch of new disciples has been advancing quickly."
"They’ve just completed Taiji Sphere training and are beginning Nine Palms Strength training. Remarkably, not a single one has failed."
"Reaching Nine Palms Strength in just six months… that is quite unexpected."

"May I ask what brings you to such a remote place, Grand Elder?"
Unhak Jin-in closed his eyes without answering, and it was the Precepts Hall Lord, Hyeoncheol Daoist, who finally spoke.
"Brother Hyeonmun, we’ve received intelligence from the Murim Alliance."

"…?"
"Among this year’s new Wudang disciples… there is a spy from the Demonic Cult."