Chapter 4: The Departing Path (道)
While teaching me, Master Zhang Sanfeng spoke about the essence of orthodox martial arts.
The essence of orthodox martial arts was not originally created to defeat others.
The core of orthodox martial arts is self-cultivation and the pursuit of self-completion.
The ultimate goal is transcendence, becoming an existence that surpasses humanity itself.
“I am me”
Know yourself.
“I am mind”
Understand your own mind.
“I surpass me”
Transcend yourself.
In the end, the enemy in orthodox martial arts is only oneself.
The moment one transcends oneself, one can achieve transcendence and become an existence beyond humanity.
The superhuman strength displayed by martial artists is merely a byproduct of the cultivation process.
[However, the orthodox martial arts of today have deteriorated. All the martial arts you learned in the Wudang Sect are also focused on defeating others rather than overcoming oneself.]
Refining martial arts is about refining oneself. The focus should be on one’s own growth, not on techniques to defeat others easily.
[That is why no one has reached the level of an immortal anymore.]
Master Zhang Sanfeng lamented this.
The deep regret from a pathfinder looking down upon the foolishness of his immature successors was so intense it hit me in the chest.
Indeed, this must be the essence of Master Zhang Sanfeng having become an immortal.
Damn it! I believed it!
[Argh! Damn it, I’m struggling because no successor has come in!]
…Excuse me?
[Ugh!! The more I think about it, the angrier I get!]
Why does he give off a strange aura in an odd place after being so successful?
Is that place called Heaven okay?
Anyway, that’s what I learned from Master Zhang Sanfeng.
The true orthodox martial arts, now faded away by those seeking an easy path, and the way to transcend humanity.
Master Zhang Sanfeng had to understand this through countless trials and errors, but the teachings bestowed upon me were not like that. The authentic techniques refined by Master Zhang Sanfeng after long years in heaven, as well as those from when he was once human, poured out.
For some unknown reason, my learning ability regarding what Master Zhang Sanfeng taught exceeded common sense. It was so remarkable that Master Zhang Sanfeng pounded me with all sorts of teachings.
Thus, the hardships I endured in just fifteen days were beyond imagination.
Even though it was only fifteen days, considering what I had received, it was only natural that Yoon Si-hoo began to seem trivial.
Yoon Si-hoo, provoked by my challenging words, attacked fiercely.
Bow Stance (弓步). A typical stance where the legs stretch out like a bow and the hands are extended in a Push Palm (推掌) technique. He attacked with the Bow Stance Push Palm (弓步推掌) technique.
Although it seemed simple, it incorporated the essence of the Wudang Sect. From stretching out the legs to the spinal posture, the movements in drawing power included a solid framework of Wudang Sect’s true internal technique.
But apparently, he thought that wasn’t enough.
“Ha!”
Yoon Si-hoo added skill to his attack.
He suddenly shifted his extended hand to swipe diagonally like a whip.
It was a technique combining thrusting and downward striking.
Moreover, the tip of his hand, slightly curved like a hook, would either strike or hook my arm if I blocked or parried the attack.
Without Master Zhang Sanfeng, I would have been completely defeated.
Not now.
“Everything is visible.”
Every single move Yoon Si-hoo makes, how it changes, and the teachings of Wudang Sect contained within.
Even the slightest curve of his fingertips.
With a clear mind, I see it all.
A serene and tranquil lake reflects the changes happening within.
In fact, it’s not just a matter of physical training and mental stability.
But even that changes the world.
“That is Qingjing.”
The beginning of Wudang Sect’s martial arts.
Observing and sensing.
Understanding naturally leads to perceiving everything about the opponent.
Understanding is not frightening.
Yoon Si-hoo is not frightening.
“If you avoid the hook, it’s fine.”
My moving hand avoided the sharp hook at the tip.
Pachak!
The sharpness finds no place to penetrate.
“He must have taken the elixir.”
Instead of directly clashing, I deflected the attack, and even so, the touch of his hand was sharp.
“Avoiding the clash is enough.”
Since when did Wudang Sect’s martial arts prioritize brute strength?
It’s not about overpowering with force. At least, what I learned was not like that.
The real thing is different!
Avoiding the hook-like curve of the hand, I still deflected the substantial force of Yoon Si-hoo’s attack.
No matter how strong the force, if you don’t give it a place to explode, it will merely scatter uselessly.
The force that scatters aimlessly leaves a large opening.
I saw that opening.
It was a target I could strike with my own power, not just from Master Zhang Sanfeng’s guidance.
Pachak!
Palm Strike (장제). A palm strike to the chin.
This time, I struck with my own power!
“Gack!”
Yoon Si-hoo, letting out a dying cry, staggered back.
“…Damn it!”
Perhaps due to pride, despite his mind being shattered, Yoon Si-hu managed to stand on his two legs.
“How… How!!”
He was being dominated by someone he used to look down on. His confidence, once bolstered by the elixir, was now shattered.
I saw the whirlwind of emotions Yoon Si-hoo was experiencing.
I laughed at the sight of Yoon Si-hu.
“Yeah, it’s better to wrap things up properly.”
Yoon Si-hoo, seeing my smile, struggled and unleashed a desperate attack.
However, his momentum was not the same as before.
His lower body and waist, the pillars supporting his body, wobbled. Thus, his upper body, which extended his arms, was also unsteady.
“Whoosh!”
The attack lacked proper force. Although it was not trivial enough to be dismissed, it was clearly sloppy.
Dodging was easy.
Countering was even easier.
An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth.
I repay what’s owed in full.
“From now on, you will never catch me.”
Pachak!
“I will go high and far.”
Meeting someone as significant as I have, there’s no room to be concerned about trivial matters or watch my back.
“So don’t show up in my sight again.”
I grabbed Yoon Si-hu’s face in my hand. I felt the muscles in his face twitching under my palm.
“If you don’t want to be trampled again.”
I drove Yoon Si-hoo’s head into the ground, ending the duel.
Annihilation.
The result was a one-sided crushing defeat.
The sound of the onlooking Wudang Sect’s outside disciples swallowing their spit was as loud as the sound of Yoon Si-hoo being beaten.
In the silence, a voice was heard, not from the surroundings.
[Are you going to end it by driving him out of Wudang Sect yourself?]
“Yes.”
Wudang Sect is small. If Yoon Si-hoo remained as an outside disciple, we would clash continuously.
It was clear who would be shattered. It would be Yoon Si-hoo.
Yoon Si-hoo nearly drove me out of Wudang Sect. I would make him repay that debt. Just as I almost ended up fleeing, I would make him crawl out on his own.
It’s fine even if it’s not.
If necessary, I could just crush him again and again in every duel until he leaves.
I had said I would not look back, but that didn’t mean I would ignore what’s in front of me.
Given Yoon Si-hu’s nature, there would likely be opportunities to trample him a few more times.
[That’s appropriate.]
Master Zhang Sanfeng also approved and supported my decision.
Hearing that, I felt as if Wudang Sect was on my side.
That’s what I thought.
After crushing Yoon Si-hoo, I was summoned by the high-ranking individuals.
I was prepared to receive some scolding, as there were excesses in how I handled Yoon Si-hoo.
Although it was a bit frustrating that they had been silent while Yoon Si-hu tormented me, I had to endure that frustration.
Now, I just needed to show my true worth.
Confidently, I walked forward.
“Leave the mountain.”
“……”
[……]
When I arrived at the Hyeondo Hall (賢道堂), which oversees the outside disciples of Wudang Sect, the words I heard were to leave the sect.
The cold-faced Hyeondo Hall Master’s words left me speechless with shock.
Master Zhang Sanfeng seemed to share the same sentiment, and I couldn’t hear any words from him.
“What… what do you mean?”
“Foolish. No wonder you have been so mediocre. Tsk.”
In response to my stumbling question, the Hyeondo Hall Master clicked his tongue and said,
“To descend the mountain and never return to this place.”
Words can be like weapons. The Hyeondo Hall Master’s words struck me like a dagger.
A moment ago, I could barely speak, but now, I couldn’t even manage that, my mind in disarray.
The Hyeondo Hall Master drove the final nail in the coffin.
“So don’t go around saying you are a disciple of Wudang Sect.”
“……”
“Isn’t it true? The title of ‘Wudang Sect disciple’ is too heavy for you to carry.”
His words were harsh and gave no room for rebuttal.
“Yes, I will.”
So, the final decision had already been made.
Even if it was decided like this, I knew that there would be opportunities to come back.
The challenge and the price I paid for it were worth it.
So I wasn’t going to just accept it like that.
I had to be resolute.
Comment