Chapter 131. Taecheong Pill (1)

To believe in what cannot be seen, in what is unknown, is true faith. That conviction is indeed said to be the beginning of spirituality.

We had gone round and round only to return to the fundamental theory.

I know well the fact that old folks usually have this way of speaking.

It was because the way the old beggars of the Beggar’s Gang spoke was strikingly similar to the Sword Emperor.

Mm.

I nodded and listened attentively, but honestly, I did not know what kind of dog-eating-grass nonsense he was talking about.

Please enlighten me.

Since the hierarchy had long been established, I could not bear to ask, ‘What kind of dog-eating-grass nonsense is that?’ so I bowed my head and asked for guidance.

It was not just for the sake of social life; the Sword Emperor’s Zen-like riddles also vaguely stimulated my intuition.

Do you believe in what you know? Do you believe in what you have seen with your own eyes? No. That is not believing, but merely knowing. That is something even an ordinary person can do. If one only acts on what one knows, one is like an ordinary person and cannot transcend one’s limits.

Glancing to confirm my attentive attitude, the Sword Emperor asked again.

Do you know of Will and Spirituality?

I do not know well.

There was a time when I believed I would realize Will and Spirituality once I entered the Five Qis Courting the Origin.

But it would be correct to answer no.

It is like the curse of knowledge; the more you know, the more you realize how much you do not know.

Since I was someone who had realized Will and Spirituality, I had no choice but to conclude that I did not know about them.

The Will and Spirituality I had realized were lacking even to be called a glimpse when compared to the complete whole.

How much do you know about the correlation between Will and Spirituality?

…I know nothing.

I had not yet fully realized Will, and Spirituality was even more so, so how could I know the correlation between the two?

Since you know nothing, you must believe in yourself. Because you tried to believe only in what you knew, the intent in your Will was straight but the image was lacking. It would not be an exaggeration to say you placed limits on yourself.

The image of the Sword Emperor’s willow leaf, which had rendered my martial prowess useless the other day, came to mind.

Clap-

As I tried to sink into contemplation, the Sword Emperor clapped his hands.

Originally, enlightenment does not come through language. Although I unavoidably explained everything to you in language, it would be fine to forget it.

The Sword Emperor, having said that, instructed me.

Look again.

There, the glimpse of spirituality was once again emitting a brilliant light.

A Heart Sword that had formed a firmer image than before was in that spot.

Try to grab it.

Yes.

I reached out again, gauging the memory of experiencing the Spiritual Sensory Map.

However…

Whish-

Nothing was touched in my hand.

My hand wandered helplessly in the air as if it had merely stirred the atmosphere.

Mm?

I could not know the reason.

It is because your faith is lacking.

Did I not touch it just a moment ago?

Giggle. That was beginner’s luck.

The Sword Emperor laughed as if he found it gratifying.

Although that appearance was detestable, I knew that this learning was a more precious opportunity than anything else.

I presumed there was also a firm reason that was hard to explain in words for the ten days of facing the wall in silence.

It was said that martial arts is originally not something learned with the head but realized with the body. Fortunately, since you have the experience of the Spiritual Sensory Map, you have no choice but to move forward on your own from now on.

Yes.

Once again, a new world blossomed before me.

Since there is no end to martial arts and Cultivating the Self like this, I realized once again how lacking of a person I am.

.

.

.

The wall-facing was over, but I was still at the Sword Emperor’s hermitage located in Nogundang.

It was because there was no place as abundant in spirituality and intelligence as this place for training.

In reality, I was no longer looking at the wall, but days were still spent facing a wall.

Four more days passed, and the Sword Emperor, who had disappeared somewhere, approached my side again.

Until when will you stay?

After that teaching, the Sword Emperor did not give me any further teachings.

Even if I asked something, he would only smile, leaving behind the words, ‘My path and your path would be different.’

While the sentiment of being acknowledged by a great martial artist was delightful, the fact that I could not learn anything more came as a regret.

I will leave this place tomorrow.

Although he urged me to leave, he seemed inwardly disappointed that I said I was leaving; his appearance resembled my parents.

I am not leaving completely, but I am thinking of visiting the Wudang main mountain.

Are you going to meet your close friends?

Thinking that I would return soon, a look of relief returned to the Sword Emperor’s expression.

I will return soon.

Hmm, your path is one you must walk yourself.

Leaving those words again, the Sword Emperor moved far away.

Seeing him sit in a lotus position, it seemed he too would sink into his mental imagery.

I will go to the Wudang main mountain tomorrow.

It was not to meet Lee Chun-baek and Dancheon Hak as the Sword Emperor guessed, but to resolve an incident.

I am speaking of the major incident that occurs fifteen days after the New Star Exchange Meeting is held, the rare incident where Wudang’s secret treasure, the Taecheong Pill, is stolen.

That date is exactly tomorrow.

Hmm.

Originally, I intended to secretly catch the thief and retrieve the stolen Taecheong Pill into my bosom, but it would be right to consider other methods as well.

It was because the grace I received from Wudang, and from the Sword Emperor Wuji Jin-in, was by no means small.

* * *

During my days as Myeong-gae.

I remember it as a day after I returned to Kaifeng upon finishing the field survey of the Garden of Joy.

That was the day Mr. Gwak, the gossip, appeared before me with a heavily flushed face.

The fact that the gossip Mr. Gwak’s expression was flushed meant that an interesting topic of conversation had arisen, so naturally, my expression came to resemble his.

It was because Mr. Gwak, the gossip, was the number one contributor to Myeong-gae’s information gathering ability at the time.

Myeong-gae, have you heard the news?

Ahem, Mr. Gwak. You seem to have forgotten, but this person is now a dignified Three-Knot Branch Leader of the Beggar’s Gang. I could say that most news brushes past this Myeong-gae’s ears. Tell me anything. It is likely news I already know, but since we have a friendship, it would be right for me to listen attentively to Mr. Gwak’s story.

However, since I could not call myself an excellent informant beggar if I started off losing, I put on a hollow show of strength.

Ho.

I saw Mr. Gwak’s eyes shining sharply. It would be correct to express it as the unique competitive spirit of a gossip.

As I guess, this news has not yet brushed past your ears. It is a story that has spread only knowingly through the secret channels of the gossips.

It would not be right to ignore the potential of the Beggar’s Gang. Isn’t the fact that we allow no others to follow in information power the only point of pride for these beggars?

I agree with the fact that the Beggar’s Gang’s information power is first-rate, but it would not be right to ignore the secret channels of the gossips either.

If Mr. Gwak reveals what ‘that news’ is, we will know the truth.

As if satisfied with my unyielding appearance, Mr. Gwak huffed and blew out breath from his nose.

Seeing his eyes shining brightly, unbefitting his face, I could not fail to know Mr. Gwak’s mind.

You, would you like to make a bet with me?

Hmm.

It would be correct to say it was a flow I could sufficiently predict.

If what gossips like most is a good story, then what they like no less than that is exactly betting.

One would not be able to deny that the scent of a libertine is deeply embedded in the base of the human type called a gossip.

If it is a bet, what will you wager?

Originally, it is right for the one proposing the bet to set the conditions. That is the law and unwritten rule of the Jianghu Murim.

Mr. Gwak, the gossip, was indeed a person rich in common sense, so he immediately presented the betting conditions.

It was because he was a competent gossip and, at the same time, a skilled better.

If I lose, I will fill your begging gourd every day for a month. How is that?

Ho.

An exemption from begging for a month; it is a proposal that should naturally make any sane beggar salivate.

However, there would be a flaw that this story applied to Myeong-gae before he became the great Three-Knot Branch Leader of the Beggar’s Gang.

Tsk tsk. Mr. Gwak, rather than just begging for rumors with your ears, you would need to study the system of the Beggar’s Gang. Since this Myeong-gae has become a Three-Knot Branch Leader, begging for food is already exempted.

But if you take a full begging gourd, wouldn’t your branch members be able to fill their stomachs heartily?

I understand Mr. Gwak’s benevolent heart, but originally, beggars with short knots must suffer somewhat for it to be right.

You must know that this is absolutely not malice to make the beggars under me suffer.

I did so because we must not forget the fact that beggars who grow step by step through suffering earn their keep.

Then how about a jar of unrefined rice wine every day for a month?

Indeed, it is Mr. Gwak.

Since Mr. Gwak made a proposal I absolutely could not refuse, backing out would be an incorrect course of action.

If a disciple of the Beggar’s Gang tucked his tail in a bet comparing information power, with what face would he see the Dragon Head Clan Leader? That is what I mean.

I absolutely did not agree to the bet because I coveted the rice wine, but I was betting for the honor of the Beggar’s Gang disciples.

To such a me, Mr. Gwak spoke insinuatingly.

What will you wager?

Wait.

Was I not a Branch Leader?

What I mean is, unlike before, a steaming lump of rice is always enshrined in my waistband.

I will not accept the rice lump in your waistband.

Keuk.

Since the shallow trick did not work, it must be that Mr. Gwak also had grown like me, Myeong-gae.

Originally, it is right to match the level in a bet. If you want to bet with me, you will have to wager something precious.

I could know from Mr. Gwak’s threatening attitude that compromise was impossible.

Trying to suck the marrow out of a beggar.

Will you give up?

Having seen even that detestable appearance of him grinning, I truly could not withdraw.

Wait. I am the Beggar’s Gang Branch Leader, Myeong-gae.

With a resolute expression, I took out not the rice lump hidden in my waistband, but something more precious.

Since it was more precious, it is a natural fact that it was in a deeper place in my waistband.

…What is that?

Ahem. It is a Tanggua (Sweet).

Yes. It was a Tanggua.

If you ask if Tanggua isn’t something young children eat, this could be called a misunderstanding.

The reason is, if a rice lump is a necessity for a Beggar’s Gang disciple, then a Tanggua can be called a luxury good.

Luxury Good.

Wouldn’t you know just by hearing the name? It means it is something precious.

To bet a luxury good called Tanggua for a gamble called a bet; although Ancestor Yongdu-gae of the Beggar’s Gang, who said to revere righteousness and chivalry, might lament if he heard, since it originated from a desire for information, the Ancestor would surely forgive me as well.

…Fine. Let’s go with that.

Indeed, it is clear that Mr. Gwak recognized the value of the luxury good.

Speak quickly.

Although I always called Mr. Gwak a gossip, actually, it would be correct to evaluate all competent Beggar’s Gang disciples as gossips.

I mean that I could not hide my curiosity about ‘that news’ Mr. Gwak would unleash.

Mr. Gwak, who looked around his surroundings, carefully opened the preface.

They say Wudang’s secret treasure, the Taecheong Pill, has been stolen.

…!

The news Mr. Gwak brought was truly shocking.

To the extent that I, Myeong-gae, a skilled informant, failed to manage my expression.

Perhaps because he read his victory in my expression, delight settled on Mr. Gwak’s face.

Are you certain?

The probability of it being true is nine out of ten.

Considering Mr. Gwak’s temperament, it would be safe to view it as synonymous with the word truth.

Has the culprit been identified?

They say it is Shadowless Divine Thief.

You mean they haven’t caught even a glimpse of the culprit.

Mr. Gwak quietly nodded his head.

If the culprit had been identified, it would be top-secret information, but perhaps it could enter the ears of gossips because the culprit was not identified.

Isn’t it amazing? Speaking of the Great Wudang.

Indeed, it is so.

I decided to accept defeat.

Although I acted haughtily as a Three-Knot Branch Leader in front of Mr. Gwak, it was because I knew the fact that it was information that would never brush past the ears of a mere Three-Knot Beggar.

Closing my eyes tight, I held out the Tanggua to him.

I will acknowledge my defeat, so this Tanggua is yours, Mr. Gwak. Please cherish it.

…Just keep it yourself.

Mr. Gwak was truly a skilled better; it would be correct to evaluate him as a big-hearted person who enjoys the bet itself rather than a small-minded person who covets the byproducts gained through betting.

As expected, it is Mr. Gwak.

Before he could revoke his words, I quickly shoved the Tanggua back into my waistband.

Thank you again today.

I am thankful that you listened.

Since Mr. Gwak and I achieved mutual aid again today, it would not be unreasonable to evaluate us as soulmates.

Since I obtained information that even the Beggar’s Gang’s information power could not obtain, although I lost the bet, it would be right to see it as my victory in the end.

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