Chapter 192: Jang Gyeong, Zhang Sanfeng (1)

When Taoist Zhang Sanfeng wandered the world practicing virtues, an old man carved him a walking stick.

Using this stick as his companion, Zhang Sanfeng traversed the Central Plains and returned to find the old man’s house burnt down, and the old man himself had died of starvation.

In sadness, he planted the stick at the entrance of the village and left.

Later, a villager, curious, visited the spot and found that the withered stick had sprouted a new shoot.

Eventually, flowers bloomed, and a spring began to flow beneath it, causing the villagers to venerate Zhang Sanfeng’s spiritual power and honor him.

『Withered Tree Blooming with Flowers』

The Wudang Sect was different from Taoist sects like the Azure Forest or Kunlun.

They did not focus on sorcery or alchemy.

What they pursued was the martial path, and their goal was the pursuit of the Immortal Sword, at the pinnacle of martial studies.

This was largely influenced by the fact that the real Zhang Sanfeng had become an immortal being through his sword.

The spirit of Zhang Sanfeng looked up at the tree that had sprouted from the old stick.

Despite being a characteristic of the Wudang Sect, what he performed was an unreal Taoist sorcery.

It was indeed a remarkable spell.

「It seems you have aged even more than I have.」

Yi-gang could strike a tree with lightning, but he could not make it sprout a new shoot.

However, the expression of Zhang Sanfeng, who revived the dying tree, was not very bright.

「I have said before. If I restore the body of the young priest through my Taoist power, what might happen.」

‘Weren’t you saying that it shouldn’t be done?’

「That’s right. Even if you forcibly extend life by violating the laws of the heavenly realm, it ignores the principle of cause and effect.」

The Taoists of the Wudang Sect were busy examining the Sword Releasing Tree with the suddenly appeared sect leader.

「The method that the young priest has been using is like altering the course of a flowing river…」

The method that cured the body by making the Immortal Divine Sword attain nirvana and turning the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon into a yokai.

「What I have done is to go against the flow of the water.」

The immortal realm shown by Zhang Sanfeng was different from Yi-gang’s.

However, if the dying tree has become so vividly alive, what does it matter?

Can’t he just heal Yi-gang’s body in the same way he healed the tree?

There must be side effects, hence such a statement.

「The buds on the tree have sprouted, soon it will blossom, and if lucky, it will seed once again.」

‘…’

「However. This tree, which would have lived for another ten years, will not survive this year and will die.」

Yi-gang’s expression changed.

That meant, even if Zhang Sanfeng forcibly healed Yi-gang, he would soon die.

「So, don’t get your hopes up too high.」

He was convinced.

A stunned gaze from the disciples of the Wudang Sect was directed towards Yi-gang, who wore a serious expression.

Noticing their looks, Yi-gang felt uncomfortable.

What could he say to justify his sudden actions?

Luckily, at that moment, someone began to clap.

“Hahaha! Indeed, as expected Taoist Baek.”

It was Go Yo-ja, his face beaming with a smile.

He praised Yi-gang with a very proud attitude.

“I knew that the priest’s spiritual energy reached the heavens, but to actually demonstrate the revival of dead wood into flowering life…”

Go Yo-ja, despite appearances, was indeed a master of the Kunlun Sect.

Moreover, he was a Supreme Peak master and disciple of the current sect leader.

Even though this was the Wudang Sect, his status was unchallenged.

The disciples of the Wudang Sect began to whisper among themselves.

“Was he a Taoist? He didn’t look it at all.”

“He’s a disciple of the Azure Forest. A third-flower disciple.”

“He looks so young yet… unremarkable.”

The atmosphere wasn’t bad since he wasn’t harming the tree, but rather causing it to sprout.

Although Zhang Sanfeng said the tree would die within a year, few would think it was because of Yi-gang.

The sect leader of the Wudang Sect, Sage Myung Won, asked, “What is your name?”

Yi-gang introduced himself with a formal bow.

Sage Myung Won nodded.

“I see… You must be tired from your long journey.”

He didn’t ask anything further even though he seemed initially surprised.

After glancing again at the Sword Releasing Tree, he headed towards Neung Ji-pyeong.

Listening to the murmuring conversation, it seemed he would personally guide them to Violet Heaven Hall.

Yi-gang looked back at Sage Myung Won with a slightly uneasy expression.

‘Did you feel something odd?’

「Hmm, like what?」

‘It seemed like he was wary of me.’

There was a look of caution in Sage Myung Won’s eyes as he regarded Yi-gang.

However, Yi-gang couldn’t fathom the reason.

The sect leader told the disciples, “Return the swords. Why would a closed sect even demand a disarm sword etiquette?”

The weapons that had been entrusted to the Sword Releasing Ground were returned to the group.

Even for a sect leader, it was not an easy command, but there was nothing detrimental for the group.

“Follow me.”

The group was guided to the Violet Heaven Hall in the Violet Heaven Palace of the Wudang Sect, where major discussions about the future of the sect were held.

It was a crucial meeting that would determine the future of the sect.

A tense atmosphere filled the Violet Heaven Hall.

The leader of Yi-gang’s group was initially Neung Ji-pyeong.

He had been ordered by the Murim Alliance to resolve the issues of the Wudang Sect.

However, two others sat alongside Neung Ji-pyeong in front of the Wudang sect leader.

From the Azure Forest, one of the Four Great Divine Physicians, Golden Needle Phantom Do Gyeon.

And from the Kunlun Sect, the famous Taoist, Go Yo-ja.

Yi-gang, a successor, sat between Peng Gu-in and Tang Eun-seol and waited.

Neung Ji-pyeong relayed the message from the Murim Alliance.

He talked about the severe crisis of the Demon Cult’s invasion and argued that the whole Jianghu must unite.

For that, the participation of the Wudang Sect, described as the North Star of Mount Tai of the martial world, was deemed essential, concluding his lengthy speech.

The sect leader and the elders of the Wudang Sect debated for quite a long time.

Yi-gang quietly listened and felt…

‘How can it be so lacking in vigor?’

It was a slight disappointment regarding the Wudang Sect.

The martial artists present were at least first-generation disciples, each responsible for their own pavilion or hall organization, authoritative speakers in their own right.

Even with elders and former sect leaders present, not one displayed any vigor.

“Hmm, could it be the Demon Cult trying to consolidate their influence inside? We should monitor the situation first, though keep checks…”

An elder was still discussing issues that had already been addressed by the Murim Alliance.

“While we cannot just sit idly by, it would be right to first settle the internal strife within the sect.”

There were those whose comments were worse than saying nothing at all.

The commonality was their tepidness.

No one offered a solid opinion.

As if they had lost their focal point.

Yi-gang was not the only one disappointed with the Wudang Sect.

More than anyone, their own sect leader, Zhang Sanfeng, expressed his dismay.

「Alas, how has the spirit of the Wudang fallen so low.」

He either clicked his tongue or touched his forehead in frustration.

「Obviously, we should be leading the charge to eliminate the fiends.」

While saying this, he flashed a sharp look at the Wudang elders.

At that moment, several individuals shuddered.

All of them were elders with a high level of attainment.

‘Please calm yourself.’

「Cough.」

Zhang Sanfeng, who could be called a half-immortal, had a spirit powerful enough to influence reality.

Zhang Sanfeng coughed lightly to ease the tension.

He seemed quite upset, returning to the Divine Demon Disk tied around Yi-gang’s waist.

“First… there is something those of you who have sought out Wudang need to be informed of.”

Myung Won brought order to the atmosphere of the hall.

“There is a reason we have adopted a closed door policy. I would like to explain.”

Then, while seated, he bowed his torso forward.

“Please, it is imperative that you keep quiet about what I am about to tell you.”

The bow of the Wudang Sect Leader was a serious one, causing Neung Ji-pyeong and Yi-gang’s group to bow in surprise as well.

“…The Sword Emperor is critically ill.”

The Wudang Sect Leader still showed the demeanor befitting the head of a sect.

It wasn’t just a flat denial to the request of the Murim Alliance, but telling the truth.

That the Sword Emperor had become senile and was not of sound mind.

There had even been an incident where he almost killed a disciple.

Neung Ji-pyeong, Peng Gu-in, and even Tang Eun-seol were shocked.

That the Taiji Sword Emperor, regarded as an eminent figure of the Murim and ranked as the number one of the orthodox faction, had lost his senses.

There had never been a case heard of an Absolute master suffering from dementia.

“Ah, so that was the case.”

There were calm ones among them.

People from the Azure Forest, including Yi-gang and Go Yo-ja were like that.

Golden Needle Phantom smirked and said, “Apologies, but old age is something not even all the Four Great Divine Physicians together can cure.”

That laughter might have seemed rude, but Myung Won simply waited quietly for the conversation to continue.

“Even if you extend life with elixirs, there is a limit. Unless one undergoes a complete transformation, the body ages. When the body ages, senility follows. In layman’s terms, it means becoming haunted by delusions.”

“Are you saying it’s just the natural order?”

“For ordinary people, that would be the case.”

Myung Won’s eyes sparkled.

Golden Needle Phantom continued to explain, “Reaching the Supreme Peak where the Ren and Du meridians are open, the fontanelle will open. To say one is haunted implies that there are impurities in the brain. It makes no sense for a master whose fontanelle is open to become like that.”

“That means…”

“What the Sword Emperor is experiencing is not ordinary aging. I would need to examine him as a physician to be sure, but that is my current judgment.”

A sigh of relief flowed through the hall.

However, the sect leader’s expression did not brighten. Golden Needle Phantom noticed this.

“However… you must have some idea. That’s why you intended to invite a Taoist from Kunlun.”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

Everyone’s attention turned to Go Yo-ja.

Go Yo-ja was not a physician capable of curing dementia. There must be another reason he was called.

“It’s not that I forgot your words, Divine Physician. The spirit of an Absolute master is as strong as their body… Above all, the symptoms of the Sword Emperor are not ordinary.”

“If they are not ordinary…”

“Ordinary dementia starts with a decline in cognitive ability. Memory worsens, speech becomes impaired, and they start behaving in ways they never did before.”

Myung Won seemed to have looked into the medical knowledge regarding dementia.

“However, the Sword Emperor is different. It’s as if his personality changes frequently…”

He had roughly heard the explanation.

The Sword Emperor sometimes returned to a normal state, at times acted like a child, and his memories shifted back to a far past time.

“Definitely not ordinary symptoms. It might even be a type of inner demon.”

“That’s why we decided to seek help from a Taoist sect.”

Go Yo-ja quietly spoke up, “As a Taoist of the Kunlun Sect, I have always admired the Sword Emperor of the Wudang Sect. I will do my utmost to help.”

Golden Needle Phantom and a great Taoist were gathered together.

A flicker of hope appeared in the eyes of the Wudang Taoists.

Sect Leader Myung Won declared in a solemn tone, “If the Sword Emperor’s condition improves, our Wudang will immediately open its doors and stand at the forefront of the Murim Alliance.”

Neung Ji-pyeong’s face brightened.

Everything now depended on the treatment of the Sword Emperor.

“Cheong Su, Cheong Hye, you will guide them.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

Cheong Su and Cheong Hye, who had been specially permitted to attend, bowed deeply.

Cheong Su led the group from the front.

It was not a short distance from the Violet Heaven Hall to where the Sword Emperor was located.

Cheong Su’s junior brother, Cheong Hye, was by the group’s side and fielded questions from Golden Needle Phantom.

“The Great Senior Elder spends most of his days inside his hermitage. Lately, his energy has declined, so he often just stares blankly at the ceiling.”

“You mentioned his personality seems to change. Do you know exactly in what way?”

“Um, it’s a bit complicated.”

Golden Needle Phantom was aware of the symptoms of personality splitting, although it wasn’t something often seen.

“Sometimes it seems like he reverts to being a child. At other times, it seems like he goes back to his younger days fighting the Demon Cult.”

“Hmm, rather than changing personalities, it could also be considered a regression of memory.”

Yi-gang quietly listened to the conversation.

With his knowledge as a modern person, he had no hopeful thoughts.

Even with the use of advanced medical technology, curing regression was difficult.

The exact causes of dementia or regression were not even fully understood.

Could Golden Needle Phantom or Go Yo-ja, no matter how miraculous their skills, truly cure the Sword Emperor?

Even with the best elixirs and concocting medicines…

Then, Dam Hyun interjected, “Senior Uncle Do Gyeon.”

He was displaying a passionate expression for the first time in a while.

Wudang hadn’t considered it, but Dam Hyun being present here was as remarkable as Golden Needle Phantom or Go Yo-ja.

He might have thought of an extraordinary method they hadn’t considered.

“What is it?”

“Have you considered trying craniotomy?”

“…What?”

Craniotomy. It means literally to split open the head.

Dam Hyun spoke in a very serious tone.

“Maybe if we open it up, we could remove the root of the problem.”

“…”

“And the chance to open up the head of an Absolute master is not something common…”

Slap!

Dam Hyun ended up getting slapped on the back of his head by Golden Needle Phantom.

He cradled his head in pain, but it was indeed a slap-worthy comment.

This was because Cheong Hye’s face had turned pale with shock.

Golden Needle Phantom clicked his tongue and apologized on his behalf.

“I apologize for my junior disciple’s impropriety, young priest. Normally, there’s no need to resort to craniotomy.”

“Y-yes…”

The phrase ‘normally’ unnervingly lingered.

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the Sword Emperor’s hermitage.

Hyun Cheol was guarding the hermitage.

Cheong Su delivered the message.

“Great Senior Elder, it’s Cheong Su speaking.”

No reply came.

“Great Senior Elder, are you resting?”

“Senior Elder… he was definitely inside just before….”

Hyun Cheol also tried calling out in surprise, but still, there was no answer.

Zhang Sanfeng quietly muttered to himself.

「Something feels off.」

And his premonition was correct.

Boom!

The walls of the hermitage burst outwards from within.

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