Chapter 11 : Meeting the Future Supreme Master of the Martial World (1)

Chapter 11: Meeting the Future Supreme Master of the Martial World (1)

Mount Wudang was known as a Taoist holy mountain with three lakes, nine springs, eleven caves, twenty-four valleys, thirty-six cliffs, and seventy-two peaks.

However, Mount Wudang still held many undiscovered caves, one of which was where Zhang Sanfeng had secluded himself and attained ascension.

In truth, Zhang Sanfeng had not ascended from the Wudang Sect but had vanished without a trace.

The Wudang Sect had long searched for him, believing he had gone into hiding somewhere in Mount Wudang, but they had found no sign of him.

Then, the appearance of the Tai Chi Profound Heavenly Sutra led to the discovery of Zhang Sanfeng’s traces.

In his previous life, the most widely discussed Secret Manual Scramble in the martial world had been for the Tai Chi Profound Heavenly Sutra.

It was an event that would occur ten years from now.

Yong Hwarin didn’t know the exact location of the cave, but he had a method to find it. It was a simple matter. He just had to find the Hae family, who lived as herb gatherers on the slopes of Mount Wudang, by thinking of the name Ha Cheolryeong.

Later, Ha Cheolryeong, the herb gatherer’s son, would learn the Tai Chi Profound Heavenly Sutra and become the greatest master in the martial world. He was likely around thirteen years old at this time. When Yong Hwarin arrived in Gunhyeon, Mount Wudang, he first sought out a physician.

Herb gatherers who worked around Mount Wudang would likely sell their herbs in the nearby towns for a living.

After visiting about three clinics, Yong Hwarin finally heard about a herb gatherer with the surname Hae.

“There are many herb gatherers in Mount Wudang, but only one with the surname Hae. His name is Hae Deokgong. He’s famous for collecting excellent herbs from Mount Wudang. Sometimes he even finds ginseng, so if you’re looking for ginseng, it’s said the fastest way is through him.”

The physician assumed Yong Hwarin was a wealthy young man looking to buy ginseng.

There was no need to correct the physician’s assumption.

“Where can I find this herb gatherer?”

The physician stroked his beard, clearly expecting something. Not understanding the situation, one of the Two Wook Sword Demons, Namwook, scowled and said,

“Why are you stalling? Speak!”

Startled by the sharp tone, the physician recoiled in fear.

He couldn’t withstand the pressure exuded by a martial artist and became frightened. Namwook, finding the physician’s behavior offensive, was about to scold him, but Yong Hwarin raised his hand to stop him.

Yong Hwarin pulled out a few silver coins and handed them to the physician.

“Have a drink later.”

“Haha, there’s really no need for this.”

The physician glanced at Namwook and quickly tucked the silver into his coat.

Mo Biyoung continued to watch Yong Hwarin’s behavior with a puzzled look.

In truth, understanding that information came at a price was something one only learned through experience. Yet Yong Hwarin acted as if he had known this from the start, with such natural ease that it felt strangely out of place.

The young heir, who had lived only within the confines of his sect, shouldn’t have known such things.

And yet, his actions were so natural that even the Two Wook Sword Demons hadn’t noticed anything unusual.

“This road leads straight up to a valley with a flowing stream. Turn right there into the woods, and you’ll find a small village. There are about ten households, and you should find him there. Hunters and herders live in that area.”

It turned out the place wasn’t far at all.

Namwook thought the money Yong Hwarin gave was a bit much for that level of information, and he clicked his tongue.

With that money, they could have stopped at an inn for some good liquor.

Sensing Namwook’s thoughts, Yong Hwarin smiled and said,

“When this task is done, I’ll remember your efforts and we’ll drink all day at an inn.”

At those words, Jungwook and Namwook’s eyes sparkled as they bowed their heads toward Yong Hwarin.

Seeing the sword demons of the Heavenly Central Sect act so humbled just because Yong Hwarin offered to buy drinks, Mo Biyoung was at a loss for words.

To command them as if they were his own hands and feet—all with a promise of liquor—Yong Hwarin was truly impressive.

The Two Wook Sword Demons were swordsmen with considerable pride.

Yet, their perception of Yong Hwarin had been gradually changing since sparring with him in realistic duels. They genuinely admired the rapid progress of his martial arts.

Moreover, when they expected to be the ones taking care of him, Yong Hwarin effortlessly handled everything himself and even anticipated their thoughts. Naturally, they started to follow him.

Mo Biyoung herself felt this way—how much more the simple-minded Two Wook Sword Demons?

“Let’s go.”

Yong Hwarin immediately set off to find Hae Deokgong.

*

It wasn’t difficult to find the herb gatherer Hae Deokgong.

In the village the physician had mentioned, only one house had herbs spread out in the front yard and beneath the eaves.

The other houses, likely belonging to hunters, had animal hides hanging out to dry.

“Excuse me.”

Yong Hwarin called out at the gate of a thatched cottage, and someone came out.

A boy, who looked to be about ten years old.

“Who are you? Are you here to buy herbs?”

Perhaps used to people coming to buy herbs, the boy didn’t seem wary and asked directly.

“No, I came to see your father. Your father is Hae Deokgong, right?”

The boy nodded.

“That’s right. Why are you looking for him?”

The boy had a slightly skinny build and small frame, but his eyes were bright and intelligent.

Yong Hwarin smiled at the boy.

“Is your name Ha Cheolryeong, by any chance?”

The boy looked surprised and asked,

“Huh? How do you know my name?”

Yong Hwarin broke into a broad smile, having confirmed his hunch.

Ha Cheolryeong might have become the greatest master of the martial world thanks to the Tai Chi Profound Heavenly Sutra, but he may have reached that status fundamentally due to his natural talent and physique.

Yong Hwarin had never seen a master who lacked strong bones or martial aptitude.

To reach a certain level of martial arts, one needed qualities that ordinary people couldn’t possess.

Looking at the future supreme master of the martial world, Yong Hwarin felt a surge of emotion. The fact that he was truly living in the past became clear to him.

And yet, meeting the future greatest master was somewhat anticlimactic.

He had imagined a more dramatic encounter, so he felt a little foolish for having such expectations.

‘Well, he’s still not even at the age of aspiration (15). He’s just a snot-nosed kid.’

He couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

Still, Yong Hwarin spoke gently.

“I heard from some villagers on the way in.”

He told a half-lie and studied the boy closely.

At first glance, he seemed like an ordinary boy.

Then, as a bee buzzed past in front of him, the boy reached out and caught it.

Using two fingers, he snatched the bee from midair, and that hand movement clearly showed elements of the Golden Silk Technique.

Mo Biyoung and the Two Wook Sword Demons also looked surprised at the boy.

“You know martial arts, don’t you?”

When Yong Hwarin asked, the boy replied,

“My grandfather taught me.”

“Really?”

Yong Hwarin was surprised that Ha Cheolryeong’s family knew martial arts. Just as he was about to ask more questions, someone approached from behind and asked,

“Cheolryeong, who are these people?”

Mo Biyoung frowned when she saw the old man who had come up behind her without her noticing.

She hadn’t expected someone who could deceive her perception—refined to the level of a first-class expert—to be living in such a remote village, nor that such a person would be merely a herb gatherer.

Yong Hwarin respectfully addressed the old man.

“I’m Yong Hwarin of the Heavenly Central Sect in Henan.”

The Two Wook Sword Demons and Mo Biyoung also offered respectful martial salutes upon realizing the old man practiced martial arts.

“Heavenly Central Sect of Henan? That’s quite far. What brings you all the way here? Are you in need of some rare herbs?”

The old man behaved like a typical herb gatherer.

Yong Hwarin didn’t want to say unnecessary things to someone who clearly concealed his martial arts and lived in hiding.

“Yes, I’m looking for ginseng. Is it possible to get some?”

“Ginseng isn’t something you can find just because you want to. It’s a spiritual herb—you need both sincerity and fate to acquire it. If you wait about a month, I might be able to get some.”

Yong Hwarin had expected such a response.

“I see. Then could you tell me the paths you usually take? Preferably ones deep in the mountains.”

Herb gatherers usually knew where wild herbs grew. Yong Hwarin was asking him to reveal such a place, and Hae Deokgong paused to consider.

“But why are you looking for ginseng?”

“I’ve been frail all my life, but thanks to my parents, I’ve regained health through precious medicines. Honestly, this is my first time leaving the sect for a journey. As I reflected, I realized I had only received from my parents and never thought to give back—especially not with something like a medicinal gift. Then I got word that my mother had fallen seriously ill, and I heard ginseng could cure her. But ginseng is not something you can get just because you want to. So I came to Mount Wudang and sought you out.”

His words were heartfelt, and both his tone and expression were sincere.

Mo Biyoung and the Two Wook Sword Demons were moved by Yong Hwarin’s filial piety.

Yet, something felt off.

‘When did his mother fall ill? She was perfectly healthy when she sent him off.’

Though they didn’t understand why Yong Hwarin was lying, since it wasn’t to harm anyone, they remained silent.

Anyway, it now seemed the reason for their unplanned visit to Mount Wudang was to get ginseng for his parents.

But this was a ruse to deceive the old man.

To find ginseng, they’d have to go deep into the mountains, and there Yong Hwarin suspected Hae Deokgong had discovered the cave.

“You won’t find ginseng just by going with me. But must it be now? If you give me enough time, I’ll retrieve it for you. I’ll send word, and you can send someone then.”

Even Hae Deokgong, touched by Yong Hwarin’s filial piety, softened his heart.

He had thought Yong Hwarin was just another naive noble youth chasing ginseng, but now he saw a boy deeply devoted to his parents, and it moved him.

It had also been a long time since someone from a noble family treated him, a mere herb gatherer, with such respect. Yong Hwarin showed no arrogance or conceit.

Seeing that he was a well-educated young man from a proper household, Hae Deokgong believed his sincerity.

“I apologize. I must have spoken without understanding the circumstances. As you said, such precious herbs aren’t found just by willing it. Even if we don’t find ginseng, I’ll feel better having at least tried. Isn’t Mount Wudang known for its abundance of ginseng?”

“If that’s the case, we have no choice. Let’s go together. Wait a moment while I prepare a few things.”

Hae Deokgong went into the kitchen and began to prepare something.

Since they might spend the night in the mountains, he packed rice balls and water.

Herb gatherers could survive in the mountains for days, but a noble youth wouldn’t easily stomach such things.

Yong Hwarin’s group began climbing the mountain with Hae Deokgong to search for ginseng, but they couldn’t find any.

They focused on places where Hae Deokgong had previously found ginseng, but there was none to be found.