The Genius Youngest Disciple of the Wudang Sect

Chapter 52

After a very short, but very sweet, rest period, the ordinary daily routine returned once again.

The senior brothers, perhaps happy to be training after a long time, expressed their joy with their whole bodies, letting out strange cries.

"Keu-ah-ah-ahk!"

"Eu-ah-ah-ah-ahk!"

"I told you not to frown so much when you're exerting yourself. You'll get wrinkles on your face. You're all shouting like that because you're happy, right?"

"Eu-eu-eup!"

I taught my senior brothers to always maintain a smile even in situations where they felt like they were dying from exhaustion.

Wouldn't it be better to smile while training than to think it's hard anyway?

And if they keep frowning and their impressions gradually worsen, it could also cause a big problem for the public perception of our Wudang Sect.

"Lastly, fifty times! Seeing that everyone's body condition looks better than before the break, I'm thinking of adding rest days from time to time in the future if you do the movements properly this time."

"U-oh-oh-oh!"

"It's not hard at all!"

"A-ja-ja!"

Such an honest reaction makes me let out a small laugh.

In fact, at this point, the senior brothers must be enjoying it too.

And, the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic I learned from Shaolin was indeed very effective.

Even though it's only been a few days since I learned it, I can already see the senior brothers' bodies changing.

My body is the same.

"Last fifty!"

"Fifty!"

I lifted the huge rock on my shoulder and counted the last number.

Another reason why my senior brothers have no choice but to listen to me is that I don't just make them do any training, but I take the lead myself.

I lift something even one pound heavier than my senior brothers, and I do even one more rep.

So, every day, I show them that I myself am improving.

Seeing me improve gives my senior brothers the confidence that they can also improve like me, and that confidence becomes the driving force to endure the hard training.

"Everyone, you've worked hard. That's all for today. Let's meet again tomorrow after the group training at the end of the hour of the monkey."

"I understand. You've worked hard."

Seeing my senior brothers dragging their trembling legs back to their respective quarters, I even feel a sense of pride.

Although meat is completely forbidden now, once their divine energy has matured to a certain extent, meat will be allowed to some extent, and if the effects of the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic are added to their eating habits, their growth will be even faster.

"Huh? Why are those people here?"

After cleaning up the open space we use as a training ground, I was about to go back to our room to rest, but I saw some familiar faces in the distance.

"Ah! Taoist master. I came here because I was told you would be here, and you really are here."

"You haven't gone down the mountain yet? I thought you had left long ago."

"Hey, even if I go down, I have to say goodbye to the Taoist master, don't I? As a matter of fact, I came to say goodbye because I'm planning to go down the mountain early tomorrow morning."

"The fact that you're going down now means..."

"Although it's not officially documented yet, our merchant guild has decided to regularly sponsor Wudang. Actually, the decision was made a few days ago, but we were coordinating the details."

"That's great. I knew you would do well."

Wang Hyeon-seong's expression, who had been cautious and serious about everything until I saw him before, is also incredibly bright.

I didn't know he was a person who could smile so brightly.

"It's all thanks to the Taoist master speaking well of us. I had a chance to talk with Taoist Master Hyeon Yang, and I heard that the Taoist master told him many good things about our merchant guild."

"Ah, you mean my master?"

"Was he the Taoist master's master?! Oh, I didn't know."

A few days ago, after talking with them, I immediately gave my master a subtle opinion that this sponsorship would be good.

But to be honest, I didn't say it with high expectations.

Because my master was not the type to be heavily involved in or give opinions on the operation or affairs of Wudang, and I had heard that he was not very close to the head of the Yeongeun Palace, Martial Granduncle Okgyu.

'Ah, did he perhaps speak directly to the Sect Leader?'

That could be it.

Because the Sect Leader is my master's master, which means he is my grandmaster.

Come to think of it, he has been so busy with the internal affairs of Wudang for the past few days that he hasn't been able to pay much attention to me, but it seems that was because he was talking with them.

"But, what did you talk about with my master? There shouldn't be any big reason for my master to talk with you two."

"No reason? He's the one who should be talking with us more than anyone."

"Why?"

Just as I was wondering if my master had decided to work at the Yeongeun Palace without my knowledge, Jin Tae-jin cleared up my doubts.

"The Sect Leader has decided to have him stay at our merchant guild for three months for our sake. He said that there will be big and small disputes while the merchant guild is getting established, and he will help us at that time."

"Ah, really?"

The moment I heard that, something flashed in my head.

'He's a monitor. They still don't fully trust them.'

When you get regular sponsorship, you usually borrow our strength when transporting important goods or opening a new road, so there's no need for us to be stationed there.

Because we can just move on the promised date when there is a request.

I don't know if it's about stationing several people who can move the merchant guild at all times.

But not a large number, but one person.

And to have our master, of all people, be stationed there means nothing other than to watch their actions.

'The period is also three months? I thought all Wudang Taoists were simple, but it seems there are some who are skilled in calculations.'

Anyway, it seems our master is quite trusted by the elders of Wudang.

Because depending on the situation, a single word from our master will decide whether their sponsorship will continue.

"Then I have one piece of advice I'd like to give you."

"What is it? I'm listening."

I looked not at Wang Hyeon-seong, who was bowing politely, but at Jin Tae-jin behind him and said, "Our master dislikes what is not right. With him, you might end up taking a detour while trying to take the easy and fast way, so you should be careful."

"Ah, yes. I understand."

He, perhaps thinking of giving a bribe to my master as well, made a startled expression and nodded his head.

Then, Wang Hyeon-seong's eyes, looking at me, are full of goodwill.

It seems that when he said it, it didn't work at all, but when I said it, he at least pretended to listen.

"Then when is my master supposed to go?"

"He is supposed to come after the sponsorship officially begins, so it will probably take at least a month at the earliest."

"It takes that long? It's not something that can be done just by coming here and talking like this?"

"Yes. We also have things to sort out with the sects and escort agencies we have worked with so far, and Wudang also has to prepare to support us. Perhaps when all those things are sorted out, a date for the agreement ceremony will be set, and the proper sponsorship will begin after that day."

Thanks to his detailed explanation, I think I have a rough idea of how things are going.

"Anyway, I'll be seeing you two more often in the future. I look forward to working with you whenever we meet."

"On the contrary, we look forward to working with you. Thanks to the Taoist master, the start is smooth. I hope to see you often."

"I know. I hope to see you often too."

After exchanging some pleasantries for a while, we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways.

In the future, I might be dispatched to support the Eungnam Merchant Guild from time to time.

There's nothing wrong with establishing a good relationship with them.

And, I'm sure I've buttoned the first button correctly.

***

"Pardon? I'm going too?"

"Yes. Not just you, but everyone in your room."

After finishing my training, I went to my master and heard some surprising news.

The news that not only my master, but our entire room number nine would be stationed at the Eungnam Merchant Guild for three months.

"I met those people earlier, but they didn't say anything like that."

"They wouldn't have known. Because it was a story that first came up in a conversation with the Sect Leader a little while ago."

"Why did it suddenly become like that?"

"I requested it from the Sect Leader. There's a practical reason, but the nominal reason is that since we're stationing a standing force to help them get established, wouldn't it save face to take at least five more?"

"Is it okay to send a third-generation disciple on such an important matter?"

I asked with a suspicious voice, but my master answered with a confident face.

"Of course. When the sponsorship begins and a lot of money comes into Wudang, it will be really busy then. But at that time, would it be okay for six second-generation disciples who have to work practically to be away? So, the only answer is the third-generation disciples."

"Even if it's me, the other senior brothers will be going out of Wudang for the first time."

"Everyone has a first time. We can cooperate well with the merchant guild and not deploy them on dangerous-looking missions, and that's that. And what's there to worry about when you're going with them? You'll lead them well on your own."

I let out a small laugh.

To think that he would beat around the bush like that to tell me to take care of my senior brothers.

"Master. You know I'm the youngest in that room, right?"

"Of course. I know well. How scary and great that youngest is."

My master said without a change in his expression.

Since I officially became his disciple, my master seems to have changed a little.

The person who was previously blunt and eccentric now often uses such cheesy expressions and seems to joke a lot more.

"Anyway, just know that. It's probably a month away, but. And... I think I need to separate you from that person for a while."

"Who is that person?"

"It's Martial Uncle Okheo."

"Martial Granduncle Okheo?"

Martial Uncle Okheo is the person in charge of the Oryong Palace, which is responsible for the law enforcement of Wudang.

As the person in charge of the Oryong Palace, which protects Wudang, he is also one of the most outstanding martial artists among the 'Ok' generation.

"Does he want to eat me or something?"

"Something like that. He covets your talent and qualities. He has no other greed, but he has a great greed for talented people."

Come to think of it, it seems there were quite a few senior brothers who were called by him.

I've never heard of any of them becoming his disciple, perhaps because they didn't meet his standards.

"Didn't I tell the Sect Leader that I had decided to become your disciple? I understand that it's a talent that anyone would covet and want to raise, but since I've already become your disciple, is he really going to aim for me?"

"You say such things with your own mouth. I don't know about other sects, but our Wudang is a little flexible between master and disciple. Sometimes, the master changes to a higher generation. Of course, it's not a common thing, but a talented child like you is not common either."

"Don't worry. No matter how much the Martial Granduncle tries to tempt me, in the end, if I say I don't want to, it's something that can't happen, right?"

"Well. That's true. The Martial Uncle will probably ask to see you soon. At that time, you should speak well. He doesn't seem to listen to my words at all."

"Yes, Master."

I answered nonchalantly.

Perhaps the Martial Granduncle won't ask to see me separately after hearing the news that I have decided to take Hyeon Yang as my master, and even if he does, I can just refuse.

***

But the very next day.

Martial Uncle Hyeonjeong came to find me, saying that Martial Granduncle Okheo wanted to see me.

Since I had no reason to refuse, I followed him, and Martial Granduncle Okheo was already waiting for me.

"Third-generation disciple Unhwi, I greet the Martial Granduncle."

"Yes. For now, sit here."

"Yes, Martial Granduncle."

As soon as I sat opposite him, he took out three items and placed them in front of me, and all three were items I could recognize at a glance.

'The one on the left is a Taiqing Pill, the one in the middle is a Xuan Tie Sword...?!, and the one on the right is a secret manual...? My goodness. It's the secret manual of the Six Yang Divine Art!'

Items that are hard to see even one of in a lifetime are now laid out in front of my eyes, so it doesn't even feel real.

I barely moved my mouth, which wouldn't close, and said, "Martial Granduncle. What is all this..."

"If you agree to take me as your master, this is a gift I will give you."

"A gift?! Are you telling me to choose from among these?"

I was so surprised that I asked, not knowing if he would really give them to me, but he shook his head.

"No. I'm not that narrow-minded. I'm not telling you to choose one of the three, but I will give you all three."

"......!"

I was so surprised that I opened my mouth wide again, which I had barely closed.

'Master. What should I do? I'm a little shaken.'

(End of Chapter)