Wudang Sacred Scriptures

Moreover, the young martial master had even shown a measure of courtesy.

“I offer my sincerest apologies for disturbing you so early, Inspector. Here are the written confessions, statements of guilt, and all supporting evidence. I entrust them to you for proper examination and judgment. As for me, I must now pursue the true culprit without delay.”

For Inspector Hak Jin-seong, who knew his constables could never subdue someone of this caliber, there was no reason to argue with a martial master who was volunteering to leave peacefully.

“Go on, then. I’ll personally examine the records and evidence, and I’ll dispatch an investigative team to the site without delay.”

For the Inspector, it felt as if a rice cake had fallen into his lap while he was napping—not just a stroke of luck, but a remarkable merit gained without lifting a finger.

The only matter that troubled him was the implication of a supreme martial family in all this.

But even that concern seemed to vanish, as this young master had declared he would handle it through the laws of the martial world. There was nothing left to worry about.

“Before I depart, I have two requests for you, Inspector.”

“Speak freely. Whatever it is.”

Inspector Hak Jin-seong had already made up his mind—he’d grant anything, so long as he could see this martial artist off without issue. And yet, a ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) part of him worried: what if the request was something he couldn’t fulfill?

But then—

“I’ve sealed off the Seongha Sangbang’s warehouses and valuables in Shimjeong-hyeon and delegated them to the local office. Please send someone to take them over immediately. I would be grateful if everything could be liquidated and the proceeds distributed fairly among the families of the victims. A full register with names and hometowns has already been compiled, so the task should pose no difficulty.”

The Inspector's eyes widened in astonishment. This was far from the behavior he’d been taught to expect from those trained in the Northern Gold Guard.

“That is, of course, the rightful duty of the local office.”

As he looked at the shattered main gates of his own yamen, the Inspector resolved to personally oversee that task himself.

If he mishandled it, and that young master returned—well, the gates might not be the only thing left in splinters next time.

“And your second request?”

“Please assign a constable to accompany me.”

Considering the young man was heading out to apprehend the mastermind behind the silver smuggling, this was a natural request. No—this warranted immediate deployment of troops.

But the opponent in question was none other than the Jeong family’s First Branch.

“I understand your intentions, young master, but the law requires a certain procedure. Unless caught in the act, we need a proper warrant and—”

“That’s precisely why I’m asking for only one constable. I wouldn’t bring the Inspector himself to such a volatile confrontation between the Seongha Sangbang’s owner and the true ringleader, would I?”

The implication was clear: deny the request, and the young man would drag the Inspector there himself.

And the words “volatile confrontation” had an unmistakable meaning.

There was a real chance someone could end up dead, their corpse quietly erased to destroy evidence.

If the Jeong family was involved, they could kill royalty in their courtyard and still make it vanish without consequence—what hope would a district officer have?

“You have a point. Then... who shall I send?”

As the Inspector looked around, every guard and constable lowered their heads like sick hens.

“Kang. Officer Kang.”

The Inspector called for Kang Chan-wook, the gate constable.

“It’s your shift, so you’ll accompany the young master and serve as his guide.”

Kang Chan-wook turned pale. A “guide,” he said?

“Sir, my shift is just about over...”

At that moment, Kwak Yeon placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Officer Kang, let’s be on our way. I was already planning to ask for you after seeing your spirit earlier.”

Kang Chan-wook bowed his head, teeth grinding at the memory of his earlier bravado.

“Officer Kang, I’ll be dispatching reinforcements shortly. Don’t worry.”

The Inspector’s reassurance only made Kang curse inwardly.

You bastard!

Even if a thousand constables arrived, they’d be helpless if the Jeong family decided to bar their gates.

Only after the young martial master practically dragged Officer Kang out of the office did Inspector Hak Jin-seong realize he’d made a grave mistake.

He didn’t even know the young man’s name.

How did I not even think to ask that?

He felt as though he’d been possessed by a ghost.

****

The Jeong Family’s First Branch compound, Waryong Hall, was vast enough to rival a royal palace.

Its scale perfectly embodied the authority they held over northern Hunan and parts of Anhui.

The hall’s military officer, Jeong Seung-su, looked startled at the unexpected guest.

The man who should have arrived as a severed head had walked in under his own power.

And he hadn’t come alone.

A yamen constable stood beside him, as did a strange young martial artist.

“What business brings the former guild master here?” Jeon Yu spoke first.

“What, am I not allowed to come? Or are you just shocked to see me breathing?”

Jeong Seung-su furrowed his brow.

He’d been caught off guard, but he quickly grasped the situation.

“Both, actually. But what truly amazes me is that you still have the gall to hold your head high. You must have something up your sleeve...”

He glanced at Constable Kang Chan-wook.

“So, you stopped by the yamen on your way here. That explains it.”

Jeon Yu, now stripped of fear and filled only with venom, responded coolly.

“Indeed. I handed over every document related to our dealings with Waryong Hall to the local authorities—my confession included. Thinking of how busy you’ll be scrambling in the days ahead already lifts my spirits.”

“I imagine so.”

Even as Jeon Yu spat his venom, Jeong Seung-su nodded with a calm smile.

“Bringing a constable here, hoping someone in this hall would confess... How naive. No wonder the Sangbang fell apart under your watch.”

Then he turned to Constable Kang.

“You’re Officer Kang, yes? No need to be so nervous. You visited this hall earlier this morning alone, conducted your business, and returned safely. That’s what everyone in the yamen will know. Your life will remain just as it was.”

He didn’t even wait for Kang’s response before shifting his gaze to Kwak Yeon.

“The real issue is this young man... Who might you be?”

Jeong Seung-su stared intently at Kwak Yeon, speaking more to himself than anyone else.

“He’s not the guild master’s son. And he’s not here as a bodyguard, either. Doesn’t add up.”

His musings clearly carried an unspoken demand: Identify yourself.

Kwak Yeon smiled faintly.

“They say members of the Jeong family love to speak in riddles. You, sir, certainly live up to that reputation.”

Jeong Seung-su’s narrowed eyes flared wide open.

“Ah... So you’re the one. The man who brought an end to that precious mining operation.”

Kwak Yeon spoke calmly.

“That, and soon enough, I’ll be bringing an end to Waryong Hall as well.”

Military Officer Jeong Seung-su offered a thin smile.

"Such spirit at such a young age. You've resolved to stand against the great Jeong family of the martial world? I can't help but wonder—what sect nurtured a hero like you?"

Kwak Yeon replied with calm, unwavering eyes.

"Your judgment is as sharp as expected of Waryong Hall’s military commander. But you've made one misjudgment. May I correct it?"

Jeong Seung-su nodded without hesitation.

"Naturally."

"Constable Kang from the district office is not here to collect your confession."

"Oh? Then why...?"

"I needed a key to Waryong Hall’s gate. Breaking in would’ve been possible, of course—but if I intended to meet the hall master, that would have been... inconvenient."

“...!”

Jeong Seung-su flinched. Kwak Yeon continued without pause.

"I assume you only welcomed us politely after seeing Constable Kang because it confirmed we had visited the district office first. You needed time to grasp the situation—and to consider appearances. Isn’t that right?"

Jeong Seung-su nodded once more.

"You've some foresight, I see."

"It's more than just foresight."

“...?”

Kwak Yeon’s voice turned cold as he looked beyond Jeong Seung-su, toward the inner chamber.

“How long does your hall master intend to send a servant to deal with his guest? Better to ask me directly, rather than through your dog. I’ll give you a straight answer.”

“Hahaha!”

A booming laugh erupted from within the inner hall.

“Well, I’ve certainly been struck clean across the face. I was curious just how bold someone had to be to act like this. I’m glad I came out to see for myself.”

A dignified middle-aged man emerged, flanked by four personal guards.

Jeong Seung-su rose and bowed his head.

“Master! You shouldn’t trouble yourself with matters so trivial.”

“That’s enough.”

This man was Jeong Sang-cheon, master of Waryong Hall and head of the Jeong family’s First Branch—renowned as the Hidden Dragon Sword of Jeong Family. With his sword skills alone, he ranked among the finest in the entire clan.

Just his presence made former Guildmaster Jeon Yu and Constable Kang feel as if they couldn’t breathe.

The pressure of a supreme master—the forceless pressure—radiated from him and filled the room.

Even the silent presence of his four bodyguards exuded a crushing menace.

Master Jeong Sang-cheon took his seat at the far end of the long table. His guards stood at the cardinal points, surrounding the room like impassable walls.

He stared at Kwak Yeon—who still stood straight-backed and undaunted—and spoke with interest.

"Such presence, at such an age. Truly impressive. Tell me—what distinguished school produced you?"

Kwak Yeon answered in a steady tone.

"I am Kwak Yeon, a lay Daoist of the Three Spirits Palace on Mount Wudang."

Even Jeong Seung-su seemed taken aback. And Master Jeong Sang-cheon—first among the Jeong family’s “Three Dragons”—visibly stiffened.

"A lay Daoist of the Three Spirits Palace... on Mount Wudang?"

"Indeed."

"Since when has the Wudang Sect passed down martial arts to lay students from the sub-palace?"

"It was by permission of the previous Palace Lord, Taoist Yunseon, that I was allowed to inherit the martial lineage."

Master Jeong Sang-cheon, who had been studying Kwak Yeon with open curiosity, now gave a nod of acknowledgment.

“So you're a secular disciple of Wudang. Incredible. To think that the Three Spirits Palace—successor of the Dosun lineage—would produce such a brilliant dragon. Wudang’s martial legacy truly lives on.”

Kwak Yeon gave a cold smile.

"I didn’t come here as a guest. Spare me your compliments."

Jeong Sang-cheon’s gaze turned icy.

“Ah... I see. For a moment, I forgot what this occasion truly was. Meeting such a remarkable young swordsman threw me off balance.”

“...”

“But now that I know you’re a secular disciple of Wudang, this becomes... troublesome. Our main family and the Wudang Sect are pillars of the Orthodox Alliance—and have long shared deep, generational ties.”

Kwak Yeon answered evenly.

"The trouble didn’t begin with me, Master Jeong. It began with you."

Master Jeong Sang-cheon nodded without resistance.

"Fair enough. A young hero with a righteous heart—your fury is justified. If I were my younger self, I’d have acted no differently than you."

Kwak Yeon endured the man’s nonsense in silence.

A bitter thought crossed his mind—Would it have been better not to reveal my identity at all?

When Master Jeong Sang-cheon first appeared, if Kwak Yeon had simply drawn his sword and acted, he might have spared himself this hollow exchange.

But he was a disciple of Wudang.

Even out in the world, he had no intention of denying that fact—or skulking in the shadows like a fugitive.