Chapter 199

With so many people flocking to it, the area in front of the Wudang Sect’s mountain gate resembled a marketplace. The rumor that the Wudang Sect Master’s birthday banquet would be held on a grand scale had already spread throughout Hubei Province.

Every martial artist who had learned even a single technique form flocked to the Wudang Sect. It was by no means a common occurrence for the Wudang Sect to open its mountain gates, and there was no telling when they would open them again if not for this event.

“What in the world?”

“Good heavens!”

The Daoist masters of the Wudang Sect were astonished at the number of martial artists swarming before the mountain gate like a colony of ants.

They had expected a certain number of people to gather, but they had never dreamed that such a massive crowd would flock to enter the Wudang Sect.

It was as if all the martial artists in Hubei Province had gathered before the Wudang Sect’s mountain gate. They were all clamoring to be let inside.

“Everyone, form a line.”

“Those with invitations, to the left. Those without, to the right.”

Daoist Master Uil, a first-generation disciple of the Wudang Sect, stepped forward to manage the situation.

Daoist Master Uil prioritized letting through those who had brought invitations. Those who had come unannounced voiced their complaints, but their grumbling died down when the Wudang Sect’s Daoist masters glared at them.

Daoist Master Uil spoke to the martial artists who did not have invitations.

“We are truly grateful that you have come to celebrate our Sect Master’s birthday. However, please understand that our sect is too small to accommodate everyone. We will first admit those with invitations, and from the remaining people, we will select and admit those with verifiable identities first. Also, all who enter our sect must disarm at the Sword Release Pool.”

“What? How can you ask a martial artist to give up his weapon?”

Someone protested to Daoist Master Uil. But Daoist Master Uil simply dismissed his complaint.

“It is a tradition of our sect. If you do not wish to entrust your weapon, you may simply not enter.”

“That’s…”

The martial artist who had protested trailed off.

The legend of the Wudang Sect’s Sword Release Pool was famous.

The tradition of entrusting one’s weapon to the Sword Release Pool as a sign of respect for Zhang Sanfeng, the founding ancestor of the Wudang Sect, had long since become a mere formality.

This was partly because the Wudang Sect’s influence had weakened from its peak, and also due to a shift in perception that such a tradition did not benefit the Wudang Sect in any way.

To a martial artist, a weapon was like their life, and no one liked entrusting it into the hands of others. Thus, at some point, the custom of holding onto an opponent’s weapon at the Sword Release Pool had all but disappeared. However, the Wudang Sect could revive it whenever they wished.

No outsider could say anything about them upholding their own sect’s tradition.

The martial artists without invitations dared not argue with Daoist Master Uil’s words.

Daoist Master Uil was a first-generation disciple of the Wudang Sect.

Though he was called a first-generation disciple, he held a status equal to or greater than that of most sect masters based in Hubei Province.

At least in Hubei Province, there was no one who would dare to tell the Wudang Sect what to do.

Those who were not invited watched in silence as those with invitations entered the Wudang Sect.

The faces of those who formally passed through the mountain gate with invitations were filled with pride. It was, after all, a sign that they had been acknowledged by the Wudang Sect.

The lineup of those who had received invitations was also spectacular.

“It’s Young Hero Sang from the Military horse ranch.”

People let out cries of admiration at the sight of the handsome young martial artist.

The Military horse ranch was a manor based in Hubei Province, which owned a large Horse Ranch.

It was said that half of the horses traded in Hubei Province came from the Military horse ranch, showing just how much they monopolized the horse market.

Thanks to this, the Military horse ranch was able to accumulate immense wealth.

Sang Gwan-yeok was the young lord of the Military horse ranch, famous for his handsome looks and outstanding martial arts.

Sang Gwan-yeok was the ideal husband that every woman in Hubei Province desired.

The one who passed through the mountain gate after Sang Gwan-yeok was Bang Ju-san, the young Boss of the Great Dragon Room.

Bang Ju-san had inherited the Great Dragon Room at a young age and had grown it to more than three times its size, a man of great ability. Although his martial arts were excellent, what made him stand out was his business acumen.

When he inherited it, the Great Dragon Room was on the verge of collapse. His skill in growing the Great Dragon Room, which had been on the brink of bankruptcy due to excessive debt, by threefold, made even merchants marvel.

Bang Ju-san was short and had a potbelly. His face was also ugly, but he exuded the unique confidence that only a successful person could possess.

Bang Ju-san briefly looked around at the martial artists outside the mountain gate and snorted.

‘I may be ugly, but I’ve succeeded like this and received a formal invitation from the Wudang Sect.’

He reveled in his sense of superiority as he passed through the mountain gate.

The person who passed through the mountain gate after Bang Ju-san was a man named Ju Gong-pil from Changxian Hall. He was followed by Lee Chung-ho, the Golden Dragon Chamber Master.

Those with invitations passed through the mountain gate with a dignified gait, while those without watched with envious eyes.

People wondered who else would present an invitation and enter the Wudang Sect.

Just then, a group of thirty martial artists pushed through the crowd and approached the mountain gate.

At their appearance, a hint of tension flickered across the faces of the Wudang Sect’s Daoist masters.

Many martial artists had passed through the Wudang Sect’s mountain gate that day, but this was the first time such a large group had arrived all at once.

Daoist Master Uil, who had been standing by, stepped forward.

He felt that the aura of the newly appeared martial artists was anything but ordinary. He stepped forward himself because he judged that they were not beings his junior disciples could handle.

Daoist Master Uil asked politely.

“Who are you, and where are you from?”

At that, a particularly young martial artist from the group stepped forward.

The eyes of the martial artist, who looked to be in his early to mid-twenties, were as cold as ice.

He greeted Daoist Master Uil with a Fist-Palm Salute.

“I am Jang Mu-yeon of the Righteous Sword Manor. I was passing by on business nearby when I heard news of the Wudang Sect Master’s birthday banquet and decided to stop by. As I have always respected Cheongjin Jin-in, I have come without an invitation.”

“Ah! So you are Young Hero Jang of the Righteous Sword Manor.”

Daoist Master Uil let out a cry of surprise.

The Righteous Sword Manor was located far away in Qianshan, Anhui Province.

It was a thousand li away from Balanced Mystery, Hubei Province, where Mount Wudang was located, so there was usually little interaction. That was why they hadn’t sent an invitation. But now that he had come, they couldn’t just tell him to wait like the others.

The Righteous Sword Manor was one of the Three Manors, possessing power and influence as formidable as the Wudang Sect.

Jang Mu-yeon was the second son of Jang Pyeong-san, the Righteous Sword Manor Lord.

What made him famous was his outstanding looks, coupled with his exceptional talent in the sword.

His swordsmanship was so cruel and fearsome that he had earned the alias Soul-Slaying Ghost Sword.

Not a single person who had faced him so far had kept their body intact. Due to his cruel hands, they either had a part of their body severed or were all killed.

Because of this, Jang Mu-yeon’s notoriety was widespread in Anhui Province. But no one dared to say anything to Jang Mu-yeon.

It was because they feared the Righteous Sword Manor.

Daoist Master Uil had also heard of Jang Mu-yeon’s infamy. But he had no justification to stop him.

If he treated Jang Mu-yeon of the Righteous Sword Manor, a member of the Three Manors, the same as the other martial artists who came without invitations, it could strain the relationship with Wudang.

Daoist Master Uil turned to the martial artists standing behind Jang Mu-yeon.

“Who are those people?”They are our manor’s White Tiger Sword Unit.””

“The White Tiger Sword Unit? Isn’t that the elite of the Righteous Sword Manor?”

“That is correct.”

“Hmm!”

Daoist Master Uil let out a low hum.

Jang Mu-yeon was the biggest name among all who had visited the Wudang Sect so far. If they didn’t let him in just because he brought thirty members of the White Tiger Sword Unit, word would surely get out that the Wudang Sect had gotten scared.

But they couldn’t accept all thirty of them. There was a severe shortage of lodging.

Daoist Master Uil spoke frankly.

“It will be difficult to let all of them into our sect. We no longer have enough lodging to accommodate thirty martial artists.”

“I see. Then how about only five of them enter with me? I will have the rest wait at an inn at the foot of the mountain.”

“That much should be possible. However, we will have to arrange lodging for you in a place other than the Clear Stream Palace where the guests are staying. The other rooms have already been assigned, so it is difficult.”

“Thank you.”

Jang Mu-yeon once again performed a Fist-Palm Salute.

Daoist Master Uil spoke to a second-generation disciple nearby.

“Escort these gentlemen to the Guest Reception Hall.”

“Yes! Martial Uncle.”

The second-generation disciple stepped forward with his reply.

“Please follow me.”

“Thank you.”

Jang Mu-yeon nodded and followed the second-generation disciple.

Five members of the White Tiger Sword Unit followed behind him.

They were the Captain of the White Tiger Sword Unit and the martial artists with the most outstanding martial prowess.

Even though Jang Mu-yeon and the members of the White Tiger Sword Unit entered the Wudang Sect without an invitation, no one uttered a word of complaint.

They thought that Jang Mu-yeon was more than qualified to do so.

Thanks to this, Jang Mu-yeon and the White Tiger Sword Unit were able to pass through the Wudang Sect’s mountain gate with dignity.

Jang Mu-yeon’s already cold eyes shone even more sharply and frighteningly.

It wasn’t just martial artists who entered the Wudang Sect.

Famous entertainers and performance troupes from the vicinity had all come out for Cheongjin Jin-in’s birthday banquet.

The entertainers and performance troupes set up a stage in the Wudang Sect’s large training ground and performed.

Lively melodies, songs, and acrobatics unfolded.

Although most of the people who had come up to the Wudang Sect were martial artists who had trained in martial arts, the entertainers performed high-level acrobatics that even they couldn’t help but admire.

Twa-da-dang!

The sound of a pipa being plucked was heard from somewhere.

A woman’s song, accompanied by the instrument’s unique sorrowful melody, resonated throughout the large training ground.

Wind of the Yangtze River, do not try to shake Mount Tai.

This heart of mine is like Mount Tai, it will not be shaken by any wind.

Clouds above Mount Tai, do not cover the Yangtze River.

This heart of mine is like the Yangtze River, it will ride over any trial.

It was a song they were hearing for the first time in their lives, but it strangely stimulated the martial artists’ ambitions. Because of this, all the nearby martial artists stopped to listen to the woman’s song.

The appearance of the woman singing was, at a glance, utterly ordinary. But she had a strange charm that captivated people’s attention. Added to that was a beautiful voice that tugged at people’s heartstrings.

Many martial artists found themselves lost in her charm.

“It’s truly a Heavenly Sound.””

“Heo! How can a human voice be so beautiful? She can truly be called the world’s best entertainer.”

“What is that woman’s name? I want to become her patron.”

The martial artists, one and all, showed interest in the singing woman. They thought that having a woman with an ordinary appearance but a heavenly voice by their side would enhance their prestige.

In fact, it was common for famous families or major sects in the Jianghu to support entertainers. By supporting entertainers, they sought to dispel the perception of being ignorant martial artists who only prioritized strength.

The entertainers performing now were also receiving considerable support from the Wudang Sect. In particular, the love for the qin of the current Sect Master, Cheongjin Jin-in, was famous.

He was so proficient with the qin that he was called the Celestial Sound True Man, so he understood and treated entertainers better than anyone else. That was why the entertainers of Hubei Province had all come out to repay him.

The fact that they were doing their best to liven up the atmosphere was also to celebrate Cheongjin Jin-in’s birthday.

Among those appreciating the woman’s song were Pyo Wol and Soma.

Soma muttered with an expression of admiration.

“Wow! That noona is a really good singer. At that level, wouldn’t she be as good as Master Yuedu of the Grand Music Academy?”

Master Yuedu was the master who had taught Pyo Wol the qin.

It was no exaggeration to say that most of the entertainers active in Chengdu and Sichuan Province had received his teachings.

The woman’s singing was outstanding enough for Soma to compare her to Master Yuedu.

Pyo Wol silently watched the woman.

The woman was singing with her eyes closed.

As if immersed in her own song, it was full of emotion.

Her emotions were transmitted to the martial artists just as they were. Some of the more sensitive martial artists even shed tears listening to her song.

“Who on earth is that woman?”

“How could we not have known about such an entertainer in Hubei Province until now?”

The martial artists hurriedly tried to find out the woman’s identity.

Fortunately, there was an entertainer nearby who knew who she was.

“Ah, you mean Miss Hong Ye-seol. She is originally a famous entertainer from the Hunan Province area, but our troupe specially invited her to celebrate Cheongjin Jin-in’s birthday.”

It was only natural that no one knew of her, as she was an entertainer active in Hunan Province, not Hubei Province where the Wudang Sect was located.

Finally, Hong Ye-seol’s song ended.

“Waaaah!”

“The best!”

The martial artists sent her unsparing cheers and applause.

Hong Ye-seol opened her eyes and smiled gently.

In that moment, many people stared at her as if bewitched.

Her face was ordinary, but a charm that made it impossible for people to look away exploded, forcibly capturing their gazes.

She gave a slight smile and looked around at the martial artists staring at her.

Hong Ye-seol enjoyed the gazes of the people directed at her.

Suddenly, her gaze stopped on one man.

Only he was looking at her with eyes devoid of any emotion.

In that instant, she felt the blood in her entire body run cold.

‘That man?’