Chapter 154
The Youngest Son of the Silver Sea Trading Company Chapter 154
Chapter 154: Visiting the Wudang Sect (1)
I gathered my thoughts and immediately began writing a document.
It was a kind of business trip application to visit the Wudang Sect.
The purpose of the trip was to make a donation to the Wudang Sect and request protection for the Trading Company.
After writing the document in one go, I smiled and got up from my seat.
When I entered my father's office to submit the business trip application, he greeted me warmly.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes, I'm fine, Father.”
“If you're seeing things, you must have been working too hard...”
I smiled at my father, who still looked worried, and asked him.
“Are you all right, Father?”
“I'm fine, it's just my daily routine...”
My father and I looked at each other and smiled.
“So, what's the matter?”
I handed my father the business trip application form, and he read it and looked at me.
“To the Wudang Sect?”
“Yes.”
I nodded and explained.
“Isn't it about time to make your tribute?”
“Tribute? What a harsh word! There's a more elegant term for that: donation.”
“Yes, but... No, the donation is quite large, so we can't just send anyone, can we? At least someone of my rank should go.”
“Well, that's true.”
“And Jung-ho is busy right now, and Jin-ho is away on business.”
My father thought for a moment and nodded.
“You'll have to work hard before then to make sure there are no problems with your work. Are you sure you can do it?”
“Yes... I'll make sure there are no problems.”
"All right. I will prepare the donation separately."
With that, he received his father's permission.
Now all that was left was to take care of his work in advance so that it would be okay if he was away for more than half a month. And he would have to work even while he was away.
He made up his mind.
Once he took revenge on Baek Cheon Trading Company and the Martial Alliance, and Eunhae Trading Company became the world's best trading company, he would truly rest.
I will rest deeply.
* * *
Wudang Sect.
Wudang Mountain To be precise, it is a sect located in Qunxian, Hubei Province, and is known to have been founded by Zhang Sanfeng.
As a Taoism-based sect, its martial arts can be described as “softness overcomes hardness,” or “柔能制剛” (rouneng zhi gang).
As one of the two major orthodox sects of the martial arts world, its prestige was immense.
Deep within the Wudang Sect.
Twelve martial artists of the Wudang Sect were always standing guard in pairs around a building.
Inside the building, there was a small pavilion tied up with ropes and chains.
Two people dressed in Wudang Sect clothing were passing by.
A boy who looked to be about ten years old asked a young man in his twenties.
“Senior Brother, what is that pavilion that is being guarded so strictly?”
“You must never go there.”
“Why not?”
“If you go there, you will be cursed and turn into a monster. That's why they are guarding it so closely.”
“Turn into a monster?”
“The people guarding it are responsible for killing the monsters. I heard that they tear them to pieces so that they cannot come back to life...”
“Eek!”
The boy was terrified by the terrible words.
“If you're curious and want to go, I won't stop you. But if you really become a monster, you'll regret it.”
“Junior Uncle! Don't say that! I'll never go!”
“That's a wise choice.”
“Let's go. The people from Eunhae Trading Company are waiting for us.”
“Come to think of it, isn't Seonhaengmi also coming?”
“Yes, he is.”
“I hear he is very handsome. I wonder what he looks like.”
“A disciple seeking the Dao must not be concerned with outward appearances.”
“Yes, Junior Uncle.”
With that, the boy started walking, but suddenly stopped.
He thought he heard the sound of a flute.
But when he listened again, he heard nothing, so he didn't think much of it and followed his junior uncle.
.
.
.
At that moment
In the underground passage leading from the Wudang Sect's forbidden tower.
Creak, creak.
Inside the prison, someone was grinding his teeth in anger.
Two red eyes glowed brightly in the darkness.
Then he heard the sound of a flute. He laughed loudly.
“Huhuhu, I won't be here much longer.”
* *
There is a story that the Taoist temple built by Emperor Jinmu was the origin of the Wudang Sect.
Perhaps because of this, the gate was enormous.
In front of the gate was a place to store guests' swords.
We disarmed ourselves there and met with the Wudang Sect masters.
“We have been waiting for you. You arrived earlier than expected.”
“Yes. I was so excited to visit the renowned Wudang Sect that I hurried here.”
“We are grateful for your high opinion of our sect.”
The disciple who played the role of the gatekeeper bowed politely and continued.
“Please wait a moment, and the disciples who will guide you will come down.”
“Yes, we will wait.”
After waiting for about half an hour, two Wudang Sect masters approached us.
“I am Eun Seo-ho, the captain of the Eunhae Trading Company. And these are my companions.”
“I am Gong-ryun, the 25th disciple.”
“I am Mu-un, the 26th disciple.”
Gong-ryun bowed with clasped hands and greeted them again.
“It is an honor to meet the renowned Master Sun-hyeok-mi-rang.”
“You flatter us.”
“Welcome to the main building. I heard you brought some items...”
“Yes, that's right. They're waiting downstairs.”
We went down to the bottom of the mountain gate, and Gong Lun and Mu Yun were surprised.
“Is that all of it...”
“Yes.”
Even I thought we had brought quite a lot of supplies for the donation.
However, this was not just any place. It was the headquarters of the Eunhae Trading Company, located in Hubei Province, and one of the two major orthodox sects of martial artists.
We would need to borrow their influence more often than we thought, so it was important to stay on good terms with them.
The Wudang Sect was a Taoism-based sect, so it was not very wealthy compared to the size and status of its buildings.
In addition, it had suffered considerable damage in the process of suppressing the Blood Cult more than 20 years ago.
Not only did it suffer considerable damage itself, but it also spent a lot of money to compensate the surrounding area.
As a result, it was barely surviving financially.
They are recovering little by little with donations from their disciples and nearby trading companies, but they are still not as well-off as they used to be.
So they will be happy to receive the money we brought.
Besides, it is the beginning of the year, and the time when supplies are scarce in many ways is approaching.
“If it's okay, I'd like to go in quickly. It will be cold when it gets dark, and it will be difficult to move the cart.”
Gong Lun Dao nodded at my words.
“Yes, that's right. Please follow me. I will show you the way.”
There were many people living in the Wudang Sect, and they used a lot of supplies.
It was very difficult for people to carry all of those things up the rough mountain.
That was why there was a road from the village to the Wudang Sect that could be traveled by cart.
However, they had to be wary of intruders, so every few kilometers, four disciples of the Moo-Dang formed a group to conduct security checks.
“That's fine. Thank you for your cooperation.”
This was already the fifth security check.
Gong-Ryeon Do-Jang looked at me as I put away my identification card and said, “I apologize for the trouble.”
"Not at all.
“Not at all. Isn't the Wudang Sect under the protection of the Emperor? It is necessary to prevent anyone with malicious intent from entering.”
Gong Lun and Mu Yun clasped their hands together and said,
“Thank you for your understanding.”
After a total of ten checkpoints, we were finally able to enter the Wudang Sect.
Gong Lun said.
“Welcome to the Wudang Sect. Please follow me to the guest hall.”
There were many visitors to the Wudang Sect, and perhaps because of that, the guest hall was quite large.
The two masters who guided us handed us over to the person in charge of the guest hall.
“I am Baekmun, the Hall Leader in charge of the Guest Hall. Welcome to the guests from the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“We have brought a letter from our Trading Company Leader. We would like to meet the Sect Leader and deliver it in person.”
“I will report to the higher-ups. Please come in and rest for now.”
We were shown to the guest quarters. It was not large, but it was neat and tidy.
“Phew, that was tough.”
Pal-gap nodded in agreement.
“Mudang Mountain is Mudang Mountain after all.”
“We probably won't be able to see the Sect Leader until after dinner, so let's rest a little.”
“Yes, sir.”
.
.
.
As I expected, we were summoned by the Sect Leader after dinner.
In front of me was a magnificent building with a sign that read “Samcheonggak.”
That was Samcheonggak, where the Sect Leader of the Wudang Sect resided and where meetings of elders and higher-ranking members were held.
The scenery of Mudae Mountain and Samcheonggak was so magnificent that it seemed as if the whole world was at our feet.
I couldn't help but become respectful.
Without realizing it, I put my hands together in front of me.
“The Sect Leader is waiting inside. Only Seonhae-mi and Captain, please enter.”
At his words, I glanced at those behind me and nodded.
The door opened, and inside sat a Daoist with a white beard that reached his chest.
“Come in. Welcome to the headquarters.”
“Thank you for your welcome. I am Eun Seo-ho, Captain of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“I am Jinsun, the Sect Leader.”
“It is an honor to visit this place I have always admired and to meet the Sect Leader.”
“You flatter me. Please sit down.”
“Thank you.”
I sat down in front of the Sect Leader.
A disciple who was assisting the Sect Leader served tea in front of me.
“I heard that Eunhaesang Trading Company provided a considerable amount of supplies this time.”
“It is nothing special, but I would be happy if it helps bring stability and peace to Hubei Province.”
“I am grateful for your generosity and the sincerity of Eunhaesang Trading Company.”
“This is a letter from my father, the captain of the trading company.”
I handed the letter from my father to the Sect Leader and exchanged pleasantries.
When it was time to wrap up the conversation, I brought up the main topic.
“As I mentioned earlier, I have always admired the Wudang Sect since I was a child. And now, I have been given the opportunity to visit the Wudang Sect.”
I continued.
“I would like to look around. Would you allow me?”
The Sect Leader looked at me with a calm expression.
“...”
“...”
I didn't know why he was just staring at me without saying anything, making me feel nervous.
Was he refusing?
Was he allowing me?
If he refused, I would be in a difficult situation.
To be honest, I could think of other ways, but I brought some money to donate, and it would be a waste to leave it behind.
Then,
the Sect Leader drank the tea in front of him in one gulp.
Ah!
My expression brightened.
“Yes, you may.”
“Thank you for granting my request.”
“I will send those who brought you here to show you around.”
.
.
.
After finishing my meeting with the Sect Leader, I was on my way back to the guest quarters when I saw people carrying goods loaded onto a cart.
This was because anything brought to the Wudang Sect as a donation had to be approved by the Sect Leader before it could be stored in the warehouse.
Thus, my first day at the Wudang Sect came to an end.
.
.
.
I had a dream.
I was standing in a space that was completely white.
The fog was so thick that I couldn't see even an inch in front of me.
“Where am I?”
I muttered as I walked, but it felt as if I was walking in place.
Thud
Then something caught my foot.
When I looked up, I saw a building through a gap in the fog.
It was a small pavilion bound with gold ropes and iron chains.
“Where is this...?”
As I was wondering, I heard someone calling me from behind.
“You who have been touched by Hyunmu...”
“...?”
I turned around, but all I could see was someone dressed in black.
“It saddens me that human blood will once again be shed in this place.”
What on earth did that mean?
“You who live a second life.”
“...!”
I was startled by those words. So I reacted sharply without thinking.
“Who are you?”
“I am Jinmu Daeje, the one who returned this mountain to the humans.”
“...!”
In the olden days, there were countless monsters in Mt. Mute, and they caused suffering to the humans.
Unable to bear this, Jinmu Daeje descended from heaven himself, eliminated all the monsters, and returned Mt. Mudae to the humans.
Why did this legendary figure appear to me?
“What do you want from me?”
“Yeonja, stop the bloodshed in this land.”
The aura emanating from the man who identified himself as Jinmu Daeje was so powerful that I instinctively fell to my knees.
Even if I weren't a martial artist, I would have said “Yes, sir” without hesitation. I guess I must be a heavenly merchant.
At least, that's what it seems like, considering that I offered him a deal.
“If I stop the bloodshed, what will you do for me?”