Heavenly Demon Cultivation Simulation
chapter-367

Seol-Hwi was once a member of the Qingcheng Sect.

“It is quite difficult to join Wudang.”

After doing some research, he became concerned.

First, Wudang did not take in more disciples than a certain number. Only a select few were accepted.

Teaching people was more difficult than one might think, and caring for many disciples could burden those who would become Taoists. So, only a couple were selected.

Of course, this also happened in Qingcheng, but there was a huge difference in the numbers.

“If there are 100 people a year who want to enter Qingcheng, then there are around 2000 for Wudang. Is this disparity worthy of the sect’s fame?”

For this reason, Wudang could select and accept only those with the most outstanding qualities, skills, and martial arts.

Initially, only those with notable talent were taken and taught, so Wudang had a high reputation.

Second, Wudang excluded those who were related to any other sects.

The age limit was under 10 years old.

They also went through the process of checking the daily nature of the applicant’s parents. This was because values could be negatively influenced at a young age.

“It is so difficult…”

His age was a hurdle.

This place operated quite differently from Qingcheng, where an elder had simply introduced him.

It was impossible to revert to his younger days. Because every reincarnation started from the age of 20.

So, was there any way for him to become a disciple of Wudang now that he was over the age limit?

No, it was difficult, but there was a way.

It was possible to be called into the sect if the sect leader recommended him, or if a captain or one of the Eight Palaces’ leaders vouched for him.

“In other words, my abilities and character must be recognized by the top 11 members of the Wudang Sect.”

To meet that condition, Seol-Hwi collected information about as many situations and potential allies as he could from his past life.

Waiting for the time to influence a great person in the sect, he found opportunities were surprisingly easy to come by.

This was the secret warrior test proposed by the Earth Demon.

The Black Demon Hall leader said he would follow the Earth Demon if he could bring him the head of one of the elder-level people from the Nine Great Sects. That was one of the three options he had been given.

One option was Wudang, another was Shaolin, and the last was Mount Hua. At the time, Seol-Hwi chose Mount Hua, but this choice now helped him gain entry into Wudang.

As he headed to the area guarded by the Mount Hua sect, Seol-Hwi saw a group of disciples from the Nine Great Sects forming a circle.

Now is the time then…

Seol-Hwi had recruited several warriors of the Seven Messengers’ level, and when he went to slaughter them with the other demons, Seol-Hwi killed the demons instead.

This act saved the lives of the disciples.

“W-who are you?”

Jin Mu of the Wudang sect asked, unable to conceal his surprise.

If he was a strong warrior, he would not be stupid, and he was well-trained too. The disciples had survived now because of this man.

And so, naturally, they all thought the skills Seol-Hwi showed were the best they had seen.

Above all, was it not said that the martial arts Seol-Hwi used to subdue the demons was the Taiji fist?

“When I was young and weak, a passing Wudang warrior taught this to me. After I continued to practice it, I noticed how my health had changed so much, and then eventually my energy and blood flow improved.”

“Huh, what was the name of the Wudang warrior?”

“He said it was Hae Yoon.”

“Elder Hae Yoon…!”

Seol-Hwi gave the name of a warrior he had heard about from the Qingcheng sect.

He was someone Seol-Hwi had investigated in the past while at the Demonic Sect.

Although he was a recluse warrior, he was known to have a difficult nature, and Seol-Hwi remembered how tough it was to go against that man.

Hae Yoon did not have an eccentric nature like Hae Myung, and as such, he was not shrouded in mystery. But in other aspects, he was perfect.

Because of the timing, he had passed away last year or perhaps the year before that.

Since the man had died, there was no need to worry about him suddenly showing up.

“Oh my. The Taoist who lived in seclusion had planted his seed before… if he were alive, he would have been so happy.”

Captain Jin Mu was so moved that he asked Seol-Hwi,

“Do you have any intention of joining Wudang?”

“I would never dare to think that myself, but since you’ve extended your hand, how can I refuse?”

This man was ranked fourth in Wudang.

Seol-Hwi, who had enough control over the demonic energy in his body to avoid detection, displayed the energy of Taiji and was able to enter the Wudang sect through him.

And the plan to nurture the new Wudang of time enabled him to receive excellent teachings.

“So, you… are the Grassland Warrior from the central plains? The one who was active during the time of Hae Yoon?”

“Yes.”

“Oh!”

“Ah!”

Upon Jin Mu’s introduction, the Taoists watching looked shocked, and some exchanged glances and whispered among themselves.

Grassland Warrior?

Seol-Hwi tilted his head.

What an odd name.

-A warrior who appeared alone in the grasslands and overpowered the demons at once. This tale was spread by the disciples of the Nine Great Sects, and in less than a month, the name arose.

“So… you are asking for this person to be taken in, directly by you?”

Myung Suk inquired with a calm expression.

He was someone who took pride in his classes, so he questioned if someone new was being placed in their class.

“Yes, I have already checked what needed to be checked, and the elders said that if he can achieve this level with self-training, they are excited to see what he will show next.”

“…It means that he has no particular master. Don’t you know that one cannot join this class without the right skills?”

Myung Suk was displeased.

He did not like how someone was being given a free pass into the sect.

Then Jin Mu lowered his head.

“Taoist Myung Suk, I do understand your principles, but that is precisely why I am asking you this. Don’t you realize what the position of Elder Hae Yoon was?”

“Hmm.”

“He was a man of good character and nature but always felt inadequate due to his lack of talent. However, that’s all in the past, and this child has pursued his vision despite its shortcomings, and fate has led him to us.”

Shhh

Jin Mu spoke and pointed to Seol-Hwi.

“So, please give him a test. I will not ask for anything more after that.”

Ugh…

When Jin Mu made his request, Myung Suk found it difficult to refuse.

“I want to be clear: if I don’t like what he does, I can always kick him out, right?”

“Why would I object then?”

“Then, I’ll accept him.”

Jin Mu felt a surge of relief at that.

“Good. Now, head inside.”

“Please teach me well in the future.”

Myung Suk gave his permission, and Seol-Hwi greeted him respectfully.

He slowly took off his shoes and stepped inside—the first threshold of the life he had planned. It had been successful thus far.

All eyes briefly settled on Seol-Hwi.

The man who was a warrior savior in Kangho.

They say rumors spread faster than anything else, so everyone had likely heard about Seol-Hwi.

“Welcome, newbie.”

The Taoist monk next to Seol-Hwi greeted him. Seol-Hwi responded in kind, and then Myung Suk asked,

“What did you say your Taoist name was?”

“…My late master said that if I ever became a Wudang disciple, it should be Jin Hwi.”

“Taoist Jin Hwi…”

Myung Suk smiled.

“Okay, I have a question for these people. Would you like to hear it?”

“Yes.”

Myung Suk spoke as if he had been anticipating this moment,

“What is the difference between Taiji and the Taoist way? What is their energy? And how are they distinct?”

Of course, he did not ask this because he thought Seol-Hwi would know the answer. Rather, it was to sow confusion in him.

Because only those who had taken the official classes would understand this.

“That…”

Seol-Hwi glanced back.

Every Taoist was looking at him, and for a while, Seol-Hwi understood what Myung Suk was trying to do.

“…The Taiji fist is used with internal energy. In other words, it can be called the natural energy, and by accepting it, there is no wastage of it. The energy moves freely, so upon enlightenment, one can have free utilization of vast energy.”

Seol-Hwi sighed and then continued,

“On the other hand, the Taoist way of energy is like building a foundation or basics. It is a path built slowly yet strongly to gradually rise up. This means that there isn’t an abundance of it, and one needs to step ahead one step after another. The flow of energy needs to match too.”

“…”

There was a moment of silence.

Taiji arts were something that most Taoists here knew, but this was unexpected.

The answer came swiftly and clearly, which made Myung Suk think it was odd.

At that time, Myung Suk asked another question.

“In summary, Taiji is the union of energy. Does it mean that it is a momentary enlightenment principle through constant practice, and that the Taoist way of energy is like building a house one step at a time?”

“Yes.”

“That is a nice insight. So between the two, which should be focused on more?”

“Focus on Taiji if you can but also practice the Taoist energy when needed. Anyway, in a broad sense, it is better to be moving the spiritual energy… if you see it from a profound warrior level, you will not see much of a difference in things.”

“P-profound warrior…?”

Myung Suk was shocked as Seol-Hwi casually spoke of the highest martial artist level.

The way he said it as if it was expected for all, but it also meant that there was not much difference between the two energies.

This was a statement that was difficult for a single Taoist to grasp.

“Hmm…”

Despite the flustered looks and confusion of his peers, Seol-Hwi did not speak.

Actually, he was not that interested in how they would think of the answer.

What happened?

Seol-Hwi focused on the Taoists in the class.

From his investigation in Qingcheng…

Most of the Taoists would die within the next ten years.

Why did such a thing have to happen?

From that point on, he knew he had to take it slow.

Maybe this is where the crooked nature of the Wudang Sect Leader Hae Woo starts.

Life as a Wudang disciple was not to learn, but to uncover the secret behind it all.