Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel MTL - Chapter 343

Episode 343: “A Master’s Level Depends on the Strength of Their Faith”

The Yakjedang (Hall of Medicines) master Cheon Il Dojang didn’t know much about Yaksa Yeorae (Medicine Buddha) Baek Ilun. Lacking new information, Wudang Sect Leader Yeong Gyeolsang dismissed him.

“Namamgung is located north of Cheonjubong, in an extremely difficult-to-traverse ravine. It’s so vast that finding someone could take at least a month. What do you plan to do?”

“More than a month?”

“Yes, it’s not only enormous, but the paths are incredibly complicated. Taoists who practice alchemy often deliberately hide themselves to avoid being disturbed. Finding their secluded places won’t be easy.”

“….”

Yeon Jeokha couldn’t immediately respond. If the matter took only a couple of days, it wouldn’t be a problem, but a month or more would require long-term planning. For that, he would need the full cooperation of the Wudang Sect, not only for lodging and food but also to obtain information.

Yeong Gyeolsang shared the same opinion.

“If your condition allows, why don’t you start by staying with the mystical arts masters? In the meantime, you could investigate Namamgung gradually. Once your residency in Wudang is established, everything will be simpler.”

After a moment’s reflection, Yeon Jeokha nodded. If searching Namamgung was so complicated, securing a place to live would be the first priority.

“I will do as the Sect Master suggests.”

Hearing this, Yeong Gyeolsang stood up.

“Then let’s go. Lately, many people have been coming to learn mystical arts, so no one will find it strange that you’re there.”

“I thank you very much.”

“Ha, ha. Save that gratitude for the mystical arts masters. I’ll only take you to them.”

“Understood.”

Both left Sangcheonggung and began descending the mountain. It seemed Yeong Gyeolsang was going to go down the entire mountain, and Yeon Jeokha couldn’t help but ask:

“Aren’t the mystical arts masters here?”

“They’re in Oryonggung, on the opposite peak. We’ll arrive in about two hours.”

“Oh! This must be a bother for you. I could have asked someone else to guide me.”

Yeon Jeokha, feeling guilty, glanced sideways at Yeong Gyeolsang. After all, it wasn’t usual for someone as important as the sect leader to dedicate two hours to guiding a guest.

“Actually, it’s been a long time since I visited Oryonggung, so this is a good opportunity to do so.”

Although Yeong Gyeolsang reassured him, inwardly he smiled. If Yeon Jeokha were a simple martial arts master, he wouldn’t have bothered. However, being a prodigy with unique abilities, he was a special guest for the Taoist world.

During the journey to Oryonggung, neither used rapid movement techniques. In the sacred grounds of Wudang, using speed qigong was prohibited except in emergencies.

—————

Oryonggung.

Upon arrival, Oryonggung’s master, Taoist Cheonmyeong (Chun Myung), hastily came out to greet them.

“Oh, Sect Master! What a surprise to see you here! To what do I owe the honor of your unexpected visit?”

“Ha, ha. It’s been a while since I’ve heard from you, so I decided to stop by and say hello. I see you’ve expanded the buildings.”

Yeong Gyeolsang looked around. Before, there were only five buildings in Oryonggung, but now there were eight.

“Yes, last month we had to build three more because the space was no longer sufficient. There are many Taoists and laypeople who want to learn mystical arts. Those buildings were constructed with donations.”

Cheonmyeong hastened to clarify that the constructions hadn’t been financed with the sect’s resources.

“Understood. By the way, this is Yeon Dubi, recommended by Sword Emperor Namgung Byeok. He has come to learn mystical arts. I hope you can take good care of him.”

“The Sword Emperor? It seems that even the Four Great Families are seeing the need to learn these arts. But why did they send someone from the Yeon Family instead of a member of the Namgung Family?”

Cheonmyeong looked at Yeon Jeokha curiously, unable to understand why the Sword Emperor didn’t send someone from his own clan.

With an uneasy smile, Yeon Jeokha replied:

“I’m dating a young woman from the Namgung Family.”

“Ah! That explains it. Welcome! If you learn even one of our techniques, it will be of great help to the Namgung Family.”

Cheonmyeong puffed out his chest, full of pride.

In recent years, many Taoists and laypeople had flocked to Oryonggung with the same goal: to gain fame through mystical arts. In the past, these were limited to rituals or exorcisms, but times had changed.

After the war between the Yoomyung Cult and the Heaven and Earth Alliance, even minor factions sought mystical arts masters to prepare for future conflicts.

Although there was a truce, many in the Murim world saw it as a mere respite before an inevitable war.

Yeong Gyeolsang, seeing the importance of the situation, said seriously:

“Cheonmyeong, the Sword Emperor made a special request. Please make sure to instruct Yeon Dubi well.”

Hearing the Sect Master’s firm tone, Cheonmyeong understood that this wasn’t a personal request but an order.

“Understood. I will pay special attention to his training.”

Finally, Yeong Gyeolsang smiled with satisfaction.

“Yeon Dubi, I’ll be going now. I hope you achieve good results.”

“Thank you for everything. I won’t forget your generosity.”

Yeon Jeokha bowed his head, but Cheonmyeong stopped the sect leader.

“Won’t you have a cup of tea before leaving? It would be a shame to come all this way and leave immediately.”

“Ha, ha. Next time, for sure. For now, take good care of Yeon Dubi. Oh, and give him enough free time to investigate Namamgung, as he’s looking for someone there.”

“Understood.”

After saying goodbye, Yeong Gyeolsang departed, while Cheonmyeong remained standing until the sect leader disappeared from his sight.

When they were alone, Cheonmyeong looked at Yeon Jeokha and said in a more relaxed tone:

“So your name is Yeon Dubi, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, what a peculiar name! Who would give their child such a name? Tsk, tsk.”

Clicking his tongue, Cheonmyeong began to walk, and Yeon Jeokha followed him silently.

After a few moments, Cheonmyeong pointed to a large building on the right side of Oryonggung.

“That will be your residence, so take a good look.”

Yeon Jeokha’s gaze followed the direction of his finger. The entrance to the building had a plaque with the name Haseongo (Pavilion of the Immortal He Xiangu).

“There are currently eight buildings in total, including this latest one. To make identification easier, we’ve named them after the Eight Immortals. The newest one is Haseongo.”

“Are so many people interested in learning mystical arts?”

“Many people? It’s a plague! To be honest, if it weren’t for the Sword Emperor’s recommendation, I wouldn’t have accepted you.”

With these words, Cheonmyeong entered Oryonggung, followed by Yeon Jeokha, who sat down opposite him.

Cheonmyeong observed him with an ambiguous look. The swelling, marks, and fluid on Yeon Jeokha’s face turned his stomach. Before, alongside the sect leader, he hadn’t noticed those details, but now that they were face to face, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

“This is to reassure the other disciples, but… that on your face, is it contagious?”

“Ah, no. It’s not smallpox, just serious wounds. It’s not contagious, so don’t worry.”

“I see. I figured, but it’s quite severe. It must be difficult for you.”

“It was at first, but I’ve gotten used to it.”

“Hmm, hmm. Normally, there are others in charge of guiding new disciples. But since the Sect Master asked me to help you personally, I will.”

“Understood.”

“Every morning, at dawn, you must recite the texts ‘Taepyonggyeong’ (Sutra of Supreme Peace), ‘Okhwanggyeong’ (Sutra of the Jade Emperor), and ‘Juyeokchamdonggye’ (Canon of the I Ching and Alchemy).”

“So many?!”

“So many? I’ve reduced the list. I left out texts like the ‘Yeomgugyeong’ (Sutra of the Flaming Mouth), the ‘Dugwagyeong’ (Sutra of the Duguo Constellation), and the ‘Jogwongonggwagyeong’ (Sutra of Morning and Evening Practices). It’s the bare minimum. Once you memorize those three, I’ll tell you what to do next. For now, focus on them.”

“Is it necessary to memorize them?”

“Do you think learning mystical arts is something simple? I’m only asking for the bare minimum.”

“Understood.”

Yeon Jeokha accepted without arguing. He was willing to endure everything if it meant learning Shinantong (Divine Vision), an ability he longed to master.

“Taoist Master, if I do everything you tell me, will I be able to learn Shinantong?”

“Shinantong? It seems you’ve heard of a Kunlun Sect secret. We don’t have that technique in the Wudang Sect.”

“What? You don’t have it?”

“Instead, we teach something similar called Yeongansul (Spiritual Eye Technique). Have you heard of Cheonantong (Celestial Eye), one of the Six Supernatural Powers of Buddhism?”

“Yes.”

“It’s something similar.”

“With that, can you see the spiritual power of the Yukjeong Yukgap (Six Spirits of Destiny)?”

Yeon Jeokha tilted his head, confused. He had reached a level of skill comparable to Yukshingtong (Six Supernatural Powers), but he hadn’t been able to perceive the power of the Yukjeong Yukgap when necessary.

“The spiritual power of the Yukjeong Yukgap? If it exists, of course you could see it. This technique allows you to perceive what normal eyes cannot, even ghosts. Do you understand?”

“Ghosts?!”

“It’s an essential ability for mystical arts masters when performing exorcisms. To expel a spirit, you need to see it with your own eyes. The Kunlun Shinantong technique was also created for that purpose.”

“But Taoist Master, if someone has mastered Yukshingtong, is it possible that they can’t see the spiritual power of the Yukjeong Yukgap?”

“It’s rare, but possible. Think of this: if someone has a legendary sword in their hand, does that mean they are a master of martial arts?”

Yeon Jeokha shook his head.

“It’s the same. Having a powerful sword is useless if you don’t know how to use it.”

“Then, how can it be used correctly?”

“I already told you: wake up at dawn and recite the Taepyonggyeong, Okhwanggyeong, and Juyeokchamdonggye texts.”

“And just by doing that, it will work?”

Yeon Jeokha looked incredulously at Cheonmyeong. He found it hard to believe that something as simple as reciting texts could have such an effect.

“What do you think mystical arts are?”

“Supernatural abilities?”

“Hmm, it seems I’m asking you overly complicated questions. Then, how do you think the abilities of mystical arts masters manifest?”

“With incantations?”

“Tsk, tsk. I knew you’d say that. Incantations are only the visible part. You can’t manifest true mystical abilities with only incantations.”

Yeon Jeokha’s eyes shone. Finally, he was getting to the bottom of what he wanted to know.

“Then, how do they manifest?”

“With faith.”

With these words, Cheonmyeong pointed to his own chest with his index finger.

“Faith?”

“Exactly. The level of a mystical arts master depends on the size of their faith. The more you believe, the higher your level will be. If the level of a martial artist depends on their internal training, the level of a mystical arts master depends on the strength of their faith or will.”

“Ah!”

Yeon Jeokha let out an exclamation. He had never considered something like faith. He had thought that, as in the case of the Guchun Geom (Nine Heavens Supreme Sword), mystical arts were simply mastered through practice.

“Reciting the sacred texts strengthens that faith. The more you recite them, the firmer your faith will be and the stronger you will become. Remember what you said about someone who had obtained Yukshingtong? It’s the same. Even if someone has achieved it, if they live depending on their physical eyes, Cheonantong will end up closing. It’s as if the legendary sword is trapped in its sheath. But if you learn our Yeongansul, you will be able to use that power freely.”

Chapter 343

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