Heavenly Demon Cultivation Simulation

Three years after Seol-Hwi became the sect leader of the Qingcheng Sect, the conference was held.

At that time, the Demonic Sect had collapsed due to internal conflict, and the name of Mount Hua had fallen into decline as well, so it was the first meeting for the Nine Great Sects in a long time.

While the individuals who had earned the reputation of great people in Kangho were gathering, Seol-Hwi managed to meet with Elder Hyun Woo of Wudang.

Two days before the official meeting banquet ended, they found a private area to talk.

“How can this be…”

Seol-Hwi felt deeply disappointed.

Wudang, in the eyes of the world, was the greatest sect. However, when he met the sect leader of Wudang in person, the spirit of their sect didn’t seem so honorable.

“What happened to the Wudang Sect?”

Seol-Hwi was deep in thought.

The place his late master, Elder Chung Heo, had told him to visit was Wudang.

But when he met them and shared his feelings in person, he discovered they were more narrow-minded and unstable than he expected.

Nothing had changed since the time End Demon tried to invade them in the past. They were anxious to protect themselves but did not step outside their boundaries either.

“I guess I need to step into the Wudang Sect and see what is happening.”

On the path back, Seol-Hwi chose to return to his sect. Observing the situation of Wudang could wait for another life. Now, he would dedicate his life solely to the Qingcheng Sect.

It was not about being loyal to the sect as his master had advised. He simply wanted to find out how far he could go and how much he needed to know to manage a sect.

“It will help me with Wudang later.”

So, with earnestness, he lived as a sect leader for a long time, devoted himself to the sword, gathered people, and cast aside evil thoughts to maintain peace in the mountain.

Fourteen years had passed, and Seol-Hwi had become the star of the sect.

Not only did Qingcheng’s warriors admire the Seok Hwi sect leader’s virtue, but so did all the warriors in Kangho.

In this way, Seol-Hwi met his end.

Wudang Mountain.

Step. Step.

Among the young-looking Taoists, one with a solemn expression passed by.

His name was Myung Suk. He was the leader of the True Origin Hall, responsible for selecting the best talents among the disciples and educating them.

He oversaw five sajaes, and beneath them were about 53 disciples in total.

These were the new recruits who would represent the sect. They were known as the Fifty Three Way People, and their training followed a structured process.

The schedule and contents were as follows:

Based on 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5:

Cultivation (7-9 am)

Physical training (9-11 am) - The foundation of non-martial arts.

Cultivation and meditation (1-5 pm)

Sparring (5-7 pm)

Despite the rigorous schedule, the disciples never complained. Their current status was highly regarded.

Even the smaller and medium-sized sects would be intimidated by the efforts made here to nurture the disciples.

This was not just any place; it was one of the Nine Great Sects. Among them, Wudang was undoubtedly ranked first. As a member of this esteemed sect, lethargy was not tolerated.

Thus, an atmosphere prevailed where everyone slept less to grasp these teachings.

“Today’s topic is discernment. What is the difference between pure qi and taichi qi? And how do their natures differ?”

With the question posed, the atmosphere in the hall shifted.

About 50 Taoists sat in the lotus position.

They pondered their responses, avoiding eye contact with the hall leader.

“Hmm.”

Myung Suk gently lowered the book in his hand.

When a long silence followed, he asked,

“Does anyone know the answer?”

The young Taoists were busy thinking, but the concept was too vague for them to articulate.

Despite the question being repeated, silence filled the room. They feared the repercussions of an incorrect answer.

“Jin Ga. You tell me. What is it?”

Ultimately, Myung Suk called on the disciple before him.

Duuu

The designated young Taoist pondered for a long while, clearly without a clue.

“Uh, um…”

He began to speak but then decided that bowing his head was the safer option. Shortly after, a long baton struck his head.

Tak!

“Ahh!”

Caught off guard, he clutched his head in pain.

The wooden sword of Wudang was used. Although its weight had been moderately reduced and the blow wasn’t too strong, it still hurt.

“Then, Jin Gon. You tell me.”

The question passed to the next disciple, who closed his eyes as if in deep contemplation before responding,

“When it comes to the teachings of the true way, the essence of existence is located at the source of the universe. It involves exploring it, and all issues related to it…”

“World?”

“Well… that, the…”

Tak!

“Ack!”

Another disciple was struck. Myung Suk scowled and clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“You’ve learned a little bit… Since you can’t even get that right, at least think about it. But if you don’t know, better to say nothing.”

“Ahh…”

Jin Gong’s face was flushed with embarrassment.

As the correct answer remained elusive, Myung Suk’s frustration grew by the second.

“You are the talented individuals destined to elevate Wudang to new heights. Even I, as a Wudang master, endured countless trials to get here. Yet you fail to grasp even the slightest difference!”

“…”

“…”

Though they had the means to speak, none of the disciples could find the words.

It was a complex question that demanded deep reflection on their teachings, but the Taoists were too inexperienced for such introspection.

Being selected here was nice, but they were too young to have such complex thoughts, and it meant that they had to work even harder to prove their worth.

Ah, it isn’t that I don’t understand, but…

Myung Suk looked disappointed.

Because they were young and lacked experience, they needed to try. Right now, saying “I don’t know” meant they weren’t looking into anything!

And there are so many people here…

It was natural not to be able to answer the question.

They were still learning, and there were limits to overcoming their shortcomings. Then, they just had to try harder and fail more.

Did failure not mean that one at least tried, whether it worked or not?

But I cannot tell you to say it unconditionally because it is okay to be wrong…

This was a maxim. It was an important topic.

Giving information to someone who could not find it themselves was the biggest mistake a teacher could make. This was because those who knew nothing could cling to such words and misinterpret them.

There was no spirit of leadership.

Myung Suk’s insides were starting to churn at the sight of the disciples.

“I am still young at this, but I will try.”

Oh.

A young Taoist raised his hand, and when Myung Suk saw him, he was a bit taken aback.

Jin Suk, second in overall ranks.

He was the great-grandson of the sect leader, known to be very intelligent, and he embodied the true nature of Wudang.

“Go ahead.”

“Yes. Simply put, the way to use energy is different. Taiji teaches how to practice without focusing too much on the energy. Everyone knows the secret of putting your will into the spirit, not the energy.”

He paused, looked around, and then continued,

“On the other hand, Taoist training involves three steps, known as Body, Energy, and Mind. In other words, the source of the universe unites with the Tao.”

“Ohh!”

As soon as he said it, the Taoists all looked surprised. At those words, Myung Suk was shocked.

As expected of this guy.

“It is a good answer, but not the one I wanted. Is there anyone who can provide more information or a different idea?”

“…”

There was silence at the question, but this time the silence was shorter.

“I will answer.”

In an instant, everyone turned to the voice and the hand that was raised at the other end. They recognized the person immediately.

Jin Gu—

The Taoist on par with Jin Suk.

He was the one who ranked first.

“Fine, tell me. I wonder what answer you will give.”

At Myung Suk’s words, Jin Gu stood up and took a moment to catch his breath. Then, he glanced at Jin Suk and continued,

“The energy from Taiji and the one gained through Taoist ways are different. It might be narrowly different, though, but in a broader sense, it can be called the same.”

“Hmm? On what basis?”

Myung Suk asked right away, questioning him, and Jin Gu said,

“It is said that the practice of the Taoist way involves cultivating the essence of perfect energy, refining it to the most perfect and pure form, and then integrating it into the body. There are many forms, like the Flame Transformation Energy, and so on. It is said that to step into the purification of energy, which is the basis of it, one must learn to center it in the dantian. But what about Taiji? What is the center of it?”

He paused before continuing,

“Taiji is the origin of heaven and earth and the origin of all things. Even if it is referred to as the macrocosm and microcosm in the words of scholars, it would also center on the dantian. It is different, but the same too. That is what I think.”

“Hmm.”

After he finished speaking, Myung Suk was silent.

The other Taoists too just waited in silence.

“The difference in interpretation… is fairly close. Excellent.”

“Ohh!”

“As expected of Jin Gu.”

“I knew it!”

The Taoists all seemed excited and cheered. Of course, the people around Jin Suk were dead silent.

That was because Jin Suk’s expression did not look good.

That bastard…

Jin Suk had sharp eyes and a fierce demeanor, which was odd for Wudang.

To him, Jin Gu was a thorn in his side.

He did not like how, unlike him, the grandson of the sect leader, he was a disciple of an unknown elder.

What nonsense was that?

“Enough.”

Myung Suk restrained the young Taoist and said,

“Then if I am going to speak of what I think…”

But the chance to hear his thoughts was delayed for a moment. For some reason, someone suddenly caused a commotion during the class.

“Who are you?”

Someone approached the door and, to their surprise, it was Jin Mu, the captain, standing there. Next to him was a man who looked a bit old.

Seol-Hwi, who was 29 years old, had finally stepped into Wudang.