Wudang Sacred Scriptures

Chapter 20

The image of Jeol-ae Peak appeared in Kwak Yeon’s mind as if viewed from the sky, having shaken off all other thoughts.

The rocky eaves jutted out sharply, yet the upper part seemed to form a gentle roof, which is why it was also called the Satgat Peak.

If only he could get past the rocky eaves, the distance would close instantly.

The problem was that he had to hang from the empty space of the rocky eaves and crawl past a dangerous gap.

Although he was tied with a safety rope, if his strength gave out halfway, he would fall to the cliff below and be severely injured.

“...!”

Kwak Yeon noticed that the ceiling of the rocky eaves had formed into steps.

He thought to himself that if he used his martial arts skills, it might be possible.

Looking at the ceiling with its stepped wall, he mentally mapped out the poses and movements he needed to make.

It’s definitely possible! If only my stamina holds up.

He had indeed grown significantly. The scrawny little kid, once like a starved donkey, had developed into a solid figure recognized as a worthy competitor by Seok Jangsan.

However, the rocky eaves were a route that everyone else had given up on.

But can I really do it?

He absolutely did not want to stop.

I’m going to try!

Kwak Yeon crawled beneath the right-angled eaves and pressed his hands firmly against the cliff rocks.

His body, which had been slipping, now stabilized.

The problem was that he would need to keep exerting strength to maintain his position.

Kwak Yeon imagined the Jeol-ae Peak as a giant, trying to shake him off.

It was huge and powerful, but its strength had a direction, didn’t it?

The martial techniques he had learned were all about facing the strength of his opponents in various ways.

As he realized this, his fear dissipated.

That’s right, it’s just a giant with a lot of strength! I’ve learned countless ways to use that strength.

With the fear gone, a sense of exhilaration took over.

Each step forward was a joy of overcoming. Moreover, the techniques he had struggled and trained so hard to learn were now working.

Kwak Yeon wedged his upper arm into the gap in the ceiling and expanded his muscles, pushing against the downward force.

With that, he was able to rise up onto the eaves.

However, moving forward was another problem.

Kwak Yeon spread his hands and feet against the stepped rocky wall on the ceiling.

Now looking like a giant turtle with a massive rocky shell, he moved one hand forward, followed by lifting his opposite foot to move forward.

The techniques he had mastered with Solgak were working, but it was demanding a tremendous amount of energy.

His hands and feet were already trembling.

Fatigue had arrived far sooner than he had expected.

Kwak Yeon thought about the Celestial Meridian Map and began practicing Danjeon Breathing.

It was his method for recovering from fatigue.

As he did so, he imagined sending his vital energy through his hands and feet.

It was all just an imagination, but somehow it made him feel better.

The tremors in his hands and feet lessened, confirming the effectiveness of his recovery method.

Kwak Yeon began moving forward again.

“...!”

At some point, a vast pine forest spread out below him.

He could even see the school grounds. The dormitories and buildings looked like tiny wooden boxes.

It felt as though he were floating in the sky.

Kwak Yeon felt a refreshing sensation in his chest.

Was this the reward for overcoming his fear, showing him this magnificent scene?

It was exhilarating.

Had he not chosen the rocky eaves, he would never have experienced such a spectacle.

Ah! When I cultivate my inner energy to its peak, the way I see the world will change like this.

Suddenly, that thought came to Kwak Yeon.

How wonderful would that world be?

He vaguely understood why martial artists become so obsessed with their arts.

It wasn’t just the joy of achieving something. It wasn’t only about becoming stronger than others to win.

There was not a single crack or even a small fissure to grip. It had been smoothed out over the years by rain and wind.

He had hoped that getting closer might reveal something to hold onto.

But there was nothing, not even a post to attach a safety rope to.

It was a path no one had ever chosen, and even the martial arts instructors had found it inaccessible.

If I use my small muscles to stick to the rock and crawl like a snail...

Kwak Yeon took off his outer robe while hanging from the ceiling like a bat.

Whoosh!

His robe, like a skin shedding, fluttered in the wind and drifted far below.

Kwak Yeon pressed his upper body, even his cheek, flat against the rock surface.

In this position, with his body completely adhered to the rock, he began to climb.

Squirm! Squirm!

The moment his upper body came out beyond the boulder, his body tilted downward.

—Thud! Swoosh!

With his palm and cheek pressed flat against the rock, he barely stopped himself from falling.

That was close!

Hanging onto the boulder with his upper body, he felt stuck.

He could no longer push himself upward, and if he moved even a little, he felt as though he would slip and fall.

But staying still was even more dangerous. If he didn’t move forward, his energy would soon be depleted.

Huff...

Kwak Yeon took a deep breath and used the Byeokhoji technique to press his entire body against the rock.

Crack!

He pressed his cheek back against the stone and, inch by inch, began to pull himself up.

Each small movement felt like his entire body was being strained. His energy was running low.

The world in front of him began to spin.

His cheek had scraped against the rock, and sticky blood flowed.

There was no time to feel pain.

Kwak Yeon gritted his teeth and continued to crawl upward.

If I stop, it’s over.

But eventually, he reached his limit.

He knew that any small movement would cause him to slip.

He was stuck, unable to move forward or go back.

At that moment, a voice came from above.

“I know you don’t have the strength to call for help right now.”

It was Chief Instructor Kang Ik-yu’s voice.

“Give up. Say it, and I’ll pull you up.”

“...”

Many trainees were already close to the summit of Jeol-ae Peak.

“Let’s watch him. His strength has proven itself, even if he doesn’t make it to the Main Sect. He has the potential to become the best as an Outer Sect disciple.”

“...”

“Everyone is already trying to make you an Outer Sect disciple. So... just say you’re done.”

If this were the old Kwak Yeon, he would have definitely agreed.

But now, Kwak Yeon had found his dream. It was something that could only be achieved by becoming a Main Sect disciple.

“No, I can do it.”

There was no way for Kang Ik-yu to help him unless he gave up.

“Then do it your way.”

Kang Ik-yu had no choice but to prepare for the worst and leave Kwak Yeon to his decision.

Kwak Yeon felt like he had finally reached the final, overwhelming resistance of the giant.

The giant is pressing down on me with all its might.

As he imagined it, he realized he was facing that force head-on.

I’ve only been trying to climb. How can I resist this giant’s strength with the least amount of force?

Having studied the human body through the Celestial Meridian Map, he understood that to oppose a powerful force, he had to find the center of that opposing force.

That’s how I can dodge it.