Episode 100. Names are not passed down in vain2014.08.16.
The place where Sonbin and his group got off was at the Guando road, a little upstream from Wuhan. Although there was no large city, it was still quite crowded with people as it was a street corner.
Zhuge Gi and Gongsun Ji also got off at the same place. As soon as they got off, they rode off on shiny horses.
Just before leaving, Sun Bin and Gongsun Ji’s eyes met once, and Gongsun Ji snorted and turned his head.
It was clear that she had misunderstood something, but it was a fortunate thing for Son Bin, who was secretly worried that she might have noticed Roh’s actions.
“why? “Is that kind of kid your type?”
As I watch Gongsunji leave, Nogun asks. Sonbin smiled bitterly.
“no. I was wondering if you might make an issue of what happened last night… … .”
I have already experienced that Gongsunji’s judgment is not so good. Moreover, after learning about the influence of the five major families, I am once again concerned about the affairs of the Namak Laogun.
‘Well, of course, if it were you, I would probably just snort and ignore it.’
“What, are you still paying attention to that?”
Namaknogun chuckles.
“You are still holding on to what I already left behind. And this is something that must be done shamelessly and confidently. There is a saying that thieves go numb. If you pretend to have numb feet, you’ll be accused of being a thief, and if you glance at them for no reason, you’ll get into trouble. Oh, shouldn’t you take that carriage?”
Before I knew it, several carriages were leaving, carrying people who had landed at the dock.
Sonbin and his group took a carriage heading towards Mt. Wudang.
∴
Tap, tap.
As I was swaying in a carriage running along a quiet road, Noh-gun, who was fiddling with his new coat, suddenly asked:
“This is expensive, but didn’t you buy it for no reason?”
“it’s okay. “I brought plenty for travel expenses.”
Sonbin answered with a smile, but Noh did not frown.
“You bought that child’s clothes too. I heard women’s clothes are quite expensive? I don’t know why things like dragonfly wings, which don’t cost much, are more expensive… … .”
At the words of the old man, Tang Yue-erh fiddles with her new clothes and asks the old man.
“Does it cost money to get clothes?”
Noh was dumbfounded.
“Have you ever bought anything?”
Tang Yue nodded.
“My sister always got me anything I needed. She had never bought anything… … .”
There was almost no opportunity to go out, let alone buy one. Tang Yue’er’s residence was an isolated, dark place where even the wind could not easily enter.
“That’s why your sister took care of the money.”
“Do you have any money?”
Noh quickly asks. Tang Yue nodded.
“many. “A box full.”
“Box?”
Noh asks a question that sounds like something unsettling.
“yes. “A big box at home.”
Noh’s face distorted.
“shit. “I also have a golden calf at home.”
Tang Yue tilted his head.
“Do we even need a golden calf? My sister didn’t give it to me… … .”
“no.”
Sonbin quickly answered her. For she thought that if she were, she might indeed bring her golden calf.
“It’s just a metaphor or a joke.”
Noh, who was clicking his tongue, spoke to Son Bin.
“When I finish my work at the shaman, I will pay the return travel expenses.”
“no. it’s okay.”
“Oh hey, I’m the one who has a golden calf at home.”
Noh said with a serious expression on his face. That sight actually makes Sonbin smile.
“Are you going to a shaman?”
Suddenly, a sturdy man sitting next to me spoke. He was a middle-aged man with big eyes and a rather handsome appearance. Judging by his clothes and the sword on his back, he seemed to be a martial artist.
Sonbin answered him.
“yes. That’s right.”
“Ah, my name is Jang Mu-sam. “I’m sorry for suddenly interrupting you while you were talking.”
The middle-aged man smiled and put his hands together to show respect to Son Bin and his group.
“I am a lay disciple of a shaman. “I happened to hear that you were going to become a shaman, and I was so happy that I committed this rude act.”
“I see. “I am Sonbin.”
Sonbin answered his yes.
“But what does it mean to be a lay disciple?”
The man seemed momentarily taken aback by Sonbin’s question. However, she was convinced by Sonbin’s outfit and she answered right away.
“A lay disciple is a disciple who has not become a monk. Originally, to become a disciple of a shaman, you had to become a monk, but there are no such restrictions for lay disciples. Since I am not an official registered disciple, there are many limitations… … .”
Sonbin nodded. Shaman is originally a historic Taoist temple. Therefore, it would be natural to become a monk like the monks of Shaolin.
“However, my pride in being a shaman and my mind as a monk are not inferior to those of officially registered disciples. ha ha ha.”
“Then, is Jang Daehyeop also on his way to become a shaman?”
“It’s a big deal, I don’t agree with it. “I am just a poor military officer with a small military rank.”
He threw up his hand. He said that it was the road to Henan Province that passes through Hubei Province. When Son Bin said that it was his first time to a shaman, he explained the way to the shaman in detail.
“He’s a shaman… … . Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since I’ve been there.”
He said, looking towards the north as if he was reminiscing about a distant memory.
“It was really difficult when I was learning martial arts, but now I miss that time. In particular, the sermon time was like a time for everyone to sleep. However, Hwang Hak-jin passed away not long ago… … .”
He was lost in thought, muttering, and smiled as he looked at Sonbin.
“But if you go, you won’t regret it. “The shaman is a very beautiful place.”
His eyes were full of pride in being a shaman. Sonbin nodded his head.
∴
A middle-aged warrior named Jang Mu-sam parted ways in the next village. Sonbin and his party also transferred to a carriage heading to nearby Wudang Mountain.
Leaving behind his wishes for a good journey, Sonbin and his group swayed in the new carriage.
“You are a good person.”
“He was a humble guy.”
Noh said:
“Being a shaman’s lay disciple is something worth boasting about. “Even though I’m not an official disciple, I’m still better than the disciples of the five generations.”
The four major factions to which a shaman belongs are evaluated higher than the five major factions, even if they are the same Murim faction. This is because of their long history and tradition, and the virtue they have built up over a long period of time as Buddhist and Taoist scholars.
“The power of a shaman lies in such people.”
Noh spoke quietly.
“It is thanks to countless people like that in the world that the name of shaman has been preserved over the years. If they had not practiced righteousness and cooperation in Jianghu, how could there be shamans today? Even if all the pipes of Wudang Mountain burn down and collapse, if they are there, the name of Shaman will never be lost. “The shaman masters don’t even know this and are showing off as if they are proud.”
Sonbin nodded to what Noh said.
“Well, there are more people who have gained interest by using the shaman’s name on their backs, but if the shaman falls, even those people will step in and try to help, so if that is their strength, that is their strength.”
“That’s another bittersweet reason.”
At Sonbin’s words, Noh shrugged his shoulders.
“I can’t help it. The world is essentially a place where black and white are mixed together. Even human nature is inherently so, so what can you do?”
While listening to Nohgun’s words, Sonbin recalled the various writings he had learned.
Some say people are inherently evil, while others say people are inherently good.
When I learned it at a seowon, it was just one piece of knowledge I put into my head, but when I think about it, it was something huge that fundamentally changed the way I see the world.
‘Are people inherently good or evil? ‘If people are inherently evil, how should I treat others?’
Suddenly, lost in profound philosophical contemplation, Sonbin was slowly heading towards Mt. Wudang.
* * *
Wudang Mountain is a famous mountain with a long history and is the main mountain of Taoism. Therefore, there have been many prominent Taoist temples scattered throughout Wudang Mountain since long ago.
But now, they are all just conduits located in Wudang Mountain, and there is only one place that claims the name ‘Shaman’.
It was the ‘Mudang faction’, a Buddhist temple with a long history and an axis of the Murim Alliance, proudly listed among the four major political factions.
“Wow.”
Someone sighed. I was one of those who got off the carriage, but everyone felt the same.
Although I hadn’t climbed the mountain yet, Shaman’s Peak, covered in clouds and fog, was just mysterious.
The sight of the huge stone string gate, which resembles the mountain gate of Mt. Wudang, as well as the sight of Okheogung Palace in the distance, naturally aroused admiration.
The towering stone building and the numerous buildings connected to each other with no discernible boundaries formed a truly overwhelming, gigantic architectural group.
“That’s amazing. It’s like… … .”
Sonbin also spoke quietly. Since it was a conduit, it reminded me of a quiet temple hidden in the mountains, but now that I looked at it, it seemed like a city built in the mountains.
The eaves and red walls rising toward the sky are ancient and mysterious, and the number of monks passing between them and offering incense is uncountable.
While Sonbin was purely admiring the shaman’s appearance, Nogun spoke bluntly with a frown.
“Why has it become so complicated? “Let’s go now.”
“Ah yes.”
When I came to my senses, the only people left were Sonbin and his group. Everyone has become a shaman.
“Let’s go.”
Sonbin walked along with the others.
How many steps did you walk?
A young monk wearing a rather flashy outfit extended his hand to Son Bin.
“Please stop for a moment.”
Doin, who was tall and had a soft smile, bowed to Sonbin. Sonbin also showed his respect, and the monk said with a smile on his face.
“You cannot enter here with a sword.”
“yes? What is that… … .”
“It’s Haegeomji.”
The old soldier standing behind spoke in a blunt tone.
“It means here, untie your sword and surrender to the shaman with your bare hands.”
“It’s not like that. This is a place to escape from the secular world and pursue the truth, and it contains the sage’s deep intention to throw away one’s attachments and stubbornness along with the sword and reach the path. It is also an example of respect given to a shaman.”
The young Daoist said, still smiling. However, the Noh army’s tone did not change.
“joy. Let go of obsession with the sword? Then why do you cross the rivers and lakes with swords? Wouldn’t the deep will of the sage be fulfilled much better if you were to throw away your swords from here and travel around the world humbly practicing wisdom and righteousness?”
In fact, Roh’s comments were not without prejudice. This is because Taoist monks often carried swords as a symbol of destruction.
However, since it was also clear that the shaman who revered Jinmu (true martial arts) was a Confucian scholar and also a member of the martial arts sect, the young Daoist’s face could not help but harden.
“You cannot come in unless you unfasten your sword. And since this is a shaman, please show proper respect.”
His voice changed quite a bit. As if they were rebelling against the overwhelming majesty of the shaman, there were more than a few shamans who found fault with the shaman and started a fight. But it always ended up being a futile attempt.
The young Taoist put strength into one hand holding the wooden baton. Then he winked and called other young Taoists.
In an instant, Sonbin and his group were surrounded by a dozen young Taoists.
“joy. How dare you… … .”
It was just at that moment that the old man’s eyes were about to turn cold.
“Please wait a moment.”
When the situation seemed to be getting worse, Sonbin stepped forward. He bowed to the old soldiers and asked for their understanding, and also bowed again to the young believers who were blocking his way.
“I have no intention of being rude to the shaman. However, there is a reason why the sword cannot be released.”
“reason? What is the reason… … .”
“This is what Hwang Hak-jin asked for.”
A strange look appeared in the eyes of the young monks who were giving off a vicious spirit.
Although he has already passed away, he is a great name who is even more widely known throughout the world. That name is Hwang Hak-jin. No one among shamans takes that name lightly.
“The previous Great Master?”
“Yes, it is. And although it was late, I came here to express my condolences.”
Sonbin quietly put his hands together and expressed his respect. Then, the young monks could not stay still, so they gave up their harsh attitude and bowed to him.
Although the period of condolences has already passed for a long time, we cannot treat him carelessly just because he has come to offer his condolences.
“Hmm. So, what did the previous Great Master ask you to do?”
“It’s not something you should mention lightly on the street. “Could you please meet the person in charge?”
The young Daoist did not hide his doubts. In common sense, it was difficult to believe that Hwang Hak-jin had asked such a humble scholar to do something.
However, Hwang Hak-jin was a person with an easy-going personality who was friendly to all people.
Hwang Hak-jin is even called the Great Master because he opened up a new realm of Taoism with his benevolent nature, so it is not impossible that even such an unremarkable scholar had a connection and asked for something.
“Please wait a moment.”
Perhaps Sonbin’s courteous attitude and voice helped the young monk’s decision, so he decided to report it to the monk in charge of entry and exit.
It seemed like things were going smoothly.
∴
“Holy shit. How long are you going to leave it standing here? Are you coming?”
The old man who couldn’t wait began to grumble.
“Uh huh, didn’t I tell you to wait?”
Another young Daoist standing next to the group frowned and answered.
“That’s why you wait. “But why aren’t you coming?”
“Huh, you really have no patience.”
The young Daoist clicked his tongue. He had no idea that the old man in front of him was Namaknogun, a former master.
He raised his hand and pointed to the top of the mountain.
“Do you see it?”
The peak of the mountain his hand was pointing to was obscured by clouds and could not be clearly seen. Strange peaks and distant cliffs are hidden in clouds and fog.
“If you go over three peaks like that, there are the Samcheong Palaces of Okcheong, Sangcheong, and Taecheon. Among them, Jang Mun-in is at Shangqing Palace. So, to deliver the news there, even if you are strong, it will take two days.”
“Two o’clock?”
Noh’s face distorted.
“If you go back and forth, it will be your visit.”
A four-day visitation lasts from morning to afternoon, which equates to almost half a day. It is no wonder that Noh’s face is distorted.
“Well, if you’re our shaman’s disciple, it only takes about two hours for a round trip.”
The young Daoist spoke with a triumphant expression. Noh muttered as if he was dumbfounded.
“Two visits for a round trip?”
“exactly. It takes two hours to climb up and down those steep, endless stone stairs… … .”
“Why is it so slow? Are you saying you are the shaman of the world? “Is everyone crawling?”
The young Daoist’s face distorted.
“It seems like the shaman’s stone stairs are looked down on, but if it’s an old man, his soul will probably run away to the sky before he can even finish climbing the stairs…” … .”
“Are you giving news to Jang Mun-in?”
Sonbin asked politely. The young Doin, who had been excited without realizing it, cleared her throat and spoke.
“Hmm, there is no way to guarantee that Jang Mun-in will come… … . Anyway, since it is the work of the previous Great Master, how can we treat it lightly? “It will probably take some time because the great jinns will have to make a decision.”
In fact, the young Taoist’s mention of Jang Munin was merely an exaggeration. Anyone who causes trouble in Haegeomji can be kicked out.
Since the previous Great Master was mentioned, it is likely that someone will come forward and understand the gravity of the matter, but it cannot be a lengthy article.
However, it was surprising even to a young Taoist that it took this long, but it is not particularly unusual in a large organization like a shaman.
‘It looks like someone doesn’t want to take responsibility and keeps passing it up, or maybe work is getting pushed back.’
Within large organizations, it is not uncommon for even simple procedures to take years if they are handled incorrectly. I don’t know what happened in the middle, but it was clear that these people were unlucky.
“okay. However, if you are a great shaman, you will be very busy, and it may not be easy to find time all of a sudden… … .”
“You know very well. “That’s right.”
The young Taoist smiled as if he had finally met someone he could communicate with.
“Besides, even if you decide to meet, you won’t know when you will have time if you are busy with other important things. Fortunately, you guys are lucky. You came just when the great jinns were there. “If you go to Murimmaeng once, you will have no choice but to wait in vain until he comes.”
He said he was glad, but Son Bin was embarrassed. The sun is already setting, so we can’t just wait like this.
“I’m saying this for your sake, but just unsheath your sword and go up here. If a sword is hung on a gwaegeomsu, who would dare to touch the shaman’s belongings? “You don’t have to worry.”
He spoke confidently. It was as he said. Who would dare to go against the shaman’s will here?
“But we can’t do that.”
Sonbin said. The young Daoist clicked her tongue in frustration.
“Then wait. “It seems wrong that the answer will come within today.”
That’s how Sonbin saw it too.
“Then what should I do…” … .”
“There is a lodging over there, so please wait there for now.”
At the place the young Taoist pointed to, there was a large guesthouse for visitors.
It was a fairly large place, as indicated by the scale of people coming and going to the shaman, but compared to the size of Okheogung, it looked shabby.
“All right.”
Sonbin decided to unpack there for now. This is because it seemed like it would take quite some time to enter the shaman’s temple gate.
Noh grumbled, saying, ‘It would have been better to just break it down and go in,’ but he followed Son Bin’s wishes anyway.
But the answer came surprisingly quickly.
That very night.
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martial arts,
