Wudang Sacred Scriptures
Author: Bang Su-yoon
Chapter 166
‘Arrogant bastard of a Cave Daoist!’
Fury surged up to the top of Sang Gwan Eung’s head. From the very start, he drew his internal energy and True Qi up to the extreme.
‘What’s so hard about lowering your head just once?’
Sang Gwan Eung thought Kwak Yeon was acting out with arrogance just because he was supposedly a disciple of the Wudang Sect—nothing more than a Cave Daoist of Samnyeonggung on Mount Wudang.
‘Since he brought this upon himself, even if he dies due to his arrogance, there’s nothing to be done.’
Sang Gwan Eung intended to end it using the Sang Gwan Family’s ultimate secret rising technique.
To him, the Cave Daoist was the epitome of imbalance—someone who had reached the Realm of Transformation using only foundational techniques.
Therefore, the attack he was about to unleash—comprising the essence of all their secret martial knowledge—was something the Cave Daoist could never withstand.
FLASH!
White lightning burned through the Heavenpiercer Hall.
White Thunder Skyflash!
A slash like lightning tore through the bright sky of night and pierced the Cave Daoist’s form.
—CHHAAAAK!
The white light unleashed by the Heavenpiercer Saber turned the night dark, and the technique that pushed the extremity of speed rode through that darkness. It was only natural.
To the Cave Daoist, the result must have been devastating. But even having drawn out the White Thunder Skyflash was enough to earn him respect.
Yet there was no sensation from the saber.
‘What?!’
True to the Realm of Transformation, the Cave Daoist had avoided the saber with Altered Form Displacement and was drawing a circle with his Bluesteel Sword.
—FWAAA!!
It may have been a simple move from a Taiji Sword Art, but when performed with strength of will, its power was overwhelming enough to make the very air in the hall feel heavy.
But to Sang Gwan Eung, a master of Formless Techniques, it was still nothing more than the hand gestures of a child.
He broke through the wave-like wall of energy and instead advanced one more step. Using the stored momentum of his outstretched Heavenpiercer Saber, he cleaved through the Sword Energy Manifestation of the Bluesteel Sword.
—CRRRAAAK!
BOOOOOM!
The shock of cleaving through the Sword Energy transmitted straight down the Heavenpiercer Saber’s blade and burst into the Lao Gong point in his palm.
CLANG!
The pain in his palm—like it was being torn open—was the least of his problems. The rebound force traveled up from the Lao Gong point to the Qu Chi point at his elbow, leaving a tingling ache.
‘Just how pure is this Cave Daoist’s internal energy and True Qi?!’
If left unchecked, it would reach his heart and inflict internal injury. Sang Gwan Eung had to squeeze his internal energy from his dantian to forcibly dissolve the rebounding force.
Because of that, he couldn’t fully extend his saber. As a result, the Heavenpiercer Saber’s tip halted just an inch away from Kwak Yeon’s chest.
‘Damn it!’
Though he hadn’t finished it in one stroke, he took comfort in the fact that in the direct clash, the Cave Daoist had taken greater damage.
The Cave Daoist was unable to regenerate his severed Sword Energy.
‘His reservoir of internal energy is clearly shallow.’
Of course, considering his age, it was still astounding internal strength.
‘With the overwhelming difference in internal energy and the Formless Rising Techniques of the Sang Gwan Family—my victory is assured.’
Emboldened by having severed the Cave Daoist’s Sword Energy Manifestation, Sang Gwan Eung’s eyes caught Kwak Yeon’s form shifting to the right.
True to one of Formless Attainment, a martial technique unfolded ahead of conscious thought.
The Heavenpiercer Saber, which had been recoiling in a half-arc, flipped suddenly and swept out horizontally.
—PAAANG!
A shockwave that tore through the resistance of air rang through the Heavenpiercer Hall.
That alone showed how fast and powerful it was.
‘Up or down?’
A horizontal slash aiming for the waist meant the Cave Daoist had to choose between two options.
This technique was Dragon Split-Chasing Severance, a dual-phase saber technique.
The first slash aiming for the waist was a feint disguised as a real attack.
Once the opponent leapt upward or ducked downward, the saber would follow and strike in that direction—a supreme tracking technique.
But the man remained in place.
That meant the feint to the waist became a real strike.
‘Too late to dodge now!’
—SHHHK!
The Heavenpiercer Saber passed cleanly through where the Cave Daoist had been, yet there was no sensation of contact.
In that moment, an afterimage appeared behind the Cave Daoist.
He had retreated with Altered Form Displacement, then returned to his original position as the saber swept past.
‘At such close range, not even someone at the Realm of Transformation should be able to do that.’
It might be possible if anticipated ahead of time, but that couldn’t be the case here.
Even the user of a Formless Technique doesn’t consciously know what technique they’ll execute. How could the opponent anticipate and prepare?
Regardless, the Heavenpiercer Saber had missed.
Since he had used his full strength, the rotational force within the saber was tremendous.
Trying to reverse its course generated audible strain in his muscles.
POP!
The ligaments in his wrist and shoulder throbbed with pain.
His internal energy reversed and clashed—sending a shock through his dantian.
Guh!
He suffered internal injury but barely managed to redirect the saber’s path to strike at the Cave Daoist’s lower body.
It was a golden opportunity—since the Cave Daoist was closing in using Altered Form Displacement, he forced the counterattack even at great cost.
—PAAANG!
The Cave Daoist suddenly soared into the air, and the Heavenpiercer Saber swept beneath his feet.
As a true master, Sang Gwan Eung did not believe in coincidence during combat.
Heaven’s favor may bless once—but never twice in a row.
‘Don’t tell me... is he predicting the next move of a Formless Technique?!’
There was no time to resolve his doubts.
The Cave Daoist’s eyes, descending from the air, were steadily sharpening.
And from the Bluesteel Sword he struck forth, Sword Energy Manifestation blazed white-hot once more.
Sang Gwan Eung realized—he only had one technique left to use in this moment.
The Formless Surpassing Form no longer held any meaning.
Only a direct strike would settle it.
‘Fine then! You bastard!’
Sang Gwan Eung poured out all his internal energy. With more than five gaps of internal energy converging, a white flash exploded from the Heavenpiercer Saber.
CHHHAAAAANG!
The saber’s white radiance burst toward Kwak Yeon’s heart—and simultaneously, Kwak Yeon’s Sword Energy Manifestation shot toward Sang Gwan Eung’s chest.
There was no time to react. This was a life-or-death exchange, a final clash to decide it all.
The only path to survival was to pierce the opponent’s heart first.
—SHHRRKK!
With the chilling sound of flesh being pierced, the Cave Daoist’s movement stopped.
‘As expected!’
The Heavenpiercer Saber was a full foot longer. On top of that, Sang Gwan Eung had poured all his energy into extending its saber energy. Of course, the Cave Daoist’s heart had to be pierced first.
‘Haa...’
Sang Gwan Eung breathed a sigh of relief inside and waited to see the Cave Daoist’s eyes widen in pain and horror.
There was a trace of regret too.
As one of the elders of the orthodox martial world, he couldn’t feel happy watching a divine dragon fall before achieving his purpose.
‘Why didn’t you just step down?’
As he rebuked the Cave Daoist with mournful eyes—he noticed something odd.
His expression was still calm.
‘But I definitely stabbed his heart...?’
Sang Gwan Eung’s gaze shifted to his Heavenpiercer Saber, embedded in the Cave Daoist’s chest.
“...!”
The saber wasn’t in his heart—it was lodged in his side.
—TUK!
Blood flowed from Kwak Yeon’s side and arm, dripping onto the stone floor.
The saber’s blade energy had torn flesh, despite Protective Energy Reinforcement.
Sang Gwan Eung suddenly felt the tip of the Bluesteel Sword at his chest.
‘Ah! He retracted the sword energy!’
Had he not, his own heart would’ve been pierced.
“Why?”
The moment Sang Gwan Eung asked—
—SHTRAAAK!
A small hole opened in the front of his robe.
“...!”
Kwak Yeon released the Heavenpiercer Saber from his side, took a step back, and gave a formal sword salute.
“Thank you, Family Head, for your instruction.”
Sang Gwan Eung stood stunned, not even retrieving his saber.
‘He really saw through my Formless Surpassing Form!’
He realized that everything the Cave Daoist had done in this duel was orchestrated to force this final exchange.
“Now I’m properly prepared to face you, Family Head. You have nothing to worry about.”
That statement, spoken before the final clash, was neither bluff nor provocation.
He had narrowed down the angles, range, and positioning to where only one technique could possibly be used.
He had made the Formless Surpassing Form irrelevant.
And then, by responding specifically to that last remaining move, he had decided the outcome.
‘Hah...’
With a hollow laugh, Sang Gwan Eung finally sheathed the Heavenpiercer Saber and asked:
“What was that final technique?”
“It’s not a martial art—it’s a body technique called Shoulder Draw.”
Sang Gwan Eung’s face sank.
“Are you telling me I’ve been fooled again by mere body technique?!”
Kwak Yeon replied calmly.
“You were fooled because it was body technique.”
“...?”
“You wouldn’t have even considered the possibility that I’d use body technique against your advanced techniques.”
Sang Gwan Eung nodded.
“That’s true. No martial artist would use mere body techniques against a supreme art.”
“In truth, it’s also because I had no martial technique capable of responding to your Formless Surpassing Form. If you find that offensive, I offer my apology.”
Sang Gwan /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ Eung shook his head.
“When two martial artists compete, how can one speak of offense? Body technique is the foundation of all martial arts. In truth, its subtlety is worth emulating.”
“......”
“In any case... I’ve lost.”
That such words came from Sang Gwan Eung’s lips without hesitation was astonishing.
He was the head of a great martial family, a high master of the realm.
People in such positions usually spoke in roundabout ways—saying they yielded or acknowledged the result—but never admitted defeat so plainly.
He had sincerely acknowledged his defeat because Kwak Yeon, though capable of wounding him, had followed the earlier agreement and cut only his robes.
“I thank you for your generous spirit, Family Head.”
Kwak Yeon bowed, then untied the leather pouch at his waist. From within, he drew a neatly folded sealed letter.
“This is a letter from Grand Scholar Seol Jung-hyu. I’d be grateful if you’d read it carefully and send a reply.”
Sang Gwan Eung broke the seal and took out the letter.
As he read, his expression steadily darkened.
At last, having read to the end, Sang Gwan Eung let out a low sigh.
“Huuu...”
He closed his eyes, and heavy silence fell over the Heavenpiercer Hall.
How much time passed?
Sang Gwan Eung opened his eyes and abruptly asked:
“Kwak Daoist. Why didn’t you hand me this letter first?”
“I wished for you to read it with a calm heart.”
“So you're saying... I needed to be prepared to read this letter.”
“I hope you’ll take it kindly as my wish for the Grand Scholar’s sincerity to reach your heart.”
“......”
“And if I may add, I also personally wished to receive your instruction, Family Head.”
A strange gleam flickered in Sang Gwan Eung’s eyes.
Upon hearing those words, he realized that Kwak Yeon had not come today to settle the Sang Gwan Family’s grudge.
His true purpose had been to duel with him.
“It’s been a long time... since I’ve seen a real martial artist.”
It was high praise—an acknowledgment that he was witnessing someone who truly pursued the Way of Martial Arts.
Fury surged up to the top of Sang Gwan Eung’s head. From the very start, he drew his internal energy and True Qi up to the extreme.
‘What’s so hard about lowering your head just once?’
Sang Gwan Eung thought Kwak Yeon was acting out with arrogance just because he was supposedly a disciple of the Wudang Sect—nothing more than a Cave Daoist of Samnyeonggung on Mount Wudang.
‘Since he brought this upon himself, even if he dies due to his arrogance, there’s nothing to be done.’
Sang Gwan Eung intended to end it using the Sang Gwan Family’s ultimate secret rising technique.
To him, the Cave Daoist was the epitome of imbalance—someone who had reached the Realm of Transformation using only foundational techniques.
Therefore, the attack he was about to unleash—comprising the essence of all their secret martial knowledge—was something the Cave Daoist could never withstand.
FLASH!
White lightning burned through the Heavenpiercer Hall.
White Thunder Skyflash!
A slash like lightning tore through the bright sky of night and pierced the Cave Daoist’s form.
—CHHAAAAK!
The white light unleashed by the Heavenpiercer Saber turned the night dark, and the technique that pushed the extremity of speed rode through that darkness. It was only natural.
To the Cave Daoist, the result must have been devastating. But even having drawn out the White Thunder Skyflash was enough to earn him respect.
Yet there was no sensation from the saber.
‘What?!’
True to the Realm of Transformation, the Cave Daoist had avoided the saber with Altered Form Displacement and was drawing a circle with his Bluesteel Sword.
—FWAAA!!
It may have been a simple move from a Taiji Sword Art, but when performed with strength of will, its power was overwhelming enough to make the very air in the hall feel heavy.
But to Sang Gwan Eung, a master of Formless Techniques, it was still nothing more than the hand gestures of a child.
He broke through the wave-like wall of energy and instead advanced one more step. Using the stored momentum of his outstretched Heavenpiercer Saber, he cleaved through the Sword Energy Manifestation of the Bluesteel Sword.
—CRRRAAAK!
BOOOOOM!
The shock of cleaving through the Sword Energy transmitted straight down the Heavenpiercer Saber’s blade and burst into the Lao Gong point in his palm.
CLANG!
The pain in his palm—like it was being torn open—was the least of his problems. The rebound force traveled up from the Lao Gong point to the Qu Chi point at his elbow, leaving a tingling ache.
‘Just how pure is this Cave Daoist’s internal energy and True Qi?!’
If left unchecked, it would reach his heart and inflict internal injury. Sang Gwan Eung had to squeeze his internal energy from his dantian to forcibly dissolve the rebounding force.
Because of that, he couldn’t fully extend his saber. As a result, the Heavenpiercer Saber’s tip halted just an inch away from Kwak Yeon’s chest.
‘Damn it!’
Though he hadn’t finished it in one stroke, he took comfort in the fact that in the direct clash, the Cave Daoist had taken greater damage.
The Cave Daoist was unable to regenerate his severed Sword Energy.
‘His reservoir of internal energy is clearly shallow.’
Of course, considering his age, it was still astounding internal strength.
‘With the overwhelming difference in internal energy and the Formless Rising Techniques of the Sang Gwan Family—my victory is assured.’
Emboldened by having severed the Cave Daoist’s Sword Energy Manifestation, Sang Gwan Eung’s eyes caught Kwak Yeon’s form shifting to the right.
True to one of Formless Attainment, a martial technique unfolded ahead of conscious thought.
The Heavenpiercer Saber, which had been recoiling in a half-arc, flipped suddenly and swept out horizontally.
—PAAANG!
A shockwave that tore through the resistance of air rang through the Heavenpiercer Hall.
That alone showed how fast and powerful it was.
‘Up or down?’
A horizontal slash aiming for the waist meant the Cave Daoist had to choose between two options.
This technique was Dragon Split-Chasing Severance, a dual-phase saber technique.
The first slash aiming for the waist was a feint disguised as a real attack.
Once the opponent leapt upward or ducked downward, the saber would follow and strike in that direction—a supreme tracking technique.
But the man remained in place.
That meant the feint to the waist became a real strike.
‘Too late to dodge now!’
—SHHHK!
The Heavenpiercer Saber passed cleanly through where the Cave Daoist had been, yet there was no sensation of contact.
In that moment, an afterimage appeared behind the Cave Daoist.
He had retreated with Altered Form Displacement, then returned to his original position as the saber swept past.
‘At such close range, not even someone at the Realm of Transformation should be able to do that.’
It might be possible if anticipated ahead of time, but that couldn’t be the case here.
Even the user of a Formless Technique doesn’t consciously know what technique they’ll execute. How could the opponent anticipate and prepare?
Regardless, the Heavenpiercer Saber had missed.
Since he had used his full strength, the rotational force within the saber was tremendous.
Trying to reverse its course generated audible strain in his muscles.
POP!
The ligaments in his wrist and shoulder throbbed with pain.
His internal energy reversed and clashed—sending a shock through his dantian.
Guh!
He suffered internal injury but barely managed to redirect the saber’s path to strike at the Cave Daoist’s lower body.
It was a golden opportunity—since the Cave Daoist was closing in using Altered Form Displacement, he forced the counterattack even at great cost.
—PAAANG!
The Cave Daoist suddenly soared into the air, and the Heavenpiercer Saber swept beneath his feet.
As a true master, Sang Gwan Eung did not believe in coincidence during combat.
Heaven’s favor may bless once—but never twice in a row.
‘Don’t tell me... is he predicting the next move of a Formless Technique?!’
There was no time to resolve his doubts.
The Cave Daoist’s eyes, descending from the air, were steadily sharpening.
And from the Bluesteel Sword he struck forth, Sword Energy Manifestation blazed white-hot once more.
Sang Gwan Eung realized—he only had one technique left to use in this moment.
The Formless Surpassing Form no longer held any meaning.
Only a direct strike would settle it.
‘Fine then! You bastard!’
Sang Gwan Eung poured out all his internal energy. With more than five gaps of internal energy converging, a white flash exploded from the Heavenpiercer Saber.
CHHHAAAAANG!
The saber’s white radiance burst toward Kwak Yeon’s heart—and simultaneously, Kwak Yeon’s Sword Energy Manifestation shot toward Sang Gwan Eung’s chest.
There was no time to react. This was a life-or-death exchange, a final clash to decide it all.
The only path to survival was to pierce the opponent’s heart first.
—SHHRRKK!
With the chilling sound of flesh being pierced, the Cave Daoist’s movement stopped.
‘As expected!’
The Heavenpiercer Saber was a full foot longer. On top of that, Sang Gwan Eung had poured all his energy into extending its saber energy. Of course, the Cave Daoist’s heart had to be pierced first.
‘Haa...’
Sang Gwan Eung breathed a sigh of relief inside and waited to see the Cave Daoist’s eyes widen in pain and horror.
There was a trace of regret too.
As one of the elders of the orthodox martial world, he couldn’t feel happy watching a divine dragon fall before achieving his purpose.
‘Why didn’t you just step down?’
As he rebuked the Cave Daoist with mournful eyes—he noticed something odd.
His expression was still calm.
‘But I definitely stabbed his heart...?’
Sang Gwan Eung’s gaze shifted to his Heavenpiercer Saber, embedded in the Cave Daoist’s chest.
“...!”
The saber wasn’t in his heart—it was lodged in his side.
—TUK!
Blood flowed from Kwak Yeon’s side and arm, dripping onto the stone floor.
The saber’s blade energy had torn flesh, despite Protective Energy Reinforcement.
Sang Gwan Eung suddenly felt the tip of the Bluesteel Sword at his chest.
‘Ah! He retracted the sword energy!’
Had he not, his own heart would’ve been pierced.
“Why?”
The moment Sang Gwan Eung asked—
—SHTRAAAK!
A small hole opened in the front of his robe.
“...!”
Kwak Yeon released the Heavenpiercer Saber from his side, took a step back, and gave a formal sword salute.
“Thank you, Family Head, for your instruction.”
Sang Gwan Eung stood stunned, not even retrieving his saber.
‘He really saw through my Formless Surpassing Form!’
He realized that everything the Cave Daoist had done in this duel was orchestrated to force this final exchange.
“Now I’m properly prepared to face you, Family Head. You have nothing to worry about.”
That statement, spoken before the final clash, was neither bluff nor provocation.
He had narrowed down the angles, range, and positioning to where only one technique could possibly be used.
He had made the Formless Surpassing Form irrelevant.
And then, by responding specifically to that last remaining move, he had decided the outcome.
‘Hah...’
With a hollow laugh, Sang Gwan Eung finally sheathed the Heavenpiercer Saber and asked:
“What was that final technique?”
“It’s not a martial art—it’s a body technique called Shoulder Draw.”
Sang Gwan Eung’s face sank.
“Are you telling me I’ve been fooled again by mere body technique?!”
Kwak Yeon replied calmly.
“You were fooled because it was body technique.”
“...?”
“You wouldn’t have even considered the possibility that I’d use body technique against your advanced techniques.”
Sang Gwan Eung nodded.
“That’s true. No martial artist would use mere body techniques against a supreme art.”
“In truth, it’s also because I had no martial technique capable of responding to your Formless Surpassing Form. If you find that offensive, I offer my apology.”
Sang Gwan /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ Eung shook his head.
“When two martial artists compete, how can one speak of offense? Body technique is the foundation of all martial arts. In truth, its subtlety is worth emulating.”
“......”
“In any case... I’ve lost.”
That such words came from Sang Gwan Eung’s lips without hesitation was astonishing.
He was the head of a great martial family, a high master of the realm.
People in such positions usually spoke in roundabout ways—saying they yielded or acknowledged the result—but never admitted defeat so plainly.
He had sincerely acknowledged his defeat because Kwak Yeon, though capable of wounding him, had followed the earlier agreement and cut only his robes.
“I thank you for your generous spirit, Family Head.”
Kwak Yeon bowed, then untied the leather pouch at his waist. From within, he drew a neatly folded sealed letter.
“This is a letter from Grand Scholar Seol Jung-hyu. I’d be grateful if you’d read it carefully and send a reply.”
Sang Gwan Eung broke the seal and took out the letter.
As he read, his expression steadily darkened.
At last, having read to the end, Sang Gwan Eung let out a low sigh.
“Huuu...”
He closed his eyes, and heavy silence fell over the Heavenpiercer Hall.
How much time passed?
Sang Gwan Eung opened his eyes and abruptly asked:
“Kwak Daoist. Why didn’t you hand me this letter first?”
“I wished for you to read it with a calm heart.”
“So you're saying... I needed to be prepared to read this letter.”
“I hope you’ll take it kindly as my wish for the Grand Scholar’s sincerity to reach your heart.”
“......”
“And if I may add, I also personally wished to receive your instruction, Family Head.”
A strange gleam flickered in Sang Gwan Eung’s eyes.
Upon hearing those words, he realized that Kwak Yeon had not come today to settle the Sang Gwan Family’s grudge.
His true purpose had been to duel with him.
“It’s been a long time... since I’ve seen a real martial artist.”
It was high praise—an acknowledgment that he was witnessing someone who truly pursued the Way of Martial Arts.