Chapter 24

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Translated by Seoulbound

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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**

Since physics (laws of matter) was a discipline that dealt with the principles of all things, there was even a mnemonic formula describing the movement of dust floating like a buoy, which was called Brownian motion.

In the past—or future—the botanist Brown (floating, patrolling, and wandering clouds) believed he had discovered vital energy from the irregular translational and rotational motion of pollen floating on water. Since motion originated from force, he thought that the source of the force that made the pollen on the water’s surface move at will was the very source of life. However, this misunderstanding did not last long, because any small particle moved in that disorderly and irregular manner in water.

After a long time had passed, the German Grandmaster Einstein systematically organized this and named it Brownian motion.

The origin of that motion was based on the force and energy of water. The scattering of dried tea leaves in a teacup and the translation and rotation of pollen on water were, after all, similar principles. In other words, just as there was no vital energy in dead tea leaves, the scattering of pollen was not due to vital energy either. The temperature of the surrounding fluid was what mattered.

Perhaps I would not have known if I had not memorized all the records left by Grand Ancestral Uncle Jin-heo in the incomplete manual of the Primal Chaos One Qi Art.

‘To think that the principle of Brownian motion was applied to the Beggars’ Sect’s Branch Leader’s steps.’

Basically, Brownian motion is based on chaos.

Since the primordial state before heaven and earth were formed was called chaos, in that state, there were no humans, no heaven, no earth, no matter, and no qi. It was only speculated that there was just a single lump. To put it simply, it meant a state of disorder.

In other words, it is impossible to predict our current destiny from that state. That was what Brownian motion was saying. That the constant wandering flow of natural qi drags our lives, our movements, into an unpredictable world.

Because fluids, and natural qi, move nonlinearly.

This meant that no matter how much one tried to predict the future with differential equations, the calculation results changed every moment. In that respect, it was also understandable that life was unpredictable like this.

That was also the reason why the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition was useful.

Because one could predict at least a short future by feeling the natural qi moment by moment.

This, in other words, also meant that a complete prediction of the future was impossible.

Because one could only divine the highest probability by presenting countless calculation results as statistics.

Because it was constantly influenced by the energy flowing between heaven and earth.

It was the essence of chaos.

Unpredictability.

And I thought that this characteristic could be used importantly in martial arts, especially in the footwork force. Seeing that unpredictability in the steps of the Beggars’ Sect’s beggar was a coincidence and a stroke of luck.

‘Could this not be applied to any of the Wudang Sect’s footwork forces?’

The Flowing Cloud Movement Skill was also based on fluid dynamic motion.

The Cloud-Climbing Step was also a footwork force where fluid dynamics was applied. Therefore, it was rather easy to apply. This was because they agreed in the foundation of their mnemonic formulas.

Having such thoughts, I diligently imitated the beggar’s footsteps. Then—

“…This is the first time I see Young Hero Yeon. It seems you entered the True Martial Pavilion at a very young age?”

—My eyes met with the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar’s.

“……”

“……”

A brief silence flowed between us.

Because I was not unaware of the fact that the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar’s gaze had swept over my toes, I had nothing to say. Stealing the martial arts of another sect was a taboo in the righteous sects.

But on the other hand.

‘I merely looked at the footsteps. It is not as if I saw the true martial arts.’

If I expressed that it was not intentional, they would not be able to make a big issue out of it. Since I had simply done as my eyes saw and as my head directed.

In the brief moment I was combining words to explain in my mind.

““Young Hero Yeon… by any chance, did you meet a Beggars’ Sect master before joining the Wudang Sect?””

Not a hint of hostility or rebuke was heard in the voice of the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar as he asked.

What was felt was merely curiosity, interest, and the like.

Should I perhaps consider it fortunate?

I replied as politely as possible.

““No, I did not. I grew up in Xiangyang until I met my master at the age of eight. Ah, since I saw a few masters of the Beggars’ Sect from a distance back then, I cannot say I never met them. But there was no connection to speak of.””

As my words went on, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar’s eyes narrowed. I hastily added the next words.

““These steps… were simply because I felt a profundity in Great Hero Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar’s footsteps, so I tried to copy them without realizing it.””

““You felt a profundity in my footsteps?””

The Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar’s face became serious.

The face that had been smiling consistently since we met hardened stiffly.

Naturally, my heart also felt as though it was tightening.

The Beggars’ Sect was a righteous sect.

This was because there was no benefit in making an enemy of them.

““You felt that after seeing it once…? And then you immediately put it into practice with your own steps…? How could that…?””

The true qi of the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar, who was talking to himself, fluctuated with doubt, and the qi of my senior brother and sister on both sides also shook as if they were tense.

Since the one who tied the knot must untie it, I moved my steps through the trembling waves of qi. It was a single step applying the principle of Brownian motion, which the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar had shown earlier, to the Flowing Cloud Movement Skill.

As cloud-like true qi was released in a single step and glided forward, it met and danced with the fluctuating true qi of the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar. The curves of the true qi, viewed through the eyes of the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition, fragmented, and the waves of qi scattered like pollen floating heavily on water.

Along with that sight, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar’s eyes turned toward me, and the trembling energy also began to calm down.

Since the wave of qi soon meant the movement of the mind from the Middle Dantian.

It meant that the movement of the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar’s mind had stopped, so a rational conversation would be possible.

Timing it to that moment, I spoke.

““Great Hero Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar’s steps were like the steps taken by the elders of the mountain. The elders of the mountain said that the Wudang Sect’s footwork force imitated the steps of immortals, but I did not know I would see the steps of an immortal in the Beggars’ Sect’s footwork force. Because that was fascinating, I copied it without realizing. I apologize if I have disturbed Great Hero Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar’s mind.””

I clasped my hands and bowed my head.

When I raised my head again.

A flower of a smile was gently blooming on the hardened face of the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar.

Soon, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar waved his hand and said to me.

““I did not speak to rebuke you, Young Hero. Why apologize? I merely mentioned it because it was fascinating to see Young Hero Yeon taking steps like our Beggars’ Sect’s Drunken Eight Immortals Steps. I have never seen such a thing in Qingcheng or Mount Hua.””

Following the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar’s words, the waves of qi on the left and right also began to settle down calmly, and.

““Haha. By the way, this is an honor. How can a beggar like me, tainted by the secular world, be compared to the lofty Taoists in the mountains. Thanks to Young Hero Yeon, this beggar has had his face gilded.””

Along with the words, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar lightly patted my shoulder.

““If you ever have to stop by a Beggars’ Sect sub-branch in the future, give the name of the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar. Although I know the Wudang Sect’s Sea Fog Pavilion is outstanding, it would be difficult for it to match our Beggars’ Sect in terms of the scope of information, so it will surely be of help.””

I had almost received the misunderstanding (?) of stealing the techniques, but it seemed I had made a good impression instead.

In addition to that.

““Ah, if the Young Hero felt this humble beggar’s steps were like the steps of the Wudang Sect’s Taoists, I think it is truly fortunate. As you might have guessed from the name, our Beggars’ Sect’s Drunken Eight Immortals Steps is a rare orthodox Taoist martial art even in the Beggars’ Sect. I can well understand the Young Hero’s comprehension!””

I was even recognized for my talent in an unexpected area.

““Our Successor Beggar is smart, but the problem is that they are not calm and polite like Young Hero Yeon. It is not that their nature is evil, but perhaps because they grew up in difficult circumstances, they do not accept people easily. Thanks to that, the Dragon Head Sect Leader’s worry is no small matter. If you meet our Successor Beggar in the future, please do not think too badly of them and approach them first.””

As if we were practically one family, he now spoke smoothly even of the private information of his own sect.

I thought, ‘Is this turning a misfortune into a blessing?’, but then I thought that might not be the case.

““…By any chance, did you take monastic vows? Ah, since you have not yet reached twenty, you would not have had your capping ceremony yet. I see! That is why you have not received a Taoist name yet. Since you are not from a prominent family, it is actually better. Our Beggars’ Sect also does not fall behind in terms of having humble origins, so there is nothing to feel inferior about. Our Successor Beggar is having their capping ceremony this time, and they say that for a five-year age difference, one does not even check marital compatibility. Ah, how is our Successor Beggar’s face? Pretty. They are so pretty that you wonder if there could be another beggar that pretty! What do you think, are you interested? Since you have not taken vows yet, you have a chance. Besides, I think I heard that Wudang, unlike Mount Hua and Qingcheng, allows taking a wife even after taking vows? If you are interested, anytime…””

This was because I could actually encounter an instance of the persistent and tenacious Matchmaker that I had only encountered in storybooks.

**

Thanks to the steps that had become a level more profound through the cultivation of Xu You’s State of Washing Ears acquired from my long life with my master, and the minor insights obtained from the Beggars’ Sect’s Branch Leader’s peculiar footsteps, the journey was not arduous.

Then we stopped in front of a small hut.

Instantly, I furrowed my brow.

At the same time that a stinging sensation arose inside my nose, I felt as if I could not smell anything.

‘Paralyzing Powder…?’

I lightly circulated my energy. Soon, my sense of smell returned. Since it dispersed like smoke as soon as I circulated my energy, it did not seem to be a strong poison meant to harm people. However, as soon as I lightly circulated my energy, the door of the hut opened, and a cold-faced young man revealed himself.

‘Is it a sort of warning poison?’

If one was a martial artist, it was highly intended to make them circulate energy and reveal their presence, and if one was a commoner, it was highly intended to block their approach.

There was not a little that could be inferred from that fact.

-That the martial arts level of those dispatched from the Sichuan Tang Clan was not very high.

-However, since the Tang Clan had directly dispatched people, they intended to grasp the situation.

In the end, it was the same principle as the Wudang Sect dispatching the Greedy Wolf Unit.

Reconnaissance.

And, if possible, annihilation.

Since it meant they were people who had come to grasp the situation anyway.

‘They must have some talent.’

If the Hubei martial world, where the Wudang Sect was located, was divided in two by the Wudang Sect and the Zhuge Clan, Sichuan was divided in three by three giant sects.

First, the two sects of the Nine Sects and One Association that had been bestowed the Iron Certificate by the imperial family along with Shaolin and Wudang,

the Qingcheng Sect, the oldest prestigious Taoist sect in the world,

and the Emei Sect, the number two of the Buddhist path following Northern Shaolin.

The remaining one was the Sichuan Tang Clan, which was counted as one wing of the Seven Great Families.

In terms of martial arts, the Sichuan Tang Clan did not receive high evaluations compared to Qingcheng and Emei. However, no one in Sichuan placed the Tang Clan below Qingcheng and Emei.

It was because of three things.

Poison, hidden weapons, and medicine.

They were all skills for which the Sichuan Tang Clan was counted as the best under heaven.

And as befitting a bloodline possessing such great skills.

““State the reason you came all the way here, Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar.””

The member of the Tang Clan bloodline was arrogant.

Even though he looked very young, of a similar age to Senior Brother Myeong-hun, speaking on equal terms to the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar, a senior master of the martial world, was natural to him.

Whether he did so or not, the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar replied smoothly.

““Oho? It seems the Sichuan Tang Clan is also paying quite a bit of attention to this matter?””

At the Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar’s words, I tilted my head in confusion for a moment.

At that moment, Senior Sister Yi whispered in my ear.

““He is the Tang Clan’s Third Young Master.””

““Ah.””

The Third Young Master of the Tang Clan meant he was third in the line of succession to the clan leader. In other words, it meant they had sent a direct descendant among direct descendants.

The Gold-Knot Wandering Beggar scratched his cheek, while not losing his smile despite the cold words of the opponent.

““The reason… If you want a reason, it is for everyone to do well together.””

““……””

The gaze of the Tang Clan’s Third Young Master, who paused for a moment, turned toward us.

““Black Pine Gate… Did you come from the Wudang Sect’s True Martial Pavilion?””

““That is right. I am Yi Chae-yang, belonging to the True Martial Pavilion’s Greedy Wolf Unit.””

““Taoist Nun Baek-song. I have heard the name.””

It was an ambiguous statement, whether it was admitting that she was famous enough for him to have heard of her, or dismissing her as someone he had only heard the name of.

‘He does not hesitate to use such language even against a direct disciple of the Wudang Sect.’

It was a point from which one could understand the arrogant nature of the Tang Clan bloodline.

The Third Young Master swept over us with an arrogant gaze, and upon looking at me, he even tilted his head.

““Does Wudang not value its transaction with our Tang Clan?””

Although he spoke softly, to the hearing of a martial artist, especially one sharpened by learning the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition, it was no different from a clap of thunder. Whether he knew it or not, the Third Young Master averted his gaze from me and moved his lips again.

Instantly, the fluctuation of true qi around the Third Young Master’s mouth, captured by the Tai Chi Diagram Exposition, was strangely distorted.

‘Hmm?’

However, because the degree of that distortion was not strong, the surrounding true qi trembled along with it.

I instantly grasped the frequency of the trembling true qi and aligned the flow of my internal energy to that frequency.

Then, following the vibration of internal energy inside the fine meridians connected to the cochlea, a small voice began to be heard.