Episode 4: Some Things Change, Some Things Stay the Same (1)

Light Novel: Volume 1 Episode 4
Manhwa: Chapter 3

Chapter 2 Episode 4. Some Things Change, Some Things Stay the Same (1)

The first thing Dam-ho did when he woke up early in the dawn was to prepare Sage Hyun-so’s meal. He washed the rice and lightly mixed a few vegetables.

This was something he had been doing for quite some time, so his movements were very skillful.

Sage Hyun-so was neither a big eater nor particularly picky. He strictly adhered to the Taoist principles, avoiding foods with strong fragrances and flavors or those against the teachings. As a result, there wasn’t much for Dam-ho to prepare.

Dam-ho quickly set the table and entered Sage Hyun-so’s room. Sage Hyun-so was already up, reading Taoist scriptures.

“Master, it’s time to eat.”

“Is it that time already?”

Sage Hyun-so closed his scripture, smiling.

Dam-ho placed the meal in front of him. It was a simple meal of rice and a few vegetables.

“It looks delicious. You’ve worked hard this morning.”

“Not at all. Please, eat.”

“Alright!”

Sage Hyun-so began eating, followed by Dam-ho.

Both master and disciple ate in silence.

Only the sound of them eating filled the room.

It was only after they had finished eating that Sage Hyun-so spoke. He wiped the corner of his mouth and began,

“Ho.”

“Yes!”

“I have eaten well. Thanks to you, your master is living in luxury.”

“Not at all, Master. It’s just what a disciple should do. Without you, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Dam-ho wouldn’t be here today if Sage Hyun-so hadn’t saved his life five years ago. Moreover, even when many in the Mount Hua sect shunned or subtly ridiculed Dam-ho, only Sage Hyun-so treated him with genuine kindness.

To Dam-ho, Sage Hyun-so was more than a master— he was like a parent. That’s why Dam-ho’s attitude towards him was always extremely respectful.

“Ho.”

“Yes?”

“Do you really want to learn martial arts?”

“Yes!”

Dam-ho answered without a moment’s hesitation. Seeing this, Sage Hyun-so let out a soft sigh.

“Your master is an incompetent one, causing you hardship.”

“Not at all.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Master, please don’t say that.”

“You know your master is a scholarly monk, right?”

“Yes!”

“Then do you know what a scholar does?”

“Well, they study the Taoist scriptures—”

“That’s what everyone thinks.”

“Then are you saying that it’s not true?”

“Do you know who my master was?”

“It’s the Heavenly Sky Sage, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. The Heavenly Sky Sage, who was once called the greatest master of the Mount Hua sect, was my teacher.”

The Heavenly Sky Sage, a former great master of the Mount Hua sect, was now being treated as a legend. It was during his time that the sect enjoyed its greatest era.

He was such a martial fanatic that he handed over the position of sect leader to his disciple, Primordial Sky Sage, and devoted himself to martial arts.

“When I first became my master’s disciple, everyone had high expectations. They all thought I was an incredible talent. It was only natural. It wouldn’t make sense for a disciple of the Heavenly Sky Sage, who was renowned all over the world, not to be talented, but that’s exactly what happened.”

A wry smile appeared on Sage Hyun-so’s face. It was a smile that was both bitter and resigned.

“Unlike my master, who was called a genius, I have no great talent in martial arts. I could understand it intellectually, but physically, I couldn’t keep up. Learning my master’s martial arts was impossible from the start.”

Dam-ho held his breath.

This was a story he was hearing for the first time in their five years together.

“My master was like the sun in the sky, while I was a talentless disciple. Naturally, there was much talk in Mount Hua. I was curious why my master chose me. So I asked him, ‘Why did you accept me as your disciple?’ Do you know what he said?”

“……”

“‘What Mount Hua needs now is not a man of great martial prowess, but a man of great heart. Someone who will preserve the spirit of Mount Hua and pass it on to future generations. Hyun-so, you must take on that role.’ When he said that, he recommended the path of a scholarly monk. Do you understand his words?”

Dam-ho shook his head.

The Mount Hua sect, although walking the path of Taoism, was fundamentally a martial sect. It was one of the Nine Great Sects and still striving to regain its former glory.

If the Mount Hua Sect was nothing more than a mere Taoist sect, how could it be considered one of the Nine Great Sects in Jianghu? And from such a renowned sect, how could the Heavenly Sky Sage, not just anyone but the sect’s greatest master, recommend the path of a scholarly monk to his disciple?

A scholarly monk is literally someone who walks the path of Taoism through the study of Taoist scriptures. Sure, they seek the truth, but in the current generation of Mount Hua, where it has established itself more as a martial faction rather than just a simple Taoist sect, the role of a scholarly monk seemed out of place.

Even in the past, but more so now, the position of a scholar-master in Mount Hua was almost considered a useless position. Only because Sage Hyun-so was a disciple of Heavenly Sky Sage did he receive this much respect. Otherwise, he might not have even been given a proper place to stay.

“At first, I resented him greatly. To think that me, a disciple of the Heavenly Sky Sage, the best in Mount Hua, would only be reduced to a scholarly monk.”

As the saying goes, the greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment.

The martial artists of Mount Hua were disappointed with Heavenly Sky Sage’s decision and looked at Sage Hyun-so with sympathy. Thus, Sage Hyun-so walked the path of a scholar, becoming who he is today.

“I spent countless sleepless nights, reading the scriptures. But even that was not enough to quell my anger. But you know, as time passed, the flames of anger that burned in my heart gradually died down, and then I realized. I realized that one does not necessarily have to master the sword to follow the path of Tao. There are many paths to understanding the Tao. It was then I faintly understood why my master led me down to the path of a scholar-monk.”

Dam-ho looked at Sage Hyun-so without saying a word. This was the first time he had ever heard of his esteemed master having such a past.

“Most people think of scholarly monks as someone who simply studies the scriptures, but that’s not true. The scholarly monks of Mount Hua have the responsibility of passing on the entirety of Mount Hua’s martial arts to future generations.”

“What do you mean?”

A puzzled look appeared on Dam-ho’s face. It was his first time hearing this.

“In addition to studying the scriptures, scholarly monks also have the duty of recording and systematically classifying all of Mount Hua sect’s martial arts to pass them on to future generations. In worst-case scenarios, such as the burning of Spirit Treasure Palace, where Mount Hua’s martial arts are stored, or the discontinuation of rare techniques, they must memorize all martial arts. That’s the true duty of a scholarly monk.”

Dam-ho’s expression changed.

He was hearing about the real role of a scholarly monk for the first time today.

“I didn’t know the true role of a scholarly monk was like that.”

“Even the current sect leader doesn’t know this. The previous sect leader passed away before he could tell him.”

“Why didn’t you inform the sect leader? If he had known, you would have received proper respect.”

“What need is there to tell him, when I can just find a suitable successor who I can pass on my knowledge? Knowledge is transmitted quietly, that’s the way it is.”

“Master.”

Sage Hyun-so smiled kindly.

“Besides, Ho…”

“Yes!”

“There’s no need to insist on just one path. Being a scholarly monk isn’t a bad choice either.”

Dam-ho bit his lip hard, instinctively resisting the path of a scholarly monk. But Sage Hyun-so, as if he knew this would be Dam-ho’s response, smiled.

“Yes, with your temperament, sitting and poring over scriptures or organizing martial arts texts in your head isn’t likely.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s alright. Since you’re so resolute, I will change my mind.”

“Master.”

“I am aware that Mount Hua Sect’s martial arts are not a good fit for you. Even those with fully functional legs found it challenging to master the Mount Hua sect’s martial arts because of their extreme intricacy and complexity. Even more so for you, as your legs are significantly impaired. You will never be able to achieve full mastery. Do you understand?”

“But I will never give up.”

“You are not the kind of child who would give up. If you were, you would have already died five years ago, Dam-ho!”

“Yes!”

Suddenly, Sage Hyun-so reached out and gently stroked Dam-ho’s head. It was an unexpected gesture, but Dam-ho did not shy away from his master’s touch.

The hand stroking his head felt incredibly warm.

“I believe in you.”

“……”

At that moment, Dam-ho’s shoulders twitched.

A surge of heat welled up inside him, a mix of emotions he couldn’t quite understand, which made Dam-ho confused.

Sage Hyun-so removed his hand from Dam-ho’s head and stood up. Dam-ho gazed blankly at him.

Sage Hyun-so took out an old booklet from a cupboard behind him.

“Take this.”

“What is this?”

“It’s something I stumbled upon by chance while organizing the scriptures in the Spirit Treasure Palace a long time ago.”

Dam-ho took the book.

The book was so old that the cover was tattered and frayed like rags, and it looked so precarious as if it would crumble with the slightest force.

“It’s called the Heavy Sky Heart Technique.”1

“Heavy Sky Heart Technique?”

A look of curiosity appeared on Dam-ho’s face, as it was a name he had never heard before.

“You’re hearing it for the first time, right? I was the same when I first discovered it. According to the records, it was a core technique created in the early days when the Mount Hua sect was established.”

“But why is it called ‘Heavy Sky Heart Technique’?”

Dam-ho asked, his face a picture of confusion.

The name of a martial art typically encapsulates its essence.

The Heavy Sky Heart Technique, as the name suggests, evokes a sense of heaviness. This was in stark contrast to the dazzling and fluid nature of Mount Hua Sect’s martial arts.

“Mount Hua’s sword techniques are renowned for being fierce and unpredictable, but was it always like that from the beginning? The early martial arts of the Mount Hua sect were undoubtedly more profound and heavy, just like the massive rocks of Mount Hua itself. However, as centuries passed, it must have undergone many changes and evolved into what it is today.”

Sage Hyun-so has never practiced martial arts himself. However, as a scholarly monk who organized and memorized many martial arts books, he possessed a considerable amount of knowledge and insight about martial arts.

“There are some things in the world that never change, but there are also things that change over time. The martial arts of the Mount Hua Sect can be considered the latter. They have been refined, transformed, and advanced as needed… leading to the creation of the current Mount Hua Sect’s martial arts. Everyone wants something new, but does that mean the old ways are always obsolete? I don’t think so.”

At that moment, Sage Hyun-so was reminiscing about his master, Heavenly Sky Sage.

The Heavenly Palace Master was a genius.

He significantly advanced Mount Hua’s martial arts, and the warriors of the Mount Hua Sect aspired to emulate him. It was safe to say that the current state of the Mount Hua Sect could be considered trapped in the shadow of the exceptional Heavenly Sky Sage.

The Heavenly Sky Sage desired his disciples to seek something different from himself, which might explain why he encouraged his only disciple, Sage Hyun-so, to pursue the path of a scholar.

“Ho, within this Heavy Sky Heart Technique lies the entire old teachings of the Mount Hua Sect. What you will find inside is uncertain, but I am sure you will find what you are looking for.”

“Master.”

“If you cannot find what you are looking for in today’s Mount Hua, then seek it in the Mount Hua of the past.”

“Yes…”

Dam-ho clutched the Heavy Sky Heart Technique close to his chest.

It was uncertain if he would find what he was seeking inside, but the warm consideration of Sage Hyun-so alone felt like he had gained the whole world.

Seeing Dam-ho like that, Sage Hyun-so smiled.

‘Yes, this is it.’

* * *

Dam-ho entered his room and carefully opened the old book.

Flipping through the pages, he saw the faint words of ‘Heavy Sky Heart Technique’ written on the inner page. Dam-ho gently traced the letters with his fingertips.

‘Heavy Sky Heart Technique.’

He cautiously turned to the next page.

Mount Hua stands tall and upright.

Its form is akin to that of a sword, yet beware, people.

Mount Hua takes the shape of a sword, yet it is a solid rock mountain in itself.

For the weight of eons it carries keeps it upright.

Heaviness comes first, lightness follows.

The heart should always be heavy and not easily shaken.

The sky may appear to be empty, but they are full, and their heaviness encompasses the earth.

A person’s heart is like the sky. If it can contain such weight, it will not be shaken by any wind.

Dam-ho flipped through the pages of the book, holding and absorbing each word into his heart.

Heart Resembles Heaven’s Image— embody the image of heaven in your heart,

Heart Bears Heaven’s Weight— carry the heaviness of heaven in your heart.

Stirred Heart Moves the Heavens— with a stirred heart, you can govern the heavens.

 Heavy Heart Moves the Heavens— a heavy heart can make the heavens move.

The forgotten martial arts of the old Mount Hua revealed themselves before him.


SoundlessWind21’s Notes: 

Heavens or skies are used interchangeably. Once I get a clear description of the technique, I might change it to which ever is more appropriate.

If there are any errors, whether it be grammatical, spelling, translation, or website-related issues, feel free to let me know. (´◡`) Anyway, thank you for reading! 

  1. Heavy Sky Heart Technique. Raws: 중천심결(重天心決).
    • 重 zhòng – heavy / serious / to attach importance to
    • 天 tiān – day / sky / heaven
    • 心 xīn – heart / mind / intention / core / center
    • 決 jué – to decide / to determine / to execute (sb) / (of a dam etc) to breach or burst / definitely / certainly
  2. Heart Resembles Heaven’s Image. Raws: 심상상천(心上像天).
    • 心 xīn – heart / mind / intention / core / center
    • 上 shàng – (bound form) up; upper; above; previous / first (of multiple parts) / to climb; to get onto; to go up / to attend (class or university) / (directional complement) up / (noun suffix) on; above
    • 像 xiàng – to resemble / to be like / to look as if / such as / appearance / image / portrait / image under a mapping (math.)
    • 天 tiān – day / sky / heaven
  3. Heart Bears Heaven’s Weight. Raws: 심중중천(心中重天).
    • 心 xīn – heart / mind / intention / core / center
    • 中 zhōng, zhòng – central; center, middle 
    • 重 zhòng – heavy / serious / to attach importance to
    • 天 tiān – day / sky / heaven
  4. Stirred Heart Moves the Heavens. Raws: 동심이천(動心理天).
    • 動 dòng – to move / to set in movement / to displace / to touch / to make use of / to stir
    • 心 xīn – heart / mind / intention / core / center
    • 理 lǐ – reason, logic
    • 天 tiān – day / sky / heaven
  1. Heavy Heart Moves the Heavens. Raws: 중심동천(重心動天).
    • 重 zhòng – heavy / serious / to attach importance to
    • 心 xīn – heart / mind / intention / core / center
    • 動 dòng – to move / to set in movement / to displace / to touch / to make use of / to stir
    • 天 tiān – day / sky / heaven

Prev Next

You cannot copy content of this page