Dokmaeuiseon - Chapter 80

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 80

 

 

‘No, what kind of situation is this?’

 

To think there was suddenly a Jeonjin Sect branch here.

It was shocking enough to make him breathless with surprise.

There were many things to unravel.

 

‘Let me solve them one by one first.’

 

Jung Myeong collected himself.

While also calming the surprised Yeo Eun-so with his energy, he asked.

 

“How was there a branch of the Quanzhen Sect here? During the time when the Quanzhen Sect existed, this was where a place called Bota Gate was located, so it would have been difficult.”

 

Bota Gate.

Bota Mountain was located on one of the islands in the Jusan Archipelago, which had so many islands it could be called an archipelago.

Bota Gate was a place created there, taking the name of the mountain.

From what he heard, Bota Rock Temple was a temple built on top of massive rocky cliffs.

That place, known for its scenic beauty, was territory forbidden to men.

Whether it had been destroyed now, there was no news from the outside at all.

 

‘Didn’t the time when the Quanzhen Sect was active overlap with when Bota Gate was active? Moreover, Bota Gate would have been here first. How could they establish a branch at that time?’

 

The Quanzhen Sect did have to absorb the teachings of the Three Teachings.

That was a characteristic of the Quanzhen Sect.

Bota Gate, which had originally existed here, was a Buddhist sect with monks.

It seemed difficult for them to harmonize with each other.

Timing was also a problem.

As far as he knew, Bota Gate had existed since before Jeon Jin was around.

With such a Bota Gate existing, how could a Quanzhen Sect branch exist?

Unless the Jusan Archipelago itself was a massive island, this would be difficult to happen among the islands here.

As he wondered about this mystery.

Ju Tae-gong came with even more surprising words.

 

“Bota Gate!? Ah. I know which place you’re talking about. It existed! By the way, it still exists now?”

“Still exists now? I heard that externally it was either destroyed or sealed off.”

 

However. An unexpected story was heard.

 

“Hmm…! Sealed off, you say? This is the first I’m hearing of it.”

“Pardon?”

“Why do you think that what you know is everything?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Tsk. This is the problem with outsiders.”

 

Outsiders, he said.

Was there some hidden secret history he hadn’t thought of?

 

“Listen. Bota Gate still exists. Oh, and by the way, it was never territory forbidden to men from the beginning.”

“Pardon?”

“How would it work if you made sects that forbid women or men on this small island!? The sect itself would be impossible!”

“Then, how is it that all the renowned masters from Bota Gate are female masters?”

“Ah. That? It’s because this is an island.”

“What do you mean by island…”

“Hmm. Isn’t the environment itself like that? It means the men often die when they go out to sea. Originally, there aren’t many men on the island.”

“Well, I’ll be.”

“So naturally, more women remained, and quite a few female masters emerged. There were also some who became monks at Bota.”

 

So because many men died, it became known as a female sect?

Indeed, time was essential for honing martial arts.

While that time could be compressed with talent, there couldn’t be countless such people.

Considering that the longer one survived, the more likely they were to become a master.

 

‘That makes sense.’

 

The masters remaining at Bota Gate had no choice but to have a high probability of being women.

However, what followed was even more unexpected.

 

“Hmm… Actually, even though everyone gathered under the name of Bota Gate, not all of them were disciples.”

 

If they gathered under a name, they would all be disciples.

Did this mean that terms like “not to be taught outside the sect” didn’t apply here?

How could that not be the case?

 

“How does that make sense?”

“Why doesn’t it make sense? Bota Gate bestows the basics of martial arts like giving charity. They pass it on to be of some help in this difficult island life.”

“Well…”

“Actually, because of that, the islanders who had been here from the beginning all learned martial arts from Bota Gate.”

“Then aren’t they disciples?”

“Normally they would be, but not here.”

“Why not?”

“Bota Gate didn’t accept them all as true disciples. So there were quite a few who considered themselves residents of the Jusan Archipelago, not disciples of Bota Gate. Well, that wouldn’t make sense in other places. But it worked here.”

“Doesn’t that not make sense?”

“Do you think someone who learned Taiji Fist rolling around in Market Street is a disciple of the Wudang Sect?”

“This is a different story. Even if it’s basics, isn’t the level different?”

“Even if the level is different, as long as Bota Gate understood it that way, that’s all that mattered.”

 

Just what kind of place was this Bota Gate on this island?

Teaching martial arts while not calling them sect members.

Wasn’t that itself too strange?

 

‘It doesn’t seem right to compare it to Taiji Fist…’

 

Though it was hard to understand.

This place called the archipelago seemed to operate in a truly unique way.

 

“Hmm. Don’t be confused. That appearance back then was due to the special nature of the archipelago.”

“Hmm… Special nature, I see.”

“That’s right. That’s how it is. When survival becomes the priority on an island, that’s how things turn out.”

 

So it grew because they shared it?

Never to be taught outside the sect.

Originally, martial arts were not easily passed down.

Even Wudang and Mount Hua Sect, in the early days, had various Taoist schools that exchanged and shared martial arts with each other.

Now they’re unified sects, but.

 

‘Taoist sects themselves were like that.’

 

Thinking about those times, it wasn’t something unique to Bota Gate alone.

Even that seemed to have changed somewhat by now.

 

“The story has changed in recent times though. Even if the origin was learned from that place, it has become much more subdivided. Unlike before, quite a few outsiders have entered as well.”

“Outsiders, you say?”

“The proof that you went through! Do you think only you entered through that?”

“Ah…!”

“People are dying on this island, so we have to accept some. But we can’t accept just anyone, so the proof system was created. Hehe… mixing and mixing again, quite a lot has changed.”

“So that’s how it became.”

“Well, that’s how it is. Change isn’t necessarily bad. This island itself is prone to stagnation and corruption, isn’t it? Outsiders are welcome. By the way, sparring isn’t the only answer, as if someone insisted it was?”

“Ahem…”

“Hehe. Embarrassed?”

“It’s hard to say I’m not, isn’t it?”

“Well, you probably haven’t had much experience falling for your own tricks, so that’s understandable. Well, let’s stop talking about this. The important thing is something else, isn’t it?”

 

Many things had changed through mixing with outsiders.

Even that, Ju Tae-gong seemed to welcome.

 

‘Whether all the residents of Jusan Archipelago would like the changes is another matter.’

 

Not everyone would be of one heart and mind.

Probably, even in this Jusan Archipelago, there would be unexpected sparks remaining.

 

‘Now I understand how Jusan Archipelago operates.’

 

They exchanged martial arts centered around Bota Gate of Bota Mountain.

Then outsiders entered and even that changed somewhat.

But the middle part was missing.

 

‘Indeed, what happened to the Jeonjin Sect Branch?’

 

The important thing was ultimately the Quanzhen Sect.

 

“We’re back to square one.”

“Right. Coming back to square one, let’s talk. Actually, how could Bota Gate’s martial arts become strong enough to be recognized in the Central Plains? Given the nature of an archipelago, development would be difficult, wouldn’t it?”

“Are you saying that’s thanks to Jeon Jin?”

“That’s right. That ‘could it be’ is correct. The exchange between the original Bota Gate and the Quanzhen Sect was quite deep.”

“An exchange between a Buddhist sect and a Taoist sect. That’s not something that happens easily.”

“But it’s not entirely impossible either, is it?”

“This part isn’t something I, as an outsider, should easily comment on either.”

“Heh. That’s exactly it. You learn quickly. Anyway, through such exchanges, the creation of a branch wasn’t unusual.”

“How fascinating.”

“It is fascinating. Originally, even in Murim where all sorts of strange events occur, this rarely happens. Anyway, through such exchanges, a branch could be established. Right here, on this island.”

“Huh…”

 

It was an unexpected secret history.

Ju Tae-gong had simply explained how the Jeonjin Sect Branch came to exist.

But surely many things were embedded in that process.

However, even trying to understand it this way, one question remained.

 

‘Anyway, wasn’t the Quanzhen Sect an Orthodox Sect?’

 

One that proclaimed itself orthodox.

The Quanzhen Sect’s actual actions were close to those of Orthodox Sects.

How could such a Quanzhen Sect transmit martial arts in this place that was Evil Sect territory?

Bota Gate might have had no choice, but it was strange that Jeon Jin deliberately transmitted martial arts in Evil Sect territory.

 

‘That’s odd?’

 

Perhaps reading his intention from that expression.

The shrewd Ju Tae-gong asked first.

 

“What’s wrong? Is it strange that the Orthodox Sect Jeon Jin left teachings in this place that became Evil Sect territory? Heh…”

“I can’t say it’s not.”

“Hehe. Actually, what are Evil Sects?”

“What are Evil Sects, you ask.”

 

Another returning question.

Jung Myeong couldn’t answer easily.

 

Are they Evil Sects because they kill people?

Orthodox Sect people also kill.

 

Are they Evil Sect people because they practice wicked martial arts?

 

‘No.’

 

In his medical clinic, there were many who learned such arts without choice.

Not all of them were suitable for Orthodox Sects.

But they weren’t people who could be specifically labeled as Evil Sect either.

Then what distinguishes Evil Sects?

 

“If I give the answer I’m thinking of. This is, even as I say it, it doesn’t seem right. Aren’t they Evil Sects because they commit illegal acts that the government doesn’t permit?”

“Heh. Then what are those illegal acts? Do you know why we archipelago people are called Evil Sect?”

“I don’t know.”

“Because of smuggling.”

“Smuggling?”

“Right. Like those Salt Merchants, we deal in salt and daily necessities too. Well, that’s also called smuggling.”

“Smuggling is smuggling.”

“That’s right. By law, it is. But for us, it was a desperate measure to survive. We couldn’t not do it, could we?”

“Huh…!”

 

So they’re treated as Evil Sect members because they committed illegal acts without permission?

Right. But then again, isn’t that a matter of survival?

 

“If you were starving to death, wouldn’t you do it too?”

“I would do it too.”

“Heh. Me too. If there’s an opportunity, I’d do it again. Several times! Call us Evil Sect if you want.”

“What about going to the mainland to purchase things instead….”

“Those outsiders rip us off too much! Actually, there’s nothing decent to make a living with on this archipelago. Normal life is impossible here.”

 

So they don’t mind being called Evil Sect members since it’s a matter of survival?

Someone might say they should just leave this place then.

But abandoning one’s hometown and moving wasn’t such an easy thing to do.

Considering that, it wasn’t incomprehensible.

 

“Actually, our temperament itself is different from outsiders, so there are many conflicts. It’s not like we’re all clean people either. Isn’t that how life is for everyone?”

“It’s all pretty similar.”

“That’s right, anyway, that’s why we’re Evil Sect members.”

 

Ju Tae-gong wasn’t unaware of this either.

Far from being ashamed, he was confident.

 

“Heh… Besides, the Government Office needs us too, so they just leave us alone.”

“The Government Office needs this place too?”

“That’s right! They need us!”

“I don’t understand?”

“Don’t think too hard about it. Have you heard that Hangzhou is suffering because of the Japanese?”

“Ah!”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————