The Gathering of Scholars

Seo Juwon strode toward the Wuhan Conference Centre, the towering glass structure gleaming under the city lights. This closed conference was unlike any he had attended before—exclusive, secretive, and potentially groundbreaking. As he approached the entrance, a burly security guard with a stern face and tired eyes stepped in his path.

"Hold it right there," the guard, whose nametag read Chen Wei, grumbled. "This event is invitation-only. No outsiders allowed."

Juwon arched an eyebrow, reaching into his pocket. "I know. That's why I'm here."

Chen Wei scrutinized him, his expression unimpressed. "You sure you're in the right place, kid? Been dealing with old-timers all night. Never seen someone your age walk in here like they belong."

Before Juwon could respond, a cheerful voice interrupted. "Relax, Officer Chen! Just follow protocol, will you?"

Turning toward the familiar voice, Juwon's lips curled into a small smirk. It was Dr. Elias Harding, a former colleague and an old friend. The man was at least fifty, with graying hair but a lively energy that never seemed to fade. He had been part of numerous excavations with Juwon in the past, and despite the years, he was still as jovial as ever.

"Dr. Harding!" Juwon greeted. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Elias chuckled, stepping forward from the entrance with a grin. "You think I'd miss out on the chance to see the biggest archaeological mystery of the century?"

Chen Wei sighed. "Fine. Invitation and ID." His gaze lingered on Juwon for a moment longer than necessary, his expression unreadable.

Juwon handed over the sleek invitation card along with the special ID badge provided to attendees. The guard examined them closely before reluctantly stepping aside. "Since when did people so young get invited to these things?" he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

As Juwon disappeared into the crowd, Chen then leaned toward a nearby colleague. "Hey, run a check on that kid for me, will you?" he muttered, his tone laced with suspicion.

Inside, the grand conference hall was abuzz with murmurs. The gathering wasn't limited to archaeologists—numerologists, epigraphers, geologists, and even radiologists filled the room, all equally intrigued and perplexed. Juwon scanned the crowd; some of the most renowned scholars in their respective fields were present. It wasn't every day that a discovery tied to Zhang Sanfeng—the legendary Taoist monk who created Taichi—brought such a diverse assembly together.

The stories surrounding Zhang Sanfeng were nothing short of mythical. Said to have lived for over two centuries, he was rumored to be a master of alchemy, a wielder of immense internal qi, and the man who had once defeated a hundred imperial soldiers single-handedly. If anything from his legacy had truly been uncovered, it could change the world's understanding of history, martial arts, and even human potential itself.

Elias nudged Juwon with an excited grin. "Can you imagine what we might find? This could be something that defies modern science!"

Juwon scoffed lightly. "You know better than to believe every legend, Elias. There's no evidence backing those stories. But..." He folded his arms, tilting his head thoughtfully. "Every rumor does have a grain of truth in it somewhere."

Before Elias could respond, a voice boomed from the stage, calling for everyone to take their seats. The conference was about to begin.