Troubling rumours?
My opponent was In-bong, a Qingcheng Sect disciple.
Or should I call him Taoist In-bong?
The Qingcheng Sect followed the Taoist tradition, after all.
Anyway, that wasn’t the point…
“What sort of troubling rumours are you referring to?”
“Then again, considering where the Qingcheng Sect is located, perhaps you haven’t heard them.”
The Qingcheng Sect was in Sichuan, after all.
“There are rumors that Warrior In-bong speaks with ghosts and even learns martial arts from them.”
“What?”
What in the world was that supposed to mean?
“I only heard it from others, so I don’t know the details. Still, I thought you should at least be aware that such rumors exist.”
“Understood.”
I spoke to him.
“You can go now. I’m confident in my abilities, and my Escort Guards are quite skilled as well.”
“Understood. Then this is where I shall leave you. Have a safe journey.”
He gave me a cupped-fist salute.
“I wish you good fortune in your match, Great Hero.”
“Thank you.”
After sending Young Lord Ji Gyeong-hwa on his way, I scratched my cheek.
A man who dealt with ghosts…
Had Warrior In-bong always been the subject of such rumors?
I searched through my memories, but nothing came to mind.
All I remembered about him was that he had eventually risen to a fairly high position within the Qingcheng Sect.
Still, I had never been close to him, so there could have been things I simply hadn’t known. It was also possible this was another change caused by the future I had altered.
“Shall I look into it?”
Escort Guard Seo Wu, who had been guarding me, asked.
“What?”
“You seem rather concerned about what you just heard.”
At Escort Guard Seo Wu’s words, I nodded.
“Yes, I suppose I am. But I’ll ask Cousin Hyang-ok first.”
“Understood. Since the Emei Sect is also based in Sichuan, she may know more about it.”
A short while later.
By the time we arrived at Yeonpung Inn, the Emei Sect’s disciples were already there.
“You’re here?”
“Yes, Mother.”
Mother led me over to someone.
“This is the Emei Sect Leader. Sect Leader, this is my youngest son.”
“I am Eun Seoho. It is an honor to meet you, Sect Leader.”
When I greeted her with the proper courtesy, she returned my greeting just as politely.
“I am the Emei Sect Leader. It is a pleasure to finally meet the Handsome Young Hero. You’re even taller and more handsome in person.”
“Thank you. I hope you enjoy your time here.”
After exchanging greetings with the Sect Leader, I headed over to Cousin Hyang-ok.
“Cousin Hyang-ok.”
“There you are. You went to look around the temporary market, didn’t you?”
“Yes. That’s why I was a little late.”
In truth, I had been delayed because I had visited the Ji Clan, but that wasn’t something I could mention here.
“There’s something I’d like to ask you. Before you leave later, could you stop by my room for a moment?”
“All right.”
“Then please enjoy your meal.”
Remembering what I had learned during the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Gathering, I quickly escaped upstairs to my room.
With me around, the Emei Sect’s disciples wouldn’t be able to eat in peace.
“Whew, I’m starving.”
I was rubbing my stomach and about to enter my room when Palgap called out to me.
“Young Master! That’s not the right room, sir!”
“Huh?”
“Over here, sir! This way!”
Palgap led me to a room that had previously been empty.
And the moment he opened the door…
“…!”
I couldn’t help staring in astonishment.
The room was filled with a lavish spread of delicious food.
“Whoa! What’s all this?”
“The Merchant Lord said you’d surely complain that you were hungry the moment you arrived, so he ordered us to prepare it, sir.”
“I should thank Father. What about my parents?”
“They’ve already finished eating with the Second Deputy Merchant Lord, sir.”
“Then we’re the only ones who haven’t eaten yet?”
“That is correct, sir.”
“Then let’s eat! I’m starving.”
I turned toward the people who had been waiting behind me.
“You must all be tired after everything today. Come on, let’s eat.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
We ate until we were completely full, then returned to my room.
After resting for a while, I heard Escort Guard Lee Pil’s voice from outside.
“My lord, Lady Hyang-ok has arrived.”
“Please come in, Cousin.”
The door opened, and Cousin Hyang-ok entered.
“Is the banquet over already?”
“Not quite, but it’s winding down, so I came upstairs a little early. We all have to leave together later.”
“I see.”
“So, why did you ask to see me?”
At Cousin Hyang-ok’s question, I offered her a seat.
“Please sit down first. Would you like some tea?”
“No, thank you. I’ve already had more than enough to drink downstairs.”
I smiled and sat across from her.
“Understood. Then I’ll get straight to the point. I heard a strange rumor about Warrior In-bong today, and I was wondering whether you knew anything about it.”
“Ah…”
She slowly nodded.
“You mean the rumors that he speaks with ghosts and learns martial arts from them?”
“Yes. So you have heard them.”
Cousin Hyang-ok thought for a moment before speaking.
“Seoho.”
“Yes, Cousin?”
“What did you think when you watched his preliminary match?”
I recalled Warrior In-bong’s performance during the preliminaries.
The Qingcheng Sect’s martial arts were built around a movement art called Slender Willow Drift.
True to its name, which evoked slender willow leaves scattering through a whirlwind, the art was fluid and free, unbound by any rigid or predictable form.
Perhaps because of that foundation, most of the Qingcheng Sect’s martial arts shared similar qualities, and an unusually large number of their techniques had the character for wind (風) in their names.
“I thought he displayed the essence of the Qingcheng Sect’s martial arts exceptionally well.”
“That’s right. I felt the same way. But there’s something rather unusual about it… He wasn’t nearly that strong during the last Sichuan Regional Alliance Martial Gathering.”
Perhaps because Sichuan was surrounded by treacherous mountain ranges, the martial factions there tended to form especially close bonds with one another.
I had heard that once a year, all the martial clans and sects in Sichuan gathered to compete, exchange techniques, and strengthen their relationships.
“Back then, he was still only at the First-rate realm.”
“Are you saying he grew this much in just one year?”
“Yes.”
Cousin Hyang-ok continued.
“That sudden, extraordinary growth may have been what started the rumors that he learned martial arts from ghosts.”
“Then what about the claim that he speaks with them?”
“Who knows? I don’t know anything about that part either.”
She continued.
“Do I strike you as someone who enjoys gossiping about other people?”
“Hahaha. No, not at all.”
“Then what exactly were you expecting me to tell you?”
“I see. That was a foolish question on my part.”
Still, she had helped me resolve one question. Unfortunately, the answer had only given rise to another.
He had achieved tremendous growth in a single year.
The question now was how he had managed it.
“Hyang-ok! It’s time for us to leave!”
Just then, someone called for Cousin Hyang-ok from outside.
That was Divine Nun Haecheong’s voice.
“My master is calling me. I should get going.”
“Yes, Cousin. I’ll walk down with you.”
“All right. Your match is tomorrow, isn’t it? I wish you good fortune.”
“Thank you.”
I went down to the inn’s first floor with her. I needed to see off the Emei Sect Leader and the others.
“Thank you for your generous hospitality.”
“There’s no need to thank me. My niece put on such a fine showing, so how could I, as her uncle, not celebrate?”
“Hahaha, that may be true, but I am still grateful for the delicious food. We shall take our leave now.”
“Have a safe journey.”
With that, we saw them off.
Then I went to bed early.
.
.
.
As usual, I began my Breathing Meditation the moment I opened my eyes.
Once both my body and mind felt refreshed, I rose from my seat and opened the window.
“Kui!”
Geumryeong climbed onto my shoulder and let out another kui.
“Yes, I know.”
Someone was standing in the backyard below my window.
The figure had changed their appearance using the Novel Disguise Art, but I had a good idea who it was. I had happened to see that disguise once before.
I quickly threw on my outer robe and jumped through the window into the backyard.
Tap.
Then I quietly smiled and gave a cupped-fist salute.
– Oh, dear. I was only going to cheer you on and leave, but it seems you’ve caught me.
Master sent me a Voice Transmission, and I replied in the same manner.
– Thank you for coming to support me.
– You understand the Snow Wind Palace’s current situation better than anyone, so I won’t burden you with anything else. Please, just make sure you don’t get hurt.
– Understood.
– Then I should be on my way. Nothing good will come from lingering here.
With that, Master vanished in an instant.
To be honest, there were many things I wanted to ask, but none of them were urgent enough to discuss here.
This was Luoyang, the Murim Alliance’s very headquarters.
No matter how convincing the Novel Disguise Art was, it was still better to be cautious.
At the same time, I could feel how much Master cared. Even under such difficult circumstances, Master had come all the way to the inn just to cheer me on, and a smile naturally rose to my lips.
The visit also left me feeling far more reassured.
All right, then. Shall I loosen up a little?
After eating breakfast, I headed toward the martial arena.
My family had already showered me with encouragement along the way, but the cheering didn’t stop even after I arrived.
“Deputy Merchant Lord Eun! Best of luck!”
“Make sure you don’t get hurt.”
“We’ll be praying for your victory.”
“Hohoho, I look forward to seeing what you can do.”
The Deputy Merchant Lords from the various merchant groups, along with many other people I knew, had gathered to offer their support.
It was a little overwhelming, but I couldn’t deny that it felt good.
As usual, I sat with my family. Soon afterward, Commander Geum Yeon-hwa stepped onto the stage and announced the beginning of the matches.
.
.
.
The morning matches ended, and lunchtime arrived.
Before eating, I headed toward the commercial district to inspect the temporary shop.
Even with my own match scheduled for the afternoon, I was still a merchant.
I couldn’t afford to neglect my true profession.
With that thought in mind, I went to the commercial district, only to receive even more encouragement there.
“Good luck in your match today!”
“Hahaha, thank you.”
“May fortune favor you!”
“Yes, thank you.”
After inspecting the temporary shop, I quietly asked Palgap a question.
“Was I always this popular?”
Palgap laughed at my question.
“You’re only realizing that now, sir?”
“Uh… Let’s go eat.”
We returned to the inn, ate our meal, and headed back to the training grounds.
My family had already arrived.
They had each been attending separate gatherings. Now that the Murim Grand Assembly was approaching its conclusion, there seemed to be more meetings than ever.
The afternoon matches began, and before long, it was my turn.
“This is today’s final match! First, we have In-bong, a disciple of the Qingcheng Sect! His opponent is a warrior personally recommended by the Alliance Leader! Eun Seoho of the Eunhae Merchant Group!”
“Waaaaaaaah!”
The crowd erupted in thunderous cheers.
I took a deep breath, rose from my seat, and looked toward Father and Mother.
Neither of them said a word. They only nodded, but I could see both concern and unwavering trust in their eyes.
“Seoho.”
I turned when Brother Jin-ho called my name.
“Get up there already. Everyone’s waiting for you.”
“…”
Was he getting me back for earlier?
I gave a faint laugh and immediately returned the favor.
“I would’ve been up there already if you hadn’t called me.”
“Tsk!”
Brother Jin-ho clicked his tongue, and I smiled.
“I’ll be back.”
With Palgap, Young Lady Seohyang, and my Escort Guards cheering me on, I climbed onto the martial stage.
After fastening seven plaques to my clothes, I exchanged greetings with Warrior In-bong.
“I look forward to our match.”
“Likewise. I look forward to facing you.”
Warrior In-bong’s gaze was firm as he answered.
Boom!
The drum sounded.
I drew my sword and assumed my opening stance.
The Silver Mist Sword in my hand gave off a keen, cutting pressure.
I had brought the Silver Mist Sword into the arena without concern because I had been told it could change its appearance to suit its wielder.
Unless I used the Supreme Yin Ice Sea Divine Art, the sword would never reveal its true nature. There was virtually no chance anyone else would recognize it.
For this match, I intended to use the Heavenly Flow Art and Heavenly Flow Ice Sword rather than the Supreme Yin Ice Sea Divine Art and True Snow Twelve Form Sword.
Warrior In-bong also assumed his opening stance.
At that instant, I could have sworn I heard the wind whispering past my ears, even though the air around us was perfectly still.
A moment later, Warrior In-bong moved.
The scent of pine brushed past my nose.
It was the Qingcheng Sect’s Pine Wind Sword Art.
Slender Willow Drift, their signature movement art, lived up to its reputation. His movements were so dazzling and unpredictable that they seemed nearly impossible to follow.
Clang–!
But that didn’t mean I couldn’t stop him.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
I pretended that I was barely managing to defend myself, but inwardly, I was calmly studying my opponent.
I see it now.
His movements might have been irregular and difficult to predict, but that didn’t mean they lacked a pattern entirely.
After exchanging several blows, I discovered that pattern. Once I understood it, exploiting the openings in his movements wasn’t difficult.
There was a clear disparity between Warrior In-bong’s realm and mine. It would have been shameful if I couldn’t discern something so simple.
Clang! Clang!
Following the pattern I had uncovered, I swung my sword and intercepted Warrior In-bong’s blade.
His gaze wavered slightly.
He had realized that something had changed.
Instead of knocking his sword away at once, I held it down and prolonged the bind. Then I violently cast it aside, forcing an opening in his guard.
And I lunged.
Whoosh!
In a real battle, it would have been better to unleash sword Qi, but sword Qi was forbidden during friendly matches.
It could sever far more than a plaque and might leave the opponent grievously wounded.
That was why none of the competitors in the previous matches had used sword Qi.
My blade feinted toward the plaque on Warrior In-bong’s left leg, then abruptly changed course.
With a sharp upward pull of the hilt, I shattered the plaque fastened to his right shoulder.
Crack!
“Waaaaaaaah!”
The crowd roared in celebration. Amid their cheers, I could also hear the people from the Eunhae Merchant Group.
“The Empire’s most handsome man! Young Master Eun Seoho! Your beauty is shining brighter than ever today, sir! Let’s bring the legend of the Fruit-Filled Carriage (擲果盈車) to life!” (TL Note: Basically a Chinese legend of a man that was so handsome that, when he went out in his carriage, women would throw fruit into it as a representation of their love. So much so that it would fill the entire carriage)
“…”
Seriously, Palgap. Keep it down.
–TL Notes–
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