Having a rival to aim for in learning is just as important as having an outstanding master.
Murong Sang-a’s sword aimed for Cheongun’s opening. Cheongun’s sword twisted as if it were deliberately trying to find a gap in Murong Sang-a’s swordplay.
One step.
It feels like I could catch up, but I can’t reach. I have to give it my all to follow. It’s a goal that seems within reach if I put forth my best effort.
Murong Sang-a was swinging her sword harder than ever to defeat Cheongun.
“That was close!”
Cheongun placed his practice sword against Murong Sang-a’s white neck, breathing heavily.
“You’re using that interesting Iron Plate Bridge technique.”
Murong Sang-a spoke, savoring the bitterness of defeat, commenting on Cheongun’s peculiar stance.
The Iron Plate Bridge, an evasion technique, usually required a sturdy posture like a big iron plate leaning over, but Cheongun’s stance was a bit offbeat.
“Haha. Thanks to that, I’ve saved my life a few times.”
With his feet planted on the ground, he bent his upper body at a right angle by folding his knees.
As a result, even though Murong Sang-a effectively pierced through with an opening, she had to concede her neck as Cheongun’s technique made her lose her target.
“……”
His flexibility was so absurd, it was hard to believe he was a man. Murong Sang-a watched as Cheongun awkwardly got up, her eyes narrowed.
“Is something the matter?”
Murong Sang-a didn’t respond immediately to Cheongun’s words.
Sharing swords often reveals more about the other person than talking does.
Murong Sang-a had been conversing with Cheongun through their swords for over a month now. Thanks to that, she knew a bit more about him than most.
“Nothing special. I heard information about Mount Changbai will be available tomorrow.”
“Really?”
“I’ll send someone tomorrow.”
Without turning back to look at Cheongun’s delighted face, Murong Sang-a exited the training hall with a strange expression.
——
“You seem to be in a good mood nowadays.”
The next morning. Sibi, while dressing up Murong Sang-a, chimed in.
“Does it show?”
“You look like you’ve lessened your worries.”
“Maybe it feels like that.”
Murong Sang-a nodded slightly.
For a while, countless problems had been crashing down at once, and even her worries seemed to pile up. Now, having been busy dealing with everything, it felt as if there was a temporary lull.
“Miss, I remember when you had many worries as a child, you’d swing your sword and feel much better afterward.”
“That’s true.”
Was it because she had dedicated herself to sword training for a while that she felt this much better? Murong Sang-a momentarily lost herself in Sibi’s nostalgic voice.
Just a few years ago, the girl swinging her sword over trivial worries was now concerned about the family’s serious matters.
So much had changed. Too much.
“By the way, Miss! What about that Taoist Master you spar with often?”
Sibi skillfully changed the subject as she sensed the darkening expression of her mistress.
“Cheongun So-hyeop?”
“It seems you’ve gotten close…. Could you tell him not to bother my room anymore?”
A silly request escaped Sibi’s lips.
“That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
Cheongun So-hyeop declined Sibi’s assistance? Murong Sang-a, taken aback by the fresh information, stopped her gloomy thoughts and leaned in to listen.
“He said being a Taoist is cumbersome, but Cheongun So-hyeop has to be quite a handsome man. The girls are dying to find common ground with him!”
“Did that really happen?”
“Unlike the usual scruffy martial artists, he’s impeccably clean. From the side, you can’t even tell if he’s a boy or a girl—just shockingly handsome.”
“Is that… so?”
Though she thought Cheongun had a thin, attractive appearance that might appeal to Sibi, was it to the extent of being overhyped? Murong Sang-a continued with an ambiguous tone.
“Ugh. Of course, standing in front of the mirror every day makes you think all men and women look the same.”
“That’s not true…”
Murong Sang-a passively denied, partially agreeing. It wasn’t that she had never admired a man’s appearance.
‘It was just one person, though…’
She smirked at the sudden memories of her first love.
“Last time, some brazen kids tried to help Cheongun So-hyeop with his bath and just barged into the tub.”
“And then?”
This was very interesting to Murong Sang-a.
“The moment the door opened, he got super mad and chased them out. I thought all men would love a bath service, but I guess the Taoist differs. Well, the lucky kid who saw just his face popping out of the tub was pretty happy, though.”
“…… As expected.”
Narrowing her eyes, Murong Sang-a nodded.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just tell them not to sneak in for bathing services or nighttime intrusions, as Cheongun So-hyeop doesn’t want that.”
Sibi thought she might receive a scolding from her friends for bringing this up abruptly.
——
“Great Lord of Spear Peak, Murong Pyeong, I greet you, my lord.”
It had been a while since the Great Lord of Spear Peak reported his return to his lord.
“Were you able to recruit new members without any issues?”
“I’ve selected those who won’t be problematic and sent them to the Chuseondang. Whether they’ll become chicks or phoenixes remains to be seen.”
To confront his brother associated with the Demonic Cult, they needed to constantly strengthen their forces.
Murong Sang-a decided to nurture not just renowned martial artists, but also those with potential who hadn’t had the chance to learn.
To cultivate talent for Spear Peak, Murong Sang-a created a training organization called Chuseondang.
“How about the branch families?”
“The training is reaching its final stage. We will soon assign those selected from Chuseondang to Spear Peak.”
Murong Sang-a was gathering not only talent from outside but also incorporating martial artists from the branch families without issues to continually expand their forces.
“Thank you for your hard work. The Great Lord of Spear Peak has quite the burden.”
Murong Sang-a’s expression turned apologetic as she praised her loyal subordinate.
It was inevitable that the workload of the Great Lord of Spear Peak increased due to the lack of trustworthy people compared to the expanding organization.
“It’s what I must do. I’ve heard you accomplished something significant in my absence, my lord.”
How could anyone allow an assassin into their lord’s bedroom? The Great Lord of Spear Peak shot a furious glare at the vice leaders.
“That was something I had to endure.”
“I’ll ensure the vice leaders stay alert.”
“Ugh!”
“Yikes.”
Gasps mixed with fear emerged from the vice leaders upon the Great Lord’s declaration.
“Take it easy.”
Murong Sang-a spoke with a wry smile.
“Is that even an option?”
“My lord.”
As the Great Lord of Spear Peak finished reporting, one of the waiting vice leaders spoke up.
“What is it?”
“It’s regarding the Taoist you asked us to investigate about Mount Changbai. Someone claims to know about Mount Changbai and has brought them in.”
“Let’s call Cheongun So-hyeop in to listen together.”
At Murong Sang-a’s gesture, Cheongun and a somewhat worn-out man entered the room.
“I’m Herb Gatherer Musik.”
The herb gatherer seemed intimidated in the room filled with martial artists and couldn’t lift his head.
“I’ve heard you know about the Taoist of Mount Changbai.”
“I sometimes go to Mount Changbai to search for good herbs. I know where the Taoists reside, so I can guide you.”
“Is that true?!”
Cheongun asked with a radiant face.
“Good. Please guide Cheongun So-hyeop. If you guide well, I’ll pay you in gold.”
“G-g-g-gold, you say?!”
The herb gatherer spoke with a mixture of surprise and reluctance.
“Is that not to your liking?”
“Uh…”
The herb gatherer kept glancing around, unsure how to respond.
“If you want something, just say it.”
Was he perhaps seeking something other than money? Murong Sang-a created a comfortable atmosphere for the herb gatherer, who was struggling to find his voice.
Then, the herb gatherer seemed to make a determination, squeezed his eyes shut, and finally voiced his desire.
“Please… just save us!”
—————
“You want us to deal with a band of robbers?”
The request from the herb gatherer was something no one in the room had anticipated.
Robbers.
In the regions of Manchuria, the Jurchens weren’t the only ones to be wary of. In fact, there are worse groups out there.
Unlike mountain bandits, who commit crimes in a fixed area, the robbers raid towns and villagers, moving like locusts, making them a source of terror for the people of Yodong Province.
The herb gatherer had come to the Murong Family, seeking help to clear out the band of robbers that periodically raided his village.
“Please save us! The Jurchens and officials aren’t on our side! We just need your help!”
“You little fool! Do you think the Murong Family is some kind of ronin group?!”
“I know Mount Changbai’s geography better than anyone! Please! If you help us, I will do my utmost to assist you!”
The herb gatherer bowed down to Murong Sang-a, feeling as if death was inevitable either way.
“Murong So-juh, is this a difficult matter?”
Cheongun looked at the frightened herb gatherer with a sympathetic expression and asked.
“It’s not difficult, but it’s a bit complicated at the moment.”
Murong Sang-a replied, frowning slightly. Her reaction was understandable.
“My lord! In a short while, you’ll oversee the market opening. There are too many people needed for that—investigators, merchants, Chuseondang, and Spear Peak. We’re already short on manpower.”
“It’s too far! We’re not dealing with Jurchens but robbers. Their whereabouts are uncertain, making it hard to track them down.”
With so many tasks at hand, there was a lack of manpower. Furthermore, while the robbers were skilled in raiding, they were equally good at escaping.
Dealing with the band of robbers would require time and manpower, but with the ongoing preparations for a large market and the Jurchens, Spear Peak simply couldn’t afford to stretch themselves that thin.
“Please save us! If the robbers come again, our village won’t survive this winter!”
None in Spear Peak responded to the herb gatherer’s plea.
“I’ll go myself.”
Only one person—aside from those who didn’t belong to Spear Peak—volunteered.
“Cheongun So-hyeop.”
Murong Sang-a looked at Cheongun steadfastly.
“I understand the Murong Family’s position. You’ve brought someone to us; from here, it’s my job. Please stand up. I will help.”
Cheongun strode towards the herb gatherer, extending his hand.
No matter how many robbers there may be, he would help. It might seem reckless to some, yet it was a determined gesture.
“So-hyeop! Are you serious?!”
“Facing a band of robbers alone is a death wish!”
“Someone has to do it.”
Cheongun said with a firm expression as he gazed at Spear Peak.
“Please wait until the market day is over.”
“I can go first and make sure no innocent people get hurt!”
Cheongun resolutely shook his head, refusing the vice leader’s attempts to persuade him.
“Ugh.”
A strange hum of agreement escaped the lips of the Spear Peak leaders at Cheongun’s steadfast demeanor.
‘There’s no benefit in this at all.’
Everyone knew. The market, merchants, and investigation teams. There was no need to siphon off manpower already assigned to crucial areas for a long expedition that would take more than ten days.
In fact, it was quite commendable that he was willing to offer a considerable sum just for the guiding.
If he wanted to go, let him go. It was a situation where no one would say otherwise. Yet, no one could voice their thoughts aloud.
Someone must do it.
The Nine Great Sects & One Alliance. A martial artist of the Mount Wu. Cheongun.
Now, a martial artist only just past his youth showcased the remnants of a decayed sect.
To Spear Peak, who was barely managing to hold onto what they had, the existence of Cheongun felt oddly like defeat.
“Cheongun So-hyeop.”
Murong Sang-a cast a glance at her subordinates, who felt a slight sense of defeat before turning toward Cheongun.
“That’s enough. Your assistance so far is ample…”
Seeing Murong Sang-a try to dissuade him, Cheongun waved his hand with a smile.
“I only mentioned it was complicated; I never said it couldn’t be done.”
“What?”
Murong Sang-a smiled softly at the bewildered Cheongun.
“Great Lord of Spear Peak.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Murong Sang-a nodded, observing the Great Lord of Spear Peak kneel before her, as if waiting for her to call upon him.
It wouldn’t benefit them at all.
Even if it was to return a favor to her lord, pulling troops into a strenuous situation was too much.
That’s what everyone thought.
Murong Sang-a looked at her subordinates. Those feeling a little defeated in front of the swordsman Cheongun.
Had the great Murong Family fallen this low? Did they lose their status as a righteous sect by confronting the Demonic Cult?
Murong Sang-a decided to restore Spear Peak’s pride as a righteous sect.
“The chicks should practice flying too.”
She tossed a small reason into the conversation.
“……Of course.”
A smile emerged on the Great Lord of Spear Peak’s lips.
“Great Lord of Spear Peak. Arm the chicks. Final training will take place a little further away.”
“Is that an option?”
“Murong So-juh?”
As Murong Sang-a packed her sword and walked past Cheongun, she looked at him with a confident gaze, as if she could surpass him by putting in more effort.
“Cheongun So-hyeop. You must help train the Murong Family for practical combat.”
Yodong Province was under the domain of the Murong Family. Murong Sang-a decided to show the Taoist of Mount Wu that the pillar of the righteous side still stood tall.
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