Thud!
With a refreshing sound, the axe gets lodged into the tree.
But saying it like that isn’t exactly true. I was swinging the axe without any of my internal energy.
What is there to hide?
Currently, I was using the vision manipulation techniques I learned from the Imperial Family to disguise myself as a lumberjack, completely changing my appearance.
“Hey, everyone, let’s eat!”
“Got it!”
At the shout of another lumberjack, my master Park Dal responded loudly and set down his lumber axe.
“Come on!”
“Yes!”
Imitating the overly eager newcomer, I entered the lumber camp, where lumberjacks who had cut down trees in the scorching sun were gathered, groaning in the shade.
“Ugh, I’m dying here.”
“I can’t handle working hard after resting too much.”
Despite the moans coming from the lumberjacks, their expressions were bright.
Since the influence of the Blood Sect began to stir, places like the quiet woods and mountains had become practically off-limits. They had turned into dens for Blood People who thirst for human blood and the Outcast Faction mingling with them without a care.
Naturally, the lumberjacks living off the trees in the woods and mountains had been unable to make a proper living until recently when the remnants of the Blood Sect, which had been rampaging in Gwangju, were cleaned up, barely allowing them to return to their livelihood. So, even though their bodies were tired, their expressions couldn’t help but be cheerful.
Among the lumberjacks gathered for lunch, the gossip was certainly about the Martial World.
“Did you hear the entity appeared at Cheonok the other day?”
“Nah, that’s just nonsense! The nearby martial artists showed up, and it was just a big bear.”
“I heard they caught a Blood Person at Sosangmun!”
Well, to be precise, it wasn’t gossip about the Martial World, but about the movements of the remnants of the Blood Sect. Lumberjacks who don’t know the first thing about martial arts would be in danger if they crossed paths with even one Blood Person in the forest or mountains.
Once the latest gossip had finished, naturally, the talk turned to the Martial World.
“I hear the Heavenly Demon Wi Seoryeon is currently in the Central Plains… I hope it’s not a sign of an invasion.”
“I heard the Brain Knife Outcast even visited Dongjeong Lake to enjoy the scenery?”
“As far as I know, he suddenly took out the governor.”
“What kind of absurdity is that?”
“Come on, it’s not just nonsense.”
I interjected, merging into the conversation between my fellow lumberjacks sitting beside me. Ignoring the bewildered stares aimed at me, I immediately opened my mouth.
Naturally, I subtly raised my internal energy so that my words would penetrate the ears of the lumberjacks chatting and eating in the dining area of the lumber camp.
“That thing, the governor was bothering some merchants, and coincidentally, the Brain Knife Outcast was there, right?”
The response came not from beside me but from someone seated at the back.
“Wait, is that true?”
“Of course it is! Infuriated by the governor’s abuse of power, the Brain Knife Outcast stormed the government office with an undercover inspector and took down all the corrupt officials!”
“Wow, can you believe it? I thought those kinds of people were long gone in this world!”
“Those bastards had so many treasures stashed away that their storerooms were overflowing, and their bribery ledgers were piled up high as a person!”
“Those scoundrels!”
“The inspector revealed the crimes of the governor and the corrupt officials, leading to the governor being imprisoned, and all the corrupt officials facing retribution!”
“Those filthy bastards! Because of the Blood Sect, we common people have suffered so much, and they were out there doing that behind our backs!”
“Serves them right!”
Instantly, the dining area transformed into a gathering denouncing the scoundrels. It felt as if everyone had smoothly transitioned the topic to the latest news about me that I had just shared.
Observing the atmosphere, I turned my gaze to my master, Park Dal, eating in front of me. Despite the hot topics of the corrupt officials and the Brain Knife Outcast being tantalizing, he showed no reaction.
“Are you not interested in the rumors of the Martial World, brother?”
“Hmm? No, I’m also somewhat interested in the Martial World. It’s just that I’ve heard too much about the Blood Sect and the Mosan Great War lately. It’s kind of like that.”
His attitude, showing disinterest in news about me, suggested that as long as it didn’t affect his safety, he wouldn’t care much about news regarding the Blood Sect or any entities.
This disinterest wasn’t only from my master, Park Dal. Roughly half of the people showed a lackluster attitude towards current events, taking a passive stance.
In that sense, the atmosphere of this lumber camp could be divided in half. One group actively rejoiced at the disappearance of the Blood Sect, denouncing them and heroizing the Brain Knife Outcast, while the other group, like my master, seemed to care less about it.
What thoughts must the lumberjacks, whose livelihoods and lives were threatened by the Blood Sect, hold?
Naturally, they would be hoping for the martial artists and sects in their vicinity or for the Martial Forest Alliance to deal with the Blood Sect.
That expectation would naturally grow as the Blood Sect’s influence lingered, and as they listened to the deeds of the Martial Forest Alliance, it would gradually take shape.
For the people, the Outcast Faction or bandits that were merely nuisances would become allies of the Blood Sect, and as the evil-doers grew more distinct, tension and crisis were bound to escalate.
So, while they were worried at any moment that a bomb might explode, the sudden appearance of the Heavenly Demon Sect shook things up.
It was like a double whammy for the people eagerly waiting for peace to return after the Blood Sect’s disappearance.
That nefarious demon group had invaded the Central Plains; how chaotic would the world become! The Blood Sect, the Martial Forest Alliance, and the Heavenly Demon Sect. The sudden triad of these vast powers must have put the hearts of the people in a state of near panic.
At that time, people likely hoped earnestly.
Oh, I hope the heroes of the Martial World! The sects filled with righteous intentions protect us!
Considering the geographical characteristics, the most notable martial power in this area would be the Peng Clan, so the lumberjacks here must have been fervently wishing for the Woodcutters of Hubei to refine their formations and defeat the entities, wiping out the Blood Sect’s power.
If not that, then they would have wished for a celestial being to appear in the Martial World to save them.
But lo and behold?
Suddenly, the Mosan Great War broke out, and the Blood Sect was dismantled.
Moreover, it was likely due to allying with either the Heavenly Demon Church, deemed a new evil targeting the world, or the Brain Knife Outcast’s schemes.
It was a clear divide; the Blood Sect and their remnants alongside the Heavenly Demon Sect led by the Brain Knife Outcast, and the righteous factions gathered under the Martial Forest Alliance’s banner.
This chaotic era that would surely gravitate towards dividing the world must have struck the common folks as an unexpected outcome.
For now, they were freed from the threats of both the Blood Sect and the Heavenly Demon Sect, which was a good thing.
But this isn’t the ending I wanted!
After the threat of the Blood Sect had been dealt with, it was precisely the right time for someone to start having such thoughts.
A celestial being of the Martial World?
All of them hailing from Sacheon, and the Brain Knife Outcast, a key figure, wasn’t the beloved traditional hero everyone would adore.
The guy who had stripped off the Black Rib and returned as an Outcast, pretending to be a Sacheon Outcast, and there were rumors that he dealt with Jeong Cheol after their encounter; too suspicious indeed, and his martial arts improved by leaps and bounds.
And he’d turned out to be related to the Blood Sect? Moreover, he was on good terms with the vile group of the Heavenly Demon Sect?
Above all, I was the one who had sent chills down the people’s spines while orchestrating the Heavenly Demon Sect’s invasion of the Central Plains!
In conclusion, I did eliminate the Blood Sect, but I was also the one who dealt a blow before offering a remedy, so I couldn’t comfortably be praised.
This isn’t the kind of heroic figure I wanted!
Thus, it was no surprise that someone might harbor such thoughts. No, not just someone; quite a few people who now praised me as a hero might also think like that.
The lumberjacks who showed no keen interest in the latest updates regarding the Brain Knife Outcast, just like my master, were probably among them.
And then.
“But, brother, is that rumor true?”
Those who showed such disinterest are precisely why I infiltrated this place and who I would target.
“What rumor are you talking about?”
“About Miss Geum Myeong-wol.”
“…Geum Myeong-wol?”
“Yes. The mysterious female expert Geum Myeong-wol who worked alongside the Brain Knife Outcast during the Mosan Great War.”
When I spoke as if it were natural for me to know the rumors, Park Dal frowned, perhaps feeling reluctant. I read his expression and feigned surprise.
“You hadn’t heard? I heard the rumor that Miss Geum Myeong-wol is from this very location, Suhyeon.”
“Huh…?”
Park Dal asked back, as if hearing that for the first time.
“No, is that really true?”
The response came not from my master but from the side. Someone who had seemed apathetic suddenly took the bait.
“I heard that Miss Geum Myeong-wol was a disciple from an elite sect on Mugyeongsan, isn’t that so?”
Another man jumped in enthusiastically.
“No way. Mugyeongsan isn’t that far from where you live, Park Dal! Is what that guy said true?”
As the lumberjacks’ eyes converged, Park Dal, with a startled expression, opened his mouth.
“W-Well… how would I know about the affairs of martial artists? But… it’s true that a young female expert lived on Mugyeongsan.”
“The rumors must be true, then!”
With Park Dal’s testimony, the lumberjacks began to get fired up.
Geum Myeong-wol, one of the Brain Knife Outcast’s entourage.
At most, they could only speculate she was relatively young from the eyewitness accounts of those from the Martial Forest Alliance, and while they presumed she had reached the Hwa-gyeong level, she possessed no martial arts techniques or even nicknames, being a mysterious figure!
And she hailing from their locality?
The interests that had seemingly vanished began to resurgen like a fountain.
“But wouldn’t it have been known earlier if such an expert lived here?”
“Oh come on, people are out there all over, hermits can be anywhere.”
“That’s true…?”
“Exactly! Didn’t Park Dal just say he saw her?”
“No…”
As the rumor of Geum Myeong-wol being from Suhyeon became an established truth in real-time, Park Dal, who had been inadvertently named as a witness to something unproven, attempted to speak urgently but was preempted by me.
“Wow! I knew it! It’s not only in Sacheon where notable figures may appear! It’s about time we produced someone from Suhyeon who represents all of Hubei in the Martial World!”
Emphasizing regional pride fanned the flames of excitement!
Like oil meeting fire, the lumberjacks responded with enthusiasm.
“That’s saying it straight! Miss Geum Myeong-wol is a true hero, isn’t she! Despite saving the world, she doesn’t pursue fame and hides her identity, embodying the moon that softly brightens the world!”
“That’s right! You’re spot on!”
“Great Hero Geum Myeong-wol is truly a saint of the Mosan Great War!”
With a few nudges from me, the lumber camp turned into a frenzy! The meal was already forgotten as those remaining only called out the name of Geum Myeong-wol.
“From Shanxi, the pride of Suhyeon, Great Hero Geum Myeong-wol!”
“Hold on! Since she’s a hermit from Mugyeongsan, how about we call her the Mugyeongsan Girl?”
“Oh no! To refer to a female expert as just a girl shows your poor naming skills!”
Now, they had even started crafting nicknames. Without a doubt, today, with this lumber camp as the starting point, a new title for Geum Myeong-wol would emerge from Hubei that would swiftly spread across the region.
During that process, the legitimacy of whether Geum Myeong-wol truly resided on Mugyeongsan would be debated, but it probably wouldn’t matter much.
The rumors I spread about Geum Myeong-wol were not entirely lies but rather a name I affixed onto a real figure that Wolbok-dang had revealed.
Like Park Dal mentioned, a young female expert with a physique similar to Hyeok Gi-rin had undergone training on Mugyeongsan, and it was also true that such a figure disappeared after the stir caused by the Blood Sect, so discerning the truth wouldn’t be easy.
By the time the truth was fully uncovered, Geum Myeong-wol would likely be basking in the favor of the people of Hubei with her new nickname.
“How about ‘Mugyeong’s Moon Maiden’?”
“That’s the best one so far!”
“Haha! Truly a stylish nickname worthy of our Suhyeon!”
How long had it been since they heard the rumors before donning expressions full of pride?
In their minds, Geum Myeong-wol had already become an indisputable resident of Hubei.
“I really wonder what expressions the people will have upon hearing that Great Hero Geum Myeong-wol hails from Hubei!”
Already, the lumberjacks were getting excited about the thought of bragging to people from other regions that the Mugyeongsan girl, Geum Myeong-wol, was from Hubei.
However, unfortunately for the lumberjacks dreaming of jealousy from people from other regions, that wouldn’t happen now.
At this very moment.
The members of the organization’s alumni receiving intel from Wolbok-dang are probably spreading rumors all over the country that “Geum Myeong-wol is also from my region!”
Operation Step 1.
The beginning of constructing our local Favorability Young Lady Martial Artist, Geum Myeong-wol!
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