Chapter: 909
“Where have you been?”
As morning transitioned into noon, I asked the late-arriving Cheonma.
“Out for a walk.”
I frowned at the simple answer.
“You spent the whole day walking?”
“Yeah.”
“Where exactly did you go?”
“Around here.”
“Wow, what a fantastic answer!”
Honestly, it would have been better if he just said he didn’t want to answer. I felt an urge to sigh, but I managed to hold it back.
‘It doesn’t really matter anyway.’
No matter where this guy goes, whether he vanishes completely or not, it’s all the same to me.
In fact, it might be better if he just disappeared; I mean, why should I care?
“Tsk.”
I clicked my tongue briefly and started moving. As I walked, Cheonma quietly followed. I wanted to tell him to buzz off, but I decided to ignore him instead.
I looked up at the sky as I moved.
The purplish sky still felt very foreign to me. And then there’s the thought…
‘Hmm…’
I was trying to determine that it was noon by seeing the sun’s position, yet something felt off.
‘Time is weird.’
It felt like noon should’ve passed a while ago, and the sun should be setting, yet it was still shining bright.
‘Is this a trick of the mind?’
Am I just feeling like time is moving slowly, or is it something else? I just had this weird hunch.
‘Days are different here from the Central Plains.’
That seemed like the right way to see it. But if that’s the case, how is it even possible? From the start.
‘The essence of time itself is already different; why should I even worry about it?’
The situation I found myself in was a catastrophic mess.
Thud!
Thud-thud!
The training sounds of shouting had echoed since morning, which meant that, even after so much time had passed, the enthusiasm for training hadn’t died down.
I glanced over at them and continued walking.
‘Martial Artists, huh.’
People wielding wooden swords and showcasing fierce spirits. They all looked different, yet their forms were those of martial artists.
Beings from another world.
And yet, they were using the martial arts of the Central Plains.
The strange feeling of alienation was indescribable.
Is it a matter of prejudice? Or…
‘Am I incapable of accepting this?’
I scratched my neck.
An incomprehensible emotion flitted through my mind. I tried to push the thought away while quickening my pace.
“Nice to meet you.”
Suddenly, someone appeared in front of me, blocking my path.
I wasn’t particularly startled. I figured they must have been watching me the entire time.
“Yes.”
I gave a short reply, but the woman didn’t erase her smile.
My gaze instinctively turned to her ears.
They were like those of a Gubong. She had the ears and tail of a beast.
The difference is that he resembled a wolf or dog, while she seemed closer to a cat.
I examined her and asked.
“Who are you?”
“I am Seol Yeong, the first disciple in charge of training the current three disciples.”
“Oh great, another big shot.”
I narrowed my eyes without meaning to. The last encounter with Gubong… or rather, the thrashing I received swam back to my memory.
Seeing my expression, Seol Yeong waved her hands hurriedly.
“Oh, I’m not like that dumb guy, Gubong, so don’t worry.”
Eager to clarify, she began explaining herself as if she could sense the tension.
“The priest was originally very jealous and a bit clueless. I knew he was going to get into trouble.”
Seeing her nodding like that made me almost laugh.
It was the kind of attitude someone has after experiencing a lot.
“There’s no need to mess with me… If he just lies around, I have to do all the rest of the work.”
“Should I apologize?”
“Oh, I’ve said nothing to you. It’s just that guy frustrates me a bit. I’m beginning to wonder if he really has to live like that.”
Her expression was genuinely filled with frustration.
Looking at her, it didn’t seem like she was here to pick a fight with me.
“So, if you’re not here to argue, why did you come find me?”
If it wasn’t to complain, then it surely wasn’t to just lament either. So, what was her purpose?
I quickly probed her to get to the meat of the matter, and her eyes widened slightly.
“I heard about you. It’s definitely true.”
“What do you mean?”
“Dodong said the noble person resembles Jang Moon-in.”
“…Who the heck is that?”
What kind of guy casually says something so outrageous?
I should just bring him in and break his limbs right away.
“Um… He’s the gatekeeper of the castle. Don’t you remember?”
“Oh.”
Are we talking about that little old man? I understood the description.
That gentleman’s name was Dodong, huh?
‘Just you wait till I see you again.’
I had no plans to let him off easy.
“Ha ha…”
Realizing something was off about my reaction, Seol Yeong awkwardly laughed.
Seeing her like that compelled me to furrow my brows. I couldn’t help but feel annoyed after hearing that whole exchange.
“So what’s your business?”
The tone of my voice naturally turned sharp.
It had never been friendly to begin with, and whatever small sweetness that had existed just vanished.
“No… It’s nothing major… I heard you easily beat Gubong.”
“Yes. Why? Do you want to fight me too?”
“Uh? No? I don’t really enjoy getting hit.”
“…”
What does ‘I don’t enjoy getting hit’ mean? Does that mean Gubong actually enjoys it or what?
That was a piece of information I absolutely did not want to know.
“Then what…?”
“Ah, it’s nothing to worry about.”
Seol Yeong cautiously explained.
“I was just educating my students… I wanted to provide them with a fresh experience, something different.”
“So?”
“Since they only train here every day, they have no other experiences… If possible, I hope you can give the kids a taste of a new world…”
Once I heard that, I realized what she was asking of me.
So basically.
“Are you telling me to be a spectacle in front of your students?”
“It’s more like a martial arts demonstration than a spectacle…?”
“I don’t want to.”
I directly walked past Seol Yeong. I was already too busy for such nonsense.
“Ah! Just a moment!”
Seol Yeong followed me.
“But for the sake of the buds that are growing, can’t you do it just once?”
“Yes. Not even once.”
“No, but still… . Can you consider it with your generous heart… .”
“My tolerance isn’t broad. It’s narrow and very narrow.”
“Hey! That’s just your perception. If you want to widen it, you can.”
“…”
I stopped walking and stared at Seol Yeong.
“Ugh.”
She flinched upon seeing my expression.
My face was probably filled with annoyance.
“Why do you keep being a bother? I told you I don’t want to.”
“Ha ha ha…”
“Do I look easy? You think I go around hearing people tell me I have a good temperament?”
“Yes. You certainly seem to have that vibe.”
“What?”
“No, just a joke. Hahahaha…”
What the heck is wrong with this one?
I’ve barely ever encountered a personality like this.
After the way I treated her, she should’ve backed off, but she’s really persistent. Ah, what should I do?
‘Should I just hit her?’
Should I just smack her down? That crossed my mind.
“I’m not one for getting hit, you know.”
She casually chimed in.
“…Are you good at reading minds?”
“No, just had a feeling… Was I right?”
“You’re quite perceptive.”
“Thank you for the compliment. I hear it sometimes.”
“But if you keep acting this way, you should know how I’ll respond, right?”
“…”
Seol Yeong took a half-step back.
As expected, she seemed to have a decent grasp on things.
However, it didn’t seem she would easily back down.
Since I couldn’t really hit her to make her leave, I sighed and went with another approach.
“No matter how much you plead, I can’t just do as I like. Please at least get permission.”
“Permission?”
“Yes. If you can get the old man you call Jang Moon-in to say it’s okay, then I might consider…”
“Oh, I already got that.”
“…What?”
I furrowed my brows.
What did you say?
“I got it.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Yes. Of course, I first asked Jang Moon-in.”
“…What on Earth did that crazy old man say?”
“He said to do whatever you want.”
“…”
I instinctively rubbed my temples.
He’s definitely not a sane individual.
Just a moment ago, he said he was super busy; when on earth did he give you permission for something like this? Growing suspicious, I turned back to Seol Yeong.
“…Is this for real?”
I wondered if she was just trying to sweet-talk me. That’s what I was asking about her.
“Oh, he did say you would definitely say that.”
“…”
“Then you told me to respond like this.”
“…What did you say?”
“He said, ‘Since you’re just going to come in and do nothing but sleep, eat, and waste food, stop whining and just do your job, you rotten brat.’”
“…”
When she repeated that, her expression seemed a bit absurd.
‘…Holy crap.’
There was no denying that those words struck too close to home.
“Sigh…”
A sigh escaped my lips.
I had enough worries piling up as it was.
I’m so swamped trying to find a way back to the Central Plains already, and now this? You want me to help train your disciples?
‘Are you out of your mind?’
You’re telling me to not step out of line yet you get to vanish and send me off with this?
“…This old man is really.”
My temper flared up. I was tempted to just throw my hands up and leave.
While I pondered that for a moment.
“Oh.”
A thought suddenly popped into my head.
“Your Majesty?”
“Let’s go.”
“Yes?”
“Let’s go. We’re doing this.”
“Suddenly?”
“Yes.”
Seeing me suddenly accepting after resisting before startled Seol Yeong.
But I was being serious.
Even as I felt a bit elated and smiled, Seol Yeong’s eyes twitched slightly.
“This could be fun. Let’s see what happens.”
“…Huh?”
Seol Yeong’s response was getting stranger, but I was being sincere.
‘I’m in for this.’
You dare ask me to take this on? A warm sense of excitement began to enfold me.
I had already told Seol Yeong earlier.
‘You will regret this.’ My tolerance was extremely narrow and very mean.
*
I moved along the path.
The location we arrived at was where shouts echoed from morning until night.
“Instructor!”
The moment Seol Yeong stepped in, those swinging their wooden swords inside halted and approached us with bright smiles.
“Have you eaten lunch?”
“Yes!”
That was quite the loud response.
The visible ages were all different.
Some looked barely in their early teens; others seemed just past their early twenties.
Seol Yeong smiled at them, then shifted her gaze towards me.
“Everyone, please greet the noble person brought here by the long-serving man.”
“Hello-!”
The clothes they wore resembled those of the Volcano Sect from the Central Plains.
‘Did they really make those?’
It seems they were crafted from the remnants of memories that Shin Noya retained.
How did they even manage to recreate something like this?
‘It seems that old man didn’t waste his time for over a hundred years.’
I was slightly concerned before, but it looked like there was no need for that.
Looking at the three great disciples one by one, I spoke to Seol Yeong.
“So, uh… how should I address you? Miss Seol?”
As I pondered on what to call her, Seol Yeong chuckled softly.
“You can just call me Seol Yeong. You are a guest of Jang Moon-in.”
“Okay, Seol Yeong.”
“No, I didn’t mean to say you can drop formalities….”
“The instructor asked me to show you something, so I came. He thought it would be helpful for your training.”
I completely ignored Seol Yeong’s words and stepped forward.
As I spoke, I casually glanced back.
I was curious where Cheonma had gone, but she had already squatted down in the shade of a nearby tree.
After confirming her location, I turned my attention back to the disciples.
And then…
Whoosh!
I enveloped my hands with azure flames.
“Wow….”
“Oh….”
I started by wrapping fire around my body, beginning with my hands.
As the flames spread throughout my body, the children’s reactions became increasingly clearer.
“Wow….”
Seol Yeong looked just as amazed as they did, her eyes wide in surprise at my flames.
It was evident that they were witnessing something they’d never seen before.
Ironically, I found their appearances far more fascinating.
I observed their excitement and couldn’t help but chuckle.
“What I can show you are these sorts of things.”
If I had to say, I could make it much more extravagant, but I refrained from mentioning that.
Snap!
The flames vanished in an instant.
Then, the watching crowd’s eyes brimmed with disappointment.
They seemed eager for more, yet I thought to myself.
‘Don’t worry, I’ll show you plenty.’
With a hand that extinguished the flames, I dusted off my chest as if to grab their attention for the next topic.
“I think it would be better to do something more productive rather than just this.”
“More productive?”
I smiled at Seol Yeong’s question.
“Yes. Since it’s training anyway, wouldn’t it be better to let you experience it rather than just watching?”
“Yes? What do you mean?”
“Shall we try some sparring?”
“Your Majesty, that….”
Right at that moment, Seol Yeong reacted in confusion.
Hah…
I heard an awkward laugh nearby. I turned to find a particularly large guy among the crowd.
Upon locking eyes with him, he wore a disappointed expression.
Good.
‘As expected.’
Yeah, no matter how different the world is, there always seems to be a guy like that. I honestly anticipated meeting someone like him.
I looked at the guy and asked, “Why are you laughing?”
When I specifically addressed him, he seemed momentarily taken aback.
But having some pride, he pushed through the crowd and approached me.
Getting closer made him feel even bigger. He towered over me—hey, he was even taller than my father!
Almost like a bear… or is he a bear?
‘Speaking of which, his ears….’
They looked very much like those of a bear!
“Huh-! Senior!”
“That guy is starting again…!”
As soon as the guy stepped forth, the three great disciples were already moaning.
He appeared to have quite the fiery temperament.
But.
“I apologize.”
Suddenly, the guy stepped up to me and offered his hand.
Was he feeling guilty? I felt slightly disappointed at that.
“Even if you’re noble, your words just puzzled me.”
Fortunately, he didn’t seem to hold a grudge.
“Puzzled? About what?”
“Because you don’t really seem qualified to be sparring with us.”
“Oh.”
I felt impressed that this guy was blunt enough to say that out loud.
“Hey! You…!”
Seol Yeong promptly tried to intervene. I blocked her with my hand.
I figured this means:
‘They clearly don’t realize I crushed that Gubong guy.’
I took note of this and smiled broadly at the guy named Do-woong.
“Qualifications? You think I don’t have any?”
“It’s more that….”
He surveyed me up and down.
“I just don’t believe it.”
“Hmmm.”
I heard someone say my face seemed a little ferocious, but I guess I come across as youthful by comparison.
By nature, I was still fairly young anyway.
I sometimes get treated like this, and every time feels refreshing and fun.
‘Also, I somewhat deliberately concealed my energy.’
But that was their blind spot; let’s move past it.
“So, you’re saying I look too weak to teach something?”
“It’s not quite like that, but….”
“Are you telling me to just flap my arms and light some sparks? Is that the idea?”
“Well, I didn’t say anything quite that harsh….”
“Alright. The idea of qualifications sounds nice.”
I slightly released my wrist, making an exceptionally loud sound.
“Your Majesty… Just a moment…”
As the atmosphere became strange, she quickly approached me.
I glanced at her and replied, “Jang Moon-in gave his permission. He told me to do something about the food. I’m just here to fulfill that, so be quiet.”
“But….”
“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen.”
“…”
Seol Yeong took a small gulp at my words and retreated.
“Qualifications. I have to demonstrate how to show that…”
After pondering for a brief moment, I then spoke to the guy called Do-woong.
“Alright, how about we make a bet?”
“A bet?”
“If you can closely rush me and just touch my collar once… I’ll get the Jang Moon-in here to grant you a wish.”
“…!”
Do-woong’s eyes widened in astonishment.
As soon as I made that bet, everyone’s gazes shifted towards me.
It seemed that the old man was in a much better position than I thought.
“What do you say?”
“…You’re saying you can do that?”
“Why are you already thinking about that?”
I waved my hand playfully.
“Only start worrying about it once you get close to me. It won’t happen anyway.”
“…!”
Scratching his pride, his expression twisted awkwardly.
Looking at his face, I asked, “Are you going to do it?”
Instead of responding, he made a gesture of respect.
“The Third Disciple of Volcano, Do-woong.”
The rougher persona he had a moment ago vanished, replaced with a thoroughly proper demeanor.
I eyed him with intrigue. I could sense that Noya’s conviction resided within that attitude.
“Guyangcheon from Shanxi.”
I went along with that too.
As soon as the formalities concluded, Do-woong immediately placed his hand on his sword.
“Don’t regret this.”
Instantly, the three great disciples distanced themselves due to Do-woong’s action.
I didn’t budge, merely scrutinizing the guy’s physique.
He was solidly built.
The moment he got into position, his muscles reacted. Especially his lower body, which felt solid. Judging merely by that, he was on par with Dangdeok.
‘The level of the three great disciples is way too high?’
The three great disciples of the Central Plains typically peak at merely second-rate skill, at best reaching first-rate standards.
Even during my first encounter, aside from Yeongpung, the rest were fairly equivalent.
‘This place is so different, like, completely off the charts.’
Like the Gubong from yesterday, he also seems much stronger here than in the Central Plains.
This is—
‘Is this the effect of Noya’s teachings? Or…’
Are they simply beyond human?
Contemplating that, I loosened my fingers.
“Take your stance properly.”
Do-woong faced me and asserted that. I didn’t bother to hide my grin.
“If needed.”
“…”
At my words, Do-woong’s thick eyebrows twitched sharply. Seeing that, I decided to chime in beforehand.
“Oh, just for your reference…”
He paused for a beat.
“Just yesterday, a guy who was careless and showed off got pummeled by me. So, take it seriously. Pay attention to the situation.”
“…”
The dude just frowned at my remark but provided no response. He just tightened his grip around the hilt.
Watching that, I glanced over to Seol Yeong.
Having realized what I was after, she called out urgently.
“Ah! U, um… let’s begin.”
Her hand waved up.
“Start!”
As her finger pointed down, the slender tip directed towards the ground.
Thud.
Just like that.
Swish!
In the split second before the sword could slip out of its sheath.
Thud!
“…Huh?”
For some reason, the blade couldn’t be drawn. It felt as if it were stuck.
What’s going on? Do-woong seemed truly startled.
“I warned you.”
“…!”
He quickly lifted his head.
The distance that had been far before had now closed right in front of him.
I firmly held the end of his sword hilt, ensuring he couldn’t pull it out.
And like that.
Thud!
“Ugh!?”
I pressed down on his knee joints, forcing him to bow forward.
“See? There’s no need to worry, is there?”
And then I delivered a punch to the face of that crumbling guy.
Bang!
“Break.”
With a short thud, the man’s considerable body crunched down onto the ground.
Thunk. I quickly dodged as he slumped helplessly down.
In the rise of dust…
That was how the sparring match ended.
“…”
“…Huh?”
The onlookers wore blank expressions.
They seemed oblivious to whatever had just unfolded!
An uneasy silence prevailed.
Then, amid the quiet…
“…”
Seol Yeong stared at me in sheer shock as she spoke.
—I thought you assured me nothing would happen.
Her widely-dilated eyes were full of dread.
Seeing her face, I gave her a look.
—Do you actually believe that?
“…No way!”
“Okay then.”
Ignoring Seol Yeong’s efforts to make a fuss, I turned my gaze to the other disciples present and said, “Next!”
Naturally, no one stepped up.
Ah, of course.
I’m not one to just sit back and let things slide without actively participating.
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