0064 : Demon Subduing Hall
I decided not to specifically mention my contributions in subduing the Blue Demon Four Evils. I was instead filled with the eagerness to rapidly test my martial skills. Additionally, I asked Hyun Cheon Do-in to take credit for the subjugation.
“Haha, truly a chivalrous man!” Hyun Cheon Do-in praised me in admiration. However, I could only manage a faint smile. After all, it was a fact that I had slaughtered more than a hundred humans, and the thought of being praised for it struck me as absurd. Keeping such thoughts to myself, I bid farewell to Hyun Cheon Do-in and departed.
‘The blade is quite worn.’ It was only natural after severing over a hundred foes. No matter how much I reinforced my sword’s aura, it would inevitably suffer damage. I could feel that the edge of my sword was significantly dulled, so I decided to stop by Taegyeong Village again to purchase a new sword. In truth, it would have sufficed to simply sharpen the blade again, but since Ikhwang had given me ample funds, I opted to buy a new one without hesitation.
Swinging the new sword through the air, I felt a bit of joy welling within me.
Tap tap.
My steps toward Jo Byeok Village were light. The gloomy emotions that had long lingered in my heart had been largely washed away.
The tragedy had passed.
The realization that such a violent tragedy, which brought forth both intense despair and righteous indignation, had not occurred was refreshing and liberating. Although there was a twinge of disappointment that I hadn’t been able to prevent it by my own strength, I still felt good about the situation. My proactive involvement in the subjugation of the Blue Demon Four Evils was perhaps motivated by a desire to relish that feeling further.
Isn’t it finally time for me to live as I please?
With such thoughts, I couldn’t help but feel a sudden uplift in my spirits.
Of course, I would need to explore the reasons behind these feelings. My plan was to reach Jo Byeok Village, establish contact with the Black Night Gate, and after winning the sparring, I intended to visit Master Mangnyang. Surviving a fight against the notorious Black Night Gate would be a sufficient source of pride for me.
Days later, upon my arrival at Jo Byeok Village, I recalled the words of the village chief. ‘I was instructed to find a vagabond named Hangwangil in this village.’
I knew the best way to find a vagabond was to visit the taverns or gambling dens. Exhausted from the journey, I decided to settle into an inn for the day and would start my search the following day. While I was ordering dumplings and vegetable dishes at the inn, I suddenly was startled by something flying in through the inn door.
Swoosh!
“……?!”
At first glance, I almost swung my sword, but upon closer inspection, I realized that it was a white object made of paper. The paper bird flapped its wings and gracefully landed on the table where I was seated.
The paper bird seemed almost alive. Then, suddenly losing its strength, it flopped down as if it had reverted back to regular paper. I was momentarily stunned and watched the paper bird before reaching out to unfold it.
Inside was a letter written in familiar handwriting.
[It has been quite a long time since we first received the request.
Have you accomplished enough tasks?
I, Mangnyang, have conducted extensive research on the Divine Sword you brought. I believe I am now at a stage where I can properly inform you, hence I send this paper bird for contact. If you have the time, I hope you will come to visit me.
– Message from Mangnyang.]
“……”
I realized that this paper bird had been created through some kind of sorcery. It was likely a spell executed with Mangnyang’s own power. However, it was hard to believe that the Mangnyang I knew, who didn’t have an ounce of aptitude for sorcery, could wield such precise and sophisticated magic. It was clear that in the three years, he had somehow enhanced his skills in sorcery.
‘What should I do?’
I already had a good idea of how to establish contact with the Black Night Gate, so I could very well compete against them as early as tomorrow. But if I were to lose in that sparring and find myself unable to escape, I would have to start over from the beginning. Was it really worth the risk of hastily confronting the Black Night Gate?
However, it was also true that I desperately wanted to test my current strength. I pondered for quite some time and then shook my head.
“There’s no choice but to go after him.”
I had vowed not to seek out Mangnyang before accumulating sufficient strength, yet the information regarding the Seven Stars’ secret treasure was incredibly crucial at this moment. I thought it better to learn what I could, even at the risk of death. Moreover, I was curious about why Mangnyang, who could only use basic techniques in the art of transformation, was now able to perform advanced spells, and thus I had no choice but to pay him a visit.
Reluctantly, I decided to head back from Jo Byeok Village to Jinlang Valley where Mangnyang was. It felt akin to retracing my steps as a training dog, having nearly reached the destination only to go back. Nevertheless, I had no other option, so I hurriedly dashed down the mountain path once again.
Tap tap.
“… He’s back again…”
Days later, I found myself back in Taegyeong Village, exhaling a sigh. However, as I rested in the inn, I noticed that the townspeople were looking at me rather oddly. Perplexed, I scanned the surroundings when one of them approached cautiously and asked,
“Are you, by any chance, the hero who recently subdued the Blue Demon Four Evils?”
“……?”
“Your features and appearance match too closely… If it is indeed you, our Hua Clan would like to welcome you.”
I realized that word of my deed in slaying the Blue Demon Four Evils had spread. I guessed the source of it must have been Hyun Cheon Do-in. I had simply asked him to take the credit for our achievement, but from a sense of conscience, it appeared he had relayed that I played a part in it to the world.
‘Ugh… What an unnecessary act.’
I was baffled by Hyun Cheon Do-in’s misplaced generosity. Others were eager to build their own reputations; why was he so adamant about sharing it with me? In any case, I was not particularly thrilled about my current situation, so I shook my head.
“I’m not that remarkable a person, and I still have a long way to go. I’ll see you next time.”
“Ah… but…”
At that moment,
“Ah! You’re here after all.”
As I turned my head, there stood an extraordinarily beautiful woman resembling a cat, accompanied by several attendants at the entrance of the inn. Seeing the commotion around her, it was evident that her status was quite high. Recognizing her face, I had no choice but to bow and greet her.
“Hello.”
“I never expected that you would truly subdue the Blue Demon Four Evils. To think that the young hero Baek-ung had such exceptional martial prowess.”
“It’s unrelated to me, Lady Hua Lian.”
She was Hua Lian, a lady from the Hua Clan.
She smiled gently and said,
“That can’t be true, can it? Hyun Cheon Do-in has widely spoken about the young hero who fought alongside him in this area. Currently, both the officials and the people here are discussing your deeds.”
“……”
“Even if you are busy on your way, I sincerely hope you can stop by the Hua Clan for at least a day. The Blue Demon Four Evils were a significant headache for us, blocking the trade routes in the village, and we owe you a great debt of gratitude. If this debt goes unacknowledged, the world will mock our Hua Clan, so I implore you.”
Hua Lian’s words were tidy and polite. Moreover, given the curious gazes around us, leaving hastily wouldn’t be advisable.
‘Ugh… If the word has spread this far, they might also find out that I’m from the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School. If rumors spread that my actions have brought shame upon the school’s reputation…’
Ikhwang had been distancing himself from me, staying watchful for the time being. Although he recognized me as a successor and was teaching me his techniques, there was a risk he could stop my training immediately if I caused any significant issues. Unlike before, my pursuit of strength had become a serious goal, and carrying the weight of ‘honor’ wasn’t something I could take lightly.
With no other choice, I nodded.
“Understood.”
I followed Hua Lian and her attendants toward the Hua Clan. The reason they didn’t refer to themselves as a prominent family was that their members had no direct ties to the martial world, nor did they possess martial arts skills. They were a clan that ruled Taegyeong Village solely through their financial power.
A short while later, I had the opportunity to meet Hua Zongtaek, the head of the Hua Clan. Upon seeing me, he greeted me with a broad smile.
“Oh! Young hero Baek-ung, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve wanted to see you!”
Surrounding Hua Zongtaek were over a dozen servants and aides standing with respectful postures. While it seemed they were attempting to display their familial dignity and might, it appeared quite ridiculous to me. After all, I had seen countless grand displays of authority while traveling through places like Luoyang and beyond.
What surprised me most was that I recognized Hua Zongtaek’s face.
‘… He’s the fanatic I beheaded during my first infiltration.’
That same fanatic, holding onto a woman’s head in a most grotesque manner! At the time, I had no reason to distinguish between the fanatics, so I hadn’t given it much thought, but now the memory came rushing back. It was clear that Hua Zongtaek had already been infected with madness and had been wandering this estate as a fanatic.
Hua Zongtaek, mistaking my startled expression for astonishment at his authority, chuckled heartily.
“Haha! Thanks to you, the trade routes are once again open, and I haven’t suffered great losses. To say the least, the profits have been around five hundred taels of silver, how could I not be grateful? I’ll ensure you receive treatment proportionate to that contribution!”
“Ah… I appreciate your words, but I have urgent matters and cannot stay long.”
“Hmm, how unfortunate… Nonetheless, for today, allow our Hua Clan to host the young hero, haha!”
“Yes…”
“Come, bring Baek-ung inside.”
As I entered, a lavish feast had already been prepared. A plethora of extravagant dishes filled the ample table, enough to break its legs. There were chicken dishes, duck dishes, goat dishes, and even high-end delectables I had seen in Luoyang. It would not be an exaggeration to say that I had never had such a grand meal in my life.
“Please eat well. For this day, we have specially invited renowned chefs from Luoyang.”
“Well, if you insist…”
I awkwardly settled down and slowly started to eat. Each dish, clearly made by a skilled chef, was exquisite and delicious. Having not enjoyed fine meals during my travels, I found joy in the food. While I was gnawing on a duck leg, Hua Zongtaek struck up a conversation.
“You look quite young. How do you possess such remarkable martial skills?”
“It’s just luck.”
“Haha, such humility… Defeating the hundreds of bandits under the Blue Demon Four Evils is no ordinary feat.”
“It was all the work of Hyun Cheon Do-in.”
Nodding politely, I concentrated on enjoying my food. Since they were graciously hosting me, there was no reason to refuse their hospitality. I intended to eat well and leave. Suddenly, I recalled something and asked while holding the duck leg.
“I have a question. Have you heard any rumors about suspicious groups or cults in this area over the last three years?”
Hua Zongtaek tilted his head.
“Hmm… not particularly…”
“Was there anything unusual at all?”
“Hmm…”
Hua Zongtaek contemplated seriously before snapping his fingers as if he had recalled something.
“Oh! Now that you mention it, the members of the Golden Eagle Guard stayed here for a while.”
“……!!”
They did?! I set down the duck leg and urged him hurriedly,
“Please tell me more about that!”
“It was about three years ago. The members of the Golden Eagle Guard came out from the palace for an investigation and stayed here for about seven weeks. There was no way to refuse them, so I had to entertain them.”
“What kind of investigation was it?”
“I’m not quite sure, but I vaguely heard that they were looking for ruins. Perhaps they didn’t find anything significant, as they just left afterwards.”
“What kind of ruins?”
“I don’t know much. The person leading the Golden Eagle Guard only shared a few words with me to convince me. It seemed they had come to this land specifically to search for that from the beginning.”
Ruins.
I had a feeling that it might somehow be connected to the Seven Stars. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense for the Golden Eagle Guard, who had to secretly conduct activities for a sorcerer, to openly appear in the village. I thought to myself that it was fortunate I was invited to this meal and opened my mouth.
“I see. Thank you for sharing.”
“Haha… Do you wish to join the Golden Eagle Guard? It seems that many young martial artists dream of joining them.”
“I’m not particularly interested in that right now.”
I casually changed the subject as we engaged in small talk. I continued to have dinner with Hua Zongtaek for a little over one meal before heading to the bedroom that had been prepared for me. The servants had heated water, allowing me to take a bath as well.
As I lay down in the bedroom, trying to fall asleep, about half an hour passed.
“……?”
I sensed a delicate figure entering the bedroom. Although it was dark, my heightened senses easily detected this fact. Curious about what was happening, I propped myself up, and as the figure approached, it touched my chest and said,
“Please remain still.”
“Lady Hua Lian?”
That voice belonged to Hua Lian. She seemed to have entered the dim room wearing a thin garment like a scrap of cloth. Recognizing her voice, I felt a wave of surprise.
Her intentions were clear, so as she pushed against my upper body and slowly climbed onto the bed, I spoke up.
“I’m just a guest; there’s no need for the esteemed lady of this house to do such a thing.”
In truth, I didn’t feel good about this; I was rather flustered. I worried that getting entangled in an unusual situation could derail my future plans. Hua Lian paused for a moment before responding in a self-deprecating tone.
“I’m not the esteemed lady; I’m Hua Zongtaek’s fifth concubine.”
“What?”
“It’s not unusual for someone with wealth and power to have multiple consorts. I’m just here to participate in such matters.”
“Ssss…”
“Let’s enjoy this day together…”
Hua Lian’s soft skin lightly settled on my body. I thought that if I surrendered myself to her, it would undoubtedly be a pleasurable experience. She was an extraordinary beauty, so this was a fortunate opportunity for me. Moreover, from her words, it seemed almost certain that this was orchestrated by Hua Zongtaek!
However, I began to feel that this was not quite right. So, I gently pushed her shoulder and sat up. Seeing the surprised look on her face, I calmly said,
“I’m not particularly fond of such things.”
“What do you mean? Even the master approved of this…”
“It’s not because I’m impotent or incapable.”
“Then?”
I firmly replied,
“I’m currently focused on a critical matter, and I can’t afford to be distracted. It’s hard enough for me to gather my own resolve without accepting someone else into my heart.”
“Are you saying I’m unattractive?”
“Not at all. I simply don’t want to be unhappy any longer.”
I understood all too well what would happen if I became entangled with Hua Lian. It wouldn’t simply be a one-night relationship that could be brushed off. Even in death, if I were to reincarnate, I would undoubtedly remember Hua Lian every time I passed through Taegyeong Village.
And if another tragedy were to occur, my mental strength could very well be depleted. The guilt of not being able to protect those who fell victim to such tragedies could multiply exponentially.
Ultimately, I was rejecting the idea of sharing a bed with her for an extremely selfish reason. Although Hua Lian was unaware of all the details, it seemed she sensed my feelings through her instincts as a woman. She wore a somewhat sad expression and shook her head.
“You refuse to let others into your heart.”
“I won’t ask for your understanding; this is my life.”
“Hmm… I’d like to strongly assert that my life is my own as well.”
With a lonely smile, Hua Lian stood up from the bed. As she headed for the door, she said,
“I’m sorry for the disturbance. Please rest well…”
After Hua Lian left, I continued practicing my internal energy until I finally dozed off.
Though I felt a slight regret, I decided not to dwell on my choice.
There had been too many instances where I had ruined significant matters by succumbing to short-term pleasures, so I resolved to proceed with caution, step by step.
The next day, I received an unexpected gift from Hua Zongtaek.
“What is this?”
The gift was a statue of a phoenix made of silver ingots. Hua Zongtaek, looking somewhat embarrassed, said,
“I heard you declined Hua Lian. I felt I might have been rude to you, so I spent the night pondering what to do and decided to give you a family heirloom.”
“A family heirloom?”
“Yes. It was something obtained when my ancestors settled in Taegyeong Village. They said it was a treasure created in a far eastern land. Though I cherish this statue, I want to give it as a token of apology for my rudeness.”
“……”
To give a woman and then offer a treasure to make amends? At first glance, Hua Zongtaek seemed like a very generous and open man, but I knew from my long life experience that such was not the case.
If I had spent a night with Hua Lian, he might have used it as leverage to bind me to Taegyeong Village through familial ties. Furthermore, when my reputation rose in the martial world upon receiving this gift, he could use it to promote his own clan. Everything seemed to be a meticulous calculation.
However, I chose not to refuse it. I felt that this heirloom had a unique origin and might provide unexpected information if I showed it to Master Mangnyang.
“I shall gladly accept it.”
“Haha… Well then, safe travels.”
After parting with Hua Zongtaek, I immediately headed toward Jinlang Valley.
Thud thud
‘It’s been quite some time. It’s almost been two months since I left the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School.’
My master, Lee Gwang, had given me a deadline of six months. While I still had plenty of time, I felt an unnecessary urgency. There were many things I needed to do, especially since I wanted to gain as much practical experience as possible before fighting the Black Night Gate.
When I arrived at Jinlang Valley and was about to climb the stairs to Master Mangnyang’s house, I suddenly felt something was off.
Whoooosh—
“… What?!”
Until then, I had been flowing through the area with the elusive power of Manggunjin, but now I felt it shaking strangely. My senses were disturbed, and illusions flickered throughout the steps. I calmly focused my internal energy to counteract the effects of Manggunjin, but I was greatly surprised.
‘The power of Manggunjin has increased severalfold!’
If I hadn’t been training to raise my available internal energy during that time, I would surely have fallen into an illusion right there. Feeling a mix of astonishment and curiosity, I ascended to Mangnyang’s thatched cottage.
Whooosh
“It’s been a while, Baek Ung!”
At that moment, Mangnyang appeared with Heukun, as if he had teleported right there. It was undoubtedly not just basic black cloud technique, but rather a high-level technique. I asked in surprise,
“What happened?”
“Hahaha… I must first thank you. I was originally someone who could hardly use techniques, but because of you, I’ve mastered up to mid-level techniques and stepped into advanced levels. The paper bird I sent you was a mid-level technique.”
Mangnyang’s face was brimming with vitality and looked much brighter than before. His previous free-spirited demeanor now seemed lively, in stark contrast to the gloominess that had once surrounded him. He appeared to be enjoying life so much that he could hardly contain himself.
Curious, I asked,
“What happened? Please tell me the details.”
“Of course. Have a seat. I will explain in detail that I have completed your request.”
Clink
As I sat on the bench, Mangnyang drew out the Divine Sword he had at his waist. That sword was a treasure I had obtained after avoiding spiders at the ruins hidden in the Huangshan Pond. It was also the item I had entrusted to Mangnyang around three years ago for the interpretation of the Oracle Bone Script.
Mangnyang aimed the Divine Sword horizontally and said,
“You truly are full of cunning.”
“What do you mean?”
“Why didn’t you tell me that I would need internal energy to recall this Oracle Bone Script? Because of that, I had to struggle for a while and unwittingly train in martial arts that weren’t in my destiny.”
Zing!
“……!!”
Suddenly, a golden light emanated from the Divine Sword that Mangnyang was holding, revealing the engraved characters of the Oracle Bone Script. Those characters only appeared with enough internal energy, indicating that Mangnyang had accumulated a significant amount of internal power during that time. I exclaimed in surprise,
“What martial arts have you trained in?”
“I practiced the Twelve Heavens Sutra alongside the Taeeul Divine Art. Additionally, I even created potions for internal energy enhancement through alchemy to speed up the process. So, it took just a year before I could see the Oracle Bone Script.”
“Hmm…!!”
I was astounded. Currently, Mangnyang’s level of internal energy had surpassed that of ordinary second or third-rate martial artists and was nearing first-rate mastery. To have accumulated this much internal power in just three years was nothing short of extraordinary. It seemed Mangnyang didn’t want to dwell on that topic anymore, so he began discussing the Oracle Bone Script.
“This Oracle Bone Script was written during the Yin Dynasty.”
Yin!
Also known as the Shang, it was an ancient state. It is sometimes collectively referred to as Yin-Shang. The Yin served as the last capital of the Shang Dynasty during the reigns of Pan Geng to Di Xin, known during its time by the names Yi or Da-eup Shang. The term for merchants and commerce, Shang, comes from the name of this nation and is derived from the merchants of the Shang people who wandered about after losing their country.
As I recalled my knowledge of the Yin Dynasty, Mangnyang continued speaking.
“As you know, the Yin Dynasty was founded by Cheng Tang, who defeated the last king of the legendary first dynasty, the Xia. This Oracle Bone Script was written during the era of Tang Wang, the founding ancestor of the Yin Dynasty, and it seems the Divine Sword was also created during that time.”
“During Tang Wang’s era…”
“The content of the Oracle Bone Script is as follows:
[I offer sacrifices to the heavens.
I will cut off the tortoise’s head and limbs to present to the heavens.
The deity rejoices.
Oh, Three Sovereigns, Oh, Five Emperors, grant your blessings.
As a result, I received the essence of the Seven Stars.]”
I tilted my head in confusion as I couldn’t understand the content of the Oracle Bone Script that Mangnyang explained. While I understood it related to ancient rituals, I didn’t see how the Three Sovereigns, Five Emperors, and the Seven Stars were connected. However, as soon as I recalled the history of the Seven Stars’ secret treasure I had heard from Hyun Cheon Do-in, everything began to make sense in my mind.
To aid my thoughts, Mangnyang continued,
“The true name of this sword is the Divine Sword that symbolizes Water Star among the Seven Stars—”
As he continued, my eyes widened.
“It is named Moya.”
—================= Author’s Notes =================—
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