Chapter 103: Chapter 103
“Did your affair go well, Anon?”
The woman looking at Jang Geon shifted her gaze to Anon and asked in natural Central Plains speech. At that, Anon’s expression darkened.
“···Rakka died.”
“Died?”
“Rakka burned Gang Sik alive as a sacrifice to Baal. He intended to build an altar in the warehouse to gain Baal’s favor and spread his faith in this city.”
Hearing that, Captain Kurten narrowed her eyes slightly. Receiving her gaze, Anon continued awkwardly:
“He drew weapons on me and Jang Geon as well··· We couldn’t help it.”
“···I see.”
Captain Kurten answered calmly and slowly nodded. Watching her, Anon asked with a surprised face:
“Aren’t you surprised?”
“I am surprised. Surprised that he had such power, and surprised that he held such dangerous thoughts. But I’m not surprised that he died. Sacrificing a human live is an act that defies human reason. If he committed such an atrocity, he was bound to pay the price sooner or later. It just happened a bit earlier than expected.”
Hearing her calm words, Anon could only offer a bitter smile.
“I··· was just feeling a bit tragic. Even so, I thought of him as a brother who ate, slept, and shared life with us for a year···”
“If you feel tragic over that much, you’d better get used to it. No matter when or where you disembark, as long as you hold the title of first mate, it’s something you will experience quite often. Now then, will you introduce the friend beside you? He doesn’t seem to be a new crew member.”
Anon finally remembered Jang Geon standing beside him and prepared to introduce him. But before he could, Jang Geon spoke first.
“Why do you think I am not a new crew member?”
The faint smile on her face deepened and grew richer at Jang Geon’s question. She looked at Jang Geon as if he was extremely interesting.
“Well··· those who set sail into the vast ocean without a clear destination usually fall into two categories: those fleeing their past, or those brimming with curiosity about a new world. But you don’t look like someone running from anything··· and even now, you seem to be living a life that is plenty new and thrilling. In that case, you didn’t come with the intention of becoming my crewman. If everything I’ve said so far is wrong and you came to join the crew, I would tell you to reconsider. You would only be miserable boarding this ship.”
Jang Geon wore a smile similar to the woman’s.
“I heard you perform magic. Can you discern such things even upon a first meeting?”
“It’s simply looking clearly. Even that is a knack I can only perform atop this ship. And merely looking won’t tell me your name.”
At those words, Jang Geon gave a light tilt of his head and answered:
“I am Jang Geon.”
“Kurten. Kurten Basna. A traveler and seeker of knowledge who reached this Gamsan City via Hawaii, starting from the Mediterranean of Rome through Africa, Arabia, India, and across the Han Empire. Pleasure to meet you.”
“Pleasure to meet you as well.”
Captain Kurten gave a slight bow in return to Jang Geon, then leaned back against her chair and continued:
“So, what brings you to my ship?”
Faced with the question, Jang Geon naturally looked at Anon. It was Anon who had insisted on explaining the situation to the captain and securing a gift for him. Anon, who had been watching their conversation, snapped back to reality upon receiving that glance.
“Ah. Well··· Jang Geon helped me. Thanks to him, I avoided conflict with the people of Gamsan City and recovered this sword that Rakka ran off with. And it was Jang Geon who brought down Rakka. Without him, Rakka would have killed me and fled inland with this first mate emblem.”
“So you wish to reward him for that.”
“Correct.”
Nodding at Anon’s answer, Captain Kurten matched eyes with Jang Geon again and said:
“Hmm··· but there is a bit of a problem.”
“A problem?”
“When giving a gift, it’s best to give something the person needs or desires. But among the things on this ship, there is little that would be of use to you. As for bladed weapons, the one hanging at your waist seems more than sufficient, and even if I offered armor, martial artists rarely wear armor anyway, right? I could give gold, but··· you don’t seem lacking in wealth right now either. Is there anything you need or wish to have?”
Jang Geon shook his head. Coming aboard this ship was driven more by curiosity about foreign ships and people than a desire for any gift. Captain Kurten nodded as if understanding.
“Right. Then I will decide for you. Is that acceptable?”
Jang Geon looked momentarily puzzled at the mention of her deciding, but soon nodded. Whatever it might be, if offered a gift, he intended to accept it graciously. Kurten gestured toward his waist with her chin and said:
“Azure Dragon. The name of your sword is now Azure Dragon. A freshly forged treasure must have a fitting name to be properly wielded.”
Blinking as he wondered what nonsense she was uttering, Jang Geon soon felt a peculiar sensation from the sword at his waist. The wild sharpness of the blade that had been swirling inside the scabbard since his fight with Rakka grew calm as the captain finished speaking. Intending to inspect it thoroughly upon returning to Great Peace Pavilion, Jang Geon stroked the hilt of that sword—Azure Dragon—with his fingers and let out a dry laugh.
“A name breathes life into the meaningless. The same goes for a blade that is merely sharp. But giving only a name makes for a light hand, doesn’t it? Though you seem not to lack gold or silver, well, the more wealth, the better. I’ll also provide some gold. Thank you for helping my crew member, Jang Geon.”
Chuckling dryly, Jang Geon bowed his head in return to Captain Kurten’s gratitude. Seeing that he did not dislike it, Anon laughed heartily with a loud ‘Ahaha’ and thapped Jang Geon on the back.
Watching them for a moment, Captain Kurten soon ordered Anon to prepare for departure. The original departure schedule had already been disrupted significantly, so she intended to set sail immediately once First Mate Anon returned. With that, Jang Geon took one last look around the captain’s room—the weapons, armor, knickknacks, and Captain Kurten—before leaving the vessel.
Anon followed him out, handing over a small, luxurious-looking box packed with gold ingots and silver coins. Though small in size, the box was remarkably heavy due to the gold inside. Standing before the wooden gangplank he had trodden when boarding the deck, Jang Geon turned back to Anon.
“Where are you heading now?”
“Who knows? The route is mostly decided by the captain and navigator. I focus more on managing the ship and crew. Still, starting from Heavenly Empress City, we’ve kept going north, so won’t we keep heading up?”
“Then it will be hard to meet again.”
Anon grinned, baring his teeth.
“That is impossible to tell. Who knows how the guidance of the gods and stars will illuminate our path ahead? We may meet again later.”
“Right··· Your stories were entertaining.”
At Jang Geon’s words, Anon offered a grand bow as if a jester performing before kings. Smiling as he watched him, Jang Geon disembarked, and once he stepped off, the sailing ship untied its anchor and ropes, slowly drifting away from the pier.
Jang Geon stood on the pier for a moment, watching the receding sailing ship. Aboard it, crew members could be seen busily moving about and shouting. Not only Anon, but Captain Kurten had also come onto the deck to navigate the ship.
The fog had completely cleared now, leaving brilliant sunlight illuminating the piers of Gamsan. Over the sea shimmering in bright light, Anon’s ship glided smoothly away. It took little time for the vessel to border the distant horizon.
Standing with a small box tucked under his arm, Jang Geon watched it for a long while before taking a deep breath and turning around. Now it was time for him to leave Gamsan City as well.
He had come to Gamsan City through the distant valley tribe to execute vengeance on behalf of an evil spirit met along the road. Then, somehow, he ended up dismantling the plot of the Palace, resolving Gamsan’s chaos, and in the process learned that the Palace and the Dark Dragon Corps had been battling for a long time. Having placed the Dark Dragon Corps in his debt, it might come in handy later.
Afterward, he accidentally crossed paths with Anon, got entangled in his affairs, and came face to face with the mysteries of the distant Western Region. Rakka, the priest of Baal who burned humans as sacrifices to gain power; Anon, who repelled sinister force with the pattern on his palm; and Captain Kurten, who, though she showed no flashy magic, left a strong impression with a brief conversation filled with remarkable insight.
Curiously, looking at them, Jang Geon was able to reconfirm the possibilities of martial arts once more.
This world was filled with countless mysteries and secrets, and martial arts was surely one branch of that power. Though its possibilities over a thousand years had grown only toward becoming faster and stronger, how many forms a force beyond ordinary principles could transform into was something Jang Geon was personally confirming with his own body. Magic reminded him of that once again.
Jang Geon reproduced the numerous martial arts held in his mind while dreaming beyond them. Stepping along this path of martial arts, he hoped to reach the realm of perfection high above. Though that end was still so distant that its outline could not even be seen, nor could he be certain if such a realm truly existed, Jang Geon walked step by step as if building his own staircase up into the sky. He firmly believed in the path he walked once more.
“Welcome back. Did the business you went for wrap up well?”
Deep in thought, Jang Geon raised his head at the voice calling out to him. The one speaking was Jang Ah-young. He had arrived at Great Peace Pavilion without realizing it.
Jang Geon gave a light smile and nod to Jang Ah-young as she greeted him. Relieved, she bowed in greeting once more and trotted off toward the far side of Great Peace Pavilion. Watching her back, Jang Geon went up to his special room on the third floor.
Gathering the luggage he had left in the room, Jang Geon headed straight for Great Peace Pavilion’s stables. Jojo, who was dozing off, let out a snort resembling a sigh upon seeing Jang Geon carrying various bags.
“You’ve rested enough, haven’t you? Time to go.”
Jang Geon led Jojo out of the stable and placed the saddle on him. Fastening the reins and mounting the saddlebags, Jojo’s preparations were complete. Jang Geon checked once more to ensure no items were left behind. After finalizing his packing, he placed the bamboo hat resting around his neck onto his head and tied the string.
Just then, Guan Liang, waddling toward the stable while holding a bundle of straw, spotted him. The boy dumped the bundle of straw onto the ground with a thud and quickly hurried over.
“Where are you going? What about Uncle Anon?”
“Anon set sail on his ship. Now I must leave too.”
The boy stared up at Jang Geon with trembling eyes, unable to say anything for a moment. The subtle malice that had filled him when they first met was nowhere to be found. Of course, it had not vanished, but merely settled for the time being.
“···Have a meal before leaving. Chef Kang said good fish came in today and he’d steam it.”
Even at those words, Jang Geon’s hands tying the string did not stop. Finishing the knot and lightly adjusting his bamboo hat, Jang Geon turned to face Guan Liang. The boy was looking up at him with a slightly sullen expression. Seeing that look, Jang Geon chuckled softly and ruffled the boy’s hair.
“If I eat that before leaving, I’ll be late.”
“···Late for where?”
“I have to leave Gamsan City before sunset. Otherwise, I’d have to stay another day.”
“You can just stay.”
Removing his hand from ruffling the boy’s hair, Jang Geon said:
“I don’t pay money while using the special room, remember?”
“···It’s fine. Uncle Anon splurged plenty of money before leaving.”
Guan Liang rolled his eyes and answered thus. Watching him with a smiling face, Jang Geon flicked his index finger right onto the tip of the boy’s nose.
“Ah! Why’d you hit me!”
Clutching his nose, the boy grumbled at Jang Geon. Without explaining why he flicked him, Jang Geon held Jojo’s reins and walked out of the stable. Guan Liang quickly followed behind.
The street was already packed with people coming and going. A merchant delivering goods to the brothel argued loudly over prices with the proprietor, while a carpenter fixing a roof made tapping noises with his hammer. Idle loungers eyeing the brothel from broad daylight and women passing by simply because it was a faster path—Gamsan had passed its sluggish morning and was stretching its limbs. Before all this stood Jang Geon and Jojo.
Gazing at his back, Guan Liang abruptly grabbed his collar and spoke:
“Uh, you know. Don’t you have something to collect at the Martial Alliance branch?”
“No need to collect it. At most, they’d give a coin or two and a medal.”
“What about Father and Aunt Jang then? Are you leaving without even saying goodbye?”
“You can send my regards on my behalf.”
Looking into Jang Geon’s eyes as he turned back, the boy slowly released the collar he held. Hesitating for a moment, he let out a deep sigh and muttered softly:
“···Well, I don’t know if you enjoyed your stay, guest. If you ever visit Gamsan City again, please seek out our Great Peace Pavilion once more. You will experience something as good as before, no, even more amazing than that. Thank you for staying at Great Peace Pavilion until now···”
“What is that?”
“···It means ‘come again next time.’ It’s the passage the aunts, older sisters, and Father line up to recite before a big spender leaves.”
At those words, Jang Geon couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Having laughed so hard his head tilted back, Jang Geon ruffled Guan Liang’s hair once more and took a step forward. Feeling the tug on his reins, Jojo gave a slight head bob toward Guan Liang and strolled along behind.
“Take care.”
Standing before Great Peace Pavilion, Guan Liang watched them recede into the distance along with that casual farewell. The street was crowded with people, and thanks to that, a horse and a man were quickly swallowed into the crowd and lost from sight. Yet the boy stood in that spot for a long while, attempting to catch even a tiny glimpse beyond the shoulders of the crowd.
Only the bright sun and slowly drifting white clouds looked down upon the boy.