Chapter 174: Chapter 174
* * *
Jang Geon had wandered the New Continent for the past several years.
During those wandering years, there were times he fought criminals with bounties on their heads or wiped out bandit groups targeting villages, but he also spent much time simply as a worker on ranches or farms. Of course, most of the time he worked as a fighter or guard rather than a mere worker. Since what he learned was martial arts, he preferred to earn his living through martial arts.
And once money gathered like that, repeating the cycle of setting off on the road again and staying briefly in some place was not to spread his name far and wide, but simply to meet a broader world and people to expand his own inner self. He did not place much meaning on fame or sobriquets that other martial artists were obsessed with.
At any rate, he was actually unfamiliar with his fame and sobriquets echoing through New Sichuan recently.
“Didn’t you know? Right now, Hero Jang’s name is echoing beyond New Sichuan to Heavenly Empress City and Gamsan City as well. Along with the news that the Imperial Army is subjugating the Demonic Palace far to the east, many young people and martial artists are flocking here to New Sichuan hoping for such fame and advancement for themselves.”
“…Just call me Warrior Jang. The term ‘Great Hero’ is burdensome.”
Since there had been an uproar during the day, the Jang Family Merchant Guild could not host Jeo Ryang there. Jang Geon came out briefly and brought him to a nearby restaurant. Even so, since he had come all the way from Heavenly Empress City, he intended to feed him before sending him off.
“Hahaha! Does a man called the Azure Dragon Blade, the Demonic-Slaying Hero, or the Dragon Resisting Je Clan find a single term like ‘Great Hero’ burdensome?”
“…Where did ‘Dragon Resisting Je’ even…”
Jang Geon wore a slightly fed-up expression. If it was Azure Dragon Blade, it was Azure Dragon Blade, and if it was Demonic-Slaying Hero, it was Demonic-Slaying Hero; why did his sobriquets keep increasing?
“It is a name that spread after Warrior Jang’s duel at the Je Clan residence became known. Surrounded by dozens of Je Clan martial artists, you defeated them one by one in single combat, and finally exposed the corruption and foul tricks of the Outer Hall Master, Flying Eagle Nine Swords. Didn’t you know?”
The escort warrior Hun-ma, sitting together with them, followed up on Jeo Ryang’s words. He had eyes full of keen interest, as if he hadn’t known Jang Geon was such a tremendous person. Feeling a headache coming on, Jang Geon downed the wine glass before him.
Jeo Ryang quickly refilled that glass.
“But well, what meaning do all those names have anyway? A true chivalrous hero would not cling to such fame. ‘Namelessness is the true chivalrous name, hence he merely called himself the Nameless Hero.’… How about it?”
Picking up the glass he refilled, Jang Geon smirked.
“The Nameless Hero. Is that a line from that five-fen novel?”
“That is so. How is it?”
“That fellow has acquired a bit of superficial pretense.”
Jeo Ryang opened both eyes roundly, then soon laughed again.
“Haha! Is that so? Well now. Superficial pretense, superficial pretense. That is also a correct statement.”
“Are you writing anything these days?”
“Hahaha! Of course I am! Recently there have been so many incidents that stimulated my inspiration!”
Having emptied his glass, Jang Geon understood the meaning of those words. They had been talking about Jang Geon’s stories until just now, so there was no way he wouldn’t know.
However, he merely shrugged his shoulders lightly.
“When it comes out, I should read it sometime.”
“Oh, oh-oh… Will you really, really do that for me?”
“How hard could that be?”
Jeo Ryang’s expression, which was originally bright, brightened even further.
“…As soon as I heard news of Warrior Jang, I immediately searched for a boat ticket here. Because I looked in a hurry, I paid a large premium… but it was well worth it…!”
At Jeo Ryang’s expression, Jang Geon wore an awkward smile and slightly leaned his body back. He wondered if it was really something to be that happy about. Jang Geon knew that Jeo Ryang gathered inspiration for his novels from various stories while traveling to many places, and he considered his own story to be merely one of those inspiring tales. Thus, he found it hard to understand Jeo Ryang’s somewhat excessive reaction.
Afterwards, Jeo Ryang got excited on his own and downed wine glass after wine glass, and seeing that, Jang Geon asked Hun-ma beside him softly.
“…Has there been no one reviewing his writing lately?”
Hun-ma shook his head with a smiling face.
“His books always sold well. They sell in the Central Plains too. That fellow acting like that is because of another reason.”
Answering thus, Hun-ma did not actually reveal what that reason was. Jang Geon looked at Hun-ma and Jeo Ryang with puzzled eyes, but assumed it was merely his personal reason and let it pass. At that moment, Jeo Ryang pulled a paper envelope from his chest.
“This…! Take this, Warrior Jang!”
Having become tipsy in a short time, Jeo Ryang fluttered that paper envelope with half-unfocused eyes. Jang Geon lightly took the envelope from him and inspected the inside.
“Oh.”
Inside the paper envelope was a draft issued by the Heavenly Empress City Merchant Association. That meant it could be exchanged for cash even at merchant associations in New Sichuan or Gamsan City.
Jang Geon smiled.
“Didn’t you already give me a letter of thanks and silver coins last time saying thank you?”
“What choice do I have when you won’t come to return that letter of thanks? Don’t you remember what I said back then? I said if you didn’t visit, I might visit you instead!”
Checking the amount softly, Jang Geon’s expression changed. It was because it was an amount beyond imagination. A number far greater than the commission fee he had received from the Je Clan was written on the draft.
“This…”
“Please accept it, Warrior Jang! It is money that cannot be accepted unless Warrior Jang takes it!”
Jang Geon looked at Hun-ma as if somewhat troubled. It was with the intent to have him stop Jeo Ryang. However, as if he didn’t know, Hun-ma was merely sipping his wine glass alone.
Holding the draft and thinking for a moment, Jang Geon looked at Jeo Ryang’s face, which had turned flushed from drunkenness, and soon nodded his head, tucking the paper envelope into his chest. Seeing Hun-ma’s unstopping attitude and the draft already prepared, Jeo Ryang had come with the intention of giving this money to Jang Geon from the beginning. Jang Geon did not wish to embarrass such a person needlessly.
“I will use it well.”
“…That was originally as good as Warrior Jang’s money. You know? If not for Warrior Jang… I would have died from an evil spirit’s arrow on the steppe back then… and in a cramped corner of a small room… would have starved… to death…”
Drunken Jeo Ryang nodded his head and muttered alone before flopping face down on the table. Considering that people coming for dinner were just beginning to enter the inn, he was truly a man weak to alcohol.
Of course, for Jang Geon, who had intended to have a meal rather than a drinking session from the start, it was rather a good thing.
Jang Geon looked at Hun-ma, who was taking care of Jeo Ryang, and spoke.
“Tell him I had fun meeting him after a long time. Tell him I will use this money well, too.”
“We plan to stay at this inn for a few more days. Feel free to visit anytime.”
Hun-ma spoke thus with a smile. Jang Geon gave him a light eye greeting and left the inn. Afterwards, on his way back home, he suddenly stood in the street and looked at the paper envelope he had received from Jeo Ryang. Somehow, his fortune had multiplied several times. Since it was money that appeared suddenly, he could spend it recklessly, but the thought that crossed Jang Geon’s mind at that moment was that while freeloading at the Jang Un couple’s house, he could at least pay rent.
Tucking the paper envelope into his chest, Jang Geon merged into the crowd.
* * *
The cleanup of the warehouse next to the Jang Family Merchant Guild was finished. When Jang Geon went there, the items and people originally present had cleanly vanished, leaving a vacant space with only walls and a ceiling. However, for Seo-ha, who needed to learn martial arts, it was a space more than good enough.
Having suffered an ambush, the Jang Family Merchant Guild resumed work after a day or two of cleanup. What changed was merely that several guard warriors were added, whereas previously there were none since it was used mostly as an office. Afterwards, the merchant guild members even delivered condolence money to the wife of the deceased carriage driver. Sang-pal was particularly regretful over that couple’s situation. It was because he could guess what kind of future lay ahead for the sick wife left behind alone.
Jin Gyeon decided to stay at the Jang Family Merchant Guild for a while. There was the matter of learning the Hundred-Step Divine Fist from Jang Geon, and also the desire to see Seo-ha a little longer. There was also the excuse that it was hard to ride a ship for long due to the wound on his back. However, seeing him visit temples around New Sichuan before long, that was clearly an excuse.
Jang Geon worried that the children might suffer aftereffects from seeing people die, but those young ones’ recovery ability exceeded Jang Geon’s imagination. Before a week passed, they engaged in a game of beating up demonic practitioners among themselves.
Furthermore, when Seo-ha, who used to play with them, began learning martial arts from Jang Geon, they each went to their fathers and began throwing tantrums demanding to learn martial arts as well. However, Jang Un had no intent toward martial arts and possessed a level too embarrassing to teach others, while Dan Sang-woon lacked the capacity to conduct steam engine research and children’s martial training together.
So in the end, Jang Geon ended up teaching Tai Chi Chuan to five children: Seo-ha, Jang Sang, Jang Yeong, Dan Yong-jung, and Dan Yong-a. Of course, unlike Seo-ha, who was learning properly, the other children were merely being made to exercise for about half a shijin a day, but that didn’t mean Jang Geon wasn’t teaching properly, so after a few days, only Jang Sang remained learning Tai Chi Chuan.
Jang Geon could roughly guess why that fellow remained while sweating profusely even as the other children all ran away. Though the fellow tried hard to hide it, the actions of a child barely over ten years old could not escape Jang Geon’s eyes.
“Is it hard?”
Jang Sang was standing on a single brick, holding a stance on one foot. Lacking balance and strength, the fellow was sweating profusely and tottering. However, even amidst that, he kept his mouth tightly shut and did not show signs of struggle, which was because beside him, Seo-ha was standing on a brick likewise, holding a perfect stance with calm breathing. Jang Un was paying attention to Seo-ha.
“…N-no…”
Jang Sang answered to the end while tottering. Finding his nephew’s attitude funny yet commendable, Jang Geon nodded his head.
“Good. Then next.”
At those words, Seo-ha and Jang Sang moved their feet to the next brick beside them and assumed a new stance. Beneath their feet were bricks arranged in a circle, and each time they moved their feet to a brick, the children had to assume the stance Jang Geon taught them. It was a training to build concentration and memorize basic stances rather than physical strength.
Jang Sang let out a sigh of relief when he briefly stood on two feet, then trembled as he stood on one foot again. Seeing him, Jang Geon smiled and shook his head gently.
“Let us stop here for today.”
At those words, Jang Sang quickly lowered his foot and panted. In contrast, Seo-ha lowered her foot with calm and slow movements and settled her breathing with a deep exhale. Since Seo-ha was originally learning Shaolin martial arts, it was an unavoidable aspect.
Seeing Seo-ha’s appearance, Jang Sang tried hard to straighten his waist and hid his panting breath.
“…Then I will go, Uncle.”
“Right. Go wash before going inside. Don’t get scold for lying on the bed drenched in sweat again.”
“…Yes, Uncle.”
The fellow left the training hall pretending to be fine. However, the moment he left the door, his shoulders could be seen slumping quietly. Jang Geon could not help but laugh.
“Shall we start?”
At that moment, Seo-ha asked after stepping onto a brick. Seeing her, Jang Geon nodded his head. Then, naturally stepping on the bricks arranged in a circle, Seo-ha began unfolding the stances of Tai Chi Chuan. Rather than stepping on one brick and taking one stance like earlier, the entire stance and movement were smoothly connected into one.
Unlike Jang Sang, who learned for half a shijin a day, Seo-ha was training for about two shijin a day. Added to her innate talent, there was actually no need for her to undergo the same training as Jang Sang anymore. That was just one week after training began.
However, during the time she learned together with Jang Sang, Seo-ha wanted to learn the same things.
“…I heard that one must solidify the basics well.”
Jang Geon did not press Seo-ha. It wasn’t entirely wrong, and because Seo-ha’s thoughtfulness in protecting her cousin’s pride was admirable.
At any rate, once Jang Sang withdrew, Seo-ha smoothly connected and unfolded the Tai Chi Chuan she had practiced slowly for half a shijin. Once that finished, she had a light sparring session with Jang Geon and learned new movements afterwards. Remembering what she learned, she had another sparring session, and afterwards, by slowly unfolding Tai Chi Chuan from the beginning again, the day’s training ended.
Jang Geon thought that level was fine for now. Once she became accustomed to the current training, full-fledged physical strength training would also have to begin from then on.
In addition, Jang Geon was preparing an internal cultivation method tailored perfectly for Seo-ha. Teaching what he had cultivated was too broad and did not fit Seo-ha. His internal energy had been accumulated layer upon layer, so learning it meant starting from the absolute bottom.
For the first time, Jang Geon was creating something to teach another rather than reproducing martial arts from his imagination. He would likely teach it after completing the subjugation of the Demonic Palace and returning. He could teach it and then leave, but in that case, should something happen, Jang Geon would have no way to step in.
Jang Geon himself had undergone all sorts of trial and error while cultivating martial arts thus far. Since he possessed an adult’s reason, he had resolved them well, but he had no intention of putting Seo-ha through such hardship.
While watching the smooth connections of circles upon circles, curves upon curves of Seo-ha and lost in thought, Jang Geon suddenly turned his head and looked at the door of the training hall. In the middle of unfolding Tai Chi Chuan, Seo-ha also stopped her movements at Jang Geon’s demeanor.
Someone’s presence was heard at the entrance. Proving that his feeling was not mistaken, the door soon opened and Jang Un poked his head in.
“Were you training?”
“What brings you here?”
Looking at Seo-ha with satisfaction, he turned his head to Jang Geon and spoke briefly.
“The ship has arrived.”
“A ship? What ship?”
Jang Un smirked uncharacteristically for his age.
“What ship could it be? The ship carrying that tomboy. They say it just entered the bay, so let’s go welcome her now. Seo-ha too.”
Tomboy. It was a term Jang Un used when calling his younger sister, Jang Yeon.
* * *
Jin-ha opened the door and stepped inside. Yu Seol, who was checking documents with a beaming face, raised her head with that exact face and looked at Jin-ha.
“Are you back? How did the task go?”
“Yes. It was handled well. There are no remaining ties left in the merchant association. And…”
“Then is New Sichuan completely sorted out now?”
“Yes, it can be viewed that way. And…”
Yu Seol leapt up from her seat and stretched out comfortably.
“K-h-h-h! Finally passed one hurdle! Though there are mountain ranges of hurdles left to cross!”
“…Yes, still, a journey of a thousand li begins with a single step, so we can just keep going from now on. So…”
“Ah! Our Jin-ha! Yes, really great work! What would I have done without you?”
Jin-ha’s face turned pouting.
“…Excuse me, My Lady.”
“Huh? Why?”
“I know you are happy that Warrior Jang decided to join. But please listen to my words to the end.”
Beaming Yu Seol’s face turned slightly flushed.
“…Ah, right. Sorry. I’m listening.”
Letting out a soft sigh, Jin-ha continued speaking.
“A guest has arrived.”
“A guest? From where?”
“From the Central Plains.”
Yu Seol’s face stiffened.
“…Huh? Central Plains? Who? Why?”
At that moment, a shadow slithered in through the door Jin-ha had opened and entered. Seeing him, Yu Seol was startled. No, turning pale white would be a more accurate expression.
“H-uh, uh-uh… Old Man? Why is Old Man…”
“Have you been well, Princess? No, it’s General now.”
The one who entered Yu Seol’s office without permission was a short old man with a white beard, who peculiarly had a pipa strapped to his back and wore clothing that was not very neat, making him resemble a street musician.
Yet within his two eyes, which formed gentle arcs as he looked at Yu Seol, sparkled a mysterious refined qi unbefitting his age.
“…Why did Old Man come here?”
“Why come? Did I come somewhere I shouldn’t have, General Yu Seol?”
Unable to conceal her dumbfoundedness, Yu Seol spoke.
“…Then why did the Grand Academician come here?”
“Why come? Because I heard there was an interesting friend, so I requested His Majesty and came.”
Looking at Yu Seol’s gradually stiffening expression, the old man’s smile grew deeper.