Chapter 53: Chapter 53
Cheon Woo-jin gazed at the group receding into the distance.
Although they had concealed their energy, they could not deceive Cheon Woo-jin’s eyes.
‘Martial arts of the Unorthodox Path.’
Of course, just because it was the Unorthodox Path did not mean they were all similar.
Properly developed martial arts of the Unorthodox Path were as systematic as those of the Righteous Path, while the martial arts of the Green Forest or Waterway Strongholds were closer to being raw.
Besides those, there were martial arts of assassins, martial arts of courtesans, martial arts of waiters…
At any rate, though collectively grouped as the Unorthodox Path, the martial arts within it were diverse, and their energy was close to that of the Green Forest.
They seemed to be connected to the bandits who were said to be persecuting the village.
“Wait.”
Cheon Woo-jin spoke in a low voice. His voice was not loud, but with deep internal energy imbued within, it carried far into the distance.
After a moment, the people walking away stopped in their tracks.
One man turned around, cupped both hands around his mouth, and shouted.
“What is the matter?”
“Are you people of Xinyang County?”
“…That is so, but what of it?”
Cheon Woo-jin was certain. Xinyang County was such a small village that there could not possibly be this many martial artists.
Cheon Woo-jin walked forward without a word. Song Yi-yeon followed behind him. As the moonlight was bright, the shadows of the two men stretched long.
At that, the martial artists exchanged glances.
Soon approaching, Cheon Woo-jin asked casually.
“Why are you lying?”
“Mmh…”
The man let out a low groan. Somehow, he had a premonition that things would become troublesome. After pondering for a moment, the man spoke.
“It was because I did not want to get involved with martial artists if possible.”
“Is that so.”
Nodding his head, Cheon Woo-jin scratched his shoulder and asked again.
“Are you people of Xinyang County?”
“No. We are merely stopping by briefly as we have business.”
“What kind of business?”
The man’s eyebrows twitched. While it was true he did not want to get entangled if possible, he was annoyed by how this young brat kept interrogating him as if questioning a suspect.
“Do we even have to tell you that much?”
“Because I have an acquaintance in Xinyang County.”
At that, the bastards exchanged glances. In an instant, their momentum turned ominous. Because they had disguised themselves in ordinary attire, there were no swords or sabers at their waists. They pulled out sickles, daggers, clubs, and the like from their robes.
“Is that Daoist bastard a friend of you punks?”
The man dropped his polite speech. He realized that the situation could not be simply overlooked.
Cheon Woo-jin made an ‘Mmh’ sound and contemplated for a moment.
“It is a bit ambiguous to call him a friend. Still, we do not seem to be on terms where I can completely pretend not to know him either.”
“It is already too late. Because there are more companions besides us.”
The corner of the man’s mouth curled up viciously. It was not just them heading to Xinyang County. Hearing the account of a companion who had fled from there, all the martial artists of the Black Horse Society had mobilized.
“How many are there?”
“…Crazy bastard. Do you think I would tell you that?”
Cheon Woo-jin nodded his head. Somehow, since the man was rattling off unasked information smoothly, he had tried asking, but as expected, that was asking for too much.
However, there were also facts that could be inferred. Basically, bandits rode horses. Even so, the fact that these bastards were walking meant they ranked low among their companions.
Because horses were fundamentally expensive, even among bandits, one could only ride one if they held a high rank.
‘Young Hero Jin Un is not weak either.’
However, it was true that not being able to accurately predict the opponent’s martial prowess left an uneasy feeling.
Having organized his thoughts, Cheon Woo-jin spoke calmly.
“We should end this quickly.”
Was it because of that calm attitude? The men, their faces flushed red, glared menacingly.
“This insolent little bastard…”
In the hand of the one who shouted was held a sickle. It was a sickle sharpened far too well to merely harvest rice. The blade reflecting the moonlight was quite menacing.
Seeing this, Song Yi-yeon also drew his long saber and shouted.
“Go for it! Young Hero Cheon!”
“…”
Cheon Woo-jin looked at him as if it were absurd. Meeting that gaze, Song Yi-yeon spoke sheepishly.
“Mmh, it was a joke. I shall do it.”
Having said so, Song Yi-yeon took a stance. At the two men’s calm and composed attitude, the energy of the men sank low.
“These bastards!”
Five or six men rushed forward in an instant.
Cheon Woo-jin’s hand, which had been scratching his shoulder, naturally moved toward the Crescent Moon Staff on his back. Although the men attacked first, the Crescent Moon Staff drawn a beat later moved faster than them.
Thwack!
A heavy sound of tearing flesh resonated faintly under the moonlight.
* * *
Having sorted out the village situation, Jin Un and Seok Do-byeok booked a room at an inn because they were so exhausted.
Jin Un spoke as he set down his hero headband by his bedside.
“I am sorry you got entangled unnecessarily because of me…”
“Ahem, not at all.”
Though he spoke that way, his expression looked uncomfortable. If the other person had not been a Plum Blossom Swordsman of the Mount Hua Sect, he would have voiced his dissatisfaction loudly.
Even so, Seok Do-byeok’s personality could not tolerate just keeping his mouth shut tightly.
“Earlier, what that obnoxious fellow Cheon Woo-jin said was not completely wrong.”
“Hm?”
Jin Un tilted his head. To think Young Hero Cheon’s name would come up here. He knew that the faction led by Young Hero Namgung Jin disliked Young Hero Cheon.
Seok Do-byeok continued speaking.
“Just because one is a Daoist does not mean there is a law requiring them to help in all affairs of the world. A Daoist is also human, so if it is bothersome and cumbersome, one can pretend not to know, and if one feels wronged, one can also get angry, can they not?”
Seok Do-byeok thought Jin Un was frustrating. No matter how much he was a Daoist, he never got angry or uttered harsh words. At times, he even looked like someone obsessed with the compulsion that he had to be like a true Daoist.
At those words, Jin Un smiled bitterly. It was because Seok Do-byeok’s words were not wrong.
“You likely know that the circumstances of our Mount Hua Sect have not been good recently.”
“Mmh…”
Seok Do-byeok let out a low groan in embarrassment. Although it was an open secret, he wondered if it was alright for him to listen to the affairs of another sect, and dark stories of the Mount Hua Sect, one of the Nine Sects, at that.
However, Jin Un continued in a calm voice.
“We suffered great damage during the era of the Dark Emperor, leaving our strength considerably weakened. Because all the masters representing Mount Hua back then died.”
Seok Do-byeok nodded his head. The era of the Dark Emperor he heard about from his elders was truly horrifying. Whether the Five Great Clans or the Nine Great Sects and One Clan, the masters representing that era had all died off.
Among them, Mount Hua and Zhongnan suffered the greatest damage. The reason was simple. It was because the Dark Emperor’s hometown was Shaanxi.
“Even as time passed, the situation did not improve. In fact, my martial granduncle was called a genius who would revive Mount Hua once more, but…”
Jin Un trailed off. Even so, Seok Do-byeok could anticipate what followed.
The genius who appeared in the Mount Hua Sect for the first time in a hundred years, the Plum Blossom Sword Saint. Obtaining the moniker of Sword Saint at thirty years of age, not only was his character upright, but it was said that among martial artists of the same generation, none dared compare to him.
However, before the Plum Blossom Sword Saint could establish the sect firmly, he met with tragedy. The Dark Emperor suddenly vanished, and he had stepped forward declaring he would take revenge on his disciple, Black Elder.
In that manner, the Plum Blossom Sword Saint lost his right arm. The conversation Black Elder and the Plum Blossom Sword Saint shared back then was famous within the Mount Hua Sect. It was said that Black Elder, after severing the Plum Blossom Sword Saint’s arm, spoke with satisfaction.
– You are a martial artist rare to behold in recent times. If you wish to seek revenge against me once more, you may come find me anytime and I shall treat you with utmost sincerity.
Black Elder spared the Plum Blossom Sword Saint because he liked his spirit. However, the Plum Blossom Sword Saint could never seek out Black Elder again. It was because of fear.
When less than ten years had passed since then, the Plum Blossom Sword Saint took his own life. It was because he felt ashamed of himself for being unable to avenge his master and senior brothers due to fear.
Throughout the story, hatred and lamentation lingered in Jin Un’s eyes. He must have grown up hearing about the fury toward the Dark Emperor and Black Elder since he was very young.
Seok Do-byeok nodded his head as if feeling pity.
“I heard that had he still been alive, he would have contested for the title of the Number One Sword alongside the Alliance Leader and Old Master Sword King.”
“It is a regrettable matter.”
After disasters struck one after another, Mount Hua declined continuously.
Presently, it was in a situation where it was pushed back even by the Qingcheng Sect, called the lowest seat of the Nine Sects.
It was during such times that Jin Un’s talent bloomed.
Normally, disciples of Mount Hua must reach thirty years of age to bloom plum blossoms from their swords. However, Jin Un bloomed distinct plum blossoms at fifteen years of age. Upon reaching twenty years of age, he received the title of Plum Blossom Swordsman.
He followed the exact footsteps of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint.
Furthermore, in the present era, neither the Dark Emperor nor Black Elder existed.
Within the Mount Hua Sect, people said that this time, a genius who would revive Mount Hua once again had truly been born.
Jin Un’s shoulders were always heavy. Including the Sect Leader, the elders, his master, and martial uncles, all held exceedingly great expectations for Jin Un.
Throughout his life, Jin Un was demanded to be stronger, more benevolent than anyone else, to cherish the common people, protect justice, punish evil, and pursue goodness.
In short, he had to become a Daoist befitting a true Daoist as commonly said.
While it was a quality every Daoist ought to possess, for Jin Un, who was a desperate ray of light for the Mount Hua Sect, that burden was far heavier.
Beyond a simple demand, it was closer to coercion.
Jin Un looked at the hero headband he had placed by his bedside. Scorched by the fire, even the plum blossom pattern could not be seen properly.
Jin Un’s sigh filled the room.
“In that manner, after sharpening and sharpening my sword at Mount Hua, I came to the Martial Alliance. Yet from the very beginning, I only placed fourth. Though he tried hard to hide it, facing my master’s disappointed eyes was exceedingly difficult.”
“…”
The atmosphere turned solemn. In truth, Seok Do-byeok had even forgotten what rank he placed. Simply by the fact that he passed, the Seok Clan Manor had gathered all the village people and thrown a banquet.
“Cheer up, Young Hero.”
That was all the words Seok Do-byeok could offer. He was a man whose weight of the burden on his shoulders and resolve in life were entirely different from his own.
In that somber atmosphere, Jin Un suddenly let out a chuckle.
“Thank you for listening. At any rate, that is why I must become a Daoist more like a Daoist than anyone else. I apologize once more for getting you entangled in such an affair.”
“…Ahem, not at all.”
Having heard all of Jin Un’s circumstances, he could not complain.
Just as the two finished their conversation and were about to prepare for bed.
“Are you asleep?”
A cautious voice came from outside.
Jin Un got up and opened the door.
The inn waiter smiled awkwardly while holding a teapot in one hand and two teacups in the other.
“You were not asleep yet. What a relief.”
“Ah, we were just about to go to sleep.”
The waiter let out an awkward laugh and continued speaking.
“Even so, since you are someone who tried to help our village, I was concerned that you might have heard overly harsh words. Haha… people are truly like that.”
At that sight, Jin Un smiled warmly.
“Not at all. How could I not understand their feelings? Even if it were me, I would have been angry.”
“Daoist-nim, really…”
Looking at Jin Un with admiration, the waiter slipped into the room and filled the teacups. As he did, a deep and gentle floral fragrance filled the room in an instant.
“In truth, out of gratitude, I wanted to offer a cup of liquor, but liquor is a bit unfitting for a Daoist-nim, is it not? That is why I brought tea instead. Though it may look like this, it is precious tea equivalent to half a month of my wages.”
“No, how could you offer something so precious…”
Jin Un made a troubled expression. However, Seok Do-byeok nonchalantly took a seat like someone who had rightfully paid the price and picked up a teacup.
“Oh, the fragrance is truly nice. Is this Azure Flower Tea?”
“Yes, as expected, your discernment is extraordinary.”
“This is not tea that a rat-dropping-sized inn in a rural village like this would handle, though…”
“Ahem, Young Hero Seok.”
When Jin Un gave him a pointed look, Seok Do-byeok smacked his lips, savored the tea fragrance, and spoke.
“Young Hero, refusing outright is also not polite. If you are not going to drink it, I can instead…”
“I will drink it.”
As Seok Do-byeok reached out his hand, Jin Un hurriedly lifted his teacup. It was also true that outright refusal was not polite.
‘I should come back later and pay for it.’
No matter how much it was a token of gratitude, he could not bring himself to simply receive half a month of the waiter’s wages.
Thinking so, Jin Un brought the teacup to his lips. Seok Do-byeok had already gulped it down and refilled his cup.
As he drank the tea, a gentle floral scent lingered in his mouth, and he felt a warm sensation spreading down his throat into his stomach.
“Mmh, even for someone like me who knows little about tea, it feels extremely…”
Jin Un’s words did not continue.
In an instant, his head grew dizzy.
Hurriedly circulating his internal energy, Jin Un looked toward the waiter.
Seok Do-byeok beside him had completely collapsed to the floor.
“W-What on earth…”
The waiter looked at Jin Un with an apologetic expression.
“Warriors. Even I, a waiter, know that in the martial world one should not consume food or drink given by others. I rather hoped you would notice and punish me, but…”
Jin Un’s mind grew increasingly confused. He could not even comprehend what this meant at all. Soon, leaving behind an apology, the waiter receded further and further away.
He shook his head repeatedly to clear his mind and circulated his internal energy even more. However, as it seemed to be quite a potent poison, drowsiness poured over him continuously and his vision wavered.
It was then.
From the darkness across the room where the waiter had disappeared, three or four sword-bearing martial artists walked forward with thudding steps.
“Oh dear…”
Contending with martial artists in this condition would not be easy. Tucking his hero headband into his robes, Jin Un dragged his excessively heavy body and approached the fallen Seok Do-byeok.
“Young Hero Seok, wake up. Young Hero Seok…”
However, appearing to have already fallen into a deep slumber, Seok Do-byeok did not budge in the slightest. Jin Un had no choice but to carry Seok Do-byeok on his back. His body was already heavy, but his legs trembled as if he were supporting the heavens.
Even in the meantime, the martial artists continued to draw closer with a leisurely attitude.
Jin Un hurriedly surveyed his surroundings. There was nowhere to flee.
Suddenly, a small window caught his eye.
“If you are a Daoist bastard, you should just stay holed up in a corner of the mountain offering prayers to rocks. Why do you go sticking your nose into useless business?”
“…”
Jin Un drew his sword and glared at the man. Engraved on the sword hilt was the pattern symbolizing a Plum Blossom Swordsman. However, now was not the time to fight.
When Jin Un drew his sword, the approaching men paused for a moment. If they had eyes as well, they would know the opponent was a Plum Blossom Swordsman.
Plum Blossom Swordsman was a title that could only be received by a disciple who had proven their ability and gained recognition even within the Mount Hua Sect.
At that sight, Jin Un spoke, trying hard to pretend to be confident.
“You are fearless bastards. How dare you against the Mount Hua Sect…”
However, unable to overcome his dizziness in that instant, he stumbled. The martial artists let out mocking sneers.
“Looks like the bastard called a Daoist happily gulped it down just because it was expensive tea, huh? These days, whether fake monks or Daoist bastards, they all pretend to be gentle and refined, but in the end they are just like that.”
Jin Un gritted his teeth tightly. He clenched them so hard that his jaw trembled. Soon the martial artists drew closer and closer. The distance remaining between Jin Un and them was seven paces.
Jin Un leveled his sword. Just as everyone was about to burst into laughter at that sight.
Whoosh!
The sword qi pouring from the sword tip rushed forward, bearing a faint yet distinct scent of plum blossoms. Astonished, the martial artists rolled on the ground and threw their bodies aside, barely dodging it, but…
Slice.
Unable to dodge in time, one man had his neck severed.
“B-Big Brother!”
They had let their guard down. Who would have thought he could pour out such sword qi even after ingesting poison? Emitting an ominous momentum in an instant, the martial artists glared at Jin Un once more.
However, Jin Un had already vanished from the spot. Only the small window in the room had burst into shattered fragments.
“Tsk, he is truly struggling desperately.”
The man clicked his tongue. Where could he possibly flee dragging that body? Not to mention, down below…
“Khh…!”
Sure enough, a groan was heard from outside.
Grinning broadly, the man approached the window from which Jin Un had leaped and looked down below.
Completely surrounded by around thirty companions, the Daoist bastard was bleeding profusely from his left arm.
“Hey, you bastard, can’t you even catch one guy who swallowed poison? He jumped out so suddenly I almost got scared to death!”
“How was I supposed to know a half-dead guy would unleash sword qi? You bastards better be careful too if you don’t want to die like Gae-sik.”
“What? Gae-sik died? Fuck, I lent that bastard money.”
The companions and the man conversed calmly and nonchalantly.
At that sight, Jin Un gritted his teeth tightly.