Chapter 133: 27th Floor. Murim (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 133: 27th Floor. Murim (2)
At Kang Jun-hyeok’s question, the waiter nodded.
“The Faded Heaven Supreme, you say? Of course I know of him.”
“Tell me everything. From start to finish.”
“Uh… well, I could tell you, but as you can see, I’m quite busy attending to the guests.”
The waiter glanced sideways at the inn. Contrary to his words, there were hardly any customers; he was nowhere near busy. Understanding exactly what the man wanted, Kang Jun-hyeok reached into his robe.
Clink.
Coins were placed on the table. The waiter snatched them up instantly, as if afraid they might vanish.
“Everything about the Faded Heaven Supreme? Why, of course! I’d be honored to tell you!”
Kang Jun-hyeok let out a short laugh at the man’s sudden change in attitude. The waiter began his explanation at a rapid pace.
“The Faded Heaven Supreme was born into an ordinary family—neither wealthy nor poor. However, he possessed a talent that others simply did not.”
In his childhood, his father had summoned a martial arts master to teach him, only for that master to leave in tears after just two days. His father called upon various other masters afterward, but they all faced the exact same result as the first.
In the end, the Faded Heaven Supreme’s parents realized the truth.
Their child possessed a transcendent talent for martial arts.
“Normally, he would have used that talent to join a prestigious sect. But the Faded Heaven Supreme had one problem: his physical body was incredibly frail.”
His lungs would give out just from running, and his tendons would strain if he put any strength into his arms. His body was naturally so weak that even walking was a struggle.
“A heavenly talent was housed in the worst possible vessel. Yet, that talent didn't go to waste. They say that if he sees ten thousand martial arts, he can see through them at a glance, finding both the flaws and the ultimate answers.”
[Hmm?]
The Master of All Weapons showed interest at those words. The waiter continued.
“There is one famous story. One of the Ten Great Masters of the Murim, the renowned Wind Blood Blade Chicheon, personally visited to test the boy's talent. After a debate that lasted over a day, he volunteered to become the Faded Heaven Supreme’s Dharma Protector.”
No one knew what they had discussed. But one thing was certain: even one of the Ten Great Masters had knelt before the Faded Heaven Supreme’s talent.
After that incident, the Faded Heaven Supreme’s name became legendary throughout the Murim.
“The people of the Murim began to call him by a certain name, filled with both awe for his talent and pity for his weak body.”
Faded Heaven Supreme (褪色之天).
The Faded Heaven. It meant that while his talent was as vast as the heavens, it was ultimately faded and broken.
“You know quite a lot.”
Kang Jun-hyeok was genuinely surprised that a mere waiter knew such details. The waiter scratched his head sheepishly.
“Hehe. I once dreamed of being a martial artist myself. My mother beat some sense into me, though, so I eventually gave up.”
It seemed he had luckily picked the right waiter. After glancing around for a moment, the man whispered in a low voice.
“Seeing as you’re interested in this, you must be a martial artist yourself, Great Hero. Since you’re curious about the Faded Heaven Supreme, there’s something else you might want to know.”
“What is it?”
Kang Jun-hyeok handed over more coins. The waiter caught them deftly and spoke.
“Martial artists from all over are currently gathering to see the Faded Heaven Supreme.”
“Oh?”
A look of confusion crossed Kang Jun-hyeok’s face.
“Is something happening?”
“A rumor has been circulating. They say the Faded Heaven Supreme is exceptionally summoning martial artists from across the lands.”
“Is that true?”
“It’s likely not. The Faded Heaven Supreme has lived in seclusion ever since he left home. That’s just how rumors are. They say a word without feet can travel a thousand miles.”
If that was the case, it was perfect timing, as he had business with the man anyway. Kang Jun-hyeok pulled out more coins.
“Tell me where he lives.”
The waiter, having earned a full day’s wages in an instant, grinned from ear to ear.
* * *
After obtaining the information from the waiter, Kang Jun-hyeok headed toward the Faded Heaven Supreme’s location.
It was a small hill not far from the city. There, he saw an old thatched cottage.
In front of that cottage, dozens of people were gathered.
Some wore clean martial robes, while others looked like impoverished vagabonds in tattered clothes. There were even those who looked noble at a glance.
Kang Jun-hyeok joined them. The people pretended to be indifferent, but he could feel their gazes surreptitiously sizing him up.
A tense silence hung in the air. Since they were all technically competitors, it was only natural. Amidst that silence, a man approached him.
“Hey there, young man.”
He was a withered, shabby-looking old man. He chuckled as he stood beside Kang Jun-hyeok.
“What’s your name, lad?”
“I’m Kang Jun-hyeok.”
“Kang Jun-hyeok. I am Gaehyeong. People call me Rumors and Tales.”
Rumors and Tales. It meant he went around telling stories. Kang Jun-hyeok glanced at the old man.
“You’re not a martial artist.”
“Do you think these scrawny arms could swing a sword?”
The old man chuckled and lifted his arm. It was trembling as if he had a palsy.
“I’m just a storyteller. Renowned masters from all over are coming to see the Faded Heaven Supreme. For a storyteller like me, it’s the perfect event to earn a living.”
“Then why did you approach me?”
“I have a good eye for people.” The old man grinned. “Living a long life has given me a useless amount of intuition. You don’t have that specific vibe of a martial artist.”
“A specific vibe?”
“The refusal to follow rules. Being dissatisfied with everything and never trusting others. Thinking being alone is the best. Look at them. They’re so wary of each other they won’t even let anyone get close.”
It was just as the old man said. Despite dozens of people being gathered, everyone—except for those who seemed to be in groups—maintained a certain distance.
“But you’re different. How should I put it… you have a sense of leisure. Or perhaps faith. You aren’t frivolous like them. At the very least, you aren’t an ordinary martial artist.”
Kang Jun-hyeok smiled silently. Taking that as an affirmation, the old man spoke cheerfully.
“Since we’re bored waiting for the Faded Heaven Supreme anyway, why don’t we have a chat? A storyteller like me gets cramps in his mouth if he doesn't talk.”
“That sounds good.”
Having received permission, the old man began to chatter away. His comment about his mouth was clearly no joke; he didn't stop for a second.
“It seems the people of the Jianghu are quite interested in the famous Faded Heaven Supreme. Various figures have come from all over. Look over there.”
The person the old man pointed to was a fat man wearing gold-embroidered clothing, accompanied by numerous bodyguards.
“That’s the crest of the Geumboksan family, famous for being the wealthiest merchant house in the Murim. That’s likely the heir. I heard he was interested in martial arts, and it seems he dragged his heavy body all the way here. And look over there.”
There stood a middle-aged man in neat but luxurious attire. The old man whispered.
“Imperial clothing. Could it be the legendary Embroidered Uniform Guard? And that woman over there.”
This time, it was a beautiful woman with short hair and sharp features.
“That’s Baekgwon Aryang, one of the hundred great masters. She’s famous as the successor of a single-transmission sect. I didn't expect one of the hundred great masters to show up.”
The old man’s chattering laughter stopped. After staring at someone for a moment, he gasped.
“My goodness.”
“What is it?”
“That young man.”
A young man with a relaxed expression stood nearby. Behind him, warriors followed like shadows.
“That’s the son of the Murim Alliance Leader. Does this mean even the Murim Alliance is interested in the Faded Heaven Supreme?”
The old man’s eyes sparkled. Thanks to him, Kang Jun-hyeok was gaining all sorts of information, making it a productive time. Even the Master of All Weapons seemed amused, letting out a low chuckle.
As time passed, a few more people arrived, but the door to the old thatched cottage showed no sign of opening.
Soon, people began to exchange glances and gathered around the person at the very front. The man who received their signals flinched, then cleared his throat and stepped forward.
“Ahem! Faded Heaven Supreme! So many friends of the Murim have come to visit you, yet you do not even show your face. Is this how a host treats his guests?”
His voice, infused with internal energy, echoed across the hill.
However, there was no response. The man’s face turned red with embarrassment. Just as he cleared his throat to shout again, the cottage door opened.
Creeeeak.
In an instant, everyone held their breath. After a brief silence, a low voice rang out.
“…Quite a lot of you have come.”
“Ah.”
Someone let out an involuntary sound at the sight of the Faded Heaven Supreme.
He was a gaunt young man. Perhaps because he never went outside, his skin was as white as if it had been painted with powder, and his arms were so thin the bones were visible. The old man Gaehyeong muttered in surprise.
“I didn't expect him to be thinner than me.”
But the most extraordinary thing about the Faded Heaven Supreme wasn't his body. It was the emotion in his face.
As he looked at the crowd, his expression held nothing but boredom and weariness. He looked like someone who had no interest in the world itself.
“For what reason have you all come to find me?”
“…Faded Heaven Supreme. Did you not summon us? You said that all those who possess martial arts and have doubts about their own path should seek you out.”
“I have never made such a call.”
“Wh-what?”
The people were flustered. The Faded Heaven Supreme let out a sigh, as if realizing what had happened.
“It seems a groundless rumor has spread somewhere. I will say it once more. I never sent out such a message.”
“Uh, well…”
The crowd was at a loss. It meant they would have to return empty-handed after coming all this way. As if understanding their feelings, the Faded Heaven Supreme spoke softly.
“However… since so many guests have come, it would be impolite for a host to send you back empty-handed. Cough. Cough.”
After clearing his throat, the Faded Heaven Supreme slowly made a proposal.
“Very well. The reason you sought me out must be for enlightenment in martial arts. I can at least offer some advice. But there is one problem.”
“A problem?”
“There are too many of you.”
The martial artists who had come for the Faded Heaven Supreme numbered in the dozens.
“If I were to teach all of you with this frail body of mine, I would likely collapse from exhaustion. Therefore, I will set one condition.”
If they passed the condition, they could receive advice from the Faded Heaven Supreme. The martial artists’ eyes gleamed.
“The martial arts you have learned and forged must be something that interests me. Show me the forms of your martial arts. I will judge them and decide.”
[Let’s see what they’ve got.]
The Master of All Weapons muttered, sounding amused.