Chapter 45
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Sword Spar and the Journey Begins
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Yi Ho-chang visited Mae Hyang with Baek Hwi, just as he had promised the day before.
But upon seeing his outfit, she asked in bewilderment,
"Young hero, what's with the sword?"
It was exactly as she said.
Yi Ho-chang had shown up today with a blade strapped to his waist.
Stroking the hilt at her question, he smiled.
"Didn't I say I had something to show Master? What I want to demonstrate today is swordsmanship."
"Swordsmanship? Weren't you a bare-handed fighter, young hero?"
"I only used my fists because I hadn't learned anything else. I've never set out to become a fist master."
"Ah? So what do you need from me?"
"I've been practicing a sword style lately. I'd like you to spar with me directly and give me your honest feedback."
"If it's just that..."
Nothing beats one-on-one tutoring for faster progress than going solo.
There was no reason to stubbornly self-study when he had a top-notch resource like Mae Hyang right there.
At Yi Ho-chang's words, Baek Hwi spoke up.
"Brother, what should I do then?"
"Just watch."
"Yes, sir!"
Baek Hwi's spirited reply.
Soon, the two of them stood in the annex's inner courtyard, and Mae Hyang asked,
"To give a proper assessment, you'll have to go all out... How about using a real blade?"
"A real sword? You sure that's okay?"
Mae Hyang chuckled at his question.
"How long have you been wielding one?"
"About four or five days now."
"Then go ahead with a real one. I'll just block. Don't hold back on my account. That way, I can judge you accurately."
If she was saying that much...
But this was no arrogance on Mae Hyang's part.
Yi Ho-chang was still a green novice who'd barely swung a sword for a few days.
For her to struggle against him was simply unthinkable.
Yet like all up-and-coming talents, Yi Ho-chang brimmed with confidence.
Grinning, he drew the blade from its sheath.
Shring—
At first, the feel had been awkward in his grip, but now it felt reasonably proficient.
Soon, the two assumed their stances, and the air around them grew heavy.
Yi Ho-chang's leg and arm muscles tensed powerfully.
After swallowing dryly and exhaling a deep breath, he exploded off the ground in an instant.
Bang!
With a sharp whoosh, Yi Ho-chang closed in on Mae Hyang and unleashed the first form of the Gui Ji Sword Style: Tree Leaf Descent.
Like a falling leaf whose path couldn't be predicted, his elusive sword trajectory made Mae Hyang's eyes widen.
"Hup!"
Clang!
She blocked it, but if this had been a real fight, her head would already have been severed with even the slightest delay.
Sensing that, Mae Hyang let out a wry chuckle.
"That thrust packs some real bite."
"Thank you."
"Quite the impressive style. Where did you learn it?"
"I made a promise, so I'll have to keep that secret."
With that, Yi Ho-chang raised his sword again and executed the second form: Bamboo Leaf Scatter.
Unlike the yielding nature of the previous strike, a razor-sharp slash now flew toward her.
Clang! Clang!
The metallic clashes rang out from Mae Hyang's blade without respite.
But she never lost her composure.
Her smile was proof of that.
And so...
The more his attacks pressed on, the fiercer Yi Ho-chang's fighting spirit blazed.
Even though she was only defending, he felt like just a little more and he could reach her.
That was why he went all out.
After pouring everything into his swings, he decided it was time to settle things and tightened his grip on the hilt.
"Hah!"
With a shout, the fifth form of the Gui Ji Sword Style, Crying Root Sever, erupted from Yi Ho-chang's blade tip toward Mae Hyang.
It was neither yielding nor sharp—a domineering sword strike.
In that moment, Mae Hyang's eyes widened for a split second, and she instinctively thrust out her arm.
Ching!!
A red stain spread across the fabric near Yi Ho-chang's arm.
Startled, Mae Hyang hurriedly dropped her sword and said,
"S-sorry, young hero! I was supposed to just block, but I reacted without thinking...!"
It wasn't a lie.
She had defended at her leisure until then, but that final attack had drawn out an involuntary counter.
It was instinct.
A warrior's instinct.
And perhaps because of that...
Despite the wound, Yi Ho-chang smiled.
"It's fine. It's not even a serious injury."
"But..."
"In exchange, let's call this spar my victory over Master."
Mae Hyang let out a chuckle at his words.
"You're really something else. No need for separate feedback, then. This is as good as rave reviews."
"Haha, thank you. You'll still keep guiding me, right?"
"Of course. This should be quite the enjoyable process."
Agreeing with her, Yi Ho-chang laughed heartily.
Baek Hwi, who had watched it all, grinned from ear to ear, and Yi Ho-chang gained tremendous confidence as a result.
'As expected of a style from the Janggyeong Pavilion—it's on another level.'
With continued effort, it could become a real weapon.
Yi Ho-chang sheathed his sword, his face full of anticipation.
Time passed, and a month later...
Yu Kyung arrived from Soheung.
*
On a street in Shengxiang County, Soheung.
The people there couldn't help but stare at one particular man.
"Groooh! This hits the spot! No side-eye while I drink."
In truth, curiosity alone would have drawn glances anyway.
It was quite the spectacle—a monk chugging booze right in the middle of the street in broad daylight.
After draining the bottle in his hand, he wiped the liquor dripping down his chin with his sleeve and said,
"No wonder Shaoxing wine's so famous. Gulp!"
The bearish monk, all the more eye-catching for his size.
Staggering in a zigzag, Yu Kyung arrived at the Dragon Pearl Gang's outpost.
Bok Jung-ho, who had spotted him approaching from afar, clicked his tongue.
"Tsk tsk. To think that slob's one of Shaolin's Four Great Vajras..."
Bok Jung-ho had come out ahead of time after receiving Yu Kyung's messenger pigeon.
But seeing him like that, he regretted it a bit.
Mo Gun-hyeong nodded at Bok Jung-ho's mutter.
"Looks like Shaolin really is short on talent."
"That's why they're on the decline, huh? Heh, look at that booze-flushed face. First long trip in ages, and he's thrilled."
"Well, his skills are the real deal, at least."
Bok Jung-ho grudgingly nodded at Mo Gun-hyeong's words.
"True. With that guy around, this squad leader won't have to worry."
As Bok Jung-ho said that, Yu Kyung drew close and waved.
"Hey! Gulp! I'm here!"
"You damn bald donkey. Great job getting plastered in the middle of the day."
"Heh. Cut me some slack."
"At least air out the booze stench. You planning to head out like that?"
"Sigh, obviously not..."
He circulated his internal energy, slowly gathering the alcohol vapors in his mouth until his cheeks puffed up.
Then, with a long exhale, the tainted breath dispersed, and his flushed face returned to normal.
With the smell gone, he grinned as if nothing had happened.
"So, where's Ho-chang?"
"He'll be here soon. You alone? No one else coming?"
"That's how it worked out."
"Why?"
"I said no thanks. I prefer traveling light over a big herd."
"I see... Oh, speak of the devil—he's coming."
In the midst of their talk, Yi Ho-chang entered Bok Jung-ho's view.
But upon seeing him, Bok Jung-ho's face showed surprise of a different sort than with Yu Kyung.
And for good reason—Yi Ho-chang had arrived lugging three massive packs, each as big as a peddler's load.
Yi Ho-chang approached and said,
"Sorry I'm a bit late."
Yet there wasn't a hint of exhaustion on him.
Three packs the size of his torso should've had him gasping, but not at all.
Yu Kyung asked in astonishment,
"...What the heck is all that?"
"Oh, this? I said goodbye to some friends before leaving, and they all insisted on loading me up."
"I-is that so? Looks like more baggage than a refugee."
In truth, nine out of ten items were from Jo Jung-seon.
Unlike the Shaolin escort trip, he'd figured the stakes were higher and accepted all the offerings, ending up like this.
Yi Ho-chang smiled sheepishly and asked,
"Haha... yeah, it piled up. Anyway, where's our ride?"
"Was gonna rent one together after meeting you. Cheaper that way, and fewer horse swaps."
"Got it. But a sudden visit to the Tang Clan of Sichuan— is that okay?"
"Don't sweat it. The clan head and Master Hyun Yong already sorted everything."
Yu Kyung turned to Bok Jung-ho and Mo Gun-hyeong.
"We'll be off, then. I'll look after Ho-chang, so no worries."
Bok Jung-ho chuckled wryly in response.
"Who doesn't know your skills? Never crossed my mind. More importantly..."
Mo Gun-hyeong turned to Yi Ho-chang.
"Squad Leader."
"Yes, Gang Leader."
"Take good care of yourself. They're sending you because Shaolin needs you, but safety first."
"Thank you for the concern. I'll return without issue."
"You'd better. And by the time you get back, the Dragon Pearl Gang will have changed a lot. When that happens..."
Mo Gun-hyeong stepped closer to Yi Ho-chang and whispered so only he could hear,
"give me your answer on that proposal I made before."
Ah.
So that's what he wanted to say.
This guy was dead serious.
But Yi Ho-chang's answer wouldn't change.
'These bonds are precious, but there are more important things.'
With that, Yi Ho-chang gave a light smile.
"Understood."
"Thanks."
Yi Ho-chang dipped his head in a quick bow of respect, then set off with Yu Kyung.
*
The trip from Zhejiang Province to Sichuan Province didn't take long.
They'd used the well-maintained official roads.
'Should've taken the official roads for the Shaolin escort too.'
But that was impossible.
Like the center point on a Go board, official roads led everywhere but left you wide open.
Even if soldiers came, could they stand against martial experts?
'No way.'
Plus, even if officials were off-limits, those faceless underlings would've slaughtered any witnesses.
Dodging a pointless death would've been lucky enough.
It was then.
The coachman spurred his horse and called out,
"Monk, we'll reach Tang Family Plateau soon."
"Is that right? Time to get off, then."
The Tang Family Plateau referred to the clan village centered around the patriarch and his direct descendants.
It was a whole town functioning as a single sect.
Yi Ho-chang and Yu Kyung dismounted near the entrance to the plateau.
Stretching grandly, Yu Kyung said,
"First time traveling this comfy."
"Can't argue there."
But the two had grown thoroughly sick of riding in carriages.
Nonstop travel was just too boring.
Yu Kyung had even said he'd welcome bandits just for some action.
'It might've been less dull that way... Wait.'
What am I even thinking?
Has hanging with Yu Kyung rubbed off on me?
He chalked it up to getting hooked on his recent martial progress.
Yu Kyung spoke up.
"Let's head in and grab a bite first. My stomach's practically glued to my spine."
"Sounds good."
With that thought, Yi Ho-chang followed Yu Kyung into the nearest inn.