Chapter 187
Chapter 187
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: Roaring Dragon Odd Hero Hyun Yi-jin
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There were a total of three Ronin Kings in the martial world.
The most famous among them was the Heavenly Wolf Martial Wanderer, who was also counted among the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven.
The other two were the Emotionless Twins of the Western Regions and Hyun Yi-jin, the Roaring Dragon Odd Hero of the Central Plains.
In truth, Hyun Yi-jin lagged far behind the Heavenly Wolf Martial Wanderer and the Emotionless Twins in both fame and skill.
Only recently, after being chosen by the Dark Lord and joining the Eight Saints of the Hidden Valley, had he begun to draw some attention.
Even so, the Emotionless Twins had been Ronin Kings for over twenty years, meaning Hyun Yi-jin still had a long way to go to catch up.
Nevertheless, there were two main reasons why Hyun Yi-jin was regarded as one of the Ronin Kings.
One was that, without any formal sect, he had ascended to the super first-rate realm relying solely on the Sensory Path and the third-rate Three Talents Sword, earning the admiration of countless ronin.
The other was that, unlike other ronin who were generally selfish, he acted solely under the banner of righteousness.
After becoming a first-rate ronin, he never accepted shady commissions.
Regardless of the reason, he thoroughly rejected missions involving assassination or ambushes.
For escort or guard duties, he meticulously vetted the client's reputation—and charged them exorbitant fees.
If the client was in dire straits, however, he would take on the job for just a few coins.
That was why he was called the Odd Hero.
A nickname for a righteous knight who moved in peculiar ways.
Given these circumstances, the ronin of the Central Plains began to hail Hyun Yi-jin as a Ronin King.
Especially now, with the Emotionless Twins gaining fame in the Western Regions, they were seeking someone comparable—and Hyun Yi-jin's shining reputation caught their eye.
But Hyun Yi-jin considered all the titles like Ronin King and Odd Hero utterly meaningless.
Having started as a mere third-rate ronin, he knew it well.
Everything granted to him now was completely worthless.
A single defeat, and it would all vanish like an illusion.
His current moniker, Roaring Dragon, was said to make enemies howl in agony.
But one day, if his momentum faltered, it could turn into mocking jeers of him crying instead.
That was why Hyun Yi-jin thought Yi Cheolsan was remarkable.
‘This great hero has shaken the world with his fame since youth, yet never once shown any faltering.’
Hyun Yi-jin had admired Yi Cheolsan for a very long time.
Their ages might be similar, but he was undoubtedly worthy of it.
Yet he had never built a friendship with him.
No matter that he was called a Ronin King, the senior disciple of the Mount Qingcheng Sect was far too distant.
Especially as the next Greatest Sword Under Heaven, it was hard to find any point of contact.
But then the new Stormwind Corps was formed, creating an opportunity.
Without looking back, Hyun Yi-jin volunteered to join Yi Cheolsan's ranks.
Of course, those around him tried to dissuade him.
“You're a Ronin King, aren't you?”
“How can the spiritual pillar of all ronin abandon founding his own sect to become someone's subordinate? It's absolutely unthinkable!”
“The ronin of the Central Plains will all lament this!!”
But none could break Hyun Yi-jin's resolve.
And so.
The Thousand Sword Grove was born.
Pabababang!
Shhh shhh shik!
Hyun Yi-jin quietly watched the training ground assigned to the Thousand Sword Grove.
Yi Cheolsan was sweating as he focused on his sword training.
‘Truly remarkable. By my knowledge, he's long surpassed Three Flowers Gather at the Summit and is now glimpsing the Martial Peak realm.’
The Martial Peak realm.
Also known as Ascending the Peak to Create the Ultimate.
A superhuman domain reachable only after surpassing both Three Flowers Gather at the Summit and Five Qi Towards Origin.
These days, most of the Ten Great Masters Under Heaven were said to stand upon the Divine Pedestal realm of the divine beings.
But just over a hundred years ago, before the 'Tower' appeared, reaching Martial Peak was a supreme level where one could claim to be the greatest under heaven.
Yi Cheolsan stood just one step away from that very realm.
How incredible was that?
Considering he was barely thirty, his future prospects were even more promising.
One might expect him to become intoxicated by his talent, grow complacent, or arrogant.
But in all the time Hyun Yi-jin had observed him, Yi Cheolsan showed no such signs.
He was always calm and warm.
When dealing with people, he showed full respect regardless of age or status.
His reputation was so understated that it only deepened the admiration.
And it wasn't just Hyun Yi-jin who felt this感動. Everyone in the Thousand Sword Grove did.
‘Moreover, personal training is something most experts hesitate to show to outsiders, yet he shows no such reluctance toward us.’
As if those training alongside him were all family, so it was fine?
Every word he spoke revealed his warm nature.
Shik……!!
At that moment, Yi Cheolsan's sword, moving with crisp vigor, came to a halt.
“Hoo—”
Yi Cheolsan exhaled lightly and sheathed his sword quietly.
Hyun Yi-jin approached and offered a towel.
“You've worked hard.”
“Hard? Thank you.”
“It seemed like there was some progress in your attainment… Am I right?”
A faint smile touched Yi Cheolsan's lips.
“It felt like there was some modest achievement.”
“Congratulations on your great accomplishment.”
“Great accomplishment? I've only just achieved a small step. It's all because this one is so lacking—I'm merely sorry for so tardily comprehending the sword arts laid down by our ancestors.”
Yi Cheolsan brushed it off lightly, but in truth, its significance was far from trivial.
It meant he had reached the tenth stage of perfection in the Mount Qingcheng Sect's signature ultimate technique, the Azure Clouds Pouring Sword.
In the long history of Mount Qingcheng Sect, how many had achieved such swift progress?
Undoubtedly, none.
Yi Cheolsan was now one step closer to Martial Peak.
“Still, it's fortunate that I managed this desired attainment just as all training concluded.”
Hyun Yi-jin grinned broadly and nodded vigorously.
“The world will once again marvel at the Grove Master's evolved swordsmanship.”
“People these days. If you praise me too much, even I'll get embarrassed.”
Yi Cheolsan chuckled lightly as well.
The warm sunlight glinted off his white teeth.
* * *
Yi Cheolsan and Hyun Yi-jin headed to the grand training ground with the members of the Thousand Sword Grove.
Today was the day of the great assembly.
The organizational training of the past month had all ended, and formal evaluations were finally beginning.
“It seems we're the first to arrive.”
“Indeed. My own training ran so late that I worried our Grove might be the last, but this is fortunate.”
Hyun Yi-jin gave a wry smile.
‘We arrived a full two hours early. Who could possibly arrive before us…?’
The retort nearly reached his throat but slipped back down.
This was his nature from the start.
He hated inconveniencing others more than anyone.
As a powerful martial artist, he held to the creed of being especially cautious in his actions.
By now, it was familiar and no longer surprising.
Fortunately, most of the Thousand Sword Grove swordsmen shared their Grove Master's leisurely temperament and didn't find it boring.
They meditated with eyes closed, quietly drew their swords to hone the edges on whetstones, or spent the time in personal pursuits.
Then, as the sundial pointed to noon, people began trickling into the grand training ground one by one.
The first group to catch Hyun Yi-jin's eye was the Striving Chorus.
“Kuh……! Finally done with this damn training!”
“I thought I'd die of boredom.”
“Now we can finally start missions? Time to see the results of our special training!!”
They were a group that had swelled its ranks by gathering riffraff around the remnants of the shattered Black Horn Horde.
Of course, riffraff in name only—they were no pushovers.
Not just their numbers, but lacking a strong leader, they had reportedly taken to the instructors' training better than any other.
‘Thanks to that, they've become the closest to the old Stormwind Corps. Can't underestimate them.’
Their leader was Yong Geom-guk of the Later Night Horse Palace, one of the Eight Saints of the Hidden Valley like him.
“They seem disorganized, but their morale is excellently honed. Individually, they may fall short of our Grove, but in group combat, they might even surpass us. I suspect their assignment will be subjugating an unorthodox sect. There've been rumors of trouble from the Yangtze River Water Stronghold lately.”
Hyun Yi-jin nodded at Yi Cheolsan's assessment, sharing the same view.
The Striving Chorus warriors, chattering among themselves, belatedly spotted the Thousand Sword Grove and hesitated mid-stride.
A few exchanged awkward nods before fully separating to the other side.
It was because the Black Horn Horde remnants feared Yi Cheolsan.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
A deep silence fell.
The atmosphere grew awkward.
After about half a gak—roughly seven minutes—the Phoenix Hall entered, breaking the quiet.
“Why's it so quiet?”
“Did the training turn them all mute?”
Unlike the freewheeling Striving Chorus, they strode with forceful steps and an air of arrogance.
Phoenix Hall lived up to its name, centered around the Heavenly Phoenix Tang Ye-won.
Few in number, but formed from the Tang bloodline and her followers, they boasted a presence rivaling the Thousand Sword Grove swordsmen.
Their gaze held contempt for the Striving Chorus and sneers for the Thousand Sword Grove.
Viewing all the outsider-dominated groups as beneath them.
“Hanging around like beggars hoping for scraps.”
At that mutter from someone in Phoenix Hall, one of Hyun Yi-jin's eyebrows twitched.
“Scraps? Meaning we're beggars unfit to join the Stormwind Corps?”
Hyun Yi-jin was known as a great righteous knight, but that didn't make his temper mild.
On the contrary, he had a fiery disposition that couldn't tolerate injustice.
The ronin world wasn't so lenient that one could survive by seeming easygoing.
The warrior who met Hyun Yi-jin's eyes flinched briefly but, trusting his comrades, brazenly replied.
“Are you asking because you don't know?”
Flames erupted in Hyun Yi-jin's eyes.
He immediately turned to Tang Ye-won.
“Should I take that man's words as the official stance of Phoenix Hall? As far as I know, the Hall Leader doesn't discriminate based on origin or status in forming the Stormwind Corps.”
“…….”
Tang Ye-won's gaze met Hyun Yi-jin's for a moment.
An expressionless face.
Cold as ice.
Just like the Heavenly Phoenix known to the world.
And.
Crack!
Tang Ye-won pulled out a wooden plaque and snapped it in half, tossing it carelessly to the ground.
“Does that answer your question?”
“H-Hall Leader…!?”
The warrior realized it was his own plaque and cried out in alarm.
But all he got in return was Tang Ye-won's icy glare.
“Any problem?”
Her eyes said she'd personally shove a dagger down his throat if he spouted more nonsense.
Face flushed red, the warrior trembled.
He had trained his utmost for a month to catch her eye, only to be eliminated before the exam—unjust.
But looking around, no one seemed willing to accept his grievance.
Not even the insulted Striving Chorus or Thousand Sword Grove, and especially not his fellow Phoenix Hall members, who clicked their tongues in disapproval.
Pitiful that he still didn't grasp what she hated after serving under her, and besides, it meant one less rival.
No regrets there.
In the end, the warrior picked up his plaque and had to leave the grand training ground.
Soon, his name was called, followed by a declaration of elimination.
“Please manage your subordinates better from now on. Nothing contradicts the Stormwind Corps spirit more than discrimination. Even Grandfather Dark Lord wouldn't want this.”
“Yes. I'll keep it in mind.”
Tang Ye-won led Phoenix Hall to another spot.
Even after apologizing, her momentum didn't waver in the slightest—that was so like her.
After that, other small groups entered the grand training ground.
‘They've all learned the same Stormwind Stance and Stormwind Formation, yet each group's aura is so distinct. How is that possible?’
Hyun Yi-jin thought as he surveyed the now-packed ground full of examinees.
A sect's style was usually similar, yet the Stormwind Corps allowed such diversity—fascinating.
The Thousand Sword Grove had also learned the Stormwind Stance and Formation.
Especially Yi Cheolsan, utterly absorbed in the Stormwind Stance, skimping on sleep to train relentlessly.
And achieved the pinnacle of the Azure Clouds Pouring Sword.
Thus, the Thousand Sword Grove generally exuded a solemn, quiet atmosphere.
In contrast, the Striving Chorus was free and lively, Phoenix Hall arrogant and sharp.
Some groups had almost no presence, as if invisible, while others proudly displayed their unrefined edge.
‘Is this the wind?’
Gentle breeze, warm wind, gale, harsh wind, storm, etc. Like wind transforming endlessly with conditions and environment, so too the Stormwind Corps. A place resembling the wind.
‘Then what about the Half Evil Penalty?’
Hyun Yi-jin was most curious about the group drawing the most attention.
The Half Evil Penalty hadn't appeared yet.
Then, as the sundial fully marked noon and Dang Gon along with the instructors entered, the Half Evil Penalty arrived.
The moment he saw them, Hyun Yi-jin thought.
‘The true stormwind was here all along……!!’