Chapter 30: In the Human World, April's Fragrance Ends (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 30: In the Human World, April's Fragrance Ends (1)
As the revelry reached its zenith and the initial fervor began to mellow, Lee Yu-baek was called away to attend to the distinguished guests.
"Mu-hyeok."
Yeon So-wol, who had been watching the lanterns drift one by one down the river, suddenly spoke up.
"The authorities are more generous than I expected. Either that, or they’re just incredibly lazy."
"Where is this coming from?"
Lee Yu-baek's first disciple, Kang Mu-hyeok, remained perfectly composed despite the alcohol. He was a world apart from the second disciple, Seon Je-hun, who was currently laughing boisterously with his arms draped over the shoulders of other Jianghu warriors.
"It’s the General. He was just so... overwhelmingly strong. The martial artists gathered here are no slouches, but it felt like the General could have wiped them all out by himself."
Kang Mu-hyeok offered a wry smile. "I suppose that’s true."
"With that kind of power, couldn't the government do whatever they want with the people of the Jianghu? Since they don't, I figured they must be generous."
"Then what was that about them being lazy?"
"Well, you know. Honestly, if that General went to Mount Cheonro by himself, he could probably scour the entire place clean... It made me wonder if he was just being lazy."
"It seems you've harbored quite a few grievances against the authorities."
“…”
Yeon So-wol fell silent, not bothering to deny it.
"However, your premise is flawed from the start. The authorities aren't actually that strong."
"Pardon?" Yeon So-wol's eyes widened. Does that even make sense?
General Chu Seong-ho. The man he had seen with his own eyes didn't seem human. He recalled something Lee Yu-baek had once said:
'To seek transcendence while bound to a mortal coil is a path fraught with such peril.'
He now understood with every fiber of his being why his master had used the word 'transcendence.' The man was simply not human. And a being like that was a Senior Rank 2 official—not even Senior Rank 1.
Yet Mu-hyeok was saying the authorities weren't strong?
Kang Mu-hyeok met Yeon So-wol's gaze calmly, like a teacher instructing a younger brother who knew nothing of the world.
"I understand what you're trying to say. General Chu Seong-ho is strong. If you searched the entire world, you'd find only a handful of people as powerful as him. That is what it means to be a Senior Rank 2 military officer. A heaven beyond the heavens. A legend. In their home regions, some are even worshipped as gods."
Worshipped as gods?
The thought was puzzling at first, but then Yeon So-wol realized. Ah. Right. Even back in my world, shamans would sometimes worship general-deities…
But still, didn't that ultimately mean the authorities were strong?
"But there are different kinds of strength."
"Different kinds?"
"Yes. Hmm… I should explain this first. There are three great paths in this world. The martial arts we practice are also divided into three branches that follow these paths."
The Daoist School.
The Buddhist School.
The Confucian School.
Kang Mu-hyeok continued, "Our Pungryu Sect follows the teachings of the Daoist School. That's why we are said to have inherited the legacy of the Orthodox Faction. In the Jianghu, half of the Orthodox Faction follows Daoist teachings, and the other half follows Buddhist teachings."
"Are they really that different from each other?"
"The fundamentals are similar. But the differences become stark once you begin to cultivate the body and the mind. The cultivation of the Confucian School is one of whittling away. It clearly defines what a proper posture and a proper mind are, and then carves away anything that doesn't fit. It seeks to illuminate the world by leaving only what is righteous."
"I see."
"That's why the teachings of the Confucian School don't suit Jianghu warriors. We are people who reject molds and standards; we live as we were born to live."
"Ah."
"In return, Confucian cultivation is fast and stable. If you gather a thousand Daoist cultivators, you'll get a thousand different opinions. If you gather a thousand Buddhist cultivators, their words will all be riddles. But if you gather a thousand Confucian cultivators, all thousand of them will speak with one clear, unified voice."
"I saw a Junior Rank 9 County Inspector who was incredibly strong. Did he get that powerful so quickly because his cultivation is fast?"
Kang Mu-hyeok laughed. "Master Jang Wi-san? No. He's strong simply because he's strong. Like I said, the fundamentals are all pretty similar. The paths only truly diverge once you can manifest True Fire."
For some reason, Yeon So-wol felt a pang of frustration. If only I had started my martial arts training sooner…
"But nothing in the world is perfect. Confucian cultivation may be fast, but it lacks a certain subtlety."
"Really?"
"My own learning is shallow, so I don't know everything, but there is one thing I'm sure of." Kang Mu-hyeok's gaze grew calm and deep. "So-wol. How did you feel when you saw General Chu Seong-ho earlier?"
How did he feel?
"…My feet were frozen to the ground. It was hard to move. To be honest, it's still like that. He's not projecting that intense pressure like before, but I can clearly feel his presence over there."
"That's because as Confucian cultivators grow stronger, their aura only expands, and they become unable to conceal it. This is especially true when they're angry or trying to stand before others. They say a true gentleman is one who reveals himself, not one who hides."
"So the Buddhist and Daoist schools are different?"
"In the Buddhist and Daoist schools, once you reach that level of mastery, you're said to become 'ordinary.' It's hard to tell them apart from a common farmer or a woodcutter."
"What? Is that even possible?"
It was hard to believe. He had just seen Chu Seong-ho a moment ago—a godlike being who seemed to freeze the very air between heaven and earth. How could a being like that look like a simple woodcutter?
"I don't know for sure. It's a legendary realm of cultivation, after all. But they say that if you go to Shaolin or Wudang, you'll find living Buddhas and Immortals dwelling there. Even His Majesty the Emperor pays them respect first."
Shaolin was in Henan. Wudang was in Hubei. Unlike Guangdong, which sat on the southern coast of the Central Plains, they were both great factions that occupied the heart of the land.
A question suddenly occurred to Yeon So-wol. "What about here in Guangdong? Are there no such masters here?"
"Uh…" Kang Mu-hyeok averted his gaze slightly. "There might… be? There are always reclusive masters who have turned their backs on the world to live in hiding."
If they've already turned their backs on the world, shouldn't that count as them not being here? Yeon So-wol kept the cynical thought to himself. It seemed Guangdong wasn't such a remarkable region in this world after all.
…But why do I feel bad about this? I'm not even from Guangdong. …Are Shaolin and Wudang really that amazing? …I guess they must be, if even the Emperor shows them respect. But why do I feel a little…
He felt a bit gloomy, and his head felt a little hot. As Yeon So-wol stewed in his thoughts, Kang Mu-hyeok continued.
"Anyway, So-wol, let me finish. People like General Chu Seong-ho can't hide the aura they emit. So what do you think would happen? On Mount Cheonro, I mean."
"Ah! Everyone would run away…"
"Exactly. The moment that general sets foot on Mount Cheonro, everyone will sense him and go into hiding. That's why the general can't lead the subjugation by himself. It's not because he's lazy."
"…I see."
As Yeon So-wol fell silent, Kang Mu-hyeok spoke again. "So-wol, being strong is just that—being strong. It doesn't mean you're all-knowing or all-powerful. No matter how strong General Chu Seong-ho is, if martial artists decide to hide and fight, they can make his life very difficult."
He glanced back at the Jianghu warriors enjoying the boat ride. "But today, we all revealed ourselves and stood before the General."
A gentle smile touched his usually placid lips. "And Master, even when facing the General's blade, stood tall to the very end."
Downing his cup in one go, he refilled Yeon So-wol's and said, "Martial arts are important to a warrior of the Jianghu. But, So-wol, true strength… might just be something like that."
*
"Silence!"
A sudden roar ripped through the air, making the river's surface tremble. Everyone turned, tense. It was the same voice that had announced General Chu Seong-ho's arrival.
"The Grand Master of Glorious Light, Pillar of the State, Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, acting Minister of War and Right Censor of the Inspectorate, the Chief Daoist of Yanggwang who Defends the Region, Master Seo Myeong-eum, has proposed a simple entertainment!"
Senior Rank 1 Grand Master of Glorious Light. A pillar of the nation. The Crown Prince's teacher.
One who, by temporarily holding the title of Minister of War, held the power of appointment and summary judgment, and could reasonably ignore even the orders of the central Ministry of War. One who could inspect and punish all manner of officials and government offices on behalf of the Emperor.
The number one man defending Guangxi and Guangdong, the supreme commander holding the military authority of both provinces in his hand. The direct superior of General Chu Seong-ho.
In short, he was a high-ranking dignitary who had reached the absolute pinnacle of a civil official's career. You could search the entire world and not find many people of higher station.
However…
"Entertainment?"
The Jianghu warriors, their eyes gleaming, latched onto that single word.
"The Master wishes to see the skills of Guangdong's young martial artists! Any warrior not yet past the age of twenty-five who is confident in their abilities, step forward and board the Chief Daoist's ship! Those who succeed will be personally granted a Treasured Sword by the Chief Daoist himself!"
A Treasured Sword!
A thrill ran through the martial artists. The sword was the most beloved weapon among the people of the Jianghu, for it was easy to carry and its subtleties were endless. And this was a Treasured Sword bestowed by the Chief Daoist of Yanggwang, a man who might as well live in the heavens. It was sure to be a priceless treasure, the likes of which one might see only once in a lifetime.
"Dammit! I just turned twenty-six this year!"
"Think I can get away with lying about my age?"
"Go on, try it. I really want to see what happens when you get caught."
"Dammit…"
"Too bad for all of you. I just turned twenty-five this year, so I'm perfectly eligible."
"What? Weren't you twenty-eight?"
"…No."
"You madman."
Some came to their senses and decided not to participate. Others lost their senses and prepared to join, even if it meant lying about their age.
As the Jianghu warriors acted like Jianghu warriors, some stepping forward and others holding back, Kang Mu-hyeok gripped Yeon So-wol's right shoulder tightly.
"So-wol."
"Young Master!" Seon Je-hun, who had appeared out of nowhere, gripped Yeon So-wol's remaining left shoulder.
"You have to be the one to do this."
"You've got to do this, Young Master."
"So-wol! This has to be you!" Mo Cheong came running from somewhere and joined in, surrounding Yeon So-wol.
"Wait, why me…?" Yeon So-wol was bewildered.
Though his Lightness Technique had improved rapidly, he was, objectively speaking, not yet at Mo Cheong's level. On the other hand, Kang Mu-hyeok, Lee Yu-baek's head disciple, was exactly twenty-five this year. He was the perfect person to shine in this "entertainment." He was baffled as to why they were all clinging to him.
But Kang Mu-hyeok was dead serious.
"Think about it, So-wol. What you said earlier must have impressed not only the General Commander but the Chief Daoist as well. In this situation, what do you think will happen if you succeed in this entertainment and go to receive the Treasured Sword?"
"Ah! My father is over there right now, so…"
"Exactly. It will be a great honor for Master. It will bring up what happened earlier and improve the atmosphere. What's more, you're quite young, so you'll leave an even deeper impression. That will be a great help to the discussion Master is having with the dignitaries right now. That's why it has to be you. For the greatest effect, it must be you who succeeds, not us."
With him putting it like that, Yeon So-wol could no longer refuse.
"…I understand. I'll do it."
"Good. The three of us will support you with everything we have. You use any means necessary to survive and get on that Chief Daoist's ship."
Kang Mu-hyeok had used the word "survive." As Yeon So-wol looked around, he realized it was no exaggeration.
…What the hell?
Hadn't he said that the higher the realm of a Confucian practitioner, the harder it was to hide their aura? What would happen if you took that already sharp and bright aura and intentionally added fighting spirit and pressure to it?
The answer was unfolding before his very eyes.
Across the river, he could see the military officers positioned around the Chief Daoist's large ship. They held blunt, bladeless spears and wooden swords, their gazes fixed on the martial artists' boats. A suffocating pressure radiated from them. The wind churned and the waves rose, causing even the boats far across the water to creak and sway.
"First-rate."
"Definitely first-rate."
"They've manifested True Fire."
The Jianghu warriors assessed the pressure, each offering their own evaluation. Kang Mu-hyeok tightened his grip on Yeon So-wol's shoulder.
"The weakest among them are peak second-rate, and there are several first-rate masters. So-wol. You still have to do this."
“…”
Yeon So-wol stared at the military officers with wavering eyes. Their aura was stern and murderous.
It was only natural. Their current position was clear. They had failed to suppress a group of unruly thugs in front of their esteemed superior. No matter how you spun it, they had suffered a humiliating defeat. And now, they had been ordered to stop the young ones from that group of thugs from boarding the Chief Daoist of Yanggwang's ship.
Even if the Chief Daoist considered this entertainment, for the military officers on the receiving end of the order, it could never be just entertainment. What Yeon So-wol's Qi Sense was reading was something closer to killing intent than mere fighting spirit.
"Why… Why are they being so murderous? He said… he said it was entertainment…"
For Yeon So-wol, who had no military experience, it was impossible to understand.