Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Shaanxi Province, Jinling Mountains (3)
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Shouts and screams echoed from men in the distance.
Pitiful death rattles. For final words, they felt a bit hollow.
By the time I reached the area near the man in the martial robe, Seolha and Yeonhwa had finished off the bandits and lightly stepped up to my side.
And much like them, the man in the robe swung his sword, severing the last bandit's neck.
After checking the fallen bandits to confirm they were dead, the man finally turned to look my way.
Just entered Peak Realm early stage. Still unstable. That level of cultivation.
That was more than enough skill to handle three bandits.
It was actually surprising he hadn't finished them off sooner.
"My deepest thanks for your assistance."
The man inverted his sword, clasped his hands, and offered me a formal salute.
"Think nothing of it."
"This one is Yeon Yangcheon of the Pure Clarity Sect. I've only recently entered the martial world, so I have no nickname yet."
He was a young man who didn't look all that old. Twenty-five? Something around there.
The reason it took him so long to deal with the bandits despite his skill must have been that.
Lack of experience.
No matter how skilled you are, that skill doesn't always translate fully into results.
Even a tiger cub gets bewildered in an actual hunt and can take a hind kick from a goat.
"I am the Master of Ink Sword Grove."
At my words, the man's gaze deepened.
Truth be told, there was no need to even give my title. Just because he introduced himself didn't mean I had to reciprocate.
Yet I revealed myself as the Master of Ink Sword Grove because the man had a solid presence.
Who was it? That ten-year-old boy at White Dragon Sect, Jangpal.
If he grew up well, he'd probably reach that level of skill by this age.
In ranks, about A-grade?
"My apologies. I've only recently ventured into the world and my knowledge is shallow, so I know nothing of this Ink Sword Grove. Please forgive my ignorance."
"No need. It's not a place known to the wider world, so it's only natural you wouldn't know of it."
As our brief exchange wrapped up, the merchants—who had been trembling in fear—finally rushed over to the young man en masse.
Listening to them thank him profusely and call him their lifesaver, I gleaned a few more details.
There hadn't been bandits in this area originally.
But about half a year ago, this King's Mountain Stronghold crew had appeared out of nowhere and started their banditry.
I had no idea what these peddlers had that would draw bandits all the way out here, but in any case, the merchants said the damage was mounting and they'd been at a loss.
Then today's incident happened.
The merchants expressed their gratitude to the young man and, insisting on showing their thanks, thrust various valuables from their goods upon him.
The young man firmly refused, saying this wasn't why he'd helped, but the merchants were insistent.
"It was going to be taken by bandits anyway—don't feel burdened!" They practically forced the items on him before going their separate ways.
Suddenly left alone, the young man stared at the pile of goods with a troubled expression, glanced my way, and spoke awkwardly.
"There's far too much for me to carry alone. Please, Grove Master, take some as well."
He was a simple, honest sort for a man.
Neat appearance, and a good personality to boot.
Above all, what I liked most was how he used polite speech with me despite my youthful looks.
That showed he had good judgment.
"Those are the rewards for your deeds. It's right that you take them."
"But the Grove Master helped too."
"Hmm. Hard to say. If someone asks who wiped out King's Mountain Stronghold's bandits, I'd tell them it was Yeon Yangcheon of the Pure Clarity Sect."
At that, the man scratched the back of his head with a sheepish look.
He seemed to grasp my intent perfectly.
Sure, I'd lent a hand, but I had no desire to make a fuss about it.
Don't go blabbing about it. That was the message.
"Understood. Though our encounter was brief, I will never forget this aid and engrave it in my heart. Farewell, and take care."
With that, Yeon Yangcheon offered another formal salute.
Then he eyed the merchants' gifts, unfurled a bolt of cloth, and stuffed everything inside haphazardly.
Watching him, I pondered for a moment.
Should I say it? Or would it be meddling?
Then it hit me.
Fortuitous encounters weren't just about finding divine arts in caves or miraculous herbs.
"Yeon Yangcheon, was it?"
"Yes, that's right."
Since I hadn't left but spoke up instead, he straightened and faced me properly again.
Yeah. This is why I was doing it—his polite demeanor.
A single word repaid a thousand-nyang debt, and one proper action earned a fortuitous encounter.
"You use swordsmanship."
"Yes."
"From your sect?"
"Yes. It's called Soaring Dragon Swordsmanship."
"Could you show it to me? Your Soaring Dragon Swordsmanship."
Yeon Yangcheon gave me a dubious look at my request.
Of course. That's the normal reaction. It was quite rude.
Exposing your movements often reveals your martial arts, naturally.
But openly asking to see another sect's techniques like this was absolutely taboo.
So it was up to the young man whether to accept or refuse.
He could scowl, tell me not to talk nonsense, and leave—and I'd have no right to complain.
But Yeon Yangcheon must have sensed it too. This peculiar atmosphere.
The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that had come knocking.
He pursed his lips tightly and pondered for a moment.
Then, as if decided, he drew his sword and faced me.
"This is the Pure Clarity Sect's Soaring Dragon Swordsmanship. It's named for how wielding the sword mimics a dragon frolicking. First, the opening form: Hidden Dragon Claims the Throne."
With that, he assumed a stance and swung his sword.
He named each subsequent form as he finished the prior one, demonstrating them one by one.
Most martial arts forms aren't all that numerous.
Being foundational, they're usually twelve, sixteen, or at most twenty-four forms.
Soaring Dragon Swordsmanship consisted of sixteen forms, and demonstrating them all didn't take long.
Once finished, Yeon Yangcheon sheathed his sword, looked at me, and watched with eyes full of strange anticipation.
"You mainly use the third and twelfth forms. And link them often."
Yeon Yangcheon startled at my words, his mouth falling slightly open.
Well, it wasn't hard to tell.
The sword paths of the third and twelfth forms were the smoothest and cleanest.
"The third form shouldn't link to the twelfth. It pairs better with the ninth. What was the ninth again?"
"Charging Dragon Strike!"
"Show me."
Yeon Yangcheon raised his sword and executed the ninth form, Charging Dragon Strike.
Far more cautious and devoted than his earlier demonstration.
"When you first step forward, widen your stance by two foot-lengths. Lower your elbow a bit more."
"Pardon? Ah, got it."
Now entranced, Yeon Yangcheon followed my instructions to the letter, drawing his sword again.
"Wider. I said two foot-lengths. Elbow lower."
He adjusted his posture as I said and swung. His face lit up with an "Oh?"
"Now connect it to the third form."
He did. Any doubts had vanished from Yeon Yangcheon.
Linking the third and ninth forms, he marveled at his sword trail and footprints on the ground.
"Third to ninth. If the opponent blocks, shift to twelfth. If they dodge, go to eighth. That should work well. Fine swordsmanship."
Hearing that, Yeon Yangcheon gripped his sword and rapidly chained the forms.
A faint smile formed. His cheeks lifted.
As he swung, disbelief played across his face.
"Get a lighter sword. Yours is too heavy. Heavy swords aren't everything. Even a light one can overwhelm foes. Then, perhaps a dragon's roar will echo from your swings."
At my words, Yeon Yangcheon's eyes widened in shock.
Frozen for a moment, the man suddenly stabbed his sword into the ground with a thud, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes.
"Ah..."
Yeonhwa covered her mouth at the sight, knowing full well what was happening.
"He'll need protectors. What a lucky kid. Gaining enlightenment so irresponsibly like this."
I stood beside Yeon Yangcheon, and Seolha and Yeonhwa took positions around him, forming a triangle to guard him.
Yeon Yangcheon seemed to have grasped some insight, but it probably wouldn't take long.
Not something grandiose like Three Flowers Gather at the Summit or Return to the Primordial One.
Just long-simmering knots in his mind coming undone, most likely.
So I leisurely took in the scenery while standing watch.
And sure enough, as I'd predicted, after about half a gak—thirty minutes—he opened his eyes.
Just half an hour, but it wasn't without change.
His previously unstable internal energy flow and aura were now properly settled.
"You've fully entered Peak Realm. Congratulations."
At my words, Yeon Yangcheon sprang up, clasped his hands, and shouted loudly.
"Thank you! Grove Master! I will never forget this grace for the rest of my life!"
"If it helped, that's enough. Not to that extent—forget it after a year or so."
"Pardon?"
"Kidding. Anyway, you've made me spend quite some time, so I must be off."
"Ah! S-sorry! My apologies..."
"No need. That was a joke too. See you around sometime."
With that, I departed, and Seolha and Yeonhwa followed right behind.
"Take care! Thank you!"
Yeon Yangcheon bellowed his farewell at our backs.
His voice carried even after we'd gone quite far.
"Great hero. What about that man caught your eye so much?"
A good distance away, Seolha drew up beside me as we ran and asked.
She must have been dying to know, judging by the question.
"Not that he particularly caught my eye. Just seemed upright."
"I see. But why talk like that?"
"What? Was my speech odd?"
"Like a kid pretending to be old. Still, I liked it."
Seolha chuckled softly.
Good grief. Everything pleases her.
This girl is really hard to figure out sometimes.
Does she even have anything about me she dislikes?