Bicheon Carriage, One Loss -1

I called up the status window in my mind.

By burning every elixir I had obtained through the Small Zhou Fire Wheel Method, my internal energy had reached sixteen.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

“Hmm.”

Even though I had consumed elixirs that would normally have pushed me well past the First-rate internal energy ceiling of thirty, ending up at sixteen was a rather bitter result.

“Your movements have changed.”

“Indeed they have.”

The circulation of internal energy had become far easier all at once. Probably because the clumps corresponding to opposing attributes had been cleared away. The Qi reinforcement that used to creak and catch unnaturally could now be used much more smoothly.

It was a change great enough for Hyeok Gi-rin, currently serving as my swordsmanship instructor, to nod in satisfaction.

“At this level, you can challenge a First-rate sword technique.”

“Oh. Finally.”

“Since Warrior Ho can now chain the Qi reinforcement phenomenon, you possess the basic qualifications to digest the proper forms of a First-rate sword art. Do you have a First-rate martial art you’ve already set your sights on, Wanderer Ho?”

“I do, actually.”

I drew the secret manual from my robes and handed it to Hyeok Gi-rin. A prize I had secured a full five years earlier, ranking among the very best even among First-rate sword arts.

“This is an impressive sword art.”

Of course, it still fell short of the martial arts of the Nine Great Sects. Hyeok Gi-rin offered praise while scanning the pages with her eyes, yet there was no true look of awe. To her discerning eye, the technique was nothing particularly extraordinary—simply a solid, ordinary sword art.

“Single Flash Blue Cloud Sword… Overall the balance of the swordsmanship is excellent, and it incorporates a considerable number of the fundamental principles of sword arts.”

That was precisely the strength of the Single Flash Blue Cloud Sword. It possessed no special characteristic that would overwhelm other martial arts, yet it contained nearly every principle a decent sword art ought to have.

“However, its application is excessively complex, and there are simply too many forms.”

That was also its weakness. A wide array of principles and forms meant a broader range of responses, but at the same time it meant no outstanding strengths of its own.

“Still, if you can master this sword art to completion, it will be a great help in establishing the foundations of your swordsmanship.”

“I’ll be in your care.”

Hyeok Gi-rin began teaching me the Single Flash Blue Cloud Sword as if it were no difficulty at all. She instructed me so easily that one would never have guessed she had only just seen the martial art today.

Even for a technique far below her own realm, to display the comprehension needed to teach it to another after a single glance… As expected of the rising star representing the Jeomchang Sect, her fundamental talent was extraordinary as well.

While teaching the Single Flash Blue Cloud Sword, Hyeok Gi-rin suddenly turned her head. In the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠distance, Dang Do-yeon and Tang Do-gyeong could be seen approaching.

“Haha, I hope I haven’t interrupted the two of you.”

“Oh, Brother Tang has arrived.”

The instant Tang Do-gyeong appeared, Hyeok Gi-rin switched to male speech patterns without missing a beat.

It had been a week since they began staying together at Sama Yeom’s residence. Tang Do-gyeong and Hyeok Gi-rin had grown quite close. Though their temperaments differed, both could be called true chivalrous heroes, and each was one of the rising stars representing the Jeomchang Sect and the Tang Family respectively.

The elements needed for them to become close had already been prepared in advance, one might say.

Though the two had hit ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it off, the problem was that they shared no common ground on which to deepen their friendship. Hyeok Gi-rin had no talent for gambling, and she could not hold her liquor well either.

As a result, the two naturally focused on exchanging martial arts.

For Tang Do-gyeong, who needed practical experience to complete the Tang Family Fierce Tiger Hidden Dragon Combat Method, Hyeok Gi-rin was also the perfect sparring partner.

Thus, at the end of the time Hyeok Gi-rin spent reviewing my swordsmanship, a sparring session between Tang Do-gyeong and Hyeok Gi-rin was naturally added. They would exchange through sparring, then share lunch while reviewing what they had learned.

As always, the two widened the distance and faced off without a word of ceremony.

“Then I request a match again today.”

“I shall learn a move from you.”

The spar began. Tang Do-gyeong stepped backward while launching throwing daggers; Hyeok Gi-rin adjusted her pace and steadily closed the distance.

Hyeok Gi-rin’s fundamental movements traced large circles, yet the moment Tang Do-gyeong showed the slightest opening she would instantly compress the space and thrust in.

The sparring record was Tang Do-gyeong’s total defeat. Of course Hyeok Gi-rin was stronger than Tang Do-gyeong to begin with, but the Sun-Shooting Sword Art could also be called the extreme counter to the Tang Family Fierce Tiger Hidden Dragon Combat Method.

The hallmark of the Sun-Shooting Sword Art was the extreme high-speed thrusts that disregarded the body itself.

Tang Do-gyeong was a Super-Peak expert, yet his proficiency with hidden weapons could not yet be called Super-Peak level. He had only recently begun filling in the hidden-weapon techniques he had long neglected, so it was inevitable.

Thus seizing victory against Hyeok Gi-rin with hidden weapons alone was nearly impossible.

The place to decide the match, then, was fists… yet this was precisely where the difference in martial arts and experience stood out most starkly. The Sun-Shooting Sword Art, perfected over long ages, versus the still-incomplete Fierce Tiger Hidden Dragon Combat Method. The gap was clear.

The forms of the unfinished Tang Family Fierce Tiger Hidden Dragon Combat Method simply lacked the completeness needed to pierce the openings of the Sun-Shooting Sword Art.

From the start the outcome was as good as decided, yet as always the two wholeheartedly threw themselves into the spar.

“Those two never seem to get tired.”

Glancing sideways, I saw that Dang Do-yeon’s face clearly showed boredom. She was probably itching to drive the Bicheon Carriage.

“Ahh~ Ahh~ Is there anyone who’ll ride the Bicheon Carriage with me?”

Dang Do-yeon whistled blatantly while staring straight at me. Of course I thoroughly ignored her. I heard the sound of her clicking her tongue, but for me this was a matter of life and death.

While I was busy dodging Dang Do-yeon’s persistent gaze, the spar ended once again with Hyeok Gi-rin’s victory.

“I have learned a move.”

“Brother Tang’s hidden-weapon techniques improve by the day.”

“Haha. This is all thanks to Brother Hyeok’s guidance.”

Though Hyeok Gi-rin had won the spar, it was always Tang Do-gyeong who looked satisfied with the result. Simply identifying points for improvement in the Tang Family Fierce Tiger Hidden Dragon Combat Method and trying new techniques was enough for him to gain a great deal.

As a spectator, if I were to offer an opinion, the transition movements between fists and hidden weapons needed further refinement. Deploying a two-choice feint that cleanly deceived a Super-Peak expert was excellent, yet the investment of motion required for the deception was excessive.

Well… criticizing is easy; improving is not. I myself could not think of a solution on the spot.

I shook my head to clear the thoughts. The Tang Family Fierce Tiger Hidden Dragon Combat Method had my gambling techniques mixed into it, so I felt a certain fondness for the art, yet it now belonged to the Tang Family. I ought to let it go.

Focus on my own martial arts training.

“So everyone was gathered here.”

“We greet the Prefect.”

As I was thinking that, Sama Yeom appeared. It was only lunchtime; he could not possibly have finished his duties already. What had happened? As if reading the question on my face, Sama Yeom spoke.

“Letters have arrived from the Tang Family and the Jeomchang Sect.”

Tang Do-gyeong and Hyeok Gi-rin each unfolded the letters Sama Yeom handed them.

“Hmm… a recall order.”

“Same here.”

Sichuan was rapidly recovering its former appearance. Most of the plundered goods had been returned to their owners, and the merchants who recovered their wares busily set out on trade journeys once more.

The rumor that the bandits had been subjugated had also spread widely. People visiting Sichuan increased day by day, and the province was drawing close to its former bustling liveliness.

Since Sichuan had sufficiently normalized, it was time for these three to return as well.

I smacked my lips in regret.

I knew full well that Tang Do-gyeong, Dang Do-yeon, and Hyeok Gi-rin could not remain in Sichuan forever, yet the regret was inevitable. The hidden-weapon techniques taught by Tang Do-gyeong and Dang Do-yeon, and the swordsmanship guided by Hyeok Gi-rin—both had greatly aided my growth.

“And the Sect Leader has invited Wanderer Ho. Young Lady Heukmyo as well.”

“Hmm… the Family Head has also written that he desires Brother Ho’s visit.”

Hyeok Gi-rin and Tang Do-gyeong. Their eyes met.

“Hmm…”

“Hmm…”

After a brief, suffocating staring contest, Tang Do-gyeong opened fire first.

“Hahaha. Brother Hyeok. Brother Ho and the Tang Family are on intimate terms. On a small scale there is a connection with this Tang Do-gyeong; on a large scale the entire Tang Family owes Brother Ho a debt. Would it not be proper for our Tang Family to host Brother Ho?”

“Hehehe, Brother Tang. What are you saying? Our Jeomchang has likewise received a great debt from Wanderer Ho. He gave enlightenment to Junior Sister Yeo Il-ye, and together with Junior Sister Yeo Il-ye he wiped out the villains who even targeted our Jeomchang… It is only right that Jeomchang should host him.”

Confirming each other’s intentions, Tang Do-gyeong’s face hardened and Hyeok Gi-rin’s eyes narrowed.

The fighting spirit from his Fighting Dog days flickered behind Tang Do-gyeong, and from Hyeok Gi-rin’s body the same spirit that had single-handedly overwhelmed bandits began to radiate.

“Brother Ho will probably find our Tang Family more comfortable. Privately he has a friendship with the Family Head, and there are many people with whom he can reunite—my younger sister Ryeo-a, or the Wind Shadow Unit Leader, for instance.”

“Hehe, for Wanderer Ho who is currently pouring all his heat into martial arts training, the Jeomchang Sect will be more helpful. If you train while receiving the spiritual energy of Mount Sunam where Jeomchang is situated, you will soon achieve results.”

“Very well! Above all, the opinion of the person concerned is important! Brother Ho! Come back to the Tang Family with us!”

“Indeed. Warrior Ho. Will you not visit the Jeomchang Sect? Our sect will treat you without the slightest shortcoming!”

At the two’s auras I took a step back. How had things suddenly turned out like this? Whichever I chose, there were pros and cons. If I went to the Tang Family there would probably be great progress in hidden weapons. And the possibility of receiving elixirs corresponding to the Seven Luminaries attributes was higher than at the Jeomchang Sect.

On the other hand, the benefits of going to the Jeomchang Sect were equally clear. From giving enlightenment to Yeo Il-ye to resolving Yeo Il-ye’s grudge. Considering that, unlike the Hwangbo Family, Qingcheng, Zhongnan, and Emei Sects—who had suffered great damage to their reputations by being played by Hwanggeum-seon in this operation—Jeomchang had taken no particular hit to its name… the compensation from this side would not be small either.

Moreover, since there was a high chance of continuing to receive instruction from Hyeok Gi-rin, purely in terms of martial arts development this side was more attractive. Though Tang Do-gyeong and Dang Do-yeon were Super-Peak experts like Hyeok Gi-rin, Hyeok Gi-rin’s teaching ability was far superior.

“Hmm…”

A situation in which whichever I chose, the other side would inevitably feel disappointed. As I hesitated, Dang Do-yeon placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke.

“You should go to the Tang Family! I’ll take you there quickly with the Bicheon Carriage!”

“Ah.”

“Ah.”

“…Ah.”

The next destination was decided.