Chapter 278: Seoyu County
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 278: Seoyu County
If there was one thing I’d learned about this world, it was that it consisted of a single, massive continent shaped remarkably like Asia on Earth.
I wondered if that even made sense, but I decided to just go with it, thinking of it as something like a parallel world to Earth. Either that or a planet that just happened to look similar.
Among the countless dimensions, surely one like this could exist.
In any case, while Shaanxi and Hubei were neighboring provinces, they were by no means close.
The landmass was just that vast.
It was now the second day of our journey south from Jinheung Village toward Hubei.
We were passing through a place called Mt. Chilbo. I’d heard it was named that because of a legend about an old man who reached the summit in just seven steps, became an immortal, and ascended.
The term "ascension" sounds mystical and grand, but in the end, it just means they died.
It’s just like how Daoist sects like Jongnam or Mount Hua describe the passing of a high-ranking elder as an "ascension.”
Anyway, after hiking through mountains all day, I was starting to get bored.
I was hoping some bandits would show up, but the situation here made it impossible for them to operate.
Common sense dictated that with three major sects of the Nine Great Sects and One Alliance located nearby, no madman would dare set up a stronghold.
But I had underestimated the ignorance and lack of common sense of bandits.
“Halt!”
Just as I was doing some light training by reciting the incantations of the Blood Flame Asura Demonic Art, a group of bandits who looked like they hadn't washed in days appeared.
Every one of them had a sword at their waist, and their eyes alone screamed, "I'm a bandit.”
“Surrender your weapons peacefully, and we’ll spare your lives—”
Slice.
I lopped off the head of the man standing at the front.
His skill was second-rate, at best.
At the sight, the other bandits stared blankly for nearly three seconds before panicking and fleeing. As they scattered in all directions, I activated my magic detection.
‘The stronghold is that way.’
I was running low on this world’s currency anyway.
Of course, I could have sold the items I brought from Earth to get a lump sum, but I preferred the idea of plundering bandits.
“A green bandana... They must be from the Green Forest Clan.”
“Green Forest?”
Cheon Yeo-hwa pointed at the bandana on the bandit’s corpse.
“The Green Forest Seventy-Two Forts. They’re a collective of bandits representing the Evil Faction. Aside from the top thirteen strongholds, they’re mostly small fry, but their leader, the Green Forest Bandit Leader, is one of the ‘Five Emperors.’”
The Five Emperors. Five absolute masters who had reached the Flower Realm.
“There are also the Twelve Heroes of the Green Forest, who are Transcendent masters, but most of them are concentrated north of the river. So, this is likely a relatively new stronghold.”
“Even so, how could Mount Hua or Jongnam not know? Wudang is right next door, too.”
“Oh, it’s quite common. If they only attack merchant caravans that are easy to clean up after and then erase their tracks, even the prestigious Orthodox Faction would have a hard time finding them in these vast mountains.”
“Hmm.”
True, even with lightness skills, this world was unimaginably vast. It was shaped like the Asian continent, but its actual size was probably even larger.
That was why it had taken us two days just to reach the lands of Hubei.
‘Well, if I had used my lightness skill, I would have reached the vicinity of Mt. Wudang long ago.’
But I wasn't in a hurry, so I didn't feel the need.
I walked over to the Green Forest bandit’s corpse with the Black Killing Mad Demon Sword in hand.
“Come forth, Tam.”
At that moment, a crimson-black demonic energy rose from the sword.
The energy, completely enveloping the blade, opened a maw like a living creature and swallowed the bandit’s corpse whole.
Munch, munch.
Slurp, slurp.
Ptooey.
Thud.
The corpse spat out by the demonic energy was now a dried-up mummy. The energy absorbed from its body began to seep into me.
“A demonic sword with the power of the Essence Absorbing Demonic Art... I can’t believe it even after seeing it.”
“Me neither.”
The Essence Absorbing Demonic Art was one of the Ten Great Demonic Arts of the World, a most wicked technique that sucked out a person’s internal energy, essence, and blood, and even their true origin, turning them into a mummy.
And the ability of the Black Killing Mad Demon Sword, which had been sealed as ‘???’ until now, was remarkably similar to it.
[Tam (Greed)
Absorbs the target’s energy.]
Just as we’d seen, it absorbed the target’s energy and made it mine.
“Will you be alright? The end for those who learn the Essence Absorbing Demonic Art is always to become a monster that has lost its sanity. They crave the essence and blood of others until the very moment they die. Hyun-woo, it’s not that I don’t trust you... but I can’t help but worry.”
I stroked the hair of Cheon Yeo-hwa, who was looking at me with concern, and let her take my pulse.
Showing her was better than trying to reassure her with words.
Woooong—
The energy absorbed by Tam’s ability flowed through my qi and blood vessels toward my dantian. But if you were to ask if I could accept it as it was, the answer was no.
Of course, the absorption itself was possible. My internal energy would increase if I did.
But cultivating my qi in such a way would ultimately be my loss.
Why do you think prestigious families and sects perform the cleansing of the marrow and bones on their young disciples?
It’s to remove the impure energy accumulated in their qi and blood.
If the impure energy from one’s own body is treated that way, the internal energy of another person is a different matter entirely.
That’s why those who learn the Essence Absorbing Demonic Art lose their minds. In the process of absorbing another’s internal energy and essence, a massive amount of impure energy gets mixed into their dantian.
The Eight Extraordinary Meridians connected to the dantian become filled with this impurity, which eventually leads to their very marrow being saturated with demonic nature.
In that sense, another person’s energy is akin to filthy, impure energy.
And this was the internal energy of a second-rate Evil Faction martial artist who had learned a hodgepodge of common, street-level martial arts, not even a proper orthodox technique. It was even worse.
“This is...?”
Cheon Yeo-hwa’s fingertips trembled slightly as she took my pulse. Her eyes widened, unable to hide her bewilderment.
The bandit’s internal energy flowing through my qi and blood vessels began to burn away as if consumed by fire.
Soon, all that remained was a handful of pure internal energy.
After this ‘refining’ process, the energy naturally seeped into my dantian under my guidance.
‘I use the Black Flame to burn away only the unnecessary impure energy and absorb what’s left. Finally, I use the Formless Vajra Art to make it completely my own.’
This was a method of energy absorption that only I could perform.
The method was too brutal, though, so I couldn't let others find out.
‘If I get caught, I’ll be branded a public enemy of Murim.’
I burned the mummified corpse of the bandit. I had no intention of using this ability unless the target was a truly wicked person.
In that respect, this guy qualified.
The thick scent of blood that pierced my nose told me he had killed at least dozens of people.
‘Still, because he was second-rate and an Evil Faction martial artist, so much of his energy was burned away that it barely made a difference. Not that I can use this on martial artists from the Orthodox Faction.’
It was a bit disappointing, but Tam’s ability wasn’t limited to just that.
Just as it had momentarily disrupted Ma Paeseon’s Asura Energy during our last fight, it could temporarily interfere with an opponent’s energy flow.
That was another of Tam’s abilities.
Though, to be precise, it was a side effect that occurred when it failed to absorb the internal energy of a living person.
“A flame that selectively burns only the impure energy from a mixed stream of qi...”
Cheon Yeo-hwa was so shocked that she remained speechless for a while.
And for good reason. What I had just done was akin to separating only the water from an already mixed drink.
It was a skill that even absolute masters who had reached the Flower Realm could not imitate.
Having eased Cheon Yeo-hwa’s worries, I immediately moved in the direction the bandits had fled.
‘I hope I find a decent opponent to practice the Blood Flame Asura Demonic Art on.’
A red Asura Energy flickered around my body.
*
Seoyu County.
It was a relatively bustling town within Shiyan Prefecture of Hubei Province, and one of the villages people passed through on their way to Mt. Wudang.
It used to be a dull, old-fashioned village with no special attractions, but as the population grew, famous spots began to emerge one by one through word of mouth.
The Baekya Inn, always overflowing with customers thanks to the owner’s excellent skills, was one of them.
“Hey, did you hear?”
Thak.
A man set down his cup of wine.
“What nonsense are you on about now?”
“Hey, now. I’m talking about the Ghost Hand Twin Swords.”
“Hm? Those scumbags? What about them?”
“They were killed last night.”
“...What?”
At those words, several people in the inn gasped in surprise.
The Ghost Hand Twin Swords were Evil Faction martial artists so infamous that everyone in the area knew of them.
They weren't originally from Seoyu County, but after settling here two years ago, they established a group called the ‘Iron Snake Gang’ and took control of Seoyu’s back alleys in a single night.
The Iron Snake Gang started with usury and dabbled in all sorts of crimes, even beginning to collect protection money from the merchants.
It wasn't as if they needed protection from anyone but the Iron Snake Gang in the first place.
More than a few people had lost their lives unjustly due to their tyranny.
The local government office, perhaps bribed, did nothing.
At one point, chivalrous warriors tried to subjugate the Ghost Hand Twin Swords, but none could withstand the dual sword techniques of the two peak-level martial artists.
Unable to bear it any longer, the merchants banded together and sought help from the Wudang Sect several times, but they only ever received replies stating that the matter would be reviewed.
“No way, what happened?! Did the Wudang Sect finally send someone?!”
“That’s not it.”
“What? Then who in the world killed the Ghost Hand Twin Swords?”
“Apparently, they tried to harass a woman wearing a veil and got their heads lopped off by the young man next to her. In a single exchange, no less.”
“...?”
The man just blinked at his friend’s story.
It was hard to believe that a single person could take down the Ghost Hand Twin Swords—who, as a duo, were considered among the Top 100 Experts of the World—in just one exchange.
“...So that’s why Mr. Yoo, who lost his son to those bastards, looked so cheerful.”
But the Murim was a place where the unimaginable happened.
The man nodded, quickly accepting it.
“Anyway, who is this young man? Don’t tell me he’s the Sword Dragon of Mount Hua?”
“Well, I don’t know about that, but he was apparently quite handsome. Looked to be just over twenty. Probably a rising star from another region. Doesn’t seem like he belongs to the Nine Great Sects or the Five Great Families, though.”
“Hah... To have that kind of skill at his age is surprising enough, but he’s handsome too? I’m grateful he killed the Ghost Hand Twin Swords, but... honestly, I’m so jealous I could die.”
“He had a tall, slender build, more like a scholar than a martial artist... Ah, yes. Just like that man over there.”
At that moment, the gazes of all the customers in the inn focused on one spot.
A man and a woman were just entering the inn.
The woman exuded elegance despite wearing a veil, and the man had the tall, slender build of a scholar. And there was a sword hanging from his waist.
It was clear that this was the young martial artist who had dealt with the Ghost Hand Twin Swords.
“W-Welcome, Great Hero!”
A quick-witted server rushed over. He was a man who had lost a friend to the Iron Snake Gang’s tyranny just a few days ago.
He suppressed the urge to drop to his knees and express his gratitude right then and there.
He didn’t want to make his benefactor uncomfortable.
The server guided the two to the best table, a spot on the second floor with a clear view of the Seoyu River.
Ting. The man flicked a silver coin.
“Bring us your best dishes. Do you have any Shaoxing wine?”
“Yes! We have a few bottles from Zhejiang Province.”
“Two bottles of that, then.”
“I’ll bring them right away!”
The server, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched his knees, hurried to the kitchen.
Watching him, Kang Hyun-woo was lost in thought for a moment.
‘...What’s this?’
Calling me ‘Great Hero’ before I even ordered.
The servers in this world were never this friendly.
Besides, the inn was packed, yet it was strangely quiet.
Feeling a strange sense of dissonance, I sent a telepathic message to Cheon Yeo-hwa.
-Yeo-hwa, doesn’t the atmosphere in this inn seem a little strange?
“Two bottles of Shaoxing wine! Coming right up!”
Thak.
Just then, the server brought the wine. Cheon Yeo-hwa took a sip from a small cup and admired the scenery outside.
-Isn’t it because of those martial artists you dealt with last night?
-Last night?
-The men who used twin swords.
-...Ah.
Now I remembered.
Their title was...
-Weren’t they the Glans Twin Swords or something?
-The Ghost Hand Twin Swords.
Well, it was a name something like that.
We had been on our way to a gisaeng house famous for its fine wine when they suddenly blocked our path. They demanded Cheon Yeo-hwa remove her veil and threatened her with their swords, so I lopped their heads off.
-They didn’t seem skilled enough to have a title.
-By that logic, wasn’t it the same for the bandit leader you took care of yesterday?
-True.
I remembered that one’s name clearly.
Seven-Step Great Saber, Kwak Jung-ak.
It was a hard name to forget, since I’d turned him in at the government office for a bounty.
-I heard those Ghost Hand Twin Swords were so tyrannical that everyone in Seoyu County knew of them. They were involved in usury, human trafficking, and even collaborated with the government office to extort money from local merchants under the guise of protection fees.
-...Where did you hear that?
-Huhu, that’s a trade secret.
Cheon Yeo-hwa gave a faint smile.
She seemed to like the Shaoxing wine, as she kept sipping it without pause.
The stares from the surrounding tables intensified on her face, visible through the veil.
But that lasted only a moment. When I released a bit of killing intent, the stares vanished as if they had never been there.
-Even if it’s not right on their doorstep, the Wudang Sect is still in the area. How could guys like that run rampant?
These weren’t some third-rate or second-rate martial artists; they were masters who had reached the peak. It was strange that the Wudang Sect would just stand by.
-Well... even the Orthodox Faction ultimately acts based on profit and loss. They were probably making all sorts of excuses, waiting for the Ghost Hand Twin Swords to become more infamous.
-Waiting?
-So that a rising star they nurtured could defeat the Ghost Hand Twin Swords and make a name for themselves.
-...Are Daoists allowed to do that?
-Huhu, there’s a reason they’re called those crafty Daoists.
Feeling a sense of unease, I drank the Shaoxing wine that Cheon Yeo-hwa poured for me.
Hmm, it had a strange taste.
It was like warm herbal medicine, yet it was savory, making me crave a side dish.
In any case, it wasn't to my liking.
Just as I set down my cup to order a different drink...
Step.
Someone entered the inn, exuding an extraordinary aura.
An ink-colored dobok and a sword at his waist.
And on the man’s chest were the characters for ‘Wudang.’