Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Southern Jiang Divine Hero (2)
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The fly-like punk who flung open the inn's door, yelling if the Southern Jiang Divine Hero was here.
His face concealed by the brim of a bamboo hat and his body shrouded in a black robe, he looked blatantly suspicious to the naked eye. He gave the surroundings a quick once-over before striding straight toward me.
But at that moment.
The innkeeper blocked the fly's path and spoke up.
"S-Sir. I don't know your story, but this is Dangan-gu, known as the cradle of the orthodox martial world."
At the innkeeper's bold move, the voice of my master at my waist rang out.
- Innkeeper old timer. You've got some real guts.
'Worthy of it.'
- Worthy? That dark figure who burst through the door exuded an aura clearly on the level of a peak expert. Back in my day, we'd smash inns to bits on a whim, but has the jianghu changed that much in just a hundred years?
'As if the jianghu's changed in a mere hundred years. Inn staff are still one of the top five jobs to avoid in the martial world.'
Even now, some inn, brothel, or tavern across the land was probably getting smashed to pieces.
- Hm. Then doesn't that contradict what you just said about it being worthy?
'Because, like the innkeeper said, this is Dangan-gu.'
Dangan-gu, the cradle of the orthodox martial world.
It was already in the territory of the Wudang Sect and Jeon-gal Clan, treated as a holy site alongside Song Mountain near Shaolin and Luoyang where the Murim Alliance was based.
But then the Righteous Martial Academy was established, and the Alliance Leader at the time issued a decree that anyone causing trouble here would be judged in his name regardless of the crime, even codifying it into law to protect the young talents.
'Meaning...'
If you act up here, you become a public enemy of the martial world in an instant.
So I figured the fly punk would mutter something like "We'll meet again" and back off meekly.
But at that moment.
The black fly's robe lifted slightly.
"!"
"Shh. Don't flap your mouth carelessly."
The bold innkeeper's eyes widened like a startled rabbit's as he nodded and stepped back.
Having made the innkeeper retreat, the fly punk approached me again and sat in the seat that had originally been Yin Ha-seong's.
Unlike when he'd flung the door open, he sat down relatively quietly.
As if time itself had frozen, the inn had fallen silent, but now it buzzed back to life.
"But didn't that guy who just came in say he was looking for the Southern Jiang Divine Hero? Why's he sitting over there?"
"You fool, isn't that the original seat of the Southern Jiang Divine Hero? They're in the middle of a story, so he's waiting his turn or something!"
"Ah! Right, yeah?! So, great hero, what happened next?!"
"...Uh. Where was I?"
"You said up to the part where the guy claiming to be White Tiger General Hwang Chung and the one claiming to be Golden Tiger General Ma Chao approached right near Ming Mountain Inn."
"Ah, right...? Ahem. So, picking up from there, one swung a massive cleaver as he charged, while the other thrust a gleaming spear. It was a perilous moment, but I didn't panic. I called out to my sister standing by the bubbling pot."
"What did you say?!"
"Sister. I'll be back before my stew cools."
"Kyaah!"
"Southern Jiang Divine Hero! Southern Jiang Divine Hero!!"
In the midst of that, I turned to the dark figure who'd suddenly joined me at the table.
"Looks like you got the wrong address? As you can see, the Southern Jiang Divine Hero is over there."
At my words, the fly punk replied.
"I came to the right place."
"My name isn't Yin Ha-seong."
"I know."
"Then why sit in front of me? Dressed like some child of darkness. Ruining my appetite."
"...A-Appetite? Ahem. As your little brother said, I came looking for the Southern Jiang Divine Hero. And I know that in the jianghu, tales spread mouth to mouth, so reputations sometimes transfer to others. You're the hidden owner of that title, aren't you, little brother?"
"No use playing dumb. When I entered this inn, I deliberately released my killing intent. The Southern Jiang Merchant King's brats reacted a bit slowly. I know a guy named Wan Sam-seok who was the leader of Guhwa Village—his underlings might not notice, but you don't have the skill to take him down. Meanwhile, you reacted first."
The black-robed fly started like that and continued.
"It wasn't just quick hands to your sword. In that instant, it felt like all the air in the inn rushed toward you. Even I, who prides myself on surviving countless brushes with death, held my breath at your movements. If there's anyone in this inn besides me who could take Wan Sam-seok's head, it's you, little brother. With that in mind, how about a proposal...?"
"I refuse."
"......?"
"I refuse."
"...Refusing without even hearing it? Do you know who I am? Or what I was going to say?"
Obviously.
"You're from the Murim Alliance, right?"
"H-How?!"
"Judging people isn't a skill only you have."
As I said earlier, this place is one of the orthodox martial world's holy sites.
There are plenty of places to cause trouble across the land, so no black path fool would pick here to act up.
'Unless they're demon cultists or someone fearless for some other reason.'
But this isn't the time when demon cultists roam openly.
So that makes him orthodox. With the civil exam at the Righteous Martial Academy underway and the martial exam right around the corner, no sect or clan would let someone wander around stirring trouble.
'They're all busy worrying over how their disciples or kin can ace the exams.'
But the Murim Alliance has the leeway.
The demon cult is stirring underground, but on the surface, it's a peaceful time for the martial world.
In the original story, the Alliance, with spare manpower during this season, always dispatched enforcers to Dangan-gu to maintain order.
"Well, you tried to look black path with the outfit and speech, but the clothes were too stereotypical, and your lines were awkward. 'Don't flap your mouth carelessly'? What is that? The swearing's bland and has this subtle consideration. Nice effort, but a real black path guy would've started with filth and ended with a sneer."
"......"
So, assuming this awkward fly is from the Alliance explains the unnatural awkwardness, the refined aura unfit for an exam taker, and the innkeeper stepping aside meekly—everything fits.
"Not just your skill, but your eye for detail is no joke. I was about to show my badge with the proposal, but you saw through me nicely."
"Anyone paying close attention and thinking it over could figure it out."
"I've been here for half a month. I approached young later-generation talents from minor factions gaining fame the same way, but no one noticed like you. Anyway, my apologies. I'm Myeong Tae-seong, the top squad leader of the Alliance Leader's direct strike force. Forgive my late introduction."
Myeong Tae-seong removed his bamboo hat, bowed his head, and cupped his fists.
His rudeness warranted about this much apology, so I returned the gesture.
"Eon Yong-un. Well, since you apologized, it'd be heartless to refuse outright. I'll hear your proposal."
"Thank you for your consideration, little brother. Straight to the point: join the Murim Alliance."
I knew it.
- You knew it?
'Yes. That's why I refused.'
- Judging by the name, it's an organization where the righteous sects, monks, and clans unite their power. At that level, shouldn't talents flock to it naturally?
'Probably at first, Master. But not anymore.'
As I mentioned earlier, the orthodox martial world has enjoyed a long peace since the last Great Orthodox-Demonic War.
When peace drags on, organizations like the Alliance, formed for emergencies, lose momentum as members' voices grow louder.
'In Righteous Martial Academy's Sword Genius, the protagonist's generation is depicted as especially bad, with the Alliance struggling to recruit talent.'
'Worse pay and treatment than major clans or sects, yet nationwide duties mean frequent transfers, making it hard to settle down, start a family, or invest earnings unless you're high up.'
In that environment, young talents flock to clans or sect headquarters with better deals.
"I appreciate the offer, but I refuse."
"...Little brother. Don't take it personally. While investigating the Southern Jiang Divine Hero, I checked your background too—you were exiled from your clan. You're probably planning to enter the Righteous Martial Academy and reclaim your status. Right?"
A bit off-target, but.
"Close enough. Go on."
"It won't be easy. One of the academy's mottos is 'Provide equal learning opportunities to those resolved to walk the righteous path and nurture them as pillars of the orthodox martial world.' But reality isn't like that."
Saying that, Myeong Tae-seong pointed to the liquor bottle before me.
"My throat's parched. Mind if I have a drink?"
"Go ahead."
"Ahh. Thanks. Anyway, inside the academy, hierarchies form by rank and faction—among students and even professors. Sure, some are fair, but most favor their own. If you're not from a famed lineage of a prestigious sect or clan, scores are biased, and it's stifling. In a word, it's a mess."
"Thanks for the advice, but it's my life. Why are you getting so worked up, Squad Leader?"
"Because it's a waste of you. I've seen plenty break their swords in despair or fail to shine in that environment."
The vividness suggests it's not just observation—some personal story mixed in?
"So here's my proposal. If your goal is to clear your name and reclaim your rights, the Alliance could be a good choice. I came for a mid-tier recruit, but if you join, I promise you my vice-squad leader spot."
Well, I heard Myeong Tae-seong's earnest plea.
He had a point.
The demon cult would soon stir, strengthening the Alliance's influence from then on, with better prospects ahead unlike now.
'But right now, the academy has way more to offer than the Alliance.'
Plus, having read the original, I knew the academy's culture and had plans, so no fear.
To survive this world, connections with the protagonist's generation are essential—better warm fellow students than work contacts.
'Sure, there'll be competition and punishments inside.'
Above all, the academy aligns with the original timeline.
And crucially...
'Vice-squad leader? What the hell is that.'
His position as squad leader means he'd pulled out all stops from his view.
But me?
The sole disciple of one of the sword demons!
A reincarnated Necromancer King!!
No way!
So my answer was refusal again.
But a flat no might make him cling like a leech, so I thought up a plausible line before speaking.
"I sincerely thank you for the offer and concern, Squad Leader. But if the academy's such a mess, that's all the more reason I want to go there."
"......!"
"So my decision stands. I refuse your proposal."