Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Gale Force Duo (2)
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I laid out the detailed plan for acquiring the pearl.
U So-ryeong and Jeong-hyeon both widened their eyes at the same time.
"Whoa, you mean steal it?"
"Is that really okay?"
And from the sword at my waist, my master conveyed his thoughts as well.
- Yeah. Is it really fine to pull a stunt like that in a place they call the cradle of the orthodox martial world?
The Lone Soul of the Southern Regions voiced his doubts about my plan.
I threw a question back at them.
"Is there any reason it wouldn't be?"
At my retort, my master seemed to mull over my ulterior motives on his own.
- ...Hmm. Feels like you're up to something again. What exactly is it this time?
But Jeong-hyeon and U So-ryeong kept pressing with more questions.
"There are plenty of reasons, aren't there? Theft has been forbidden by imperial law since ancient times. Ah, Young Master U... I don't mean to slander you or your esteemed father. I'm just explaining the act itself, so please don't misunderstand."
"It's fine, Brother Jeong-hyeon. I think the same way on a fundamental level, which is why I tried to enter the Righteous Martial Academy."
"Even so, it was rude of me."
"I said it's really fine. But Brother Eon, I have the same doubts as Brother Jeong-hyeon. Is that plan really okay?"
I tossed another question their way.
"Ah, come on, I said there's no reason it wouldn't be. Jeong-hyeon mentioned imperial law, but the reason imperial law bans theft and the orthodox martial world brands thieves as heretics is ultimately to prevent chaos in the world and the suffering of the common people. So, what gate are we tackling right now?"
At my counterquestion, So-ryeong blurted out without thinking.
"Isn't it the group assignment?"
"So-ryeong, I said let's practice using your brain. You think I'd ask that just for that?"
"...Uh. Um. Probably not?"
I lightly scolded the guy and tossed him a hint as well.
"Right. Think again quickly. Remember how the gatekeeper unrolled that big scroll and emphasized it?"
"Ah! Rescue! Relief! Cooperation?! Is that what you mean?!"
"Yeah. We're cooperating right now, and relief is what Ha-seong went off to handle. The gate we're tackling is rescue."
"Does that have anything to do with me using my family's secret technique?"
"Of course. Now, the Righteous Martial Academy's gatekeepers have set a few assumptions for this rescue gate. You're treating those assumptions separately, which is why you're asking if it's okay to do it. What did the gatekeeper assume about the pearl and the instructor guarding it, Jeong-hyeon?"
By the time I said that much...
A glint flashed in Jeong-hyeon's eyes.
"...Ah!"
From his expression, he seemed to grasp what I meant, but instead of answering, he muttered something inaudible to himself, so I scolded him.
"Don't just go 'Ah!' What did that guy say? Look at So-ryeong's face. Does the assignment end if only you get it? You have to look out for the guy next to you too."
Then Jeong-hyeon hurriedly spoke up and pulled out the thoughts from his head.
"Ah! The pearl is to be seen as a spiritual elixir that would benefit the Heavenly Demon, leader of the Demonic Cult, and the instructor guarding it is a demon!"
"Right. Put that together with the scenario, and it means retrieving the root of world chaos from the demons. In such a case..."
Jeong-hyeon's opened mouth then closed like this.
"...Even the same theft can become that of a righteous thief or hero?! You call it theft, but by the same standard, swordsmanship is just swinging a blade. Ultimately, whether it's a heroic act or an evil deed, justice or injustice, depends on who does it, how, and for what purpose?!"
Hm.
I'd just planned to end it by saying we don't need to worry about means or methods...
"Heh. We've only met a few days ago, but Young Master Eon's thoughts are hard to fathom in depth. You're only a year older than me, yet you possess the insight of someone who's seen decades of the world's affairs. This naive Daoist learns yet another lesson from Young Master Eon today."
When he puts it like that, it's hard to say no.
Well, whatever. Let's just go with it.
I cast the Turtle Breath Great Law, entering a state of feigned death, and hoisted U So-ryeong onto my back.
Then, checking the map, I followed behind Jeong-hyeon as he dashed off with the Cloud-Chasing Step, matching him with my Shadowless Heaven-Splitting Stride.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!
How long had Jeong-hyeon and I been trading the lead as we climbed Mount Wudang?
Jeong-hyeon suddenly halted his cloud-like steps, checked the map position and surrounding peaks, then called me in a low voice.
"Young Master Eon."
At the sound, I stopped and lifted my gaze a bit higher.
"!"
Not far away, on a wide rock, lay an elderly monk in a green uniform, shirt open, lounging at an angle.
- Is that runt the one using the moniker Patchwork Moon Beggar?
'Seems like it, Master.'
Students of the Righteous Martial Academy wear uniforms and formal robes dyed in colors symbolizing their dorms, like modern school uniforms.
Faculty, on the other hand, wear greens.
'The deeper the shade, the higher the year for students, the rank for faculty.'
Like a food chain... too harsh?
Anyway, teaching assistants at the bottom, grad students, wear light celadon-green robes. Above them, progressively deeper greens.
But the elderly monk in my sight, despite the patches...
'His color is the deepest among the faculty I've seen here.'
So those patches are just to show his beggar identity.
The laid-back old monk snoring with his belly out was definitely Patchwork Moon Beggar No Sam.
"Looks like we found the right place."
I nodded to Jeong-hyeon right away.
Then, to clarify our stance in case I used my secret weapon on my back, I spoke up.
"Demonic Cultist illegally occupying a hill on Mount Wudang, hear me! You are already surrounded! Realize now the futility of demonic domination, sincerely repent, hand over the spirit pill meant for your cult leader, and surrender peacefully, and we'll spare your life!!"
At my voice...
Instructor No Sam hastily sat up, wiped drool from his mouth, and spoke.
"Sigh. Ugh. Dozed off. But what'd you just say? Demonic Cultist? Why would I be one, you punk! ...Oh, right? That's the setup for this gate's assignment?!"
He scratched the back of his head and continued.
"Got confused between dream and reality from dozing. Forgive me. Yawn. The gatekeeper said maybe one group would show, so I figured I'd do it, didn't expect examinees to actually come. I'm No Sam."
"Examinee number 298, Jeong-hyeon."
"Examinee number 79, Eon Yong-un."
Even as he tossed out those annoyed words, like a cow catching a frog with its hind leg, Instructor No Sam grasped the point of my plan.
"Hm? The one on your back looks like a patient. But why only two of you? I thought groups were four?"
If I let it slide, Jeong-hyeon, who has no talent for lying, might blow our secret ace.
I was about to change the subject when my lips twitched...
"Oh, right, the gatekeeper said groups that really get the assignment might be short-handed."
Instructor No Sam spoke first, cracking his shoulder and leg joints.
"Anyway, welcome, applause for your courage. I'll go easy. For now, I won't use this right hand. You both seem swordsmen, so no half-hearted courtesy—draw your swords and come at me seriously, like you're hunting a beggar for dinner."
He wagged his fingers and spat the rest.
"Time's tight, so come on."
At Instructor No Sam's finger-wag signaling the test's start, I set U So-ryeong down to the side.
I looked up to see Jeong-hyeon staring at me.
I gave him a light nod.
Shing—
Shing—
On that signal, I drew Regret, and Jeong-hyeon drew his Pine Pattern Sword.
Without deciding who first, we charged at Instructor No Sam in an instant.
Screeeech!!!
Blue sword qi erupted from Jeong-hyeon's sword, scattering east from our view.
Screech! Screeech! Screeeeech!!!
Dark sword qi from Regret tore through the western air.
But No Sam's martial arts were no joke.
No, they were impressive.
He blocked a dozen or so techniques pouring from both sides with one hand.
Bang!!!!!!
Jeong-hyeon's relentless Wudang swordsmanship was pushed back by strong palm force along its path.
Boom! Boom! Boom boom boom!!
My saw-like sword qi was countered with fists.
He'd seen Wudang swordsmanship before, fine, but Heaven-Splitting Swordsmanship was new—yet those moves.
Each block filled me with more regret than awe, no, admiration slipped out unwittingly.
Jeong-hyeon's face showed faint awe and bewilderment too—was I the only one feeling this?
But we weren't just admiring.
This was our first joint attack, so there were wasted steps at first, but as exchanges piled up, those steps lessened.
In the chaos of clashing sword qi and palms...
'Opening!'
I seized Instructor No Sam's back.
Without hesitation, I unleashed Heaven-Splitting Fierce Advance, the thrusting initial third form of the Heaven-Splitting Ten Swords.
Screeeeeeeeech!!!!!!!!!
But the moment I thought I had him was a feint—the instructor's body twisted like a tiger whirling back.
Rumble!!!
Palm force in the extending strike exploded!!! at my head.
I twisted my thrusting form into sword wind, mustered all my strength, kicked off, and flung my body back.
Boom!!!!!!!
The lightning palm swept half the wide rock he'd lain on.
My master in the sword vented rage.
- Divine Dragon Tail Swing. The Anti-Dragon Eighteen Palms technique for slaying rear attackers they beggars boast about. But this is a test, right? Does that crazy beggar need to try killing someone else's disciple?! Can't control his strength! Patchwork Moon Beggar?! Thought he was just a mutt barking at schoolkids, but he's a total lunatic beggar!
At that moment, I chuckled unwittingly.
My master's rage splashed onto me a bit.
- You find it funny?! Your head nearly exploded. Not an easy opponent. A beggar who's seen real fights.
'Not laughing because he's easy, Master.'
- Then?
'Yeah. Because it's fun?'
- ......?
'No, you'd misunderstand if I just said fun. Hm. Feels like I get something? Glancing at Jeong-hyeon's swordplay got me hazy, but escaping just now, I saw the path in a flash.'
- ...Hoo. Is that so?
As I exchanged thoughts with my master, blue sword qi began scattering from the east again.
I gripped Regret tighter and leaped back into the fray.