Chapter 35: Obtaining an Artifact (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 35: Obtaining an Artifact (2)
I woke up in the morning and headed toward the blacksmith, but I was intercepted before I could even get there.
Mok Yi-gun had sent word that all members of the Demon Subjugation Group were to assemble, so I turned back and headed toward the training grounds near the main gate.
A large crowd had already gathered there.
The Sword Palace Squad, dressed in gray uniforms and wearing Hero Headbands, stood in orderly ranks. Meanwhile, a ragtag bunch in mismatched clothing huddled together, chatting idly.
As I approached, the noisy group shifted their attention to me and cupped their fists in unison.
"Greetings, Young Hero Eo!"
Being greeted like that by these "small fry" was embarrassing. Since I’d become famous as the idol of the underdogs at Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress, I had mostly adopted a "whatever happens, happens" attitude.
No matter how much I denied it, if everyone else said I was a hero, then that was that. Isn't that just how the world works? You just go with the flow.
The Sword Palace Squad, however, merely glanced at me. They didn't offer a salute or a greeting. Not that I expected one. They were martial artists with the pride of experts; they didn't bow their heads or cup their fists to just anyone.
I shifted my gaze to scan the faces of the martial artists gathered at the training grounds.
The first to catch my eye were the Twin Heroes of Guiyang and the Seven Heroes. As soon as I arrived, they split to the left and right, standing behind me as if they were my personal bodyguards.
Then, I saw some very familiar faces.
The Smiling Face Sword and Poison Wolf Ibu were standing there, and even So Gu-chi and Sim Geol—whom I hadn't seen in a while—were grinning at me.
Ho!
Their auras had changed significantly since I last saw them. It seemed they had been training hard in seclusion.
"It has been a long time, Young Hero Eo."
Sim Geol and So Gu-chi addressed me by that somewhat unfamiliar title.
"Good to see you, Brother So, Brother Sim. But please, 'Young Hero Eo' is a bit much. We’ve shared drinks and conversation; 'Brother Eo' feels much more natural, just like before."
Sim Geol shook his head at my words.
"What are you saying? We cannot speak casually to the person who helped us resolve the martial blockages we couldn't clear for years. To do so would be like advertising to the entire Murim that I am a total scumbag."
Sim Geol and So Gu-chi were the ones who had managed to have a breakthrough on their own based on the nonsense I’d spouted while I was trying to run away. They simply hadn't had the right opportunity before; their passion and talent for martial arts were second to none.
"Looking at you two now, it feels like your skills have improved by leaps and bounds."
So Gu-chi blushed as he spoke.
"I’ve advanced another stage through many realizations since then. It is all thanks to you, Young Hero Eo. And, if I may be so bold, I would like you to take a look at my sword later. I truly wanted to show you the sword I have come to understand."
"The same goes for me."
The two of them spoke with eyes sparkling.
"That’s not difficult at all. I’ll find some time to take a look."
When I agreed, the two of them bowed with cupped fists. Then, Poison Wolf Ibu and the Smiling Face Sword stepped forward.
"We volunteered after hearing that Young Hero Eo had become the leader of the Demon Subjugation Group. We felt that if we were with you, this mission would be worth a shot. We look forward to working with you."
The auras of Poison Wolf Ibu and the Smiling Face Sword were also quite different from before. Their skills had increased to a level that actually made me feel a bit uneasy.
‘I need to be careful now. I shouldn't mess with them recklessly.’
The rest of the lower-tier martial artists took turns greeting me. I didn't let any boredom show on my face and greeted every single one of them until the end. The hardest part of acting like a master is having to repeat these tedious formalities.
Members of the Sword Palace Squad approached me.
"We will be moving together, but we do not take orders from you, Young Hero Eo. So, there is no need to concern yourself with us."
The Sword Palace Squad spoke with typical arrogance, but I just replied with a smile.
"Do as you find comfortable."
Having such experts by my side was uncomfortable anyway. It was much easier for my peace of mind to just let them do their own thing. Even if they acted snobbish toward me, I didn't feel bad at all. In fact, I preferred it.
With experts like them around, what was there to worry about? Even if we ran into the Blood Lamas, I figured the Sword Palace Squad would be more than a match for them. Every one of them was tall and imposing, radiating the aura of a true master.
"The Fortress Lord is coming."
Mok Yi-gun was walking toward us, accompanied by someone else.
"Whoa! It’s Fairy Doyeon!"
Mok Yi-gun began a grand speech directed at us.
"Originally, the Chief Administrator should have presided over this, but I felt that I, as the Lord of this fortress, could not miss the first gathering of the Demon Subjugation Group members who will go forth as the face of our Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress."
In short, he was taking credit by implying that because he was personally overseeing the event, it was a matter of great importance.
"Fairy Doyeon here has personally volunteered to join the Demon Subjugation Group. Young Hero Eo will serve as the Group Leader, and Fairy Doyeon will be the Vice Leader."
The crowd grew excited at the news that Fairy Doyeon was joining the group.
"The rumors were true!"
"Exactly. This is great for us."
"They say even the Red Robed White-Eyed Demon couldn't stand against the combined attack of Young Hero Eo and Fairy Doyeon. A few Blood Lamas? That’ll be a piece of cake."
Hearing the nonsense spouted by these "small fry"—who were even more pathetic than I was—I felt a surge of worry.
‘You idiots, you can choke to death on a piece of cake if you aren't careful.’
Mok Yi-gun continued.
"The Sword Palace Squad will also be organized into the Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress Demon Subjugation Group. However, they will operate independently and will not be under the command of Young Hero Eo. A message arrived today from the Murim Alliance stating that those who achieve great feats during this campaign will be granted the special privilege of joining the Alliance. I hope you will go forth and uphold the prestige of our Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress. We have gathered today to get acquainted; tomorrow, we will hold the official departure ceremony and set out immediately."
Mok Yi-gun glanced at the mismatched attire of the gathered men and, seemingly bothered by it, added:
"Furthermore, Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress will provide uniforms for the Demon Subjugation Group today, so please make sure to receive them. Since many sects in Sichuan will be fighting the Blood Lamas, failing to have a unified appearance could cause confusion. I ask for your cooperation. I will see you all tomorrow."
The Fortress Lord withdrew after showing polite respect to the members of the group.
‘He’s probably being so polite because he thinks he might never see these people again. But don't you worry. We’ll be back without a single scratch.’
I scoffed inwardly at Mok Yi-gun’s words. At first, he told me to treat it like a casual outing, but now that the Sword Palace Squad was involved, he was telling us to achieve great feats.
And since the Nine Demons Chamber was also involved, he clearly felt the need to save face.
But what a joke! How long do they think us "small fry" are going to play the role of meat shields and arrow fodder? That’s a job for the experts.
As Mok Yi-gun disappeared, I suddenly remembered a visit to an old bookstore. Once, while browsing a nearby shop for a decent mental cultivation manual, I had caught a glimpse of a book titled Artifact Catalog.
At the time, I thought it was just a book of exaggerations to be read for fun, so I didn't pay much attention to it. But now, I felt like it might contain a clue about the golden bracelet.
Just as I was about to turn away, the lower-tier martial artists nearby surrounded me.
"After hearing the words of Brother Sim and Brother So the other day, I too have been yearning for the guidance of Young Hero Eo."
To put it bluntly, they wanted me to point out the flaws in their martial arts. The "small fry" crowded around me, their eyes wide with expectation.
Finding the scene amusing, the Sword Palace Squad didn't disperse but stayed to watch me. They looked like they were anticipating what I would say.
Look at these guys!
I felt an equal amount of irritation toward the Sword Palace Squad, who were subtly looking down on me, and the "small fry," who were just looking at me hoping to get something for nothing.
Eventually, I barked at the lower-tier martial artists.
"If enlightenment could be gained simply through the advice of a master, then why are there still so many weaklings in this Murim? If a master’s word was all it took, everyone would be an expert! Brother So and Brother Sim were in a different situation. They were people who felt they would die if they didn't find the answer. To my eyes, they were desperate. They were wandering in a desert, and the water I gave them was the water of life. Have any of you ever wandered through a desert where you felt like you were dying? Or have you just been rolling around in a sandbox?"
I scolded them. It was pure irritation at the idea of them trying to learn something from me.
"There is only one way for a weakling to become a master."
I lowered my voice, realizing my tone had gotten too high. The "small fry" flinched and leaned in, watching my every move.
"You train and train until you become a master. Until others look at you and call you one. It is a very simple principle."
Since I was just spitting out words in a fit of pique, there was nothing particularly admirable about what I said. However, the listeners seemed to think otherwise.
"Thank you. I suppose I was momentarily deluded. I forgot that a master does not become one just like that, but through many days of painful training. Please forgive me."
One man, seemingly having reached some realization of his own, bowed deeply. Following his lead, the other martial artists also bowed with expressions of admiration and self-reflection.
They say you must "dot the eye of the dragon" to complete the painting. I needed to make a definitive point here so they wouldn't bother me later.
"I will say one last thing. There aren't that many types of weapons in this world, so do you know why there are so many different martial arts? It is because each person’s realization was different, even with a single sword. Just because there is one sword doesn't mean there is only one sword technique. What can be expressed with a single blade is infinite. Do you remember the legend of the staff before Phoenix King Yeop Seung, the 'Romantic Rake' Pungryunanbong Donjuang? He, who was called the God of the Staff, realized a peerless staff technique just by watching the wind. Enlightenment must happen within yourself, not through others, for you to shed your skin and become a butterfly."
Glancing over, I saw that even the members of the Sword Palace Squad seemed impressed by my words. However, since they were experts who had already undergone rigorous training, some of them listened with a cynical ear.
"He certainly has a silver tongue for a bunch of weaklings. For someone whose background and sect are so mysterious, he sure acts like a master, doesn't he?"
"Who knows? Maybe he’s only a master with his mouth."
They spoke in low voices, but since I was close, I couldn't help but hear them. It was an insulting dismissal, but I felt a pang of guilt inside and pretended not to hear.
I knew that if I tried to argue with the Sword Palace Squad, I would be the only one to lose out, so I tried to let it slide quietly.
But there are always those who have no skill but plenty of pride.
"What? What did you just say! How dare you insult us like that, even if we are 'small fry.' We might not know much, but Young Hero Eo is not someone who deserves to be looked down upon by the likes of you!"
When one of the men shouted, So Gu-chi and Sim Geol stepped forward, looking furious.
Furthermore, when Poison Wolf Ibu and the Smiling Face Sword stepped forward while radiating fighting spirit, the Sword Palace Squad members put on contemptuous expressions and moved into a confrontational stance.
Fearing that swords might actually be drawn, I stepped in to mediate.
"This gathering was meant for us to get to know one another; we shouldn't be so hostile. Let’s all calm down."
"As expected, he looks scared."
When a member of the Sword Palace Squad said that, one of the lower-tier martial artists moved as if to draw his sword.
The Sword Palace members were experts, so even if they spoke harshly, they didn't draw their weapons recklessly. They knew the price of unsheathing a blade.
However, "small fry" tended to draw their swords based on emotion alone. And they always regretted it afterward—because they realized their skills wouldn't be enough to keep them alive.
I had to stop it before that happened.