Chapter 36: Obtaining an Artifact (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 36: Obtaining an Artifact (3)
I turned toward the third-rate martial artist who was reaching for his sword and channeled internal energy into the Yongcheon point of my right foot.
Crack!
As I kicked off with my right foot, I flew nearly thirty feet like a bolt of lightning and snatched the man’s sword.
Because it happened so suddenly, not only the low-level martial artists but even the members of the Sword Palace Squad looked stunned. The Sword Palace member who had been talking trash stood there dazed, seemingly finding my lightness skill to be far beyond his expectations.
I seized that moment.
I channeled internal energy into my right foot once more. Kicking off as if grinding my sole against the ground, my body shot up almost vertically until I was right in front of the Sword Palace member’s face.
Whoosh!
I moved so fast that the dust only began to swirl after I had already arrived.
The low-level martial artists murmured in shock.
“No way… was that Shifting Form and Position?”
“I couldn’t even see him. If that wasn’t Shifting Form and Position, what was it?”
Ignoring their whispers, I addressed the Sword Palace member.
“We are comrades who must move together against a common enemy. I do not believe that in the Murim, only masters are considered comrades while the lower-ranked are not. Let us refrain from using words that hurt one another.”
As I spoke while locking eyes with him, I felt the man shrink back. Having seen my lightness skill, he must have realized I was on a level above him.
“Squad Leader Eo. I apologize for my subordinate’s rudeness.”
Someone stepped forward and spoke to me. When I looked, he introduced himself.
“I am Ye Woon of the Five Dragons of Sword Palace, and I have been put in charge of the Demon Subjugation Group for this mission.”
“It is a pleasure. Traveling with a fellow martial artist is always reassuring, but having masters like the Sword Palace Squad as companions is a stroke of luck for me. Especially when those comrades will be walking the line between life and death together. I look forward to working with you.”
I spoke with feigned sincerity as I looked at the Sword Palace Squad members who would be escorting me on my journey. When delivering platitudes, one must be as polite and earnest as possible to gain trust.
Ye Woon, a man of upright appearance, stared into my eyes, trying to discern if I was being sarcastic after just being insulted by his subordinate.
But why would I bother getting on the nerves of masters like the Sword Palace Squad? I could smile even if they threw worse insults my way.
Finding only sincerity in my words, Ye Woon looked quite surprised and clasped his hands in a respectful salute.
“Your words have given this Ye much to reflect upon. It is I, Ye Woon, who looks forward to working with you.”
The Sword Palace members stirred at his words. Seeing this, I recalled the rumors I had heard about the Five Dragons of Sword Palace.
The greatest masters within the Sword Palace Squad were the Five Dragons, the direct disciples of Mok Gal-jin. Every one of them was a first-rate master and a rising star beginning to make a name for themselves not just in Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress, but throughout the Sichuan region. If they lacked anything, it was only real-world combat experience; their skill was already well-known.
Naturally, their pride and self-esteem were immense. It was only natural for the other squad members to be shocked when such a man bowed his head to me.
Of course, this was only possible because I had demonstrated my skill through my lightness skill first. If I had been a talentless loudmouth, these masters would never have acknowledged me. It was a misunderstanding born from them witnessing a lightness skill that seemed to surpass their own level, combined with the rumors they had heard about me.
Still, it was a good thing. As long as the Sword Palace Squad didn’t look down on me, this journey wouldn’t be too difficult.
“Not at all. As I said, walking the line between life and death with the Sword Palace Squad will be a great honor and a memory I shall cherish in my life as a swordsman.”
I even made up a grand-sounding term like "life as a swordsman" to flatter them, and they bowed their heads in return. When someone who seems to be a greater master than themselves praises them, no one—unless they are completely insane—would fail to be grateful.
Next, a quiet exit was required for a clean finish. Continuing to spout platitudes would not fit the image of a master.
“I have urgent business to attend to, so I shall take my leave first.”
In times like these, leaving before everyone else is the most stylish move. Seeing someone else’s back is the mark of a low-level martial artist; showing one’s back is the conduct of a master.
“Ah! From this day forward, if I do not swing my sword at least a thousand times, I shall become a subordinate of the Seven Cats!”
“It’s true. Seeing Young Hero Eo gives me strength. To think that the way to become a master is simply to keep training until you become one… it’s like a light just went on in my head!”
The low-level martial artists showered me with praise, adding all sorts of flowery language to my words and actions. The Sword Palace Squad remained silent, which was proof that my performance had left a deep impression.
I headed straight for an old bookstore. I intended to investigate the bracelet. I suspected that the bracelet I had obtained from Ham Bi-hye might be an artifact. The fact that it had fastened itself to my wrist without even a clasp made it even more suspicious. Furthermore, the look of utter despair on Ham Bi-hye’s face when it settled on my wrist… that alone told me this object was far from ordinary.
After spending two hours in the bookstore, I finally found the Artifact Catalog.
“How much?”
I asked the owner, whose face was covered in age spots. He glanced at me surreptitiously. As always, merchants are the same everywhere—if they think you’re a novice, they’ll try to rip you off. That’s why when buying something, you have to look like you couldn’t care less if you walk away without it.
“I’m just going to read it for fun in the outhouse and use it to wipe my backside, though I’m not sure about the paper quality,” I said, tossing the book down casually.
The spark in the owner’s eyes died instantly. He realized I wasn’t a customer he could overcharge.
“Five copper coins.”
“Too expensive for toilet paper. I’ll try somewhere else.”
Not all customers are the same—especially not someone like me. It’s a merchant’s instinct to sell an unpopular item even at a loss if a buyer actually shows interest.
“Fine, fine. Give me three coins.”
I tossed him three copper coins and walked out.
When a restaurant caught my eye, I suddenly felt hungry. Come to think of it, I had been running around without even eating lunch. Feeling my heavy money pouch, I looked for the most luxurious restaurant on the street.
In all my life, I had never ordered or eaten expensive food. The closest I’d come was eating the leftovers of wealthy customers back when I was an attendant. One expensive meal could pay for ten cheap ones. Since I couldn't afford to starve for four days just for a moment’s taste, expensive food had always been a pie in the sky.
With the intention of living large using the money I had gathered through various means at Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress, I entered the most opulent restaurant I could find. As expected, it was filled with people dressed in expensive clothes, confirming its high-end status.
I took a secluded seat by a window. My plan was to eat quietly while looking up information about the bracelet.
I don’t know what will happen once I set out with the Demon Subjugation Group tomorrow, so I might as well eat my fill.
I ordered three high-end dishes I had only ever heard of: Yuxiang Qingsi, Kung Pao Chicken, and Twice-cooked Pork—all premium Sichuan dishes known for their spicy flavor. To wash it down, I ordered Jinliufu, a famous Sichuan liquor that I had never been able to afford despite living in the region.
I felt great after stuffing myself and drinking the fine liquor. I was just about to take out the book and read it by the window when it happened.
It was the exact moment a new incident was born to complicate my life.
Something blurred past the window with a series of whooshes. I was startled, realizing it was the lightness skill of martial artists. I had never seen such speed before. If I hadn't learned lightness skills myself, I would never have even known they were people.
Two masked figures stopped outside the window and spoke.
“Where did he disappear to?”
“I saw him come this far.”
“You idiots. What if we lose him?”
“Search the area thoroughly. If we lose him, our lives are forfeit.”
I held my breath and listened. It wasn't that I wanted to eavesdrop; their voices just naturally drifted into my ears.
Let’s not get involved. Those guys are clearly masters.
As I was staring blankly at the window, something suddenly leaped inside. It was so fast it was just a blur before it vanished.
“Let me hide here for a moment.”
The words brushed past my ear, but I felt the movement coming from under my table. I didn't know who it was, but their movements were incredibly swift.
Bam!
A group kicked open the restaurant door and shouted.
“I think he came in here! Search everywhere!”
As several warriors ran up to the second floor, a merchant sitting at a table grumbled.
“What is the meaning of this? How incredibly rude. Honestly, the moment people pick up a sword…”
At those words, one of the warriors turned his head. The merchant’s hat was sliced in two and fell onto the table. The chopsticks in the merchant’s hand began to tremble violently.
“Be quiet. The next person to open their mouth will have their head end up like that hat.”
The warrior, having created an atmosphere of terror, slammed his sword into the floor.
“And to anyone who cooperates, I will give a reward of ten gold taels.”
An attendant asked in a trembling voice. The owner was even worse; he just had his head buried behind the counter.
“What… what kind of cooperation, Great Heroes?”
“Someone just came in here. Tell me where he is, and I’ll give you the money.”
At the mention of ten gold taels, my worldly greed flared up, and I almost reflexively raised my hand. However, at that moment, a sharp, cold sensation pressed against my crotch, preventing me from moving.
The person hiding under my table was clearly holding a sword to me.
[If you try anything funny, I’ll cut off that thing between your legs.]
A secret voice transmission drifted into my ear. It was definitely a woman, and she sounded incredibly fierce. Startled by her words, I let out a groan.
“Hmph.”
“You! What is it? Do you have something to say?”
Good grief, their ears were sharp. They weren't missing even the slightest sound. When the warrior pointed at me, I gave a thin smile.
A low-level martial artist must never lose his composure, no matter the situation. Of course, if they could actually do that, they wouldn't be low-level. But wasn't I someone who had tempered my mind even more than my sword?
[Don’t let them come over here.]
“But why are you speaking so casually to me?”
“What?”
The warrior’s face crumpled in rage. I hadn't been speaking to the Demonic Cult League warrior, but to the mysterious intruder under the table.
“Do you have a death wish, kid?”
Shing!
The warrior drew his sword.
[If you hide me, I’ll give you double the money those men offered.]
The intruder spoke to me again via voice transmission, sounding urgent. Her words gave me courage. If money can make even ghosts do one's bidding, what couldn't it do to a living person?
“Why are you harassing someone who’s just trying to eat a meal?”
The angry warrior noticed the open window and smirked. His eyes gleamed as if he had realized something.
Sensing danger, I lifted both my legs, wrapped them around the intruder’s neck under the table, and pulled her toward me.
Slash!
The warrior swung his sword, shredding the long tablecloth. It was a rapid strike, fast as light. If I hadn't wrapped my legs around her neck and pulled her back, the intruder would have surely been skewered and killed.
The intruder, seemingly realizing my intention, held her breath. Since her head was currently wedged between my thighs, she couldn't move an inch.
“Why are you suddenly swinging your sword around? It’s terrifying!”
When I spoke with a slightly frightened expression, the warrior let out a scoff. He looked at the book on my table and seemed to think I was just some arrogant scholar trying to act tough.
Tweet!
A loud whistle echoed from outside.
“You’re a lucky one.”
The warrior glared at me before vanishing from the restaurant like the wind. I had been channeling internal energy into my right foot, ready to use my lightness skill to flee if he had tried to take my head.
“Damn, there go my ten gold taels.”
The intruder poked her head out from under the tablecloth and spoke.
“Thank you. How did you know he would stab under the table to check?”
In truth, being able to track a master’s sword with one’s eyes was an ability reserved for other masters. It was suspicious that I had reacted before the Demonic Cult League master’s blade.
“Phew. If I were you, I’d worry less about that and focus on running away while you still can.”
“They’re still outside looking for me.”
“Well, I hate to bring this up… but since we’re strangers, could you give me the money you promised now?”
The intruder’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Looking closely, wasn't she quite the beauty? She looked to be about twenty-five. Her large, obsidian-like eyes were so deep I felt like I could be sucked into them. Her face was that of a beauty, but her way of speaking was exactly like a man’s.
The intruder hesitated.
“I don’t have the money on me right now…”
I smirked at her.
“Is that so? Well, nothing to be done then. I need to earn those ten gold taels, so I’ll just have to tell them.”
“If you do that, I—I’ll kill you.”
“Go ahead and try. I’ll just let out a loud scream as I die. It’ll be just as dangerous for you.”
Even among low-level martial artists, you get nowhere if you fold at a death threat. That’s why telling someone to go ahead and kill you often works better for the lower-ranked.
Faced with my firm stance, the intruder was speechless for a moment. She had clearly been lying.
“Hmph. Don’t you know that if a young lady lies, she’ll grow hair on her backside?”
When I teased her, sparks flew from her eyes.
“What? You—!”
Before she could try anything, I cut her off.
“Now, now. Your pursuers are likely still nearby. Aren't you being a bit too loud?”
At that, the intruder quieted down. She reached into her robe, pulled out a money pouch, and handed it to me.
It was quite heavy.
For the risk I had taken, the harvest was exceptionally good.