Chapter 39: Becoming the Demon Subjugation Group Leader (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 39: Becoming the Demon Subjugation Group Leader (2)
“I wish you victory in your steps, which will leave a mark on the history of Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress and the Murim at large.”
Mok Yi-gun struck a grand pose and offered a formal fist-and-palm salute as he finished his speech.
“Finally, we shall hear a declaration of intent from the rising star of our Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress, the Silent Star Throwing Sword and Red Sword Hero, Young Hero Eo Ja-seo, who has been appointed as the leader of the Demon Subjugation Group.”
Wait, what? My declaration?
That "Snake Head, Fox Tail" was finally dragging me out in front of everyone.
"Snake Head, Fox Tail" was a nickname I’d recently come up with for the Fortress Lord. It meant he had the head of a snake and the tail of a fox—quite fitting, wouldn't you say?
Since I had already been called out by name, it would look strange if I didn't step forward. I walked up onto the platform, my mind racing as I tried to figure out what to say in such a short time.
Something short but impactful... Right, that should do it.
I had picked up quite a bit from a failed scholar back when I was a mere tavern waiter. Back then, it was my job to clean the room of that powerless drunkard. He would ramble the same things dozens of times over, to the point where I had them memorized by heart.
Occasionally, if I asked about something I was curious about, he would even go into detailed explanations using difficult classics, even while intoxicated. Thanks to him, I was never called ignorant wherever I went.
“In the Spring and Autumn Annals, there is a section that discusses the Seven Martial Virtues and the nature of 'Wu' (Martial).”
Seated below the platform were not only the members of the Demon Subjugation Group and the Sword Palace Squad, but also Tang Ja-seong, Tang Bin, and several elders of the Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress whom I hadn't seen before.
At such a gathering, starting with stuffy, old-fashioned talk instead of words to boost morale caused everyone’s expressions to sour.
“The Spring and Autumn Annals states that the character for 'Wu' (武) is formed by combining the characters for 'spear' (戈) and 'stop' (止). This means that the essence of martial arts is the power required to stop a fight.”
The more difficult the words, the more effective they were if spoken slowly and clearly.
Aha!
Only now did the expressions of these ignorant swordsmen shift toward admiration as they began to grasp the profound meaning of my words.
Of course they would. These weren't the kind of words you'd expect from warriors who did nothing but swing swords all day. At the very least, this was material studied by the disciples of great sects or the children of prestigious noble families who emphasized mental cultivation.
While Mok Yi-gun looked on with satisfaction, Tang Ja-seong and Tang Bin looked surprisingly startled.
But that wasn't all. Let’s see how their faces change when I add my own interpretation—one that will truly impress them. Even I, while mopping up vomit, had stopped my work to marvel at that drunkard’s unique take on the subject.
“Indeed, 'Wu' is the power to stop a fight. However, we are heading out to stop the slaughter perpetrated by the Blood Lamas. To drive them out and restore peace to Sichuan and stability to the Murim, we may sometimes have to kill them. Look closely at this character for 'Wu.' Does it not also look like a combination of 'spear' (戈) and 'righteousness' (正)? I believe 'Wu' means using the spear correctly. Saving innocent people threatened by the Blood Lamas is exactly what it means to use one's blade correctly. However, even if you use your blade for justice, you must feel heartache for the blood of others. If you do not feel pain at the sight of another's blood, then your blade belongs to the Unorthodox Path, not the Righteous Path. In this campaign, we will clearly show why we are called 'Martial Artists' (Wu-in) rather than just 'Swordsmen' or 'Bladesmen.' I desire a Murim where the Martial Spirit Soars to the Heavens. Furthermore, I have set my heart on this campaign because I truly wish for a Murim where one is judged by their chivalry as a martial artist, regardless of whether they are a master or a weakling. And finally, I pray that every single person standing here today returns safely.”
Ah, truly, even though I was the one rambling, every word was a gem. A literal golden rule to live by.
As I was momentarily lost in the emotion of my own words, a warrior moved by the speech shouted out.
“Martial Artists Soaring to the Heavens!”
Then, as if everyone had been touched by the same spirit, they began to chant in unison.
“Martial Artists! Soaring! Martial Artists! Soaring! Martial Artists! Soaring!”
The lower-ranked warriors shouted the loudest. It seemed they were particularly moved by the idea that both masters and weaklings were all equally "martial artists."
With our hearts racing, we prepared to leave Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress.
“The Head of the Medical Hall wishes to see you.”
A physician came to me and spoke. My heart fluttered slightly at the thought that she might be coming to wish me a safe trip. I imagined Chong Ae-hyeon with a sorrowful expression, like a woman sending her lover off to war.
With that image in mind, I met her.
“I have a favor to ask.”
Chong Ae-hyeon spoke as soon as she saw me. My imagination shattered at her very first words.
“Please, tell me. What is it?”
When I asked, Chong Ae-hyeon spoke in a somber tone.
“I heard a few weeks ago that my father left Chengdu to visit a branch office in Sinryong. We have clinics in a few remote areas, and Sinryong is one of them. Since I haven't heard from him yet, I suspect he’s still there. I was hoping you could stop by.”
Only then did I realize our destination was Sinryong. I didn't know how Chong Ae-hyeon had found out, but her plea was so earnest that I couldn't refuse. Besides, it didn't cost me anything, and it was a chance to score points with the Head of the Medical Hall. There was no reason to say no. I could just drop by while traveling.
“Don't worry. You're likely concerned because of the Blood Lamas, but why would they bother with a medical clinic?”
“Even so... if they were to attack while he was treating wounded warriors, it would be dangerous.”
I could fully understand her concern.
“I understand. Don't worry. I'll look into it and send word.”
Chong Ae-hyeon bowed her head in gratitude.
“And as a token of my thanks, I prepared this just in case.”
She handed me a small pouch.
“It’s Miraculous Healing Medicine. If you happen to suffer an internal injury, take this and perform energy circulation. It will help immensely.”
I quickly tucked it into my robes.
“You shouldn't have, but I'll make good use of it.”
I was delighted, thinking about how I could keep it safe and sell it later. If it was something provided by the Head of the Medical Hall, it was bound to be more effective than any other healing medicine.
*
“Where is our first destination?”
I asked Doyeon, who was emitting a faint fragrance beside me. Doyeon had been appointed as the Deputy Leader of the Demon Subjugation Group and held all the operational plans and intelligence. Fortress Lord Mok Yi-gun had given all the information to her.
In other words, I was the leader in name only.
However, I wasn't the type to get upset over such things. In fact, I was grateful. This campaign wasn't a fight to me; it was a sightseeing tour.
“A secret message arrived from the Murim Alliance. The area we are responsible for is the Sinryong region. After that, we must follow whatever orders come in the next message.”
I remained calm, having already heard the destination from Chong Ae-hyeon.
“Then, are there other sects being dispatched to Sinryong besides our Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress?”
“For now, I know that warriors from the Nine Demons Chamber are also heading that way.”
I asked again.
“No, I mean from the Righteous Path, not the Unorthodox Path.”
“From the Righteous Path, it’s us and the Small Demon Cult.”
I asked because I had heard rumors that the relationship between Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress and the Small Demon Cult was strained.
“The Small Demon Cult and Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress don't get along. Did the Murim Alliance plan this on purpose?”
“Most likely. However, our relationship with the Small Demon Cult soured very recently and rapidly, so the Murim Alliance might not be aware of it. Besides, there are many small sects in Sinryong, so we might not even run into them.”
I nodded.
“Is there a specific sect we need to support first?”
“Yes. There is an old manor in Sinryong where Seong Du-kwon, who was once famous for his Moon Shadow Slashing Blade, is training disciples.”
“Ah, you mean the manor of Seong Du-kwon, the Moon Shadow Slashing Blade?”
He was a name that always came up whenever people discussed the best bladesmen in Sichuan. I had heard that his manor was quite large, with twelve disciples and fifty subordinates—enough to be considered a sect in its own right.
If he had been ambitious, he would have expanded his manor into a full sect, but even during his prime in the Murim, Seong Du-kwon was a bladesman with little ambition relative to his skill. Because of that, he was still respected as a reputable figure in Sichuan.
In truth, practicing martial arts was a grueling battle with oneself. While a practitioner might become narrow-minded or self-righteous, it was rare for them to fall into evil or become despicable. This was because martial arts brought about mental maturity alongside physical growth.
Occasionally, when I read martial arts novels where every man with a sword was a despicable bandit, I felt they didn't reflect reality. Becoming a villain or having a despicable personality despite training in martial arts was usually due to the nature of the specific martial art itself or an individual's character flaws.
At least seven or eight out of ten people would become more mature. I had changed that way after only three months of training, so it had to be true.
Come to think of it, if the manor was that capable, there wasn't much to worry about even if the Blood Lamas showed up. Besides, didn't we have the Sword Palace Squad, who radiated sharpness like a blade? At this rate, I could almost look forward to the Blood Lamas appearing.
“Let’s stop by there first and assess the situation.”
Thinking there were no major issues, I said that and scanned the surroundings.
“Ah! The air is so fresh. The sky is so clear.”
I couldn't remember the last time I had looked at the mountains and rivers with such leisure. It felt like I had lived my life constantly worrying about making a living, never knowing what the nature around me looked like or what color the sky was.
“For someone going to fight the Blood Lamas, you seem incredibly relaxed, as if you're on a pleasure trip. I suppose it's because you're confident?”
Doyeon said, observing my demeanor.
“Who knows what tomorrow holds for a life lived by the sword? One must simply live every moment as if it were their last, until the very moment they die.”
I sure had a way with words. When would Doyeon have ever heard such a realistic sentiment? She nodded her head before she even realized it.
The horse I was riding must have been of good bloodline, as its movements were smooth and my backside didn't hurt much. The better the horse, the less it jolted.
“You ride well,” Doyeon said from beside me as I let go of the reins and took a deep breath.
Of course. Before I was a tavern waiter, I was a stable hand. I learned to ride while looking after the horses back then. I was only now realizing how beneficial it was to have a wide range of life experiences.
Looking back, the Sword Palace Squad members were already accustomed to riding and moved naturally, but the lower-ranked warriors looked like they were suffering, likely because they weren't used to it.
When would a weakling have ever had the chance to ride a horse? Even if horses were common, they weren't cheap enough for a low-level martial artist to buy, and even if they did buy one, the maintenance costs were so high that those without a steady income couldn't even dream of it.
“Young Hero Eo, you are so mysterious.”
My face turned red at Doyeon’s cringeworthy remark.
“When I see you mingling naturally with the lower-ranked warriors despite being a master, you seem like one of them. But then, everything else about you screams 'master.' Even now, if you couldn't ride a horse well, I would have thought you were just a master who trained in seclusion in some remote mountain. But seeing you ride so naturally, you seem like a warrior who studied at a prestigious orthodox sect.”
I looked at Doyeon, who was watching me with a puzzled expression, and said, “Fairy Doyeon, I am truly just a warrior who has absolutely nothing to his name. I'm far from mysterious. I just happened to like horses when I was young and rode them a few times, so I'm used to it.”
As I spoke with a smile, Fairy Doyeon replied, “In a way, I think you would have fit in well even if you had lived a different life, not as a martial artist. Why did you become one, Young Hero Eo?”
What is this lady talking about? She was clearly a sheltered girl who didn't know what it was like to live with nothing in this world.
“I became a martial artist to survive. But sometimes, I regret becoming one.”
At my words, Doyeon seemed to ponder deeply, as if trying to find some profound meaning, before she spoke.
“What do you mean, you regret it?”
I muttered as if confessing the skepticism I had felt while holding a sword all this time.
“I realized later that being a martial artist is an incredibly heavy burden. It was so difficult to overcome the fact that I have to offer my life to another's blade, and that another's life rests on the tip of mine. No matter how much you beautify it, in the end, where the tip of the sword lands is a life. I believe the act of killing is murder, and at the same time, it's like killing a part of myself. Therefore, if I can save a person, I want to do so whenever possible.”
Doyeon stared at me blankly and asked, “Is that what the Daoists call the 'Living Sword' or the 'Life Sword'?”
I shook my head.
“I don't know anything about such profound concepts.”
At my words, Doyeon became solemn, and the Twin Heroes of Guiyang and the Seven Cats, who had been listening from behind, all wore expressions of deep admiration.