Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 47: Encountering the Blood Lama (4)

"Phew!"

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes.

Though I had only performed the Small Heavenly Cycle for a short time, I felt incredibly refreshed. The warm energy from the Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet had stimulated my acupoints, making me feel as though I had just finished a soak in a hot spring.

"This is truly excellent. Now I understand what Ham Bi-hye meant when she said I wouldn't be able to return this bracelet once I realized its wonders."

I felt tempted to perform another Small Heavenly Cycle, but if I did, I wouldn't have any time left to plan my escape.

"Alright, let's think this through slowly."

As I muttered to myself, Seong Du-kwon’s eldest disciple spoke from outside.

"Young Hero Eo, I believe it is time to come out."

"Huh? Time to come out?"

I looked toward the window. When I had started my meditation, the sun had been high in the sky, but now the horizon was draped in the orange silk of the setting sun.

Good grief, have I been meditating for four hours?

I had never meditated for such a long stretch before. I had assumed it would only ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠take the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, or at most an hour. I had miscalculated.

Damn it. I was so caught up in my meditation that I missed my chance to run away.

I opened the door and stepped out into the main hall, where Seong Du-kwon’s disciples were waiting for me. Their eyes were all burning with an identical, fervent intensity.

I had a pretty good idea of what was coming.

"While you were meditating, Young Hero Eo, we spoke at length with the Demon Subjugation Group from Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress. From what they say, there isn't a single one among them who hasn't benefited from your insights. We heard that you are not stingy with sharing your wisdom. Though today may be our last, we have committed the rudeness of waiting here out of a greedy desire to feel even a fragment of your profound insights."

As expected, they were asking for pointers.

This time, I opened my mouth with a willing heart. Looking into their eyes, the right words came to me. Since these people tended to interpret even my nonsense as profound wisdom, I felt no pressure regardless of what I said. If they failed to gain an insight from my words, it was no longer my fault, but the fault of the one who couldn't understand.

"What insights could a lowly third-rate like me possibly have? But since you ask, I shall pose a question. To what level of mastery have you brought your Moon Shadow Slashing Blade, Eldest Disciple?"

He might have been reluctant to reveal his martial level in front of his juniors, but he didn't seem to care. After a brief silence, he spoke.

"I have only realized the eighth stage of the Moon Shadow Slashing Blade."

The fact that he could fight the Blood Lamas on equal footing with that level of mastery spoke volumes about the excellence of the Moon Shadow Slashing Blade.

Usually, when low-level martial artists followed me around pestering me for "insights" or "enlightenment," I would avoid them out of annoyance. But these men were genuine warriors. I felt a sense of obligation to give them something, even if I had to make it up.

I always call myself a third-rate, but I suppose I'm still a warrior with a sword at my hip.

My chest felt warm as I looked at them. In the Murim, there are thugs who act as bodyguards for loan sharks, but there are also many true warriors like these men. We hadn't spent much time together or shared many words, but I felt a certain affection for them. Perhaps it was because it had been a long time since I’d seen such sincere martial artists.

When I first entered the martial world, there was a third-rate martial artist I knew. That man managed to stay alive until he was nearly sixty. For someone of his skill level to survive that long was a legend in itself. People called him the "Elder Third Rate."

The words I was about to speak were things I had heard from him.

"Realizing the ultimate essence of a martial art is a truly difficult task. However, it is not impossible. There is one thing you must go through to reach that essence."

At my words, Seong Du-kwon’s five disciples looked at me with eyes sparkling like children who had just started learning the Thousand Character Classic. I truly hoped my words would be of help to them. These were men who could become the light of the Murim. There wasn't a trace of wickedness in them.

I began to speak, reciting exactly what the Elder Third Rate had told me.

"You must first understand the situation and the feelings of the person who created that martial art. You cannot fully grasp the essence through mere forms and oral formulas. You must feel what the creator was thinking when they founded the technique. Only by understanding the background of its birth can you approach its true essence. As time passes, the creator's intent is diluted and lost, leaving only formulas and forms. Realizing the essence with those alone is an unreasonable task. Let me give you an example."

They were listening so intently that they didn't even seem to breathe.

"There is a sword technique you all know. I will tell you its name later. This technique was powerful when it was first created, but it failed to perform well in later generations. This was because the essence of that sword required one to gather internal energy born from the anger in one's heart into the middle dantian and let it explode. Not knowing this, people performed it like any other sword technique. Do you know which one I am referring to?"

The eldest disciple replied.

"It is the Melancholy Fire Sword Technique."

I responded with a smile.

"Correct. It is indeed the Melancholy Fire Sword Technique. Once that was understood, it regained its former power and is now counted among the ten great sword techniques of the Murim."

I continued quickly.

"If it was named the Moon Shadow Slashing Blade, there must be a reason for it. If you first realize that meaning and consider the circumstances, background, and emotions at the time of its creation, I believe you will surely reach the essence of the Moon Shadow Slashing Blade."

"Ah!"

The eldest disciple and the others suddenly gasped and closed their eyes.

I really am a man who grants fortuitous encounters to others.

To think that everyone gains an insight from every word I say. At this rate, I should just change my alias to "The Fortuitous Encounter Recipient."

If they were skilled enough to survive a fight with the Blood Lamas, their mastery of the Moon Shadow Slashing Blade wasn't low, so they would surely find something to realize.

I'm so good at talking, yet why didn't I think like this when I was practicing the Nine-Section Soul-Severing Sword? I turned that high-level technique into a bottom-tier one. Well, even if I knew, where would I get two jiazi of internal energy? Even if I poured in every drop of energy I have, I could barely manifest the first form, so it's useless anyway.

As I quietly tried to slip away, I heard a sigh from behind me. It was Seong Du-kwon’s voice.

"Even I did not know that principle, which is why I only mastered nine stages of the Moon Shadow Slashing Blade. Young Hero Eo enlightens me and my disciples with such simple words. The Moon Shadow Slashing Blade must be unfolded as subtly and softly as a falling moon shadow to show its true power, but I disliked that and performed it with rigid strength. No wonder it never reached its full potential."

I chuckled at his words.

Some might say it's nonsense that masters gain enlightenment and insights just because I say a few words, but there's a reason for it.

Why do they gain enlightenment from my words? Is it because my words truly contain profound wisdom?

Not a chance. I know the truth.

These masters strongly believe that my words will give them enlightenment. Because they have the mindset to find meaning even in my nonsense, they achieve it.

To put it simply, even if I hand them a weed, they see it as a flower and smell its fragrance. But because they see and smell with their hearts and souls, the thing I handed them is no longer a weed to them. They are already in a state where they've realized everything; I'm just providing the spark to pull it out.

So, try to have a kind heart and stay open. You'll start to feel that there's a reason for everything.

As for why I'm still like this when I know all that?

Hehehe. My heart and soul haven't reached enlightenment, but my tongue has gained its own "insight," and I'm satisfied with that.

I walked out feeling gratified, but the burden of having to fight the Blood Lamas remained.

It's not too late. I'll find an opening and run.

I secretly gathered the Demon Subjugation Group. Once they were assembled, I planned to leave without asking any questions.

"Is everyone here?"

"Seems so, Leader," Poison Wolf Ibu replied, looking at me. "But why did you call us together?"

Just as I was about to speak, Seong Du-kwon suddenly appeared and shouted.

"If Young Hero Eo’s Demon Subjugation Group and our estate fight with a spirit of martyrdom, we will surely be victorious!"

The eldest disciple followed his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠master's words.

"Do not be afraid! Even if we die, our righteous spirit will remain!"

"Waaaah!"

The fighting spirit of the Seong Estate warriors was high enough to pierce the heavens. At the same time, they surrounded us. They hemmed us in so completely that there was no way out, and then Seong Du-kwon shouted again.

"This may be the end of the Seong Estate. Therefore, anyone who does not wish to fight may leave. Do not be ashamed. You have fought and risked your lives for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me and this estate. No one will criticize you even if you avoid this! Those who wish to leave may do so!"

At those words, I bolted my hand into the air. My inner desire to escape had been so strong that my true intentions slipped out the moment I heard him. I was exactly the person who wanted to leave the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Seong Estate.

Every eye turned toward me. I broke into a cold sweat, realizing I was about to become the target of everyone's scorn.

"I have something to say."

"Oh! Of course, you must have a word for us."

The doubt in Seong Du-kwon’s eyes vanished, replaced by a smile. Before I could continue, Poison Wolf Ibu stepped forward.

"Our leader probably wants to say that he wishes to stand in the vanguard."

"As expected!"

"Truly, he is Young Hero Eo!"

Exclamations of admiration erupted from all sides at Ibu’s words.

The vanguard? You stand in the vanguard, you bastard. Why are you dragging me into this?

However, my mouth moved beyond my control, babbling away.

"That is correct. We shall take the vanguard, so I ask the warriors of the Seong Estate to support us from behind."

Look at that. What is this tongue of mine even saying?

I was despairing at my own words even as I spoke them.

Fine, whatever happens, happens.

I finally gave up. Seeing Hwang Chu nearby, I whispered in his ear.

"Brother Hwang, if you get the chance, get out of here. I think I might die here today. I can't look after you, so act on your own."

Hwang Chu nodded with a calm face.

"It shouldn't be too hard for me to slip away."

Hwang Chu moved away, keeping his distance from us.

Right, at least you survive and tell the tale of my 'righteous spirit.'

I looked at the Demon Subjugation Group with a bitter smile.

What am I supposed to do with these third-rates? In the end, my tour of the Jianghu was a tour of death.

While I was lamenting internally, someone shouted from the main gate of the estate.

"They're here!"

"The Blood Lamas are here!"

They say luck comes alone but misfortune comes in company. As if it were fate that I should clash with the Blood Lamas, I was forced into a direct encounter without any chance to flee. And in the vanguard, no less.

Seong Du-kwon shouted.

"Open the main gates! We won't wait for them to enter; we go out to meet them. Show them our spirit—we do not hide!"

He truly was a hot-blooded warrior. But the more he shouted, the more my blood ran cold.

Creeeeeak!

The main gates swung open. A total of fifteen Blood Lamas were lined up outside. Seeing this, Seong Du-kwon let out a great, booming laugh.

"Bwahahaha! You've gone mad! Twenty of you came this morning and ten died, yet you think you can handle us with fifteen? With those numbers, we can all die together today!"

Others might have looked up to Seong Du-kwon for his bravery, but I hated him for provoking them.

He doesn't realize that being a 'proper warrior' is just a fast track to the grave.

We marched forward toward them. The Blood Lamas also began walking toward us. However, the movements of the five Blood Lamas in the front were strangely stiff.

What is that?

I stared at them for a long time, sensing something odd, until someone screamed.

"Blood Luo Living Jiangshi!"

The Living Jiangshi, which wouldn't be recognized as undead unless one looked closely, moved slowly. Normally, a Jiangshi’s movements are as stiff as a corpse, but a Living Jiangshi retains the intellect and motor skills they had before death. Only their bodies have been turned into Jiangshi.

It was the first time in my life I had ever seen a Jiangshi. The murderous intent and toxic aura emanating from them wafted through the air like the stench of ten-year-old urine.

"I thought it was strange that you came with only fifteen, but it seems you came trusting in those monsters."

Seong Du-kwon did not lose heart even after seeing the Blood Luo Living Jiangshi.

He truly has the guts and spirit of an estate lord.

Honestly, I respected Seong Du-kwon for not being intimidated even in this situation. But for me, the moment I saw them, I was seized by the instinct to run rather than fight.

But not yet. I would flee when it became clear we couldn't possibly win—when everyone was too distracted to notice my departure.

You say I'm always thinking of running before fighting?

That's just how I was born. Being a true hero who burns with chivalry and doesn't fear death is a luxury enjoyed by those who received proper education and training in the right environment. Third-rates like us are like weeds; we're too far removed from the luxury of practicing chivalry.

So, do not curse the weed for having no fragrance or for failing to bloom. A third-rate is a weed that never even had a bud to begin with.

Ah... I felt sorry for Fairy Doyeon. To think a weed was standing right next to such a haughty lily.