Chapter 5: Mistaken for a Master (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 5: Mistaken for a Master (2)
“Yesterday?”
“Yes. You collapsed yesterday evening, Brother Eo, and only just opened your eyes this morning.”
“To think a whole day has already passed.”
I couldn't quite wrap my head around the things So Gu-chi was rambling about. I didn't think I had done anything worthy of such admiration.
In fact, I was so embarrassed about collapsing immediately after being hit by a hidden weapon that my first thought upon waking was to flee Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress.
However, the situation was spiraling in a completely unexpected direction. At the center of this absurdity was the girl I had saved yesterday.
While I was still pinned to the bed by a lingering dizziness, someone knocked on the door.
“Has Young Hero Eo Ja-seo awakened?”
At the inquiry from outside, Sim Geol answered.
“He just regained consciousness.”
Soon, the door opened, and two people entered. One was a refined-looking middle-aged man, and the other was the girl. The man had a generous gaze, but his protruding cheekbones gave him a somewhat fierce impression.
“Are you awake, Great Hero Twin Soaring Blood?”
As the girl smiled and spoke to me, the middle-aged man’s eyes widened.
“Seon-hwa! How dare you address your savior as ‘Twin Soaring Blood’! Did I raise you to be so ill-mannered?”
Though his tone wasn't loud, there was a subtle weight to it that made the girl, Seon-hwa, shrink her shoulders.
I suppressed a laugh. Now I knew where the name of the Seonhwa Sword Technique came from.
“It’s not like that. It’s just… he feels like an older brother, so I was just teasing…”
Her cheeks puffed out like a frog’s. As the man prepared to scold her again, I intervened.
“My greetings. I am Eo Ja-seo.”
The man glanced at Seon-hwa before turning his gaze back to me.
“I am Mok Yi-gun, the Lord of Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress. I thank you for saving my daughter.”
Even though I had saved his daughter, it felt awkward to have the Lord himself visit a mere temporary martial artist to offer his thanks. He was the highest-ranking person I had ever met, and I was incredibly nervous.
Still, I did my best to maintain a composed, serious demeanor.
“I am overwhelmed that the Lord would visit me in person.”
“Nonsense. How could I not offer my greetings to the one who saved my daughter’s life?”
Sincerity radiated from Mok Yi-gun’s words.
“I wish to repay you. What is it that you desire?”
At those words, I bolted upright.
I hadn't even thought about that. Living hand-to-mouth as I did, I should have been calculating how to use this opportunity to secure a fortune, yet I had been sitting here in a daze.
All sorts of thoughts suddenly raced through my mind.
Should I ask for money? No, no. That’s too obvious. And money disappears once you spend it. I need something that will keep bringing in money.
I liked playing the part of a Murim warrior. While there were days I went hungry, most of the year I could afford a bowl of rice in hot meat broth. When you're weak, you get pushed around by local thugs even if you have money; but if you have power, those thugs won't even dare come near you, even if you're penniless. It’s the same logic as a stray mutt not daring to approach a fighting dog.
“If it is money you want…”
“I did not save the young lady because I wanted money.”
Mok Yi-gun and I spoke at the same time. He blinked, looking surprised by my response.
“Then I shall recruit you as an official warrior of our fortress.”
I waved my hand dismissively at that suggestion.
“No. To say such a thing is to insult the soul of a warrior. No matter how much of a wanderer I may be, I have my pride. To become an official warrior using this as leverage… my self-respect cannot allow it.”
As if! If I became an official warrior with my pathetic skills, I’d be asking for a disaster.
Mok Yi-gun looked genuinely impressed by my words. If I had actually mastered even the Three Calamities Sword, I might have considered the offer, but as someone who could get thrashed by even a third-rate master, becoming an official warrior was out of the question.
“Then, would you like to serve as an instructor for the new recruits?”
Good grief, it seems even the Lord has heard the rumors and is overestimating my skill.
“You flatter me too much. How could someone like me, who still has so much to learn, presume to teach others?”
“Your modesty is excessive. At your age, to not only be able to manifest Sword Glare but also stop a dangerous duel between two masters with a single move… shouldn't I consider you a hidden master concealing your identity?”
Since he spoke as if everything had already been revealed, I was left speechless.
“He’s right, Brother Eo. Why hide it? Everyone in Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress has already witnessed your skill,” Sim Geol added.
So Gu-chi chimed in as well. “The fortress is in an uproar right now. The news that there’s a wanderer capable of manifesting Sword Glare has sent the morale and pride of the other ronin through the roof.”
Hearing that, I realized it was definitely time for me to leave this place.
What Sword Glare? It was just a freak luminous phenomenon caused by the internal energies of Smiling Face Sword and Poison Wolf Ibu clashing against my blade. Calling that Sword Glare was going to be a problem.
If word got out that I could do something I’d only seen real masters do a handful of times, it would only shorten my lifespan.
Some might not understand why I was so scared. But they only say that because they don't know. If rumors spread that I’m a master of Sword Glare, people will be lining up past the village gates just to challenge me to a duel. If I actually had the skill, it would be one thing, but fighting a duel with my lack of talent would result in my limbs being severed in an instant.
The thought of becoming a cripple because of a false rumor was what worried me.
“If that doesn't suit you, how about this? If you serve as my daughter’s bodyguard, I will ensure your compensation is more than generous.”
“A bodyguard?”
I practically shrieked. There was someone out there targeting Mok Seon-hwa with hidden weapons, and he wanted me to crawl right into that mess? This man clearly thought I was some kind of chivalrous hero.
“I am sorry. I know that I have my own path to follow. Please forgive me for being unable to accept your request, Lord.”
At least the lies were flowing out of my mouth like water.
Mok Yi-gun tilted his head at my sincere-sounding refusal, then nodded slowly. My flat rejection of such an extraordinary offer seemed to fluster him.
“Then what is it you want? Speak. If it is not excessive, I shall grant it.”
Mok Yi-gun spoke in a gentle tone. While he was talking, I was lost in my own world.
Should I ask for a spiritual elixir? Or maybe an internal energy manual? Would he even give me those if I asked?
My reasoning was that if I could train just a little more systematically and increase my internal energy, I could live a comfortable life forever. What was the point of training to death to become a top-tier master? You’d just end up living a precarious life in a forest of blades, never knowing when you might die. It was much better to learn just enough martial arts to be slightly better than a commoner, so I could walk with my head held high and keep my belly full.
Right! Let’s just ask for a spiritual elixir to boost my internal energy or a manual that can help me increase it.
I made up my mind and opened my mouth.
“I truly did not save Miss Mok expecting any reward. However, if the Lord feels burdened, perhaps a spiritual elixir or…”
“This is it! It has been a long time since I’ve met a true warrior who desires neither money nor fame.”
Huh? What kind of nonsense is that? When did I say that? I’m literally saying it right now!
I gnashed my teeth as I watched Mok Seon-hwa hanging onto Mok Yi-gun’s neck, acting cute. I kept a smile on my face, of course. Because she was clinging to him, Mok Yi-gun hadn't heard the last part of my sentence.
Mok Yi-gun pushed his daughter’s arms away and asked, “What is this unseemly behavior in front of others for a grown girl?”
Though he scolded her, he looked pleased by his daughter’s affection. He turned back to me.
“Ah, I think you mentioned something about a spiritual elixir just now. What was it?”
Sim Geol’s expression clouded as he muttered to himself. His words pierced my heart like a dagger.
“Surely he wasn't going to ask for a spiritual elixir or advanced martial arts?”
In the Murim, even the weak were wary of gaining power without effort. In the business world, people looked down on the nouveau riche who suddenly became wealthy due to rising land prices. The Murim was the same. Masters who suddenly became strong without going through proper training were mockingly called "Sudden Swords."
The Murim was a place where people lived on pride alone once they picked up a sword. While they all desired to improve through fortuitous encounters, they considered it shameful to seek power through elixirs without effort. Whether one was a master or a weakling, they both staked their lives on the sword; thus, while there were levels of skill, there could be no levels of pride. It was only because the weak lacked skill that their conduct often appeared cowardly rather than dignified.
“Sigh.”
Dammit, I’d just ruined everything.
An involuntary long sigh escaped me, drawing the attention of Sim Geol and So Gu-chi. Even Mok Seon-hwa was staring at me with wide eyes, making it too embarrassing to openly ask for an elixir or a manual.
Dammit, there’s a time and place for everything.
Now that the moment had passed, the words wouldn't come out. As everyone stared at me, I ended up blathering something entirely different. To escape this awkward situation, my tongue began wagging without my permission.
“Ah, yes. I was thinking that since Smiling Face Sword and Poison Wolf Ibu seemed to have suffered heavy injuries during their duel, it would be good to provide them with high-quality elixirs for their treatment.”
“Hmm.”
As Mok Yi-gun fell into serious thought, my meddlesome mouth continued to chatter beyond my control.
“If you treat them, the followers who look up to them will also feel grateful to the Lord. I believe this will allow you to recruit even better warriors in the future. I apologize if I have overstepped my bounds.”
It seemed my habit of spouting empty, noble-sounding words had flared up again. Dammit. I wish my bowels moved as smoothly as my words.
“It has been a long time since my heart has felt this full,” Mok Yi-gun said with an impressed face.
“We also feel as though we’ve witnessed the soul of a true warrior for the first time in ages. To think of others before yourself… I cannot help but bow my head to Brother Eo’s chivalry.”
Now even Sim Geol was joining in.
Ah, I barely survived only to do all the work and give the prize to someone else.
I felt like crying.
“How could I hide my inner thoughts from a man like you? Take a look at this.”
Suddenly, the talk of rewards vanished, and Mok Yi-gun pulled something from his robe and placed it on the floor.
“Do you know what this is?”
Even without his prompt, I had already realized what the object was. It was the hidden weapon I had deflected with my sword yesterday. I knew what it was just by looking at it. Though it was my first time seeing the physical object, I had heard of it countless times.
It was the Blood-Plucking Thorn, said to be capable of piercing even a master’s protective aura.
“If it’s a Blood-Plucking Thorn, that’s a secret hidden weapon of the Tang Clan…”
I might not know much else, but being from Sichuan, I was relatively well-versed in Tang Clan hidden weapons. Living in Sichuan, you couldn't help but hear about the Tang Clan. Whenever someone died from poison or a hidden weapon, rumors would inevitably fly that it was the Tang Clan’s work, so I’d picked up quite a bit through hearsay.
“As expected, you know of it. Knowing what kind of weapon it is will make this easier to understand. The Blood-Plucking Thorn is not a weapon just anyone can handle. When internal energy is injected into it, it glows red and turns into a ball of fire; it generates heat so instantaneously that it can burn through and pierce even Body Protective Aura. That is why the Blood-Plucking Thorn is useless to those with insufficient internal energy. This is also why the Tang Clan uses it as the primary weapon for their Ten Thousand Flowers Rain.”
If he knew details about the Blood-Plucking Thorn that even I didn't, it meant Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress had already begun an investigation.
“Do you have a grudge with the Tang Clan?”
At my cautious question, Mok Yi-gun shook his head.
“Actually, the fact that we were able to establish Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress here in Junggang is largely due to the Tang Clan’s behind-the-scenes support. Because the Tang Clan has our back, the smaller local sects don't dare to rise up against us. There is no reason for such a clan to ambush my daughter. Besides, the whole world knows the Blood-Plucking Thorn is a secret weapon of the Tang Clan; they aren't foolish enough to do something like this so openly.”
I agreed with him. The Tang Clan was a terrifying place; I had never even dared to go near it out of fear.
“In any case, we have requested cooperation from the Tang Clan. Now that a Blood-Plucking Thorn has appeared, we have no choice but to contact them.”
As Mok Yi-gun began revealing the internal affairs of the fortress, I started to feel uneasy.
Through my experiences, I had developed the Eight Iron Rules of a Weakling. One of those rules was that a weakling must never create trouble. It was a rule born from the fact that when a weakling gets caught up in a conflict, they die silently because they lack the strength to defend themselves.
That was why Mok Yi-gun’s detailed explanation terrified me. The more I knew, the deeper I was being dragged in.
“I see.”
When I tried to lie back down, pretending to be dizzy to avoid hearing any more, Mok Yi-gun stood up.
“I’ve burdened an injured man with too much heavy talk. I only asked because I wondered if this hidden weapon was aimed at you rather than my daughter. Since that doesn't seem to be the case, I’ll have to conduct a more thorough investigation.”
Mok Yi-gun explained why he had suddenly shown me the hidden weapon.
“And regarding the reward, as you suggested, I promise to treat Smiling Face Sword and Poison Wolf Ibu with the best medicines. As for your gift, I shall decide it myself. Do not refuse it. I will prepare a gift that will not disappoint. If there is something you want, feel free to tell me at any time. But if you don't speak up, I will decide unilaterally. Don't come complaining to me then.”
Mok Yi-gun laughed, calling me "my friend" in a familiar way. I realized it didn't feel too bad to have someone, especially someone of high status, treat me with such friendliness.
With those words, Mok Yi-gun left the room. As she was leaving, Mok Seon-hwa leaned in and whispered.
“Big Brother Twin Soaring Blood! Take care of yourself. I’ll come by to play again. The martial arts tournament starts tomorrow, so get some rest today.”
As she gave me a bright smile and said goodbye, I thought to myself that I needed to get out of Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress as soon as possible.
I really didn't like how events kept centering around me. I liked my life on the fringes. Please, don't drag someone like me, who enjoys a quiet life without tension, into a world of stress and adventure. Please.
I prayed briefly and let out a sigh.