Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Chapter 34: Divine Martial Jianghu Journey (3)
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The advance group was quite substantial.
Apparently, since they were assisting the young students on their Jianghu journey, they were being dispatched to various locations.
But how vast was the world?
Once they scattered to their respective regions, the instructors heading to Anhui Province numbered barely a handful.
Leading them was an instructor from the Wudang Sect, his hair a thick white mane.
"This is our first time formally introducing myself, right? Name's Shim Eui."
"Instructor Shim."
True to his origins in the Wudang Sect, famed for its pure Taoist ways, Instructor Shim was a remarkably magnanimous man.
The peculiar thing was the unusual companion at his side.
"Heh heh. Do you know this one?"
Standing beside him was a delicate-featured pretty boy.
"I'm Cheong-su."
Wudang's top prodigy.
'Why is the future Wudang Sword here?'
Sensing his puzzlement, Instructor Shim explained with an awkward chuckle.
"Embarrassing as it is, it's my own greed. His official promotion to instructor is set, but there's still something lacking."
Special treatment even in a backwater like this?
"Wudang Mountain is a spiritual peak, perfect for cultivating martial arts, but gaining real-world experience is another matter."
According to his explanation, the kid's skills and knowledge were impeccable, but his naivety was a concern.
"So, I'm taking him along as a temporary assistant to broaden his horizons."
"There's such a thing as temporary assistants?"
"Of course. You're the unusual one, actually. We don't usually appoint long-term assistants."
It would interfere with training.
Instructor Shim glanced over his shoulder as he said this.
"Anyway, you seem about the same age, so get along well."
Thud thud.
As he patted the dazed Cheong-su on the back, the young Taoist jumped in surprise.
His face flushed crimson as he hurriedly clasped his hands in greeting.
"P-please take care of me."
For some reason, even his ears were beet red.
Glancing back, Chu Un-hwi saw Baek Ri-seol looking utterly baffled at the gesture.
"Heh?"
Beside her stood Moyong So-hye, eyes half-lidded, hiding a mischievous smile with her fingertips.
'What the hell is this situation?'
***
Instructor Shim proved to be an excellent leader.
He clearly had plenty of Jianghu experience at a glance, and his mediation skills as a guide were top-notch.
"We'll do as Instructor Shim says."
Plus, his backing from the Huashan Sect and the Two Great Sword Schools lent him an authority even the proud Silver Hall instructors couldn't easily challenge.
Thanks to that, they reached Danpung Ridge near Infinite City— their destination— without much trouble.
Danpung Ridge.
This rugged fortress, where river met mountain, was the Murim Alliance's final outpost, garrisoned by outer division warriors.
Over the four days to get here, Chu Un-hwi figured out why Shim had brought Cheong-su along.
"Cheong-su, scout ahead on this path and check if the inn has rooms."
"I sent a messenger pigeon yesterday."
"I know. But we should be considerate in case something urgent came up."
"Understood."
He tried to act diligently enough, but there was no flexibility in Cheong-su whatsoever.
In that regard, Shim was a fine educator.
"Let's grab a quick bite first. And bring out some liquor."
He subtly ordered drinks for the tense instructors.
"Keep the rooms next to ours empty, just in case."
He slipped the innkeeper some coin and negotiated smoothly.
Everything was handled so flawlessly that Chu Un-hwi immediately thought, 'This guy's a real Jianghu veteran.'
Cheong-su, on the other hand...
"That's what he said."
Was limited to relaying messages.
"Is that how it's done?"
He even botched that occasionally.
Watching this, Chu Un-hwi was convinced.
'Classic training dummy type.'
There was no trace of the figure from the Beggars' Sect mock training grounds.
Just a flustered trainee facing real combat.
'Common enough breed.'
Undefeated swordsmen in spars who crumbled against lesser foes in actual fights— nothing new.
He recalled his past life: competent as a swordsman, but never facing true overwhelming odds.
Maybe he could be a swordsman, but never a hero?
Either way, it explained why Instructor Shim had gone out of his way to bring a temporary assistant.
At least the kid had one talent.
"Cheong-su. Some new faces here, it seems."
Maintaining discipline among the kids trailing the temporary assistant.
"We'll be together a while, so why not exchange greetings?"
Despite his refined looks, his moldy-old speech quickly commanded the group.
Of course, it wasn't all smooth sailing.
"Um, Miss Baek?"
"......"
"Now it's your turn..."
Baek Ri-seol remained utterly unresponsive no matter what.
Her icy glare blew arctic winds across the temporary assistants' gathering spot.
"Student Baek."
"...Shut up."
When she locked eyes with Jegal Tan— notorious student poacher— a few timid students gasped in shock.
The incident only resolved when Moyong So-hye jabbed her side with a finger.
"I'm Baek Ri-seol."
That was it.
"Hee hee hee. Nice to meet you! I'm Moyong So-hye!"
My friends call me Ratty!
Without that hyperactive freak of nature, would everyone have stayed silent?
'Ratty, huh.'
Heaven-Breaking Ratty, more like.
Lying through her teeth.
He wanted to retort, but clamped his mouth shut at Shim's question.
"Impressive. How'd you scout such talents?"
"Right? Jegal's one thing, but Nangong was supposed to have no talent."
"Care to share your guidance methods?"
Inspired by Shim, the instructors peppered him with eager questions.
As he gave vague answers to bide time, Shim stood casually.
"Heh heh. Feeling worn out lately. I'll head in first."
Even the courtesy of leaving early once the drinks flowed.
Instructor Shim showed off his big-hearted side— unseen in Bronze Hall— to the very end.
***
Thus ended their brief five-day journey at Danpung Ridge.
"From here on, we're outside Alliance territory."
Instructor Shim addressed them before the final outer gate.
"Beyond this is outside the Alliance's domain. True Jianghu."
Do you understand what that means?
One instructor replied tensely.
"No Alliance protection."
"Exactly. You'll bear the consequences of your actions and conduct alone."
Shim met each instructor's eyes and clasped his hands.
"I wish you all martial fortune."
***
Watching the group depart, Chu Un-hwi crossed his legs casually.
"Finally gone."
It was a rather conspicuous parting.
Shim had handled everything, but mixing with crowds wasn't his thing.
'Hiding my identity, mingling's just a hassle.'
Laziness sharpened in his gaze. His slouched posture straightened.
"Shall we get moving too?"
Baek Ri-seol bounced up, arm raised high.
"Instructor! Instructor! Do we have a separate plan ahead?"
"Yeah, obviously."
"Really?"
Why the surprise?
Moyong So-hye, trembling beside her, asked cautiously.
"We're not climbing mountains again, right?"
"Why? Wanna?"
"Not wanna, just... preparing mentally."
She denied it, but her bulging, heavy packs told otherwise.
'Scraped together camping gear.'
Times like this made him want to do the opposite.
'Plan change.'
Chu Un-hwi pointed behind them.
"Follow the road we came on."
Then slid his finger to the horizon's end.
"Straight on till morning."
Simple, right?
Their faces lit up at the thought of strolling a well-maintained highway.
'Not as easy as they think.'
***
The highway bustled with carriages and pedestrians.
As the gateway to Murim Alliance lands, merchants flocked here naturally.
Thus, dodging people and carts slowed them more than solo trekking open fields.
But no real issue.
"Ooh, what's in that carriage?"
"Those clowns. Pretty famous troupe heading back to Infinite City."
Gawking at passersby was fun enough.
But by day's end, it grew stale.
"Huangcheng Escort Agency!"
Clatter clatter.
Alliance couriers demanded right-of-way.
"Damn! Horse collapsed from exhaustion. Water there!"
Occasional mishaps halted them repeatedly.
Delays piled up, forcing night marches.
"Ugh! No breaks?"
"Can't be helped. Gotta cover 150 li a day— about 60 kilometers."
Day one: dawdle daytime, force march night. Settled.
Slept lightly by roadside grass.
Dead to the world.
Day two: same.
Walked. All day.
Nothing major, but bodies felt heavy, legs leaden.
Odd, but common with instructors— ignored it, kept walking.
Blisters formed.
Day three: walked again.
Dawn to dusk.
Packs heavier than yesterday.
Camping grains and cookware felt like thousand-jin weights.
Walked sobbing.
Blisters burst.
Fortunately, covered 200 li that day.
Party crashed again.
Day five.
Highway still stretched to horizon.
Decent distance covered, yet end distant.
Moyong So-hye dropped first.
"Can't do it!"
Unlike others, her short stride meant two steps per one of theirs.
First to tire.
She flung her pack, sniffling.
"How long we walking?"
"Till Hongan. About 600 li— 240 kilometers?"
"Haven't we walked 600 li in five days?"
Chu Un-hwi tsked at weary Baek Ri-seol's question.
"Straight-line distance. Roads detour mountains and rivers, so longer."
"Real distance then?"
"Double? 1,200 li."
Eeek.
He chided horrified Moyong So-hye.
"Why? No dangers, just highway stroll."
Jianghu's basics are shank's mare!
Know your Jianghu lore?
Instructor pedantically pushed theory.
Truth be told, yes.
Officially maintained roads: flat, potholes filled for travelers. Pleasant.
For aimless walkers, hell.
"Mindless trudging's torture."
"Kids these days."
Gawk at trees, flowers too.
"Loosen up, enjoy."
"All weeds, and biggest eyesore's your back— how?"
Cheeky brat.
Hanging with Baek Ri-seol's turned her venomous.
'Choose friends wisely.'
Jegal Tan chimed in.
"Instructor, why not a carriage?"
"Carriage?"
Chu Un-hwi unfolded a crumpled voucher from his belt.
Baek Ri-seol peeked, gasped, hand to mouth.
"What? Meal money?"
"Sis, daily allowance?"
Chu Un-hwi replied glumly.
"Travel budget."
"Ack."
"For ten whole days."
Moyong So-hye's pupils shook.
"That pittance?"
"Right? Damn it. Complained to senior instructor, got this."
- Then promote, whiner.
Hatred for Murim Alliance deepened.
"Even with this, ride a carriage?"
Silence fell.