Chapter 128
Chapter 128
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Chapter 35 Myojin Sect (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The information gathered through various contacts about the temporary instructor was astonishing.
"I can't tell if this guy's an instructor out on a martial world journey or just some bum wandering the rivers and lakes for fun."
His daily routine involved touring with students and sightseeing everywhere he went.
'To think this is the talent that the Poison Bee Sword Guest has taken notice of.'
It made the future of the martial world seem dizzyingly precarious.
"From the Pure Sword Sect, no less."
His past was largely unknown.
That part was fine.
As long as he had solid skills as an instructor, it was acceptable enough.
"Martial arts level: first-rate."
"Pretty average."
"That's the problem—it's too average."
Could a guy brazenly selling out the Jegal family really be just a first-rate swordsman?
There were other suspicious points too.
He would occasionally vanish without a trace on some errand, only to reappear later. There was only one explanation for that.
"He's hiding his true power."
"I think the same."
"One thing's for sure—I like his discretion. Any seasoned martial artist knows to conceal at least thirty percent of their strength."
Seo Tae-myeong, who had once studied at the Divine Martial Academy, knew full well how much of a disadvantage hiding one's power entailed.
Concealing strength and forgoing special privileges?
"In a way, he's exceptional."
"He is extraordinary. That's probably why Great Hero Jegal is paying attention to him."
Tap tap.
Seo Tae-myeong, drumming his fingers on the desk in his office, finally spoke.
"Know thyself, know thy enemy, and you'll win a hundred battles. We need to see his real power."
"What do you plan to do?"
"Draw out that hidden bit of skill."
With that, Seo Tae-myeong handed a letter to the chief steward.
"There's a perfect opportunity coming up. Let's rope him into it."
***
A few days before reaching the Myojin Sect...
Chu Un-hwi, invited to a teahouse in Cheongyang County, received an unexpected proposal.
"A commission?"
The middle-aged man who introduced himself as the Cheongyang Sect Leader, Seo Tae-myeong, took a sip of tea before replying.
"Didn't I already explain?"
"I'm on a martial world journey. My duties are demanding—no matter how I think about it, I don't have the time..."
"Depending on the situation, sects can request help from instructors or students on journeys."
He tried citing the rules to wriggle out, but...
"Instructor Chu. Do you know Senior Instructor Jang Cheol-sim, by chance?"
"Yes, I do."
"He's a friend of mine. We were classmates at the Divine Martial Academy and worked as instructors together."
As it turned out, the man was a retired instructor.
Faced with insider knowledge from a fellow veteran, Chu Un-hwi conceded defeat.
'No wonder he's so nitpicky.'
A retiree remembering the rules in detail? And name-dropping his connection to one of Silver Hall's most tenacious figures? There was no escaping now.
In the end, Chu Un-hwi let out a sigh.
"Why me, specifically?"
"You're the closest one available."
Chu Un-hwi could guess his real intentions from the evasive response.
'Time to quit slacking and get to work, huh?'
Otherwise, why would a backwater sect know his situation so well?
Divine Martial journeys were handled with utmost secrecy.
Seo Tae-myeong cleared his throat awkwardly.
"I was originally going to ask Instructor Sim Ui."
Instructor Sim Ui?
"Why not the escort instructor?"
"He was supposed to come to our Cheongyang Sect. But when he didn't show on the expected day, I looked into it. Seems he ran into trouble while passing a nearby village."
The explanation continued.
Instructor Sim Ui, out on his journey, had discovered a village burned by bandits.
Outraged, he immediately climbed the mountain and wiped out the bandit lair.
No ragtag bandits could withstand the fury of a Wudang Sect expert.
"After several lairs were crushed, the scattered survivors gathered near our county."
In short, the sudden bandit surge—and the resulting hassle—were all because of that nosy long-nosed Taoist.
"As a member of the righteous faction, doesn't your senior's heroic deed stir something in you?"
Nope. Nothing at all.
"Doesn't it set your heart ablaze?"
His irritation was blazing, alright—enough to want to pummel that nosy long-nosed bastard.
Chu Un-hwi sighed as Seo Tae-myeong kept prattling on.
'So much for the good times.'
He'd planned to focus on bride-hunting once he reached the Myojin Sect.
This journey was supposed to be the perfect chance to enjoy the peaceful martial world.
'Blowing such a golden opportunity on shallow justice...'
His opinion of Instructor Sim Ui plummeted.
Unaware or uncaring, Seo Tae-myeong pressed on.
"Exterminating bandits clears dangers for those who follow."
"A true professional instructor couldn't just pass it by."
"Our sect will join with twenty disciples and hired ronin."
"That's right. Succeed, and you'll earn substantial merit points—quite rewarding."
At this point, backing out felt awkward. Besides...
'It's about time the kids got some real combat experience anyway.'
As he was settling on a decision...
A rat-tailed waiter entered carrying the tea set.
"Heh heh heh. Fresh brew incoming."
With practiced hands, he added leaves, rinsed them, and soon drew out a fragrant aroma.
Pour pour.
Filling the empty cups, Seo Tae-myeong chuckled heartily.
"Smells good, doesn't it? A rare tea unique to this teahouse."
"I prefer liquor over bland tea."
"Take a liking to tea, and you'll shun that harsh booze."
Ignoring Seo Tae-myeong's tea praises, Chu Un-hwi eyed the waiter.
"Young master, this is carefully brewed green tea. Sure to suit your taste."
A small paper scrap rolled out beside the refilled cup.
"Not used to tea."
He downed it in one gulp, earning a tongue-click from Seo Tae-myeong.
"Tch. Tea's meant to be savored slowly."
"Like I said, it's not my thing."
Chu Un-hwi stood.
"I'll be going."
Leaving the teahouse, he strode purposefully.
A quick flick of his hand unfolded the paper in his palm.
The message inside was long awaited.
- Silver Moon Bandit Gon Ya-pyeong sighted.
"Silver Moon Bandit Gon Ya-pyeong, huh."
What wind blew this penniless thief—his reports exposed—here of all times?
No need for deep thought.
'Can't be unrelated to the journey.'
Chu Un-hwi smirked.
"Bothering me like this. How many times do I have to kill you to be satisfied?"
Shaking out his sleeve, he turned back the way he'd come.
***
"Extermination?"
Moyong So-hye's eyes widened at the report upon his return.
Baek Ri-seol was the same.
"Just like that?"
"Yeah."
Real combat always comes suddenly.
Rarely, Baek Ri-seol looked dejected.
"...It's my first real fight."
"It's combat in name only. No big deal."
"We might have to kill people."
Usually overly bubbly, her shoulders now slumped.
Prickly as ever, but she had a kind heart.
The thought of taking a life clearly weighed on her.
"Don't worry too much. Like I said."
It's really nothing.
"No need to kill if you don't want to. Spare if you like, kill if you like."
Too simplistic? Jegal Tan asked,
"What does real combat mean to you, Instructor?"
Or what does it signify?
"Me?"
No need for deeper meaning.
"Life is real combat as is. Just do like always."
Moyong So-hye chimed in.
"Too simplistic. Aren't you tense at all, Instructor?"
"Tension's for my enemies, not me."
"What if it's an opponent you can't handle?"
"Never met one."
No such foe in a lifetime of fights. Moyong So-hye shook her head.
"Your nonchalance is something I'd love to learn."
"Great attitude. Now all that's left is for Bronze Hall's Iron Fists to shake the world."
"Eek."
Her mood lifted, and Chu Un-hwi continued lightly.
"Plus, there's a Wudang swordsman and their top prodigy joining."
Instructor Sim Ui and Cheongsu.
Plus Cheongyang Sect elites and ronin.
"Rare luxurious lineup. Relax and go wild."
His confident tone convinced the three.
"Yes, Instructor!"
But preparations weren't all smooth.
The next day, Cheongyang Sect posted a ronin recruitment notice for the bandit hunt. By dawn, a long line formed.
Someone spotted them and shouted in shock.
"Huh?"
Amid cries of "Make way!" and "Step aside!", a ragged man burst through the crowd.
"Brother!"
The man shrieked.
"Who abandons people like this?!"
His once-fine silk robes were slashed and holey; his face still half-swollen.
Recognizing him, Baek Ri-seol gasped.
"Oh. You finally showed?"
Chu Un-hwi waved lazily at the panting man.
"Jeong something, right?"
No Ja-don, was it?
The man's face twisted.
***
"You know him?"
Seo Tae-myeong frowned upon hearing the situation.
"So, this guy's a wanted criminal?"
"Yes, three prior offenses. Petty stuff, though."
"No, I'm not!"
Two answers to one question left Seo Tae-myeong unsure.
Jeong-yang stepped forward with a flashy fist salute.
"Jeong-yang of Poyang County!"
"Poyang County. I've heard they call it Poyang Hero for its upright侠士."
Recalling the name, Seo Tae-myeong asked,
"The Poyang Hero is..."
"My master."
"I see."
As he pondered trusting the shabby man, Jeong-yang formed a sword gesture in the air.
"Recognize this?"
Shhriiik.
The fluid motions drew a gasp from Seo Tae-myeong.
"Wavebreaker Sword! Impressive."
Finishing his form, Jeong-yang bowed.
"My skills are lacking—barely scraping four stars."
"Four stars."
Unlike Jeong-yang's humility, Seo Tae-myeong was impressed.
"Not bad. Wavebreaker Sword is notoriously tricky."
"I train with death-defying resolve for my shortcomings."
Seo Tae-myeong nodded vigorously at the firm reply.
"Good. Can't turn down skill like yours."
A bit lacking for his near-thirty age.
But they needed ronin to fill gaps anyway.
No reason to refuse a high-level sword practitioner.
Above all, Seo Tae-myeong liked Jeong-yang.
"You want to be a Bronze Hall instructor? Keep pushing. This extermination might earn you fame and your dream."
"I'll give it everything!"
Jeong-yang bellowed, then glared at Chu Un-hwi.
"I'll show you my true power."
Chu Un-hwi shrugged.
"Do what you want."
The group, instructor with his lazy stride at the lead, departed the Cheongyang Sect.