Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Millennium Snow Ginseng
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When I came to my senses, I was lying in the Fabric Shop Owner Song's house. It seemed he had carried me there after I suddenly collapsed. He was a remarkably kind-hearted man, so once I regained consciousness, I thanked him.
"Thank you so much."
"What kind of circumstances make you want to become an Escort Warrior?"
"It seemed like the easiest way to make a living."
"Being an Escort Warrior is an incredibly lowly and grueling job... tsk tsk."
The Fabric Shop Owner Song clicked his tongue, and I agreed with him. Escort Warriors were half martial artists, but at their core, they were hired servants who did the heavy lifting for the transport business. It was extremely rare for one to master First-Class or Peak martial arts. Most rolled around with inferior techniques their whole lives and died that way. The man in front of me, running his fabric shop, might actually have an easier life.
The Fabric Shop Owner Song said,
"I'm sorry, but I'm busy scraping by myself and don't have the means to look after you. Drink some water and be on your way."
"No, you've done more than enough. Thank you."
"As I mentioned earlier, there are no escort agencies around here. You have to cross several mountains for a long way to reach the Wang River, where the Sa Gong Escort Agency is."
The Fabric Shop Owner Song soon handed me a neatly tailored set of clothes. They seemed roughly cut from what he had on hand to fit my build.
"Um, I don't have any money..."
"Just take them. In these times, looking like a beggar brings more ill fortune than good on the roads."
"...Thank you. May I have your name?"
"Haha. Everyone calls me Fabric Shop Owner Song."
"Yes. Take care."
I changed into the new clothes and left the shop, vowing to myself.
'Jang Cheol of the Three Pines Escort Agency... Fabric Shop Owner Song... I'll repay both of them somehow, no matter what.'
I knew it well.
In this harsh world, how difficult and burdensome it was to give to others without expecting anything in return.
Even I had never helped someone when there was no gain for me. Because I was too busy surviving myself. Jang Cheol and Song were no different from me in life, yet they bore the loss to help others. That alone made them remarkable. If I didn't repay their kindness, I'd be no better than a dog.
I set off again toward the Wang River. Along the way, my skill at hunting wild animals improved, so I roasted meat more often. The Huangshan region had the Yellow Mountain Sect along with numerous minor martial sects, which must have kept the bandits away.
Roar—
A cold waterfall cascaded down, so I circulated my internal energy to protect my body and washed off the grime. A normal person might catch a cold, but with ample nutrition and well-cultivated internal energy, I didn't feel particularly chilly. After drying my clothes, I felt refreshed.
Arriving in the Wang River area, finding the Sa Gong Escort Agency was no trouble. I rarely came to the Huangshan region, but the Sa Gong Escort Agency was the largest in the area. Once inside the town, asking around led me straight there.
Standing before the Sa Gong Escort Agency's signboard, I paused to think.
'Sa Gong Escort Agency... Founded by the Sa Gong family, but I haven't heard much about them. Is it safe to entrust myself here? Well, I have no other options right now...'
Soon after, I stepped inside the Sa Gong Escort Agency.
Buzz buzz.
"Hey, move that cargo over here!"
"This one's not stamped! Little bro, take it and get the escort seal!"
"Yes, brother!!"
The interior was bustling as expected of an escort agency, with people hurriedly moving cargo and preparing for transport. They were all too busy to breathe, but I knew I just needed to find an Escort Captain.
"Excuse me, I'm here to become an Escort Warrior. Would you take me?"
"Huh?! Kid, cut the jokes!! We're busy, so scram!"
I tried asking one Escort Warrior experimentally, but he scowled and dismissed it as nonsense. Of course—Escort Warriors were mostly laborers, so a kid in his early to mid-teens wanting to join sounded absurd. I would have answered the same, so this time I asked properly.
"Where can I find the Escort Captain of the Sa Gong Escort Agency?"
"Huh?! The Escort Captain's right there! The one in white!"
I followed the Escort Warrior's pointing finger. Sure enough, amid the others, there stood a person in pristine, finely woven white robes. His refined appearance suggested he wasn't from an Escort Warrior background but a martial family.
But I was surprised for a different reason.
'A woman?'
Yes, the person pointed out as the Escort Captain was a beautiful woman in white robes. She seemed even prettier than Seo Ssi, the village chief's concubine I'd seen before. Probably in her mid-twenties, her features were refined, and her skin flawless. Especially her clear eyes, which drew in the gaze of anyone who looked, proving her exceptional beauty.
However, a female Escort Captain was something I'd never seen or heard of in my life. Escort Captains handled more paperwork than regular Escort Warriors and earned good money, but it was fundamentally a job of physical labor. A delicate woman as an Escort Captain was unheard of.
But when I saw her walking around, surveying the area, I understood immediately.
'She practices martial arts!'
Her light movements were efficient and poised. That was a phenomenon only seen in those who had mastered advanced footwork—each step condensed with the essence of martial arts. She possessed at least Second-Class martial arts, fitting for an Escort Captain.
I cautiously approached the female Escort Captain and said,
"I've come to become an Escort Warrior!"
"Hm?"
She turned her head toward me in surprise. Seeing her face straight on made my mind go blank for a moment. Her profile had already seemed like a painting, but up close from the front, "peerless beauty" didn't do her justice.
A beauty to topple kingdoms!
'Whoa... I've never seen someone this pretty since I was born...'
She was so stunning that rather than lust, I just stood there in awe. I never knew a stunner like this worked at some random escort agency. She smiled gently and stroked my cheek.
"Kid, what's your name?"
"Baek Woong."
"I'm Sa Gong-rin, Escort Captain of the Sa Gong Escort Agency. Sorry, but you're too young for us to take you as an Escort Warrior. How about starting as a laborer?"
She seemed to be considering me as a child, but I couldn't accept that.
Working as a laborer would mean endless odd jobs with no end in sight. I knew being an Escort Warrior, handling only cargo transport and escort duties, was far easier, so I shook my head firmly.
"I can do Escort Warrior work just fine!"
"Hmm..."
Sa Gong-rin smiled awkwardly. Even that light smile had a charm that made men's hearts skip. Indeed, the laborers and Escort Warriors moving cargo nearby kept stealing glances at her. Despite the rank difference, their masculine instincts drew them to Sa Gong-rin.
"Then do you know what Escort Warriors do?"
"I know as much as anyone."
"Being an Escort Warrior requires at least basic martial arts and strength. You're so young..."
"Watch this."
Whoosh!
Before Sa Gong-rin could finish, I used Thunder Shadow Step like lightning and approached a nearby cargo item. It was a massive wooden decoration about ten feet wide. Its weight was surely something that would take three or four grown men sweating to move.
"Hup."
But I easily lifted the heavy wooden piece overhead with both hands. I could have done it one-handed, but to avoid looking too flashy, I lifted it steadily.
"Gasp!"
"What kind of strength..."
"Is that a kid's power?"
The surrounding Escort Warriors and laborers buzzed in shock. Truthfully, no single adult man could lift that, dead or alive. It took several skilled laborers coordinating their strength to move it. For a child like me to hoist it was shocking.
Sa Gong-rin looked surprised too before saying,
"Ah... Impressive internal energy. You're the son of a renowned martial family, aren't you?"
As a martial artist herself, she had seen through how I used the Thunder Dragon One Qi Art's power to lift it. No point hiding it, so I gave her a vague excuse.
"My parents passed away early, and I've been looking for a place to use the martial arts I've learned. I really want to work as an Escort Warrior."
"Wait here a moment."
Swish!
She vanished into the grounds like rippling clouds, in a dreamlike footwork. She seemed to head toward the inner building, but I couldn't track where. I realized her footwork surpassed mine, which was astonishing.
'That's not the level of martial arts an Escort Captain should have. She might even be stronger than me in my second life's final moments.'
At minimum, a First-Class Expert!
The martial arts Sa Gong-rin practiced weren't the self-developed kind Escort Warriors honed through grit and years of effort. It was undoubtedly a First-Class art passed down through prestigious martial families for generations. Moreover, operating her footwork at the Silent Echo realm meant she could take down three or four Escort Captains without breaking a sweat.
I stood there awkwardly under the Escort Warriors' stares, waiting. And I realized the Sa Gong Escort Agency was no ordinary place.
'Sa Gong Escort Agency... Sa Gong-rin... Run by direct blood relatives of the Sa Gong family? Then their Escort Captains and higher-ups must have martial arts rivaling major sects.'
It was amazing such a place hadn't made waves in the Central Plains. My heart raced thinking how much unknown knowledge I'd uncover repeating reincarnations. Traveling the Central Plains like this, wouldn't I eventually know everything and boast the world's greatest knowledge?
Some time later, Sa Gong-rin returned with three white-robed warriors. Unlike her, they were sharp-featured men, each handsome. As someone ugly since childhood, their heroic bearing intimidated me slightly. Probably Sa Gong family blood.
The tallest one at the front stared piercingly at me.
"Follow us!"
Swish.
They turned and walked off like the wind, the four of them. I followed, soon reaching a quiet clearing devoid of people. As I looked around, the white-robed warrior spoke.
"I heard from Rin that your martial arts are outstanding for your age. You must be from a prestigious family—state your origins and martial arts lineage."
Calling her "Rin" familiarly suggested he was her elder kin. Their looks matched too, and he was handsome. I answered curtly.
"Is that necessary? I've given my name and circumstances."
"Sorry, but our Sa Gong Escort Agency can't afford to get entangled in martial family affairs lightly. If you won't reveal it, no matter how strong your martial arts, we'll have to send you away."
They thought I was some runaway scion from a prestigious family, a brat eloping. Even other agencies would refuse, let alone a family-run one like this with stronger reservations.
But I had no good excuse, feeling cornered. My martial arts were Azure Dragon Martial Hall secrets—if any had keen eyes, I'd be in trouble. At best, claiming to be Triple Excellence Lee Gwang's son, but who would buy that?
Pondering, I decided to gamble.
"It's truly my family art, and after my parents died, I had no way to survive, so I want to be an Escort Warrior. What will it take for you to believe me?"
If these white-robed warriors recognized it as Azure Dragon Martial Hall's, things would complicate. But I bet they wouldn't. The hall was far away, unlikely any exchange.
The handsome interrogator chuckled.
"We'll know if we test you. Hyun!"
One white-robed warrior beside the handsome man stepped forward. Another Sa Gong clansman, sword as main weapon apparently. The handsome man tossed wooden swords to both sides and said,
"Spar with Sa Gong-hyeon for fifty exchanges with wooden swords. We'll figure out your family."
Catching the wooden sword from midair, I said,
"...You've been rude from the start, throwing barbs. What's your name?"
"Hm? A spirited one..."
The handsome man seemed bemused before answering.
"I'm Sa Gong-pae."
"Are you family with Escort Captain Sa Gong-rin?"
"Her older brother. And everyone here is direct kin."
I see.
My guess confirmed, I nodded.
'Let's do this.'
Though my child's body hadn't fully grown, my training memories remained intact. Plus, trekking mountains and woods had loosened me up. Aside from the size difference, I figured the skill gap wouldn't be huge.
Facing Sa Gong-hyeon with wooden swords at ten feet, we glared fiercely before thrusting suddenly.
First strikes probed lightly; the next clashed in slashes. Sparks flew like illusions, thrusts like lightning repeating.
Clang!
"Huh...?! T-This."
It ended in just seven exchanges. My Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship slithered like a serpent through gaps, snapping his wooden sword in half. Pressing the tip to his throat sealed my undeniable victory.
"Whoa..."
"No way."
I heard Sa Gong-rin's admiring voice. Seeing Sa Gong-pae flustered made me feel a bit pleased.
'My internal energy absolute value has increased since before death? Did it advance a stage in the ox stall?'
My fighting spirit surging, I taunted Sa Gong-pae.
"It ended too quick—I didn't get to show my martial arts."
"Hm... Indeed. No match for you among your peers."
Huh, he just straight-up praises me?
His calm response deflated me a bit. I'd expected inferiority exploding into pettiness, but he was composed. I thought Sa Gong-pae would step up for a flashy show, but no.
"Rin, you try him."
"Yes, brother."
"......?!"
I panicked seeing Sa Gong-rin step forward with wooden sword. Why her? I'd assumed Sa Gong-pae would demonstrate cool skills, but reality differed. Fighting a woman felt awkward, and against her, I sensed I'd lose.
"Shouldn't Escort Captain Sa Gong-pae, her brother, step up?"
Sa Gong-pae shook his head.
"No way. Rin's far stronger than me. To gauge you properly, she has to."
"......"
He calmly admitted being weaker than his sister, yet none of the white-robed warriors beside him changed expression. Proof they all acknowledged Sa Gong-rin as the strongest without hesitation.
Looking at her, she was already in stance.
The elegant black-haired beauty in stance with wooden sword was a painting in itself. Meeting my eyes, she smiled brightly.
"Please go easy."
Her speech turned semi-formal. I matched her courtesy.
"Yes, likewise."
Tension gripped me. No underestimating her as a woman—I needed full power.
Ping—!!
The duel began; swords whirled, over ten exchanges flashing by. Amid her gale-like strikes, I sought openings, but Sa Gong-rin's sword momentum was incomparably precise and swift compared to Sa Gong-hyeon. Each move carried heavy power, making brute force response dicey.
Thud!
'Ugh...!!'
One clash tore my grip, blood bursting. Her strike's internal energy was formidable, leaving me slightly injured. Astonishingly, her internal energy outclassed mine now.
Swirl swish.
Suddenly, she spun like a top, illusions stabbing twelve directions. I barely parried with dynamic vision, but imperfectly—her blade grazed my ribs below and thigh.
Soon, her wooden sword at my temple forced concession.
"I lost."
Self-loathing hit.
After three reincarnations, I'd thought myself strong enough not to be dismissed, yet losing to a woman? I knew stronger existed, but it felt unfair.
But the white-robed warriors reacted differently. Especially Sa Gong-pae, her brother, coughed awkwardly, truly shocked.
"Ahem, ahem... Holding out 150 exchanges against Rin... A kid with terrifying potential."
"Amazing. How such internal energy at that age?"
"Impressive..."
Huh?
They marveled not at my loss, but enduring 150 against Sa Gong-rin. Meaning her skill was way above my estimate. Sa Gong-pae asked her.
"Rin, any idea whose martial arts?"
Sa Gong-rin stared piercingly into my eyes. Their clarity choked me momentarily. More than defeat, a sudden possessiveness surged—to make her mine someday.
Soon, she beamed purely.
"Not sure. Young hero Baek Woong's words seem true."
"Hm... If you say so."
Sa Gong-pae, satisfied, ruffled my hair.
"Good! You're hired as a new Escort Warrior for Sa Gong Escort Agency."
That day, I met Sa Gong-hwan, master of the Sa Gong Escort Agency. He appeared a stern man in his early fifties. Hearing Sa Gong-pae's explanation and my spar result with Sa Gong-rin, his eyes gleamed.
"An outstanding boy. Work hard for our agency from now on."
"Yes, Agency Master."
Now, officially an Escort Warrior of Sa Gong Escort Agency.
Only after Sa Gong-hwan's approval did I receive the new Escort Warrior insignia, uniform, and weapon. Dressed, I looked like a dwarf, but grateful for the job securing my livelihood.
Heading to the dorms, I met Sa Gong-rin again. She seemed waiting, locking eyes immediately.
Moments later, I jolted like struck by lightning.
[Young hero. Any relation to Azure Dragon Martial Hall?]
"......!!"
Sound transmission!
A mark of true First-Class Experts or those entering Peak realm. Among those I'd seen, only Chief Instructor Jin So-cheong could. Now, Sa Gong-rin displayed this advanced feat—proof she'd gone easy on me.
Moreover, she'd long recognized my arts as Azure Dragon Martial Hall's. Desperately controlling my expression, I replied calmly.
"No idea what you mean."
"Is that so...?"
She smiled like a fresh flower and continued.
"Not to boast, but I once studied under Mount Tai Old Man. He's close friends with Triple Excellence Lee Gwang, hall master of Azure Dragon Martial Hall. During studies on Mount Tai, I witnessed Triple Excellence Lee Gwang's arts firsthand."
"......!!"
Mount Tai Old Man!
A name still the Righteous Factions' greatest eccentric decades hence and now. Oldest among Righteous, ranked in world's top ten experts, revered by all Righteous in the Mount Tai area.
'So that's it! Sa Gong-rin, once taught by Mount Tai Old Man—a peerless prodigy!'
No wonder her brother Sa Gong-pae and clansmen deferred. As a woman with exceptional talent, outgrowing family teachings, recommended into the greatest Righteous eccentric's discipleship.
In truth, Sa Gong-rin was among the Central Plains' top five young experts now!
I'd sparred such a being. She'd held back plenty, but encountering this giant suddenly choked me. As I stood speechless, she gently caressed my cheek.
"I sense you have circumstances, young hero. And sparring showed no evil heart."
"...Thank you."
I realized she'd figured it all but let it slide. Exposing would summon hall master, interrogations, chaos. Her consideration let me become Escort Warrior.
Sa Gong-rin smiled brightly.
"I hope you get what you want here, young hero."
I watched her figure vanish from afar.
Then, a thought struck.
Could I ever have her?
Age gap aside, would a day come to talk properly with her?
'...Probably not.'
Amid rushing for power, another fatal flaw surfaced.
I'm ugly.
As a kid, baby fat softens it, but basically ugly.
Even grown, below average looks—ordinary women were blessings. In my first life as Escort Warrior, unmarried partly why. Women recoiled at my face, draining affection.
"...No matter how strong with martial arts, can't fix looks."
Not that I must romance or marry Sa Gong-rin. But thinking of her I liked, my situation bred life self-loathing anew. Even world's top martial arts can't alter innate looks.
'Get a grip.'
I shook my head, entering my room.
Muttering Jin So-cheong's adage.
"Plenty of time to think after getting stronger."