Chapter 83
Chapter 83
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It was three days later that I met a key figure from the Jeong family, the greatest noble house in Kaegyong. I was led to a annex of the Jeong family estate and sat there quietly. Goryeo's architectural style was quite different from the Central Plains, and the people's clothing and behavior seemed so foreign that I'd spent the time curiously observing everything. As I sat waiting, a middle-aged man entered the room.
"I've kept you waiting, young friend."
I stood and cupped my hands in greeting.
"My name is Baek Woong. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Would he understand Central Plains speech?
Looking at him cautiously, the stern-faced middle-aged man said,
"Have a seat. I am Jeong Cheol-uk."
"Yes."
He spoke fluent Classical Chinese. I'd expected an interpreter, but it seemed he was fluent in it himself. As Jeong Cheol-uk sat in his chair, he said,
"I've heard you wish to naturalize in Kaegyong, young friend?"
"That's right. I want to live here as a Goryeo man."
"Hmm, that's unusual... People from the Central Plains have strong pride and rarely think that way."
Jeong Cheol-uk seemed genuinely surprised. And rightly so—the view that the Middle Kingdom was the center of the world was commonplace, so it was hard to understand why someone would come to this remote little country and insist on staying. But without further comment, Jeong Cheol-uk continued,
"I've heard you're a martial artist of outstanding skill. Just how skilled are you?"
"I'm capable of self-defense."
I knew better than to blab about being first-rate or peak-level in a place like this. Such boasting was foolish against non-martial folk—it only counted against you. Sure enough, Jeong Cheol-uk chuckled and waved it off.
"Haha, no need for modesty. I've heard the rough details from the Great Dragon Merchant Guild Master."
Laughing heartily, Jeong Cheol-uk said,
"I also heard you single-handedly repelled the Blood Path Group. If that's true, your skills match the finest warriors in Kaegyong. That's what impressed me enough to meet you personally."
"I'm sorely lacking."
"Hmm... Naturalization won't be a problem. The Great Dragon Merchant Guild Master has agreed to cover the settlement and handling fees. But I have a proposal for you, young friend."
"What proposal?"
Jeong Cheol-uk poured some warm tea. Savoring its aroma for a moment, he said,
"Become a guard warrior for our Jeong family. As a bonus, I can grant you the martial office rank of Byeoljo. If you plan to live in Goryeo, it's not a bad offer."
"......"
As expected, the proposal came, and I fell silent.
'So that's their angle.'
The Great Dragon Merchant Guild Master wouldn't connect me to a powerful noble in Kaegyong for nothing. It was to plant me in the Jeong family and use me as a connection when needed. From the Jeong family's side, there was no reason to refuse a young warrior who'd single-handedly repelled the Blood Path Group. The deal was already done between them.
After a moment's thought, I replied,
"If I take that Byeoljo rank, can I travel Goryeo lands as I wish?"
"Haha... Of course. I've heard you're keen on touring Goryeo. If so, I'll make sure you get plenty of opportunities. You could even leisurely visit as far as Tamna Island."
With an offer like that, there was no reason to refuse. Refusing would only make future explorations harder. So I nodded in acceptance.
"I'll accept."
"Excellent! Then from today, you're one of our family warriors. We'll issue your Byeoljo badge later, so no worries."
"But I don't speak Goryeo well. Is there a way to learn the language and writing here?"
"I'll assign you a tutor. In three months or so, basic communication should be no issue."
Things were going too smoothly, and it made me uneasy instead.
'This is odd. In this life, I've only received the Queen Mother of the West's blessing—no Grand Fortune from the Supreme Void Heavenly Sovereign—yet why is everything falling into place?'
Noticing my uneasy expression, Jeong Cheol-uk tilted his head.
"What's wrong, young friend?"
"Ah, just thinking things are going too well."
"Too well? Haha! True, even Twelve Rites warriors beg to join our guard, so your luck has turned."
Casually steering the conversation, I revealed,
"Actually, a fortune-teller told me my luck over the next decade would be neither good nor bad. No strong omens of fortune—yet it's so smooth it's unsettling."
"Hmm..."
Jeong Cheol-uk seemed amused, sipping his tea thoughtfully. After a moment, he said,
"Then it's not fortune—it's fate."
"What's that?"
"I've studied divination enough to know a thing or two."
Jeong Cheol-uk adjusted in his chair and continued,
"Fortune is a supernatural factor beyond human will that sways luck and misfortune. Divination distinguishes between fortune and fate. Fortune can't be defied, but fate is the 'process' reached by human choice."
"A process?"
"Or karma. From cause to action, action to result, result back to cause driving action. Our choices are a chain, and karma carries unavoidable responsibility with every action."
"......"
"Haha, too abstract? In short:"
Jeong Cheol-uk emptied his teacup and said,
"No matter your choice, random luck or misfortune is fortune. Fate means 'right choice' yields 'right result.' Vast inevitability lets human will escape petty chance."
"......!!"
"I don't know your past, but without major misjudgments, bad things shouldn't befall you. That feels like great fortune to you."
"I... see."
I'd never thought of it that way, but it made sense.
Right choice brings right result!
'I get it. The Supreme Void Heavenly Sovereign's Grand Fortune brought intense luck regardless of choice, but this life, I've just avoided wrong choices for fitting results!'
With that Grand Fortune, I made foolish judgments that should've killed me ten times over—yet survived with gains. That's what they called fortune. But this life, sound judgment brought due reward. Less fortune, more cause and effect.
It also dawned on me I hadn't settled into stable life yet. One wrong judgment, and sudden death would strike.
Afterward, I learned from Jeong Cheol-uk about guard duties, shifts, etiquette, obligations, then returned to my lodgings. From tomorrow morning, I'd likely live and eat in the family annex.
Then, final farewell with the Great Dragon Merchant Guild Master.
"Thank you for the fine position."
"Haha, it's nothing compared to your help. Without you, I'd be dead or enslaved by pirates by now."
The Great Dragon Merchant Guild Master smiled and said,
"Don't worry about our return. Goryeo's providing ships—two warships escorting, with Twelve Rites experts aboard. Even if attacked like before, we won't go down easy."
"That's a relief."
A sudden thought prompted a question.
"Have you heard of something called the Sea Seal from the East?"
"Sea Seal...?"
"That's why I came to Goryeo."
I shared because we'd part tomorrow, and trust was built. Running a top Shandong guild meant unique info.
The Great Dragon Merchant Guild Master snapped his fingers as it clicked.
"I recall a temple by that name in Goryeo."
"A temple?"
"As I remember, in Hapcheon— a grand one. Haein Temple, I think."
"......!! Thank you!"
Great lead. Digging it out in Goryeo would've taken ages. As Jeong guard, touring Goryeo, I'd definitely visit Haein Temple.
Next, farewell with the Western Palace Escort Agency Master. He thanked me too, saying,
"If you ever return to the Central Plains, I'll repay you."
"Thank you."
"Hm, not real intel, but I heard something amusing recently."
"What?"
Glancing around, the Western Palace Escort Agency Master whispered,
"A few days ago, a phoenix appeared in Goryeo's West Capital. From a Twelve Rites expert friend."
"Phoenix?"
"Just rumor. But if touring Goryeo's your goal, worth checking."
Bidding him farewell, I pondered.
'West Capital's phoenix?'
Totally unexpected.
Phoenix!
A legendary beast rivaling the dragon—beautiful bird with ornate feathers and long tail plumes. More divine beast than bird, symbol of empresses. Taoist lore claimed spiritual power surpassing minor immortals.
Ordinary folk would dismiss it, but having witnessed gods and demons, I couldn't ignore it. If real, monumental.
After Haein Temple, I'd head to West Capital, then slept.
Next day, Jeong family guard life began. Since I knew no Goryeo speech, a girl in white visited the annex to teach me.
She looked late teens, older than my apparent age. Plain beauty, tall—enough to turn heads, though not peerless. At our first meeting, she giggled.
"Hi! I'm Lee Joo-hee. I'll teach you Goryeo speech and writing!"
Fluent Classical Chinese. Talented young interpreter, it seemed. Her casual tone irked me—my looks were younger, but not unpleasant, so I stayed quiet. She patted my head fondly.
"You're good at martial arts, right? For real?"
"Yes."
"Then teach me sometimes~ Okay?"
"Ah, sure."
"Alright, let's study speech and writing hard~ Kyahaha."
Lee Joo-hee laughed brightly, then focused intently—serious and passionate teaching unlike her bubbly start. Starting with pronunciation, Goryeo speech wasn't too hard. My talents were poor, but language aptitude decent.
"Focus!"
"Got it."
"And teach me martial arts while we're at it. Promise."
"......"
Not joking?
Lee Joo-hee came daily, often wanting martial lessons in spare time. No big deal, so I taught Hyuncheon Divine Art's energy circulation and basic swordsmanship. Hyuncheon Divine Art fused well as orthodox internal art—no burden—and I felt indebted to her.
Intent on teaching speech first, Jeong Cheol-uk and family/guards left me off duties. For five months, holed up learning Goryeo speech/writing from her; by half-year, awkward basic chats possible.
Surprisingly talented in martial arts, she progressed fast in bits of swordsmanship. Started with a few Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship forms; soon taught all. Proper master, she'd be formidable in ten years.
Then a middle-aged warrior visited.
"You speak some now? Come to Byeongchi Hall tomorrow morning."
I understood roughly.
Half-year intensive paid off. Nodding, I asked,
"What, kind of, work?"
"Come and see. Lady Joo-hee will be there—just listen quietly."
"Understood."
Lady Joo-hee?
Odd he used honorifics. His energy was near peak expert—captain of Jeong guards, likely Twelve Rites alum. Why honor an young girl?
Next day, with Lee Joo-hee, I was shocked. Not plain white—fine silk. Meant high Goryeo noble status.
"Hehe, surprised?"
Smiling cutely, I asked,
"You're nobility?"
"Yeah. Lee family partners with Jeong. Our heads are sworn brothers, so I stay at Uncle Cheol-uk's."
"Lee family..."
"Just act normal~ Kyahaha."
We entered Byeongchi Hall. Jeong Cheol-uk on the dais, flanked by lined-up guards.
"@&&*#&*@@...."
In that atmosphere, Jeong Cheol-uk spoke Goryeo to me. I barely caught it.
'Hm? He speaks Classical Chinese fine—why Goryeo...'
As I puzzled, Lee Joo-hee translated.
"Tomorrow's royal rite for King Gongmin—you'll guard it."
Glancing at Jeong Cheol-uk, he spoke again; she translated.
"There, you'll spar Goryeo warriors for a dignified show."
"......?!"
What?
Dumbfounded, but couldn't speak up.
The group dispersed, guards exiting Byeongchi Hall; then Jeong Cheol-uk relaxed, speaking Classical Chinese I understood.
"Sorry, Baek Woong. Classical Chinese lacks authority before underlings."
"No problem—speak freely."
"As explained. Tomorrow's rite for King Gongmin—you join the guard ranks. After, royals/nobles feast; you'll spar Goryeo warriors to liven it."
"......"
So, martial entertainment for drunken nobles?
Stunned, Jeong Cheol-uk said bitterly,
"Sorry, unavoidable. Twelve Rites leaders pressed me hard."
"Twelve Rites?"
"They don't view you—a Central Plains peak expert—kindly. Some suspect spy. Insist confirming your skill via post-rite banquet spars."
"You're top Goryeo power—martial world's that strong?"
Jeong Cheol-uk laughed heartily.
"Haha! No. I trust your skill, so accepted. If you best their experts, hilarious. I believe you'll manage."
"......"
I got it.
'He says trust, but wants proof—using their challenge. Win-win for him: I win, good; lose, you're nothing, demoted.'
Pondering, no choice—I nodded.
"I'll do my best tomorrow."
"Good."
Per him, not fortune—fate.
If I have power for right results, it becomes good.
'Perfect timing.'
Mock spars—no death risk.
Chance to gauge Goryeo's martial Twelve Rites firsthand.
============================ Author's Note ============================
Corrected Goryang King to Gongmin King.
Other name/line fixes... My knowledge was shallow ㅠㅠ