Chapter 23: The Martial World Grade Directory (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 23: The Martial World Grade Directory (1)
"In these parts, no one can match the Great Hero Gyeom-u, the Flying Dragon Divine Sword. He made a name for himself early on as a secular disciple of the Wudang Sect, and since entering the Jianghu, he has never tasted defeat."
It was a lazy afternoon.
Seated on a wooden bench, Jeong Gak was busy regaling his audience with the exploits of the renowned Great Hero Gyeom-u.
When a strange young man had asked who the greatest master in the region was, Gyeom-u was the first name that came to mind. Indeed, it was difficult to find anyone who could even be compared to him. In this area, he was a celebrity known even to three-year-old children.
"An undefeated path in this vast Jianghu! As expected of someone with the title 'Flying Dragon,' he must be truly incredible."
The young man, who looked as if the words 'I am a newcomer to the martial world' were written across his face, let out a gasp of admiration.
Jeong Gak spoke in a gentle, instructive tone, like a teacher guiding a child taking their first steps into the world.
"Incredible doesn't even begin to cover it. The reality is that anyone in this vicinity who hears his name tucks their tail and hides. Even the Nine Great Sects are no exception. My only regret is that he doesn't socialize much. His mysterious deeds are recorded in detail in the Martial World Grade Directory I gave you, so be sure to refer to it."
Jeong Gak surreptitiously opened his hand to check the payment he had received from the youth.
Three taels.
It was the price he had squeezed out of the young man by emphasizing that it was a 'must-read book for survival in the Jianghu.'
To be honest, even the seller had been skeptical at first. Who would pay three taels for such a tattered, ancient book? However, judging by the young man's reaction, he didn't seem to harbor a single shred of doubt.
"But, Elder."
The young man narrowed his eyes and asked cautiously.
"Y-yes?"
Jeong Gak flinched. His conscience pricked him, fearing the youth had realized he was being scammed.
"Can I really learn about all the masters of the Jianghu just by reading this?"
"..."
"If this one book truly contains the skill levels and residences of every master in the martial world, wouldn't it be considered a literal treasure?"
At the young man's question, Jeong Gak’s face brightened instantly.
"Of course it's a treasure! I spent my entire life traveling, hand-picking only the very best information to write that book. Anyone not in there isn't a master. They're just common thugs."
"Ah..."
Only when the young man blinked in wonder did Jeong Gak finally feel at ease.
"Thank you for your help."
The young man stood up and offered a fist-and-palm salute. Jeong Gak stood as well, waving his hand dismissively.
"Think nothing of it. I sold it for a fair price, after all."
"Still, how could one possibly put a price on your experience, Elder? And if you poured as much effort into it as you say, even a hundred taels would have been a bargain."
"Ahem, is that so?"
"Certainly. Well, I am in a bit of a hurry... Farewell."
"Safe travels."
As the young man offered his respects once more and departed, Jeong Gak waved him off. With a magnificent scabbard at his waist and handsome features, the youth looked truly impressive no matter how many times one looked at him.
"I'm starting to feel a bit guilty. Selling a book that was rolling around the marketplace fifty years ago..."
A Martial World Grade Directory was meaningless unless it was the latest edition. In a Jianghu where the rankings of masters changed by the day, a fifty-year-old directory was something no one would take even if it were given away for free.
Jeong Gak chuckled softly as he picked up his belongings and stood.
"But this is the Jianghu—a place where you can't even trust the person right in front of you. Tsk, tsk. Being that innocent and naive, how will he ever survive this harsh world?"
His pack was filled with various books, most of them just disorganized, miscellaneous junk.
*
Flip, flip.
Walking through the marketplace, Seok Myeong couldn't take his eyes off the book. It was a hefty volume, bound from no fewer than four hundred sheets of paper. It encompassed masters from all over the Central Plains—not just Sichuan, but also Hubei, Henan, and Jiangxi.
"It really is divided by grade."
True to its title, the book displayed the grades of masters every few dozen pages.
"The Ten Great Masters, the Fifty Great Masters, the Hundred Great Masters, the Two Hundred Great Masters, the Five Hundred Great Masters... an appendix?"
Following the numerous grades, there were additional records. Looking at the contents, it seemed to be a separate collection of first-rate, second-rate, and third-rate martial artists.
Seok Myeong’s mood lifted. With a book like this, he wouldn't have to ask people one by one; he could easily find masters on his own and request duels.
"Should I look for the Fifty Great Masters first?"
Seok Myeong paused as he flipped through the pages. On second thought, he felt that might be going too far. Even within the Qingcheng Sect, those considered among the top fifty masters in the world would be at the level of the Qingcheng Sword-Hands.
If that was the case for Qingcheng, then the Fifty Great Masters of the entire Central Plains would surely possess terrifying strength. They were likely at the level of Taoist Song Hak, one of the top five figures in Qingcheng.
"Right, maybe the Hundred Great Masters... no, let's start with the Two Hundred Great Masters."
Using the strength of a Qingcheng Sect elder as his benchmark, Seok Myeong moved his gaze toward the later pages of the book. He was becoming increasingly humble in the face of these masters.
"There's a reason the book was so expensive. The descriptions are so thorough."
The lists were subdivided by region. Since it was so well-categorized, it would be very useful in the future. Seok Myeong looked particularly closely at the Two Hundred Great Masters in the vicinity of Chengdu, as he was currently in that area.
Name: Lee Geom-hwan
Age: Forty-three
Title: Yellow Shrimp Red Beard
Area of Activity: Chengdu Region
Characteristics: Evaluated as having manifested the essence of the Yellow River through his sword.
...
Martial Arts Level: Peak Realm
"Peak Realm?"
Seok Myeong was surprised by the martial arts level. Even though this was the list of the Two Hundred Great Masters, they were described as being in the Peak Realm.
Seok Myeong estimated his own current level to be somewhere between first-rate and the Peak Realm, so he felt that if they were at that level, he wouldn't have much trouble dueling them.
"To have entered the Peak Realm means they have reached the state of 'One Hand, One Body'... To think there are so many such people in the world."
Most of the first-generation disciples of Qingcheng had yet to reach the Peak Realm. Considering that, the Peak Realm was clearly a stage that even those dedicated to the martial arts could not easily attain.
Seok Myeong turned another page.
"This person seems even more impressive."
Name: Do Gil-hwan
Age: Forty-six
Title: Mountain Stream Sword
Area of Activity: Chengdu Region
Characteristics: Evaluated as having the spirit of the mountains dwelling within his sword.
...
Representative Martial Art: Muheung Sword Technique
Martial Arts Level: Peak Realm
Descriptions of the opponents' martial arts followed. They were so famous that the book had recorded them in detail.
"There's no guarantee everyone will accept, so I should send letters to those nearby one by one."
Looking at the list of over ten masters, Seok Myeong narrowed them down to those in the Chengdu area. Then, he began to write a Martial Challenge Letter for each of them.
*
Martial Challenge Letter
I am a Taoist of the Qingcheng Sect, a first-generation disciple who has descended the mountain after completing all the teachings of our main sect.
While searching for ways to gain knowledge and experience, I heard of your lofty reputation and could not simply pass you by. Thus, I am sending this Martial Challenge Letter.
I would be grateful if you could help me discover my shortcomings so that I may advance to a higher realm and carry out great heroic deeds in the future.
Respectfully,
Seok Myeong
"Excellent."
Seok Myeong summarized his self-evaluation in that one word. No matter how many times he looked at it, nothing was missing.
By mentioning the Qingcheng Sect, he emphasized his background in one of the Nine Great Sects, and by stating he had completed all the teachings of the main sect, he indirectly expressed that he was qualified to duel.
And that wasn't all. Despite coming from a great sect, he lowered himself to portray an intense desire for the duel and further emphasized mutual growth through experience. He even provided a justification, suggesting that the duel was equivalent to helping the heroic deeds he would perform afterward.
With a perfect beginning, middle, and end, this was a flawless Martial Challenge Letter that no member of the Orthodox Faction could possibly refuse.
"Now I just need to make inquiries."
Seok Myeong pondered how to handle the many Martial Challenge Letters he had written. He wanted to visit them all personally, but between the time constraints and his lack of familiarity with the local geography, it seemed difficult. However, the fact that he didn't really know anyone he could entrust them to was also a problem.
"In the end, is the Beggar Sect the only option?"
His master had always said: If you ever need help when you go out into the Central Plains, always look for a Beggar Sect branch. He said they would help, as it was a request from a fellow member of the Orthodox Faction.
Seok Myeong inquired about the location of the Beggar Sect branch. It must have been a very famous building, as most of the people passing by knew where it was. A few hours later, Seok Myeong arrived in front of a large building that served as the local branch.
"Who are you?"
The inside of the branch was quite spacious and quiet. Inside the reasonably well-built structure, six beggars were gathered together. Among them, a man with a goat beard spotted Seok Myeong and approached.
"I have come from Qingcheng."
Seok Myeong politely offered his respects. Judging by the three knots on the man's waist, he was Seok Myeong's senior in terms of generational rank.
"What is your business?"
Seok Myeong explained his situation. The Three-Knot Disciple, who appeared to be the Branch Leader, nodded.
"Well, very well."
"Really?"
"It's not that difficult. We're all here to help one another."
Having received consent much more easily than expected, Seok Myeong held out all twelve of the Martial Challenge Letters he had prepared. The goat-bearded man took them with a glance and turned around.
"Come back in fifteen days."
"Thank you."
Seok Myeong expressed his gratitude and stepped outside.
*
Fifteen days later, as scheduled.
When Seok Myeong arrived at the branch, the goat-bearded man was waiting as if he had expected him and held something out. It was a list detailing what had happened to the twelve Martial Challenge Letters Seok Myeong had provided. Seok Myeong took it and read it slowly.
Martial Challenge Letter 1 — Addressee Unknown
Martial Challenge Letter 2 — Addressee Unknown
Martial Challenge Letter 3 — Addressee Unknown
...
Martial Challenge Letter 11 — Addressee Unknown
"Huh? This can't be right..."
Seok Myeong scanned the list again and spoke in a tone of disbelief.
"Something must be wrong. 'Addressee unknown'? I was clearly told by that elder that the information regarding the current masters of the Jianghu was accurate. Furthermore, he said the Martial World Grade Directory was a compilation of information he gathered over many years of traveling the Jianghu, making it priceless..."
"Did you just say Martial World Grade Directory?"
"Yes."
"Could I see that book for a moment?"
"Here it is."
As Seok Myeong hurriedly handed over the book, the goat-bearded man, using the same hand he had just used to pick his nose, slowly flipped through it. After a moment, he looked up at Seok Myeong and spoke.
"Ahem. Young hero. Please don't take this the wrong way."
Despite his actions, his tone was cautious. Of course, his inner thoughts were quite different. Even before opening the book, the situation was clear: 'This poor fool has been scammed!'
However, he couldn't just say that bluntly. His counterpart was none other than a member of the Qingcheng Sect.
'Of all the sects, it had to be Qingcheng...'
Among the Nine Great Sects, not a single one was an easy target. They were, after all, the nine groups with the greatest martial prowess. But Qingcheng was a particularly troublesome place, regardless of their martial power.
Whenever there was an injustice in the Jianghu—something others might hesitate to get involved in because it was tedious or the consequences were too heavy—Qingcheng would step in and handle it without being asked. Some praised this as being heroic, but the problem was that if this 'heroism' was rubbed the wrong way, they were the type to grab even a fellow member of the Nine Great Sects by the collar.
There was even a saying that the prickly Qingcheng was just as bad as the Sichuan Tang Clan. The youth in front of him looked mild-mannered enough, but there was no telling when he might grab the Branch Leader by the throat and slam him down.
"Please, speak freely."
Seok Myeong nodded, showing that he wouldn't take offense. Encouraged by this, the Branch Leader spoke up.
"I'm sorry to say this, but books like the Martial World Grade Directory aren't for sale. If such a thing existed, all but a few copies would have been burned long ago. This is because information like the abilities, residences, and martial arts levels of the current generation's masters is vital information that cannot be leaked carelessly. Therefore..."
"..."
"It's a bit awkward to say, but you could say that the young hero has been scamm—"
"Ah, wait a moment."
Seok Myeong waved his hand mid-sentence. In that instant, the goat-bearded man instinctively shielded his face. It was always the same with those so-called prestigious Orthodox sects; instead of accepting it when their mistakes were pointed out, they'd get angry and throw a punch first.
But his expectation was wrong.
"One of them was delivered correctly."
Seok Myeong had discovered something within the bundle of papers.
"..."
Under the Branch Leader's dubious gaze, Seok Myeong’s hands moved quickly. Just one. Exactly one letter was different from the Martial Challenge Letters Seok Myeong had sent. The recipient had sent a reply.
I accept.
How could I possibly refuse a Martial Challenge Letter from a disciple of the renowned Qingcheng Sect?
However, due to personal circumstances, please visit my residence first.
You will see it once you reach the entrance of the Sichuan Mountains.
I shall be waiting.