Chapter 56: The Cheon Family (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 56: The Cheon Family (1)
Smack, smack, smack.
Geolgae leaned against the window frame, a wooden bowl tucked under his arm, staring down at the street below. Groups of beggars were scurrying back and forth in a frantic swarm.
With a satisfied expression, he reached into his bowl. It was filled with a messy heap of cold rice and wilted wild greens. He scooped up a large handful with his blackened, grimy hand and shoved it into his mouth.
It was then.
"He—he’s here!"
A beggar prostrated himself before him. Geolgae instantly lunged forward and snatched the bundle of letters from the man's hand. He was in such a hurry that he tossed his rice bowl aside, letting it clatter and spill across the floor.
Heartless Sword Family: Returned.
Northern Sky Secret Family: Returned.
Three Heroes Gate: Returned.
Red Gold Gate: Returned.
"What the hell is this?!"
After skimming through the letters, he hurled them to the ground. He couldn't wrap his head around why they had all been sent back.
"Ah, well... it’s exactly as it looks, sir," the beggar stammered.
"I’m asking why they were returned!"
"There are... likely two reasons," the beggar explained tentatively. "First, everyone is avoiding him because he’s a Taoist of the Qingcheng Sect. It’s common knowledge that getting tangled up with those ill-mannered Qingcheng bastards is a massive headache. They’re playing it safe."
"And the second?"
"It seems this Seok Myeong fellow has made quite a name for himself. Didn't he fight Cheol Gun of the Golden Martial Association to a draw? Since he held his own against one of the Five Dragons, what ordinary Rising Star would even dream of fighting him?"
Geolgae’s eyes flared with rage. "So, you’re saying they won't do it?"
"Pardon? No, that’s not what I meant..."
"Then what?!"
"I—I’m just saying that’s how things are."
The beggar, who wore the two knots of a Two-Knot Disciple, instinctively backed away. Seeing the way Geolgae’s eyes were rolling back, he felt like today might be that day—the day Geolgae lost his leash and transformed from a beggar into a "Mad Dog."
"You useless brat!"
Unable to contain his fury, Geolgae grabbed the Two-Knot Disciple by the collar and shook him violently. He locked eyes with the man and hissed through gritted teeth, "What is the motto of our branch?"
"‘If it doesn't work, make it work!’"
"And are you making the impossible happen right now?"
"N-no, sir!"
"What are you going to do about it?"
"I’ll try harder! No, I’ll make it happen!"
Geolgae’s voice rose to a roar. "You have fifteen days. Five have passed, so you have ten left. Bring me at least three accepted challenges within ten days."
"Th-three is too many! There aren't that many famous Rising Stars in Sichuan, and the time is—"
"If they aren't in Sichuan, go to Shaanxi! Or Hubei! And I don't care if they aren't Rising Stars! As long as they aren't old men, it’s fine! If they won't listen, insult them until they do! Use any means necessary to make this happen!"
"Y-yes, sir!"
The Two-Knot Disciple nodded frantically, his face turning pale. Only then did Geolgae release his grip.
"Get out."
"Yes, sir!"
The disciple bolted the moment the words left Geolgae’s mouth. Geolgae watched his retreating figure with sharp, predatory eyes. It was the look of a beast eyeing its prey.
"I can't let this opportunity slip through my fingers."
He looked down at the discarded letters, comforting himself with the thought of the reward. Ten thousand sacks of rice and a lightning-fast promotion. Both were dangling right in front of him.
*
"Are you in?"
Early that morning, a young man's voice echoed outside Cheol Mu-jin’s room.
Cheol Mu-jin, who was seated inside, replied, "Come in."
Slide.
Seok Myeong took off his shoes and stepped inside, glancing around the room. His eyes fell on the various stones and potted plants arranged throughout the space. As Seok Myeong took a seat, Cheol Mu-jin spoke.
"No need for long explanations."
Thud.
He set three envelopes down on the table. Seok Myeong read the writing on the covers.
Seok Myeong stared at the writing on the three envelopes. He stole a glance at Cheol Mu-jin before reaching into the first envelope. Inside was a formal document.
"Listen while you look," Cheol Mu-jin said. "The Cheon family, your first opponent, is quite well-known even within the Orthodox Faction. They are weaker than the Tang Clan and often overshadowed by the Emei and Qingcheng Sects, but they possess many agile and excellent swordsmen. Among them, Cheon Wi-jin, the son of Cheon Wi-seol, is a Rising Star famous throughout the Jianghu. In Sichuan, he’s considered one of the Seven Well Heroes. He should be a worthy opponent."
Seok Myeong read the document as he listened.
"I don't know much about the other two. They are from different provinces. You can look into them later."
"Thank you for your help."
Seok Myeong bowed respectfully. Though he didn't say much, he was truly grateful for the effort. Persuading the Beggar Sect must have been an incredibly difficult task.
"When do you plan to leave?"
"I’ll leave today."
"Don't you need more rest?"
"I’ve fully recovered."
At those words, Cheol Mu-jin looked into Seok Myeong’s eyes. There was no intimidating glare, but a subtle, comfortable energy flowed from him.
"Truly... it is a gentle energy, quite unlike what one expects from Qingcheng."
Seok Myeong immediately countered. "Gentle energy has always existed there. It is simply that the perception of Qingcheng has failed to recognize it."
"Is that so?" Cheol Mu-jin responded with interest.
The more he talked to this boy, the more intriguing he found him. It was hard to put into words exactly why.
Slide.
As the conversation ended and Seok Myeong was about to leave, Cheol Mu-jin opened a drawer and tossed something toward him. It was a thick volume titled Sword-Saber Collection. It looked like a martial arts manual.
"What is this?" Seok Myeong asked curiously.
"It’s a manual for the Right Sword Left Saber style."
"Right Sword Left Saber?" Seok Myeong tilted his head in confusion.
He had heard of and even read about the Left Sword Right Saber style. That was a technique where one held a sword in the left hand and a saber in the right. It originated from soldiers on the battlefield using shields and spears. In civilian combat, the thick saber acted as a shield, while the nimble sword was used to thrust like a spear into the opponent's openings.
It could also be used in reverse: using the fast, light sword in the left hand to harry the opponent before delivering a finishing blow with the powerful saber in the right. However, this was mostly a style adopted by rogue mercenaries who fought without formal training, finding it useful for creating openings.
"Is it really Right Sword Left Saber, not Left Sword Right Saber?"
As a disciple of Azure Cloud Taoist, Seok Myeong showed immediate interest in a new martial art. Cheol Mu-jin chuckled.
"Do you know what kind of weapons the Flash Divine Sword used during his prime?"
"I only heard that he used a sword and a great axe together."
"Indeed. To be precise, it was the Right Sword Left Axe style. Nowhere else in the history of the Central Plains has there been such a peculiar combination. Have you ever heard of someone thrusting with a sword while wielding an axe?"
Seok Myeong’s gaze deepened.
"At one time, our Golden Martial Association researched the martial arts of the Ten Great Masters. Baek Yang-cheon’s arts were among them. We described them based on information we saw or heard. The result was this Sword-Saber Collection."
"……."
"But in truth, it became useless. Even if the axe was replaced with a saber, who in the world would challenge such an uncertain style—not even dual swords, but a sword and a saber, and with the sword in the right hand at that?"
"Is that really the only reason you’re giving it to me?"
"That’s part of it. And honestly... it’s quite pitiful that the disciple of such a great man hasn't even reached the level of the Zhou Heavenly Fire Talisman, let alone the Two Meridians of the Sun Gate. How tragic is it that his successor hasn't even entered that realm yet?"
Seok Myeong looked at Cheol Mu-jin again. And he felt it. Regardless of whether the man was right or wrong, he had a genuine passion for martial arts. It might be hidden behind the veil of the Unorthodox Faction, but in Seok Myeong’s eyes, that yearning seemed pure.
"Looking at me like that... I can guess what you’re thinking. I suppose they taught you at the temple that all Unorthodox bastards deserve to die?"
"...Something like that."
"They aren't entirely wrong, but it’s not always the case either. We appear in different lights depending on our goals and how we choose to live. But in the end, everyone is just living for their own dreams."
"I will take your words to heart."
"Then go. And stop by whenever you have time."
"I will."
Seok Myeong stood up and cupped his fists in a deep bow, expressing his sincere gratitude. Cheol Mu-jin watched him with a warm, satisfied expression. He saw no trace of the Unorthodox Faction's malice in the boy, only a bright, clear spirit. He looked like a man who had finally reunited with a long-lost disciple.
*
Hey there, brother. Greetings!
I’m Seok Myeong from Qingcheng. I assume you’ve heard of Qingcheng, the sacred land of Taoism.
It’s nothing much, but about a month ago, I came down the mountain to test my skills in the Jianghu. To my disappointment, I haven't found a single worthy opponent.
Everyone who claims to be a decent swordsman is either a blowhard or a coward playing mind games.
What’s even funnier is that every warrior with the word ‘Heaven’ in their title—like ‘Heavenly Sword’ or ‘Heavenly Flowing Sword’—turned out to be nothing but small fry.
So, I’ve reached a conclusion.
None of the fellows with ‘Heaven’ in their names are worth a damn.
I was wandering around with nothing to do when I ran into a beggar. He started spitting everywhere while passionately arguing with me.
He told me there’s a place nearby called the Cheon Family (Heavenly Guardian Family) and that it’s full of masters.
I just laughed and told him: ‘A piece of trash is still trash, even if it’s a slightly harder piece of trash.’
I said the only difference is whether they wiggle or flop around.
Then the beggar told me to watch my mouth because there’s someone here named Cheon Wi-jin, who is one of the Seven Well Heroes.
I was so dumbfounded that I laughed for a long time, then I stuck my neck out and said it again:
‘Those guys who act like big shots in their own provinces, bragging about being Grandmasters or Faction Leaders? I’m the guy who crushes those types under my heel.’
‘I only deal with people who call themselves Red Tigers or White Tigers.’
The beggar got all worked up and suddenly made me a bet. He said if I could beat Cheon Wi-jin, he’d acknowledge me.
So, even though it’s a pain, I’m sending this challenge.
Come on, bring it on. Or are you going to forfeit?
By the way, if you’re scared, make sure to say so.
That way, I’ll have something to talk about over drinks.
Crush!
A dark-complexioned young man gripped the paper so hard he nearly tore it to shreds. His handsome features twisted with hostility, and his lips trembled uncontrollably.
"This lunatic..."
Never in his life had he been subjected to such insulting language. No matter how many times he read it, he couldn't understand it. This wasn't just anyone; it was the Qingcheng Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects. How could someone who called himself a Taoist send a challenge letter using such rude and low-class language?
Of course, if Seok Myeong knew such a letter had been sent, he would have been horrified. But what was done was done. The letter had already been delivered.
Tremble.
His hands shook with rage. Just then, he heard footsteps and sensed a presence outside the door. A gaunt man stepped into the room.