Chapter 64: Swift Wind Swordsman Song Yeo-guk (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 64: Swift Wind Swordsman Song Yeo-guk (1)
Early morning. The Patriarch of the Cheon family and his sons arrived for a visit.
Cheon Wi-seol, standing at the front, was the first to clasp his hands in a respectful greeting.
"I find myself at a loss for words."
"What is it?" Seok Myeong asked.
"First, please forgive our transgressions."
"…?"
"It seems we were mistaken. We committed the blunder of blindly believing the challenge letter we found tucked into our gate. We know the truth now. We know that you did not write that letter, Great Hero."
Ssh.
With those words, Cheon Wi-seol held out the infamous, profanity-laden challenge letter. After skimming the contents, even Seok Myeong clicked his tongue in disbelief.
"So this letter was the root of the problem."
"Indeed. Had it not been for this, we would never have treated you with such hostility. I sincerely ask for your forgiveness."
"No, it is fine. I was the one who made a sudden request, which led to this situation. If we are to assign blame, I am also at fault."
"Do not say that. We are well aware of the efforts you made to ensure the Cheon family’s pride remained intact."
Seok Myeong did not protest further. He simply averted his gaze with an awkward smile.
"I lost this duel."
Cheon Wi-jin, who had been standing behind his father, stepped forward. When Seok Myeong looked up at him, the man’s expression seemed far more kind-hearted than when they had first met.
"No. I was the one who lost," Seok Myeong countered.
"I was the one who dropped my sword. Therefore, I am the loser."
As the two of them insisted on being the one who failed, Cheon Wi-hyeon looked back and forth between them, find the situation absurd.
Just a moment ago, they had been fighting tooth and nail, and now they were practically fighting over who got to yield the credit. It was a beautiful sight.
He took a step forward and spoke to Seok Myeong.
"I will not forget the grace you have shown us. Furthermore, I see now that the rumors about you were not exaggerated."
Seok Myeong looked at Cheon Wi-hyeon as he approached. The man’s favorable gaze gave off an impression of reliability.
"I also gained much from this. To call it grace is an exaggeration."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the Cheon family departed. They offered to provide a servant so he could rest comfortably for the remainder of his stay, but Seok Myeong declined.
He was in a position where he had to leave soon.
"Let’s see."
Once they were gone, Seok Myeong sat in the lotus position.
His internal state was clean. Though he still possessed only a meager amount of internal energy, he could find no major internal injuries.
In a way, it was mysterious. He had clearly felt a level of pain that was almost unbearable during the fight, yet there was no lasting damage at all.
"That’s a relief, Brother Seok Myeong."
As if he had been waiting for the family to leave, Hyeok-jin appeared. Cheol So-yeon followed right behind him.
Seok Myeong smiled brightly at Hyeok-jin. Then, meeting Cheol So-yeon’s eyes, he spoke.
"Thank you."
"…For what?" she asked.
"If you hadn't called out to me then, I might have collapsed on the spot. If that had happened, it would have been quite an unsightly scene."
At that moment when he had wanted to slump down, Cheol So-yeon’s voice had given him the strength to endure just a little longer.
At his words, Cheol So-yeon snorted.
"I wasn't helping you. I was just annoyed to see you getting beaten so pathetically."
"I suppose that’s true."
Seok Myeong laughed hollowly before continuing.
"Still, thank you. I mean it."
Perhaps it was because of the sincerity in his voice, but Cheol So-yeon started to say something, then stopped and looked away. The tips of her ears were slightly flushed.
"Brother Seok Myeong, when are we leaving?"
When the conversation hit a lull, Hyeok-jin chimed in.
"We should leave soon."
"When exactly?"
"Well…"
Hyeok-jin cut him off, testing the waters.
"You might not know this, Brother, but the food here is incredibly delicious. The people are kind, and there’s a lot to see. If possible, we should rest for a few days before—"
"Go and get ready immediately."
"Huh? Immediately?"
Without further explanation, Seok Myeong stood up and headed back to his room. Hyeok-jin watched Seok Myeong’s back with a look of disbelief, his face falling.
A martial journey through the Jianghu sounded grand, but it usually ended up being a cycle of sleeping in the wind and dew. It wasn't often they had a chance to have their room and board covered while making powerful connections, so why was he leaving without even enjoying it?
"Honestly. What a fool, looking for hardship where there is none."
Watching this, Cheol So-yeon shook her head and walked away.
*
"Safe travels."
The father and sons came out to see Seok Myeong and his party off at the gate. Among them, Cheon Wi-jin looked deeply moved.
"I didn't expect the treatment to change so drastically in an instant."
Hyeok-jin clicked his tongue as they passed the entrance and descended the mountain.
Clink, clink.
A heavy pouch filled with silver and even gold hung from his waist. The meal they had been served before leaving was so magnificent the table practically groaned under the weight. Their attitude was entirely different from the beginning.
Seok Myeong didn't say anything, merely responding with a smile.
"But Brother Seok Myeong, how did you dissipate his Sword Shadow?"
"What do you mean?"
"Cheon Wi-jin’s Sword Shadow. There wasn't even a change in the tip of your sword, Brother."
Hyeok-jin had seen the sword Seok Myeong swung at that moment. There had been no visible change in the blade as it dealt with the Sword Shadow.
"I’m not quite sure myself."
"You don't know?"
"No."
The clues one realizes on the path of martial arts are truly mysterious; often, one does not know how they achieved a feat even after doing it with their own hands. However, if one becomes too obsessed with that moment, they can fall into idle thoughts and vanity, never to find that feeling again.
It is better to let it be, and it will return in time. Hyeok-jin was aware of such stories, so he did not press further.
"By the way, where are we going now?"
When the quiet Cheol So-yeon asked, Seok Myeong pulled an envelope from his robes.
Affiliation: Sword Cloud Manor (劍雲莊)
Name: Song Yeo-guk
Age: Over forty
Prowess: Between Second-rate and Peak
Martial Arts: Windless Twelve Breaking Swords (無風十二破劍), Heavenly Terrace Accumulation Skill (天台적공)
Characteristics: Once served as the Estate Owner of Gujangwon (久裝院) but left alone after becoming disillusioned with martial arts.
Area of Activity: Myeonghyeon Village, Xi'an, Shaanxi.
"Between Second-rate and Peak? Isn't this a bit half-hearted?"
Hyeok-jin’s eyes widened as he peeked at the paper from the side. The level of prowess identified by the Beggar Sect was far too broad. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that most of the Martial World fell somewhere in that range.
"Surely the Beggar Sect wouldn't have matched me with such an opponent. There’s no need to worry too much."
"You never know. Didn't they send a challenge letter filled with strange insults to the Cheon family? There’s a chance something went wrong this time too."
"Haha, that can't be."
Seok Myeong patted Hyeok-jin’s shoulder, emphasizing his point. Then, sensing something strange, he turned his head. Cheol So-yeon was scowling openly after reading the opponent’s profile.
"What is it? Is this someone you know, Lady So-yeon?"
Seok Myeong asked, holding the paper out to her. Cheol So-yeon shook her head.
"I don't know him."
"……."
"But he has the same name as someone I know."
"Really?"
Hyeok-jin chimed in. "How many people in the world share the same name?"
He was now speaking casually to Cheol So-yeon. Surprisingly, she immediately conceded the point.
"I suppose so."
"…Huh?"
This was actually weirder. Knowing Cheol So-yeon’s temperament, Hyeok-jin expected her to snap at him, but she didn't.
They walked for quite a while. Suddenly, Cheol So-yeon spoke up.
"But if it is the person I’m thinking of… I think I know which sect he used to belong to."
"Is that so?"
This was good information. Knowing a person’s former sect allowed one to estimate what kind of martial arts they used and their general level of skill. Seok Myeong asked again.
"Which sect is it?"
Cheol So-yeon hesitated for a moment before finally opening her mouth.
"Your Qingcheng Sect."
*
Ting-a-ling.
The bells hanging from the bead curtain at the entrance rang incessantly. Judging by the constant ringing, one could guess just how many customers were entering the inn.
This place, called the Nameless Inn, was the largest inn in the vicinity. Not only were there many customers, but thanks to its location at the edge of the marketplace, merchants often stopped by as well.
"Get in line."
To the left of the entrance was a small open window. About a dozen men were lined up in front of it, seemingly exchanging goods through the window.
"Two taels."
A frail old man shuffled behind the half-open window before pulling something out. Judging by the label that read 'Fire Wine,' it was likely a bottle of liquor.
"That’s too expensive. I heard it was one tael."
"Haven't you heard the news? The bamboo grove in the lower village was flooded yesterday, so the price of Zhuyeqing has skyrocketed."
"I heard. But that only happened yesterday."
"Tsk, tsk. What a stubborn man."
The old man clicked his tongue and continued.
"As a rule, when prices have a reason to go up, they rise like a bolt of lightning. But when they fall, they drop slower than a slug crawls."
"……."
"If you’re not buying, move along. There are many people waiting behind you."
The haggard-looking man glanced back. People just like him were waiting for their turn.
"Here, two taels."
"Good. Come again."
The old man handed over the liquor happily. The man who received the bottle walked away in a different direction. His pace was very fast, as if he had already forgotten the previous argument.
*
A man with slumped shoulders was trudging through the bamboo grove.
He held a bottle of liquor in one hand. It seemed he had entered the grove as soon as he bought the alcohol from the Nameless Inn. He soon arrived in front of a house. It was a house with a roof haphazardly thatched with brushwood, little more than a simple cottage.
The derelict man sat down on the stump of a large tree in front of the house.
"Gulp. Kaaah…!"
After taking a magnificent swig, he let out a refreshing sound and laughed brightly. It was a smile as clear as a child’s. On the other hand, his eyes were so unfocused they seemed to be swimming. His gaze would focus, then turn vacant, then focus again, repeating in a continuous cycle.
After this had repeated a few times, the sound of footsteps came from in front of him.
"Who are you?"
The man looked forward with a goofy expression. Standing there were two unfamiliar young men and a woman.
"Do you know a man named Song Yeo-guk?"
"Song Yeo-guk? That name sounds familiar."
"……."
"Ah! That’s right. That’s my name. I almost forgot something very important."
The man had a sudden realization and laughed like a fool. Then he continued.
"Since you’re asking for my name, you’re clearly not just passing through. What is your business?"
At those words, the young man performed a formal greeting as if he had been waiting.
"My name is Seok Myeong. I have come to request a duel, Elder."
"Se-Seok Myeong?"
In that instant, Song Yeo-guk’s ears twitched, and his gaze shifted toward Seok Myeong.
"Ho. So what that beggar fellow offered was true."
"Pardon?"
"You know. He suddenly came by and said he’d buy me a drink if I signed a challenge letter. To think you’d actually show up. Hahaha. Interesting, very interesting."
The man named Song Yeo-guk burst into a mad laugh. Watching this, Seok Myeong looked back at Hyeok-jin and Cheol So-yeon. Seeing both of them stiffen, it seemed they shared his poor impression of the man.
"Goodness…"
The man stood up with a staggering motion. He looked at Seok Myeong and continued.
"How much will you give me?"
"……."
"I may look like this, but I’m an expensive man. I was quite famous in the past, so you’ll have to buy me at least a hundred bottles of liquor…"
Thwack!
Thud!
The moment the man tried to continue, Cheol So-yeon unexpectedly struck the crown of Song Yeo-guk’s head, and he collapsed forward.
"Lady So-yeon."
Even though it was a surprise attack, Cheol So-yeon herself looked dazed, perhaps because it had succeeded so easily. She shook her head and spoke with a sigh.
"Don't worry. It’s obvious at a glance that this man isn't the kind of person we’re looking for."
Thinking she had wasted her time, Cheol So-yeon dusted off her hands and took a step back. Only Hyeok-jin was scratching his head with a blank expression.
Seok Myeong lowered his posture. He approached the man, who was once again looking dazed, and tried to talk to him.
"Elder, could you tell me which sect you belonged to in the past?"
"Sect?"
"Yes."
"Well, I wonder… where was it? Where would you like me to be from?"
"What is he even saying?"
Cheol So-yeon’s face contorted even further. As she rolled up her sleeves to step forward again, Hyeok-jin, who had been watching, blocked her path.
Song Yeo-guk looked around and picked up the liquor bottle rolling on the ground. He brought it to his mouth.
Drip, drip.
He stuck out his tongue, but only a few drops fell before stopping. There was nothing left in the bottle.
"I’m out of liquor."
"……."
He turned his gaze back to Seok Myeong. But his expression had changed. For the first time, he wore a serious face.
"Buy me a drink, and I’ll tell you."