What the Dead Leave Behind
A tiger dies and leaves its skin behind. A man dies and leaves his name—or so the saying goes. But names are intangible things that don't really exist, so most folks just get forgotten after they kick the bucket. So what do they leave? Everything they've scraped together over their lifetime. House deeds, land titles, bonds, gold, that sort of wealth. And the more special ones sometimes leave behind techniques and knowledge too.
"Chief steward, take me to the martial arts manuals first. Lol, I'm so hyped."
Ha-yeon was thrilled. Everything she'd learned since dropping into the murim world had been these half-assed techniques that blurred the line between martial arts and magic. And even those, she'd mostly just been throwing punches left and right. She'd never properly learned a real sword style, but after pulling that one out of the slave and trying it, she'd gotten hooked. Just glancing at it and stealing it had revealed something so profound. So how mind-blowing must a real manual be, one with detailed explanations and notes?
Oh, right. That slave's original Cheong-un Sword Method was apparently a derivative of the Great Pure Sword Qi. His master, Cheong-un Jin-in, had developed it as a side branch—a new form for the Great Pure Sword Method. But the old man himself said it wasn't refined enough to become an official technique yet; he'd polish it more before integrating it. That's why the sword qi was called Great Pure Sword Qi, not Cheong-un whatever. Useless trivia I didn't need to know.
Come to think of it, that Black Bear Wang-jak bastard's final move, the Bear Form Tyrant Claw, had some real depth too. Suddenly seizing the rear and slamming down with a bear's momentum—it was insane. How the hell does a human even move like that? I was honestly shocked. If my overwhelming combat experience and instincts hadn't screamed danger, I wouldn't have dodged. Against someone with my level of seasoning, it would've been a sure hit. Because... I had zero experience against proper martial arts like that. It was one of this world's profoundly evolved principles, different from my old one.
Of course, now that I've seen it, I could handle it.
"Ahh, slave, I'm so damn happy right now."
"You do look joyful, my lord. You look good when you smile."
"Ugh, even that's annoying."
She tossed aside the wide-brimmed hat that kept blocking her view. Her damn hair was too long, forcing her to wear the big brim to keep blood and flesh off her face.
"Phew..."
Black hair cascaded out from under the hat, and the steward—who'd been sneaking glances back—went silent for a beat. The moment she ditched the hat, a stunning beauty flashed a pleased smile. Even peeling sweat-matted strands from her cheek looked ethereal.
What the hell, how can a girl be so damn seductive?
For an instant, the terror of the psycho killer got overpowered by male instinct. Wiping sweat from her cheek with the back of her hand looked so pitiful—must've suffered hell as a kid to choose the warrior's path. And thinking about it, what grudge did she hold against those Yeon Family scum to push revenge with such a delicate face? Those rotten Yeon bastards deserved divine punishment.
...I'm losing it.
Ha-yeon was just that captivating; such thoughts came naturally.
"...This is the place."
"Alright, let's see. Lots of books. Pick the three best ones. Sword or saber styles."
"Yes, ma'am."
The steward soon hauled out three volumes. Ha-yeon smirked happily and flipped them open. Starting with the central Yeon Family Sword Method, flanked by the others on left and right.
"This is the Heavenly Unmatched Tai Chi Fist and the Heroes' Compendium Great Sword Method. And the center one's our family's pride, the Yeon Family Sword Method."
The names were... a mouthful. Hard to even parse. But if they lived up to even a fraction of that hype, it'd be gold. Expectations always carry disappointment, though.
Ha-yeon soon ripped all three to shreds and tossed them at the steward's feet.
"Chief steward, attention!"
"...Spare me, please."
"Didn't I say one secret costs one slash? Looks like our steward here's a master of external arts. My single cut didn't faze you, so I'll specially carve you up north, south, east, west—four ways."
"It's true! Those are the strongest, most versatile ones our family keeps!"
"These? For real?"
"Just look at the Yeon Family Sword Method!"
The Yeon Family Sword Method. Slapping the family name on it showed confidence. And yeah, it ranked above average if you lined up every manual in the world.
But.
"This Yeon Family Sword Method... why bother learning it?"
"Pardon?"
Even to Ha-yeon, who didn't know murim arts well, it screamed inefficient and weak. A refined, intricate sword style—but it demanded sky-high senses and proficiency from the user. That alone might make it a high-entry advanced art. But.
"Why learn this when you could just do Great Pure Sword Qi or Tai Chi Wise Sword instead?"
Its ceiling was just plain low. The whole style was a weight class below not just Tai Chi Wise Sword, but even the Cheong-un Sword Method. To her, it looked like some prankster's sloppy scribbles.
"What are you guys, a club for masochists who love suffering?"
A side effect of only knowing Tai Chi Wise Sword and Great Pure Sword Qi. One was invented by the legendary murim founder Jang Sam-bong; the other, a millennium of Wudang elders and sect leaders' refinements. Her standards were ruined.
"..."
The steward had plenty to say too. If Yeon Family Sword Method were that great, their last three patriarchs wouldn't all be just Peak realm. Even pooling all murim arts, nothing beat those two—hell, matching them would make it a divine art. If it were even Great Pure Sword Qi level, they wouldn't be in this mess.
"I wouldn't take trash like this even if you paid me. Want 'em, slave?"
"I'll pass. The names alone give me cramps."
"...You sneak those burns in deep, huh?"
"Not as good as you, my lord."
She smacked the increasingly cheeky slave's shoulder, then the steward's for good measure.
"Hey, why me...?"
"Shut it. Lead on, steward. Land deeds, gold bars—you know the drill."
"Yes, yes. Follow me, and it'll all be yours."
"Gotcha."
"?"
"I said lead."
Evaluator, Thunder Diviner Pyeong So-geon was in high spirits these days. The Black Bear Wang-jak—a snakehead if not a full viper lord of the unorthodox—was dead. And not just that?
"That kid Yong-cheong's grown into a fine one. Rumors didn't do him justice—meeting him in person, he's destined to be a giant of the righteous sects and Wudang."
Seeing his nephew-like kid thrive made him happy, and knowing the future murim titan would honor him as "Elder, Elder" sweetened it. This favor would ensure the kid shielded the Pyeong Family even after he was gone, if trouble came. Deepening ties with Wudang was a bonus.
"And a new prodigy shocking the murim has emerged from hiding."
That girl Ha-yeon achieving so much at her age? Pillar material. She'd repay this favor too, ignoring future threats to the Pyeongs. Two pillars for his clan and kin after his death—what joy! His sole worry had been no worthy heir for after his passing, but these safeguards meant safety unless his descendants were total failures.
Mood lifted, Pyeong So-geon spoke.
"Kekeke. Is Ge Chun-sik here?"
"Yes, Elder."
"How are our Yong-cheong and that Ha-yeon kid doing?"
"Both well. The young lady's health improved a lot—she just went out to eat with the two kids and the young master."
"That far along? Puts my mind at ease... No sparks with my grandkids, I hope?"
"Well..."
"Spit it out."
Chun-sik spoke.
"Everyone knows the young masters and ladies showed interest while they stayed. But those two seemed utterly uninterested."
"Really? Not to brag, but my grandkids have good character and looks."
"Aigoo, even your grandkids can't compare to them."
"Khm."
"Young Master Yong-cheong's got that sturdy build, handsome face, bright future. And Miss Ha-yeon? Need I say? Last time she sat by the pond catching a breeze, I thought old man Shin-neh had died and ascended."
"Khm. Khm."
"Even with all the love I've poured into your grandkids, no contest. Especially Young Master Gu-san—he's lovesick bad... Poor kid. At best, he might match the next-door Gam family heir."
"Khm. Khm-hm!"
"But excluding Gu-san, they've all backed off lately—no worries. One out, the rest quit early. That's a win."
"Khm. Khm! Khm!"
Pyeong So-geon cleared his throat for the umpteenth time, thinking: This clueless bastard.
"Enough, Chun-sik. I get it."
"Yes, Elder."
"Sigh... At least excluding Gu-san, their quick surrender might be a blessing."
"Right, the young masters all hit on the fairy once—came back bruised, rumor has it..."
"I said enough!"
Pyeong So-geon rubbed his throbbing head and sighed. Aigoo, what kind of matchmaking nonsense. Cherish the current bonds—that's plenty.
As he quietly accepted that—
"Elder."
"What."
"The fairy and Young Master Yong-cheong are here."
"Send them in."
A bit flustered but smiling broadly. It didn't last.
"What... is this?"
"Picked 'em up on our walk—for you, Elder Pyeong."
"No."
What kind of walk yields land deeds and estate papers? Swallowing "Lemme check," Pyeong So-geon scanned the pile. Useless ledgers, land titles, business docs, even shady secrets—every type, like he'd swept a whole sect or clan's vaults.
Ha-yeon grinned.
"Didn't know what'd help, so I grabbed everything important-looking. No use for land or estates, so take 'em as payback for the hospitality."
"Too much. Where'd you even—"
"What's it matter? Oh, the loot was too heavy—can you take a cut as fee and swap for receipts?"
His face calmed.
"Leaving already?"
"Yeah. Walked around today—feels all better, no need to overstay."
"You haven't even seen half of Nam-chang. Why rush?"
"Stayed plenty. Oh, Elder."
"Yes?"
"Got spare manuals for trade—"
"Mmph! Mmmph!"
"Ha, haha, Elder. Ignore her. She's always like this—forgive us."
Pyeong So-geon burst out laughing. Cute sight. Regrettable, but inevitable.
"Where to, then?"
"We discussed—heading to An-hui."
"Ho ho, then take the Yangtze up. I'll arrange a carriage with my acquaintance at Guk-seo Escort Agency."
"Thank you, Elder!"
"May your jianghu travels bring enlightenment."
Yong-cheong smiled, cupped fists, replied:
"The insights I've gained are plenty."
"Not me. Still no decent sword arts worth cutting for."
"My lord. Please."
"What."
Pyeong So-geon laughed heartily, cupping fists. Ha-yeon did too—after a scolding from the slave about hand position. She bopped his head for getting cheeky. A bump rose.
The carriage raced toward the Yangtze—the lifeline, the veins of the Central Plains.
Guk-seo Escort Agency's convoy was the flashiest, with the most cargo and men. Some might call the procession grand and mighty; others with different values would say "prime rib on wheels." Highway bandits, for instance.
"Halt! This is Black Water Stronghold turf!"
"I'm Guk-seo Rang, head escort of Guk-seo Agency."
"Kekeke. No need for the cool act, Escort Head. With this many folks, the toll for our bandit heroes' road maintenance ain't cheap."
"No need. My convoy's honored with the Fairy and Azure Dragon aboard."
"What."
Then, from the obviously VIP carriage—
"Slave, sic 'em."
"Yes, my lord."
Thus began Seol Ha-yeon and the pretty sisters'—plus the unremarkable slave's—memorable first jianghu outing.
Ha-yeon's eyes burned with fierce anticipation. They said: Just one decent sword manual. Please.