The Fire Vermilion Blade Dragon
Who is that?
Jang Hang peered down through the window three floors below.
“Fire Vermilion Blade Dragon...? He’s come in person?”
It was unmistakably Lim Gang, eldest son of the Blade Dragon Sect Master and its young master—the greatest talent of the Blade Dragon Sect and the finest martial artist known throughout the Anqing region.
Uncheon looked down as well.
“Who is it?”
“The young master of the Blade Dragon Sect, Lim Gang.”
“Fire Vermilion Blade Dragon... He must be quite the formidable martial artist.”
“He is. Even within the Blade Dragon Sect he’s known for rarely putting himself forward. I never imagined the young master himself would track us all the way here.”
“Strange. Why go to the trouble of coming this far?”
“...”
Jang Hang’s face went blank for a moment, then a dry chuckle escaped him.
We refused the invitation, so of course his pride took a hit. And we even told him that if he wanted a meeting, he should come himself...
Even for a scion of the Namgung Family, a newly emerged martial artist flatly declining a sect leader’s summons was not a common sight. They had not refused out of pure arrogance, so it did not violate the courtesies of the murim—yet still.
Uncheon turned his gaze toward the stairwell. Footsteps on the steps grew steadily louder. Then a man appeared on the third floor.
His upper body stood out more than his lower—powerfully built, eyes burning with intensity. The hilt of a blade jutted over his shoulder. Ten Blade Dragon Sect martial artists climbed the stairs behind him.
Jang Hang, tense inside, stepped forward and greeted the approaching Lim Gang with a clasped-fist salute.
“Fire Vermilion Blade Dragon. It’s been a while.”
“Escort Leader Jang Hang. I trust you’ve been well.”
Lim Gang exchanged a brief greeting, then studied the young man standing beside him.
Just as Uncle said—remarkably young.
The very man rumored to have defeated the Killing Light Poison Serpent, Ak Dogon.
“You are the young master of the Namgung Family, Blue Stream Sword Fragrance?”
“Namgung Uncheon.”
Uncheon slowly raised both hands and returned the clasped-fist salute. Jang Hang stood quietly to the side, watching the two exchange greetings.
Lim Gang examined Uncheon with open curiosity. The youthful face showed no outward trace of having mastered superior martial arts.
“I heard you defeated the Poison Lord of Killing Light.”
His tone carried a clear undercurrent of disbelief.
Well, I can’t blame him for doubting.
Uncheon knew he possessed a mysterious power, yet he was not the sort of man—like the young family head Namgung Gwoncheon—who radiated strength at a glance. He had no desire to look imposing, and he disliked drawing noise even more.
“A blind dog stumbling onto a rat, more like.”
“Is that so? Truly, the modesty of a great family’s scion.”
“I was simply lucky.”
“If you put it that way, what becomes of the face of the Poison Serpent who lost? I heard he was quite skilled.”
“Then he was the unlucky one. Honestly, I don’t think we need to care much about their opinions.”
“Haha. One arm severed and he was merely unlucky, is that it?”
Lim Gang studied Uncheon’s expression carefully. Was this strong self-confidence—or simply a complete lack of thought?
This time Uncheon spoke first.
“Did you truly come all this way just to meet me?”
“Of course.”
“You’re not angry that I didn’t go to the Blade Dragon Sect, are you?”
“Hahaha!”
Lim Gang burst into hearty laughter.
“A man who gets angry over something so small is no man at all.”
“Then why did you come?”
“Why do you think?”
Lim Gang’s gaze never left Uncheon. Uncheon had been aware of that gaze from the start; he did not even need to read the man’s eyes to know.
I can’t even dodge by saying I don’t want to... Fame brings good things, but it also brings the tiresome ones.
Lim Gang was counted among the greatest talents in the entire history of the Blade Dragon Sect. A masculine face with a strong jawline and thick brows, a height of roughly six cheok, hard muscle that spoke of external training, and the blade strapped to his back.
Looks and temperament both remind me of Brother Ungcheon from my own family... In that case...
Uncheon put on an easy, good-natured smile.
“You have a physique that suits a blade perfectly. Strong and impressive.”
“It will suit your sword just as well.”
Ah. Unlike Brother Ungcheon, this one can’t be smoothed over with flattery.
“Shall we do it right now? Or rest a little first...”
“Outside.”
“...Very well.”
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud—
Word that Blue Stream Sword Fragrance Namgung Uncheon and Fire Vermilion Blade Dragon Lim Gang would spar sent the inn into instant chaos.
Behind the inn lay an open lot. Torches flared to life and the darkened ground became as bright as day.
Lim Gang drew the crimson-bladed Vermilion Dragon Saber from his back and steadily raised his inner energy.
“Blue Stream Sword Fragrance. I propose a spar of three exchanges.”
“Gladly.”
“Draw your sword.”
Uncheon still had not drawn the Blue Silver Sword at his waist.
“Shall I?”
Shhhhing—
As the Blue Silver Sword slid free of its scabbard, Uncheon’s inner energy raced along the blade and set it singing.
Ziiiiing—
Lim Gang’s brows twitched. Until this very moment he had sensed no internal power at all.
He can completely conceal his energy?
If that were true, it meant the youth stood a full level above him.
Indeed. The foundation of the Namgung Family is different. But I will not be easy prey either.
Competitive fire boiled up from deep in his chest.
He’s going all out in earnest...
Uncheon met Lim Gang’s eyes and drew power from his dantian.
The volume of my energy is flowing as if it’s been amplified.
After the fight with the Killing Light Poison Serpent Ak Dogon, the blocked meridians seemed to have opened of their own accord.
If my energy moves as it did then, this won’t be difficult.
“Blue Stream Sword Fragrance, may I take the first move?”
“Actually, I’m newly entered into the murim.”
“Meaning you wish to strike first?”
“If you would be so kind.”
Lim Gang let out a short laugh.
“I yield the first strike.”
“My thanks.”
Softly—
Uncheon stepped forward and unfolded the Heavenly Wind Divine Movement. Beneath the torchlight a blue-tinged afterimage flared brighter still, turning in a half-circle of light.
Whirrrrr!!
With the added rotational force, the Blue Silver Sword’s power and speed surged.
Lim Gang was momentarily flustered. This was not the heavy sword of the Namgung he had known.
This brat asked for the first strike so he could end it immediately!
Whoosh!
Lim Gang rolled his body with the Thunderous Roll technique, barely slipping past the Blue Silver Sword. The unexpected speed left him no other choice.
Uncheon watched Lim Gang roll sideways, plant a hand on the ground, and rise.
“Excellent technique.”
“...”
Surprisingly, there was no mockery in the words. Lim Gang felt puzzled. Most martial artists regarded the Thunderous Roll as shameful. Yet Uncheon believed that, in this moment, it was the most perfect way to evade the attack.
“I never knew the Namgung sword could be so fast.”
“They say the thing one must guard against most carefully when learning martial arts is fixed notions.”
Fixed notions...
The words struck Lim Gang like a sudden blow to the head. No one had ever told him that before.
Is that why my martial arts hit a wall and could not advance further?
It looked like nothing much, yet sometimes even a small prejudice blocked growth. A bright smile bloomed on Lim Gang’s face.
“Thank you.”
Through Lim Gang’s eyes Uncheon saw exactly what the man had just realized. For all his fierce temperament, he was broad-minded enough to absorb insight from an opponent. Of course, Uncheon himself had also learned that one must give everything in a fight.
“You’re not stopping here, are you?”
Hummmm—
“Of course not. Two exchanges remain, so I’ll shorten it by one. This time I attack.”
Three successive forms of the most basic blade style linked into a continuous sequence, surging toward Uncheon’s form.
KWA-AAAAANG—!!
...Did I egg him on for nothing?
The force of the Vermilion Dragon Saber set Uncheon’s blue long robe flapping violently.
The Great Continuity Sword Art is the family’s basic sword method, yet it is also a defensive sword that dominates space.
Uncheon murmured to himself and began to move the Blue Silver Sword.
“The martial principle of Great Continuity is emptiness and wall. When those two forces gather, they become weight.”
The form of turbulent light intersecting like a cross.
KWA-AAAAANG—!!!
The Vermilion Dragon Saber, pouring out tremendous force, and the Blue Silver Sword crashed together.
The atmosphere on the third floor of the inn was bright. Jang Hang watched the two men sitting across from each other and smiled.
Whew. Hard to believe. They were fighting like that only moments ago...
The unpretentious ease was almost hard to credit in the son of a great martial family. Jang Hang stepped forward to brighten the mood further.
“Lim Gang, allow me to pour.”
“My thanks.”
They talked like old friends. When the conversation turned to the ambush by the Killing Shadows on the road to Hefei, Lim Gang fully acknowledged Uncheon’s skill.
“As Escort Leader Jang said, that truly was impressive. Defeating the Killing Light Poison Serpent on your first journey into the murim is something worth taking pride in yourself.”
“Thank you. Honestly, I nearly died to the Four Hearts Palm he used, so it still doesn’t feel real.”
“The Four Hearts Palm is quite a high-level ultimate art...”
“I think he was careless because I was newly entered into the murim.”
“You were lucky. If he had properly unleashed the Four Hearts Palm, you would have been at least seriously wounded.”
“Yes. I think so too.”
Uncheon nodded and looked at Lim Gang.
“Brother Lim Gang, your martial arts looked more than enough to handle him.”
“Does it seem that way?”
“Of course. Even compared to several of the brothers in my own family, Brother’s martial arts do not seem weak.”
“I appreciate you saying so.”
Lim Gang had never before spoken so warmly with an opponent. Others, when facing him, invariably showed either aversion or nervousness. Within the Blade Dragon Sect he had devoted himself solely to martial arts, and even among peers of similar age, few could match his skill. When he heard that the new rising star of the murim, Blue Stream Sword Fragrance, was nearby, excitement was inevitable.
Looking at Uncheon’s bright smile, Lim Gang smiled as well.
The Hwangshan Escort Agency’s caravan entered its destination, Hefei, without further incident. In the distance the entrance to Samha Town came into view.
Whew...
Jang Hang’s tension finally loosened and he let out a long breath of relief. Throughout the journey he had never shown it, yet he had constantly feared another ambush from the Killing Shadows. Even the unexpected encounter with the Blade Dragon Sect in the middle had left him on edge, though that had resolved well.
Jang Hang raised a hand to halt the caravan and walked over to the rearmost cargo wagon. It was time to part.
“Young Master Uncheon, we have arrived in Hefei.”
“Thank you for everything.”
Uncheon climbed down and offered a clasped-fist salute.
“Uncle Namsik, the journey was enjoyable. I’ll visit the escort agency next time.”
“Yes. Traveling with you was enjoyable for me as well, Young Master. Go carefully.”
Uncheon walked forward with Jang Hang, exchanging final farewells with the men of the caravan who had shared the road.
“The Chungui Sun Family is in Dongnim Village. That lies in the opposite direction from us, so our company ends here. Can you manage alone from this point?”
“Yes. I know the way from here. Please be careful on your return to the Hwangshan Escort Agency as well.”
“Huhu. You be careful too, Young Master. And this is your payment for services rendered. Two taels of silver—the Agency Master set it aside for you.”
Uncheon looked at the money pouch Jang Hang held out, eyes wide with surprise.
“Isn’t that too large a sum?”
“Not at all. Without Young Master Uncheon the caravan would have failed. If the chance comes, I hope we may rely on you again.”
“I accept it gratefully.”
With a bright expression Uncheon waved as he watched the caravan depart toward Samha Town.
Hefei.
An ancient city with two thousand years of history, capital of Anhui Province. Countless people flowed in and out of its gates.
His destination, Dongnim Village, lay to the northeast. Uncheon walked easily through the throngs, sightseeing as he went through the complex capital. Walking alone through a great city like Hefei was a first for him, yet excitement outweighed any worry or fear.
Dressed in his blue long robe, Uncheon drew many stares. Yet places crowded with people inevitably also held those of lesser character.
Heh heh heh. Looks like he’s got money. How should we take it off him?
Looks like some noble family’s son. At the very least he ought to have a gold lump or two on him.
But whenever they edged closer, seeking an opening, their eyes inevitably met Uncheon’s.
Whoosh!
Whirr!
Best to avoid tiresome trouble.
Before they could approach or speak, Uncheon unfolded his movement technique and slipped away cleanly. The would-be pickpockets spun about in confusion, staring at the empty space where he had just stood.
Having easily shed the cutpurses, Uncheon followed his memory around a corner.
Then it happened.
Ah!
A man suddenly burst out in front of him. Uncheon staggered sideways, trying not to collide with the man’s shoulder. Fortunately he did not fall in an undignified sprawl.
When he righted himself, a man in his early fifties stood there—sharp features, a slender jawline.
“Can’t you watch where you’re going?”
Even his voice seemed to pierce the heart.
“My apologies.”
Despite the greeting the middle-aged man flared again.
“Where do you keep your eyes, I ask you? Young people these days are frivolous beyond belief!”
A man with a foul temper.
Uncheon spoke calmly while looking at him.
“You also came bursting out of nowhere, mister.”
“What did you just say? Mister?”
“That’s right. Mister.”
The man looked Uncheon up and down, taking in the blue long robe. The silk was of a quality ordinary people could not easily obtain.
“Looks like you come from a family of some means. Not a local, either. Where are you from?”
“Does it matter where I’m from? What matters is that you weren’t watching where you were going either, mister.”
“Me? You little brat, accusing an innocent man. Wherever you come from, it seems all you learned there was how to argue.”
Uncheon’s brow furrowed slightly. He met the man’s eyes.
With this kind of unreasonable type, if I just read what he’s thinking and give a half-hearted reply...
But—
...What? I can’t read his thoughts.
This had never happened before. He could not read the other’s mind.
How is that possible?
Since the age of five he had never once failed to read a person’s heart through their eyes. The man had neither closed his eyes nor averted them. He was not even a martial artist possessing force. His clothing was a Confucian scholar’s robe—the attire of the Confucian school.
The man’s pupils looked like empty space, nothing more.
It’s not as if he has no thoughts at all...
Uncheon was startled by the unprecedented experience, yet he soon steadied his breathing and looked at the man again. Meeting those black pupils felt like sinking into a deep, dark abyss.
An extraordinary man. If I’m careless I might not be able to climb back out... I never imagined there would be someone in this world whose thoughts I cannot read.
On the other side, the man was equally astonished.
How can he look straight into my eyes?
He too had never seen such a thing. No one had ever been able to meet his Deep Eyes head-on.
“Isn’t it the same for you, mister? Deliberately bumping into someone and then pretending you didn’t—looks like you’ve properly learned how to do bad things.”
“Deliberately bumped into you? Are you calling me a pickpocket? A young brat spouting nonsense. Looking at the sword at your waist you’re a martial artist... Of course, after nothing but fighting you’ve learned nothing and act with utter arrogance.”
“You, mister, look like someone who pretends to be learned while treating people however you please—completely unrestrained.”
“Huh!”
Po-ui let out a laugh of pure disbelief. To meet his Deep Eyes and still answer back point for point. Young as he looked, this one was no ordinary fellow.
He muttered as if to himself.
“To feel this again from a complete stranger... This isn’t even dealing with the Chungui Sun Family...”
Uncheon’s ears pricked at the man’s words.
Oh? He seems to know my maternal family well.
Though the tone did not sound as if he held warm feelings toward them.
The man looked at Uncheon again and asked,
“I am Po-ui of the Yeoyang Po Family. Where are you from?”
“Namgung Uncheon of the Namgung Family. My mother is from the Chungui Sun Family you just mentioned.”
“...!!”
Po-ui’s narrow eyes widened. Only one woman from the Chungui Sun Family had ever married into the Namgung Family.
“You are Yuhwa’s child?”
“You know my mother?”
“We studied together.”
Po-ui seemed to have forgotten his earlier anger; he examined Uncheon carefully. Faintly, he could see traces of the woman he had once cared for.
It really is true...
An ambiguous expression crossed his face.
“Coming to Hefei... is it because of His birthday?”
“Yes. You even know that my maternal grandfather’s birthday is soon?”
Yuhwa’s son...
Po-ui looked at Uncheon a moment longer, then, as if he had nothing more to say, simply walked past him.
What? He’s just leaving? What’s with him?
Uncheon blinked. He could not read the man precisely, yet he could tell that Po-ui had suddenly sunk into deep thought.