Chapter 65
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Signs of Division (2)
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A middle-aged man with a clear, refined face stepped into the dilapidated shrine.
"Welcome, honored one."
Young women in white robes bowed deeply to greet him.
After passing through several doors and venturing deep inside, he was greeted by a serene statue of a woman, standing about three feet tall.
The middle-aged man looked up at the gentle-faced statue.
Ye Mountain Matron.
This was a shrine dedicated to the Ye Mountain Matron.
Behind him, as he gazed up at the wooden, painted statue, appeared a woman dressed in white silk adorned with red floral patterns, a wide and hefty sword strapped to her waist.
Tall and radiantly beautiful, she appeared to be in her early or mid-twenties.
Yet the depth in her eyes suggested an age far beyond that.
As she emerged, the atmosphere in the shrine brightened noticeably, and even the statue in the courtyard seemed to glow.
"What brings you here, Jang-cheon?"
The clear-faced man was none other than the Infinite Sword Demon, Baek Jang-cheon.
"It's been a while, Mi-dan."
The woman flashed a brilliant smile, brushing back her soft hair with her left hand.
That left hand had only four fingers, and beneath the strands of hair covering her left cheek lurked a gruesome burn scar.
"I heard Yeom-sa was killed. Were you there?"
"Yes. I'm coming back from meeting the one who did it."
"Then he's dead too, I presume."
The Infinite Sword Demon shook his head gravely.
A glint of surprise flashed in the woman's eyes.
"He must have been far stronger than you expected. But still, it's surprising. No matter how powerful, to send you back empty-handed."
"He was with Shaolin's Myeong-gak, Wudang's Cheong-pung, Namgung Hye of the Namgung Family, and Zhuge Ji of the Zhuge Family."
Hohohoho...
The woman covered her mouth with her left hand and laughed heartily.
Her four fingers and the scar on her inner cheek were revealed once more.
"Would the Infinite Sword Demon, steadiest of the Five Honored Ones, really return empty-handed out of fear of the righteous sects' prodigies? There must be another reason."
The Infinite Sword Demon stared into her clear eyes for a long moment.
She met his deep gaze steadily.
At last, astonishing words slipped from the Infinite Sword Demon's lips.
"For some reason, I felt a strange kinship with him. The aura he subtly exuded felt oddly familiar."
The woman fell silent for a time.
"You mean... he practices the same demonic arts as us?"
"No... I don't know."
It was the first time she'd seen the Infinite Sword Demon so bewildered.
"I'll make time to go see for myself. But I heard the Crimson Moon Great Demon obtained some Snow Ginseng. Did you gift it to her?"
"I traded it for the life of a valuable subordinate."
Exchanging centuries-old Snow Ginseng for the life of even many subordinates.
It was unthinkable in the Demonic Cult.
But if the Infinite Sword Demon did it, that changed everything.
"As expected... You're still the same. Before the Crimson Moon Great Demon eliminates that hunter to take out Hyeonwon of Mount Hua, she'll have to prioritize killing him... That'll delay things a bit. And now that you've shown yourself in the martial world, the Five Heavenly Kings and Seven Star Lords will panic like children thrown into fire."
"I despise skulking like rats and plotting in shadows."
Hohohoho...
"I'd love to see the Asura Demon Lord's twisted face. Who are you targeting?"
"The Divine Monk. I plan to meet Shaolin's Divine Monk."
The Divine Monk of Shaolin was reputed as the strongest among the Five Heavenly Kings, an absolute master.
Myeong-gak had turned the fish caught in his net into a feast and salted the rest for later.
"Brother Go, are you still thinking of making a living by fishing? It seems impossible to this little monk."
"I've given up too."
Fishing alone barely kept food on the table.
He only used the boat to cast nets and catch fish for meals.
"This little monk has an idea: how about opening a restaurant here?"
It was absurd.
His home was too far from the village; no customers would come.
"It's pointless effort. There won't be customers, and my cooking isn't good enough anyway."
Puhehehe...
Myeong-gak burst into his usual frivolous laugh, wagging his finger.
"This little monk has wandered various inns and eateries, but truly skilled ones are rare. With Brother Go's cooking, you'd at least be above average, even if not exceptional."
"Still, it's too far from the village. And it's not particularly delicious—who would come? If it were on a busy road, you could scrape by even with mediocre skills, but not here."
Myeong-gak wagged his finger again.
The sight was utterly infuriating.
"Not a restaurant for common folk, but for martial artists. Don't worry about customers. If this little monk spreads the word in the martial world, they'll flock here. There's not a single eatery catering exclusively to martial artists."
"No thanks. I want to live quietly. Having martial artists swarm here is the last thing I want."
Myeong-gak showed no sign of giving up.
He kept trying to persuade.
"Think about it, Brother Go. Just one dish. Steamed fish served with white rice, made from fish caught fresh each morning in the net. If no fish, send customers away. Close on off days. And with wealthy martial artists as patrons, you can charge a premium. What could be easier?"
I had to wonder if this guy was really a Shaolin monk.
Who suggests ripping off customers so casually?
"I'll teach you the recipes. Give it a try."
"No."
"Don't refuse—think it over..."
As my expression soured, Myeong-gak quickly shut his mouth.
But soon, he glanced slyly and spoke again.
"Gwang-u's wedding will need a good sum of silver. Sure, the Seok Family Head will handle most, but shouldn't Brother Go contribute something?"
"I'll handle it. Don't worry."
Uncomfortable as it made me, the monk's idea wasn't entirely wrong.
'To survive, I have to do something...'
I'd planned to buy fields with my remaining silver and farm.
But Gwang-u's marriage had upended that.
Even as a groom from our side, marrying him tied our families as in-laws.
I knew weddings cost a lot, but not that they'd shake the household foundations.
Even poor families borrowed for weddings, and wealthy ones couldn't skimp due to reputation.
Martial families had many due to their numbers but kept them simple—except Seok Su-a, a direct descendant of the Seok Family, couldn't.
Especially Seok Yang-ho, famed for lavish hospitality, would spend even more.
No wonder they said weddings ruined houses.
'I have only about 1,900 nyang left.'
Of course, Seok Yang-ho wouldn't take it, but I'd force it on him.
The black sword lights filling the air clashed against the sword aura enveloping my body and vanished.
But one had slipped through unnoticed, deeply embedded in my side.
Kukukuku...
The Great Heavenly Demon looked down at my pained form and laughed delightedly.
"Your eye for swords has improved much, but defense alone will never block my blade forever."
"I know."
Clutching my gushing side, I collapsed to my knees.
"Giving up after a mere side stab?"
"Mere? It's buried a full inch deep. Can't even breathe."
Hmm...
The Great Heavenly Demon gazed down briefly, then sheathed his sword.
"You have something to say. Don't you?"
This demon was sharp as ever.
"The monk wants to open a restaurant here... What do you think?"
Kahahahaha!
Puk!
After roaring with laughter, the Great Heavenly Demon suddenly thrust his sword into my chest.
Kuugh...
"Thinking of opening a mere eatery with arts that could conquer the world? If you wish, all the silver in the land could be yours."
As expected, words didn't work with this demon.
I'd thought his ferocity had mellowed lately, his temper softened a bit—but I'd misjudged.
Kukuku...
Cough.
Forcing a laugh brought up a clot of blood.
"I had no strong feelings about opening one, but seeing you rage like this... I definitely have to do it."
"You fool!"
Swoosh.
As the blade whistled toward my face, the scene before me shifted.
I sat in the pre-dawn darkness.
Turning, I saw Myeong-gak, Cheong-pung, Zhuge Ji, and Namgung Hye watching intently, eyes gleaming.
"Myeong-gak. Come here."
I beckoned, but he hesitated and backed away.
"Why so scary? Say it from there."
"That... that..."
His antics left me sighing in exasperation.
Haa...
"We're opening a restaurant or eatery here. Get ready."
Myeong-gak, who'd retreated, lit up and rushed forward.
"Good decision. If only you'd listened from the start."
"What are you talking about?"
Unlike Myeong-gak, Cheong-pung, Zhuge Ji, and Namgung Hye seemed hearing it for the first time.
Puhehehehe...
"We're opening an eatery here. Exclusively for martial artists."
Stunned at first, they soon praised Myeong-gak in unison.
"That's a great idea."
"The monk has some decent thoughts now and then."
I inwardly sneered at their sudden shift.
I knew their game.
Among the martial artist customers would surely be Five Heavenly Kings, Seven Star Lords, family heads, and famous figures.
The monk's real aim was to drag me deep into the martial world.
'Might as well see some big shots' faces.'
As dawn broke and breakfast ended, Myeong-gak and Cheong-pung hurried out.
They even used lightness skill to reach the village.
Snooping around, they spotted beggars eating by the stream and dashed over.
The beggars, scooping rice and side dishes from broken bowls, fled at the sight of the young monk and Taoist.
"Shaolin monk and Wudang Taoist coming! Taoist's fine, but the monk's nasty— who knows what he'll do."
As the beggars bolted, Myeong-gak and Cheong-pung shouted while chasing.
"Wait! We have vital news for the martial world!"
"Lies!"
"It's true! I swear on Buddha!"
Myeong-gak invoked Buddha, but they didn't buy it.
Hmph!
"Who'd believe you?"
But with lightness skill in play, the beggars had to stop.
"Myeong-gak, why torment us beggars?"
The bad blood stemmed from Beggar Clan Elder Yeong-gae.
Myeong-gak had taken out his grudges on beggars.
"Important business."
"What?"
"Spread word to beggars everywhere: an eatery for martial artists only has opened in Huanin County."