#42. A First-Rate Martial Artist Who Gathers People
Gang Yu-seong, the errand boy at Wolho Guest House, had been swamped for the past few weeks. It started with the rush of martial artists flooding in after some miraculous elixir appeared at Ma-ryeong Plateau. Then came the rescuers who arrived to save those who'd ventured inside. Martial artists were far more generous than ordinary travelers. They often skipped the change, and when they were in high spirits, they'd tip several times the cost of their meals.
Of course, running into a foul-tempered warrior could put his life in mortal danger. But he couldn't quit—not when he had to support his young sisters with his earnings, and no one would hire a boy as young as him for anything else.
The last few days had been thrilling for Gang Yu-seong. The man who'd saved four thousand warriors from Ma-ryeong Plateau was staying in the guest house's annex. The streets of Akyang buzzed with the tale in every tavern. Without him, those four thousand would all be dead.
Even while serving food in the first-floor dining hall, Gang Yu-seong slowed his steps or lingered by tables pretending to tidy up whenever the warrior's exploits came up, hanging on every word.
When he heard that legendary figure was staying at Wolho Guest House, he'd nearly jumped for joy.
"He's as extraordinary as the rumors say."
As he changed the bathwater, he spoke to the warrior he'd grown a bit familiar with over the past few days.
"Me?"
"Yes."
The warrior tilted his head, puzzled.
"What about me?"
"All the great figures in Akyang want to meet you, but you stay cooped up in the annex every day."
"Ah..."
As he poured in fresh water, black grime floated up, along with some strange shed skin. Oddly, this was already the third change of water.
"Too much hassle."
"You've gotten invites from all the famous brothels in Akyang, too, right?"
These days, it wasn't just warriors and officials seeking him out. The errand boy recalled the countless messages he'd delivered.
"Pfft, haha! You sure know a lot for a kid."
"Isn't spreading one's name and building ties with beauties what every martial artist dreams of?"
He filled the tub with hot water again, and the warrior dipped in, scraping his skin gently with a rough stone. Strangely, the clear water clouded over almost instantly.
"Jealous of me?"
"Of course."
"How old are you again?"
"Fourteen this year."
"Want to make a name for yourself and charm some beauties?"
Gang Yu-seong shook his head firmly.
"Nah, not that."
"Huh? Then why are you jealous?"
"You have the power to save others. That's what I envy."
"..."
The warrior scraped silently. Without knowing why, Gang Yu-seong poured out his story.
"I wish I had the strength to protect my little sisters. It's tough being so young and weak."
"...How many sisters?"
"Three."
"Yu-seong, you're handling three on your own?"
"...Yes."
Gang Yu-seong was surprised at himself as he spoke. He hadn't even told the innkeeper. People always responded with pity, scorn for his foolishness, or—worst of all—advice to sell one sister for an easier life.
But...
"Good kid. That's commendable."
"...!"
The warrior chuckled mid-scrub. Tears suddenly streamed down Gang Yu-seong's face.
"How'd you come to such a fine resolve?"
"...Sniff, ugh. I... promised Mother."
"I see, I see. Any real man worth his salt looks after his loved ones, even if it breaks him. No regrets that way. ...This water's filthy already. Fetch more."
"..."
Gang Yu-seong's deep emotion nearly burst into sobs, only to cut off abruptly. Black grime and shed skin poured out again. What a mysterious body—how much grime could one man have?
"Want to learn martial arts?"
"...Pardon?"
"You said you want to get strong. Earning money, studying—they're ways to grow, but you told me this because you crave martial prowess, right?"
"..."
Blushing with embarrassment, Gang Yu-seong decided to be bold just this once.
"Yes! My dream is to become a warrior like you."
"Like me, huh..."
The warrior pondered, then tilted his head.
"You know I'm from Tae-eul Gate?"
"Of course. It's all over Akyang."
"You know their arts aren't much?"
He knew all too well. That's why people were so shocked these days.
"If you got the chance, would you join Tae-eul Gate?"
"Yes!"
"...I got this far on effort and luck, without relying on great arts. Even if you trained theirs, becoming a master might be a pipe dream."
"...Then can I become like you?"
"What?"
"I don't dream of mastery. I dream of becoming you."
Splash. The warrior dropped the stone, fumbling underwater.
"Kid, you sure know how to butter someone up."
The warrior fell silent. Sensing he wanted no more talk, Gang Yu-seong focused on the hot water. Gradually, the grime lessened.
When the warrior finally emerged, Gang Yu-seong stared, dumbfounded. Broad frame, tall stature, a manly build without an ounce of fat. His skin was flawless, like a woman's.
"Where's my clothes?"
"...H-here."
Gang Yu-seong handed over fresh black martial robes. The warrior donned a silver inner garment first, then the outer robes. A hawk-claw bracer on his left wrist, black sword at his side.
He'd entered like a rugged ronin; now he looked like a flawless young noble.
"Take this."
One nyang of gold— an unimaginable tip. Yet Gang Yu-seong wasn't overjoyed.
"...Not enough?"
"No. It's just... I thought I'd never see you again. Makes me sad."
"What's sad? You'll see me at Tae-eul Gate."
"Huh?"
"Didn't you want to join? If you're set, hire an escort with that and bring your sisters. Or use it to care for them."
"...S-sir."
"Ah, the sect leader has to approve, of course... but he'll probably say yes."
The last part sounded iffy, but Gang Yu-seong had no time to dwell. Breaking his vow never to cry after Mother's death, he wept freely.
#
I'd never dreamed of meeting Gang Yu-seong at Wolho Guest House. The sword master who'd risen from errand boy, crafting his own unique sword style in the wilderness to claim a seat among the Ten Great Swordsmen of the world. The looks matched, the name matched—and hearing he had three younger sisters confirmed it.
You're mine now.
Was I altering a prodigy too drastically? No—with a foundation, he'd thrive even more.
"...Moving to Tae-eul Gate means no losing your sisters. And with the Tae-eul True Scripture now passed down, it's no bad choice for you."
I hypnotized myself like that. After shedding my old form via Mita Sacred Water, my body felt feather-light. A lifetime's impurities flushed out, leaving insides pure as a newborn's. Then the Tae-eul True Scripture reshaped me, painting meridians like an artist on canvas, tailoring the perfect vessel.
The initial awkwardness from height and build changes faded quickly. Soon, I realized this form was ideal for Tae-eul True Scripture and all Tae-eul Gate arts.
"Impressive."
Namgung Seonhwa, stopping by to bid farewell, sensed the change despite me not mentioning Mita Sacred Water.
Unfortunately, there'd been only one dose—not enough for her, let alone my sect brothers.
"So this is the rumored boneless physique."
"You know of it?"
"Of course. That's why I sought Mita Sacred Water."
Unlike innate physiques like Wang Soso's Solar Body, the boneless physique required relentless training, enlightenment, mortal shedding, or Mita Sacred Water.
"Must be disappointing."
I offered comfort, but she didn't seem too bummed.
"...Well, you took it. Fine."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Oppa told me. You're heading to the Namgung family?"
"Yes."
"Care to join for the entrance exam?"
Murim Academy's regular admission was individual, but bringing family aides or allies was fine—cooperation among examinees too. Just no high Alliance officials, first-rate or above, or alumni.
"I'll probably lead one or two squads from Changgungdae."
"...?"
Namgung would bring at least five.
"Family matters."
"...Ah."
The internal strife from my past life had already begun.
"Still, my elite picks will surely help."
I thought it over and shook my head.
"Sorry, Lady Seonhwa. I have plans for this exam. Can't."
"...Figured."
She nodded knowingly. Farewells exchanged, words done—yet she lingered, tapping the empty floor idly.
"...Can I ask something?"
"Go ahead."
"By any chance... with Sister Moran..."
Her expression twisted oddly as she trailed off.
"Something wrong with Lady Seong?"
"..."
She flapped her mouth, shook her head, then clasped her hands in formal salute.
"No. Thank you, Young Master Jin. Truly grateful. I'll repay this favor someday."
#
Leaving Wolho Guest House, I headed not to Hubei’s Jegal family, but to Guryong Mountain near Namak. To bring Jegal Cheongi to Tae-eul Gate, I needed funds first. Plus, this incident had unexpectedly yielded treasure—no need to hunt farther.
At Guryong Mountain's entrance, I pulled a map from my mental library. The concubine's tomb of Yue's richest man—one Ducheon-gang of Small Justice Squad had regretted never looting before dying.
We'd always wondered why a thief like him joined the Alliance. The story was a masterpiece.
He specialized in robbing officials' bribes. One day, he hit a secret vault he thought hid slush funds—turns out, it was the Yi household's ancestral tomb.
Robbing that? Officials nationwide dropped everything to hunt him like zombies.
Desperate, he disguised himself and joined the Alliance as a low-rank warrior to evade the imperial guards.
Once in, he tried luring anti-demon experts to raid the tomb. But who'd help a nobody against Hyeongsan, Mosan, Shaolin, or Wudang?
Failed, dragged to the Upright-Demonic War via Small Justice Squad, he wept nightly over his fate.
"Around here, per Du-ga."
Mid-mountain, behind the waterfall: a narrow gap amid crashing waters. A natural fortress, no foothold in sight.
I fired my Flying Dragon Claw higher up, grabbed the chain, and dove.
Whirrr.
Through the falls, into the crevice—a vast cave beyond. Torch lit, the untouched wild cave grew artificial deeper in. At the end, one wall was carved into a grand hall.
"Found it."
The hall was a tomb. Problem: coffin gone, relics vanished—only cobwebs remained.
"Traps around here, he said."
Ducheon-gang drunkenly detailed it endlessly, so even first sight, I spotted them.
Rumble... thud. Boom.
Wall slid, door half-opened. Narrow passage for two—broken arrows, floor spikes everywhere.
"They all made it this far."
Footprints showed prior passage. I activated Heavenly Lone Walker God Step. Mere first star attainment, but enough.
Thwip. Thwip. Thwip. Shhh!
Traps triggered post-passage: spikes from floor, arrows from walls.
"No one in the world can match it, indeed."
Admiring the footwork briefly, I entered. My eyes widened.
"Heh."
Ceiling studded with night pearls like stars; room piled with gold, silver, jewels gleaming in their light.
No wonder Ducheon-gang lamented when drunk.
"It was real."
Inspecting treasures, a skull pile in the corner chilled me.
"Most ended up here."
Dozens of human skulls—a bony grave mound.
"Quite a few came and never left."
Then...
Clank. Clank.
My gaze snapped to a side chamber.
Clank. Clank.
Why Ducheon-gang left empty-handed despite billions before him.
Clank. Clank.
-Hee hee hee hee hee hee hee!
Why he endured Alliance humiliations, begging Taoists and monks to raid it.
"Show yourself!"
The tomb's guardian: a mighty ghost.
-How dare a thief play master!!
I'd heard of Demonic Cult's Radiant Heaven Little Cave, but this voice dripped demonic qi like never before. My spirit shook, heart pounded, body stiffened.
Clank. Clank.
-To enter here... such nerve.
Metal clashing, a woman of unearthly beauty emerged naked save ornate gold and jewels, striding slowly.