#48. First-Rate Warrior Peeking into the Darkness
Nicknames always felt awkward at first, but they grew on you the more you heard them—or so people said. Mine didn't grow on me at all. If anything, it sent a strange shiver down my spine every time someone uttered it, like an itch I couldn't scratch. That unease was already making it hard to focus on the conversation when Jegal Cheongi suddenly murmured, "My liege…."
"Young Master Cheongi, get up. My father's watching, isn't he?"
I shot a glance at Jegal Hyeonun as I spoke. We'd barely gotten permission for this. If his own flesh and blood insisted on becoming a third-rate sect disciple's retainer right in front of him, Jegal Hyeonun might change his mind on the spot.
"I'm fifteen now. Not a child anymore. Father will respect my wishes."
Seeing Jegal Cheongi refuse to budge, I appealed to Jegal Hyeonun for help. But instead of looking displeased, he watched with keen interest.
Then a black shadow appeared out of thin air, mirroring Cheongi's posture and clasping its hands in a fist salute.
"Young master has been agonizing over this since hearing that the Black Flame Dragon Hero had arrived. It's not a snap decision—please don't turn him away."
It was Yeongyeong, her face half-hidden by a mask. Her entrance only made the atmosphere more awkward.
Maybe because I hadn't answered yet? Jegal Cheongi, growing anxious, raised his voice.
"If you won't accept me, I won't set one foot out of this golden prison!"
"Please accept him!"
"…."
Once Jegal Cheongi dug in his heels, there was no swaying him. He'd spent eight years locked in this golden prison in my past life, refusing to leave until the mechanism array was complete. And that was something he could've gotten with one word.
"Young Master Cheongi, I have no plans to found a sect or run a merchant house or escort agency. Sure, I'll have subordinates in the Murim Alliance, but only while we're inside it, right?"
"Then… I'll follow you to the Murim Alliance too."
"No, that's not what I—"
I tried to soothe him gently. Keep this up, and your dad might flip the table on us.
"Hear me out. How about we become sworn brothers instead?"
"Pardon?"
"!"
"!"
Jegal Cheongi, Yeongyeong—even Jegal Hyeonun—went wide-eyed. This should be palatable even for the head of the Jegal family. It wasn't uncommon in the jianghu for a first-rate sect disciple and a third-rate one to swear brotherhood.
"Y-you're saying you'll take me as your younger brother?"
"Sworn brothers."
Tears welled up in Jegal Cheongi's eyes.
"I'll serve you with all my heart for life, big brother."
His resolve was so fierce I found myself glancing at Jegal Hyeonun again. If we'd done this in private, I'd be thrilled to snag such prime talent. I snuck a peek to make sure he wasn't offended.
"Hahaha, excellent! Brilliant. I never thought of that. Yes! Sworn brothers need a witness, don't they? Mind if I stand in?"
"…???"
Jegal Hyeonun laughed heartily, clearly delighted, and called for a servant to bring wine. We skipped any solemn Peach Garden Oath ceremony. True brotherhood depended on future actions, not rituals. With mutual trust already there, sharing the brotherhood cup was enough.
"Here's to a good partnership, big brother."
"You too, little brother."
"And if I join Tae-eul Gate, could I ask one favor?"
"What is it?"
"I'd like to use Yeongyeong as my guard."
"Sure, no issue there. The Jegal family will dispatch some warriors with you anyway for your escort."
"No, it's not that. I want Yeongyeong to become a real warrior, not just a shadow guard."
"Young master! I'm fine as is."
Yeongyeong's exposed face flushed crimson. They'd spent years alone together, sharing dreams and comforting each other like family.
"Doesn't that need the family head's permission more than mine?"
Shadow guards were trained much like assassins, often personally by direct heirs in the Five Great Families for protection.
"Father, please let Yeongyeong quit being a shadow guard."
"…."
"Her dream is to become a great warrior like Lady Moyong Seol."
Hearing Moyong Seol's name tugged at my heart. A woman who ranked third at the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, with a beautiful smile and an even more beautiful soul. She'd master the sword to found her own lineage, earning the title Sword Phoenix. During the Orthodox-Demonic War, when the Moyong family was annihilated, she'd been assigned to my Small Justice Squad and saved us countless times—my lifesaver.
I thought I'd moved on…
Old memories hadn't faded with time. While I drowned in sentiment, Jegal Cheongi pressed on.
"I've thought about this for ages. I can protect myself now, Father—please."
"Family head, I'm fine. Young master! You'll get locked up again at this rate."
They stood firm, each for the other's sake.
"…."
Jegal Hyeonun looked troubled. Jegal Cheongi was direct lineage, untrained in martial arts—that's why he had a shadow guard. If she became a full warrior, who'd protect him up close?
"How about this?"
I ventured carefully, and Jegal Hyeonun's eyes lit up expectantly.
"She shadows you until you can protect yourself. Then she goes active as a warrior."
"Hm. Not bad. But can Cheongi manage? He's hated training since childhood."
Jagal Hyeonun seemed pleased. Jegal Cheongi beamed.
"I will, Father. I'll train until I can defend myself."
"…."
"Fine. Reach first-rate warrior level, and Yeongyeong can operate openly."
Jegal Hyeonun thought he'd set a high bar, but Cheongi just smiled at Yeongyeong like it'd been a breeze. Considering he'd started at twelve and hit super peak, it'd happen sooner than expected.
"Young master."
"Let's achieve it together, Yeongyeong."
"Yes."
Cheongi looked the younger despite the age gap, like their roles had reversed.
The dispatch procession was modest. Just Jegal Cheongi, one baggage cart, and his personal carriage.
"Aren't you coming, big brother?"
"I have business to wrap up first. Go on ahead. And take this."
I handed him a bundle of bills of exchange.
His eyes widened at the amount.
"Five thousand nyang?"
"Won't cover a full mechanism array yet, but lay the foundation. I'll send more later."
Expenses loomed like mountains. I'd need to raid a few more secret vaults before the Murim Academy exam.
"Understood. I'll guard it with my life."
He tucked the bills deep in his robe with grim resolve.
"No need to risk your life. You're the most valuable thing to me."
"…Big brother."
His eyes glistened. After sending him off, I saluted Jegal Hyeonun and Jegal Jeong.
"I've imposed greatly. Forgive any offenses with your magnanimity."
Jegal Jeong tugged his beard, displeased.
"When will you visit again?"
"Pardon?"
"The slash-and-burn village. Gotta check if those folks are thriving."
Apparently, he'd heard about my frequent trips there. Already attached, huh? The more I knew him, the simpler he seemed.
"No worries with the Supreme Elder watching over them."
"Hmph! As if I'd care. Swing by next time you're near Mt. Yungzhong."
He stormed off. Jegal Hyeonun chuckled.
"The Supreme Elder really took a shine to you."
"Isn't it the opposite?"
"He just says 'farewell' to those he dislikes. Never 'come again' for any reason."
"What a contrary personality."
"Truth be told, I'm the same. Drop by sometime—tell me about my son."
"Will do. Until next time."
In Dengfeng County, Henan Province, lay the secret lair of the legendary bandit king White Horse Mountain Lord. He'd united the 72 Green Forest Strongholds into the Green Forest Alliance, dominating all mountain roads. His tribute alone was astronomical; his personal plunder, unimaginable.
After his death, everyone expected hidden treasures. But his lair was empty. Greedy searches scoured the land, to no avail—until Shaolin Temple built a guest hall on Mt. Song nearby and unearthed it. No one imagined a bandit hiding next to Shaolin.
"His gold obsession is my luck."
Not as much as Wolhyang's tomb, but three bundles' worth. I exchanged it all for bills at the Haomen branch in Zhengzhou, Henan. Miraculously, they paid full market rate again.
"You're a special client, Jin Sowoon."
The branch chief I'd never met said.
"Is that so?"
"The Lord said to wait a bit for a reply."
I knew what about. No need to specify.
"Got it."
As long as it resolved before the Murim Academy entrance exam, fine. I headed straight for Seohobong Peak near Mugang.
A deep valley cut through by streams from Pyeongjeongsan. Here, the fire fox spirit's inner core would be found.
Top yang spirit medicine, notoriously hard to acquire: Find a century-old fire fox, capture it alive, extract the core intact. Similar herbs existed, but its value soared.
Yet in this valley, it'd turn up with an unidentified corpse.
"Right—her father went hunting one and never returned…."
The Moyong family's early fall in the war wasn't just lack of support or overextension. Their young heir vanished too soon. That resilient Lady Moyong Seol would confide only in me during her darkest nights about her father.
What little I could do for her, who outshone me: listen, over and over.
One day, I asked why repeat herself when I forgot nothing.
"I want you to remember my vivid memories, young master. So when mine fade, you can recount them vividly to me."
Then came the day I could neither listen nor retell. I regretted not seeking her stories first, not bridging the gap sooner under excuses.
"Enough. That's the past. A future that won't come."
As heartache stirred, I shook it off, reviewing the jianghu Spirit Medicine Manual in my mental library.
I pinpointed the spot in Seohobong Valley and leaped off the cliff.
Whoosh.
Descending, the roar of cascading waters grew. I fired the Flying Dragon Claw.
Whirrr.
The spring mechanism whirred, Thousand Silkworm Thread unspooling slowly, braking my fall.
Nearing the valley floor, fierce rapids came into view.
One, two, three, four.
Counting holes in the wall, I yanked the claw and kicked off.
Thud.
Far, but effortless. Since mastering Tae-eul True Scripture and Heavenly Lone Walker God Step, my movements had transformed astonishingly.
"There it is."
A shallow cave. A corpse near the entrance.
"Sorry. But I'll put it to good use."
Flipping it to check the bosom, unease hit.
"…."
"…Sa…ve……."
"!!"
Hairs stood on end; Black Dragon Sword leaped free.
Not dead yet?
I'd assumed a body, not a live one. Chaos.
Murder for treasure?
I dismissed it instantly. Absurd. Kill for one spirit medicine?
Pity the core, but saving a life might earn half in return? Dragging him toward the light:
His face emerged—familiar. Head tilted.
Where do I know him from?
My memory was flawless. Seen = remembered. Unremembered = unseen. Yet this man sparked vague recognition.
Possible?
A rasped whisper escaped.
I strained to hear.
"…O…yong…ga……."
"What?"
"……Moyong……."
Lightning to the skull.
Moyong?
Staring, faces overlapped: half Lady Moyong Seol, half her brother Moyong Jaehwa. This man.
The missing Moyong heir, Moyong Sangwon—was the fire fox's master?
No time to ponder his fate. Pulse check:
"Weak. Poison?"
Thready, near death. Stripping for toxin marks, I froze.
"Demonic qi? Why?!"