Chapter 123
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 123
Chapter Title: The Path of Martial Arts Training
Looks of utter astonishment appeared on everyone's faces.
Mak Pyo, his expression shifting several times, clenched his fists and shouted.
“So the Grand Branch Master is the savior of the Martial Alliance? You set the whole table for them and even put the chopsticks in their hands! What in the world did the people at the Martial Alliance headquarters actually do?”
He wasn't trying to flatter me; this was just Mak Pyo's nature. It was this very personality that got him beaten by Hyukryeon Byeok-gyo last time.
Everyone nodded vigorously, as if agreeing with Mak Pyo.
Not wanting to drag the conversation out, I looked around at the assembled group.
“In any case, that is the situation. Any questions?”
As if he had been waiting, Do Hyeon-tak asked.
“What will happen to you, Grand Branch Master?”
“I am still the Grand Branch Master of the Dong-ro Branch.”
“If the Martial Alliance headquarters becomes the Dong-ro Branch, doesn't that theoretically make you the highest-ranking official, Grand Branch Master?”
“That's right. The Alliance Lord and all the core executives will fall under my command.”
This time, everyone was so stunned they could only stand there with their mouths agape, speechless.
“But will they truly submit to my command? It's likely just a formality on the surface.”
They all wore expressions full of dissatisfaction, but I pretended not to notice.
“Tell me what you all desire. I will grant it.”
That would be the last consideration I could offer them.
But no one spoke, and a long silence followed.
***
I summoned three of the seventeen men I had dueled one-on-one today: Bal Dan-ryong, the Flowing Shadow Sword Dang Se-jong, and the Thunderbolt God Chang Bun-do.
“Will you become members of the Dong-ro Branch?”
All three were much older than me, but neither I nor they cared. In the martial world, the strong always take precedence.
Dang Se-jong spoke respectfully.
“I was under the impression that defeat by the Fire Dragon Sword meant becoming his subordinate.”
“I have no need for subordinates. If you wish to join the Dong-ro Branch, stay. Otherwise, you are free to leave.”
There was no need for a lengthy explanation.
“What is the reason?”
“I will be leaving this place soon.”
“Why are you leaving?”
“Where are you going?”
Dang Se-jong and Chang Bun-do asked simultaneously. Bal Dan-ryong, lost in thought, was gazing elsewhere.
“My purpose is to endlessly challenge the strong.”
Bal Dan-ryong tore his gaze from afar and looked at me.
“Why do you do that?”
“I intend to face every powerful warrior in the martial world.”
“Could it be that your goal is to become the Supreme Lord of Combat?”
At the words ‘Supreme Lord of Combat,’ Dang Se-jong and Chang Bun-do flinched.
“It is.”
Bal Dan-ryong, who had been looking away, turned to face me.
***
Jang Ung handed me a booklet.
“I have recorded the information you requested about the current Ming emperor, his brothers, and other influential members of the imperial family. The content was so extensive that I compiled it into a booklet.”
“Good work.”
“And about the Banryong Faction.”
The Banryong Faction were the ones who attacked the Flying Dragon Ship on my way to Yueyang, attempting to kill my sworn brother, Ju Won-ik.
Jang Ung lowered his voice.
“The Banryong Faction is part of the Central Plains Gallant Alliance.”
“The Central Plains Gallant Alliance?”
I had heard of it back in my days as a low-ranking warrior.
Henan Province has long been called the Central Plains. The Central Plains Gallant Alliance is a federation of small and medium-sized factions and sects from that province.
It's an organization formed by these smaller groups, whose masters number anywhere from a hundred to just over two hundred, uniting to amplify their influence. Most of them are based in Henan.
The moment I heard the name ‘Central Plains Gallant Alliance,’ a sharp, unpleasant premonition washed over me.
Jang Ung’s voice was cautious.
“Do you know about the Central Plains Gallant Alliance?”
“Only what I’ve heard.”
“One hundred and forty-five factions and sects belong to it.”
“That many?”
It was unexpected.
“In Henan Province alone, there are over two thousand factions and sects. That is because Henan is the Central Plains.”
“Impressive.”
“Within Henan, the Central Plains Gallant Alliance is known as another Martial Alliance.”
It made sense.
“Have you heard of the Seven Stars Sword Gallant, Jin U-heon?”
“Isn't he the Sect Leader of the Seven Stars Sword Sect in Kaifeng, Henan?”
“Jin U-heon is currently in Dong-ro County.”
“What?”
The Seven Stars Sword Gallant, Jin U-heon, was a lay disciple of the Wudang Sect and considered quite successful in Kaifeng.
It was well known that Jin U-heon was the leader of the Central Plains Gallant Alliance. For him to have come to Dong-ro County, over five thousand li from the Central Plains—that is, Henan—was significant.
It was unlikely that the Banryong Faction, a member of the Central Plains Gallant Alliance, would have tried to kill my sworn brother Ju Won-ik on their own.
Something smelled fishy.
“Keep Jin U-heon under surveillance.”
“We already are.”
***
I returned to the Fire Dragon Courtyard with Go Un-hyo and Bal Dan-ryong.
My mind was filled with thoughts of the Central Plains Gallant Alliance, but I tried to shake them off.
To me, the path to becoming the Supreme Lord of Combat, which I must walk steadfastly, was the most important thing. Everything else was, in my view, a bothersome and pointless distraction.
Therefore, I planned to involve myself in my sworn brother Ju Won-ik's affairs only as much as necessary. I had no intention of digging too deep, causing trouble, and creating more work for myself.
Dang Se-jong and Chang Bun-do had given up the idea of becoming my subordinates and said they would leave, so I let them.
However, Bal Dan-ryong said he wanted to go with me. He wished to accompany me on my path to becoming the Supreme Lord of Combat.
I had taken a liking to Bal Dan-ryong's taciturn nature and his external martial art, the Diamond Sky Art. When he asked to join me on my journey of real combat, I gladly permitted it.
Unexpectedly, Ja-un brought Mr. and Mrs. Ha Un-mong to the Fire Dragon Courtyard.
I greeted the couple in the lounge.
Ha Un-mong said regretfully.
“My lord! My wife says she won't let me leave until you grant her request!”
Ja-un frowned.
“She won't even tell me what the request is.”
I spoke to the petite woman in her mid-forties standing beside Ha Un-mong.
“Alright. What is your request?”
I had heard that Ha Un-mong's wife was a notorious shrew in Dong-ro County and expected a formidable appearance, but she was surprisingly petite with a refined and intelligent look. Her appearance was far from that of a shrew.
“My lord! My name is O Eun-myeong. In the thirty-some years since we married, this was the first time my husband has been away from home for forty days.”
Ha Un-mong had told me he was overjoyed to be away from his shrewish wife for forty days.
“After my husband left and I was alone, I felt relieved for the first three days. For the next two, I felt lonely without him there to nag.”
Ha Un-mong, hearing this for the first time, snorted silently beside her as if in disbelief.
O Eun-myeong suddenly began to shed thick tears.
“*Sob*! It only took five days for me to realize how much I love my husband!”
Ha Un-mong stared at his wife in shock. This was a completely unexpected development.
“From that moment until he returned, not a day went by that I didn't cry! I couldn't even sleep at night! I missed him so much I felt like I couldn't breathe!”
Never having expected such a reaction from her, Ha Un-mong was greatly flustered, and Ja-un also looked surprised.
O Eun-myeong suddenly knelt before Ha Un-mong, bowing and sobbing.
“Darling! Please don't leave me! Darling! I love you! You're more precious to me than my own life!”
Seeing the scene, I smiled faintly. This, I thought, was O Eun-myeong's true self.
She had become a shrew because she loved Ha Un-mong. When you love someone too much, you can start to take them for granted and act carelessly, which is what she had done.
Her nagging stemmed from the same reason, a fact she herself hadn't realized until Ha Un-mong's prolonged absence made her see it.
“My dear…”
Ha Un-mong knelt opposite O Eun-myeong and embraced her.
I asked O Eun-myeong.
“What is your request?”
O Eun-myeong, her face stained with tears, clung tightly to Ha Un-mong and pleaded.
“I want to go with my husband!”
***
During dinner, I spoke quietly to the Courtyard members.
“I am disbanding the Fire Dragon Courtyard.”
“Disbanding? What is this all of a sudden?”
Song Ga-hyeon said in surprise.
“Exactly what it sounds like. I'm disbanding this place, so you can either join the Dong-ro Branch or leave, as you wish.”
Song Ga-hyeon, Geum Cheong-san, and Cheon Jeong-u stopped eating and stared at me.
“You want us to stop being members of the Grand Branch Master's Courtyard and join the Dong-ro Branch?”
“That's right.”
“What's the reason?”
Song Ga-hyeon asked, her tone accusatory.
“I am leaving Dong-ro County.”
“Then we'll see you when you get back.”
She assumed it was just another trip, like the forty-day one I had just returned from.
“I'm not coming back.”
After hearing my explanation and understanding the situation, the Courtyard members' expressions turned grim.
If I was leaving Dong-ro County, who would want to stay behind?
As everyone quietly ate and drank, seemingly organizing their thoughts, Song Ga-hyeon appeared bothered by Bal Dan-ryong, who sat beside me eating like a stone statue.
“Who's this fellow?”
“He's my companion.”
Song Ga-hyeon frowned slightly.
“A companion for what?”
“For the path of practical martial arts.”
At those words, not only Song Ga-hyeon but all the Courtyard members' eyes lit up.
“So, Courtyard Master, you're going to travel the world, continuously fighting the strong?”
This time, Geum Cheong-san asked.
“Yes.”
“Until when?”
I smiled faintly.
“Until I become the strongest in real combat.”
Song Ga-hyeon and the others twitched, their expressions showing a stir of interest, but they didn't speak up rashly.
Each of them had their own lives to live. This wasn't a decision to be made on a whim.
Song Ga-hyeon poured me a drink and said seriously.
“I always knew your goal was to become the Supreme Lord of Combat. Does that mean you'll fight until you've defeated every strong warrior in the martial world?”
“That's right.”
“Until there's no one left to fight?”
“Of course.”
Song Ga-hyeon jutted her chin toward Bal Dan-ryong.
“Does he share your goal, Courtyard Master?”
“Not exactly, but it's a form of martial arts training for him.”
“Martial arts training.”
“What if he intercepts your opponents and fights them? You won't get a chance to fight, will you?”
I smiled faintly.
“That won't happen.”
“Why not?”
“I am stronger than him.”
“And?”
“So, I just have to fight opponents who are stronger than him.”
Geum Cheong-san, Cheon Jeong-u, and the others just fiddled with their cups, listening intently to the conversation.
After thinking for a long while, Song Ga-hyeon said with a serious face.
“If I accompany you and decide I don't like it, can I leave at any time?”
“Of course.”
“Then I'll go too.”
“What will you do, Ga-hyeon?”
“Like him, I also want to undergo martial arts training.”
“Hmm.”
As I tilted my head, Song Ga-hyeon sent a telepathic message.
[Please take me with you! Please?]
When we were alone or through telepathy, she was a vixen.
In truth, one companion for this path of practical martial arts, Bal Dan-ryong, was enough. Too many people would be a nuisance.
When I didn't answer, Song Ga-hyeon put on a slightly pitiful expression.
[I'll be good. I'll do whatever you say, hang on your every word. Please?]
Song Ga-hyeon, at twenty-eight, was calling me her 'big brother.' She must have been desperate. But since my real age was thirty-two, she wasn't technically wrong.
I thought about it for a moment longer before nodding.
“Alright.”
Song Ga-hyeon winked and deepened her voice.
“Thank you.”
In any case, both Bal Dan-ryong and Song Ga-hyeon were weaker than me, so I could just fight the opponents they couldn't defeat.
Once word got out that I was traveling the world on a quest of practical martial arts, masters would flock to me in droves. Having Bal Dan-ryong and Song Ga-hyeon filter them out would actually make things less troublesome for me, which was a good thing.