Chapter 28
Chapter 28
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Playing with the Demonic Sword Union Lord! (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
However, Jang Ung desired no reward.
“Do you know that the Demonic Sword Union Lord of the Demonic Emperor's Grand Union has come to Dong-ro Prefecture?”
“I do.”
“Tell me everything you know about it.”
Despite his high status, Sang Gang-jo did not look down on the man from the underworld, who was considered lower than a butcher.
Sang Gang-jo must have seen through Jang Ung's extraordinary nature. But it wasn't because of this extraordinariness that he didn't disregard him.
Instead of asking questions one by one, Sang Gang-jo asked him to share everything he knew about Nujin-sang. This was a sign of his vast experience.
Jang Ung quietly began to speak.
“I will tell you.”
***
My appointment with Nujin-sang was set for the hour of Shen.
However, I arrived at the designated location, Jaun-gak Pavilion, about half a shichen past the appointed time.
It wasn't because I was busy; I was intentionally late to make a man named Nujin-sang wait.
I had to struggle to walk slowly down a path that would normally take a quarter of an hour, deliberately dawdling and looking around at the uninteresting streets.
“Here we are.”
Dam Geum-hu pointed to a grand, three-story building by the Qiantang River.
It was Jaun-gak Pavilion, our meeting place.
I had intended to come alone, but Dam Geum-hu stubbornly insisted on accompanying me.
I can be stubborn myself, but when Dam Geum-hu adamantly blocked my path, saying I’d have to kill him first before going alone, I had no choice.
Dam Geum-hu was frozen stiff. His face was rigid, and his body moved like a block of wood. It was impossible not to be nervous in such a situation.
But I was perfectly at ease. For me, fighting is the sole purpose of living.
To see what magnificent martial arts I have mastered, how to utilize them to defeat an opponent—if I win, it will be an unparalleled thrill, and even if I die in the process, I will have no regrets.
Dam Geum-hu spoke to a waiter.
“Excuse me… I’m here to meet the Demonic Sword Union Lord.”
“And who are you?”
I stepped forward.
“I am the Grand Branch Master of the Dong-ro Branch.”
“Ah! Is that so?”
The waiter was startled and bowed so low his forehead nearly touched the floor.
He probably had no idea what a Demonic Sword Union Lord was. But I figured he would certainly know of the Grand Branch Master of the Dong-ro Branch, a title that had been causing a stir not just in Dong-ro Prefecture but throughout Zhejiang Province, so I revealed my identity.
“This way, please!”
The waiter guided us inside and spoke to me respectfully.
“Grand Branch Master! It is an honor to serve you.”
I began to understand something. This is why martial artists strive so hard to make a name for themselves.
But instead of leading us to the second floor, the waiter went out the back door and guided us to the rear courtyard.
“Hey! Where are you taking us….”
“Over there.”
Just as Dam Geum-hu was about to protest, the waiter pointed to Jaun-gak Pavilion’s private pier on the riverbank in the courtyard.
Several pleasure boats of various sizes were moored at the pier.
‘A pleasure boat, he means?’
“Chief!”
When Dam Geum-hu looked at me in alarm, I nodded nonchalantly.
“Let’s go.”
“Chief! A pleasure boat floating on the river is dangerous!”
“Then you can go back.”
“Ugh!”
Seeing me board the small pleasure boat the waiter indicated, Dam Geum-hu let out a groan and followed suit.
Creak! Creak!
The small boat was rowed out, gliding toward a large, magnificent pleasure boat floating on the river some distance away.
I sat comfortably, while Dam Geum-hu stood stiffly, glaring at the large vessel.
With a powerful enemy just ahead, I tested whether I could still use my martial arts.
[Geum-hu, sit down.]
Voice transmission worked. This meant I could deploy my martial arts at any time.
Dam Geum-hu flinched at the faint ringing in his ears and looked at me.
[Don’t be nervous.]
“!”
Dam Geum-hu was utterly shocked as his eardrums vibrated with my voice, even though my lips hadn't moved.
Experiencing the incredible technique of voice transmission for the first time in his life, he let out a huff of excitement.
“Chief! Was that just….”
[Shut your mouth.]
“Yes.”
Dam Geum-hu sat down quietly, unable to hide his excitement.
I looked at the stationary pleasure boat on the river and let out a chuckle.
‘Hm? That girl!’
It was because I had spotted Pan Ha-rin, the Red Flying Swallow Sword.
There were eight people on the boat: three serving maids, three courtesans, and the remaining two were Pan Ha-rin and a middle-aged man.
They were about twenty zhang away, but when I focused my eyes slightly, the middle-aged man’s form magnified as if pulled closer.
The man was sitting in a relaxed posture, looking this way.
He appeared to be in his late thirties, with the refined look of a scholar dressed in a simple black robe.
This middle-aged man must be the Demonic Sword Union Lord, Nujin-sang.
Nujin-sang was also looking at me, but he wouldn't be able to discern much from my exceptionally handsome—well, maybe not exceptionally, but still quite fine—face.
I’m aware that I’m handsome, but I don’t consider it important.
In the past, I'd often been called handsome, but I never acted smug, always maintaining a humble posture.
There was no hidden meaning to it; I was just a low-level warrior, holding my breath and focusing solely on preserving my life.
Thump!
Our boat bumped against the pleasure boat.
Dam Geum-hu shot to his feet, but I rose slowly.
In the past, I used to react instantly to everything, just like Dam Geum-hu. But now, my situation has changed, and I must act accordingly.
In other words, I need to possess the dignity of a master. That suits my personality better anyway. I am a deliberate person by nature.
I've seen many individuals in the past who were highly skilled but had frivolous speech and behavior that made one frown. That became a good lesson for me. A teacher by negative example; I must not be like them.
Jang Ung, the man from the underworld, had told me not only that the Demonic Sword Union Lord had entered Dong-ro Prefecture, but also that he had brought a hundred subordinates with him.
Nujin-sang wouldn't have brought a hundred Demonic Sword Masters just to deal with me alone.
His purpose must be twofold: to confront me and to capture Sang Gang-jo.
Of course, Nujin-sang probably doesn't know Sang Gang-jo's exact whereabouts. He likely intends to deal with Sang Gang-jo's matter while he's here, after taking care of me.
That thought just occurred to me.
Nujin-sang and Pan Ha-rin stood up to greet us.
“Welcome.”
“Hmph!”
Nujin-sang spoke calmly with a smile, but Pan Ha-rin let out a small scoff.
Though small, it was loud enough for me and everyone else on the pleasure boat to hear.
Her scoff was so fierce it was as if her nose might fall off. It meant she despised me that much. It was only natural, given what she’d suffered at my hands.
However, neither Nujin-sang nor I paid it any mind.
Nujin-sang cupped his fist and bowed his head slightly.
“I am Nujin-sang.”
“I am Ak Bi-ryong.”
It has long been my habit to treat others with the same courtesy they show me.
Nujin-sang glanced at Dam Geum-hu.
“He is my subordinate.”
Meaning, as a subordinate, there was no need for an introduction.
“Please, sit.”
I gracefully and slowly brought a piece of food to my mouth.
But after a few chews, I was startled.
‘Hm?’
I looked at Dam Geum-hu sitting next to me, and he gave me a look as if to ask what was wrong.
I chewed for a moment and sent a voice transmission to Dam Geum-hu.
[This dish is delicious. You should try some.]
‘Ah…! You scared me!’
Dam Geum-hu, thinking that no matter how good the food was, it couldn't be that special, put a piece in his mouth. His eyes widened as he chewed, and he looked back at me.
‘Wow! Chief! I’ve never eaten anything this delicious in my life!’
I smiled faintly.
I had never been to high-class restaurants or courtesan houses, so I had no idea such delicious food even existed.
Nujin-sang and Pan Ha-rin were bewildered as they watched us exchange surprised looks.
“Is something wrong?”
“This food is truly delicious.”
I said, my words muffled as I chewed.
Nujin-sang and Pan Ha-rin wore expressions of disbelief.
“Is it that good?”
“I’ve never tasted anything this delicious in my entire life.”
“Then what have you been eating all this time?”
“What is there to eat in the mountains? I’d pick some fruit, or on a lucky day, catch a wild animal and roast it. What else could there be?”
“You lived in the mountains?”
“That’s right.”
Even as I spoke, my chopsticks moved busily, diligently filling my mouth.
To reiterate, putting on airs or feigning modesty in front of such delicious food is an insult to the dish itself.
“How long did you live in the mountains?”
“About thirty-five years.”
“Hoh!”
I stretched the truth a bit. I multiplied three years and five months by ten.
“What did you do in the mountains for thirty-five years?”
“What else is there to do? I practiced martial arts.”
“I see.”
Nujin-sang must be thinking that practicing martial arts for thirty-five years would make one formidable.
Pan Ha-rin scoffed.
“Don’t lie! Anyone can see you’re barely twenty!”
“Girl, do you want another lesson?”
Strangely, with Pan Ha-rin, I just couldn't remain composed.
“You!”
Pan Ha-rin flinched and quickly covered her rear with both hands. She hadn’t told her master, Nujin-sang, that I had spanked her, out of embarrassment.
I didn't ask Nujin-sang why he had invited me. If he grew impatient, he would bring it up himself.
Besides, my goal was to fight as soon as possible to confirm what kind of martial arts I possessed.
“Who might you be?”
Nujin-sang asked quietly.
Just as I expected, Nujin-sang brought up the main subject first. And so, I continue to accumulate experience, step by step.
“The Grand Branch Master of the Martial Alliance's Dong-ro Branch.”
“Such a position exists?”
“It does.”
“Were you originally a member of the Martial Alliance?”
“Are you interrogating me right now?”
“That is not my intention.”
“Did you invite me here just to ask such trivial questions?”
Thak!
I set down my chopsticks.
“State your purpose.”
Now that I had eaten my fill of the delicious food, all that remained was to have a go at Nujin-sang.
Nujin-sang was serious.
“I wish to recruit you into the Demonic Emperor's Grand Union.”
“Recruit me?”
“I will promise you a high position, riches, and glory.”
“No.”
My one-word refusal, ‘No,’ felt incredibly refreshing. It was the first time I realized that refusing someone could feel so good.
Sang Gang-jo had predicted that Nujin-sang's recruitment attempt would be one of the main points and had told me beforehand. He was spot on.
“Are you satisfied with being the Grand Branch Master of the Martial Alliance's Dong-ro Branch?”
“I am.”
This was an unexpected answer, and Nujin-sang’s brows furrowed slightly. He seemed at a loss for words.
My martial arts were formidable, yet I was content with the strange position of Grand Branch Master of a branch in some rural backwater. He must find it difficult to understand.
Seeing his expression, I felt that refreshing feeling once again.
I am not a member of the Martial Alliance, and I have not the slightest intention of joining the Demonic Emperor's Grand Union.
My goal is to fight endlessly and become the strongest in real combat.
What I want to become after that is something to think about once I am the strongest.
I decided to subtly provoke Nujin-sang.
Ssk!
“If you have nothing more to say, I will be going.”
As I stood up, Dam Geum-hu followed suit.
Nujin-sang remained seated and spoke quietly.
“What would you do if you couldn’t have something you coveted?”
Things weren't going his way, so he was finally revealing his true intentions.
“You’d have to give up.”
“What if I didn’t want to give up?”
“Then you’d get a beating.”
“Hahahaha! Let’s see who gets the beating!”
I looked back and forth between Nujin-sang and Pan Ha-rin.
“Are you two going to take me on?”
From now on, I'd drop the formalities.