Chapter 30
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 11.3
Chapter Title: Jang Family
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"Sorry for the delayed reply.
With all the past karma piling up, it hasn't been easy to move around freely for a while.
But fortunately, we've obtained the evidence you mentioned, young master. It shouldn't be hard to stir the Jang Family's tiger into action.
..."
Even combining everything that followed, the letter wasn't long.
An Hoe shook his head inwardly.
'Typical of that old fox. He knew exactly what I was thinking.'
It wasn't a bad thing.
Thanks to it, things were progressing smoothly.
He folded the Blade Lord's letter and tucked it into his bosom, then examined the others one by one, nodding occasionally.
As the Blade Lord had said, this was more than enough to move his grandfather.
Only then did he turn to the protector who had been silently standing by.
"By the way... are you serious about this?"
"Please accept my request."
An Hoe scratched his cheek as the protector performed a deep bow.
He had found the message the protector delivered suspicious, but he never imagined it would be for this purpose.
According to the Blade Lord's letter, they desperately wanted one thing.
"You wish to obtain the Wind and Thunder Divine Sword. Hmm."
"..."
He understood their feelings, but it wasn't something he could just hand over at will.
The Wind and Thunder Divine Sword belonged solely to Mi Bang.
The protector knew that full well.
Yet he still sought it.
'That old fox probably feels the same.'
He likely wanted to leave some trace of the one he cherished like a foster son in the world.
Naturally, An Hoe felt the Self-Renewal Pill in his bosom weighing on him.
'No wonder it seemed excessive for mere atonement.'
But it wasn't a bad deal for An Hoe.
Accepting this would give him a peak-level martial artist to command like a beast of burden.
Of course, purely in terms of swordsmanship, he wouldn't match Black Sword or White Blade.
But he had been raised as an elite in the Mi Family Clan.
Beyond sword skills, he possessed a multitude of talents.
After a moment's thought, An Hoe asked,
"What is it you truly desire?"
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Do you simply wish to preserve the sword he left behind for future generations? Or do you seek to inherit his essence?"
"...What's the difference?"
The protector, who had lifted his head, gazed at An Hoe with eyes full of doubt.
Meeting those eyes, An Hoe shook his head and continued.
"If you want to leave his Wind and Thunder Divine Sword for the world, there's no need for such methods. If you wish, I can record the sword I witnessed in detail for you."
"!!!"
The protector was stunned at the possibility, but recalling that the man before him had even awed the Blade Lord into retreat, he reluctantly accepted it.
Unaware of his turmoil, An Hoe spoke calmly.
"But if you seek to inherit his essence as you are now, such methods won't suffice."
"...??"
"Because his Wind and Thunder Divine Sword is purely his own. Imitating it is one thing, but to grasp his essence, you can't cling to mere form."
"!!!!"
The protector stared at An Hoe in shock.
Only now did he understand what he meant.
Of course, it wasn't entirely impossible.
If someone with exceptional martial talent devoted their life solely to it, there was potential.
But it would be as inefficient as using an ox-cleaver to kill a chicken.
Inefficiency didn't matter to the protector.
The problem was that his talent fell far short.
Thus, An Hoe presented him with choices.
Entrust it to posterity, or claim that essence for himself.
He didn't hesitate long.
"I choose the latter. I'll do anything for it."
"Ho."
An Hoe admired his resolve.
He had half-expected it, but hearing it firsthand made the man's determination hit home.
"You've probably mastered the Wind and Thunder Sword Art, yes?"
"Yes."
"Hm. I'd like to see your attainment. Care to show me your sword?"
Without a hint of hesitation, the protector drew his blade.
—Chaaang!—
He demonstrated the Wind and Thunder Sword Art, its power truly formidable.
Surprisingly, his attainment had surpassed minor completion, reaching the 8th stage.
—Crackle crackle!
The art was so ferocious that the room was wrecked in an instant.
"My apologies."
"No need. I asked for it."
After finishing, he bowed in apology, and An Hoe waved it off lightly.
His expression was bright. The protector's skill pleased him.
"It won't be easy, but you have potential."
"Ah!"
"If that's enough for you, I'll accept your proposal."
"Th-thank you. I will serve you with all my loyalty."
Afterward, he bowed repeatedly, eyes reddened.
An Hoe, reminded of someone by his demeanor, showed a fleeting sentimental gaze before turning away.
"You'll be family from now on."
"I'm Wang Jo. Pleased to serve you."
"Eh? Huh?"
"Hm!"
Black Sword and White Blade's faces twitched at An Hoe's words accepting Wang Jo, the former protector, as family.
It was understandable—they recognized him as one of the protectors with whom they had deep grudges.
Noticing they knew him, An Hoe thought he'd explain later why Wang Jo had joined him.
Wang Jo proved exceptional in many ways as a subordinate.
Even as a collateral branch of the prestigious Mi family, his erudition was outstanding, allowing An Hoe to delegate all his tasks to him.
Black Sword and White Blade, initially wary, gradually accepted him.
Wang Jo didn't dwell on the past either.
To him, who sought to follow his master Mi Bang's footsteps, it was a minor matter.
Song Hwa, however, was disappointed.
"Sigh~ It'd be nice if the young master moved around a bit more."
"Haha. You're quite persistent, Miss Song."
White Blade admired and understood Song Hwa's determination.
The young master's usual languid appearance left much to be desired.
It wasn't disappointment in him.
She lamented that his indolent demeanor prevented him from receiving proper recognition.
Of course, no one in the merchant house saw him that way anymore.
After his pivotal role in the subjugation and securing the Juyang City garrison supply contract, he was treated like a hero—with some exaggeration.
His prestige soared further with the addition of renowned peak masters Black Sword and White Blade.
As the faction grew, so did the need for protection, but that was no longer a concern.
With Jeong Chil as guard captain establishing systems, once solidified, they could manage without him.
"We can leave things here to Wang Jo."
He had planned to stay in Juyang City until then, but Wang Jo's joining changed that.
Conveniently, Wang Sam had just successfully delivered rations, converted profits to goods, and sought escorts to the main house.
"I'll head back now."
"No worries if you're leading, young master."
An Hoe smiled at the trusting branch manager and handed him one of his mother's letters.
"What's this?"
"Your appointment as branch head. I got it from Mother in advance."
"Ah! Thank you."
"Haha. It's returning to its rightful owner—no need for thanks."
But yielding the Juyang branch head position, now far more prestigious, wasn't easy.
This alone showed the young master's extraordinary caliber.
Two days later.
Preparations for the merchant caravan under An Hoe's leadership were complete.
Black Sword and White Blade were excited for fresh air after so long, while Jeong Chil, staying behind for guard duty, looked glum.
He had initially rejoiced at his tormentors' departure.
But it marked the start of another hell.
"Wang Jo will be your excellent guide."
"P-please take care of me."
Wang Jo, with his stern, unyielding face, was as intimidating as he looked.
Devoid of emotion, he pushed Jeong Chil relentlessly, who struggled to keep up.
Finally collapsing, gasping, Wang Jo spoke.
"Now I see why the young master values you."
"Haa... What?"
Seeing no realization in him, Wang Jo held back further words.
Such things must be grasped personally to hold value.
Thus, Jeong Chil gained a strict new instructor.
Unlike him, Wang Jo knew he had encountered great fortune.
'I never dreamed he'd go this far.'
He thought it would end with insights into the Wind and Thunder Divine Sword's essence.
But An Hoe offered more.
"It's called the Clarity Heart Serenity Method. Learn it."
The Clarity Heart Serenity Method An Hoe provided was no ordinary technique.
It clarified the mind and calmed the qi. Not quite a divine art, but exactly what Wang Jo needed more than any.
Born cold and obsessive, he progressed swiftly in martial arts.
But at higher realms, limits emerged—his strengths became flaws.
Narrow vision plagued him, but the method made his mind and body flexible, broadening his sight.
Suddenly, unseen things appeared, and presumed knowledge proved false.
"Don't cling to wind and thunder. What you wield is just one sword."
With apt guidance on direction, he grew daily.
His rapid progress, unseen since childhood, left him bewildered yet thrilled.
Approaching the 9th stage of Wind and Thunder Sword Art, An Hoe rejoiced and advised.
"Good. Your accumulated foundation allows such speed. But impatience is poison now—focus solely on the Clarity Heart Serenity Method for a while."
"Understood."
Though it meant halting at the cusp of achievement, he showed no doubt.
He seemed ready to follow blindly, even if wrong, evoking a bittersweet smile from An Hoe.
His demeanor recalled a past connection.
Perhaps that's why An Hoe invested so much in him.
"Wang Jo, I'm counting on you."
"Thank you for your trust."
With those words, An Hoe boarded the carriage.