Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Zhongjing
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Dang Mujin pondered deeply about what had happened the previous evening.
He remembered starting the spar with Hong Geolgae and exchanging a few moves, but after that, nothing came to mind.
That was right. Yesterday too, the one who lost the spar and fainted was Dang Mujin!
Dang Mujin grew depressed.
'Requesting sword lessons was a bad idea.'
Dang Mujin was spending days filled with deep regret.
It was because the strange physician kept insisting that "there is no growth without pain, and no pain without growth," forcing training far beyond normal limits.
Lately, Dang Mujin and Hong Geolgae were passing their days in a precisely divided routine of fist techniques, footwork, and swordsmanship.
Before they could even eat breakfast, they learned a fist technique called Flying Floss Palm from the strange physician.
What was called training or cultivation was essentially just a beating. The strange physician did the hitting, while Dang Mujin and Hong Geolgae took it.
They couldn't even fight back freely. If they tried blocking the strange physician's attacks with untrained limb movements, they got thrashed until they vomited—even on the hottest days.
Better to eat breakfast first and vomit after than vomit before breakfast. That was the practical yet pitiful reason for practicing Flying Floss Palm before eating.
Once breakfast was done, Purple Cloud Steps practice continued straight through until dinner.
Unlike Flying Floss Palm practice, Purple Cloud Steps didn't hurt, but it was even more grueling. The training method the strange physician proposed was simple: "Don't take a single step without using footwork."
To perform Purple Cloud Steps, they had to forcibly circulate qi in sync with awkward, complicated foot movements.
At least lately, they could move faster than an ordinary person's walking pace, but at first, it was utterly hopeless. They sweated buckets all day yet covered less than a li—like a caterpillar crawling.
Thanks to that, Dang Mujin's group had been crawling less than a thousand li for over a month now. Camping outdoors every night, naturally.
After finishing Purple Cloud Steps practice and dinner, they finally moved on to the eagerly awaited Heart-Piercing Sword training.
It began with form demonstrations from the strange physician, followed by spars with Hong Geolgae.
But the winner was always Hong Geolgae. The skill gap between him—who had at least swung a staff around—and Dang Mujin, who had never held a weapon in his life, was that wide.
'Now victory's in sight.'
Lately, the gap had narrowed quite a bit. A few more days of sparring at this rate, and he might claim his first win.
But before Dang Mujin could secure that first victory.
A massive city appeared before the group.
A month and six days after leaving Zhuul Village Branch, the group arrived in Zhongjing.
*
Dark clouds had begun covering the sky the previous evening, and by the time the group reached Zhongjing, a torrential downpour started.
They would normally hate getting soaked, but right now, it was actually welcome. Their appearances ranked among the filthiest beggars.
'Perfect.'
Satisfying to watch sweat and grime wash away in the rain. Even better that passersby were getting drenched too.
Better for everyone to look grubby together than for him alone to wander around filthy and shabby.
The moment they passed through the city walls, Hong Geolgae bowed politely to the strange physician and Dang Mujin.
"Thank you for all your help."
"What? Leaving already?"
"I've received so much already. Can't keep imposing now that we've reached my destination."
A pang tugged at Dang Mujin's chest. After a month of shared hardships, they had grown close—parting felt regrettable.
The strange physician, by contrast, replied brightly.
"The longer the farewell, the deeper the reluctance. If it's meant to be, we'll meet again."
Hong Geolgae bowed deeply to the strange physician too. Far more deferential than one would show an ordinary elder. In his heart, the strange physician was both lifesaver and a sort of teacher.
Just as Hong Geolgae turned to go, the strange physician called out.
"Ah, wait, Hong Geolgae."
"Yes?"
"Your name. Hong Jusam, right? And Elder Ma Jeon-gae's name was Hong Gyeon."
"That's correct."
"Hmm."
The strange physician crossed his arms and tapped his temple thoughtfully.
"If you're settling in Zhongjing, use a different name from Hong Jusam."
"Yes?"
Hong Geolgae blinked at the sudden advice.
"Why would that be..."
"You came from a place tied to a bad incident. If someone who knows your name shows up, they might look on you unkindly. You didn't intend it, but you did kill someone—so all the more reason."
"Hmm."
Hong Geolgae nodded. The strange physician's reasoning made sense.
The strange physician followed up.
"And you're not blood-related to Elder Ma Jeon-gae, right?"
"No, we're not. I heard he took me in as a baby and raised me."
"No blood tie means no need to cling to the surname. Changing that instead of just the given name might be wise. What do you think of Yi Jusam over Hong Jusam?"
Yi was the strange physician's own surname.
Hong Geolgae wasn't the sharpest or most polite, but he could tell these words brimmed with goodwill.
"Thank you for the kindness. I'll do that."
"Good. Best to stick with it for now."
Hong Geolgae bowed deeply to the strange physician in thanks, then clasped his hands toward Dang Mujin.
After all their recent ups and downs together, no lengthy words were needed.
Dang Mujin grinned and gave Hong Geolgae's back a light pat. That sufficed as farewell.
Hong Geolgae walked off into the city.
The downpour soon hid his receding figure.
"Let's get going."
"Where to?"
"Somewhere to stay, first."
The strange physician strode ahead confidently, clearly familiar with Zhongjing.
They headed toward the city center. Buildings grew taller, more ornate.
After some time, he halted before a large two-story structure.
Long eaves stretched out, strung with several red lanterns. Elegant script beneath them read [New Moon Inn].
Dang Mujin tensed. He had a rough idea how pricey a night at such a grand inn could be.
'In Chengdu, two nights here would've cost a silver tael.'
Unlike Chengdu, Zhongjing drew crowds of outsiders. Everyone sailing up the Yangtze passed through. Lodging had to cost more.
And if Dang Mujin's memory served, the strange physician was flat broke.
He had handed all his original money to Dang Mujin for the needle case and earned nothing in Zhuul Village.
Dang Mujin's pockets were no fuller. He had given the gold to his father, Dang Jesun—wanting to show some filial piety before an uncertain journey.
In other words, both were penniless.
"...Elder. Got any money?"
"Nope. Not a coin."
"Then what's with the confidence coming here?"
"Don't worry. Folks like me get treated well anywhere under heaven."
As expected of an absolute peak expert. Dang Mujin felt a twinge of admiration at the strange physician's poise.
The instant they stepped inside, a waiter bolted out with a greeting.
"Welcome!"
He quickly sized up the strange physician and Dang Mujin.
Their rags defied even the rain's cleansing. His tone turned a touch insolent.
"Hmm... What'll it be? Meal? Room?"
"Both."
"Rooms upfront. One silver tael a night for two."
Insanely expensive, as expected. The strange physician didn't bat an eye.
"New Moon Inn's owner is Sipyeong, right?"
"Yes, but."
"Take us to the biggest room. Tell Sipyeong Yi Chung's here. He'll cover room and board."
The waiter's eyes bulged.
Doubtless wondering if this Yi Chung was *that* famous strange physician. The strange physician added,
"Five years back. Mention settling the Skull Gang debt—he'll get it."
The waiter wore a 'figures' look. Dang Mujin's eyes narrowed too.
Skull Gang meant gambling. He had assumed some physician's cure or martial favor for the innkeeper—instead, just a gambling tab.
"Elder. What *have* you been up to?"
"Heroes and rogues enjoy a drink and a gamble now and then."
"Running up a tab like that with the innkeeper? You're basically a pro gambler."
"My talents don't stop at one or two things."
As the strange physician grinned slyly, they followed the waiter to a spacious second-floor room.
They unpacked their meager gear.
A proper building after so long—they wanted to unwind. But the hour was too early to call it a day.
The strange physician agreed, lingering by the door without sitting.
"Come on, let's move."
"Where to?"
"You've got business too, don't you?"
"Like what..."
"I didn't travel with you to teach medicine or martial arts. You owe me something."
Half-forgotten. Right—Dang Mujin had promised to craft something the strange physician needed.
"What do you need?"
"Start with a sword. Show your stuff and forge a good one."
"I could do that. Know a forge?"
"Nah. Don't."
"Then some blacksmith you ran up a gambling debt with?"
"Would I?"
The strange physician stayed utterly assured. Where did it come from?
"So... what then?"
"Follow along. Borrowing a forge a few days for free? Piece of cake."
The strange physician borrowed two bamboo raincoats from the inn.
Not everyday items even at a fancy place, yet the waiter demanded no deposit. That gambling debt must be hefty.
Dang Mujin's nape prickled. Glancing back, a mustached man from the kitchen glowered at the strange physician. No doubt New Moon Inn's owner.
"That guy's glare could kill. Cheat him at cards too?"
"He tried scamming me first."
A throwaway line that landed true.
Dang Mujin marveled inwardly. Swindles and gambling too. Just how deep did Yi Chung run?
The pair strolled the streets at ease.
The deluge kept crowds away.
Merchants had half-shut up shop, hunkered under eaves, puffing pipes and watching rain. Peaceful scene.
The strange physician asked locals for Zhongjing's biggest forge. Their destination dwarfed Seok Jiseung's in Chengdu—at least threefold.
"Welcome! Looking for anything special, sirs?"
The blacksmith bounded out beaming as they entered. No rain customers all day, and now *two* in pricey raincoats—jackpot.
"Want to rent the forge a few days. Till the rain eases."
The blacksmith peered uncertainly, gauging if joke or earnest.
Yi Chung meant it. The blacksmith soon flashed a welcoming grin.
Normally absurd. But the timing was perfect.
Summer fresh, downpours starting—rain for days ahead.
No business till it cleared. Closed for all intents.
Decent pay? He could rent it.
Rubbing hands, he said,
"Terms right, sure. What's your offer..."
"Pay? I'll give value beyond price. You'll be grateful you said yes—your whole life."
Greed lit the blacksmith's eyes.
What treasure? Visions of gems spilling from Yi Chung's robes. Nothing there, of course.
Yi Chung grabbed a forge chair.
Dragged it to a corner with prime anvil view.
He jabbed a finger at it, then at Dang Mujin.
"Sit here. Earned the right to watch him work. Best seat in the house."