Let's Hit the Jackpot Once (6)
Spearheading the assault was Cheongjin Dojang.
Taat!
He shot forward like an arrow, swinging his sword in a wide arc.
Sword qi resembling blooming red plum blossoms enveloped the Myeongjong warrior.
Plum Blossom Style.
The sword qi flowing from the Myeongjong warrior's blade formed a barrier.
Plum Blossom Wall?
The plum-hued sword barrier perfectly blocked Cheongjin Dojang's attack, and his eyes wavered.
"You think I've stayed at my old level just because I left Huashan? That's a grave mistake. Don't hold back—unleash your best!"
Cheongjin Dojang furrowed his brow at the Myeongjong warrior's words and shouted back.
"Acting all high and mighty to the end!"
He pressed the attack again, but each strike was repeatedly parried by the Myeongjong warrior's sword.
The clash of plum blossoms against plum blossoms was a spectacle in itself.
It wasn't just the flashiness; there was a profound subtlety hidden within, reminding everyone why Huashan's swordsmanship could never be underestimated.
Getting lost in that splendor meant death.
That was why, even within Huashan, they emphasized mental cultivation to avoid being deceived by their own sword arts.
But in my eyes, Cheongjin Dojang's mental training was lacking.
Chaeng-!
Chaechaeng-!
As the number of clashes increased, the tide of battle began to turn.
And finally.
Kkaang-!
Cheongjin Dojang's sword flew from his hand, and the Myeongjong warrior's blade rested against his throat.
"...Surrender. You've lost."
"I haven't lost yet!"
With that, Cheongjin Dojang rolled away, trying to trip the Myeongjong warrior's legs.
Tak!
But the Myeongjong warrior didn't fall. He braced with his arm, flipped through the air, and regained his balance.
Then he swung a fist toward Cheongjin Dojang.
Peureok!
The punch landed heavily in Cheongjin Dojang's gut.
Teolseok.
He collapsed to the ground, coughing repeatedly.
"Kkuleok! Kkuleok!"
A complete defeat for Cheongjin Dojang.
"Damn it! Damn it! Uwaaak! Dammit!"
He wore an expression of utter disbelief at his loss.
The other Huashan disciples watching the match looked just as stunned.
"No way! There's no way you'd beat me this easily! What sorcery did you use?!"
"Sorcery? If you have eyes, you saw it. Huashan swordsmanship from start to finish, and fist techniques."
Pride in Huashan's martial arts filled the Myeongjong warrior's voice as he spoke.
"What decided our fight was your arrogance."
With that, the Myeongjong warrior sheathed his sword.
Swik.
"Truth be told, I was arrogant too. I admit I acted all lofty on my own. But not anymore."
According to Palgap, the Myeongjong warrior never slacked on training even during breaks.
Of course, all my guards were the same.
But among them, the ones with the steepest growth were the Myeongjong and Changun warriors.
When they first became my guards, they were merely first-rate warriors, but now Master said they could reach peak realm with the right opportunity.
"It's partly because they train so diligently, but I think the biggest reason is you, Young Master."
"Me? I haven't done anything."
"How can you say that? You've been dragging your guards all over the empire."
"... ."
"Experience is key. The more you see, hear, and live through, the broader your perspective becomes. A broad view leads to deeper, wider thinking. Narrow vision means shallow thoughts."
Come to think of it, we've been everywhere.
Even to remote places like the Northern Sea Ice Palace and the Blazing Fire Palace... .
Those varied experiences had broadened my guards' horizons.
And mine too, of course.
Traveling the entire empire was exhausting, but thinking about it now made me feel a bit proud.
Meanwhile, the Myeongjong warrior continued.
"Looking at you now, you're like a frog in a well. Upset about losing to me? Then leave Huashan and wander the jianghu."
"You bastard! You're bitter about leaving Huashan yourself, so you want to drag me out too?"
"If that's how you see it, then your vessel is that small. And even if you wander and come back, you're still a direct disciple—what's the problem?"
"... ."
"I've told you exactly how I got stronger, but if you can't act on it, you'll never surpass me. Are you scared to leave Huashan?"
The Myeongjong warrior smirked.
"Now I see—the one rival I acknowledged is a coward! Hiding in Huashan, scared of the world, just chanting Taoist chants."
Wow, the Myeongjong warrior could throw provocations like that too!
"I'm no coward!"
"Prove it with your actions! If you stay cooped up after hearing this, you're beyond saving."
The Myeongjong warrior hardened his expression and asked.
"You hate me, right?"
"Obviously."
"Why?"
"...I never liked you from the start."
"Then you hate Huashan too?"
"What nonsense is that?!"
Cheongjin Dojang bristled.
"Huashan is my spirit and foundation! Asking a Huashan swordsman if he hates Huashan—how far will you insult me?!"
"I see. That's a relief."
"... ."
The Myeongjong warrior whispered softly to the stunned Cheongjin Dojang.
The others couldn't hear, but I could.
"Then get stronger quick. Protect Huashan. Since I can't, you have to."
Traveling the empire with me had taught him that much.
The jianghu was growing more complex and dangerous.
And that Huashan could be in peril someday.
That's why he'd said it.
I understood the true intent of this spar.
To entrust Huashan to his rival—the one he'd acknowledged.
Advising his nemesis like that for Huashan's sake? What a magnanimous guy.
The Myeongjong warrior turned and approached me, cupping his hands in respect.
"Thank you for allowing the spar. As commanded, I bring victory."
"Good work. Now go finish your meal?"
"Pardon?"
"You left before eating, right? Can't have that. Regular meals are part of training too."
"Understood."
I led him to the noodle shop, glancing back at Cheongjin Dojang.
Still slumped on the ground, he stared blankly into space.
Having some realization? Or just shocked by the unexpected advice?
I'd find out later.
.
.
.
Dawn broke.
We had to head to Luoyang early, so we moved briskly.
Descending to the inn's first floor for breakfast, I spotted a familiar Taoist.
Muhyeon Dojang.
"Greetings, Young Master. I am Muhyeon, disciple of Huashan."
"Good morning. Myeongjong warrior's upstairs—shall I call him?"
"No need."
Muhyeon Dojang shook his head.
"I've come to see you, Young Master."
"Me?"
"Yes."
He cupped his hands and bowed.
"Thank you. I'll never forget your help for my friend."
He continued.
"I should have thanked you sooner, but I'm late. Forgive me."
"It's fine."
"If my friend had gone through that alone, his personality would've driven him to suicide from guilt."
"... ."
Spot on.
In my previous life, Myeongjong warrior really had taken his own life.
"But thanks to you, his mistake didn't become a disaster. Truly grateful."
"Just a whim on my part. No need to overdo it."
"That doesn't make your help any less worthy of thanks. Please continue looking after him."
He bowed politely and left the inn.
I smiled faintly at his retreating figure.
Myeongjong warrior had a good friend.
.
.
.
After breakfast, we prepared to depart.
Jin-ho hyung finished talking with the escort leader and approached me.
"What'd he say?"
"Just thanks."
"Feeling proud?"
"Doing good and not feeling proud? That'd make me a monster."
"Fair enough."
Then women's voices rang out.
"Seonhyeopmirang daehyeop!"
"Eun Seo-ho daehyeop!"
Turning at the calls, I saw courtesans leaning out the inn windows, waving at me.
Including the ones Jin-ho hyung and I had escorted.
"Thank you for helping us."
I waved lightly, and they shrieked in delight.
"Kyaaak!"
"He waved!"
"Oh my! He's so handsome."
Palgap grabbed my shoulder at their words and pulled me back.
"Let's go quick, young master. Your face is too marketable."
The courtesans called out.
"Aww, I wanted to look longer."
"Ugly people, scram! Can't you let us enjoy the view?"
I sighed at their jabs.
Felt bad for Palgap getting flak.
"Sorry I'm so handsome."
"Hut! It's fine! This is just a tickle to me."
"Yeah?"
"I've survived a filthy world that only remembers the handsome—think this hurts?"
That stung a bit.
Then a courtesan said.
"But who's that dumpling that fell from the sky?"
"Guk!"
Palgap... .
I patted the wounded Palgap, told him to mount up first, then got on my horse.
Best to leave now.
"Hyung! Let's go."
"Yeah."
Jin-ho hyung, who'd watched with a smirk, gave the signal, and we headed to Luoyang.
En route, my eyes met Myeongjong warrior's.
He bowed again.
"Thank you last night, my lord."
"No big deal. I'm not that heartless."
He smiled at my words.
"I know."
His expression looked relieved, like a weight lifted.
"Dumpling from the sky... dumpling... how delicious are dumplings... ."
Palgap was still out of it.
"Will he be okay? Palgap seems pretty shocked," Seou warrior said.
I shook my head.
"He'll be fine. Palgap's tougher than that."
"True."
"But I don't get why he's so hung up on looks. He's fine in my book."
"Never thought it might be because of you?"
"Me?"
"...Never mind if you haven't."
.
.
.
We arrived swiftly at Luoyang's west gate.
Whew, I'd hoped to relax early during the martial conference, but what a bolt from the blue.
Good that we saved those in peril, though.
"Mmm! Ha! Seo-ho, you feel it? This smell! This heat!"
"Huh? What're you on about?"
"The clashing auras of warriors—this scent, this fervor."
"Not really."
"Tch! Buzzkill."
Classic Jin-ho hyung. His eyes sparkled as he scanned around.
A natural-born warrior.
To me, the milling fighters just looked like Eunhae Merchant Group customers.
Sigh, a heavenly merchant through and through.
We soon reached Yeonpung Inn.
"You've arrived?"
Seohyang courtesan greeted us at the door.
She knew I was coming.
"Yes. Anything happen while I was gone?"
"Business booming—nothing else."
"Good. Where are Father and Mother?"
"Inside."
We entered, and hearing us, Father and Mother descended the stairs.
"Welcome!"
"Good work coming all this way."
Jin-ho hyung stepped forward first.
"Sorry to worry you with this unexpected trouble."
"It's fine. You did what you had to. Could you walk by?"
"True."
Behind, Go Il-pyeong external manager chuckled heartily.
"Heh heh, thanks to Second Young Master, I have more to brag to my friends."
"Hahaha."
"Go wash up and gear up. Lots of people to introduce."
"Got it."
As Jin-ho hyung headed to his room, Father said.
"You've had it rough."
"Nah, glad it wasn't worse."
"Thinking positive—good."
I went to my room, washed, and came out.
Been away days—time to catch up.
"Deputy Kwon."
"Yes."
"Thanks for holding down the fort."
"No trouble. Knew it was coming, so no panic."
She knew.
"Found out after you left, so couldn't warn ahead."
"I see."
Seohyang handled sales and inventory by item.
"Early days, so tea varieties are selling big."
"Figures."
Heading to the temporary shop while she explained.
Oh right, forgot to tell Jin-ho hyung.
We had two temporary shops this time.
Plenty of time later.
The spot I'd chosen with the Murim Alliance Lord's authority had a wide open field next door.
Wandering troupes set up there, offering entertaining shows.
"Acrobatics today, huh."
They juggled fire with tricks.
Wow, impressive.
A fire arts master might scoff, though.
Even pros couldn't easily replicate that heart-pounding precariousness.
Then.
"Young master, look over there."
I followed Palgap's point and froze at the sight of a man and woman watching the show.