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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“I apologize for being such a burden.”
“Don’t mention it. We should help each other out.”
Unexpectedly, our journey with Brother Kang had lasted longer than anticipated.
Traveling with him naturally slowed us down, and the villages we passed through in the past week weren’t suitable for him to settle down.
They were either too small or too unwelcoming.
Finding a place to settle was never easy, but people’s reactions to his appearance didn’t help. His limited mobility made finding work difficult, and no one seemed willing to take him in.
The first three villages we visited had been unwelcoming, so it was no surprise that his forced cheerfulness was tinged with despair.
“Life is truly challenging.”
“Things might be better in a city.”
“Cities are even colder than rural villages. He’ll be lucky if he isn’t mocked for his disability…”
“But there are more opportunities in a city than in a small village.”
“You’re right, but…sigh. I don’t know. I was happy when I first returned to the world, but I never imagined that happiness would shatter within a week. Perhaps it’s because I was a vagrant, or perhaps because I can barely walk without crutches…”
Ignoring his lament, I flipped through the pages of the Three-Step Sword Technique manual.
Despite containing only the latter half, it was filled with intriguing insights, and I read it whenever I had the chance.
‘The sword must always be concise. Wielding the sword with unwavering precision towards its intended target. That is the essence of swordsmanship.’
Hmm.
‘Do not let the tip of your sword waver. Just as the sword path is concise, so too should your movements be. Perfection through conciseness is the ultimate sword path. He who masters the essence of the Three-Step Sword Technique will stand above all.’
“Mister, can you understand it with only the second half?”
“Mostly. The descriptions of the forms are vague, but…the philosophy behind his swordsmanship is interesting. It’s quite insightful.”
Conciseness.
Very few sword techniques involved exaggerated movements. Most emphasized efficiency and precision.
The Three-Step Sword King seemed particularly fixated on conciseness. The word appeared repeatedly throughout the manual.
Perhaps his footwork also emphasized conciseness.
I needed a simple, efficient footwork technique, even if it was less flashy than the sophisticated techniques of the Murim.
I needed it to complete my own footwork, based on the Charge Step.
Completing it would allow me to progress further.
“Brother Kang, do you remember anything about the Thunderclap Three Steps?”
“Thunderclap Three Steps… I always wanted to learn it.”
Did he know anything about it?
“Brother Kang, do you know anything about the Thunderclap Three Steps, the Three-Step Sword King’s footwork?”
“…Swift and precise. Those were the words used to describe his footwork. It was said to be perfectly suited to his swordsmanship, as it was faster and more accurate than any other.”
“Have any manuals describing it ever been found?”
“Back then, I was just a fledgling vagrant, so most of what I knew was hearsay. There were rumors about the Three-Step Sword King’s secret manual, but…I only remember hearing trivial things.”
His expression darkened. Perhaps he had recalled some unpleasant memories.
“What kind of trivial things?”
“I believe there were rumors that his secret manual had been found along with the Treasure Map…though my memory is hazy. Countless martial artists flocked to the Three-Step Sword King’s tomb seeking it. I was one of them.”
“Do you remember anything else?”
“…I believe the Seongcheon Merchant Guild had the Treasure Map.”
“You have a good memory.”
“What else is there to do but dwell on the past?”
I should look into that later. I could sell the information or try to acquire the remaining manuals.
Of course, that would have to wait until I had more time.
“I understand. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Benefactor, are you planning to collect all of the Three-Step Sword King’s manuals?”
“If possible.”
For now, I needed to return to the Martial Alliance and gather information. They would be monitoring the Demonic Cult’s movements, and I needed to check on the Martial Alliance Leader’s condition.
I recalled that his death would occur within six months to a year. I had to act quickly.
If I could save him, the conflict between the Five Great Clans would be resolved. His death was the catalyst for the growing tension between the Five Great Clans and the Nine Great Sects.
…The problem was gaining access to him.
I would have to think about that on the way back.
“It’s getting dark. Let’s camp here.”
“Mister, are you going to practice again tonight?”
“Of course. I need to work on my…footwork.”
My footwork was still incomplete. I had only mastered two variations.
Compared to the sophisticated footwork techniques of the Murim, mine was crude. Constant practice and refinement were necessary to create my own unique style.
“Are you going to practice footwork?”
“Yes.”
It wasn’t a secret, so I answered honestly. He could probably hear me practicing the Charge Step even in the dark. His senses, honed in the darkness, must be sharper than an ordinary person’s.
“A master of your level practicing footwork…I’ve heard stories, but it’s still strange to see.”
His voice was tinged with a strange emotion. Perhaps he was thinking about his own inability to use footwork.
He remained silent for a while, tossing pieces of firewood into the fire, then spoke to me as I prepared dinner with Mokgyeong.
“Would you be interested in learning my footwork?”
“…Excuse me?”
He wanted to teach me his footwork?
“It’s nothing special, just something I learned as a vagrant, but it’s quite effective. It saved my life many times.”
“I couldn’t possibly…”
“I can’t use it anymore anyway. Learn it and use it as a reference for your own practice.”
“…Thank you.”
As someone trying to create their own footwork, any knowledge was valuable. I was practically a novice in this area, so a direct lesson would be immensely helpful.
“I can’t demonstrate it myself, so I’ll draw the steps on the ground.”
“Let’s start after dinner.”
This unexpected windfall put me in a good mood as I stirred the stew.
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“Thank you for everything.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s only natural to help others. Take care of yourself, and I hope to see you again.”
“Me too!”
“Safe travels.”
Brother Kang, having settled in the small city where the two clans had almost gone to war, saw us off with a smile that was a mixture of apprehension and hope.
I had spoken to the two clan leaders, so he would be well taken care of.
“Hehe, Mister, we’re almost at the Martial Alliance!”
“It’ll be winter by the time we arrive.”
“I wonder what winter in the Central Plains is like.”
Europe hadn’t been particularly cold.
“Hmm, I don’t know! This is my first winter outside of Hainan Island! And you too, Mister…”
Hye-ryeong flapped her arms and subtly moved closer. She was close enough that our bodies almost touched.
She had been more reserved with Brother Kang present, but now that he was gone, her inhibitions seemed to have vanished.
“Hehe.”
“…Benefactor, what will you do when we return to the Martial Alliance?”
“I’ll rest for a bit and then figure things out.”
I couldn’t exactly tell him I was planning to prevent the Martial Alliance Leader’s death, so I gave a vague answer. Mokgyeong nodded and said,
“Would you be interested in going to the Yunnan Pill Valley…?”
“Yunnan Pill Valley?”
“Yes. I’d like to see the place you mentioned.”
Yunnan was quite far from Hubei.
I scratched my head, considering Mokgyeong’s request.
If I wasn’t careful, I could disrupt the timeline and complicate things.
But it was a place I needed to visit eventually. Mokgyeong needed to grow stronger.
“Let’s make plans after we arrive at the Martial Alliance.”
“…Thank you, Benefactor.”
A faint smile appeared on Mokgyeong’s face.
A beautiful smile that even I, a man, found captivating.
“…Mister?”
I turned towards the source of the voice. Hye-ryeong puffed out her cheeks and flapped her arms.
“I-I’m prettier!”
“Yes, yes, you’re pretty.”
You’re blushing even though you said it yourself.
I placated Hye-ryeong and circulated aura throughout my body.
Blood Wolf Steps.
The footwork Brother Kang had taught me over the past few days.
While I couldn’t use it exactly as he had, due to the differences in our internal energy, I had incorporated elements of it into the movement technique I was developing. I looked at Hye-ryeong and Mokgyeong.
“We’ll use Qinggong from here. Understood?”
“Yes!”
“Understood.”
Like arrows released from a bow, we shot forward.
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thank you for the chapter