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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Haha, I never thought I’d have the opportunity to handle a Western sword.”
“Is that so?”
“What reason would a Westerner have to come this deep into the Central Plains? The Northern Sea Ice Palace has some dealings with the righteous sects, but they primarily focus on palm techniques and don’t typically carry weapons.”
The Northern Sea Ice Palace.
A sect specializing in ice-based martial arts, located far to the north.
It was a common fixture in wuxia stories, so I was familiar with it. Though, it didn’t have much of a presence in the original story. Just a minor supporting role.
The Northern Sea Ice Palace needed food, and the Central Plains needed resources unique to the Northern Sea, so they had a mutually beneficial trade relationship.
The Palace also sided with the righteous factions, offering support during times of crisis.
I had no reason to go north, so I wouldn’t have any dealings with them…
“I look forward to working with you again.”
“Not at all, Wi. It’s a valuable learning experience for me to handle Western artifacts firsthand.”
It wasn’t actually a Western artifact, though.
I had commissioned it to be made using Western techniques as much as possible…
“I look forward to working with you as well.”
“Likewise.”
I sheathed the expertly repaired longsword and turned around. The hearty laughter of Cheol-ung, the head blacksmith of the Martial Alliance, followed me.
Being famous had its perks.
“Mister, are you done?”
“Yep. Were you bored waiting?”
“A little, but…looking at the weapons in the forge was quite interesting.”
“There were a lot of swords.”
“It was fascinating how different they all looked. Some had long, slender blades, perfect for thrusting, others had blunt blades that looked like clubs, and some…”
Hye-ryeong chattered like a baby penguin, walking beside me and holding my hand. I adjusted my pace to match hers as we walked back to the Haenam Sword Sect’s lodging.
“Mister, are you really going to the Wudang Sect?”
“The weather will get cold soon, so I have to go before then.”
While the Wudang Sect was also in Hubei Province, it was located at the northwestern edge. Unless I used Qinggong at full speed, the round trip would take almost two months.
“Wudang is far…”
“Traveling will be difficult once winter arrives, so I want to go as soon as possible.”
More accurately, I wanted to create an opportunity to encounter the Blood Wolf Gang, who were located along the way to Wudang, and then visit the Wudang Sect to meet the reclusive expert.
I couldn’t reveal my true intentions, so my official destination was simply the Wudang Sect.
“Mount Wudang is a long way! Will Elder Baek allow it?”
“Do you want to come?”
“I want to visit the Wudang Sect too! Master once told me that Mount Wudang is a breathtaking sight, whether you’re looking up from below or down from above.”
Now that she mentioned it, Mount Wudang was one of the most famous Taoist mountains. While I wasn’t an expert on the subject, everyone knew the Wudang Sect’s prestige, so I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation.
Respect Shaolin in the North, Revere Wudang in the South.
Wasn’t that a common saying?
Even if I couldn’t find the reclusive expert, perhaps absorbing the spiritual energy of Mount Wudang would help me break through my barrier…that was a part of my reasoning.
I spotted the Haenam Sword Sect’s lodging and Mokgyeong lingering nearby, so I headed towards them.
“Mokgyeong, what are you doing here? It’s not a sparring day, is it?”
“Ah, Benefactor. I have something to tell you.”
Mokgyeong bowed politely and immediately stated his purpose.
He had to go on a Patrol Unit mission and wouldn’t be able to spar for a while. That was why he had come to inform me.
“Do you really need to stay in the Patrol Unit?”
“Pardon?”
“With your skill, you don’t need to be in the Patrol Unit to stay at the Martial Alliance.”
In the original story, he had a somewhat naive side and was essentially forced to stay in the Patrol Unit to advance the plot, but now that I was here, there was no reason for him to stay.
In the original story, he gained experience and grew stronger by working with the Patrol Unit and encountering various incidents, but he didn’t need the Patrol Unit for that.
Even if he continued to rise through the ranks, he wouldn’t easily find information about the Yunnan Dan Clan.
While he eventually found a clue about the culprit while working for the Patrol Unit, wouldn’t it be easier if I just told him?
As someone who needed allies to fight the Demonic Cult, it would be better for Mokgyeong to leave the Patrol Unit and travel with me.
I wanted to bring him to the Haenam Sword Sect’s lodging as well, but I didn’t have the authority.
Elder Baek might agree if I asked…
“But my father always told me that gaining experience at the Martial Alliance was important. Being in the Patrol Unit, where information gathers, is also advantageous for finding information about the culprit.”
“Is there a point in staying if even the Patrol Unit can’t find the culprit?”
“Pardon?”
I subtly cast my line. The key to fishing was using enticing bait. As expected, Mokgyeong looked at me with surprise.
“Mister, what do you mean?”
Hye-ryeong’s voice was sharp.
Did she want to travel just the two of us? But with a clear objective, that wasn’t possible.
This wasn’t the time for a leisurely romantic adventure.
“Well…being in the Patrol Unit, where information about incidents in the Central Plains gathers, is good, but actively searching for clues is also a valid approach.”
Since I had altered the original story, he wouldn’t grow as quickly by staying in the Patrol Unit.
I had consumed the elixirs he was supposed to receive, and I had defeated the Bloodthirsty Beast he was supposed to fight.
While there was a possibility of another similar Demonic Cult member appearing, that was a variable, so it was safer for me to guide his growth by providing him with experience.
I intended to collect the bounties on several Demonic Cult members from the early parts of the original story. That would also solve my funding issues.
“But…”
“Being in the Patrol Unit might make gathering information easier, but wouldn’t it be faster to hire the Hao Clan?”
While there was also the Beggars’ Sect, their conditions were often demanding. The Hao Clan, who collected information from the underbelly of society, were more likely to have what we needed.
…They also had connections to the Demonic Cult.
“But doesn’t the Hao Clan demand a high price for information?”
“We can earn money.”
“How are you going to earn money, Mister?”
“By hunting Demonic Cult members and collecting bounties.”
“Demonic Cult members?”
Hye-ryeong’s eyes widened as she looked at me.
Was it that surprising that I would hunt Demonic Cult members for money? It wasn’t unusual in the Central Plains.
There were even wandering martial artists who specialized in that.
Though most of them were small fry who ended up being killed by the Demonic Cult members they were hunting.
“Don’t worry too much. I don’t intend to lose to any ordinary Demonic Cult member.”
I wasn’t planning on targeting dangerous opponents yet. I would focus on those between first-rate and peak expert level.
I sighed, recalling the endless parade of Demonic Cult members that unnecessarily dragged out the early parts of the original story.
“But you never know what might happen. Wouldn’t it be safer to work for the Martial Alliance…”
Hye-ryeong tried to dissuade me with a worried expression.
Was she that concerned?
Well, you never knew…the Demonic Cult targeting the Haenam Sword Sect was unexpected.
“Hye-ryeong, you can’t grow stronger without taking risks.”
Working for the Martial Alliance would be safe, as she said. That was why she was trying to dissuade me.
But a martial artist shone brightest when walking on the edge of danger.
I had no intention of becoming complacent.
“…I’ll come with you!”
“So, Mokgyeong, come with us. I’ll help you with your revenge.”
“May I ask why you’re going this far?”
I met Mokgyeong’s gaze.
A moment of silence passed between us before I spoke.
“I need allies to fight the Demonic Cult.”
“Isn’t that…not your responsibility?”
“I’m not the type to ignore a clear and present danger.”
A knight never turns their back.
A knight leads the charge, not watches from the sidelines.
Mokgyeong lowered his head for a moment, then looked up and said,
“Please wait a moment. I’ll go submit my resignation…”
“Take your time. We’ll leave in three days.”
And so, I recruited Mokgyeong as my ally.
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