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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Simzy
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The image of that female martial artist lingered in my mind.
A beauty similar in style to my aunt.
But my aunt doesn’t make such bewitching smiles. I’ve never even seen her smile, to begin with. Her chest wasn’t that big either.
Still, the appearance of that female martial artist, known as the Jade Flower Sword, was enough to evoke my nostalgia… I miss my aunt. I miss her embrace. I used to sleep in my aunt’s arms until I was in middle school.
“Jade Flower Sword, Namgung Serin… I think I saw her on the way here.”
“Kekeke. Anyway, you must be wondering why the Jade Flower Sword came here.”
He doesn’t even believe I saw her.
“No, I really saw her.”
“Show me too…”
“What do you mean show you, you punk. Hehehe. Anyway, I am a bit curious why the Jade Flower Sword came here. Why did she come?”
Jaemison ate a dumpling and said while munching.
“I heard that some kind of labyrinth was discovered… She’s probably here to deal with it and gather wandering swordsmen.”
“What? A labyrinth?”
What is he talking about?
A labyrinth?
“A labyrinth was discovered? What labyrinth? Don’t tell me they found Qin Shi Huang’s tomb?”
“No way… As expected of the chivalrous person I acknowledge. You don’t even know this.”
“Ah, hurry up! Tell me!”
“Kek… I want some dumplings.”
Ah, this punk!
“Waiter! Dumplings here!”
“Yes!”
As soon as I ordered the dumplings, Jaemison grinned and said,
“A labyrinth… is a space that has been transformed into another dimension by a gate of demons.”
“What, a gate of demons?”
Come to think of it, I’ve heard the term “gate of demons” before. I looked at Jaemison’s face, wondering what it was, and he reacted as if he was dumbfounded.
“Kim Geun-hyeop, what do you even know…”
“Things about myself.”
“You really are insane… Kekeke. A gate of demons is a gate to hell. It’s a passage through which the demons of hell crossover.”
What is this?
“When a space is exposed to the energy of hell, it can cause abnormalities… Hell itself is another dimension… It’s only natural that the present world is distorted by the power of hell.”
“No way!”
But the more I hear about it, the more fascinating it becomes.
“Why is Jaemison so smart! The way he talks is so intellectual! Were you always this intellectual?!”
“Kek…”
Jaemison laughed gloomily, gulped down his liquor, and ate the dumplings.
The more I see this guy, the smarter he seems. Is it because he’s been around this martial world for a long time? He knows all kinds of information.
He carries around strange weapons, but although he’s not on Song’s level, he also has some admirable qualities.
Anyway, hell and the gate of demons exist. I guess when they said that the Bull Demon King crossed over from hell, it wasn’t just a metaphor but a literal meaning.
Whatever it is, it seems that when hell and the present world are connected, abnormalities occur, and things like labyrinths appear.
“Anyway, when a labyrinth like that appears, it must be dealt with quickly. The power of hell will erode the surroundings.”
“Then all sorts of strange things will happen.”
“That’s how the Yuan Dynasty fell…”
“Köke Temür?”
“You know that…”
“They call him the Heavenly Demon of the Yuan Dynasty. I heard he stopped the invasion of the Bull Demon King.”
“But he still lost in the end…”
We drank and talked about such things. It was enjoyable enough, but I felt a bit sad that it would have been more enjoyable if Song had been here.
I imagined myself with Jaemison and Song by my side, arms around each other’s shoulders, singing and having fun.
It was such a nice image that it made me habitually worship Song.
I worship you, Song.
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The next day.
I met Jaemison early in the morning and we headed to the Haengdomun together.
If it’s true that the Jade Flower Sword is gathering wandering swordsmen to conquer the labyrinth, she will surely come to the Haengdomun. Jaemison and I were planning to participate in the labyrinth conquest.
“A labyrinth conquest.”
It sounds very dangerous, but I can’t refuse this opportunity.
“Kekeke, you’re not scared, are you?”
“No. I’m definitely doing it.”
I’m definitely doing it.
“I heard yesterday that not only the Jade Flower Sword but also the combat unit of the Namgung family came down, so that means we’ll be fighting together, right? Then we might be able to see their martial arts techniques. That will lead to my growth. I have to do it.”
I keep thinking that in order to survive in this martial world, I must constantly grow.
I gained experience by exterminating evil spirits, and I killed the Gobulin chieftain and obtained his inner core, gaining inner energy.
Just that alone has significantly changed my life in the martial world. I no longer have to toil away at the Dahwebang.
This way, if I become stronger, I can gather more money and eat more delicious food.
If I become complacent, I’ll just end up being eliminated and falling victim to some robber bastards. I’m going to use this labyrinth conquest to further develop my skills. I’ll overcome the dangers and test my limits.
“Kek… As expected of the chivalrous person I acknowledge. You seem a bit strange, but you’re worth associating with.”
“That’s what I should be saying, you punk. Hehe.”
“Kekeke.”
“Who’s stranger than you? Hey. We’re here.”
After walking and chatting with Jaemison, we arrived at the Haengdomun. As soon as we arrived, I could feel a commotion, so something must be up.
We went inside immediately.
“Martial artists who want to participate in the labyrinth conquest, come this way! We need many wandering swordsmen! We will give preference to those with experience in labyrinth conquest!”
Martial artists dressed in black martial arts uniforms were shouting.
“…Oh.”
They look strong at a glance. Moreover, they’re all dressed in the same uniform, and the same pattern is embroidered on their chests and backs.
Are those the combat units of the Namgung family?
And at their center stood the beauty I saw yesterday.
“That female martial artist is the Jade Flower Sword…!”
“No way.”
“S-Such beauty.”
“Heavenly.”
“Truly one of the Four Flowers of the Martial World!”
All kinds of wandering swordsmen were pretending to listen to the explanations of the martial artists from the noble family, while stealing glances at the Jade Flower Sword.
She’s a beauty that draws that much attention.
Even Jaemison was staring at the Jade Flower Sword, and I also looked at her and made eye contact.
“…!”
I quickly turned my head away!
“A labyrinth has appeared! If you are a martial artist who knows righteousness and chivalry, come this way! In addition to the basic hiring fee, we will pay special allowances depending on performance!”
I focused more on what the martial artists from the noble family were shouting than on the Jade Flower Sword.
It seemed that she was planning to conquer the labyrinth, not only with her family’s combat unit but also with a large number of wandering swordsmen. That alone is a scale that exceeds a platoon.
There were quite a few people, which means that the labyrinth conquest is that dangerous.
But the rewards will be just as sweet.
I immediately raised my hand.
“I have a question about the special allowance! Exactly how much is it!”
“If you kill a monster at the level of the Baekpal Yokwae Gundo, two silver coins! If you contributed, we will pay after a thorough review!”
They said that if you kill a monster a little stronger than the Gobulin chieftain alone, you get 2 silver coins. Is it a good deal if we kill just one of these and get two coins?
Based on my experience of killing the chieftain alone, it seems like Jaemison and I could easily kill one if we work together.
“I understand! Then how much if we kill a monster at the level of the Jungwon Hyungsalsal!”
“Huh? Jungwon Hyungsalsal?”
At that, the martial artists briefly talked among themselves.
But suddenly, the Jade Flower Sword stepped forward.
“Jade Flower Sword!”
“Jade Flower Sword!”
“Jade Flower Sword!”
The wandering swordsmen cheered when they saw the Jade Flower Sword stepped forward.
“To mention the Jungwon Hyungsalsal. You are truly brave.”
A voice without emotion.
“Well, you did that right off the bat.”
But for some reason, that voice was very beautiful.
“This labyrinth is estimated to have been formed recently, so I don’t think there will be a monster of that level, but if such a being appears and you contribute to its defeat, we will give a valuable reward. In the name of this Jade Flower Sword. Do you have any other questions?”
“No. I don’t.”
When I shook my head, she stared at me and gave a faint smile.
Guh…!
The destructive power of her beauty was too strong!
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“J-Jaemison. But doesn’t the government usually do this kind of thing? It seems like a big deal, so why is a noble family handling it?”
“Kekeke, the government doesn’t have the resources for that.”
“They don’t have the resources?”
“They outsource most things to sects or noble families… The Ming army is busy fighting demons, so they don’t have the resources… That’s why sects and noble families dominate and practically rule their respective regions…”
So that’s how it was.
Come to think of it, I thought it was a bit strange.
Why would an emperor who possesses an absolute master of the Profound Realm leave these armed aristocratic groups alone? In fact, they’re busy fighting demons, so they’re recognizing a kind of “turf” of sorts.
In other words, as long as they pay their taxes, they won’t be interfered with.
In fact, it’s unlikely that the administrative power of the pre-modern world could cover a landmass the size of the Chinese continent. It would be even more difficult with monsters running around.
That’s why sects and noble families grow.
My knowledge has increased.
“Then those who want to apply, line up!”
The daily wage for the labyrinth conquest was said to be 100 copper coins per day. This is the basic salary that will be paid continuously during the employment period, and there will be additional allowances for each battle that occurs in between. And if you make a contribution, you’ll receive a reward after a review.
“Jaemison. There’s nothing else to see. We have to participate. The experience of conquering the labyrinth will improve our skills.”
“Kek… As expected of the chivalrous person I acknowledge. I agree. And if we’re lucky, we might find treasure.”
“Treasure? Let’s hear about that later.”
Jaemison and I lined up side by side, and when it was our turn, we showed our tokens and signed an employment contract with the Namgung family.
We were told to prepare properly because we would be moving to the labyrinth tomorrow.
We were also told to bring enough food for a few days, as we didn’t know how long it would take.
Well, we signed the contract and were hanging around the Haengdomun to get more information when,
“I didn’t expect to see you again, young hero.”
The Jade Flower Sword spoke to me!
“Oh, Great Jade Flower Sword!”
Up close, she’s about 10 cm shorter than me.
But her chest, which was so overwhelmingly large, strongly pressured me.
“You can call me a celestial being as usual.”
“No, we only met briefly yesterday, but you’re talking as if we do that all the time!”
What is this!
The Jade Flower Sword is talking to me…!
I’m so nervous!
“Hmph, there’s no need to be so nervous. As you said, just as beauty is not a sin, being captivated is not a sin either.”
She smiled slightly, repeating what I said yesterday.
“Kuh… You are absolutely right. Since being captivated is not a sin, I will be even more captivated. Anyway, What can I do for you, Celestial Being Jade Flower Sword?”
“Just. I was a little interested, so I came to see.”
Interested?!
“Oh my! I don’t know what to do, Celestial Being!”
I’m starting to get really interested too!
“My interest, you say. It will surely be an honor for the family. Hehe.”
But come to think of it, I think she has a bit of a princess complex.
“But.”
“Yes?”
“For a wandering swordsman, you have quite decent inner energy.”
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