I Became an Outcast the Martial Arts Masters are Obsessed With – Chapter 33

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
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Yu Sa-yeon and I went out for a walk.

Yu Sa-yeon also wore a black hat and martial arts uniform like an outcast.

It was to meet the Tang Clan members as quietly as possible.

Since she was disguised as Black Cat to the outside world, Black Cat was left behind at the inn.

As we entered the alley, a strange short sword stuck in the ground caught my eye.

A formation.

There seemed to be a light maze formation spread in this alley.

Yu Sa-yeon and I nodded to each other and lightly drew our internal energy to protect our heads.

The standard for distinguishing martial artists starts from third-rate.

In fact, the martial world doesn’t even consider third-rate martial artists, but there is a difference between third-rate and those below third-rate.

Third-rate refers to those who aim to sense energy (感氣), in other words, to feel the flow of energy.

In fact, this is why the boundary between third-rate and those below is ambiguous.

Since they can only feel energy but not control it, there’s no way to prove whether they can sense it.

So unless a master personally tests a third-rate with their energy techniques, there’s no way to distinguish between third-rate and those below third-rate.

Second-rate refers to those who aim to control energy (制氣).

Since they have at least reached the minimum realm to feel the energy through sense, they can be said to behold the forest of the martial world (武林) with the eyes of energy sense.

What does it mean for second-rate to move energy?

Putting aside the abstract questions about moving energy means accumulating internal energy.

Suppose third-rate is about opening the eyes to see energy.

In that case, second-rate is the realm of moving energy with those opened eyes.

Even breathing naturally accumulates internal energy, but can you intentionally perform the process of accumulating that internal energy?

The ability to move energy according to one’s will.

That is the goal pursued by the second-rate and the ability signified by the second-rate realm.

Next is first-rate.

From first-rate onwards, they are recognized as martial artists by everyone.

Having mastered energy sensing and achieved energy control, they are referred to as those aiming for the next realm of energy filling (充氣).

If the third rate raised their senses and the second rate accumulated power, the first-rate was in the realm of using that power.

Energy filling.

Filling the body with that power.

To strike an opponent, you need to put strength into your fists, arms, and legs, so if you put that intention into the energy, it can also be called intentional energy (意氣).

Those who have that intention, when they start to realize that intention, that is the path, so no matter how lowly and unsightly, it can be called a way (道).

Whether to consider first-rate or second-rate martial artists is an undying topic of discussion among martial artists.

From first-rate onwards, those who practice their intention are true martial artists.

No, even second-rate can move energy, so although not to the same extent as first-rate, they are essentially no different from first-rate in harboring and practicing intention.

They should also be considered martial artists.

Something like that… It’s a level of debate like which came first, the chicken or the egg, or whether Liu Bei or Cao Cao was the true ruler of the Three Kingdoms.

Still, the recent consensus is that, despite individual differences, second-rate and above are considered martial artists.

Although trained to a level almost equivalent to first-rate, my realm is second-rate.

Since I am not first-rate, I cannot use the energy-filling technique.

Let’s say putting energy into the forearm to strengthen it is stage 1 enhancement.

This can be done once you reach second rate and learn the energy control technique.

However, to further strengthen the arm’s power, make the skin harder, or make the joints withstand beyond their limits, at least energy filling is required.

Energy control has a low limit to the strength it can enhance.

It cannot perform tasks outside the natural range no matter how much energy is pumped in.

Once you reach first-rate and learn energy filling, you can strengthen your skin so that it does not readily tear, momentarily exert several times your normal strength, and so on.

Of course, reaching first-rate doesn’t suddenly remove the limits of your abilities, so rather than suddenly becoming superhuman, it just opens up possibilities.

Bluntly speaking, even if second-rate knows nothing about martial arts, they will likely lose against someone with blessed physical conditions.

Why?

Even if they can control energy, they cannot go beyond naturally strengthening the body, so if they encounter someone with a stronger body than their enhanced one, they are at a disadvantage.

However, a mature first-rate cannot lose to someone who doesn’t know martial arts.

Because the very foundation of combat methods becomes different.

One Step Three Swords is difficult at the second-rate level.

Still, once you reach first-rate, you can pull out four or five swords in one step if you can endure internal energy consumption and physical overload.

It’s just that it’s not an efficient combat method, so they don’t do it.

“Let’s enter.”

A maze formation confuses people if they don’t draw up their energy.

It must have been set up by the Tang Clan member who doesn’t want others to see them meeting the Sacheon outcasts.

After walking for a bit, a man dressed in Tang Clan attire stood there.

“You’re here. I heard the leader of the Sacheon outcasts is a female warrior, so are you Yu Sa-yeon?”

“I’m Yu Sa-yeon, the innkeeper.”

“I am Tang Do-gi.”

Tang Do-gi let out a sigh without further ado.

“First of all, I am deeply sorry that things have turned out this way.”

Although it was an exceptionally stiff apology, considering it came from the mouth of the Tang Clan, who could be called the absolute powerhouse of the Sacheon martial world, it meant he was apologetic.

“Well, I should explain the whole story first. That would be the humane thing to do.”

Anyone who has worked in a superior-subordinate relationship knows that it is rare for the superior to explain the situation to the subordinate.

They just order them around.

The only difference is whether they order them around while cursing or in a slightly more polite manner.

The fact that he was explaining the internal situation of the Tang Clan like this not only meant he was expressing his apology but also that resolving this matter was that difficult.

“First, I need to talk about that scoundrel Tang Do-gyeong storming out of the family. The clan leader was furious from head to toe since Tang Do-gyeong knocked out the messenger delivering a letter to the Hwang Gold Clan, stole that letter, and went to the Hwang Gold Clan.”

He attacked the messenger, stole the letter, and came to Sacheon?

He wasn’t a hero but a madman.

“The innkeeper deduced that Tang Do-gyeong’s purpose was Yeo Il-ye when he caused that commotion and headed to Sacheon. Recently, there was no news that could stimulate that crazy guy, ahem, Tang Do-gyeong, other than Yeo Il-ye of the Ten Prodigies who had recently reached the transcendent realm.”

So far, it was a rational deduction.

But why?

“The clan leader was furious and immediately gathered the Tang Clan experts who could subdue Tang Do-gyeong, but how easy is it to gather several transcendent experts? Moreover, we can’t send elder-level figures just to catch a mere late second-rate…”

Elders also have their dignity.

Even if Tang Do-gyeong is renowned among late second-rates, it would be unsightly if an elder personally steps in to bring back their own family member.

“Above all, the biggest problem was that Tang Do-gyeong was heading to the Hwang Gold Clan. First of all, I need to tell you that the situation at that time was simply that the clan leader was enraged and we just needed to bring Tang Do-gyeong back. It had nothing to do with him mingling with Sacheon outcasts or anything like that.”

“That’s right.”

“No matter how furious the clan leader was, it didn’t make sense to enter the Hwang Gold Clan and drag out Tang Do-gyeong, and it also didn’t make sense for the Tang Clan experts to enter Sacheon and cause a commotion just to drag out Tang Do-gyeong. Tang Do-gyeong came to Sacheon instead of going straight to the Jeomchang Sect to meet Yeo Il-ye because he knew that well. From Tang Do-gyeong’s perspective, meeting Yeo Il-ye in Sacheon would be the best way for things to go smoothly for him.”

This is a disaster, isn’t it?

Listening to him, my head started to ache.

I already knew that the Tang Clan was a local clan and didn’t build their power inside Sacheon due to their position as a local clan.

But to the extent that they can’t even cause a commotion inside Sacheon?

No, this isn’t a rational deduction.

If the Tang Clan experts clash inside Sacheon to catch Tang Do-gyeong, the fact that Tang Do-gyeong and the Tang Clan experts conflicted for some reason would spread everywhere.

Along with the rumor that would disgrace them in front of the governor.

If that happens, it might be better to let Tang Do-gyeong and Yeo Il-ye fight it inside Sacheon.

The former would be the Tang Clan’s disgrace, while the latter would be Tang Do-gyeong’s.

“So the clan leader came up with two plans. One was to send me to Sacheon to persuade Tang Do-gyeong. And if I met Yeo Il-ye first, I was also supposed to explain the situation and persuade her to lure Tang Do-gyeong out to the Jeomchang Sect.”

“The second was to deploy the Tang Clan experts to the Jeomchang Sect, since Yeo Il-ye has been frequenting Sacheon these days, but she would still have to move centered around her main sect, the Jeomchang Sect. If Tang Do-gyeong couldn’t meet Yeo Il-ye in Sacheon, he would eventually have to turn his steps towards the Jeomchang Sect.”

Tang Do-gi let out a deep sigh that seemed to pierce the ground.

“So when I entered Sacheon, what is this? Rumors were rampant that Tang Do-gyeong had lost a bet and the Blood Jade Plaque was taken by a Sacheon outcast. I was shocked and inquired around, and it seemed to be true. Ah, there’s no need to answer, I already got confirmation from you that it’s true.”

Tang Do-gi hit his chest repeatedly.

“It was truly a maddening situation! That crazy bastard not only stole the letter to be delivered to the Hwang Gold Clan, but also went to recklessly challenge a disciple of the Nine Great Sects, and on top of that, lost the treasure that could be called a secret weapon? The Blood Jade Plaque? And to…! Sigh…”

Tang Do-gi was about to say, ‘And to a mere Sacheon outcast at that?’ but realized that the Sacheon outcast was right in front of him and expressed his frustration.

“I hope you can understand how frustrated I am. I misspoke for a moment, but anyway, when I heard that news and was filled with anger, I searched for Tang Do-gyeong’s whereabouts… and found out he was frequenting the Outcast Inn.”

Tang Do-gi looked up at the sky.

It seemed he couldn’t control the anger welling up inside him again.

“As soon as I heard that news, it felt like the sky was collapsing. I immediately rushed to the Outcast Inn that day and was able to meet Tang Do-gyeong, who appeared in the morning. I dragged him right away and furiously scolded him. But that scoundrel glared at me and got angry at me instead!”

I could guess just by looking at Tang Do-gi’s ever-changing expressions.

He probably didn’t say it in front of us.

Still, he must have said something like, ‘Do you know how much the Tang Clan’s reputation will fall if rumors spread that you’re frequenting the Outcast Inn and mingling with outcasts?’ and Tang Do-gyeong, who has been getting along well with the outcasts lately, must have retorted, ‘Do you know how passionate and outstanding the outcasts are?’

However, Tang Do-gi didn’t care whether the Sacheon outcasts were cultivating righteous martial artists’ attitudes.

What mattered to him was the reputation that would fall due to Tang Do-gyeong frequenting the Outcast Inn.

If Tang Do-gyeong, who had caused an enormous accident and was still causing more, couldn’t understand and was shouting at him?

How frustrating must it have been for Tang Do-gi?

“So I delivered the clan leader’s stern warning. I shouldn’t say this, but you know? Do you know how many accidents this Tang Do-gyeong has caused? Sigh, if I were to reveal everything, two nights wouldn’t be enough! The clan leader and the elders have all run out of patience. If he doesn’t return this time, they will remove him from the family registry.”

The Tang Clan is a blood-related group.

The Tang Clan, which actively employs the son-in-law system, boasts many members that should be called the Tang Clan rather than the Tang family.

There’s even a village called Dangjia where Tang Clan members live together.

That’s how much the Tang Clan values blood ties.

Disownment is the de facto death sentence the Tang Clan can impose on their blood relatives.

Well, they probably don’t intend to disown him.

Unless he commits crimes like killing relatives or dealing a blow that would shatter the pillars of the Tang Clan, it’s difficult to actually disown him.

So the disownment mentioned just now meant they would give him a punishment equivalent to the ultimate penalty without letting it slide or covering it up just because he’s a renowned late second-rate.

It was a stern warning that they would never overlook it again, and he must return unconditionally.

“But he rambled on about having made a promise in a match he couldn’t back down from, and without even a glance, he entered the inn. Can you believe it?!”

“Ah…”

Anyone could see that Tang Do-gyeong was an upright hero.

I had been wondering why such a likable person was called Fighting Dog.

Yes, even the outcast crusher Yeo Il-ye is called the Crimson Bamboo Hero, so I guess you must do this much to tear off the packaging and be called a mad dog.

Tang Do-gyeong, who pursues his own chivalry by casting aside everything surrounding him, certainly shows the appearance of a hero, but the way he even throws away the position of his family and is solely devoted to his cause.

That day, I learned that he no longer cared two hoots about his family. Perhaps, he never did.

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