—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Meeting the gazes of the Hongseongmun disciples, I shrugged. My relationship with Caijin wasn’t the pressing issue at hand.
“Speaking of which, I hadn’t expected so many of you from Hongseong Mun.”
“Seon Hwachon is under the protection of our sect,” Ryuhyeon stated calmly, glancing at Caijin. Even under her sharp scrutiny, Caijin remained unfazed, her demeanor relaxed.
“The appearance of a Blue Hound suggests that a Mabok might be planning to attack Seon Hwachon. You are familiar with what a Mabok is, correct?”
“Of course, I know it’s a dangerous monster.”
“Therefore, we’ll be sending disciples to assist with patrols for the time being.”
“We’re grateful for your support. Now then…”
A Mabok might be a formidable monster, but for a skilled martial artist like Caijin, it was nothing more than easy prey.
Having competitors wouldn’t sit well with her.
I feigned a serious expression, observing Caijin as she scanned the area for further traces of the Blue Hound and Mabok. Perhaps sensing my gaze, she looked up and questioned me, her curiosity piqued.
“Is there something you wish to say?”
“No, just that you better get moving if you don’t want to lose your reward.”
“Reward? Ah, well, I suppose…”
Caijin smirked, her arrogance on full display.
“The more people capable of fighting, the less damage there will be. Besides, I’ll be the one taking center stage in this matter, so what’s there to worry about? Huhu.”
As if to prove that she hadn’t earned her position as senior disciple through sheer luck, Caijin spoke with unwavering confidence.
Perhaps she was a little too loud.
The disciples from HongSeong Mun, particularly Ryuhyeon, frowned at her words.
“It’s best to inform Hongseongmun as well. The presence of a Blue Hound means a Mabok is lurking nearby. And since this entire area is my property, I’ll offer a reward to Hongseongmun as well for its capture.”
“A reward, sir? How much…”
“Two gold coins.”
Ryuhyeon’s eyes widened instantly, and Sayoon gasped. Their gazes, previously wary of Caijin, now held open hostility.
Two gold coins.
Indeed, a sum not easily dismissed.
“But let’s not resort to infighting over it.”
The atmosphere was growing increasingly competitive. I put my foot down, and the tension between Caijin and the Hongseongmun disciples dissipated.
The investigation was largely complete. As Ryuhyeon spoke with the constables, her expression grim, and Caijin stood with her eyes closed, deep in thought…
“Um… Innkeeper?”
A soft voice tickled my ears.
Turning slightly, I saw Sayoon gazing up at me, her expression hesitant.
“What is it?”
“Senior Sister Ryuhyeon mentioned… that the monster appearing on the outskirts might be a diversion.”
“A diversion, you say…”
Well, it wasn’t impossible. There had been those who could control monsters in “Heaven’s Mandate”.
And considering the Mabok had approached and retreated without attacking, the possibility couldn’t be ruled out.
“So, we’re going to participate in the village patrols and provide protection to key individuals.”
“Oh? And?”
Key individuals in Seonhwachon…
The Magistrate, the head of the local government, would be one.
Then the Village Head.
And lastly, myself, as the most influential figure in the area.
“So, we were hoping to provide you with protection on a rotating basis. Would that be alright?”
What?!
How could I possibly refuse?!
This meant Sayoon might be assigned to guard me!
I almost shouted “Woohoo!” before catching myself and nodding calmly.
“I’d be happy to accept your offer.”
“Hehe. Thank you for your cooperation. I’ll let Senior Sister Ryuhyeon know.”
She seemed pleased with my agreement. Sayoon beamed and turned to relay the message to Ryuhyeon, who gave me a slight bow.
It was I who should be thanking them.
“Hmm… But I’m your bodyguard,” Caijin interjected, her tone laced with displeasure. I shrugged.
“Can you search for the Mabok while guarding me?”
“The constables wouldn’t stand a chance against it anyway. That’s why I gave them this.”
Caijin pulled out a signal flare from her sleeve. It was a type of firework powered by gunpowder, producing a loud bang and a bright flash.
Hold on, why did she bring that?
“I am the senior disciple of Moonlit Pavilion, remember?”
“But the amount of gunpowder Moonlit Pavilion is allowed to possess is strictly regulated. Are you sure you can use that? Will you get in trouble?”
“Who cares? This is an emergency. It’s better to use it than let it gather dust.”
She had a point. The Imperial Palace strictly controlled gunpowder production.
Even in “Heaven’s Mandate”, any gunpowder obtained had to be turned over to the authorities.
Of course, you were rewarded with cavalry, elixirs, or rare attire depending on the amount you handed in.
“I’ll use my lightness skill to get there as soon as it goes off.”
Was she being clever or cunning?
She seemed to sense the meaning behind my scrutinizing gaze. Flashing me a playful smile, she lightly grabbed my arm.
“Now then, shall we head back, esteemed member?”
“Hm?”
What was that?
Was there a glint of mischief in her eyes?
Must be my imagination.
“Time for your Taekkyeon lesson! As you’ve heard, it’s important to be able to defend yourself in case of an emergency, right? So, I’ll teach you properly!”
Her eyes were filled with earnestness.
…Looks like I’m in for a tough time.
As soon as the lunch rush ended and we had a moment to breathe, Caijin dragged me to the backyard.
I had some matters to attend to, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Honestly, you’re so pushy.”
“Did you know that a day without training sets you back three days in martial arts? I might have guided you through the movements of Cai family’s Taekkyeon yesterday, but you haven’t fully grasped it yet.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“Then what are you waiting for? Get ready.”
Caijin extended her hand, and the objects scattered around the courtyard were pushed against the wall, clearing a space for us.
Telekinesis. It was said that only those who had surpassed the level of first-rate martial artist could manipulate objects with their internal energy like that. Seeing her execute it so effortlessly was a testament to her strength.
“Tsk.”
She had a point. It was true that neglecting one’s training led to regression.
Even in “Heaven’s Mandate”, neglecting practiced skills resulted in a decrease in proficiency. I promptly assumed the stance.
Caijin stood beside me, extending both hands. Her left hand, representing Yin, pointed downwards, while her right hand, representing Yang, pointed upwards.
The left hand initiated the movement. As if demonstrating the birth of light from darkness, her left hand slowly carved out a sphere of influence.
Simultaneously, my body was subjected to an invisible force, a pressure that intensified with each passing moment.
“Ugh…”
“Embrace the flow. Forgive my forceful approach, but time is of the essence. This is the quickest method. You can contemplate the deeper meaning later.”
Her left hand moved with a gentle, flowing motion, and I mirrored it with my own.
A slow, circular motion.
As my outstretched hand encompassed the sphere of influence, her right hand, previously held back, surged forward, injecting Yang into the Yin-dominated space.
“All things are formed through the interplay of Yin and Yang. They are inseparable, perpetually cycling through creation and destruction.”
-Whooooosh!!
The two spheres of influence clashed, generating a small vortex of energy.
Within that vortex, I continued to move my hands, and Caijin and I slowly shifted into a stance where we faced each other directly.
My left foot anchored the sphere of influence, while my right foot twisted it.
“Extremes oppose each other, yet their clash signifies unity.”
-Swoosh!!
My hand shot forward, aiming for Caijin’s head. She effortlessly deflected it with a simple movement of her hand.
Before my arm, momentarily suspended in mid-air, could return, Caijin spun gracefully, her back pressing against my chest. I stumbled backward, regaining my balance.
But she didn’t stop there.
“This is what we call Taekkyon.”
With a single, effortless gesture, my body was lifted into the air. Yet, there was no impact when I landed. Her right foot had gently cushioned my descent.
Flashing a mischievous smile, Caijin launched me back into the air with a flick of her foot.
“Ugh.”
As I spun through the air, propelled by an unseen force, I instinctively extended my right hand.
Caijin’s left hand intercepted it, catching it effortlessly and pulling me towards her. This time, our positions were reversed; my back was pressed against her chest.
I mimicked her previous move, pushing her away with my back, and as she stepped back and extended her hand once more, I caught it and pulled her upwards.
“The Yangtze River flows gently, yet its power is immense. One does not require brute force to control it. Remember the principle of ‘Unbending Strength Through Yielding’. All that is needed is willpower.”
Despite the minimal effort she exerted, Caijin soared through the air, her skirt billowing as she spun.
“The gentleness born from the clash of extremes can shift the might of a raging river. This is what we call ‘Gentle Illusion Form’. Remember this well, for it is the name and core principle of the first form of Cai family’s Taekkyeon.”
“Hmm… This is difficult.”
“Once you master this, you will gain a rudimentary understanding of the principles of ‘Four Ounces Deflecting a Thousand Pounds’ and ‘Blending with the Opponent’. As someone lacking internal energy, Innkeeper Yoo, this is a skill you must acquire…”
-Whooooosh!!
Landing gracefully, Caijin extended her long leg in a swift kick. I blocked it with my hand and retreated, but her attacks grew increasingly relentless, pushing me back.
The force behind her strikes intensified, pushing me to my limits.
“Like a lotus blooming from mud, truth can be found amidst adversity…”
Pain etched its mark upon my flesh, forcing the movements into my memory.
As her long leg, previously aiming for my head with fluid grace, suddenly shifted downwards and brushed against my ankle, I tumbled to the ground.
“This is how one learns ‘gentleness’,” she declared.
I’m more likely to learn what muscle aches are before I learn gentleness at this rate.
It was only after an intense training session, after completing the first form of Cai family’s Taekkyeon, that Caijin finally released me from her relentless pressure.
“You alright?”
“Hmm. I’ll live.”
“Good. Now then…”
Grinning, she held up all ten fingers.
“Let’s do that ten more times!”
“…Ten more times?”
“Yes! Ten more!”
As night fell, Hongseongmun sent their promised protectors.
Sayoon and Yoohee.
The heavens had answered my prayers.
“We’ll be staying near you tonight, Innkeeper… Is that alright?”
“Of course.”
“That’s a relief. But… You look unwell. Are you feeling ill?”
“…My instructor is a bit… intense.”
Determined to demonstrate the true meaning of rote learning, Caijin had subjected me to countless repetitions of the Gentle Illusion Form, the first form of Cai family’s Taekkyeon, before finally releasing me.
“Don’t worry if you don’t understand it with your mind! Your body will remember!”
Those were her words, spoken with a cheerful smile as I lay gasping for breath after the seventeenth repetition of Gentle Illusion Form.
But why had she made me do it so many times when she said ten?
I sincerely hoped that the familiar scent of a drill sergeant emanating from this unfamiliar woman was just my imagination.
As I chuckled weakly, Sayoon, flustered, forced a smile in return and, along with Yoohee, headed towards the backyard of the inn.
Why? There were empty rooms inside the inn.
Confused, I watched as they spread out a large straw mat and an old sleeping bag in the yard.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to sleep here. Your room is up there, right?”
“Well… Yes?”
The window she pointed to was indeed connected to my room. I nodded, and she patted the sleeping bag as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“I’m used to sleeping outdoors. Besides, I’ll be training before I go to sleep… You’re okay with this, right, Senior Sister Yoohee?”
“Of course.”
Sayoon reassured me with a bright smile, adding that even if something happened, they could see everything from here, and scaling the wall would be child’s play for them.
“But why not just sleep inside?”
“No! No! I can’t possibly do that! I’m here to protect you, not to relax comfortably in your inn!”
Wow.
What could I possibly say to that?
Guilt gnawed at my conscience, making my heart ache.
What grudge did those villains have against such a kind, responsible girl…?
“W-well, it’ll get cold at night. Shall I at least build a fire for you?”
“Huhu. It’s alright.”
Sayoon proudly gathered the firewood she had brought with her. Holding up a fire starter, she declared with unwavering confidence,
“I’m very experienced with this!”
Secretly wiping away a tear, I couldn’t help but marvel at the sight of this young girl, so confident in her vast experience with sleeping outdoors.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
