Chapter 37
Dongcheon, Seokga Estate━.
“Th-This…… How could this have happened?”
200 figures entering Seokga Estate.
Seeing them, Clan Head Seok Dae-bang’s eyes widened like lanterns, filled with surprise.
“Clan Head-nim. These are the remnants of the Black Society’s Xingping branch. The Haman branch is currently empty, so these are all the remaining members of the Black Society.”
The figures who entered Seokga Estate were the Black Society remnants that Jin So-cheon had ‘taken care of’ and the members of Seokga Estate who had been away on a trip to Chang’an.
“Warrior Jang. So, are you saying that the members of the main family apprehended them on their own?”
“No, sir.”
“No?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then……?”
“……Well, that is.”
What’s going on?
Usually, the upright and straightforward Warrior Jang was hesitant, causing Seok Dae-bang to frown in frustration and ask again.
“Warrior Jang. What is it that you’re stammering about? Speak frankly.”
“……Clan Head-nim.”
“Speak.”
“These were all dealt with by Dawn Heaven Sect Leader Jin. Out of a total of 150, about ten died tragically, and the main family and Dawn Heaven Sect disciples took care of the aftermath. Among the rest, excluding those with serious injuries, the others were captured alive and brought here.”
For a moment, Seok Dae-bang was dumbfounded.
It’s only been a few days since the Dawn Heaven Sect Leader dealt with Blood Demon Blade Gwak Seong-ho and Demon Slayer Baek Gui-ho at the Xi’an branch……
Also, I heard that the Sect Leader was severely injured and recuperating.
“Warrior Jang. The Dawn Heaven Sect that I heard about from Yeon-u…… They said there was no one strong besides the Sect Leader. But you’re saying that they subdued these people with just the disciples’ strength, without the Sect Leader?”
“No, Clan Head-nim.”
“???”
“Sect Leader Jin dealt with all of these people alone.”
“What?”
“Just like how he handled the Xi’an branch single-handedly…… Sect Leader Jin took care of these people alone as well……”
“……”
‘What in the world……’
Suddenly, Seok Dae-bang’s mind became confused.
How.
How could a single, unknown young martial artist make such extraordinary moves alone?
‘Something……’
There’s definitely something special about him.
Jin So-cheon, as he had heard from his son, was indeed a man worthy of being called a hero.
His martial arts skills have already been proven by killing the infamous Demon Slayer Baek Gui-ho……
Seok Yeon-u said that he was an upright man who wouldn’t waver even in the face of a typhoon.
Therefore, Seok Dae-bang felt a strong curiosity about him and, on the other hand, was grateful that such a martial artist had been born in Shaanxi.
However……
‘I was wrong.’
Seok Dae-bang shook his head.
‘Jin So-cheon…… He’s not someone to be judged with such simple logic.’
Seok Dae-bang.
He’s a martial artist, a resourceful businessman, and a capable middle-aged man with experience in various fields. He’s a man who’s been through a lot in life.
The instincts of such an experienced martial artist,
‘Jin So-cheon. This man cannot be understood without seeing him in person…… No. He’s someone you can’t grasp without observing him for a long time!’
That’s what they were saying.
“Warrior Jang. I need you to bring Master right away. You interrogate these people and find out the extent of the connection between the Black Society and the Cult of the Evil Path.”
“Understood, Clan Head-nim. But will these people readily open their mouths? The Xi’an branch remnants we interrogated earlier are also playing dumb……”
“It’s alright to torture them.”
“U-Understood.”
“Because of this incident, our Seokga Estate, and broadly speaking, even the Mount Hua Sect, have become openly hostile with the Cult of the Evil Path. The Cult will send a message in some way soon, so keep that in mind and be especially on your guard.”
“Yes.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Seok Dae-bang headed out.
He wanted to inform his master of this situation as soon as possible and prepare for the future, but……
More than that,
‘I wonder what Master thinks of this man named Jin So-cheon.’
He wanted to discuss Jin So-cheon and his Dawn Heaven Sect with his master as soon as possible.
◈ ◈ ◈
“Brother!”
“Brother!”
“Brother!”
“Brother!”
Il-dong, Yi-dong, Sam-dong, and Seok Yeon-u returned to Dawn Heaven Sect.
They shouted with complaints towards Jin So-cheon, who was casually drinking bamboo leaf liquor in the main building with a calm face.
Jin So-cheon, the person involved, opened his mouth with a calm expression.
“What’s all the fuss about?”
Then, Il-dong snorted and said.
“Brother. You left me like that and…… You’re just drinking leisurely?”
“Il-dong.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll tell you what I’ve done in less than half a month, so listen.”
“Sure, let’s hear it.”
“I took care of all the Green Gang members, including their boss, Boar. I headed to the Black Society’s Xi’an branch and subdued 150 people, and I took the heads of Guardian Gwak and the Guild Leader, Baek Gui-ho. I pushed myself so hard that I was poisoned and unconscious for a week. As soon as I woke up, I went to the Xingping branch and wiped out the remaining remnants, and I came back that day and even took a walk with So-yun.”
“……”
“Do you know anyone besides me who’s this diligent, a workaholic, a mythical figure beyond hard work? No, of course you haven’t. Have you even heard rumors of such a person?”
At Jin So-cheon’s words, Il-dong couldn’t speak.
It wasn’t just Il-dong.
Yi-dong, Sam-dong, and even Seok Yeon-u couldn’t dare to say anything.
‘Brother……’
‘You’ve done so much.’
‘……It’s true, so I can’t even refute it.’
‘Come to think of it, it makes sense.’
Indeed.
Because Jin So-cheon always acted like his usual self……
His close associates weren’t even aware of how much he had accomplished in half a month.
But if you think about it, Jin So-cheon’s actions were truly unbelievable.
‘This is definitely……’
Not something that can be explained by the level of martial arts.
Surely, there are martial artists in the world who are stronger than Jin So-cheon.
No, there are probably countless more.
But a man with such determination……
Seok Yeon-u thought that he wouldn’t be able to find one.
‘No one but Brother could…… Do this. Strike while the iron is hot, but this isn’t just striking while the iron is hot, it’s like rewriting the history of Jianghu.’
Il-dong, Yi-dong, Sam-dong, and Seok Yeon-u once again realized Jin So-cheon’s ‘greatness.’
“Ahem. Anyway, I’ll acknowledge that you worked hard. But still! What’s a Sect Leader doing drinking in broad daylight? What if outsiders see you……”
Il-dong, who couldn’t help but acknowledge his eldest brother’s achievements, coughed and said.
Then, Jin So-cheon scoffed.
“Il-dong. What’s with your tone towards the Sect Leader? I told you. Call me Sect Leader-nim, not Brother. This isn’t some marketplace, it’s the Dawn Heaven Sect’s main building. How dare a mere disciple criticize the Sect Leader in broad daylight?”
“Ah……”
“I’m in a good mood today, so I won’t give you a chestnut, but be careful next time.”
“Um…… Understood. But, Sect Leader-nim.”
“What?”
“But why are you in such a good mood today?”
“I gained enlightenment.”
At Jin So-cheon’s words, Seok Yeon-u was more surprised than Il-dong, Yi-dong, and Sam-dong, and asked abruptly.
“B-Brother. Enlightenment? What kind of enlightenment did you gain?”
“Why? Can’t I gain enlightenment?”
“No! That’s not it…… It’s just that it’s amazing that someone who’s getting stronger every time I see them has gained enlightenment again. Isn’t enlightenment for a martial artist usually an ‘inspiration’ that comes only a few times in their life? But why do you gain such enlightenment like it’s nothing?”
“Yeon-u. Enlightenment is nothing special. It’s just about accurately observing where I am, how I can become stronger in the future, and what methods I can use to shorten that time. And when I finally find even a small result, that’s enlightenment.”
“Th-Then…… May I ask what it is specifically?”
“One year.”
“Huh?”
“In one year, I’ll become freaking strong. That’s all.”
“???”
“That’s all?”
“……”
Seok Yeon-u’s expression showed deep disappointment.
Seok Yeon-u has never experienced ‘enlightenment’ before.
He asked, hoping to get some clues about enlightenment from his brother……
But Jin So-cheon, true to his nature, ‘defined’ his enlightenment with a single sentence.
‘Sigh…… I’m a fool for believing that guy. He’s not an ordinary person in the first place. Yeah…… Someone like me can’t understand him even if I die.’
But still……
“Hehe.”
Seok Yeon-u laughed.
‘Brother in one year…… How much of a monster will he become by then?’
“Yeon-u.”
“Yes?”
“What’s the meaning of that laugh?”
“Huh? Ah…… It’s nothing……”
“I told you before, I’m not interested in men.”
“???”
While Seok Yeon-u was bewildered……
Swish━.
Il-dong, Yi-dong, and Sam-dong, who were standing next to him, quickly started to move away.
“Wh-What are you guys doing? I’m not like that! I’m not that kind of guy!”
Then, Jin So-cheon said to the Dongdong brothers.
“Il-dong, Yi-dong, Sam-dong. Be especially careful of Yeon-u.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Yes, Sect Leader-nim!”
“I’ll keep it in mind, I’ll definitely keep it in mind.”
It’s the moment when Seok Yeon-u’s eyebrows furrowed dangerously.
◈ ◈ ◈
“Hero Jin!”
“Sect Leader-nim!”
“Sect Leader Jin!”
……
I wondered what this was all about.
I soon figured out the source of this chaotic situation.
“Oh my! I can’t believe it. It was just the other day that you crushed the Green Gang, and now you’ve conquered the Black Society?”
“Huh! This is a blessing for the Chang’an martial world.”
“Sect Leader Jin. I confess, I thought that the Sect Leader and Dawn Heaven Sect were a ragtag group that suddenly appeared overnight. Of course, crushing the Green Gang was a big deal, but honestly, weren’t they just a bunch of street thugs? But I reflected after hearing that you conquered the Black Society. From now on, I, the Sect Leader of ‘Gakmun’, will serve Hero Jin, the Dawn Heaven Sect Leader, as a hero!”
Just half a day after the news about me spread……
Numerous martial arts school officials from Shaanxi, including Xi’an, Xingping, Mei County, and Mount Zhongnan, visited Dawn Heaven Sect.
“Please come inside first.”
I welcomed them sincerely, even though my head was buzzing.
Although there were no figures from prestigious righteous sects like the Nine Great Sects or the Eight Great Families among the visitors, I couldn’t neglect them as they were the heads of martial arts schools and sects with a much better historical background than Dawn Heaven Sect.
“Gil-bok.”
“Yes, Sect Leader-nim.”
“Bring the Medical Hall Master to the 7th floor VIP room right away. Oh, and call Young Master Seok and the Kang brothers as well.”
“Yes, Sect Leader-nim.”
Sigh……
First of all, I.
I don’t have the confidence to entertain all these people alone.
So, I decided to call the Dongdong brothers and Yeon-u, who were in the new building, and also to invite Master Dongbyeok.
“Huh! Sect Leader-nim. Dawn Heaven Sect has a Medical Hall Master now? I don’t think there was a Medical Hall during the founding ceremony.”
The head of ‘Jeongmu Hall’ asked in a puzzled voice.
I nodded and answered.
“That’s right. He’s someone I managed to invite with great difficulty.”
“Haha! If he’s someone that someone like Sect Leader Jin invited with great difficulty, he must be an elder with great medical skills and martial arts.”
“He’s like that.”
“Since my father is a doctor in Chang’an…… I know all the famous doctors around here. Who is the Dawn Heaven Sect’s Medical Hall Master?”
“It’s Master Dongbyeok Yi Si-jin.”
“Haha. Master Dongbyeok Yi Si-jin. Coincidentally, he has the same pseudonym and name as Master Dongbyeok, one of the three greatest doctors in the world, who wrote ‘Bonchohak’.”
“Yes. Because it’s him.”
“Huh?”
“That person is that person.”
“Hahaha! Sect Leader Jin, you’re a good joker.”
“……”
It seems our Medical Hall Master is quite something.
Whenever I feel inadequate……
I guess I’ll have to use the elder’s name.
