Chapter 39
“Older Brother…… Could you go a little slower?”
“Why is your stamina so bad for someone so young?”
“No, why are you talking about age when there’s only a few years difference between us?”
“Shut up. When I was your age, I used to pull out giant treeson the side of the road, chew on rocks, and walk back and forth across the Ten Thousand Great Mountainsfive or six times to digest them. Do you know how important each year is?”
“Ha…… Forget it. Let’s not talk. Talking about the Ten Thousand Great Mountains like that, really. Do you even know where that is? It’s the Demonic Cult’s stronghold, a sacred place! If outsiders wander around carelessly, they’ll get stabbed by Demonic Cult members. What the h*ll are you talking about!”
It was me, Yeon-u, who did the stabbing.
I wanted to say that, but I just laughed.
“You’re a martial artist too, so listen carefully. The most important thing for a martial artist is stamina. Innate talent? Physique? Comprehension? Divine Art training? That’s all secondary. Stamina is mental strength, and mental strength becomes fighting spirit. If you want to become a first-class martial artist, before practicing fancy sword techniques, train your basic physical strength.”
“Older Brother…… Aren’t you going too far? To be blunt, I think a lack of stamina can be compensated for with internal energy. Conversely, I think if you’re obsessed with stamina and neglect the fundamentals of martial arts, you can never become a master.”
Yeon-u……
When the topic of martial arts came up, he expressed his opinion with a serious expression.
Of course, Yeon-u’s words aren’t wrong either.
Naturally, if you only focus on increasing stamina and neglect other things, you’ll get crushed when you meet an opponent of a higher level.
But……
“Yeon-u.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s think about it this way. Let’s say there’s an opponent whose martial arts are similar to yours or even a bit higher. Do you know what happens when your stamina surpasses your opponent’s?”
“Well…… I guess it would be advantageous to fight longer.”
“That’s it.”
“?”
“You’ve only ever had mock duels or formal matches with the softies of the Righteous Path…… But in a b*oody battle where life and deathare at stake, stamina is life. In reality, a life-or-death fight consumes more than double the stamina of a regular match, and it’s stamina that decides the outcome. The point is, sometimes stamina can overwhelm skill.”
“Ah……”
“Have you ever killed someone, or pushed someone to the brink of death, or crippled them?”
“No……”
“Then have you ever experienced having your tendons severed, your bones twisted, or bleeding to the point of near death?”
“Of course not.”
“That’s why you don’t know the value of stamina. With that weak body of yours, you’d probably lose even if you fought Il-dong right now.”
For a moment, Yeon-u stared at me with a serious expression.
“Older Brother.”
“What.”
“I understand that Kang So-hyeop is your younger brother. But aren’t I your younger brother too? But you’re saying I’d lose if I fought Kang So-hyeop? That hurts my feelings.”
“Why would your feelings be hurt? I’m just stating the truth. You can’t beat Il-dong.”
“Do you think I’m some kind of idiot? I may look like this, but I’m Cheongmun Sword Master of the Mount Hua Sect. The Grandmaster himself oversees my martial arts training. Furthermore, I’m currently learning the Fourteen Hand Plum Blossom Sword Technique. But what? Kang So-hyeop?”
“You seem to think Il-dong is an idiot. That’s because you haven’t been hit by him. If you get hit by him once, not just you, but even someone stronger than you would be knocked out at the very least.”
“Oh, come on! I can’t even talk. He’s going to die soon, but look at him praising his sect member just because they’re from the same Dawn Heaven Sect. That’s too much.”
As expected……
He’s the son of a successful martial arts family, so his pride is hurt when it comes to martial arts.
But I wasn’t trying to tease him.
‘It’s true though……’
Indeed, Yeon-u’s martial arts are sharper and more systematic than Il-dong’s.
Because of that, if they were to have a mock duel or a formal match, Yeon-u would win……
But what if they had a life-or-death fight?
The story would be different.
First, Il-dong overwhelms Yeon-u in terms of fighting spirit.
Furthermore, not to mention his resilience and stamina, he’s been using fireattribute energy quite well lately, so he wouldn’t be significantly behind in terms of internal energy either.
Then……
The one who has been hit more, been in danger more, and suffered more will win.
Since he started training, Il-dong has silently endured hardships that ordinary people could never withstand.
Even aside from physical factors, a rookie like Yeon-u wouldn’t be able to beat a tenacious guy like Il-dong in a life-or-death fight.
“Confidence is good.”
“……”
“Show that confidence with your movement technique.”
“Older Brother…… I said let’s go slowly……”
“Try to catch me. If you can’t, I’ll give you a Praying Mantis Chestnut.”
Papapang━!
I leaped into the air with Fast Whale Steps, leaving Yeon-u, who was sweating profusely, behind.
On this journey……
I intend to show Yeon-u what ‘extreme’ means.
◈ ◈ ◈
The next day━.
One day to Dongcheon without riding a horse.
For me, it wasn’t a bad run, and Yeon-u……
“Whew…… Don’t you get tired, Older Brother?”
Would the expression”skin and bones”be appropriate?
It doesn’t mean that his skin is literally stuck to his bones, but that he looks that exhausted.
“I do get tired. I had to carry you while you were passed out, kick your a*s again, encourage you, give you water and dried meat. You would have died on the road if it weren’t for me.”
“Whose fault is that! I’ve never experienced such hardship before. I couldn’t even sleep!”
“Someday, when the moment comes when you’re about to die from someone’s attack…… You’ll narrowly escape death thanks to today’s experience, and you’ll thank me then.”
Yeon-u made a dumbfounded expression and then shook his head, but he should really be grateful to me.
Indeed, this journey was the first time Yeon-u experienced ‘extreme’, and there’s a world of difference between those who have experienced extreme and those who haven’t, so wouldn’t my efforts have helped Yeon-u grow?
“Let’s go in.”
Anyway, after many twists and turns, Yeon-u and I arrived at Seokga Estate.
I heard rumors that it’s a famous rich family in Dongcheon.
I wondered if the rumors were understated, as Seokga Estate boasted an overwhelming scale and elegant architectural style.
“Young Master! What happened?”
“Uh…… Why, Third Manager?”
“No…… You look like you’re sick.”
“……No, I’m not. I just pushed myself too hard on the way here, so I’m a little tired……”
As soon as we entered the house, a man with graying hair called the Third Manager approached us and expressed concern upon seeing Yeon-u’s appearance.
“First…… Please come inside, Young Master. You too, guest.”
Following the guide, I passed through a flower garden filled with colorful flowers in full bloom, and a pond made of natural stones that looked luxurious at first glance, before finally reaching a pavilion that had a neat and clean feel.
“Third Manager. Is the Clan Head alone in the Clan Head’s office?”
“No, Cheongmun Sword Master is also there.”
“Ah! That’s good. Older Brother, let’s go in.”
“Okay.”
Cheongmun Sword Master.
If he were to find out……
That I was the one who assassinated the Mount Hua Sect Leader, what kind of expression would he make?
◈ ◈ ◈
“Welcome, Jin Dae-hyeop!”
“I’ve heard a lot about your name. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
First of all.
Clan Head Seok Dae-bang seemed like a rigid person.
With thick, dark eyebrows, a resolute gaze, and a stubborn-looking jawline.
In short, he seemed like a person with a strong will, but to put it nicely, he seemed like a stubborn and inflexible old geezer.
On the other hand, Cheongmun Sword Master was different from what I had expected.
‘Rather than the typical virtuous air of a Taoist priest…… He seems quite shrewd.’
Great Mount Hua Sect, one of the Seven Great Swordsmen, Cheongmun Sword Master.
What was his impression on me, I wonder……
It felt like he was pretending to be easygoing, but inside, a snake was coiled up.
To put it nicely, he’s a seasoned master who’s not easily fooled, and to put it sarcastically, he doesn’t seem like a completely good person.
Anyway, my intuition perceived the two of them that way.
“I am Jin So-cheon, Sect Leader of the Dawn Heaven Sect.”
“Please, have a seat.”
A moment later……
Several servants began to bring out expensive Golden Bell Liquor and all sorts of delicacies as appetizers.
Usually, I thought these refined gentlemen would drink teaor something like that, but seeing them about to open a bottle of liquor right away, I guess people are all the same wherever you go.
“Jin Dae-hyeop. First of all, I’m truly glad to meet you. I’ve heard a lot from Yeon-u. That you possess earth-shattering martial arts and are also righteous. As a fellow Shaanxi martial artist, I’m grateful that a noble person like you has appeared in a small city like Chang’an.”
Clan Head Seok started the conversation with praise that was embarrassing to hear.
“I don’t know what you’ve heard, but you flatter me. I don’t have earth-shattering martial arts, nor am I a righteous person.”
“Haha. You’re being humble. Didn’t you annihilate the bandits, mountain bandits, and ruffians near Chang’an and even deal with the Black Society single-handedly? When such heroic tales spread throughout the Central Plains, people will hail you as a hero.”
“I’m not interested in playing hero, but…… Thank you for the kind words.”
“Would you like some liquor?”
“I can’t drink enough.”
“Have a drink.”
Clan Head Seok offered me a round of drinks, followed by Cheongmun Sword Master and Yeon-u.
Afterward, he explained the impact the Black Society subjugation would have on Shaanxi and the connection between the Black Society and the Cult of the Evil Path, and as expected, it seemed that the Black Society and the Cult of the Evil Path weren’t blood brothers or directly affiliated organizations.
“The Demon Slayer Baek Gui-ho, whom Jin Dae-hyeop killed, was once a member of the Cult of the Evil Path in his younger days. That’s all there is to it, as he used the connections of the Cult of the Evil Path to receive financial support during his independence, so the Cult of the Evil Path won’t directly question the Dawn Heaven Sect regarding this matter. Also, Seokga Estate was involved in this matter, and as you know, our main family has a secular relationship with the Mount Hua Sect, so the Cult of the Evil Path won’t be able to act rashly.”
“That’s good.”
“Of course……”
“……”
“This only means that the Cult of the Evil Path won’t come to the forefront, not that they’ll do nothing and stand by.”
“I understand what you mean.”
“Sect Leader Jin. They will use a second Black Society to threaten the Dawn Heaven Sect. So…… How about forming an alliance with our main family at this opportunity?”
Suddenly……
Yeon-u’s eyes flashed.
Apparently, Yeon-u didn’t expect this, and I was also taken aback.
‘An alliance……’
It’s definitely beneficial for the Dawn Heaven Sect.
Seokga Estate has prestige, scale, and above all…… Don’t they have a lot of money?
If we have a deep relationship with them, we’ll get a lot of benefits here and there.
But……
“Clan Head Seok. It would be an honor, but……‥ Due to the nature of the Dawn Heaven Sect, it seems difficult to form an alliance with other sects or martial arts families yet.”
“May I ask why?”
The reason is……
Because the Clan Head’s intentions are obvious to me.
I know.
This strategy probably didn’t come from the Clan Head’s mind, but from Cheongmun Sword Master’s…… That old man’s mind.
‘He’s trying to win over the unpredictable maverick to his side before he gets bigger.’
That sly old fox.
Of course, even if his intentions are completely pure, I’m not really interested.
Still, considering Yeon-u’s face, I spoke as vaguely as possible.
“Although I am the Sect Leader of the Dawn Heaven Sect, I need to discuss the management policy with the Medical Hall Master, the Vice Sect Leader, and the two General Managers. Therefore, how about we talk again when the opportunity arises?”
Fortunately,
“Hmm…… I understand the Sect Leader’s intentions. Please let me know when your mind is open.”
Clan Head Seok was quick-witted and didn’t push further.
At that moment.
“Then it seems that the matter regarding the Black Society subjugation has been settled for now…… Sect Leader Jin. As your senior in the martial world, I’d like to ask you something.”
Cheongmun Sword Master, who had been silent, spoke up.
“Yes.”
“You might not like how this sounds, but…… This old man is a martial arts fanatic.”
What’s he trying to say?
“Yes.”
“Because of that, among the many martial arts scattered throughout the world…… I pride myself on being particularly knowledgeable about rare unarmed combat techniques. I’m also acquainted with the Fist King, who is called the best external martial arts master.”
“Yes.”
“But I heard that your unarmed combat skills are at an earth-shattering level. If you truly subdued all the members of the Black Society with your bare hands, I believe you must have learned a great divine art.”
“……”
“May I ask about the originof your specialty, unarmed combat?”
“You’re mistaken, Master.”
“……?”
“My specialty is not unarmed combat, but swordsmanship.”
“……So you’re saying you’re a swordsman, not a fist fighter?”
That’s right.
It’s hard to call me a swordsman specifically because I’m too good at other things as well, but……
In my past life, with a single sword……
I became the Greatest Assassin of All Time.