Chapter 33 – The Dagger in The Bag (4)
Lately, although things have somewhat faded due to various circumstances, now that I have somewhat settled down. I was finally able to return to my original intentions. What, then, is my original intention?
Of course, it is to be the best in the world. If as a man born and having entered the martial world, isn’t this something one must aim for at least once? This was the reason I woke up at dawn.
The habit of waking up every dawn became the culprit that made my sleep flee even in a proper residence, not a mountain. Being able to focus on martial arts instead of farming is certainly attractive.
However, looking back, life in the city would be much more complex and difficult than I thought. Because, unlike Seochae, where self-sufficiency or barter was somewhat possible.
Here, money is absolutely necessary to eat and survive. The region of Hanam itself feels like the central part of the central plains. At least now, I have the money received from the Murong family.
It was evident that if I continue to use that money, I would eventually run out. Money may not be everything in the world, but to live a comfortable life, sufficient money is ultimately necessary……
‘Of course, since I am taking care of Sua, the Murong family will likely continue to send money. But relying on just one source of funds is not very desirable.’
With the Evil sect operating in the shadows now, nothing can be certain. A mishap could occur at the Murong family at any moment. But I first cut off all distracting thoughts.
“Now, I will focus all my nerves entirely on martial arts.”
What I currently have in my hands are the Three Disasters Sword Technique, the Spear-Sword Mind Technique, and the martial arts obtained from the Murong family. Although the martial arts of the Murong family did not suit me and could not be fully displayed.
I had already directly experienced the swordsmanship of the family head once before. And for reasons I do not know, I could somewhat understand the subtle principles within. Perhaps because I directly encountered it.
In any case, I followed the faintly connected enlightenment and swung my sword in the air according to my instincts. The sword energy of the Murong family, which embodies the principles of the dragon, pursuing the unity of attack and defense. The Righteous Dragon Flying Stream Sword Technique.
[A hundred words cannot compare to seeing once. One must be able to fully absorb the initial moves and subtle principles of an opponent one has encountered. That is… The qualification, and the immovable path I have chosen.]
The voice of the departed elder guiding me made it seem like I would soon grasp the subtle principles if I just tried a little harder. However, the sound of knocking on the gate shattered my meditation.
Clicking my tongue in regret, I obediently sheathed my sword and headed toward the gate. Wondering if it might be people sent by Yang Mi-yeon, I opened the door to find an unexpected visitor.
Skin as smooth as white jade, with black hair neatly tied back, even with a glossy sheen. An appearance beautiful enough to overwhelm ordinary women at a glance. If it were not for the boy’s clothing.
I would have certainly judged the boy to be a girl. Is this really the ‘pretty boy’ I had only heard about? Anyway, I was slightly taken aback by the unexpected visitor’s appearance.
I could not, however, turn the boy away at the gate. Looking at the boy’s appearance, I could easily guess that he was carrying an extraordinary story.
The clothes he wore were high-quality silk, but they were torn here and there, covered in dust and mud, much closer to a beggar than a young master.
“Have you eaten?”
“……I apologize, circumstances have not been favorable, so not yet.”
“We have not had breakfast either. If you do not mind, let us hold our spoons together.”
Usually, when a beggar knocks on the door, people either ignore them or, at best, give alms. Nevertheless, I chose to gladly bring the boy inside.
“What is your name?”
“I am called Namgung-yeon.”
As soon as I heard the boy’s name, I inwardly rejoiced. I do not know the details, but it is clearly related to the Namgung family. The Namgung family will naturally intervene.
What does this mean?
It means a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to target the Namgung family’s martial arts.
Of course, I would have to endure the sharp gazes of Sua and Seolhwa, who would wake from their sleep. But because of the boy’s appearance, Sua also could not strongly object.
It seems he had not eaten for several days. Namgung-yeon devoured the meal prepared by Sua without leaving a single piece. Thanks to this, I could not help but ask my curiosity.
“If the Namgung family is the leader of the Five Great families, also called the ‘Head of the Dragon.’ How did a blood relative of the Namgung family end up in this state?”
The Murong family has an excuse of having long-interrupted exchanges with the martial world. The Namgung family is the leader of the Righteous sect’s martial alliance, holding tremendous influence. That is why this nickname was given.
Head of the Dragon.
Even if he were a distant relative, one would expect to receive some level of treatment. No matter how I looked at it, coming here in this state did not seem normal.
“That is… I apologize, I cannot speak about it yet.”
“With such a topic, you seek help? How ridiculous!”
“Calm down, Sua.”
Sua eventually could not contain her anger and burst out, and Namgung-yeon, seemingly pricked in a sensitive spot, lowered his head. Looking at Namgung-yeon, I pondered for a moment.
“I will provide a room. Stay as long as you wish.”
The answer was as good as decided.
Because I had smelled it after a long time.
The scent of fate that I had forgotten until now.
While honing my martial arts, the memories left by the elder are gradually being untangled. Of course, the memories are not yet complete, but I know what I must do to move forward.
‘To directly clash with as many martial arts as possible and make their principles my own.’
By doing so, I can rise to a higher realm.
â—‡
The Sunmoo Academy in Hanam was once established to promote harmony between the Righteous and Evil sects, but now its meaning has greatly distorted. As they say, one mudfish can muddy the water.
Moreover, if there are dozens or hundreds of such mudfish, they can muddy not just a pond, but a lake. The current Sunmoo Academy is nothing more than a deceptively good-looking apricot, already rotten to the core.
The original purpose of observing and understanding the intentions of ancestors through martial arts and scholarship has long been hidden, leaving only a place of camaraderie for young Righteous sect martial artists.
It was natural for new discussions about a new academy to arise while various stories were being exchanged. Interesting rumors were circulating in the marketplace.
“I heard that the Sword Demon of the Evil sect is actually alive.”
“Isn’t it said that he even opened a new academy?”
“What nonsense. If that rumor were true, wouldn’t the Righteous sect directly take action?”
Naturally, no one entirely believed the marketplace rumors. The Sword Demon, known to have died decades ago, has not only returned but established an academy in Hanam?
“I do not deny the Sword Demon’s achievements, but no matter how great the Sword Demon is, establishing an academy here, where the Righteous sect’s Sunmoo Academy firmly holds control, would never be easy.”
“To begin with, the idea that the Sword Demon, who passed away decades ago, is still alive is absurd.”
Although it was nominally established to promote harmony between the Righteous and Evil sects, in their minds, the Sunmoo Academy had already been transformed into something belonging to the Righteous sect.
Just as they were chattering like sparrows gathered in groups, a boy in a navy blue silk outfit, sitting heavily like a hawk, spoke in a cold voice.
“Unnecessary marketplace rumors are not needed. Have you found what I mentioned?”
“Yes, we found it. Actually…”
“What problem is there now?”
“It seems he has entered the rumored academy.”
“Tsk, there is no paradise in the place one has fled. Has he not yet realized?”
His eyes, cooled to a chill, momentarily tinged with reminiscence, but it did not last long. As the boy maintained silence, one of the academy members, watching carefully, asked.
“Shall we send academy members to drag him back?”
“Leave him be. He must realize something on his own to return to his rightful place.”
“Understood.”
“Drink moderately and return. Do we not need to focus on our studies tomorrow?”
The boy rose from his seat with those words. Perhaps due to his intimidation, the academy members who had filled the place of harmony quickly dispersed like a receding tide.
“Brother, since the topic has come up, if we directly drag him back, wouldn’t this be a chance to firmly stamp our mark on the Namgung family?”
“But the Young Master has told us to stay still…”
“He could not directly order us! Moreover, it is not even difficult! At most, it is about dragging back one woman, what could be so hard?!”
However, among them, there are always those who harbor different intentions.
