Chapter 3 Coming to Know

Chapter 3 Coming to Know

“Is he really okay? He seemed to be in so much pain…”

Song Chae-ji sighed inwardly at the words, which clearly showed deep concern.

The most important issue right now shouldn’t be the mysterious man they’d just brought in yesterday, but the girl herself.

Her kind and altruistic nature was a source of worry.

“Dang-a. Yang So-dang. That man is a man, but right now, I should be worrying about you.”

“But…”

Yang So-dang’s eyes, as she trailed off and looked at Song Chae-ji, were filled with trust.

It was a belief that with Song Chae-ji, her problems would be solved.

“W-well, of course, if you do your best, it won’t be a problem, but…”

“Ah, he’s out!”

“…just in case, Dang-a, we should go together.”

If this place is reality, what should I do from now on?

The clear thoughts, as if the brain-searing pain had been a dream, allowed Namgung-woo to objectively analyze his current situation.

First, I know this place is reality.

But what happened to me?

Did my consciousness possess a body within the Chullok Murim Game?

Or did I fall into a completely different world with the Game’s body?

Since it was similar to situations he’d occasionally read in novels, Namgung-woo quickly accepted the given reality and began to analyze the situation.

It was clear he possessed the body of a Chullok Murim character. This was evident from the energy flowing within him, and from the fact that he could immediately control his eyes.

But that was all Namgung-woo could ascertain.

The information available was too scarce. He could certainly form a few more hypotheses, but determining which was correct would be a matter of gradual discovery.

For now, it’s best to focus on what’s right in front of me.

Gathering information was urgent.

As Namgung-woo emerged, having organized his thoughts, he was greeted by the sight of Yang So-dang rushing towards him, followed by Song Chae-ji, who was rubbing her forehead.

Realizing belatedly that they had saved him, Namgung-woo clasped his hands together in the manner he would have in Chullok Murim rather than reality. It was a different form from a Cupped Fist Salute; a more formal Cupped Hand Salute.

“I have received great assistance. I will certainly repay this kindness.”

Even if he were to sleep rough on the streets for a hundred days and nights with a Chullok Murim body, he wouldn’t even catch a cold, let alone muscle aches. Yet, the mere fact that they had shown him kindness by offering him shelter made Namgung-woo feel indebted.

At Namgung-woo’s sincere Cupped Hand Salute, Song Chae-ji immediately decided on a matter she had been pondering in her heart.

Song Chae-ji clenched her right hand into a fist and placed it against the palm of her straightened left hand. It was a Cupped Fist Salute, a basic greeting among Martial Artists.

While there was a slight difference in meaning from the Cupped Hand Salute, they were consistent in showing respect.

“No, it is I who wish to apologize for speaking so rudely.”

“Not at all. You had every reason to be wary of a stranger.”

“I’m simply grateful for your understanding. It’s late, but let’s introduce ourselves. My name is Song Chae-ji. And this is Dang-a…”

“I’m Yang So-dang!”

Yang So-dang shouted her name, raising her hand high.

Despite the chaotic circumstances, Namgung-woo found himself smiling at her lively demeanor.

“I will not forget the kindness you’ve shown in saving me.”

Though they appeared to be only in their mid-teens, Namgung-woo used respectful language out of deference to his benefactors.

Perhaps hearing respectful language from an elder felt awkward. Yang So-dang giggled shyly and subtly hid behind Song Chae-ji.

“Ehehe, it was nothing…”

“Then I should introduce myself. I am…”

Just as Namgung-woo shifted his gaze from Yang So-dang back to Song Chae-ji, about to reveal his name.

Crash!

With a violent crash, the door burst open.

“Those bastards…”

Song Chae-ji’s expression hardened, a clear sign that what she had feared had finally arrived. Clenching the sword at her hip, she turned her body.

“My apologies, but introductions will have to wait.”

Before Namgung-woo could reply, Song Chae-ji took a step.

Beyond Song Chae-ji, who stood defiantly at the doorway, a group of figures came into Namgung-woo’s view.

“How rude. You’ll have to compensate us for the door’s repairs.”

“Hmph, this Inn was going to collapse anyway. Just think of it as us preparing for demolition, eh?”

“Isn’t that right!”

Cheers erupted from behind the man, egged on by his shouts.

It looked like an Inn, but there wasn’t a single guest. So this is why.

Namgung-woo’s eyes quickly scanned his surroundings.

The interior of the building was clean, as if it had been regularly maintained, but there were no signs of human activity.

That group must have been disrupting their business.

That Namgung-woo’s guess was correct was evident just by looking at Yang So-dang’s complexion.

Perhaps because her reliable protector, Song Chae-ji, had moved away, Yang So-dang’s face had turned pale.

“What trouble do you have with those men?”

Namgung-woo asked, stepping closer to Yang So-dang. However, the commotion at the door spread faster than Yang So-dang could reply.

Song Chae-ji’s furious voice rang out, as if she had cast aside her last shred of politeness and abandoned all respectful speech.

“Fine! If you insist on pushing this to the end, then let’s settle it with a Martial Arts Duel, as agreed!”

As if they had been waiting for Song Chae-ji’s spirited challenge, the group smirked subtly and retreated from the doorway.

Namgung-woo watched the process, roughly understanding how the situation had unfolded.

“So, you’re having a dispute with them over this place.”

“…Haa. I’ve shown you an unsightly display.”

Song Chae-ji, who had been about to say something to Yang So-dang, looked towards Namgung-woo, who had spoken first.

“I had no intention of involving you. Fortunately, those men didn’t come inside, so they probably didn’t notice you were here. There’s a back door, so you can leave without being seen.”

Had she immediately blocked the doorway when they arrived to hide Namgung-woo? Song Chae-ji’s consideration ran deeper than he expected.

Song Chae-ji intended to exclude Namgung-woo, a third party, at this point, but Namgung-woo did not simply leave.

“It seems you are in conflict with those ruffians.”

“Hmph… well, it’s not really something to hide. Yes, that’s right.”

According to Song Chae-ji’s subsequent explanation, those men belonged to the Black Bear Faction, an Unorthodox Faction that held a tight grip on this county. They were apparently trying to forcibly buy the Inn, owned by Yang So-dang’s father, for an absurdly low price.

Through her explanation, Namgung-woo learned two facts.

First, the location. According to Song Chae-ji, the place Namgung-woo was currently in was a village called Pingyao County, located in Shanxi Province.

Second, this was not within Chullok Murim. Even though Namgung-woo prided himself on having wandered throughout the Central Plains, the setting of Chullok Murim, he had never heard of a sect called the Black Bear Faction.

Even if there were many Mid-to-Small Sects that operated in their own leagues within small counties, Song Chae-ji’s words suggested the Black Bear Faction was somewhat known in Shanxi Province. For Namgung-woo not to know them could only mean this was a world separate from Chullok Murim.

“Then shouldn’t you ask the authorities for help?”

In the Martial World, there was a famous adage.

Non-Interference Between Officials and Martial Artists. The authorities do not interfere with the Martial World.

To put it more elegantly, Well Water Does Not Invade River Water, meaning well water does not intrude upon river water.

To Namgung-woo’s question—how could Martial Artists act so openly, disregarding the authorities, even if many of them used force and exploited the common people—Song Chae-ji answered curtly.

“It’s no use. If they haven’t moved even with things escalating this much, it means they’ve already corrupted the County Magistrate. And more importantly…”

Song Chae-ji tapped the sword at her hip, emphasizing its presence.

“I am also a Martial Artist. If I reported them to the authorities, I would lose the justification to insist on the Martial World’s ways. This is better than that.”

Rather than relying on the uncertain authorities, she would trust her own martial arts.

For a Martial Artist living in the Martial World, it was the perfect answer.

How could someone who lives in the Mountain of Blades and Forest of Swords, with a single sword as their companion, lack faith in their own martial arts?

Thus, Song Chae-ji demanded a Martial Arts Duel from the Black Bear Faction. In modern times, it would cause an uproar as vigilantism, but in the Martial World, it was an everyday occurrence.

There was much more he wanted to ask, but their time was up. Shouts and laughter drifted in from outside the door.

Song Chae-ji’s brow furrowed at the mocking tone, which was not only disrespectful but arrogant.

“There’s no time. Dang-a, please bring the mister out. And…”

“I will also observe.”

As Song Chae-ji’s eyes turned to him, Namgung-woo stated firmly.

Namgung-woo had no reason to leave. First, the two women were his benefactors. Second, the opportunity to witness the strength of Martial Artists in this unknown world was something Namgung-woo welcomed.

“…Do as you wish. But I can’t take responsibility for you. Just looking after Dang-a is enough for me.”

“It’s fine. Your consideration alone is more than enough.”

As Namgung-woo spoke with a faint smile, Song Chae-ji flinched back with a small ‘Eek!’

“Ahem, ahem. W-well then, let’s go.”

Perhaps due to the urgency of the moment, Song Chae-ji’s movements were somewhat flustered.

Namgung-woo followed behind Song Chae-ji, a faint smile playing on his lips.