Chapter 86

“Brother, let’s depart.”

Kwangshin and Danwooseong had returned to their quarters after washing themselves at the waterfall. Since they intended to depart again immediately, they changed into their gray robes and tidied their quarters.

“The White Dragon Sect Leader was planning to come by to pay his respects. Is that still acceptable?”

Gwangshin glanced at Danwooseong.

“Yeonwol? What good could come of the White Dragon Sect Leader seeing me? Living in the martial world, we’ll meet someday anyway. Those destined to meet will meet.”

Still, Gwangshin seemed slightly troubled, leaving a brief letter on the table.

The note was extremely simple.

「Moon Child, we’ll meet in the martial world. Madman.」

The appearance of the Demon Sect signaled that the Mad Sect would move, and it also meant that the White Dragon Sect would begin its activities and meet them along the way.

Descending Qingyue Mountain, the fanatic asked.

“Brother, is there no good way to lure out those rats? If what you say is true, they won’t appear easily. They were wiped out once already below Qingyue Mountain.”

Dan Wuseong replied.

“There are many ways. Especially with you here, brother, if we lure them properly, it should work.”

“For example?”

After a moment to gather his thoughts, Danwooseong answered.

My friend is the eldest son of the Seopung Trading House, which has little connection to the martial world. And I am the son of the Eunha Trading Company. Naturally, I have ties to the Martial Alliance. I’ve received their help. Therefore, if we entrust the supplies the Eunha Trading Company sends as a token of gratitude to the Seopung Trading House to deliver to the Martial Alliance, it makes things flow naturally. After all, I’m the son of a trading company, and my friend is the son of a trading house. The supplies we send might contain weapons, or ample funds for support. The couriers will be handpicked elite… including, of course, my brother and myself. This will draw the attention of the Black Path, bandits, or the Demon Path. In any case, those who don’t want our support supplies reaching the Martial Alliance will make themselves known.”

“Sweet words indeed.”

“Indeed. If unimpeded, I will send the supplies directly to the Martial Alliance. After all, I imagine Lord Yu also requires substantial provisions. What do you say?”

Kwang-shin nodded.

“Not bad. You and I can handle the logistics together.”

“Exactly.”

Guangxin smiled faintly.

Thanks to the divine encounter with the Natural Wine Sect, Gwangshin had become noticeably younger. Even if he were the Chief Commander of the West Wind Bureau, no one in the martial world would recognize him.

Gwang-shin said.

“In that case, it would be best to proceed leisurely. As if we were only taking the safest routes.”

“I command the Eight Dragon Sect, a black-cloaked faction. You can spread rumors about the secret expedition through them. I’ll continue refining the personnel and details for the expedition.”

Kwang-shin nodded as if satisfied.

“Well, well, the martial world indeed. In that case, let’s go to your place first and see what the world has to offer.”

The major plan was thus decided. Gwangshin looked at Danwooseong and said.

“I never expected you to be the son of a merchant guild. I thought you were the offspring of a noble house or martial clan. Impressive.”

Kwang-shin seemed genuinely amazed that Dan Woo-sung had achieved such growth despite not being the heir to a martial arts sect or noble house.

The two did not hurry on their journey toward the Galactic Union. Secretly, they hoped to encounter a demonic path along the way.

Thus began the journey of the old man and the young man through the martial world. On their way back, Dan Wooseong deliberately stopped by the Taeho Trading Company to check on the company’s well-being once more and return Pan Gwanpil. Now, Dan Wooseong’s standing within the Taeho Trading Company was literally that of a stepson. Even during his one-day stay with the unidentified fanatic, he received the utmost hospitality. There was another purpose to the visit. The travel money given by the Taeho Trading Company had been completely burned up when Dan Woo-seong displayed his martial arts prowess. With an embarrassed expression, he explained the situation and had just received a generous new sum of travel money.

If Danwooseong had been alone, he would have simply gone, but he reasoned that to properly serve Senior Gwangshin on the journey, he would need a fair amount of money.

Of course, Taeho Trading wasn’t the kind of company to skimp on such expenses.

Thanks to that, the journey to Eunha Trading Company was surprisingly comfortable. Gwangshin, feeling rejuvenated, grew increasingly cheerful, and Dan Wooseong, whenever he had free time, diligently refined his Oryo Divine Skill before returning.

.

.

.

On the way back to the Galaxy Trading Company, Danwoo Sung glanced briefly at the underground training hall of the Cheolmyeongho.

Kwang-shin asked.

“Why? Is someone there?”

“Ah, there’s a guy I want to bring along as a bodyguard. Would you like to meet him? He’s a friend of mine—a training freak.”

“A training fanatic, huh… Let’s go.”

Danwooseong and Gwangshin descended into the underground training hall.

It had been quite a while since they last met Cheol Myeong-ho. Just then, in the center of the underground training hall, they saw Cheol Myeong-ho kneeling with his eyes closed. His earnest posture made him look like a great swordsman.

Cheolmyeongho would close his eyes like this whenever he paused his training, reviewing his past duels. His victories over the Eight Dragons Sect were becoming overwhelmingly frequent. This was partly due to consuming the elixir delivered by the Eight Dragons Sect Master during the fight, and partly because he had mastered the Three Calamities Sword Technique for real combat. Above all, he was a man exceptionally talented in the realms of combat and competitive spirit.

Therefore, whenever he closed his eyes like this, Cheol Myeong-ho was intoxicated, as if spellbound by the joy of the victories he had achieved.

Cheolmyeongho, sensing the footsteps descending the stairs sounded different than usual, guessed who the visitor was with his eyes closed.

Cheol Myeong-ho spoke in a tone that sank heavily.

“You’ve come.”

Danwooseong tilted his head.

“It’s me. Where is the Palryongmun Master?”

“He had business to attend to and returned to the Palryong Gate for a while.”

“Why is the atmosphere so solemn today? Are you possessed by demons?”

Cheol Myeong-ho chuckled softly.

“No way.”

Dan Wooseong and Gwangshin stood nearby, arms crossed, watching Cheol Myeongho. Gwangshin suddenly looked at Dan Wooseong and asked.

“What kind of guy is that?”

Kwang-shin was a man who wore his heart on his sleeve.

Danwooseong retorted.

“He’s the craziest bastard in this neighborhood, for starters.”

Kwang-shin nodded as if he understood.

“I see.”

Dan Wooseong said to Cheol Myeongho.

“Hori, how’s your training going?”

Cheol Myeong-ho opened his eyes and replied.

“Repeating it day after day. Painfully.”

“Did you take the wrong medicine or something?”

Cheol Myeong-ho completely ignored Dan Woo-seong’s words and looked at Gwang-sin.

“Who are you, sir?”

Kwang-shin had no words and just blinked his eyes.

Cheol Myeong-ho spoke as if he knew everything.

“Since the Crown Prince brought him, he must be a martial artist. Come up. Let’s have a go at it.”

Kwang-shin asked Cheol-myeong-ho.

“Out of the blue?”

Cheol Myeong-ho glared at Gwang Shin.

“Scared?”

Suddenly, Gwangshin began laughing like someone who’d swallowed air, then collapsed onto the floor, clutching his stomach for a long while. Then, pointing at Cheolmyeongho, he said.

“Ah, I like that. Good. Just like my crazy brother’s friend. Birds of a feather flock together.”

Cheolmyeongho looked at Danwooseong and snorted derisively.

“What? Why the opera-style speech?”

Dan Woosung retorted.

“You bastard, watch your mouth. Brother, would you do me the honor? I am Cheolmyeongho, the poisonous snake cultivating the Three Calamities Sword Technique.”

Kwang-shin replied as if he’d misheard.

“What are you training?”

“The Three Calamities Sword Technique.”

“Why would you—”

Cheol Myeong-ho interjected.

“Ah, so the Three Calamities Sword Technique is being dismissed here again. I’m Cheol Myeong-ho, a martial arts novice who’s only managed to swing it thirty-one thousand six hundred and eighty-five times. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

The number had increased so enormously it would have startled Danwoo Seong. He truly seemed to have devoted himself solely to training, like a madman.

Kwang-shin retorted.

“Alright. Let’s fight. You bastard.”

Dan Wooseong asked.

“Why are you so hyped up? Did you take down the Eight Dragon Sect Leader or something?”

Cheolmyeongho waved his fingers back and forth as he replied curtly.

“Not yet. My inner strength is insufficient. Even Ha Jeon-ik seems to have developed a competitive streak lately, running around trying to get my elixir. He’s realized the truth too—that if only my inner strength were solid, I’d become even stronger. I’ve realized it too. That I, fundamentally, am a strong man. I defeated the masters of the Eight Dragons Sect with just the Three Calamities Sword Technique. I’m even beginning to frighten myself. I suppose that’s what they call a genius.”

Dan Woo-sung sighed and scratched his forehead.

“You crazy bastard.”

This was the state of mind common among martial artists at the second tier level. It signified arrogance bred by a string of victories. They accepted their genius while attributing everything to insufficient inner strength. They presented a seemingly perfect logic: victory meant they were strong, defeat meant their inner strength was lacking.

Kwangshin, hands behind his back, ascended the martial arts stage and declared.

“Well, he’s a rather peculiar fellow, I must say.”

Kwang-shin kept tilting his head in puzzlement. He wondered if perhaps he was a master skilled enough to conceal his energy by reaching the level of the Old Flower-Hiding Spring. But no matter how much he thought about it, that couldn’t be it. He believed he was simply setting the mood.

Dan Woo-sung, worried, said to Gwang-shin.

“Brother, if you miss, that guy will die.”

Kwang-shin nodded as if to say not to worry.

“Got it.”

Cheol Myeong-ho shook his head vigorously, stood up, grabbed his black iron umbrella, picked up a wooden sword lying on the floor, and handed it to Gwang-sin.

“Brother, take this.”

Kwang-shin replied as he took the wooden sword.

“Thank you.”

Cheolmyeongho swung his black iron umbrella with practiced ease, making it hum as it moved.

“Frankly, around here, my only rivals left seem to be that guy and the Eight Dragon Sect Master.”

Dan Woo-seong interjected.

“Hey, Ho-ri. It’s far beyond your expectations…”

Cheol Myeong-ho raised his hand to cut off Dan Woo-seong.

“You never know until you try.”

Dan Woosung watched the situation, keeping his mouth shut.

Cheol Myeong-ho, who had been pacing the stage, pointed his iron-tipped umbrella at Gwang Shin and said.

“Now, may I proceed?”

Cheolmyeongho stared at Gwangshin with a deep, settled gaze. After all, unless you were a master of considerable skill, your wooden sword would inevitably break against the iron umbrella. Attacking at that moment would usually send you flying. It had always been that way, so his mind was calm.

Kwang-shin spoke, wooden sword raised.

“Come at me.”

Cheol Myeong-ho stepped forward with his left foot, channeling all his energy and momentum into a precise downward strike aimed at Gwang-shin’s head.

Boom!

The tip of the iron-tipped umbrella fell vertically in front of Gwangshin’s face. Of course, it couldn’t reach him.

Gwang-shin nodded.

“That bastard… he’s impressive.”

Cheolmyeongho swung the Samjae Sword Technique again, attacking Gwangshin. Yet the black iron umbrella remained untouched. Nor did the opponent move wildly. Moving almost as if taking a leisurely stroll, he was impossible to pin down.

Only after dozens of strikes did Cheol Myeong-ho fix his gaze on Dan Woo-seong.

Dan Woo-seong spoke curtly.

“Wake up!”

He meant to say that his opponent was an incredible master, so he needed to be fully alert. Only then did Cheolmyeongho swallow hard and charge at Gwangshin. This time, Gwangshin didn’t move either.

As Cheol Myeong-ho brought his iron-tipped umbrella down, he thought:

‘Let’s see if I can even hit the wooden sword.’

Whoosh!

As the iron-tipped umbrella descended with fierce momentum, Kwang-shin swung his wooden sword lightly, as if swatting a fly.

With a loud clang, Cheol Myeong-ho, still clutching the iron umbrella, was flung backward. He flew all the way to the wall of the underground training hall, crashed into it, and immediately passed out.

Gwang-shin glanced at his undamaged wooden sword and replied.

“You’ve trained with remarkable stubbornness. You’re an unusual one. Take him to the guard post. I’ll have him run errands for me.”

“Understood.”

Dan Woo-sung helped the half-conscious Cheol Myeong-ho up, gently infusing him with internal energy. Cheol Myeong-ho kept shaking his head as he regained his senses. He looked at Dan Woo-sung and asked.

“Am I dead?”

“Not yet.”

“Wow, that was close.”

“Myeongho, you just gained a divine opportunity.”

“A stroke of luck? What’s that?”

Danwooseong replied, gazing at Cheol Myeongho.

“An errand opportunity.”

ⓒ Yoo Jin-seong