episode_0018

“So that’s how it is. The world is truly grim.”

Acheong stepped firmly on the back of the rat-faced man.

“Please, spare me! Spare me!”

He tried to thrust the Moonlight Sword (No. 6) into him, but Seungsoo Dojang quickly intervened.

“Look here! Young man. No matter what, shouldn’t we show mercy?”

“Why? This is the only way to make use of trash in the world.”

“It’s all for the sake of righteousness. Wouldn’t it be better for those who walk the path to accumulate good deeds?”

Acheong slapped his hand.

“Ouch, I’m fine.”

Acheong tapped the back of the rat-faced man’s neck.

The graceful execution of the sword continued.

He had practiced a lot when there was nothing else to do.

“But why was I hit, sir? I spilled a bowl of blood. My friend didn’t even apologize.”

“Haha, youth.”

“Master! That’s not it, I saw it with my own eyes! Clearly! A despicable trick without a hint of falsehood! I swear by your honor, it’s the truth!”

Hwanyuk jumped up.

This was the most powerful type of promise among the words spoken by martial artists.

‘Swearing by the clan, it’s real.’

‘Swearing by the master, it’s real.’

It was a much more solemn declaration than using one’s mother as collateral in modern times.

“Haha, youth. How should I deal with this guy…”

“It’s the truth! Don’t deceive me! There must be a demon-like creature!”

“Youth, where would a demon be in this world? Shouldn’t those who cultivate the path behave like cultists?”

Wait, cultists?

Acheong tilted his head in confusion.

Isn’t cultists an English word?

In fact, cultists are similar but not the same as the words spoken by Confucius.

Roughly meaning a knockoff.

Despite Acheong’s confusion, Hwanyuk breathed fire full of injustice.

“No, Master, in the three thousand worlds where the three gods reside, the six generals exist, and the eight immortals exist, how can there not be a suspicious creature!”

“Ah, this cheeky fellow…”

Seungsoo Dojang’s beard stood stiff.

Hwanyuk seemed slightly less excited than usual.

“Why did you say before that ginger spirits were just made-up stories in the Mountain and Sea Scriptures! What about now! Wasn’t I right! Wasn’t my words true! The ginger that was in the Dongjeongho cave,”

“Oh my! Maybe a hit with a club will bring some sense to that head of yours!”

“Hmph.”

A martial artist’s sarcasm burst out lightly from Hwanyuk’s mouth.

But Acheong didn’t really understand.

Ginger spirits?

If it’s a spirit, isn’t it a body that hops around side by side?

But if the spirit is alive, it’s not a spirit, right?

Well, what do I know. Let’s see if there’s such a thing.

Acheong got to the point.

“Sir? Anyway, that guy doesn’t seem to have any intention of apologizing.”

“I am truly sorry to the righteous.”

Seungsoo Dojang said with a sense of shame.

Acheong smiled in reassurance.

“In return, shall we do a good deed together?”

—-

Acheong briefly explained the situation.

The child is being targeted, so they just need to get to the miscarriage. But it seems like these guys will continue to attack on the way.

Seungsoo Dojang had heard the rat-faced man talking about kidnapping before he died, so he readily nodded his head.

If the destination is the abandoned shrine, then the journey back won’t be easy. It will take at least three days.

Moreover, if the destination is the abandoned shrine.

Even though the abandoned shrine belonged to the mysterious Shinnyeomun faction outside the four gates, it was a respectable Dojo.

Dojos had a relationship like distant relatives.

Even if they didn’t know each other’s faces, there was a mutual respect.

And Hwanyuk really got hit with a stick.

It was a discipline that focused more on shame than pain.

Maybe that’s why, but the stick of the master had surprisingly no effect at all!

“You, monster, I now understand your true identity.”

“My true identity? That’s quite interesting.”

“Monster, you were undoubtedly the nine-tailed fox, Gumiho, who seduced the former king in the past and stained the heavens with blood. How you managed to deceive the master is beyond me, but it won’t work on me.”

“What are you talking about, you crazy man?”

“Truly dreadful. A monster that wears human skin and mimics their actions. I clearly saw the endless flesh flowing from those eyes that are full of deceit.”

It seemed like getting hit with a stick in broad daylight in front of people was quite unjust.

Acheong chuckled and raised his voice.

“Elder! This brat is spouting nonsense again!”

“This fool really can’t get his act together…”

“Master! I am unjustly treated! That fox…”

“Oh, even if I break all the branches of the mountains and rivers today, I must fix your delusions.”

“Ahh, you monster! I won’t forget this grudge!”

Hwanyuk shouted as he was dragged away.

It was quite understandable.

Hwanyuk saw it clearly.

But since people couldn’t see his true form, Acheong also didn’t know what he looked like.

Moreover, mirrors were not common in the Middle Realm like in modern times.

Bronze mirrors were cheap but didn’t reflect clearly, and silver mirrors with mercury or silver on glass were treasures that were as small as the palm of a hand but cost as much as a house.

Acheong was a wanderer, far from treasures.

He rarely saw his own reflection.

So he thought he was a bit lacking compared to other Dojos.

Meanwhile, the sight of the hotheaded No Doja hitting the well-built disciple’s calf was an unusual pleasure for the shaman Dojas.

After the Dojas left in a hurry, Acheong asked Yang Sowol.

“Madam, do you happen to know about Haomun?”

“Haomun… What do you mean?”

“The guy who predicted it said I’m Haomun. I don’t know much about it. Are they famous people?”

“Well…”

Yang Sowol hesitated before answering.

“I’m not sure either. I apologize for not being able to help you.”

“No, it’s okay. There are so many people talking about this and that, you can’t possibly know them all.”

Still, he was somewhat concerned.

It was the first time he had encountered someone using a bomb.

Wait, why are there bombs in a martial arts novel? Is this right?

At this rate, cannons and guns will come out too.

At that time, his eyes were already spinning and he was confused, but when he thought about it again, it was a truly eerie situation.

Moreover, having faced many villains, he could sense a different intent in the obvious tricks.

Confidence, or perhaps pride?

Acheong scratched his head.

His mind was at ease, so he was having unnecessary thoughts.

The journey with the shaman Dojas was comfortable.

There were a few attacks, but the Dojas rushed out and the situation was quickly resolved before Acheong could do anything.

Moreover, these days, strangely, his blood didn’t boil.

So he just relaxed and enjoyed the view.

The high school girl seemed a bit off.

It felt like there was a strange distance.

Even though she felt like she had made a mistake, she didn’t really know.

And so, the uneventful journey to the abandoned shrine drew near.

With about four days left until the end of their journey, there was a group blocking the path of the travelers.

At first, Achyeong didn’t pay much attention to them.

They couldn’t be bold enough to attack someone aiming for Jinjangmyeong, and from the looks of it, they didn’t seem like bad people in the first place.

A young man representing the group blocked the path.

His name was Seon-eop, 62nd in line.

Although his reputation as a skilled martial artist was high, he was one of the few Seon-eops Achyeong had seen so far.

The Seon-eop, So Dae-hyeop, and that young man.

Even if they were involved in evil deeds, as long as they didn’t cross into three digits, they weren’t considered completely bad.

So Achyeong felt at ease.

“Are you the Hyupgaek of the Mu-dang? Or perhaps you are Seon-eop So Dae-hyeop?”

“Oh, do you know me?”

“I am Yang Chaemu’s son.”

“Oh, a Yang traitor, no, the son of a Yang traitor! The last time I saw you, you were about four feet tall. Your face hasn’t changed a bit. You even remember the old man well!”

Achyeong realized that they were recognizing their father’s friend and exchanging greetings.

Perhaps that was why Seon-eop also smiled warmly.

“Ah, Dae-hyeop, how are you? I heard you entered the retirement home. Are you still in training?”

Yang Chaemu’s expression darkened.

“In fact, my father did not enter the retirement home.”

“Then what happened?”

“He fought with a cannibal and suffered a serious injury.”

“What! So, what are the details?”

“He was in a critical condition where his life couldn’t be guaranteed, but fortunately, he regained consciousness recently thanks to a great doctor.”

“Oh, that’s a relief. We almost lost a giant of the martial world.”

Seon-eop wiped his chest.

Then, with a touch of sorrow, he spoke.

“No, did you not pass on the news? If the Changasinhyeop is in critical condition, wouldn’t the Jangmunin spare no effort to save him?”

“It’s because of the vicious magicians. The medicine turned out to be poison, as the gods said.”

“The gods took care of it. That’s impressive! Impressive.”

“However, the gods said that the fabric of the Flame Magician was damaged.”

“The Flame Magician! That cursed magician!”

Flame Magician!

The members of the Mu-dang faction were shocked and murmured at the name.

Achyeong didn’t know what it was and just listened.

It’s not her place to interrupt with stories only they know.

But what is a Flame Magician?

Does fire come out of their hands or something?

That would be cool.

Come to think of it, there were also Volcano Masters, right?

Even Achyeong, who knew nothing about martial arts, had heard of them.

Flame Magician.

Since lava can overcome fire, are Volcano Masters stronger?

While Achyeong was lost in thought, the conversation continued.

“The fabric was damaged? Without taking the medicine? My goodness, what should we do then? Is there a solution?”

Upon hearing the news of his relative’s critical condition, Seon-eop looked grim and pressed for an answer.

“…There is a solution.”

“Oh! That’s a relief that there is one! So, what is it? Do I have a role to play in this?”

“The treatment is said to be the only one of its kind in the world…”

Yang Chaemu’s voice trailed off as he looked towards Achyeong.

Wait, something seems seriously wrong.

Achyeong felt a strong sense of foreboding.