episode_0139

“Hmm! Baldo’s posture is well balanced! This is an attitude that cannot be achieved with one or two days of training!”

“The physical development is also great! It’s really amazing!”

“Zero! I can’t believe there was such a thing as this! Why did it appear now?”

A series of sudden compliments!

“He looks like he is in his early twenties. At this rate, he could grow into a martial artist representing Sichuan Province in the future!”

“You can’t see it because of the bamboo lip, but judging by the atmosphere, it’s clear that his face is handsome too!”

“This award will be popular with women!”

So, this is… a faction recruitment, right? But why are these people soliciting membership coming to me and doing this? There are huge black cats and white giraffes for sale over there.

“It’s really amazing!”

“Anyway, I want it!”

“So I want it!”

“Now, wait! Wait!”

I raised my hand to stop him, but the people who encouraged him to join each sect didn’t pay any attention, and instead gave ignorant compliments and spouted out their own stories.

“No, these people told me to calm down!”

“Would you like to join us at Cheongun Gwan? Cheongwoon-gwan is a historic military officer who received a silver rating in battles to subdue bandits!”

“Sangilmun is a gate with a gold frame! Your skills are enough to become a disciple of our Sangilmun! If you sign up now, accommodation will also be provided!”

“We, Dodongpa, are currently inviting external experts to our festival! Not only accommodation but also settlement support is being paid!”

This is bad. Like an insurance solicitation call, I felt a very strong will to make it impossible for me to utter the option of refusing by just pouring out breathlessly. And countless handshake requests poured in… not paper!

“Sleep! Give it to me!”

One person came forward and started collecting papers, and when I looked at the front page, I saw the words [Sang Seo-moon Recruitment Proposal] written on it.

“Hehe, it hasn’t been long since I set up a stall on this street and began recruiting people, but this is the first time I’ve seen so many recruitment proposals pile up! Let’s brag about it later when we’re drinking.”

“…Hmm. Thank you.”

I had no intention of joining the Sichuan clan, but I was curious about the contents of the recruitment proposal. Just reading the proposal is something you can do.

“Don’t forget Dodongpa!”

“The conditions for business inquiries can be adjusted upward at any time, so please visit the main text!”

When the recruiters accepted the recruitment proposal, they left a single word and neatly withdrew.

To be honest, I was prepared for an armed conflict… but when I thought about it, it was an absurd assumption.

They were people who wanted to recruit me into their faction. Even if you make the best impression possible, is there any way that coercive measures would be used to sell the hat?

For seven years, every time I encountered a warrior from Sichuan Province, I would draw my sword and fight… When the warrior approached, I almost pulled out my weapon out of a spinal reflex.

Is it an occupational disease of its own?

The three of us quickly left the registration area.

“Hwiyu, what kind of fuss is this?”

“I’m glad it ended without any conflict.”

“It looks like there is a big change in Sichuan Province. It is rare for a political faction to actively recruit outside military personnel like this.”

“That’s right.”

I folded the recruitment proposal in half, put it in my pocket, and asked while buying skewers in front of a skewer stall. Since he is a person who does business in front of the monument, he must be familiar with the rumors in the area.

“What’s all the fuss about? Can you find out what is happening in Sichuan Province?”

The stall owner, who had been watching the commotion earlier, laughed and said.

“Are you asking about the recruiting officers?”

“That’s right.”

“After the suppression of the fortress bandits, the Sichuan martial arts world is in chaos! Do you know about the boundaries of clans?”

“That’s right. I also heard that a secret martial arts competition will be held later with a platinum plaque. What I want to ask is why are there so many people recommending joining a sect in front of the subjugation monument?”

“Haha That’s because outsiders are visiting Sacheon Castle after hearing rumors about the fortress.”

“…Hmm?”

“What is happening in Sacheon right now? The warriors of Sichuan Province united in unity to subdue bandits. The revenge story of the Hongjuk-gunhyeop and the Yeoliye Daehyup unfolding against the backdrop of Sichuan Province! Jambongmun and the fall of Golden Street!”

After speaking to this point, I stopped and looked at the street vendor rubbing his fingers and purchased additional skewers.

This guy is good at tricks.

“This is enough news to make the warriors excited. There are more than a few foreigners who visit Sichuan Province to cultivate their spirit and receive the spirit of Sichuan’s heroes.”

“Um.”

This was something I didn’t expect. When I thought about it, it was quite possible.

Is there a huge stone monument for a warrior in this world of martial arts? There wasn’t. No, it can be said that nothing was ever made to commemorate the military man in the first place.

“Indeed…I understand. The lives of warriors are fleeting, floating around as rumors.”

Hyukkirin nodded as if he sympathized. Well, what Hyuk Kirin said was correct. Sentai expert? Jeontai expert? If they die or are not heard from for a long time, they naturally disappear from people’s minds. Master Bodhidharma, the founder of Shaolin, and Jang Sam-bong, the master of shamanism, only leave their names in people’s minds forever.

99.99% of unmanned people are only mentioned by people at some point in their lives and then disappear without leaving behind anything.

Wouldn’t the fact that martial artists are obsessed with passing on martial arts and raising disciples have a big impact? Because it is human nature to want to leave something behind.

“…I see.”

Passing on one’s martial arts and raising disciples is only possible if one has a certain level of dignity. Because there are only a handful of people in the world who have martial arts skills that can be taught in the first place.

Wouldn’t there be an opportunity to leave one’s name in Sacheon Province? Well, it was said that soldiers were flocking in with these vague expectations.

And when those warriors come, where will they go first?

It must be in front of the monument.

“That’s why there were so many sect affiliates in front of the monument.”

Sichuan Province became an environment sufficient to attract military personnel. Heroguns have become the exclusive preserve of subjugators, but for warriors who like to show off, a belt with a rank on it would be attractive enough.

In addition, there is a recruitment war between factions that are sharpening their swords and expanding their power in order to become a platinum faction.

“Isn’t Sacheon tightly held by Hwangbo Se or Gupailbang? Due to this incident, public opinion toward the Hwangbo Sega, Ami faction, Cheongseong faction, and Jongnam faction that joined hands with the Hwanggeumga has deteriorated, so it may be seen as a land of opportunity for martial artists.”

The Jeomchang faction was able to get rid of the suspicion that it was in league with the Golden Family as the Merchants’ Association, or more precisely, the Hwanggeumseon, put in check and caused an open conflict. However, the rest of the large literary factions must have suffered quite a blow to their reputation as they were labeled as being played by or collaborating with the Golden Family.

To those who were confined by the ceiling of the five generations and the nine factions, Sichuan Province may have seemed like a land of freedom.

“Hmm. I heard your story well.”

“Hey, I hope you have a good tour, Musa!”

Hyukkirin stroked his chin and pondered.

“Hmm. Sichuan Province will develop significantly in the future. The foothold was sufficient, but the quality of the warriors was poor… If external warriors continue to flock in the future, we will not be able to ignore them as Sichuan Province’s warriors in five or ten years.”

“Now that we are starting to get a taste for inviting outside experts, do you think there will be a faction that will attract outside experts in earnest? It’s going to be quite fun.”

As the ecology of Sichuan Province becomes increasingly unique and has its own unique colors, there will be an increasing number of masters who are attracted by its characteristics and move their nests.

“A dance competition with a platinum plaque on the line would be quite a sight to see.”

“Hehe, that’s right. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to come and see it then.”

“Oh, so are you coming back then?”

“Yes. If there is nothing special going on, I would also like to watch the dance competition.”

“Senior, remember it well. I won’t stay still if I leave it later, just to practice martial arts!”

“Ah, yes, I understood.”

I went out on an outing, and suddenly I had plans to go out again. The black cat seemed to be already excited and took the lead, pulling Hyuk Kirin’s arm.

“Go slowly, slowly!”

“Oh, there’s a fried rice stand that I’ve never seen before!”

Hyeok Kirin is being swayed here and there by a runaway black cat. Well… it looks difficult, but unlike when he was at Sima Yan’s residence, the wrinkles between his eyebrows have smoothed out cleanly.

hmm. I guess it’s okay since we’re both having fun.

“Sir, come quickly!”

“Ah, yes, here we go.”

You should call me warrior, I should call you warrior.

I grumbled to myself and walked faster.

*** ***

At the emperor’s call, Hyeok Gi-rin started worrying about Ho Cheon-an.

Strange person.

Hocheon-an, evaluated by Hyeok Kirin, was a miracle in itself. A person who has talent, but instead of pursuing power or wealth based on that talent, he or she just lives for interest.

In Hyuk Kirin’s view, Ho Cheon-an was a free-spirited person who was not interested in fame or power.

Yeo Il-ye, a member of the descendants of the Jeomchang faction. There was no need to talk about the value of Yeo Il-ye’s silver medal. However, he didn’t hesitate to throw that out to stop Yeo Il-ye, and after that he didn’t even mention the reward of Eunwonpae.

It was also the same when receiving compensation from Sima Yan. Considering his performance, he showed an attitude of taking only what he needed, even though receiving a thousand dollars would not be enough.

Even when Master Unjong achieved enlightenment, Ho Cheon-an did not show great greed even though he could have achieved more.

A person who loves children and works sincerely to narrow the distance between Zen masters and children.

As a result, Jeomchang developed in a better direction and is still developing.

To Hyuk Kirin, Ho Cheon-an was a person for whom he was very grateful in many ways.

However, because of him, he ended up going to the imperial palace.

Ho Cheon-an seemed happy that he had received a good reward despite the emperor’s call, but Hyuk Kirin could not accept Ho Cheon-an’s attitude like that.

At a time when martial arts was developing, they were forced to abandon their stable environment and go on a journey. This would be an unpleasant situation for Ho Cheon-an, who is not particularly interested in wealth.

Since it was just Hwang Myung, I guess I had no choice but to show a positive attitude.

‘It would be nice if nothing happened when I went to the imperial palace…’

It has been a long time since Hyuk Kirin did not appear at an official event in the country. It was enough time for those who wanted to use Hyeokkirin to seek power to lose their power, but they only lost their power and were not completely eradicated.

‘I wonder what your brother is thinking…’

No matter how much power they have lost, they are the core of power. As soon as they enter the imperial castle, they will begin work to revive their power.

For them, it will be a genius opportunity that will never come again.

There would definitely be unrest… and there was a high possibility that Ho Cheon-an would be caught up in it. No, what Hyuk Kirin was worried about was not that Ho Cheon-an would be caught up in it.

I was worried about Hocheonan being stirred up.

Then, if he caught the emperor’s attention and was given a government position, Ho Cheon-an’s free life was over.

‘That’s not allowed!’

It was unacceptable to return a favor with vengeance. This is a situation that must be prevented even if it is just for people to come and watch the non-marriage competition.

“Warrior Ho.”

“Yes?”

“You can only trust me in the imperial palace.”

Hyuk Kirin made up his mind as he saw Ho Cheon-an looking at him with a puzzled expression. There is a saying, “Nangjungjichu.” Eventually, the awl will pierce the leather pouch. Then, to make the awl less noticeable, you should put it in an iron box.

“You know, right? Just trust me! Still! Doing nothing! Just have it!”

“….Ah. Yes.”

Hyeok Kirin snorted as he watched Ho Cheon-an answer with a nervous expression.

‘Trust me, I will help you get out of the imperial palace safely and allow you to live a free life!’

Hyeok Gi-rin promised that.