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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Dan Hyeong-u's Return
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The man shuddered as he opened his eyes. He had no idea how long he had wandered in that place. The children who had been with him were devoured one by one by the yokai until none remained. Fortunately, he had built up considerable skill by that point, allowing him to resist to some extent, but it still wasn't enough.
From that day on, every single day was hell—a brutal struggle for survival. The children's doll-like eyes filled with venom, and their youthful vigor sank deep into their bodies. These were the skills they had no choice but to master just to stay alive.
The Three Talents Miraculous Art, Three Talents Sword Art, and Three Talents Step were extraordinarily powerful martial arts. He progressed far more rapidly than he had during his training in the mist cave. Without them, the man surely wouldn't have survived.
In any case, all the children who had been with him perished, and the man reached the pinnacle of all three arts.
"Just how much time has passed?"
The man shook his head. He couldn't even begin to calculate. No, he hadn't had a moment to even think about it. But one thing was certain: it had been far more than ten years.
In the first ten years after falling into that hell, one of the children had kept count every day. After that child died, no one was left to track the time, but even more years must have passed since then.
Even after the man was left alone, an immense amount of time elapsed. He had even forgotten his own name, with no one left to call it.
The man slowly pieced his memories back together. Though much time had passed, his comrades' names surfaced one by one. Then the stories they had shared came back to him bit by bit. And naturally, the name they had called him by rose to the forefront.
"Hyeong-u... Right, they called me Hyeong-u."
The man gently closed his eyes again.
"Dan Hyeong-u. That was my name, Dan Hyeong-u."
The corners of the man's eyes and mouth twitched faintly. Rediscovering his name after so long filled him with joy.
"First, I should go find them."
Dan Hyeong-u muttered to himself. Talking to himself had become one of his habits after surviving alone. He resolved inwardly to break the habit quickly as he launched his body into the air.
Dan Hyeong-u's figure vanished like a puff of smoke. He disappeared as if he had never been there at all, leaving behind neither wind nor trace.
The Martial Alliance.
Three hundred years ago, it was formed as the central pillar of the righteous factions in response to the Blood Cult's rampage. Centered around Byok Un-hak, the Nine Dragons Divine Sword hailed as the world's greatest swordsman, all warriors pursuing justice gathered and naturally formed the alliance.
Byok Un-hak became the first Alliance Leader and thwarted the Blood Cult's reign of terror. Though he perished heroically blocking their final assault, his convictions and righteousness were still spoken of with awe among martial artists even today.
In any event, three hundred years had passed since then, and both the world and its people had changed greatly. The Martial Alliance had naturally evolved as well; there had even been times when its influence had vanished entirely. But now, it wielded power across the entire land.
The current Alliance Leader, Mountain Breaking Sword Dugun Un, hailed from the third-rate Hundred Sword Sect, which had been of little note. Through his personal prowess, he elevated the sect's standing and eventually ascended to the position of Alliance Leader. The feats he accomplished to be elected leader during this era of peace were beyond the imagination of ordinary folk.
Dugun Un gathered the Martial Alliance elders. There were nine elders in total, one from each of the Nine Great Sects by tradition. As a result, elders from powerful sects held more sway than those from weaker ones.
Dugun Un took a piece of paper from his bosom and placed it on the desk.
"Alliance Leader, what is that?"
One of the elders stared at the paper and asked. He was Plum Blossom Sword Jeong Cheon of Mount Hua Sect. Dugun Un paused briefly at Jeong Cheon's question, drawing all the elders' gazes to his lips.
"A treasure map."
The elders tilted their heads at Dugun Un's words. Who could make sense of it just hearing "treasure map" out of nowhere?
"A treasure map? Did some ultimate supreme martial art finally emerge? Or have we discovered the tomb of the Shadowless Divine Thrower?"
Jeong Cheon asked again. Dugun Un gave him a faint smile before continuing.
"It's the location containing the Heavenly Qi Master's final martial art."
The elders held their breath at Dugun Un's words. The very mention of the Heavenly Qi Master's final martial art carried immense weight.
"I-Is that true?"
"Why would I gather you elders just to joke? This treasure map points to the place holding the Heavenly Qi Master's final martial art. And it includes a diagram of the mechanisms guarding the entrance. From what I could make out, it seems his secret weapon is there as well."
"The Heavenly Qi Master's secret weapon!"
The chamber buzzed for a moment. No matter how seasoned and composed the elders were, they couldn't remain unaffected at the name Heavenly Qi Master.
"But doesn't something feel off about this?"
Suddenly, Young Ho-ja of Wudang Sect spoke up as if a thought had just struck him.
"Why would the Heavenly Qi Master create something like that? And a secret weapon? We have no idea what he was thinking. I heard he vanished from the world ten years ago. Are you saying he was hiding all this time, making these things? There must be some hidden agenda here."
Young Ho-ja's words held merit. But Dugun Un shook his head.
"Pass the treasure map around for everyone to see."
At Dugun Un's command, the elders steadied their trembling hearts and carefully examined the map one by one.
"To protect the world from calamity—what a shocking revelation. But we have no reason to take it at face value."
Young Ho-ja remained skeptical, and the other elders nodded in agreement. Tempting as the Heavenly Qi Master's martial art and secret weapon sounded, something felt amiss. It was because the map's creator was none other than the unpredictable Heavenly Qi Master himself.
Dugun Un glanced around the room at the elders' reactions before speaking.
"So you're saying we should just give up?"
"Not give up, but investigate first."
Dugun Un nodded.
"Of course investigation comes first. But if we delay too long, it could be trouble. We might not be the only ones with a treasure map."
His words sent a shock through the chamber.
"W-What do you mean? You think there are more treasure maps?"
"I'm not certain. But lately, the Demonic Alliance and Greenwoods Bandits have been acting suspiciously. I've received word their elite warriors are secretly heading toward Mount Hyeong."
"Mount Hyeong?"
"That's where this treasure map leads."
A chill settled over the room at Dugun Un's revelation. The enemy was already mobilizing for the secret weapon while the Martial Alliance sat idle.
"Then we can't just sit here."
Jeong Cheon stepped forward, but Young Ho-ja countered.
"But what if it's all the Heavenly Qi Master's scheme? He could be pitting the three powers against each other to sow chaos in the martial world."
The elders frowned gravely at Young Ho-ja's words. But the conclusion was swift. With the Demonic Alliance and Greenwoods Bandits on the move, the Martial Alliance couldn't afford to stand still.
The elders could only pray that the treasure map truly represented the Heavenly Qi Master's provision for the martial world's safety, as it claimed.
"A secret weapon... what could it be..."
The elders shook their heads with worried expressions. And so, the Martial Alliance began to act.
The distance from Wuhuan, where the Martial Alliance was located, to Mount Hyeong was a full thousand li. But masters skilled in lightness arts could cover it in a day without rest—though it would require some exertion.
Still, the Martial Alliance moved with haste but without recklessness. They proceeded covertly, using decoys to avoid detection by the Demonic Alliance or Greenwoods Bandits. They couldn't block all information, so they modulated it carefully.
This was the strategy devised by Jegal Jung-cheon, the Martial Alliance's strategist. The Jegal family wielded great influence in the alliance, having served as strategists for generations. Leading strategy for a massive organization like the Martial Alliance required sharp intellect, insight, and above all, mastery of information. The Jegals excelled in this.
Being well-informed meant knowing how to wield information—not just gather it, but conceal it as well.
The Martial Alliance's superiority over the Demonic Alliance and others stemmed from the Jegal family's capabilities. Of course, Dugun Un's unwavering support had enabled them to reach this level.
The group dispatched from the Martial Alliance halted in Changsa, observing the situation. From the Drifting Cloud Tower there, they quietly monitored the Demonic Alliance and Greenwoods Bandits' movements near Mount Hyeong.
This brought a boom to the Drifting Cloud Tower. With martial artists flooding in, devouring alcohol and meat, the innkeeper's smile never faded.
Even now, the first floor teemed with martial artists sprawled out, drinking heartily.
The Martial Alliance had mobilized a substantial force. Investigating the Heavenly Qi Master's martial art was secondary; they needed powerful warriors to check the Demonic Alliance and Greenwoods Bandits.
Mixed among them were members of Jo Family Manor.
"The Martial Alliance's prestige is truly impressive. Isn't it, brother?"
Jo In nodded at Jo Seol-yeon's words.
"Yes, it is. I never imagined the Alliance Leader himself would move."
"Exactly. What do you think, Uncle?"
Sama Cheol smiled faintly as he listened. As chief of the Henan Escort Bureau, he had come at the request of Jo Family Manor Head Jo Il-hyeon. The manor head had used his authority to include Jo In and Jo Seol-yeon in this Mount Hyeong expedition. Gaining the Alliance Leader's permission was a mere formality. After all, he was the one who had handed over the treasure map to the Martial Alliance without conditions.
The Henan Escort Bureau was one of Jo Family Manor's businesses. Jo Il-hyeon had asked Sama Cheol to watch over the two children, and Sama Cheol gladly accepted. To him, Jo In and Jo Seol-yeon were precious.
"From what I see, they'll head to Mount Hyeong soon. Demonic Alliance warriors are nearby, so stay extra vigilant. Understood?"
Jo Seol-yeon stuck out her tongue cutely at Sama Cheol's words.
"Brother's plenty strong. And you'll protect us, right, Uncle? Hehe."
Sama Cheol burst into hearty laughter at her antics.
"Haha! That girl. Anyway, keep my words in mind. The world has a way of throwing the unexpected at you."
"Yes, I'll remember, Uncle."
Jo Seol-yeon answered obediently with a bright smile. The pretty girl's smile seemed to light up the entire inn. Sama Cheol could only laugh at the sight. She was adorable no matter what she did.
"Oh? Uncle, look at that man."
Jo Seol-yeon whispered, drawing Sama Cheol and Jo In's gazes to where she pointed. A man was just entering the Drifting Cloud Tower. He scanned the room for an empty seat upon arrival.
A server quickly led him to an open spot. Watching until the end, Jo Seol-yeon's eyes sparkled.
"He's wearing his sword without a scabbard."
As Jo Seol-yeon said, the sword at the man's waist emanated a chilling sharpness.
"It looks like a fine blade."
Sama Cheol nodded. But his interest ended there.
"Why carry it without a scabbard, I wonder?"
Sama Cheol shook his head at her question.
"Who knows."
"Maybe he's in such a hurry to draw it that even the scabbard wastes time? Seems he's put some thought into it."
Jo In shook his head, putting the brakes on her speculation.
"Not quite. Drawing the sword is crucial. The moment it leaves the scabbard, you gain far greater speed and power."
Jo Seol-yeon's eyes widened round at Jo In's words.
"Really?"
Jo In nodded with a grin. Her expression was just too cute. Jo Seol-yeon turned to Sama Cheol in surprise, and when he nodded confirmation, she finally looked back at the man seated in the distance.
"Then maybe he couldn't afford a scabbard?"
Jo In and Sama Cheol couldn't help but chuckle at her words. The warm, cheerful time passed like that.
Dan Hyeong-u sat awkwardly in a corner seat, staring intently at the bowl of thin noodles on the table. He couldn't recall the last time he'd seen proper food. Everything he'd eaten before was barely edible unless you ignored the taste entirely. Even then, he hadn't eaten much. Later on, he barely needed food at all to keep moving.
Dan Hyeong-u clumsily maneuvered his chopsticks to scoop up some noodles and put them in his mouth.
Sarrr.
It melted away like snow. The Drifting Cloud Tower's cooking was skilled, but not to this degree. Yet that's how it felt to Dan Hyeong-u.
The things he'd eaten before were so tough an ordinary person couldn't chew or swallow them. But these noodles dissolved in his mouth. As he ate, Dan Hyeong-u's eyes widened slightly. He polished off the bowl in no time.
He ate so voraciously that those around him stared in stunned silence. Even some ordered the noodles themselves.
"Delicious."
Dan Hyeong-u murmured softly as he stood. The server scurried over.
"Did it suit your taste? That's five nyang."
Dan Hyeong-u stared blankly at the server. The server frowned at his reaction, then glanced at the sharp sword at his waist.
Dan Hyeong-u gazed at the server for a moment before nodding.
"I see. Money."
The corner of Dan Hyeong-u's eye twitched. A new word had surfaced, bringing him joy. It was one he'd forgotten long ago.
Joyful for Dan Hyeong-u, but not for the server. He glanced nervously at the innkeeper, who shook his head firmly. The inn was packed with Martial Alliance warriors representing the righteous path. They wouldn't tolerate freeloaders, nor would the innkeeper let the server take the fall.
Emboldened, the server pressed harder.
"Sir, this won't do. You've eaten; now pay up."
His voice was loud enough for everyone on the first floor to hear.