Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 3: Reading a Book a Hundred Times Reveals Its Meaning (2) Yeon So-wol had never considered himself a sensitive man. If anything, he was on the easygoing side.
He was the type who, if he found a stray hair in his soup, would simply flick it away and keep eating because complaining was too much of a hassle.
That was why, during his first night in this martial arts world, he had tried his absolute best to endure.
Even though there were hairs stuck to the blanket.
Even though there were suspicious yellow stains.
He really tried to put up with it.
This wasn't the 21st century, after all. It was a place resembling ancient China. As the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. He didn't want to draw unnecessary attention by being high-maintenance.
But.
But!
"Excuse me, Innkeeper. This blanket smells terrible. It's a bit damp, too..."
The smell was the one thing he couldn't stomach.
Yeon So-wol eventually sought out the owner of the inn and spoke as politely as possible. He told him this wasn't right. That something must be wrong. He argued that if it smelled this bad, the place wasn't fit to receive guests, regardless of whether this was a martial arts world or not.
In response, the innkeeper simply thrust out his hand.
'?'
When Yeon So-wol only blinked, failing to understand the gesture, the man snapped in irritation.
"Don't you want a change of bedding? That'll be five copper coins."
"...I'm telling you this because the smell is truly overwhelming."
"I know! That's why you want it changed, isn't it? Five copper coins."
The innkeeper waved his hand dismissively, his face twisted in a scowl.
Yeon So-wol realized it once again: the concept of a "21st-century customer complaint" did not exist here. This was a world where even if the blanket stank, you had to pay to change it.
"Fine."
Yeon So-wol handed over the five copper coins.
Since he had paid for half a month's room and board with a single silver ingot and received a hundred copper coins in change, he wasn't short on cash. He was just a little sad.
Fortunately, the new blanket was acceptable. It still had yellow stains and a faint, musty scent of mold, but at least it didn't smell like urine. There were no hairs, either.
Yeon So-wol sighed and crawled under the blanket.
That was the beginning. The beginning of Yeon So-wol's war against the smells.
He could endure almost anything else. The rude people he encountered everywhere. The chaotic streets devoid of any sense of public order. The merchants who thought of nothing but how to stab him in the back. He could even tolerate the unhygienic food.
What else could he do? Thinking that way allowed him to grit his teeth and bear it. If he didn't get used to it quickly, he would be the only one suffering.
But.
"Ugh."
The smells were simply unbearable.
The body odor wafting off passersby. The scent of cheap hair oil. The rancid, gamey stench coming from restaurants. The smell of urine and feces that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
All sorts of odors took turns relentlessly assaulting Yeon So-wol's soul. It went beyond mere nausea; it felt as if his very body was aching from the assault.
Finally, after about three days, Yeon So-wol reached his limit.
...Can I really do this?
Yeon So-wol could pride himself on one thing: he had worked incredibly hard over the last three days. He had spent that time gathering information to find the best way to train in martial arts. Which sect to aim for. What he should focus on learning. How to be accepted as a disciple.
He had studied harder than he ever did for his university entrance exams.
But the smell. That damn smell.
Instead of getting used to it, the odors strangely seemed to grow more revolting by the day, bringing Yeon So-wol to the brink of despair.
Is this right? Do I really have to live like this? Here? Can I... can I actually do this?
Even so, Yeon So-wol pulled his crumbling spirit back together. He stepped outside as if fleeing his own thoughts. He headed into the streets teeming with swindlers who demanded a copper coin just to spout rumors they barely knew themselves. He had to gather information somehow, so he endured and moved forward.
And then, he met the merchant Jo Man-seok.
"..."
Yeon So-wol stood dazed for a moment at the entrance of Jo Man-seok's shop.
Is this heaven?
The smell. There was no smell!
No. Rather, there was a fragrance. A sharp, clear scent, similar to herbal medicine, filled the shop and even spilled out onto the street.
It felt as if his soul was being healed. Yeon So-wol trembled.
"Who goes there?"
Startled by the voice from within, Yeon So-wol snapped out of it.
"Ah, yes. Elder. Um... what is this fragrance?"
The question escaped his lips before he could help it. He had originally intended to ask about the Pungryu Martial Arts Hall and its master, the Great Hero Lee Yu-baek, but he couldn't resist asking about the scent first.
Darn. I'll have to spend another coin.
Nothing was free in this world. If he asked about the fragrance, he'd likely have to pay for that information separately. Yeon So-wol fiddled with a copper coin in his pocket.
Just then.
"Oh? This young fellow knows a good thing when he smells it. Your bearing is quite refined, and your clear eyes put me in a good mood. Fine. I shall tell you the secret. This is an incense made by burning myrrh, cinnamon, and resin in a ratio of two to one to one. How is it? Quite enjoyable, isn't it?"
The man who answered was Jo Man-seok, an elder with snow-white hair neatly tied up. He answered without even being given a coin! Furthermore, no foul breath escaped Jo Man-seok's mouth as he spoke.
Yeon So-wol's eyes widened. It felt as if the man was radiating light.
Dignity...! So this is what true dignity is!
He realized the true meaning of a word he had never really used in his life until this very moment.
"Elder..."
Yeon So-wol bowed his head deeply. His shoulders shook.
"Now, now, what is the matter with you?"
Yeon So-wol bit his lip hard.
Wow. I almost cried just now.
He hadn't even cried on the day he suddenly dropped into this world. To think he would almost cry over something like this...
"Are you alright?"
At Jo Man-seok's kind inquiry, Yeon So-wol nodded vigorously.
I want to live like this man.
Even if the world was nonsensical and filthy, if he could keep at least the space within his reach clean and orderly, then he could survive. Yeon So-wol found the courage to live once more.
He would become a martial artist, gain power and money. And then, he would live like a human being.
* * *
From that day on, Yeon So-wol visited Jo Man-seok every day. Jo Man-seok was not only dignified but also incredibly knowledgeable. Valuable information that others wouldn't share even for coins flowed effortlessly from his lips.
"As I said, you cannot learn martial arts. You must be initiated before the age of fifteen at the latest. Otherwise, turbid qi accumulates, your body stiffens, and your qi and blood become so blocked that your constitution becomes unusable."
"Elder, even so, I must learn martial arts."
"What can be done about the impossible? Unless you happen to possess a legendary Great Restoration Pill, it is out of the question!"
Actually, he did have one. A Great Restoration Pill. But Yeon So-wol didn't mention it, not even to Jo Man-seok. It could be dangerous.
"Still, I want to go as far as I possibly can."
"Sigh. Even if you work yourself to death, your achievements will be meager. Even if you had a Great Restoration Pill, it wouldn't work immediately. You would need to train like a madman for several years to become a martial artist at least worthy of being called third-rate before your body could even handle the pill. And without one? You'll stay third-rate for the rest of your life. If you're exceptionally talented, you might barely be called second-rate by the time you're middle-aged. Is that the kind of life you want to lead?"
"Yes. Any kind of life, as long as I can learn martial arts."
"Urgh..."
Jo Man-seok leaned back. Then, in a much softer tone, he asked, "You said you came all this way for that? All the way from Annam?"
"Yes, Elder."
A young woodcutter from Annam. This was the backstory Yeon So-wol had crafted for himself over the past few days.
The story went that while living as a woodcutter in Annam, he had seen the martial arts of a warrior from the Central Plains and was so deeply moved that he took a boat through Hainan Island all the way here to Guangdong Province. Drawing on his experience preparing for university interviews, he had conducted thorough local research to create this setting, and it was proving effective.
"Hmm. Your sincerity is indeed touching. It reminds me of the story of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng seeking out Grandmaster Hongren..."
Even Jo Man-seok, who had insisted it was hopeless, found his heart softening at this story. This was exactly what Yeon So-wol had aimed for.
Sinheung County in Guangdong Province was the birthplace of the great Buddhist teacher, the Sixth Patriarch Huineng. Huineng, who had been a woodcutter his whole life, attained enlightenment at the age of thirty-two upon hearing a verse from the Diamond Sutra and traveled from Guangdong to Hubei to seek instruction.
In Sinheung County, even a seven-year-old child knew this story well. That was why he had intentionally created a backstory that evoked it.
However, Jo Man-seok eventually shook his head again.
"But it still won't do. Buddhist teachings and martial arts are different matters. Of course, Great Hero Lee Yu-baek of the Pungryu Martial Arts Hall is not only the best in Sinheung but also has a benevolent nature and enjoys nurturing people... but that only applies to those who show potential. One must see the grain to carve it, and see the light to polish it. Even Great Hero Lee Yu-baek is not the type to try and turn a common stone into a gem. Ahem. I am sorry to say this to you, but..."
"What if I show my sincerity?"
"Sincerity?"
"Yes. When I left home, I liquidated all my family's assets. Everything my parents left me. If I offer that and beg him to take me in, do you think his heart might move even a little?"
Though he had only been here a few days, Yeon So-wol had learned quickly. The people here were very sensitive to "sincerity." Even the dignified Jo Man-seok became noticeably kinder on days when Yeon So-wol brought a gift.
Jo Man-seok's expression turned serious. "Are you truly that earnest?"
"Yes. That is why I came all the way from Annam."
"...Then, give it a try. If you go that far, perhaps Great Hero Lee Yu-baek's heart will be moved. Besides, your bearing is quite extraordinary."
"Is it?"
"Indeed."
"I thought I was just ordinary..."
"Hardly. During our conversations, you don't pick your nose, you don't cough in my face, and you listen intently when an elder speaks, do you not?"
"...!"
"You are a rare young man who knows his manners."
"I... I see."
"Yes. So give it a try. But do not be too disappointed if it doesn't work out."
A positive answer from the most knowledgeable and wise person Yeon So-wol knew. It was a one-shot interview opportunity that wouldn't come twice, but this was enough to make it worth the gamble.
Pungryu Martial Arts Hall, here I come...!
Yeon So-wol steeled his resolve.
"Ah, but that 'show of sincerity.' Never do that anywhere else. Not at the White Dragon Gang or the Severing Sword Sect. Only try it with Great Hero Lee Yu-baek of the Pungryu Martial Arts Hall."
"Why is that?"
"You might just get your money stolen and be kicked out. Great Hero Lee Yu-baek and his disciples wouldn't do that, though."
"...Do martial arts sects really do such things?"
"They do such things because they are martial arts sects."
"..."
"I don't know what kind of fantasies you have about the people of the Jianghu."
Jo Man-seok lit his long pipe. In this world, even for a dignified elder, smoking indoors was perfectly normal.
Puff.
He spoke as he exhaled a cloud of white smoke. "Never trust a man of the Jianghu."
At that moment, Yeon So-wol thought to himself: So, people of the Jianghu are basically like gangsters.
* * *
Yeon So-wol entered the main gate of the Pungryu Martial Arts Hall.
Ah...!
The Pungryu Martial Arts Hall was filled with the fragrant scents of grass and mint. Even the students training shirtless didn't smell. Everyone was clean and dignified.
It was the second piece of heaven he had seen since arriving here. No, it was a world where common sense prevailed. Yeon So-wol had a gut feeling.
I must learn here.
Because of that, the moment he faced Lee Yu-baek—a handsome man in his late thirties without a beard—Yeon So-wol's mind raced.
"Hmm? Who are you?"
Is this man Lee Yu-baek? Yes. His appearance matched the rumors. Above all, this fragrance. It wasn't just a lack of bad odor; it was a refreshing lemon scent mixed with a soft, sweet aroma, as if he were wearing perfume.
It was the first "pleasant" scent he had smelled since dropping into this world. There was no way such a person could be anyone other than the best in Sinheung, the Great Hero Lee Yu-baek.
The moment he finished his assessment, he moved.
Thud.
"Hmm?"
First, he dropped to his knees.
Slap!
He prostrated himself at the man's feet.
"I greet the best in Sinheung, the Great Hero Lee Yu-baek. This humble one is Yeon So-wol, a woodcutter from the land of Annam across the southern sea. I have long admired the martial arts of the Jianghu and have braved a treacherous journey by boat to seek your guidance. I beg you, do not cast me away for my inadequacies, but grant me even a single line of teaching. I will consider you my lifelong benefactor."
This, too, was a speech he had polished while diligently gathering information over the past few days. Hearing rumors that Lee Yu-baek revered the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, he had crafted the most polite expressions possible and had them reviewed by Jo Man-seok.
As expected, Lee Yu-baek's reaction was not bad.
"Look at this fellow. He knows his manners, doesn't he?"
The disciples standing beside Lee Yu-baek laughed as well.
"He's a world apart from the guy who came last month. His bearing is refined, too."
"Indeed. And he doesn't smell."
"Ah, Senior Brother. Last month... you mean that guy? The one who said he'd become a disciple only if we could beat him in a duel?"
"Yeah, him. I regret only breaking one of his arms back then. I was too merciful."
"Senior Brother, actually, I went to see him afterward and broke one of his legs, too."
"Oh, well done."
"Senior Brothers, come on. Wasn't that guy at least better than most? There are so many crazy bastards who say all sorts of nonsense just to become disciples..."
"That's true."
"..."
Yeon So-wol broke into a cold sweat. The standards of "common sense" here never ceased to amaze him. But precisely because of that, Yeon So-wol, who had prepared himself according to actual common sense, was shining brilliantly right now.
Lee Yu-baek was very satisfied.
"It is truly rare to see such a polite young man. To think Annam had such a youth. It reminds me of Grandmaster Huineng... However."
Lee Yu-baek wore a look of regret. "How old are you? You don't look like you've reached twenty yet."
"I am eighteen."
Yeon So-wol gave his actual age. Lee Yu-baek sighed.
"It is too late to learn martial arts. Why not look for something else? You won't be able to achieve greatness in martial arts."
Yeon So-wol bowed his head. "I came all this way with only martial arts in mind. I have nowhere to retreat."
"One must retreat when it is time to retreat."
"I have sacrificed everything I have to come here for martial arts alone."
"Even so, when it's time to—"
Lee Yu-baek cut himself off. It was because Yeon So-wol, with his head still bowed, had lifted a small box.
"This is?"
A smile played on Lee Yu-baek's face as he opened the box. Three yellow gold ingots sat nestled on soft silk.
Yeon So-wol didn't hesitate to spend the money he had. He still had the beads, after all. Three gold ingots was an impressive sum even for the wealthy Lee Yu-baek. It was an amount a rural family of four could live on for three years. For someone like Yeon So-wol, who was supposedly a woodcutter, it was a fortune that could only be gathered by scraping together a lifetime of savings and family inheritance.
"You... you really were serious."
Lee Yu-baek nodded deeply. He tucked the box into his robes and asked, "What kind of martial arts do you wish to learn? Do you have something in mind?"
"I wish to learn Qinggong and footwork."
This was the best choice he had found through the information he'd gathered.
"Interesting. Why?"
"Because with footwork, I can dodge an opponent's attacks, and with Qinggong, I can run away."
"You want to learn martial arts just to dodge and run? Why?"
In truth, it was because of the power of the Heavenly Killing Star. Since he could kill anything just by touching it, he didn't need powerful offensive techniques. Instead, footwork to dodge and close in on an opponent, and Qinggong to lightly extract himself when necessary, would be far more helpful.
But he couldn't tell Lee Yu-baek that. Yeon So-wol made up a plausible excuse.
"Because if I can dodge and run away, I can avoid seeing foul things."
"Ha! Excellent. 'One does not enter a dangerous state, nor dwell in a disordered one.' I can see it now. I see how I should carve and polish a stone like you."
Lee Yu-baek laughed. He held up three fingers.
"Three months. Follow my training for three months. If you do, I will accept you as a disciple. However, if you cannot keep up, I cannot take you in."
A conditional acceptance. Yeon So-wol prostrated himself immediately.
"Thank you. I will live up to your expectations."
At the same time, he thought: Surely, if the result is a failure after three months, he'll return the gold ingots, right?
He probably would. One doesn't get called a "Great Hero" for nothing. Even the elder Jo Man-seok had acknowledged him as a man of character. He was even a man who smelled good.
Please!
Yeon So-wol was desperate. As someone who had dropped from the sky with no foundation, all he could do was pray.
And so, a path opened for the eighteen-year-old Yeon So-wol. A path to becoming a martial artist.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
You're all caught up! Follow the story on NovelDex!
https://noveldex.io/series/dropped-into-the-martial-world-with-an-instant-death-ability
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━