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Cheongsung and the Four Heavenly Families.

The term that represents both has always been just one:

A relationship of dogs and monkeys.

The Cheongsung Peak and the location of the Four Heavenly Families are very close. This means their territories are adjacent to each other.

Cheongsung found the Four Heavenly Families, obsessed with poison and money, to be prickly.

The Four Heavenly Families despised Cheongsung as old-fashioned Taoists.

It was not without reason that the name “dog-monkey relationship” was given.

Amid such relations, some prisoners trapped in Cheongsung entered the territory of the Four Heavenly Families…

The warrior let out a sigh.

“The Invincible Overlord who escaped this time is exceptionally dangerous among the prisoners. He is called a depraved man, committing crimes indiscriminately against both men and women. In such a situation, he ended up hiding in the heavily populated territory of the Four Heavenly Families…”

Narin flinched. Gwangyang was horrified.

“Men and women… what? Committing crimes indiscriminately?!”

“Isn’t he a crazy bastard?!”

“That’s why it’s more of a problem. A formidable warrior whose mind is twisted is no different from a demon. Sir, we at Cheongsung do not forget your grace. Please, won’t you stay in Cheongsung? I want to pay for capturing the Invincible Overlord.”

“That’s alright.”

It wasn’t something done in expectation of a reward. I got tangled up in it by accident.

Moreover, I had already gained everything I could. Just learning martial arts to teach Narin was a significant profit.

I politely declined the arm holding me, turning my foot towards the territory of the Four Heavenly Families.

“Master, isn’t it dangerous? If what he’s saying is true, that means there are prisoners swarming inside the territory of the Four Heavenly Families, right?”

“A depraved man who even targets men… it’s chilling.”

“That doesn’t mean we can’t take precautions. We need food and proper rest.”

If I were traveling alone, I might have just brushed it off.

But now, things are different. Camping might seem like rest at first glance, but fatigue gradually accumulates.

I was fine, but the two following behind me were not okay.

Appropriate rest. Ilma had also mentioned it before.

The distribution between rest and training should be appropriate for skills to grow faster.

We entered the territory of the Four Heavenly Families. The streets were chaotic.

People would glance furtively at each other as they passed by.

In the board at the center of the Four Heavenly Families, there were dozens of wanted posters.

It was obvious where each of those came from without even looking.

“…That person from next door yesterday…”

“Never go out at night…”

Whispers were filled with anxiety. The topmost wanted poster depicted a handsome young man.

Could that be the Invincible Overlord?

At first glance, he was just a well-looking young man in the wanted poster. But the reward was much higher than I had expected, making me unable to guess the severity of his crimes.

A considerable major criminal. From what I hear in Cheongsung… it seems he may have committed numerous vile acts.

For now, I gave Narin and Gwangyang a bit of pocket money. It was right to ensure that when training, they could rest well.

Narin and Gwangyang were delighted.

“Th-thank you! Master! How much is this?!”

“Sister! Let’s split it in half! We can each buy what we want!”

“Sounds good… very good…!”

“Don’t try to cheat me!”

“Stay in the light. No need to go to dark places.”

Leaving the excited duo, I entered a shop to replenish supplies.

Since we had the luxury, it would be better to choose something that looked quite delicious. It would help in growing their bodies…

—Tap.

My hand bumped against someone else’s. The startled person spoke.

“Are you thinking of this?”

“I was thinking of it, but…”

“Then please take it. I’ll give way.”

“Thank you.”

I expressed my gratitude for the smooth concession.

But then, I bumped into someone else at the adjoining stall.

Once again, I accidentally grabbed the same item. His eyes narrowed.

“…Again?”

“…This time, I’ll give way.”

“Thank you.”

At the adjacent stall, as well.

At another stall too.

In a strangely overlapping trajectory, the man stared at me blankly.

“Are you following me…?”

“That’s unjust.”

“Well, where in the world would you see such clumsy stalking? You must be going quite a distance, I see?”

“It seems you, too, are preparing for a journey.”

“That’s right. I’ve been preparing to go a little far.”

Once the conversation started, we naturally became travel companions.

“I haven’t seen your face before… Did you come from afar?”

“Yes. I came from the direction of Kunlun.”

“Kunlun? May I ask your destination?”

“The Martial Alliance.”

“The Martial Alliance, huh… You’re going quite a distance. Do you have some special relation with the Martial Alliance…?”

“Not really. It’s more like I’m a hired warrior. Ah, scholar, that’s not really of good quality. Choose what’s next to it.”

“Is that right? Thank you.”

He introduced himself.

“Please call me Hwi. Given the circumstances, I can’t really reveal my full name.”

“That’s fine. Everyone has their own circumstances, right? Please call me Jeok-un.”

“Ah, Jeok-hyung, huh? If it’s not rude, can I ask a few more questions? I’m not very experienced in travel…”

Hwi, the man who introduced himself, scratched the back of his head.

“I’m quite blind to worldly matters. Even though I’m preparing for travel, I’m wandering around unsure of what to take. I just gathered whatever I could, but I’m not sure what is actually necessary…”

“Of course, no problem.”

“Thank you, Jeok-hyung.”

I walked around the market with him to gather a few more items. Hwi smiled brightly at me after purchasing enough items.

“Thank you, Jeok-hyung. I will surely repay this kindness.”

“I’m glad to have been of help.”

“I also wish you arrive safely at your destination.”

What a good fellow. He was polite. I waved him off as he left.

By the way…

I sensed the smell of poison.

I vaguely guessed his identity. He was likely a person from the Four Heavenly Families.

Leaving during such chaotic times— I was a little curious about where he was headed.

But everyone has their own circumstances, so it would be best not to pry too deeply.

I returned to the inn I had secured earlier. Gwangyang, who had arrived first, welcomed me.

“Master!”

On the table lay an abundance of food. Behind it were stacked bottles of alcohol.

Gwangyang grinned, shaking one of the bottles.

“Shall we have a drink? I brought all the famous local dishes from the Four Heavenly Families.”

“You could have drunk on your own.”

“I wanted to have a drink with you, Master.”

I chuckled. I set down my luggage and raised my cup.

I took a light sip. Gwangyang dished the food onto my plate.

From this perspective, he really is a straightforward person. He’s persistent… and quite talented as well.

He was too good of a talent to be buried as a bandit. Recently, I had thought a few times that I was lucky to have recruited him.

“Where’s Narin?”

“Sister hasn’t arrived yet. Maybe she’s enjoying the Four Heavenly Families? It’s hard to find such a developed city.”

“That’s true.”

It is a well-built city. Within it, human life writhes.

If someone with a lively personality like Narin were here, she would surely find plenty to see. However, I was curious why Gwangyang hadn’t followed her.

I lifted the wine bottle and looked at Gwangyang closely as he naturally received it with both hands.

Not having followed her…

Perhaps he wanted time alone with her.

If that’s the case, there’s only one reason.

“Did you want to ask when you could properly learn the sword?”

“…….”

Gwangyang flinched. Not denying the answer, I sighed.

“Gwangyang. The reason I haven’t given you a proper sword yet is that I have my reasons.”

“…Is it that I still lack the basics?”

“That’s part of it, but there are other issues as well.”

“What kind of…”

“The sword I possess is the Three Calamities Sword Technique.”

I stated firmly.

“To master that to its limit requires a tremendous amount of time. That was my case. If I had learned a different sword during that time, I might have become someone better than I am now.”

“…….”

“So, I hope you walk a different path than mine and am currently searching for a sword that suits you. It’s better to leave it untouched than to teach it clumsily. If it’s tangled from the start, it won’t lead to anything good later.”

“…….”

“Gwangyang, there’s no need to worry. I’m certain I’ll find a sword that suits you. Didn’t I promise that? On our way to the Martial Alliance, I told you I would teach you martial arts.”

I lifted my cup lightly, clinking it against Gwangyang’s.

“I keep my promises, no matter what happens. You don’t need to worry. I will teach you how to live a different life.”

“…Yes, Master.”

Gwangyang let out a heavy breath. He emptied his cup.

After stuffing food into his mouth, he awkwardly smiled.

“I actually thought… that you favored my sister… I must have been foolish.”

“Favor? Why would I?”

“Isn’t my sister cute? Compared to her, I’m like a lumbering giant, and I’m not that good looking or anything… There’s nothing charming about me. It seems I don’t have much talent either… Haha.”

That was a self-deprecating remark.

“Charming, huh…”

I took some food from my plate.

“Gwangyang. The strength and unique structure that Narin had since birth matched almost exactly with the martial arts of the Invincible Overlord we encountered. Talent is talent, but fate, too, seems to have pushed her along.”

“…….”

“Such people are rare. Very few. Gwangyang, compared to that, I was unlucky, lacked talent, and had to push myself into hell to survive.”

“…Are you speaking of yourself, Master?”

“I’ve heard the word ‘commoner’ enough for it to stick in my ears.”

Gwangyang blinked in surprise. I let out a small laugh.

“Even so, I chose to wield a sword.”

“…Why…”

“Because I wanted to. There was something lacking that drew my sword. Gwangyang. What did you feel when you saw my sword?”

I slowly filled my bowl with warm food.

Gwangyang hesitated before speaking.

“I thought it looked cool… It can’t be that your sword isn’t cool. I had the thought that I wanted to swing a sword like that once.”

“To do that, I needed to sharpen my blade thousands and thousands of times. Only persistence was given to me. To swing a sword you think is cool, I mixed countless drops of blood and sweat into it.”

“…….”

“Gwangyang. Within you, there is a talent you are yet unaware of. But what outweighs that is your tenacity. The attitude that does not complain, and even the rigorous training that I thought was a bit much, those two feet that followed while vomiting.”

I placed the bowl of food in front of him.

“A flower blooming gloriously in rich soil is, of course, beautiful. But I’ve found wildflowers blooming in barren fields are also quite beautiful. A warrior… anyone who has trained with a sword would think so.”

“…….”

“Don’t think you lack charm. Don’t think you lack talent. You already possess both.”

“Gwangyang, you are…”

I smiled.

“You are someone better than me.”

“……”

“Eat it before it cools down. If it does, it won’t taste good.”

Gwangyang stared at me blankly. The chopsticks he held trembled.

I heard the sound of sniffling. The chopsticks filled with food went into his mouth.

But it fell outside without being chewed.

“…No one… has ever said that to me before.”

“……”

“…Thank you, Master.”

Tears dripped onto the table.

“I’ll… work harder…”

I only spoke the truth I felt.

I raised my cup. Narin, who had just entered, came back carrying a lot of food.

“Gwangyang! Can you hold this! Master! Food… what, what’s going on?! Why are you crying?! You made Master cry?!”

*Ugh…*

“…I didn’t intend to.”

“Hey, stop that! You’re a grown man, come on…!”

“I-it’s not that I cried…!”

By the way, I really need to get a sword technique to give to Gwangyang…

What would be a suitable one?

…

I searched everywhere to find a secret technique tailored for Gwangyang but ended up with nothing. The same goes for information about the Four Heavenly Families.

The interior of the Four Heavenly Families was chaotic. Thinking there were criminals hiding everywhere, people were extremely wary of strangers.

If time passed, their wariness might ease up, but who knows when that would be…

In the end, I chose to leave the Four Heavenly Families. Contacting the Four Heavenly Families could wait for later. What was urgent now was to integrate into the Martial Alliance.

After resupplying food and various supplies, I set off on the road again.

There were two paths leading to the location of the Martial Alliance.

One passed through the Jongnam Sect in Shaanxi.

The other passed through the Wudang Sect in Hubei.

I chose the latter. The reason was simple; it was a little closer.

We hurried along our way. I started to teach Gwangyang how to wield a sword and periodically checked on Narin’s martial arts.

Along the way, I unexpectedly ran into a familiar figure. The man I had met while shopping in the Four Heavenly Families.

“…Oh? Jeok-hyung?”

The man who had introduced himself as Hwi waved cheerfully, accompanied by martial artists dressed in the attire of the Four Heavenly Families.

 

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