Episode 415: Return to the Martial Arts Hall
“So, I hear you caused quite a stir while I was away?”
At Sabigang’s comment, Maeseollan chuckled softly.
“A stir? Hardly. I’m nowhere near your level.”
“What are you talking about? I never embarrass my opponents like that.”
Churang, who was standing nearby, looked at Sabigang with a bewildered expression.
“Seriously? Are you being honest right now?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, as much as I respect you, Master, I don’t think that’s quite accurate.”
“So you’re saying I do embarrass them?”
“More often than not, yes!”
“I don’t get it.”
Sabigang propped his chin on his hand, lost in thought, while Churang shook his head in disbelief.
“It’s amazing how hard it is for people to see themselves clearly. But Master, don’t you think something feels… different?”
Churang’s eyes sparkled as he shrugged his shoulders enthusiastically.
‘Look at this! The room is gleaming, thanks to my hard work. I even brought in all these plants!’
But Sabigang just tilted his head, seemingly oblivious to Churang’s efforts.
“Did you hurt your shoulder? Why are you shrugging like that?”
“No, it’s just… doesn’t the room feel different to you?”
“Hmm. I don’t really notice anything.”
‘Ugh, how can he be so oblivious…!’
Churang looked crestfallen, but then Maeseollan clapped her hands together.
“Oh, I know!”
“Yes! Please, tell us what’s different!”
“Right there!”
Maeseollan pointed to the entrance of the room, where Churang had placed a pot of vibrant flowers.
Churang nodded eagerly.
‘Yes, that’s it! Tell him, so even my oblivious master can appreciate it!’
Finally, Maeseollan spoke.
“The door is open.”
“That’s right…! Wait, what?”
“It was always closed before, but today it’s open.”
“Uh… that’s not what I meant…”
“Is there something else different?”
Maeseollan looked at him with wide eyes, and Churang’s jaw dropped.
‘They’re a perfect match!’
Meanwhile, Sabigang changed the subject.
“Anyway, you did well while I was gone. The atmosphere here is better than ever.”
“Yes, all the instructors, assistants, and students have really come together. It’s like a newfound sense of pride.”
Churang’s words were true. The duel that was meant to embarrass Maeseollan had instead united the entire martial arts hall.
But Sabigang shook his head.
“That’s not the atmosphere I meant.”
“What do you mean?”
Sabigang casually wrapped an arm around Maeseollan’s waist.
“I meant us. It’s been a while since we’ve had such a good vibe, hasn’t it?”
Churang, looking disgruntled, sent a mental message to Heukgwi.
[Hey, junior. They’re definitely doing this to tease us single folks, right?]
[Seems like it.]
Heukgwi replied in his usual blunt tone.
Meanwhile, Sabigang’s gaze fell on the sword at Maeseollan’s waist.
“You’ve got another sword.”
“During the duel, I realized I needed another sword to master the dual-sword technique.”
“It’s about time. Can I take a look?”
With a soft sound, the thin sword was drawn.
Sabigang took the sword, examining it with a few light swings.
The sword hummed with energy, twisting and turning in his hand.
“It’s not bad, but nothing special.”
“I bought it at the market. It’s the most expensive sword I could find in the city. A true master doesn’t blame their tools, after all.”
Just then, a voice interrupted.
“That’s not entirely true.”
Someone entered through the open door.
Everyone turned to see Josinryang, the head of the Divine Beast Pavilion, standing there with a sword case.
Churang recognized him and asked, “What brings you here, Head Josinryang?”
Josinryang nodded politely to Sabigang and Maeseollan before walking over and placing the sword case on the table.
Everyone watched his actions closely.
When Josinryang opened the case, a single sword was revealed inside.
He carefully lifted the sword and offered it to Maeseollan.
“For you, Chief.”
“For me? You didn’t have to…”
“A master deserves the best equipment. While a novice with a fine weapon is like a pearl on a pig’s neck, a master knows how to use it to its full potential.”
“I’m not sure I’m worthy…”
“I watched your duel, Chief. It was truly impressive. Seeing how you united the martial arts hall, I couldn’t just stand by.”
Josinryang’s gaze shifted to Maeseollan’s sword.
“I may not know much about martial arts, but I know metal. That sword looked lonely on its own. Please accept this as a token of my respect.”
When Josinryang offered the sword again, Maeseollan accepted it with a grateful heart.
“Thank you. I’ll make good use of it.”
Sabigang, watching, smiled.
“That’s great.”
“I can’t wait to try it out.”
“Can I take a look first?”
Maeseollan glanced at Josinryang.
“It’s yours now, Chief.”
With Josinryang’s gentle assurance, Maeseollan nodded with a bright smile.
“Alright. Just for a moment.”
“I’m honored.”
With a soft sound, the paper-thin blade was drawn from its sheath.
The slightly dark blade looked extraordinary at first glance.
“It’s definitely a fine sword.”
The sword danced through the air, leaving trails of light.
After a brief display, Sabigang lightly ran the blade across his forearm.
Blood welled up.
”……!”
Sabigang frowned slightly.
A sizzling sound followed as a burn appeared on his arm.
Josinryang chuckled softly.
“It’s made from the ground bones of a Darkburn.”
“Impressive. I can’t wait to wield it with my dual-sword technique.”
Sabigang nodded and handed it back.
“Be careful.”
“Don’t worry.”
As soon as Maeseollan took the sword, she spun around and dashed outside.
Once she was out of sight,
“Ouch…! Damn…!”
Sabigang clutched his cut arm, blowing on it to ease the pain.
“Damn it! You should’ve warned me about the Darkburn bones!”
“Did you expect to cut yourself?”
“Rang! What are you doing? Get me a potion…!”
“Oh, yes.”
Churang quickly found a healing potion and handed it over.
As the potion touched the wound, it bubbled and fizzed before calming down.
“Phew.”
Sabigang finally sighed in relief, while Josinryang smirked.
“Such a fuss…”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“The sword. I didn’t even ask.”
“You can’t make a sword like that on request. It has to come from the heart. She deserves it.”
“Thanks, anyway.”
Sabigang grinned.
**
Thud!
A map marking a specific area was laid on the table.
Jeong Ryugwang, a disciple of Murang and the head of the Hao Clan, crossed his arms and spoke.
“Here it is. The location and details of the summoning site. You know there are different types of summoning sites, right?”
“I do.”
The man across from him replied, and Jeong Ryugwang nodded.
“Just in case, let me explain. Some summoning sites regenerate monsters after a certain time. We call those ‘regeneration sites.’ This is one of them. It’s a place with a high chance of yielding magic stones. The difficulty is intermediate.”
“Understood. Here’s the payment.”
The man placed a hefty pouch of money on the table.
“I’ll count on you next time as well.”
“As long as it’s worth it, I can always provide this kind of information.”
Jeong Ryugwang smiled, reaching for the money pouch.
The man glanced at Jeong Ryugwang’s wrist, puzzled.
“Did you always have that tattoo?”
“Oh, this? It comes and goes. Nothing to worry about.”
‘Comes and goes? Is there such a tattoo?’
The man was puzzled but didn’t press further.
After he left with the map, Jeong Ryugwang quickly rolled up his sleeve to examine the tattoo.
It was a mark his master, Murang, had inscribed on him, used to send messages in urgent situations.
Amazingly, the tattoo shifted, forming a mysterious pattern.
Jeong Ryugwang read the hidden message within.
“I should visit the martial arts hall.”
**
“So, you’re finally stepping in.”
Jamyun-in sipped his tea, looking at Geummyeon-in across from him.
Geummyeon-in sighed softly.
“I have to. It’s come to this.”
He gazed into his teacup, his expression slightly twisted.
He never imagined it would come to this.
Dongmyeon was dead.
And the Blood Demon Sect was annihilated.
Perhaps he should have intervened from the start.
“What about the child?”
“Baekmyeon is taking good care of him.”
Geummyeon-in nodded, and Jamyun-in smiled gently as he asked.
“Are you planning to use that child this time?”
“Indeed. I’ll use whatever I can. Not just the child, but we’ll need to move Eunmyeon as well.”
“Eunmyeon won’t be pleased if he finds out.”
“There’s no helping it. If only he’d taken care of things back at the summoning site, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”
“So, are you entrusting the Myeolmyeongwan entirely to Eunmyeon?”
“Not entirely. I’m thinking of sending Okmyeon.”
“Heh, I thought as much. You’re planning to uproot the source of your worries once and for all.”
“Yes. It’s long overdue.”
“When Eunmyeon failed and Sabigang went missing, I should have gone instead of Dongmyeon.”
Geummyeon didn’t disagree with Jamyeon’s words. He had thought the same. In terms of martial skills, Jamyeon was indeed superior to Dongmyeon. However, Dongmyeon held a higher position due to his reliability in areas beyond martial prowess.
Geummyeon took a sip of tea and gazed at Jamyeon thoughtfully.
“So, before I start painting the bigger picture, there’s something I need you to do.”
“What is it?”
“Given the current situation, we can’t just leave that Hao clan seedling unchecked.”
“You mean the one called Jeong Ryugwang.”
“Yes. There shouldn’t be any issues, but just in case, we need to…”
“Eliminate him.”
“I’ll assign the Blood Killing Eight Ghosts to you.”
Jamyeon’s eyes widened. The Blood Killing Eight Ghosts were far more formidable than the Blood Demon Five. Wherever they passed, only blood and death remained. It seemed excessive to send him just to kill a mere Hao clan leader, let alone with the Eight Ghosts in tow.
As Jamyeon was about to speak,
“It’s not that I doubt your abilities. I fully acknowledge your martial skills. It’s just that, after so many failures, I’m being extra cautious.”
“But…”
“Consider it an opportunity for them to gain experience.”
“Hmm. Understood. I’ll go and bring back Jeong Ryugwang’s head.”
Geummyeon nodded in agreement.