Light Novel: Volume 17 Episode 24
Manhwa: N/A
It was a procession of over twenty wagons traveling in unison. Moreover, mountains of goods were piled up on the wagons.
Naturally, their pace had to be slow.
The Great Pearl Merchant Group traveled around a large lake.
It was a lake named Erhai Lake.1
The lake, which stretched long from north to south, had shallow waters and abundant fish, making it a valuable source of food for the people of the region.
Pyo-wol’s gaze turned to the opposite side of Erhai Lake. There, he saw a tall mountain.
Even at first glance, the mountain seemed to exude an extraordinary aura.
Pyo-wol looked around.
He spotted Jin Gwan-hak.
“Hey, what’s the name of that mountain?”
“Are you talking about Mount Diancang?”2
“That mountain is Mount Diancang?”
“Yes! It’s the famous mountain where the Diancang Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects, used to be.”
Jin Gwan-hak patiently responded with sincerity.
“Used to be? So, the Diancang Sect no longer exists?
“It seems like you don’t know. The Diancang Sect was wiped out a long time ago.”
“Really?”
“Are you aware of the Celestial Demon Union?”
“I am.”
“Then it will be easier for you to understand. Originally, the demon sect in Jianghu was defeated in a major battle and fled to Yunnan Province. They established their base deep within the rainforest and dominated the region.”
“So the Celestial Demon Union exterminated the Diancang Sect. To establish themselves in Yunnan Province, they had to remove the major powers first.”
“Exactly. The Diancang Sect was trampled upon by the Celestial Demon Union. They received no help from any sect in Jianghu. At that time, the pride of the people of Yunnan was destroyed. To others, the Diancang Sect might just be one of the Nine Great Sects, but to the people here, the Diancang Sect was a matter of pride and a spiritual pillar.”
Now, the name of the Nine Great Sects might sound insignificant, but at that time, their stature was sky-high.
The difference between possessing one of the Nine Great Sects and not having one was as vast as the difference between the sky and the earth.
When the Diancang Sect fell, the people of Yunnan felt as if the sky had collapsed.
“Now, there’s some consolation in having the Spirit Sword Manor,3 but generations that experienced the fall of the Diancang Sect said they had experienced despair.”
“So now, a sect called Spirit Sword Manor has taken its place on Mount Diancang?”
“The Spirit Sword Manor was established by the renowned sword master, Seo Jong-myung, who played an active role during the Great Heavenly Blood War.”
Seo Jong-myung was the last disciple who inherited the lineage of the Diancang Sect.
He played a significant role in helping Lee Gwak to bring down the Celestial Demon Union.
After the Celestial Demon Union was defeated, he returned to the old site of the Diancang Sect and founded a new manor. That manor was the Spirit Sword Manor.
The Spirit Sword Manor became the new leader of Yunnan Province. However, in comparison to the old Diancang Sect, it was lacking.
This was because the founder of the manor, Seo Jong-myung, was not interested in expanding his power. However, thanks to his skilled and resourceful son, Seo Mun, the manor expanded its influence and power to where it is today.
“So, the Spirit Sword Manor can be considered the successor of the Diancang Sect.”
“All the people living in Yunnan Province think so. Do you know? The head of the Great Pearl Merchant Group also learned martial arts from the Spirit Sword Manor.”
“Is that so?”
“He’s not the only one. All the people who wield considerable power in Dali and Kunming also primarily learned martial arts from the Spirit Sword Manor.”
“And you?”
“How dare I say that I learned martial arts at the Spirit Sword Manor? I simply learned from a local martial arts center.”
“Well, you seem to have a pretty solid foundation.”
“Heh! You can see that much? Regardless, thank you for the compliment. Is there anything else you’re curious about?”
“No.”
“Okay. If you have any questions, just call me.”
Jin Gwan-hak returned to his place.
“Spirit Sword Manor… One of the Three Manors was here.”
New Moon Manor, Rain Sword Mountain Manor, and Spirit Sword Manor. These three factions were collectively referred to as the Three Manors.
He had already experienced the Rain Sword Mountain Manor and had heard about the Spirit Sword Manor from Jin Gwan-hak. The only one left was the New Moon Manor.
Unlike the other two, not much was known about the New Moon Manor. It was known only that it was one of the Three Manors, but not many people knew how it had come to stand alongside the other two.
“Someday, I’ll encounter the New Moon Manor.”
As long as he remains in Jianghu, he is bound to meet them at some point.
He had no need to worry about them since he hadn’t officially met them yet.
Pyo-wol closed his eyes, entrusting his body to the swaying of the wagon.
It was nearly half a day before he opened his eyes again.
“We will rest here today. Everyone, prepare to camp out.”
The voice of the chief escort, Ji Muhyeong, echoed strongly.
Pyo-wol and Do Yeonsan got off the wagon and prepared to camp.
“Double-check the tarp first before starting a bonfire.”
“Yes!”
The workers began to move in unison.
While they prepared the camp, the chief escort and temporary escorts checked the wagons and luggage.
Pyo-wol also double-checked the wagon he was responsible for.
Dinner was settled with simple rations.
The merchants and escorts sat in their respective places, eating their rations.
Then, Jin Gwan-hak shook a bottle of liquor towards Pyo-wol and said,
“Would you like a drink?”
“No thanks.”
“Why? A sip would warm your body.”
“I don’t usually drink.”
“What a pity. You’re missing out on one of the greatest pleasures in life.”
Jin Gwan-hak genuinely looked disappointed at Pyo-wol’s refusal.
A man beside Jin Gwan-hak snatched the bottle and said,
“Don’t offer it to someone who doesn’t drink, give it to me.”
“Drink sparingly. We wouldn’t want to spend a long night without any liquor.”
“Understood.”
The man took a precise single sip and returned the bottle.
Jin Gwan-hak peered into the bottle with one eye to see how much was left. The man who took the bottle looked at him and clicked his tongue.
“You stingy person, just–”
“If you think I’m stingy, I won’t give you any more.”
“Ah! That’s not it. It’s just my mouth speaking nonsense!”
The man playfully slapped his own mouth.
Jin Gwan-hak burst out laughing at his cheeky attitude.
They still needed at least another half-month before they could reach Chengdu, Sichuan.
Traveling a long way was already hard enough, but doing so with someone he doesn’t get along with could only make it harder. Fortunately, none of the temporary escorts accompanying him were problematic.
The only person he was worried about was Pyo-wol.
With his delicate face and quiet behavior, Jin Gwan-hak was concerned that Pyo-wol might have a prickly or sharp personality.
Fortunately, even though Pyo-wol was reticent and reserved, he didn’t seem to have a peculiar temperament.
He was a little bothered by his lack of words, but it was still tolerable.
It was then.
Thud, thud, thud!
Suddenly, a strong vibration could be felt from beneath their feet.
The vibration was so strong that even the laborers, who had not trained in martial arts, could feel it.
Chief Escort Ji Muhyeong abruptly stood up and shouted,
“It’s the sound of horse hooves. Everyone, be on guard!”
“Yes!”
The escorts raised their weapons, while the merchants and laborers ducked behind them.
A moment later, people on horseback emerged from the darkness. There were five of them, and the momentum they exuded was uncharacteristic.
Ji Muhyeong shouted again,
“This is where our Great Pearl Merchant Group is lodging. Stop and identify yourselves.”
“Did you just say the Great Pearl Merchant Group?”
One of those on horseback asked in surprise.
“Yes, but–”
“We are martial artists from the Spirit Sword Manor.”
“Spirit Sword Manor?”
Ji Muhyeong’s eyes widened in surprise.
If they were indeed martial artists from the Spirit Sword Manor, they were not strangers.
The leader of the Great Pearl Merchant Group had learned his martial arts from the Spirit Sword Manor, making them fellow students.
At that moment, a young martial artist from Spirit Sword Manor stepped forward.
He made a respectful bow and greeted them,
“I am Seo Gun-hwi, the young leader of the Rain Sword Mountain Manor.”
“Young leader? I am Ji Muhyeong, the chief escort of the Great Pearl Merchant Group.”
“Ah, you must be famous Master Ji. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“But what brings you here at night, Young Master?”
“I am ashamed to ask, but can I impose on you for just one night? I had to leave Spirit Sword Manor on urgent business and I didn’t prepare a place to sleep–”
“You are more than welcome to stay. After all, this concerns the Spirit Sword Manor. Of course, we have to help.”
“Thank you!”
“Everyone, come this way.”
Ji Muhyeong led Seo Gun-hwi and his party to the campfire where he had been sitting.
Seo Gun-hwi and his group tied their horses to a nearby tree and then gathered around the campfire.
The light of the campfire illuminated their faces red.
Seo Gun-hwi, who was introduced as the young leader of Spirit Sword Manor, was a handsome man in his mid to late twenties.
However, his piercing eyes and his tightly pressed lips made him look extremely stubborn.
Sitting next to Seo Gun-hwi was a girl who had a similar aura. She was Seo Gun-hwi’s younger sister, Seo Yul-hee.
Ji Muhyeong asked cautiously,
“Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“Oh? Would you like some dry rations?”
“Thank you. I won’t forget this kindness.”
“Oh my! What kindness? It’s nothing really.”
Ji Muhyeong waved his hands.
It was somewhat embarrassing to be thanked for such a small favor.
He ordered his subordinates to bring out the dry rations.
Seo Gun-hwi and his party chewed on the rations Ji Muhyeong handed to them.
Everyone else ate well, but the only woman in the group, Seo Yul-hee, ate with a slightly sour expression.
“I can’t eat it.”
In the end, Seo Yul-hee couldn’t finish her meal and put it down.
Upon seeing this, Seo Gun-hwi made a stern face and said,
“This is precious food. Think of Master Ji’s sincerity, and eat it all.”
“But what if it doesn’t sit well in my stomach?”
“Yul-hee!”
“I’m sorry. I really can’t eat it.”
“Do as you please. Just remember this. This is all the food we’re going to eat today. If you don’t eat this, you’ll have to spend the whole night starving.”
Seo Gun-hwi did not indulge Seo Yul-hee’s whims.
At this, Seo Yul-hee pouted her lips.
It would be nice if he could be a bit flexible at times like this, but her obstinate brother always insisted on principles, even towards his own kin.
She felt unjustly treated.
“I just won’t eat.”
“Fine.”
Seo Gun-hwi took the food away from Seo Yul-hee.
Seeing this, Cha Yun-pyeong, a close servant, cautiously said,
“Young Master! The young miss is still young, isn’t it too harsh to hold her to such a strict standard?”
“This has nothing to do with age. It’s a matter of principle.”
“But still, Young Master—”
“That’s enough, Master Cha!”
“Yes!”
Cha Yun-pyeong closed his mouth.
Seo Gun-hwi was a man who never changed his mind once he made a decision.
He was more righteous and principled than anyone else.
He would not tolerate any deviation from his principles, even to his own flesh and blood.
Seo Gun-hwi said to Seo Yul-hee,
“Didn’t I tell you not to follow me? That it would be hard, that it would not be a joke. Yet, you still stubbornly insisted. You promised that you wouldn’t be a burden, and not to be in the way. But look at you now. You’re grumbling and being picky about food when we barely have rations. How could you still call yourself a martial artist of Jianghu?”
His words were sharp and piercing as if he had stabbed her heart with a dagger. The brutal attack from Seo Gun-hwi caused tears to well up in Seo Yul-hee’s eyes.
“Hiik!”
In the end, Seo Yul-hee broke down in tears and ran away.
“Young Miss!”
“Stay still. Don’t try to comfort her either.”
“But–”
“It’s an order.”
“I understand.”
Cha Yun-pyeong, who was about to follow Seo Yul-hee, sat back down.
Ji Muhyeong, who was in between, cautiously tried to gauge Seo Gun-hwi’s mood. However, seeing Seo Gun-hwi’s tightly shut face, he didn’t dare to open his mouth.
Seo Gun-hwi took a mouthful of his food and said,
“Yul-hee needs to learn more about the ways of the world. Protecting and pampering her would do her no good. So, don’t indulge her.”
“Yes!”
“Understood.”
Cha Yun-pyeong and Ji Muhyeong answered simultaneously.
Even though Ji Muhyeong wasn’t Seo Gun-hwi’s subordinate, he still responded. He was swayed by Seo Gun-hwi’s commanding presence and momentum.
‘The young master of Spirit Sword Manor is indeed impressive.’
While Ji Muhyeong admired Seo Gun-hwi, he couldn’t help but worry about Seo Yul-hee.
His gaze followed Seo Yul-hee’s retreating figure.
Fortunately, Seo Yul-hee didn’t leave the campsite and sat down by a fire farther away.
The place she stayed at was where the temporarily hired escorts had gathered.
luna-cave
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