NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13
After the Waegu raids had subsided, the Hainan Sword Sect began strengthening their defenses following my recommendation, while also mourning the fallen.
With the cooperation of the residents of Hainan Island, wooden palisades were quickly erected around the harbor, and additional checkpoints were set up—measures not usually taken during normal times.
It seemed that the Evil Sect members wouldn’t be able to infiltrate Hainan Island by ordinary means.
However, the critical issue was that we couldn’t gauge whether they would abandon their attempt to invade Hainan or try to force their way in regardless.
The Evil Sect’s ultimate goal was the unification of the Central Plains.
From what was briefly mentioned in the original story, during the old days of the righteous and demonic sect wars, the Hainan Sword Sect had repeatedly dealt severe blows to the Evil Sect. Now, they planned to eliminate the Hainan Sword Sect first before advancing further.
Roughly for this reason, the protagonist, who had just embarked on his Jianghu journey, faced the demise of his sect, leading to the birth not of a vengeful ghost penguin, but of Lim Hye-ryeong.
Though, the problem was that she was a heroine added merely for filler, and she soon fell for the protagonist…
“Uncle? What’s on your mind?”
“My head’s been a mess because of the raid that happened four days ago.”
“Ah… Just forget about it for now! Today’s the day we’re meeting Elder Baek Chul!”
Hye-ryeong cried out, waving her arms. Was she pretending to be energetic because of my gloomy expression?
I nodded to Hye-ryeong, indicating that I understood, and followed her to the workshop where Elder Baek Chul was said to work.
“Elder Baek Chul!”
“Oh, what is it, Hye-ryeong? What brings you here?”
Even though not quite as large as me, the robust muscular elder with a build uncommon for someone from the Central Plains regarded Hye-ryeong affectionately, as if she were his granddaughter. Both the elders and the sect leader clearly cared for her, though I was unaware of the exact reasons.
Since there was little known about Hye-ryeong’s past, I could only conclude that her charm and affability made her popular with older men and uncles alike.
“I’ve come to request the creation of weapons for Great Hero William!”
“Oh, then the person standing behind you must be…”
The muscular man, known as Elder Baek Chul, looked at me curiously.
“You’re the one they call the Colored-Eyed Person, aren’t you?”
Thankfully, Elder Baek Chul’s first words after returning safely—since he hadn’t lived in the raided area—were friendly. I nodded and cut straight to the point.
“I need weapons.”
“Of course. Compared to what you’ve done, making weapons is nothing.”
Elder Baek Chul cast a scrutinizing, yet amicable, gaze over me. He was probably assessing my build to make an appropriate sword.
“Do you mind showing me your hands?”
“Yes.”
I extended my hand to Elder Baek Chul. Upon taking it, he inspected it thoroughly before nodding and speaking.
“Looks like the hand of someone who’s only swung weapons and eaten their meals. I heard you were a soldier—true?”
“Huh? Is that right?”
Had I not mentioned that before?
I glanced at Hye-ryeong, who seemed genuinely surprised, nodded once, and replied to Elder Baek Chul.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Hmm…a soldier, huh. Judging by what I see, you weren’t an ordinary foot soldier, were you?”
“An ordinary soldier, no. I was a cavalryman.”
“How high-ranking were you? Cavalrymen are invaluable assets, so how did you end up here?”
“That’s a long story…”
I deliberately left my sentences vague, sensing that this conversation might drag on unnecessarily—especially since Hye-ryeong was already listening with glittering eyes. I wanted to hurry up and place my order and leave.
Since crafting the weapons I intended to order would take some time anyway…
“Alright then, let’s focus on the task at hand. What kind of weapon are you looking for? I heard you use a sword, right?”
“Apart from the sword, I’d also need other types of weapons. Is that possible?”
“Say the word.”
“Do you happen to have any paper? If possible, I’d like to draw the shapes and structures to explain them better.”
“Hmm, let me get that for you. Baek Cheon!”
“Ah! Father!”
“Bring paper and ink over!”
“Yes!”
The distant sound of hurried footsteps and thumping echoed as someone raced over. I leaned against the wall, observing Elder Baek Chul’s son, Baek Cheon, rushing in with paper and brush in hand.
He looked slightly older, though his occasional glances at Hye-ryeong hinted at an interest in her. Hye-ryeong, however, was fully engrossed in chatting with Elder Baek Chul and didn’t even notice.
She isn’t interested at all, it seems.
“Here you go, Great Hero!”
I took the paper and brush from Baek Cheon.
It’s been so long since I last used a brush. Probably since high school—I can’t even remember how to hold it.
“Auntie! You have to hold the brush like this!”
Hye-ryeong demonstrated the proper grip in the air, and I followed her instructions, slowly beginning my drawings.
At first, I had trouble controlling the pressure, but by the third weapon, my lines looked decent enough.
“Hmm, this certainly doesn’t resemble the usual swords of the Central Plains. And… do you know how your military equipment differs as well?”
“That’s essential cavalry knowledge.”
Ideally, a lance would come in handy…it’s a weapon I’m familiar with, but it wouldn’t be practical in the Central Plains. Even with lance-specific techniques, it’d be too cumbersome to carry around for personal use.
“I see…what’s the purpose of the dagger?”
“It’s for twin-sword techniques.”
“You intend to use both the sword and the dagger simultaneously?”
This uncle sure is curious. Well, it’s understandable since it’s related to his job. I patiently answered all of Elder Baek Chul’s questions.
Considering the weapons are unfamiliar here, providing detailed descriptions would ensure I get exactly what I want.
I ordered four types of weapons: a longsword and dagger, a poleaxe, and a buckler. I then asked Elder Baek Chul,
“How long do you think it will take?”
“Hmm…I’ve never made a shield before, so that might take some time. The rest, I can manage.”
A shield’s unavoidable. In this area, only soldiers would ever use one, so it makes sense.
“The swords can be prioritized. Take your time with the shield.”
“Understood. Rest assured, I’ll forge a legendary blade that even the greatest swordsmen would envy.”
A sword forged by the master craftsman of a major sect, that’s something to look forward to.
“Elder Baek Chul is an excellent craftsman, so you’ll surely receive a fine sword!”
“You can count on me! I’ll have my son deliver it as soon as it’s ready!”
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me! Thanks to you, the children of the Hainan Sword Sect survived. This much is the least I can do!”
Elder Baek Chul heartily patted me on the back. It seems the sense of community runs deep here. I smiled and nodded.
“Well, see you later.”
“Once I’m done, let me hear your story. My curiosity’s killing me.”
“After we stop the Evil Sect’s invasion, I’ll share the story over a drink.”
There will surely be time for that if we manage to repel the attack.
Hye-ryeong and I left the workshop and headed toward the pavilion where the Sect Leader resided.
—
“Ah, you’ve arrived?”
The Sect Leader sat at a long table, facing us. In front of him was a box emitting an unusual fragrance. It looked to be something quite valuable.
“Take a seat first. Hye-ryeong, you are dismissed.”
“Yes! See you later, Uncle!”
With a wave, Hye-ryeong left the pavilion, leaving only the Sect Leader and me. I settled opposite the Sect Leader and looked at him.
“Thanks to your efforts, we were able to capture all the Waegu pirates. I owe you a great debt.”
This was the third time I’d heard this gratitude.
The first two were more public expressions of thanks, while this felt more personal.
“It was simply my duty.”
I humbly replied. In situations like this, flaunting my contributions could also be an option, but since they’d likely reward me anyway, there’s no point in pushing for more.
We’ll see what other benefits I can secure after repelling the Evil Sect’s invasion.
It was already a significant gain for me to have arranged custom-made weapons with Elder Baek Chul.
“This personal gift is from me.”
“You shouldn’t…”
“Accept it as a token of personal gratitude. Without you, this might have fallen into the hands of the Evil Sect anyway.”
The Sect Leader pushed the box toward me with his fingertips. I picked it up, slowly opening it.
“This is…”
“One hundred-year-old Ginseng. While it can’t compare to elixirs like the Dae Hwan Dan, it’s still quite valuable.”
…It doesn’t look very appetizing.
Still, it had a remarkably fragrant aroma. Just sniffing it made my energy center resonate. It instinctively sensed the ginseng would enhance my inner energy.
“Practice your martial arts here.”
“Thank you.”
I took the box and headed toward the porch adjacent to the pavilion, sitting cross-legged. I carefully picked up the one hundred-year-old ginseng from the box.
I hate bitter things.
But it’s good for me, so I should eat it.
I closed my eyes and slowly chewed the ginseng, starting from the root, then swallowed.
Ugh, I might vomit.
I gritted my teeth against the terrible taste lingering in my mouth—it needed to stay closed for meditation, after all.
Thus, I began to slowly channel my energy through the mana roads according to the oaths of power.